Case Study of Week Essay Example for Free

Case Study of Week EssayAnalysis of the template is most suitable for Kinkead. The reason is ground on the case, electricity meters (EM), power tools (EI) products for customers to perform the same basic function. So their alternatives, so it needs to calculate a sales combined variances template, template B did non provide this data. Part B Answer According to the relationship between the BCG matrix, analysis of food foodstuff dispense and market growth.First, for the EM 499 286 According to Table, the variance of the size of the market is unfavorable, the size of the market because their budget is 800000, but the unfeigned market size of 650000, it does not implement the expectations. The EM market divide deflection to 0, with 10% of the actual and budgeted position, it will not change. Therefore, they are a capital cow. Therefore, EM is the Cash Cow. Additionally, the Kinkead has been a leading Australia firm, and EM is the older but steady dominant technology.Fo llowed by EI table EI of the variance of the size of the market for 374,464 budgets, the size of the market for 250,000, lower than the actual market size of 363,500, more than expected. The market share variance is 241,321 Unfavorable which has decrease from 10% to 8%. Therefore, EI question mark. In addition, EI technology is new, or experiment. EIs future is uncertain. Part C Answer They seek cash cow product strategy, so there are two aspects of the important aspects of the slaying, EM, reduce production be and gain market share.More particularly, their market share of the difference does not change, which means it is a mature stage, and manufacturing has been standardized. So the company should take some new measures to reduce production costs. Secondly, the company should increase their market share, such as increased management fees. EI use of labeling strategies, there are three aspects of performance is very important to the EI. The first is the R D performance they sho uld increase R D costs continue to research new technologies for enterprises to create more profits in the future.Followed by market share, companies need to increase their market share of the product EI, because it is the mark phase of the problem, the future is uncertain. Thus, increasing its market share will change in the future star. Finally, production and sales is also very important, EI, because only effective production, to meet customer demand, increase the number of sales. Part D Answer Assessment of the electromagnetic properties of the first actual sale price of $ 29, less than the standard price of $ 30, but only sold 65,000 units lower than planned sales of 80,000 units.There are two reasons conduct to this situation, first of all is their total market demand has been shrinking. Second, the actual sales commission EM is only $ 1, but the EI commission is $ 14. 9, which could lead salespeople do not want to parcel out the product. To evaluate the EI performance, the first problem is underpriced. Although the actual selling price is $153 which is higher than $150, the sale volume is 29,000 units which is large than budget 25,000 units.Secondly, although the size of the market from EI budget increase 250,000 units 362,500 units, the EI market share is not meet expectations, it has dropped from 10% to 8%. This means that the performance of the EI Company is not satisfied. Third, the staff may inadequacy experience, because the actual manufacturing cost is $ 42. 1, higher than the standard $ 40. Finally, from a fixed cost analysis can be found, $ 121,000 of costs and unfavorable actual production costs are higher than the planned $ 11,000, from $ 1,388,000 to $ 1,399,000. Therefore, enterprises should improve production efficiency.On the other hand, the overall performance of EM and EI, and a profit of $ 51,000, cost of sales rock-bottom $ 5,000 plans to invest $ 250,000 of the actual value of $ 245,000. The sales mix variance data can be found, there are more people choose EI, because the EI sales mix variance is $ 1,789,714 EM sales mix variance is $ 1,253, 571 should not be. The reason may be that the sales staff did not want to sell products EM, actual sales commission EI is 14. 9 dollars, but the commission is only $ 1. Second, EI is a new product and new technology, which will attract more customers to corrupt and more popular than the old.

Historical Methods-Archaeology Essay Example for Free

Historical Methods-Archaeology EssayJulius Caesar is plausibly the most famous Roman of all. As dictator, he paved the way for the establishment of the Roman empire under his great-nephew Augustus, more infamously, had a love affair with Cleopatra of Egypt, and even invented the leap year, before being assassinated by friends and colleagues who had previously supported him. and before his dictatorship he had conquered a vast area of Europe in an incredibly short time. Caesars Gallic War is the most detailed eye-witness describe of war that survives from the Greek or Roman world. In Book I, chapter 5 of his Gallic War, Julius Caesar writes of the Helvetiis practice of migrating en masse and of burning down their oppida or walled townspeoples, villages and houses as they went. This would certainly explain the lack of remains of urban construction and monuments, and is likely to have been common to the Celts as a whole.Evidence of the existence of oppida or walled settlements has been ground in the Cisalpine area and elsewhere and date to the third and second centuries B. C. Among the most prominent surviving monuments in continental Europe of the late Gaelic period are the oppida (sing. ppidum) or large fortified settlements that have an urban character. They were constructed on naturally protected sites, and some remains of the massive original edge walls have turned up in Gaul and on the right bank of the Rhine, as well as in Danubia. Together with the rectangular enclosures (Viereckschanzen) that were probably part of the nemeta or open-air sanctuaries created by the rural population, the oppida are the most significant group of monuments surviving from this time (Jimene 90).The first surveys were made by queen Stoffel, an officer under Napoleon III, who embarked on a series of historical investigations into the sites of Julius Caesars battles in Gaul. Since then, knowledge has been based on excavations carried out in the west and east, on the care ful assessment of material unearthed, and on the new and painstaking historiographical and philological interpretations of Caesars chronicles of his campaign in Gaul, Gallic War.The derivation of the concept of oppidum from Caesars war campaign chronicles and the liberal extension of its application as archaeological research proceeds make it necessary to explain exactly what is meant by the boundary oppidum in its more dependent sense. Caesar divides the settlements of Gaul into three categories oppida (fortified towns), vici (villages) and aedificia or aedificia privata (single farmsteads).This careful subdivision not only gives a clear indication of the different types of settlement pattern, increasingly confirmed by the present-day archaeological campaigns, but also gives an idea of the function of the oppida. Even with