Internal Analysis and SWOT Analysis slp 03 Essay

Internal Analysis and SWOT Analysis slp 03 - Essay Example The chapter provides the basics of the topic and is simple to read and understand. The chapter also provides a clear understanding and provides a seep insight into the topic. The references for the Steps 2 and 3 have been taken from the website of LOWE Home Improvements. The website is one of the most reliable sources of information for the company and to gain the all financial figures. Also a research that was conducted by one in January 2008 has also been used as it provides a deep analysis of the company and also provides all essential information and details about the company. The benefits of using these references are that they provide reliable and accurate information along with being recent. The references are also easily accessible and the details provided are easy to understand and are apt as they are focused for the investors. Bharatbooks, 2008, ‘Premium Company Profile: Lowes Companies, Inc.’, Accessed on 29th November 2009, Retrieved from http://www.bharatbook.com/Market-Research-Reports/Premium-Company-Profile-Lowes-Companies-Inc.html Heller, Z., 2009, ‘Home Depot vs. Lowe’s: Where is the  Difference?’, 6th July 2009, Accessed on 29th November 2009, Retrieved from

State Research Elements that Influence State Government Essay

State Research Elements that Influence State Government - Essay Example Members are encouraged to vote for these state and local leaders presented by the union. Another way they seek to influence state government is through their Political Action Committee called Political Action Committee for Education (PACE). Pace contributions are given separately from union dues. This money is used for lobbying and election contributions. PSEA spent nearly $1,000,000 on lobbying salaries and efforts for FY 2006-2007. Democratic candidates are the main recipients of PSEA member and PACE contributions. Many of these candidates favor increased funding for public schools, blocking voucher programs that would send public money to private schools and merit pay for teachers. These initiatives have been identified as some of the most troubling issues for teachers and PSEA members in Pennsylvania. Traditionally, Democratic candidates have been able to count on PSEA as an ally in most elections in districts where education is an issue. Republicans in Pennsylvania have usually been in opposition to PSEA in every way. The whole concept of unionized public sector employees upsets many Republicans. They often point out the fact that some school districts require all members to pay a portion of dues even if they do not join the PSEA. These sorts of ideological and structural differences between the PSEA and Republican Party have traditionally kept them on opposite sides of legislation that seeks to weaken unions or change rules. The effects of the PSEA on state elections is debatable, especially in a weak economy. Pennsylvania has experienced a record number of teacher furloughs since the economic downturn began in 2008. The localized structure of public education in Pennsylvania weakens the effectiveness of PSEA at the state level as well. Pennsylvania is divided into 501 independent local school districts. Each one of these districts has a school board that oversees local expenses and

Cinnamon Chex Retailing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cinnamon Chex Retailing - Research Paper Example Manufactures, warehouses, and transporters maintain a timely delivery of products to their consumers. This paper explore the Cinnamon Chex; a food product popular in United States. It will endeavor to trace the production of Cinnamon Chex, its natural ingredients, and added ingredients. The paper further seeks to discuss supply chain, processing, delivery, and SWOT analysis. Finally, it will give the relevant recommendations about the product to consumers. Cinnamon Chex is a product taken as breakfast by many people. This food appears in a cereal meal that is highly nutritious (Crocker 49).Cinnamon Chex contains plant nutrients, mineral salts, and fiber. It is a whole grain meal. Cinnamon consumers have little information about its natural source. Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of several trees. These trees belong to genus cinnamonium that has a wide range of use in savory and sweet foods (131). The trees grow naturally in South East Asia, such as Bangladesh, and Sumatra. Cinnamo n cultivation takes two years to mature. After full maturity, drying of branches takes place subsequent removal of the rough, wooden outer barks through a scrapping process (58). Drying of Inner barks takes four hours in an ideal dry, warm environment. Use of wet surfaces promotes growth of pests. This form of agriculture is an export oriented. Exportation of cinnamon promotes foreign exchange, which creates trade links amongst nations. Cinnamon is a spice that enhances marketability of the products that utilize it in their preparation (121). To make it appealing to the consumer to buy this product, incorporation of various products is desirable. Some of these products include salted whole almonds, brown sugar, chopped dry apples, and vanilla yogurt-covered raisins. The major nutrients in Cinnamon Chex include proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fibers, and mineral salts. To prepare a sixteen -serving Cinnamon Chex, the recipe contains, one cup chopped apple, and two tablespoons ligh t corn syrup. It also has half a cup of vanilla yogurt covered-resins, one table spoon of ground cinnamon, a third cup of packed brown sugar, and five cups of wheat Chex. Margarine is also part of ingredients in a quarter -cup portion (243). Timely manufacturing and delivery of Cinnamon Chex is essential. Manufactures should observe safety issues. All practices involved in the processing must be in accordance with Food and Drug Act. Ignorance to maintain high health standards means endangering lives of consumers. It also risks the Cinnamon Chex sales because of the probability of closure of the manufacturing companies (79). Food and Drug Act has mandate to issue orders for immediate termination of services for the manufacturing company that violates Food and Drug Act. Traceability of Cinnamon Chex is an essential tool in a business venture. This tool ensures proper management of inputs and outputs, which results into major improvements in terms of quality and efficiency. A mechanism such as external auditing and advice on safety plays a big role to stabilize depreciating quality of Cinnamon Chex product. Cinnamon Chex retailers employ a standardized system of traceability. This enables an easy trace back of recent sales through immediate buyers. Traceability helps to restore of company’s reputation. However, it is not always perfect in food. Cinnamon Chex retailers are no exception. SWOT analysis endeavors to evaluate Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and

