Mth Sl Type Ii Portfolio – Fishing Rods

Math Summative: Fishing Rods Fishing Rods A fishing rod requires guides for the line so that it does not tangle and so that the line casts easily and efficiently. In this task, you will develop a mathematical model for the placement of line guides on a fishing rod. The Diagram shows a fishing rod with eight guides, plus a guide at the tip of the rod. Leo has a fishing rod with overall length 230 cm. The table shown below gives the distances for each of the line guides from the tip of his fishing rod. Guide Number (from tip) Distance from Tip (cm) 1 10 2 23 3 38 4 55 5 74 6 96 7 120 8 149Define suitable variables and discuss parameters/constraints. Using Technology, pot the data points on a graph. Using matrix methods or otherwise, find a quadratic function and a cubic function which model this situation. Explain the process you used. On a new set of axes, draw these model functions and the original data points. Comment on any differences. Find a polynomial function which passes throu gh every data point. Explain you choice of function, and discuss its reasonableness. On a new set of axes, draw this model function and the original data points. Comment on any differences.Using technology, find one other function that fits the data. On a new set of axes, draw this model function and the original data points. Comment on any differences. Which of you functions found above best models this situation? Explain your choice. Use you quadratic model to decide where you could place a ninth guide. Discuss the implications of adding a ninth guide to the rod. Mark has a fishing rod with overall length 300cm. The table shown below gives the distances for each of the line guides from the tip of Mark’s fishing rod. Guide Number (from tip) Distance from Tip (cm) 1 10 2 22 3 34 4 48 5 64 6 81 7 102 124 How well does your quadratic model fit this new data? What changes, if any, would need to be made for that model to fit this data? Discuss any limitations to your model. Intro duction: Fishing rods use guides to control the line as it is being casted, to ensure an efficient cast, and to restrict the line from tangling. An efficient fishing rod will use multiple, strategically placed guides to maximize its functionality. The placement of these will depend on the number of guides as well as the length of the rod. Companies design mathematical equations to determine the optimal placement of the guides on a rod.Poor guide placement would likely cause for poor fishing quality, dissatisfied customers and thus a less successful company. Therefore it is essential to ensure the guides are properly placed to maximize fishing efficiency. In this investigation, I will be determining a mathematical model to represent the guide placement of a given fishing rod that has a length of 230cm and given distances for each of the 8 guides from the tip (see data below). Multiple equations will be determined using the given data to provide varying degrees of accuracy. These mode ls can then potentially be used to determine the placement of a 9th guide.Four models will be used: quadratic function, cubic function, septic function and a quadratic regression function. To begin, suitable variables must be defined and the parameters and constraints must be discussed. Variables: Independent Variable: Let x represent the number of guides beginning from the tip Number of guides is a discrete value. Since the length of the rod is finite (230cm) then the number of guides is known to be finite. Domain = , where n is the finite value that represents the maximum number of guides that would fit on the rod. Dependent Variable:Let y represent the distance of each guide from the tip of the rod in centimetres. The distance of each guide is a discrete value. Range = Parameters/Constraints: There are several parameters/constraints that need to be verified before proceeding in the investigation. Naturally, since we are talking about a real life situation, there cannot be a negat ive number of guides (x) or a negative distance from the tip of the rod (y). All values are positive, and therefore all graphs will only be represented in the first quadrant. The other major constraint that must be identified is the maximum length of the rod, 230cm.This restricts the y-value as well as the x-value. The variable n represents the finite number of guides that could possibly be placed on the rod. While it is physically possible to place many guides on the rod, a realistic, maximum number of guides that would still be efficient, is approximately 15 guides. Guide Number (from tip) Distance from Tip (cm) 0* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 n** 0 10 23 38 55 74 96 120 149 230 *the guide at the tip of the rod is not counted **n is the finite value that represents the maximum number of guides that would fit on the rod.Neither of the highlighted values are analyzed in this investigation, they are only here for the purpose of defining the limits of the variables. The first step in this investig ation is to graph the points in the table above (excluding highlighted points) to see the shape of the trend that is created as more guides are added to the rod. From this scatter plot of the points, we can see that there is an exponential increase in the distance from the tip of the rod as each subsequent guide is added to the rod. Quadratic Function: The first function that I shall be modeling using the points of data provided is a quadratic function.The general equation of a quadratic formula is y = ax2 + bx + c. To do this, I will be using three points of data to create three equations that I will solve using matrices and determine the coefficients: a, b and c. The first step in this process is to choose three data points that will be used to represent a broad range of the data. This will be difficult though since there are only three out of the eight points that can be used. Therefore, to improve the accuracy of my quadratic function, I will be solving two systems of equations that use different points and finding their mean. Data Sets Selected: Data Set 1 = {(1,10), (3,38), (8,149)}Data Set 2 = {(1,10), (6,96), (8,149)} These points were selected for two main reasons. First, by using the x-values 1 and 8 in both sets of data, we will have a