Impact of Technology on Business Essay Example for Free

Impact of Technology on Business Essay Every functioning business in the world today uses some sort of technology in order to help them accomplish their goals. Before the age of technology, it was much harder for businesses to thrive because it was harder for them to advertise to their customers, communicate with their business partners, store information, and much more. Today businesses have all those things, and it has never been easier to start up a business, maintain it, and have your business prosper because technology is there to help. Technological advancements have made positive impacts in the business world in ways such as computers, transportation development, and smart phones. Computers and the Internet have helped businesses thrive more and more through out the years. They have done this in many ways, including making it easier to communicate through Emails, storing information without breaking a sweat, allowing businesses the opportunity to have a online store, and making it easier to start up a business successfully by researching your market needs and identifying your consumers. A research done by the Radicati Group said that â€Å"there are over three billion active Emails in the world today, and there is projected to be over 4 billion e-mails by 2014. † (Radicati, Sara. Email Statistics Report. ) This means that more and more people in our world today are becoming tech-savvy, which is good for businesses all across the globe. A countless amount of businesses today use Email as a form of communication between them and their business partners, their own business employees and their customers. Firms Email their customers to keep in touch with them, and remind them that they value their customers. Businesses also Email their customers to inform them of sales, special deals, and new products. Emails also help businesses by helping them communicate to their employees and their business partners. Businesses use Emails to communicate almost all of the time, they use Email for their everyday communication of business goals and even for times of crisis. Another study from the Radicati Group said that there are about 294 billion Emails sent per day, and that a majority of those Emails are sent by businesses. Radicati, Sara. Email Statistics Report. ) Email is a very reliable and speedy form of communication that is used by businesses and without it businesses wouldn’t be the same. Another use for computers that has had a significant impact on businesses in today’s world is digital storage. Businesses are able to store information such as their customer’s information, financial data, and future business plans. An article from Marketingzone. com said â€Å"most important part of marketing is collecting and saving customer information. (How to Collect and Save Customer Information | MarketingZone. ) A customer’s information includes things such as phone numbers, home addresses, and Emails. The reason this information about the businesses’ customers is so important is because it is essential to keep a customer’s interest in the company. With phone numbers, the firm is able to call or text their customers and advertise or let them know of a special sale. Storing a customer’s home address is a very significant way for businesses to advertise because it helps enable a way to advertise through mail. Advertising through mail is extremely effective because it makes it so the customer can have a physical relationship with the advertisement, the customer has to pick up the mail and look through it, therefore, the firm makes sure that they are seeing the information given in the advertisement. Having a customer’s Email address is important because it helps the business communicate with their customers while allowing them to do more such as sending links with more information or links to the businesses website. The Internet has allowed many businesses to create their own personalized website and online store. These websites are extremely helpful for today’s businesses because it allows their customers to search and browse inventory, compare products on the website, and then choose and order a product online and have it shipped to the customer’s home address. Purchasing desired products has never been easier thanks to the Internet. These websites have made it so convenient for consumers and also have lower prices than the store. An essay titled â€Å"The Internet Has Helped Businesses Reduce Overhead Costs in the Wholesale Industry† stated that online websites and stores have increased the annual revenue of many businesses, and is becoming a necessity for businesses to have. (Genco. The Internet Has Helped Businesses Reduce Overhead Costs in the Wholesale Industry. ) The Internet has also helped businesses flourish by enabling them to research their market needs and help them start-up successfully. Before starting up a business it is essential for a business to discover the geographic and demographic of the potential market. Businesses need to research the best location to open up their store and what their typical customer is like in terms of gender, age, and social class. This research is made easier with the help of the Internet, and without having the Internet; businesses would have a much harder start-up process. Computers and the Internet are two technological advancements that have improved the world of business. These two genius inventions have helped businesses in marketing, communication, start up, and just their every day process of running a business and with the help of these inventions, the business world will continue to blossom. Technological advancements in transportation have greatly escalated today’s businesses by getting rid of trade barriers, and with shipping. Transportation has greatly progressed businesses because it helped the business world get rid of the trade barriers that restricted its full potential. With the introduction of cars, planes and boats, businesses have been able reach out to other countries and make business partners and long lasting relationships with other nations. These forms of transportation helped ensure that all isolated countries in the world would begin to come out of their shell, and begin trading and making business agreements with the rest of the world. If it weren’t for transportation and the globalization of industries, the businesses in the US wouldn’t be able to benefit off of what other countries have to offer such as labor, resources, and property. Labor in different countries may benefit a firm because in poverty-stricken countries jobs are scarce and many inhabitants are willing to work for low wages, and since it is in a different country, there are no minimum wage issues and the firm saves money. This is called outsourcing, a process where businesses contract jobs in foreign nations, thus allowing them to pay cheap wages and expand their product globally at the same time. Businesses also expand globally now by seeking out country’s natural or manmade resources such as oil, coal, copper, gold, timber, iron, mercury or precious stones and gems. All of these resources can be beneficial to businesses and that’s what makes all of these resources desirable. A report written by Julliete Jowit said â€Å"The Living Planet report calculates that humans are using 30% more resources than the Earth can replenish each year, which is leading to deforestation, degraded soils, polluted air and water, and dramatic declines in numbers of fish and other species. † (Jowit, Julliete. ) This means that more and more businesses are looking to other countries to help with the need for natural esources. In certain countries, their most desired attribute is land. Land is a very crucial component to a businesses success because each firm needs property to build their manufacturing sight, and in some cases the land is needed in order to make prerequisite commodities for their final product in order to cut out the middle man and save money. Land in other countries also plays a huge role in the multiplying of franchise names, which include fast food restaurants, clothing stores, and many other stores. An example of a fast food chain that has expanded throughout the world is McDonald’s. McDonald’s Fast food restaurant serves over 64 million people every day in over 31,000 restaurants in 119 diverse countries. (McDonalds. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. ) Without the evolution of transportation and the reduction of trade barriers and other restrictions on foreign countries, franchises and other companies would not be capable of extending over the world. Shipping is another way that the invention of high-speed transportation has transformed the world of business. Having the capability to send products across the globe in just a few days is extremely helpful to every company and it’s customers. It assists businesses in spreading popularity, and also helps businesses sell more of their products. Distributing products through transportation has increased brand name awareness for many companies by increasing their popularity. With the help of shipping, more and more firms have been able to distribute their products all over the world, to a variety of different customers, which has severely increased their popularity. The progression of shipping has allowed companies to sell more of their products because it helps them distribute their products to customers who aren’t close to a store that sells the merchandise. 