Regional Airlines Case Study

Case 2: Regional Airlines Case 2: Regional Airlines Case Introduction A+ for effort, Customer Service Pays for Itself In an extremely regulated and thus relatively uniform industry such as the commercial airline industry, the successful airline is the organization which sets itself apart from the competition. Within an industry that requires customer planning to interface with flight schedules and security measures, a major operational aspect which can aid an airline in gaining an edge on the competition is customer service.The effective consumption of air travel (finding flights, buying tickets, getting through the airport, boarding a plane, and finally reaching the final destination) is not the same simple consumer –supplier relationship that the consumer experiences in a trip through the Wal-Mart checkout counter; the nature of air travel makes the interaction between the airline and the customer very complex.Almost every facet of the complex relationship between the airlin e and customer can generate a large amount of stress for the consumer; consumers find poor customer service in the face of tight travel deadlines and paid for travel plans that did not necessarily go as intended extremely frustrating. Analysis Investigating Salient Case Issues To capitalize on offering a high level of effective customer service, an investment must be made.The airline must ensure their customer service department not only understands that customer service is highly valued in the organizational environment but also must ensure that the customer service department has the tools and resources to offer effective customer service (Graham, 2012). Like any business investment, the organization must make smart decisions when providing customer service resources; for instance a call center of fifty employees which only answers two calls an hour is a humongous waste of resources that would be better allocated towards another goal.The problem of understand that an investment to wards more effective customer service is needed, but at what cost to make that investment, is the problem which faces Regional Airlines in the case study on page 539 of the 2012 Anderson, et al, text: An Introduction to Management Science Regional Airlines is expanding its customer service operation by setting up a new phone system for the purpose of providing ticketing services and customer assistance over the phone.The airline is going ahead with the new phone system; however, two major decision points exist, how many agents to allocate to the line (one or two) and what complexity of system in which to invest (a system that provides a holding function versus one that does not). The expected call load for the new operation is one call every 3. 75 minutes, available metrics indicate that on each call a ticket agent spends 3 minutes with a customer; effectively this results that for every customer attended to, there will be 45 seconds of downtime (Anderson, et al, 2012).Unfortunately for Regional Air, those figures are only averages, there will be an indeterminate amount of calls which meet or exceed the 3. 75 minute span in between calls. The decision between systems which provides a hold function versus the one that does not will determine will determine if that customer is placed on hold or if the call is just dropped. Placing an unanswered call on hold provides a buffer for the agent to end the call and then service the holding customer; however, for a customer that stays on hold for an inordinate amount of time will begin to feel less and less like a well-served customer.The expected call load versus the time it takes for an agent to deal with each call is the basis of allocating only one agent to man the call system. The second option of allocating two or more agents is in effect, insurance that each call will be answered in a timely fashion and callers will not have to wait for extended periods of time. The decision of how many agents to allocate to the phone system is based upon the apparent cost for an extra agent sitting around not actively engaged in a call; however this view is relatively short sighted because it does not take into account the revenue lost from dropped calls and dissatisfied customers.The salient issue of the case is determining what the appropriate level of investiture to make for the phone system to provide an expected (and beneficial) level of customer service Group Discussion Exploring Simulations Simulation is a quantitative technique developed for studying alternative courses of action by building a model of that system and then conducting a series of repeated trial and error experiments to predict the behavior of the system over a period of time (Srivastava, Shenoy, & Sharma, 1989, p. 753). Of all the simulations waiting line simulations are of the most important to the customer service industry.In the airline industry long waiting times can lead to poor customer service scores and diminished sales. Reg ional Airlines is establishing a new telephone system for handling flight reservations (Anderson, Sweeney, Williams, Camm, & Martin, 2012). The airlines main goal is to decrease the wait time at its call centers and increase sales. Regional’s management team agrees that its goal should be to answer 85% of its incoming calls immediately. The following analyzes Regional Airline’s (RA) current reservation system and ways to improve it. Analysis of Current SystemCurrently RA is answering one call every 3. 75 minutes during 10:00 a. m. to 11:00 a. m. time period (? (average arrival time) = 60 minutes / 3. 75 minutes = 16 calls per hour). The average service time is 3 minutes per customer ( µ (service rate) = 60 minutes / 3 minutes = 20 calls per hour). With only one reservation agent, the probability that a caller will be blocked because of a busy signal is P1 = . 4444 ? o = ( ? / ? ) ? /0! i=0k ? /? i /i! = ( 16 / 20 ) ? /0! (16/20)o / 0! + (16/20)1 /1! = . 5556 ?1 = ( ? / ? ) 1/0! i=1k ? /? 1 /i! = ( 16 / 20 ) 1/0! (16/20)o / 0! + (16/20)1 /1! = . 444 With two reservation agents, the probability that a caller will be blocked because of a busy signal is P2 = . 1509. ?o = ( ? / ? ) ? /0! i=0k ? /? i /i! = ( 16 / 20 ) ? /0! (16/20)o / 0! + (16/20)1 /1! + (16/20) 2 /2! = . 4717 ? 1 = ( ? / ? ) ? /0! i=0k ? /? i /i! = ( 16 / 20 ) ? /1! (16/20)o / 0! + (16/20)1 /1! + (16/20) 2 /2! = . 3774 ? 2 = ( ? / ? ) ? /0! i=0k ? /? i /i! = ( 16 / 20 ) ? /2! (16/20)o / 0! + (16/20)1 /1! + (16/20) 2 /2! = . 1509 Regional Airlines’ current phone reservation system will answer an approximate of 85% of phone calls with two employed reservation agents.However, the other 15% will be blocked because of a busy signal. Customers who do not get a hold of an agent may not call back and contribute to negative customer service reaction and adversely affect the business. Analysis of Agents Needed Proposed expanded system will allow callers to wait. Instead of being blocke d when all lines are busy, customers can choose to stay on the line and calls will be answered in the order received. With only one reservation agent for Regional Airlines in the expanded system, 80% (Pw) of incoming calls will end up waiting. The average waiting time is also at 12 minutes (Wq).Cited numbers above show a horrendous system that is both undesirable and a business model doomed for failure. So in order for RA to realize the benefits of the expanded system, it needs to employ two or more reservation agents. Po=1- ? /? = 1-1620=0. 20 Lq = ? 2 ? (? – ? ) = 16 2 20 (20 – 16) = 3. 2 L =Lq + ? /  µ= 3. +1620=4 wq+Lq / ? =3. 216=0. 20 hours=12 minutes W = wq + 1/ µ = 0. 20 + 1/20 = 0. 25 hours = 15 minutes Pw= =1620=0. 80=80% At the planning meeting, Regional Airlines’ management team agreed that answering at least 85% of the calls is an acceptable customer service goal.This means that the probability of waiting will have to be 15% or less. Pw= 1k! k k? k? – ? Po k = 2 agents Pw= 12! 