The 10 Best Culinary Schools in the US

The 10 Best Culinary Schools in the US SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you want a career as a chef, just trying out new recipes at home isn’t going to cut it. You’ll need to hone your skills through education, experience, or both. One of the ways to become a chef is by attending culinary school. In this article, we’ll outline what culinary schools are, who should attend them, and provide a list of the ten best culinary schools for prospective chefs. What Are Culinary Schools? Culinary schools provide professional, accredited courses related to cooking, creating recipes, decorating food, and more. When you attend culinary school, you’ll learn all aspects of food preparation and service. Culinary schools have different degrees and certificates based on what you studied. What Degree Do You Get at a Culinary School? You may associate culinarycolleges with becoming a chef, but these schools actually offer a range of degrees. But what types of degrees can you get at a culinary school depends on the school you attend and the program you enroll in. Some of the most popular culinary school programs include: Culinary arts Culinary management International cuisines Baking and pastry arts Hospitality management Restaurant management Students with a culinary school degree have many job opportunities. You can become a chef, a baker, a food and beverage director, a resort manager, or something else entirely. That being said, is a culinary school degree necessary to work in the food and beverage or hospitality industries? Do You Need to Go to Culinary School to Be a Chef? In short, no. It’s not mandatory to go to culinary school to become a chef. In the culinary world, experience goes a long way. Many chefs get their start by accumulating industry experience as line cooks or other kitchen helpers. That being said, going to culinary school has its benefits. After graduating, you’ll have a degree that demonstrates your preparation and education. Having a culinary school degree can help open doors for you as you try to get a job as a chef. 10 Top Culinary Schools If you’re looking to get a degree from a culinary school, these ten schools are the best of the best. #1: Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park The Culinary Institute of America was founded in 1946 and is one of the best culinary schools in the world. With campuses in New York, California, and Texas, it has many options for students across the country. The school offers a number of degree programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees. There are also professional development programs, as well as certificates for food and wine enthusiasts. #2: Institute of Culinary Education With campuses in Los Angeles and New York, the Institute of Culinary Education is a good option for a culinary degree. The Institute of Culinary Education offers diplomas in hospitality management, pastry and baking arts, culinary arts, and more. ICE has multiple degree programs of different lengths, so you can craft an education that meets your goals. With more than 14,000 graduates, ICE is one of the most renowned culinary degree programs in the United States. #3: L’Academie de Cuisine Despite the French name, L’Academie de Cuisine is located near Washington DC. Founded by fabled chef Francois Dionot, L’Academie is known for its rigorous approach to food education. There are just two degree programs here: pastry arts or culinary arts. Each program has three phases, the final one being a paid apprenticeship at a fine-dining establishment. #4: Johnson and Wales University Johnson and Wales University has locations in Florida, Denver, Charlotte and Providence and offers ten different culinary programs to choose from. Program options include culinary arts, culinary nutrition, culinary science, baking and pastry arts, restaurant, food and beverage management, and more. The breadth of degree programs at Johnson and Wales provides a good option if you want to study the culinary arts, but aren’t exactly sure what you want to specialize in yet. #5: Metropolitan Community College: Omaha, Nebraska Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska has one of the best culinary programs in the country. The programs here are focused on helping you become a restaurant manager or a chef through a combination of education and experience. Low tuition prices and the chance to build a strong culinary portfolio make this school a great option. #6: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts The Auguste Escoffier school teaches techniques developed by the â€Å"King of Chefs,† Auguste Escoffier. This program offers small class sizes, as well as unique opportunities like the three to ten week â€Å"Farm to Table† experience that brings students out of the kitchen and onto the farm. Students learn state-of-the-art techniques and receive valuable paid internship opportunities. #7: Sullivan University National Center for Hospitality Studies Given an â€Å"exemplary† rating by the American Culinary Federation, the Sullivan University National Center for Hospitality Studies offer associate’s degree programs that students can finish in eighteen