Marketing Pl Essential Barbershop - 2613 Words

ESSENTIALS BARBERSHOP Marketing Plan Essential Barbershop Marketing Plan Contents I. Executive Summary 2 1.1 Mission Statement 2 II. Situation Analysis 2 2.1 Market Needs 2 2.2 SWOT Analysis 3 2.2 Competition 4 III. Market Customer analysis 5 3.1 Market Analysis 5 3.2 Customer Analysis 5 IV. Marketing Strategy 6 4.1 Objectives/Goals 6 4.2 Target Marketing 6 4.3 Advertising Promotion 7 4.1 Product Service Analysis 7 V. Financial Projections 8 5.1 Marketing Budget 8 5.2 Expense and Sales Forecast 9 VI. Implementation Plan 9 VIIII. Evaluation and control metrics 9 I. Executive Summary Essential Barbershop is conveniently located at 13000 City Station Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32218. We offer a vast amount of products and†¦show more content†¦2.1 Market Needs In order to appeal to the customers it is important to understand what they value as a necessity. Essential Barbershop intends on addressing those necessities so that our customer’s needs are met. ïÆ'Ëœ Economical Prices – We offer the cheapest haircuts within our 5 mile radius because customers are always looking for ways to save money on items. An average haircut in America is somewhat pricy at $28. Our prices are almost half of the national average and will be appealing to the surrounding customers. The estimated annual household income for the area around the barbershop is $52K with half of that population being married couples with dual income. Our prices help them save money while catering to the need of haircuts. The lower prices also help establish a customer base and as a start-up business it helps build customer capital. ïÆ'Ëœ Professional Services – Our barbers are trained, certified professionals and understand that their appearance, attitude, and work should be nothing less than professional at all times. A common assumption of lower priced items is a loss of quality and we aim to prove that opinion doesn’t apply at our barbershop because you receive the high quality at a low price. ïÆ'Ëœ Customer Service Comfort – Customer Service is listed as the last bullet but Is most important need to be addressed. It makes the difference in whether the customer returns to patronize, or spreads positive or negative feedback to potential customers.

Religion and Politics Essay - 2773 Words

Religion and Politics Historically, religion and politics have always played a very significant part in our everyday lives, dating back to the ancient pharaohs of Africa to our modern day society, religion have had a profound effect on our existence as a society. For a good example of how religion affects politics in our modern world we need not look very far but in our own backyard. The influence of Catholicism on Latin American politics, and the role religion plays on Middle Eastern politics have had a profound affect in those related societies. After examining the affects of religion into the above mentioned societies it is clear that the introduction of religion into politics has proven to be suppressive and†¦show more content†¦In Brazil its over 15 percent; in Guatemala its over 20 percent. In countries like Uruguay, its probably still below 5 percent. Protestantism, and especially Pentecostalism, is disproportionately associated with the poor, the less educated and the darker skin ned. Membership is predominantly female. And although it doesnt have the classic Protestant work ethic and operates in a very different economic context, there is significant evidence for individual economic improvement as disorganized lives become more organized and the capacity to survive increases markedly. Political involvement by Protestants is not recent. But since the 1980s, it has increased tremendously, especially with the involvement of Pentecostal denominations. Two Protestant presidents have governed Guatemala, and in some countries, such as Brazil, there have been large Protestant congressional caucuses. Over 20 political parties of Protestant inspiration have been founded in various countries, although none has achieved much success. Much Protestant political activity has been very conservative and/or oriented toward institutional aggrandizement, leading in some countries to a significant worsening of the public image of Protestants as a whole. On the other side of the planet with some similarities to Latin America in terms of the level of entrenchment or the marriage of religion and politics, the role that religion plays in politics isShow MoreRelatedReligion, Politics, And Politics Essay2149 Words   |  9 Pages Religion and politics have been inextricably intertwined since the creation of culture and civilization. However, the academic tradition often times has been to focus on the importance of placing religion and politics into two distinctly separate systems. I, however, argue that it isn t as black and white as that. In many of the readings we have been assigned this quarter thus far, religion and politics have gone hand in hand mutually benefiting one another. 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Anselms Ontological Argument and Gaunilos Response Essay Example For Students

Anselms Ontological Argument and Gaunilos Response Essay This essay aims to outline the Ontological Argument, proposed by Anselm of Canterbury, to prove the existence of God (in particular the Christian God). It also discusses Gaunilo’s objection to the ontological argument with the use of the â€Å"Lost Island† analogy. And finally offers an opinion as to whether or not Gaunilo’s objection successfully refutes Anselm’s argument. Anselm’s ontological argument, sourced from the â€Å"Proslogium† (with himself as the author), is a highly controversial argument that aims to prove the existence of God. This argument is an attempt of an a priori proof, that which uses purely uses intuition and reasoning alone (Oppy G. 1996). The argument (simplified) is as follows: ?One can imagine a being than which none greater can be conceived. ?We know that existence in reality is greater than existence in the mind alone. ?If the being we imagine exists only in our mind, then it is not a â€Å"being than which none greater can be conceived†. ?A being than which none greater can be conceived must also exist in reality. Failure to exists in reality would be failure to be a being than which none greater can be conceived. ?Thus a being than which none greater can be conceived must exist, and we call this being God. It is good to note, while tackling this argument, Anselm’s point of view in developing his argument. First, this, (the Proslogium in general), was written from a Christian perspective, wherein the author may have some form of ‘presupposed bias’ (for lack of a be tter term) towards the existence of the being in question. We will write a custom essay on Anselms Ontological Argument and Gaunilos Response specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Second, the author’s intention for developing such an argument was not for the purpose of convincing non-Christians of the truth of his beliefs, but rather for the purpose of existing believers seeking rationale for his or her faith (Deane S. 1962). It is unsurprising that this argument is highly controversial and receives as much criticism as it had and still does. Many philosophers including St. Thomas Aquinas, Immanuel Kant, and Gaunilo of Marmoutiers have openly criticized this argument each with his own objections. Gaunilo’s objection is one of the earliest recorded objections to Anselm’s argument. Though Gaunilo believed that God exists he didn’t think that Anselm’s proof was valid (Bernard C. Stairs A. 2007). Using an analogy to a â€Å"Lost Island†, an island supposed to be the greatest or most perfect island conceivable, he claims that by using the logic of Anselm’s argument, we are then able to ‘prove’ the Lost Island’s existence, in which such an island is highly unlikely to exist. ? Exploring in more detail, a look at the objection may help, the objection goes as such: ? The lost island exists in the understanding but not in reality. ?Existence in reality is greater than existence in the mind. ?Existence in reality is conceivable. ?If the lost island did exist in reality, then it would be greater than it is. ?It is conceivable that there is an island greater than the lost island is. ?It is conceivable that there is an island greater than the island than which nothing greater can be conceived. ?This, however, is contradictory. Therefore: ?It must be false that the lost island exists in the understanding but not in reality. Lecture Notes) In a nutshell, the objection implies that if Anselm’s argument is sound, then it is also possible to prove existence for other things such as his perfect island which none greater can be conceived, thereby proving the existence of something that we may or may not necessarily believe to exist or have a logical way of existing. It does not, however, point out as to where the original argument is flawed, but simpl y uses other examples to show that it is somehow fallacious. ? .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa , .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa .postImageUrl , .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa , .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa:hover , .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa:visited , .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa:active { border:0!important; } .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa:active , .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u440155fe031339c52fd65e14d505dbfa:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Alexander The Great EssayThe question of whether or not Gaunilo’s objection successfully refutes Anselm’s argument remains relative and answers tend to be opinionated and dependent on the author of that particular answer. And as such, my opinion in the matter is that Gaunilo’s objection does not successfully refute Anselm’s argument, however, I also don’t find that Anselm’s argument would suffice as proof for the existence of God. A counterargument for Gaunilo’s objection is that of the island being something that is contingent. It has been argued by Anselm, as a response to Gaunilo, that for the ontological argument to work, the definitions must make sense. A being than which none can be greater poses the idea that it MUST exist in order to fulfil its description of being a being than which none greater can be conceived. However, the idea of the â€Å"perfect island† (or any contingent thing for that matter) does not necessarily have to exist. The problem is that when we talk about any of these things, we’re talking about something that’s inherently limited and, perhaps, inherently imperfect (Bernard C. Stairs A. 2007). Gaunilo’s objection, on the other hand, successfully shows that there is a flaw in trying to ‘reason out’ existence (or at least in this form of argument anyway). The argument is often criticized as fallacious falling under the category of being a ‘bare assertion fallacy’, a fallacy in formal logic where a premise in an argument is assumed to be true merely because it says that it is true. I find that this is true from the opening premise of the invitation to â€Å"imagine a being than which no greater being can be conceived†; from this premise alone, the term â€Å"being† already presupposes an idea of existence before existence is proven. Simply put, the argument seems to say â€Å"I have to exist† (Premise), therefore â€Å"I exist†. (Conclusion) ? On a final note, I think that Anselm’s response of necessary existence proved that Gaunilo’s objection does in fact fail to refute his argument. But, in spite of being able to debunk Gaunilo’s objection (in my opinion anyway), it still doesn’t help in gaining validity for his argument in proving the existence of God. References: Anselm and Gaunilo, Proslogian, in Timothy A. Robinson (ed. ) God, 2nd edition, Hackett Publishing Company, 2002. - Aquinas, T. , Summa Theologica Part 1, Question 2, Article 1. - Bernard, C. Stairs, A. (2007), A Thinkers Guide to the Philosophy of Religion, Pearson Longman. - Sidney N. Deane, ed (1962). Proslogion. St. Anselm: Basic Writings. trans. by Sidney D. Deane. Chicago: Open Court. - Oppy, G. (1996), Ontological Arguments and Belief in God.

