Social Networks and Social Networking Sites Essay

Introduction The world has evolved into a technologically savvy and dependent society with the Internet readily available to many. Convenience and connection are vital to individuals, especially within the United States. Social networking sites have progressed to fit the demanding desires of today’s technological era (Albarran 118). The progression from the first social networking sites, such as Friendster or instant messaging, to the sites used today, such as Facebook and Twitter, has made a significant impact on society. Fifteen years ago it was unimaginable the advancements the world has made in many areas, especially in technology and the worldwide web. Remaining behind a computer screen for hours was once a foreign concept, but†¦show more content†¦Families and friends across the nation are able to stay connected by talking or viewing profiles on social networking sites. Overall, the original intentions of social networks were meant to be beneficial to society. Social networks are extremely prevalent in today’s society. Most people have some sort of social networking site, usually Facebook, by at least early adolescence. However, with these great new advancements within the last couple decades, new concerns surfaced especially for those who have grown up in the technological era, the millennials. Adolescents and young adults have been bombarded during their critical years of development with the readily available online social networking sites, along with the undeniable slogans plastered on almost every advertisement, such as â€Å"Like us on Facebook† or â€Å"Follow us on Twitter.† The younger generations have been faced with many different issues than previous generations. A few decades ago, one would have never thought that adolescents and young adults would be concerning themselves with how many friends they have on Facebook or how many followers they have on Twitter, but the reality is that they are extremely c oncerned about this issue now. Bullying is another common issue among young individuals. Although not a new concept,Show MoreRelatedSocial Networking : A Social Network Site?765 Words   |  4 PagesQuestion 1 (a) Social Networking What is a Social Network Site? Since the advent of networking, users have been communicating in ever increasing ways. For a majority of users their first computer-mediated communication (CMC) may have been simple text message emails, while at work. Emails now have the ability to include HTML formatting and to include attachments. Messages are sent one-to-one or one-to-many, but this is not what we normally refer to as Social Networking. Social Networking as defined byRead MoreBSTRACT Social Networking sites are playing an important role in personal life as well as1300 Words   |  6 PagesBSTRACT Social Networking sites are playing an important role in personal life as well as business. A social networking site has become very popular for people to connect and share their interest with family and friends. Although the use of social networks is increasingly on the rise, many users are properly informed of the risks associated with using social networks. The risks as well as the security and privacy issues of social networks in business and public policy need to be evaluated and studiedRead MoreEssay on Social Networking Sites1624 Words   |  7 PagesEssay on Social Networking Sites Social networking sites peaked the year 2007. These sites encouraged online social connections. Early sites such as SixDegrees.com and Friendster allowed people to manage a list of friends. One drawback to these sites was that they did not offer users the ability to publish content like blogs. Social networking sites begin with a group of founders sending out messages to friends to join the network. In turn the friends send out messages to their friends, and theRead MoreThe Use of Social Networking Sites1657 Words   |  7 PagesAdvantages, Abuses and Dangers. Their Advantages, Abuses and Dangers. The Use of Social Networking Sites The Use of Social Networking Sites Introduction: Human beings by and large are social. They feel an inherent need to connect and expand their connections. There is a deep rooted need among humans to share. In the past, due to geographical distances and economic concerns, connections between people were limited. A social network is made up of individuals that are connected to one another by a particularRead MoreSocial Media And Social Networking1636 Words   |  7 Pagesalso known as social networking. Social networking is known as â€Å"forms of electronic communication (as Web sites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. (Meriam Webster).† Social networking has evolved over the decades starting off as only email to now many different ways to communicate; along with the way that it is used has grown. While the benefits of social networking include ease ofRead MoreThe Impact Of Internet On The Internet1681 Words   |  7 PagesWe are living in the 21st century and technology began to change very promptly. After the Supercomputers had introduced in the 1960s, scient ists and engineers started to develop the networks between those supercomputers, and later they discovered the internet, which is a global communication device where people all around the world can meet and talk about pretty much anything. The development of the internet age has enabled people to inhabit a life at a faster speed. In today’s society, many peopleRead MoreSolutions For The Over Use Of Social Networks For Youths1505 Words   |  7 PagesYiming Wang Morgan Chalfant English 102: J 29 October 2015 Solutions for the Over Use of Social Networks for Youths In modern times, technology is the most important object in people’s daily life. Social networks is experiencing explosive development. No matter where we are, park, restaurant, classroom, or coffee house, almost everyone bows their head and plays cell phones, smart phones, or laptops. New technologies have been becoming more and more popular, at the same time, immeasurableRead MoreSocial Networking and Japanese Children1056 Words   |  4 PagesBackground