TESCO Marketing and Financial Analysis

TESCO Marketing and Financial Analysis Jump to: Marketing Mix of TESCO | SWOT Analysis of Tesco | PESTLE Analysis of Tesco | Porters 5 Forces Analysis of TESCO Tesco company obtained its name and begun its first operations in 1929 when Jack Cohen consolidated his small-scale business by joining forces with T. E. Stockwell. By 1939, Tesco owned a hundred operational stores that were cushioned by its creative innovations both in warehousing and stock control. Currently, there is some degree of affection that the people from the working class maintain for the company and it can be traced back to the beginning of Second World War when the company was the first one to introduce food-rationing way before the government did. Tesco undertook its first expansion when it opened a store in Hungary in 1995. Other international expansions followed in 1990s and they include expansion to Thailand, the Republic of Ireland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Taiwan, and South Korea (Tesco Corporate, 2008). Tesco is now the Britains largest food retailer, employing over 240,000 people worldwide and has remarkable net yearly profits of over  £1 billion. Tesco serves a total of twelve international markets, including a store in California in the United States opened in 2007 as well as all areas of the United Kingdom. The company is head quartered in Delamare Rd. Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. Products and Services range Tesco offers a broad range of products and services, spanning across several sectors and industries. Toscos retail outlets offer groceries, electrical and entertainment goods, mobile phones and accessories and clothing. Other products include those it offers in its direct business that provides other categories of items like Jewelries and watches, sound and vision, grocery; DIY and car maintenance; sports and leisure; toys and gifts; home and bathroom; baby and toddler and furniture and kitchen (Tesco Corporate, 2008). Brands The company has several brands including adminstore, dobbies Garden, clubcard, cullens, harts, homever, kipa, Tesco, Tesco Express, Tesco extra store, Tesco homeplus, teco.com, Tesco.net, Tesco metro and ISP. The Marketing Mix Market orientation in cooperates satisfying the market through an understanding and response to the local needs of the final and intermediate customers, competitors and the macro-environment leading to superior performance. Tesco as been able to market mix through its emphasis on customer needs through its values philosophy no one tries harder for customers; treat people how we like to be treated. Which are disseminated through an internal marketing strategy by distributing the companys papers to its employees (Mockler, 2002). Another way Tesco has succeeded in market mixing is the use of its clubcard loyalty card scheme and websites like tesco.com. Through these, the company has been able to acquire a significant customer base, which an analysis can be performed on. Clubcard significantly influence consumer behaviour in the UK and its closely integrated with the business processes and aligns with the brand and brand strategy. Tesco utilizes the use of online services to enhance its customer experience. These include establishing a site that easy to use, faster, relevant, valuable, serviceable and enhance product development (Rowley, 2008). In addition, Tesco has developed other online products to meet new customer needs like offering of music download and developing grocery delivery services that includes wine and white goods. Tesco also use its product range to create stronger customer experience as a customer is able to purchase a range of products in a single store. In addition, online services have been made easier hence; a customer takes the shortest time with least effort to complete and order creating better customer experience. Tesco uses technology to gather marketing information and planning. First, is the scanning of clubcard to derive information required for customer database. Secondly, is the ability of customers to collect points through the scheme through transactions with various partners and the online services (Grant, 2005). Thirdly, is the data analysis process which Tesco has paid a lot of attention in its design hence ensuring an adequate database, data currency, data equality and tight control of data analysis costs. Tesco another marketing mix is the their astute response to perceived opportunities and threats like entering UK market with express format in 1995 and by refining same format Tesco opened new generation of express units which included pre-fabricated facilities. Tesco operate as the worlds leading internet grocer and runs financial services through a joint venture with the Royal Bank of Scotland. Tesco utilises the technique of entering markets where competition is weak or fragmented hence there is no presence of established global retail giants (Hirsh, 2008). Tesco is very adaptable to its marketing strategies like the idea of not introducing the use of clubcard scheme in US newly opened stores since research found out that most consumer were cynical about the concept. SWOT Analysis (S)trengths: Tescos strengths in grocery retail allow it to compete easily with companies like Sainsbury, ASDA, and Marks Spencer. This has led to its brand name and financial power becoming strengths in themselves. This has led to many more stores being built at home and abroad, leading to geographical strength. The introduction of Tesco Express and Tesco metro show led to strength in flexibility to increase market share. (W)eaknesses: The SWOT analysis of Tesco reveals several weaknesses that include great amount of fossil fuel that is being used in its transport network. With an ever increasing oil prices,  Tesco needs to keep a close monitoring of its transport costs. Another weakness is the Tescos high dependence on the UK grocery market, which is affected by political factors hence it is need to increase its foreign outlets and selling other goods. (O)pportunities: The main opportunities for Tesco, is in the online arena. Tesco has already had many online successes, having turned the Amazon threat into an opportunity by selling books at lower prices (Caves Porter, 1977). Tesco biggest problem in pursuing possible opportunities is deciding exactly which ones to pursue and this is definitely a nice position to be. (T)hreats: Possible threats to Tesco include fluctuations in the stock market and tax increases.  