The Role of Founding Fathers in American Society and Religion

The debates of whether faith groups and institutions should/should not be allowed to actively participate in the ongoing construction of the America’s public sphere continue to have a strong effect on the realities of a contemporary living in this country.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of Founding Fathers in American Society and Religion specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More One of the main aspects of these debates is that, while striving to promote their point of view on the concerned subject matter, the proponents of both diametrically opposite approaches often make references to what used to be the opinions of the Founding Fathers, in this respect. As a result, Founding Fathers are being often regarded as both: the opponents of the idea that religion should be incorporated into the country’s public life, as its integral component, and this idea’s advocates. This, of course, contribut es substantially to the fact that, as of today, American citizens remain rather divided in their opinions as to what kind of a role should religion play in the society. However, while indulging in the earlier mentioned debates, the proponents of both approaches seem to remain unaware that, during the course of the last century, the American society has undergone a dramatic transformation. This is why, as of today, the validity of the Founding Fathers’ insights, in regards to the issue of religion, cannot be discussed outside of what accounts for the qualitative aspects of the era of post-modernity. In this paper, I will explore the validity of the above-suggestion at length, while arguing that the constitutional principle of the separation between Church and State remains thoroughly valid and that the so-called ‘people of faith’ will be much better off not meddling in the country’s public affairs. The main argument, to which religious Americans refer, whil e trying to prove the legitimacy of their claim that they should be allowed to exert a strong influence on the process of a political/social decision-making in America, is that the First Amendment to the U.S.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Constitution clearly entitles Americans with the right to practice their religious beliefs freely, â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (First Amendment, 2013, para. 1). The same Amendment also guarantees that, regardless of what happened to be the specifics of people’s religious affiliation, they will not be discriminated against. Another common argument, brought forward by religious citizens, in defense of their claim that they have the right to influence the government’s functioning, is that initially, the overwhelming majority of early Ameri can settlers consisted of bible-thumping Protestants. Even the majority of liberally minded Founding Fathers and most prominent American intellectuals, affiliated with them, were formally religious. For example, as Hector St. Jean de Crevecoeur pointed out, â€Å"As Christians†¦ our thoughts are left to God† (1781, para. 7). Nevertheless, it often skips the religious people’s attention that back in the early days of America, the measure of one’s religious faithfulness used to be considered reflective of the extent of his or her existential industriousness. The reason for this is simple – Protestants do not really need God as their ultimate benefactor, but rather as some distant authority that does not intervene in their lives actively. This is the reason why Protestants believe that it is when they are being fully self-reliant that makes God to love them – hence, allowing believers to enjoy a financial prosperity. This explains why, as opposed to what it is being the case with Catholics, who tend to rely on ‘God’s graces’, while dealing with life-challenges, many Protestants find it intellectually repulsive to even annoy God with excessive prayers. According to Emerson, â€Å"Prayer looks abroad and asks for some foreign addition to come through some foreign virtue, and loses itself in endless mazes of natural and supernatural, and mediatorial and miraculous† (1841, para. 42). Thus, it appears that even the America’s early intellectuals, whose writings contributed immensely towards setting this country on the path of a rapid socio-cultural and technological development, did not have any illusions as to the counter-beneficiary essence of the religious believers’ primary activity – a prayer.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of Founding Fathers in American Society and Religion specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page L earn More In the previously quoted article, de Crevecoeur suggested that, â€Å"The rewards of his (American citizen’s) industry follow with equal steps the progress of his labor; his labor is founded on the basis of nature, SELF-INTEREST†¦ Religion demands but little of him; a small voluntary salary to the minister†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (para. 4). Therefore, there can be only a few doubts that, even as early as during the course of the 18th century, the American society had been already de facto secularized. This simply could not be otherwise, because as sociologists are being well aware of, the actual strength of people’s sense of religiosity negatively relates to the quality of their living standards. In plain words – the more enjoyable happened to be one’s life, the less likely he or she would be willing to contemplate on the issue of divinity, and vice versa. Because, upon having arrived to the New World, European settlers realized that the whole une xplored and resource-rich continent was at their disposal, there is nothing too odd about the fact that, as compared to the living standards in Europe, the living standards in America were much higher – even as far back as a few centuries ago. Therefore, contrary to what the country’s religious citizens believe, the America’s greatness has been predetermined by the objective laws of history, which have nothing to do with the notion of a religious faith. The same laws presupposed the eventual emergence of the theory of a ‘social contract’ (initially articulated by John Locke), which even today remains a discursive foundation, upon which the America’s continual prosperity firmly rests. According to the theory’s foremost provision, all the citizens are absolutely equal, in the social sense of this word, â€Å"Creatures of the same species and rank, promiscuously born to all the same advantages of nature, and the use of the same faculties , should also be equal one amongst another without subordination or subjection† (Locke, 1689, papa. 2).Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Apparently, as they were becoming ever more intellectually enlightened, it was only natural for Americans to come to the eventual realization of the fact that there can be no rationale in providing some of the society’s members with special rights and privileges while denying the same opportunity to others. Yet, it is specifically the religious people’s belief in their ‘specialness’, which constitutes their main psychological trait, as individuals – this is especially being the case with the affiliates of monotheistic religions, such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam. For example, even today it represents a commonplace among religious Jews and fundamentalist Christians to think of themselves as ‘chosen people’, who can justify even the most despicable behavior, on the part, by saying ‘God wills it’. What it means is that people’s right to enjoy the freedom of religious expression and their right to take an active pa rt in the society’s functioning are mutually incompatible. The reason for this is simple – the society’s continual stability is ensured by people’s willingness to enter into ‘social contracts’ with each other, which in turn presupposes a certain degree of an intellectual flexibility, on their part. However, as we well know, strongly religious people can be referred to as anything but intellectually flexible. Therefore, after having been allowed to form political parties, as the part of taking a practical advantage of their constitutionally guaranteed rights, religious individuals will inevitably concern themselves with trying to limit the rights of others. The suggestion that faith groups should be in the position of influencing the government/society will also appear discursively inconsistent, once we take into consideration the qualitative dynamics within the American society. After all, it does not account for any secret that, as of today, this society is becoming increasingly multicultural – the process that has direct implications, in regards to how the society’s members go about practicing their religions, because one’s sense of religiosity cannot be discussed outside for what accounts for the concerned individual’s ethno-cultural affiliation. For example, the majority of practicing Christians in the U.S. are Whites. This partially explains why, despite the fact many American Christians remain thoroughly convinced that they act in exact accordance with how Jesus would like them to, this is far from being the actual case – the genetically predetermined workings of the White people’s mentality cause their religious longings to be artificial to an extent. This is exactly the reason why American Christians consist of predominantly older people, who attend Church once per week, while trying not to asleep there during the sermon. Therefore, there is nothing odd about the claims that, as of today, the religion of Christianity in America is effectively ‘dying’. However, the same cannot be said about the religion of Islam, for example – the bulk of American Muslims accounts for comparatively young people, who bend down on their knees and pray Allah five times per day, regardless of where the ‘prayer time’ finds them. What it means is that in the future, it is specifically the representatives of the world’s ‘alive’ monotheistic religions (such as Islam), the population of which in America grows rather rapidly due to the institutialization of the ‘celebration of diversity’ policy, that will strive to influence the society more than the representatives of any other religions. Therefore, the government’s hypothetical decision to allow faith groups to take an active part in influencing the process of the country’s domestic policies being designed will create objective preconditions for America to be set on the path of Islamization – just as it happened in Britain a few decades ago. Then, it will be only the matter of time, before Muslim believers would begin demanding the incorporation of the Sharia Laws, as the integral part of the America’s legal system – hence, causing this country to put away with the ideals of democracy, once and for all. Given the fact that America currently remains in the state of a ‘cold war’ with the Muslim world, the faith groups’ claims that they should be allowed to have their voices heard in the public sphere can be well-referred to, as such that correlate well with the agenda of the agents of foreign influence in the country. Therefore, there is nothing ‘unconstitutional’ about the government’s strive to limit the scope of socio-political influence, on the part of faith groups – by acting in such a manner, the government is being driven by the considerations of nati onal security. This once again points out to the fact that under no circumstances may the principle of the separation between Church and State be claimed counterproductive by religious citizens, whose primary agenda is being concerned with nothing less than reversing the course of the historical progress backward. The final argument against ‘sacralization’, which can be brought forward by those citizens that understand the whole scope of threats, associated with allowing faith groups to influence the society’s functioning, rests on the assumption that responsible policy-makers must be capable of coming up with discursively justified/wise decisions, which will prove beneficial to the society’s functioning in the long run. The fact that, as practice shows, the government’s wise decisions rarely enjoy popularity among ordinary citizens, should not be affecting the policy-makers’ ability to act wisely. The reason for this is that, as Socrates poi nted out in the famous dialogue ‘Crito’, â€Å"By acting under the advice of those who have no understanding, we destroy that which is improved by health and is deteriorated by disease† (Plato, 46b-49a). In light of the recent discoveries in the fields of physics, biology and psychology, and also in light of what we know about the bloody history of monotheistic religions, one’s strong affiliation with a particular religious faith cannot be referred to as anything, but the indication that the concerned individual never ‘grew up’, while continuing to remain cognitively infantile. In fact, this would be the best-case scenario, as one’s serious belief in the religious fables about talking donkeys, women’s impregnation by ‘holy ghosts’ and the sun standing still in the sky can be well regarded as the proof of the individual’s mental inadequacy. We certainly do not allow violently minded lunatics, endowed with the M essianic complex, to roam free out on the street, as it would endanger the society’s healthy members. Why should be religious fanatics treated differently – not to mention allowing them to form political parties? Whatever the politically incorrect it may sound, but religion does deserve to be deemed in terms of a ‘mind disease’ – one should only attend the gathering of Christian ‘snake-handlers’ or Pentecostals, for example, in order to confirm the full legitimacy of this statement. Therefore, it will only be natural limiting the scope of religious citizens’ rights – just as it is being the case with people who undergo a psychiatric treatment. This would benefit religious individuals in more ways than just one, even though that, while remaining in the state of a religious arrogance, they may not like it. I believe that the deployed line of argumentation, in defense of the idea that faith groups should not be allowed to gai n influence in the society, is fully consistent with the paper’s initial thesis. By not attempting to gain such an influence, the members of these groups would be acting in full accordance with the religion’s main theological postulate that the secular world is not worthy for believers to focus their attention upon and that they should be concerned with trying to come to the ‘kingdom of heaven’, as their foremost priority in life. References de Crevecoeur, H. (1781). Letter III. What is an American. Web. Emerson, R. (1841). Self-reliance. Web. First Amendment. (2013). Web. Locke, J. (1689). Second treatise of civil government: Chapter 2. Web. Plato. Crito. Web. This essay on The Role of Founding Fathers in American Society and Religion was written and submitted by user Johnathan Knight to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

