The Pepsi Generation Free Essays

Nancy Perry The Pepsi Generation MKTG305-01 Marketing Management Unit 4 Individual Project October 30, 2011 Abstract It takes many years to build a brand name. Pepsi is no exception. This paper discuses what Pepsi means in today’s market and how it has evolved over time. We will write a custom essay sample on The Pepsi Generation or any similar topic only for you Order Now It also discusses the evolution of Pepsi’s target market and their competition. Celebrity endorsements can sell products and this paper discuses Pepsi’s endorsers as well as their competitions. The Pepsi Generation Introduction Pepsi Cola has been around since the 1893. Invented by pharmacist Caleb Bradham, Pepsi was originally named â€Å"Brad’s drink†, it was renamed Pepsi Cola about ten years later (Bellis, n. d. ). The Brand in Today’s Market Pepsi is found everywhere. It is known by everyone. What started out as a drink designed to be enjoyed and to help in digestion has turned into a conglomerate that encompasses so much of our lives, our vocabulary and so many products that we see in our pantries. Today the Pepsi brand more than just a soft drink. It is also breakfast, juices, teas, side dishes, snacks, cereals and oatmeal’s, energy drinks, and even water (Brands, 2011). Pepsi products are found in grocery stores, convenience stores, discount retail stores, and restaurants. The Pepsi logo is found on everything from children’s toys to racecars and is a recognizable symbol all over the world. The Brand’s Evolution Pepsi has come a long way since its creation in Caleb Bradhams kitchen. Pepsi Cola went bankrupt in 1923 and was later purchased by the Loft Candy Company who tried to sell it to Coca Cola. Pepsi’s first jingle was broadcast across the nation in 1940 (Bellis, n. d. ). in 1966 Pepsi is sold in Japan and Eastern Europe for the first time. In 1970, sales exceed the $1 billion mark with 36,000 employees (Our History, n. d. ). the 1980’s saw Pepsi become the largest beverage company in the world with more than 300,000 employees (Our History, n. d. ). By 1990, Pepsi had acquired Frito-Lay, Gamesa, Smarfood, Kentucky Fried Chicken, 7Up, and many other enterprises (Our History, n. d. ). The Brand’s Target Market: Today and Yesterday In the early years of Pepsi, the target market was limited to the customers who frequented Bradham’s Pharmacy in New Bern. Sometime around 1910, Pepsi started an ad campaign featuring women and celebrities (Caleb Bradham (1867-1934), 2011). This was a very successful move on Mr. Bradham’s part. Women have always been the deciding force behind household purchases, and celebrities grab the attention of the consumer. Pepsi’s target market today is geared for a younger crowd. The celebrities that are employed to be in today’s commercials are well known to the younger generation. Of course, commercials are not the only way Pepsi attracts young people. Pepsi sponsors concerts for musicians that are popular with young people. They provide scholarships, arrange educational trips, they give away items like bicycles, cd players t-shirts, and concert tickets (Pepsi Market Targeting, 2010). Positioning Of Competitors Pepsi’s biggest competitor is Coca Cola. Positioning by distribution would not help Coca Cola since Pepsi is found virtually everywhere Coca Cola is found. Price positioning also would not help Coca Cola because their prices are about the same as Pepsi. Benefit positioning is a good way for Coca Cola to position itself in the minds of consumers but Pepsi has one thing going for it that Coca Cola does not: Pepsi has food products in its list of goods and Coca Cola does not. Target positioning is Coca Cola’s strongest method. They target the same young people that Pepsi does, the 15-25 year old range (Target Market of Coca Cola, 2010). Coca Cola targets upper lower and lower class students and family oriented people with busy life styles who are fun loving and who loves entertainment. They are looking for people who are part of the mobile generation who are on the go and enjoy listening to music and watching television (Target Market of Coca Cola, 2010). Coca Cola and Pepsi and similar products but they do have their differences. Advertising reinforces these differences, which can affect sales and pricing. Advertising also protects the brands from their competition. However, there is a downside; an increase in competitive advertising can have an undesirable effect on the overall sales of each of the brands (Linton, 2011). The Celebrity Face of the Brand: The Fit and the Target In 1984, advertising history was made as Michael Jackson and his brothers appear in Pepsi commercials. Other celebrities like Lionel Richie, Tina Turner and Michael J. Fox soon followed in Pepsi commercials (Our History, n. d. ). Rap singer MC Hammer and Ray Charles appeared in commercials in 1991. All of the celebrity endorsers for Pepsi were chosen to reach a specific target market. Britney Spears and Beyonce were chosen to reach the younger generation just as