months. Graduates of the program have gone on to work as chefs, nutritionists, food scientists, and more in a number of different places. #8: New England Culinary Institute The private, for-profit New England Culinary Institute has many options for wannabe chefs, including associate's and Bachelor's degrees. Both degree programs require internships, so students will have plenty of hands-on experience. NECI also offers a number of options for career placement, like career counseling, professional development workshops, and and networking opportunities. Celebrity chef Alton Brown is an NECI alum, so if you're a "Good Eats" fan, you might want to apply here. #9: San Diego Culinary Institute The San Diego Culinary Institute focuses on practical application, with over 80% of the program occurring in the kitchen. Programs are typically completed in eight to eleven months and have both full and part-time options. As part of your work at the San Diego Culinary Institute, you’ll complete a paid internship that helps you get on the ground experience. #10: Culinary Institute of Savannah The Culinary Institute of Savannah caters to students at all stages of their careers, from total beginners to experienced. Students learn both international and American cooking techniques and can earn degrees in Culinary Arts or Culinary Baking and Pastry Arts. All degree programs require extensive time in the kitchen. Culinary Schools: Final Thoughts It’s not necessary to go to culinary school to become a chef, but if you want a culinary degree, there are tons of options for good schools out there. Consider what you want to study and how much hands-on experience you’d like when deciding which culinary school to apply to. What's Next? Not sure if a graduate degree is the right move for you? Then take a look at our in-depth guide on what grad school is and how to determine whether you should go as well as our specific guide to master's degrees. Not that into cooking and more interested in the arts? Then perhaps you'll want to take a look at our picks for the best performing arts schools and the best creative writing programs.

Eygpt problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Eygpt problems - Essay Example Giving the example of Lebanon, Shadid shows just how confused the state of affairs is, where people cannot decide on their own just what exactly they want from their country. Though Shadid concedes that Western powers are to be blamed for merely giving lip-service to the cause of the people while turning a blind eye towards the dictators as long as their interests are looked after by the despotic governments, however, he is quick to point out that the blame does not rest with them alone. The frustration caused has much to do with the failure of the states to satisfy their citizens in giving them a good life. All this, Shadid opines, has left the door open for people’s revolutions, as is evident from what happened in Tunisia and Lebanon and Egypt. This, he contends, marks the beginning of the end of the status quo that has existed in the Arab world. The article is a very well thought out piece of work. It is thought provoking indeed. While those in the West are quick to point o ut at the actions of the leaders of the Arab World and blame them for a lot of human rights abuses, for instance, what we do not realize sitting here is that in some way, our government has to carry the blame for letting these despots come to power and letting them stay in power as long as our interests are served. However, as Shadid pointed out, the state of affairs has been brought to this because of the way the states have been treating their citizens. For far too long the despots of the Arab World have treated their citizens as if they are less than human. Hiding behind the force of their police or armed forces, they sought to create fear in the hearts of their citizens, and they succeeded in doing so too. They ruled with an iron fist and accepted no dissension whatsoever. However, the rules of the game have changed. As is evident from what happened in Tunisia, and what happened in Egypt after this article was written, it is clear that the masses still have the power to bring ab out change in the system. Things have come to the point where even Libya’s Gaddafi is facing a similar demand from his people: he should resign from his tyrannical rule and let someone else rule the country for a change. With all that has been happening in the Arab world, it is clear to see that the politics of the twentieth century will not hold credence. With globalization and the technological advancement in methods of mass communication, it is now next to impossible to hold information from people. It is this free flow of information that has caused people to get together and speak for their rights. It is only a matter of time before this fire spreads throughout the Arab world. It is, therefore, needed that the rulers of the region talk heed of the warning signs and start implementing a more humane and more tolerant policy, both towards the citizens, in general, and their opposition, in particular. However, it can be contended that it might be too late, as now, when peopl e have seen how much the masses can attain by just banding together; they would not be willing to back down and remain obedient servants to their tyrannical rulers. The repression by

