Cooking-Cabbage Soup

This is a recipe for a simple delicious and healthy soup made from cabbage and tomato paste. It wasn’t too difficult to find it in a cookbook. So here you go, here is a recipe for cabbage soup.


Ingredients: half a fresh green cabbage (~1.7 lb), oil, 1tsp caraway, 1tsp nutmeg, 2/3 cups flour, 10 cups water, 6oz can of tomato paste, 5 tbsp salt, 3 tbsp sugar, 3 tbsp vinegar
Prep Time: about one hour

1. Remove the inner hard core from the cabbage, and also remove the outer green leaves. You can save them for later to make the popular stuffed cabbage. Cut the cabbage into thin “noodles”.
2. Place the cabbage strips into a pot along with oil (I used half a cup). Fry the cabbage for 5 minutes while continuously stirring. Then add carawayand nutmeg.
3. Stir and cover with the lid. Steam covered on low heat for about 30 minutes until the cabbage is almost fully cooked (soft). But keep an eye on it and stir every few minutes to make sure it doesn’t burn. Also add more water as needed.
4. Pour in the rest of the water and also a small 6oz can of tomato paste. Then finish seasoning with salt, sugar, and vinegar. I used 5 tablespoons of salt, 3 of sugar, and another 3 of vinegar. Feel free to adjust these to your taste.

Shari’s Berries to Adelaide

1.     IntroductionAccording to the Harvard School of Public Health, eating some pieces of chocolate per month can make people’s lives longer and sweeter. A survey revealed that 65-year-old men who ate sweets containing chocolate could live longer. In recent years, chocolate is becoming more and more popular in Australia. There was an increase at chocolate market with 1.4% per year between 2004 and 2009 (Chocolate Market in Australia to 2014, 2011). Every year there is more than $1.3 billion consumption of chocolates in Australia. Shari’s Berries as a small corporation needs to expend the areas of business to get more opportunities to become stronger. Australian chocolate market is a big market for most of chocolate companies, especially Shari’s Berries which has unique characteristics. The purpose of this report is to advice the management of Shari’s Berries to set up a store in Adelaide. In particular, situational analysis and recommendation will be discussed in this report.
 2.     Product Analysis
2.1 Product
In recent years, the strawberries covered with chocolate have become one of the most popular gifts. The Shari’s Berries core product is quality chocolate. The ingredients of Shari’s Berries come from these of the world’s greatest chocolate companies, and the succulent strawberries are used at the chocolate market. Because of the luscious taste, the product ever earned a title that is “The Unforgettable Gift” through American customers. These chocolates include 40 types in Shari’s Berries, such as, Fancy Berries, Swizzled Berries, and Berry Medley.

2.2 Brand:According to Cadbury’s chocolate report (2000), in Australia confectioneries were the most popular snack food, because Australians liked confectioneries and a person consumed approximately 6.7 kg of chocolate per year. At the same time, chocolate accounted for about 77% of the sale of confectioneries in Australia with valued more than $1.3 billion every year. Confectioneries are similar with barriers, and the Shari is the founder of this brand, so Shari’s berries do not need to change the existing name. The meaning of this brand is obvious that these products of this brand are all belong to snack food. Because of setting up in USA for many years which originated in 1989, most of local people who speak English can realise the culture of this chocolate. Another reason is that Australia is a big migrant country that people come from different country which may lead to cultural invasion. The local people can easily understand this brand.

 3. Market Analysis3.1 Location:Rundle Mall is the best choice to open Shari’s Berries. There are two reasons for opening the store in this place. The first reason is that Rundle Mall is the business centre of Adelaide which is full of business opportunities, because more than 800 retailers, the majority of stores and shopping arcades locate in this place. The passenger flow is much bigger than other areas which provides these retailers more opportunities to sale their products. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) showed that the population of Adelaide is about 1.28 million. Shari’s berries as the new comer is lack of regular customers, so chosen this place can offer a chance to avoid the small quantity of passenger flow and expand the popularity of this brand. In addition, because of the unique and novel characteristics of Shari’s Berries, many people can be attracted by these products, especially young people. The second reason is that the traffic transportation is very convenient. There are many stop zones for trams, buses, taxis and private cars and car parking near Rundle Mall.  For customers who consume in Rundle Mall, the major factor is traffic. Good traffic can bring more people to here for buying things.

