COTTON ISLAND . NARA

UNIT 1 REVISION

2010-01-05T14:57:00.000-08:00

Starting a business

KEY POINTS:

Enterprise
Enterprise skills
Entreprenurs

RISK&PROFIT

lack of finance
poor infrastructure
skills shortages
often high profits to be made from a business idea that competitors are afraid to exploit.

OPPORTUNITY COST = THE NEXT BEST ALTERNATIVE FORGONE

Sources of business idea

4 major resources:

spotting trends
niticing something that is missing from the market
copying ideas
taking a scientific approach

Identify of a PRODUCT & MARKET NICHE

FRANCHISING

- The the business(the franchisor) gives the right to supply its product or service to another business(the franchisee)

-It is important to know the benefits and drawbacks to be the franchisee/franchisor

PROTECTING A BUSINESS IDEA

Cory right
Patents
Trademarks

Transforming resources into goods and services

Inputs = factors of production:

Land
Labour
Capital
Enterprise

Inproving effeciency:

using recyclale/renewable resources
greater traning of the workforce
imcreasing the level of capital equipments
improvements in the entreprenuerial skills

PRODUCTION

-the process whereby resources are converted into a form that is inthended to satisfy the requirements of potential customers.

TRANSFORMATIO PRCESS: INPUTS TO OUTPUTS

ADDING VALUE

-The process of increasing the worth od resource by modifying them

VALUE ADDED

-Sales revenue minus the cost of bought-in materials, components and services.

Chapter 8 Mindmap

2009-11-05T12:05:00.001-08:00

Barker Ltd - Recommendation

2009-11-04T14:04:00.000-08:00

Overall the farm seems to be in a weak state. Two main options: to sell and moving into the crisp market. There are many factors that success depends on such as the finance will be raised favoringly whether or not, maybe other family members who agree to sell the farm refuse to put money into the business. The reliability of Romily's business plan is also an important factor, if the market research she took was not accurate, it may lead the business into a very risky and dangerous situation, and the changes in customers' tastes in the future are difficult to predict.

My recommendation is that the movement into the crisp production is advisable. As I mentioned the above, the advantages of the movement is more virtual than the disadvantages. There's a vary weak financial position, so I suggest that not only Romily, but other family members should put their own money as the finance support the business of crisp production. Depite the probability of success of moving to crisp production is 70% (shows from the dicision tree), however, this is a long-term plan and it still seems to be risky if there's lack of finance, shortage of cash and economic recession. Aslo, the alternaive cost -- selling the farm by 1.4 million pounds is quite attractive, that means some family members will strongly disagree the movement into crisp production , and they may casuse troubles which make the dicision to take too long time. Anyway, moving into crisp production seems more likely to be worthwhile if Romily is able manage the business more efficiently, and they can keep the Barker brand name which can motivate the whole members in the business.

Chapter7 Preliminary questions

2009-10-19T11:12:00.000-07:00

Q1 Analyse why Tesco has chosen to focus on small, local stores in Japan and the USA rather than on larger stores.

In Japan, this involved the takeover of an existing chain of japanese stores,Tesco introduced brand-new stores with small-scale. The advantage is this is a way to minimaise its cost, also, the return on capital employed should be high because the high profit but low capital employed, therefore there are less risks. However, it is difficult for small stores to bring a huge sales revenue and it is hard to attract customers.

Q2 Analyse internal factors that might have influenced Tesco's marketing objectives.

The key internal factor that might have influenced Tesco's marketing objective might be the corporative objective which is sales growth for the company as a whole. The marketing department must ensure that its marketing objectives are consistent with the corporate objective of the business. Also, the popularity of the products is an important factor. To Increase the sales growth, Tesco set objective which is to be strong in non-food as in food.

Q3 Examine factors that might cause Tesco to change its marketing objectives suddenly, such as its decision to enter the US market.

The key factor that make Tesco to change its marketing objectives suddenly is it haven't a achieve the targets for 2007/2008. In Asia, the number of stores was short of target by 86 and ub Europe, the number of stores was 69 below the target. Therefore, Tesco opened 53 stores suddenly in the US to reduce the shor of the target. Aslo, thouse additional stores will improve the efficiency of its operations. That means bigger sales growth and increase Tesco's popularity as well as goodwill.

Mindmap: Capter 7 Understanding marketing objectives

2009-10-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

Additions:

Marketing objectives are the specifix, focused targets of the marketing fuction within and organisation.
Marketing pbjectives are not static. They chanes as a business develops. Ther also change in response to both interal and external circumstancs.

Rotating baby stroller with eco-creds

2009-10-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

Priced at USD 900, the Orbit Baby Infant System includes infant car seat, base and rotating stroller that work together in modular fashion. The foldable stroller—priced separately at USD 485—features 360 degree rotation that allows the child to face forward, back or even sideways. An exclusive twist-and-lift mechanism permits one-handed folding, while a patent-pending, removable Cargo Pod makes getting to all of baby's stuff a breeze. The stroller is compatible not just with Orbit Baby's infant car seat, but also with its bassinet, toddler car seat and toddler stroller seat. Perhaps best of all, Orbit Baby uses micro-fiber upholstery fabric certified by the International Oeko-Tex Association, which limits more than 100 potentially harmful substances and chemicals. Its flame retardants, for example, meet all applicable standards without the use of many of the commonly used—and potentially harmful—chemicals. Its rain shields, similarly, are PVC-free, and its Green Edition foot muffs and car seat upholsterers—coming soon, and made of organic cotton and wool—will feature what the company says is the industry’s first fabric to be naturally flame retardant without any harsh chemicals. Orbit Baby is also working on a product recycling program for when families outgrow its products.

It is a convenient and the design is special which as I said above .So the stroller has all the function that people usually need .It considered all the situation for the babies .And the material for make the stroller is organic cotton and wool which are really comfortable for babies.But there are too many competitors in the market so it must has it own USP so i think features 360 degree rotation that allows the child to face forward, back or even sideways is quite well desgined.And it is very easy to use.

Therefore I think it is a good business idea .I think the products for babies are quite important this one looks really good .

Dragons' Den Foldio pitch

2009-10-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

Christian Lane, the youngest ever entrepreneur in the Den battles it out with the infamous Dragons. Actually, I think Theo was right to investment.

I'm interested the folder he designed, if i see the Foldio in the stationary shop, I think i will buy it. Chris Lane required 80,000 pounds, and provide 50% shares to the investor,this is a very satisfied and attractive condition offered of investors. Also, Christiane expect that the turnover will be 450,000, but I can't imagine that the market potential for this product would be significant enough to create a million pounds business opportunity. The expected profit is 225,000 pounds, which is a lot and the cost per folder is very cheap, only 50p, that means, the probability of making huge profit is big! Christian has approached 4 manufactures and the most competitive one is in Mainland China, he knows how to reduce the cost and deal with foreigners, this is very good to his business and this is aslo his predominace to gain the finance from dragons dem.

I found the video to show where he is NOW!

Also, there's his company's website you can visit.

However, he looks very very very successful now. ^^

Farmers use vending machines to sell product

2009-10-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I think this is a good business idea for farmers. Vending machine is always a good tool to earn money, it don't need too much space, this saves owners money and energy because they don't have to spend a lot of time selling products to customers directly.

People see snack vending machines everyday, usually no matter where they go. But they don't see vending machines which sell fresh milk, eggs, butter, cheese, potatoes and sausages. This idea is creative and innovative, customers are usually attracted by that kind of vending machines and psychologically they think those things in vending machines usually cheaper, so there are more reasons to attract people to buy. Another amazing benefit of the vending machine is it works 24 hours a day, this makes the business more competitive because not all the suppermarkets open for 24 hours and they close very early on Sunday. Vending machines really reduce costs, they don't require training, supervision, or motivation, it is very very convinient for farmers. Therefor, the investment of vending machines won't be so expensive, selling those kinds of product must average a very impressive gross profit and the return on capital must be high. Aslo, the important thing is the farmers won't worry the cash-flow problem and bad debts, becasue vending machines only products by cash.

However, people may doub the quality of the food in the vending machine and this is difficult to develop customers loyalty because it is lack of communication between the company and customers

I'M BACK!

2009-10-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

OK,,,,

Last week was a terrible sick week for me!! - -

but,,it had all past~~~

I'm back!!,,,and keep my lovely daily blog going on ,,

haha,,^^

Group Exercise

2009-10-01T14:03:00.001-07:00

The one of those ten actions about ethical behaviour which i want to discuss is " In order to reduce its production costs, a sportswear business moves production of its trainers to a country that employs child labour."

From the company's point of view, this is an efficient way to reduce the cost, the company will benefit from the increase of profit. However, this is unethical behaviour, it causes negative externalises (external costs), they are costs imposed on society by the company, and government have to pay the costs, which means the company fails to pay for the full cost of its action( employing child labour) and mike private profit at the cost of social welfare.

Employing child labour is not only unethical, but illegal. The company will lose its environmental responsibility by employing child labour because of the bad reputation for damaging the environment. That means it can have adverse effects on employees' perceptions of firm and its products, leading to a demotivate workforce and adversely affecting the ability of the company to attract high quality applicants. Also, there's the pressure group that might impeach the company with employing child labour and it is against the law, maybe the company will be closed down bu the government, this is very bad to the company's overall reputation and performance.

How do ratios affect the business?

2009-09-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

1. Liquidity

Liquid capital: is current assets excluding stock.
Liquid capital ratio(Acid test ratio): liquid capital/current liabilities

The liquid capital ratio measures: liquid assets in relation to current liabilities the amount of liquid assets available to pay the debts of the business.

If the acid test ratio is increasing, this could imply that the business will find it easier to pay its debts, but that might have too many resources tied up as current assets or liquid capital. If the ratio is decreasing, this could imply that the business will find it more difficult to pay its debts, but that might have reduced the resource tied up current assets or liquid capital to more efficient level.

2.Gearing

It is fixed-return financing in relation to all sources of finance, the ratio is expressed as a percentage.

Formula: Fixed return financing/All sources of finance

The gearing ratio measures:
how a company if financed
finance on which there is a fixed return compared to all of a company's finance

If the percentage is above 50%, this tells that the company is high-geared, which means it has high amounts of fixed-return financing in relation to all financing, and it is able to pay interest/dividends on the fixed-return financing reasonably easier if the company is doing well in terms of profits. However, the business may have difficult to borrow more, because it already has a relatively high amount of fixed-return finance and it's hard to pay interest/dividends if the profits are low.

If the percentage is below 50%, the company is low geared, so it has low amounts of fixed-return financing in relation to all financing and the business may find easier to borrow additional funds.

3. Debtors collection period: Debtors/sales times 365 days,

this is trade creditors in relation to credit purchases.

