The Problem of Smoking - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 914 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2019/02/05 Category Health Essay Level High school Tags: Smoking Essay Did you like this example? Do you smoke? A question has been asked to most people at one time or another. The topic of smoking certainly requires a thorough analysis. Whether you smoke or not. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Problem of Smoking" essay for you Create order It’s also an issue when it seems to polarize people. In this reading we’ll compare and contrasting viewpoints by two different individuals. As I present the arguments, I’ll dissect then truly understand their inner workings. Both Haviland and king touch on many subjects yet seem to ignore others. I think a balance must be struck when it comes to smoking, both through individual rights and a social responsibility. â€Å"I’d Rather Smoke than Kiss.† Is Florence King’s very smart retort to anti-smokers. In this article she advocates for smoking as a simple enjoyable think to do. To emphasize this, she recalls her first smoking experience, which is for the most part very normal and unexciting. However, this account is irrelevant to the rest of the story. King quickly switches goes as she goes on the attack. In the first section she labels hatred of smokers as a form of misanthropy which she goes on to say is â€Å"the most popular form the closet misanthropy in America today† (King). This perspective is further augmented by the fact that she considers second-smoke an invention; a means for the â€Å"Passive Americans† (King), to justify prejudice towards smokers. As she moves into the second section, she begins to document the hostility shown to smokers. Through her own personal interactions or through examples she views in newspaper articles. King really focuses on the subject of public perception, and while some examples validate he perspective, others do not. In her response we see to a Washing ton Post article, in which states that â€Å"the whole article has a die-damn-your undertow† (King). This perspective is perhaps a bit over the top and only serves to polarize her views, thereby alienating some readers. This compounded by the next section with peculiar title of Health Nazis. In it, she likens the public service ads against smoking to political propaganda. Nevertheless, she touches on some strong points in regard to public perception and the media’s control over it. As we gone on to the final section, she begins to draw interesting parallels. She compares the attack on smokers as a form of class warfare, an even goes so far as allude to racism in the last paragraph. Indeed, she goes on to say that hatred against smokers is meant to â€Å"identify and punish the undesirables among us† (King). On the other hand, we have Dr. Haviland’s â€Å"A Silence That Kills.† In this she speaks about society’s seeming complacency or disregard to the dangers of smoking. The structure of her essay follows a very scientific approach, and therefore concentrates on the facts of smoking. However, she addresses other issues throughout the essay that demand analysis. Dr. Haviland believe that society is not doing enough to address smoking and her restless tone reflects this belief. Tobacco according to her kills â€Å"more people each year than ADIS, suicide, murder, car accidents, and drugs combines† (Haviland). The dangers of smoking seem to be self-evident, yet Dr. Haviland asks â€Å"why is public silence so deafening?† (Haviland). This call-to-arms permeates thought-out the whole essay and is the focal point of her argument. So, Dr. Haviland considers many factors including smoking as a stigmatized behavior. Not only does she recognize the stigma attached to smoking, but she realizes we must include their opinions as well. In this section she proceeds to also talk about personal liberties in regard to smoking. According to her, the choice debate â€Å"lacks a rigorous discussion of the power of the nicotine addiction and the role of the tobacco industry in supporting the concept of smoking is an adult choice† (Haviland). By addressing these three commonly overlooked details, Dr. Haviland’s argument benefits tremendously. In the same ways, she also addresses public, and government involvement. These last two sections serve to reiterate the points she’s made regarding smoking and public silence. She expresses discount with the lack of government intervention in the relation to smoking. On the public side, she urges society at large to rise up and confront the issue.According to Dr. Hav iland, we have to â€Å"let our voices be silenced† (Haviland). Both King and Dr. Haviland touch on these issues, but don’t respect their implications enough. I think we should respect a person’s right to smoke. At the same time, we should expect them to be well-informed on their hobby, including second hand smoke. Society has a responsibility to respect the right of an adult to smoke, but adults should respect society’s right to not smoke. We shouldn’t stigmatize people from smoking, because this only going to make them polarize against society. We should be keenly aware of nicotine addiction and how it can make it difficult for someone to quit. The smoking issue is very complicated and some of the arguments are beyond the scope of this essay. We should still obtain a balanced outlook if we consider the following: the fats of smoking, individual right, societal responsibility, and the stigma smoke. Haviland and King both right essays which obtain very important points but seem to contain a bias which me alienate some people. We should truly reach a consensus on the smoking issue, we must be willing to meet halfway. We should strike equilibrium between individual right and society responsibility.

The Songs and Deaths of Rockstars Essay - 2134 Words

The Songs and Deaths of Rockstars Music as we know it today is the voice of a generation. It gives us entertainment, and speaks out for a community of people in many ways. Most people listen to at least some sort of music, and serves a purpose in almost every facet of society. Just about any expression can be shared through music, inlcuding ideas and feelings about death. Music is used in various way when pertaining to death, including songs about how a death occurred, or songs at a service mourning a death. Whichever way you look at it, music serves an important purpose, and the songs about death and the death of certain performing artists has a great impact on society, especially the youth of†¦show more content†¦Some of his albums suggest his nature of knowing death as near, such as his album Me against the World, and 2pacalypse now. Not being a Rap fan it is hard for to judge what is going through his mind, but by reading some lyrics it is obvious that he believes that he has a hard life, and that death may be the only answer. The Notorious B.I.G. was a very famous rap star on the East Coast, and grew to nationwide fame. His lyrics exemplify death even further, as he seemed to never give up his gangster lifestyle. Before becoming famous he was a drug dealer, dealing Crack-Cocaine, so he was well aware of death as a fact of life. His lyrics were different from Tupacs in that most of his Death lyrics were about murder instead of his own death, that is until he started to believe that his death was imminent. Like Tupacs lyrics, his songs are way to graphic to quote here, but many of his songs had lyrics of him killing and in some rare cases even some sort of threats of torturing as well. It would be reasonable to believe that it was because of his lifestyle on the streets that made him think this way, as he did seem to be obsessed with murder and death. One of his albums was entitled Ready to Die, and it has songs on both side of the spectrum. The self titled song was about how is preparing to murder someone, and there was alsoShow MoreRelatedThe Role of Belonging in Film and Print Essay921 Words   |  4 Pagesseveral of which can be seen in the following texts. The texts â€Å"The Crucible† (â€Å"TC†) by Arthur Miller, â€Å"Rockstar† by Nickelback and â€Å"The Pursuit of Happyness† is a movie starring Will Smith display several different aspects of belonging. The concept explored by Arthur Miller in â€Å"TC† is the conflict between different groups and the ramifications of belonging to a group. Meanwhile in â€Å"Rockstar† the composer explores the concept that people will wish to belong to various groups and what extremes theyRead MoreAnalysis Of David Bowie s Space Oddity1425 Words   |  6 PagesAt first glance, David Bowie s Space Oddity would seem to be a patriotic theme song for the soon-to-be-launched Apollo 11 mission. While such assumptions would be fairly based considering the BBC used the song in its coverage of the moon landing, Space Odd ity is much more profound and metaphorical in meaning. As it was actually written, this song provides a view into the artist s rise to fame, drug problems, and changing perspective on the world. In order to understand Space Oddity on a deeperRead MoreParallel Worlds By Louise Lockwood946 Words   |  4 PagesParallel Worlds, Parallel Lives by Louise Lockwood is a film showing us how Mark Everett a rockstar from a band named Eels, soon began to understand who his father Hugh Everett really was after he had passed away. Mark had plenty of reactions when he began to puzzle everything he knew about his father together. Mark takes us through his journey with him, as he began to travel the world, and found his father’s old friends to get a better understanding of his father Hugh. While on his journey MarkRead More1960s Cinema And Its Impact On Cinema1236 Words   |  5 Pages1960s Movies 1960s cinema reflected the good and the bad of the decade. 1960s cinema influenced many of the films we have today. 1960s cinema brought attention to movie musicals, which were movies that had many song and dance numbers along with dialogue and blocking. Three of the biggest hits of the decade were movie musicals. Some of the decade’s biggest hits, including the movie musicals, are still popular today. In the 1960s, there were many popular movies, both in theaters and on televisionRead MoreAr Rahman1368 Words   |  6 Pagesborn in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India in a middle-class Tamil family. His father, R. K. Shekhar, was a film-score composer and conductor for Tamil and Malayalam films; Rahman assisted his father in the studio, playing the keyboard. After his fathers death when Rahman was nine years old, the rental of his fathers musical equipment provided his familys income.[11] Raised by his mother, Kareema (born Kashturi),[1] Rahman was a keyboard player and arranger for b ands such as Roots (with childhood friendRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Lyla Released A New Album ! 1304 Words   |  6 Pageslayla and the attention she was getting from journalists and interviewers. One of the ordinary rock star, who performs little concerts was now performing international concerts and was travelling everyday. She was taking millions of money for each song. She is opposite of what she used to be. Lyla used to be a lazy, rude and arrogant person. In past, no one gave their project to her, but a big secret that got revealed changed her whole life. A few months ago, lyla was sitting in an restaurant withRead MoreHow My Home Has Defined Me Essay2730 Words   |  11 Pageshometown and all the memories that have been made there because each one has shaped me into the man I am today through the lessons friendship has taught me, the way sports have fostered my competitive nature, and the way I had to endure the pain of death at a young age. My hometown of Catasauqua is a small town. It is located in the Lehigh Valley and unless you are from around here, you most likely have never heard of it. Most of the people I meet here on campus that ask where I am from respond withRead MoreThe Beatles And Their Music1554 Words   |  7 Pagesappeal the Beatles had with the youth. Ransacking public megaphones and telephone booths for speakers, thousands of gung-ho Beatlemaniacs went so far as to even fashioning their own electric guitars at home. Strumming along to their favorite Beatles’ songs was not just a musical pastime; it was a personal act of defiance against the criticism of their anthems. Even though Beatlemania may have originated in a desire for variety in music, it quickly evolved into a subversive political mission that empoweredRead MoreAnthony Kiedis1904 Words   |  8 Pagesaudition and hiring as a bass player with the band Fear, which at the time was one of L.A.’s most famous bands. The band was even showed on Saturday Night Live. As Flea was getting his fame from Fears, Anthony found his own voice. Listening to the song â€Å"The Message† by the rap group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Anthony realized that you did not have to have a voice like Freddie Mercury or Al Green to make a hit†¦you just needed to have rhythm. Soon Anthony along with Flea, Hillel (Slim)Read MoreHow Teens Become The Way That They Are Today?1865 Words   |  8 PagesThey were an instant hit amongst teens. The sound of the Beatles was one of kind, and people tended to bask in their experience. Concerts became a popular place for teens to express themselves i n an unorderly fashion. There were drugs, loud music, rockstars, and large groups of teenagers that wanted to rebel. The concerts were filled with chaos. People found it hard to control these teenagers with strong attitudes and large egos. The choices made at Beatles’ concerts ranged from drug abuse to vandalism

