Research method Essay

This research will examine the importance and position of employees in terms of Job Satisfaction and career growth in Jamaica and assess the way in which the needs of the same are met by the banking industry. The approach will be based on proven methodologies applied to the market, starting with an in-depth literature review followed by primary research. This research will concentrate on the research methodologies for the primary research. Research Methodology Before research is undertaken it is important to determine the general approach that is to be used. Looking at the goals that are to be attended and the way research can help attain these goals. Research Framework Eriksson and Wiedersheim-Paul (1997) has stated that the purpose of the research is to tell the readers of the paper the intentions of the study and how these results can be utilised. With the understanding of the purpose the methodological design can take place. There are three general structures that can be used in research terms; exploratory, descriptive and explanatory (Eriksson and Wiedersheim-Paul, 1997). Where there is a problem and the purpose of the study is to increase the understanding of that problem the exploratory approach can be very useful (Saunders et al, 2000). This is an approach that looks at gathering the basic data regarding the problem and the scenario and has the aim of developing that knowledge and proposition that can then be used for further research (Yin, 1994). The descriptive study approach looks at the isolated empirical generalisations that have already been study and published and tries to explain these (Miles and Huberman, 1994). This can be defined as making â€Å"complicated things understandable by reducing them to their component parts† (Miles and Huberman, 1994). This is most suitable where the research is not to look at the research between the causes and the symptoms, but wants to understand, predict or decide (Eriksson and Wiedersheim-Paul, 1997). Explanatory research takes complex issues and then tries to make them more understandable by examining the connections between the different parts by examining cause and relationship (Miles and Huberman, 1994). This is not looking for only traditional causal explanations but seeking to determine them in the way that that research question has been phrased and how the specific factors impact and interact with each other. When this approach is utilised the research need to consider the use of more than a single research model as this would not be sufficient to explain the observed phenomena and create a full explanation that can be tested. It is worth noting that when undertaking research there is no need for the methodology to be confined to only a single approach, indeed it has been suggested that mixed approaches can be very valuable with the research itself broken down into three stages of exploratory, descriptive and explanatory (Reynolds, 1971). The stage of the research depends on the existing knowledge within the area, at the explanatory stage the aim is for the researcher to obtain a better understanding of the area of research. In the following stage there is the aim to develop descriptions of the patterns which are observed that may have been indicated as expected at the exploratory stage (Reynolds, 1971). The last stage is that of explanatory at which stage the research that has already taken place can be utilised in order to determine the relationship between the cause and effect this can then provide a researcher with a cycle of construction of the theory, hypothesis testing and the restatement of the theory (Reynolds, 1971). This research has the aim of collecting data, assessing and describing the patterns seen in the Jamaica banking provisions for its Employees and how the issue of job satisfaction is important. When considering the way in which the research can be undertaken there are two philosophies; inductive and deductive, but both are able to produce valid results (Eriksson and Wiedersheim-Paul, 1997). Where there is the use of empirical data and research will draw conclusions from this empirical data and then applying and apply theories and models observed in the real world this is an inductive approach. Where there is an approach that makes use of existing theories and testing these theories this is deductive research (Eriksson and Wiedersheim-Paul, 1997). This is a part of study where there is the publishing of data and results of different countries are available, but there is not a great deal of empirical evidence to test, as such the approach will be inductive with the use of empirical data and the applications of observed theories to try and explain the differences seen in the student performance levels. This approach to the research will ensure that the attention is focused on what can viable be achieved within the time frame and budget and also on the context of work that has already taken place, which is lacking. The data has to be gathered from the population being sampled, so the next consideration is the way in which sampling will take place. The decisions to use questionnaire is justified as this is the most effective way of ensuring that there is the targeting of the correct respondents and there is also control over the performance of the surveys. The next section will look at why we are using questioners as the research tool Research Tool Questionnaires are one of the most popular ways in which data may be collected. These are used for a range of purposes and will often be the tool used to collect quantitative data. But it is worth mentioning that although this may be classified as mostly a quantitative process of collecting data it may also be a qualitative method, depending on the number, depth and style of the questions. Quantitative research over here has relied more on the large amount of results, with the recorded data being mainly numerical in type and has been suitably used as a method of determining cause and effect relationships (Curwin and Slater, 2001). But this qualitative research is narrower and more concentrated by looking to information to be gained in-depth from a smaller quantity of subjects (Curwin and Slater, 2001). Since the data over here require phenomenal research of Grounded theory as well as historical research hence this Qualitative research is best suited for getting applied (Curwin and Slater, 2001). Since the research undertaken over here has been basically done on analysing how the Employee growth has effected change in the behaviour pattern of Jamaican Banking industry as well as the change in the social pattern of the state, the study of the same is going add something to the existing knowledge. Therefore, we must consider the different aspects of research that will characterise a research project as valid; these may include issues such as reliability, validity, objectivity, causality and bias. These may be seen in the questions that are asked, the way they are asked through phrasing and order, and in questions that are not asked. Therefore the questionnaire has been designed while considering the full possibility of getting certain answers, but in what type of answers are attained and to be seen as impartial. There are different aspects that need to be considered so that it will be accepted and good solid research. The formulation of a questionnaire may be inherently biased and reflect the desired out come rather than an objective research method. Reliability may be perceived as one of the easier objectives. This is often seen as the ability of the same study to be conducted and the results to prove the same, however repeatability does it mean that a research project is valid and can be relied upon (Denzin, 1978). We have considered other aspects of the research rather that just reliability in order to make the project valid. Reliability must also come from the level of confidence that may be seen in a study from the objectivity or recognised subjectivity which may be seen to arise. The project have been undertaken from a subjective perspective and those asking the questions if a face to face method is used, do not known the study purpose. The first stage to recognise that subjectivity is present and then recognised in order to overcome. If we set out to prove a model is true it is easy for the research to be biased, just as if we are looking for specific information other aspects may be ignored or forgotten. As such although the researcher may be biased there are certain measures that can be taken to ensure the research model used can be seen to have been implemented objectively. In designing the questionnaire it is likely that there will be others involved either by way of observation or the correlation of the data. When designing the research questions, there should be no indication of the final purpose of the study, in this way we might limit the bias of the respondents and ensure there is a lower risk of the cross contamination of bias (Denzin, 1978). However, it must also be recognised that we can never completely extinguish research bias. With the consideration and design of the research tool the next consideration is that of sampling. Sampling When looking at the way a sample should be chosen there will be the desire to choose a sample that is representative of the population that is going to be targeted. If the population is not representative then the results will not be representative. The way in which we need to consider the population is to look at the way sampling will be used. In this scale we need to talk to people who are working as a professional in one of the nineteen banks in Jamaica. The first aspect is whether probability or non-probability sampling should be used. Probability sampling is a more random sampling style, the basis of this is that the selection of each respondent is a matter of chance and that all respondents will have an equal chance of being chosen, in many cases this can be a known probably of the respondent being selected. There are a number of sampling techniques that fall into this category. These include simple random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified and cluster sampling. In total there are more than 30 probability sampling techniques (Malhotra, 1999). Random sampling is best defined as a sampling method was any member of the population will not have a zero chance of selection where the chances can be calculated. Looking at these different methods, simple random sampling is the most basic. This is where all members shave the same chance of being chosen and where the knowledge of another population member being chosen for sampling will not alter the odds. A method of undertaking this is choosing names out of a hat or any other random method. Stratified sampling is where the population of the sample is separated into distinct groups which do not overlap; this is where stratification is seen. There will then be samples taken from each of these groups. For example, this may be a sample that is divided into male and females, likewise we may look at those who can and do use the internet and those who do not. There may also be the use of age groups, they key is no overlaps between the groups. The next potential method may be multistage sampling. This may consist of two, three or more stages in the sampling. The process will start with the division of the population into non-overlapping groups as seen with the stratified sampling. However this is only the first stage, following this a sample of the first stage units will be chosen according to different criteria. This can be complex, but we could look at using this to use the second stage to ensure that we can gather results from those who are relevant to the study, such as Employees at the managerial level and have a list of employees working under him. The simplicity of these methods is attractive and the use of random sampling with the use of strafed sampling may be attractive, but there are also difficulties as we are reliant on the probably that the sample will be representative of the sample population rather than an assurance existing that they do not appear to be skewed. In a small sample population it is more important to seek to eliminate this bias than in larger sample groups. In the general population there may need to be a large number of survey’s undertaken before there is the random finding of a respondent that is a ban employee. In order to overcome this danger we will look at non probability sampling techniques as these will have a level of intervention to ensure the sample is representative. The most common is quota sampling, but this will also include judgement sampling, convenience sampling, random route sampling and snowball sampling (Talmage 1988). Quota sampling is exactly as it appears to sound, there are the definition of quotas to be used. In many cases these will consist of gender, age groups and social class quotas, which may or may not have crossovers. This is used widely in commercial settings but this is also a method that is not supported as widely in academic circles (Ojeda and Sahai, 2002). Opportunity sampling is where an opportunity is sought to interview or gain the opinions of a particular group and will then place themselves or the survey in the position of those who may be most appropriate for that study (Talmage 1988). For example, if the employee a bank is placing the interviewer near the business section of the bank may be advantageous. Random route sampling where is there is a route planned and the interviewer may travel that route to gather data and hopefully meet potential subjects. This is a very random method of sampling and is also difficult to gain the correct numbers where there is quantitative data required. Snowball sampling is a method that can be used when there is a scenario of a large level of data being required in a short period of time (Talmage 1988). This may be used with a few key people being approached and interviewed which will then lead to more potential candidates being identified (Talmage 1988). Self section is also a non random type of sampling as the respondents will volunteer themselves and a last type we may consider is that of plausibility sampling which is defined by Talmage (1988) as â€Å"a sample selected because it appears plausible that the members are representative of a wider population, without any real evidence† (page 82). With each of these methods there are advantages and disadvantages, we need to consider which is going to be most appropriate considering the population required and the sample and the sampling method. Looking at all of these it appears that the most appropriate method will be that snowballing, it is not the fastest but it is likely to provide the best results in identifying potential respondents for the research.

