United Utilities Competitor Analysis Essays

United Utilities Competitor Analysis Essays United Utilities Competitor Analysis Paper United Utilities Competitor Analysis Paper Competitor Analysis United Utilities is a British Utility company which owns and operates the water network mainly in the North West of England. It serves around seven million people in England and is considered to be the largest water listed company in the UK. The reason our group considers United Utilities as a major competitor to Severn Trent PLC is the competitiveness of the utility companies in the UK. Although United Utilities does not compete with Severn Trent PLC directly as Severn Trent PLC mainly serves areas around the Midlands of England and also certain regions of Wales. They remain close competitors as both companies strive to expand their market shares in their individual area where they mainly provide water. Both company also remain competitive in other non regulated services in different utility sectors such as waste water management, gas network and electricity sector. By assessing the share price movements between Severn Trent Plc and United Utilities which is shown in the plotted diagram, the movements shows the similarities of both companies throughout the study period. The first clear example would be the sudden increment of share price in between the November and December 2009 period. In this period, both companies share price increased almost at the same date and by the same amount. This is due to the released of sound set of interim financial results by both companies. Both companies recorded an increase of profit before tax which increased by 6% and 9. 8% for United Utilities and Severn Trent Plc respectively. After this period both companies did not show any significant changes in share prices and both companies share price movement remain closely similar till the starting period of February 2010 when both share a similar drop in share prices. This drop was not a result of any economic event but was due to the adverse weather occurring around UK which caused an increased in leakages and damages to both companies which in turn raises huge financial cost for the Utility industry. Other than these couple of events, both companies share price movement is almost identical. Reference Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia- Severn Trent http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Severn_Trent [Assessed 20/02/10] Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia- United Utilities http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/United_Utilities Assessed 20/02/10] United Utilities- About United Utilities-Where we operate-UK unitedutilities. com/UK. htm [Assessed 20/02/10] United Utilities- Investors Relations- Financial News- 2009 unitedutilities. com/financialnews-2009. htm [Assessed 20/02/10] Severn Trent- Investor Centre- Investor tools- Share Price Chart severn-trent. com/server. php? show=nav. 54 [Assessed 20/02/10] Severn Trent- Investor Centre- Announcements- 2009/2010 severn -trent. com/server. php? show=nav. 38 [Assessed 20/02/10]