Michael Jackson was some twenty years earlier. Ray Charles was chosen to reach older consumers who grew up in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. Other Possible Endorsers for the Brand Pepsi has done a good job keeping up with the times, utilizing the celebrity status of the most popular and well-known people to sell their product. According to TV Guide, the three most popular celebrities are Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and Mariah Carey. All three have appeared in Pepsi Commercials. Natalie Portman, Hilary Duff, and Zooey Deschanel have never endorsed Pepsi and would reach their target audience. Hilary Duff is a good choice because of her association with the Disney Channel. Young girls look up to her and young boys think she is pretty. Natalie Portman, whose fame skyrocketed with the release of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, would also make an excellent choice for Pepsi commercials. Zooey Deschanel is appealing to young people because she is an actress, a musician, a singer and a songwriter. The Competitors’ Endorsers Paris Hilton, LeBron James, and Christina Aguilera have all endorsed Coca Cola. However, Coca Cola tends to choose more athletic endorsers, like speed skater Apolo Ohno, and Olympic hockey player Angela Ruggiero (Coca-Cola’s Olympic endorsers, 2011). Coca Cola looks for more active athletic people, who are in good, physical condition. Perhaps because they want Coca Cola to be associated with a healthy lifestyle. They do have healthier alternatives than Coca Cola itself like juices and teas. Conclusion It is common knowledge that celebrities affect brand positioning. Advertising reinforces the brands image and helps to protect it in the brand’s market share from their competitors (Linton, 2011). References Bellis, M. (n. d. ). The History of Pepsi Cola. Retrieved October 28, 2011, from About. com: http://inventors. about. om/library/inventors/blpepsi. htm Brands. (2011). Retrieved October 29, 2011, from PepsiCo: http://www. pepsico. com/Brands. html Caleb Bradham (1867-1934). (2011). Retrieved October 29, 2011, from North Carolina History Project: http://www. northcarolinahistory. org/encyclopedia/113/entry Coca-Cola’s Olympic endorsers. (2011). Retrieved October 30, 2011, from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: http: //projects. ajc. com/gallery/view/business/020510coke_athletes/ Linton, I. (2011, June 06). Does Advertising Affect Brand Management? Retrieved October 30, 2011, from eHow Money: http://www. ehow. om/info_8548285_advertising-affect-brand-management. html Our History. (n. d. ). Retrieved October 28, 2011, from PepsiCo: http://www. pepsico. com/Company/Our-History. html Pepsi Market Targeting. (2010, January 13). Retrieved October 29, 2011, from About. com: http://inventors. about. com/library/inventors/blpepsi. htm Target Market of Coca Cola. (2010, June 14). Retrieved October 29, 2011, from Zimbio: http://www. zimbio. com/Coca-Cola/articles/AQ1BESn41bA/Target+Market+of+Coca+Cola TV Guide Most Popular Celebrities. (2011). Retrieved October 29, 2011, from TV Guide: http://www. tvguide. com/top-celebrities How to cite The Pepsi Generation, Papers

Son Jarocho, a Type of Mexican Folk Music free essay sample

Son Jericho is a type of Mexican folk music that originated in southern Vernacular, Mexico. The son genre was created in 17th and 18th century with influence from Spanish music styles and instruments. This fusion of the son genre brought upon the Son Jericho among the coastal state of Vernacular. The Son Jericho is a combination of Mexican, Spanish and West African Influence. The West African Influence comes from the slaves that were brought to Vernacular by the Spaniards. By the 19th century, this son genre was distinguished as highly developed regional variant.During the 20th century, It was spread out throughout Mexico. The Son Choral has syncopation and percussive elements that are Mexican musical contributions. The standard Instruments In the Son Jericho Include: the Saran Jericho, the requiring Jericho and the Vernacular harp. The most Important Instrument Is the Saran Jericho that Is an eight-string guitar. The requiring Jericho has four stings and they are plucked with a plastic pick. We will write a custom essay sample on Son Jarocho, a Type of Mexican Folk Music or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The Vernacular harp has 36 strings and Is non-pedal harp. Each instrument is highlighted in a solo.There are also maniocs that are patterns like the racquets, redoubles, and apogees that are incorporated with the loran playing. The Son Jericho has a rapid tempo, % meter. There are 2-3 chord progressions per son. Along with instruments, the main vocalist, the prisoner improvises verses. The vocalist usually has high-pitched voice with a tropical feel, a bit nasally and is playful in the chant. Another characteristic of the son Jericho is the dance aspect. The expatiated footwork is an acoustic element and compliments the instruments and vocals.