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Term Papers for Sale Term Papers for Sale Term Papers for Sale There are two types of term papers for sale. First, there are pre-written term papers for sale. These papers can be bought by any student and nobody will give you a refund if the paper does not fit your topic. Second, there are term papers for sale written by professional writers from scratch but at lower price. offers the second type of term papers for sale. Custom term papers are original and written to meet the specifics of your topic and requirements.In addition, our writers have prepared an excellent and absolutely free blog with tips on term paper writing. Term Papers Example A good part of the explanation of the decline of fertility since 1960 can be viewed as a kind of demographic backlash to the baby boom. Those women who had their children early in marriage during the preceding decade or so achieved their family-size goals sooner than they would have otherwise and consequently contributed fewer births to the sixties than they might have. The process is not unlike an accordion which was compressed at the beginning and stretched out subsequently. In addition, their younger sisters who have been marrying during this past decade are simply having fewer births at least during their early years of marriage. Women aged 20-24 in 1969 had 40 percent fewer children than women in that age group in 1960. Perhaps these births are being postponed and will occur later. Whether later will mean fewer will have to be seen. As of 1965 there was little hard evidence that the young women of the sixties wanted and intended to have fewer children than their older sisters who married after the war and during the fifties. The average number of children expected by married women has not varied much between 1955 and 1965. But our guess is that having fewer births in the early years of childbearing will mean a total of fewer later and that today's younger married couples will end up with smaller families. It should be emphasized however that there is yet no firm basis for predicting a return to the low of 2.3 children recorded by the women now in their late fifties and early sixties. Women 25 to 29 years old in January of 1969 had an average of 1.9 children compared with an average of 2.1 children for women this age in 1965 and 2.0 in 1960. As the professional staff of the Census Bureau indicates, the decline since 1965 in the cumulative fertility of women 25 to 29 is of special interest because women of that age are far enough along in their childbearing to conclude that women currently of this age most likely will reach age 45 or the end of childbearing with fewer children than the women who were 35-39 years old in 1969. They go on to forecast a probable completed fertility of 2.8 for this cohort. There is some evidence that families smaller than this might be preferred if we can trust the extent of reported unwanted fertility. That a group of women did achieve a family size close to replacement (an average of about 2.1 children is required to insure the same population in the next generation) several decades ago when contraceptive techniques were less sophisticated than even today's unsatisfactory variety is compelling testimony to the fact that lower fertility is attainable even without a revolution in contraceptive technology. The experience of many western European countries also testifies to this capability. Term Papers Custom Writing Service Term papers for sale are much cheaper than custom paper writing service. Nevertheless, we decided to make custom term paper writing affordable.& Thus, today you can take full advantage of professional custom paper writing service at the lowest possible price! No plagiarism!

6 Essential Things to Bring to an Interview

6 Essential Things to Bring to an Interview So much preparation (and blood and sweat and tears) goes into getting a job interview that sometimes it’s easy to forget the practicalities. In other words: there’s so much we can’t control when going to an interview; it’s hard to remember the few things we can control. Here are six things to bring to an interview to ensure you succeed.1. Google MapsFigure this out ahead of time. How long will it realistically take you to get to the interview location. Will it be rush hour? Will the bus you expect to take be running at that time on that day of the week? Map it out and run it through in your head. Then, just in case your phone battery dies or your 4G fails, make some sort of physical copy to carry with you, just in case.2. Your resumeYes, they already have it. But the likelihood of someone asking you for another copy is very high. Have a couple copies with you, ready to go- have five! You’ll never look stupid having a hard copy on hand when asked, th ough you might feel pretty silly if you’re asked for one and can’t deliver.3. Pen and paperYes, it’s old-fashioned. But imagine a scenario in which you have to take note of something. If you pull out your phone to type it in, how will that look? (It will look like you’re texting. Even if you swear you aren’t.) It’s also very useful to have a notepad on hand to jot down some post-interview notes and names, and will make it easier for you to recall details when you send your follow-up thank yous.4. QuestionsAs in: you should have some. You’ll be asked the dreaded, â€Å"Do you have any questions for us?† So you might as well be ready for it. Write these down in the aforementioned notepad, or have a printed sheet with you to reference. Better yet, have them memorized. But do have them prepared.5. PortfolioEven if you’re not an artist or designer, it’s always useful to have some sample work ready to go. A writing samp le, perhaps. A copy of a particularly well-executed report or presentation. An annual report. You might never be asked for anything, but it’s always best to have something on hand in case you are.6. A smileGoing in with a positive attitude can make all the difference. You might be nervous, or having a terrible week, month, year- that doesn’t have to show. Go in there with confidence and charm and a smile on your face. Show your honest interest in the company and the position and your sincerity will be appreciated.

