Essentials of Negotiations

150 Other Words for Said To Supercharge Your Writing (Infographic)

150 Other Words for Said To Supercharge Your Writing (Infographic) 150+ Other Words for "Said" To Supercharge Your Writing â€Å"Dialogue tags† is one of those writerly terms that sounds more complicated than it actually is. You’ve almost certainly used tags (including "said" and all other words for said) in your writing at some point, even if you didn't realize it consciously!But how can you really use them when you’re not entirely sure how they work? If that sounds like you, don't worry; this article will sort you out. Read on for your ultimate guide to dialogue tags - with tips on how to use them in an effective manner and our curated list of 150+ other words for "said." We'll actually start with the latter, for those of you who already know how dialogue tags work and are looking for the perfect synonym.150+ other words for "said"â€Å"Said† is the most common dialogue tag in the English language, and for good reason: it gets the job done. But every so often, you want to kick your writing up a notch with a different tag - that's where this list comes in! Here are 150+ oth er words for said, divided by emotion and/or conversational context to help you find the right word.Or, if you want to take it with you, click on the "Infographic" section in the table of contents (to your left) and download a list of all these words for free! Without further ado, here is a veritable mountain of words to use instead of said.Neutral wordsEach of these words is basically a like-for-like replacement for "said. Infographic (to download)Simply enter your email below to get this infographic in your inbox within minutes.Luckily, figuring out your dialogue tags isn't  quite  this difficult. Image: Paramount Pictures4. Experiment with placementThis is something you can do to keep your dialogue tags fresh and interesting without resorting to overblown verbs. Though so far we’ve only used tags at the end of dialogue, you can also put them at the beginning or in the middle! It requires slightly different punctuation, but pretty much all you need to do is re-order your original phrase to accomplish this.Let’s return to our very first example: â€Å"I can’t wait to read this article,† Rita said. This could become:Rita said, â€Å"I can’t wait to read this article."Or, if you want it to sound more dramatic:â€Å"I can’t wait,† Rita said, â€Å"to read this article.†Again, it’s an easy fix for repetitive tags. Try to stay conscious of how you’re using them, and if you find that too many of your â€Å"he said, she said†s (so to speak) are landing at the end of your dialogue, feel free to mix it up!5. Use description as dialogue tagsThe final way to create dialogue tags in your writing is: don’t use them at all. Or rather, use something else to serve the same function - specifically, description.Using description to indicate who’s speaking is a subtle yet powerful means of tagging your dialogue. Experienced writers employ this technique frequently, and anyone can do so once they understand how! Here’s an example of how description might be used as a dialogue tag:Sara gazed around the room as she paced, trailing her fingers over the furniture. She stopped and looked over her shoulder at Sam. â€Å"Are you sure this is a good idea?†We can clearly tell that Sara is the one talking based on the description: it’s all about her and what she’s doing. At the end, we also get a subject for her to address (Sam).You can also put the dialogue first, followed by the description to clarify:â€Å"We’ve got to catch him! Come on guys, hop in!† Jason hurriedly started the truck, which made a noise like a broken blender.Or you can even have the description in the middle of two pieces of dialogue:â€Å"Oh my God, what happened in here?† Alicia had just come through the doorway and stood frozen in her tracks. Her expression was a mask of horror. â€Å"It looks like a tornado hit!†Basically, you can put this descriptive â€Å"tag† anywhere you want in relation to the dialogue: before, after, or in the middle. As long as there’s something to demonstrate who’s speaking, as well as to what or whom they’re referring, that’s all you need.TakeawaysDialogue tags are a vital tool that every writer should know how to use correctly. Hopefully, this post has helped you understand how to use tags to clarify who’s speaking, as well as how to avoid distracting from what’s being said. Remember, the dialogue is the crown jewel here - but the tag is the solid pedestal that keeps it from falling. 💠ªWhat are your best tips for dialogue tags? Let us know in the comments! 150 Other Words for Said To Supercharge Your Writing (Infographic) 150+ Other Words for "Said" To Supercharge Your Writing â€Å"Dialogue tags† is one of those writerly terms that sounds more complicated than it actually is. You’ve almost certainly used tags (including "said" and all other words for said) in your writing at some point, even if you didn't realize it consciously!But how can you really use them when you’re not entirely sure how they work? If that sounds like you, don't worry; this article will sort you out. Read on for your ultimate guide to dialogue tags - with tips on how to use them in an effective manner and our curated list of 150+ other words for "said." We'll actually start with the latter, for those of you who already know how dialogue tags work and are looking for the perfect synonym.150+ other words for "said"â€Å"Said† is the most common dialogue tag in the English language, and for good reason: it gets the job done. But every so often, you want to kick your writing up a notch with a different tag - that's where this list comes in! Here are 150+ oth er words for said, divided by emotion and/or conversational context to help you find the right word.Or, if you want to take it with you, click on the "Infographic" section in the table of contents (to your left) and download a list of all these words for free! Without further ado, here is a veritable mountain of words to use instead of said.Neutral wordsEach of these words is basically a like-for-like replacement for "said. Simply enter your email below to get this infographic in your inbox within minutes.Luckily, figuring out your dialogue tags isn't  quite  this difficult. Image: Paramount Pictures4. Experiment with placementThis is something you can do to keep your dialogue tags fresh and interesting without resorting to overblown verbs. Though so far we’ve only used tags at the end of dialogue, you can also put them at the beginning or in the middle! It requires slightly different punctuation, but pretty much all you need to do is re-order your original phrase to accomplish this.Let’s return to our very first example: â€Å"I can’t wait to read this article,† Rita said. This could become:Rita said, â€Å"I can’t wait to read this article."Or, if you want it to sound more dramatic:â€Å"I can’t wait,† Rita said, â€Å"to read this article.†Again, it’s an easy fix for repetitive tags. Try to stay conscious of how you’re using t hem, and if you find that too many of your â€Å"he said, she said†s (so to speak) are landing at the end of your dialogue, feel free to mix it up!5. Use description as dialogue tagsThe final way to create dialogue tags in your writing is: don’t use them at all. Or rather, use something else to serve the same function - specifically, description.Using description to indicate who’s speaking is a subtle yet powerful means of tagging your dialogue. Experienced writers employ this technique frequently, and anyone can do so once they understand how! Here’s an example of how description might be used as a dialogue tag:Sara gazed around the room as she paced, trailing her fingers over the furniture. She stopped and looked over her shoulder at Sam. â€Å"Are you sure this is a good idea?†We can clearly tell that Sara is the one talking based on the description: it’s all about her and what she’s doing. At the end, we also get a subject for he r to address (Sam).You can also put the dialogue first, followed by the description to clarify:â€Å"We’ve got to catch him! Come on guys, hop in!† Jason hurriedly started the truck, which made a noise like a broken blender.Or you can even have the description in the middle of two pieces of dialogue:â€Å"Oh my God, what happened in here?† Alicia had just come through the doorway and stood frozen in her tracks. Her expression was a mask of horror. â€Å"It looks like a tornado hit!†Basically, you can put this descriptive â€Å"tag† anywhere you want in relation to the dialogue: before, after, or in the middle. As long as there’s something to demonstrate who’s speaking, as well as to what or whom they’re referring, that’s all you need.TakeawaysDialogue tags are a vital tool that every writer should know how to use correctly. Hopefully, this post has helped you understand how to use tags to clarify who’s speaking, a s well as how to avoid distracting from what’s being said. Remember, the dialogue is the crown jewel here - but the tag is the solid pedestal that keeps it from falling. 💠ªWhat are your best tips for dialogue tags? Let us know in the comments!

