Demographic economics Essay

Overpopulation is an issue which is constantly being debated upon, as the very aspect of humanity is at stake here. Paul R Ehrlich, Anne H Ehrlich, Frank Furedi and Vanessa Baird bring each of their unique perspectives to the table. Ehrlich and Ehrlich, in the abstract from â€Å"The Population Bomb Revisited†, believe that overpopulation is a problem that needs to be constantly addressed for humanity to survive in the long run. On the other hand, Furedi shares his views, in the article â€Å"Really Bad Ideas: Population Control†, about how he thinks the people that perceive overpopulation as a hindrance are the real problem here rather than overpopulation itself. Baird, from â€Å"Population Panic†, takes a neutral stand on overpopulation among the 3 authors. She does approach overpopulation with caution and yet is optimistic that the issue of overpopulation will get taken care on its own the way things are flowing. Ehrlich and Ehrlich believe that the natural resources humans have available to them are limited and overpopulation will only hasten the exploitation of these resources (65). Ehrlich and Ehrlich also warn that â€Å"it is an error to consider increases in human numbers as automatically expanding real wealth† as it can be seen in the case of China and India (64).Other problems due to overpopulation would be depletion of ozone layer due to exploitation of chlorofluorocarbons and increase in carbon dioxide emissions(66). Ehrlich and Ehrlich also believe that overpopulation will eventually lead to a resource war among ourselves as â€Å"the capacity of Earth to produce food and support people is finite† (68). The only way that we can escape without having to deal with the death rate solution would be to â€Å"entrain a general population decline toward an optimal number† (68). Ehrlich and Ehrlich believe that humans will have to lower fertility rates much further if they want to survive with adequate resources (68). Low fertility rates also lead to an ageing which is ideal as it is one that can easily controlled and managed (65). Furedi detests the very idea of population control. 1) Furedi points out that we are being hypocrites by spending a lot on healthcare and trying to make sure that people can live as long as possible but also blaming ourselves as a source of the world’s problems and trying to minimize the population by carrying out birth control measures.(1) Furedi believes it is the Malthusians, such as Ehrlich and Ehrlich, that are the real problem as they promote inhuman practices such as birth control to be given such great lengths of attention.(1) Furedi discredits Ehrlich and Ehrlich ’ global warming concerns by stating that without human species, the issue would resolve by itself (2)and so the â€Å"obsession with natural limits distracts society from the far more creative search for solutions to hunger or poverty or lack of resources†(5). He also claims that Malthusians strongly lower people’s confidence in fighting future problems(5) by giving people immoral solutions such as stopping to reproduce altogether. Malthusians also enforce the use of contraception for women in poor countries by disguising the whole thing and calling it counseling about family planning which is mandatory for everyone to attend(3). Furedi wants people to start believing in themselves again and begin having faith in humanity as a whole. Furedi believes that people will never reach the â€Å"death rate solution† mentioned by Ehrlich and Ehrlich if they do not sacrifice humanity. According to Furedi, overpopulation should never have been given this much attention and spotlight in the first place. Vanessa Baird seems to recognize that there are both positive aspects and negative aspects of trying to deal with overpopulation. She approaches this topic with caution as there are estimated to be about nine billion people by the year 2050(5). Baird is still optimistic in the sense that she believes that humans are well on their way to stabilizing the populations, â€Å"Fertility rates around the world are falling. If this trend continues, it will help stabilize global population size.