34 Percent of all shoppers prefer to buy their commodities on the Internet and through online shopping, and 80 percent of online buyers were motivated to buy through the Internet because of shipping. (Charleton, Graham 34% of Shoppers Prefer to Buy Online: Report) Shipping offers a sense of convenience to some purchasers because it allows them to buy merchandise without going out to help with their busy schedules. Technological advancements in the transportation industry have helped businesses achieve more sales, get better brand recognition, gain more customers, and create more business partners. The invention and development of smart phones has assisted businesses by making it extremely easy to communicate with partners, deal with doubts and complaints of customers, and has also helped with smart phone applications. Smart phones such as iPhones, Blackberries, and Droids are essential equipment to businesses men and women because they help them communicate. These smart phones help business men keep in contact with their coworkers and business partners by allowing them to call, text or email while on the go. Collaborating with coworkers and business associates is made easy because all they need to do to call, text or email their significant other to keep up with their work. The ease of communicating between business associates allows many businessmen to work while they are at home, on vacation, or anywhere for that matter. Smartphones can help business productivity by providing the means for employees and entrepreneurs and owners to stay in touch with their primary contacts even while away from their place of business. This allows enterprises to grow even while on the move, which gives them a very competitive advantage in today’s world. † (How Smartphone Help Business Productivity | Planet Antares Scam Tips. ) Smart phones also help through means of communication because they allow companies to video chat. Video chat has dramatically increased the efficiency of businesses by allowing them to have a business meeting, even while they are 10,000 miles apart. Video chat is used between all types of business associates and gives all companies a sense of convenience. An article from Huddle. com said â€Å"A company could have an office in China, one in the UK, and one in the US, and they can all collaborate on projects as if they were in the same office together. † (Eddington, Joe. How Can Web Conferencing Help Your Business? | Huddles Blog. ) Video chat also helps businesses save money by allowing them to communicate and have business meetings without having to travel to a different country or state. Communicating through smart phones has also enables customers to call, email or even video chat with companies when they have a complaint or problem with a product. When a customer has a predicament, it is a simple as either a phone call or email to the company to help them go through trouble-shooting steps to solve their problem. â€Å"Business Support Systems (BSS), and Operation Support Systems (OSS) are two types of support offered by today’s businesses that are essential to help create and maintain customer relationships. (BSS: Business Support System | NetworkDictionary. ) Another way that businesses show support to their customers is by offering live video chat support. Many businesses have live chat links on their company’s website, which allow customers to have a one on one conversation to solve their problem. All of these benefits are given to consumers thanks to the advancements of smart phones. Contrary to the benefits of communication from smart phones, the ability to use applications on iPhones, Blackberries and Droids have also had a significant outcome on today’s firms. Applications on these smart phones assist consumers by allowing the companies to service their customers through the app, or by letting customers purchase merchandise through the application. IPhone, blackberry, and Droid apps all help businesses service to their customers by allowing them to conveniently use the service given from the company on their smart phone. An example is the banking company â€Å"Chase†, who allows their customers to deposit check and transfer money to different peoples accounts through their smart phone apps. (Bruene, Jim. Chase Banks Jot App Shows the Future of Mobile Transaction Processing (NetBanker). ) By allowing these services through their applications, businesses like Chase Banking help create a positive relationship with their customers. An essay titled â€Å"The Effectiveness Of Branded Mobile Phone Apps† said â€Å"Smart phone apps focus attention on the user, and therefore encourages making personal connections with the brand. † (Duane, Varan, et al. The Effectiveness Of Branded Mobile Phone Apps. ) These applications don’t just allow their customers to enjoy services offered by companies, but they also empower their customer to purchase goods with the help of apps. An article written by Christina Warren said, â€Å"Over the last few years, in-app purchases have become an increasingly common way for mobile app developers to enhance their mobile products and services. † (Warren, Christina. 4 Ways In-App Purchasing Will Change Mobile. ) Many big name clothing brands, equipment-selling companies, and even restaurants allow smart phone users to purchase their product through smart phone apps. An example is Dominoes, whose app lets users order and pay for pizza all with the help of their apps. Dominoes made over 1. million dollars off their iPhone application last year. (Kats, Rimma. Domino’s Pizza IPhone App Generates More than $1. 3M in Sales. ) Smart phone applications have changed businesses all over the world by allowing them to sell their products and services through the benefits of their applications. Smart phones have helped businesses become more effective by allowing them to communicate between business associates and customers and with the help of applications. Technological advancements have helped businesses develop and progress through out the years of the technology era. These developments include computers and the Internet, the improvements in transportation, and the inventions of smart phones. These inventions and creations have helped businesses sell more of their products and services, helped create brand awareness for companies, and assisted in creating and maintaining positive relationships with their customers. A world without technology would make a huge difference in business because without technology, these companies wouldn’t have Emails, computer storage, online stores, globalization of their company, shipping, rapid communication or smart phone applications.

Brewery industry in Europe Roay Unibrew Analysis

Brewery industry in Europe Roay Unibrew Analysis CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Overview This paper consists of seven chapters: Chapter 1 explains the aim of the given topic, describes the brewery industry in Europe, and focuses the development of the brewery industry and polish economy after the fall of a communism in 1989 In chapter 2 I decided to present a theoretical background of the strategy and macro-environment theory Chapter 3 focuses the research methodology and approach that was taken in order to analyse it Chapter 4 describes the market analysis, and shortly considers the competition Chapter 5 is about the internal analysis of Royal Unibrew Poland. It presents strategy of the company, its mission and vision of the development. Marketing mix was taken into consideration as well. Chapter 6 was devoted to the analysis of the gathered data And in chapter 7 there are presented conclusions and recommendations for the future Topic and purpose of thesis Strategy is an incremental part of every company, and its success depends mainly on the way it is developed and implemented. Expansion to the foreign markets requires long-term planning and thus good preparation. These factors influence the companys current and future position on the chosen market. The aim of my thesis is to prove that well-developed strategy is the main key to success in expansion to the foreign markets, and it will be based on the case of the polish branch of the Dutch brewery company, Royal Unibrew. Royal Unibrew entered the polish market in 1995, and since this year it has become one of the leading beer producers in Poland. This country has become an opportunity for the foreign investors after the fall of the communism in 1989. Royal Unibrew decided to wait a few years until the polish economy stabilizes, then entered the brewery market and invested in its significant brands. Its further successes were supported by the well-derived strategy, acquaintance with the polish culture, potential customers needs, and rules of the new market. Strategies vary along with the cultures and Case of Royal Unibrew investing in Poland is a great example of the successful foreign investment, which required a clear vision of the companys long-term future, supported by a lot of effort, budget, and experience of the management. Strategy plays here a very important role, and therefore it is considered in the topic of this thesis. Strategy is a part of the vision. is a part of the strategy. Therefore implementation of the strategy Why is the strategy so important for the company? Why is the strategy so important? There is no victory without a good plan of campaign. Strategy is a long-term plan, connected with the current and future position in the environment, and consistent action plan, which helps achieve the goal that has been set earlier. It differentiates one company from another, and separates winners and losers. However, the company cannot focus too much or too less on its vision, because the result may be tragic, for example it influences board problems in personnel, quality, or poor productivity. If we ask any manager about vision of the strategy, he or she is going to give a broad range of different solutions, in order to make person understand difference between corporate strategy and operational planning. Companies Strategy as a determinant of business success in the expansion to the foreign markets : The brewery industry market in Europe and CEE Main players on the market Brewery industry is one the most developing branches in the world. Constantly increasing beer consumption, changing habits of the consumers often looking for the low percentage beers and the developing technology have a strong influence on the further development of the beer industry. European market is rich in different brewery brands, and it is the region, where beer is mostly consumed in the world (http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/163751154.html ). However, their position on the market depends on the sales, and therefore some of them stick only to the domestic market and become local leaders ( for example Fà ¶roya Bjà ³r, the only producer of beer and soft drinks in the Faroe Islands, close to Denmark ). Thus, basing on the data from the year 2007, there are ten main players on this market in Europe: Heineken, Interbrew/Ambev, Carlsberg, S N, SABMiller, Radeberger Gruppe, Coors, Anadolou Group, Mahou S.A. and Bitburger. These brewery groups compete very aggressively with each other and promote themselves on each possible occasion ( f. ex. Oktoberfest in Germany Heineken, or World Cups Carlsberg ). They have an advantage over the rest of the brewery companies, because they possibly often use all marketing tools channels, in order to attract peoples attention: TV commercials, internet pop-ups, radio commercials, billboards, posters on bus or train stations. Their strategies are professionally reconsidered and promotion campaigns easily remembered. The meaning of the brewery industry for the economy Economy is strongly influenced by the brewery industry. Brewery market sales in Poland in 2008 made almost 35,6 million hectolitres, what in financial term gave almost 45 billions PLN. This amount was equal