Thursday, October 10, 2019
Constructions Of Working Class Masculinity English Literature Essay
ââ¬Å" In recent old ages sociologists have been shocked to detect that blue-collar work forces really spend far more clip with their kids that their professional coevalss, and experience far less threatened by the additions of feminism. ( This is likely because, as DH Lawrence pointed out a long clip ago, the working categories are surer of themselves sexually ) . Propertyless work forces make natural male parents in a manner that other work forces, obsessed with position and calling promotion, merely do non. In Beckham ââ¬Ës relentless beauty, ne'er more compete than when looking at his boy, we seem to see all that work forces could be- that stamina and that tenderness combined without struggle or cruelty- if merely they stopped seeking to command everything so much, if they stopped worrying for five proceedingss about looking soft â⬠( Julie Birchill on David Beckham in The Guardian ) . Masculinity is frequently determined by a adult male ââ¬Ës physical visual aspect and how brave they are ; physical strength and following a epic nature is therefore necessary to stand up for oneself and support 1s household. Many of the work forces in working category literature execute manual labor, such as excavation or working in a mill, in order to supply a life for their household. In contrast, although it become more frequent for adult females to work during and after the Second World War, work forces did non adhere to this function reversal, and assisting out domestically was non something which they carried out. Richard Hoggart suggests that many adult females would non desire their hubbies to lend to the domestic jobs, despite their ain heavy work load, ââ¬Å" for fright he is thought womanish â⬠( 35 ) . Furthermore, Hoggart asserts that working-class male childs shortly get the sense that ââ¬Å" it ââ¬Ës different for work forces â⬠and accordingly they contribute less to household care than their sisters ( 36 ) . And though a cause for concern, these ââ¬Å" unsmooth male childs are frequently admired ; the head-shaking over them is every bit proud as it is contrite ââ¬â ââ¬Ë [ H ] vitamin E ââ¬Ës a existent chap ââ¬Ë people say â⬠. Therefore, although work forces must be married in order to to the full accomplish their maleness, they must besides continually emphasize their heterosexualism, doing certain to ever act in the right mode for their gender. Alan Sillitoe ââ¬Ës ââ¬ËSaturday Night and Sunday Morning ââ¬Ë conveys maleness chiefly through Arthur Seaton ââ¬Ës averment of his heterosexualism seen through his intervention of adult females and heavy imbibing, yet besides through his ambivalent mentality on matrimony. Arthur Seaton appears to contemn the thought of matrimony, naming it ââ¬Ëthe dizzy and unsought threshold of snake pit ââ¬Ë ( 156 ) , yet he loves disbursement clip with Brenda and entertaining her kids, and by the terminal of the novel, with Doreen, ââ¬Ëthey spoke of acquiring married in three months. ââ¬Ë ( 217 ) Arthur, nevertheless, is highly judgemental towards other work forces, ââ¬ËArthur classified hubbies into two chief classs: those that looked after their married womans, and those that were slow. ââ¬Ë ( ? ) He says this as if to warrant his matter with Brenda ; Jack must be slow and therefore non worthy to be Brenda ââ¬Ës hubby. Arthur believes the ââ¬Ëslow ââ¬Ë hub bies to be less masculine ; they are incapable of delighting their married womans, which is why their married womans are finally unpatriotic, ââ¬ËThere was something lacking in them, non like a adult male with one leg that could in no manner be put right, but something that they, the slow hubbies, could easy rectify if they became less selfish, brightened up their thoughts, and looked after their married womans a bit better ââ¬Ë ( 41? ) . Ironically it appears that the less masculine hubby is less attentive to his married woman ââ¬Ës emotional demands. A farther sarcasm is evident when Arthur states that despite his utilizing Brenda and making incorrect, ââ¬ËIf I of all time acquire married, he thought, and have a married woman that carries on like Brenda and Winnie carry on, I ââ¬Ëll give her the biggest gluing any adult female of all time had. I ââ¬Ëd kill her. My married woman ââ¬Ëll hold to look after any childs I fill her with, maintain the house spotless. And if she ââ¬Ës good at that I might allow her travel to the images now and once more and take her out for a drink on Saturday. ââ¬Ë ( 145 ) This scene clearly depicts Arthur as the alpha-male. He wants to take control, and when he does hold a married woman, he is certain she will make as she is