Corporate Policy of Starbucks Coffee

Corporate Policy of Starbucks Coffee Starbucks Corporation is a multinational corporation based in the United States and is the most famous and largest coffeehouse company in the world. It boasts of 15,000 stores in 45 countries. Starbucks specializes in coffee in all its forms: brewed, espresso, served hot or cold along with other related snacks and raw coffee beans. This conglomerate started in 1985 as a coffee bean roaster and retailer in Seattle, Washington where it still holds its corporate offices. From the 1900s up to now, a new store is opened every day. As of the last quarter of 2007, Starbucks owns 8,505 stores around the world, and 6,500 stores are franchised. As of last quarter of 2007, Starbucks reported a gross profit of $1.5 billion and a net income of $208 million. According to the financial report for Starbucks that is published in the web, Revenue and earnings have grown at roughly 25% annually for the past five years, and should continue at an above-average rate given Starbucks competitive position an d already proven record. Management is expecting 18% top-line annual growth and 20-22% in the bottom-line for the next several years. Domestic same-store sales have been stabilizing at around 4%, with transactions accounting for 1%. Internationally, same-store sales increased 7% for Q3 driven by 5% transaction growth. International comparable sales growth has been north of 5% every quarter. It would be wise to invest in shares of stock for Starbucks since it can be seen in their financial statements that since they have expanded their operations, there is a steady increase of revenues and profits. Starbucks have produced a more than average sales and earnings growth in the past years. The companys very impressive earnings growth projections are a good indicator to go ahead and invest. Starbucks still focuses on their expansion ventures across the United States and abroad in the companys owned stores and the franchises. Majority if not all exhibited a solid financial performance. The increase of revenue is caused by the opening of more and more stores across the globe to accomplish its vision to establish the most respected brand in coffeehouses. With 1,288 new stores in 2007 and a planned 2,400 more in the next months, revenues and sales would surely shoot up higher. According to the Starbucks Quarterly Report (Mary 2007), Global comparable store sales for Company-operated markets increased by 4% for the 13-week period ended April 1, 2007, and increased 5% over the first half of fiscal 2007. Comparable store sales growth for fiscal 2007 is expected to be in the target range of 3% to 7%. The Company purchased a 90% stake in its previously-licensed operations in Beijing and Tianjin, China. Starbucks in the United Kingdom It was in May 1998 that Starbucks gained foothold in the coffee shop market in Europe by acquiring 65 Seattle Coffee Company establishment in the United Kingdom. Starbucks and Seattle Coffee shared the same culture that centers on the desire to customize coffee. Moreover, they also have almost the same company values of respecting people and the environment. In the UK, the Starbucks store designs and ambiences are meant to be cozy and intimate, at the same giving its coffee drinkers a personal area to stay anytime. Tables, chairs, sofas, armchairs, and stools are specifically designed to make every customer feel important. Anyone who wants serenity apart from the home and solace after the chaos of office work can relax and stay deep in a book or magazine. Some even bring their work along and meet friends and prospects in Starbucks stores. Exclusive Starbucks music is made available in all its coffee shops around the  world. In the UK, the head office and support center of Starbucks is located in Chiswick in South West London. Starbucks Losing in the United Kingdom Costa Coffee is giving Starbucks a hard time in the UK. According to financial sources,  £10 million have been lost by Starbucks since 2009. The figure show a loss before taxes of over  £9 million for one year in the middle of this year compared to only  £2 million in 2009. This poor performance emphasizes the concerns of CEO Howard Schultz last year when he made an evaluation of the UK economy. He himself gave the reason for the companys bad financial showing in the UK: unemployment, mortgage crisis, and low consumer confidence. Value Chain Starbucks is synonymous to coffee. They are present in 41 countries except in Africa. Its mission statement: Establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow. Starbucks created a niche in the coffee culture. It has penetrated markets that are not coffee connoisseurs. Schultz envisioned coffee consciousness in his customers hoping that coffee drinkers would take coffee seriously as wine connoisseurs take fine wine. It developed unique coffee taste experiences through coffee blend concept which traditionally is a method done to mask off flavors contributed by mediocre to atrocious beans and to save money. The coffee brand which has penetrated the world sans few places, aimed to deliver high quality and consistent products to keep customers. To achieve this consistency, Starbucks entry to other markets was in the form  of licensing its brand and the technology it has developed through the years. This encompasses all areas in the operation of a coffee shop. Several international coffee shops like Brazilian Coffee Shops, House of Coffees, Seattle Coffee Shops have penetrated many countries through franchising. However, Starbucks opted to licensing agreements for store locations in areas where it did not have the capacity to put up its own outlets. This is handled by Starbucks Coffee International (SCI). It has opened stores in Japan, Singapore, Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan. It has opened its market also in Europe. Starbucks has yet to launch its coffee bars in