4 Signs You Might Be a Writer (in Addition to a Reader)

4 Signs You Might Be a Writer (in Addition to a Reader) This is a guest post from Cecilia Lyra. Cecilia is a writer with a reading addiction, a lover of wine and all things chocolate, and the proud mother of Babaganoush, an English Bulldog. She is also a recovering lawyer, but asks that you do not hold that against her. Follow her on Twitter: @ceciliaclyra I’ve been introducing myself as a writer for almost two years (1 year, 7 months, and 3 days but who’s counting?) and it hasn’t gotten any easier. I’m a member of enough writers’ communities both online and in-person to know that the sentiment is fairly common: unless one is Published (yes, with a capital P), calling oneself a writer is always a little uncomfortable, in no small part because a lot of folks look at us, writers, in the same humoring way they look at a six-year-old who claims she’s going to be an astronaut when she grows up. But there’s one identity that I’ve always been comfortable with: reader. I am a reader. And, if you’re reading this, you most likely are one, too. But how, you might ask, did I make the transition from reader to writer? And, furthermore, is it even a transition? Are good reads a gateway for good writing? I say it is! Or at least it can be, for certain people. And perhaps you’re one of them! Here are a few signs that might indicate that, in addition to being a reader, you are also a writer (even if you haven’t written anything yet): When you read a really good book, your mind begins to narrate your life (usually using the same narrator’s voice as the one in the book you are reading). I cannot tell you how relieved I felt when I heard Yann Martel (Life of Pi) explain how, in the beginning of his career, he’d catch himself writing in a voice that mimicked the one of the author he was reading at the time. So many beginner writers do it! It takes writers a while before finding their own voice and a good way to explore is to mimic an experienced author’s style. If you’re an avid reader who also carries the writing gene, you’ve probably caught yourself narrating your life. So, if you’re ever at a work meeting and catch your mind doing something like this: “She knew that, as a woman, she shouldn’t demand, shouldn’t enforce, because to do these things would be considered threatening and grating to the men in the room â€" but lodged in her throat was a complaint, one that had been there for far too long, and today she felt it breaking loose, flying from her esophagus like a newly-freed bird.” Then, my friend, you are a writer. (Also, as a side note: go a head and speak your mind at that meeting!) As a child, you dabbled in fan fiction (before you even knew what fan fiction was). Were you the eleventh member of the Babysitters Club? Did you grow up alongside Harry Potter? Or perhaps you were a Judy Blume aficionado (#TeamSuperfudge)? Whatever your childhood literary poison, if your imagination would conjure up wholly new adventures for your favorite characters, sometimes even writing these ideas down in the form of a potentially plagiaristic novel, then there might be a writer living inside you. In my opinion, writers are born, not made, and so it makes sense that the signs of a writer would be detected early on. You Pollock your books. Whether you use an e-reader or read on a paper book (which should not be referred to as a proper book, thank you very much), you are in the habit of highlighting, underlining, writing on the margins, and even adding a post-it (or twenty) to your otherwise black and white pages. You do this because, as a reader, you appreciate good writing, and because, as a writer, you instinctively know that guided reading is arguably the best way to improve one’s work. You occasionally collaborate with your favorite authors       We live in the age of social media, which means that most readers with a Twitter handle chat up their favorite authors from time to time. But you’re on another level: you send her ideas for novels, short stories, personal essays, and sometimes even argue â€" not your proudest moment â€" with her about character motivations and a controversial plot twist. You also gently insinuate that a sequel may be in order (ok, you flat out beg for one), and suggest a theme for a new book. While it might seem as though you have no life and are living vicariously through @jodipicoult or @rgay, you might just be channeling your inner writer in the wrong direction (meaning not towards your computer screen or pen and paper). So, if you read the signs above and thought, Moi! then it might be time for you to crack open your laptop or notebook and start your journey as a writer! Can you think of any other signs of a reader-writer? Let me know!