told. Furthermore, he is egotistic and indurate, particularly when he states, ââ¬ËBrenda was n't deserving the problem he ââ¬Ëd been through to maintain her ââ¬Ë ( 145 ) , despite the fact it was his mistake she got pregnant, and his determination to trans port on the matter whilst cognizing she was married, which conveys Arthur ââ¬Ës irresponsible and barbarous nature. Arthur invariably acts how he wants ; ever taking to move as a ââ¬Ëman ââ¬Ë , when truly, he is portrayed as objectionable and petroleum. We are introduced to Arthur ââ¬Ës stereotyped manfully physique early into the novel where he is depicted as a ââ¬Ëtall, iron-faced, crop-haired young person ââ¬Ë ( 34? ) . The usage of the word ââ¬Ëiron ââ¬Ë makes him sound tough, about unbreakable, and this becomes evident in the novel through his difficult imbibing and the battles he gets into. Arthur ââ¬Ës maleness is asserted from the gap of the novel, through his description of ââ¬Ëcrafty weaponries around female waists ââ¬Ë , conveying his involvement in adult females from the start of the novel. His manfulness is conveyed through his imbibing wonts besides, and the initial rhyme used on the phrases ââ¬Ëbest and bingiest ââ¬Ë and ââ¬Ëpiled-up passions ââ¬Ë ( 9 ) emphasises Arthur ââ¬Ës exhilaration that it is the weekend and he can imbibe more than usual, whilst adding a conversational tone. The colloquialism besides creates a welcoming tone to the gap of the novel, which encourages us to ab initio warm to Arthur as a character. The exhilaration in this gap chapter is starkly contrasted to the humdrum of Arthur ââ¬Ës workplace, ââ¬Ëa hebdomad ââ¬Ës humdrum transplant in the mill was swilled out of your system in a explosion of good will ââ¬Ë . The apposition within this sentence clearly shows Arthur ââ¬Ës grasp of his weekends and the sibilance in the latter half of the sentence conveys a tone of felicity and relaxation since this is his clip to rest. Furthermore, the ââ¬Ëslow-turning Big Wheel of the twelvemonth ââ¬Ë high spots the sense of humdrum and it mirrors the cyclical construction of working category life. The gap to the novel besides introduces Arthur take parting in a imbibing competition with a crewman. It is both the ability to imbibe and the component of competition that are stressed in this peculiar episode, ââ¬ËIt seemed an even competition for a long clip, as if they would sit at that place sloping it back for of all time, until Loudmouth all of a sudden went green halfway through the 10th pint ââ¬Ë ( 11 ) .Arthur ââ¬Ës successful achievement in both can be read as an avowal of hegemonic maleness. In contrast to Arthur ââ¬Ës imbibing being associated with maleness, in Walter Greenwood ââ¬Ës novel, ââ¬ËLove on the Dole ââ¬Ë , imbibing appears by the way instead than conspicuously. The fresh condemns Ned Narkey for his inebriation and leads us to dislike his character. For illustration, when Ned confronts Sally about why she will non get married him, he states, ââ¬Ëah ââ¬Ëll mek certain that that chicken rat up street do n't eitherâ⬠¦ non if Ah have t ââ¬Ë swing for him ââ¬Ë , mentioning to Larry Meath. His bibulous province nowadayss him as unstable, and we do non desire him to be with any adult female. ( 145 ) . Furthermore, when he sees Sam Grundy speaking to Sally after he has had a few drinks, his violent nature is conveyed and we see the negative consequence which imbibing has on him, ââ¬ËBlind hatred and enviousness dominated him ; his urge was to snap at Grundy ââ¬Ës pharynx, fling him to the floor and kick his encephalons out. ââ¬Ë ( 188 ) . This perceptual experience of maleness is criticised and his aggressive linguistic communication is non applauded, contrasting to the light-heartedness of Arthur ââ¬Ës imbibing competition in ââ¬ËSaturday Night and Sunday Morning ââ¬Ë . Furthermore, in ââ¬ËLove on the Dole ââ¬Ë , Mr. Hardcastle ââ¬Ës opposition to ââ¬Ëthe enticement to travel drown concern and wretchedness in drink ââ¬Ë ( 94 ) is praised, which highlights that the more manful pick in this instance is non traveling down to the saloon to acquire rummy ; Mr. Hardcastle understands this will do no difference to his state of affairs. Therefore, in order to be manfully is to back up 1s household, which can non be achieved through heavy imbibing. Similar to Greenwood, George Orwell does non commend imbibing through his novel, ââ¬ËThe Road to Wigan Pier ââ¬Ë , and decides non to include it at all. B. Clarke observes that Orwell, ââ¬Å" Does non reproduce images of inebriation and force â⬠which appear in Sillitoe ââ¬Ës, ââ¬ËSaturday Night and Sunday Morning ââ¬Ë . This elevates the mineworkers ââ¬Ë position and conveys their maleness in a different visible radiation. They