ESL Lesson Plan Travel Plans

This English lesson plan helps reinforce  vocabulary related to traveling  by asking students to plan trips and excursions based on the profile of different groups of travelers. It is helpful to use local newspapers, especially newspapers that provide local events, to give students ideas of real places to visit. Most large cities have specialty newspapers that focus on local events and attractions available for free throughout the city. Instructions for Teachers The lesson begins with students deciding which types of groups are going to take a trip. Based on which group of travelers are going, students then use resources to plan out a short stay in a specific city or area of the country. Of course, you can choose to have students focus on distant locations. If you are teaching English in another country, its probably best to vary this and focus on traveling abroad to allow the use of English place names. Lesson Aims: Completing a small group task using the internet and other resources available in English, describing a travel destination and itinerary in detail Activity: Planning a short trip to a specific location based on different traveler types Level: Intermediate   Lesson Plan As a class, discuss what types of locations, travel plans, etc. might be suitable for these different types of travelers: A married couple on a honeymoonTwo friends who are attending collegeTwo business people   As a class, discuss which resources students can use to make travel plans. There are many travel websites online that offer all the necessary tools for scheduling a trip. If available, use a projector and walk through the process of finding round trip flight tickets and hotels on a travel site.   Using the worksheet below, break students up into pairs or small groups (maximum of 4) assigning a pair of travelers to each group. Have students come up with detailed plans for each travel group. After each group has finished, have them present their travel plans to the entire class. Variation: To extend this activity, ask students to create a presentation using PowerPoint or another similar software application. Students should find photos and write up bullet points for each of the activities to include in the presentation.   Worksheet Plan a Trip to ___________ for the Following Travel Groups: Honeymooners Mary and Tim have just married and are in the mood for a great honeymoon to celebrate their eternal love for each other. Make sure to include lots of romantic options and some excellent meals to mark this happy event. College Friends Alan and Jeff are attending college together and are looking to have a wild week of fun and adventure. They love going to clubs and partying hard, but they dont have a lot of money to eat at fine restaurants.   Cultured Couples The Andersons and the Smiths are married couples that have been friends for years. Their children are grown up and have their own families. Now, they enjoy traveling together and place a great deal of emphasis on visiting sights of cultural significance. They also love going to concerts and eating fine food.   Business People These business people are interested in opening up a new company at your chosen location. They need to find out about the area, meet local business people, and discuss their proposal with local government. Family with Children The McCarthur family has three children aged 2, 5, and 10. They love spending time outdoors and have a limited budget for eating out. They arent interested in entertainment, but the parents like to take the children to important museums to help with their cultural education.   Peter and Dan Peter and Dan married a few years ago. They love to explore gay hot spots in cities they travel to, as well as do traditional sight-seeing tours. They are also gourmets who spend up to $500 on good meals, so theyd like to go to at least one top rated restaurant.   Travel Planning Sheet Fill in the information to complete the vacation plans. Travel Flight: Dates / Times:Cost: Hotel How many nights?:Cost: Rental car yes/no?If yes, cost: Day 1 Trips / Sightseeing for the day:Cost: Restaurants / Eating:Where?:Cost: Evening entertainment:What / Where?Cost: Day 2 Trips / Sightseeing for the day:Cost: Restaurants / Eating:Where?:Cost: Evening entertainment:What / Where?Cost: Day 3 Trips / Sightseeing for the day:Cost: Restaurants / Eating:Where?:Cost: Evening entertainment:What / Where?Cost: Add as many days as necessary to your travel planning sheet.