16202 2 202 20- 16 0. 4286= 0. 2286 k = 3 agents Pw= 13! 16203 3 203 20- 16 0. 4472= 0. 0520 Po=0. 4472 Lq=0. 0189 L=0. 8189 Wq=0. 0012 hours=0. 07 minutes W=0. 0512 hours=3. 97 minutes Using three agents clearly meets the company’s goal. With three reservation agents, only 5% of the calls will be waiting, which is way below the 15% targeted cap in order to meet the goal of 85% answered calls. Average waiting time is also at a minimum, calculated at 0. 012 hours or 0. 07 minutes. System Recommendation The current telephone reservation system design does not allow callers to wait; callers instead must attempt to reach a reservation agent when all agents are not occupied. Should callers reach the service line when all agents are busy they will be met with a busy signal. The management at RA is seeking to switch to an expanded telephone system to combat this problem. Based on the calculations in the previous paragraphs, RA will need appro ximately 3 reservations agents to run an expanded phone system.Group 3 recommends that the company employ the multiple channels waiting line which consists of two or more service channels that are assumed to be identical in terms of service capability (Anderson, et. al. , 2012). Regional airlines could support at least a two-channel operation to service the needs of its customers. MANAGERIAL REPORT ASSUMPTIONS: a. One call every 3. 75 minutes during 10:00 a. m. to 11:00 a. m. time period ? (average arrival time) = 60 minutes / 3. 75 minutes = 16 calls per hour b. Average service time of 3 minutes with each customer  µ (service rate) = 60 minutes / 3 minutes = 20 calls per hour 1.An analysis of the current reservation system that does not allow callers to wait. How many reservation agents are needed to meet the service goal? With only one reservation agent, the probability that a caller will be blocked because of a busy signal is P1 = . 4444 ? o = ( ? / ? ) ? /0! i=0k ? /? i /i! = ( 16 / 20 ) ? /0! (16/20)o / 0! + (16/20)1 /1! = . 5556 ?1 = ( ? / ? ) 1/0! i=1k ? /? 1 /i! = ( 16 / 20 ) 1/0! (16/20)o / 0! + (16/20)1 /1! = . 4444 With two reservation agents, the probability that a caller will be blocked because of a busy signal is P2 = . 509. ?o = ( ? / ? ) ? /0! i=0k ? /? i /i! = ( 16 / 20 ) ? /0! (16/20)o / 0! + (16/20)1 /1! + (16/20) 2 /2! = . 4717 ? 1 = ( ? / ? ) ? /0! i=0k ? /? i /i! = ( 16 / 20 ) ? /1! (16/20)o / 0! + (16/20)1 /1! + (16/20) 2 /2! = . 3774 ? 2 = ( ? / ? ) ? /0! i=0k ? /? i /i! = ( 16 / 20 ) ? /2! (16/20)o / 0! + (16/20)1 /1! + (16/20) 2 /2! = . 1509 Conclusion: Regional Airlines’ current phone reservation system will answer an approximate of 85% of phone calls with two employed reservation agents. However, the other 15% will be blocked because of a busy signal.Customers who do not get a hold of an agent may not call back and contribute to negative customer service reaction and adversely affect the business. 2. An analysis of the expa nded system proposed by the telephone company. How many agents are needed to meet the service goal? Proposed expanded system will allow callers to wait. Instead of being blocked when all lines are busy, customers can choose to stay on the line and calls will be answered in the order received. With only one reservation agent for Regional Airlines in the expanded system, 80% (Pw) of incoming calls will end up waiting. The average waiting time is also at 12 minutes (Wq).Cited numbers above show a horrendous system that is both undesirable and a business model doomed for failure. So in order for Regional Airlines to realize the benefits of the expanded system, it needs to employ two or more reservation agents. Po=1- ? /? = 1-1620=0. 20 Lq = ? 2 ? (? – ? ) = 16 2 20 (20 – 16) = 3. 2 L =Lq + ? /  µ= 3. +1620=4 wq+Lq / ? =3. 216=0. 20 hours=12 minutes W = wq + 1/ µ = 0. 20 + 1/20 = 0. 25 hours = 15 minutes Pw= =1620=0. 80=80% At the planning meeting, Regional Airlinesâ₠¬â„¢ management team agreed that answering at least 85% of the calls is an acceptable customer service goal.This means that the probability of waiting will have to be 15% or less. Pw= 1k! k k? k? – ? Po k = 2 agents Pw= 12! 16202 2 202 20- 16 0. 4286= 0. 2286 k = 3 agents Pw= 13! 16203 3 203 20- 16 0. 4472= 0. 0520 Po=0. 4472 Lq=0. 0189 L=0. 8189 Wq=0. 0012 hours=0. 07 minutes W=0. 0512 hours=3. 97 minutes Using three agents clearly meets the company’s goal. With three reservation agents, only 5% of the calls will be waiting, which is way below the 15% targeted cap in order to meet the goal of 85% answered calls. Average waiting time is also at a minimum, calculated at 0. 012 hours or 0. 07 minutes. 3. An analysis of the expanded system proposal by the telephone company. A representative from the telephone company suggested that Regional Airlines consider an expanded system that accommodates waiting. In the expanded system, when a customer calls and all agents are bus y, a recorded message tells the customer that the call is being held in the order received and that an agent will be available shortly. The customer can stay on the line and listen to background music while waiting for an agent.Expanded System with waiting allowed Pw for 1 agent P0= (1-? /? ) 1-16/20=. 20 Lq= ? 2 =16(2)= 3. 2 ?(? – ? ) =20(20-16) L= Lq+( ? /? )=3. 2 +(16/20)=4 Wq =(Lq/ ? )=3. 2/16=. 20 (12 minutes) W=Wq+(1/ ? )=. 20+ (1/20)= . 25 (15 minutes) Pw= ? /? = 16/20=. 80 Expanded System with waiting allowed Pw for 2 agents Pw=1/k! ( ? /? )k k? / k? – ? P0 1/2! (16/20)2 2(20)/2(20)-16 . 4286= . 2286 Expanded System with waiting allowed Pw for 3 agents 1/3! (16/20)3 3(20)/3(20)-16 . 4472= . 520 In order to use this system, Regional Airlines would have to use three agents to keep the customer service of 85% of the calls being answered immediately. The telephone arrival rate of incoming calls is expected to change from hour to hour. Describe how your waiting line analysis could be used to develop a ticket staffing plan that would enable the company to provide different levels of staffing for the ticket reservation system at different times during the day. Indicate the information you would need to develop this staffing plan.This analysis only covers the 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM time frame. As we have seen with the equations used, we have to have historical data for the other time frames. If the phone lines are open from 08:00AM – 08:00 PM, we could use the data from each hour. Keeping with the 85% rate of phone calls being answered immediately for good customer service and the use of the limited amount of call agents required to save Regional Airlines money, after further analysis, Regional Airlines will have the data need to make the best decisions for their company. 4. Staffing PlanIn order to develop a ticket agent staffing plan that would enable the company to provide different levels of staffing for the ticket reservation syst em at different times during the day, a similar simulation method and analysis used above are needed. By implementing the same application, the right number of reservation agents each hour can be determined. In addition to the number of agents used, it is also possible to use the same information to determine the full-time and part-time shift schedules that meet the company’s customer service goals.But in order for RA to do this, it needs the hourly average arrival rate for the whole day. 5. References Anderson, D. , Sweeney, D. , Williams, T. , Camm, J. , & Martin, K. (2012). An Introduction to Management Science Quantitative Approaches to Decision Making. Mason, OH. South-Western Cengage Learning Graham, J. (2012). Think Like the Customer – Or Lose the Sale. American Salesman, 57(4), 18-23. Srivastava, U. K. , Shenoy, G. V. & Sharma, S. C. (2005). Quantitative techniques for managerial decisions (2nd Edition). New Age International Publishers: New Delhi.