Nundies Sase Study Essay

1. How would you characterize the situation facing Advanced Materials with respect to Nundies in January 2008? Nundies means no undies which are disposable thin panty that made for woman who like invisible panty lines and wish to wear thin liner instead of wearing traditional under wear. Nundies sell its product through different channels but mainly through women’s specialty shops which counted 242 in 2007. It also distributes its products online at its official website as well as many other store websites. The main purpose of Nundies is to offer women who dislike underwear a convenient and comfortable product. The biggest advantage for Nundies is that there are only substitute products available in the market, the product it offers has no direct competitors. Now the primary problem Nundies facing is that Nundies’s expectations are failed due to the low store repurchase rate. Apart from the initial purchase, only approximately 6% stores placed additional orders for extra units and only 10% of reorders are included in the total units sold. In addition, although the online activity is considered to be positive, it is not used frequently enough in terms of reorder. The amount of panties included in a single package is another problem and will be discussed in the next question. Other problems includes the sales person in stores do not promote Nundies enough. They think Nundies can sell themselves because they are already displaying on the shelves. So sales person do not talk about the product or recommend Nundies to their customers. Actually, customers with interest to Nundies seem to be embarrassed by showing their interest in stores. Therefore the passive attitude of sales person has a direct impact on the sales of Nundies’ products. Moreover, Nundies’s products displays together with other merchandise in shops means its products merge in with other goods, customer would possibly miss Nundies’s products and this result in a  big loss in sales. As a result, if store personnel do not suggest or promote Nundies’s products and Nundies are not properly displayed in stores, Nundies will face a decrease in sales as well as affect the reordering from other companies. This will impact Nundies’s profits and sales. Advanced Materials Inc is a manufacturing company with large industrial customer base. It changed its strategy to focus on promoting its own product and transforming the capabilities of its product development to be customer based. The main target markets are medical and consumer market. Core capability of AMI is to produce single use medical grade products. Therefore the launch of Nundies was very innovative for AMI. 2. How would you describe the introductory program for Nundies, including the market target, value proposition, and each marketing mix element? Advanced Materials Inc.’s new product Nundies is very different from the past products manufactured by Advanced Material Inc. It represents the company’s transition to consumer and proprietary medical products from foam fabricator manufacturing business. The manufacturing costs to produce a single liner include material and labor cost which is estimated to be $0.6 per unit. Three colors, buff, black and assorted would be produced in a package. And 5 count plastic pillow packages would be created to package the liners and each cost $0.45 to produce. Nundies provide retail stores 5-count package with the wholesale price of $7 and selling price to customers is $15. Furthermore, for each 5-count packages sold, Nundies offers 12% commission on the wholesale price to its agents. This agent’s responsibility is to increase Nundies’s distribution coverage amoung specialty stores for Nundies as well as women’s boutique stores. According to the marketing research of Nundies, 30.9 percent, which is the largest percentage in women’s underwear sales goes to women’s boutique and specialty shops. Department stores rank the second with the number of 30.7% and followed by 29.1% from mass merchandise and warehouse club stores. Internet retailers and other retail outlets account for the smallest percentage which is 9.1%. Based on the survey research from 1042 women aged 18-49 years old, 84% of women have interest in eliminating panty lines products. Among them, 58% women tried to eliminate panty lines by wearing no-seam panties. Only 22% women wear no  panties at all as a solution for eliminating the panty lines. This means the majority customers prefer to wear something than nothing. 81% of women are interested in not underwear product that has the function to provide comfort and hygiene benefits. 35% of women would wear this kind of product 3-5 times per week which ranked the highest followed by the group of people who prefer only to wear 1-2 times per week with the percentage of 29%. Among the people who would wear 3-5 times per week, age 30-35 ranked the highest which account for 39.8% while 41.7% of people age 18-24 show that they would use this kind of product only 1-2 times per week. About the distribution channels, 64% respondent said that they prefer to purchase no panty line product from mass-merchandise stores such as Target and Walmart, followed by midlevel department stores 49% and online purchase 41%. Women’s boutique ranked the last, only 28% customers would shop this product in there. However, 53.1% of customers would seek out this product online/internet if they knew it was for sale which ranked the highest among other channels. Therefore, online selling have bigger potential and should not be neglected. In order to emphasize the product’s display concept as well as investigate user impressions, another focus group research was conducted. Participants are women who have over $25000 annual household incomes and aged 21-60. Nundies’s display and packaging are favored by these participants. The locations they expect are â€Å"cotemporary concepts† location in shops as well as lingerie stores. Participants express the idea that demonstration is helpful to attract customers. Therefore knowledgeable sales persons are necessary to increase product sales. The products are expected to be found and purchased in department stores by all participants. Although online purchasing is seen as positive, it is infrequently for reorders. These research studies have revealed that Nundies have a good market potential because large amount of women are interested in this kind of no panty-line and convenient product. Nundies meet their expectations by offering protections while allowing them to be free at the same time. So Nundies is a single-use, disposable panty that sticks to the inseam of women’s leggings, athletic wear, shorts and jeans. When women decide they don’t want to wear underwear, Nundies helps provide a protection as well as being convenient at the same time. The target market for Nundies was 36.7 million aged 15-60 women who has a household incomes over $25000 annually. And the selling price was set to $15 which was considered to be high by participants. Although it was not a main problem for the target market, participants still found 10 liners in a $15 package would be more reasonable. However, Nundies set its price to $15 was based on competition from alternatives, manufacturing cost, retail margins and profit goals of the company. Moreover, Nundies were more popular among higher end specialty stores and upscale department shops. Customers in these higher end channels show better interest in Nundies. There for Nundies keep this selling price to gain higher margin. Nundies’s launch has limited media advertising support and no consumer-oriented advertising was involved in the promotion. Nundies was introduced by print advertisement through retail trade magazines. Also, these retail trade buyer magazines such as Southern Vanity, Women’s Wear Daily and Fashion put complimentary feature articles to help Nundies gain awareness. Additionally, for major celebrity events like Grammys, and 2007 academy awards, Nundies promoted its product by placing its sample package in the gift bags to give away to celebrities. It also took the advantage of New York and Las Vegas’s Lingerie Trad Show to exhibit its products. This brought Nundies great opportunity as these showrooms were visited by buyers for women’s boutique and specialty stores, they decided which accessory lines to carry. 3. Looking again at Nundies target market, value proposition, and each marketing mix element, how has each contributed to Nundies performance to date? By the end of 2007, there were 232 women’s boutique and specialty stores selling Nundies as well as 10 upscale department stores across 40 states. Nundies had shipped 11383 units of products to these channels, among them, 1777 units were accounted for reorders from 15 stores. 285 units were distributed for online purchase. To see from exhibit 6, it is clearly to see Nundies had the highest sales record with 4506 units ordered in the second  quarter which includes April, May and June. The third quarter July, August and September ranked the second with 3552 units ordered. This record may because of the warmer weather. Women tend to wear dresses, shorts and skirts in summer season so they would choose light product that do not show any panty lines and provide them protection at the same time. Nundies’ orders declined dramatically after summer season with only 1656 units ordered in October November and December. The poor sales performance may because of the following reas ons. First, Nundies’s target market is represented by15-60 year old women which accounts for 23% of total population. It is important to notice that the concentrate of this population is among the age 25 to 52 which accounts for 80.83% of this population. So Nundies should especially emphasize on this target group to be more efficient. Secondly, Nundies currently offers only 5 panties per package. Nundies have the opportunity to increase the panties amount in single unit. Because with the current selling price to customer set to $15 per unit, customer found that it would be more attractive if this price is for 10 per package. Thirdly, with the distribution channel Nundies currently place its product, it is missing out the mass-merchandise stores such as Target and Walmart and midlevel department stores like JCPenney. Although women’s underwear are mainly sold through women’s boutique and specialty shops, it is not the best option for Nundies. From the survey result, the majority of participants (64%) expect to purchase Nundies in mass-merchandise stores. The second channel customers expect was midlevel department stores, 49%. However, Nundies’s products were mainly distributed to women’s boutique and specialty stores as well as upscale department stores and online which less customers would expect to purchase from. Nundies is missing out 59.8% of two large markets that would attract the most potential customers. Fourthly, Nundies launch has limited media advertising support and it lacks of consumer-oriented media advertising. Many people don’t know this product exist or have no idea what is used for. So in order to increase sales,  Nundies’s primary task is to increase brand awareness by raising media advertisements via commercial or print media. Other factors that affect Nundies performance include the impact of sales personnel. Sales staffs are unclear about how to merchandise Nundies. They think Nundies would sell itself by displaying it in stores. However, many Nundies displays seem to merge in with the rest of other merchandise items. Moreover, many customers feel embarrassing to show interest in Nundies apart from those customers who are already panty free. Therefore an informative brochure or advertisement is needed for departments and retail stores so sales personnel could mention and suggest Nundies to customers clearly. In addition, Nundies display should be suggested and checked by Nundies agents to ensure Nundies occupies a favorable position and does not get lost with other items. 