What Makes A Good Friend Alex Lickerman Explains The

What Makes a Good Friend Alex Lickerman explains the qualities that he considers ideal in a true friend. He references kenzoku, a Japanese term for having a sacred bond with someone that is not blood related. In order to have this sacred bond there are certain traits that must be present. Two individuals must be drawn together commonly by similar interests. Nevertheless, if they have a history together due to shared experiences they will often tie two entities together. Common values are another trait that contributes to a strong bond considering if there is controversy in morals, friendships often fail. Equality is another trait that will effect friendships, seeing as both individuals need to make equal obligations for one†¦show more content†¦He took care of me and even traveled to CVS to obtain my medication. As well as continuously checking my condition every day. No matter what time I contact him, I constantly know that he will be there for me. As of today he still live s in California, but I know that if I ever needed him he would definitely fly out to New Jersey to support me. The second trait I insist my best friend posses would without a question be the desire for self-improvement. I constantly want a higher quality of life, both educationally and financially and could not imagine my best friend not desire the same concept. My closest friend Robert is a perfect model to explain this trait. For instance, I recently wanted to evolve my backyard into a mechanic shop and he instantly agreed and proceeded to assist. We both sat down and collaborated a business plan and begun turning this dream into a reality. This plan started about six months ago and as of today we are still proceeding with our original plan and are continuing even with major setbacks. The third and final trait I undoubtedly demand from my best friend would be respected. Respect to me is how you act in regard to yourself and others. Additionally, my best friend Jeffery presents the greatest representation of how respect should be executed. At the beginning of our friendship, we were afforded the opportunity to meet each others families. While he was there, He was polite,Show MoreRelatedEveryman Perception of Death Essay2131 Words   |  9 Pagesto bribe Death with material possessions (Goods). Death has no value of these possessions, can’t be bribed, doesn’t wait for anyone, and his decision is final. No man can cheat death and ultimately avoid it, it is inevitable. Death tells Everyman to find someone to accompany him on his journey if he can and that is where the journey begins. On his journey, he meets his best friend (Fellowship), family (Kindred and Cousin), and material wealth (Goods) who all forsake and betray him in his time

Propaganda Effects of Wwi - 3372 Words

Propaganda effects of World War I During the early 1900s a new era of warfare emerged as governments began to employ all economic, technological and psychological resources available to defeat their enemies. This concept of Total War altered the direction of humanity and governments understanding in their allocation of resources. This essay will examine the relationship between propaganda used during World War I, its effect on the masses and the absolutely essential need for the success of such campaigns in obtaining military victory. While leaflet propaganda used during the war will be the main focus, considerations will be given to other forms to illuminate the necessity of understanding and utilizing the tools of this very powerful†¦show more content†¦In the 17th century, with the help of propaganda, the Jesuits were able to gain back large areas of central Europe that were lost during the Reformation. Another form of propaganda is political propaganda, which is also quite old. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which was an example of rational propaganda that was intended to solidify communal opinion at home and justify the debatable American cause at large. Throughout history then, there were many forms of propaganda used during wars that were to strengthen support for the conflict. With the help of many propagandists it was, and remains possible to make citizens think highly of war. Literary propaganda was important during the World Wars, as pamphlets, history, novels, posters, speeches, influenced many peoples opinions. Many classic novels were written with a propagandists intent, including much philosophy, history, religion, economics, novels, poems, and plays. Some examples of these would be Histories of French by Voltaire, The Pamphlets of Martin Luther, and the work of Karl Marx. Uncle Toms Cabin, written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, is an excellent example of a propaganda novel. Other forms of propaganda would include television and the manufacturing of news by staged events. Larger businesses and commercial interests, such as railroads and oil companies, have usedShow MoreRelatedWorld War I Was Not Inevitable1681 Words   |  7 Pagesonce said Richard Holbrooke, an American diplomat. Many people worldwide agree with Mr. Holbrooke, believing WWI to be a waste of human lives. Known for its ridiculous start, fueled by the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, and