Why We Cant Wait By Martin Luther King Jr. Essays -

Services Offered To Mental Health Persons †Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: What Is The Services Offered To Mental Health Persons? Answer: Introducation These administrations are meant to people with an intense mental issue who have mixed significant degrees of unsettling due to their psychological illness.These individuals are determined to have a significant dysfunctional behavior, for example, schizophrenia or bipolar issue, yet in addition individual with conditions like extreme nervousness and character sickness or those that current situational pass that is improper and may prompt hurting themselves or mischief others.Mental wellbeing administrations for the grown-up have more issue than the adolescent, with the double determination being generally predominant (Healey, et al., 2017).Mental wellbeing administrations are medicines, appraisals, creating or making an expert relationship to help gatherings of individuals that have psychological instability or enthusiastic disease, issue or condition.The position that feels to meet all requirements for emotional wellness administrations supplier incorporate Physicians, nurture that o ffer these types of assistance to patients, authorized social specialist, physiologist and qualified family (BCM, 2017). This paper will take about a part of Victorian emotional well-being administration arrangement, depict administrations advancement and conveyance to psychological wellness strategy, and plans, and to what degree is the administration conveyance meets a person with mental issues?What changes could improve administration conveyance? Part Of Victorian Mental Health Service Provision It gives an outline of the open psychological well-being framework in Victoria, depicting its association, focusing on, and segment administrations types Who utilizes these clinical psychological well-being administrations. Numerous suppliers either private and open specialist organization manages various people with mental illness.These suppliers remember suppliers for the essential consideration areas, for example, an advisor, bolster offices, general experts, non-legislative administrations and help gatherings. Psychological well-being administrations work like tertiary clinical offices or other optional services.An individual is encouraged to visit master administration for when an essential wellbeing administration can't address their issues or for an opinion.Anybody can allude a person to visit an emotional well-being administration provider.The alluding gathering can be a companion, family, patients themselves and any specialist organization, not at all like another help where referral need to happen by means of general practitioner(Bird, et al., 2014). With triage and admission forms, psychological wellness administrations deal with every individual's reference.These administrations point essentially at individuals with a psychological issue that are more server, whose degree of impedance is high and keeps other from treating and overseeing them.Most of the people move in and out contingent upon their needs.It relies upon the period the patient treatment will last it can take numerous years or even short time.A understanding is released from the emotional well-being administration when they come back to the consideration of their professionals for the most part, or when the patient is recouped, and treatment may never again be needed.Most of the individual need are met by a mix of private and open administrations because of imparted game plan and consent to general society and private(Bird, et al., 2014). Zone based clinical administrations. Clinical emotional well-being administrations are a case of a bigger piece of wellbeing administration that contributes a greater hand on emergency clinics and network based services.Three basic program zones convey clinical psychological wellness administrations, Identifying important necessities of individuals over the life span.pThese incorporate kid and youths, grown-up and matured base people or persons.These administrations are called Area Mental Health Services since they give both private and open administrations to all gathering of people present in the general public either youthful, young age or old(Shawyer, et al., 2017). Regionalised And Statewide Clinical Services To center and support the treatment of these scatters, some statewide administrations are introduced.These administrations are profoundly subsidized to give and grow best unmistakable practices and administrations model for the individuals experiencing these psychological disorders.There such a significant number of administrations that are being set up for explicit individuals amidst emotional well-being help. Recovery and bolster administrations for Psychiatric incapacity. It is a none government psychological well-being part of Victoria in Australia; its significant job is to support shoppers and carers through the recuperation procedure and emotional well-being administrations industry as Victorian specialization. These administrations are normally referenced as non-clinical administrations. PDRSS give quality treatment and care since they are solid and productive. They are subsidized to offer quality types of assistance to individuals at the age of 16-64 years and old matured people(65 years)(Shawyer, et al., 2017). Advancement of Mental wellbeing strategy, arranging administration This approach is the rendition for a later populace that is experiencing emotional wellness issue, a structure that might be acquainted with keep up and stop, mental illness.Mental wellbeing strategy specifies a few activities to guarantee treatment is offered to those needing it while at the very time dodging ineptitude in the wellbeing system.The psychological well-being plan is a thorough plan to fulfill the goals and the variant as it is explained in the arrangement (Grob, 2014).Strategies and exercises ought to be remembered for an arrangement to make it less difficult in confronting and understanding emotional well-being sickness. Diagram of steps to agree to while creating emotional wellness arrangement and plan are Choice or strategy producers and administrations Planners. These approaches are significant suggestions for strategy improvement and key designs to deinstitutionalize psychological wellness organization, to advance a fruitful society emotional well-being services.Support is given to various nations, yet it isn't or less limited to the accompanying: Dissecting Situations And Assessing Needs For Mental Health: It encourages a few nations to oversee and unravel psychological well-being issues and break down potential approaches to fulfill the patient's needs. Likewise attempting to discover what are the reason for these psychological issues, the essential need, the accessible assets important? What are the holes while offering this types of assistance? (WHO, 2017). Help of partner conference inside nations: Reforming emotional well-being meeting and conversation of various or comparative partner is to be held in the nation. Help to improve administrations offered to psychological wellness: Providing backing to those that make arrangements to improve administrations offered to emotional well-being as a rule (WHO, 2017). Building abilities for the specialist co-op, approach producer, and wellbeing organizer: Supply capability and information to strategy creators, specialist organization and wellbeing organizer through preparing workshops on the best way to make arrangements and how to design services(WHO, 2017). Changes Could Improve Service Delivery These progressions are basic to creating and advancing the best psychological wellness administrations to the entire world especially for the individuals who have genuine emotional well-being issues.According to Hyde, (2017) the accompanying five stages were taken to improve and lessen the overburdened psychological well-being framework and to convey excellent administrations that dealt with a person with this psychological well-being ailment. Increment treatment, recuperation administrations, and anticipation: Regardless of the way that various individuals with genuine mental sickness or turmoil kick the bucket speedier than anticipated the American government chose to put resources into expanded counteraction that included lessening self destruction systems by attempting to include advocate to direct them on their current state and acknowledge who and what they are.Secondly, treatment and intercession are done after appraisal to give them right drugs that may help them in brisk recovery.Lastly, recuperation administrations like steady lodging bolstered business, and it is particularly accomplished for individuals with this issue and those near them like loved ones (Ennis Wykes, 2013). Development of emotional wellness workforce. Lack of workspace troubles the divided and underfunded emotional wellness system.Improving the administration conveyance framework and limit is met by the sufficient area of the workforce or extending the workforce.The duty of satisfactory, exclusive requirement, composed consideration and safe consideration relies upon the workforce identifications.Therefore America ought to exceptionally spend in instruction and train individuals about workforce for psychological wellness (Olfson, 2016) Extending the utilization of HIT(health data innovation). Since data innovation is the spotlight of advancement in nations and it facilitates sharing of data to the entire world with only a single tick on the internet.This may advance the development of social insurance and effort duty of populaces into administrations that help to recuperate from emotional well-being disease by means of telepsychiatry, computerized clinical archives, and self-care applications.These advances can help with recognizing the holes in care availability.Using these methods can likewise help in preparing and instruction openings in the wellbeing field, and bolster workforce (Cohen, et al., 2013). Teach the general population. Teach individual on the best way to improve psychological wellness care with the goal that they can have the option to help those in need.These should be possible by making mindfulness, make a flyer about emotional well-being care and gracefully to individuals by posting websites about emotional wellness care in the Internet, crusades and commitment in exercises to decrease separation (Mackenzie, Erickson, Deane, Wright, 2014). Put resources into examine. Putting resources into research of psychological well-being administrations helps in increasing more information about the dysfunctional behavior and discover what will assist a person with dysfunctional behavior live successfully in the collusion, improve and reestablish working and recognize the condition that is appropriate for an individual with emotional well-being issue (Ennis Wykes, 2013). End Emotional wellness administrations focus on that person that are slow-witted or with psychological well-being disorder.These administrations are to instruct the carers on the most proficient method to deal with

How to Use Essay Samples For Accuplacer Software

How to Use Essay Samples For Accuplacer SoftwareIf you are trying to write a high school or college essay, and are having difficulty finding good essay samples for accuplacer software, then you need to read this article. You will learn how to find essay samples for accuplacer software, the best places to get them, and the value that they can provide for your essay.First of all, let me tell you about why you should be using essay samples for accuplacer software. This type of software can really help you improve the quality of your essays, and it can also help you improve the clarity of your writing. In many cases, you can turn your essay into an essay analyzer by following a few simple steps.The first thing that you need to do is to look online for sample essays. You may want to see if the college you are going to apply to have anything for you to use in the form of essay samples for accuplacer software. Make sure to get some samples with some easy topics. Then make a list of these sa mples and find out which ones are more appealing to you.It's important to make notes on what you like and don't like. It may be helpful to take the time to go through your essay, making sure to reread your essay at least three times. After you have looked over a number of these samples, you will be able to narrow down the best ones for your specific situation. In many cases, you can end up with a very similar set of samples that can be used as essay analyzers to identify your strengths and weaknesses and how to improve your essay.Now that you have identified a number of good samples, it's time to begin using your essay analyzer. Make sure that you can sit down and write a full essay. I know that sometimes college students are too nervous to start writing, but you really need to do this. Do not just take notes during class time, make sure that you sit down and put pen to paper and use the software to analyze the sample essays.Read the documents and then make notes. The key here is to read and then write. The more you can do to increase your comprehension, the better.Once you have the tools to increase your comprehension, you are ready to improve your understanding of the student's strength and weakness. Look over the documents again and study your notes. From here, you can move on to the next steps of the process.Find yourself a great essay analyzer. You can find them online and in many bookstores. You can also buy a set of samples for about $20 and use them every time you need to improve your writing.

