Engineering Principles, Electrical Networks Assignment

Engineering Principles, Electrical Networks - Assignment Example Question 1 1.1 Calculate line and phase currents? Given: 3 x 80â„ ¦ resistors star connected 415 v three phase supply 50 Hz frequency IL= V/R IL = 415 / 80 IL = 5.18 A In a star connected load IL = Iph Iph = 5.18 A 1.2 Total power dissipated by load? P = √3 x VL x IL x Cos ∂ Taking Power Factor (Cos ∂) as 0.85, P will be: P = √3 x 415 x 5.18 x 0.85 P = 3164.88 Watt 1.3 The power dissipated if, due to fault, one phase of the load went open Circuit? P = 2 x VL/√3 x IL cos ∂ P = 2 x 414/√3 x 5.18 x 0.85 P = 2109.92 Watt Question 2 Given: Delta connected load Power Factor 0.8 lagging P = 4080 Watt 425 V supply 50 Hz frequency 2.1 Calculate resistance and reactance of each phase? In Delta Connected load Vph = VL This P = √3 x VL x IL x Cos ∂ 4080 = √3 x425 x IL x 0.8 Iph = 4080/(√3 x425 x IL x 0.8) Iph = 6.93 A R = V*2 / P â„ ¦ R = 415*2/4080 R = 44.27 â„ ¦ Apparent Power S = P/pf S = 4080 / 0.8 S = 5100 Watt Reactive Power Q = √(S*2 – P*2) Q = √(5100*2 – 4080*2) Q = 3060 Watt Inductance XL = V*2/Q XL = 425*2/3060 XL = 59.02 â„ ¦ 2.1 Calculate Line current if same load was connected to star? Delta IL = P/V Delta IL = 4080/425 Delta IL = 9.6 A In Star IL = Iph Star IL = 9.6A Question 3 Given: Balanced 10 kW three phase load 415 V three wire supply 18 A line current 3.1 determine Load Power Factor Power Factor = True Power/Apparent Power = P/Q This: P = V x I Watts P = 415 x 18 P = 7470 Watts S (apparent Power) = 10000 Watt PF = 7470 / 10000 PF = 0.75 Question 4 Given: Star connected induction motor Supply 415 V Frequency 50 Hz

Military History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Military History - Essay Example A Short History of the NCO is dedicated to the foundation of the NCO, its evolution, history, educational system; includes explanatory photos and tables. NCO Duties, Responsibilities, and Authorities Study Guide is a list of the main UCO duties and responsibilities which is shown in the form of questions and answers. B. The purpose of this paper is to show the role of the NCO corps and staff in the postwar history. The question demanding the answer: has the NCO played the active and appreciable role in the postwar U.S. Army history 2. A. After the World War II the constant growth of military technologies led to the necessity of new educational programs development: "Emphasis on NCO education increased to the point that by 1959 over 180,000 soldiers would attend NCO academies located in the continental United States. In addition to NCO academies, the Army encouraged enlisted men to advance their education by other means" (1). In 1950 the U.S.A. sent soldiers in Korea. The NCO soldiers took part in the war, and some of them were real heroes: "Near Surang-ni, Sergeant Ola L. Mize led the defense of "Outpost Harry." Learning of a wounded soldier in an outlying listening post, during an artillery barrage, Mize moved to rescue the soldier. Returning to the main position with the soldier, Mize rallied the troops into an effective defense as the enemy attacked in force" (2). During the war in Vietnam the NCO took a large part in combat leadership: "Needing large numbers of NCOs for combat, the Army created the Noncomm issioned Officers Candidate Course. Three branches were established at Fort Benning, Fort Knox, and Fort Sill" (2). There were also many cases of heroism among the NCO soldiers during the war: "Five times, Ashley and his newly-formed unit attacked enemy positions, clearing the enemy and proceeding through booby trapped bunkers. Wounded by machine gun fire, Ashley continued on, finally directing air strikes on his own position to clear the enemy. As the enemy retreated, he lapsed into unconsciousness" (2). B. In 1971 the NCO Educational System was introduced. Firstly it consisted of three training levels: "Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (to provide basic leadership skills and a knowledge of military subjects needed at the squad and team level), Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course (to provide the student with advanced technical and leadership skills), and the Sergeants Major Academy (which prepared senior NCOs to perform duties as sergeants major at the division and higher headquarters)" (2). The next rather important step of the NCO reforming took place in 1986, when was "established the Primary Leadership Development Course as a mandatory prerequisite for promotion to staff sergeant. This was the first time an NCOES course actually became mandatory for promotion" (2). In 1987 a new Sergeant Major Academy was build: "This 17.5 million dollar, 125,000 square foot structure allowed the Academy to expand course loads and number of courses" (2). Today the NCO Education

The life style of common man

The life style of common man Introduction: We are living in the age of 21st century where scientific inventions have change the life style of a common man completely. We developed a lot of new technology without considering that these developments can harm us in many ways. Changing lifestyles, the increasing use of disposable materials and excessive packaging are all contributing to an increase in the amount of waste being created. Waste management is now a global concern. Inadequate collection and disposal of waste poses a serious health risk to the population and is an obvious cause of environmental degradation in most cities of the developing world. Mixed municipal solid waste is dumped either indiscriminately in the neighborhood or, if collected by a waste collection service, disposed of in uncontrolled dumpsites. Problems associated with Solid waste management are complex because of the quantity and diversity of the nature of waste and financial limitations on public services in large cities. The problem is not only conf ined to land, it includes air and water as well. Before discuss the waste management system of Pakistan and its impact on environment, there are few essential things which should be discuss. What is Waste management system? And why it is important? Definition: Waste management is the collection, transport, processing, recycling or disposal, and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health and the environment. Importance: Waste management is very important because waste that is not properly managed can create serious health or social problems in a community. It is very important to keep human waste out of water supplies. Human waste contains diseases that make people sick. All the waste material of every kind is damaging the environment badly. PAKISTAN: Due to ineffective development planning, large cities are confronting a number of complex urban problems. It is estimated, that the urban areas of Pakistan generate about 54,850 tons of solid waste daily or about 20 million tons per annum. Presently only a part of solid waste is collected, transported and dumped. The means are inefficient and in most cases inadequate to cope with the present day challenges i.e. bulk and composition of municipal waste. Presently there is not a single city with properly planned and efficient system of SWM reaching the acceptable standard of environmental protection. Proper method of dumping the wastes is not employed. Hazardous hospital and industrial wastes are simply treated as ordinary waste. In most of the areas solid waste especially plastic bags get into open drains and sewers choking the system. In addition, bio-non-degradable solid wastes including toxic hospital and industrial wastes are found lying in heaps. Open burning of waste and bio-non-degradable component of wastes like plastic bags are adding to the pollution problems. Owing to the low levels of development and economic levels, it is not possible to make use of latest techniques, technologies and equipment being used in developed world. For this reason many parts of the large urban areas and in some cases entire cities have turned into environmental black spots. Our present system on solid waste management is in dire need of its over hauling on comprehensive basis. The respective municipalities despite spending their 20 to 40% budget have not been able to achieve the desirable standards of environmental quality. In view of this, it would be appropriate to involve private sector in solid waste management (SWM) on the whole or partial basis for any part or whole of the city. The involvement of private sector will enable the respective municipality to achieve the desirable standards of solid waste management with the reduced cost due to their efficiency and management. Solid Waste Generation Estimates: According to NCS Pakistan generates 47,290 tones of solid waste per day with the growth rate of2.4% per year. That means present estimate is 54,888 tones/ day. The Rate of generation of waste average from all type of municipal controlled areas varies from 0.283 kg/capita/day to 0.613 kg/capita/day. There is no weighing facility at disposal sites, no tradition of waste sampling and analysis. There is a big difference exists in solid waste generated and amount reaching final disposal site. Sources of Solid Waste: There are many sources of waste generation, the table below gives the source of the waste generation and the wastage comes out from these sources. In addition to these sources the other important source is necessary to mention there and that is hospital wastes. Hospital wastes are categorized according to their weight, density and constituents. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified medical waste into different categories. These are: Infectious: material-containing pathogens in sufficient concentrations or quantities that, if exposed, can cause diseases. This includes waste from surgery and autopsies on patients with infectious diseases; Sharps: disposable needles, syringes, saws, blades, broken glasses, nails or any other item that could cause a cut; Pathological: tissues, organs, body parts, human flesh, fetuses, blood and body fluids; Pharmaceuticals: drugs and chemicals that are returned from wards, spilled, outdated, contaminated, or are no longer required; Radioactive: solids, liquids and gaseous waste contaminated with radioactive substances used in diagnosis and treatment of diseases like toxic goiter; and Collection of Waste: Municipal solid waste (MSW) is collected in roadside bins and Municipal Corporation collects it infrequently. Solid waste generation ranges between 0.6 to 0.8 Kg/capita/day and the waste generation growth rate is 2.4% per year. Fairly around 40% of the generated waste remains either at collection points or in streets [2]. It is a common practice to burn this waste in open. Residential waste is usually collected and transported directly to a landfill site. However, these landfills are not designed properly causing problems like incomplete decomposition of MSW, methane production and leach ate contamination of groundwater. At the collection points, different types of waste are not collected separately, and there is no proper waste collection system either. Waste is dumped un-segregated and collected by three methods: 1) hauled container system, 2) stationary container system and 3) bull carts. In Pakistan, the containers are mostly transported from one place to another with help of a truck or tractor, which is overflowing and not covered properly. The waste spills out of the container and a lot of it falls in the streets before reaching the landfill site. Similarly, in certain areas bull and donkey carts are used to collect the MSW. The cart goes from street to street picking up the waste and is again not a proper system for waste collection. Disposing Techniques: The solid waste disposal process in Pakistan is one which is least developed. 3 primary ways of disposing waste are in practice landfill, size reduction and screening. Residential wastes are usually collected and transported directly to a landfill site. When new landfills are being planned, the most important issue is to find a location that is acceptable to the public and to local regulatory agencies. In the management of existing landfills, the major concern is to ensure that proper operational procedures are followed carefully and routinely. In the past, the term sanitary landfill was used to describe landfill where the waste was covered at the end of each days operation. Today, sanitary landfill refers to an engineered facility, designed and operated to minimize public health and environmental impacts. Problems with landfills are subject to biological and physical factors in the environment. As a result, they change over time and may cause the several problems including leach at e contamination of groundwater; methane production; incomplete decomposition and separation. The separation of solid waste components is one of the most positive and effective ways to recover and reuse materials. Size reduction is a process in which collected waste materials are mechanically reduced in size. In practice, the terms shredding, grinding, and milling are used interchangeably to describe mechanical size reduction. The objective of size reduction is to obtain a final product that is reasonably uniform and considerably reduced in size in comparison with its original form. In addition, screening is used to separate mixtures of materials of different sizes into two or more sizes by using screening surfaces. Many new technologies have been developed to solve MSW problems, but unfortunately, these technologies are either too sophisticated or expensive for use in developing countries like Pakistan. Formal Sector Involved in SWM: Planning Development Division at Federal and PD Departments at provincial level are responsible for preparation of development plans and allocation of resources The Ministry of Environment is responsible at federal level for policies and programmers. PEPA (Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency) and Provincial EPAs are main regulatory bodies for implementation of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 Town, Tehsil Municipal Administration(TMAs) are responsible for solid waste collection, transportation and disposal TMAs due to lack of funds, rules, standards, expertise, equipment and vehicles are unable to handle the continuously increasing volumes of municipal waste. In-Formal Sector Involved in SWM There are independent operators dealing in waste collection, purchase, separation, restoration, resale and recycling, with the scale of operations ranging from itinerant manual workers to large recycling factories. Kabaris are large-scale waste dealers who operate from shops and warehouses. There are approximately 1,000 in Karachi and most specialize in just one type of waste which they buy at auctions or from middle dealers and resell to recycling plants, or recycle themselves. The Safai Kamai Bank operates every Tuesday from a bazaar in Karachi and uses the slogan â€Å"Garbage is Gold†. People can bring their dry garbage for sale on a per kilogram basis the price paid depends on the item. Items purchased include newspapers, other paper waste, plastic bags, metal, glass and plastic bottles. Waste Busters collect rubbish from households and charge about US$2 a month, which includes the delivery of about 30 rubbish bags. The refuse is taken to the transfer station where it is sorted out and loaded onto trucks for recycling. Pakistan Environment Welfare and Recycling Program (PEWARP) has established a small production unit manufacturing three organic products from waste purchased from itinerant buyers at Karachis huge vegetable market. The vegetable waste is crushed and the liquid extract collected which results in liquid concentrate sold as a pesticide, dilute liquid sold as fertilizer and solid residue. Shehri, a Karachi based NGO, also known as ‘Citizens for a Better environment is primarily concerned with the protection and conservation of the natural and built environment. It has produced recommendations for improved bin designs and promotes awareness on solid waste management. Recycling waste materials The separation practices are well established and, as a result, quantities of certain waste components, such as bottles, newspapers, plastic, food waste and aluminum cans etc. are considerably reduced in the waste stream. Once re-saleable waste components have been separated from waste they are considered to be raw materials: Impact: Increases in population and migration into cities have created serious environmental problems including inadequate solid and liquid waste management, lack of safe water and minimal pollution control. Many southern cities are characterized by overcrowded housing, contaminated water supplies and lack of proper sewage disposal, drainage or waste collection, all of which contribute to an unhealthy urban environment. Communities living near dump sites also suffer the nuisance of smoke and smells, and such sites as well as uncollected waste in general attract rodents and flies which provide a transmission route for disease. At present very little awareness exists among the stakeholders in Karachi about composting, the product compost, and its characteristics. Alternative nutrient supply to crops is currently practiced through the application of raw sewerage (on vegetables resulting in high health risks regarding to human consumption) and animal manure. The consumption of soil nutrients or similar products is also growing. Thus there is a possibility that if compost were introduced, it may be well received by the increasing potential users. Improper disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) has serious results for the environment and human health. Problems can spread over a wide area. For example disposal of wastes into nallahs, canals and rivers can pollute the water supply along the whole length of the watercourse. Infections and diseases can spread from dump sites into the general population. Serious health hazards directly associated with improper solid waste management include skin and eye infections are common; dust in the air at dumpsites can cause breathing problems in children and adults; flies breed on uncovered piles of rotting garbage and spread diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, and cholera. Mosquitoes transmit many types of diseases like malaria and yellow fever similarly, dogs, cats and rats living around refuse carry a variety of diseases including plague and flea born fever. In addition, intestinal, parasitic and skin diseases are found in workers engaged in collecting refuse. Solid waste also contributes heavily to ground and water as well as air pollution levels. The most serious problem is groundwater contamination. As water filters through any material, chemicals in the material may dissolve in the water, a process called leaching. The resulting mixture is called leach ate. As water percolates through MSW, it makes a leach ate that consists of decomposing organic matter combined with iron, mercury, lead, zinc, and other metals from rusting cans, discarded batteries and appliances. It may also contain paints, pesticides, cleaning fluids, newspaper inks, and other chemicals. Contaminated water can have a serious impact on all living creatures, including humans, in an ecosystem. When waste is burnt heavy metals like lead, toxic gases and smoke spreads over residential areas. The wind also carries waste, dust and gases caused by decomposition. Putrefaction of waste in sunlight during daytime results in bad smells and reduced visibility. Response: Pakistan has responded to its environmental problems by developing laws, establishing government agencies and accepting technical assistance from donors. Despite this, the response remains fragmented and environmental institutions, laws, and other initiatives do not solve the whole problem. Environmental legislation is still not well developed in Pakistan, especially in comparison to the developed world. For example, there are no national quality standards for MSW. Currently, individuals dispose off wastes by throwing away plastic bags, wrappers, fruit peels, cigarette butts, etc. in public places. Littering spreads pollution and ends up clogging drains and causing sanitation problems. This can be controlled by making roadside dustbins or proper disposal of waste at home. If proper waste management is practiced, this waste could be converted into useful products. Raising public awareness through media campaigns has been a welcomed step from the governments regularly authorities. However, the culture of reduce, reuse and recycle is still a long way from setting in as a trait of more conscientious society. Solid waste management is also one of the core areas identified in the National Environmental Action plan as SWM planning in Pakistan is developing into a complex task because of increasing population. The primary focus of the program is to strengthen institutional capacities and policy processes for solid waste management. Currently the collection capacity of the concerned departments is less than desirable levels and only about 60% of the solid municipal waste is collected while remaining goes unattended. Case Study:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To understand the basic problems of Waste management System of Pakistan, We chose Karachi as a case study and meet some officials of KMC of different town. To contact these people is very difficult; the officials do not come on time and sometime not present on their seats during their duty times. After a long effort we finally got some people who gave some time and explained the system. Due to security reasons we did not allow to take pictures. The main officials are Mr. Fahad (ATO, Gulshan Town), Mr. Nafees (KMC officer). Mr. Talha (KMC officer, Saddar Town). We worked with UNAP (United Nation Association of Pakistan) and CDGK on their MISSION GREEN Project last year, therefore we have already enough information about the current system. Extraction of all interviews:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan, a home to over 10 million people. Responsibilities for the collection, transport and disposal of household, commercial, and institutional waste as well as street sweepings, lie with the municipal authorities. Sanitary workers are employed by Town Municipal Administration to sweep streets and are often hired by residents to provide a primary waste collection service. Recently some private entrepreneurs, mostly refugees from Afghanistan have entered into the field of waste collection. Till 2001, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) was the responsible agency for solid waste management. Since August 2001, the administrative structure has been changed and the city is governed by the City District Government of Karachi which has replaced KMC and various other local authorities. The city of Karachi is now divided into 18 towns. The solid waste management remains the responsibility of city government and town municipal admin istration. According to estimates provided by Karachi Metropolitan Cooperation (KMC), approximately 100 tons/day originates from the Vegetable Market and some 70 tones/day from the Empress Market. Most of the waste generated at these markets are biodegradable and should thus constitute an excellent raw material for composting. Food wastes and garden waste are dominant in high-income localities as much of the remaining and half eaten food was disposed off in the refuse while the fresh food material was given to the servants. Here garden waste constitutes nearly 22 percent of the refuse compare to low-income settlements where dry leaves and other garden waste were found to be much less than 9%. Conclusion:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Pakistan has all the abilities to cover up these problems. But the political instability and other economics and social issues causes hindrance to achieve our goal. Our government is working hard to cope up with this issue and many projects already started so we are in a process of change and we will find a feasible way to dispose our waste or reuse them for our benefits. REFERNCES: http://www.dawn.com/2007/07/19/local12.htm http://www.shehri.org/subpages/wastemanagement.htm http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/16/local1.htm http://www.nazariapak.info/environment http://www.nazariapak.info/environment/#FSAir http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_management http://www.wwfpak.org/factsheets_hwf.php http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C03%5C02%5Cstory_2-3-2006_pg7_21 INTERVIEWS BY THE KMC OFFICIALS

