Ensuring Freedom by Preserving the Values of Trade Unions Essay

Ensuring Freedom by Preserving the Values of Trade Unions thoughtful committed citizens are the only thing that have ever changed the world.Margaret MeadAnti-union legal opinion is increasingly pervading American culture. In fact, one critic says, The United States in now on the verge of a risky experiment to expire the first parliamentary country in modern world tale without a substantial trade union movement (Lichtenstein 66). In adjunct to weakening bargaining motive, the judicial system allows workers to resign in the thick of a strike and scab on coworkers. A huge estimate of professionals and supervisors were even deemed exempt from representation (Lichtenstein 66). Legislation and corporate wealth are eroding the power of unionized labor and thereby obfuscating workplace democracy extinguishing employee rights eroding the living standards of working, working- poor, and middle class Americans muting the voice of minorities retarding environmental improvements increasing corporate domination of politics and auguring exploitation of workers throughout the world. However, a significant portion of freedoms, to which Americans have become accustomed, would be greatly diminished or non-existent without the social values that are embodied by organized labor.Evidence suggests that employers seldom behave democratically without the mandate of a higher(prenominal) authority such as the government or a union. It is no wonder that workplace dictatorships are becoming a widespread phenomenon as government regulations fail to adequately protect workers but enhance the power of employers Fear of being fired, downsized, laid off, of not making pension time, penury in a new economy, of part-time and insecure, low-paid jobs, an... ...titute, 1997.Lawrence, Vince. John Sweeneys militant Unionism.The New Republic 6 Oct. 1997 23 - 24.LeRoy, Greg. The Terrible Ten. The Progressive 28 May 1999 27 - 30.Lichtenstein, Nelson. Work Rights, Individual Rights. Dissent Spri ng 1997 66 - 72.Mantois, Gregory. A New labor Movement for the New Century. New York periodic Review Press, 1998.Moberg, David. Union Pension Power. The Nation 1 June 1998 16 - 19.Puddington, Arch. Is Labor Back? Commentary July 1998 39 - 42.Shribman, David. Big Labor Gets Its Act Together. circumstance 29 Sept. 1997 60 - 61.Silbiger, Stephen. State of Unions. National Review 26 Jan. 1998 20 - 21.Smith, Peter. The Fractured World of the Temporary Worker. Journal of Labour 22.2 (1998) 414 -427.Wells, Don. Labour Solidarity Goes Global. Canadian mark 32.2 (1998) 33 - 39.

Good Advice Essay -- Advice Philosophical Papers

Good AdviceWhen we first started to talk about healthy advice, I didnt fully understand what makes heavy advice, well, satisfactory. Advice is advice. I said to myself, walk of life home from class trying to think of where to start. As the subject grew in class, ein truthbody started to rifle deeper into the subject until we all had a well-based understanding on what unsloped advice is. Every nonpareil had a little different perspective than everybody else, which do the subject very interesting. I realized that there are many requirements for favorable advice. feel back on my paper, I realized that I made one point about good advice, which was the only point that I rattling looked at. This point was how I viewed good advice at that time. I think advice is good when it lets me approach something by myself, so that I, as an individual, house grow with what I learn from it. As apposed to forcing some orders upon me. By ordering me around, the advisor cant get me to think about what is right for me. This way, I result never learn and it forget do me more(prenominal) harm than good in the long run. I still stand by my cowcatcher opinion, but since then I have learned much more about good advice.Then I heard about the succor part of the paper and I was interested in taking notes on peoples papers because that day in class, I realized that I could get much more deep into this subject. When I took the notes, I was amazed by how different the advisors were from paper to paper. The advice came from teachers, parents, friends, experts, mentors, and even themselves. This made me realize that advice cant always be expected or unexpected because I will never know where it will come from. John also made me realize that personal advice is best when it comes from somebody that knows ... ...dvice. The biggest association with good advice and authorship isnt within the phonics or the way it is written. The biggest connection is within the total feeling process of both of them. If I penury to write a good paper, I should sit and think about it. I should ask myself, Who is the reader, and what should I do to get the desired effect from them? This is the same with advice. In writing, I should take the time to think personally about what I want to write about. Ill analyze the situation like I am giving very important advice. There has to be a connection between the reader and I. The second connection is where I shouldnt bedevil up advice, otherwise it wont be good. The same goes with writing. Size doesnt matter, but I should get to the points I want to reach, otherwise Ill lose the readers attention. If I follow this advice, I will become a better writer.

Equality for Race Essay

As a teenager growing up in the 1990s, I have realised the overwhelming importance of racial equality and cooperation in our nightspot. I potently believe that the key to the success of Americas future is the interruption down of solely racial barriers and working together as one, joined nation to strain to bring this state back to the land of dead on target equal opportunity.These past few years have been trying quantify for open-mindedness for Americans. Witnessing the vicious beating of Rodney King, the riots that followed the King verdict where Reginald Denny was brutally and senselessly beaten, had the firm country on edge. The single biggest court case in this countrys history that of O.J. Simpson was blanketed with racial overtones. The verdict had the country almost carve up over the decision. Now Louis Farrakhan is preaching controversial ideas and beliefs to millions of black men crossways the nation, creating tension among the races.These incidents only impos e more(prenominal) obstacles in American societys racial relations. But the best way to mend these wounds is to shape an environment were all races and creeds can work and interact together both day, to better understand and relate to other cultures and their customs, and beliefs on a one-on-one basis.I recently was asked the question when was the last time you discussed racism with someone of another(prenominal) race? One of my best friends is an African-American Metco student from Dorchester, and another is of Mexican-American decent. We have been friends for so long that we openly discuss racial problems all the time. But I wondered if this question was asked of the entire country how many hatful could comfortably and openly discuss their views on racism with a person of different race? Im sure there atomic number 18 a lot of people who dont have the corresponding opportunity that I do.Creating a multicultural environment, especially at the college level, where you ato mic number 18 exposed to so many unique ideas and people, is an excellent start to try to introduce people to others in a time when you are wholly for the first time, in a foreign environment, and everyone is looking to make friends.If more people stop being ignorant and start using roll in the hay and the past as a teacher, they lead see that all the combat and intolerance doesnt get anyone anywhere. We will see that in contrary times when people pull together, supportive things are almost always the result. So I am anxiously hoping to be a positive influence in achieving a multiculturally aware student body, and maybe if more campuses make this issue a top priority the country will benefit as a whole.

Health Effects of Air Pollution

Air defilement could affect the climate, the environment, and homosexual wellness. Among these areas, the health is the main focus of this paper (Thomson Scientific, 2005).Polluted subscriber line whitethorn contain ane or more hazardous substances that affect human being health. The term of metre for this is particulate consequence or the number of particles of potentially hazardous substances as percentage of parentage.This includes a wide range of pollutants. Examples of particulate matter includes driveway dust, diesel soot, fly ash, wood smoke, nitrates in fertilizers, sulfate aerosols, lead, and arsenic to severalize a few.The suggested Federal limit of an average of 50 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic foot of air in one year outcome is considered poor air quality Gore, 2005).Health effectuate of air pollution could be short-term or long-term. Effects get out depend on the unmarrieds sensitivity. When it comes to the extent of harm, it usually depends on the total exposure to modify chemicals. Short-term effectuate may include simple symptoms such as headaches, na practice sessiona and allergic reactions.These symptoms could lead to irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. There are also unadulterated cases which could lead to upper respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. It may be short-term but the effects are mischievous and will need more medical attention. Air pollutants also hold long-term effects which include lung cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and heart disease.These effects could even damage the brain, nerves, liver or kidneys. According to the National Resources defense mechanism Council, some 64,000 nation in the USA may be death prematurely each year from cardiopulmonary causes linked to air pollution (Gore, 2005).The most affected people were the children, and the elderly. In addition, people with health problems such as asthma, hearth disease also suffer more when air is begrime. I n 1995 show by the American Cancer Society and Harvard medical exam School, air pollution scores for about 300,000 premature deaths in USA each year (Gore, 2005).Children are one of the most affected by air pollution because they have not yet fully developed their resistive system. Simple cigarette smoke and smoke coming from exhausts of motor vehicles could be detrimental to them.Researchers have reported in their long study that children teenagers in Southern atomic number 20 were homogeneously to have diminished lung function because of surd air pollution. The study made by James Gauderman of University of Southern California and his colleagues was published in New England Journal of Medicine on 1,759 children ages 10 to 18 in a dozen Southern California communities.The study was concluded that the reason for the diminishing lung function came primarily from car exhaust. It was be out that 7.9 percent of the 18-year-olds in the juicyest pollution areas had lung capacities that were less than 80 percent of what they should have been.Among those subjected to the least- dirty air, 1.6 percent had underperforming lungs. It was also reported that there were similar effects when children live in the home of a mother who smokes. Estimated was half a million die prematurely every year in the united States as a result of smoking cigarettes (Gore, 2004).Just like children, elderly and people with health problems are most at risk in polluted air. As people grow older, they encounter more and more health problems which could be aggravated by air pollution. The exact impact may not be thoroughly understood but long term exposure may increase susceptibility to infections.Also to be taken into account is the duration of the exposure and concentration of the particulate matter in the air. It is estimated that polluted air shortened the lives by an average of one to two years. In the great Smog Disaster in London in 1952, quaternity thousand people died in few day s due to high concentrations of pollution (Gore, 2005).There are many steps made to protect human health against air pollution. American Lung Association is very active and recommends the use of heat recovery breathing device or an energy recovery ventilator remove stale polluted air (Gore, 2005).A treaty called Kyoto Protocol in 1997 entered as part of joined Nations Framework Convention on modality Change made a great impact on cut back air pollution. The treaty aims to reduce emission of dangerous gases such as ascorbic acid dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide by industrialized countries which affects the health of their citizens. One bill adopted in the treaty to reduce harmful discharges is creation of carbon emission (CO) credits.Those who failed to observe the restriction will be ordered to piece necessary equipment to reduce the air pollution under pain of severe financial sanction or buy (CO) credits.The credits are like ordinary commodities. They could sell to it to co mpanies that find it difficult to comply with the emission restriction. If the grocery store value of the (CO) credit is higher than the cost of pollution reduction equipment, they will be forced to comply thus, reducing the air pollution that affects human health.According to reports, these (CO) credits are now being traded in the exchanges of Chicago humor Exchange in the US, European Climate Exchange in United Kingdom, Nord Pool in Norway and PowerNext in France. (Palabrica, 2007).ReferencesPalabrica, R. (2007). Trading on climate change, corporate securities info.Philippine Daily Inquirer.Thomson Scientific (2005). Air pollution. Retrieved family line 7, 2007 fromESI Special Topics. Retrieved on September 7, 2007 from http//esi-topics.com/airpolGore, P. (2005). Air pollution health effects. Retrieved August 7, 2007 from http//www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/pollution-main.html

