A political social movement Essay Example for Free

A political social movement Essay One problem the researcher had when operationalising the meaning of punk is that there was a varying meaning of punk. To the people who defined themselves as punk it was a political social movement, to others it was seen as fashion. Another problem is that it was hard to say whom the punks were because of how they act or dress. Some of the people who would say they were punk would not dress or act to the ideal, where others who were acting and dressing to the ideal would not identify themselves as punk. One reason why some sociologists may prefer qualitative methods is that it gives a truer insight into what a respondent has to say. This therefore improves the validity of the research. A second reason is that it provides greater depth into social life. It allows the researcher to look at society in more detail and other than its counter part not just as figures in a table. The research findings in item A tell us that once you label yourself as punk, you undertake three stages in a punk career. In the three stages there are what they define as being punk, how they behave, and their core values. The first stage is rebellion. Their definition of a punk is unconventional and a non-conformist. Their behaviour is anarchic and deviant. The way they dress and hairstyle is aimed to shock people and offend. Their core values at this stage are rejecting and opposing mainstream values. The second stage is belonging. They become a member of a subculture. They conform to common standards of dress, behaviour and may also start body piercing. They value being accepted by peers of being a true punk, not just a poseur. The third stage is belief in core values. They believe that punk values are more important than dress, looks etc. Their behaviour is individual do it yourself creative expression. They value personal integrity, individualism, honesty, and being unique.

Why Have Strategic Alliances Grown in Popularity?

Why Have Strategic Alliances Grown in Popularity? Who gains from strategic alliances? â€Å"Google and Lycos Europe Announce Strategic Alliance† (Google press center, 2003), â€Å"Bayer Healthcare and Intendis announce strategic alliance† (Wayne and Montville, 2007), â€Å"Fiat and Chrysler Announce Strategic Alliance† (Car News Gluckman and Kurcezski, 2009), â€Å"City Bank and American Express announce strategic alliance† (Dhaka, 2009). Alliances have become increasingly popular. Over the past years the number of firms forming strategic alliances has risen constantly. â€Å"According to Securities Data Corporation, the number of alliances has increased about 25% per year for the last decade.† In fact some eight out of ten electronics companies now have alliances or are negotiating new ones (Kolasky 1997). The above listed examples show that the trend of forming alliances not only concerns the electronics companies but all business sectors. This essay will critically evaluate on the basis of various examples why strategic alliances have grown in popularity and who gains. Therefore, it is necessary to understand what strategic alliances are and in which types they can appear. A uniform definition of strategic alliances does not exist. Porter (1990, p. ) defines strategic alliances as â€Å"long-term agreements between firms that go beyond normal market transactions but fall short of merger.† According to Dussauge and Garrette (1999, p. ) alliances can be defined as â€Å"a cooperative agreement or association between two or more independent enterprises, which will manage one specific project, with a determined duration †¦ in order to improve their competences. It is constituted to allow its partners to pool resources and coordinate efforts †¦ to achieve results that neither could obtain by acting alone. The key parameters surrounding alliances are opportunism, necessity and speed.† All in all alliances are partnerships, in which merit is combined in order to achieve a mutual goal and to increase sales volume without bearing all the risks. As there are many ways to define strategic alliances there are also many ways of classifying them. To tie in with Dussauge and Garrette (1999) strategic alliances can be divided into partnerships between non-competing firms and alliances between competitors, which are specified in the following. Partnerships between non-competing firms are relationships between companies from different industries, which therefore are not in direct competition with each other. They implicate international expansion joint venture, vertical partnerships and cross-industry agreements. International expansion joint venture opens a new market to the foreign partner and offers the local partner a product to distribute, e.g. Renault and Diesel Naciona, SA (DINA). Vertical partnership is collaboration at two successive working stages within the same production process, e.g. McDonalds and Coca Cola. Cooperations between completely different industries (cross-industry agreements) aspire the diversification of t he activities of companies through a leverage of their abilities, e.g. Philips and DuPont de Nemours produced surface coatings for data storage. Alliances between competitors are divided into three categories, which are shared-supply alliances, quasi-concentration alliances and complementary alliances. Within shared-supply alliances rivals come together to share elements when the display for a particular production process is much greater than for the whole product. The products remain within each company, e.g. Volkswagen and Renault produced jointly automatic gear boxes. In a quasi-concentration alliance just one common product is developed, produced and marketed by all allies, e.g. the collaboration of British Aerospace, DASA and Alenia in the case of the Tornado fighter plane. In the event of complementary alliances a product produced by one company is marketed with the help of the distribution network of another company, e.g. the distribution of Mitsubishi cars by Chrysler. Strategic alliances have gained popularity across many industries. The typification of alliances mentioned above show that alliances are not industry specific, but mostly cross-sectoral. They include amongst others automobile, pharmaceutical and aerospace industries. The reasons for the growing popularity of strategic alliances are quite evident. According to Segal-Horn and Faulkner (1999) one of the primary drivers of strategic alliances is the growing globalisation and regionalisation of markets. Several forces that resulted from the globalisation make the strategy of alliances very important. â€Å"The steady reduction of trade barriers has led to the dramatic growth of cross-border cooperation between companies† (Segal-Horn and Faulkner, 1999, p. 205). The blurring of industry boundaries forces companies to face new rivals. Alliances can provide the companies with capabilities that they need to front global competitors. â€Å"Alliances can provide firms with many benefits such as access to new knowledge, complementary resources, new markets and new technologiesto learn, exploit economies of scale and scope, share risks and outsource various activities along the value chain.