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4 - Assignment Example The Fourteenth Amendment of the United States guarantees all citizens of the United States citizenship rights and equal protection of their rights (Engdahl, 2009). Under the Fourteenth Amendment, all citizens of United States should enjoy their rights without anyone or any organization infringing on these rights. If a policy is put in place to control whether civil servants should have tattoos or how and when they should have tattoos, the policy will be infringing on their rights. This is a right that is enjoyed by all citizens in the United States and excluding a group of citizens from this right based on their status as civil servants will be tantamount to preventing them from enjoying this right as other citizens (Engdahl, 2009). Tattoos are put on the body parts of individual persons. These tattoos do not in any way endanger the lives of the persons who choose to put them in their bodies. As such, they cannot be considered illegal unless in circumstances where the tattoos are meant to disturb public peace by wrongfully targeting other people or when they promote unwanted issues such as racism. The policies on the code of conduct for civil servants address issues such as mode of dressing. Such a policy covers how civil servants should dress and behave in public offices. Such policies are enough because they cover issues such as how much privacy civil servants should display when in office. The above reasons show why a policy on tattoos for any civil servant should not be in place. Such policies will infringe on the rights of civil servants as American citizens. Secondly, the policies will treat civil servants as if they are second-degree citizens. If such policy were to be implemented, then it should apply to all citizens. Comment on thread: The fact that the First Amendment does not provide absolute rights for public employees, it does not provide absolute rights for other citizens and putting tattoos is not an absolute right but a privacy

Critical Review of the Literature of the role that Dietary Factors Play in Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Essay Example for Free

Critical Review of the Literature of the role that Dietary Factors Play in Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Essay Critical Review of the Literature of the role that Dietary Factors Play in Preventing Type 2 Diabetes’ Introduction Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a rapidly growing international public health issue. It has been reported that 285 million 20–79 year olds had the disease in 2010 worldwide and this is estimated to grow to 439 million by 2030. (19) T2D has been associated with a variety of other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, blindness and shortened life expectancy. (4,40) The prevalence of the disease is associated with obesity and overweight as well as a ‘Western’ dietary pattern and lack of exercise. (17) It has been reported that approximately 80% of people who develop T2D are obese or overweight prior to diagnosis.(8) Diabetes is a preventable disease, (19) with weight loss being identified as one of the most powerful interventions. (4) Diet and physical activity (PA) are effective interventions in attaining this (25) and have also been linked with reduction in risk independently. (40) The primary focus of this paper will look at diet and review the evidence on whether diet alone can help to prevent T2D. As a secondary theme it will also look at the evidence that diet can help to prevent the development of and help to control symptoms after T2D has been diagnosed. 8 papers will reviewed, (26-33) with a purpose of identifying some practical, evidence based dietary guidelines. Dietary guidelines are easier to follow when they indicate specific foods and patterns rather than nutrients and properties of foods and greater compliance can be achieved . (29,31) For this reason the studies reviewed focus on specific foods and diet styles rather than macronutrients and or micronutrients which do not translate into dietary guidelines as easily. Literature Search A literature review using the following databases was carried out; Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, British Nursing Index and Medline. The following keywords were used in various combinations; Diet, prevention, food, T2D, interventions, dietary, fruit, vegetables, nutrition. Other resources such as ‘Google scholar’ and NHS Choices ‘behind the headlines’ were also utilised. Because T2D is an international issue, papers from around the world were considered. The criteria for inclusion was less than 10 years old, the intervention had to be a specific food group or diet style, measuring new incidents of T2D, or changes is symptoms associated with T2D and adults as the sample group. Diet as a tool to prevent T2D 6 Studies looked at whether diet can prevent T2D. Please refer to Table 1 for details of all the studies. Villegas et al (26) and Bazzano et al (27) looked at fruit, vegetable and fruit juices consumption and fruit and vegetable consumption respectively. Both of the studies used women only in their sample groups, limiting the generalizability of the findings to the wider population. (5) Dietary assessment was achieved through Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ) in both studies. Villegas et al (26) provided evidence of their FFQ having been validated, (21) however reported using it only 3 times within a 4.6 year timeframe, questioning the accuracy of their collected data. Bazzano et al (27) data collection was retrospective in that the FFQ was designed in 1984 and followed up at 4 year intervals. The concern with such a dated questionnaire is that it has not accounted for different trends that have occurred over time, affecting the accuracy of the results. Villegas et al (26) confirmed incidence of T2D through subjects meeting the criteria set out by the American Diabetic Association.(2) Bazzano et al (27) used criteria set out by National Diabetes Data Group for all participants up to and including 1997.(16) The Criteria for participants after 1998 was set out by the American Diabetic Association. The reason for this was due to new criteria being published at this time. (2) The main difference being the plasma glucose reading changing from 7.8mmol/l or more to 7.0mmol/l or more. (9) The Criteria Set out by the World Health Organisation in 1985, (24) could have been used to confirm incidence of T2D in the Bazzano et al (27) study . It was published 1 year after baseline data was taken and would have resulted in a higher percentage of participants being diagnosed with the same criteria, increasing consistency and reliability in the results. Villegas et al (26) reported that a higher consumption of vegetables was associated with a reduced risk of T2D. Participants who had a higher vegetable intake were also less likely to smoke and have higher levels of PA, both factors that can reduce the risk of T2D questioning the causality of the reduction in risk. (4) Participants with a higher fruit intake were also less likely to smoke and have higher levels of PA. There was no association made between fruit intake and risk of T2D therefore it is possible to consider that confounders like PA and smoking may not have effected the level of risk to T2D in this study. Bazzano et al (27) reported an inverse association between whole fruit and green leafy vegetable intake. Women who had a higher intake of fruit and vegetables were older, less likely to smoke and more likely to have higher levels of PA. Fruit Juice was positively associated with incidence of T2D which could be due to high sugar content.. (22) Also participants who had the highest fruit juice intake had the lowest levels of PA which is associated with increased risk of T2D. (20)Salas-Salvado et al (28) and Martinez-Gonzalez et al (29) both studied the risk of T2D and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet). A MedDiet is characterised by high consumption of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, nuts, pulses, fish and reduced consumption of red and processed meats, high fat dairy refined gains and foods high in sugar and starch. (11) Salas-Salvado et al (28) compared adherence to a MedDiet supplemented with either olive oil or nuts with a low fat diet (control group). The supplemented items in the MedDiets were given to participants. Participants in the control group were given non dietary gifts to encourage adherence. There are concerns about the ethics of using incentives and gifts in research. (6)Within this study the use of gifts appears innocuous, the concern lies with how adherence to the diet is reliably measured. When participants are given vital ingredients, this will influence their dietary intake, making it difficult generalize the results. (13) The sample population in this study were older and had at least 3 risk factors relating to cardiovascular disease again making it more difficult to generalise results. Participants were given 7 goals, including;  increasing vegetable and fruit consumption, reducing red and processed meat and increasing the consumption of either olive oils or nuts. The control group were asked to reduce all types of fat. Results showed that participants in the MedDiet groups had a greater reduced risk of T2D. Risk was reduced by 51% in the olive oil group and 52% in the nut group. These findings are backed up by other studies. (38-39) Diabetes incidence was lower in those who attained ≠¥ 4 of the 7 goals. PA levels and changes in weight did not differ through all 3 groups, although the participants in the both the MedDiet groups were associated with higher levels of PA. This study was carried out on Spanish participants, who traditionally follow a MedDiet. The control group may have had a strong adherence to a MedDiet naturally, which could impact on the reliability of the results. Martinez-Gonzalez et al (29) used participants who were nurses and university graduates. Prevalence in T2D is associated with lower socioeconomic status, (1) so by using the participants from a higher socioeconomic group may bias the findings. (13) Participants were not excluded if they had Diabetes at baseline. Data was collected via FFQ which consisted of 136 items with 9 responses ranging from never to more than 6 times a day. Points were allocated to determine a score indicating level of adherence. Questions covered areas such as cooking methods, supplements and fats and oils. This