Debtors collection period measures how many days on average a credit customer takes to pay.

If it's increasing, that means the debtors are taking longer to pay then previously. There will be a weakness because it could imply that credit control is not being as carefully managed as previously and this could lead to an increase in bad debts. However, if previously credit control was too tight, and the change has resulted in a greater volume of credit sales.

If it's decreasing, that means the credit control is being better managed and this could reduce bad debts. But, if previously credit control is too tight, the change may result in a decline in credit sales.

4. Credit collection period: credit/sales times 365 days,

This measures how many days are taken on average to pay for credit purchases.

If the credit collection period is increasing, this tells you hat a business is taking longer to pay its creditors than previously. The business is exceeding the credit period allowed by suppliers and as a result suppliers may discontinue to offer credit facilities. But the cash flow will be improved.

If it is decreasing, that means the credits control is being better managed and that difficulties with supplies over exceeding credit limits will no longer happen. However, the business is now paying suppliers earlier than necessary, resulting in negative impact on cash flow.

( We have to always remember, if the creditor payment period is shorter than the debtor collection period this will have a negative impact on cash flow)

Dilemma 7 : The liar

2009-09-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, the story is about the white lie.

Zjamel has a boyfriend, called Bernard, and he is having an affair with Ethel ( A married woman). Zjamel asks him:"Are you two having an affair?", Bernard said:" Of course not, darling," and gives her a big kiss. Zjamel's hearer.t picks up, and she feels much better, and in a few months Bernard and Ethel have got bored of the affair and no one ever thinks about the matter again. The questions is: Did Bernard do the right thing?

Well, in my opinion, as much as I hate being lied to, I don’t think today’s society could survive without lies, I totally agree and believe that "lying is a necesary of life." The reason for Bernard lied to Zjamel is that he doesn't want to upset her, even through he dosen't like lying either. Bernard just wants to get over, either he is trying to get past this difficult situation with little hardship to himself, or he is trying to get things to go his way. Maybe he couldn't bare to tell Zjamel about the truth because he knew it would crush them . Maybe you couldn't bare to tell someone you care about the truth because you knew it would crush them (the person telling the lie doesn't have to face the difficult task of hurting the person they care about).

If you are the person on the receiving end of the lie, maybe it’s easy to say, "I’d rather you have told me the truth." The truth of the matter is that the person on the giving end of the lie doesn’t have the constitution to tell you that truth and deal with the consequences of that truth. However, someone close to me or someone I deeply trusted lying to me would really disappoint me. If I can’t trust you, if I can’t believe what you say, how I can I be around you? I don't want myself to be too suspicious. But, how to stop people lying and how can the people who receive lies accept the truth?

solution 7:End Britain Oil Addiction

2009-09-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

The problem of oil is being more and more discussed. As a limited resource, oil is now becoming exhausted, and the price of oil is absolutely becomes more and more expensive at this moment. Also, many serious conflicts happen because of the oil dependency, especially in the Middle East. We konw how important the oil is to every single person.

I saw a sentence from the article said:" If you can run onw coutry without oil, you can run the world without oil. If you can do it with cae technologies, it could happen in 15 years." I agree with idea because our technology skills are improved quite a lot and you can't imagine how fast the speed of that imprvement. So, it is very possible to have cars which don't need oil in few years later. That means people don't need to spend so much money on oil, and the cars whithout oil will be sold like hot cakes! That also means a big number of profit! The pollution is also a very bad effect on society, such as global warming, and many people now are tring to figure out the best subtitude of oil, like electric-cars.

The UK is a big industrial coutry, it needs oil every second, it is impossible to stop it using oil, and to reduce the demand of oil must be difficult and it will be a huge cost. Tax may be higher and citizen's welfare may be suffered because the UK government is investing to reducing the demand of oil.

However, it is good to find out the substitudes to replay oil, no one dosen't want to live in a beautiful and green environment. But we should pay the cost of pollution, those troubles we meet while reducing the oil addiction are the cost.

Solution 6:Manage from the bottom up

2009-09-21T12:37:00.000-07:00

Good management structure is very important to the business success. Bottom-up management turns the traditional organization model upside down, it challenges the way of management interacting with employees traditionally.

The young and ambitious manager is motivated by power, reponsibility, and prestige, he is able to accomplish his achievements. Accordong to Herzberg's motivation theory, to improve in recognition, responsibility, work itself, achievement and etc these areas will lead to increase in motivation. Bottom-up management is quite suitable for companies at this moment, it invloves job enrichment and job enpowerment, which motivates staff and also increases productivity,

Usually, the employees' direct manager is the one that has huge influence in measuring the performance of employees. I think every employee can provide strengths for the managers to learn and become better in management. Though there are few drawbacks with this approach, in the long run, the “bottom up management” is a better way to improve manager accountability.

For Bottom Up Management, the biggest disadvantage i think is that the manager is not a subscriber and out of ideas. And the biggest advantage is that he has a total understanding of the whole structure of the company. and the manager will always have the respect of the people below, and also he will have a better understanding of the rick factors in running a business.

Also, i think many banks in the UK should start the bottom-up management, especially those having so many troubles at this time.

Report: How Can EF Increase Profit

2009-09-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

EF Education First is the world’s largest private education company, with a group of fifteen subsidiaries and non-profit organizations centered around language learning, educational travel, cultural exchange and academic programs. EF has over 29,000 employees, teachers and volunteers, with offices and schools in over 50 countries.

How does this company increase its profit?

Advertising

EF has a definitely perfect website, which introduces us how wonderful the courses they have, how great the teachers they have, how good the facilities they have, how successful the students have and etc.
EF schools are located around the world, the most of student who choose EF school are preparing to study abroad, and the schools are far away from them, so, the website must be a very good channel for them to know EF schools. Therefore, website is very important for EF company, they have to make the website perfect that make viewers deeply the school is really like that.
They put videos, a lot of pictures of students' life and the beatiful scenario outside EF, aslo they have wrote somethinf like guarantee of success, for example, "100% of our successfully graduating students have gained entry into one of our 150 partner universities, or won palces at anotheer top-ranked university" and "The Times recently ranked the UK top 100 universities. Of those universities listed in the top 30, our students have gone on to study at all of them! More than 50% of last year's A-Level Programme graduates had offers from the top 10 universities including Oxford and Cambridge." This kind of information extremely attracts forein students and I think if we put "10 EF students go to Oxford Univercity", we will have 100 more new students this year ! :)

Staff Training

The Agent staff plays a very important role. No different with insurance agent, the EF agent should have quite wonderful salesmanship. Especially they have to perfome very good when parents and students come to ask about the information. Because sometimes they are the only bridge between the parents and the school, their behavior may directly affect the parents' decision.

Cafeteria

Every student must eat (although some of them are on diet ^^), cafeteria beings considerable profits, and the price is getting more and more expensive now, the number of students who buy things in the cafeteria never reduce. Because cafeteria is located in the school, this is also a place where students get together to study or chat. The cafeteria may introduce more sorts of food and drinks, and provide something like daily special to attract more students. They also can hire part-time worker, such as students, becasue they are not highly paid.

Reputation

As i mentioned before, EF is the world’s largest private education company, it has huge popularity and experience. The reason for most of the parants send their children to EF school might be EF's good reputation, and most of the stdents are language students, so they normally don't find out the turth of EF. Although they are disapointed or regret their dicision, they just stay there for several weeks, not like me!

Solution 5: Revive the export economy.

2009-09-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Some people argued that the UK manufacturing has withered in the face of unsustainable housing and credit booms, so Britain will have to go back to producing manufactured goods. Also, there's an idea which is using "economic geography", the study of the processes that make economic activity cluster in particular locations. The British government could develop new industrial sectors to revive its economy and also to spot these innovation hotspots early on and facilitate their growth with an injection of investment.

Obviously, developing new industrial sectors might be a good idea to make a quantitative increase in exports, and it helps to increase trade. The unemployment problem might have been lightened and also the local economy will be improved by the developing of industrial. There are other ways to revive the export economy as well such as to reduce the transaction cost for exporters by doing away with multiple agencies to make the process as seamless as possible, to add the Goods & Services Tax and etc. These plan are seemed to be possible to implement and they will be quite effective.

However, the innovation hotspots also mean a big number of costs, and at this time the UK economy is not that flourish even some people think it is falling into recession. Maybe it is a little bit hard for the British government to supply the financing, and the innovation must be incubated, this is a big goal which needs the government spend a lot of money and time to achieve.

Solution 4: Reduce the national debt

2009-09-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

From the article, I have known that the UK national deficit will rise to 14 per cent in 2010-the highest in the Western world. There's a lot of bad affects caused by increasing of the national debt, the interest rates on government bound will rise, which will make long-term inflation. That means those with pensions and saving suffer, unless the Government raises taxes and makes big cuts in public.

Well, first of all, the national debt is also known as government debt, which is money owed by any level of government, otherwise, it is an indirect debt of the taxpayers. National debt plays a very important role in the development of economy and society. The UK government need the money to support its military forces and the development of infrastructure and public facilities. Also, the goverment needs enough number to develop the education career, health care, and welfare fund.

Reducing the national debt will make the government to raise taxes and make a big cut in spending, that means citizen's welfare might be suffered. Anyway, there are other ways to reduce debtors such as reduce the wastings of spending, so it is important for government to manage spending correctly. Reducing national debt may help the UK economy to advoid a long-term inflation and also reduce the risk of recession.

Solution 3: Reinvent business with digital economics

2009-09-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

This topic is discussing the how the model for business to change with digital economics. Chris Anderson is a big-idea man, he argued that the near-zero marginal costs of digital distribution have created a new marketplace where free pricing is practically a force of economic gravity, and every industry is either going to have to become free or compete with free in the future.

Well, Internet is a huge advertising medium, you can virtually sit in middle of nowhere and connect with people across the globe, its quite fast and efficient with low cost. It's much cheaper than advertising on tv plus you will be advertising to million even billions of people. So, this is a very easy way of advertising for many companies plus the advertisement could also become interactive making it more interesting. when you purchase a product on Internet its usually cheaper because usually the store selling the product which allows direct contact with the consumer.

However, there are always problems such as items that were sold were often not in stock, even when stock came in there was inadequate warehouse space and insufficient staffing. When goods went to customers they were often sent too late, or were wrong items, were broken on arrival or had vital parts missing,etc. The goods were often returned, but there was no solid system for handling returns.

Anyway, I think this sentence that Chris Anderson said is really good---"The old model for business was 'make something people will pay for'. The new model is something people will want and something they'll pay for." Maybe Internet is a good place for business to change into a new model.

Extra work ! Is it possible to use scientific approach effectively in a subject that deals with human being?

