Password and hacking under the privcy issues Research Paper

Password and hacking under the privcy issues - Research Paper Example Hackers view the people’s privacy as an unknown intriguing matter, which has to be conquered. The hacking methods have kept up with the development of the various technologies meant to protect the privacy of the users and they have managed to violate them and gain access to one’s personal information. A proof of their rapid development is that, according to the FBI’s National Computer Crimes Squad, 85 to 97 percent of computer intrusions are not detected. Moreover, only 19 % of the attacks are reported.1 Installing password for online accounts is one of these methods; in fact, it is the most popular one. No matter the nature of the accounts, whether it is an account in a social network, or an email account, installing passwords to it is the best that one can do in order to protect his/her account from uninvited curious â€Å"guests†. The objective of this paper is to analyze how violating one’s account by cracking its password is regarded from the privacy ethical point of view. The paper shall present the legislative acts that tend to legally protect personal information from hackers and their practical application in the real life. The paper is divided into two chapters. The first chapter is dedicated to the history of hacking and its development. It will also describe the most common methods of password violation and the hackers’ point of view on this matter, under the privacy issues. The next chapter will describe the acts that are meant to protect personal information and guarantee one’s privacy and their efficiency in application. Some popular law cases connected to password hacking will be described and analyzed. Most of us associate the activity of â€Å"hacking† with illegal conduct, infringements and law violations. Of course, a hacker for us represents a law disobedient person, some kind of a rebel that instead of living his life normally chooses to spend days and nights in front of a computer and break into

Persuasive Speech Essay Example for Free

Persuasive Speech Essay I. Introduction â€Å"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.† This quote by Friedrich Nietzsche speaks volumes toward the importance of individuality and self-expression. It shows how conformity can lead to complacency and â€Å"corrupt† our most valuable resource, our youth. School uniforms do just that. The requirement of school uniforms can cause more problems than they solve ranging from elevated stress levels to legal issues. People will always have their opinions on the benefits of school uniforms though it’s important to consider both sides of the argument as well as considering other options such as the option of a dress code. Growing up in Salina, Kansas left me with only a few educational options; of three schools, two are public. Which public school you attend is determined by where your residence is in correlation with pre determined district zones. Having never been subject to uniforms I can’t personally speak for their pros or cons, I can however give insight into the liberty and self-expression I experienced by attending a public school that implemented the use of a dress code instead of a strict uniform policy. II. More harm than good A. As more and more people are beginning to associate with the opinion of school uniforms being a beneficial policy, they neglect to take into account how it individually affects each of the students. B. School uniforms are usually expensive and are often times, expected to be purchased by the student’s family. This can raise stress in the home environment due to economic strain on the household creating a less than satisfactory place to study. C. According to Scholastic Scope, another point to consider is that of vanity. Uniforms can be uncomfortable and less flattering to certain body types than others causing the student to become more stressed and anxious than before. D. In addition many researchers believe that uniforms inhibit self-expression and can cause more problems through students â€Å"acting out† (Lauren, Tarshis, 2011). III. Effect on Behavioral Problems A. It’s hard to pinpoint what makes a student behave inappropriately. What’s even more difficult is finding a solution for what’s causing them to do so. For years, people had thought school uniforms could be the solution to behavioral problems with in our academic system stating that they would make it an equal environment where a student didn’t have to worry about what they wore, and how they would stand out in a positive or negative way. B. Initially, in a study conducted from school years 1995-1997 at the elementary school level researchers found that after implementing school uniforms, behavioral problems within the schools studied actually declined. C. Though this argument seems logical, further research proved this theory to be incorrect. In a 1998 study, researchers D. Brunsma and K. Rockquemore found that when other factors were taken into account school uniforms had little to no effect on behavior within the school. They also found that uniforms had no effect on such things as substance abuse, school attendance, and crime within the academic institutions researched (Tanner, 2010). D. School uniforms do provide an equal setting to learn, that much is true, but the problem lies within. If a student feels suffocated by conformity, the student may act out in an attempt to individualize him or herself and stand out in the crowd. E. Without a proper foundation built on research, it’s impossible to say uniforms are beneficial. IV. Legality A. In addition to a lack of a strong foundation built on research, the requirement of school uniforms brings up a legal debate, one of constitutional rights. B. In the case of Tinker v. Des Moines, (1969) it was ruled unconstitutional to force the requirement of school uniforms on the public school system. This was ruled unconstitutional due to infringing on the first amendment right of freedom of speech. It’s stated that you have the right to express your thoughts and opinions on a controversial topic through the attire you choose to wear. (Tinker, 1969). C. A school uniform policy may also force someone to wear something that goes against their religious beliefs, adding fuel to the controversy. D. It’s important to keep in mind how wide of a variety of students attend public schools. If they are truly available to anyone, then you must make the policies flexible for everyone. V. Other options A. To allow for individuality as well as maintaining an equal learning experience for every student, there’s another option to take into consideration. B. One option is tightening dress codes within the school. Instead of a strict uniform based policy, this would allow students to express themselves and remain individuals while still being able to relate with one another, not alienating any student from the other. C. Some of the inner cities that have adopted the uniform policy are finding many students have difficulty paying for the expensive attire. This would also allow for students to have the option to purchase cheaper clothing, still within the dress code. VI. Other argument A. Though there isn’t a strong foundation for research of the subject, many remain convinced that uniforms are the best way to help our public school system. They believe how a student perceives their academic institution plays a major role in how the student performs. B. A students perception of their academic institution and the environment within them is referred to as school climate and is determined with the use of surveys categorized into subscales. C. The National Association of Secondary School principals conducted a study that with the use of surveys such as this, attempted to determine if school climate was better within schools that required the use of uniforms. D. The study proved uniforms to be beneficial with students reporting climate as more positive in 9 out of 10 subscales (Murray,1997). E. With that being said, a students perception of their schools environment is only a fraction of what makes an equal and efficient learning environment for the entire studen t body. VII. Conclusion As John F. Kennedy once said, â€Å"Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.† Whether or not the requirement of school uniforms is a beneficial addition to the public school system will continue to remain a controversial issue though the true controversy lies within the uniform policy itself. Self-expression is an important aspect in shaping a person into who they are. So in order for our public school system and the pupils within it to grow and develop through success, it’s our responsibility to keep uniforms out of our public school system.