Most companies worry about taxes, and have an objective of decreasing the tax burden. But probably the biggest threat is innovation and competition by other supermarkets, including Asda, Sainsbury, Morrison, and Waitrose. PESTLE Analysis Political factors: Tesco operates in a globalize environment, as it owns stores in other countries hence its performance is highly influenced by the prevailing political and legislative conditions in these countries. Employment legislations encourage retailers to provide a mix of job opportunities and in Tesco implementing legislations, it offers employment opportunities to a larger number of students, disabled and the elderly who are being paid at lower rates and due to high staff turnover, these employees become loyal and desirable to the company (George, 1994). Environmental factors: Considering the fact that in recent times successes of many retail dealers have been threatened by societal concerns regarding environmental issues; Tescos corporate social responsibility is concerned with the ways in which the organization is to exceed the minimum obligations to other stakeholders specified through regulation and corporate governance. The government has a strategy in place that promotes sustainable production and consumption to cut on waste, reduced consumption of resources and to minimize levels damage to the environmental (Heiens, 1990). This legislation has increased costs that are incurred on advertising highly processed and fatty foods. This directly affects the already adapted Toscos product ranges thus affecting relationships with both suppliers and customers Social /cultural factors: Tesco has increased the amount of non-food items that are available for sale as current trend indicate that as result of variable social changes most of British customers have moved towards one stop and bulk shopping. Customers function and social conditioning is reflected by the type of goods and services they demand hence affect their attitudes and beliefs. Currently, customers are becoming aware of health issues and hence constant changing attitudes towards foods. Tesco has been able to adapt to the evolving product mix by accommodating the increased demand for organic foods. Thirdly, demographic changes as aging has led to increased working females resulting in reduced home meal preparation hence Tesco now focus on value-added products and services as well as adopting its own label share of the business mix. Technological factors: This is a major variable that has influenced development of many Tesco products and these newly adopted technologies benefit the company and its customers by raising customers satisfaction through increased goods availability, availability of more convenient shopping experience and more personalized services. Tesco utilize the following technologies in its operations: Radio Frequency Identification, intelligent scale, wireless devices, self-check out machine and electronic labeling (McGahan, 2004). In addition, communication of needs to customers in real time has been made possible through the adoption of Electronic point of Scale (EPoS), electronic scanners and the Electronic Funds Transfer Systems (EFTPos). Legislative factors: Governmental intervention in regulation of some operation in the industry through formation of bodies to regulate the code of practices and the issues of monopoly. These legislations and policies directly impacts on the performance of Tesco, for instance the body concerned with Code of practice prevents the company from demanding payments from its suppliers and the privilege of changing agreed prices without notice (Yip, 2004). Also policies on monopoly (license requirements and limits to access raw materials) reduce buyers power and limits entry in to the sector. For Tesco to implement politically correct pricing policies it has to lower price on promoted goods while compensatively raising prices on other goods. Economic factors: economic factors influence the companys costs, demand, price and profits thus highly influential factors like unemployment greatly decrease effective demand for goods affecting the demand of production of such goods. Most of these factors are out of control of the Tesco Company thus its effects on marketing mix if profound (Merrilees Fry, 2005). The company is therefore reliant on intentional business, which yields greater profits to the company. Competitive Analysis: Porters 5 Forces Bargaining power of suppliers: This is a force represented by the power of suppliers that can be influenced by other major grocery chains and the fear of loosing their businesses to other well-established chains or supermarkets (Henry, 2008). To counter this force, Tesco and Asda have negotiated for better promotional prices from suppliers that the smaller chains cannot match with. Some of the UK-based suppliers are threatened by the growing ability of larger chins like Tesco to source their products from abroad at cheaper deals and hence this forces of competitive rivalry has reduced the profit margins if Tesco and other chains and suppliers. Threat of new entrants: Most of UK grocery market is dominated by few supermarket business competitors and major brands from Tesco, Asda, Safeway and Sainsbury own a larger stake of the market. These chains have been able to build their power on one-stop shopping, major market mix adventure and on operating efficiency thus, greatly affecting traditional shops and creating a barrier to new companies who desire to enter the grocery market. This is possible through of high capital, due to highly developed chains and large fixed costs. In addition, other barriers include economies of scale and differentiation because of Tesco and Asda engaging in aggressive operational tactics in product development, promotion