Chick-fil-a case study Essay

Looking at this case study, it really shows me how a company that has morals and beliefs can still make it in this competitive environment. I am a huge Chick-fil-A fan and am proud of them for standing by their beliefs. The types of marketing strategies used by Chick-fil-A are substantial and completely different from every other restaurant in the United States. Chick-fil-A’s unique corporate culture derives from Cathy’s Christian background and his desire to inspire and influence people. The company’s official statement of corporate purpose is â€Å"to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A† (Wilkinson, p.631). Another form of their marketing strategy that Chick-fil-A uses is their extensive corporate giving programs. The company has helped thousands of restaurant employees, foster children, and other young people through the WinShape Foundation that Cathy established in 1984 to help â€Å"shape winners† (Wilkinson, p.631). Their advertising is also a key role in their marketing strategy, using the â€Å"Eat Mor Chikin† campaign is one of the longest-running, and one of the most successful, advertising campaigns in the United States (Wilkinson, p.631). Chick-fil-A’s positioning strategy is a faith based and giving company that wants to help the community through charity. Their position on being closed on Sunday’s is proven by their owners statement saying, if it took seven day to make a living with a restaurant, then we needed to be in some other line of work (Wilkinson, p. 631). Being a wholesome company that wants to make a living instead of making a fortune has been a great successful position strategy for Chick-fil-A and is proven by their increase of sales yearly. I do believe that being closed of Sunday is a competitive advantage for Chick-fil-A. One of the reasons why it is a competitive advantage is because Chick-fil-A is the only restaurant that is known for being closed on Sunday and I believe that doing that shows how family, Christian based the restaurant is and makes them appeal to a vast percentage of the United States. The survey in our class proved to me that them being closed on Sundays was a competitive advantage because the majority of my classmates said that it makes them want to eat Chick-fil-A on Mondays because they can’t have it on Sundays. Obviously it isn’t a disadvantage because of the amount of sales that they had in 2005 with $1.975 billion in sales with forecasted sales of $3 billion by 2010 (Wilkinson, p. 631). I personally don’t believe that any other restaurant in the industry should consider closing on Sundays. One of the reasons I say that is because they are the first company to do it and if any company was to follow they would be called copycats of Chick-fil-A and I believe that it wouldn’t be a benefit for the company. The only way that it might work for a company, it would have to be a new company to the market and couldn’t sell chicken or look anything like Chick-fil-A. Probably in my opinion there isn’t another retailer in any type of industry that could get away with being closed on Sunday without backlash. Since Chick-fil-A started this at the beginning of the company and have stuck to their guns on this and that’s why they have had success with it, and honestly that’s Chick-fil-A’s special thing for the industry and no one else could use it. Chick-fil-A is a great company and I hope that they continue being a community steward and helping employees better themselves. Work Cited Dr. J.B. Wilkinson (2011). Chick-fil-A: â€Å"Eat Mor Chikin† (Except on Sunday). Retrieved from Basic Marketing- A marketing strategy planning approach

Review of Marie Antoinette the Movie

Movie Review: Marie Antoinette As we all known the reign of Queen Marie Antoinette ended quite brutally with her head being cut off during the French Revolution. However, this movie tries not to displace such gruesome details. It merely ends with the royal family in a carriage on their way to Paris or others might call it ‘their doom’. Marie Antoinette, the movie was written and directed by Sofia Coppola starring Bring It On’s, Kirsten Dunst. In this movie Kirsten Dunst portrays Marie Antoinette how many of us believe she was. My view of Marie Antoinette seems a little bit less innocent however. In this version of the royal families’ life they aren’t mean or vindictive they’re plainly quite naive. They do not realize how much they are spending they just care about having fun and being care free. Being a girl I personally love shoes and the shoes that Marie Antoinette had designed were beautiful. There was a large array of colors and styles that drew them instantly to the eye. As well as shoes the costumes in the film we’re beautiful. There were many different gowns in baby blue, pink, and cream. I extremely liked how in the scenes in the Retreat house Dunst wore white peasantry dresses that almost made her look angelic. Throughout the beginning of the movie there was quite a lot of comic relief. Whether it is from the king’s mistress or something else. The best part by far is when Dunst is standing waiting to be dressed, naked, and her undergarments keep getting handed off because new women of higher class than the last keep coming into the room. Dunst is standing they’re freezing trying to understand French society and so far she thinks it’s quite blatantly absurd. I don’t blame her seeing as how these women are taking quite a long time coming in and taking their gloves off. If you were to only to watch the first half of the film you might even think it to be a comedy. Marie Antoinette was a lovely film. Filled with many twists and turns that were unexpected which in turn made the movie interesting and exciting to watch. Even though it runs for two long hours and twenty horrific minutes, it does not seem so at all and you will be pleasantly delighted by the end I guarantee it.

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and Advertisements

Julian Figueroa (#30973127) 1 An Allegory of Advertisements How does Plato’s allegory influence the way we consume art today? Every minute of every day, millions of people are exposed to advertisements. They plague televisions, streets, radio waves, and all means of communication. These advertisements employ many methods of persuasion and their influence is irresistible. Just like prisoners in Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, we are told every day to invest our time and interest into the subject of these advertisements, and to accept the forms of reality they serve us.Whether it be a commercial for a must-have new car, to a spot featuring desirable fast food, or to magazines with photoshopped models; we are seduced to accept these false forms of reality. In actuality, the car is hardly distinguishable from models in the years past, the food is not near as glossy and fresh as the commercial depicts, and the bodies of models have unfeasible proportions. Like the prisoners in the cave, we still accept these forms to be reality, even though they are imitations and falsities of their actual subjects.Puppeteers, like prisoners, are still within the boundaries of the cave, and some believe in their imitations whilst others know the falsehood they are presenting; just like advertisers of today. Even philosopher-kings must be part of the cave in certain ways, as they contribute their own forms of imitation to the prisoners, akin to puppeteers. The Allegory of the Cave has an abundance of meaning to our generation and future generations to come, as the themes and elements it contains relate directly to our society’s consumption and production of promotional media.In Plato’s allegory, several metaphors are summoned to illustrate the effect of education on the soul. The allegory starts with the description of a cave; a place containing prisoners, shadows, puppeteers and fire. The prisoners are bound to look at the shadows, cast upon the wall by the fire and the objects utilized by the puppeteers. There is an exit to the cave, which is illuminated by the light from the sun outside. The outside represents true knowledge whereas the inside of the cave represents ignorance; a reality other than the truth.Plato considers the puppeteers to essentially be artists; using their creations to depict a false reality for the Julian Figueroa (#30973127) 2 prisoners. However, those who free themselves from the cave are the only ones who can realize true form. Those who do this are labeled as the philosophers. For the purposes of this essay, only the aspects of art and art interpretation in the allegory are important. What makes the allegory decisive in comparing it to our consumer-producer society is that the metaphors Plato uses directly correlate to the mantras of advertising.Notwithstanding, for any of this argument to be relatable to Plato’s allegory, which primarily focuses on artists and their creations, one must first know wha t makes promotional media a form of artistic expression. Let us assume Plato’s definition; that art is a poor imitation of reality. He views the creators of art, or as he sees them, imitators â€Å"by nature third from the king and the truth† (Republic, 597e). Artists in publicity take this notion and exaggerate it to the furthest degree. For instance, what makes us want a Burger King burger over any other local burger joint product?The answer to that is clear; advertising. Without its advertising in mass, one wouldn’t be able to distinguish a Burger King product over any other competitor’s. On the contrary, we are drawn towards their burgers because of their glorious depictions in media. From passing the giant billboards of lucious burgers, to seeing a family enjoy them on a television commercial; we are told to believe that these titillating combinations of veggies and protein are absolutely marvelous. These advertisements are nothing but mere deception s of reality.The billboards show us enlarged, crisp patties and fresh vegetables, when in reality, there is no guarantee of such a thing. Therefore they are what Plato defines as art; imitations of reality. Another example would be political commercials, which skew the truth in a variety of ways. From showing an out of context quote from their opponents, to showing themselves speak to a crowd with uplifting music in the background, politicians use the art of media to manipulate the public from seeing the truth. Advertising is a very sharp form of communication from puppeteer to prisoner; and it directly relates to Plato’s allegory.Most of us accept these false forms of reality regardless. Millions of people watch misleading commercials for a product, but they still purchase it in the end. Millions of people knowingly vote for politicians who offer false promises and deceptions, but they still return to vote for the same people in future elections. Like the repetitious cycle o f puppeteers feeding prisoners art in the allegory, Julian Figueroa (#30973127) 3 consumers of today lust for producers to fill their fair supply as well. So how do we exit this cycle? Through education and enlightenment.Plato believes that any ruler of men must pursue in â€Å"calculation, geometry, and all the preliminary education required for dialectic† (536d). He also believes that â€Å"no free person should learn anything like a slave. † (536e). Therefore, one must exercise in their own free will to truly become educated. Plato believes that to be truly educated, one must question and study the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. By doing this, along with decades of physical training, mathematical science, dialectic training, and political discovery, one then becomes a philosopher-king; the third human element in the allegory of the Cave.However, unlike the puppeteers and the prisoners, the philosopher-kings reside outside the cave, and they harness the ability to see true forms, not mere shadows. So if we live in a society of art production and art consumption, who are the modern day philosopher-kings? There is no simple answer to that question, and this is where Plato’s allegory begins to cave in on itself (pun intended). Plato is a philosopher himself, and by channelling his ideas through Socrates in The Republic, he creates a forum. Socrates starts the allegory of the Cave with the word â€Å"imagine† (514a).The definition of the term â€Å"imagine† is to believe something unreal or untrue to exist. Therefore, Socrates is envisioning an imitation of reality with his allegory, making him an artist. Based on his definitions, Socrates (and therefore Plato) dips his feet back into the cave. If all philosophers followed the same methods of Plato, in terms of creating art forms of philosophy, doesn’t that mean that we are all either puppeteers and/or prisoners? If, in conclusion, philosophers subject their knowledge in an understandable format to puppeteers and prisoners, they are essentially creating art; which means nobody is truly free from the cave.Yet, to generalize philosophers exactly as puppeteers would also be incorrect, contrary to the Allegory. As discussed previously, philosophers only dabble in the art of imitation. This does not make them true puppeteers. Whereas philosophers are able to educate without false forms of reality, true puppeteers are only showing imitation. So what forms do puppeteers accept to be true? Imitation or reality? Relating back to the â€Å"Burger King Theory†, do the Julian Figueroa (#30973127) 4 puppeteers knowingly accept their imitations?Most likely not, as they are aware of the flaws in their advertisement. If a Burger King representative accepted their imitations as reality, they would probably be tempted to eat burgers everyday and eventually die from malnutrition or diabetes. Rather, these representatives are still tru e puppeteers and are therefore still in the dark among the prisoners. So what reality is accepted from the puppeteers? If we look at the representatives of, say Ford, for example’s sake, we find that they reject their own imitations of reality, or art, but that they still consume in similar ways to prisoners.A representative of Ford may make the commercials for the newest model of truck, but does that dictate that they necessarily drive one? Not at all. At the same time, it is not an impossibility either, and their experience as an advertiser, or artist, may even lead them into believing that it is necessary to buy the newest model every year. After all, they are surrounded with their advertisements constantly, influencing them even more so than a consumer, so couldn’t they eventually accept them to be correct?Unless one becomes a monk and sanctions themselves completely away from society, which Plato would most likely condemn, one will always be a target of advertisem ents. Therefore puppeteers must be partially prisoners in that regard, as they will fall target to other puppeteer’s or even their own shadow imagery. This concept works symbiotically with the notion that philosophers are partially puppeteers; as Plato concedes to enjoying the influence of children’s tales on youth, stating that mothers â€Å"will shape their children’s souls with stories much more than they shape their bodies by handling them. † (377c).He openly admits to enjoying some forms of art, and accepting them even if they â€Å"are false, on the whole, though they have some truth to them. † (377a). Hence, he is also as prisoner in that regard, akin to a puppeteer. This draws yet another parallel to art consumption in our modern day society; even a philosopher in our day and age must appreciate certain things to survive, and may be drawn towards imitation of reality through advertisement; car commercials, food spots, or anything. With the acceptance of this concept, the consequence is that everyone in our modern society still resides at least somewhat within the boundaries of the Cave.Is this not true? Can anyone truly claim in this era that they are free from advertisements? Julian Figueroa (#30973127) 5 Can we go one day without seeing a commercial and not remotely showing interest, even in our subconscious? In some countries around the world, it is not even an option to reject an imitation of reality. For example, citizens of Australia are forced by law to vote, and in that sense, it is impossible not to be persuaded by inevitably deceptive political advertisements. The relation of things such as politics, billboards for burgers, and car commercials to the allegory of the Cave is certainly an odd concept to comprehend.Nevertheless, it proves that many of forms of misleading advertising can harken back to the shadows created by the backlit fire and sculptures in Book VII of Plato’s Republic. Society has alwa ys revolved around art producers and art consumers, just like the puppeteers and prisoners in the cave. Advertising and its respective forms encompass many lessons that we have learned from Plato’s allegory, and perhaps one day humanity will recognize the seemingly inescapable cycle of art production and consumption we are all enveloped in.Only then can we fathom escaping the cave and becoming true philosophers, by having the ability to distinguish imitation from actuality. In conclusion, it is safe to say that there are major implications of the allegory of the Cave on advertisements in our modern society, and thus Plato’s piece will continue to be purposeful for such media centuries to come. Texts: Plato. Republic. Trans. G. M. A Grube. Indianapolis, USA: Hackett Publishing, 1992. Print.

Diplomacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Diplomacy - Essay Example The evolving elements of world politics can be identified as the accelerators of the transformation to the modern day diplomacy. There exist a direct impact of politics on diplomacy and diplomatic relations between nations. Numerous changes have been realized in the evolution of diplomacy. The old elements of diplomacy did not become extinct; they only evolved and changed with the times. Characteristics of diplomacy The old diplomacy The old diplomatic system can be characterized by the use of bilateral negotiations. This negotiation takes place between two nations or two representatives (Rourke, 263). In the context of this system, the negotiating parties were only presenting the views they had been sent to present. The process usually took long because of the limited power bestowed on the diplomats. Rarely did the heads of states meet face-to-face to negotiate anything. The use of emissaries was an extremely popular characteristic of the old diplomacy. Modern era diplomacy The mode rn diplomacy can be characterized by multilateral negotiations (Rourke, 263). These involve numerous countries negotiating towards a common goal. The rising number of global issues of concern can be attributed to the adoption of this system. The changes have been necessitated by one issue, like global warming, affecting many countries. Bilateral negotiations take place through conferences and meetings of several parties with a common goal. The comparisons Though diplomacy can be said to have evolved, the goal it aims at achieving remains the same. Reaching an agreement or coming up with a solution to a problem remains the core goal of diplomacy. This conclusion does not regard any of the diplomatic systems. However, numerous evolvements have created a change in diplomacy, and hence the transition from the old diplomacy to the modern era diplomacy. Numerous aspects on how diplomacy was conducted have changed to accommodate the modern are diplomatic system. Within the context of tradi tional diplomacy, it was rare to see a diplomatic congregation of more that two nations. This has, however, become the trend in the modern diplomacy (Rourke, 264). Negotiations between two parties have become rare. This can be attributed to the increasing level of global issues. Traditionally, there were few issues affecting more than one nation. While it was rare to see heads of state meeting personally with one another at a negotiation table in the old diplomacy, this happens severally in the modern case. Emissaries represent governments at the initial stage of diplomacy in the modern system. When the negotiations reach advance stages, the heads of states come into the negotiations. The role of heads of states in the old system was to send emissaries. Negotiations were carried out purely by the emissaries. Negotiations by heads of states have been termed as having dangerous repercussions should they fail to reach an agreement. Since it comes as the final solution, failure at this stage becomes catastrophic. In the modern era diplomacy, Presidents have been discouraged from taking part in negotiations. Secrecy of diplomatic proceedings was a top priority in the old diplomacy. The emissaries were required to deliver the message only to the specified person. In the modern era diplomacy, the proceedings go on in public. Reports are published about the proceedings of conferences and made public. The element of secrecy has been dealt away within the

Who is Capable of Leading Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Who is Capable of Leading - Essay Example As the paper declares leadership engages more than being able to obtain changes in behavior that flow from coercion linked to the possession of power or enticement linked to the ability to reward. Leadership involves the possession of qualities that lead others to want to follow the leader's directives, either because they feel obligated to do so, or because they desire to do so In other words, leadership is a characteristic that is voluntarily conferred upon a person by others and involves the ability of a person to engage the active and willing cooperation of followers. Leadership is, therefore, a process of influence that depends more on persuasion than on coercion. The ability to motivate group members, while clearly a key function of leadership, is not all that leadership involves. This essay stresses that leadership is also linked to the ability to set goals for the group that is vision; goals whose attainment facilitates the continued success of the group. In addition, leadership involves being able to structure the organization so that it can effectively attain those goals that is implementation. The several theories of leadership that have developed since the earliest history of organized societies articulate a wide variety of other criteria of leadership, making any simple definition of leadership incomplete. Leaders come in each size, figure, and temperament -- short, tall, neat, sloppy, young, old, male, and female.

Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 8

Accounting - Essay Example Secondly, Haas School of business is consistently ranked among the top 20 business schools in the country and they cannot sustain this position if they lose their topnotch business faculty. The feasible and non-feasible options to resolve the situation again depends upon how things develop in the course of time and I will use the option based on priorities. My topmost priority will be to maintain the top 20 ranking of the School. In order to achieve that, I will increase the pay of the concerned faculty by 20% to retain them. The source of funds through which the payments are made is extremely important because certain rules and regulations will be attached to these funds regarding its application and disbursement. Moreover certain funds or grants would have been earmarked for a specific purpose or project and hence they cannot be used for any other purpose. But if the payments are not made from a grant or restricting financial source then such payments for a program can be made provided it is approved in the budget and within the overall budget of the organization. If the supplementary payments for faculty are for compensation for program and curriculum development then different set of rules should apply for processing payments for such kind of program. But if the faculty members have not completed any additional tasks to avail the compensation and it is not possible to determine who actually received the benefits from the program, then following are duties and responsibilities of the persons concerned. 2. Faculty members should be severely reprimanded and proper action should be also taken against them according university rules as they have not done any work for curriculum development program to deserve compensation. 3. University administrators should be made accountable for approving the idea, as they are bound to check the relevant records and

Networking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Networking - Essay Example The routing board comprises of a list of known routers with the addresses each router can reach, and a cost metric allied with the path of independent router resulting into the best available route to be selected (Randy, 2003). Hosts that has BGP link by the use of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) which sends updated router board information only when one host has spotted a change. Here only the affected part of such a routing board are sent. BGP links to automatic functioning local networks be the use of Internal BGP as it is not compatible with IGP. The routers contained the automatic network thus upholding two routing boards: an interior gateway protocol and an IBGP. This results into easy to use Unrestricted Inter-Domain Routing (UIDR). This is a way to have a more addresses in the network than using current IP address assignment system (Clark, 2003). Egypt was able to efficiently detach itself from the internet system by pulling its usual visible routes contained in BGP routing board. The IP addresses identifying computers linked to the internet through Egypt’s ISPs were fundamentally detached to the world connection system. This resulted into computers in Egypt to be compared to houses that has no mailboxes not on any map. Hence the other connection to the downstream countries was unaffected (Tim, 1999). This was facilitated as a BGP ‘advertise’ the native address prefixes to adjoining networks. This made routers to identify where to send packets data with a specified endpoint address. Almost 3,500 Egyptian prefixes at this time were not advertised this made it possible to make them appear missing from the routing board of BGP routers around the global but not necessary affecting the other countries connection. That meant that routers in this case longer knew where to direct packets addressed to IP addresses contained in the detached prefixes—even

