The Tragic Lives Of Michael Corleone And John The Savage Though The E

The Tragic Lives Of Michael Corleone And John The Savage: Though The Eyes Of Joseph Campbell Brendan Tyo 10/8/01 People in literature, theater, and real life can all be viewed as tragic heroes. In order to fully understand this effect, one must observe what a man named Joseph Campbell calls the hero circle. This circle consists of specific significant stops in the hero's journey. John the Savage of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and Michael Corleone of The Godfather, both fit into Mr. Campbell's model of a heroic journey. John and Michael Corleone share similar heroic lives at their special births, small battles, and boon stages of their journeys. Both John and Corleone are born with a certain kind of power as a result of their detachment from the world that they can never fully know. John has a certain unique kind of power as son of the Director of the very society that alienates him. John shows his surprise when he discovers the truth about his father, He came in at once . . . fell on his knees in front of the Director, and said in a clear voice: 'My father' (Huxley 151). The combination of the Director as his father and his birth as a member of the savage community spark John's detachment from the London society. Corleone's desire to break away from the family's crime business is always overcome by his birth into it. On J. Geoff Malta's The Godfather internet fan page, Corleone is quoted as saying, Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in (Malta 3). This illustrates the merciless undertow of the family's organized crime business. Corleone's birth into the family continues to plague him until the very end of his j ourney. Both John and Corleone's births served as starting points for their tragic stories. While John's lack of choice of destiny detaches him from the London society, Corleone's lack of desire and passion for his occupation alienates him from the society of the family business. Though Corleone is discontent with the concrete outcomes of his birth, John is also an outsider as a result of his own. While John and Corleone both had similar births, they also faced comparable small battles in their journeys. John and Corleone both face the death of family members as tests or small battles in their journeys. John deals with the painful loss of his mother when Linda passes away. Huxley illustrates John's devastation in Chapter 14, 'Quick, quick!' He caught her by the sleeve, dragged her after him. 'Quick! Something's happened. I've killed her.' . . . The Savage stood for a moment in frozen silence, then fell on his knees beside the bed and, covering his face with his hands, sobbed uncontrollably (Huxley 206). John's actions show how traumatic Linda's death is to him, challenging him to continue his life as a tragic hero. Corleone faces the near death of his loving father after an assassination attempt. A scene analysis of The Godfather describes Corleone's tragedy and what followed, When his father is shot though, Michael takes revenge on the people who did it and becomes part of the Mafia lifestyle. When his older brother is murdered, Michael ascends to become the boss of the family, and proves to be more ruthless than his father and brother combined (Glass 1). Corleone's experiences challenge him to make a difficult choice between reason and revenge. Both John and Corleone's encounters with death serve as catalysts in becoming tragic heroes. The heroes find death testing their love and loyalty to their families. Also, each of them go through small, but difficult battles to recover from their losses including emotional breakdown for John and uncontrollable aggression for Corleone. Though John and Corleone deal with like obstacles, they also both meet similar ends to their heroic lives. In the end of each of John and Corleone's journeys, death functions as their boons. John's death is the only way he can get away from the society that plagued him. Huxley describes John's end: That evening the swarm of helicopters that came buzzing across the Hog's Back . . . 'Savage!' called the first arrivals, as they alighted from their machine. 'Mr. Savage!' (Huxley 259).