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT - Essay Example This spurs up the controversy over the stratification of life, whether some lives are more important than others are. This paper analyses the various theoretical propositions for capital punishment as a primary to establishing the best theoretical explanation of its role in serving justice of both the perpetrator and the victim. Riemann argues that the application of capital punishment bear an inherent deprivation of human right to life. In his further proposition, Reiman counteracts this stance by the fact that the inalienability of life is subject to an individual’s ability to affirm rationality through responsible actions. In essence, Reiman postulates that the murderer, by the acts of murder, dehumanizes him or herself and proves to be unworthy of residing among human societies and therefore the deprivation of life is self-inflicted rather than induced. Reimann argues that in paying back the perpetrator with an injury equivalent to the one the victim suffered, the punishment brings the perpetrator back down to the understanding of equity of life. It would be re-establishing equality between the perpetrator and the victim. Reiman’s philosophy of capital punishment partly subscribes to its beneficial application but gives the conditions for its application that is the assurance of the attainment of the highest level of deterrence rather than the mere satisfaction of the victim. Reiman contradictorily casts aspersions on the substantiality of death penalty arguing that its effectiveness as a means of punishment should be subject to the worthiness of its application beyond the mere satisfaction of the victims. It startles however how easy it is to determine the satisfaction of the already immortalized victim of murder to weigh it against the effects of criminals’ subjection to death as a repatriation mechanism. Kant is recognizably the proponent of the retributivist theory of capital

Light peak( high speed opictal cable technology) Essay

Light peak( high speed opictal cable technology) - Essay Example Light Peak is defined to as a new interface technology of peripheral which enable nodes to connect devices of peripheral or other nodes through an optical connector. Use of optical technology has been in the industry for quite sometime. Telecom companies have used it for networking for years. Light, instead of a wire, is considered much more efficient means of relaying enormous data over long distances. The challenge is optical modules used in conversion of the electrical signals into optical were exceedingly large and expensive. By use of the newly come technology, there is a possibility for the firm to produce affordable and compact optical modules. There are several outstanding differences between optical cabling and electrical cabling. However, the major advantage of using Light Peak technology is seen in optical cabling substituting electrical cabling. Use of copper wire in inter-device communication has its demerits. The level of signal distortion increases with the increase in the distance and speed of transmission. Consequently, the interruption becomes too much that there is no reliable signal transmission between the peripheral and the computer. This explains the reason as to why peripheral cables have fixed lengths. Optical signals do not reflect the interruptions experienced when copper wire is used in signal transmission. This implies that optical cables can extend to serve longer distances compared to copper wire. Additionally, optical fibers are much thinner enabling more flexibility in cabling compared to bundles of copper wire. A recommended cable of Light Peak is almost of the same size of a strand of human hair. These optical cables can be increased up to a length of100 meters that will effectively serve every place within a household as well as enough for businesses. Light Peak technology has a close comparison with the allied USB technology. Although USB

Inquiry 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Inquiry 2 - Essay Example Although the main story for the MGM film adaptation of the book remained the same, some parts were altered for example the wicked witch of the east’s shoes (Rudolph, n.pag.). The film provided a graphical demonstration of the characters and the story which is why few years later, an article written by Henry Littlefield made it an allegory on populism (Littlefield, 47). The book and the film provide a rich cultural text to be analyzed for the presence of the economical and political parable many claim it to have. Littlefield was the first person to have interpreted The Wizard of Oz as having an economic parable after which many others also claimed the book and film to be riddled with political symbolism. Later Rockoff also made an effort to reveal the connections between the Populist movement, Baum’s views and the book as interpreted as an economic parable (1). Russel B. Nye and Martin Gardner also wrote a book in which they provided an appreciation for Baum’s wri ting (Winterich, 42) and uncovered how Baum incorporated hidden meanings to reflect the environment of the time. By effectively using symbolism, Baum represented Dorothy as the common American people (Taylor, 5) and the Witch of the East represented the monetary interest of the industrialist who were supported by their gold standard allies (Taylor, 6). Many other characters symbolize the various players and stakeholders involved in the Populist movement. Between 1897 and 1902, Baum had settled in South Dakota where he also started a journal called Saturday Pioneer (McGroarty, n.pag.). According to Littlefield, Baum noticed the hardships of the Western farmers who were now raising their voice against the hardships they were going through (48). As a result, Baum’s writing was influenced by the Populist movement that was started to protect the interests of the farmers. The Peoples Party or the Populist Party as it was more commonly known as was started by a group of farmers. The n in the 1930s America experienced the Great Depression which was the most severe and prolonged period of recession that damaged the economy. Followed by the great depression, World War II was approaching which meant that the government had to make an effort to improve the economy (Perseverance and Responsiveness: The Depression and War Years", 36). According to Littlefield’s interpretation, The Wizard of Oz has provided the younger generation with a benign analysis of the Populist movement (57). Hansen presents an argumentation in his article pointing out that the interpretations that link The Wizard of Oz and populism are flawed. The first reason he provides for his argument is the lack of an autonomous discovery of the allegorical interpretation of the book (Hansen, 257). The authors who have interpreted the story as an economical parable have not carried out any independent study. They have merely followed the lead of Henry Littlefield who first came up with the idea of t he allegorical interpretation. Also, those who support the interpretation mention that Baum was a democrat. Often his support for women’s suffrage has been linked with his populist-democrat affinity. However, Hansen points out that Baum was a Republican who regarded his paper the Saturday Pioneer as a Republican paper. He also presents another interpretation of the book as all the characters were monarchists and not democrats. Hansen interprets the film as representing symbolism through its use of colors and hues (262). While the

