Why do people drink soft drinks Essay Example

Why do people drink soft drinks? Paper In a review of 146 published reports, it was found that nothing comes close to water as the most preferred drink. It has does not have calories, doesn’t post danger to the health, and only gives so much benefits (Brody, 2007). Therefore it is an enigma why millions of people still consume an artificially sweetened and flavored carbonated drink, commonly called ‘soft drinks’, to quench their thirst while there exists a better option, i. e. water. Michael Jacobsen, the executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, aptly called soft drinks as ‘liquid candy’. Soft drinks high fructose corn syrup content makes a solo 12-ounce can of it roughly equivalent to 13 teaspoons of sugar (West, 2007). It now comes into question: how did the public acquire a taste for soft drinks? To answer this question, let us take a journey into the roots of the soft drinks industry and also of soft drink consumption. The Origin of Soda A predecessor of soda was sold in France by a company named Compagnie de Limonadiers, which was formed in Paris in 1676. They called their product ‘soft drinks’ as opposed to the intoxicating hard drinks known to them during those times. However, the said drink is just a noncarbonated version of soda, mixed with water and lemon juice, then sweetened with honey. The company’s vendors used to dispense cups of lemonade from the tanks that they carried on their backs. Even then, when soft drinks were not yet carbonated, it was already a lucrative business. The right to sell this kind of drinks was granted only to the said company, thus giving monopolistic power to it (Soft drink, 2007). We will write a custom essay sample on Why do people drink soft drinks? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Why do people drink soft drinks? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Why do people drink soft drinks? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Then came the ‘seltzer water’. The term seltzer, referring to â€Å"seltzer water (after the village Nieder Setters near Wiesbaden in West Germany where it occurs naturally)† (Coyle, 1982, p. 132), was most probably where Alka-Seltzer derived its name. To make seltzer water, a tablet that can be purchased from the drugstore is put on tap water to make it bubbly and is taken as a cure for indigestion. Back then, taking baths in natural springs was considered good for the health since mineral water was thought to have the power to cure diseases. Bubbling water was then equated with wellness of health. Thus came the idea that if the bubbling waters in the mineral springs were good to soak in, it will be much better if one can drink it too. Doctor Joseph Priestley Not long after, in their desire to imitate the bubbling water of the mineral springs, it was discovered by scientists that ‘gas carbonium’ or ‘carbon dioxide’ is what makes the mineral water bubble. In 1767, a doctor in England named Joseph Priestley was able to come up with the first ever potable artificial glass of carbonated water. Commercialization of bottled seltzer water was started in 1807 by a chemist professor in Yale University named Benjamin Silliman (Carbonated Beverage, 2004, p. 8495). This sparkling water was presumed to have healing properties such as aiding digestion, and calming the nerves. Soda comes to America It was in the year 1798 when the coinage of the term ‘soda water’ happened. While still in London, John Matthews had learned from inventor Joseph Bramah the basics about making carbonic acid gas and building carbonating machinery. In 1831, John Matthews immigrated to the United States where he invented his apparatus for making carbonated water. He was called the Father of American Soda Water by the soda fountain industry and most historians credit him in bringing soda to America. He then began supplying carbonated water to establishments in the New York area where he immigrated (American Heritage, 1947, p. 11-12). After 1830, sweetened and flavored (lemon-lime, grape, orange) carbonated drinks became popular (Carbonated Beverage, 2004, p. 8495). Among these was carbonated lemonade, also known as ‘ginger ale’, which heralded the advent of the popular carbonated drinks or sodas of today – ‘soft drinks’.