Symbols in Beloved

Symbols in Beloved The degradation imposed upon all slaves, the relationships among enslaved and the changes in their own perception of themselves, the meaning of time and memory and how it influences the future are some of the problems explored by Toni Morrison in her novel Beloved. What really impressed us while reading the book were the various ways she approached her readers. The style combines literary realism with biblical myths, folklore, and pure historical reality with deep symbolism. The role of the symbols is the focus of this paper. Different authors have investigated the symbols in Beloved but still not much is written about some of the symbols that are the object of this research the number 124, the name Sethe and the colours used in the narration. The three symbols will be approached separately despite their common role in the narration. The main task is to familiarise with these symbols, to present some authors remarks about them and to point out the multiple ways to read symbols. A further analysis of their interconnection may come out as a separate work. A symbol, as defined by Merriam-Webster online Dictionary and Thesaurus is something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance. Quite often it is a visible sign of something that can not be seen. The word symbol comes from the Greek verb symballein which means to put together and the noun symbolon which means mark, taken or sign. To suit our purposes a more complex explanation of the symbols will be of better use: A symbol has complex, not only literal meaning, but also additional meaning(s) beyond the literal. Sometimes the literal meaning of a symbol is absurd, so that the symbolic meaning over-rides and cancels out the literal meaning. A symbol may have more than one meaning. In fact, the most significant symbols do convey an indefinite range of meanings (Doty 1). But one should not forget that the meaning of a piece of literature depends on the readers freedom to perceive and understand it in a unique way. So weather a symbol is well chosen or not will be judged by the way the reader responds to it. In Beloved Toni Morrison uses a variety of symbols in order to escape from the conventional and at the same time to ensure that the message she wants to convey will reach its audience. Colours, numbers, names, trees and different images all come to help her transfer her ideas to the public. In this work the focus will be on three main symbols used and their role in the narration: number 124, the name Sethe and the colours. Number 124 Having in mind the idea of symbols and their meaning, the first thing that strikes is number 124. It actually is connected to the spot where most of the action takes place the house at 124 Bluestone Road, .a residence where every inhabitant feels secure, surrounded by the community and sometimes suffocated by the too tense atmosphere. But if the reader decides to look further, he will notice that if the separate digits are summed up, 7 is reached. 124 fits this astrological delineation because the sum of the three digitsadd up to aforementioned 7 (Essay on Toni Morrisons Beloved 1). According to the numerology number seven represents creation as well as vitality and mystery which are the key points of the whole novel. It also identifies a positive renewal and stands for the punishment, the purification and the penitence. Another way to interpret the number is that 124 stands for Sethes four children among whom the third one Beloved, is absent (Atousa 6). Perceived in this way the symbol is extremely strong in reminding the reader of the murdered child, its ghostly presence in the life of the family and Sethes great sense of loss. The Name Sethe Even the name of the protagonist Sethe is symbolic. Using it Toni Morrison connects the story of the proud and independent woman who has dedicated all her life to her children with the ancient Egypt, on one hand, and the Holy Bible, on the other. The two ways to read the symbol may be seen as an attempt of the author to reach a wider audience or to show the complexity of the character. The God of chaos, wind and storms Seth- a man with the head of an animal or bird, gives some masculine features to this female slave but at the same time emphasises her chaotic state of mind that leads to breaking down the polarities of right and wrong (Lewis 1). The Biblical Seth the child of Adam and Eve also adds strength and determination to her character and represents her skills to fight and overcome difficulties. Yet, as a typical representative of the enslaved, she has spent all of her efforts not trying to avoid pain but to get through it as quickly as possible. The Colours Colours take significant place in the setting, describing the way people feel or conveying hope for a brighter future. They are symbols of life which Sethe does not take for granted. Trying to find the vitality in the moment, she follows her inner self. Black and white represents the obvious contradiction between the world of people whose skin is white and those with black one. White is usually accepted as a symbol of innocence, life, light, purity, or enlightenment, while black is seen as a cold and negative colour suggesting passivity, death, ignorance, or evil. In Beloved one can speak of colour-consciousness presented as a part of a relationship that has affected the lives of many. Baby Suggs, Sethes mother-in-law, says Those white things have taken all I had or dreamed. . . and broke my heartstrings too. There is no bad luck in the world but whitefolks(89). Her words describe the bitterness and destruction crying deep in her heart. Another symbol coming from the red part of the spectrum could be seen over and over again throughout Beloved. Red symbolizes action, courage, vitality. For Amy Denver, the red velvet signifies her ambitions for a calm and peaceful life, while the red heart of Paul D stands for his emotions. Life and death, presence and absence go together in the novel and their influence could be felt at each stage. The red roses which line the road to the carnival herald its arrival in town but also mark the beginning of new life for Sethe, Denver, and Paul D, their expectations. These roses at the same time are to remind the death. Red is all that Morrison need say, for she shows us what it means to know color as a matter of life and death (Morey 1040) There are many different artistic devices used in literature. Toni Morrison has applied a variety of techniques but certainly a strong point in her style in Beloved is the usage of a vast number symbols conveying often mixed messages. 124 when summed up makes seven which symbolises creation and vitality but seen as a sequence is the sign of something lost forever. Sethe is both the name of the child of Adam and Eve, strong in coping with difficulties and the name of the God of chaos and storm, restless in his pursuit of good and bad. Black and white, dark and light, the colours that are commonly associated with the slaves and their enslavers and red the colour of love and yet sometimes smelling of death. The symbolic dimension of Toni Morrisons novel goes together with the development of the narrative and sometimes even takes over. It is a powerful means to present the plurality of races, genders, classes, and ethnicities in America at that time. Karen Bernardo says that just as characterization and dialogue and plot work on the surface to move the story along, symbolism works under the surface to tie the storys external action to the theme(Bernardo 1). That external action in our opinion is often more influential than the surface one as symbols convey deep messages that are transferred sometimes even without the conscious knowledge of the reader. The only requirement is to read with open senses.