4. Mr Mortensen asked his team to revisit the market and sales potential for Nundies. How large is the market for a product like Nundies and Nundies sales given its current marketing program? 36.7 million of women aged 15-60 is seen as Nundies target market. Among them, Nundies’s focus is largely emphasized on 25-54 year old customers with the targeted segment to be 29669 which account for 80% of the total target market. Most of them have annual income over $25000. According to the survey, more than 36% of women are interested in Nundies product’s idea (plus 41% maybe). They accounted for 13.2 million (plus 15 million) of the target market. 28% of women said they would seek this product in stores (plus 49% maybe) and they accounted for 3.7 million (plus 6.5 million) of the market. About 1.07 million target customers would use Nundies 1-2 times a week, 1.3 million would use 3-5 times a week and only 0.7 million would use it 6 or more a week. Users for special occasions purpose ranked the last with only 0.63 million. As a result, Nundies’s total yearly usage reached 365million or 73 million units. 5. What are the pros and cons of the proposals identified for Nundies Proposal one: Continue development of the women’s boutique and specialty store channel. Based on the performance in 2007, sales revenue was $34150, variable cost was $13887, and therefore margin was $20263. Net income equals margin minus fixed expenses which was $14400. So Advanced Materials’s net income achieved $5863 in 2007. As a result if AMI continues its development in women’s boutique and specialty channels, it will result in profit and would possibly be enough for the firm to cover all the fixed expenses. Another scenario for the company is break even. The sales of Nundies have to achieve at least 1618 packages or 8090 units with the total sales revenue of $24283. Pros for this proposal includes it only cost $14400. It is inexpensive and saves costs. Also it allows AMI to gain more profit on the basis of last year’s performance. Considering the worst case, AMI could still achieve break-even if it sells 8090 packages. This is not a big task so AMI should have no pressure to achieve this goal. Another advantage is that the exhibition and display in these channels would help increase the sales opportunity because Nundies maintain its awareness to customers. This also increases the brand recognition. Cons for this proposal includes as AMI’s agent’s ability and responsibility only restrict to find stores that are willing to sell Nundies and collect orders. They are not responsible for any process involved in merchandising Nundies at stores. So many variable factors in retail stores have the potential to affect Nundies sales. Proposal two: Pursue the upscale department store channel.   There are two types of buying practice in upscale department which are centralized buying and decentralized buying. In centralized buying, retail sales consultant contact the department store account directly and provide the account information about target market, market size and sales displays. There are 300 stores in the chain of top five upscale centralized buying department stores and 350 in the chain of top five upscale decentralized buying department stores. The commission for AMI’s agents on wholesale price would be 12%. The cost is much higher compared to women’s boutique and  specialty store channel which cost $20000 to $30000 for the sale presentations and retail consultant fees. Other costs such as warehouse, catalogue and pay line cost around $35000 to $55000. Based on 2007’s performance, 242 department stores sold 11383 units. Therefore for the 300 centralized buying department stores, an estimated number of 2800 packages can be sold, while for the 350 decentralized buying department stores, an estimated number of 16500 units can be sold. Pros for this proposal are with the number of department stores, Nundies could be more exposed to the target market. Ads and displays would be presented to customers more clearly. Cons includes this channel requires higher costs so the cost of goods sold per unit increased as well. Lower profit is another disadvantage for this channel. Proposal three: pursue midlevel department store accounts. Midlevel department store accounts include stores such as JCPenney with 1000 stores and Kohl’s with approximately 930 stores and they all use centralized buying strategy. Midlevel department stores are treated as house accounts as well and retail sales consultants are involved. This proposal requires Nundies with different package materials and graphics. Also 2 extra liners are included in every package with the selling price to be $8-$10. However the percentage for retail margin remains unchanged as for current department store accounts. Pros are the market size is huge. There are over 1793 stores with centralized buying which is a big market for Nundies. Also the cost of goods sold is lower per unit. Cons includes this proposal requires to change brand name and packaging. Nundies’s awareness and recognition among customers was a problem all the time. If it changes brand name and packaging, it would confuse customers. In addition, this proposal requires a increase in the amount of panties but the MSRP do not increase enough. Also the expense is between $25000 to $35000  which is relatively high, means the profit margin is lower. Another con is increase in fees. Nundies need to pay a estimated cost of $35000 to $55000 for department store chains. Proposal four: a combination of channels Pro for this channel is that products can be produced and delivered documented and in the right quantity. The combination of channel consist both 300 upscale centralized stores and 1793 midscale centralized stores which means this helps increase advertising and the distribution expansion would reach more customers. Cons: However the higher fees and costs are the major problem. It would cost AMI vast amount of money. Proposal five: fashion magazine advertising Pros: The extent of audience for fashion magazine is very wide. 56% of 13 year old above women prefer to purchase product that is recommended by fashion magazines. And the target market for fashion magazines are the same target market for Nundies. So Nundies could take this opportunity to promote its product more efficiently. Cons: The cost is too high to place advertisement on fashion magazines. It costs $115000 and $200000 for Cosmo Girl and Cosmopolitan respectively. So Nundies margin would be very low. Proposal six: metropolitan-area advertising Pros: the cost is lower than advertising on magazine. The advertising period is longer. It targets people at large which would attract more potential buyers instead of end users. Also the advertisement is near stores where Nundies are available. It could boost sales in those areas. Cons: it does not focus on its target customers would possibly lead to advertising inefficiency. Also less people seek fashion inspiration from newspapers so newspaper may not be a good media for Nundies. Proposal seven: search engine marketing Pros: when people search relative word to intimate apparel, Nundies will show with a link to its website. This brings Nundies more opportunities as people all around the world would get to know Nundies instead of only where Nundies sells. Cons: reorder rate is less online. And the cost per month is too high. With the selling price and cost of goods sold of Nundies, if the market demand is low, the margin will be lower. 6. What are the likely sales and profit impact of these proposals? For women’s boutique and specialty stores, cost of goods sold per unit is $3.45, with wholesale price of $7. The continual sales cost is $14400 plus 12% commission. And for the worst scenario, the break-even point is 5313 packages which are 26565 liners produced. Therefore the profit at full capacity equals $39800. The second is upscale department stores, cost of goods sold and wholesale price remains the same as boutique costs which are $3.45 and $7 respectively. Upscale department stores have additional upfront costs which are $195000- $305000. It does not include continual sales cost. For the break-even case, 70422 packages or 352110 liners are produced. Therefore the profit is negative, $179000. Third is midscale department store. The cost of goods sold is lower, $3.26 with lower wholesales price which is $4.65. The upfront costs are $225000-$340000 and no continual sales cost as well. The break-even scenario requires 205036 packages or 1435252 liners to produce. As a result, the profit comes to negative $265143. 7. What is you recommended course of action? Why? As a conclusion to the above analysis, boutique stores are the most profitable distribution channels for AMI. Because the entry cost into this channel is the cheapest. The margins are higher than other proposals. Also, production limits are more compatible in this channel. Furthermore, it is the only feasible proposal that do not require huge expansion. As 13 times the packages sales are required to break-even for upscale department stores  and 54 times the Nundies sales are required to break- even for midrange department stores. With limited capital amount, these two proposal seem to be less feasible. For the success of Nundies, AMI could give away free samples to fashion bloggers or youtubers and let them promote the product instead. This would increase the brand recognition and awareness of Nundies, as well as gain a word of mouth through these bloggers. Also, another cheaper way to promote Nundies is utilize Youtube to introduce instructions for use. Let audience know what is it and how to use it instead of just displaying in the store. As for stores, sales tips should be provide to retailers. And the display should avoid merging in with other merchandise products and become more attention getting. Train sales personnel to be informative and to be more proactive to suggesting and demonstrating Nundies to customers. Pamphlets and samples should be offered as well. Nundies can also be advertised using kiosks. As for reorders, AMI could offer discount to encourage repurchase. Reference 1. Kerin, R.A., and Peterson, R.A. (2013). â€Å"Nundies case study†, Strategic Marketing Problems Cases and Comments International Edition, 2013 Pearson. ISBN13 9780273768944