Corporate Policy of Starbucks Coffee

Corporate Policy of Starbucks Coffee Starbucks Corporation is a multinational corporation based in the United States and is the most famous and largest coffeehouse company in the world. It boasts of 15,000 stores in 45 countries. Starbucks specializes in coffee in all its forms: brewed, espresso, served hot or cold along with other related snacks and raw coffee beans. This conglomerate started in 1985 as a coffee bean roaster and retailer in Seattle, Washington where it still holds its corporate offices. From the 1900s up to now, a new store is opened every day. As of the last quarter of 2007, Starbucks owns 8,505 stores around the world, and 6,500 stores are franchised. As of last quarter of 2007, Starbucks reported a gross profit of $1.5 billion and a net income of $208 million. According to the financial report for Starbucks that is published in the web, Revenue and earnings have grown at roughly 25% annually for the past five years, and should continue at an above-average rate given Starbucks competitive position an d already proven record. Management is expecting 18% top-line annual growth and 20-22% in the bottom-line for the next several years. Domestic same-store sales have been stabilizing at around 4%, with transactions accounting for 1%. Internationally, same-store sales increased 7% for Q3 driven by 5% transaction growth. International comparable sales growth has been north of 5% every quarter. It would be wise to invest in shares of stock for Starbucks since it can be seen in their financial statements that since they have expanded their operations, there is a steady increase of revenues and profits. Starbucks have produced a more than average sales and earnings growth in the past years. The companys very impressive earnings growth projections are a good indicator to go ahead and invest. Starbucks still focuses on their expansion ventures across the United States and abroad in the companys owned stores and the franchises. Majority if not all exhibited a solid financial performance. The increase of revenue is caused by the opening of more and more stores across the globe to accomplish its vision to establish the most respected brand in coffeehouses. With 1,288 new stores in 2007 and a planned 2,400 more in the next months, revenues and sales would surely shoot up higher. According to the Starbucks Quarterly Report (Mary 2007), Global comparable store sales for Company-operated markets increased by 4% for the 13-week period ended April 1, 2007, and increased 5% over the first half of fiscal 2007. Comparable store sales growth for fiscal 2007 is expected to be in the target range of 3% to 7%. The Company purchased a 90% stake in its previously-licensed operations in Beijing and Tianjin, China. Starbucks in the United Kingdom It was in May 1998 that Starbucks gained foothold in the coffee shop market in Europe by acquiring 65 Seattle Coffee Company establishment in the United Kingdom. Starbucks and Seattle Coffee shared the same culture that centers on the desire to customize coffee. Moreover, they also have almost the same company values of respecting people and the environment. In the UK, the Starbucks store designs and ambiences are meant to be cozy and intimate, at the same giving its coffee drinkers a personal area to stay anytime. Tables, chairs, sofas, armchairs, and stools are specifically designed to make every customer feel important. Anyone who wants serenity apart from the home and solace after the chaos of office work can relax and stay deep in a book or magazine. Some even bring their work along and meet friends and prospects in Starbucks stores. Exclusive Starbucks music is made available in all its coffee shops around the  world. In the UK, the head office and support center of Starbucks is located in Chiswick in South West London. Starbucks Losing in the United Kingdom Costa Coffee is giving Starbucks a hard time in the UK. According to financial sources,  £10 million have been lost by Starbucks since 2009. The figure show a loss before taxes of over  £9 million for one year in the middle of this year compared to only  £2 million in 2009. This poor performance emphasizes the concerns of CEO Howard Schultz last year when he made an evaluation of the UK economy. He himself gave the reason for the companys bad financial showing in the UK: unemployment, mortgage crisis, and low consumer confidence. Value Chain Starbucks is synonymous to coffee. They are present in 41 countries except in Africa. Its mission statement: Establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow. Starbucks created a niche in the coffee culture. It has penetrated markets that are not coffee connoisseurs. Schultz envisioned coffee consciousness in his customers hoping that coffee drinkers would take coffee seriously as wine connoisseurs take fine wine. It developed unique coffee taste experiences through coffee blend concept which traditionally is a method done to mask off flavors contributed by mediocre to atrocious beans and to save money. The coffee brand which has penetrated the world sans few places, aimed to deliver high quality and consistent products to keep customers. To achieve this consistency, Starbucks entry to other markets was in the form  of licensing its brand and the technology it has developed through the years. This encompasses all areas in the operation of a coffee shop. Several international coffee shops like Brazilian Coffee Shops, House of Coffees, Seattle Coffee Shops have penetrated many countries through franchising. However, Starbucks opted to licensing agreements for store locations in areas where it did not have the capacity to put up its own outlets. This is handled by Starbucks Coffee International (SCI). It has opened stores in Japan, Singapore, Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan. It has opened its market also in Europe. Starbucks has yet to launch its coffee bars in an African country. Starbucks has become a byword in the global business. It has become an epitome of a corporation that has reached its zenith in corporate and service endeavors. Franchising styles and its marketing strategies merit the following of many other companies. It is sufficed to say that Starbucks has become one best examples of a corporation that has not only brewed up the world but created a good aroma for other businesses to emulate. Mission-Vision Statements In 1998, Starbucks announced its vision: 2000 stores in the year 2000. Its mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time. Its mission statement: Establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow. According to the financial report for Starbucks that is published in the web, there is a significant increase in the revenue and earnings in the last five years of up to 25%. A prediction by economic analysts that this trend will continue at an advantageous rate if the competitive position of the company stays  at par. It would be wise to invest in shares of stock for Starbucks since it can be seen in their financial statements that since they have expanded their operations, there is a steady increase of revenues and profits. Starbucks have produced a more than average sales and earnings growth in the past years. The companys very impressive ea rnings growth projections are a good indicator to go ahead and invest. Starbucks still focuses on their expansion ventures across the globe in the companys owned stores and the franchises. Majority if not all exhibited a solid financial performance (Michelli, 2007). Business Strategy The technology that Starbucks packaged includes real estate, store design, store planning and construction, product line, store ambiance, building a top management team, employee training, product supply, coffee roasting and its marketing strategies. It is called Starbuck System. All supplies will come from suppliers approved by Starbucks. These ensure control in all areas of the operation. Starbucks is an established business and its success in the domestic and global market can be derived from the socially responsible movement that they promote in their corporate behaviors. Business ethics has always been an integral part of Starbucks as management base their principles on the internal stakeholder issues like product quality, customer satisfaction, employee wages and benefits, and local community and environmental responsibilities. The leadership of Starbucks sees to it that all these responsibilities toward their internal stakeholders are taken care of since they are largely responsible for what Starbucks has achieved today. The internal stakeholders of Starbucks has created a collaboration that work closely with the  executives and business units to fully incorporate the companys values into developing and implementing its positions on key legislative and public policy issues.   Furthermore, it develops and maintains an extensive network of internal contact s (senior management, legal, marketing, category, QA, RD, regulatory, strategy and others) to align strategy, issues and business impact.   