Social networking is not new, but really a part of human culture ever since prehistory. However, social networking to the nth level, globally and through the Internet, is clearly a late-20th, early 21st century, phenomenon. Social networks are social structures in which there are ties between individuals. These individuals form clusters of like-minded interests, commonalities, and/or cultural communities. Modern social networking sites began to become extremely popular when two thingsRead MoreSocial Networking120 0 Words   |  5 Pages2 OUTLINE TOPIC: Social Networking ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERN: Topical SPECIFIC PURPOSE: Informative THESIS STATEMENT: I will be informing the audience about social networking in three aspects. INTRODUCTION ATTENTION GETTER: When you log onto your computer and start up a web browser, what is the first website that comes to mind? Facebook? Myspace? Maybe Twitter? These websites are just some of the worlds top social networking sites in the worldwide webRead MoreEffects of Social Media on Society Essay1028 Words   |  5 PagesWith social network on the rise, and the large amount of young people that take part in social networking, there is question as to whether or not social media should be part of our education system. Propenents of social media point out the benefits of social media in regards to educational tools, and increased student engagement, while critics of social networking focus on subject like privacy, time, and miscommunication. Pros of Social Networking Today’s students are increasingly using

Market Failure Kelloggs Cereal-Mates Free Essays

A Study on Market Failure: Kellogg Cereal-Mates First, I must begin by saying that as most Americans would agree – cereal and milk go together hand-in-hand. However, how would the general public feel about a combination of the two sold pre-mixed? This was essentially the case when Kellogg’s decided to introduce Breakfast Mates. Breakfast Mates included a small box of Kellogg’s cereal packaged with a container of milk and eating utensil. We will write a custom essay sample on Market Failure: Kelloggs Cereal-Mates or any similar topic only for you Order Now While the product was right in step with the accelerating trend of convenience foods, a fickle and demanding public found the new packaging less than ideal. Essentially the choice that Kelloggs was giving consumers was that you could eat your Kellogg’s Corn Flakes refrigerator cold and pour cold milk over them, or eat your flakes at room temperature with warm milk. This led to a dilemma that would ultimately be proven as a scar on the company’s record of wonderful products and marketing campaigns. Kellogg’s believe that this would be a popular concept due to increased working hours in the United States combined with the rise of the fast-food industry led the false belief that the product would be successful. Kellogg’s launched the concept on a national basis in ‘kit form’–a four oz. ox of cereal, a four oz. container of aseptically packaged milk [no refrigeration required] and a plastic spoon. The line consisted of four popular Kellogg’s brands; Corn Flakes; Fruit Loops; Mini Wheats; and Frosted Flakes. Although the milk did not require refrigeration, Kellogg’s placed Breakfas t Mates in the refrigerated dairy case alongside cheese, yogurt, Jell-O pudding, and other refrigerated desserts. The company believed that this would be the best choice since Americans liked to pour their milk over cereal. This caused much confusion, however, because most individuals wouldn’t be searching for breakfast cereals in the dairy case. I feel that there were 5 main factors that actually led to this marketing and product failure. The first problem I feel was the fact that Kellogg’s believed that providing a â€Å"aseptically packaging†. This meant that the product would require no refrigeration for the milk. Consumers were revolted by the idea of warm milk. The second issue was when Kellogg’s tried to market in a different fashion and use cool milk as the basis by putting the product in the refrigerator section. This actually caused more confusion because the product was not in a location that you would expect cereal at. They company spent too much of what profit money they had received in trying to re-educate consumers into looking in the dairy aisle for cereal. The third factor that led to the products unsuccessful stint into the marketplace was their advertising campaign. In these ads Kelloggs chose to market the product to young kids so they could prepare meals for themselves without their parents’ help. This would have been fine, but the packaging was not child-friendly. Taste was also a serious problem for the Kellogg’s convenience line. Reportedly (according to personal experience), the milk was usually consumed at work or away from home. The warm milk tasted absolutely terrible. Finally, the biggest nail in the coffin for this product was that the price. The cereal was selling for over one dollar per serving, which was considered too expensive by most consumers for a 4 oz cereal. The product survived two years on the market before Kelloggs’ pulled the plug. According to the February 2000 article in the Newsweek on the food, they stated that the product simply wasn’t convenient enough. This is because with increased commute times and busy schedules people wanted a product they could eat on the go. With cereal mates they were required to still pour a liquid milk over the cereal which was not possible to do safely while commuting to work. Most customers also were adults, so the small spoon that was supplied with the cereal was too hard to use. I feel that this was a good product in concept, but the complexity of the concept made this product non-attractive to those who not only were needing a convenient and healthy food, but also one they could consume in a hurry. This idea later evolved to the milk and cereal bars they would later introduce around 2004 – which have been wildly more successful than the original cereal mates ever were. How to cite Market Failure: Kelloggs Cereal-Mates, Essay examples