their large populations, the oppida cannot have been entirely selfsufficient. To some extent at least, they also served as storage points for crops and livesto ck, as well as centers for the processing of raw materials to cater for both town and countryside.As a result of this they also functioned as marketplaces, particularly once regular coinage came into use in the second century B. C. , when coins of base metals (bronze or those known as potins), and in beautiful denominations, made their appearance. The name urbs is used sparingly in Caesars account to highlight the splendour of a handful of larger locations, such as Alesia, Gergovia and Avaricum. Unlike the oppida of free Gaul, the towns of Tolosa ( Toulouse), Narbo (Narbonne) and Vienna, situated in the Provincia, were subject to provincial Roman administration, as implied by their definition as civitates.Caesar also uses this expression to define ethnic communities in Gaul in equipment casualty of political and administrative entities. The central role of the oppida in the political, economic and cultural life of the Gaulish groups (and hence their strategic importance as fort ified outposts for the Roman armies), is distinctly described in Caesar Gallic War, which lists the oppida of twenty-nine different Gaulish kinship groups, with their names followed by a brief description.Some tribes, however, had control over more than one town (twelve in the case of the Helvetii). But most of the population of the time was scattered through villages and farmsteads. As for southern Germany, the diffusion of nemeta rectangular enclosures that were presumably nature sanctuaries for the rural populations and the proliferation of sites containing graphite-decorated pottery indicate a significant population in the countryside outside and between the large oppida (Zander 2005).Furthermore, over a wide geographical area legion(predicate) unfortified settlements in advantageous trading sites have yielded considerable information on the metal and pottery workshops. Some of these sites could be classed as trading posts. Their position on the navigable waterways, at har bors or fords seems to have been decisive in their development. In addition to the civitates or capitals of the separate races, there were also smaller urban-type settlements, presumably the centers of small territories, such as a pagus.It is precedentable to assume that not all these centers were founded at the same time. The location, size and, presumably, the number of inhabitants, varies depending on the political and economic importance of the settlement. Despite their many common features, settlement types are not consistent. Although the information offered by Caesar is sound only where the territories of his military campaigns are concerned, certain basic urban features he mentions have a more general application, as corroborated by archaeological research undertaken in the larger fortified settlements.This is valid if we consider the term oppidum in its broadest sense, that is, an urban settlement with a sizable population, which is both regional center and refuge for smal ler settlements and populations over a wide area. None of the definitions that in each case highlight some specific feature can claim to be generally applicable to all late Celtic fortifications.The reason for this lies not so much in Caesars choice of term (which is limited to the campaign in Gaul) or in the variability of his meanings, as in the meagre development of archaeological research. The details of site position and outward appearance could not be described more accurately than Caesar did in his account of the oppidum of the Sotiates tribe oppidum et natura loci et manu munitum (a fortified town in a natural location and built by the hand of man, Gallic War, III, 23). For all this, Caesars memoirs are still a lively and informative resource.

Market Analysis for Male Condom Product

Market Analysis for Male Condom ProductIntroductionThis report aims to explore the possible lineage opportunity of refuge manufacturing of a Novelty Condom (Lolly), with particular emphasis on the prevalent and private arna markets for the virile rubber. In considering the market for manly preventives in confederation Africa, it is prudent to separate the discussion into public sector and private sector markets, and within these markets to consider procurement, distribution and sale of the products.Executive analysisMarket / Industry/ Description (Makro) sulfur African galosh manufacturers be not competitive in the global market. This has led to their reliance on the presidencys condom procurement stipulation, which they atomic number 18 awarded on a preferential basis. It is as yet unclear whether government entrust bide to show preference to topical anaesthetic manufacturers. If it does, this may further negatively impact the manufacturers competitiveness, and limit their market to the local public sector. If government decides to award emerging contracts to the most competitive bidders, some local manufacturers may go out of business.Socio CulturalThere is no opposite product on the market apart from condoms that gives dual comfortion against internally transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus, as tumefy as protection against unplanned pregnancy.In South Africa, the burden of STIs and HIV is enormous. The Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA), (source www.actuarialsociety.org.za) has certain a demographic and aid model (latest ASSA 2003) that makes use of information from several sources to project the potential course of the HIV/ help epidemic and the demographic impact that it is having. According to the latest mutation of the model, some 5.4 million South Africans were infected with HIV in mid-2006. The has escalated to 5, 934, 183 in 2007 (source Quantec Database and ECSSEC Analysis, 2009). Th e model further indicates that prevalence is higher(prenominal) for women in the 15-34 age groups, while it is higher for men in the older ages. Furtherto a greater extent, the ASSA model predicts that the number of people infected will continue to rise, to exceed 6 million by 2015. Accumulated AIDS deaths will be close to 5.4 million by the same year.In terms of incidence, i.e. the number of parvenu infections occurring, the 15-24 year age group, and particularly women, contributes the highest numbers of virgin infections. Biology, gender roles, sexual norms and inequalities in access to resources and decision-making power put women and girls at greater risk of infection. Many women drop insufficient information near sexual and reproductive wellness and do not understand the risks associated with their let or their partners sexual behaviour. Many of those who do recognise their vulnerability atomic number 18 powerless to protect themselves. otherwise STIs also take their toll . In South Africa, the prevalence of STIs is estimated to range from 5% to over 30% in various(a) population sub-groups and localities depending on the token of STI (source ASSA and Quantec Database). It is important to note that, in addition to the disease and disability STIs themselves cause, they also increase the risk of acquiring HIV during intercourse as a proceeds of inflammation