Sleep Cycle Essays

Sleep Cycle Essays Sleep Cycle Essay Sleep Cycle Essay Its natural to blame sleep problems on stress or physical changes that come with age. But many cases of either sleeplessness or poor sleep are caused by a handful of specific problems, most of them fixable with lifestyle changes or the help of a doctor. Here, five little-known causes of sleep problems and what to do about them. 1. Light How it disrupts sleep: You probably already know that when you stay up late under bright lights, you interrupt your bodys natural sleep-wake cycle, because light tricks your brain into remaining in daylight mode. Less well known is that the light from computer screens and iPads shining directly into your eyes at close range is especially troublesome. Why? Part of the problem is that the light from these devices is at the blue end of the spectrum, which scientists believe is particularly disruptive to circadian rhythms. Blue light, although common during the day, doesnt occur naturally during the evening. Similarly, light shining in your eyes while you sleep even very small amounts coming from, say, a lighted clock makes your brain think its morning and emerge out of deep sleep. Darkness triggers production of the hormone melatonin, the hormone that triggers sleepiness and the onset of sleep. Light prevents this release or shuts it off. The evidence: Studies have long shown that shift workers and those who work late at night have poorer sleep and higher incidences of certain conditions associated with lack of sleep than those who regularly sleep eight or nine hours at night. A recent study published in Cancer Causes amp; Control, for example, found that the countries generating the most light at night have the highest incidence of breast cancer. And studies at the Light Research Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have found that the use of computers, lighted readers, and TVs at close range is tied to a higher incidence of sleeplessness. Whos at risk: Everyone exposed to light shortly before bed or during sleep. Light is also bad for hearts, which need deep sleep to recharge. Surprising fact: Every year theres a spike in the number of heart attacks just after the start of daylight savings time in the spring. What to do: Dim the lights and turn off all lighted screens at least an hour before bed. If you use a reading light, make sure its not any brighter than necessary and doesnt shine in your eyes. Do a light police room check: Are there streetlights outside your windows? Use blackout curtains or shades and make sure they fit the windows tightly so no light seeps in around the edge. Charge laptops, phones, cameras, and other devices in another room. Use an alarm clock without a lighted dial, or turn it to face the wall. Keep a flashlight next to your bed and use it whenever you have to get up to use the bathroom or let the dog out and be careful to point it away from yourself so you dont look into the beam. Dont turn on an overhead light, and never use nightlights. If you must use a laptop, turn down the screen brightness as low as you can tolerate and prop the laptop as far away from you as your typing arms will reach. If you love eReaders, try a Kindle or other device with a screen thats not backlit. 2. Pain How it disrupts sleep: Just about any kind of pain signals sent by the brain jaw pain, headaches, back pain, or arthritis, for example disrupt sleep, lifting you from the deep, restful REM cycle into lighter sleep or causing you to sleep fitfully and partially wake up over and over, which experts call microarousals. The evidence: Surveys of chronic pain sufferers reveal that between 60 and 90 percent sleep poorly. But many dont realize that their pain is the cause of their poor sleep. This can become a vicious cycle, says Thomas Roth of the Sleep Disorders and Research Center at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, because even partial sleep disruptions can increase sensitivity to pain. In other words, even mild pain causes poor sleep, which in turn leads to more pain. Whos at risk: Anyone who suffers chronically painful conditions such as arthritis, back or neck pain, jaw alignment problems, dental pain, fibromyalgia, headaches, or any other type of chronic pain. Note: The p ain doesnt need to be severe; studies show that even mild pain disrupts sleep. According to Roth, frequent microarousals can occur throughout the night without your being aware of them. The result is that you never attain deep REM cycle sleep and wake up feeling tired and grumpy, but you dont know why. What to do: Take steps to treat your pain proactively. Using over-the-counter pain relief is a start, but its always best to consult with a doctor and develop a comprehensive pain-relief program. For example, you may need physical therapy to combat back and neck pain, or migraine medication if your frequent headaches might be migraines. If bruxism (teeth grinding) or jaw clenching is leading to jaw pain, a mouth guard is often the solution. 3. Disrupted breathing How it disrupts sleep: When oxygen flow to the brain is interrupted, your brain sends a warning signal that wakes you up either fully or partially, causing fitful sleep or preventing deep, restful sleep. The result: You wake feeling like you didnt sleep well, even if you were out for nine hours straight. The best known version of this is apnea, which is a complete stoppage of breathing. A much more common and less recognized problem is upper airway resistance syndrome, or UARS. In UARS, structural blockages somewhere in the airway nasal congestion, your tongue falling back and blocking the back of the throat, or just having a smaller airway to begin with begin to interfere with the flow of air. What happens is that you wake up over and over again without knowing it, but the sleep interruptions last only a few seconds, too short to be detected by a standard sleep apnea test. The evidence: Even subtle levels of restricted breathing can lead to deep brain stimulation and arousals that prevent your ability to stay in deep sleep, says otolaryngologist Steven Park, an otolaryngologist and author of Sleep, Interrupted: A Physician Reveals the #1 Reason Why So Many of Us Are Sick and Tired. You dont realize youre waking up, but your brain wakes up, so its now in a light sleep. We see people who are waking up 100 times a night. Whos at risk: People who breathe through their mouths or have chronic congestion, such as from asthma or allergies. If you sleep more poorly on your back, this can be a sign of UARS, because when you sleep on your back your tongue is more likely to sink back and block the entrance to your throat. If you have a narrow face, a thin neck, or had extensive orthodontic work to correct a crowded jaw, youre likely to be at particular risk for UARS, says Park. What to do: Start with some self-tests. Try using pillows to keep yourself on your side, or put a tennis ball in the back pocket of pajama bottoms, so you cant sleep on your back. If your nose often feels stuffed up, you might find relief with breathing strips, available at the drugstore. Another option is to try is a device designed to hold the nostrils open; brand names include Nozovent and Breathe with Eez. A saline nasal spray works for many people. If you have congestion due to seasonal allergies, try an antihistamine. (But if you take one that can act as a stimulant, such as Claritin or Sudafed, dont take it too close to bedtime. ) If none of these help, ask your doctor to refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, who can evaluate whether youre a candidate for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), a nasal mask that delivers air directly through your airways. An ENT can also determine whether tongue position is causing your UARS, in which case a dental device that pushes the jaw and tongue forward can help. For many people, losing a few pounds can be the ticket to better sleep, since excess weight is linked to all kinds of breathing problems, including UARS, snoring, and sleep apnea. 