International Business (Gm598) Final Project - 5139 Words

| 2012 | | Keller Graduate School of MgmtInternational Business (GM598) Instructor: Kenneth Ninomiya Submitted By Group ASilvio AmadorAlfonso AguilarDate: May 8, 2012 | International Business Negotiation Plan to commercialize Scooters in Brazil Table of Contents Introduction3 Country Analysis Brazil 3 Target Market 3 Country Factors Analysis 4 Political and Legal5 Economic 6 Cultural......................................................................................................................................................7 Competition............................................................................................................................................. Market†¦show more content†¦This creates a difficulty in assessing the level of skills in those that are employed and being able to address training and education needs. Economical Factors Brazil is under a currently a significant growth trajectory. What could be considered one of the great national BRIC powers of the next century, what is hindering Brazil are its poor investments in education, cumbersome and complex tax structure, unemployment rate and poverty. Currently 80% of Brazil’s population is situated in the urban complexes such as Sao Paulo, Rio and Belo Horizonte. However, there is a clear and distinct caste system with a very large poor class that is only now being able to move into the more working-type middle class. This poor class is usually distinguished by the color of someone’s skin and national origins. As such, an undertone of discrimination in ever-present in Brazil where one can witness the disparity between whites and blacks in the country. Most MNEs doing business there are staffed up by what is considered the â€Å"upper class† and most of these employees are white. Still, although this is the case there are laws tha t protect discrimination. â€Å"However, this is mostly a formality that is not really followed in practice nor has there ever been any form of affirmative action to bring the working class up to par with the varied races of the

Essay on Affirmative Action - 924 Words

Introduction Affirmative Action began in 1965 when President Johnson signed the Executive Order 11246 in to law. The Executive Order prevents federal contractors from discriminating against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The phrase â€Å"affirmative action† was first coined, when federal contractors were required to take affirmative action to ensure that applicants were not discriminated against in anyway. When affirmative action was created, it only included minorities. In 1967, Johnson decided to expand the program to include women because women were discriminated against much like minorities. In the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, affirmative action was a method used to stop†¦show more content†¦In this area both minorities and non-minorities are discriminated against, when affirmative action was in use the admissions board was divided into two groups one for minorities and another for non-minorities , standards for both groups were different. Once again affirmative action is showing favoritism. A recent example of affirmative action in collegiate admissions includes Gratz and Hamacher vs. University of Michigan. Gratz and Hamacher alleged that unlawful preference to minorities in University of Michigan undergraduate admissions. This also reminds me of when I was a senior in high school, several black colleges wanted me to come to there school to play football on a scholarship. What they did not tell me was that I would receive a minority scholarship not a football scholarship. Basically they found a loophole; they could recruit white players and give them minority scholarships and still have the same number of football scholarships to give out. They were getting a two for one deal by improving their number of minority (white students) students and getting football players at the same time. Affirmative action has a huge negative impact on our economy; it is costly and could destroy the legitimacy of minorities. In the business world, the main concern of an employer should be to hire the most qualified person that will increase productivity. The concern should not be to hire a racially diverse workforce. How can theShow MoreRelatedThe Affirmative Of Affirmative Action Essay1389 Words   |  6 Pages Many affirmative action efforts have been made since the end of the Civil War in order to remedy the results of hundreds of years of slavery, segregation and denial of opportunity for groups that face discrimination. Many African Americans such as President Barack Obama, Senator Cory Booker, the writer Toni Morrison, the literary scholar Henry Louis Gates, media star Oprah Winfrey, and rap star Jay-Z have achieved positions of power and influence in the wider society (Giddens, Duneier, AppelbaumRead MoreAffirmative Action1160 Words   |  5 PagesAffirmative Action Marlene S. Smith MGT/434 October 28, 2013 Thomas Affirmative Action Affirmative action is an action that was purposefully designed to provide full and equal opportunities for employment and education for women, minorities, and other individuals belonging to disadvantaged groups. This paper will assess the rudiments of Affirmative Action as it applies to public and private sector employers. The paper will also evaluate what employers are subject to affirmative actionRead MoreAffirmative Action1559 Words   |  7 PagesRESEARCH PAPER AFFIRMATIVE ACTION INTRODUCTION Affirmative Action is an employment legislation protection system that is intended to address the systemized discrimination faced by women and minorities. It achieves this by enforcing diversity through operational intrusions into recruitment, selection, and other personnel functions and practices in America. Originally, Affirmative Action arose because of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s desire to integrate society on educationalRead MoreAffirmative Action1571 Words   |  7 PagesName Professor Name Management 11th November 2011 Affirmative Action Thesis: Affirmative Action has helped many women and minorities in entering the job market. Although there has been a lot of hue and cry regarding the benefits of the affirmative action and the suitability of candidates selected thorough affirmative action; research has shown that affirmative action is beneficial and the candidates of affirmative action perform as well as those who are selected through theRead MoreAffirmative Actions1078 Words   |  5 PagesRunning Head: AFFERMATIVE ACTION Affirmative Actions Affirmative action is an action taken by an organization to select on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity by giving due preferences to minorities like women and races being not adequately represented under the existing employment. To make the presentation of all these compositions almost equal in proportion to do away the injustice done in the past. The Supreme Company need to design an affirmative action program in the light ofRead MoreAffirmative Action1759 Words   |  8 PagesAffirmative Action Right? Affirmative action has been around for decades. Some believe it isn’t fair but others do. Those who believe and agree with affirmative action tend to say, â€Å"The principle of affirmative action is to promote societal equality through the preferential treatment of socioeconomically disadvantaged people† (Bidmead, Andrew pg 3). Others that disagree with it and find it unfair simply see it as another form of discrimination, giving one group extra advantages based upon nothingRead MoreAffirmative Action And Its Effects On Affirmative1263 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout America there are many different views on the effects of affirmative action. Many see it as a negative policy which gives an unnecessary advantage to minorities in America. In a 2009 Pew Poll, â€Å"58% of African Americans agree† and only â€Å"22% whites agree† that there should be â€Å"preferential treatment to improve the position of blacks and other minorities† (Public Backs Affirmative Action†). Today affirmative action and other racial injustices tend to be in the spotlight quite often, suchRead MoreAffirmative Action774 Words   |  4 PagesAffirmative action is a practice that is intended to promote opportunities for the â€Å"protected class† which includes minorities, woman, and people with disabilities or any disadvantaged group for that matter. With affirmative action in place people of this protected class are given an even playing field in terms of hiring, promotion, as well as compensation. Historically, affirmative action is only known to have protected African Americans and woman; however that is not the case. Affirmative actionRead MoreAffirmative Action : Gender Action Essay970 Words   |  4 PagesAffirmative Action (ADD PROPER INTRO) Affirmative action, in its broadest sense, are attempts to help create labor and educational opportunities for groups that have been disadvantaged in the past. (Miriam Webster). Evidence has shown that throughout history, many groups have been discriminated against, and because of past (discriminations?), they continue to experience obstacles in areas of hiring, promotion, renting, buying, gaining education, and everyday economic activities. Thus, affirmativeRead MoreAffirmative Action Is An Action Or Policy? Essay1774 Words   |  8 Pages Affirmative Action remains one of the more complicated and controversial topics dealt with in American society. Affirmative Action is an action or policy designed to protect specific groups who suffer from discrimination, and provide them with programs and special opportunities. These government or private programs were designed to set right historical injustices towards the members of these groups who have suffered things like employment and e ducational disadvantages from racial discrimination

Horizontal Or Vertical Power Lab Write Up free essay sample

Running and jumping competitions have taken place for centuries, dating as far back as the first Olympian games. These physical competitions measured individual’s prowess, but also competing for power to rule or show their masculinity. Today, in modern times, this is synonymous to individuals who are judged on their highest jump and fastest 40-yard dash time as part of the National Football League draft, which combine their specific position and ratings as compared to other recruits. Although there are other determining skills and factors these two skills have been determined to directly correlate the amount of power an individual has and is able to produce. Both of these measurements are anaerobic exercises because they do not rely on oxygen as the main energy source; instead, the athlete gets their fuel from energy sources that are stored in their muscle fibers. The sprint and vertical jump tests show us the power an individual can generate and use within their own anaerobic system. According to the 50-yard dash test results, subject one had an above average rating for horizontal power with his calculated peak power being 6059 watts, and his peak vertical power was 6219 watts with a rating of well above average. Subject one’s training history of anaerobic exercises such as powerlifting and cross-fit definitely reflected the results with an above average rating in horizontal power. A few days before performing both of the tests the subject stated he had been suffering from a cold that could have affected his performance and thus his rating for the evaluation. Although the 50-yard dash relies mainly on the individual’s anaerobic system there still could be factors related to being sick that could have caused him to have a decrease in power, resulting in a potential lack of oxygen, minerals and supplements to the muscles in order for them to operate sufficiently. During the test subject one did stumble, which could be due to his lack of practice or training in the 40/50-yard dash. Subject one may have been able to perform better and not stumble has much if he would have had preparation time leading up to the test. Subject one performed well above average in the maximum vertical jump test that rates vertical peak power. With the subject doing cross-fit training and powerlifting it is understandable that he would perform well in this test due to the strength that is used during his regular workout routine, especially in the legs. Individuals utilize their core and their entire low body when performing a standing vertical jump and the more strength and power they can generate the more efficient they will be at it. Although subject one performed well above average his body weight may have had an adverse effect on his performance, but with his current fitness and training level it does not appear that this is much of a problem. Subject two’s horizontal power was rated well above average and her vertical power received a rating of above average. Subject two is a track and field athlete at Colorado Mesa University where she competes in the long jump and 400 meter hurdles, which would give her an advantage when comparing her to the average population. The fact that she is a runner gives her more confidence in the sprint test, especially when competing in a hurdle event there is a high amount of sprinting leading up to the hurdles as well as the light footwork necessary to keep her agile. Jumping events require the use of the anaerobic system, which would give subject two an advantage since she trains in this discipline often. Subject two ranked above average for her vertical peak power. Factors to consider why subject two’s ranks may not have been higher could be due to her previously injured hip flexor and her personal experience being a horizontal jumper, not a vertical jumper. The hip flexor is used to generate power when the body readies itself to push off the ground, so with it being injured could decrease its power thus decreasing subject two’s overall vertical peak jump-height. There is a small possibility that her previous training with being a horizontal jumper may have resulted in a decreased overall vertical peak jump-height also. When training for horizontal jumping subject two trains in running, which is the force that is utilized in the jump. This prep is different than for vertical jumping. Both subjects excelled in each event. This may be seen when analyzing the power in watts according to the standards of the Sayers Equation and when compared to average times for high school and college-age athletes. The tests completed during this test involved the anaerobic system with each exercise occurring for 3-10 seconds. During this time creatine kinase is used to combine adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in conjunction with phosphocreatine, which yields adenosine triphosphate (ATP)- the body’s source of energy. Both subjects excelled in anaerobic tests, which suggests each has a higher percentage of 2a muscle fibers, but lack the ability to perform at a strictly anaerobic-athlete’s level. Conclusion: Both the 50-yard dash and vertical jump were used to determine the power of an athlete, which were anaerobic tests. The ability for athletes to propel themselves from the ground takes a lot of power, which is why the vertical jump is a prime example in determining an individual’s strength. On the other hand there are many sports where individuals must propel themselves horizontally and how fast they are able to do it, which is why the 50-yard ash is also an important test to determine an individual’s speed. It is unwise to prescribe these events into an exercise prescription for someone who has minimal athletic training history. Both of these tests are easy to perform and conduct, which makes tests available and are a standard for research, recruiting and practical uses for those who are active in their daily lives.