Review the theoretical relationship between market structure and bank Coursework

Review the theoretical relationship between market structure and bank performance - Coursework Example The relationship between the structure of the market and performance of the bank exists due to various reasons. For instance, there is the advice that company executives (specifically, the chief executive officers) acquaint the government and bank officials. Such advice is vital for establishing better pricing strategies and focusing on the income within a certain period. It is vital for the Chief Executive Officer’s undertake their usual duties considering the relation established between the market and performance of the bank. The main concern of this paper is to portray the relationship between the market structure and bank performance. Theoretical relationship between market structure and bank performance Market structure is a commonly used marketing term that gives a description of the level of competition that various business organizations lie under. There are two named variables of the market structure responsible for ascertaining a good relation between banks and mark et structures. To begin with, there is market awareness, used when measuring the assets of the banks in relation to the liabilities (Gelos & Roldos 2004, p. 41). They help ensure that the liabilities do not outweigh the assets. This is significant as it helps maintain the profits and financial statement of the banks. Market share is the second variable and acts as an element measuring the deposit of banks within certain periods. The performance of the bank brings about accomplishing banking activities, which are necessary especially when bank executives aim at creating better relations with the outside market. Since long time, people have had the urge to acquire more knowledge on operating business entities. They have also had concerns about the relationship between their businesses and the government. This is evident through the collapse of the privatised banks in Mexico (Graf 2013, p. 165). Top most leaders in any business industry should aim at ensuring that their businesses oper ate smoothly without much loss on the finance department. This is necessary in enhancing the relationship between them and banks. This is due the fact that hindering losses denotes a business operating in a situation where the activities generate more profits, necessary to be deposited in the banks. Individuals dealing with banking operations need to evaluate the performance of the activities undertaken within and outside the bank. Scrutiny of the external and internal banking factors is necessary. This is because it enables executive employees of a particular bank to acquire vital knowledge about overall bank performance. The relationship may also exist through an assessment the operations of business industries. This is crucial especially in a case where the executives demand to know what other businesses contribute to the banking sector. Effects of market structures on bank performance The existence of a good relationship between market structure and banks is an essential element in setting strategies for dealing with the action involving the setting of prices. The relationship has resulted in positive effects on banks. For instance, well-established market structures play the role of increasing finance due to the reason that the individuals operate through to accomplish set objectives. This then leads to an increase in bank finance as the business partners have to increase general savings. The reason why banks opt to relate to

Product Assessment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Product Assessment - Research Paper Example t that there exists some preliminary evidence that is seen to promote the use of garcinia in enhancing weight loss and exercise performance although the currently available evidence is mixed. Critics of the use of garcinia cambogia as a weight loss supplement argue that the high cost of the supplement is not commensurate with its results and it would be better for individuals seeking to lose weight to invest in proven techniques such as exercise to help them in losing weight. This paper will seek to prove that although the garcinia cambogia is able to generate weight loss on the short term, the long term effects are negligible. Garcinia (Garcinia Cambogia) is a rather diminutive purple fruit that is native to the regions around Southeast Asia and India. In recent times, the fruit has gained massive popularity as a weight loss aid although the evidence conducted to establish this aspect has largely been inconclusive. The fruit’s rind is rich in hydroxycitric acid (HCA) and this caused it for centuries to be used as a flavoring agent, food preservative and an effective carminative in the expulsion of gas from the intestines or stomach. Indian folk tradition has promoted the Garcinia Cambogia as a cure for conditions such as bowel complaints and rheumatism. According to Amazon.com (2014), the current number 1 selling garcinia cambogia product is being produced and marketed by Quality Encaspulations with each container containing 180 capsules. Individuals taking the dietary supplement are required to take a daily serving size of two 300 to 500mg capsules. The product is marketed as Pure Garcinia Cambogia Extract with HCA. The appropriate dosage of garcinia is seen to depend on a number of factors such as the age of the user and the individual’s health. Although there is currently no scientific information available that can help in the determination of the appropriate range of dosages for garcinia, the standard dosage that is prescribed on its label is a serving