Everyman and the Second Shepherds Play Essay - 1258 Words

Everyman and The Second Shepherds Play Everyman and The Second Shepherds Play remind the audience that good deeds are necessary for redemption, however, they reinforce the idea that we must shun material concerns to be redeemed. Both plays seek to reinforce these aspects of redemption to insure that all may be redeemed. The world is imperfect, and the only way we can make ourselves perfect and worthy of redemption is by not worrying about our material well being and performing good deeds. It is by disregarding our material concerns that allow us to perform good deeds. Everyman places his faith in material things, his friends, relatives and goods. These material things do him no good. Fellowship claims he will not forsake thee†¦show more content†¦Their complaints are many, and justified, yet they accomplish nothing. Although Coll thinks that It does me good, as I walk Thus by mine one, Of this world for to talk In manner of moan. ( Shepherds Lines 66-69) He really does not get any closer to redemption by doing this, although it may ease part of his emotional burden, his spiritual failings remain. Coll voices the concerns of all the Shepherds at the beginning of this play. We are so hammed, Fortaxed, and rammed, We are made hand-tamed With these gentlery-men. (Shepherds 23-26) His financial situation is in jeopardy because the gentry have overtaxed and oppressed him. They further oppress him since I were better be hanged / Than once say him nay (Shepherds 51-52). Coll lives under trying conditions, and his opening speech reflects his horrible living conditions. Coll does not mention God in this, since he is focused on his material well-being, and he neglects his whole spiritual side. Like Everyman they love their goods above all else. Gib and Daw do this also. Gib has become henpecked, Sely Copple, our hen, Both to and fro She cackles; but begin she to croak, To groan or to cluck, Woe is him our cock, For he is in shackles (Shepherds 98-104). Since his marriage has made him miserable, he can see nothing wonderful in his life. He focuses on his misery and cannot openShow MoreRelatedShakespeare s Twelfth Night, And Marlowe s The Tragical History Of Doctor Faustus1585 Words   |  7 Pagesconclusions found within historical British plays, in particularly the plays of Everyman, The Second Shepherds’ Play, Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, and Marlowe’s The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. These plays reflect many of their times’ heated topics and concerns. While the endings to each of these plays significantly contrast, the themes within each play fully prepare audiences for the ending to which will be further explained. Of these plays, Everyman and Doctor Faustus are perhaps the mostRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Morality Play Essay1763 Words   |  8 Pagesmany religions taught their beliefs and ideals by means of putting on plays for the commoners, who often could not understand the languages in which their beliefs were taught in churches and religious settings. Two distinct plays emerged over the medieval time in which religious beliefs were on display in some form for the common people: morality plays and mystery plays. A morality play is a didactic, religious, allegorical play that is not explicitly in regards to a biblical story, but rather tellsRead More Everyman - Play Analysis Essay1651 Words   |  7 Pagesimportant way, the play Everyman demonstrates the ways in which a person who does have talents (Good Deeds that are trapped in the ground) wastes them, like the servant who buries his one talent in the ground and is cast into the dark, the quot;place of wailing and grinding of teeth.q uot; According to the plays allegory, what forces in everyday human life cause us to Every persons to waste our talents?PlotEveryman, English morality play written anonymously in the late 15th century. The play is an allegoryRead MoreEveryman - Play Analysis Essay1755 Words   |  8 Pagesway, the play Everyman demonstrates the ways in which a person who does have talents (Good Deeds that are trapped in the ground) wastes them, like the servant who buries his one talent in the ground and is cast into the dark, the place of wailing and grinding of teeth. According to the plays allegory, what forces in everyday human life cause us to Every persons to waste our talents?brbrbPlot/bbrEveryman, English morality play written anonymously in the late 15th century. The play is anRead MorePurgatorio Essay4430 Words   |  18 Pagesboth those performed by the Creator and those by creatures, are motivated exclusively by love. For this to be comprehensible, we must understand that Dante conside rs instinct a form of love, natural or animal love, which can never be sinful. A second kind of love, however, mind-directed love, can fail in one of three ways and so be sinful, and in explaining this Virgil also explains the way the central portion of Purgatorio is structured around the concept of the seven deadly sins. One can go

A Memorable Eexperience from My Childhood Essay Example For Students

A Memorable Eexperience from My Childhood Essay Everyone has different events that are memorable and influential during our childhood. Some memories can be pleasant, while others can hurtful or negative. Memories are a large part of our lives. Without them, life would be meaningless. In my case, I have many experiences from my childhood that are unforgettable. As I was born in Nepal, I spent my early childhood there playing in nature. I had a carefree childhood playing video games, riding my bicycle, having fun with my buddy, Vijay, and walking my dog, Jake. After I got home from school, Vijay used to come to my house to play video games. Mario and Contra were the popular games during our time growing up. We used to play them a lot, but riding our bicycles was more fun than playing video games. We played video games for almost half an hour, then we used to take our bicycles for a ride and try learning some stunts. When I was riding my bicycle, I thought I was Evel Knievel. The nurses in the hospital kept trying to convince me that I was not. I would visit them every week, blood soaked, after I would try death defying jumps over the creek by my house. Vijay and I would ride our bicycles to the creek. I would dare Vijay to jump, but I was usually the only one that tried. I would end up crashing into the rocks 15 feet below, ending up battered, bloody and bruised. I would