Battle of Leyte Gulf in World War II

Battle of Leyte Gulf in World War II The Battle of Leyte Gulf was fought October 23-26, 1944, during World War II (1939-1945) and is considered the conflicts largest naval engagement. Returning to the Philippines, Allied forces began landing on Leyte on October 20. Responding, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched plan Sho-Go 1. A complex operation, it called for multiple forces to strike the Allies from several directions. Central to the plan was luring away the American carrier groups that would be protecting the landings. Moving forward, the two sides clashed in four distinct engagements as part of the larger battle: Sibuyan Sea, Surigao Strait, Cape Engaà ±o, and Samar. In the first three, Allied forces won clear victories. Off Samar, the Japanese, having been successful in luring away the carriers, failed to press their advantage and withdrew. In the course of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Japanese suffered heavy losses in terms of ships and were unable to mount large-scale operations for the rest of the war. Background In late 1944, after extensive debate, Allied leaders elected to begin operations to liberate the Philippines. The initial landings were to take place on the island of Leyte, with ground forces commanded by General Douglas MacArthur. To assist this amphibious operation, the US 7th Fleet, under Vice Admiral Thomas Kinkaid, would provide close support, while Admiral William Bull Halseys 3rd Fleet, containing Vice Admiral Marc Mitschers Fast Carrier Task Force (TF38), stood further out to sea to provide cover. Moving forward, the landings on Leyte commenced October 20, 1944. Admiral William Bull Halsey. US Naval History and Heritage Command The Japanese Plan Aware of American intentions in the Philippines, Admiral Soemu Toyoda, commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet, initiated plan Sho-Go 1 to block the invasion. This plan called for the bulk of Japans remaining naval strength to put to sea in four separate forces. The first of these, Northern Force, was commanded by Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa, and was centered on the carrier Zuikaku and the light carriers Zuiho, Chitose, and Chiyoda. Lacking sufficient pilots and aircraft for battle, Toyoda intended for Ozawas ships to serve as bait to lure Halsey away from Leyte. With Halsey removed, three separate forces would approach from the west to attack and destroy the US landings at Leyte. The largest of these was Vice Admiral Takeo Kuritas Center Force, which contained five battleships (including the super battleships Yamato and Musashi) and ten heavy cruisers. Kurita was to move through the Sibuyan Sea and the San Bernardino Strait, before launching his attack. To support Kurita, two smaller fleets, under Vice Admirals Shoji Nishimura and Kiyohide Shima, together forming Southern Force, would move up from the south through the Surigao Strait. Japanese battleships at Brunei, Borneo, in October 1944, photographed just prior to the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The ships are, from left to right: Musashi, Yamato, a cruiser and Nagato. US Naval History and Heritage Command Fleets Commanders Allies Admiral William HalseyVice Admiral Thomas Kinkaid8 fleet carriers8 light carriers18 escort carriers12 battleships24 cruisers141 destroyers and destroyer escorts Japanese Admiral Soemu ToyodaVice Admiral Takeo KuritaVice Admiral Shoji NishimuraVice Admiral Kiyohide ShimaAdmiral Jisaburo Ozawa1 fleet carrier3 light carriers9 battleships14 heavy cruisers6 light cruisers35 destroyers Losses Allies - 1 light carrier, 2 escort carriers, 2 destroyers, 1 destroyer escort, approx. 200 aircraftJapanese - 1 fleet carrier, 3 light carriers, 3 battleships, 10 cruisers, 11 destroyers, approx. 300 aircraft Sibuyan Sea Beginning on October 23, the Battle of Leyte Gulf consisted of four primary meetings between Allied and Japanese forces. In the first engagement on October 23-24, the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, Kuritas Center Force was attacked by the American submarines USS Darter and USS Dace as well as Halseys aircraft.  Engaging the Japanese around dawn on October 23, Darter scored four hits on Kuritas flagship, the heavy cruiser Atago, and two on the heavy cruiser Takao. A short time later, Dace hit the heavy cruiser Maya with four torpedoes.  While Atago and Maya both sank quickly, Takao, badly damaged, withdrew to Brunei with two destroyers as escorts. Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, 24 October 1944 Japanese battleship Yamato is hit by a bomb near her forward 460mm gun turret, during attacks by U.S. carrier planes as she transited the Sibuyan Sea. US Naval History and Heritage Command Rescued from the water, Kurita transferred his flag to Yamato. The next morning, Center Force was located by American aircraft as it moved through the Sibuyan Sea. Brought under attack by aircraft from 3rd Fleets carriers, the Japanese quickly took hits to the battleships Nagato, Yamato, and Musashi and saw the heavy cruiser MyÃ… kÃ…  badly damaged. Subsequent strikes saw Musashi crippled and drop from Kuritas formation. It later sank around 7:30 PM after being hit with at least 17 bombs and 19 torpedoes. Under increasingly intense air attacks, Kurita reversed his course and retreated. As the Americans withdrew, Kurita again changed course around 5:15 PM and resumed his advance towards the San Bernardino Strait. Elsewhere that day, the escort carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) was sunk by land-based bombers as its aircraft attacked Japanese air bases on Luzon. Surigao Strait On the night of October 24/25, part of the Southern Force, led by Nishimura entered the Surigao Straight where they were initially attacked by Allied PT boats. Successfully running this gauntlet, Nishimuras ships were then set upon by destroyers which unleashed a barrage of torpedoes. In the course of this assault USS Melvin hit the battleship  FusÃ…  causing it to sink. Driving forward, Nishimuras remaining ships soon encountered the six battleships (many of them Pearl Harbor veterans) and eight cruisers of the 7th Fleet Support Force led by Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf. USS West Virginia (BB-48) firing during the Battle of Surigao Strait, 24-25 October 1944. US Naval History and Heritage Command Crossing the Japanese T, Oldendorfs ships used radar fire control to engage the Japanese at long range. Pounding the enemy, the Americans sank the battleship Yamashiro and the heavy cruiser Mogami. Unable to continue their advance, the remainder of Nishimuras squadron withdrew south.  Entering the strait, Shima encountered the wrecks of Nishimuras ships and elected to retreat. The fighting in the Surigao Strait was the last time two battleship forces would duel. Cape Engaà ±o At 4:40 PM on the 24th, Halseys scouts located Ozawas Northern Force. Believing that Kurita was retreating, Halsey signaled Admiral Kinkaid that he was moving north to pursue the Japanese carriers. By doing so, Halsey was leaving the landings unprotected. Kinkaid was not aware of this as he believed Halsey had left one carrier group to cover the San Bernardino Straight. At dawn on October 25, Ozawa launched a 75-plane strike against Halsey and Mitschers carriers. Easily defeated by the American combat air patrols, no damage was inflicted. Countering, Mitschers first wave of aircraft began attacking the Japanese around 8:00 AM.  Overwhelming the enemy fighter defense, the attacks continued through the day and ultimately sank all four of Ozawas carriers in what became known as the Battle of Cape Engaà ±o. Samar As the battle was concluding, Halsey was informed that the situation off Leyte was critical. Toyodas plan had worked. By Ozawa drawing away Halseys carriers, the path through the San Bernardino Straight was left open for Kuritas Center Force to pass through to attack the landings. Breaking off his attacks, Halsey began steaming south at full speed. Off Samar (just north of Leyte), Kuritas force encountered the 7th Fleets escort carriers and destroyers.   Launching their planes, the escort carriers began to flee, while the destroyers valiantly attacked Kuritas much superior force. As the melee was turning in favor of the Japanese, Kurita broke off after realizing that he was not attacking Halseys carriers and that the longer he lingered the more likely he was to be attacked by American aircraft. Kuritas retreat effectively ended the battle. Aftermath In the fighting at Leyte Gulf, the Japanese lost 4 aircraft carriers, 3 battleships, 8 cruisers, and 12 destroyers, as well as 10,000 killed. Allied losses were much lighter and included 1,500 killed as well as 1 light aircraft carrier, 2 escort carriers, 2 destroyers, and 1 destroyer escort sunk. Crippled by their losses, the Battle of Leyte Gulf marked the last time the Imperial Japanese Navy would conduct large-scale operations during the war. The Allied victory secured the beachhead on Leyte and opened the door for the liberation of the Philippines. This in turn cut off the Japanese from their conquered territories in Southeast Asia, greatly reducing the flow of supplies and resources to the home islands. Despite winning the largest naval engagement in history, Halsey was criticized after the battle for racing north to attack Ozawa without leaving cover for the invasion fleet off Leyte.

