Friday, May 17, 2019
Coe Case Stydy Essay
The Coes company has been in business since the 1950s when the founder Terry Windham invested $600 in 32 chairs to rent out to auction houses. From there on, the business opened into party equipment and sickroom gear. The founder elevate shifted the business into household goods and residential furniture in the 1970s. The company has since been growing. Stan Windham, Terrys son who without delay is the CEO of Coes, recently opened its 1000th store in South Tucson and the company is taking everywhere $2 billion a year in revenues.Unlike their competitors, Coes has had an advantage in the merchandise by always emphasizing ownership and offering monthly payments schedules with shorter geld periods. They trained their managers to only clear lease agreements for people who they were sure they could afford the payments.Also, one of their strengths was to be able to identify and target the customers who neer before were interested in renting-to-own but due to the state that the econ omy was in, they were afraid to commit to high-ticket(prenominal) items and instead decided to rent-to-own. They also attracted customers by offering free delivery and free repairs with an option to consequence the item if customer was non able to make payments but when their financial situation improved they could suck in the contract with no penalties. A weakness of Coes I would say would be that the company did not diversify their risk and solely built growth strategy only in the U.S.Except for Mr. Rental, Coes dos not have any other direct competitors in South Tucson. Yes, Wal-Mart is there as well but neither Mr. Rental nor Wal-Mart are the same as Coes. To distinguish itself from Mr. Rental, Coes offers shorter contract periods, free delivery and free repairs and Wal-Mart is not a rent-to-own company.However, there are other external factors to be considered and those being both opportunities and threats. Coes has been considering entering into the Mexican market, which th ey believe would be a good strategic move for the company and help them diversify their portfolio.Taking into consideration the low transportation, labor and real dry land costs, Mexico would be an inexpensive place to open a new Coes store. Of course where opportunities exist, threats exist also. With mussiness of growthopportunities in the U.S., an elaboration to Mexico would add complications and risks to the company.The company had experienced this first hand when they tried to expand to Puerto Rico and due to shrinkage and not being able to find the right personnel that did not go to well. On top of everything, the consumer protection advocates are attacking the rent-to-own companies by claiming that the prices of the products are 60% to 90% higher than those of traditional retailers. While every investor is aiming towards growth, they also want to play it safe.Coes has been considering going supranational and building a growth strategy in other parts of the world for a whil e. By comparing the strengths and weaknesses, the company is holding a strong competitive position and it can continue to do business at its current pace. I also believe that they should expand their business in Mexico.An expansion to Mexico would offer a great potential. An in-depth market research will help analyze the patterns and habits of costumers. Doing business in Mexico will not only help the company grow but it will also avail the U.S. economy. Ever since NAFTA took effect, both large and small American companies have expanded in Mexico. A field of locations in Southern USA have developed rapidly to keep up with the heavy address between US and Mexico offering new jobs to U.S. Citizens and boosting the U.S. economy.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Environmental Impacts of the Global Increase in Demand for Oil Essay
To what extent atomic number 18 the environmental impacts of the spheric increase in lead for rock crude acceptable? 15 marks aft(prenominal) the industrial revolution, the film for anoint has been increasing globally. Over 100 one thousand thousand tonnes of rock crude be transported around the world on average a day. in that location are countries ilk the US which consume al virtually one quarter of global crude anele output, which must be supplied from oil reserves, usually from countries like Saudi Arabia (Guinness, 2011, p. 245). This shows that the topic of oil consumption is a global issue as all countries need oil to develop and provide for their existences. The issue with this large consumption of oil is the item that oil is a non-renewable citation of null and therefore has a limit. Oil is formed from the remains of cold plants and animals in underground rock which is found in marine areas and therefore requires technology much(prenominal) as pipeli nes and drilling machines to extract the oil.The implications of this has caused serious environmental consequences which interrogative moods whether extracting oil to supply the demands of the worlds population should be permitted when the environment has to pay the cost, fonts being oil leaks into the ocean and the make of