Among internal stakeholders, Starbucks sees to it that there is a uniform code of conduct to be followed in all its stores around the world. This is to make sure that the mission-vision of the company is upheld at all times. Internal stakeholders treat each other with professionalism as guided by these uniform codes of conduct. SWOT Analysis Strengths of Starbucks lies on their unique and chef-inspired menu and their market position which is remains in the top five, according to surveys. Unlike other big corporations and franchises, Starbucks has an enormous advertising budget that drives the business. Their comprehensive, award-winning training programs provide franchises and employees with the specific tools and skills that can be used for success in the competitive food industry. Weaknesses of Starbucks lie on some bad-for-the-business lawsuits on their franchising scheme. Another weakness would be the often criticized television advertisements and campaigns that seem to be intended to be funny and outrageous rather than sell their food. Another weakness could be their franchising scheme worldwide where they only allow one franchise holder for a particular country. For example, in China, only one franchise holder owns all the Starbucks stores there. This limits opportunities for other interested franchisers; thus, also limit the full expansion of Starbucks. Opportunities at Starbucks lie in their staff and crew to further develop and grow in their career at the company since a very comprehensive training and development is made available for store managers and staff. Threats come in the form of the existing competitions in the food industry. Problem Areas Advertising With a brand name such as Starbucks, who needs advertisement? Just very recently, Starbucks put on air their television advertisement. Critics say that it is too late for this since a company should start advertising (print and broadcast) when they need it most or when everything is iron hot. From a marketing perspective, this television ad came in late. Still, with a global brand that is popular enough that many think the name itself is enough advertisement, Starbucks do need advertisement. One just needs to look around and see how such immense and successful global brands can still be seen on billboards, television, and magazine. Starbucks advertising campaign continues from word of mouth especially. The logo is enough to persuade patrons and customers to partake of their products. Being the leading retailer and roaster of specialty coffee in the world, Starbucks has been criticized in the past for being very ambitious, expanding throughout the world at a fast speed. But Starbucks has been successful in making a name for itself in record time while achieving a 20% rise in earnings for 2008. Many articles came out written about how and why Starbucks decided to start a television advertisement when they do not really need one. Management of this conglomerate have their  reasons and the prime one is in order to reach across or convince those who have not tried sipping their coffee while lounging in their free WI-FI zone stores to come and see for themselves the difference of being in a Starbucks shop. More reasons are obvious just like what their other competitors would say. For Starbucks, there is no such thing as being late nor is there a set time when to advertise or not. This new ad is not purported to sell but to remind and create more impact to their captured market. Competition In the United Kingdom, Starbucks major rival is Costa, followed by Caffe Nero. The UK coffee shop market is actually being slowly dominated by these three competing brands. Fierce competition aggravated into a bitter fight this year when Starbucks filed a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) that the Costa advertising campaign that says: Starbucks drinkers prefer Costa and Seven out of ten coffee lovers prefer Costa. However, ASA came with a decision that favored Costa, saying that all these claims by the latter were based on blind tasting tests. Coffee is the second largest imported product of the United States and specialty coffee market is approximated to be $11 billion a year in worth. To lure coffee drinkers (and other variants of coffee) from Starbucks, competitors of the same product line have come up with all sorts of gimmicks and come-ons as well trying to make a niche in the coffeehouse industry. In a report written by Georgia Flight (2006), the top five competitors of Starbucks show how each is different from the other and identify some salient points in their competitions with the leading brand. Founded in 1981, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters that originated from Vermont has used the slogan Be Green to portray the kind of coffee they serve. Starting as a small cafe, it has stuck to its use of organic roots and organic coffees. Keep Innovating is the slogan of Coffee Bean Tea Leaf which is headquartered in Los Angeles. It has 400 outlets. The company is famous for the wide choice of coffees and teas and its reputation preceded its brand for its innovation. Furthermore, it has established branches in places/countries where Starbucks is absent like Israel. Costa coffee was founded in 1971 in London. Even with Starbucks abounding in that city, Costa is a lead ahead in India where it has adapted its coffee flavors to suit Indian taste. Their strategy? Head East. Having 120 outlets in the country, Peets of California uses the strategy: Go Upscale. Java connoisseurs love the strength of the taste of its coffee. The special and complicated process of working on the coffee makes the taste unique. Caribou Coffee coffee business based in Minneapolis was founded in 1992. The strategy to Sell a Lifestyle features their cafes and stores in a mountain-lodge-style decoration including the chairs and a fireplace. They have made a deal with some airlines and some other fitness establishments. Starbucks has got itself many competitors, many of which got their inspiration from it. Since the product is a beverage that many would patronize, it is no wonder that Starbucks as well as other related businesses are rising. Marketing: Franchising: Expanding in Africa Putting up a Starbucks coffee bar in South Africa guarantees presence of Starbucks in almost all of the continents in the future. As a gateway to the African continent, the country is convenient path for businesses to expand in the area. Since the first national elections in 1994, government policies have been enacted to encourage foreign investments. Granting a license to a local company or close corporation to operate Starbucks stores in the country would benefit both parties. This would allow transfer of Starbucks System technology that would benefit the employment program of the government through its program Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (BEE). The partnership of Starbucks and a local closed corporation can enjoy the economic incentives given to new foreign investments that are brought into the country. While there will plus and minuses for both the licensor and licensee, they will get benefits from the license agreement (Andover, 55.) However, because of different cultures, Starbucks will have to make adjustments in their marketing and strategies to achieve its growth. Several standards will have to be altered to accommodate the different palate and eating habits of the people. Whatever criteria in its service and product Starbucks has come up, changes have to be made to accommodate the new market. Starbucks has to consider also an important observation made by the franchise sector of South Africa that 90% of South Africas franchise opportunities are based on locally developed concepts which is in contrast to most countries outside the USA where foreign brands trend to dominate the market (Handsenn, 40). This is also true to the restaurant and fast food market where the business Starbucks can be compared. Most food brands (restaurant type) are franchised out in other countries. Recommendations On Advertising Problem Area Starbucks can save their millions by forgetting about putting up television advertisements and commercials. The company is so established that making a commercial now would not have that much impact. Moreover, the company should enjoy its business success by being contented with posters on their stores, occasional promotions and announcements of new products, etc. Business and advertising analysts say that Starbucks can live without such domineering advertisements on television. Actually, they do not need any. On Marketing/Franchising in Africa Problem Area This is also true to the restaurant and fast food market where the business Starbucks can be compared. Most food brands (restaurant type) are franchised out in other countries. Also, the following factors are as important from a prospective franchisees point of view: The advantage of operating under a local brand is that the product has been designed from scratch with the local conditions in mind. Only a professionally managed operation can be relied upon to deliver on the implied promise of franchising. This is considered a threat to Starbucks. With the experience of the local companies developing its market strategies, most likely, Starbucks will have difficulty in guarding its technology. Penetration in the market is also a challenge. Also, the company had encountered problems in its image, paying low price for coffee beans from another African country. Having a  local partner may help to quell the threat and open a huge market. Perhaps it would be wise to brainstorm on these possibilities. If the company wants to grow more and succeed more, then they should review their policies on franchising. Recommendations on Competition Problem Area It is a fact that all people eat in order to survive. However, not all people can afford the same food and luxuries that these businesses offer. While Starbucks is known to cater to class A and B market because of the prices of their products, Caribou Coffee grabs the C and D with a lot lower prices of the almost the same products. McDonalds, being the leader of fast foods and affordable prices, remains to top the market monopoly. People around the world are reported to patronize their products, thanks to the non-stop advertising and maintaining the quality of their food. Dunkin Donuts has a limited list of food, mostly sweet pastries and yes, doughnuts. The taste and type of food offered by this establishment continue to serve as a come on to many customers and a specified market. Starbucks should take seriously the growing number of rivals in the food industry, especially in the same products they are selling. Pricing is a very important aspect to take into consideration. With these hard times, people become practical. If they can have the same taste and quality coffee from another store, why go to Starbucks? Although the company wants to maintain its unique quality brand, it should consider their consumers satisfaction when it comes to expenditures.