broad range of all of the data that is being represented in the final equation after the values of the coefficients are averaged. Second, I used the x values of 3 (in the first set) and 6 (in the second set) to once again allow for a broad representation of the data points in the final quadratic equation. Both of these points (3 and 6) were chosen because they were equal distances apart, 3 being the third data point, and 6 being the third from last data point.This ensured that the final averaged values for the coefficients would give the best representation of the middle data points without skewing the data. There will be two methods that will be used to solve the system of equations, seen below. Each method will be u sed for one of the systems being evaluated. Data Set 1 = {(1,10), (3,38), (8,149)} In the first data set, the data points will form separate equations that will be solved using a matrices equation. The first matrix equation will be in the form: Where A = a 3Ãâ€"3 matrix representing the three data pointsX = a 3Ãâ€"1 matrix for the variables being solved B = a 3Ãâ€"1 matrix for the y-value of the three equations being solved. This matrix equation will be rearranged by multiplying both sides of the equation by the inverse of A: Since A-1*A is equal to the identity matrix (I), which when multiplied by another matrix gives that same matrix (the matrix equivalent of 1), the final matrix equation is: To determine the values of X, we must first find the inverse of matrix A using technology, since it is available and finding the inverse of a 3 by 3 matrix can take an inefficient amount of time.First let us determine what equations we will be solving and what our matrices will look like. Point: (1,10) (3, 38) (8,149) A= The equation is: ,X= ,B= = Next, by using our GDC, we can determine the inverse of matrix A, and multiply both sides by it. Therefore we have determined that the quadratic equations given the points {(1,10), (3,38), (8,149)} is . Data Set 2 = {(1,10), (6,96), (8,149)} Point: (1,10) (6, 96) (8,149) A= ,X= ,B= The second method that will be used to solve the second system of equations is known as Gauss-Jordan elimination.This is a process by which an augmented matrix (two matrices that are placed into one divided by a line) goes through a series of simple mathematical operations to solve the equation. On the left side of this augmented matrix (seen below) is the 3Ãâ€"3 matrix A (the new matrix A that was made using data set 2, seen on the previous page), and on the right is matrix B. The goal of the operations is to reduce matrix A to the identity matrix, and by doing so, matrix B will yield the values of matrix X. This is otherwise known as reduced r ow echelon form. Step by step process of reduction: 1. We begin with the augmented matrix. . Add (-36 * row 1) to row 2 3. Add (-64 * row 1) to row 3 4. Divide row 2 by -30 5. Add (56 * row 2) to row 3 6. Divide row 3 by 7. Add ( * row 3) to row 2 8. Add (-1 * row 3) to row 1 9. Add (-1 * row 2) to row 1 After all of the row operations, matrix A has become the identity matrix and matrix B has become the values of matrix X (a, b, c). Therefore we have determined that the quadratic equations given the points {(1,10), (6,96), (8,149)} is . Averaging of the Two Equations The next step in finding our quadratic function is to average out our established a, b, and c values from the two sets data.Therefore we have finally determined our quadratic function to be: Rounded to 4 sig figs, too maintain precision, while keeping the numbers manageable. Data points using quadratic function Guide Number (from tip) Quadratic values Distance from Tip (cm) Original – Distance from Tip (cm) 1 10 2 22 3 37 4 54 5 74 6 97 7 122 8 149 10 23 38 55 74 96 120 149 New values for the distance from tip were rounded to zero decimal places, to maintain significant figure – the original values used to find the quadratic formula had zero decimal places, so the new ones shouldn’t either.After finding the y-values given x-values from 1-8 for the quadratic function I was able to compare the new values to the original values (highlighted in green in the table above). We can see that the two values that are the exact same in both data sets is (1,10) and (8,149) which is not surprising since those were the two values that were used in both data sets when finding the quadratic function. Another new value that was the same as the original was (5,74). All other new data sets have an error of approximately  ±2cm.This data shows us that the quadratic function can be used to represent the original data with an approximate error of  ±2cm. This function is still not perfect, and a b etter function could be found to represent the data with a lower error and more matching data points. Cubic Function: The next step in this investigation is to model a cubic function that represents the original data points. The general equation of a cubic function is y = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d. Knowing this, we can take four data points and perform a system of equations to determine the values of the coefficients a, b, c, and d.The first step is to choose the data points that will be used to model the cubic function. Similarly to modeling the quadratic function, we can only use a limited number of points to represent the data in the function, only in this case it is four out of the eight data points, which means that this function should be more precise than the last. Once again I plan on solving for two sets of data points and finding their mean values to represent the cubic function. This is done to allow for a more broad representation of the data within the cubic function. Data Set s Selected: Data Set 1: {(1,10), (4,55), (5,74), (8,149)}Data Set 2: {(1,10), (3,38), (6,96), (8,149)} Both data sets use the points (1,10) and (8,149), the first and last point, so that both data sets produce cubic functions that represent a broad range of the data (from minimum to maximum). The other points selected, were selected as mid range points that would allow for the function to represent this range of the data more accurately. When modeling a cubic function or higher, it is difficult to do so without using technology to do the bulk of the calculation due to large amounts of tedious