Southwest Airlines

The southwest airline, which was founded by Herb Keller the then CEO in June 1971, has been one of the most profitable businesses since it commenced its operations.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Southwest Airlines specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It was ranked among the top admired airlines in the past as per a survey conducted by the American customer satisfaction index from 1997 to 2001 in terms of satisfactory customer service. The southwest airlines applied a shorthaul approach, which entailed a 55 minutes flight time. It also paid its crews by each trip and used the less congested airports for its operations. In addition, the southwest pilots were not members of a national union that limited the number of hours a pilot could fly an airplane. The duration between landing of a plane and its takeoff was about 20 minutes, in which four ground crew and two gate agents were required, as opposed to the united air lines, which required approximately 30 minutes with an additional ground crew of 12 and 3 gate agents. The CEO’s philosophy of putting employees’ needs first contributed to satisfying the employees, who resulted to being dedicated and motivated, thus working towards satisfying the customers’ needs. When customers are pleased with the services offered, they definitely come back for more services (Achtmeyer, 2002). In June 2010, Southwest Airline celebrated 40 years of service, which is remarkable. Industry Analysis of Southwest Airlines Southwest Airline has been constantly profitable, as opposed to other airlines, some of which have been declared bankrupt. Its reputation hails from low-affordable fares, timely flights, and an attractive corporate culture. Nevertheless, each business is influenced by Michael porter’s five forces, which include; â€Å"supplier power, buyer power, threats of substitutes, degree of rivalry and threats of new entrants† (Orcullo, 2007, p. 49). Rivalry A competitive market is always associated with rivalry, because of market concentration. As a result, each airline fights to achieve a competitive advantage. The southwest Airlines offer low fares as one of their competition strategies and offers many on-time flights to its customers. Price wars are evident in the airline industry as a means of attracting customers; for instance, Southwest Airlines offers low cost fares that are readily available on the internet. In addition, Southwest Airline has managed to beat Delta Airlines in terms of fares, since the latter’s fares are quiet high. In addition, Delta Airlines has outweighed Southwest Airlines due to the acquiring of Northwest Airlines, hence capable of offering passenger access to all cities in the United States and across all corners of the world.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More U nited Airlines recently merged with Continental, posing as a threat to the Southwest Airlines. Nevertheless, Southwest Airline knows that low fares alone cannot guarantee a competitive advantage; therefore, it pays its pilots handsomely, 40% higher as compared to other airlines, hence motivating the pilots to fly at least an extra hour as opposed to other airlines (Mouawad, 2010). In addition, Southwest Airline does not charge for the customer flight changes, therefore, customers are easily lured. In contrast, Delta Airline distributes majority of its tickets to travel agents, thus, costs are incurred, which result to rise in the ticket prices for customers. However, Southwest Airline creates online ticket booking at low prices, a strategy that has proved to be a reliable over the years. Threat of Entry Due to the deregulation of airline industries, new airlines may emerge, to avoid some airlines being declared bankrupt because of stiff competition. Southwest Airline has been faced by a lot of threat from the emerging airlines that have adopted the low cost and quality customer care services; for instance the Jet Blue Airways, hence being a challenge to the Southwest Airline in fear of loosing customers to the growing airline. Threats of Substitutes Most of the services offered by airlines are almost similar; hence, a customer may be tempted to try out another airline with similar services. The airline industry faces threat from other means of transportation, for instance, buses or trains. This may be relevant in short distances, however, in long overseas destinations, most people prefer the airlines, as they are fast. The southwest airline is exposed to the threat of the substitutes offered by the rival airlines, for instance, some destinations traveled by Delta Airlines are also covered by Southwest Airlines – New York, Miami and other countries. In addition, Jet Blue Airway has proved to be a major threat in terms of the low fare strategy, whereby, i t offers approximately low fares, as it is the case with the southwest airline. The Suppliers Bargaining Power Due to the competitive airline industry, airplane manufactures like Boeing and Airbus have a high bargaining power due to the switching costs incurred when changing airplane models. However, Southwest Airline has been using one kind of airplane, Boeing 737, hence saving a lot of cash in terms of maintenance and training of engineers. This measure gives Boeing manufactures a high bargaining power over the Southwest Airline, as it only uses one plane model. However, the recent remarks made by Kelly Gary, the current CEO of Southwest Airline, on a possible shift from the Boeing manufactures to other manufactures with fuel-efficient aircraft could render Boeing manufacturer’s bargaining power to decrease. Nevertheless, Boeing manufactures may have a low bargaining power over its other customers like Jet Blue Airways, since it is not as enormous as the southwest airlines. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Southwest Airlines specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Buyer Bargaining Power Southwest Airline offer friendly fares to their customers as a way of attracting more customers. However, there are a number of services that are spiced up to make the passenger comfortable – bags are not charged, pets accompanied by a passenger are allowed in the plane, and pet cabins are provided. Moreover, change of flights is not charged, therefore guaranteeing customers flexibility. These strategies give customers a bargaining power, as they are able to choose from any affordable traveling classes, and have the freedom of bringing their pets along. Conclusion Since its operations in 1971, Southwest Airline has proven to be effective and reliable, in terms of customer service, flexibility, and productivity. The adopted strategy of cost leadership and product differentiation has led to a competit ive advantage. Despite the short trips it made in its early years, those trips were accompanied by a large number of passengers, and the flights were always on time. Providing relative low fares to its customers and paying its employee handsomely has contributed to loyalty from both the customers and employees. In addition, Southwest Airline has a unique culture, which involves allowing its attendants engaging the passengers in songs and games. References Achtmeyer, W. (2002). Southwest airline corporation, No.2-0012. Turk school of business at Dartmouth. Web. Mouawad, J. (2010). The New York Times; business day. Web. Orcullo, N. (2007). Fundamentals of Strategic Management. Quezon City: Rex Bookstore Inc Publisher.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This essay on Southwest Airlines was written and submitted by user Kayla Herring to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Southwest Airlines