† (Baird,5).Baird agrees with Fureti to a certain extent about people starting to blame overpopulation for all their problems, such as child abuse, murder and increase in carbon emissions and people implement more birth control measures instead of finding other solutions to these problems. Unlike Fureti, Baird does not seem to question the moral aspect of dealing with overpopulation. Baird also does agree with Ehrlich and Ehrlich also to some extent about implementing birth control measures as she believes that there are other benefits of lower fertility rather than just population control, such as more education since there is more money available per child when resources are not stretched as much anymore(7). Finally, unlike Ehrlich and Ehrlich, Baird believes that ageing population is not such a great thing as many problems do come with it (8).Paul R Ehrlich, Anne H Ehrlich, Frank Furedi, Vanessa Baird each had their own thoughts and views on overpopulation. Vanessa Baird saw the advantages and disadvantages of tackling this overpopulation. For Frank Furedi, this was never an issue to begin with. Ehrlich and Ehrlich want more emphasis to be given on dealing with the problem of overpopulation . Work Cited Frank Furedi â€Å"Really Bad Ideas: Population Control† spiked, 18 June 2007 Paul R Ehrlich, Anne H Ehrlich â€Å"The Population Bomb Revisited.† The Electronic Journal of Sustainable Development 2009, p.64-70 Vanessa Baird â€Å"Population Panic† New Internationalist, January/February 2010

Free Essays on Son Of A Wanted Man

Son Of A Wanted Man Author: Louis L’Amour The foremost storyteller of the authentic West, L’Amour tells of the adventures of the brave men and women who settled the American frontier. Not only could L’Amour physically fill the boots of the rugged characters he wrote about, he literally â€Å"walked the land my characters walk.† Using his personal experiences along with his lifelong devotion to historical research, Louis L’Amour had the knowledge and understanding of people, events, and the challenge of the American frontier that became the hallmarks of his popularity. Every one of L’Amour’s more than 100 books is in print and there are nearly 260 million copies of his books in print worldwide, making him one of the best selling authors in modern literary history. His books have been translated into twenty languages, and more than forty-five of his novels and stories have been made into feature films and television movies. In 1983 Mr. L’Amour became the first novelist ever to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the United States Congress in honor of his life’s work. In 1984 he was also awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Reagan. Louis L’Amour died on June 10, 1988. Synopsis Of Plot: There are two main characters in this story, Mike Bastian and Ben Curry. Ben Curry adopted Mike Bastian when he found him after an Indian attack that left both of Mike’s parents dead. Ben Curry is a big man, 6’3† and 240 pounds, with a square jaw and black hair. Ben Curry is also an outlaw. Not just an ordinary outlaw either; he is the leader of a gang of outlaws, and an exceptional leader at that. It is said that Ben Curry would have been great at any â€Å"profession† he chose because he has great organizational skills. It just happens that Ben Curry’s â€Å"profession† was being an outlaw. The story opens with Ben looking for someone to turn his legacy over to, someone younger and tougher. Mike Bastian is jus... Free Essays on Son Of A Wanted Man Free Essays on Son Of A Wanted Man Son Of A Wanted Man Author: Louis L’Amour The foremost storyteller of the authentic West, L’Amour tells of the adventures of the brave men and women who settled the American frontier. Not only could L’Amour physically fill the boots of the rugged characters he wrote about, he literally â€Å"walked the land my characters walk.† Using his personal experiences along with his lifelong devotion to historical research, Louis L’Amour had the knowledge and understanding of people, events, and the challenge of the American frontier that became the hallmarks of his popularity. Every one of L’Amour’s more than 100 books is in print and there are nearly 260 million copies of his books in print worldwide, making him one of the best selling authors in modern literary history. His books have been translated into twenty languages, and more than forty-five of his novels and stories have been made into feature films and television movies. In 1983 Mr. L’Amour became the first novelist ever to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the United States Congress in honor of his life’s work. In 1984 he was also awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Reagan. Louis L’Amour died on June 10, 1988. Synopsis Of Plot: There are two main characters in this story, Mike Bastian and Ben Curry. Ben Curry adopted Mike Bastian when he found him after an Indian attack that left both of Mike’s parents dead. Ben Curry is a big man, 6’3† and 240 pounds, with a square jaw and black hair. Ben Curry is also an outlaw. Not just an ordinary outlaw either; he is the leader of a gang of outlaws, and an exceptional leader at that. It is said that Ben Curry would have been great at any â€Å"profession† he chose because he has great organizational skills. It just happens that Ben Curry’s â€Å"profession† was being an outlaw. The story opens with Ben looking for someone to turn his legacy over to, someone younger and tougher. Mike Bastian is jus...

