Socrates and his Philosophy Essay - 1752 Words

Socrates and his Philosophy Socrates makes a profound impact in our minds through his wisdom, power of critical thinking, moral strength and intelligence. It is Plato who immortalizes Socrates in the popular imagination as a man of profound knowledge. Socrates’ effectiveness as a philosopher depended as much on the strength and interest of his personality as on the power of his mind. Socrates’ philosophy was based on discovering the truth, understanding moral life and talking about the elements that make up a good life. According to my judgment, one of the most important things about Socrates quest was, indeed, the unceasing habit and practice of being critical and thoughtful- of not being truly blind to ones†¦show more content†¦On one extreme, there are views according to which only certain definite kinds of lives or in the most extreme versions only a single kind of life is best. On the other extreme, there are views according to which there is no objective answer at all as to what sort of life is good, so that the only relevant consideration is the person’s own judgment. If people think that they are living good or satisfactory lives, then they are, and there is nothing more to be said. Between those two extremes life varies from person to person and perhaps other dimensions as well. There are some objective conditions or requirements that must be satisfied for a life to be good. One may think that the good life is one that contains lots of pleasurable experience and few if any painful ones. Happiness seems to be the standard for measuring the good life to them. But Socrates believed that, happiness cannot be the standard for the good life; the good life has to be gained through avoiding bodily pleasure, because body always misguides us from gaining the real truth about our lives. So, the definition of the good life completely depends on the people’s own ideas, judgments and beliefs. Socrates showed us in his very own way how wisdom interrelated with one’s life and afterlife as well. Pursuit of wisdom should be given most priority because wisdom makes people awareShow MoreRelatedBiography of Socrates, An Annotated Bibliography1581 Words   |  6 Pages Bibliographical Annotations FUTTER, DYLAN. â€Å"Socrates Human Wisdom.† Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical Review 52.1 (2013): 61-79. Humanities International Complete. Print. Dylan, the senior lecturer of the Department of Philosophy at University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and author of several articles provides the argument that a satisfactory interpretation of human wisdom can be given in terms of â€Å"philosophia†.He confirms his analysis by its resolution of some enduring difficulties in theRead MoreThe Reconciliation Of Two Positions1696 Words   |  7 Pagesin history, Socrates not only helped to set up the foundations for Western philosophy, but the legacy he left behind is something that is still being discussed today by historians and philosophers alike. Socrates is renowned for standing up for his beliefs even in the midst of death as portrayed in Plato’s account of Socrates’ defense speech, Apology, in which he gave during his 339 B.C. trial. It is in this eminent speech that Socrates is able show the dedication he has for philosophy, even goingRead More Socrates Essay1087 Words   |  5 PagesAccusers and Athen ian Law Of all confrontations in political philosophy, the biggest is the conflict between philosophy and politics. The problem remains making philosophy friendly to politics. The questioning of authoritative opinions is not easily accomplished nor is that realm of philosophy - the pursuit of wisdom. Socrates was the instigator of the conflict. While the political element takes place within opinions about political life, Socrates asks the question quot;What is the best regime and howRead MorePlatos Apology And Crito1036 Words   |  5 PagesPlato’s â€Å"Apology† and â€Å"Crito†, I believe Socrates’ philosophy of not doing harmful things on purpose, because of ignorance, or the act of doing it unwillingly, is false. First I will show you some contradictions introduced in the books of the Apology, and Crito and explain them. Next, I will explain how in the present day Socrates philosophy is false due to the vices of mankind, with evidence from the Apology, then I will show you how Socrates might argue his point and a counter argument in presentRead More Socrates Essay601 Words   |  3 Pages Philosophy in ancient Greece was merely a type of argument, until a pioneer named Socrates showed the world a new way of thinking. Socrates was born in 469 BC in Athens (where he lived all his life) as the son of Sophroniscus, a stonemason, and Phaenarete. In his life, Socrates changed common philosophy, which was a study of why the way things are, into a consideration of the virtue and health of the human soul. Rather than writing books and recording his thoughts himself, he orally passedRead More The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living Essay1051 Words   |  5 Pages Socrates was considered by many to be the wisest man in ancient Greece. While he was eventually condemned for his wisdom, his spoken words are still listened to and followed today. When, during his trial, Socrates stated that, â€Å"the unexamined life is not worth living† (Plato 45), people began to question his theory. They began to wonder what Socrates meant with his statement, why he would feel that a life would not be worth living. To them, life was above all else, and choosing to give up life wouldRead MoreThe Socratic Problem Of Socrates1462 Words   |  6 PagesSocrates was