New York Times Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

New York Times - Research Paper Example The New York Times sold content portal About Group in late 2012. Chairman Arthur Sulzberger and his family control the company through a trust. The company has vowed to develop content from existing and emerging platforms like the wireless communication, in-house digital media, broadband technologies and the internet (Drexler, 2007). In an effort to acknowledge, the tremendous performance The New York Times has had through its segments since inception, the paper seeks to perform a business and corporate level strategy analysis of the firm and predict its future in the communication sector. The New York Times Media Group: The New York Times Media Group comprises of the New comprises of the New York Times which is a daily and Sunday newspaper media house; the New York Times index which is a print publication and in addition producing and licensing the New York Times Index; the International Herald Tribune which is a daily Newspaper; NYTimes.com; Digital Archive Distribution business that is responsible for licensing electronic archive database to resellers of that information in the professional, business, and library markets (Drexler, 2007). The New York Times Media Group is also responsible and management of the New York Times News Services Division. This main function New York Times News Services Division is the transmission of articles, graphics and photographs from the globe, the Times and several other publications to magazines, newspapers and web sites (New York Times (Firm), & In Claiborne 1966). New York Times News Services Division also performs the function o f distributing content online in addition to other digital platforms including e-reader and mobile applications, and social networking sites. The New England Media Group: This segment of New York Times comprises BostonGlobe.com which is a paid subscription Web site; the Boston Globe which is a daily and Sunday newspaper. Boston.com is also

Tips On How To Find Short College Essay Topics

Tips On How To Find Short College Essay TopicsOne of the best ways to find topics for a short college essay is to read an essay that already has been written by someone else. If you know how to do this, it's quite easy. To do it, all you have to do is to search for a popular essay in a book or on the internet and then use it as your own. You can also look up essays on the Internet for free, although many sites will ask you to pay to see these types of essays.The best way to get essays like this is to follow the advice of people who know how to do it, because the more you get used to writing a short essay, the easier it will be to write one of your own. Once you've figured out the right type of topic to write about, write about it. The best essay topic can be a bit different than the topic that a popular person was given.To get some good advice on topics to write about, look at an essay that's been written by someone you admire. The best way to make sure that it's something you'll lov e to write about is to simply read the information that you like and then add your own thoughts and opinions to it. This could be something you learned from reading books or magazines, or it could be from watching TV shows and movies.The first thing you need to do when you decide to write your own college essay topic is to decide what topic you want to write about. You should focus on one particular area that interests you. Maybe you want to talk about a favorite band or movie star, or maybe you'd rather write about the student council president, or maybe you'd like to write about the latest invention that came out on time.After you've decided on a topic, start researching about how to write different essay topics. There are many resources available online, but the best resource is to read an essay that already has been written by someone else. You can actually read an essay in a book or on the internet, then use it as your own. You can even get advice from the person who wrote the essay, but you'll probably have to pay for it.Just like with any other research you do, you'll have to search for a book that has lots of writing advice. Find something that you like, then read the information that's available in the book. You'll want to learn how to write an essay so that you'll be able to write a good one. The more you know about what you're writing about, the easier it will be to write one of your own. The same goes for topics that you love.Once you've figured out how to find some interesting topics for your college essay topics, you'll need to put your mind to the task. You have to come up with topics that you really enjoy writing about. They have to be topics that you want to write about, otherwise you'll just end up reading other people's opinions, which doesn't really sound very fun.