4. Medications How they disrupt sleep: Medications sometimes have side effects that trigger sleeplessness or interfere with deep sleep. Most common culprits: asthma medications, corticosteroids, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants. Also, many ingredients in common medications act as stimulants. They may cause jitteriness during the day and trigger sleeplessness or prevent deep sleep at night. Example: Bronchodilators like albuterol and salmeterol, commonly used to treat asthma, bronchitis, and COPD, can amp you up and interfere with sleep, yet patients are often directed to use them at the end of the day. Other common medications that can interfere with sleep include SSRIs, such as Prozac and Paxil, and beta-blockers taken for high blood pressure and heart disease. Sometimes medications sabotage your sleep indirectly. Diuretics, for example, can interfere with sleep by causing you to use the bathroom at night. Tagamet (generic name cimetidine), taken to control reflux and ulcers, can cause sleeplessness, especially when combined with caffeine or other medications. Like many side effects, sleeplessness from medications can affect some people but not others; Propecia, used to treat hair loss, and the antihistamine loratadine (brand name Claritin) are both known to cause sleeplessness in a percentage of those who take them. Some people react to opioid pain medications with rebound sleeplessness, feeling sleepy at first but then waking up and being unable to get back to sleep. The evidence: Although every medication is tested for side effects during the FDA approval process, in many cases evidence of side effects mounts over time as a drug enters more widespread use. Albuterol has been widely reported to cause restlessness, nervousness, and sleeplessness. An article in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology also found that beta-blockers interfere with melatonin release. Recent studies have found that Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, and other SSRIs affect sleep in a significant number of patients. If youre using an antidepressant, be sure to talk to your psychiatrist about any possible sleep problems and ask about alternative antidepressants if this is an issue. Whos at risk: Those taking regular medication for a chronic condition such as asthma, depression, high blood pressure, or pain. A medication that you take once is less likely to cause an ongoing sleep issue because you take it for a short period of time and are more likely to notice the side effect. When you have a chronic condition, youre more likely to attribute any sleep problems to the condition rather than the treatment. What to do: Any time youre prescribed a new medication, ask the doctor to discuss in detail all side effects you should be alert to. Its always a good idea to ask both the doctor and the pharmacist, How will this medication affect my sleep? Because some medications cause sleepiness, some interfere with sleep, and some do both, asking the question in an open-ended way will get you the most information. 5. Depression How it disrupts sleep: Fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms of depression, yet many people dont realize how closely related depression and poor sleep can be. Depression wreaks havoc with your natural biological rhythms; many people with depression have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, and they oversleep or get fatigued and nap during the day. Yet their sleep is fitful and of poor quality, so despite spending more hours ostensibly sleeping or trying to sleep, they dont feel well rested. Then at night, depression sufferers often have trouble maintaining a regular bedtime routine. Having slept late in the morning or napped late in the day, they may not feel sleepy. Anxiety, which often accompanies depression, may cause excessive late-night worry that contributes to sleeplessness. The evidence: Because the relationship between depression and insomnia is a chicken-and-egg cycle, experts have studied it from both directions. Psychological studies have found that a high proportion of those with depression suffer from either sleeplessness or disrupted sleep, and a recent study by the University of Maryland found that 40 to 60 percent of people

The Nature of Reconstruction in African American History Essay

The Nature of Reconstruction in African American History - Essay Example   African Americans participated in huge numbers in the war as soldiers either enslaved by the confederate rulers or as loyalists to the Northern states due to their denouncement of slavery. The northern states, known as the Union, won the war in 1865 with the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at McLean House Virginia. With the victory of North, and their policy of emancipation was universally implemented in the entire country. This along with other political and social measures taken in the aftermath of the civil war for reconstruction of the war struck areas and to ensure the integration of freedmen in the society are collectively referred to as reconstruction. As mentioned earlier, the reconstruction refers to the steps taken by the federal government to counter the effects of Civil War, specifically on the former Confederate States and on the freedmen. There were various objectives of the reconstruction initiated by the then President Abraham Lincoln and the Republ ican Congress in 1863. An administrative and political structure had to be re-established in the southern states which lost the war. Moreover, their incorporation in the Union itself, and the congress was also to be carried out in the long term. Moreover, even after the war ended, there was a huge following of the ex-Confederate leaders in the nationalist white men of the southern states (Horton, 2005). The status of the Confederate leadership had to be decided in order to avoid any conflict or chaos. Another, rather more serious, issue was to decide the social, economic and political rights of the freedmen under the constitution. Most important of them was the question that whether or not the freedmen should be given the right to vote. Hence, the reconstruction can be thought of as political, social, economic, legal and administrative restructuring of the southern states by the President and the Congress. There were two different approaches followed by the Union politicians during the Reconstruction era. The office of the president, under Abraham Lincoln, and after his death by Andrew Johnson, resorted mostly to administrative measures to avoid conflict, and contain the chaos caused by southern nationalists over the above-mentioned issues. The policy of both presidents was very lenient towards the southern states and ex-Confederate politicians. They wanted the Reunion of Southern States with the federal government as early as possible. Starting from 1862, military governors were appointed in ten out of eleven states which exercised administrative and legal powers. At that time, it was decided that these governors would give way to a political set up when at least ten percent of the white men in a state vowed allegiance to the Union and also accept the declaration of emancipation (the Ten Percent Plan). The states were then allowed to elect their own governor and legislative assembly and write a new constitution embodying concepts of emancipation and federatio n. These measures proved to be very effective in the immediate control of the riots, which had broken in the southern states.