10 Threats to Monarch Migration

Though monarch butterflies as a species are not in danger of extinction in the near future, their unique North American migration may cease without intervention. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) calls the monarch migration an endangered biological phenomenon. Migrating monarchs face threats throughout their journey, from their overwintering sites to their breeding grounds. Here are 10 threats to monarch migration, all of them the result of human activities. Until we change our ways, monarchs will likely continue to decline throughout their North American migration route. 1. Roundup-Resistant Crops American corn and soybean growers now plant mostly genetically-modified crops that are resistant to the herbicide Roundup. Rather than till the soil to control weeds in their fields, farmers can now plant their crops first, and then spray their fields with Roundup to kill the weeds. The weeds, including milkweed, die back, while the corn or soybeans continue to grow. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), perhaps the most important monarch host plant of all the milkweeds, can still thrive in a tilled field. Ask any gardener who has planted a patch of it about how quickly it spreads, and how hard it is to keep from resprouting. But common milkweed (or any milkweed species, for that matter) cannot tolerate these repeated applications of Roundup on farm fields. Milkweed in agricultural fields is believed to have been a food source for up to 70% of monarchs in the past; the loss of these plants could seriously impact the population. Roundup doesnt discriminate, either, so nectar plants tha t once bloomed between crops have disappeared in these areas, too. 2. Insecticide Use This might seem like a no-brainer (and perhaps it is), but monarch populations can be impacted by exposure to insecticides, even those intended for controlling other insects. In some cases, the insecticide in question may be deemed safe to other, non-targeted wildlife, but often no studies exist to prove the product wont harm monarch butterflies. Fear of West Nile virus leads many communities to conduct aerial spraying programs of pesticides intended to kill mosquitoes, to the possible detriment of monarchs. Permethrin, for example, is used to control adult mosquitoes, but one study done by the Monarch Lab at the University of Minnesota showed that permethrin residue on milkweed foliage is highly lethal to monarch caterpillars, particularly in the early instars. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)is a bacteria that specifically targets caterpillars. It is applied aerially to forests, to combat pests like the gypsy moth, and inserted into genetically modified corn, to help the plants repel pe sts like the corn borer. Studies show that windblown pollen from GM corn can kill monarch larvae if the toxic pollen lands on milkweed foliage. Fortunately, recent research suggests Bt-laden corn pollen may not pose a serious threat to the overall monarch population. 3. Roadside Maintenance Activities Milkweed grows well in disturbed habitats like roadsides. It could be said that most monarch enthusiasts can spot a milkweed patch while driving 60 miles per hour down the highway! One would think such an easy growing host plant would give monarchs an edge, but unfortunately, the people who maintain our right-of-ways usually view milkweed as a weed, and nothing more. In many places, the roadside vegetation is mowed, often right when milkweed is at its peak and crawling with caterpillars. In some cases, roadside vegetation is treated with herbicides. As farmers eliminate milkweed from their fields with Roundup, roadside milkweed stands will be more important to migrating monarchs. 4. Ozone Pollution Ozone, a major component of smog, is highly toxic to plants. Some plants are more sensitive to ozone pollution than others. Milkweed is highly sensitive to ozone at ground level, so much so that it is considered a reliable bio-indicator of ozone pollution. Milkweed plants affected by ozone develop dark lesions on their foliage, a symptom known as stippling. While we know the quality of milkweed suffers in areas of high ground-level ozone, we know little about how this may impact monarch larvae that feed on milkweed plants in smoggy areas. 5. Deforestation Overwintering monarchs need forests for protection from the elements, and they need very specific forests at that. The population that breeds east of the Rocky Mountains migrates to mountains in central Mexico, where they can roost in dense stands of oyamel fir trees. Unfortunately, those trees are a valuable resource, and even after the monarch wintering site was designated as a preserve, logging activities continued illegally. In the 20 years from 1986 to 2006, an estimated 10,500 hectares of forest were either lost entirely or disturbed to a degree that they no longer provided suitable winter cover for the butterflies. Since 2006, the Mexican government has been more vigilant in enforcing the logging ban within the preserve, and thankfully, deforestation has decreased significantly in recent years. 6. Water Diversion Since long before the monarchs were found clinging to trees by the millions in Mexico, Mexican families have subsisted off the land in and around the oyamel forests. Local residents need water, both for their homes and for their cattle and crops. In recent years, villagers have started diverting water from mountain streams, using plastic pipes to intercept and direct it to their homes and farms. Not only does this leave streambeds dry, but it also requires the overwintering monarchs to fly longer distances in search of water. And the farther they fly, the more energy the butterflies require to survive until spring. 7. Real Estate Development California boasts some of the countrys highest property values, so its no surprise that monarchs on the west coast might get squeezed out by land developers. Both breeding habitat and wintering sites are at risk. Remember, the monarch butterfly is not an endangered species, so it isnt afforded the protections of the Endangered Species Act. So far, butterfly enthusiasts and monarch lovers have done a good job of pleading for the conservation of overwintering sites, which are scattered from San Diego County to Marin County along the California coastline. But vigilance must be maintained to make sure the monarchs keep this prime real estate. 8. Removal of Non-Native Eucalyptus Trees Why would the removal of non-native trees impact the monarch butterfly, a native species? In the mid-to-late 19th century, Californians imported and planted no less than 100 species of eucalyptus from Australia. These hardy trees grew like weeds along the California coast. Western monarch butterflies found the groves of eucalyptus trees provided ideal protection in the winter, even better than the stands of native pines where they roosted in the past. The western population of North American monarchs now relies heavily on these stands of introduced trees to see them through the winter. Unfortunately, eucalyptus is known for its propensity to fuel wildfires, so these forests are not so beloved by land managers. We may see a decline in monarch numbers where the non-native trees are removed. 9. Climate Change Monarchs need very specific climate conditions to survive the winter, and this is why their overwintering sites are limited to just 12 mountains in Mexico and a handful of eucalyptus groves in California. It doesnt matter whether you believe climate change is caused by humans (it is) or not, climate change is real and it is happening now. So what will that mean for the migrating monarchs? Scientists used climate change models to predict what conditions at the overwintering sites will be in the near future, and the models paint a gloomy picture for the monarchs. By 2055, climate change models predict the oyamel forests of Mexico will see precipitation similar to what the area experienced in 2002 when an estimated 70-80% of the monarchs in the two largest overwintering sites died. Why is wet weather so detrimental to the monarchs? In a drier climate, the butterflies can adjust to the cold by a process known as supercooling. Wet butterflies freeze to death. 10. Tourism The very people who care the most about monarchs may be contributing to their demise. We didnt even know where the monarchs spent their winters until 1975, but in the decades since, millions of tourists have made the pilgrimage to central Mexico to see this mass gathering of butterflies. Each winter, up to 150,000 visitors travel to the remote oyamel forests. The impact of 300,000 feet on the steep mountain trails causes considerable soil erosion. Many tourists travel by horseback, kicking up dust that blocks spiracles and literally suffocates the butterflies. And each year, more businesses pop up to cater to butterfly tourists, requiring more resources and creating more waste. Even in the U.S., tourism has sometimes hurt more than help the monarchs. A motel built at one of the California overwintering locations degraded the forest and caused the butterflies to abandon the site. Sources North American Monarch Conservation Plan (PDF), prepared by the Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC).Conservation Initiative in North America to Protect Monarch Butterfly, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).Monarch Butterfly Conservation in North America, U.S. Forest Service.Migrating Monarch Butterflies in Monterey County, Ventana Wildlife Society.Species Profile (Monarch), Species at Risk Public Registry, Government of Canada.The Effects of Mosquito-Control Applications of Permethrin on Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Larvae, Sara Brinda, 2004.Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Resmethrin on Nontargeted Species, Meredith Blank, 2006.