Ritz Carlton Background :: essays research papers

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has achieved so much fame in their marketplace that they have attained what is referred to as â€Å"The Ritz Mystique.† Among the grand hotels of the world, The Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts are famous for luxury, spectacular surroundings and legendary service. They have gained this title with dedication and award-winning hotels that reflect the 100 years of tradition that stand behind them. Discovering the fascinating history of Ritz-Carlton hotels, illustrates their commitment on relentless training to improve their quality in service and their strategy. Ritz-Carlton has achieved a Gold Standard of value and philosophy by which they operate. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. originates with the 1983 purchase of The Ritz-Carlton, Boston by William B. Johnson, and the purchase of rights to The Ritz-Carlton name. The standards of service, dining and facilities of this Boston landmark serve as a benchmark for all Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts worldwide. In 1927, Edward N. Wyner, a local Boston real estate developer, was asked to build a world-class hotel. Wyner agreed because he knew The Ritz-Carlton name would secure immediate success. He received permission from The Ritz-Carlton Investing Company and the Paris Ritz for use of the name and set out to create luxury in the heart of Boston. Edward Wyner died in 1961. However, the Ritz legacy endured with Charles Ritz, son of Cesar Ritz, who was an active board member of The Ritz-Carlton until his death in 1977. In 1983, Blakely sold the hotel and the rights to The Ritz-Carlton name to William B. Johnson, who established The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. The company has grown a collection of the finest hotels around the world since. Several of these hotels are historic landmarks, following a commitment of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company to preserving architecturally important buildings. One of these examples is The Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa. As a famous Pasadena landmark for nearly 100 years, the Huntington Hotel went through many owners and stages to get where they are today. The hotel was finished with its final rebuilding and renovating stages and reopened as The Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel in March 1991. Originally the hotel was constructed in 1906 and opened in February 1907 as the Hotel Wentworth. Financial problems and a disappointing first season forced the Hotel Wentworth to go out of business. Railroad tycoon and art collector Henry Huntington purchased the Hotel Wentworth in 1911, renaming it the Huntington Hotel.

Managing Strategy: Case Study of Thornton plc Essay

1.0 Thornton Plc – an Overview: Occupying 8 percent market share of the UK boxed chocolate market in the year 2002 the company Thornton had witnessed a decline in its profits even from the year 1998. The turnover of the company and the operating profits of the company for the years 1994 to 2003 are presented below: The company was largely depending on its in house manufacturing facility and also adopted the marketing strategy of distributing the products through its own retail units established throughout the country. To some extent the company also adopted the franchising route also. Though the company was rich in its internal resources and good in the new product developments, the manufacturing and marketing strategy adopted by the company posed difficulties in meeting the seasonal demands which constituted a major percentage of the sales of the company. This part of the paper analyses the strength of the internal resources of the company. 1.1 Internal Resources: The success of any business depends on the strength of its internal resources which greatly facilitates sustaining the growth achieved by the firm. It is equally important for the company not only to achieve reasonable growth in the profits and sales but also to sustain the growth established by it. The internal resources of the company come in handy to help the company to retain the level of growth being achieved by the company. The internal resources of the company Thornton Plc can be detailed as below: A Complete Value Chain: The strategy of the company in having in house manufacturing facility coupled with its own retail outlets represented a complete value chain which is a distinct internal resource the company possessed. Even though the company resorted to external sources for non-core products and the basic liquid chocolate, the company retained the core manufacturing activity and the recipes. This enabled the company to ensure the quality of the ingredients to the chocolates and maintain its exclusivity in the market. Assets and Competencies of the Company: The distinct advantage the company was carrying was its capability to manufacture its requirements with its own facilities. This had enabled the company to maintain the freshness of its chocolates which became a distinguishing feature for Thornton’s products. This represents the internal resources of the company in the form of its ‘physical assets’. The other ‘physical assets’ that helped the company in maintain its market position is the number of the company’s own retail shops spread throughout the country. A graphical representation of the total number of retail outlets owned and franchised by the company is produced below: Intangible Assets: The goodwill earned by the company by maintaining the quality of its products and the quality of its service to the customers account for the intangible asset the company holding as an important internal resource of the company. Product Differentiation: Another feature that distinguished the chocolates of Thornton is the finishing. While competitors like Cadburys’ products are moulded, Thornton used a handmade appearance to the products by enrobing them in chocolates. In this way Thornton could make a marked ‘product differentiation’ that can be counted as a valuable internal resource that the company could use for improving its brand image. Quality of Service to the Customers: By having most of its sales done by its own shops, the company was able to provide a quality service to the customers. Through services like writing personalized messages on chocolates by icing on the top on important occasions, providing specialised gift wrappers etc the company could get to the fifth place by customers’ choice in the high-street vendors. Product Innovations: Developing new products was a passion for Thornton. This is evident from the fact that in the year the company could add 27 new ‘countlines’ and 132 new and updated products in the year 1998.       