How to Punctuate References to Dates and Times

How to Punctuate References to Dates and Times How to Punctuate References to Dates and Times How to Punctuate References to Dates and Times By Mark Nichol Where do the commas go in references to days, months, years, and time of day? Take some time to note these punctuation rules: No comma is needed between a month and a year: â€Å"The meeting was held in August 2011.† The same form is correct for referring to a holiday during a certain year: â€Å"I haven’t seen her since Christmas 2005.† However, set the year off from the month and day: â€Å"She attended the August 31, 2011, meeting.† Use a comma to set a day off from the date on which the particular day falls: â€Å"The meeting was held on Wednesday, August 31.† A continuation of the sentence requires a second comma: â€Å"The meeting was held on Wednesday, August 31, and the report was issued the following week.† No comma is required between a date and a starting time for an event on that date: â€Å"The meeting is scheduled for August 31 at 7 p.m.† A continuation of the sentence requires no punctuation unless a new independent clause is introduced: â€Å"The meeting is scheduled for August 31 at 7 p.m. and is expected to last for three hours,† but â€Å"The meeting is scheduled for August 31 at 7 p.m., and it is expected to last for three hours.† However, as in the second example in the second paragraph, the combination of day, date, and time requires organizational punctuation: â€Å"The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 31, at 7 p.m.† â€Å"The meeting is scheduled for August 31, 7-9 p.m.† (Print publications should use an en dash for the time range; some online publications do so, too.) A comma should follow the time range if the sentence continues: â€Å"The meeting is scheduled for August 31, 7-9 p.m., and will feature a guest speaker.† A reference to day, date, and time requires commas between each pair of elements: â€Å"The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 31, 7-9 p.m.† (And don’t precede a time range with from: It’s either â€Å"7-9 p.m.† or â€Å"from 7 to 9 p.m.†) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Arrive To vs. Arrive AtProved vs. Proven30 Nautical Expressions

The Role of Media in Portraying Islam as a Religion of Violence Research Paper

The Role of Media in Portraying Islam as a Religion of Violence - Research Paper Example Mass media has made a significant contribution in shaping wars, conflicts and resolutions, but it has failed in reflecting objectivity since having been criticized that it has biases towards political agenda of the western world concerning the developed world. However, the media coverage and publication concerning Islam and Muslim have been challenged by issues of accuracy and vilification of information. Scholars, media commentators and experts have been politicized after the incidence in 9/11, and this has led to the creation of a minefield for policymakers and the public, who are seeking to understand the cause of radicalism and Anti-Americanism. In fact, their convictions that establish a direct relationship between global communication and terrorism. Therefore, terrorism has been considered an indirect psychological strategy used for the avoidance of direct contact with opponents, thus if there would be no media coverage, issues about terrorism would disappear. In this case, med ia were the reason behind Muslim and Terrorist becoming synonymous; hence, after the events such as 9/11, the experts and activists in the field of human rights issued a warning against the rise of Islamophobia and racism against Muslims. References can be established from the role of media after the cold war, and the rise of the new global threat concerning Islamic terrorist, since after the attacks and the rise of religious militancy, Islam has been the target of the scrutiny. In fact, this has been facilitated by the deception of media concerning Islam as a representation of hostility.

Classroom Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Classroom Management - Essay Example This essay explores the classroom management field that demonstrates the progression of ensuring that teaching and impartation of knowledge is undisturbed by undesired students who through disruptive behavior can cause disturbance while a class is in session. The researcher states that application of management in a classroom at times can prove to be intricate while trying to teach and experiencing such crisis can cause teachers to depart. The reason behind for the departure of teachers from the teaching field is caused by the attitudes and discipline of the negative students. Classroom management can be based on motivation, discipline and respect. Every academic year witnesses the adoption of various rules and systems but unfortunately by the middle of the term most often these rules are broken. The researcher suggests that in order to understand as to how to implement CM one needs to understand the mentality of every student. Various approaches of classroom management, such as the self discipline approach wherein the student can be trusted to investigate and change their behavioral pattern. The Desist approach that was also presented in the essay proclaims that the teacher has full responsibility in controlling the classroom. In conclusion, the researcher states that the most important aspect is to construct a positive relationship between the teacher and student thereby creating a constructive educational atmosphere and sums up that every student should develop a sense of trust, sovereignty and inventiveness.