The 'What' and 'Why' of Employee Engagement Research Paper

The 'What' and 'Why' of Employee Engagement - Research Paper Example An engaged employee is aware of the business and works closely with the peers to improve the organizational performance (Buchanan and Huczynski, 2010). Scope of the study The present study has been confined in order to analyze the key issues related to the topic of employee engagement as well as to explore the importance of the employee engagement. The study also looks to identify the key factors influencing the level of employee engagement (Sekaran and Bougie, 2009). Over the course, the research study conducted by Dale Carnegie and MSW research has been referred in order to find out the importance of the employee engagement in the context of the organizational performance as well as to find out the key factors influencing the employee engagement programs in an organization ((Mullins, 2010). Add to this, in order to get a more holistic view, various employee engagement programs undertaken by various major organizations round the globe has also been referred to (Buelens, Sinding, Wal dstrom, Krietner and Kinicki, 2011). Research Question What is Employee Engagement and what is the importance of employee engagement in the context of the organizational performance? Literature Review Employee engagement overview Engagement at work place has been conceptualized by Kahn as the harnessing of the organizational member or employees with respects the roles and responsibilities towards the organization (Boselie, 2010). In case of engagement, the people may actually employ and express the feelings towards the workplace cognitively, physically and also emotionally (Boxall and Purcell, 2007). Another related construct to employee engagement happens to be the notion of the flow mentioned by Csikszentmihalyi (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). According to Csikszentmihalyia flow is the state in which there are very little distinction between the individual and the overall organizational environment (Simons, 2011). In this way employee engagement can be defined as the level of involvemen t and commitment that an employee exhibits towards the organization and the values of the organization (Bowditch and Buono, 2001). An engaged employee is always aware of the business perspective of the organization and work closely with the colleagues to improve individual, team as well as organizational performance (Redman and Wilkinson, 2006). Therefore the organization must look to nurture and develop engagement which needs a two way relationship between the employee and the employers. In this way it can be said that employee engagement is actually a barometer that shows the level of association of a person with the organization (Bhattacharya, 2009). Employee engagement is quite closely related to the existing structure of the job involvement. Job involvement can be described as the degree to which the job situation is matching the individual and his or her personal identity. Some researchers actually believed that the job involvement is a cognitive state of the psychological rec ognition. Job involvement depends upon both job satisfaction and saliency (Senscombe, 1998). The HR practitioners feel that engagement has a lot do with what the employees feel about the work. The engagement is also related to the way the employees are being treated in an organization (Alderfer, 1972). There would always be the presence of people who would not give the best effort

Biochemical identification of unknown bacteria Lab Report

Biochemical identification of unknown bacteria - Lab Report Example 1) Nutrient agar slant: Given culture was streak on the nutrient agar slant and incubated at two different temperature 25Â °C and 37Â °C respectively. After 24h of incubation, slants were taken out from incubator and growth was observed. Growth on tube incubated at 37Â °C was found to be effuse and the growth was extensive while in case of tube incubated at 25Â °C growth was found to be lesser compared to previous tube and echinulated in nature. There was no pigmentation observed and growth was found to be whitish in color and translucent in nature. Results indicated that given unknown bacteria is either Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes or Staphylococcus aureus ,being human /animal inhabitant The optimum temperature for growth of these bacteria is 37Â °C (i.e. human body temperature) while in case of Pseudomonas aerogenosa being free living as well as human inhabitant, it can grow at 25Â °C as well as 37Â °C . Similarly it also produces bluish green pigment and grows as mucoid colony. 2) Nutrient agar: Given culture was streak on to the nutrient agar plate using quadrant streak technique and incubated at 37Â °C for 24 h. After incubation colonies were found to be convex, circular and having entire margin. Optically colonies were found to be translucent and without any pigmentation. This observation again ruled out the possibility of Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Similarly colony of Staphylococcus aureus is opaque, slightly elevated, appears yellowish white.