Lawrence Snake Essay Example

Lawrence Snake Paper The duality of the last part in the poem where he reflects on the pettiness of his actions can be seen as a result of the contrast between a crisis response which is appropriate (attacking the snake as education and social convention would prescribe), and a crisis response which is manly, that is allowing the snake freedom to traverse the area and leave in peace. His poem manages to combine subtle observations of a short, tension-filled drama with the Insights of a moral thinker and writer. Perhaps what is most disturbing about the poem Is not that Lawrence was Indecisive about what to do, but that a poisonous snake presents an Inimitable foe, and that Lawrence for all his bravado was lucky to have escaped with the conclusion that he acted too meanly. D. H. LAWRENCE SNAKE Perhaps D. H. Lawrence (1885-1930) Is a misunderstood writer. This Is not to claim that the writer has understood him correctly. After all It Is a fashion for any curtly of literature, and surely the writer Is not one, to claim that only he/she has understood an author correctly and all others have either misunderstood or partly understood. D. H. Lawrence Is ore known for his novels than for his poetic abilities. If we think that the great writer was obsessed with sex or his works were mainly about sexuality, we will be mistaken. No doubt, D. H. Lawrence was quite serious about the question of relationship between sexes and its impact on human life. A healthy understanding of the human sexuality is a serious question for a healthy life. But mankind had to pay a hefty tuition fees before it understood this fact. It needed a Freud to explain to it the significance of it all. We will write a custom essay sample on Lawrence Snake specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Lawrence Snake specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Lawrence Snake specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The religious priests thought that mankind was immoral till they name into the scene to preach them morality, particularly sexual morality. But this is a big topic. Let me come to the main question. Snake is a poem written by D. H. Lawrence running to some eighty lines. It is about his act of attacking a snake that was entering a hole after it took water in the water trough under a tree in his garden and his immediate feeling of remorse and self condemnation for the cowardly act. This poem is much talked about for its sexual images. It is not the snake but the authors inference from the little episode that matters. What is the importance of drinking on a hot, hot day? It is a most natural act of human life. It is beautiful. But the Voice of education tells otherwise. It says that there are innocent snakes and Venomous snakes and venomous snakes should be killed. The ugliness is In human mind and in the Voice of education and not In the sexual act as such. Am I confusing? Let me try to make it clear. Do not kill your sexuality, but pattern the same according to the social necessity. One need not feel guilty because of ones sexual force which is biological in nature. But humankind Is afflicted with this guilt consciousness which does not make It moral In any sense, definitely not In the sexual sense. This Is the underlying theme of D. H. Lawrence Snake. Len the end the author curses himself for having thrown that suck at the snake that was entering Into Its habitat after It took water. Sheathed poem Snake, In the Reptiles section of D. H. Lawrence book Birds, Beasts, and Flowers details a powerful few moments when Lawrence Is confronted by a snake at Lawrence water trough, In Terrain, Sicily. Not sure whether to attack it (for it is poisonous) or whether to simply admire it for its AAU , Lawrence ultimately leaves ten reader at ten Ana AT ten poem wit n Nils sense of pettiness at an attempt to scare it off by throwing a pitcher at it as it retreats down a hole in the wall. It is a famous poem roughly three pages in length that is unrushed, written in free verse, and representative of modernist literature. It was first published in 1921 and most critics agree that the encounter between Lawrence and the snake actually happened.

Edible Oil Market in India Essays

Edible Oil Market in India Essays Edible Oil Market in India Essay Edible Oil Market in India Essay Edible Oil Market in India BACKGROUND Edible oils constitute an important component of food expenditure in Indian households. Historically, India has been a major importer of edible oils with almost 30-40% of its requirements being imported till 1980s. In 1986, the Government of India established the Technology Mission on Oilseeds and Pulses (TMOP) in order to enhance the production of oilseeds in the country. The TMOP launched special initiatives on several critical fronts such as improvement of oilseed production and processing technology; additional support to oilseed farmers and processors besides enhanced customs duty on the import of edible oils. Consequently, there was a significant increase in oilseeds area, production, and yields until the late-1990s. However, in order to fulfill its obligations towards various international trade agreements and also meet the increasing demand-supply deficits, India began to reduce import restrictions on edible oils in the late 1990s; and it was gradually brought under Open General License. This led to a significant slump in the domestic oil seeds market, as edible oil prices fell sharply in line with the low international prices prevailing at that time. Subsequently, the duty structure was modified so as to maintain a duty differential between crude and refined varieties in order to protect the domestic industry. Nevertheless, due to high import dependence, domestic edible oil prices remain highly correlated to international edible oil price movement, and this has resulted in volatility in the key credit metrics of rated edible oil companies. At the same time, edible oil companies with benefits of large-scale integrated operations, multi-product offerings and recognizable branded presence in retail markets have fared better as compared to small/medium-scale domestic oilseed crushers. The demand for edible oils in India has shown a steady growth at a CAGR of 4. 