The Social Health and Economic Costs of Agent Orange in Vietnam

Ipso, Meso, and Peri Substitutions in Organic Chemistry

Ipso, Meso, and Peri Substitutions in Organic Chemistry   The prefixes ipso-, meso-, and peri- describe ring substitutions in organic chemistry. They are part of the IUPAC nomenclature used to specify the position of any non-hydrogen substituents in an aromatic hydrocarbon. Ipso Substitution The ipso- prefix is used when  two substituents share  the same ring position in an intermediate compound. This could occur  in an  electrophilic aromatic ring substitution. Meso Substitution The meso- prefix is used when  substituents occupy a  benzylic  position when the  first carbon covalently bonds  adjacent to a benzene or other  aromatic  ring. It is seen in acridines and calixarenes. PeriSubstitution The peri- prefix is used to describe substituents at the 1 and 8 positions. It is seen specifically in naphthalenes. In addition to ipso, meta, and peri, there are two other ring substitution patterns you may encounter. There is the ortho, meta, and para substitution and the cine and tele substitution. Cine and Tele Substitution In the cine- substitution, the entering group is positioned adjacent to the one that was occupied by the leaving group. This is seen in aryne chemistry. In the tele- substitution, the new position of the entering group is more than one atom further away on the aromatic ring.

Final Case Study and Strategic Plan- Starbuck's Global Quest 2006

Final and Strategic Plan- Starbuck's Global Quest 2006 - Case Study Example Introduction In the modern world, coffee is one of the most popular refreshment beverages with nearly US$80 billion sales in retail every year. Starbucks is one of the largest coffee houses of the world, with 20,366 stores in 61 countries (Alvarado et al., 2007; Khattab et al., 2013). Starbucks started its venture in 1971 in Seattle Pike place with the objective of providing coffee with immense quality and taste. It was initiated by three academics Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegel and Gordon Bowker. Starbucks in later years was joined by Howard Schultz who led the marketing strategies to make it famous worldwide. In 1982, the company was taking a new outlook in its endeavor after Schultz visited Italy and saw a promising future for Starbucks in the coffee industry. He utilized the resources and the ability of Starbucks in providing quality beans for establishing a coffee bar named as II Giornalle. The concept of coffee bar was proving to be a successful endeavor for Starbucks. Due to the ac ceptance of Schultz’s strategies Starbucks gained importance in the market and it was highly appreciated by the people. Through his strategic management skills and marketing skills, he purchased Starbucks in the year 1987 and renamed it as Starbuck Corporation. The coffee bar II Giornalle was renamed as Starbucks Corporation by Schultz as the brand was known by people and was readily acceptable. Schultz was by then the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company and was trying hard to implement strategies to expand the business and make outlets in various regions such as Chicago and Vancouver. In the 1990s, the company saw expansion by opening 676 stores and providing in-house music to make the people feel relaxed while enjoying the coffee. Starbucks flourished worldwide by the year 2000 and is still strategizing to make the business more popular and financially sound (Shah et al., 2010). The present mission of the company is â€Å"to inspire and nurture the human spirit â €“ one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time† (Starbucks Corporation, 2013). The company ranks 208th in the Fortune 500 list along with generating revenue of US$13,299.5 million (Cable News Network, 2013). The performance of the company experiences upsurge in the revenue but its profit earning is considerably low due to several factors such as competition from the rivals. Thesis Statement The objective of the study is to evaluate the economic, marketing and the financial condition of Starbucks. The organizational structure and the issues faced by the company are evaluated. Correspondingly, a report entailing three-year strategic management proposal to Starbucks’ managing board of directors would be provided. Economic Assessment The economy of a country plays an important role in the success and failure of a business. The global turmoil in the economy in the recent past affected the business of various companies and also affected the strategies they implemen t. The economic slowdown of various countries affected the consumer behavior pattern and hence affected the profit of the companies in the recent past years. With regard to Starbucks, the economic condition also affected the profitability and the market share of the company as the countries such as Greece and Spain which were like cash cow turned out to be question mark. This implies that the market share

Math Standards Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Math Standards - Essay Example They should have the ability to find correct answers to addition, This list however is by no means everything a student should be able to do, and only acts as a basic guideline for what a student should be able to achieve in math while they are in the California educational system. The goals associated with student's learning in mathematics are also important. Students should develop fluency in basic computational Skills, develop an understanding of mathematical Concepts and Become mathematical problem solvers who can recognize and solve routine problems readily and can find ways to reach a solution or goal where no routine path is apparent. These are the three goals that all students should develop while learning math, and are important to their overall schooling as they grow up to adults upon their leaving of the educational system. In a general education class these broads skills are skills that all students should learn, and are skills that are helpful to teach to everybody. Some students will learn them fast, and others will struggle, but by teaching them as general educations everybody can learn them on the same level filed.