and better distribution. Tesco .Tesco has put huge investments in advanced technology for checkouts and stock control systems have affected both new entrants and existing ones. Bargaining power of competitors: The sector of grocery retailing as been growing significantly both in market size and in dominance. There has been an increased retailer concentration as well as utilization of a range of a range of formats. The purchasing power of the food-retailing industry is often concentrated in the hands of a relatively small number of retail buyers. Tesco is accruing larger customer information to help it communicate with its customers as well as to try to satisfy their sophisticated demands. This highly competitive market has led to accelerated level of development resulting to retailer innovativeness in order to maintain and build market share through development of trading formats in response to consumer changes. Dominant market leaders like Tesco have responded by focusing on price and value while reinforcing added-value of their elements. Bargaining power of customers: Porter theorized that the more products that become standardized or undifferentiated, the lower the switching cost, and hence, more power is yielded to buyers Porter M. (1980). Tesco has been able to achieve this through the use of its club card, loyalty card. It is the companys retention strategy which has increased its profitability. In addition, Tesco brands have controlled and retained its customer base through customized services, better choices, low pricing and maintaining a constant inflow of in-store promotions (Scott Graiser. 2004). Large number of customers demands to do shopping in supermarkets that sell non-food items hence providing them with new strategic expansion into other new market like pharmacies and banking sector. Most customers are now informed of fair trade and the influence of western consumers on the expectations and aspirations of third world producers. Finally, production of ecologically and ethically sound consumer produce like coffee and tea is a viable venture and are therefore readily available in majority of chain stores. Threats of substitutes: General substitution reduces demand of a product because there is a threat of consumers switching to other alternatives. (Porter, 1980). In grocery industry there is a product-product and substitute from need further weakened by new brands. Tesco and other players are now trying to acquire existing small-scale operations by opening metro and express stations in local towns and city centres.

Earth Abides Essay -- essays research papers

Imagine waking up and looking around, only to realize that while you were asleep ninety percent of the world population had vanished. In the novel Earth Abides, George Stewart creates this scenario and makes it a reality. The novel is centered on the life of Ish, who wakes up only to find he is one of the few left on earth. Having to survive and adapt, Ish is faced with the responsibility of making contact with other survivors of the Great Disaster. In doing so, Ish meets several characters and together they form a tribe to fit the new lifestyle. Ish becomes the leader of the group and the main focus of the story; however, he is not the only important character. Some members of the community immerge and become important figures as well. In the novel Earth Abides, we see a tribe with only a few members, grow and develop into a community with over three hundred members. In a new world and with such hard conditions, The Tribe managed to survive successfully. This task was not easy, considering all the other people in the world who had failed. Many other survivors of the Great Disaster, killed themselves, drank their life away, and did not look for reason to live in a civilized manner. However, The Tribe overcame all of that and aimed itself in the right direction for yet another try at Mother Nature. Their success was mainly based on the fact that the members from the Old Times were able to adjust and adapt. They made use of the resources and in some way put the Great Disaster behind them. These members found their place in The Tribe and built a strong foundation for their children. Of such roles, one of the most important is that of a leader. The leader has to take charge of the group, make heavy decisions, and have knowledge and understanding of the world around him. It is the leaders' duty to prepare his people and make sure that they are able to survive and care for themselves. In the novel, we can see this in the character of Ish. From the moment Ish realized what had happened to the he had the desire to be a leader. When he met the black family in his cross-country trip and thought to himself, "I could be a king here if I remained." Later in the novel Ishs desires for leadership are even more noticeable when The Tribe first comes into contact with Charlie. Ish is the only one who feels hostility towards Charlie and act awkwardly around ... ...bers. Both groups often thought differently because of the different times they grew up in, and Ezra understood both cultures. Ish did not often understand what others were thinking, even the children who were his own. Ezra on the other hand could relate to everybody andcommunicate with The Tribe. The survival of The Tribe was dependent on each of the older generation members in some way. Ish had to lead, Ezra had to communicate and Em gave them all courage. There was also George; the repairman who fixed everything for everybody and made sure peoples homes did not fall apart. Molly, Jean, and Maurine, were all simple folks, but brought to The Tribe ideas. Just like in buildings, the foundation of a community or society is the most important part. All the other layers on top depend on the layer below them. The Tribe could not survive with out having a strong foundation to hold on to and build on top of. The older generation members set this foundation using themselves as examples. In the end, everything the Old generation members taught their children had paid off. The new generation were prepared for the future and were well aware of the world around them, they were survivors.