Food Retail Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Food Retail - Assignment Example Given the trend toward globalization and international expansion of markets, modern retailers are faced with increasing competition as well as the need to expand their products and services to appeal to broader market segments. This process is requiring retail grocers to identify and target specific ethnic market segments. In the same way that US retailers have successfully targeted Hispanic consumers, international retail grocery companies such as Tesco must focus on diversifying their product line and successfully marketing to significant segments such as the Muslim community. According to the company, Tesco is one of the world's leading international food retailers with over 2500 stores worldwide and a commitment to long-term growth (Tesco: At a Glance, 2006: 1). In fact, it has been called the "success story" of British supermarket retailing whose industry leadership has been widely accepted (Kacker & Sternquist, 1994: 202). This places the organization at the forefront of market development because its broad reach locates it's outlets in many different markets with an extremely diverse customer base. In those areas which have high concentrations of devout Muslims, this means offering a product line that comports with the strict dietary laws known as Halal. There is no doubt about the fact that the Muslim community has significant economic power; in France, it is estimated that if the 60 million Muslims who reside there would consume and purchase only Halal meat, the product could account for 10% to 15% of the French national meat market (Kutschera, 199 6: 40). Given Tesco's stated corporate responsibility policy, which notes the organization's intent to appeal to customers across many social and economic ranges as well as use their size and success as a force for good in playing an important role in local communities, Tesco has given itself no choice but to develop products that will appeal to this constituency (Tesco: Corporate Responsibility, 2005: 1). The concept of Halal, which means "acceptable," is to the Muslim community what Kosher is to the Jewish community. It is a set of dietary laws which prescribe the manner in which foods are processed prior to being consumed, and there is increasing Muslim demand for the provision of these products (Haddad & Lummis, 1987: 20). In fact, making acceptable food available to devout Muslims is so important that many European countries are now including it as part of the food services available in public institutions such as schools and hospitals; and if they cannot find it elsewhere, many Muslims will purchase their meat from Jewish shops because of

How to Identify a Target Market Essay Example for Free

How to Identify a Target Market Essay In this part of my P2 course work, I have been asked to identify the target market by preparing an information pack about the target market, for my potential investors and also make a good question for my business survey. Market Research Market Research is a systematic, objective collection and analysis of data about a particular target market, competition, and/or environment. It always incorporates some form of data collection whether it is secondary research (often referred to as desk research) or primary research which is collected direct from a respondent. Purpose of Market Research The purpose of any market research project is to achieve an increased understanding of the subject matter. With markets throughout the world becoming increasingly more competitive, market research is now on the agenda of many organisations, whether they are large or small. Market research is also one of the most important pieces to your marketing plan that will determine how you will speak with these customers, where to find them, how to best convert them into your customer and retain them as a customer. There are two types of market research 1. Primary research / Field 2. Secondary research / Desk Primary Research When marketers conduct research to collect original data for their own needs it is called primary research. This process has the marketer or someone working for the marketer designing and then carrying out a research plan. Primary research is also collected in a research â€Å"instrument† designed to record information for later analysis. Marketing researchers use many types of instruments from basic methods that record participant responses to highly advanced electronic measurement where research participants are connected to sophisticated equipment. Primary research also refers to information that is directly collected from the source. Another simple method of primary research would be to directly talk to your customers and get their feedback. Primary research can be both qualitative and quantitative. Method of primary research Questionnaire – Questionnaires are one the main tools in the use of field research. A questionnaire contains a series of questions which gather primary marketing research data for the business. A face-to-face questionnaire might include different questions to an emailed questionnaire. An interviewer will be filling in a face-to-face qu estionnaire and the person may be able to ask for the question to be rephrased if they do not understand it the first time. Online surveys- Increasingly popular and relatively low cost, online surveys are widely used by small businesses as a way of capturing the views of existing and potential customers. Face-to-face surveys Personal interviews conducted face-to-face is a costly, but good way to get detailed insights from an individual. Secondary Research Secondary research is a data that already exists and has been collected