Motorcycle industry analysis Essay Example for Free

Motorcycle industry analysis Essay Definition Motorcycles fall into the category called Recreational Vehicle, Motorcycle and Boat Retail Industry. These are companies that retail recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, jet skis, and/or related accessories. In Hoover’s classification, based on the North American Industry Classifications System (NAICS) and the older U. S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system, motorcycles fall under a smaller subcategory called Motorcycle, ATV, and Personal Watercraft Dealers Industry. This U. S.industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new and/or used motorcycles, motor scooters, motorbikes, mopeds, off-road all-terrain vehicles, and personal watercraft, or retailing these new vehicles in combination with repair services and selling replacement parts or accessories. Statistics In terms of looking at the whole industry, motorcycle dealers make up a majority of the industry when compared with ATVs and personal watercraft dealers. The chart below shows statistics from 2002 comparing the motorcycle dealers with all other motor vehicle dealers in the industry. As the charts illustrates, motorcycle dealers made up 91. 5% of sales in this industry, while ATVs and personal watercraft dealers only contributed to 8. 5% of sales. Year 2002 Motorcycle DealersAll other motor vehicle dealers (ATV personal watercraft dealers) Total Establishments4,3845144,898 Sales ($1,000)14,636,299 (91. 5%)1,353,829 (8. 5%)15,990,128 (100%) Annual Payroll1,429,316106,6811,535,997 Paid Employees46,0374,18850,225 www. industries. hoovers. com Analyzing data for motorcycle dealers between the years of 1997 and 2002 reveals some important information. The results show the growth and percent changes in certain categories pertaining specifically to the motorcycle dealer industry. While the number of establishments only increased approximately 21 percent, the amount of sales increased almost 99 percent. The annual payroll (excluded from the graph) increased 100 percent and the paid employees rose by 59 percent. These figures, illustrated through a bar graph below, indicate a growing industry especially for those companies already in the business with establishments formed. Motorcycle Dealers. Although there are many nonfranchised retailers in the industry, 80 percent of the industry’s business is made up of franchised outlets. The average franchised motorcycle outlet generates sales and services almost six times that of nonfranchised outlets. In addition to selling motorcycles, dealers make up almost half of their business through sales of parts, accessories, and apparel. In 1997 approximately 6. 5 million motorcycles were owned in the United States, with California having almost two times more retail outlets than any other state. In terms of rider distribution, California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Ohio accounted for more than one-third of all motorcycle ownership in the U. S. In terms of a target market there seems to be no specific or clear differentiation. Below are some statistics that allow one to make judgments based on the Harley Davidson demographic profile. Gender20002001200220032004 Male91%91%91%90%90% Female9%9%10%10%10% Purchasers (2004) †¢ 42% Owned Harley-Davidson ® motorcycle previously †¢ 31% Coming off of competitive motorcycle †¢ 27% New to motorcycling or havent owned a motorcycle Background and Competition. â€Å"The earliest motorcycles were basically bicycles powered by small engines, and the motorcycle was considered a relatively cheap alternative to the more expensive, early automobiles. Many U. S. manufacturers produced motorcycles before World War I, contributing to a dynamic, if not booming, domestic market. Harley Davidson, Orient, Henderson, Cyclone, and Indian were the primary competitors at that time. Henry Fords affordable Model-T, however, doomed many motorcycle manufacturers. In fact, by the end of the Great Depression, the only remaining manufacturers and sellers of motorcycles were Indian and Harley-Davidson. Indian closed down production and distribution in 1953. The late 1950s and early 1960s saw the first influx of low-priced, smaller Japanese motorcycles and scooters into the United States. Honda began U. S. distribution of its products in 1959, with the slogan, You meet the nicest people on a Honda, to combat the negative image associated with the sport. Yamaha starting selling motorcycles in the United States during 1960; Suzuki followed in 1963; and Kawasakii joined the competition in 1967. BMW opened a U. S. distribution arm in 1975, incorporating in New Jersey. Harley-Davidson ended years of private ownership in 1965 with a public offering of its stock, and eventually merged with industrial giant AMF in 1969. The oil crisis in the 1970s prompted the popularity of the smaller motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters that were made primarily by Japanese manufacturers. Dealers sold vehicles to those interested in conserving gas and finding cheap transportation. Harley-Davidsons market share, already dropping, was further threatened by Hondas 1969 entrance into the heavy and super heavyweight segment of the market. By the late 1970s Harley-Davidson faced severe production quality problems in addition to stiff competition. A management buyout in early 