Friday, January 31, 2020

Relative market share Essay Example for Free

Relative market share Essay (Ratio of company share to share of largest competitor) HIGH LOW â€Å"STAR† â€Å"QUESTION MARK† â€Å"CASH COW† â€Å"DOG† Figure 2 BCG Matrix of BMW 3. 1 Porter’s five forces Porter’s Five Forces are business analysis tools that help companies to assess the environmental forces that influence a company. This business analysis tool works by dividing environmental forces into five different categories (Figure 3). The interesting feature of Porter Five Forces is it leads companies to understand the extent of challenges faced by companies within a particular industry as the framework provides a systematic way of thinking about how competitive forces work at industry level and how they determine profitability. Figure 3 Porters Five Forces 3. 1. 1 Rivalry Rivalry exhibits the intensity of competition in a particular market. In case of BMW, the company faces fierce competition since currently there are many automobile manufacturers that compete in the same premium markets. In addition, many multi segment automobile manufacturers also set up special division to target premium market like Toyota Motor that set up Lexus brand to compete with premium cars like BMW, Mercedes Benz, Rolls-Royce, and Jaguar. Figure 4 shows the global auto industry ranking by market cap as of April 2006. The figure describes that at that time, BMW is not listed in the ranking and therefore they need multi strategy to generate greater market capitals. Figure 4 Global Auto Ranking 3. 1. 2 Threat of Substitutes Substitute products are products of other industries that may have significant impact to the prices decision and other features of automobile products. In case of BMW, the product substitutions are many kinds of affordable transportations including mass transports such as intercity high-speed trains, trams, motor bikes, and bicycles. Another product substitution for BMW is the increasing demands for green technology. In automobile industry, it refers to the use of alternative technology like hybrid technology or solar cells. Although the market share of these products are still relatively low, currently BMW has not shown intense program to launch the green car. In fact, several automobile manufacturers have started their program to head for producing the future cars that use hybrid cars like Toyota Prius and Alphard and Honda Civic, and GM’s Saturn Vue Green Line. 3. 1. 3 Buyer Power Buyer power has significant impact on the producing industry. The buyer power is perceived to be strong enough if they are in the minority in numbers and there are numerous producers or automobile manufacturers. In the automobile industry the buyer is the people who purchase vehicles or cars. Buyers have considerably high bargaining power because customers usually have much information regarding the vehicle they intend to purchase. They are usually knowledgeable about cars specifications, price, and dimension since most car manufacturers identify these in brochures and on websites. Another critical decision that buyers have is about the fuel consumption of cars. This information is rarely printed in cars brochures but usually they get the information for auto magazines that conduct test drive. Buyers have other powerful forces on the automobile industry since the advanced Internet technology lets customers to shop online or design and customize their cars. A key feature of Internet is customization in which BMW also enable customers to customize some features of their purchased cars in order to suit their needs. In addition, automobile industry exhibits low switching costs because customers can easily move to one dealer to another during the selection process. They can also trade their ole cars when buying new ones since many dealers now also own or cooperate with used car divisions. Figure 5 shows the global auto production representing the demands-production capability that each brand/automobile manufacturers have. In the figure, BMW is in the 14th place. However, it does not reflect the quality of BMW since BMW like other European premium cars are well-known for their quality products. Figure 5 Global Auto Productions by Manufacturers in 2002 Source: OICA 3. 1. 4 Supplier Power Supplier power is typically low within the motor industry because a vehicle has various amounts of different components and there are a large number of suppliers available to cater for this. This means Toyota/GM can easily swap suppliers if they are not happy with the quality or price of the components ordered.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

The Politics of Highly Radioactive Waste Disposal Essay -- Radioactive

The Politics of Highly Radioactive Waste Disposal Nuclear waste disposal is a political problem, not a technical problem.1 — Dr. Edward Teller Highly radioactive waste disposal has become one of the most controversial aspects of nuclear technology. As the amount of spent nuclear fuel from commercial nuclear reactors and high-level radioactive waste from defense-related processing plants has continued to mount, the issue has become increasingly contentious and politicized.2 The politicization of this issue is especially evident in the site selection process of a permanent national repository for the disposal of highly radioactive waste. Paradoxically, as the need for action has become more acute, the conflict generated by the politicization of the site selection process has delayed progress on the establishment of a permanent nuclear waste storage facility. As early as 1957, the National Academy of Sciences recommended the disposal of radioactive waste in deep underground rock as the best means of protecting public health and safety.3 However, it was not until 25 years later that the federal Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 began the process of establishing a deep, underground permanent national storage repository for highly radioactive waste. The 1982 Act mandated that the Department of Energy (DOE) would study multiple sites in the West and select one to be ready to serve as the first national repository for highly radioactive waste by January 31, 1998.4 A second site in the East, where the majority of highly radioactive material is generated, would be designated later. The site selection process was slow and arduous due to opposition generated by states identified as potential hosts for a national radioactive... ...S Issue Brief, Congressional Research Service, December 3, 1996, [http://www.cnie.org/nle/eng-18.html], 5. 29 Mark Holt and Zachary Davis, "Nuclear Energy Policy," CRS Issue Brief, Congressional Research Service, updated December 5, 1996, [http://www.cnie.org/nle/eng-5.html], 7. 30 Will Nixon, "High Energy," E/The Environmental Magazine, [http://www.adams.ind.net/Environment.html], May/June 1995, 4. 31 Associated Press, "Court: U.S. must take nuclear waste by 1998," The Courier, July 24, 1996, A1. 32 See U.S. Congress (S. 1271), "Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1996," Congressional Record,104th Congress, 2d Session. Also see U.S. Congress (S. 1936), "Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1996," Congressional Record, 104th Congress, 2d Session. 33 See U.S. Congress (S. 104), â€Å"Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997,† Congressional Record, 105th Congress, 1st Session.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Doorstep banking