Globalisation of Higher Education Essay

The term globoseisation authority integration of economies and societies by means of cross field draw of culture, ideas, technologies, goods, services, large(p), pay and hatful. globalization is a process, which has affected numerous beas of homosexual support, one of those organism facts of life. The exploit of globalization on commandment buzz off rapid breedings in engineering and parleys atomic number 18 foreseeing alters within encyclopaedism establishment across the adult male as ideas, value and broncobustership, changing the roles of students and teachers, and producing a shift in partnership from industrialization towards an nformation- based community.globalization has a multi- dimensional imageing on the system of reading. It publicises refreshing overlyls and techniques in this atomic number 18a like E- Learning, fictile learning, distance nurture programs and oversea training. The globalization of culture is organization boyish children of a country into global citizens with a broad range of skills and companionship to apply to a competitive study based society. globalisation as well as facilitates world(prenominal) collaboration and cross- cultural convince. globalization of high cultivation is a study concern for all societies.As the essential driving commit of frugal, social and human development, fosterage is at the heart of the change that is dramatically affecting our macrocosm in the beas of science, technology, economic and culture. This paper willing psychoanalyse the coercive and negative jounce of globalization on Higher education for ontogeny countries. Effective education system is the foundation of opportunities to lead a decent life. One should ensure that all Children should involve adequate vex to education at all income level. The paper argues that education is a impel element of society.The radical stimulate of global ine tonus is due to the remnant in opportun ities in education between different countries. People tar brook only contri plainlye and reach from globalization if they are contain the axeowed with intimacy, skills, and values and with the capabilities and rights needed to pursue their basic likelihoods. The truth of the analysis is dependent upon the accuracy of the data reported by versatile people of the country. The solving of this see will help all the sectors of the society to understand better, the culture, values and education system of in the raw(prenominal) countries and facilitates its adoption.Educators flock as well use this result to bring the changes in their areas if necessary. Introduction The term Globalization represents the international system that is shaping most societies straightaway. Globalization is a process by which mevery areas of human life such as economies, societies, politics, work and cultures contract been affected nigh the serviceman. One of these areas beingness education . The term globalization means integration of economies and societies through cross country flows of training, ideas, technologies, goods, services, capital, finance and people.It s characterized by an accelerated flow of guile, capital and culture as well as mobility of individuals, across geographical borders. It reflect comprehensive level of interaction than that has occurred in the last(prenominal), suggesting something beyond the do international. Globalization means more(prenominal) emulation, non just with some other companies or institutions in the same city or the same region. Globalization too means that national borders do non limit a nations investment, production, innovation and education. Therefore, the term globalization has acquired many another(prenominal) emotive commutations.At one extreme, globalization is seen as an irresistible and benign press for de seering economic prosperity to people throughout the conception. At the other, it is blamed as a first of all contemporary ills. However, composition the theory of globalization is relatively hot, the process is not. Roberson (1992) further states that globalization was initially discussed from economic perspectives, save soon after it became a topic for discussions among talenteds from cultural perspectives as well. check to Giddens Globalization the dialectic of homogenization and heterogenization (1991. p22).In other words, globalization, by increase the interconnectedness among different people, things and ideas, homogenizes the world and yet at the same condemnation, the world lives heterogenized as people are more aware of differences due to the increase proximity with differences under a globalize world (Giddens, 1991 ). The notion of the world community being transformed into a global village, as introduced in 1960 by Marshall Mc Luhan in an influential book some her newly shared experience of mass media, was likely to be the introductory expression of the contemporary concept of globalization. Cited in Epstein, 2002).After 1980, accounts of globalization concentrate on a professed tendency of societies to converge in change state modern, draw initially by Clark Kerr and colleagues as the emergence of industrial man (cited in Robertson, 1992). One critical print that emerges from all of these restructuring processes is the central role of Knowledge, education and learning for the advantage of the Global Information Society (GIS) and global information scrimping. Globalization regards all aspects of society. Higher education may and business contents seem particularly influenced by them.In the twentieth century, may addition countries live xperienced process in the educational facilities available to them due to the door of institution from the west. Some believe that this process is an invaluable opportunity for the people of the underdeveloped counties to increase their skills and standard of education. Other fear that it is merely a modern version of cultural imperialism that will lead to the creation of a universal, last-ditchly western society. People can only contribute and benefit from globalization if they endowed with friendship, skills and with capabilities and rights needed to pursue their basic livelihoods.They need conflict and incomes, and a healthy environment. These are the essential conditions with empower them to participate to the full as citizens in their local, national and global communities. bringing up is a major concern for all societies. As the foundation and essential driving force of economic, social and human development, education is at the heart of the change that is dramatically affecting our world in the areas of science, technology, economics and culture. Steven Schwartz (http// www. Ssn.. flinders. edu. u) believed that Education, where possible, hould be integrated into the clubby sector because higher(prenominal)(prenominal) education is increasingly and international enterprise and hence will increasingly be pressured and drawn into deregulation and privatization. This paper analyses the effect of globalization on higher education and to a fault discusses about the impact of globalization on higher education, various opportunities and challenges on the society. Impact of Globalization of Higher Education. Education is undergoing constant changes under the effects of globalization.The effects of Globalization on education bring rapid developments in technology and discourses are oreseeing changes with in school system across the world as ideas, values and friendship, changing the role of students and teachers, and producing a shift in society from industrialization towards and information- based society. It reflects the effect on culture and brings about a new form of cultural imperialism. It brings rapid development in technology and communications are foreseeing changes within school system across the world as ideas, values an d knowledge.The rise of a global society, driven by technology and communication development are shaping hildren, the future citizens of the world into global citizens, intelligent people with a broad range of skills and knowledge to apply to a competitive. , information based society. The future of countries very much lies with in their ability to compete in a global market where industrial based economies are good-looking way to knowledge based industries, realizing the vastness of knowledge skills and the intellectual capacity to meet the challenges of accelerated change and hesitation.Education is becoming a lifelong learning and training process, ontogeny ransferable skills and knowledge that can be applied to competitive markets where knowledge and information is being trades as a commodity. Although globalization seems to be unavoidable to many counties and numerous initiative and efforts have been made to adapt to it with aims at taking the opportunities created from it to develop their societies and people, in recent years at that place are also increasing international concerns with the dangerous impacts of globalization on digenous and national developments. versatile social front mans have been initiated against the threats of globalization particularly in eveloping countries. The negative impacts of globalization include various types of economic, political, and cultural colonization by advanced countries on those developing and under- developed countries. In evitable, how to maximize the opportunities and benefits from globalization to support local developments and reduce the threats and negative impacts of globalization will be the major concerns of developing countries.Opportunities of globalization of higher education Knowledge is the driving forces in the promptly changing globalize economy and society. Quantity nd quality of specialized human resources determine their competence in the global market. Emergence of knowledge result s in some(prenominal) challenges and opportunities. It is well kn feature that the growth of the global economy has increase opportunities for those countries with good levels of education. Globalization has a multi-dimensional impact on the system of education.It promotes new tools and techniques in these areas like- E- learning, flexible learning, distance educational programme and overseas training. The existence of technology into the classroom is changing the reputation f delivering education to the students is gradually giving way to a new form of electronic literacy , more programs and education materials are made available in electronic form. instructors are preparing lectures in the electronic form and even students are presenting assignments and giving papers in the electronic form.The b wishboards have been replaced by the LCDs. The icing has been replaced by the pointers and the power point presentations. Books have been replaced by compact discs. notwithstanding g rades and the exams are gradually becoming available through electronic means and notebooks are replaced by laptops. straightaway the students do not have to air heavy bags to the classrooms. thus far the students can be examined through computer managed learning system and do tutorials exercises on a computer rather than in the classroom.Even, the technology has given the opportunity to deliver the material through electronic source i. e. via power point presentation and even the notes can be distributed to the students via electronic mail. With such changes and the emergence of motion-picture show conferencing and the internet, the barriers of distance are being broken pig at a rapid rate, due to the samara aspect of globalization. Students and adults or in other works each and any soulfulness can now learn in variety of slipway and there is no longer any need to be physically present in the education institutions in order to learn.The material is becoming readily availabl e over internet, through video conferencing and tape recordings. Teacher can deliver the lecture to the whole class with the help of video conferencing without being physically present in the class. Now, the student of can get the education from any part of the world without traveling over there. The person can stay in his /her own country and et the education of which country he/ she wishes without going over there. Students can learn any time and at any place.Anyone can maintain libraries of texts, images computer software and other forms of data, anywhere at any time. The rapid growth of television services, with their bulky influence as media of mass communication, has been very relevant in the technical shift. Other larger contribution to this shift includes the transistor and space satellites. colloquy and information based technology over the years is the internet. This is a big network of computers located hroughout the world.Developments in the delivery of education is a llowing for individuals to explore new areas of learning and thinking that could not be done with pen and paper. They are discovering knowledge through inquiry and experimentation rather than memorizing facts in a teacher dominated classroom setting. Another opportunity of international trade leads to allocation of resources that is consistent with comparative advantage. Globalization results in specialization which enhances productivity.Thus, the international trade, in general, is beneficial and that restrictive trade practices impede rowth. Thats why many off the emerging economies, which originally depended on a growth model of import substitution, have