also visit the nurses after walking my dog, Jake. I learned that walking Jake was a very bad idea. Jake decided to drag me full speed, face first, into the concrete the entire length of my block. The only thing that stopped him was wrapping me around a telephone pole. Not only did he drag me down the concrete, he dragged me off a porch that was five foot off the ground, and into my grandpas garden to chase a blind snake. The doctors and nurses were the lifelines   that stitched or stapled me up after my encounters with crashing my bicycle, or walking my dog. My mother was there to take me to the hospital for the medical attention I needed. She discussed the right and wrong ways of doing things with me. It was obvious the car rides to and from the hospital did not help, as I visited the hospital on a weekly basis. My mother used to get very upset with me because of my foolhardy acts. I missed many days of school, but I was still an average student. My mom wanted me to focus on my studies. She also wanted me to get involved with sports, and stop doing death defying jumps and stunts on my bicycle. On my 10th birthday, my mom gave me a soccer ball for my birthday gift. I was not happy, because I was hoping to get a new bicycle, as mine was getting old. Eventually, I started playing soccer with Vijay and other friends. Slowly, I started enjoying soccer rather than riding my bicycle. My mother was very happy to see me spending more time with Vijay and my friends playing soccer rather than riding my bicycle. I started watching soccer games, both in person and on the television. I also went to school for soccer practice. I was getting good at soccer. I got the chance to play for the school team. When I was twelve, I got the chance to play for the inter-school soccer championship. Though we didnt win the championship, I was recognized as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). I was very happy with my achievement, but my mom was happier than I was. A few days after the end of the inter-school championship, I was awarded a scholarship from my school. That was one of the happiest days of my life. .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d , .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d .postImageUrl , .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d , .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d:hover , .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d:visited , .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d:active { border:0!important; } .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d:active , .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u9fc83204f467d7f9c7310ad99196910d:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Definition EssayMy entire family rejoiced with me due to my achievement. Since then, I have never touched my bicycle again. As you can see, I have many wonderful events that have been both memorable and influential. Riding my bicycle taught me that I would never be successful as a stunt man. Walking Jake taught me to have smaller dogs as an adult. And, playing soccer helped me achieve my school success that I enjoy today. The choices I made in the past have brought me to who I am today. All of these events helped me make a better decision as I grew up. If given the chance, I would not change a thing.

Strategic Management Case Study on Swiss-based Nestle Essay Example

Strategic Management Case Study on Swiss-based Nestle Paper Strategic Management Case Study on Swiss- based Nestle BY crnp7104 Executive Summary This paper provides a case analysis and case solution to a Harvard Business School strategic management case study on Swiss-based Nestle, the worlds largest food and beverage company with 2007 sales exceeding CHFIOO billion or about US $112 billion(Bell Shelman, 2009, p. 1). While extensive background information dating to Nestles 1867 founding is provided, the primary time setting for the case is April 2008, shortly after 29-year Nestle veteran Paul Bulcke advances to the position f CEO, replacing Brabeck, who retired after a highly successful 12 year reign as CEO. The case focuses on Bulckes efforts to formulate plans for advancing his strategic vision at Nestle. Nestle is a huge, highly successful, cash-rich global corporation with hundreds of billionaire brands, a strong culture, and a history of producing innovative products and customizing products and services to meet local tastes. Looking around at Nestle, scanning the environment, and appraising the future, new CEO Bulcke sees little room for alarm. Looking towards the future, Bulckes only worry is that we become omplacent (Bell Shelman, 2009, p. 1). Bulckes predecessor, Brabeck, had set Nestle on the path of achieving worldwide sustainable competitiveness through four strategic pillars: 1) low-cost, highly efficient operations; 2) renovation and innovation of the Nestle product line; 3) universal availability; and 4) improved communication with consumers through better branding (Bell Shelman, 2009, p. ). Brabeck believed and indeed was proven that adherence to these four strategic pillars would allow achievement of the Nestle Model, a term which referred to Nestles long term objectives of organic rowth between 4% and 6% each year; continued year-after-hear improvements in earnings before interest and tax EBIT margin; and improved capital management (Bell Shelman, 2009, p. 3). We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Management Case Study on Swiss-based Nestle specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Management Case Study on Swiss-based Nestle specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Management Case Study on Swiss-based Nestle specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Brabeck launched a number of important initiatives during his twelve year tenure, including restructuring of the RD department to be more responsive to consumers, drive renovation and innovation and support organic growth; launching a 60/40 preference rating system for products; and developing GLOBE (Global Business Excellence), a comprehensive information system designed to tie all of Nestles usinesses together under a common technology infrastructure. Brabeck, who saw sales grow 78% and EBIT grow 142% during his tenure, also made several critical acquisitions in bottled water, pet food, coffee, and ice cream; championed Nestles culture as the critical glue of the corporation; and pioneering the way for the beginning of Nestles shift from being a