43% over the period from 2001 to 2011. The growth has been driven by improvement in per capita consumption, which in turn is attributable to rising income levels and living standards. However, the current per capita consumption levels of India (at 13. 3 Kg/year for 2009-10) are lower than global averages (24 kg/year). 1 The Indian edible oils market continues to be underpenetrated and given the positive macro and demographic fundamentals it has a favorable demand growth outlook over the medium-to-long term. In terms of volumes, palm oil, soyabean oil and mustard oil are the three largest consumed edible oils in India, with respective shares of 46%, 16% and 14% in total oil consumption in 2010. Given the high price consciousness and varied taste preferences of Indian consumers, ICRA expects these three oils to continue to account for the bulk of edible oil consumption in the country. There has been a significant gap between demand and supply of edible oil because of limited availability of oil seeds and shifting of acreage to other crops in the domestic market. This gap has been met through imports, which account for almost 45-50% of the total oil consumption. In H1OY2010-11,2 edible oil imports were observed to be the lowest in the last three years in view of improvement in domestic oilseed production. Notwithstanding that, ICRA expects the high dependence on imported oils to continue in the foreseeable future due to anticipated domestic supply constraints and the high cost competitiveness of imported oils. Refined and crude palm oil (CPO) have accounted for the major portion of edible oil imports in India (74% in OY2009-10) mainly due to their relatively low prices and ample availability. ICRA expects the dominance of palm oil in imports to continue in the near-to-medium term. The Indian edible oil industry is highly fragmented, with the presence of a large number of participants in the organized and unorganized sectors. This has resulted in severe competition and inherently thin profitability margins. Further, the profitability of market participants has also been vulnerable to risks emanating from weak harvests; commodity price volatility and forex movements. The Government of India has cut down import duties on edible oil since April 2008. The current duty differential between crude and refined oils stands at 7. 5%, which provides protection to domestic refiners against competition from imported refined oils. Going forward, the industry’s profitability is vulnerable to any reduction in this duty differential. In the recent past, the Indian edible oil industry has witnessed organic and inorganic expansion by some of its major participants. Favorable demand outlook for edible oils; underpenetrated market offers significant growth potential: The demand for edible oils in India has shown a compounded growth of 4. 5% over the last 10 years and is estimated at 16. 2 million tonnes for Oil Year (OY) 2010-11. India plays an important role in the global edible oil market, accounting for approx. 10. 2% share of consumption; 7% share of oilseed production; 5% share of edible oil production and 13. % share of world edible oil imports for OY 2009-10. As per USDA estimates, India is the third largest consumer of edible oils (after China and the EU-27 countries); and will account for 11% of global edible oil demand and 16% of global imports in OY 2010/11F. India’s annual per capita consumption has shown a steadily increasing trend from 4 kg in the 1970s to 10. 2 kg in the late 1990s to current le vels of ~13. 5 14 kg. However, it still ranks well below the world average of around 24 kg (per capita figures including consumption of bio-energy), thereby signifying the high growth potential of the industry. Domestic production lags demand growth, thereby leading to heavy reliance on imports As compared to demand growth for edible oils, the domestic oil and oilseed production has remained largely stagnant on account of low productivity in under-irrigated areas and shifting of acreage from oilseeds to other crops. This has resulted in a significant demand-supply gap, which has been met through imports which have been further incentivised by a sharp cut in import duties. In the period from 2001 to 2008, import duties on crude soyabean oil / palm oil were in a prohibitively high range of 40%-90%. In order to curtail inflation, GoI revised these protectionist tariffs downwards to 7. 5% for refined palm / soybean oil and 0% for crude palm / soyabean oil in April 2008, resulting in a surge in volumes of imported oils that currently meet almost 45-50% of domestic consumption requirements. Reduction in import volumes witnessed for the first time in the last three years during H1OY2010-11; nonetheless, high dependence on imported oils is expected to continue Edible oil imports witnessed a sizeable 21% y-o-y reduction in H1 OY2010-11 (November 2010- April 2011), as can be observed in Chart 4. This has largely been on account of relatively higher domestic oilseed availability (~29-30 MT expected for OY2011 as against 24. 9 MT for OY2010) and consequently higher domestic oil production. The high crude palm oil prices (trading almost at par with soya during December 2010- February 2011), following concerns over production estimates in Malaysia, also resulted in lower imports, as edible oil players resorted to running down of inventory levels. The subsequent improvement in estimates of palm oil roduction has led to some correction in prices, which coupled with forthcoming festive demand is likely to revive import volumes in H2OY2011. Considering the current year domestic edible oil supply of 8. 0-8. 