to the governments spending for defence which was provided in 2009. There was a double increase between 1993 and 2002 in the beer production, and in 2006 by 7%, where the average Pole has drank about 87 litres. If we compare this achievement to year 1996, we can observe a big difference there were consumed only 29 litres of beer. Polish beer amateurs have caught Europeans, and drink nowadays almost 95-100 litres per year. When it comes to the beer consumption, Poland holds the fifth position in Europe. Brewery industry is one of the main revenues sources for the Treasury. According to the data from year 2007 provided by the Brewing Industry Employers Association of Polish Breweries, it has conducted almost 1,48 billion zloty ( PLN ) for duty. Comparing to the analogue year 2006, there was a 3% increase observed. Moreover, CEOs of the leading breweries were satisfied about the sales. Kompania Piwowarska has sold 18% of the beer more than in 2006 ( 2,2 millions hectolitres have been consumed), and Royal Unibrew Poland boasted with the 5% increase in sales, and 13% in revenues. Target group description Target group of the beer companies varies, because there are different brands of beer with the different tastes. Brewery companies usually focus mature people, men and women, at the age of 18 + ( in some countries 16 + ), and with different needs. Some of them want to relax in silence with a bottle of a good beer at home, some need more excitement with a group of friends at the disco or pub ( they are as well very active, full of energy and optimism ). In order to describe the target group correctly, company has to consider more factors, such as: education, occupation, income, place of living, style of living, way of spending free time, needs of the customer. There is a high potential in the brewery market. Companies focus different target groups. For example Cooler is a great tasty lemon or apple refreshing beverage of the Royal Unibrew company. This product has been designed specially for women looking forward to refreshment during a hot days and nights. According to the data provided by the Royal Unibrew Poland, tasty beers become very popular among women, because there is not such a strong bitterness as it appears in the traditional beers, have a very delicate flavour, and low percentage of alcohol. ( wlasne badania my own contribution to the market research ) Another good example is Tyskie beer, beverage well known in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, and Lithuania. (http://www.noltychy.pl/news,1355,beerfest-najwiekszy-festiwal-piwa-w-polsce-chorzow-28-30-08-2009r.html ). Its target group are traditional beer fans mainly working men, with the families, whose priority is their family. Work and other values are subordinated to it. They are loyal customers. As it is said, beer is just for their enjoyment, a form of relaxation, and kind of reward. They do not want to escape from the reality, like many other beer consumers. (http://www.ddb.pl/index.php?dzial=stronasID=350 ) General view of the polish economy After the transformation in 1989 Basic problem Poland had to deal with after the fall of the communism were its internal economic problems. Any kind of investment was impossible because the former system contributed huge foreign debt, and 500% hyperinflation ( until 1990 ). Prof. Grzegorz Kolodko mentions, that because of the increasing financial, economic, social, and political imbalance former socialist economies had lost their tempo, and then ability capacity to grow . Moreover, he explains this situation as follows: Huge deficiencies, caused by the inflation pressure, which source lays in the structure and wrong macro-economic management, intensified micro-economic inefficiency and prevented fulfilment of the social needs. The first non-communist government, led by Tadeusz Mazowiecki , decided to implement a so called Balcerowiczs plan ( first minister of finance after 1989 ). The idea of this plan was to liberalise internal prices, increase import, tighten the financial policy and wages control towards enterp rises, implement the interest rates which are higher than inflation, stabilize the dollar and implement possibility of its exchange. Polish economy was stabilized and was opened to the world. Banking system and monetary and credit policy have been reformed. New government created capital market, labour market, and implemented privatisation law in 1990. Transformation of the ownership, independence of the companies, and stimulation of the internal competition were very important in the reformation systems. Policy of the state assets privatization, free-market principles implementation, and decrease of the budget deficit were very fruitful: Inflation decreased to 43%, and during the next years it was just a one-number value Government was so successful, that the creditors decided to lower debt up to 50%, and foreign companies were eager to invest in Poland Year 1991 Warsaw Stock Exchange has been launched. Gross Domestic Product was increasing year by year 4% in 1993, and 7% in 1995. Polish Zloty has been denominated, and dollar stabilized the success of the polish reforms Poland is nowadays a country with the stabilized political system and still developing economy. Whats more, it is an active member of the World Trade Organisation ( WTO ), Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development ( OECD ), and Central European Free-Trade Agreement ( CEFTA ). Transformation processes had a strong influence on the re-valuation of all of the economic areas. Free-market rules, which are based on the dominating and still growing private entrepreneurship position, have been effectively implemented after 1989. Private sector was the main engine of the economic growth. Whats interesting, private sector has led to 75% of increase in the Gross Domestic Product, and employed 70% of the professionally active polish society. Development of the polish economy throughout the years 1995-2005 After the transformation in 1989, polish economy observed a strong economic growth throughout the years 1995-2005, and recession in 2001-2003 in the meantime. Next years are characterised by the constantly changing growth rate with an emphasis on the expected relatively high rate of growth in the subsequent years. Poland is a country with the big economic dynamics. In concentrates mainly the Gross Domestic Product generation in some Polands areas. Years 1995-2005 belonged to Wielkopolskie, Slaskie, Dolnoslaskie, Mazowieckie, and Malopolskie Voivodeships ( provinces ). Since 1996 it has been a member of the OECD, which unites the richest countries in the world. Economic growth in this year was very slow, however still high. GDP increased by 6,6%, and was one of the highest in Europe. Situation of the polish economy today Polish economy has developed very much after the transformation in 1989, and has become one of the biggest economies in the world ( 6th economy in the European Union, and 21st economy in the world ). According to the OECD IX report from 2006, polish economy is in a good condition, since it joined European Union in May, 2004. Social-economic policy has been positively assessed by OECD, and the country has potential to grow and quickly develop. But the main problem Poland has to get through is high rate of unemployment, GDP is below 45% of the EU average, university education doesnt prepare young people for their potential jobs, too high social transfers, and entrepreneurs still have to face the administrative barriers. OECD report mentions areas which have to be changed in order to make polish economy grow faster. First of all these barriers, such as in the supervision or administrative area have to be lifted for the entrepreneurs, simplifying the taxation system, reducing the parafis cal burden and elimination of the corruption. Next thing to consider is improvement of the economic flexibility, and reducing the start-up costs. However, the latest data, presented by Eurel Hermes analysts, shows that the global crisis from 2009 had a strong impact on the global, and polish as well, economy. External financing gap has deepened, and thus government decided to cover it by liquidating the foreign exchange reserves, which melted by 28% from 2008 until the first quarter of 2009. Polish economic structure corresponds to the economic structure of the well developed countries. 64% of the Gross Domestic Product is generated by the services, 32% by the industry, and 4% by the agriculture. Ratio of exports to GDP is 40%, and thus polish economy is not open enough as the foreign economies of the region. Whats more, it has not been influenced negatively by the global recession, which spread over the trade links. Polish economy has been one of the well developing and healthiest in the emerging Europe for the first half a year of 2009. However, as a country which is dependent on the rest of the world it had felt results of the global financial crisis, especially in the . Value of the Polish Zloty has decreased in relation to the major world currencies. However, according to the statistics, GDP has increased in 2009 by 1,7%. Whats more, Central Statistical Office informs, that the industry labour productivity has increased by 2,4%, with the 5,5% smaller employment growth and increase of the average monthly gross payment by 4,9%. Development of the brewery industry Brewery industry revolution started in the 19th century, when the craftsmen decided to change their profession for the well developing business. Thanks to the improvements in the technological development, focusing mainly the methods of bottom-fermentation development of the beer, which required cooling fermenters. Owners of the smaller businesses decided to give up, and gave place to the technologically stronger plants. These were the times, when Okocim brewery from Brzesk began to take its first steps in this business. Most important for the brewery industry were its first ten years of the 20th century. Polish market was seized by almost 500 breweries. Formulas of the beers have been enhanced, and thus new tastes were implemented. Development of the brewery industry had a significant impact on the beers consumption every beer lover drank almost 35 litres of this beverage. Progress of the beer industry development was stopped by the First World War. It bloomed at the end of the gap between First and Second World War, and gained the similar results that it had in year 1915. During the World War II there were thirty six breweries on the lands that belonged to the General Government ( administrative-territorial entity, created under the decree of Adolf Hitler in year 1939 ). After the war first government, the communist party, decided to