The Effect of PeerTutoring and Computer Assisted Tutoring on Thesis

The Effect of PeerTutoring and Computer Assisted Tutoring on Standardized Math Scores - dissertation ExampleThe purpose of this action research work is to determine the value of tutoring strategies in augmenting mathematical studies for minor(postnominal) high school students. My purpose is to study the results of two types of tutoring programs used with adolescent groups. The two tutorial groups atomic number 18 computer assisted instruction and peer-tutoring.Raul Yzaguirre School for Success (RYSS) is an urban charter school with a majority-minority Hispanic student population. RYSS is a Title I school with 100% of the students receiving free and reduced lunch. I am currently teaching Language Arts for the eighth grade while obtaining my administration internship.The purpose of the study is to discover the best available strategy to aid RYSS students in the improvement of their standardized test lashings for mathematics. The administrative team at RYSS has approved a tutoring p rogram for summer school students. Tutoring fits into the larger place setting of education because (a) tutoring helps students who are struggling while allowing them to engage in a challenging, rigorous learning cognize (b) tutoring assists students in moving toward grade level achievement, and (c) tutoring builds successful students so that they move from success to succes

The Field of the Gaze Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Field of the Gaze - Essay ExampleIn terms of sensible relationship to the lay, the fount site adds importance to the hind endteen and schoolhouse premises. The fountain is within the wide surface area of the school premises. Students visit the fountain to take a sip of water. I also take fixity sips from the water fountain to quench my thirst (Sturken & Cartwright 12).In terms of what is close to t the site, the site of the fountain contains chair and tables several yards away. The site is very spacious. The site is an open air area. It is located outside the school buildings. However, the site is within the school premises. The students behind easily reach the site. During the students break, the students can easily travel from their classrooms to the site within less than 15 minutes.In terms of presumption, the bodies in the site presume the place is a spacious canteen, restaurant, or simply where more than thirty people take their snacks and meals during break time. The bodies presume the students can relax, take their fill, exchange pleasantries with opposite students, and relieve the pressures of the hectic exams. The site was built from funding. The funding comes from the students tuition fees, donors, and other sources.Further, the site is filled with history. Initially site was a simple one. With fund savings, the sites material features were increased. The present sites aesthetic beauty and functionality is sprawled a bigger area, grounded on several historic period of constant repairs and renovations.Furthermore, there are current representations of the site. First, the wide open air spacious site represents relaxation. The students can take a break from their classes, meet new friends, and have a slight snack in the canteens spacious eating area. The site represents the efforts of the School Administration to deliver quality religious service to the students.Viewing

Hydrographic Surveying Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

hydrographic Surveying - Essay lessonSince then the science has evolved from a crude form of conjecture to a fairly accurate prophetical oneness.This paper prepares a report form of investigation in which the implications of converting hydrographic working based on single-beam echo sounders to multiple-beam ones shall be studied and con officered in detail to assess feasibility and functional efficacy with particular proposition reference to Medway Ports, UK. To initiate this noble venture it is first necessary to study a little of Medway Port, Kent, UK, oddly in detail to its known navigation features.The Medway Ports authorities define the Medway River as one of the principal flip arteries of the United Kingdom with particular utility to the South East of England through which this river flows before ending into the ocean strategically near to the English Channel and the North Sea (Overview, Medway Ports, 2007). This proximal position to two chief(prenominal) European trade routes, the ports efficient functionality and its easy accessibility to its hinterland by road, rail and water has ultimately evolved it into a port of choice for many export and import operators. Cargoes such a fresh produce, forest products, new vehicles and steel and containers pass through it to and fro British soil (Overview, Medway Ports, 2007).Actually, the... Actually, the Medway Ports authority is a statutory one and is responsible for a 27 mile stretch of water that is a combination of the Medway and Swale rivers. The authority is responsible for maintaining the rivers and for providing and coordinating pilotage and vessel traffic services to ensure safety of all river users including pleasure sauceboat ones (Overview, Medway Ports, 2007). The Ports are mainly a combination of the Sheerness and Chatham docks (Peel Ports Group, Medway Ports, 2007). Britains first LNG handling terminal was constructed at the Isle of ingrain within the Ports complex (Peel Ports Group, Med way Ports, 2007). Pilotage services provided by the Ports authorities are compulsory for vessels of 50 meters and preceding(prenominal) in length.The Medway Conservancy Board has taken over hydrographic surveying of the Medway Ports system from the Royal Navy hydrographical Inshore Squadron since the 1960s. Presently, it has tow crafts at its service - the 18.9 metre Medway Surveyor that surveys the main reaches of the Medway and the deeper offshore waters and the 6 metre Medway Recorder which surveys the berths and shallower waters. Both vessels have permanently installed echo sounders that can also work as side scan sonar recorders (Hydrographic Service, Medway Navigation Service, 2007). It is assumed that the echo-sounders are all single beam ones.Hydrographic SurveyingHydrographic surveying is undertaken in two types of operational locations - oceanic or relatively deeper offshore waters and relatively shallower inshore waters. As has already been evidenced with Medway Ports , the former locations are usually surveyed by larger survey ships like the Medway Surveyor and the latter locations by smaller

The Residual System in the US Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Residual System in the US - Essay precedentProperty asset bubbles occur every time during a normal business cycle and oddly during boom times but the severity of the current downturn and subsequent bursting is something unique. Many had comp bed its deleterious effect to the Great Depression of the 1930s when the stock market collapsed and millions were thrown out of work.The financial crisis led to a tightening of credit such that businesses predominate it unmanageable to borrow money to finance expansion plans. This, in turn, caused an economic contraction in terms of employment and industrial production, leading to a vicious down cycle that has continued until today although it had slowed down a bit. The end result is that once prosperous families find themselves on the breadline when their primary breadwinners lost their once secure jobs. It is as if the whole sky had locomote down on them and their own version of the American dream had turned into a nightmare of time lag in job lines. A cherished dream of self-worth was destroyed by these job losses when a primary sense of achievement is how much one can afford to buy in the first off place. An individuals self-worth was once measured in fame and personal wealth but not anymore today.Americas social welfare system is called a residual-type of the program compared to other Western alter nations where they are a central part of government welfare policies. By residual, this means aid is devoted only to those who were very poor, to those who were chronically unemployed, the sickly or the elderly. In other words, the social welfare programs are intended for individuals who cannot make it on our free market system of competitive employment. Welfare aid is given up only temporarily to supposedly those people who were down on their luck and had fallen on hard times.

The Discursive Management of Financial Risk Scandals Case Study

The Discursive Management of Financial Risk Scandals - Case Study ExampleHamilton (2003) attributed Enrons failure to a culture of conceit that led the society in general and economists in detail to buy the idea that it had the capacity to handle complex corporate risks in a successful manner. As such, Enrons corporate culture was less concerned about advancing the ethics of respect and honesty. These weighty values were overlooked in a systematic process which saw the firm shift its tenseness to the doctrine of subsidiarity and maximization of profits at any cost. By keeping each Enron function autonomous from the others, Hamilton (2003) noted that the pecuniary manipulators and their closest internal associates only were aware of the bigger picture of Enrons fiscal position.I agree with Hamilton on the reasons for Enrons downfall. This is especially true considering that overreliance on decentralization by a large company in an environment where there are inadequate operationa l and fiscal controls is normally associated with failure. In addition, the seemingly diverted, hands-off company board including the chairman was a recipe for financial failure, as they could not initiate adequate checks and balances on the executive managers such as Skilling (Ailon, 2012). As a consequence, the accounting staffs, auditors, and company lawyers equally failed in their mandates. Eventually, the companys complex financial records became so misidentify to the public, the shareholders and even the spin-doctors, hence the failure.In spite of Enrons dramatic move to formally admit failure in 2001, the failure did not occur by accident. According to Temple (2014), there were several presuppositions to the detail including a business culture that spawned greed and scam while maintaining cosmetic value rather than material value. Following themerger, the companys assets tremendously expanded to an extent that it was ranked seventh among the top-ten American companies in terms of revenue. Managing the massive assets usually does not want any form of risky investments and misrepresentation of financial statements as Enron did before its collapse.

Financial resources and decisions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Financial resources and decisions - Essay ExampleAfter utilizing the three capital budgeting techniques, I strongly recommend project A as it generates a higher annual rate of heel counter on average investment, shortest payback period, and higher net present value.Task 2. The pastime table shows the computed social unit costs of products A, B, and C. It should be noted that to ensure accuracy, Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet is employed in calculation. The budget itemss ar allocated according to motorcar hours in the fountain of machining department, and labor hours in the pressing and slick department. The overhead rates are computed as follows1. For machining overhead costs, the sum amount of overhead costs is computed and is divided with the quantity mould hours 2. For cutting, the total overhead allocated to cutting is divided by the total number of labour hours both skilled and unskilled3. For pressing, the total overhead allocated to pressing is divided by the total number of labour hours used.Thus, machining has an overhead rate of 2.33/ machine hour, cutting has an overhead rate of 1.83 labor hour, and pressing has an overhead rate of 1.42/labor hour.For the services department, these are the cost allocationsThe overhead costs for the services departments are allocated ground on machine and labor hours computed above. For example, the overhead rate for cutting is allocated by dividing the total costs for cutting by the total number of skilled and unskilled labor hours for cutting.The following are the computed overhead rates for the engineering department while the following are the computed overhead rates for the strength departmentIt should be noted that in the case of personnel department costs allocated to the engineering department and vice versa is computed by...However, this technique disregards the additional gold flow which derriere be recouped from the project as it only focuses on the time when the whole investment will be reco vered.The Net Present Value (NPV) analysis is very much different from the other two techniques discussed as it takes into account the time value of money. This method recognizes that the value of a pound today is greater than its pass judgment value tomorrow. This technique is favored by more economists and managers because it is more realistic. It also takes into account the total cash flow from the investment including the depreciation and the tax shield from it.After utilizing the three capital budgeting techniques, I strongly recommend project A as it generates a higher annual rate of return on average investment, shortest payback period, and higher net present value.The overhead costs for the services departments are allocated based on machine and labor hours computed above. For example, the overhead rate for cutting is allocated by dividing the total costs for cutting by the total number of skilled and unskilled labor hours for cutting.It should be noted that in the case of personnel department costs allocated to the engineering department and vice versa is computed by dividing the total cost to the total number of units produced for each product.Price sett

The Affordable Care Act Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 20

The cheap C ar Act - Essay ExampleThe Affordable Care Act is beneficial because it has make firm progress in reducing the number of Americans with no health insurance. Low-income residents have immensely benefited because most of them are now able to access and afford insurance. Those who gained insurance through the law have seen a lessening in disastrously high medical bills that hospitals forced them to pay in previous instances. Whether the Act has made the American population healthier is still uncertain. Similarly, there is no significant decrease in chronic illness patients, neither is there an increase of checkups (Sanger-Katz 1). It was also intriguing to learn that young Americans remain on their parents insurance plans until they turn twenty-six years of age. This is a positive step of the act, because traditionally, most citizens between xix to thirty years of age do not have insurance. In consequence, this reduced the number of uninsurable Americans. Sanger-Katz af firms that most young Americans, especially college graduates, now access customary primary care doctor to begin with the institution of the law, because they do not have to go without medical care because of costs. Even so, there was token(prenominal) change in the rest of the population in terms of access to primary care.

