The Age Of The Cosmetic Epidemic - 1042 Words

In 1959, Barbie was created and sent the world, including every little girl, into a frenzy (Unknown). Barbie was the new thing; she was beautiful, blonde, and seemingly perfect. Children and parents even to this day both want to be just like the blonde haired, blue-eyed bombshell. It is obvious people will go through whatever measures to be plastic just like her. An overwhelming amount of Americans teens are choosing to change their appearance to fit into a highly unrealistic and unattainable standard of beauty that was created and forced upon us by our physically obsessed culture. There is no doubt that teens feel an enormous pressure to look â€Å"beautiful† and feel obligated to do whatever necessary to reach â€Å"perfection.† Contrary to what many believe, American teens, like most teens around the world, are actually falling out of the cosmetic epidemic. Even though surgery numbers are still high, the total numbers have actually reduced over recent years. Nonethel ess, teens still seek perfection from the heavy burden placed on their shoulders by the media, peers, and, in rare cases, even parents. The most extreme form of physical modifications among adolescences is plastic surgery. Today there are only two types of plastic surgeries available, which include: cosmetic and reconstructive (Monohar). If a person is not entirely satisfied with a certain or many body parts, he or she can undergo cosmetic surgery to alter the body until he or she is satisfied. However, reconstructiveShow MoreRelatedMerriam Webster Defines Obesity Is A Condition Characterized1490 Words   |  6 Pagesaccumulation and storage of body fat. Carey Rossi points out â€Å"In one day the AMA classified 78 million adults, and 12 million children deemed to have a medical condition that needs treatment.† In the United States obesity, has become a major health epidemic. People are gaining weight in mass, and are also being diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease and, c ancer, every day. Changing the problem has become an issue, and what can be incorporated to help slow down, or fix the issue has become the problemRead MoreDid you know that in a 2013 study, 1,668,420 Americans underwent cosmetic surgery in order to alter700 Words   |  3 Pages2013 study, 1,668,420 Americans underwent cosmetic surgery in order to alter their body to fit the body image they view as the norm in society. More and more Americans are complying to undergo cosmetic procedures without understand the possible fatal risks. As medical advancements and improved procedures are being introduced, the risks seem to increase. Since society has placed significant pressure on the physical attributes of adolescents and adults, cosmetic treatments are being performed and consideredRead MoreEssay on The Harmuful Effects of Plastic Surgery862 Words   |  4 Pagessignificant pressure on the physical attributes of adolescents and adults, cosmetic treatments are being performed and cons idered at an all-time high with patients complying with the potential harmful and fatal consequences. In a 2013 study, 1,668,420 Americans underwent cosmetic surgery in order to alter their body to fit the body image they view as the norm in society. More and more Americans are now submitting to undergo cosmetic procedures without understanding the possible fatal risks. As medicalRead MoreThe Psychological Effects of Going Through Cosmetic Surgery1486 Words   |  6 Pages14.6million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in 2012. Cosmetic procedures range from skin rejuvenation to cleft palate repair. The most popular age range of cosmetic surgeries performed is 40 to 54 years old. Most of us are self conscious about how we will appear in the future. Our self conscious feelings towards our body image affects us psychologically and psychosocially by our own body-self image, sexual relationships, social interactions esteem and self worth. As we age our body dissatisfactionRead MoreThe Side Effects of Cosmetic Surgery1325 Words   |  6 PagesThe Side Effects of Cosmetic Surgery Reading and Writing Level 4 Kirsten Ringstrom April 14, 2009 Table of Contents 1 Introduction 2 The History of Cosmetic Surgery 3 The Trends of Cosmetic Surgeries 4 The Risks of Cosmetic Surgery 5 Conclusion References Throughout recorded history, a pale complexion has nearly always been more fashionable than a tan complexion because pale skin represents a woman who does not have to labour outdoors. So, most non-white women probably wantedRead MoreCosmetic Dentistry And Its Impact On American Society1283 Words   |  6 Pagesthat number to be 4 million in 2016, proving that the field of orthodontics is a rapidly growing industry. A modern debate in the field of dentistry is cosmetic dentistry and its recent rise in popularity. The United States of America, in particular, has gained a reputation for being overzealous in the pursuit of â€Å"perfect† teeth. In Europe, cosmetic dentistry is thought of as a collection of very unnatural procedures, not unlike breast enhancement, Botox, etc. While it is obvious that British and AmericanRead MorePlastic Surgery1709 Words   |  7 Pagesplastic surgery says, Theres a common belief among the public that a large percentage of young adults and teens are having cosmetic surgery (Obesity, Fitness Wellness Week). Despite the low percentage, young adults are considering getting face-lifts, breast implants, nose jobs, and liposuction. Advancements