Project Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Project Management - Case Study Example This results into continuous problems hindering the realization of the project goals. The company is left with no choice but to hire another CEO Andre Gignac after twelve months to oversee the success of the project. Indeed their decision was a rewarding one. Andre organized staffs into various groups and delegated specific duties to the members so as to avoid confrontation arising from different departments. Provided motivational support which ensured every member was committed towards the course of project delivery. To the disbelief the management, the company had managed to achieve its objectives within three months something that was impossible with the predecessor. The hiring of Mr. Rogerge was purely based on assumptions and not on merit of having the best skills required to achieve objectives (Furman, 2011). Having knowledge about a concept does not necessarily mean one can be the best manager to oversee the ideas as Mr.Roberge has thought. The CEO found it hard to coordinate work between the different workforces at his disposal, was self-centered and had no best interest at hand to deliver on the project which eventually led to his failure. However this is contrary to what Andre Gignac did to the organization. He had experience and understands what management means and do not have to know IT skills for him to be a success. He understands the role of collective responsibility in the organization in the development of any project course (Furman, 2011). He clearly distinguishes duties and responsibility to persons to ensure a smooth flow of work. Andre provided encouragement, unity in the workforce by hosting evening parties. This has made the manager to achieve goals within the unexpected period of time. Hiring of well trained, qualified and experienced mangers complimented with a good design by integrating whole departments will make the organization to achieve its goals since smooth flow of work is ensured and commitment while