Positive action in the judicial appointments process is essential to Essay

Positive action in the judicial appointments process is essential to address the lack of diversity in the judiciary of England and Wales - Essay Example Available from the website at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201012/ldselect/ldconst/272/27206.htm, It is important to carry out selection of candidates for the judicial positions in terms of merit which should be done based on just and open competition from the broad range of eligible contenders. I first agree with the notion that, we don not have any perfect judicial system and it is clear in the past recent years that some features of the appointment processes needed an urgent modernization. Delivering enhancements on the manner in which judges are appointed is a vital component of the selection program. I am therefore, among the many people who are dedicated to fighting for the element of diversity in judiciary to be incorporated through some range of critical measures. A judiciary that is visibly reflective of the society highly enhances the confidence of the public in the judicial system. Additionally, no one at any given moment should be foiled from his or her dream of becoming a judge, simply on the bases of sex, his race, the religion or any other protected trait as identified in equality act. The freedom from discrimination is a fundamental code of justice and equality that is preserved by law. It is also evident from http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201012/ldselect/ldconst/272/27206.htm that Judges who inhabit courtrooms in both Wales and England, are stereotypical white males from slim social grounds. Most of the concerns regarding to the Under-repres ented individuals tend to stem from the structures of legal vocations2. This is also worsened by the pool of the obtainable mid-career specialists who are eligible and fascinated in presenting themselves for the selection process. Hence, some obstacles arise due to the appointment processes which regards to the court arrangement and the various tribunals which judges operate in. I do not propose that the notion of merit should sparingly be focused on the

Shirin Neshat's Photography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Shirin Neshat's Photography - Essay Example Yet women in the Muslim community are denied of the equal rights in various aspects of personal and social life, including in the mosque and in other public places. Among the very few Muslim artists who portray the status of Muslim women, Shirin Neshat through her works can be considered to play a major role since most of her creation clearly depicts the religious forces that shape the identity of Muslim women all throughout the world. The status of the women in the Islamic community is under increasing scrutiny (in the positive direction) today by both the progressive Muslims and the non-Muslim societies. At such point of time, Shirin Neshat’s depiction of the Islamic women, their collective strength and the persistence with regards to the misogyny and despotism has a considerable impact, and it also synchronizes with the views of the many sections of people regarding the empowerment and upliftment of the Muslim women. â€Å"For Neshat presents a picture more accurately repr esentative of Iranian and Islamic diversity and dissent against state and religious despotism.† (Denson 2010). She was well known to the world through her Women of Allah creations which she produced between the years 1994-1998. The photographs of Muslim women in her Women of Allah series were very much proactive, mysterious and politically iconic unlike the traditional Muslim women. The images were photographed in such a way that some of the Muslim women were in chadors holding guns, some others covering their skin with the Persian script, etc. These pictures mainly depicted the persistence and the determination of the Iranian Muslim women who confronted the Sharia’s law, mainly with regards to the Hijab and also as a tool against the segregation of women from men in the mosques and other public places. Thus the overall perspective that can be understood from her Women of Allah series would that the Muslim women were made to wear the veil or the Chadors just to be discr iminated from men in the mosques and in other public places. â€Å"Most importantly, she does not, however, apply any moral stance to hijab. She allows the viewers to reach their own conclusions and, by doing so, she indicates the constructed nature of identity so often utilized by various media and politicians.† (Machowski). Thus she interjects her work by revealing the concept that the traditional Muslim people consider the Hijab as the protection to the Muslim women from the external world, unlike in the modern trend where it is viewed as medieval and severe. . In her photographs, Neshat analyses the different sides of the women in the Muslim community and incorporates them in her works. Moreover it is obvious from her photographs, she resisted the stereotypical representation of Muslim women in the Islam community. She insisted the importance of women in a Muslim community in her artwork named A Mother, in which she portrayed the image of mother with a son where she revea led the concept of woman being the mother of entire nation. From the above analysis, it is clear that she portrays the fact that every Muslim woman is an integral part of the entire Islam community where they need to be recognized in legal, political and social aspects. Thus Shirin Neshat believed that without the effective outcome and efficient

Income elasticity of demand Essay Example for Free

Income elasticity of demand Essay Luxury product sales boost in the emerging marketing like China, which has extraordinary growth and strong potential consumers for the development of luxury goods in the China market. With gradually lower and lower increase of revenue in the European countries, Louis Vuitton (abridged as LV in the following sections) commits itself to set up more stores in China. However, LV is faced with the problems of declining profits in China, which urges it to adjust its entry strategy into the China market. In this case, this report will focus on distinguishing the factors that influence LV’s development in China and laying out schemes for LV’s entry into China market by initially examining the internal and external environment for LV; analyzing the operational plan for LV’s entry into China based on the environment examination, and generating an action plan for LV’s entry strategy at the end of the report. Content 1. 0 Introduction Louis Vuitton (abridged as LV in the following sections) is planning to set up more stores in the China market. However, it is now faced with the problems of declining profits in China, which urges it to adjust its entry strategy into the China market. In this case, this report is to lay out schemes for LV’s entry into the China market by distinguishing the internal and external factors that influence LV’s development from the perspectives of country factors and internal advantages of LV with reference to the SWOT analysis model; analyzing the operational plan for LV’s entry into China based on the environment examination and including suggests on firm strategy, organization structure and management, entry strategy and modes, manufacturing management, marketing plan, and accounting as well as finance management; and generating an action plan for LV’s entry strategy at the end of the report according to the specifications of the business operational plan. 2. 0 Research Methods The research method of literature searches is adopted to generate this report. This method is chosen because there are plenty of existing studies on the development of luxury goods, which makes it possible for abundant literature searches. Also, there are a great many resources on the annual reports of Louis Vuitton available which offer insights into the financial performance of this company. Anyway, luxury goods are indeed possessed by the majority of people, which makes direct interviews or surveys less available. 3. 0 Findings: External and Internal Environment The internal and external factors that influence LV’s development will be examined in this section from the perspectives of country factors and internal advantages of LV. A SWOT analysis will be involved in this section, which aims to find out the strength, weakness, opportunity and threat of the company according to analysis on the internal conditions of the company and the external environment the company is faced with (Johnson Scholes, 2002, p122). 3. 1 External environment: Country factor analysis The external environment for LV’s entry into China will be discussed in terms of the politics and government policy of China, the economy and the China market, the social culture and transportation of China, and will be concluded from the perspectives of opportunities and threats for LV’s entry into China. In terms of politics and government policy, China is now actively opening up to the world and enhancing trade relationships with world brands since the reform and opening up policy. In terms of the economy and the China market, according to Yuval and Vinay and Cathy (2011), the analysts of Mckinsey quarterly, China has increasing booming urban cities including the second- and third-tier cities and the world second-largest GDP which means strong purchasing power the China consumers for luxury goods and great market potentials (para 8). They also pointed out that by 2015, Chinese consumers will account for more than 20 percent of the global luxury market. On the other hand, the large market potential has drawn a host of luxury-goods companies to enter the China market, which makes the competition fiercer and fiercer. And it is troublesome for LV that there are plenty of fake goods imitating LV’s style prevailing in China, which are actually not likely to reduce LV’s high-end consumers, but would exert negative influences on consumers’ impression and awareness of LV. In terms of social culture, for one thing, the China consumers are attracted by middle- and high-end products and somehow more attracted by French luxury goods, and they believe that the higher the price, the better the quality (Yuval, Vinay and Cathy, 2011, para7) (Exhibit 1). For another thing, the traditional virtue of thrift is rooted in the mindset of the Chinese, with which some of the rich in China indicate that they would not spend a large sum of money to get a product. (Exhibit 1) (Chinese consumers increasingly prefer internationally well-known brands. Retrieved on Jan 3rd 2013 from: http://www. mckinseyquarterly. com/Tapping_Chinas_luxury-goods_market_2779) In terms of transportation, airlines are increased like the Emirates group which launched air routines in the main cities of China, and railway transportation as well as road transportation is more and more available, making it convenient and fast for cross-national transportation. Therefore in conclusion, the opportunities for LVs entry into China can be concluded as Chinas encouraging policies on foreign brands entering into China; Chinas booming urban cities and increasing middle- and upper- class consumers with strong purchasing power; Chinese consumers purchasing preference for French high-end products; and the more and more convenient cross-national transportation in China. While the threats for LVs entry into China entail the fierce competition from the peer companies and brands; the trouble coming from increasing produced counterfeit products imitating LV in China; China consumers cautious traditional views on luxury goods purchasing. Anyway, when it comes to China consumers rational attitude towards luxury goods purchasing, it may be an opportunity for LV if it succeeds in drawing out their desires and needs for LVs products, otherwise it may turn out to be a threat for LVs expansion in China. 3. 2 Internal environment: Based on national level and firm level 3. 2. 1 Internal environment based on national level The advantages of internal environment for LV on national level lie in the its preference and prospect to greatly expand its business in China, its experiences of operating in China market for about twenty years, and its strong influence on and temptation to the China consumers, as well as customer loyalty for it. On the contrary, the disadvantages lie in its high price which will greatly influences China consumers’ will to purchase the products, and in its could-be easily imitated appearance and style which is made used of by some China manufacturers in producing fake goods. 3. 2. 2 Internal environment based on firm level 3. 2. 2. 1 The nature of LV’s products Dubois and Czellar and Laurent (2001) delineated Luxury goods as products with extraordinary quality as well as high price, rareness and uniqueness, aesthetic appeal, respectful long history, and the sense of being superior to others (p156). Yacine and Johnathan and Motohiro (2004) argued that luxury goods manual crafting and diligence should be involved into the manufacturing and designing of luxury goods (para 2). Based on these studies, the nature of LVs products can be abstracted as unique, rare, and excellent-quality, and extraordinary. 3. 2. 2. 2 Industry characteristics of luxury goods Kapferer (1996) suggested that luxury industry distinguishes the needs and demands of the wealthy people like prominent social figures, and produce unique superior products for them, which acts like a status symbol for the rich (p251). While Heine (2010) stated that the luxury industry is also fashion-oriented and high-quality guaranteed. And it is closely associated with the needs of the wealthy. Judging from these studies and the advancement of luxury products nowadays, the industrial characteristics of luxury products can be concluded as extraordinary quality with high guarantee, extremely personalized with unique designed style, strong brand recognition and customer loyalty, and highly profitable sales based on its high price. 3. 2. 2. 3 Advantages and disadvantage of internal environment for LV on firm level The advantages of LV on firm level mainly lie in its good brand image, abundant product portfolio, wide expansion in the China markets covering most of the first- and second-tier cities, and its control on the designs of products. This can be told from the following aspects. Above all, LV enjoys a good reputation of high quality and excellent services that it has occupied the first place of the 2012 Hurun Ranking of the Top ten luxury brands in the world (see Appendix 1), in which LV beats Hermes, the second in the list by nearly 43%. Also, LV offers manual crafting designed products which are special for certain customers. What’s more, it offers permanent after-sale serves to its customers (Paul, 2012, p79). In terms of geographical expansion, LV has reached many areas of China (Exhibit 2).