are still physically powerful, yet Orwell presents them as non experiencing the demand to asseverate their manfulness through difficult imbibing, purposefully giving the mineworkers, who are stand foring the working category, a ââ¬Å" stable individuality â⬠. A farther building of maleness in ââ¬ËSaturday Night and Sunday Morning ââ¬Ë is the gallant nature of Sam ; he is masculine in a different manner to the other working category work forces in the novel since he does non utilize aggression or vulgar linguistic communication. His physical visual aspect is described as ââ¬Ëa compact Black with a composure, intelligent face ââ¬Ë ( 191 ) which juxtaposes the old description of Arthur as holding a face every bit hard as Fe. Furthermore, he is ââ¬Ëdressed in a well-pressed khaki ââ¬Ë ( 192 ) demoing how he takes pride in his visual aspect. Sam besides contrasts Arthur in his attack to hard state of affairss, for illustration, when a battle is about to get down when they go to the saloon for a drink, Arthur accidently spills a little sum of beer on a adult female when he is go throughing the drinks over, and when her hubby intervenes, ââ¬ËArthur clenched his fists, ready to nail him ââ¬Ë . ( 194 ) Therefore, he sees fo rce as the reply, whereas Sam calmly states, ââ¬Ëwhat ââ¬Ës the affair? ââ¬Ë ( 194 ) conveying how he is polite and well-spoken ; unlike Arthur, Sam uses fluency over force. Labor is made up of either physical work in the mill or office work ; the former bears associations with the working category whilst the latter with the in-between category. For illustration, the working category figure of Harry Hardcastle in Walter Greenwood ââ¬Ës ââ¬ËLove on the Dole ââ¬Ë despises his work as a clerk at the pawn store chiefly because he views being ââ¬Ëa mere thruster of pens ââ¬Ë ( 21 ) as holding feminine intensions. Therefore, in-between category work was considered as effeminate, intending working category work forces who worked in offices were non considered every bit masculine as those who worked in manual, physical labor. This is contrasted to Harry ââ¬Ës dream of working at Marlowe ââ¬Ës, which he describes as ââ¬Ëmajestic, impressiveâ⬠¦ tremendous technology worksâ⬠¦ with work forces, engaged in work forces ââ¬Ës work ââ¬Ë ( 19 ) . Greenwood ââ¬Ës huge scope of adjectives used to depict Marlowe ââ¬Ës are all what Harry aspires to be, and he associates these descriptions with being a existent adult male. Similarly, George Orwell, through his novel, ââ¬ËThe Road to Wigan Pier ââ¬Ë makes the physical work of the mineworkers appear really manfully, and as B. Clarke observes, Orwell, ââ¬Å" insists that mineworkers are bound together partially by their attachment to a traditional signifier of maleness founded on manual labor, physical bravery, and endurance â⬠. Orwell therefore praises these work forces ââ¬Ës masculine qualities, such as their physical bravery, endurance and solidarity. He appears really passionate about the work they do, portraying them as heroic, saying that excavation is a ââ¬ËSuperhuman occupation ââ¬Ë ( 19 ) . Many of the work forces died whilst making their occupation, and Orwell presents the dangers of excavation through his narrative ; therefore underscoring the issue sing the development of the working categories. In contrast to the great regard we form for the mineworkers in ââ¬ËThe Road to Wigan Pier, through ââ¬ËSaturday Night and Sunday Morning ââ¬Ë , we develop a deficiency of regard for Arthur ââ¬Ës hedonic attitude towards his societal position ââ¬ËAnd so it was possible to bury the mill, whether inside it sudating and striving your musculuss by a machine, or whether sloping ale in a saloonâ⬠¦ the mill did non affair. The mill could travel on working until it blew itself up from excessively much velocity ââ¬Ë . The initial rhyme on ââ¬Ësweating/straining/ ââ¬Ë and muscles/machine ââ¬Ë are all words connected with physical work, underscoring Arthur ââ¬Ës maleness. Although his statement about his work-place non counting seems careless, Arthur ââ¬Ës warmer side becomes evident when he juxtaposes this to things which do affair in life, ââ¬ËBut I, he thoughtâ⬠¦ will be here after the mill ââ¬Ës gone, and so will Brenda and all adult females lik e her still be here, the kind of adult females that are deserving their weight in gold ââ¬Ë . ( 45 ) This description of adult females is beautiful and the initial rhyme on the ââ¬Ëw ââ¬Ë sound conveys how Arthur is underscoring his point that his does hold some regard for adult females, and he is non wholly barbarous and remorseless ; he conveys how maleness does has a softer, more emotional side along with its stereotyped intensions. Due to the economic wants