Southwest Airlines Company and Industry Analysis free essay sample

The company’s vision was a low-cost, no-frills airline that was safe, affordable, and fun. Out of that vision, and following and arduous inception, the company has become one of the largest U. S, airlines, getting more travelers to their destinations than any other U. S. airline, and making a profit while doing it. Southwest Airlines was founded and based out of Houston at a time when the city was seeing a growth in commercial and industrial business. The founders of Southwest Airlines believed there was a demand for convenient and consistent flights between large cities, particularly amongst businessmen. Their observations led them to eventually opt for a low cost business strategy with the initial goal of keeping their fares comparable to the cost of making the trip by car. To balance this strategy, the founders also recognized the importance of providing outstanding customer service to bolster the airline’s image and gain customer confidence and loyalty. We will write a custom essay sample on Southwest Airlines Company and Industry Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Today Southwest has a fleet of 527 aircrafts serving 64 cities in 32 states. Southwest focuses on affordable travel with a strategy which is not built on hub airports but rather flights between pairs of cities, point-to-point. Routes are established where there are enough passengers travelling and a high number of flights per day, with an opportunity to add more flights over time. The company has short turnaround times to keep the plans in the air more hours than rivals. It also has the lowest customer complaints per passengers and a low lost baggage rate as well as high on time arrivals. Southwest Airlines has stayed true to its founding goals and the company’s present success is a direct result of those two key factors. In executing its primary goal to remain the low cost leader, Southwest Airlines could be described as having â€Å"no-frills†. The company keeps its costs low so it can keep its fares low by flying point-to-point rather than through hubs, by only offering one class of service, by utilizing electric ticketing systems to save on paper, and by selling flights directly through its website to eliminate agent fees. Furthermore, through the company’s rigorous fuel hedging tactic, Southwest has saved billions of dollars in fuel costs while operating one type of airplane, which has simplified and improved the airline. All of the aforementioned factors have consistently contributed to lowering Southwest’s operating costs and increased its profitability. Competitor rivalry is a strong force, as there are a lot of similar sized competitors with little differentiation in products and customers are price sensitive. The threat from new entrants is weak due to the high startup costs and high competition that is already in the industry. The bargaining powers of substitutes are weak, traveling by trains and busses means more time than air travel. The bargaining power of buyers is high since the buyer switching cost is low and customers are price sensitive. Also, since customers can book tickets through websites like Expedia or Orbitz, which searches through all available flights and offers customized low prices. Suppliers have a strong bargaining power in the airline industry. In markets today, there is often a concept that price and value are inversely related. As part of its key success factors, Southwest Airlines sought to overcome this notion by focusing on adding worth in the form of exceptional customer service. From the highest administrators to the lowest attendants, Southwest’s employees are often hired based more on their attitude rather than their aptitude. Southwest believes that skills can be taught, but genuine courtesy and a fun-loving spirit cannot. By providing this exceptional service experience, Southwest Airlines has found a way to offer â€Å"more value for less money. † Since 1973, Southwest Airlines has had positive income statements and this has proved that the airline can remain profitable even in the most turbulent economic conditions. Despite its success however, Southwest faces numerous forces that could potentially erode its profitability. Rising fuel costs, increasing government regulations, and ongoing public fear of terrorist attacks, are some of the key issues the company is forced to face. First, as a discount airline carrier, Southwest was designed to service a small number of high capacity routes rather than a broad spectrum of diverse destinations. Secondly, increasing debt to the company that has prided itself on paying close attention to bottom line profitability. A third issue that Southwest faces is one that is less tangible but very real. The potential drop in general airline traffic due to increasing internet communications in the form of videoconferencing could mean less business travel. If business travel declines, Southwest may want to shift its focus to vacationers and casual travelers. Southwest Airlines was founded on the tenet of fiscal conservatism primarily with maintaining low levels of debt. Southwest has experienced an increase in debt from 2003 to the present. In the short span of 4 years, the debt-to-equity ratio has increased by . 5 percent. Factors that might have contributed to an increase in debt may include expense of employee separation packages, lawsuits against Southwest, and much needed system operations upgrade. While this may not be a significant problem right now, the company could decrease its current debt levels by keeping more thorough maintenance records thus avoiding potential lawsuits. Utilizing new technology and continuing to hedge with futures contracts on oil can cut the company’s rising fuel costs. While Southwest’s flight routes have been the cornerstone to its success, it could stand to become more geographically diverse. That stated, it is recommended that the company continue to stay out of larger U. S. irports and instead diversify itself throughout Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The company should research the international markets and simply duplicate its current business strategy on a more global scale. It is recommended that the company should consider acquiring smaller low-cost domestic airlines and look outside of the U. S. for new potential markets. If Southwest Airlines is able to successfully do this, they will be able to undermine existing larger carrier airlines and will create a new revenue stream.

