Whole Foods Market Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Whole Foods Market - Essay Example The US and Germany constitute the top markets for this industry segment. Some of the other industry trends include emergence of private label brands, as well as a growing demand in the developing economies. The report also shows the market to grow by about 4.2 percent in the present year. It also shows large scale consolidation and foray of major brands into this segment (Sahota, 2010, p.1-11). USA the major market for Whole Foods is the most growing market for the industry with trade values in the industry segment being pegged at 28.6 billion US dollars in 2010 representing a growth of almost 11.8 percent annually. The growth trends of the organic foods also outperformed the sales growth in the entire food category segment reflecting a major shift in consumption patterns of individuals with a shift towards the organic food category (Organic Trade Association, 2011, p.1). These aspects are highly encouraging for a market player like Whole foods whose core product offering happens to be organic foods. Competitive Environment Analysis Porter’s Five Forces Model The competitive environment of any organization can be analyzed using the framework of the five force model proposed by Michael Porter. The five forces and their effect on Whole Foods are stated below: Bargaining Power of Buyers Considering the fact that a large number of retailers including supermarket chains are stocking organic food items, customers are flooded with choices, however with very few specialized organic food stores the bargaining power of consumers is medium. Bargaining Power of Suppliers Suppliers for organic foods normally include farmers, and other small and marginal players that are present in considerable numbers, moreover with specialized training for farming being provided by corporate the bargaining power of suppliers is considerably low. Threat of New Entrants It is quite difficult for a new player to establish in the market considering the cost of operations and access to s uppliers, however exiting supermarket chains can pose a threat if they chose to make a foray in this sector, hence the bargaining power of new entrants is medium. Threat of Substitutes Substitutes for organic food include food items that are being preserved or created artificially. In spite of the awareness among consumers with regards to the benefits of organic food, synthetic food items still have an edge over the aspect of lower cost. This makes the threat of substitutes high for the industry. Competition among Existing Players The competition among the players are extremely high with major supermarkets like Wal-Mart and Kroger selling organic food items, although the number of specialized organic food stores is quite less and they are not present in a big way that makes the threat of this force high. The most significant threa

Human Resource Managment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Human Resource Managment - Assignment Example The other issue to look into is the ease in the flow of information from the management to the employees on matters pertaining to their welfare. When the management does the above well then the employees will have the drive to work better and harder. This is, in other words, a motivation which is all about the inner drive to act in a certain way. In this case, this inner drive is externally created by the management through good relations. When these two aspects are combined, the employees find themselves working harder than before toward the realization of organizational goals and objectives. This is the end result of a workforce that has good relations within itself and with the management leading to their high motivation, which is productivity as stated by (Martin 2005). A good example to show how the three relate will be illustrated using a Sales and Marketing Company. Sales and marketing firms are known to be requiring employees who are highly motivated as well as productive for the firms to gain market share and maintain profitability (Khan & Soverall 2007). However, the basic hindering factor is the poor employee relations that exist. For the firms that have been successful, it is the relationship between the management and the employees that act as a catalyst to direct employees’ motivation toward higher productivity (Dyer 2007). Sales and marketing is not an easy job for the employees as targets are the order of the day and failure to achieve one's targets almost always leads to imminent dismissal or low income. The firm, therefore, needs to come up with ways that will ensure that employees achieve their target with relatively manageable difficulty.

Class student dicussions answers Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Class student dicussions answers - Assignment Example There are various security controls that can be undertaken by a company. The argument that David raises concerns emerging security threats in the world today is right. The use of smartphones is on the increase. This has lead to attacks which are targeted at smart phones. With a smart phone also come wireless attacks, which are on the increase. This is something that is becoming a threat even as many organizations adopt wireless technologies. Wireless attacks are becoming common (Fernandez & Jossy, 2004)n. David’s definition of the two approaches to defining risks make sense. Quantitative risk analysis involved putting a monetary value to the risk. Qualitative risk analysis involves identifying a risk and gauging how far the impacts it has. It is like describing the risk and its impact. There are no figures that are associated. This post is succinct and straight to the point. The post by Julius brings a social issue that is emerging. It is hard categorizing this threat under information technology but the explanation given by Julius warrants it to be under information technology. This is a new form of information technology threats that come from hackers trying to practice activism using technology. It is a new method