Applying to Go to Graduate School for a Different Major

Many students find that their career would benefit from additional studies that differ from their bachelors degrees. They may learn that their interests lie in a different field than their major or that their current field has grown and new avenues for study have emerged since their earlier years in academia. Demonstrate Your Capabilities While your graduate options are not limited by your college major, you still, however, have to work hard to demonstrate that youre a good candidate for graduate programs in your newly chosen field. Admittance to graduate school is all about how well you match the program. If you can demonstrate that you have the experiences and competencies to succeed, that may help your chances of getting accepted. Focus on the skills and life experiences that led you to switch your studies. Seek Related Experience Most graduate programs in biology will not accept a student without undergraduate science coursework. This is true of most areas of graduate study. To demonstrate competence you might consider engaging in internships or additional coursework. If, for example, your bachelors degree is in psychology and you wish to apply to a masters program in biology, take some science courses can demonstrate that you have a solid science background. Check your local community college or look into online courses. Take the Subject GRE If youre switching fields of study, its in your best interest to take the Subject GRE, even though its likely not required. A solid score on this exam illustrates your mastery of the subject matter, which can show your ability to succeed in the new field. Get Certified While a certificate is not the same as a graduate degree, many programs are rigorous and can be a great precursor to your next degree. Certifications are often affordable and can be done in a short period of time, and they can prove your mastery of the material. Some certificate programs offer courses similar to those youd find in graduate school and can prepare you for the rigorous studies ahead. Use Your Admissions Essay to Demonstrate Your Fit Your graduate school admissions essay is your opportunity to speak to the graduate committee. Use this essay to show how your education and experiences specifically align with the graduate program.  Some fields, like law, relate to many courses of study. Discuss your interest in the field and how your experiences have prepared you to succeed in the field. Draw attention to courses youve taken or experiences that illustrate your interest or competence in the area to which you aspire. For example, as a psychology major who wishes to study biology, emphasize the aspects of your education that overlap with biology, such as the emphasis on understanding the brain as an influence on behavior, as well courses in methodology and statistics, and your research experience. Explain why youre making a transition from one field to another, why you have the background to do so, why youll be a good graduate student, as well as your career goals. Ultimately graduate school admissions committees want to see evidence of your interest, knowledge, and competence. They want to know if you have the ability to fulfill degree requirements and if youre a good risk.  Keep the admissions committees perspective in mind, and youll have an advantage in the admissions process despite having the wrong undergraduate major.

Reading Response The Bell Jar By Sylvia Plath - 781 Words

Reading Response (The Bell Jar) Throughout reading The Bell Jar, I was never attracted to the main character, Esther Greenwood, like I was with Hedda Gabler. I think possibly for me, Sylvia’s Plath’s writing is a bit too descriptive for my taste which kept me from enjoying the read as much as I’ve enjoyed other books; however, I do think Sylvia Plath did an excellent job characterizing Esther and her illness. Even though The Bell Jar is a work of fiction, Plath so accurately described Esther’s symptoms and followed her treatment course that it might as well have been a memoir. What I liked about the The Bell Jar was how Plath was able to transform something so far off from a lot of people into something that anyone could have an†¦show more content†¦After listing all those life stresses out, it’s easy to understand how those normal experiences and depressive symptoms together could push that person into severe depression. It was interesting reading of Esther’s mother’s perspective on her illness and her misunderstanding of it, which is a theme I’ve seen across the works we’ve read so far in this class. In The Bell Jar, her mom seems to have the idea that Esther is depressed on her own accord and says at one point how glad she is that Esther â€Å"decided to be well again† as if it’s been in her control the whole time. This relates to the rest cure in The Yellow Wallpaper because with that, the idea is that the state of rest, lack of intellectual stimulation, and a carb based diet will make the person want to have their normal life back, so therefore they will be back to normal. However, this was a misunderstanding of the illness similar to how it is misunderstood in The Bell Jar. This made me think about how some people view suicide as selfish whereas that is really just a misunderstanding of what can bring someone to want to kill themselves. Another thing I liked about The Bell Jar was that it gave a very real idea about what asylums were like and the stigma attached to them. Plath highlighted stigmaShow MoreRelatedThe Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath1211 Words   |  5 PagesSylvia Plath Research Paper Title The Bell Jar place[s] [the] turbulent months[of an adolescent’s life] in[to] mature perspective (Hall, 30). In The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath uses parallelism, stream of consciousness, the motif of renewal and rebirth, symbolism of the boundary-driven entrapped