1984 - Summary and Book Report Tips

1984 - Summary and Book Report Tips Writing a Book Report If youre writing a book report on the novel 1984, you will need to include a summary of the story line, as well as all of the following elements, like title, setting, and characters. You must also make sure you include a strong introductory sentence and a good conclusion, as well. Title, Author Publication 1984 is a novel by George Orwell. It was first published in 1949 by Secker and Warburg. Currently it is published by the Penguin Group of New York.   Setting 1984 is set in the fictional future state of Oceania. This is one of three totalitarian super states that have come to control the world. In the world of 1984, the government controls every aspect of human existence, especially individual thought. Note: A totalitarian government is one that is strictly governed by a dictator (or strong leader) and expects complete subservience to the state. Characters Winston Smith – the protagonist of the story, Winston works for the Ministry of Truth revising historical events to favor the Party. His dissatisfaction with his life and the love he finds cause him to rebel against the Party. Julia – Winston’s love interest and his fellow rebel. O’Brien – the antagonist of the novel, O’Brien traps and captures Winston and Julia. Big Brother – the leader of the Party, Big Brother is never actually seen, but exists as a symbol of the totalitarian regime. Plot Winston Smith, disillusioned by the oppressive nature of the Party, begins a romance with Julia. Thinking they have found a haven of safety from the prying eyes of the Thought Police, they continue their affair until they are betrayed by O’Brien. Julia and Winston are sent to the Ministry of Love where they are tortured into betraying each other and accepting the truth of the Party indoctrination. Questions to Ponder 1. Consider the use of language. What irony exists in the naming of the Ministries?How does Orwell’s use of language contribute to the idea that language is power?How does Orwell’s use of misnomers contribute to the satire of 1984? 2. Examine theme of the Individual vs. Society What is a dystopian society?What does Orwell seem to be saying about the power of individual action?In what way does 1984 reflect the real political systems of the time, i.e.Communist Soviet Union or Fascist Nazi Germany? 3. What events or people could have influenced Orwell? Although the title is 1984, the book was published in 1949. What events around that time could have influenced Orwell?The Diary of a Young Girl was published in 1947, how could this work have influenced Orwell?1946 saw the first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, did Orwell draw anything from this? Possible First Sentences The list of statements below are meant to help you develop a strong introductory paragraph. The statements may also help you construct an effective thesis statement for your paper. Big Brother is watching has become a common term in our modern language, but the phrase has lost some of its potency.  George Orwell’s 1984 is a novel of social science fiction.The danger of totalitarianism rests in its power to suppress the individual.The conflict between courage and betrayal is a central one in the novel 1984.

Short answers for the communication class Essay

Short answers for the communication class - Essay Example I will also use information from winemaking books. For the second and third essays, I will use Google Scholar and online library databases. I will use academic articles for â€Å"What Happens to the Brain When It Is in Love† because it involves credible evidence. For my visual aids, I will use pictures of materials needed and the stages of making wine for the first topic. For the second topic, I will use pictures of the brain and illustration tables or diagrams. For the third topic, I will use tables or diagrams. 2. How would you rate your Informative Presentation? What were things you did well? What were things you would improve? Be specific in your responses. I would rate my Informative Presentation based on the effectiveness of my hook in the introduction, the sensibility of the conclusion, the clarity of explanation for steps/stages, good grammar, spelling, and other writing mechanics, good transition sentences, proper delivery with the right use of voice and gestures, and a strong thesis. I did well in the content of my presentation, as well as my paralanguage. I explained the steps well, in a way that is engaging and helped my audience understand the steps. I also used good language that will be comprehensible to my audience. I employed proper grammar and word choices. I made to sure to have a topic and content that will keep my audience interested. Furthermore, my paralanguage did not distract my audience from my speech. I used proper pauses and other voice effects that will keep my audience on track on what I am saying and what I plan to say next. 3. What is meant by the term "paralanguage?" Is it important in delivering an effective speech? Why or why not? Paralanguage involves vocal communication that does not include actual words (Wood 137). It is made of sounds such as murmurs and pauses, as well as vocal qualities, such as volume, rhythm, pitch, and inflection (Wood 137). Paralanguage refer to the vocal cues that help the audience understand what we mean when we say something. It includes feelings that layer another meaning on vocal words. Paralanguage is important in an effective speech because it helps others interpret what speakers are saying. For example, a sentence can seem like a joke or a threat, depending on how I said it. In addition, effective speakers are experts in modulating their volume, rhythm, pitch, and inflection to engage their audiences and to keep them interested in the entire speech (Wood 137). Furthermore, paralanguage can exhibit the identity of the speaker. It can say something about their gender and culture, which are important aspects of ethos, when discussing a topic that is relevant to their sexual orientation or culture. 4. What are your top three topic ideas for the upcoming Persuasive Presentation? Are they questions of fact, value, or policy? Which method of organization do you intend to use? Where do you plan to get your research information? What will you use for a visual aid? My top three topic ideas for the upcoming Persuasive Presentation are: 1) â€Å"Our children Are Overmedicated,† 2) â€Å"We Would Benefit from Learning a Third Language,† and 3) â€Å"High School Students Should Volunteer as Part of Their