moved over to a insurance policy of outward orientation. Globalization of higher eduction also gives the opportunity in movement of capital. Capital is a key factor of production. Capital flows across countries have played an most-valuable role in enhancing the production base. Without capital any type of economic activity is n ot possible.Capital mobility enables the total proffernce of the world to be distributed among countries which have the highest investment potential. Emergence of strong capital market has been one of the important features of the current process of globalization while the growth in capital and irrelevant exchange markets have facilitated the dispatch of resources across borders, the gross turnover in foreign exchange markets has been extremely large. The internationalization of higher education can be linked to various internal and external changes in the international system.Externally, there have been changes in the labor market, which have resulted in calls for more knowledge and skilled workers and workers with deeper nderstandings of languages, cultures and business methods from all over the world. Modern education is almost exclusively cerebrate on preparing children for an urban future. Challenges of globalization of higher education No doubts, higher education has at tained a key position in the knowledge society under globalize economy. However, the challenges display cased are immense and far- reaching.Its impact on the clientele via, individuals, institutions, systems and societies are not only not clean up but also not comprprehentible at this moment unless it is viewed in the condition of various other factors that re simultaneously operating on the higher education system. Some agrees that the rapid cross national flows of people, goods , capital and information may dissolve the nation states, push institutions( university is the one) into a common make for where as others disagree.It is assumed that globalization promises dramatic and rewarding change to the higher education system, of societies, which are relatively stable in their political, social and institutional make up, while for the will performing higher education system. It is also true that globalization has given the dvanced economies a huge advantage as they had made gen erous preparation prior to its launching while others are caught in the trap without any preparation.Integration into world economy todays implies not only mastery of traditional knowledge but also the capacity to acquire the new skills required by a knowledge society. It is therefore discernible that an unequal sharing of the new communication and information technologies only serves to reinforce existing inequalities. While education deficits are obviously greater in developing countries, this is a major issue in developed countries as well. In many industrialized countries there is a persistent problem of illiteracy and low skills, which is and important source of social exclusion.Unequal access to education also fuels growing prosecute inequality and worsen the income distribution. The uneducated and unskilled in industrialized counties face sever disadvantage in an increasingly competitive global market. However, the render of both primary and secondary schooling increased d uring the 90s across the globe, but progress is inadequate and hides the differences between counties and regions. There are many evidences that the more rapid progress is possible if the political will nd the resources exists, in high and low income countries alike.The increase in destitution in the world is the most tragic phenomenon in this era of abundance. It is the cause of marginal and the exclusion of increasingly bigger groups of the world population and in particular, affects children, the young and women. As a consequence, we see the development of cultures of poverty and marginalisation that lock the same people into the cycle of poverty and reinforce their exclusion. and it is still the inequality with regards to knowledge that constitutes one of the biggest challenges of our societies.The traditional raw materials and non renewable natural resources under threat of extinction no longer necessitate the most important place in the process of production and development . It is knowledge in itself that has become one of the key resources of economic growth. The introduction of technology is also becoming a challenge to the society. As the carrying out of technology and communication to be successful and to educate a society, both the students and teachers need to be technologically literate.Communication technology is offering new challenges for students of all abilities as they can discuss issues of concern with heir fellow students from around the world. A shift in education is becoming evident where more responsibility is being placed on the individual for his or her learning, instead of solely on the teacher. Subsequently, the teachers themselves also need to be super technologically literate, needing the competence and confidence to prepare students for a global information society.Just because of technology and communication seems to be creating in human life between the haves and the have nots resulting in a bifurcated society of those wh o can afford such information technology and those who cant. so too does globalization. While education institutions in western societies are embracing technology, developing countries are once again left behind, too weak and svelte to implement development programs for education, let alone introduce technology as well. There are severe limitations in delivering basic services.A lack of infrastructure and funding makes it difficult to implement any technological and communication advancements. However, despite differences in economy, political, cultures and society, second and third worlds have adopted educational ideals from western thought and are anxious to appear odern and therefore promote education as a symbol of modernity and development to their own population and the foreign countries. The spread of education internationally, as a result of globalization, has clearly had effects on Cultures worldwide.Now the sources of wealth come from knowledge and communication instead o f natural resources and physical labour, which once characterized the United States as a n industrial society. This is a global rather than a national economy. The new economy puts a premium on intellectual capital and the people who produce it. This means that the learn for igher education is expanding dramatically. Education is needed throughout a lifetime, and the marketplace for that education is international. This growth makes education appealing to the private sector. Educational institutions have reacted by becoming more market oriented.Due to this increasing free trade around the globe- to end protection in many sectors so that there is more competition and privatization, education is increasingly being drawn into this global capitalist competition. The internationalization of education has become one of the key themes of ducational policy and planning in the 1990s and the integration of worldwide capital and labour markets educators are being forced to respond to a new se t of challenges. The demographics of higher education have changed substantially. Less than one fifth of todays college students meet the traditional stereotype of attending school full time.For the new mass of students, higher education is not as central to their lives as it was for earlier generations of students. Research shows they want a very different relationship with their college than students have historically had. They are unwilling to pay for activities and services they do not use. Higher education is being subjected to greater criticism than in the past on issues varying from low productivity and higher cost to the quality of leadership and the inadequacy of technology use. This is an invitation to a private sector that rightly or wrongly sees higher education as the next health care industry.Another challenge is of currency trade. Currency trade has become an end in itself. However, the volatility in the foreign exchange has created often times panic situations. Th e most recent xample of this was the East Asian crisis. transmission system of financial crises is a worrying phenomenon. When one country faces a crisis, it affects others. It is not as if financial crises are solely caused by foreign exchange traders. Another, major concern is to deliver world class education with updated syllabus and practical exposure. This is possible only by attracting talented and experienced persons in to academics.At present it is difficult to assess not only the nature and dimensions of globalization, but also what it means to the field of education. A few educational look forers have attempted to made onnections between the several dimensions of globalization and the policies of education. Globalization of Higher Education in India India is also following the global phenomenon. As part of globalization, the economic unsnarl packages were introduced in India in the beginning of 1991. These reform packages imposed a heavy compression on the public budge ts on education sector, more specifically so on higher education.This has trickled down to public expenditure on education in general, and higher education in particular. Indian government and Indian corporate sector has recognise the importance of management ducation in the ganging global scenario. Today under the reforming economic conditions, integration of the Indian economy with world economy presupposes efficiency and battle in the domestic front as well as in the international arena. As the process of globalization is technology-driven, and knowledge driven, the very success of economic reform policies critically depends upon the competence of human capital.But, what is observed is the reverse. Even within the education sector, relative priority assigned to higher education has been on the decline. It is to be realized that higher education institutions lay an important role insetting the academic standard for primary and secondary education. They are also creditworthy for n ot only providing the specialized human capital in order to corner the gains from globalization, but also for training inside the country, provide policy advice, etc.Globalization is expected to have a positive influence on the volume, quality an spread of knowledge through increased interaction among the various states. Today our education system is strong enough but central and state governments should change their roles with in the education system, re- inventing them as facilitating supervisory rganizations. Teacher training, infrastructure and syllabuses need to be urgently upgraded. application should come forward to share experience with students and to offer more opportunities for live projects.Commercial institutions offering specialized education have come up everywhere. In view of globalization many corporate universities, both foreign and Indian, are encroaching upon our government institutions. Our Institutes like IIMS and IITS have produced world class professionals. These institutes imparts quality education as per industry expectations and give due importance to institute Industry interface. Under the new scenario, brass Private partnership is becoming important in Management Education. Now India is a transforming country. We are near to achieve status of developed nation.The demand for higher education has been growing rapidly with comparatively faster growth in enrolment in higher educational institutions than the growth in number of higher educational institutions. The growth rates are duplicate among the students enrolled in post- graduate and research, while the number of institutions for post graduate and research studies has grown at a slower rate in 1990s than in 1980s. India is witnessing new era in the field of Management Education. many a(prenominal) Corporate groups like Reliance, Nirma, Tata, Sterlite etc have promoted Management Institutes.Some reputed foreign universities are also coming to India. But government should issue some guidelines so that fees structure remains with in certain limit and those who are from economically light background have same opportunity. Conclusion Globalization has had many obvious effects on educational technology and communication systems change the way education is delivered as well as roles played by both teachers and tudents. The development of this technology is facilitating the transition from an industrial based society to an information-based one.At the same time, there is a dark side to globalization and to the very openness of the new information systems. While the richest countries grow richer, the pitiful are becoming poorer. Income, information and education gaps between the rich and the poor are widening not narrowing economic crises, trade imbalances and geomorphologic adjustments have precipitated a moral crisis in many countries, tearing the basic social and ultural fabric of many families and communities apart, resulting in increasing youth unemployme nt , suicide, violence, racial discrimination and drug abuse and anti social behavior form schools.In the 21st century, education systems face the dual challenge of equipping students with the new knowledge, skills and values needed to be competitive in a global market while at the same time producing graduates who are responsible adults, good citizens both of their country and of the world. Thus, globalization challenges us to rethink not only how much education is needed but also its ultimate purposes.

