Sports industry offers a range of potential opportunities to Nike Essay

Sports industry offers a range of potential opportunities to Nike - Essay Example The company acquired annual revenue in excess of US$ 18.6 billion for the fiscal year 2008 despite the adverse impacts of the 2008 global financial crisis. Although Nike markets many of its products under its own brand, it also markets some additional brands including Nike Golf, Nike Pro, and Nike Skateboarding to effectively market its sports equipments across the globe. This paper will analyse micro as well as macro business environments of Nike, Inc. using appropriate analytical tools and a strategic fit analysis. TASK A - Market Environment Analysis In the section, different market analytical tools are used to evaluate the business environment of the Nike. Here, Porter’s five forces model is applied to analyse the sports equipment industry (micro environment) and PEST analysis is deployed to evaluate the market potentiality of the Nike, Inc. (macro environment). Porter’s five forces analysis Currently, the sports equipment industry constitutes a larger number of com panies dealing with production and distribution of numerous and different sporting and athletic equipments. The total market capitalisation has reached nearly $8 billion and it is still growing. Most of the players in the sports equipment industry are grand corporate structures such as Nike, Easton, and Wilson; they offer equipments to a variety of sports items. In contrast, other companies like Callaway and Schwinn own noticeable market share and prominence in their specific area of focus. Sports equipment manufacturing companies mainly make use of two means of distribution. Wholesalers and retailers constitute the most common avenue of distribution whereas the company-owned and contracted specialty shops shape the second mode of distribution. In order to popularise their products and dominate the market, most of the sports equipment companies tend to sponsor high profile or top-rated sportsmen and athletes. In addition, such companies are also willing to undertake the sponsorship of major sporting events like World Cup Football as part of promoting their products. Threat of substitute products and services In general, sports can be easily substituted with a variety of different other activities, and therefore the threat of substitutes is very high in sports industry. To illustrate, people may easily turn their interest from physically demanding athletic or other sports activities to video/computer games. However, higher prevalence rate of obesity in the United States influences people to turn to healthy and fitness activities (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services). This situation relieves the sports industry from the threat of substitutes to some extent. At the same time, the substitution threat exists even in the sports industry itself. For instance, people may choose to play basketball rather than golf. Intensity of rivalry among competitors The intensity of competitive rivalry is very high in the sports industry and many sports equipment companie s have been thrown out of the market due to this higher degree of competition. While analysing present trends in the sports industry, it is obvious that companies are striving for their market competency and searching for industry consolidation. It seems that most of the sports equipment companies adopt mergers and acquisitions strategy in order to broaden their product lines, to increase economies

Write a discussion and conclusion for every chart Essay

Write a discussion and conclusion for every chart - Essay Example rvey respondents (international students) had no close American friends and would have liked more meaningful interaction with people born here† (par. 3). As such, racial discrimination still exists as the primary cause of discrimincation in contemporary university settings. Figure 2 illustrates that from among the causes of discrimination, stereotyping was identified by 7 out of 17 respondents as the predominant cause; followed by media (5); lack of knowledge (2) and gender differences (2); and poverty (1). Although poverty was noted only by one respondent as the cause of discrimination, the study written by Moorman & Wicks-Smith (2012) that â€Å"with one quick look students are generally able to size up who is wealthy and who is poor; who is a "have" and who is a "have not"† (p. 141). As such, stereotyping was the predominant cause of discrimination that is an indication of social perceptions that have persistent through time. Figure 3 illustrates that from 19 respondents, it was revealed that only 48% or 9 respondents have average knowledge about discrimination support networks; followed by 26% who does not have much knowledge; 16% who have some knowledge; and 5% for both sets of respondents who are on the extremes – a lot of knowledge and no knowledge at all. The average knowledge of students on the presence of discrimination networks indicate that there are majority of students who could not avail and access support due to insufficient awareness of the existence of support networks to address discrimination issues. As indicated, school psychologists are identified to assume the crucial role of enhancing awareness, to wit: â€Å"working for social justice in the educational setting means guiding students and staff to reflect critically on their roles in proliferating racism and discrimination and supporting systemic change to prevent ongoing inequities† (NASP, 2012, p. 2). Figure 4 illustrates the results on the methods deemed most effective by

