Business plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Business plan - Assignment Example The majority of Canadian customers are not ready to accept reduced quality of commercial ice creams. Hence the potential for specialized ice creams is high in this market. By combining beverages as ice coffee, milk shakes, hot cappuccino and hot coco, with the desserts and ice creams, the SW&D offers a year round reason for customers to visit the outlet. The business model that would be used in the SW&D venture would be a Differentiated Value experience where even through the pricing would be up-market and above market averages, the exotic varieties of deserts, the freshness and natural ingredients will deliver a value package that will differentiate the company. The products will be exclusive and exotic in nature but reasonably priced to maintain affordability. The expectations is that SW&D’s premium image will offer a low price elasticity in terms of economic considerations and make customers willing to pay additional money to experience the SW&D quality. Combined expertise of the two partnering entrepreneurs, Neil and Susan Shucroft will offer culinary expertise in dessert making which Neil acquired in qualifications and experience during the years in Europe as well as Susan’s service management experience in food service field. The initial financial analysis points to a highly lucrative venture and the capital funding to be invested can be recovered within 2 years period of time. This is a relatively low investment venture with high profitability returns of around 50% GP margins and 15% average NP margins. Such profitability is common to Food service industry, if the venture’s operations are managed stringently and with cost and quality consciousness. This business report provides a comprehensive market analysis and prose the business and functional level strategies as well as a preliminary financial analysis for the review of prospective investors of this

Odeipus the King Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Odeipus the King - Essay Example Antigone (1500 A.D) Psychology of Characters in Antigone Antigone is one of the Sophocles woven in tyranny and culture. The play contains many characters helping in laying the plot of the story. One of the characters is Antigone, the protagonist of the play. Antigone is determined. This is because she decides laying her brother to rest. She refutes King Creon’s decision that Polinices does not entail to be buried (Anouilh & Sam, 2002). She goes ahead to bury Polinices despite the consequences that may befall her. Her sister Isemne tries convincing Antigone, her sister to refute this decision .This is because she worries that her life may be at threat if she buried Polinices. This is in regard to the King’s order that Polinices deserved no burial. Her determination is a trait that compels readers interested in the play. She is also daring because she undertakes burying Polinices, knowing that her life is at threat. This trait helps build the plot because the king pursues her deeds. She is also sallow. Antigone is shown not to be as stunning as her sister Isemne. The other trait is that she is obstinate. This is true concerning the way she disobeys that kings ruling that no one ought to bury Polinices. Disregarding that her life may be at danger, she still resolves burying Polinices. ... For example concluding that Polinices required no burial, this shows his might and authority of ruling. The other trait is that he is unreasonable. His action of deciding that Polinices burial would not happen is a clear proof. The king is inhuman because he tries scheming for the execution of Antigone after she goes against his rulings. Plotting to kill someone is something that is exceedingly wrong. In addition, Creon is cruel concerning his acts of scheming and ordering for Antigones execution. This is because killing is something that is brutal to a person. Moreover, Creon is timid pertaining to his response to Teresia’s prophecy that he would be struck by fury of the spirits. This makes him stop pursuing to kill Antigone. Isemne Isemne, the sister of Antigone, displays various traits. One of the traits is that she is beautiful as conflicting to her sister. The other trait is that she is calm. This trait has its explanations from remaining unruffled despite demise of Polin ices. When her sister is exceedingly vibrant about burying Polinices, Isemne has no issues to do with his. The other trait is that she is collected. This aspect is well depicted in her ability to stay withdrawn to things surrounding the burial of Polinices. Isemne is also reasonable concerning her act of defying rebellion. This is because she persuades her sister not to defy rulings of King Creon (Anouilh & Sams, 2002). In addition, Isemne is also lovable. This is because of the fact that she plays the role of advising her sister, and the fact that she is not disobedient. Another trait is that she is good-natured. This is following the fact that she undertakes telling her sister to obey the king’s rulings. This is however something that

Financial Management of Healthcare Organizations Coursework

