Strategic Analysis Nike Essay Example

Strategic Analysis Nike Paper Nike: Strategic Analysis Nike’s Global Business Strategy When first founded in 1962 under the name of Blue Ribbon Sports, the strategy was â€Å"to distribute low-cost, high-quality Japanese athletic shoes to American consumers in an attempt to break Germany’s domination of the domestic industry. † Today Nike offers athletic shoes at every marketable price point to a global market. Nike sustains its leading position through emphasizing quality products, constant innovation, and aggressive marketing. Nike sells its products in more than 180 countries under not only its namesake brand but brands such as Cole Haan, Converse, Hurley International, and Umbro Inc. It uses distribution channels such as company-owned stores and websites or sports retailers, such as Foot Locker. As mentioned earlier, Nike is a truly global company, which means that its success story is transferrable over borders. It divides its sales into four main regions- the US, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, and Central and South America. For 2009 each of these regions accounted respectively for 34. 1%, 28. 7%, 17. 3%, and 6. 7% of total revenue. Segmentation Strategy: Nike realizes that in order to be number one they need to offer a wide range of products to be able to develop a culture and fulfill their loyal customers’ needs. Nike’s strategy in terms of segmentation is excellent. Their core product is footwear but they also manufacture apparel and equipment and thus, they spread their influence in other sport-related markets. Nike also has several sub-brands to grasp different consumer groups. We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Analysis Nike specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Analysis Nike specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Analysis Nike specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Nike’s main source of revenue is athletic footwear, which is also its core competency. It accounts for 54% of total revenues. It is designated for running, cross-training, basketball, soccer and it includes even a casual footwear line. Sales in this segment increased by 14% in 2009 from which a big portion was a result of the increase in sales in the Asia Pacific region. The second most profitable segment for Nike is apparel, such as t-shirts, shorts, sweatpants, and licensed apparel made specifically for universities with their own logos. With an increase of only 0. 2%, apparel sales accounted for 27% of the company’s revenue in 2009. However, sales in this segment grew by 14% in the previous period, between 2007 and 2008, due to the growth of 25% of revenues in emerging markets, such as Russia, and other EMEA countries but also a substantial revenue growth of 50% in China. Unlike footwear, which main market is the US, the majority of apparel sales come from the EMEA region accounting for 38% of total apparel revenue. Equipment, such as balls, golf clubs etc. ccounts for 6% of total revenues in 2009 and 13% come from other brands under Nike, such as Cole Haan, Converse, Umbro etc. these different sub-brands supplement Nike product lines. For instance, Umbro specializes in selling soccer apparel and footwear. Nike Golf targets golf players and offers specialized golf equipment, apparel and footwear. Cole Haan on the other hand offers premium dress and casual footwear. Hurley International offers products suitabl e for snowboarding, skating, and surfing. Marketing Strategy: Significant role for the competition of market share in the footwear industry plays marketing in order to strengthen the brand image, develop product identity and expand customer loyalty. Competition between players is non-price but rather based on differentiation in brand image and product innovations. Therefore, substantial investments in marketing campaigns are required. Nike invests annually between 11% and 13% of revenue in marketing. Advertising strategy: Nike’s strategy was to create dominant presence in media. Nike created media presence in several trend setting United States cities. TV ads linking Nike to a city were used, but real drivers were huge oversized billboards and murals on buildings that blanketed cities with messages featuring key Nike-sponsored athletes, not products. The company focuses its marketing on celebrity endorsement, i. e. athletes in basketball, golf, soccer, and tennis. Lately, Nike has also began to sponsor big sporting events so as to create huge awareness and brand following. In 2008, Nike spent significant amount on advertising in the Beijing 2008 Olympics and the Football Championship. After the recent Tiger Woods scandal Nike plans on revisiting it celebrity endorsement strategy. It can be noted that the ‘swoosh logo’ is one of the most famous in the world due to these huge advertising efforts. Branding Strategy: Nike’s strategy in this front is to develop a premium brand associated with high quality product that satisfies customer needs. Nike’s brand is associated with an aggressive attitude portrayed by, â€Å"you don’t win silver, you lose gold,† which clearly suggests that winning is vital. The Nike customer associated the Nike brand with being the ‘American’ way: Being individual and aggressive like Michael Jordan and John McEnroe. Nike built its brand around sports, attitude and lifestyle. Nike backed this strategy with marketing campaigns like â€Å"Just do it† and with the companies front athletes like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. Selling Strategy: Nike’s strategy in early 2000s was to develop, flag ship stores, NikeTown shops in bigger cities, first national, and then abroad. Nike was the first company to establish flagship stores and it turned out to be a sensation. There are independent small retail stores that sell Nike products all around the world as well. Also, on seeing the potential of the low price market, Nike took efforts in 2005 to tap in to the low price segment by striking a deal with big retail discount stores like Walmart and rolled out starter shoes at a cheaper price, competing with private label brands. However, to avoid brand dilution, Nike did not use the swoosh logo in these shoes. Currently, Nike has a high quality website and uses it as an online selling channel. NikeId , a part of the website allows a customer to customize his own shoes and buy it. The website is available in 14 languages and is different according to the country requirements. Manufacturing Strategy: Nike manufactures all of its footwear from outside United States. Nike has contract suppliers in China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. These countries accounted for 36%, 36%, 22% and 6% of total NIKE brand footwear respectively. Nike also has manufacturing agreements with independent factories in Argentina, Brazil, India, and Mexico to manufacture footwear for sale primarily within these countries. Primary reason for this is that it is cheaper to manufacture in South East Asia and transport it to USA and Europe, regardless of the transportation and tariff costs involved. Organizational Strategy: With over 21,000 employees worldwide, the company was organized into departments by both geographic divisions and product categories, which created overlapping management responsibilities and a fluid leadership structure. For example, a footwear manager in Europe answered to both the Vice President of Footwear and the Vice President of Europe. However, there was no formal communication link between the regional vice presidents (those in the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America) and the product vice presidents (footwear, apparel, equipment). Human Resources Management Strategy: The sweat shop debacle in late 1990s has led Nike to form a distinctive strategy to provide a good working environment for employees. They have several internal guidelines and compliance standards apart from state laws for ensuring proper working conditions for all workers in its contracted supplier factories. Due to the magnitude of Nike and their number of stores and manufacturing plants throughout the world, Nike has taken the time to recognize the importance of each individual and what they can contribute to the team. For this reason, Nike does not call its employees, ‘employees’ but rather ‘team members’ because each part of the team has something to add to the business. They have also admitted that they have a very large array of workers and this brings many diverse cultures and points of views together. According to one of its statement, diversity and inclusion is a crucial factor in Nike’s diplomacy in their many locations and globally. In identifying the differences they have set apart the opportunities to better understand how their teams will work together and what adversity they may face because of this. In order to strive to reach this mission they have put into action these strategies: * Cultivate diversity and inclusion to develop world-class, high-performing teams * Ignite change and inspire critical conversations around diversity, inclusion and innovation * Create venues and environments for open dialogue, diverse opinions and a multitude of perspectives All of the above will in future venture apply and assist them in working more efficiently and having more satisfied employees for longer periods of time. Technology and Innovation strategy: Nike fields some of the best in class technological practices and has a few patents to its credit. Nike emphasizes on these and has developed a lot of new products with use of high technology and sophistication. An example of that is the microprocessor shoe to give great experience and comfort to the customer. However, Adidas is also working on high tech innovations to provide high quality shoes. Lately, Adidas and Nike have been doing entertainment based marketing campaign by forming alliances with technology/entertainment companies. Nike had an alliance with Apple to sell Nike shoes with Apple iPods while Adidas tied up with Microsoft to sell Adidas goods with Microsoft Xbox gaming systems. So far the success of these alliances is yet to be quantified. Manufacturing strategy: Nike follows a 100% outsourcing strategy. Most competitors follow the outsourcing strategy. Exceptions to this are New Balance and other smaller players. New Balance claims that 75% of its production is from the US and other small companies produce in the US as well.