What if Machiavelli and Voltaire met for lunch to discuss war and Essay

What if Machiavelli and Voltaire met for lunch to discuss war and politics - Essay Example Niccolà ² Machiavelli, born 1469 in Florence and died 1527, and Voltaire, real name Francois Marie Arouet, born in Paris in 1694 and died in 1778, would obviously never have met in life, despite the fact that Machiavelli , the statesman as well as political theorist, traveled widely as a representative of his native Florentine state, and Voltaire traveled to various European countries. However it is possible that, though coming from geographically and chronologically separate places, they may have shared some ideas, despite the differences of their backgrounds and the more than 200 years which separate their births. They both for instance had problems with authority. Both outspoken men, this imaginary luncheon might not have gone well unless they could find common ground. It must be asked what language would they speak? Which wines would they prefer? What would the menu be? Both had traveled. Would Italian, French, German or even English food be on the menu? Where would they meet? S witzerland, always neutral, seems the ideal place, in distance, as well as being a place where both had traveled. Presumably one of them could suggest a good place to meet. This essay will consider which ideas were important to these two profound thinkers whose influence has extended beyond their own generation, topics they feel to be so important that they would be discussed when they met, wherever and whenever that might be. ... I t is assumed by biographers3, but not proved, that he, attended the university in Florence. He certainly received a good education somewhere. In 1498 Florence became a republic and Machiavelli became a clerk in the republic’s service, quickly rising through the ranks. He would have been one of several intellectuals who considered historical and political problems in detail . Between 1498 and 1512 Machiavelli was entrusted with several missions on behalf of the Florentine republican state. While in France he was able to observe at first hand how a country was ruled by only one person., something at that time not happening in Florence. The first inklings then of ‘the Prince’ that was to come in 1513. When he returned home he found the republic in great trouble, as Cesare Borgia was attempting top carve out for himself a state he could rule as a prince in the area of Italy lying south of Florence as described by on the web page ‘Machiavelli’s â€Å"Th e Prince† a summary with quotations’ – anonymous and undated. In 1513 things had changed when the powerful Medici family again took charge. Machiavelli was arrested and accused of conspiracy, possibly even tortured. . He was known as an analyzer of political powers, perhaps he analyzed too closely for the comfort of his rulers. Soon pardoned he withdrew himself from the public arena and turned to a literary life, creating plays, comedies and poetry. He is best known for ‘The Prince’ was not published until 1532, well after his death . The main thrust of the work is that in order to maintain his authority any acts of a ruler are justified. He must have ‘virtu’. This is not the same as virtue, i.e. goodness, rightness or morality, but rather can be translated as prowess, skill or

English Argumentative Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

English Argumentative Paper - Assignment Example 136(2): 151-173. Journal article: Link: http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/faculty/caa/abstracts/2010-2014/10asisbsrs.pdf Buckley, K. E. and Anderson, C. A. â€Å"A Theoretical Model of the Effects and Consequences of Playing Video Games.† In Vorderer, P. and Bryant, J. (Eds.) Playing Video Games – Motives, Responses and Consequences. Mahwah, NJ: LEA, 2006, Ch. 24, 363-378. Book Chapter, link: http://books.google.com/books?id=8sY3z98pwM8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=A+Theoretical+Model+of+the+Effects+and+Consequences+of+Playing+Video+Games&source=bl&ots=M_IhutoP_c&sig=O5OAI8vABSaXKbwoxl-IA-qrPTE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=XdF0UIb9Ho-O8wSY5IBo&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=A%20Theoretical%20Model%20of%20the%20Effects%20and%20Consequences%20of%20Playing%20Video%20Games&f=false Castro, R. Let Me Play: Stories of Gaming and Emulation. Tucson, Arizona: Hats Off Books, 2005. Book, Link: http://books.google.com/books?id=D_xyy4fkwWIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Let+Me+Play:+Stories+of+Gaming+and+Emulation&source=bl&ots=PeNWz2NmZ7&sig=2dvNLVQ_-50GhRTi73at7ZJfGpw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ydF0UISKIJSc8gTPs4HoBQ&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA Gentile, D. A. and Anderson, C. A. â€Å"Violent Video Games: The Effects on Youth and Public Policy Implications.† In Dowd, N.; Singer, D. G. and Wilson, R. F. (Eds.) Handbook of Children, Culture and Violence. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2006, Ch. 12, 225-246. Book Chapter: Link: http://books.google.com/books?id=z6Mn0zcYfusC&pg=PA225&lpg=PA225&dq=Violent+Video+Games:+The+Effects+on+Youth+and+Public+Policy+Implications&source=bl&ots=D37U79NDwG&sig=4JQQZMnxvRkf1DkRyxizwpDhY8Q&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8tF0UMOnDIje8ASp0YC4BA&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Violent%20Video%20Games%3A%20The%20Effects%20on%20Youth%20and%20Public%20Policy%20Implications&f=false Kutner, L. and Olsen, C. Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth about Violent Video Games. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2008. Book: Link:

Final Examination Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Final Examination - Essay Example They wanted her to give in by putting pressure on her. They also threatened to tell other employees of what she had done. If this happened, then she knew that she would lose her job. For the second requirement, management showed outrageous conduct by terminating Kayte’s contract for following established laws. For the third requirement, management was the complainant. For the fourth requirement, her suffering was severe because she knew that she was going to lose her job for what she had done. The American Disabilities Act defines disabilities as â€Å"affecting a major life activity,† The areas of coverage are: vision, mental, motor skills, the ability to care for one’s self, and to commute to employment. Kayte has problems with her vision. For Kayte to prove disability discrimination, she must first prove that she has a disability. The definition of a disability is â€Å"a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activates of such an individual and a record of such impairment, or being regarded as having such impairment.† Kayte is physically impaired by her vision and it affects her major life activities. 3. If an inference of discrimination is met, the employer must show that the rejection was not a hidden pretext for discrimination (This allows clients to get evidence behind the scenes, but cannot be done before this point) This is the rule that applies to the McDonnell Douglas vs. Green case: â€Å"such a complaint must state and contain a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.† The standard of proof in Green’s case is an evidentiary requirement and not one of correct pleading techniques. The Sutton vs. United Airlines case helps define how a visual disability should be treated. Kayte was discriminated against previously because she was able to perform her job excellently, but the company was not willing to accommodate her and allow her the

Teacher Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Teacher - Essay Example â€Å"Performance is a developmental process that needs to be supported and facilitated.† (Maloy & Seidman, P. 28) However, tradition and qualifications on paper alone does not guarantee success in teaching profession. In the case of tradition, learners of today have different learning styles and come from diverse backgrounds. In addition to this, the integration of technology into the curriculum demands a shift in the teaching styles of teachers since new set of skills must be utilized to impart learning. Traditional method is only focused on intellectual learning and it is teacher –centered. Contrastingly, non traditional styles which promotes cooperative learning lead to increased motivation and academic performance ( Johnson, R. T., and Johnson, D. W.p.25). Similarly, academic qualification alone does not guarantee effective teaching. Other aspects as such as teaching styles and behavior which have been acquired through training and experience is more important than academic qualifications. In a study of teachers style published by Grasha, it was reported that teachers who exhibit medium intellectual excitement and high interpersonal rapport â€Å" are generally excellent for any group of students and teaching situation† ( Grasha P.35 ). It is important therefore that teachers do not only have academic qualifications but a set of skills as well as positive interpersonal behavior to be able to perform his role in the school setting. In the modern school setting, the teacher will not only deal with students but with the whole organization as well; thus, making him responsible to all stakeholders in the learning process. Some basic skills required for becoming a successful teacher are; Pedagogical skill, Interpersonal skill, Organi zational skill, Subject matter (content) & methodology skill , Skill in cooperating with colleagues and Skill in cooperating with the