FFQ goes into a lot of detail to obtain the most information it can about participants diets, increasing the validity of the data. However reliability is compromised as participants are asked to recall food intake from the previous year decreasing the accuracy of data collected. (5) The results indicated a significant reduction in risk of developing T2D in those who with strong adherence to the MedDiet after adjustment for age and sex. Participants with a score of ≠¥ 6 had an 83% reduction. Although participants in this group had the highest levels of physical activity, which is a known factor in decreasing the risk of T2D, they also had a higher baseline prevalence for increased risk factors for Diabetes such as age higher BMI and higher blood pressure. This adds weight to the findings the MedDiet can reduce the risk of developing T2D. Fung et al (30) and VanDam et al (31) looked at more generalised dietary  patterns. VanDam et al (31) used a 131 item FFQ specifying specific foods, portion sizes and frequency of intake. Over a space of 12 years data on food intake was collected 3 times. In order to make these results more reliable data collection should have occurred more frequently. The participants were all male health professionals making the sample group quite specific reducing the ability to generalise the findings to the wider population. (13) Foods were classified into groups based on nutritional profiles. Factor analysis was then applied in order to identify food patterns. Two dietary patterns were identified Prudent and Western. Prudent was characterised by high consumption of vegetables, fish and whole grains and Western by high consumption of red and processed meat, high-fat dairy and eggs. Men with higher Western patterns were younger, more likely to smoke and did less PA. Men with higher Prudent diet patterns were older less likely to smoke and engaged in more PA. The Prudent diet was associated with a modest reduction in risk in developing T2D with wholegrain foods having the highest inverse association. Fruit and vegetables were not considerably associated with reduced risk. The Western diet was associated with considerably higher risk of developing T2D. Processed meat, other processed foods and refined grains indicating the most significant association. This could indicate that cutting out specific foods could me more beneficial in reducing the risk of T2D than increasing intake of other foods. Fung et al (30) used participants from the Nurses Health Study which was established in 1976. This is the same study from which Bazzano et al (27) took their participants. The same FFQ was used in this study with baseline also being the 1984 FFQ as this was the expanded 116 item version. The information obtained was then used and classified in the same way as the VanDam et al (31) study producing the same Prudent and Western dietary patterns. The results from this study focus mainly on the Western diet pattern. Similarly to the men in the VanDam et al (31) study, women who scored high in the Western diet pattern were more likely to smoke. The results also mirrored that of the VanDam et al (31) study in that it reported an increased risk of developing T2D and a Western diet pattern. This study investigated the characteristics of the Western dietary pattern further and found positive associations between red and processed meats and  the development of T2D. This could also add weight to the previous comment that cutting out specific foods, such as red and processed meats could be more beneficial than adding other food groups in preventing T2D. A replica study using the same FFQ and Prudent and Western diet pattern and using a sample group that consisted of both men and women could add strength to the finds of both of these studies.(5) Diet as a tool in preventing the development of and giving greater control over the symptoms of T2D Elhayany et al (32) compared a low carbohydrate Mediterranean diet (LCM) a traditional Mediterranean diet (TM) and the 2003 American Diabetic Association diet (ADA) on health parameters. Glycemic control for people with T2D diagnosis was one of the outcome measures. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 groups, given recommendations for daily intake on nutritional elements such as calories and protein and advised to engage in 30-45 minutes of PA a week. The LCM and TM diets included only low glycemic index carbohydrates, with LCM having a lower %. The TM and ADA diets had the same % of carbohydrates but the ADA also included mixed glycemic index carbohydrates. FFQ were used asking the participants to recall the last 24hour food intake. It is felt this data will be more accurate than those studies asking participants to recall food intake from the previous year, making results more reliable. Data was collected 3 times over a 12 month period. Results showed all groups had reduced weight and BMI with no significant difference. All 3 dietary interventions reduced factors that increase glycemic control such as HbA1c and triglyceride levels. The LCM diet was the most effective in increasing glycemic control. Esposito et al (33) compared a LCM and a low fat calorie restricted diet (LFD) on glycemic control and the delay on needing to commence antihyperglycemic medication in people newly diagnosed with T2D. The LCM diet was rich in fruit vegetables and whole grains and low in red meat. There was also a requirement that no more than 50% of calories was from  carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates rather than low GI carbohydrates were stipulated. Some complex carbohydrates can have high GI levels, which are associated with increased risk of Diabetes. (10) The LFD was based on American Heart Association guidelines. (12) Participants were randomized into 1 of 2 groups asked to keep food diaries and given guidelines on increasing physical activity. Data was collected through reviews of the diary. Food diaries could provide more reliable information than FFQ if they are filled out daily. There is still a risk that they could be filled out inaccurately, and that participants may modifies their intake as a result of keeping a diary. The study reported that both groups lost weight, but reduction was greater in the LCM. Overall there was a significant difference in the need to commence antihyperglycemic medication between the LCM and the LFD; 44% and 70% respectively. Potentially this result could have shown more significance if low GI carbohydrates were stipulated instead of complex carbohydrates. Discussion The findings coming out of this review indicate that certain dietary interventions maybe helpful in reducing the risk of developing T2D and may also help with glycemic control after diagnosis.(26-33) Some food groups and dietary patterns provide more consistent evidence than others. The results regarding fruit intake and risk of T2D are inconsistent within this review with Villegas et al (26) reporting no association between fruit and risk reduction, where as Bazzano et al (27) did. High consumption of fruit and vegetables are a major component in the Mediterranean diet and the Prudent dietary pattern, both of which were associated with an inverse association. Vegetables are more consistently associated with a reduced risk, in this review and a recent meta-analysis, (3) particularly green leafy vegetables. (27) More research studying the effects of fruit and vegetables separately is needed. This inconsistency is reflected in other studies and systematic reviews. (7) High intake of fr uit and vegetables has often been associated with higher PA levels within this review, (26-29,31) which is a risk reducing factor in itself. Part of the problem could be that many studies that look at dietary interventions are prospective cohort studies and  although they can provide an association they can not prove whether the cause is due to the dietary item or another factor such as PA or weight loss. More experimental designed research is needed so that a direct cause between diet and the reduction of T2D can be established. (13) While it is unclear the exact role that fruit and vegetables play in reducing the risk of T2D there is an abundance of evidence that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is beneficial in overall health (34-35) and weight reduction, (23) so including them as part of a healthy diet may indirectly help to reduce the risk of T2D. Red and processed meat has been more consistent in its positive association to developing T2D. Fung et al (28) and VanDam et al (29) found strong associations between consumption and increased risk of T2D. One of the characteristics of The Mediterranean diet is the absence or reduction of red and processed meats, and this diet has been associated with reduced risk. These findings were backed up in a recent meta-analysis paper (18) studying 3 cohorts whos conclusion suggests that red meat consumption, particularly processed red meat is linked to higher risk of developing T2D. Meta-analysis produces level 1 evidence, providing increased confidence in the conclusions and good grounding for providing evidence based information such as dietary guidelines.(13) Diets high in red and processed meats are linked to high cholesterol (14) which is one of the leading causes of death in people with T2D (15) and other serious health conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. (36) So while increasing fruit and vegetable intake may have a more beneficial and holistic effect on health, the same could be said for reducing the intake of red and processed. Salas-Salvado et al (28) produced higher level evidence being a randomised control trial giving more weight to their findings;(5) following a MedDiet can reduce the risk of T2D. One of the studies that looked at the effect of diet after diagnosis, (32) was also a randomised control trial providing the same level of evidence and weight to their findings that LCM can delay the need for hyperglycaemic medication therefore having a positive beneficial effect on T2D. Although these two studies looked at the effect of diet after diagnosis it could be reasonable to suggest that following the dietary  patterns associated with these findings, prior to diagnosis could help prevent T2D as they are similar dietary patterns to two of the other studies.