of the post-war period, Sillitoe intentionally presents his characters as taking to maximize their ain pleasance to foreground an dreamer inclination behind hedonism ; working category work forces found it difficult to confront the troubles of the post-war period. For illustration, when Arthur is present during Brenda ââ¬Ës gin and hot-bath abortion, he is highly insouciant about it, comparing it to ââ¬Ëwatching the telly with no portion in what he was seeing. ââ¬Ë ( 88 ) Arthur therefore conveys no mark of compassion for Brenda ââ¬Ës agony. Furthermore, on the same dark, he sleeps with Winnie, Brenda ââ¬Ës sister, ââ¬Ëhe could barely retrieve Brenda, believing that possibly he had dreamed about her sometime, but nil more ââ¬Ë ( 96 ) . This is flooring after he has merely watched her abort their babe, and his description of merely cognizing her through his dreams suggests that possibly something is incorrect with him mentally ; this coul d, nevertheless, merely be his manner of covering with guilt. If he truly feels no guilt, and has no scruples, although extreme, Arthur could good be thought of as a psychopath. Arthur ââ¬Ës rebelliousness of moral values and negligent attitude is conveyed when Arthur and Fred witness a adult male throw a pint glass at a store window, and a female informant ââ¬Ëheld the bewildered perpetrator by his carpus ââ¬Ë ( 108 ) whilst they wait for the constabulary. Arthur ââ¬Ës immorality and hideous nature is depicted through his sexually derogative description of this adult female ; he loathes her for non allowing the improper adult male flight, ââ¬ËShe ââ¬Ës a bitch and a prostituteâ⬠¦ a blood-tub, a murphy face, a swivel-eyed gett, a Rat-clock. ââ¬Ë ( 113 ) This deadly spring of misogynism and barbarous linguistic communication portrays Arthur ââ¬Ës dominant, aggressive maleness, yet Sillitoe is finally showing this signifier of maleness in a really negative visible radiation.
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Compare and contrast Otello and Iago from the play of Sharespare Essay
Compare and contrast Otello and Iago from the play of Sharespare - Essay Example He is a proud man, and he is portrayed as acting out of good intentions, even though he kills his wife out of jealousy because he thinks she has been unfaithful to him. When he realizes what he has done, and that his wife is innocent, he is bitterly sorry and says Othello: ââ¬Å"I kissed thee ere I killed thee: No way but this, Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.â⬠(Othello: Act 5 scene 2.) This emphasis on kissing as betrayal recalls the figure of Judas, one of Jesus Christââ¬â¢s disciples. Just like Judas, Othello feels that he has no alternative at the end of the play. He has to kill himself because he cannot bear the guilt that he feels because of his actions. This shows that he has absorbed not just the courtly ways of noble Europeans but also the deeper Christian sensibility of that culture. Iago, on the other hand, is a very bad character who enjoys a high status in his own society. Superficially Iago is Christian, but underneath he is manipulative and cynical, obsess ed with wealth and glory rather than any morals or high ideals. It is Iagoââ¬â¢s jealousy and hatred which causes him to meddle in Othelloââ¬â¢s relationship with Desdemona.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Marketing strategy and planning coursework Essay
Marketing strategy and planning coursework - Essay Example Barclaycard has been a success story of a creative media campaign saustained by a system of persistent vaslue creation. Branding is a strategic approach adopted by organizations to create favorable perceptions about products among consumers. Barclaycard too adopted such an approach with a series of products including its debit card and the credit card. However its subsequent success with the credit card came with the innovative brand value creating efforts of t of brand value management. Some hitherto unheard of concepts were adopted by its management in order to innovate, reorient, strategically position and redefine its then existing strategic branding techniques. An articulate strategy of brand value creation along with a customer loyalty management approach was adopted in response to competitorsââ¬â¢ threat to its core business. It was around this time that the management of the company realized the relative significance of a strategic shift in its brand management and value creation approaches. Coupled with a mammoth advertising campaign, the company sought convincingly to introduce innovation, value for money and an individual value parmeter as the new dynamic concepts in a customer-oriented promotion campaign.