Financial Management of Healthcare Organizations - Coursework Example The auditing criteria which we applied in the analysis were in accordance with the U.S generally acceptable auditing standards. According to the regulations, we are required to undertake the audit process so that assurance is provided to the company that no sign of material misstatement was exhibited in their financial statements. The audit considered assessment of accounting principles, the presentation of statements and the supporting evidences for the amount and disclosures as provided by the financial statements of the organization. Being a respected institution in the field, our opinion would be an asset for future financial management plan. Under this section the analysis would show an evaluation of the general financial profile of the organization. The interpretation of the HCF data would be captured which will summarize the figures as extracted from the combined financial statements of cash flow, balance sheet, equity statement and income statement as was prior prepared by the organization. According to figures as was posted in the balance sheet, total asset for the year 2003 was $238,365. This increased to $265,784 in 2004; $276,975 in 2005; $287,983 in 2006 and $311,140 thousand in the year 2007. Basically, the combined total resource between 2003 and 2007 experienced an increment of $72,775 thousand dollars which is an equivalent of 30.53 percent. Referring to the combined liability values, the company reported $39,458 thousands dollar of total liabilities in 2003; $51313 thousands in 2004; 44960 thousands in 2005; $41,277 in 2006 and $45,432 thousands in 2007. There was a general increase in the combined liabilities with the financial year 2003 and year 2004 reporting the highest percentage increment of 30.04 percent. The overall change in total liabilities within the period of analysis however, was slightly lower because the value declined in 2007 to ($5974 thousands) which is an

What is life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What is life - Essay Example Link: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtml Chemistry involves the study of the chemical compounds that make part of our environs. This is directly linked to biology in that biology engrosses the study of chemicals in living organisms and thus draws the fundamental concepts from chemistry. The study of any living thing within the predispositions of biology involves the study of chemistry. Chemistry also helps in the explanation of the chemicals of life such as the cellular compositions. Chemistry also explains how given parts of the body function and more the digestion of the different foods in the body. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmBmghaw7_E The movement of the micro molecules in the cells involves the force of energy and biochemical reactions of the cells which require energy to occur. These reactions are sped up or slowed down depending on the energy that the cells have acquired from the adjacent environments. The building up and breaking down of the cellular components make part of the cell metabolism process as energy is transferred and used in these processes. The enzymes speed the biochemical reactions of the cells to speed up the metabolism processes to support the cell functions. The chemical reactions convert the substrates into products and this is done by attaching chemical groups or breaking off to divide the chemical groups from the substrates, for instance the process of glycolysis. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjza24Oyalc All organisms are composed of cells which are the basic units of life. The cell structures are the smallest units of life and therefore the units that are smaller than the cell are not alive. Different cell structures perform different functions and in different organisms. Generally the cells are composed of plasma membrane, which separates the cells from the external environment, the

Marketing Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Marketing Strategy - Essay Example , the strengths and weaknesses of Shangri-La’s marketing strategies in terms of capturing a bigger market share will be enumerated followed by discussing how each of these factors could either directly or indirectly affect the decision making of the sales managers when it comes to the formation and implementation of its marketing strategies. In response to globalization, Shangri-La is operating its hotel and resort business on a large scale. Under the brand name of Shangri-La and Traders, the company is currently managing a total of 68 hotels and resorts throughout the Asia Pacific, North America, and the Middle East (Shangri-La, 2010 b). With more than 30,000 existing hotel and resort rooms that are available to serve the needs of domestic and international travellers, the top management of Shangri-La Hotel continuously expanded the business by building new hotels in different countries including Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Macau, the Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles, Turkey, and the United Kingdom (Shangri-La, 2010 b). This particular sales and marketing strategy will prevent the company from saturating its target market. As a way of determining the characteristics of a lodging industry, it is best to use the Porter’s five forces framework as suggested by Michael E. Porter. Basically, the five major factors known as the competitive rivalry within the hotel and resort industry, threat of substitute products, threat of a new entrant, the bargaining power of the customers, and the bargaining power of suppliers enables us to determine the ability of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts to compete in the global market. Given that the market is attractive for Shangri-La, it is most likely that the company will become profitable and vice versa. When analyzing the hotel and resort industry within the Asian market, it is best to go through the historical events that took place in the past. Back in 1920s, the hotel industry around the world experienced