Types of Budgets and Budgeting Techniques Research Paper

Types of Budgets and Budgeting Techniques - query Paper ExampleDepending on the worth and value of a business, an organization creates a work out that tumefy suits the resources and funds a business is exposed to. Additionally, different organizations have implemented different forms of budgeting. The different types of budgeting greatly depend on the eon period and the monetary requirement by an organization. Some budgets are created still to cater to short time needs while others may be created to meet long time expectations of an organization (Cliche, 2012). The author further argues that some budgets are based on the expected income in a specific period of time while otherd are based on the cash in guide at the time of the creation of the budget. Kinds of Budget i. Operating Budgets This kind of budget is a financial debate that presents the financial plan for every expense and revenue (OSullivan & Sheffrin, 2003). The plan dictates the funds allocated to each responsibili ty virtually expenditure and revenues over the budget period. Operating budgets include the profit budget and revenue budget. The expense budget is a budget documentation that highlights the expected expenses over the budget period (Cliche, 2012). Forms of expenses include the variable arbitrary and fixed expenses. Discretionary expenses are those that are created by the management decisions and cannot be based on certainty, for face the accounting fees. Revenue budgets project the future sales of an organization based on the requirements of the organization. Profit budgets integrate the results from the expense and revenue budget to create a final resource allocation system in the organization. ii. Financial Budgets Financial budgeting revolves around how an organization plans to get money and how it plans to use the funds. They include the cash budget, remnant sheet budget and the outstanding expenditure budget (OSullivan & Sheffrin, 2003). The cash budget is based on the h ail of funds an organization has on hand, and the expenses the organization has to hug over the budget period. It helps organizations evaluate the expense headway capabilities. Capital expenditure budget helps an organization know whether they have enough funds to cover capital investment over the budget period. Capital investments include investment in heavy machinery or in buildings and property (Cliche, 2012). Balance sheet budget calculates the quantity of assets and liabilities over the budget period to be considered. iii. variable star Budgets Variable budgets are budgets created to offer more than the provisions of the fixed budget. They are flexible enough to cover the variations that may occur over the budget time (OSullivan & Sheffrin, 2003). However, variable budgets are difficult to prepare since the speak to variables are difficult to predict and determine. iv. Zero Base Budgets In other budgeting creations, managers carry forward the results obtained from the anteri or calendar recordings. This is a shortcoming that makes an organization not evaluate their progress from a fresh start. In ZBB (zero-base budget) the results from the previous calendar are disregarded and a fresh financial plan is created (Cliche, 2012). In my organization, the nearly appropriate budget to use is the operational budget. The technique in this type of budgeting is based on the major power to record and allocate funds to each responsibility in the organization over the budget p

Analyzing Language Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Analyzing Language - Essay ExampleHe therefore succeeds in being both assertive and courteous firm and polite, and forthright and respectful, all in one breathe.In my opinion, a good citizen is one who puts the interest of society before his own and is produce to champion a course for the common good, without necessarily seeking for personal profit. Dr King has his objectives set beyond his immediate society to orbicular concerns. Though his primary motivation is the liberation of the African-American, he uses this opportunity to go further to other peoples concerns- Jews, Asians, South Americans, Caribbeans and Africans. This concern for and awareness of global issues makes him a global citizen of sorts.Dr. King is accommodative of other people. Even as he accuses the whites of injustice, he admits that there are more or less(a) who partner with him in his course. Some, like Ralph McGill , have written about our struggle in eloquent, prophetic, and understanding terms. (King Jr., pg 4). He concedes that some whites have suffered with them in jail, police brutality and being branded dirty nigger lovers. (King Jr., pg 4). As a good citizen, he does not condemn the entire white race, but wisely hit out the moderate brothers (King Jr., pg 4) whom he addresses. Besides, he condemns the white church, but concedes that there are some notable exceptions. (King Jr., pg 5)Dr. King is a mediator and an advocate for non-violence. He stands in the middle of two oppose forces. On one end are the complacent and insensitive African-Americans and on the other, the extreme African American who is at the verge of violence in the course of fighting for their rights. The complacent African-Americans have been so subjected to conquering that they have adjusted to segregation, (King, Jr. Pg 4) while the extremist African-Americans have been so frustrated by racism that they have lost faith in America. (King Jr. Pg 4). As a good citizen, he

Simulation and systems modelling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Simulation and systems modelling - Essay ExampleIt provides an overview of DES, DES adoption challenges, and DES application briny beas in manufacturing. The report also represents three selected famous systems appeals for small, medium, and large companies. Finally, the report gives a conclusion and prox directions for simulations.First of all, to define simulation, The Oxford English Dictionary describes Simulation as The technique of imitating the behaviour of some incident or system (Economic, Mechanical etc.) by means of an analogous model, situation, or apparatus, either to gain selective information more conveniently or to train personnel. Also, computer simulation methods have developed since the early 1960s. (Holst, 2001)Holst defines distinct event simulation (DES) as The modeling over time of a system all of whose separate changes occur at discrete points in time those points when an event occurs. In discrete event simulation, the subprogram of a system is represente d as a chronological sequence of events. Each event occurs at an instant in time and marks a change of state in the system (Banks et al, 2005)The use up for simulation applications in management is increasing. First of all, Simulation is considered to be a powerful decision do tool for managers. Xianglong et al (2001) provided simulation system that can provide the decision-maker a sequential decision-making environment by establishing a virtual reality simulation system. Also, it could be used for experiments planning and results analysis. Semini et al (2006) listed several reasons why a simulation can support manufacturing logistics decision-makingIt facilitates understanding of the real system and its behavior.It reveals previously hidden relationships and provides a systematic way to analyze the situationCan facilitate communication and provide a grounding for discussions.What-if analyses can be carried out, allowing the decision-maker to test the affects of different alterna tive scenarios without having to make changes in the real system.Also, Simulation applications are used for risk and disaster management for businesses, organizations, or even countries. It could construct useful visualizations of risk, as provided by triangular decompositions and trade risk profiles, and calculating relevant risk measures. For example, it can provide additional

Apple INC Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

apple INC - Term Paper ExampleJobs, apple Inc. has undergone reorganization processes, where the main focus was made on the to a not bad(p)er extent profitable competencies. During the next years the company has pursued several acquisitions and expanded its business lines ( apple Inc., 9).Nowadays, Apple Inc. is a well-known and established technology company that offers personal communication devices, accessories, operational system software, diligence software and related solutions (Apple Inc., 4). It is a companys mission actually To create great things that change peoples live (Kotler and Kotler, 443). Some of the major products include iPhone, iPod, iPad, the iOS and OS X operating systems, consumer and professional software applications, iCloud, and early(a)s (Apple Inc., 4). In addition to technology products the company exchanges and provides its services through the App Store, mack App Store, iTunes Store, and iBooks store (Apple Inc., 4). The company operates global ly, including South and North Americas, Asia Pacific and European regions. In order to sell its products the company uses integrated approach, by utilizing not only retail stores and direct sales force, but alike online stores, wholesales, value-added resellers, and third party-cellular network carriers (Apple Inc., 4).The companys total revenue has grown from FY 2013 to FY 2014 by 7%, generating $182, 795 million. In FY 2014, Apple Inc. has achieved substantial sales growth in Americas, which accounted for more than 40% of the total revenues, darn Europe was accounted for 25, 4% (Apple Inc., 21). More detailed revenue generation breakdown by geographical aspect is presented in Figure 1.Comparing the sales of FY 2014 with the previous FY, it is worth to mention that some products of Apple have shown strong increase (for example, iPhone product line +11,7%, Mac Product line +12,1%, iTunes +12,5%, and accessories +6,8%), while other product lines have shown weakening position

BUS 401 SLP MOD 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

BUS 401 SLP MOD 3 - Essay ExampleMicrosoft Corporation is the Washington based Multinational Corporation, founded by the highly talented data processor programmer Bill Gates on 4th April 1975. Microsoft Corporation rose to the peak of software sphere with the development of MS-DOS in the mid 1980s. At that time, candidates who wished to work in software industry were attracted by the owing(p) performance of Microsoft Corporation. The employee extract process in this organization was guided by a separate recruiting department. Microsoft gave introductory priority to the talent of candidate rather than their qualification or other factors like their age, sex, and family backgrounds. The company knew that divers(a) knowledge from a diverse workforce would help the organization to achieve its objectives and they recruited employees globally. It mainly recruited employees from campuses spending often time on the selection process in order to acquire the most brilliant employees. Th e selection program is usually conducted by qualified program developers and sometimes even directly by its hot seat Bill Gates. The recruiting team followed a scientific and systematic method to interview the candidates and thereby to bring go forth their whole capabilities (Major p.26).It is necessary to provide proper training to the recruited employees in order to satisfy the interests of the firm. The Microsoft Corporation had highly-developed diversified training programs for the employees with the intention of aligning them with specific job requirements. The training was designed so everyone basic would receive clarity of the mission and commitments or goals of the corporation (Daft and Marcic, 161). In addition to this, the Microsoft executives implemented goal-setting programs so as to ensure the active participation of all employees. Similarly, the top executives continuously monitored the programs in order to evaluate the employees

Art history - compare and contrast Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Art history - compargon and tell - Essay Exampleand Khafres Pyramid bear much similarity in terms of chance variable and construction, they are actually quite different in terms of the function and context in which they were constructed.A major similarity between the Nanna Ziggurat and Khafres Pyramid lies in the fact that they are basically large pyramid structures. The Nanna Ziggurat has a stepped pyramid form with a impertinent base of 205 feet by 141 feet and rising an imposing 70 feet high. It was constructed of mud bricks and bore three staircases that all light-emitting diode to an entrance at the top. Its platform walls sloped outwards and it is thought that the Sumerian architects behind the idea designed it this way to prevent erosion of the pavement that was also constructed of mud bricks (Stokstad and Cothren 36). Khafres Pyramid was a large construction, with a square base of more or less 704 feet and rising to about 471 feet. It had a slant height of about 568 feet at an angle of 53. This is of particular note since the architects had to get each angle and length bar correctly for each stone to fit properly. The building blocks themselves were cut out of stone and weighed about 2.5 tons each. While it would have been quite difficult to raise the stones to the pyramids height, the Egyptians adeptly used roller logs to fix each piece in its place (Stokstad and Cothren 57).The other similarity between the two monuments is that they were both constructed during periods of immense influence and civilization among the peoples of each kingdom. The people of the Old Egyptian Kingdom had veritable systems of writing and schools, architecture, farming, push back practice and law and Khafres Pyramid was built during a period of social and political stableness and prosperity. The kingdoms Kings at the time were deemed half-gods who were mummified in the pyramids after death. In a similar fashion, the Sumerians had developed farming practice, writin g, medicine, sailing, governance and religion.Although the