take over all of the breweries. There were new enterprises coming into existence, like for instance Kasztelan brewery from Sierpc ( small polish town ), but the political situation of the country was very adverse for this industry. However the state enterprises were doing their best to follow the western standards with the different degrees of success. After the transformation in 1989 polish breweries had to adapt to the new market economy, and therefore were able to show their real potential. Beer has a very long historical background, and it still finds new amateurs all over the world. Technological development, production improvements, and increasing demand for this beverage make its sales increase every year. Moreover, thanks to the innovation in the polish brewery industry and its potential, foreign investors feel more encouraged than before 1989. Global brewery industry Global brewery industry is a business which consists of a few dominating multinational companies and hundreds of other smaller beer producers, such as home made or regional breweries. According to the statistics, there are almost 134 billion litres of beer sold per year, what enriched the global treasury by $294,5 billion in 2006. Such a high revenues global brewery industry owes to the Asian, Eastern European, and African beer fans (http://wyborcza.pl/1,75248,1882229.html). Consumption of the beer increases every year. Canadean firms report shows, that in year 2002 there was almost 1,4 billions hectolitres drank all over the world. This number was said by analysts to increase by 7% in 2005. According to the statistics, predictions have come true and it reached 1,5 billions of hectolitres. This table shows, that Czech Republic is the leader in the beer consumption. Each beer fan from this country drinks yearly almost 157 litres of this golden drink . Republic of Ireland takes the second place with 131,1 litres drank, and Germany third place with 115,8 litres. Poland is said to be one of the most drinking countries in the world. According to these data, its position is not that high, because it takes 18th place with 69,1 litres per each beer drinking Pole annually. Modern brewery market wide opened for the other types of beer selling. Microbrewery is responsible for producing a limited amount of beer, which depends on the region and on the authority. It has permission for making 18,000 hectolitres per year, in order to adjust the production to the predetermined standards required for the regional breweries. Nowadays, the global brewery market leader is Belgian Anheuser-Busch InBev with 25% of the market share. It was taking the third position after SABMiller, the first leader, and InBev which holded the second place. In 1987 its first equivalent, Anheuser-Busch decided to merge with InBev, and this operation has led it to the top in the brewery industry. Its fourteen brands, out of 300, generate almost $ 1 billion annually in revenue (http://www.ab-inbev.com/ ) Overview of the brewery industry in Poland after 1989 Transformation in 1989 has led to intensive changes in the polish brewery industry. They are connected with the increase in the beer consumption, and production concentration in the newest great breweries. Looking back at the changes that were implemented in the polish economy after 1989, and comparing them to what the former government has achieved between years 1945-1989, we can observe a positive influence of the new political system and thus potential and opportunities to increase growth in every area. Brewery industry in Poland had experienced a violent sales growth between 1994-2000, and then the consumers slowed down their beer consumption. But this situation did not have any negative impact on its further development. On the contrary brewery market is still developing and growing, and high operation profits have been observed in this branch. There are four main and few local brewery companies operating on the polish market ( and their market shares in %; data for year 2009): Kompania Piwowarska ( Brewing Company; brands: Tyskie, Lech, Zubr ) 45% Zywiec Group ( brands: Zywiec, Warka, Tatra ) 35% Carlsberg Poland ( Carlsberg, Okocim, Harnas ) 13% Royal Unibrew Poland ( Lomza, Strzelec ) 4% Other 50 breweries; with below than 10% of the market shares, are Belgia from Kielce, Perla from Browary Lubelskie, and Brok from Koszalin. ( there are 50 small breweries in Poland ) (http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume7/issue2/economics/art-10.html) Comparing the situation on the market from the last year to year 2008, we can observe a diametrical changes that occurred in the meantime. There were three main players on this market two years ago: Kompania Piwowarska ( 41% ), Zywiec Group ( 34%) , and Carlsberg Poland ( 12%). Royal Unibrew joined them in 2009. As we see, market shares of each of them have increased at least by 1% ( Carslberg Poland and Zywiec Group ), and by 4% ( Kompania Piwowarska ) after one year. Situation on the brewery industry today There are two fields which characterise the todays brewing industry: Global aspect, where most of the large breweries groups decide to merge Regional aspect In this case small and medium-sized brewery companies start to actively operate on their market and therefore develop a wide range of products which have their roots in the territory they come from Nowadays the global brewery market offers its consumers almost 1,5 billions of hectolitres. In year 2003 the leader and the best beer producers market on the global brewery market and was Anhauser Busch, with the almost 130 millions of beer hectolitres sold all over the world. SABMiller took the second place with 125 millions of hectolitres sold, and third place belonged to Heineken with 99 millions of hectolitres sold. In 2010 two breweries decided to merge: Belgian InterBrev and Brasilian Ambev. According to the analysts predictions, effect of this merge will lead to the annual sale of 190 millions hectolitres in the future. Introduction to the Royal Unibrew Poland History of the company Royal Unibrew was the local leader in the brewery market, but during its 150 year old existence it has becomethe second largest brewery group in Denmark. It has been operating on the European brewery market since 1856, however the name of the company is of recent date. Two companies, Faxe Bryggeri A/S and Jyske Bryggerier A/S (Ceres Bryggerierne and Thor Bryggerierne), operating on the Dutch market in the 80s wanted to grow stronger and thus become leaders in the brewery industry in Denmark. They decided to merge in 1989, and changed the name for Bryggerierne Faxe Jyske A/S, but the final decision was Bryggerigruppen A/S in 1992. The company is listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange since 1998, and one forth of its shareholders ( 14,000 of all ) are foreigners. Now, Faxe, Ceres and Thos complemented each other perfectly: Faxe was strong in the retail trade and on soft drinks and lager beer with nation-wide status. On the export side, Faxe was traditionally strong in the German, UK and Swedish markets Ceres and Thor manifested themselves with strong beer and special products in Jutland and in restaurants and bars. Ceres strongest export strongholds were Italy and the Caribbean. In the beginning of its foreign expansion Royal Unibrew focused Italy, Germany, and the Carribean as its first export markets. Strong brands of Ceres have made it a leader among the imported brands in the Italian market. Its product Der Grosse Dane has won the hearts of the German society. There are three markets Royal Unibrew takes into consideration: The Western Europe Market consisted of the beer and juice markets in Denmark, Italy, Germany, and Cross-Border Trade The Eastern Europe Market consisted of the beer, juice and soft drinks markets in Lithuania, Latvia and Poland Malt and Overseas Markets international markets for malt drinks, beer and soft drinks exports to markets where there are no companys representatives Royal Unibrew decided to invest in Poland in the early 90s, and then started exporting Faxe beer from Denmark to Poland. It expanded the business in Poland in 1994, created a trade-distribution company and named it Faxe Poland LLC. Next step it made was purchasing its first breweries in Jedrzejà ³w and Koszalin in Poland in 2005. Royal Unibrew is the second alcohol producer in the Baltic states, and the largest Scandinavian alcohol exporter. There are four breweries on Denmark, three in Poland ( Strzelec in Jedrzejà ³w, Strzelec/Brok, Lomza Brewery, Sagittarius/Brok, and half of the shares in Perle ) and one non-alcohol plant in Latvia. Companys position on the market Royal Unibrew Poland is the fourth biggest brewery company on the polish market ( after Kompania Piwowarska, Carlsberg Poland, Grupa Zywiec S.A. ) with the 3% of market shares.. http://www.google.com/search?hl=enrls=com.microsoft%3Aen-gb%3AIE-SearchBoxrlz=1I7ADSA_enq=rynek+piwowarski+w+POlsceaq=faqi=oq= Royal Unibrew has been operating on the global market for 150 years already, and it focuses mainly the regional brands. There are thirteen breweries and one plant for the non-alcoholic drinks production. Polish branch of Royal Unibrew implements the strategy that involves the development of the strong regional brands. Company has been searching for many years for brands which are heavily related with their regions and liked by their consumers. Therefore the main Royal Unibrew Polands regional brands are Lomza, Brok, and Strzelec. Company invested in year 2009 in the development of Lomza brand. Lomza has joined the Royal Unibrews strategic brands portfolio, as one of its strongest brands in the polish market. With almost 40 years old tradition, it has the biggest potential among Royal Unibrews brands. Lomza has many loyal consumers, and it is very popular in the north-east part of Poland. Thanks to Lomza brand Royal Unibrew Poland has a gained a strong position in the north-east region, Baltic Coast in the area of Central POmerania, and in the south: Malopolska and in Silesia, close to Rybnik town. Company has observed the Lomza brands increasing presence in the Warsaw area, and in the commercial networks in whole Poland. CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH AND DESIGN ON METHODOLOGY The Research Background The aim of my research was to find out how the strategy makes company successful during its expansion to the foreign market. Royal Unibrew is a Dutch global company, and I decided to focus its polish branch. The reason for this approach is that the management board from Warsaw and people living and working in this city are more accessible for me in order to get an appropriate data for my research. I had a possibility to have a