The Battle of the Pacific Essay -- Military History

Introduction April 1, 1945 the United States Military had its sights set on a small island chain known as the Ryukyu Islands. The main island of Okinawa would be the primary target. Sixty miles long and two to eighteen miles wide, this island was only three hundred and forty miles from mainland Japan. This island would put U.S. forces in air bombing range of mainland Japan. The Tenth Army, commanded by Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Butler, consisted of two Army divisions and Two Marine divisions. Also the United States Navy 5th Fleet commanded by Admiral Raymond Spruance. The thirty second Japanese Army, commanded by General Mitsuru Ushijima, would try to defend Okinawa. United States forces were met with little resistance during the invasion however this battle would prove to be one of the fiercest in the Pacific. A cost that did not have to be paid considering the atomic bomb would end the war weeks after the fighting had halted. History On December 7th 1941, the Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor and Americans were caught completely off guard. Eight United States Navy ships were damaged and five were sunk. 2,403 Americans lost their lives with 1,178 wounded. This incident thrust the U.S. military into World War 2. The next three years the United States found themselves in fierce battles throughout the Pacific. The technique used is referred to as island hopping. After Midway, the Philippines, the Marianas, and Iwo Jima it was now time for Okinawa. Okinawa its self is a territory of Japan. The civilian populous, once a monarchy, was caught in the middle of a bloody battle. Planning and Preparation The original plan was to take the Island of Formosa, or Taiwan as it is commonly known. After... ... The staggering cost of this battle was one that didn’t necessarily have to be paid. On August 6th the first atomic bomb named Little Boy, was dropped on Hiroshima. Three days later a second atomic bomb, named Fat Man, was dropped on Nagasaki. On August 15th, just six weeks after the fighting on Okinawa was over, Japan announced its surrender. On September 2nd the official declaration of surrender was signed by the Japanese. References Fiefer, George Tennozan the Battle of Okinawa and the Atomic Bomb, Ticnor and Fields 1992 Leckie, Robert Okinawa the Last Battle of World War II, Viking Penguin 1995 Pryce, Richard O.K.K.A. â€Å"The Battle of Okinawa†, www.okka.co.uk/battleofokinawa.html Thomas, Evan Sea of Thunder, Simon and Schuster 2006 â€Å"World war II in Europe†, History Place 1997, www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/pearl.html

Moms Creamy Potato Soup :: essays research papers

Mom’s Creamy Potato Soup One reason I like fall is because of the crisp, cool mornings. Football is very big at my house. That is very apparent in the fall. When Thanksgiving comes, all my family and I do is eat turkey and watch football games. Mom’s rich and creamy potato soup is served during the cold, winter months. People usually think of soup as being tomato or chicken noodle, but not potato. The color of her soup is that of an off-white or yellow. The texture of the soup is very thick. It looks like creamy potatoes in a bowl when it is done. The aroma of the soup is very strong and earth-smelling. My entire house smells like potatoes while my mom prepares the potato soup. When I eat her creamy potato soup, I always have seconds and my stomach always thinks, â€Å"What good soup this is!† In a five quart Dutch oven over medium heat in hot margarine, she cooks potatoes and onions in hot margarine until they are golden brown. The smell of the onions is tantalizing. She does this for ten minutes, stirring frequently. She then adds water, salt, pepper, and a chicken bouillon cube over high heat. These ingredients are added to the Dutch oven and then heated to a boil. The heat is then reduced. These ingredients are covered and the potatoes are simmered until they are fork tender. This process takes fifteen minutes. The potatoes are removed from the heat. With a potato masher, she mashes the potatoes until the desired consistency is achieved. She stirs in milk and heats it through. When my mom serves the soup, my family and I salivate as we look at the delicious potato soup about to be served to us by my mother. My mom asks us if we would like, and we always say, â€Å"Yes, mother, I would like more of your scrumptious potato soup. †My mom serves the soup on a cold winter’s night. When I devour her soup, I usually can eat another bowl. It fills my stomach making me unable to do anything for at least four hours after I get done consuming her soup. I can never wait until she makes her potato soup because that just happens to be my favorite food. Her soup reminds me of a teddy bear, warm and soft inside. It also gives me the feeling of togetherness with my family sitting around the dinner table telling each other of our days and how life is going.