the freedoms in liberalism :: essays research papers

Name and Contrast the Freedoms in Liberalism Liberal ideas arose from the breakdown of the feudal system that was commonplace in Europe, which saw the growth of the capitalist society currently in place. Liberalism was the aspiration of the rising middle classes, which had conflicting interests with the power of absolute monarchs and landed aristocracy. With this capitalist society, a serf now had the ‘freedom’ to think for themselves; to decide who to work for or where to live, what to buy and so forth. This type of freedom or liberty was a view of early or classical liberalism, where liberty was a natural right, an essential requirement for leading a truly human existence. Later liberals viewed liberty or freedom as a vehicle to only develop their skills and talents and fulfil their potential. Liberals do not accept individuals have an overall entitlement to freedom, where this freedom can be used to abuse others. John Stuart Mills introduces ‘self-regarding’ and ‘other-regarding’ freedoms where ‘self-regarding’ actions allow individuals to ‘do anything they want’. An ‘Other-regarding’ action restricts or damages the freedoms of others. The law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets can be seen as both ‘self-regarding’ and ‘other-regarding’ whereby the motorcyclists wants to exhibit there freedom by not wearing their helmet (self-regarding) but is restricted by the law of compulsory helmets (other-regarding). An individual may be sovereign over their body and mind, however they must respect the fact everyone enjoys an equal right to liberty. Isaiah Berlin showed a distinction between a ‘negative’ and a ‘positive’ theory of liberty. The classical or early liberals viewed freedom in the context of being left alone, being able to act however they pleased.

Enders Game Essay

Human beings are free except when humanity needs them. Maybe humanity needs you. To do something. Maybe humanity needs me—to find out what you’re good for. We might both do despicable things, Ender, but if humankind survives, then we were good tools.† Graff is explaining to Ender the philosophy behind everything they are doing. Although Ender does not know it at the time, this is the same reasoning that the adults will use to manipulate the children time and time again. Ender objects to this idea, because he believes that people are more than just tools, but nevertheless it is the pervading ideology of the I.F. throughout the book. This philosophy justifies doing terrible things in the name of humanity, and it also means that individuals will have to make awful sacrifices for their species. â€Å"In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him. I think it’s impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.† Ender is telling Valentine why he hates himself. He is able to understand his enemies better than anyone else, but once he understands them he destroys them. With such tremendous empathy, even in coming to understand his worst enemies Ender loves them. This means that when he crushes them he is hurting himself in the process. Ender does not want to have enemies, so that he will not be forced to hurt anybody. He will love even those who seem to be his most bitter enemies when he properly understands them. But in the situations Ender has been in he has no choice other than destroying those enemies. At the end of the book, when Ender comes to truly understand the buggers, he is able to try to help them. He has already done them great harm, but now he can be happy because he has a chance to undo what he did to them. â€Å"So the whole war is because we can’t talk to each other.† â€Å"If the other fellow can’t tell you his story, you can never be sure he isn’t trying to kill you.† â€Å"What if we just left them alone?† â€Å"Ender, we didn’t go to them first, they came to us. If they were going to leave us alone, they could have done it a hundred years ago, before the First Invasion.† â€Å"Maybe they didn’t know we were intelligent life. Maybe—† This conversation occurs when Graff tells Ender his theory of why they are at war with the buggers. Graff tells Ender that since the buggers communicate through thought, they probably cannot understand that humans are thinking beings. Ender therefore wants to know why this cannot be remedied.

Lessons learnt about one-on-one communication Essay

Another point to mention is that even though it is the group of critics that are to blame, the speaker is not always just a victim. It is the speaker’s fault is he or she does not prepare for what is to be said, how to say it and what tone and anecdotal examples to use, keeping in mind the audience at hand. Therefore, planning beforehand is very important in all meetings as is the equal level of participation and input from all members present in the meeting. Answer 2: Example of a meeting I would plan and conduct and how it actually differs from what actually happens Using the above example of the business entrepreneurs meeting, I would try and plan for the meeting in advance and inform the members of what is to be discussed in the meeting. Before every meeting, the members will get an agenda of what is to be discussed in the meeting and what is to be expected of them. Punctuality and preparedness will be emphasized and encouraged. If any one has an idea that they want to discuss in the meeting, they will be asked to prepare for how they are going to present it to the audience. All criticism will be within limits and focus on the idea, rather than the person. The meetings will be around forty five to fifty minutes and focus on the topic at hand and not divert to unrelated issues. If someone comes up with an idea during the meeting, he or she is advised to write it down and mention it in the next meeting. In actuality, none of this happens. People have low attention spans and often get distracted and distract others as well. Also, punctuality is rarely observed and people often show up late, sometimes at the end of the meeting. Absenteeism is also a problem. Moreover, there are some who prepare half heartedly for what they want to share in the meeting and yet others who do not prepare at all. Furthermore, criticism is often focused on the person as much as the idea and personal grudges fostered. Finally, the meetings do not remain within the limits of the allotted time and therefore, people tend to lose interest and focus from the issue at hand. References â€Å"Oral† Communication: More than Words. Unit 3: Essentials of Oral Communication in Business.

