Types of car number plates in Singapore

In general, every motor vehicle in Singapore has a vehicle registration number.

A typical vehicle registration number comes in the format "SBA 1234 A":

• S – Vehicle class ("S", with some exceptions, stands for a private vehicle since 1984)
• BA – Alphabetical series ("I" and "O" are not used to avoid confusion with "1" and "0")
• 1234 – Numerical series
• A – Checksum letter ("F", "I", "N", "O", "Q", "V" and "W" are never used as checksum letters; absent on special government vehicle plates and events vehicle plates)

License plates for private cars started with a single prefix 'S'. But it wasn't long before the growing car population imposed a need to increase a suffix letter after the 'S' - from 'SA' to 'SY' - with the exception of SH, which is reserved for taxis. After the single suffix was exhausted, private car plates began to start with a single 'E', running up to 'EZ' before the 'S' series took over again - this time round with two serial suffix letters, starting from 'SBA'.

  

• SBS         Buses operated by SBS Transit
• SEP         Short for Singapore Elected President, it is the official state car for the nation
• SMB       Buses operated by SMRT buses. Before the merger of SMRT and Trans Island Bus Service, the latter carried the prefix 'TIB'
•  SJ            Cars for Judges from the Supreme Court. SJ1 is used by the Chief of Justice
•  SPF         Car for the Commissioner of the Singapore Police Force
•  LTA         Bikes operated by the Enforcement Department of the Land Transport Authority
• MID       Vehicles operated by the Singapore Armed Forces. Up to five digits are used before this suffix
• MP         Vehicles operated by the Military Police Command from the Singapore Armed Forces
• PA, PB, PC, PH, PZ            These were used to separate private buses, private hire vehicles and so on, but later on all private hire vehicles were issued with PA plates
• PU          Vehicles that are tax exempted and used exclusively on the island of Pulau Ubin
• QX          Vehicles operated by emergency and law enforcement agencies, such as the Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force
• RD          For cars used in Research and Development projects, such as fuel cell and electric cars
• RU          For Restricted Use vehicles that are exempted from road tax. These vehicles are only allowed within certain areas, such as motorised trams that are used to ferry visitors at the zoo
• S, ending with CD             Vehicles used by foreign diplomats
• TP           Bikes operated by the Traffic Police Department of the Singapore Police Force

 

 

Colour schemes

References :
http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltaweb/en/roads-and-motoring/owning-a-vehicle/registering-your-vehicle/registration-of-cars.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Singapore
http://www.sgcarmart.com/news/writeup.php?AID=284
http://www.onemotoring.com.sg/publish/onemotoring/en/lta_information_guidelines/buy_a_new_vehicle/vehicle_licence_plate.html

What are the labels on fruit means?

What are the labels on fruit means?

PLU (Price Look up) codes have been used by supermarkets since 1990 to make check-out and inventory control easier, faster, and more accurate. Fresh fruit and vegetable PLU codes are used to identify bulk produce (and related items such as nuts and herbs). For example, they tell the supermarket cashier whether an apple is a conventionally grown Fuji apple which may sell for $1.29 per pound/kg or an organically grown Fuji apple which may sell for $2.29 per pound/kg. In some instances the codes are also differentiated by size (e.g. small, medium, and large).

Fruit is divided into three classes: conventional, organic, and genetically modified.

1.      A prefix of ‘9’ is used in front of the 4 digit number (3000 or 4000) to identify the item as organic creating the range 93000 – 94999 for organically grown produce items.

2.      A four-digit code beginning with a 3 or a 4 means the produce is probably conventionally grown.

3.      A five-digit code that starts with an ‘8’ means the item is genetically modified.

Refer to the Supermarket page: http://supermarketpage.com/prucodes.php

What is PLU Codes?

In 1949, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) was founded for the purpose of taking advantage of new packaging technologies and the developing style of self-service grocery shopping to promote the produce business. Since then, agribusiness has taken over most farming and PMA has grown accordingly. It has become the focal point of coordination in large-scale national and international produce marketing.The International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) is associated with PMA. It assigns and administers Price Look up (PLU) codes -- those numbers on sticky labels -- and keeps a database of them.

How to apply PLU Code?

To apply for a new PLU code, you need to submit a PLU application.

For questions regarding this site, please contact PMA at +1 (302) 738-7100, or visit the PMA Web site.

For information on the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS), please visit the IFPS web site.

Reference:

http://www.naturalnews.com/023711_fruit_labels_health.html#ixzz3fRoPZ782

http://www.sinclair-intl.com/          

http://www.plucodes.com/

http://supermarketpage.com/prucodes.php

http://www.shinernutritionandfitness.com/2014/03/18/price-look-up-plu-codes/

Michael Porter’s 5 Forces Model

Michael Porter’s 5 forces model

Porter’s 5 forces model is one of the most recognized framework for the analysis of business strategy. These forces are defined as follows:

1. The threat of the entry of new competitors
2. The intensity of competitive rivalry
3. The threat of substitute products or services
4. The bargaining power of customers
5. The bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Profitable markets that yield high returns will attract new firms. This results in many new entrants, which eventually will decrease profitability for all firms in the industry. The following factors can have an effect on how much of a threat new entrants may pose:

·         The existence of barriers to entry (patents, rights, etc.). The most attractive segment is one in which entry barriers are high and exit barriers are low. Few new firms can enter and non-performing firms can exit easily.