Hannibal Barca essays

Hannibal Barca essays Hannibal Barca is a much discussed historical figure whose greatness may be equated with other great military generals like Napoleon or Alexander. This well known Carthaginian hero, who took on the mighty and formidable military power of the Romans and defeated many of their well known generals in war, was a nemesis for the Romans. The fact that they could not neutralize his military prowess even in their own land in which he stayed for fifteen long years, proves his military forethought and shrewdness. Other than the military successes that his long career as a war lord can boast of, Hannibal is also known for his capacities as a well known political administrator and statesman who valued freedom more than Hannibal was instigated against the Romans from a very young age, by his father Hamilcar Barca, who was a great military conqueror himself, and who nursed the desire to beat the Romans at war and destroy their hegemony over his country. Hamilcar Barca saw great potential in his sons who he thought would help him realize his dreams to destroy the Roman Empire. He initiated Hannibal into a life long initiative that would see him attacking The second Punic war is remembered for the unbelievable military exploits of Hannibal. There were many reasons for this. First Hannibal was a young soldier, when he assumed charge of the Carthaginian army. Second, he was waging a war against the Romans, whose legions were considered to be the best in the world. Third, his forces although experts at war were limited in numbers and could not hope to resist the massive numbers of the Roman army. Another very important factor that further highlighted Hannibal's victory was that he had to fight the hostile tribal soldiers on his way to river Po, which caused heavy causalities in his army. It must be said that the second Punic war caught the Romans by surprise because Hannibal crossed th...

!0 Tips for Excelling at a Job Interview

1. Be prepared. Try to find out enough information about the employer, the company and the position you are applying for. Going into an interview not knowing anything will be an unpleasant surprise for you 2. Be on time for the interview. This shows the employer that you are serious, dedicated and you’re punctuality is on point. This will make the employer have more interest in you 3. Make sure that you’re resume is believable an up to date. Include previous experiences in any type of work field.Extreme lies on you’re resume will be obvious and will ruin you’re chances of even getting the job. 4. Show confidence and try not to show signs of nervousness. Proving that you can compose yourself I a well manner under pressure is a great characteristic which will give the employer positive thoughts about you. 5. Don’t act like a know-it-all because no one knows it all. If you act like you know everything, this will make the employer feel like you can cause many conflicts in the workplace.If you don’t know how to answer a question, don’t make things up to sound good; most likely you will sound dumb. Just ask for a clearer explanation on the question and try your best to answer it. 6. When the employer is trying to speak, don’t cut them off. Try using your listening skills more than speaking to make yourself seen attentive and focused. This may be your interview but whatever the interviewer has to say to you is way more important than you blabbering away. 7. Have respect and show manners.Don’t chew gum or any type of food like substance during the interview. That can be very distracting and rude to the interviewer. 8. Refrain from trying to suck up to your interviewer. You don’t know them that well yet, nor do they know you well. Being too extravagant in an interview is never flattering and rather more annoying, pushy and desperate. They will most definitely not think you are the best fit for the job. 9. Keep eye contact with your interviewer to show the connection and interest in what you want to accomplish in the interview.This will also show that you actually care and make the interviewer believe that you are an alert and observant employee. 10. Please be sure to be yourself! Acting like somebody you’re not will get you little to nowhere if you get the job. When you are working, you won’t want to constantly act like something you’re not. To prevent that from happening, from the jump-start, show your true colors and personality. You’ll be surprised, many people will like you more if you be true to yourself.

Academic paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Academic paper - Essay Example These common images of nursing contribute to the willingness of students to enter nursing programs. Some consider that the nursing shortage that has existed from 1998 (Seago, 2004) has been caused by the negative image the public sometimes has of nurses. Therefore, public images of nursing have consequences in many areas of society. As the public has its images of nursing and what it means to be a nurse, youth are influenced by those ideas. What students believe of nurses will alter their desires to enter the nursing field. This, in turn, contributes to the shortage of nurses in the United States. Of students who choose to enter the nursing field, often their images of nursing change as they enter clinicals (Sand-Jecklin). Nursing students hold images of nursing that evolve, while students who leave nursing programs maintain the stereotype that they’d had previously. This seen, it is obvious that in order to break stereotypes of nursing, one must actually be a nurse and encounter a nurses’ experiences. It is difficult to change society’s perception of nursing. In terms of nursing students, it has been shown that their ideals, stereotypes, and impressions of nursing alter with their experience. Sand-Jecklin studied demographic data of 150 nursing students. Their motivations for entering the nursing field were reported. Twelve percent chose nursing for the variety of positions the profession entails; other reasons were job security, salary, and challenging career. Across the literature, findings show that among the positive perceptions of nursing, mainly found from studies on nursing students, are job opportunity and salary. An aspect of Dr. Sand-Jecklin’s study that gauged the public perception of nursing was the report the perceptions students have of nursing prior to entering nursing programs. Most often, students entered nursing programs with altruistic reasons. This phenomenon is often