born in 469 B.C.E., in Athens, Greece. He was a loyal citizen of Athens who also served as a soldier as required for Athens males. His philosophy, or as it was called, his Socratic Method, laid the stones for what became to be known as Western philosophy. However, Socrates remains one of the most powerfu l, yet misunderstood and enigmatic figures of philosophy. What is known about Socrates comes from writings of other philosophers, such as his follower Plato, and Plato’s student, AristotleRead MoreWhat Is Philosophy According to Socrates Essay970 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is philosophy according to Socrates? Philosophy is an academic subject that exercises reason and logic in an attempt to understand reality and answer fundamental questions about knowledge, life, morality, virtue, and human nature. The original word for philosophy comes from the ancient Greek word philosopha, which means love of wisdom. Although Socrates himself never claimed to have any answers to the questions he raised, his views and methods of philosophy became the foundations of whatRead MoreSocrates s Philosophy On The Western Civilization1440 Words   |  6 PagesSocrates is one of the most popular philosophers of all the times. He was the first to study ethics and principles of morality and he always claimed that he did not put knowledge in anyone, yet asked serious questions which contributed to numerous debates (Class notes). Despite his high intellectual level, Athens condemned him with several charges such as the corruption of youth as the society of this time viewed secular knowledge as an obstruction to the achievement of spiritual enlightenment (ClassRead MoreGreek Philosophy And The Greek Creation1593 Words   |  7 Pages The word â€Å"philosophy†, comes from the Ancient Greek word (Phileo), meaning â€Å"to love† or â€Å"to befriend† and (Sophia), meaning â€Å"wisdom†; making philosophy stand for â€Å"the love of wisdom†. Philosophy is about understanding the fundamental truths about ourselves, the world in which we live in, and our relationships to the world and amongst each other. It is the study of general problems connected with existence, values, language, and mind. Those who study philosophy (philosophers), engage in asking

The Success And Potential Problems Of The Company

Introduction With the rapid globalization of the market, innovation tends to be increasingly important in service industry and service management literature. In order to attract more attention, many enterprise start to operate the business in some new strategies. Club Mediterranee, as known as Club Med, is a specific example in the service industry. Case ‘Club Med’ is an evaluation case. This essay aims to critically analyze the success and potential problems of the company by using SWOT analysis. Background Information Club Med, started by Gerard Blitz and oriented as a nonprofit sports association in Europe in 1950, is a global hotel company that directly and indirectly sells the low-price vacation package to customers through travel agency and reservation center. Due to the rapid growth of the association, Blitz invited his friend Gilbert Trigano, a tent supplier, to be the managing director of the company, which helped Club Med transform to a commercial company. In 1972, Club Med. Inc., a U.S. subsidiary, was formed by Trigano’s son Serge and later the stock were sold on New York Stock Exchange. Serge moved back to Paris until Jacques Giraud took over the CEO and president of Club Med Inc. At the same time, the company published that it had been traded on the Paris Stock Exchange. Until now, Club Med has expanded to ninth-largest hotel company in the world, which only faced few competitors around the world. The services covered ‘American Zone’, Europe, Asia, and SouthShow Mor eRelatedRehearsal of a Negotiation Plan1228 Words   |  5 Pagesviews and grievances. As such the rehearsal process will consist primarily of articulating the value proposition we can provide to our potential partner. Through articulating the value proposition, much care will be given to alleviating and addressing in negative sentiments the potential partner may have regarding the merit of our service. This will be crucial to success during the negotiation as a genuinely understanding of the opposition is required in order to appropriately address any issues thatRead MorePriua1542 Words   |  7 PagesStrategy Case Toyota Motor Corporation – Launching the Prius Executive Summary: Hiroshi Okuda, Toyota Motor Company is most recent appointed president, must decide whether to continue endorsing the project committee in charge of developing a fuel-efficient vehicle, the Prius. The project is made to be a shift for Toyota; yet developing the prototype has represented a large cost for the company since the technology needed to be created from scratch. Toyota has been recently criticized for producingRead MoreWeight Watchers Case Study Essay1731 Words   |  7 Pagesimproving their life through healthy living. Weight Watchers will be easily accessible for all individuals desiring to improve their lifestyle and will receive exceptional service. Services will be recognized as a superior value. 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As HR leader building teams for companies such as Microsoft and Amazon, I worked with leadersRead MoreDiversity Promotes A Higher Potential Of Success For A Company Essay1543 Words   |  7 PagesAlbert Einstein once said, â€Å"We cannot solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.