Abuse on Reality TV Essay

An incident of infant ab delectation occurs some(prenominal) ten seconds, and more than five clawren die every day as a result. Approximately 80% of children that die from abuse atomic number 18 chthonian the age of four. Reports agree kept a steady growth grade for the past ten long time, with the total egress of reports nationwide increasing 45% since 1987. Since 1985, the rate of child abuse fatalities has increased by nearly 40%. These statistics were interpreted from a National Abuse Statistics survey. CAPTION Taken from a study on child abuse by Childhelp.org, this graph represents the mo of child deaths per day due to child abuse and neglect. As indicaten, the number has significantly increased, and is still continuing to increase. Many cases of child abuse have been recorded, and in many of those cases, innocent children have died. This is a growing worry and it continues to enamour worse. Most everyone is familiar with the various types of abuse such as neglect, informal abuse, physical abuse, psychological maltreatment, and medical neglect. Sadly, there is a immature type of child abuse added to the list, the exploitation of small children and their privacy on reality tv. According to AbuseWatch.net, children must be recognized as child actors if they be to be used in reality learns or any other type of TV production. This is not the case today. Basically, having these children on television without any pay is child labor, and they should legally be protected by child labor laws.The sad fact is TV producers are not employing these minors and are ignoring these child labor laws. Theyre queerting apart with this crime because the children are considered as participants, like someone in a documentary. Due to this classification, it is excused from federal and state child labor laws as the childrens activities are being recorded on camera, opposed to the cognitive operation of a role. The children are not classified as hired employee s, and do not earn a wage. They overly do not get benefits that they would receive if they were to be called a child actor. Therefore, the child labor laws are being ignored and these minors are not being employed. In 2007, the series, Kid Nation, abandoned 40 kids, ages 8 to 15, in a duck Old Western town. While viewers watched in agony, these kids spent their eld literally left merely.A gnomish little young lady burnt herself on a stove. These children were neglected for goodness sake. Complaints were made and authorities investigated. Not lone(prenominal) is this against the law, but it is taking away childrens rights to privacy and, nigh importantly, their childhood. In a recently aired TLC reality show move Moms, children were yelled at and belittled in front of the camera, and thousands of viewers. Andy Dehnart describes his experience with the show in an oblige. He wrote, During season 1 finale, Mackenzie, 7, started clamant while rehearsing for a music video and ran out of the room, ponytail bouncing over her hot bump sports bra. She found her mother in a back room and ran toward her. occupy dont make me go As she hugged her mother, Melissa, Mackenzies level was turned, and her eyes made contact with the camera, staring right at us. She pulled away, her fount a mess of sadness and anger, and pointed accusatorily at the camera and its operators instructiveness. It was extremely evident that this was televised child abuse. This is not the kind of abuse that consists of reservation a child do something that they dont want to do in that particular second, but abuse that broadcasts moments of a little gullible childs life that should never be shown to the public.CAPTION This stick out, taken from an article written by Nichelle Strzepe, shows a young girl crying to her mom after her teacher has just finished yelling at her and giving her negative feed back. From a recently conducted interview with Kara Acosta, a young girl with experie nce in the dancing agency, she stated that, The teachers on that show are way too strict. It would be difficult for a grown parent to deal with that type of teaching let alone a young child. Plus their way of teaching is not effective. The kids in my dance class construeed best by positive reinforcement. In the article by Sherry Rickmeier, Katherine Heigl states that she watched with open-mouthed amazement as girls as young as seven were encouraged to dress provocatively and shimmy around a stage doing a dance performance that could just as slowly been a burlesque routine.Not only does she comment on the sorry versed aspect of the show but also comments that, I was also horrified by the way their instructor spoke to them when she felt they werent up to snuff. It was demeaning, belittling, and heapright unkind. There is no reason to break anyone down in order to prepare them for inevitable disappointment or unkindness. curiously not a childs. There is a clearly outlined li ne mingled with giving helpful criticism and yelling distasteful things at children telling them they are dumb, and stupid. It is loftyly degrade and pure verbal and emotional abuse. Society as a entire is implying to our children that this is ok. The fact is, its not.This brings us to the television series Toddlers and Tiaras. The show Toddlers and Tiaras began three yrs ago, and has since drawn in more viewers. In this series, little four socio-economic class old girls parade around in flashy dresses wear phony eyelashes, fake teeth, and globs of makeup. Not only is this taking away their innocence, but its submitting them to child pornography. Girls outfits include those of sex idols such as Daisy Duke, Dolly Parton, and a prostitute from Pretty Woman.CAPTION This picture, taken by a college student from a blog on why child beauty pageants are hazardous to childrens health, shows a seven grade old who has the face of a twenty year old woman, and is viewing off her body to win more points from the judges. An interview conducted with a high prepare teacher and role model, Mrs. Gorenstein, was recently conducted to show the view of adults on this subject. When asked what she thought the message of the show Toddlers and Tiaras was, she replied saying, This show sends the message that kids can get what they want by being bratty, looking pretty and flaunting around their looks. She also said, These shows are pushing a very fine line between showing child abuse and providing entertainment. I would say these shows should be taken of the air, but I worry what theyll replace it with. A high school student, Delaney McGinn said, These shows are dumb, pointless, and a waste of money.It is showing kids that its ok to be extremely fake in fact its teaching them how to do it. These parents are selfish and arent letting their children be themselves. Children learn the most in their first couple of years, and all these kids are going to learn is how to be snotty and how to throw a fit when you dont get what you want. These children run around looking like miniaturized twenty year olds. The parents of these kids would do anything to have their child win, including hair extensions, caked on makeup, fake eyelashes, atomizer on tans, fake teeth, and extremely revealing clothing. The want of girls to be happy with natural beauty is punted out the door when it comes to this show. There is absolutely zip natural about these young children. They look like Barbie dolls.CAPTION This picture is taken from an article written by Dabney B. about why this show is so messed up. This picture shows how fake these little girls are made. They are sexualized, and are freely shown off to the dangers of the world, just for a couple bucks. This little girl looks like a porcelain doll, not a cute natural little girl. There have also been cases of parents doping up their children to make them perform better. A pageant mother claims she prepares her daughter by giving her an unidentified juice sop up, pageant crack or go-go juice. No one knew what was in the concoction, and some people were led to believe it had a small tot of alcohol in it along with extremely caffeinated soda drinks.According to the article Are Toddlers and Tiaras mothers DOPING their daughters? by Sadie Whitelocks, the mother, Mrs. Holler, told her daughter to take two big gulps of the drink from an unlabeled drinks bottle. In a couple of seconds the change in the young child was wildly apparent. Moments after having her special drink the young girl started doing stomach spins on the floor. Defining the exploitation of childrens privacy on TV, such as these, as child abuse is a position complicated. But after looking at all of the evidence, it will be extremely difficult for people to say that it is adequate for this to continue. Youd turn over after all the child abuse cases related to rape and sexual abuse, one like the John Benet Ramsey case, people would wan t to end the use of reality TV shows that illustrate these young girls in a sexual way, but these shows continue to play on televisions all throughout the country.

Visionary Mr Mineka Wickramasingh Essay

Brief terra firma on CBL (Munchee)It was the visionary Mr Mineka Wickramasingha in 1960 who wanted to expand his family trading from the umber merc surpassise. It was at the resembling judgment of conviction that CARE looked at sources of nourishment for the pauperism stricken. It was a gunslingerstitute of a cookie that Mr Wickramasinghe proposed looking to expand on those reports. At that clipping the solid food commercialise invest leaders were Maliban. They were the anes who were awarded the contract. Due to lack of space, CBL was starting put ined at Dehiwela in his receive exposit to produce a lofty protein biscuits for initiates. From this footing Munchee, has marched forward to capture 80% of the commercialize of the local anaesthetic merchandise. For e rattlingwhere 40 socio-economic classs the cross off has developed a certain nostalgia that is unreplace open by any opposite brand. The perceptivity is enjoyed young and old a identical. at th at place vision is to operate the add 1 biscuit in Asia. produce portfolioCBL now produces various food items which digest be interpose ho consumption deem c alone in Sri Lanka. CBL working start is non just with biscuits to which consumers atomic subjugate 18 more(prenominal)(prenominal) familiar, they likewise pay off hot chocolates on a lower floor brand name Ritzbury since 1990s. The different brands be Tiara and Lanka Soy. There atomic be 18 numerous subcategories under each maturation. There argon jellies, soybean mark base fruits, cereal mathematical growths, herbal porridges, soups and oft more. paladin Categories under the Munchee brandSweet biscuitsCrackers teething rings Savory biscuits unction cookysMarie Cookies Assorted HerbalWafersThese be gift and flip oer-moulded chocolates. They come in boxes and slabs. Can be as a cover biscuits or wafers or beans or candy bars. It is indifferent flavours, type, and size. Sub CategoriesCh ocolate coat Biscuits Chocolate Slabs MiniatureCaterers RangeChocolate Coated Beans Chocolate Coated B completelysChocolate Coated Candy Bars Specialty ChocolatesChocolate Coated Wafers d owny sponge cake make to perfect texture and taste degree Cake Portion Cake exclusivelyter Sponge Cake Swiss RollCompany performanceCeylon Biscuits is of undisputable prime(prenominal). CBL has shown a growth 2(prenominal) in gross revenue agreements and pull ahead for the decease 5 large time. Revenue had duplicate from Rs.1.9 to Rs 5,2 Billion by 2005. Group de framement grew by 48% that same yr. Net do good that year was Rs.533 Mio. This was the highschoolest recorded profit for this caller. CBL profit piecemeal grew, as it caught on to an worldwide commercialise. By 2011 sales revenue has liberal by 25% in comparison to 2010. The boilersuit profit coast was around 9% for the recently old five days. If ever the smart stigmatize saw a bitty decline it was due to industria l fermentation. This biscuit is spread over 95,000 retail outlets all around Sri Lanka. CBL merchandises to 36 international destinations. It has been able to spread its fame in southwest Asia as puff up. around of the countries of merchandise atomic number 18 USA, Canada, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, China, India, Maldives and even the Middle eastern countries. The annual export revenue is active US $ 4 to 5 gazillion. CBL has more awards for its entrepreneurship. These awards argon Exports in the Gold Category, yield Brand of the Year for four consecutive years, Anugu International Food F song award. The daily work is around cl tons. The annual outturn is around 45,000 tons. The lodges labor repulse is about 3,500. Company sustainability relies on strict norms on quality, texture and taste. For this it uses the up-to-the-minute technology, innovative trade, research and development. The three C psychoanalysisThere atomic number 18 three phases that need to be g uardedly scrutinized in order rule a bring overview of the mathematical product. Customer analysisOf the main brand Munchee, the node analysis give be do on a sub category -Marie widely know as Tikiri Marie or Munchee Tikiri Marie. It is a low-pitched sized biscuit. The market segment chosen were children. Pre movely it is packed in a c erstal fresh pack sold at a economical price. The advertizing that was make on a paradigm of media was gifted in the al about dinky government agency, backed by lyrics that set a smiling on the lips of any child. It was later that Maliban put a Marie epitome into the market. solely by then Munchee Tikiri Marie had prefern the market by storm. Competitor analysisThere has been great potential difference for a childrens biscuit in the market. CBL had limited resources, peculiarly in production technology which restricted revenue. It was the consumer discernment that motivated CBL to keep producing the Marie Biscuit. At one point i n time 50% of the production was Marie. Yet, the family was unable to raise profits. Maliban held strong to its position. No advertising, trade promotions or merchandising was able take over the market touch that Maliban held. Maliban Marie has an unique flavor that was unmatchable. Volume market share (Total Biscuit Market-February 2005)Communication analysisThis is a (B2C) nature of business. The confederacy has used turn tails much(prenominal) as Tikiri Marie scholarship program.-Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara. Expansion programs worth Rs. 500 million Rs. ccc million for state of the art coif. It was known as Plant 6 from Italy. CBL went to war employ all types of media from TV, hots reputation, radio, magazines, even websites to uncover a forward-looking Marie. There was a series of advertisement for Tikiri Marie- from Kohomada Tikiri Mole to the headman start day in school. All hunting expeditions had been embarked under their collective moto-A crowning conquest. Thi s was CBL chat approach of tacking Maliban. matchress market for Munchee Tikiri MarieThe brand Munchee has not only spread over home(prenominal) market provided likewise the export market. Munchee is now exported to over 36 countries. Munchee can be seen in Gourmet Shops in Australia, supermarket like Wal-Mart, K-mart worldwide in countries like UK, Germany , Italy , Middle-East , Canada andJapan. southwest East Asiatic region is spread over 11 countries. When Munchee is cigaret marketed in this area, it must be the same tar rule market as of the other South Asian countries. It is the high quality, texture and taste that watch any child in any coun tense up. Because of this CBL must cover that they do not loose the perception of a biscuit for children. As it is not organism partne crimson by any society as it was in UK the brand name can prevail. Here CBL inevitably to position its product, so no private label pass on be needed either like NTUC of Singapore and Suprem e brand in China. Segment for Marie geographicalal segmentation-South Asia, Europe, America, UKDemographical division Age, taste, texture, incomeBehavioral segment- instant, nutritiousProduct positioning of MarieBrand Identity vs. contender(Source- AC Neilson)Premium quality, Innovative and value for money brand available at arms length of desire. Scope of this Integrated merchandise communications PlanIt looks in to objectives, strategies, and tools in communication used to undefeatedly film about integrated market. The plan tryament discuss behaviors to launch a program to communicate product. Marketing objectiveIncrease the sale of Munchee Buiscuits. CBL is looking to increase sales by 5% indoors the succeeding(a) deuce years. With this to increase the market share by 5% at the end of the act year. Increase the bon ton profile plot of land enhancing the product among the target market. Munchee overly wishes to strengthen Brand image among South East Asian countr ies as a healthy, nutritious biscuit. Communication Objective sentience program to draw 20% of target market done boob tube, composing advertising and web promotions. At least 5% the target market must purchase the product. Issues and ChallengesThe target market whitethorn have other options in biscuits. This correctlydepends on texture, flavor, taste, shape and size. Thus the promotions/advertising pull up stakesing have to be attractive, creative and innovative in order to reach the hearts and minds of South East Asian Children. Situational analysisCurrent difficulty facing product* The target audience may not be reached.* They may prefer other biscuits.* Difficult to build brand committal in the food industry.Identifying target* The target market is chosen victorious taste and nutrition in to consideration. * Targeting people who looks for low price solely has to be of quality. Selecting a Market to TargetSouth East AsiaGeographic segmentationChildren of the age 1-16 , Middle classDemographic segmentationTarget marketInstant, nutritiousBehavioral segmentationThe target market that has been chosen is of the geographical location of South East Asia region among a demographic target of children amid the ages of 1-16. In modern South East Asia food in freely available for purchases for people who are one the move. This biscuit provides nutrients that are good for children and is an user-friendly raciness in a keep fresh pack. It is instant food for hungry youngsters. Positioning by means of Marketing Strategies* Introductory price* Chance to tasteCompetitionProduct comparabilityThere are companies like DIMOs that offer neglects to Government servants nevertheless no federation has offered it to Bankers. AMW is the first to get into this program.Barriers to Entry* The awareness in low.* Banks have tied with other automobile companies, on a break-dance can for their leasing requirements and the staff gets their fomites in any case leased b y those companies. * Buyers may go for aid hand as the economic situations are tough. Competitor Differentiation Chery QQ micro PandaFeatures Small hatch back with comfortable interior, Three piston chamber DOHCMPI 12V Petrol 812 CC engine Chery is merchandise from China and marketed in Sri Lanka by David Peiris Motor Company Micro car, Volvo tech, 1300 cc engine. Made in Sri Lanka. Comes with and without air bag. Target Market Working professionals Working professionals Strengths Low price, Brand clientele Made in Sri Lanka Weakness Small pad of customers, No synthesis Small range of customersNo task deductionConsumer Behaviour problems go about in addressing communication message There is nothing redundantordinarily attractive about the AMW Maruti. But the interior is appealing. It is economical on the fuel. There is a one year warranty on the car. These are nearly of the aspects in regards to the car that a consumer go a commission look at. Then the consumer is going to look at the company that change the car. Associated Motor Ways Ltd is one of the oldest automobile conglomerates in Sri Lanka. They are the sole distributors of Suzuki vehicles in Sri Lanka and are affiliated with several brand names in the motor industry such as Nissan, Yamaha, and Goodyear. Addressing the problems with the vehicle such as no extra ordinary beauty about the vehicle or that there is fume emission from the vehicles which is hazardous to the external environment, what AMW concentrates on is the interior of the car and how economical it is. The Maruti is good on fuel. The size makes it easy to handle. This car is value for money. BrandingBankers are in all likelihood for a discount program where the vehicles are leased giving a bank add. Maruti is likely to stay in the minds of the buyer due to features of the vehicle, the interior and the engine contentedness in relation to the other brands of this same cast which where given under competitor analysi s. The Maruti is a more durable and dependable brand. Position arguingThis promotion is available only for bankers that are permanent in their jobs and the loan facilities are available. Any other financing will not be permitted. The discount is available for all colours of Maruti. PromotionThe promotion is through with(p) within capital of Sri Lanka and its sound suburbs. For this promotion 50% of the budgeted funds are allocated. This was first circulated to family and friends, for the word of mouth is the cheapest and the best way of promoting a discount program. Gradually as the awareness starts to increase it will be circulated among banks, first on a personal flat coat to call whose contacts can be acquired. Then the leasing managers or the staff managers in charge of staff leasing will be approached. Depending on the geographical location, banks will be approached in regards to the promotion. erst the approval has been obtained by the management, posters will distribute to main branches. These are known as power position advertising. The dealership logo will be indicated in the poster. A proclivity of the eligible staff members will be collected and a web based mailer will be sent out to them. Permission will be acquired to post the promotion on an intranet facility that is accessible only to the relevant bankers of the targeted bank. A car may be sent out to the main branch for display. Once the initial promotions have been through with(p) in and around the main branches where web may not be the best promotional attribute a word paper advertisement will be posted. The new(a)s paper will carry a pictureous depictation of the car with a Brand embassador. The Brand Ambassador can be a cricketer or any other mutation who is working in a bank indicating that this is the best leasing offer ever. These adds will have to run every a great deal and it must be do sure that the adds are not too small to see. It may be preferable to advertise in a Sin halese paper when thinking of promoting the discount program among thesuburbs. There has to be creativity, innovation and an even function for an advertisement to catch the eyes of the reader. A Saturday or Sunday paper is preferable as people have more time than on a weekday to read the paper. Television can be used as last resort. This is expensive but can be the most potent method of advertising. This is a sure a way of information hookup for viewers. The television adds usually have a lasting impression on the viewer. This is a sure way of assuring results for IMC. There are many highly watched channels of those the cheapest but the most effective can be used. The TV add can play between programs. The programs after which the add will be aired will have to be carefully chosen. It will need to depend on viewers discretion. The advertisement can go on for a period of 6 months at least. The web based marketing is another method by which unhurriedness can be done. This is the m ost modern method. about of the websites frequently visited by bankers are Facebook, ESPN, Google, YouTube, Digg.com, Myspace, and Perezhilton.com. The most popular of them all is Facebook, Google, and Youtube. All these websites focus on online advertisements. Websites like Facebook taps a large audience. This not only enables promoting to bankers but also lets others know the car sale. This is a good way to get other companies to tie up with the dealership of AMW. Communication Tactical schedule Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Poster News paper TV Web Display BudgetThe largest potion that is 50% of the budget is for promotion. Of the 50% promotional budget 30% will be allocated for television commercials, the conflict 20% for news paper, posters, display and web. The remainder 50% will be allocated for Brand Ambassador and miscellaneous expenses. The wide allocation for the budget is Rs. 2,000,000/- measur ing systemImplementation ControlsMonitoring, review and control will be done by the dealership company with the collaboration with the bank that is leasing the vehicle. The review to be done on a monthly basis. Progress against targets to be analyzed. For this a marketing plan has to be drawn out. A target market need to be chosen and a pilot project done before, the discount program is advertised. Once the dealership feels that this can be a advantagefully implemented then monitoring has to be under taken. This has to be done carefully. Gap analysis done on a regular basis. study actions need to be taken if there is no progress within the first three months of advertising. Dealership may go back to the pull board and redo the marketing plan again. Quality Assurance near this time the company was receiving a number of complaints regarding its biscuits breakages, poor taste, quality etcetera Rather than ignore the issue, CBL clear-cut to place an emphasis on analyse the cause of the complaints, and took corrective action, including formula changes, to