JetBlue Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

JetBlue - Case Study Example The interest payments would not show on the balance sheet while the increased assets would, making JetBlue look like a viable investment opportunity. Thus a decision needs to be made on the mode of financing that will lend strength to JetBlue's capital structure. However before analyzing the options of financing and recommending the most suitable alternative, it is imperative hat the current situation of the company be analyzed so that the structure can be evaluated for the option most suitable to it. To evaluate the current financial position based on the published data, the company will be evalaluated based on its profitability, its financial strength, the adequacy of its cash flows and its leverage and relationship between the fixed and variable costs of operating the airline. On the basis of profitability, assuming that salaries and related costs along with fuel are variable costs, JetBlue's contribution margin ratio indicates that the contribution of revenue to variable costs was 52% in 2000, 61% in 2001, and 62% in 2002 and by 64% in the first half of 2003. However, a more detailed look at the profitability indicates that the operating margin, which considers the contribution of revenue to total operating costs, is much lower. In fact, operating costs were higher than revenue in 2000. But this is because the revenue earnings of the airline were much lower in 2000, than in consequent years. The shortfall in revenue and its failure to cover operating costs can be attributed to the fact that the airline had just started and customers, wary of trying out a new airline might have preferred travelling on the older airlines. Moreover the airline might not have had the proper connections and incentives in place for travel agents, which it covered for in later periods, leading to an increase in sales revenues. Comparing operating and contribution margin, an analysis of the two indicates that fixed costs account for a large portion of the airlines costs. The operating margins for the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and half year ended June 2003 were -20%, 8%, 17% and 18% respectively, indicating that fixed costs pulled down the profit amounts. The graph below illustrates the Net Profit Margin, before and after taxes and shows the impact that tax has on the net profit margin. As it can be observed, taxes pull down the net profit margin in periods where there is revenue growth but in periods where there is a loss the tax waivers do not further the losses. However the taxes when carried forward in the next year increase the difference in before and after tax margins, the consequent year remedies this. Upon further scrutiny we can observe that the return on assets (ROA) for JetBlue has been positive from 2001 onwards, with a -6% return in the starting year. For the rest of the periods return on assets was 6%, 7% and 3% (till June 2003). The returns on investment (ROI) were much higher than the returns on assets, being 24%, 23% and 10% in 2001, 2002 and half year ended June 2003 while negative returns were posted in the initial year of

Value line publishing Essay Example for Free

Value line publishing Essay

Abortion Controversy Essay -- Pregnancy

The Abortion Issue Introduction Abortion has been a very controversial subject over these past few decades. Every time you pick up a paper or magazine it seems there is always some protest regarding abortion, whether it be for fetal rights or women's rights. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica the definition of abortion is "the expulsion of a fetus from the uterus before it has reached the stage of viability (in human beings, usually about the 20th week of gestation). An abortion may occur spontaneously, in which case it is also called a miscarriage, or it may be brought on purposefully, in which case it is often called an induced abortion." This paper will focus only on those abortions which are considered to be induced and will present the argument to both sides, considering both the argument for Pro-life as well as for Pro-choice. Pro-Life Argument Don Marquis states in his article Why Abortion is Immoral that killing someone is wrong because the killing inflicts the greatest possible loss on the victim. He says that it is not the effect on the murderer and the victim's friends and relatives that makes killing an absolute wrong. Although killing does affect those close to the victim the ultimate harm done is on the victim himself due to their loss of future. Marquis states that killing is regarded as one of the worst crimes because it is depriving people of the value of their future. If this view were applied to abortion it would be easy to see how abortion could be considered wrong. By willingly ending the life of the fetus you are willingly ending their possibility of a future. The fetus has the possibility of having a future with emotions, experiences and activities that are the same as human beings and even closer to that of young children. This argument applies in most cases of abortion but not all. For example, to abort a fetus whose life will be filled with unbearable pain and anguish because of a physical or cognitive disorder could be justified because it could be said that the future of the fetus would be bleak and uncertain. In ways it could be stated that the "means justify the end". It must be noted however, that this acceptance would not apply to all situations of physical and cognitive disabilities; only the most severe cases would qualify. For example, there could be no way to justify inducing an abortion because it has been de... ...e brain is functioning. Conclusion When analyzing both sides of the abortion issues, it is evident that both sides provide both strong and weak arguments. Abortion will always be a controversial issue in society and there will always be disputing sides to the matter. Each person must make their own decisions based on their beliefs and factual evidence. Both sides must learn to be open-minded to the other side and learn to respect the fact that they have different thoughts and views. WORKS CITED "Abortion." Encyclopaedia Britannica - Online. 1 Oct. 2000. Carrier, Richard C. "Abortion is not Immoral and Should not be Illegal." Internet Infidels. 1 Oct. 2002 . Jarvis Thomson, Judith. "A defence of Abortion." Gender Basics. 2nd Ed. Anne Minas. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Inc, 2000. 402-409. Marquis, Don. "Why Abortion is Immoral." Gender Basics. 2nd Ed. Anne Minas. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Inc, 2000. 398-401. Robinson, B.A. "Abortion." Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. 3 Jul 2002. 1 Oct. 2002 Sherwin, Susan. "Abortion." Gender Basics. 2nd Ed. Anne Minas. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Inc, 2000. 410-417.