A service, especially designed for entities having a large number of branch transactions. Doorstep banking helps you save considerable time and effort. Result? More time to focus on your core business activities and accelerate the growth of your business. Doorstep Banking Services (DB'S): A facility provided to customers where the bank appoints an agency to pick-up/ Deliver cash, pick-up cheese or Plock-up/delver trade documents from the client's doorstep.Its Convenient No traveling or queuing at the branch Bank within the secure environment to your office 1 No need to break your busy schedule for routine transactions Its hassle free Service offered through reliable service providers Dedicated courier agencies for Cheese pick up Experienced Cash-in-Transit for cash pick-up delivery It's secure Fool proof, multiple verification and reconciliation process 0 Agency personnel to produce their Civil id (Kuwait Residency permit ‘d) on demand 0 unique transaction ID generated for agen t verification It reduces risk Reduces the risk of carrying large sum of cash to or from the branch Banking allows you round-the-clock access.You do not need to stand In queue In order to perform Important banking orientations. The Doorstep Banking allows you to do Just that right from the ultimate comfort and privacy of your homes. Are interested to avail the said services, for pick up of cash and delivery of cash from the door step of customer: The services are to be offered only to those customers in whose case proper SKY procedures have been followed. The service should be offered either at the residence or at the office of the customer. Customers will be pre- registered for this scheme. An agreement will be entered into with customer. The ADDS include: I. Pick up of Cash Maximum Limit up to KID. 10,000.

Monday, January 6, 2020

Birthstones - 9275 Words

Birth Stones The first association of a special gem with each month was recorded in the Bible, in Exodus 28 and 39. An original breastplate of the High Priest of the Hebrews was said to be made by Moses in 1250 BC, according to instructions he received during 40 days in the mountains. The 12 gems in the breastplate were later linked with the signs of the zodiac, and later still associated with the months in the year. Different cultures have different lists. Jewelers’ lists are often inconsistent. Unless you’re a geologist, the terminology of birthstones may be a bit confusing. So here’s a quick primer on birthstone terms. Minerals are made of inorganic materials (substances that were never alive), whose atoms are arranged in a regular†¦show more content†¦When heated to 400 or 500 degrees Celsius, an amethyst’s color changes to a brownish-yellow or red. Under some circumstances, the stones can turn green when heated. Heat may even transform an amethyst into a naturally-rare mineral called citrine. And even without heating, the violet color of an amethyst may fade over time. Commercial sources of amethyst are Brazil and Uruguay; while in the U.S., most amethyst is found in Arizona and North Carolina. The amethyst has a rich history of lore and legend. It can be traced back as far as 25,000 years ago in France, where it was used as a decorative stone by prehistoric humans. It has also been found among the remains of Neolithic man. It’s said that the signet ring worn by Cleopatra was an amethyst, engraved with the figure of Mithras, a Persian deity symbolizing the Divine Idea, Source of Light and Life. It is also said to be the stone of Saint Valentine, who wore an amethyst engraved with the figure of his assistant, Cupid. Saint Valentine’s Day is still observed in February. The word amethyst comes from the Greek word â€Å"amethystos† meaning â€Å"not drunk,† and was believed to prevent its wearers from intoxication. The following is a story from Greco-Roman mythology, as quoted from Birthstones by Willard Heaps: â€Å"Bacchus, the god of wine in classical mythology, was offended by Diana the huntress. Determined on revenge, he declared that the first person he met as he went through the forest wouldShow MoreRelatedEssay about Birthstones Have Been Around Since Prehistoric Times1024 Words   |  5 PagesBirthstones have been around since prehistoric times.birthstone and in those days were believed to have some magical force that could prevent the owner or wearer of the gemstone. These birthstones were traditionally related to the Zodiac. However, current birthstones are linked to calendar months, and every month has its proprietary unique birthstone, with its own story properties. 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