Theories of Growth and Development Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Theories of Growth and Development. Answer: Nature and nurture In his article Nature, Nurture, and Human Behaviour; an Endless Debate, Zaky provides an objective and an in-depth examination of the concept of nature vs. nurture targeting parents and educationists. The author explains that human behaviour is a product of inheritance (Zaky, 2015). Equally, in the article Nature, nurture, and expertise by Plomin et al., human behaviour is acquired and learned as one grows (Plomin et al., 2014). The authors target parents and teachers, and they provide credible information that is backed up by experimental studies. Genetic inheritance In their article Principles of Inheritance: Mendels Laws and Genetic Models Laird and Lange, discusses the principles of inheritance in an in-depth manner. For instance, the article discusses the genetic model which states that the dichotomous genes contributes to deterministic genetic outcomes (Laird Lange, 2011). In Gliboffs article, The Mendelian and Non-Mendelian Origins of Genetics, he states that parents influence the genetic traits that the off springs acquire at birth. The article targets scientists who study genetics (Gliboff, 2015). It has reliable information that is based on scientific research studies. Lifespan and development theories Lenses: Applying Lifespan Development Theories in Counseling is a book authored by Kraus. The book is highly valid because the author, is an associate professor of counselling at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. The intended audience for this book are counselling practitioners. The major themes in this book is the social constructionist view of development. It argues that an individuals development is influenced by the social surroundings (Kraus, 2008). The book Life-span Development: Frameworks, Accounts and Strategies is authored by Sugarman. Its target audience are parents and teachers. This book articulate its themes and arguments in a clear manner. One of the arguments of this book is that change is a continuity, therefore, individuals are different from who they were ten years ago (Sugarman, 2001,). Freudian concepts The journal article Sigmund Freuds psychoanalytic theory Oedipus complex: A critical study with reference to D. H. Lawrences Sons and Lovers by Ahmed carries out in-depth analysis of Freuds psychoanalytic theory. It targets parents and it focuses on concepts such as the love between the boy child and mother (Ahmed, 2012). In another article, Freuds Interpretation of His Own Dreams in The Interpretation of Dreams: A Continuity Hypothesis Perspective, Schredl explains that dreams are a reflection of supressed subconscious thoughts of humans (Schredl, 2008). The article targets psychologists and it is reliable because it is based on scientific research findings. Piagets stages of cognitive development The book Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence by Shaffer and Kipp discuss the stages of human development. The book has high validity because it supports its arguments with research findings. It targets parents and teachers with its themes and arguments, for example, the four stage cognitive development process (Shaffer Kipp, 2014). Van Blerkoms book College Study Skills: Becoming a Strategic Learner, targets learners in all education levels. Some of the major concepts discussed in it is cognitive development, which states that the transitions of an individuals pattern of thinking takes place in stages (Van Blerkom, 2016). Eriksons psychosocial stages Eriksons Development Crises: Applying Developmental Theory to Adult Learning is a journal article by Lineros and Fincher, hence, it has a high validity because it is a peer-reviewed article. It discusses the crises involved in growth and development including identity and confusion that occurs in teenage (Lineros Fincher, 2014). Conversely, the book Developmental Psychology by Watts, Cockcroft, and Duncan, who are professors of psychology, and therefore, this source is authoritative and has logical appeal. It targets students and instructors of psychology. The major theme is human development and it states that development is multi-dimensional (Watts, Cockcroft, Duncan, 2008). Maslows hierarchy of needs The book Maslow's hierarchy of needs. An introduction by McGuire as high validity because its content is back-up by research findings. It targets employers. Its focuses on the concept of motivation and human needs. The book explains that human needs are in stages, and when one is achieved, an individual moves to the next level of need (McGuire, 2012). Maslow and the Motivation Hierarchy: Measuring Satisfaction of the Needs is a journal article by Taormina, and it targets employers. The article is highly valid because it backs its arguments with reliable academic sources. It discusses the different levels of human needs, stating that they are fulfilled in stages (Taormina, 2013). Bowlbys attachment theory A secure base: a clinical application of attachment theory is a book by Bowlby, and its target audience are clinical experts. Attachment is the major theme, and the author argues that child mother attachment is strengthened by arousal such as pain or joy (Bowlby, 1988). Effects of attachment on early and later development is a journal article by Malekpour. The article targets parents, and it has a high validity because the author is a professor and Ph. D holder in Psychology. It focuses on the concept of attachment and argues that individual identity is a result of parent-child attachment during growth (Malekpour, 2007). Bibliography Ahmed, S. 2012, Sigmund Freuds psychoanalytic theory Oedipus complex: A critical study with reference to D. H. Lawrences Sons and Lovers, Internal journal of English and literature Vol. 3, n. 3, 60-70.Bowlby, J. 1988. A secure base: a clinical application of attachment theory. Routledge, New York: NY. Gliboff, S. 2015, The Mendelian and Non-Mendelian Origins of Genetics, Filosofia e Histria da Biologia, So Paulo, v. 10, n. 1, p. 99-123. Kraus, K. L. 2008, Lenses: Applying Lifespan Development Theories in Counseling. Lahaska Press, Boston: MA. Laird, N. M. Lange, C. 2011, Principles of Inheritance: Mendels Laws and Genetic Models, The Fundamentals of Modern Statistical Genetics, Statistics for Biology and Health, DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-7338-2_2, Lineros, J. V. Fincher, M. 2014, Eriksons Development Crises: Applying Developmental Theory to Adult Learning, Learning and Performance Quarterly, Vol. 2, no. 3, 35-48 Malekpour, M. 2007, Effects of attachment on early and later development. The British Journal of Developmental Disabilities, Vol. 53, No. 105, 81-95. McGuire, K. J. 2012. Maslow's hierarchy of needs. An introduction. Grin Verlag, Berlin. Plomin, R., et al., 2014, Nature, nurture, and expertise, Intelligence, Vol. 45, 4659. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2013.06.008 Schredl, M. 2008, Freuds Interpretation of His Own Dreams in The Interpretation of Dreams: A Continuity Hypothesis Perspective, International journal of dream research, Vol. 1, no. 2, 44-47. Shaffer, D. R. Kipp, K. 2014. Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence. (9th Ed.). Cengage Learning, Belmont: CA.Sugarman, L. 2001, Life-span Development: Frameworks, Accounts and Strategies. Psychology Press, New York: NY.Taormina, R. J. 2013, Maslow and the Motivation Hierarchy: Measuring Satisfaction of the Needs, American Journal of Psychology, Vol. 126, no. 2,155177.Van Blerkom, D. L. 2016. College Study Skills: Becoming a Strategic Learner. Wadsworth, Boston: MA.Watts, J., Cockcroft, K., Duncan, M. (Eds.). Developmental Psychology. (2nd Ed.). UCT Press, Cape Town. Zaky, E. A. 2015, Nature, Nurture, and Human Behaviour; an Endless Debate, Child Adolesc Behav, Vol.3, no. 6, DOI: 10.4172/2375-4494.1000e107

Victimization of Women in Society with Regard to Anita Nair, S Ladiescoupe Essay Example