3.2 CompetitionIn Rundle Mall, there are four shops that sell chocolates.  Charlesworth Nuts which located in Myer provides many kinds of small size of chocolates which mixed with nuts and chocolates. The prices of these products are from $8 to $20 per 500g. The colour of these chocolates is very monotonous which the major colour is brown. The chocolates are done before buying. The target market is for young group, and the quality is medium level. The second shop is Haigh’s chocolate. This shop is a big channel shop which includes many kinds of chocolate, such as, boxed chocolate, gift chocolate and handmade dark chocolates. In addition, this shop is famous for its fruit and nuts. This shop locates at the corner of Rundle Mall, which side is near the main road “King William Road”. Because of including many types of chocolates and different levels, the price range of chocolate fluctuates from $0.5 to $200 per one, and the target market is for all groups. The third shop is Darrell Lea Chocolate shops. It sells different brands and sizes. Of course, the price fluctuates from $1 to $300 per one. It is opposite of Haigh’s chocolate. The target market and quality are similar with Haigh’s chocolate.The chocolate is a boutique industry in Australia and the barriers are relatively few for Shari’s Berries. The greatest barrier is from large-scale manufacturers which selling chocolate through convenience stores and supermarkets. The reaction to potential competitors may likely to produce own range of products and keep the quality of chocolates.

3.3 Target MarketThe Cadbury report (2000) represented that there were about 50% of all chocolate buyers within 25-49 years old group. In particular, women bought more chocolate than men did, but the aims of women and men were different which women were for their families and the men were for themselves. Seeing from this report, 25-49 years old women is the major market. According to Shari’s Berries chocolates, 25-35 year-old women is the target market for Shari’s Berries. Because the main reason that women buy Sheri’s Berries chocolates is for their families and women is the major purchasing power in chocolate market and the purpose of producing chocolate of Shari’s Berries is to celebrate and enjoy life, so this group is target market. Because of good appearance, some children will become the potential customers to purchase these chocolates.
3.4 PricingBecause of the Shari’s Berries specificity, the price lies in medium level consumption in Adelaide from $20 to $80 per one. Because 25-35 years old group have a little or enough ability to pay these products and based on the price market the price is suitable for customers and producers, this pricing is reasonable. 4. RecommendationsIn order to promote the sales of chocolates, some ways are suggested to use in the target market.The first way is advertising: full page ads in newspapers such as Adelaide advertiser and Sunday mail can make local people quickly know these products. Placing the ads in professional food magazine monthly can help retailer drive demand for Shari’s Berries chocolates among consumers. Direct mail also can help local people know the specific information about these chocolates such as sources, processing and categories, which can facilitate the promotion of chocolates.
The second way is to open the function of delivery. According to asking some chocolate shops, most of them do not have delivery service. Delivery can help retailers expend the areas of service. Normally a chocolate shop can service several kilometres, but when using delivery, the business circle expends invisibly which can get 10-20 kilometres.The third way is to provide the function of credit cards and debit cards. In recent years, in order to make deals easier, most of the stores provide the function of credit cards. The consumption is become more and more popular.The forth way is to select large and mouthwatering strawberries in market, and never froze these strawberries. This way can keep the strawberries are fresh and good, which can keep good quality. The last way is packaging. Using safe packaging can improve the quality and appearance of chocolate. Customers can develop the loyalty of this products.5. ConclusionIn conclusion, it is found that the Australian chocolate market is a new big market for chocolate companies. Through product and market analysis, Shari’s Berries do not need to change its own name to adapt Australian culture, and the chocolates of Shari’s Berries can be successful in Australian chocolate market. Recommendation provided some useful ways to promote the sales is suitable for local strategy. In the future, Shari’s Berries will account for some shares with competing with others chocolate companies.

Woolworth-media audit

Woolworths consists of some of the most trusted and recognized brands in serving and retailing millions of consumers everyday with low prices, good choice and great quality. The service range of the company includes petrol, liquor, general merchandise, food & grocery and consumers electronics in Australia and New Zealand. 

TV:
TV is one of the biggest Medias for spreading advertisements in the world. The first strength of making ads on TV is large audiences. Park (2011) said that Australian watched totally about 9.8 billion hours of television in 2008 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Through above statistics, TV has a huge audiences group which can make more people watch Woolworths’ ad about fresh vegetables and fruits. The second strength is that it has a stronger impact and appeal on audiences. TV ads can make the audience feel especially true, because the television media use a faithful record of the means to directly stimulate the senses and psychological of audiences, after that to obtain the recognition of the experience of audience perception which can make audiences not forget this ads easily. It is very vivid. However, TV media has its weaknesses. The first weakness is that it is difficult to grasp the effect of spreading. TV not like print papers which can be carried easily needs a proper viewing environment which cannot block the spread of TV Media. For example, In this environment, the function of distance from the TV screen, viewing angle and the TV volume, size, equipment quality as well as TV antenna to receive signals, have a direct impact on television ratings of the TV ads. An expensive fee is another weakness. High costs of production always make advertisers give up TV ads. In process of making ads, lots of money is spent on playing, dubbing, editing and synthesis. 