calculations that would almost guarantee a math error somewhere.Therefore, the most accurate and fastest way to perform these calculations will be to use a GDC. In both data sets, the reduced row echelon form function on the GDC will be utilized to determine the values of the coefficients of the cubic functions. The process of determining the values of the coefficients of the cubic function usi ng reduced row echelon form is similar to process used for the quadratic function. An x-value matrix A (this time a 4Ãâ€"4 matrix), a variable matrix X (4Ãâ€"1) and a y-value matrix B (4Ãâ€"1) must be determined first. The next step is to augment matrix A and matrix B, with A on the left and B on the right.This time, instead of doing the row operation ourselves, the GDC will do them, and yield an answer where matrix A will be the identity matrix and matrix B will be the values of the coefficients (or matrix X). Data Set 1: {(1,10), (4,55), (5,74), (8,149)} (1,10) (4, 55) (5, 74) (8,149) A1 = , X1 = , B1 = We begin with the augmented matrix or matrix A1 and matrix B1. Then this matrix is inputted into a GDC and the function â€Å"rref† is selected. After pressing enter, the matrix is reduced into reduced row echelon form. Which yields the values of the coefficients. Data Set 2: {(1,10), (3,38), (6,96), (8,149)} (1,10) (3, 38) 6, 96) (8,149) A2 = , X2 = , B2 = We begin with the augmented matrix of matrix A2 and matrix B2. Then the matrix is inputted into a GDC and the function â€Å"rref† After pressing enter, the matrix is reduced into reduced row echelon form. Which yields the values of the coefficients. The next step is to find the mean of each of the values of the coefficients a, b, c, and d. Therefore we have finally determined our cubic function to be: Once again rounded to 4 significant figures. Updated Data table, including cubic function values. Guide Number (from tip) Quadratic values Distance from Tip (cm) 1 10 2 22 3 37 4 54 5 74 6 97 122 8 149 Cubic values Distance from Tip (cm) Original – Distance from Tip (cm) 10 23 38 54 74 96 121 149 10 23 38 55 74 96 120 149 New values for the distance from tip were rounded to zero decimal places, to maintain significant figure – the original values used to find the quadratic formula had zero decimal places, so the new ones shouldn’t either. The y-values of the cubic functi on can be compared to that original data set values to conclude whether or not it is an accurate function to use to represent the original data points. It appears as though the cubic function has 6 out of 8 data points that are the same.Those points being, (1,10), (2,23), (3,38), (5,74), (6,96), (8,149). The three data points from the cubic function that did not match only had an error of  ±1, indicating that the cubic function would be a good representation of the original data points, but still has some error. We can further analyze these points by comparing the cubic and quadratic function to the original points by graphing them. See next page. By analyzing this graph, we can see that both the quadratic function and the cubic function match the original data points quite well, although they have slight differences.By comparing values on the data table, we find that the quadratic function only matches 3 of the 8 original data points with an error of  ±2, while the cubic functi on matches 6 of the 8 points with an error of just  ±1, which is as small an error possible for precision of the calculation done. Both functions act as adequate representations of the original points, but the major difference is how they begin to differ as the graphs continue. The cubic function is increasing at a faster rate than the quadratic function, and this difference would become quite noticeable over time.This would mean that if these functions were to be used to determine the distance a 9th guide should be from the tip, the two functions would provide quite different answers, with the cubic functions providing the more accurate one. Polynomial Function: Since it is known that neither the quadratic, nor the cubic function fully satisfy the original data points, then we must model a higher degree polynomial function that will satisfy all of these points. The best way to find a polynomial function that will pass through all of the original points is to use all of the origin al points when finding it (oppose to just three or four).If all eight of the points are used and a system of equations is performed using matrices, then a function that satisfies all points will be found. This is a septic function. To find this function, the same procedure followed for the last two functions should be followed, this time using all eight points to create an 8Ãâ€"8 matrix. By then following the same steps to augment the matrix with an 8Ãâ€"1 matrix, we can change the matrix into reduced row echelon form to and find our answer. In this method, since we are using all eight points, the entire data set is being represented in the function and no averaging of the results will be necessary.The general formula for a septic function is . Data Set: {(1,10), (2,23), (3,38), (4,55), (5,74), (6,96), (7,120), (8,149)} (1,10) (2,23) (3,38) (4,55) (5,74) (6,96) (7,120) (8,149) A=,X= ,B= , Augment matrix A and matrix B and perform the ‘rref’ function The answers and va lues for the coefficients = The final septic function equation is This function that include all the original data points can be seen graphed here below along with the original points. Updated Data table, including septic function values Guide Number (from tip) Quadratic values Distance from Tip (cm) Cubic values Distance from Tip (cm)Septic values – Distance from Tip (cm) Original – Distance from Tip (cm) 1 10 2 22 3 37 4 54 5 74 6 97 7 122 8 149 10 23 38 54 74 96 121 149 10 23 38 55 74 96 120 149 10 23 38 55 74 96 120 149 New values for the distance from tip were rounded to zero decimal places, to maintain significant figure – the original values used to find the quadratic formula had zero decimal places, so the new ones shouldn’t either. By looking at the graph, as well as the data table (both seen above), we can see that, as expected, all 8 of the septic function data points are identical to that of the original data.There is less than 1cm of error, w hich is accounted for due to imprecise (zero decimal places) original measurements. Therefore we now know that the septic function that utilised all of the original data points is the best representation of said data. Other Function: The next goal in this investigation is to find another function that could be used to represent this data. The other method that I will use to find a function that fits the data is quadratic regression. Quadratic regression uses the method of least squares to find a quadratic in the form .This method is often used in statistics when trying to determine a curve that has the minimal sum of the deviations squared from a given set of data. In simple terms, it finds a function that will disregard any unnecessary noise in collected data results by finding a value that has the smallest amount of deviation from the majority of the data. Quadratic regression is not used to perfectly fit a data set, but to find the best curve that goes through the data set with m inimal deviation. This function can be found using a GDC. First you must input the data points into lists, (L1 and L2).Then you go to the statistic math functions and choose QuadReg. It will know to use the two lists to determine he quadratic function using the method of least squares. Once the calculation has completed, the data seen below (values for the coefficients of the function) will be presented: QuadReg a = 1. 244 b = 8. 458 c = 0. 8392 With this data we can determine that the function is When graphed, this function has the shape seen below: Updated Data table, including septic function values Guide Number (from tip) Quadratic values Distance from Tip (cm) Cubic values Distance from Tip (cm) Septic values –Distance from Tip (cm) Quadratic Regression – Distance from Tip (cm) Original – Distance from Tip (cm) 1 10 2 22 3 37 4 54 5 74 6 97 7 122 8 149 10 23 38 54 74 96 121 149 10 23 38 55 74 96 120 149 11 23 37 55 74 96 121 148 10 23 38 55 74 96 120 149 By analyzing the graph and values of the quadratic regression function, it is evident that it is a relatively accurate form of modeling the data. Four of the eight points matched that of the original data, with an error of  ±1. The most notable difference between the quadratic regression function and the quadratic function previously determined, is the placement within the data f the accurate values. The regression function matched the middle data, while the quadratic function matched the end data. It is interesting to see how two functions in the same form, found using different methods yielded opposite areas of accuracy. Best Match: The function that acts as the best model for this situation is the septic function. It is the only function that satisfies each of the original data points with its equation. Through finding the quadratic, cubic and septic functions, it was discovered that the degree of the polynomial was directly correlated to the function’s accuracy to the dat a.Therefore it was no surprise that this function acts as the best fit for this data. The other cause for this septic function having the best correlation to the original data is due to the septic function being established by creating a system of equations using all of the data points. 9th Guide: Using my quadratic model, it can be determined where the optimal placement for a ninth guide would be by substituting ‘9’ in for x in the equation . Using my quadrating model, it was found that the optimal placement for a ninth guide on the rod is 179cm from the tip of the rod.Leo’s fishing rod is 230cm long, yet his eighth guide is only 149cm from the tip of the rod. That means that there is 81cm of the line that is not being guided from the reel to first guide. By adding a ninth guide, that distance will be shortened form 81cm to 51cm. By doing this, it will be less likely for the line to bunch up and become tangled in this 81cm stretch where there is no guide. Anothe r implication of adding another guide would be that the weight distribution of a fish being reeled in would be spread over another guide, which will allow for an easier task of reeling in the fish.There is even enough space on the rod for a 10th guide at 211cm from the tip of the rod. This guide would once again shorten the excess line further to a point where the excess line between the reel and the first guide is shorter than line between the first and second guide. This could cause problems with reeling and casting efficiency, as that extra guide would cause slowing movement of the line. The benefit would be that once again the weight distribution of fish would be spread over a larger number of guides.Overall, it would be beneficial to include a ninth guide to Leo’s fishing rod, but anymore will likely hinder its efficiency. Mark’s Fishing Rod: Guide Number (from tip) Distance from Tip (cm) 1 10 2 22 3 34 4 48 5 64 6 81 7 102 8 124 To see how well my quadratic model fits this new data, they must be both plotted on the same graph, seen below. My quadratic model for Leo’s fishing rod correlates with Mark’s fishing rod data for the first few values and then diverges as the number of guides increases by growing at a higher exponential rate.The difference between Leo and Mark’s eighth guide from the tip of their respective rods is 25cm, yet both men’s first guides start the same distance from the tip of their rods. The quadratic function used to model Leo’s fishing rod does not correlate well with Mark’s fishing rod data. Changes to the model must be made for it to fit this data. The best way to find a model for Mark’s data would be to go through the same steps that we went through to determine the first quadratic formula that model’s Leo’s fishing rod.By doing so, specific values that better represent Mark’s fishing rod data could be used to establish a better fitting function. The main limitation of my model is that is was designed as a function for Leo’s data specifically. It was created by solving systems of equations that used solely Leo’s fishing rod for data. Consequentially, the quadratic model best represented Leo’s fishing rod, which had a maximum length of 230cm, with differently spaced out guides. There were many differences between Leo and Mark’s fishing rods (such as maximum length and guide spacing) that caused my original quadratic model to not well represent Mark’s data.