E-Commerce Offer vs Invitation to Treat - 2301 Words

Q1) Consider the legal status of Web advert and whether it would amount to an offer in law; Q2) If so, consider whether the filling in of the buy now form amounted to an acceptance of the offer; Q3) Outline the consumer buyers rights under the Distance Selling Regulations as they may apply to this sale. In this assignment I must conclude whether the advert from Surjits website constitutes a lawful offer or an Invitation to Treat. I will test this by comparing the two alternatives and assessing which is more applicable to the case study. Offer V Invitation to Treat To establish the difference between an offer by an organisation or if it is advertising an Invitation to Treat is whether the advert can be likened to that of a shop†¦show more content†¦To then complete the form would amount to confirmation of negotiations by the consumer but not acceptance of sale. At which Surjit can refuse the sale of the cameras. Surjit has not specifically stated that the sales offer was an invitation to treat. This could prove a huge problem for him because websites have not been tested against the three stage rule in the U.K of invitation to treat, offer and acceptance. It could therefore be easily argued that Surjit is bound by a contract as it seems Argos believed they might have been. The fact that Argos settled out of court raises suspicion. If the case study is to be accepted as an established offer, then Surjit would have to comply with the Distance Selling Regulations 2000 (DSR 2000). These regulations are to protect consumers by insisting that influential information is supplied to customer before and after the contract has been entered. If email has been used to provide information to the seller then it is deemed fit for this method of communication to be used to inform consumers. The information in regulation to the Distance Selling 2000 includes; 1. the identity of the supplier and (where the contract requires payment in advance) the suppliers address; 2. a description of the main characteristics of the goods or services; 3. the price of the goods or services, including allShow MoreRelatedAustralian Business Law Summary6492 Words   |  26 Pagescontracts) Topic 3b: Elements of a simple contract 1. intention to create legal relationship - presumed in commercial but not family/social relationships; rebuttable by evidence 2. Mutual agreement - often proven by identifying separate offer amp; acceptance; can also be proven by circumstances / conduct 3. Consideration - promises need to be mutual, from each party to the other. 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Intercontinental Group Hotels Based In US †Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Intercontinental Group Hotels Based In US? Answer: Introducation Hotel Indigo is one of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) launched in 2003 in US. Since then, it has experienced a rapid growth that has seen it operating in all the four regions of IHGs. It is taken a position in the sector as an upscale boutique brand which specializes in delivering a refreshing and inviting guest experience. Although it is set to double in size the portfolio in the coming years. Currently, there are 70 Hotel Indigo branches found within US and other continents like Asia, United Kingdom, Costa Rica and Canada (IHG, 2017, p. 2). There are more than 9,515 open rooms. In 2011, Hotel Indigo was ranked highest in guest satisfaction by the 2011th North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study. This was made possible by the dedicated staff at the hotel. In fact, the 2010 IHG employee survey showed that 93% of Hotel Indigo employees love working here (IHG, 2017, p. 2). Some of the services offered by Hotel Indigo include; Bar/bistro, 24 hour business center and fitness studio, spa-inspired bathrooms, plush bedding, luxurious guest rooms, gust loyalty programs and locally reflective designs. Moreover, the hotel provides a Priority Club Rewards system that has more than 61 million members (IHG, 2017, p. 2). This is the largest number in the hotel industry. Campaign strategy Developing a strategy needs an extensive research to understand the business environment and main competitors. I hereby provide three strategies that could be used by the management to move the business forward. The alternatives for the company are; concentric diversification, market development and market penetration. These strategies are built on the nature of hotel management like our clients and suppliers. If implemented well, these strategies will result to an increase in sales and the general profitability of Hotel Indigo. Then a decision matrix is provided to help arrive at the best alternative. Concentric diversification strategy This strategy involves adding new or related products to the market. For example, in Britain, the National Westminister Bank PLC bought Legal General Group PLC.As a result, the company recorded higher profits in consequent years (Christopher, 2016, p. 35). To make this strategy efficient, Hotel Indigo will need to have a strong management team that can handle change effectively. Possibly they may experience an initial decrease in hotel bookings because more customers will be reluctant to experience new services. The management team will need to take charge and assure staff and clients that there is no need for worry because things will improve once customers have familiarized with the new services. Market development strategy This strategy involves introducing present products and services into a new geographic area. For example, Khuzendar Company that deals in tiles introduced its products in the Gulf region (Ray, 2016, p. 42). As a result, the company made more profits and instilled customer loyalty among its customers in that region. Hotel Indigo needs to apply this strategy to introduce hospitality services to markets in other regions apart from the US, UK, China and Canada. For example, there is an increase in demand for hospitality organizations in countries like Rwanda which is experiencing an increase in the number of tourists coming to see wildlife. Meaning, this industry is gradually becoming global justifying the need for Hotel Indigo to expand to other regions worldwide. However, the management should be ready to hire more staff since expansion means a larger workforce. Also, more resources are needed to do market research in terms of cultural orientations Market penetration This strategy is used by a business when it is seeking increased marketing share through intensive marketing programs. For example, Ameritrade doubled their advertising revenues to $200 million (Ray, 2016, p. 43). This move convinced consumers that the company was in a position to make wise investment decisions. Hotel Indigo should use this strategy to increase the rate of usage of services by customers. This is because the hotel and hospitality management industry is not saturated (Christopher, 2016, p. 36). Moreover, the market share of big players in the industry is gradually declining hence Hotel Indigo can make good use of this opportunity by penetrating the market more. The social marketing theory outlines elements that could be used by Hotel Indigo to increase market share. The main objective of this theory is to understand ways in which psychological and societal aspects work and lead to effective mass media campaigns. Therefore, the theory is directed towards helping identify the various social and psychological barriers that challenge the free flow of information in mass media and suggest ways to overcome the same. For the purpose of market penetration campaign strategy, it would be best to focus on three elements of this theory; creating messages, right audience target and reinforcing messages. Usually, the first step in selling an idea, behavior or product is through making people aware of its existence. This can be done through readily available channels like traditional and electronic media. Having a saturation television has for a long time been preferred as the best way of creating awareness. However, due to its high nature, people have come to adopt new media like the Internet whose main strength is it wide audience reach. Specifically, seeking the services of the Internet helps to reach young people, who do not use traditional media like television and newspaper frequently. Every type of information has its designated target. This theory holds that before packaging and disseminating information, an analysis should first be done to determine the specific audience that requires the information (Truong, 2015, p. 238). This helps in identifying the efficient and appropriate means of transmitting the message. Additionally, it helps in cutting costS and ensures that the message has reached a wide audience. Similarly, the effectiveness of a message depends on the extent of reinforcement. This is because people tend to forget new messages hence it is necessary to ensure that they are repeatedly reminded of it (Morschett, 2017, p. 85). This is the main idea of reinforcing a message; ensuring that the information does not go with the wind. Reinforcement can be done through a variety of channels such as using mass media; conducting debates over ways in the message can be reinforced, carrying out group discussions etc. Eventually, people are transformed into agents of the massage through reinforcement. To influence decisions, people may follow different paths depending on the set goals set. Theories are not only bodies of knowledge but they also aid in decision making hence often applied by many organizations to improve quality and productivity (Silva, 2015, p. 87). Social marketing theory is directed towards helping identify the various social and psychological barriers that challenge the free flow of information in mass media and suggest ways to overcome the same. Therefore, Hotel Indigo can improve its market share through making more people aware of their food delivery services and the future plans to accommodate more products in their list. Key decision-criteria Evaluating strategic alternatives is a difficult task. This is because the decision should be meet a certain criteria to be implemented. This report uses the decision matrix to weigh the three alternatives suggested. The group gives out the criteria to evaluate the alternatives. The factors to be tested are: profitability, customer satisfaction, acceptable risk, flexibility, and implementation ease and employee morale. All criteria are equal hence a simple ranking order is best for this project. We have used a 1-5 ranking. 1 refers to the method that least meets criteria and 5 indicate the method that best meets the criteria. The following is a decision matrix we used to weigh the alternatives. Decision matrix Alternatives Concentric Diversification market development Market penetration Criteria Profitability 4 3 5 customer satisfaction 2 3 4 Acceptable risks 2 4 3 Flexibility 2 2 3 Implementation ease 3 3 5 Employee morale 4 5 3 Totals 17 20 23 From this matrix, it is seen that market penetration is the best alternative for Hotel. It will help the company achieve competitive advantage through delivering a luxurious hotel experience that cannot be found in or matched with any other hotel. Also, it will help the hotel maintain its position in the hotel industry market shares. Target market for market penetration The target market for this campaign strategy is divided in three categories; demographics, behavioral and attitudinal. In terms of demographic, the target market consists of 50% male and 50% female. They should be between 35 and 54 years who are married (IHG, 2017, p. 3). They may also have children. Lastly, in this category, the market is made up of people graduates earning between $70,000 and $200,000. In terms of behavior, this campaign is directed at people who like staying at the hotel for both leisure and business. Also, it is directed at people looking for something different and brand benefits (Babbie, 2015). More importantly, the campaign is directed at people who are passionate about intimacy and personalized experience. Lastly, in terms of attitudes, the market penetration strategy is targeted at people in developed countries who are lovers of technology and use it for most daily activities. People in this category love traveling and exploring but are less worried about over the top service (Babbie, 2015, p. 57). Similarly, they have an eye for design because Hotel Indigo is passionate about customizing hotel rooms and experiences to local cultures. Competition The main competitors of Hotel Indigo are Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood suites. One of the qualities that make customers prefer competitors over them is budget. Compared to the 4 hotels, Hotel Indigo charges higher rates. This means that during harsh economic times, customers prefer competitors for offering services within their budget. According to IHG hotels survey conducted in 2010, the hotel industry experienced a shift in market share. For example, in the previous survey, Holiday Inn had a 3% market share in the hotel industry but by 2010, the number increased to make up 5% (Grant, 2016, p. 32). This shows that there is stiff competition between players thus a need for Hotel Indigo to implement a campaign strategy that will increase demand for their services worldwide. This can be made through increased marketing programs that use social media. This channel is effective because of new trends in the target population. Today, people prefer to use the Internet for activities like shopping, education and entertainment. Therefore, it is more convenient for them to search for information regarding Hotel Indigo through social media pages or referential from friends who have used the social media and watched TV adverts. Hotel Indigos main competitors have not yet implemented market penetration campaign using social media. This is a big opportunity for Hotel Indigo. If implemented effectively, it could increase its market share, productivity and profitability. Communication channels For this campaign, we shall use social media as a channel of communicating about our brand, create unique content, optimize content, follow-through and track results. Social media consists of platforms like Website, Facebook, Youtube and Twitter (Haddon, 2016, p. 8). The following diagram shows how we shall use social media to enable the market penetration strategy through providing information, starting interesting conversations online, answering customer questions and helping in travel plan: Increased and improved use of social media in market penetration will enable Hotel Indigo achieve three main things; Creating new demand, converting lookers