Swot Analysis of the Build-a-Bear Workshop free essay sample

Venturing into an untapped market for hands-on customisation of teddy bears, Build-a-Bear has established itself as a market leader. Its success derives from its dynamic retail concept where customers create their own teddy bears from choosing the outer casing of the bear down to stitching it up, personalising it along the way. The interactive nature of the process brings out the creativity and individuality of the customer and at the same time, allows them to have fun. Build-a-Bear is family oriented and does not restrict the age of customers to below 12, hence is an ideal place to go for family bonding. Guests enjoy the highly visual environment, the sounds and the fantasy of this special place while they create a memory with their family and friends. Why Build-a-Bear has been successful so far is probably the fact that the customer walks out of the store happy and satisfied. Due to the popularity of the Internet for networking, especially amongst today’s Internet savvy kids, Build-a-Bear has launched a virtual world- buildabearville. We will write a custom essay sample on Swot Analysis of the Build-a-Bear Workshop or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page com- to pique their interest in their products and build customer loyalty. There, guests can bring their furry friends to life online to play together, create their own online character, play games, chat with friends and more. Knowing the market is essential in keeping up with the changing wants of kids, which is why the â€Å"Virtual Cub Advisory Council† was created, where a panel of children gives feedback on what they would like to see in Build-a-Bear stores. To exercise their social responsibility and build more positive images, Build-a-Bear has initiated several programs that support various causes that help children, families and animals. Stuffed with Hugsâ„ ¢ is an annual event that allows guests to visit the store and make a bear for free to be donated to a worthy cause. Weaknesses Due to the nature of the Build-a-Bear product, obtaining a bear comes with a price tag that may not be affordable to everyone. Thus, Build-a-Bear may be inaccessible to the lower income market. Also, Build-a-Bear may inculcate brand consciousness and materialism in young children as children may not be content with cheaper, off the shelves bears. In its bid to expand its product line, Build-a-Bear has introduced a doll product line- Friends 2B Made- where guests can create their own fashionable friends and develop its own personalities. However they may have over diversified as a drop in spending has resulted in the impending closure of 9 Friends 2B Made stores. Instead, they should focus on the primary product, which is the Build-a-Bear Workshop. Opportunities Build-a-Bear has tied up with several companies such as Disney, where they have came up with bears such as the Hannah Montana Bear, banking on the success of the popular children show to generate sales. As such, Build-a-Bear should form more strategic partnerships to boost sales. With huge economic growth in countries such as China and India, there is a large untapped market there for personalisation of teddy bears. In China, parents are known to spend lavishly on their only child hence expansion into these markets is highly lucrative as the citizens are increasingly affluent. Market research can be done for localisation and to cater to these markets according to their culture and tastes. Threats Children’s wants are ever-changing, with a high demand when a novel concept appears on the market and their interest dying off when something new comes along. As such, Build a Bear may face decreasing demand when the novelty wanes off. However, the company has taken steps to ensure that there will be continued interests in their products by launching a loyalty program: visitors receive coupons, frequent-shopper discounts, and gift-with-purchase promotions. With the current demand for personalised toys, other toy makers may jump onto the bandwagon and provide similar services such as providing customised clothes that fit all makes of teddy bears.