Definition of Design Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Definition of Design Thinking - Essay ExampleFor example, in engineering, education is geared towards the creation of engineers who can think and create formulas (Pourdehnead, et.al, 2011). However, be after thinking is a composite subject and one of the approaches used in teaching engineers design is the project-based learning approach (Dym, et.al, 2005). Engineering design thoughts involve a divergence-convergence thought process and a systems perspective. It encompasses several levels of interaction with system components that may be interconnected to other systems (Frisk, et.al, 2014).Few studies have demonstrated thought processes and strategies involved in the engineering design process. One such study investigated engineering design thinking among K-12 learners (Lammi, & Becker, 2013). The research analyzed how the high take learners engaged design thinking in systems processes never before viewed or understood (Bruton, 2010). The students cognitive capabilities were analy sed by use of an investigative triangulation mixed technique (Lammi, & Becker, 2013). Their cognitive abilities and mental processes during collaborative engineering design were analyze with the aid of a Function-Behaviour-Structure cognitive analysis mechanism (Lammi, & Becker, 2013). While other forms of data were collected, the research had to be guided by a set of two issuesDesign thinking has too generated interest inside business circles. The interest was directed towards understanding how the design thinking process impacts business in creating fads or contemporary phenomena (Hanttu, 2013). Design thinking focused on how designers thought and the tools and methods they used in their profession. Peter G. Rowe produce Design Thinking in 1987 where he studied the design process and the intellectual activity of calculating architects (Cross, 2011). Business publications such as the Bloombergs Business Week and Harvard Business Review have also printed articles on

Psychological Measures Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Psychological Measures - Article ExampleA soulfulness can be diagnosed properly once a Beck falling off entry has been administered. The score ranges from 0 - 63 because 21 measures of behaviour are either at a level of 0 (never), 1, 2 or 3 (frequently) allowing a concrete measure to establish whether an individual has depression or not. An analysis of the Beck Depression Inventory measure, the environment where a Beck Depression Inventory result will be most effective, and a description of who can determine a persons BDI are listed in the following paragraphs. A Beck Depression Inventory scale asks four questions, each increasingly more representative of a depressive disorder diagnosis, in 21 different categories. The 21 items in a Beck Depression Inventory are feelings of sadness, frustration over the future, world a failure, anhedonia, guilt, deserving punishment, disappointment with self, self-blame, suicidal ideation, crying, irritability, losing interest in others, indecisi veness, physical appearance, ability to work, sleep problems, fatigue, appetite, system of weights loss, concerns about health, and sexual disinterest. A measure of 17 is the cutoff point to the Beck Depression Inventory score. oneness article uses a sample of 16 grade 9 students and 16 grade 11 students to progress to an analysis that demonstrates a Beck Depression Analysis.

Lindt of Switzerland Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Lindt of Switzerland - Assignment ExampleThis motif aims to understand what contributes to such significant growth for Lindt in a market environment that is sustaining limited growth. The look consists of a micro-level and macro-level analysis of the UK market, explores aspects of consumer behaviour in the chocolates industry, and other relevant factors that impact the apparent market supremacy of the organisation. How Lindt has managed to achieve significant growth when many other competitors are struggling to achieve substantial increases in revenues requires an in-depth investigation of the brand, its competitive strategies and integrated marketing communications utilised in the UK market.This paper highlights thatto fully explore Lindts apparent market success, Porters Five Forces Model is a viable manner by which to examine in the micro-level factors impacting the business. This model includes five dimensions that pose risks or opportunities for the firm, including competit ive argument, threat of substitutes, vendee and supplier power in the market, as well as threat of new entrants.Competitive rivalry advantages for Lindt could explain the firms superior revenue growth achievements. Lindt maintains an advantage of having a very passing recognised brand name, having been a chocolate producer since 1845.The company positions itself in terms of quality, drawing on a promotional strategy which emphasises product superiority over that of competition.

Gillingham FCs Essay Example for Free

Gillingham FCs turn upScott Jones is a 27 year old, mediocre footballer, who plays for First Division club Gillingham. Gillingham are an average human face who are likely to be in the First Division for a long while as they dont possess the quality to reach the Premiership, yet they are too good to be relegated to Division two. Scott enjoys his occupation as a footballer due to the fact that he is getting paid a mount of money. He does enjoy his football, but the main reason he is a footballer is because he wants much of money. Scott got recognised as a good footballing talent when he caught the eye of one of Gillingham FCs local scouts.Scott was acting for his Sunday league team at the age of 18, and gave an excellent performance. He had no knowledge of the scouts presence, until the bus tell that the scout thought he had serious potential and wanted to sign him for Gillingham. Scott did sign, and within a few months of him joining Gillingham FC, Scott made the first t eam, and became a regular from there on. Scott has been at Gillingham for 9 days now and has become one of their best players. Scott enjoys playing for Gillingham FC but little does he know that his line of achievement is about to take a huge turn.Scott sat anxiously outside the managers office. He ad well(p)ed his tie, which he wasnt used to wearing, and sat there thinking to himself what this meeting could be about. He was confused as to whether he had done something wrong or whether perhaps the club wanted to extend his contract. He had no intellection and was eager to get it out of the way. Scottie, do you want to come in? We need to fuddle a little chat said Phil Taylor, the Manager of Gillingham Football Club. Scott stood up and entered the room nervously. Now Scott, we wanted your scene on this and wanted to see how you felt before we did anything.Weve had an offer come in from Fulham for you. It is very generous, for some(prenominal) the club, and for you. You depart be capable to get a very good contract from them, and youll be able to play Premiership football. What do you say? Do you want to stay, or are you happy to leave? said Phil. Scott, who felt relieved that he wasnt in trouble, whence replied Sounds good to me. If its good for the club then funny go. Scott was extremely excited about the prospect of playing in the Premiership, but he would have to clench 2 months until he could sign, as the transfer window was closed.Scott was even happier about the fact that he would be getting paid an awful lot more money, his wages were being doubled. Scott felt on efflorescence of the world As he was still contracted to Gillingham for 2 more months, Scott still had to train with them however, he didnt have to play for them as Fulham made an agreement with Gillingham as part of the deal. Scott enjoyed training, even more so now that he knew he was moving to Fulham next season. Scott still trained hard, but didnt take it as serious as usual, as all he could think about was all that money he would be getting. Right lads, well do some 5 a side.Do some stretches then get yourselves into teams said the manager. Scott nevertheless wanted to play 5 a side and so didnt issue doing any stretches. This was a silly thing to do. Halfway through the game, Scott was running with the ball at his feet, and just as he was going to shoot, his studs got caught in the ground and he twisted his knee. It looked incredibly painful, and Scott was in agony. The Physio came on and took him back to the medical room, to see what he had done. It was very serious and so Scott had to be taken to hospital. well-nigh an hour after taking a look at Scott and doing some tests, the doctor came back with his diagnosis.Im afraid, its disobedient news. Youve torn cruciate knee ligaments in your right knee and you have also broken your ankle. This forget take an enormously long time to reclaim from, and there is a 50% chance you will not be able to contin ue your career as a footballer, if indeed you do recover Scotts heart sank. His career was over, as was his dream of playing in the Premiership. At the age of 27 Scott would further have about 5 years maximum left to play as a footballer, but now, he would be out for at least 2 years, and if he did recover, he would be noncurrent his best.Scott was absolutely devastated. He would have to stay in hospital over night while they did more tests and then in a week, he would have to undergo a major operation. For the next week, Scott just stayed at home, in bed, thinking of what he could have become and how much money he could have got. He felt sorry for himself but he was also beating himself up thinking that possibly this whole thing would never have happened had he done his stretches before playing 5 a side. Scott was distraught and he had never been so down in his life. He was thinking, what can he do now?

Threats to customer data Essay Example for Free

Threats to customer data EssayA estimator virus is a computing machine program that mass copy itself and infect a computer without the permission or association of the user. The term virus is in any case commonly but also used to refer to other types of malw atomic number 18, ad w are and spyware programs that do not have the ability to create itself again. A true virus hobo only spread from one computer to another(prenominal) when its host (some form of code) is taken to the target computer, for congressman because a user sent it over a network or the Internet, or can growth their chances of spreading to other computers by infecting files on a network file system or a file system that is admissioned by another computer. Viruses are sometimes confused with computer worms and Trojan horses which are like viruses but are technically different, in effect creating a damageable system to allow access to the users computer. A worm can spread itself to other computers without n eeding to be transferred from someone, Worms and Trojans, like viruses, can cause distress to a computer system, functional performance, or networking throughput, when they are made. Some viruses and other malwares are noticeable to the computer user, but most are not easy to find.This makes it hard for the average user to notice, find and hamper and that is why specialist anti-virus programs are now made. Todays viruses may also take advantage of network work such as the World Wide Web, e-mail, Instant Messaging and file sharing systems to spread. Getting an antivirus-viruses in the computer are detected by the antivirus and wearped and then removed, it also informs the users if they have entered any fishy websites and distinguishs us to avoid it or blocks us from it automatically.An antivirus completely removes viruses or other harmful soft wares which is also called malware in computing terms. Not using the computer infected-if a computer has been infected by a virus, its no t safe to continue using the same computer without completely reinstalling the operating system. There are still a number of recovery options that exist after a computer has a virus. These actions seem on severity of the type of virus. System Restore, which restores the computer and sensitive system files are removed and the computers precondition is back to what it was from when it was bought.Although you will lose all your files completely and will have reinstall everything. Ways to stop getting infected from virus Run your virus scanner frequently. Hacking or Scamming is when some unauthorised soulfulness attempts to break into someones computer systems or accounts on someone elses website. Programmers for whom computing is its own reward may bed the challenge of breaking into other computers but do no harm to anyone could be suffern another chance but if he hacks into someones system and takes their personal info or give them viruses he could be prosecuted if caught .There are many ways to stop hacking we can find out more teaching about hacking and what can help you to prevent from being hacked. We should never give out personal information and never enter passwords to suspicious electronic mails. The firewall will block out any unwanted spam and oversee whats attempting to get in our systems. Hacking or scamming percentages are rising but by knowing everything about them or how to prevent them we can reduce our chances of getting hacked. Prevent spywares to enter our system.Dont run unnecessary network serve When installing systems, any non-essential features should be disabled. If a feature is installed but not actively used, it is less probably to be updated regularly, presenting a larger security threat. Also, allow only the softwares you need there because other softwares could give you many risks. Norton Internet Security is well known software which is secure and protects us from going on websites which arent safe. Implement a firewall A firewall is a kind of like a barrier that keeps hackers and viruses out of computer networks.Firewalls restrict network traffic and allow only authorized data to pass through and tell us if we have any risks also if we have our firewalls turned off it gives us warnings to turn it on. The threats can be stopped depending on just our actions for example, downloading files from unknown sites and poor habits of opening up strange email attachments and there are many other mistakes made by people which give more options to the hackers or make it easier for them to hack in.

Word documents Essay Example for Free

Word documents EssayWith the uncontrolled use of the inter net today, the students in todays generation get their resources from the world wide web. In effect, most of the resources are easily copy-pasted to the students word documents. It is very likely for them to be accused of plagiarism. Now research resources understructure still be integrated into paper works without the worry of plagiarizing. There are certain methods on how to properly observe resources. First thing that would leave a writer out from damage is to cite their sources. Acknowledge the author of the source and then discuss the details of the specific source. It can be do through paraphrasing and quoting from the original source. The method of quoting first and then explaining what that specific passage is can also be effective. Quoting is a harmless way of integrating a source into ones work. The citation is very important as well. It is important to indicate page numbers and even line numbers for the sak e of references. Another vertical method would be introducing the author and then following it with a brief summary (Alred, 2003, p. 153).An example would be Fear Itself drop-off Life is written by Robert McElvaine and discusses how the Great Depression has hit Americans. It talks or so how Americans in the early 20th century battle with starvation and unemployment, which affected a lot of Americans. Soon, the built in bed helped them change to become a better person. The country has suffered the Great Depression in the 1930s. People got conflate perceptions in this difficult time though (McElvaine, 1993, p. 23). Notice how the paragraph started with the authors name and immediately gives a stage setting of the article he wrote.The importance of doing this right away in the first paragraph is for the sake of ropiness in writing. With proper citation, paraphrasing and summarizing research sources can be integrated into another persons writing without plagiarism.ReferencesAlred , G. (2003). Handbook of proficient Writing. Michigan St. Martins Press. Lester, J. (2005). Research Paper Handbook Your Complete Guide. California Good Year Books. McElvaine, R. (1993). The Great Depression America, 1929-1941. New York Times Books.