† (Gulati et al. 2000 cited in Segal-Horn 2004, p. ) Gulati ´s statement shows that strategic alliances can offer many opportunities and advantages. In respect to technology development the companies can learn from each other as there is an exchange and sharing of technologies, know-how and expertise. This expertise and technology sharing allows the companies to achieve faster the joint aims. To cite Wagonor (2001) manager of GM, â€Å"leveraging on someone who does it better allows you to get there faster.† Canon and HP shared their technologies in copier business. Canon developed the technology for toner and toner cartridges and HP developed the software and computer chips to operate the cartridges (Acredula, 2001). Concerning the market development collaboration can facilitate international expansion and the companies can benefit from a faster entry to new markets. In the case of the alliance between Coca-Cola and Proctor and Gamble (PG), Coca-Cola benefited from a faster entry into the snack and non-carbonated beverage market (Acredula 2001). An alliance partner can also help a company that enters a foreign market with local knowledge, logistics and domestic behaviour as well as with the governmental requirements. Another advantage that an alliance offers the companies is maintenance of the market position and production at lowest cost locations which leads to a very important advantage, cost reduction. Allies in cooperation can for example share costs for advertising and marketing as well as the costs for research and development (RD). In the case of failure the partners of an alliance share the risk as it is spread between all allies and can therefore minimize their damage and losses. This makes the companies more willing to take a risk as they would be alone. Finally, the shrinking product life cycle which cause growing pressure for innovation and growth has forced companies to look outside their own borders for new ideas (Bannerman, 2005). To sum up, strategic alliances allow firms to share risks and resources, gain knowledge and technology, expand the existing product base, and obtain access to new markets. The named advantages of strategic alliances can help companies to keep pace with increasingly complex technologies and constantly changing global markets (Kolasky, 1997). Forming alliances seems to be a useful tool to adopt to the changing market conditions and to stay competitive in a global business world. According to Johnson and Scholes (2008) enterprises sometimes cannot cope with increasingly complex environments only with interior resources and competences. They may see the need to obtain materials, skills, innovation, finance or access to markets through other cooperation s. A single firm is unlikely to possess all the resources and capabilities to achieve global competitiveness† (Dussauge and Garrette 1999, p.). Collaboration is often necessary for the survival and growth of a company. Alliances are a useful strategy to pool competences, technology know-how, skills and resources together to create a new unit (De Wit and Meyer, 1998). Toshiba believes that â€Å"a sing le company cannot dominate any technology or business by itself†. That is why Toshiba chose the strategy of developing relationships with different partners (e.g. IBM, Siemens, GE, Ericsson, Microsoft, Samsung) for different technologies which helped the company to become one of the leading players in the global electronics industry. Toshiba is successful with that strategy because of a thorough alliance partner selection. Toshiba has chosen Apple Computers as a partner to develop multimedia computer. Toshibas manufacturing expertise combined with Apples software technology was an achievement because the alliance allowed both companies to gain from each others competences (Kotelnikov, 2001). However, not only companies come off as winners from strategic alliances but also suppliers, employees, consumers, the government as well as shareholders of the allied companies. It is obvious that companies gain higher sales and therefore higher profits, e.g. the collective revenue for the partnership of the Star Alliance is at more than $63 billion. Furthermore, suppliers gain new clients. The increasing number of clients leads to more orders that in turn lead to more turnovers and more profit. The exchange of know-how and expertise mentioned before benefit the employees. The special knowledge makes them more employable and can assure a safer workplace. As companies are able to produce their products at lowest cost locations, reduce costs and diversify their product range consumers can profit from a wider range of products to more favourable prices. The increasing consumptions and more exports than imports lead to a higher Gross National Product (GNP) in the country of the producin g company. As a positive side-effect the shareholders benefit from higher dividends because increased sales force leads to higher turnover and higher share prices (Acredula, 2001). The last two paragraphs show that strategic alliances present several potentially beneficial advantages. However, alliances also have been criticised. Their high failure rates – half of the alliances fail show the other side of the coin (Acredula, 2001 b). Some organisations may only have one option – namely going it alone. This can be in the case of â€Å"working in a field which is breaking new ground or where there are no other suitable partners available† (Johnson and Scholes, 1999, p. ). The risk of exposing competences and technical know-how to partners who can become future competitors and disputes as well as issues that result from working with other partners, sharing of profits and advantages, less autonomy and control are also significant points that have to be considered. For example, one partner may go into an alliance for short term learning gain, whereas the other partner may see the alliance as more strategic, long term and replacing one area of i ts value chain. Dutch KLM and Alitalia could not avoid the failure of their full merger as partners compatibility did not exist and Alitalia did not come up with arranged expectations. Like most alliances they have failed due to differing objectives or motives of the partners (Witt and Mayer 1998). The companies have to be aware that alliances require a clear strategy and hard work. Careful planning like a clear definition of core competencies, goals and objectives as well as a limitation of the partners role and relationship and a timeline – a deal structure with an exit plan are essential to eliminate or rather to avoid disadvantages as well as to succeed. â€Å"According to a survey of 455 CEOs, the most important factor in designing a strategic alliance is the selection of the right partner (chosen by 75% of the CEOs)† (Holohan, 1998). But one has also have to go beyond the visible peak of the iceberg and consider the main fundamentals of a successful alliance including communication, transparency and trust (Johnson, 2005). Although, alliances are often criticised for being a slower form of development and despite the high failure rate the constant growth of alliances will definitely continue in the future (Johnson and Scholes, 1999). References De Wit, B. and Meyer R.J.H. (1998), Strategy – Process, Content, Context: An International Perspective (2nd edn), London: International Thomson Publishing