The United Stated of America Essay Example For Students

The United Stated of America Essay The United Stated is currently the most influential country on the face of the earth. Not only concerning the issues of money and business but also our choices of music clothes and recreational activities. Often times people think of countries such as Japan and China as being completely different. We think they have strange dress and odd customs, they are thought to have a completely different culture than ours. You will find that that is incorrect, the ir cultures are actually very similar to ours. Because of the amount of clothing, food and other products that we ship out of this country every day our culture has no choice but to ooze out of our borders onto foreign soil. For example you could walk i nto a modern Japanese society expecting a bunch of old people kneeling on dirt floors wearing kimonos and drinking green tea but actually find a society of youths wearing Levi jeans, trendy clothes, listening to American pop-rock music, and eating Big Mac s that they just bought from down the street at their local McDonalds. We will write a custom essay on The United Stated of America specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now You could also find a group of people watching a football game and gossiping about the new movie with that really hot American chick in it. Of course all countries have different h olidays and traditions, they eat different foods and have customs that seem strange to us but more and more their ways seem to be becoming like those of us here in the United States of America. The question asks if I think that the influence of our pop culture will continue. I think that that all depends on weather or not we remain the worlds super power in the future. I think that the reason that we are imitated by other countries is bec ause of our wealth and power. It is sort of like the United States is the most popular girl in school. She has a bunch of followers who dress like her, do their hair like her and claim to like the same music and movies as her. But no matter how hard th ey try they can never quite keep up to her ever changing style. Much like the patterns of the countries that try to imitate the U. S. If you look closely at these cultures you will notice that the clothes that they wear were the clothes that we wore ten years ago and I wouldnt be surprised if they are groovin to the sounds of the eighties as we speak. I often wonder why we havent picked up much of any other countries culture. Sure, there have been fads like the Macarena and the on going like for foods such as tacos and chop suey, but every thing is always somehow Americanized. I suppose its beca use we are so preoccupied with our own appearances and our countries image that we dont have time to stop and look around. Or maybe its the fact that we are trying to convince ourselves that everybody wants to be like us and that is how it will always b e. No matter what happens though, there is always a new popular girl that everybody wants to be like. Her power dies down and the followers find some one else to imitate. I think that sooner or later, maybe not in my lifetime, that the awe of the United S tates will die down along with the influence and the power on other countries and they will find someone else to follow or maybe they will gain the power and self respect to be their own nation, to not pay attention to what everybody else is doing and may be people will start to follow them.

Tales of a Kremlin Digger Review Essay Example

Tales of a Kremlin Digger Review Paper Essay on Tales of a Kremlin Digger Strange thing a book I did not like, and I score it set higher. As they say, for the credit. A credit is really unique for our times it is the only book published by us after the advent of freedom of the press, which was distributed in photocopy, and very active. Circulation, say, delayed on the road from some of the provincial press in the capital. They brought a few copies, and there is such that nothing could doterpet people and let Photocopier. Then, on receipt of circulation in Moscow, the process of self-publishing safely extinguished, but fact is fact -.? Since the late eighties this has not happened with any book So what is it When it comes to my typical narrow-minded point of view, so thats what. Some well-known names of famous politicians: Yeltsin, Putin, Voloshin, Chubais, Nemtsov, still some there, in general, all those whom I have personally only seen on TV and about which only the Internet is something out there reading. According Tregubova it turns out that they do not like each other and build each other all sorts of trouble called the machinations, and in parallel with these classes with their all but Yeltsin, very passionately wanted to seduce the very Tregubova. However, it is all of them broken off (even Putin himself) and wrote a book, which told us what they were treacherous and dishonest and absolutely did not even gentlemen. For this she, as usual, tried to take revenge, but revenge she dodged by sheer luck, although it remained without work and maintenance. And all this with all sorts of juicy details about which, of course, no one would never write. In short, icky doggy face of power tur ned out in all its glory. We will write a custom essay sample on Tales of a Kremlin Digger Review specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Tales of a Kremlin Digger Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Tales of a Kremlin Digger Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Why not liked? Because it is not realized that she wanted to communicate. What they there under the carpet prohibited methods are used? And that we are children, and that we are in their offices in the same does not hold. Surprised. The fact that they are there and more dogs? A male who is not from men? No, you tell me, who is not a dog? The fact that such policies the country has no happy future? But is the future of all may depend on the politicians? This is equivalent to saying that the weather depends on the behavior of forecasters. By the way, I have one friend forecaster, a rare bastard and a womanizer notorious and specialist, said valuable. So what am I doing? It is not necessary, gentlemen, to offend women oh, do not! this is another reason why I put this book a perfect score.