Imagine you are a very lonely person Essay

Today it has been three and half years since I was sentenced to jail for four years. My life in jail is very miserable and lonely, because since I came here no one has come to see me, my family and all my friends have disappeared. Today I was sitting near a visitor area; I saw a lot of people come to visit their relatives, who have been in jail. I remember days ago, before I came to this place, how I was happy with my family and friends, but no one today is coming to see me. Now I feel rejected by every one and for me I’m very hurt by this. It’s night – one of the prisoners is sick and no doctors or nurses to help him. I started to think how it would be if this happened to me. I remembered days ago with my family, when I was sick, they were always beside me trying to give hope, but now I’m disappointed and lonely, because no one will do that, every one who I loved has disappeared. It’s a lovely morning; I still desperate, because one of us has finished his prison term, his relatives and friends are here to take their beloved one. I started to think, when I finish my sentence, will anyone come to meet me? But I remained silent and started to think back to why all of this had happened to me. 5th December 2003 Dear Diary, Today I finish my punishment; I feel happy to finish this, because I know that now I will join my family and friends, whom I haven’t seen for four years. We are twenty people who are being released from jail today. All my fellow prisoners have been collected by their relatives and friends but I haven’t seen anyone, although I waited for two hours, but no one came, I felt sad and disappointed for what is happening to m me now. I asked myself where all the people were who I had spent my life with before I came here; even my family is not here today. I decided to go to my house; when I reached there I was shocked and speechless, because it had changed and I met other people whom I didn’t know, they told me that they had bought that house two years ago. I was shocked, anger and it was bitter painful to me for what my wife had done; I thought, where I will go, because I’m homeless now. I went to my brother’s house to beg for help but when he saw me, his face changed. I didn’t know why. He told me that my wife and kids had moved away after I had been sentenced to jail and he didn’t know where they were now. I begged my brother to allow me to stay for a short time while I looked for a job and a place to live, he seemed unhappy when I said this. At last he allowed me to stay for three days and after that I would need to find somewhere I could go. I went to the room and started thinking about why my own brother was doing this to me; I was anger and frustrated for what my brother said. I thought about the time, years ago, when he had stayed with me in my house for three years and tears started to come from my eyes, when I remembered this and compared it to what he was doing to me now. 20th January 2004 Dear Diary, Today I went back to my company, where I was working before I was sentenced to jail. I met a lot of people, who I had been working with, but they didn’t have time to talk to me, I felt rejected and unhappy. I remember, when we were working together, we were happy and we were very close, but now they were pushing me away from them. My manager told me there was no chance for me to come back; I was shocked and speechless, when he said that. I went back home and started to wonder bitterly why I have all the qualifications, but all the companies to which I applied for work turned down my applications. It was a frustrating and sad time; I told my brother what had happened to me, but he didn’t understand; he chased me from his house and said to me, ‘I don’t care where you go or what happens to you’. I felt heart broken, because I never thought that my brother would do such a thing as this. While I was walking down the street, I saw many people playing and laughing with their families. I remembered my family when we were together and how happy we were. I sat down at the corner of the street and started to think why all of this was happening to me. I stayed there for an hour, just thinking what to do, and I decided the only way to overcome this was to commit suicide, because it was all too much.

Purchasing and Supply Management Essay

1.0 Introduction Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation (KFC) was the world’s largest chicken restaurant chain and third largest fast-food chain. KFC held over 55 percent of the U.S market in terms of sales and operated over 10,200 restaurants worldwide in 1998. KFC first opened in Australia 1968. Present day KFC now serves over 2million customers a week. With over 600 stores Australia wide. This report will aim to analyse and critique KFCs purchasing and supply management activities. In particular the legal, ethical, sustainability and social responsibility issues in purchasing and supply management, as well as supplier selection, evaluation and contracting methods. This report will provide an in-depth analysis of the purchasing methods and hope to show areas open for continuous improvement through changes in supply management and purchasing initiatives. 1.1 Background of KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation (KFC) was the world’s largest chicken restaurant chain and third largest fast-food chain. KFC held over 55 percent of the U.S market in terms of sales and operated over 10,200 restaurants worldwide in 1998. http://www.scribd.com/doc/53764758/Supply-Chain-Management-of-KFC. Since opening in Australia KFC has become ever growingly popular throughout the years, Though in recent times it has seen a gradual downfall which many believe is due to the sudden boom in healthy food options. Due to this boom KFC has seen numbers drop and other fast food outlets like subway have increased. Since then KFC has implemented a few pro environment social responsibilities initiatives such as â€Å"Ditching the palm oil contract† and opening its first ever energy efficient restaurant. When it comes to purchasing methods and supply management however there is always room for continuous improvement which is what this report aims to analyse. 1.1.1 Objectives & Goals One of the major objectives of KFC that they run their campaign in such a way that KFC creates and image in the minds of customers that customers want to go in KFC and will be the first choice for the customers. KFC wants to become the first choice because its they become the first choice it is excellent for the health of the KFC business because if business is expands then there is eliminate scope and the opportunity to get the maximum profit and utility. The Corporation has a vision KFC’s vision is to bring people of all ages, races and backgrounds together to enjoy ‘Soul Food’ – ‘proper food at reasonable prices’ – within bright and fun interiors. KFC is designed to be perceived as a fun and inclusive brand (KFC, 2011). 2. Purchasing and Supply chain management In Recent years with a ever growing shift towards more environmental approach for multi national companies especially fast food giants, KFC has come under much scrutiny with such happenings as the Indonesian chicken antibiotics incident 2013, Green peace packaging incident when claims were made KFC packaging is coming from Indonesian forest in 2012 and the free roam chicken incident 2011 where KFC quickly removed its free range chicken advertising after an investigation was launched into its suppliers.http://www.smh.