2009-09-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

Really difficult question for me, coz i don do economic and socialogy :) but i still have to try !!

Economics is the study of man and his activities in relation to his environment. The study of ends and scarce means which studies alternative uses.

Fom the little i know, economics is a social science because it studies human environment, there is no specific(physical) laboratory. if we want to test anything concerning with economics, then we survey and taking primary and secondary research and analyse the things and it is carried out on the society. thus, society is the laboratory for any test of the subjects concerning with economics.

Most subjects in the sciences have a constant and specific way of carrying out their activities. For instance, to test the pH level of a matter requires a particular method, unlike in economics where the issue of unemployment solved in China differs from the way it will be addressed in the UK. Economics deals with the study of the environment in different ways. Therefor, i think it is possible to use scientific approach effectivelyin a subject that deals with human beings, but it must be a tough.

Report: Hurbank plc

2009-09-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

I'm now an independent management consultant, to write a report to the analyse the main arguments for and against the relocation.

For:
By looking at the Human resource and operations data for Cellton factory and the information on possible Chinese relocation. Above 80% employees are trade union membership and there's non in China, that means Chinese workers are unprotected and then Hurbank plc can make worker on overtime, and the unemployment in the region of the new factory in China is 14%, which is high. Also, the average annual pay within Chinese region is very low, which is 2,000 pounds pa and the average proposed annual pay for staff in Chinese factory is 16,000 lower than the average proposed annual pay for staff in the UK factory. This is a big advantage to Hurbank plc to reduce the cost for long views. Also Hurbank plc has to pay the net present value of the investment for the first five years about 5.7 million pounds, which is a large number. By looking at the break even, it is faster to meet the break-even point if the factories are relocated in China because the lower variable cost and lower fix costs, that means the risk of the loss has been reduced. We also can see, at the same volume (700), the profit will be higher, and there is 25% more capacity, so that much more profit!

Against:
By looking at the Human resource and operations data for Cellton factory and the information on possible Chinese relocation. There are absolutely the estimated costs of relocating and setting up in China, and this will cost a lot about 22 million pounds. This big cost may case cash flow problems and the company may be forced to increase their bank loans or bank overdraft. Also, the percentage of shirts returned by customers will be increased a lot from 0.01% to 1 %, this means the quality of the shirts are being bad and this will affect the company's reputation straightly, otherwise, the Hurbank plc has to introduce new machine and train the Chinese workers to improve the quality, and this increases the cost. The lead time is being longer as well because China as far away from the UK, and the number of redundancies in the UK is 350, and each person cost the company 100 pounds. Also, there's a forecasted change in the value of pound relative to Chinese currency, and it is -18%, which is not good to the Hurbank plc.

In summarise, I don't think to move all three factories to China is a good idea, because the disadvantages are more than the advantages above!

Case Study: Sainsbury plc

2009-09-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

I'm supposed to do the Q3 ^^

The question is : Assess the extent to which Sainsbury's plan for 2007-10 is likely to enable it to meet its corporate objectives.

Here's the plan for 2007-10

Space growth--10% new space by March 2010.
Development of grocery and non-food ranges.
Costs--cost savings of 155 million pounds in 2007/2008, thereafter ongoing cot savings to offset half our operating cost inflation.
Channel growth through online and convenience expansion.
Profit--profit growth flowing through at a percentage rate in high single digits.
Sales growth--total additional sales of 3.5 billion by March 2010.
Cash flow neutral over 3 years.

I think the corporate objective of 10% new space by March 2010 is likely to be met. First of all, the company must do a lot of marketing researches and analyse the data they've got after researching. They have to evaluate the place where they decide to open the new stores, including the population and accessibility, because these are very important factors which affect the number of customers straightly to a supermarket. Also, the situation of competitors are virtual to Sainsbury plc, they can't open a new store which too near the Tesco. And the company has to consider whether the staff think much of new store or not as well, that to motivate staff because staff are a part of this project. After marketing research, Sainsbury plc should set a complete and correct, proper and effective marketing strategy to make the space growth successfully, such as the way of advising their new stores.

However, 10% new stores is a big number and it is tough to achieve in only three years, that means a big number of cost and it may causes further problems for Sainsbury plc such as the cash flow problem and etc. Also, after opening the new stores, Sainsbury will have a range of troubles to solve like if some new stores can't get enough profit as they expected.

In summarise, I think it is possible to have 10% new space in three years by Sainsbury plc, although this is hard to achieve this goal, but Sainsbury has good reputation and popularity, also, their profit was doubles from 2005 to 2007, they have the ability to make the goal achievable.

Solution 2: meet the developing world

2009-09-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

The reccession is being more and more discussed, some people think that recessions provide and aboudance of opportunities. However, "recessions" is a negative word, so does" The worse the crisis, the greater the opportunity" really make sense?

Receesion means a general slowdown in economic activity over a long period of timeGDP, employment, investment spending, capacity utilization, household incomes and business profits all fall during recessions. So, most business people think it is not good to start a business in a reccesion.

There are some examples have been given from this article to show us how to catch the opportunities in a reccesion, after I summarised, i think the first thing that the business peopole have to do, is to think of what needs may emerge. For example, many unemployed people need assistance to help them to find new jobs. This is a good time to consider starting an employment agency, a life coaching service, a job skills training centre. Aslo, the people who had started a businnes already could consider what alternative options they have if they go out of business.

Anyway, opportunities are limited, business people should have full of passion and innovated ideas to survive in a reccetion.

Balance sheet analysis (Lapdesk)

2009-09-14T13:13:00.000-07:00

Report for Hebden Design ltd

Balance sheet is a list of the resource that a business owns and the amounts it owes to others.
By looking at the balance sheet of Hebden Design Ltd in 2008 and 2009, first of all, I see the shareholder's funds(net assets) goes down from -3,037 pounds to -4,674 pounds, this is absolutely not good to the company, the reason for this decrease might be the reduction of the profitability. So the value od business is getting less and it might cause to lose shareholders. However, the liquidity of this company has increased because the debtors increases, but it means that the risk of bad debts aslo increases. Also, the whole curent assets still decreases from 447 pounds to 419 pounds because of the reduction of stock, so the profitability still falls. This company is suffering from its profit, so they'd better to do something to increase their profit as soon as possible.

Survey of HONESTY

2009-09-14T04:15:00.000-07:00

1. If there's a product that would help you to cheat in your examination successfully, would you buy it?

2. If that cheating product is too expensive to your income, would you still buy it?

3. A membership card provides discounts to the individual only, however, people sometimes leand their cardsto the others. Do you think whther it is dishonest or not?

4. Do you think whether it is honest to sell weapons at very low price or not?

5. Do you think whether there's a strong reationship between HONESTY and LEGALITY?

Please comment your answers, u ll really help me alot ! Thx ! ^^

Solution 1: Break up the banking system.

2009-09-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

People debate about how long banks such as RBS and Lloyds should remain nationalised, and some people think that it will be sold off at a substantial profit to the taxpayer.

OK, every time I see"BANK" i think about the CREDIT CRUNCH. With the consumer credit and commercial real estate mortgage loan defaults increase, the financial system is suffering from a shock. That means banks don't have enough money, also, people decide to take their money from the banks, they don't dare to deposit their money into the banks.

Well, first i want to talk about the strengths of bank nationalisation. Under the governmental control, the advantages of creditors and depositors are being protected, the assets of the banks will be improved obviously, also it helps the financial markets to be stable.

However, we realize that to remake the banking system by the government must be a real ly tough progress, and how many operations which involved in the business will be damaged by the reorganisation during 10 years?

Case Study = =

2009-04-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

The breakeven point for a firm is when total costs equals total revenue. Expenditure and income are the same and the firm makes neither a profit or a loss. If the firm can sell at production levels above this point, it will be making a profit. If sales fall below this point, it will be making a loss. Establishing the breakeven point helps a firm to plan the levels of production it needs to be profitable. Break even analysis can also be used to analyse the potential profitability of an expenditure in a sales-based business.

But in this case, the experience of Nick Hess and Doodeaze show that break-even analysis is of little value to an entrepreneur starting a new business, Foodeaze ceased operations due to mounting losses after opening of a new atore nearby selling similar products. So, there must be some drawbacks about break-even analysis, suck as everything produced is sold whereas it is often the case that not all output will be sold; It assumes that all of the output is sold at the same price - often a business will have to lower its price in order to increase its sales; There are competitors that may lead to sales falling but break-even analysis can't forecast it. There are also some limitations such as it never consider tax or some others.

When sart a business, break-even could be helpful, but entrepreneur can't make all decisions just by a result from the calculation.

Using a computer in business and impact on staff

2009-03-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

Computers are commonly used items in many areas. It is an important thing to people, especially the people who run organizations, industry, etc. . .Most of the jobs today require the use of computers. These 'mechanical brains' made a huge impact on our society. It would be hard if we didn't have the computer around.

So, how do computers impact on staff in business?
First of all, I'll talk about the advantages:

Computers always take quicker than human can, so it can help increasing productivity.
Reduce waste.
More effective and efficient delivery of goods and services to customers.
More productive staff utilisation, stall can be transfered to more urgent or complicated tasks.
Better communications both internally and externally.

Then, I'll say something about the disavantages:

Computers may create an increased need for staff training.
Staff may lose jobs becouse computers can replace human staff which are dangerous, repetitive or boring, which can be demotivating for staff.

TQM Improves management and profits

2009-03-24T17:49:00.000-07:00

What is Total Quality Management(TQM)?
TQM means the whol workforce has to be committed to quality improvements. This idea is to build quality into every department and not let quality get squeezed out.

With TQM, every employee has o try to satisfy customers.
It takes time to introduce TQM--workers need training so they see qulity as their responsibility.

So, TQM improves management and profits, let's see some advantages here.

Create constancy of purpose toward improvement of product and service, with the aim to become competitive, to stay in business, and to provide jobs.
Improve constantly and forever the system of production and service to improve quality and productivity, and thus constantly decrease costs.
Institute training on the job.
Drive out fear so that everyone may work effectively for the company.
Break down the barriers between departments. People in research, design, sales, and production must work as a team to foresee problems of production and use that may be encountered with the product or service.
Eliminate work standards that prescribe numerical quotas for the day. Substitute aids and helpful supervision.

Dog is GOD!?

2009-03-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

This business idea is about luxury designer homes for dogs.

Italian designer Marco has dedicated his life to God. I mean Dog. His six tailor-made and exclusive Doghouses bark exclusivity, class, elegance and comfort. The only thing these pooch pads don’t have is a toilet. But then again, the dogs don’t really care because they know we’ll cleanup after them anyway.