in technology have made it possible to receive these kinds of cosmetic procedures. Studies have shown that the medias influence has made it seem more acceptable within society. The pressureRead MoreImproving The Health Care System1706 Words   |  7 Pagesinsurance. In addition to receiving poor access to care, the costs to the individuals are both societal and personal. For instance, individuals who do not receive vaccines for flu may make others susceptible to the flu borne illness and it may become a epidemic to society if it does spread. To obtain quality access to care, one must †¢ gain entry into the health care system, †¢ acquire providers that meet the needs of the patient in developing trust †¢ And attain services at sites catering toRead MoreAnti-Drugs Policies in the 1960s Essay1006 Words   |  5 Pages Drugs have been influencing the ideas, culture, and music of America for ages. Illicit narcotics have left the Union in a state of immense debt. Anti-drug policies have been dumping billions upon billions of dollars in prevention, punishment, and rehabilitation. From the roaring twenties, to the prohibition, drugs have always been fought (Bailey). Most times, the drugs start off as medicines and end up being harmful (Morris). Perhaps, the most prominent and influential eras of drug use in AmericaRead MoreObesity And Its Effects On The Health Of Americans And People All Across The World1514 Words   |  7 Pagesclaim that the health risks of being overweight are greatly exaggerated by doctors and scientists. My research shows why this is a dangerous way of thinking and why obesity can be so harmful. We must take a deeper look into why obesity is such an epidemic , and what can be done to prevent or reverse it for the benefit of future generations. Obesity stems from chronic calorie intake that surpasses the bodies energy expenditure, in other words it happens when an individual ingests more calories than

Starbucks Annual Report 2008 - 46643 Words

Starbucks Corporation Fiscal 2008 Annual Report Fiscal 2008 Financial Highlights Stores Open at Fiscal Year End (COMPANY-OPERATED AND LICENSED STORES) Net Revenues (IN BILLIONS) Net Revenue Growth (PERCENTAGES) from Previous Year 16,680 $9.4 $7.8 $6.4 $5.3 $4.1 24% 30% 20% 22% 21% $10.4 10% International United States 15,011 12,440 10,241 8,569 7,225 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Components of 2008 Revenue Retail Licensing Foodservice Other 84% 12% 4% Operating Income (IN MILLIONS) Operating Margin (PERCENTAGES) $1,054 $894 $781 $606 2008 Revenue Breakdown $421 United States International Global Consumer Products Group 76% 20% 4% 2003†¦show more content†¦All of this gives me conï ¬ dence that Starbucks—unlike many other retailers—has what it takes to endure as a vital part of the fabric of every community and neighborhood where we do business. In ï ¬ scal 2008, we invested in the Starbucks Experience and what we know our customers are looking for when they visit our stores. We put a signiï ¬ cant emphasis on coffee—starting with the launch of Pike Placeâ„ ¢ Roast, our new everyday brewed coffee. This emphasis included the introduction of the â„ ¢ Starbucks Mastrena, our new, lower-proï ¬ le espresso machines, and the purchase of the company that makes the Clover ® brewer, a state-of-the-art single-cup brewing system that allows us to serve the best cup of brewed coffee available anywhere. Our customers also told us they are looking to Starbucks for more in the health and wellness space, and in response, we launched our nutritious Vivannoâ„ ¢ Nourishing Blends and extended our breakfast platform with choices like Perfect Oatmeal, one of our most successful food introductions ever. Not surprisingly, our customers have asked us to reward their loyalty and provide value, and we did just that through our Starbucks Rewards program. Value continues to be key to meeting the needs of our customers, and we have our sights set on more ways to provide it—all while not diminishing our brand, which stands for quality above allShow MoreRelatedStrategic Initiative Paper1636 Words   |  7 Pageseconomy we are currently facing. Starbucks Corporation (furthermore, Starbucks) is known as one of the leaders for the retail sales of roasted and specialty coffee. Starbucks is focused on creating a detailed strategic and financial planning that can take the company to the next level. The aim of this paper is to investigate Starbucks’s actions upon creation of strategic and financial plans, and its impact on cost and sales and risks associated. Starbucks has a long-standing effortRead MoreGlobal Competition1344 Words   |  6 PagesGlobal Competition Starbucks is the unquestionable market leader in the U.S. and is in the early stages of an international expansion plan that could lead to more revenue coming from international than domestic locations within the decade (www.beta.fool.com). Starbucks has significant strengths in coffee business. It is the current market leader with over 17000 stores worldwide. It has no debt and uses internal cash flow for expansion. Also since all of its stores are company-owned, itRead MoreStarbuckss Best Coffee Brands1699 Words   |  7 Pagesthat Starbucks is one of the most recognized specialty coffee brands in the world. With numerous locations in over 62 countries, (Starbucks Annual Report, 2013) most of them located in shopping centers and airports, it makes it difficult to drive a few miles without coming across one of their many