How Does The Drug Molly Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

How Does The Drug Molly Work - Essay Example Ecstasy may be called a chemical cousin to Methamphetamine. Other names are Happy Pill, X, TC, Clarity, Love Drug, Adam (The Physiologic (Biologic) Basis of Drug Addiction). The powder may be injected, snores or ingested. The drug is usually used at clubs, discos, and concerts and in other places where people need to be energetic and fearless. The drug MDMA is very dangerous and may have really unknown consequences as sometimes each pill contains different combinations of mixed substances, which have various effects. As a rule the drug makes a person alert. Negative effects of the use may be nausea, high heart rate, muscle cramping, high blood pressure, faintness, chills, sweating, tremors, involuntary teeth clenching, muscle tension, hyperthermia or even death. Side effects include anxiety, depression, the feeling of sadness, paranoia, sleep problems, confusion, irritability, fatigue, feelings of empathy and emotional sensitivity, impaired attention, dizziness, loss of appetite, con stipation, aches and pains, exhaustion and drug craving. All these effects may last from several days to a week. High doses of Molly may seize and compromise the ability of the heart to maintain normal rhythms. Molly overdose leads to panic attacks, acute delirium, loss of consciousness, disorganized thinking, overresponsive or overreactive reflexes, circulatory shock, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiotoxicity, heart damage, brain damage, organ failure, coma or death. Being short for molecule, Molly is considered to be the purest MDMA, whereas Ecstasy is usually laced with caffeine, methamphetamine or other ingredients. The Drug Enforcement Administration finds that MDMA has a very high potential of risk, that is why the most controlled substance is and is not accepted in medical treatment (â€Å"Molly,† Powder or Crystal Form of MDMA, is Popular at Music Festivals). The drug is considered to be empathogenic of the phenethylamine and amphetamine classes. Molly refers to MDMA in a cr ystal form or powder and is the highest level of purity (MDMA). Chemical formula of the drug is C11H15NO2. This industrial chemical is used as the chemical synthesis intermediate in some chemical industries. TFMPP (Triflouromethylphenyl piperazine) became a legal alternative of Ecstasy or MDMA in 2001. Being combined with benzylpiperazine (BZP) the drug is often sold as ‘legal x’, ‘A2’ or ‘legal E’. The primary precursor for MDMA manufacturing is a slightly yellow or colorless liquid, which oily and extracted from the sassafras tree (the fruit or the root-bark). Different intermediates together with various synthetic methods help to convert safrole into MDMA. The most common way is via the MDP2P intermediate (3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone) (MDMA). The properties of Molly are similar to the effects of Ecstasy. In case of overdosing a person may have hallucinogenic reactions. As it is not known what quantities and substances of the drug ar e injected, the danger of using it is very high. The content of MDMA pills varies from one region to another and from one brand to another. Another problem is that the drug may contain such active substances as ephedrine, caffeine, amphetamine, mephedrone and others which may be cheap and of very low quality. Very often pills that are sold as ecstasy have no content of MDMA having a variety of undesirable substance and drugs instead. The

The Global Fast Food Industry Marketing Essay

The Global Fast Food Industry Marketing Essay McDonalds Incorporated recognized as a premier franchising business around the world, leading global food service retailer having over estimately about 32,000 local restaurants which serve its favourite foods The World Famous -: Fries, Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets and Egg McMuffin to more than Sixty four (64) million people in 117 countries each day. Primarily , McDonalds , french fries, breakfast items, sells hamburgers, nuggets cheeseburgers, chicken ,ice -cream soft drinks, milkshakes and desserts. In response to changing consumer tastes, the company has expanded its menu to include salads, sundae , fish, wraps, and smoothies . McDonalds has made convenience a key factor in its success as below :- Convenience Restaurant locations are so prevalent in suburban towns and cities that you are never more then a few minutes away by car or by foot. McDonalds restaurants located inside for customer availability Shopping centers and strip malls generally have a McDonalds included or within walking distance ,willingness to innovate, even while striving to achieve consistency in the operation of its many outlets and also McDonalds to operate 24-hour drive-thru https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSaDWH9X4IAsCkYCWZgWNc_q4LxAEkVxQlEBJMHhRmORRuzjvBRZA https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcScMysGdHJbfJD_0k8b95FTtL_PYzGxvfNnh950cxLGQc4xZwby7g Affordability McDonalds considered as Fast food, fast-moving life Fast food has its own place in todays fast-paced life as time is limited. A recent report reveals that up to 70% of the respondents surveyed eat out every day, and among them, 77% head for fast food restaurants between one and three times a week mostly for lunch. The worlds largest restaurant chain posted 10 percent growth in its third-quarter profit that topped market estimates, McDonalds has economic downturns because of the affordability of its menu give customers the option to eat a full meal at a small cost Because of the fast-food restaurants ability to appeal to low-income and middle class families, the company continues to see profit