The Idiots Manual to Where Does a Thesis Statement Go in a Research Paper

The Idiot's Manual to Where Does a Thesis Statement Go in a Research Paper Developing a great thesis is essential because in several cases it sets the tone for the remainder of the paper and so, becomes a decisive point of your project's success. The thesis has become the most significant part any writing, and that means you know you have to devote a whole lot of time and effort on making it good. You know precisely what you're searching for, and you understand precisely where you're going with the paper. Knowing what it is you are attempting to achieve, and committing it to paper, can be hard. It's well worth reiterating that a great thesis statement is specific. Most significantly, a great thesis statement creates a statement. It will accomplish the same thing. A strong thesis statement needs to be specific and give your conclusion according to the chosen topic. Now that you know the four principal constituents of a great thesis statement, I want to give you more thesis statement examples. Aside from the proper formulation of a thesis statement, it's also important to discover an appropriate placing for it. The purpose statement could possibly be expressed in many sentences or even a whole paragraph. An indirect statement doesn't indicate the concept of your essay clearly. Understanding what makes a great thesis statement is among the more important keys to writing a fantastic research paper or argumentative essay. If you would like your thesis to be classified as a thesis and not merely a useless sentence, utilize an extremely precise tone and specific words. A strong outline produces a strong essay. No matter whether you will need thesis statement examples for a persuasive essay or any kind of writing assistance, you're in the correct place. A thesis statement cannot be a question, however it can be employed to lead until the thesis for engaging the reader. It does not necessarily forecast organization of an essay which can be more complex than its purpose. It always goes at the beginning of the paper. Normally, your thesis statement may be the previous line of the very first paragraph in your research paper or essay. If you're still uncertain about how to compose a thesis statement or what a great thesis statement is, be certain to talk with your teacher or professor to be sure you're on the right path. A thesis statement is usually located close to the conclusion of the introduction. A great thesis statement has to be written to reflect your views on this issue. Well, you don't need to be concerned about that when you receive a statement of the issue sample thesis from us. Essay writing can be rather complicated if you don't have a great plan. If you're writing a research paper, you have probably already tak en lots of notes and organized the information that you have found. If you are searching for top essay writing companies, try out the mentioned above. There are several essay writing services that think they're the very best, and thus don't be cheated and check the real list of the very best. Details of Where Does a Thesis Statement Go in a Research Paper Both the argument and your thesis are most likely to want adjustment on the way. Feel free to request adjustments if you feel any portion of the paper fails to satisfy your expectations. A well-prepared outline is a sort of a roadmap regarding how you should organize your work. A thesis can obviously go anywhere inside the debut, but it's more typical to put it at the beginning or end of it. What You Don't Know About Where Does a Thesis Statement Go in a Research Paper The author has the capability to write a growing number of points on a few of the financial setbacks which were caused by the Alzheimer's disease. You've go t to compose your thesis to learn something new from the traditional beliefs. Before getting in the research, you must define your argument a bit more. Be certain you have done enough research to generate a strong argument. A thesis statement is essential for an assortment of factors. In order to start it first come up with a question regarding the topic at hand. It is the result of a lengthy thinking process. In order to make it clear and easy to remember, it is formulate the main idea so that it sounds like your own opinion, a personal discovery that you are ready to defend. It is possible to easily write Chicago thesis by viewing sample research paper or by learning the format that is easier than a few other styles. If you wish to acquire high excellent research and thesis papers punctually and for a sensible price, you should probably attempt using EssaySupply.com. It is possible to also learn to tie the numerous portions of the paper together to give a cohesive readi ng. Based on the length of time your paper is, you need to have 3-10 distinct sources, with all types of quotes between them. Check with them to make sure your thesis meets the necessary criteria. Oh, and you need to use citations, too. Sometimes in a lengthy paper, the thesis is going to be expressed in a lot of sentences or a whole paragraph. Research papers are designed to demonstrate a student's academic understanding of a subject.

No Child Left Behind Research Papers - What Is It?

No Child Left Behind Research Papers - What Is It? Things You Should Know About No Child Left Behind Research Papers The paper will talk about the origin of the policy, the implementation of the policy along with the present condition of the policy. As time passes, since the clearinghouse starts to produce its reports on such issues, parents will be in a position to ask their principal, teachers and school board members about the degree to which they select programs and curricula that the studies have determined to work. You will would like it to examine the potency of No Child Left Behind. This summary reflects the principal points which were interesting for me and should not be regarded as a comprehensive overview of the book. There isn't any doubt that NCLB has problems that need to be addressed in a new reauthorization. The NCLB Act is a significant issue since it's an answer to help remedy the issue of poor performance of today's children in school. Obama's administration is determining whether to get rid of the laws 2014 deadline. The Obama administration has produced quite a few adjustments to its initial waiver requirements, particularly in the subject of teacher evaluation, that has been the biggest struggle for states. There was no limit on the variety of students who might take alternate tests. Know that the present president won't ever look for treatment for any issues he might have. A description of how the proposed policy change will enhance the conditions made by the social problem must be given. The factors for implementing the changes in the act has to be fully described and the main reason why some pieces of the act do not have to be changed must also be described. No Child Left Be hind Research Papers Fundamentals Explained If you desire them to be profitable, it's necessary for you to teach your children to locate their own way. Also, your son or daughter might be eligible to get free tutoring and extra help with schoolwork. In many instances, students did not make the most of the chance to transfer to some other school, or get totally free tutoring. Students attending schools which don't make AYP for a couple of years in a row is going to be given the choice to transfer to some other school. Get in touch with your kid's school to figure out ways to get involved. Raising awesome child is about giving them every chance to thrive, instead of limiting them within the boundaries of rules. In addition, Parent often produce the error of attempting to live a vicarious life through their children. Parents are permitted to request information concerning their kid's teacher's qualifications and have to be informed in the event the kid's teacher isn't qualified. While Hyperfocusing makes it possible to to work on a single job. Even basic perceptual learning mechanisms need social interaction to work. For instance, it has for ages been used for research in order to rate the potency of a given program or try to find teacher characteristics which are associated with student achievement. This research was confirmed many decades before this. The federal government is needed to offer funding to help with test development. Employing these tests, the state will have the ability to compare schools to one another and know which ones need more assistance to improve. As you believe in the ability of manipulation. This caused organizations to select the reason behind cyber security seriously. The seven states are for the most part Republican with many lawmakers and voters being women. It may lead most of the population to believe it. An enclave is a nation that's situated entirely within another nation. It can make someone appear bad without showing the remaining part of the story. For instance, a kid will get hit. There would not be any miracle turnaround, no joyful ending. We are aware that it is in its sorted position, therefore it can be taken out of the heap completely. Heap sort is essentially a super-improved model of selection sort. So, even though it seems so much like selection sort, it's a lot faster! S ince heaps are a kind of tree, it is helpful to visualize them, the identical way we do with binary trees.