Financial Management International Currency Exposures Case Study

Question: You have been hired as a business consultant to analyze XYZ Company. While your client is very successful, he/she does not really understand financial numbers and desires your help. Your client wants to pay you to do the homework and due diligence on his behalf before he invests his money. Your job to answer the question Is XYZ Company the right company to invest in? Please be prepared to defend your recommendation, either way (whether you are recommending for or against investment in your clients chosen firm.)The Process:Since this is your first consulting job for this client, you want to do it right. After all, this could lead to additional analysis opportunities for you down the road. After benchmarking with other financial consultants, and viewing some of their work, you feel you need to provide the following information to your client:1. Brief history and description of the companys operations, background, primary product/service offerings, customers, business sector(s), etc.2. Brief bios of top executives and board of directors3. Financial analysis of XYZ Company based on data provided from the last five year financial reports (Annual Reports and 10Ks). (note: you must choose a publicly-traded corporation in order to be able to access this data)4. Report on the strengths and weaknesses of any financial trends of XYZ Corporation5. Market performance (stock price/returns over the last five years relative to the SP 500 index and major competitors.6. XYZ Companys competitors who are they, size, background, etc.7. XYZ Companys industry what are trends in this industry?8. Your assessment of companys prospects going forward and investment recommendation (buy, sell, or hold the stock)9. Based on your research, where do you think XYZ Company is going to be in three to five years? Provide the valuation on 3 to 5 years going forward. To help answer this question you need to know the company as well as the industry. Make sure you provide and support the assumption s used to project the companys future. Answer: Introduction The following report represents the highlights of a company, listed in United States examining the overall financial performance of the company for the purpose of investment. Company selected for presenting the report is The Coca Cola deals mainly in soft drinks and beverage products currently trading at a price of $43.49 in the New York Stock Exchange (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Companys background The Coca Cola Company founded in the year 1886 by John Stith in Georgia, United States, is one of the largest nonalcoholic beverage producing companies. The organization has seven major operating system based on geographical region including, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Majority of the companys revenue generates from North America region from the sale of finished products while other regions operates in production and sale of syrups and beverage concentrates (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). The principal value of business for the company is its consumers preference, to build true and strong relationship with the present and prospect customers. Companys consumers include supermarkets, discounters, movie theatres, multiplexes, restaurants, hotels, caf amongst others. Its primary products are non- alcoholic beverage that includes Coca Cola, Sprite, Diet Coke, Fanta and similar other soft drinks (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Top Executives and Board of Directors At present the companys Board Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer is Muhtar Kent having firm commitments to the morals and values to make the company sustainable and profitable in the competitive industries (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). James Quincey, president as well as Chief Operating Officer of the company since the year 2013, responsible for organizations operating segments worldwide. Under his leadership, one of most profitable operating segments of the company strategically expanded its portfolio across the world. Other Board of Directors of the company includes Herbert Allen, Ronald Allen, Marc Bolland, Ana Botin and Barry Diller (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Discussion Financial analysis The sales revenue of Coca Cola during the financial year was around US$44.29 million which increased from US$35.12 million in the year 2010. The company owns more than 500 brands in the nonalcoholic beverage products. Its approximate sales unit in the year 2015 was 2,055 million while in the year 2014 it was around 2,003 million (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Figure 1: Sales revenue graph (Source: Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016) The companys equity shareholding reflects average of US$25 Billion in the fiscal year 2015 to US$31 Billion in the year 2010. Apart from that that organizations current assets shows decent growth between the years 2015 and 2010 with the value of US$ 33.4 Billion, US$ 32.99 Billion, US$31.3 Billion, US$ 30.33 Billion, US$ 25.5 Billion and US$ 21.58 Billion respectively. Additionally, the organizations gross margin percentage was at an average of 60% since the fiscal year 2010 to the year 2015 whereas its operating margin percentage was between 20% - 22% in the last five years. Profitability ratios of the Coca cola Company reveal the perpetual growth and sustainability as a largest and renowned brand for soft drinks and refreshments (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Profitability ratios 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Tax Rate percentage 16.74 24.52 23.06 24.84 23.60 23.31 Net Margin percentage 33.63 18.42 18.78 18.32 15.43 16.60 Average Asset Turnover 0.58 0.61 0.57 0.53 0.51 0.49 Return on Assets percentage 19.42 11.21 10.86 9.74 