European Studies Essays Welfare State and the European Nations

European Studies Essays Welfare State and the European Nations Welfare State and the European Nations â€Å"The phrase ‘welfare state’ was first used in the late 1930s, to distinguish between the policies of the democracies and the war state of European dictators† (Spicker, 2003). From the late nineteenth century, features of a welfare state began emerge in parts of Western Europe. The first European country to put in place a welfare state was Germany in 1883. The then Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck introduced a mandatory national accident and sickness insurance law. The insurance was financed by state subsidy (Spicker). A welfare state is â€Å"a state where more than one half of all government expenditures are devoted to social policy, as opposed to the economy, the military, law and order, infrastructure and other traditional functions of the state† ( Spicker, 2003). Judt (2006) defines a welfare state as a state which is primarily concerned with dispensing welfare to its citizens. Such states spend the bigger proportion of their public expenditures on welfare. Get help with your essay from our expert essay writers According to Gough (2006), welfare states in Europe were established during the Second World War. Their main purpose was to tackle the five evil giants that were facing most of Europe at that time. These evils included: Poverty: Because of the war, many people were sick, jobless or widowed hence were poor. Diseases: Despite many people being sick, they could not afford to seek treatment. Ignorance: At that time, school-leaving age was 11. Most children were forced to drop out of schools because they could not afford to pay fees. Squalor: Majority of the population lived in poor housing facilities (slums) because council houses were inadequate. Idleness: As a result of the war, most people lost their jobs and became unemployed. The welfare state was therefore established to ensure that children stayed in school; free medical treatment for all was introduced; new council houses were built and more towns established to provide better housing facilities to the slum dwellers and more industries were started to help reduce the unemployment rate. There are several objectives of a welfare state. Equitable distribution of wealth and resources: Welfare states used progressive method of tax collection whereby people with higher incomes paid more taxes and those with lower incomes paid less tax. This method of taxation helped in reallocation of public money and shifting of resources from the resource-rich regions to resource-poor regions. This was effective in achieving regional balance and in narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor (Spicker, 2003). Income and standard of living maintenance: People can temporarily or permanently be rendered incapable participating in the labor market. This can be due to old age, or sickness. This normally results in loss of income for themselves and their families. But in a welfare state, income maintenance was assured whether or not someone was working. This was normally â€Å"achieved through a variety of public insurance schemes,† (Judt, 2006). These included deductions from an employee’s salary, contributions made by the employers and the state. These deductions and contributions were deposited into an insurance fund from which individuals were entitled to certain benefits, depending on the level and the number of contributions made. These â€Å"insurance schemes covered unemployment, sick pay and old age pensions,† (Gough, 2006). Helping the disadvantaged groups: welfare states started programs to assist those groups that were considered worse-off than others. Gough (2006) says that: For instance, European countries have taken specific measures to combat rural poverty; support families with children; provide for re-training and early retirement in industrial problem regions; assist especially those with structural employment problem (the long-term and older unemployed; youth unemployment). Provision of a public safety net was another objective of welfare states. Welfare States ensured that each individual enjoyed â€Å"a minimal level of decent human existence if no other resources are available,† (Gough, 2006). In the pre-industrial era provision for such individuals was mainly done by â€Å"local charities, communities, nobleness oblige, and the churches †¦ on a much smaller scale† (Gough). Most Welfare States used their welfare policy as a form of economic governance. According to Gough (2006), â€Å"the economies of continental Europe, often called organized market economies, are characterized by a more pronounced role for the government in the economy †¦.