† In other words, we need different ideas to come to an optimal solution. Diversity encompasses a variety of differences between people in this world. Each individual is classified to be different from one another whether it is from age, gender, race, personality, education, background, experiences, and more. Varying viewpoints provides a team with a larger pool of ideas to work withRead MoreAnalysis Of Howard Gardner And Claudio F ernandez Araoz953 Words   |  4 Pagesachieve success, they should be more open-minded to accept new thoughts of talent spotting instead of still indulge in the old days’ success. They need to adapt to the technological change and meet market demands by reshaping their skills and competencies, and thus improve their levels of leadership. On the other hand, it is very necessary for the job seekers to understand and acquire skills that are expected from the employers. Because that’s the most effective way for them to achieve success in theirRead MoreMkt/421 Week 3 Individual Assignment- Marketing Research Analysis: Kudler Fine Foods1137 Words   |  5 Pagesin Del Mar, La Jolla, and Encinitas. Kudler Fine foods offer gourmet quality imported and domestic food products including bakery items, meat and sea food, produce, cheese and diary, and wine. The Kudler Fine Food operation is experiencing great success and opportunities for further growth are abound. Kathy is curr ently focusing on expanding her organization, and is seeking a suitable spot for her next shop. 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Free Business Plan Restaurant Free Essays

string(52) " local catering company can provide these services\." 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The following document is a plan of my intended business: Enilson’s Cafe, a coffee shop situated in Ealing Broadway. The intended premise is a 65 square foot commercial property situated on the high street. We will write a custom essay sample on Free Business Plan: Restaurant or any similar topic only for you Order Now The premise would be designed in a coffee shop format, with a counter serving various items, and a large section where customers could come in during opening hours and feel comfortable. The major products sold would be coffee, tea, cappuccino, a variety of cakes, snacks and sandwiches, and food sold during lunch hours 12pm – 4pm. Product ingredients would be sourced from wholesale suppliers such as Makro, equipments that are required would be sourced from Comet and Cafe suppliers, while food ingredients would be sourced from food suppliers and outsourced Chefs. Ealing, the location within which this coffee shop is intended is a culturally and religiously diverse neighbourhood, with a majority (55%) being of ethnic minorities. Therefore the major target market would be the general population of commuters, workers and people living within the neighbourhood, who would like widely desirable, yet religiously conscious meals. The coffee market is growing, and everyone eats good food, thereby signifying a need for our services. However, our main competitors such as Starbucks and local cafes operate in close vicinity. The pricing strategy utilised for this venture would be that of value based pricing. Competition, cost-plus and market oriented pricing would be adopted for the different products we have on offer. Several promotion strategies would also be adopted to promote the business. The business would be registered as a Sole Trader, with the owner, being the manager. Supervisors and Shop Assistants would also be hired. The start-up cost required for the business is ?79,869, and in the first year, the cafe expects to make annual sales of ?204,480, gross profit of ?123,739 and net profit of ?13,099. Breakeven period is in the 9th month of the first year. The Cafe’s mission is to join the Ealing community, provide appropriate products that suite their tastes and deliver exceptional service. It is our objective to use this initial store as a stepping-stone towards higher sales and more store openings in neighbouring areas and throughout London. We intend to become a multinational organisation just like Starbucks in 5 – 10 years, and we hope that you can join us in that dream. 2.COMPANY SUMMARY This following document is a business plan report for a coffee shop start-up called Enilson’s Cafe. It would be located on the corner of The Broadway, West Ealing, London. The business premises would be leased from the current owners, and a total of 130 square feet would be secured up front, however, with the permission of the Landlord, only half of that space (65 square feet) would be utilised in the first year, pending business growth. The business premises is currently being refurbished by the previous owners, however once done, it would be situated in a strategic location within the neighbourhood, with easy access to public transportation and a short distance from the train station. The premises would be designed to suite the coffee shop format, a counter would be situated adjacent to the main entrance, wherein customers can easily place their orders, whilst chairs and tables arranged in various seating formats, would be situated over the rest of the shop. The facilities that would be present within the store for it to run smoothly are expressed in Table 3, which also contains a breakdown of the price and the total start-up costs. No licenses whatsoever would be required from the local committee, as the cafe would not be selling alcohol or opening beyond 11pm at night. However, information pack and booklets would be sought form the Healthy and Safety Standards agency within Ealing. The business is required by law to register premises used for food businesses, and strictly follows food safety regulations (Ealing, 2010). A licensed premises insurance cover would be taken out from Anglo Pacific Consultants (London) Ltd, which offers â€Å"package policy for public houses, wine bars, restaurants and cafe’s,† the insurance package covers all business risks including terrorism cover, personal accidents, and theft (Yesquote, 2010). The business would be registered as a Sole Trader business, with me, Enilson Helder, being the sole owner of the business. All income from the business would be recorded as personal income, and I would be liable for any debts incurred. All profits would be taxed as income. 