Effects of TV viewing on children Essay

Children are to be considered as the hope of the tomorrow. They are the one who make our world beautiful and meaningful because of their innocence and simplicity. But are these facts still true nowadays? Or it will be just a â€Å"dream† for us now? Children’s characters, personalities and their totality as individual first develop and mold inside the home where parents are oblige and responsible to teach their children the good values and morals. But the irony for this issue is that, parents tend to forget their responsibilities as parents in supervising their kids, due to their hectic schedules and demands of their work, especially in watching television where children are expose to different kinds of indecent advertisements and commercials. Parents should allot time in spending quality moments and be on the side of their children in order for them to explain the advertisements and commercials which have an adult content. This paper argues the negative effects of television viewing on children. Television is a very powerful tool to the learning of the children and it can educate them in many ways whether it is profitable or destructive to their morals and values. It contributes much most especially when parents let their children watch indecent television shows anytime of the day without their supervision. There are also shows on TV that create fear to the hearts of these children because they are able to internalize what they have seen. In a researched entitled â€Å"Television† and conducted by the University of Michigan Health System stated that â€Å"in a usual American household, there are about 7 hours spend by children in watching television everyday and there are about tens of thousands of commercials observed by the kids on TV which the public relations mark. And not only that, every year the range of 1,000 to 2,000 children watched TV ads for alcohol and the fears attributed by the television can create sleep problems. A survey showed that there was about 37 percent of the kids stated that they were terrified by a TV story and the symptoms for this included anxious feelings, withdrawing from friends, nightmares†¦(see â€Å"Television† University of Michigan Health System). There are also commercials that speak about sex. It is called sex in advertising. The use of sexual attraction as a tool of persuasion by drawing attention, interest to a particular product for the purpose of promotion and increase in sales had been a part of marketing and advertising industry for quite some time. The method generally uses attractive models, usually in a suggestive or provocative scene. The past two decades have witnessed an increasing use of explicit sexual appeal in consumer-oriented print advertising and particularly of women as the object of sexual desire that it has reached to the point of being common. The use of sex in advertising on television can range from being highly overt to extremely subtle; from explicit displays of sexual acts or nudity, down to the use of basic cosmetic products to enhance attractiveness. The more subtle forms of this spectrum have seeped into other types of media. One such example is the criteria in the selection of DJs and announcers, which is based on the â€Å"sexiness† of their voice. The use of sexual imagery in advertising has received a barrage of criticisms on various grounds. Moral and religious groups oppose it for being obscene. Feminist groups raise the issue of women’s rights, that it reduces women as mere ‘objects’. Others believe that it only reinforces sexism. Sex in marketing through the years has become raunchier and raunchier, with each advertisement trying to outdo the last. Since it has become a powerful force in the marketing industry, we see the market being saturated with signs of glamorous blond women and muscle-rippling playboys. However, recent studies indicate that such a tool is no longer the sure-way answer to every marketing officer’s prayer. Although most companies utilize sex as their largest promoter of their product(s), negative results may never be far behind. Sexual ads do not always appeal to all consumers and accept sex as an acceptable marketing tool. A study done by Susan Cummings for the American Demographics Magazine, quoted that â€Å"75 percent of women and 53 percent of men aged 35 to 54 said that sex in advertising can be offensive† (Cited in â€Å"Sex Sells†¦No, Really! †). Other concerns being raised is how the youth react to this and how they perceive sex in advertising. There are many different opinions on how sexual appeal in advertising is defined. A slight difference had been found between young men and women. Sexual appeal for young women did not depend on how people looked in the advertisement. Focus is more on movement. It does not even have to include nudity, and models need not be exceptionally good looking for the ad to be even considered sexual. Young men also believe that the movement and the appearance of the models are of great importance. Both genders perceive an ad as sexual through words and images, even without images of nudity among the characters. Therefore, this study came to the following conclusions: that advertisement do not have to contain nudity to be perceived by young men and women as sexual in character; even movement and appearance of the models in the advertisement can make it sexual in nature; young men differ from their women counterparts in the sense that they believe that exceptional good looks among models require an ad campaign to be so. They also believe that there is too much sex in advertising, even observing that there are companies who make use of sexual appeal even if their product is discordant with the sexual image. These young men also see advertisements as discriminating to both men and women. This research also came to the same conclusion that buying behavior does not change, since nudity in advertisement has become so common. Young female respondents also believe that there is too much sex in advertising and these failed to elicit responses. Reaction of tension came only if the image is tasteless. However, for young women, attitude and buying behavior might change if an advertisement based on sexual appeal is too sexual. A favorable response comes only if the sexual appeal is done tastefully and the appeal has any connection towards the brand. Their self-image and confidence is affected when it showed attractive models. Corporations are then urged to make considerations in aiming advertising towards youth in using sexual appeals in their advertisement campaigns. This means that children are prone to adapt thwarted values and morals which will affect sooner to their development as individuals and contribute in the later part of their lives. Being TV addicts is more treacherous and hazardous than taking a drug because it disseminates violence, spoils people’s intellects, and ruins not only the individual but as well as our nation and culture. In conclusion, it cannot deny that children are great imitators and that is one of their natures. They really follow and imitate what they have seen and observed from other people especially when they realize that these people involve manifests excitement in doing such acts. Present television’s advertisements, commercials, shows and movies already content indecent acts such as violence, sensual actions or sex, drinking and taking drugs which have great impact to the minds of the younger generations. These kinds of entertainments will create curiosity and puzzlements to their young minds that will push them to try it by themselves. The advertisers really put an effort to convey their audiences-whether young or old-whom the actions perform on TV, those actions are worth emulating for and because of this, children are motivated to imitate it. The University of Michigan Health System further discussed that â€Å"TV shows usually speak about the use of alcohol. The existence of alcohol on TV resorts the gamut from prime-time programs†¦In addition, the researched informed us that those who are TV addicts are more similarly to smoke cigarettes and marijuana. However, parents are not open in discussing issues such as birth control, sexually transmitted disease and sex and even schools are lacking to give information about sex education programs and due to such reasons, children are able to acquire sex information through watching TV. In a survey disclosed the fact that there were about 76 percent of teenagers attested that one intuition why young people indulge in sex because TV movies and programs make such thing as common and ordinary for their age group (see â€Å"Television† University of Michigan Health System).