to bookers and retaining guests. In creating demand, it will ensure that the brand is exposed to new potential customers in compelling and relevant ways (Ray, 2016, p. 46). Consequently, we will achieve more calls, clicks and visits. Similarly, it will ensure that people who visit the social media sites are persuaded to make new bookings because of finding options satisfying their needs. Lastly, using social media will help in retaining our guests. This is through ensuring that what we have promised on the sites is seen through hotel experience. Promotional mix The main element of promotional mix to be used in market penetration is advertising. It is a form of non-personal promotion. Therefore, the company will be required to pay various media outlets to promote the features of Hotel Indigos services. Because the company has hotels worldwide, it would be best to use a medium that has a wide coverage. For example, it could international TV stations like CNN and BBC. Using these channels will equally contribute to increase in demand for our hotels in regions where we are not yet established. It will also make customers used to our hotel experience to continue booking us. Advertising will contain information on the locations of the hotels, website, booking processes and neighborhood features finanacial. This element of promotional mix will increase the rate of bookings thus increasing profitability. In addition to advertising, the hotel could also employ public relations. This method will not only reinforce the advertising messages but also create customer loyalty and favorable image for the hotel. For example, the hotel can give regular news releases announcing its progress. Also, it can take part in community projects. Key Performance Indicators To know the progress of a strategy, it must me measures against to show its success, failure or weakness. In this section of the report, the KIPs of market penetration strategy are explained. Occupancy This is the percentage of available rooms occupied during a particular period. This metric is essential in measuring the performance of a strategy by demonstrating the efficiency and effect on the operations of the hotel (Jorgensen, 2016, p. 339). In context of market penetration strategy, it will help in identifying the increase in Indigo Hotel bookings. Average Room Rate (ARR) This metric is used to measure the average price paid per available room. This way, it enables the hotel to measure profitability and financial performance of the strategy (Jorgensen, 2016, p. 340). If the prices of rooms go higher because of increase in demand resulting from the company having new visitors and customers, then the strategy would be effective and should continue to be implemented. Revenue Per Available Room (RevPar) It is used to measure the average room revenue per available room. It is best suited for conducting a comparative study of past and current performance (Jorgensen, 2016, p. 342). It is usually viewed using other factors like profitability and financial performance. In the context of market penetration strategy, this metric helps in understanding comparing the cost of the marketing programs and revenue generated from rooms. Market occupancy This metric is used to measure the demand for rooms using the average supply in a particular market (Jorgensen, 2016, p. 343). This is made possible by data on the performance of hotel industry on internet sites like Trending. If there are increases in demand for Hotel Indigo rooms in a particular region, this would mean that the hotel is making progress in that area hence contributing to the general profitability of the hotel. Market penetration index This measures the occupancy of the hotel in relation to market occupancy levels. It helps in indicating the market control of hotels based on operational parameters (Jorgensen, 2016, p. 344). This KPI enables companies to assess performance in comparison to competitors in the market. It helps in improving competitive advantage. Budget Item Price days Total 1 Website designer $650 4 $2600 2 Advertising on CNN $5,000 for 30 seconds 30 $150,000 3 Website (Home page lead feature) $1500 4(per week) $6,000 4 E-newsletter $100 4 (per week) $400 Total monthly budget $159,000 This program should be run for 3 months. The web designer is necessary to improve the outlook of the hotels website and other social media pages. In conclusion, this report proposed and analyzed the market penetration campaign strategy to be used by Hotel Indigo. Also, it provided the communication channels best suited for market penetration and Key Performance Indicators to be used in assessing the performance of the strategy. Implementing a strategy is a process that needs cooperation and collaboration to be successful. Therefore, I would recommend that all stakeholders be included in the process. References List Babbie, E. (2015). The Practice of Social Research. Nelson Education . Christopher, M. (2016). Logistics supply chain management. Pearson UK. Grant, R. M. (2016). Contemporary strategy analysis: Text and cases edition. John Wiley Sons. Haddon, L. (2016). The Social Dynamics of Information Communication Technologies. The Journal Of Internet Banking and Commerce , 5-12. Hubble, E. (2017, February 7). 7 Food Delivery Industry Trends for 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017, from https://www.veinteractive.com IHG. (2017). Our Story. Retrieved August 30, 2017, from IHG: https://www.ihg.com Morschett, R. G. (2017). Determining the Target Markets. In Developing International Strategies , 85-104. Ray, J. (2016). Abercrombie Fitch: A Strategic Position. Silva, E. (2015). Social marketing for women's health control. Journal of social marketing , 89-97. Truong, V. (2015). Social marketing quarterly. Elsevier , 230-248.

The Comedy of Stephen Crow Essay Example For Students

The Comedy of Stephen Crow Essay Enter the second decade of 21th century; Stephen Chow’s new movie Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons has won more than two hundred million dollars box-office, which became the second best-sold film in Chinese film history. Stephen Chow and his comedy style once again became the focus that media and people pay attention to. Stephen Chow, this name may be not that familiar to western audiences. However, as a comedian, Chow began as an extra for the television station. He became quite well known for his movie The Final Combat (1989). After this, he initiated his â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† comedy style. We will write a custom essay on The Comedy of Stephen Crow specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now He created more than 30 comedian characters in 1990’s Hong Kong film and became Hong Kongs undisputed No. 1 comedian. As a director, his â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† comedy style became more meaningful and serious. His films again and again refresh the box-office. Time magazine once said he is the hero of Asian, because his films not only rescued Hong Kong film market in 1990’s but also reflected part of Asian culture in that period. This research is focus on his comedy style, especially â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† style and its influence. â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† is a Cantonese term that may be loosely translated as â€Å"with no source†, but is generally used to mean â€Å"makes no sense†. Regarded as an integral part of Hong Kongs popular culture, it is considered by some as being unique and untranslatable. Compared to Wacky Comedy film for a Western cousin, â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† movies have a greater attention on puns and other Cantonese word tricks1. Mo Lei Tau is not just funny, the funny thing actually implies a profound cultural connotations. Through the odd funny Mo Lei Tau way of expression, his films convey his profound thinking of modern circumstance. As for â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† comedy, which is characterized by a â€Å"nobody† protagonist, happy ending, golden straight men, post-modernism and serious topics, etc. In this research, three Stephen Chow’s classical movies will be used to analysis its style. A Chinese Odyssey (1995), King of Comedy (1999) and Kong Fu Hustle (2004) are three representative works. In these three films, â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† style’s characteristics are distinct and remembered by all audiences. A â€Å"Nobody† Protagonist Almost each Stephen Chow’s movie has a â€Å"nobody† protagonist. The roles Stephen Chow plays in these movies are always common, ordinary, even inferior which are close in identity and cognition to us that could express our inner voice and appeal covertly, implicitly as the man of people in his movies. Stephen Chow’s â€Å"Mo Lei tau† comedic type has a great relation with his personal experience. Stephen Chow grew up in the grass-root class, so he knows the living conditions of the grass-root people from the hardships of rough life. Although he comes from the grass-root class, but Stephen never give up his dreams. In A Chinese Odyssey, Stephen Chow acts two roles in this film. One is Joker, the other one is Monkey King. As we can see, in this film, Joker is just a bodgie. He runs a gangster inn and has nothing to do all day long. The only source of income for him and his gangs is to rob his tourists. However, all tourists come to his inn are full of power and magic. As a result, ironically, as a gangster, Joker becomes the â€Å"weak† one to serve his tourists. Instead of abhorring him, audiences have a sense of sympathy to him. In The King of Comedy, Yin (Stephen Chow), the protagonist regards him as an actor. He likes performance. His obsessive dedication to every tiny aspect of his acting roles irritates everyone around him and scuppers his chance to land a bit-part in an action movie. He acts as a background actor for the film, but he always makes trouble to them. Nobody respects him. .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 , .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .postImageUrl , .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 , .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:hover , .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:visited , .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:active { border:0!important; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:active , .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68 .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u06c6399d2a0c4b1e311781da1cd25b68:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Ancient Greek Mythology Of Bond Films EssayOn-set caterer is continually denying him the lunchbox. Even whores are calling him â€Å"stupid extra†. This is a typical â€Å"nobody† character. This role seems like a deeply personal film for Chow, one that harks back to his early days as a struggling unknown. In Kong Fu Hustle, this characteristic is also distinct. Sing (Stephen Chow), a loser in life who aspires to join the Axe Gang. At first, this character is rebarbative. Because older kids bullied him in his childhood, he is also trying to bully the kind people when he grew up. This kind of â€Å"Nobody† figures become foundation stones to these f ilms. All of those characters can be deemed to losers of life. However, Stephen Chow always gives people hope in his film. Instead of becoming corrupt, those characters all become heroes at the end of the films. What’s more, this refers to another characteristic of Chow’s comedy, which is the happy ending. Happy Ending Comedy, wins a reputation for â€Å"ALL’s well that ends well† through sudden and unlike reversal of fortune, for example, ending happily, falling in love with each other or getting married. Comedy is a serious act. Comedians usually wear a poker face. Comedy can solely be â€Å"savored† and â€Å"digested† within specific contexts, including how we expect and assume the world in which we live because â€Å"nothing is just comic: thing are comic in particular ways and for particular reasons. † Stephen Chow’s movies can be the best epitome of this aspect. In A Chinese Odyssey, he defeats all the demons when he transformed into Monkey King. With transforming back to Joker, he at last falls in love with Zi Xia faery. In King of Comedy, after a somewhat successful sting, Yin finally becomes famous through a performance of the Thunder Storm. In Kong Fu Hustle, at last, Sing becomes a master of Kong Fu. He not only defeats the worst gangster, but also wins the young lady’s heart and falls in love with her. Those movies all end consummately that the villains get their just deserts. Good overcomes evil. The male and female protagonists fall in love with each other or enjoy marital bliss. Those all reveals people’s desire toward the positive, the pessimistic and the nasty which are rooted in human’s nature. We all laugh for the blessing of the good and the contempt of the bad. These kinds of themes are full of Stephen Chow’s other movies. Golden Straight Men Apart from Stephen Chow’s excellent acting ability and performance talent, the golden straight men in his movies further complement and consummate the sense of humor and elicit more laughter from the audiences. Stephen once said that there is no extra in his film. Every actor has his own characteristic in his film and audience will remember each of him or her. When mentioned about Stephen Chow’s movies, there is another actor that cannot be ignored. Wu Mengda, Stephen Chow’s best straight man. They had worked together in a series of â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† movies. There is a saying that without Wu’s sacrifice? Stephen Chow couldnt reach such a success today. Most of those characters that Wu acted are harlequins. With his exaggerated performance, he also owes much of his popularity. In A Chinese Odyssey, Wu acts as Joker’s second-in-command in that gang. He is a man full of wicked ideas, a flattering and a faithless man. However, in a comedy, everything seems possible. Contribute by this kind of character design; audiences regard him as an un-alternative role. He is the most important person who pushes plots forward. In King of Comedy, he is just the on-set caterer who is continually denying Chow the lunchbox. This plot leads to another storyline of film and pushes the whole story to the climax. Among those straight men, Li Jianren is another unforgettable â€Å"buffoon character† with his branded gesture- picking his nose, which leaves the audience an ineradicable impress. Each appearance in Stephen Chow’s movie, he goes with this same character, which becomes a symbol of Chow’s â€Å"Mo Lei Tau† style. In Kong Fu Hustle, he also acts this role.