Basf Marketing Report

In order to be known as â€Å"The† global chemical supplier BASF redefined its image by officially changing its name from â€Å"BASF† to â€Å"BASF the chemical company† in 2004. This bold statement is expressed in their brand, corporate identity and company logo. BASF has lived up to this goal establishing itself as the largest chemical company in the world. (1) BASF, which stands for Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik (Baden Aniline and Soda Factory), has used its image marketing to evoke the concept that We dont make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.  ®. BASF posted sales of 52. 6 billion euro in 2006 (1) placing itself above Dow Chemical, its closest competition, followed by companies Bayer AG and DuPont. BASF the chemical company markets a strategy in all its divisions called the â€Å"Verbund† concept, a German word meaning â€Å"linked†. This concept of total integration is how BASF aligns its businesses internally as well as with customers and suppliers. BASF has realized a competitive advantage by not only integrating but interlocking value chains. In the last three years practicing on the Verbund concept acquisitions like Engelhard Corporation, Degussa AG and Johnson Polymers have allowed BASF to further its vertical integration of its businesses. In 2007 BASF found its place at a rank of 81 on the Fortune Global 500 Companies list, up from 94 in 2006. In February of 2006 Fortune magazine performed a survey of U. S business professionals and BASF earned the distinction of being one of the 50 most admired companies in the world in a global comparison. Introduction When you say â€Å"BASF the chemical company† many people may not know the name but those who do can usually recite the slogan: We dont make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.  ®. Even those that can recite the slogan can be quite challenged to give one example of a product that BASF makes. Given this you would be amazed at some of the everyday products that use BASF chemicals. The additive that thickens your shampoo, the Ibuprofen used in your pain medication, the Legos  ® your kids play with all have components supplied by BASF. The only reason an average person would hear of BASF is through their corporate level image advertising. How is it that a company whose products are never seen by the average consumer ends up as the worlds largest in its industry? How it is a company that many have not heard of could make acquisitions in the 1. 6 billion dollar range? How is it a company can post sales in the 52. 6 billion euro range and the average consumer does not know who they are yet there products are everywhere? The first team discussions on what company to do the report on a team member brought some information to the table. This information is that he works for the world’s largest chemical company and no one knew what the company truly makes provoking the questions from above. The challenge is to understand how a company markets itself to a global position without the normal consumers influence. Our team chose this company to look at a business that would perform its marketing in a different environment than the main stream consumer environment and to better understand how a company markets without being seen. This is a report on business to business marketing observations of BASF the chemical company. Table of Contents †¢Macro-Environment Context †¢Marketing, Research Customer Analysis †¢Segmentation Target Markets †¢Differentiation and Positioning †¢Marketing Decision Levers †¢Recommendations Macro-Environment Context BASF is the worlds leading chemical company. They offer intelligent solutions based on innovative products and top notch services to its customers globally. This is the basis of their mission statement and purpose as a company. Their mission is also to create opportunities for success through trusted and reliable partnerships. BASF visions of success include sustainable profitable performance, innovation for the success of customers, safety health and environmental responsibility, personal and professional confidence, mutual respect and open dialog as well as integrity. Creating a Sustainable Profitable Performance to BASF is the basis for all activities within the company. They are continually committed to the interest of their customers first and foremost. They take pride in rewarding their employees, shareholders and take the same stance with regards to society as a whole to better the environment around them for future generations. BASF takes pride in developing innovation for their customers to add continuous long term partnerships well into the future. Their trade mark statement of We dont make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.  ® clearly states this philosophy. They derive nearly all of their business from Business to Business (B2B) sales. This makes innovation very important in all of their many niches in multiple markets they involve themselves in. Partnerships are valued within BASF and are built upon continually to mutually take advantage of highly scientific and technological advances. Due to the nature of the business, that being a chemical company, the environment must take precedence to ensure success. In this day and age, if your company doesn’t take steps to protect the environment that it is in, it won’t be in business long enough to matter. BASF takes safety, health, and environment responsibility to a level that supersedes that of economic considerations. BASF makes their products environmentally friendly for future generations by supporting the Responsible Care TM initiatives. BASF puts itself among the best in the world by fostering group-wide diversity personal and professional competencies. They feel that diversity leads to global success and capitalizes on competition by offering many differing views. They encourage employees to be creative and utilize their potential for common success. In addition they treat everyone fairly and with mutual respect. They try to keep open dialog with all employees, customers, stockholders and relevant groups within society to keep all on a level playing field. The last core value that BASF incorporates is Integrity. The company acts with respect to their words and values. They comply with all laws and respect all good business practices in the many countries that they operate. BASF has a great strategy that includes 4 simple strategic initiatives. They earn a premium on their capital, they help their customer be more successful, they form the best team in the industry, and they ensure sustainable development. All of which are conveyed in the visions for the company same as above. The strategic initiatives are the product of years of providing excellent products at a competitive price to all of its customers. Politically speaking, BASF is globally involved. Based in Germany and intertwined within business all around the world it would be impossible to not be involved in politics. It takes a great stance on political issues to continue its success in business and to show continued enthusiasm in protecting the environment. With regards to the Environment, BASF strives to be the best and let the world know that this is an important issue. Environmental issues in past years have shown light on companies that make their business creating and working with chemicals. BASF cannot escape the microscope of this issue. They comply with all government regulations in all countries it does business to ensure their future. They support the Responsible Care TM initiatives and keep them at the forefront of their values. Environmental issues to BASF ties directly to their social responsibility. The people at BASF value their own lives as much as their neighbors and support this by their integrity. They treat those around the world with the same respect that they feel they would want, regardless of what they are doing. Be it they are selling products to another company or creating a new product, social responsibility is never taken lightly. Technologically BASF prides itself in being the best for themselves and those they do business. They invest millions upon millions to ensure success in the ever changing markets all over the globe. They pass their technological advances on to their customers to ensure continued success and lasting partnerships. Technological advances in the chemical field have undoubtedly kept BASF at the top for so many years. Given a clear SWOT analysis of BASF from any level of the organization, the business unit, the product line or the specific product yields a clear image of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats all over the globe. SWOT analyses are often used during sales meetings to identify opportunities in the market. They have proven themselves over and over by being a superior company throughout all markets. A tried and true philosophy rooted in the company’s vision and values brings this out in them. They continually identify trends in the industry and counter the changes all the time. In addition they analyze their competition whenever possible to capitalize on those before them. BASF analyzes itself through multiple management channels to ensure continued innovation and profit for its customers, employees and shareholders. Teams all around the globe research the firm’s present and future clients to build lasting relationships and capitalize on hidden opportunities to improve themselves. Their strengths encompass being a globally prestigious brand, a large market share, and universally known for its social and environmental activities. Opportunities lie within possible joint product lines with other companies and customers. Weaknesses of BASF are global spreading in the way of having employees all over the world and keeping focus on attainable goals. They are influential in just about all markets and run the risk of being thin in a small amount of them. Threats within the chemical market could be the continual need to stay environmentally friendly. This can add costs and reduce focus on core assets of the business. While everyone wants to stay â€Å"green†, it comes at a price and that has to be economically accounted for keeping the cost benefit ratio at an equilibrium that is good for all. Marketing Research Customer Analysis BASF being a company that markets its goods and services to organizational firms primarily focuses on the practice of business marketing and being a company that produces no real end product the analysis of normal consumer behavior is not widely used. The success of a business to business marketing plan is in the hands of an organizations purchasing group. These groups that make the purchasing decisions for organizations usually have numerous deliverables that could drive the individual market. One group may see delivery performance as a key factor in their purchasing decisions, the next market segment may see price, value added services or warranty as the key elements. Because of this BASF must continually scan the environment of each of its individual segments and markets using a multidomestic marketing strategy. Being a global provider of chemicals the use a multidomestic marketing strategy helps in the sale of their diverse array of products dependant upon the particular market and the unique region. Marketing research in a commodity based business like the chemical business is primarily based on the use of combination of secondary data analysis and a small amount of primary data gathering and mainly environmental scanning. Scanning the environment and staying on top of the latest social, economic, technological, competitive and regulatory forces help BASF form its global strategy in marketing. This strategy then flows down to the different divisions using more practical marketing research tools to grow the business. Being a business to business company means marketing research is primarily secondary data. BASF globally uses SAP business software. The information gathered in this software is used to formulate sales forecast based off past performance. It is also used to analyze what products are moving and which are not giving key indicators of what products or even divisions are the Stars which are the Dogs, Cash Cows and Question marks. Corporate sales, procurement and logistic systems like WorldAccount or Ensphere ® are also used to gather this data to better service the customer. Trade magazines and publications are used by many of the divisions to gather data in the development of marketing plans. Here is an example from one of the divisions; BASF Industrial Coatings uses trade publications like Metalmag and Construction News to analyze industry trends. Along with trade magazines industry web sites provide information as well. Sites like the one listed below provide valuable information to keep BASF on top of the industry and what’s the voice of the customer. These sites are for the Industrial Coatings division. http://www. coolmetalroofing. org (cool metal roofing coalition) http://www. coolroofs. org (cool roof rating council) http://www. metalconstruction. org (metal construction association) http://www. themetalinitiative. com http://www. designandbuildwithmetal. com (new website lots of pertinent info). Although this is just one division of BASF the same practices reflect across the different divisions. Although not highly used, BASF does a small amount of primary data gathering. In the different divisions web polls, new product or service trials and focus groups have been used to gather information about the voice of the customer. Companies like Ducker Worldwide have performed â€Å"Voice of the Customer Focus Groups† to gather information on the performance of BASF as compared to their competition. Trials include potential new products or services that are either presented or given to a customer to test the markets interest in such goods. These goods or services are run through a customer in the industry to collect information on what the markets tolerance is for such goods or services. Regulatory, social, economic, competitive and technological forces help steer the marketing plan of the various BASF divisions. Through environmental scanning in each of these unique regions BASF collects data. The data is then analyzed to focus on trends in the global market. This data is then used to help direct the company and marketing plan. Canada has had legislation banning/limiting the use and importing of the chemicals such as Isophorone. Isophorone is a distillate of acetone a chemical used in inks, coatings and copolymers. This markets