Federalist 10 Essay -- essays papers

Federalist 10 Liberty. This word means many things to many people. There is no way to distinctly define the term without leaving someone's crucial point of view out of the equation. One person might say that anarchy would be the only way to have complete and utter freedom, while others would go as far as to believe a controlled communist government is the best route to achieving liberation. Factions (a group of people who agree on certain topics) are inevitable, due to the nature of man. As long as men hold different opinions, have different amounts of wealth, and own different amount of property, they will continue to fraternize with people who are most similar to them. In Federalist #10, James Madison summed up factions eloquently stating that â€Å"Liberty is faction, what air is to fire, an ailment without which it instantly expires.† The government created by the Constitution controls the damage caused by such factions. The likelihood that public office will be held by qualified men is greater in large countries because there will be more representative chosen by a greater number of citizens. Power is distributed in a checks and balance format, mak ing it difficult for factions to completely take over. Madison’s views on faction are still relevant and exercised frequently even after 200 years have passed. James Madison’s most amazing political prediction, contained within the pages of Federalist 10, was that the United States being so large and having such a wi... Federalist 10 Essay -- essays papers Federalist 10 Liberty. This word means many things to many people. There is no way to distinctly define the term without leaving someone's crucial point of view out of the equation. One person might say that anarchy would be the only way to have complete and utter freedom, while others would go as far as to believe a controlled communist government is the best route to achieving liberation. Factions (a group of people who agree on certain topics) are inevitable, due to the nature of man. As long as men hold different opinions, have different amounts of wealth, and own different amount of property, they will continue to fraternize with people who are most similar to them. In Federalist #10, James Madison summed up factions eloquently stating that â€Å"Liberty is faction, what air is to fire, an ailment without which it instantly expires.† The government created by the Constitution controls the damage caused by such factions. The likelihood that public office will be held by qualified men is greater in large countries because there will be more representative chosen by a greater number of citizens. Power is distributed in a checks and balance format, mak ing it difficult for factions to completely take over. Madison’s views on faction are still relevant and exercised frequently even after 200 years have passed. James Madison’s most amazing political prediction, contained within the pages of Federalist 10, was that the United States being so large and having such a wi...