Dividend Irrelevance Theory Essay Example

Dividend Irrelevance Theory Essay Example Dividend Irrelevance Theory Paper Dividend Irrelevance Theory Paper Dividend, a periodic payment made to stockholders to compensate them for delaying consumption and for the use of and risk to their investment funds O1. A firms decisions about the dividends are often mixed up with other financing and investment decisions. Some firms pay low dividends because management is optimistic about the firms future and wishes to retain earnings for expansion. In this case the dividend is a by-product of the firms capital budgeting decision. Another firm might finance capital expenditures largely by borrowing. This releases cash for dividends. In this case the dividend is a by-product of the borrowing decision O2. Once a company makes a profit, it must decide on what to do with those profits: either continues to retain the profits within the company, or pays them out to the owners of the firm in the form of dividends. Once the company decides to pay dividends, a somewhat permanent dividend policy may need to be established, which may in turn impact on investors and perceptions of the company in the financial markets. What kind of decision is depended on the situation of the company now and in the future. It also depends on the preferences of current investors and potential investors. Fisher Black (1976) wrote: The harder we look at the dividend picture, the more it seems like a puzzle. Based on our study, this article wont cover all the aspects of Dividend Policy, but from the view of a finance director, it attempts to provide a summary report to Board of Directors, regarding some related issues on dividend policy decision making in UK market. Dividend Theories Theoretically, there are 3 typical extensions trying to explain the relationship of a firms dividend policy and common stock value: Dividend Irrelevance Theory (Miller Modigliani, 1961) O3: which is lately known as MM. This theory purports that, in a world without any market imperfections like taxes, transaction costs or asymmetric information, a firms dividend policy has no effect on either its value or its cost of capital (Figure 1. 1). Investors value dividends and capital gains equally. However, the crucial assumption here is the independence of a companys investment policy from its dividend policy. Investment policy is all that matters, since value of the firm equals present value of future cash flows. How these cash flows are split between dividends and retained earnings are then irrelevant. Given the companys investment policy, dividend policies affects only the level of outside financing required (in addition to retained earnings) to fund new investment and pay the dividend. This means that each dollar of dividends represents a dollar of capital gains lost. According to MM, the only important determinant of a companys market value is its investment policy because it is responsible for the companys future profitability. As a result, it does not matter whether the firm pays out its earnings or not. The basic contention (and recommendation) underlying the MM proposition is that manager should subordinate the dividend decision to investment decisions O4. Optimal Dividend Policy (Gorden Lintner, 1962) O5: Proponents believe that there is a dividend policy that strikes a balance between current dividends and future growth that maximizes the firms stock price. Addresses the investor preference for receiving dividends without selling stock, arguing that a capital gain in the bush is perceived as riskier than a dividend in the hand. Miller Modigliani refer to this theory as the bird in the hand fallacy, suggesting that most investors will reinvest their dividends in the same or similar firms anyway and that in the long run risk is determined by asset cash flows not dividend policy. This theory from Myron Gordon is rather an argument about investment policy than about dividends. What the Bird in the Hand-Theory is really saying is that companies paying low dividends tend to have riskier investments. For this reason and not for the low dividend perse investors discount the earnings of low dividend (and therefore risky) company more heavily. The market discounts future earnings according to the risk of the company, regardless of whether those earnings will be retained or distributed. However, what is important to recognize is that higher risk causes lower dividend, and not the reverse. Dividend Relevance Theory (Graham Dodd, 1988) O6: The value of a firm is affected by its dividend policy. The optimal dividend policy is the one that maximizes the firms value. Since dividends are taxed at higher rates than capital gains, investors require higher rates of return as dividend yields increase. This theory suggests that a low dividend payout ratio will maximize firm value. Results of empirical tests of these theories are mixed and have not led to definitive conclusions. In the less than theoretical real world, companies budget future dividend payments the same way that they budget any other cash outflow such as debt service requirements, capital expenditures, or any foreseeable demand for cash. As a result, when a board of directors sets a general dividend policy, it is often in terms of and always in consideration of projected cash flows not earnings. Thus, the internal policy might well be described as a certain percentage of cash flow, even for companies that express their policy publicly in terms of payout ratios or a percent of earnings In the real world, markets cannot be absolutely efficient or wholly inefficient. Markets are essentially a mixture of both, and daily decisions and events cannot always be reflected immediately into a market; moreover, if all participants were to believe that the market is efficient, no one would seek extraordinary profits, the force that keeps the wheels of the market turning. Semi-strong market efficiency, as indicated by Jack Treynor, holds that the market will not be always either quick or accurate in processing new information. On the other hand, it is not easy to transform the resulting opportunities to trade profitably against the market consensus into superior portfolio performance O7.