technology and processing-driven food and beverage company toward a broader vision of nutrition, health, and wellness (Bell Shelman, 2009, p. 4). Bulcke succeeded Brabeck as Nestles CEO in April of 2008, following two years of careful succession planning. Bulcke appears to share Brabecks basic philosophy of leadership (which emphasizes empowerment) as well as his views on the importance of culture in Nestles long term performance. Bulcke has also reaffirmed Brabecks commitment to GLOBE (which Bulcke sees as an important vehicle for continuous improvement (Bell Shelman, 2009, p. 10). Despite these basic commonalities, Bulcke has made it clear that his vision for Nestle is not identical to that of his predecessors. Bulcke wants all of Nestles future growth to come as a result of internal growth, not acquisition. Bulcke strongly supports a rapid transition to the ealth, nutrition and wellness strategy and indeed, envisions this strategy as one leg of four complementary platforms which Bulcke believes could double the companys sales over the next ten years. Besides health, nutrition and wellness, the three other platforms are emerging markets; out of home consumption and premiumization of existing products (developing exclusive, high-quality versions of existing products and appealing to higher income customers (Bell Shelman, 2009, p. 0). Problem Statement Nestle must formulate and implement the optimal strategy which will allow it to eet the growth and performance goals related to the Nestle Model while at the same time achieving a sustainable competitive advantage within the global food giants broader vision of transitioning to a health, nutrition and wellness company, and responding to threats and opportunities in the external environment. Problem Analysis An analysis of the problem and an appraisal of Nestle is provided below with the assistance of three analytical tools: a pest analysis, a Porters Five Forces analysis, and a S. W. O. T. (strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats) analysis. P. E. S. T. Political. Globalization is unquestionably one of the most important political factors in the food and beverage industry. Nestle is clearly a global business, and in recent years as globalization has become a reality, it has learned that globalization means a lot more than Just access to emerging markets. As Jose Lopez, Nestles Vice President of operations observed, the impact of globalization has been different than we thought it would be. For those of us in the West, globalization meant developing countries opening their markets for us to sell to. Yet thats not how it turned out instead of being globalized we are learning to react to global arkets (Bell Shelman, 2009, p. 10). Nestles status as a global corporation makes it a target for anti-globalists (Conlin, 2008). Regulatory issues are an important issue in the global food and beverage industry. Nestle, for example, operates in many highly regulated sectors, with multiple tiers of regulation affecting its products in many cases (related to food and beverage safety, production regulations, environmental regulations, cross-border trade, etc. ) (Nestles environmental impact, 2008). Economic. Demand for basic food supplies persists even in times of economic downturn. However, the patterns of eating and drinking changes, with full meals more likely to be prepared and consumed at home. With operations around the globe, Nestle had to make adjustments for variations in demand fluctuations and price sensitivities in different countries and geographic regions. Although Nestle was based in Switzerland and most of its key leaders were from the United States and the European continent, one third of 2007 sales came from the developing world and analysts projected that by 2010, 90% of the worlds population would live in developing and emerging countries. Social. As a food and beverage company operating with the global food industry, Nestle was well aware of the fact that patterns of food and beverage consumption tend to be culturally-bound or at least culturally linked. Technological. Throughout the industry, technologies are vital to defining recipes, producing food and beverages, locating and purifying water (Nestle is one of the worlds biggest bottled water companies). As the companys own GLOBE initiative demonstrates, internal technologies are vital to coordinating operations. Five Forces Threat of New Entrants (Low-Medium). Even though food and beverage is in many ays analogous to a commodity business, barriers to entry as a result of supply-side economies of scale, demand side benefits of scale, capital requirements, incumbency advantages and unequal access to distribution channels keep the threat of new entrants relatively low (Porter, 2008). Power of Suppliers (Medium) Porter (2008) notes that powerful suppliers capture more of the value for themselves by charging higher prices, limiting quality or services, or shifting costs to industry participants (p. 6). For most major firms in the food and beverage industry, the power of suppliers is medium to medium high. For Nestle, the power of suppliers is quite low as a result of extensive vertical integration by Nestle. Power of buyers (low). For Nestle and most other buyers in the industry, the power of suppliers has been kept quite low because of the fact that buyers are numerous and cannot credibly threaten to integrate forward and assume their business. Threat of Substitute Products (High). It would be difficult to name or think ofa food or beverage product which did not have a near or identical substitute. Rivalry of existing competitors (Medium High to High). Porter (2008) notes that the ntensity of rivalry is greatest when competitors are numerous or roughly equal in size and power, industry growth is slow; exit barriers are high and firms cannot read each others signals very well (p. 9). Many of these conditions have been met, thus the intensity of rivalry would be assessed as fairly intense. S. W. O. T. Analysis Strengths 1 . Financial strengths a decade-plus of strong financial results; available cash for launching new operations and/or making acquisitions. 2. Strong corporate culture. 3. History of strong, capable leadership. 4. Effective R Department 5. Strong portfolio of products . Stable of blockbuster brands 7. Huge physical infrastructure with locations around the world 8. Well-developed supply chain 9. Integrated management 10. Good relations with suppliers and farmers 1 1 . Ability to customize and localize products Weaknesses 1. History of product recalls 2. History of questionable reputation and shady deal-making (Datamonitor, 2008). 