its huge impact on numerous countries earned it the title of the Great War. Though many people considered it pointless and as a war with many negative repercussions, WWI did lead to some positive outcomes, such as its art. Not only were new movements created, but also new stylesRead MorePropaganda During The 20th Century And The Onset Of World War1741 Words   |  7 PagesPropaganda has always held sway over hearts and minds. Although the United States’ first large-scale wartime experience with propaganda in its semi-modern form of ‘yellow journalism’ took place during the Spanish-American War , primitive forms of it have existed since the days of â€Å"the tattoo-covered Caddo warrior, whose body attests to every victory, accomplishment, or god worshiped† and â€Å"Hannibal’s titanic war elephants advancing across the Italian plain.† Even â€Å"the ‘rebel yells’ of ConfederateRead MoreEssay about The Beginning of World Wa r I1494 Words   |  6 PagesWWI Synthesis Essay Bruce Lee once said, â€Å"Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them† (â€Å"Bruce Lee†). During World War I, the mistake of Serbia killing the archduke was neither admitted nor forgiven. A series of events brought together the European continent into a bloody and unprecedented war. WWI depicts that a small error or miscommunication leads to a bigger issue and suffering of people as portrayed through the aftereffects of the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. AtRead MoreWilfred Owen Glorification Of War Essay1375 Words   |  6 Pagesgullible and joyfully sang to the popular WWI era musical tune â€Å"Over There† (Duffy), which glorified war. Yet, once in the thick of battle young soldiers must have realized â€Å"†¦the Lie†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (27) and the crassness of mass war propaganda that fooled them into believing that war was good. Many of the WWI propaganda posters showed British soldiers tall, happy, and ready to fight (Keitch). Yet, it was Owen’s intention to question the honesty of war propaganda messages based on his wartime experiencesRead MoreWar on the home front1000 Words   |  4 Pages War on the home front was not a shaped many Canadian negatively in WWI. The Wartime Elections Act had an effect on Canadians politically. The great influenza affected Canada socially. Lastly, propaganda and victory bonds caused Canada to fall economically. Canada’s home front during WWI had a negative impact on the Canadian people politically, socially and economically. The Wartime Elections Act proposed by Robert Borden weakened Canada politically as a country. This act that was passed in 1917Read MoreImpacts of First World War1341 Words   |  6 Pagesï‚šImpact of WWI When Great War started, it influenced the entire world policy and economy. Millions of people died and equal number of people became homeless. Big empires of 20th century fell apart and new small national countries were established. We can say that WWI caused a really big disaster, especially for country which was participant. But there are similarities and differences how it did effect. On different countries in the same way war had different influence. The example for that isRead MoreComparison of Media Propaganda Used During the Two World Wars1715 Words   |  7 PagesWith this essay I will be comparing the way propaganda was used during the World Wars, what was their aim and target audiences and how they affected civilian and military moral and more importantly how art and poster design was used to properly influence and imprint ideas and morals to the viewers. I will also compare how different design techniques were used in each war and how effective or ineffective they were in each case and what their common attributes were and in what way they were differentRead MoreAmerica s False Freedoms During World War One Essay1049 Words   |  5 Pagesopportunities that they otherwise could not have access to in their homeland. World War One; however, made it extremely difficult for some immigrant Americans and African Americans to receive the true freedom that they came in search for. Not only did WWI make it difficult for certain groups to live in America, it also gave rise to contradictions between the language of freedom and the reality of restrictions made on individual freedoms. Immigrants were being treated poorly and protecting the U.S. fromRead MoreThe Works Of Anonymous Street Artist1557 Words   |  7 PagesThis paper will explore a form of modern day propaganda which is quite controversial, that of the works of anonymous street artist by the name of Banksy. Banksy uses the sides of buildings, streets and bridges as a blank canvas as a social comm entary against political issues. Chapter 1 will argue how Banksy’s street art is a form of visual culture and propaganda by defining propaganda and comparing his works to previous examples of visual manipulation in history, such as pro war posters during WorldRead MoreAll Quiet on the Western Front1000 Words   |  4 Pages All Quiet on the Western Front is an enthralling story about WWI, which, unlike other war stories at the time, vocalized the negative aspects of the war specifically the psychological effect. You can see throughout the book, the psychological horrors which Paul experiences. This psychological aspect of stories is generally not as conspicuous or as horrifying as shown in All Quiet on the Western Front. I have always been intrigued by the psychological affect that war has on you, and this book was