Bipolar Disorder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Bipolar Disorder - Essay Example However, with new technology and research, there are many new opinions about the treatment of the disorder and the prognosis for those who are suffering. The purpose of this paper is to explore the prognosis for those with bipolar and how this links to research on causes and treatment. As shown below, it is evident that there are a huge number of treatment options for those with bipolar disorder and this means that the prognosis for many with the illness is positive and can be long-lasting. To understand the prognosis for people with bipolar disorder, it is interesting to consider what the disease is and how it affects those who have it. As outlined above, it is a rollercoaster of highs and lows which can be spaced far apart or can happen in a matter of hours or even minutes. In her book Bipolar Disorder, Judith Peacock states that people "who have bipolar disorder experience extreme changes in mood, energy and behaviour" and that sufferers "cannot control their mood changes" (Peacoc k, 2000, p6). This just shows that it is a difficult disease to deal with and that it cannot be controlled without help. It can obviously often be frightening for sufferers as their mood changes without them knowing why. However, it is important to note that help can be found from many different places. Peacock (2000) goes on to explain many of the treatment options for bipolar disorder. These can be based upon therapy or controlling the symptoms using drugs, both of which will be explored later. However, it is important to note the word control here. It is stated that bipolar disorder "cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be controlled. People with bipolar disorder can learn to manage their illness" (Peacock, 2000, p52). This is interesting because most people think that a good prognosis for a disease is one where it can be completely cured, but it is important to note that bipolar disorder is more complicated than some purely physical diseases. There are a number of different thi ngs to consider. In this case, it is important to note that it can be managed and that it is a learning process. In their book Bipolar Disorders: Clinical Course and Outcome, Joseph F. Goldberg and Martin Harrow explore in more detail the different types of treatment for bipolar and how this leads to a positive outcome. One of the most important drugs in treating patients with bipolar is lithium. In the book, physicians are described as regarding "lithium as the standard of care for the long-term management of bipolar disorders, expecting a marked improvement in up to 70% of cases" (Goldberg & Harrow, 1999, p3). Lithium is often used alongside therapy, which means that it can contribute to a good prognosis in much more than 70% of cases, but some people may need extra help. Evidently, a huge number of people can rely on lithium to control their symptoms. However, there are some people who cannot rely on lithium alone. Goldberg & Harrow (1999) also go onto explain that the prognosis for people with some types of bipolar might be even better than 70% and may not need controlling permanently. This can happen for women who experience bipolar disorder after they have given birth or during pregnancy. These types of cases can often lead to a huge improvement with short-term treatment. Also, the book notes that one study showed

Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Mumbai-Pune Expressway The Mumbai-Pune Expressway has always been a project of high priority for the Maharashtra State Government. The traffic on the Mumbai-Pune section of National Highway 4 is expected to increase drastically. The distance between the two cities is some 180 km and it takes about five hours to cover it under good traffic conditions. However increasingly, and during the monsoon, traffic on the Mumbai-Pune road is very high and frequent accidents block the narrow and winding curves of the two lane highway. Landslides in the region are very frequent due to the monsoon rains. The resulting delays and traffic blockages turn a 5-hour journey to one that would involve anywhere between 10 to 15 hours. (Sulakshana Mahajan, 2002) The Government of Maharashtra had been newly elected in 1995 and they were very keen on the early completion of the Mumbai Pune Expressway, as there was prestige value attached to it. It was decided in July 1996 to implement the project as a BOT(Build-Operate-Transfer) project and tenders were prepared appropriately, for which only one bid was received from Reliance India Limited which was rejected as it was double the government budget. In turn the project was awarded to MSRDC. (IITK Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, 2007) Feasibility Study: In 1990, the Government of Maharashtra appointed RITES and Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick of United Kingdom to carry out the feasibility study and they submitted the report with the estimated cost of 240 million USD. The Government then handed over the project to MSRDC in March 1997 on a Build Operate and Transfer basis (BOT) with permission to collect tolls for a period of 30 years. The Government of India received the clearance from the Ministry of Forests and Environment in November 1997. In order to prepare detailed estimates, designs and bid documents the work was divided into eight phases and each phase was under the supervision of renowned international consultants. (IITK Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, 2007) Features: Â · The Mumbai Pune Expressway also known as