Clean Edge Essay

Non-disposable razors recorded average growth of about 5% in retail sales during the period 2007 to 2010 whereas refill cartridge and disposable razors recorded growth of approximately 2% and 3% respectively for the same period. Innovations and new product introductions are the prime factors for the growth. Non-disposable razors and refill cartridge market is broadly classified into three segments namely value, moderate and super premium based on price and quality. Paramount’s consumer research identified distinct segmentation in terms of product benefits and consumer behavior. % of non- disposable razor users are segmented as Involved Razor users, social/emotional shavers; 28% as Involved Razor users, aesthetic shavers and 33% as Uninvolved Razor users, maintenance shavers. Studies from 2009 showed that the retail sales of non- disposable razors and refill cartridge came from 25% volume of super-premium, 43% of moderate and 32% of value segments. In the last decade, the indus try has experienced significant growth in the super premium segment. Product innovation and new technology is leading this sector for a number of new entrants. In 2008-09 the rate of new product innovation leads to 22 new SKUs to be introduced. SWOT Analysis Strengths Paramount Health and Beauty Company’s biggest strength is that it is a well- established brand with deep pockets and a very good association with consumers. The product- Clean Edge Razor, that they nave released, is also technologically in the current market. Weaknesses best The company does not have a slice in the 37. 2% of the pie that corresponds to the super premium segment which has immense potential. Also there is a risk of launching the product in the wrong segment or positioning it wrongly. A wrong move could result in cannibalization of Paramount Pro, another product in their portfolio. Opportunities There is very good growth in the super premium segment especially in men’s grooming. The market is also highly profitable so vendors are ready to stock the products. Also, the maintenance users are a market not ventured by any company till date. Hence the opportunities are immense. Threats A good number of competitors are trying to become the leader in this segment which is expected to grow in the future. The competitors could also catch up with the latest echnology and release a technologically more advanced product. Availability of alternatives like disposable and electric razors make a high threat of substitutes. Because of large number of products available and constant innovation in the sector it is very easy for the consumers to switch the companies. Hence, consumers have a high bargaining power. Entry barriers are low in the industry since no major R;D costs are involved and there are no major regulations. The bargaining power of the suppliers is low. Hence, overall the premium segment of nondisposable razors is an attractive industry to enter into. Positioning Strategy: The first strategy that we suggest is Niche Positioning, targeting the premium segment: As of now, the products released by Paramount in the non-disposable razer segment, Paramount Pro and Paramount Avail are positioned in the moderate segment and as a value -offering respectively. After three years of development, Paramount Health and Beauty Company has come up with a new technologically advanced vibrating razor called Clean Edge. Keeping in mind the superior technology used and the fact that Paramount has not launched a product targeting the premium egment, Paramount could adopt Niche Positioning while launching Clean Edge. However, there are certain disadvantages and advantages: Advantages: Positioning Paramount’s Clean Edge as a niche will accentuate the company’s product portfolio significantly. From the exhibits it is visible that it will result in high and consistent profit margins for the company and the risk involved will be less. Apart from that, the financial requirement of launching the product in the premium segment is only 15 million dollars as against 42 million dollars for the mainstream targeting. Disadvantages: As the trends suggests, understanding the fact that the premium segment has not been targeted significantly, almost all of Paramount’s competitors have launched products for this segment. Also, for the past 5 years, the company’s current products Pro and Avail have not introduced any new innovations as a result of which its customers are moving on to other competitors. The product pro is in the mature face and might need phasing out eventually. The second strategy that can be followed is Mainstream Positioning. The advantages and disadvantages of the same are as follows: Consumers are becoming more and more sophisticated day by day and expect more advanced technology. Paramount’s bread and butter product, Pro was in the mature phase of the product lifecycle so there is a possibility of decline. Positioning Clean Edge as mainstream product will help prevent loyal Paramount customers from being wooed away to more innovative brands. Main stream razor unit volumes are expected to capture over three times the volumes of the niche market in the first year. Clean Edge has the potential for true market domination and would quickly gain ass appeal. Disadvantages: – Paramount already had product in mainstream positioning -Paramount Pro so launching it as mainstream positioning will dilute the brand power and will lead to cannibalization. More marketing support will be needed to reach the target masses. The company would require an extensive advertising campaign, considerable consumer promotions would be needed and thus the expenses associated with them will be huge. To reach full sales potential with this positioning, $42 million marketing budget would be needed for year one. Total sales of Paramount for Avail and Pro for first year (2009) and second year (2010) are calculated using the market size (retail sales) and corresponding market share, both real (2009)and estimated (2010), of Paramount. The cost of Cannibalization is calculated using total sales and percentage of cannibalization given. Analyzing the result, it is evident that launching the product is a profitable venture; however, the cost of cannibalization may change equations. The cost of cannibalization is lower for the niche market as compared to mainstream market. Although, cannibalization djustments give us losses for the first year in the case of both mainstream and niche, the profit obtained in the second year for mainstream is larger than niche market. Branding Strategy The branding should be done in such a way that it emphasizes Clean Edge Razor as a unique and breakthrough product with the usage of latest technology. However, given the tight advertising budget, it should use the well-established name of Paramount rather than build a brand based on the Clean Edge. This should help potential buyers connect with the product quickly and test it. This should ensure maximum sales. Recommendations & Conclusion The recommendation is to introduce the Clean Edge into the marketplace as a niche product since data shows that consumers in the premium segment are willing to switch between the companies. Using advertising and promotion of the new product we can gain market share from competitors. Exhibit 8directly suppo rts this recommendation and snows that even though unit sales are less than main stream sales, the operating profit and the operating profits as % of sales is higher. In both year one and year two, this niche arket is profitable and growing. It is here that Paramount should focus its efforts on product introduction and positioning for the Clean Edge Razor. Once it has launched itself in the niche segment, Randall should then launch it, maybe after 2 to 3 years, in the mainstream category. As the data shows, both niche and mainstream strategy will help Paramount to raise its market share in super- premium non disposable razor segment. But the niche strategy will enables Clean Edge Razor to contribute profit and at the same time, limit the effect of cannibalizing Paramount’s existing products.