1981 set the course for the companys revitalization. It was protection under higher tariffs however, recommended by the International Trade Commission that helped shut Honda out of Harley-Davidsons key market. In response, Japanese manufacturers evaded the tariffs by setting up assembly plants in the United States. Harley-Davidsons resurrection and Hondas sagging sales worked to even the motorcycle market by the early 1990s. † (www. answers.com/topic/motorcycle-dealers) Below is a pie chart that shows the motorcycle industry major players and their market share relative to one another. â€Å" The Big 4 Japanese have 70% of the capital dollars in the motorcycle industry. BMW and H-D combine for another 26%. Everyone else is pretty much a rounding error. At least by this measure these six companies (the Big 4 Japs, BMW, and H-D) utterly dominate the motorcycle market in every way that really matters. † http://www. muddywatersmx. net Industry Trends and Current Events â€Å"Motorcycling remains one of Americas most popular forms of recreation and transportation. The number of people who enjoy motorcycle activities is comparable to the number of people who engage in fishing, golfing, and camping. Because there are many sizes of vehicles available, motorcycling has become a family recreational activity. In addition to providing enjoyment, motorcycles, scooters, and all-terrain vehicles are used in industry in various ways. † (www. answers. com/topic/motorcycle-dealers) â€Å"The retail motorcycle, moped, and all-terrain industry is strongly affected by national economic trends. Recessionary and expansionary trends essentially dictate the retail consumption levels of vehicles. † According to Irwin Broh Associates’s 1998 survey, the average motorcycle rider was a 38-year-old married male with a college education earning $44,250 per year. â€Å"These older, more affluent riders of 1998 could afford heavier, more comfortable, more expensive motorcycles. Also, the ranks of women motorcyclists continued to grow in the 1990s, rising from 6. 4 percent of riders in 1990 to 8. 2 percent in 1998. † (www. answers. com/topic/motorcycle-dealers) â€Å"The growth from exports became a major player for the motorcycle industry in 2000. † The demand by the foreign market was expected to grow well into 2007. The chart below shows the Top Destinations for U. S Motorcycles and Parts Exports by country for 2002 to 2003. The top two major players are Canada and Japan. â€Å"On December 23, 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted the newest set of emission standards for highway motorcycles†¦Beginning in 2006, motorcycle manufacturers would have to reduce emissions of HC and oxides of nitrogen by 60 percent. (www. answers. com/topic/motorcycle-dealers).

Leo’s Barber Shop Essay -- Observation Essays

Leo’s Barber Shop As the glass door opens, the din from Second Street fades from your ears. The clean crisp cut of scissors, the flick of combs through wet hair, the buzz of electric clipping shears, and the occasional blast of air from a blow dryer captivate your sense of sound. Joe, a large, bald man, wearing an aqua T-shirt and blue jeans tied up with an old brown leather belt, gives his customary greeting, â€Å"Howdy there,† to a man who has just entered. The sign above Joe’s mirror reads: â€Å"Hair cuts—ten dollars, Seniors—eight dollars.† It is Saturday morning, and at Leo’s Barber Shop business is brisk. Joe and two other barbers are working at a fast clip, keeping their eyes on the scalps of the customers and periodically throwing quick glances to the line that is forming in the waiting area. Hector, wearing a maroon wind-breaker and baseball cap, is putting an apron on a kid to the right of Joe. Chris is trimming a man’s sideburns, leveling h er green, contact-lens covered eye to the shears. Four chairs near the entrance are occupied by men of various sorts. Some are reading newspapers or magazines, while others sit looking out the front window. One man clad in denim is standing outside the shop with a cigarette held to his mouth. The barbers at Leo’s have their work cut out for them today. Inside, Joe puts the clipping shears to the locks of a slumbering child, whose head is being propped up by his mother’s hands. The child awakens to find his lamb-like curls falling to the checkered floor; his large chocolate brown eyes begin to swell with tears. Fortunately for Joe, the boy’s mother is able to shut off the water works with a few words of reassurance in Spanish. The youngster stoically endures the procedure. Ju... ...s asks. â€Å"That looks good,† the student replies, looking into the mirror. â€Å"Here,† she gives him the comb, â€Å"brush it the way you like to.† Finding the part, he combs it down. Afterwards he compliments her on a job well done. After paying, the student tells Chris that he will see her in another six weeks, and to take care. Before opening the glass door Joe throws the student a wave. â€Å"Hey, when you’re done with that English paper bring us a copy, I’ll put it up on my wall and make yah famous!† he says. Returning his wave, the student walks into the light of the setting sun; the sounds of the barber shop diminish. Looking through the shop window, he sees Hector sweeping up the hair of his last customer. Shouts from the nearby Cantina, interrupted by a blast from a car horn, take the place of the low, metallic murmur of the clipping shears.