Dussauge, P. and Garrette, B. (1999), Cooperative Strategy: Competing successfully through strategic alliances, Chichester: John Wiley and Sons Inc. Johnson, G., Scholes, K., Whittington, R. (2008), Exploring Corporate Strategy, Text and Cases (8th edn), London: FT Prentice Hall Porter, M. E. (1998), The competitive advantage of nations: with a new introduction by the author, London: Macmillan Press LTD Segal-Horn, S. (2004), The Strategy Reader (2nd edn)., London: Blackwell Publishing, , p 355-366. Segal-Horn, S. and Faulkner, D. (1999), The Dynamics of International Strategy, London: Thomson Business Press, , p 205-236. Aarons, R. (no date) ‘Ten Reasons to Create a Strategic Alliance, [online] Available from URL: http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/strategic_alliances_main.html (accessed 10 November 2009). Acredula Newsletter (2001) `Strategic Alliances Gain Popularity Over Mergers and Acquisitions`, August 2001, Vol. II No.9, [online] Available from URL: http://www.bricker.com/Publications/articles/523.pdf (accessed 14 November 2009) Bannerman, P. (2005), `Strategic Alliances in Education and Training Services ,A Literature Review`, Joan Spiller CORDS Pty Ltd., Australian Graduate School of Management, The University of NSW and the University of Sydney , May 2005, [online] Available from URL: http://www.aei.gov.au/AEI/MIP/ItemsOfInterest/05Interest26b_pdf.pdf Car news Gluckman, D. and Kurczewski, N. (2009), `Fiat and chrysler announce strategic alliance`, January 2009, [online] Available from URL: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/09q1/fiat_and_chrysler_announce_strategic_alliance-car_news, accessed on 12 November 2009. Dhaka (2009), `City Bank and American Express announce strategic alliance`, 7 November 2009, [online] Available from URL: http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/pc/2009/citybank.asp, accessed on 15 November 2009. Google press center (2003), `Google and Lycos Europe Announce Strategic Alliance`, 5 June 2003, Mountain view, California/Gà ¼tersloh, Germany, [online] Available from URL: http://www.google.com/press/pressrel/lycos_de.html, accessed on 12 November 2009. Holohan, M. Paul (1998), `Business alliances: how to find a good partner`,International Journal of Business Performance Management 1998, Vol. 1, No.1, pp.79 – 89, [online] Available from URL: http://www.inderscience.com/search/index.php?action=recordrec_id=4546prevQuery=ps=10m=or Johnson, L. C. (2005) ‘Understanding the Role of Cross-Sector Strategic Alliances in The Age of corporate social responsibility, 12 April 2005, p47-55, [online] Available from URL: http://fletcher.tufts.edu/research/2005/Johnson.pdf, accessed on 10 November 2009 Kolasky, J., William Jr. (1997), `Antitrust enforcement guidelines for strategic alliances`, presented at the Federal Trade Commissions, Hearings on Joint Ventures, Washington, D.C. Kotelnikov, V. (2001) ‘Strategic Alliances: Why and how to build them, [online] Available from URL: http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/strategic_alliances_main.html accessed on 10 November 2009 Wayne and Montville (2007), `Bayer healthcare and intendis announce strategic alliance to co promote yaz drospirenoneethinyl estradiol for treatment of moderate acne`, 7 May 2007, [online] Available from URL: http://www.intendis.com/scripts/pages/en/press_amp_media/news/bayer_healthcare_and_intendis_announce_strategic_alliance_to_copromote_yaz_drospirenoneethinyl_estradiol_for_treatment_of_moderate_acne.php, accessed on 12 November 2009. Acredula (2001), Newsletter,  ´Not All Strategic Alliances Are Successful ´, September 2001, Vol. II No. 10, [online] Available from URL: http://www.bricker.com/publications/articles/528.pdf accessed on 14 November 2009 Cartwright, S., Cooper, C. L. (1996) Managing mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances: integrating people, 2nd edn, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford Jarillo, J. C. (1995), Strategic networks: creating the borderless organization, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. Velasquez, M. G. (2002) Business Ethics – Concepts and Cases, 5th edn, Prentice Hall, London. [emailprotected], University of Pennsylvania (2008) `Thought Leaders II: Collaborating To Compete: The Rise of Coopetition and Strategic Alliances, March 2008, http://executiveeducation.wharton.upenn.edu/ebuzz/0803/thoughtleaders2.cfm, accessed on 10 November 2009. Segmentation: E-business market Segmentation: E-business market 1.0 Introduction This report will cover some outlines of segmentation and how to target the potential market for our new E-business in the market it is important that we understand what kind of requirements there are for effective segmentation. I would try to compare and contrast some of the important points give some examples. Also to keep our position safe in market and to keep running a successful business first we need to consider different segmentation processes and then I would define the business model according to our E-Business. 1.2 Identify the target markets for Complete Training Solutions intended expansion. The school will need to consider the demographic, geographical, psychographic, and consumer characteristics of there identified markets. For that school need to understand the market segments which are as follows. 2.0 What are the market segments are? Market segmentation may be defined as Jobber says that â€Å"the identification of individuals or organistaions with similar characteristics that have significant implications for the determination of marketing strategy†. â€Å"Where segmentation is the first and one of the most important steps† (Yan, 2008). Where as according to Lancaster Reynolds market segmentation is defined as â€Å"the process of breaking down the total market for a product or service into distinct sub-groups or segments where each segment may conceivably represent a separate target market to be reached with a distinctive marketing mix. 2.1 Market segmentation A segment is a unique group of customers or potential customer who share some kind of common characteristic that make them different from other groups. Proctor thinks that different segments may have different needs, they may ask for different versions of the same product, pay different prices, buy in different places and they may be reached by different media. Every one has the own opinion and own choices. It is very important for us to keep a healthy relationship with the customers and to do this they need to understand their customers demand. According to Proctor in consumer markets customers and prospective customers can be grouped together or segmented by attitude, lifestyle, age, gender, stage in the family, lifecycle, job types, level of earnings and many others relevant variables. These things should be kept in mind whenever introducing any new brand because if we want to maintain our image in the market then we need to fully understands the logic of customers and their purchasing behaviours. It is very important for us to identify what each segment wants, what it can afford, whether it is loyal to a particular competitor and how it might respond to an offer is vital information. As mentioned by Proctor that market segmentation and accurate targeting keeps a firm close to the market. It reduces waste, finds the best customers and helps to keep them satisfied. Segmentation is very useful tool. But it is necessary for us to understand each and every sub-group in order to get the positive result from customers and to compete with competitors in the market. As mentioned by Croft the methods of separating the market according to similarities that exist among the various subgroups within the market. Characteristics, needs and desires may be the common similarities. Market segmentation comes about as a result of the observation that all potential users of a product are not alike, and that the same general appeal will not interest all prospects. Therefore, it is essential to develop different marketing tactics to effectively cover the entire market for a particular product. There are four basic market segmentation strategies: behaviour segmentation, demographic, geographic, and physiographic segmentation. 