the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway is Indias first six lane high speed access controlled tolled expressway. Â · Spanning a distance of 93kms it connects Mumbai, the financial capital of India and Pune, the neighboring industrial hub city. Â · The project cost 350 million USD to construct and was completed under the guidance of MSRDC in a time period of 24 months. * The expressway has four lane wide tunnels at five locations with a total length of 5724m. * There are separate tunnels for traffic in each direction and these tunnels are provided with modern facilities for ventilation, lighting and fire fighting vehicles. * This work was entrusted to the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd on 8 December 1997. Benefits of the Expressway: Many aspects of the Expressway make it an engineering marvel. * No signals along the 93km route and no blind curves. * Reduction in accidents. * Reduction in travel time. * Saving of fuel consumption. * Faster crossing of the Khandala Ghat. * Reduction in pollution. Issues faced in building the Highway: Â · The mountainous terrain around the area, posed a huge threat in building the Expressway. Â · As five tunnels had to be constructed, there was a lot of difficulty in drilling through the mountains as the rock was extremely hard. Â · Around 500 trees which got in the way of the construction had to be uprooted and transplanted into pits dug at other locations. Â · Vast areas of rich, fertile land had to be cleared into farmlands in interior areas. Â · Difficulty in accessing the work areas to supply raw materials. Â · Nature of soil in the area caused problems in building roads, due to which concrete roads had to be built. * Environmental Concerns: An Environment Impact Assessment was conducted by RITES and they identified the following concerns: The construction of the Expressway would impact on the quality of water in the rivers flowing in nearby areas, which were being used for drinking and industrial Purposes. It would also result in loss of forests and rare flora, effect on wild life in the Ghats and lead to landslides in the future. Â · The difficulties faced due to rehabilitation of the human settlements. Reasons for the successful implementation by MSRDC: Workforce: MSRDC hired their workforce from Public Works Department and CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra), most of whom had extensive experience in the development of large-scale projects. They also took employees from the revenue department on deputation to help with the land acquisition process. (IITK Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, 2007) Appointment of Project Management Consultants: A Steering Committee was set up in order to recommend different technical standards to be adopted, to prepare geometric standards, and to help MSRDC in deciding upon various provisions of tender documents and related matters. The Steering Committee proposed that Project Management Consultants (PMC) be appointed for preparing and ensuring consistency in design standards, cost estimates and tender documents, and to supervise the construction work as and when it began. In addition it was also though that if the technical aspects of the projects were taken care of by PMCs, then MSRDC could concentrate on the task of coordinating the various administrative requirements such as getting clearances, raising finances etc. Committees were to be formed to perform each of the tasks by drawing personnel from each of the PMCs to ensure consistency. Since the most important skill for a PMC was considered to be Technical Skill, the selection criteria were such that 75% importance was assigned to the technical bid and 25% to the financial bid. Another condition was imposed that 1 PMC will work on only 1 section of the Expressway to avoid excess load on a PMC. (IITK Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, 2007) Facilities given by MSRDC to Consultants and Contractors: MSRDC and the Government of Maharashtra provided several facilities to contractors and consultants in order to ensure quick and efficient working. The expenditure on these services helped reduce production costs by 8-10% as a result of speedy completion of work. Some of the facilities given were like: * Project Management Consultants had their own site offices set up with standard equipment like Xerox, telephone, printer provided at MSRDCs expense. * Increase in the price of steel, bitumen and cement will be absorbed by MSRDC. * Custom duty is to be reimbursed for import of new machinery. * Land provided for site facilities was given to the contractor free of cost. * As the stretch of construction was 93 kms, MSRDC prompted oil companies to set up petrol pumps. * MSRDC took the responsibility to divert all utility services like telephone cables, water pipelines and electrical lines coming in the construction stretch. Litigation: MSRDC adopted a very proactive stand towards litigation right from the start and they appointed a panel of experts for handling cases. They also made sure they responded to court orders in very less time which helped reduce the delays in re-seeking appropriate dates. (IITK Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, 2007) References: Roadtraffic-technology.com. (2009) Mumbai-Pune Expressway, India. Available from: http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/mumbai/ [Accessed: 11/12/2009] Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Ltd. (2007) MSRDC Project Mumbai Pune Expressway. Available from: http://www.msrdc.org/Projects/Mumbai_Pune_Expr.aspx [Accessed: 11/12/2009] Wikipedia (2009) Mumbai Pune Expressway. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai-Pune_Expressway [Accessed: 11/12/2009] ExpressIndia (2000) The Mumbai-Pune expressway. Available from: http://www.expressindia.com/news/fe/daily/20000730/fec30031.html [Accessed: 11/12/2009] Dandekar/Mahajan EPW Paper (2001) MSRDC and The Mumbai-Pune Expressway: A Sustainable Model for Privatizing Construction of Physical Infrastructure? Available from: http://sdmahajan.tripod.com/epw_paper.pdf [Accessed: 11/12/2009]