Victimization of Women in Society with Regard to Anita Nair, S Ladiescoupe Essay The undeserved dilemma of modern woman is a recurrent theme of the novels of Bharati, a widely acclaimed author and winner of the National Book critics’ award. She considered her works, a celebration of her emotion that she brings out of her heart. She has depicted very minutely the condition of Asian immigrants in North America, with particular attention to the changes taking place in South Asian women in a new world. She presents all her characters a survivors against the brutalities and violence that surrounded them. A threat that runs through all the novels of Mukherjee is of religious, racial, sexual and economic class difference. Bharati expresses the â€Å"the inner expropriation of cultural identity. Pre-natal reminiscence is the fountain head of the Indian tradition. Encounter between India, England and USA ends in an inter cultural accommodation. The two integral parts of reality are fixity and change. The blending of being and becoming attracts the attention of novelists. Nativity and nationality meet face to face challenging immigrant sensibility and expatriate predicament. Monolithic cultural identity is dissolved in the process of cultural mutation. Thus this is evident in the novel against the background of Tara Lata’s recollection of childhood memory of previous birth and cross cultural pollination. A British becoming an Indian is a matter of attention while at the same time an Indian turning a snobbish British is equally an important subject matter for our concern. The philosophical import of the title, â€Å"From Being to Becoming,† is actually gleaned from the ritual incidents and personages. We will write a custom essay sample on Victimization of Women in Society with Regard to Anita Nair, S Ladiescoupe specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Victimization of Women in Society with Regard to Anita Nair, S Ladiescoupe specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Victimization of Women in Society with Regard to Anita Nair, S Ladiescoupe specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher stated that nothing remains static and so everything is in a state of change or constant transition. This phenomenon is nothing but a movement across cultures. The troublesome question is about the possibility of the life of the mind which transcends space and time. What is native becomes alien and what is alien becomes native. The issue is not so much connected with external space-time framework. But it has lot to do with our inner life. For example, Mishtigunj and Mist Mahal are the creations of John Mist. These places had become the home of ecumenical accommodation. It has turned in to a place which supports Christian unity. The Shoonder Bon village worshipped John Mist as an avatar. Helping the poor, feeding the hungry ones, elevating the life of the depressed, creating schools, building houses, hospitals, supplying the money, the necessary wherewithal, and shaping the body and soul of Shoonder Bon Home are the admirable heroic activities. All his heroic activities had endowed John Mist with the status of divine incarnation. By temperament he was Vedantic and by outlook he was Vedic. Experiences are always universal and they tend to move on in a parallel line. A man born in England getting fully rooted and absorbed in the life of Shoonder Bon village in East can be described as a phenomenon continent. Though the inhabitation is in a specific culture modern like cross-cultural pollination and acculturation are not sufficient to psychoanalyze the life of a soul. The Tree Bride is a powerful depiction of pre-independence India bringing two continents into contact with each other. East and West are traditionally conceived as terms of contrast, but this novel differs from this time-honored way of treating East and West. Shattering and solidifying of cultural boundaries are the two sub-conscious streams pervading the novel. John Mist serves as an example for the first category while Virgil Treadwell is shown as an instance for second category as he happens to be an East India Company official and a commissioner with an Anglophile and Edwardian bent of mind looking to formal, external decorum and spectability as norms of good behavior. But the novelist is preoccupied with mysticism and transformation of consciousness. Therefore anectodes, precedents and succeedents are only matter of chronology, history and geography. Human beings are irrespective of time, place and age. Anti-British and pro-British elements are attitudes which are incidental and largely history. The novelist does not spare her satirical pen where the British rule in India is concerned. Brahmo Samaj, a revival Indian Renaissance Movement, comes under severe scrutiny in the novelist’s hands. It can be clearly seen that the artist shows her inward respect over Jaikrishna Gangooly, the great grandfather of Tara, and his daughter, the Tree Bride. They also respected the Gangooly family for it is more attached to Arya Samaj which came as a corrective to Brahmo Samaj. The first movement endorses the philosophy of liberal, scientific Westernization while the second accepts the same phenomenon with a great deal of reservation. The business of Bharati Mukherjee is to be true to the facts of life. She acknowledges the fact that the British lifted India from the deep slumber of decadence. At the same time the novelist mounts a frontal attack on the British strategy of perpetrating the foreign rule through religious divisions. â€Å"It is easy for an English-educated, middle-class Indian (or Pakistani or Bangladesh) to fall in line with colonial prejudice. Thirty thousand British bureaucrats and â€Å"factors† were able to rule ten thousand times more Indians by dividing Muslims from Hindus, Persian Zoroastrians from Muslims, Sikhs from Hindus, and nearly everyone, including Hindus, from castes like lazy Brahmins and money-grubbing banias†. 44) It shows that the need of the British empire could be better fulfilled by the Indians than by the English men. Macaulay’s limited psychoanalysis of the situation was right as far as his administrative framework was involved. But he failed to see the spontaneous mystical influence of each culture over the other. The novel contains two layers of unfolding its theme. One layer is obviously concerned with the co nsequences resulting from the setting up of the East India Company. To a historian, the other layer remains obscure and somewhat non-logical. But the novelist takes immense care to distribute the emphasis in an equable manner for the purpose of achieving cultural comprehensiveness in the historical-cum-artist portrayal of personages. Macaulay saw culture and civilization in the mass as a consolidated unified framework. That is after all a nineteenth-century Benthamite utilitarian rationale. It is the justification or rationalization of relating to the utilitarian philosophy of Jeremy Bentham. A mass tendency validates an individual wishing after some cultural fallback. Man in the mass is metaphorically dead. Only the individual who does not align himself with the mass tendency is alive. Every culture is in a state of being and becoming and what is far more important is that one emerges into the other. There is always an interplay between the two. The reason is that every society is subject to mutation and change. No culture has come to stay like a consolidated stone. History events and the march of time leave no society and culture untouched. The richness of any antiquity is never lost in the exposure of any historical, social and cultural metamorphosis. The novel brings out this idea of absorption and assimilation: In my mind, the history of the British in India is a story of adventure gone bad, where the thrill of new encounters, the lure of transformation†¦started drying up†¦Maybe there is a limit to the human capacity for wonder or the ability to absorb the truly alien without trying to reduce its dimensions and tame its excess. (48) It is clear that the stand of outside time is true and enduring . Simultaneously some other mysterious element enters time to put life through a process of transmutation. Frequently at such moments cultural upheavals occur. One such movement is the encounter between England and India in the wake of the setting up of the East India Company as the nucleus and the wing of the British Empire. The powerful depiction of the scenes and a comprehensive portrayal of significant characters enables us to come to terms with the psycho-social implications of what they stand for and where the repercussions lead to. A head-on collision between the sociology of the society and the psychology of the individuals is perceptible. Demonstrably Eliot’s theory of past influencing the present and the present equally modifying the past is at work in the novel. A discussion taking place in San Francisco among Tara and Bish,Yash Khanna and Victoria Khanna is related to a memorable historical event in Shoonder Bon village (in East Bengal). The information so secured about this past is more by coincidence. The restlessnes of Tara’s spirit and the probability involved in her rumbling upon some material link the present with the past. It is the matter of sheer chance. Nevertheless it has value. Victoria Khanna’s grandfather was Virgil Treadwell. As he was in Indian Civil Service, he was posted as a district commissioner in Bengal in 1930. The Six containing old ledgers of grandfather is a historical record about him. Victoria Khanna informs Tara about these materials. An impetus from the research into the past history Tara Lat Gangooly is the outcome of Tara’s inner prompting of her reminiscent prevision of a remote historical record of Mishtigunj which presents a parallel equivalent to an idealist view of a world of unalloyed joy and bliss. The random availability of record by sheer coincidence or accident from the hand of Victoria Khanna leads to the fulfillment of such a goal of study and investigation. Mist Nama is a powerful poetic depiction of a rich rewriting of the ancient Indian Vedic history by a British-turned Hindoo, John Mist. The question, â€Å"Who contributes† is as much important as the question â€Å"What is contributed. † John Mist is the creator of an ideal social order. Mist-Nama is a practical rendering of a life-vision. A British Hindu stood for the Hindu-Moslem unity. His governing philosophy in the language of the novelist was the harmonious combination of the ‘two’ of everything and it meant occupation and employment for both Hindus and Moslems in an equitable proportion. He conducted hectic commerce and business enterprises and whatever he earned, he shared with all. A profit-making East India Company British ship dropped a legacy making sailor-turned savior, John Mist. There were many Indians who became pseudo-British by their outward forms of Westernization like Virgil Treadwell. At the same time there were many British like John Mist, David Llewellyn and Coughlin Nigel who became true Indian Hindoos by their inner transformation of being. Imitation must contain an element of creative transformation; otherwise it can turn into mere form and decorum ending in an emptiness of being. The context for the discussion of the relationship between ‘being’ and ‘becoming’ is demonstrably evident here. The truth to be established is that’ being’ and’ becoming’ are not the usual dichotomies but they are two indivisible sides of the same coin. Tara and John Mist appear as immigrants. Immigrancy is equated with loss of something and a search for true â€Å"something. † Tradition and convention describe nativity as something which is independent upon space, time, history and geography. This is a monolithic vision of culture and nativity. Nativity is therefore defined as a belonging to a culture and sharing oneness with it. But Bharati Mukherjee establishes another view that nativity is independent of all factors and it is more connected with inner being and less with spontaneous factors. A search for realization of inner being is conserved by the novelist as nativity. The idea of birthplace being conserved as nativity is different from the idea of describing nativity as sharing oneness with the inner being which is independent of spacing the framework. The drama is that being turns into becoming and being from becoming turns into being. The novelist holds two views which are not contradictory as each other. John Mist says: â€Å"having come nowhere, he had everywhere to go. Having had nothing, he has had everything and anything at his disposal. † (27) Elsewhere the novelist says that where one inherits nothing, he is entitled to everything. Freedom of immigrancy and liberty of any form of absorption put the being and the becoming in a process of creative interplay. Mukherjee acknowledges the fact that life is an unpredictable mystery:â€Å"We have been trained to think of Mishtigunj as home in ways that our adopted homes, Calcutta and California, must never be. Ancestors come and to, but one’s native village, one’s desh, is immutable. (29)† Tara realizes her native home as Mishtigunj in a state of immigrancy. But the home of John Mist is the same Indian village. Tara and John Mist realized their nativity in different ways where ‘being’ and’ becoming’ move and merge into each other. John Mist is the creator of Indian Mishtigunj and he is a British who discovers his sweet home in this village. Tara, an Indian immigrant in San Francisco, discovers home in the British created legendary village, Who is an immigrant? Who is a native? These questions get simultaneously juxtaposed. Home if therefore or it needs to be defined where one’s being is. In comparison with Tara and John Mist, Virgil Treadwell is less a better human being in spite of his being absorbed in the new phenomenon called Eurasianism. He could plot along with the British and spy on Tara Lata Gangooly’s house. These facts have deprived him of his inner being. His Eurasianism corrupted his nobility, introducing falsity. He sold his soul and made his profit whereas John Mist gave away his profit to people and he discovered his soul in his sacrifice. Bharati Mukherjee says that when the British like Virgil Treadwell spoke of profit John Mist thought in terms of leaving legacy. Therefore the concept of total objectivity of culture dies-down in the birth of polyvalent cultural subjectivity. Tara, Virgil Treadwell and John Mist are varying examples of the new proposition. With John Mist loss of objectivity (British culture) ends in discovery of subjectivity. Here the words’ loss’ and ‘gain’ and ‘objectivity’ and ‘subjectivity’ and’ being’ and ‘becoming’ are more connected with subconscious realization of one’s inner being. In the case of Virgil Treadwell, British gain meant Indian loss whereas conversely in the case of John Mist’s British loss meant Indian gain. The novelist uses very sensational generalizations to illustrate this truth:â€Å"All the could-have-beens and should-have-beens of history, the best of the East meeting the best of the West, etc. , etc. , shrink from grandeur to petty profit-taking. (48) The question ‘Who conquered whom’ melts into insignificance: â€Å"history is written by victors, but in the case of India, it’s not always clear who won, is it? 90) It is that both the victor (West) and the vanquished (East) mutually enriched the sensibility of the two cultures. It is a strange divine coincidence that John Mist’s creation of the â€Å"Mist-Nama† and â€Å"Mishtigunj† is along a line which the ancient tradition of India endorses. The discovery of such a wonderful treasure is made possible by the research work of an Indian immig rant in America, Tara. Both John Mist and Tara are in a way immigrants. The philosophical axiom is that cultures are not fixed entities like â€Å"quantity. Naturally ‘being’ and’ becoming’ are not static. The mutations have repercussions. Though the word ‘being’ created a misleading picture of fixity and permanence, it has the character of fabric. The British conquest of India forms the context of the new in which these issues are raised indirectly. The history of Mishtigunj created by British Hindu John Mist puts obstacles in the way of glibly accepting the two categories ‘being’ and ‘becoming’. What determines history is not its concern with outward form but the ‘inner implications’ is which it unconsciously creates. It is this history which has created a martyr, John Mist. Tara Lata Gangooly represents the best of the East and her predecessor John Mist represents both the best of the East and the best of the West. Characters like Virgil Treadwell are more concerned with the British form and decorum than with the essence of life. Both John Mist and Tara Lata Gangooly live at a deeper level while men like Virgil Treadwell move on a superficial plane. There are many places where Virgil Treadwell is compared to Churchill and Nixon and he is satirized subtly. Both John Mist and Tara Lata died a martyr’s death. The former was hanged in 1880 on a charge of disobedience of the British Colonial venture and the latter died in a prison in 1943 on the same charges of treason, sedition and disobedience. These events and situations by themselves are utterly insignificant. But the effect and impact they leave have a lasting value. It is this fact which enable the readers arrives at a philosophical link between being and becoming both is that the reality of life permits a movement between being and becoming. Liking John Mist, Tara Lata, Virgil and their life styles lead the leader draw an intelligent interference events and circumstances keeps them in a state of transition and transformation. It is a great achievement on the part of the novelist to aim at an imaginative-historical reconstruction of Mishtigunj. Bharathi Mukherjee is not a thoughless immigrant. Her loyalty to the essence of life gives her a new responsibility to rephrase the issue of the contact and correlation between being and becoming.