Public law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

Public law - Essay Example He is also a controversial figure, often the subject of scrutiny when it comes to human rights issues. He is fervent on the pursuit of human rights as they apply to the laws under the European Convention of 1950. As a high court Judge, his statement regarding the correct terminology to indicate the relationship between the judicial branch of government and other branches of government are certainly subjective. This is so as he possibly views an aspect of government and legislature than many others do not have the opportunity to see first hand. Also, naturally he is in a position to defend his own actions as they pertain to the laws. We will take a closer look at some of the terms and conditions of the Human Rights Act of 1998. The Human Rights Act has been established in order to preserve and protect the basic and legal rights of citizens. This Act is an act of Parliament of the UK. It was officially active as of October 2, of 2000. It is essentially an expansion of the European Convention on Human Rights. It has been established to provide this expansion of the Convention within the UK. It is intended to protect the greater community from corruption or mistreatment by the public bodies that hold power within local and overall government. Furthermore, it is a sort of safety net for the UK higher courts so that problems that arise which are in fact a violation of human rights can be handled within UK courts as apposed to going straight to the European Court of Human Rights. This court is located in Strasbourg. The Human Rights Act is pertinent to all Public bodies, judicial or otherwise with in the United Kingdom. Parliament, when it is acting in legislative capacity, is the only condition to this otherwise all encompassing policy. This act has been placed in order to allow for the enforcement of one’s rights under the European Human Rights Convention. It allows

Charles Dickens Great Expectations Essay -- Great Expectations Essays

Great Expectations As part of my GCSE coursework I have been asked to analyse the novel ‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens and show how Dickens creates sympathy towards the young character Pip in the extract. Dickens starts the extract by revealing the gloomy and oppressive atmosphere in the residence of Miss Havisham. When Pip arrives at the house of Miss Havisham there is an atmosphere of gloominess which creates sympathy for Pip. ‘No glimpse of daylight was to be seen in it’. Pip feels very insecure because he is a young boy in a strange and unfamiliar environment. He is moreover now in the presence of upper class. This also creates sympathy because Pip is from the lower classes and must face the difficulties to unfold with Estella and Miss Havisham. Everything in the house is covered in dust and all the clocks have stopped. Miss Havisham, the upper class lady of the house is dressed in ‘satins, and lace, and silks - all of white’. Everything in this house was once white a long, long time ago but ‘had lost its lustre, and was faded and yellow’. This image of Miss Havisha... Charles Dickens' Great Expectations Essay -- Great Expectations Essays Great Expectations As part of my GCSE coursework I have been asked to analyse the novel ‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens and show how Dickens creates sympathy towards the young character Pip in the extract. Dickens starts the extract by revealing the gloomy and oppressive atmosphere in the residence of Miss Havisham. When Pip arrives at the house of Miss Havisham there is an atmosphere of gloominess which creates sympathy for Pip. ‘No glimpse of daylight was to be seen in it’. Pip feels very insecure because he is a young boy in a strange and unfamiliar environment. He is moreover now in the presence of upper class. This also creates sympathy because Pip is from the lower classes and must face the difficulties to unfold with Estella and Miss Havisham. Everything in the house is covered in dust and all the clocks have stopped. Miss Havisham, the upper class lady of the house is dressed in ‘satins, and lace, and silks - all of white’. Everything in this house was once white a long, long time ago but ‘had lost its lustre, and was faded and yellow’. This image of Miss Havisha...