Causes of Homelessness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Causes of Homelessness - Essay Example Homelessness and poverty are inextricably related and thus is a major contributory factor as to why some people end up in the streets. People may also be homeless due to structural factors such high economy living standards, and thus the poor are unable to afford basic life needs such as housing hence ending up in the streets. Other factors may also include system failures such as those organizations responsible for management of refugees and immigrants. Combinations of these factors are the reasons why people end up in the streets .Homelessness is a major pointer of poor health and has for all time been manifested by mental problem and drug addiction issues. Despite the fact that mental illness has been identified as a major risk to homelessness, its relationship is reciprocal to homelessness. As much as mental illness contributes to homelessness, homelessness can also lead to mental illnesses such as depression and stress or intensify a mental illness that was already in existence. Substance addiction has also been associated with homelessness. Addiction and homelessness are seen as jointly reinforcing, interconnected, social troubles. Those who experience homelessness or addiction tends to share uniqueness and homelessness can be both an outcome of addiction and a catalyst for addiction.Addiction to alcohol and other drugs is the most common cause of chronic homelessness among most homeless people. Those who experience homelessness or addiction tends to share uniqueness.

Nutrition discussion Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Nutrition discussion - Case Study Example What happened in the above illustration was that the food ordered in the hospital the previous day could not be provided in time the following day. The patients needed the roast beef, but sixty-five of them ended up not getting lunch. The cooks had to work on the problem first before they began preparing the evening meal. The lateness caused general delays in the hospital as even the nurses had to wait the patients to take lunch. This operation shows how important food production is, relative to patient fulfillment. The production sheet is a record indicating the amount of a food substance and the number of patients who ordered for it. The purpose of the production sheet therefore was to clearly identify whether the problem lay in the patients or the employees. Some patients might have thought of taking roast beef twice thereby causing a shortage. Poor production control generally leads to less consumer satisfaction poor employee morale and increased employee work load. Poor production of food also increases food costs as substitute food services have to be provided and catered

What roles do interest groups play in influencing public opinion and Essay

What roles do interest groups play in influencing public opinion and the political process What kinds of interest groups are they How do they contribute to, or hinder a healthy democracy - Essay Example It is important to note that in political science, the main points of argument refer to the particular study of what individuals get, the time they are to get it and the process to be followed in getting it. This has led to many questions about how the government carries out its governance process. For instance, why does it have different tax regimes for different people and firms? Why some benefits are made available to certain groups of people and not others among others. Most of the answers to these questions in the American example depend on the political and socioeconomic processes and the work of interest groups The works of interest groups cannot be underestimated in any country; in the United States, these groups are important channels through which people express their ideas and make their views known to people they elected in governance. Citizens can always channel their views and concerns to interest groups that articulate their concerns to various arms of the government and other public institutions (Maisel 25). In the United States, interest groups find fertile grounds to advance their interests through the informal traditions and the formal structures existing in the country (Hays para 5). It is important to note that these groups find their great source of influence from the fact that political parties in the US are thought to have some weaknesses as far as tackling the interests of people in the country is concerned. Another important feature of the American political system that encourages the functioning of interest groups relates to the way political power is decentralized to various localities and states. This is known as federalism, and plays a big role in the way citizen associations begin; mostly at the local level and the state and later coming together to make strong influential groups at the national level Interest groups made up of business people and corporate groups agree that they are critical to

Sales promotions