Enlightenment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Enlightenment - Essay Example His opening sentence highlights ridiculous French laws, regarding diet and medicine, denying individuals the right to look after their body as they deemed fit. Once into the realms of science, philosophy and experimentation, his comments on Galileo, by how he phrases them, show his great admiration for the man and his work. His brilliant use of irony indicting the government in question, suggests it was legislating against the mind. New ideas and discoveries should be encouraged rather than punished. Jefferson ridicules that government in Galileo's case for its reaction against reason and innovative thinking. His tongue-in-cheek phrase: The quotation reflects their philosophies. Bacon took Galileo's work and formalized it, suggesting that challenging orthodoxy, observing nature, using reason, would lead to true knowledge - experimentation would verify it. Jefferson incorporates Bacon's philosophies and methods, now He rejects some of the Rationalism of Descartes; that excluding reference to the external world, suggesting knowledge is gained by reason alone. Jefferson, a man of science and practical action, accepted the ideas of critical questioning, but was less impressed with the concept of thought without investigation or experimentation. The inference here may be that this particular founding-father of the Enlightenment did not wholly fit with Jefferson's views. The quotation provides evidence of his admiration and commitment to the work and philosophy of Isaac Newton, containing reference to his theory of gravity, and how its power and truth was accepted through reason, not legislation. Newton is a seeker after the truth whose findings could not be overturned. Newton took Galileo's work and and astrological studies of his time, defined natural laws, and presented incontrovertible truths. Scientific research, experimentation, sharing the knowledge, were all aspects of the man whose thinking Jefferson admired. His remarks regarding Newton prove he is reflecting Enlightenment thinking and values. There is a connection between Jefferson's own religious beliefs and the upsurge of Natural Theology which resulted from Newton's work. The idea that Nature is proof of the Divine, a Master Designer, appealed to Jefferson, who espoused the aspect of Scientific Deism, which contends that Nature was the result of Divine Creation, then goes on to operate under universal laws. Jefferson sees in Newton what Enlightenment means in practice.

Bank of Maldives SWOT, Pestle and Porters Five Analysis

Bank of Maldives SWOT, Pestle and Porters Five Analysis Jump to: Mission and Vision of the Bank of Maldives SWOT Analysis PESTLE Analysis Porter’s Five Analysis GAP Analysis Segment Analysis BCG Matrix Porter’s Generic Strategy Ansoff Matrix Human Resources Introduction Bank of Maldives Overview On 23rd May 1982, Bank of Maldives was registered (Company Registry No. C-22/1982) with Ministry of Home Affairs as a company. On 10 November 1982 BML was registered at Maldives Monetary Authority and was given license to provide banking business in the Maldives. http://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?c=mvv=71 Joint venture with IFCI On November 11, 1982 Bank of Maldives Plc was inaugurated and started commercial operation as a joint venture bank with 60% shares held by the Government of the Maldives (including its Agencies and Maldivian Companies) and 40% shares owned by International Finance Investment Company Limited (later IFIC Bank Limited), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Until 31st December 1992, the Bank was managed by the professionals of IFIC Bank Limited and they were paid 10% of the Banks profit. During the tenth year of the Bank, the Government of Maldives decided to re-structure the Bank of Maldives as such requested the IFIC Bank Ltd to reduce the share holding and also the number of representation in the Board. Consequently IFIC Bank Ltd decided to dispose off its entire shares in the Bank of Maldives and terminate its relations with the Bank with the expiry of the Management Contract on December 31, 1992. Bank of Maldives Become Public Limited Company Government of Maldives purchased 40 per cent shares On 14 November 1992, held by IFIC Bank Ltd. As a result, 80 per cent of the share capital of the Bank of Maldives was owned by the Government while the remaining 20 per cent of the share capital was sold equally to the State Trading Organization and Maldives Transport and Contracting Company respectively. Company Shares Government decided and started, to sell Banks shares to the general public In December 1992, by way of a assessment to expand the Banks capital. From January 1, 1993, Bank of Maldives Plc has become, and since then remained, a bank fully owned by the people and the Government of the Maldives. The Bank of Maldives Plc issued shares during 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2007. In 2007, Memorandum and Articles of Association of the bank was revised, shares were split and bonus shares were given to the existing shareholders. As a result the