history of Mr. Biggs Restaurant from 1986-2006

history of Mr. Biggs Restaurant from 1986-2006 Free Online Research Papers Mr Biggs a division of U.A.C Nigeria Plc which is regarded as one of Nigeria’s fastest growing Quick Service Restaurants. It was founded in 1986 and since then, has played pace setting role in Restaurants Services. This work tries to critically examines the Origin, Vision and Contributions of Mr Biggs to the economy of Nigeria and also Lagos state where most of its outlets are situated. Thus, this research would also shed more light on the growth and expansion rate of Mr Biggs and its influence in the fast food industry in Lagos. Statements of Research Problem The increase in population in Lagos and the need for Quick meals {fast food} has Mr Biggs been able to meet with the demands of its customers? Or being regarded as one of the pioneers of Quick Service Restaurants in Lagos. What has been the role of Mr Biggs? Hence with the need of expansion and recent experience of explosion. Has Mr Biggs been able to maintain its standards? In addition, with the emergence of other Quick Service Restaurants in Lagos, how has Mr Biggs an already established brand survived and coped. Thus, as a brand of U.A.C, what is the targets, aim and has it measured up to standard. Significance of Study This work will reveal and examine, the origin, mission and will also lay emphasis on the critical analysis of the contribution and acceptance of Mr Bigg’s in Lagos and its environs i.e. Nigeria at large. It would serve as a manuscript for a wide range of audience particularly students, caterers, food technologist, investors, industrialist and the general public. Scope of study Invariably, this research work will cover the history of Mr Bigg’s from 1986-2006 a period of twenty years. And this would include examining the impact, role and challenges and also most importantly their contribution to Lagos and also the developmental process of Mr Biggs. Methodology This work will make use of both primary and secondary sources that would enhance a comprehensive and explanatory history of Mr Biggs. It would involve personal interviews, books, journals and research works. Chapterization Introduction Proposal and literature review Chapter 1 Origin of the United African Company (UAC) and the evolution of Mr Bigg’s (1879-1986) Chapter 2 Growth and development of Mr Bigg’s in the past twenty years (1986-2006). Chapter 3 The Nigerian business environment and the Mr Bigg’s experience LITERATURE REVIEW Food business in Nigeria and every other country or nation is very important. Food is the survival (agriculture) of a nation. It is very important in the economic growth and development of a nation or a country. Agriculture which is the foundation of food business brings it i.e. food products closer to the people living in the urban or metropolitan area who cannot engage in farming, not only that food business makes it easier for people who leave their home early for work to get what to eat from a fast-food or an eatery. Though no work has been written on Mr. Biggs. And Mr. Biggs which is into food business has no existing books on it as said earlier but there are related books on food. Some of these books are reviewed: F.A Paine, H.Y. Paine(ed) in the book titled, A Handbook of packaging. The author attempts to discuss how food should be packaged to improve packaging. Food packaging brings about durability. The book is written for food technologist wishing to understand more about the aspects of packaging technology that is relevant to the preserving, distribution and marketing of a particular food or product. Food packaging has been described as a complex, dynamic, scientific and controversial segments of business. But is best described as a techno-economic function aimed at minimizing cost of delivery while maximizing sales (and hence profit). The need for packaging is necessary for every kind of food both fresh and processed. Containment, protection and preservation, communication, machinability and convenience and use are very important in food packaging. David Foskett, Victor Caserani and Ronald Kinton in the book titled, The Theory of Catering. The book is designed to meet the needs of those training for involved in the catering industry. Catering is divided into various aspects namely Commercial catering, Public Sector catering. This book provides an insight on the various ways or aspect of catering which involved food business. Catering in Mr. Biggs is different from that of motels or hotels. Betty .C.Hobbes, Diane Roberts in the book, Food Poisoning and Food Hygiene. The aim of the book is to bring facts about the causes of food poisoning and other food-borne disease to the attention of those concerned with food microbiology and food hygiene on order to improve preventive measures. It is aimed to interest those requiring. a more practical and general knowledge of the relevant organism in relation to food and its preparation. This book also gives example of food poisoning outbreak, and also include aspects of Epidemiology and microbiology specification a chapter on spoilage and preservation also in personal hygiene. Mr. Biggs has to take this in to consideration since they are dealing with the entire public as a whole and will not want anything that will tarnish their name and products and also affects the health of their customers. Dennis Lillicrap, John Cousins and Robert Smith in the book Food and Beverage Service. The book is aimed to cover the basic knowledge necessary for those involved at a variety of levels of food and beverage system. Food and Beverages is not an end in itself but part of the business of hotel and catering operations. Its engagement in the hospitality industry is concerned with the provisions of food and drink ready for immediate consumption. Food and Beverages is concerned with the market served by the various sectors of the industry and consumers needs. This book did not talk about food production and a business i.e. fast-food but all it is concerned with is what is been sent to the market. Barbara Burlingame in her article titled food processing and the fate of food components. In this article it shows the process that food undergoes in one way or the other affects the nutrients in either positive or negative way. Safety of food is affected by processing for better as is the case with reducing cyanogens in cassava and affects food for worse as in the case of iron and freeze-thaw cycles in fish. This work seeks greater insight into the fate of food components in our processed food supply and will not affect our health. Shailesh Kumar, Bill Aalbersberg in the article, Nutrient Retention in Food after Earth-Oven Cooking compared to other forms of domestic cooking. This article deals with how nutrients are lost or retained in foods. Nutrient retention food is determined in the methods of cooking favorable best but that greater vitamins are more retained in microwave cooked foods. Also that nutrients can be retained in slightly low heated foods and also length of cooking determine nutrients in food. Since difference in the retention of vitamins in food is cooked by different methods is very distinctive, it provides a fair view of a more favorable cooking method. Here it shows that microwave cooking is more desirable than earth- oven cooking as it retains more nutrients and vitamins. Alvardo Toledo, Barbara Burlingame in the article, Biodiversity and Nutrition: A common path towards global food security and sustainable development. Food composition provides an important link for biodiversity and nutrition. The aim is to promote sustainable use of biodiversity in programme contributing to food security and human nutrition .Biodiversity managements plays a significant role against malnutrition. Heli Reinovvo, Heikki Pakkala in an article Food Composition On The World Wide Web:A User-centered perspective. The World Wide Web is widely used for presenting food composition data the web appears to be a suitable forum for presenting food composition information to the nutrients . It is also important that the site contain search terms that users feel natural ,including commonly used food names. In final analysis ,these books and journals are of immense importance to these research work. The work includes or involve both secondary and primary sources. The authors though through their methodology and style have provided what is needed for this work. These work would show how food are been packaged so as to enhance marketing and sales and so also is catering for the kind of foods so as not to loose their nutrients and vitamins. Also is being aware and keeping from food poisoning and contamination which could endanger the health of the entire public(customer). With these books above, I will be able to write on food business which Mr. Biggs is involved. CHAPTER 1 ORIGIN OF UNITED AFRICAN COMPANY (UAC) AND THE EVOLUTION OF MR BIGGS (1879-1986) The various arguments concerning the morality of colonialism has often been a basis for argument among both Eurocentric and Afro centric scholars. For instance Walter Rodney in his book How Europe Underdeveloped Africa was simply concerned with â€Å"how Europe underdeveloped Africa†. â€Å"The only positive development in colonialism† Rodney writes â€Å"was when it ended.1 Such simple moral judgements clearly shows Rodney’s polemical purposes. African colonialism has been replaced by subtler though equally pervasive mechanism for exploitation, which are beyond the scope of Rodney’s study. The central question should henceforth not be on the justification of colonialism whether it was good or bad, but and understanding of the processes of change, that have occurred owing to European penetration. Consequently, it is the aim of this work to advance an understanding of the process of change that led to the formation of Mr Biggs