Monday, October 7, 2019
Examining the Use of online tools and their Impact on Learning in the Essay
Examining the Use of online tools and their Impact on Learning in the higher education - Essay Example 4). This leads to the improvement of educational quality. Colleges and universities are now adopting online tools in offering higher education through social sites, graphics, videos, audios, and words (Reuben 2009, p. 1). This paper examines the use of online tools that include blogs, wikis, RSS, and cloud computing and their impact on learning in the higher education. Cloud computing is a new technological evolution that is applicable in higher education. Various computer tasks rely on cloud computing, which depicts an improvement on the traditional learning practices. Through cloud computing, users can access data outside the traditional data center walls. We can define cloud computing as the aspect of replacing software traditionally installed on campus computers with new internet applications that seek to reduce IT complexities and cost in learning institutions that offer higher education (Nicholson 2009). Higher education institutions using cloud computing derive the capacity to gain significant flexibility and agility (Nicholson 2009). Indeed, the increased use of cloud computing in offering higher education emanates from the fact that this online tool guarantees higher accessibility, availability, and efficiency of higher education. However, in using cloud-based services, higher education institutions bear the liability of addressing security, legal, and compliance issues subject to the large number of users (Nicholson 2009). Indeed, higher education institutions define their responsibilities and focus on fundamental privacy and security issues in adopting cloud computing. Nevertheless, it is evident that the cloud-based services offered in the modern education system allow these institutions to replace the traditional learning tools with advanced learning tools that improve the quality of education. More so, cloud computing allows students
Sunday, October 6, 2019
What are the major functions of congress are these based in the Term Paper
What are the major functions of congress are these based in the constitution or are they a function of the shifting balance of political power - Term Paper Example The Congress has also the authority to pass the ââ¬Ëappropriate legislationââ¬â¢ incorporated in the legislative powers of the Constitution. The Constitution further states that ââ¬ËCongress shall have the power to provide for the common defense and the general welfare of the United Statesââ¬â¢ (Palekar, 121). However, the US President has the power to veto a bill passed Congress but this veto power is not absolute. The Congress can override it if the two-third majority of the Congress passes the same bill. From this perspective, we may say that the legislative powers of the US Congress are granted by the Constitution. The role of the Congress and the President shows that the Constitution of the United States ââ¬Ëprovides for a balance of power between the executive and the legislative branchesââ¬â¢ (Ethridge and Handelman, 204). In Mexico and Latin America, we had seen the existence of powerful presidents and weak legislatures. The role of the Congress is vital on the amendment procedures of the US Congress. The recommendation for amendment of a particular law or article will not stand valid unless the two-thirds majority of the members of the Congress support it. The US Supreme Court generally does not intervene in the approval or the interpretation of the Congress regarding any bills or laws (Palekar, 122). Therefore, we may conclude that the Congress plays an important role for amending the Supreme law of the nation. A joint session for both the Houses of the Congress is held after every four years toââ¬â¢ Count the electoral votes for the President and the Vice-Presidentââ¬â¢ (Palekar, 122). If no candidate gets a majority of votes for the Presidential role then the House of Representatives has the power to select three candidates with the maximum numbers of notes. In case of the Vice-President, The Senate decides on the issue and makes a choice between the two members with the highest votes. In 1837, the Vice-President was chosen in
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Taxation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2