Price Elasticity Essay Example for Free

terms Elasticity EssayUsing the calculation of price stretchableity of demand= (percentage diversity in quantity)/(percentage modify in price) When the percentage sort in the quantity that is demanded is greater than the percentage change in the price, the resulting controlling value of the calculation ordain be greater than 1. The first two intersections, Barnes and Noble books and Coca-Cola, volition consequently have an elastic demand classification.When the percentage change in the quantity that is demanded is less than the percentage change in the price, the resulting absolute value of the calculation will be less than 1. The last three products of Cigarettes, Beer, and accelerator pedal will therefore have an inelastic demand classification. (R. Glen Hubbard, 2012) Explain the implications of those classifications on valuate revenue collections when the per-unit value increases as opposed to decreases. When the products are inelastic, an increase in price from the higher(prenominal) duty will stretch out to a small decrease in demand which is not enough to offset the higher tax that is raised on each unit. Basically, tax revenue collections will therefore rise.The tax revenue collections will fall when that price decreases. They move in the same direction. When the products are elastic, an increase in price from the higher duty would lead to a fall in tax revenue collections. Alternately, when the price decreases, it would lead to a rise in the tax revenue collections. The relationship here is an inverse one. (R. Glen Hubbard, 2012) Using those classifications, make several(prenominal) assumptions regarding tax incidence.For instance, will buyers or sellers pay a larger portion of the tax per unit? Explain. If the product is price inelastic to the consumer (if price rose, a small demand loss would be accounted for by the tautologic revenue), the seller is able to pass the entire or most of the core group of the tax on to the buyer. T he tax incidence here falls on the buyer. If the seller is unable to raise prices because the product is price elastic (if prices rose, more demand would be lost than extra revenue gained), the seller then has to bear the commove of the tax or face decreased revenues.The tax incidence here falls to the seller. In this scenario, the burden would likely continue to flow further back to the factors of production.(Wikipedia, 2013)Conclude, based on the elasticity classifications, their effect on tax revenue and tax incidence, and which goods the government would prefer to tax. The government would prefer to tax products that are usually inelastic. The reason for this is that the quantity demanded of inelastic goods is proportionally smaller than the increase or decrease in the change in pricethey are less responsive. Therefore the government will place taxes on these goods and they will acquire higher tax revenues.The seller basically does not care that much as they only when place m ost of the burden of these taxes onto the buyer. BibliographyR. Glen Hubbard, A. P. (2012). Microeconomics, 3rd edition. Upper Saddle River Prentice Hall. Wikipedia. (2013, April 6). Tax Incidence. Retrieved 9 21, 2013, from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_incidence

Types of Risk Essay Example for Free

Types of Risk EssayAdditional useful development on types of try Market or price risk relates to the uncertainty in market places and prices for both inputs (purchased for the output process), and outputs (products and services for sale by the firm). Market/price risk has always been a major occupation in most stockes and results from the economic forces of supply and demand. Outcome of these forces are fluctuations in the price for a goodness and/or inputs in the occupation of that commodity. These fluctuations may be short-term and long. The degree of fluctuation and the length of conviction are critical to their kernels on the byplay. Managers generally anticipate some degree of fluctuation in prices and plan accordingly. These plans may include spreading production and sales over time to average the effect of peaks and troughs in the market, establishing contracts to obtain a fixed price, and pooling sales with other producers to obtain a better market or an aver aging of returns from the larger organisation.Low prices in the short term may be tolerated by a furrow if it has sufficient cash reserves to meet negative financial returns from lower prices. Low commodity prices in the longer term pose serious threats to the viability of the enterprise, and the business, should that enterprise orchestrate a major stem of income. The growing impact of globalisation and opening of most world economics is as well increasing the unevenness of market and price risk. Remember that this includes both opportunity and potential loss. Production risk is the variability inborn in the firms production processes.This is predominantly the variability of product yield, both in yield quantity and quality. a great deal quantity is considered but quality is also an important consideration particularly for products where warranty and service strengthener are provided. Variances in labour, weather, transport and inventory can all reduce (or increase) expecte d output, or thrust clutch in the production cycle of any business. Quality reduction, or delay in the production cycle, can further reduce the expected market or price returns for the unit of production.A delay in the production cycle can result in an inferior product or supernumerary time and costs to finish the product, thus reducing the margin of returns from the enterprise. Technological risks these relate to the uncertainty caused by rapid technological change. A production or investment decision made today may be affected by technical improvements in the future. This is particularly important for structures and high cost, long-life plant. A change in applied science may place the business in a less in effect(p) and less competitive situation against its competitors and the marketplace.Similarly non keeping up with technology can also make the business less efficient and less competitive. A business not utilising EFTPOS would find business quite difficult. Some investment s can take upward of ten years for the planned commodity to adjudicate into full production (e. g. horticultural products such as fruit or nuts. Agro forestry is a particularly long-term investment, as is mining). Human risks gentlemans gentlemans are a key source of risk. Humans are given up to mistakes, misinterpretation, and health problems. The goals and objectives of management form the long- and short-term business plans for the firm.The fact that humans tend to change their goals and objectives often adds to the uncertainties facing the firm. Humans have skills limitations. The introduction of a new process or new technology may require new and sophisticated skills. Humans interpret, learn and respond to situations in different ways. Examples of human risk situations include health and injury problems, particularly with key personnel. mistakes made in the production process. segmentation in interpersonal relationships within the workforce. misinterpretation in communicat ion. esistance to change. An inability to learn. the existence of vices such as avarice and selfishness. fraud, dishonesty, theft. there is also a growing value to a business of the intellectual property/ fellowship of its workforce. Legal and social risks these risks increase in developed society. Laws created to protect people, property and the environment can bowdlerize the business playing field. Decisions made and techniques used today may result in litigation at some future date. There may be a close correlation between human, court-ordered and social risks.For example the duty of care in respect of others within our legal system. This is important from both management aspects firstly a business has a responsibility to a persons physical well-being. There is the risk that a person or that persons property may be injured or ruind as the result of the business activities (public liability). Secondly there is a duty of care in respect to business advice that may be given to another. This is important in advice where You know, or should have known, that they might rely on that advice.Consider recent litigation against James Hardie as an example of such risks. The growing importance of OHS obligations is another example. Some production processes often alter the physical environment, creating the risk of downstream detrimental effects on others (for example chemical spills, effluent disposal). The risk manager must consider environmental risks not only in relation to their direct effect on the business, but also for the potential damage to others property rights and the subsequent potential litigation which may ensue.Government policy risks government policies help to desexualize both the external and internal environments for the agricultural business. In addition to the monetary, fiscal and trade policies, Commonwealth and evoke governments have various policiesboth general and industry specific. These risks can be particularly stressful on business es as policy can be quickly introduced and are often unexpected. There can be a considerable production and time lag for the business to respond to the new or neutered policy. Financial risks Financial risks result from the uncertainty in the finances of the business.The commercial manager has two sources of finance (working capital) their own equity capital, or someone elses capital. Someone elses capital can be acquired through borrowing, leasing, and, in the larger firm, the issuing of shares. The use of non-equity capital creates opportunities for growth in the business. This will occur where additional finance can be used to increase productivity and subsequent income through the purchase of additional assets (resources). For example, money may be borrowed to purchase additional stock, plant and machinery, or to expand production capacity.Leasing is another form of non-equity capital. In this situation the business acquires the use of additional productive assets, and pays a nominal rent for this usage. Non-equity capital also creates financial costs (liabilities such as rent, interest and capital repayments) which may place the business in financial difficulty. The business may not be able to meet its financial commitments (this is liquidity risk), or indeed become insolvent (where liabilities exceed assets). The use of non-equity capital involves the concept of leverage.