by someone else for another purpose. Secondary research involves the investigation of secondary sources of data. Sources of secondary data can come from within the firm itself – this is known as internal secondary data. External secondary data, on the other hand, is data that has been published by other organisations. Methods of secondary research Secondary Sources include journal articles, books, encyclopaedias, dictionaries, reviews, newspaper articles, specific essays, etc. Most research papers are based on secondary sources as they build on the research or studies others have done. Its usually published in pamphlets, newsletters, trade publications, magazines, and newspapers. Secondary sources include the following: * Public sources. These are usually free, often offer a lot of good information, and include government departments, business departments of public libraries, and so on. * Commercial sources. These are valuable, but usually involve cost factors such as subscription and association fees. Commercial sources include research and trade associations, such as Dun Bradstreet and Robert Morris Associates, banks and other financial institutions, and publicly traded corporations. * Educational institutions. These are frequently overlooked as valuable information sources even though more research is conducted in  colleges, universities, and technical institutes than virtually any sector of the business community. My name is Mba Nduka Amogu. I am a Business studies student at Whitefield. I would like to take a few minutes of your time by completing my questionnaire for my business studies course work about my business survey. 1. Are you male or female? Male Female 2. Which age range are you? Under 20 21-30 31-40 40-above 3. Do you live within this area? Yes No 4. Would you like to visit our fruit shops if provided? Yes No 5. If our new shops were available today, how likely would you be to visit instead of visiting other fruits shops currently available from other companies? Very Likely Moderately Likely Slightly Likely Not at all likely 6. If you are not likely to visit our shop why not? Do not like our services Satisfied with other competing fruits shops currently available Cannot pay for our services and products Not willing to pay or shop with us 7. How important is it convenient to you, when choosing our products? Extremely important Very important Moderately important Slightly important Not at all important 8. Overall are you satisfied with your experience, shopping with us? Extremely satisfied Moderately satisfied Slightly satisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied Slightly dissatisfied Moderately dissatisfied Extremely dissatisfied 9. If our new products were available today, how likely would you be to recommend it to other? Extremely Likely Very Likely Moderately Likely Slightly Likely Not at all likely 10. If our new service were available today, how likely would you be to use it instead of competing service currently available from other companies? Extremely Likely Very Likely Moderately Likely Slightly Likely Not at all likely 11. If you are not likely to use our new service, why not? Do not need a service like this Do not want a service like this Satisfied with competing service currently available Cannot pay for a service like this Not willing to pay for a service like this 12. How important is it convenient for you, when choosing a service this type of service? Extremely important Very important Moderately important Slightly important Not at all important 13. Overall are you satisfied with your experience using our new service? Moderately satisfied Slightly satisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied Slightly dissatisfied Moderately dissatisfied Extremely dissatisfied 14. If our new service were available today, how likely would you be to recommend it to others? Extremely likely Very likely Moderately likely Slightly likely Not at all likely 15. How often will you visit my shop if available, having different variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for sell? Daily Weekly Monthly Quarterly In My questionnaire I interviewed a total of 20 people. Below displays the results of each question individually. 1. Are you male or female? * Male8 * Female12 2. Which age range are you? * Under 2010 * 21-305 * 31-403 * 40-above2 3. Do you live within this area? * Yes16 * No4 4. Would you like to visit my fruit shops if provided? * Yes12 * No8 5. If my new shop were available today, how likely would you be to visit instead of visiting other fruits shops currently available from other companies? * Very Likely6 * Moderately Likely5 * Slightly Likely4 * Not at all likely5 6. If you are not likely to visit my shop why not? * Do not like my services7 * Satisfied with other fruits shops currently available3 * Cannot pay for my services and products5 * Not willing to pay or shop with us6 7. How important is it convenient to you, when choosing my products? * Extremely important7 * Very important4 * Moderately important5 * Slightly important3 * Not at all important1 8. Overall are you satisfied with your experience, shopping with me? * Extremely satisfied9 * Moderately satisfied4 * Slightly satisfied3 * Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied0 * Slightly dissatisfied3 * Moderately dissatisfied1 * Extremely dissatisfied0 9. If my new products were available today, how likely would you be to recommend it to other? * Extremely Likely4 * Very Likely6 * Moderately Likely3 * Slightly Likely4 * Not at all likely4 10. If my new service were available today, how likely would you be to use it instead of competing service currently available from other companies? * Extremely Likely5 * Very Likely3 * Moderately Likely2 * Slightly Likely 7 * Not at all likely3 11. If you are not likely to use my new service, why not? * Do not need a service like this10 * Do not want a service like this 1 * Satisfied with competing service currently available 0 * Cannot pay for a service like this 2 * Not willing to pay for a service like this7 12. How important is it convenient for you, when choosing a service this type of service? * Extremely important13 * Very important3 * Moderately important2 * Slightly important1 * Not at all important1 13. Overall are you satisfied with your experience using my new service? * Moderately satisfied15 * Slightly satisfied0 * Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied1 * Slightly dissatisfied2 * Moderately dissatisfied1 * Extremely dissatisfied1 14. If my new service were available today, how likely would you be to recommend it to others? * Extremely likely10 * Very likely3 * Moderately likely2 * Slightly likely2 * Not at all likely3 15. How often will you visit my shop if available, having different variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for sell? * Daily15 * Weekly1 * Monthly2 * Quarterly3 1. The Gender of the people interviewed for my business surveys This pie chart shows the gender of people I interviewed for my business survey, which shows that 40 percent of them are male and 60 percent of them are female. 2. The age range for the people I interviewed for my business survey. This pie chart shows the age range for the people I interviewed for my business survey, which shows that 50 percent of the people I interviewed are under 20, 10 percent of them are 40 above, 15 percent of them are between 31 – 40 and 25 percent of them are between 21-30. 3. This is people that live and doesn’t live in that area but were interviewed by me for my business survey. This pie chart shows the people that live and doesn’t live in that area but they were still interviewed by me because of my business survey, which shows that 20 percent of the people I interviewed don’t live in this area and 60 percent of them live in this area. 4. Would you like to visit my fruits shops if provided? This pie chart show the amount of people who are willing to make a visit to my shops when they are provided and also people who are not willing to make a visit to my shop, which shows that 40 percent of the people I interviewed are not willing to visit my shop and 60 percent of them are willing to visit my shop. 5. If my new shop were available today, how likely would you be to visit instead of visiting other fruits shops currently available from other companies? This pie chart shows the range of people who are willing to make themselves regular customers to my shop and also visit my shop regularly, which shows that 30 percent of the people I interviewed are very likely to visit my shop, 25 percent of them are moderately likely, 20 percent of them are slightly likely and 25 percent of them are not likely at all to visit my shop. 6. If you are not likely to visit my shop why not? This pie chart shows the reasons about people who are not likely to visit my shop and why they are not likely to visit my shop, which shows that 33 percent of the people I interviewed do not like our service, 14 percent of them are just satisfied with other fruits shops currently available, 24 percent of them cannot pay for our service and products and 29 percent are not willing to pay or shop with us. 7. How important is it convenient to you, when choosing my products This pie chart show how important it is convenient for people when choosing my product, which shows that 35 percent of the people I interviewed said that my product are extremely important to them, 20 percent said it is very important to them, 25 percent said it is moderately important to them, 15 percent said it is slightly important to them and 5 percent said it is not important to them at all. 8. Overall are you satisfied with your  experience, shopping with me? This pie chart shows the overall rate of people who satisfied or dissatisfied with shopping with me, which shows that 45 percent of the people I interviewed are Extremely satisfied with shopping us, 20 percent of them are moderately satisfied, 20 percent are of them are moderately satisfied, 15 percent of them are slightly satisfied 0 percent of them are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, 15percent of them are slightly dissatisfied, 5 percent of them are moderately dissatisfied and 0 percent are extremely dissatisfied. 9. If my new product were available today, how likely would you be to recommend it to others? This pie chart shows the people who are likely to recommend my product to others if it was available, which shows that 19 percent of the people I interviewed are extremely likely to recommend my products to others, 29 percent of them are very likely, 14 percent of them are moderately likely, 19 percent of them are slightly likely and 19 percent of them are not likely at all to recommend my product to others. 10. If my new service were available today, how likely would you be to use it instead of competing service currently available from other companies? This pie chart shows the people who are happy and likely to use my services, which shows that 25 percent of the people I interviewed are extremely likely to use my services instead of competing services from other companies, 15 percent of them are very likely to use my service, 10 percent of them are moderately likely to use my service, 35 percent of them are slightly likely to use my service and 15 percent of them are not likely at all to service my service provided. 