gain. https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSq5soyD0JnZJWlswY1-RPEVWxZlIsip8aezyhd-2JoriH0oX7hhttps://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT6x5kVSJXctzLYo3ymxeo2hTCGcKkhkbsbst3J2PLvV86C2_HgeA https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSU9kbCjmlumQPiVI7YFqaps5W-Stg9zsLGJVyo17tcZOK1dAFetA Nutrition McDonalds also pledged to provide customer-friendly nutrition information on menu items. Customers have access to the caloric and fat content to make better choices. This acknowledgement of customer health has helped keep McDonalds successful. On the organizations website, McDonalds states that part of its success is due to its commitment to the well-being of customers. McDonalds established a global advisory council to provide expert guidance on nutrition and well-being. To satisfy health-conscious customers, the fast-food company began to include high-quality choices on the menu. Customers are able to choose from hamburgers or salads as their main entrà ©e. Apples may also take the place of French fries in childrens Happy Meals. French fries are considered to be one of the most sellable items. The very main reason for this is that no matter what other product the consumer is still willing to buy, but in every set French fries are included automatically https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREJNJ9dZIHZuem2xdZmHZnlEy28McSgaiYZROEwfXui7YunpWUjwhttps://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQmfq5H6VzUZLw9DPxQ_StveJlWCVxU1QprfH_5zfIp77uFNmBk The global fast-food industry is dynamic with variety of competitors. This report identify the current factors influencing the industry specifically focusing on McDonalds Corporation, which considered as the current global leader. Based on the analysis, the report identify several areas for improvement and makes strategic recommendations for McDonalds to enhance its position. . McDonald s corporations revenues come from the rent, royalties and fees paid by the franchisees, as well as sales in company-operated restaurants Proactive strategies, interesting promotions and a constant update of menus while retaining the best-selling signature items will boost the frequency of customers visits. McDonalds, for example, has chalked up impressive sales by offering seasonally-based toys with its Happy Meals. It also scored points as a frontrunner in offering free internet connectivity at its outlets when WiFi was not freely available at many public places. A McDonalds restaurant is operated by either a franchisee, an affiliate, or the corporation itself As a result, taglines such as Subways Eat fresh, McDonalds Im lOving it! and the oft-repeated story of Colonel Sanders secret recipe in Kentucky Fried Chicken can influence dining decisions https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxCB6gIIu_lggbJZTL9_HKwadqOb6DzIEmi0uw8pjdus9Q3tLUqA The earlier stages of McDonalds attracted more families than it did other categories, nowadays, McDonalds has made it clear that it positions itself to target and cater people of all backgrounds. Suitable for people of various needs and wants; from families to young children, to people who love to enjoy life to people who are on the go, and meat lovers to vegetarians, virtually anybody and everybody can find something on the menu for themselves. https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRZib45RcWFIr_BAO1s3J7mkUlJLfDrpYyCokKM_9BfT14jNJQNg https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQD0Du3jvRQNteJNUTBOXDufWNtPkgI10_GndFYvVPqgtXgtEkYlQ . Other products such as salads are relatively new in this restaurant. The first salads were added to its menu in 1985. Nowadays more and more people are concerned about their health so, McDonalds puts its all efforts to achieve more and not lose any of the potential customers. The biggest soft drink supplier is the Coca-Cola Company. Hot and iced tea is delivered by SD Coffee in the US), hot chocolate, various juice and other regional beverages such as milkshakes are available in various markets all around the globe. Desserts are considered to be the last big group of products in McDonalds restaurants. It includes such items as ice-cream (McFlurry), McDonaldland cookies, Freshly Baked cookies, Pies, Cinnamon melts, the fruit and yougurt parfait, smoothies and other items which depending on the region and country. McDonalds Business Strategy McDonalds has pursued 2 strategies since 2003. To be in the run with the fast changing customer preferences, demographics and spending patterns, McDonalds has introduced novel items in their menu including angus beef burger and premium chicken sandwiches and does campaigns to create more healthy foods including salads on the side. This strategy basically reflects the beliefs that innovation as opposed to reliability to traditional products is the key determinant towards success in the fast food industry. They have also focused more on increasing their sales at their current restaurants instead of opening new ones. To do so, McDonalds has redesigned many of their restaurants, kept their stores open till late and increased menu options. Nonetheless, new restaurants are still getting opened around the world at a rapid pace the company plans to open nearly 1,000 units in 2010, and continues to produce its new restaurants at a 1%-2% rate each year. Size Matters Size of McDonalds has three main advantages: * McDonalds has a strategy of uniform menu offerings that can be accumulation produced, lowering production costs. * Bargaining power with their suppliers reduces input costs with improved margins. * Large advertising costs mean lots of exposure towards domestic and international market. Mission. Vision. Values McDonalds brand mission statement is to Be our customers favorite place and way to eat .McDonalds