(28-29) While the findings from this review indicate that making changes to ones diet may help to reduce the risk of Diabetes occurring, it also suggests that implementing the same kind of dietary changes may help with glucose control after Diabetes has been diagnosed, preventing the further development of the disease and the need for antihyperglycemic medication. (32-33) One study has implied that dietary changes in the form of energy restriction can actually reverse beta cell failure and insulin resistance, symptoms found in T2D. (37) It is a very small study and the dietary intervention is severe energy restriction making it difficult to generalise to the wider population, but it is a controlled study and could provide interesting findings that further research could be built upon, that dietary interventions may be able to reverse the symptoms of T2D. Collating this information together it seems reasonable to suggest that making positive changes to dietary habits could have benefits pre and post T2D diagnosis. Dietary Guidelines The findings from the 8 studies in this review can not all be discussed in detail due to word limitation. However recurring themes seem to be occurring, providing information on which to base a set of guidelines. Going by these findings the following guidelines are recommended: Reduce intake of red meat and processed meat (all colours) Substitute these with white meats and fish Reduce intake of other processed foods Reduce intake of refined grains Reduce intake of high sugar foods and drinks including fruit juices Carbohydrate intake should be based on items with a low GI score Increase intake of olive oil Increase nut intake Increase intake of pulses Increase wholegrain intake Increase vegetable intake especially green leafy vegetables Increase fruit intake A Mediterranean style diet is characterised by much of this advise and is therefore a recommended diet style to follow. Conclusion The prevalence of T2D is growing around the world. It has been associated with many other health problems and reduces quality of life and life expectancy. It is a preventable disease and diet is one of the ways in which this disease can be combated. Dietary guidelines have been recommended from the findings of this review, based on following a Mediterranean diet, reducing intake of red and processed meats and other processed foods and increasing intake of foods such as fruit and vegetables, wholegrains and olive oils and nuts. While it has been acknowledged that more research needs to be carried out to further examine the cause and effect between diet and T2D, it is reasonable to suggest that one may find these dietary changes beneficial in helping to reduce the risk of T2D and other areas of health, possibly helping to indirectly reduce risk of T2D. It is also reasonable to suggest that a change in diet may bring beneficial changes once diagnosis has been given. Table 1 Reference list 1. Agardh E, Allenbeck P, Hallqvist J, Moadi T and Sidorchuk A. Type 2 Diabetes and Socioeconomic Position: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. International Journal of Epidemiology. 2011: 40(3) 804-818 2. American Diabetic Association Report of the Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Care. 2000: 23(1s) 3. Carter P, Gray LJ, Troughton J, Khunti K, and Davies M. Fruit and vegetable intake and incidence of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. British Medical Journal. 2010: 341:c4229 4. Davis MJ, Tringham JR, Troughton J, Kunit KK. Prevention of T2D mellitus. A review of the Evidence and its Application in a UK Setting. Diabetic Medicine. 2004: 21: 403-414 5. Gerrish K and Lacey A. The Research Process in Nursing. 2006 5th Edition. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. 6. Grant RW and Sugarman J. Ethics in Human Subjects Research: Do Incentives Matter? Journal of Medicine and Philosophy. 2004: 29(6) 717-738 7. Hamer M, Chida Y. Intake of Fruit and Vegetables and Antioxidants and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Hypertension. 2007: 25:2361-2369 8. Hensrud DD. 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Various forms of the supernatural in Macbeth Essay Example for Free

Various forms of the supernatural in Macbeth Essay Shakespeare uses various forms of the supernatural in Macbeth, such as the witches, ghosts, visions and even Lady Macbeth. However, before analysing how and why he utilised the supernatural, it must first be ascertained why he was able to make use of the supernatural. At the time in which Shakespeare wrote Macbeth (the beginning of the 17th century) it was widely believed that witches existed and possessed evil powers, the most common and stereotypical of which were known to all people of this period. Even the king (James I) upheld this belief as is demonstrated in his essay entitled Daemonologie in which he states, The fearefull aboundinge at this time in this countrie, of these detestable slaves of the Devil, the witches or enchanters, hath moved me. Therefore it was possible for Shakespeare to make use of the supernatural in Macbeth as his contemporary audience would have readily believed it. His use of the supernatural in Macbeth could also be seen as flattery of the king by Shakespeare, showing his support for the kings theories in order to win his favour and even donation towards Shakespeares future productions. Shakespeare uses the supernatural to create a certain ambiguity: was Macbeth thoroughly evil, or did the witches directly lead him to his ultimate destruction? Firstly, with his use of language and description, he creates a terrifying image of the three witches to deliberately frighten the audience. He also makes use of stereotypical ideas about witches to make it clear that these are real witches, witches that the audience of the time would have believed in without question. He incorporates both of these factors with the stage direction of Thunder and lightening every time the witches enter. Bad weather conditions such as thunder, lightening and rain are still a common tool used to create frightening situations in horror films of today. However, Shakespeare does not only suggest the supernatural but actually states the three hags to be witches. The use of three is also notable as it is supposed to be a magical or mystical number. In the first act, the witches are already predicting the future That will be ere the set of sun, which is a supernatural power the Jacobean audience believed witches to possess. Another common belief about witches is introduced in the first act by the lines, I come Graymalkin, and, Paddock calls. Witches were thought to have familiars which were demons who helped with their evil work. Therefore, by the end of the first act, Shakespeare has already established that these are real witches with real powers, thereby indicating that the supernatural is going to play a significant part in the play. Throughout the play Shakespeare deliberately includes these widely believed powers that witches were supposed to have, which suggests that the witches and the supernatural do affect the outcome of events and that Macbeth was not entirely to blame. The line, Sleep shall neither night nor day hang upon his penthouse lid, is an example of the witches power over humans and could also suggest that when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth cannot sleep later in the play, the witches might have something to do with this. There is therefore a constant reminder of the fact that it could be the witches controlling things but alternatively there is still the possibility that they merely suggest and Macbeth is indeed in control of his own actions. In Act 1 Scene 3 the real powers of the witches are reiterated in preparation for the entry of Macbeth. The common practises of witches are once again included, such as that they could sail in a sieve and turn themselves into animals, in a sieve Ill thither sail, and like a rat without a tail and also that they had the ability to change the weather Ill give thee a wind. The point of the line, Yet it shall be tempest -tossed. is to really instil in the audience the power of the supernatural and this is aided by the rhythmic chant that is built up by this spell. Shakespeare is portraying the witches as a powerful team of wicked, evil women, all in preparation for Macbeth to enter. This appears to indicate that Shakespeare is showing the audience that the supernatural will have power over Macbeth just as they had power over the Master of the Tiger. An important aspect, however, in deciding on Macbeths responsibility for his actions is the fact that he asks the witches to speak Speak if you can, he invites the supernatural into his life. At this point, the witches ability to foresee the future is used again in the form of two predictions. The first is that he will be Thane Of Cawdor, this is frightening for the audience as they already know he will get this title and therefore their prediction is obviously correct . The second prediction is that he shalt be king hereafter. This poses the question: are the witches merely giving Macbeth the suggestion from which he formulates the idea himself, are they simply telling him his fate, or is it the witches actions that cause Macbeth to carry out the deed of killing Duncan. It is noticeable that after this prediction Macbeth is said to be rapt withal, indicating that he is shocked by this but at this point he is still able to dismiss all dishonourable thoughts. In Act 4 Scene 1, Shakespeares use of language to create a grotesque and terrifying image of the supernatural can be seen once again. The use of repulsive and cruel images such as, Finger of birth-strangle babe, ditch-delivered by a drab, illustrate the gruesome scenes deliberately included by Shakespeare to terrify the audience. The horror is portrayed with the use of an onomatopoeic chant, Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble. This line also sounds particularly sinister as a result of the alliteration, assonance and consonance used together to create a powerful incantation. Common stereotypes are used yet again in the form of images of the night, such as darkness, moons eclipse and wool of bat. Disgusting images of dismembered reptiles are also included such as, Adders fork, and blind-worms sting, lizards leg A contemporary reference is made by the words blaspheming Jew and nose of Turk, and Tartars lips because the audience would have been completely Christian and these peoples would have been destined for hell. Once the seen has been set, the witches can play a significant role in that they give Macbeth a false confidence by misleading him with riddles this is used by Shakespeare to create dramatic irony.