an African country. Starbucks has become a byword in the global business. It has become an epitome of a corporation that has reached its zenith in corporate and service endeavors. Franchising styles and its marketing strategies merit the following of many other companies. It is sufficed to say that Starbucks has become one best examples of a corporation that has not only brewed up the world but created a good aroma for other businesses to emulate. Mission-Vision Statements In 1998, Starbucks announced its vision: 2000 stores in the year 2000. Its mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time. Its mission statement: Establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow. According to the financial report for Starbucks that is published in the web, there is a significant increase in the revenue and earnings in the last five years of up to 25%. A prediction by economic analysts that this trend will continue at an advantageous rate if the competitive position of the company stays  at par. It would be wise to invest in shares of stock for Starbucks since it can be seen in their financial statements that since they have expanded their operations, there is a steady increase of revenues and profits. Starbucks have produced a more than average sales and earnings growth in the past years. The companys very impressive ea rnings growth projections are a good indicator to go ahead and invest. Starbucks still focuses on their expansion ventures across the globe in the companys owned stores and the franchises. Majority if not all exhibited a solid financial performance (Michelli, 2007). Business Strategy The technology that Starbucks packaged includes real estate, store design, store planning and construction, product line, store ambiance, building a top management team, employee training, product supply, coffee roasting and its marketing strategies. It is called Starbuck System. All supplies will come from suppliers approved by Starbucks. These ensure control in all areas of the operation. Starbucks is an established business and its success in the domestic and global market can be derived from the socially responsible movement that they promote in their corporate behaviors. Business ethics has always been an integral part of Starbucks as management base their principles on the internal stakeholder issues like product quality, customer satisfaction, employee wages and benefits, and local community and environmental responsibilities. The leadership of Starbucks sees to it that all these responsibilities toward their internal stakeholders are taken care of since they are largely responsible for what Starbucks has achieved today. The internal stakeholders of Starbucks has created a collaboration that work closely with the  executives and business units to fully incorporate the companys values into developing and implementing its positions on key legislative and public policy issues.   Furthermore, it develops and maintains an extensive network of internal contact s (senior management, legal, marketing, category, QA, RD, regulatory, strategy and others) to align strategy, issues and business impact.   Among internal stakeholders, Starbucks sees to it that there is a uniform code of conduct to be followed in all its stores around the world. This is to make sure that the mission-vision of the company is upheld at all times. Internal stakeholders treat each other with professionalism as guided by these uniform codes of conduct. SWOT Analysis Strengths of Starbucks lies on their unique and chef-inspired menu and their market position which is remains in the top five, according to surveys. Unlike other big corporations and franchises, Starbucks has an enormous advertising budget that drives the business. Their comprehensive, award-winning training programs provide franchises and employees with the specific tools and skills that can be used for success in the competitive food industry. Weaknesses of Starbucks lie on some bad-for-the-business lawsuits on their franchising scheme. Another weakness would be the often criticized television advertisements and campaigns that seem to be intended to be funny and outrageous rather than sell their food. Another weakness could be their franchising scheme worldwide where they only allow one franchise holder for a particular country. For example, in China, only one franchise holder owns all the Starbucks stores there. This limits opportunities for other interested franchisers; thus, also limit the full expansion of Starbucks. Opportunities at Starbucks lie in their staff and crew to further develop and grow in their career at the company since a very comprehensive training and development is made available for store managers and staff. Threats come in the form of the existing competitions in the food industry. Problem Areas Advertising With a brand name such as Starbucks, who needs advertisement? Just very recently, Starbucks put on air their television advertisement. Critics say that it is too late for this since a company should start advertising (print and broadcast) when they need it most or when everything is iron hot. From a marketing perspective, this television ad came in late. Still, with a global brand that is popular enough that many think the name itself is enough advertisement, Starbucks do need advertisement. One just needs to look around and see how such immense and successful global brands can still be seen on billboards, television, and magazine. Starbucks advertising campaign continues from word of mouth especially. The logo is enough to persuade patrons and customers to partake of their products. Being the leading retailer and roaster of specialty coffee in the world, Starbucks has been criticized in the past for being very ambitious, expanding throughout the world at a fast speed. But Starbucks has been successful in making a name for itself in record time while achieving a 20% rise in earnings for 2008. Many