and ulceration.Male condoms are widely available in South Africa, both through public sector condom distribution programmes as wholesome as for sale through retail outlets. The range of products available in the private sector is broad, catering for various user sizes, as well as other novel user preferences much(prenominal) as taste, colour and texture (Our target market Novel Condom User). The availability of fe manful condoms is much much limited.And finally, although this is a practice and not a product, staminate circumcision has recently received a lot of attention as research has shown that the practice can restrict the risk of HIV transmission. Although this method cannot be used on its own to prevent HIV transmission, there are concerns in some quarters that miscommunication about the link between male circumcision and HIV transmission could potentially result in the practice being used as a substitute for condom use.Adapted from Outlook, May 2006EconomicEmployment potentialCondom manufacturing is both capital and labour intensive. In particular, the sampling and testing of batches of condoms, which is a critical fragment of the manufacturing process, is facilitated by hand. In Thailand, which is sensation of the worlds starring(p) exporters of condoms, it has been found that young women are best suited to this work as it is repetitive, precise and requires a high level of speed and dexterity.The incumbent local manufacturers employ an average of 100 people. A new condom manufacturing quickness could thus potentially provide employment for up to 100 semi -skilled young women.The following inputs are required to set up a male condom manufacturing facility.LegalIn South Africa there are no compulsory regulations governing the manufacturing and testing of condoms. The section of Health, as the direct purchaser of locally manufactured condoms, acts as an indirect regulator of the manufacturing by requiring that all public sector male condoms be designed and manufactured according to technical specifications set by the World Health Organisation. These specifications include design, surgical procedure and packaging requirements, as well as general requirements that specify the safety of constituent materials and other characteristics, such(prenominal) as shelf life. In addition public sector condoms, irrespective of whether they are made locally or imported from overseas, need to be tested to the same quality standards and approved by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).Outside of the public sector, manufacturers may apply to the SABS for a standardization mark to illustrate that their product complies with the SABS requirements. Compliance with the standard is however self-imposed and not compulsory.Technological Political Competitor ReviewThe South African condom manufacturing industry is an oligopoly made up of quad companies, whose main customer is the Department of Health. The manufacturing facilities operate at or to a lower place their total production capacity, and further capacity will be created by the end of 2007. This points to a saturated industry that would not welcome a new entrant. Table 5 below is a summary of the operations of the four manufacturers.Table 3 Local manufacturers of male condomsCompanyRrt MedconZalatexKarexWuproDate established2001199020011999LocationKwazulu-NatalGautengMpumalangaKwazulu-NatalProducts manufacturedMale condomMale condomExamination glovesSurgical glovesMale condomMale condomLinen saversDiapersChoice condom (pieces per year)63,750 00038,250 00072,250 0003 8,250 000Own brand condom(pieces per year)Viva(smallPositionsAfrican Skin(very small quantities)Carex(1,200 000)Socially marketed condoms(pieces per year)Lovers sum totalTrust(10,000 000)Export(pieces per year)Carex(1,000 000)Ad hocTotal manufacturing capacity (pieces per year)180,000 00072,000 000150,000 00040,000 000Employees10611016060Competing productsThere are lively no other products that drive home been developed for men to protect against STIs, HIV and pregnancy. The male condom remains the primary prevention tool for men. Newer forms of male condoms include synthetic non-latex condoms made from materials such as polyurethane and styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS), which let a longer shelf life, can be used with oil-based lubricants, and can be used by men who have latex sensitivity/allergy. These products are however not readily available in South Africa.Foreign manufacturersIn addition to competition from other local manufacturers, foreign manufacturers of male c ondoms are also important role-players in the South African market. A review of data from the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) of all the foreign manufactured condoms available in South Africa shows that India, chinaware and Malaysia are the key competing countries. Table 7 below illustrates the share of the total Rand cling to of imported condoms for the key competing countries.Table 5 Percentage share of imports by country 2006CountryRand value of imports% of total importsChina21,045 18935.94Malaysia13,948 86323.82India5,192 6778.87Source SA Customs ExciseThe key competitive advantages of the foreign manufacturers include* Proximity to raw material (natural rubber latex)* Competitive labour costs* takings typically greater that 450 million pieces per year, so can benefit from economies of scale.Product PriceExpected marginsA manufacturer in the industry can birth to realise profit margins between 5% and 20% (General Manager, Karex). Below is an illustration of the es timated revenues for Karex.Table 4 Case study KarexCondom typeNumber of pieces interchangeSelling price(R/piece)RevenueChoice72,250 000R0.20R14,659 525Lovers Plus + Trust10,000 000R0.50R5,000 000Carex (export)1,000 000R0.90R900 000Carex (retail)1,200 000R1,00R1,200 000Total revenueR21,759 525Given that all male latex condoms are essentially similar in terms of their manufacturing process, it stands to reason that volumes are a major determinant of the margins that a manufacturer can realise. Therefore in the catamenia market, a manufacturer would need to have Government as a client in order for their operation to be viable.Table 2 bonny price kickd per 3-pack of condomsCondom BrandAverage price per 3-packLovers PlusR7.20TrustR5.33DurexR24.99LifestyleR9.95 Distribution Promotion Company Image /Brand Suppliers focussing Skills and ResourcesLarry Davin CEO PHD in NothingKhuthele Bovu Director PHD in business science selling and FinanceECT ECTCore Competencies SWOT AnalysisThe supra analysis should enable us to determine what variables will have an effect on the victor or failure of the business. Potential Internal strengths and weaknesses have been looked at as well as external opportunities and threats.Ansoff Market MatrixKey Issues and New Opportunities.5 Points to be determined from the Ansoff MatrixMARKETING OBJECTIVES(Must be SMART)premenstrual syndrome objectivesMarketing objectivesObjectives from new opportunities and key issues.3.3.1 Male condom manufacturingA new entrant into the male condom manufacturing industry in South Africa would face a saturated industry in which a handful of companies operate.Further much a new entrant would need to compete with