Human Resource Managment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Human Resource Managment - Assignment Example The other issue to look into is the ease in the flow of information from the management to the employees on matters pertaining to their welfare. When the management does the above well then the employees will have the drive to work better and harder. This is, in other words, a motivation which is all about the inner drive to act in a certain way. In this case, this inner drive is externally created by the management through good relations. When these two aspects are combined, the employees find themselves working harder than before toward the realization of organizational goals and objectives. This is the end result of a workforce that has good relations within itself and with the management leading to their high motivation, which is productivity as stated by (Martin 2005). A good example to show how the three relate will be illustrated using a Sales and Marketing Company. Sales and marketing firms are known to be requiring employees who are highly motivated as well as productive for the firms to gain market share and maintain profitability (Khan & Soverall 2007). However, the basic hindering factor is the poor employee relations that exist. For the firms that have been successful, it is the relationship between the management and the employees that act as a catalyst to direct employees’ motivation toward higher productivity (Dyer 2007). Sales and marketing is not an easy job for the employees as targets are the order of the day and failure to achieve one's targets almost always leads to imminent dismissal or low income. The firm, therefore, needs to come up with ways that will ensure that employees achieve their target with relatively manageable difficulty.

Incident of National Significance Essay Example for Free

Incident of National Significance Essay Whenever an event of disastrous impact threatens any place in the country, various emergency responses from different government units are mobilized. The National Response Plan (NRP) was designed so that the way in which these kind of events are addressed are done effectively and in an organized manner. As an extensive response plan, it also provides ample support mechanisms that would aid in preventing further damage and facilitate recovery. The NRP is applicable to all real and possible â€Å"Incidents of National Significance. † These incidents, according to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-5), are those situations which have potentially deep and far-reaching effects that necessitate a â€Å"coordinated and effective response† from these resources. All calamitous situations under the Stafford Act are considered Incidents of National Significance. Aside from this, the NRP could be utilized for any event that requires federal intervention. The aforementioned criteria also distinguish Incidents of National Significance from other events being handled by other agencies or are under a different response program. These criteria are qualitative in nature, and it usually applies when division authorities are overwhelmed with a particular situation. For example when the state, local, or tribal authorities need more resources or could not cope with the existing demand in services, they would request assistance from the   Department of Homeland Security. This is also applicable whenever an incident concerns a number of federal agencies or departments. In addition, the countrys President can request this program anytime when it is deemed necessary. Discuss the term, â€Å"ESF† as described in the National Response Plan. In your discussion, be sure to address the basic composition of each ESF. The Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) is a system of coordinating and facilitating response whenever situations of Federal authority arise. It defines the â€Å"mission, policies, concepts of operation, and responsibilities of primary and support agencies† participating in the execution of the National Response Plan (NRP). Basically, the ESF defines the responsibilities and roles of these Federal agencies and   departments. It can be activated due to Incidents of National Significance and other similar situations under the Stafford Act. However, it is possible that these Incidents of National Significance, can already be addressed by other Federal agencies and may not necessarily require the aid of ESFs. The current ESF design framework includes â€Å" economic stabilization, community recovery, and mitigation. â€Å"   It provides the staffing and necessary resources for emergency situations. The NRP includes 12 core ESFs,   each of which is comprised of primary and support agencies. Thes e agencies have their own scopes and obligations. The ESFs come from different management areas that includes emergency management, police and law enforcement, public works, fire, rescue, and medical and health services. Each ESF is assigned support agencies depending on their capabilities and resources in a particular field or area. Though each ESF provide these services based on their given scope or responsibility, they are also expected to assist other ESFs in accomplishing their goals. How does the ESF relate to an â€Å"Incident of National Significance? † Incidents of National Significance are those situations which have potentially deep and far-reaching effects that necessitate a â€Å"coordinated and effective response† from â€Å"Federal, State, local, tribal, private-sector, and nongovernmental entities. † Each day there are situations that require special and emergency response from the authorities. When a local jurisdiction feel that Federal Intervention is needed because of insufficient resources or if a greater expertise is required to address a certain event, they will call on help from the National Response plan (NRP). This is done in order to â€Å"save lives, minimize damage, and provide the basis for long-term community recovery and mitigation activities. † The NRP uses a functional approach to define the roles that each ESF plays in response to emergency situations, each agency or department being assigned to an ESF based on their capabilities or the services they are able to provide whenever this emergency happens. It takes into account those practices that each department does best. The appropriate assignment of services and responsibilities to any situation, such as those Incidents of National Significance, is crucial so that different agencies can work together effectively, whether they are local or Federal agencies. This ensures that the communications between them are facilitated accordingly and that they can effectively help each other when the time arises.

