Tiwanaku Empire - City, Imperial State at Lake Titicaca

Tiwanaku Empire - City, Imperial State at Lake Titicaca The Tiwanaku Empire (also spelled Tiahuanaco or Tihuanacu) was one of the first imperial states in South America, dominating portions of what is now southern Peru, northern Chile, and eastern Bolivia for approximately four hundred years (AD 550-950). The capital city, also called Tiwanaku, was located on the southern shores of Lake Titicaca, on the border between Bolivia and Peru. Tiwanaku Basin Chronology The city of Tiwanaku emerged as a major ritual-political center in the southeastern Lake Titicaca Basin as early as the Late Formative/Early Intermediate period (100 BC-AD 500), and expanded greatly in extent and monumentality during the later part of the period. After 500 AD, Tiwanaku was transformed into an expansive urban center, with far-flung colonies of its own. Tiwanaku I (Qalasasaya), 250 BC-AD 300, Late FormativeTiwanaku III (Qeya), AD 300-475Tiwanaku IV (Tiwanaku Period), AD 400-800, Andean Middle HorizonTiwanaku V, AD 800-1150hiatus Inca Empire, AD 1400-1532 Tiwanaku City The capital city of Tiwanaku lies in the high river basins of the Tiwanaku and Katari rivers, at altitudes between 3,800 and 4,200 meters (12,500-13,880 feet) above sea level. Despite its location at such a high altitude, and with frequent frosts and thin soils, perhaps as many as 20,000 people lived in the city at its heyday. During the Late Formative period, the Tiwanaku Empire was in direct competition with the Huari empire, located in central Peru. Tiwanaku style artifacts and architecture have been discovered throughout the central Andes, a circumstance that has been attributed to imperial expansion, dispersed colonies, trading networks, a spread of ideas or a combination of all these forces. Crops and Farming The basin floors where Tiwanaku city was built were marshy and flooded seasonally because of snow melt from the Quelcceya ice cap. The Tiwanaku farmers used this to their advantage, constructing elevated sod platforms or raised fields on which to grow their crops, separated by canals. These raised agricultural field systems stretched the capacity of the high plains to allow for protection of crops through frost and drought periods. Large aqueducts were also constructed at satellite cities such as Lukurmata and Pajchiri. Because of the high elevation, crops grown by the Tiwanaku were limited to frost-resistant plants such as potatoes and quinoa. Llama caravans brought maize and other trade goods up from lower elevations. The Tiwanaku had large herds of domesticated alpaca and llama  and hunted wild guanaco and vicuà ±a. Stone Work Stone was of primary importance to Tiwanaku identity: although the attribution is not certain, the city may have been called Taypikala (Central Stone) by its residents. The city is characterized by elaborate, impeccably carved and shaped stonework in its buildings, which are a striking blend of yellow-red-brown locally-available in its buildings, which are a striking blend of yellow-red-brown locally-available sandstone, and greenish-bluish volcanic andesite from farther away. Recently, Janusek and colleagues have argued that the variation is tied to a political shift at Tiwanaku. The earliest buildings, constructed during the Late Formative period, were principally built of sandstone. Yellowish to reddish brown sandstones were used in architectural revetments, paved floors, terrace foundations, subterranean canals, and a host of other structural features. Most of the monumental stelae, which depict personified ancestral deities and animate natural forces, are also made of sandstone. Recent studies have identified the location of the quarries in the foothills of the Kimsachata mountains, southeast of the city. The introduction of bluish to greenish gray andesite happens at the start of the Tiwanaku period (AD 500-1100), at the same time as Tiwanaku began to expand its power regionally. Stoneworkers and masons began to incorporate the heavier volcanic rock from more distant ancient volcanoes and igneous outgroups, recently identified at mounts Ccapia and Copacabana in Peru. The new stone was denser and harder, and the stonemasons used it to build on a larger scale than before, including large pedestals and trilithic portals. In addition, the workers replaced