regulatory force led to a change in the components used in coatings sold into Canada. This led to the marketing of â€Å"Isophrone Free† coatings. This information was gathered and then marketed through brochures and fliers as well as the face to face interactions of the BASF sales force with their Canadian customers. With the ever increasing focus on the health of our environment, not only locally but globally, BASF has recognized this social pressure and focused an incredible amount of energy on marketing to the â€Å"Green Movement†. A mere visit to the BASF web site will show the amount of energy being placed upon marketing to the environment. This Green Marketing can be seen in headlines like â€Å"Intelligent solutions for climate protection†, â€Å"Sustainable development†, â€Å"Eco-Efficiency† and â€Å"Climate Protection† on the lead in page of their web site. BASF is currently marketing its association with world wide movement â€Å"Eco- Efficiency Analysis†. Figure 1. Eco-Efficiency Analysis comparing BASF Ibuprofen to competition This term that was coined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in its 1992 publication Changing Course looks at the overall footprint of a product from â€Å"cradle to grave†. Realizing the negative image of chemicals and their effect on the environment BASF uses Eco-Efficiency certification to market and sell the total impact a product will have on the environment. The hope is that their product will stand out as environmentally better than the competitions (Figure 1). This certification is being offered on many of its product lines across the globe. Products like Ultradur  ® high Speed easy flow plastic, Ecoflex  ® biodegradable packaging material carry the Eco-Efficiency seal. Other products like or Ultra-cool  ® paints with UV resistant pigments to reduce heat transfer in buildings carry the Energy Star certification. All these have come from environmental scanning. Ultra cool was marketed well enough that it pre-dated any legislation that followed. California’s â€Å"Title 24 Energy Code† now mandates solar reflective coatings used in construction. In the metal roofing industry BASF was the only company producing â€Å"cool† coatings that could meet this legislation and they were producing it before the legislation was enacted. Since then all major suppliers of paint for metal roofing have developed and now market â€Å"cool† coatings. This market segment did not exist until the development of BASFs Ultra-cool ® coatings. This is a testament to the effects of collecting marketing data using environmental scanning, product development and marketing. In scanning the economic climate BASF has gathered data for years on the benefits of their concept Verbund also known as total integration. The Verbund concept has been marketed through every division of BASF the chemical company. There is a â€Å"Purchasing Verbund†, â€Å"Safety Verbund†, a â€Å"Production Verbund† and many more. All of these wide variety of products would make you think that there are a lot of different prices to consider when purchasing from BASF. Because the products they offer are mostly raw materials, the prices of their products change with the economy. When the price of oil goes up, their prices for materials related to that product go up as well. They don’t base their prices off of any index or manufacturer recommendation. This price fluctuation does not affect the quality of their services as there is really no comparison by price to judge whether or not the product is quality. The price that BASF offers for it’s products does not affect consumer perceptions of their company. It seems that along with the business of providing chemicals, they also bring along the feeling of connecting with their customer on a higher level. That overrules the price effect on a consumers decision to go with BASF. BASF does not use the concept of off-peak pricing, which consists of charging different prices during different times of the day, week, or month. This usually reflects the varying demands of the services or products offered. BASF would not benefit from this tactic because the only reason their price changes would be due to the economy and their resources. They do not have a peak time or an off-peak time of demands for their products because they are raw materials and chemicals. The chemicals that BASF offers are in need to make finished products by many different companies at all times of the year. Place BASF uses the e-commerce network widely to reach their customers and suppliers. E-commerce is the electronic handling of business transactions with purchases and production. They conduct most of their transactions through the web in which a customer can log into their personal account and purchase their products through what they call WorldAccount. BASF uses the new internet e-commerce world as a way to make communication faster, more effective, and more direct. It allows customers to have service 24/7, get precise product information, have orders processed faster as well as keep current data on all of your orders. BASF found that the e-commerce way of providing products was the best way allowing more detail and service to be provided to the customer. BASF also has a good representation with production and sales facilities in all of the economic regions. They are located in five continents which are Europe (which is their home market), North America, Asia, Africa and South America. They have more than 100 large sites throughout the world which allows them to be closer to their customers in 170 countries and supply them with their products in a reliable manner. BASF has verbund sites located in Germany (Ludwigshafen), Belgium (Antwerp), Freeport Texas, Louisiana, Malaysia (Kuantan), and China (Nanjing). The term verbund is a German word and means â€Å"linked† or â€Å"integrated†. These verbund facilities make use of integration production processes which makes it less expensive to manufacture the products. This allows BASF to supply a wide variety of different sectors. BASF also operates important production sites which are located in Germany (Schwarzheide), Spain (Tarragona), Port Arthur, Texas, Mexico (Altamira), Brazil (Guaratingueta), China (Shanghai), Japan, (Yokkaichi) and Korea (Ulsan). The use of these multiple locations makes BASF a company that one can rely on almost anywhere you are located. This allows the company to become inseparable from their customers making it more convenient to do business with them in person, as well as through their online stores. Promotion The main idea about BASF’s promotional campaign in Europe is to show that certain things would not exist without their chemicals. It aids you in the course of life and without them, certain things would not be attainable for you. Their main slogan is â€Å"Invisible Contribution. Visible Success. They are aiming to show you that BASF is often working behind the scenes to make their invisible contribution that creates a visible success for their customers through using their chemicals to create the end product. Their image campaign in Europe(which is made up of television commercials and print ads) is directed at the opinion leaders. These are members of society who lead others and shape the views of the general public. The campaign has been covered in Germany, France, Great Britian, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands through newspapers and lifestyle magazines (such as business, news and science magazines). Their television ads are broadcast during scientific and sport programs, new bulletins, films and television series and is aimed at a wide target audience in Europe. They feature different ads for each type of chemical that they provide which include television ads for the paper industry, the semiconductor industry, water treatment, house construction, sports and leisure, road construction, agricultural products, extreme sports, automotive industry, bridge construction, sun protection, fuel, and plasticizers. They are making sure that they cover each kind of service that they offer by showing this wide variety of television and print ads. BASF uses a discrete way of creating publicity for themselves. When you are on their website for Europe advertising you have the opportunity to download their several different print ad campaigns and use them how you would like. They also offer the option for you to purchase either a postcard or poster of the ad. Publicity is something that is nonpersonal and an indirectly paid presentation of an organization, good or service. In this case, the customer, or fan of BASF, is paying for the poster or postcard, and in turn when sending that postcard or putting up that poster, they are providing no personal advertising that was not directly paid for by BASF. It is a pretty creative way of getting a profit and recognition while allowing their customer’s to do the advertising for them. In this case, the publicity works for them. When it comes to advertising in America, the rules are a little different than they are in Europe. Their main theme is that they are helping to make products better. Their main focus is to show how their chemicals can make your everyday life better here and around the world by creating remarkable and visible changes in many of the most important industries. Their slogan is â€Å"We dont make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.  ®Ã¢â‚¬ . This slogan, according to BASF, has made them the most recognized of any chemical company in North America. The purpose of the several different TV ads allow you to see that they don’t make the finished product, they just provide the quality ingredients to make the best products. It also allows you to see that there are countless uses of the BASF materials that allows you to enjoy life. Just as their slogan says, in most of their TV ads they tell you that they don’t make the product, they just make the product itself better. For example, â€Å"We don’t make the helmet, We make it tougher† is a slogan used in a commercial about their Ultramid polymide nylon that provides hardness and abrasion resistance commonly used in helmets. Along with their TV and print ads, BASF is moving into a more innovational way of advertising to keep up with the demands of advertising and today’s technology. They offer through their website Podcasts. These podcasts include an audible innovation magazine of BASF that offers monthly topics on how chemistry and chemicals will design and shape our future. The other podcast available through the BASF website is â€Å"The Chemical Reporter†. This podcast is for the curious person that has questions about chemistry in your everyday life. This podcast offers answer in their weekly episodes. You can download this to your iTunes account or as an MP3 file for you MP3 player. Another innovation offered is to receive all news alerts and press releases through a RSS feed free of charge. This allows a customer to receive up-to-date news about BASF in a very quick and comfortable way (at your own computer). The only draw back is that you have to download and RSS-reader, but once you have you can select from several different news topics about BASF available online at their website. I’m sure these new innovations are there to create a buzz and traffic to their website. Recommendations The success of BASF marketing can be seen in there continual growth globally. To make recommendations would be easier if we were to look at one division of the company. Either due to market conditions or poor market strategy planning not all the divisions of BASF can be doing well at any given time. The American auto industry is in a state of flux with ever present pressures from the global market. Although divisionally BASF will feel these pressures globally their affiliation with non-US auto makers absorb some of this industries variation, this allowing time for the US market to be analyzed and adjustments to be made. Pure recommendations would have to come from some direct market analysis based off of the division of the company. BASF has done a great job in their Verbund concept. Being a supplier, the concept of interlocking processes or systems creates a relationship with the customer that is hard, or sometimes inefficient to break. From this alignment with cusotmers long term relationships are established. BASF could draw better on global technologies. In looking through the BASF corporate web site many of the technologies that are seen are from different countries. Online information on the use of these products in a specific country could not be confirmed or denied as a potential customer it would have been nice to know that they are available domestically. One observation is that BASF although a hidden part of many â€Å"name brand† products does not benefit from any of their customers successes. Co-branding could lock in the business through the social pressures felt by dropping BASF as a supplier in favor of an alternative. One flaw of focusing on the Verbund concept to lock in customer loyalty is it makes social pressure less of a final end consumer pressure and more of an industry pressure which in the end may not affect sales. In not hurting sales the decision to drop BASF is less of an issue of end unit sales and more of an internal issue of efficiency. Companies like Dow and DuPont often add their name to products in advertising. One example is LineX. LineX is a truck bed liner that is spray applied. This product uses BASF chemicals yet it is DuPont that benefits from co branding with LineX. LineX advertises on their website the following â€Å"LineX, fortified with DuPont Kevlar†. This co-branding is getting the name DuPont and their product Kevlar out to the end consumer. Thus if the customer is happy with the bed liner they may be happy with a product like â€Å"Suave shampoo with DuPont thickening agent† when it should be â€Å"Suave shampoo with BASF thickening agent†. This co-branding would broaden BASF’s evoked set and lock in customer relationships. BASF should capitalize on their success more publicly. The successes of BASF can only be found through their website. These high points in the story of BASF would help establish the confidence that a purchasing group would have in dealing with a stable successful company like BASF. One last recommendation would be to sponsor more events. Dow and DuPont get much of there brand awareness from the sponsorship of events like racing. BASF does a limited amount of this and mostly on a divisional basis. Sponsoring events would get the BASF name out there making it more of an everyday name than it is today.