Organic Food †Does It Really Makes a Difference? Essay

   There are increasing debates about whether the organic food really makes a difference. Organic food has been commonly seen as better taste, healthy, safety and environment friendly, but is it true? This paper hopes to find out the exact conclusion of that debate, as well as consumers’ perspective of organic food, and its influence on hospitality industry. 1. Introduction of Organic Food 1. 1 Definition of Organic Food Organic food has a strict regulation that determines what kind of food can be labeled ‘organic’. According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, â€Å"Organic food is the product of an agricultural farming system that places a strong emphasis on environmental protection and animal welfare. † (Peter, 2006; Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Organic Food, 2004) As well as the organic produce export committee defined it as â€Å"organic production emphasizes the use of renewable resources, conservation of energy and resources, and preservation of the environment, without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides† (Peter, 2006; Organic Produce Export Committee, 2002). Based on the quotes, we know that the organic food has many benefits that conventional food does not have, such as environment friendly, healthy, no hidden danger and so forth. 1. 2 Consumer’s Awareness of Healthy Eating â€Å"Foodborne disease caused by microbiological hazards is a large and growing public health problem in Europe and worldwide. † (Deborah, Christopher, Patricia, 2003, p. 434). Thanks to the technology, by watching the press coverage from TV and the Internet, worldwide public awareness of food quality and nutrition has been improving dramatically. A research conducted by Annelies states that â€Å"food has become less safe, less tasty, a bit more expensive and certainly less healthy. † (Annelies, Xavier, Jacques, 2002 p. 615). As a result, nowadays the organic food is getting more and more popular around the world. Moreover, according to Aikaterini M (2002, p. 346) â€Å"better taste, being like home-grown, being free from BSE, genetic modification and food additives are motivations for buying organic food†. It is said that the demand of organic food is growing gradually, and now people are more willing to buy organic food rather than conventional food. 2. Debate of Difference between Organic Food and Conventional Food Now because the people concern over their healthy issue and its link with food has been intensified recently, and likely to become more so, it drives great many articles getting more concentration on writing about healthy eating style; among these articles, plenty of debates have been arisen for arguing whether the organic food is better than the conventional food or not. 2. 1 Standpoint of Organic Food Is Better Than Conventional Food Generally, the organic food is more expensive than the conventional food, but consumers still willing to pay a premium for organically grown products. â€Å"According to the results of the organic food consumer survey, respondents who claim to be an organic food consumer rank â€Å"healthiness† first, â€Å"taste† second and â€Å"environmentally friendly† third. † (Annelies, et al, 2002, p. 614) 2. 1. 1 Healthiness and Food Safety. Firstly, based on organic food definition, it clearly informs its customers that it does not use of any chemo-synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Regarding conventional food, we cannot say all of conventional food may contain harmful substance due to pesticide residues remain on food, but what can be sure is the conventional food indeed has risk that threat to health. (Faidon, Fotini, & Antonis 2006) The threat probably is less effect for adult, but still may cause danger to fragile parties, such as babies and old people. Actually, some scientists’ report â€Å"certain pesticide in conventional food could, over many years, raise the risk of cancer and other disease in humans. † (Faidon, et al, 2006, p. 25) The report also states that the leafy vegetables and fruits with thin skin, lettuce and strawberry for example, are contained much more chemical residues than other types of food. Thus, these high-risk foods should always eat organically farmed, or on the season. 2. 1. 2 Taste of Organic Food. Secondly, another debate point that does the organic food taste better than other types of food, the article, written by Laurence and Stacey (2002), said the claim that all organic food taste better than conventional food is not a valid one. Based on his research, the organic orange juice does prove it has a better taste, but his research also shows that there is no difference in taste by compares the organic milk and conventional milk. It is fair to say not all of organic foods taste better than conventional foods, but after all some organic foods are really more delicious than other foods. On the other hand, we should not ignore the physiological effect. Many reports and articles admit that there is a worldwide belief that consumers think the organic food does taste better. (Anne, Albert and Clive, 1995; Fotopoulos and Krystalli, 2002; Justin and Jyoti, 2012) It is a great deal of emotional conviction. As a result, even few organic foods do taste nothing special, the general uninformed consumers still taste organic food ‘better’ because of bias of perspective. 2. 1. 