Cmi Level 7 Unit 7006

1. Identify the current strategic aims and objectives 2. Undertake an evaluation of the component parts of a strategic plan 3. Analyze the factors affecting the strategic plan The history of Harley-Davidson began in 1903, in a 10†² x 15†² shed located in the Davidson family's Milwaukee backyard. The Davidson brothers – William D. , Walter, and Arthur – and William S. Harley crafted their first motorcycle using the best tools they had available – mostly their hands and their ingenuity. Since that time Harley-Davidson has learned many lessons on how to operate a business.We are focused on providing our customers with not just a quality product, but also an overall experience. Our mission statement is as follows: honesty, integrity and personal growth in all of our dealings with stakeholders. Our values are the rules by which we operate. At Harley-Davidson, we are equally committed to a corporate vision that mandates how we run our business. Within this vi sion we emphasize the relationships that we deem crucial to our success, including our relationships with customers and suppliers. Our vision states: HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.IS AN ACTION-ORIENTED, INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, A LEADER IN ITS COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE OUR MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH STAKEHOLDERS (CUSTOMERS, SUPPLIERS, EMPLOYEES, SHAREHOLDERS, GOVERNMENT, AND SOCIETY). HARLEY-DAVIDSON BELIEVES THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS TO BALANCE STAKEHOLDERSi INTERESTS THROUGH THE EMPOWERMENT OF ALL EMPLOYEES TO FOCUS ON VALUEADDED ACTIVITIES. Doing Business With Harley-Davidson Our vision is our corporate conscience and it helps us to eliminate short term thinking, such as â€Å"cashing in† on the intense demand for our motorcycles by giving quantity precedence over quality to save a few dollars per unit.It also encourages every employee in our organization to be acutely aware of his or her role in satisfying our stakeholders. Harley-Davidson has become the world leade r in the super-heavyweight (850cc+) motorcycle market because of our unwavering commitment to continuously improve upon the superior quality of our products. This quality commitment is built on the satisfaction of each and every customer, internal and external, including everyone from our production line employees to our end users.This belief is captured within our quality policy statement: HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS COMMITTED TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT TO REDUCE WASTE, DEFECTS AND VARIABILITY IN EVERYTHING WE DO, WHILE STRIVING TO MEET / EXCEED CUSTOMERS' EXPECTATIONS. It is the goal of Harley-Davidson to satisfy our customers by not only meeting, but also exceeding their expectations and by giving them superior value for their money. We can accomplish this only if you, as a Harley-Davidson supplier, embrace our company's values and commitment to quality to the extent that we do.Our hope is that you will see reward in satisfying our customers, which are also your customers. Please remember you are not simply selling your products to Harley-Davidson, you are selling them to our customers. 1. Apply a range of strategic analysis tools to audit progress towards strategic aims and objectives 2. Review and assess the expectations of all stakeholders and their influence upon the organizational strategy 3. Analyze, interpret and produce a structured evaluation of organizational strategic positionHarley Davidson has always been known for its differentiated products that have continuously stood out from the norm. This has a lot to do with strategies Harley uses to promote its products and services. Some of the key strategies used throughout 2013 were the promotion of its 110th Anniversary Special Edition Motorcycles and the worldwide Open Road Tour used to advertise their current production line. The stunning 2013 model 110th Anniversary Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which feature rich new paint schemes and special 110th Anniversary identification has been an instant success.Eve ry 2003 motorcycle in the line-up has been designated a 110th Anniversary model. The company has extended the model year to 14 months to give even more customers the opportunity to own a piece of Harley-Davidson history. The Anniversary celebrations began back in late 2011 as the Open Road Tour made its way to Atlanta, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Toronto and Dallas/Fort Worth. The festivities then traveled overseas to Sydney, Tokyo, Barcelona and Hamburg. Billed as the world’s largest rolling birthday party, the Open Road Tour brought the Harley-Davidson experience full throttle to riders and enthusiasts around the world.Receiving worldwide exposure at minimal advertising costs, the Open Road Tour has been a complete success, thus allowing Harley’s unique and differentiated products to be seen up close around the world. Additionally, Harley-Davidson established the Harley Owners Group (HOG) in 1983 in response to a growing