articles came out written about how and why Starbucks decided to start a television advertisement when they do not really need one. Management of this conglomerate have their  reasons and the prime one is in order to reach across or convince those who have not tried sipping their coffee while lounging in their free WI-FI zone stores to come and see for themselves the difference of being in a Starbucks shop. More reasons are obvious just like what their other competitors would say. For Starbucks, there is no such thing as being late nor is there a set time when to advertise or not. This new ad is not purported to sell but to remind and create more impact to their captured market. Competition In the United Kingdom, Starbucks major rival is Costa, followed by Caffe Nero. The UK coffee shop market is actually being slowly dominated by these three competing brands. Fierce competition aggravated into a bitter fight this year when Starbucks filed a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) that the Costa advertising campaign that says: Starbucks drinkers prefer Costa and Seven out of ten coffee lovers prefer Costa. However, ASA came with a decision that favored Costa, saying that all these claims by the latter were based on blind tasting tests. Coffee is the second largest imported product of the United States and specialty coffee market is approximated to be $11 billion a year in worth. To lure coffee drinkers (and other variants of coffee) from Starbucks, competitors of the same product line have come up with all sorts of gimmicks and come-ons as well trying to make a niche in the coffeehouse industry. In a report written by Georgia Flight (2006), the top five competitors of Starbucks show how each is different from the other and identify some salient points in their competitions with the leading brand. Founded in 1981, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters that originated from Vermont has used the slogan Be Green to portray the kind of coffee they serve. Starting as a small cafe, it has stuck to its use of organic roots and organic coffees. Keep Innovating is the slogan of Coffee Bean Tea Leaf which is headquartered in Los Angeles. It has 400 outlets. The company is famous for the wide choice of coffees and teas and its reputation preceded its brand for its innovation. Furthermore, it has established branches in places/countries where Starbucks is absent like Israel. Costa coffee was founded in 1971 in London. Even with Starbucks abounding in that city, Costa is a lead ahead in India where it has adapted its coffee flavors to suit Indian taste. Their strategy? Head East. Having 120 outlets in the country, Peets of California uses the strategy: Go Upscale. Java connoisseurs love the strength of the taste of its coffee. The special and complicated process of working on the coffee makes the taste unique. Caribou Coffee coffee business based in Minneapolis was founded in 1992. The strategy to Sell a Lifestyle features their cafes and stores in a mountain-lodge-style decoration including the chairs and a fireplace. They have made a deal with some airlines and some other fitness establishments. Starbucks has got itself many competitors, many of which got their inspiration from it. Since the product is a beverage that many would patronize, it is no wonder that Starbucks as well as other related businesses are rising. Marketing: Franchising: Expanding in Africa Putting up a Starbucks coffee bar in South Africa guarantees presence of Starbucks in almost all of the continents in the future. As a gateway to the African continent, the country is convenient path for businesses to expand in the area. Since the first national elections in 1994, government policies have been enacted to encourage foreign investments. Granting a license to a local company or close corporation to operate Starbucks stores in the country would benefit both parties. This would allow transfer of Starbucks System technology that would benefit the employment program of the government through its program Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (BEE). The partnership of Starbucks and a local closed corporation can enjoy the economic incentives given to new foreign investments that are brought into the country. While there will plus and minuses for both the licensor and licensee, they will get benefits from the license agreement (Andover, 55.) However, because of different cultures, Starbucks will have to make adjustments in their marketing and strategies to achieve its growth. Several standards will have to be altered to accommodate the different palate and eating habits of the people. Whatever criteria in its service and product Starbucks has come up, changes have to be made to accommodate the new market. Starbucks has to consider also an important observation made by the franchise sector of South Africa that 90% of South Africas franchise opportunities are based on locally developed concepts which is in contrast to most countries outside the USA where foreign brands trend to dominate the market (Handsenn, 40). This is also true to the restaurant and fast food market where the business Starbucks can be compared. Most food brands (restaurant type) are franchised out in other countries. Recommendations On Advertising Problem Area Starbucks can save their millions by forgetting about putting up television advertisements and commercials. The company is so established that making a commercial now would not have that much impact. Moreover, the company should enjoy its business success by being contented with posters on their stores, occasional promotions and announcements of new products, etc. Business and advertising analysts say that Starbucks can live without such domineering advertisements on television. Actually, they do not need any. On Marketing/Franchising in Africa Problem Area This is also true to the restaurant and fast food market where the business Starbucks