Free Essays on Employmenty

Construction employment was flat in November. Job gains in general build- ing contractors were offset by losses in heavy construction. Construction industry employment has shown no net growth since spring of this year. Employment in the services industry rose by 50,000 in November. Health services added 27,000 jobs, with hospitals accounting for about half of this increase. Over the past 12 months, employment in the health services industry has risen by 278,000. In November, employment also rose in several other services industries, including engineering and management, agricultural services, and auto repair and parking services. Employment in help supply services decreased by 23,000 in November; this followed declines that totaled 65,000 in the prior 2 months. The industry had added 167,000 jobs from Feb- ruary to August. In finance, employment continued to increase in mortgage brokerages (5,000) as refinancing activity maintained a healthy pace. Employment in mortgage brokerages has grown by 106,000 since its low point in January 2001. Weekly Hours (Establishment Survey Data) The average workweek for production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged in November at 34.2 hours, seasonally adjusted. The manufacturing workweek and factory overtime also were unchanged at 40.7 hours and 4.1 hours, respectively. (See table B-2.) The index of aggregate weekly hours of production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged in November at 148.1 (1982=100), seasonally adjusted. The manufacturing index was down by 0.4 percent over the month to 91.0. (See table B-5.) Hourly and Weekly Earnings (Establishment Survey Data) Average hourly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 4 cents in November to $14.93, seasonally adjusted, following a similar ... Free Essays on Employmenty Free Essays on Employmenty Construction employment was flat in November. Job gains in general build- ing contractors were offset by losses in heavy construction. Construction industry employment has shown no net growth since spring of this year. Employment in the services industry rose by 50,000 in November. Health services added 27,000 jobs, with hospitals accounting for about half of this increase. Over the past 12 months, employment in the health services industry has risen by 278,000. In November, employment also rose in several other services industries, including engineering and management, agricultural services, and auto repair and parking services. Employment in help supply services decreased by 23,000 in November; this followed declines that totaled 65,000 in the prior 2 months. The industry had added 167,000 jobs from Feb- ruary to August. In finance, employment continued to increase in mortgage brokerages (5,000) as refinancing activity maintained a healthy pace. Employment in mortgage brokerages has grown by 106,000 since its low point in January 2001. Weekly Hours (Establishment Survey Data) The average workweek for production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged in November at 34.2 hours, seasonally adjusted. The manufacturing workweek and factory overtime also were unchanged at 40.7 hours and 4.1 hours, respectively. (See table B-2.) The index of aggregate weekly hours of production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged in November at 148.1 (1982=100), seasonally adjusted. The manufacturing index was down by 0.4 percent over the month to 91.0. (See table B-5.) Hourly and Weekly Earnings (Establishment Survey Data) Average hourly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 4 cents in November to $14.93, seasonally adjusted, following a similar ...