Gerlach & Ely Model of ID Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gerlach & Ely Model of ID - Essay Example The content of the course is often established through a standard curriculum thus needs no assessment. In addition, since the model was designed with teachers in mind, who are expected to know their students and the setting of learning process, no learner or context analyses are included (Orellena, Hudgins and Simonson, 2009). Instructional design, according to Gerlach and Ely, recognize teachers. Most teachers think about their courses first and foremost in terms of context, not the course objectives. The first step in Gerlach and Ely’s ID model is to describe an interactive process of examining content and generating objectives. In addition, the model also highlights the importance of assessing entry behaviors as its second step. The last step involves five interactive and simultaneous procedures: determine strategy, organize groups, allocate time, allocate space and finally, select resources. These steps are followed by a performance evaluation and a feedback analysis step. The following is a brief summary of the steps to be followed in the Gerlach and Ely ID model. The first step involves the specification of objectives. The teacher specifies behaviors in terms of what the learners should be able to do at specified points along the instructional continuum. The next steps to be followed include: specification of content, assessment of entry behaviors, determination of strategy and techniques and organization of groups (Bruce, Ledford and Sleeman, 2001). In the step of organizing the group, it is important to note that the objectives determine the group size. Several questions might be asked during this step, for instance, which objectives can be reached by the learners on their own? Which objectives can be achieved through interaction among learners? Which objectives can be achieved through formal presentation by the teacher and through interaction between the learner and the

English-Alcoholism research report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

English-Alcoholism research report - Essay Example Alcohol dependence has been subject-matter of widespread studies from medical, social, and psychological angles. Traditionally, a host of stereotypes have developed around alcoholism spanning different ages, societies and cultures. There is hardly any part of the world that has not undergone the negative effects of alcohol abuse but the worst affected are the victim, his or dependant and non-dependant family members, children, colleagues and friends. Understandably, the conventional wisdom accepts alcohol but shuns alcoholism. Though ‘alcohol-intake’ is strictly forbidden in the Muslim, and to some extent in, Hindu and Buddhist societies, however, it can’t be construed that the cultures that view alcohol with permissiveness endorse alcoholism. The town drunkard is subject to ridicule, pity and despicability anywhere in the world. It is pertinent to define Alcoholism from scientific point of view before we discuss its devastating personal and social circumstances National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) brochure cited at About.com defines Alcohol Dependence Syndrome as a disease characterized by craving, loss of control, physical dependence, and tolerance. Simply put an alcoholic shows a compulsion to drink, which he or she is unable to resist. In case, it is resisted there are withdrawal symptoms and amount of alcohol for getting a higher ‘high’ keeps on increasing. Alcohol abuse is a pattern of problem drinking resulting violence, accidents and alcoholism is the disease that makes the patient seek alcohol continually (NIAAA, 2003, cited at Healthatoz.com). Consequences: The most common consequence of Alcoholism is self-destruction through the loss of health, wealth and social respect. â€Å"Alcoholism is a lethal illness† (AMSP, Slide 4). Often the victim doesn’t get the kind of familial, societal or governmental help to alleviate him/her from the dependence syndrome as it is regarded as self-inflicted problem. We

The UK Anti-Discrimination Law Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

The UK Anti-Discrimination Law - Research Paper Example The significance of protection of human rights in terms of equal rights to one and all and the treatment of all humans with dignity and respect has been recognized by the world community which has enacted several laws to prevent cases of discrimination and punish those who resort to such uncivilized behavior. These laws seek to ensure and propagate the idea that all humans irrespective of their race, sex, physical disabilities, and preferences be treated equally and with the same degree of respect and dignity enjoyed by their fellow beings. Such opinions have also been voiced by the United Nations in their Charter which states that â€Å"Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or another opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or another status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty†2. Discrimination is divided into four distinct categories which include discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race, disability etc and is further categorized as direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimization. The definition and scope of each of the term are discussed hereunder: This form of discrimination is one of the most common and widely experienced forms of discrimination.

Billy Budd Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Billy Budd - Essay Example As a result, he becomes popular at the main and sub-areas within the ship. Not known to many, this becomes a pivotal point for the problems. Despite Melville presenting an array of ideas about Billy Bud, the paper focuses on his intent to portray Melville as an influenced innocent person. The hindsight shows how Melville tries to guide readers into resolving the paradox. Arguably, Billy is affable, and the striking good look opens his doors for association with different people. He has not traversed the world, but can control the surrounding environment by attracting people with different looks. Based on the novel, he has never confronted evil at twenty-one years of age making him a saint rather than a sinner (Melville 25). The disturbing perception attracts reader’s attention. Nevertheless, in ordinary circumstances, nobody in the real world has failed to confront sin even at ten years. Many people kill small animals, hull abuses or even disregard their parent’s advice to do contrary things. Therefore, this prompts readers on how one remains innocent from a tender age to middle youth positions. It is unimaginable how one can reach the peak of his youthful age without making any wrong. From this perspective, Billy’s background raises many questions; however, this stops with Melville’s details. Apart from the perception that Billy Bud is innocent and has never done anything to affect his life. He also brings on board the good looks as a factor contributing to his problems. As a result of the charming and good look, many people around him like him. In this regards, Melville paints him as a good person who does not cause any problem except for the good looks. Because of the naivety, he believes everybody likes him and always him wish the best. Evidently, this perception remains adamant in a major part of the story where, Melville uses his knowledge to portray the good looks as a virtue (Melville 29). Certainly, the turn of events is imminent when Billy

Diabetes mellitus type 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Diabetes mellitus type 2 - Essay Example This is when blood cells not only ignore insulin but also prevent glucose absorption in to the body, hence resulting to its build up in the blood (Braham, 2011). The initial symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus are the emission of a faint smell, normally fruit or vegetable order, in his breath or urine. This urine is commonly known as sweet urine (Braham, 2011). The essay will shed more light on diabetes mellitus type 2, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and patient education. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. According to studies so far conducted, it is cited to have contributed to about 90-95% of all the complication’s cases (Levenne & Donnelly, 2008). Apart from high blood pressure, other risk factors associated with this malady include genetic factors and high cholesterol levels. In most cases, its occurrence is due to the disruption of sensitive tissues to the extent that they no longer respond properly to insulin, hence graduating to insulin resistance (Poretsky, 2010). This is a state where accumulation of glucose in the blood exceeds the appropriate levels. This condition if not treated earlier, it normally results to failing of peripheral blood tissues. Generally, Type 2 if untreated can be life threatening, especially if not detected earlier. This is because lack of treatment can result to severe complications such as kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage (Braham, 2011). Studies contend type 2 is the main contributing factor in the contraction of strokes and coronary heart diseases. This is due to the narrowing and hardening of blood vessels, which is a problem commonly known as atherosclerosis (Braham, 2011). Loss of glucose in urine and elevated blood sugar levels are the earliest symptoms of untreated type 2 condition. Some of type 2 symptoms that follow later on usually vary across persons. The most cited symptoms of this type are usually blurred