Unique and Core Assets and Competencies: The Unique assets of the company can be found in its in house manufacturing facilities that contributed largely for the quality of the products. However with the available manufacturing facility the company was unable to meet the peak seasonal demand which represented the threshold limit with respect to this unique asset. Similarly the core competency represented the company’s ability to innovate as many number of new products to cater to the market. But the threshold limit for this competency was the failure of the company to concentrate on the retailing and the poor locations of the shops that could not give the true advantage of this core competency of new product innovation. 1.2 Strengths and Weaknesses of Thornton Plc: While commenting on the internal resources of any firm it is customary to do an analysis of the firm’s relative strengths and weaknesses. An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of Thornton is detailed below: Strengths: In house manufacturing facility: The availability of in house manufacturing facility enabled Thornton to ensure the quality of ingredient and thereby ensure the quality of its products. It was also possible to maintain the freshness f the products.   Own retail outlets: The establishment of the company’s own retails shops gave the strength of meeting a higher level of customer service and also an effective distribution of the products among own retail units. Capability to innovate new products: The distinct capability of the company to involve itself in innovative products with new recipes had resulted in increasing its sales at some point of time. Several attempts by the company to promote the sales on this strength had proved successful. Strong brand image: The quality of the Thornton’s products coupled with its freshness had created a set of loyal customers to the company and resulted in the creation of a very strong brand image for the company Sound technical knowledge in terms of recipes: This strength has helped the company to plunge in to the creation of many new products that finally proved successful in the market. Added marketing strength through franchisee stores: In addition to the own retail units, the company also adopted the policy of giving franchise rights to more retailers which proved a distinct strength for the company in terms of marketing of its products. Unique product differentiation: The Company had clearly excelled itself in the segment of boxed chocolates which has proved to be the company’s core strength. Strong market presence in the boxed chocolate segment: Having specialized in the boxed chocolate segment the company made its presence felt in the segment. Weaknesses: Heavy Seasonal Demand: More than 50 percent of the sales of the company resulted from the sales during Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day and Easter Sunday. This led to pressure on sales at shorter periods and at times poor sales if there were disturbances in the seasonal sales due to some reason. Dependence on one key product: Excessive dependence on a single product like boxed chocolates had always proved a cause for the failure in sales. Similarly the company depended on the sale of innovative Easter Eggs for the year 2000 that proved an expensive lesson in that more than 300,000 chocolate eggs were left in stock unsold, making the company to sell at half the price. Low quality products and service from franchisee and associated companies: Many a times the associate companies with whom the company had selling arrangements sold products of lower quality. The franchisees, their core product not being chocolates could not provide a quality service to the customers Poor automation capabilities leading to higher labour intensiveness: The finishing of the products with chocolate enrobing made the automation impossible and also due to seasonal sales the company had to employ additional labourers for manufacture as well as for sales during season times which proved expensive. Frequent changes in the marketing strategies: Due to some reason or other the company faced failures successively which made the company change in the marketing strategies. Also changes in the Chief Executives also brought new strategies into practice. Being impulsive purchase unpredictable demand: The chocolate being an impulsive purchase made the demand for the products unpredictable leading to manufacture of the products without a planned approach. Weather conditions affecting seasonal demands: Since the sales of the company were heavily seasonal, any weather conditions that affect the festivals also affected the sales of the company. This was evidenced in the Christmas for the year 1998, when the sales went down by 3.8 percent for the same period last year due to extended summer that affected the buying of customers. Shorter shelf life of the products: One of the major weaknesses of the company was the short shelf life of the products. As against the use of the vegetable fat as the base by the competitors which gave them longer shelf life, Thornton used cocoa base to keep the authentic quality of the products which made the shelf life shorter for the products. Product lines demanding own manufacture: Several products of the company were fit to be manufactured by the companies own manufacturing facilities only. On a research the management of Thornton identified that at least 70 percent of their products need their own manufacturing facility. Higher manufacturing costs: Since most of the products are being manufactured by its own facilities the company could not have a closer control in the manufacturing costs. Moreover the employment of additional workers on peak seasons also increases the manufacturing cost. 1.3 Product Market Research: The Company’s core product range included the boxed chocolates, where it has to meet the competition from major players like Cadburys and Nestle. The company had to compete with high street specialist retailers such as ‘Body Shop’ in  £ 5-10 price range. The percentage of market share of different companies in the boxed chocolate market is graphically represented below: It may be noted that Thornton was able to retain the market share of 8 percent from the year 1999 to 2002 sheer by the product quality against the stiff competition of not only other chocolate retailers but also form others selling postal gifts of wine and flowers. The introduction of 27 new products in ‘countlines’ in the year 1997 and 132 varieties in the year 1998 witnessed an increase in sales of up to  £ 133 million for 1998 and also brought new male, children and teenage customers lowering the average age of the customers. The company planned to increase the new products and re-launch of old products up to 92 percent for Valentines Day, 100 percent for Mothers day and 91 percent for Easter Sunday for the year 2000. New product development with a focus on day-to-day sales rather than for meeting the seasonal demand was taken up to reduce the excessive dependence on the seasonal sales. 