A report on the poultry industry

A report on the poultry industry This report studies the poultry industry in the Sultanate of Oman, highlighting the strong performance and growth in the future. Will be identified ASaffa food as producer and supplier of its products and its position as market leader in the industry. The important cultural and social trends reported are the increase consumers awareness of healthy food, as well as the changes of the economic climate. It was found that the attractiveness of poultry industry has declined because the highly competitive of rivalry and power of buyers and also higher threats from substitutes. Its also addressed that the position of ASaffa is medium of the change of the attractiveness of the industry. Three significance functions of ASaffa : first is the logistics and Distribution network , where ASaffa can make efficient and quality control of distributions of its products through the network in the country. Secondly operations, which includes inventory management, quality assessment which support in value creation and third one is sales and marketing which keep ASaffa completive by providing promotions offers. In other side, found that ASaffa has three important resources and capabilities which can make its extremely proficient supply chain; success full supply chain, brand reputation and the location of the firm. At the end, recommendation is in two manner, a short term by budgeted more cost on advertisement of ASaffa as a healthy producer and convenience the consumers that the farm using natural chicken feed. In the Long term, recommended to focus on differential factors like diversify into more profitable fresh and frozen food due to probability of increase in the cost of production of the industry and which lead to less probability. Table of Contents: 1.Introduction 4 2.External Analysis: 5 2.1Macro environmental factors affecting the Industry (PEST Analysis): 5 2.2Porters Five Forces Analysis: 6 2.3Comparison of industry Attractiveness for ASaffa: 8 3.Internal Analysis: 8 3.1Assessing of food chain ASaffa Foods participate in: 9 3.2 Value chain Analysis of ASaffa Foods: 9 3.3Assessing a significant Resources and Capabilities of ASaffa Foods: 10 3.4SWOT Analysis: 12 4.Strategy Options: 12 4.1TOWS Matrix 12 13 4.2Scenario Analysis: investigate different futures: 14 4.3Strategic Direction with Ansoff Matrix 14 5.Recommendation: 15 6.References: 16 Introduction This report study ASaffa Foods S.A.O.G (ASaffa) position in the Food industry in Sultanate of Oman. To understand ASaffa Foods Strategy, will assess its internal operations and then its successful. Then, can make recommendations for sustained competitive advantage of a future based on an assessment of external factors that affect the market. With the growth of economic globalization, Food industry in the Sultanate of Oman becomes an additional significant last ten years. The poultry industry is extremely competitive in Oman and ASaffa Foods is leader of the market with biggest annual production in Oman, Gulf Countries and other countries. ASaffa raised its continuing ability to meet the growing demand in the country and abroad. Starting with capacity of 7500 MT in 2004 and increased to the current capacity of 17000 MT per year. The company I planning to add more capacity to achieve the capacity of 21,000 MT by end of 2011. In addition, the company announced its entry in Bahrain and Yemen, and is planning to enter Kuwait in the near future. The revenue driver of the Company is 35 % from Omani markets. The vision of ASaffa is to become No. 1. and mainly winning diversified food firm in Middle East. The products of ASaffa are natural, healthy and slaughtered as per Islamic law Halal. A Saffa has produce a frozen and fresh chicken products. Although, that Dhofar Poultry Company SAOG , Barka Poultry Company and Sohar Poultry are the main competitor of ASaffa Company but ASaffa is still a single player in the industry in Oman with 25 % of market share . To meet the increase demands from domestic from Oman and Gulf countries, ASaffa has a big capacity of its farm which allocated in Thumrait in the south of Oman, which is the most modern international manufacture techniques and machinery. With a home grown market share for poultry products of over 25 per cent and plans to increase this to nearly 35 per cent in the near future, ASaffa Foods core business is making great strides to reduce the dependency for chicken imports to the Sultanate (Oman Observer newspaper, Feb 1 ,2011). In addition, and as part of its plan, ASaffa continues to maintain its reputation as a leader in the food market and domestic production in Oman through the establishment of a study facility for the production of table eggs for 100 million annually, and manufacture of processed meat products. ASaffa uses its skills and expertise to assist in issues of food security in the Gulf Countries. Where the company working as a consultant to assist in the build and operate of the largest poultry manufacture in Qatar. External Analysis: The external environment analysis provides the company with a significant external link between its customers, competitors and the products it offer. In this section will analysis the external macro environment that affects the industry by using PEST analysis and examined how it will impact the profit of Al Saffa . After that will assess the position of the competitive environment by using Five Porters and will look at to the attractiveness of the industry to Al Safa in the upcoming years. Macro environmental factors affecting the Industry (PEST Analysis): This step is to identify the trends and issues that will affect and change the industry. Political Factors: The government of Oman encourages the supports the business of food toward the food security in the country by grants such companies. In Oman, Exempting Wholly Omani Owned Companies from Tax for 5 Year (The law of income tax on companies, Oman,1975). This trend is give the company opportunities brought by changes of the government and public attitudes toward the industry, changes in political institutions and the direction of political processes, legal issues, and the overall regulatory climate. Economic Factors: The economic changes in the world led to increase the level cost of food consumables, hence the consumer are thinking of other alternatives food at low prices. For example, buy frozen chicken at the lowest price rather than fresh chicken with higher-price. To compete on the low cost alternative, the company produces a frozen food instead of focusing on a fresh food only. With international commodity prices rising it will also become increasingly expensive to import food products making it more important than ever for the Sultanate to lower its dependency on imported food (Oman Turbine, 2011). Social Factors: The main social trend is increase of the customers awareness of the health food, and this lead to produce a healthy and fresh alternatives food. This trend gives the opportunity for the Company as the main player of Poultry Farms in the market. But in other side, its also making a potential threat in niche farmers markets in the internal region of the country which focus in produce the fresh Poultry Farms. During last three years, ASafa achieved and gaining Macro poultry industry in Oman and also invested the opportunity in the market. On more social factor is the trend of people to be more convenience by buying their needs from a single store includes all the products. This trend also makes the company the opportunity to increase demand for its products due to the distribution of their products to the largest number of retail market. This is an opportunity for also people to buy a fresh poultry in a manner faster without loss of time and effort where the consumer does not need to go to poultry farms to buy fresh poultry. Technology Factors: ASaffa has a modern international manufacture techniques and machinery. However, the technology is changing rapidly and do not need to spend more cost to renew or replace the old machine for long term. Porters Five Forces Analysis: In this section will assess the attractiveness and profitability of the poultry sector in Oman than assess the relative position of the company in the industry . Threat of substitutes: by examining the market, the threat of substitutes is high in poultry in Oman because ASaffa Foods faces many indirect competitors from farmers markets. Existing indictors in the local market , the indirect competitors are potential substitutes to ASaffa Foods and create threats in the future. Farmers markets have seen a significant expansion in Oman and providing a fresh food with convenience choice. With increasing the health consciousness towards health alternatives, the farmers markets sell fresh products and natural produce and this also cause a threat potential in the future. Degree of Rivalry: in Oman, the poultry business is highly competitive. Because the small