3.PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Enilson’s Cafe would adopt a Coffee Shop format, in which the major product being sold would be a variety of coffee types, while additional products would also be sold. Coffee, Tea, Coffee Latte, Tea Latte, Cappuccino, amongst others would constitute the majority of our offering. Carbonated and no-calorie soft drinks would also be sold. A variety of cake, muffins, sandwiches, crisps, and chocolates amongst others would be sold within the cafe. During lunch periods, particularly between 12pm – 4pm, food menus would exists, cooked particularly by an outsourced chef, who would sell Rice, Chips, Chicken, Mashed Potato, Gravy amongst other lunch time meals. Suppliers: The refrigerator, coffee machines, microwave, dishwasher, and all other smaller but vital electronic equipments would be sourced from Comet (www.comet.co.uk), where a business membership account would be created. All other catering equipments such as plates, spoons, trays, would be sourced from Makro (www.makro.co.uk), that sell a variety of wholesale food items for small businesses. Food ingredients such as coffee beans, flour and sugar for in house baking or feed preparation would also be sourced from the superstore, as they offer a reasonable discount for small and medium business owners. Sandwiches would be sourced from Gourmet Sandwich Co (www.gourmetsandwich.co.uk); they provide wholesale sandwiches on a day-to-day basis for small businesses, while the cakes would be sourced from similar external suppliers. The lunch menu would be sourced by hiring an external chefs who cook on their premises and bring in the food during lunch hour, companies such as Sundrica (www.sundrica.rtrk.co.uk), a local catering company can provide these services. You read "Free Business Plan: Restaurant" in category "Essay examples" The services provided would be a hospitality service, wherein customers can come in, have a drink, eat lunch or a snack, and just relax. Sofas, in addition to wooden chairs, would be provided for customers that would like to have a seat with friends, and forget their time within the store. The music would be of several genres, but would mostly alternate between popular Pop/Alternative and Hip Hop music. Staff would be friendly and helpful. There are a number of direct competitors within close vicinity to the intended location. Subway is directly opposite and a Roosters Chicken is close by (Google Maps, 2010), both of which could prove a threat for lunchtime meals. However, unlike these competitors, Enilson’s Cafe provides seating space and lunchtime food. They also sell Coffee and Tea, in addition to soft drinks. 4.MARKET ANALYSIS The Ealing borough is currently home to over 300,000 individuals, with 12,800 residing in close vicinity of the store. The population of individuals aged 20 – 44, are higher than the UK average. The region has one of the highest levels of international migration within London, and is the 4th most ethnically diverse, and 6th most religiously diverse borough within the UK, which in itself is a major attractant. 55% of all Ealing borough residents are from ethical minorities, 41% of which were not white (Ealing, 2010). Therefore the different market segments that exist are based mainly on ethnicity, which is a major dividing factor within the population. The major target market segment is for the general population of commuters working or living around the store. The location is currently on a road in which several buses pass, and houses are located. People living and working within this region, no matter their ethnicity or nationality would be sought as potential customers. We intend to sell a wide vary of ethnically acceptable food for all residents. Meat and Chicken would be halal, but sold in a contemporary and modern fashion. Meals such as Chips, Chicken, and Mashed Potato would be suitable for everyone, and the Muslim population would appreciate the religious considerations. According to Mintel (2009), coffee shops are always sought after, and due to the scarcity of one in immediate vicinity to the proposed location, then it could be said that there is a need for one. The food products being sold are fresh, which would appeal to people that want to eat good food. The coffee market has grown consistently over the years, with large stores such as Starbucks, Costa, and Pret A Manger, breaking the ?1billion mark in 2007 (Mintel, 2009). There is room for growth within the UK, as the store density of coffee shops is lesser than that of developed countries such as the US, while the UK still has a low level of coffee consumption compared to other developed countries. Direct competition is low within the Cafe’s close vicinity, however the shopping mall opposite however contains a Starbucks and several other Cafes, which pose a considerable threat. Stores such as Starbucks, Costa, Cafe Nero, Pret A Manger, EAT, and several other established coffee and cafe chains pose a considerable threat, due to their long established status, and the financial resources at their disposal to displace competition. 