5 million tonnes per annum and factoring a normal growth of 2%-3% (through moderate expansion in cultivated area and yield improvements) in supply, ICRA expects the significant gap between domestic demand and supply to persist; and result in continued import dependence for at leas t 45% of consumption requirements, notwithstanding the dip in imports seen in H1OY2011. Apart from price, consumption is also influenced by regional preferences; palm, soyabean and mustard oil are the three major edible oils An important characteristic of the Indian edible oil consumption pattern is the variation in preferences across regions, driven by taste and availability. For instance, soyabean oil is mainly used in northern and central regions of India due to the local availability of soyabeans. Mustard oil is largely consumed in north-eastern, northern and eastern regions of India, as its pungency is a desired and inherent part of the local cuisine. Palm oil has increasingly become the oil of choice in southern India due to the warmer climate (palm oil gets a cloudy appearance in colder climates) and easy availability from South-east Asia. The increased health awareness also determines the consumption pattern with mustard and soya considered healthier than palm oil, which has higher levels of saturated fats. Oils like rice bran and olive are also gaining popularity due to their superior health properties, although their consumption remains fairly low in absolute terms. Further, price economics also have an important role to play in determining consumer choice, given that expenditure on edible oil constitutes a significant portion of the household budget. In terms of volume, palm, soyabean and mustard/rapeseed oil are the three major edible oils consumed in India and together account for 75% of the total edible oil demand, as indicated in Chart 5. While mustard oil is almost entirely produced within the country, soyabean oil is imported in significant quantities (about 45%-50%). Palm oil is entirely imported in crude form for refining in port-based refineries while some quantities are also imported in the refined form. Given the cost economics and taste preferences of consumers, ICRA expects these three varieties of edible oil to dominate the consumption mix. Accordingly, companies with an exposure to these oil varieties stand to benefit. Given the inherent volatility in prices, ICRA believes that participants with a diversified presence across edible oil categories would be better placed than participants focused on a single variety of oil, due to the flexibility to modify product portfolio in line with market parity and maintain optimum capacity utilisation levels High fragmentation and competition put margins of domestic participants under pressure: The edible oil industry in India is characterised by intense competition and fragmentation, with the presence of a large number of units attributable to low entry barriers such as low capital and low technical requirements of the business and a liberal policy regime (SSI reservation for traditional oilseeds and sales tax incentives by various state governments). While a number of inefficient units closed down after reduction of high import tariffs on imported edible oils, the average capacity utilisation rates of Indian oilseed processors remain very low (at ~30%-40%), with many of them operating only for a part of the year, that is, during the local harvest season of raw materials. As a result of this high competition and fragmentation, margins in the edible oil business tend to be thin. Further, they are exposed to risks of commodity price volatility and forex movements. Notwithstanding the above, the market includes some large industry participants like Marico Limited, Cargill India Private Limited, Adani Wilmar Limited, Ruchi Soya Industries Limited and KS Oils Limited, which have a diversified product portfolio; multiple manufacturing units and operate on a pan India basis mainly in the branded segment. ICRA believes that the larger manufacturers by virtue of their scale enjoy certain advantages like access to cheaper working capital credit and savings in cost of production, which make them relatively better positioned to withstand margin pressures and difficult industry conditions. Strong linkage between domestic and international edible oil prices: The domestic edible prices are directly linked to the prices of imported palm and soyabean oil due to heavy reliance on imports and substitutability amongst oil varieties. Given the high volatility in international edible oil prices, domestic participants are exposed to the risk of unexpected squeeze on margins due to pricing mismatches between raw materials (which are linked to domestic factors) and final product prices (affected by global factors). The nternational prices of edible oils increased sharply and reached their peaks around June 2008, driven by high crude oil prices that led to the diversion of edible oilseeds to bio-fuel usages apart from other shortages in supply. In August 2008, edible oil prices in local and international markets fell by more than 50% (month-on-month) because of a drop in crude oil prices; falling demand on account of global recession and healthy production figures. The prices remai ned volatile during FY10 with only a marginal recovery but remained lower than the peak average of FY09 on an overall basis. In recent months, edible oil prices have shown significant recovery, following increasing crude oil prices; anticipated increase in bio-fuel demand; expected production shortages for CPO production in Malaysia/Indonesia and growing demand. There is also a noticeable trend of reduction in differential between palm oil and other edible oils, especially soyabean and rapeseed oils. Given the likelihood of sustained high crude oil prices in the near term, ICRA believes that edible oil prices would continue to remain firm. Industry remains vulnerable to the risk of narrowing import duty differential: Beginning 2007-08, there has been a progressive reduction in import duties on crude and refined edible oils. Most of these policy changes have been made in order to comply with foreign trade agreements entered by India with other countries and associations such as ASEAN apart from meeting shortfalls in domestic supplies and curtailing inflation. In the last round of changes in duty structure (April 2008), the duty on crude palm oil was made ‘nil’ while that on refined palm oil was made 7. % (7. 