1.4 Internal Resources and the Firm’s Competitive Advantage: The competitive position of a firm is determined by its product superiority and the relative market position. These aspects are enhanced by the internal resources and capabilities possessed by the company that adds the competitive edge of the organization In the case of Thornton, the company was clearly placed in more competitive position as compared to other players in the market. The better quality of its products that could be achieved as a result of its own manufacturing facilities is a distinct competitive edge the company possessed. Similarly the positive effects of other internal resources like the establishment of its own retail outlets and the product innovation capabilities had contributed much to the improvement in the marketing ability of the company.                Question 2: Marketing Strategy of Thornton Plc: The marketing strategy of Thornton can be analysed on the basis of the available marketing strategy models. 2.1 Porter’s Generic Strategies: As perceived by Michael Porter in his book ‘Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analysing Industries and Competitors’ the competition in any business can be reduced to three broad strategies. These strategies are known as ‘Porter’s Generic Strategies’ and are: Cost Leadership Product Differentiation and Market segmentation The competitive strategy of Thornton can be identified with Product differentiation and market segmentation but not with the cost leadership as the company was never able to have a comfortable cost position because of its high packing costs and heavy seasonal demand for the products. 2.2 Bowman’s Clock: As compared to the Porter’s Generic Strategies Cliff Bowman had developed competitive advantages in relation to cost advantage or differentiation advantage. Bowman identified eight core strategies in any business based on the firm’s competitive advantages. They are: Low price/Low added Value: signifying segment specific strategy Low price: being adopted by a cost leader as a result of price wars and low margin on the products Hybrid Option: Represents low cost base and reinvestment in low price and product differentiation. Product Differentiation: This option is being exercised with a price premium and without a price premium. Focused Differentiation: Involving perceived added value to a ‘particular segment’ that needs a premium. Increased Price/Standard: higher margins if competitors do not value follow/risk of losing market share. Marketing Teacher Increased Price/Low Values: This option can be exercised only in a monopoly situation Low Value/Standard Price: This strategy will result in a loss of market share.    Out of these eight strategic options developed by Bowman, Thornton had been following the Product differentiation Strategy originally and later on shifted to ‘focused differentiation’   to capitalize on their product strength. In the case of Boxed chocolates the firm had adopted the   product differentiation with a price premium.          2.3 Ansoff’s Matrix: Developed by Igor Ansoff, this model uses two basic components of marketing namely Products and markets to identify four generic growth strategies namely Market Penetration, Market Development, Product Development and Diversification. Ansoff’s Matrix is â€Å"a framework for identifying the corporate growth opportunities† (Tutor2u) Market Penetration involves more of the same product to the same customers Market Development uses new customers for existing products Product Development uses new products for existing customers and Diversification involves new products and new customers. Ansoff’s Matrix: Example of Thornton The example of Thornton matching the Ansoff’s Matrix can be explained as below: Market Penetration: Increase in the share of chocolate business at the expense of Sainsbury and Asda. Market Development: Movement into more distribution channels like ‘joint venture’ shops with Birthdays Group – a 500 strong chain of greetings cards and novelties outlets; exclusive supply arrangement with Tesco; expansion in to France, Belgium and USA Product Development: Thornton attempted to do product development increasing the rate and scope of new product innovation, repackaging and re-launching of old products that added 27 products in the year 1997 and close to 132 products in the year 1998. Diversification: Thornton developed new product ranges like desserts, ice cream, sponge puddings, cakes and cheesecake.          2.4 Five Forces Model: Thornton’s position with respect to the industry can be analysed on the basis of Michael Porter’s Five Force analysis. â€Å"Porter provided a framework that models an industry as being influenced by five forces. The strategic business manager seeking to develop an edge over rival firms can use this model to better understand the industry context in which the firm operates.†(QuickMBA) Barriers to Entry: Though technologically there is no barrier for the new entrants to the market, the accesses to the distribution channels pose a great barrier to entry. Establishment of a new brand also would take considerable time and money in the form of advertising and promotional expenses. This acts as a barrier to the new entrant to the industry. The strength of this force is negligible. Threat of Substitute: There are a number of substitute products available for the products of Thornton. The new products from the competitors like Nestle and Cadburys as well as products from other brands and own label manufactures often pose a problem of substitute products available in the market. Switching to substitute products for the customers is inexpensive and easy as every brand is available in plenty in the various outlets like petrol bunks, novelty stores, greetings cards stores, super markets and specialized shops. The strength of this force is to be reckoned with. Buyer Power: The ultimate consumer being the buyer the force exerted by them on the industry is sizeable. Any small change in the quality of the products or in the level of service will make the buyers switch their loyalty to other brands. Moreover, being an impulse purchase the availability of a number of substitutes and the inexpensive way to switch to other brands make the buyer power act as a strong force.    