5.STRATEGY The pricing strategy being adopted by the cafe would be based on the overall strategy of the firm, which is to target low – mid income earners (population demographic), with easily affordable coffee and lunch. Therefore, our products would not be priced too high that it would deter customers; neither would be priced too low that it would be unprofitable. Due to the broad based generic product strategy we are adopting (Johnson et al, 2008), we would be adopting a value based pricing strategy, in which the price of each product being offered would be based on how much we believe the customers within this region are willing to pay. Enilson’s Cafe intends to adopt the following pricing tactics for all/some of our product ranges. Competition based pricing would be adopted for the price of Coffee and Tea products. They would be based mostly on the price being offered by competitors in the market. Though ours would be priced slightly cheaper, it would still be brewed and prepared to high quality, with a good taste. Cost-Plus pricing would be adopted for those products such as Sandwich and Cakes that we have sourced from external vendors. If they have been bought at a wholesale price of ?1.50 each, then they may be priced at ?1.95 or ?2, depending on what competitors in the immediate vicinity charge. Lastly, market oriented pricing would be utilised for the food products sold during lunch break. We expect to attract a large number of low earners, and pricing our products appropriately would assist our strategy (Monroe, 2003). Sales Forecast The following is a weekly sales forecast for Enilson’s Cafe. A minimum of 200 coffees, tea, cappuccinos and soft drinks would be sold each weekday for an average price of ?1.50, less on weekends. 100 cakes, sandwiches and crisps would be sold daily for an average price of ?1.50, more on weekends. Table 1: Cafe Sales Forecast MonTueWedThurFriSatSunWeekly Drinks?300?300?300?300?300?200?200?1,900 Snacks?150?150?150?150?150?180?180?1,110 Food?150?150?150?150?150?250?250?1,250 Total ?4,260 Promotional Mix The major forms of advertising for Enilson’s Cafe would be in the form of in store displays, brochures and catalogues available to new comers to the store, and external banners. Full-page adverts would also be placed in the Yellow Pages, online and offline, while print ads in newspapers particularly indigenous to Ealing would be utilised. Personal selling would be utilised on all customers, especially new ones, in order to make them repeat customers. All staff would be taught how to provide the sort of service required for customers to come back frequently. Sales promotions would be conducted within the first month of opening the store. Free coffees and snacks could be offered to customers as a form of tie in to ensure their continued patronage. The major form of public relations to be conducted would be in local newspapers, an article that discusses our products, services and how we intend to please the local populace. The business would be launched during a public holiday. Most probably a bank holiday weekend or Muslim holiday when most residents would be out shopping or celebrating. 6.MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE As the business is being operated as a sole trade, it would be composed mainly of Enilson, as the store manager and owner. Other members of the management team would include a Cafe supervisor/Assistant Manager, who would supervise procurement of supplies and running of the store. The Staff Supervisor would supervise the rota and ensure that all staff are being friendly and offering the level of service expected. Store assistants would also be present and would be the company’s main point of contact with customers. They would receive orders and attend to each customer’s needs. Table 2: Sample Rota and Payroll 9am – 6pm 9am – 6pm 9am – 6pm 9am – 6pm 9am – 8pm 10am – 8pm 10am – 6pm Store Hours 9 9 9 9 11 10 8 65 Wage Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun Weekly Wage Manager ?10 7 7 7 7 7 5 0 40 ?400 Asst Mngr ?8.50 0 7 8 9 0 8 8 40 ?340 Staff Supervisor ?7.50 8 8 0 0 8 8 8 40 ?300 Sales Assistant 1 ?6.50 5 5 0 0 5 5 0 20 ?130 Sales Assistant 2 ?6.50 0 0 5 5 0 5 5 20 ?130 Sales Assistant 3 ?6.50 8 8 8 8 0 8 0 40 ?260 Sales Assistant 4 ?6.50 5 5 0 0 5 5 0 20 ?130 Sales Assistant 5 ?6.50 0 0 5 5 0 5 5 20 ?130 Total Hours 240 ?1,820 7.FINANCE The start-up cost for Enilson’s cafe would be based on the price of the following facilities. The total startup cost for the venture would therefore be ?79,869, as illustrated in Table 3. Table 3: Start Up Cost. Source: Startups, 2010; Buycatering.com) FacilitiesForecast Price Facility Rent?30,000 Industrial Refrigerators?1,295 Dishwasher?1,275 Six Burner Range?1,899 Heated and Refrigerated Merchandisers?3,475 Microwave?300 Coffee/Cappuccino Machine?2,175 Domestic Food Appliances?3,450 Kitchen?9,500 Restroom?2,500 Furniture?9,000 Cafe Outfitting?15,000 Total?79,869 Table 4: Projected Profit and Loss 1 Year Revenue ?204,480 Cost of Sales ?80,741 Coffee ?18,240 Snacks ?32,501 Food ?30,000 Gross Profit ?123,739 Expenses Staff Salary -?68,640 Rent -?30,000 Maintenance -?6,000 Misc -?6,000 Net Profit ?13,099 The sales forecast depicted in Table 1 has been utilised for the projected profit and loss statement. All weekly forecast has been multiplied by 4 weeks in order to get the average forecast for one month (for the cash flow), then multiplied by 12 months. The cost of sales has been calculated based on projected cost of goods obtained from Startups (2010). The profit margin for coffee used was 80% that for Snacks was 40%, while the profit margin for good was 50%. The