Why do Significant Numbers of American fail to vote Free Essays

Between 1960 and 1996, the turnout of American’s voting in a presidential election had fallen by 14%. This brought the percentage to 51% of Americans turning up to vote. This decline in turnout is due to a number of reasons; The Decline in numbers of party Activists Loss of Political Efficacy Many elections have low-stimulus characters Most elections are uncompetitive Poor Turnout among young people People are happy with what they have It is difficult to understand the voting system Out of these reasons, I feel some stand out the strongest. We will write a custom essay sample on Why do Significant Numbers of American fail to vote? or any similar topic only for you Order Now These include; the understanding of the voting system, poor turnout among young people and that people are happy with what they have. Understanding of the Voting System All Voting systems can be fairly difficult to understand and this includes the very democratic American System. It is no longer just the people with learning difficulties that find the system hard to understand, as it is no longer the person with the majority vote wins, therefore because people don’t understand it, they tend to stay away rather then get confused and embarrass themselves. This also links with the ability of people having to register to vote. To register they have to attend a government building, and some people do not have the time, or means of transport too do this, therefore they decide as it’s not a law too vote, they don’t bother. Also, even if people do register the ability to get too a polling station is a problem. As everything is very spaced out in America, and generally a car is needed to travel between places, if a potential voter does not have a car, they will not bother too vote. This can also be linked with the 2000 Presidential Election, when roadblocks were put in plce in parts of Florida, stopping people from reaching the polling stations, this not only ensured a particular candidate won the vote of Florida, it also stopped a significant number of voters voting. Poor Turnout among Young People In 2004, the turnout of young people aged 18 – 24 was at a low of 47%. The possible reasons for this could be that as politics is not considered an essential subject at school, many youths do not understand or care about it. This then creates a generation of people who do not care about politics and do not want too vote, which then means that when that generation stops being considered youths, they still aren’t voting, and neither are the new generation of youths. The reason for low turnout could also be that Political campaigns are generally aimed at an older generation, meaning it becomes something that youths don’t bother to focus on. Politicians know that the turnout among youths is low so do not bother wasting their money campaigning to them if they have a limited amount of money. This then causes the campaigns too become something that youths don’t have to focus on and as it doesn’t have much interest to them because they don’t understand it, they tend not too waste their time getting involved in it. People are Happy with what they have ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, This is the way that many people feel about politics. For many potential voters, they feel they have everything they need and could ask for from the government and feel that voting to change that would take away some of the things they enjoy in life. As long as there are no wars on their own soil, their kids have a good education, they have good jobs and healthcare and reasonable taxes then they feel that the government is doing a good job and they don’t want too risk that by potentially giving another party or candidate office. Solutions To these Problems These problems can be solved and would increase voter turnout by a considerable amount. By handing out and posting leaflets that explain the voting system and how each and every vote matters and counts, as well as having lectures in easy to reach places, would increase turnout because people would understand the system and the importance of voting. Also by creating postal ballots etc, it would be easier for people who would otherwise find it difficult to vote and also by making registering to vote easier. To tackle the youth problem, politics would need to be taught as part fo the curriculum in schools, this problem has already started too be solved, as was seen during the 2004 election when various celebrities had a campaign with MTV urging people to vote, if this continues on a wider scale, as well as making parts of party conferences for Youths only and aiming campaigns directly at them, this would increase turnout in forth coming elections but also elections in the distant future. Finally, by trying to show flaws in the system and how to make improvements (which is already done, but could be issued in a more one to one with the voter method) would show potential voters why they need to vote because of the changes they can make and the added benefits they could receive. How to cite Why do Significant Numbers of American fail to vote?, Papers

Performance Management for Human Resource

Question: Discuss about thePerformance Management for Human Resource. Answer: Work-Life Flexibility will Replace the Work Life Balance Introduction It is identified that flexible working practices are highly preferred by the employees in the current days. It is evident that the employees who work in the corporate office have to deal with increasing pressure at the workplace. This could sometime harm their personal or family life and even it could affect their performance. Therefore, some organizations have taken the initiatives to resolve such issues; thereby, the organizational productivity remains as desired. Thus, to expect desired outcome from the employees, it is essential to take care of the basic needs and demands of the employees. One such care would be the initiative of developing a flexible work practice for the employees. Some organizations think of their personal and family life. The firm provides them flexible working hours and develops open management style. Thus, the employees could openly discuss the issues with leaders that they face at the workplace. The major purpose of the report is to understand how the chan ges of work life flexibility that influence the work life balance. Such change could emerge with certain challenge for the employees, leaders and individuals at other significant positions. Conversely, it could bring in certain opportunities to all. Hence, the report focuses on those challenges and the opportunities providing an intensive analysis through evaluation. Implications for Employees It is identified that change of workplace flexibility are often proved to be effective especially for the employees. The employees sometimes report that they are more productive as well as more engaged in their work while they gain the ability to keep the balance of demands with the other aspects of their lives. As put forward by Putnam, Myers and Gailliard (2014), improvements in physical as well as mental health are associated with the workplace flexibility. There have been certain benefits associated with such change. The existing studies demonstrate that flexible work arrangements could reduce the stress since the employees tend to work flexibly are found to be more satisfied with the jobs as well as more satisfied with their lives. In such context, Coenen and Kok (2014) commented that the employees who have a high work-life fit fare better than the employees who have moderate as well as low levels of work-life fit. These employees could engage themselves more effectively and les s likely to search for a new job. On the contrary, flexible working practices could do more harm than good to workers because they encourage an always on which carries a heavy psychological toll. Working away from the office or part-time could isolate employees from social networks as well as the career opportunities. Hence, Dastmalchian, Blyton and Adamson (2014) argued that flexible working polices could raise the risk of poor working conditions as well as cause the resentment among the colleagues. The existing findings are emerged with a blow that implies that organizations are in the attempt of enabling people to achieve an effective work-life balance in rich economies. However, the existing studies also ensure that flexible work practice helps to reduce negative spillover. Hence, the spillover is treated as the techniques by which attitudes as well as behavior carry over from one role to another. As opined by Berg, Kossek, Misra and Belman (2014), spillover between the work as well as family life could be consid ered as negative or positive. This may include the work-family conflict or the work-family enhancement. It is further identified that these two dimensions of spillover could co-exist to some extent. This indicates that a job that provides a high extent of negative. So, changes of work flexibility helps to keep this balance. Additionally, the existing studies have also focused on work-family balance due the changes in the work flexibility. Hence, Thomas (2014) opined that work family balance has two different dimensions including the work interference with the family as well as family interference with the work. Based on this concept, it can be added that characteristics of the job as well as the workplace might have a positive as well as negative effect on family life. On the other side, aspects of an employees family conditions could affect employees performance as well as attitude towards the work. In addition to this, it is also observed that the availability of flexible work arrangements could help the employees to increase the work-family balance that could provide the organizations and thee employees with certain benefits. HRM Implications As opined by Sheehan (2014) the flexibility is about an employee as well as the company making changes for the purpose of meeting the business goals and needs. To positively support this statement, Cooke, Saini Wang (2014) commented that flexibility enables both individuals and the organization by applying changes on time with an effective manner. The studies confirm that flexibility needs to equally effective to organizations and the workers and provides the positive outcome. Human resource management specifies the practices used by the managers as well as HR workers and automated systems to deal with people. It is identified that HRM practices include performance management, training, payroll and employee benefits administration. Thus, changes of work flexibility may influence the HRM practices, as HR policies guide the overall performance of the employees. As company Popaitoon and Siengthai (2014), HRM practices could satisfy employees as well as motivate them to contribute to organizations intellectual aspects. When it comes to building a flexible workplace, the HRM practices are observed to be reflecting shifting demographics in the workplace. The workers in the current days expect different conditions than the employees who observed the corporate balance in the previous decades. The organizations take the initiative of developing the diverse workplace and the impact of HRM on the diverse workplace can be related to employee flexibility. This happens the organizations want to retain workers, they provide flexible workplace, which may include flexible design of work environment and work assignment. The flexible work practice helps to develop the communication among the employees. The HRM policies are effective when the employees find flexibility in the workplace Additionally, the HR managers and the employees could differently, as in flexible work environment, the people have less workplace issues. The employees significantly focus on their performance collaborating with HRM policies. In addition to this, if the HRM policies are effective for the employees or they provide the employees with certain benefits that meet their needs and demands, they could return positive outcome to the employer. However, Kramar (2014) commented that flexible work practice sometimes could damage the workflow as the employees are often observed to be negligent towards their job role and responsibilities. Nevertheless, the existing studies research efforts have mentioned that consensus has not been yet attained on the outcome of flexibility. At the organizational level, it is observed that previous studies report both positive as well as negative relationship between different aspects of flexibility and performance. Most importantly, HR managers have to perform la rge responsibilities including the flexible working hours to providing the employees appraisal based on their performance. If the HR department of the firm is not able to perform the essential role, the flexible workplace could be a disaster for the organization. Thus, it can be added that HR managers have to play a significant in controlling the operation. The HR managers of the firm must have to keep a close eye on the performance of the employees to avoid the possible drawbacks. The previous studies confirm that successful managers could implement HRM practices as well as help the individuals increase feelings of being competent and skilled in their position. This could also positively influence the employees. The workers under positive managers tend to feel encouraged. Implications for Leader and Managers Leading organizations understand realize that the profitability and variety of their business relies on their ability to positively influence the stakeholder groups that eventually determine the organization. As commented by Jackson, Schuler and Jiang (2014), if an organization treats its workers effectively, it could deal with the customers effectively; thus, the organizations gain the profits. However, when the flexibility in the workplace are implemented, the leaders responsibilities increase. The managers of the organizations have to measure the performance of the employees. The workers may carry a state of negligence towards the role and duties; additionally, the open management style could negatively affect the employees. Hence, the managers might not feel they are valued to the employees below their position. Thus, the leaders have to keep the track of all employee performance. It is identified that Armstrong and Taylor (2014), most leaders consider that there are certain benefits for organizations as well as employees are the outcome of flexible working. As put forward by Chandra (2012), almost 85% of the employees feel that allowing employees to work flexibly improves employee wellbeing. On the contrary, Kossek et al., (2014) mentioned that it helps to retain the employees and increase organizations ability to attract talent. In addition to this, apart from appealing to employees as well as boosting their wellbeing, the managers also believe that flexibility helps to address the customer expectation of round-the-clock customer service. The managers of large organizations have seen to be believing that flexibility makes a positive environment. It is observed that with flexible working, the experience is the key to success. Thus, it can be mentioned that those who are inexperienced are possibly concerned about the impact; it might have on the teamwork and t he productivity. In addition to all these, it is also observed flexibility in the workplace is effective for the leaders, as when the organizations are in the need of implementing changes, they could easily implement the changes. It is found out that organizations often face the resistance of change from the employees due to autocratic leadership style in the firm. In such context, the leaders do not have to deal with any such large barriers when they need to implement the changes. Moreover, it is also learnt that managers could implement the possible small changes in the organizations. In fact, the small issues of the employees can be treated effectively with possible care. As put forward by Shanafelt et al., (2015), flexible work practice could save time for the managers. This means it could be time effective when the managers of the firms to implement sudden initiative. Additionally, by developing a flexible workplace, the organizations could understand their employees effectively. Hence, the mana gers play the role of enabling as well as embedding workplace flexibility. The managers of the organizations have to play the role of ensuring employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities around the flexible work. The leaders provide the workers with support as well as build a team culture based on their performance, loyalty and outcome. Conclusion and Recommendation On the completion of the report, it can be added that flexible work practice largely influences the work life balance of the workers. The workers gain the opportunities of learning skills and gaining knowledge, as the open management style is such platform where employees become helpful t each other. The above-presented discussion indicates that employees become beneficial because of the flexible work practice. Recommendation While applying flexible work practices in the workplace, it is necessary for the leaders or the firm to consider the mix approach. By implementing a mix approach in the workplace, the firm benefits the employees providing them with flexible working hours. Flexible working hours could largely be beneficial for the female workers, as they could manage their families. In addition to this, it is recommended that the organizations could develop the recruitment practices on how to stimulate the recruitment market for payment as well as high quality flexible workers. These high flexible workers should be hired for the organizations to avoid possible hazards in the workplace. Reference List: Armstrong, M., Taylor, S. (2014).Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice. Kogan Page Publishers. Berg, P., Kossek, E. E., Misra, K., Belman, D. (2014). Work-life flexibility policies: Do unions affect employee access and use?.Industrial Labor Relations Review,67(1), 111-137. Chandra, V. (2012). Worklife balance: eastern and western perspectives.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,23(5), 1040-1056. Coenen, M., Kok, R. A. (2014). Workplace flexibility and new product development performance: The role of telework and flexible work schedules.European Management Journal,32(4), 564-576. Cooke, F. L., Saini, D. S., Wang, J. (2014). Talent management in China and India: A comparison of management perceptions and human resource practices.Journal of World Business,49(2), 225-235. Dastmalchian, A., Blyton, P., Adamson, R. (2014).The Climate of Workplace Relations (Routledge Revivals). Routledge. Jackson, S. E., Schuler, R. S., Jiang, K. (2014). An aspirational framework for strategic human resource management.The Academy of Management Annals,8(1), 1-56. Kelly, E. L., Moen, P., Oakes, J. M., Fan, W., Okechukwu, C., Davis, K. D., ... Mierzwa, F. (2014). Changing work and work-family conflict: Evidence from the work, family, and health network.American Sociological Review,79(3), 485-516. Kossek, E. E., Hammer, L. B., Kelly, E. L., Moen, P. (2014). Designing work, family health organizational change initiatives.Organizational dynamics,43(1), 53-63. Kramar, R. (2014). Beyond strategic human resource management: is sustainable human resource management the next approach?.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,25(8), 1069-1089. Popaitoon, S., Siengthai, S. (2014). The moderating effect of human resource management practices on the relationship between knowledge absorptive capacity and project performance in project-oriented companies.International Journal of Project Management,32(6), 908-920. Putnam, L. L., Myers, K. K., Gailliard, B. M. (2014). Examining the tensions in workplace flexibility and exploring options for new directions.Human Relations,67(4), 413-440. Shanafelt, T. D., Hasan, O., Dyrbye, L. N., Sinsky, C., Satele, D., Sloan, J., West, C. P. (2015, December). Changes in burnout and satisfaction with work-life balance in physicians and the general US working population between 2011 and 2014. InMayo Clinic Proceedings(Vol. 90, No. 12, pp. 1600-1613). Elsevier. Sheehan, M. (2014). Human resource management and performance: Evidence from small and medium-sized firms.International Small Business Journal,32(5), 545-570. Thomas, K. J. (2014). Workplace technology and the creation of boundaries: The role of VHRD in a 24/7 work environment.Advances in Developing Human Resources,16(3), 281-295.