some sandstone elements in the older buildings with new andesite elements. Monolithic Stelae Present at Tiwanaku city and other Late Formative centers are stelae, stone statues of personages. The earliest are made of reddish-brown sandstone. Each of these early ones depicts a single anthropomorphic individual, wearing distinctive facial ornaments or painting. The persons arms are folded across his or her chest, with one hand sometimes placed over the other. Beneath the eyes are lightning bolts; and the personages are wearing minimal clothing, consisting of a sash, skirt, and headgear. The early monoliths are decorated with sinuous living creatures such as felines and catfish, often rendered symmetrically and in pairs. Scholars suggest that these might represent images of a mummified ancestor. Later, about 500 AD, the stelae change in style. These later stelae are carved from andesite, and the persons depicted have impassive faces and wear elaborately woven tunics, sashes, and headgear of elites. The people in these carvings have three-dimensional shoulders, head, arms, legs, and feet. They often hold equipment associated with the use of hallucinogens: a kero vase full of fermented chicha and a snuff tablet for hallucinogenic resins. There is more variations of dress and body decoration among the later stelae, including face markings and hair tresses, which may represent individual rulers or dynastic family heads; or different landscape features and their associated deities. Scholars believe these represent living ancestral hosts rather than mummies. Trade and Exchange After about 500 AD, there is clear evidence that Tiwanaku established a pan-regional system of multi-community ceremonial centers in Peru and Chile. The centers had terraced platforms, sunken courts and a set of religious paraphernalia in what is called Yayamama style. The system was connected back to Tiwanaku by trading caravans of llamas, trading goods such as maize, coca, chili peppers, plumage from tropical birds, hallucinogens, and hardwoods. The diasporic colonies endured for hundreds of years, originally established by a few Tiwanaku individuals but also supported by in-migration. Radiogenic strontium and oxygen isotope analysis of the Middle Horizon Tiwanaku colony at Rio Muerto, Peru, found that a small number of the people buried at Rio Muerto were born elsewhere and traveled as adults. Scholars suggest they may have been interregional elites, herders, or caravan drovers. Collapse of Tiwanaku After 700 years, the Tiwanaku civilization disintegrated as a regional political force. This happened about 1100 AD, and resulted, at least one theory goes, from the effects of climate change, including a sharp decrease in rainfall. There is evidence that the groundwater level dropped and the raised field beds failed, leading to a collapse of agricultural systems in both the colonies and the heartland. Whether that was the sole or most important reason for the end of the culture is debated. Archaeological Ruins of Tiwanaku Satellites and Colonies Bolivia: Lukurmata, Khonkho Wankane, Pajchiri, Omo, Chiripa, Qeyakuntu, Quiripujo, Juchuypampa Cave, Wata Wata Chile: San Pedro de Atacama Peru: Chan Chan, Rio Muerto, Omo Sources The best source for detailed Tiwanaku information has to be Alvaro Higuerass Tiwanaku and Andean Archaeology. Baitzel SI, and Goldstein PS. 2014. More than the sum of its parts: Dress and social identity in a provincial Tiwanaku child burial. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 35:51-62.Becker SK, and Alconini S. 2015. Head Extraction, Interregional Exchange, and Political Strategies of Control at the Site of Wata Wata, Kallawaya Territory, Bolivia, during the Transition between the Late Formative and Tiwanaku Periods (A.D. 200-800). Latin American Antiquity 26(1):30-48.Hu D. 2017. War or peace? Assessing the rise of the Tiwanaku state through projectile-point analysis. Lithics: The Journal of the Lithic Studies Society 37:84-86.Janusek JW. 2016. Processions, Ritual Movements, and the Ongoing Production of Pre-Columbian Societies, with a Perspective from Tiwanaku. Processions in the Ancient Americas: Occasional Papers in Anthropology at Penn State 33(7).Janusek JW, Williams PR, Golitko M, and Aguirre CL. 2013. Building Taypikala: Telluric Transformations in the Lithic Production of Tiwana ku. In: Tripcevich N, and Vaughn KJ, editors. Mining and Quarrying in the Ancient Andes: Springer New York. p 65-97. Knudson KJ, Gardella KR, and Yaeger J. 2012. Provisioning Inka feasts at Tiwanaku, Bolivia: the geographic origins of camelids in the Pumapunku complex. Journal of Archaeological Science 39(2):479-491.Knudson KJ, Goldstein PS, Dahlstedt A, Somerville A, and Schoeninger MJ. 2014. Paleomobility in the Tiwanaku Diaspora: Biogeochemical analyses at Rio Muerto, Moquegua, Peru. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 155(3):405-421.Niemeyer HM, Salazar D, Tricallotis HH, and Peà ±a-Gà ³mez FT. 2015. New Insights into the Tiwanaku Style of Snuff Trays from San Pedro de Atacama, Northern Chile. Latin American Antiquity 26(1):120-136.Somerville AD, Goldstein PS, Baitzel SI, Bruwelheide KL, Dahlstedt AC, Yzurdiaga L, Raubenheimer S, Knudson KJ, and Schoeninger MJ. 2015. Diet and gender in the Tiwanaku colonies: Stable isotope analysis of human bone collagen and apatite from Moquegua, Peru. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 158(3):408-422.

Logistics Behind the Scenes of this Growing Job Sector

Logistics Behind the Scenes of this Growing Job Sector Moving products from a supplier to customers is the job of a logistician. In today’s global economy, it is important for trained individuals to move goods expeditiously. Without experienced logisticians at the helm, a global economy may falter. Understanding logistics will make it clear why jobs in this sector are plentiful and well compensated. What Do Logisticians Do?Individuals who work in logistics have many different jobs. They may work in a warehouse, loading dock, or distribution center. As goods arrive from a supplier, the items need to be transported to retailers and, ultimately, customers.  Some logistic specialists monitor the path a product takes to reach its destination, surveying the company’s cost and transit time. However, logisticians not only handle raw material and supplies. They can  also make sure that response teams are available when a natural disaster strikes. Military logisticians make sure that troops have essential supplies.Job Growth in L ogisticsAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in this field is burgeoning and growth is expected to be at about 22 percent from 2012 to 2022. The sector is growing at such a fast rate because of  the amount of goods that must be transported each day. The amount of freight has grown by 20 percent in the last ten years and is expected to expand another 65 percent by 2020. This enormous growth means that more jobs will be available.Training for LogisticiansA bachelor’s degree is needed for most managerial jobs, although an associate’s degree may be required for some. Training is usually done on the job. Frequently, hiring for positions happens from within a company in logistics. This enables you to work your way up and, according to Supply Chain Digital, promotions are frequent for those with a solid work ethic.Training may begin in the armed services, where jobs in supply are plentiful. After your term of service is finished, getting a job in logistic s is not difficult.Salary for LogisticiansThe salary logisticians receive can vary, depending  on whether they work in a metropolitan area or a rural one. The profession’s  average salary was $73,400 in 2013- salaries ranged from $46,120 to  $112,750. Houston, the District of Columbia, and San Jose held the top paying positions.  The highest-paying industries in the profession were  for gas and oil extraction and coal and petroleum manufacturing.In addition, getting a well-paying job internationally may be possible with a background in logistics.Finding Work in LogisticsDue to the expanding nature of jobs in logistics, looking at job search sites online is the best way to find an opening. Searching manually may be time consuming. TheJobNetwork offers a comprehensive way to find employment. It is free to join and offers you the ability to let the platform work for you. By providing information about the position you want and listing your qualifications, TheJobNetwork searches for new opportunities 24/7 that match your criteria. Once a job is located, an email is sent to notify you. Finding the job you want, where you want and at the salary you need is convenient with TheJobNetwork.