a leading confectionary in Nigeria which with it origin properly dated, it predates the Nigerian state itself. It explores the factors for growth and expansion and also the impact and challenges of the company considering the epileptic and unfriendly state of the Nigerian business environment. The history of Mr Biggs would not be properly understood if the history of United African Company of Nigeria – the mother company of Mr Biggs, is not exhaustively examined. United African Company (UAC) of Nigeria Plc has a rich and varied history of successful enterprise that pre-dates the geographical entity called Nigeria. The rumps of the Companys early days can be traced to the activities of European traders and commercial activities. The Company has evolved through a series of mergers and acquisitions and restructurings as the various entrepreneurs sought to enthrone profitable and enduring enterprises. One of the most significant developments in the companys history was the setting up of the Royal Niger Company, which was chartered between 1672 and 1750 to administer the territory that would later become Nigeria.2 In 1879, the United African Company was found following the merger of four Companies trading up the River Niger: Alexander Miller Brother Company, Central African Trading Company Limited; West African Company Limited and James Pinnock.3 Following the intense rivalry among the European nations in the 1880s, The National African Company Limited was floated to take over the assets of The United African Company. In 1886, The National African Company Limited was Chartered Limited when the British Government issued it a Charter after the Berlin Conference. The logo of the Royal Niger Company was a device with three arms symbolizing the main waterways of the territory; on each arm was a single short word: ARS, JUS, PAX4 PAX stood for â€Å"peace and order† which the Company evolved to stem the â€Å"anarchy and barbarism of the Niger Territories † and safeguard the â€Å"numerous British and French trading interests in the Niger, which unity of action was an absolutely necessary antecedent to successful trade†¦.†5 ARS refers to the skill in trade and liberal arts, which practical benefit European civilization brought to the millions in Central Africa. The subjective aspect is ingenuity commercial and political without which Unity and Equity would have failed.6 JUS is the actual law and legal rights established by public authority (the Royal Charter), without which peace would be unstable and the progress of commerce and arts hopeless. It represented just conduct and equity a pre-requisite for legitimacy.7 In 1889, the merger of eight firms that were operating in the Oil Rivers area incorporated The African Association. In 1892, The Royal Niger Company brought in Captain Lugard (later to be known as Lord Lugard) to help protect its interest in Nigeria. Lord Lugard would later become the first Governor-General of Nigeria. Following the revocation of the charter, Royal Niger Company changed its Company name to The Niger Company Limited in 1900.8 In 1919, Lever Brothers Limited bought The Niger Company Limited. That same year, The Miller Brothers Limited and the African Association united to form the African Eastern Trade Corporation. On March 3, 1929, The United Africa Company was formed by the joint agreements of The African Eastern Trade Corporation and the Niger Company (Owned by Lever Brothers Limited).9 UAC was first incorporated in Lagos, Nigeria under the name Nigerian Motors Ltd on April 22, 1931 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the United Africa Company Ltd. (a subsidiary of Unilever), which later became UAC International. The Companys name was changed to United Africa Company (Nigeria) Ltd on 23rd July 1943. It became The United Africa Company of Nigeria Ltd on 1st February 1955 and started acquiring, over a period of five years, a large part of the business of UACI. In 1960 C.W.A. Holdings Ltd, England also a subsidiary of Unilever, acquired UACIs interest in the company.10 The name was changed to UAC of Nigeria Limited on 1st March 1973. In compliance with the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Act 1972, 40 percent of the companys share capital was acquired in 1974 by Nigerian citizens and associations and in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Act 1977, an additional 20 percent of the UACs share capital was publicly offered in 1977, increasing Nigerian equity participation to 60 percent.11 The name UAC of Nigeria Plc was adopted in 1991.In 1994, following the divestment of 40% interest in the Company by Unilever PLC; the Company became a wholly owned Nigerian Company. The transformation of UAC from a trading behemoth into a leading manufacturing concern, even though it took root in the 1980s, was given serious impetus in 1990s, following the exit of the company from its trading businesses.12 In early 2000, UAC further embarked on a series of business restructuring with a thorough portfolio review and switch of focus to value-adding operations. This has led to an era of focused growth on the foods, real estate, logistics and automobile sectors.13 UAC has an active foreign investor, Actis, which holds 20% of the Companys equity. Today, UAC has become a Food–focused Conglomerate with leading brands such as Mr Bigg’s, Gala, Grand Oils, Supreme, SWAN Natural Spring Water and Gossy Spring Water. The Companys brand portfolio also includes franchised international food brands such as Nandos, Creamy Inn, Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn and Dial-A-Delivery.14 Mr. Biggs is Nigerias first chain of fast food restaurants. Owned by conglomerate United African Company of Nigeria PLC, there are currently around 170 locations in Nigeria, including the countrys first drive-through restaurant, with another four locations in Ghana. The restaurant is styled after McDonalds, and is known for its red and yellow colour scheme and meat pies. Mr. Biggs history begins with the coffee shops inside Kingsway Department Stores in the 1960s. In 1973, these shops were rebranded as Kingsway Rendezvous, which became Mr. Biggs in 1986. The chain saw rapid expansion after becoming one of the first Nigerian companies to sell franchises to investors.15 Mr. Biggs specialty is the meat pie. A common lunch might also include scotch eggs, a sugared donut, chicken, and a soft drink. While western fare such as hamburgers are served, Nigerian delicacies such as jollof rice and moin moin are more popular. Birthday cakes are also a popular product, and Mr. Biggs bakery offers cakes and pastries. In an interview with Chris Adedipe, a pioneer team member who recalls the early days of Mr Bigg’s highlights, that the whole process started in 1984 and the man that led the team at the time was Mr. Peter Tilbey, a Briton, who was the marketing Manager of {an Electric, which later became Pera Beam.16 A professional caterer, Tilbey looked at fast foods operations around the world. He looked particularly at companies like McDonalds, some of the Unilever companies such as A W of Canada, Nordsee and Hamburger Farm in Germany. Having done market research to find out what Nigerians wanted and then blending it with what he had seen around the world, he was able to come up wit a unique concept which was revolutionary – certainly at that time. It was revolutionary, in terms of the design, equipment and even the calibre of the staff that were used at the time. Tilbey, as described by most that had the opportunity of working with him â€Å"as a man of very great vision†. As was said earlier, he was a professional caterer. He had worked as a pursar (food and beverage manager in a hotel) so he was a pursar on the P O shipping line and operator of luxury cruisers. And most importantly he was a strong marketing person. Like Chris Adedipe would describe him â€Å" as probably one of the best mangers he had had the privilege to work with†. Tilbey according to him was a â€Å"man of very great vision, very meticulous. He was so far-sighted, he was an inspirational leader and when you are working with him you have to be very fast on your feet.17 The pioneer team members of Mr Bigg’s included Peter Tilbey, Fast Foods Manager Kingsway stores Division; Mr J. B. Ifezue, Operations Manager; Janet Imoalame, Marketing Depot Manager; Mr Ayo Ajayi, Merchandise Manager; Mrs Grace Kpolu, Brand Manager; Mrs Sunbo Oyekan; Chris Adedipe, Retail Manager and Peter Anyanwu – Fast Food Accountant.18 In retrospect, the name Mr Bigg’s evolved as with most marketing efforts after a rigorous and gruelling name test. The key task was to get a name that would be unique, impactful and memorable, and in some way linked to UAC, which was the largest conglomerate in the country. After so many eliminations, Mr Bigg’s was picked from the pack. The pioneers who gave it such a name were rather not gender sensitive or rather the societal norm – that men are always at the apex of family structure must have beclouded their judgement. But then women were part of the pioneers who adopted the name, why then Mr Bigg’s. Mrs Sunbo Oyekan reiterated her experience that the marketing headache did not stop at the adoption of the name. The next consideration was how would women react to the name? Another round of test ensued. The result was that, there was no negative perception from the women folks.19 The predecessor of Mr Bigg’s, the Kingsway Rendezvous was considered a basic concept in fast foods operations. Besides its on-site cooking, Mr Biggs was a reaction to the growing demand for greater variety in fast food offerings for freshly baked, hot snacks and meals. Unknown to the consumers, the Kingsway Rendezvous’ experiment with burgers and the reaction of the consumers – which was as described by Chuks Anyangbo as â€Å"unbelievable†, convinced the managers that the market was ready for the birth of a new brand.20 At its opening of business to the general public, Mr Bigg’s shocked even it promoters with its possibilities. The customers count easily hit 4000, thus making Mr Biggs on of the top ten fast foods restaurants in the world in terms of customer counts. The pioneer restaurant had 12 cash points with seats for 108 customers at the same time.21 The origin of Mr Bigg’s and the success it has made in the Nigerian business environment is a testimony to the abundance of opportunities in the environment if an entrepreneur can only be determined after being fully aware of the unfriendly nature of the Nigerian business environment. The magnificent feat achieved by Mr Bigg’s must be evident in her growth and development and this is why this work would be examining factors that influenced her growth and development. ENDNOTES: 1. Walter Rodney, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, (Abuja: Panaf Publishers, 1973) pp. 60-65. 