Religious Studies Cumulative Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Religious Studies Cumulative Paper - Essay Example For example in all religions it is good to speak truth while it’s bad to cheat, steal, lie or kill fellow human beings. After 9/11 divide between religions has increased manifolds due to pursuing of terrorism by few fundamentalists. It is very important to understand what is meant by religious tolerance, what are its limits, how terrorism and terrorists should be separated by the large Muslim community and so many other related issues. It is also important to have a look at main religions of the world and see their views about violence and tolerance. It is imperative to note that what a religion preaches may not be followed by its follower. In this case whether a religion should be blamed or its followers. All religions trace back their roots to a creator or God. This fact should be a source of harmony or difference between various religions. Historically which religion has remained most peaceful and why?. All these questions need answers however it is not clear whether these answers will settle old questions or create new ones. Outline. The paper will be covered in the following outline:- 1. What is Religious Tolerance and what are its limits. 2. Why Religious Tolerance is important. 3. Is there really a clash of civilizations going on? 4. What are the major religions of the world and what do they say about Religious Tolerance. 5. Is Religious fundamentalism a good thing or bad? 6. Should a religion be separated from its followers or not. 7. Scientific, biological, spiritual, ethical, moral and social dimensions of religion. 8. Is Religious tolerance linked to Government actions? 9. Should an individual handover his religious freedom to a church or any other ruling institution 10. Social and political issues in religious tolerance. 11. Difference in opinion about religious tolerance amongst various thinkers. 12. Final outcome of the discussion. Discussion on Outline There are 19 major religions of the world with Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduis m being bigger ones according to population of followers. Hinduism is not a religion in classic sense since there is no single founder, center of origin or single scripture. Rather Hinduism is a combination of beliefs and traditions practiced over thousands of years. Tolerance is one of the core values in Hinduism expressed through centuries of co-existence with other religions in the sub-continent. Teachings of this religion propagate that all beings in whole universe are one family or â€Å"vasudhaiva kutumbkam†. This family includes smallest creatures, animals and mankind, all created by God. Amongst all creatures, mankind has the ability to think and rule the earth, therefore bears greater responsibility to exercise tolerance. Man must show tolerance to fellow beings irrespective of religion or caste. Hinduism preaches that tolerance is essence of human life and all other religions or paths leading to God are true and legitimate. It is wrong to consider oneself on true pa th while others at a wrong one. Due to belief of tolerance Hinduism in India co existed for centuries with Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism and many other religions at the same time. In Indian history very less Hindu rulers invaded foreign lands in the name of religion. As said by Gandhi the famous Hindu leader â€Å"The chief value of Hinduism lies in holding the actual belief that all life (not only human beings, but all sentient beings) is one, i.e. all life coming from the universal source, call it Allah,

Emerging Markets and Financial Regulation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Emerging Markets and Financial Regulation - Essay Example There were major obstacles that Shiseido faced in its attempt to implement a globalization strategy. The first obstacle was the cultural differences present in the various countries and regions the company wished to enter, especially in Europe and the United States. These countries had very different cultural practices and preferences that were very different from the Japanese cultural practices and preferences and therefore there were very different cosmetic tastes and preferences in these countries. For instance, American consumers were interested in make-up products while Japanese consumers were interested in natural skin beauty. In addition, consumers from the Latin nations within Europe preferred cosmetics that emphasized color. The other major obstacle was the difficulty in entering these new markets due to legislation prohibiting foreign companies investing within the cosmetic industry within their countries. For instance, the cosmetic industry in France was very important hen ce, the government wanted to protect it from foreign competition and control. Shiseido’s international organization and its actual strategy to expand its market globally were successful as it enabled the company to enter new markets and gain considerable market share over the long-term with limited resources. The company was able to enter foreign markets in Asia, Europe, and the United States using novel strategies that were low cost and effective, enabling the company to introduce its products to these new consumer markets.

Olive Cotton Essay Example for Free

Olive Cotton Essay Olive cotton is an Australian photographer who produced magnificent photography for over 60 years. She was born on 11 July 1911 in Hornsby, Sydney. On her 11th birthday Olive Cotton was given a Kodak camera from her father who taught her all the basics of photography. Her father helped her turn the home laundry into a dark room to produce photographs. Cotton had no prior experience with photography. In her darkroom Cotton processed films and produced her first black and white image. While on holidays with her family in Newport Beach Cotton met Max Dupain, whom she later married for two years in 1939, and they became friends, sharing a passion for photography. In 1941 Olive Cotton was asked to manage Dupains studio while he was called to service in war, she accepted and worked as a professional photographer. Olive Cotton got remarried and moved away to Cowra. When she moved away from Dupains studio Cotton did not have access to a dark room for twenty years, but continued to take photos. She later had a child and opened a small photographic studio. Cotton is noted as one of Australia’s most notorious photographers and visual artists with her work show casing in Australia and multiple international exhibitions. Cotton passed away in the first week of October 2003. Vapour Trail 1991 In this image Cotton has captured a surreal moment. The use of black and white exaggerates the scene and gives of a cold and dark feeling. The photo Vapour Trail 1991 was taken from a low angle shot. Taking the image from this angle allows Cotton to include the vapour trail and the clouds in the sky and environment around it. The vapour trail which runs from the top right corner to the bottom left corner give a deep depth of field, the trail has a rough, grainy texture throughout it and consists of many distorted lines. The light source is coming from the bottom right highlighting the clouds. Also included in the photograph is a line of trees and shrubs in the foreground. The foreground is very dark and blacked out with no lighting, only showing the outline of the trees and shrubs. In the background there is a large body of water and another line of trees, shrubs and land. The top right corner is faded into darkness. My gaze focuses at the top of the image and trails down along the vapour trail to where I noticed the trees and the bright lighting coming through the faded clouds. I really like how the lighting in the corner outlines the trees and shrubs leaving the fill black. Fashion shot, Cronulla Sandhill’s 1937 Fashion shot by Olive Cotton consists of many elements. The photo is in black and white consisting mostly of bright shades giving of a very happy mood. Cotton has taken the photograph at a long shot and eyelevel shot. Using these types of shots allowed her to involve the full body of the model, her first husband (Max Dupain), the sky, sand and the distant shore line. The model in the centre of the image wearing a flowing dress is the first place I laid my eyes on. Due to the way the models arm is bent the next place my eyes lead to is Dupain Photographing the model for a magazine shoot. The image also includes the natural foot prints imbedded into the white luscious sand. The ripples and prints in the sand continue in to the shadows of the model and Dupain. The foreground of the image is very clear with even lighting throughout it. The background of the photograph includes a cloudy sky and a shore line of dark trees in the distance. Judging by the shadows the lighting comes from the left side of the image causing the entire centre of the image to be brighter while the top boarders are very dark. I really like the way Cotton has taken a photo in the moment; I also enjoy the Polaroid framing and free hand script on the border. Olive Cotton is a brilliant photography who can take a simple object and make it a beautiful piece of art with it. Even without having and official education in photography, Cotton has produced some of Australia’s most well-known and notorious images in history.