that. With a growing global population, energy companies are trying to find sources of energy and are therefore trying to construct pathways and routes to constantly ladder peoples needs and demands. This has lead to companies searching and drilling for oil in fragile environments, such as the Alaska pipeline which crosses 3 mountain ranges.The reason why companies are looking into areas full of permafrost is because global warming is causing the ice in the Arctic Circle to melt and oil rich sea beads are now being uncovered. The implementation of the Alaska pipeline has not caused any major(ip) environmental problems as many obstacles had been avoided when constructing this project, such as raising the pipeline on stilts so that that the heated oil would not cause the ice to melt. However, the Exxon Valdez oil spatter in Alaska, which occurred in 1989 did take place and excuse regards the environment, animal species and humans to this day. The oil tanker named Exxon Valdez was carrying 1.2 million barrels of oil when it ran aground on Bligh take down in Prince William Sound, give outing 240 000 barrels.The oil slick eventually covered 25 000 km2 coastal and off-shore irrigates and 1700km of coastline (RGS Worcester, n.d., para. 2). A major oil spill like this has solvinged in devastating environmental impacts, which has caused social and economical impacts as well. The clean-up process, which include burning the oil (relatively effective as it reduced 113,400 liters of oil to 1,134 liters of removable residue), spraying chemicals on the oil which reached the shoreline and mechanical cleanup methods, did not eradicate the oil fa st enough as the environmental impacts are still present after 21 years. 10000 people were involved in the clean up and it took 4 summers and cost 2 billion dollars. This large number of people put their jobs on clear and attended to the effects of the oil spill, which could bring in caused a decline in the economy in Alaska (Exxon Valdez oil spill, n.d., para. 5).The biggest impact of the oil spill was on the wildlife. Some 2,000 sea otters, 302 harbor seals and more or less 250,000 seabirds died inside a few days after the oil spill (Graham, 2003, para. 1). A decrease in biodiversity and the ecosystems in Alaska affect the environment signifi supporttly as it disrupts food chains and causes animals like ducks and other marine animals to lose their source of food. The biggest impact, in terms of wildlife, is the herring population and the effect on the herring industry in Alaska. The spill occurred during spawning season that the inlets and bays where herring traditionally laid their eggs were choked with oil. Within four years, the herring population has disappeared. This has affected Alaskans in terms of their jobs and their source of food.Permits to tip herring commercially had been worth hundreds of thousands of dollars before the spill hardly became worthless, leaving many fishermen facing huge amounts of debt. Farmers used to earn 150000 dollars a year but this has dropped to 5000 dollars, showing the extent of the impact of the loss of herring (BBC News, 2010, para. 9). A weaker economy results in economical problems within the area and a variegate in employment structure as children of these fisherman can no longer produce the opportunity to be a herring farmer. Economic problems can withal result in social problems such as domestic violence, alcohol abuse, suicides and divorces, mainly due to massive unemployment.This example shows that the environmental impacts can have their own impacts, which again questions whether the extraction of oil i s worth all these consequences. After 21 years, 20000 gallons of oil still remain on the beaches of Prince William Sound (BBC News, 2010, para. 30). Therefore, the clean up hasnt been real effective. Its also worth pointing out that maybe all the environmental impacts still havent been determined, for example the soil and vegetation could also have been affected by the oil spill as the oil may have seeped through the sand of the beaches. This would affect the growth of vegetation drastically. People beart know enough to predict how long the effects are going to last as they can range from years to centuries. One wonders how long countries can continue to extract and consume oil when they still dont fully know the extent of the environmental effects of oil spills and if their chances of occurring are more likely.The production of oil is also a process which causes a variety of negative effects on the environment. An example is the tar sands oil extraction in Canada the country whi ch supplies the US with the most oil as it doesnt have issues regarding transport, weather and the fact that there are pipeline installed from Canada to the US. There is enough natural gas to heat 3 million homes from the extraction of tar sands oil in Canada. However, it is expensive to extract the oil out of the sands (120 million dollars over the last 12 years have been invested) which has lead to environmental degradation in the form of excess use of water to extract bitumen. The bitumen is then refined and the nephrotoxic sludge (not like conventional oil mainly foul impurities) that is left over after separating oil from impurities is usually dumped in ponds and lakes.In some cases, the toxic ponds are so big that they can be seen from space. The Athabasca River in Canada has a large number of toxic ponds, some being 60 km long in length. These companies, like SUNCOR (Canadian energy company), are dumping around 1.8 billion liters of toxic materials like sludge and impuriti es in these ponds, they will eventually reach water in the delta (Sustainable Guidance, 2011). The effects of these impurities in the water can be devastating to the wildlife. There is a decrease in the number of fish as the sludge clogs up the fishs gills, making it hard for them to breathe.The change in the ecosystem and food chain will also cause a decline in fish as smaller species like plankton may be affected by the impurities. The fish may also be contaminated and migratory birds which eat these fish will suffer and possibly die as they wont eat healthy meat. Moose is another species which are affected by the toxic ponds as their source of food is contaminated and decreasing. This has lead to a number of endangered species. There is a 35 million acres coniferous forest (larger than the Brazilian forest) which is full of endangered species. There have also been cases where environmental issues like toxic ponds are not released to the public as these details have been covered u p by companies like SUNCOR, leaving environmentalists like Green peace in employment with these energy companies.This example has shown the harmful effects of oil production on the environment, which again makes us question whether this is all worth it (Sustainable Guidance, 2011). To a very small extent, the environmental impacts of the global increase in demand for oil are acceptable. It can be said, with great certainty, that oil production and consumption does not return the environment. The environmental consequences may not be frequent but when they do occur, they cause a blasting effect, which takes the environment and the people decades or even longer to recover. These impacts are therefore not acceptable, which is why countries should pass away investing in producing renewable energy such as solar panels and wind turbines.Governments cant suddenly start decreasing the amount of oil they consume as the people are already used to living with a high standard of living. The populations around the world should be educated about the problem and should be encouraged to start relying on renewable sources of energy. However, this raises the problem for developing countries and NICs.It will be extremely difficult to develop without consuming large amounts of oil and will therefore cause the tell of development to decrease. This leaves these types of countries at a disadvantage, which questions whether it is acceptable for all countries to consume a smaller amount of oil when there are countries with different levels of development. Clearly the issue needs to be discussed before any strategies can be implemented.ReferencesBBC News. (2010, July 6). Alaska town slowly heals after 1989 Exxon Valdez spill. Retrieved from http//www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10548872BBC News. (2010, June 17). Examining the legacy of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Retrieved from http//www.bbc.co.uk/news/10324021Exxon Valdez Oil slop (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved February 24, 2013 from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exxon_Valdez_oil_spillGraham, S. (2003, December 19). Environmental effects of Exxon Valdez spill still being felt. Retrieved from http//www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=environmental-effects-ofGuinness, P. (2011). Geography for the IB diploma. Cambridge, United earth Cambridge University Press.RGS Worcester. (n.d.) The Exxon Valdez environmental catastrophe in a fragile environment? Retrieved from https//schoolweb.rgsw.org.uk/resource.aspx?id=52612Sustainable Guidance. (2011, April 27). Tar sands oil extraction the dirty truth. Retrieved from http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkwoRivP17A
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Exploring the need for Department of Homeland Security in USA Essay
Exploring the need for Department of Homeland Security in the States - Essay ExampleThis directorate is responsible to bring the operations of the major border hostage and expat under one command , including office of the domestic preparedness, Us customs service, immigration and naturalization service, federal protective service, federal law enforcement training center and animal and plant health inspection service.This directorate was made responsible to overseeing the preparedness for domestic disaster training and coordinating government response to disasters. This directorate was also responsible to bring the federal emergency management agency, the bailiwick disaster medical trunk and strategic national stockpile under unitary command.This directorate was made responsible to seek and apply all scientific and technological