George Frederick Handel :: essays research papers

German-English composer, George Frederick Handel, is one of the greatest composers of the Baroque period if not of all time. His work, Messiah, is one of the most famous and beloved works of music in the world. During his career in music, Handel composed Italian cantatas, oratorios (like Messiah), Latin Church Music, and several operas. Handel moved around from country to country writing, composing, and producing music for royalty such as Queen Anne and George of Hanover. In his life, Handel mastered several instruments including the violin and the harpsichord. Georg Friederich Handel (he later anglicized his name) was born at Halle, Saxony, Germany on February 23, 1685. He was the son of a barber-surgeon that opposed a career in music for a great deal of his life. But at age 8, Handel was allowed to study music with the local organist, Zachau. In January 1702, Handel entered Halle University as a law student, but was soon appointed organist of the Domkirche at Halle. In the year following, he abandoned his native town and settled in Hamburg where he studied the violin, then the harpsichord at the only opera house in all of Germany. At Hamburg, Handel wrote his first opera, Almira in 1705. This was quickly followed by Nero Florindo and Dafne. During the winter in 1706, Handel traveled to Italy, where he stayed until spring of 1710. He spent his time in Florence, Rome, Naples, and Venice composing Latin Church Music, oratorios, Italian Cantatas, and the operas Rodrigo and Agrippina. In June of 1710, Handel replaced Agostino Steffani as the Hofkapellmeister to the Elector George of Hanover, by making a promise that he would take a leave for England. In autumn of that year, Handel made due on his promise and on arriving in London composed the opera Rinaldo in 14 days. It was produced on February 24, 1711. After 6 months Handel returned to Hanover, but in the spring of 1712, he traveled once again to England, writing more operas in celebration of Queen Anne’s birthday; Peace of Utrecht and Te Deum. But in 1714 the Queen died and the throne was taken over by George of Hanover, who was angered by Handel’s unusually long absence. In 1717 Handel entered service of the Duke of Chandos, directing the music at Duke’s palace at Cannons, near London. There he composed a set of Anglican Anthems, The Pastoral Acis and Galatea and The Masque Haman and Mordeca.

General Adaptation Syndrome

The steps of the general adaptation syndrome that I would experience are alarm reaction, which is the body’s initial response to any stressors. This reaction mobilizes or arouses the body in preparation to defend itself against a stressor. This reaction involves a number of body changes, which are initiated by the brain and further regulated by the endocrine system and the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. The next stage of the general adaptation syndrome I would experience is the resistance stage. This stage occurs if the stressor, which initiated the alarm reaction, is not dealt with. The body is attempting to restore the lost energy and repair the bodily damage. The final stage of the general adaptation syndrome that I would experience is the exhaustion stage. If stressors are still not dealt with, the body becomes exhausted, muscles become fatigued, and the body is then depleted of the resources required for combating stress. The emotional effects will make each day intolerable and filled with dread. I could experience anger towards my co-workers, as I filled overwhelmed. Experience depression, as an overwhelming feeling of failure, and prolonged stress of my job. The cognitive effects of stress will inhibit my thinking patterns, my ability to focus, and impair my memory and problem solving ability. The effects of the continuing stress on my health could potentially be deadly. Stress will weaken my immune system. The continued stress will increase my heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. I will suffer from headaches, an increased risk of blood clotting, allergies, hives, or heart disease. To effectively deal with the stress of this new position, some techniques I would use would be writing down the different sources throughout my day. Relaxation training and biofeedback training, evaluate what changes in attitude and behavior will need to be made in order to get the most out of my life. I will seek support from family and friends, to determine if the new position is a benefit to me, or if it is potentially to much stress, for me to commit to taking on.

Perception vs Reality

She as a married woman who has become pregnant; the only complication is the at her husband has not returned to Boston. The Puritan society believes that engaging in intimate relations with one who is not married to them is a sin. Hester has to stand on a scaffold for seven real hours and permanently wear a scarlet letter ‘A' as punishment. When she first walks out of prison, some of the older towns women shout; saying she should be branded, or even execute De (34). Hester has accepted her punishment as given by their government and church yet reject De it.She believed that what she has done was not a sin due to its loving nature and its source, t e true love of her heart (55). After the passing of time, the community's opinion of Hester slowly changes. The town begins to think of Hester more of a human, and less of a living sermon toward s Chapter 13: Another View of Hester. They realize that her stigma of her sin, the scarlet let ere, is not showing Hotel 3 that she was an ad ulterer but that she is able (108). They notice all of her char itty work that she has done without being asked.She does all of the dirty, disgusting, dishonors blew jobs that no one else wants to do because she feels as if someone should do it. Hester, though accepting the enmeshment, believes it is wrong because it was justified. The reality is that eve en though she sinned in God's eye, she did it from true love, and it inevitably happened thro ugh human nature. Hester was not alone as the one who sinned, and his identity is revealed slow y in the middle of the novel, and established greatly by chapter 12. Ironically, Hester fellow sinner is the town's most prominent Reverend, Reeve rend Timescale. Until his final sermon, in which he reveals that he is the father 0 f Pearl, no one except Hester and Chlorinating knew of his hidden guilt. The entire town Para seed and admired Timescale. At any sermon in which he says that he is the most sinful man, t hey do not question him. The pe ople look at him with pure awe and feeling that he is the greatest because he admits that he too can sin because he is human. The entire settlement of Boston bell eve that Timescale was the most righteous man they have ever met, and he was the IR only chance Of salvation so they can go to heaven if predestined.Through Damselfly's eve rigidifies facade, you can find the truth in which he hides. Timescale is not the Bible bound man everyone believes he is, he is the one who helped create the scalded elf child, Pearl. Timescale also shows his true cowardice in Chapter 1 2: The Ministers Vigil. When pearl asks Timescale, â€Å"Wilt thou stand here with mother and me, tomorrow noontide? † , Timescale responds with, â€Å"Not so, my child. Shall, indeed, stand with thy mother and thee one other day, but not tomorrow! At the great judgment day † , (102).Pear I did not admire his response, believing that he IS embarrassed to be seen with them. With Pee earl questioning him Hot el 4 so, Timescale shows his true fear of confessing his sin to the world in order to receive forgiveness from God. He shows his true hypocritical character, saying how p people should always confess their sins yet does not do so when he has sinned. Timescale is not the only individual that the people think is helpful and overall outstanding, yet is very c introductory of popular belief. Many of Boson's citizens failed to see the corruption in Roger Chlorinating w hen he first came about to Boston.Chlorinating came off as a complete stranger to almost everyone in the town, so many suspicions were not designated towards him. Roger was the e first man with medical experience which has come into Boston, and the citizens took advent age of the opportunity. The village welcomed Chlorinating with open arms and treated him as if he was already apart of the community. After a few years, Timescale becomes ill. T he entire town trusts Chlorinating so much that they ask him to watch over their beloved re veered, Timescale (80).Everyone feels ran_ACH more secure when Chi lingeringly become mess the spiritual guide for Timescale, in hopes that Chlorinating will cure his pains and help him reestablish himself as a healthy man he once was. Soon afterwards, the community becomes eerie of Chlorinating due to his p hysterical change. He looks more like an evil man, with long fingers, relating him to the Black Man, † grew to be a widely diffused opinion that the Reverend Arthur Timescale, ,was haunted either by Satan himself or Satin's emissary, in the guise of old Roger Chilling Roth. (85). There is only one person who truly knows Chlorinating for what he really is, a ND that's his wife, Hester Prone. Hester is the only person who knows Rogers true identity y as untold by him to anyone Roger Prone. Roger gives a false name from the start so the people of Boston Hotel 5 will not look at him differently because his wife sinned and had intimate relate ions with another man. While everyone assumes that Roger is indeed helping the Reverend, he I s truly torturing him.Roger tells Hester, â€Å"Even if imagine a scheme of vengeance, what could do better for my object than to let thee live,than to give thee medicines against all harm and p aril of life,so that this burning shame may still blaze upon thy bosom? † (49). Chlorinating does not care about the well being as the colony believes. The thing he wants to do is slowly tear apart Damselfly's soul layer by layer as if he was peeling the pages off of a book. Adults are not the only ones susceptible to being judged by society. Sometimes the most innocent beings, are looked upon as the most corrupt.Society often judges individuals before they even have a chance to defend the messes. Sometimes, society judges an individual before they can even walk. In The Sac role Letter, the society instantly judged Hester daughter, pearl, soon after she was born. The e town kids would throw mud at Hester and Pearl anytime they saw them, and none of them WA need to play with Pearl because she would attack them when they threatened either her mother r or herself (60). Even the towns highly appraised leaders disregard Pearl as hardly another huh an being (74).