Gary Soto Guilt Essay Essay

Guilt is the price we pay willingly for doing what we are going to do anyway -Isabelle Holland. Guilt is something we create for ourselves. In the passage, Gary Soto emphasizes how guilty, paranoid, and shameful he felt in his inner conscience after stealing an apple pie. He expresses his guilt, shame, and paranoia by describing his outer self, his inner self, and the people around him. How Soto describes his inner self emphasizes on how fearful he is. The great sense of paranoia that overcame him caused him to believe that the people around him knew about his sinful deed of stealing the pie. A car honked and the driver knew. Mrs. Hancock stood on her lawn, hands on hip, and she knew. My mom, peeling a mountain of potatoes at the Red-Spud factory, knew. Soto also says that the pie tin glared at him and rolled away when the wind picked up. This impossible image exposes the fear in Sotos mind that even the pie tin is aware of his corrupt actions. Religion also causes Gary Soto to feel shameful and disgraceful. His references to God and being thirsty reveal his fear. Soto playing with his frisbee, states I flung it again until I was bored and tired† and â€Å"I returned home to drink water†, Soto attempts to get away from the anguish of his guilt by playing around and distracting himself. He also refers to Adam and Eve and their thirst after taking the forbidden fruit. Soto refers to himself and young and innocent, holy in every bone. However, he still steals the pie, and is paranoid of punishment from God for the rest of the day. How Soto describes his outer-self emphasizes on how ashamed and disgusted he was about himself stealing the pie. He refers to the sweat under his arms as the juice of guilt. As if sweat isnt gross enough, when described as juice, from guilt, its quite repulsive. Gary Soto obviously felt disgusted with himself, and nervous, after committing this crime. When Cross-Eyed Johnny whispers to him, Your hands are dirty, Soto takes it literally in a way, his hands sticky and dripping. Soto, feeling gluttonous and dirty, and took Cross-Eyed Johnnys comment as an insult, saying he felt bad, and even more guilty. By emphasizing the effects of paranoia, religion, and feelings of shame, Gary Soto is able to revive and recreate his traumatic childhood experience. His paranoia caused his intense insecurity and anxiety about everyone and everything around him, whereas the ideas of religion emphasized morally in ethical values of the sin he has committed. The shame Gary Soto felt led to regret in the bad deed he has committed and awakened his moral conscience that he has done something wrong and enjoyed it. Because of these three major factors, Gary Soto has clearly revived his experience of his first theft as a young innocent child.

The Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln s 12 Years A Slave

Louis Hughes wrote in his autobiography, 12 Years a Slave, â€Å"I have endeavored, in the foregoing sketch, to give a clear and correct idea of the institution of human slavery, as I witnessed and experienced it- its brutality, its degrading influence upon both master and slave and under its utter incompatibility with industrial improvement and general educational progress.† During the Pre-Civil war period, the North and the South had already divided over their differences, such as geography and slavery. They found it hard to resolve their differences that tensions developed and fights broke out. These events caused the need for leadership. Abraham Lincoln’s election caused him step up to that position of leadership which allowed him to leave a legacy by the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address, and the Amendments. Lincoln set the Civil war and took Cultural, Social and Political actions to solve slavery. During the 19th and 20th century, the United States was in conflict or turmoil with itself over slavery causing the need for Presidential and Military leadership. Abolitionists protested over the cruel treatment of slavery. A proven evidence of cruel treatment came from Louis Hughes who was born a slave. He was traded and sold like property. In his book, 12 Years A Slave, he had written, â€Å"At length, I became used to severe treatment of the slaves; but, every little while, something would happen to make me wish I were dead, Everything was in a bustle- there wasShow MoreRelatedThe Declaration Of The United States1346 Words   |  6 Pageswere entitled to in a free country. However, this document contradicted the Constitution’s claim that all men were created equal, particularly in racial and gender identifiers such as slaves, Native Americans, and women. Slaves were essential in the economic development of the South. Most southerners considered slaves as property, onl y three-fifths of a man, and as a result, equality for this particular segment of society did not concern Americans. It was not until the Westward Expansion inRead MoreAccomplishments Of Abraham Lincoln s Accomplishments1051 Words   |  5 PagesACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN On February 12, 1809 our sixteenth president of the United States, was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, He was the son of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, farmers. Thomas Lincoln had come to Kentucky from Virginia with his father Abraham in 1782. He learned only enough literacy to sign his name but gained modest prosperity as a carpenter and farmer on the Kentucky frontier. Thomas Lincoln married Nancy Hanks, whom also illiterate, in 1806. Abraham was born in a logRead MoreThe Life Of Abraham Lincoln1356 Words   |  6 PagesThe Life of Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln, Civil Rights Activist, U.S. Representative, U.S. President, and lawyer is regarded as one of America’s most successful presidents due to his incredible impact on the nation, and his views on slavery and civil rights. Abraham Lincoln, also referred to by Honest Abe, had one of the hardest jobs a president can have and that is being a war-time leader. Despite the odds, Lincoln persevered through his rough childhood and found his way into politics and laterRead MoreLincolns Emancipation Proclamation Essay1447 Words   |  6 PagesAbraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 to April 14, 1865) was the 16th president of the United States and is regarded as one of America s greatest heroes due to his role as savior of the Union and emancipator of the slaves. His rise from humble beginnings to achieving the highest office in the land is a remarkable story. He was suddenly and tragically assassinated at a time when his country needed him to complete the great task remaining b efore the nation. His eloquence of democracy and insistence thatRead MorePresident Abraham Lincoln : Greatest President Of American History1516 Words   |  7 Pages2014 President Abraham Lincoln: Greatest President in American History President Lincoln said the following about the South in his Inaugural Address, In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The government will not assail you.... You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to preserve, protect and defend it.(Freidel and Sidey 2006) President Abraham Lincoln is look upon asRead MoreAbraham Lincoln s Greatest Heroes1250 Words   |  5 PagesAbraham Lincoln is refered to as one of America s greatest heroes due to both his incredible impact on the nation and his unique appeal. His most rememberal story of the rise from humble beginnings to achieve the highest office in the land, then, a sudden and tragic death at a time when his country needed him most to complete the great task remaining before the nation. Lincoln s distinctively human and humane personality and historical role as savior of the Union and emancipator of the slaves createsRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1958 Words   |  8 PagesLeadership and Legacy: Background Research Paper Abraham Lincoln By:Audrey Knight Introduction Great leader and main topic Abraham Lincoln lived in the 1800’s where he accomplished many things in his 54 years of life. He lived in the U.S. through several major events in history and left a legacy that will never be forgotten. As the 16th president of the United States he brought about the emancipation of slavery, preserved the Union during the Civil War, and served the people. His heroic leadershipRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1817 Words   |  8 Pagesthan any of these other men: Abraham Lincoln, the man who freed the slaves. Abraham Lincoln, born February 12, 1809 in Hodgenville, Kentucky, is widely considered to be one of the greatest presidents to have ever been in office. During the course of his presidency, Lincoln not only lead the Union during the Civil War and tried to unify the nation through a harsh time of crisis, conflict, and bloodshed: through his beliefs, his example and his legacy, Lincoln freed the slaves, gave them the right to voteRead MoreThe Heroes Of Abraham Lincoln2389 Words   |  10 PagesKevin Yu Mr. Stebens American Literature B4 4/27/2015 American Hero Many admire presidents as their heroes for the great power they possess. However, in my opinion, a hero is built by his or her characteristics. Abraham Lincoln was known to be a shining star in American History at time of darkness. He was courageous; when segregation, slavery, racism dominated the social trend it was him that pushed against all the odds and united the nation. He was confident; when facing military disadvantages andRead MoreComparing The Home Fronts Of The North And South During The Civil War Essay1628 Words   |  7 Pagesthe South. As the Northern economy thrived, Southerners battled with deficiencies and swelling. Just a couple of Northern people group endured the demolition and outrages of foe occupation, though such encounters were typical in the Confederacy. What s more, whatever the strains of war, the encounters differed by, sexual orientation, and class. The most prompt impacts of the war were felt by families that sent troopers off to battle. Most volunteers were young fellows; presumably just a minority deserted