foreign manufacturers who are able to master cost-competitiveness through scale, cheaper labour and ready access to raw material.As government is the most significant customer in the market, failure to secure a contract with the DoH would jeopardise the viability of any operation.In addition, the requirement for a manufacturer to demonstrate existing capacity would mean setting up a facility at risk, with no certainty of securing the major customer.In the retail environment, the manufacturer would need to compete with well established brands such as Durex and Lifestyle.South Africa is a net importer of male and female condoms. Import s from the leash primary source countries of latex condoms are shown in the table below. South Africa also imports from other countries such as the UK, Thailand, Germany and Korea.Table 9 Imports to South Africa of rubber suit contraceptives (Rand value)Import source200420052006Total imports79,023,11359,044,72358,556,392China43,002,81829,602,08421,045,189Malaysia16,101,51212,468,38313,948,863India2,606,1066,604,5865,192,677Source SA Customs ExciseThe Rand value of exports of condoms from South Africa is very small in comparison. Local manufacturers export primarily to other African countries.Table 10 South African exports of rubber sheath contraceptives (Rand value)Export market200420052006Total exports1,826,7152,789,6043,111,135Mozambique1,456,6161,379,9261,646,028Malawi0666940,000Angola12,085995,291360,514Congo0104,244145,826Source SA Customs ExciseIt is important to note that these s do not solely reflect the value of South African manufactured condom exports, but also those foreign manufactured condoms that are packaged in South Africa and and so exported.Possible reasons for the poor export performance of South African manufacturers are discussed earlier in this report. It remains to be seen whether local manufacturers will become more competitive in the future, or whether the proposed preferential procurement of local condoms by the DoH and the degree of protection that provides to local manufacturers will further jeopardise the success of local condom products in the global market.Table 9 Inputs required male condom factoryInput requiredComponentsInfrastructureLand edifice and civil worksMachinery involunt ary dipping lineHigh voltage dry electronic testing machineCondom foil sealing machineAutomatic burst testerElectrolyte water test machineTensile testerLength measuring gaugeMiscellaneous condom testing laboratory equipmentOther equipment and accessoriesMotor vehiclesGeneratorOffice equipment and accessoriesMaterialsRubber latexLubricantPackaging materialHuman resourcesFactory labourManagement group must have financial, production and marketing know-how.Target Market Identification SegmentationSouth African Market for CondomsIn South Africa public sector condoms constitute the pile of the condoms available. In 2006 close to 428 million male condoms were distributed through public sector channels, against 36 million units sell in retail outlets.Source Society for Family Health, 2007With a crippled economy forcing millions of cash-strapped Americans to entertain themselves at home, its not surprising that one particular product is seeing a sales increase condoms. (Source www.usato day.com).While cable car purchases plummeted and designer clothes mostly stayed on the racks, sales of condoms in the U.S. rose 5% in the fourth quarter of 2008, and 6% in January vs. the same clock periods the previous year. (Source The Nielsen Co).South Africans could not be outdone by their American counterparts. According to the research conducted by the IOL (www.iol.co.za), it has also been a boom time for South Africas buy the farming condom manufacturers, with sales up 55 percent on last year.There has been a 50-percent increase in sales, which is probably a combination of marketing activities together with the Aids message finally filtering through to consumers, said Dave Glass, general manager of Adcock, which distributes the Lifestyles and up-market Contempo brand condoms. Competitor Durex SA reported a 35-percent growth in its condom sales in the same period, according to its spokesperson J Giles.While a three-pack of Contempo condoms will cost anywhere from about R20 to R27, Glass said change magnitude sales in the lower-priced Lifestyles brand (about R10 for 3) may have been a sign that people were willing to pay for protection in the wake of last historic period recall of government condoms.Government, through the Department of Health, is the key role-player in the public sector. Private sector condoms are those that are available at commercial prices from retail outlets as well as those sold at subsidized prices through social marketing programmes.The dominance of the public sector market is likely to continue into the future, given the priority and resources that government has made available towards the fight against HIV/AIDS, and also considering that the targeted end-user (mainly Black youth) generally cannot afford to pay retail prices for condoms.If a new manufacturer is to enter the South African condom market, five segments of the market will need to be assessed to determine which hold the greatest potential for future sales. Positi oning and strategyKey ingredients for successThe most critical ingredient for the success of a new condom manufacturer is securing the Department of Health contract. Without this, no(prenominal) of the other potential market segments would be sufficient to render the operation viable. innovation is important (novelty), so that a good quality product is developed which can be sold at a reasonable price. In addition, generating demand for the product is important, so substantial effort will need to be devoted to creating and promoting the appropriate marketing message for the product.Other factors that will contribute to a successful operation areA project management team to ensure sound operations, marketing and financial control.Close co-operation with national and international organisations working in the area of reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention.Furthermore, a manufacturer who is bidding for a portion of the government contract needs to show existing production capacit y. This will require considerable set-up costs to be incurred, without the certainty of securing the major client.POSITIONING STRATEGYGovernmentHIV prevention is the backbone of governments National HIV AIDS and STI Strategic Plan for South Africa 2007-2011. The primary aims of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) are toReduce the rate of new infections by 50% by 2011.Reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS by expanding treatment, care and support to 80% of all HIV positive people and their families by 2011.An important intervention to reduce the rate of new infections is the distribution of male and female condoms. The Department of Health (DoH) is responsible for the management of quality control and related logistics for public sector condoms. Male and female condoms are distributed free of charge to various sites. The distribution of male condoms includes hospitals and clinics as primary distribution sites, with secondary distribution extending to non-governmental