Novice Meets Expert

Novice Meets Expert Introduction Business organizations across the world are using the social networking tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter among others to boost employee relationships, achieve credibility, set up an opportunity for having communication between the organization and its customers and also to promote sales.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Novice Meets Expert specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Moreover, it is reported that â€Å"company recruiters are going to sites like LinkedIn to get access to the almost 25 million resumes posted† (Brottlund, 2009, p.1).In this paper, there is going to be a discussion on the use of social networking tools by companies in general and by the IBM Company specifically. There is also going to be a discussion on the type of IT projects. The report is basically based on an interview with one of the company’s IT managers, George Rizk. In addition, there is also going to b e presentation of the information obtained from the review of the related literature; supporting or criticizing the information provided by the manager during the interview. The conclusion section will provide a summary of the discussion. Use of social networking tools by IBM Following the interview, it was established that there are social networking tools that are used by IBM and these include, as pointed out by the interviewee; Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. These social networking tools are used by this company for various purposes. For instance, it was found out that the company uses these tools to advertise IBM’s initiatives like Smarter Planet, among others. It was also found out that the social networking tools are used to find potential employees. Moreover, the manager pointed out that the social networks used in this company help the current and the former employees of the company to remain connected. However, the manager was also quick to point out that, to a cert ain extent, these social networks work against the company with other recruiters â€Å"poaching† the IBM employees.Advertising Looking for report on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Basing on information that has been presented in the literature on this issue, this manager’s view is correct. For instance, Zappone (2012) points out that in the present day, the social networks make it possible for the employers to engage in developing relationships with the potential employees even when they are working somewhere else. The inclination towards recruiting the employed candidates, instead of those who are not working, poses a big risk of raiding the talent pool of a company. It is reported that in the last few years, the Sony Erickson Company gave instructions to those who recruit talents for the company to exclude the unemployed (Zappone, 2012). Moreover, in survey conducted recently, it was found out that â€Å"more than 90 percent of senior human resources executives in the U.S regard recruiting ‘passive candidates’ as central to their strategy† (Zappone, 2012, p.1). â€Å"Passive† candidates refer to the professionals who are not presently seeking another career opportunity (Zappone, 2012). In such situations, the â€Å"passive candidates† may be contacted via the social networking tools. Zappone (2012) reports that, according to the information provided by LinkedIn, one of the social networking companies, â€Å"the rise of the social media and other new sources of potential candidates are driving a shift towards direct sourcing and recruiters expanding their search beyond active candidates to include ‘passive’ candidates† (Zappone, 2012, p.1). However, according to the interviewee, the social networks need to be used in ICT environment. When asked the reason for this, he pointed out that it makes it a ques tion of one company against the other and it is about the reputation of the company and how it treats its employees. Mr. Rizk had also established that, other companies might engage in using the social networks as a tool to take down the reputation of competitive companies.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Novice Meets Expert specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This view is also shared in the literature presented by Shullich (2011) where it is reported that a study conducted among executives by PRNewswire showed that; forty nine percent of them had a feeling that the use of the social networking tools could damage a company’s reputation. When asked whether this is legal or should be prevented, Mr. Rizk’s response was that the business organizations and social media will always be used in an inappropriate way by people and other business organizations to ‘put down’ another company’s rep utation. According to him, this is not fair or moral but a company cannot stop the actions of others in another company. He explained that in the case of IBM, this company has their BCG’s extend to social media. The company takes its BCG’s quite seriously to a level where every employee is asked to revalidate yearly and to complete an education module to certify and this includes â€Å"Digital IBMer†, which is based around social media. Type of IT projects When asked about IT projects, the manager pointed out that IBM Company has many different projects. According to the manager, there are different components of projects and for instance, in storage there are four of them which include B R, SAN, NAS, and Mainframe. His response to the issue of whether all the available projects are on-going projects and whether there are projects that are completed before a deadline was, from his perspective, that; he manages projects for the customers that IBM supports. He fu rther pointed out that projects come in all shapes and sizes and they all have maintenance and upgrading support. The manager added that in case new comers come in, that also is considered as a project.Advertising Looking for report on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The different types of the IT projects are complex to manage. It has been found out that considerable numbers of the complex IT projects up to now still do not succeed in delivering the main benefits in a timely manner and also fail to target cost as well as specification. It is further pointed out that this is largely driven by â€Å"the exponential growth in the capability of hardware and communications technology, and the corresponding inflation in people’s expectations and ambition† (British Computer Society, 2004). It is also observed that a larger number of the IT projects are carried out with an intention of delivering some form of process or business change (British Computer Society, 2004). In particular cases, the IT systems will be brought in to make it possible to have a larger number of business transformations. In other cases, â€Å"they will be automating an existing process† (British Computer Society, 2004, p. 17). Although the aim is labelled as automation, those involved will have to change their practices, â€Å"so business change of some form will ultimately result† (British Computer Society, 2004, p.17). The effect of this will be that the practitioners in the IT field will require having adequate knowledge about the processes as well as business concerned if ever the IT system is to realize the expected results (British Computer Society, 2004). It is very common for problems to come up and this is for the reason that the description of the â€Å"business process† provided to the supplier can not represent the process which is being used in an accurate manner (British Computer Society, 2004). In the automation systems case, â€Å"the manual process being replaced by the IT system may be intrinsically ineffective – automation is unlikely to make a bad process better, although it may execute it more quickly† (British Computer Society, 2004, p.17). Conclusion Just like in many other companies ac ross the world, there is use of various social networking tools in IBM. These tools include Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter among others. They are used for various purposes such as sales promotion and advertising, finding potential employees, and facilitating communication among employees among other purposes. However, the use of these tools comes with their own challenges which include the risk of damaging the company’s reputation and leaking out of the company secrets among other challenges. But this company still prefers to continue using of these tools, but insist on the issue that the employees should use the tools responsibly. There are also many different types of IT projects in this company and many different components of the IBM Company IT projects exist. For instance, in storage, there are four of them which include B R, SAN, NAS, and Mainframe. The complex nature of the IT projects call for having good project management in order to overcome the challenges that ar e associated with them. References British Computer Society, (2004). The challenges of complex IT projects. London, U.K: The Royal Academy of Engineering. Brottlund, B. (2009). Companies using social networking to boost sales. Web. Shullich, R. (2011). Risk assessment of social media. New York, NY: SANS Institute. Zappone, C. (2012). Social media used to poach workers. Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/social-media-used-to-poach-workers-20120506-1y6z0.html

Imagery(or motifs)in William Shakespeares Hamlet

Imagery(or motifs)in William Shakespeares Hamlet In Hamlet, imagery of disease, poison and decay, are used by William Shakespeare for many purposes. Marcellus' line in Act I illustrates the use of this imagery very well, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." Corruption is rampant, like a contagious disease infecting the court. The atmosphere of disease serves to heighten the audience's disgust for the events that are taking place in the play. Secondly, disease leads to death, so the diseased society of Denmark is doomed. Because of this sense of doom, there is a slight foreshadowing of the play's tragic ending. The tragic atmosphere is enhanced by the motif of disease and decay. These descriptions of disease, poison, and decay help us to understand the bitter relationships, the anxious, chaotic atmosphere, and also the emotional and moral decay of the characters existing in the play.The image of decay is first used at the end of Act I to help comprehend the depression Hamlet feels in his first soliloquy about suicide.Rosen crantz and GuildensternWhen Hamlet releases the words "O that this too sullied flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew," (I.ii, 129-130) he communicates how he wishes to not exist in this world anymore. An image of Hamlet's flesh rotting and combining with the soil is produced. At this moment, Hamlet's true emotions liberate, and his pain and his yearn for death can be felt. Hamlet continues to say "How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world! Fie on't, ah, fie, 'tis an unweeded garden that grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature possess it merely."(I.ii, 133-137) Here, Hamlet feels that the world around him is useless and in constant chaos. By creating these vivid images of death and decay, Shakespeare lets us peer into...

Allegations Of Anti Competitive Behavior In Markets Economics Essay

Allegations Of Anti Competitive Behavior In Markets Economics Essay A market is a place  within  which suppliers and  demanders  of any product interact. This interaction determines what gets  caused  and  overwhelmed  via the  gesture  of the market price. All  business   organizations must have a  relevant  knowledge regarding the markets  within  which they operates. Before discussing the markets which are investigated by the various anti competitive authorities it is very important to discuss the markeet structure in which those markets falls. The fundamental thought of market structure is midpoint to both economics and marketing. Both disciplines are afraid with strategic decision making. In decision making examination, market design has a valued job through its consequences on the decision-making environment (Baumol, 1961; Yadav1995) Understanding the reasons and effects of focused industry framework remains to pose a formidable contest for industrial organizations markets in which firms can differentiate their commodities are notably complex, as each person firm’s commodity option affects it’s possesses profitability, and the extent of commodity differentiate impacts the intensity of competition for all market participation According to Moschandreas (2000) it is very difficult to define a market but  later  setting  perimeters  it is  straightforward  to define industry which includes all the firms operating in an  individual  market. In economics markets can be categorized according to the structure of the industry and industry structure is classified on the basis of market structure variables which determine the extent and characteristics of competition.  So different firms operate in different types of markets which is known as market structure. It includes various features like number of firms in the markets and types of product they are dealing with.The competitiveness of the market depends on the power of the individual firms to influence market price s. The long run profitability of firm is judged from their performance in their particular market. So we can say that market structure determines the behaviour of firms and which determines the performance of firms. According to Chrystal, K.A perfect competition ,monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly. Monopoly and perfect competition lie in the too extreme. In the monopoly industry contains only one firm, which can, therefore sets its price without concern about how competiting firms in the industry will react. Perfect competition is a market form where there are several firms competing within an industry. In this type of market structure, firms are price takers, free to enter the industry and produce identical products (Sloman & Sutcliffe, 2001). In the perfect competition market there are large numbers of buyers and sellers, selling homogeneous product, without having any market power means firms can’t influence the market price and output of product so the fir m in perfect competition is a price taker. There are no barriers regarding entry and exit of firms from perfect competition. The large number of firms and the homogeneity of product ensure that each product has a negligible effect on market price and output. Mobility of both sellers and buyers means that if a price difference were to open up it would be exploited immediately. Consequently the possibilities of difference prices prevailing in the same market can be ignored.( Chrystal, K.A & Lipsey, R.G 1997).