This idea is not bad. Although I don't have any dogs, but I think if one day I can have a dog, I will love it so much and treat it as a god = =, I know this is crazy, but most people who have dogs love their dogs crazily and majority of them are very rich. So, the market size is not the problem, but i'm worried about the demand.

Strengths:

luxury design
good quality

Weaknesses:

High price
Small demand
Difficult to find the product
Small demand

Transparent Toaster(Concept Only)

2009-03-17T13:11:00.000-07:00

I think this business idea is not so good.
When I saw the picture of this product, I found the kitchen gadget that has me intrigued; it’s a transparent toaster, this is a most stylish toaster I ever saw.
This transparent toaster allows you to see the bread while it is toasting so you're never surprised by toast that comes out too dark. This idea is based on a transparent heating glass technology. But the problem is the glass does not currently get hot enough to toast bread, the thing’s only a design concept and not a working device.
Ok, let's see the strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths:

Stylish-looking
Can see the bread aross to the glass

Weaknesses:

Glass does not get hot enough
It is only a design concept
Not usefull that normal housewives won't buy it.
High price.

My accommondation!!!!

2009-03-10T15:06:00.000-07:00

I have a really really lovely bedroom ! ^_______^
It's a single room with cute pink wall paper, and there's a double bed for me !!hahaha!!

My big big big big bed!~ ^^So comfortable!!~

My colourful wall ^^

Nice desk, but not so big = =

Everyday you can see me sitting here and working hard! hehehe,,

I love my pretty wardrobe+dresser! ^^

Daisy always comes to my room, as you see, we aways work hard together and help with each other~~ ^^hahaha,, I never feel lonely and boring here~

You will never want to lose weight after watching this !!

2009-03-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

Flybar Pogo Stick

2009-03-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

This is a kind of 21st century pogo stick, by using aircraft-grade aluminium, can reach heights of 9 feet. The Flybar may be attractive people who are interested Extreme Sports.
About the product:Light in weight not by nature! This model incorporates the same patented technology as the flagship Flybar 1200 along with a host of NEW features. Weighing in 7lbs lighter than the 1200, the Flybar 800 is ideal for anyone overawed by the power of the 1200! With an ideal user weight at 80-180lbs this model would suit younger users or those who want to practice before moving on to the Flybar 1200 Currently available in Ireland is the Flybar 1200 and 800
I think this business idea is not bad. Let's see the strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths:

Can play everywehre everytime
High safty
High-tech (using aircraft-grade aluminium)
Can buy both online and in shops (there are a lot of sport shops sell this product)
Light weight.

Weaknesses:

Extreme aports (limited people are interested)
High price(Young people can't afford)
Small market size
Too many competetors
Not popular now

Wonderful Gays!!

2009-03-05T16:16:00.000-08:00

I don't know what to say = =``

It's happened in Tailand, may be it is about sociology ....

P.S. Lex said he will learn it and show this fantastic dance to us few days later!!

We are looking for a business teacher >0<

2009-03-03T13:54:00.000-08:00

Xixixixi...^0^
Calm down, calm down !~ This is just our business homework = =
Ok, we were supposed to make an advertisement of EF looking for a teacher, and our wise, laborious and lovely Mr C#### ( I'm worried that other teachers will be jealouse) teaches THREE different subjetcs, that must be so tired!!.So, we decided to find a new business teacher to share his tribulation. ^^

Business Teacher

Location: Oxford
Salary: secret (won't be low)
Company: EF International Academic
Employee type: Contract
Job type: Permanent(NOT GOING TO TEACH IB and break A level students' hearts)
Date posted: 02/03/2009

Description:
This International Academic school is looking to appoint a teacher who can offer Business Studies to AS and A2 standard. You must be a suitably qualified and experienced teacher and available to start as soon as possible. Our students are all from other countries, such as China, Russia, Kazakstan, etc, so if you come to our school, please do NOT talk about the problem between China and Taiwan. All students in our school must improved their english, so you must speak english nomatively and fluently, and don't speak too fast in class and ask them to do their blogs everyday. Some of students may be absent most of the time because they were drunk or wenk shopping or took drugs or became a monk , ( ^^ just kidding), so you must be kind, tolerent and patient, always be confident when you face to these student. The last thing, save people from group A!

You will have a oppotunity to work in a school with good environment , interesting staff and excellent students!

Please email your CV to ian@ef.com match the requirements.

Image-on-Nails Inkject Printer

2009-03-01T15:11:00.000-08:00

I like this business idea, and I really want to have a try! ^^

Nail fashion is the biggest news in the nail care industry this decade and ImagiNail is leading the way. Leading fashion designers, accessory manufacturers, and major retailers all now agree with the nail industry that "Nails truly do complete the look" And, only the ImagiNail Nail Fashion PrinterTM can apply high quality fashion images - in vibrant color and photographic clarity - directly onto natural or artificial nails.

Let's see the business opportunity:

your profit per client .
Attract new clients and Increase the frequency of client visits
Gain a competitive edge

And also, here's a marketing support to increase success:

In-salon marketing materials including posters and buttons.
Event marketing kits that attract new customers
Listing your salon on our website.

About the products, there's a range of strengths:

High quality
Quick to learn and easy to use.
Big marketing size.
Less competitor.
Professional.
Special.

But, there are still some weakness:

High price.
Less advertisements.

China's Economy: Soft or Hard Landing?

2009-02-24T16:18:00.000-08:00

A significant slowdown in China's economic growth in the third quarter is posing daunting challenges to the government's macro-control policies.

Pushing structural reform

The government's policy adjustment will determine whether China can prevent an economic slowdown from evolving into a meltdown.
China should transform its economy from an export-driven to consumption-driven growth model and from one that relies on highly polluting and energy-consuming heavy industries to one that depends on the hi-tech and service industries.

The cyclical fall in commodity prices offers the best timing for China's energy price reform as well as for increasing its energy efficiency. (Currently, the government decides most of the energy prices; hence cost fluctuations cannot be reflected in the final sales price.) In the 1960s-70s, Japan, Germany, and Latin American countries such as Mexico and Argentina boasted the highest economic growth in the world. But four decades later, the first two edged into developed countries, while Latin American countries are still lingering in the domain of developing countries. This is because they adopted completely different development models after being punched by high oil prices in the 1970s. Japan and Germany adopted favorable policies to encourage innovation in energy efficiency projects, and their energy efficiency levels have doubled in the past 30 years. But developing countries tried to stimulate economic growth by offering subsidies and price caps on energy. At present, the energy problem has increasingly become a bottleneck restricting developing countries' development. China should avoid the Latin American pattern and embark upon a project to refurbish its national energy policies to develop its economy in a more effective way.

Moreover, China should perfect its social security system in a bid to boost domestic consumption. High household deposit rates and low consumer consumption are partly caused by the lack of a sufficient social security system. China's expenditures for social security are far less than the average spent by developed countries. Therefore, its citizens tend to save as much money as possible for their retirement and possible illnesses, thus leading to inefficient consumption. The government should invest heavily in social security, public health and education to reassure its people that it is safe to spend money now.

Apart from the above-mentioned suggestions, the government should continue its land reform program to improve farmers' income, speed up urbanization and enhance intellectual property rights protection to promote innovation.

China opens key economic policy meeting

2009-02-24T14:59:00.000-08:00

This is for our presentation of impact of China's economy policy on firms in China.

China's top leaders gathered in Beijing Monday to determine economic policies for 2008 amid efforts to prevent the economy from overheating and to curb inflation.

The Central Economic Work Conference, an annual event initiated more than a decade ago, has served as a crucial mechanism for the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council to run the Chinese economy.

Despite spectacular economic and social development since the start of the year, on the agenda at the conference is how to cool off booming investment and bank lending, address the soaring trade surplus, and improve the people's livelihood, sources said.

The conference will work out specific strategies and resolutions for these problems China is confronted with in its development.

China's economy is expected to expand 11.5 percent this year, fueled mainly by investment spending which rose 26.9 percent in the first ten months.

Its foreign exchange reserve topped US$1.43 trillion by the end of September - a main factor that have triggered the persistent liquidity problems.

Due to rising prices of food, the inflation rate will be 4.5 percent to 4.6 percent for the full year, compared with the government target of three percent, China's top statistician Xie Fuzhan said last week.

In a prelude to the conference, the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee convened a meeting last week, saying next year's top macroeconomic priorities would be preventing the economy from overheating and the current price rises from evolving into "evident inflation".

"China would seek steady progress, give priority to good development (over excessive development) and adhere to its reform and opening-up policy," the Political Bureau was told.

The country would also strive to make bigger progress in improving the people's livelihood, especially the lives of low-income families.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has also admitted that "prices have been on the rise these days and I'm aware that even a one-yuan (US$0.13) increase in prices will affect people's lives."

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2007)

Business Vocabulary (part 2)

2009-02-22T16:04:00.000-08:00

12. person specification----The skills that a job candidate must have in order to complete the tasks of a position offered by a company.

13.Induction----Alternative term for inductive reasoning.

14.Employee empowerment----Employee empowerment is a strategy and philosophy that enables employees to make decisions about their jobs

15. Job enrichment----Job design technique that is a variation on job enlargement concept

16.Job enlargement----Job design technique in which the number of tasks associated with a job is increased (and appropriate training provided) to add greater variety to activities, thus reducing monotony.

17.Capacity utilisation----Capacity utilisation is the percentage of the firm’s total possible production capacity that is actually being used.
Capacity utilisation is calculated as follows:

Capacity utilisation (%) =
actual output per month (or per annum) x 100%
________________________________________
maximum possible output per month (or per annum)

18.Rationalisation----the organization of a business according to scientific principles of management in order to increase efficiency.

19.Quality control----Steps taken to make sure that a company's products or services are of sufficiently high quality. also called quality assurance.

20.Quality assurance----the same as quality control.

21.Productivity---The amount of output per unit of input (labor, equipment, and capital).

22.Product portfolio analysis----

23.price taker----An individual or company which is not influential enough to affect the price of an item.

Business Vocabulary (part 1)

2009-02-17T13:37:00.000-08:00

1. market mapping---Market Mapping is a distinct, well-codified methodology for organizations seeking to align their marketing strategies and processes and/or product development priorities more closely with the problems that customers need to solve most urgently.

2. market segmentation---A market segment is a subgroup of people or organizations sharing one or more characteristics that cause them to have similar product and/or service needs.

3. Brand positioning---When a new brand appears in the market, the consumer gets acquainted with it and starts collecting information about it. On the basis of this information the consumer creates an opinion of the brand and establishes a beand image.

4. Advertising elasticity---Advertising elasticity of demand is the change in sales that results from each monetary unit (e.g. each pound or dollar) that is spend on advertising.