locations. Starbucks is not only a premier roaster, marketer and retailer of specialty coffees, they also have many other brands within their portfolio: Teavana, Tazo, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Starbucks VIARead MoreStarbucks: Analysis921 Words   |  4 Pagesto close a number of outlets in the United States, there were several factors that played into Starbucks decision. These included the performance of the stores in question, and the companys expectations for the state of the US economy going forward. The long term plan for the company also played a significant role in the downsizing that the company went through. For most of its existence, Starbucks had expanded rapidly, but in the few years preceding the downsizing, the companys performanceRead MoreStarbucks Working Capital Strategies1584 Words   |  7 PagesStarbucks Working Capital Strategies Starbucks is one of the largest most recognizable names in the coffee industry known worldwide. Starbucks has been able to hold onto their business making revenue in these current rough economic times. Even though they have had to shut down some stores it is nothing new than what any other company does when stores are not brining in the revenue that is expected to cover expenses of the business. To see what kind of impact the decisions that Starbucks hasRead MoreStarbucks Corporation1716 Words   |  7 PagesStarbucks Corporation By Oybek Salimov Outline Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3 1. Background of the company†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 2. Starbucks’s expansion.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 3. Risks associated with expansion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 4. Capital structure of the company†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦7 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 9 Reference †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦10 Appendix †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 11 Introduction GlobalizationRead MoreStarbucks Financial Analysis1739 Words   |  7 PagesStarbucks Financial Analysis Financial Analysis of the Starbucks Corporation 2401 Utah Avenue South Seattle, Washington 98134 (800) 235-2883 Financial Analysis of the Starbucks Corporation Company Overview Starbucks is the world’s largest specialty coffee retailer, Starbucks has more than 16,000 retail outlets in more than 35 countries. Starbucks owns more than 8,500 of its outlets, while licensees and franchisees operate more than 6,500 units worldwide, primarilyRead MoreStarbuck Industry Analysis (Malaysia)888 Words   |  4 Pagesstarbuck Malaysia industry analysis Threat of substitute products - medium The premium foods and even fast foods industry, there are substitute products for Starbucks. When the other industries can satisfy the customer need that coffee industry is satisfying then there will have a threat for Starbucks. Other beverage industries such as premium foods industry – Tony Roma’s, Chili’s both have provided a good atmosphere and environment for customers. These restaurants also offer free refill for certainRead MoreStarbuck’s Strategy and Internal Initiatives to Return to Profitable Growth1299 Words   |  6 PagesBowker, opened Starbucks Coffee, Team, and Spice in Seattle, Washington. They were inspired by the success of Peet’s Coffee and Tea in Berkeley, California. However, they focused on selling high-quality whole beans and coffee products, making the store was consistently profitable. By 1980, Starbucks had four locations in the Seattle area. In 1981, Howard Schultz, vice president and general manager of U.S. operations fo r a Swedish maker of coffee and kitchen equipment, visited Starbucks and was immediatelyRead MoreAcc 230 Final Starbucks Financial Analysis Paper1141 Words   |  5 PagesStarbucks Financial Analysis Author Axia College of University of Phoenix Starbucks Financial Analysis Starbucks Coffee originated in 1971 as a coffee and tea cafà © opening in a small neighborhood of Seattle, Washington (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). Starbucks continued its service for Seattle residents for a decade when the new director of retail operations and marketing, Howard Shultz, decided to make some beneficial changes to the company. After two years of employment Howard Shultz decided

The Importance of French Education for Engineers Free Essays

French education for engineers is significantly different from that of the United States. This fact will be the topic of this paper as well as the sequencing of French education. There are four schools in France that provide for the bulk of the engineering education after high school. We will write a custom essay sample on The Importance of French Education for Engineers or any similar topic only for you Order Now These are called National Instituts For Applied Sciences or INSA. These institutions are very comprehensive and high level. The National Instituts For Applied Sciences or INSA take students who have completed their secondary school studies and select them on the basis of their examination results and their academic records. The recruitment is highly selective. In 1991, 11,000 candidates with a science baccalaureat applied for about 1,200 places.