Safety and security Essay Example for Free

Safety and security Essay Amateur sport is geared around participation and voluntary clubs. As land and buildings are expensive, many clubs use facilities provided by Local Authorities. Many outdoor sports clubs have their own facilities although there is an even greater number of players who use recreation grounds. There are about 78,000 pitches in the country. Thirty years ago amateur sport was largely centred on outdoor team games. Competitive sport means participation and developing skills and there is a sizeable industry for coaches and instructors. Despite its profile, competitive sport is on the decline and organisations like Sport England are concerned that as a nation we are losing our sporting skills and becoming less fit and healthy. For example, many governing bodies have big school-based programmes, and Local Authorities will run schemes in deprived areas where people cannot afford to play sport or go to health suites. Outdoor Activities-there are over a thousand centres in the UK which specialise in providing outdoor adventure holidays. Facility provision is also essential for outdoor sports, meaning the upkeep of the environment, and this is regulated by the organisations under the Countryside Agency umbrella, such as the Forestry Commission, Local Authorities or National Trust. For most participants activity in the natural world is occasional, and more time will be spent in training in built facilities such as pools or climbing walls. Profitable areas such as skiing, sailing, private sector companies are the main providers. Health and Fitness- there are now at least 2,500 private health and fitness clubs in the UK- it is a boom industry that many young people see as the exciting place to work in leisure. Private sector will increasingly dominate the market and eventually also manage and invest in public sector facilities on behalf of Local Authorities.  The central product of these clubs is the fitness room consisting of cardiovascular equipment and perhaps free weights, and frequently areas with small pools, jacuzzis and saunas.. Heritage and visitor attractions The heritage industry concerns buildings and materials that have historical value. Thirty years ago these were largely stately homes, castles, ruins such as Stonehenge and battlefields. Heritage was often about how the rich and famous had lived or what they had collected, or about culture(e.g. Shakespeare). Now it has expanded to include a much wider interpretation of historical value. Many heritage sites are owned by Trusts and limited companies that have been set up to manage individual sites, while many stately homes are owned and run by two big organisations: Museums-are not usually run by the private sector, largely because of high costs. Many museums started life as private collections which were later donated to the nation or the local community.  Libraries-apart from their lending their services which we will look at later, they are largely involved in the heritage sector. They have a back-room role of collecting important documents including maps, and making these available to the public. This is known as the records and archives service. Catering Leisure catering includes pubs and clubs, restaurants, cafes and takeaways. Its firmly placed in the private sector with some exceptions. A catering company provides a service according to the specification of the client and often under the clients name. Many leisure centres and theatres buy in service in this way.  The catering sector has various components that make eating out an enjoyable experience: the provision of food and drink; entertainment, such as jazz at Pizza Express, games; and security in the form of door staff. Eating out is an increasingly important and available leisure experience. The fast-food business is booming with a growth rate of 30 per cent. This growth is at the expense of takeaways and cafes, and especially of pubs and clubs. Fast food tends to be run by chains that can make economies of scale by producing the same product in each outlet. Many breweries have followed this trend and operate chains like Harvester restaurants within their pubs. In contrast cafes, restaurants and takeaways tend to be run and owned by family businesses. Countryside recreation The countryside is the natural, national playground and one which is used by walkers, ramblers and those involved in more active outdoor activities. A survey in 1998 by the National Centre for Social Research showed that 1,427 million day visits to the countryside were made and a further 241 million to the coast.  Like any leisure facility such usage will have an impact which in turn will lessen, and even threaten, the leisure experience itself. Organisations working in countryside recreation are therefore primarily stewards who maintain, manage and regulate the environment and also produce information and education. An important organisation funded by the Countryside Commission is the National Parks Authority. This is responsible for the regulation and interpretative service inside twelve National Parks, which are designated areas of significant natural beauty and wilderness. The Local Authority has a part to play in managing and regulating country parks. In many cases it also own s the land and will act as landlord to any tenants in the park, such as farmers. Home-based leisure This is cheap, easy and relaxing. The equipment most popularly used are: radios, videos, TV sets, gardening materials and home fitness machines is normally provided by the private sector. The main exceptions are the library lending services in the public sector. Except for broadcasting this component is retail based.  As the internet is more widely used, shopping for leisure on the net is likely to increase. Free services like Tesco mean more people are using the net.