Taxation - Essay Example Taxation in essence is a system created in order to fuel the society, a manner of giving back to society for its protection. This however is not the case in modern times. Governments use taxation to run the national affairs. One thing which has still not changed is using taxation to fund wars. This practice was carried out by empires thosands of years ago and is still in pratice today. An income tax is a tax levied on the income of corporations or individuals. The amounts of tax is determined by not a fixed amount but by a percentage. This means that the tax would increase as the income increase. In most economies there are different tax brackets. This would mean that a certain percentage would be charged for an income of a certain level, however as the income would cross that threshold the tax rate would increase. There are four different types of income taxes based on sources of funds accquired i.e. personal income tax, corporate income tax, capital gain tax, payroll tax and inheretence tax. The idea of income tax is not just to aquire money to run the society (government) but also to keep a check on earnings of the rich. This system of check and balance ensures that a share is given back to welfare of state. Inflation is also controlled through this mechanism. Moreover incomes taxes can be progressive, regressive or proportional. Sales tax is a form of consumption tax. Unlike the income tax it is not applicable when you earn but only when you spend. This is because although the tax is paid by sellers of commodities, it is not in fact actually paid by them. A typical example can be buying your favorite perfume from a shopping mall. When the payment is made there is a few extra pounds charged above the selling price. This is the sales tax; the perfume seller will pay this amount to the government. The income tax would still apply on the seller on his profits and would be collected separately. Adam Smith
Friday, October 4, 2019
Starbucks Introduction of Kind Bars Essay Example for Free
Starbucks Introduction of Kind Bars Essay ââ¬Å"A Small Player Breaks Into Starbucks,â⬠Starbucks has recently started a campaign to provide more healthy products to its consumers. This is considered quite the change since coffee, Starbucks primary product, is not necessarily thought of as healthy. To help start of this campaign it has agreed to start selling KIND bars, which are ââ¬Å"combinations of dried fruits and nuts bound together by honey (NY Times). KIND bars seem to fit in great with the direction Starbucks is going, but they did not always. It took Daniel Lubetzky, owner of KIND, over five years of promoting his product to Starbucks to even get his foot in the door. 2. ) SWOT Analysis-Starbucks Strengths Coffee industry market leader * Customer satisfaction and strong brand loyalty * Free Wi-Fi available for customers * Innovative operations and a strong financial position * Strong product diversification Weaknesses * Although a diversified company, still strong reliance on coffee products for profit * High operating costs Downsizing * High prices on products * Competition is rising in their growing market Opportunities * Coffee Beans to be sold in stores * Brand Extension * Expansion to South Asian Markets * Provide more cost-and health-conscious products Threats * Competition * Rising number of health-conscious customers * Corporate giant image * Resistance in foreign countries due to political and cultural issues * Variation in coffee price in developing countries 3. ) Identification, Evaluation and Analysis of Alternatives KIND bars are not the only thing Starbucks is going to be offering in its new campaign. They plan to revamp the menu, introducing a variety of lighter and healthier foods such as salads, smoothies and fruit muffins. So why did Starbucks choose to introduce the KIND bar when it could of chosen Clif bars or SOYJOY bars, both more established than KIND. Clif is currently the market leader in nutrition bars and SOYJOY is widely international with distribution from Singapore to Belgium. It could be due to Mr. Lubetzkyââ¬â¢s determination, or maybe because of KINDââ¬â¢s marketing mix. 4. )Recommendations and Conclusions KIND would be very appealing to Starbucks consumers for numerous reasons and this makes it obvious to Starbucks that it will be a good investment. KIND donates five percent of its profit to the PeaceWorks Foundation, ââ¬Å"which strives to bring peace to Middle Eastern countries by building commercial food ventures (NY Times). â⬠This makes the consumer feel good about their purchase because they feel as if they are contributing to a good cause. Also, Yale did a pilot study indicating that two KIND bars a day can help consumers lose weight. This is attractive to buyers due to the fact that around two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. KIND also promotes there products to be, ââ¬Å"a brand of delicious, natural, healthful foods made from wholesome ingredients you can see amp; pronounceà ®(KINDsnacks). â⬠In a world where it seems that everything you consume has preservatives and who knows what else in them, KIND stands out in the crowd. Finally, with the price of $1. 