authorised caiptal of the bank was increased from Rf 300 million to Rf 800 million. The face value of BML shares stand at Rf 50/-. Bank of Maldives Branches Bank of Maldives has 25 branches in the country Maldives. Out of 25 three branches are in Male, the capital, and 1 branch in Male International Airport (Hulhule Island) and 01 each in both Villingili ward and Hulhumale. The other branches of Bank of Maldives are distributed amongst the atolls of the country, each with a chosen command area. Therefore, the Bank of Maldives Plc is able to serve the whole nation. Strategies for businesses The main business of Bank of Maldives is retail banking in addition Bank of Maldives handle most of the development banking activities in all the atolls of the Nation, Bank of Maldives PLC covers a variety of modern banking services online in a fully computerized environment and is proud to be serving the nation as the leading bank in the Maldives. http://ebanking.bankofmaldives.com.mv/page/view/n/company/o/introduction Businesses are often so preoccupied with immediate issues that they lose sight of their ultimate objectives. Thats why a business review or preparation of a strategic plan is a virtual necessity. This may not be a recipe for success, but without it a business is much more likely to fail. A business strategy is a pattern of decision and actions that are taken by the business to achieve its objectives. Business planning involves deciding what is to be done, setting objectives and developing polices to achieve them. Strategic process is steps taken to achieve those objectives. Frame Work of Business Strategy In practice, strategic management process has three main components, shown in the figure below. http://courseware.finntrack.eu/institutions/lectur_4.htm There is a number of stages involve in the planning process. These include Identifying the objectives Analalysing the positions of the business Deciding on suitable strategy Implementing a suitable strategy Evaluating its effectiveness Strategic Planning Process C:UsersAroonDesktopthe-strategic-planning-process-thumb.jpg Mission Mission statement includes descriptions of the overall aims of the business and they tend to be aimed at stake holders in the business. Stakeholders are those individuals or groups that affect or have interest in how the business is running and also what it achieves. Mission statement of business will include information for all key stake holders of the business including employees, shareholders, and also customers. Bank of Maldives Mission statement We will lead the way through quality of service and dedication of our staff. We will serve all our communities to the best of our ability, strive always to listen to your needs and so build total customer confidence and satisfaction From BML Mission statement I found that the mission that the company established is based on blending the various interest of range of stakeholder grouping. Example one of the objective mentioned in mission statement is to lead the way through quality of service and dedication of our staffs it will benefits many stakeholders because customers will receive high quality product and services, shareholders will receive high dividends, employee will receive good wages, and so on. Vision A vision statement is sometimes called a picture of your company in the future but its so much more than that. Vision statement is our inspiration, the framework for all our strategic planning. A vision statement may apply to an entire company or to a single division of that company. Whether for all or part of an organization, the vision statement answers the question, Where do we want to go. Vision statement of Bank of Maldives To be the leader in the financial industry in Maldives, spreading its presence in all key economic geographies in Maldives To be the leader in the financial industry in Maldives, inculcating a long term saving culture in the nation and promoting a cashless society To be one of the most Efficient, Profitable and Respected financial institutions in Maldives. Values http://www.bankofmaldives.com.mv/SiteCollectionImages/mission-statement.jpg http://www.bankofmaldives.com.mv/InvestorRelations/Pages/OurCommitments.aspx The bank values lot of things like innovation, giving respect to others and receiving respect from others, also communication, innovation and integrity. Stakeholders of the business Customers Customers are one of the key stakeholders of the business as they are vital to the survival of the business. Bank of Maldives provides excellent services to its customers and has excellent relationship through respects, friendly services and also greeting and so on. Shareholders Bank of Maldives try to give maximum benefits to its shareholders and also have good relationship with them. The Annual General Meeting of the company is used to have an effective discussion with the shareholders on matters and issues which are of relevance and of concern to the general membership. The Banks website also provides information for the shareholders of the business. Employees Employees are other key stake holders of the company. Bank of Maldives has various