How far does your reading of The Merchants Prologue and Tale lead you to agree Essay Example

How far does your reading of The Merchants Prologue and Tale lead you to agree Essay Example How far does your reading of The Merchants Prologue and Tale lead you to agree Paper How far does your reading of The Merchants Prologue and Tale lead you to agree Paper Essay Topic: Literature Song of Solomon The Tale is essentially farcical, enriched by a satirical character study of Januarie, with miniatures of May and Damyan, (T. W. Craik) this is the stance of some critics regarding Chaucers presentation of Januarie. They argue that Chaucer dwells on him and therefore exhibits his character by dramatic means as oppose to a brief summary, this constant attention towards Januarie develops the character in full satirical detail, so that his downfall is morally satisfying and at the same time richly comic. Chaucer articulately integrates the coarse satire of the fabliaux, much enjoyed by Chaucers gentil audience, which was often crammed with extended jokes or tricks, often bawdy and full of sexual connotations, but it also employs a remarkable range of narrative methods. The effect of this is to widen its satirical attack and give a serious resonance to the entertainment. The building up of Januaires character as a worthy knight who lived in greet prosperitee and his profligate history, hints at the fact that the noble, rich knight will suffer a fall thus becoming a tragic figure, as was standard in the fabliaux. From the opening of the tale; Chaucer subtly blends the numerous ironies, disparities and unrealistic reasoning to depict Januaries sense of self-delusion but the greater amusement lies in the fact that he remains oblivious to the numerous hints, suggesting that he is blind even before he looses his sight. By allowing Januaire to speak for himself, Chaucer is almost allowing him to ridicule himself, through his we are lead to believe that he is in fact a figure of fun. Januarie puts forth numerous arguments, to justify his motives of marriage, which equate to that in this world no oother lyf is worth a bene; for wedlock is so esy and so clene, that in this world it is a paradis, here we see he is deluding himself in order to gain the pleasures, his inconsistent justification of marriage amuse the audience. The old mans illusions, however are not his alone. The praise of marriage in the first part of the tale represents what is commonly said in its favour, the generalisation is obtained by putting this speech in the mouth of the narrator and not Januarie. The mockery, though clearly present, is still subdued. As we dwell deeper into Januaries thoughts the comic elements exceed the audiences expectations. The most cutting satire of the Merchants Tale is reserved for the notion that in wedlock a man may do no sinne with his wyf ne hurte himsleven with his owene knyf, the double-edged irony of this line looks forth to him being cuckolded. There is humour in the account of the nuptial chamber, having seen the Januaries desires grow throughout he wedding feast as he anticipates his impotent lust in action, is both repulsive and amusing, especially since he sees himself as the great lover and compares himself to Paris yet ironically he requires aphrodisiacs to laboureth till dawn. The happiness of Januarie at this point prepares us for his misfortunes later. The introduction of the garden as his special preserve for love, used in the summer for his sexual activity. Irony returns when Januarie seems to express genuine love for his wife, the passage is a parody of the Song of Solomon, and is the most beautiful and poetic lines within the tale, with references being made to the voice of a turtledove and columbine. Interestingly Chaucer increases the readers sympathy for January by allowing him to express his love for her during the moment that she is most ruthless. The irony is enriched by his reference to her as trewe deere wyf. When in actual fact she is inviting Damyan into the garden with somewhat equally eloquent gestures. Januaries strict precautions to ensure that his is the only key to the garden and his confidence that they are alone within the walled garden create a farcical atmosphere of what is to come. The ultimate farcical irony is when May leads Januarie to believe that she carves he pears and she must have them as a woman in her plit implying pregnancy. January is of course enraptured that an heir may be in the offing and laments the absence of a servant who could climb the tree for May, and ironically is happy to assist her into her lovers arms. He is to embrace the tree, whilst she climbs on his back. She is treading on him physically and metaphorically into Damyans arms, this is visually very strong as it is a sign of dominance or even victory. No matter how coarse and perverted Januaries character has seemed, at this point inevitably, the audience are sympathetic towards the cuckolded husband. As a farce this is perfect, but once Januaires sight has been restored May once again confidently answers him, which seems to satisfy Januarie. the credulous Januarie is left, full of the joys of prospective fatherhood, now a distinct possibility thanks to Damyan, and he is now as much the victim of his illusions as he was at the beginning. Januaries character is amusing in itself and offers Chaucer opportunities of showing it off, putting the reader in good humour as well as giving the necessary facts. The Merchants tale picks up strands from the previous tales. It continues the theme of war between the sexes but the merchants stance sides with neither, his tale backs neither the husband nor the wife but shows each abusing the other for his or her pleasure rejecting the idealistic concept of love in marriage.