mentally ill, and auto-biographical details to epitomize the mental downfall of protagonist, Esther Greenwood. Plath also explores the idea of how grave these timeless and poignant issues can affect a fragileRead More Conflict between Individuality and Conformity in The Bell Jar2060 Words   |  9 PagesConflict between Individuality and Conformity in The Bell Jar    In Sylvia Plaths novel The Bell Jar, Esther Greenwood seems incapable of healthy relationships with other women. She is trapped in a patriarchal society with rigid expectations of womanhood. The cost of transgressing social norms is isolation, institutionalization and a lost identity as woman. The struggle for an individual identity under this regime is enough to drive a person to the verge of suicide. Given the oppressive systemRead MoreThe Bell Jar, By Sylvia Plath1657 Words   |  7 PagesOf the two readings we were given to select from for our Midterm Assignment, I chose to conduct my initial psychosocial and diagnostic assessment on the character, Esther, from the semi-autobiographical novel â€Å"The Bell Jar†, by Sylvia Plath. The protagonist in the novel is a 19-year-old girl from the suburbs of Boston growing up in the 1950’s who has accepted a summer internship working at a prominent magazine in New York City. It is made clear from the beginning of the nove l that Esther’s moveRead MoreTypes Of Major Depressive Disorder1614 Words   |  7 Pagesof the disorder. Through reading on the disorder, and the psychology classes I have taken, I was able to push past the stigma and what I was socialized to believe. I disregard the saying that it’s just a sign of weakness, and people just need to get over it. I learned that anyone can be affected by the disorder, even someone who is privileged, and lives a comfortable life. It is not always an environmental/sociocultural cause, but can be a more chemical/biological response. This definitely reinforcedRead More Holding Onto Reality975 Words   |  4 PagesReality For me, Holding On to Reality, by , does just that: grabs on to the realest, most relatable ideas about the Information Age, and refuses to let go. I have had a difficult time talking and writing about Borgmann. For our class listserv responses, I felt like I had nothing to comment on. In our class discussions, I had a hard time figuring out what everyone was talking about. Borgmann’s writing style (and diction and even content) is clear and straightforward, and it leaves me at a lossRead MoreAnalysis Of One Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest 3755 Words   |  16 PagesClerambault’s syndrome which habitually affects women. While Plath struggled with the â€Å"ardent feminist within her’’, she sought to â€Å"embrace the ideology of feminineness that had been indoctrinated into the women of her generation’’ leading to a â€Å"schizophrenic split within herself’’, a struggle not shared by McEwan and Kesey. Kesey described himself as ‘’comfortable with {his} identity and masculinity’’ as he understood he was too young to be a beatnik, and too old to be a hippie’’ and so his

CRM in Dubai Arabic Restaurants Free Essays

Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM) is a widely applied strategy used in the retail and hospitality industries to retain customers. To study the effectiveness of applying CRM in Dubai, two culturally local restaurants have been chosen to determine the customer segmentation in regards to the level of CRM performed at each. The focus on local companies allows for a more comprehensive analysis of strategies designed specifically around the Dubai market. We will write a custom essay sample on CRM in Dubai Arabic Restaurants or any similar topic only for you Order Now The first segment of this report provides a descriptive outline from both primary and secondary research of the two establishments: an Arabic restaurant, Reem Al Bawadi and a Lebanese restaurant, Mezzah House. An analysis of both restaurants determines that Reem Al Bawadi focuses on providing a high customer service level, professionalism, and food quality; whereas Mezzah House relates in a greater extent to the customer in a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. However, both restaurants do not implement a specifically designed CRM or retention strategy to build life time relationships with their customers. You can read also Classifications of Restaurants Based on the analysis of both restaurants, it can be concluded that CRM could be effectively implemented but is currently not evident in the retail and hospitality industries in Dubai. The Mezzah House succeeds for instance, through the use of weekly events to attract repeat customers. Similarly, Reem Al Bawadi is able to provide superior customer service (though formal and less personal) through customer feedback survey cards. Neither restaurant identifies with a need for formal CRM strategies to be developed. Both restaurants are sufficiently patronized by both the tourist segment and the locals. Consequently, the implementation of CRM in Dubai, with respect to the demographics of the city (that being 85% of the inhabitants are expatriates which will in time leave the country and tourists) as a whole is not a developing trend in the city at this time. The research summary and CRM justification highlights the differences of two restaurant chains, one US based and one European, who consistently improve the application of CRM and how these techniques could be implemented more directly within the Dubai market. The paper’s conclusion summarizes the important findings including an explanation of why CRM should be implemented in Dubai eateries, as related to the experiences noted within these two restaurants. There are marketing tools in place but not fully utilized as a formal plan for Customer Relationship Marketing. Introduction Utilizing Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM) in the retail and hospitality industries to retain