Audit Industry Report - Airlines Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Audit Industry Report - Airlines - Essay Example As a comparison between two airlines, higher performance may just not be a measure of a better unit revenue as for many, the airliner may be facing a higher unit cost in contrast to others operating within the same industry. In parallel to all these factors, capital available for growth or horizontal and vertical integration of services is also a key factor to the industry’s long term success (Taneja, 1987). Many successful airliners may have to prefer long term gains and profits to measure their success and would plan to expand or integrate over a longer period of time. Specifically for the airline industry, growth may be accounted for in terms of the capacity for growth. Datamonitor.com (2007) reports that the United States airlines industry grew by more than 8 percent in 2006 which placed it at a combined value of more than $145 Billion. However, In order to grow, an airline and the industry itself would need more funding. The need for funding will be directly correlated to the performance of the company, as capital is generated form investors and for most equity investors, the airline may have to show growth in its equity over time. Moreover, apart the airline must also be a viable interest to the debt investors. For this to happen, and to conform with the debt investors, a more than reasonable ratio of debt-to-asset is required. Apart from the focus on these direct factors that influence investment, there are several other key factors that play a turning role in raising capital for the airline industry and more focus is placed on international expansion. To wage international expansion into the equity of an airline, a risk assessment factor has to be incorporated in the financial sheet of the airlines in such a way that it has to reflect more associated risks such as currency risks or political risks. These forms of risks are more appropriate

Visit museum and discuss this photo with your own words Essay

Visit museum and discuss this photo with your own words - Essay Example This part of the wall has elaborate edges. Moving to the bottom of the picture, the room is well-carpeted. At the left side is a bookshelf filled with books. At the further back, there is an ornately-designed cabinet with a flower vase. A door is beside it with a cherubim carving on top, like an angel guarding its inhabitants. A chair could be near it with fur hanging on it, which seems to have a sinister face. The wall beside it has mirror or a painting. There is another cabinet with a flower vase. The centerpiece where the light falls is the drawing board. This must be a table for an architect, painter, or engineer. An unlit candle is beside the table. A small book is on it, on top of ruler or a long thin object, with a tiny man on top of it. He goes to the direction of the door. On the top of the room is an open roof with slightly dark clouds. It is a cloudy day, but the sun peeks from the left. It is the sun that provides light for the shadows inside the room. I chose this work because it shows openness that is critical to mindfulness. The sky and the sun are symbols of openness. Their entrance into the room removes the boundaries of the world. The clouds are a bit dark because to learn is a difficult task. The man coming out of the books means that, through knowledge, he is reborn. He has become more mindful of his identity and mission in life. The sun shines on him because his path is clearer. He goes to the door, where his destiny waits for him. The man is

Knowledge management plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Knowledge management plan - Essay Example Over the past decade or so, there has been a major push for a more structured leadership training experience; a train-the-trainer approach, and so I will be addressing to the High Minister (leader) and CEO (Middle-level leaders) of each department. So, in this paper after analyzing the organizational issues necessitating changes, I will recommend interventions like equipping and making the leaders to imbue KM more optimally in the organization, make middle level leaders contribute to that process and finally make sharing knowledge crucial part in all levels within the organizational structure. For any organization in any sector, it cannot be smooth flow all the time, as they will face certain organizational problems or issues both in its internal as well as in the external environment. Problems or issues in the internal environment could only make a major impact on the organization than the external issues, and also they are the ones, which can be handled by the leaders, management and the employees. Internal problems or issues could be due to lack of performance in various aspects by the employees, managers and even leaders – the human angle. On the other hand, even if the employees perform, issues could arise if there is any loophole or shortfalls in the specific organizational processes. More importantly, some processes or employees will be going on fine, however slight optimization of those processes or employees, could give better results. This is where the need for change management will come into the picture and through that, helpful systems like Knowledge M anagement System (KMS). â€Å"Due to the rapidly changing global economy businesses need to consider a serious change in strategy, and begin to focus more on knowledge management even at the mundane line levels.† (Switzer, 2008). Knowledge is often referred to as the basis of communication and even seen as power, an asset that is

Family Folklore Tradition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Family Folklore Tradition - Essay Example Instead, my father’s side of the family is expansive. He grew up with five brothers and two sisters, the collection of which is spread throughout the greater United States, in a variety of jobs and socioeconomic states. With some slight humor, our family reunions always occur at the home of my richest uncle – Pat. Our most recent family reunion occurred approximately two years ago. During this reunion all of my father’s sisters and brothers agreed to meet at my Uncle Pat’s home in Minnesota. Uncle Pat’s home is the obvious choice as it is an expansive estate on the water. During our first family reunion when I was a child I was struck by the size and amenities the estate contained, as I had never seen or experienced a home so large. My Uncle Pat was a highly successful stockbroker and his home reflects this affluence. In addition to living on the water, one of Pat’s neighbors is rumored to be the musician Prince – although we have neve r seen him. During the last family reunion the families arrived in Minnesota on the same day. Not unlike an episode from MTV’s Jersey Shore, or the Real World, the family that arrives first has the first choice of which room to take. As my Uncle’s home is fairly large, there are enough rooms for everyone to stay. Still, one of my uncles decided to stay at a hotel. Even as the families come together under the guise of friendship and shared background, there is always backstories and infighting that occurs among certain people. After the families have all arrived and settled into their rooms a wide variety of events take place. On the first full day of the reunion a large barbeque occurred in the backyard of the house. In addition to the families that arrived for the reunion, generally outside friends and neighbors are invited for the festivities. During the day things such as hot dogs and hamburgers are served and a variety of classic American amenities. While some peop le are eating others are engaging in discussions, or the children are playing video games or swimming in the pool. After everyone has eaten there is traditionally a large-scale volleyball game that occurs. This game is not very competitive, instead it functions to bring everyone together in a cooperative spirit, with children as young as five years old playing alongside forty year old men. The next day is generally reserved specifically for the family. While there is not a singular traditional event that occurs in this day, there are specific events that have been highly significant in my family tradition. For instance, during my last visit we visited the home that my father and his siblings grew up in. While I was initially resistant to the excursion, I soon came to greatly appreciate the experience. The home had long since been bought by another family, but they were selling it and agreed to let out family tour the home. While I envisioned the experience being boring, upon touring the home my father and his siblings began relaying stories that had occurred during their youth. For instance, my father talked about getting stuck in the laundry chute. My uncle showed us all how he would sneak in and out of the house without his parents finding out. While the experience was amusing, it also imbued me with great appreciation for the era and circumstances that my father and his family grew up in. This allowed me greater insight and perspective into his life. Towards the end of the week the family

Understanding The Periodic Table Research Paper

Understanding The Periodic Table - Research Paper Example All matter is made up of very small particles called atoms. They are small, indivisible particles that cannot be seen by the naked eye. With the advancement of technology, atoms can now be viewed through scanning microscopes (Genesis, n.d.). Protons, electrons and neutrons are the particles that can be found in an atom. Protons are positively charged particles, while the electron is negatively charged. Neutrons are uncharged particles (Genesis, n.d.). The mass of the atom is measured from the mass of the proton and neutron, and they are located at the center of the atom clumping together and called the nucleus. Protons weigh approximately 1.67 x 10-24 grams or 1 atomic mass unit (amu) and the neutron also weighs 1 atomic mass unit (Interactives, n.d.). As mentioned earlier, all elements are made up of atoms. The similarity of the elements and their differences are also characterized by the properties of the atoms. Periodicity Dmitri Mendeleev was the scientist who created the periodic table of elements. In 1868, he arranged the different known elements during his time in order of their mass. That time, there were only sixty elements, so it was not so difficult. He observed that there was a pattern of similarity in characteristics on the arranged elements. This pattern was referred to as periodicity. In 1913, a scientist named Henry Moseley rearranged Mendeleev’s table in order of the atomic number. ... The blocks in the periodic table have the atomic symbol at the center of each block, usually in capitalized, larger, bold-faced fonts. The atomic symbol stands for the first letter of the English name of the element, or sometimes, its Latin name. If there are two letters, meaning there is already an existing element with the symbol of only the first letter, the second letter is already written in small case. Figure 2 shows a typical block of a periodic table. Figure 2. A Typical Block in the Periodic Table of Elements (Source: science.howstuffworks.com) Periodic tables have different designs in terms of the location of the information and the type of information placed on each block. Usually, they have an example of the block to identify the parts of the block, and legends to identify the metals, non-metals and transition metals. Colorful periodic tables are much easier to understand since the colors also serve as legends making it easier to identify the elements. The atomic symbol o f gold, Au, is from its Latin name Aurium. The number at the upper center of the block is the atomic number, which is representative of the number of protons of an element (Genesis, n.d.). In this case, 79 is the atomic number of gold, which means that the element has 79 protons. The number at the lower center of the block is the atomic mass of gold. Some periodic tables also include other physical properties in the blocks such as the element’s specific gravity and melting point. Again, these can be identified using the sample diagram of the blocks in the periodic table. Groups and Periods Figure 3 is a simple representation of the modern periodic table of elements. As can be seen, the elements are

Knowledge management plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Knowledge management plan - Essay Example Over the past decade or so, there has been a major push for a more structured leadership training experience; a train-the-trainer approach, and so I will be addressing to the High Minister (leader) and CEO (Middle-level leaders) of each department. So, in this paper after analyzing the organizational issues necessitating changes, I will recommend interventions like equipping and making the leaders to imbue KM more optimally in the organization, make middle level leaders contribute to that process and finally make sharing knowledge crucial part in all levels within the organizational structure. For any organization in any sector, it cannot be smooth flow all the time, as they will face certain organizational problems or issues both in its internal as well as in the external environment. Problems or issues in the internal environment could only make a major impact on the organization than the external issues, and also they are the ones, which can be handled by the leaders, management and the employees. Internal problems or issues could be due to lack of performance in various aspects by the employees, managers and even leaders – the human angle. On the other hand, even if the employees perform, issues could arise if there is any loophole or shortfalls in the specific organizational processes. More importantly, some processes or employees will be going on fine, however slight optimization of those processes or employees, could give better results. This is where the need for change management will come into the picture and through that, helpful systems like Knowledge M anagement System (KMS). â€Å"Due to the rapidly changing global economy businesses need to consider a serious change in strategy, and begin to focus more on knowledge management even at the mundane line levels.† (Switzer, 2008). Knowledge is often referred to as the basis of communication and even seen as power, an asset that is

Understanding The Periodic Table Research Paper

Understanding The Periodic Table - Research Paper Example All matter is made up of very small particles called atoms. They are small, indivisible particles that cannot be seen by the naked eye. With the advancement of technology, atoms can now be viewed through scanning microscopes (Genesis, n.d.). Protons, electrons and neutrons are the particles that can be found in an atom. Protons are positively charged particles, while the electron is negatively charged. Neutrons are uncharged particles (Genesis, n.d.). The mass of the atom is measured from the mass of the proton and neutron, and they are located at the center of the atom clumping together and called the nucleus. Protons weigh approximately 1.67 x 10-24 grams or 1 atomic mass unit (amu) and the neutron also weighs 1 atomic mass unit (Interactives, n.d.). As mentioned earlier, all elements are made up of atoms. The similarity of the elements and their differences are also characterized by the properties of the atoms. Periodicity Dmitri Mendeleev was the scientist who created the periodic table of elements. In 1868, he arranged the different known elements during his time in order of their mass. That time, there were only sixty elements, so it was not so difficult. He observed that there was a pattern of similarity in characteristics on the arranged elements. This pattern was referred to as periodicity. In 1913, a scientist named Henry Moseley rearranged Mendeleev’s table in order of the atomic number. ... The blocks in the periodic table have the atomic symbol at the center of each block, usually in capitalized, larger, bold-faced fonts. The atomic symbol stands for the first letter of the English name of the element, or sometimes, its Latin name. If there are two letters, meaning there is already an existing element with the symbol of only the first letter, the second letter is already written in small case. Figure 2 shows a typical block of a periodic table. Figure 2. A Typical Block in the Periodic Table of Elements (Source: science.howstuffworks.com) Periodic tables have different designs in terms of the location of the information and the type of information placed on each block. Usually, they have an example of the block to identify the parts of the block, and legends to identify the metals, non-metals and transition metals. Colorful periodic tables are much easier to understand since the colors also serve as legends making it easier to identify the elements. The atomic symbol o f gold, Au, is from its Latin name Aurium. The number at the upper center of the block is the atomic number, which is representative of the number of protons of an element (Genesis, n.d.). In this case, 79 is the atomic number of gold, which means that the element has 79 protons. The number at the lower center of the block is the atomic mass of gold. Some periodic tables also include other physical properties in the blocks such as the element’s specific gravity and melting point. Again, these can be identified using the sample diagram of the blocks in the periodic table. Groups and Periods Figure 3 is a simple representation of the modern periodic table of elements. As can be seen, the elements are