ways. Bank provides training programs to employees to familiarize them companys policy and working practice. Bank also provides many packages and development opportunity to its employees. Suppliers In todays environment it is very important for good relationship to exist between business and suppliers. Government Government can influence and affect business in number of ways. Bank of Maldives has to follow the rule and regulation that is made by the government. And also government is 51% shareholder of the bank. Therefore provide full support to the company. Hierarchy of Objectives There are two types of objectives, corporate and functional level objectives. At the top level of an organization will often create a vision setting what and where they want to be in long run or in future and also the top level of organization will often create mission setting out the purpose of the organization and also mission statement is a path way to achieve its vision and then Organizations will create a hierarchy of objectives. The hierarchy of objective is a breakdown of Mission Corporate Objective Functional/Departmental Objective Team objective Individual Objective the objectives and presenting in a more understanding and also able to manual to the operational/functional level of employees of the organization. This process is because organizations believe that each and every individual should be clear of what is expected from them in order to accomplish the corporate objective. Strategic analysis Strategic analyses is all about analyzing the strength of businesses position and also analyzing the weakness and understanding the important external factors that may influence and effect the business position. The business strategy of a company provides the big picture that shows how all the individual activities are coordinated in the organization in order to achieve a desired end result. It is through the strategy process that the overall direction of the company is established. This is based on the external opportunities and threats, outside the organization or external environment creates, also the internal strengths and weaknesses of the business. There are many tools for process of Strategic Analysis which we can use to analyze the business such as: SWOT Analysis PEST Analysis Scenario Planning Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation Directional Policy Matrix Competitor Analysis Critical Success Factor Analysis SWOT Analysis We can use SWOT analysis as a tool to conduct a general or detailed picture of a companys health. SWOT analysis is quick examination of a business current position so that it can identify internal strength and weakness and also external opportunities and threats. (S)trengths Financial stability and bank is well capitalized and this has enabled it to perform relatively well with largest financial network of 25 branches and 37 ATMs in Maldives. Highest market shares/over 260,000 loyal deposit account holders/ Over 53,000 lending relationships Government helps since it has 51% their share power Most effective recruitment and selection process and over 748 dedicated employees Awarded for 3 years about their customer satisfaction methods. Easy transections for its customers Updated technology as leader in electronic banking in card issuance with a wide network of POS terminal Nations most trusted company with the highest transections and strong customer relationship 27 years banking service in the market and well branded in the country Annual report 2009 (W)eaknesses Less number of employees to deal with their daily transections and customers problems. Limited dollar providing Difficult to get loans compare to their competitors Maldives is facing shortage of US dollars these days and most of the Expatriate working in Maldives is paid in Rufiyaa. Even to buy dollars from Bank of Maldives is something impossible these days. Due to the shortage of dollars most of the businesses are facing problems since Maldives import almost everything and businesses need to transfer their money to their suppliers. Also the foreigners those who are working in Maldives are paid in Rufiyaa and they also face problem due to shortage of dollars. I think that the shortages of US dollars are due to the world economy experienced tremendous instability in the year 2009, due consequences were felt in the Maldivian economy as well. The depression in tourism industry and fisheries industry played huge role as it posed numerous effect while the US Dollar liquidity crisis contributed added to the challenges being faced by the Bank. (O)pportunities Since they have got a good financial stability they can expand their business to other islands Sell more shares to the public market. It will increase their customers and also will be able to have a better capital to provide a good service To deal with their daily transections and to get experience from developed banks like Swiss bank they can ask from the government talk about it with them. (T)hreats Recently have stopped providing any types of card to the customers Economic crises Competitors I think the strengths of the company can be assessed as companys resources