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/kfc-pulls-free-roam-ads-after-watchdog-bites-chicken-suppliers-20110913-1k7tj.html. All these instances sparking world news articles and putting immense pressure on brand name and reputation in the global market, this all comes down to the purchasing and supply management. At the moment KFC purchasing and supply management are running at a low risk and avoiding any anticipated supply bottlenecks and building long term supplier relations. Though in today’s extremely competitive and lucrative market this is no longer enough, one option is to reposition the purchasing supply management within the organisation to make a globally acceptable change towards a more environmentally friendly purchasing and supply methods. This could be achieved by shifting towards a more hybrid structure with better global sourcing councils or corporate purchasing and steering committees and by shared resources between distributors and suppliers and possible implementation of fixed price incentives contracting. 2.1 Ethical standard Kentucky Fried Chicken is very keen about ethical standards both within and without the company as asserted by their company representatives. For instance the company is strict about is vendor engagements. Before a supplier can secure a contract with Kentucky Fried Chicken, they have to comply to similar ethical standards as KFC. This means that the supplier must not utilise under age labour to producer their commodities, they must pay fair wages and must also avoid placing harmful chemicals in their commodities. These concepts have governed the way KFC chooses other business partners too; they include contractors and manufacturers. One option here is to implement contractual renewals and to review the contract specifications annually with regards to global market and ever-changing ethical ideologies. This could see that KFC is the leader in ethical and social responsibilities, however could bee seen to add significant economic costs, which could be made up in brand name value and co mmunity awareness. 2.2 supplier section & Evaluation KFC Australia franchise boasts that 97% of its chickens are delivered fresh not frozen, And that all of the chickens are allowed to grow naturally without any additives such as hormones or stediods, they source chickens from reputable Aussie suppliers like Inghams, steggles and baiada.http://www.kfc.com.au/kfc-australia/ In Australia in particular there is a ever growing trend for local fresh produce and this is showing through all major supermarkets. Just 10 years ago there were no farmers markets in SA or Victoria now there are more then 70 held regularly. (http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/165974/safood_consumers_report.pdf) This trend has since had a knock on affect to the fast food industry and suppliers. With a majority of the main fast food distributors now moving to local markets and produce in hope to boost brand name whilst showing corporate responsibility and intern create profit margins for the company. Although KFC Australia already sources some of its supplies from local farmers there is more that could be done. One option could be to move towards a more local decentralized suppliers, though this would add logistical implications there is room to gain quality and cost through increased competition. Though considering huge infastrucal change that would  be need to implement this the best option is to build on the supplier relationship currently active and create a mutually beneficial agreement with the implementation of 2.2.1 Supplier performance monitoring & measurement (Supplier code of conduct)- http://www.kfc.com/about/supplier.asp KFC’s suppliers are all held to strict and stringent quality and control measures under contracts. Though this is a area that could be expanded on to create continuing control methods, as KFC is such a large name in the food industry and boast a reputable brand name. Such aspects as supplier quality monitoring and measurement really need to be looked at, currently it is up to the suppliers to monitor and measure their own quality. The importance of this was shown last year in shanghai when KFC cut over 1000 supplier contracts in Shanghai and their parent company â€Å"Yum† experienced a 6% market drop that year which was more then the 4% previously predicted due to high levels of antibiotics being found in the chicken. http://www.businessinsider.com.au/kfc-cuts-more-than-1000-suppliers-after-china-chicken-scare-2013-2 When it comes to food giants such as KFC emphasizing prevention over detection is a must and one must aim and reach almost zero defects as the fast food industry is one of the most competitive quality driven industries in Australia. One recommendation is to implement a quality control team that goes out and measures the quality and performance of each of the suppliers on a regular basis. This could also carry on to within the restaurants themselves as currently KFC only audits a set portion of their restaurants each year and quality could be improved by auditing all of the company’s venues at least annually. This could also provide vital supplier selection data and if collected and logged correctly a great monitoring and measurement system to judge suppliers by. 3. Means of Contracts 3.1 Means used for the obtaining of contracts KFC has many suppliers from which Pilgrims’ Pride supplies them the huge amount of chicken and those chickens then go for further process and then to be served into KFC restaurants all around the globe. KFC must convey proper steps and methods to evaluate suppliers and their material as suppliers affect the overall operation of KFC. Furthermore Suppliers must focus on  their improvement because if KFC is affected; they would be affected too. There are three means whereby KFC, obtains its supply contracts from the suppliers. These three means are mentioned below: Direct Purchase: KFC franchises sometimes purchase directly from the suppliers in case of urgent supplies or when there supplier cannot deliver on time due to some reasons. This is only temporarily to meet the urgent demand and allow the operations to run without any abruption. Quotations: The KFC management after going through and analysing the supply needs requests the suppliers to prepare their costing data and send a quotation for supplies of raw materials necessary for the operation of the restaurants. Tenders: This is a process where KFC invites tenders to all the suppliers of food products out there in the market. Whichever supplier meets the product specifications, quality assurance and the cost set by KFC, gets the contract to supply raw materials to the KFC restaurants. 