Sarah Emma Edmonds - Woman Who Fought in the Civil War

Sarah Emma Edmonds - Woman Who Fought in the Civil War Known for:  serving in the Civil War by disguising herself as a man; writing a post-Civil War book about her wartime experiences Dates:  - Sarah Emma Edmonds was born Edmonson or Edmondson in New Brunswick, Canada in December 1841. Her father was Isaac Edmon(d)son and her mother Elizabeth Leepers.   Early Life Sarah grew up working in the fields with her family and was usually wearing boys’ clothing doing so.  She left home to avoid a marriage instigated by her father.  Eventually, she began dressing as a man, selling Bibles, and calling herself Franklin Thompson.  She moved to Flint, Michigan as part of her job, and there she decided to join Company F of the Second Michigan Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, still as Franklin Thompson. During the War She successfully evading detection as a woman for a year, though some fellow soldiers seem to have suspected. She participated in the Battle of Blackburns Ford, First Bull Run/Manassas, the Peninsular Campaign, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. Sometimes, she served in the capacity of a nurse, and sometimes more actively in the campaign.  According to her memoirs, she sometimes served as a spy, disguised as a woman (Bridget OShea), a boy, a black woman or a black man. She may have made 11 trips behind Confederate lines.  At Antietam, treating one soldier, she realized that it was another woman in disguise, and agreed to bury the soldier so that none would discover her real identity. She deserted in Lebanon in April 1863. There’s been some speculation that her desertion was to join James Reid, another soldier who left, giving as a reason that his wife was sick. After deserting, she worked - as Sarah Edmonds - as a nurse for the U.S. Christian Commission. Edmonds published her version of her service - with many embellishments - in 1865 as  Nurse and Spy in the Union Army. She donated proceeds from her book to societies founded to help veterans of the war. Life After the War At Harpers Ferry, while nursing, she had met Linus Seelye, and they married in 1867, first living in Cleveland, later moving around to other states including Michigan, Louisiana, Illinois, and Texas. Their three children died young and they adopted two sons. In 1882 she began to petition for a pension as a veteran, asking for assistance in her pursuit from many who had served in the army with her. She was granted one in 1884 under her new married name, Sarah E. E. Seelye, including back pay and including removing the designation of deserter from Franklin Thomas’ records. She moved to Texas, where she was admitted into the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic), the only woman to be admitted. Sarah died a few years later in Texas on September 5, 1898. We know of Sarah Emma Edmonds primarily through her own book, through records assembled to defend her pension claim, and through diaries of two men with whom she served. Bibliography Civil War Battle from the Perspective of a Nurse - S. Emma Edmonds  - an excerpt from Edmonds 1865 memoir telling the story of the Battle of Bull Run, 1861 (also called 1st Manassas)Moss, Marissa.  Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero.  Ages 9-12.Sequin, Marilyn.  Where Duty Calls: The Story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, Soldier and Spy in the Union Army.  Young Adult Fiction.Reil, Seymour.  Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy.  Ages 9-12.Edmonds, S. Emma.  Nurse and Spy in the Union Army: Comprising the Adventures and Experiences of a Woman in Hospitals, Camps and Battle-Fields.  1865.