5. Cash flow---Cash flow (also called net cash flow) is the balance of the amounts of cash being received and paid by a business during a defined period of time, sometimes tied to a specific project.

6. Loss leader---A loss leader or leader is a product sold at a low price (at cost or below cost) to stimulate other, profitable sales.

7. Adverse variance---It is the difference between actual and budgeted spend. Managers look at variances to help them understand and control business performance.

8. Net profit margin---Profit margin, Net Margin, Net profit margin or Net Profit Ratio all refer to a measure of profitability, it is calculated by finding the net profit as a percentage of the revenue :

9. Organizational structure---An organizational structure is a mostly hierarchical concept of subordination of entities that collaborate and contribute to serve one common aim.

10.Off the job training---Off the job training involves employees taking training courses away from their place of work. This is often also referred to as "formal training".

11. On the job training---Employee training at the place of work while he or she is doing the actual job.

* P.S. Here's a business dictionary!! It is very useful!!

Rubik’s cube

2009-02-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

The Rubik’s cube is more popular then ever. It’s getting a spherical updated, it’s also a lamp and it makes a great alarm clock too. So this touchscreen Rubik’s cube makes perfect sense. It’s a natural progression. Obviously the TouchCube works just like the old version, but instead of turning it’s segments, just swipe a finger in a straight line or an ‘L’ shape. There’s even an accelerometer built in so that only the upwards-facing surfaces respond to your touch.

Strengths:

Multifunctional
Easy to use
Stylish design ( attracts a lot of children and teenagers)
Less competitors
Creative

Weaknesses:

Too expensive ( 150 pounds, and most target audiences are children)
Only can by online

"Clocky"Evasive Alarm Clock

2009-02-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

This is a clock, a friendly, wheel-footed alarm clock which is with a lovely name--CLOCKY!^^
The patented alarm clock that runs away and hides to get you out of bed. CLOCKY gives you one chance to get up. But if you snooze, CLOCKY will jump off your nightstand and wheel around your room looking for a place to hide, beeping all the while. You'll have to get out of bed to silence his alarm. CLOCKY is kind of like a misbehaving pet, only he will get up at the right time.
I think this is a really good idea!~..Especially for people like me---very very very difficult to get out of my lovely, comfortable, warm bed.
Strengths:

Stylish(Attracts young people, especially girls)
Small(Size: 5.25" x 3.5" x 3.5")
Creative and high technology.
Can buy online and also in the shops.

Weaknesses:

Expensive($50)
Limitation(Only can but in America)

What can Toyota do?

2009-02-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

Toyota meets some problems.
Let's see what can Toyota do?
1)Reduce production, stock falls. The marckedt has over capacity by reducig production costs(labour, materials)are reduced.
2) Create a new hybrid. (electric and petrol)car. This will attract customers as running from costs over cheaper. There is a competition based on quality from general motors (Battery prondes, more energy and has a longer life cycle).
3) Ask the government for subsidies, this would compare cash flow and reduce costs os investment.
4) New market. (Ansoff matrix)
5) New products, e.g. a flying car.
6) Close plants, e.g. truck companies.
7) Establish the emergency profit improvement committee.
8) Manager's bonuse.
9) Reduce workforce.
10) Reduce hours.
11)Reduce payment.
12) Sell of part or all the company.
13) Drop price.
14) Use Toyota brand to make other products(high quality).

Gneration G

2009-02-08T11:45:00.000-08:00

THAT G WOULD BE "GENEROSITY", NOT G FOR "GREED" ^^

Read this first:

Sometimes big events and ongoing trends clash in a beautiful way, only to converge soon after. Consider the following:

GENERATION G "Captures the growing importance of 'generosity' as a leading societal and business mindset. As consumers are disgusted with greed and its current dire consequences for the economy—and while that same upheaval has them longing more than ever for institutions that care—the need for more generosity beautifully coincides with the ongoing (and pre-recession) emergence of an online-fueled culture of individuals who share, give, engage, create and collaborate in large numbers.
In fact, for many, sharing a passion and receiving recognition have replaced 'taking' as the new status symbol. Businesses should follow this societal/behavioral shift, however much it may oppose their decades-old devotion to me, myself and I.”

Well, I think it is very important for corporations to ditch the greed and embrace generosity. It's something that countless individuals have already started doing, of course: giving is the new taking, and sharing is the new giving. People realize that this month's Trend Briefing is massive, but in this business climate, they must spend some more time figuring out how to get a little closer to their customers.

Fashine Laptop Carry Cases

2009-02-05T12:18:00.000-08:00

I want to their website, it was a not so gool commerce site, but their business idea is not bad.

The products there are normally for women because women are more likely to pursure and fashion. There are a range of stylish and pretty designed laptop bags which are casionally to be found in normally shops, so they must attract many many female customers,especially stendts in colleges and office ladies.

Strengths:

Fshionable Products.
Stylish reputation.
Cheap prices.
Nice Quality.

Weaknesses:

Not famouse brand
Limitation(only for online shopping and only pay in US dollar)

Solar Charging Backpack

2009-02-04T12:14:00.000-08:00

Dicribtion about this bag:
The Voltaic Converter is the most versatile model. It is a small light weight day bag with a compartment for a water bladder, so it is ideal for biking and hiking.
Multiple attachment mechanisms mean it can work as a pannier on a bicycle, a tank bag on a motorcycle, a saddle pack, or a day bag attached to a lager rucksack.

Well , I think this is a good idea. From my point of view, I think this bag is very useful because I'm studing abroad overseas so I must spend so many hours in airplaines every year. This bag may be the best choice for me to carry with to take the flights! It's small light weight and versatile, it is very suitable for small people! But I don't like its design and colour~~

Strengths:

Cheap
Easy Attachment
Specifications ( light weight but big volume)
Environmental(4 Watts of Solar Power)
Versatile (Battery Included,etc.)
Sell Online.

Weaknesses:

Poor design. (Not good looking)
Poor brand.
Too many competitors

LEX JACKSON

2009-02-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

One of my friend asked me that how is my school life in the UK.

I just sent this picture to her.

She said:"NICE!"

Hyperlocal newspaper turns blogs in to print

2009-02-01T15:38:00.000-08:00

The Printed Blog is the world's first daily newspaper comprised entirely of blogs and other user generated content.It seeks to change the way people share and interact with news from the world around them. Therefore,we can read opinions of different people meanwhile .I think it will be more convenient and efficient for people to discuss or learn things from others.

So,let's see how it works first--

1.Submit content.

2.Upcoming issures.

3.Advertise with us.

4.Community input.

5.On social networks.

6.Talk with us.

7.Work with us.

8. Lastly,just know more about us.

On one hand, advantages are very obvious that this independent outlet that aggregates user-generated content from the internet that it can meet a lot of different people's demands.Secondly, the newspaper is fully tactile that it reads and functions like a web feed, but that can still be spread across the breakfast table or enjoyed on the train. Moreover,there are lots of contents that include not only blogs but also photographs, puzzles, events, reader comments and other items of local interest.

On the other hand,the disadvantages exist that can not be avoided but not too many.One is that it just fits for people who have computers. The other weakness i think, is that the paper for printing sometimes may costs more than buying a piece of newspaper.

As a whole,i have confidence on this product.And it is on its way now!!!

Powering restaurant with kitchen grease

2009-01-29T12:02:00.000-08:00

Very good idear! Let's see how it work.
Vegawatt focuses on the upside of grease, turning restaurants' waste oil into electricity and hot water.
After filtering a restaurant's used vegetable oil, the unit combusts the refined fuel in a diesel engine, feeding electricity and hot water straight into a restaurant's system. The units won't provide all the power and electricity that a business needs, but can significantly improve its carbon footprint and running costs, as a unit typically provides 10-25% of electricity requirements.
Strengths:

Save on electricity and heat.
Generate clean energy.
Easy to use, no fuss, no muss.
No more over lowing oil barrels.
The reputation boost gleaned from going green.
Businesses further benefit by not having to pay or arrange for used oil to be removed.

Weaknesses:

N/A!

Super-Light 'Aircraft'

2009-01-28T12:51:00.000-08:00

“This is a universal kind of transportation. It can fly at the height of 4,000 meters above the ground and cover the distance of up to 400 kilometers without additional refueling. Its 30 horse-power motor allows to develop the speed of 160 km/h in the air and 80 km/h on land. An on-board computer controls pilot’s actions,” Alexander Begak told ITAR-TASS.

Weakesses:
It's made of ultra-strong materials, so it must be a vey high cost.
Limitative customer.

Strengths:
Super light, only 60 kilos.
Benefit of strategic defense goals.
Useful (It can patrol frontiers, conduct day and night photography, mapping and monitoring)

Toy Rentals For Kids

2009-01-27T11:45:00.000-08:00

I think this business idea is very good.

Strengths

First, it works easily, because it is online, there are a lot of conveniences provided. So, let's see how it works:

1.Choose a membership plan that is right for you
2.Select as many toys to add to your wishlist as you like
3.You will receive toys from your wishlist within a few days
4.Keep the toys for 30 or 60 days, depending upon the plan, or longer if you wish. You will still only be charged your low monthly membership fee, with no late fees ever! *Customers receive only One Shipment Per Month or One Shipment Every 2 Months, depending upon the plan*
5.When you are ready to get some fresh toys, place the toys that you wish to return back in the original shipping box, tape up the box with the provided tape & adhere the provided postage paid Fed Ex shipping label, then drop off at any Fed Ex shipping location. (Visit www.fedex.com to find the closest location to you)
6.When we receive your returned toys, we will send out your next shipment.

And second, it saves your money! Nowadays, children's toys are very expensive if they are high quality, and they ar elimilated quickly because diffenrent types of toys are for childrn in different age.
Third, if you rent toys so you have to give them back to the company, then there will be less clutter in your home.

Weaknesses

The toys may be damaged, then the consumers will be unsatisfied.

Many people don't trust the safety of the toys.

Most children want to own the toys, so it is difficult to parnts to give the toys back.

Check someone's english!

2009-01-27T11:30:00.000-08:00

"Video games can influence on the human behaviour. Nowadays play male and female of different age, them interesting virtual life, because there they can do what they want, no roles, no pressure from other people And people become aggressive after. For example female play Sims. The presence sexist stereotyping in games is hardly surprising. But it is influence on the state of mind, such as when you play you can do what you want but after this you want to try in the real life. There are many choices when people after game they went out and killed person or crushed something. At the real life for this you should pay, you can be arrested.I think that after the playing games person can be change, because some of them can play all day, it is a drugs when you try ones and cant life with out them. I think that should to influence to stop sell aggressive games which bring bad position. "

Team work,,It's amazing!!