Classrooms learning environment Essay Example for Free

Classrooms learning environment Essay 1.1 Many things combine to create a classrooms learning environment. This can be on an individual or environmental factor impacting positive or negative on learning, efficient or inefficient. Much of this depends on the plans you have in place to deal with situations that affect this environment. The list below looks at each of these things in order to help teachers better understand how to ensure that they are creating a positive learning environment for all students and eliminate negativity. Teacher Behaviors The first factor a teacher should set is his tone for the classroom setting. As a teacher you should be even-tempered, fair with your students, and have a rule enforcement that which will set a high standard for your classroom. Another example is, Are you humorous? Are you able to take a joke? Are you sarcastic? Are you an optimist or a pessimist? All of these and other personal characteristics will shine through in your classroom and affect the learning environment. Student Ownership The second factor is when displaying of essays, poems, projects, and exams dominate the walls, there is student ownership of the room. When they look around and see their own writing and thinking, or posters they certainly experience a higher level of comfort because they see that they as students created them. Classroom Setup The first environmental factor here is the room layout. A ‘ Horseshoe’ or ‘U’ shape environment allows eye contact with the teacher and participate amongst the students and room layout should not just be set up by the number of people required, but by the event. The key factors is where is the centre of attention. Do people need to interact with each other. Do you want people in groups without having to move them around. The teacher is able to move easily with learners, the students are able to the demonstration. However, interaction and teamwork are much easier in a learning environment where students sit together. Aspects of Aging on Learning Adult learners have already been partly educated through life experiences. Adults have more experiences, different kinds of experiences, and that these experiences are organized differently. . According to Knowles (1980), 1 adults derive much of their self- identity from their past experiences. In that respect, they are much different from youths who tend to view themselves largely from external sources. Because of this factor, adult learners place a great deal of value on their experiences and if they cannot use those experiences, or, if those experiences are rejected, it may feel similar to being rejected as an individual. Related to this is the fear of failure that an adult learner may bring to the classroom, particularly if this is a new environment where they might fear further rejection from their peer group (Kennedy, 2003) 2 or their teacher. 1.2 Create a positive learning environment Build self-esteem and self-efficacy Students’ determination and belief that they can achieve their goals are important factors in their persistence in ongoing learning. Adult learners may have negative feelings about themselves due to failure experienced in their lives, due to dropping out of school, losing a job, or not being able to read or write well enough to complete a job application or read to their children . Ensure that students experience success at their first meeting so the first experience is a positive one. It may be appropriate to start with material that is slightly below the student’s level. Be patient! Patience is an extremely important characteristic for any teacher or tutor of adults. Adults can often take a longer time in the learning process because of various learning barriers, but this does not mean they aren’t motivated to learn. Accept your student as he/she is and respect his/her values even if they differ from yours. Believe in your student and he/she will begin to believe in him/herself. Memorize the names of all your students within the first week of instruction. Use students’ names frequently. If your students are English learners, learn a few key phrases in their native languages to model that it is acceptable to struggle with pronunciation and language learning Identified need A lesson plan is the teacher’s road map of what students need to learn and how it will be done effectively during the class time. Before you plan your lesson, you will first need to identify the learning objectives for the class meeting. Then, you can design appropriate learning activities and develop strategies to obtain feedback on student learning. A successful lesson plan addresses and integrates these three key components: Objectives for student learning Teaching/learning activities Strategies to check student understanding Specifying concrete for student learning will help you determine the kinds of teaching and learning activities you will use in class, while those activities will define how you will check whether the learning objectives have been met. Principles of adult learning The Manual of Learning Styles, by Peter Honey and Alan Mumford (1992). Provides an introduction to learning styles with advice on how to administer and interpret ‘The Learning Styles Questionnaire. Learning styles can be influenced by past experiences, education, work and the learning situation. It is important to recognise that they are not fixed but may be adapted according to context and what is being learned. Nevertheless most people still favour one style of learning. Knowles identified the six principles of adult learning outlined below. Adults are internally motivated and self-directed Adults bring life experiences and knowledge to learning experiences Adults are goal oriented Adults are relevancy oriented Adults are practical Adult learners like to be respected Part of being an effective educator involves understanding how adults learn  best (Lieb,1991). Andragogy (adult learning) is a theory that holds a set of assumptions about how adults learn. Andragogy emphasises the value of the process of learning. It uses approaches to learning that are problem-based and collaborative rather than didactic, and also emphasises more equality between the teacher and learner. Andragogy as a study of adult learning originated in Europe in 1950s and was then pioneered as a theory and model of adult learning from the 1970s by Malcolm Knowles an American practitioner and theorist of adult education, who defined andragogy as the art and science of helping adults learn (Zmeyov 1998; Fidishun 2000). Resource availability Equipment/Materials:Whiteboard, Smart board, PowerPoint, Flip chart, Laptop, Marker pens, OHP, previously created resources, and hand outs Appropriate assessment methods. Defining Formative and Summative Assessments The terms formative and summative do not have to be difficult, yet the definitions have become confusing in the past few years. This is especially true for formative assessment. In a balanced assessment system, both summative and formative assessments are an integral part of information gathering. Depend too much on one or the other and the reality of student achievement in your classroom becomes unclear. Steps for preparing a lesson plan Outlining learning objectives The first step is to determine what I needed the students to learn and be able to do at the end of class. To specify my objectives for student learning I questioned myself. Firstly what is the topic of the lesson? Secondly what do I want them to understand and be able to do at the end of class? Thirdly what do I want them to take away from this particular lesson? Managing class time and accomplishing the more important learning objectives in case I am pressed for time. I considered these questions. What are the most important concepts, ideas, or skills I want students to be able to  grasp and apply? Why are they important? If I ran out of time, which ones could not be omitted? And conversely, which ones could I skip if pressed for time? The second step is to develop the introduction in order of importance, using specific activities so that students can gain the knowledge and apply what they have learned. There will be a diverse body of students with different academic and personal experience, they may be already familiar with the topic. Presenting the lesson plan, to let my students know what they will be learning and doing in class I engaged with them and on track. Shared my lesson plan by writing a brief agenda on the board telling students explicitly what they will be learning and doing in class. Outlined on the board and gave out hand outs as their learning objectives for the class. Time can help students not only remember better but also follow the presentation and class activities. Visible agenda on the board will also help me and students stay on track. The first thing you can do is ask a question to gauge students’ knowledge of the subject or possibly, their preconceived ideas. For Example: How many of you have heard of Meditation? What can you share or experienced. If there was enough time prior to presentation date I would have had a chance to gather background information from the students via electronic survey or asking them to write comments, this additional information allows one to deliver, shape the introduction, learning activities and familiarise with the topic and I can then have a sense of what to focus on. The introduction topic must be stimulating, interesting and encourage thinking. To engage students I used a variety of approaches. Whilst introducing the topic mentally I began to check whether students know anything about the topic or have any preconceived ideas about it. What are some of the commonly held ideas or misconceptions about this topic meditation that students might be familiar with. What will I do to introduce  the topic? Planning the specific learning activities in the main body of the lesson. I prepared several different ways of explaining the material to catch the attention of more students and appeal to different learning styles, by giving out the hand outs, For Example: I talked about a personal incident in Meditation, an historical event, thought provoking dilemma, real world examples, a short music play, pictures to visualise, a statue to show posture in Mediation, a candle lit, quotes to probe questions. I began mentally estimating how much time I will spend on each examples and activities. Built in time for extended explanation or discussion, but quickly moved on to different applications or problems. I thought of questions such as What will I do to illustrate the topic in a different way? How can I engage students in the topic? What are some relevant real life examples, analogies or situations that can help students gain knowledge on the topic? What will students need to do to help them understand the topic better? Plan to check for understanding, check to see student understanding, how do I know the students are learning. Writing them down, paraphrasing them so that you can ask the question in a different style. Deciding on whether you want students to respond orally or writing. As a conclusion I should go over the material covered in class by summarizing the main points of the lesson. This can be done in a number of ways. For Example by saying, Today we talked about†¦.? as a student to summarize them or get them to write down on a piece of paper the main points covered. Reflecting on my lesson plan I found that after delivering my lesson plan it came across I could have been outstanding at delivering my plan if I had arranged most of my plan with a beginners, intermediate and advanced levels and the group did not get much time to do a group exercise. However this did not discourage me but instead it has encouraged me to reflect on what worked well and why, what I could  have done differently, identifying successful and less successful class time. I thought I shall use more resources such as students feedback, peer observation, viewing a videotape of my teaching and consultation with my tutor. As a reflection this assignment provided me with a general outline of my teaching goals learning objectives and means to accomplish them. It has become a reminder of what I want to do and how I want to do it. In my opinion a productive lesson is not one in which everything goes exactly as planned, but one in which both students and the teacher learn from each other.

The Idea Of Liberation In Hindu Philosophy Theology Religion Essay

The Idea Of Liberation In Hindu Philosophy Theology Religion Essay

Indelible Marks :: Personal Narrative Writing

Indelible Marks There was a small fish house, thick with the paint of a thousand whitewashes, sinking into the soft earth near the lake. The roof sagged a bit after a lifetime of carrying the crystalline blanket of Minnesota winter. Inside was a wooden counter-top, its surface cold and glossy after witnessing the murder of a million fish. Their life and blood was ingrained in the counter-top, preserving forever the memory of each fish. Perch, Bass, Bluegill, even Northern Pike had come to know death in this small room. Their colors could be seen reflecting in the wood of that counter-top. At night, the small light would cause the wet counter-top to shine like scales flashing against the sun. It was a place of beauty, and a place of horror. I was young, perhaps six or seven when my dad taught me to clean our catch in the small fish house. We never knew what we would catch, but we persistently threw in our lines anyway hoping to hook a keeper. I loved fishing. It was the battle with the fish that intrigued me. Each cast reeled in a new experience. I went in blind with only a hope that what I'd catch would be something I wanted. During the fight with a fish, I never knew if it were a prize Northern or a hefty Bullhead. A big Northern meant dinner, but a fat Bullhead just meant another smelly carcass on the beach for the ants and raccoons to take care of. Dad taught us to fish for Northerns. We were camping that trip, just my brothers, Dad and I. Dad got one of those great big green surplus army tents that you could park a motor home inside. He hung a Coleman lantern in the middle, and at night we would talk and play games. Every night Dad would check me for ticks, little black and red bugs that would embed themselves into your skin and drink your blood. Dad said that if you let a tick get under your skin, it will just sit there and eat away at you. We all loved the lake, especially my second oldest brother Garrett. He could fish with the best of them, and would keep everything he caught. For him, nothing was too big or too small to take to the fish house and add another stain to the counter.