customers has been a developing practice throughout U. S. and developed European markets but is rarely recognizable in developing arenas. The question of whether Dubai, a city built from sand to skyscrapers which seems to seep tourist money, could benefit from developing a trend of using CRM to effectively build a relationship with its customers. Through first and secondary research using two culturally local restaurants the paper describes a study in the level of CRM performed in the Dubai market. The first segment of this report provides a description of the establishments: Reem Al Bawadi and Mezzah House. Experience The Food – The Research * Reem Al Bawadi – An Arabic Dining Experience General Description: For the purpose of this paper, the Dubai Jumeirah location of the Reem Al Bawadi, an Arabic restaurant with multiple locations in Dubai, will be discussed. This particular restaurant cannot be accessed by the metro; so, that either a car or taxi is required. The Restaurant provides both outdoor and indoor seating and due to the high ceilings and open spacing inside, a warm and authentic atmosphere is created maintaining the Arabic charm. Indoor seating is divided into two dining areas for smoking and non-smoking guests, both providing free Wi-Fi upon request. The menu ranges from traditional Arabic cuisine to Italian specialties such as pasta and pizza, providing a variety of dishes to the customers. The Jumeirah Road location is frequented by both tourists and local inhabitants and yet the pricing is reasonable when compared to other restaurants in the area. A main course with a drink runs around 70 to 80AED in total. The restaurant welcomes guests for both an entire meal for lunch and dinner or only drinks or small portions during the day. Customer Segmentation: Many of the customers at this location are walk-ins who pass by the restaurant and decide to dine on impulse. Because many are tourists, it is more difficult and almost impossible for the restaurant to build lasting relationships with the tourist segment. As Reem Al Bawadi operates multiple restaurants in Dubai, the steady segment of customers are inhabitants of the city which have visited others within the chain have interest due to a previous experience. Reasonable pricing for a full-service in the right location addresses mainly middle to higher income consumer segments. Customer Relationship Marketing Application: A review of what can be described as outstanding customer service reveals the entire staff to be friendly, helpful and caring for the guests. The waiters are knowledgeable of all the menu and capable recommending specific dishes according to the customer’s palatable tastes. Constantly visible to the guests and ensuring a smooth operation, the manager is of the restaurant seeks to enhance customer satisfaction. The internal organization is clearly hierarchy and women are only placed in the positions of hostess and clerk. They are expected to welcome guests and are not in serving at all. Reem Al Bawadi distributes feedback cards regarding reception, service, cleanliness and food quality in both English and Arabic (see appendix 1). This would indicate customer feedback is used to improve the service level. The employees however, exhibit a formal relationship to all customers and none were recognized as loyal guests or treated differently. The employees do not introduce themselves to the guests nor do they make any attempt to build rapport. Differences Between Primary and Secondary Research: The Reem Al Bawadi homepage is not customer friendly. Although the website provides a clear overview within the different icons, a considerable amount of information is missing. For instance, the history, values, internal operations and even menu prices are not presented on the website. Consequently the company’s strategy for customer retention is not readily apparent. As for social media, the Facebook page also only provides basic information including location, type of cuisine and methods of payment. Facebook and Twitter are used to promote special events such as sporting events but, none of the online marketing tools provide any information about he value of the customer to the company or any explanation of a CRM strategy. Supported by the above described findings of the primary research, it can be concluded that Reem Al Bawadi does not seem to have a specific CRM strategy or show any kind of recognition for repeat customers. Even so, great food and quality service breed positive online reviews which alone can build a loyal cu stomer base. * Mezza House – A Lebanese Arabic flair General Description: The Mezza House is also an Arabic restaurant located within walking distance from the Dubai mall, which can be conveniently accessed by metro or car. Similar to the Reem Al Bawadi, the restaurant offers both outdoor and indoor seating areas. The menu varies from Lebanese to Palestinian, Syrian and Jordanian food, combining it into Levantine cuisine. The menu cards display pictures of dishes so that customers develop a sight appeal to different menu items. The Restaurant is popular for its shisha culture and cosy atmosphere; so much so that non-smoking areas are not provided and usually the restaurant is quite boisterous. The noise level and shisha provides an atmosphere for social gatherings including free Wi-Fi to all guests. Customer Segmentation: The following customer segments were identified at Mezza House:, approximately 80% of the customers are Arab, followed by 15% of local customers and 5% of Western guests. As the restaurant does not provide a separate non-smoking area, it attracts mostly shisha-loving guests and excludes customers who would like to dine in a non-smoking area. The prices are similar to any other restaurant providing Lebanese food and thereby mainly middle to higher income customer segments are attracted, similar to Reem Al Bawadi Restaurant. Customer Relationship Marketing Application: Unlike the previous restaurant, waiters at Mezza House are generally attentive and make distinct efforts to engage with the guests by verifying satisfaction and responding to special requests. In contrast to Reem Al Bawadi, a difference between new and regular customers can be observed, as regular customers are treated as part of a family and some are even addressed by name. In addition, the food presentation is above average. Managers and employees verified that new staff is only hired if prior work experience was proven. Differences Between Primary and Secondary Research: Mezza House actively promotes its special weekly events on their website. These include ‘Ladies’ Night, Friday Brunch, and a Karaoke Night. This is used to generate return business, attracting repeat customers through a special experience married to high quality food. Their social media marketing constantly updates the Facebook with new event announcements and pictures of food. Online customer reviews are positive and relate to a high food quality and exquisite experience. However, many service quality comments are negative. This is mainly based on the fact that the employees relate to the guests in a personal rather than professional way. Customers seeking for a luxurious dining experience will be disappointed. In addition, the service perception of the customer differentiates from the service that the employees and managers would like to promote. Service quality is one of the main ideals for management. Research Summarization and CRM Justification: From the experience and research of both restaurants, it can be concluded that neither has implemented a clearly defined CRM strategy. Reem Al Bawadi does not relate to its customers and seems to gain its profit mostly from tourists and walk-in guests. Nevertheless, the establishment focuses on providing high service levels and exceptional food quality, requesting feedback but not using it to build relationships. The Mezza House has a more customer friendly atmosphere and homepage which actively promotes events to build relationships with guests centered around the dining experience. CRM can be effectively implemented, but is not currently evident in the Dubai retail and hospitality environments. While some elements of CRM are utilized, such as the superior customer service of the Reem Al Bawadi and the weekly events and personalized service in the Mezza House, neither apply customer retention strategies. Since the Reem Al Bawadi is located at Jumeirah Road where tourists and locals pass by, this particular restaurant may not have the need to invest into retaining customers, but as a strategy for the chain it could be utilized. The Mezza House clearly implements more elements of CRM represented through online marketing and relationship uilding; however, except for the weekly events, activities to retain the customers on a long term basis cannot be identified. The experience justifies that CRM can and has been implemented in Dubai, however, on a very limited basis and is not readily apparent in the retail and hospitality industries. * Value CRM IN Dubai Although Dubai has a population of 2. 1 million inhabitants, more than 85% of the population are expatriates who come and lea ve the country. In addition, tourism is the most important economic factor for Dubai, as approximately 13 million tourists per year come to Dubai. Therefore, especially in the hospitality industry, managers might assume that CRM is not applicable as mainly tourists come to visit the restaurants and hotels and expatriates often do not stay for many years. Since the two restaurants chosen for this paper are local, not specifically known by tourists or expats, CRM does not seem to be as applicable as in international chains where customers visit the same brand in different cities of the world. In fact, applying CRM might be easier in cities with a higher percentage of local inhabitants so that life time relationships with customers can be built and become more valuable. Restaurant chains such as the U. S. based O’Charley’s or the Italian chain VaPiano might find it easier to implement CRM in Dubai, as many expats and tourists recognize the brand and would visit a familiar setting or even be curious about the menu in a different country Conclusion: As shown by the examples of Reem Al Bawadi and Mezza House restaurants which implement specific elements of CRM but do not have a defined retention strategy, CRM can be effectively implemented. However, it is currently not widely applied in the Dubai retail and hospitality setting. As both restaurants are located in tourism areas and only 15% of the Dubai market is local, the restaurants are able to gain sufficient revenue from tourists and only a small amount of loyal local customers. Therefore, the restaurants do not visualize the need of implementing a CRM retention strategy. Consequently, due to the unique demographics rarely found in any other city, it is more difficult for Dubai retailers and restaurants to implement CRM. The curiosity of tourists and expats to taste authentic Arabic cuisine enables restaurants to operate successfully without developing a formal CRM strategy which focuses on specific customers. Website reviews such as â€Å"Tripadvisor† and â€Å"Timeout in Dubai† effectively promote the restaurants by word-of-mouth promotion as a marketing tool in contrast to a developed CRM strategy. As a final note, both restaurants were highly recommended for a return visit by the research staff to experience exceptional flavour of food and Arabic culture. How to cite CRM in Dubai Arabic Restaurants, Papers

Survey carried out at Tim Hortons