3.2 Renewal, Termination Most KFC outlets are owned by the franchisees, which operate the restaurants in accordance with the license issued to them by the KFC. The License Term shall expire on the 20th anniversary of the opening date subject to earlier termination pursuant to the Agreement. Upon termination or expiration of the License, the Franchisee shall immediately discontinue use of all KFC trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, and know-how and processes developed and owned by KFC and shall immediately and at no cost to KFC remove signs, menu board inserts, point-of-sale material, red and white stripes and any characteristically designed roof from the Outlet and otherwise change its exterior and interior appearance so that it is no longer confusingly similar to a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet and no longer bears any KFC trademarks, service marks or trade names or designations or marks similar thereto. Renewal of Agreement; at the expiration of the term here of, Franchisee may extend this Agreement for successive ten (10) year periods, provided that at the time of expiration of the term hereof or the then current extended term: (a) Franchisee shall not have failed to remedy any breach specified by KFC. (b) Franchisee shall agree to make such capital expenditures as may be reasonably required to renovate and modernize the Outlet and its signs and equipment so as to reflect the image of Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets. (c) If renovation and modernization of the Outlet is not possible or feasible, Franchisee shall relocate the outlet. (d) Franchisee shall execute a new license agreement on the form then being used by KFC, but without any increase in royalty fee or advertising (e) Franchisee shall not have engaged breaches of The Agreement within the preceding twenty-four 24 Months prior to renewal. In the contracting and franchising of KFC’s network the report has found that this is a efficient method of contracting and no economically feasible changes have been found that would be seen to improve or add value to business. Conclusion This report found on its analysis of KFC’s supply and purchasing network that there Is potential to increase sales and brand name and value whilst increasing social responsibility, Though the increase in environmental practices and local producer investments. By raising the local purchasing this could increase quality, and has potential to decrease lead-time. By going for a more green approach KFC could minimize brand name implications and negative media attention whilst increasing social responsibility. Reference KFC. (2011). ‘Official Website’, Retrieved From http://www.kfc.com.au/index.asp

Reflection Paper in Terms of What I Learned in Software Access 2010 Essay

Reflection Paper in Terms of What I Learned in Software Access 2010 - Essay Example Juxtaposition between the learning objectives and expected outcomes versus my current abilities also proves that I am much better informed now than I was at the beginning of the course. The appropriate introduction that was given at the beginning of the course allowed me to have a good and concrete background and understanding of the big picture of business information systems and their application within business processes. My current proficiency and mastery of the various concepts that are stipulated within the objectives of the course are therefore as a result of the effective course introduction. The introduction of the course was followed into deeper study of Relational Database Models for the Logical and conceptual modeling of business processes within which I attained my current adequate comprehension of how business processes can be modeled to ensure that they are both efficient and aligned to the mission, vision and goals of an organization. At the end of the course, I am confident that I am able to design and model an effective business process that would be applied to realize goals of a large enterprise. The assessments and peer review of my performance m otivated the achievement of the desired course outcomes. My skills in modeling of business processes in the application of information systems advanced with more study of the course material and exercises which comprised both individual and group work. My first essay acted as a guiding framework within which I understood my goals which allowed me to employ the guidance of the instructor and group members as well as effective learning approached to achieve skills required for advanced modeling. This is the reason why I have a desirable understanding of all concepts in advanced business modeling and ability to apply them within a work environment to instill improvements in work processes. The ability that I gained to present these concepts within the blackboard reveals that the course had allowed me to acquire and gain from both understanding knowledge and skills of articulating them through a presentation. This means that I have acquired relevant business communication skills of conc epts as required for the human resource within the contemporary competitive business environment. I boldly mention that through this course I have also gained managerial skills especially in planning for disasters and application of various strategies and measures to recover from various disasters that could befall a business information system. I greatly appreciate the role of security policy for securing information systems from possible risk issues that which may result to discontinuity of operations and resultant losses to an organization. In addition the querying of systems for acquisition of information for decision making is an aspect that I am specifically good at through the leaning processes of the course. This includes financial information which is applicable by managers in the making decisions on the strategies that are to be employed in improving business performance. My proficiency in Access 2010 is one of the most notable achievements that I would point out that the course has allowed me to achieve. Group activities and assignments in Acquisition and Revenue Cycles allowed me to focus and work hard in the use of Access 2010 for statistical analysis of business data including financial information which is an inevitable application within modern business organizations. I am now knowledgeable and experienced in the use of Ac

Two Cases briefs Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Two Cases briefs - Case Study Example In this regard, it is essential to state that there is similar size of the competing firms, which are giving the same service, thus undifferentiated business strategy or service by the companies increases the competition among them as well. Threat of new entrants is medium because if any general industry launches itself then there are low barriers but in terms of a target market there are large barriers. However, it can be said that a slow industry also means that there is less chance of new entrees to emerge. The capital requirement to launch such company is low, which makes new entrees to emerge more frequently. The presence of offline matchmakers makes the threat of substitute high. There are other social networking sites like Face Book, where people are able to find their compatible mates. As there are low switching costs so people may use these traditional methods of dating more than the online match making companies. Moreover, as the company is providing an undifferentiated product so the threat is high. As magnitude of substitute products are high and there are low switching costs so it can be said that the bargaining power of buyers is high. Moreover, mostly people are more prices sensitive which makes them more inclined towards bargaining. The buyer volume is high which makes the customers dictate prices of the services. e-Harmony uses a business framework in which the customers first need to make their profile on the site. Company limits the number of results per day so that the judgment errors are reduced. There is selective filtering of the customers according to their marital status and poor personality profile. Moreover, customer’s behavior is analyzed and there are recommendation systems that provide connections to people of their self-interest. The company continues to improve their services by using Five Factor psychological model, which