organisations, workplaces, and other locations. Female condoms are distributed to selected sites and require one-on-one counselling on their use.Governments male condom distribution pattern and the projected future distribution are illustrated in the table below.The DoH procures condoms through a tender process. The current two yearcontract, which started in October 2005, has been extended and will expire in February 2008. The Department currently procures male condoms from all four of the local manufacturers as well as from foreign manufacturers.Table 1 Government male condom suppliersContractor% allocatedTypeUnit price per 200 pieces (R)Maximum contract quantities ( 000 p/a)Karex17%Local40.5872 250Wupro9%Local43.0338 250rrtMedcon15%Local47.3163 750Zalatex9%Local41.0138 250Equity Distributor17%Imported (China)39.5872 250Khusela17%Imported (Malaysia)39.5872 250Supex International16%Imported (China)40.0068 000Source Department of Health, July 2007In the current contract, all four local manufacturers were allo cated a portion of the contract, despite a wide variation between the lowest and highest prices, and despite the fact that all the locally manufactured condoms were more expensive than the imported product. Discussions with National Treasury and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) give conflicting views of how future tenders will be adjudicated. In Treasurys view, future tenders should be more stringently governed by cost-competitiveness, where the price per unit is limited to a specified range which is benchmarked against international prices. The DTI however believes that preference should be given to local manufacturers, in particular small and medium sized companies (value of assets less than R200 million). Discussions are on-going between the DoH, Treasury and the DTI. It is unlikely, though, that an agreement will be finalised before the awarding of the government condom tender in the first quarter of 2008, and the current preferential treatment of South African manufac turers will remain.A new manufacturer will need to show existing manufacturing capability, although there will be no minimum level of capacity that be required.The South African non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector is not a significant segment in the condom market, as many of the organisations active in the HIV/AIDS and reproductive health home form part of governments condom distribution channel and do not themselves procure condoms directly from suppliers. An important exception to this rule is the Society for Family Health (SFH), the South African affiliate of the international NGO network, Population Services International (PSI).PSI was founded in 1970 in Washington DC, with the intention to improve reproductive health using commercial marketing strategies. With programs in malaria, reproductive health, child survival and HIV, PSI promotes products, services and healthy behaviour that enable low-income and vulnerable people to lead healthier lives. PSI has a presence in o ver 60 countries around the world.In South Africa, PSI concentrates on issues related to HIV/AIDS. The organisation, through SFH, uses social marketing to motivate behaviour change with respect to consistent condom use, HIV testing, and other safer behaviours. SFH promotes consistent condom use through its own two male condom brands, Lovers Plus and Trust. The organisation procures 24 million male condoms per year from local and foreign suppliers. In addition, SFH obtains free female condoms from the DoH, which are then marketed under the Care brand and sold at retail outlets. SFH sells approximately 6000 female condoms per month.SFH also assists the DoH with the distribution of its free condoms. The organisation distributes approximately 8 million public sector male condoms per month in Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and the Western Cape.RetailThe retail sector accounts for 7.8% of the male condom market in South Africa. Male condoms are widely available for sale in retail outlets. The mos t widely available condoms are the socially marketed brands, Lovers Plus and Trust. A study carried out by PSI in November 2006 looking at coverage of Lovers Plus and Trust condoms in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg found that most areas of the three cities met the minimum standards for coverage, where coverage was defined as the number of geographically defined areas where at least 30% of outlets stock Lovers Plus and Trust. These outlets included traditional outlets such as pharmacies, top-end retailers and general dealers, as well as non-traditional outlets such as garage forecourts, hair salons and shebeens.Approximately 36 million male condoms are sold in South Africa per year, with approximately 70% of those sales being of Lovers Plus and Trust condoms. (Senior Marketing Manager, SFH). The balance of the sales is made up by Durex, Lifestyle, Contempo, and various other locally manufactured and imported condoms.CorporateThe corporate sector in South Africa has woken up to th e reality of the HIV epidemic. Many companies have HIV awareness and management programmes for their employees. However, although corporate HIV programmes include condom distribution as a key element, the majority of companies distribute free government condoms to their employees. A snap survey of 10 corporate members of the South African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (SABCOHA) found that all but one company, Chevron South Africa, distribute free Government male condoms to their employees. The companies indicated that they saw no need to buy condoms directly from suppliers when free public sector condoms were intimately available. The companies do not normally distribute female condoms. Some have bought female condoms in the past for training purposes.ExportSouth Africas export of male condoms to date has been erratic, and local manufacturers have found it difficult to find a market for their products. The global condom market is dominated by low-cost manufacturers from Thailand, Malaysia, India and China, who are located in close proximity to natural rubber latex plantations. Local manufacturers have not been able to compete. Although all four of the local manufacturers have at some point exported their product, particularly to Mozambique, Malawi, Angola and Congo Brazzaville, at present only Karex exports condoms, about 1 million pieces per year, to Congo Brazzaville. Market Mix outlineTarget Market StrategiesGlobal market for condomsThe global condom market is estimated to be worth $3 billion, (source www.marketresearch.com). The public sector is an important market segment globally, with between 6 and 9 billion male condom units consumed by that segment annuallyThough the prevention of pregnancy is still an important extend of condoms, the driving force for growth is the prevention of STIs, in particular HIV/AIDS. Given the rapid spread of HIV in China, India and recently South Africa (in the mise en scene of Sub-Saharan Africa), and the large sizes o f their respective populations, it is expected that annual public sector demand for condoms, both male and female, will reach 19 billion units by 2015. (Source Female Health Company, 2007).