closer look on the different types of data that I was provided with, and thus describe them in my MA thesis, and answer the stated primary and secondary questions: Primary How does the strategy influence the Royal Unibrew international success? Secondary What motivated Dutch to invest in brewery business in Poland? What were the main entry barriers, that Royal Unibrew had to deal with? How has the strategy influenced the current position on the market? Deductive approach has been undertaken in this research. Qualitative Research Method Approach ( bardziej zglebie temat niz zwykle suche dane, subiektywne poglady ludzi ) This approach has helped me in gaining detailed data about situation of the Royal Unibrews alcohol products on the polish market, and deepen it by considering different different approach methods. Face-to-face interview with Mrs Beata Pawlowska ( CEO of the Royal Unibrew Poland ) and survey among beer consumers of a different age and gender were required to make this analysis better understood. They were asked about the motivations behind choosing the given beer brand. Customers choice is driven by the prepared strategy, which is implemented by the company and thus the good advertisement. I took a closer look at the information covered in the magazines and newspapers articles about the brewery market in Poland, subjective opinions of people, and internet different latest data sources were taken into consideration as well. They will help me support the data I gather for my thesis research. Poland is an attractive country for different types of investments. Dutch branch of Royal Unibrew found an opportunity for extra revenues after fall of communism in Poland in 1989 and thus open up for the developed western side. It had to adapt to the brand new culture and A larger group of respondents was helpful and thus I could have a more clear view on the beer demand from the practical side. However, with the respect to the scheduled time of Mrs Beata Pawlowska and beer consumers, in accordance with Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill ( 2000 ) all ethical issues had to be considered during the interview. When it comes to the consumers opinions, they were relatively similar. They appreciate Lomza beer, because it tastes more bitter than Zywiec, Warka, or Zubr. They said that the more bitter is the chosen beer, the more masculine is the person that drinks it. I asked also a seller working in the local area shop ( Jago in Warsaw, Bielany district ) about the beer which is more appreciated by the customers. According to their opinions price of the product is very attractive ( Lomza 3 zl, Zywiec 3,50 zl, Warka 3,70 zl ), and thus they are more eager to buy it. Lower price actually does not result in the clients suspicion towards the beer, because they dont really care about its quality. Zywiec and Warka are considered often by both genders in the age between 20 and 45, however there appeared a strong increase in the Lomzas sales. This is confirmed by Mrs Beata Pawlowska: Within ten months in year 2009 we have increased our sales by 4%, and I can say that we have closed the previous year with the 5% increase (http://www.poranny.pl/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100121/REGION99/794675231). Lomza beer is sold in 500 ml bottles, and interviewed people mentioned that thanks to its shape it is easy to handle and therefore they enjoy it more while drinking. They put an emphasis on the beers association with the summer, when it easily quenches thirst. Taste of bitter beverage makes them feel relaxed. This means, that the value of the Royal Unibrew Polands products gained importance in the consumers eyes. Moreover, distribution and sales increase of the Lomza beer has been supported by the marketing actions and TV campaigns in the whole Poland. Frequent promotions and low prices catch customers attention, and So the results are positive for the company. Data Collection I collected the data by interviewing CEO of the Royal Unibrew Poland, accidental people, the local shop seller, and searching through the internet database. Sample group was chosen for this approach, and both genders were asked different questions that were strongly connected with the companys strategy. I focused a non-standardised unstructured interviews, where the data needed for the research could be analysed in-depth. I followed Sauners, Lewis and Thornhill ( 2000 ) where they inform that the sample group should have an opportunity to talk freely about the area of the chosen research. Non-directive approach was taken in this case. This method is good for the area of my research because it helps me gain a

Modernity of Buddhism and Christianity

Modernity of Buddhism and Christianity Adib Rahim Draft: Tribal to Universal Religion Prompt: Historians argue that religious traditions emerge within and through traditions and beliefs that already exist. These new religions borrow from, adapt, and reject older traditions, and their ideas can often be traced back to multiple existing systems of belief. The documents collected in Tribal to Universal Religion help you trace part of that lineage. Relying on a full analysis of the form, style, and context of these documents, consider how new religions break out of their localized context: How do Buddhism and Christianity draw from older traditions while creating something new? Historians have argued that traditions from religions have emerged within traditions and beliefs that have already existed before. These religions often borrowed, adapted or rejected the older traditions to create what their religions are now today. These religions borrowed core values but went in different directions. For example we see this idea with Buddhism and Hinduism and Christianity and Judaism. We see an alteration of old ideas and new ideas to appeal to people at the time to end controversy over the main set of values believed at the time. Christianity carried over many of the values and ideas of Judaism but at the same time branches off from the religion going in a different direction. Christianity and Judaism are mostly similar as they believe in this one god who is this almighty power. Christianity and Judaism also tend to share values of the Hebrew bible (Old Testament) but Christianity involves the New Testament to. Paul became the most vigorous missionary of Jesus, traveling throughout the Mediterranean converting nonbelievers and corresponding with communities of fellow followers Paul spread his gospel to others who were neither Jewish nor had known Jesus In this quote we see that the Pauls intent was to spread the word of god. Like Judaism there seems to be this emphasis on this obligation to god. Jews were considered to be only put in this earth to be only obligated to god. This idea is represented with this idea of circumcision. Circumcision in the Old Testament was a symbolic act to show your loyalty/obligat ion to god to which a Jewish male was entered to a covenant with god. The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. Even if you are a Jewish male following Judaism laws but you are not physically circumsized you arent actually Jewish. But theres also this similar idea with Christianity that covenant with god is through the acceptance and belief of your god. Christians werent only bound to mark with this mark of circumcision. We see the same idea with Judaism. A man is not a Jew if he is only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly: and circumcision of the heart, by the spirit, not by the written code. We see this juxtaposing idea of circumcision throughout both religions. This value of being attached to only god is seen through both religions. Unlike Judaism, Christianity believed that Jesus as god. Immediately a fter the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. This quote from the Christian bible shows how Jesus is glorified as this almighty being like god describing with much power and authority. We see phrases like stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heaven will be shaken . This connotative language incites fear within the reader which the intent of a god is supposed to be as youre only fear should be god. In Buddhism we see that there are values and beliefs that branch off of Hinduism but still go in different directions. Both religions believe in this idea of reincarnation and this idea that suffering is caused by attachment to things and people in this physical world. There are two types of Hindus which are the Vedas and Upinishads There are two types of Buddhism commonly known Theravada and Mahayana. Theravada Buddhism believes heavily on Buddha. Mahayana Buddhism believes in this belief that these godly beings exist in other realms but they cannot help people in our physical world. They both share the fundamentals of Buddhism but they still arise differently in some aspects. Unlike Hinduism anyone can enter this state of nirvana no matter your stance in society or this caste system. We are introduced to the youth of Buddha in Buddhism:Gotamas discovery we see his first encounter with this idea of Universal suffering. We see Buddha being taken to a park by his charioteer in his car riage. He encounters 4 different men changing his view on his lifestyle. First he sees a man who is suffering with old age. The second encounter he sees a man who is suffering with sickness. The third encounter he sees death. This encounter leaves Buddha very confused as he is questioning this idea of life, if life is only full of suffering of old age, sickness and death. He then encounters a man who is appeared to have a shaven head and a yellow robe that can be described as solitary. Buddha follows this man to disattach himself from universal suffering. Was Buddha actually a god or rather just a being filled with wisdom. Connecting this idea to Hinduism we see this idea of questioning the fundamentals about the nature of life, death and how to act in accordance to your religion in The Bhagavad Gita. We are introduced to reach this way of spirituality is to be truthful. We see this binary with the two religions with karma vs Dharma. Karma is the act of something towards dharma whic h is a sacred duty. Every action that we do has an equal reaction and over the course of their lifetime if one is accordance with this divine we can gradually work our karma. The person whose mind is always free from attachment, who has subdued the mind and senses, and who is free from desires, attains the supreme perfection of freedom from Karma through renunciation. Conclusively we see the alteration of old ideas that religions use to establish their core values. We see this juxtaposing idea with Christianity and Judaism and Buddhism and Hinduism.