Article Rebuttal Essay Example for Free

Article Rebuttal Essay For the past 17 months, shown on every television news channel across the United States. The case of George Zimmerman, and the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Like every year, the media will take a case and publicly turn the story into a circus. The rebuttal article for this paper is a story written by Oliver Knox of Yahoo.com titled, Obama: Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago. Further discussion will analyze the reliability, credibility, and validity of the data used by Oliver Knox, and identify any logical fallacies in the argument. The article is about President Barack Obama making his first public comments on the George Zimmerman acquittal. The president stated that many African Americans believe the outcome and aftermath of the trial would have been different if Trayvon Martin had been white. The president later stated that when he first heard about this story, his thoughts said this could have been his son (Obama, 2013). Then getting more personal by saying this could have been me 35 years ago (Obama, 2013). By using personal experiences, the president discussed his life as a young African American dealing with racism in the United States. I find that the reliability, credibility, and validity of this article and author Oliver Knox highly trusted, convincing, and believable. News articles written and posted by Yahoo.com reports a straightforward message to their audience. Reporting stories down the middle, never too left or right with the occasional bias author either for or against a particular topic. Keeping political views down to a minimal. This particular article matches other similar articles written on the same news story. Second, Oliver Knox wrote the story on the statements and words of the president as he addresses the American public. Third, the genuine author of this story is President Barack Obama himself, Oliver Knox just wrote his statement. The audience that the president focused on in his address is the African American people. Using his own personal experiences, the president can relate to the ongoing outrage of the African American  public. President Obama feels the pain and disappointments of the outcome of the case. Because of this story first came out 17 months ago, many logical fallacies surfaced about this case. First, the media leaned toward a killing of an innocent young 17-year-old boy, minding his own business. Then showing a photo of this boy at the age of 12. Then here comes George Zimmerman, looking for trouble and looking for a fight by picking on a young African American boy. Would the story stay the same if George Zimmerman was African American with the same outcome, the public will never know what happened that night. Meanwhile, the story set the tone for future stories about this case. Raising the question about race possess anything to do with the incident between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin. The logical fallacies of this article happened when President Obama expressed his concerns and personal experiences with the American people. This incident could easily be him 35 years ago as a young person dealing with racism in America. Concern that African Americans think that this case developed on race. A belief in the legal system would have a different outcome if Trayvon were white. Even after juror number B37 came out stating that race had no issue to the outcome of the case. Both the jury and legal experts stated that Zimmerman and Trayvon made poor judgment the night, which led to the death of Trayvon. Statements by the jury referring the only reason for Zimmermans acquittal because the way the stand your ground law is written. This article also provided some good highlighted points. The president encouraged his audience to support and encourage the young people of this country by helping them achieve and succeed in life. To be more influential and guide them on the right track. If the young people do not have the support from family, friends, neighbors, and the community, who will help them stay on the righteous path (Obama, 2013). This news article written by Oliver Knox and other journalists in this country, reporting the feelings and concerns addressed by this nations leader. Stating the issue of racism still lives in the lives of some American people. Relating to his own personal feelings on racism and demanding change to overcome these barriers. So the people, as a nation will never see another George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin case again. References Knox, O. (2013). Obama: Trayvon Martin ‘could have been me 35 years ago’. Yahoo New.com. Retrieved from http://news.yahoo.com/-obamatrayvon-martin-%E2%80%98could-have-been-me-35-years-ago%E2%80%99180734663.html Millstone, K. (2013). Obama: Trayvon Martin could have been me. MSN News. Retrieved from http://news.msn.com/us/obama-trayvon-martin-could-have-been-me