Basketball vs Baseball

Basketball and baseball are among the most popular sports in the United States. Baseball has been around the longest, but it’s definitely not the best sport to watch or play. Basketball is a much more exciting sport to watch, be a fan of, and play than baseball because players are more athletic, it’s easier to play, and more fun to follow. Basketball players are some of the most athletic people in the world. The average basketball player can run faster and jump higher than the average baseball player. Some of baseball’s best players have been completely out of shape – from Babe Ruth to David Wells to Prince Fielder.Basketball players also rely on training and conditioning to stay in shape. Michael Jordan won 6 championships in the 90s, when the game was even more physical than today’s, by hiring the best trainers that money could buy. Barry Bonds broke the home run record by allegedly hiring the best trainers that could buy him steroids. Any time a feat in baseball is achieved, there are always questions that taint the sport. Whenever a feat in basketball is achieved, the athletes have earned it. Basketball is also a better sport because it’s easy to play. All that is needed is to do is go to any park and start playing a pick up game.Even if no one is there, it’s easy to just shoot around. People aspiring to play baseball aren’t so lucky. Rounding up 17 other people to play is almost impossible with the amount of other things kids would rather be doing. That doesn’t include making sure that there are enough gloves, baseballs, and everything else that is needed to play a game. It’s even a bigger hassle to go to the park and practice by yourself. Have fun hitting a baseball 300 feet and going to retrieve it every time. The only real option is to go to the batting cages. As you pass about 20 basketball courts on your way there, make sure you have enough money to practice.Not only is basketball e asier to organize, indoor-basketball games don’t depend on fair weather. Live in Seattle and it’s raining? Find a gym. You’re a baseball player that lives in Seattle and it’s raining? Come back in the summer. Because all organized basketball is played indoors, the hoop is always 10 feet high and every game that is played will be played on the same size court. Not only are there variables of the weather when it comes to baseball, the dimensions of each stadium differ. No matter where Kobe plays, he knows exactly how to attack from every spot on the floor.Take Josh Hamilton out of Arlington and put him into a â€Å"pitcher’s park† and he might be taken out of the MVP race. Being a fan of NBA basketball is much more exciting than MLB baseball. In the NBA, you are required to trade salaries that match the incoming salaries within 15%. If a team is trading a star’s max contract, more than likely they’ll receive another star (unless you’re the Orlando Magic). Regardless, you’ll receive someone that plays professionally in the NBA. Only in baseball can a team trade it’s best player who makes $20 million a year for â€Å"a player to be named later. That player usually ends up being a 21 year-old prospect who may never make it to the big leagues. This makes basketball much more exciting because teams have a better chance of staying competitive. Another thing that makes basketball more exciting is that your best player will play every single game and every single minute and make a huge impact on offense and defense if healthy. We saw Lebron James and Kevin Durant play against each other during the NBA Finals. We also saw Cole Hamels go 1-0 in 2 starts in the 2008 World Series and win MVP.He played 2 games, won 1 of them, and walked home with the MVP trophy. Count on basketball’s best players to play every single game and control their team’s last possession of the game. Many witn essed what Michael Jordan did in the NBA Finals with the flu against the Utah Jazz. He willed his team to victory, especially during the most clutch moments of the game. How many times has a team’s best hitter sat on the bench the entire 9th inning because it wasn’t his turn in the lineup? How many times has a team’s best pitcher sat on the bench in the 9th inning because he’s already pitched over 100 pitches?How many times has a team’s best defender stood in the same exact spot on the field during all three outs in the 9th because the ball wasn’t hit to him? In conclusion, basketball is a better all-around sport than baseball is. As an athlete, basketball keeps you in great shape. As an NBA fan, your star player will never be traded for an unknown D-League player. The pace of a basketball game is much faster and you can rest assured that an NBA championship will never be won with a final score of 1-0 – after multiple overtime quarter s. No matter how you spin it, basketball is just in a different class.