The Human Perception of Pain in Conjunction with the Mind-Body Problem

The Human Perception of Pain in Conjunction with the Mind-Body Problem There is more research surfacing supporting the notion that people can control their pain. What is left under-examined is the notion of whether the pain is mediated by the brain, mind, or both. We all know that pain is an instinctive "sense" if you will, necessary to the survival of all living beings. Without pain, it would go unrecognized and exacerbate to the point of death. Pain is a protective mechanism essential to survival. There are three important claims here: One is that pain is actually a perception. The second, is the brain mediates the suppression of pain through a "gate" in the spinal cord. Lastly, since pain is a perception, the mind may decide the degree to which the "gate" is open, which therefore influences to amount of pain reaching the brain. Recent research provides evidence that certain brain structures mediate the spinal cord gate. Still controversial is whether receptivity to pain is biological in origin and completely dependent on the brain, or whether the min d, the entity in an individual responsible for thought, and feelings, conscious or unconscious, controls the nervous system and in the end manipulates one's perception of pain. Pain is defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage" (1). When pain is described in these terms we can see that pain is a perception, sort of like seeing and hearing. When pain is processed there are a number of brain structures activated, commonly referred to as the "central pain matrix" (2). It may seem irrelevant to delve into pain signal activation in the brain since it is seemi... ...that one's entire perception of pain may be conscious in origin and simply correlate to the mechanisms of the brain, rather than stem from just the brain entirely. References 1)Pain Anatomy http://www.ahs.uwaterloo.ca/~ranney/painanat.html 2)The Human Perception of Pain http://dubinserver.colorado.edu/prj/nva/humanperception.html 3)Brain Pain Pathways http://psych.athabascau.ca/html/Psych289/Biotutorials/19/intro.shtml?sso=true 4)Modification of pain within the spinal cord http://www.manbit.com/obstetspain/obnlp3.htm 5)The Skeptics Dictionary http://skepdic.com/mind.html 6)Mind and Body Interactions http://www.mindbody.org/ 7)Mind-Body-Medicine http://www.mind-body-medicine.com/ 8)Mind and Body Wellness http://membrane.com/ncata/lynn/ 9) Carlson, Neil R., Physiology of Behavior. Needham Heights: A Pearson Education Company, 2001.

Between Logic and Heuristic :: Calculus Mathematics Essays

Between Logic and Heuristic* ABSTRACT: This article aims to construct a new type of logical calculi-logical heuristic calculus which contains the means of reducing complete search. Such a heuristic component of calculus is reached with the help of meta-level means. The principal means for reducing search is structural information about information about contrary literals of formula. There are two major approaches to studying the process of reasoning ( «problem-solving »). On one hand, it is necessary to discover and investigate correct modes of reasoning in which the property of  «truth » is preserved. This task which can be formulated as the question  «what is a correct reasoning (proof)? » is considered in Logic. In order to decide this problem, Logic is based upon the concept of  «logical form ». There is a special syntactical method to deal with this concept—the method of construction of a logical calculus. In this respect, the calculus in question is a  «black box » which guarantees the  «true » conclusion under the  «true » premisses. Thus, Logic (logical form) gives the answer for the question about correct reasoning—  «the correct reasoning is a proof ». But logical syntax, as a  «black box »Ã¢â‚¬â€ calculus, isn’t interested in the real process of derivation building, in studying the question about methods of proof-search, in studying and construction a more manageable and efficient machin ery of  «truth » preserving. Availability of any method of exhaustive (complete) search, e.g.  «British museum algorithm », is quite enough for Logic (logical form). On the other hand, the process of  «problem-solving » can be investigated in the light of the following question:  «how is it possible to build a piece of correct reasoning? ». This task is considered in Heuristic. Heuristic investigates general principles and methods of  «problem-solving ». Computer Heuristic (computer heuristic method) is a system of rules (a rule) for essential reducing the complete search, i.e. heuristic methods are opposed to exhaustive search methods. The area of intersection of Logic and Computer Heuristic is proof-seach theory (PST), which investigates possible methods of  «problem-solving » ( «how is it possible to build a proof? ») in some calculus. PST deals with the heuristic component of proof systems. More precisely, the aim of proof-search theory can be defined as follows:  «discovering, on the basis of a calculus and an entity in the calculus in question of the structure of a possible derivation of this entity, a derivation which is interesting in some respect ».(1) Thus, proof-search theory can be included into the logical pragmatic (look at Fig.

Coop

Cooperative ManagementSubmitted By: Cherlyn Ohoy Submitted To: Ms. Crispina Corpuz Date of Submission: October 15, 2012 AMPC: â€Å"FOCCUS COOP† Background of the Cooperative FOCCUS  (Finance Organization achieving Certified Credit Union Standard)  is a brand awarded to AMPC by the World Council of Credit Union based in the United States through CUES (Credit Union Empowerment and Strengthening) last 2003. Being branded a â€Å"FOCCUS† coop is a stamp of class and a seal of guarantee of the members’ financial investment security, as well as, its excellent, efficient and quality service. History of the cooperative Founded in  June 19, 1991  by  Ã‚  21  MARKET VENDORS  in Agdao Public Market Contribution per pioneer member was P3,000  for a total Share Capital of P63,000 Old name was  AGDAO MARKET VENDORS MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE  (AMVMPC) Core values A –  Action-oriented  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  C –  Competency G –  Generosity  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  O –  Organized  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   D –  Discipline  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  O –  Open-mindedness A –  Accountability  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  P –  Perseverance O –  Optimism The Mission and Vision * MISSION * To uplift the quality of life of its members through the provision of quality products and services; and continuous promotion of cooperativism. VISION * A dynamic, strong and sustainable cooperative in Mindanao, whose members are empowered and working together in a spirit of cooperation, social justice, equity and peace towards total human development. How to join * Attend one hour free Pre-membership Educational Seminar (PMES) at any AMPC Office. Scheduled daily (morning and afternoon). * Fill-up Application Form for Membership and attached most recent photo ID. (1 pc. 1X1 and 1 pc. 2X2). * Submit photocopy of Birth Certificate or Marriage Contract. * Pay the required amount of Membership Contribution. The Products and Services Offered * PRODUCTS * SAVINGS DEPOSIT  (Earns 4. 5% per annum) * YOUTH SAVINGS (1 month old to 17 years old) * REGULAR SAVINGS (18 years old and above) TIME DEPOSIT| Regular Time Deposit| RANGE OF AMOUNTS| Months| | 3| 6 | 9 | 12| 3 YEARS (net of tax)| 10,000 – 20,000| 5%| 6%| 7%| 8%| 8%| 20,001 – 50,000| 6%| 7%| 8%| 9%| 9%| 50,001 – 100,000| 7%| 8%| 9%| 10%| 10%| 100,001 – 400,000| 8%| 9%| 10%| 11%| 11%| 400,001 – 900,000| 9%| 10%| 11%| 12%| 12%| 900,001 & ABOVE| 10%| 11%| 12%| 13%| 13%| | | . | | | | | | | | * TERMS: Three to 12 months period are subject to tax. Three years period are withdrawable only upon maturity and tax free. Rates are subject to change without prior notice. * Special  Time Deposit TERM:  P1,000 – 9,999   has 6% interest per annum. SHARE CAPITAL Minimum share is P1,000 Minimum of 10% interest per annum (dividends) Not withdrawable. * LOAN PRODUCTS 1. Capacity-based(max of P500,000. 00) 2. Providential 3. Agricultural 4. Commercial 5. Real Estate Interest rate of 3% per month based on diminishing balance or 1. 623% per month effective rate. Affordable repayment terms: 12-24 months. Emergency Loan -Based on Share Capital (max of P5,000. 0). * MORTUARY AID TRUST FUND P15 contribution per Regular Member. P5 contribution per Associate Member. Pro-rated contribution for less than a year member. * SERVICES 1. BOTIKA NG KOOPERATIBA * Gamot na Mura, Epektibo Pa 2. LIFE INSURANCE * Group Life and Accident with Fire Insurance (GLAFI) Annual Premium P250. * GADDI-Annual Premium  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ P230: Benefit P20,000. * Coop AKSI Plan – Annual Premium – P100: Benefir P20,000. * Keyman Accident Protector Plan for as low as P1,800 per annum with P1,000,000 coverage. * AMPC Family Insurance – Annual Premium P150. 