can be compared. Most food brands (restaurant type) are franchised out in other countries. Also, the following factors are as important from a prospective franchisees point of view: The advantage of operating under a local brand is that the product has been designed from scratch with the local conditions in mind. Only a professionally managed operation can be relied upon to deliver on the implied promise of franchising. This is considered a threat to Starbucks. With the experience of the local companies developing its market strategies, most likely, Starbucks will have difficulty in guarding its technology. Penetration in the market is also a challenge. Also, the company had encountered problems in its image, paying low price for coffee beans from another African country. Having a  local partner may help to quell the threat and open a huge market. Perhaps it would be wise to brainstorm on these possibilities. If the company wants to grow more and succeed more, then they should review their policies on franchising. Recommendations on Competition Problem Area It is a fact that all people eat in order to survive. However, not all people can afford the same food and luxuries that these businesses offer. While Starbucks is known to cater to class A and B market because of the prices of their products, Caribou Coffee grabs the C and D with a lot lower prices of the almost the same products. McDonalds, being the leader of fast foods and affordable prices, remains to top the market monopoly. People around the world are reported to patronize their products, thanks to the non-stop advertising and maintaining the quality of their food. Dunkin Donuts has a limited list of food, mostly sweet pastries and yes, doughnuts. The taste and type of food offered by this establishment continue to serve as a come on to many customers and a specified market. Starbucks should take seriously the growing number of rivals in the food industry, especially in the same products they are selling. Pricing is a very important aspect to take into consideration. With these hard times, people become practical. If they can have the same taste and quality coffee from another store, why go to Starbucks? Although the company wants to maintain its unique quality brand, it should consider their consumers satisfaction when it comes to expenditures.

Knowledge vs. Experience Essay

The famous Indian philosopher J. Krishnamurti once said, â€Å"There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.† (whale.to/a/krishnamurti) Krishnamurti is addressing learning as a process in which an individual tries to gain certain knowledge for predestined purposes. He clearly believes that rote memorization is inferior to learning from experiences. Academic knowledge through textbooks can teach individuals theories about life. Life, however, deviates from theory frequently. The only way individuals are going to know about these deviations is when they experience the struggles and fruits of life on their own. [Similarly, in this compelling novel by Herman Hesse, Siddhartha learns that enlightenment cannot be reached through his 7 teachers because it cannot be instilled in an individual’s mind -enlightenment comes from the inner self and through the experiences in which one must obtain wisdom from.] he said it can be a little better In the opening of the novel, Siddhartha is influenced by outside teachings in his search for enlightment. His father and his associated community ideally want him to become a successful Brahmin, instead of joining the Samanas. Everyone else around him still has not reached enlightenment, and Siddhartha feels that residing with them will increase his curiosity regarding his presence in life.(Siddhartha to himself) [â€Å"He had begun to suspect that his worthy father and his other teachers, the wise Brahmins, had already passed on to him the bulk of their wisdom†¦ his soul was not at peace.† (3)] Siddhartha craves to better acknowledge the innermost essence of self and its connection to the world in a society. The knowledge passed on to him however does not explain this, which is why Siddhartha speculates the origins of the world and his place in it. When Siddhartha departs on his journey to achieve nirvana, he joins the Samanas and accustoms quickly to their lifestyle because of the endurance and discipline he learned in the Brahmin rituals. He learns how to free himself from the materialistic world he was living in, losing his desire for ownership and apparel. However Siddhartha is still unsatisfied. The path of self-denial does not provide an established solution for Siddhartha. He comes to the realization which is this: the Samanas have been just as unsuccessful as the previous guidance he has encountered. Siddhartha’s thirst for knowledge has only increased, as he tells his good friend, â€Å"I suffer thirst, Govinda, and on this long Samana path my thirst has not grown less†¦I have always thirsted for knowledge.† (15) Siddhartha is still curious, thus Govinda convinces him that they both should leave the Samanas and seek out the Buddha. During Siddhartha’s quest for enlightment, he and Govinda are looking for Gotama’s whereabouts. As they are taken in, Siddhartha is informed about a teaching called the Eightfold Path and the four main points in order to achieve the permanent solution of abstaining from the pleasures of the world. However, while Govinda is entirely influenced by these teachings, Siddhartha is still not satisfied. (Gotama to Sid dhartha) [â€Å"The teaching which you have heard†¦is not to explain the world to those who are thirsty for knowledge†¦its goal is salvation from the suffering.