[1] It is therefore obvious, that the INSAs attract students with a high level of scientific education in mathematics, physics and chemistry. The studies begin with a two-year basic study program in the Premier Cycle, which is comprised of general science courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanics and computer science. These courses are also complimented with courses in the Liberal Arts. The students who pass the first and second year exams are admitted to the Engineering Departments where they continue their studies for three additional years. This enables the students to specialize in nearly all the different engineering sciences: computer studies, mechanics, physics, chemistry and biochemistry. One original aspect of the INSAs is that, the number of students in a department can vary depending on the state of employment prospects. All the INSAs train their students according to the same principles and curricula as the other four institutions. The First cycle is a two-year program of common core classes that welcomes secondary school graduates. Its goal is to prepare students for entry into one of the Institute’s specialized departments. The initial qualifications of those who apply for admission to INSA guarantee the high quality of the students: 80% of them graduate in 5 years and 5% in 6 years. [1] Engineering studies start concurrently with the first year of their training. After a two-year preparatory phase, the first cycle begins putting an ambitious regiment into place. The goal of this regiment is, first of all, to give students the common scientific, technical, and liberal arts training necessary for all departments. In order to achieve this goal, course work is divided into modules that are independent of each other. The second goal of the regiment is to encourage students to make the transition from high school student to a responsible higher level student with clearly defined professional goals. As a result of the quality of these different goals, the first cycle plays an important role in both engineering sciences as well as the liberal arts through both years. EURINSA is another two-year European first cycle in engineering studies that has, since 1991, been training European students (including French students) to be part of an international team. The scientific training, conducted in French but adapted to engineering students from different backgrounds (language abilities), allows the students to enroll in any one of the four INSAs in France or even in one of their European counter parts. The program is open to approximately 100 students (at each institution) of whom 1/3 are French, 1/3 are from other European countries, and 1/3 from Central and Eastern Europe.[3] The INSAs produce highly qualified engineers. There are some main differences between studying at an INSA and in the universities of the other European countries. One difference is that French students specialize only at the end of the first two years (the â€Å"Premier Cycle†). This form of training provides them with a vast scientific background, which guarantees a good overall training in the engineering sciences. This method also allows them to change their area of concentration, if necessary during the course of their career. As the INSAs and the â€Å"Grandes Ecoles† are highly selective, very few students drop out during the Premier Cycle whereas, in the traditional university system, there is a high dropout rate or at least a decision to change their course of study. Unlike the University system, the students at an INSA have many general courses. Although all European countries announce a training scheme which lasts approximately 5 years, the fact that attendance is not 100% and that students are permitted to repeat years, means that becoming a qualified engineer could take two or three years longer.[3] Engineering training fields and engineer status differ widely among countries. In other European Countries as well as the United States for example, the seemingly simple problem of correspondence among degrees, not to mention equivalence, is far from being solved, and the notion of harmonizing the numerous systems does not seem realistic. Educational system’s specification’s are deeply rooted in the country’s culture, industry and economy. Large discrepancies appear in Europe between: kinds of high-school studies and their length before college entrance, means of student recruitment, length of training (in terms of number of years of study), degree awarding, academic recognition, professional recognition, etc. In many countries, two engineer profiles coexist: a design engineer with a broad background training, and a production and application engineer. For each profile, there are nevertheless important national particulars. With such diversity, one may understand why a foreign candidate admission in a French engineering college does not assume automatic level equivalence rules. Instead results from various factors: number of study years, major and minor fields of studies, major projects, etc. Therefore, there is only one European general objective in this area, dealing with recognizing degrees obtained after at least three higher education years. These are valued for entrance in professions having regulated access. Because of this definite lack of equivalence standards, Europeans have decided to develop student and professional mobility by recognizing and validating studies engaged in at colleges in other countries . This process has strongly developed in some cases, through the development of programs leading to double degrees, or through the E.C.T.S. project (European Credit Transfer System), based on academic credits which are transferable within higher education institutions of the European Union.