Tudors Paper Essay Example for Free

Tudors Paper Essay The English history would not be as it was colorful and interesting today had it not been for the two of the most important icons in the History of United Kingdom: King Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Their personal life and their political strategies not to mention their contributions to English history is one of the most unparalleled in any time. The royal life had been transmuted to the world of political maneuvers, religious conflict and personal decisions. Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, were not just members of the same Tudor royal clan, more importantly both of them had shaped modern England today. Two leading biographers and historians Garrett Mattingly and Lacey Baldwin Smith, recalled the lives of two monarchs and wrote a biography, in a convention peculiar to their tastes. Other English royal biographers might have treated their works different from the styles of the two, but surely, Mattingly and Baldwin elevated the taste of biographical writing in another playing field. Henry VIII was born on June 28, 1491 from the Tudor family. Elizabeth I, his daughter was born September 7, 1533. Coming from the family of nobility of Welsch, the Tudors reunited the whole of England during their reign. However, their family’s contribution was overshadowed by scandal and impunity. Mackie and Clarendo(1990, p. 190), clearly view the Tudors as the royal family, headed by their predecessors were diplomats of their first rate. They have settled diplomatic relationship with their former enemies and made long lasting truce of peace. The evidence of which is the end of â€Å"War of the Roses†.    This view was kinder tone as a description of the House of Tudors. Historically speaking, during their reign, England made several important decisions for herself but actually personal preferences of her king. Yet, undeniably, the reign of the Tudors was full of their inclinations toward their interests that had strong impact to the national life, religion, system of politics and governance of the entire country. Tudors were not entirely viewed by Mackie, Mattingly, Smith and Garvin. All of them, while had distastes with the rule of each Tudor monarch, none of them actually condemned any sovereign. While Smith has strong words used to chronicle the life of Tudors, most especially King Henry, he left in his spaces room to be defended.   In his book, â€Å"Henry VIII† he said: â€Å"For a king, do like a king; and when Henry learned that James V of Scotland besmirched the role of clean-fingered royalty with the filthy profits of sheep-raising, he warned that such actions cannot stand well with the honour of his estate, and that they would surely cause his subjects to mutter and mutiny. Henry instinctively knew that princes could survive the hatred of their subjects but never their scorn (1971, p. 43). Baldwin never saw Tudors, especially Henry the acclaim accorded to him by other historian-biographers. Henry VIII is the son of Henry VII, the latter being the first monarch in the House of Tudors. It was said that, Henry VIII lived a secluded life in the royal courthouses of the Tudors. He lived outside the confidence of his father’s privies and counselors. His growth as a monarch was characterized by his distinct personal convictions at the expense of his institutions. For instance, the divorce to Catherine of Aragon and the subsequent marriage to Ann Boleyn were the real reasons behind his defection to the Roman Pontiff’s authority. He asserted his royal right in his country and severed the Catholic Churches in England, outside the rule of the Papacy. But this is more personal than a stately decision. The refusal of the Pope to recognize his marital actions, lead him to justify himself and legalize his marital union to Ann Boleyn. However, this decision had made a positive impact to the religious life of the English. Since, the Church of England is under no authority except the king   the Church of England was more open and flexible with in terms of changes and reformation the country has faced. Gavin (1935) had a subtle view, for her the plans of Henry VIII are more nationalistic impression than self-serving act. Gavin relates (p.25) that England is not yet prepared for a woman ruler. Henry VIII has to secure the throne for a male monarch who shall embody the entire nation. For Gavin, unlike Baldwin’s view, her stand on certain royal issues during the late medieval period was more defensive. Unlike Baldwin who used strong indicators of Henry VIII’s mistakes, but were only forborne by the results of his actions, Gavin and Smith had more defensive stance on King Henry’s action. To prove this point, Gavin made this chronicle: Catherine of Aragon, whom he had not chosen himself, failed him: one miscarriage or still-born child succeeded another, and in 1514, after five years of parental misfortune Henryor Wolseypetitioned Leo X to annul the marriage with his brothers wife which another pope had sanctioned, doubting the validity of his own dispensation. Then in 1516 came Mary, who was welcomed, not for her own sake, but as an earnest of the son to follow. No woman had yet reigned in England, and Henry VII had secured the throne, not only by ending a civil war, but by excluding from the throne his mother, from whom he derived whatever hereditary right he possessed. The expected heir never followed Mary, and by 1527 it was certain that Henry VIII would have no legitimate son so long as Catherine remained his wife. He ceased to cohabit, though not to live, with her from that date, and fell a victim to the one grand passion of his life. (p. 25 [italics and undersco re ours]). Note that, Gavin in this excerpt utilized the apologetic language she can use to defend the Tudor Monarch from criticisms. She openly defended the choice of Henry to secure a male heir, because no queen has lead England as sole sovereign. All of the previous queens were just consorts. The subtlety of Gavin as compared to being straightforward of Smith and Smith is evident in her last phrase, ‘victim to the one grand passion of his life’. This statement is but a magnification of her romantic conveyance of an act to justify the king’s directions to justify her marriage and to give religious validity to his separation to the Pope. On another light, Mattingly (1963) had picturesquely described the Tudors, so stately and assertively. Unlike Smith who openly gave emphatic characterization to the Tudors and King Henry, Mattingly gave the scenario with the comments unconsciously buried in the deep of his biography. For her implied diction, she described Elizabeth I, the Tudor, a wise-lady. In the work of Mattingly, Elizabeth I is a strategist than a military chief, a restorer of culture than procter of the land, a compromiser to advance her interest for England mutually than to lead a nation in war. Mattingly had this for a statement:   Elizabeth preferred to have the Spanish bear the burden. To the end, until Spanish guns were heard in the Channel, the English negotiators at Bourbourg were arguing desperately for the solution which seemed to the Queen no more than elementary common sense. Let the King offer his subjects a general amnesty, restore the ancient liberties of the Seventeen Provinces as they had been at the beginning of his fathers reign, and withdraw his troops except for garrisons in the frontier cities. In exchange, the rebellious provinces would return to their allegiance to their legitimate sovereign and declare the Roman Catholic faith the only established religion. Nothing need be said about the toleration of heretic sects (p. 7).   In her words, Elizabeth I,   was still female, she cannot lead a nation to war. But that took her to an advantage. She (Elizabeth) strategize her connections and empowered her military fortresses.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The defeat of the Spanish Armada, shocked the entire European kingdoms, the female virgin queen, who had no king consort had defeated the vast naval strength of the Spanish crown, Mattingly described it as Elizabeth’s opportunity to lead the entire England under her own spell, than to be subdued by a foreign king. The efforts and the achievement of Elizabeth I was seen by Mattingly, impliedly as usual courses in the history of her reign. Mattingly gave the comment that, though much celebrated, the defeat of the Spanish Armada should not be seen so heavily as Elizabeth’s legacy. For Mattingly, the defeat of the Spanish people had little or no greater impact to England’s solidarity as a people. Noticeably, unlike Smith or Gavin, Mattingly sees the perspective of common notions of other historians in a different, yet solid view. Note that in the last sentence of this statement, she was convincingly of the belief that Elizabeth’s actions, specifically the defeat of the Spanish Armada, in many ways futile. Mattingly said: It is probable, too, that the victory gave a lift to English morale. It may be that a good many Englishmen, like a good many other Europeans, though not like Elizabeths sea dogs, had doubted that the Spanish could ever be beaten. Now they knew that they could. The thoughtful and the well-informed understood, however, that England had not won a war, only the first battle in a war in which there might be many more battles. England was braced for the struggle. But to say that the defeat of the Spanish Armada led to a sudden outburst of buoyant, self confident patriotism is to read the interpretation of later centuries back into the past. One would search the records of the next two or three years in vain for any specific evidence in support of such a view (p.23)  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thus, it becomes clear that the leaning of Smith was somewhat skeptical if not negative in his narration to the achievement of the Tudors. More so, Smith’s view on King Henry’s creation of the Church of England was seen more personal than nationalistic. Gavin has taken a lighter view, for her, the Tudors and the reign of Henry VIII, needs no less than understanding. These choices made by the King while personal were to secure the succession of the throne and the safety of the English throne. She (Gavin) has taken a more benign stance. On the other hand, Mattingly gave Elizabeth the treatment she portrays. As a woman, she may not have the power to lead the army with dauntless acts but surely she will stage a strategic plan to advance her kingdom’s interests. Mattingly, may not openly be a feminist advocate but her treatment was also fair, yet opposed to the main projection of Elizabeth I, as the pomp, untouchable queen. The latter view of Mattingly is so laid-back compared to Carole Levin’s   (1994) biographical notes on Elizabeth I. She (Levin) openly justified and even sees the reign of Elizabeth, as power struggle of sexes. For Levin the succession of Elizabeth I in the throne is but a clear, manifestation (perhaps the earliest) of the women’s role. During Elizabeth I time, women were subservient to their husbands, but Elizabeth not only transcended her personal tragedies but also penetrated through the norms of domestic views on women to a global and effective female leadership. Thus, her view is to support active gender roles, equality and sex issues. Her concern has a direct leaning, feminist point of view. Levin has this for a chronicle:   Ã‚  A central concern is how gender construction, role expectations, and beliefs about sexuality influenced both Elizabeth’s self-presentation and others perception of her. A crucial question this study examines is how such issues affected the methods of power used by a woman ruler as opposed to the traditional king. The way people regarded a queen and her use of power will also be valuable in answering more general questions about attitudes toward women during the English Renaissance (Levine, p.3).   Ã‚  Ã‚  The sensitivity of Levin to social constructs leads her to be the most gender sensitive of all.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lastly, the epitaphs of these biographers will surely vary. For instance, Smith will describe Henry VIII, as â€Å"The Ruler, whose hands are not tied with anyone†. For his views truly reflect the strong will of King Henry to assert his own beliefs. Mattingly may use the lines â€Å"Here lieth a queen, who reign without fear† as Elizabeth I, epitapth. This is only apt for a queen who defied norms and social expectations. Perhaps it will be the same as Levin’s, â€Å"A Queen who outlived, outwit any Kings on earth†, she would strongly assert it for the same reasons. And lastly, Gavin, who is the most laid back of all of the biographers would name, King Henry’s tomb, engraved in gold, which reads: â€Å"A King who died, and believed his own mind and lived by it†¦Ã¢â‚¬    Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The history, intricacies, scandals of the English monarchy might be totally different from their counterparts in Asia or Middle East. Yet their weaknesses and their personal legends bespeaks of one thing: No person in this earth has walked so glorious to ascribe them the power that belongs to God’s.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   SOURCES Smith, Baldwin L. (1971).   This Realm of England. New York: Houghton-Mifflin Co, Vol. II Levin, Carole. (1994). The Heart and Stomach of a King: Elizabeth I and the Politics of Sex and Power. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press Mattingly, Garret, (1963). The Armada . USA: Cornell University Press Garvin, Katherine. (1935). The Great Tudors. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press