3. NON-LIFE INSURANCE * Fire Insurance Cash Assistance (FICA) * Home Protek500; Annual Premium of P500 pesos. * Home Assure for as low as P1,905 Annual Premium. * Standard Fire Insurance/Motor Car Insurance. 4. HEALTH CARE (Annual Premium P1,300) * Unlimited Consultation for Member and Members' immediate dependents. * Unlimited Basic Laboratory Services and Diagnostic Procedures for members only. Hospital confinement-in-patient. * Health Care coverage on top of PhilHealth: P1,500 per day or P20,000 aggregate per year and another surgical benefit of P10,000 aggregate per year. Social Responsibilities 1. 2. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 3. Technical Education Assistance 4. FEEDING PROGRAM 5. BLOOD BANK 6. â€Å"Dugo Mo, Kinabuhi Ko† 7. HOG DISPERSAL PROGRAM 8. ADOPT-A-SITE 9. LIVELIHOOD SEMINARS Financial Highlights * Operation Highlights as of December 31, 2008 * MEMBERSHIP   * DEPOSITS * SHARE CAPITAL| * REVENUE   * ASSETS GROWTH * NET SURPLUS| TAGUM COOPERATIVE Background of the Cooperative Tagum Cooperative has also now ventured into funeral service known as â€Å"funecare. † According to Tagum Coop Chairperson Norma R. Pereyras, the funecare is intended to respond to its members’ clamor for a â€Å"womb-to-tomb† complete service to them. The funecare service has filled in the gap toward a total member service satisfaction. â€Å"Tagum Cooperative gives value to its industry name. It is sensitive to its public image as a top-ranked cooperative. It does not sit on its laurels. It continues to innovate to benefit its members. And despite its greatness in the sector, it has kept its humility as an institution. No wonder, it has evolved into a model and well-respected cooperative. I will not be surprised if Tagum Cooperative is declared the best managed coop in the entire Philippines or in this part of Asia. To our mind, it is a fact waiting to happen in just a matter of time,† the CDA regional director concluded. History of the cooperative Almost forty years  ago,  Tagum Cooperative  was just an obscure, self-surviving money lending institution. Now, it is a world-class Savings and Credit Cooperative recently adjudged  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Winner†Ã‚  both in  Regional and National Categories of the Business Excellence Award for Small and Medium enterprise (SMEs) organized by the Philippines Small and Medium Business Development Foundation, Inc. PHILSMED) The Business Excellence Award for SMEs was received by the Tagum Cooperative Chairperson, Ms. Norma R. Pereyras, herself a Regional and National Awardee for Outstanding Volunteer for Best Practices, 2002, along with the  Tagum Cooperative Vice-Chairperson, Ms. Monica L. Salido and Manager, Ms. Juris D. Perez, CPA, MBA. The said Awa rd was given by the representative of the The Secretary of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Hon. Peter B. Favila, together with Ms. Mina T. Gabor, Ph. D. , President of Philippine Small and Medium Business Development Foundation, Inc. PHILSMED), Usec. Hon. Lecira V. Juarez, Chairperson, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Mr. Cresencio Selipara, 1st  Vice-President- Landbank of the Philippines, Mr. Donald Patrick Lim, Vice-President for Marketing- Philippine Daily Inquirer and Ms. Agnes Celeste D. Fernando, Head SME – Channel Distribution, Globe Telecom on October 6, 2005 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Reception Hall, which was attended by more or less 1,300 cooperators all over the country. Other Awardees/ Recipients for the National Category were: R. A. Gapuz Review Center- Manila, Lighthouse Cooperative, Inc. – Cagayan, Mabini Limers and Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative,Inc. – Guimaras and New Central Woodcraft- Iligan City, of which Tagum Cooperative garnered the highest points. Tagum Cooperator’s belief in the value of work in service has brought the great twist. From its humble beginning as  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Holy Name Society (HNS) of Tagum Parish† in May, 1967  with only a handful Members and an available Share Capital of only P80. 00,Tagum Cooperative  had slowly stepped up to the limelight, now, conveniently servingits more than 26,000 members, of which 61. 0% composed of Woman-Members, coming from Tagum City and its nearby provinces and cities, with  a laudable P475. 1 Million in Assets,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"No External Borrowings†Ã‚  for the last five years. Now, Tagum Cooperative has a computed  Loan Portfolio of P317. 1 Million  that served over 160,000 households in coordination and tie up with L ocal Government Unit (LGU) that had helped and support in addressing the economic problem. Alleviating them from poverty line and upgrading their social, educational and health status. It was branded a  Finance Organization achieving Certified Credit Union Standards (FOCCUS)  in the year 2000 by the  World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU),  based in the United States of America (USA), through its outreaching- cooperative program office in the Philippines, popularly known as the  Credit Union Empowerment and Strengthening (CUES)- Philippines, which have become the tenets of the Cooperative in its operations, programs, and policies, thus Tagum Cooperative as World Class savings and credit cooperative provides the necessary environment for the safe and security of the member’s money, giving the highest interest rates on their deposits and savings through the adoption of a sound, effective and rigid financial management. Today,  Tagum Cooperative  is among the prime movers of the Country’s Cooperative Movement, being one of the leading and most active affiliates of the  National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Mindanao Alliance of Self-help Societies- Southern Philippines Educational Cooperative Center (MASS-SPECC) and Model Credit Network (MCN). Moreover, Tagum Cooperative is a leading advocate in the province in empowering or providing opportunities and protection to women through its  Gender and Development and Family Enrichment Program, Savings and Credit with Education (SCWE) Program, wherein 1,707 Woman-Members have availed of P4. 2 Million worth of loans for their livelihood or income-generating projects,  Tagum Cooperative Women’s Livelihood Association, Inc. (TCWLAI)  wherein 70 members have availed the technology of meat and food processing and candle making, thus, it  Ã‚  aimed at augmenting their respective family’s income. All of these achievements are made possible because Tagum Cooperative stand firm to its commitment to extend the best service to its members and that each member will be proud of being a part of Tagum Cooperative. Thru good governance by its able Officials, empowered Management Staff and well informed membership, Tagum Cooperative is posed continue its active participation as a Cooperative and as a partner of the government in progress and economic development of the Province of Davao del Norte, the neighboring provinces and the Philippine Cooperative sector in general. Core values T – Trustworthness A – Accountability G – Good Centered U- Unity M – Member Friendly C – Competence O – Optimism O – Openness P – Passion The Mission and Vision * MISSION * To promptly delivered innovative and responsive products and services to a member in a secured financial environment * VISION * Tagum Cooperative is the best â€Å"One-Stop-Shop† Cooperative for total member care. How to join * STEP 1. Attend one (1) hour Pre-Membership Orientation from Monday to [email  protected] 9:00-10:00 A. M. or 4:00-5:00 P. M. * STEP 2. Fill-up Membership Application Form and submit it with 2 pcs 2Ãâ€"2 recent colored picture with your name and date. * STEP 3. Pay the required amount, as follows: Membership Fee| 200. 00| Mortuary Fee| 480. 00| Initial Share Capital Deposit| 500. 00| Initial Regular Savings Deposit| 500. 00| Registration Fee (Savings ; Loan Seminar| 100. 00| Member’s ID Card| 20. 00| TOTAL| 1,800. 00| The Products and Services Offered * PRODUCTS * Regular Savings| A compulsory savings to all TC Members. It is a liquid savings account with no contractual maturity and can be withdrawn anytime with a minimum maintaining balance of Php 500 and will earn 4% interest per annum based on the Average Daily Balance (ADB). It has a specially designed passbook issued upon opening of the account. Depositors who religiously observe regular savings will have the chance to be awarded â€Å"Savings Depositor of the Year† during the Annual General Assembly. Diligent Savers of Regular Savings will get specially designed promo items. | * Share Capital| A compulsory deposit to all members. It has a minimum share required to be completed within 2 years from date of membership. The share capital deposit cannot be withdrawn unless Member will terminate his/her membership. Interest Rate: 8,000 and up = 7% per annumInitial Deposit: Php500. 