3. Allegations of unethical conduct. 4. Product concentration in many areas which might be viewed as unhealthy. 5. Few to no organic profiles in its portfolio. Opportunities 1 . Growth in emerging and developing markets 2. Changing tastes worldwide . Opportunity to make positive contributions to peoples health and nutrition 4. Opportunity to develop new products 5. Opportunity to further expand into new markets (geographic and product) 6. Opportunity to acquire complementary firms and/or firms to mitigate weaknesses Threats 1 . Threat of competition from major global food rivals 2. Threat of competition from smaller, local companies who are more in touch with the needs of the local market. 3. Threat of competition from large discounters such as Wal-Mart, Sams Club and Costco. 4. Threat of backlash based on political opposition 5. Threat of regulation . Threat of changing consumer tastes 7. Threat of environmental degradation Alternatives Any potential alternative strategies must aim at achieving the Nestle Model and its associated long-term objectives (of 5-6% annual organic growth, continued year-to- year improvement in EBIT margin, and improved capital management) as well as be consistent with CEO Bulckes stated mandates of stressing internal growth as the primary source of future growth, using GLOBE as a vehicle for continuous improvement, and making the health, nutrition and wellness strategy the mainstream of Nestles business. With these caveats in mind, the following alternative strategic variations have been identified. 1. Adhere rigidly to Bulckes basic outline with the 4 Complementary Platforms for growth. This alternative would follow CEO Buckles rationale that Nestles top strength is its product and brand portfolio, that growth should be generated internally, and that strategy should focus on Bulckes four identified platforms for growth: 1) health, nutrition and wellness (to be the centerpiece), 2) emerging markets; 4) out of home consumption; and 4) premiumization of existing products. An obvious advantage of this alternative is that t will have the full support of Nestles CEO who will no doubt work hard to ensure support for the program from Nestles board, its management, and its rank-and-file employees. Another advantage of this alternative is that it provides a moderate degree of consistency with the previous strategy under CEO Brabeck (particularly in terms of its embrace of the Nestle Model and its desire to continue moving Nestle beyond food to nutrition, health and wellness. A third advantage is that it clearly builds on some of Nestles major strengths, including its broad product and brand portfolio and its strong international presence. At the same time, there are a number of disadvantages with this strategy. First of all, by restricting growth to internal growth, this alternative forgoes possible benefits accrued through Judicious acquisition. Nestle has some weaknesses in areas where it intends to growth (e. g. health and nutrition) and acquisitions might be able to counteract those weaknesses more quickly than internal growth. Secondly, Bulckes insistence on giving the health, nutrition, and wellness strategy priority above all else and working to quickly make it the mainstream of Nestles business may not reflect a realistic goal. Nestle will face many challenges as it tries to make health, nutrition and wellness a mainstream characteristic of key divisions like confectionary, powdered and liquid beverages, ice cream, and many of the prepared foods. Another potential disadvantage to Bulckes planned strategy is that the selected four complementary growth platforms are not yet proven to be complementary and at face value, seem to be on some levels contradictory (e. g. , it may be difficult to reconcile efforts to premiumize existing productions with efforts to build a portfolio of popularly positioned products in emerging markets. In addition, it may be difficult to maintain growth and EBIT goals across these new, as yet untested platforms. Another consideration is that over the next few years, it may become apparent that one or more of these 4 platforms has more growth and profit potential than the others; if so, it would be disadvantages to continue a more or less equal emphasis on all three. 2. Build greater flexibility into the model, allowing for a slower transition to the company-wide health, nutrition and wellness model, and allowing for the possibility of modification and/or elimination of one or more of the other three rowth platforms (as well as the possible addition of a different growth platform). Also maintain a flexible approach with regard to acquisitions versus internal growth. This alternative would have the advantage of increasing the potential of meeting growth and profitability goals. Another advantage in a flexible approach is that it would allow for the possibility of discovering another potential growth platform. Yet another advantage would be the possibility of speeding growth and/or progress towards the goal of transitioning to the health and nutrition model via Judicious acquisitions as opposed to a sole reliance on internal growth. A major disadvantage of this strategy is that CEO Buckle may be disinclined to give it his full support because it is not fully consistent with his plan. Another disadvantage is that this flexible approach may delay Nestles progress towards the health and nutrition model. Another potential disadvantage is that in encouraging flexibility, Nestle may inadvertently foster inconsistencies in its business strategies and objectives and create confusion, conflicts and/or contradictions between product areas/business units. Yet another disadvantage is that it provides Nestle with an opportunity to back way from its health and nutrition strategy if it should prove difficult to execute. 