The Dimensions of Inter-Professional Practice The WritePass Journal

The Dimensions of Inter-Professional Practice Abstract The Dimensions of Inter-Professional Practice [online]), which provides a way to structure and implement change. I will also   use a tool widely used in business called ‘SWOT’ analysis, which helps in change planning by formalising the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in a given situation, and which is also useful for healthcare (Marquis and Huston 2009).   Gibbs (1988) model of reflective practice will also be influential.   The essay will be structured according to this 6 stage cycle, from description of event through evaluation and analysis to action and further reflection. While there are several different models of using reflectivity in practice including Bortons’ (1970), Kolb’s (1984) and Johns’ (1995), I use Gibbs model as it seems to best express the dynamic process of learning and change for me.  Ã‚   These tools will be used to demonstrate the things I feel are inadequate with the present situation whereby a limited number of healthcare professionals attend war d reviews, and suggest a change whereby key workers also attend, offering a deeper perspective on patient needs. The nomination form, which assesses my placement, is included in the Appendix. 2. The Situation: Description The situation in question occurred when I was on placement.   The hospital at which I was working, like others, carried out regular ward reviews. In these, the patient was discussed. A number of key staff involved in patient care were involved, and the aim was to review the patients care, treatment and prognosis. At the hospital where I carried out my placement, the members of staff who were involved were the consultant, the occupational therapist and the review nurse, sometimes also a student attended.   The patient did not attend this meeting. I attended a number of these reviews. In general, all members of the team who attended were respected and respectful, and took care to listen to what each person had to say.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One person led the meeting, making sure all were included and also ensuring that discussion did not go on for too long. Realistic goals and a date for the next meeting were set at the end, and the items discussed were formalised in writing. 3. The Situation: My Feelings I had two sets of feelings. On the one hand, I felt pleased   that everyone who attended the meetings seemed to have the best interests of the patient at heart. Where there were disputes it was regarding what would work best for the patient. Also, I was pleased with how professionally staff members conducted themselves, I seldom witnessed rudeness or ‘shortness’ when one person spoke to another. People took turns and really seemed to listen. In part, I felt, this was due to the way the meetings were led, which was very sensitive. However, on the other hand, I felt quite annoyed and disappointed that not all staff who were involved in patient care were included in the meetings.   I felt that a whole side of the patient’s experience was being missed out.   The staff who attended seemed to understand the patient’s condition only generally, from their records and discussing the situation, not through contact with the patient daily. The holistic side of pa tient care, understanding what the patient was feeling, seemed to have been missed out. 4. Evaluation In terms of the ‘SWOT’ framework, widely used in business but also useful for understanding healthcare (Williamson et al 1996), I evaluated the experience as follows. As Gibb’s evaluation stage is concerned mainly with what is good and bad about the experience, I have omitted the ‘opportunities’ and ‘threats’ from this analysis, as they will be covered later. Strengths Good communication between team members Respectful awareness of other points of view Developed clear goals and actions to follow Weaknesses Patient seems to lack a ‘voice’ Those involved in caring regularly from patient are not included in the review Those who know the patient well are not included in the review Lack of holistic and person-centred care 5. Analysis The following sections looked at what happened, how I experienced it and what sense I made of it within my own parameters. In order to make wider sense of the situation, I need to draw upon notions of interprofessional teamwork, user perspectives and team dynamics, all concepts central to the current health service.   Interprofessional teamwork, also known as multidisciplinary teamwork (MDT), has been part of healthcare policy in the UK since 1997 (Davis 2007). As an approach, it means professionals from a range of disciplines involved in patient care meeting to discuss and agree on care plans for patients (Hostad 2010).   There are a number of benefits, for example multidisciplinary teamwork seems to meet user needs better, and to deliver better outcomes.   However, there are also some drawbacks including the time needed for teams to work effectively, and difficulties with perceived status differences (Housley 2003).  Ã‚   For effective MDT, the ways in which team dynamics w ork has to be understood. There are many attempts to understand how people work together, both generally and in the healthcare context, for example Bale’s (1950) model.   Maslow’s model is also influential in healthcare. He suggested that all human’s need to be respected by others in order to feel valued, and have a need to feel part of a group, and want to have their social and emotional needs met within the work context (Borkowski 2009). The notion of incorporating user perspectives is also very influential in the NHS currently, as ‘patient-centred healthcare’.   This was introduced in the late 90s, and involves patients being involved as much as possible in decisions which are made about their care.   The relationship between healthcare professional and patient is no longer one in which the professional is at the top of a hospital hierarchy, but one of partnership in which mutual respect and communication exist (Chambers et al 2003) Overall, I feel that both MDT and patient-centred healthcare could be improved here through including the key workers, or support workers of the named patient. The key worker acts as a co-ordinator on behalf of the patient, keeping the patient informed of what is going on and co-ordinating care and ensuring continuity of treatment (NICE 2004). Support workers or healthcare assistants act in a supporting role to other professionals, and are very ‘hands-on’ in well-being and looking after the patient.  Ã‚   Both these professionals have much closer contact with the patient and as such have important insights into the patient’s situation. Multidisciplinary   teamwork emphasises including all viewpoints relevant to the situation, and I feel that these workers would add valuable insights to enhance the teamwork.   In addition, how can patient care be really holistic and patient-centred if the meetings do not include those people who get to know patients as indivi duals, understanding their feelings, hopes and fears?   Including support and key workers would allow those people who are not involved in daily care to really understand how the patient is feeling.  Ã‚   In addition, if support and key workers were present at the meeting, it would be much easier and quicker to feedback to the patient what is going on with their care. As it stands, patients hear second hand. 6. Conclusion Gibbs suggests reflecting upon what else I could have done here. Given that I was on placement, I feel that the opportunities for changing the situation are practically limited. At the time, I felt it was not appropriate for me to speak up and question the accepted meeting structure. Later, however, I did question whether I should have mentioned this to my supervisor on the ward.   I felt that the emphasis on MDT meant that I would be heard sympathetically, even though I had very little experience. If I was able, I would change the meeting structure to ensure that either a support worker or a key worker was included as a matter of principle. I feel that the existing meeting structure is very good, and that if it was part of protocol that staff closely involved in the patient’s care were included, they would be welcomed into the meetings, their opinions heard and the patient’s viewpoint better understood.   This would, I feel, ensure that the care delivered to the patient was more truly patient-centred and holistic, as it would take into account not only quantitative data about their condition but also their feelings and emotions. In addition, I feel wider meetings would be more reflective of multi-dimensional teamworking, as they currently don’t include all staff perspectives. It also seems that including key and support workers is more ethical.   All hospitals have detailed code of conducts which set out the ways in which they expect their staff to behave, and the care of the patient is generally the first priority in these. Working as a team is also one of the central tenets of most ethical codes in UK hospitals (Melia 2004). 7. Action Plan Here I draw upon the PDSA model to suggest a way to structure the change: Plan Discuss and agree new format for meetings (including key worker or support worker) Inform key / support worker and other staff of new meeting format Do Carry out a series of 4 pilot meetings over agreed time period Agree and implement mechanisms for review of new meeting format (gather data from key/support workers, staff already included, and patients) Study Analyse data collected, assess changes against clearly defined criteria (for example, do patients feel more informed, happier; did key/support workers feel included; did other staff value new structure) What worked well? What worked less well? Act Plan new meetings on basis of what was learnt during study phase. If including key/support workers beneficial, change meeting structure so that they are now part of meetings. Ensure that repercussions of this are understood, for example allowing them extra time for preparing for meetings. References Borton, T (1970) Reach, Teach and Touch,   Mc Graw Hill, London. Gibbs, G (1988) Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods,   Further Educational Unit, Oxford Polytechnic, Oxford. Johns C (1995) Framing learning through reflection within Carper’s fundamental ways of knowing in nursing Journal of Advanced Nursing, 22, 226-234 Kolb, D A (1984) Experiential Learning experience as a source of learning and development, Prentice Hall, New Jersey Marquis, B L and Huston, C J (2009) Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: theory and application (6th edn), Lippincott Williams Wilkins. Melia, K M (2004) Health care ethics: lessons from intensive care, SAGE, Thousand Oaks, CA NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement (2012) ‘Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA)’, [online] (cited 14th February 2012), available from institute.nhs.uk/quality_and_service_improvement_tools/quality_and_service_improvement_tools/plan_do_study_act.html NICE (2004) ‘Improving Outcomes Guidance for Supportive and Palliative Care’, National Institute of Clinical Excellence 2004, London. Williamson, S, Stevens, R E, Loudon, D L (1996) Fundamentals of strategic planning for healthcare organizations, Routledge, UK Appendix CLIENT – INCLUDE NOMINATION FORM HERE Assignment In writing the 1500 word reflective commentary focussed on service improvement you should consider/address the following: The context and setting for your placement. Your reflective commentary should focus either on a service improvement initiative that you have identified with your mentor, or on a service improvement that has previously been implemented in your practice area. You should examine this initiative in terms of the inter-professional team and identify actual or potential ways that inter-professional working can facilitate its implementation. You should also discuss potential barriers to implementation. You MUST include the Service Improvement Activity notification form with your assignment including a discussion of future plans in terms of the service improvement initiative. An evidence based model of reflection or reflective writing should be used. You should offer a rationale to support what you have used (fixed resource sessions on the use and application of reflective models and writing are included in the delivery of this module). You should also demonstrate the use of the PDSA cycle in terms of service improvement. For assessment purposes you are not expected to move beyond the planning stage of the PDSA cycle. As this assignment is a reflective commentary your reflection must be supported and referenced by using appropriate sources (as per learning outcomes). You may wish to use a structured reflective model e.g. Gibbs’, Rolfe et al or John’s; or you may wish to write in a reflective style, encompassing reflection on action e.g. Schon or Borton. This is your choice but either way you must show evidence you have done this. A reflective commentary requires that you use subheadings. The structure of this piece of work can be informed by using either learning outcomes or the stages of a reflective model to do so. If you say you are going to use a model of reflection, then you must demonstrate clearly that you have done so. Which ever process you use must be briefly explained and rationalised within your introduction. Ensure that you have supported your assignment with appropriate, contemporary and relevant sources, including published literature, professional standards key texts and policy. You need to apply theory to practice and use paraphrasing to demonstrate understanding of the sources you have used. Make sure you address the relevant learning outcomes for this piece of work (l,2,5) in this commentary: Learning outcome one requires you to analyse the unique role of the nurse within the inter-professional team and also to apply this to your experience in your placement area. For example, do nurses in your placement area require any additional skills or knowledge to work with the client/patient group? Learning outcome two requires you to evaluate the contribution of all members of the inter-professional team in providing holistic care to clients/patients. For example, which guidelines and policies inform holistic care in your placement area and how did this impact on practice in your area? How did the team work together? What qualities did you note in the team and how did this impact on care delivery? Learning outcome five asks you to reflect on learning and transfer newly gained knowledge. For example, what did you learn and how will what you learned in your placement help to prepare you to be a registered nurse?

History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 12

History - Essay Example f the philosophies of Jean Jacques Rousseau and John Locke, major proponents of the Age of Enlightenment and Plato and Cicero, the champions of Greek and Roman classical antiquity. Bolivar was a staunch critic of monarchies and so were Rousseau and Locke. Rousseau in his famous work, The Social Contract, defended the argument for civil liberty and the popular will against divine right which facilitated the French Revolution. John Locke as well attacked the theory of the divine right of kings and claimed that sovereignty did not reside within the state but with the people. Both also asserted that the right to freedom of people stemmed from the natural law, to which Bolivar himself was a precursor of liberation in his beloved countries. Liberal democracy to Bolivar was insufficient and so he relies on Plato and Cicero as well. Plato’s major work, The Republic, is concerned with the theme of justice and the use of Greek virtues such as temperance and courage to achieve the ideal state. Cicero, the great Roman orator, further advanced this idea by composing works which tackle the natural obligation of men to serve others and dedicate themselves to public service and ascribes to the value of the laws that are followed by its citizens. One could say that Bolivar was a centrist due to the balance of the rights and duties of the state to its citizens and its citizens to the state. And in this idea of solidarity and subsidiarity is where Bolivar’s true value

Art history term Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Art history term - Assignment Example 56). it is an ancient Roman statue in Rome Italy. It is made of bronze and is 4.24m tall. It shows many similarities t the standing statues of Augustus. The original one is n display in the Capitoline Museums (Hourihane and Colum, 2012, P. 56). they were initially described by a German archeologist. They were delineated from the excavation of wall paintings at Pompeii. The pictures also tell about the prosperity of the area. The principal purpose of the frescoes was to minimize the claustrophobic interiors of Roman rooms (Hourihane and Colum, 2012, P. 56). it has a halo around the head of Emperor Justinian. He stands in the middle. Empress Theodora is depicted as the goddess. The mosaic with her shows figures moving from left to right of the church (Hourihane and Colum, 2012, P. 72). the symbolism declares the promised salvation of man in the next world. The four lunettes from across. The picture shows that Jonah was cast from a ship. He then went into a belly of a whale (Hourihane and Colum, 2012, P. 72). it is the site of 6th and early 7th centuries. One of them contained an undistributed ship burial. It sheds light on a period of English history. The has been crucial to understanding the Anglo-Saxon kingdom (Hourihane and Colum, 2012, P. 72). it contained many grave goods and two female human skeletons. The interment of the ship into its burial mound dates from 834 AD. The parts of the ship date from around 800. The ship seems to be older (Hourihane and Colum, 2012, P. 72). the most visible symbol was the palace itself. The palace chapel was placed in a central octagon. The Statute was intended to be set up with a fountain in front of the chapel. At the time, it was called the Renovation (Hourihane and Colum, 2012, P. 72). There was the inclusion of traditional symbols. The symbols are the Eagle of John, the Lion of Mark, and

Marketing strategy of Kempinski (NOT a singel hotel but the global Research Proposal

Marketing strategy of Kempinski (NOT a singel hotel but the global brand) - Research Proposal Example The wine trade business of Kempinski has been quite active from 1862 (Kempinski, 2014a). However, after a short stagnation period, the company again flourished in Berlin. In the year 1872, the hotel chain was extended to Berlin. Then again, during World War II, the hotel at Berlin was completely destroyed. In 1994, Kempinski was taken over by Dusit Sindhorn by acquiring 52 percent stake of the hotel chain. This joint venture between Dusit and Siam Bank came to an end, when Dusit sold off the hotel chain to the latter (Kempinski, 2014a). This hotel chain is known for its deep-rooted traditions. Being one of the oldest chains of hotels in Europe, Kempinski provides a unique offering of cultural heritage and traditional architecture. As already mentioned, the hotel group has 75 hotels spread across 30 countries (Kempinski, 2014a). Nonetheless, the company is continuously expanding its base by adding new hotels in Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa. The offerings include a portfolio of city hotels, historic hotels, residences and resorts. Few of the hotel brands that are famous worldwide are Berlin’s Adlon Kempinski hotel, Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace, Dresden’s Taschenbergpalais Kempinski hotel and Instanbul’s Çiragan Palace. The owners of Kempinski are also associated with establishing a global alliance of hotels that is active worldwide (Kempinski, 2014b). Kempinski caters to a wide range of customers in the premium and luxury segment. The hotel group’s target customers include wealthy and high profile individuals travelling for leisure, vacation or business. The hotels also cater to various incentive groups and business conferences. The hotels offer unique locations for meetings and seminars. The hotels support various restaurants, bars, spas and clubs; many of these are open to outsiders too. Thus, the hotels also offer services to outside customers. Market segmentation for Kempinski can be done according to specialty of its hotels.