Sales promotions In the United Kingdom, most of the companies that are known as the big advertising spenders allocate more money on sales, promotions than advertising. Due to the movement towards relationship marketing and integrated marketing communications, growth of direct mail and increasing cost, advertising lost its dominant importance over other communication mix in last two decades. The ratio of advertising budget against promotions budget is 30:70 (advertising: promotions) which was 60:40 in 1990s in UK (Kotler, 1997). This fact underlines the importance of sales promotions. However, sales promotions fail to be successful unless they are clearly targeted, well communicated and original. Companies can use sales promotions for different purposes such as: increasing a particular products usage, improving sales of existing product, retaining and rewarding loyal customers and helping to introduce new products, data capturing. Depending on the time and the way that these sales promotions methods are employed, they could be tactical or strategic tools (Pickton Broderick, 2001). More often sales promotions are used as tactical tools to have short term outcomes- for example, as a response to competitors activity or improving the sales of a product or service. Alternatively, some sale promotional techniques can be combined with customer relationship management programmes which seek more strategic and long term approaches (Hackley, 2005). For example, free samples and contest entry forms are used to capture customer information in order to create a customer database which adds value to business as importance of direct database marketing is rapidly increasing. Furthermore, cus tomer retention programs and rewarding loyal customers with sales promotions assist to create a brand loyalty over long run. Mintels (2008) report discovered that high street pubs and bars spend more money on sales promotions than any other communication mix. Particularly with the effects of credit crunch, reluctance of spending money on alcoholic drinks and night-outs made it indispensible to lower prices or add extra value through sales promotions to lure potential customers. This is one of the most important reasons why sales promotions became very important in bar industry in recent times. In order to retain customers, some bars and restaurants started to give price cuts, 2 for 1 offers and meal deals. To respond to competitors move and overcome the reluctance of spending money on entertainment, other bars and restaurants also used sales promotions. This current economic climate created a great opportunity for bars and restaurants to gain competitors customers by the way of using sales promotions to bring customers in to experience their service. If they can make good use of the opportunity, those cust omers can be loyal customers. Marketing communications are vital for a companys success. Regardless what product or service is offered by an organization, messages should be sent to potential customers through marketing communication methods. In most cases, combinations of those methods are used in marketing plan. Product life cycle is a tool that helps managers to plan their communication mix. Sales promotions can be employed in each stage of a product or services life cycle. Sales promotions help to strengthen the messages that are sent through advertising, public relations and other promotional activities. However, their purpose of use depends on what stage they are used. In introduction stage, they tend to encourage potential customers to try the service in order to create awareness. In growth and maturity stages, the main aim of the sales promotions is to build brand loyalty and reinforce the messages (Varey, 2002) that are given in introduction stage and increase the usage of a product or service. More in d epth uses and analysis of product life cycle will be discussed in chapter 2 and chapter 4. Pitcher Piano, a bar chain with branches located throughout the UK and owned by Marstons Public Limited Company, is one of the many bar chains which emphasise the importance of sales promotions by employing these tools as both a tactical and a strategic tool very often. There are three types of sales promotions: customer sales promotions, trade sales promotions and employee sales promotions (Wright, 2000). This study will mainly focus on customer sales promotions. The purpose of this research is, by using relative literature on the topic and with the help of primary data, to examine the usage of customer sales promotions and the methods and discover whether these methods are used to influence a service or brands performance in bar industry in short term or long term. 1.3 Brief Background of Pitcher Piano Pitcher Piano is a bar chain with branches located throughout the UK. Since 1996, the brand operates as a part of Marstons Public Limited Company. The first Pitcher Piano was opened in 1986 in Fulham. When Pitcher Piano Fulham opened its doors to public, it was one of the first wine bars in the UK. This new wine bar concept was an alternative to traditional British pub culture. The concept became very popular and over time other brands like All-Bar-One, Slug Lettuce emerged. There are 27 Pitcher Piano bars around UK now. Recently, company decided to sell some of their branches in London in order to focus on the branches where the venues are owned by the company and that are profitable. Main competitors of Pitcher Piano are All-Bar-One, Slug Lettuce, Grand Union and Living Room. Pitcher Piano bars offer a wide range of wines, spirits and beers as well as party snacks and food. Even though Pitcher Piano bars all operate under the same brand name each bar has its own strengths tailored to the customers demand in the area. While some are led by food sales, others are renowned for their party atmosphere and drinks. Hence, individual branch has its own promotions which are decided by house general manager depending on their customer base and target. In 2004, to help government to tackle increasing binge-drinking related crime, along with some of other pub groups, the company decided not to consider Happy Hours or similar promotions campaigns (Evening Standard, 2004). However, heavy competition, current economic climate and plans for creating customer database for direct marketing pushed the company to use sales promotions methods again. 