7.80 8.07 Average Financial Leverage 2.35 2.53 2.63 2.71 3.04 3.53 Return on Capital (Equity) percentage 42.32 27.37 28.00 26.03 22.36 26.31 Return on Capital Investment percentage 26.69 14.87 14.27 12.58 9.86 10.63 Interest Coverage ratio 20.43 28.43 30.75 25.79 20.31 12.22 Table 1: Profitability ratios (Source: Created by author) Strength and weakness of financial trends The company is one of the largest producers and distributors of soft drinks and refreshments with the highest rank in consumers safety fetched a rating of A++ for having strong financial position in the economy. Companys core strengths are awareness of brand, powerful distribution network, strong customer relationship, premium quality products, strong operating systems and great leadership. With respect to the financial information, companys tremendous growth in sales at around 10% within last five years whereas its cash fund shows US$ 12.8 Billion in the year 2011 and US$ 7.31 Billion in the year 2015. The difference in cash fund reflects the dividend distribution to the investors as well as employment of funds in the business to expand and incorporate new projects (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). On the other hand, the companys notable weakness is its poor management in the water segment and fluctuations in foreign currency. As the company is in manufacturing of beverages and refreshment products, water is its essential ingredient as a raw material. Water is a significant element for the welfare of consumers as well because it is an inadequate resource in various regions of the world hence the company has to face some challenges for overusing it. Apart from that, company operates in many regions across the world around 200 countries and therefore, incurs its financial activities in different foreign currencies like euro, Japanese yen and Mexican peso. In the year 2014, the organization derived its revenue of around $26.2 Billion from the business operation outside the country United States. Hence, the rise and fall in currency exchange rates affect the foreign exposure with respect to foreign exchange loss (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Market performance Currently the stock of Coca Cola (KO) is trading at $43.48 with a negative change of 0.03 to 0.07 percent indexes in New York Stock Exchange. In the year 2015, increase in Earnings Per Share (EPS) was 13.5% while the payment of dividend increased by 11.1% compared to the year 2014 (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Figure 2: Market growth (Source: Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016) There was also increase in the Book value per share and free cash flow between the year 2010 and 2015. In the year 2010, the company had $7,317 Million free cash flow funds which increased to $8,209 Million in the year 2014 though it declined by small amount in the year 2015 to $7,975 Million. Moreover, there has been constant increase in the marketable securities of the company in the past five years amounted to US$ 4,269 Million in 2015, US$ 3,665 Million in 2014, US$ 3,147 Million in 2013, US$ 3,092 Million in 2012 and US$ 144 Million in 2011. Considering the companys current strategy on expansion of business operation, the management and Board of Directors have planned to invest US$ 3 Billion as a long term investment to support the new project for its sustainable growth (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Competitors of the company Coca Cola have several major competitors in the beverage industry like PepsiCo, Inc., Tree Top, Inc., Citrus World, Inc., Dole Food Company, Inc., Monster Beverage Corp., and similar other companies. Companys competition is in the sector of nonalcoholic beverages since it is one of the highest competitive sectors (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). One of the major competitors is PepsiCo, Inc., an American company that deals in manufacturing and distribution of food, snacks and beverage having its headquarters in United States. The company falls under the industry of Beverages and food processing and was formed in the year 1965 because of merger between Pepsi- Cola Company and Frito- Lay. The company generated sales revenue more than $ 1 billion and the products are distributed in more than 200 countries and is considered as the second largest company in the world. In the year 2015, its operating income reported at amount of US $ 8.353 Billion while net income was reported at US $ 5.452 Billion and total assets at US$ 69.667 Billion in the year 2015 (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Another major competitor of The Coca Cola Company is Monster Beverage Corp., which is manufactures and distributes energy drinks, fruit drinks, lemonade and other nonalcoholic beverage. It holds around 35% of the total energy drink market in United States having its net sales amounted to $645.4 million. Other competitor list of The Coca Cola Company includes Citrus World, Inc, which is a largest citrus drinks seller (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Companys industry and trends In the present scenario, Companies in beverage industries experiencing changes that will enhance the product quality, production process of the companies and consequently increase the sales revenue. Companies will take steps in investing their substantial funds in research and development process to increase the quality contents of the health drinks and other beverages. Companies like PepsiCo, Coca Cola are taking steps to produce the drinks with organic ingredients concerning about the health of the consumers with respect to pure, safe and healthy drinks containing less calories, sugar content or sodium element (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Another trend of the industry are concerning in the beverage industry is about reformulation of the products to serve health