Human Superiority Myth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Human Superiority Myth - Essay Example What is right for us can be wrong for them. Stephen Budiansky, the author of the book If Lions Could Talk considers animals as intelligent as we are, but explains that it is another kind of intelligence. To test animal intelligence for him is the same as to test a blind person giving him a written IQ test. Budiansky asserts that every animal has his own sort of intelligence. Monkeys performed far superior to rats in test based in visual discriminations, though rats are better in the same test based in smell discrimination. "The branching tree of evolution has not just one culmination, but millions of culminations -- represented in every living species on earth today," he writes. "Each is a brilliant success at what it does." And it is the nature of such "brilliance" that remains to ponder" (Gabriel, 2000). As for language, animals speak, but their way of communication differs from ours. Researcher have counted that our closest relatives, apes, with whom humans share an astonishing 98.4% DNA, use nearly 68 different sounds in their communication. "Orangutans may have the most impressive individual call of any ape, the long call. It begins with a low soft grumble, modulating in pitch like a string bass player using vibrato" ("The Animal Communication Project", n.d.). This one means that this territory has an owner and possibly calls females. Some orangutans accompany this call by crashing snags. In response this call triggers long calls from neighboring males. The pant-hoot - is one of the best-studied chimpanzee vocalizations. "It begins with breathy, low-pitched hoots that segue into a series of quicker, higher-pitched in-and-out pants, as if the chimp were trying to play harmonica without an instrument. Finally the pant-hoot builds to a loud... The researcher states that human superiority is reconsidered today. Its peak is the animal rights movement, which final aim is to equate humans and animals beyond the law. Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation, argues that we need to extend rights to the great apes, in the first instance, followed by all other animal species. People have always considered the most distinctive feature between them and animals the sophisticated language. As Joel Wallman, author of Aping Language, explains, "...language, at least in the European intellectual tradition, is the quintessential human attribute, at once evidence and source of most that is transcendent in us, distinguishing ours from the merely mechanical nature of the beast". In the 18th century a French philosophy, Julien Offray de la Mettrie, wrote a book titled L’Homme Machine. He thought that all the creatures on the Earth are the mere machines and suggested that the reason animals â€Å"cannot speak is not because of any inf eriority in rationality to human beings but because of ‘some defect in the organs of speech.’ He believed a young ape could be taught the use of language†. The researcher then concluds that people have overestimated our superiority and this has led to the colossal losses in nature. We use animals in our needs: kill them for fun, abuse in experiments; take from them their living territory, treat cruelly. Nobody has given us such a right. And we must do our best to save and preserve what can be still saved and preserved and make animals our friends.

Critical Summary for Meilaender's Why Remember Essay

Critical Summary for Meilaender's Why Remember - Essay Example The main reason why Leonard cannot remember is that he once sustained a blow on his head from an intruder who raped and killed the wife. Form the onset, Leonard is trying to recollect all that had happened to the wife so that he could identify this intruder, and subsequently plan for revenge. As the movie unfolds, Leonard is presented as a person who is working on unproductive events. Why is it claimed that he could not remember what happen, but he is planning for a revenge of what a happen. Actually, he wants to kill the intruder who caused him his state of the brain and wife. To this extent, it may be proper to claim that the writer of the script, once Gilbert Meilaender is writing or representing on something or an ideal that is affecting the society, but the society has adamantly refused to solve the situation. Leonard remembers to forget; that is he gets a hint of what actually happened but forgets the same after sometimes. Thereafter, Leonard opted to an option of taking snaps and jotting note behind each snap. He latter remembers that he could actually note that the intruder had some tattoos on his body. This leads him to his search; nonetheless, he is couscous not to be manipulated and used by other people to kill people who may be barriers on their way. Whatever Leonard is couscous of is what is actually taking place in the entire movie after this realization (Meilaender 01). The movie is quite an irony, how could a person undertake what he is wholly unfamiliar or rather illiterate. Even if, Leonard may finally manage to avenge the death of his wife with his slim knowledge about the events of that fateful day when he lost the wife and developed memory lapse, he would be in a never-ending search for this intruder. The entire puzzle seems to be giving Leonard a sense of depression as he digs into relevant information about his enemy. The recurring nature of Leonard’s state of mind makes a little bit difficult to summarize the movie. The puzzle is that the viewer is ever in the states of not knowing, as this is the same state Leonard is at, at all time. However, the viewer may be experiencing just a little of what may be the contemporary state of events in the world (Meilaender 01). The massage that may be picked from the movie is the concern of the scriptwriter who seems to be wondering if the humanity can make sense to the world if it lacks the capacity of forming new memories and connecting the same with an older one for continuity. On an everyday basis, Leonard wakes up in full knowledge of the death of the wife. Despite of this reality, Leonard is still unable to remember the duration that has happened. Addition, it may be true to say that at certain moments the depression and the pathos he is undergoing cannot even organize events in his life coherently because to him everything is always a discovery. He once claimed that he could not heal if he could not even feel time (Meilaender 01). The movie can actually draw one i nto a reflection of a place in memory in the human sense that deals with self, especially the self-sense that deals with a meaningful construction of life. As one analyzes, Leonard’s situation, particularly the desperation he is undergoing, it is apparent the human memory is a vital or central organ in organizing an individual by creating the understanding of the meaning of life to human beings. Moreover, there are several wanting situations that Leonard underwent that need deeper