·         Government policy

·         Capital requirements

·         Absolute cost

·         Cost disadvantages independent of size

·         Economies of scale

·         Economies of product differences

·         Product differentiation

·         Brand equity

·         Switching costs or sunk costs

·         Expected retaliation

·         Access to distribution

·         Customer loyalty to established brands

Threat of substitute products or services

The existence of products outside of the realm of the common product boundaries increases the propensity of customers to switch to alternatives. For example, tap water might be considered a substitute for Coke, whereas Pepsi is a competitor's similar product. Another example is the substitute of traditional phone with a smart phone.

Potential factors:

·         Buyer propensity to substitute

·         Relative price performance of substitute

·         Buyer switching costs

·         Perceived level of product differentiation

·         Number of substitute products available in the market

·         Ease of substitution

·         Substandard product

·         Quality depreciation

·         Availability of close substitute

 

Bargaining power of customers (buyers)

The bargaining power of customers is also described as the market of outputs: the ability of customers to put the firm under pressure, which also affects the customer's sensitivity to price changes. Firms can take measures to reduce buyer power, such as implementing a loyalty program. The buyer power is high if the buyer has many alternatives. The buyer power is low if they act independently e.g. If a large number of customers will act with each other and ask to make prices low the company will have no other choice because of large number of customers pressure.

Potential factors:

·         Buyer concentration to firm concentration ratio

·         Degree of dependency upon existing channels of distribution

·         Bargaining leverage, particularly in industries with high fixed costs

·         Buyer switching costs relative to firm switching costs

·         Buyer information availability

·         Force down prices

·         Availability of existing substitute products

Bargaining power of suppliers

The bargaining power of suppliers is also described as the market of inputs. Suppliers of raw materials, components, labor, and services (such as expertise) to the firm can be a source of power over the firm when there are few substitutes. If you are making biscuits and there is only one person who sells flour, you have no alternative but to buy it from them. Suppliers may refuse to work with the firm or charge excessively high prices for unique resources.

Potential factors are:

·         Supplier switching costs relative to firm switching costs

·         Degree of differentiation of inputs

·         Impact of inputs on cost or differentiation

·         Presence of substitute inputs

·         Strength of distribution channel

·         Supplier concentration to firm concentration ratio

·         Employee solidarity (e.g. labor unions)

·         Supplier competition: the ability to forward vertically integrate and cut out the buyer.

Intensity of competitive rivalry

For most industries the intensity of competitive rivalry is the major determinant of the competitiveness of the industry.

Potential factors:

·         Sustainable competitive advantage through innovation

·         Competition between online and offline companies

·         Level of advertising expense

·         Powerful competitive strategy

·         Firm concentration ratio

·         Degree of transparency

 

Reference:

http://business-fundas.com/2011/michael-porters-5-forces-model/

http://www.notesdesk.com/notes/strategy/porters-five-forces-model-porters-model/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porter_five_forces_analysis

SWOT analysis

SWOT analysis

A SWOT analysis (alternatively SWOT matrix) is a structured planning method used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats involved in a project or in a business venture. A SWOT analysis can be carried out for a product, place, industry or person. It involves specifying the objective of the business venture or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are favourable and unfavourable to achieve that objective. Some authors credit SWOT to Albert Humphrey, who led a convention at the Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International) in the 1960s and 1970s using data from Fortune 500 companies.

• Strengths: characteristics of the business or project that give it an advantage over others.
• Weaknesses: characteristics that place the business or project at a disadvantage relative to others.
• Opportunities: elements that the project could exploit to its advantage.
• Threats: elements in the environment that could cause trouble for the business or project.

 Strengths and Weaknesses:
These are the internal factors within an organization.

• Human resources
• Finances
• Internal advantages/disadvantages of the Organization ]
• Physical resources
• Experiences including what has worked or has not worked in the past

Opportunities and Threats:
These are external factors stemming from community or societal forces.

• Trends (new research)
• Society’s cultural, political, and economic ideology
• Funding sources
• Current events
• Societal oppression

Strengths

• What advantages does your organization have?
• What do you do better than anyone else?
• What unique or lowest-cost resources can you draw upon that others can't?
• What do people in your market see as your strengths?
• What factors mean that you "get the sale"?

Weaknesses

• What could you improve?
• What should you avoid?
• What are people in your market likely to see as weaknesses?
• What factors lose you sales?

Strengths in SWOT analysis of Apple Iphone

·         Brand equity – Apple is one of the top most companies of the world for its brand equity. From the days of mcintosh computers, Apple is known to be a brand with promise.