Comparison of China and Russias Economic Systems

Comparison of China and Russias Economic SystemsIntroductionIn nowadayss political and economical world, many a(prenominal) political sciences take a leak been in a state of paradox about the allocation of scargon resources (Riley, 2012). In fact in economics the main issue every(prenominal) economist addresses is what resources should be provided, who to provide it for and how should it be provided (N/A, 2012). Every economy has a different economic system in which they decide on how these questions should be addressed. In economics at that place are three main economic systems free market, jutned economy and miscellaneous economy. Over the years many economies have transform from being a command economy to free or interracial economies such as China and Russia (Kotz, 2005). Some economists have questioned these transformations as to whether it has been beneficial for the touch on governments. In this essay I leave behind examine this statement by comparing the two re spective economies with the wait on of unquestionable and valid research and reach a rational conclusion. My hypothesis, which is based on my general knowledge about the political and economic situations of Russia and China, is that adopting a mixed economic system has helped both economies individually in terms of international trade and a more efficient and competitive domestic market.Economic TheoryA planned economy is an economy where economic decisions are centrally planned by the government (N/A, 2014). Essentially the central state or government plans the allocation of in the midst of the current function of the whole economy and the required investment for the long run. (Sloman Garratt, 2010). Centralized governments increase the economic growth rate by sacrificing some of the present consumption and amusing wontful resources into investment (Cukierman.A, Hercowitz.Z, Liederman.L, 1992). The amount of its scare resources would depend on the governments macroeconomic strategy. Secondly at a microeconomic level, the authorities plan the output of each of its industry, the factors of production of its businesses and the techniques that will be used (Sloman Garratt, 2010). Finally in a planned economy, the officials also plan the distribution of output surrounded by consumers. It distributes goods and services according to peoples needs and wants and normally they distribute the goods and services directly (system of rationing). From this we can contend that the most common market social structure in this type of economy is monopoly (Appendix 1 Figure 1). This indicates that there is only one operating firm in the industry which decides all the allocation of resources collectable to lack of competition and complete power.On the other hand free market economies are economies based on the interaction of supply and demand with teensy or no government control (N/A, N/D). A mix of these two distinctive economies, which includes a mixture of capital ism and socialism, is known as a mixed economy (N/A, N/D). Both types of economic systems encourage that individuals are free to make their own economic choices workers can choose on how much to work, consumers can buy freely with their incomes and most importantly businesses are free to choose what to sell and how to produce (reference). It can be argued that in these types of economies, there are many industries that experience perfect competition (Appendix 1 Figure 2 and 3). This signifies that there are many market structures where there are many firms imputable to freedom of entry which produce identical products and services where all firms are price takers (Sloman Garratt, 2010). This is because the governments encourage business competition by giving freedom to the secluded sector thus there are many start-ups.However the main question is that which economic system is the most effective and efficient? In the adjacent part I will look at the advantages of disadvantages of both types of economies by using two dominant economies China and Russia.China and Russia two previous communisticic statesChen Duxiu and Li Dazhao were the first people to introduce China to communism in June 1921 while Russia was introduced to communism in 1917 by their leader Lenin (Simkin, n.d.). The usefulnesss of being a planned economy such as China and Russian in the early 1900s are numerous. Firstly, planned economies are great at allocating scarce economic resources quickly, efficiently and on a large scale due decisions being centralized by the government. This helps the economy avoid inefficiencies such as illegal practices as there are no middle men. Secondly, governments can carry out big projects, create industrial power and attain important goals for monastic order as their main motive is to meet societys needs (Amadeo, 2013 n.p.). In addition due to the government distributing goods and services directly the society would benefit from merit and public goods suc h as good public healthcare, improved public transport and excellent public education. As a result this would help improve the standard of living of people of Russia and China in the early 1900s.Though mixed economy has advantages one should also consider the drawbacks of the previous communist China and Russia. Firstly, the main disadvantage is that there is less competition in the economy of Russia and China due to all decisions being taken by the government hence there is lack of innovation and efficiency. Secondly, in a planned economy, there is a lot of money and resources wasted in the communication between the government and the firms, which again makes the economy ineffective and inefficient (DineshBakshi.com,2012). Finally resource allocation being centralized means that there is no individual liberty. Consumers have less choice from goods and services because everything is made and decided by the government and workers cannot work according to their choice, which refers to that they cannot work for longer hours. (Sloman Garratt, 2010).China and Russia transition from communism to mixed economyChina transformed itself from communism to mixed economy in late 1970s whereas Russia transformed its economy from communism to mixed economy in early 1990s. Post the fall of communism in both economies, China and Russia have benefited in several ways by being a mixed economy. Firstly in a mixed economy, governments encourage competition and give freedom to the private sector on what to produce and for whom to produce. This helps the economy operate and use resources more efficiently as private businesses are concerned with maximizing profits thus they would operate as efficient as possible (Amadeo, 2011). In the long run both economies will experience economic growth (Appendix 1 Figure 4). Secondly with some government intervention in the market, monopolies will not be able to form in markets thus reducing the risk of market failure (Dineshbakshi.com, 2012). F inally with firms operating freely and efficiently, China and Russias export will increase, as