†(27)] Siddhartha is still unsatisfied, and desires to comprehend the meaning of life’s purpose in the world in an accomplished way. Like the Samanas, Buddha’s followers escape from reality without connecting to it. Most importantly, Siddhartha feels that he cannot achieve enlightment from an external source such as a teacher. He reasons that in order to reach enlightenment, one must learn only through experience and teachings by other mentors. Wisdom is gained through experience, while knowledge is taught. This is the reason he cannot accept Buddha’s teachings. At this point of the novel, Siddhartha knows he will have to depart his good friend behind to begin a search for the meaning of life which will be based on experience, rather than religious teachings. Siddhartha determines to set out on a life abstaining from meditation and to instead enter the material world to explore the physical pleasures of his body. In this new world of his, Siddhartha encounters a friendly ferryman, living his free life to its fullest. After crossing the ferryman’s river, he arrives to a city where a beautiful m istress named Kamala mesmerizes him. He believes she would be the most worthy one to teach him about the physical aspects of love, but Kamala will only instruct him until he proves he can fit into the materialistic world. With her guidance, Siddhartha takes up the path of the merchant and engages in business with a man named Kamaswami who taught him how to trade. While Siddhartha achieves the wisdom of the business world and experiences how to do business in the material world, Kamala becomes his lover and teaches him about every physical aspect of love. [â€Å"She taught him that lovers should not separate from each other after making love†¦so that no feeling of desolation arise nor the horrid feeling of misusing† (54)] Siddhartha renounces the spiritual path and exchanges the search for Atman to experience physical pleasures. However, Siddhartha and Kamala are both incapable to give and receive real love at this stage in the novel. Siddhartha has eliminated himself from the world completely and is not influenced by what the world has to offer him. Since both these external guides are unable to teach him wisdom, he knows he must now achieve wisdom on his own. This consciousness itself comes from his inner self. Siddhartha starts his path to seek enlightenment leaving the Brahmins, the Samanas, Gotama, and the material world becau se he feels unhappy with himself. As Siddhartha leaves the corrupted material world, he approaches a river and considers what direction his life has taken him. Ironically, the same ferryman whom he met years before introduces himself with the identity as Vasudeva. Siddhartha senses inner peace and wisdom within this man, and motivates him to obtain it as well. Eventually Siddhartha resides and works with Vasudeva until he comes to know his son was born. With his son, Siddhartha finally experiences love, but since love is a connection to the world, it threatens to distract Siddhartha from his search for enlightenment. It’s not until now when Siddhartha has gained wisdom on his own without any materialistic influences, therefore the love he expresses for his son becomes a test of this wisdom. (Siddhartha to himself) [â€Å"It is a good thing to experience everything oneself†¦as a child I learned that pleasures of the world and riches were not good†¦ but I have only just experienced it now†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (80) ]Siddhartha implies that the Buddha’s teachings or any source of external guidance do not make one enlightened; they only transfer knowledge to the society around them. Siddhartha is aware enlightenment can only be reached if he will be able to accept love, and as difficult as it might be, to even achieve Nirvana. Successfully, Kamala and his son influenced him heavily and because of them, Siddhartha learned and experienced how to love the world and accept it as a whole. Siddhartha encounters many teachers of wisdom during his journey, but each fails to lead him to his goal: to seek enlightenment. The ferryman however, is successful and shows Siddhartha how to find enlightenment within him by blocking out all exterior guidance. [Vasudeva will not simply tell Siddhartha what he should know like the others, but a guide who will lead him where he wishes to go.] After leaving the material world, Siddhartha seeks for knowledge from the river he crossed and Vasudeva guides Siddhartha to listen to it for a better understanding of what the river communicates. Vasudeva does not tell Siddhartha what the river will say, but when Siddhartha discloses what the river has expressed to him, Vasudeva clearly admits that he too has received the same wisdom on his own. Now, Siddhartha realizes that he himself becomes the ferryman after reaching enlightenment. (Siddhartha speaking to himself) [ â€Å"The river is everywhere at the same time†¦ Siddhartha the boy, Siddhartha the mature man, and Siddhartha the old man [are] only separated by shadows, not through reality.† (87)] The river is compared to Siddhartha as it is considered continuous but yet always altering within, deeper below the body of water. Siddhartha now belongs to everything surrounding him instead of being classified to a particular group. At the end of the novel, Govinda returns to the river, still seeking enlightenment, and asks Siddhartha to teach him what he has learned. Siddhartha explains that neither he nor any other individual can teach the wisdom to Govinda, because spoken explanations are definite and can never communicate enlightenment as a whole. (Siddhartha to Govinda)[â€Å"When someone is seeking †¦he is unable to find anything†¦because he is obsessed with his goal.† (113) ] Govinda is confused just like he was when they met near the river after Siddhartha had considered suicide. This means he still does not understand the meaning of life because he hasn’t experienced the world, remaining a follower to Buddha. Therefore, Siddhartha’s ultimate attainment of Nirvana does not come from external guidance communicating the wisdom to him, but instead by experiencing an internal connection with the river, which encompasses the whole universe.