Cyber activism and hacktivism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cyber activism and hacktivism - Essay Example Activism involves a range of activities from online search for information, creating and feeding data to new or already existing websites, conducting communication via internet publications or emailing of letters, forming online forums to discuss various issues or coordinating certain activities. Hacktivism activities involve virtual blockades, email bombing, hacking web sites or breaking into computers systems, planting computer worms and viruses. The activities of activism are keen on developing the internet as a useful tool for social progress and policymaking. However, hackvists activities stem from anger and seek to destroy what is created by activism. The internet offers a vast body of information that would take one a lot of time and energy to search manually. Business corporations, organizations, governments and teaching institutions avail information on the internet that is easily accessible by the target audience or any other person interested in the data. The offered information extends beyond geographical demarcation. One can access the information necessary to facilitate his mission. Researchers use this collection of information to argue or prove their theses. While an activist will use this information to improve himself or the society, a hacktivist will seek to destroy this collection of information (Denning, 1999). Various humanity groups such as non-governmental organizations, civil boards and self-help groups publish information in the internet for the public to see. Some businesses such as luxury brand companies employ this technique to promote their products to the vast body of potential customers using the internet. Depending on the organization involved, some will post or publish information on public web sites or may develop their own site where they publish information on regular basis (Denning, 1999). Private websites provoke the anger or interest of hackers who hack to phish information

Tim Hortons Company Analysis Essay Example for Free

Tim Hortons Company Analysis Essay The Tim Hortons chain was founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario. The chains focus on top quality, always fresh product, value, great service and community leadership has allowed it to grow into the largest quick service restaurant chain in Canada specializing in always fresh coffee, baked goods and home style lunches. The first Tim Hortons restaurants offered only two products coffee and donuts. The selection of donuts to enjoy was highlighted by two original Tim Hortons creations, the Apple Fritter and the Dutchie. They became the most popular donut choices in the 60s, and remain two of the most popular today. But as consumer tastes grew, so did the choices at Tim Hortons. The biggest change in the chains product focus took place in 1976 with the introduction of the phenomenally successful Timbit (bite-sized donut hole), today available in over 35 different varieties. The chains growth into the 1980s brought about a whole series of new product introductions: muffins (1981), cakes (1981), pies (1982), croissants (1983), cookies (1984), and soups ;amp; chili (1985). Sandwiches, which were originally introduced in 1993, were re-introduced as a new and improved line-up of 6 varieties, called Tims Own, in 1998. Also, in the 1990s, bagels (1996), flavoured cappuccino (1997), Cafe Mocha (1999) and Iced Cappuccino (1999) were introduced. In 2003, the Turkey Bacon Club sandwich and Maple Pecan Danish were successful menu additions. In 2005 Tim Hortons introduced, Yogurt amp; Berries, Cinnamon Roll and Hot Smoothee to the menu. Many new great products were added to the menu in 2006 such as the Chicken Salad Wrap and the hot Breakfast Sandwich (eggs, sausage or bacon, processed cheese on a toasted home style biscuit). The chains biggest drawing card remains its legendary Tim Hortons coffee. To ensure the coffee is always fresh, Tim Hortons serves its coffee within 20 minutes of being brewed or its not served at all. The premium blend is also available in cans, as are Tim Hortons hot chocolate and flavoured cappuccinos, allowing guests to enjoy these great tasting products at home. GLOBAL RESTAURANT SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT The first Tim Hortons restaurant was opened in 1964 by Tim Horton, a National Hockey League All-Star defenseman. In 1967, Tim Horton and Ron Joyce, then the operator of 3 Tim Hortons restaurants, became partners and together they opened 37 restaurants over the next 7 years until Tim Horton’s death in 1974. Mr. Joyce became the sole owner in 1975. In the early 1990s, Tim Hortons and Wendy’s, now owned by The Wendy’s Company (â€Å"Wendy’s†), entered into a partnership to develop real estate and combination restaurant sites with Wendy’s and Tim Hortons restaurants under the same roof in North America. In 1995, Wendy’s purchased Mr. Joyce’s interest in the Tim Hortons system and incorporated the company known as Tim Hortons Inc. , a Delaware corporation (â€Å"THI USA†), as a wholly owned subsidiary. In 2006, Tim