Purpose and Meaning of Human Existence Essay

One of the great ironies with respect to Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot is that one of the world’s greatest plays is so poorly understood. There are, to be sure, many conflicting interpretations. Precise themes or intentions have been difficult to discern from the play’s text. These interpretive difficulties have been complicated by the fact that Beckett was often evasive when asked about the exact purpose of certain characters in the play or the meaning of the text. This is not meant to suggest that certain themes and intentions cannot be determined, for there certainly appear to be certain thematic patterns, but instead to suggest that the play does appear in certain ways to be open to different types of interpretations. A review of the scholarly texts and articles, for instance, reveals academic arguments to the effect that the play is about God, salvation, the French resistance to German occupation in the historical period in which the play was written, the purpose of human existence, and the meaningless of time. With such a variety of interpretations, supported by specific references to the play’s text and other historical circumstances, it would seem nearly impossible to identify an overarching or unifying theme. A careful examination of the play’s text, however, suggests that such a dominant thematic element can be found. The thesis of this paper, therefore, is that the dominant theme in Waiting for Godot is the human being’s search for purpose and meaning in a world that human beings either do not understand or cannot understand. In support of this thesis, this paper will attempt to harmonize the different critical interpretations and demonstrate that the main characters through their dialogue on a number of different subjects consistently illustrate the human quest for purpose and meaning in a world that seems hopelessly beyond their comprehension. Critical Confusion and Multiple Interpretations: Harmonizing Different Perspectives As an initial matter, before proceeding to an examination of the play’s text, it is useful to present the critical confusion that has arisen from multiple interpretations of the play. This is useful because even these different interpretations can be harmonized to some extant if the truly dominant theme of the play is said to be the human search for purpose and meaning in a complicated or complex world. It is well-established, for example, that the play presents a series of universal questions; specifically, as one academic has observed, â€Å"Waiting for Godot, in many ways, simply extends those uncertainties: Why are we here? Are we alone in an uncaring universe, or not? What are we to do while we are here? How can we know? And, ultimately, what does it matter? â€Å"(Hutchings x) These types of questions, to a large extant, transcend many of the conflicting interpretations. If Godot is God, as some have argued, then Vladimir and Estragon are waiting for God. They freely admit that they are not particularly familiar with Godot and this admission reflects and reinforces the fact that these two human beings do not have a perfect knowledge of the creator of their world. If Godot is not God, as some have argued, then Vladimir and Estragon are perhaps waiting for some type of intellectual spark in order to tell them why they are waiting, whether they should leave, or whether it might be better to leave their spot by the tree and take affirmative steps to go and find the mysterious Godot. In either event, whether Godot represents God or a figurative type of intellectual illumination, the core theme is one of two human beings who seem consistently unable to determine what to do. They engage in a series of superficial conversations, they consider suicide as a way of ending their confusion, and in the end they remain firmly planted on the country road much as the tree where they wait is firmly planted in the ground. Even if one is to assume, as some scholars have, that the play is really an artistic allusion to the French resistance or the onset of the Cold War, this does not necessarily undermine the notion that human beings are somehow trapped within a world or social circumstances in which they have little control or little understanding. The important point, for purposes of this paper’s thesis, is that the conflicting interpretations can be transcended if one assumes that the transcendental theme is one most specifically related to the human being’s search for purpose and meaning in a confusing physical world. Whether Vladimir and Estragon are waiting for God, a real person, intellectual knowledge of social circumstances, or the laws of the universe is fundamentally tangential to the fact that they are helpless in the circumstances that Beckett has created. They are petty, feeble, and passive. The rest of this paper therefore proceeds from the assumption that the conflicting interpretations can be unified by treating the fundamental theme as the search for purpose and meaning in life. This fundamental theme will be discussed in the following sections by referring to specific features of the play. Significance of Human Companionship: Pairs, Dependence, and Shared Searches One of the most important structural features of the play is the fact that human beings are portrayed as being extraordinarily dependent and unable to exist in isolation or individually. This is most evident in the fact that the play’s characters come in pairs and seem in many ways to be inseparable. The main characters, for instance, are Vladimir and Estragon. It would appear that they have arrived as a pair, they continue to wait as a pair, and although they never leave they do talk about leaving as a pair. They have different personalities, they would appear to have different backgrounds given the different stories that they tell, and yet they seem unwilling or unable to separate and go their own ways. This notion of human inseparability, a common fear or ignorance about the meaning of human existence, is particularly clear when Vladimir and Estragon are discussing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the two thieves on the cross next to Jesus. Specifically, the fear of being alone and the emphasis of human companionship is provided in the following passage VLADIMIR: Ah yes, the two thieves. Do you remember the story? ESTRAGON: No. VLADIMIR: Shall I tell it to you? ESTRAGON: No. VLADIMIR: It’ll pass the time. (Pause. ) Two thieves, crucified at the same time as our Saviour. One— ESTRAGON: Our what? VLADIMIR: Our Saviour. Two thieves. One is supposed to have been saved and the other . . . (he searches for the contrary of saved) . . . damned (Becket n. p. ) This passage illustrates the need for human companionship and also the need for human beings to depend on each other. This companionship is necessary because human beings must face the uncertainties of the world and human existence together. The dependence is thus caused by a fear that individuals will be unable to cope with these uncertainties whereas humans sharing these fears can at least confront these uncertainties together. This common bond, in short, helps human beings to deal with their confusion about the meaning of human existence better than if they pondered these questions alone. An examination of the entire play consistently reinforces these notions of companionship and dependence. Later on in the play, for example, Vladimir and Estragon are considering suicide and the pair again grow concerned that one will successfully commit suicide and the other will fail. The prospect that one of them will die and one will live is a frightening thought for both men because one will be unattended in death and the other will be unattended in life. Again, because the purpose and the meaning of human existence is unknown both in life and in death, the pair refuse to split up or pursue any action that might destroy their emotional and physical bonds. At another point in the play, Estragon states that â€Å"There are times when I wonder if it wouldn’t be better for us to part† to which Vladimir responds rather matter-of-factly â€Å"You wouldn’t go far. † (Beckett n. p. ). The play could not exist as it was intended if the pair ever did separate. The quest for purpose and the meaning of human existence is therefore a common human quest rather than an individual’s personal burden. These notions of human companionship and a shared quest are even more powerfully presented with the human pairing of Pozzo and Lucky. In their first appearance, Lucky is a slave and yet he prefers being a slave and being dependent to being set free. Lucky is ridiculed, he is called a pig, and yet he reacts angrily when someone other than Pozzo attempts to help him; more particularly, he kicks Estragon in the shins. A telling scene in this respect is when Lucky appears to faint after dancing and giving his rather incoherent speech; more particularly, Pozzo is deeply fearful at the prospect of losing his slave when he says Don’t let him go! (Vladimir and Estragon totter. ) Don’t move! (Pozzo fetches bag and basket and brings them towards Lucky. ) Hold him tight! (He puts the bag in Lucky’s hand. Lucky drops it immediately. ) Don’t let him go! (He puts back the bag in Lucky’s hand. Gradually, at the feel of the bag, Lucky recovers his senses and his fingers finally close round the handle. ) Hold him tight! (Beckett n. p. ) Even a human master is dependent on his slave, the companionship of master and slave is intimate because both fear facing the uncertainties of life alone, and like the bond that exists between Vladimir and Estragon, so too does a very real bond exist between Pozzo and Lucky. This bond is reinforced in the second act when Pozzo returns blind and his neck is tied to a rope being held by Lucky. Pozzo could not sell his slave and the slave is now leading the master. As if these two clues were not enough, Beckett included yet one more human pair to emphasize the common fears that human beings have about the purpose of their lives and the meaning of human existence. This final human pairing is the boy sent as Godot’s messenger. The boy and Godot constitute a final human pairing and the boy recounts to Vladimir and Estragon that Godot is real and that Godot â€Å"beats my brother. † (Beckett, n. p. ) Despite the beatings, the boy and his brother remain with Godot as is established at the end of the second act. This scene is also notable because it establishes that Godot exists and that the most essential human relationships are about the aforementioned human pairings rather than about Vladimir and Estragon waiting for Godot. The waiting, as it were, may simply be the context within which Beckett sought to establish the shared human bonds with respect to their confusion about the meaning of life. The question thus becomes how these dependent and mutually burdened companions ought to approach their lives. Function of Idleness: Fear of Action and Aversion to Failure In addition to their unwillingness to separate, Vladimir and Estragon seem also quite unwilling to commit to any action despite a great deal of conversation. To be sure, the play is marked almost exclusively by dialogue rather than action. The pair carry on a series of seemingly endless conversations, most of them rather childish and inane, and these conversations in the end seem to represent a rather firm commitment to making no commitments at all. Vladimir, for example, recognizes this fear of action or commitment when he says to Estragon Let us do something, while we have the chance! It is not every day that we are needed. Not indeed that we are personally needed. Others would meet the case equally well, if not better. To all mankind they were addressed, those cries for help still ringing in our ears! But at this place, at this moment of time, all mankind is us, whether we like it or not. Let us make the most of it, before it is too late! (Beckett qtd. in Brater 147) Vladimir and Estragon, for all of their apparent desire to actually meet Godot, are wholly unprepared to take any affirmative steps to actually go and locate him on their own initiative. They admit that time is passing, that they represent â€Å"all mankind†, and that it will be â€Å"too late† if they do not do something. It is this very inability to do something, an inability which they represent figuratively as all human beings, that characterizes their function in the play. There are several clues to the effect that they can find Godot if they were not inhibited or afraid in some way. First, Vladimir and Estragon have obviously followed a country road to the tree where they are waiting for Godot. The fact that they have walked this particular country road, and selected this particular tree, suggests that they know in which direction the mysterious Godot resides. Presumably, if their actions were not somehow constrained, they would simply continue walking along the same country road until they found Godot. They could ask for directions or assistance along the way and they could become more active in pursuit of their ultimate destination. The problem, however, is that both Vladimir and Estragon perhaps do not know their precise destination. The second clue to the effect that the waiting of Vladimir and Estragon is a product of their own doing rather than Godot’s apparent tardiness is the fact that a boy appears twice in the play as a messenger. The boy admits quite literally that he and his brother know Godot, that they are employed or otherwise beholden to him in certain respects, and that he will return to Godot as soon as his message has been provided to Vladimir and Estragon. Why, then, could they not have simply followed the boy home to Godot? Indeed, this is a curious question that can only be resolved if one assumes that Godot is irrelevant to the waiting. Some interpretations, it must be acknowledged, have suggested that Beckett intended Godot as God and that they boy messenger was intended as a type of angel ( Mercier 27); such an interpretation, whether accurate or not, does not undermine a thesis to the effect that the predominant theme remained man’s tentative quest to understand himself and the universe in which he lived. This is true for a couple of reasons. First, when asked whether he intended Godot as God, Beckett repeatedly stated that there was never intended to be any relationship between Godot and God. Presumably, the play’s author knows what was intended. That many interpretations have focused on Godot as God, however, is not surprising. The names are almost the same and the quest to understand the nature and the meaning of human existence necessarily implicates some questions related to God and how the universe was created. Thus, although these interpretations are somewhat rational, the evidence that can be derived from Beckett’s own statements and the play’s text taken as a whole counsel against such an interpretation. God is relevant, as one possible explanation for the meaning of human life, but Godot is no more God than Vladimir and Estragon are hoping for salvation. Godot is Godot and the human pair waiting by the tree are seeking understanding and illumination rather than salvation. Second, the play’s theme is more about the waiting and the rational underlying the waiting than it is about Godot. The entire play, to be sure, takes place in one setting. Other settings, including Godot’s, are tangential and not central features of the play’s structure. The waiting, in this respect, transcends the distant character vaguely known as Godot. One leading scholar of the play has noted how the waiting is more important than Godot by arguing that The play’s minimal plot and action are accurately described in its title: throughout the duration of the play, and throughout an undeterminable amount of time that elapses in their lives, the two central characters await an event that does not happen and may never happen. Meanwhile, necessarily, they pass away their time in some- times abrasive conversation, in chance encounters with a pair of odd passersby, and in expressions of mutual if sometimes exasperated compassion and the long-standing concern that can develop only between inseparable friends. (Hutchings 23) Taken together, the best argument that one can derive from the play’s text is that there is a dominant theme; that dominant theme, in turn, is that human beings are collectively and inseparably bound together by the fact that they do not know the purpose of the human race or the meaning of their own existence. Such a lack of knowledge encourages closer types of human dependence and simultaneously inspires caution, uncertainty, and fear. All the while, amidst this uncertainty and fear, time passes by and all human beings are faced with dying without ever having understood why they existed in the first place. Life is a tree to which we are all tethered much in the same way that Vladimir and Estragon were figuratively tethered. Conclusion In conclusion, Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot is best read as an artistic rendition of the greatest human dilemma of all time. Human beings, in this respect, are born with an imperfect knowledge of themselves and of the universe in which they exist and are expected to function. This imperfect knowledge lends itself to much speculation of the purpose and meaning of human existence, as the many religions around the world forcefully attest to, but in the end it is nothing more than idle and meaningless speculation. Godot, whether he is God or not, is irrelevant in the play. It is the waiting, the search and the confusion that all human beings share, that is the play’s common lamentation. That all of the critics tend to characterize the play as tragedy or comedy somewhat misses the play’s essential nature as a lamentation for a quest for knowledge that can never be fulfilled. We are better advised to forget Godot and get on with living rather than waiting for divine inspiration that will probably never arrive. Works Cited Beckett, Samuel. â€Å"Waiting for Godot. † Samuel Beckett. net Brater, Enoch. â€Å"The Globalization of Beckett’s Godot. † Comparative Drama 37. 2 (2003): 145+. Questia. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. Hutchings, William. Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot: A Reference Guide. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2005. Questia. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. Mercier, Vivian. â€Å"The Uneventful Event. † The Critical Response to Samuel Beckett. Ed. Cathleen Culotta Andonian. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998. 95-96. Questia. Web. 10 Dec. 2009.