MBA admission essay

I dream of becoming one of the most successful electrical engineers the world has ever produced. This idea may seem farfetched, but I intend to pursue this dream in the not so distant future. To begin with, I would like to complete my MBA degree and become an accomplished student. I know that it will take more than just a strong-willed personality to achieve this, but I know I’m off to a good start. I have been working as an Applications Engineer for the past four years and a half. With my experience, I have learned how to handle various challenges and difficult situations in a mature way. I acquired an Engineering Management degree which I earned recently has somehow helped me in becoming a better person than I used to be. I am able to handle I believe that my qualities are enough to qualify me into your MBA program. I am dependable, flexible and can easily get along well with others. With my friendly attitude, I was able to gain more than the usual number of friends which has helped me a lot in performing my duties and responsibilities as an employee. I do not allow pressures to get the better of me. With my sense of humor, I can very manage well the challenges that come my way.   I am pro-active, making certain that I meet my projects before the set deadline. This way, I need not cram over my projects and waste precious time crying over lost opportunities or chances. I pay great attention to micro-level details.   I am likewise patient and hardworking. I make sure that I give 100% of my time and effort in any project that is assigned to me. My parents have always told me that education is an important inheritance. Your diploma can actually take you anywhere. It is important to possess a degree during these time and age. Education is such a significant ingredient to success. Without education, it will be difficult to be qualified for the next job. Education is such a learning experience. Without it, it will be impossible to reach for your goals. This is just one of the many reasons why I am interested in earning my MBA degree. I believe that my undergraduate degree is not enough to earn me a ticket to success. It takes ore than just a college degree to arm me with the right weapons to face the challenges that go through life. I can only aim high and earn high if I was able to achieve my MBA diploma in the not so distant future. I understand that it’s a long way to go. That this education will be another tuition and another burden to carry, but I know how important it is to fully discover my potentials and I am happy that my parents are supporting me in my endeavor. As Khan (2000) puts it in her article, the importance of education is quite understandable. It is the knowledge of placing one's potentials to the maximum. It will be such a waste if a person is not educated. Besides, it will be difficult to train a person if he’s not educated. With the right education, we are able to make the right decisions and think things in a better perspective. As I have mentioned, taking an MBA degree is a learning experience. I am aware that although I have earned my college degree, there is still so much to learn about the world and to so much to discover. Someone once said that unless you find your missing link, you will not be complete. Unless you become what you are destined to become, you will not be happy. I can truly say that unless I earn my MBA degree, I will not be the person I have always wanted to be. Aside form the characteristics that made me unique, I am hopeful that I can be accepted to this degree program and that I will eventually find the fulfillment of my dreams. Then and only then will I be able to shout to the world that yes, I made it and I am proud and happy for everything. Source: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Importance of Education. The Milli Gazette. RNI DELENG/2000/930; ISSN 0972-3366 (2000) MBA Admission Essay To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there (Kofi Annan).My primary childhood objective was to obtain a Masters in Business Administration from the US. To this end, I worked very hard at school and obtained very good academic grades. My parents are illiterate and poor. We hail from a rural area of the country. However, my single minded devotion to acquiring knowledge resulted in my obtaining very good scores, not only in the tenth grade but also the twelfth grade. In some of the subjects of study I even obtained the highest marks in the entire state.Subsequently, I joined a college in Hyderabad, India. While commuting to college, one dismal day in June 1986, I was involved in a traffic accident which led to the complete loss of wrist movement in the right hand. Since, I am a right handed person; this constituted a terrible blow to my educational and other prospects. In this hour of my t rial, my family and friends extended all possible cooperation. The upshot of this was that I managed to emerge from a state of depression and move on in life. Inter alia, I made strenuous efforts to acclimatize my left hand to the functions that had previously been the exclusive preserve of my right hand.Another source of inspiration was offered by the numerous physically and mentally challenged persons, who had overcome their disabilities and forged ahead in life. Some of these people were at the very front of technological and scientific research. One such person from whose life I drew inspiration is Stephen Hawking, who is an acclaimed authority in theoretical physics. Stephen developed motor neurone disease, an incurable ailment. He lost his voice, mobility and was confined to a wheel chair. Nevertheless, such adversity failed to deter him and he continues to make significant contributions to cosmology (Hawking).I recovered my equanimity