Free Essays on Hypercriminals

What is the "super predator"? He or she are young hyper-criminals who are committing acts of violence of unprecedented coldness and brutality. This newest phenomena in the world of crime is perhaps the most dangerous challenge facing society and law enforcement ever. While psychopaths are not new, this breed of super criminal exceeds the scope of psychopathic behavior. They are younger, more brutal, and completely unafraid of the law. While current research on the super predator is scarce, I will attempt to give an indication as to the reasons a child could become just such a monster. Violent teenage criminals are increasingly vicious. John DiIulio, Professor of Politics and Public Affairs at Princeton University, says that "The difference between the juvenile criminals of the 1950s and those of the 1970s and early 1980s was the difference between the Sharks and the Jets of West Side Story and the Bloods and the Crips. It is not inconceivable that the demographic surge of the next ten years will bring with it young criminals who make the Bloods and the Crips look tame." (10) They are what Professor DiIulio and others call urban "super predators"; young people, often from broken homes or so-called dysfunctional families, who commit murder, rape, robbery, kidnapping, and other violent acts. These emotionally damaged young people, often are the products of sexual or physical abuse. They live in an aimless and violent present; have no sense of the past and no hope for the future; they commit unspeakably brutal crimes against other people, often to gratify whatever urges or desires drive them at the moment and their utter lack of remorse is shocking.(9) Studies reveal that the major cause of violent crime is not poverty but family breakdown - specifically, the absence of a father in the household. Today, right now, one-fourth of all the children in the United States are living in father... Free Essays on Hypercriminals Free Essays on Hypercriminals What is the "super predator"? He or she are young hyper-criminals who are committing acts of violence of unprecedented coldness and brutality. This newest phenomena in the world of crime is perhaps the most dangerous challenge facing society and law enforcement ever. While psychopaths are not new, this breed of super criminal exceeds the scope of psychopathic behavior. They are younger, more brutal, and completely unafraid of the law. While current research on the super predator is scarce, I will attempt to give an indication as to the reasons a child could become just such a monster. Violent teenage criminals are increasingly vicious. John DiIulio, Professor of Politics and Public Affairs at Princeton University, says that "The difference between the juvenile criminals of the 1950s and those of the 1970s and early 1980s was the difference between the Sharks and the Jets of West Side Story and the Bloods and the Crips. It is not inconceivable that the demographic surge of the next ten years will bring with it young criminals who make the Bloods and the Crips look tame." (10) They are what Professor DiIulio and others call urban "super predators"; young people, often from broken homes or so-called dysfunctional families, who commit murder, rape, robbery, kidnapping, and other violent acts. These emotionally damaged young people, often are the products of sexual or physical abuse. They live in an aimless and violent present; have no sense of the past and no hope for the future; they commit unspeakably brutal crimes against other people, often to gratify whatever urges or desires drive them at the moment and their utter lack of remorse is shocking.(9) Studies reveal that the major cause of violent crime is not poverty but family breakdown - specifically, the absence of a father in the household. Today, right now, one-fourth of all the children in the United States are living in father...

The 7 Worst Mistakes You Can Make During a Phone Interview

The 7 Worst Mistakes You Can Make During a Phone Interview You get a phone call out of the blue to interview you for a job. That means your interviewer will be totally forgiving if you’re unprepared, right? Wrong. You do need to be prepared- always.   Steer clear of these 7 common pitfalls and set yourself up for success. Here are the 7 worst mistakes you can make during a phone interview.1. Not being able to remember which job this isThe interviewer will say she’s so-and-so from such-and-such company. That has to trigger for you exactly which position you applied to. The only way you’re allowed to ask is if you’ve applied for two positions in the same company. Otherwise, make sure you’re sharp and prepared to recall exactly which positions go with which companies.As far as she is concerned, her open position is the only one in the world. Don’t give her evidence that her job isn’t special for you.2. Talking in public/while driving /in the subwayIf you get surprised by a call while in public, politely state that you’re in a less-than-ideal setting for a conversation and ask if you can reschedule or postpone until you can get to a quiet, private spot. If you have scheduled your phone interview and it does not come as a surprise, make sure you’re going to be available to answer in ideal conditions.3. Not knowing the formatIf you’re scheduling a remote interview, make sure you know whether it’s via phone or Skype or FaceTime. Not to mention who is contacting whom, and whether all the relevant contact information has been shared.4. Botching the â€Å"Who are you?† questionYour interviewer starts with â€Å"Tell us a little about yourself.† Don’t blow it. And don’t just give a brief bio and a sense of your favorite taste in movies. Target this answer to include compelling reasons why you understand the companies needs and fit them perfectly. Prepare this in advance, for each position you apply to. Just in case.5.  Not asking questionsIf you’ve got ‘em, ask ‘em. Particularly if you’ve heard some scuttlebutt about the company. Now is your chance to find out. Take any insider gossip with a grain of salt, of course, but find a clever and nonspecific way of asking around it, particularly if you have concerns.6. Not having an answer to the salary questionYou may think you’re â€Å"not being pushy,† but really you look unprepared and not confident or experienced enough to know better. Have a range in mind, for any and all positions, and be prepared to state it clearly. Don’t aim too high or too low for the company or position- do some research ahead of time. Weigh what you used to make, what they’re offering, and what you think you can get before coming up with a number. And it’s always okay to ask them what their budgeted range is before stating your requirements.7. Not identifying the elephant in the roomIf you’re in the least bit un der-qualified for a position, or lack a specific certification, you must not simply lean back and rely on charm. They know what your applications lacks and so do you. It’s best to be honest and up front about this and provide practical solutions for your inexperience. They’ll see that you’re mature enough to realize your weaknesses, but professional enough to have a plan to surpass expectations.

Principles of Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Principles of Human Resource Management - Essay Example The current labor market in the UK has grown steadily in accordance with the employment rate and the number of people employed from the years of 1995 to 2008 according to the Labor force survey published in the Blue book 2008. The office of National Statistics 2008 reports, "Employment tends to react to changes in out put with a lag because of the costs of hiring and firing workers. Therefore, it is not surprising that weaker output growth has not caused large falls in employment. Moreover, in the first instance, employers can vary labor input through the number of hours worked, rather than laying off workers." The construction industry today in the United Kingdom consists of over 250 000 firms employing over 2.1 million people. This huge work force is spread over a multitude of namely construction materials and products suppliers and producers, contractors, sub- contractors, professionals, advisors and construction clients. The United Kingdom construction output contributes 8.2% to the GVA (Gross Value Added) of the EU nations, which is the second largest. Below is the trend in the UK labor market represented in a graph. The graph, derived from figures published in the Blue Book 2008 reveal the labor employed in thousands across industries from the Year 1999 until 2007. It is a depiction of the Labor force trend in the UK. The graph showing an upward tren... Source: Fig 2.5 Pg 104 Blue book 2008 The above graph reflects a trend that has been steadily climbing over the years. However, the recent economic turmoil and the rise in the inflation have led to a complete crash of the housing industry affecting construction as a business and the employment in turn. The Olympics 2012 that proposes massive opportunities for this industry does not seem to stir or spur vibrant business in this sector as the people's daily reports "Builders of the 2012 Olympics facilities will have to compete for skilled workers due to a shortage in the labor market, according to Financial Times on Thursday. Construction Skills, a council established by the government to ensure that the industry has enough qualified workers, estimates that building for the Olympics will create 33,500 extra construction jobs over the next years. The peak year for employment would be 2010 when 7,500 workers would be needed, the council said. The construction industry forecast it needed 88,000 new recruits a year even before the Olympics were awarded to London." The above report indicates a shortage of labor in the UK for the construction business. Here's another report from the 'Thomson Financial' explaining the situation even more. The British construction industry has shown a"meek response" towards bidding for London 2012 Olympics projects which in turn could lead to a failure to achieve best value for money on the games, a group of British MPs said Wednesday. In a report, the committee said the 2012 games "represent a massive challenge for the construction industry". "The scale of the programme is twice that of Heathrow's recently opened Terminal 5, but must be delivered in half the time. It will use between

Cyberlaw Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cyberlaw - Essay Example The inventors have to wait for a long time before they can implement their business goals. Besides, such a backlog results in denial of inventors rights of timely and rigorous processing. As each examiner has more files to handle, they have to take less time processing the patents, which will considerably compromise the extensiveness of their applications (Craig, 2013). On this ground, there is a need for the government to focus on the backlog problem to ensure that it does not de-motivate or kill innovation among upcoming investors. In the emergence of the backlog problem, a number of proposals have been put forward as possible solutions to the problem. Some individuals have come up with the idea that the government should increase its budgetary allocation for USPTO to help them meet the demands for patent examination. While this approach may help to equip the office with more staffs to reduce the backlog, it would impose the burden on the federal government. Another group suggests that the filing fee should be increased to help the office increase its capacity to handle the ever increasing files. However, the weakness with this approach is that it would impose the burden on the inventors, which the government has avoided in its incentive to encourage investment (Craig, 2013). On this ground, it would be crucial for USPTO to consider the most cost-efficient procedures to streamline the patent examination process. To do this, the organization needs to invest in efficient IT infrastructure that will ensure quick and efficient processing of patent files. Besides, training of the IT office staff would be crucial in ensuring that they have higher work output and hence no delay in file processing. Reducing the backlog would be a milestone in improving the patent application files. In the recent past, issues of patent infringement have become popular within the public domain as marked by increased court

CIVIL RIGHTS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

CIVIL RIGHTS - Essay Example Since white population has been in majority in the USA, Canada, Australia and European countries since ever, they enjoy power, pelf, position, status and key positions in the developed and prosperous countries of the world at large. It is therefore I aptly wished to be the member of white racial group of society, so that I could also be looked at with great respect and admiration because of coming of the dominated white ethno-racial community. One day, I was highly depressed on my return from the job search excursion, and disappointment could easily be found on my face. After taking dinner half-heartedly, I went to bed and kept sleep. The next morning I woke up early at dawn and looked into the mirror. I was astonished to find me as the member of white racial group. I rubbed my eyes in order to estimate whether it was a dream or reality. However, still I was in the perplexed state of mind when I heard the call of my Black servant, who was seeking the piece of my advice regarding the preparation of breakfast in a very humble tone. I asked him to step in, and sit in chair with me. He looked at me with great surprise, and appeared to be reluctant to comply with my instructions.