Supply Chain Of Motorola Smartphones Commerce Essay

Supply Chain Of Motorola Smartphones Commerce Essay In the dynamic market of smart phone competition, companies need to establish a responsive supply chain to adapt with the changing environment and Motorola is not an exception. As they introduce their innovative Droid 2 to Vietnamese market, Motorola looks for suitable solutions to strengthen their competitive supply chain, especially in this country. Through the overview of Motorolas internal and external aspects in dynamic Vietnam logistics environment, this paper exams the difficulties the enterprises supply chain is facing and proposed three possible solutions in logistics and supply chain perspectives. The strength of Motorola lies in their experience, technology, and competency in managing electronics supply chain in different countries. Although outsourcing non-core business such as transportation may cause the enterprise to lose control on the activity, yet it also enables them to focus more in their core operations. Thus, the supply chain is more adaptive to the dynamic Vietnamese logistics environment, where the transportation and information infrastructures are under-developed. They lead to five major issues for Motorola supply chain mentioned in this paper: holding high level of inventory, low lead time, inaccurate demand forecast, timeliness, and inventory condition. To solve the suggested issues, the paper proposes three logistics strategy for Motorola: transportation-based third party logistics (3PL), collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR), and using radio frequency identification (RFID). Transportation-based 3PL is expected to solve the transportation difficulties for Motorola, as well as ensuring in-transit stock quality and timeliness. CPFR enhances the collaboration between trading partners to improve forecasting, reducing lead time and decreasing the risks of overstock and stock-out. Lastly, RFID supports inventory visibility, leading to accurate inventory management and replenishment. Among the three strategies, CPFR is the most suitable for Motorola to adapt due to the advantages of collaborating, planning, and forecasting. Thus, lead time will be reduced and inventory is better managed, the burden will be shared by many firms in the supply chain, and customers will be served better. Adapting CPFR, in the first quarter of 2010, Motorola is expected to reduce forecast error to 2%, lead time to 5 days and stock-out rate to 2.5%. Although CPFR is expensive and raises risks of sharing information, the benefits of accurate forecast, shorter lead time, better managing inventory, and above all better customer services will be critical for the successful launch of Droid 2 into Vietnam. CHANNEL OF DISTRIBUTION FOR THE SUPPLY CHAIN FOR MOTOROLA Inbound logistics Outbound logistics Apparition Game Tech (software and USB pads) Indonesia supplier (components) China supplier (components) Vinaphone Mobile phone stores Department stores Electronics stores Mobile phone single stores Mobile phone store chain warehouses Camera shops Mobile phone stores Department stores Electronics stores Mobile phone single stores Mobile phone store chain warehouses Camera shops Customers Motorola Malaysia (manufacturing and assembling) Motorola Hanoi distribution centers Motorola HCMC distribution center Packaging, labeling, and manual printing provider Research and Analysis: 1.1 Description: From China and Indonesia suppliers, 60% of components will be shipped to Motorola factory in Malaysia by air. Apparition Game Tech (AGT) will ship the USB game pads to the Malaysia plant to install with the phones. AGT will also supply the software to Motorola Malaysia plant to install into the phones. In Motorola Malaysia factory, they will produce 40% of critical components of Droid 2. The mobile phones will be assembled in this factory with software installed. Then the phones will be temporarily packed. Droid 2 will be shipped to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City distribution centers. The packaging, labelling, and printing provider will deliver the packages and Vietnamese language user manuals to the distribution centres, where the final packaging will be processed. From the distribution centers, Droid 2 will be delivered to retailers, including mobile phone store chains warehouses, single mobile stores, electronics stores, department stores, and camera stores carrying cell phone. The mobile phone store chains then will deliver Droid 2 to their shops. From retailers, Droid 2 is sold to end users. Vinaphone provides SIM card for customers in the retail shops so they can use the phones. For users already having a Vinaphone account, Vinaphone will guide them to activate their 3G functions. All the transportation in the supply chain will be outsourced to third party logistics. 1.2 SWOT analysis Strength: Motorola has the technology, experience and skill in managing electronics supply chain internationally. Outsourcing the transportation for third party providers, they can focus on its core competency. With their specialization, the third parties can reduce transporting time and contribute to the responsive supply chain Motorola aims to build. The two distribution centers located in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, which have the most cohesive transportation systems in Vietnam and concentrate complex retail systems, will enable the product flow from manufacturing to distribution and retailing move smoothly. Weakness: Transportation of the supply chain will be outsourced to transportation based third party logistic service providers. Thus, Motorola may loss some control over its transportation activities and in-transit inventory. Moreover, as two partners in the supply chain, such as Motorola and its retailers, will not deal directly with each other when inventory delivered, it can weaken the collaboration and communications between them, and challenges the demand forecast ability in the supply chain. Motorola does not deal directly with Vietnamese end-users but through retailers. This creates difficulties for Motorola to adapt to the trend in smart phone market, reducing the responsiveness of the supply chain. Opportunities: Improving telecommunication infrastructure a priority of Vietnamese government, so improving the flow of information in supply chain. After WTO accession, Vietnamese logistics is more welcome to foreign investors. Third party logistics providers in Vietnam is also improving their services to more sophisticated level (Nguyen 2009), so Motorola can access to more competent third party services to fasten and improve the supply chain performance. Threat: The lack of mix transport agency (Venard 1996) forces Motorola to use more than one third party in transportation activities. The wide information sharing between the firms can raise the information security risk There is no advanced technology and information system such as EDI (Nguyen 2009.p15) to support logistics, affecting the ability for Motorola to communicate with their partners. Vietnam transportation systems is under developed with intensive roads, the lack of cargo planes and facilities (Goh Ang 2000,p.897); congested ports even in Ho Chi Minh city, only handling ships up to 25,000 DWT, causing dramatic bottleneck in supply system (Goh Ang 2000,p.901). The problems result in longer lead time and adding up logistics costs and risks, so the timeliness in Motorola distribution will also be affected. The rise in air cargo fee regarding higher demand near New Year may increase the cost of delivering USB pads to Malaysia and shipping Droid 2 in 2010. The shortage of automatic warehouse results in most material handlings are done manually (Goh Ang 2000,p.905), possibly damaging SKUs as well as lengthen lead time. Vietnamese companies are reluctant to share information (Tuang Stringer 2008.p398). This creates barriers to improve relationship and information sharing within Motorola channel partnership, decreasing demand forecasting. SWOT matrix: Strength Weakness Opportunities -Focus on improving demand management by investing in information sharing technology and improve coordination between firms in the supply chain -Continue outsource non-core activities such as transportation -Need a detailed benchmark to controlling the outsourcing activities to identify problems in those activities on time. -Maintaining and improving the relationship with third party service providers to plan the transportation as well as other activities better, which can reduce transit cost and time. Threat Choosing a local third party transportation provider since they have more understanding the roads system and transportation process. Construct an automatic distribution centers to reduce manual work in material handlings. Improve the visibility over the product flow to control the condition and timeliness of inventory and delivering. Improving partnership with firms in supply chain, especially with retailers to catch up with the trends and improve the demand forecasting. Need a strict evaluation process to choose a highly competent and responsive third party service providers 1.3 Issues: 1/ Holding high level of inventory: mostly in-transit stock due to the poor transportation infrastructure and the complicated customs procedures; safety stock due to the uncertainty in demand forecasting and transportation problems affecting supply. 2/ Long lead time: possibly regarding to the low transportation structure and vehicles, the shortage of automatic warehouse and technology facilitating ordering. 3/ Imprecise demand forecast: due to the weak relationship and communication between channel partners. 4/ Timeliness: possibly due to the unforeseen factors in transportation and material handling. Moreover, Vietnamese companies still do not pay adequate attention on on-time delivery (Nguyen 2009,p.17), which reducing the customer service quality. 5/ Inventory condition and real time information: mostly the lack of information technology to control the product flow causes this issue. Strategy Proposal: 2.1 Strategies: Considering the issues of Motorola supply chain in Vietnam, three logistics strategies are proposed to help solving the problems: transportation based third party logistics, collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment, and RFID technology. 2.1.1 Transportation based third party logistics (3PL): A company can decide to outsource its non-core business. It is the process of shifting a part of business functions within an organization to outside providers (Fawcet, Ellram Ogden 2007,p.282). Third-party logistics means using an outside provider for some logistics activities such as transportation or warehousing (Fawcet, Ellram Ogden 2007,p.283). Transportation based third-party logistics is recommended for the case of Motorola supply chain in Vietnam, which will outsource transportation activities to a third-party logistics service provider. Advantages: Cost saving and improved services, as well as better transportation solution (Bhatnagar, Sohal Millen 1999,p.573). The specialization of the provider reduces lead time and guarantees good condition for in-transit stocks. By outsourcing non-core business, the company can focus on its core business (Bhatnagar, Sohal Millen 1999, p.573). Disadvantages: The loss of control over transportation activities. Disagreement or confusion about work priorities (Harrington 1999,p.60). Since the goal of manufacturers, using transportation-based 3PL is cost saving while the service provider aims to increase revenue, horizontal conflicts may occur between them. Although transportation-base 3PL results in several disadvantages, the strategy is still a suitable solution for transportation for Motorola supply chain. Due to the poor infrastructure of Vietnamese transportation system, there is high transporting risks. The transportation-base 3PL provider, with their specialized understanding of the system and customs procedures, has the ability to foresee and prevent risks in transporting. Thus, the stocks can be delivered on time. Moreover, lead time can be reduced due to providers specialization and highly invested facilities. Using their well-equipped vehicles, 3PL provider can also ensure the condition of in-transit stock, which is very important for electronics products such as Droid 2. Overall, customer service will be improved 2.1.2 Collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR): CPFR is an approach to coordinate activities such as production and purchasing planning, forecasting demand and stock replenishment between trading partners in supply chain base on Web technology (Fliedner 2003). It improves forecasting and increase product availability using synchronized replenishment, so customers will be served better at lower cost (Fawcet, Ellram Ogden 2007,p.482). The strategy required an intense collaboration between trading partners and technology system such as EDI to facilitate the information exchange. The strategy includes nine main activities. Activities in CPFR process (Danese 2007,p182) After agreeing on working methods, how to solve problems and location of meeting, collaborative partners join business plan together. Each company will do their own sales forecast and share them on an CPFR system. If there is too many differences in the two forecasts, the system will alert them and both partners will get together to solve and produce an accurate forecast. After that, manufacturer will forecast the way they produce and supply for retailer, as retailer will also forecast how to receive the order, and CPFR system will ensure the two order forecasts are matched, otherwise two parties will sit together again to work out the difference. Then, the CPFR forecast will be translated into production and replenishment plan, and order delivery (Coyel et al 2009,p.252). CPFR business model (Coyel et al 2009.p153). Advantages: Increase accurate forecasting, leading to better match between supply and demand (Murphy Wood 2008). Reduce inventory holding due to accurate forecasting and replenishment. Disadvantages: The risk of sharing sensitive information to other companies (Fliedner 2003). The high cost of implementing technology (Fliedner 2003), especially EDI system for information exchange. Although the system is complex and costly, a technological enterprise such as Motorola is able to adapt and utilize CPFR. CPFR reduces order response times for retailers and cycle times for manufacturers, so the strategy will contributes to shorter lead time of Motorola supply chain overall. Moreover, the accurate CPFR forecast will enhance on-time delivery the products to customer, especially in cases of introducing upgrading AGT software or a new Droid version. Furthermore, accurate forecasting increases the certainty in demand, so preventing overstock and stock-out as well as reducing safety stock holding cost, for both manufacturer and retailers. Thus, obsolescence and deterioration inventories will also be lower (Flidner 2003), which improve the stock condition, which is very important for phones batteries. Overall, applying CPFR will contribute to the performance and customer service of responsive Motorola supply chain. 2.1.3 Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology: Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a high level of using barcode, reading the information through radio frequency. RFID tag and reader are two main components of RFID system. A microchip is sticked to RFID tag and data will be written on it. The tag is placed on objects or smart cards, and the data can be read by RFID reader through radio signals (Hansen et al 2008,p.1). Unlike barcode, RFID reader does not need to reach the surface of the tag to read information. The data is transferred to the main server and shared to other information systems. RFID system (Reproduced from The Major Learn) Advantages: RFID improves inventory visibility and real time information. It enhances the control over inventory. RFID shortens lead time by reducing manual works in logistics processes. Disadvantages: Security: using RFID readers, competitors, or criminal can track the sensitive data from the tag to use against the company. Moreover, consumers privacy can be violated by too much information about them are shared through RFID. The cost of RFID implementation is expensive as a tag may cost between $0.15 to $0.75 (Michael McCathie 2005,p.6). RFID is highly recommended to be used from the manufacturing plant in Malaysia, not only Motorola Vietnam. RFID gives real time information, which assists other methods of cooperation such as CPFR (Hansen et al 2008,p.13). The inventory and product flow will become visible for the supply chain. Therefore, the manufacturer and distributors will produce and replenish for their retailers the right quantity, on time, minimizing inventory holding. Furthermore, smart phone and its accessories are highly vulnerable, and RFID will help ensure the condition of Droid 2 storage and movement as well as minimize human errors in handling the stocks. Moreover, with automatic tracking on the inventory, RFID reduces picking time, resulting in shorter lead time. And the same as CPFR, Motorola has the technological experience and budget to adapt RFID. Explanation of the Multi-criteria Decision Matrix (Appendix 1) Among the three proposed strategies, CPFR is the most suitable strategy applying for Motorola supply chain. The responsive supply chain system concerns on time, so the short lead time and accurate forecast are critical. By strengthening the connection and collaboration between manufacturer and retailer in the supply chain, CPFR significantly improves the forecast to match real demand, ensuring product availability, which strengthens Motorolas competitiveness better than the others. With the planned operation and transportation, risks and lead time will be reduced. It maintains on-time delivery. Moreover, accurate production and replenishment also prevent stock out and overstock, so the cost of holding inventory is lower and the obsolete inventory can be minimized. Overall, CPFR help the Motorolas supply chain solve the broad set of issues over the two other strategies. It helps the supply chain to be more adaptive and responsive to the changing environment of smart phone market as we ll as overcome Vietnamese logistics issues. An illustration of this is JK Computers Ltd, a 3C products retailer, collaborates with its supplier, Synnex Logistics using CPFR (Chang et al 2007). After together formulating the working mechanism, JP transmits sales and inventory data to supplier in regular basic to confirm on replenishment. If there is a difference, supplier will respond to JP, so JP then identifies another supplier using its database. However, the replenishment will be approved, and supplier will inform JP about the replenishing amounts to each store on agreed time, then processing the order. After delivery, the stores put the date to information system and transmit to the head office. The replenishment is done and payment is collected monthly. Adapting CPFR with Synnex Logistics, JPs stockout rate decreased 4.95% to 2.49%, ROI increased from 1 to 1.5, capital turnover raised from 1.33 to 1.75 and service level improved from 95.05% to 97.51% (Chang et al 2007). 2.3 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): For Motorola manufacturer and retailers in the first quarter of 2010: Reducing forecast error from 5% to 2% from January 2010. Shortening lead time from 7 days to 5 days in three months. Reducing stock-out rate from 5% to 2.5% in three months. A benchmark to control the above KPIs will be formed. A weekly report will be sent to manufacturer, distributors, and retailers about the overall performance to take appropriate correction together if goals are not achieved, ensuring final KPIs reached. 2.4 Costs and Benefits of CPFR implementation: Benefits Costs Significantly improving demand forecast and planning. Better planning and simpler procedures passed between manufacturer and retailers. Thus, lead time will be reduced Stock-out, overstock can be minimized Holding less inventory so reducing cost Ensuring items will be delivered on time and in good conditions High risks: Sensitive information shared maybe caught by competitors. High cost of implementation CPFR system and facilities, and training staff Time consumed in meeting to overcome the lack of trust and set up front-end agreement. Aggregate concerns with number of forecasting and generation (Fliedner 2003). References: Bhatnagar, R Sohal, A Millen, R 1999, Third party logistics services: a Singapore perspective, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, vol. 29, no. 9, pp. 569-587, viewed 7 December 2009, Emerald Management Xtra database. Chang, T Fu, H Lee, W Lin, Y Hsueh, H 2007, A study of an augmented CPFR model for the 3C retail industry, Supply chain management: An international journal, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 200-209, viewed 8 December 2009, Emerald Management Xtra database. Coyle, J Langley, C Gibson, B Novack, R Bardi, E 2008, Supply Chain Management: A Logistics Perspective, 8th edn, Cengage Learning, USA. Danese, P 2007, Designing CPFR collaborations: insights from seven case studies, International Journal of Operation Production Management, vol.27, no. 2, pp.182, viewed 7 December 2009, Emerald Management Xtra database. Fawcett, S Ellram, L Ogden, J 2007, Supply chain management from vision to implementation, Pearson Education, USA, pp.282-283. Fliedner, G 2003, CPFR: an emerging supply chain tool, Industrial Management Data System, vol 103, no. 1, pp. 14-21, viewed 7 December 2009, Emerald Management Xtra database. Goh, M Ang, A 2000, Some logistics realities in Indochina, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, vol.30, no. 10, viewed 6 December 2009, Emerald Management Xtra database. Hansen, W, Gillert, F, Cox, K Schmid, V 2008, RFID for the optimization of business process, John Wiley Sons, Great Britain. Harrington, L 1999, 3PL subcontracting: whos handling your business? Transportation distribution, vol. 40, issue 6, pp.60, viewed 7 December 2009, Business Source Premier database. Michael,K McCathie,L 2005, The pros and cons of RFID in supply chain management, University of Wollongong, viewed on 2 November, 2009, Nguyen, H 2009, Logistics system Vietnam versus Singapore, Vietnam logistics review, vol. 22, no.1, pp. 15-18. Nguyen, PT 2009, Expectations for Vietnamese 3PL service businesses, Vietnam logistics review, viewed 6 December 2009, . TheMajorLearn 2008, Overview RFID Guardian software, viewed on 10 November 2009, . Tuang, A Stringer, C 2008, Trust and commitment in Vietnam: the industrial distributors perspective, International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 905, viewed 7 December 2009, Emerald Management Xtra database. Venard, B 1996, Vietnamese distribution channels, International Journal of Retail Distribution Management, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 32, viewed 6 December 2009, Business Source Premier database.