Topics in ethical dilemma when the choice becomes too complicated

Topics in ethical dilemma when the choice becomes too complicated Employer Breach of Employee’s Privacy Though technically being very hard to prove, the breach of employees’ privacy is definitely a punishable offence that must result in taking proper measures and penalizing the wrong-doer in an adequate manner (Duff, Smielauskas Yvos 2001, p. 14; Dossey 2003, p. 12). As Shaw explains, â€Å"privacy is widely acknowledged today to be a fundamental right, yet corporate behavior and policies often threaten privacy† (Shaw 2013, p. 379).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Topics in ethical dilemma: when the choice becomes too complicated specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To secure the employees’ privacy from corporations, the principle of workplace privacy was defined (Ball, Daniel Stride 2012, p. 377). To solve the given issue, the principle of consequentialist theories can be used, i.e., the rightness of the employees’ actions can be evaluated only by its results. It is quite peculiar that the given principle contradicts the Kantian theory, i.e., the Categorical Imperative, which is widely accepted in other aspects of an organization’s functioning. Employer Breach of Other Civil Liberties Apart from infringing their employees’ rights for their privacy, companies also tend to cross the thin line between strict rules and downright injustice concerning other civil liberties (Rosembloom 2002, p. 58). As Shaw explains, in most cases, the given issue is manifested through making employees work extra hours without offering them additional payment. On the one hand, the given demand seems absurd. However, it should be mentioned that the given demand is often voiced when employees actually fail to perform their duties on time. Therefore, the demand to compensate for the lack of efficiency seems legitimate (Paterson 2012, p. 1). It can be assumed that the solution to the given issue lies within the boundaries of the Utilitaria nism theory (Shaw 2013), presupposing a compromise between an employee and a manager. This could be considered as another manifestation of consequentialist theories; however, in the given example, the well-being of all those involved is being considered, which sets the given approach and the Kantian ethics apart. Compared to Kant’s concept of good will, which is going to be considered further, the idea of introducing Utilitarianism might seem somewhat conflicting with Kantian principles, since the former presuppose that one has to take actions that will be in favor of both sides of the argument, yet does not specify that these actions must be taken willingly.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Agency Relations Being loyal to the company is one of the requirements that employees have to meet in order to retain their jobs, which, at first, seems quite legitimate. However, as Shaw notes, there might be more than meets the eye in that demand (Gallicano 2013, p. 222). As Shaw explains, â€Å"it would be morally simplistic to view employees simply as agents of their employers or to expect them subordinate entirely their autonomy and private lives to the organization† (Shaw 2012, p. 374). As one might have already noticed, the demand of employees’ loyalty echoes with the previous concern for the employees’ civil liberties. To solve the given dilemma, Kant’s principle of good will (Shaw 2013, p. 74) should be introduced. Unlike the consequentialist approach, which focuses on the outcomes rather than on the intentions, Kant’s ethics allows for reconciling with the principles of ethics and making a conscious choice, which is extremely important for ethical growth. Childcare and Maternity Leave While discrimination is a hideous phenomenon that does not have the right to exist, it still has certain arguments to be b ased on. One of the key arguments in gender profiling concerns the myth that married women are more devoted to their families than they are to their jobs and, as a result, perform worse than men. A truly weird logical twist, it leads to the employers’ fear that their female workers will sooner or later have children, engage into childcare and household and stop caring about the quality of their work. As a result, once a female worker declares that she is going to take a short hiatus while she deals with childcare or is pregnant, an employer is most likely to consider this woman a number one candidate for being dismissed. To fight the given type of discrimination, another peculiar strategy has been developed. According to what Show says, in most companies, a paid leave is offered so that women could feel better. However, in many respects, the given issue can be related to the theory of egoism (Shaw 2013, p. 65), which employers clearly follow by pursuing their own interests in stead of the ones of their employees. Gender Discrimination in the Workplace The way in which the given problem is suggested to be approached can be defined as the efficient use of consequentialist theories. Indeed, when considering the given approach closer, one will inevitably notice the fact that in the given case, financial reward is being offered to the victims of discrimination.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Topics in ethical dilemma: when the choice becomes too complicated specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The given method contradicts the basic postulates of Utilitarianism and Kant’s ethics, which teaches to choose the methods leaving both sides of the argument consent. In the given case the employer is clearly being left to pay for the moral damage of the employees. Hence, at least one side of the conflict is supposed to pay for its mistakes. However, the idea of offering the staff a material compens ation of their suffering can be seen as an attempt to compromise, since, in the worst case scenario, i.e., the employee leaving, the company is going to suffer even more. There is no secret that women are often underestimated in the business world. Despite the fact that it has been quite long since the feminist movement started and that a number of steps have been taken to promote equality in the relationship between men and women, the latter being often underpaid (Coleman 2000, p. 38) and facing the glass ceiling problem (Bosse Taylor 2012, 52). However, according to what Shaw says, there is a possible way out of the given dead end. By adopting the so-called comparable worth strategy, one can possibly avoid the instances of gender profiling in the workplace. As Shaw explains, the given principle presupposes that women and men are paid equality for doing not only the same job, but also different jobs involving the same amount of skill and qualification (Shaw 2013, p. 395). The chos en method is quite legitimate from the position of Kantian and Utilitarianism ethics. Indeed, the elements of Categorical Imperative, i.e., treating the opponents the way in which one wishes to be treated, is an obvious addition to the policy towards women. Age Discrimination Another deplorable aspect of inequality within a contemporary society, age discrimination occurs when a specific age group is in the minority and, therefore, can easily be headed against younger employees as well as the senior ones. While the given problem is quite hard to address properly due to the obvious arguments of the discrimination proponents concerning the inefficiency of either â€Å"too old† or â€Å"too young† employees, it is still possible to solve once the proper strategy is utilized (Hatch Hall 2003, p. 65).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Shaw, the given issue can be solved by adopting the principles of consequentialist approach. In other words, for Shaw, the ends justify the means. The given principle, however, can also be viewed through the lens of Kantian theory of Categorical Imperative, according to which, every opponent must be treated in the same way as one wishes to be treated by his/her opponents. Reference List Ball, K Daniel, E M Stride, C 2012, ‚Dimensions of employee prinacy: an empirical study‘, Information Technology and People, vol. 25 no. 4, pp. 376–394. Bosse, D A Taylor, P L 2012, ‘The second glass ceiling impedes women entrepreneurs’, Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship, vol. 17. No. 1, pp. 52–67. Coleman, M S 2000, ‘Undercpounted and underpaid heroines’, Working USA, vol. 3 no. 5, pp. 37–65. Duff, W M, Smielauskas, W Yvos, H 2001, ‘Protecting privacy’, Management Journal, vol. 35 no. 2, pp. 14â €“30. Dossey, L 2013, ‘Privacy,’ Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, vol. 9 no. 3, pp. 12–120. Gallicano, T D 2013, ‘Relationship management with the Millenial generation of public relations agency employees’, Journal of Public Relaitons, vol. 24 no. 3, p. 222. Hatch, D D Hall, G E 2003, ‘Age discrimination in benefits among older employees’, Workforce, vol. 83 no. 5, p. 65. Paterson, J 2012, ‘Civil liberties under fire’, Institute of Public Affairs Review, vol. 64 no. 4, p. 1. Rosembloom, D H 2002, ‘Public administration and civil liberties’, Public Administration Review, vol. 62 no. S1, p. 58. Shaw, B 2013, ‘Normative theories of ethics’, in B Shaw (eds), Moral issues in business, Cengage Learning, Stamford, CT, pp. 58–114.