SWOT, PEST and Porters 5 Forces Analysis of Virgin

SWOT, PEST and Porters 5 Forces Analysis of Virgin Virgin group was founded by Richard Branson. Virgin group first started with a magazine called student. This started in 70s and got huge recognition in public. Then he opened a virgin recording studio. In 80s virgin company went on to international recognition. He then started virgin Atlantic airways in 84. In the same year he started a 24 hour music channel which was a grand success. Virgin entered in all kind of business by 90s. There are different companies under virgin group like virgin mobile, virgin airways, virgin holidays, virgin trains, cars, books etc. Virgin group is the one of the top companies in UK. In rest of the countries it is giving a tough competition to other companies. Virgin has a different strategy and approach to the customers and it always succeeded in attracting the customers. Group produces different products and has entered into different fields in a very short period. Virgin has the advantage of its brand name in the market as it is a company where most of the people are wary about the company products. Richard Branson manager of the company is the brand ambassador of the company. History: 1968: Richard Bransons first magazine went on to publish. This is the first venture by the company manager. 1970: In this year Virgin mail order was born. 1971: In this year virgins first record shop was opened in Oxford Street in London. 1972: Virgin built a recording studio and composed the songs. 1984: Company built Virgin Atlantic airways where the flights ran to all beautiful places. 1985: Company started another offer to the customers like Virgin Holidays. 1988: Virgin opened Mega stores in Glasgow, Paris and then it spread to many other major cities. 1991: In this year Virgin started selling books. 1993: Virgin started radio station. It is the first national and commercial radio station in UK. 1994: In this year Virgin entered into beverages and started Virgin Vodka and Virgin Cola. 1995: Virgin launched cinemas in UK. 1996: In this year Virgin started its Internet services to the customers. 1997: Virgin entered into transportation industry and started Virgin rails. 1999: Virgin mobiles started and it changed the way of communication. 2000: In this year Virgin started nine companies and all of them were successful. 2007: Virgin entered into Indian market with its mobile. Strategy of the company: Virgins first and obvious resource is the chairman Richard Branson that made the company to top position. Richard Bransons style and charismatic manner that attracts many people towards virgin group. Secondly virgin people are the main source of the companys success. Virgin has a unique brand recognition in different businesses that is difficult to other companies to replicate. Virgin has many numbers of companies under its shadow. The management of virgin group has freedom to express their opinions regarding companys ongoing business and innovates new strategies for the company development. Virgins management is heavily depends on the market analysis and the customer requirements as they go into customer shoes and understand their needs and serve more better. Virgin has creative employees to serve the company better and it has 25000 employees all over the world. Richard Branson adopted a policy with his managers and encouraged their own creativity for initiative ideas so managers would feel more responsible and ownership and tries to make a change in the company strategy and make it to run on success and profits. Management recruited carefully only some selected individuals who has the competitive nature and good teamwork abilities and chairman Richard Branson has selected as they are of his image in characteristics. Brand Strategy: Brand name or brand strategy is a process of attracting customers to buy a new product of its brand where brand has already got a market value. Virgin has a great brand value in UK and all the products which are produced are sold under its brand. Branding allows a customer to buy repeatedly the product and it makes a loyal supplier and the customer is also satisfied. Branding less than one name means more responsible to the supplier and trustworthy to supplier to supply the best products. Selling the products under one brand doesnt need more advertisement costs and it gets good response in the beginning as the brand is familiar in the market and there are many number trusted customers to it already. There are even some threats to this brand strategy, if the product fails to attract the customers then it may put the brand into difficult position and it degrades the image of the brand. Virgin has a great brand value in the market that uses its name tag for all its products in advertising and releases into the market. Virgin has many products in various fields under its brand name like in travel and tourism it has virgin travels, vacations etc. in leisure it has games, spa etc. In social welfare and environment it has green fund, virgin earth etc. In beverages it has virgin wines, soft drinks etc. In media it has virgin radio, music channels, mobiles, broadband, telecommunications etc. With all these it has some products like books, cloths, and finance and health bank. All its products has only one brand name and they are sold on virgin name for its brand value and good reputation. In virgin it provides two types of products, they are differentiated as convenience products and no requested products which have different types of customers and demand. In convenience products books, cosmetics, mobiles are available where all these products are convenient to buy for any type of customers. These products are bought frequently, immediately and with minimum affordable costs. The second type of products is no requested products like extra terrestrial travels where people doesnt know about it or doesnt show interest in it. Virgin introduced an offer to travel space to its customers. Due to its cost and risks many were not interested to use the offer. Virgin believes in fewer prices in differentiated products where certain level of customers expects quality of products. Branson has managed to satisfy the customers with quality services and his products through out the world. Virgin brand mainly concentrated on customers like young people who like innovative, quality, fun loving products. Corporate Structure: The structure of virgin group is different than other companies as the financial information is not clear for this business. As it is a private company and it has different fields and different organizations and there are no correct accounts, so financial structure of the company and its income and business statements are not available clearly. Branson told that the group is loosely linked to each other and they are self managed under one brand name. Branson also said that virgin is a group of private companies and not public limited company so it must concentrate on benefit of shareholders, stakeholders and financiers. The advantage of this is the company targets only on the long term profits. Virgin group is mainly controlled by Richard and his trusted employees who are working for him since twenty years. In head office there are 30 people working and he has given them freedom to work and improve the companys financial structure and he is there only to look after big deals and final strategy. The main strategy of the virgin is to work in different sectors of business under one brand name. Virgin has decentralized the organizational structure and decision making allows the managers to learn about business tactics and while avoiding large deal decision to the chairman. Virgin allows small companies to put its brand name as it gets international recognition and it would help company to promote very easily. With this virgin is able to enjoy both the large scale and small scale companys profits and world wide recognition. Virgin has a centralized unit to look all its business strategies and manage all the companies under one desk at the head office. A single website www.virgin.com allows users to access all its products and services. It has a internet business strategy which has coordination between all the companies and they act according to the strategies coming from the head office. When a customer enters into virgin website he can access to all the products of virgin which are under one portal and if he uses any product then he becomes a member of virgin family and he can use other services like mobile, telecommunication, banking, transportation, internet needs, traveling, entertainment etc. In this it gains more number of customers like virgin mobile gets customers from virgin rail records, virgin travel gets records from other virgin companies and so on. In this way other mobile companies cant get contact with rail customers or travel companies cannot contact to some unrelated company customers as they are unknown to them, but in virgin it have all types of customers and it can get in contact with all customers who are under them and this would help them increase the sale of there products. Strategic Relationships: All the companies in virgin run targeting towards a five pillar empire system that Richard was eager to create. According to Richard five pillars and heart of his business are travel, leisure, mobile phones, entertainment retailing and personal finance. Virgin wants to say to all its customers by using prefix called fun, innovative, daring. It is already said that the main strategy of virgin is Sir Richard Branson. The Britain people can immediately identify the Sir Richard Branson name and his companies. This is the main psychological strategy Richard has got and he actively participates in all marketing and promotion activities. This is the reason for the expansion of virgin empire and all other companies show interest to keep a joint venture with virgin group. There is a great demand for virgin and the example for this is actually for the virgin direct affair investment was  £15 million. But the AMP limited the leading international finance group initial investment was  £450 million and it was 50-50 joint venture. All business in the virgin group sacrificed short term profits to gain long term growth and used an individual level business strategy of decision making method. Managers are given freedom to make decisions independently for the growth and feel the same as of ownership and the value that any manager would feel. The assets and finance matters are not shared between companies and if any company became too large any other company would take its place. Management: Branson has taken few candidates who are having innovative ideas and are willing to start new business with a strong desire to beat their competitor. Richard Branson has added his own style of management style and involved actively all the employees and asked for advices to further serving customers better. Employees were actively involved in behaving with there values and there performance was accountable. Human resource management was responsible to keep people to the bonuses and profit sharing where ever possible they get promotions. Analytical Tools: PEST Analysis: Political factors: Virgin rail is running under single