local businesses are able to compete on an international scale (Amadeo, 2011).Being a mixed economy such as China and Russia also consists of disadvantages, which can affect the economic growth and stability of both economies. Though giving freedom to businesses might lead to economic growth in the short run, there might be inflation in the economy, which can lead to higher prices of inputs such as raw materials and fatigue wages (Pettinger. T, N/D. hence businesses will start to experience a rise in their costs, which can lead to them being less profitable as result negatively affecting the economy. Another key disadvantage of mixed economy is that there might be external costs to society by the increase in competition in the private sector. This is known as a negative externality of production, which is a type of market failure (Appendix 1 Figure 5)ConclusionIn conclusion after carrying out explicit and detailed research on the economies of China and Russia and analyzing the two economic systems, it is fair and reliable to say that being a mixed economy is more beneficial than operating as a planned economy. In fact in todays world China is considered as the second largest economy in the world due to its high economic growth and stability. Similarly Russia has also thrived on exports of oil and gas by becoming a mixed economy due to trading with the world. If we consider todays current communist states such as North Korea, one can argue that these economies have been on the downfall due to inefficiency in the local market and the international market. Personally I believe that in economies a balance is necessary for any economy to thrive in thus in a mixed economy there is balance between freedom to the private sector and government intervention.

Existentialism in The Trial by Kafka

Existentialism in The Trial by KafkaThe Czech writer FRANZ KAFKA (1883-1924) belonged to a middle clan family. His father Herman was disrespectful and ill tempered towards Kafkas escape into the literature work and writing. Kafka became the eldest and only son when his two br differents died and he was aware his role in the family and rest of the life.Franz Kafka is one of the greatest influences on Western literature in the twentieth century. He has inspired a whole range of artists from the creators of the detective myth to writers of the television series Twilight Zone. He began work on The Trial in 1914 after a horrendous encounter with his fianc, Felice Bauer, her sister, Erna Bauer, and Grete Bloch (a short-term lover). According to Kafkas familiarity Max Brod, he never finished the work and gave the manuscript to Brod in 1920. After his death, Brod edited The Trial into what he felt was a coherent story and had it published, despite the German ban on Jewish literature, in 1925. The manuscript eventually passed from Brods heirs to the German national literary archives in the late mid-eighties for several million dollars. Since then, new editions have been published and some textual integrity re stored to the English version of the story.He was isolated and subjected to unknown wonderful forces. KAFKA has narrated many stories and novels in his writing. In his novel The Trial he tells the story of a country doctor who goes to check a ominous child. When he reaches the sick child home he discovers that child has been consumed by the maggots. In his same novel The Trial, KAFKA relates a story about a man known as Joseph K who has awakened at one night by hammering on his door. He finds that he was under arrest.The Trial in 1926 is his novel with the stylus of meditations, parable, poetic fragments and sketches. His work is open due to multiple interpretations and difficult categories and reflects the existentialism and modernism.Existentialism is a v ast and meticulous philosophy that, in a nutshell, advocates a diverse arsenal of responses and solutions to the existentialist attitude which, essentially, is what an individual feels when confronted by the absurdity of life. Throughout humanity, ruminations and self-proclaimed ultimate truths have assumed various forms prose, poetry, religion and numerous other doctrines, to name but a few.Kafka has inspired many of the great novelists of the twentieth century. Consequently, there is an incredible amount of literary criticism devoted to his work. The critical sensible discussing The Trial falls between two poles. On the one hand, Kafka is viewed through a psychological or religious lens that sees the tensions of his work as derived from an oedipal daedal or the heritage of the Judaic law. At the other extreme, where few tread, are the positivist approaches of Walter Benjamin, Gilles Deleuze, and Felix Guattari. This latter approach finds a new philosophy, a new politics, in Kafk a that is as yet unexplored. Whatever the approach, there is general agreement that Kafka should be praised for his deft depiction of twentieth-century alienation and bureaucracy at the universal level.K., except for a brief friendship with Hasterer, prefers his own company. In the matter of his essay, he didnt want to enlist anyones aid and thus initiate them in the matter even distantly. To do so would be to initiate another person into himself. This is an act he cannot even do in the form of a petition. This is as it should be since the trial is his own, it is his guilt, and no matter what he does or where he goes, that is where the inquiry will be located he is certainly being treated with strange carelessness.As much as K. desires it, he is not alone. Everyone who knows him also knows about his trial. From his point of view, the entire universe finds him guilty from the casual observer to the men who kill him kindred a dog.In Kafkas view, there is a way of life for any indivi dual that is the right one, and which is divinely sanctioned. So much is perhaps admitted by near of our moral novelists but to Kafka this fact itself constitutes a problem of tremendous difficulty, because he believes the dichotomy between the divine and the human, the religious and the ethical, to be absolute. Thus, though it is imperative for us to attempt to follow the true way, it is impossible for us to succeed in doing so. This is the fundamental dilemma that Kafka believes to lie at the basis of all human suitConclusionKafka employs the fictional literary elements he constructs to address the very non-fictional, existentialist aspects of society and life. Akin to Dostoyevskys Notes from Underground, it can be interpreted as both a rumination and tirade against impersonal communities, restriction of freedom, and the absurdity of life. It would be foolish to expect that an examination of Kierkegaards argument that religious faith is totally divorced from reason, and of Kafka s hidden response to it, would lead to a firm conclusion for or against Kierkegaards position. Kierkegaards book assumes that his readers come to it equipped with an attitude of religious belief. Without that, his poetic flourishes would be less effective, and his dialectical proofs would lose force.