7% including education cess), with the net duty differential being maintained at 7. 5% to protect the domestic industry3. Going forward, the reduction of import duty differential remains a key regulatory risk for the industry. Branded oil sales, although currently low in India, are expected to grow due to renewed thrust by major players Given the presence of a large number of unorganised participants in the Indian edible oil market, the share of branded product sales has remained low with most low-income consumers opting for cheaper oils sold in loose form. As per industry data, only about 31% of urban households and about 9% of rural households consume branded edible oils, with the national average at 16%. Given the low penetration of branded oils; increasing affluence levels and quality consciousness of the Indian consumers, there is a significant growth potential in the branded segment. Amongst the major edible oils consumed, palm oil is still largely traded as a commodity and sold mostly in loose form, with packaged sales accounting only for 15%-20% of total sales. Sunflower and soya oil, on the other hand, have a high proportion of packaged sales estimated at around 70% and 55% of total sales. The major participants in the organised sector, namely, Ruchi Soya, Adani Wilmar Limited (AWL) Cargill India, have a strong presence in the branded segment, with branded sales accounting for 38%, 58% and 60% of total edible oil sales of these companies respectively. Moreover, a few mid-sized, regional edible oil companies such as Mantora Oil Products Ltd, Modi Naturals and Tara Health Foods Ltd have also been striving to establish their brands. From a credit perspective, ICRA considers high share of branded sales as a strength, given the favourable outlook for growth; relatively high margins; stability of offtake and better pricing power as compared to the bulk market. Nonetheless, since branding activities entail high upfront outlay while sales volumes may take time to scale up, profitability margins of companies undertaking large-scale branding efforts are likely to come under pressure during the interim gestation period. Some trends of consolidation visible in the industry; large-scale integrated players leading the capacity addition process through expansion as well as acquisition/consolidation The edible oil industry in India in the recent past has witnessed both organic as well as inorganic expansion by some of the major players. AWL has added 1090 TPD of installed capacity for refining and 5050 TPD of installed capacity for seed processing during CY 2010-11 by acquiring five operational plants and undertaking expansion at three out of its four existing plants. AWL has also additionally taken over the operations of other Wilmar associates in India (like Acalmar Oils Foods Limited) so as to consolidate its pan-India presence. Sanwaria Agro Oils Limited has added 1000 TPD crushing capacity in 2009 through acquisition of two plants. KS Oils has set up new facilities at Kota, Ratlam and Guna, totaling 3400-3600 tpd, and acquired a refining unit at Haldia. Further, some edible oil manufacturers have also undertaken backward integration to strengthen their overall business model. KS Oils has acquired 1,38,000 acres of palm plantations in Indonesia while Ruchi Soya has access to 1,75,000 hectares of agricultural land with palm plantations across different Indian states. While ICRA considers this consolidation and capacity expansion trend as a favourable development due to the benefits associated with large scale of operations, on the flip side, the adverse impact of such activities on the capital structure; profitability and return metrics of the concerned companies, particularly during the gestation period, presents a downside risk. Financial Profile of Key Edible Oil Companies Operating margins have been at moderate levels; some brand-focused players have managed slightly superior margins: Due to the low value addition in the business, operating margins (EBITDA level) for edible oil manufacturers have inherently been in a thin to moderate range. However, some brand-focused manufacturers such as Marico and KS Oils have achieved higher margins due to high brand penetration and pricing premium. Refer Chart 7 for EBITDA margin trend. High proportion of trading revenues enhances the business risk of participants: ICRA has observed that many domestic edible oil companies have a high exposure to trading activities (in some cases as high as 30-40% of total sales). Given the low value addition and margins in the processing/refining business, promoters of some companies resort to opportunistic price-based trading in crude edible oils/seeds and maintain high levels of inventory in anticipation of price increases. ICRA notes that this aggressive trait of certain companies exposes them to the risk of losses in the event of sharp price fluctuations such as those seen in 2008-09. RoCE of edible oil players witnessed a downward trend due to capacity additions and sub-optimal utilisation levels: Given the low capital intensity of the business, the return on capital employed for edible oil manufacturers has remained in an adequate range despite thin profitability. Over FY 09- FY 10 (Refer Chart 8), however, some pressure on RoCE was sighted due to a spate of capacity additions, wherein optimal capacity utilisation could not be achieved in the year of commissioning. Business continues to be characterised by high working capital intensity: Working capital intensity (as measured by Net Working Capital/Operating Income) in he edible oil industry tends to be high because of high inventory holdings, given the seasonality in raw materials (that is, availability of oil seeds). Higher prices and higher inventory holdings had an upward effect on the working capital intensity of most participants in 2009-10 (Refer Chart 9) and resulted in higher financial costs, thereby st raining their net margins. Moderately high gearing levels: The gearing levels of edible oil companies remain moderately aggressive due to high working capital intensity and debt-funded capex activities (Refer Chart 10).