Link Natural (Pvt) International Audit

Link Natural (Pvt) International Audit EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Link Natural (Pvt) Ltds decision to advance their business to France was apart of the economical and socio-cultural analysis carried out to identify the market potential for the product (Link Samahan) to be sustainable in the French herbal market. The company is already conducting their businesses in many locations around the world, and France was a further step taken to expand their global presence. The following report is the market audit conducted in order to identify some of the key factors that should be taken into consideration when expanding a business across borders. A brief description of the product Link Samahan is presented initially in the report followed by an analysis of the product acceptance as well as possibilities of product resistance by the French consumers. This was identified through considering factors such as trialability, complexity, relative advantage, observability and compatibility of the product in the French herbal beverage market. The report further analyses the market in which the product will be sold and the geographical regions in France that were chosen for the initial business operations, namely Paris, Nice and Marseille. The basic transportation systems and modes in the selected areas are also discussed followed by the main communication methods used by them. Furthermore the report provides a description on consumer buying habits, distribution of the products, pricing strategies and the advertising and media usually used to reach the target market. A comparison and contrast between Link Samahan and its competitors in the French market is also carried out in the report. The comparison includes the prices, product features, packaging differences along with the promotional methods and distribution channels utilized by Link Samahan and the other competitors. Moreover, the report extends to discuss the market size indicating the trend of the industry sales and the expected sales for Link Samahan in the coming year. Finally, the agencies that will benefit the company and the important government regulations that should be followed by the company are discussed at the latter part of the market audit. INTRODUCTION Link Natural Products (Pvt) Ltd. is a leading business entity in Sri Lanka that provides herbal, Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals as well as safe and effective herbal healthcare products. Some of the main products of Link Natural include, Link Kesha hair oil, Link Sudantha toothpaste, Gotukola Tea and Spa/Aroma products. As a result of extensive research carried out for years, Link Natural introduced Link Samahan, a 100% natural herbal product to the market for curing common colds and similar ailments. Currently Link Natural is exporting their products to countries such as Malaysia, USA, UK, Germany, Thailand, India etc. (Company Profile, 2009) France being a European Union country owns the largest land among the EU countries. As an expansion in the maturity level of the product (Link Samahan), Link Natural has decided to distribute the product to three different locations situated in France. According to (Bell, 1997), French people consider herbal beverages to be healthy and they are most commonly used in every day life in the French culture. The demand for herbal products in the European market has risen over the years and this can be considered as a great opportunity for Link Natural to expand their business to France. In order to identify the target market and their potential it is vital to carry out a detailed market analysis with regard to the product. Thus the main focus of the following report will be to evaluate a market plan and audit for the purpose of marketing Link Samahan in the French herbal beverages market. The market audit will comprise of a detailed description on the target market, geographical distribution, diffusion of innovation of the consumers as well as advertising, pricing and promotions in terms of the herbal beverages market in France. THE PRODUCT: LINK SAMAHAN Link Samahan is an authentic herbal product made in Sri Lanka and it is made of 14 natural plants which are generally used in Peyave formulations. As stated in (Product Data Sheet, n.d.), in ancient Sri Lanka Peyave was considered to be one of the most popular cures for viral fevers and influenza, and it consists of a mixture of herbs in boiling water. This instant herbal beverage is used for common colds as other similar ailments such as sneezing, itching eyes, running noses etc. Currently Link Samahan plays the leading role in the Sri Lankan herbal products market for colds and other related ailments, and Link Samahan is being distributed to 32 destinations in eight different countries around the world, (About Samahan, 2009). (Refer Appendix 1). Link Samahan will be expanding into the herbal beverage market in France for the first time. An innovation is any product or a service that consumers perceive to be new, as stated by (Solomon, 2004, pg.567). Therefore, the following section will focus on how the proposed target market will perceive Link Samahan and their levels of acceptance and resistance will be determined. LINK SAMAHAN AS AN INNOVATION (As perceived by the intended target market) Diffusion of innovation refers to the process whereby a new product, service, or idea spreads through a population, (Solomon, 2004, pg.567). The rate of adoption may differ from person to person even within the same culture. According to (Solomon, 2004, pg.567) a study of 11 European countries found that consumers in individualistic cultures are more innovative than consumers in collective cultures. Therefore to identify the acceptance rate of Link Samahan in France a few important factors will be analyzed apart from the consumer behavioural changes among the target market. These factors are as follows: Relative advantage It is important that the consumers believe that the product is important and more beneficial for them than the alternative brands in the market, as the new product adaption rate is directly proportional to the relative advantage of the new product. The main characteristic of Link Samahan is that it is an herbal drink, which can be prepared instantly by just dissolving in hot water. Furthermore it has the relative advantage of being a complete natural product that can not only be used to prevent colds and similar ailments, but also can be used as a hot beverage. Therefore, it can be said that Link Samahan has a 2-in-1 relative advantage compared to other herbal beverages. Compatibility According to (Solomon, 2004, pg.570), the innovation should be compatible with the lifestyle of the consumers. No matter how convenient the product is, sometimes the consumers may not accept the product due to ethical or cultural issues. But as mentioned before according to (Bell, 1997), the French have a popular demand for herbal beverages, and have over a 70% of herbal products in large grocery stores and hypermarkets. This is one of the core reasons that Link Natural has decided to distribute Link Samahan to France. It can be stated that Link Samahan is strongly compatible with the French market and will potentially have a high usage rate. Complexity Link Samahan is a moisture-proof, triple laminated sachet with a net weight of 4 gram per packet and contains a soluble powder that can be instantly made, which makes it very low in complexity. For the convenience of the French people the directions and other details will be indicated in French, as well as English as opposed to the Sinhala, Tamil and English product details used in Sri Lanka. Therefore the product will be easier to understand and use over the other competitor brands available in the market. Trialability Link Samahan is considered to be a fast moving consumer good (FMCG). Therefore with regard to trialability, promotions will be carried out at the initial stage at the supermarkets and retail stores for the consumers to taste the product through free samples. Since consumers have the ability to try out the product and evaluate it through the free samples, Link Samahan has a very high trialability factor. Observability An innovation should be high in observability for an adopter to be aware of its existence. Having promotions as mentioned above can be of use to a certain extent (i.e. taste) but the exact outcome of Link Samahan cannot be observed immediately after the consumption. MAJOR PROBLEMS RESISTANCES TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF LINK SAMAHAN, BASED ON THE PROCEEDING EVALUATION Any company when entering to a new market or introducing a new product is faced with a potential risk of failure no matter how favourable the circumstances are. Therefore it is essential to analyze the consumer acceptance for the product in order to survive in the market. Based on the proceeding evaluation, Link Samahan has a high potential of the consumers acceptance as there are high levels of relative advantage, compatibility, trialability and it is also low in complexity. THE MARKET MARKETS IN WHICH LINK SAMAHAN WILL BE SOLD Through the sociocultural and an economical analysis conducted previously, it was identified that there is a favourable market for Link Samahan to be introduced in France. According to (Bell,1997), approximately 2500 metric tons are sold annually in the herbal beverages market in which 60% is in sachet format, 36% in instant products and about 2% in bulk. One of the main reasons to penetrate the French market is their acceptance of herbal beverages. It is most commonly used in many households and is enjoyed by most French people. Thus there is a demand for herbal products, and in addition to this, Link Samahan can also be used as a cheap effective way to cure common colds as oppose to using Saunas which is also highly popular in France. Link Samahan is an FMCG which can be afforded by anyone ranging from lower-middle level to upper level income earners. France has an estimated population of 64,057,792 as mentioned in, (France Demography, n.d) Geographical regions France is a Western European country which borders countries such as Belgium, Spain and Italy in the Europe region. 77% of the total population has been urbanized as of 2008 and 65% of the total population falls in the 15-64 years age category, (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.) (Refer Appendix 2). The population is one of the main factors that have to be taken into consideration in deciding the main geographical regions for Link Samahan to be distributed and marketed to. According to research carried out by (Butler, 2009), the main cities in France with the highest populations are Paris (11,293,200 people), Marseille (1,532,400 people), Lyon (1,665,700 people), Toulouse (975,000 people), Nice (943,000 people) and Nantes (718,700 people). Furthermore, France is generally known to be a cold city and it is a country with typical seasonal changes through out the year. Also, according to (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.), France is faced with floods, midwinter windstorms etc. at certain times of the year. Hence, the probability of people being faced with the common cold is high in terms of climate changes. The company has selected Paris, Marseilles and Nice to distribute and market Link Samahan due to the above mentioned reasons. Another primary reason for selecting Marseilles and Nice is the easy access due to being situated in the coast of France bordering the Mediterranean sea. Hence geographically there is easy access to these cities and the products can be shipped conveniently from Sri Lanka. Forms of transportation available in these regions Paris There are many forms of transportation used in Paris. It consists of four airports, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly being the main two commercial airports and, Le Bourget, and Beauvais Tille being two smaller airports for budget airlines and private jets, (Paris Airports, n.d.) Gare de Lyon train station in Paris provides rail services to the south and east of where Marseilles and Nice are situates. Therefore, Link Samahan can easily be transported to and fro from Paris to the other 2 selected locations, (Gare de Lyon, n.d). Apart from this the Metropolitan underground train network and the two tramlines are also commonly used for transportation in the city of Paris. The bus network in Paris covers the Ile-de-France region and also it extends in the central Paris. However, traffic has to be taken into consideration when travelling by bus as Paris a busy city, (How to use Parisian transport networks, 2003). Marseille Marseille has one airport. Similar to Paris it consists of a bus network and two metro lines which are commonly used among passengers. It is convenient to travel using the Metro Line over the bus network due to the heavy traffic situation in the city. The main train station in Marseille is called Gare Saint Charles and it connects to Paris, which takes approximately 3 hours, (Marseille Transport, 2007). The Marseille Port, being the largest port in France, plays a major role in transporting of Link Samahan from Sri Lanka to France, as the company will be using Vieux Port in Marseilles as the main port to distribute the products to Marseille and Paris and Nice respectively, (Marseille Cruise Port, 2009). From Marseilles, Link Samahan will be transported via train from Gare Saint Charles Station to Paris. Nice The main concern of the company is transporting the product from Marseille to Nice. Therefore the Link Natural (Pvt) Ltd. will be using the railway system for the means of transporting the product to Nice. Communication available in these regions The most common methods in communicating in Paris are through telephone, Internet, and television. Some of the main telecommunication companies situated in Paris are Coriolis Tà ©là ©com, France Telecom, Orange (France Telecom), Bouygues Tà ©là ©com and SFR in which most provide the consumers with telephone as well as internet broadband facilities. (France Telecommunication Companies, 2009) According to (Internet World Stats, 2008) the main dominator of all telecommunication methods such mobile, fixed, Internet and broadband in France is France Telecom. Similar to Paris, Nice and Marseille also use Internet, Telephone and television as main methods of communication. 58.1 % of the population uses the Internet in France (Internet World Stats, 2008). Therefore, Link Natural can use Internet advertising to promote Link Samahan in France for wider reach of the target market. According to (Television Viewing by Country, n.d.), the average viewing rate of television in France is 23 hours per person per week, which indicates that accessibility for television is high among the consumers and therefore television media can be used as an effective means of communicating the product to the customers. Consumer buying habits Consumers buying habits may vary according to the type of products purchased by them. For instance, people may compare and contrast when purchasing a shopping good with the alternative products available in the market. Since Link Samahan is a consumer good, which needs little effort of the consumer in purchasing the product the consumers in the intended target market are not expected spend a lot of time in deciding on purchasing the product. However, since the herbal beverages market is considerably large in France it is vital to pay attention to the leading competitors brands purchased most frequently by the consumers. Product use patterns The herbal beverages market in the Europe has grown over the years due to health concerns of most consumers. People are more careful with their health as a result of their busy scheduled lifestyles. The French generally tend to consume herbal infusions daily in the night after dinner time. Therefore the usage of herbal beverages in France is regular and consistent in the current market. Product feature preferences Most people look for convenience when purchasing products and are more health conscious considering the health issues that they are exposed in the society as previously mentioned. Link Samahan is marketed as a two in one product, which is an herbal cure of colds, as well as a normal hot beverage to the consumers. Therefore the taste of the product is given special consideration so that the consumers will show a favourable response towards the product. It also an instant drink which can be prepared easily. Shopping habits According to the research carried out it was identified that the average consumer purchases herbal beverages approximately once in every three weeks. With the rise in health concerns among the people and herbal beverages being conveniently available in the local retail and supermarket outlets customers are bound to purchase them on a regular basis. Distribution of the product Most of the herbal beverage products are available all over France. They are mainly distributed in local grocery stores, retail outlets and many international supermarket and hypermarket chains located in the country. According to (Shopping in France, n.d.) some of the main supermarket chains are Champion, Carrefour, Auchan, Casino, Leclerc and Intermarchà ©. Advertising and Promotion Advertising media usually used to reach the target market The usual methods of advertising FMCG products are through television, radio, and newspaper/magazine advertisements, as they are targeted towards a mass market of all levels of income earners. Having the fourth highest television-viewing rate in the world, 99% of the households in France have access to televisions especially in the urban areas. According to (Press Reference France, n.d.), there are 584 television networks currently operating in France and marketers of FMCGs frequently use television advertisements. Another popular method of advertising is through Radio networks, as most people have access to radios. Considering the busy lifestyles of the people most companies have adopted this method as people in urban as well as rural areas are known to listen to the radio even when doing other work. Other methods used include newspapers and magazines. French are said to have a high literacy rate of 99% and newspapers and magazines are commonly used around the country. Apart from these methods, Internet is also widely used for advertising consumer products as most people purchase goods online, especially the younger generation. Sales promotions customarily used For most FMCG products, most commonly used sales promotions methods are buy one get one free promotions, in store promotions and free sampling promotions held at retail stores and supermarkets. Pricing Strategy Initially Link Natural will be using the price penetration strategy at a set price of â‚ ¬10.50 intending to attract more customers and capture a larger market share. However, the price maybe varied accordingly in the future depending on the purchasing trend of the consumers and discounts will be given during different seasons. COMPARISON CONTRAST OF LINK SAMAHAN WITH THE COMPETITORS PRODUCTS Link Samahan Brand Name: The name Link Samahan is a family brand name, which is derived from the company name Link Natural. This gives Samahan a special recognition for the consumers, as Link Natural is a well-reputed company in many countries in the EU. Features: Link Samahan is made using 14 natural Ayurvedic herbs, which were chosen through a comprehensive study done by Ayurvedic scientists for years. The main feature of the product is that it is a beverage, which can be made instantly by dissolving in hot water. The basic flavors of Samahan are Lime and Lemon, and will extend to include Mint and Linden (which is a common taste preference of the French people). Package: The 100g pack consists of 25 moisture-proof, triple laminated sachets with a net weight of 4 grams per packet. The details on the sachet will be indicated in both French and English for the convenience of the consumers. The sachet will be yellow and green in color to give a natural look and the colors will be differed accordingly when new flavors are introduced. The competitors products Link Samahan is mainly marketed as a medicine for curing common colds as well as a regular herbal beverage. Therefore there is no direct competitor for the product although there is a large market for herbal beverages in France. There are many herbal tea products available in the French market. The market leader is Lipton with more that 46% of the herbal sachet tea market. The Lipton Company brands Elephant and Saveurs du Soir, dominate the French herbal beverage market by providing various types of herbal tea flavors. The bulk herbal tea market is dominated by La Tisanerie brand, which is also a popular brand available in France. However, they