Marks ; Spencer Group Anaylsis Essay Example for Free

label Spencer conference Anaylsis Essay label and Spencer assemblage plc faultketLine rapscallion 2 attach and Spencer se hitate plc Company Overview ac conjunction OVERVIEW label and Spencer separate (MS or the caller-out) is integrity of the leaders retailers of raiment, nourishments and homew atomic number 18 in the UK. The association ope sum ups in much than 40 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It is headquar tered in London, the UK and employs 78,169 people. The guild recorded revenues of ? 9,740. 3 cardinal (approximately $15,158. 8 hotshot thousand thousand) in the monetary yr end April 2011 (FY2011)*, an maturation of 2. 1% everywhere FY2010. The in operation(p) profit of MS was ? 836. million (approximately $1,302. 5 million) in FY2011, a decrease of 1. 8% com equa sounded to FY2010. The net profit was ? 612 million (approximately $952. 5 million) in FY2011, an adjoin of 16. 3% over FY2010. *The fiscal year stop April 2 , 2011 was a 52- workweek period whereas the financial year ended April 3, 2010 was a 53-week period. KEY FACTS Head Office label and Spencer stem plc Waterside House 35 Nor th berth track London W2 1NW GBR Phone 44 20 7935 4422 Fax Web Address http//www. marksandspencer. com Revenue / swage 9,740. 3 (GBP Mn) Financial Year End April Employees 78,169 London TickerMKS mark and Spencer Group plc MarketLine paginate 3 attach and Spencer Group plc Business Description BUSINESS DESCRIPTION MS is the holding companionship of the label Spencer Group of companies. The connection is one of the UKs leading retailers, with more than 21 million people tour its ancestrys each week. MS offers clothing and home convergences, as well as foods, sourced from about 2,000 suppliers globally. It operates through twain wholly experienceed stores and franchise stores. As of FY2011, the corporation operated 703 stores in the UK. MS operates over 361 owned and franchised stores in over 42 territories.Though the conjunction primarily repor ts its revenues in terms of geographic segments (UK and outside(a)ist), its operations digest be categorized under two fractions food and full general trade in. The food division tolerates on iv main argonas fresh, natural, healthy food special celebration convergences au pasttic stool meal set forths and exceptional forever yday food much(prenominal) as Oakham chicken. It operates a chain of 163 Simply nutriment owned stores and 202 Simply Food franchise stores in high streets, motorway ser viciousness stations, railway stations and air por ts in the UK.The general deal division of the confederacy is categorized into two segments clothing and home. The clothing segment offers womens wear, mens wear, lingerie, childrens wear, and accessories and footwear. Some of the capacious(p) tick offs offered by this segment include engrave, restrict Collection, Collezione, grubby Harbour, Girls Boutique, Per Una, Ceris o, Adored, and Truly you. The home segment offers homewargon and home accessories, kitchen and t openwargon, lighting, and article of article of furniture products. In addition to selling products through regular stores, the segment besides offers catalogue services.MS offers its products and services online as well as through flagship stores, high street stores, retail park stores, MS outlets, Simply Food stores, and Simply Food franchised stores. tag and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 4 label and Spencer Group plc History HISTORY MS was founded in 1884 as a stall in an open market in Leeds, the UK. Then k unspoilt offn as attach Penny Bazaar, it was the household goods, clothier y, toy, and sheet-music contrast of Michael attach, a Jewish refugee from Poland. In 1894, he took doubting Thomas Spencer as a line of products par tner.In 1903, MS was registered as a private limited company. Although a clothing goal depar tment had early been set up in 1938, it was not unt il after the Second World War that it became fully extremely-developed under a leading designer. In 1973, the company entered Canada, and bought Peoples Depar tment Stores and DAllairds, a national womens wear retailer, both of which it after sold. The company as well had direct retailing investments in Canada. It tried to move south of the b vow in 1988 with the purchase of Brooks Brothers, but the US operation never took off as the company had hoped. cardinal franchised stores were closed down in Tur advert in 1999 when the franchise par tner Turk Petrol Holding couldnt stick out its bank obligations and collapsed. Later in the year, attach and Spencer Canada, after 25 historic period of business, closed its 38 stores. The company sold its US clothing chain Brooks Brothers for $225 million in 2001. In 2003, MS announced the propel of its more credit card. Alongside this, mark Spencer Financial Services was re-branded mark Spencer Money. In 2004, MS completed the sale of label Spencer sell Financial Services Holdings (MS Money) to HSBC.During the course of 2005, the company open 31 Simply Food stores as well as closed the Lifestore project in the UK. MS spread out the Simply Food format with the acquisition of 28 stores on a leasehold foot from Iceland Foods for a contemplation of ? 38 million (approximately $76. 3 million) in 2006. In the corresponding year, MS sold Kings Super Markets, its all non-MS branded business to a US investor group consisting of Angelo, Gordon Co, MTN Capital Par tners and Mr. Bruce Weitz for $61. 5 million in cash.In 2007, MS and two of its long-term suppliers determined to angiotensin-converting enzyme t the development of MS starting signal eco-factories, pioneering innovative methods of sustainable manufacturing. One factor y in Sri Lanka would make lingerie and two factories in Nor th Wales would manufacture furniture upholster y. In the alike(p) year, the company launched its own branded liquid crystal display widescreen TVs. This range was in addition to the existing collection of Sony TVs currently available at MS. hide ther in the year, MS launched school wear do from recycled p pull roundic bottles.The companys first standalone home store in Lisburn, Nor thern Ireland was launched in 2007. In the same year, MS launched Big Tall, an exclusive online mens wear offering more than 450 items online ranging from tailoring to knitwear to casual shir ts and trousers. Also in 2007, MS muffled virtuous fat take aim as much as 82% in more than 500 companys products. The company reduced saturated fat levels in products including sandwiches, ready meals, crisps and savor y snacks. Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 5 Marks and Spencer Group plc HistoryTowards the end of 2007, a radical Made to Measure shir ts ser vice was launched by MS, which allowed customers to design a tailor-made shir t within 21 days. The company added unfermented products to its mens wear por tf olio in FY2008. MS as well launched climate control underwear featuring temperature regulating technology developed by NASA, spread out Collezione brand collection by introducing new shoes, wool and cashmere mix trousers. MS reinvigorated its Blue Harbour brand to attract 35 to 44 year old men. Also in FY2008, the company star ted to on the loose(p)ze its ready meals for international sale and launched a range of 70 lines in eight-spot countries.Later, the company in like manner launched a 25-piece capsule collection called GD25 from Per Una. In 2008, MS removed ar tificial colors and flavorings from its entire food and soft drinks range. In the same year, the company improved the quantity of station in a number of major out of towns and city bosom stores through store extensions and alike added 35 stores to its Simply Food por tfolio, including 25 BP franchised stores. A new flagship store in new Westfield subject matter at White City, West London was loose at the end o f 2008.To fur ther progress in Asian markets, the company opened its first 38,000 squ be feet store in Shanghai. MS then entered into a par tnership with Scottish and Southern Energy, as per which MS Energy would supply electricity and gas to domestic customers and reward them with MS store vouchers for helping the environment by cut their energy usage. MS announced plans to close 10 of its Simply Food stores in 2009. The company opened Food to Go outlets in Hong Kong in the same year. Also in 2009, MS announced plans to enter new categories in the Indian market, with the launch of luggage and footwear for men.The company introduced a Ramadan and Eid fashion collection in all the 13 stores throughout the Middle East in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, capital of Kuwait and Oman in 2009. fur ther in the year, MS launched personalized greetings cards business online. The company also announced to open its second mainland store in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province in southern Chin a. MS also launched a beer and cider range to complement its wine selection. MS launched a revamped version of its web aim in 2009, the first major update since 2007. skin thermore, in 2009, the company began to offer its online international deliver y service to 73 more countries as par t of a subscribe to to commence annual sales of MS figure. The company began its offering within the homeware sector in 2009. MS announced plans to open a store in Marbella, Spain by the end of 2009. In the same year, MS and India- sales boothd Reliance sell planned to open approximately 50 stores in India in the following five years under the banner of their joint venture company Marks Spencer Reliance India. Later in the year, the company outlined plans to cut costs by ? 50 million (about $150 million) by optimizing its supply chain and IT systems. MS also announced plans to open a new store at the Swords Pavilions shopping centre in the Dublin Airpor t, Ireland, in 2009. The company open ed its new 22,000 square feet store at Morpeths Sanderson Arcade in the same year. MS decided to launch Simply Food in Western Europe. Fur ther in 2009, the company announced plans to sell a selected range of close to 400 branded food market and household products in all of its UK stores, following a 16-month trial in its stores in the Nor th East and South East of England.In 2010, MS launched a new Home Energy Service division that would offer customers a suite of energy competency products and services. Building on the success of MS Energy, which was servicing Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 6 Marks and Spencer Group plc History over 125,000 homes, the company would roll-out a number of new products including bespoke energy advice, renewable energy solutions such as solar panels and heat pumps, and energy efficient heating solutions.In the same year, MS announced a program to be the worlds close to sustainable retailer by 2015, origination 80 major new commissio ns under MS eco and ethical plan, Plan A. The new commitments exit mean that the company ensures all MS products become Plan A products with at least one sustainable note. This program get out also enable the companys 2,000 suppliers to adopt Plan A outdo serve and encourage MS customers and employees to live greener life courses. Fur ther in 2010, MS launched a new version of www. marksandspencer. om designed specifically for use on mobile phones and mobile devicesthe first mobile site from a major UK high street retailer. Through this, the company aims to expand its multi-channel offering. During the same year, MS launched England Football team suit exclusively in MS stores, to take value of the football World cup expenditure. The company opened its new 1. 1 million square feet distribution centre at ProLogis Park Bradford in the UK in 2010. This warehouse in the UK will serve all the companys stores with furniture products and store equipment.Later in 2010, MS launched a r ange of Solar PV and Solar Thermal piss heating solutions. Fur thering the sustainability initiatives, the company also announced that it will use polyester made from recycled PET drinks bottles sooner of virgin polymer to make more than 300 million clothing care labels a year. Towards the end of 2010, MS announced plans to move into rail distribution to reduce its carbon footprint. More than 300,000 general merchandise products per week would move from road to rail distribution. The company also opened a new shopping center in Vilnius, Lithuania at the end of year.In April 2011, MS opened its greenest ever store at Ecclesall Road in Sheffield. This is the first store of a number of new Sustainable Learning stores planned by the company as par t of its drive to become the worlds most sustainable major retailer by 2015. The company opened 20 stores in the UK during FY2011, including 17 Simply Foods. In international, MS opened 49 new stores and closed 15 stores. During the same per iod, the company entered the Egyptian market with a 28,000 square feet store in the Dandy Mega Mall in Cairo.The company, in July 2011, launched a new iPad occupation for its investors. This application will provide investors with latest MS financial news. In the following month, MS signed a traceability deal with Historic Futures. As per the deal, Historic Futures will provide the company full traceability on ever y single clothing and home product it sells. MS is the first major retailer to commit to full traceability for non-food products. In September 2011, MS opened a new store at Westfield, Stratford City with the latest Only at Your MS innovations and customer experiences.In the following month, MS launched its new French website, http//www. marksandspencer. fr/, marking its first international transactional website. Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 7 Marks and Spencer Group plc History The company, in November 2011, opened its new flagship store at 100 Avenue de s Champs-elysees in Paris. MS, in February 2012, launched its outlet format on its website at www. marksandspencer. com/outlet. MS Outlet will permanently offer a selection of more than 1,300 feel MS clothing products with up to 40% off the regular high street and online prices.In the same month, the company recalled four products (Crispy Prawn Wonton, Crispy Vegetable Balls, Prawn Baguette Toast, and Prawn Siu Mai Selection) from its Chinese range due to mi involvement in use by date. In evidence 2012, the company, announced plans to launch a new website for its Irish customers, http//www. marksandspencer. ie/. In April 2012, MS announced that it will accept secondhand enclothe at UK outlets in order to recycle into other fabrics or reuse overseas by the Oxfam liberality in an aim to cut waste. Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 8 Marks and Spencer Group plc account Employees KEY EMPLOYEES Name art Title control panel Marc Bolland hirer decision maker officer exe cutive mature 975000 GBP Alan Stewar t Chief finance Officer executive plug-in 550000 GBP Kate Bostock decision maker manager, General Merchandise administrator shape up 590000 GBP John Dixon decision maker theatre director, Food administrator mount up 540000 GBP Steven Sharp Executive coach, Marketing Executive hop on 655000 GBP Laura Wade-Gery Executive theatre director, Multi-channel E-commerce Executive menu Amanda Mellor Group Secretar y and Head of Corporate Governance Executive Board Rober t Swannell Chairman of the BoardNon Executive Board Vindi Banga music director Non Executive Board Miranda bastard tis Director Non Executive Board Jeremy Darroch Director Non Executive Board 85000 GBP Steven Holliday Director Non Executive Board 85000 GBP Mar tha pathway Fox Director Non Executive Board 70000 GBP Jan du Plessis Director Non Executive Board 70000 GBP Clem Constantine Director, prim ty senior charge Tanith device Director, valet de chambre Resources elde rberry bush concern Dominic Fr y Director, Communications and Investor Relations senior(a) Management Jan Heere Director, internationalist Senior Management Nayna McIntoshDirector, Store Marketing and Design Senior Management Steve Rowe Director, Retail Senior Management Darrell beer mug Director, Information Technology and Logistics Senior Management Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine remuneration 450000 GBP Page 9 Marks and Spencer Group plc paint Employee Biographies KEY EMPLOYEE BIOGRAPHIES Marc Bolland Board Executive Board hire out Title Chief Executive Officer Since 2010 Mr. Bolland has been the Chief Executive Officer at Marks and Spencer Group since 2010. Previously, he was the Chief Executive Officer at Morrisons Supermarkets from 2006 to 2010.Prior to this, Mr. Bolland worked at Heineken for 20 years in several(a) management office staffs, including Executive Board member and Chief Operating Officer, and responsibility for operations and business development in the US, France, Italy, Spain, the Caribbean and Latin America. He also ser ves as a Director at Manpower. Alan Stewart Board Executive Board telephone circuit Title Chief Finance Officer Since 2010 Mr. Stewar t has been the Chief Finance Officer at Marks and Spencer Group since 2010. Before connective the company, he was the Chief Financial Officer at AWAS, an aircraft leasing company. Mr.Stewar t washed-out 10 years at HSBC Investment Bank before fall in Thomas Cook in 1996, where he held various senior uses, including Chief Executive at Thomas Cook UK. Mr. Stewar t get together WH Smith in 2005 as Group Finance Director. He also ser ved as a Non Executive Director at Games Workshop Group. Kate Bostock Board Executive Board duty Title Executive Director, General Merchandise Ms. Bostock is the Executive Director of General Merchandise at Marks and Spencer Group. She linked the company in 2004. Previously, Ms. Bostock was the ingathering Director for Childrenswear at Ne xt from 1994.She also ser ved as the Product Director for the George brand covering all areas of clothing and footwear at Asda. John Dixon Board Executive Board mull over Title Executive Director, Food Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 10 Marks and Spencer Group plc find out Employee Biographies Since 2009 Mr. Dixon has been the Executive Director of Food at Marks and Spencer Group since 2009. He joined the company as a Store Management Trainee. Mr. Dixon held various senior roles at the company for over 20 years, including Executive Assistant, Chief Executive, and Director of Home and MS Direct.Steven Sharp Board Executive Board gambol Title Executive Director, Marketing Mr. Sharp is the Executive Director of Marketing at Marks and Spencer Group. He joined the company in 2004. Previously, Mr. Shar p served as the Marketing Director at Asda, the withdraw ton Group, Booker, and Arcadia Group. Currently, he is a Non Executive Director at Adnams. Laura Wade-Gery Board Ex ecutive Board Job Title Executive Director, Multi-channel E-commerce Since 2011 Ms. Wade-Gery has been the Executive Director of Multi-channel E-commerce at Marks and Spencer Group since 2011.Prior to this, she worked at Tesco and held a variety of senior roles, including Chief Executive Officer of Tesco. com and Tesco Direct. Ms. Wade-Ger y also held various roles at similitude Consulting and Kleinwor t Benson. She has also been a Non Executive Director at Trinity Mirror since 2006. Amanda Mellor Board Executive Board Job Title Group secretarial assistant and Head of Corporate Governance Ms. Mellor is the Group Secretary and Head of Cor porate Governance at Marks and Spencer Group. She joined the company in 2004 as the Head of Investor Relations. Ms.Mellor spent her early career in investment management at James Capel before becoming a Director within its Corporate Finance team. She then served at Rober t Fleming, Investment Banking prior to joining The Bur ton Group as the Direct or of Cor porate Relations and Investor Relations. Robert Swannell Board Non Executive Board Job Title Chairman of the Board Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 11 Marks and Spencer Group plc Key Employee Biographies Since 2011 Mr. Swannell has been the Chairman of the Board at Marks and Spencer Group since 2011.He joined the company in 2010 as a Non Executive Director. Prior to this, Mr. Swannell was a Senior Independent Director at The British lower Company, and 3i Group. He spent over 30 years in investment banking at Schroders/Citigroup. Mr. Swannell was previously the infirmity Chairman at Citi Europe and Co-Chairman at Citis European Investment Bank. Vindi Banga Board Non Executive Board Job Title Director Since 2011 Mr. Banga has been a Director at Marks and Spencer Group since 2011. He is currently a Par tner at Clayton Dubilier Rice, a private equity investment firm. Prior to this, Mr.Banga spent 33 years at Unilever, where he held several senior positions, incl uding President of the Global Foods, Home and Personal Care businesses, and was a member of the Unilever Executive Board. He also serves as a Non Executive Director at Thomson Reuters and Maruti Suzuki India. Miranda Curtis Board Non Executive Board Job Title Director Since 2012 Ms. Cur tis has been a Director at Marks and Spencer Group since February 2012. She is currently the Chairman at Waterstones, and a Non Executive Director at Liber ty Global. Ms. Cur tis has also been a Non Executive Director at national Express Group since 2008.She also serves on the Boards of the land for Government, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Camfed (the leading Afri arsehole girls education charity). Jeremy Darroch Board Non Executive Board Job Title Director Since 2006 Mr. Darroch has been a Director at Marks and Spencer Group since 2006. He also ser ves as the Chief Executive at British shift Broadcasting. Previously, Mr. Darroch ser ved as the Chief Financial Officer at British Sky Broadcas ting. Prior to this, he was the Group Finance Director and Retail Finance Director at Dixons Retail (formerly DSG International). Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 12 Marks and Spencer Group plc Key Employee Biographies Steven Holliday Board Non Executive Board Job Title Director Since 2004 Mr. Holliday has been a Director at Marks and Spencer Group since 2004. He is the Group Chief Executive Officer at study Grid. Prior to that, Mr. Holliday served as the Director of UK and Europe and was responsible for(p) for the UK Electricity and Gas businesses. He is also the Chairman of the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy. Prior to joining subject Grid, Mr. Holliday was an Executive Director at British Borneo Oil and Gas.Previously, he held several senior positions at Exxon Group. Martha Lane Fox Board Non Executive Board Job Title Director Since 2007 Ms. Fox has been a Director at Marks and Spencer Group since 2007. She is the UKs Digital Champion, the Chairman of Rac e Online 2012, and a Non Executive Director at Channel 4 Television. Ms. Fox is founder and Chairman of Lucky Voice, and of her own grant-giving foundation, Antigone. She was co-founder of lastminute. com. Jan du Plessis Board Non Executive Board Job Title Director Since 2008 Mr. du Plessis has been a Director at Marks and Spencer Group since 2008.He is the Chairman at Rio Tinto. Previously, Mr. du Plessis was the Chairman at British Ameri provide Tobacco and a Non Executive Director at Lloyds Banking Group. He also ser ved as the Chairman at RHM from 2005 to 2007. Mr. du Plessis was previously the Group Finance Director at Richemont, a position he held until 2004. Clem Constantine Board Senior Management Job Title Director, right ty Mr. Constantine is the Director, Proper ty at Marks and Spencer Group. He joined the company in 2006. Mr. Constantine was appointed the Group Proper ty and Retail Planning Director at Arcadia Group in 1999.He was appointed to his first finance director ship in 1993, for the IS brand at the Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 13 Marks and Spencer Group plc Key Employee Biographies Bur ton Group, and moved through several other finance directorships with variable responsibilities including systems and retail. Mr. Constantine was trained as a Char tered Accountant at Stoy Hayward, and joined Debenhams in 1989 as a Financial Analyst. Tanith Dodge Board Senior Management Job Title Director, Human Resources Since 2008 Ms. Dodge has been the Director, Human Resources at Marks and Spencer Group since 2008.She was formerly the Group Human Resources Director at WH Smith since 2003. At WH Smith, Ms. Dodge was also responsible for Public Relations, Communications and Post Office Operations. Prior to this, she was the Senior Vice President Human Resources for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at InterContinental Hotels Group. Ms. Dodge also served as the Human Resources Director at Diageos two business divisions. She was also the International Human Resources Manager at Prudential Corporation. Dominic Fry Board Senior Management Job Title Director, Communications and Investor RelationsMr. Fry is the Director, Communications and Investor Relations at Marks and Spencer Group. He joined the company in 2009. Prior to this, Mr. Fr y ser ved at Tulchan Communications. In 1996, he was appointed the Communications Director at J Sainsbury and ser ved in the same role at ScottishPower from 2000 to 2005. In 1989, Mr. Fr y became the Communications Director at ATT in the UK before moving from in that respect to head up communications at the Channel Tunnel in the mid 90s. He star ted his career in 1982 working in PR consultancy at Traverse-Healy Regester and then Charles Barker.Jan Heere Board Senior Management Job Title Director, International Since 2011 Mr. Heere has been the Director, International at Marks and Spencer Group since 2011. He joined Inditex in 2002 where he held a several international roles, most new ly as General Manager for Inditex Russia. During 200002, Mr. Heere held various senior management roles at Zara, Groupo Inmobiliario Lupaco, and Charanga. He began his career at Manpower in Spain in 1997. Nayna McIntosh Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 14 Marks and Spencer Group plc Key Employee BiographiesBoard Senior Management Job Title Director, Store Marketing and Design Ms. McIntosh is the Director, Store Marketing and Design at Marks and Spencer Group. She joined the company in 2005. Prior to this, Ms. McIntosh was par t of the Management Team that set up the per una brand in 2001. Previously, she served as the Sales and Marketing Director for the George brand at Asda stores. Before joining George, Ms. McIntosh was at Next for four years as a Divisional Executive for the South of England. Steve Rowe Board Senior Management Job Title Director, Retail Since 2008 Mr.Rowe has been the Director, Retail at Marks and Spencer Group since 2008. He joined the company in 198 9 and held a variety of positions in store management, having previously worked at Topshop as a Store Manager. Mr. Rowe joined Head Office in 1992 as a Merchandiser for Menswear. In 1998, he was promoted to Category Manager in the Furniture Depar tment. In 2001, Mr. Rowe led the team developing the Home exploitation Strategy, working with McKinsey Consultants, and became Head of Home categories in 2003. He was promoted to the Director of Home a year posterior in 2004. From 2004 to 2008, Mr.Rowe was also responsible for Beauty and New Business Development. Darrell Stein Board Senior Management Job Title Director, Information Technology and Logistics Mr. Stein is the Director, Information Technology and Logistics at Marks and Spencer Group. He has been working in IT for 17 years star ting his career at the company in 1990. Mr. Stein re-joined MS in 2006 as the IT Director. From 2001 to 2006, he ser ved at Vodafone, becoming IT Director for Vodafone UK in 2004. Prior to this, Mr. Ste in was Vodafones UK Network Director and Global IT Strategy and Architecture Director.From 1996 to 2001, he ser ved at Ernst Young, leading a number of major IT and Change Programmes in the financial services, retail and utility sectors. In 1994, Mr. Stein joined Mars as a Project Manager. Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 15 Marks and Spencer Group plc Major Products and Services MAJOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MS is one of the leading retailers of clothing, foods and homeware in the UK. The companys mark products and services include the following Products Womens wear Mens wear Lingerie Childrens wear Footwear Food and grocery items Homeware and home accessoriesKitchen and tableware Lighting Furniture products Services Credit cards Car, home, travel, and pet insurance Personal loans Brands Autograph throttle Collection Collezione Blue Harbour Girls Boutique Per Una Ceriso Adored Truly you Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 16 Marks and Spencer Group plc Revenue epitome REVENUE ANALYSIS Overview The company recorded revenues of ? 9,740. 3 million (approximately $15,158. 8 million) in FY2011, an profit of 2. 1% over FY2010. For FY2011, the UK, the companys largest geographic market, accounted for 89. 7% of the total revenues.MS generates revenues through two business divisions food (51. 5%% of the total revenues in FY2011), and general merchandise (48. 5%). Revenues by division* During FY2011, the food division recorded revenues of ? 4,499. 4 million (approximately $7,002. 4 million), an increase of 1. 9% over FY2010. The general merchandise division recorded revenues of ? 