Goodrich-Rabobank Interest Rate Swap Essay -- Economics Economy Essays

Goodrich-Rabobank Interest Rate Swap 1. How large should the discount (X) be to make this an attractive deal for Rabobank? 2. How large must the annual fee (F) be to make this an attractive deal for Morgan Guaranty? 3. How small must the combination of F and X be to make this an attractive deal for B.F. Goodrich? 4. Is this an attractive deal for the savings banks? 5. Is this a deal where everyone wins? If not, who loses? Introduction: Players: Morgan Bank, Rabobank, and B.F. Goodrich, Salomon Brothers, Thrift Institutions and Saving Banks Goodrich: In early 1983, Goodrich needed $50 million to fund its ongoing financial needs. However, Goodrich was reluctant to borrow (short term debt) from its committed bank lines because of the following reasons: 1. It would lose substantial about of its remaining short term capital availability under its bank lines. 2. It would compromise its future flexibility by borrowing in the short term. Instead, it wanted to borrow for an 8 year range (or longer) at a fixed rate. However, since the general level of interest rates were pretty high, and Goodrich?s credit ratings had dropped from BBB to BBB-. Goodrich believed that it would have to pay 13% interest for a 30 year corporate debenture. Salomon Brothers had advised Goodrich that they could borrow in the US public debt market with a floating rate debt issue tied to the LIBOR, and then swap payments with Euro market bank that had raised funds in the fixed-rate Eurobond market. Note: The reason that Salomon were confident that this could be done is described as follows: 1. There was a recent deregulation of deposit markets had allowed deposit institutions to offer n... ...% - (x1+11.2%) = 1.3%-x1. 7. From (2), and (5) Rabobank saves the following amount in semiannual interest payments: LIBOR ? 1/8% - (LIBOR ?x2) = x2 ? 1/8%. 8. For this deal to occur, Rabobank, Morgan, and Goodrich must profit hence the following also must be true: a. (x1-x2)>= F where 37.5> F> 8 (footnote #2 on page 362). b. 130 ? x1> 0 i.e. 130> x1 c. X2 ? 12.5> 0 i.e. x2> 12.5 Assuming that x2 = 20 basis, and x1 = 100 basis. We can conclude the following: Goodrich pays a fixed interest of 11.2% + 1% = 12.2% a savings of 20 basis points (after transaction costs). Rabobank saves a total of 2% - 1.8% = 20 basis points. And Morgan collects 2% - 1.25% = 75 basis points in fee, in addition to the $125,000 one time fee. Note: The total savings that this deal provides as a result of the swap is: 5 + 20 + 75 = 100 basis points.

Employability Skills:An Update :: Employer Work Job Essays

Employability Skills: An Update This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education under Contract No. ED-99-CO-0013. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Education nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Digests may be freely reproduced and are available at http://ericacve.org/fulltext.asp. What skills do employers want? How do these skills match those that youth and adults are developing through their school and work experiences? How can education and training programs prepare individuals to enter a rapidly changing workplace? These and other questions are examined in this Digest that explores skills currently needed for employment. Since 1986 the authors of no fewer than six ERIC Digests and one Trends and Issues Alert have sifted through an increasingly prolific literature base to investigate the evolving topic of employability skills. The dual challenges of competing in a world market and rapid technological advancements have necessitated a redesign of the workplace into an innovative work environment known as the high-performance workplace. This environment requires a behavior and orientation toward work that go beyond step-by-step task performance. It expects workers at all levels to solve problems, create ways to improve the methods they use, and engage effectively with their coworkers (Bailey 1997; Packer 1998). Knowledge workers who demonstrate this highly skilled, adaptive blend of technical and human relations ability are recognized by employers as their primary competitive edge. Job-specific technical skills in a given field are no longer sufficient as employers scramble to fill an increasing number of interdependent jobs (Askov and Gordon 1999; Murnane and Levy 1996). Many U.S. and international authors point out the importance of continuously developing skills beyond those required for a specific job, and they identify employability skills that enable individuals to prove their value to an organization as the key to job survival. The volume of major studies undertaken in the past 2 decades to identify and describe employability skills underscores their criticality. (For a listing of some of these authors, organizations, and studies, see the references.) There are many definitions of the phrase employability skills. The following updated definition is representative of a synthesis of definitions as they have evolved over time: Employability skills are transferable core skill groups that represent essential functional and enabling knowledge, skills, and attitudes required by the 21st century workplace.