number of main players in the market and lack of differentiation due to nature of products, a high degree of rivalry is exists in the market. Hence, the competition is based on price and other factors like sell location and choice of product. There is an increase in future rivalry due to the entry of new local company Barka Food (because their business will focus on the north area of Oman, which have a large number of the population) and also new competitors from UAE and Saudi Arabia which will make the industry further competitive and risky threat in future . Barging power of suppliers: bargaining power of suppliers is extremely very low. ASaffa Foods controlling market share for poultry products of over 25 per cent and numbers of local suppliers have a very limited choice of intermediaries to select from. Thus, ASaffa Foods is the main customer and purchaser of raw material in the industry. On the other hand, this set to change with the entry of new companies with Government policy increase the competition in the industry. Therefore, the bargaining power of the suppliers is a middle in the future because expect a bigger selection to deliver to. Barging power of buyers: the buying power of customers is in an increase. The government raise the level of food security by supporting and encourage the small-scale producers and reduce the competition barriers by allow farmers markets to come in the market which lead to increase customers selections (Al Watan newspaper, 2009). As a result, the customers barraging power is increase and thus, the increase of customers bargaining power will enable customer to compare prices and select the cheaper alternative and this aspects take customers barging to a further medium level. Threats of new Entrants: the threat of new entrants is low and this is due to the role of government of Oman to support the local business of food toward the food security in the country. ASaffa also says that it has no fear of other competitors entering the market place either in Oman or the region (Times of Oman, 2010). Despite that this market does not require a high infrastructure, but its needs experience to manage the project efficiently and its easily to be exposed to losses because spread of diseases (e.g Bird Flu) or change the social factors of people regarding the health food. Comparison of industry Attractiveness for ASaffa: From previous section on the Porters Five factors analysis, the poultry industry identified reasons of the weak bargaining power of suppliers and buyers and barriers to entry. Consequently, the company achieves profitability until now. Therefore, the position of ASaffa is medium of the change of the attractiveness of the industry. Also, the profit of Company may be decrease from high to medium in future. The reasons for this are increase in bargaining power of suppliers and buyers with the bigger rivalry and the entry of new companies. When the industry attractiveness and profitability has decreased from earlier levels, the capability to do better than its rivals depend on the Companys resources and capabilities which can develop in the future. Industry Attractiveness / Profitability of ASaffa Foods until now. Internal Analysis: In this section will identify the major resources and capabilities of ASaffa Foods by evaluating the situation of ASaffa Foods in the food chain to participate in and examine the major role within ASaffa Foods value chain which delivers the large amount value to the firm. Assessing of food chain ASaffa Foods participate in: ASaffa Foods is the sole supplier of all their chicken products and the food chain is provide wholesale with a channel to reach end consumers. The Company has a big farm with high capacity and intends to increase the production in the future to meet growing demands in Oman and Gulf countries. The ASaffa farm is on the main highway between South of Oman (Muscat city) and South ( Salalah city) which make distribution process are quick and well-organized. The Farm has its own water supply . From the poultry resource, no serious issues of supply chain face the ASaffa Foods. A dedicated Supply Chain Management (SCM) team works round the clock to identify potential suppliers and procure the required high quality raw materials in a timely manner (www.asaffa.com). Value chain Analysis of ASaffa Foods: ASaffa has made possible 100% product availability through its branch Sales offices spread across Oman covering all the regions and the interior markets. This is a very healthy sign of effective and intensive distribution system across the country. The total coverage exceeds 1600 outlets. With extensive branch network covering entire Oman, our reach is not just limited to groceries, we also cater to restaurants, butcheries, catering companies and other institutions. There are three main value creating functions to deliver Companys commitment: Logistics Distribution Network: the chickens feed is manufactured in ASaffa and therefore, the company has own operational control of the logist to conduct QA audits to ensure that the products is in a high manner. ASaffa Food is the sole supplier of all their products and its control the network of distribution of its products. To ensure that ASaffa products are available in every Hyper Super Markets and retail stores, ASaffa has owned a fleet of 25 reefer trucks to deliver a frozen and fresh product to be available to the customer at all time and across Oman. Operations: this includes inventory management, customer satisfaction and quality assessment. ASaffa offers a large choice of new products to its consumers. Quality Assessment: ASaffa has a commitment of the importance of the quality of its Clients/Buyers and to deliver highest quality of products .Also, the Company implements a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points systems. Furthermore, the chickens feed is manufactured in ASaffa farm by using a scientific feed management and this allow the Company to control the quality of natural fed. Inventory management: using a technology to make sure that stock level is adequate at all time. Also, using forecasting system to prevent unexpected increase or decrease in demand of the product. Sales and Marketing: as mentioned before, ASaffa Food is the sole supplier of all their products and its control the network of distribution of its products. Therefore, ASaffa Food is compete successfully and increasing its sales by a promotion of a product inside a shop, committed to deliver the fresh products to retailer on time and enhance a consumer research and environmental changes. This is an important to identify and use a strategy to compete successfully in future. Assessing a significant Resources and Capabilities of ASaffa Foods: Strategy capability examines different types of resources and competence within the organization in order to survive in the market. There are two types of resources, first is physical or tangible of the organization including (finance, Plant and labour). The other resource is the intangible resources which consist of (knowledge, brand reputation and information). To compete, ASaffa Foods is using strategy of differentiation and cost leadership by adopting an efficient supply chain to control the cost and brand image. Asaffa growth-oriented strategy to branch out into other complementary products began in 2009 by adding value-added packaged food products. The packaged products are currently out-sourced from the UAE and its contribution to the companys bottom line is less than 10 per cent. ASaffa has four significant resources and capabilities: Successful Supply chain: ASaffa food has an efficient distribution network across the country. The tangible assets such a manufacture of Chickens food and technological capabilities are important for ASaffa food to achieve a higher EBIT. But successful supply chain in inadequate as a distinct competency. Brand Reputation: ASaffa Food has built a brand reputation as providing a fresh food and Halal local products (The term is used to designate food seen as allowable as per Islamic law). This has already been through the consumer experience with products and also advertising campaign undertaken by the Company to promote its products. The reputation of the brand is very important of the consumer satisfaction. Therefore, the reputation is not a competitive advantage .it is a point of equality that the Company must have in order to compete. Financial position: the Company has a good financial position in the market .In addition; the government has supported the company by a Tax exemption which was expired in 2009. Regardless of the tax deducted for the next years, the profit after tax is expected to increase for the next two with an growth plan. Location: ASaffa has a big capacity of its farm which allocated in Thumrait in the south of Oman. This location gives ASaffa more advantage to build a big farm with water resources, government subsidy by not charging any cost of land and also