and also the company capabilities which can be used as a root to achieve its objectives and goals and also for developing a competitive advantage. There are many external threats and opportunities which organization has to face. So that Business can try to maintain the strengths and try to overcome from the weaknesses as internal factors those can be controlled by the business, but external factors cannot be controlled by the business because they are independent. Therefore business can try to take advantages of opportunities so it can be key to be success in future and have to try to manage the threats as well. Or have to try to reduce its negative influences to the organization. PESTLE It is very important that an organization considers its environment before beginning the marketing process. In fact, environmental analysis should be continuous and feed all aspects of planning. http://imagetrail.net/image/5042061/PEST-Analysis.aspx (P)olitical In Maldives government doesnt influence most of the business. But Bank of Maldives is a government company so they take decisions according to their political decisions. Most of the businesses in this country are private business. Government helps to their business to carry it with the highest level they can and to expend it. However they have recently announced that they will make new rules to the tertiary sector business. So its important for them to update the changes and obey the rules and regulation of ministry of trade and industry. The political changes need to be monitored very often especially during these days. As there is changes in political system or due to the implementation of party system in the country and the new laws passed by the government plays a vital role in todays business climate. So, I feel that the management and investors needs to be cooperative with the new system and government in order to keep running in the market. Moreover, Bank of Maldives is one of the biggest service industry in the country and also it is central bank of Maldives so political factors may effect the business for some extent. (E)conomical After the tsunami the country was developing rapidly their business and starting new business. Inflation of country is controlled in recent years. Mixed economy is one of the key features of the country that take account of tourism, fishing and other industry. http://www.indexmundi.com/maldives/inflation_rate_%28consumer_prices%29.html Mixed economy plays huge role in businesses growth and is can be an important aspect of the Maldives economy hence for most of the company government helps and government have shares in most of the leading company such as State trade Organization plc., Bank of Maldives and so on, In 1989, the economic reform program implemented by the government lifted the import quota and encouraged exports to the private sector. Later on, the liberalized conventions allowed more foreign investments. Therefore I feel one of the targeted markets for Bank of Maldives that is foreigners became the customers of the business. http://www.economywatch.com/world_economy/maldives/ On the other hand, GDP reduced in 2007-08, then contracted in 2009 and the reason may be due to the worldwide recession. Falling tourist arrivals and fish exports, combined with high government spending on social needs, subsidies, and civil servant salaries contributed to a balance of payments crisis in 2009. Diversifying the economy beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, and increasing employment opportunities are major challenges facing the government. Maldives GDP- Real growth rate (%) http://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?c=mvv=66 Therefor Bank of Maldives may face economic problems in upcoming years. So it is very important for BML to keep an eye on economic changes that comes every now and then. Taking in this aspect, interest rate and inflation plays a keys role. A very slight change in the interest rate brings a change in the price of product. So I would advise the management to observe the economic changes that comes very often. On the other hand most of the stakeholder of the company believes that in upcoming year economy will be favorable to the business. Moreover, in the market Bank of Maldives have got so many new competitors like HSBC and Bank of Ceylon. Most of the people still trust Bank of Maldives because of being the oldest Bank in the country and also its under the control of government. Most of the transaction are done in the capital city. So economically they will face much trouble from other business, Because HSBC can be a competitor who will be able to get market share. They have the best dollar providing service. When looking in to the people perspective, most of the people have bank accounts. And all most all the people are aware about the modern world (S)ocial Maldives economy is based on about the social could be their spending is higher and less saving. This way happens mostly with the youngsters. Everything for them is fun and enjoying. And each every of them has their own bank account. Thats why it increases the bank transection. Also government employees should have