11. If you are not likely to use my new service, why not? This pie chart shows people, who are not likely to use my service and why  they are not likely to use it. It shows that 50 percent of the people I interviewed do not need a service like this, 5 percent of them don’t want a service like this, 0 percent of them are satisfied with competing service currently available, 10 percent of them cannot pay for a service like this and 35 percent of them are not willing to pay for a service like this. 12. How important is it convenient for you, when choosing a service this type of service? This pie chart shows how important it is convenient for people when choosing this type of service, which shows that 65 percent of the people I interviewed, said that my service is extremely important to them, 15 percent of them said it very important, 10 percent of the said it is moderately important, 5 percent of them said it is slightly important, and 5 percent of them said that my service is not important to them at all. 13. Overall are you satisfied with your experience using my new service? This pie chart shows the overall rate of people who are satisfied or dissatisfied with my service, which shows that 75 percent of the people I interviewed are moderately satisfied with my service, 0 percent of them are slightly satisfied, 5 percent of them are slightly satisfied nor dissatisfied, 10 percent of them are slightly dissatisfied, 5 percent of them are moderately dissatisfied, and 5 percent of them are extremely dissatisfied with my service. 14. If my new service were available today, how likely would you be to recommend it to others? This pie chart shows the people who are likely to recommend my new service to others if it was available, which shows that 50 percent of the people I interviewed are extremely likely to recommend my new service to others, 15 percent of them are very likely, 10 percent of them are moderately likely, 10 percent of them are slightly likely, and15 percent of them are not likely at all to recommend my new service to others if available. 15. How often will you visit my shop if available, having different variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for sell? This pie chart shows the total amount of people who are willing to visit my shop daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly, which shows that 71 percent of the people I interviewed are happy to visit my shop daily, 5 percent of them are happy to visit my shop weekly, 10 percent of them are happy to visit my shop monthly and 14 percent of them are happy to visit my shop quarterly. My Target Market My Market target is for the children, Tourist and adults to be aware of the current advice of five portions of eating different fruits and vegetables a day. Because fewer of us know that five portion should come from a variety of sources every day, so that they gain the maximum benefit from fruit, eat it fresh and if the skins are edible, eat them too and also help people balance their vegetable intake between the orange/red and green varieties. Conclusion In this part of my P2 Coursework, I have identified my target market by doing a market research for my business and preparing a questionnaire for my business survey to get people reactions towards my business.

The Blue Jean as Cultural Metaophor :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Blue Jean as Cultural Metaophor It may seem odd to consider items of clothing critical components of ‘popular culture’. Contemporary clothing is a key element in the construction of personal identity; it is used to denote an individual ‘style’ and a personality unique to its wearer. Yet from the corset to miniskirt, such items serve not only as practical coverings, but also as indicators for the current values and belief systems of a society. Thus I wish to examine what has become a most popular article of clothing – the ‘blue jean’1 [1] - in an attempt to unearth some of the socio-cultural phenomenon that is ‘popular culture’. According to Raymond Williams’ definition, the ‘blue jean’ qualifies as an object of popular culture due to its (a) wide-spread accessibility, (b) popularity, and (c) construction as an object intended to be popular.2 [2] But perhaps the ‘blue jean’ is not only a product, a piece of commercialism. I assert, rather, that this cultural icon has become a gauge of changing interpretations of masculinity in mainstream American culture. The ‘blue jean’, symbolically, is the white, middle-class, ‘All-American’ man. I would like to examine what, specifically, makes the ‘blue jean’ stereotypically ‘masculine’. Historically, fashion has upheld socially constructed notions of gender: the corset, for example, helped contain a woman’s ‘uncontrollable’ body, while the suspender maintained coverage of a man’s ‘unmentionables’. Similarly, from its design as a durable work pant for working men and laborers (farmers, railroad men, gold and coal miners, etc.), 3[3] the blue jean is closely associated with a muscular, super-virile ‘He-Man’.4 [4] First made wildly popular by the Western films of the 1930s, jeans became identified as a standard item of apparel worn by the ‘cowboy’.5 [5] Even mainstream advertising for these durable denim pants featured ‘manly’ rangers, taming their horses and lassoing the competition (image 1a). The concept of a heroic, blue-jeaned ‘Lone-Ranger’-esque cowboy seems to have remained in popular American psyche, as it is nostalgically associated with a notion of ‘old-fashioned’, well-mannered, moral man (image 1b). Authentic cowboys wearing Levi’s at this time were elevated to mythic status, and the pant was now associated more with a rugged American, symbolized by John Wayne. 6[6] (Wayne, for example, always seemed ‘ready for action’ with a holster comfortably around his jeans [image 1c]).