Hortons became a standalone public company pursuant to an initial public offering and a subsequent spin-off of its common stock to Wendy’s stockholders through a stock dividend on September 29, 2006. Tim Hortons restaurants operate in a variety of formats. Tim Hortons’ standard restaurant locations typically range from 1,000 to 3,080 square feet. The non-standard restaurant locations include small, full-service restaurants; self-serve kiosks, typically with a limited product offering, in offices, hospitals, colleges, airports, grocery stores, gas and other convenience locations; drive-thru-only units on smaller pieces of property; and full-serve locations in sports arenas and stadiums that operate only during on-site events. Also Tim Hortons developed co-branded locations in its restaurant system. Tim Hortons is party to an agreement with Kahala Franchise Corp. the franchisor of the Cold Stone Creamery brand, pursuant to which Tim Hortons has exclusive development rights in Canada. Tim Hortons is also party to an agreement with Kahala Franchising, L. L. C. in the U. S. , pursuant to which Tim Hortons has the right to use the Cold Stone Creamery trademarks in specified locations in the U. S. The development process for each standard restaurant location typically takes 12 to 18 months. Development of non-standard restaurants an d self-serve kiosks usually requires much less time. Tim Hortons typically oversee and direct all aspects of restaurant development for system restaurants, from an initial review of a location’s demographics, site access, visibility, traffic counts, mix of residential/retail/commercial surroundings, competitive activity, and proposed rental/ownership structure, to considerations of the performance of nearby Tim Hortons locations, projections of the selected location’s ability to meet financial return targets, restaurant owner identification, and physical land development and restaurant design and construction costs. As at December 30, 2012, the number of Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada, both standard and non-standard locations, which for this purpose includes self-serve kiosks, totalled 3,436. Standard restaurants constitute approximately 71. 4% of this total. In the U. S. , Tim Hortons has a regional presence with 804 restaurants, including self-serve kiosks, in 13 states, concentrated in the Northeast in New York and Maine, and in the Midwest in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania with standard full-serve restaurants representing approximately 59. % of all U. S. restaurants. Notably, Tim Hortons owns, rather than leases, the land underlying a higher percentage of standard system restaurants in the U. S. than in Canada. Restaurant owners operated substantially all of Tim Hortons restaurants both in the CANADA and U. S Recently Tim Hortons has granted a master license to Apparel in the GCC States of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, which is primarily a royalty-based m odel, together with ongoing supply chain margin and an upfront license fee. Apparel is responsible for capital spending, real estate development, operations, distribution and marketing. At the end of 2012, there were also 190 and 55 Tim Hortons kiosks in the Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom, respectively, which generally offer self-serve premium coffee, tea, specialty hot beverages and a selection of donuts and muffins at gas and other convenience locations. DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Tim Hortons distribute items to its restaurants through 5 distribution centres located in Langley, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Kingston, Ontario; Guelph, Ontario; and Debert, Nova Scotia. The Guelph and the Kingston facilities distribute frozen, refrigerated and shelf-stable products and dried goods to restaurants in our Ontario and Quebec markets. Under the franchise arrangements, each Canadian restaurant owner is required to purchase substantially all food and other products, such as coffee, sugar, and restaurant supplies, from Tim Hortons or it designated suppliers and distributors. Canadian and U. S. restaurant owners and international licensee are also required to purchase par-baked Maidstone Bakeries products from either Tim Hortons or an outside distributor, depending upon the restaurant location. Tim Hortons own or lease a significant number of trucks and trailers that regularly deliver to most of its Canadian restaurants. Tim Hortons uses third-party distributors to deliver all products to U. S. restaurants and to deliver to certain limited geographic areas of Canada. The international licensee, Apparel, is responsible for local delivery of all products in its market in the GCC through the use of third-party distributors. BUSINESS MODEL Tim Hortoms primary business model is to identify potential restaurant locations, develop suitable sites, and make these new restaurants available to approved restaurant owners. As at December 30, 2012, restaurant owners operated 99. 