3 Environment Friendly Thirdly, according to exist research, the organic agriculture is perceived as friendly for environment and animal welfare. (Bord 2000; Annelies et al, 2002; Anne et al, 1995; Koen, Joris, & Guido, 2009) According to the report by Bord (2000), the organic farming has many advantages that the conventional farming does have, such as protecting the long term fertility of soils, encouraging soil biological activity, conservation of wildlife and natural habitats and so forth. Additionally, as the author mentioned above, consumers increasingly concern to environment issues, which is going to become a trend of green movement in hospitality industry. (Zhang and Jing, 2011) 2. 2 Viewpoint of No Difference between Organic Food and Conventional Food Some research point out the main reasons prevent consumers to buy organic food are lack of availability, expensive, and satisfaction with conventional food. (Emma and Tony, 2005; Aikaterini, 2002) Another research conducted by Faidon, et al (2006), states that organic food probably just buying for peace of mind, because they believe organic food makes no noticeable differences than conventional food. To be more specifically, as the author mentioned above, the food safety is ranked as the first reason consumers buying organic food; but in fact the research shows that chemical residue remained level is limited and acceptable in the majority of conventional food. (Faidon, et al, 2006) Even though some types of conventional products, such as strawberry, are contained much more chemical residues than other, but many consumers can be satisfied by choosing other substitutable conventional product to replace the unsafe food. On the other hand, the acceptable amount of chemical residues in conventional food may has minimum effect on normal people’s health; at least for now it is still the subject of great scientific controversy. (Faidon, et al, 2006) Additionally, because the lack of availability of organic food, the consumers sometimes do not have any options but choose conventional food; therefore it may does not have a noticeable advantage that the organic food bring, unless consumers eating organic food only for a long time. 3. Consumers’ Perspective of Differences between Organic food, Conventional Food and Genetically Modified (GM) Food, and Their Impact on Hospitality Industry Despite lots of scientists argue what they believe or doubt whether the organic food really worth the money or not, and no matter how many researched data they used to support their view, uninformed consumers always are the major group who judge the organic food based on their own knowledge and perspective. The common sense tells them the nature products are always the safest for human being. Moreover, unlike the conventional food and GM food, the organic food provides a clean label and easily understood ingredient list. In contrast, the first image of consumer’s perspective of conventional food is that it uses of chemo-synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Although the conventional food has many advantages that the organic food does not have, such as cheap, big, always widely available, and less limited product range, but these advantages are all highly relied on harmful substance (small amount). On the other hand, the GM food also does not give consumers any better confidence in food safety and quality. In fact, based on research, the majority of consumers have negative attitude towards GM food because they do not have exactly knowledge to know how GM food being produced. (Annelies, & Jacques, 2003) Hence, in relation to consumers’ perspective, organic food really makes difference, by reason of people can assure there is no risk in foods, especially ensure the food safety for fragile party such as babies, pregnant women, older people and so on. Nowadays, not only the increasing consumers choose organic product, but also the restaurants and hotels have realized that the label of ‘organic’ is bring opportunities to them. Based on the research by Zhang and Jing (2011), more and more hoteliers start to bring organic food on their menu, in order to serve a fine quality food and attract customers. A research of consumer behavior and purchase intention for organic food indicates that â€Å"health, availability and education from demographic factors positively influence the consumer’s attitude towards buying organic food; and the overall satisfaction of consumers for organic food is more than inorganic food. â€Å" (Justin and Joyti, 2012, p.419) Therefore the marketer involved in sale of organic food, hotels for example, must set and implement a proper strategy to take this chance to maximize the market share. 4. Conclusion and Recommendation Research looked into any differences between organic food and conventional food, in order to find out the substantiations of whether the organic food is better or not. By review many relevant literatures, the author finds out that organic food does make differences in relation to the human healthy, food safety and environment friendly. Regarding to the taste of organic food, the author finds out not all of organic food taste better than conventional food, but some of the organic products indeed have a different flavor. However, in relation to the matter of the whether the organic food has more nutrition than conventional food or not, the evidence for that is scare and questionable. Thus, despite of nutrition factor, the author conclude that organic food really makes differences, and is indeed superior. Even though the organic food is