Marketing Needs And Challenges Of Small Businesses Marketing Essay

Marketing Needs And Challenges Of Small Businesses Marketing Essay Introduction This essay deals with the marketing needs and challenges of small businesses, with particular regard to the differences in these areas between small and big firms. Small businesses are steadily increasing their contribution to the economies of the developed nations. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) currently provide employment to more than 33% of the UK labour force and account for just about less than 50% of the countrys total private sector business turnover (Longenecker, et al, 2005). The small sector is for all practical purposes driven by the energy, motivation, and drive of entrepreneurial owners, rather than by the abilities and skills of appropriately educated and trained professional managers (Odaka Sawai, 1999). Small business owners are driven to establish their organisations by reasons like entrepreneurial zeal, the desire for independence in working and decision making, craving for wealth, and the need to exploit original and innovative ideas and concepts for products and services (Odaka Sawai, 1999). Such entrepreneurs play vital roles in the economies of their nations, assume various operational and financial risks, and face difficult business challenges in their quest for business success (Odaka Sawai, 1999). One of their most important challenges lies in the area of marketing. All businesses need to successfully sell their products and services to customers in order to achieve business success and competitive advantage, and small businesses are no exception to this rule (Pelham Clayson, 1998). Whilst marketing success is imperative for the operational and financial success and growth of small and entrepreneurial firms, such organisations face numerous complex and difficult challenges in the pursuit of such objective (Pelham Clayson, 1998). The marketing environments and challenges of small firms are significantly different from those of larger organisations. Such differences arise on account of various reasons like product range, geographical distribution, pricing considerations, customer segmentation, and availability of funds (Pelham Clayson, 1998). Much of the success of the owners of small enterprises stems from their ability to recognise and overcome such challenges and formulate appropriate and effective marketing plans and strategies for their products and services (Pelham Clayson, 1998). This essay examines the important differences between the marketing challenges and options of small and big firms, the various dimensions of the marketing environments of small firms and the various challenges they are likely to encounter in the course of their business. The study also investigates the ways and means that can be used by small organisations to effectively market their products and services, and attempts to recommend the best ways and means for small entrepreneurs and business owners to improve the effectiveness of their marketing efforts and enhance their competitive advantage. The Importance of Marketing for Small Businesses The establishment and growth of small businesses is driven by the zeal and enthusiasm of individual entrepreneurs (Odaka Sawai, 1999). These individuals wish to develop and build independent enterprises and often feel that they have product or service with unique and specific attributes that will appeal to customers (Odaka Sawai, 1999). Such entrepreneurs are characterised by their optimism, enthusiasm and belief and conviction in their ideas, as also by their confidence in their ability to achieve their objectives. They however operate with numerous constraints that stem from factors like scarcity of physical and financial resources, limited workforce, absence of experienced and specialist executives, and lack of established markets (Casson, et al, 2006). Few, if any of these entrepreneurs establish new organisations with firm and ready customers. Even operating small businesses work in similarly difficult and challenged circumstances (Casson, et al, 2006). Whilst it is undoubtedly appreciated by all small business owners that the ultimate operational and financial successes of their enterprises, as also the maintenance and enhancement of competitive advantage, is significantly dependent upon their marketing sales performance, very few of such business people are able to effectively locate, focus upon, and exploit market opportunities through the formulation and execution of appropriate marketing strategies (Sadler-Smith, et al, 2003). The intentions and plans of small entrepreneurs and business owners to enhance their marketing effectiveness and sales performance are constrained by numerous challenges and obstacles, some of which occur because of internal weaknesses and others on account of environmental circumstances (Sadler-Smith, et al, 2003). Small and large businesses differ in numerous ways. Large businesses, even if they are recently established, are supported with strong financial resources from individual stockholders and financial institutions (Voss, et al, 2002). Other established and older large businesses furthermore have numerous organisational strengths that stem from extensive and developed production facilities, high quality organisational talent, research and development abilities and expertise, access to specialist advisers and consultants, extensive product range, established working processes for maintenance and improvement of quality, economies of scale, greater market reach, operations in different geographic locations, established market name and image, and well known brands (Voss, et al, 2002). Whilst all large organisations may not possess all these strengths and attributes, it is difficult to conceive many of them would have achieved significant growth in size and scale and still continue to be without many of these features (Welsch, 2003). Such strengths and attributes combine to provide large organisations with exceptional marketing advantages in terms of existing customer base, strong customer relationships, greater range of products and services, good product quality, attractive pricing, geographical reach, and brand recall (Welsch, 2003). Small businesses are comparably disadvantaged on many fronts (Weinrauch, et al, 1991). Most of them have restricted product ranges and whilst their operational costs are lower than those of larger businesses, they are unable to access economies of scale and sustain prices that are truly competitive and attractive (Weinrauch, et al, 1991). Such businesses also suffer from lack of uniform and appropriately designed working processes and quality control procedures, which often result in the generation of products and services of variable and occasionally doubtful quality (Weinrauch, et al, 1991). The absence of skilled management talent compels the owners of such businesses to personally supervise numerous and varied operations and makes it difficult for them to truly focus on marketing requirements, strategies and plans (Weinrauch, et al, 1991). This often results in ad hoc or inappropriately formulated and implemented marketing initiatives (Welsch, 2003). The lack of financial resourc es on the other hand constrains such businesses from engaging in expensive advertising and brand building strategies (Welsch, 2003). Such constraints, singly and jointly, make it extremely challenging for small firms to compete effectively in the market place, not just with larger competitors, but also with the many small firms that clutter most business sectors that do not ask for substantial investment of capital, technology or other resources (Welsch, 2003). Whilst small businesses, when compared to large businesses, do suffer from numerous internal and external disadvantages, which in turn challenge their marketing and sales efforts, they also have certain attributes that can, if effectively used, help them in the market place (Casson, et al, 2006). With small businesses largely being owner driven and having short chains of command, their decision making processes are often significantly faster than those of large businesses (Casson, et al, 2006). This enables them to be much more nimble in the market place and enables them to respond swiftly to marketing and customer needs (Casson, et al, 2006). The major strength of small businesses emanate from their owner managers, the majority of whom are entrepreneurial in nature and possess a number of traits that can help their organisations in various ways in the market place. Douglas Griest, (2010), found in the course of a review of 23 studies on comparisons of large organisation managers wit h small company entrepreneurs that such entrepreneurs were more likely to be creative, innovative, and open to new ideas than managers of larger organisations (Griest, 2010). Griest also found that entrepreneurs were expected to be more confident, tough, demanding, driven by needs for achievement and recognition, and aggressive in the market place. Entrepreneurs are also more likely to engage in environmental scanning for location of opportunities, develop strategies for the exploitation of opportunities and adapt to change, operate with flat management structures and make use of informal networks than large company managers (Griest, 2010). Many of them also have creative minds and are able to develop truly innovative and need fulfilling products and services (Griest, 2010). It is apparent from the preceding discussion that the marketing challenges and environments of small firms are significantly different from those of large firms. Whilst the market competitiveness of small firms is seriously affected by the lack of different types of organisational resources, skills and strengths, they have the advantages of low operational costs, swift decision making abilities and the inclinations and tendencies to move with agility in the market place in response to customer needs. Suggestions for Marketing Strategies for Small Firms Owner entrepreneurs, as well as managements of small companies must essentially understand the importance of marketing for the performance, growth and competitive advantage of their organisations. Small business owners, as stated earlier, are often challenged by various responsibilities and the need to oversee different operational functions like production, finance and accounts (Wolff Pett, 2006). They also have to regularly cope with the compliance needs of various legal and regulatory authorities. These pressures thus lead to a dissipation of effort, dilution of focus from important activities and confusion over prioritisation of managerial tasks (Wolff Pett, 2006). Emergent issues in areas of production, HR and environmental management often consume substantial chunks of available managerial time (Wolff Pett, 2006). It is, in these circumstances, essentially imperative for managements to realise that marketing constitutes one of the most important of organisational areas, especially