net profit for the first year is ?13,099. Table 5 is a representation of the forecast cash flow and breakeven analysis for the first year of business. The information presented above illustrates that Enilson’s cafe would make a profit of ?13,099 in the first year of business. The breakeven would be in the 9th month of the first year. Particularly, money back analysis illustrates that the company may not get its total investment of ?79,869 back within the first year. Most probably in the second year depending on how well the cafe is able to improve sales and profit. Table 5: Cash Flow Forecast (1 Year) Month 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Revenue ?17,040 ?17,040 ?17,040 ?17,040 ?17,040 ?17,040 ?17,040 ?17,040 ?17,040 ?17,040 ?17,040 ?17,040 Cost of Sales ?6,728 ?6,728 ?6,728 ?6,728 ?6,728 ?6,728 ?6,728 ?6,728 ?6,728 ?6,728 ?6,728 ?6,728 Coffee ?1,520.0 ?1,520 ?1,520 ?1,520 ?1,520 ?1,520 ?1,520 ?1,520 ?1,520 ?1,520 ?1,520 ?1,520 Snacks ?2,708.4 ?2,708 ?2,708 ?2,708 ?2,708 ?2,708 ?2,708 ?2,708 ?2,708 ?2,708 ?2,708 ?2,708 Food ?2,500.0 ?2,500 ?2,500 ?2,500 ?2,500 ?2,500 ?2,500 ?2,500 ?2,500 ?2,500 ?2,500 ?2,500 Gross Profit ?10,311 ?10,311 ?10,311 ?10,311 ?10,311 ?10,311 ?10,311 ?10,311 ?10,311 ?10,311 ?10,311 ?10,311 Start-Up Cost -?49,869 Staff Salary -?5,720 -?5,720 -?5,720 -?5,720 -?5,720 -?5,720 -?5,720 -?5,720 -?5,720 -?5,720 -?5,720 -?5,720 Rent -?30,000 Maintenance -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 Misc -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 -?500 Monthly Profit ?3,591 ?3,591 ?3,591 ?3,591 ?3,591 ?3,591 ?3,591 ?3,591 ?3,591 ?3,591 ?3,591 ?3,591 Profit Cumulative -?30,000 -?26,408 -?22,816 -?19,225 -?15,633 -?12,042 -?8,450 -?4,858 -?1,267 ?2,324 ?5,916 ?9,507 ?13,099 Total Cumulative -?79,869 -?76,277 -?72,685 -?69,094 -?65,502 -?61,911 -?58,319 -?54,727 -?51,136 -?47,544 -?43,953 -?40,361 -?36,769 Start-up capital required: ?79,869. Operating capital required till breakeven: First month Expense = ?6,728 Total Capital Requirement = ?86,597, half of which is sought from bank. 8.REFLECTIVE ESSAY During the business plan writing session, we were all meant to work in teams of 2, wherein each team member would contribute equally towards the achievement of the eventual business plan. We were all meant to research a particular business idea, and come up with a plan through which we could secure funding from the bank. However, for unforeseen reasons, I was unable to join a team and had to do mine myself. The first business plan I wrote was on a Barbershop, and resulted in a fail. I was told I failed because I did not write a plan on a company within the hospitality sector. Most of us were meant to write on restaurants and hotels, and I wrote on a barbershop. Now that I think back towards that decision, I believe that I wrote it that way because I was unsure of the true requirements of the essay. I had difficulties coming up with a true hospitality company to start up a business with, thus deciding to go ahead with something I was pretty familiar with, the barbershop. Now that I had failed and had to choose another, I eventually chose a coffee shop cafe, after much deliberation. My decision regarding the coffee shop cafe and its location were of utmost significance to me, because if I truly did have the funds, that is what I would have invested in. The location did not have any immediate coffee shop and I thought that was something that neighbourhood needed. The decision to write a business plan left me initially confused because I had no idea on how to write one. We were provided with notes and guides on how to write it but I was still confused, and judging by the fact that I was meant to write mine myself when most of my classmates did theirs in groups, I felt left out and thought I was not going to make it. However I sought advice, and did all that was required of me, and eventually I have found that it is educating creating such a plan. My newfound skill in research on businesses makes me proud, as this is not something I could easily have boasted about previously. Also, it has taught me how to undertake financial analysis, especially using cash flow forecast in ascertaining how much a business is realistically going to make given its condition, location and potential. Which is satisfying. During future research, I wound endeavour to seek advice prior to commencing any project I am not sure about, that way I would not fail. 9.APPENDICES Appendix requirements such as start-up cost, list of suppliers, sales calculation, duty rotas, staffing and planning applications are already included in the main body of the business plan. a. Market Research Analysis The following market research analysis is based on Mintel’s (2009) report on Coffee Shops in UK. The rapid expansion amongst coffee shops has eroded their USP and significantly increased competition within the industry. Operators within the UK market are generally optimistic about the future growth of the coffee shop format. As a result of the economic recession, an increasing number of customers are resorting to eat indoors or take lunch to work to increase savings. Branding is increasingly becoming a prerequisite and a key factor for success within the industry. Ethical responsibility is increasingly becoming an issue amongst coffee shops that mainly source their produce internationally. There is huge competitive rivalry amongst competitors within the industry, with companies such as Starbucks, Pret A Manger, EAT, and Cafe Nero, leading other coffee brands. Barriers to entry within the industry are very low, anyone can open a coffee shop with little cost. Buyers have a high bargaining