Supplier Power:   The timely delivery of the product depends on the availability of the base materials in the right quality and right time. Though it is not difficult to establish new sources of supply it may take some time to establish the required level of quality and reliance on the timely deliveries. But the supplier cannot threaten to increase the price at his convenience as there a number of suppliers are available in the market. Hence it can be said that this force is only mildly acting on the industry. Competitive Rivalry: As such the industry is highly competitive with four major players occupying 72 percent of the market share. Any small downward trend in the market share of Thornton will be taken advantage of by the major players acting in the industry. Moreover except the force of ‘barriers to entrants’ and ‘suppliers power’ to some extent other forces are acting very strongly on the industry. Hence it can be said that the competitive rivalry is very high for Thornton Plc. Question 3: Relationship between Thornton and Marks & Spencer: The case study of Marks & Spencer also indicates the different strategies adopted by the firm to sustain its growth attained over a period. The basic weaknesses in the company that led to the downward trend of the company were: Excessive dependence on the suppliers within UK which increased the cost of the products for the company and affected the profitability Expansion of business within Europe and in the USA that finally proved unworthy or not maintainable due to various reasons Expansion and refurbishment of own retail units in the UK which increased the capital cost of the firm Development of new product lines like food when there was so much to be done in the existing clothing business. Thus the experiences of both Thornton Plc and Marks & Spencer can be identified as more or less same with the only difference is that Thornton depended heavily on the seasonal business. Marks & Spencer followed a Hybrid strategy under Bowman’s clock. With the experience of both the firms in the same direction it is quite possible that the business of the both the firms can be combined to take advantage of the advantage of the combiner synergy. However while combing the businesses by selling the chocolates through Marks & Spence r the following points need to be taken into account. 3.1 Overlap of Network: Though Thornton had a long standing supply arrangement with Marks & Spencer with a renewal of such supply arrangement may pose the problem of the overlapping of the network of the customers of both the stores, especially in locations where both Thornton and Marks & Spencer have their retail outlets. Being a commercial customer it is quite possible that the products offered by Marks & Spencer may differ by style and recipe from those provided through Thornton’s own outlets. It may not be possible for the customers to be sure as to whether the products were really made by Thornton. The authenticity of the products may not be fully realized in the perspective of the customers. This is one aspect that needs consideration when a decision to renew the contacts with Marks & Spencer is to be ever thought of by Thornton. Another issue that Thornton needs to consider is the quality of service to the customers. Marks & Spencer having it thrust on its core products of clothing, food and beauty products it may be difficult for the company to attach the same importance that Thornton gives its products. The personalized approach that is being attributed to every customer at the Thornton store may not be expected out of Marks & Spencer. The availability of substitute products by the side of the products of Thornton may also pose a problem for an effective increase in the sales of Thornton’s products. The product promotions and advertising for the competitors’ products will have its own impact on the sales of the Thornton’s products unless an exclusive arrangement with Marks & Spencer is entered only to deal with Thornton’s products. The display and product promotion of Thornton by Marks & Spencer is another area that needs to be addressed. The floor space and the kind of visibility to the products Marks & Spencer may offer to Thornton’s products will greatly depend upon the financial gain that M&S get out of the deal with Thornton. Hence a careful discussion and finalization of the contract is a pre requisite for Thornton to expect the kind of treatment for its products by M&S as the company expects to have. Thornton should look into the cost aspects and the projected sales through the outlets of M&S and decide on the financial working arrangement with M&S. 3.2 Possibilities of Other Working Arrangements: Thornton may look into the possibility of entering into other arrangements like renting a small shop floor area with M&S in the location where they don’t have their own retail units. Thornton may appoint its own staff to look after the sales and thereby can ensure the quality of service to its customer. The company may enter into a profit – sharing arrangement with M&S to create interest on the part of the latter to offer its shop area to Thornton. In this way both companies can retain their identities and at the same time work for the mutual profitability. This would eventually result in the increase in the sales of Thornton. This ‘shop within shop’ arrangement may be effective in controlling the cost of expansion for Thornton to expand in locations where M&S have its own stores. Moreover this sort of alliance is easy to work out and less complicated in terms of fixing the benefit to M&S. There will be no commitment on the part of M&S to assure any minimum sales also. 3.3 Merger: Another distinct possibility that can be worked out to the benefit of both the companies is a merger of both the companies for an agreed consideration to be paid to the shareholders of Thornton. This was what was tried by the company in the year 2003 to offer its management buyout arrangement. However, since the price for the control of the company was higher, at 180p per share there were no potential bidders for meeting the required price and the talk of a bid for Thornton disappeared in early 2004. Unlike this a workable merger proposal between both Thornton and Marks & Spencer can be worked out on reasonable terms that are beneficial for both the companies. This way the synergies of the merger of both the companies can be enhanced to take advantage of the combined forces of sale. Similarly there will be the distinct advantage of the customers of both the companies being attracted to the products of Thornton which may result in the improvement in the sales of the products of Thornton. Another distinct advantage may result in the form less cost of expansion for the merged company as the existing retail shops of Thornton can function as the retail units of the new merged entity or in the name o Marks & Spencer if it agreed to retain the name of M&S if it is agreed as a part of the merger arrangement. These shops can also market the products of M&S also depending on the availability of space in the erstwhile Thronton.                      References:    1.Marketing Teacher The Strategy Clock: Bowman’s Competitive Strategy Options http://marketingteacher.com/Lessons/lesson_bowman.htm Tutor2u Business Strategy: Ansoff’s Matrix http://www.tutor2u.net/business/presentations/strategy/ansoff/default.html QuickMBA Strategic Management: Porter’s Five Force, A Model For Industry Analysis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/porter.shtml   