2.2 Demographic segmentation Involves dividing the market on the basis of statistical differences in personal characteristics, such as age, gender, race, income, life stage, occupation, and education level (Anon 2002) We could focus on customers age because user needs and wants change with their age although they still want to learn the same types of courses. In order to introduce the new ideas in market and we should look at the design of the courses and what will be the learning outcomes we could meet the user demands of different age group. Income is another popular basis of segmentation. Customers will be more attractive towards the less income. We need to understand this point that in marketing the courses that appeal directly to the customer is relatively low prices. So therefore other variables of demographic are as important as mentioned above and they should not be neglected. 2.3 Psychographic segmentation It is based on the assumption that the types of products and brands an individual purchases will reflect that person personality and patterns of living. Generally to promote the product marketers are using celebrities, such as football team. If we use this technique for her new courses then we could create a big image in front of users. As it mentioned in the definition that every one has different life style, they have there own opinions but it could be influenced by other people personalities. This is benefit for us because for example if David Becham is learning the team building strategies from our institute then the user influencing his fans to join in the same course. 2.4 Geographic segmentation Lancaster Reynolds said that geographic is consists of dividing a country into regions that normally represent an individual sales persons territory. This is mostly suitable for broad companies and these massive regions are then broken down into areas with separate regional manager controlling salespeople in distinct area. This will help only if we expand our company our institute international, so far there is need of geographic segmentation. The geographic segmentation method is useful where there are geographic locations differences in consumption patterns and preferences but in our case we need to think about that because our institute is more about online courses so we have to consider about that. 2.5 Behavioural segmentation As stated by Lancaster and Reynolds behavioural segmentation is based on actual customers behaviour towards products. It has the advantages of using variables that are closely related to the product itself. Such as: brand loyalty, benefits sought, occasions (holidays, events which stimulate point for marketing) etc. As Lancaster Reynolds stated that the customers that can be divided into number of groups according to their loyalty, or their propensity to repurchase brand again is called brand loyality. Actually we have to think about if we will provide the those learning facilities are those are enough for the learner requirement with that they can bring some more students for the reappearing in the same courses or tell others to participate in those courses those are good and according to the your standards this is some sort of the advertisement when any costumer tell other customer for the same product just we need to think about if, if the user doesnt like our learning style then what will be our next plan to satisfied the learner. 3.0 Effective segmentation The needs of customers should be central to all business decision making so therefore Effective segmentation can be achieved by solving the problems of users. The major dimensions are price, service, product and quality for example an image of institute. Therefore it is necessary to identify all the requirements of user so realistic segments could be targeted. Kotler said that, â€Å"A customer orientation toward marketing holds that success will come to organizations that best determine the perceptions, needs, and wants of target markets and satisfy them through the design, communication, pricing, and delivery of appropriate and competitive viable offerings†. According to Xu, Jianfeng â€Å"An accurate and effective segmentation technique is the basis of the ideal dynamic heart modeling†. One author state that effective segmentation is about customer needs, demands and other is telling the importance of effective segmentation. Each segment should be evaluated in terms of its overall size, projected rate of growth, actual and potential competition and customer needs. According to the targets we need to decide which criteria is appropriate for assessing different bases. 3.1 Measurable According to Recklies it has to be possible to determine the values of the variables used for segmentation with justifiable efforts. This is important especially for demographic and geographic variables. For an organisation with direct sales the own customer database could deliver valuable information on buying behaviour (frequency, volume, product groups, mode of payment etc. 3.2 Accessibility Lancaster Reynolds researched that accessibility base used should ideally lead to the company being able to reach selected market targets with their individual marketing efforts. 3.3 Validity Reynolds and Lancaster mentioned the extent to which the base is directly associated with the differences in needs and wants between the different segments. Given that segmentation is essentially concerned with identifying groups with different needs and wants, it is vital that the segmentation base is meaningful and that different preferences or needs show clear variations in market behaviour and response to individually designed marketing mixes. 3.4 Substantial According to Lancaster Reynolds substantial is the base used which lead to segments which are sufficiently enormous to economically and practically worthwhile serving as discrete market targets with a distinctive marketing mix. If we need to make segmentation effective it is important that we know that where and who we targeting. Segmentation is the basis for developing targeted and effective marketing plans. 