5% of Tim Hortons’ system wide restaurants. Tim Hortons directly own and operate (without restaurant owners) only a small number of company restaurants in Canada and the U. S. Tim Horton also have warehouse and distribution operations that supply paper and dry goods to a substantial majority of its Canadian restaurants, and supply frozen baked goods and some refrigerated products to most of its Ontario restaurants and Quebec restaurants. In the U. S. , Tim Hortons supply similar products to system restaurants through third-party distributors. Tim Hortons’ operations also include coffee roasting plants in Rochester, New York, and Hamilton, Ontario, and a fondant and fills manufacturing facility in Oakville, Ontario. These vertically integrated manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution capabilities benefit Tim Hortons’ restaurant owners and are important elements of Tim Hortons business model which allow it to: improve product quality and consistency; protect proprietary interests; facilitate the expansion of our product offerings; control availability and timely delivery of products; provide economies of scale and labour efficiencies; and generate additional sources of income and financial returns. Tim Hortons have a unique, layered business model that adds to the scale and success of its system. First, franchising takes account of more than 99% of Tim Hortons’ restaurant system. Tim Hortons have a long-standing history of building positive relationships and collaborating with its restaurant owners to grow collective business. Restaurant owners typically operate an average of 3 to 4 restaurants and have a significant stake in the success of the restaurants they operate. Second, Tim Hortons maintains a controlling interest in a significant majority of the real estate in the full-serve restaurant system in North America to maintain brand integrity and control development. Third, Tim Hortons operates with a â€Å"we fit anywhere† concept that allows it to adapt brand presence to take advantage of both standard and non-standard development opportunities. Fourth, Tim Hortons leverages significant levels of vertical integration that exist in the system. MANUFATURING Tim Hortons has 2 wholly owned coffee roasting facilities in Rochester, New York and Hamilton, Ontario, to blend all of the coffee for restaurants. Tim Hortons also own a facility that produces fondants, fills, and ready-to-use glaze, which are used in connection with a number of the products produced in its Always Fresh baking system. Until October 2010, Tim Hortons owned a 50% joint-venture interest in Maidstone Bakeries. Maidstone Bakeries continues to manufacture and supply all par-baked donuts, Timbits and selected breads, following traditional Tim Hortons recipes, as well as European pastries, including Danishes, croissants, and puff pastry. Those products are partially baked and then flash frozen and delivered to system restaurants, most of which have an Always Fresh oven with the Company’s proprietary technology. The restaurant completes the baking process with this oven and adds final finishing such as glazing and fondant, allowing the product to be served warm to the guest within a few minutes of baking. The Company sold its 50% joint-venture interest in Maidstone Bakeries to its former joint-venture partner, Aryzta, for gross cash proceeds of $475 million in October 2010. For additional information regarding Maidstone Bakeries, see â€Å"Source and Availability of Raw Materials† below. TIM HORTONS IN U. S We continued to focus on accelerating the time it takes to create critical mass for convenience and advertising scale in our most developed U. S. markets, primarily through deployment of the substantial majority of our U. S. restaurant development capital into core growth markets to increase awareness of the brand. We also continued to seek other marketing means, such as community involvement, sponsorships, event site product agreements and other forms of communication, to supplement traditional advertising to reinforce our brand position with guests and to broaden our brand awareness as a Cafe and Bake Shop destination; and sought to complement our U. S. standard format restaurant development activity with non-standard formats and locations through strategic partnerships and relationships. In 1995, Tim Hortons merged with Wendys International, Inc. giving new focus and impetus to the expansion of the Tim Hortons concept in the United States. Tim Hortons locations can presently be found in Michigan, Maine, Connecticut, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York, with responsible expansion continuing in these core markets. The Canadian operation is 95% franchise owned and operated, and plans in the U. S. call for the same key strategy to be implemented as expansion progresses. Currently, there are more than 3,000 restaurants across Canada, and over 600 locations in the United States. In March 2006, Tim Hortons completed an initial public offering of the company and was fully spun off as a separate company as of September 29, 2006. Tim Hortons trades on the NYSE and TSX (THI). As one of the largest publicly traded quick service restaurant chain in North America based on market capitalization, and the largest in Canada, Tim Hortons has 4,264 system wide restaurants, including 3,436 in Canada, 804 in the United States and 24 in the Gulf Cooperation Council as of December 30th, 2012. Since the early 1990s, Tim Hortons and Wendy’s formed a partnership, owned on a 50/50 basis, and jointly developed the real estate underlying â€Å"combination restaurants† in Canada that offer Tim Hortons and Wendy’s products at the same location, typically with separate restaurant owners operating the Tim Hortons and the Wendy’s portions of the restaurant. The combination restaurants have separate drive-thrus, if the site allows for drive-thrus, but share a common