5 at Starbucks, the deal cannot be beat, especially compared to relative prices of coffee at Starbucks. With all these advantages there is no question that Starbucks made the right decision in choosing KIND. This collaboration with to help offset Starbucks threats such as the rising number of health-conscious consumers, which is the basis of its campaign. An additional threat that may be counterbalanced is its image as a corporate giant because of their acceptance of a small business. Source Links: http://www. nytimes. om/2009/07/01/business/smallbusiness/01snackbar. html? ref=marketing http://www. kindsnacks. com/kind-store/buy-kind-bars Periodical Exercise 1. ) Problem/Decision Statement According to an article in BusinessWeek in 2012, titled, ââ¬Å"Taco Bell introduces Doritos taco shellâ⬠, on March 8th Taco Bell introduced Doritos Locos to over 5,600 stores nationwide. Doritos Locos are like regular crunchy tacos but, it has a shell made with nacho cheese Doritos. This is considered one of the biggest product launches in the history of the company. Taco Bell has already confirmed their budget of $75 million to promote their new launch (BusinessWeek). This is over three times more of a budget than for previous new products. Doritos Locos is just the latest of many things Taco Bell has been trying to do to improve their menu. But the question is whether or not this is the right time to be taking on such a big market introduction, with the recent bad publicity caused by lawsuits attacking the quality of their beef. 2. ) SWOT Analysis- Taco Bell Strengths * Huge popular brand name and high brand loyalty Adopted a healthy trans-fat free formula which is a key competitive advantage over other competitors who has not yet switched to the healthier recipes. * Has the acknowledgment as the best Mexican style fast food restaurant in the U. S. * Owns over 5600 restaurants across the nation and 250 outlets internationally * Strong parent company, Yum! Brands, owns Pizza Hut and KFC as well * Open very late Weaknesses * High fat and high calorie food not good for health conscious people * Lost goodwill when customers were hospitalized due to traces of E. oli bacteria * Bad publicity due to lawsuits against quality of beef * Also lost goodwill for human rights protest in ââ¬â¢05 and rodent problem in ââ¬Ë07 Opportunities * New flavors and recipes should be introduced especially focused on more health conscious ingredients in their menus * Introduce home delivery * Venture into new markets such as India, like Pizza Hut and KFC, that has a growing consumption of fast food Threats * Research and the raised awareness among consumers about the harmful health impacts of fast food consumption. The trans-fats, sugars, oils and salts which are ingredients of the fast foods being offered, are thus consumed in low proportions by the aware and educated consumers * Highly labor intensive which increases the subjectivity involved in the delivery of services * Threats from competitors of Taco Bell such as McDonalds and Subway 3. ) Identification, Evaluation and Analysis of Alternatives Since the Frito Lay Corporation is obviously the market leader in any type of corn chip, tortilla chip or any chip for that matter, there are not really any big alternatives that would be better than Doritos. Even if Taco bell would have gone with Tostitos or Santitas, other tortilla chip brands, instead, it wouldnââ¬â¢t have made much of a difference because they are still owned by Frito Lay. An alternative that Taco Bell should have considered is the Baked Doritos in place of regular fried Doritos. For the reason that many empty calories and trans fat comes from ââ¬Å"hiddenâ⬠oil and Baked Doritos might help with Taco Bell trying to gain an edge on the competition through the health conscious route. 4. ) Recommendations and Conclusions Doritos Locos would be very appealing to Taco Bells consumers for numerous reasons and this makes it obvious to Taco Bell that it will be a good investment. Honestly I believe that Taco Bellââ¬â¢s decision to launch Doritos Locos is an incredible idea for many reasons but at the same time it does have some drawbacks. Doritos are one of Americaââ¬â¢s top favorite snacks and to combine that with Americas top Mexican style fast food restaurant just seems like the great idea never before had. Doritos come in many flavors and so should Doritos Locos, such as Cool Ranch, Smoky Chipotle BBQ and Fiery Habanero (Frito-Lay). This new rollout may also shift consumers focus from the negativity of the recent lawsuits and bad publicity to the positivity of this inevitably delicious and profitable collaboration. Then again, because of the large percentage of overweight and obese Americans and a strong desire to switch to health smart ingredients, Doritos Locos may just be perceived as another fattening product line put out by the gluttonous fast food industry.
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