4.0 Targeting Lancaster Reynolds mentioned that after market has been separated into its segments, the marketer will select a segment or series of segments and target them. Each segment has different tastes and demands unique marketing mix in order to make the product or service more attractive to those customers who occupy that market segment. The process of manipulating the marketing mix in terms of differentiating products, methods of communication and other marketing variables is known as ‘target marketing. After the process of segmentation the next step is for us to decide how it is going to target these particular group(s). There are three options Undifferentiated marketing Differentiated marketing strategy Concentrated Marketing We should use differentiated marketing because we can use several segments and develop distinct courses with separate mix strategies at the varying groups. Mr Jobber stated that â€Å"When market segmentation reveals several potential targets, specific marketing mixes can be developed o appeal to all or some of the segments†. As Siklos and Abel says that â€Å"Thegiving inflation targeting an additional credibilityboost many emerging markets†. Comparing these two definitions of different authors its becoming noticeable that targets play an important roll to achieve goals. It would allow us to identify specific customers groups with different needs and wants and also the unfilled gaps in a market can be apprised and then satisfied through unique product or promotional offering (Lancaster Reynolds 1999). Target marketing can thus be said to be the process of identifying market segments that will be the most likely purchasers of a companys products, and devising inventive marketing approaches to suit these specifically distinguished needs (Lancaster Reynolds 1999). After segmentation process has taken place as Lancaster and Reynolds mentioned that each segment should be identified and must be assessed in order to decide whether or not it is worthwhile serving as a potentially profitable target market with its own distinctive marketing mix. Where there is good sales and profit potential the favourable attributes of a target will include segments. If competition is not too intense and where the segment might have some previously identified requirements we should able to serve them. 5.0 Mix marketing As mentioned by Lancaster and Reynolds that the marketing mix describe the functional aspects of marketing over which the company has control. This includes what E Jerome McCarthy dubbed the ‘four Ps in 1960, namely, Product, Price, Promotion and Place. In addition to these four Ps, is sometimes added a fifth P People, which includes the people who mainly carry out the function of marketing and who interface with customers. These have been described as the key elements of the marketing function. There are two further Ps that specially relate to the service industry because of its tangible nature. These are Process and Physical evidence. These are called the seven Ps of service marketing. However we should understand the notions of four Ps which are still prevails in marketing litre. The elements of marketing mix are all related in terms of how they combine in the marketing planning process. Lancaster Reynolds pointed out that it is the skill of marketing management to ensure that the combination chosen is a successful one. â€Å"Marketing is seen as a strategic management activity aimed at developing customer relationships. Concepts such as the four Ps (product, price, place and promotion), marketing plans, the marketing mix, segmentation, promotion and evaluation are identified and discussed in relation† (Wakeham, Maurice 2004). According to these authors we can see that with marketing mix we could raise the strong relationship with users and with the concept of 4 Ps we can identified and evaluate the segmentation. Lets expand on these 4 Ps and see how we can link them with our new online learning facilities of Team Building, Assertiveness, Coaching Skills and Delegation Skills for the Busy Professional. Mission statement draft: A learning experience that prepare students to contribute in a dynamic, global, and diverse business environment. Our mission is to provide training to all level of the users who ever is connected with their business, Including team building, assertiveness, coaching skill and delegation skill for the busy professionals. Objectives Aim Our school of intelligent learners is for the users who wants to build up there extra qualities for to compete the new era requirements. And our aim is to provide them up to date training which is purely concerned for the business levels. Our school is one of the best schools in Bradford. Currently we are struggling for more students that is why we are moving online and we will provide online courses for the relevant business. That was the our main reason to be online but there is one more reason to be online is that before we were enable to mark the global market now we can mark the global market by choosing online learning facilities now we can provide our service across the glob where ever any one and any type of user can access us and learn what ever they want from our main courses. We will provide online video and audio conferencing which is the solution to save the cost of the booking hotels and halls. Our main concern is to think about the user from different back ground from any part of the world we can arrange there course in any language. Our basic and main aim is to provide them solution for their problems. Value proposition: For the learners satisfaction school has to think about the language, course compatibility, learning facilities for the disable people which we dont have at the moment so we have to concerned about those problems and we have to satisfy the learner needs by that as a distance training provider we will have to save their time and they can chose there own learning style and they can manage their staff as possible as they want they can call more people if they want they can organize big halls for more people and they can provide the requirements for the disable peoples as well by using the our video and audio libraries. Product and services: The school will provide Team Building, Assertiveness, Coaching Skills and Delegation Skills for the Busy Professional. That will be a complete training for the bingers as well as for the expert. Expert can learn new techniques and binger can develop some skill too for the requirements of the new era. School will also provide some extra courses as well whoever will join the school for instance, web development in visual basic oracle it is good for the companies for there advertisement and for account as well. Learning on internet is the best learning style then old time styles you can learn while sitting at home at your own pace. The school will provide you the services of all the documentation and applications with which the students and companies can enable to access the schools resources. Business models: There could have been taken several attempts to categorize all the business models emerging with the coming new economy in order to understand how e-companies are making money or not making money. Some of are the company see there business model highly exposed such as the reverse action model of Priceline or online grocery model of shield. But still, is at all so clear so far? For instance, ebay.com might be typical of an Agora B-web like in Chicago but all the same as ebay.com and the main function is to be a online merchandiser. All of