Evaluation of the Companys Current Marketing Strategy Essays

Evaluation of the Companys Current Marketing Strategy Essays Evaluation of the Companys Current Marketing Strategy Essay Evaluation of the Companys Current Marketing Strategy Essay Cable TV segments their market by customers interest and need. They provide wide variety of TV plans to customers according to their interests. In short, Cable TV adopts the psychographic segmentation which divides buyers into different groups based on social class, lifestyle or personality characteristics. Variety of TV programs to suit different lifestyle and personality. For example, financial channel broadcasts up-to-date financial news is of investor typical interest. National Geographic and Discovery channels provide natural and geographic news to target on audience who like to acquire knowledge by watching TV. And most people watching Cable TV are on the purpose of entertainment only. So this is the largest and biggest segment. Also, Cable TV divides buyers into active buyer and passive buyer. It segments the market by imposing different price strategy in these two groups. For example, the price is cheaper if the sales are conducted by road show or outbound calls which they are segmented as passive buyers. In contrast, active buyers have to bear the basic price which is slightly higher then special price if it the customers directly contact Cable TV to apply for pay TV service. Targeting Cable TV mainly targets on the customers who are interested in the news, movies and sports. Nowadays, as there are an increasing number of customer demands for the informative programs, and a large number of male customers would acquire cable TV because of the broadcasting of live-sport programs while female customers would like to acquire it due to the 24 hours non-stop broadcasting of more up-dated movies and all these explain why cable would have such targeting. Product Positioning Cable TV positions its service as Pay TV equals to Cable TV. When people think of pay TV service, they would immediately think of Cable TV. To broadcast largest number of TV programs, it maintains as an industry leader in Hong Kong. Moreover, Cable TV positions its service as the best home entertainment to encourage more families to subscribe Cable TV. Marketing Mix Product The main advantage of Cable TV is provide consumer friendly service. It provides 67 24-hours non-stop broadcasting and less advertisement shown. Various channels are provided to suit different needs of users. The channels can be divided into several categories and basic and premium channels. (Exhibit 2)The main categories are sports, news and movies. Other fields include entertainment program, documentary, adventure program, adult program, and composite program for different countries. The variety programs can initiate people to acquire Cable TV service. Cable TV offers different plans for users. They are Cable TV Basic Package, Super Family Pack, Super Movie Pack, Super News Pack, We-Wet Entertainment Pack, Discovery Mega Pack, International Pack, Zee Pack and CAT6 pack. (Exhibit 3)However, these plans are not flexible and consumers cannot their favorite programs only. News channels are popular and can retain many current users due to its continuous updating and broadcasting. These news channels provide latest news and financial information in many countries. The updated information provided is extremely useful in nowadays world because of the increasing importance of service and information industry. Movies channels broadcast local and international movies. These movies are comparability new and they can satisfy many people who like watching movie. Cable TV wants to target on people who are interested in sports. It has many sports channels showing different sports events all over the world. The most attractive part of the sports channels is live and exclusive football matches of the four biggest soccer leagues in the world to satisfy users interests. Besides these three aspects, Cable TV notices people tend to know more about other countries, it introduces many international channels in recent years. There are 2 types of converters, analogue and digital converters. The rental fee is for both is the same but some of the channels can only be watched with the use of the digital converter. The variety of channels can satisfy consumer but the inefficient hotline dissatisfies consumers as it is very difficult to have direct connection to the customer service representative. Price Cable-TV offers a special monthly price for users if they prepaid one-year fee. And it offers discount to the Basic Package users to acquire other packages and premium channels. Larger discount is offered for first time users to attract them to try. For example, new users only pay $198 instead of $298 for the Basic Package in the first year of service. For different packages, they are with different prices. (Exhibit 3)However, the price of the packages is too high and this will discourage lower income group to install Cable TV. Besides the package fee, new customers need to pay rental fee of $30 for the converter. Customers can pay extra to watch the premium channels. If customers want to have one more Cable TV in their home, they need to pay extra fee for this additional outlet. The amounts of charges paid depend on the package used by customers. They need to pay extra half of the original price if they are using Basic Pack, Zee Pack, International Pack and all premium channels. They need to pay double if they use other packages. If customers want to terminate the service, Cable TV will offer a discount to attract them not to do so. This is useful as many consumers are concern with price. Promotion Booths Cable TV sets up a lot of temporary booths on new residential area to attract new customers. Very often, plans promoted from the booths are with a promotional discount, as an attraction. Owing to the large promotion coverage of the booths in Hong Kong, this promotion channel could impress consumer most. Unlike promotions on media, booths could actively reach consumers and wont be bound by media constraints. The performance of booths is fair. Although some consumers are attracted to the promotion or discount provided by these booths and initiate them to acquire Cable TV, some consumers have negative feelings toward them. Sometimes consumer may think that salesperson is annoying, as there are too much salespersons approach them in a short distance. Some say that the salespersons are immoral, they boost sales by providing untrue information induce consumer to purchase which in turn avoid consumers from renewing the contract. Door to door Promotion It is an active promotion launched occasionally in residential area, especially before big events like World Cup and Olympics. Each successful visit last around 15 to 30 minutes. It allows salesperson to have a better communication and contact with consumers, enable them to understand consumer better and take appropriate promotion words. It also enables cable TV to target those families who are not using cable TV according to the customer record. This is more cost and time effective, as only people who are interested would let salesperson to have a further conversation with them. Door to door promotion also allows information approach and stimulates consumers need at the right time. Before World Cup and Olympic, many consumers have the short-term need of getting cable TV. In addition, in home, consumer would have a better sense of security and would be more open and comfortable which constitutes a good environment for them to listen and talk to the salespersons. However, the coverage of this method is rather small, and the time cost is very high. Advertisement on Media Advertisement on media is a passive promotion. Consumers could select what they want to pay attention to and what they want to avoid. Several creative TV ads could successfully impress consumers. One interviewee could memorize the TV ads with a man singing Free Super Offer which is one year ago. Distribution Channel The distribute procedure is the consumer register first. Then salespersons will help consumer to call for installation and delivery of necessary devices. There are four ways of acquiring the service: Phone More than half of the interviewees acquire Cable TV actively by phone. Consumers reflect that the procedure is generally smooth, except they could not be directed to customer service officer when they make the call. Online download of form In Cable TV website, application form is in PDF form. Consumers could only print out the form and sent or fax back to Cable TV. This is not a user-friendly channel. Booths Except promotion, booths on street are also act as a distribution channel. As mentioned in the promotion, quality and quantity of booths should be controlled and adjusted. Door-to-door promotion Like booths on street, if the salesperson could successfully initiate consumer to acquire service through visiting their homes, they distribute the product. Recommendations Immediate actions: To increase its market shares in the industry, some strategies are applied in order to attract potential customers. Potential customers: Online Application This kind of application is very convenient and easy for the customers to use which would increase the sale by attracting more customers to apply for the services. In addition, the cost of this kind of distribution channel is also very low. But the problem is that, some strategies should be used to motivate the customers to apply Cable TV online. Promotions which can initiate consumption decision According to the survey, most of the users consider the variety of programs offered and price are the most important factors for their buying decision. As a result, it can stress on these aspects when launching promotions. Moreover, special discount period should be provided to an extent that above Just Noticeable Difference so that potential customers intention to acquire Cable TV will be increased. However, providing discounts will lead to decrease in profits and so it cannot be used as long-term strategies. Upgrade to digital converter This can help Cable TV prevent unauthorized user to free ride the pay TV service. There are some unlicensed TV converters that enable to watch Cable TV illegally. It is because the use of unlicensed TV converter will decrease current user or decrease customer intention to acquire Cable TV service. Current customers It is far more easy and profitable to retain current customers than attracting new customers. As a result, achieving customer satisfaction is very important. To achieve this, react to customer needs and so following recommendations are advised. Improve customer service As the majority of the customers dissatisfy with the customer service according to the findings. It is suggested that the number of staffs answering for phones should be increased and more training should be provided to staff to fasten the serving time and be consumer friendly. Introduce paid local film channel The findings show that the local movie channels are criticized as out-dated and repeated too frequently. However, providing latest film is costly, so it is suggested to introduce paid channel to satisfy consumer need and balance the costs. However, it has the direct competitors such as cinemas, which can give the audience better atmosphere. In addition, VCD is also anther competitor and it is very cheap and the latest films are also available. Yet, by introducing local film channel, it has the competitive advantages of convenience as the audience can just stay at home and enjoy the movie. The time and cost of searching information of customers reduces. Change to digital converter Analogue converters cannot watch some of the programs in basic plan nowadays which will dissatisfy current customers. Nevertheless, changing all converters is quite expensive and not all the users are willing to pay for the charge. Quantity of advertisements From the survey, most of the users thought that one of the advantages of Cable TV less advertisements. However, the amount of advertisements about Cable TV is increasing within the channels. It should pay attention to the quantity of advertisements to retain the customers. Launch female-favored channel Cable TV should launch a new channel targeting on the female. Programs that suit female include local shopping discount guidelines, or beauty news should be broadcasted. Long term Directions: In long run, Cable TV should improve its overall service include: Provide video-on-demand (VOD) service Video-on-demand service is a system based service that audiences can select watching any programs in any time. The new service can allow customers to enjoy a variety of programs on the interactive platform by offering more interactive application channels. The advantage of this service is that it can eliminate the restriction on the time schedule of different programs, thus it can satisfy audience instant gratification of specific TV program and they need not to wait for any time slot. In Hong Kong, people have an instant- need noodle culture which means that they demand instant food fulfillment with minimum cooking time. As the rhythm of their lifestyle is very fast, they are impatient to wait for a TV program on schedule. The disadvantage of this action is that it requires a higher cost to develop and apply this technology and Cable TV also need the technical support by other countries such as Japan and US. Channel based selection plan Consumers can acquire particular channels instead of paying a lump sum fee for a basic plan which included many channels. Base on the research, as many current basic plan users only watch a few channels and hence they would like to complain for pay the lump-sum fee. If Cable TV charges their price by the number of channels watched, people from lower income group would also apply for pay TV service due to the lower fee charged. As there are more combinations of customer to choose, Cable TV consumption plan become more flexible and consequently their market share in the pay TV service would be enlarged. However, as Cable TV provide many channels with different TV programs; consumer may not have a better understand of the nature content of that channel. So it requires more promotion effort to introduce to customer. For example, they can adopt a trail one time policy to let the potential consumer to try Cable TV service. Develop High Definition TV (HDTV) High Definition TV (HDTV) provides high quality TV picture. Now, the picture of Cable TV is restricted to 480I resolution. They can increase to 1080I resolution which is just the standard of TV resolution in Japan. Include more exclusive programs Cable TV should buy more patent from foreign TV channels and productions. To remain their high competitiveness and uniqueness, they need to provide more exclusive channels and productions which can not be broadcasted by their other direct competitors. Conclusion Cable TV, having the largest market share of pay TV service in Hong Kong, is facing increasingly keen competition since the introduction of Now Broadband TV. The main competitors changed from free TV service in the past to the broadband and other pay-TV services now. By our in-depth interview and literature review, pay TV users has an interesting characteristics and behaviours which enable us to base on the findings to suggest recommendations to help Cable TV fight against other pay TV service companies. Many competitors build up their marketing strategies from the aspects that Cable TV underperformed. Therefore, Cable TV has to revise its current marketing strategies and implements short term and long term actions that are recommended in order to maintain the market share and to the industry leader.