Antimicrobial Activity of Soil- Research Proposal free essay sample

Microbes produce various antibiotics and by isolating different microbes the antibodies can be tested for. Soil samples are highly rich in microorganisms. The antimicrobial  activities of microbes from 3 different soil sources (Tenby, Summerstrand, North Campus main building round-about and South Campus water pond) will be tested. Pure colonies isolated from the microbes will be tested for antimicrobial activity against known microorganisms of medical importance; these being E. coli, staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella sonnei and salmonella spp. Isolates of soil microbes can be categorized and  characterized based on a number of criteria ranging from gram-staining which will be done in this project, for enumeration which is a quantitative description based on the amount of microbial colonies available. The results will be recorded. Key words: soil, microbes, microbial activity, antimicrobial resistance INTRODUCTION It is vital for science today to focus on the isolation and characterisation of an unknown organism expressing interesting properties in relation to antimicrobial Activity. At the conclusion of this laboratory experience the researcher would be required to describe the isolates obtained from the soil macroscopic and microscopic appearance, perform the gram stain of the microorganisms in question and to discriminate the organisms from other microbes that could be contained in the soil and to finally make certain that the organisms have not been exposed to outside sources and be isolated in a pure culture. The researcher must first isolate the microbe then, grow the organism in a pure culture. Pure colonies will be tested for antimicrobial activity against known microorganisms of medical importance. The evaluation of the results that will be achieved are important in the understanding the development of new antimicrobial drugs. LITERATURE REVIEW Soils typically contain 109  to 1010  microorganisms per gram (dry weight), which may represent more than a million bacterial species. However, characterization of the small fraction of microbes that has been cultivated provides only a glimpse of their potential physiological capacity and influence on soil ecosystems. The absence of pure cultures or genome sequences makes it difficult to ascertain the roles of specific microbes in soil environments. Eichorst, Breznak and Schmidt (2007) Diarrhoea caused by Shigella species is estimated by WHO to cause 50% of dysentery cases. S. dysenteriae serotype 1 is particularly virulent, causing endemic and epidemic dysentery with high death rate. Salmonella organisms are endemic in many tropical and developing countries, while other salmonellas cause food poisoning and bacteraemia. It is highly infectious and resistance to common available antimicrobials is an increasing problem. Cheesbrough (2000, p. 97) Antimicrobial resistance is resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial medicine to which it was previously sensitive is on the rise. Resistant organisms such as bacteria are able to withstand attack by antimicrobial medicines, such as antibiotics. Infections caused by resistant microorganisms often fail to respond to conventional treatment, resulting in prolonged illness and greater risk of death. World Health Organisation (2012) discusses the problem of antimicrobial resistance Synthesis of medicinally important compounds is very difficult and thus the cost of medicine is also high because of the non availability of source materials especially aromatic compounds Gopalakrishnan (2011) AIM OF RESEARCH The main aim of this research is to determine whether or not soil bound microbes’ exhibit antibiotic activity against known bacteria of medical importance. OBJECTIVES OF STUDY * To develop a new antimicrobial agent. * To reduce the ever expanding problem of antimicrobial resistance in treatment of bacterial infections. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY * METHOD(S) TO FASCILITATE MICROBIAL IDENTIFICATION Gram stain * Gram stain will be used to identify the gram bacterial membrane reaction for easy identification. Culturing * Nutrient agar will be used for the culturing of the soil supernatant to favour growth of most bacteria. Muller-Hinton agar will be used for testing antimicrobial activity * Blood agar useful for pure culture isolation and determination of haemolysis with fastidious microorganisms. Cheesbrough (2000) Biochemical reactions Biochemical reactions will be used for the full identification of the bacteria isolated in soil and confirmation of the known enteric organisms. * API test kit Biomerieux (2009) * MATERIALS TO BE USED GRAM STAIN| GENERAL MATERIALS| Lugols’ iodine| Laboratory protective coat| Safrannin| Examination gloves| Acetone| Biohazard disposal bags| Crystal violet| Sterile sample containers | Garden hoe| CULTURE| Microscope| Culture plate| Normal saline| Wire loops| Cover