The 1920s Essay Example For Students

The 1920s Essay Entertainment in America was appearing all over the place. People wanted anescape from reality, they wanted to escape life. To do this, they turned toentertainment. In music, Jazz was the big hit. White composers popularizedJazz. Irving Berlins Alexander Ragtime Band was a big hit through themasses. The most powerful form of entertainment was the movies. The movieswere generally controlled by brilliant Jews who spent countless hoursperfecting it. Great movie stars ; directors were Gentiles, but the peoplethat helped them were Jewish. The stars of movies were declared cultural heroes. These heroes, moresotemporary celebrities, were worshippped by the masses. These heroes set thestandard for acting. Radios had a much stronger appeal compared to records. this was probably because once you bought the radio, listening was free. We will write a custom essay on The 1920s specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now This was much better than changing the record every 4 minutes. At first,radio broadcasters did not know what to broadcast. Quality was not a bigconcern in radio. The people would basically listen to anything. Radiodrama slowly developed, since directors thought it could not compete withmovies. The tradition of going to the movies every weekend was developedduring the 1920s. The art movement was also flourishing in the 1920s. Art basically came fromtwo sources: American influence and different forms of expressions. Manysaid it was impossible for an American artist to thrive in America. Although Mark Twain went to Europe, his work stayed in America. He enjoyedwriting from an American perspective. Ernest Hemingway, one of the mostpopular writers of the era, wrote about Americans in different countries. Before WW1, all writers were Anglo-Saxon. In the 1920s, however, one thingbecame popular: the creativity of the Jewish people. No other decade inhistory produced the amount of literary genius created by this era. Some ofthe most well known writers were in their prime during this eraA few to name would be Ernest Hemingway, e.e. cummings, John Steinbeck,Robert Frost ; Wallace Stevens. Foreign works did not have much influencein America, with the exception to the work of Irishman James Joyce ;Frenchman Marcel Proust. The two Renaissances, Harlem ; Southern, bothproduced much African-American literature. Throughout the 1920s, peoplebecame concerned with fashion. Developments in the design of attire,architecture ; automobiles helped define the decade. The war may have ended in November 1918, but the impact it had on theeconomy was substantial. But it picked up with Europes demand for rawmaterials. Agricultural exports soared farmers became wealthy. Farmerssuffered eventually though, once European supply had been restored. Manyfarms expanded, leaving them with un-needed land. With the exception offarmers, the economy flourished. Demand for automobiles radios becamegreat. You could find radios in grocery stores. Hotels large buildingsbegan developing in every major city. Chain stores began appearing in drug grocery markets. Prices began rising but many had jobs and wages weregood. Being a stockbroker surpassed the popularity of being a lawyer orphysician. The 1920s was an era where Entertainment prospered, Art flourished, andBusiness boomed. It was an Era which all things were good and a majority ofthe middle class was happy.

Getting an Italian Tattoo

Getting an Italian Tattoo Youve finally decided to get a tattoo. A tattoo in Italian, no less. Why not? Foreign language tattoos have a certain cachet- many people dont know what they say, lending the tattoo a certain sophistication or flair. But thats the point. Many people, including the tattoo artist, dont understand what the tattoo says, and a simple slip of the needle can turn love (amare) bitter (amaro). Italian Tattoos Are Forever Beware: an Italian tattoo is forever. On an episode of Miami Ink on TLC, a customer went to a tattoo parlor and, being Italian American, wanted per sempre tattooed vertically down his forearm from elbow to wrist. He told the tattoo artist it meant forever and gave him the drawing he made himself. The tattoo artist, who did not know Italian, proceeded to finish the tattoo as drawn. When finished, the customer looked at it in horror! Written on his arm was pre sempre- which has no meaning in Italian. The customer had spent much effort in making the lettering artistic that he spelled it wrong. The tattoo artist was able to fix the error, but it was a costly mistake. Context Is King If youre thinking about getting an Italian tattoo (in Italian: farsi fare un tatuaggio- to have oneself tattooed, to be tattooed) one thing to consider is context. A trendy phrase in English might not mean anything in Italian or, worse, require a bit of linguistic gymnastics to render the term comprehensible in Italian. In addition, there may be no cultural reference. For instance, keep it real is a popular American pop culture term- but its a phrase that has no resonance in Italian everyday life. In fact, if Italians were to use the term, theyd say it in English to indicate their knowledge of American pop culture. Character Counts Another consideration when getting a tattoo, obviously, is whether it fit on your ankle, bicep, back, or wherever else youve decided you want the image. If there is text involved, be aware that Italian translations of English phrases and terms are typically longer- both the words themselves and the total number of words. Either the font size of the letters will have to be smaller to fit the same area, or you will have to bulk up that bicep so thats theres more skin to ink! If An Italian Tattoo Is A Must If youre absolutely, positively convinced that you want an Italian tattoo, consult a native Italian speaker. Better yet, ask a few Italian speakers and get a range of opinions about both the grammatically correct translation of the term or phrase youre considering, and also whether it has any significance in Italian. This way you wont have an Italian tattoo permanently etched into your skin that, although it makes sense literally, isnt part of everyday speech. Whatever you do, avoid online automatic translators- they are notorious for rendering incomprehensible statements. And make sure the tattoo artist understands exactly how the word or phrase should read before beginning his work. A Picture Paints A Thousand Words Walk into the Sistine Chapel and one of the lasting images is the brilliance of the colors on the walls and ceilings. Now imagine what an Italian Renaissance artist could accomplish with a broad expanse of back, a forearm, or thigh. Thats an Italian tattoo that wouldnt require translation- the vivid colors and dramatic personae would tell a story better than any phrase rendered into Italian, and would be unique as well. That might be the best Italian tattoo anyone could design and execute.

Cheetah Corp

Background of the Company In the beginning, it set in motion from a family business, and then forms a partnership between Madam Hor Ah Kuan and her son, trading sport apparel way back in 1977. In 1979, Cheetah products came into existence and it start emphasize on designing and brand building for its Cheetah sports apparel, and simultaneously outsourced its manufacturing activities to external manufacturers since then. With the expansion of its portfolio of brand names, such as Cheetah Ladies, Cheetah Junior, C. Union, the business is growing in a good condition and stable. Cheetah Holdings Berhad (CHB) was instituted in year 1979. It was listed on the Second Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad on 19th January 2005, and it able to make itself to move into First Board of Bursa Malaysia in year 2007. In between these years, CHB has acquired 75% stake in Above Fashion Sdn Bhd and the famous junior brand LadyBird from Woolworth Plc. This makes CHB shown a pretty and nice revenue figure in its annual report of year 2006. One of the greatest accomplishments achieved by CHB is, the apparel maker Cheetah Corporation with sales of US$25 million is one of the nine companies listed on Forbes Asia 2007 list is widely recognized in its consistency of profitability and growth in the last three years, and this has been reported in New Straits Times on 21st September 2007. The main aim of CHB is to grow its bottom line together with its mission and vision of increasing profitability. Besides, it also put emphasize on satisfying stakeholders and enhancing skills of their people to upgrade their research and development. CTB has three small business units. It included Cheetah Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd which is in charge of the company’s core apparel business, Cheetah Reality Sdn Bhd which is in charge of property investment, and Cheetah Marketing Sdn Bhd. Cheetah Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd has entered into an Exclusive Licensee Contract since 21st Jan 2007. It involved with Focus Point Vision Care Group Sdn Bhd, a company incorporated in Malaysia. This is purposed for the exclusive license right to design, develop, produce and sell optical eyewear that carries the brand name of ‘CHEETAH’.