them have the same object but the different perspectives. Is there any better or could be worse way to explain or justify the business models? Are those comparing with each other or allowing comparisons? Do they help customer to categories the different actors in the same category, for instance online grocery shop? Do they explain why some of them benefits from the financial figures? Nowadays new business models do not finish emerging in electronic c ommerce and can become a major stake in the e-business game ((Maitre and Aladjidi (1999), Kalakota (1999)). It is even possible to patent them in some countries (Pavento (1999)! Research issue is important to understand the new business for to helping to design but not covered so well until now. E-business modelling has similar as to enterprise modelling in general. Modelling helps the companies to develop their business visions and strategies, redesign and align business to operations, share knowledge about the business and its vision and ensure the acceptance of business decisions through committing stakeholders to the decisions made (Persson, Stirna , 2001). A business model is nothing else than the architecture of a firm and its network of partners for creating, marketing and delivering value and relationship capital to one or several segments of customers in order to generate profitable and sustainable revenue streams. The E-Business Model framework is therefore divided into four principal components. The products and services a company offers, representing an ample value to a target customer (value proposition), and for which he is eager to pay. The relationship assets the firm creates and maintains with the customer, in order to suit him and to generate sustainable revenues. The communications and the network of partners that is necessary in order to create a good customer relationship. And last, but not least, The financial aspects that can be found throughout the three previous components, such as cost and revenue structures. If we think in depth how the school is related to the business models and how it will work to generate the more revenue. Basically the intelligent learners is associated with several business models. The main models include business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C). B2B consists of companies and school doing a business with each other, whereas B2C involves selling directly to the end consumer (students). When intelligent learners first began, the B2C model was first to emerge. B2B transactions were more complex and came now. Conclusion: some of the benefits associated with online intelligent learners are include the availability of information 24/7. Students and companies can log onto the Internet and learn about products, as well as purchase them, at any hour. Intelligent learners can also save money because of a reduced need for a sales force. Overall, intelligent learners can help you to expand from a local market to both national and international marketplaces. And, in a way, it levels the playing field for big and small players. Unlike traditional marketing media (like print, radio and TV), entry into the realm of Internet marketing can be a lot less expensive and offers a greater sense of accountability for advertisers.

John Lennon - Imagine Essay -- essays research papers

Social criticism examines literature in the cultural, economic, and political context in which it is written or received. Keeping this definition in mind, it is necessary to understand the political, cultural and economic environment in which Lennon the above famous words. â€Å"Imagine† was released in 1970. The late 60’s was the time of the Vietnam War and also the time when the peace movement was at its peak. Anti-war demonstrations were a common sight on every street corner. Anti-communist sentiments were at an all time high following the war. The countless lives lost by both sides made plenty realize the fruitlessness of war and prompted them to spread the message of love, unity and peace. Due to ubiquitous demonstrations all over the world, there was social unrest. Compulsory military service added to the social unrest. Fathers and Sons left to fight the war without much hope of returning back alive thus adding to the civil unrest. As always, any period of social unrest has an adverse affect on the economy. Due to the huge war expenses and lack of man power to run the economy, the late 60’s and early 70’s experienced an economic downturn in the United States which was felt throughout the world. By the end of the 60’s, The Beatles had acquired a worldwide fan base and legendary iconic status among the youth of the world. John Lennon, the most prolific and famous of the Beatles, wasn’t averse to making political statements through his music. He knew that he had the power t...

Events Leading to American independence :: American History, The Coercive Acts

Coercive Acts/Intolerable Acts (1774)They were harsh actions that were made to keep the colonists in check. The Coercive Acts did not make the colonists very happy. The Coercive Acts included: closing Boston Harbor and they made them pay for the tea that they dumped in the harbor. They also reminded them of the quartering act which forced colonists to give British soldiers a home and a hot meal when they wanted. The last action they did was removed all town meetings they have. These actions made the colonists turn against Britain even more.Continental Congress (1774)They first met in Philadelphia. They had 56 delegates for the continental congress. Every colony besides Georgia sent delegates. They discussed how to get a good militia. They discussed what to boycott and what was going to be in the Statement of Grievances. They did not know that there would be a Second Continental Congress. Second Continental Congress (1775)They held their first meeting on May 10, 1775. All 13 colonies sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. They authorized the printing of money. The Second Continental Congress set up the very first post office. The Continental Congress created the continental army which helped make the colonies win. The Continental Congress was a key part of the war that was to come.The Boston Massacre (1770)The redcoats over reacted when the colonists were throwing snowballs and other harmless items. The Colonists were taunting the redcoats. The redcoats thought that a riot was starting. Paul Revere, being a silver smith used this to his advantage. He engraved the image of the Boston massacre into silver and used that as propaganda. They used this to gain support of the colonists. There were 8 killed colonists.Taxes to Pay for War Debt (1764) Britain first decided that they wanted to help the colonists and pay for the war that was between them and the French. They won the French and Indian War. After the war Britain decided to raise the taxes by a lot . This was one of the many catalysts of the Declaring Independence from Britain. This made even more people join the side with the colonists because of the tax raises. They all wanted the taxes repealed. So they boycotted buying all foods that had a big tax on them. They even boycotted some of the very simple everyday life foods that you must have. They added many other taxes for Tea that was raised in tax by double.