How to Manipulate INI files from Delphi

How to Manipulate INI files from Delphi INI files are text-based files used for storing an applications configuration data. Even though Windows recommends using the Windows Registry to store application-specific configuration data, in many cases, youll find that INI files provide a quicker way for the program to access its settings. Windows itself even uses INI files;  desktop.ini  and boot.ini  being just two examples. One simple use of INI files  as a status saving mechanism would be to save the size and location of a form if you want a form to reappear at its previous position. Instead of searching through a whole database of information to find the size or location, an INI file is used instead. The INI File Format Initialization or Configuration Settings file (.INI) is a text file with a 64 KB limit divided into sections, each containing zero or more keys. Each key contains zero or more values. Heres an example: [SectionName] keyname1value ;comment keyname2value Section names are enclosed in square brackets and must begin at the beginning of a line. Section and key names are case-insensitive (the case doesnt matter), and cannot contain spacing characters. The key name is followed by an equal sign (), optionally surrounded by spacing characters, which are ignored. If the same section appears more than once in the same file, or if the same key appears more than once in the same section, then the last occurrence prevails. A key can contain string, integer, or boolean value.​ Delphi IDE uses the INI file format in many cases. For example, .DSK files (desktop settings) utilize the INI format. TIniFile Class Delphi provides the TIniFile class, declared in the inifiles.pas unit, with methods to store and retrieve values from INI files. Prior to working with the TIniFile methods, you need to create an instance of the class: uses inifiles; ... var   Ã‚  IniFile : TIniFile; begin   Ã‚  IniFile : TIniFile.Create(myapp.ini) ; The above code creates an IniFile object and assigns myapp.ini to the only property of the class - the FileName property - used to specify the name of the INI file you are to use. The code as written above looks  for the myapp.ini file in the \Windows directory. A better way to store application data is in the applications folder - just specify the full pathname of the file for the Create method: // place the INI in the application folder, // let it have the application name // and ini for extension: iniFile : TIniFile.Create(ChangeFileExt(Application.ExeName,.ini)) ; Reading From INI The TIniFile class has several read methods. The ReadString reads a string value from a key, ReadInteger. ReadFloat and similar are used to read a number from a key. All read methods have a default value that can be used if the entry does not exist. For example, the ReadString is declared as: function ReadString(const Section, Ident, Default: String): String; override; Write to INI The TIniFile has a corresponding write method for each read method. They are WriteString, WriteBool, WriteInteger, etc. For example, if we want a program to remember the name of the last person who used it, when it was, and what the main form coordinates were, we might establish a section called Users, a keyword called Last, Date  to track the information, and a section called Placement  with keys Top,  Left,  Width, and Height. project1.ini   [User]   LastZarko Gajic   Date01/29/2009   [Placement]   Top20   Left35   Width500   Height340 Note that the key named Last holds a string value, Date holds a TDateTime value, and all keys in the Placement section hold an integer value. The OnCreate event of the main form is the perfect place to store the code needed to access the values in the applications initialization file: procedure TMainForm.FormCreate(Sender: TObject) ; var   Ã‚  appINI : TIniFile;   Ã‚  LastUser : string;   Ã‚  LastDate : TDateTime; begin   Ã‚  appINI : TIniFile.Create(ChangeFileExt(Application.ExeName,.ini)) ;   Ã‚  try   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  //if no last user return an empty string   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  LastUser : appINI.ReadString(User,Last,) ;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  //if no last date return todays date   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  LastDate : appINI.ReadDate(User, Date, Date) ;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  //show the message   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ShowMessage(This program was previously used by LastUser on DateToStr(LastDate));   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Top : appINI.ReadInteger(Placement,Top, Top) ;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Left : appINI.ReadInteger(Placement,Left, Left);   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Width : appINI.ReadInteger(Placement,Width, Width);   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Height : appINI.ReadInteger(Placement,Height, Height);   Ã‚  finally   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  appINI.Free;   Ã‚  end; end; The main forms OnClose event is ideal for the Save INI part of the project. procedure TMainForm.FormClose(Sender: TObject; var Action: TCloseAction) ; var   Ã‚  appINI : TIniFile; begin   Ã‚  appINI : TIniFile.Create(ChangeFileExt(Application.ExeName,.ini)) ; try   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  appINI.WriteString(User,Last,Zarko Gajic) ;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  appINI.WriteDate(User, Date, Date) ;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  with appINI, MainForm do   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  begin   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  WriteInteger(Placement,Top, Top) ;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  WriteInteger(Placement,Left, Left) ;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  WriteInteger(Placement,Width, Width) ;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  WriteInteger(Placement,Height, Height) ;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  end;   Ã‚  finally   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  appIni.Free;   Ã‚  end; end; INI Sections The EraseSection erases an entire section of an INI file. ReadSection and ReadSections fill  a TStringList object with the names of all sections (and key names) in the INI file. INI Limitations Downsides The TIniFile class uses the Windows API  which imposes a limit of 64 KB on INI files. If you need to store more than 64 KB of data, you should use the TMemIniFile. Another problem might arise if you have a section with more than 8 K value. One way to solve the problem is to write your own version of the ReadSection method.