Introduction The book, â€Å"The Oxford companion to American food and drink†, by Smith1 argues that coffee is one of the most preferred beverages all over the world. Coffee is brewed and usually exhibits a dark color and also has acidic flavor due to the brewing process.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Survey carried out at Tim Hortons specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The preparation of coffee is done from roasted seeds obtained from coffee plants. Individuals drink coffee for various personal reasons. Some drink coffee because they believe it gives them extra energy, especially those who like to stay awake for long during the night. Some people actually are fascinated by the taste and smell of coffee. They just feel good when they can smell the nice aroma and feel the taste on their tongues as they drink coffee. Besides, for non-alcoholic drinkers, taking coffee is one of the best ways to spend time with friends in social joints. In fact, with increase in the number of coffee cafes like Tim Hortons, meeting for coffee has turned into a social event where friends meet to share good moments together. Many people also drink coffee just as a form of habit. Tim Hortons is one of the most common coffee joints in Canada. It serves various customers with varied taste for coffee. It also offers other kinds of drinks the customers can choose from besides coffee. The surveyor issued questionnaires to respondents to find out how customers at the Tim Hortons purchase the company’s beverages and other products. Methods/Procedures The survey focused on Tim Hortons and its coffee customers. Ten participants were randomly sampled to participate in the survey. They were each issued with a structured questionnaire containing matrix questions to answer. The questionnaires contained ten similar questions for every respondent. They were required to answer the questions independently without consu lting one another. This was to ensure validity and reliability. The first question asked the respondents the size of coffee they preferred. The responses varied a great deal. Amongst the ten participants, five stated that they preferred medium size; this represented 50% of the respondents. Then three people indicated they preferred small sizes and two indicated that they preferred big sizes. These represented 30% and 20% of the respondents respectively. The respondents were also asked how frequent they bought stuff from Tim Hortons. Three of the respondents indicated that they bought coffee from Tim Hortons always, four indicated that they bought coffee most of the times, one indicated sometimes while two indicated rarely.Advertising Looking for essay on business communication? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These statistics represented 30%, 40%, 10% and 20% respectively. A question was also asked on whether respondents ate a t Tim Hortons every day. In this case, six of the respondents indicated that they ate there most of the time; three indicated some times while the remaining one indicated always. This implies that the respondent ate at Tim Hortons every day. In terms of percentages, these represented 60%, 30% and 10% respectively. The respondents were also asked to indicate the frequency with which they took both lunch and breakfast at Tim Hortons. These two questions generated similar answers. Five respondents indicated that they always took both breakfast and lunch at Tim Hortons. Four of them indicated that they only sometimes took both lunch and breakfast. This implies that some other times they may either eat from their houses or go to other restaurants. One respondent showed rarely for both lunch and breakfast. The implication of this could be that the respondent was never stationed at a work place but could be traveling during the day’s businesses. There was a question regarding orderi ng of stuffs whenever the participants visited Tim Hortons. The question asked them how frequent they ordered other products apart from coffee. Eight of the respondents showed that they rarely ordered other products besides coffee, one indicated sometimes while the remaining one showed he always ordered different things on various occasions. Since many people like taking coffee for various reasons, the respondents were asked whether or not they believed coffee was important for energy concentration. All of the respondents answered on the affirmative. They all indicated that in deed coffee was a source of extra energy, especially during winter periods. When asked on whether they thought Tim Hortons was the best, seven of them agreed, one indicated somehow while the remaining one was not sure on the issue. Those answered it is the best showed that they had mostly relied on the coffee and other products from Tim Hortons for a long time. This could be because they liked the quality of p roducts at Tim Hortons. On whether they kept special amount of money for Tim Hortons, the respondents again had varied answers. Three indicated always, two indicated sometimes, two showed rarely while the remaining three never kept special money for Tim Hortons. Those who always kept special money might be very loyal to the company’s products. The reason could also be that they were always satisfied with the services they received whenever they visited Tim Hortons.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Survey carried out at Tim Hortons specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Coffee is one of the most preferred drinks at the Tim Hortons. However there are also other types of drinks offered at the meeting joint. With regards to this, the respondents were asked to respond on whether they bought other drinks different from coffee. All the ten respondents indicated that at time or another they bought other drinks. However, three of the respondents indicated that they always bought drinks different from coffee; four indicated they did this sometimes while the rest of the three showed that they rarely bought other drinks apart from coffee. Conclusion Tim Hortons is one of the companies offering coffee and other beverages to the population of Canada. The survey sought to find out the experience of customers with coffee brewed