Technology and Training Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Technology and Training Systems - Essay Example customers are increasingly making unique and unpredictable product demands and most of them want the products of services that are right for them instantly. I realized that predicting customer demands and articulating product specifications are becoming very difficult, and; hence, Wal-Mart needs to recruit employees with relevant technological requirements who can adapt to the dynamic product changes in order to enhance their productivity. They also need to institute stable processes that employees can use the rapid and unpredictable technological changes taking place in the world today (Fishman, 2007). This will, in turn, allow the company to build stable and flexible platforms of process capabilities on a continuing basis, and; thus, enhance the employee’s technological knowledge and increase process efficiency, which are clear indicators of a stable process of change. Wal-Mart will also need to design training systems in order to increase competency and productivity of empl oyees. These training systems will help reduce the cost of creating new and varied products by establishing a stable efficient platform of capabilities (Dreher & Dougherty, 2001). Thus, they will need to put in place training systems that enable employees handle a greater variety and range of customer and market needs. Wal-Mart will have to enhance its response to market transformations by both business and information systems staff by creating systems that can be amalgamated and integrated across changing products and markets Wal-Mart’s current staffing system focuses on four key characteristics in assessing employees’ skill potential namely attitude, aptitude, applicability and experience. In assessing attitude, the characteristics required by each employee are a team player, empathy,... Wal-Mart will also need to design training systems in order to increase competency and productivity of employees. These training systems will help reduce the cost of creating new and varied products by establishing a stable efficient platform of capabilities. Thus, they will need to put in place training systems that enable employees to handle a greater variety and range of customer and market needs. Wal-Mart will have to enhance its response to market transformations by both business and information systems staff by creating systems that can be amalgamated and integrated across changing products and markets.Wal-Mart’s current staffing system focuses on four key characteristics in assessing employees’ skill potential namely attitude, aptitude, applicability, and experience. In assessing attitude, the characteristics required by each employee are a team player, empathy, patience and an active listener. The staff is also required to be professional, resourceful, polite, c ourteous, friendly, helpful and persevering. Aptitude entails the ability by staff to learn new skills, retain them and integrate them with the old ones. Applicability is the ability for staff to apply knowledge and skills to appropriate use, sharing this knowledge and skills with others, and foreseeing new areas where these skills may apply. In terms of experience, Wal-Mart considers the number of year’s experience an employee has in a given skill, whether it is up to date and the degree of variation of the experience.

Sadown Analysis Paper Draft 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sadown Analysis Paper Draft 1 - Essay Example Not because a black cat passes by it means that bad luck is coming to that person. Signs should only be a guide on how we would live and not the basis why we are living. This is the sad part because it is very common that signs are limiting the decision making of people and influencing how they are living. Examples are fortune tellers for example the palm readers who influences people by reading palms and the lines in a person’s hand to tell their loyal customers the future and their fortunes and misfortunes. This is the big misconception about signs (73). Schnackenberg wrote in her poem the simplest signs that people misunderstand. There are no unlucky things in this world. A person should be knowledgeable enough to either have a free will and know what should and should not be done or be deceived by worldly beliefs. When the author wrote of the signs it did not mean that each sign should be observed by all or would hold the same meaning for everyone. There are things in the environment that has been observed to be true throughout the years. The author gave an example on the second stanza of the poem. These things are uncontrollable and are nature’s own way of living. This does not make any difference in a person’s luck or life. Though the course of nature affects humans one way or another, it is not the reason for humanity’s triumph or destruction. These natures’ occurrence can help mankind in telling the weather, season and time. It is helpful in some aspects of man’s daily life but not to control man’s free will and decision making (73). Beliefs in superstitious signs are fast growing amidst the vast growth of the influence of Science and Technology in the youth. As an author, Schnackenberg knows about the growth of followers at the end of the last stanza. Quite peculiar is that there are so many things that Science can explain and justify yet mass of people from different walks of life are still believing in superstition. Not