Concepts and Problems in Macroeconomics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Concepts and Problems in Macroeconomics - Essay Example Japan is a consumer society where consumer spending fuels the economy. Analyzing the relationship between consumer confidence, GDP, and unemployment can give some insight into how closely perceptions are aligned with reality. Figure 1 indicates the relationship between the GDP and confidence levels. Both employment confidence and consumer confidence are closely related. However, the Figure 1 (Data from Worsley 2007) confidence levels trail the change in GDP by 12 months. The GDP bottomed out in 2002, but confidence did not hit a minimum until 2003. Likewise, the decline in 2005 did not impact confidence levels until the middle of 2006 when employment confidence fell and consumer confidence flattened out. Figure 2 shows the relationship between relationship between GDP and real unemployment. The steep rise in GDP between 2002- 2004 precipitated a Figure 2 (Data from Japan: Unemployment rate 2007) steady decline in the real unemployment rate beginning in 2003 and continuing through 2006. The Japanese public is keenly aware of the unemployment rate and is reflected in their spending confidence. The public's real measure of economic health is employment and trails the change in GDP by 12-24 months. Predicting consumer confid... By monitoring the GDP, Japan can expect the unemployment rate to follow the same trend in a period of 12-24 months later. Confidence levels, both consumer and employment, will track the unemployment rate directly. Investors can take advantage of this situation by preparing for an upturn in spending 12-24 months after the GDP begins to move upward. GDP 1. 1. Calculate real GDP for 2005 and 2006 using 2005 prices. By what percent did real GDP grow 2005 GDP = (90*18) + (180*100) = 1620 + 18000 = $19,620 2006 GDP @ 2005 prices = (100 *18) + (190*100) = 1800+19000 = $20,800 GDP Growth = (20,800 - 19620) / 19620 = .0601 = 6.01% 2. Calculate the value of the price index for GDP for 2006 using 2005 as the base year. By what percent did prices increase (90*20) + (180*110) = 1800 + 19800 = $21,600 PI = (21600 - 19620) / 19620 = 1980 / 19620 = .1009 = 10.09% 3. Now calculate real GDP for 2005 and 2006 using 2006 prices. By what percent did real GDP grow GDP 2005 @ 2006 prices = $21,600 GDP 2006 = (100*20)+(190*110) = 2000+20900= 22,900 Growth = (22900 - 21600) / 21600 = 1300/21600 = .0601 = 6.01% 4. Review the GDP information for the past few years from the Bureau of Economic Analysis's Website. Provide a brief summary of the GDP trends over that timeframe and discuss two or three events which may have caused these trends. GDP has generally steadily risen in recent history. It stagnated in the early 70s due the oil embargo. Since Q2 in 2001, the GDP has risen every quarter except Q3 in 2001. This was probably a result of 9/11. The GDP had recovered by Q1 of 2002 and has had steady growth through this period of deficit spending. Hong Kong and