benefits to the consumers. Reformulation would take place only if it is required to do so in context to right amount of calories content, sugar content or any other ingredients that is harmful to the health of customers (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Most of the companies are setting the trends of serving drinks in smaller bottles, cans or even paper cans to save the wastage and providing convenience of carrying the bottles. These containers also reduce the cost of packaging and serve hygienic system to supply drinks to the consumers. Additionally, smaller bottles means less quantity of drinks and apparently less consumption of calories. Association of American Beverage in the year 2014 assured to cut the content of calories by 20% until the year 2025 (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Companys growth and investment recommendation Despite of several challenges and limitations the companys financial results reflected positive impact on the effective net pricing and net revenues ignoring foreign currency exposures. There was a rise in its operating revenue by 3% while in operating profits by 6% in the year 2014. Examining the past five years data, the company experienced some decline in its financial position in the year 2015 because of some operational changes and investment in the portfolio. However, that year was called transitional year and the company hope to obtain benefits in near future. Currently, Coca Cola Company has around 30% of market share in the universal beverage industry and is expected to include $90 Billion to the market cap by the year 2020. In the beginning of the year 2014 companys market cap was $150 Billion whereas the market cap in current market is $187.66 Billion and is expecting to grow the same by 6.9% in future years (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Considering all the financial information it is highly recommended to invest in Coca Cola (KO) securities and hold the same. Analyzing the future expected growth and past optimistic financial trends it is advised not to go short on the companys stocks and shares. Further, the company is also regular in dividend payment so it is beneficial for the investors to go long and hold the securities to earn maximum returns (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Companys position in next three years On examining the financial information of The Coca Cola Company, it can be said the company shows an immense growth and stability in the beverage industry since its incorporation. Growth in net profits, operating profits, significant increase in market cap shows an effective exposure in future years. Though the companys financial results in the year 2015 displayed decline in revenues with small percentage but if the foreign exchange fluctuations is ignored then there was increase in the year 2015 too. Therefore, the company is expected to grow significantly by 5%, 6% and 8% in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Integrated valuation 2015 2016 (+5%) 2017 (+6%) 2018 (+8%) $ Million Net sales 6,346.10 6,663.41 6,726.87 6,853.79 Cost of sales (4,018.70) (4,219.64) (4,259.82) (4,340.20) Gross profit 2,327.40 2,443.77 2,467.04 2,513.59 Operating expenses (1,855.20) (1,947.96) (1,966.51) (2,003.62) Restructuring costs (54.00) (56.70) (57.24) (58.32) Operating profit 418.20 439.11 443.29 451.66 Table 2: Three years valuation (Source: Created by author) It has been assumed that the growth of the companys performance in recent years will be 5% to 8% (approximately) and is expected to earn operating profits amounted to $451.66 Million. Hence, it is recommended to invest in the companys securities to earn maximum returns other than the dividend incomes (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Recommendation With the view of companys growing trends and impact on its performance with respect to finance, product quality, customer relationship and investors benefits. The market cap of the company in 2014 was $150 Billion and in the year 2015 it was around $187 Billion with an increase of $37 Billion. Apart from that share price of the company in last five years was at an average of $ 31.00 and $45.00 which reflects a steady growth in its price. Therefore, the client is recommended to invest and buy the securities and hold for certain period until 2020 which expects to provide decent returns and incomes. However, the amount of investment is totally on the budget and available funds of the client but it is advised to invest 40% to 50% of the funds in the securities KO. This is because there should always be diversification in investment portfolio to minimize risk and maximize returns and incomes (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Conclusion The report represented on the analysis and evaluation of the selected company Coca Cola which United States based largest beverage producer and distributor. The purpose of the report was to examine the different aspects of the financial information and to examine whether it is the appropriate and profitable company to invest funds. It is noted that the company has a strong financial position in the year 2015 as well as in past years with respect to revenues, profits, asset valuation, dividend payment and earnings per share. The growth percentage reflected 3 to 6 % in net revenues and operating profits of the company. Hence, the client is advised to invest the funds in the companys shares and hold for three to five years as the financial trend shows growth in the companys value which eventually provide good returns to its investors. The company is expected to have a significant growth in its turnover and profits by the year 2020, so it is a good opportunity to make investment in its s ecurities (Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products., 2016). Bibliography List Bntrix, A. S., Lane, P. R., Shambaugh, J. C. (2015). International currency exposures, valuation effects and the global financial crisis.Journal of International Economics,96, S98-S109. Calomiris, C. W., Khan, U. (2015). An assessment of tarp assistance to financial institutions.The Journal of Economic Perspectives,29(2), 53-80. Christersson, M., Vimpari, J., Junnila, S. (2015). Assessment of financial potential of real estate energy efficiency investmentsa discounted cash flow approach.Sustainable Cities and Society,18, 66-73. Coca-Cola Global: Soft Drinks Beverage Products. (2016). Coca-cola.