American And Korean Student Culture

American And Korean Student Culture In the current essay we will review the Cultural differences between American students and Korean students. In the modern world cultural relations are very important. Due to the globalization countries cooperate more closely and build new relationships built on the current trends. Although the cultural differences are considerable, there are many common things that can be found in different cultures. Modern people have almost unique goals in several areas, as the majority of the population wants to study and then to find a job that will suit a person. There are certain differences between American and Korean student in culture and other aspects. For example, according to Kara Miller (2009), among American students very often there is no change in effort and no improvement in time management. Cultural differences between American students and Korean students Often, it is difficult to balance studying and playing games and staying online. By the time students are in college, habits can be tough to change. If youre used to playing video games like Modern Warfare or Halo all night, how do you fit in four hours of homework? Or rest up for class? Sometimes, even foreign students do better in studies and have more intentions to study and to learn the foreign language. According to Kara Miller (2009), Too many 18-year-old Americans, meanwhile, text one another under their desks (certain they are sly enough to go unnoticed), check e-mail, decline to take notes, and appear tired and disengaged. There are many distractions and less discipline among American students, as stated in My lazy American students. It can be said that because of the certain aspects of the American culture, American students enjoy communication, they are used to using the technologies that are always near, and studying has to be diverse and interesting. That is why there ca n be seen clear differences between American students and students in other countries. Of course all American students are different, and many of them are talented, hard-working, they listen intently and pay attention to studies. The majority of American students use their knowledge, innovative approaches, which results in a creative work. These peculiarities belong to American students. Although, the creativity without knowledge does not bring any benefits. In 2007 it was reported that eighth graders in even our best-performing states like Massachusetts scored below peers in Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, while students in our worst-performing states like Mississippi were on par with eighth graders in Slovakia, Romania, and Russia., according to the American Institutes for Research. Also, there is a knowledge gap and the lack of the basic knowledge among American students. They prefer to concentrate only on what they are interested in and they do not want to know a little about everything. It can be also said that the time management is considered a problem among American students. They spend a lot of time going somewhere, even late at night. It is the way of life and the aspect of the culture that has to be accepted. Missing studies by different reasons is not a way out, as the best way to study is in the classroom. In 2002, it was found that most 18- to 24-year-olds could not find Afghanistan, Iraq, or Japan on a map, ranking them behind counterparts in Sweden, Great Britain, Canada, Italy, Japan, France, and Germany., according to National Geographic-Roper survey. It is sad that some students are not interested in the outer world, as they are focused on their problems and several topics that they are interested in. According to Kara Miller (2009), success is in the time management and in a globalizing economy, Americans inability to stay focused and work hard could prove to be a serious problem. Working hard is the main principle that has to be present in each culture in each country. In comparison with the American students, it is believed that Korean students make more efforts to study better and better, and finally succeed. Korean students are more responsible in their studies and they are not used to distract on other things. They are used to concentrate on studies and then to do everything else, as this is the rules of the implemented culture. According to South Korean students face long hours of study (2010) , Korean students spend up to 14 hours a day in some form of education, including after school classes, studying with a tutor or taking supplementary courses, such as English, Chinese, Music, and Maths.- Jeonju, South Korea. 