3. Add a program of acquisition and divestiture to Bulckes basic model. Rather than relying solely on internal growth, this alternative would allow for the use of Judicious (yet frequent and widespread if deemed necessary) acquisitions, particularly in areas targeted for growth where Nestle is weak (e. . organic foods). Coupled with the acquisition strategy would be a targeted divestiture strategy, aimed at gradually exiting those businesses and dropping those products which are fundamentally at dds with Nestles commitment to health, nutrition and wellness. For example, this may require Nestle to exit most of its confectionary business. Likewise, the company would want to review whether or not food products loaded with salt, sugar, and artificial preservatives and flavorings really belong in the portfolio of a company which has pledged to transform itself into a unified health, wellness and nutrition company. The acquisition portion of this modification to the strategy has the advantages of allowing for the addition of new resources, including new resources nd businesses which may complement existing businesses and lead to synergies. The divestiture strategy has the advantage of allowing Nestle to exit those business which simply do not meet its overall guidelines and strategic objectives and to do so in a way which is likely to contribute favorably to both its financial objectives and its objective of building an integrated health, wellness and nutrition company. As with alternative #2, this alternative carries the risk of failing to attract support from core employees as well as the risk that the CEO will oppose it. Recommendations Implementation It is strongly recommended that Nestle combine the above suggested alternatives #2 and #3, building flexibility into the strategy overall, slowing the planned transition time for moving to a unified health, wellness and nutrition company, and allowing the firm to focus on its core resources and business opportunities by using the tools of acquisition (adding strength in selected areas and/or counteracting weaknesses in some areas) and divestiture (shedding unprofitable businesses and products, getting rid of businesses which do not fit into the profile of a unified health, wellness and utrition company. Such a combination, flexible approach will be best suited to tailoring to the specific resources and capabilities of Nestle and the opportunities and threats in the external environment. Moreover, it is more likely that Nestle will meet its performance and financial goals through this flexible approach than through Bulckes more rigid approach. To begin implementation of this option, it is recommended that Nestle top leadership and management planners use the resource-based view of the firm (Barney, 1991) and in particular, Grants (1991) practical framework of a resource- ased approach to strategy analysis as a guide to strategy formulation and implementation. This will involve the following five-step process (Grant, 1991, p. 115): 1 . Identifying and classifying Nestles resources within the three primary categories of physical capital, human capital, and organizational capital. Both tangible and intangible resources should be identified. After resources are identified and classified, Nestle management should appraise the firms strengths and weaknesses, relative to key competitors Unilever, Kraft, Group Danone and General Mills. The next omponent of this step is to identify opportunities for better utilization of resources. 2. Identify Nestles capabilities what can Nestle do more effectively than its key rivals? Once capabilities have been identified, it is necessary to identify the resource inputs to each capability, as well as the complexity (e. g. , does it involve several resources? ) 3. The strategy team should then appraise the rent-generating potential of resources and capacities in terms of: a) their potential for sustainable competitive advantage [in order to have this potential, a resource/capacity must be valuable, rare, mperfectly imitable, and non-substitutable] (Barney, 1991, p. 106); and b) the appropriability of their returns. 4. Based on the preceding work, the Nestle strategy team should then select a strategy or collection of strategies which best exploits the firms resources and capabilities relative to external opportunities. . Finally, Nestle strategy managers should identify resource gaps which need to be filled, as well as invest in replenishing, augmenting and upgrading the firms resource base. It recommended that Nestle managers complete this initial strategic analysis within six months. Once this initial assessment/strategy formulation is completed, the strategy team should: 1 . Survey and assess the identified resources and capabilities in ter ms of their level of fit with Nestles goal of transitioning from a food company to a health, nutrition and wellness company. . Target non-producing or inappropriate (those which dont fit with the rest of the portfolio or the strategic objects) for divestiture and develop a timetable and plan for such divestiture. 3. Examine the identified resource gap areas and determine if these gaps can be filled through internal development (e. g. R, internal growth) and/or strategic acquisition. If acquisition, begin scanning the environment for likely acquisition targets. References Barney, J. (1991). Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120 Bell, D. E. Shelman, M. (2009). Nestl? © in 2008. Harvard Business School Case Study, 9-509-001 (Rev. October 28, 2009). Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing. Colin, M. (2008, April 14). A town torn apart by Nestle. Business Week, Retrieved September 30, 2012 from http://www. businessweek. com/stories/2008-04-1 5/a-town- torn-apart-by-nestl Datamonitor (2011,June). Company Profile: Nestle. Swat Analysis, pp. 27-32. Grant, R. M. (1991). The Resource-Based Theory of Competitive Advantage: Implications for Strategy Formulation. California Management Review, 33(3), 114-135. Nestl? © professionals name change, restructuring reflect customer focus (2008, April 7). Nations Restaurant News, p. 40. Nestles environmental impact (2008, April). Diary Industries International, p. 10. Porter, M. E. (2008, January). The five competitive forces that shape strategy. Harvard Business Review, pp. 1-18. http://www. articlesbase. com/management-articles/strategic-management-at- nestle-5907881 . html

Accounting Concept Essay Example