2. F. K. Buah, West Africa Since AD 1000, (London: Macmillan Press, 1978). pp. 230-235. 3. T.B. Webster, A. A. Boahen and M. Tidy, Revolutionary Years: West Africa Since 1800, (London: Longman Group, 1980). pp.166-177. 4. UAC of Nigeria Plc, 2007 Annual Report and Accounts. pp.5. 5. Ibid. 6. Ibid. 7. Ibid, pp. 6. 8. W. E. F. Ward, A History of Africa, (London: George Allen Unwind Ltd, 1966). pp. 235-260. 9. A. E. Alagoa, The Merchant Prince of the Niger Delta, (Enugu: Celphonic Press, 2000). pp. 20-26. 10. S. P. Schatz, Nigerian Capitalism, (London: Princeton Press, 1980). pp. 95-100. 11. A. O. Alake, The Indigenization Policy in Nigeria, (Lagos: Longman Group, 1990). pp. 12-22. 12. UAC of Nigeria Plc, 2007 Annual Report and Accounts. pp.12. 13. UACN, â€Å"UAC Presents Facts Behind the Figure†, Link, Vol. 3. No. 1. (2002). pp. 8-11. 14. UACN, â€Å"Ajayi Speaks on Mr Bigg’s† Link, Vol. 27. No. 1. (2006). pp. 5-7. 15. Ibid. 16. Interview with Mr Chris Adedipe, Company Executive, 45 years, at Company Premises, 15 July 2009. 17. Ibid. 18. UACN, â€Å"Ajayi Speaks on Mr Bigg’s† Link, Vol. 27. No. 1. (2006). pp. 10-12. 19. Interview with Mr Ayo Ajayi, Ex-Company Chairman, 56 Years, after Share Holders Meeting, 17 July 2009. 20. Interview with Mr Chuks Anyangbo, Resident of Marina Lagos, 62 Years, July 17, 2009. 21. Interview with Mr Ayo Ajayi, Ex-Company Chairman, 56 Years, after Share Holders Meeting, 17 July 2009. CHAPTER 2 GROWTH AND EXPANSION OF MR BIGGS IN THE PAST TWENTY YEARS (1986-2006) Today, few people would remember that the brand (Mr Bigg’s) was once a concept, which took on form, toddled as it were in the nation’s business terrain before being transformed – within 20 years into a Nigerian business pearl. Mr Bigg’s is a household name when it comes to QSR (Quick Service Restaurants) and this must have been achieved through ceaseless strategy and share administrative prowess of its administrators. This chapter explores the pattern of development and expansion of Mr Bigg’s from just one restaurant in Marina Lagos, to over 177 in 2006. The Kingsway Rendezvous emerged out of the Kingsway Coffee Shops but because it was not properly managed the business had to pack up. Lessons were learnt from this and then when the concept of Quick Service Restaurant came up it was unique. Mr Bigg’s was different; it was the first time people would be able to see the food they were going to eat being prepared. This was embraced by everybody and that was the beginning. The acceptance of Mr Bigg’s by the public was magnificent as the first Christmas that was operated, in December 1986. On Christmas Eve, the restaurant was so packed that you could literarily throw a meat pie in the air and it won’t fall to the ground.1 Mr Bigg’s current profile leaves no doubt about what the brand is all about. It states: â€Å"Mr Bigg’s major focus is on creating unforgettable eating experience for families, children and young adults. Its core values are enmeshed in offering esteemed customers convenience through the provision of quality snacks, meals, ice cream and drinks served promptly, by friendly, courteous and enthusiastic personnel in a clean, hygienic and refreshing environment.2 The brand Mr Bigg’s has effectively communicated its core values and brand benefits. This has positioned the brand in the minds of customers as fun, family, convenience, value, hygiene and quality. A closer relationship with the children and families is being fostered through well-designed theme and scheme activities during yuletide seasons such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, Children’s Day, Back-to-School, Christmas, Sallah etc. This way, the events remain unforgettable and memorable in the minds of our customers. ‘Big Melodies for Nigeria’ is a yearly event targeted at children and used as a pivot to rediscover and communicate the benefits of patriotism and a united Nigeria through songs.3 After having struggled with the Nigerian business environment and also after having professionalized their art, through a 14-year period, they were able to boost of 17 restaurants nationwide. But the revolution came at year 2000, owing largely to internal restructuring and visionary leadership. Mr Ayo Ajayi, who on taking over the leadership of UACN on 1st January 2000 seized the opportunity to realize the huge potentials in the fast foods business, facilitated the exponential growth of Mr Bigg’s. First Mr Ajayi carved out Mr Bigg’s from UAC FOODS and appointed Mr Larry Ettah as its pioneer Divisional Managing Director. By the time Mr Ettah was reassigned from Mr Biggs, the outlet count had raced to over 90 restaurants with a successful marketing campaign for the brand known as â€Å"Mr series†, â€Å"Mr Nigeria†, â€Å"Mr Value†, â€Å"Mr Family†, â€Å"Mr convenience† etc. the intensity of the expansion programme has continued to be sustained so much that in 2005, Mr Bigg’s built 42 outlet.4 As the helmsman of Mr Bigg’s, it became Mr Adedipe’s challenge to pilot Mr Bigg’s into continued greatness. This is a challenge he relished. But then in a bit of history spices the story of the early days of this grand corporate endeavour. Mr Biggs’s has proven that it is possible to run a profitable fast foods business in Nigeria. When Kingsway closed down many eminent people said that â€Å"how can one make money selling meat pie†? But today Mr Bigg’s as proved such assertions wrong, as the brand only by 2006, has 177 restaurants in Nigeria and Ghana, 29 Central Kitchens, 190 Generators (40 KVA), over 900 Toilets, 3,500 Employees, 45 Franchises, Largest single consumer of agricultural produce in Nigeria, operates in 48 cities in Nigeria and two cities in Ghana.5 Mr Chris Adedipe, one of the pioneer team members of Mr Bigg’s who until recently, was the Managing Director of the Division, recalls with unmarked nostalgia: â€Å" I don’t think any of us in our wildest dreams would have thought that 20 years later, we would have over 177 restaurants. We know we have got a winner but we never imagined that we would get to the level that we are now†. Mr Adedipe also reiterates on what makes Mr Bigg’s fascinating to customers; â€Å"a typical Mr Bigg’s restaurant must be in a good location. It must provide hot, tasty food, cold refreshing drinks, friendly and courteous staff, who provides fast and friendly service.6 As part of her effort to lead the market, a new restaurant on Bode Thomas Road in Surulere, Lagos, came up with an innovation – a multi-counter offering inside Mr Bigg’s. The new additions were Creamy Inn – and wait a while – Village Kitchen. Located on the upper floor of the restaurant, Village Kitchen made its debut in year 2000 with the slogan â€Å"you can’t ignore me – meals in your mother tongue†. Mr Ettah, the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion of the formal opening of the restaurants, left no one in doubt about what the Village Kitchen was all about: â€Å"We all know that Africans are highly cultural and uncompromising on matters of taste. In spite of Western influences and urbanisation, we, as Africans, sooner propelled to seek out our roots – often through our cuisines as our foods, beyond our language, is a critical component of our culture, which is an anchor in these times of continual societal flux, pressure and change.†7 The Village Kitchen which plans to offer African, Caribbean and Asian cuisines, took off with the presentation of popular local menus in Nigeria. In her presentation at the opening of the Village Kitchen, Miss Oluyomi Owoeye, noted that the restaurant has been positioned as a trendsetter in the Home Meal Replacement (HMR) industry in Nigeria. On offer at every Village Kitchen counter will be a range of home replacement meals, which are categorised as thus: Starters – pepper soup to be served with cow tail, fish or isi-ewu (goat head) Farinas – pounded yam, semovita, amala, eba, ofada, white rice and moin moin. Accompaniments – soups/stews such as okro, edikang-ikong, egusi, eforiro, ewedu, ogbono, to be served with assorted meats, bush meat, snail, fresh fish, goat meat and stockfish. Dessert – fruit salad and ice cream.8 Furthermore, to compliment are development efforts owing to growing competition in that area of the market where the likes of Tantalizers, Tetrazini, Tasty Fried Chicken, Sweet Sensation etc have posed a major threat to the income and market dominance of Mr Bigg’s. The company in 2006 acquired the Master Franchise of a number of leading international food brands including Nando’s, Luv-Dat-Chicken, Pizza Inn, and Creamy Inn. So far, these brands have been successful in delivering superior food, ice cream and meals. UACN’s initiatives in the food sector have also served to set new standards and define the Quick Service Restaurant industry in the country.9 The Nigerian business environment abounds with possibilities as the environment is crude it needs ideas to refine it. Such was the ideas of Tilbey in 1986, which has grown to become the leading confectionary in Nigeria. Also efforts are being made to internationalize the brand, which would make Mr Biggs, a Nigerian brand with global reach. On the whole the growth of Mr Bigg’s can be described as epochal. Finally, nothing good comes easy, on the road to stardom there are always thorns, so what where the challenges faced by the management of Mr Biggs before they could get to where they are today. ENDNOTES: 1. UACN, â€Å"Mr Bigg’s 20 Years After† Link, Vol. 27. No. 1. (2006). pp. 13-15. 