slips| Bunsen burner| Glass slides| Autoclave| | Culture media| KNOWN BACTERIA FOR ANTIMICROBIAL TESTING| Incubator| Escherichia coli| Tight gas cylinders| Salmonella spp| Distilled water| Shigella dysenteriae| | Shigella flexneri| GLASS WARE| Staphylococcus aureus| Conical flasks| | Graduated beakers| BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS| Measuring cylinders| API testing kit| Test tubes| | Cheesbrough (2000) * ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS The experiment to be conducted does not require the use of animals. This being said, the research will not require clearance from the department or the governing organisations responsible for the regulation of experiments of that nature. The research being conducted will also be of benefit to the society. Ethical considerations in research (2002) Kanungo. R. (2006) explains the ethics in research * SAMPLE COLLECTION Designing statistically sound sampling programs for soil antimicrobial testing requires the consideration of specific monitoring questions and the state in which the soil extracts of interest will be left post extraction. Three (3) different soil sources will be used and below are the proposed sources of soil for antimicrobial activity analysis:- a. Loamy soil from Tenby, Summerstrand, b. South Campus of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University pond c. North campus main entrance round about The soil will be collected from 5 inch depth of the surface and stored in sterile small reagent bottles. Chutia and Ahmed (2012) Wallenius (2011) describes the microbiological characteristics of soil sampling * SAMPLE ANALYSIS METHOD To address the goals of achieving a pure culture of soil microorganism and testing for antimicrobial activity, a quantitative serial dilution method will be used. Quantitative research method will measure the number of soil microorganisms with antimicrobial activity witnessed thus preferred for this particular research. Psychology Press Ltd (2004) explains Research methods and Data analysis SERIAL DILUTION PROCEDURE DAY 1 1. Mark the sterile dilution blanks in the following manner: the 100 ml dilution blank is 10-2 and the tubes sequentially are 10-3, 10-4, 10-5 and 10-6. 2. Add 1gram to the 10-2 dilution blank, centrifuge at 4000 rpm for 5 minutes and ensure the cap is securely tightened. 3. Aseptically transfer 1ml from 10-2 dilution to the 10-3 tube. Mix thoroughly. 4. Using a fresh, sterile pipette for each succeeding step, transfer 1ml from the 10-3 dilution to the 10-4 dilution blank, then from the 10-4 to the 10-5, then from the 10-5 to 10-6. Sample transferred must be thoroughly mixed with the dilution fluid before transferred to the next tube. 5. Aseptically inoculate from 10-6 dilution and incubate on nutrient agar for 24 hours at room temperature. . This procedure will apply to the soil acquired from other sources and will be done free from contamination of the other. Isolation of soil bacteria: viable titer and pure culture (n. d) Below is a demonstration of the serial dilutions:- Isolation of soil bacteria: viable titer and pure culture (n. d) DAY 2 Pure culture isolation 1. From the 10-6 dilution, choose one colony that appears to be compos ed of only one cell type. 2. Flame an inoculating loop, when cool gently touch it to the surface of the colony you will re-streak onto a Blood agar plate. Isolation of soil bacteria: viable titer and pure culture (n. d) The plate should be streaked as: Isolation of soil bacteria: viable titer and pure culture (n. d) 6. Incubate the plates at room temperature for 24 hours DAY 3 1. Examine the Blood Agar plate re-streaked for a pure colony. 2. Test the pure colony’s antimicrobial activity against a known microorganism on Muller-Hinton agar and incubate at 37 degrees Celsius for 24hours. 3. Gram-stain pure colony achieved, streak the colony onto a Nutrient Agar slant. Incubate for 1 day and place in the refrigerator (Isolates to be used for future experiments. Isolation of soil bacteria: viable titer and pure culture (n. d) DAY 4 – Expected Results 1. Antimicrobial activity will be observed by a zone of inhibition around the pure colony streak or, 2. A negative result showing growth of known bacteria. CONTROLS * Sterile water tested for antimicrobial activity must allow growth (Negative control), while a * An effective known antibiotic for particular bacteria tested for antimicrobial activity must show a zone of inhibition (positive control). Cheesbrough (2000) DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS The results achieved from the research will be documented in form of a Treatise, which will be oral presentation to the students and faculty of Health Sciences Department of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Should the results of the study be of interest, there is a possibility of publishing the findings in a journal for continuous dissemination. WORK AND TIME SCHEDULE The research activity will commence early August of 2013. It will be divided into two portions; the practical component and documentation of practical findings. The practical component will be conducted on from Monday to Saturday of every week. During week days, the practical activities will be done after classes. The