† Unlike in other states, the different economic sectors were usually in harmony rather than in competition with each other. This contributed to the overall economic organization and stability, and is the reason why such economies were often labeled ‘organized market economies.’ Welfare states put up policies aimed at poverty eradication. Such programs included Medicaid and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). However, such programs were not popular among the majority of the population because they only served the marginalized people who comprised a smaller proportion of the population. The creation and development of the welfare state followed different patterns in each of the European countries. The men behind the European welfare state shared Keynes’s view which he voiced before his death in 1946. Keynes said that â€Å"after the World War II, there would be a craving for social and personal security in Europe. And there was. The welfare state was constructed primarily as a security revolution rather than a social revolution,† (Judt, 2006) The German welfare system was based on the three main principles. The first one was â€Å"subsidiarity.† This principle holds that â€Å"services should be decentralized or independently managed† (Spicker, 2003). The role of the state was limited only to areas which could not be covered by other means like military services. In Germany, high income earners were not covered by the main social insurance system; they were left to make their own decisions. Economic development was another principle surrounding the German welfare system. Provision of social services was based on this principle. This was clearly evident in â€Å"the close relationship of services to people’s position in the labor market. Social benefits were earnings-related, and those without work records found that they were not covered for important contingencies† (Spicker, 2003). Additionally, the state’s spending on welfare had to be directly related to the principle of economic development and growth. Welfare state in Germany was originally established by Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck who introduced the principle of ‘corporatist structure’. According to Spicker, 2003: This principle was developed by Bismarck on the basis of existing mutual aid associations, and remained the basis for social protection subsequently. Social insurance, which covered the costs of health, some social care and much of the income maintenance system, was managed by a system of independent funds. The French system of welfare was regarded as the most generous welfare system. It involved provision of a wide range of social services, rendering it very complex and expensive to maintain it. In France, the welfare system was â€Å"based on the principle of solidarity,† which was declared in the first article of the French Code of Social Security (Spicker, 2003). However, the term â€Å"solidarity† was ambiguous and was used in different circumstances to mean different things. To some people, solidarity referred to cooperative mutual support whereby people who benefited from national welfare schemes were expected to contribute on an equal basis. To others, solidarity meant interdependent relationships, â€Å"common action, mutual responsibility and shared risks† (Spicker, 2003). The Swedish Welfare System was viewed as an ideal form of welfare state. The system offered institutional care in that it offered â€Å"a universal minimum† (Judt, 2006). Like all welfare states, the Swedish government offered benefits to the unemployed, the sick people, and retired citizens. However, for a long time this welfare system was not effectively practiced because as Judt (2006) says, â€Å"the Swedish population had a strong tradition of entrepreneurship and hard work and continued to work hard even though they now had the option to live off government.† However, with time, people adapted to the welfare system. The welfare state of the United Kingdom was established by William Beveridge in 1942. The aim of the state was to curb the social problems that British citizens were facing due to the effects of the Second World War. The government took the responsibility of providing for its people. This policy resulted in high government expenditure and an increase in the state’s key responsibilities. In addition to the provision of the basic services (education, health, housing and employment) the state also increased â€Å"regulation of industry food and redistributive taxation† (Gough, 2006). Most Welfare States did not last long because of various reasons. The first major reason was the nature of taxation and the salary structure. In most welfare states, the social benefits and salaries for the low-skilled workers were among the highest in the world, whereas those for the high-skilled workers were lower compare to those of other countries. Additionally, the high-skilled workers paid much higher taxes than the low–skilled workers. This attracted more low-skilled workers into these states, becoming a burden to the Welfare State. The issue of immigration also led to the collapse of the welfare state. Because of the social benefits a welfare state offered, it attracted people from the low income countries. Fjordman (2006) notes that â€Å"†¦ they experienced †¦ disintegration with the introduction of mass immigration of persons who did not have the cultural background necessary to uphold the welfare state.