Is Consumer Society a Divided Society? Essay

A consumer society is a society where people often buy new goods that they do not need (buy goods that are not necessary) and in which places a high value on owning many things (a high value placed on consumption of those goods). This essay will outline how social division is created through consumption and the consequences of consuming. It will first outline what Zygmunt Bauman calls the seduced and the repressed and how people are divided in our society based on these terms. It will then show evidence to support these claims by looking at the study of retail parks by Peter Jackson. Finally this essay will outline the two big supermarket (two different market) powers, namely, the zero-sum power and the positive-sum power and give evidence to support this by outlining the big supermarkets such as Tesco being the main one and how these two powers being looked at by showing two sides of an argument. (use the evidence gathered on big chain supermarket Tesco in the UK to support these tw o oppositional concepts by looking at the both sides of the argument) Not everyone is able to consume equally, firstly we will look at the seduced and the repressed. They are two divided (divisions in a) consumer society. According to a social scientist Zygmunt Bauman (1988), people in contemporary western society can be broadly divided into two groups. The seduced what Bauman calls, are the people who can afford to consume to a greater degree than others. An example of the seduced are the people who have a secure job with a really good income, them having to consume greater than others gives them a social membership with a positive identity. However the seduced not only include with (with not needed) people who have enough money to buy goods and services, but also the ones who are seen by the consumer society as valued members, both by other consumers and by those who have something to sell to a lucrative market. They are the employed, older people with good pensions and savings, those who are able to achieve their aspiration such as talent, good looks, or a particular skill that is valued and financially rewarded within the society. So in Bauman term the seduced are also those who are in a position to be admitted to a membership in a society because in the eyes of others they are able to consume affectively. This also creates pressure to conform because not doing so could easily lead to a social exclusion and a devalued identity. (not using your own words, too much direct quoting) Examples of the repressed are in Bauman terms, the repressed are the ones who are excluded from this consumer society or who are pushed to its margins. They are the unemployed, low paid, insecure or temporary working, recently arrived migrants or those often who are not in a position to participate to (in) the consumer society. Clearly this shows that income has a lot to do with these divisions and shows that whether a person belongs to one of the categories of the seduced or the repressed. (Hetherington, 2009, p. 25) In evidence to Bauman’s argument is an example of Peter Jackson, a geographer who has carried out a study of retail parks in the mid 1990’s in north London to try to offer an explanation of why these sites were becoming popular, he and his team of researchers asked customers why do they like shopping in these type of sites, (new sentence?) what they found in their studies, are that customers who shop in malls is because not only do (do this not only because) these shopping malls provide a vast range of goods but also the positive view of them being safe, it is convenient for them and a modern place to go shopping with their families. As the streets were seen as a place of crime, disorder and unclean, the view of the street did not look as welcoming and safe like the shopping mall did. The risks seen in this are the social exclusion. The ones who are poor and old may find themselves excluded because they have difficulty to shop there as they do not have access to a car to get to these sites because these sites are miles away or the money they can spend when they get there. Likewise the success of these sites has an effect on the other fewer sites that provide cheap consumer