2009-01-21T13:26:00.001-08:00

A million dollar blogger

2009-01-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

I have listened this prodcast today,,,..It is really amazing!,,It sounds that it is not so difficult to in pocket..But, actually there are many works to do, to create a blog is easy but to make it attracts a lot of viewers is hard..So, having a "blog coach" is important, it is a good choice!~ ^^( If you do your blog as a business.)

As Alborz said:" You shouldn’t worry yourself about anything except producing decentcontent. The SEO is obviously important. You need to have decent, basic understanding of how to do it. Don’t come up with fancy names for the title of thepost which mean nothing to anyone looking for whatever you are writing about.Basic things you follow, but apart from that, the key is just to write good contentand I think that’s what’s really important."

And this procast is a really good advertisment for the E-commerce site(http://www.blogmastermind.com/coaching/)

How to keep Generation Y motivated

2009-01-19T11:44:00.000-08:00

First I have to understand what is Generation Y,
After going to the website, konwing that, generation Y is those were born between 1977 and 1994, Gen Y makes up over 20% of today’s population and they are rapidly becoming a hot commodity in the work force.
So,,,
What do they want to gain from their jobs and bosses?
How do pay and benefits affect their loyalty?
What motivates them at work?
How important is it to keep their job?

Carolyn Douglas CEO said:

Creating a warm, fun, friendly environment to work in
Socializing with my employees
Rewarding them for performance
Providing flex time as long as the work gets done
Giving them a voice that is heard and valued
Opportunity for mentoring others
Sharing in the company success

In the procast I heard many odiums of generation Y from the female, I think she must be a generation X !! = =

Crazy Business Idea ! ^^

2009-01-15T13:05:00.000-08:00

I watched a movie which is called (甲方乙方）, and it is MADE IN CHINA~ ^^

There's a really good, creative and crazy business idea in this movie...

A small group of people (4 people), they start their business (Dream Factory)together, they can make 1 day for their customer to experience their dream (some practical things). It is like making a film, the company staff have to find a place which is suitable for customer's dream first, then they will act as some special people around you and they will also engage walker-on to make it more facticity, this is quite a funny work, isn't it!^^ This idea is very creative and always attract so many people, some customers even figure out the phylosophy of their lives, and the important thing is THEY PAY A LOT!

Let's see some examples ~

The man on the left side in this picture, he is a owner of a bookshop, but his dream is to be a
army corps commander, then the Dream Factory can make his dream comes true. And his is very satisfied!

This man is a boss of a big company and he lives in luxury. So his dream is to be a skint, he wants to expereience the life which is destitude and full of hardships. Then the Dream Factory sends him to a remote and backward place, there is nothing. You can see this picture above, after 2 months he becomes like this. And he is also very satisfied and pay them a lot of money!

Accounting class!

2009-01-13T13:32:00.000-08:00

I made a big decision now adays. I intend to change my economic class to accounting class, so I joined the accounting class to have a try and I felt not so bad.^0^ Actually I was so worried about it because Mr chris said I will be totally confused = =. Yes, of course I was cunfused in the class but NOT TOTALLY~ This is a quite good news for me because I could get a little bit confidence and hopes from it >_<. There are so many things of accounting that I haven't learned before, so this may be a big problem, but I think I have to give me a chance to challenge myself and struggle for my study.

So, goodbye Economic~~~~^^ But there may be a big big change on my timetable,,= =

Rebecca adn Robin~~I will miss ur guys! >0<

About using banks for factoring

2009-01-12T15:01:00.000-08:00

After read this blog, I have two thing that I can't understand.

1. Why bank buy invoices??
2. Is it legal to sell invoices? I never heard that incoices can be sold. = =

I'M BACK!

2009-01-12T14:14:00.000-08:00

OK OK OKOKOK~~ >0<
I start my blog again after a long long break = =, (see,~I do not stop doing it!!)

This week we did a revision, so now i want to coordinate what I revised here.

1) Entrepernuer
Company-shareholder -----divide
-----profits

2) Profits
Decrease cost( increase produtivity)
Increase Revenue( marketing mix)
Change price

3) Price
Elasticity
1,PED
2,PES
3,XED
4,YED
5,ADVERTISING

4) Stakeholder
1, local community
2,suppliers
3,retailer
4,trade union
5,employment
6,government
7,comptitor
8,customer
9,shareholder

5) Local community
-multilier effect
-emplyment

Suppliers
-increase oders
-regular payment
-stock

Retailers---------------------Merge(horizontal,vertical,lateral,conglorate)
-high market
-national advertising
- quality

Trade Union
-wages
- power
- decease redundancy

Government
1,increase GDP
2,decrease unemployment
3,decrease inflation
4,balance of payment

Competitors
-FAIR

Customers
-low price
-high quality----SQA
--quality circle
--TQM
--KAIZEN

Share prices
- Market Growth

Frachisee
-frachise -------profit
-regular income
-name treputation

6) PROFITS
-----Balance sheet --Assets
--Capital
--Liability

7) Market Niche
characterise:
1,small group
2, inelastic
3, little competition- MONOPOLY
4, high price

Boom for online fashion firm ASOS

2008-11-23T07:05:00.000-08:00

Online fashion retailer ASOS has reported strong growth in both sales and profits, despite the recent economic slowdown.
The company said pre-tax profits during the six months to October rose 68% to £4.1m ($6.07m).
ASOS targets 16 to 34 year olds with cut-price versions of celebrity outfits
ASOS, formerly known as As Seen on Screen, sells cut-price versions of designs worn by celebrities. The firm, which saw sales jump 107% to £67.5m in the period, said it was cautiously optimistic about the future.
ASOS also said its sales were up 104% for the seven weeks to 16 November compared with a year ago.

A report explaining:

a. possible reasons for the success of ASOS

This is a quite good idea. First, this is online shopping, that means people can order their clothes whenever and wherever. More and more people now prefer to shop online because of the conveniences such as free delievery, save time, etc. Especially housewives and office ladies who do not have much time to go out for shopping, so this website will attractive to them exactly. And another main attraction is that, they sell cut-price versions of designs worn by celebrities.

b. who the main competitors are
There are many other websites for online shopping, such as E-bay, Taobao,etc. And aslo, the famous brands are big competitors such as Dior, LV, GUCCI, etc.

c. strengths/weaknesses of their products
1 Strenghths:
Online shopping, provide a lot of conveniences.
Fashinable design, advertisments from celebrities.
Cheap price.
2 Weakness:
Maybe not good quality.
Not famous name brand.
Too many competitors.

d. what steps can they take to ensure continued success?
More advertisments and more promotions and sales.

GCSE Business Studies Revision Guide (CHAPTER 5)

2008-11-16T04:15:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER 5

Human resources

Pay and Benefits

Paymant for work is uaually in money, but it can be in other forms, such as discounts or 'perks'.

-wages

The most common way for a business to pay its workers. Usually weekly, and based on:

time rates
piece rates
contract rates

-salaries

Salaries are usually quoted as an amount per year. A salary is normally paid in monthly instal-workers.

-perks

Business can decide to pay workers in other ways. 'Perks' are additional benefits that come with a job and form part of the pay package.

-profit sharing

One way to pay workers extra is by letting them share in the profits of the business. This is aslo helps to motivate workers.

-How much is a job worth?

The general level of pay for a job is decided by a number of factors. These include the following:

Education
Training
Unique skills
Conditions.

Recruitment

Recruitment is the process by which a business finds new staff. There are reasons why a business might need to recruit new staff:

The business might be growing.
Staff could have left.
The business may need new skills.

-Internal or external

The business has to decide whether to recruit from outside the business(external) or to train its own staff(internal).

It identifies the job that needs doing.
It writes a job description to show what tasks, skills and qualifications are recruit.
It writes a person specification to show the type of person it needs to recuit.
It can then advertise vacancis.

-The law

Business must conform to the law. Advertising( and the whole process of recruitin ) must be fair and open; all groups must be treated equally. People who apply for a job are called 'applications'. They can do this in a letter of application or providing a CV( curriculum vitae) that shows they can do the job.

-Selection

It looks at applications and CVs and chooses the applicants it thinks are most likely to be good at the job. This is called the short list.
Short-list applicants are invited to interview. People coming to an interview are called 'candidates'.
Interviewers could be one-to-one, or in front of a panel.
After the interviews, the preferred candidate is offered the job.

Training, development and appraisal

Training is the process of making sure that workers in a business have the knowledge and skills necessary to do the job. Training is seen as being of more benefit to the worker. Development is different from training. It is seen as being of more benefits to the worker -- developing his or her own skills and knowledge.

-Training

1.Induction training

All new appointments to a business require some from of induction training. This is training to introduce staff to the workplace and the job. It includes basic training in processes and methods and also let the new employee know what is usual in the business.

2. Further training

on-the-job training training, which happens at the place of work
off-the-job training, using an external trainer, off site.

-Appraisal

Appraisal is the process used to see how well a worker is doing. It also allow the worker to exchange view with his or her employer. Appraisal can help to identify where progress has been made.

Rights and reponsibilities at work

-Health and safety

The main law regarding health and safety is the Health and Safety at Work act,1974.

-Basic employment rights

Safe, healthy and resonably comfortable working conditions.
Protection from danger in the workplace
breaks and holidays

-Rights in law

They are entitled to a written statement giving rates of pay, terms and conditions of employment, pensions, notice periods, disciplinary procedures and so on.
They are entitled to join a trade union
They are entitled to the minimum wage
They have the right to an itemised pay statement
They have the right not to be unfairly dismissed and are entitled to a written statement of the reasons for their dismissal.
They have the right to redundancy payments.
Employees and employers have the right to a minimum notice period on either side.
Woekers also have the right, under EU laws, to take part in the management of the business for which they work.

-Equality

The law states that in all matters of recruitment, selection,etc, there should be no discrimination. The main laws are as follows :

Equal Pay Act, 1970.
Sex Dscrimination Act, 1975.
Race Relations Act, 1976.
Disability Discrimination Act, 1995.
Age Discrimination Act, 2006.

Industrial relations

ndustrial relations refers to the relationship between the emplyer/emploter's representatives and the employee/employee's representatives.

-Collective bargaining

Employee groups and employers oftern negotiate on pay and conditions fo work. Because these negotiaions take place between representative of groups, they are called collective bargaining.

-Industrial action

1. Employees

Strikes
overtime bans
working to rule
go-slows

2. Employers

On the employers' side, those in dispote may, in certain cases, be dismissed or the employer may refuse to allow them to work(a'lock out').

-Laws

advise
conciliate-try to get two sides to agree
arbitrate-make a ruling between the two sides

Motivation

Motivation involves persuading people to do something because they want to--generally, because they can see a benefit from the action from the action.