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016, from https://www.coca-cola.com/ Cucchiella, F., DAdamo, I., Gastaldi, M. (2015). Financial analysis for investment and policy decisions in the renewable energy sector.Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy,17(4), 887-904. Dagiliene, L. (2015). THE INVESTIGATION OF FINANCIAL REPORTSCOMPLEXITY IN LARGE COMPANIES.Economics and Management, (14), 28-32. Dewachter, H., Iania, L., Lyrio, M., de Sola Perea, M. (2015). A macro-financial analysis of the euro area sovereign bond market.Journal of Banking Finance,50, 308-325. DiGabriele, J. A. (2016). The expectation differences among stakeholders in the financial valuation fitness of auditors.Journal of Applied Accounting Research,17(1), 43-60. Eckerd, A. (2015). Two approaches to nonprofit financial ratios and the implications for managerial incentives.Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly,44(3), 437-456. Masud, A. A., Wirba, A. V., Muhammad-Sukki, F., Masud, I. A., Munir, A. B., Yunus, N. M. (2015). An assessment of renewable energy readiness in Africa: Case study of Nigeria and Cameroon.Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews,51, 775-784. Sharma, A., Mehra, A. (2016). Financial analysis based sectoral portfolio optimization under second order stochastic dominance.Annals of Operations Research, 1-27. Wong, K., Joshi, M. (2015). The impact of lease capitalisation on financial statements and key ratios: Evidence from Australia.Australasian Accounting Business Finance Journal,9(3), 27.

SFSU needs to replace JEPET

San Francisco State University has one of the most dreaded writing tests by students. This test is known as Junior English Proficiency Essay Test, JEPET. JEPET test is taken after the first two years of study, upon successful 48 semesters and before their 80th semester unit to fulfill the graduation writing requirement. Those who fail must take the English 414 whish will satisfy the university that a student has fulfilled their writing requirement for graduation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on SFSU needs to replace JEPET specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However a student must take JEPET before taking English 414. This is usually a timed exam handwritten and student must write a well organized argumentative essay on a given topic and base it on evidence provided. The only reference materials allowed are a dictionary, a thesaurus and a spell checker. This makes it a general writing proficiency test and students en d up not learning writing skills in the subjects they are taking. This essay is therefore aimed at explaining why JEPET should be scraped. The first major reason is that JEPET is a highly generalized one-time exam and not a writing course that only tests a student’s general writing proficiency. A one time exam is not a credible criterion of measuring a students writing proficiency. As it also only test a students general writing abilities and not subject oriented writing proficiency it therefore produces students â€Å"who cannot write† (Turner para 4). Therefore CFSU needs to replace JEPET with a more intensive and subjects based writing course. Secondly, because JEPET is just an exam and not a course, there is a very high failure rate (Turner para 17). This is occasioned by the fact that student who fail JEPET have to sit for English 414, when passed qualifies a student for graduation. The problem with this provision is that it encourages failure as students do not h ave to re-sit JEPET therefore defeating the purpose of the exam, which SFSU has made mandatory for graduation. Thirdly, JEPET is not in favor with SFSU students, many of whom prefer to have â€Å" a course intensive training within one major as it would make passing easier† (Turner para 17). Students will be motivated to be more attentive as they are being trained on subjects they have more appreciation for rather than a â€Å"general English exam† as they refer to JEPET (Turner para 23). This boosted learning morale will improve passing rates therefore necessitating the need to rethink JEPET. Last but not the least, is that JEPET is just an exam to facilitate exit from the university rather than test writing competence. A student must first write English 114 and English 214 before writing JEPET. JEPET seems to be a re writes of these two exams. If a student passes them but fails JEPET, it defeats the logic of SFSU refusing students to graduate until they write another exam (Turner para 34). In conclusion, even though JEPET was formulated with the intention of giving students writing proficiency it has not been successful. This is because it defeats the purpose of its own existence as students are not adequately trained to write. Furthermore those who pass only have general writing skills and not the relevant writing skills in their major subjects. This results in graduates who cannot write and if SFSU has this reputation, its graduates will loose market value as they will be unemployable.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Work Cited Turner, Jack. New Writing Courses Set to Replace JEPET by 2010, [x]press. San Francisco: SFSU Journalism Department. September 2008. Web. This essay on SFSU needs to replace JEPET was written and submitted by user Bobby Jordan 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.