so in smaller organisations that have to constantly face competition from various small and large organisations in their business sectors and are otherwise constrained by a range of internal and external issues (Voss, et al, 2002). The managements of small firms must realise that effective marketing is important for increase of consumer demand, better consumer relationship management, improved organisational image, development of organisational and product brands, enhancement of sales and growth of profits (Voss, et al, 2002). Lack of attention to the marketing function can prove to be devastated to such organisations and result in reduction of consumer base, lack of consumer awareness, reduction in sales, profits and cash flows, lessening of competitive advantage and finally even to organisational decline and demise (Voss, et al, 2002). It is thus critical for small company owners to understand the importance of marketing for organisational health and wellbeing and prioritise their activities accordingly (Voss, et al, 2002). It is thereafter important to focus on marketing and develop appropriate marketing plans that address the immediate and midterm strategic and marketing objectives of individual organisations (Welsch, 2003). Marketing plans are complex exercises that entail critical evaluation of external environmental conditions, competitive evaluation and analysis, market analysis and customer segmentation with the use of various tools like Porters Five Forces analysis, examination of organisational strengths and weaknesses and finally the development of appropriate marketing mix and marketing budgets (Welsch, 2003). Owners of many small organisations feel such exercises to be too detailed, elaborate and essentially suited for large organisations (Welsch, 2003). Such attitudes are however fundamentally erroneous and lead to the development of organisational and marketing strategies and action plans that are often impulsive and heuristic in nature and taken without information and analysis of importa nt environmental and organisational factors that could strongly impact the working of such organisations (Welsch, 2003). It is important for small organisations to engage in marketing analysis and develop marketing plans, even if they are conducted with lesser detail and greater simplicity than in large organisations (Pelham Clayson, 1998). Such an analysis will help managements to understand the different environmental variables that can affect their business, the strengths and weaknesses of their competitors, their own strengths and weaknesses and available opportunities and potential threats (Pelham Clayson, 1998). Such analysis will enable them to ensure that their marketing strategies do not run counter to environmental forces and that they can use their strengths to exploit market opportunities (Pelham Clayson, 1998). The development of an appropriate marketing mix is one of the most important objectives and outcomes of a properly executed marketing plan (Longenecker, et al, 2005). The marketing mix essentially details organisational strategies in areas of product placement, pricing, distribution and promotion (Longenecker, et al, 2005). The development of a marketing plan will help small business owners to focus on these individual elements and take appropriate decisions after consideration of the actions of their competitors, environmental conditions, consumer needs and available resources (Longenecker, et al, 2005). Many small organisations again feel the development of a marketing plan to be superfluous and irrelevant and engage in decisions that are primarily based upon hunches, perceptions and attitudes (Maritz, 2008). Such attitudes are, as stated before fundamentally erroneous and can lead to the overlooking of important issues and lead to adverse operational, marketing and organisational outcomes (Maritz, 2008). Greater stress on pricing and lesser emphasis on distribution and advertising is a common mistake of most small business owners who work on the assumption that the offering of cheap prices is the most important marketing strategy (Maritz, 2008). Such an attitude could however lead to lack of awareness about the product or service and its unavailability to customers who are willing to try them out (Maritz, 2008). The development of a marketing plan also may compels small business owners, not only to realise and understand a range of marketing issues but also builds an appreciation of the differences between small and large organisations in different operational and marketing areas. Small entrepreneurs and business owners must realise the completely different marketing challenges that face large and small organisations and adopt appropriate marketing mixes that are customised for their individual circumstances and organisations (Pelham Clayson, 1998). Small business owners must focus individually on each separate element of the product mix. The first element of the marketing mix concerns product positioning and placement (Pelham Clayson, 1998). Michael Porter in his theory of generic strategies states that business firms essentially need to decide between following a strategy of low cost or of product differentiation (Porter, 1998). Whilst Porters theory of generic strategies has been critiqued extensively with experts showing that it is possible for organisations in certain situations to differentiate their products as well as offer attractive prices, its tenets by and large hold good for small companies (Porter, 1998). Owners of small companies often feel th at they can achieve competitive advantage because of their lower overheads. Such a concept is however fundamentally fallacious because it is difficult for such companies to truly achieve the scale economies that are possessed by larger organisations (Odaka Sawai, 1999). Increased focus on reduction of costs thus leads to corner cutting and ultimately to lower product quality. It is thus eminently advisable for small business owners to position their products differently from those of their competitors through the adoption of appropriate product differentiation strategies that could stem out of unique product features or specific quality attributes (Odaka Sawai, 1999). Marketing experts feel that small businesses are ideally placed for the development of small marketing niches that allow them to focus on one specific segment (Van Der Hope, 2008). Niche marketing is primarily an extension of the differentiation strategy advanced by Michael Porter. It is ideal for small companies because it allows them to concentrate their organisational, operational and marketing resources on one specific market segment and develop a product that is different from others and services the needs of a specific segment (Van Der Hope, 2008). Whilst niche marketing is particularly suitable for small companies, it does have the risks of small market size (Van Der Hope, 2008). Demand in such circumstances is sustained by loyal customers rather than growing target segments, it is also not very conducive to achievement of scale economies (Van Der Hope, 2008). Small businesses, apart from focusing on the positioning of their products and services must also formulate strategies for distribution and promotion (Hills, et al, 2008). Both distribution and promotion are expensive operations and concern numerous external agencies like distributors, retailers and advertising agencies (Hills, et al, 2008). Small businesses must carefully look at the implications and costs of various distribution and promotional strategies to ensure optimisation of organisational spends and efforts (Hills, et al, 2008). Many small organisations refuse to face these problems squarely and end up operating within very small local areas and without any effective promotional activities (Hills, et al, 2008). Whilst such constraints were undoubtedly true to some extent in the past, the advent of the internet and its progressive proliferation across the world has changed the distribution and promotion opportunities of small firms beyond recognition (Mohan-Neill, 2006). Online marketing provides various opportunities to small organisations to distribute and promote their products (Mohan-Neill, 2006). Numerous small organisations across the world provide a range of services in different areas of life that are delivered online across the internet to different areas of the world (Mohan-Neill, 2006). Many organisations that do not have products that can be distributed online use the internet to take orders and payments and thereafter deliver products and services through physical means like mail and courier (Mohan-Neill, 2006). The internet has also opened up numerous promotional avenues, not only through optimisation of website traffic through use of search engines but also through the use of numerous social networking alternative like facebook, my space, twitter and YouTube (Maritz, 2008). Owners of small businesses should carefully formulate, develop and implement distribution and promotion plans in order to take maximum advantage of the various physical and online options that are available in the contemporary age (Maritz, 2008). Marketing plans should be integrated, make use of different marketing communication options like advertising, physical promotions and PR and most importantly make substantial use of online facilities (Maritz, 2008). Conclusions This essay deals with the marketing challenges of small businesses, the ways in which these challenges are different from those faced by large organisations and the ways in which small businesses can optimise their marketing strategies and efforts. Small businesses are challenged by a number of marketing and environmental factors and are constrained by the various limitations of size and resources. Such factors are significantly different from those influencing the options and alternatives of larger organisations and need to be comprehensively examined and analysed for formulation and development of appropriate strategies for achievement of business success, organisational growth and competitive advantage. Whilst small businesses do face numerous constrains and difficulties in marketing their goods and services, numerous opportunities have developed in recent years in areas of niche marketing and in distribution and promotion of their products with the use of online channels. It is important for owners of small businesses to carefully assess their environmental and organisational circumstances, identify businesses opportunities and make the best possible use of modern facilities for marketing their products, reaching customers and building strong customer relationships. Recent years have witnessed the phenomenal growth of small business start ups in the online domain. Whilst small business owners do face numerous difficulties and challenges thoughtful analysis of marketing conditions, prioritisation of work and effective use of available facilities can certainly help them in growing their business and achieving organisational success.