Role of Technology in Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Role of Technology in Terrorism - Essay Example This paper will expansively present how technology plays a pivotal role in terrorism when selecting target areas. "Much terrorist behavior is less than rational, and suicide is not the act of a rational person. Many experts (Ganor 2000; Schweitzer 2000) have commented on the tendency for modern terrorists to use suicide attacks. In fact, theIslamic Jihad(there are several Islamic Jihads started in the 1980s, all stemming from inside the Muslim Brotherhood movement started in the 1920s) have specialized in the use of suicide bombers, which involve a person wearing explosives or detonating a vehicle packed with explosives." (The Readiness to Kill and Die). Suicide Bombers have been used time and again to carry out difficult missions, terrorists who have stern determination are selected for this mission and a live bomb with a timer is tied to their body in order to accomplish the mission. The Suicidal tendency of the terrorists is time and again capitalized upon by several terrorist organizations. "Suicide terrorism, which is also called a suicide mission or a martyrdom operation, among other terms, is something of a growth industry because in 2005 alone, there were 555 such attacks around the world (Gambetta 2005). Poverty is the main cause of people turning towards terrorism; no one is foolish enough to blow himself up for no reason. The terrorists' organization take good care of the family members of the terrorists and the same motivates more and more people to become actively involved in several terrorists' activities; this is the only reason why the world is yet to come up with a fool-proof system to counter this long standing men ace. "There is a lot of propaganda and window-dressing surrounding suicide terrorism. Most of the myths about it are tied to specific contexts. The fact is: suicide terrorism can occur in a number of settings, both indoor and out; it is not confined to the Middle East; it indirectly can serve numerous terrorist purposes; and because of this, some people say it may very well be the kind of terrorism the world is likely to see more of in the future." (Bloom 2005). Bioterrorism Bioterrorism is consistently on the rise because it is very easy to obtain Biological weapons and another influential factor is that it causes fear of much larger magnitude when compared to the other weapons used by the terrorists. The biggest motive of terrorists when biological weapons are used is to cause immense fear in the minds of the people. Anthrax is a very popular biological weapon used by the terrorists, in the year 2001 the people in the US suffered a lot because of Anthrax menace, it was later found that the terrorists deliberately did the same in order to weaken the bio defence system in the US. Anthrax was used in several mails in the US and when the recipients opened the mails the anthrax spread thorough their nostrils entering into their body. Anthrax is more than capable of causing death unless the patient is immediately attended to. Of late anthrax has become out dated and no such cases have been reported but terrorists are consistently finding new ways to spread