also sell sachet packages in a variety of flavors. Apart from these competitors, Solinests Ricola brand of instant herbal infusions dominates 90% of its product area while 10% of the market represents other Store brands, (Bell, 1997) (Refer Appendix 3) Lipton Brand name: Lipton Elephant Brand Lipton Saveurs Du Soir Features: Both brands mentioned above are herbal teas and have different types of flavors ranging from mint to a wide range of fruit flavors. The price ranges from  £6.00 to  £7.00. Package: Each pack contains 25 sachets and is presented in their own unique color depending on each flavor. Foods International Brand name: La Tisanià ¨re Features: La Tisanià ¨re is also an herbal tea with various flavors such as Les Fruisanes range, which has a variety of fruit flavors, Trà ©sors de Nature range, which has a variety of flavors combining flowers and herbs and the Wellness range. (What about La Tisanià ¨re, n.d) Package: Different flavors are presented in different colors and packed in 25 sachet boxes. Ricola Brand name: Ricola Features: Ricola herbal tea is a popular hot beverage especially during the winter season and is commonly used as a remedy for colds and coughs, (Instant Teas, n.d.) Similar to other competitors, Ricola also offers a wide variety of flavors in their herbal tea range. Package: Ricola teas are generally packed in a plastic container ranging from 200g onwards and in presented in different colors according to the flavors. Comparison All competitors of Link Samahan fall under the herbal tea category. Therefore there is a relative advantage for Samahan as it will be marketed as an herbal beverage as well as a medical concoction used for common colds and similar ailments. Most competitor brands seem similar in appearance which makes it hard for the consumers to distinguish between them at a glance. However, Link Samahan will be presented in its own unique packaging so that it will be visible among rest of the products. The most significant difference between Link Samahan and other competitors is that the price of Link Samahan will be slightly higher due to the fact that it is more of a remedy to cure colds as well as a regular herbal beverage. The competitors price The following is a list of prices of the competitors available in the herbal beverages market. There is no significant difference between the prices of each brand. Competitors promotion and advertising methods The primary method of advertising used by Lipton is through newspaper advertisements. Lipton range consists of a wide range of brands. Thus, they advertise each brand separately rather than as a whole. Since most people have access to reading newspapers daily, they believe that it is the best way to capture the target market. La Tisanià ¨re on the other hand is mainly advertised through radio advertisements along with the Twininngs and Ovaltine, which are the other hot beverage products of their mother company Foods International. Ricolas main focus is on health magazines as they stress on health benefits of consuming Ricola herbal tea such as a cure for coughs and colds. However, Ricola products are also advertised through radio advertisements as well as newspapers through feature articles etc. Other main promotion methods used by these competitors are discounted prizes, special draws and competitions, sponsoring various events and coupon systems. Competitors distribution channels Lipton: Hypermarkets and supermarket chains Foods International: Supermarket chains and retail stores Ricola: Hypermarkets, supermarkets and retails stores MARKET SIZE Estimated industry sales for the planning year According to the research carried out in France, a rise in the industry sales is expected in 2010/2011 due to the regular consumption of herbal products among the consumers. The income level of the consumers may not affect them since herbal beverages are considered as an FMCG. Estimated sales for Link Samahan for the planning year The graph indicates the forecasted sales for Link Samahan for the year 2010 per city. According to the figures shown, approximately about 45,350 packets per city will to be sold and roughly about 3250 packets will be sold per month in average in the year 2010. Furthermore, Link Samahan is expected to detain the market share rapidly in the French market according to the number of estimated sales. All these details are further discussed in the preliminary marketing plan. GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN THE MARKET PLACE Agencies that can help Link Natural The herbal beverages industry especially herbal tea industry is a rapidly growing market in France. Apart from being sold mainly in hypermarkets and supermarkets, herbal beverages are commonly used in health care centers, hospitals, holiday spas as well as hotels around the country. The usage of herbal beverages can be highly encouraged among the consumers through most of these agencies which will benefit the sellers in the trade. For instance, Link Samahan can be made available in popular health spas and hotels such as George V-Buddha Bar Spa, Ban Thai Spa, Bleu comme Bleu and Spa Anne Fontaine in Paris, (Spas Whats New,n.d.), and SPA de lhotel Boscolo Exedra Doctor, sauna le cercle Nice Saint Maurice and Nyrvana Madeleine Nice, in Nice (Saunas and Spas in Nice, 2009). It will also enable brand recognition through making the products available in recognized organizations to grab the attention of the target market. Regulations that must be followed It is vital that all companies follow the rules and regulations of the country to avoid complications. France belongs to the European Union and according to (Gauthier, 2005, pg.7), the European Commission has decided to draft a legislation on herbal medicinal products, dietetic foods, nutritional and functional claims, and fortified foods. Also according to (Gauthier, 2005, pg.7), the French Research Center on Nutrition and Food has a recommended allowance of a percentage of ingredients in the products to be consumed daily, and if the product doesnt meet those requirements, a special authorization from the French Public Superior Council for Hygiene (CSHPF) should be obtained by the manufacturer to market the product. Also according to French regulations it is important that all information such as product definition, list of ingredients, shelf life, weight and volume etc. are labeled in French on the packaging of the product. (Gauthier, 2005, pg.7) Apart from these, according to (France Trade Regulations and Standards, n.d.), quality and ecological labels, bar code price labeling, and usage instructions should also be mentioned. In general it is important that the product does not portray any offensive material that is not accepted socially, religiously, ethically etc. in France as it will not be accepted under the government regulations. MARKETING PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The following preliminary marketing plan was prepared by Link Natural (Pvt) Ltd to present a comprehensible idea on their business expansion of Link Samahan to France after conducting an ample research on the feasibility of the product in the French market. The main objective of this report is to guarantee that the product will be successful in the French market when competing among the alternatives available. The report portrays a detailed description mainly on the intended target market focusing on geographical, sociological, demographical etc. aspects, which are relevant to B2B and B2C markets. It gives an insight to the expected sales and the profit expectations for the year 2010. Furthermore, it explains the penetration strategies used by the company to gain market share of the consumers of herbal beverages in the market. It is imperative to analyze the product adaptation and modification by using factors such as core components, packaging, and support services etc. to grasp a clear interpretation of the product, which is described with sufficient details in the analysis. The report also focuses on to one of the major components in the marketing the mix, the promotions of the product carried out in France. The overall promotion objectives are explained followed by advertising, sales promotions, personal selling and other promotional tools used by the company to promote Link Samahan among the French consumers. Moreover, it explains the distribution components from origin to destination, which includes port selection, mode selection, packing, important documentations, insurance claims etc. as well as channel of distribution and more importantly the price determination of the product. Finally the terms of sales and method payment used by the company are explained followed by the budget and the financial statement of the entire business plan. Therefore as mentioned above, the crucial factors are highlighted in this report to ensure the success of Link Samahans establishment in the French market. THE MARKETING PLAN MARKET OBJECTIVES Target Market France has been ranked the 19th most populated country in the world, with a population estimate of 64,057,792, as stated in (France Demography, n.d.). It is therefore impractical to target the entire population of the country. The company has taken into consideration factors such as demography and geography when selecting the target market for Link Samahan. Demographically, the variables that were taken into consideration when selecting the target market were age, sex and income status. 65% of Frances population falls within the age group 15-64 years (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.). Both males and females having a lower-middle to upper level income will be targeted since Link Samahan is an FMCG and is generally affordable to all the income groups mentioned above. Geographically, Paris, Marseilles and Nice are 3 of the most populated and metropolitan cities in France. Collectively in these 3 cities, the total population amounts to approximately 14.6 million (France People, 2006). Therefore, the primary business-to-consumer (B2C) target market for Link Samahan in France is: males females, from lower-middle to upper level income groups, between the ages of 15-64 who are primarily residing in the cities of Paris, Marseilles or Nice. There will also be a business-to-business (B2B) target market which would consist of the most visited retail stores, supermarket chains, hypermarkets and health holiday spas in the sele Link Natural (Pvt) International Audit Link Natural (Pvt) International Audit EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Link Natural (Pvt) Ltds decision to advance their business to France was apart of the economical and socio-cultural analysis carried out to identify the market potential for the product (Link Samahan) to be sustainable in the French herbal market. The company is already conducting their businesses in many locations around the world, and France was a further step taken to expand their global presence. The following report is the market audit conducted in order to identify some of the key factors that should be taken into consideration when expanding a business across borders. A brief description of the product Link Samahan is presented initially in the report followed by an analysis of the product acceptance as well as possibilities of product resistance by the French consumers. This was identified through considering factors such as trialability, complexity, relative advantage, observability and compatibility of the product in the French herbal beverage market. The report further analyses the market in which the product will be sold and the geographical regions in France that were chosen for the initial business operations, namely Paris, Nice and Marseille. The basic transportation systems and modes in the selected areas are also discussed followed by the main communication methods used by them. Furthermore the report provides a description on consumer buying habits, distribution of the products, pricing strategies and the advertising and media usually used to reach the target market. A comparison and contrast between Link Samahan and its competitors in the French market is also carried out in the report. The comparison includes the prices, product features, packaging differences along with the promotional methods and distribution channels utilized by Link Samahan and the other competitors. Moreover, the report extends to discuss the market size indicating the trend of the industry sales and the expected sales for Link Samahan in the coming year. Finally, the agencies that will benefit the company and the important government regulations that should be followed by the company are discussed at the latter part of the market audit. INTRODUCTION Link Natural Products (Pvt) Ltd. is a leading business entity in Sri Lanka that provides herbal, Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals as well as safe and effective herbal healthcare products. Some of the main products of Link Natural include, Link Kesha hair oil, Link Sudantha toothpaste, Gotukola Tea and Spa/Aroma products. As a result of extensive research carried out for years, Link Natural introduced Link Samahan, a 100% natural herbal product to the market for curing common colds and similar ailments. Currently Link Natural is exporting their products to countries such as Malaysia, USA, UK, Germany, Thailand, India etc. (Company Profile, 2009) France being a European Union country owns the largest land among the EU countries. As an expansion in the maturity level of the product (Link Samahan), Link Natural has decided to distribute the product to three different locations situated in France. According to (Bell, 1997), French people consider herbal beverages to be healthy and they are most commonly used in every day life in the French culture. The demand for herbal products in the European market has risen over the years and this can be considered as a great opportunity for Link Natural to expand their business to France. In order to identify the target market and their potential it is vital to carry out a detailed market analysis with regard to the product. Thus the main focus of the following report will be to evaluate a market plan and audit for the purpose of marketing Link Samahan in the French herbal beverages market. The market audit will comprise of a detailed description on the target market, geographical distribution, diffusion of innovation of the consumers as well as advertising, pricing and promotions in terms of the herbal beverages market in France. THE PRODUCT: LINK SAMAHAN Link Samahan is an authentic herbal product made in Sri Lanka and it is made of 14 natural plants which are generally used in Peyave formulations. As stated in (Product Data Sheet, n.d.), in ancient Sri Lanka Peyave was considered to be one of the most popular cures for viral fevers and influenza, and it consists of a mixture of herbs in boiling water. This instant herbal beverage is used for common colds as other similar ailments such as sneezing, itching eyes, running noses etc. Currently Link Samahan plays the leading role in the Sri Lankan herbal products market for colds and other related ailments, and Link Samahan is being distributed to 32 destinations in eight different countries around the world, (About Samahan, 2009). (Refer Appendix 1). Link Samahan will be expanding into the herbal beverage market in France for the first time. An innovation is any product or a service that consumers perceive to be new, as stated by (Solomon, 2004, pg.567). Therefore, the following section will focus on how the proposed target market will perceive Link Samahan and their levels of acceptance and resistance will be determined. LINK SAMAHAN AS AN INNOVATION (As perceived by the intended target market) Diffusion of innovation refers to the process whereby a new product, service, or idea spreads through a population, (Solomon, 2004, pg.567). The rate of adoption may differ from person to person even within the same culture. According to (Solomon, 2004, pg.567) a study of 11 European countries found that consumers in individualistic cultures are more innovative than consumers in collective cultures. Therefore to identify the acceptance rate of Link Samahan in France a few important factors will be analyzed apart from the consumer behavioural changes among the target market. These factors are as follows: Relative advantage It is important that the consumers believe that the product is important and more beneficial for them than the alternative brands in the market, as the new product adaption rate is directly proportional to the relative advantage of the new product. The main characteristic of Link Samahan is that it is an herbal drink, which can be prepared instantly by just dissolving in hot water. Furthermore it has the relative advantage of being a complete natural product that can not only be used to prevent colds and similar ailments, but also can be used as a hot beverage. Therefore, it can be said that Link Samahan has a 2-in-1 relative advantage compared to other herbal beverages. Compatibility According to (Solomon, 2004, pg.570), the innovation should be compatible with the lifestyle of the consumers. No matter how convenient the product is, sometimes the consumers may not accept the product due to ethical or cultural issues. But as mentioned before according to (Bell, 1997), the French have a popular demand for herbal beverages, and have over a 70% of herbal products in large grocery stores and hypermarkets. This is one of the core reasons that Link Natural has decided to distribute Link Samahan to France. It can be stated that Link Samahan is strongly compatible with the French market and will potentially have a high usage rate. Complexity Link Samahan is a moisture-proof, triple laminated sachet with a net weight of 4 gram per packet and contains a soluble powder that can be instantly made, which makes it very low in complexity. For the convenience of the French people the directions and other details will be indicated in French, as well as English as opposed to the Sinhala, Tamil and English product details used in Sri Lanka. Therefore the product will be easier to understand and use over the other competitor brands available in the market. Trialability Link Samahan is considered to be a fast moving consumer good (FMCG). Therefore with regard to trialability, promotions will be carried out at the initial stage at the supermarkets and retail stores for the consumers to taste the product through free samples. Since consumers have the ability to try out the product and evaluate it through the free samples, Link Samahan has a very high trialability factor. Observability An innovation should be high in observability for an adopter to be aware of its existence. Having promotions as mentioned above can be of use to a certain extent (i.e. taste) but the exact outcome of Link Samahan cannot be observed immediately after the consumption. MAJOR PROBLEMS RESISTANCES TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF LINK SAMAHAN, BASED ON THE PROCEEDING EVALUATION Any company when entering to a new market or introducing a new product is faced with a potential risk of failure no matter how favourable the circumstances are. Therefore it is essential to analyze the consumer acceptance for the product in order to survive in the market. Based on the proceeding evaluation, Link Samahan has a high potential of the consumers acceptance as there are high levels of relative advantage, compatibility, trialability and it is also low in complexity. THE MARKET MARKETS IN WHICH LINK SAMAHAN WILL BE SOLD Through the sociocultural and an economical analysis conducted previously, it was identified that there is a favourable market for Link Samahan to be introduced in France. According to (Bell,1997), approximately 2500 metric tons are sold annually in the herbal beverages market in which 60% is in sachet format, 36% in instant products and about 2% in bulk. One of the main reasons to penetrate the French market is their acceptance of herbal beverages. It is most commonly used in many households and is enjoyed by most French people. Thus there is a demand for herbal products, and in addition to this, Link Samahan can also be used as a cheap effective way to cure common colds as oppose to using Saunas which is also highly popular in France. Link Samahan is an FMCG which can be afforded by anyone ranging from lower-middle level to upper level income earners. France has an estimated population of 64,057,792 as mentioned in, (France Demography, n.d) Geographical regions France is a Western European country which borders countries such as Belgium, Spain and Italy in the Europe region. 