Sponsorship:
The second media is sponsorship. It has some strengths and weaknesses for Woolworths through spreading ads. The first strength of sponsorship is that it can help establish a brand image, increase brand awareness. Sponsorship is a project that public concern and government support. Through this activity, Companies can enhance self-image. The second is that it can build a closer relationship with government or social organizations. Sponsorship of social activities can be recognized by society, after that the company which sponsored activities can be accepted easily. The last strength or the final goal is that increasing the sale. Sponsored activities specific to a warm atmosphere can stimulate consumer awareness and choice preferences of consumers. Therefore, not only with the sponsored project to establish a brand image, but organically and sales joint sponsorship activities more colorful, more momentum is huge, so that enterprises in the long period of time "," "profit" double income. However, sponsorship has its weaknesses. First, a specific opportunity is needed before carrying out. Sponsored activities must be coordination with other organizations, so the sponsored activities of a certain time. Second, the high investment costs. Sponsorship fee alone is not a small investment, but rather for the sponsorship truly effective, the need for companies to invest matching funds to carry out a series of promotional activities.

Leaflet:

The last media is leaflet. For the printing product, it also has strength and weakness. In the first, it has not only low cost, but also broad coverage. Distributed in the supermarket door can reach the coverage area of supermarket. Sometimes, leaflet folder with newspaper delivery, it can get wider coverage. Secondly, comparison with television and newspaper ads, leaflets’ target is stronger. For example, only sent to the female consumers such as leaflets of women's goods can be billing through staff. In addition, Leaflets can inform obviously. Filled the leaflets dropped quickly the merchant product listing, gift promotions, new store openings and other news to convey to consumers, which enlarge and strengthen the relevant information is transmitted by the newspaper and TV advertising. The last strength is that distribution is simple. Billing handbags carry a bag of leaflets can be distributed anywhere. For the weakness, the first is that it can make customers create boring feel on lots of leaflets. Promotional efficiency is very limited. Also, distribution of leaflets caused a large number of municipal rubbish. Every week, lots of leaflets with newspaper appear in letter boxes. 

Conclusion:

Through analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of three Medias and what they got from these Medias’ ads, every media has its strength and weakness, and the goals of every media’s ad are increase the sale and improve the popularity of Woolworths. Using more Medias can broad the range of consumers. 

Jurlique- entry strategy

Jurlique International, an Australian-based company, is famous for creating and providing the skin care products from the purest, most natural and organic ingredients. Jurlique has been committed to internationalization with a huge number of stores and retail outlets around 22 countries in the world. The quality of products and the capital of Jurlique help guarantee its   success in international markets.

Two strategies are chosen to enter Italian market such as (1) Direct exporting through Internet selling and using local pharmacies and (2) Franchising the “Retail and Treatments Store” with Spa service.

The communication strategy mainly aims at creating and raising brand awareness of Jurlique as a luxury beauty skincare brand without harsh chemicals, as an Australian well-established brand in international markets and as a combination of nature and science. Supporting media are used to reach new customers, to announce the upcoming presence of Jurlque in the market and to provide Italian consumers with more information of different product ranges and promotional offers. The main message to be sent is: “Jurlique produces the purest, safest and most effective skincare in the world”. Some particular messages are designed to aim at two target groups, including organic consumers and brand-oriented consumers.

China's currency in recent years

[Reuters]
2005, Jul - China revalues the yuan by 2.1 percent and revises rules governing its
currency, saying it has shifted to "a managed floating exchange rate based on market
supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies".

2010, Jun - China says it is resuming its reforms of the yuan exchange rate and
increasing currency flexibility, effectively ditching a two-year peg to the dollar that
was enacted during the global financial crisis.

2012, Feb - The yuan hits a record high of 6.2884 per dollar.

2012, Mar - China steps up efforts to internationalize the yuan by allowing all firms in
the country to pay for imports and exports in yuan.

2012, Apr - China widens the trading band for the yuan against the dollar to 1 percent
from 0.5 percent.

Although,china has made gradual progress on revaluation of yuan, the yuan is still consider as fix exchange rate regien. Therefore, China should make the exchange rate of the yuan more flexible in the future. That is because China has to  prevent high domestic inflation and decrease the pressure of the trade surplus with United States.