-Motivation theory

Maslow---a hierarchical pyramid
Herzberg--praise & pay
McGregor--Theory X(treats) & Theory Y(trust and responsibility)

p.s The next one is Emin!

Kirill's Business idea

2008-11-16T03:51:00.000-08:00

My new business idea is about tips in the local pubs and restaurants.Yesterday I was in the “Dong Dong” and after dinner a waiter bring me the bill with 1.5 pounds tips including. It really disappointed me, because service was bad, food was awful. And I thought about the improving of the income from tips.I would like to explain some of the reasons. The first reason is to motivate employers to work harder and to be polite. The second reason connects with the first one. It is a new good staff who wants joy your business.It should be a psychological pricing strategy. It is tominimalise the value of the tips. (Minimum 1 pound) And make some notes in the bottom of the menu, like “We like to now, what the money you are minimum forget on the as table 1 pound, thanks for coming, weare wait you again tomorrow” The reason why tips should be 1 pound, because the change what they have not more than 1 pound and if costumer want give more tips it is probably and they stopped care about that, few extra pounds. It is better if we charge average cost of tips. The local pub or restaurant have average no more than 30 pound per day, but after that decision income from tips increasing incredible depend from how many customers coming per day.I can see just one weaknesses connect with the local pubs where the customers now the barmen, but actually the can spend one money for a good barmen friend. You can say what if you have a restaurant the tips more than one pound, but entrepreneur can variable the minimum tips, without depending from bill. And one more things you can say what some people are coming just to have cup of tea, but it just 11% of all customers. Not so much, and the business can decide about minimum price to include the small clients. I no it’s not so clear but I need more time to develop this idea.

I think this business idea is not so good, there are many problems and it is very difficult to make this idea to work well. First, to let customers pay by their own will make customers feel embarrassed, and not all customers will give high tips. In pubs, the problems are more obvious, customers may not be so clear-headed becuase they are usually drunk, so is it possible for the dunkers to pay tips by their own??...

HSBC & Small Business

2008-11-12T13:47:00.000-08:00

How could HSBC Bank help small business?
There are many many solutiona they have offered:

Business accounts
Business credit cards
Business loans
Commercial mortgages
Cash management
Electronic banking
Insurance
Investments
Leasing
Lines of credit
Merchant services
Trade services
Receivables Finance

For Business start-up

Basicly, they will provied customer resources, information and 18 months free business banking. And to support and help when customer need it most:

No bank charges – up to 18 months free business banking! A business contact based locally.
Online information and resources – for a wide range of business banking financial solutions and a wealth of useful online information about running businesses in general

As we can see, there's also information about the value of money:

A choice of business bank accounts depending on whether you want to bank primarily online or not.
Both accounts come with free banking for up to 18 months! Compare business bank accounts and apply online.
Free Business Internet Banking and free Business Telephone Banking services.
Access to over 1,500 branches with full counter service.
Special offers. For example, all customers who register for Business Internet Banking currently get £75 worth of Google Adwords.
Access to a wide range of additional accounts, products and services designed to meet customers' needs. Talk to our Business Specialists about what would be most useful to customers, or browse online, using the tabs at the top of the webpage.

Company report

2008-11-12T13:04:00.002-08:00

Actually..i don't know how to write the summary = =
but i must write >_<
so......

SUMMARY

Fisrt, the introduction of this company:
Advent Capital (Holdings) PLC is the holding company of a specialist property reinsurance and insurance underwriting group and is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Advent has also recently formed Advent Re to trade in the Bermuda international reinsurance market.

In the company report i can get the information of the Interim Result Statement which is including the Financial Review, Underwriting Review and Insurance Segment Review; The Consolidated Income Statement; The Consolidated Balance Sheet; The Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity; The Consolidated Cash Flow Statement; Notes to the Interim Financial Statements; Independent Review Report; Directors and Advisors.

THE PROFITS IN LAST TWO YEARS
Um,, = = There's a problem, that is this company report only shows 6 monthes >_<

And i just can find this :

Profit before tax of 1.6 million pounds( 2007: 6.7 million pounds)
Second quarter profit before tax of 7.1 million pounds(2007: 6.2 million pounds) reflects the reduced frequency of single risk property losses since the firdt quarter.

website: http://www.adventgroup.co.uk/

My WEBSITE !!

2008-11-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

I'v created my website already ^_^
Everybody is welcome...

http://www.nara.synthasite.com/

SAVEMONEY DOT COM

2008-11-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

www.savemoney.com

This is a website which is provided for people to find the way to save money. There's a lot of information of saving money that people can find there such as " Finding great mortgage loans in challenged housing market", "Restuarant Conpons save families money", "Cheap Text books and money for college: some students alternatives", etc. I found this website from the TV adverstisements while eating dinner today^_^,and I think this is a good business idea...

This website is attractive people because people can find the way to save money there and this website could be commonplace. And the cost of creating a website is not so expensibe but due to the increasing of browses in this website, the profit may be bocome bigger fast. And because it is a popular website now, so, there are many companies are putting their advertisement on this website, especially there are many things are about business, so this website is earning money from others putting advertisement there while providing people information of saving money.

My podcast!~~>0<

2008-11-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

my podcast!~ >0<

2008-11-04T17:43:00.000-08:00

Finally!~, >0<
Actually,,i had to post it yesterday,,but i met some problem,,,= =
nevermind,,i'v done my podcast already ~^_^
And...
Thx Mr LEX!,,~he's sosososososo kind, he helped me to solve all the problems!~@-@

Drink-Mixing Vending Machines

2008-11-02T10:06:00.001-08:00

Good idea.

This is a knid of updated vending machine which is called pouchLink Vending System. By using tried and tested filling technologies, the system increases storage capacity and reduces the amount of labour and space involved in the handling and provision of packaged drinks and water based products.

Such a wonder product, because it offers cost-saving, space savings and environmental benefits. This machine brings brings the benefits of high volume pouch filling to smaller operators, who are currently disadvantaged by the high capital expenditure and labour costs involved in post filling smaller volumes of spouted flexible pouches.

Not only the strengthes, there r also weakness. Location and maintenance always make some difficulties. But it is still a very good business idea!

Hair Straightner Vending Machine.

2008-11-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

I love this idea!^0^

The hair Straightner vending machine must be useful and popular in some trendy, popular Pub, Club, Gymnasium and Shopping Centre markets, it will compliment any trendy unit by offering the style-conscious female customers. This is a good waty to make the big profit, it is a top end product for top end businesses. And this machine is easy to install, as u can see in the picture, it looks small and simple. All of the machines are installed free of charge by a qualified electrician, with no sockets showing and is protected by its own power breaker facility.

This good wonderful also because its specifacation.The product is compact and stylish so will compliment the most stylish of bathrooms rather than cause an unsightly obstruction. And the product uses less power than a standard light bulb when on. This is an impotant reason why it attracts customers.

T-shirt Air Cannon

2008-10-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

Air Cannons™ t-shirt cannons are unique entertainment props that can be used in a variety of settings. It is very useful for promotions, because the Air Cannons launcher can capture the attention of large audiences.

Good idea. The main reason of custermers are able to rent or buy this product is the Air Cannon features a customized Team / Sponsor panel. This panel can carry your team or company logo. You may also use it as advertising space for sponsors. For example, during a time out of a game, the team mascot can install a sponsor logo onto the launcher. After the time out, the mascot can replace the sponsor logo with the team logo. And this product is with high quality. So, this product has been purchased or rented by the following professional sports teams, colleges, professional entertainers, high schools, churches, radio stations, banks, marketing & promotions companies, events companies, and other organizations (not all are listed). It is very successful and aslo makes big profit.

Portable Espresso Maker

2008-10-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

Portable Espresso Maker -- Handpresso Wild is a new ceremony for people who are crazy about coffee, which invented by Handpresso. Handpresso Wild is at the core of the NOMADIC ESPRESSO. Simple, light, elegant and compact, it works without electricity. It has all the basic qualities to make a premium quality coffee anywhere.This is a good idea, because this product brings lots of beneafits to people. It can be travelled with people, especially in the weekends or holidays, it is smally and handy and also can make high quality coffee, this is also the reason why consumers are attractive to this product.

The price of this product can be higher because most consumers are adults who have good jobs or house wives, normally, these people have ability ti buy and use this product. And except sell this product on the internet, i think it is also good to sell this product in some coffee shop, big train stations, airports, travel information centre, etc. Becuase thid places are full of people who want to drink coffee and this creative product will attrect more customers.

photo sticker machine

2008-10-21T15:20:00.001-07:00

If you want some special and funny photos,come and take photo stickers. This machine is very popular now, it is especially attractive to young people. But, I didn't see any in the UK. If this machine can be found in the UK, they will be many customers.

It is very simple to use. First,come to the photo sticker machine to choose the pattern which you like and type in them.Second,you could take photo stickers by press the button after you have made a nice pose.You should look at the screen when you take them.If you aren't satisfied with the photo you have took,you can press the cancel button to take a better one.

The price can't be high, because most customers are teenagers, but there would be some promotions that can attractive more and more young people. And the cost of this machine is not so expensive, it is usually about 1000 pounds each machine, one sticker could sell at 1 or 2 pound, so it is very easy to reach the break even.

Switch board snow board

2008-10-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

Good idea i think. This is a creative way for people to have fun from " snow sports". First, it is foldway, so it is quick and easy for people to take, so it make many conveniences, this is a reason why it will be attractive to consumers. Second, it is simple for people to use, it is easy to get on and off with comfortable shoes, and it is suitable for people in all ages.
As your can see, this is the intruction of its technology:
* Woodcore boards
*Heavy Duty finished topcoat
* Boards connected with a patented double hinge construction
* Steering bar built up from aluminium
* Robust spring-bolt mechanism
* High Performance Shock Absorber
* Turntable fitted adjustable foot strap on rear board
* Two course skates are attached under the rear board
* Smart designed folding dimensions
There are stores in many countries, such as Australia, Italy, Belgium, New Zealand, USA, Switzerland,etc. It is international, so it may be popular around the world.

"Snowter" BMX Snow ski bike

2008-10-16T13:02:00.000-07:00

Such a good idea, this idea depends on developing on the way to the ski-region, because the ski equitment is usually too heavy, too long, too unhandy, and the ski boots are also uncomfortable that will make many dangers. Snowter has a big imoroved in the way of skiing, it makes more convenient and safe. And it is simple for people to use, even the beginers will feel a lot of funs!

