THAI PRESIDENT FOODS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD.: Labor Productivity Benchmarks and International Gap Analysis (Labor Productivity Series)

Are the combined human resources at THAI PRESIDENT FOODS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD. productive? There is no absolute answer to this question. This report considers the extent to which the company's labor deployment indicators differ from global benchmarks. In this report we consider forecasts of differences between labor ratios and the resulting return on this human investment compared to global benchmarks; the estimation of such differences is commonly called a "gap analysis." What is the ratio of short-term and long-term assets to employee? What are typical capital-labor ratios? How different are these ratios to companies serving the same link in the value chain? What are the average sales and net profits per employee compared to global benchmarks? These and over 50 other indicators of labor productivity are considered in this report. The report does so by going beyond traditional analyses by considering companies competing in the same or similar industrial classification at a global level. The goal of this report, therefore, is to assist consultants, human resource managers, strategic planners, and corporate officers in gauging estimates of a company's human resource indicators compared to firms competing or participating in the same economic sector, at the global level. This report is not about whether a particular company or industry has performed well or poorly in the past or will do so in the future. With the globalization of markets, greater foreign competition, and the reduction of entry barriers, it becomes all the more important to benchmark a company's human resource indicators against other firms on a worldwide basis. Doing so, however, is not an obvious task. First, one needs to find firms competing in the same sector, but not necessarily competing directly with the company in local markets. These firms should not be perceived, therefore, to be direct competitors to the company in question, but simply those that have been classified by various sources (e.g. EDGAR or similar foreign filings), as competing to serve customers in the same link of the value chain, or broad industrial classification, as identified by SIC, NAICS or similar codes. Second, given the international nature of the task, one needs to control for exchange rate volatility. Finally, one needs use comparable financial standards. This report overcomes these issues and gives full human resources benchmarks vis-a-vis worldwide competitors who are present in the same narrow industrial classification. Benchmarks cover labor-asset ratios, labor-liability ratios, and labor-income ratios. Since our reports are printed on demand, the statistics reported are for the latest quarter and are the most up to date available (4 updates are produced each year). Each report provides over 100 statistics and 40 graphs to the reader. This reports is on THAI PRESIDENT FOODS PUBLIC COMPANY LTD., BANGKOK, Thailand.

There are three main types of green tea: loose, bag, bottled. I'll review some of the well known brands from each category.

Bottled Green Tea

Obviously a hot, fresh cup of tea is the best way to enjoy all the benefits of it. In our hectic society, however, it's not always possible to take the time to prepare it. Rather than reach for a can of soda or a cup of coffee you might want to consider some bottled tea.

Some have fruit flavorings in them that contain anti-oxidants. Drinking one of these bottles is the equivalent of a serving or two of vegetables.

Republic of Tea carries 14+ fruit-flavored varieties with no sugar added. You can never go wrong buying from this company. Their products can be found at most grocery stores. Lipton Green Tea to Go (add it to bottled water to make instant green tea).

Arizona and Snapple make good bottled teas but they are sweetened.

Honest Tea carries sweetened and flavored organic bottled teas.

Keep in mind that bottled versions have significantly less polyphenols (anti-oxidants) than brewed. This is because of the corn syrup and sugar that is added; it dilutes the anti-oxidants. It makes for a great thirst quencher on a hot day and is certainly better than sugary drinks but don't completely abandon cups of hot tea in the warm weather.

Green Tea Bags

Tea bags are not as convenient as bottles but are more convenient than loose tea. It only takes a couple of minutes to heat up a cup of water and then another couple of minutes for the bag to brew. Used bags even serve a useful purpose. If you have a canker sore or cut yourself, place a used bag on it. Green tea is know for its anti-biotic properties.

Republic of Tea sells a large variety; one flavor for each day of the week, in fact. Check out some of the flavors: Honey Ginseng, Orange Spice, Pineapple Ginger and more.

Loose Tea

True tea connoisseurs prefer the loose variety because it has several advantages. It's cheaper than the bags and also requires less packaging so is easier on the environment. Used leaves serve many useful purposes too. From removing rust on iron pots to removing odors in the refrigerator to keeping pests away from rose bushes. There's an almost endless use for the used leaves.

Are you put off by the added preparation time? Brewing loose tea is easy. Use filtered or bottled water, if possible. The water need to be hot, to aid in the extraction of the anti-oxidants, but don't boil the water. Boiled water will make the tea taste bitter.

Allow the tea to infuse for 2-5 minutes. The longer it infuses the more polyphenols (anti-oxidants) you'll get.

Republic of Tea sells many different types of loose tea and it is available in most grocery stores and health food stores.

If you would like the convenience of green tea shipped to your door you should try Mellow Monk's Green Teas. I highly recommend their starter kit if you are new to green tea. They offer many flavors of tea and there is one that is sure to please your palette.

As you can see, there are healthy alternatives in all the forms of green tea. Try to incorporate it into your diet every day. You'll notice the benefits immediately.

Put down that cup of coffee and get some green tea. To order some, or if you just want some more info, visit my website. Mellow Monk's Green teas are available here too.

Rice Noodles