by Tim Hortons. The respondents were presented with structured questionnaires on which were matrix questions to answer. Ten respondents were selected to participate in the survey. They were asked to fill the questionnaires independently without consulting one another. This was to ensure reliability and validity of the survey. The analysis of the data obtained during the survey indicated various outcomes from the respondents. The findings showed that the frequency with which customers bought coffee from Tim Hortons varies greatly from one customer to the other. Moreover, it also cam e out that customers do not only buy coffee from Tim Hortons, but sometimes buy drinks different from coffee; they also bought other things apart from drinks. This implies that customers for Tim Hortons are not only attracted by the coffee itself, but also by other products in general. The survey also found out that other customer would buy other drinks unrelated to coffee despite the fact that they still preferred coffee most of the times. Again, a good number of respondents believed that Tim Hortons was the best place for them to buy coffee and other related products. References Smith AF. The Oxford companion to American food and drink. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2007. This essay on Survey carried out at Tim Hortons was written and submitted by user Melvin Payne to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Ducati Essay Example

Ducati Essay Example Ducati Essay Ducati Essay Ducati Q) How did Ducati become a profitable motorcycle maker despite its small scale? Before its takeover by the American private equity firm Texas Pacific Group (TPG), Ducati went from being one of the top manufacturers of the high performance sport motorcycle industry to being on the verge of bankruptcy. TPG identified Ducati as a high end product with enormous potential for growth but realized that serious change was required if Ducati was to ever fulfill this potential. TPG decided to appoint Federico Minoli, an expert in turnaround management as the CEO of Ducati. When Minoli arrived he saw that the company had no distinct overriding strategy, there was no management structure and no set goals to guide the direction the company would take. The first thing that Minoli did was revamp the entire management team, he looked for personnel that were not only talented but would also be passionate about Ducati. He believed that these characteristics, combined with very little internal rigidity would lead to creative decision making by his management team. Ducati had everything that it required to be successful in its market niche of high performance sports motorcycles; It had a top notch uniquely beautiful product, a world class team of passionate designers and engineers and a brand name with very strong potential. Its customer base was one of the most loyal in the motorcycle industry with about 56% expressing repeat purchase intentions. All Ducati needed was a direction. Minoli set 2 targets; double digit growth and to reach Harley’s profitability levels the highest in the industry. At that point Ducati faced two alternative strategies it could either focus on its product or focus on the Ducati brand. The first strategy would mean designating all of Ducati’s energy on producing a better, faster and more powerful product. However Minoli deliberated that Ducati was not about having the fastest bike with the most powerful engine; it was about the unique feeling, the unique sound, the dream, the passion that is evoked by a Ducati. This focus on the brand, the â€Å"World of Ducati†, was going to be Ducati’s fundamental strategy. This fundamental strategy combined with a very vigorous effort to increase its market share, improve overall quality, reduce all inefficiencies and significantly cut down on costs was to be the basis of the future success of Ducati. The 5 signature features that every motorcycle was going to have, that were going to collectively represent the universal image of Ducati were the desmodromic distribution system, the L-twin engine, the tubular trestle frame, the Italian style and Ducati’s unique sound. Previously, Ducati produced only sport motorcycles, specifically hyper sport, super sport and naked. These bikes were based on high performance and superior design and were geared towards younger customers. Ducati decided to expand in the sport touring category in order to produce bikes that were going to cater to an older population. Ducati also decided to introduce more variety in each of the categories by introducing both higher and lower end models. This proved to have a very good impact on revenues as it enabled them to cater to more price sensitive customers and at the same time, charge premiums of up to 30% on some of their higher end and more ‘exclusive’ models. Furthermore, Ducati made a lot of improvements in the use of its side businesses of spare parts, accessories and apparel. Both production and distribution of spare parts was outsourced to 2 companies in the local Emilian mechanical district. This led to an increase in availability, more efficient distribution and better prices which meant a significant increase in revenues from spare parts. On the accessories and apparel side it offered custom made components to improve performance and customization of the bikes, high performance racing gear and fashionable apparel which represented the style and exclusivity of Ducati. It soon became the second most successful brand in motorcycle accessories and apparel, only led by Harley. By 1999 Ducati, despite its small size, became the most efficient producer of sport motorcycles in the world. Ducati had managed to successfully establish itself as a producer of high quality, reliable and stylish motorcycles. They did this through an aggressive outsourcing policy, using strict supplier criteria, using the platform approach to production and by leveraging the advantages