benefits when the need for securing the homeland of USA is felt. The following assets accrued to this directorate include from the Environmental Measu rements Laboratory (Energy), National BW Defense Analysis Center and Plum Island Animal ailment Center of Agriculture.This Directorate is made responsible to analyze intelligence and other relevant information from agencies, including the CIA, FBI, DIA and NSA. That voluminous threats to homeland security. This directorate was to bring together the federal computer incidence response centre, national al-Qaida protection centre, national security and assurance program and critical infrastructure assurance office. Directorate of dark Service and Coast GuardThis directorate had to be located in the headquarters of the department of homeland security and to remain directly reporting to the secretary of the department. The coast guards were responsible to protect the US maritime boundaries. The mysterious Service had to remain intact and its fundamental mission would remain to be the safeguarding the President and other tombstone government officials. The Secret Service was also to continue to consistently provide security for important national events. This is interesting to know that the DHS is a strong bureaucracy within itself. The functions performed by the directorates within DHS have to go through a lot of red taps. The emergency response and preparedness, remains, so often, questionable (Noam, Chomsky, 2005).The mission statement, objectives and objective functions can only be realized, when there is democratic decision making process and, swift and favourable response process. After establishment of the DHS, no
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Two behavioural finance problem sets related to Temporal Discounting Assignment
Two behavioural finance problem sets related to Temporal Discounting and Bayesian Learning vs Reinforcement Learning in Financial ending making - Assignment ExampleThe exponential discounting graph has a positive slope due to its positivity index.This person should sign an agreement in period zero due to income effect and substitution effect. The gritty interest array increases income a certain amount of time. Therefore, increase in consumption during the first and minute of arc period makes the income effect of the borrower to be negative in the period. Additionally, due to substitution effect, the gross interest rate is relative to consumption price during period zero compared to period 1 and 2 (Nielsen, 2005). Hence, it forget be more expensive in the first and second period compared to period zero. As such, for a person, a rise in interest rate in the first or second period whitethorn rise or reduce the rate during period zero.Assuming that Mr. spurt has an expected payout of $1 when he invests in impart A, Mr. Spout go away not choose the guaranteed stock A. Stock has an expected doubt of 1/3 therefore, Mr. Spout willing take his chances and invest in stock B. He will not have preference between investing in either stock A or investing in stock B (Forbes, 2009). To state this in a different way, Mr. Spout will later select the investment that has a higher expected return. Mr. Spout, will invest in stock B in future, since he does not consider taking into account the investment risk in his decision. As a Bayesian learner, Mr. Spout decision will be influenced by uncertainty fellowship and the time is linked through the process of learning of the stocks.As a risk neutral investor, Mr. Spout will be indifferent between investing in stock A or in Stock B. Since he has an experience in stock A, Mr. Spout will invest in stock B. As a Bayesian investor, Mr. Spout experimented in the first period and observed the results. Therefore, he will invest in stock B due to its uncertainty element attached to the stock. He will not have preference between
Monday, May 13, 2019
Chapter 8 Discussion 2 Week 5 Receivables Assignment
Chapter 8 Discussion 2 Week 5 Receivables - Assignment ExampleThis would conceive that a firm may either have to abandon its plan for a liberal extension policy or it may end up having cash flow crisis if it continues with the plan.Competitors actions and reactions of customers to a change in the identification policy are important. It is achievable that customers may shift their business in favor of a competitor who offers the best source terms. Credit controllers in firms should take a competitors and customers analysis to determine possible effects to a change in recognition policy. The direction should ensure that it adopts a policy that poses marginal happen of lost customer goodwill as well as providing a sustainable warlike advantage (Bartels, 1967).Probability of bad debts and the managements lay on the line appetite are also a major warp of a credit policy. If the management of a company determines that there is a amply risk of their credit sales becoming bad, t hey would probably set up a tight credit policy. Companies whose management is risk averse do not favor loose credit policies.Impact of the credit policy on turnover, profitability and liquidity should also be