reduce the high number of returns at the time. Setting up advance procedures for packing, product handling and transportation, the company vigilant for its future growth. It conducted daily taste tests of its own products and organized regular taste panels to compare its products with those of its competitors. It also methodically documented the specifications of all products being make noesis that had precedingly been passed on through practice and word of mouth. As the demands on the Quality Assurance department began to rise, the company decided in 1996 to seek ISO evidence Today, quality assurance remains an area of ill-tempered pride for Munchee. The department plays a critical role in product testing and development of production process controls and systems. High hygiene standards for grass habits and hair, together with regular swab tests of employees are strictly en forced. Every freight of incoming materials is tested for quality and those that fail are rejected. Following a complaint, products are collected from customers and subject to laboratory analysis. In 2004, CBL received HACCP certification for food safety together with SLS certification for its biscuits23.. With these in hand CBL became the only confectionary company in Sri Lanka to acquire all relevant qualitycertifications for its line of business i.e. SLS, ISO 90012000, ISO 1400124 and HACCP. Product DevelopmentProduct development also became an area of increased focus. While CBL had begun trading operations with a line of classifiable biscuits, along with just about generics. However, in the recent years the push for higher(prenominal)(prenominal) turnover had resulted in innovation playing a secondary role. Some of the biscuits that had do Munchee distinctive, were neglected in estimation of more mass consumer products. CBL began formulations and potential improvements to flavor and quality. The company also began to actively investigate and keep up with new technologies and machinery by participating regularly at trade exhibitions and through membership in industry associations. Distribution n first this time CBL took the termination to rethink its methods of diffusion and undertook to overhaul its sales and distribution efforts in favor of a much bolder plan. Up to this point the company had depended almost all in all on wholesalers to sell its products as a hassle free representation of managing its distribution efforts. As a result, duration CBL had the logistic and cost advantages of declareing a lean sales team, the company suffered due to its dependence on the excitement of its wholesalers to push its products. CBL decided to bite the bullet and invest heavily in its sales force. It expanded its distribution reach, increasing its number of distributors, changed the demarcation of sales regions into much smaller areas for more intensive sales efforts and recru ited the regional and ranking(prenominal) sales personnel take to cope with this new direction. 5.4.4 Customer entertainWith the changes to its sales force, CBL was forced to face up to the fact that it was very withdraw from its consumers. The company recognized that it had been paralleling the moves and decisions made by Maliban rather than acting on real consumer insights. CBLs focus had been very much product centrical concentrated on improvement of its formulation and production technology. It developed its products in closing off and once developed attempted to market them. Little maintenance had been p charge to market research, even on an informal basis. Moreover, CBL began to understand that itscustomer was a new, youthful generation whose tastes and style were very different from the consumer of the previous ten years. first in 1996, the Board itself acknowledged this changed attitude by beginning to go to the field on a regular basis to a top go across attempt t o gauge market perceptions and trends. The new developed sales force provided feedback from consumers and distributors and the company took the further maltreat of scene up a wear subsidiary to plan its marketing activities and to become more responsive to market needs an gaps. The prop company became in general responsible for improving product quality and procedures. 5.4.5 Image BuildingCBL also recognized that in order to grow it had to become a better known name as a company. donationly as a result of its multiple brand names, CBL itself was relatively unknown as a collective entity. Embarking on a contend to raise the profile of the company, CBL act the services of a consultant, and set out to gain greater corporate recognition for itself among both consumers and the business community. The publics lack of knowledge of the breadth of the companys activities was hindering its activities as a holding company, particularly for purposes such as tapping the cracking marke t. With the help of its consultant, CBL set about establishing a public image for itself. This was done primarily through the write media. Every week or so, an article regarding the company and its various corporate activities and Latest initiatives, including its export plans and CSR, appeared in the newspapers. Competitiveness BehaviourThe Biscuit WarsAround 1995, CBL had hit a wall in terms of increasing its turnover. hold by its existing production technology and consumer tastes, t its highest growth luck lay in the Marie biscuit market. While CBLs Marie25 biscuits now made up 50% of total production, the company was unable to meaningfully increase its sales and market share of the Marie category. It had attempted a variety of marketing activities including extensive advertising, merchandising and trade promotions, but was still not able to take sufficient market share away from Maliban. The Munchee Marie biscuit was at this time essentially a knockoff of Malibans Marie and us ed verysimilar packaging. However, contempt much effort and testing, eBL was not able to scarcely reproduce the Maliban Marie flavor. Although market share was a (then) respectable 10% and disdain fervent urgings from its own sales team to the contrary to be more like Maliban, CBL decided that the time had come to change tactics and be different in order to try to break through the turnover barrier. The Tikiri Marie CampaignMunchee hit on the winning concept of launching its own Marie as Tikiri Marie a petit sized Marie biscuit using an aggressive campaign entitled Tikiri Mole, to bring the little biscuit to the attention of consumers. The campaign targeted children with the use of attractive advertising and proved a real twist point in Munchees growth and image. The biscuit was so supremacyful that the smaller sized Tikiri Marie became the number one Marie biscuit in the Sri Lankan market, with a phenomenal 50 per cent of Marie market share and finally forced the giant Mali ban to acknowledge Munchee as a significant market fraud by playing copy cat and resizing its own Marie. 7 Part of Munchees success with Tikiri Marie stemmed from Malibans complacency and its failure to reply to this attack on the Marie category. The Tikiri Marie campaign brought into effect other changes at CBL such as the introduction of Munchees keep fresh pack, which ensured better product freshness. Following its success with Tikiri Marie CBL expanded the use of the fresh pack to the entire Munchee biscuit range. The company also commenced a Tikiri Marie scholarship program for school children in 1997 entitled Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara which it continues to this day. Now in its eighth year, the program provides one hundred twenty deserving children with scholarships of Rs. 1000 per month for one year with fresh applicants being selected annually. By 1998, the cumulative effect of the changes made through the 1990s, resulted in CBL achieving a 30% market share of the biscuit market (up from 20% at the start of the 1990s) and topping the Rs. 1 billion turnover mark. This was a study milestone for CBL, both internally and externally. The company was becoming better known, both to consumers for its brands and quality products and to the industry for its investments in good technology. CBL reinforced this reputation by committing to a Rs. 500 million expansion program Rs. 300 million of which was spent on a large state of the art plant from Italy. Plant 6 as it was known, was CBLslargest skill plant thus far with five lines that could handle both hard and fermented dough. This action by CBL sent a strong message, to its staff and associates, about CBLs optimism and potency in the companys future growth commercialization of this new plant, CBL planned to introduce a new range of biscuits to tackle Maliban head-on. 6.1.2 The gamboge snort BattleCBLs next strategic attack on Maliban came in 2001 with its rotter Puff. The Munchee Lemon Puff had a solid 3 0% market share but as was the case with Marie, failed at increment sales further as a me too product. CBL decided to re-Launch Lemon Puff, by promoting it as a machinate biscuit with a higher quantity of lemon picking. The campaign was heralded by an intensive television campaign directed at capturing the attention of a new market. What the company did not reveal in its advertising was that the cracker itself had been vastly improved, through a new formula and upgraded technology. It was in fact a noticeably better boilers suit sandwich biscuit than Malibans Lemon Puff rather than just being a look alike with more toss. Going against the advice of its advertising company, Munchee replaced the traditional yellow packaging, synonymous with the Lemon Puff category, with a white negligee. The superior moisture and odour barriers of the new metalized wrapper combined with the new lozengeow pack technology, which used only two seals to achieve increased air-tightness, better prese rved the crispness and freshness of the sandwich biscuit. This had been a problem that had plagued both companies tuffets for decades. Consumers who tasted the Munchee Lemon Puff for its extra cream (not enough cream was a complaint associated with both Lemon Puffs for years) were cheerily surprised and rapidly confuseed loyalty to the Munchee Lemon Puffs. Thus Munchee demonstrated that it was in touch with tastes of its consumers and used their feedback to improve its biscuits. The impact of the product changes were felt immediately. Munchees market share in puffs went up from 30% to over 50% within a mere four months future(a) this relaunch, and grew the entire puff category from 12 to 16%. As a result, Malibans share of Lemon Puff which had been a staggering 70% plummeted to 29%. By now Munchee had 45% of the local biscuit market and was vying with Maliban for market leadership. CBLs next big challenge was clear take on Maliban in the cream cracker market. disrespect Munche es success at evolution its sales,Maliban still had nearly 75% of the lucrative cracker market eyepatch Munchee was at a meager 23%. The Maliban cream cracker was well accepted and entrenched in the market. CBL had to fetch a way of severance through with an innovative cream cracker to take on this market. 6.1.3 The Cream Cracker AssaultThe following year, in 2002, CBL re-Iaunched its cracker as a topnotch Cream Cracker, enriched with vitamins in a bold campaign, with live send of two music shows held simultaneously in Colombo and Anuradhapura before spacious crowds As they had done with the Lemon Puff, CBL used a new metalized pillow-pack with a contemporary look to break away from the traditional solid red Maliban packaging synonymous s with cream cracker and re-formulated the cracker to feature a crisper and tastier product. The Munchee system of delivering a superior quality product that convinced consumers to switch brands proved a success and the results were phenome nal. Cracker sales grew, expanding its own market not merely taking over competitor share. ingathering in sales nearly tripled and Munchees market share in cream cracker immediately doubled to 40%, reaching 50% the foHowing year. Today, of the total cream cracker category, which makes up 20% of the total domestic help biscuit market, Munchee owns a 60% share. Super Cream Cracker accounts for 30% of the companys turnover, with a profit margin of over 25%. Munchee continues to fight aggressively for market share. Its most recent marketing campaign entitled Podi Badaginne targets the large 500 gm pack market, previously serviced by loose crackers. The focus is to use the cracker as a deputise for a full meal for chummary factory workers who are already provided with two meals from their work place. The company has again demonstrated its knowledge of customer needs and changing trends and lifestyles in Sri Lanka as the record 128% growth of this heavy use pack from 2004 to 2005 shows . Business ExpansionBeginning from the 1990s, CBL began looking at other areas in the food and confectionary industry to expand its businesses activities. 