FAQs for Writing Your Graduate Admissions Essay

FAQs for Writing Your Graduate Admissions Essay When graduate school applicants learn of the importance of the admissions essay to their graduate school application, they often react with surprise and anxiety. Facing a blank page, wondering what to write in an essay that can change your life can paralyze even the most confident of applicants. What should you include in your essay? What shouldnt you? Read these answers to common questions. How Do I Choose a Theme for My Admissions Essay? A theme refers to the underlying message that you intend to convey. It may be helpful to make a list of all of your experiences and interests at first and then try to find an overlapping theme or connection between the different items on the list. Your underlying theme should be why you should be accepted into graduate school or specifically accepted into the program to which you are applying. Your job is to sell yourself and distinguish yourself from other applicants through examples. What Type of Mood or Tone Should I Incorporate in My Essay? The tone of the essay should be balanced or moderate. Dont sound too cheerful or too morose, but keep a serious and ambitious tone. When discussing positive or negative experiences, sound open-minded and use a neutral tone. Avoid TMI. That is, do not reveal too many personal or intimate details. Moderation is key. Remember not to hit the extremes (too high or too low). Additionally, do not sound too casual or too formal. Should I Write in the First Person? Although you were taught to avoid using I, we and my, you are encouraged to speak in the first person on your admissions essay. Your goal is to make your essay sound personal and active. However, avoid overusing â€Å"I† and, instead, alter between I and other first-person terms, such as â€Å"my† and â€Å"me† and transition words, such as however and therefore. How Should I Discuss My Research Interests in My Admissions Essay? First, it is not necessary to state a specific and concise dissertation topic in your essay. You only to need to state, in broad terms, your research interests within your field. The reason you are asked to discuss your research interests is that the program would like to compare the degree of similarity in research interests between you and the faculty member you wish to work with. Admissions committees are aware that your interests will likely change over time and, therefore, they do not expect you to provide them with a detailed description of your research interests but would like for you to describe your academic goals. However, your research interests should be relevant to the proposed field of study. Additionally, your aim is to show your readers that you have knowledge in your proposed field of study. What If I Don’t Have Any Unique Experiences or Qualities? Everyone has qualities that can distinguish themselves from other individuals. Make a list of all your qualities and think of how you utilized them in the past. Discuss the ones that will make you stand out but will still have some connection to your field of interest. If you do not have many experiences in your field, then try to make your other experiences relate to your interests. For example, if you are interested in applying to a psychology program but only have experience working at a supermarket, then find a connection between psychology and your experiences at the supermarket that can show your interest in and knowledge of the field and portrays your ability to become a psychologist. By providing these connections, your experiences and you will be depicted as unique. Should I Mention Which Faculty Members I Would Like to Work With? Yes. It makes it easier for the admission committee to determine if your interests match with the faculty members you’re interested in working with. However, if possible, it is recommended that you mention more than one professor you wish to work with because it is a possibility that the professor you are interested in working with is not accepting new students for that year. By mentioning only one professor, you are limiting yourself, which can decrease your chances of being accepted. Additionally, if you only wish to work with a specific professor, then you are more likely to be rejected by the admissions committee if that professor is not accepting new students. Alternatively, it may be helpful to contact professors and find out if they are accepting new students before applying. This reduces the chances of being rejected. Should I Discuss All Volunteer and Job Experiences? You should only mention volunteer and employment experiences that are relevant to your field of study or have helped you develop or acquire a skill that is necessary for your field of interest. However, if there is a volunteer or job experience that is not related to your field of interest yet has helped influence your career and academic goals, discuss it in your personal statement as well. Should I Discuss Flaws in My Application? If Yes, How? If you think it may be helpful, then you should discuss and provide an explanation for  low grades or  low GRE scores. However, be concise and do not whine, blame others, or try to explain away three years of poor performance. When you discuss flaws, make sure you aren’t giving unreasonable excuses, such as â€Å"I failed my test because I went out drinking the night before.† Provide explanations that are reasonably excusable and comprehensive to the academic committee, such as an unexpected death in the family. Any explanations you give must be very very brief (no more than roughly 2 sentences). Emphasize the positive instead. Can I Use Humor in My Admissions Essay? With great caution.  If you do plan on using humor, do so cautiously, keep it limited, and make sure it is appropriate. If there is even the smallest possibility that your statements can be taken the wrong way, dont include humor. For this reason, I advise against using humor in your admissions essay. Should you decide to include humor, do not let it take over your essay. This is a serious essay with an important purpose.  The last thing you want to do is offend the admissions committee or let them believe that you are not a serious student. Is There a Limit to the Length of the Graduate Admissions Essay? Yes, there is a  limit  but it varies depending on the school and the program. Usually, admissions essays are between 500-1000 words long. Do not exceed the limit but remember to answer any assigned questions.