1.4 Rationale of the Chosen Topic During the current economic climate, most companies use sales promotions to encourage recession-hit people to spend money on their products and services. In this context, the bar industry is one of the most interesting industries since the priority of entertainment lost its place to the primary needs such as satiating hunger. Therefore, it caused bar industry to employ sales promotions as tactical tools extensively. Particularly, in bar industry, heavy competition made it compulsory to use sales promotions in order not to lose customers to other bars at the same time attract competitors customers. Furthermore, having worked in bar industry for five years, out of which 4 years in Pitcher Piano, the researcher has gained knowledge and understanding of various usages of marketing communication mix, particularly, sales promotions in bar industry. This experience also helped the researcher to observe how the company reacts to internal and external changes. Even though sales promotions are common tools employed by marketers as a tactical weapon, it has become more complex and also interesting for the researcher to analyse them during the current economic climate within bar industry. That is the main reason why the topic, which is to examine methods of sales promotions employed by Pitcher Piano and analyse effects of these methods on the companys performance, was chosen to. This research will help the researcher to gain a valuable knowledge about marketing the communication mix and more importantly, sales promotions. 1.5 Aims and Objectives of Research The main aim of the research is to explore different methods of sales promotions, when and where to use appropriate methods, either as a strategic tool or tactical tool, and understand their pros and cons in the hospitality industry. In order to understand the methods, this research will evaluate the above mentioned bar Pitcher Piano that use sales promotion frequently. In this context, the objectives of this research can be described as follow; To find out what kind of sales promotions used by Pitcher Piano, To evaluate the outcomes of the employed sales promotion techniques, To assess the effectiveness of the given methods and suggest areas in need of improvement where necessary, To analyse the use of sales promotion in the context of tactical or strategic tools. 1.6 Significance of the Study This research provides several significances such as; This research will provide information to marketers on the uses of consumer sales promotion in bar industry and help them to have an understanding of some of the consumer sales promotion methods. This research can help other researches on this particular topic, sales promotion and related topic. In general, the usage of sales promotion amongst all communication mix is rapidly increasing, particularly in bar industry, in the UK. However, sales promotion always perceived as a supporting activity of advertising and public relations. Many academics underlined its efficiency of achieving short term goals. Nevertheless, its long term impacts have been ignored. Although the debate is on-going whether sales promotions are strategic or tactical tool, in the context of question industry examined in this research, they can be specifically interpreted as strategic tools in such activities as building customer database, encouraging trial use and repeat purchase. 1.7 Brief Structure of the Study This study consists of 5 sections. Each section includes some explanations and opinions to help enlightening the subject matter. This study attempts to find out the uses of customer sales promotion in bar industry and whether these promotions are employed as tactical or strategic tool. Chapter 1: This chapter contains the introduction on the changing nature of sales promotion within promotion mix and a brief view on related models and topics. This chapter also includes the usage and the importance of sales promotions in brief and succinct background information about Pitcher Piano. Finally, aims and objectives, rationale and significance of the study are covered in this section. Chapter 2: In this chapter, all current and related topics are examined. Different opinions that have been expressed by academics on strategic uses of sales promotion are discussed. Furthermore, various consumer sales promotion methods, communication methods in service industry, importance of sales promotions in direct marketing and usage of product life cycle for promotional mix are explained with the help of existing vast literature on these topics. Chapter 3: This chapter explains the methodology that is employed by researcher while doing this research. Approaches of the researchers and the methods adopted to collect and analyse the primary data are critically argued. Finally, shortcomings which are faced by researcher in the research process are included in this chapter. Chapter 4: This chapter represents the analysis of the data collected and the findings of this research. In this chapter, it is also focused on that to what extend the findings are related to the literature review. The researcher also Chapter 5: This chapter includes conclusions and recommendations. Conclusions are made with the help of literature review, analysis and the primary data. Recommendations were given to bar industry to advise on the strategic use of sales promotion methods. 