Case Study of Architect Lenny Oh

Introduction Lenny Oh was born in 1979 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His parents are the Straits Peranakan from Melacca and recently travel to Kuala Lumpur before given birth to Lenny. His full childhood was really joyful, he and household are rather frequently visit his grandparents and relation inMelacca. Due to this ground, Lenny has influence by the ThePasss Peranakan Melaka architecturesince he was immature. The long and narrow shop-house with a centre courtyard and air-well is the most important characteristics in Melaka house and was brought him influence when he grew up to be an designer. Lenny received his preparation in Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia. He so joined Arkitek Maju Bina Sdn Bhd after returning to Malaysia in 2003. He involved in legion residential and commercial undertakings as a design designer and undertaking designer. Lenny have 10 old ages working experience at Arkitect Maju Bina Sdn Bhd since twelvemonth 2003. After that, he successfully becomes as a professional enrollment member of Professional architect/Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia ( LAM ) . Then, he establishes CL+O Architects Sdn. Bhd in 2013 together with Ar. Chiam Chin Yong and Ar. Martin Lee Wee Hong and continues to pattern architecture under this new entity. Besides, he has besides been involved in two residential undertakings which have been received Singapore’s BCA Green Mark Awards and the Malayan Green edifice Index Certification. Besides that, Ar. Lenny had besides been involved in legion of residential and commercial development undertakings during his new architecture journey. The edifice that I choose among his art piece to make the analysis is theGrand Villas Bungalowwhich located at Tropicana Indah. Grand Villas is a modern and modern-day residential lodging which suit nowadays modern life manner every bit good to suit a turning three-generation household under one roof. Tropicana Indah is a fast development and up market enclave that is located in the bosom of Petaling Jaya, Tropicana. It surrounded by Tropicana Golf & A ; Country Resort and Seri Selangor Public Golf Resort and these golf classs bring the green exuberant scenery and nature to the Tropicana Indah. Architectural theory Architectural theory is the first factor that I wish to analyze on Grand Villas Bungalow. This cottage has a distinctively modern and modern-day facade which influence byModernism and Minimalism theory. It gives a sense ofOpenness,Minimalism,Elation,Transparency of infiniteandEasy motion in infinite. First, it shows a reallystrong linearsignifierthat takes on a modern design. The additive and horizontal elements are one of the characteristics harmonizing to Walter Gropius modern theory. ( ) This is seemingly shown in the facade lift of Grand Villa Bungalow. The elements as good without ornament and simple stuffs represent a sense of indispensable quality. Besides, it besides possesses the combination of modern-day tropical design. Furthermore, thesimple geometryis evidently reflected on Grand Villa facade. ( ) Minimalistic design is overtones of utmost simpleness and formal cleanliness. Harmonizing to minimal art theory, the design elements should convey the message of simpleness. Pure, simple motivation of denouncement is clearly shown in Grand Villa. ( ) Besides, the thought is without ornaments. However, that all parts and joinery inside informations are considered as reduced to a phase where no 1 can take anything farther to better the design. Theprimary coloring materialis used to accomplish the simpleness. ( ) Following, three of the 5 point architecture theory of Le Cobusier can be seen from the program of Grand Villa. Harmonizing tothe pilotistheory, the back uping reinforced concrete construction had given us the pilotis that steadfastly driven into the land. However, this had been changed and the alteration can be seen in through Grand Villa cottage. From the program, it shows that the pilotis is exposing at the front portion of the edifice, which is at the Entrance on the land degree and the balcony on the first degree of the edifice. Now, this is served for the aesthetic intents for the olympian forepart facade of Grand Villa. Second, harmonizing to the 5 point theory of Le Cobusier, the house should be erected on an independent model, supplying an unfastened program and free facades. However, theunfastened programtheory had been adapted yet remain partly which reflected on the Grand Villa program. In Grand Villa, the large open-concept dry kitchen, life and dining country are most agreeable. The unfastened program means entire freedom in infinites. ( ) It open out to a generous outdoor terrace which provides an overlooks to the infinity-edged lap pool and landscaped garden. Therefore, the moisture kitchen and laundry country separated from it. Theroof top gardenis besides one of the important point of Le Cobusier theory which shows in Grand Villa cottage every bit good. There no more sloping roofs which can non be put to utilize, in contrast, the possibility of puting a gardens on the roof is to counter the effects of enlargement. This pattern is clearly shown in the Grand Villa. Due to the modern evolvement of life style, the excess component of roof top sofa had been promoted to unite with the roof top garden. In add-on, it shows theexact circulationon the program. The running of a place consists of precise maps in a regular order. The regular order of these maps constitutes a phenomenon of circulation. An exact, economic rapid circulation is the key to modern-day architecture. The precise maps of place life require assorted countries whose minimal content can be rather exactly determined. These maps can be diagrammed along a uninterrupted