Favorite place (Dillard's) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Favorite place (Dillard's) - Essay Example While Dillard’s is considered to be an upscale department store, it offers an assortment of treasures for most budgets, including its low-priced clearance centers, making Dillard’s an economically-friendly company. As a department store, Dillard’s offers an array of merchandise useful for all aspects of one’s life and their home. Despite the enormous variety of high-end products found throughout Dillard’s many stores, this company’s claim to fame is its vast selection of clothing and shoes. Being upscale and at the forefront of procuring the best fashions, Dillard’s does not have a difficult time in staying up-to-date with the latest designs for men, women, and children. In the clothing department, available brands range from Antonio Melani, Armani Exchange, Calvin Klein, DKNY, and Ralph Lauren, in all desired styles: dresses, coats, pants, tops, pajamas and gorgeous gowns and handsome tuxedoes for any special occasion, including weddi ngs. The children’s department is just as abundant in its selection, with stunning formal wear for holidays and the character clothing that children adore for day-to-day wear. Dillard’s clothing department is only matched by its shoe department with thousands of different styles in countless brands, including their newest addition of the popular Ugg brand. There are shoes for every occasion and each season, from tennis shoes and sandals to strappy pumps and leather dress shoes. While the clothing and shoe selections define Dillard’s department stores, the perfume, make-up and accessories section, appropriately located at the center of each building, are the centerpiece. This area is easily recognizable from the sweet and strong fragrances of the dozens of bottles of perfume and cologne. Though there are many options for men in this area, it can be considered the paradise of women. Here they can find perfume and body spray in scents ranging from sweet and innocen t to strong and daring, all provided by some of the top brands, including Prada, Chanel, and Dior. The vast collection of make-up brands gives women what they need at their fingertips to enhance their own natural beauty or to design a completely new and stunning look. To add to the wonders of the make-up and perfume section are the helpful representatives willing to aid guests until they find the scent or look they are searching for. Often circling the perfume and make-up counters are racks upon racks of handbags, purses, scarves, belts, and beautiful jewelry. Men and women alike can find all that they need to complete the perfect outfit or to surprise a loved one with a dazzling gift. Once someone has finished spoiling themselves with the clothes and jewelry and glamorous extras found among the many shelves of Dillard’s, they can turn their attention on dressing up their homes. In the outer regions of the circle of Dillard’s, a guest can find all that they need for th eir bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, including little knickknacks and decorations to accentuate any room. For the bedroom, Dillard’s offers a wide selection of bedding sets and individual sheets and pillowcases, as well as pillows, canopies, and bed skirts. Unlike the selections found at many common department stores, the bedding found at Dillard’s exemplifies elegance, turning even a child’

Types of Budgets and Budgeting Techniques Research Paper

Types of Budgets and Budgeting Techniques - Research Paper Example Depending on the worth and value of a business, an organization creates a budget that well suits the resources and funds a business is exposed to. Additionally, different organizations have implemented different forms of budgeting. The different types of budgeting greatly depend on the time period and the monetary requirement by an organization. Some budgets are created only to cater to short time needs while others may be created to meet long time expectations of an organization (Cliche, 2012). The author further argues that some budgets are based on the expected income in a specific period of time while otherd are based on the cash in hand at the time of the creation of the budget. Kinds of Budget i. Operating Budgets This kind of budget is a financial statement that presents the financial plan for every expense and revenue (O’Sullivan & Sheffrin, 2003). The plan dictates the funds allocated to each responsibility around expenditure and revenues over the budget period. Opera ting budgets include the profit budget and revenue budget. The expense budget is a budget documentation that highlights the expected expenses over the budget period (Cliche, 2012). Forms of expenses include the variable discretionary and fixed expenses. Discretionary expenses are those that are created by the management decisions and cannot be based on certainty, for instance the accounting fees. Revenue budgets project the future sales of an organization based on the requirements of the organization. Profit budgets combine the results from the expense and revenue budget to create a final resource allocation system in the organization. ii. Financial Budgets Financial budgeting revolves around how an organization plans to get money and how it plans to use the funds. They include the cash budget, balance sheet budget and the capital expenditure budget (O’Sullivan & Sheffrin, 2003). The cash budget is based on the amount of funds an organization has on hand, and the expenses the organization has to cover over the budget period. It helps organizations evaluate the expense clearance capabilities. Capital expenditure budget helps an organization know whether they have enough funds to cover capital investment over the budget period. Capital investments include investment in heavy machinery or in buildings and property (Cliche, 2012). Balance sheet budget calculates the quantity of assets and liabilities over the budget period to be considered. iii. Variable Budgets Variable budgets are budgets created to offer more than the provisions of the fixed budget. They are flexible enough to cover the variations that may occur over the budget time (O’Sullivan & Sheffrin, 2003). However, variable budgets are difficult to prepare since the cost variables are difficult to predict and determine. iv. Zero Base Budgets In other budgeting creations, managers carry forward the results obtained from the previous calendar recordings. This is a shortcoming that makes an or ganization not evaluate their progress from a fresh start. In ZBB (zero-base budget) the results from the previous calendar are disregarded and a fresh financial plan is created (Cliche, 2012). In my organization, the most appropriate budget to use is the operational budget. The technique in this type of budgeting is based on the ability to record and allocate funds to each responsibility in the organization over the budget p

Contempory Management Functions Essay Example for Free

Contempory Management Functions Essay How do the theories proposed in your chosen reading inform your understanding of contemporary management functions and the employer-employee relationship? The Purpose of this essay is to determine how scientific management impacts contemporary management functions and the employer-employee relationship. This essay is based on the journal article [Locke,E (1982)The Ideas of Fredrick W Taylor: An Evaluation, Academy Management review,7(11),pp.14-24] and is regarding scientific management started by Fredrick Winslow Taylor which was a theory developed regarding management which analysed workflows. It was one of the earliest attempts to apply science to management. Scientific management’s main objective was to improve economic efficiency and productivity in the workforce. In most simple terms some of the many concepts were having a standardised method for doing a job, providing increased compensation to the worker as reward for being efficient and hiring the right person for the right job. Many of these theories are very commonly used in management today. Contemporary is a word meaning existing or occurring at the same time (Robbins,2012) . Management functions refer to the way somebody manages a business (Robbins,2012). Therefore contemporary management functions are how we typically manage today. Employer- employee relationship is the relationship in which a manager has with their employee’s and how they complete their work day together and if they are efficient together (Robbins,2012). The four contemporary management functions are Planning, Organising, leading and controlling. Planning is defined as a management function that involves defining goals, establishing strategies for achieving those goals and developing plans to integrate and coordinate activities (Robbins,2012). Organising is a management function that involves arranging and structuring work to accomplish the organisations goals (Robbins,2012). Leading is working with and through people to accomplish organisational goals and controlling involves monitoring, comp aring and correcting work performance (Robbins,2012). Scientific management theories proposed in this reading do apply to  contemporary management functions. Although many of these theories could be argued as common knowledge today, when Fredrick Taylor established them they were prehistoric terms. He wanted to find out ‘one best way’ for everything in the workplace. Taylor’s most well known experiment was the pig-iron experiment (Locke, 1982 ). The experiment involved workers loading ‘pigs’ of iron on to rail cars. He knew their current daily output, but believed more was possible using scientific management. This was done due to many things. First of all putting the right person on the job with the right tools and equipment. In today’s management people hire the best person they can for the job. Secondly he had the worker follow his instructions exactly. This is also normal in today’s management functions, because people do things the way the employer wants them to. Taylor also motivated successful and productive workers with higher pay (Locke, 1982). This is also very common in today, with higher salary packages for good workers and pay increases for productivity fairly common. This improves employer and employee relationships by making the employee feel valued. Although many people believe in Taylors scientific management functions Lawerence (2010), Green (1986) both argue that that this is not the case and that scientific management is the problem in today’s management. Although there arguments are well presented there seems to be no evidence suggesting that Taylor’s theories do not work. Chung(2013) Agrees with Taylors contemporary management theories but argues the point that people could be to caught up on contemporary management functions and forgetting some key aspects of general managing. Taylor’s scientific management theories help the understanding of the employer-employee relationship by making it easier to understand what the relationship is actually for. This relationship is primarily about productivity .Many things Taylor did such as relaying messages from the employer to the employee to improve productivity) are also widely used in today’s management(locke,1982) . He also discovered that giving feedback to your employees will increase there skills and there productivity ( Locke,1982). This method is also very commonly used today with weekly meetings in many companies between employee and employer. Many large companies today use contemporary management functions in the work place. Companies Such as subway, burger king and McDonald’s are all very structured from top to bottom of the company and people are constantly striving to think of ways to improve productivity thus maximising profits. Yang (2012), Talks about all the hugely complex mathematical equations that now go into various parts decision making in Burger King and McDonald’s. Although the equations are to complex to understand to the average person it is clear that management is a lot more planned and structured in today’s workplace. Williams (2008) statesâ€Å"Consistency is a priority at McDonald’s† (p.15). This is true because anytime you walk into a McDonalds anywhere in the world you know what to expect. This is due to the contemporary management functions of a large scale to plan and organise and regulate what every individual McDonalds can do to ensure people know what they are getting and what to expect every time they walk through that door. Williams (2008) also discusses the change between old management styles and new management styles that have produced positive results for the company. The new management styles are all very similar to what Locke (1982) says about Taylor’s theories. For example Williams (2008) speaks about all the new rewards McDonalds have brought in for successful franchises and employees ranging from bonus’s to promotions to higher positions which like Taylor suggests encourages people to work harder hence greater profits (Locke, 1982 ) . Williams (2008) also talks about the extensive process in training managers and staff and the new expectations of every employee within the company that has increased greatly over the years to insure everythi ng runs according to contemporary management functions. Taylor’s theories of scientific management are helpful in informing you of contemporary management functions and employer-employee relationships. The way the workplace is shaped today seems very relevant to Taylor’s theories. Many of his theories are normal in today’s management functions. Although he has had many critics of his work It is shown in the articles that not many have been able to prove there arguments. Using evidence such as Williams (2008) journal on the change in managing McDonalds makes it clear that Taylor has had a big influence on typical management functions in today’s  workplace. Chung, C. (2013) The Road Not Taken: Putting ‘Management’ Back to Taylor’s Scientific Management, Journal of multidisciplinary research, 5(1), pp. 45-56. Green, M. (1986) A Kantian Evaluation of Taylorism in the Workplace, Journal of Business Ethics, 7 (2), pp. 165-169. Lawrence, P. (2010)The key job design problem is still Taylorism, Journal of Organizational Behaviour, 31 (2), pp. 412-421. Locke, E. (1982) The Ideas of Fredrick W .Taylor: An Evaluation, Academy of Management Review, 7 (1), pp. 14-24. Robbins,S.R., Bergman, Stagg, Coulter. (2012). Management (6th ed.). Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd. Williams, E. (2008) Accelerated leadership development tops the talent management menu at Mcdonald’s ,27(4),pp. 15-31. Yang,N. (2012) Burger King and McDonald’s: Where’s the Spillover?, 19(2),pp.255-281