goods. Then these shops cannot compete with the large retail parks so they go out of business. By looking at his studies it shows (one sees) the effect of consumption and the division that is created (in a society through inclusion and exclusion). We, as consumers, divide ourselves from the society, sometimes without even realizing it and what leads us to these divisions are the large supermarkets. Large Supermarkets play a big role in dividing the society we live in. There are two sides of an argument of how large supermarkets are (described?) in terms of power (what supermarkets do or can do with their power). They are (There are or There can be either a) the zero-sum power and (or) the positive-sum power. An example of zero-sum power is thinking of it as a game where there are only losers and winners or where one gains and the other loses. What supermarkets have been doing is that they provide cheap goods for the consumers and a lot of choices therefore making the small businesses looked at (seen), as losers in zero-sum power term and the large supermarkets (seen) as winners due to the fact that most of the money has gone to them because we as the consumers are lead (led or attracted) there by the (the not needed) cheap goods and a lot of amount of choices they provide us (provide us with or provide for us). So the result are small Independent stores are been put out of business. But the pro-supermarkets lobby don’t (does not) see it as that, they see it as a positive-sum power where there are only winners and no losers the best way to describe this is where all parties benefit to some extent for instance by having a large supermarkets gives the consumer a lot of choices so don’t have to waste their time looking for what they need elsewhere and also they provide a lot of job opportunities for the local un employed (Allen, 2009, p. 66) Tesco being in the lead since 1995, it has slowly increased its market share to around one-third of all groceries shops in the UK. As for Sainsbury’s local or Tesco Express, small independent stores find it difficult to compete. Due to the dominance of the big supermarkets small independent stores are been (being) put out of business or to put it in a social science term: a zero-sum power is being used. The end result is the high street stripped of diversity and life as the big four limit the possible range and type of shops available. The Federation of small businesses points out that, since 2000, some 7000 local grocery stores have been lost, with independents closing at the rate of 2000 a year, whereas, over the same period, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons have doubled the number of stores that they operate (Federation of small businesses, 2006). The anti-supermarkets campaigners they (they not needed) argue that this retail power to consume their (is what gives consumers a) little choice over where people (they) can shop, or only choice the shoppers have are Tesco or Asda, Sainsbury’s or Morrisons (Allen, 2009 p. 72) But big supermarkets see it as a positive-sum power they don’t (try to use full form i.e. do not) just offer a lot of job opportunities for the local unemployed but also work for places like Bangladesh. Since the mid 1990’s, the garment industry in Bangladesh has grown rapidly, with some 2.5 million people working in the thousands of factories. These factories represent a path out of poverty and according to Martin Wolf (2004), an economic journalist on the financial times (Financial Times), the last thing a country like this would want is for the big retailers to stop sourcing their labour from them. (Allen, 2009 p. 91) This essay has outlined how division is created through consumption and looked at two sides of the argument. It first described the two division used by Bauman the repressed and the seduced then provided Peter Jackson’s study of the retail park as evidence. Then finally this essay outlined the powers of the supermarkets the zero-sum power and the positive sum power then in evidence showed two sides of an argument of how the big four supermarkets are looked at (use their power). So overall the way people consume and how big retailers influence consumers in terms of power divides our society. (a bit too short?)