Free Huckleberry Finn Essay - The Adventures of Huck :: Adventures Huckleberry Huck Finn Essays

Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When children are born into the world they are completely free and uncontaminated from outside influences and ideas but as life continues they grow and are affected by society, their environment, and personal aspirations. All of these reasons cause people and society to react in certain ways when confronted with particular situations and people. Often the reactions to these confrontations are based mainly on morality, yet no always as proven in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by the fictional writer, Mark Twain. Huckleberry Finn, a young man who has experienced and survived great obstacles in his young years, shaped his beliefs and morals but was capable of undergoing a considerable change in both mind and heart with the help of his run away slave, Jim. Jim and Huck had a relationship, which was transformed through time and trust, but always had the reminder that one was white and the oth er was black. This was a major influence on Huck's behavior towards Jim but through the progression of the book Huck's attitude and respect towards Jim increases considerably after Huck self-evaluates himself and society and begins to focus on what is truly important but not always right. Huck is a strong-willed, free-spirited youth who attempts to portray himself as a bad boy but often finds himself doing just the opposite; however, several times he causes negative situations which affects himself and people around him. When Jim and Huck find each other after escaping their homes, they continue their journey down the river together. One night Jim and Huck separate on the river because of the fog but Huck finds Jim asleep after a few hours of searching for each other. When Jim wakes Huck attempts to tell him that it was all a dream because they had never been separated and there was never any fog. After lying so sufficiently for all his life, Huck never considering how his lies affected a person and especially a friendship until Jim told him.: When I got all wore out wid work, en wid de callin' for you, en went to sleep, my heart wuz mos' broke bekase you wuz los', en I didn't k'yer no' mo' what become er me en de raf'.

Globalization of business operations and industries Essay

Globalization of business operations and industries has created a new challenge for organization penetrating in international markets. Several factors require management when firms focus on diversifying its product/service offering in international markets. Especially limiting the viewpoint to human resource requires managing the workplace diversity, employee selection mechanism, cultural differences, and managing the intercultural communication requires assessing the capabilities of organization to address these issues. International market business operations present the companies with acquiring new set of skills and transformation in human resource policy in order to perform the services with flexibility that doest not hinder in goals achievement. Workplace diversity management is the essential and important issue that needs to be address by an organization entering in international markets. Since diverse workforce consist of people belonging to different culture, races, having different ethnic background, a different way of learning; thus providing different ideas merging in organization. This enables organization to utilize and focus on enlarge business challenges in different business markets. Strategic HRM policy structure gives flexibility to organization for changing its focused principle in consideration of market needs; such as cultural dimensional factors identified by Hofstede on various dimensions helps identify the factors to be addressed by organization based on the market needs. Cultural differences have strong implications for organization expanding in international markets. Therefore, organization needs to give autonomy and flexibility to employees that will serve organizational purposes in international markets by leveraging the HRM policies. This can be done by regulating the rewards and compensation package structure for employees who will need to be relocating in different workplace locations due to their skills required to penetrate and serve in international markets. In relation to managing cultural differences, organization must define a comprehensive and decentralized decision making structure through defining the hierarchy management channel in its policy for international markets. Since few activities of firm remain limited in centralized location, so in order to comprehend the objective proper decision making style will enable accuracy and timeliness of activities. Decentralization of decision making structure will reduce the possible delay in decision making due to multi-level hierarchy structure of an organization and will also result in better assessment of any situation due to diverse workforce. Communication between departments and stakeholders is highly significant when concerning the international operations of an organization. Effectiveness of organizational culture for performing international operations is based on the communication style related to information processing, decision convey ability, surpassing the imperative information related to business decision making, and matters related to managing intercultural communication barrier. Ambiguous and unstructured problems require managing the barriers to improve the interdepartmental sharing of information for goals accomplishment. This issue can be addressed by initiating equal employment opportunity program for international business which would limit the selective culture growth of organization and encourage workplace diverse. Frame of reference affects the cross-cultural communication due to selective visionary capabilities of employees to foresee the potential growth possibilities. Therefore organization must initiate a formalized recruitment program focusing on viewing various individual dimensions in its SHRM policy structure to normalize the responses towards reducing frame of reference. Stereotypical response by employees increases the biasness that affects the communication at international level increasing the chances of intergroup conflict affecting the effective goals accomplishment of organization. In association to this, chances of misunderstanding increases when firm do not address discrimination issue in its HRM policy to manage international operations functionality. Impartiality of decisions thus contributes towards progressive growth pertaining to employee contribution. At international level, cognitive dissonance is also a big challenge for firms to manage as ambiguity in information sharing leads towards strong misunderstanding among departments which may be depicted in actions leading towards wrong objectives setting. Company must address the corporate culture issue and coordination mechanism in its HRM policy to reduce the impact of cognitive dissonance on organizational goals accomplishment. Sony Corporation has developed a communication structure identified in its HRM policy to increase the effectiveness of communication among its employees in regional offices and production sites located in China. Employees are given combined training sessions, and encouraged to participate in workshops which increases the communication among employees belonging to different cultures and understand their potential issues that may arise due to operations in international markets. Human resource ethical issue also has implication for firms either they operate locally or in international markets. Employee privacy, job safety, health standard, workplace environment and condition, legislation for employees’ rights protection are essential duties for senior management to address in strategic HR policy. This although may create certain challenges to address by management but provide job satisfaction to employees; policies amendment concerning addressing the ethical issues differ of country basis due to differing working demand and obligations by country law. However, an organization can standardize the procedure and policies giving protection to employees as its ethical responsibility. SHRM policy can emphasize on employee welfare concept that aimed at addressing the factors leading to increased employee living standard; consequently, employee involvement in work increases and firm’s penetration power in international markets also strengthen due to direct participation of employees in organizational objectives achievement.