2. UAC of Nigeria Plc, 2007 Annual Report and Accounts. pp.12. 3. Ibid. 4. UACN, â€Å"Mr Bigg’s 20 Years After† Link, Vol. 27. No. 1. (2006). pp. 13-15. 5. UAC of Nigeria Plc, 2007 Annual Report and Accounts. pp.13. 6. Interview with Mr Chris Adedipe, Company Executive, 45 years, at Company Premises, 15 July, 2009. 7. UACN, â€Å"Meals †¦ In Mother Tongue†, Link, Vol. 27. No. 1. (2006). pp. 16. 8. Ibid. 9. UAC of Nigeria Plc, 2007 Annual Report and Accounts. pp.13. CHAPTER 3 THE NIGERIAN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND THE MR BIGG’S EXPERIENCE The business environment is a complex, interactive element or forces that are external, but potentially of significant consequence to the performance of business enterprises. Arguably, Nigeria is a potentially rich country where several opportunities abound for business enterprises. However with these potentials available in the country, it is expected that Nigeria should ordinarily be a safe haven for entrepreneurs, taking into cognisance the country’s over 100 million population, which makes it the biggest and largest in Africa. However, things have not worked as expected. The numerous local challenges that abound have been compounded by Nigeria’s membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) which exposes it to global competition.1 The option therefore is for the country to either improve the local conditions with a view to encourage the activities of business organisation or allow it to remain docile as it is. The business environment in Nigeria has been described as aggressive and unfriendly.2 Invariably, it is this hostile environment that has fashioned the essential characteristics of its businesses. Although, the number of businesses in Nigeria are numerous, but at the same time are mostly small scaled. However, Mr Biggs has withered the storm and nurtured a brand from just a restaurant at Kingsway building in Marina to over 177 in Nigeria and Ghana. It must have been a Herculean task for the members of staff, hence what was there challenges in the face of an unfriendly and harsh business environment.3 The first possible challenge is that of the poor state of infrastructure in the country. Social amenities like good roads, water supply, and power are readily not available. The company is forced to source her own electricity, spending so much on the purchase of diesel for generators. Also, the company has to dredge her own borehole and sometimes the company had to repair roads to make it motor able for staffs and customers. The issue of power has been considered as a major challenge facing the company as Mr Biggs operates in 48 cities and in most of these cities power supply is completely not just available.4 Peace and security are synonymous with development.5 The persisting insecurity in Nigeria has endangered business parastatals. The constant threats of armed robbers have forced the company to close some restaurants and in some cases security operatives are employed and paid huge sums of money so has to ensure security of lives and property. Some restaurants have to close shop before it gets too dark so as to avoid the activities of this night marauders. This however is having a bad effect on the turnover of the company.6 The lack of macro-economic variables in terms of inflationary control as well as variable interest and exchange rates has jeopardized the operations of Mr Bigg’s. As a matter of fact, Nigerian economy suffer from distortions, high interest and exchange rates and economic instability leading to cost escalation. It is on record that inflation and interest rate in the country at times rises above 15-22 % respectively.7 The Nigerian fiscal management regime has been described as anti business, this is due to the lack of a unified tax system in the country. The three arms of government in Nigeria constantly harass businesses with all kinds of tax claims ranging from personal income tax, value added tax, warehouse permit, radio/television licence, mobile advertisement tax water borehole tax, capital gain tax, withholding tax, environmental protection tax etc.8 in some cases, the percentage of these taxes collected is considered to be one of the highest in the world. Furthermore, these taxes added to the already high cost of doing business in Nigeria further becomes a disincentive.9 Furthermore, there was the issue of logistics, people and quality everywhere. It was a great challenge managing all these issues and made sure that standard was maintained, so as to ensure that the eminent position is maintained.10 Also, the salient issue of marketing the brand has posed strong challenge to the company. Over the years however, the brand has responded to the vagaries of the Nigerian economy. The challenge is doing more of scheme activities, particularly activities that revolve around restaurants; centred on collection or clusters of restaurants; that is what is called â€Å"In-Store Marketing or Local Area Marketing.†11 Fast foods watchers would readily attest to the fact that the sector, which is one of the fastest growing frontiers of the economy, has witnessed some of the stiffest competition in the country. A lot of people seeing the success of Mr Bigg’s were encouraged to come to the market. Hence, the competition in the market is stiff but at least it is healthy and Mr Bigg’s has managed this competition, so as to maintain the front row in the market. On the efforts to internationalise the brand, some factors have posed problems. Delving into Ghanaian market there are cultural factors, taste, and attitude of her people, which are entirely different from where they are coming from, hence there is a lot of learning to do.12 This work has been done not for its aesthetic value but to inform the reading public that in the mucky terrain of the Nigerian business environment, companies can thrive and that the Nigerian market can produce global market leaders when given the right conditions to operate. The history of Mr Bigg’s is that which should encourage potential entrepreneurs to invest in the Nigerian market and with visionary leaders who are loyal to the dream of such an ideas, the sky is just the beginning as the Nigerian economy has the quantitative ability to sustain such business. What should not be lacking in a business that is willing to thrive in Nigeria are ideas, as the Nigerian market is dynamic; visionary and efficient leadership as well as a marketable brand. Therefore, entrepreneurs should stop hiding under the guise of the harsh business environment and learn from the Mr Bigg’s experience. ENDNOTES: 1. M. Ogbeidi, Fundamentals of Business History, (Lagos: Reenok Publishers, 2006) pp. 15-25. 2. F. Amatori, Business History Around the World, (London: Macmillan Press, 1980). pp. 10-12. 3. Tom Forest, The Advance of African Capital, (New York, Princeton Press, 1985). pp. 23-30. 4. UACN, â€Å"Mr Bigg’s 20 Years After† Link, Vol. 27. No. 1. (2006). pp. 13-15. 5. Interview with Mr Peter Anyanwu, Company Employee, 42 Years, at the office, July 20, 2009. 6. N. S. B. Graff, Business and Capitalism: An Introduction To Business History, (London: Longman Group, 1963). pp. 13-15. 7. UACN, â€Å"Ajayi Speaks on Mr Bigg’s† Link, Vol. 27. No. 1. (2006). pp. 10-12. 8. M. Ogbeidi, Fundamentals of Business History, pp. 20. 9. UAC of Nigeria Plc, 2007 Annual Report and Accounts. pp.16. 10. Interview with Mr Peter Anyanwu, Company Employee, 42 Years, at the office, July 20, 2009. 11. Interview with Mr Chris Adedipe, Company Executive, 45 years, at Company Premises, 15 July, 2009. 12. Ibid. 13. UACN, â€Å"Mr Bigg’s 20 Years After† Link, Vol. 27. No. 1. (2006). pp. 13-15. BIBLIOGRAPHY SECONDARY SOURCES: Alagoa, A. E. The Merchant Prince of the Niger Delta. Enugu: Celphonic Press, 2000. Alake, A. O. The Indigenization Policy in Nigeria. Lagos: Longman Group, 1990. Amatori, F. Business History Around the World. London: Macmillan Press, 1980. Buah, F. K. West Africa Since AD 1000. London: Macmillan Press, 1978. Forest, T. The Advance of African Capital. New York, Princeton Press, 1985. Graff, N. S. B. Business and Capitalism: An Introduction To Business History. London: Longman Group, 1963. Ogbeidi, M. Fundamentals of Business History. Lagos: Reenok Publishers, 2006. Rodney, W. How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. Abuja: Panaf Publishers, 1973. Schatz, S. P. Nigerian Capitalism. London: Princeton Press, 1980. UACN. â€Å"Ajayi Speaks on Mr Bigg’s.† Link. Vol. 27. No. 1. 2006. UACN. â€Å"Meals †¦ In Mother Tongue.† Link. Vol. 27. No. 1. 2006. UACN. â€Å"Mr Bigg’s 20 Years After.† Link. Vol. 27. No. 1. 2006. UACN. â€Å"UAC Presents Facts Behind the Figure.† Link. Vol. 3. No. 1. 2002. Ward, W. E. F. A History of Africa. London: George Allen Unwind Ltd, 1966. Webster, T. B., Boahen A. A. and M. Tidy, Revolutionary Years: West Africa Since 1800. London: Longman Group, 1980. PRIMARY SOURCES: Interview with Mr Ayo Ajayi. Ex-Company Chairman, 56 Years, after Share Holders Meeting, 17 July, 2009. Interview with Mr Chris Adedipe. Company Executive, 45 years, at Company Premises, 15 July, 2009. Interview with Mr Chuks Anyangbo. Resident of Marina Lagos, 62 Years, July 17, 2009. Interview with Mr Peter Anyanwu. Company Employee, 42 Years, at the office, July 20, 2009. UAC of Nigeria Plc, 2007 Annual Report and Accounts. 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