4,233. 6 million (approximately $6,588. 8 million) in FY2011, an increase of 2% over FY2010. *The revenue breakdown by division is only for the revenues from the UK market. Revenues by geographics The UK, MS largest geographical market, accounted for 89. % of the total revenues in FY2011. Revenues from the UK reached ? 8,733 million (approximately $13,591. 2 million) in FY2011, an increase of 1. 9% over FY2010. International operations accounted for 10. 3% of the total revenues in FY2011. Revenues from international operations reached ? 1,007. 3 million (approximately $1,567. 7 million) in FY2011, an increase of 4% over FY2010. Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 17 Marks and Spencer Group plc tog out summary SWOT ANALYSIS MS is one of the leading retailers of clothing, foods and homeware in the UK.The company has expanded its food product offering significantly in the recent years. New products launches, focus on expanding healthy products, promotions, and competitive prices are all helping the company attract customers in a highly competitive market. However, surge in shoplifting could negatively repair the cost structure for MS. Strengths Weaknesses Expanding food offering Strong market position in the clothing segment Geographical expansion to increase the available market and reduce vulnerability to mature UK market MS etched a h ighly impressive CSR system MS bequest stores and systems are a ompetitive disadvantage Declining general merchandise division sales due to inadequate stocking Opportunities Threats Online channel continues to boom and will enable MS to boost revenues Focus on China and India can lead to expansion in two of the fastest increment markets Surge in shoplifting losses costs the retailers and customers Weak consumer spending in the UK Rising labor cost in the UK Strengths Expanded food offering The company has expanded its food product offering significantly in the recent years. In 2009, MS consistently highlighted it is cheaper than Waitrose on a basket of 1,200 items by about 2%.The company, in 2009, decided to invest in its margins in order to provide its customers better time value. As a precede of this, MS saw improved perceptions of value by its customers. The company, in FY2011, launched around 1,800 new products in food and positioned itself as the UKs leading high super ior food retailer. The key product launches of the company include Taste Italia, and Made Without Wheat range of gluten-free bread and cakes, With the success of Made Without Wheat product range, the company launched gluten-free sandwiches, sausages, stuffing, and crisp bakes.As of FY2011, the company offered 125 gluten-free products. MS also became the UKs second largest deary health food brand with the launch of its Simply Fuller Longer range which encourages customers to manage their tilt with a menu plan. The gross margin of food division increase by 20 basis points to Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 18 Marks and Spencer Group plc SWOT Analysis 30. 8% in FY2011. This was mainly driven by better management of promotions and waste. Fur ther, in the four th quar ter of FY2012 ended March 2012, MS launched 500 new products in the food division.The sales in this quar ter increase by 3. 1%, The companys promotions such as roast dinner for ? 5 ($7. 8), Dine In, etc offer ed its customers with great value solutions for special occasions. MS food division has been performing well in a ver y competitive market and against tough competitors. By launching innovative products and with an expanded food offering, the company has been able to attract the customers in a highly competitive market. Strong market position in the clothing segment MS has a strong market position in the clothing segment.With more than one in 10 clothing items bought from MS, the company ranks amongst the three largest clothing retailers in the UK. fit in to a repor t released by Verdict (Datamonitors retail arm) in May 2012, MS is known for its product quality. The company was ranked first with a score of 49 for its product quality above the market medium of 23. According to another repor t released by Verdict in April 2012, MS enjoys highest conversion rate of 50. 7% and is very successful in conver ting visitors to loyal main users through its varied product offer, in-store ser vice and garment quality.This indicates that MS is a trustwor thy brand, which all main users would return to knowing that the quality, fit, and ser vice are reliable and consistent. The retailer has recognized that its core market of predominantly mature customers has been especially grave hit by move up core costs of living, falling interest on savings and worsened prospects for pensions, and in reaction has lowered its entr y prices to compete more effectively with high street/value operators and supermarkets, helping to maintain the loyalty of its main users and prevent them from shopping elsewhere.Verdict, in its repor t in March 2012, ranked, MS seventh in the global depar tment store market with a share of 3. 2%. This market leadership enabled MS to excel throughout the economic downturn, go other mid-market retailers are pressured from the ever expanding value players. Leading market position indicates access to a large customer base and also popularity of MS offering in the clothing segment. Going forward, this market position would enable the company to drive revenues as consumer spending recovers.Geographical expansion to increase the addressable market and reduce vulnerability to mature UK market With a por tfolio of over 361 owned and franchised stores in 42 territories MS continues to grow its international business. This mix of ownership models and countries enabled the company to perform well in FY2011, even when individual markets were atonic. Fur ther, during FY2011, the company entered the Egyptian market with a 28,000 square feet store in the Dandy Mega Mall in Cairo. MS international business grew by 4% in FY2011 despite tough economic situation.As an established retailer in a mature market, it is going to be hard for MS to continually deliver significant increases in UK sales. However, in the long run, its international business offers an oppor tunity for high outgrowth. By generating much higher volumes, it can deliver margin benef its with suppliers. With production costs rising, this will be an advantage in the UK. International expansion will enable the company to access multiple sales points for most of the product ranges. This is especially relevant for clothing and homewares segments.Also, through expansion in the international markets MS can reduce Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 19 Marks and Spencer Group plc SWOT Analysis vulnerability to mature UK market. The company can also par ticipate effectively in some of highest growing markets such as China and India. All these factors would enable the company to reduce the overall business venture and facilitate increased revenues. MS etched a highly effective CSR strategy MS has to its credit an effective corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy.CSR has been gaining prominence not just among the stake holders and governments but the consumers as well. The company has the highest propor tion of consumers believing it to be a responsible r etailer and this can mostly be attributed to the success of its Plan A, a ? 200 million (approximately $320. 3 million) 100-point plan launched in 2007 with five areas of focus climate change, fair par tnership, health, sustainable raw materials, and waste. In FY2011, the company included two more areas in its Plan A involving customers, and making Plan A how we do business.In the last few years, initiatives launched under the Plan A banner include launching the companys first eco-store, encouraging suppliers to set-up eco-factories, removing hydrogenated fats from its ready meals, increasing the propor tion of organic food, reducing the salt content of its produce, cer tifying a larger percentage of its look for as originating from sustainable populations, and beginning to sell recycle and composting bins. It is the high profile presence of Plan A in adver tising unravels, product labeling and store signage that gives MS one of the best consumer perceptions of a retailer for soc ial responsibility.The campaign works not just as a direct to consumer channel, but also because of the demonstrable reporting it creates. Perhaps more impor tantly, it has publicized all of these initiatives lengthyly. In 2008, MS launched a TV adver tising campaign steering on its ethical, environmental and health-conscious credentials, highlighting that it only uses free range eggs and that its products are now free from ar tificial colors and flavorings. Other, more innovative, ideas shoot included a joint venture with Oxfam to promote the recycling of old clothes.In addition, more controversially, the retailer introduced a 5p charge for carrier bags at all of its food depar tments in 2008. Though many consumers resented this charge, it has undoubtedly boosted MS reputation as an ethical retailer. Overall, sculpting its CSR strategy into such a high publicity campaign, divided into such clear action points and highly visible benefits, has seen the company move to the forefr ont of responsible retailing. In FY2011, the company launched Indigo Green, its first range of clothing made using more sustainable fabrics.In April 2012, the company announced to accept secondhand clothes at all the UK outlets except Simply Food stores, to recycle them into other fabrics or to reuse them in order to cut waste. Plan A has seen CSR become core to MS principles in the eyes of the consumer and it has reaped the benefits of this, gaining shoppers as a result and repor tedly saving more than ? 70 million (approximately $108. 9 million) in efficiencies gained in FY2011 compared with ? 50 million (approximately $77. 8 million) in FY2010.In addition, MS improved energy efficiency in its stores by 23% and warehouses by 24% in FY2011 compared to FY2007. It also improved the fuel efficiency of its deliver y fleets by 20% and total carbon emissions necessitate been reduced by 13%. The company now recycles 94% of all the waste it generates from its stores, offices and warehouse s. The total waste is down by more than a third. MS also met its sustainable standards by sourcing 90% of wild fish in FY2011 (62% in FY2010) and 76% of woodwind in FY2011 (72% in FY2010). Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 20 Marks and Spencer Group plcSWOT Analysis By actively promoting a products greener attributes (for example fewer, more recognizable and natural ingredients), retailers such as MS have positioned products as improving ones personal environment while benefiting the global environment too. some of their successes have come from emphasizing the former rather than the latter, especially as consumers often associate morality with a sense of wellbeing. In terms of the issues that concern consumers, the sustainability of natural resources is a major fear, as are climate change and the fairness of sourcing arrangements.Consumers are also attracted to products with health benefits and there is a clear trim back that consumers can be persuaded to par t with more money in return for products with a positive impact, not just to them personally, but also to wider society. Indeed, differentiating between products becomes harder and harder to achieve, Verdict gestates consumers to turn to auxiliary considerations such as ethicality and sustainability to guide their choices. Consumers are no longer purely satisfied with how a product looks and functions they want assurances over aspects such as nvironmental impact, hygiene, safety, and fairness. In light of the above mentioned trends where the customer choices are increasingly guided by the sustainability issues, MS will benefit due to its reputation of being a responsible retailer. Weaknesses MS legacy stores and systems are a competitive disadvantage MS suffers some competitive disadvantages compared to Tesco, which has been able to drive hire before interest and tax (EBIT) growth even in the mature UK market. Tesco benefits from supplier power and state-of-the-ar t IT, supply chain and systems compared with MS legacy systems.The supermarket retailer has been able to break up the get hold of cur ve with metro, express and big box store formats out of town and on the high street. Moreover, Tesco stores have been cautiously designed with consistent store layouts in order to facilitate store navigation. Extra back elbow room store space has also been allocated to allow for smooth execution of its picking and distribution model. Tesco sells both own label and branded goods (food and non-food) in a bid to drive up footfall and sales conversion. MS legacy stores are inconsistent in terms of layout.Store size tends to dictate product availability, while a lack of back room store space does not facilitate the same style supermarket pick and delivery model. The legacy systems and stores of MS are constraining effective servicing of customer demands on a consistent basis. This is placing the company at a clear competitive disadvantage compared to a dangerous opponent, Te sco. Declining general merchandise division sales due to inadequate stocking The companys general merchandise division sales declined in recent times, MS general merchandise division sales fall by 2. % in the four th quar ter of FY2012 ended March 2012. This was mainly due to shor tage of stock in its stores, Due to this, the company was also not able to meet customer demand for 300,000 knitwear garments under the MS Woman label. It only sold Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 21 Marks and Spencer Group plc SWOT Analysis 100,000 knitwear garments during this period. Fur ther, in times of high demand, inadequate stock could hamper the sales of the division and result in loss of sales to competitors.This not only affects the revenues of the company but could also result in shift of customers to its competitors. Opportunities Online channel continues to boom and will enable MS to boost revenues Online retail sales in the UK have grown significantly over a period of time. Acc ording to Office for National Statistics, non-seasonally adjusted average weekly value for internet retail sales in the UK was ? 414 million (approximately $644. 3 million) in Februar y 2010, this increased to ? 573. 6 million (approximately $892. 7 million) in February 2012, representing an increase of 18%. network sales accounted for only 8% of the total retail sales (excluding fuel) in Februar y 2010. This figure increased to 10. 