Case Study of Warren E. Buffet :: Business Management Studies

Case Study of Warren E. Buffet In 1995 Berkshire Hathaway has made a bid for the shares of GEICO. This report reviews the offer made by Warren Buffet and will try to prove that the acquisition of GEICO will serve the long-term goal of Berkshire Hathaway and the bid price was appropriate. Furthermore, it will explain what may have caused for the share price increase for Berkshire Hathaway at the announcement of GEICO’s acquisition. Would the GEICO acquisition serve the long-term goals of Berkshire Hathaway? In 1976, Warren Buffet paid $45.7 million for 34.25 shares of GEICO. Review of GEICO’s historical dividends shows that GEICO has been a very profitable investment for Berkshire Hathaway. The growth rate for 1994 is a sharp increase, but even if the growth rate for 1994 is not considered, GEICO’s historical increase in dividends has been considerably high so that acquisition of GEICO will serve the long-term goals of Berkshire Hathaway. What might account for the share price increase for Berkshire Hathaway at the announcement? Review of Warren Buffet’s historical investment success might explain the increase in share price for Berkshire Hathaway at the announcement. Given that he has had a good track record, it is expected that shareholders respond positively. In 1977, the price of Berkshire Hathaway was $89 closing at $25,400 by 1995, an unparalleled annual growth of 37.7%. In comparison, the growth rate of the S&P 500 over the same period was 14.3%. Warren Buffet’s formidable investment performance was also demonstrated when Berkshire Hathaway acquired Scott & Fetzer. Berkshire Hathaway paid $315 million for Scott & Fetzer in 1985 after which they received significant dividends. Again, Buffet’s investment performance on the acquisition of Scott & Fetzer outperformed the S&P 500 evident by an internal rate of return (IRR) of 26.4% including the 1994 cash flow or 14.9% without 1994 cash flow on the Scott & Fetzer investment. Clearly, Warren Buffet’s positive investment performance carried a significant weight and influences the market to have a more optimistic outlook on his investments. Conversely, his historical records of investment success do add value to shareholders trust. Was the bid price appropriate? GEICO Corp was selling for $55.75 at the time Warren Buffet and Berkshire Hathaway made an offer of $70 including a 26% premium over the current GEICO stock price. One would expect that what appeared to be an overprice bid would lead to a negative market reaction. On the contrary, Berkshire Hathaway’s shares closed up 2.4% for the day for a gain in market value of $718 million after the announcement. The gain’s effect was twofold – it increased the value of GEICO shares (34.25 million) Berkshire Hathaway already owned and it also made the

Democracy in the United States and Great Britain Essay

Although the need for government to have leadership that provides direction is universal among states, the form that the government leadership assumes varies. Government structure varies significantly between the United States and Great Britain, despite that each is a democracy and share a common history. In fact, the common history of the United States and Great Britain suggests reasons to explain the broad differences between the governments of each respective state. In the wake of the American Revolution, the people of the United States rejected the forms and institutions, most notably a monarchy and Parliament, of British government as well as British sovereignty. Possessing a democratic presidential government, the United States has two separately elected agencies of government. The executive and legislative branches of the United States, the President and Congress, respectively, both derive their power from the people, whereas in Great Britain only the legislative branch, Parliament, derives its power from the people, as the executive is elected by Members of Parliament, thus effectively combining both branches within a single institution. The Parliamentary system in Great Britain and the Presidential system in the United States both have histories marked by an absence of abject failure, yet neither system can be considered truly perfect. Consequently, the analyst cannot conclude that either system is better; rather, he must recognize that there are merits and faults in both systems. The Parliamentary system tends to legislate efficiently, whereas a presidential system tends toward gridlock. However, the presidential system grants both elected representatives and citizens greater influence in government. The Parliamentary system tends to favor Prime Ministers who have much experience, whereas the Presidential system favors Presidents who are responsive to the general will of the people. Also every week the British prime minister appears before the House of Commons and must answer questions put to him or her by the members of Parliament. Sometimes it is suggested that the president of the United States should be subject to similar questioning by members of Congress, as a way of encouraging closer interaction between president and Congress. If the president did so, however, it would be his or her choice; the president is elected directly by the people and is answerable to the voters rather than the legislature. Whereas the prime minister has no choice because he or she is a member of Parliament and is directly accountable to that body. Herein lies a very basic difference between the presidential system of government as it exists in the United States and the parliamentary system that has evolved in Great Britain. Another point is that the framers of the U.S. Constitution adopted the principle first enunciated by the Baron de Montesquieu of separation of powers. They carefully spelled out the independence of the three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. At the same time, however, they provided for a system in which some powers should be shared: Congress may pass laws, but the president can veto them; the president nominates certain public officials, but Congress must approve the appointments; and laws passed by Congress as well as executive actions are subject to judicial review. Thus the separation of powers is offset by what are sometimes called checks and balances. In a parliamentary system, by contrast, the legislature holds supreme power. The prime minister is chosen by members of the legislature (Parliament) from among their own number and in practice is the leader of the majority party in the legislature. The cabinet members must also belong to the legislature, where they are subject to the same kind of questioning that the prime minister experiences. If the prime minister loses the support of the majority in the legislature on a significant vote, he or she must resign, and elections are called immediately. Thus, whereas in the United States, elections are held at fixed intervals, in Britain and other parliamentary countries, they may occur at any time, the only restriction being (in  Britain) that they must be held at least once every five years. In Conclusion, the governments of Great Britain and the United States of America have many differences, they are, at the core, provides leadership and direction to their nation.

Marketing and Micro Environment Essay

Effective marketing incorporates macro and micro-marketing strategies, terms that may not be very familiar to many small businesspeople. They are important concepts, though, that when applied effectively can help to boost advertising results. Even small businesses can learn how–and why–to consider the impacts of macro and micro impacts in their planning and strategy. Micro Environment The micro environment, as the name suggests, is the immediate environment that impacts a business. The micro environment includes considerations related to suppliers, customers and local stakeholders, including local government agencies or regulatory bodies. The micro environment can generally be considered the local environment where the business operates and the business owner is likely to be somewhat aware of the impacts that they are faced with. Macro Environment The macro-environment includes those things that may impact small businesses but which are outside of their control. It is the larger, external environment within which businesses operate from an industry or economic standpoint. Using Strategy Effectively In considering the micro and macro impacts on a business, internal and external factors must be considered. Businesses use a variety of tools in planning to consider these impacts, including the SWOT, which is strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; analysis; the PEST, which is political, economic, social, technological, and Porter’s 5-Forces Analysis, which is the threat of new competitors, the level of competition, the threat of substitute products, and the bargaining power of customers and suppliers.