Enron corporation's power project in India Essay

Enron corporation's power project in India - Essay Example Enron entered into a contract with the Maharashtra Sate Electricity Board (MSEB) by risking its and its allied companies’ stakes in Dabhol Power Project (DPP). The discussions for the project started with the two principal stakeholders from the Indian side, the Indian state of Maharashtra and the other was Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB). The project proposal of building a 2015 megawatt power plant with the investment of US$3 billion was given a green signal initially (Negotiation-project-India, 2010). Enron was not the only principal stakeholder; it was a sort of joint collaboration with the investment of 10% each by General Electric and Bechtel. Sustenance of the project was detriment to the availability of Liquefied Natural Gas to power the plant, which Enron planned to secure from one of its joint venture in Qatar, 1200 miles away from the power plant situated in Dabhol. The project was the largest ever project taken by Enron in India, supposed to produce electr icity in two phases. In the first phase it was planned to produce 695 megawatts from the locally available LNG, while the second phase target was to produce 1320 megawatts through natural gas channeled from Qatar (Negotiation-project-India, 2010).Enron was expecting huge profits from this project for the company investors from the MSEB of Maharashtra. It took just five days to materialize the contract by signing a memorandum of agreement between the MSEB and DPP. (Negotiation-project-India, 2010).... Sustenance of the project was detriment to the availability of Liquefied Natural Gas to power the plant, which Enron planned to secure from one of its joint venture in Qatar, 1200 miles away from the power plant situated in Dabhol. The project was the largest ever project taken by Enron in India, supposed to produce electricity in two phases. In the first phase it was planned to produce 695 megawatts from the locally available LNG, while the second phase target was to produce 1320 megawatts through natural gas channeled from Qatar (Negotiation-project-India, 2010). Enron was expecting huge profits from this project for the company investors from the MSEB of Maharashtra. It took just five days to materialize the contract by signing a memorandum of agreement between the MSEB and DPP, representing Enron of purchasing electricity at the rate of 7.3 US cents per kilowatt hour (Negotiation-project-India, 2010). What went wrong that the project failed? From the very start, it was a mistake made by the management at Enron to invest in a technology-efficient project in India without attempting an analysis of Indian socio-political environment. One thing became clear that the project was cleared without adhering to set legal and corporate procedures, essential for such a huge global venture. It also became evident that Enron adopted the unethical path in securing the contract. It was totally in the darkness over the political unsettling environment in India. All its negotiating and renegotiating expertise failed as the MSEB could not pay the bill against the used electricity. Enron had to confront opposition from many fronts; it had to initiate counter-campaigns to create positive conditions in its favor; legal battles also ensued.

How We Could Use Alternative Dispute Resolution To Settle Civil Essay

How We Could Use Alternative Dispute Resolution To Settle Civil Justice Matters More Efficiently - Essay Example The Arbitration Act 1966 and 19965 provided full court application of one of the ADR procedures, following the lead of UNCITRAL's 1958 Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards paving the way to acceptance of arbitration in international trade dispute resolution. The methods were taken up by the public after they have been officially encouraged in Lord Woolf's 1996 "Access to Justice" report.6 The Police (Northern Ireland) Act 20007 is one of the more recent statutes applying ADR to administrative tribunal cases following PACE 1984, infra. The cost effectiveness of ADR has been fully demonstrated in commercial litigation. It has also placed or misplaced false hopes on the alternative methods application in civil cases. Civil case application of ADR encouraged the proliferation of profit and non-profit ADR providers and services with fully trained and accredited ADR practitioners, most of whom are also solicitors. The CPR required active management of cases by judges, including encouragement of litigating parties to use ADR. For the purpose of facilitating ADR use by litigants, CPR allows the court to stay its proceedings while the parties concerned try to settle the case. Pre-action protocols were also installed, requiring parties to let each other know the basis of their proposed claims and defences. The importance of ADR is emphasized in several judicial decisions. In Cowl vs. Plymouth9, the Court of Appeals imposed cost sanctions on a party for unreasonable failure to use ADR. Solicitors are also required to apprise clients of ADR, otherwise, they will be considered professionally negligent. Apart from judicial initiative, the executive also introduced ADR in government departments and administrative tribunals, particularly in clinical negligence claims, employment and legal services. Mr. Justice Lightman, a Justice of the High Court Chancery Division, presented ADR with high hopes as a necessary alternative to "extravagantly expensive and unpredictable exercise"10 of litigation. It must be recognized that ADR is "an ever evolving process."11 Newer methods are being introduced and legislation, including rules of court would tend to be left behind. Current consensus among law practioners tend to limit ADR use to arbitration and mediation. The failure of the use of inappropriate ADR method force the parties to incur needless expenses. On this note, the observations of Sir Anthony Evans triggers a painful spot when he pointed out that it is the agreement of the parties to come to a settlement that is responsible for the supposed success of ADR and not ADR processes themselves. In fact, he emphasized that "a settlement agreement is always to be preferred to any of the [ADR] processes which may result in a binding decision".12 He meant that solicitors and judges should look at the nature of the case before influencing the parties to undergo ADR procedures that could be inappropriate and ineffective. He also pointed out