Major Wars and Conflicts of the 20th Century

Major Wars and Conflicts of the 20th Century The 20th century was dominated by wars and conflicts that often altered the balance of  power around the globe. The 20th century saw the emergence of total wars, such as World War I and World War II, which were  large enough to encompass nearly the entire world. Other wars, like the Chinese Civil War, remained local but still caused the deaths of millions of people. The reasons for the wars varied from expansion disputes  to  upsets in government to the  intentional murder of an entire people. However, they all shared one thing: an extraordinary number of deaths. Which Was the Deadliest War of the 20th Century? The largest and bloodiest war of the 20th century (and of  all time) was World War II. The conflict, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, involved most of the planet. When it was finally over, more than 60 million people were dead. Of that enormous group, which represents about 3 percent of the entire world population at the time, the huge majority (well over 50 million) were civilians. World War I was also bloody, with 8.5 million military deaths plus an estimated 13 million more civilian fatalities. If we were to add in the deaths caused by the  1918  influenza epidemic, which was spread by returning soldiers at the end of  World War I,  the WWI total would be much higher, since the epidemic alone was responsible for  50 to 100 million deaths. Third in the list of bloody wars of the 20th century is the Russian Civil War, which caused the deaths of an estimated 9 million people. Unlike the two world wars, however, the Russian Civil War did not spread across Europe or beyond. Rather, it was a struggle for power following the Russian Revolution, and it pitted the Bolsheviks, headed by Lenin, against a coalition called the White Army. Interestingly, the Russian Civil War was over 14 times deadlier than the American Civil War, which saw the deaths of 620,000. The American Civil War was by far the deadliest war in history for United States soldiers. The second deadliest war in terms of American deaths was World War II in which 405,399 Americans died. The List of Major Wars and Conflicts of the 20th Century All of these wars, conflicts, revolutions, civil wars, and genocides shaped the 20th century. Below is a chronological list of the major wars of the 20th century. 1898–1901 Boxer Rebellion1899–1902 Boer War1904–1905 Russo-Japanese War1910–1920 Mexican Revolution1912–1913 First and Second Balkan Wars1914–1918 World War I1915–1918 Armenian Genocide1917 Russian Revolution1918–1921 Russian Civil War1919–1921 Irish War of Independence1927–1937 Chinese Civil War1933–1945 Holocaust1935–1936 Second Italo-Abyssinian War (also known as the Second Italo-Ethiopian War or the Abyssinian War)1936–1939 Spanish Civil War1939–1945 World War II1945–1990 Cold War1946–1949 Chinese Civil War resumes1946–1954 First Indochina War (also known as the French Indochina War)1948 Israel War of Independence (also known as the Arab-Israeli War)1950–1953 Korean War1954–1962 French-Algerian War1955–1972 First Sudanese Civil War1956 Suez Crisis1959 Cuban Revolution1959–1975  Vietnam War1967 Six-Day War1979–1989 Soviet-Afgha n War1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War1990–1991 Persian Gulf War1991–1995 Third Balkan War1994 Rwandan Genocide