better than conventional food, the author still recommends that consumers should eat both organic food and conventional food, by considering the high price of organic food and not always available. While, regarding to vegetables and fruits which contain great amount of chemical residues, such as the strawberry, the author suggest consumers to buy organic if possible, otherwise eat those foods as less as possible. Finally, the hoteliers should do some market research to find out the opportunities that organic food can bring in, and implement a proper strategy to maximize the market share and get benefit from it. Reference Peter M. (2006), Organic food – Nature knows best. Shannon College of Hotel Management Organic Produce Export Committee (2002), National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Canberra. Food Safety Authority of Ireland. (2004), Organic Food. Deborah A. C. , Christopher J. G., Patricia P. (2003). â€Å"An investigation of the factors underlying consumers’ implementation of specific food safety practices† British Food Journal Vol. 105 (7), 434 – 453 Faidon M. , Fotini A. , Antonis Z. (2006). â€Å"Organic Food: Buying More Safety or Just Peace of Mind? A Critical Review of the Literature† Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 46:1, 23 – 56 Laurence F. , Stacey A. (2002). â€Å"Does organic food taste better? A claim substantiation approach† Nutrition & Food Science Vol. 32(4), 153 – 157 Annelies V. , Xavier G. , Jacques V.(2002). â€Å"Are organic food consumers opposed to GM food consumers? † British Food Journal Vol. 104 (8), 610 – 623 Aikaterini M. (2002). â€Å"What motivates consumers to buy organic food in the UK? Results from a qualitative study†. British Food Journal Vol. 104 (3), 345 – 352. Willy L. , Philip S. (2006). â€Å"Customers’ Preferences to Healthy Meals†, Joseph S. Chen, in (ed. ) 2 (Advances in Hospitality and Leisure, Vol. 2), 265 – 273 Emma L. , Tony W. , (2005). â€Å"Australians’ organic food beliefs, demographics and values†, British Food Journal Vol.107 (11), 855 – 869 Annelies V. , Jacques V. (2003). â€Å"Exploring and modeling consumer attitudes towards genetically modified food† Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal Vol. 6 (2), 95 – 110 Anne D. , Albert J. T. , Clive C. , (1995). â€Å"Who buys organic food? A profile of the purchasers of organic food in Northern Ireland† British Food Journal Vol. 97 (10), 17 – 23 Fotopoulos, C. , Krystallis, A. (2002). â€Å"Purchasing motives and profile of the Greek organic consumer: a countryside survey† British Food Journal Vol. 104 (9), 730-65.Justin P. , Jyoti R. , (2012). â€Å"Consumer behavior and purchase intention for organic food† Journal of Consumer Marketing Vol. 29 (6), 412 – 422 Koen M. , Joris A. , Guido V. H. (2009). â€Å"A meta-analysis of the differences in environmental impacts between organic and conventional farming† British Food Journal Vol. 111 (10), 1098 – 1119 Bord Bia, (2000), Prospects for Organic Food in Ireland. Zhang C. , Jing Y. (2011) Green Movement in Hotel Industry Opportunities and Issues That Hoteliers Are Facing. Shannon College of Hotel Management.

William Shakespeare s Othello, Much Ado About Nothing,...

Power is said to be the ability of another to be able to control or influence others in a given situation. Power is also a reoccurring theme that is without a doubt well displayed in Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, â€Å"Porphyria’s Lover,† â€Å"Eveline,† and â€Å"My Last Duchess.† In drama Othello, by Shakespeare, the title character suspects his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful with no proof and just the assumption of a friend. He publicly confronts Desdemona by hitting her and calling her a whore. Othello is in possession of power here because he publicly shows what he is capable of; he is not afraid to hit a woman. In short story â€Å"Eveline,† by James Joyce, Eveline and her younger brothers grow up in an abusive environment, with their father the†¦show more content†¦In the play Much Ado About Nothing, by Shakespeare, Claudio has false knowledge when it comes to his fiance, Hero, being unfaithful, and proceeds to publicly confro nt her in front of their friends and family. In a later scene, Hero’s cousin Beatrice suggests to Claudio’s friend Benedick that he should kill Claudio because of his false accusations toward Hero. Beatrice has power because she is able to take advantage of Benedick’s feeling for her and convince him to kill Claudio. These texts all include the similarity of abusive power. Irrational decisions and behaviors, such as murder and sanity, are often times the effect of abusive power. The drama Othello, by Shakespeare, and the short story â€Å"Eveline,† by James Joyce, both exemplify similar forms of power. During the course of the theatrical piece Othello, the protagonist is led on by Iago to believe his wife to be unfaithful. Whether Desdemona truly was dishonest is left ambiguous by the end. â€Å"DESDEMONA: Why, sweet Othello— OTHELLO: (striking her) Devil! DESDEMONA: I have not deserved this†¦ OTHELLO: Oh, devil, devil! If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears, Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. Out of my sight!† (Shakespeare). Othello confronts Desdemona about his apparent knowledge of her being unfaithful; publicly striking her and calling her a whore, even though he has no solid proof. Othello has power because publicly striking her exposes his seeming knowledge of her being