[3] Institutions wishing to participate in E.C.T.S., particularly those following non-university framework, must make great efforts to adapt. They have to reorganize their training programs or curriculum with credit hours and they have to use a universal grading scale. The University of Technology of Compiegne (UTC) was the first French engineering school to engage in ECTS in the field of mechanical engineering. Other schools, like INSA of Lyon have more recently done the same. Apart from this very structured system, recognition of study periods among institutions from several countries appears more and more to be an essential component of an international open policy. Partnership agreements exist also with American universities, for instance between the Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine and Kansas State University and University of Wisconsin at Madison. Developing this practice and expanding the student exchanges depends on firm relationships between foreign schools. A new attitude has developed, where one takes notice of differences between systems, without making value judgements. Thus, these new relations are creating more awareness of the equivalence problem and providing better methods for rectification. The École Polytechnique constitutes the â€Å"graduate schools.† It takes 2 to 3 years of study and, in 1993, there were 46,000 students enrolled in the second cycle.[3] Each year, the École Polytechnique admits slightly more than 400 students into the Second Cycle, via traditional competitive examinations.[4] These students are of both sexes, may be either French or foreign, and are approximately 21 years old. The instructional program for the Second Cycle consists of two years of advanced courses in the fundamental sciences. The program is evenly divided between a core curriculum, and an elective curriculum that includes individual research projects. All students follow the core curriculum, which includes courses in pure and applied mathematics, computer science, mechanics, physics, chemistry, biology and economics. The core curriculum also includes courses in the humanities and social sciences, as well as in several modern languages. Upon successful completion of these two years, students are awarded the diploma of Ingenieur de l’École Polytechnique. Relatively few of them begin their careers upon graduation. The vast majority of graduates choose to follow their studies with specialized training in engineering or business administration, or with the preparation of a doctoral degree. The French nationals, in view of the obligations of their status as polytechniciens, may choose to pursue technical training in France, at one of its engineering schools (such as the École des Mines, the École des Ponts et Chaussees, or the École des Telecommunications) They complete their last two years of education, and receive the corresponding Diplome d’Ingenieur. Since 1996, French nationals have undertaken such training at foreign institutions, in Europe, America or Asia: they have a choice among 100 different instructional programs, at 29 foreign institutions, leading to an Engineering degree or a Masters of Applied Science or Engineering, depending on the institution selected.[3] These programs generally require between two and two and a half years. Special arrangements with the École facilitate admission to some of these institutions. After research training in France or at a foreign university, engineering school, or public or private research center, approximately four years, they obtain a doctoral degree, a Ph.D. or a similar degree in a basic or applied science. For business studies abroad, after several years of practical experience, they earn an MBA degree at one of seven institutions. Foreign students may undertake specialized training or prepare dissertations at institutions of their choice, including, of course, their home institutions. The past shows, however, that they tend to favor the programs offered to their French classmates. In any case, the École attempts to arrange that the two years of study at Palaiseau be properly validated in the programs of the students’ home universities. Foreign students are entitled to the same agreements as those offered to French nationals. The École Polytechnique’s Second Cycle in the fundamental sciences together with a specialization acquired at another first class institution, represents a training that is proving to be in particular demand in today’s economic market place. Indeed, each year large corporations come forward with expressions of their needs and suggestions as to where they believe the necessary applied training may best be obtained. How to cite The Importance of French Education for Engineers, Papers

Breathing Innovation into Shoes Case Analysis free essay sample