Lord of the Flies †Character Analysis: Piggy Essay

Examine the significance of the character Piggy in the novel â€Å"Lord of The Flies† consider his purpose, key role and relationship with the other boys at important points in the novel. To mimic men’s actions and lost of civility in times of war and need, William Golding, narrates a story in which all characters are boys, with the intention of taking the reader through the journey made by those who descend to savagery when facing certain conditions. This essay is going to explore and explain the symbolism behind one of the novel’s main characters and how his presence influences other characters’ actions and the way things turn out. Piggy is a Short and heavyset boy who wears spectacles and is disadvantaged by asthma. At first he appears to be a desperate childish boy by panicking over the rest of the world’s lack of information regarding his and the boys’ whereabouts, – while the others see this as an opportunity to be free and independent – which makes him seem like a dependable, desperate young boy. However, as the story unfolds we come to understand that his worrying at the beginning is related to his analytical way of thinking. And even though the other boys put him down due to his physical appearance, we come to learn how necessary he is on the island as a source of intelligence and insight. Due to his unfortunate looks and his nickname, the boys on the island refuse on sympathizing with Piggy and collectively make fun of him, making him an outcast – â€Å"The boys were a circle of sympathy with Piggy outside†. Bullied and brutalized by Jack, he maturely shields away the mocking and focuses on increasing their chances of being rescued and meanwhile living in an organized environment. However, as soon as his intellectual side starts to show, and his critical thinking becomes a crucial part in assembling a new community, – â€Å"I expect we’ll want to know all their names,† said the fat boy, â€Å"and make a list. We ought to have a meeting. † – he slowly begins being accepted. His clever ideas introduce important concepts to the rest of the boys. For example, the use of the conch: the power to speak and be heard given to whoever held it in hands. The way he thinks endears him especially to Ralph who starts to admire him. â€Å"Piggy rubbed his glasses slowly and thought. When he understood how far Ralph had gone towards accepting him he flushed pinkly with pride. †- Thankful for being accepted, Piggy shows loyalty and respect for Ralph. At a certain point, Ralph questions his leadership skills and compares himself to Piggy who stands up for him – â€Å"You said Ralph was chief and you don’t give him time to think. Then when he says something you rush off†. He protects Ralph and reminds the others that they all collectively chose him to be their leader. Once again, Piggy shows he hasn’t lost his values and instincts. Although he might not entirely fit in with the others, he manages to get his point across with Ralph’s help. His ideas frequently lead to innovation and his way of thinking is what gets them by the first stages of civilized survival. He represents democracy by presenting his ideals to the others and hoping to come to a mutual agreement on the way of executing things; and clings onto civility throughout the whole novel, by pointing out whenever one of the other boys take a step away from civilization. Underestimated by many at the beginning, Piggy’s role in the story carries a very important meaning and stands for great attributes found in men. The sensible understanding of reality shown by the character stands for the rational scientific side of civilization. His maturity differentiates him from the others – â€Å"With the martyred expression of a parent who has to keep up with the senseless ebullience of the children† – and becomes essential in avoiding savagery and barbaric behavior from the boys. His character is related to a great part of the symbolism used by Golding and has a very important role in preventing the descent from civilization to savagery, however, he sadly he witnesses the turnover. Piggy’s glasses represent many different ideas. The initial importance of the specs is that they represent the ability to make fire, which they hoped would provide the rescue they needed. Piggy’s glasses also signify Piggy’s ability to see literally and figuratively. Without them, he is helpless and blind. He is unable to serve as well as Ralph’s right-hand man and voice of logic. When Piggy is â€Å"blinded† it symbolizes the blindness of the Jack’s tribe to the evil to which they are succumbing. Piggy’s murder completes the boys’ lost of sight (figuratively speaking) and forces them into total darkness, which leads to the hunting of Ralph. When his glasses are broken and he tragically dies, so does what is left of order and civilization in the island. Of all the forms of symbolism present in the book, Piggy’s character carries a relation to many of them. To being with, his nickname isn’t only related to his physical structure, but it also suggests vulnerability, like the pigs on the island that rapidly become Jack’s targets. Another important symbolic element related to Piggy is the conch he and Ralph found at the start of the novel. They used it to call the boys and assemble them. After the conch is crashed along with his body, the boys divide themselves representing the loss of the civilized instinct once present in each and every boy. Piggy is significant in the novel not only because he is one of the main characters, but also because his purpose is directly related to the main theme of the story: civilization vs. savagery. Although he wasn’t able to make the concept of civilization permanent, he spends the whole novel trying to get his values across, and reminding the others of who they were and how they were expected to behave. His intelligence gives him the voice of sanity and reason.