of being located in the highly sophisticated Emilian mechanical district. Ducati outsourced around 87% of their production, which was the highest in the industry. By outsourcing to highly specialized components producers in the Emilian district Ducati could focus on the key value adders such as design, RD, the production of strategic parts and quality control. Ducati was very selective and placed great emphasis on the quality of its suppliers, so its number of suppliers decreased from 200 to 130. It typically identified at least 2 suppliers for each component and signed only short term contracts with them. This provided Ducati with a pool of highly competitive and dedicated suppliers. A big factor in the efficiency of the production process was the platform approach to production. Ducati would divide motorcycles into a small number of large components which would consist of smaller subcomponents. A key supplier would then be made responsible for a component and managing the suppliers for the respective subcomponents. Heavy investment in RD was made and an internal design division (Ducati Design Centre) was created which led to a 50% decrease in time to market for product launches. These approaches combined with a very high level of standardization – Ducati only used 2 crank cases and 3 cylinder heads in making all of its motorcycles – proved to be extremely profitable as they enabled Ducati to successfully reduce costs, increase quality and efficiency all while preserving the essence of Ducati. Ducati also launched a new 3 step distribution strategy in line with the firms overall branding strategy. Firstly, it took control of distribution and marketing in strategic markets by creating subsidiaries. Then, it revamped its network of dealers, instead of focusing on quantity it started placing greater emphasis on factors such as quality of services and showrooms greatly reducing the number of dealers. And lastly, it created a chain of â€Å"Ducati Stores† in major cities across the world which provided superior technical assistance and emphasized Ducati’s unique and exclusive brand image. The new distribution strategy combined with the unique â€Å"World of Ducati† strategy proved to be a hit as Ducati’s market share grew and the company reaped the benefits. Ducati launched its first global marketing campaign in 1998 called â€Å"Ducati People† which focused on all the characteristics that really identified Ducati; the Italian style, the history, the young and fashionable customers. It also initiated many marketing campaigns with fashionable brand names such as DKNY and Harrods and was really successful in establishing itself as a designer motorcycle. Its state of the art Ducati museum in Bologna which gets around 10,000 visitors a year is another symbol of the fashionable and exclusive â€Å"World of Ducati†. Similar to the â€Å"Harley Davidson owner’s club† Ducati also tried to create a â€Å"Ducati owner’s club† and held yearly events to create hype and interest in the brand. It also offered Ducati club members exclusive access to Ducati Race teams through various social events and dinners. In conclusion Ducati, through the implementation of a set strategy of focusing on its brand, combined with structural changes in production and distribution was able to not only retain but successfully expand its market niche and establish itself as a successful and profitable motorcycle maker.

Sodium in Water Chemistry Demonstration

Sodium in Water Chemistry Demonstration The sodium in water chemistry demonstration illustrates the reactivity of an alkali metal with water. This is a memorable demonstration that creates a spectacular reaction for students. Still, it can be performed safely. What to Expect A small piece of sodium metal will be placed in a bowl of water. If a phenolphthalein indicator has been added to the water, the sodium will leave a pink trail behind it as the metal sputters and reacts. The reaction is: 2 Na 2 H2O → 2 Na 2 OH- H2(g) The reaction is especially vigorous when warm water is used. The reaction may spray out molten sodium metal and the hydrogen gas may ignite, so use proper safety precautions when conducting this demonstration. Safety Precautions Never use a piece of sodium larger than a pea or pencil eraser.Wear safety goggles.Perform the experiment behind a clear safety barrier or at a distance from the students. Materials Sodium metal stored under mineral oilA 250 mL beaker, filled halfway with waterPhenolphthalein (optional) Procedure Add a few drops of phenolphthalein indicator to the water in the beaker. (Optional)You may wish to place the beaker on an overhead projector or video screen, which will give you a way to show the reaction to students from a distance.While wearing gloves, use a dry spatula to remove a very small chunk (0.1 cm3) of sodium metal from the piece stored in the oil. Return the unused sodium to the oil and seal the container. You can use tongs or tweezers to dry the small piece of metal on a paper towel. You may wish to allow the students to examine the cut surface of the sodium. Instruct the students that they can look at the sample but must not touch the sodium metal.Drop the piece of sodium into the water. Immediately stand back. As water dissociates into H and OH-, hydrogen gas will be evolved. The increasing concentration of OH- ions in the solution will raise its pH and cause the liquid to turn pink.After the sodium has reacted completely, you can flush it with water and rinse it down the drain. Continue to wear eye protection when disposing of the reaction, just in case a bit of unreacted sodium remained. Tips and Warnings Sometimes this reaction is performed using a small piece of potassium metal instead of sodium. Potassium is even more reactive than sodium, so if you make the substitution, use a very small piece of potassium metal and expect a potentially explosive reaction between the potassium and water. Use extreme caution.