Marine Electric Energy Sources Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Marine Electric Energy Sources - Essay Example Tides are formed as a result of gravitation force from the sun and the moon, Tidal barrage are dams constructed across an estuary to hold water during high tides and then utilise the potential energy from the high water levels during low tide to generate electricity using turbines, the largest tidal barrage is the Rance tidal plant in France that produces 240 mega watts. Wave are formed when a strong wind passes over sea water, when wave energy is captured it is used to generate electricity, the height of waves depend on the speed of wind, depth of water and duration of wind. According to Jason Margolis(2007) the Pelamis system is on of the widely used method to produce electricity, the Pelamis is a large snake like device that floats and is anchored to the seabed, the device has three power generating sections and waves enable the device to make snake like movements that push hydraulic fluids used in generating electricity, Jason Margolis (2007) states that the system is expensive compared to other sources of energy and at the same time relatively inefficient, these devices are placed parallel to each other forming a wave farm, one of the operational Pelamis system was installed in Portugal in 2008 producing 2.25 megawatts. Offshore Wind farms: Wind power is utilised by turbines which that produce electric energy, according to Jason Margolis (2007) wind energy costs have reduced by 80% over the years due to advancement in technology. A wind farm is a number of wind turbines in the same location. Wind farms are either onshore farm, near shore or offshore. Offshore wind farms are located some kilometres into the sea, wind speed in the sea is considered to have higher speed compared to the wind on the land, however offshore wind firms are more expensive than other wind farms. According to Jason Szep (2009) the US plans to install an offshore wind firm at a cost of 1 billion dollars, the project is expected to have 130 turbines which will produce approximately 170 megawatts in the Cape Cod region and the power generated will be in a position to provide power to over 400,000 residents. Ocean thermal energy conversion: This is a form of energy source that involves utilising temperature differences in sea water, large temperature differences produce more power, the thermal system used in producing electricity is approximately 3%, system used in utilising this form of energy are very expensive and the power produced is relatively low and depends on the location. According to Reuters (2008) the US government has plans of spending over 1.4 billion to enable innovations of Ocean thermal energy conversion, for this reason therefore there have been efforts to improve Ocean thermal energy conversion. Political, economic and environmental implications: Political implications: The European Union according to this report is planning to over 20% of energy using renewable source and therefore it is likely that the renewable energy will be alternative in the future to produce electric energy. However Critics exist is that the some forms of energy sources will hinder economic growth, example the proposed wind farm in the US is expected to hinder commercial fishing in

The Theology of the Emerging Church Research Paper

The Theology of the Emerging Church - Research Paper Example Its members do not adhere to the traditional modernist dualisms of spirit and matter, mind and body, sacred or secular, but they want to go a different part in the midst of postmodernism.2 Thesis Statement: This paper aims to study the place of Christology in the theology of the Emerging Church. The need for the study The primary aim and mission of Emerging Church is to bring Christians from different denominations by making significant changes on how the church should be run and organized. This study will have ecumenical importance because it has implications on bringing the different churches together. The church is still diverse and fragmented movement; leaders just want to call it a conversation. They want to be heard and many of the different churches have been spreading their thoughts and beliefs through the different media including the Internet. Main Body The Emerging Church has been understood as a conversation on how to interpret the gospel in the midst of postmodern cultur e, and a call to action in this setting. It has been regarded by proponents that the Emerging Church has made important contributions to the church’s ecclesiology.3 The church has undergone a paradigm shift due to culture change. Discussions on postmodernity and postmodern have been taking place in various denominations. The terms postmodernity, postmodernism, and postmodern cultures have been freely interchanged but are not, in reality, synonymous. Nathan C. P. Frambach prefers to use the term â€Å"post-whateverism†, whose language refers to a ‘concept of flux’4. The world passes through various phenomena and transitions, for instance, the industrial age which refers to the past, the information age which is the present, and the biotechnology age which is the future. There are three core characteristics that identify the Emerging Church, and these are: ‘identifying with the life of Jesus, transforming secular space, and commitment to community as a way of life’.5 These practices lead to the other six practices which are: ‘welcoming the stranger, serving with generosity, participating as producers, creating as created beings, leading as a body, and taking part in spiritual activities’.6 The Nine Patterns Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bolger discussed the nine patterns in imitating the ways of Jesus, leading to a new conversation and a new life with the Lord, apart from the practices of the traditional church. Identifying with the life of Jesus The example of Jesus, when he lived with his disciples on earth, is characteristic of the emerging churches. But they also hold Christ as unique. Jesus’ teaching is linked to the gospel he proclaimed. He asked his disciples to repent and be baptised because â€Å"The kingdom of God is at hand.† This is the kingdom promised by the Hebrew prophets and to be established with the coming of Jesus. D. A. Carson says that emergents are following the uniqueness of Christ and that this uniqueness allows them to have a new thinking and a new way of questioning their