24/01/2010. Studying for so long is determined by the effects and the expected outcome in the future, in getting the best possible job and life. Also, Korea has a long cultural tradition that places a strong emphasis on higher education, which contributes to the students international success. A middle school teacher Mr. Bae says that Korea wants to be the first among other countries. From elementary to high school, Korean students spend up to 14 hours a day, including after school classes, studying with a tutor or taking supplementary courses, such as English, Chinese, music, and math at the local neighborhood hogwon., according to South Korean students face long hours of study (2010). As a fact, a Korean students life is dominated by the need to pass an exam to gain entry into a high school and getting a high score to gain admittance into a prestigious university. Korean students have to build character and independence by being responsible for their schools janitorial work, which includes taking out the garbage, sweeping, vacuuming, and cleaning the toilets., according to South Korean students face long hours of study (2010). The considerable influence on Korean students comes from their parents, their culture, traditions, goals in life and the main aims. According to some independent opinions, Korean students study better, as it depends on the importance given to education in general, parental commitment to their childrens education, teachers preparation, and the significance of mathematics for every students successful future., according to Woo Hyung Whang (2011). The culture of Korea values scholarship and Confucianism is also very influential. As well, Parental dedication to childrens education is remarkable in Korea which determines the success of Korean students and their desire to study. Encouragement to study is present in the Korean culture and it is valued very much, as well as the order in everything and true devotion. According to Study compares American students with other countries (2007) , Concern that science and math achievement was not keeping pace with the nations economic competitors had been building even before the most recent Times survey, in which the highest-performing nations were Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan. Today the level of competition among the countries is very high, and each country wants to ensure that its educational system is the best, the most effective and the most perspective. Promotion of education is extremely important and despite the cultural differences American and Korean students try to study better, to set goals and to succeed. It can be said that the culture has a considerable influence on studies, on students relation to them, and to the perspectives that may appear, as stated in Korean students flocking to Canada to study English (2006). I presume that it is important to respect both Korean and American culture, to use different approaches to educate students and to use various ways of evaluation of Korean and American students. It is important to create comfortable conditions for students and teachers, in order to provide a better educational process and to renew the intentions and desire of students to study more and better. Studying is important and cultural differences do not have to influence the educational process. All in all, it can be said that there have to be used different approaches according to cultural differences and peculiarities. Korean students should not be evaluated using the same way with American students. It is important to ensure that the evaluation will be different and that there will be used different approaches, more suitable for Koreans and American students. In some aspects there can be found considerable differences in the culture and the philosophy of the two countries, but the aim is the one- to study better.

John Updikes A & P :: essays research papers

John Updike's "A & P" Do you remember the grocery store chain A&P? The letters stand for "Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company," and the store used to be one of the most popular in the United States. The third person narrator of a story (or poem, play, or novel) is not the same person as the author. The narrator of this story is named Sammy, which is a kid's or teenager's name; what we call Sammy's "voice," or his own particular way of thinking, comes through very clearly because he is the narrator. His "voice" reveals him to be a dissatisfied young adult male. Sammy is our first example of a narrator who is also a character. Sammy is what we call a 1st person narrator: 1st person: I am Plural: we 2nd person: you are Plural: you are 3rd person: he, she, it is Plural: they are A first-person narrator can present certain problems; e.g., he or she may have something to hide, and so may not be telling us the entire truth, or he or she may not know the entire truth. Do you see any problems in this area regarding Sammy? Judging by his tone of voice--the way he sounds--what kind of person do you think Sammy is? Is he a smart-ass? Is he just a bored kid? Sammy is bored. His entire world consists of the grocery store, which is artificially heated and cooled, and has everything one could ever need in the way of food and many other products. However, Sammy has been in his dead-end job for so long that he has contempt for his customers: he calls them "sheep." One day, when three girls walk into the store, Sammy is strongly attracted to one of them.