line so the interplay of the necessary countries and their propinquities can be clearly discerned. The facades aresuppliers of visible radiation. The Minimalism province that the considerations for ‘essences’ are light, infinite and human status. This aid simplifies populating infinite to uncover the indispensable quality of edifices and conveys simpleness in attitudes toward life. They require a flow of light which in the daylight can be admitted as there are legion gaps and crystalline elements such as glass in the Grand Villa. This enhances the motion of natural visible radiation in edifices reveals simple and clean infinites. The elation is stressing the fluidness of natural visible radiation throughout the infinites in the Villa. Climate Following, clime is one of the analysis factors every bit good. First, the orientation of the spacial agreement is shown on the Grand Villa program. ( ) All the chief infinites such as life country, dining country, music room and the out-of-door infinites such as out-of-door terrace, deck, pool and verdure landscape are confronting east orientation. ( ) This is because there is a Casa Indah Condominium located east side which helps to test the direct forenoon sunshine. Besides, this is usage to catch the dawn scenery from the chief infinites and the out-of-door relaxation infinites. Furthermore,utilize of natural sunshineis to stress on the usage ofinactive design. Besides, it is besides to heighten the elation within the edifice. The Villa provides assorted big gaps and glass placed confronting east whereas the little gaps and Windowss placed confronting west. This is because there is Casa Indah Condominiums located south east side which helps to test the direct forenoon sunshine. After afternoon, the east portion of the edifice with big opening Windowss will be avoid from direct flushing sunshine yet still holding daylight admit into the edifice. During eventide, the out-of-door infinites can good use without direct eventide blazes. Additionally, the intent is besides to catch the forenoon sunshine which is better for human wellness alternatively of flushing sunshine. Furthermore, theusage of perpendicular shadingcan be clearly seen from the east lift of Grand Villa. The usage of perpendicular louvres is serve as an sunshade to partly test off the sunshine of the 2 chief infinites with excess high ceiling with full and big glass which confronting east way. The shading is good utilised as testing in order to accomplish the thermic comfort of the two chief infinites with big country of glass. Then, the user can bask the daytime within the infinite at a more comfy degree. In add-on, the ceiling tallness of the edifice besides helps better the airing. The Grand Villa possesses the high ceiling between 3.2 m to 4 m. The proviso of thesehigh ceilings and tall infiniteswithin encourage good airing. Theroofof Grand Villa is alone in form. The pitched roof with a larger gap is confronting east and the smaller gap confronting West. The intent is to let more natural visible radiation enter the roof top sofa during forenoon and appropriate degree of twenty-four hours visible radiation during eventide. Next, the back portion of Villa is environing by the river and flora. Thenature contextenhances the Villa from the dorsum which gives a nature background to the Villa. This is really emphasis the calm environment from the dorsum of the Villa every bit good. Personal Cultural Background Influences Last but non least, the personal cultural background influences besides one of the analysis factors.Cultural beliefis one of influence in his design calling. In the spacial planning of Grand Villa, the chief infinites of the Villa are confronting east orientation. In Chinese Feng Shui belief that East orientation is the best as it brings good fortune, wellness and wealth. It besides the orientation which the Sun rise typify a trade name new twenty-four hours with a good start. Besides, the transparence of infinite is besides stressing on the east orientation. In add-on, his design is influence byChinese traditional spatialcharacteristic every bit good. The spatial in Grand Villa shows the layering in infinite which stressing the privacy in spacial agreement from outer to inner. This is clearly reflected from the traditional Chinese brooding spacial layout. The following 1 is the influence on thelocation of the music infinitein the Villa. Ar. Lenny is a music lover as he plays assorted sort of music instruments. He loved to play piano and listen music with his household at place since immature until today. This shows that he is from a music background household every bit good shows that he serves music in a really particular place in his life. This is reflected his taught in his design calling. The arrangement of the music room in the Villa was located at the most interior portion of the edifice which confronting the nature elements such as river and flora. The combination of music with the serene, peace and natural environment is the considerable thought in his design. This may be the best interaction between both music and nature. Theâ€Å"Peranakan† architectureis besides one of his influences. Ar. Lenny is Melacca â€Å"Peranakan† descend. He has influence by the The Straits Peranakan Melaka architecture of the long and narrow shop-house with a centre courtyard and air-well in the Melaka house. The Centre dual volume courtyard is one of the important elements. Therefore, he modifies the thought and applies it into the dining country locate at the Centre which gives a dual volumetric sense of infinite which reflect partly from the Centre courtyard. The alteration is to accommodate the local neoteric modern life manner. Base on the above analysis, Ar. Lenny emphasize in good utilizing natural lighting in his design.