bank account in BML and most of the money transections of government are done through BML. Bank of Maldives caters to customers in unbanking islands through its Dhon services, Also facilitator of infrastructure development to enhance the living standard of local community. BML extends its support to various initiatives in view of the socioeconomic benefits. Among these initiatives BML cosponsored GCE High Achievers Award ceremony and worked alongside the Maldives Police Service to create awareness regarding counterfeit currency. Furthermore BML also extended its support through providing sponsorship for the Democracy Fair held during 2009 and the fishermans day activities. Further efforts to extend our corporate responsibility stance involved daily collection facilitation for state insurance scheme Madhana by all branches of the Bank. BML fully funded the acquiring of an ECG Treadmill for IGM Hospital for the benefit of patients utilizing the services of the hospital. BML is the pioneer and leader of microfinance facilities for rural development and to SME sector projects throughout Maldives. These loans significantly contribute to improving the livelihood of rural communities, alleviating poverty and creating employment opportunities. BML report 2009 (T)echnological Technology is vital to gain competitive advantage, and is a major driver of globalization. Changes in technology have also become mainly weighty in the world. This is for the most part true in terms of modern communication technologies todays environment. The creation of databases and electronic communications help to have easy communications and have enabled huge quantities of information to be shared and quickly distributed all around the world with cost reductions, and often improvements in service and product. Organizations need to be aware of the latest relevant technologies for their business and due to high competition in the market. Bank of Maldives use latest technology to implement business processes, manage risks and provide excellent customer service. Such as Online electronics banking, mobile banking and internet banking, ATM service etc. Also bank is fully computerized and provides almost all the banking services needed for the citizens and business establishments in Maldives. There for I suggest bank of Maldives it is very important to be in touch with new technology as the technology has brought the people together with the best, comfortable and convenient life. Also technology is one of the biggest issues in modern world and also to provide best services to its customer and to create competitive advantage against rivals in the market. Porters Fives Forces Five Force analyses assume that there are five important forces that determine competitive power in a situation. These are:http://www.tutor2u.net/business/images/five_forces.gif Threat of New Entrants The number of business in a market may not be always be a useful guide to completion in that market. New entrants to an industry can raise the level of competition, by this means reducing its attractiveness an also if it is easy for business to enter markets then the competition likely to be greater. The threat of new entrants largely depends on the barriers to entry. High entry barriers exist in some industries. Key barriers to entry include: Economies of scale The need of Capital or investment requirement Customer switching costs Access to industry distribution channels The likelihood of retaliation from existing industry players. Bank of Maldives is the only local bank in Republic of Maldives. There are other banks like State bank of India, Habib Bank, HSBC bank, etc in Maldives, but they do not have more than one branch. I am not sure if there is any restriction to open more than one branch for foreign banks in Maldives. Bank of Maldives has many branches in Male the capital of Maldives as well as in remote islands. In my point of views It is difficult for new entrants to enter in banking industry due to threat of new entrants largely depends on the barriers to entry. To enter in the banking industry in Maldives for local business it will be difficult due to capital requirement they need to invest on the business, and also it is difficult to gain economies of scale. Also Bank of Maldives is one of the highest distributors with 25 branches all over the country. Threat of Substitutes This depends upon the extent to which business can differentiate their products from those of competitors .The substitute products can lower industry attractiveness and profitability because they limit price levels. The threat of substitute products depends on: Buyers willingness to substitute The relative price and performance of substitutes The costs of switching to substitutes Bargaining Power of Suppliers Suppliers are the businesses that supply materials other products into the industry. Powerful suppliers can increase the cost of a business. If suppliers have high bargaining power over a company, then in principle the companys industry is less attractive. The bargaining power of suppliers will be high when there are number of suppliers and also when there are many buyers and also the