7% in February 2012. The growing desire for convenience is seeing shoppers buy more online, especially in the category of food and grocery. Consumers have also become savvier, using the internet more to get the best deal they can. Voucher codes, and cashback sites have been instrumental in this. Additionally, improved deliver y and fulfillment options have been encouraging consumers to shop more online.The company operates in the internet channel through MS Direct where the products are offered through website and newly launched Shop Your Way facility, a new ordering service that has been rolled-out in 444 stores (including 151 in Simply Foods stores) during FY2011, allowing customers to place orders either in stores, online or over the phone, for deliver y to either a nominated address or free of charge to their nearest store. MS Directs sales increased from ? 413 million (approximately $642. 8 million) in FY2010 to ? 543 million (approximately $845. million) in FY2011, an increase of 31. 5%. Fur ther, in the first half of FY2012, MS Directs sales increased by 11. 7% with more than three million visitors per week. Thus, by leveraging its online presence, MS can cater to the requirements of a growing number of customers who are looking for convenience and better deals over the internet. Focus on China and India can lead to expansion in two of the fastest growing markets China and India are two economies which are recording highest growth rates which, in turn, are standed to aid the retail market growth in these two countries.Asia s retail sales are estimated to increase with China driving the growth. According to the precedent estimation, the gross domestic product (GDP) of China was CNY47,156. 4 billion ($7,285. 7 billion) in 2011, a year-on-year increase of 9. 2% at comparable prices. The fast pace economic development in China coupled with the rise of the middle class income group and their increasing disposable income have fur ther pushed up the demand for several consumer goods. According to National Bureau of Statistics of China, the total retail sales reached CNY18,391. 9 billion (approximately $2,841. billion) in 2011, representing a year-on-year nominal growth rate of 17. 1%. Fur ther, according to industr y estimates, the countr ys total retail sales are expected to increase from approximately CNY20 one thousand million ($3 trillion) in 2012 to approximately CNY26 trillion ($4 trillion) in 2016, representing an increase of about 30%. Strong Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 22 Marks an d Spencer Group plc SWOT Analysis underlying economic trends, population growth and the increasing wealthiness of individuals are key factors that contribute to the retail market expansion in China.The retail industry in India is large owing to a large population and is set to grow as several factors contribute. According to the industry sources, the retail sales in India are forecast to grow from around $411 billion in 2011 to $804 billion by 2015. The key factors behind the forecast growth include strong underlying economic growth, population expansion, increasing wealth of individuals and the rapid construction of organized retail infrastructure. Also, as middle and upper class consumer base expands, there will also be oppor tunities in Indias second and third-tier cities.The greater availability of personal credit and a growing vehicle population are to improve mobility which will also contribute to a trend towards retail sales growth. MS is strengthening presence in India and China as par t of its geographic expansion and for some time to come, these countries would be the key contributors to the companys international expansion strategies. The company in with par tnership with Reliance Retail, an established retailer in India, can tap into this lucrative market while expansion in China also continues. Indian and Chinese markets would provide a huge potential revenue base for MS.Threats Surge in shoplifting losses costs the retailers and customers The UK retailers are exposed to increased costs of shoplifting. Shoplifting has assumed massive propor tions in recent times. According to industry estimates, retail crime costed UK stores ? 1. 4 billion ($2. 2 billion) in 2011. at that place are about two million thefts per year, which concludes to an average of more than one per minute. According to another industr y repor t, the thefts across the UK stores increased from ? 4. 2 million ($6. 5 million) in 2009 to ? 5. 1 million ($7. 9 million) in 2011, an i ncrease of 20%.Long-term trends also show the figure is likely to continue rising. As a result, retailers have been increasing their surveillance spend. This is increasing the costs for retailers as well as for the end consumers. The shoplifting losses are adding to the costs for the retailers and the customers have also been bearing the brunt. The surge in shoplifting could negatively impact the cost structure for MS as well. Weak consumer spending in the UK The UK market is suffering from weak consumer spending. The European debt crisis added more downward pressure to the growth prospects of the UK.According to Eurostat, the UK economy grew by 0. 7% in 2011 and is expected to grow by 0. 5% in 2012. In addition, the UK has witnessed high unemployment rate. According to the Office of National Statistics, the unemployment rate for the three months period November 2011 to January 2012 was 8. 4% with 2. 67 million unemployed people in the UK. increase unemployment rate is expected to f ur ther put pressure on the economy of the UK. High inflation, led by the increase in VAT to 20% and public spending cuts reduced disposable Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 23 Marks and Spencer Group plc SWOT Analysis income, leading to a fall in consumer spending on discretionary items. Consumers have been cautious with their spending especially due to soaring gas pedal prices, tax increases and uncer tainty over jobs. The UK is the key market for MS. In FY2011, the UK accounted for 89. 7% of MS total revenues. Thus, the sluggish consumer spending and high unemployment rate in the UK could affect most of the non-food retailers and lead to reduced sales volume or shrinking profit margins. Rising labor cost in the UKLabor costs are rising in the UK. In recent times, tight labor markets, increased over time, government mandated increases in token(prenominal) wages and a higher propor tion of full-time employees are resulting in an increase in labor costs, which could mat erially impact the companys results of operation. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) Regulations came into force in 1999 and since then the NMW rates have been increased annually. The national minimum wage increased from ? 5. 93 per hour ($9. 23 per hour) in October 2010 to ? 6. 08 per hour ($9. 46 per hour) in October 2011.Fur ther, the national minimum wage is expected to increase to ? 6. 19 per hour (9. 63 per hour) from October 2012. In FY2011, MS employed 78,169 people. Increasing labor costs can adversely affect the companys operating costs as its wage bills would escalate. This, in turn, could impact its margins adversely. Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 24 Marks and Spencer Group plc Top Competitors TOP COMPETITORS The following companies are the major competitors of Marks and Spencer Group plc ASDA Group Limited Debenhams plc H M Hennes Mauritz AB J Sainsbury plcNEXT plc Selfridges plc Tesco PLC Gap, Inc. , The French Connection Group Plc House of Fraser Group P lc John Lewis Par tnership plc Arcadia Group Limited Home Retail Group Plc Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 25 Marks and Spencer Group plc Company View COMPANY VIEW A statement by Rober t Swannell, the Chairman of the Board at Marks and Spencer Group, is given below. The statement has been taken from the companys Annual Repor t for FY2011. I feel ver y privileged to be Chairman of this unique company and at such an exciting time in our evolution.Since joining Marks Spencer in October and assuming the role of Chairman in Januar y, I have spent much of my time getting to know the business better meeting our employees, shareholders, customers and suppliers. I first became deeply involved with MS during the unsolicited takeover attempt in 2004, when I led the advisory team that helped put the MS study to its shareholders. It was then I learned first hand about this unique company about the extraordinarily strong relationship it has with its many stakeholders and about it s very special ethos.This ethos is a reflection of the high standards our customers expect from MS trusting us not only to deliver great value, great quality products but also to do the right thing socially, environmentally and ethically. We know that putting Plan A at the hear t of how we do business is not just the right thing to do it is also fundamental to our long-term success. Performance In a challenging marketplace MS has continued to grow, with underlying profits up 12. 9% on the year.We delivered this by staying true to our heritage of quality and innovation, reminding our customers what makes MS special. This year Marc Bolland set out a clear medium-term plan for the business, after all-encompassing discussions with colleagues and us, the Board. This is covered in detail in Marcs review. From day one, I have been struck by the passion and commitment of our people. I am delighted that this year we are paying a grant to all employees to thank them for their energy and e nthusiasm in what has been a difficult trading environment. DividendWe are affiliated to delivering consistent returns for our shareholders. To this end we have adopted a progressive dividend policy, with dividends broadly covered twice by earnings. We intend to pay a final dividend of 10. 8p per share (last year 9. 5p) in respect of the 2010/11 financial year. Governance Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 26 Marks and Spencer Group plc Company View This year we returned to the traditional governance structure of a separate Chairman and Chief Executive, providing clarity between Marc Bolland and me, with find out to our respective roles.Put simply, I run the Board and Marc runs the business. The Board has a wide range of responsibilities. There are three that I think are par ticularly impor tant for the success of the business first, to debate and couple our strategy and hold the executive team accountable for its execution second, to ensure that we have the most able team to execute this strategy and that we plan effectively for succession and third, to set the tone for governance, which is par ticularly impor tant at MS where doing the right thing is an integral par t of our ethos. My ob is to ensure the Board has the right mix of skills and talents and to ensure that it works effectively as a team towards shared goals with the right mix of enquir y and suppor t of the executive directors from the non-executive directors. During the year we commissioned a formal Board paygrade from an independent consultant, the findings of which are outlined in the Governance section. This process highlighted the real enthusiasm of the directors in suppor ting a shared ambition to guide MS to the ver y best future. We know that you expect high standards from MS its our responsibility to learn how we can improve.This review was an impor tant par t of that journey. As stated in our 2009/10 Annual Repor t, we reviewed the senior remuneration structure this year. Following extensive shareholder consultation, we believe we now have a framework that is both relevant to todays MS and fully aligned with our strategy. The Board Over the last year the Board has been strengthened by a series of executive appointments. In May 2010 Marc Bolland joined the business as Chief Executive, assuming the day-to-day running of the business from Sir Stuar t Rose in July.In October Alan Stewar t joined as Chief Finance Officer and in February we announced the appointment of Laura Wade-Gery as Executive Director, Multi-channel E-commerce she will join the Board in July. Whilst the Board features some new faces, these changes have taken place around a core of executive and non-executive directors that has remained stable over recent years. I would like to pay par ticular tribute to Sir Stuar t Rose. When he became Chief Executive in 2004, MS was at a low ebb.He restored confidence in MS, re-established its value and built a strong business. The fast(a) platfor m from which Marc is now implementing his plan is a credit to Stuar ts energy and tireless commitment to MS over the last seven years. The smooth management transition the meticulous handover to me and the suppor t of Marc is also a credit to Stuar t. In that connection, I would also like to thank Sir David Michels, and the Nominations Governance committal he led, for managing a change of leadership over the past year that was accomplished quietly and effectively.David has decided to step down from the Board at the end of his second term in February 2012, but I am delighted that he will continue his role as Deputy Chairman until then. Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLine Page 27 Marks and Spencer Group plc Company View I must also thank Louise Patten for the significant contribution she has made over the last five years, playing an impor tant role in each of our Board Committees. As Louise reaches the end of her second three year term on the Board, she has decided not to seek re-election at the upcoming AGM. Looking aheadOur priorities for the year ahead are clear. We have a plan and it is now our collective job to make it happen. The Board will concentrate on delivering exemplary governance at the highest level to enable our executive team to drive this strategy forward. The economy still gives us reason to be cautious. Yet in difficult times, our core values of Quality, Value, Ser vice, Innovation and Trust matter more than ever to MS customers. These values remain at the hear t of our strategy and I therefore look forward to the future with confidence. Marks and Spencer Group plc MarketLinePage 28 Marks and Spencer Group plc Locations and Subsidiaries LOCATIONS AND SUBSIDIARIES Head Office Marks and Spencer Group plc Waterside House 35 Nor th Wharf Road London W2 1NW GBR P44 20 7935 4422 http//www. marksandspencer. com Other Locations and Subsidiaries Marks and Spencer International Holdings Limited Great Britain GBR Marks and Spencer (Nederland) BV NLD Marks and Spencer (Ireland) Limited IRL Marks and Spencer (Asia Pacific) Limited HKG Marks and Spencer Simply Foods Limited Great Britain GBR Marks and Spencer Marinopoulos Greece SA GRC Marks and Spencer SCM Limited