Accounting Concept Essay The accruals concept brings a meaning that every expense should be recognized as they occurred. (Wild, Shaw, Barbara, 2009) For examples, when an expense incurred, we need to record it in the financial report, not when payment is made. While we receive the goods, we need to record the revenues. We need to record the net profit using the formula of net profit is equal to total revenue total cost. So that, we get a more accurate amount of profit for net profit is not equal to total revenue. When non-compliance of historical cost concept, the value of the assets is not objective and not reliable anymore since the evidence of transaction is not shown. Additionally, the market price changes often according to time period and thats why some users will prefer market value as it is more relevant. At current value, it will distort the whole fabric of accounting. It makes accounting information unreliable. If monetary concept is not practiced into the business, the condition as he unit used for measurement of value is not the same; the information in the financial statement couldnt be compared as its not the same of the real value. We will write a custom essay sample on Accounting Concept specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Accounting Concept specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Accounting Concept specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Certain information such as the value of workers and the types of goods will not be recorded into the financial as they do not a price for it. If going concern concept is not applied, the business is expected to shut down if the business is facing financial crisis. Therefore, this business would have a negative or pessimistic thinking and this would give a bad image to the public and shareholders. The business might have a hence to revive their business in the future but if they do not have a positive or optimistic thinking, their business would have a high chance of facing bankruptcy if they faced a financial crisis. The information in the financial statement cant be compared anymore, when time interval concept is not used. For example, if the financial statement of a company is prepared annually and the next one is closed in half year, then we cant compare these two financial statements because there are many transactions happen during the time interval, the profit calculated will be not name. Due to the reason the information in the financial statement is no longer reliable. Thus, there would be lesser potential share buyers interested in the company due to unreliable information. When non-compliance of business entity concept, the information in the financial statement wont be appropriate because unrelated information of the owner will be recorded in the financial statement. This will affect the profit and loss of the business because the owner personally expenses and revenues will be recorded in the financial statement. For example, the capital will e taken in as a drawing thus counted as a liability to the business when the owner invested ARM 100,000 into the business. If this concept is not used, the investment wont be record as a drawing. If accrual concept is not applied, the information in the financial statement wont be trustworthy anymore. The expenses wont be recorded when expenses incurred. It will be recorded when payment is made while. If revenues and expenses are recorded when payment made, the profit and loss of the business will become not accurate. Four qualitative characteristics that a uncial statement should posses: Understandability While preparing finance statement, the most significant things is the information should be easily understood by the public and able read through it easily. Relevant information need to be organized under a connected group. This is because it enables public to measure and give Judgment to the performance of the business easily with the accurately reliable information. CITATION we 1 17417 (Wood Gangster, 2012)Relevance The information in financial statement should be materialistic, as it stands as an important point to stakeholders to make a decision while using the information from the financial statement. Furthermore, materiality is one of the relevance criteria, as all the information we find out should be linked to evaluate past evaluation. It also enables the public to predict the future performance of the company. CITATION we 17417 (Wood Gangster, 2012)Reliability Reliable information will be useful to users as it doesnt include any wrong material. Faithful representation is one of the criteria of reliability in the accounting balance sheet. The transaction must represent accurately as at the reporting date. Another criterion in

Achieving Readiness for Organizational Change Review

Achieving Readiness for Organizational Change Review Introduction Organizations require workers to connect them with the widening array of coworkers, consultants, and the shared knowledge bases. This connection is important during the process of change and/or when preparing for it. It is crucial to note that it is impossible to implement any change without clear and precise communication.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Achieving Readiness for Organizational Change Review specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Indeed, communication encourages the development of a shared teamwork vision to minimize competition between workers. It contributes towards the development of knowledge learning and sharing culture, which is an important aspect for change and organizational continuity. This paper critically reviews an article by Smith Ian titled Achieving Readiness for Organizational Change with a particular focus on the theme of communication. Article Summary In the articl e, Achieving Readiness for Organizational Change, Ian (2005) discusses different roles that people play within organizations during a change process. His main purpose entails examining the significance of being equipped to welcome change, the strategy that people can adopt to implement a change, and the criteria that can be deployed to evaluate the change (Ian, 2005). In its findings, the article considers the attainment of change and its sustainability incredibly important for any organization. However, the issue of the role of communicate comes in when Ian (2005) declares people the success factors or hindrances to effective change. They need to be prepared for the change to make it possible. How can organizations achieve change preparedness? Ian (2005) responds to this question by claiming that people’s readiness for change can be achieved through creating the earnestness or requirement of change in them and ensuring that they feel and appreciate its meaning. This process involves releasing the status quo and creating an expressive stirrup in people. The goal is to create dissatisfaction with the status quo so that people can begin looking for different ways of reducing such disappointment with the current situation or status. In this process, Ian (2005) reveals how the communication of change is incredibly