Chipotle Case Analysis

Chipotle Case Analysis-By Team PYSHEN Strategic Issue: Chipotle plan to find out a correct and effective strategy to continue its sustainable growth and to maintain its profitability by penetrating high market share while competing with its powerful rivals in the fast-casual food industry. External Environment analysis: GENERAL: 1. Demographic: Population size (O): potential increase in US; Age structure: mainly servicing adult between 18-49 years old; Geographic distribution (O): 39 states in the US, 1 in British and 2 in Canada; Ethnic Mix: N/A; Income Distribution: medium or high income (Customers willing to pay the premium). . Economic (T): stagnate, increasing food cost price (demotic 3. 9%, global 37%) and customers’ dwindling budgets. 3. Political (T): ICE shifts its focus; PETA asked to use CAK; definition of healthy food. 4. Sociocultural (T): Higher wage for CIW. 5. Technological: Prevailing Social media (O); Tortilla grill machine (T). 6. Global: Cultural difference s for new stores (T) in international markets. 7. Physical Environment: N/A. INDUSTRY: 1. New entrants (H): Low Barrier, small economies scale, product taste better, and small capital requirements. 2. Suppliers (L): customized food, many local farms. . Buyers (H): low switch costs, sales represent all revenue. 4. Substitute (H), low switch cost, many choices. 5 Rivalry (H), many equally balanced competitors; low storage cost. Internal Environment Analysis: Tangible Resources: Financial (S): High ROI (approx. 10%) and operation cash flow. (V) Capacity to borrow: N/a. Organizational: autonomy in operation, strong incentive. (V). Physical: 22 independent distributers with high qualities. (R), hard to get â€Å"A† location, and higher cost of construct, new stores’ sales are cannibalized by existing ones. W), local supplier and regional distributer, which reduce cost of transportation (V, R, I) Tech: No tortilla grill (W). Intangible resources: Human (S): Restaurateur prog ram to train and reward managers to stay (V, I, R); Internal staff promotions and development (V). Innovation (S): Simple approach to menus with lots of combinations (V, I, R), Menu & Taste (V, R, I, N), Open kitchen design (V, I, R). Reputation (S): Brand name (V, I, R, N); organic, fresh and sustainable ingredients (V, I, R, N); LEED certified restaurants (V, R).Capabilities: relies on strictly chosen suppliers (I). HR: well motivated and empowered (V, I). Marketing (S): effective promotion of brand name (offer free burritos to neighboring; participation in charity fundraiser; setting up event) (V, I, R, N); valuable word-of-mouth from Facebook (V, I). Management information system: N/A. Management (W): simple structure with single office control may reduce the oversight. Manufacturing (S): food productions are reliable with high quality (V, R, I, N). R&D: (N/A).Core competencies: unique menu design, great taste with its sustainable ingredients and quick service visible for custom ers differentiate Chipotle from others. Strictly chosen suppliers help Chipotle meeting its food in integrity goals. Competitor Analysis: Chipotle has bunch of competitors, and Panera is the most powerful one. Both Panera and Chipotle strive to provide quality food with fast service, focus on building their brand image and establish loyal customer relationship to drive repeat sales, and are unwilling to finance themselves by credit (no long-term debt).However, Panera heavily relies on franchise to expand its market, and develops catering business to promote its sales in future, which parts Chipotle doesn’t involve. In fast-casual food market, Panera is a very strong competitor. Business level strategy: differentiation by offering sustainable ingredient and better taste as well as satisfied fast service. Alternatives: 1. Globalization by franchise: Chipotle only has three foreign stores, which located only in Anglo-Saxon countries.However, enlarging its foreign market is a lon g-term task, and is required more financial support. In current status, Chipotle has faced supplier shortage problem. Therefore building local suppliers is becoming more critical issue and need great efforts, and whether this activity can guarantee enough supplies, which meet Chipotle’s strict standards, is still in doubt. A better way is to franchise in international markets because local managers will more familiar with the needs of local customers. Another reason is that Chipotle is reluctant to finance by debt.Through franchising in foreign markets, Chipotle may gather positive cash flows to fund company owned restaurants in U. S. , and avoid large uncertain expense, cultural shock as well as political risks that may be incurred in foreign markets. 2. Exploiting its suppliers: A possible way to penetrate more market share is to exploit and streamline its suppliers. The case shows that the company developed its suppliers by restrict quality, price and protocol standards. S ome supplies shortages have been happened and some restaurants cannot operate smoothly without key ingredients.Chipotle did a good job in its downstream business, which is to provide a qualified food and services; however, it upstream still needs to be well exploited efficiently to meet the huge needs of customers. Two feasible ways may not only lower the food cost but also overcome the shortage. One is developing more qualified suppliers in foreign markets. Although, the requirement of suppliers is hard to meet, Chipotle could corporate with local governments to acquire standardized supplies (successful example is KFC in China). The tariff and freight may be offset by lower labor cost.The other way is to tap into more potential suppliers, with an enlarged supply chains, the company may enjoy a lower cost by economic scale effect. Recommendation: Comparing with the above alternatives, we recommend Chipotle to adopt the second one. The relationship with suppliers is considered as one of its capabilities, and thus, adopting the second method may involve less risky. If the company implements it appropriately, an efficient and effect supply chain could also become its core competency, reduce its cost of goods sold and achieve expected SSS growth.