Low Inflation Rate Of Australia

Inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of commodities. Inflation is a major economic issue in Australia, and is one which requires stable management for durable and long-term improvements. Low inflation and steady economic growth; have emerged as outstanding economic achievements this decade. Along with unemployment, economic growth and external viability; inflation acts a major economic indicator, illustrating the strength and stability of our economy. It is for this reason that inflation management has played such a great role in domestic economic policy over the last decade. Inflation at present is the focal point of the Australian economy. Inflation is at an unprecedented low, which has acted to keep the Australian economy competitive. Economic policy in Australia has acted to keep inflation low, which has been a traditional problem for decades. At present Australia's, underlying inflation rate is less than 1. 3%, which has opened up a stronger, more competitive export market. With such a pleasing outcome for inflation, Australia can reap the rewards through lower interest rates as well as economic growth, and job increases. Low inflation does more than simply slow price increases; it acts as an expansionary booster to the economy and a stimulus for other economic objectives. In recent times, low inflation levels have characterised the Australian economy. The underlying inflation rate was only 1. 1% to June 1999, and this has meant further stability of prices and continued growth. This result has come on the back of Australia's â€Å"Inflation Target†, set by the Reserve Bank (RBA) in 1993. This has acted as a guide to spending and domestic monetary policy, over the course of the economic cycle. The RBA has set an underlying inflation target of 2-3% per year, and this has contributed to our steady inflation performance. In the late 1990s, Australia has operated at the lower level of this target, and this has pleased the government and the RBA through their initiative. Inflation figures of fewer than 2% annually are testament to this. Recent trends have given Australia one of lowest underlying inflation rates in the OECD group, which includes many highly industrialised nations. Over this century Australia, has seen both high and low inflation. In the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s we experienced periods like today. Yet we faced high levels in the 1970s and 1980s. These were due to the great peaks and falls in the economic cycle, brought on by recessions and boom periods. The Australian economy has developed by adapting to changes in the economic cycle, and flattening out the large â€Å"bumps†. Causes of inflation are varied in both their diversity and severity. They include excess demand, where high aggregate demand for commodities forces prices upwards. There is also cost-push inflation, where an increase in the cost of production promotes an increase in the price of goods for consumers. Inflation can also be brought about through inflationary expectations, hence the quote â€Å"Inflation breeds inflation†, as well as currency depreciation, which also damages exports. The numerous causes of inflation give testament to the fact that it is a difficult problem to combat. Increased levels of inflation also cause many changes in the economy. There are essentially three main negative aspects of high inflation. It acts by reallocating resources in the economy, usually by encouraging speculative investment. It also causes redistribution of wealth from those who hold cash funds, as opposed to property or capital. Thirdly, it causes decreased levels of international competitiveness. Conversely, there are many positive aspects of low inflation. Australia has gained through lower interest rates, high but steady economic growth and the promise of job creation in the future. Low inflation has bred a more confident economy, one which is wiser for the adversity it has faced through recessions of the past. Low inflation creates a more externally viable economy, and allows competitive export growth. Australia's current low level of inflation can be attributed to an array of factors. These have included the lagging effects of the recession earlier this decade, as well as the implementation of a number of recent economic policies. Current low levels of inflation are the product, of three main policy initiatives. First and foremost, Monetary policy has helped our inflation by keeping spending in check. Through interest rates, and the adoption of an inflation target, the RBA has been able to artificially control the level of economic activity in Australia. Monetary policy has been a favoured government option, and it has proven a success. Secondly, micro-economic reform has played a major role in keeping inflation low. It is essentially based on efficiency and productivity in the Australian industries, where it has aimed to help firms lower costs, thereby creating a stable economy based upon strong and efficient production, healthy exports and generally more economically sound industries. This decade it has included moves for a national competition policy, deregulation of industries as well as general moves for efficiency. Fiscal policy is the third policy option. It surrounds government spending and taxation initiatives. In recent times it has acted in a contractionary manner, including budget surpluses and the repayment of foreign debt, which have allowed for more expansionary monetary policy. Some feel that currency policies aren't doing all they could. While drives for efficiency are a step in the right direction, it is clear that monetary policy could be eased to benefit other economic objectives. Being below the RBA target for inflation should allow Australia to lower interest rates. These could help economic growth and achieve greater job expansion. This could easily be achieved if the government would diversify its one-eyed monetary policy. The coalition must begin to realise that low inflation is coming at the expense of other, equally important economic objectives. While tight fiscal policy may be paying off foreign debt, we are still faced with high unemployment and unfavorable CAD terms. It is clear that while inflation is at a low level now, we must turn more attention to other pressing economic objectives. Inflation is a major economic management issue, and is one which requires great vigilance and perseverance for durable improvements. Though through the efforts of the RBA and the current government, inflation has fell to an unprecedented low, via much agony and policy deliberation. At present inflation has been brought back to earth through monetary and micro-economic policy essentially. Yet the pressing issue is not how far we can go with inflation, but how much can it's current level benefit our other major management issues.

