General Motors Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

General Motors - Essay Example How does the company plan to rally. Are they being realistic in their efforts to meet foreign competition Are they actually looking at the areas that need further attention, or are they looking for short-term incentives as a means of increasing their market share Exactly what are the main issues that must be addressed before GM can begin to recoup its losses In 2005, GM North America reported a loss of $1.6 billion in the third quarter, compared with a loss of $88 million in 2004. In the last quarter of 2005, GM had to revise its losses by a further $2 billion (Krolicki, 2006), the reason said to be charges related to factory job losses and Delphi Corporation's bankruptcy. Unfortunately, the company can be compared at present to a house of cards, easy to topple. Toyota, on the other hand is growing by leaps and bounds and is expected to take over the number one spot in auto sales within the next few years. The chart below is based on an NPR study by Diane Geng (2005) and indicates some of the more telling statistics regarding competition between these companies: Unfortunately, the company does not seem to be focused on global issues, and its efforts have been limited to quick fixes. The recent agreement with United Auto Workers union to cut health care costs, perhaps by $3 billion a year, offers an immediate boost. However, this savings is expected to be achieved by higher co-pay for doctor's visits and prescription drugs. The company also announced its intention to eliminate 25,000 jobs. Where is the incentive for employees to increase output How much emphasis does the company place on employee satisfaction The most recent effort is a promotional incentive for anyone who buys a new SUV in California or Florida. With gas prices at present well over $3 a gallon, the offer for a redeemable card with gas at $1.99 a gallon for one year if the customer signs up for On-Star, free for a year and then $16.95 a month (Durbin, 2006) is an immediate benefit. But will this incentive improve the way customers see the GM brand The major marketing push has been for trucks, especially popular over the past few years, and SUVs. The company's promotional incentive will help sell the SUVs that are no longer as popular as they were, but then what Future Issues to be Addressed at General Motors Because of the present interest in fuel consumption, commentary on the current economy as it relates to automobile design and manufacture is being updated every day. Some of the online publications that offer a running commentary are Business Day, MarketWatch, YEALD and NPR, as well as books and journal articles as noted in references. Certain areas must be explored if GM wants to stay ahead of the market. Because of the serious issues facing the company, a study directed

Practical-Tablet Making Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Practical-Tablet Making - Lab Report Example HPLC assay was also done to assess the actual concentration (correct amount) of paracetamol’s active compound (acetaminophen) present in selected tablets. Table one below shows the two drug formulation used in the experiment, the tables, were tested for appearance, weight, hardness, thickness, diameter, and friability. The tablets were assessed for physical appearance by observing them through a magnifying glass. The size (diameter and thickness), weight, and hardness were determined using micrometre screw gauge, digital balance, and schleuniger hardness tester respectively. The tablets from either of the formulation compositions were found to have a uniform round and white appearance. In addition, formulation 1 b tablets were larger with a matte appearance than those of formulation 2 that were generally small in size and with a glossy appearance. No imperfections (groves) were noted on any of the tablets even after observing them using magnifying glass. A consistent difference in weight and diameter was also noted between the two formulations, with the formulation 1b having a median weight and diameter of 2.961g and 25.66mm respectively. However, there was no difference in thickness noted between tablets of the two formulations. Table 2 and 3 below provides a summary of the average, RSD, minimum and maximum weight, diameter, hardness, and thickness values of the two tablet formulations. In determining friability (percentage loss in weight), the total weight of the five tablets was used in the analysis. The tablets were tested for friability by using the Copley friability tester at a testing speed of 25 revolutions per minute (RPM). The total percentage loss in weight of the five tablets from each formulation was calculated and summarized in table 4 below. It is important to note that formula 2 tablets had a friability