Introduction Geox is an Italian shoe and clothing company that started in 1995. Its products are available through over 10,000 stores around the world. The founder of the company, Mario Moretti Polegato, has built a company by offering a world an innovative concept of â€Å"shoes that breathe.† The companys brand-named shoe technology combines vented soles with breathable membranes that allow humidity and heat to escape while still providing protection from the elements. Product lines include casual and dress shoes for men and women, as well as childrens shoes. Geox has also adapted its technology for use in jackets and coats. Today, Geox holds the position of a second largest manufacturer of casual footwear market, but it is choosing the right strategy to improve its positions in other markets, renew its products while staying competitive. SWOT analysis In order to set specific growth objectives for Geox, first, we need to evaluate the company’s current position. We used SWOT analysis to determine the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Strengths: Patented innovative technology, constant focus on research and development Cross-market positioning for products Brand recognition A growing presence on international markets Vast distribution network Optimized production Weaknesses: High cost of research and development Patent protection costs Opportunities: New-product development to attract new customers Expansion to new markets Diversifying the production to include sports footwear Partnerships Threats: Highly competitive industry Other companies’ similar technology development Economy and demand fluctuations Instable political climate Goals Reaching the leading position in the casual lifestyle market Differentiating the product line Expanding to emerging markets Developing new products Growth Strategies Overall, first half of 2009 was successful, and currently the company has $133.9 million of free cash flow to reinvest in future growth. 1. Continue expansion to China China is the second largest footwear consumer, following the US. And if the US footwear market is over saturated and highly competitive, which implies that in order to reach the customer, Geox would have to invest huge amounts of money in distribution and marketing. China, on the other hand, is an extremely attractive market that requires less investment and offers bigger outcomes. Furthermore, 95% of the production facilities are located in China, which ensures relatively fast and inexpensive distribution to the retailers in the Republic. European plants contribute only 5% of the output of the production, so it would be efficient to relocate those plants to China. 2. Expand to other emerging markets Such countries as India, Asia Pacific, Brazil and Russia are the other attractive markets for future expansion. They are some of the top footwear consumers, and rising incomes among the population of those countries ensure affordability, and therefore, the demand for Geox products. Thus, Geox is interested in future partnerships with department stores in those countries, as well as opening its own single-brand stores. 3. Focus on the casual lifestyle footwear In order to keep the leading position and to secure high profits, the company has to progress in this direction and not to shift from it completely as it risks losing its loyal customers who are the main sources of profit. Casual footwear is the biggest and fastest-growing product segment, and by 2009, Geox was second largest casual lifestyle sector operator with 31.9% percent increase over the previous year, which also makes it the fastest-growing company in this particular market. The leading casual footwear producer, Clarks, had experienced only 9.7% growth over the year. Therefore, there is an opportunity to get a bigger market share and take the dominating position in the casual lifestyle footwear market. 4. Find its own niche in sports footwear Geox has all the resources to continue developing its sportswear line. Biggest competition, companies Nike and Adidas together control nearly 60% of the athletic footwear market. Their budgets are higher than those of Geox, and they put all of their resources towards promoting and distributing only products designed for sports and active lifestyle. Eventually, in order to successfully enter the sport footwear market, Geox would have to find some support from athlete celebrities or well-performing sports teams to endorse its products. It does not necessarily have to be in the form of flashy marketing campaigns as it contradicts with company’s values, but it could be done in the form of sponsoring the events, teams, or single persons. As both sportswear leaders are American companies and focus primarily on US athletes, Geox could partner with someone representing European sports. Innovation and breathability are company’s main strengths; so high-intensity sports like racing would be a perfect match. 5. Invest in the new product lines Geox positions itself as a producer of innovative â€Å"breathable† products. Moreover, the company is aware that this is not enough to appeal to consumer, so it ensures that its shoes follow the fashion trends. For that matter, Geox employs the best Italian designers. So far, that has been a successful move that gained a lot of loyalty from more fashion-conscious buyers. Therefore, Geox could develop a new line for high-end formal wear. The other Italian brand and one of the competitors operating in that segment, Ferragamo, has shown a significant increase in sales and profits over the last few years, so there are a lot of opportunities in competing in this market. In order to do that, the company might need to develop a signature look, to add some other distinctive design features to the shoes, to develop a line of products on the cutting edge of both technology and fashion. 6. Continue research and development Innovation is a key competitive advantage of Geox, so as the competition is aware of that, Geox has to constantly come up with something new and add more and more unique features to stay on top of the game.