The Successful Development Essay -- Technology, Logistics

The successful development and implementation of networked technologies coupled with ingenuity and collaboration allowed Michigan to thrive in the manufacturing and service sectors at the turn of the century. By 1900 railroads combined with steamboats, the telegraph, lighthouses and silos revolutionized overland transportation and travel, pulling Michigan and national markets together, aiding in the creation of the modern consumer society and the production of new technologies. Railroads cut travel time dramatically and reduced freight costs with two important economic results for Michigan. First, they made the settlement and development of continental interiors possible which transformed demanding and dangerous journeys of months into a trip of a few days. This linked the countryside more closely to the cities, production areas to markets and raw materials, and continental interiors to coastlines and waterways. Second, farmers switched from raising subsistence crops to cash crops better suited for their local soils, thus increasing crop yields dramatically and income for consumer goods. This stimulated sales, provided more jobs, increased production, and lowered prices. With business booming, companies developed new products, triggering an explosion of new technological advances, inventions, and consumer products in the latter 1800's. Steamboats would be coupled with railroads along with lighthouses, the telegraph and silos. Until steamboats, man had only his might and the wind to transport himself and his cargo. The bulk of the products were floated downstream on rafts and flatboats. However, these vessels were too clumsy to navigate upriver. Although wind was free and worked efficiently on oceans and big lakes, it was no ma... ...nessmen sough to curb seasonal irregularities and promote stability. They formed employers association to monitor labor costs, a trade association to deal with shippers, and new banks to handle the demands of capital and money markets. Due to the ingenuity of men like Sligh, McMillan and Berkey coupled with the development and implementation of networked technologies in transportation and communication Michigan was able to survive economically at the turn of the century. By 1900 Michigan would be tied to national market, aiding in the creation of the modern consumer society and the production of new technologies. These same factors that led to Michigan’s survival would later open Michigan, particularly with the help of Gerald Ford and his Motel T, to become a powerhouse of industrialization and the birthplace of a mobile renaissance in the entire United States.

Loren Baritz’s “God’s Country and American Know-How” Essay

In Loren Baritz’s â€Å"God’s Country and American Know-How†, it briefly describes the birth of our nation, characteristics, and theories through out America’s history. â€Å"America would become god’s country† (435) is not only the title of the summary but the basis of our founding father’s thoughts. In the begin only few words were spoken of the outside world, problems consisted within our borders that had to be dealt with. These included Indians, witches, and worst of all shrewd Yankees. The â€Å"new world was puny† (436) and could not be the protector of the free world. World War One was a large factor that increased American thinking of the â€Å"invincible war machine†(440) these thoughts continued up till World War Two, Americans now knew they we were superior, with the development of nuclear weapons technology has proven their superiority on the battlefield. JFK, Eisenhower, and George F. Kennan are just some of the examples Loren quotes from, but these great men show the change in American views and opinions. â€Å"We went to war in Vietnam in the name of ideas, of principles, of abstractions.†(438), this statement is only the beginning of America’s â€Å"city on a hill† (435) beliefs. Soon after the Vietnam War began the thinking changed from â€Å"United States could not be beaten in war† (440) to â€Å"Vietnam should have taught us that we could not continue to play the role of moral advisor and moral enforcer to the world† (437). Loren shows the readers not only the birth of our nation, but how Americans have gone from isolated to protector of free nations, and a World Power. By supporting his thoughts with quotes and grave description this story will not only open your mind to your thinking but to the thoughts of the nation we live in today. Works Cited Baritz, Loren. â€Å"God’s Country and American Know-How† Real Culture; contexts for critical reading and writing. Ed. Diana George and John Trimbor. 5th Ed. New York: Parison Longman, 2004. 434-41