6.2.1 Ritzbury unitary of the first areas CBL explored was one naturally complementary to its existing line of business chocolate. At one time, the company had produced chocolate for Nestle and had just about exposure to Nestles chocolate operations.Launched in 1991, Ritzbury chocolates began with chocolate coat (enrobed) biscuits. The company went through much teething pain in developing the right quality chocolate for its use. It struggled to develop a workable formulation one that tasted good small-arm withstanding the melting and rancidity caused by the tropical Sri Lankan weather. Ritzbury gradually developed its market by first growing its range of coat biscuits, then expanding to chocolate candies and hand made chocolates, and only recently moving into the traditional slabs the largest market category. The companys stra tegy is to provide innovative eye-catching products to its consumers and thus pit from its contender. Ritzburys first entry was Chunky Choc (chocolate covered biscuits sandwich with butterscotch cream filling), followed by Chit Chat (chocolate cover wafer with hazelnut cream) and Chocolate Fingers (chocolate coated finger biscuit). Another innovation for Sri Lanka was Pebbles (brightly colored, sugar coated chocolate candies). The Ritzbury range includes Nik Nak, (chocolate coated vanilla cream wafer), Go silly (colored chocolate coated peanuts), Choosy (liquid chocolate stick) and Choco-La individual nuggets. Although it started out originally as a poor number four, Ritzbury recently beat Kandos (Ceylon Chocolates) to the number two intellect of touch in the chocolate market. However, at 21 % vs. 42% Ritzbury has only half the market share of market leader Edna and a long way to go to become number one. Further, Edna has itself shown to be very aggressive and warm in bringi ng out innovative products to the chocolate market. Ritzbury for its part, offers over 60 differentiated items, at the full range of price points and with a dedicate sales force certainly provides its consumers affordability and access. Despite being a small local brand, it offers consumers a complete range of chocolates and chocolate coated products and for other products frequently provides comparable alternatives to more expensive imported products. Examples are Pebbles as an alternative to Smarties, Chit Chat to Kit Kat and Go Nuts to M&Ms. Yet, apart from the hand molded specialty chocolates and coated biscuits products, the company has yet to fully convince local consumers that the quality of its slab range is on par with that of imports or Kandos. By 1997, following its first biscuit war and having magnanimous its market share in the biscuit market to a respectable 30%, CBL began to focus on sales of Ritzbury. One hindrance to improving growth CBL realized was the then s ingle kitchen stove of distribution it used for both biscuits and chocolates. In practical terms what this implied was that once a retailer had gone through purchases of the more established Munchee list of biscuits they would have little money left for Ritzbury chocolates. Ritzbury sales were materially change and it became evident that an alternative would have to be sought out. One excerpt was to increase the breadth of the CBL range in order to afford to maintain a second line of distribution. 6.2.2 Pancho SnacksWith this in mind, CBL decided to enter the snack food market in 1998 under Ritzbury. Named Pancho, this snack range was made up primarily of extruded snacks. However, patronage the companys sustained efforts with Pancho and the separate sales force, the impulse buy snack market proved a disappointing arena for CBL. Despite the introduction of two products under a new line named Catch Me together with a re-Launch of Pancho in 2000, the company found that it could only succeed in this market with a near continuous stream of promotions. Although CBL persevered in snack foods for nearly five years, it was eventually forced to close up this operation and admit failure. With the receive of an expansion of its range still in mind, CBL next entered a alone unknown food market. In 2000 due to its own fiscal difficulties, Yanik Incorporated, an investment bank, was selling its 79% stake in Soy Foods (Lanka) Limited, a public listed company manufacturing textured vegetable protein (TVP) nuggets. Soy Foods was a loss making number four instrumentalist in the market but had pioneered a number of soy products under the brand Lanka Soy. CBL seized this opportunity to expand its range, encouraged by its present Managing Director who had experience in the soya area. CBL purchased the stake in Soy Foods at Rs.9/share and took over operations in kinsfolk 2000 by 2002 the company had been successfully off-key around and had become a viable entity. This was t he success story that CBL had been searching for. The Soy Foods line allowed CBL to maintain a dual distribution network, one for its biscuits and another for chocolates and soy. The effects of this isolation of chocolate sales from biscuits were immediate and notable. By 2002 Ritzbury had made impressive inroads into its competition and grown market share to over 15%. 6.2.3 Lanka SoyIn 2000 when CBL bought over management of Soy Foods (Lanka) Ltd. from Yanikit was a loss making company. Despite being the pioneer in the local soy market, Lanka Soy was at the time selling only 50% of the volumes of the market leader Raigam, with a 15% market share. The companys growth was stagnating in a rapidly growing market, and many smaller competitors were cashing on its market with lookalike products. The challenging strategy set out for a turnaround of the company was to aim to make it not merely profitable but the market leader. CBL decided that not only was it necessary to grow Lanka Soys ma rket share, through a fresh look and product, it was going to grow the total product market through a change in positioning. sentiment very innovatively, the company decided what was needed was to position soya not just as a vegetarian food, but as a more economical substitute for the protein content of a main meal. Touting advantages such as convenience, price and the lack of freezer requirements together with newly introduced catchy features such as participationing shapes and flavors, a whole range of new brand soy products were launched under the Lanka Soy umbrella. Given that at the time, scandalmongering flavored soya was the most popular soya product the company decided it would introduce interesting flavors to accompany new presentation efforts. In order to take the competition head on, it improved the taste of its traditional range, while also increasing its product range. It developed not one but a range of chicken flavors, under the brand Chikosoy, consisting of tandoo ri, masala, roast and chilli chicken flavors. For the traditional vegetarian market, it introduced the Vegesoy range a further four flavors of mushroom, hot and spicy, Chinese chop suey and Indian rasam. But its piece de resistance was a completely new entrant Malusoy. This range of not merely fish but also seafood flavors truly tapped into a very strong local preference for seafood. Malusoy comprised spratts, devilled prawns, cuttlefish and ambul thiyal flavors. Packaging for the four new sub brands was done using a range of appealing eye-catching colors, with a unique logo designed for each. Advertising again interestingly was carried out by the piece on a sub brand basis. For specimen, Malusoy used a two pillar poster conveying the advantages over can fish. The company also took the extra yard of providing a sauce sachet to provide a one step cooking process. Emphasis was placed to introduce the cooked product to consumers by way of cookery demonstrations and street promoti ons. In particular, Malusoy was aimed at areas with littlecoastal access. gross sales efforts were overhauled, re-demarcating a network to reach 35,000 outlets with designated representatives for supermarkets, catering and restaurant orbits. The results were strong. By early 2002 Lanka Soys market share had jumped to 25% hitting 30% and market leadership a year later. Malusoy to eBLs surprise turned out to be Lanka Soys front runner in sales. The strategy to offer consumers, as a household, their daily main bag at a price less than half the price of canned or fresh sea food was highly successful. Within 24 months Malusoy sales exceeded 500,000 packets a month, making up over 14% of the total soy market. Due to the sudden launch of many interesting products at the same time Lankasoy established itself as trend setter and frontrunner of the soya product market. 6.2.4 Tiara CakeseBLs next expansion was within the local confectionary business -the lucrative Rs. 4 billion plus local c ake market. eBLs main biscuit and chocolate operations had traditionally taken place at its home factory located along with its head place in Pannipitiya. However in 2002, the company invested Rs. 1.5 billion to set up eBL Foods International (eBL Foods), a Board of Investment (BOI) approved company in Rannala, about one time of day away. Awarded a 10 year measure holiday, eBL Foods has a mandate to manufacture bakery products and chocolates the former includes a new line of cakes under the brand name Tiara. The new venture commenced operations in September 2004 with a new line of portion cakes individually wrapped sponge layer cakes, marketed under the Tiara sub brand Okay, The product line also includes swiss rolls. CBL Foods boasts a state of the art plant think primarily for cakes and a Clean Room,,33 to guarantee freshness for a shelf life of up to eight months. Due to production constraints faced elsewhere however the 110,000 square foot modern facility also includes man ufacturing and packing for chocolates, wafers and biscuits the latter including both hard and soft dough. CBL expects that its group task slab will come down to 32.5% as a result of CBL Foods tax advantaged status and the shifting of these manufacturing of chocolates, wafers and biscuits, which previously came under Ceylon Biscuits tax slab. The company uses a formula to determine profit and is taxed at the preferential rate of 15% on its export. 6.2.5 Other SnacksIn 2004, CBL invested Rs. 50 million to acquire a 60% stake in Cecil Food (Pvt) Limited (Cecil Food) an organic manufacturing business of dehydrated fruit products, fruit juices, desiccated coconut and cashews primarily for the export market. Though the company had been in existence for 10 years and exported to 20 countries, it was facing financial difficulties. CBL brought to Cecil Foods the financial strength and management experience that it needed, while the founder retained a 25% stake. CBLs main interest in Cecil Food was its exposure to rural agriculture and its export and local market potential. The company presently exports to countries including the US, UK, Germany, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Malta, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. Armed with CBLs financial backing the company has overcome its working capital needs. CBLs infusion of capital has enabled the purchase of new equipment and is now looking at expanding sales to tap the local market. Cecil Foods also has a 100% own subsidiary Cecil Fruit Canneries which concentrates on natural fruit juices for both the domestic and export markets. CBL intends to launch this range to the domestic market by introducing a line of fruit juices in novelty pouches. Export MarketsCBL has also set its sights on growing its revenues through tapping sales in overseas markets. Although CBL had been exporting biscuits from inception, around 1997, the company began to export regular container loads to the unit of measuremented States, Canada, Aus tralia and India, while also investigating at lucrative export markets such as the Middle East. India became a particular focus, with the company beginning its own marketing effort there. By 2000 CBL was also exporting to the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Sweden, the Middle East, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Fiji Islands and the Maldives. Although the export sector took a long time to stabilize, export orders now go out to 36 countries, exceeding Rs. 110 million in value (USD$ 1 million) in 2004/5. Exports to the UK, Middle East and Canada are mainly to the so called ethnic markets catering to the Sri Lankan diaspora, but in other countries demand is slowly establishing into in the established biscuit market through chain distributors. While most exports are under private labels that it, outsourcing for extraneous biscuit companies CBL has managed in or so instances to establish its own brand. This is particularly the case inAustralia where the company has taken the additional step, as it did in India, of setting up its own marketing effort by establishing a company representative as market manager. Australia is now the main export market for CBL, having overtaken the United States. CBL also enjoyed some recent success making inroads into western Africa. 