The Art of Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Art of Analysis - Research Paper Example Dependencies should not be partial on the combined key; this is the main task in this stage. The items in the table must depend on all the combined keys, attributes should not depend on only one of the keys. Sending of normal form fails if this is not attained. Item total price and order total price are derivatives, hence, they should not be a part of the database all these fields, apart from the item quantity, do not fully depend on both order id and item id, hence, the table fails the 2nd normal form standards or requirements. The solution to this is to split the table into two tables so that the items that depend on order id fall in the table with order-id as the primary key, while those items that depend on item-id fall in that table too. Given that item_qty fully depends on order id, item id field and order id field, which is also in the order-item table as primary forming a many to one relation indicated in the diagrams. After this, the table now passed to the 2nd normal form by having field which depends fully on the primary key in the orders table (Diagram 3) but in order-items table the item_price and item_descripition do not depend on order_id as in case with the primary key, hence, further splitting of this table is needed. With diagram 4 all the requirements for the 2nd normalization have been achieved.

Discussions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 12

Discussions - Essay Example This creates a company that focuses on standards with rigid controlled process and the best practices that are closely supervised. The main advantage associated with the bureaucratic structure of an organization is the fact that decision-making takes a shorter time as less people who take part in this activity and this makes sure that work is completed in an efficient manner and on time. In contrast, bureaucratic structures may have a discouraging effect to creativity as well as innovation in the entire organization, as it is difficult for a single person in the organization to come up with all the strategic ideas that are required in a large company. Information systems are computer systems that provide the management and other employees within the company with latest information in terms of the performance of the organization such as the prevailing inventory and sales (Jawadekar, 2013). It is usually connected to a computer network that is developed through linking various computers to allow sharing of data as well as resources. These systems are intended to collect, transmit, store and retrieve as well as display the information that is utilized by several process in the organization. The systems that are supposed to serve general and foreseeable management practices are also referred to as management information systems. An example of a report that is generated by this system is the information that contained in yearly reports developed for the stakeholders of organizations. Staffing professionals include staffing managers in the human resource department who are responsible for all the areas that are linked to the staffing requirements of the company(Strayer, 2005). These professionals must be able to recruit when they find the applicants who are appropriately qualified while being able to deal with the hiring and retaining of the already hired employees. For a company to be successful, staffing is not enough, as the human resource