The Physics of CDs and DVDs :: Media Entertainment Movies Technology Essays

The Physics of CDs and DVDs Everywhere you look now days, you see or interact with CDs or DVDs; whether it is in the car, at work, or at home for pleasure, you deal with these modern marvels. Whatever the use, CD has become a reliable medium in which to distribute information, in a reliable way. The cost of a CD is very inexpensive, making it a popular choice by companies trying to advertise, or teach you about something. American On Line (AOL) is one example of companies who have chose this reliable source for communication. CD is the abbreviation for compact disk; DVD is the abbreviation for digital video disk or digital versatile disk. The difference between the two is the CD is audio, and the DVD is audio and visual. The objective of this paper is to help you to understand the physics surrounding the CD and DVD. The main focus of this paper is to inform the reader of all the things that take place when you watch a movie on a DVD player, starting with the CD itself. The laser reads the CD and converts i t to the final product of what we see and hear. Most CDs are made from polycarbonate plastic. This polycarbonate is a tough material that helps to prevent scratching. Scratching of a CD causes the laser, which reads the spiral data, to jump off track, allowing the CD to skip around and to distort whatever you are watching or listening to. According to How Things Work, A CD is a fairly simple piece of plastic, about four one-hundredths (4/100) of an inch (1.2 mm) thick. Most of a CD consists of an injection-molded piece of clear polycarbonate plastic. During manufacturing, this plastic is impressed with microscopic bumps arranged as a single, continuous, extremely long spiral track of data. Once the clear piece of polycarbonate is formed, a thin, reflective aluminum layer is sputtered onto the disc, covering the bumps. Then a thin acrylic layer is sprayed over the aluminum to protect it. (Brian 1) After that, you have a final product called a CD. Often, you will hear about bumps on a CD. These bumps are what the laser reads. They are also sometimes referred to as pits. Bumps and pits are the same thing; it just depends on what side of the CD you are looking at. The Physics of CDs and DVDs :: Media Entertainment Movies Technology Essays The Physics of CDs and DVDs Everywhere you look now days, you see or interact with CDs or DVDs; whether it is in the car, at work, or at home for pleasure, you deal with these modern marvels. Whatever the use, CD has become a reliable medium in which to distribute information, in a reliable way. The cost of a CD is very inexpensive, making it a popular choice by companies trying to advertise, or teach you about something. American On Line (AOL) is one example of companies who have chose this reliable source for communication. CD is the abbreviation for compact disk; DVD is the abbreviation for digital video disk or digital versatile disk. The difference between the two is the CD is audio, and the DVD is audio and visual. The objective of this paper is to help you to understand the physics surrounding the CD and DVD. The main focus of this paper is to inform the reader of all the things that take place when you watch a movie on a DVD player, starting with the CD itself. The laser reads the CD and converts i t to the final product of what we see and hear. Most CDs are made from polycarbonate plastic. This polycarbonate is a tough material that helps to prevent scratching. Scratching of a CD causes the laser, which reads the spiral data, to jump off track, allowing the CD to skip around and to distort whatever you are watching or listening to. According to How Things Work, A CD is a fairly simple piece of plastic, about four one-hundredths (4/100) of an inch (1.2 mm) thick. Most of a CD consists of an injection-molded piece of clear polycarbonate plastic. During manufacturing, this plastic is impressed with microscopic bumps arranged as a single, continuous, extremely long spiral track of data. Once the clear piece of polycarbonate is formed, a thin, reflective aluminum layer is sputtered onto the disc, covering the bumps. Then a thin acrylic layer is sprayed over the aluminum to protect it. (Brian 1) After that, you have a final product called a CD. Often, you will hear about bumps on a CD. These bumps are what the laser reads. They are also sometimes referred to as pits. Bumps and pits are the same thing; it just depends on what side of the CD you are looking at.