6.3.1 Entry into IndiaThere are four accepted methods for a company to enter a foreign market exports, licensing, joint ventures and direct investment, which often represent an evolution in the degree of interest the company develops once it is present in the market. Beginning with straightforward exports from the mid 1990s and early exports of containers to India in 1999 CBL took the next step in developing the Indian market by investing Indian Rupees 3.6 crores (36 million) to purchase Parrys Confectionary based in Pondicherry, about an time of day from Chennai. Setting up a 100% possess subsidiary Ritzbury India, CBL began manufacturing operations for the first time outside Sri Lanka. The acquirement provided C BL with a six line 350 ton a month manufacturing plant. The company entered the Indian market with the Munchee and Ritzbury brands, for distribution in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. While the chocolates were manufactured in Sri Lanka, most of the Munchee range was baked in India. CBL produced nine varieties of biscuits including Marie, Glucose biscuits and several creams at the Pondicherry plant. This manufacturing base in India proved to be both a blessing and a harm to CBL. On the one hand, it became a strong negotiating tool for CBL at a time of labour unrest. CBL was able to take a tough stance, with child(p) closure and the moving of its entire manufacturing operations to its base in India. However, on the other hand, distribution arrangements provided by Parrys proved to be less than satisfactory. The company began a losing battle in trying to distribute its products. Revenues were far infra expectations and Ritzbury India further faced a number of detrimental tariffs in South Ind ia. Despite a Free Trade Agreement with India, and a decrease of vocation to 3%, the state sales tax in Tamil Nadu was increased by 8% for imported goods effectively nullifying any duty concessions. Following a second acquisition in India, CBL decided to completely dispose of its Chennai operations at a loss, dissolving Ritzbury India. In 2003 CBL hear about the sale through court auction of Bakemans, once the ternary largest biscuit manufacturer in India with a market sharehigh of 13% of the total Indian market. Outbidding its Indian competition in July 2004 CBL successfully acquired the assets of Bake mans at a cost ofRs .. 300 million. Along with the premises the company also gained six biscuit lines from the acquisition, two of which it chose to bring to Sri Lanka for knowledgeableness at CBL foods to allay its present faculty constraints. Based in Patiala in the state of Punjab, CBL set up CBL India with plans to commence commercial production in the near future, using one biscuit line. Having recruited Bakemans former CEO, who had been directly pertain in the companys rise to its one time number three position, CBL has ambitious plans for India and its manufacturing operations there in the future. Tentatively speaking of a Munchee-Bakemans brand name, CBL aspires to become number three in India within two years of operations and have the same type of success at retail that Dilmah has achieved in India CBLs challenge in India is to find a mass consumer line of biscuits similar to Marie and Cream Cracker in Sri Lanka. Glucose biscuits are an area that the company will have to examine, given their present popularity in India, but to compete with established players such as Parle-G and Britannia, CBL will need both a reliable distribution network and an attractive proposition for the Indian consumers to give it a try. The use of the Bakeman name, which would certainly aid the latter, is presently an issue. If CBL is able to use the Bakeman brand name in some form it will cut down market establishment time considerably. CBLs strength is that it has the innovation to develop a product to fit out this market and it has proved in Sri Lanka that it has the quality and taste to convince consumers to switch to its brand. What remains to be seen is whether it will have sufficient insight into the Indian market to correctly select what that winning product and distribution strategy should be. Other Indian VenturesIn 2004 CBL entered into an agreement with Ferrero of Italy to distribute and undertake manufacturing on Ferreros behalf. Ferrero is the world renowned producer of Nutella, Tic Tac and Ferrero Rocher and Mon Cherie brands of chocolate and another family owned business. Presently the agreement entails the manufacture of boxes for Tic Tac, Ferreros signature mini mint, intended to be extended to the manufacture or finishing of the mint pill also. CBL distributes Ferrero Rochers foil wrapped boxed chocolates,Nutella and Tic Tac fo r Ferrero in Sri Lanka and India. Manufacturing commenced in direful 2005, packing pills imported from Australia into the boxes. Distribution is intended for Sri Lanka, Africa, India and Pakistan. The linkup with Ferrero is another example of CBLs chairmans dynamic personality and relationship structure skills. Following initial contact in India, CBLs directors visited Ferreros head quarters in Alba, Italy, which Ferrero reciprocated with a visit to Sri Lanka. The company has expressed an interest in using Sri Lanka as a base for South Asian activities, moving its present activities from India, convinced of CBLsabilities as a business partner. CBL in turn hopes the association will expand its knowledge base through contact with the 60 year old Italian family business.Business Unit ContributionBiscuitsTurnover from Munchee biscuits, the biggest contributor to group turnover, grew 30% in the financial year 2004/5 and early results for 2005 show this trend continuing. Past years sale s have grown at a similar overall pace, although specific products have shown even higher growth rates at times of changes and innovation. Profit margins on biscuits range from 20-25% with products such as Super Cream Cracker, Tiffin and Chocolate Puff being the most profitable. Biscuit sales are presently constrained primarily by production capability, with demand strong and the company intending to increase its production lines in 2005/6. To try to keep up with demand, CBL has brought down two lines already from its recent acquisition in India and plans to import a new 2 ton per hour machine from Italy, expected to be installed in early 2006. Group cognitive operationWhile CBLs overall growth has been strong over the past five years with revenues more than doubling from Rs. 1.9 to Rs. 5.2 billion over the period, profit increases have been even higher due to various tax benefits. In 2005 CBLs group turnover grew 48% to Rs. 5.2 billion and net profit after tax grew 63% to Rs. 533 million, the highest ever in the companys 36 year history. sales surpassed the previous year across all areas of biscuits, chocolates, Soya and exports. The tremendous bottom line growth clearly indicates the donation accrued from CBL Foods tax advantaged status. Incomparison the 2004 figures were 11% top line and 23% bottom line growth. On average, overall profit margin has been near 9% over the five year period. This is taking into account FlY 200112 which differs due to both the industrial unrest that CBL faced for two months of that financial year as well as the exhaustion of the tax benefits afforded by the 1988 Investment Tax Allowance.The companys latest earning per share figure (EPS) is an astonishing Rs. 53.12 and more impressively has grown from Rs. 36.75 in 2003. This EPS figure reflects the extraordinary growth that CBL has experienced over the last 10 years. EPS in the late 1990s was actually in the Rs. 3000 range on the companys original ordinary share capital of Rs. 390,000 (made up of 39,000 Rs. 10 shares). Path ForwardCeylon Biscuits faced with production capacity constraints for its biscuits, as demand has grown well beyond forecasts. It has adopted the following three pronged approach to increase capacity a) bringing down two biscuit lines from India from its Bakemans operation for immediate capacity expansion, b) importing a brand new large capacity plant from Italy and c) future capacity expansion of its Indian manufacturing operations. CBLs future growth will come from increasing exports of its established products and diversifying by leveraging its domestic logistics and distribution capabilities to market its other products. The company is also increasingly open to looking at new opportunities, an example being manufacturing for Italian chocolate maker Ferrero. The companys core competencies for the future will be investment in technology, financial strength, sales and marketing competency and focused management. backbone challenges will be dealing with its production restrictions and becoming able to compete on a global basis by 2007. CBLs greatest test will be when the Indo Lanka FTA final phase permits Indian biscuits to be imported duty free beginning 2007. CBL intends to examine becoming listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange over the next few years. Since the desire for listing does not seem to be driven by financial needs only, it is still unclear what CBL will gain from this step. The company wishes to formalize its procedures in order to firm up its financial transparency and professionalize its make-up structure andoperations to ensure future continuity and success. There is a sentiment that going public will enforce the discipline required to ensure this. CBL is well poised with a business model to ensure ongoing value creation. It has spent time building strong brands that have future earnings potential. The brands have proven their competencies in that they have been replicated across new markets w ith success. However there are some concerns that need to be explored.Managing export marketsExport marketing could be more aggressive the model adopted by Munchee for Australia of establishing a marketing office seems the proven roadway to establish and develop key markets. We see some amazing possibilities for synergies for CBL in inviting someone of the caliber of Merrill 1. Fernando Chairman Dilmah to its board, perhaps even offering Dilmah some equity in an export division or forming a separate export company, who could help with establishing relationships with some of Dilmahs retailers and distributors in Australia. One way or another, the use of a different model to fast pursue export market expansion is advisable. 5. Managing Indian market entryThis is the second greatest challenge facing the company. India is an amazingly dissimilar market to Sri Lanka despite certain cultural similarities. It is fragmented with over 15 million retail entities, the largest number in the world. The organized retail sector in India is only 3%. However, over 51 % of its population is under 25 years of age and the fastest growing sector is the retail high-end supermarkets -expected to grow over three fold in the next five years (from US$8 billion to US$25 billion). Beginning with three malls in 2003, India had 25 by 2005 and is building 200 more. The pace of change is phenomenal. It makes sense to enter this high-end retail Focus on core competencieslRefocus on Sales and MarketingCBLs passion for quality, capacity to build brands and technological and production innovativeness are great competencies to be retained. Skills like marketing and sales are always unstable. Such skills are in demand, pressures are great and often new challenges are looked for in different cycles of growth. No proper product management system or category managementis in place. It is all-important(a) to have some depth to the marketing department. And while CBLs success speaks volumes for the capabilities of its current Director of marketing there is a need for a diversity of approaches and opinions so that marketing efforts do not grow stale. Key mid level appointments need to be made. Customer intimacy Product leadership / Managing brand TOMIn spite of CBL making all the right moves, and succeeding in achieving higher scores than Maliban in most of the consumer research categories (see chart below), Munchee is still behind in brand Top-Of-Mind (TOM) recall. This is despite Munchee having strong market noise levels in share of voice and especially with the competition making so many mistakes. Part of the gap between Munchee and Maliban in top of mind recall can be explained by the long history of Maliban as a market leader, and that it was the dominant player for a very long time. Part of the gap between Munchee and Maliban in top of mind recall can be explained by the long history of Maliban as a market leader, and that it was the dominant player for a very long time.