† Lastly, the nature of the services that a welfare state provided contributed to its collapse. Education and health services especially are â€Å"ones on which people wish to spend more money as they become richer. Old age and retirement pensions imply that the government would have to spend more as the population ages† (Fjordman, 2006). Because of this, the ratio of public spending to Gross Domestic Product was high and it became practically impossible to meet all the social demands of its citizens. REFERENCES Fjordman, C. The Welfare State: The Root of Europe’s Problems. The Brussels Journal. 2006, March 08 Gough, I. European Welfare States: Explanations and Lessons for Developing Countries. University of Bath http://64.233.169.104/search? Judt, T. The Future of Decadent Europe. The Globalist. 2006, June 02. Spicker, P. The Welfare State. Centre for Public Policy and Management: Robert Gordon University http://www2.rgu.ac.uk/publicpolicy/introduction/wstate.htm

The Moors Last Sigh: Wickedly Comic Essay example -- Moors Last Sigh

Hopping in a careful, calculated manner across four generations of a rich and demented Indian family, Salman Rushdie's cynical novel The Moor's Last Sigh laughs mischievously at the world and shivers from its evils. Weaving a tale of murder and suicide, of atheism and asceticism, of affection and adultery, Rushdie's exquisitely crafted storytelling explains the "fall from grace of a high-born crossbreed," namely our narrator Moraes Zogoiby, also known as "Moor." At the centerpiece of this odd and captivating tale stand the embers of Moor's family: a complex web including a ridiculed political activist, a shrew, a homosexual husband, an artist, and a Jewish underworld gangster, among others. Moor's sisters lead lives as abnormal and doomed as their family history would predispose them towards: Ina, a washed-up model, dies in the throes of insanity; Minnie takes holy orders, predicting a great plague washing over Bombay and envisioning talking rats; Mynah, a lesbian, hopelessly infatuated with Moor's lover, dies in an industrial "accident" that m y~be~her~ father's doing. Such is ...

Toyota Prius

1. – What micro environmental factors affected both the first generation and second generation models of the Toyota Prius? How well has Toyota dealt with these factors? The micro environmental factors are those forces close to a company, yet outside its internal environmental, that influence the ability of a business to serve its customers, forces such as customers, suppliers, competitors and other business that assistor influence a business’s ability to sell, distribute, promote and develop products or services.In regards the Toyota Prius case, the factors that the company dealt with are: Customers: Toyota launched the first generation in 2001 with a small, cramped and not attractive car into a market were the big SUV’s were dominating the business. They were bringing to the market a low consume, environmentally friendly and high tech vehicle. In my opinion, Toyota took a risk launching a vehicle that was fitting future need’s that customers were going to have with the upcoming economic situation (gas price increment).Toyota launched the second generation improving the fuel consumption and improving the lacks on the first version: style and capacity. The biggest success was to anticipate the customer needs. Suppliers: Without the support of suppliers, Toyota would not have be able to launch the first generation. Toyota needed the suppliers to be onboard on this risky project in which they were developing a new technology that requires a high capital investment up front with a high risk of failure.Competitors: First generation did not have direct competitors since it was the only hybrid vehicle on the market. I consider that the challenge for Toyota on the first generation was to create a market niche for this new vehicle concept. The scenario was different for the second generation were the market niche existed already and new competitors were getting into the business. Honda with the hybrid Civic, Mercury with the Mariner and Ford with the Escape were trying to make their first steps on this vehicle category but being a step behind Toyota in price and efficiency. 