The best thing i think is there's not only one kind of product, there's a wide variety of different products are valaible for defferent people:
SNOWTER compact SR2c - the first snowter in series production
SNOWTER rental SR2r - for rental, more robust version of SR2c
miniSNOWTER SR3 - for kids
SNOWTER apex SR4 - for downhill racing
SNOWTER saltus SR6s - modern aluminium construction, succeeding model of SR2c

That means, there's a big group of people will buy it. And the price would be expensive.
But the problem is this product will only be popular in some cold palce where can ski, or just in winter. They maybe only make big profit in winter, so i think they may have some promotions or more advertisement, especially in winter holiday!

Water Purifying Drinking Straw

2008-10-14T12:10:00.000-07:00

This is a very good idea!

First, i think this product has a wonderful name"life straw", because there's a good meaning:this straw can save people's lives, and it is simple,people can remember i easily.

Water may be the most important thing in our life, if people want to keep theirselves healthy, they must drink clean water.But now days the water pollution has increased a lot. So, this product has a big market especially in some countries which are seriously water polluted, and the people in the country are suffered from the water so much.

There are two kinds of lifestraw,one is used for personal, another is used for family. LifeStraw® Personal is a portable water purifier for prevention of common diarrhoeal disease – can be carried around for easy access to safe and clean drinking water. LifeStraw® Family is an instant microbiological water purifier with a high flow rate, efficacy as per US EPA standards and longevity of more than 18,000 litres. These are both very useful and creative, especially the firt one-lifestraw personal, as you can see in the picture, the straw is not big and it is simple, even very little children can use it.

Mail-To-Images Scanning & Recycling Service

2008-10-12T16:19:00.000-07:00

Earth Class Mail is changing how postal mail is delivered, for the betterment of individuals, businesses, national post offices, and the planet. Instead of making physical postal deliveries that are so dependent on fuel for planes and trucks, we deliver postal mail online, where people can manage it instantly, anywhere in the world. In I think this business idea is quite good. First, it is useful way to reduce the wastage of paper, it is a kind of enviornmental protection, so it is must be attractive to people becuase now days environmentalism has been well blazon forthed. Second, it is convenient to use, how easy it is? There r 5 steps.

1,Select the Earth Class Mail Plan that's best for you.

2,Choose the Earth Class Mail address where you'll want to receive selected mail.

3, Authorize Earth Class Mail to receive your mail

4,Tell others about your new address.

5,Log On and Command the Handling of Your Mail!

That's it...

The security and privacy are aslo very important, they must take mails security seriously to get customers' trusts,and this part, they did a very good jub.they Consulted the Experts, such as FBI Cybercrimes Division
U.S. Postal Service Inspector
Insurance carriers
Fraud experts
IT security experts

And they aslo provisded customers' Secure Online Mailbox, Security-Cleared Employees. etc.

The price reasonable , then people may send many, then online postal-mail delivery will be more popular and public. It is quite creative a modern, so that's why this company tells customer:'You’re now using Postal Mail for the 21st Century!'

“Affordable"Recreational Submarine

2008-10-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

Well, I think this idea is not bad.

First, this product has combined by a full Germanischer Lloyd classification with experiences, knowledge, market insights, and enthusiasm the company can offer the most advanced line-up of Submersibles available in the world. The safety is the most important because it is dangerous to explore underwater world, so this product has to be the safest, most reliable, then it is possible for people to buy it. The price of this product could be high,because it is made in engineering, development and testing of the C-Quester concept which costs a lot.

$1 Store

2008-10-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

This company's corporate statement:
We aim to create a retail environment that offers unbelievable value and variety and satisfies customers of every lifestyle.
We will support dynamic, controlled growth with strong relationships with our business partners, efficient systems and investment in people who focus on the requirements of our customers.

I think this is a good idea, but now days there's a larger number of this king of shop, so there must be many competitors.However, the products in this shuo must be with low price but high qiuality,practical and novlety. And also, they have to constantly updated products to remain attractive. The place is also important, the shop can be near by such as the crowded streets, big supermarkets, etc, the place which has been chosen must be full of people, then there are more possibilities to sell more. Promotion is important because each product only makes very small profit,but if people buy many, there will have a big profit.
1 pound store as a new type of store, the prospect of invenstment is very wonderful.

Gourmet Ice Cream/Frozen Yoghurt Stand/Gelato Stall/Shop

2008-10-07T13:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.gourmeticecream.com.au/index.htm

Gourmet Ice Cream Products are truly unforgettable…

An Australian owned and operated company formed in 1997,

their main focus is and will always be,

“To provide exceptional quality products at affordable prices.”

One of Australia’s leading suppliers to distributors, restaurants and the catering industry, Gourmet’s proud assortment of products, which has grown steadily over the years, provides you a remarkable range of ice creams, sorbets, gelati, frozen desserts, yoghurts and frozen fruits from 5 star through to budget. Their modern fully accredited, purpose built safe food manufacturing facilities create products available in convenient sizes. Ingredients are predominately all natural Queensland produce and contracting is available to create your signature flavour/dessert with their unique small batch manufac-turing facility.

From my point of few, this bunsiness idea is not bad. And the special is they are seeking partners to introduce their quality products into theinternational market. Export enquiries from international buyers should bedirected to the Sales Manager, Gourmet Icecream Products.This idea will make them popular and make their brand well known. People may think their products are more reliable than their competitors.They provide a wonderful menu which offers a selection of uncompromising quality in each of our varieties.Each natural, hand made product is fused with freshly prepared ingredients to enhance the taste andtexture of this range.And this is the main reason why their prosucts are attractive. And also their products have good quality,the quality continues in the delivery of our products utilising our modern fleet of company ownedvehicles to ensure that correct handling and temperatures are maintained to the point of stacking intoyour freezers. To have a good partnership is also important, this is a good way to change competitors from enimy to friend.

Angels Fancydress

2008-10-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

They can supply one costume or many costumes for parties, or for special times like Halloween, Easter, Christmas, Valentine's Day or anytime. All hire requests are handled during shop hours by a team of highly experienced costumiers. The standard of our hire costumes far exceed the usual fancy dress costume range, in quality and breadth of choice. Their costumiers are available to assist with selection or give inspiration! Working so closely with the film and TV industry you never know who you may bump into, they have costumed Shakespeare In Love, Titanic, Heartbeat and Dr Who. The same dressmakers and tailors that make costumes for Film and TV also make our Fancy Dress hire costumes.

This is a good idea, first it has its own brand(most online shops don't have their own brand), so customers may think it is more reliable and convenientto buy things here.There provides a wide variety costumes for defferent people, and it is not just a shop online, there is also a real shop wich is in London, people can try the costume on and see what it really looks like. Everything in this shop must be special and colour, then it will be attractive to people, especially children and girls. But, although it is a good idea for people to hire costumes, it may be causes some problem, like, the costume which is always hired will be damaged or dirty easily, most customer may be unhappy to hire the costume like that, and otfen clean the costume will cost a lot.

Shark Shield

2008-10-01T05:44:00.000-07:00

Shark Shield is a unique shark deterrent system utilising a technologically advanced three dimensional electrical wave form. Shark Shield technology is available for recreational users and water sports professionals to help all people enjoy the water with a new dimension – peace of mind; for themselves, their families and employees.
The field is projected from the unit by two electrodes, which create an elliptical field that surrounds the user. Both electrodes must be immersed in the water for the field to be created. The electrode configuration depends on the model of the Shark Shield unit.
This is a good idea, and is useful, especially when people play in the sea. This product can protect people when shark attack them, but it does not not attack sharks or damage to the other animal, this product is also environmental.This product is full of knowledge, so the price would be a little bit higher, and it is necessary for people to use. For safty, most people would buy it, especially some parents would buy it for their children. This product woud be popular.

Waterless Urinal

2008-09-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

ZeroFlush – the waterless urinal that provides payback within a year.
Combining proven technology, trouble-free operation and ground-breaking innovation, the patented ZeroFlush system provides years of odour free superior performance.
As Europe’s most economical and environmentally-friendly waterless urinal, ZeroFlush is the first choice to improve total restroom sanitation and hygiene.

It is a good idear, and this is also a good way to reduce wastage of water, it will be useful in everyhouse. Most people will agree with this idea and they must be happy to use it, especially some housewifes. The price of this is reasonable, it is attractive more people to buy this, and it will be popular. People may find some advertisements of this production in big supermarkets, newspapers, fitment magazines,etc. Brightwater company also can cooperate with other comapnies ,such as TOTO.

What the hell = =

2008-09-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

Can anybody open the website???~`
I tried many times to open it but i was always failed.,
What the hell???``

Edible Tableware

2008-09-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

The plates, bowls and chopsticks are intended to replace disposable paper tableware.
The pieces are made from hardtack, a biscuit dough made from flour, water and salt which was traditionally used as dry emergency rations at sea.
The biscuits will last for months as long as they are kept dry.

The pieces have been put into production by Koratt bakery and cafe, and will be exhibited at Designing10 in Fukuoka, Japan, from 25th to 29th April.

What a creaive idea!It's produced by some natural meterials which does not cause pollutions.And this is also renewable,it could be reused, recycled, reprocessed .This is attractive ti costumers because people are curious about this interesting method, so this can make a big profit.

EXTERNAL--INTERNAL--STRATEGY

2008-09-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

Oh NO!!!!! T_T

2008-09-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

I lost my Yahoo ID~~~55555

Can anyone tell me what's happened to the group now?~

STUDY SKILLS

2008-09-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

Business Based Coursework
Generally, coursework is an optional element of most A level courses. This section offers some broad advice on how to approach project work in Economics/Business Studies which involves the gathering of primary data from business organisations.

Coursework: some tips for improvement

Contacting a firm; you will be more successful if you have a name to deal with so, initially:
-Use your Careers Department
-Use family friends
-Use past students
-Use Governors
-Use Saturday job/work experience contacts

Types of firms
-Smaller firms are usually the most useful for coursework
-Larger, dispersed firms may not have all the information you need locally

The title
-Keep it simple
-It may be helpful to pose a question - 'Should...', 'How...'
-Do not try to cover too much
-Check suitability with teacher

The topic
-Check suitability with teacher and firm
-You must make sure at the start that the information you want is available to you
-It should not be assumed that firms will be ready to divulge profit figures or future marketing -strategies

Remember your syllabus
-You should use the appropriate theory you have covered in your course to investigate a problem or situation
-Try to cover as many relevant syllabus areas as possible

Use of data
-Put your project in context by using background data
-Be selective in your data, do not include everything you've found, make sure it is relevant and fits your coursework objectives
-Analyse your data; look for interrelationships and possible correlations in your data

Presentation
-Be clear and logical
-Use diagrams, graphs and numbers as well as text
-Some Boards use coursework as a means of assessing IT Skills in Business Studies at A level

Evaluation
-Having logically argued your case, you must come to a conclusion
-Your conclusion should be based on the evidence you have presented
Include any limitations or wider issues implied