Entrepreneurial Action Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Entrepreneurial Action - Coursework Example Future Plans 10 14. Funding request 10 15. Exit strategies 10 Executive Summary Solo Pasta Restaurant is a pasta restaurant located on Holloway Road 7N. The business is owned by four partners that contributed equally to fund the business. Our aim is to grow the business seeing profits in the first year and build recognition and awareness of the business. Ultimately we plan to expand into other markets. Competition is mainly from fast food eateries i.e. McDonalds and a new business that will compete directly with us. Business Idea Concept Solo Pasta Restaurant will serve a variety of pasta, sauces, vegetables and meat. Our service will be unique in that the customers can design his pasta bowl with whatever they want on the pasta. It will seat forty (40) patrons and employ four (4) employees. The planned target market would be first students, because of the location and working adults, as these are the two groups of people that eat out the most. Solo Pasta will offer a twenty percent ( 20%) discount to college students. Solo Pasta will employ skilled workers that can provide for fast friendly service and produce quality foods. In addition to the pasta dishes, Solo Pasta will offer hot drinks and breakfast baguettes. Mission Solo Pasta Restaurant’s mission is to provide quality products with fast friendly service. ... Objectives Solo Pastas objective is to breakeven or post a profit in the first year of operations. We also want to gain 30% of the targeted markets by the end of the first year of operations. SWOT Analysis Strengths Solo Pasta was first to open at its location and it has already began to develop a loyal clientele. Many of the same customers stop in for coffee or tea and breakfast baguettes day after day, and the same is true of our lunch and dinner clientele. Many of our customers have taken advantage of our promotions of free coffee and twenty percent (20%) student discounts. Financially Solo Pasta is exceeding the breakeven point on a daily basis as of the second month of operation. Furthermore we offer a unique product and service by allow customers to design the contents of their pasta bowls. Solo pasta has above average quality of product and excels in customer service. Additionally our location is a benefit as we are in the heart of north campus and close to the tube on Hollowa y Road. Weaknesses Solo Pasta utilizes no outside funding. This limits the amount that can be spent on advertising. Solo Pasta has a limited number of seating capacity. Presently, Solo Pasta does not offer a carry out service. Opportunities Solo Pasta could seek out investors to increase the amount of funds available for advertising. Solo Pasta could develop a carry out service to increase number of daily customers they could serve. Solo Pasta could run additional promotions to increase sales. Solo Pasta could advertise on local or collegiate television and radio stations. Threats Solo Pasta face a threat from the new restaurant that just opened. The threats posed by the new restaurant, unlike other eateries on Holloway, serve

Written assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Written assessment - Essay Example In order to have children have their best learning experiences they should be able to see, hear and touch the different aspects of their learning. For this particular lesson, it is important for them to be able to listen to the instrument, see the instrument they are listening to and then hear music that includes these instruments. In this way students will have a richer idea of listening to music. By including a way for them to draw a picture and say what they think of the music on the worksheet, they are provided with an opportunity to understand music at a deeper level. Children in grades 4 and 5 are always busy and doing things. They have to have more than just sitting and listening to music or they get fidgety. By providing several things for them to do at once this becomes more entertaining and keeps their interest longer. By the 4th and 5th grade children are able to work in a group and they function well at certain things. They also can work individually using worksheets and most do well at following directions. Children are also using critical thinking skills and this is one of the reasons why I use the worksheet -- it allows them to use these skills as they listen to the music, decide on a picture and decide how the music makes them feel. This is a good way to help them sort out what they are hearing. Many students listen to music that is discouraging and damaging to them and usually this is music that is popular. By introducing them to more than one type of music, they have more to choose from and explore. It is the hope of the teacher that they will want to find other types of music at the library and then perhaps they will purchase it later. Music is one good way to help children improve their listening skills because they have to really listen to hear the specific instruments. If they are talking or are distracted in some way, they will miss the information. This also makes them learn to tune out