desire by Harley riders for an organized way to sh are their passion and show their pride. By 1985, 49 local chapters had sprouted around the 12 country, with a total membership of 60,000.Now in 2013, the promotion of the 110th Anniversary has allowed the membership to include over 1200 chapters and close to 800,000 members. HOG has played a major role in the success of the 110Th Anniversary celebration. This one of a kind, unique strategy which started 20 years ago by Harley and its members, has grown tremendously and will continue to play an important role in the future success of the company. Strategies such as these implemented by internal management and carried out by dedicated customers and members are one of the most precious assets a company can ever dream of.That is the Harley way!! Furthermore, the key strategies relating to the distribution channels have allowed Harley-Davidson the world-wide exposure needed to market its product with tremendous success and demand that has always seemed to exceed supply. To date, there ar e more than 1300 independent dealers worldwide. Over 630 are within the United States alone. Recognizing that to grow sales will take more than just an increase in capacity, the company’s aim has been to add 20-30 dealers per year to grow the dealer network, with an increase of roughly 5-10 domestically and the balance internationally.In addition to its dedicated dealer network, the company also uses smaller, occasionally temporary retail outlets in high-traffic areas, such as airports, to sell accessory products like apparel, collectibles, and licensed products. This gives Harley the additional exposure needed without having to spend millions on other forms of advertising. In order to effectively analyze Harley Davidson, we wanted to present a breakdown of the different price ranges offered based on the current list of the five classes of heavyweight motorcycles produced under the Harley Davidson name. BusinessHarley-Davidson, Inc. was incorporated in 1981, at which time it purchased the Harley-Davidson ® motorcycle business from AMF Incorporated in a management buyout. In 1986, Harley-Davidson, Inc. became publicly held. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the â€Å"Company† include Harley-Davidson, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. The Company operates in two segments: the Motorcycles ; Related Products (Motorcycles) segment and the Financial Services (Financial Services) segment. The Company's reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services.They are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. The Motorcycles segment designs, manufactures and sells at wholesale heavyweight (engine displacement of 651+cc) Harley-Davidson motorcycles as well as a line of motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise and related services. The Company's products are sold to retail customers through a network of independent dealers. The Company conducts business on a global basis, with sales in North America, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), AsiaPacific and Latin America.In 2009, the Company decided to exit its former Buell product line and ceased production of Buell motorcycles. The sale of remaining Buell motorcycle inventory to independent dealers and/or distributors was substantially completed during 2010. The majority of independent dealers continue to provide ongoing service and replacement parts to Buell owners. In 2010, the Company completed the sale of MV Agusta (MV). The results of MV have been presented as a discontinued operation for all periods. The Motorcycles segment discussion that follows is specific to the Harley-Davidson brand unless otherwise specifically noted.The Financial Services segment consists of Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). HDFS provides wholesale and retail financing and provides insurance and insurance-related programs primarily to Harley-Davidson dealers and their retail customers. HDFS conduct s business principally in the United States and Canada. Harley-Davidson, Inc. , SWOT Analysis * Overview Harley-Davidson, Inc. (Harley-Davidson) designs, manufactures, and sells heavyweight motorcycles. The company markets, its products in North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific and Latin America.The company’s strong brand image, coupled with its wide range of products, helps it to be a front-runner in the industry. However, dependence on the domestic market and product issues are a few areas of concern to the company. Nonetheless, expansion in global markets, especially Asian markets, and launch of new models could ensure a strong future for the company. New emission standards for two wheelers and the prevailing competition could negatively impact the company’s growth. Harley-Davidson, Inc. SWOT Analysis| Strengths| Weakness| Strong Brand ImageBroad Product and Service PortfolioFocused Research and Development Activities| Product Recalls/IssuesDependence on the Domestic M arket| Opportunities| Treats| Global ExpansionNew Product LaunchesRestructuring Plans| New Emission Standards for Two WheelersProcurement of Raw MaterialsCompetitive Landscape| * Strengths Strong Brand Image Harley-Davidson owns one of the strongest brands in the world, which helps it attract and retain a loyal customer base.The company established a strong brand image with its motorcycles achieving iconic status and being ranked among the world’s most valuable brands. Harley-Davidson has been continuously ranked among the top 100 global brands in the world. The company holds 55. 