Aristophanes Agathon in Women at the Thesmophoria Essay -- Aristophan

Aristophanes' Agathon in Women at the Thesmophoria Aristophanes and Agathon were peers in Ancient Greece. Aristophanes was the master of comedy, and Agathon was the master of tragedy. They traveled in the same circles and are present in the same works. In looking through the comic lens at Agathon in Aristophanes’ Women at the Thesmophoria, the reader is presented with a portrayal of an effeminate man with a flair for the dramatic and a queenly attitude. Aristophanes’ Agathon is a comic character to be laughed at, a man that is more female than male. In looking at this view of Agathon, Greek views of homoeroticism are brought up and Agathon’s reputation and character in the world of Ancient Greece is brought into question. How much of this portrayal is actual, and how much is Aristophanes use of comedy? More importantly, what is exposed in viewing Agathon in this light? In order to answer these questions, an alternate, non-comic view of Agathon must be looked at, which Plato’s Symposium offers. By comparing Agathon’s portrayal in both works, views on Agathon and on Greek homoeroticism can be inferred. Aristophanes’ portrait of Agathon is not true to Agathon’s actual self, but rather uses cultural stereotypes and bigotry to gain laughs. Looking at Aristophanes’ portrayal of Agathon in both Symposium and Women at the Thesmophoria and in looking at the general treatment given to Agathon in Symposium, a basis for this interpretation is created, allowing the modern reader a clearer look at Greek life. Three lenses are presented- Aristophones’ comic lens in his famous comedy, Aristophanes’ personal lens through his speech in Symposium, and Plato’s non-comic lens in Symposium, providing a wide range of views to be explored. Arist... ...ng the most cultured, the stereotypes of the masses were ignored. Through combining all three lenses, it is clear that Aristophanes’ portrait of Agathon is not true to Agathon’s actual self, but rather uses cultural stereotypes and bigotry to gain laughs. Though Agathon was a womanly man in a long-term homo-sexual relationship, Women at the Thesmophoria plays on stereotypes, exposing the common Greek ideals of masculinity and homoeroticism. Through further exploration of Symposium, both with Aristophanes’ tint and without, it is apparent that Agathon was no one to be lampooned, but was rather an intelligent, well-respected member of the highest social circles. Women at the Thesmophoria serves as more of a lens into common Greek beliefs then a lens into Agathon’s character, showing that the comic lens of Aristophanes goes deeper culturally then it does personally.

The Marketing of Honda Motorcycles in the USA

The American Honda Motor Company was established as a subsidiary by Honda in 1959. During the 1960's the type of motorcycles brought by Americans underwent a major change. Motorcycle registrations increased by over 800,000 in five years from 1960. In the early 60's the major competitors were Haley – Davidson of U. S. A, BSA, Triumph and Norton of the UK and Motto – Guzzi of Italy. Harley-Davidson had the largest market share with sales in 1959 totalling a6. 6 million dollars. Many of the motorcycles produced were large and bulky and this led to the image f the motorcycle rider as being one who wore a leather jacket and went The Boston Consulting Group ( BCG ) report was initiated by the British government to study the decline in British motorcycle companies around the world, especially in the USA where sales had dropped from 49% in 1959 to 9% in 1973. The two key factors the report identified was the market share loss and profitability declines an the scale economy disadvantages in technology, distribution, and manufacturing. The BCG report showed that success of the Japanese manufacturers started with the growth of their own domestic markets. The high production for omestic demand led to Honda experiencing economies of scale as the cost of producing motorbikes declined with the level of output. This provided Honda to achieve a highly competitive cost position which they used to penetrate into the US market. † The basic philosophy of the Japanese manufacture is that high volumes per model provide the potential for high productivity as a result of using capital intensive and highly automated techniques. Their marketing strategies are therefore directed towards developing these high model volumes, hence the careful attention that we have observed them giving to growth and market The report goes on to show how Honda built up engineering competencies through the innovation of Mr Honda. The company also moved away from other companies who relied upon distributors to sell their bikes when the company set up its headquarters in the west coast of America. The BCG found that the motorcycles available before Honda entered the market were for limited group of people such as the police, army etc. But Honda had a â€Å"policy of selling, not primarily to confirmed motorcyclists but rather to members of the general public who had never before given a second thought to a motorcycle†( SP p. 16 ). The small, lightweight Honda Supercub sold at under 250 dollars compared to the bigger American or British machines which were retailing at around 1000 to 1500 dollars. In 1960 Honda's research team comprised of around 700 designer and engineer staff compared to the 100 or so employed by their competitors showing the value which the company placed on innovation. Production per man-year was 159 units in 1962, a figure not reached by Harley-Davidson Honda was following a strategy of developing region by region. Over a period of four to five years they moved from the west coast of America o the east coast. The report showed the emphasis which Honda paid to advertising when the company spent heavily on the advertising theme † you meet the nicest people on a Honda† thereby disassociating themselves from the rowdy, hell's angels type of people. Essentially the BCG is portraying Honda as a firm dedicated to being a low cost producer, utilising its dominant position in Japan to force entry into the U. S market, redefining that market by putting up the nicest people image and exploiting its comparative advantage via Pascale tends to disagree on many points of the BCG report. The report uggests that there was a smooth entry into the U. S market which led to an instant success. Pascale argues that Honda entered the American market at the end of the motorcycle trade season showing their impotence to carry out research in the new market. As they entered the market at the wrong time sales were not as good as they should have been and any success was not going to be instantaneous. Pascale also criticises the assumption that Honda was superior to other competitors in productivity. He says that Honda was successful in Japan with productivity but circumstances indicate that the company was not superior. The lack of funding from the ministry of finance and the ploughing back of profits into inventory meant they had a tight budget to follow. The BCG report shows that Honda had a smooth policy of developing region by region, moving from the west to the east. Pascale response is that this is partly true but reminds that Hondas advertising was still in Los Angeles in 1963, four years after setting up their subsidiary. The report to the British government showed that Honda had a deliberate strategy of disassociating themselves from the hells angels type of people by following the nicest people advertisement policy. Pascale shows that this was not an intentional move since there were disputes within the company with the director of sales eventually persuading to management against their better judgement. The BCG report found Honda pushed into the U. S market with small lightweight motorbikes. However Pascale says this is again not true. He argues the intended strategy was one of promoting the larger 250cc and 350cc as Honda felt that this was what the market wanted since Americans liked all things large. The bikes were unreliable which led to the promotion of the supercubs. These bikes salvaged the reputation of the company. An dea which hardly came from an inspired idea but one of desperation. Overall Pascale gives the impression that it was through an incidental sequence of events which led to Honda gaining a strong hold in the U. S market, mainly through the unexpected discovery of a large untapped segment of the market while at the same time trying to retain the The criticism made by Pascale can be further analysed by looking at the The strengths of Honda start with the roles which the founders played. Honda was an inventive genius with a large ego and a volatile temperament. His main concerns were not about the profitability of the ompany or its products, but rather to show his innovative ability by producing better engines. Fujisawa on the other hand thought about the financial section of the company and how to market the ideas. He often challenged Honda to come up with better engines. By specialising in their own abilities the two of them were able to pool together resources Another strength was the way the company utilised its market position. Strengths in design advantages and production methods meant they were able to increases sales in Japan even though there was no organisation within the company. Once there was a large enough demand for its products, mainly the supercub, Honda both in Japan and in America, moved from a sale on consignment basis to one that required cash on delivery. This seemed a very risky decision to make at the time but within three years they had changed the pattern within the motorcycle industry by shifting the power relationship from the dealer to the manufacturer. Mr Honda had cultivated a â€Å"success against all odds† culture into the company. This was tested when he sent two executives to the U. S with no strategy other than to see if they could sell something. The weaknesses within an organisation can become irrelevant if the strategy is strong and there is good leadership. An element of luck also helped Honda follow an emerging strategy. Restrictions placed on funds by the government for the U. S venture forced Honda to take an alternative route. If they had all the funds necessary they may well have gone through the normal distribution Honda entered the us market right at the end of the motorcycle trade season. When leaking oil and clutch problems occurred on their bikes it did not affect Honda as hard as it would have had they entered in the beginning of the season. Also people noticing the Supercubs led the company to produce a bike which was not at first supported by senior The success of Honda was not the result of senior management coming up with all the answers. In fact senior executives in most Japanese manufacturing companies do not take their strategic positions too seriously. Salesman, cleaners and those working on the manufacturing floor all contribute to the company is run and thereby influence its strategic position. It is this ability of an organisation to move ideas from the tom to the bottom and back again in continuos dialogue that the As a conclusion it is necessary to consider the theoretical side of Hondas strategy and see whether the company was in fact following a model. The first model is the Andrew's model. Andrew came up with the idea that there were two stages to corporate strategy, formulation and implementation. Formulation involved looking at the market, competitors and resources and formulating a corporate strategy which would be implemented throughout each process of the organisational structure. This model was also supported by Porter. This is how the BCG saw Honda, as a corporation, who had looked at the market, formulated a strategy to ope with the environment and competition pressures and implemented it, making all Hondas plans and activities deliberate. The second model known as the emergent strategy portrays a different image to the Andrews model and shows how Pascale viewed Honda. The model shows a realised strategy made up from a an intended strategy together with an emergent strategy which is not planned but emerges in relation to activities within the environment. Pascale seemed to think that in Hondas case a substantial proportion or the companies corporate strategy was emergent and less was actually intended strategy.