are committed to improving operations and enhancing customers experience. .. world-wide operations have been aligned around a global strategy called the Plan to win cantering on the five basics of an exceptional customer experience such as :- Place, Promotion, People Products and Price Providing the excellent service to all customers and achieve the growth with a profit through strengths as McDonalds system innovation and technology This mission includes becoming of the best employer for people in each local community independently in location. The Mission: Be the best employer for our people in each community around the world Deliver operational excellence to our customers in each of our restaurants; Achieve enduring profitable growth by expanding the brand and also leveraging The vision of McDonalds is to be the best quick service restaurant in the whole world . McDonalds company states that their values in practice are the corporate responsibility of the company. . It refers to outstanding Quality, Cleanliness, High Quality Service and High Value Food in order to make every customer satisfied and made sure customer smile. McDonalds values is customer satisfaction which is very important . McDonalds show the appreciation by serving a high quality food and superior service. It is said. Their strong values helped them to become who they are and that the reason for McDonalds existence are customers. The work together with suppliers and independent franchisees to achieve a sustainable future not only for the company but for the communities in which they operate as well . They also strive to achieve a welcoming environment by greeting all customers nicely and perfectly . They are individually accountable and collectively responsible. They are achieving some goals and most importantly open lines of communication is the main value between customer and also to the other stakeholders. Another value is to be committed to people who are working to them. They do believe that working in a well-trained team with intercultural experiences and backgrounds are the core of success. The other value is that they believe in the McDonalds System. . McDonalds obliged to grow business profitably as long as it is publicly traded company. This requires not only focus on gaining more money but also on customers and the health of the whole system. Ethic in business is also one of the important values . The changing environment, customer, employee and systems need lead to the McDonalds evolution and innovation as well. PESTLE Analysis is an analytical tool for strategic business planning. PESTLE is a strategic framework for understanding external influences on a business. There are many macro-environment factors that effect strategic planning such as: New laws, tax changes, trade barriers, demographic change. Macro-environment factors includes all the factors that influence an organization, but are out of its direct control. Macro-environment factors tend to have a very long term impact. By understanding these external environments, organizations can maximize the opportunities and minimize the threats to the organization PESTLE stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental and is used for business and strategic planning, marketing planning, organizational change, business and product development and research reports. . PESTLE analysis answers 6 key questions: Political What are the political factors that are likely to affect the business? Economic What are the economic factors that will affect the business? Sociological What cultural aspects likely to affect the business? Technological What technological changes that may affect the business? Legal What current and impending legislation that will affect the business? Environmental- What are the environmental considerations that may affect the business? Political Factors Political factors relates to the pressures and opportunities brought by political institutions and to what degree the government policies impact the business. Government policies Government term and change Trading policies Funding, grants and initiatives Lobbying and pressure groups Wars, terrorism and conflicts Elections and political trends Internal political issues Inter-country relationships Local commissioning processes Corruption Bureaucracy Political Global fast-food firms must comply with country-specific political requirements, such as national minimum wage regulations, affecting costs. Hygiene and quality regulations vary significantly between nations and may influence the quality of products provided by fast-food outlets . Different countries set varying regulations regarding labelling and packaging. Economic Factors Economic factors relates to economic policies, economic structures and to what degree the economy impacts the business. Local economy Taxation Inflation Interest Economy trends Seasonality issues Industry growth Import/export ratios International trade International exchange rates Economic Despite the 2008 recession and the resulting decrease in consumer confidence across the globe, average consumer fast-food spending has increased its due to convenience and low-cost. Consumers are still looking for the convenience of eating out, but are drawn to the low prices of fast-food over table-service restaurants (Financial Times, 2009). Many fast-food chains have capitalised upon the recession by introducing new deals in addition to their already low-priced menus. Social Factors Social factors relates to the cultural aspects, attitudes, beliefs, that will affect the demand for a companys products and how the business operates. Demographics Media views of the industry Work ethic Brand, company, technology image Lifestyle trends Cultural Taboos Consumer attitudes and opinions Consumer buying patterns