considered. The management should seek to maintain a balance surrounded by increasing sales and profits and maintaining liquidity at appropriate levels (Talekar, 2005). This trade-off dictates the credit policy of a firm.The company may opt to reduce the credit limits of clients who are perceived to pose a high risk. The management should carry out customer due diligence and analyses so as to assess the credit worthiness of their clients. This should be done periodically, and the management should ensure that credit limits are lowered for high risk clients. This should be done carefully so that the customers loyalty is not eroded. The amount of $ credit sales should be capped to a certain limit depending on the credit worthiness assessment.The management may seek to use third parties
Sunday, May 12, 2019
Org chemistry drawing assignment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Org chemistry drawing assignment - Coursework Example3) Draw trans-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane and cis-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane as their most steadfast chair complaisances. sound out all non-favorable interactions, describe wherefore they are unfavorable, and to what value (energy). Which is more stable, the trans or cis structure?All non-favorable 1,3-diaxial interactions are presented in the figure above. such interactions are unfavorable because both methyl groups and hydrogens try to occupy the same space, which leads to destabilization of the molecule. Structure (I) should be highly unfavorable due to interaction between two methyl groups. As in the foregoing case, this destabilization is expressed in a value of some(prenominal) kJ/mole. Cis-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane represented in the rectangle is the most stable because both methyl groups occupy equatorial positions.4) Draw trans-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane and cis-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane as their most stable chair conformations . Label all non-favorable interactions, describe why they are unfavorable, and to what value (energy). Which is more stable, the trans or cis structure?Non-favorable 1,3-diaxial interactions are shown in the figure above. Such interactions are unfavorable because both methyl groups and hydrogens try to occupy the same space, which leads to destabilization of the molecule. As in all previous cases, this destabilization is expressed in a value of several kJ/mole. Trans-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane represented in the rectangle is the most stable because both methyl groups occupy equatorial positions.Bromine is significantly bigger then ethyl substituent. For this reason, it result produce less steric interactions if bromine is in the equatorial position. For this reason, the conformation represented in the rectangular will be the most stable. It is expected that the most amount of cis-1-bromo-4-ethylcyclohexane will be with the equatorial
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Shelia's Cake Decorating Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Shelias legal community Decorating - Essay ExampleAside from parched goods, light snacks such as sandwiches and salads is also offered. Aside from the delights from the bakeshop, customers in need of a specialized cake with plain or even elaborate decorations can be ordered from here. The prices are very competitive and lead time for orders is only a days notice. There is also a bookshelf in the nook that contains classic literary books that can be read. Since the bakeshop is a place to meet for different reasons, there is a cork board where messages can be written . The place is envisioned as an important part of ones routine since sipping coffee, drill newspapers, and buying goodies for children waiting at home is a joyful task that can be arrant(a) in Sheilas Bakeshop. In the next few years, it would have more loyal customers patronizing its wider get of sunbaked goods. New customers will be gained as word of mouth advertisement will compute effectively for the promotion o f the bakeshop. Many satisfied customers would refer the bakeshop to family, friend, and clients. As the bakeshop gains reputation for having baked goods served with friendly service , it may develop another franchise in some parts of the city.Sheilas Cake Decorating and Bakeshop is a sole proprietorship type of business. The possessor has extensively trained in baking at international baking schools under the tutelage of renowned bake decorating professionals. More importantly, The owner is also an MBA graduate from Wharton University specializing in Finance. The owner has substantial personal savings invested in this business however, a loan from one of the private banks will boost the capital formation in terms of baking equipments that needs to be purchased.The main goal of Sheilas Cake Decorating and Bakeshop is to supply the demands of the population for baked products as well as give the most artistic cake decoration that is reasonably priced. Nevertheless,
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