Marketing research report: using SPSS indentify case study Essay

The Questionnaire having 19 key questions to extract consumer’s perception about Auto Online website and the important factors which motivated for consumer to buy online. The research objective is try to identify the important factors motivating to buy online, for consumers and to take action plans further to improve consumer’s needs. The survey mainly concentrating on the following aspects; Consumer’s view on use of Internet, Awareness of Auto Online website, Security, Convenience while making a purchase etc. All these questions were asked on 1 to 5 Ratings scale, so the data collected on 19 factors is an ordinal. The labels taken as Strongly Disagree (1) to Strongly Agree (5) for all the variables: The most prominent way of analyzing these type of data in Descriptive Statistics is Frequency Tables and Cross Tabulations, also Top 2 Box scores for important factors; where Top 2 Box scores is the Percent of respondents for any particular question answered the Top 2 responses, i.e. Strongly Agree and Agree. It will be the best measure to interpret the respective attribute (In terms of Percentages). The important thing to be consider when interpreting the Ordinal Data is that it does not make any significance if we calculate the average forms like Mean or Median. Below are the Frequency Tables which are basically about how consumer thinks about Internet and Making purchase decisions etc. Marketing research report: using SPSS indentify case study 3 Executive Summary: Auto Online is a very â€Å"convenient† website and motivating respondent to buy products online. Most of the respondents aware about Auto Online through web surfing or any search engine. It will be very good if Auto Online website get innovative so that the overall experience with the site will be stronger than what know it is; since consumer is surfing the net as he is looking more information about Automobile products and he can reduce the strain with dealing car salesmen. Analysis and Interpretation: The following tables are the frequency tables for the questions, in what way the internet would be used by the respondent. Here the key questions for Auto Online are â€Å"I use the internet to research purchases I make†, â€Å"The Internet is a good tool to us when researching an automobile†, The Internet should not be used to purchase vehicles† and â€Å"Online dealership are just another way of getting you into the traditional dealership†. Where no single important factor got more than 50% of respondent saying whether â€Å"strongly agree† or â€Å"agree†. So on average a respondent is using internet to research automobile and of course it does not turning him to purchase online, they are thinking that they should not purchase automobiles on line. Since the Percent of respondents for â€Å"The Internet should not be used to purchase vehicles†Ã‚   got only 40% of Top2 Box Score. So on average not more than 40% of respondents turning their Internet use into online purchase for any automobile products. Following tables are the frequency tables on consumer’s perception about buying a new vehicle and don’t like to hassle with car salesmen.

Evaluating Communication Strategies Essay

You are working as a human service worker at a local United Way agency that serves several multicultural clients. In addition to the multicultural aspect, the agency also serves children, women, the elderly, and the homeless. Your manager has asked you to decide the best communication approach for each of these clients. About the Clients In the human services profession it is becoming increasingly more important to know and understand the different cultures and their beliefs. When it comes to communicating effectively with people from different cultures, it can be of great help if you first understand the social and psychological forces that drive their verbal and non-verbal behavior. It is important to encompass skills like warmth, authenticity, empathy, permissiveness, and acceptance. Effective Strategies and Techniques Empathy refers to the ability to understand someone else’s point of view and ideas. When a client feels understood, and they think you are more understanding to their point of view, they are more likely to accept and listen to new ideas. Being genuine is the expression of true feelings. Being genuine can be of big usefulness to people in the human services industry. It is important to also be objective. Seeing things from an outside point of view can help the human services worker to be subjective. Self-awareness is the quality of knowing oneself. This can help to convey one’s values, feeling’s, attitudes, and beliefs. Acceptance is an important tool because it shows the clients you believe their beliefs are worthy of consideration. Multi-Cultural Awareness When working in the human services industry it is important to have  awareness of other cultures and their practices. Clients will be more accepting of good or bad news if they feel like they are at least being understood, and being treated fairly. Culture shapes a person’s life from their beliefs and values, to their preferences and attitudes. Understanding a person’s cultural background and beliefs can help you to more effectively communicate the what, why’s, and how’s of thing’s work. It can help you to better communicate what can and cannot be done to help them in their given circumstances.

Display advertising involved purchasing advertising space on websites Essay

3.Why did BBVA sign multiyear sponsorship deals with NBA and ESPN? Do you agree with this decision? To increase brand awareness. Yes, brand building is a long term process and needs continuous input. 4.What are the various steps in the online acquisition process and how can the bank improve this process? Paid search: Buy key words—ad shows up with the key word- banner with promotional offer(ipod, 5% cash back, or $100 to $150 in cash, under certain conditions)-link to official website–Open account Display: Buy ad space in prospect’s website— banner with promotional offer(ipod, 5% cash back, or $100 to $150 in cash, under certain conditions)-link to official website–Open account How they can do: Increase the people who see and click. Put more budget on Simply step/information required for online application. 5.What is the effective acquisition cost and lifetime value of customers acquired through the online channel? BBVA acquired its customers through its branches, website, telephone and direct mail. About 80% of the new checking accounts had been set up through BBVA’s branches, 15% through telephone and direct mail and 5% came from the on-line channel. BBVA’s goal was to keep the customer acquisition cost below $200 per new account. The bank considered acquisition cost between $100 and $150 to be good and below $100 to be great. The online channel had the least acquisition costs of all – on average, the effective cost of these promotions was about $100 for each new online checking customer. In the banking industry, the average lifetime value of a new checking account, with expected life of five years, is approximately $800. However, the net annual income generated by online customers is slightly higher than returns from clients using the local branch (online customers have lower balances and therefore pay higher fees). 6.What is the role of display and search advertising in acquiring new checking account customers? Is the 2010 advertising budget allocation between display and search appropriate? Paid search advertising entailed purchasing keywords on Google, Yahoo!, and Bing, the three major search engines. The largest portion of BBVA’s paid search budget was allocated for Google, as it had the biggest share of search queries. Words purchased included generic keywords, such as â€Å"consumer checking,† â€Å"checking account,† and â€Å"free checking account† as well as branded keywords, including â€Å"BBVA Compass† and â€Å"BBVA brand.† Buys for these keywords were analyzed and tracked through the bid management tool, which evaluated competitive prices, search volume and share of voice for each keyword. Media Contacts also sent weekly performance reports with analysis and recommendations for campaign optimization.

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 153

Summary - Essay Example It is noted that by going to the public too frequently causes people to pay less attention to the president. Different assumptions were reviewed as the president was not to go to the public unless the public supported his view otherwise the Congress would vote against him. Also the president had to gain influence on the policy issues he had chosen to promote the public appeals. The president’s likelihood to appeal to the public over issues that would increase if the A president’s public opinion apparatus was designed to provide the administration with a comprehensive view of the public’s preferences. Who as a voracious consumer of the public opinion, President Johnson had sought to assess the state of it from a various sources, including both polls and mail addressed to him by the ordinary citizens.   At white House two types of opinion provided different stories as to the direction the salience of the public sentiment regarding the Vietnam War. Difference in opinion between the public and the opinion polls and the mail opinion may have been given bby the Johnson administration as a good reason to think that they could lead a loyal opinion on Vietnam, which was more hawkish than those registered by the polls of the masses rallying for the war protesters. These findings helped them to resolve interpretations of President Johnson’s strangeness with the public opinion during the Vietnam War, since he was clearer as to give the kind of opinion the president was following. They clearly demonstrated the importance of including mail opinion in the studies of the public support toward the presidential policies, and the response of the administration to it. This were the most publicized and controversial battles that had occurred at Khesanh which happened both on the ground and air in January 20. There was a final which was known as the Tet Offensive which

Compare and contrast two people you know well Essay

Compare and contrast two people you know well - Essay Example One is my friend Mr. Pete and the other is my friend and cousin Prof. Jilmatt. Mr. Pete is an ardent social worker who attributes his generous nature to his family and multicultural society in which he was born and brought up. He spent his childhood with his loving parents, and friends of different ethnic groups. His parents belonged to a middle class White family who were staunch supporters of Catholic faith. In addition to religious insight, they both had good background of college education which added to Pete’s social concern. He is not only little lenient to moral failures but also exceedingly formal; and always maintained the dignity of his family throughout his life. Though people used to criticize him for his obsessional behavior, his sense of responsibility and discipline has had a strong influence on my life. Pete valued friendship and always maintained good social contact. He is well aware of the problems of common people and has clear opinion on social issues. He is an excellent speaker who also takes part in political campaigns. Although he was born to catholic parents, he actively participated in social issues irrespective of their ethnic variance. However, the most unfortunate thing about him is that he is half blind who could never read anything since his childhood. However, people who are only very close to him could identify this deformity; and obviously his will power enabled him to manage this. All his social contacts have helped him to build up a successful business based on agricultural products and equipments. Prof. Jilmatt is an aberrant character who could speak and write more than seven languages fluently. He is famous (notorious?) for his vociferous nature and careless life style. Common people could hardly understand the real versatile. He is little consistent with his career as a professor and is often catapulted from

Economical Analysis of Worldbiotechcom, Inc Essay

Economical Analysis of Worldbiotechcom, Inc - Essay Example The former was driven by the introduction of cars, television, radio and electric power while the latter resulted from the use of Internet and emergence of e-commerce. NASDAQ index spiked then abruptly went into a steep decline after the dot-com bubble burst leading many investors to bankruptcy. There was so much hype in the new technologies as the forecasted prospects were very promising only to be dismayed by modest results and dismal returns. For example, so many people invested in the Internet because they thought that they could easily gain an easy buck given the increasing availability, accessibility and minimal investments it requires. Instead, they were driven to bankruptcy by websites offering free services. (Smith et al 2002 ; Topol 2003) The most pressing problem with regards to the new transport system is not so much in the entry of other players or the saturation of the market but in the inherent risk in using it. While other means of transportation such as automobiles, ships and airplanes have their own death statistics, they offer a relatively higher degree of confidence because these modes can be maneuvered and abandoned to prevent the loss of life and limbs. Even if we insist that the transport mode is safe and use simulation runs as evidence, we can never discount the possibility of an accident. A single accident could send tremors across the whole industry and send it tumbling down because people would be scared of the prospect of being atomized to nothingness and being unable to do something about it. It is expected that exceptional mandatory quality standards will be implemented by the government in light of the risks involved in the use of the technology. The worst case scenario would include the disclosure on the hazard of using the technology which can dissuade potential buyers or users. Controls on employment or production such as exhaustive testing could prove to be very