Social Cultural Or Environmental Impact Caused By Tourism Tourism Essay Essays

Social Cultural Or Environmental Impact Caused By Tourism Tourism Essay Essays Social Cultural Or Environmental Impact Caused By Tourism Tourism Essay Essay Social Cultural Or Environmental Impact Caused By Tourism Tourism Essay Essay Introduction Having developed some of the universe s most unthinkable attractive forces, like a ski resort amidst a desert and an archipelago resembling the map of the Earth, Dubai, a metropolis in the United Arab Emirates, has emerged as a alone touristry finish in the past two decennaries ( Henderson, 2006 ) . Dubai is a coastal metropolis, which offers sand, sea, and Sun, with conservative Islamic and Arab traditions. Even though the rapid rise in the touristry sector has led to rapid growing of the economic system, this growing is paired with assorted environmental every bit good as societal and cultural impacts. The undermentioned essay discusses these impacts and what the ground behind these impacts is. Subsequently, the impression of sustainable touristry is discussed and how Dubai can keep sustainability of touristry every bit good as societal, cultural, and environmental values. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS A major factor in Dubai s touristry growing has been the development of its major air hose, Emirates. Emirates is listed amongst the universe s most epicurean air hoses ( Verdonck, 2007 ) . All flights are via Dubai, which means one traveling by Emirates must halt in Dubai foremost. Every unit of currency spent in Dubai benefits its economic system. Although good to the economic system and touristry industry, air travel is a prima factor of air pollution. Dubai, since the mid 1990 s, has been practising rapid touristry focused development ( Rockwell, 2006 ) . This is non merely the building of hotels, but besides of state-of-the art promenades and edifices, all of which are meant to pull tourers and international investing. The building in Dubai additions by 34 % per annum ( Heyer, 2008 ) , and is utilizing a 3rd of the universe s Cranes to construct 100s of skyscrapers ( Clarke, 2004 ) , most of which can be attributed to the metropolis s willingness to increase touristry. Construction once more has inauspicious environmental impacts. A batch of this building for illustration that of the thenar shaped island called The Palm Jumeirah requires a method of dredging and re-depositing where stones are collected from the underside of the sea and deposited where wanted. This unluckily has lead to the one time crystal clear Waterss to be filled with silt. Resultantly, given the suicidal nature of touristry, plunging partisans have started looking for other countries with greater visibleness in H2O ( Butler, 2005 ) . The above mentioned method of building has besides destroyed marine life. For illustration, the Arabian Gulf s 2nd most bio-diverse Marine system was handed over to the building company Nakheel to construct another thenar shaped island on. Consequently because of such Acts of the Apostless, the coral reefs and sea grass have been buried and killed under stone sedimentations. The oyster beds are known to hold been buried two inches deep. Construction companies mention that they will construct unreal constructions under H2O, but ecologists argue that these new unreal constructions will non back up the original native species of the country, but they may pull foreign, destructive species ( Butler, 2005 ) . The touristry lead building in the sea has lead to many breaks in the moving ridge currents. The beaches of Dubai have therefore started to gnaw off. Tourism, even though indirectly, has started to bit by bit decrease one of the grounds that it exists ( Butler, 2005 ) . Other illustrations of touristry attractive forces in Dubai include a Tiger Wood s golf class, which imported 30,000 mature trees, an 820 square meter refrigerated swimming pool and an unnaturally chilled beach to maintain the sand cool ( Hickman, 2008 ) . Not to advert, Dubai, as mentioned by the United Nations, is the universe s most water-imperilled country. Enormous degrees of Energy and desalinated H2O, which finally requires even more energy, have to be used to keep such attractive forces. All of Dubai s edifices, such as hotels and shopping promenades, are air-conditioned which means that more electricity is needed and the emanation of nursery gases exceeds that of the universe norm greatly. Dubai s emanation of nursery gases is 33.6 metric dozenss per capita, whereas the universe norm is at merely 3.7 metric dozenss per capita ( Saadeh, 2007 ) . This non merely negatively affects Dubai itself, but besides affects the remainder of the universe. A hotel in Dubai produces appr oximately dual the C emanations as compared to a European hotel ( eTurboNews, 2009 ) . Many conservationists worldwide can perchance reason why the other states of the universe must endure because of what is go oning in Dubai. In a United Nations clime talk, UAE s curate for Environment and Water spoke of atomic power to desalt the H2O which would hold even worse affects on the environment ( Hickman, 2008 ) . Therefore one can easy construe that Dubai s touristry does non merely have negative impacts on its ain environment but perchance that of the universe. SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS Tourism s impacts in Dubai are non restricted to the environment. The occupants, merely of which a really little figure are local citizens, have besides had to travel through some major alterations in a really short period of clip. As mentioned earlier, Dubai has one the most successful air hoses in the universe, and the Dubai Airport is obviously rather busy. The airdrome is located in the chief metropolis as seen from the map below: Beginning: Google Maps The airdrome operates 24 hours and therefore it is easy assumable that the noise pollution is at high degree. This affects all the occupants in the environing countries. There is a major clang between western civilization and the Islamic civilization that prevails in Dubai and its milieus. To a westerner the thought of traveling to a beach to the full clothed may look rather unpointed and hence tourers wear swimming garb at beaches. Dubai has faced some major jobs in this respect. The mean labour working category of Dubai is largely of work forces from the Indian subcontinent where it is rather uncommon to see adult females on beaches have oning Bikini. For the above mentioned grounds, work forces of the working category had started to garner at beaches to gaze at adult females and snap them. There would be occasional cases when they would forcefully experience adult females in H2O. The Dubai constabularies have about arrested 500 work forces because of this ( Fattah, 2006 ) . Dubai s western positions are non usually accepted by the conservativists of the metropolis. Regardless of that, the swayers have made a move frontward. Dubai has tried to suit western civilization which in the long-run could perchance stop in the loss of Dubai s ain civilization. In the past few old ages, tardily dark parties every bit good as alcoholic drinks have become really popular and common, something which is non appreciated in the Arab civilization. Dubai has legion different sorts of cabarets and bars to offer to its tourer population ( Expat Forum, 2009 ) , which could perchance alter Dubai s ain population, and would be most influential on the young person. A New Year s Eve party held on The Palm island had to a great extent intoxicated people dancing on the beaches in the nude ( www.EscapeArtisit.com ) . Possibly one can state that the people of Dubai have already started to lose their cultural, spiritual, and societal duties as a direct consequence of touristry. Sexual activity touristry has besides vastly affected Dubai. The Dubai Information Site docudrama clearly shows with a concealed camera that harlotry is merely illegal on paper and is literally supervised by jurisprudence implementing governments and besides suggests that the authorities and secret bureaus know all about it ( www.Dubai-Information-Site.com ) . One possible ground thinkable is that Dubai really wants to pull sex tourers so that money keeps pouring into the economic system, but this theory is non evidenced. In some cases Dubai has been compared with Morocco and the Philippines at sex touristry degree ( www.Dubai-information-site.com ) . Streets of Dubai are filled with easy identifiable cocottes, possibly most of these adult females are at that place to pull local clients but many besides end up pulling tourers. The more expensive cocottes work at 5 star hotels where evidently tourists besides stay, doing the being of sex touristry even more solid and credible. In an i nterview with a cocotte, she said Most of my clients are Australian, Canadian, and local work forces ( Robson, 2009 ) . An tremendous addition in harlotry, particularly when a big figure are tourers are the clients, puts occupants of Dubai at hazard of sexually transmitted diseases such as Syphilis and HIV. What 1 must see is, is Dubai still a topographic point where 1 can raise kids with preexistent societal and cultural values? THE MAIN REASONS FOR NEGATIVE IMPACTS What has been the chief ground for all these socio-cultural and environmental alterations? As mentioned earlier, the authorities, or swayers, because Dubai is non a democracy, want to assist the economic system by presenting tourers. Dubai took a political stance in the mid 1990 s that because the oil was traveling to acquire dog-tired they should exchange their focal point towards touristry. Investings in Dubai are largely international and most of the flats in the residential skyscrapers built were sold to really rich aliens. The prince of Monaco besides bought an island in the archipelago The World ( Clarke, 2006 ) . Therefore the second place phenomena is besides one which helps increase touristry in Dubai, and therefore touristry impacts on Dubai even more greatly, as tourers will see once more and once more. It was in this stance that Dubai s swayers besides decided to do many tourer attractive forces including the assorted hotels and bars. The Chief executive officer of Duba iland, the universe s largest subject park, is known to hold said that we want to do Dubai Venice of the Middle East with streamlined H2O canals ( Heyer, 2008 ) , which once more is inordinate usage of H2O in a part where H2O is a cherished resource. It was investings in such strategies that were followed by lay waste toing environmental impacts. Not merely is the running and maintaining of such attractive forces unhealthy for the environment, but it is besides the building which greatly affects it. The authorities of Dubai has been rather grim in the building of these attractive forces, so much that the already few conservationist groups and NGOs in Dubai had to be made soundless and were non allowed to interfere at all ( Hickman, 2008 ) . It would non hold been hard hushing these groups as Dubai is non a democracy system. NGOs and conservationists merely occupation is to educate school pupils about recycling ( Hickman, 2008 ) . The building company Nakheel, responsible for the building of the ill-famed Palm Islands, the land reclaimed The World and many other environmentally harmful undertakings is owned by the swayer of Dubai himself, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Makhtoum ( Clarke, 2006 ) . Therefore we can easy state that the ground for the impacts is possibly rigorous attachment to political and economic policy. Quite late, given the 2008 economic slack, Dubai has started confronting economic jobs every bit good. In the recession, there was a considerable bead in touristry in Dubai ( Walid, 2009 ) . Unfortunately, the whole intent for which Dubai had to endure through socio-cultural and environmental impacts may be excessively volatile. Any state should neer be excessively dependent on any one sector of the economic system, particularly a suicidal one like touristry. IS SUSTAINABLE TOURISM POSSIBLE? Sustainable touristry as defined by the United Nation World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO ) is Tourism that takes full history of its current and future economic, societal and environmental impacts, turn toing the demands of visitants, the industry, the environment and host communities. ( Bartlett, 2007 ) First, the inauspicious effects of touristry are lessened if the growing in tourer population is comparatively slow ( Cooper et Al, 2008 ) . This was non the instance for Dubai. Dubai has seen an tremendous growing in its touristry over the past 15 old ages. Therefore the impacts on the environment and the people have been greater than they could hold been. The occupants of Dubai did non hold much clip to turn accustomed to the ways of the tourers. Like London and New York, where occupants are already accustomed to an urban manner of life with the presence of tourers ( Cooper et Al, 2008 ) , Dubai s occupants are non. Dubai has already started to implement sustainable touristry ( Mustafa, 2007 ) . A recent enterprise by the earlier mentioned Nakheel is called Blue Communities ( www.BlueCommunities.org ) . For illustration, at the Palm Island they have introduced a new air conditioning system which reduces energy use by 35 % . Such issues should non merely be addressed by one building company, but all building companies. Dubai s authorities is strong plenty to implement such Torahs that will minimise the harm to the environment. Some hotels in Dubai have besides started to take the environmental issues and hence their C emanations earnestly. They have taken stairss towards diminishing their environmental costs and recognize the fiscal benefits that could be received by traveling green ( eTurboNews, 2005 ) . Such enterprises can be really expensive to Dubai can utilize the illustration of Egypt, which has similar societal and cultural values and even possibly related environmental issues. When the Red Sea started to turn as a tourer finish, the authorities took a similar attack to that of Dubai s, based on building of hotels. Subsequently, they implemented direction programs and introduced a Sensitivity Map which rates resources in footings of their resiliency to the impacts of usage ( Bartlett, 2007 ) . Furthermore, Egyptian governments have started supplying inducements to be more sustainable ( Bartlett, 2007 ) . Dubai could take a similar attack. After a instance of two British subjects holding sexual intercourse on a household beach, governments have introduced some new guidelines for occupants and tourers likewise. Now, loud music, curse, caressing, have oning skirts of inappropriate length, and even keeping custodies and embracing in populace has been banned ( www.News.com.au, 2009 ) . Alternatively of being on the utmost terminal and censoring the activities mentioned above, which are quite common in the tourers ain states, Dubai can take a similar encourage, non deter attack ( Bartlett, 2007 ) . Dubai can advert the Arab and Muslim civilization in any booklets and advertizements of the finish ; otherwise, if tourers hear about such prohibitions and restriction, they might desire to see an alternate finish. The same encouraging attack as that of Egypt can be taken towards building companies, in which fiscal assets could be provided. Similarly, Emirates Airline could go on to buy the new A-380 aircrafts as they are more environmentally friendly. Research shows that 45 % British tourers are willing to pass more on holiday if environmental amendss can be reversed, 67 % Americans think it is of import that they do non damage the finishs they visit, and 69 % Danish tourers are willing to pay more for eco-labelled hotels ( Bartlett, 2007 ) . All three states above generate high Numberss of tourers. Thus authorities functionaries in Dubai can presume that if they want to fund in environmentally friendly activities, this will potentially pull more tourers. Dubai s authorities could perchance take another measure towards sustainability. Random occupants could be drafted, at their will, in big groups to be a portion of a panel, similar to a selling house s consumer panel, where they could be asked to notice on any new developments that have been thought of. This manner the normally held positions of the community will be known and because a random outlining system is used many members of the community will experience more of import and therefore less immune to alterations. The execution of such a system will be difficult and boring. It may besides rather dearly-won for the authorities. Eco-tourism can be practiced although in a really alone manner. Eco-tourism normally trades with of course beautiful countries, but could besides perchance affect the alone civilization and traditions of a part ( Bartlett, 2007 ) . Dubai can publicize the rich Arabic traditions that prevail in the part and demo how cultural and environmental values are in the metropolis s nucleus. Eco-tourism would be hard because of the ill-famed impacts on the local and planetary environment and the alterations that have already occurred in its occupants. Still, it is a really distant possibility in the long-run. If achieved, Dubai may be a possible eco-tourism finish which would ironically pull multitudes. To accomplish sustainable touristry, the differences between the occupants and tourers must be reduced ( Cooper et Al, 2008 ) . If Dubai s people were to alter and go like westerners, this would once more stop up in loss of individuality and alterations in civilization. Alternatively, skillfully designed plans for schools and likewise designed advertizements aimed at Dubai s grownup population could learn them about the positive effects of touristry and adaptability. On the other manus, advertizements aimed at tourers from different states could be made cognizant of Dubai s cultural and spiritual values. In the instance of Dubai specifically, there should be purposes made at cut downing harlotry to do the societal state of affairs better. By doing police governments more efficient and taking a stance to halt human trafficking at the airdrome, so no cocottes enter. For Dubai s touristry to turn sustainably a few of the mentioned methods must be used so that the involvements of the people, tourers, and environment are satisfied, all the while the touristry industry thrives and grows. Although this is hard as there is a clear tradeoff between certain factors, for illustration building of attractive forces leads to an addition in touristry but harms the environment. Therefore Dubai s touristry sector needs a skillfully devised program to pattern sustainable touristry. It besides needs the apprehension that environmental and societal systems are non two distinguishable theoretical simple systems, but are one complex existent system and that worlds are besides a portion of the environment. This system is hence ever germinating and altering with uncertainnesss and remains stable merely for a short period of clip ( Fyall et al, 2005 ) . As the system evolves, Dubai s programs of sustainable touristry will besides hold to alter, because the involvement s of all stakeholders are different at all times. Decision Dubai must affect and alter the behavior of all the stakeholders involved such as tourers, occupants, conservationists, and authorities functionaries. Merely so can sustainable touristry and development be achieved and the negative impacts of touristry reduced.