Effect of Ph on Food Preservatives Essay Example for Free

Effect of Ph on Food Preservatives Essay Sodium Benzoate is a common food preservative used in food products such as jams and jellies, soft drinks, pickles, condiments etc and in tinned products in the market. This experiment aimed to determine whether benzoic acid is formed from it’s superior soluble form sodium benzoate in stomach acid, which is simulated by HCl (pH=2). It has been seen that at a low optimum pH, i.e. in the presence of sufficient hydrochloric acid, sufficient benzoic acid is yielded. The percentage yield is determined from the calculations of the theoretical (stoichiometric) calculations and the actual yield from the reaction. Also throughout the experiment, some basic laboratory operations such as measuring mass and volume, separating solids from liquids by vacuum filtration and drying solids are familiarized with. Introduction The reaction of sodium benzoate and hydrochloric acid is a typical phenomenon of hydrolysis reaction which conforms to the principles of acid-base chemistry and stoichiometry. In a typical hydrolysis reaction, when a salt dissolves in water, the salt dissociates to its constituent anions and cations (benzoate and sodium ions respectively). Also, when strong acids like hydrochloric acid dissolves in water, chloride ions and hydronium ions are formed. Hence in the reaction involving sodium benzoate and hydrochloric acid solution, in the presence of high concentration of hydronium ions, protons will be transferred from the strong acid H3O+ to the basic benzoate ion. This will yield benzoic acid, C6H5COOH which precipitates from the solution as it has a really poor solubility (0.34g/100ml). The fundamental reaction is sketched out below: As can be seen from the difference in the pKa values, H3O+ is a much stronger acid than benzoic acid. So, the equilibrium of the reaction strongly favours its completion and hence hydrochloric acid which ideally simulates the acidic conditions of the stomach, does convert benzoate to benzoic acid. Safety: Throughout the lab safety goggles, protective gloves and aprons were worn while carrying out the experiments. While transferring the HCl to the reaction vial in the student hood, the head must never be inside the glass hood as vapour inhalation can cause choking hazard and irritations. Also the hosepipes were carefully plugged in and out of the filter flask to avoid breakage or tipping of the Hirsh funnel. Experimental For this experiment and basic operations, calibrated Pasteur pipettes, a 5ml conical reaction vial, watch glass, stirring rod, electronic balance, small test tube, Hirsh funnel, filter flask and filter paper are used. The procedure for this experiment appears on page 7 of the lab manual, Multiscale Organic Chemistry (4th custom UB edition)3. As the primary objective of this experiment was to find out whether sodium benzoate reacts with simulated stomach acid to form benzoic acid, the results clearly indicate that a successful reaction close to completion, if not fully complete, has taken place. The percentage yield calculation reveals that approximately 90% of benzoic acid as white precipitate were recovered from the reaction. There were a number of factors which might have contributed to the 10% deficiency in the final yield. It needs to be mentioned though that a percentage yield of less than 100% is achieved because the drying of the solid mass after vacuum filtration was sufficient to give a practical number. During measurements of mass of benzoate and benzoic acid when it’s formed, there were obvious human errors involved. Some benzoates were lost while transferring to the conical reaction vial from the watch glasses, and further loss of the product benzoic acid might have taken place when the solution mixture was tipped on the Hirsh funnel. We couldn’t determine if the reaction was complete or not, so we might not have had all the salt converted 4. The solution might not have sufficiently and gradually cooled though every effort was made for that, hence there could be lack of benzoic acid crystals forming. The litmus test might have contributed to a significant loss of the precipitate, but only one instead of multiple tests were performed to see if the reaction mixture was acidic enough. Given the carefully controlled experiments and the 90% yield, it can be deemed that the methods used to perform the experiments are full proof and performed as immaculately as possible. Conclusion The fact that a new substance is formed indeed when sodium benzoate is placed into a simulated stomach acid has been demonstrated successfully with the aid of the experiments and aforementioned results. A 90% yield suggests that all the basic operations were carried out as neatly and carefully as possible and measures taken to minimize obvious errors which could take place while performing the experiments. All in all, the experiment provided a practical evidence of the theory behind the hydrolysis of sodium benzoate and percentage yield of it’s product.