77% of the total population has been urbanized as of 2008 and 65% of the total population falls in the 15-64 years age category, (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.) (Refer Appendix 2). The population is one of the main factors that have to be taken into consideration in deciding the main geographical regions for Link Samahan to be distributed and marketed to. According to research carried out by (Butler, 2009), the main cities in France with the highest populations are Paris (11,293,200 people), Marseille (1,532,400 people), Lyon (1,665,700 people), Toulouse (975,000 people), Nice (943,000 people) and Nantes (718,700 people). Furthermore, France is generally known to be a cold city and it is a country with typical seasonal changes through out the year. Also, according to (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.), France is faced with floods, midwinter windstorms etc. at certain times of the year. Hence, the probability of people being faced with the common cold is high in terms of climate changes. The company has selected Paris, Marseilles and Nice to distribute and market Link Samahan due to the above mentioned reasons. Another primary reason for selecting Marseilles and Nice is the easy access due to being situated in the coast of France bordering the Mediterranean sea. Hence geographically there is easy access to these cities and the products can be shipped conveniently from Sri Lanka. Forms of transportation available in these regions Paris There are many forms of transportation used in Paris. It consists of four airports, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly being the main two commercial airports and, Le Bourget, and Beauvais Tille being two smaller airports for budget airlines and private jets, (Paris Airports, n.d.) Gare de Lyon train station in Paris provides rail services to the south and east of where Marseilles and Nice are situates. Therefore, Link Samahan can easily be transported to and fro from Paris to the other 2 selected locations, (Gare de Lyon, n.d). Apart from this the Metropolitan underground train network and the two tramlines are also commonly used for transportation in the city of Paris. The bus network in Paris covers the Ile-de-France region and also it extends in the central Paris. However, traffic has to be taken into consideration when travelling by bus as Paris a busy city, (How to use Parisian transport networks, 2003). Marseille Marseille has one airport. Similar to Paris it consists of a bus network and two metro lines which are commonly used among passengers. It is convenient to travel using the Metro Line over the bus network due to the heavy traffic situation in the city. The main train station in Marseille is called Gare Saint Charles and it connects to Paris, which takes approximately 3 hours, (Marseille Transport, 2007). The Marseille Port, being the largest port in France, plays a major role in transporting of Link Samahan from Sri Lanka to France, as the company will be using Vieux Port in Marseilles as the main port to distribute the products to Marseille and Paris and Nice respectively, (Marseille Cruise Port, 2009). From Marseilles, Link Samahan will be transported via train from Gare Saint Charles Station to Paris. Nice The main concern of the company is transporting the product from Marseille to Nice. Therefore the Link Natural (Pvt) Ltd. will be using the railway system for the means of transporting the product to Nice. Communication available in these regions The most common methods in communicating in Paris are through telephone, Internet, and television. Some of the main telecommunication companies situated in Paris are Coriolis Tà ©là ©com, France Telecom, Orange (France Telecom), Bouygues Tà ©là ©com and SFR in which most provide the consumers with telephone as well as internet broadband facilities. (France Telecommunication Companies, 2009) According to (Internet World Stats, 2008) the main dominator of all telecommunication methods such mobile, fixed, Internet and broadband in France is France Telecom. Similar to Paris, Nice and Marseille also use Internet, Telephone and television as main methods of communication. 58.1 % of the population uses the Internet in France (Internet World Stats, 2008). Therefore, Link Natural can use Internet advertising to promote Link Samahan in France for wider reach of the target market. According to (Television Viewing by Country, n.d.), the average viewing rate of television in France is 23 hours per person per week, which indicates that accessibility for television is high among the consumers and therefore television media can be used as an effective means of communicating the product to the customers. Consumer buying habits Consumers buying habits may vary according to the type of products purchased by them. For instance, people may compare and contrast when purchasing a shopping good with the alternative products available in the market. Since Link Samahan is a consumer good, which needs little effort of the consumer in purchasing the product the consumers in the intended target market are not expected spend a lot of time in deciding on purchasing the product. However, since the herbal beverages market is considerably large in France it is vital to pay attention to the leading competitors brands purchased most frequently by the consumers. Product use patterns The herbal beverages market in the Europe has grown over the years due to health concerns of most consumers. People are more careful with their health as a result of their busy scheduled lifestyles. The French generally tend to consume herbal infusions daily in the night after dinner time. Therefore the usage of herbal beverages in France is regular and consistent in the current market. Product feature preferences Most people look for convenience when purchasing products and are more health conscious considering the health issues that they are exposed in the society as previously mentioned. Link Samahan is marketed as a two in one product, which is an herbal cure of colds, as well as a normal hot beverage to the consumers. Therefore the taste of the product is given special consideration so that the consumers will show a favourable response towards the product. It also an instant drink which can be prepared easily. Shopping habits According to the research carried out it was identified that the average consumer purchases herbal beverages approximately once in every three weeks. With the rise in health concerns among the people and herbal beverages being conveniently available in the local retail and supermarket outlets customers are bound to purchase them on a regular basis. Distribution of the product Most of the herbal beverage products are available all over France. They are mainly distributed in local grocery stores, retail outlets and many international supermarket and hypermarket chains located in the country. According to (Shopping in France, n.d.) some of the main supermarket chains are Champion, Carrefour, Auchan, Casino, Leclerc and Intermarchà ©. Advertising and Promotion Advertising media usually used to reach the target market The usual methods of advertising FMCG products are through television, radio, and newspaper/magazine advertisements, as they are targeted towards a mass market of all levels of income earners. Having the fourth highest television-viewing rate in the world, 99% of the households in France have access to televisions especially in the urban areas. According to (Press Reference France, n.d.), there are 584 television networks currently operating in France and marketers of FMCGs frequently use television advertisements. Another popular method of advertising is through Radio networks, as most people have access to radios. Considering the busy lifestyles of the people most companies have adopted this method as people in urban as well as rural areas are known to listen to the radio even when doing other work. Other methods used include newspapers and magazines. French are said to have a high literacy rate of 99% and newspapers and magazines are commonly used around the country. Apart from these methods, Internet is also widely used for advertising consumer products as most people purchase goods online, especially the younger generation. Sales promotions customarily used For most FMCG products, most commonly used sales promotions methods are buy one get one free promotions, in store promotions and free sampling promotions held at retail stores and supermarkets. Pricing Strategy Initially Link Natural will be using the price penetration strategy at a set price of â‚ ¬10.50 intending to attract more customers and capture a larger market share. However, the price maybe varied accordingly in the future depending on the purchasing trend of the consumers and discounts will be given during different seasons. COMPARISON CONTRAST OF LINK SAMAHAN WITH THE COMPETITORS PRODUCTS Link Samahan Brand Name: The name Link Samahan is a family brand name, which is derived from the company name Link Natural. This gives Samahan a special recognition for the consumers, as Link Natural is a well-reputed company in many countries in the EU. Features: Link Samahan is made using 14 natural Ayurvedic herbs, which were chosen through a comprehensive study done by Ayurvedic scientists for years. The main feature of the product is that it is a beverage, which can be made instantly by dissolving in hot water. The basic flavors of Samahan are Lime and Lemon, and will extend to include Mint and Linden (which is a common taste preference of the French people). Package: The 100g pack consists of 25 moisture-proof, triple laminated sachets with a net weight of 4 grams per packet. The details on the sachet will be indicated in both French and English for the convenience of the consumers. The sachet will be yellow and green in color to give a natural look and the colors will be differed accordingly when new flavors are introduced. The competitors products Link Samahan is mainly marketed as a medicine for curing common colds as well as a regular herbal beverage. Therefore there is no direct competitor for the product although there is a large market for herbal beverages in France. There are many herbal tea products available in the French market. The market leader is Lipton with more that 46% of the herbal sachet tea market. The Lipton Company brands Elephant and Saveurs du Soir, dominate the French herbal beverage market by providing various types of herbal tea flavors. The bulk herbal tea market is dominated by La Tisanerie brand, which is also a popular brand available in France. However, they also sell sachet packages in a variety of flavors. Apart from these competitors, Solinests Ricola brand of instant herbal infusions dominates 90% of its product area while 10% of the market represents other Store brands, (Bell, 1997) (Refer Appendix 3) Lipton Brand name: Lipton Elephant Brand Lipton Saveurs Du Soir Features: Both brands mentioned above are herbal teas and have different types of flavors ranging from mint to a wide range of fruit flavors. The price ranges from  £6.00 to  £7.00. Package: Each pack contains 25 sachets and is presented in their own unique color depending on each flavor. Foods International Brand name: La Tisanià ¨re Features: La Tisanià ¨re is also an herbal tea with various flavors such as Les Fruisanes range, which has a variety of fruit flavors, Trà ©sors de Nature range, which has a variety of flavors combining flowers and herbs and the Wellness range. (What about La Tisanià ¨re, n.d) Package: Different flavors are presented in different colors and packed in 25 sachet boxes. Ricola Brand name: Ricola Features: Ricola herbal tea is a popular hot beverage especially during the winter season and is commonly used as a remedy for colds and coughs, (Instant Teas, n.d.) Similar to other competitors, Ricola also offers a wide variety of flavors in their herbal tea range. Package: Ricola teas are generally packed in a plastic container ranging from 200g onwards and in presented in different colors according to the flavors. Comparison All competitors of Link Samahan fall under the herbal tea category. Therefore there is a relative advantage for Samahan as it will be marketed as an herbal beverage as well as a medical concoction used for common colds and similar ailments. Most competitor brands seem similar in appearance which makes it hard for the consumers to distinguish between them at a glance. However, Link Samahan will be presented in its own unique packaging so that it will be visible among rest of the products. The most significant difference between Link Samahan and other competitors is that the price of Link Samahan will be slightly higher due to the fact that it is more of a remedy to cure colds as well as a regular herbal beverage. The competitors price The following is a list of prices of the competitors available in the herbal beverages market. There is no significant difference between the prices of each brand. Competitors promotion and advertising methods The primary method of advertising used by Lipton is through newspaper advertisements. Lipton range consists of a wide range of brands. Thus, they advertise each brand separately rather than as a whole. Since most people have access to reading newspapers daily, they believe that it is the best way to capture the target market. La Tisanià ¨re on the other hand is mainly advertised through radio advertisements along with the Twininngs and Ovaltine, which are the other hot beverage products of their mother company Foods International. Ricolas main focus is on health magazines as they stress on health benefits of consuming Ricola herbal tea such as a cure for coughs and colds. However, Ricola products are also advertised through radio advertisements as well as newspapers through feature articles etc. Other main promotion methods used by these competitors are discounted prizes, special draws and competitions, sponsoring various events and coupon systems. Competitors distribution channels Lipton: Hypermarkets and supermarket chains Foods International: Supermarket chains and retail stores Ricola: Hypermarkets, supermarkets and retails stores MARKET SIZE Estimated industry sales for the planning year According to the research carried out in France, a rise in the industry sales is expected in 2010/2011 due to the regular consumption of herbal products among the consumers. The income level of the consumers may not affect them since herbal beverages are considered as an FMCG. Estimated sales for Link Samahan for the planning year The graph indicates the forecasted sales for Link Samahan for the year 2010 per city. According to the figures shown, approximately about 45,350 packets per city will to be sold and roughly about 3250 packets will be sold per month in average in the year 2010. Furthermore, Link Samahan is expected to detain the market share rapidly in the French market according to the number of estimated sales. All these details are further discussed in the preliminary marketing plan. GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN THE MARKET PLACE Agencies that can help Link Natural The herbal beverages industry especially herbal tea industry is a rapidly growing market in France. Apart from being sold mainly in hypermarkets and supermarkets, herbal beverages are commonly used in health care centers, hospitals, holiday spas as well as hotels around the country. The usage of herbal beverages can be highly encouraged among the consumers through most of these agencies which will benefit the sellers in the trade. For instance, Link Samahan can be made available in popular health spas and hotels such as George V-Buddha Bar Spa, Ban Thai Spa, Bleu comme Bleu and Spa Anne Fontaine in Paris, (Spas Whats New,n.d.), and SPA de lhotel Boscolo Exedra Doctor, sauna le cercle Nice Saint Maurice and Nyrvana Madeleine Nice, in Nice (Saunas and Spas in Nice, 2009). It will also enable brand recognition through making the products available in recognized organizations to grab the attention of the target market. Regulations that must be followed It is vital that all companies follow the rules and regulations of the country to avoid complications. France belongs to the European Union and according to (Gauthier, 2005, pg.7), the European Commission has decided to draft a legislation on herbal medicinal products, dietetic foods, nutritional and functional claims, and fortified foods. Also according to (Gauthier, 2005, pg.7), the French Research Center on Nutrition and Food has a recommended allowance of a percentage of ingredients in the products to be consumed daily, and if the product doesnt meet those requirements, a special authorization from the French Public Superior Council for Hygiene (CSHPF) should be obtained by the manufacturer to market the product. Also according to French regulations it is important that all information such as product definition, list of ingredients, shelf life, weight and volume etc. are labeled in French on the packaging of the product. (Gauthier, 2005, pg.7) Apart from these, according to (France Trade Regulations and Standards, n.d.), quality and ecological labels, bar code price labeling, and usage instructions should also be mentioned. In general it is important that the product does not portray any offensive material that is not accepted socially, religiously, ethically etc. in France as it will not be accepted under the government regulations. MARKETING PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The following preliminary marketing plan was prepared by Link Natural (Pvt) Ltd to present a comprehensible idea on their business expansion of Link Samahan to France after conducting an ample research on the feasibility of the product in the French market. The main objective of this report is to guarantee that the product will be successful in the French market when competing among the alternatives available. The report portrays a detailed description mainly on the intended target market focusing on geographical, sociological, demographical etc. aspects, which are relevant to B2B and B2C markets. It gives an insight to the expected sales and the profit expectations for the year 2010. Furthermore, it explains the penetration strategies used by the company to gain market share of the consumers of herbal beverages in the market. It is imperative to analyze the product adaptation and modification by using factors such as core components, packaging, and support services etc. to grasp a clear interpretation of the product, which is described with sufficient details in the analysis. The report also focuses on to one of the major components in the marketing the mix, the promotions of the product carried out in France. The overall promotion objectives are explained followed by advertising, sales promotions, personal selling and other promotional tools used by the company to promote Link Samahan among the French consumers. Moreover, it explains the distribution components from origin to destination, which includes port selection, mode selection, packing, important documentations, insurance claims etc. as well as channel of distribution and more importantly the price determination of the product. Finally the terms of sales and method payment used by the company are explained followed by the budget and the financial statement of the entire business plan. Therefore as mentioned above, the crucial factors are highlighted in this report to ensure the success of Link Samahans establishment in the French market. THE MARKETING PLAN MARKET OBJECTIVES Target Market France has been ranked the 19th most populated country in the world, with a population estimate of 64,057,792, as stated in (France Demography, n.d.). It is therefore impractical to target the entire population of the country. The company has taken into consideration factors such as demography and geography when selecting the target market for Link Samahan. Demographically, the variables that were taken into consideration when selecting the target market were age, sex and income status. 65% of Frances population falls within the age group 15-64 years (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.). Both males and females having a lower-middle to upper level income will be targeted since Link Samahan is an FMCG and is generally affordable to all the income groups mentioned above. Geographically, Paris, Marseilles and Nice are 3 of the most populated and metropolitan cities in France. Collectively in these 3 cities, the total population amounts to approximately 14.6 million (France People, 2006). Therefore, the primary business-to-consumer (B2C) target market for Link Samahan in France is: males females, from lower-middle to upper level income groups, between the ages of 15-64 who are primarily residing in the cities of Paris, Marseilles or Nice. There will also be a business-to-business (B2B) target market which would consist of the most visited retail stores, supermarket chains, hypermarkets and health holiday spas in the sele