power due to the availability of a wide number of coffee shops within every neighbourhood, therefore coffee shops that have a premium price, without high quality products or effective branding may lose out. Within the UK, more than half of all adults visit coffee shops, although on a relatively infrequent basis, while per capital coffee consumption within the UK is much lower than in other countries, thereby giving room for growth. Cost issues such as overhead cost, coffee prices, staff costs and utility prices have all increased substantially in recent years. Growth within the population of 20 – 34 year olds, and that of ABC1 customers, should increase the demand and patronage in coffee shops. Coffee shop industry is relatively fragmented with a variety of shops operating in different geographical markets, citing high competition and potential for consolidation. The lack of differentiation, increased competition, premium perception and failure to engage customers are all seen as weaknesses within the Coffee Shop industry. However, there exists substantial growth potential, economy of scale to be achieved, wide product range to be utilised and brand equity to be built, all of which could substantially increase competitive advantage. b. FLOOR PLANS c. SAMPLE MENU AND DRINKS LIST Drinks Coffee ?1.80 Cappuccino ?2.50 Latte ?2.20 Carbonated Drinks ?1.00 Non Carbonated Drinks ?1.20 Water (75cl) ?0.75 Snacks Cake ?1.95 Muffin ?1.70 Sandwich ?2.50 Crisps ?0.50 Chocolate ?0.50 Food Mashed Potato and Chicken ?4.95 Rice and Chicken ?4.55 Fries and Chicken ?3.99 d. SAMPLE COSTINGS Average cost for products sold Drinks 80% Profit Coffee ?0.36 Cappuccino ?0.50 Latte ?0.44 Carbonated Drinks ?0.50 Non Carbonated Drinks ?0.60 Water (75cl) ?0.38 Snacks 40% Profit Cake ?1.17 Muffin ?1.02 Sandwich ?1.50 Crisps ?0.36 Chocolate ?0.30 Food 50% Profit Mashed Potato and Chicken ?2.48 Rice and Chicken ?2.28 Fries and Chicken ?2.00 Profit figures are obtained from Startups (2010), as described in the main text. e. OPENING TIMES Monday 09.00 – 18.00pm Tuesday 09.00 – 18.00pm Wednesday09.00 – 18.00pm Thursday09.00 – 18.00pm Friday 09.00 – 20.00pm Saturday10.00 – 20.00pm Sunday 10.00 – 18.00.pm BUSINESS LAUNCH POSTER 10. BIBLIOGRAPHY Business Link (2010) Price your product or service, www.businesslink.gov.uk, accessed: 21/05/10 Ealing (2010) Starting a food business; Ealing Demographics, www.ealing.gov.uk, accessed: 21/05/10 Google Maps (2010) Ealing Broadway, www.maps.google.co.uk, accessed: 21/05/10 Johnson, G., Scholes, K., and Whittington, R. (2008) Exploring Corporate Strategy, 8th edition. Prentice Hall Mintel (2009) Coffee Shops – UK – February 2009, www.mintel.com, accessed: 21/05/10 Monroe, K. B (2003) The Pricing Strategy Audit, Cambridge Strategy Publications, p4 Startups (2010) Starting a Coffee Shop, www.startups.co.uk, accessed: 21/05/10 Yesquote (2010) Restaurant Insurance and Cafe Insurance, www.yesquote.co.uk, accessed: 21/05/10 How to cite Free Business Plan: Restaurant, Essay examples

Betrayal of Deep Friendships and the Consequences free essay sample

â€Å"Love is whatever you can still betray. Betrayal can only happen if you love† (John Le Carre). Betrayal is a huge part of Gene and Amirs’ lives in A Separate Peace and in The Kite Runner. They are both pushed to do things they normally wouldn’t do because of the feelings of guilt from betraying their best friends. They betray the people closest to them, the only people who truly care for them. The circumstances and outcomes of both books are shockingly similar and lead both to betrayal of best friends which leads to earth shattering remorse and guilt, then redemption. Both books offer a glimpse at betrayal, the pains of war and the impact of guilt. In the two books, there are many examples of betrayal leading to horrendous things, and situations where one choice snowballs into a thunderous conclusion. In A Separate Peace, Gene betrays Finny, again and again. It starts with one big betrayal which then led to many others. Gene tried to kill Finny, he â€Å" took a step towards [Finny] and then [his] knees bent and [he] jounced the limb† (60). With that one simple movement, that one choice, Gene almost ended Finny’s life. He betrayed Finny’s trust and friendship, and because of that one betrayal, Gene ended up betraying Finny’s trust time and time again to try and cover his first betrayal. He started to tell Finny the truth about his attempted murder when he stopped. He decided he â€Å" would have to back out of it, [he] would have to disown it† (70). Gene decided that Finny didn’t want to hear the truth and couldn’t bear the truth, so he never told Finny. He again, betrayed Finny’s trust. When Finny later found out the truth, he was so shocked and distraught that he ran out of the room and fell down the stairs, breaking his leg and eventually dying. Gene’s choice to betray Finny led to many more betrayals and eventually Finny’s untimely death. In The Kite Runner, there is a similar type of betrayal, a betrayal between best friends. Amir betrays Hassan by not protecting him when he was being raped. Hassan had protected Amir countless times before, but when he is getting raped, Hassan, â€Å"didn’t struggle. Didn’t even whimper. He moved his head slightly and [Amir] caught a glimpse of his face† (76). Amir stood by and watched while his best friend and half brother was raped. He didn’t do anything to stop it. Then later, Amir is so guilty he makes up lies about Hassan stealing to try and kick them out, and at that point, Hassan and his dad leave the house out of shame. Even in this last moment of betrayal, Hassan still protects Amir. During the final confrontation