importance of the product which is supplied or undifferentiated, highly valued products bargaining power of supplier will be high. For BML bargaining power of suppliers will be less due to more dominant supplier like Rainbow, all brothers business and so on. Bargaining Power of Buyers Buyers are the people / organisations who create demand in an industry. The bargaining power of buyers is greater when There are few dominant buyers and many sellers in the industry Products are standardized Buyers threaten to integrate backward into the industry Suppliers do not threaten to integrate forward into the buyers industry The industry is not a key supplying group for buyers For BML I feel bargaining power of buyer is less because BML is only a company that caters the customers all over the country and they have branches in many part of the country and also the other competitors such as HNB is have only one branch in the country which is also is located in capital Male. Intensity of Rivalry The intensity of rivalry between competitors in an industry will depend on: The structure of competition for example, rivalry is more intense where there are many small or equally sized competitors; rivalry is less when an industry has a clear market leader. BML is a market leader of Banks in Maldives. The structure of industry costs for example, industries with high fixed costs encourage competitors to fill unused capacity by price cutting Degree of differentiation industries where products are commodities (e.g. steel, coal) have greater rivalry; industries where competitors can differentiate their products have less rivalry . For BML the degree of differentiation is higher than the other competitors. Switching costs rivalry is reduced where buyers have high switching costs i.e. there is a significant cost associated with the decision to buy a product from an alternative supplier Strategic objectives when competitors are pursuing aggressive growth strategies, rivalry is more intense. Where competitors are milking profits in a mature industry, the degree of rivalry is less Exit barriers when barriers to leaving an industry are high (e.g. the cost of closing down factories) then competitors tend to exhibit greater rivalry. Having a good pricing strategy and a good customer care will enhance Bank of Maldives to catch up the marker easily and maximize the profit. GAP analysis Bench Marking Benchmarking is the process of measuring an organizations internal processes then identifying, understanding, and adapting outstanding practices from other organizations considered to be best-in-class. By Benchmarking the business can discover performances of the business compare to competitors or with the organization which the business is bench marking and also can identify the most compatible for the business to bench mark.. Source: http://www.benchnet.com/wib.html View date: 20 November 2009 Core Competency Core competencies are those strengths or abilities that are critical to a business achieving competitive advantage. Senior management cannot focus on all activities of a business and the competencies required undertaking them. So the goal is for management to focus attention on competencies that really affect competitive advantage. The Core competencies are the most significant value creating skills within Bank of Maldives and key areas of expertise which are distinctive to the business and critical to the Bank of Maldives long term growth. I believe core competencies are the thing that Bank of Maldives can do better than the competitors in the field. So there are competitive advantages in Bank of Maldives that is difficult to imitate by the competitors in the market to gain the core competencies. The loyalty customers had towards the Bank of Maldives is a core competency that business had, compared to the competitors, and is also high. Customer care had a great impact on the business as well since the employees services to the customer of human resource cannot be copied by competitors. Segmentation and Products and services of Bank of Maldives Segment Analysis By Geographical segment- Bank operate only in Maldives By business segment Retail banking Corporate banking Electronic banking Development banking Bank of Maldives Corporate Banking Loans and leasing Working capital facilities Working capital facilities Investment financing Credit card lines, electronic banking and foreign trade services and so on International Banking Electronic Banking Mobile Banking Online Banking ATM Services Development Banking For Bank of Maldives using technology such as ,Automated Teller Machine, online banking and Mobile banking will reduce the amount of transections of bank and customers can acquire services at their offices every day. Also the bank can gain from such services, is reducing their operational costs via decrease in tellers and cashiers, when less number of customers attend the bank to get the services. Right now the bank is charging Rf 2 per any transaction on an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), and Rf 1800 for internet banking services with account to account transfer services. For the Bank implementing such