Match and Water in a Glass Science Magic Trick

Match and Water in a Glass Science Magic Trick This is a simple and interesting science magic trick involving fire and water. All you need is water, a glass, a plate, and a couple of matches. Pour water into a plate, light a match in the center of the dish and cover it with a glass. The water will be drawn into the glass. Match and Water Trick Materials PlateWater2 wooden matchesA quarter or other large coinColored waterNarrow glass How to Perform the Trick Pour water into the plate. I colored the water with food coloring to make it easier to see.Bend one of the matches so that you can set it in the water. Secure the match so that it is upright by setting a quarter or other small heavy object on the end of the matchstick.Use the second match to light the match that you placed on the plate.Immediately invert a glass over the burning match.The water will flow into the glass and will remain in the glass even after the match has been extinguished. How It Works The heat of the flame imparts energy to the gas trapped under the glass, raising its pressure and pushing against the water. When the flame is extinguished the air cools. Less pressure is exerted against the water, allowing it to flow into the glass.

Innovation in Gurit Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Innovation in Gurit - Case Study Example Gurit, the company is one of the leading contenders in the composite materials and solutions industry. The customer base of the company is spread all over the world. The company has three decades history of providing innovative composite materials, engineering solutions and technical support to its customers all over the world. The potential target market of the company is in the sectors of Wind Energy, Transportation, Marine and selected other application areas. The company has cutting edge over other competitors of manufacturing tailored materials according to the unique requirements of customers. These composite materials are manufactured by pre-impregnating the composite materials also known as "prepregs". Important components of composite material solutions include structural foam products, formulated resins, adhesives and gel coats. The company has continued research in order to manufacture materials having unique characteristics of minimal weight, maximal stability and stiffness combining with unlimited suitable design properties catering the needs of today's modern construction and interior decoration. "The Company has production sites in Switzerland, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom in Europe, large facilities in Canada and China as well as the support of engineering, sales and service subsidiaries in the United States of America, India, Australia and New Zealand, Gurit is excellently positioned to serve a truly global customer base" (Gurit, 2007). The Company is listed in SIX Swiss Stick exchange and have it s headquarter in Zrich/Switzerland. Market position of Gurit: Market share is a good indicator of economic growth as compare to the financial analysis and raw sales data. The business model adopted by Gurit helped the organisation in increasing the yields in 2008 by improving the cash flows and increasing the returns on capital. According to the figures presented by the Gurit management the following trends were observed: "Target market sales up 6.7% in reported CHF; up 17.8% at constant December 2008 currency translation rates; Group sales including divestment effects up 1.6% to CHF 456.2 million Operational EBIT up from CHF -4.1 million to CHF 23.9 million Net income up from CHF 1 million to CHF 17 million Net Cash flow from operations at CHF 31.1 million CHF 1.7 million net cash 2008 vs CHF 45.7 million net debt 2007 Net working capital ratio reduced from 19.6% to 14.1% Flexible staff adjustments to volatile markets in Q2, 2009" (Figures taken from http://www.gurit.com/news.aspitemid=1277&itemTitle=Financial+year+2008+earnings§ion=000100010029§ionTitle=Market+News+items+from+around+Gurit) Full year 2008 results: The company reported an increase in net sales by 1.6% or CHF 456.2 million for the year 2008. The growth of 6.7% was also reported in

Nike (Training and Development) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nike (Training and Development) - Research Paper Example The success of Nike in the industry has driven most research into the training and development processes that the company employs. In most of these research studies, the company’s culture in Nike has been pointed out as a key cornerstone in the training process of the company. In perspective, the corporate culture of the company contributes a great deal to the quality of employees that the company gets in any recruitment process, and the way in which they develop ton match the requirements of the company. In addition, it studies note that more than ever, most intellectuals in marketing and other fields desire to work for the company, notably because the brand has a unique place in the market, dressing even the most elite performers in the athletics field. What is unknown to many however is the corporate culture which the employees breathe and work from, that is the main foundation of the learning and training in the company. At the company’s headquarters in Portland, it is easy to note that every building in the compound is named after a famous athlete that the company associates with (Donnelly 44). For example, the name of Michael Jordan, one of the most famous basketball players in history stands tall in one of the buildings, to whom Nike designed the first running shoes with a sponge in their soles. Further, the name of Mia Hamm, one of the most famous women footballers in history stands in the Nike Campus, to whom the company designed various sports shoes as well as the outfit for most of the games she played. In perspective, there are more than twenty excellent athlete names in the Nike College, which builds the Nike campus with a unique competitive spirit, that enables the company’s employees to grow, get inspired and work towards maintaining the greatness of the company. Further, Nike commits itself to enable the top management to be instruments that facilitate the company’s growth. The leaders in the company are trusted to pr ovide training and learning opportunities to employees and senior managers in order to bring out the talents and capabilities that lie within them. This involves engaging the staff in a way that helps them to achieve quality and produce better output in their capacities, which may be termed as talent multiplication (Goldman, and Papson 61). Thus, the company aims at bringing the best out of their workforce through training and development of the leaders in the hierarchy of management. In addition, the company’s major headquarters in the world is endowed with state of the art gym facilities, designed for use by the employees of the company. For example, the headquarters in Oregon has adequate training facilities, that the employees attend fitness classes, perform various running exercises and bike racks, on which the employees can spend their evenings or lunch breaks practicing. The company’s human resource manager alleges that this enables the employees to live in a Ni ke Spirit, and enables the company to maintain employees who are passionate about sports and the company’s products. Nike employees therefore constitute of a team of persons who care about sports and the company benefits by instilling a culture of sports, that encourages the employees to learn more in their fields of competence in respect to the