·         Tag of innovation – Besides the brand equity, the tag of innovation has always been applied to Apple. From Ipod to Iphone and Ipad, Apple has been responsible for many tech revolutions.

·         Consumer loyalty – An Apple loyal customer will proudly proclaim in front of the whole world that he is a APPLE guy. The brand loyalty of Apple Iphone can be compared with the Harley Davidson brand loyalists. Just like the HOGS are known to be furious Harley enthusiasts, so are the Iphone owners.

·         Amazing software and OS – The IOS which is the operating system of Apple Iphone is a respected mobile platform because of its flexibility and speed. The user interface is fantastic, and one you use an iPhone, you get addicted to its ease of use.

·         Wide developer support / control in the hands of users – Google play came long after the Apple developer network. Before Google play, or android even started, Apple had lakhs of applications and games made through its developer network. And the Apple developer community is one of the strongest online community till date.

·         Design consistency – Iphone has delivered hit after hit due to its design consistency. Apple Iphone are very much similar in looks, and design wise there are not many changes. But it is what is present inside the machine that Apple Iphone sells.

Weakness in SWOT analysis of Apple Iphone

·         High price – With such brand equity, you are bound to target the A grade segment itself. But even then, the Apple Iphone is costlier as compared to Samsung phones which offer similar features.

·         Restrictions on the phone – There are unnecessary restrictions on the Apple Iphone out of the box. There is no Bluetooth, expandable memory is absent, and battery is non removable battery. With such a high priced phone you expect more features from the phone.

·         No variety – Apple Iphone design is very consistent which is a plus point. But at the same time, there is a large population which continuously changes phones. They don’t get the variety that they expect from Apple Iphone. This can be a reason that customers switch to other brands. The variety and features offered are very high in a brand like Samsung.

·         No Steve jobs anymore – Many of Apple followers were staunch Steve jobs fan. And with no Steve jobs anymore, Apple has lost some of its charisma.

Opportunities in SWOT analysis of Apple iphone

·         Market potential of smart phones – Smart phones are the rage nowadays and the market is not going to get smaller. Thus the large market of potential customers is there for the taking for a brand like Apple.

·         Continued technological advancement – Apple has delivered hits every decade or even every 5 years. So people have started expecting more unique products from a company like Apple. And products which are technologically advanced can take the company to even higher levels.

·         More dependency on digitization – People are becoming more and more addicted to internet and apps. So much so that nowadays hardly anyone is seen without a smart phone. As people become more digitalised, and as spending power increases amongst consumers, smart phones like Iphone Will see a boom in the industry.

·         Geographic expansion – Till date Iphone is selling only in urban areas. But there is bound to come a time when Apple Iphone will look towards geographic expansion. At that time, the opportunities will grow even further for Iphone because there is a lot of market pending to be covered by Iphone.

·         Accessories – The accessories market is never ending, and the more company accessories that Apple manufactures, the better profits they will get from return customers. Because accessories in general give very good margins.

Threats in SWOT analysis of Apple Iphone

·         Android – The single biggest threat to Apple Iphone is the Android operating system. Google has taken the world by storm due its mobile operating system and android is poised to grow even further because it is free for all.

·         Samsung – Another threat to Apple Iphone is Samsung with it’s large arsenal of mobile phones coming in all shapes and sizes. Samsung had really shown the world the power of android phones and has brought android OS in cameras as well. Thus Samsung us the biggest competitor for Apple Iphone.

·         Lack of innovation – In past few years, as said before, Apple has not brought any new product in the market and people expect Apple to come out with innovative products. This lack of new products might become a threat to the followers of Apple iphone.

·         Threat of brand Apple losing its shine – With no innovation in last few years, and no Steve jobs, there is a slight threat that the brand Apple might lose its current brand equity over a period of time. If Apple launches a single innovative product in the coming years, then again the brand value will go up. However to maintain the brand equity, Apple has to keep shining, else it will fade.

SWOT vs PEST

FIG: How PEST analysis help in SWOT analysis

 

There is a formal process called PEST analysis to assess those opportunities and threats. Check out our SWOT vs PEST article to learn about similarities and differences.

PEST stands for Political, Economic, Social and Technological factors. Sometimes it’s referred as PESTLE analysis with Legal and Environmental factors added to the mix.

PEST provides you a structured and a formal way to assess the opportunities and threats.

• Political – Government stability, corruption levels, trade controls, import and export restrictions
• Economic – Exchange rates, interest rates, income levels of population, wealth distribution
• Social – Education levels, religious harmony, attitude towards health, social welfare programs
• Technological – Internet penetration, access to basic infrastructure, software piracy, technology competency of workforce
• Legal – Tax laws and regulations, labor laws and firing policies, copyright and anti-piracy laws
• Environmental – Weather patterns, attitude towards recycling, attitude towards organic and green products

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_analysis

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm

http://www.marketing91.com/swot-analysis-apple-iphone/

http://creately.com/blog/diagrams/swot-analysis-what-why-how/