George Washington Carver, Agricultural Chemist

George Washington Carver, Agricultural Chemist George Washington Carver (January 1, 1864–January 5, 1943) was an agricultural chemist who discovered 300 uses for peanuts as well as hundreds of uses for soybeans, pecans, and sweet potatoes. His work provided a much needed boost to southern farmers who benefited economically from his recipes and improvements to adhesives, axle grease, bleach, buttermilk, chili sauce, fuel briquettes, ink, instant coffee, linoleum, mayonnaise, meat tenderizer, metal polish, paper, plastic, pavement, shaving cream, shoe polish, synthetic rubber, talcum powder, and wood stain. Fast Facts: George Washington Carver Known For: Agricultural chemist who discovered 300 uses for peanuts as well as hundreds of uses for other cropsAlso Known As: The Plant Doctor, The Peanut ManBorn: January 1, 1864  in Diamond, MissouriParents: Giles and Mary CarverDied: January 5, 1943  in Tuskegee, AlabamaEducation: Iowa State University  (BA, 1894; MS, 1896)Published Works: Carver published 44 agricultural bulletins laying out his findings, while at the Tuskegee Institute, as well as numerous articles in peanut industry journals and a syndicated newspaper column, Professor Carvers Advice.Awards and Honors: The George Washington Carver Monument was established in 1943 west of Diamond, Missouri on the plantation where Carver was born. Carver appeared on U.S. commemorative postal stamps in 1948 and 1998, as well as a commemorative half dollar coin minted between 1951 and 1954, and many schools bear his name, as well as two United States military vessels.  Notable Quote: No books ever go into my laboratory. The thing I am to do and the way are revealed to me the moment I am inspired to create something new. Without God to draw aside the curtain, I would be helpless. Only alone can I draw close enough to God to discover His secrets. Early Life Carver was born on Jan. 1, 1864 near Diamond Grove, Missouri on the farm of Moses Carver. He was born into difficult and changing times near the end of the Civil War. The infant Carver and his mother were kidnapped by Confederate night-raiders and possibly sent away to Arkansas. Moses found and reclaimed Carver after the war, but his mother had disappeared forever. The identity of Carvers father remains unknown, although he believed his father was a slave from a neighboring farm. Moses and his wife reared Carver and his brother as their own children. It was on the Moses farm that Carver first fell in love with nature and collected in earnest all manner of rocks and plants, earning him the nickname The Plant Doctor. Education Carver began his formal education at the age of 12, which required him to leave the home of his adopted parents. Schools were segregated by race at that time and schools for black students werent available near Carvers home. He moved to Newton County in southwest Missouri, where he worked as a farmhand and studied in a one-room schoolhouse. He went on to attend Minneapolis High School in Kansas. College entrance was also a struggle because of racial barriers. At the age of 30, Carver gained acceptance to Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, where he was the first black student. Carver studied piano and art but the college did not offer science classes. Intent on a science career, he later transferred to Iowa Agricultural College (now Iowa State University) in 1891, where he gained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1894 and a Master of Science degree in bacterial botany and agriculture in 1896. Carver became a member of the faculty of the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanics (he was the first black faculty member at the Iowa college), where he taught classes about soil conservation and chemurgy. Tuskegee Institute In 1897, Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute for Negroes, convinced Carver to come south and serve as the schools director of agriculture, where he remained until his death in 1943. At Tuskegee, Carver developed his crop rotation method, which revolutionized southern agriculture. He educated the farmers on methods to alternate the soil-depleting cotton crops with soil-enriching crops such as peanuts, peas, soybeans, sweet potato, and pecans. Americas economy was heavily dependent upon agriculture during this era, making Carvers achievements very significant. Decades of growing only cotton and tobacco had depleted the southern region of the United States. The economy of the farming South had also been devastated during the Civil War years and by the fact that the cotton and tobacco plantations could no longer use slave labor. Carver convinced southern farmers to follow his suggestions and helped the region to recover. Carver also worked at developing industrial applications from agricultural crops. During World War I, he found a way to replace the textile dyes formerly imported from Europe. He produced dyes of 500 different shades and was responsible for the invention of a process for producing paints and stains from soybeans. For that, he received three separate patents. Later Years and Death After finding fame, Carver toured the nation to promote his findings as well as the importance of agriculture and science in general for the rest of his life. He also wrote a syndicated newspaper column, Professor Carvers Advice, explaining his inventions and other agricultural topics. In 1940, Carver donated his life savings to establish the Carver Research Foundation at Tuskegee for continuing research in agriculture. Carver died on Jan. 5, 1943, at the age of 78 after falling down the stairs at his home. He was buried next to Booker T. Washington on the Tuskegee Institute grounds.   