between Amir, Baba, Hassan and Ali, Hassan could have told the truth, he could have said he didn’t steal and Amir had framed him. However, Hassan didn’t. At this time Amir’s â€Å"heart sank and [he] almost blurted out the truth. Then [he] understood: This was Hassan’s final sacrifice for [him]† (105). Amir had betrayed Hassan a second time and then a third by not telling the truth to save Hassan and give him and Ali the protection of the house. His betrayal also eventually led to Hassan’s death. Had Amir chosen to intervene in Hassan’s rape, he wouldn’t have felt guilty enough to lie about Hassan stealing which led to Hassan leaving the house and having to live in Pakistan in a war zone where he was persecuted and killed. In both books, an initial betrayal led to a death of a best friend. Death of a best friend, especially when it is your fault, is one of the most severe consequences that could ever be experienced. Gene and Amir betrayed their closest, most loyal friends, and faced the worst possible consequences. Both A Separate Peace and The Kite Runner take place during a war time which brings many things, and among them, pain and distress are the most prominent. In A Separate Peace, all the students face an exponential amount of stress as the thought of war and the question of whether to enlist or wait to be drafted was thrown about. Some had trouble focusing on their studies, while to Gene â€Å"Sports don’t seem so important with the war on† (114). The kids at Devon couldn’t focus on the things they normally would be doing. Everyone was asking and wondering who would enlist? Some students like Brinker and Quackenbush claimed they would enlist and bragged about all the things they would accomplish. Surprisingly, Leper actually said he was â€Å"‘ going to enlist in these ski troops,’† (125). and followed through with his actions. However, the consequence of Leper’s choice to join the military led to a bad conclusion. Leper was given a Section Eight discharge, a discharge reserved â€Å"‘ for the nuts in the service, the psychos, the Funny Farm candidates’† (144). Leper was a casualty of war, and he wasn’t the only one. According to Brinker, â€Å"‘[Finny is] the casualty’† (167). The Kite Runner is also an excellent example of the pain of war. Bad people rise to power in Pakistan. Amir’s childhood bully and Hassan’s rapist became a high ranking Taliban official and a widely feared figure, who later took children from the orphanage as sex slaves. Hassan’s own son was a casualty of this after the Taliban â€Å"‘-shot [Hassan] in the back of his head. ’† (219). Sohrab was made an orphan due to war and the persecution of the Hazaras. Sohrab’s whole family was hurt by the war, along with the common majority living in Pakistan. As both stories show, the pain of war affects individuals as well as whole communities or countries. It is a deadly and painful component of life and impacts a multitude of people. There is an immense amount of guilt thrown about in A Separate Peace and The Kite Runner as both Gene and Amir severely betray their friends, and that guilt doesn’t leave, it festers throughout the whole book. In A Separate Peace, Gene â€Å"never talked about Phineas † (202) because it hurt too much. Gene betrays Finny, then later, can’t even think of him, he can’t bear to remember him. Gene is so guilty about making Finny fall out of the tree and then lying to him which eventually, in a round about way, led to his imminent death, that talking about Finny was too much, he just couldn’t bear it. However, something good did come out of Gene’s guilt. When Finny dies, Gene’s, â€Å" fury was gone† (203). Finny’s death after Gene’s betrayal helped make Gene a better person. â€Å"Phineas had absorbed it and taken it with him, and I was rid of it forever† (203). Without that anger, that fury, Gene was a more open minded person. He was free of his own wrath. Gene was able to focus on the big picture and not just the little things like who is going to jump out of the tree? or who will be valedictorian? or will Finny find out what I did? The original betrayal then the lingering impact of guilt had a good and a bad side to it. The Kite Runner has similar outcomes due to Amir’s everlasting guilt. Amir went back to Pakistan to save Hassan’s son. Not only did he save Sohrab from child slavery but he invited him to â€Å"‘come live in America with [him] and [his] wife? ’† (322) Had it not been for Amir’s guilt at betraying Hassan in the first place, Amir wouldn’t have gone back, wouldn’t have gone into Pakistan and save the poor boy. Amir became a better person due to the consequences of his guilt. When Assed is beating him, Amir thought â€Å"My body was broken just how badly I wouldn’t find out until later but I felt healed (289). Amir betrays his best friend and as he later finds out, his half brother, then when he is getting beat trying to redeem himself, he actually feels healed. He gets his redemption, and like Gene, becomes a better person, and learns a lesson from his guilt. In both books, there is a large betrayal followed by guilt everlasting and some form of redemption shaping the guilty into a better person. Across both novels, the overarching idea that keeps showing up is if you betray your friends, even during hard times, then it will come back to haunt you but can lead to redemption. Gene and Amir both did awful things to the people that cared about them and committed atrocious betrayals. However, they then faced an insurmountable amount of guilt which eventually led to redemption. The guilt shaped them into better people. Betrayal, while it is an awful thing, doesn’t always have entirely negative outcomes.