Personal Reflection on My Dressing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Personal Reflection on My Dressing - Essay Example As such, I do not wear tight clothes, revealing clothes, or any clothes that disregard my cultural ethics. Indeed, my cultural beliefs and respect for my traditions define my dressing and body adornment. My personal beliefs and values forbid me from wearing clothes that will expose my masculinity. Moreover, I dress to satisfy my emotions and to remain fashionable. I also consider my position in the society and the need to respect others while dressing. As I seek to maintain my dignity, I do not envy body adornments like tattoos since they demean personal beliefs and cultural values, which forbid men from body adornments. I believe in time management and hence I wear watches and choose stylish dressing to keep pace with the modern fashions. Assuredly, I dress to please myself and remain ethical in the diverse society. The main factor that defines my choice of clothing is to express my feelings and represent my personal beliefs and values. Moreover, the need to remain ethical and manif est professionalism influences my dressing decisions and choices. In addition, my cultural values and parental guidance influence my choice of dressing as I seek to respect my parents and tradition through my dressing. Notably, my parents are the custodians of my cultural dressing beliefs. Nevertheless, the need to embrace modernity and remain fashionable forces me to balance between cultures and fashion in my dressing. The weather also influences my dressing choices as I seek to adapt to different climates and remain healthy. Moreover, my sporting needs and decency requirements define my dressing. The need to visit different venues also defines my dressing choices since the workplace and attending lectures will require specific clothing. I also choose my dressing with reference to the respect, ethics, and morality that I seek to present to the society.

The Eden project Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Eden project - Assignment Example The prime objective of Eden project is to enhance the awareness of greenery within the economy of UK thereby reducing the impacts of pollution and harmful gases. However, the initiative of Eden project became successful mainly due to the sheer intelligence and confident nature of Tim Smit. This acted as a boon for the project thereby amplifying its popularity and prosperity in the entire globe. Apart from this, the bureaucratic structure of the project of Eden is also another effective cause for its success. It helped in proper allocation and standardization of the tasks such as (allocation of funds, commercial loans sanctions etc) so as to amplify the intensity of success thereby reducing the defects or negative impacts. This helped in improvement of the level of inspiration and devotion of the supporting team members such as Danny Almagor, Deon Kamien, Malki Rose, Tracie Olcha, Amanda Miller and Romy Grace. Along with this, such type of organizational structure also helps in enhanc ing the interpersonal relationship among the members thereby reducing the range of arguments and conflicts. This is mainly due to the presence of extremely clear and defined roles and responsibilities to the members of the Eden project (Vidal, 2004). Along with this, in a bureaucratic structure, the members of the organization or project include very less authority to present any sort of suggestions or ideas regarding its betterment. As the entire control and power is within the hands of the hierarchy i.e. the board members as well as Tim Smit. This is mainly because in such type of organizational structure, the manager or organizer (Tim Smit) is the most powerful person as compared to others. And he is responsible to delegate all sorts of activities and policies within the team members or architects. And so the engineers or architects are bound to follow his ideas and thoughts for the betterment of Eden project. In Eden project, all the members had to obey the orders and responsibi lities delegated by Tim Smit, as he is the supreme authority to assign the varied types of responsibilities among the members of the team as compared to other Pre-bureaucratic or post bureaucratic organization structures. Moreover, in this type of organizational structure, the head or founder (Tim Smit) presents varied types of ideas and suggestions such as (utilization of commercial loans for the betterment of the operations) so as to enhance its level of supremacy and reputation in the market among others. Along with this, high level of contribution and commitment of Tim Smit towards implementation of the idea of Eden project to enhance the level of awareness towards green and sustainable planet proved extremely effective for the economy of UK. Hence, it might be clearly depicted from the above mentioned paragraph that the success of Eden project is mainly dependent over its hierarchical structure and uniform culture. Other than structure, the culture of the organization of Eden p roject is extremely uniform and homogeneous. It is mainly due to the hierarchical structure in which, a single individual is the delegating authority, i.e. Tim Smit. Each and every decision and suggestion is presented before him by all other members, so as to get his accent. Moreover, by doing so, all the members associated with the Eden project might become aware about the information and may also present their