7% share in the US heavyweight market; and is ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the heavyweight motorcycle market share in nine countries across Europe. Harley-Davidson’s motorcycles are known for their traditional styling, design simplicity, durability and quality.The company achieved industry recognition for its high quality, best design, robust performance and unflinching customer confidence, loyalt y and trust of its products and services. The Harley-Davidson brand has significantly contributed to the success of the company by building strong market recognition and a loyal customer base. Broad Product and Service Portfolio Harley-Davidson offers a broad array of products and services through its two business segments, namely, the Motorcycles ; Related Products segment and the Financial Services segment.The company offers a variety of products in the motorcycle segment to cater to the various needs of its customer base. Harley-Davidson designs, manufactures and sells heavyweight touring, custom and performance motorcycles, besides a line of motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise and related services. Harley-Davidson is well known for its unique motorcycles. Its subsidiary, Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC), manufactures five families of motorcycles, namely, Touring, Dyna, Softail, Sportster and V-Rod.These models are distinguished by their frame, engine, suspensi on, and other characteristics. The company shipped 233,117 motorcycles in the fiscal year ended December 2011, comprising 39. 5% Touring motorcycle units, 39. 2% Custom motorcycle units, and 21. 3% Sportster motorcycle units. Through Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS), the company offers a package of wholesale and retail financial services for its products, providing it a competitive edge in the motorcycles business in the US and Canada regions. HDFS financed 51% and 30. 4% of the new Harley-Davidson otorcycles retailed by independent dealers in the US and Canada respectively in 2011. HDFS provides wholesale financial services to Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealers, including floor plan and open account financing of motorcycles and motorcycle parts and accessories. These specific services provide a competitive edge to the company in capturing a higher market share and enhancing its bottom line. Focused Research and Development Activities Harley-Davidson has a strong research a nd development unit that facilitates innovation and attracts industry attention.Its Product Development Center (PDC) undertakes the development of new and better quality products. The company spent $145. 4m, $136. 2m, $143. 1m and $163. 5m in the fiscal years ended December 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008 respectively on research and development activities. Harley-Davidson’s continuous focus on R;D helped the company in launching innovative products such as Softail motorcycles with 1584 cc engine with new features such as new hand controls, a larger odometer, and an anti-lock braking system option.Continuous research and development activity enables the company to maintain a leading position in custom and touring motorcycle market and develop products for the performance segment. Focused R;D activities enable the company to offer innovative products and improve its operational performance. * Weaknesses Product Recalls/Issues Product recalls/issues not only affects the companyâ€⠄¢s current revenue, but could also affect its long-term performance by reducing customer confidence.In February 2012, Harley-Davidson launched a repair service campaign to fix faulty brakes in about 1,228 units of 12 models, including the Road King and the Electra Glide Ultra Classic. In October 2011, the company initiated a world-wide recall affecting over 308,000 units of its Touring, CVO Touring and Trike motorbikes. The company made this recall owing to a potentially dangerous glitch with their braking systems, where in the problem with a switch on the bikes could cause the brake lights to stop working, or may even cause the rear brakes to fail.Such recalls would hamper Harley-Davidson’s brand image and have a significant impact on its product sales. Dependence on the Domestic Market Harley-Davidson focuses predominantly on the US and generates a major part of its revenue from that market, which could increase its business risk. For the fiscal year ended December 2011, t he company’s Motorcycles business reported revenue of $4. 67 billion comprising 67. 7% revenue generated from the US, 16. 8% from Europe, 4. 9% from Japan, 3. 3% from Canada, 3% from Australia and 4. 3% from Other foreign countries.In 2011, its Financial Services business reported revenue of $649. 44m comprising 95. 3% from the US, 0. 7% from Europe and 4% from Canada. Such geographical concentration makes Harley-Davidson vulnerable to the risks of economic downturn in any single market. * Opportunities Global Expansion Harley-Davidson has huge opportunities for growth in the overseas market. In October 2011, the company opened a new permanent Latin America headquarters in Miami, Florida, the US. Through this new headquarters, the company can expands its focus on customers in Latin America.In the fiscal year ended December 2011, retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles from the international markets witnesses a rise of 6. 