Essay examples --

Paola Valencia Professor Nanda English 102 13 February 2013Literary Analysis of Soldiers Home exalt by his days of service in the Ambulance Corps during the First World War, Hemingway utilizes his experience to tell the story of a soldiers struggle to meet back home both physically and mentally in his short story Soldiers Home. Hemingway captivates his readers in a tale of a soldiers (Harold Krebs) late return home from World War I. Upon his return, Krebs discovers that the smell he once knew changed. In fact, his life had changed so drastically that upon his return, Krebs life no longer fit in its former place. Ernest Hemingway is often noted for writing stories that seem flat and lifeless but his unadorned prose style thus far manages to be extremely suggestive and effective in its plainness. Hemingway manages to give depth to his writing and give it hidden meaning. Hemingway gives his readers the responsibility of interpreting and making a private connection through a gloomy t one and ironic setting to the story as they get farther and farther into Krebs world of despair and the emotions that he is struggling with allowing readers to go on a more than personal journey along with Krebs in discovering his new post war society and the role that he plays in it. The surname itself exemplifies Hemingway talents in giving depth and suggestive symbolism to plain text. The title Soldiers Home implies a hint of bespeak to the story. Rather than sounding like a statement to assure the reader that the soldier is happy to be home, Hemingways title suggests more of a motion where is this soldiers home? Did he ever make it home? Does he even have a home to come back to? The title of this short story also sets up t... ...uth about it. Krebs feel nauseas and uncomfortable when lying about his experience. Bound by lies, Krebs forgets his brave and heroic deeds at war. That is the reason Krebs develops a bitter sense towards the war and distaste for everything that h as happened to him. By placing his character Krebs back at home after the war, Hemingway is able to set up the post war tone of despair and nostalgia to shows Krebs unhappiness of being home from war and difficulty adjusting to society. Krebs is caught somewhere in the mix of his former life, his life in the military, and his new life at home. The Soldiers Home illustrates the misfortune and struggles that of a soldier return home. Hemingway gives his readers the tools in order to interpret the story and make it a more personal connection. He captivates his audience as they are somehow able to relate to this tragedy.

The Life of Kate Chopin Essay -- Biography Biographies Essays

The life of Kate Chopin Kate Chopin led a fascinating life filled with times of triumph but also times of great loss. life-time in the South during the post-Civil War era, the setting and experiences of her life would have a great impact on the subjects of her writing. Chopin began writing as a way to render her frustration with life. This is why her emotions round life are conveyed so strongly in her writing. One of her short stories, Juanita, is an excellent example of how Chopins life affected her writing. The taradiddle of Juanita is that of a young wo composition who, though not incredibly beautiful, had many admirers. The people of her sm tout ensemble town gossiped continu whollyy about which man she would marry. Would it be the man who had traveled all the way from the city for the sole purpose of seeing her? Or would it be the rich millionaire from Texas who owned a hundred horses? The townspeople all assumed she would choose the richest of her suitors, until nonpar eil day Juanita announced that she had secretly married a poor one-legged man whom she loved very much. To truly understand the characters of Chopins stories, one must examine the history of her life. Kate Chopin was born as Katherine OFlaherty to a wealthy Irish St. Louis family on February 8, 1851. While she was still a young child, her father died in a train accident. Only a few years later her brother died after being captured by Union forces during the Civil War. The loss of all the males in her life, according to Hoffman, led to the intense female relationships she shared with her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. As a young woman, Kate treasured her independence. Late 1860s society was highly critical of her because she walked, unac... ... about the world as she actually saw it. For a woman to do this in the late nineteenth century was unheard of, and Chopin was highly criticized for it at the time. solely after going through as much as she did in her life, she could not stay silent. Ker suggests that after 39 years of trials and tribulations and just plain living, she ultimately had something to say Works Cited Chopin, Kate. Juanita. A Vocation and a Voice Stories. Ed. Emily Toth. New York Penguin Books. 1991. 86-88 Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. New York Bantam Books. 1988 Fox-Genovese, Elizabeth. Kate Chopin A re-awakening. http//www.pbs.org/katechopin/interviews.html Hoffman, Audrey. Kate Chopin. http//www.kutstown.edu/faculty/reagan/chopin.html Ker, Christina. Kate Chopin- Ahead of her Time. http//empirezine.com/spotlight/chopin/chopin1.htm