practical component is scheduled to run for 1 month and 1 week, after which the documentation component will commence and run for a month duration. The research is scheduled to run for a period of 2 months and a week. The write up will then be handed to the research supervisor, seeking their opinion on the outline of the Treatise. FINANCE BUDGET A list of requirements is set below, to guide the funder on the scale of requirements, amount of work and cost of the research. Below is a list of the needed materials as per category:- GENERAL REQUIREMENTS| COMMODITY PRICE| Laboratory protective coat| | Examination gloves| | Biohazard bags| | Normal saline| | Microscope| | Glass slides| | Slide cover slips| | Sterile containers for serial dilutions| | GRAM STAIN| COMMODITY PRICE| Lugols’ iodine| | Acetone| | Safrinnin | | Crystal violet| | CULTURE| | Culture plates| | Bunsen burner| | Hot plate| | Culture media| | Incubator | | Tight gas cylinders| | Distilled water | | BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS| COMMODITY PRICE| API test kit| | Biomerieux. (2009) Cheesbrough (2000) lists the different microbiological requirements the facilitate the budgeting of a research Higdon and Topp (2004) give some guidelines on how to prepare a research proposal budget CONCLUSION The search for anti-secretory drugs continues, with real progress having been made. Soil and plants are the potential source of many drugs; but they did not yet get proper recognition. The role of antimicrobial agents in the management of infective bacterial conditions continues to be clarified with the emergence of new agents and simplified treatment regimens. Probiotics are popular with diarrhoea sufferers and have been shown to have some efficacy. However, further scrutiny is required to determine the magnitude of their effects and continued research on new development of anti diarrhoea agents in needed. Antibiotic resistance is a major clinical problem in treating infections caused by these microorganisms. One way to prevent antibiotic resistance of the pathogenic species is by using new compounds that are not based on existing synthetic antimicrobial agents. It is then vital to do more research on soil antimicrobial activity. Chanu, Chakraborty el tol (2011)

Zara Supply Chain Management

Abstract Zara has been operating in Europe since the year 1975. This paper includes a study of the strengths and weaknesses of Zara Company supply chain management system. It divides the supply chain process into three distinct phases. It shows how the company has managed to embrace technology to deliver its products to customers in real time.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Zara Supply Chain Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The paper also contains a comparison between Zara and its main global competitor in the market. The paper concludes by outlining some of the challenges the company is facing as it expands into the Middle East and other regions in the world. Introduction Sako (2011) notes that globalisation has led to business organisations spreading all over the world. He continues to outline that global competition and customer demand has also led to the expansion of outlets and branches of t hese business organisations all over the world. This has made organisations to increase their business muscle and expand their supply chains globally. Therefore, the management of these supply chains is vital to the success of these international organisations. Supply chain management plays a vital role in managing a company’s key processes of developing, producing, distributing, and selling its products in the region within which it is operating from. The success of supply chain management systems is a critical determinant of an organisation’s success. Therefore, every business organisation should carefully manage its supply chain systems (Simchi-Levi, Kaminsky Simchi-Levi 2009). This paper will look into the supply chain system of a global fashion outlet called Zara. Using Zara as a case study the paper will address issues affecting the supply chain management and most importantly, how the company has managed to stand out in the competition. This is given the fact t hat the fashion industry is a highly competitive one and firms operating therein need to put in place strategic measures for them to survive. Zara Company: A Brief Profile According to Mcafee (2011), Zara is a Spanish fast fashion manufacturing and retail company that is popular all over the world. Amancio Ortega and Rosalia Mera founded this company in 1975, with its first store in Coruna, Spain. The first store was successful and this enabled them to open other stores throughout Spain. With the fast growth of the company, there were changes needed in manufacturing, production, and designs of the products availed to the customers. The company embraced information technology to adapt to these changes in an efficient manner. These enabled the company to expand its international presence.Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Currently, it has stores in more than 400 cities in over 73 countries in the world. This particular study is intended to outline the success of the supply chain system adopted by Zara throughout the world with emphasis on Kuwait. This means that as much as the author will look at the experience of other supply chains in other parts of the world, Kuwait will be given special attention. Zara is a flagship company of the Inditex Group that owns several other companies that are involved in textile, manufacturing, design, and distribution. Inditex Group also owns other brands such as Pull and Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Oysho, Stradivarius and Uterque. Due to its highly effective business model which is both flexible and innovative, the group has become one of the largest fashion retailers in the world today (Jayaram, Tan Nachiappan 2010). Zara produces over 11000 different items annually. This means that the company offers more products than other fashion retail companies in the world. It has a business model of adapting and reacting to changes rather than predicting them through the use of information technology systems. This has also led the company to transfer fast fashion production to low cost countries, invest more on opening new stores and spend less on advertising (Jayaram et al. 2010). This has largely contributed to the company’s competitiveness in the global market. Supply Chain Management at Zara At this juncture, the author will look at the supply chain management adopted by Zara Company in the market today. As already indicated, special attention will be given to the company’s Kuwaiti operations. Procurement and Distribution Reduction in the purchasing price is the main driver of the procurement process at Zara in Kuwait. This enables the company to offer its customer’s quality products at a fair market price as compared to the competitors. Unlike many other companies in the industry, Zara procures its raw materials directly from suppliers hence reducing the costs that are incu rred through intermediaries (AkcalÄ ± Cetinkaya 2011). In Kuwait, the distribution centres are located in various geographical areas. The warehouses of the company supply at least 70 per cent of the entire inventory. The centres are subdivided in accordance to the quality and type of items each receives from the manufacturers and other suppliers.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Zara Supply Chain Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Many of the items have a very high turnover rate of between one and two times a week. The items which are only targeted to the market in Kuwait are packed in pallets. The main duty of the staff at the distribution centres is to ensure a consistent and steady flow of the items coming and leaving the warehouses (Jayaram et al. 2010). Currently, Zara is using technological innovations such as bar codes, RFID and Magic Wand to manage the distribution centres. Zara employees have the necessary knowledge for analysing the levels of inventory. The bins and shelves are labelled using bar codes to make it easier for them to locate items. The information gathered by the employees is then sent to the main server at the distribution centres. All members of staff in the company’s branch in Kuwait can then access the information about the storage and shipping of products. This saves on a lot of time that would have otherwise been spent on paperwork. It also makes human resource management easier because the supervisors can get information on what every employee on the ground is up to. Ultimately, this increases the level of customer satisfaction and distribution efficiency in the company as a whole (Mcafee 2011). Logistics Management Zara has a wide and fast transportation system that caters for the distribution of the goods. The centres are serviced by at least 50 trucks. The trucks make it possible for products to be transported to the company’s stores at least 3 times a week. The company has a record of only hiring the very best drivers who have at least 3 years’ experience with trucks. They are also monitored continuously to make sure they always comply with Zara’s code of conduct (Sako 2011). Zara has also implemented the cross docking system of logistics management where the trucks pick up finished products from the manufacturing plant and take them directly to consumers. The system has come in handy to assist in the handling of finished items and thus relieves a large volume of goods from the distribution centres. This has increased the efficiency of the system because customers are able to have finished products delivered to them in good time as opposed to retailers pushing them into the supply system (Sako 2011). As a result of this, less time is wasted in the supply chain system.Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Inventory Management Because of the expansion of the company’s operations, Zara set up a system of satellite communications in 1990. This has made it very easy to analyse what is taking place in the company and to come up with mitigation actions during challenges and such other events. The company tries to make sure that the inventory always remains productive because the stock is managed at the store level. This also helps to reduce the price charged on finished goods and the size of their packing (Ghemawat 2011). Sako (2011) points out that the company’s management information system is very important when it comes to availing inventories in the case of products that are in high demand while at the same time reducing the inventory in general. The scholar adds that counting, packing, and inventory control is made efficient and easier by the use of RFID technology. The company also has a Massively Parallel Processor which helps the top management to keep the level of s tock and product movement in check. The MPP also has a mitigation plan in the case of emergencies. Magic Wand is used in the stores and all distribution centres to keep record of the changes in the inventories and deliveries. The management of orders and replenishment of stores is done by the use of Point of Sale Computer Systems. The company uses a patented algorithm to determine how much of each product should be delivered to stores or distribution points. Mcafee (2011) points out that each store has an inventory database that is used by employees to keep an eye on the product levels. In addition, the database is configured to provide information on whether or not goods are in the store, distribution centre or anywhere in- between. Drivers are charged with the responsibility of making sure that the system at the store records all products that are unloaded from their trucks. Zara Key Success Strategies Several strategies have been identified as the major keys to the success of the company. Some of them will be analysed below: Exclusivity Zara is more dedicated to designing and manufacturing very few pieces of a particular outfit. This exclusivity makes their outfits unique and this draws the attention of the customers and helps them to make quick decisions to purchase (Jayaram et al. 2010). Horizontal Supply Chain Zara relies heavily on information technology for its operations. A lot of information on customer reactions to new trends is transferred to other sectors such as the designing and manufacturing sectors. This helps Zara to quickly change to other trends when seasons change. It also helps the company in forecasting of fashion trends since it is more involved in copying trends instead of engaging itself in a trial and error making of fashion. This gives Zara a competitive advantage in the industry (Jayaram et al 2010). Information technology has contributed to the success of the company. Much of the investment the company makes with regard to researc h and development is related to information technology. Supply Chain Risks Some of the possible supply chain risks encountered in the Middle East especially in Kuwait include trade policies. To this end, it is noted that there is an increase in government regulations and interference with imports and exports. These regulations and policies have a direct and major impact on Zara’s operation of its supply chains especially in the Middle East. Zara mostly sets up its outlets in politically stable countries such as Germany, USA, and such others (AkcalÄ ± Cetinkaya 2011). Supply Chain Reengineering Zara’s supply chain throughout its outlets is well engineered to provide high flexibility of high-quality production and delivery of fashion garments and clothes. This makes it possible for the company to adjust and adapt to the market and make significant profits as it expands. However, reengineering this supply chain model in the Middle East may be difficult due to political and economic influences (AkcalÄ ± Cetinkaya 2011). Hill Hill (2011) are of the view that reliable and new transportation methods play an important role in the management of supply chains. A key issue in the fashion industry is the delivery of a product or item on time since trends change very fast and customers always pick the recent fashions and leave the previous designs on the shelves. Therefore, it is important to keep up with the customer needs by delivering products on time (Taylor 2012). Transporting the raw materials or fabrics to the factory at lower costs should be preferred. Highly reliable and energy efficient transportation systems should be adopted for the Middle East market for the delivery of raw materials and finished products. Financial Comparison In order to determine the effectiveness of the supply chain management adopted by Zara and the company’s expansion effectiveness, it is essential to make comparisons with the main competitor, in this case Hennes and Mauritz (hereafter referred to as HM). These two companies are very different because HM outsources its production, spends a lot of resources on advertising and is the price leader in the market. The two also have some similarities. For example both target retailers at the low- price end, they are based in Europe and both of them have a strong strategy of expanding into other nations. They also have very comparable financial status. In order to compare the performance of these two companies, it is best to use financial ratios as opposed to visually assessing their financial statements. The most recent data shows that Zara has higher liquidity ratio because of lower level of Euros in current assets and faster inventory turnover (Sako 2011). The operating profit margin at Zara is 21.6 per cent while that of HM is 13 per cent. From this, it is clear that the efficiency of generating profits per sale is higher for Zara. The