Eagle Boys Pizza Report Essay Example for Free

Eagle Boys Pizza Report Essay Founded by a young baker in his mum’s garage in 1987, Eagle Boys now operates more than 335 stores throughout all states of Australia. It is one hundred per cent Australian owned and operated and delivers pizzas to hungry families across Australia from metropolitan inner city areas to small remote towns. With over 8,000 team members nationally, Eagle Boys makes just under 18 million pizzas a year and generates an annual turnover of more than $200 million. Focused on delivering real taste, real size and real value to pizza lovers across Australia, Eagle Boys is customer-focused and continually examines ways to improve its customer satisfaction and service. Eagle Boys ensures pizza lovers across Australia receive tasty meals and exceptional service every time by training its franchises to commit 110% to customers’ satisfaction. Explanation of its legal structure Eagle Boys pizza is a Proprietary company, meaning that it is private. The shareholders of Eagle Boys Pizza Pty Ltd, have limited liability protection, which means that the most money they can lose is the amount they paid for their shares. Eagle Boys began as a family business, as it was founded by Tom Potter and his mum in 1989. It is an incorporated business, meaning that the business is a separate legal entity from the owners. This allowed the business to be sold and still be operated, in 2007 to Todd Clayton who is now the CEO and managing director of Eagle Boys Pizza. The fact that it is a separate legal entity, allows the company to sue, be sued, buy or sell property and also have perpetual succession. Identification of the current stage of the business life cycle the business is currently in and give reasons for your views Eagle Boys pizza is currently at the maturity stage of the business cycle. Its goal is to maintain profits at pre-existing levels. Recently, in February 2011, Eagle Boys responded to the growing sophistication of Australians’ pizza palate by unveiling its new Gourmet Pizza Range featuring ingredients such as, Roasted Potato, Salmon Steaks and Tandoori Chicken. Eagle Boys is also the only Australian pizza maker to offer Ready 2 Go! â„ ¢, which allows customers to get their hands on some of their favourite pizzas without phoning beforehand or waiting between 5. 30pm and 8pm daily. Since Eagle Boys was purchased by private equity firm NBC Capital and the current executive team in 2007, Network store numbers have grown by 63% which is the highest period of growth in the company’s 24-year history. Eagle Boys saw sales grow 15. 4% during the 12 months up to June 2010, bringing total sales growth during the past three years to 43. 2%. The company expects the strong double digit growth to continue with the opening of additional stores and the launch of new products. Identification of one business law and one regulatory body in relation to this business – explain how this business complies An example of a business law of the Eagle Boys pizza is a privacy law. Eagle Boys is subject to Privacy Legislation, including the National Privacy Principles (NPPs) under the Privacy Act 1988, The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (1988) and contractual requirements relating to Privacy pursuant to a number of State and Territory Government Licence Agreements. Eagle Boys Pizza complies with this law by collecting information by either specifying or letting the reason be apparent at the time the information is collected. It is not Eagle Boys’ general practice to collect sensitive information and they will only collect sensitive information with the persons consent. A regulatory body that Eagle Boys Pizza complies with is the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Eagle Boys applied for notification of conduct whereby it would grant franchises on condition that franchisees acquire goods and services from specified suppliers. That notification was lodged on 13 August 2009 and allowed to stand on 21 September 2009. Eagle Boys complies by ensuring product safety and liability and does not provide any false or misleading advertising. Identification of two significant challenges for management in the business life cycle – one challenge management has faced prior to 2011 and one they will face in the future (ensure you state which stage of the life cycle the business experienced /will experience this challenge) A significant challenge that Eagle Boys pizza management has faced prior to 2011 is responding to the growing amount of different pizza businesses, in competition with Eagle Boys, and the need to introduce new ranges and varieties of products to satisfy the needs of consumers. They had been challenged to introduce new products such as gourmet pizzas, desserts, and sides such as pastas, chicken wings, garlic bread etc. This challenge was experienced during the growth stage