How does culture affect politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

How does culture affect politics - Essay Example The shared beliefs and norms usually define people’s expectations and how they should deal with issues once they arise. It affects the way people think and the processes of communication. Culture shapes a person and how he or she views the world. People’s identities are defined by their belief system, and people are satisfied that they belong to a certain community. On the other hand, politics is defined as shared symbol system. It links members of a group to a certain leadership system. Thus, the essay critically discusses how culture affects politics. Ideally, every country has a political culture which is defined by the shared values, norms and belief systems. The shared beliefs define the relationship between government and the citizens. People are brought together in a nation by heritage and language which defines how people should relate with one another. In a nation, people are held together by ideologies, patriotism and religion. Countries have different type of ideologies such as communism and capitalism. A nation will choose the type of ideology to adapt depending on the beliefs, norms, and values a country uphold (Skocpol 23). Consequently, culture has a powerful influence on people’s behaviors and thoughts. In the world today, interaction between different nations has resulted to change in people’s culture. People from different parts of the world share their views on different issues hence affecting their belief system. As a result, the political systems have been altered as a result of the change in different cultures. Through the shared ideas and principles, the political systems in most parts of the world have changed (Robert 166). Subsequently, a political system refers to the learned beliefs about a political system and how they operate wsith certain political boundaries. Political culture affects the way people see their political world and the value they give to it.

The relationship between the live and the recorded, or the original Essay

The relationship between the live and the recorded, or the original and the copy, as they are exhibited or explored in a work of performance, film, music or visual art - Essay Example According to the contemporary theory, the performances generally depend upon the synthesis of the live or the recorded version. If there is the rivalry or competition or oppositeness between them, then these two versions can take place in a particular arena sort. It will help the critiques to judge and examine the Vetter mode of performance depending upon the power of each and every aspect. Moreover, quality of a mode generally plays a significant role that help to enhance the quality of performance. This can destroyed by the interaction of these tow mode of work performances. Several characteristics of the recorded and live version have parallel relation or similarities. The connection or integration of these two aspects can diminish or exploit the subtler differences between them. Moreover, several social and communal issues can rise due to the integration of the versions. According to Patrice Pavis (2000), certain artistic motive for the stage video or music performance can be app lied to use any of the existing recorded media. These things generally include the redirection of the emphasizing and attention to the contrast between the living actor, stage environment and stimulations of several audiences of representation and fiction. Sontag has argued that, the utilization of film in the live performance is generally stereotyped version. It has been restricted the fantastic scenes or the dream sequence type moments. These arguments and several academic statements suggest that, there are several

IB History Course Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

IB History Course - Essay Example In some instances, they were actually used as death camps by literally working people to death intentionally, while in other cases people simply died because of the heavy demands and harsh conditions. Entire ethnic groups and races, such as Jews and Polish workers, were sent to these harsh labour camps to work until they died or at least wished to themselves that they would die to escape their miserable fate (Britannica Online 2008, Conquest 1991, and Noble 1961). The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the true purpose of the Gulags under the rule of Stalin. The investigation will cover the development of the Gulags, how they were used for different purposes, what work people were made to do in them, who were put in the Gulags, and how many people died. An analysis of these sections should indicate the extent to which these camps were actually death camps rather than labour camps. Much of the research will come from the following sources: Gulag: A History, by Applebaum; The Great Terror, by Conquest; and Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar, by Montefiorte. The conditions in the Gulags were horrendous and of slave proportions. People were allowed to wear very little clothing, if any, and it was in terrible shape. Many nude photos of prisoners slaving away in the camps exist today; all one has to do is perform a quick keyword search on the Internet (Applebaum, 2005). The labor that they were subjected to was extremely harsh compared to anything that would be seen today. For example, prisoners were made to lag around large boulders, work in areas where heavy things were likely to fall on them, haul large amounts of lumber, and much more back-breaking work. They were fed very little and their meager meals in combination with the hard labor they were performing led to them being very skinny and unhealthy (Applebaum, 2005). Many times, it became physically impossible for a prisoner to handle the exhaustive physical labor and he simply could not go on. These prisoners were often whipped or beaten to death because it was taken by those who ran the labor camp that the person was refusing to follow orders. Other punishments were dealt out to these individuals as well, including starvation and isolation (Applebaum, 2005). These labor camps appear to be quite similar to Hitler's concentration camps in which many Jews perished. The main difference appears to be that the labor camps were punishment (and death) camps for the unlawful, while the concentration camps were death camps for the Jewish. In both, people were herded to them by the thousands, forced to work beyond what their bodies could handle, and were punished or killed as a result. People were lined up and shot execution style. People were herded into gas chambers. Some were just worked in the harsh weather conditions until they just fell over dead. 2. Development of the Gulags Individual camps were grouped together in what were called camp complexes. It is estimated that at least 476 of these complexes existed. Within the complexes were somewhere between 100 to over 1,000 different camps. Some camps were considered to be worse than others, with the top three on that

Good afternoon friends Essay Example for Free

Good afternoon friends Essay The theme of Vicki L. Sears â€Å"Grace† can be seen in the relationship that develops between two of the characters, Billie Jim and Paul. Billie is an orphan who gets along with his sister and is adopted by Paul and his wife. Billie displays a desire to trust and accept their new parents while sister remains suspicious. Vickie Sears illustrate that although children suffer abuse and neglect, there is hope that they can learn to trust and build self-esteem. Billie Jim is a silent child who relies on his sister to protect him. Paul and his wife come to get them but Billie is hiding in a tree to escape from some of the bigger boys. His sister steps in and fights the older boys to get Billie down. She describes him as a â€Å"sissy†. Billie has to use the bathroom, but instead of asking their new parents he pinches his sister. Paul takes him to the restroom and his sisters concern gives us an understanding into prior abuse and possible reasons for Billie Jim’s reserved behavior. Although Paul would never hurt Billie Jim intentionally at the  end of the story he does. His death not only means an end to their relationship, but also an end to their secure home and protection. Billie loses the starring role along with the friend he has made, and is back into his uncertain life led by corrupt adults. â€Å"The Lesson† by Toni Cade Bambara is when Toni attended college and come of age as a writer. Bambara was at the head of radical politics, the feminist movement, and African American culture in Harlem when it was the 60’s. Her writing uncovers the differences forced on  African Americans of that time which America avoided and could not interfere. The story is a window for the reader into Bambara’s reality as much as it is a lesson for the immature woman Sylvia the main character. â€Å"The Lesson† is a first person narrative told by a young, poor, black girl growing up in Harlem in an undetermined time period known as â€Å"Back in the days when everyone was old and stupid or young and foolish, Sugar and I were the only ones just right†. Going by the prices some can accept it was sometime in the early seventies. The story is about a trip started by a local woman, who is the only educated person in the neighborhood and has taken it upon herself to uncover the unthankful children of the neighborhood to the world outside of their worried community. The last stop is FAO Schwartz in Manhattan, where the toys of white children cost more than all of the children’s household yearly incomes combined and the lesson is almost lost on the children. The story closes by making plans to spend the left over cab fare change they stole from Miss Moore. At the last second Sylvia turns on her friend and goes off alone to think of the events of the day. The story’s theme focuses on education and the need for education as the results of knowledge. It proves how learning can lead to grief but that the grief is necessary for helpful change. The author also studies different types of pride and purposes of leadership and the various ways people show respect or disrespect for each other. Underlying the entire story is the concept of economic difference between whites and blacks in the United States.