2. Outline the major macro environmental factors – demographic, economic, natural, technological, political and cultural – that have affected Prius sales. How well Toyota dealt with each of these factors? Demographic: American population has been growing at around 10% since 2000 as well as the GDP per capita. This lead to an increase on the demand for automobiles and to a more demanding costumer due to his higher purchase power. Economic: Toyota Prius was launched in USA in a growing economic environment but right before a scenario were gasoline price would start rising considerably.Looks like Toyota did not respond against trends and fads but did a good long term economic analysis going ahead in respect his competitors that just wait until gasoline price started rising to start taking fuel consumption into account as an important facto r during the vehicle development. Natural: December 1997 world’s leading nations meet Japan to discuss Kyoto protocol. Several months before, Toyota introduces in Japan the first hybrid vehicle. Consumers start to take into account environmental factors on their purchases. Another factor that push consumers toward lower consume vehicles is the gasoline price rise that occurs in 2004.Smaller SUV’s, cars and hybrids see their demand increase due to these two natural factors. Toyota, being aware of this factors, changed his targeted costumer investing $40 million dollars campaign on this set of customers, the environmental conscious. Technological: late 90’s is considered a high-tech boom. This may be the reason why Toyota targeted first on early adopters and techies who are attracted by car’s advanced technology. Political: Many states are rewarding the car owners with tax breaks amounting to thousands of dollars.Furthermore, some states government gave fur ther tax breaks, in some circumstances complementing the federal tax break. There were also some eco-friendly organizations involved in this incentive game such as Google, Timberland and Hyperion Solutions providing employees as much as $5,000 toward the purchase of hybrids. Many states even gave permission for the hybrids to use carpooling lanes which allow people to travel more quickly to work. Lastly, lots of insurance companies offer discounts to hybrid cars. Cultural: since the last decade, society is getting more sensitive in regards environmental issues.This is being reflected on customer decisions that are looking for environmental friendly product even at a higher price to them. 3. – Evaluate Toyota’s marketing strategy so far. What has Toyota done well? How might it improve its strategy? Marketing strategy consist of 4 P’s which are product, price, place and promotion: Product: Toyota brought to the market a new vehicle concept that fitted into the new economic, social and political scenario. Toyota identified the lacks on the first generation and incorporated the improvements on the second generation improving also efficiency.Price: Toyota Prius with Honda Civic were the only two Hybrid models in which customers were recovering the price premium and starting to save money after 75. 000 miles. Place: Toyota was aware of the difficulty of introducing a new concept to the market. Lack of customer information could induce to a mistrust toward the product. Toyota put emphasis training specifically to the dealerships to make sure customers were being properly informed. In addition, Toyota opened a site on the web where customers could share their questions and modifications they made to their Prius.Promotion: Toyota did not put too much effort on advertising this vehicle. Toyota used the dealerships as a communication line to the customers. In my opinion, the biggest success of Toyota comes from the long term strategy they planed that come up with a vehicle that fit perfectly to the changing economic and social context. In addition to the low consume advantage the Prius was, they continued improving their models to provide customers with the same comfort and capacity of vehicles that were dominating the American roads by increasing the capacity on his second generation for instance.Customers, in general, are afraid to invest in new concept products due to a mistrust on their performances. Battery life and maintenance were the biggest concerns that customers were having. Other automakers, such as Renault are offering to the customers a systems in which they take the responsibility of the battery life. Automakers own the batteries and customers just pay a monthly rent for the maintenance and replacement. I consider that this strategy offers more confidence to the new customers to invest on this new technologies. 4. GM’s marketing director for new ventures, Ken Stewart, says â€Å"if you want to get a lot o f hybrids on the road, you put them in vehicles that people are buying now†. They seems to summarize the U. S. auto makers† approach to hybrids. Would you agree with Mr. Stewart? Why or why not? American market is being currently dominated by big SUV’s and pickup trucks. Statistics display this customer preferences. The American auto makers are trying to provide to customers a more efficient vehicle keeping the current confront and performances.Obviously, the efficiency achieved is not the same as the one other auto makers are achieving by developing smaller hybrid vehicles. In my opinion, what they are doing is to find a short term solution to the current customer needs instead of anticipating the future ones which are smaller cars with even higher fuel efficiency. So, if the macro environment continues pushing auto makers toward the efficiency cars, they will continue being ahead the others because even if they are trying to improve efficiency, it is not the mai n goal for them right now.