brand as it has partnership with stagecoach. Virgin has 51% share and stagecoach has 49% share in the market. Virgin follows all the rules and regulations of the country it is working in and it pays all taxes and makes policies according to the government rules. Virgin is Britains most trusted company and it has lot of customer following to its products and has a great influence and bonding relationship with the people of this country. The political interference in virgin group is regarding financial matters as the reports are not clear due to its partnerships with many companies. Economic factors: To virgin most of the companies are running with partnerships and they are putting only to some extent of money and they expand their business. The global recession has lot of affect on its company, like closing down or losing jobs may have direct impact on its business strategy. Operation levels are increased and taking particular attention to the competitive services regarding to customers. Fluctuations in the local and international market show the direct impact on the companys business strategy and may turn it into losses. Social factors: The social responsibility of providing good quality services to its customers is its first priority. The company has a mission to give outstanding services to all its customers according to the economic conditions of the customer. Environmental concerns are increasing day by day. So company launched its first bio-diesel train earlier than all other companies in Europe. Virgin has poor punctuality services which should be taken care and satisfy the customers by addressing on time. Virgin mobile has offered different offers to its customers according to the social conditions of the countrys situation. Technological factors: Virgin is one company which always tries to update its software or its technical knowledge and serve to its customers to a maximum extent. Virgin rail has always made updates in its technology or in its quality to its customers and made the trains run punctually without any technical mistakes. Virgin group always updates in providing internet services and technologies in it as wireless technology. Company policies also change according to the trend and interest of the customers. SWOT Analysis: Strengths: Brand name: Virgin has a strong brand name in countries like UK, USA, and Australia. Name of its brand is enough to promote any product and make it grand success in the market. Products coming from virgin can survive in the market very easily and they can get good recognition and publicity without making more advertisement. Different types of distribution: Virgin has two different types of distribution units. First is to sell the products in retail stores and the second is to sell through online. Customers can use any of these services according to there comfortable levels. Both of these distribution units are maintained by virgin group. Various processes to export: Virgin has different methods of transportation facilities to export its products. It has international airports and two big seaports near to it for exporting its product. IT professionals: It has highly skilled software professionals who work with great commitment to give the best quality of service to its customers. High budget: Virgin group has enough money to invest into any kind of business and it is earning huge profits every year for its products and it is expanding to different countries every year. Weaknesses: Loose supervision: As virgin is a group of different companies and each field has its own managers, the supervision of the company is becoming hard for anyone and control goes out of hand sometimes. Communication gap: There is a lot of communication gap between each company. Only the website to approach to the company is same but the communication between different sectors of business is very weak. Bad transportation: There is a bad transportation facility and there is no punctuality in trains and other public transportation facilities where all these are affecting the company progress. Outdated machinery: Some of the virgin products use outdated machines and these cause a great trouble to the customers and employees in it. For example virgin rails still need to update its version of trains and make it faster. Opportunities: Expand to overseas: Virgin has the opportunity to expand to overseas and make its market to reach to more customers as it is a familiar product in many countries. Products like mobiles, airlines and media can be extended to any country very easily. Virgin could get better deals: Virgin has the opportunity to get more deals from more countries as it is always ready to expand its business and it is ready to make partnership with any other company for its progress. Opportunities of training: There are many opportunities for training for fresher and retraining to other individuals in the company. So that employer has the opportunity to know more about the company and on what project it is working exactly. Using high technology goods: It has the opportunity to improve itself by improving its technology and usage of new technologies in different sectors and making customer easy to understand about the services you offer. Threats: The success of virgin group mainly depends on the corporate parenting strategy which is led by Richard Branson. It is sustained through its strategies if it goes well in the market and gives competition to other companies. In the long run Branson has to put his succession ideas and strategies for the future running of business and they require implementing properly to reach the targets of the company. Virgin has to take care about its strong leadership for the future and the implementation of its company policies and strategies for the long run of the company by managing all the companies under it carefully. Porters 5 forces: In porters five forces it discuss about the five factors where the running of a company depends and they are: rivalry, supplier power, customer power, threat of substitutes, threat of new entrants. Porters Five Forces Model Rivalry: In the market if the rivalry between two companies increases then it would result to zero profit margins. Companies try to overcome this and take competitive advantage and over their rivals. Rivalry can be caused due to various reasons and their effects may decrease prices and sometimes companies need to put special offers to face the challenges. Rivalry between companies is due to the following reasons Large number of firms: More number of firms produces same product then they compete for the sales of there goods to the same customers in a limited market place and this led to competition between companies. High fixed costs: If the cost of product is high then customers switch to other companies and this would put in trouble so the companies has to put a price with a minimum profit margin. Market growth: In this companies try to grow rapidly by attracting customers and they make plans for the expansion of there business. There would be a strong rivalry during this process as all the companies try to increase their market size. Threat of substitutes: In this model threat of substitutes refer to the same products producing by other companies and making competition. In this customers would easily switch to another product. So companies have price war and look for the low margin profits to attract existing and new customers. Buying power: This refers to the power of buyers as it is mainly concerned with customers. There are some factors in this as the buyers are powerful and if the buyers are weak. Buyers are powerful when the customers are less in concentration compared to market share and he can purchase a fair share of output. Buyers are weak when the companies take over the distribution of products on their own or the producers supply distribution of input purchases. Supplier power: In this it discuss about the power of supplier. Suppliers are powerful when there are more number of customers or when there are only few suppliers to the company. Suppliers are weak when more number of suppliers is there to supply the goods and when the less number of purchasers are available in the market. Threat of new entrants: In this if any new company enters the market this would make huge competition in the market and new entrants threat to pose more danger as they try to attract the customers and in this process they give lot of offers to the customers. In this it is easy to enter when there is huge demand for any product and lot of distribution channels. It is easy to exit when there are salable assets, low exit costs and independent businesses. Future of the company: Virgin has a lot of strategies for its future and Richard Branson is in the process to implement all these strategies. Virgin is planning to enter into more different sectors of business and to expand its business to other countries. Virgin is planning to open new businesses in partnership with any company to enter into new business and to other countries. It is planning to enter developing countries and make its mark there by giving more offers to all types of customers and increase their share in the market and their brand value. The virgin group as a business head had the following points where they value these. Understanding of markets: Virgins management has a good experience in identifying the market situation. It is there expertise and business strategy which helped the company to achieve a lot of success in all business areas they entered. Brand name which overcame barriers to entry: The virgin brand name is the Britains favorite brand and it is a respectable brand in other countries. Joint ventures: virgin secret of success is joint ventures and they kept limited investment in new products and got benefits from this in market. Freedom to managers: management is not restricted and the company helps in innovation and promotes shared partnership and responsibilities. Innovation: Virgins staff has individuals who have succeeded in their careers and the group invites many people who invest in new innovations and differentiate. All these innovative ideas made virgin in top position and they have applied in there business and got huge success to their credit. For example virgin mobiles have partnership with other telecommunication groups and they gave offers such as less monthly rentals and cheaper prepaid offers in all the places they entered. In UK virgin doesnt operate its own network but it won best wireless award in UK. Conclusion: Virgin company has many ventures to launch. Virgin managed to increase their share in the market over the last 15 years. In last fifteen years there are lot of new ventures in Virgin and entered into different fields and launched its products in many countries. A strong brand name and good service to its customers makes Virgin Company to top position in future. Bibliography: Wilson and Gilligan (1998),  Strategic Marketing Management,  2nd  edition, Butterwoth Heinemann, Oxford   Applied Strategic Planning: An Introduction by Timothy N. Nolan, Leonard D. Goodstein, and Jeanette Goodstein Applied Strategic Planning: How to Develop a Plan That Really Works: A Comprehensive Guide by Leonard Goodstein, Timothy Nolan, and J. William Pfeiffer