Fundamentals of Marketing

Fundamentals of Marketing Kirsty Hayes, Bianca Jones, Chris Duffy, Tim Stone EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this report is to gain further insight into AAMIs current position in the personal car insurance market and to identify suitable marketing strategies to meet the needs of current and future customers. Despite being the largest insurer in the motor vehicle market there are many new competitors undercutting insurance premiums, mostly through online sales and service. Current competition includes IAG, on policy, and Budget Direct, on a price point. Since the GFC consumers have shown to be more cautious but with higher expectations. Current measures of internet and social media use shows the incredible scope of data facebook is able to collect from target segments. Loyalty and time wasted choosing a company are the most important characteristics of insurance seekers. They are most likely to use trusted brands when not engaged in the process. Surveys also found Australia wide retention of insurance customers more than 50%, however 75% of customers are not likely to seek out a company but want to make the best purchase decision. A further 10% want convenience purchasing insurance. AAMI must maintain its focus on consistent, excellent customer service, and utilising facebook to identify and communicate with customers. The process of purchasing a policy and making claims must be refined further strengthening the AAMI brand. INTRODUCTIONLACE INFLUENCING This report aims to provide a summary of where AAMI is situated against its market competitors and help develop a marketing strategy to promote sustained long term business opportunities. The ABS (2016) estimated 17.7 million vehicles registered in Australia at the 31st October 2014 whilst Tiwari (2014) claims the Domestic Motor Insurance segment is worth 6 Billion dollars in premiums per year and is the largest is the Australian general insurance market. AAMI face a multitude of competition in the Australian Motor Insurance segment and this paper will identify two competitors, IAG group and Budget Direct. This report is broken into two major sections, the first will evaluate and analyse competition along with demographic and technological trends and understanding how these factors may affect business in both the short and long term. The second part identifies possible segmentation which is involved with purchasing motor insurance. Providing historic trend information from the market will help create a new marketing strategy. INSURANCE INDUSTRY OVERVIEW The insurance industry has had some significant hurdles in recent years, these have changed the way insurers need to market themselves and maintain profits. Buyers have become more cautious; expectations of products and services have increased since the global financial crisis (How Australian insurers can achieve profitable growth in a challenging market 2017). Pay-outs for natural disasters have increased in frequency and value due to climate change, effecting insurers bottom lines (Insurance industry and climate change 2017). With the large number of insurers in the market creating intense competition, each company needs to ensure they have the right mix of products and customers to maintain their overall profit. AAMI WITHIN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AAMI positions itself as the customer focused and fun insurance company, to differentiate from other insurers and say they are the not very insurancy insurer using comical advertisements which attract younger consumers (AAMI 2017). It seems to be working for them, AAMI sits at number 5 of the top ten list of best insurance companies within Australia (Top Tens 2016). Below is a chart which shows AAMIs position within the market. RECENT TRENDS THAT IMPACT THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY       Usage based insurance (UBI) While UBI is not a new concept in places like the US, it is only recently becoming common place within the Australian insurance industry (Dipak 2015). Things like pay-as-you-drive insurance, where customers only pay insurance for the kilometres they actually drive and pay-how-you-drive insurance, where customers get discounts for being safer drivers (Lukens 2014). This means customers can decrease their premiums to a rate previously impossible with other methods and feel like they have more control over what they pay. It also enables better identification of customer segments for future planning of products. The Internet of Things Still an upcoming trend within the insurance industry, as explained by Forbes (Morgan 2014) this is the concept of basically connecting any device with an on and off switch to the Internet (and/or to each other). Wearable technology for tracking heart rates, exercise, sleep patterns and more are being used in collaboration with health insurers. Sensors in cars are being used to calculate the risk of particular drivers by tracking speed, acceleration, and braking distance (Liew 2016). This information helps to speed up the claim process with more detailed information of accidents (Kumaresan 2016). For the insurance industry, this means more information available to calculate premiums and reduce risk for insuring specific customers. KEY COMPETITORS As Tiwari (2015) explains the Motor Insurance marketplace could be divided up into 4 segment areas. There are 2 major firms which own multiple companies and these are the Suncorp Group and the IAG Group with the rest of the industry made up from smaller competitors (image 1 gives a detailed example). Appendix A is an online comparison of comprehensive policies between NMRA, Budget Direct and AAMI. As Lamb (2016) highlights international firms need to take into account local domestic firms which are also fighting for a share of the market. Image 1 (image sourced from http://www.slideshare.net/ullyully/australian-car-insurance-market-analysis/6) IAG Group The IAG group is our biggest competitor and will continue to be into the future as they share a similar infrastructure to AAMI. IAG also have national leverage through their independent brands RACV, NMRA, SGIO and SGIC. IAG have a major focus on making the world a safer place (IAG Group, 2017). IAG products tend to balance between price, volume, and service. They have no major advantage over our brand. Budget Direct Budget Direct are a small player being very aggressive to gain major market share. They specialise in insuring low risk clients to keep premiums down (Budget Direct, 2017) thus sitting in the price sensitive area. They have some advantages for customers compared to AAMI on their standard comprehensive product such as offering a no claim bonus on windscreen damage. Appendix A provides a detailed summary. A KEY PLAYER OF IMPORTANCE Australias population is currently 23.3 million people with more than 15 million owning smartphones. According to Neilsen, we spend on average of over one hour per day using smart phones, of which 35% of the time is spent on social media. According to Forbes (2016), in the social media landscape, Facebook is the most popular site with more than 15 million users and in a survey by Sensis in 2016, for more than 12 hours per week so it makes sense that our advertising can reach more customers in an increasingly competitive market. By developing a partnership with Facebook, AAMI can target market segments differently using each groups interests based on data received from the company. Nadia Cameron from IDG (2016) identified raising of brand awareness and conversions as the major reasons for AAMI using Facebook marketing. Failure in this partnership would be fatalistic with over 1.7 billion users worldwide connected to Facebook. OTHER FACTORS INFLUENCING THE INDUSTRY Technological Trends Online Applications AAMI has launched the AAMI Access ® Application which they have marketed as Insurance in your Pocket (AAMI 2016). It allows you to monitor and update your policies, make an instant claim and upload claim photos from your device, and allows claim and live repair tracking. As at 30 June 2016, there were approximately 22 million mobile handset subscribers in Australia (ABS, 2016) making the creation of an online application a great innovation as it allows an easier service for the consumer and the insurance agency and leverages off the fact that consumers are becoming more advanced in online technology. This is not the only application available from insurance companies but it will continue to grow in trend. Self-Driving Cars volvocars.com/au (2016) says that there are already self-driving Volvos on the road in Sweden and in 2017, there will be over 100 on public roads, and this will continue to grow. This trend will be crucial to car insurance companies as it will alter the way insurance is provided, calculated and it could make it more difficult to prove which vehicle is in the wrong. Demographic Trends Cars in Victoria The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011) states there were a total of 1,944,688 motor vehicles in Victoria. Car insurers need to keep abreast of current trends and ensure ease and simplicity when dealing with consumers and insurance. SECTION 2: SEGMENTATION FRAMEWORK CONSUMER CHARACTERISTICS In this section, we recommend a way that AAMI could segment their market so they can have more targeted marketing. There are many things a consumer will look at when deciding on a car insurance company. Global Reviews regularly conducts research into how a consumer purchases car insurance, and posted in May 2015, that 71% of consumers had a brand in mind before beginning their research, only 34% of these consumers still preferred that brand at the end of their research. However, AAMI was the clear leader in an unprompted recall at 73%. The research found that 74% are current customers when they choose a car insurance policy. Lamb (2013) says that goods and services that are purchased regularly are associated with routine response behaviour, showing that those who already have a policy with AAMI are more likely to continue to renew their policies with AAMI. A trusted brand is also a high priority when deciding on car insurance. The research shows that 53% trust the brand they chose (globalreviews.com 2015) and Lamb (2013) says that when consumers dont want to have to think too much about a purchase decision, they often revert to known and trusted brand names. Based on the secondary research, two different consumer characteristics have been identified that are important in the car insurance category. Characteristic Type of segmentation Description Why is this characteristic important to AAMI? Lifestyle How much time spent searching for car insurance Psychographic This relates to how much time consumers are willing to research different car insurance deals. This impacts how likely a new customer is to find Aami appealing and how likely an existing customer is to find a better deal elsewhere. Personality How loyal they are to a certain company Psychographic This relates to how often a customer is willing to change insurance companies. This impacts how likely a customer is to switch insurance companies if a better deal is found. Table 3. Consumer Characteristics of importance to car insurance purchase decisions SEGMENTATION FRAMEWORK Based on these two key characteristics one way that AAMI could segment their market into the following four segments: How much time is spent researching Little to no time researching Extensive researching How loyal they are to a certain company Very loyal Customers for life This segment contains customers which either do not have time to research or are not interested in researching different insurers due to loyalty to their current company. Great if you are their current company but difficult to get across from somewhere else. Knowledge is power This segment contains customers who have the time and drive to research different companies but who prefer to stay with their existing company. They are more likely to try to get a better deal with their current insurer than switch. Not very loyal Only if they have to This segment contains the customers who know they need insurance but dont waste time thinking about the details. They may perform a basic search and go with the insurer they notice first. Flashy adds will draw their attention. Simply the bestà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. for less This segment contains the customers who will spend as much time as needed to search for the very best deal no matter who it is from. Having the details which set you apart from competitors on your website is key for these customers. Table 4. Proposed segmentation framework for AAMI. SEGMENT PROFILES The following information has been used to roughly estimate the size of each of these segments. In order to more accurately determine the segment size and segment profile, AAMI would be required to conduct further research with consumers. Generation Y is the most under-insured generation, with a World Insurance Report showing only 36 per cent, compared to 52 per cent of others (Han 2016) Studies indicate, 86 per cent of Australian consumers would only consider between one to three insurers when selecting their next policy (Martin 2016) A survey showed only 15 per cent of respondents believed it was essential to find the cheapest product (Myth vs Reality The Expectation Gap in the ANZ Insurance Industry 2016, p 4) A survey also showed that Australian insurers have retention rates of more than 50 per cent across the board (Myth vs Reality The Expectation Gap in the ANZ Insurance Industry 2016, p 7) DESCRIPTION Customers for Life Knowledge is power Only if they have to Simply the bestà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦for less Estimated % of consumers 50% 25% 10% 15% Expectation of segment to grow/shrink Shrink With more information on competing products being in social media this segment is expected to shrink. Grow With more ways now available for consumers to customise their insurance or barter with companies this segment is expected to grow. Constant Some behaviours will never change, time poor or uninterested consumers will always be a constant overall in any industry. Grow With more ways for consumers to easily find information on different companies it is expected that this segment will grow. Purchase behaviour They are not likely to seek out new insurers but would have no choice but to hear about new products through social media They want to make the best purchase decision but also believe that staying with one company is beneficial. They will make quick decisions on insurance if they feel they need to have it even though they dont really want it They will conduct thorough research to find the best deals available. Price and product is their drive, not brand loyalty. Brand Preference This group prefers well- known brands as they are more trusted and seen as a good choice for the long term, once they find an insurer they stick with them. This group also prefers well-known brands for the same reasons but are likely to switch between the big 4 or 5 insurers when necessary. This group has no specific brand preference. They may choose based on the insurers used by people they know or by which insurer comes up first in their low level of research. This group has no brand preference. It is not guided by friends and family insurers either. They go with whomever has the best deals in their eyes. Potential Profit Moderate At the moment the profit made from this segment would be high due to retention rates. However, with the segment set to shrink, potential future profit will decrease. High If Aami can get the correct product mix to appeal to price conscious buyers Profit will increase from these consumers, they prefer a big brand name like Aami. Moderate Once insured they are less likely to switch, the battle is getting them in the beginning, once with Aami they should be life-long customers. Flashy advertising is needed. Low This segment is always looking for better deals, if Aami arent the cheapest in the industry these customers will switch. This doesnt work with AAMIs customer service image. CONCLUSION The Motor Insurance Industry has never been the most exciting in terms of innovation or technology (Sahoo, 2015). Insurance companies have been slow to adopt technology and innovation into their programs. This is beginning to change because of the digital age that we live. With the population in Australia constantly growing the demand for motor vehicle insurance will always be high. With good branding and positive company exposure AAMI can maintain their presence as a major player in the market place. IAG group is a competitor we will need to constantly monitor as they pose the biggest threat to our overall market share. It is recommended that AAMI continue to invest in technological and social branding, making it easier for people to connect with the brand. Continual research needs to be done on consumer insights involving brand perception along with potential customers. This would benefit our industry segmentation profile and strengthen our framework criteria. 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