Legacy Carver was widely recognized for his achievements and contributions. He was given an honorary doctorate from Simpson College, named an honorary member of the Royal Society of Arts in London, England, and received the Spingarn Medal given every year by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In 1939, he received the Roosevelt medal for restoring southern agriculture. On July 14, 1943, The George Washington Carver Monument was established west of Diamond, Missouri, on the plantation where Carver was born and lived as a child. President Franklin Roosevelt provided $30,000 for the 210-acre complex, which includes a statue of Carver as well as a nature trail, museum, and cemetery. Additionally, Carver appeared on U.S. commemorative postal stamps in 1948 and 1998, as well as a commemorative half dollar coin minted between 1951 and 1954. Many schools bear his name, as do two United States military vessels. Carver did not patent or profit from most of his products. He freely gave his discoveries to mankind. His work transformed the South from being a one-crop land of cotton to a region of multi-crop farmlands, with farmers having hundreds of profitable uses for their new crops. Perhaps the best summary of his legacy is the epitaph that appears on his gravesite: He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world. Sources â€Å"Distinguished Alumni | Iowa State University Admissions.†Ã‚  Admissions, iastate.edu.â€Å"George Washington Carver.†Ã‚  Biography.com, AE Networks Television, 17 Apr. 2019.â€Å"George Washington Carver Publications from the Tuskegee Institute Bulletin, 1911-1943 3482.†Ã‚  George Washington Carver Publications from the Tuskegee Institute Bulletin, 1911-1943.â€Å"Learn About the Park.†Ã‚  National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.Kettler, Sara. â€Å"7 Facts on George Washington Carver.†Ã‚  Biography.com, AE Networks Television, 12 Apr. 2016.

Texas Financial Funding of Public Schools Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Texas Financial Funding of Public Schools - Essay Example The highest of these revenue producers are local property taxes that account for a majority of districts local tax revenue. Therefore, the information means a lot to me. In this article, I learned that the public education system in Texas is among the biggest in the country with a sizeable number of school districts and a charter school comprising many campuses. In addition, the article revealed that Texas has extra school districts compared to any other state, and it is next only to California in regard to the number of students registered in its schools. I also learned that at present the school finance system of Texas is functioning as two separate systems: one system is based on the equalizing calculations of the foundation school program, and the other focuses on historical district funding stages commonly referred to as the target revenue system. This article by Research foundation means a lot to me. This is because such programs developed in schools including the foundation school program ensure that each public school in Texas has enough finance and balances resources to offer a fundamental instructional plan that meets the values of the state. I have learned from this article that for a long time the courts in Texas have been demanding the legislature to create fairer and equitable ways to finance public education within the state. The article also enlightened me on the issues surrounding the school finance in Texas. For instance, I have learnt about the judicial history and the achievement of the present system of school finance in attaining various school finance equity objectives. The information provided in this article means a lot because it has made me realize that Texas is the best state to study. For example, Texas acknowledges that some attributes of school districts and of learners increase the costs of giving education. The information can be used to encourage others in various ways, especially those with issues concerning school finance in Texas.  Ã‚  

Macroeconomics Interview Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Macroeconomics Interview Assignment - Essay Example as a set of actions and conditions that were fundamental attributes of a financial crisis and ensuing recession, which become evident and visible in 2008. Some of the actions or factors that contributed to this crisis of rise and fall of housing costs are attributed of the securities held by the financial institutions. The ensuing years leading to the crisis, the United States had received large sums of money in terms of foreign loans from fast developing economies such as Asia and other oil manufacturing nations (Rao, and Sisodiya, 11). The huge inflow of foreign funds and low U.s rates of interest between 2002 and 2004 is attributed to the volatile milieu characterised by easy credit conditions. This environment is immensely attributed to the housing and credit bubbles. However, the immediate cause of the subprime crisis was the bursting of the US’s housing bubble. The bubble peaked between 2005 and 2006. The crisis was characterized by an increase in subprime mortgage negligence and foreclosure, and the consequent decrease of securities that were guaranteed by the said mortgages. The mortgages included the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and the collateralized debt obligations (CDO). The securities offered attractive incentives and rates of return in the beginning; nonetheless, the abnormally low credit factor eventually resulted to substantial defaults (Rao, and Sisodiya, 27). Fundamentally, the crisis is connected to numerous factors; however, the primary ones include the inability of homeowners to submit the mortgage payments due to predatory lending and speculation factors. Other factors include high level of personal and corporate debts, poor monetary and housing policy, global imbalances and inapt government regulation, which aimed at expanding homeownership. It is imperative to note that, the MBS, CDO and credit default swap caused the disproportionate housing debt. For the case of the home sellers and business people, the increase and sharp fall of