How To Lose Weight Essay

Losing weight is a battle that many people struggle with at some point in their lives because most of them are not satisfied with there currently weight. The first and most important thing we have to understand is how we can lose weight in a healthy way without hurting our body. There are many ways we can lose weight but if we do not take the correct path to weight loss, ultimately we can fail and end up gaining all the weight back. Learning the correct way to diet is the first step to reach this goal. As we all know, our body needs the proper nutrition because without it we will not have the energy we need and it will be impossible to live a healthy life; however, if we take in more calories than our body requires the rest will change to fat so we need to burn the extra more calories. For example, instead of having high calorie afternoon like coke we can replace it with water or we can feel full by eat vegetable or salad instead of eat oily food. Avoiding eating when we are sad, angry or bored is very useful because our emotional are related to our eating habit, but only diet is not enough to lose weight it takes too much time. The second and most effective step is exercising. Have routine schedule work out will help us to lose weight faster than anytime. Swimming, cycling and cardio have very effectiveness. How much we need exercise and how we should do that is another important things. We must start with light exercise schedule and increase it step by step. Because injury and boredom are two common things that stop us with wrong exercising. According to the many scientists exercising has more benefits than the other ways and it will help us to increase our self-confidence, reduce stress and gain mobility. So we will be on shape if exercising becomes part of our daily life. In conclusion we can lose our weight in many ways which some of them will hurt our body like with a variety of medicament and pills and some of them are really works like dieting and exercising because most successful way to losing way comes from healthy food and exercising. Anyhow we will reach our goal if do it rightly and do not give up easily.

Political Cartoon Essay Example

Political Cartoon Essay Example Political Cartoon Essay Political Cartoon Essay The Rebellious Force of Iraq By glancing at this political cartoon, I simply see a picture that denotes a human watering the dry dirt and plants. On a closer look, the picture depicts a war between the united States and Iraq. On the top right corner, uncle Cams hand is watering the plant and ground by using a watering can. Since this is a war, the powerful and nonstop water flow that is coming out of the water can represents the fire power that the united States is using in hope of winning the war. The whole country of Iraq is Ewing drawn inside the perimeter of the watering can, which means that the U. S. Is targeting the whole country, not Just a specific area within Iraq. By drawing a huge hand of Uncle Cams while comparing it to the tiny Iraqis soldiers, this also illustrates the differences In power and authority. On the left, middle half of the picture, the fire powers are pouring down on the country and overwhelmed them. Despite this strong force, the stubborn Iraqis soldiers are not Glenn up that easily as they strike back as seen In the lower bottom half of the picture. In this picture, the soldiers are playing kebob by hiding inside the plant and only show half of their body when shooting back at uncle Sam. Their WI as are pointing straight up at uncle Sam as they resist back and trying to protect their own country. These Iraqis know that they cannot win against the U. S. In the open, so they use stealth as their strategy. In this political cartoon, the author is giving hope to the family members of the soldiers that are still fighting in Iraq. The war has been going on and off and back and forth. With determination and assurance of the mighty force of the U. S, this endless war will soon come to an end.

Elizabethan Theater Essay Example

Elizabethan Theater Essay Example Elizabethan Theater Paper Elizabethan Theater Paper The Elizabethan Theater opened up the world of writing with great writers like William Shakespeare and gave them a better chance in the world by giving them high class jobs, while still letting everyone, upper or lower class, come and enjoy the play. During this time period, there were two types of theatrical performances that were available for the peoples viewing, comedies or tragedies. These two genres w ere never really intertwined until the time of William Shakespeare. They were often called Tara comedies which, Usually have improbable and complex plots; characters of high social class; c entrants between villainy and virtue; love of different kinds at their centre; a hero who is saved a t the last minute after a touching go experience; surprises and treachery. (No Sweat Shapes rare) The Merchant of Venice can be seen as a tragicomedy. It has a comic structure but one of the central characters, Shylock, looks very much like a tragic character. The play has a co med ending with the lovers pairing off but we are left with taste in the mouth of the ordeal of S hollyhock, destroyed by a combination of his own faults and the persecution of the lovers who ere y that happy ending. The feeling at the end of the play is neither joy nor misery. The plan) as a decidedly comic structure but there is also a powerful tragic story. It can therefore be Lied a Sweat Shakespeare) It opened the world of literature to whole new genre. It was also during Shakespearean time that writers were finally acknowledge by the people. Before this time, writers were not considered upperclassmen. Shasta pear was not the only famous playwright. Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Decker, John Fletcher and Francis Beaumont. Had Marlowe not been stabbed in a tavern brawl, says Anthony urges, he might have rivaled Shakespeare himself for his poetic gifts. (Wisped) Writers v re given a bigger chance in the world which gave more opportunities for them to expo. S themselves through writing. Actors were another group of people rising into a higher social because of theater. As expressed by Shakespeare Globe, The life of an actor changed aromatically during Shakespearean lifetime. At first actors toured in companies, traveling the cool try to perform in towns and cities and in private homes. By the time Shakespeare died, London( had several armament theatres where the actors performed, drawing in huge audience (Shakespearean Globe) Actresses were not present in plays at this time because women we not allowed on stage. It was considered unladylike to be a female actor. Men played all the arts. The theater finally got the recognition it deserved. The theaters that the plays were performed in were open to the public hi( encouraged all people to come and watch. The theaters the plays were performed in we great for people who sat in the back because the stage was lit well. The theaters that actors reformed in were flosses so that the sun could be used as lighting. Theatrical shows were he in the afternoon because it provided the best amount of light for the show. (Play Shakeups e) When the people gathered into the theater, the different classes Of people were separate De by where they could afford to sit and watch the show. The lower clansmen were situated on t he bare earth where it was dirty and smelly because it was never cleaned. The owners of the theta errs found it less expensive if they did not keep high maintenance of their establishments. High ere clansmen sat ender a roof and for a penny more, they could buy cushions for their seats. T here was tons of space too, By 1600 London theatres, like the Globe, could take up to 3000 pee people for the most popular plays (Shakespearean Globe) Everyone could see the plays from the peasants, knob less, to even king and queens if they wished. A time when the foundation of the entertainment industry built, Elizabethan t heater progressed from the Elizabethan Era. Writers and actors both rose into higher society. Writers Were acknowledged for their works and actors for their ability to entertain.

Apple's climb back from the depths of bankruptcy Essay

Apple's climb back from the depths of bankruptcy - Essay Example To rescue the company from this mess, the marketing manager ought to have used marketing mix appropriately as follow:- Apple should have used the correct promotional mix for their product. This mix concerns how the Apple should have made their product known to the market. This involves the use of advertisements, direct selling, public relations and sales promotion. When an appropriate promotion is used to make the product to be known to the market, it creates a big impact on the sales since customers will be aware of the existence of the product and they will not only buy it but also recommend it to their friends and relatives. The kind of a product that will be produced by Apple creates a very big impact on the sales. For this case, product planning and marketing for Apple should be done appropriately to ensure the concern of the market is addressed. Apple Company should have ensured their products are distributed on time to the market so that they are available at the market when they are needed by the customers. For this case, the distribution channel to be used by the company plays a big impact on the success of the company. Apple Company must have ensured their products were distributed to a wide geographical location to increase the market share. Why do you think companies like Sony, which were already well known for Walkman and Discman technologies did not move into the MP3 player market more quickly Why was it left to Apple to aggressively move into the digital music player and distribution market Before a company can move to a new technology, they must weigh a number of options like the impact the technology would have on the industry. For this case, companies such as Sony which was well known for Walkman and Discman technologies could not move into the MP3 player market without first of all knowing the impact the technology would have on the music industry. By conducting a feasibility study on the impact the new technology would have in the market, it ensured that they were aware what the market needs and wants were and it would also have given them a chance to clear out the stock of their old products. If Sony just moved into the MP3 player market without being sure of the impact, it would have been risky for them since before a technology is accepted in the market, it might take some time and sales would have been low. Having waited for the technology to be accepted in the market, it ensured that their market share and sales would remained high. Question 3 The average cost of an iPOd nano with 8MB memory is 125. The average cost of a Creative Zen Micro with 8MB is 85. Both play digital music and both are equally rated on sound quality and battery duration. So what explains a huge price premium The prices that have been set for the two products seem to be different with a difference of 40 whereas they have the same capacity. For a company to have a high market share for their product, they must ensure that they have a number of brands each having different price with the other. There are customers who associate prices with quality. They believe that the high the price,