and writing skills in six months and obta ined very high grades in the second year examinations. In addition to attending college, I regularly underwent physio therapy and I was able to complete my graduation along with the other students of my class.The year 1988, was witness to the demise of my father. This compelled me to shoulder the family responsibilities. My mother developed nephrological complications and my younger brother and sister had to be supported financially. This forced me to keep in abeyance my dream of higher studies and to commence employment. This experience taught me the value of responsible behaviour. A few years after graduation, I set foot in the US and in this manner I came very near to achieving my goal.These experiences served to strengthen my resolve and boosted my self confidence tremendously. I could clearly discern what Napoleon had meant when he had stated that â€Å"Impossible, ce n'est pas francais† or the word impossible does not exist in my dictionary. This attitude proved to be o f great help to the management of F.J. Benjamin and Holdings of Singapore, where I was employed in the year 1996. The management wanted to purchase an application software package, whereas my director was of the opinion that this package could be developed by the existing software professionals.Accordingly, the management permitted our group to develop the required application. However, after some days, the pace with which our work was progressing diminished greatly, due to the departure of a number of programmers for greener pastures. At the same time management became insistent upon our showing results and stated that it would purchase the software if we failed to develop it. At this crucial juncture, I took the bull by the horns and managed to convince the management that I would deliver the software package.In order to succeed in my challenge, I approached my friends in the software industry and obtained their invaluable help. Some of them even joined our organization and in thi s manner I ensured that the project was completed successfully and well within the allocated budget. The management of our organization was extremely pleased with my dynamism, organizing capacity, knowledge, determination and single minded devotion to duty. This reveals my aptitude for management.I had been devoting my time to several orphanages and helping their inmates in their scholastic endeavours. On seeing my friend lose his eyesight, I developed concern for the disabled and I organized a number of blood donation and organ donation camps. Moreover, I successfully established an orphanage in the city of Vishakhapatnam, India. At present I am in constant touch with Shankar Netralaya in Chennai, India, which is one of the best ophthalmologic centres in India, to treat more persons afflicted with diseases of the eye.The MBA Program of UCLA Anderson is one of the best of its kind in the world. The faculty is constantly engaged in research and their findings are conveyed to the stud ents. In addition to this, analyses of relevant international event are commonplace in this program. Moreover, the mandatory twenty weeks long Applied Management Research project, which every student has to complete, is with respect to some real business situation.Thus the alumni of this institution are truly bestowed with the latest theoretical and practical knowledge (MBA PROGRAM). I would like to become a part of this great management movement and my accomplishments, courage, positive attitude, optimism, perseverance and experience of life should ensure that I render complete justice to this superlative course in management. MBA Admission Essay To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there (Kofi Annan).My primary childhood objective was to obtain a Masters in Business Administration from the US. To this end, I worked very hard at school and obtained very good academic grades. My parents are illiterate and poor. We hail from a rural area of the country. However, my single minded devotion to acquiring knowledge resulted in my obtaining very good scores, not only in the tenth grade but also the twelfth grade. In some of the subjects of study I even obtained the highest marks in the entire state.Subsequently, I joined a college in Hyderabad, India. While commuting to college, one dismal day in June 1986, I was involved in a traffic accident which led to the complete loss of wrist movement in the right hand. Since, I am a right handed person; this constituted a terrible blow to my educational and other prospects. In this hour of my t rial, my family and friends extended all possible cooperation. The upshot of this was that I managed to emerge from a state of depression and move on in life. Inter alia, I made strenuous efforts to acclimatize my left hand to the functions that had previously been the exclusive preserve of my right hand.Another source of inspiration was offered by the numerous physically and mentally challenged persons, who had overcome their disabilities and forged ahead in life. Some of these people were at the very front of technological and scientific research. One such person from whose life I drew inspiration is Stephen Hawking, who is an acclaimed authority in theoretical physics. Stephen developed motor neurone disease, an incurable ailment. He lost his voice, mobility and was confined to a wheel chair. Nevertheless, such adversity failed to deter him and he continues to make significant contributions to cosmology (Hawking).I recovered my equanimity and writing skills in six months and obta ined very high grades in the second year examinations. In addition to attending college, I regularly underwent physio therapy and I was able to complete my graduation along with the other students of my class.The