Ethical issues Consumer role models Major events and influences Buying access and trends Advertising and publicity Increasing consumer awareness about healthy lifestyles has pressured many fast-food players to offer healthier selections within their menus (BBC, 2011). This includes offering low-calorie options and salads alongside burgers, and prominently displaying nutritional content. The fast-food industry has also been heavily criticised for targeting young children by including toys within childrens meals Technological Factors Technological factors relates to the technological aspects, innovations, barriers and incentives, and to what degree these impact the business. Emerging technologies Maturity of technology Technology legislation Research and Innovation Information and communications Competitor technology development Intellectual property issues As consumer familiarity with new technology increases, fast-food firms are using channels such as social media websites to engage with their customers. For example, McDonalds is the 9th most liked brand on Facebook . Additionally, digital displays allow outlets to change their menus efficiently, to suit the time of day and self-service ordering points have increased service speed and reduced labour costs. Legal Factors Legal factors relates to the laws, regulation and legislation that will affect the way the business operates. Current legislation Future legislation International legislation Regulatory bodies and processes Employment law Consumer protection Health and safety regulations Money laundering regulations Tax regulations Competitive regulations Industry-specific regulations Global operators must comply with country-specific regulations and legislation. This includes opening hours, taxation and employment regulations such as the National Minimum Wage Regulations in year of 1999 in the UK. Firms are often required to meet national food standards such as the requirements set out by the US Food and Drug Administration (as known as FDA). Furthermore, authorities are becoming increasingly worried about childhood obesity associated with the industry and have tightened regulations regarding targeting children Environmental Factors Environmental factors relates to the ecological and environmental aspects that will affect the demand for a companys products and how that business operates. Environmental regulations Ecological regulations Reduction of carbon footprint Sustainability Impact of adverse weather Environmental lobbyists and governments are pressuring the fast-food firms to become more green. Rainforests are being destroyed to increase the area of land for beef production to meet the demand for beef-burgers . Recycling is a prominent global issue and in response, McDonalds adopted recyclable packaging. Increased environmental awareness among consumers provides firms with a significant opportunity to position themselves as green to garner customer loyalty Strengths of McDonalds Identification of strengths weaknesses McDonalds provides the best employees-business relationship such as providing an equal opportunity employer. As an equal opportunity employer McDonalds ensures that employees and job applicants are selected, trained, its promoted without discrimination to race, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. McDonalds brand strengths keep customer come back again For quick-service restaurant patrons the most important factors that drive loyalty to a brand are good value and convenience, with low prices and quick-service being very important as well McDonalds has a clear image lead on all of these factors, with Subway consistently being the 2nd-best performing brand and Burger King and Wendys also performing well The resource strength, behavior, weakness, synergy and distinctive competences are major components of the internal environment of an organization. . McDonalds high repeat-purchase intention scores despite their lower satisfaction scores illustrates the strength of their brand on the attributes that matter most to quick-service customers. Taking into consideration that McDonalds is a global company, working its capital in many countries worldwide and known for almost all people in the world, we can point out such strengths of this franchise:It is all about how the company manages to use its resources and put into what outcome it brings. McDonalds is the market leader in both the domestic and international markets The size of McDonalds, as it was mentioned before, its enormous and it has an advantage of economies of scale, which is very crucial for every business. McDonalds is a strong competitor for all sit-down restaurants because of its size, worldwide extent and famousness. Smaller brands need to find ways to differentiate among themselves to gain share of wallet in this ultra-competitive segment. Diversifying business worldwide in various countries let to reduce or at least to verify the risk of business and find best advantages of different countries economies. McDonalds also takes an advantage of a long-term economic growth as an international company. It is also known that McDonalds has a strong real estate portfolio, which is also considered as strength of a company. The companys outlets are located in areas that are highly known for visibility, traffic volume and ease of access. It can adapt to the needs of the societies and undergo an innovative product line. McDonalds promotes and sustains a working environment, which is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment and bullying The brand of McDonalds is easy recognised among competitors and is very strong. Through aggressive market planning, MacDonalds has been able to recapture its youth market once again. Viewing the strengths of McDonalds form consumer