A Story Review from the 16th Century Essay

CHARACTERS: THE KING THE EARL OF CORNWALL SIR HUGH LACY, Earl of Lincoln. ROWLAND LACY, otherwise disguised as HANS, nephew of Sir Hugh Lacy ASKEW, another nephew of Sir Hugh Lacy SIR ROGER OATELEY, Lord Mayor of London. Master HAMMON, Master WARNER and Master SCOTT: Citizens of London. SIMON EYRE, the Shoemaker. ROGER, commonly called Hodge, a Journeyman of Simon Eyre FIRK, another journeyman of Simon Eyre RALPH, another Journeyman of Simon Eyre LOVELL, a courtier. DODGER, servant to The Earl of Lincoln A DUTCH SKIPPER. A BOY. ROSE, daughter of Sir Roger, the love interest of Rowland Lacy SYBIL, the maid of Rose MARGERY, wife of Simon Eyre JANE, wife of Ralph SETTING: London and Old Ford, England, as it happened in the 16th century PLOT DEVELOPMENT: With the different sub-plots evolving in The Shoemaker’s Holiday, the central plot is about the desperate love between Rowland Lacy and Rose Oateley.     And they defied the odds:   Rowland did not obey his uncle the Earl of Lincoln to go to war and Rose rejected the arranged marriage with Master Hammon, who is of wealth and nobility from London.     Sir Roger thought Rowland went to war.   Instead, Rowland apparently went to study shoemaking in Germany. He eventually went back to London; disguised himself as Hans a Dutch shoemaker and worked for Simon Eyre, a shoe shop owner and a real shoemaker.   Rowland and Rose went through the maze of re-discovering each other; plotting ways and means to be secretly married; and surmounting the ire and the vehemence of their respectively opposing families.   With the backdrop of the rise of Simon Eyre from being a simple man to achieving success and wealth, such paved the way for eventual happy conclusion of the fulfillment of the love of Rowland and Rose. SYMBOLISM: The Shoemaker’s Holiday generally illustrated basic features of the paradoxes in life:   unrequited love vis-à  -vis the determination to achieve its fulfillment; difference in social standing vis-à  -vis sustaining integrity of an individual inspite of any variance; applying duplicity and deceit to achieve a noble objective; how success can come and test humanness. In analyzing the various plots of The Shoemaker’s Holiday, Conover (1969) said:   â€Å"Achievement, promotion, advancement of all kinds are pictured in the play. For several of the characters in the play Simon Eyre is instrumental to success. The shoemakers, too, rise up the social scale – and Eyre tells them that opportunity is open to all.   Simon Eyre is, of course, the central example of the opportunities for success.   As he rises from shoemaker to Alderman, rich man, Sheriff, and Lord Mayor†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.[though the] â€Å"main plot has to do with the love of young Lacy and the mayor’s daughter†, most critics consider the Eyre action to be central in the play.† With such positive characteristic of the play, it is interesting to note that the author Thomas Dekker conversely led a nearly unknown life of deprivation.   He was constantly in debt and was in and out of prison for his inability to meet his obligations. As reviewed by The Harvard Classics:   â€Å"The play is full of an atmosphere of pleasant mirth, varied with characteristic touches of pathos; and it contains in the figure of Simon Eyre a creation of marked individuality and hilarious humor. It is striking that the most high-spirited picture of London life in the time of Elizabeth should come from the pen of the author who seems to have been more hardly treated by fortune than any of his contemporaries.†Ã‚   (Eliot, 1909) Indeed the tenor of the story is honest and realistic.   All the struggles that came by have been met with acceptance and resolve:   to surpass and emerge as victorious.   The need to bridge differences and misunderstanding were sought.   The overall intention of the theme of the story is allowing the truth of love and dignity of individuality its own due course. In a review of the Early Modern Theatre of the Theatre Studies Department of Duke University, it was noted that:   â€Å"Fantasy and reality blur, giving the plot a surreal quality that would be appealing as a holiday play: wishes come true and hopes are fulfilled.   However, realities do not completely disappear in this drama, ‘they keep returning, unexpectedly, to interrupt, trouble, and question any easy reading that would entertain by way of ignorance or innocence the real cost of social mobility and fluidity that is necessary in a class-ridden society’†¦..Thomas Dekker wrote a drama for the citizens of London, and incorporated social issues and ideas that citizens would be interested in.† (Duke University, undated) HOW THE STORY REFLECTED THE ASPECTS OF THE 16TH CENTURY† It has been described that:   â€Å"Literary development in the earlier part of the 16th century was weakened by the diversion of intellectual energies to the polemics of the religious struggle †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. The English part in the European movement known as humanism also belongs to this time. Humanism encouraged greater care in the study of the literature of classical antiquity and reformed education in such a way as to make literary expression of paramount importance for the cultured person. Literary style, in part modeled on that of the ancients, soon became a self-conscious preoccupation of English poets and prose writers. Thus, the richness and metaphorical profusion of style at the end of the century indirectly owed much to the educational force of this movement. The most immediate effect of humanism lay, however, in the dissemination of the cultivated, clear, and sensible attitude of its classically educated adherents, who rejected medieval theological misteaching and superstition.   The school of thought known as humanism, promoted the revival of Greek and Roman artistic and philosophical models that celebrated the worth of the individual.† (MSN Encarta, 2007). Because of a re-invention of the literary style at that time, the common pursuits for greatness and distinctiveness surfaced amongst the writers of that time.   