important. Critical Review Irrespective of the change strategies that organization adopts, Ian (2005) posits that planting the seed of change in an organization requires the establishment of a shared vision. The shared vision may originate from one individual, probably a leader, an organization’s employee, or a group of employees. To ensure that all other people embrace the idea of change, its communication is important.Advertising Looking for critical writing on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Ian (2005) supports this line of argument by adding that thr ough active revelation of discrepancies that exist between the present situation and the envisioned state, it becomes possible to build motivation and the readiness for change. A potential criticism is that Ian (2005) does not provide information on how this end can be achieved. However, he counters this gap by reckoning, â€Å"communicating the change messages and ensuring participation and involvement† (Ian, 2005, p.410) are the key factors to ensuring that people develop the desire for change.  Consistent with Ian’s (2005) school of thought, communication links the plans that leaders develop to enhance the success of an organization and the actual implementation process. Developing working strategies requires ardent communication at all hierarchical structures of an organization. Communication is vital since the implementation of new strategies often involves change (Williams Seaman, 2001). Poor communication often results in the resistance to change, especially where the persons who work in an organization consider the change a threat to their jobs and personal excellence. For instance, while personnel at the administrative centers may be fighting for the standardization of products that an organization produces to ease the supply chain and logistics challenges, employees at the departmental levels may be opposed to such an endeavor. This gap reveals why Ian (2005) says that people are either success factors or great hindrances to the change process. Despite Ian’s (2005) substantive arguments on the necessity of communication during a change, he does not demonstrate it using a particular case on how communication can frustrate or enhance the change process. For example, Barrett (2006) says that inadequate communication at the intra-organizational levels may result in different perceptions of brands that are availed in the market. This miscommunication minimizes the opportunities for channeling all organizational energies to the prof itable brands. The emphasis on areas that are critical in pushing for the acceptance of brands in the market requires leaders to communicate effectively on the organization’s positioning and sales targets.  Ian (2005) does not also explain who is supposed to communicate the desired change in an organization. The change may involve a modification of workers’ attitude or the alteration of work processes in the effort to support an organization’s competitive advantage (Williams Seaman, 2001). Effective leadership entails the communication of success strategies that touch on business objectives and goals (Barrett, 2006). Such communication should feature terms that employees can understand easily.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Achieving Readiness for Organizational Change Review specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In response, employees feel engaged and valued. Hence, they work collecti vely towards driving organizational success. In fact, many communication programs fail when they do not address precisely what employees, who are also the change implementers, need to know and/or do to enhance excellent organizational performance. Conclusion Ian (2005) should have considered leaders the communicators of the vision to the employees. Leaders who are capable of leading through change acknowledge the fact that communication can help to deliver tangible products. Issues such as improving consumer satisfaction, enhancing service delivery, and/or enhancing employee retention are all dependent on effective communication that the article addresses. Reference List Barrett, J. (2006). Leadership Communication. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Ian, S. (2005). Achieving Readiness for Organizational Change. Library Management, 26(6/7), 408-412. Williams, J., Seaman, E. (2001). Predicting change in management accounting systems: National culture and industry effects. Accounting, Organi zations and Society, 26(5), 443−460.

Marketing plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 4

Marketing plan - Essay Example The collections include ancient vessels and artefacts. These vessels were mostly used in the period between 17th and 18th century. The pricing structure is such that individuals willing to subscribe as members pay $15 while household customers pay a fee of $20.The Museum is one of the leading museums in UK. Television, Magazine and radio advertisements are mostly used in promoting events. The strategy for implementing the market plan focuses on three main areas. These are product, promotion and pricing. The Museum intends to increase the quality of services it offers while at the same time employ a pricing technique that will attract more customers and the same be financially satisfying. Promotions and advertisements are crucial in any marketing plan and a strategic approach shall be used to ensure this is done correctly. Aberdeen Maritime Museum gives the story of Aberdeen city’s lengthy bond with the Sea (Lamb, 123). The award-winning museum is situated on the famous Shiprow and integrates Provost Rosss House. The Museum is home to a unique collection made up of fast sailing ships, port and fishing history. It is a unique site being the only place in Britain where one can see North Sea oil industry. A marketing plan is a document that helps managers in strategizing on how to improve the performance of that business in a given sector (Runyard, 105). A good marketing plan should be able to give solutions to performance issues relating to a business. A marketing plan contains various components that analyze the current scenario and design a strategy to improve the performance of a business (Burnett, 108). This marketing plan sets out a convincing and inclusive vision for Aberdeen Maritime Museum; a vision, which is firmly in line with mission of the biggest public art gallery in the north of Scotland. Aligned with Scotland’s national strategic and performance agendas, this plan and its