services incur a huge cost. BCG Matrix The BCG matrix technique is based on the product life cycle concept that can be used to determine how much importance should be given in the product portfolio of a business element. To make sure long-term value creation, a company should have a portfolio of products that contains both high growth products in need of cash inputs and low growth products that generate a lot of cash. It has two dimensions. The first one is market share and second dimension is market growth. The basic idea behind it is that the larger the market share a product has or the faster the products market grows the better it is for the company. http://cnx.org/content/m35356/latest/ Last edited by Jared Adler on Oct 6, 2010 1:05 pm GMT-5. The four categories are: Dogs Dogs have low market growth and low market share and do not generate any money or consume a large amount of cash. So they need to be killed Question marks Question marks are also called as problem child and might have future potential as they are in growth market, but the sales are not particularly good. Also with rapid market growth and also consume large amount of cash due to low market share they do not generate much money. Such as Online banking and Mobile banking are question mark products of Bank of Maldives. Stars star products are those who with a large share of high growth Cash cows As leaders in a mature market, cash cows exhibit a return on assets that is greater than the market

Origins of the Shadow in A Wizard of Earthsea Essay -- Essays Papers

Origins of the Shadow in A Wizard of Earthsea Ged, the main character in The Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K. LeGuin, through an act of pride and spite unwittingly unleashes a powerful shadow creature on the world, and the shadow hunts Ged wherever he goes. After failing to kill Ged the first time, he learns the only way to destroy the shadow is to find its name. What Ged must realize is the shadow was created by the evil in his own heart. Also, the shadow is not entirely evil, and Ged can actually draw strength from it. In doing so, Ged will realize that the only way to discover the shadow’s name is to discover that he and the shadow are one. Carl G. Jung in Man and His Symbols, describes the shadow as containing the hidden, repressed, and unfavorable â€Å"tendencies† of the conscious personality. â€Å"Such tendencies form an ever-present and potentially destructive ‘shadow’ to our conscious mind.† This shadow takes form in mythology as a dark, shadowy, and imposing figure or as â€Å"the cosmic powers of evil, personified by dragons and other monsters.† (Henderson 111) This shadow is shown to Ged in different forms: â€Å"...Like a clot of black shadow, quick and hideous...it was like a black beast, the size of a young child, though it seemed to swell and shrink; and it had no head or face, only the four taloned paws with which it gripped and tore.† (LeGuin 61) As it appeared when the shadow was first created. Later as the shadow pursued him, it held the same form. â€Å"The shadow did not have the shape of man or beast. It was shapeless, scarcely to be seen, but it whispered at him, though there were no words in its whispering, and it reached out towards him.† (LeGuin 81). Once Ged stops running, the shadow takes on a more identifiable form â€Å"...now some likeness to a man, though being shadow it cast no shadow.† The last form the shadow takes are the images people that Ged has come across in his life, â€Å"An old man it seemed, gray and grim, coming towards Ged; but even as Ged saw his father the smith in that figure, he saw that it was not an old man, but a young one. It was Jasper: Jasper’s insolent handsome young face, and silver-clasped gray cloak, and stiff stride. Hateful was the look he fixed on Ged across the dark intervening air...and it became Pechvarry. But Pechvarry’s face was all bloated and pallid like the face of a drowned man, and he rea... ... to face his fears. â€Å"In silence, man and shadow met face to face and stopped. Aloud and clearly, breaking that old silence, Ged spoke the shadow’s name and in the same moment the shadow spoke without lips or tongue, saying the same word: ‘Ged.’ And the two voices were one voice. Ged reached out his hands, dropping his staff, and took hold of the shadow, of the black self that reached out to him. Light and darkness met, and joined, and were one...’Estarriol’, he said, ‘look, it is done. It is over...the wound is healed...I am whole, I am free.’† (LeGuin 179-180) On the condition that one succeeds in assimilating and integrating the conscious mind the lost and regained contents. Since they are not neutral, their assimilation will modify the personality, just as they themselves will have to make certain changes. â€Å"If we could see our shadow, we should be immune to any moral and mental infection and insinuation.† (Jung 79) Bibliography: A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. LeGuin, published by Bantam Spectra Books. Fantasy Novel Man and His Symbols, edited by Carl G Jung and M.-L. von Franz, Joseph L. Henderson, Jolande Jacobi, Aniela Jaffe, published by Dell Books, non fiction.