Punic Wars essays

Punic Wars essays In the thousands of years men have formed nations and established dominance over one another, no other event has made as much an impact on military history as the Punic Wars during the fourth and third century BC. The Punic Wars served to demonstrate to all of the known civi-lized nations at that time the type of world power the Romans were willing to prove themselves to be.. With strategy, deception, and ultimate persistence, they shifted the balance of power in the European-Mediterranean region. But the larger change was a shift of power within the Rome itself that was brought by the larger, stronger military organization. It would serve to de-crease the supremacy of the Senate and Consul and give rise to a form of government. The first Punic War began almost accidentally. Carthaginians had controlled much of Sicily, but the Roman occupation of the southern tip of Italy created tension between the two civilizations. When a complicated dispute arose in the Carthaginian port city of Massena, the Romans intervened and thus the first Punic War began. The Romans captured the great fortress of Acreages in the first three years of the war. Nevertheless, the Romans realized that to win the war, they must drive Carthage out of Sicily, and to do this, they had to have a sea fleet. The standard tactics of the day was ramming the op-ponent to punch a hole in the side. This required a great deal of skill and allowed only an eight-second window to perform the maneuver. Romans found that in the course of the battles, that they lack the experience to outperform the Carthaginians. However, Rome produced a navy of a hundred quinquiremes (small, square-rigged schooners) and twenty triremes (rowed ships that were more maneuverable) and equipped ships with a secret weapon. The corvus, a spiked boarding bridge, was designed to swivel over the side of the Roman ship and drop on the enemy ship. Ingenious and ye...

Clinical reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Clinical reflection - Essay Example From the experience with the Chinese patient, I learnt how to communicate with a non-English speaker patient by use of sign language. I also learnt how to keenly monitor how he swallowed the fluid foods and put great care to turn the patient after every two hours. I also learnt more in listening to the lungs sounds very keenly. My friendliness to the patients never failed me. It made the patient feel at home and feel comfortable on my arms. I think I did great job by ensuring that the patient was comfortable all the times. I also did much by ensuring that the patient never dirtied himself with his excretes since he was unable to handle himself. Throughout the nursing period I ensured close contact with the patient. Today as I attended to the Chinese patient I felt I was very effective and caring to my patient. I went extra mile since the patient was dependent. I felt the pain as the patient swallowed the meals in great trouble. It was sad to see the patient being turned on bed every time. I felt the pain though proved much confident and never indicated any sign of

Evaluation of an argument through analysis Essay - 1

Evaluation of an argument through analysis - Essay Example To aggrandize on this judgment, it is wise to relate the aspect of rational and irrational factors; while the latter can be related to women, it can as well be used to justify why women speak much. Irrational persons tend not to take close precaution while speaking and factors can be related to their superior speaking techniques which in most cases are situation and theoretically assembled (Holmes, 38). Nevertheless, rational talk attributed to men is based on attributes of honesty, factual and being concise. However, Holmes argument is not based on the amount of words spoken but on the quality of the talk. She challenges women to construct a formidable talk in order to counter balance patriarchy. Primarily, Holmes present women talk based on social factors such as friendship and trivial relationships, compared to male talk which focused on critical global arguments. To justify the above description, it is wise to note that Holmes essay is based empirical evidence in critical examina tion based on science, environment and demagogy principles. The essay has applied strong literature dogmas; for instance, of humor, proverbs, imagery/ symbolism, simile/ metaphors and as well borrowing close examples. This essay will counter examine Holmes essay by; firstly, close checking on the claim and subsidiary claims. Secondly, the essay will base its principles on hilarious practical evidence presented. Thirdly, the essay will examine on technical presentation applied by Holmes; primarily focusing on opposing views, credibility, language, organization and the tone of the essay. Finally, the conclusion will establish whether the argument â€Å"women talk too much is valid†. Claim What is the main claim presented in the essay? Is it clearly stated the essay does it reflect the purpose of the essay The main claim in the essay is the argument against the quality of talk compared between sexes and what governs the talk. While men uses talk to exemplify power, women uses ta lk to express emotions and relations. Women are more interested on trivial elements; for instance, of how the society perceive them as individuals and not what men argues out; how the society perceive the general concept life and how it affects mankind, what are the necessary changes and solutions to challenges. The essay categorizes men as discreet and in very unique cases they would speak out their problems but women are more interested in speaking out their lives to access comfort. According to Holmes (43), men are interested in presenting a certain social point of view and debating on it, while women are more concerned whether the point of view does directly affect them What are subsidiary claims presented in the essay? In other words what claims are used to support the main claim? Are the claims clear and valid? And they related to the main claim? Holmes aggrandizes on the main point of view, literature aspects have been categorically employed to empower the main point. Subsidi ary claims presented stretch from literature, psychological, gender and biological claims. For instance, according to the essay women are more interested to hear their own voice than the validity of what they are talking about. Consequently, biological claims prove that; while a male is developing before conception, the testosterone hormone alters the brain (Brizendine, 2011 56). The hormone is significant in