eyes, the strengths can be more focused on brand, famousness, quick supply of a food, good taste of food, which often lead even to an addiction of McDonalds foods, also mostly well perceived personnel polite and performing their job well. Weaknesses of McDonalds Weaknesses: Saturated Nature of Business: The company has a presence in nearly every nook and cranny the world has to offer, so there is not much more room to run McDonalds has a very huge extent in the world, has a strong strategy, feels comfortable in a market and well known brand , however, as all business it faces some difficulties or some threats and as all business has some internal weaknesses but can be identified only by professional economists, which actually cannot be always visual by individual eyes, The summary of McDonalds weaknesses might be: Looming market saturation which it can lead to difficulties in advertising new products. Recent Disappointment: Recently the company has reported declining revenues and a great strain on their same-store growth rate; however in the long-term view of things these short- term issues should not prove significant McDonalds also a low innovative company Fast growing and competitive market. That makes company to face income problems Income problems and huge competition do not let the range of production rise into value ones but makes to diversify a range of cheap and quickly made ones. Nevertheless, fast food industry is not a respected industry in most of nowadays point of view because of rising number of various diseases caused by fast, unhealthy food. Moreover, McDonalds food might seem more unhealthy and fatty food, rather then delicious. And there the price seemed as low doesnt help in case of quality of food Low Barrier to Entry: All a person has to possess to compete with McDonalds is food, and it is an under-exaggeration to say that there is fierce completion in the industry McDonalds operates in In more simple view the McDonalds might have weaknesses because of huge competition in fast food industry. Vulnerability to Rising Input Costs: The historic drought this year has already caused food prices to soar, and this will cause McDonalds to face a situation in which they raise prices for their customers or allow their margins to be squeezed, a lose-lose situation Charity McDonald House charity offers thousands of sick children in estimate about 48 countries hope and it inspires courage. They say laughter is the best medicine and nothing makes people smile more than a Happy Meal. world-policy-hero At McDonalds we recognize our responsibilities to protect and preserve the environment for future generations to come Internal and External environment analysis for Mcdonalds This McDonald business is ranked as number 1 in the Fortune Magazines 2008 list of most admired food service companies. McDonalds has been a thriving business since year 1955 and 20 of the top 50 corporate staff employees started as a restaurant level employee. Fortune Magazine 2005 listed McDonalds as the Best Place to Work for Minorities. They have an efficient, assembly line style of food preparation. In addition they have a systemization and duplication of all their food prep processes in every restaurant. McDonalds is a community oriented, socially responsible company. They run McDonald House facilities, which provide room and food ,board and sibling support at a cost of only $10 a day for families with children needing extensive hospital care. McDonald Houses are located in more than 259 local communities worldwide, and McDonald Care Mobile programs offers cost effective medical, dental and education services to children. They also sponsor Olympic athletes. They successfully and easily adapt their global restaurants to appeal to the cultural differences. Example, they serve lamb burgers in India they provide separate entrances for families and single women. McDonalds uses only 100% pure USDA inspected beef, no fillers or additives. Additionally the produce is farm fresh. McDonalds serves 100% farm raised chicken no fillers or additives and only grade-A eggs. McDonalds foods are purchased from only certified and inspected suppliers. McDonalds works closely with ranchers, growers and suppliers to ensure food quality and freshness. McDonalds only serves name brand processed items such as Dannon Yogurt, Kraft Cheese, Nestle Chocolate, Dasani Water, Newmans Own Salad Dressings, Heinz Ketchup, Minute Maid Juice. McDonalds takes food safety very seriously. More than 2000 inspections checks are performed at every stage of the food process. McDonalds are required to run through 72 safety protocols every day to ensure the food is maintained in a clean contaminate free environment. McDonalds was the first restaurant of its type to provide consumers with nutrition information. Nutrition information is printed on all packaging and more recently added to the McDonalds Internet site. McDonalds offers salads, fruit, roasted chicken, bottled water and other low fat and calorie conscious alternatives. It has branded menu items e.g. Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets, which further promote McDonalds. McDonalds Egypt: Has the second largest market share in Egypt with branches exceeding 60. Fastest delivery service provided in Egypt. Nutrition information is printed on all packaging Safety protocols and quality assurance to serve best quality food. More than 92% of suppliers are Egyptian (Halal) Efficient assembly line to serve food as fast as possible with maintaining high quality. McDonalds is the first restaurant in Egypt to provide drive through in 7 branches. Has a joint venture with shell petroleum. Sponsors many events and football teams. Cares about the environment by recycling the oil used in cooking for delivery motorcycles.