operating income for HM is higher because the company is i nvolved in more expensive investments than Zara. However, Zara is more competitive in Europe because of its lower prices (Mcafee 2011). Strategic Advantages When compared to other traditional retailers, Zara is not only more profitable but its supply chain management system is its main source of competitiveness in the business. When compared to a company such as Express- which like HM outsources the entire of its production processes- it is evident that operations at Zara are very different. These other companies have resorted to outsourcing production because the industry is more labour intensive than capital intensive. Manufacturers in the industry always seek to reduce the market price of their garments by outsourcing labour. In contrast, Zara has come up with new ways of operating in the industry (Sako 2011). The company works throughout the value chain and thus it is vertically integrated and capital intensive. Because of the vertical integration, Zara developed a strategy for merchandising called Herreros. The strategy has assisted the company to come up with a unique fast- fashion system that creates opportunity and scarcity for its products. The company makes 60 per cent of its products and thus it is very flexible when it comes to frequency, amount, and variety of styles and designs. 85 per cent of the production goes on throughout the season (Mcafee 2011). Because of the in- house- production at Zara, the product turnover is very high as a result of limited runs and strictly controlled inventories. This high turnover creates the opportunity for scarcity climate to be maintained in the stores. This climate enhances the frequency of consumers in the company’s stores. The customers know that the products in the stores do not last for more than two weeks and so they have to buy them as soon as possible. This is the reason why Zara- unlike other companies such as Peacocks that went into a strategic drift and shut down- is able to sell many of its p roducts at an optimal price. The strategy has highly reduced the overall costs incurred by up to 20 per cent in comparison to traditional retailers (Sako 2011). The response team in the company is also far much better and efficient than that of the competitors. As a result of this, Zara is in a position to meet the needs of its clients faster and efficiently. The company does not lay a lot of emphasis on achieving manufacturing efficiencies but rather on backward, vertical integration. This is so as to become the leading fashion house in the industry (Jayaram et al. 2010). Zara Supply Chain System: Challenges There are several factors that may affect this company’s supply chain system in the Middle East. Some of them include management capabilities, warehouse capacity, transportation alternatives, financial resources, technical capabilities and competence, innovation and creativity. Others are IT systems and professionals, price, terrorism, natural disasters, quality, deliver y, competitive climate, sophisticated customers, environmental concerns, information and knowledge, technological innovation, and religious concerns (Ghemawat 2011). Inditex (Zara’s mother company) has 6 other business chains in the world. However, more than 85 per cent of all international sales come from Zara, the flagship company. In case Zara gets out of business sometime in the future, it would be very difficult for Inditex Group to reformulate its business model and as such it may just meltdown (Jayaram et al 2010). Conclusion In this paper, the researcher analysed the supply chain system adopted by Zara in the world. Special emphasis was made on the company’s supply chain management in Kuwait. It was found that Zara is a successful company in the fast fashion industry. It has an efficient supply chain management due to its use of information technology that supports a horizontal supply chain management. This is also likely to influence the success of Zara in the Middle East and Kuwait specifically. References AkcalÄ ±, EE Cetinkaya, SS 2011, ‘Quantitative models for inventory and production planning in closed-loop supply chains’, International Journal of Production Research, vol. 49 no. 8, pp. 2373-2407. Ghemawat, T 2011, â€Å"Zara Fast Fashion,† HBS, vol. 13 no. 1, pp. 703-497. Hill, A Hill, T 2011, Essential operations management, Palgrave Macmillan, London. Jayaram, J Tan, K Nachiappan, SP 2010, ‘Examining the interrelationships between supply chain integration scope and supply chain management efforts’, International Journal of Production Research, vol. 48 no. 22, pp. 6837-6857. Mcafee, A 2011, â€Å"Zara: IT for fast fashion,† HBS, vol. 13 no. 2, pp. 604-681. Sako, M 2011, ‘Technology strategy and management driving power in global supply chains’, Communications of The ACM, vol. 54 no. 7, pp. 23-25. Simchi-Levi, D Kaminsky, P Simchi-Levi, E 2009, Designing and managing the sup ply chain: concepts, strategies case studies, 3rd edn, McGraw-Hill, New York. Taylor, BW 2012, Introduction to management science and student CD package, Prentice Hall, New York. This coursework on Zara Supply Chain Management was written and submitted by user Daphne Rush 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.