1%. The rising demand in Europe, Asia, Australia, L atin America and Africa offers huge potential for the company. In 2011, Harley-Davidson completed its second CKD (complete knock down) assembly plant in India to further strengthen its operations in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2010, the company opened a 1,000 square meter showroom in Beirut. This is the first and only showroom in the Levant which includes six-station service facilities with staff trained by the company.In a bid to garner a higher market shares in these regions, the company already refined its business and marketing strategies that are attuned to local customer preferences. Focus on international expansion would help the company enhance its business aggressively and reap greater benefits. New Product Launches Harley-Davidson could benefit from its new product launches. The company intends to explore new methods to enhance its value by introducing new products, which provide an edge over other players in the market.In February 2012, Harley-Davidson launched two new mo torcycle models, namely, the Seventy-Two and the Softail Slim, further strengthening its heavyweight custom offerings. In July 2011, the company offered its customers an H-D1, a comprehensive set of customization tools. In January 2011, the company introduced new Softail motorcycles with 1584 cc engine and through its Touring motorcycles line, the company introduced Electra Glide Classic, Road King, Road King Classic, Ultra Classic Electra Glide and Electra Glide Ultra Limited touring bikes.The company’s 2010 models include nine new domestic models of heavyweight motorcycles. New model launches could help the company sustain its leadership position in the highly competitive automotive industry. Restructuring Plans Effective 2009 – 2010, Harley-Davidson announced a series of restructuring measures, which focused on reducing administrative costs, eliminating excess capacity and exiting non-core business operations.In 2009, as a part of the restructuring plan, the company consolidated engine and transmission plants, closed a distribution facility, discontinued the domestic transportation fleet, consolidated vehicle test facilities, and exited the Buell product line. In September 2010, the company’s unionized employees in Wisconsin ratified three separate new seven-year labor agreements, which take effect in April 2012 when the current contracts expire. The new contracts would allow flexibility and increased production efficiency.Harley-Davidson also repurchased expensive debt worth $300m and is expected to save $45m annually for three years. In December 2011, the company announced plans to cease its operations at New Castalloy, its Australian subsidiary producer of cast motorcycle wheels and wheel hubs; and source those components through other existing suppliers. This move was made in line with its overall strategy to develop world-class manufacturing capability throughout the company by restructuring and consolidating operations for greater competitiveness, efficiency and flexibility.Such restructuring initiatives by Harley-Davidson are expected to improve its operational performance in the long-run. * Threats New Emission Standards for Two Wheelers Harley-Davidson could face increased challenges in its two wheeler business due to the stringent emission standards. According to Dealernews. com, motorcycle industry stakeholders in Europe announced plans to increase EURO 3 emission standards to more stringent EURO 5 standards by 2015. Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motorcycles (ACEM) is likely to introduce EURO 3 standard for mopeds and Euro 4 standard for motorcycles by 2012.It also proposed the introduction of more stringent emission test cycle, and EURO 5 standard for motorcycles by 2015. Such implementations might require the company to redesign its vehicles, which could result in increased operating costs. Failure to comply with the standards could result in penalties and affect its profit margins. Procu rement of Raw Materials Harley-Davidson relies on suppliers to obtain raw materials and provide components for use in manufacturing its motorcycles. It depends on a single supplier for certain of its raw materials.Such a situation makes the company’s business dependent on the ability of the supplier to deliver the ordered raw materials in time. The rising input costs could also have a major impact on the operational costs of Harley-Davidson. Increasing pressure of the costs of commodities leads to capacity constraints, lower production and financial distress to raw material suppliers. In case of a delay in receiving the raw materials, product delivery to its customers could also get delayed, which impacts its business and customer relations.Competitive Landscape Harley-Davidson manufactures motorcycles in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Many of the company’s competitors have more diversified businesses and they may compete in the automotive market or all segments of the motorcycle market. Its motorcycle retail prices are generally higher than that of its competitors. If price becomes a crucial factor for consumers in the heavyweight motorcycle market, Harley-Davidson would be at a competitive disadvantage.Moreover, its financial services operations face stiff competition from various banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions that may have access to additional sources of capital at more competitive rates and terms, particularly for borrowers in higher credit tiers. The company’s failure to address and respond to these competitive pressures worldwide would have a material adverse effect on its market share. 1. Identify and develop a range of alternative strategic options to meet strategic aims and objectives 2. Determine and justify the strategic option that meets the revised strategic position