â€Å"The Elizabethan Era is the period associated with the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603) and is often considered to be a golden age in English history. It was the height of the English Renaissance, and saw the flowering of English literature and poetry. This was also the time during which Elizabethan theatre flourished and William Shakespeare, among others, composed plays that broke away from England’s past style of plays and theatre.† (Elizabethan Era, http://www.answers.com/topic/elizabethan-era) With such overall characteristics that prevailed during the 16th century, the aura of prosperity and practical domination and excellence in every aspect of life is exemplified in The Shoemaker’s Holiday.  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"London in the 16th century underwent a transformation. Its population grew 400% during the 1500s, swelling to nearly 200,000 people in the city proper and outlying region by the time an immigrant from Stratford came to town. A rising merchant middle class carved out a productive livelihood, and the economy boomed.†Ã‚   (Shakespeare Resource Center, 2008) The Shoemaker’s Holiday indeed encapsulated everything that is real and positive abounding in that period where new leaps in perspective about life and identity emerged. References: 16th Century Literary History.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://classiclit.about.com/od/16thcenturyinliterature/16th_Century_AD_Literary_History.htm Bellinger, M.F. (1927). â€Å"A Short History of the Drama† www.theatredatabase.com/17th_century/shoemakers_holiday.html Conover, J.H. (1969). The Shoemaker’s Holiday:   A Critical Commentary.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.geocities.com/magdamun/dekkerconover.html Early Modern Theatre, Theatre Studies Department, Duke University,   www.duke.edu/web/emt/student_projects/prentice/shoemakersholiday.html Eliot, C.W. (1909-14). The Harvard Classics. www.bartleby.com/47/1/. â€Å"Elizabethan England†.   2008.   Shakespeare Resource Centre   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.bardweb.net/england.html â€Å"Elizabethan Era†. http://www.answers.com/topic/elizabethan-era) â€Å"English Literature,† Microsoft ® Encarta ® Online Encyclopedia 2007 http://encarta.msn.com  © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. â€Å"French Literature,† Microsoft ® Encarta ® Online Encyclopedia 2007 http://encarta.msn.com  © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. The Shoemaker’s Holiday:   A Synopsis www.theatredatabase.com/17th_century/shoemakers_holiday.html An Abstract: Rowland Lacy, the nephew of Sir Hugh Lacy, the Earl of Lincoln, and Rose, the daughter of Sir Roger Oateley, the Lord Mayor of London – are in love, but their families do not approve.     To separate them, Sir Roger sends Rose to the country, in Old Ford.   Sir Hugh sends Rowland to war in France.   Rowland disobeyed Sir Hugh and instead went to Germany and study shoemaking.   Rowland returns to London.   Disguised as a Dutch shoemaker, Rowland went to Simon Eyre, a shoe shop owner, for work and introduced himself as Hans.   Rowland and Simon sealed a very good friendship because when a cargo shipment at a very good price came up for sale, Rowland gave his war gift money to Simon to purchase the cargo.   This made Simon very wealthy.   Sir Hugh learned that Rowland is not in the war in France.   Meantime, Sir Roger was already arranging the marriage of Rose to Master Hammon, rich nobleman from London.   Rose vehemently refuses to marry Master Hammon. Meanwhile, Simon becomes the Sheriff of London and Sir Roger threw a party celebration for Simon in his house in Old Ford.   Simon and his shoemakers were invited.   During the dancing and merrymaking, Rose suspects that Hans is Rowland – inspite of Rowland talking in gibberish English to safeguard his disguise.   After the celebration, Rose and Sybil went to London.   Sybil asked Hans to take the shoe size of Rose and make a new pair of shoes. While Rowland and Rose are struggling for their love in the story, Simon has a journeyman named Ralph who was also sent to war.   Ralph is married to Jane.   Jane thought Ralph was killed in the war.   So she left off and no one knows of her whereabouts. Jane met Master Hammon – not knowing that a failed marriage arrangement transpired between Master Hammon and Rose.   So, Master Hammon was besotted to Jane and asked her to marry him.   Believing that Ralph is dead, Jane agreed and they were set to marry in St. Faith Church in London.   However, Jane wants the last gift of Ralph, a pair of shoes specially made for her, be duplicated to a brand new one to become her wedding shoes.   Master Hammon obliged and went to the shoe shop of Simon Eyre and ordered the duplication.   Meanwhile, Ralph returned to London because he was hurt in the war and was discharged.   Ralph returned to work with Simon and sadly learned that his wife left him for nowhere.    On that day that the shoe duplication for Jane was ordered, Ralph saw it and was therefore sure that it will lead her to his wife Jane.   Going back to the time when Rowland was taking the shoe size of Rose, Rowland had the chance to quietly and secretly instruct Rose to go to the house of Simon Eyre.   At this time, Simon became the new Mayor of London.   And as such, Simon could marry Rose and Rowland.   Eventually, Rose did so and they finally got married.   Sybil revealed the treachery of Rose and Rowland to Sir Roger and Sir Hugh.   But Sir Roger and Sir Hugh was told that the wedding will take place in the St. Faith Church. Whilst Sir Roger and Sir Hugh were on their way to St. Faith Church to take Rose from Rowland (as Hans), Ralph and with his shoemaker friends are already waiting in the church to take Jane from Master Hammon.  Ã‚   When Sir Roger and Sir Hugh arrived, it was a moment that Jane lovingly recognized her husband Ralph and apologized to Master Hammon for the cancellation of the wedding as she is still in love with Ralph.   Sir Roger and Sir Hugh were disgusted that they were seemingly duped because it was a different wedding that was suppose to transpire that moment.    Sir Hugh and Sir Roger nevertheless learned that Rowland and Rose are already married.   Sir Hugh and Sir Roger appealed to the King to nullify the marriage.   But King who has been enamoured with the antics and humanness of Simon as he treats his shoemaker workers fairly; he remains humble inspite of his wealth – worked out a solution to the enmity between the parents of Rowland and Rose and them.   The King divorced Rowland and Rose and re-married them and declared Rowland a knight just so the issue of differences in social standing come to an end.