of the business cycle. A significant challenge that Eagle Boys pizza management will face in the future is decline, in the Recession stage of the business life cycle. As the business would have been running for a while now, it will have become a high-risk business. Products may become obsolete, leaving the business with unsold stock. Another factor influencing decline is well qualified employees beginning to leave and seek better job opportunities. Due to the ongoing introduction of new businesses in the same field, Eagle Boys will be affected by consumers no longer buying the businesses products, resulting in a large dent in the cash flow. Consequently, profits will also decline. Identification of the business environmental influences, both internal and external, that have impacted upon this business Internal environmental influences that have impacted Eagle Boys Pizza include product influences such as the range of menus that it provides as well as services provided. E. g. Delivery services. Location influences also have a large effect on the business. The location of franchises is vital as a prime location means the business will attract higher numbers of customers as it is convenient and visible. The proximity to customers, suppliers and support services is also essential in determining the location of the business. Another internal influence is resources. Employees, being the main asset to the business are an extremely important resource. Other important resources include cooking and servicing equipment and machinery as well as raw materials that allow the business to create and sell their products. Management influences control the workers and help to provide a more organised structure and easy way of communication and co-operation. External environmental influences that have impacted Eagle Boys Pizza include Legal influences such as increasing legal obligations and business requirements. Political and institutional influences include taxation, employee superannuation, approval of new development and alteration applications. These influences have a strong impact on how and where the business is run. Another external influence is financial influences. Financial influences create changes in the financial market which can cause risk for the business. Geographical influences heavily impact the opportunities for the business. Demographic factors such as population, age, and income control the popularity of the business. Explanation and critical analyses of how management has responded to the above range of challenges and influences The first Eagle Boys Pizza opened in Albury, New South Wales. Eagle Boys advertised their products as semi-gourmet pizzas that quite unique to the larger chains, yet cheaper due to the high production output. This successful idea caught on, and the first store in Albury was quickly creating a generous profit. Within less than a year, Eagle Boys opened up two more stores in the neighbouring cities of Wagga Wagga and Dubbo. As the company sustained its growth, it put a lot of energy into researching ways to meet consumer demands in different regions. With stores opening up in rural, suburban and urban areas throughout Australia, the company became very popular due to operating in areas that other large fast food businesses would often ignore. One particularly successful store model was the development of a drive-thru pizza store in 1999, a concept which was unheard of at the time. Australia’s first drive-thru pizza store demonstrated to be immensely popular, as it was easy and convenient. Expanding on this quick pizza delivery system, the company launched the Eagle Boys Pizza Express Store shortly after, which was designed to provide quick service pizza out of a small location in highly populated foot traffic areas. This express system proved to be very popular, and new locations started to spring up at airports, shopping malls and pedestrian malls around the country. Many locations were now generating up to forty precent of their sales. As the company started to experience increased competition, it had to do something to differentiate its express pizza service from other companies offering similar products. Eagle Boys eventually developed a popular offshoot menu for Eagle Express stores: â€Å"Ready, Fresh Go! † in 2008. This idea meant that while it is an express delivery system, the pizzas are made fresh and held in specially-designed slow-cook ovens that ensure their freshness. The company’s dedication to research and response to consumer trends and the development of new, quality products quality concluded in the largest reformation of the Eagle Boys menu in its history. Launched in early 2010, the new menu featured a variety of new items. Apart from new pizzas, new items such as a chocolate fudge mousse dessert, pasta dishes, additional side dishes and drinks were introduced. Customers have responded with a resounding satisfaction, and throughout 2010 Eagle Boys enjoyed one of its biggest increases in sales in company history. Eagle Boys continues to develop new and accessible ways to respond to challenges and internal and external influences. Creating innovative and unique products is what has propelled the company to success, and it continues to be a mainstay of Eagle Boys’ activities today.