year 1988, was witness to the demise of my father. This compelled me to shoulder the family responsibilities. My mother developed nephrological complications and my younger brother and sister had to be supported financially. This forced me to keep in abeyance my dream of higher studies and to commence employment. This experience taught me the value of responsible behaviour. A few years after graduation, I set foot in the US and in this manner I came very near to achieving my goal.These experiences served to strengthen my resolve and boosted my self confidence tremendously. I could clearly discern what Napoleon had meant when he had stated that â€Å"Impossible, ce n'est pas francais† or the word impossible does not exist in my dictionary. This attitude proved to be o f great help to the management of F.J. Benjamin and Holdings of Singapore, where I was employed in the year 1996. The management wanted to purchase an application software package, whereas my director was of the opinion that this package could be developed by the existing software professionals.Accordingly, the management permitted our group to develop the required application. However, after some days, the pace with which our work was progressing diminished greatly, due to the departure of a number of programmers for greener pastures. At the same time management became insistent upon our showing results and stated that it would purchase the software if we failed to develop it. At this crucial juncture, I took the bull by the horns and managed to convince the management that I would deliver the software package.In order to succeed in my challenge, I approached my friends in the software industry and obtained their invaluable help. Some of them even joined our organization and in thi s manner I ensured that the project was completed successfully and well within the allocated budget. The management of our organization was extremely pleased with my dynamism, organizing capacity, knowledge, determination and single minded devotion to duty. This reveals my aptitude for management.I had been devoting my time to several orphanages and helping their inmates in their scholastic endeavours. On seeing my friend lose his eyesight, I developed concern for the disabled and I organized a number of blood donation and organ donation camps. Moreover, I successfully established an orphanage in the city of Vishakhapatnam, India. At present I am in constant touch with Shankar Netralaya in Chennai, India, which is one of the best ophthalmologic centres in India, to treat more persons afflicted with diseases of the eye.The MBA Program of UCLA Anderson is one of the best of its kind in the world. The faculty is constantly engaged in research and their findings are conveyed to the stud ents. In addition to this, analyses of relevant international event are commonplace in this program. Moreover, the mandatory twenty weeks long Applied Management Research project, which every student has to complete, is with respect to some real business situation.Thus the alumni of this institution are truly bestowed with the latest theoretical and practical knowledge (MBA PROGRAM). I would like to become a part of this great management movement and my accomplishments, courage, positive attitude, optimism, perseverance and experience of life should ensure that I render complete justice to this superlative course in management.

An Overview of El Nino and La Nina

El Nino is a regularly occurring climatic feature of our planet. Every two to five years, El Nino reappears and lasts for several months or even a few years. El Nino takes place when warmer than usual sea water exists off the coast of South America. El Nino causes climate effects around the world. Peruvian fishermen noticed that the arrival of El Nino often coincided with the Christmas season so named the phenomenon after the the baby boy Jesus. The warmer water of El Nino reduced the number of fish available to catch. The warm water that causes El Nino is usually located near Indonesia during non-El Nino years. However, during periods of El Nino the water moves eastward to lie off the coast of South America. El Nino increases the average ocean surface water temperature in the region. This mass of warm water is what causes climatic change around the world. Closer to the Pacific Ocean, El Nino causes torrential rains across the west coast of North America and South America. Very strong El Nino events in 1965-1966, 1982-1983, and 1997-1998 caused significant flooding and damage from California to Mexico to Chile. Effects of El Nino are felt as far away from the Pacific Ocean as Eastern Africa (there is often reduced rainfall and thus Nile River carries less water). An El Nino requires five consecutive months of unusually high sea surface temperatures in the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America to be considered an El Nino. La Nina Scientists refer to the event when exceptionally cook water lies off the coast of South America as La Nina or the baby girl. Strong La Nina events have been responsible for the opposite effects on climate as El Nino. For example, a major La Nina event in 1988 caused significant drought across North America. El Ninos Relationship to Climate Change As of this writing, El Nino and La Nina do not appear to be significantly related to climate change. As mentioned above, El Nino is a pattern that had been noticed for hundreds of years by South Americans. Climate change may make the effects of El Nino and La Nina stronger or more widespread, however. A similar pattern to El Nino was identified in the early 1900s and was called the Southern Oscillation. Today, the two patterns are known to be pretty much the same thing and so sometimes El Nino is known as El Nino/Southern Oscillation or ENSO.