near the big city in Oman. Despite the above resources and capabilities of ASaffa, the Company has facing a change in its top management. The growth on Omani economy has resulted in number of opportunities available to professionals. this created a challenge for ASaffa to change its HR policy by encourage the existing top management by pay high salary and others benefiters. Tax exemption which was expired in 2009, will lead to high cost of structure for next years. In addition, ASaffa has a large capacity of the production of the fresh chicken and to change to frozen chicken, it would be more cost for the Company. SWOT Analysis: Examination of the internal and external environment is significant measurement of the strategic planning process. SWOT analysis gives information that is useful in matching the resources and capabilities of ASaffa to the competitive environment. Summary of SWOT analysis of ASaff Food External Analysis Internal Analysis Opportunities : Low of new entrants Government support. Strengths: Strong brand name Good reputation Healthy and quality food Distribution network Create new products Location of the farm. Threats Substitute products. Industry is highly competitive. Shift the consumer from fresh products to frozen foods. Trade barriers between Oman and other countries e.g Yeman. Weaknesses: High cost structure. Losing effecting top management Strategy Options: TOWS Matrix By examine the Company Threats and Opportunities (External Environment) and the weakness and strengths (Internal Environment) , it can be understanding ,identifying and developing a strategy options for ASaffa Food. Its important for ASaffa to build the majority of its above strengths, avoid its weakness, take advantage of the opportunities available and control its threats. The following is the TOWS Matrix, gives A Saffa the options that can be could followed: External Opportunities (O) Low of new entrants/Government support. External Threats (T) Substitute products./Industry is highly competitive./Shift the consumer from fresh products to frozen foods./Trade barriers Internal Strengths (S) Strong brand name/Good reputation/Healthy and quality food/Distribution network/Create new products/Location of the farm. SO Maxi-Maxi Strategy Using strengths to maximize opportunities. ST Maxi-Mini Strategy using strengths to minimize threats. Internal Weaknesses (W) High cost structure/ Losing effecting top management. WO Mini-Maxi Strategy minimize weaknesses by taking advantage of opportunities. WT Mini-Mini Strategy minimize weaknesses and avoid threats. From the above evaluation of options, the Maxi-Maxi Strategy which use strengths to maximize opportunities is the most benefit to achieve the mission and vision of ASaffa Food. Scenario Analysis: investigate different futures: Scenario Analysis is useful way to assists ASaffa to make judgment in the situation of the different futures that could arrive. The take steps of make scenarios forces ASaffa to challenge its assumption about the future. By determining the Company plans based on a possible scenarios, than Company can make sure that its decisions are right even if environmental changes. The following is same of Scenario analysis process for ASaffa Food : High cost structure: ASaffa is planning to become a number 1. In the Middle East by soon. this can be done by providing a high quality of the fresh and frozen food with competitive price. From the PEST analysis, it was reported the key factors of political, economic, social and technological that impact the cost of products in ASaffa food. Thus, the key assumption of reducing a cost of products are: Build a new farm of poultry in North of Oman to increase the sale and reduce the cost of sale. Using international advert to keep up a market position of ASaffa products in order to increase the sale of fresh products Build a marketing plan to sale the fresh products during the period of validity, so that the company not losing a cost of products if the is expired. Developing the above Scenarios: A Saffa can start with improbability scenario of build of new farm in North of Oman . the future scenario will one of the following: Economy in Oman going up: with government support to the local firms to be more competitive. Hence the Company will have a sustaining competitive advantage over ten years. Economic slowdown : then the Company will have more cost of capicty which effect the cost advantage and loss the market. Strategic Direction with Ansoff Matrix Defining strategic direction might be a big challenge for Asaffa Foods. Ansoff Product/ Market matrix is a tool to recognize the basic option and directions for Asaffa Foods. Taking into consideration Asaffa Foods approach to develop new product and penetrate new markets, four different possibilities can be applied. Taking into account these combinations, Asafaa Foods seem to successfully attract and penetrate the highly competitive markets by offering its high quality products in a competitive price as the company have a competitive cost advantage. This itself will additionally define its market development and growth with reputation locally as well as existing market and internationally as new market, which will develop and enhance the existing products in the new markets. Asaffa could also move toward product development strategy with their existing capabilities or creating new ones to assure total satisfaction of the changing needs of the customer by developing new products. The company can also implement a diversification strategy and add new production lines such as dairy products as it has the capabilities and resources. Recommendation: In future,Asaffa should have a framework and control models. Those models have set targets, feedback, and measurement of performance (Frances, et al, 2007). For instance, the Company by applying those models can recognize if there is a gap between released direction and desired trend. By this technique, Asaffa Foods can set a plan for unforeseen events and circumstances. As an example, in the near future, there will be more existing or new Food production companies entering the local market. In this situation, Asaffa Foods can use its cost control advantage and adjust its plans to overcome the change in the aggressive competitive forces. The variable actions are planned by Asaffa Foods in nonstop developed process to administrate and control the unforeseen events the dynamic changing environment. Those actions are best technique to maintain the existing competitive advantage associates with the firm (Frances A. et al, 2007). By apply this technique; Asaffa Foods will improve the strategic planning which therefore, keeps the company doing well in long term

gattom Great Gatsby Essays: The Character of Tom Buchanan :: Great Gatsby Essays

The Character of Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby Out of the five main characters in the Great Gatsby, I disliked Tom Buchanan the most ( however his wife Daisy was a close second). He just didn't seem like he was a nice person, and he also seemed extremely self-absorbed. I don't believe that he and I would choose the same values that we would consider important in guiding our lives. One of Tom's important values is wealth. He was very rich and thought that it made him superior to other people. He enjoys showing off his possessions, " I've got a nice place here. It belonged to the Demaine oil man" (Great Gatsby, 12). In this case, Tom is showing Nick his house and obviously thinks that because it belonged to the Demaine oil man that it makes it a little more important. Tom thinks that poor people are inferior to him and he is quite the snob. He is from old money and often refers to the newly rich as " bootleggers", people who distributed alcohol during prohibition. Tom doesn't think much of Gatsby , and claims that he pegged him as a bootlegger the moment he saw him. When Daisy tells Tom that she is leaving him for Gatsby he says, " She's not leaving me! Certainly not for a common swindler who'd have to steal the ring to put on her finger!" ( 140). Later, Tom even sends Daisy home with Gatsby, adding that his presumptous flirtation was over. Power and control over people is something that Tom considers important in guiding his life. Throughout the novel he has shown, time and time again that he is the type of person who likes to control others and what they do. Sometimes he is nothing more than a bully and other times he is just cruel.He often talks to George Wilson, his mistress' husband about selling him his car, which he never actually intends to do. He is simply toying with the man, but becomes angry when Wilson tries to talk to him about it: " Very well then , I won't sell you the car at all... I'm under no obligations to you at all...And as for your bothering me about it at lunch time I won't stand for that at all!" (122). Tom was being extemely cruel at that moment because Wilson needed the money that would come from the car and Tom didn't care.