00Minimum requirement: Php8,000. 00Characteristics:A cumpulsory deposit to all members. Php8,000 minimum share required to be completed within 2 years from date of membership. Share Capital Deposit cannot be withdrawn unless Member will terminate his/her membership. Earns divided aside from the guaranteed interest. A specially designated passbook is issued upon opening an account. Depositors who religiously observe continuous share capital build-up will have the chance to be awarded â€Å"Share Capital Depositor of the Year† during the Annual General Assembly. Through point system, depositors will get specially designed  promo  items. | * Youth Savers Club| A savings product for  kids 0-12 years old with a specially designed  passbook  issued upon opening an account. It has a minimum of  P50. 00 to open  an account and maintaining balance is P 50. 00 and will earn 4% interest per annum based on the Average Daily Balance (ADB). Member will receive gift items upon signing the application form as Tagum Coop| * Power Teen Savers Club| A savings products for teens 13-17 years old with especially designed passbook issued upon opening an account. Minimum of 50. 00 pesos to open an account. Maintaining balance is 50. 00Member will receive gift items upon signing the application from as Tagum Coop's way of welcoming new members. Diligent savers will receive specially-designed items that can be used at home or at school. The more the teens save the more rewards they get. Depositors who religiously observe Power Teen Savers Program will have the chance to be awarded â€Å"Power Teen Savers of the Year† during the Annual General Assembly. This is the perfect gift that the parents, grandparents, uncles/aunts, godparents, brothers/sisters can give to their children, nephews, nieces, grand children on graduation, Christmas, birthdays, etc. | * Time Deposit| A special time deposit certificate is issued to the member for every account opened. Interest on deposits varies depending on the amount, the longer the term and amount, the higher the interest rate. Upon maturity date, the member may renew the said time  deposit account , however if the member  Ã‚  misses to renew his/her time deposit on maturity date, Tagum Cooperative is  Ã‚  authorized to automatically roll over the said time deposit with the same term and rate. In case a member decides to terminate the time deposit account prior to maturity date, Tagum Cooperative will subject the  Ã‚  member’s Time Deposit to 4% interest p. a. Diligent Savers of Time Deposits will have the chance to be awarded â€Å" Time  Ã‚  Depositor of the Year† during the Annual  Ã‚  General Assembly. | * Pabilisang Savings para sa mga Drivers Advocacy (PaSaDA)| Aims to encourage drivers to start a daily habit of saving and realize their desire to build up a contingency fund. Interest Rate: 4% per annumInitial Deposit: Php30. 00Initial Share Capital(for non members): Php250. 00| * Golden HEARTS| | TERM| P 1,000. 00 to 100,00. 00| P 100,001. 00 to 250,000. 00| P 250,001. 00 to  Ã‚  500,000. 00| P 500,001. 00 to 1,000,000. 00| 1,000,001. 00 and above|   30-89 days|   5. 00%  |   5. 50%|   5. 0%  |   5. 50%|   5. 50%  |   90 – 179 days|   6. 00%|   6. 50%|   7. 00%|   7. 50%  |   7. 50%|   180 – 359 da ys|   6. 50%  |   7. 00%  |   7. 50%  |   8. 00%  |   8. 50%  |   360 – 719 days|   7. 50%|   8. 00%|   8. 50%|   9. 00%|   9. 50%|   720 days|   8. 50%|   9. 00%|   9. 50%|   10. 00%|   10. 50%  | * LOAN PRODUCTS 1. Major Loan: * Regular Loan (RL) * Government Employees Special Loan (GESL ) * Private Employees Special Loan (PESL ) * Convenient Loan (CL) * TC Income-Generating Service Loan (TC-IGSL) * Special Credit Line Service Loan (SCLS) 2. Minor Loan: * Cash Advance (CA) * Emergency Loan (EL) 3. Special Loan: * Instant Loan Bonanza * Micro-Finance Loan * Benefit Loan Appliance and Furniture Loan * Travel loan * SERVICES 1. Special Programs * Savings and Credit with Education (SCWE)| * AFLATOUN| * TC Youth Laboratory Cooperative Article| * TC Women's Livelihood Cooperative(TCWLC)| 2. Members Benefits and Assitance (MBA) * Himsug Pamilya Program (HPP) 3. Coop Funecare 4. Ancillary Financial Sercvice * Inquiry Machine| * Pinoy Co op ATM| * TC Collection Service Center (Bayad Center)| Financial Highlights PANABO MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE Background of the Cooperative Panabo Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PMPC) operates and advocates the values of self-help, self responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of its founders, cooperative Members, Officials and Staff believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others and the community. PMPC is a financial service, member-owned Cooperative dedicated to provide the financial needs of its members since 1965. PMPC is a Finance Organizations achieving Certified Credit Union Standard (FOCCUS) ; branded cooperative. It has achieved International Prudential Standards on Financial Ratios designed to protect members ; assets which will ensure operational sustainability and quality of member service. PMPC is implementing the MCUB methodology. MCUB (Model Credit Union Building) is a technology designed to transform a COOPERATIVE into a Model Credit Union (MCU) which adheres to Financial Disciplines where ; Members ; money is safe and protected. PMPC is a leading affiliate of the largest and strongest confederation of cooperatives in the Philippines which is the National Confederation of Cooperatives or NATCCO, with National Headquarters located at 227, J. P. Rizal Street, Project 4, Quezon City, Metro Manila; the Mindanao Alliance of Self-Help Societies-Southern Philippines Educational Cooperative Center (MASS-SPECC) based in Cagayan de Oro City; and, the Model Cooperative Network (MCN), situated at Rm. 324 GB Cam Bldg. , Monteverde St. Davao City, the official network of the FOCCUS branded cooperatives in Mindanao. PMPC is a bonafide member and staunch supporter of COOP-NATCCO PARTY-LIST, the only Party-List in Philippine Congress that represents the true voice of the Philippine Cooperative Sector and the underprivileged workers and small business entrepreneurs. History of the cooperative Through the zealous effort of Panabo Parish Priest Fr. Eugene Simon, PMPC was organized with 15 founding cooperators with a combined initial share capital of seven thousand five hundred pesos (P 7,500. 00) in 1965. Today, through prudent management ; adherence to financial disciplines, PMPC has magnified its growth by over 25,000 member-user strength and P312 million in assets (as of July 2008). Core values The Mission and Vision * MISSION * * VISION * The Products and Services Offered * PRODUCTS * * SERVICES 1. Financial Highlights Background of the Cooperative History of the cooperative Core values The Mission and Vision * MISSION * To promptly delivered innovative and responsive products and services to a member in a secured financial environment * VISION The Products and Services Offered * PRODUCTS * SERVICES Financial Highlights Sources: * http://agdaompc. webs. com/ * http://www. tagumcoop. org/index. php/aboutus * http://WWW. panabocoop. org

One Thing That Changed My Life Essay

One thing that changed my life a lot, was my oldest nephew Colton. He was born on December 18th 2003, that date in the past is one I can remember very clearly. My mom, sister (the one getting ready to have Colton), and my brother in-law went to the hospital extremely early, or well when I was six years old 5:00a. m. was early to me, and to be honest it kinda still is. Anywho on with the story. They woke up and left me with my other sister, they went to the hospital in Ponca City the nurses there got her and she just pretty much laid in bed all day and had contractions. My mom came and got me around 3:00 in the afternoon. We headed to the hospital, with a caravan of grandmas and aunts behind us! We all arrived at the hospital safely. I had to sit in the waiting room with my aunt. Me and my aunt walked around a lot, we came back to the waiting room and who might be waiting for me†¦ Santa Claus was! I was so excited and happy. Well after all that, my mom came into the waiting room and said my little nephew had been born. The first time I saw him, and held him I immediately fell in love, I was so amazed by this little one that came into my life. He is know eight years old, and he truly is wrapped around my finger and beyond amazing, he’s been with me through so much, and it never fails that I could be having the worst day of my life and having a mid-life crisis, he can always put a smile on my face. I’m beyond blessed to have him in my life.