2. LITERATURE REVIEW This section will attempt to explain the current argument on the topic and present different views by academics. It will help to understand concepts and models relating to sales promotion in the context of question as well. However, the usage of these models and concepts in practice will be related in data analysis section with the help of observed examples and primary data. 2.1 Sales Promotions 2.1.1 Sales Promotion and Current Debate on Sales Promotion Sales promotion is one of the four aspects of promotional mix along with advertising, personal selling and public relations. Sales promotions which, are also known as below the line promotions, are methods that are used by marketers to attract consumers. Sales promotions have been in use in trading for a long time. Shopkeepers and stallholders had been employing on the spot offers to convince people to purchase a product (Mullin and Cummins, 2008). Sales promotions are, traditionally, defined in the most textbooks as activities such as deals, discounts, coupons, loyalty programs, refunds, contest, sampling and special displays that are encouraging the target audience to act in a particular way by reducing the perceived value of the product being promoted usually to achieve short term goals (Fill, 2006; Pickton and Broderick, 2001). According to Institute of Sales Promotion (2004; cited in Yeshin, 2006, p1), sales promotion is defined as a planned and implemented marketing activity that both enhances product and service appeal and changes customer behaviour positively in return for an additional benefit for purchase or participation. Lamb et al. (2004, p323) also interpret sales promotion as generally a short run tool used to stimulate immediate increase in demand. Most definitions underpinned the immediate encouragement to buy the product and service at the time. Nevertheless, the definitions do not convey the same message whe ther it has short term or long term effects. Most of the definitions above agree that sales promotion is a short term tool. Similarly, Shimp (2000, p508) considers that sales promotion has a short term nature by stating that in contrast to advertising, which typically, though not always, is relatively long term in orientation and best suited to enhancing buyer attitudes and augmenting brand equity, promotion is more short-term oriented and capable of influencing behaviour (rather than just attitudes or intensions). Fill (2006, p635) is another supporter of this school of thought. He believes that just as advertising seeks to work over the long term, sales promotion can achieve short term upward shifts in sales. When comparing advertising and sales promotion, Kotler (2008, p85) underlined that whereas advertising offers a reason to buy a product or service, sales promotion offers reasons that would achieve immediate sale. However, Yeshin (2006) opposes to the views stated above and claims that objectives of sales promotion have dramatically changed in recent years. Wilmshurt and Macay supported Yeshin (2006) by stating that companies have increasingly realized, however, that whilst sales promotion has tactical uses it has strategic implications (2002, p211). According to Gupta et al. (1997 cited in Yeshin, 2006), many empirical researches have focused on identifying short-term effects of sales promotion. Thus, most practitioners and, in particular, academics failed to see long term effects of sales promotion. Schultz et al. suggested that sales promotion can be strategic by stating sales promotions are marketing and communications activities that change the price / value relationship of a product or service perceived by the target, thereby generating immediate sales and altering long term brand value (1998, p7). Kotler and Armstrong (2008, p502) suggest that in general, rather than creating only shor t term sales or temporary brand switching, sales promotions should help to reinforce the products position and build long term customer relationship. In addition, they (Kotler and Armstrong, 2008, p.502) claim that if properly designed, every sales promotion tool has the potential to build both short term excitement and long term consumer relationship. Mullin and Cummins (2008) believe that a good sales promotion should prompt a customer to consider a product or service and help them to make a decision after the promotion campaign. Brassington and Pettitts (2003, p720) definition covers all the characteristics of sales promotion. They believe sales promotion is a range of tactical marketing techniques designed within a strategic marketing framework to add value to a product or service in order to achieve specific sales and marketing objectives. This extra value may be of a short-term tactical nature or it may be part of a longer-term franchise-building programme. Finally, Boone and Kurtz (2001, p509) noticed the shift in the usage of sales promotion in recent years by stating that today, however, marketers recognize them as integral parts of many marketing plans, and the focus of sales promotion has shifted from short-term to long-term goals of building brand equity and maintaining continuing purchase. They supported their argument with frequent-flyers programs that can create a base of loyal customers. It should be noted that sales promotion is a great tool to get immediate affects. However, sales promotions capability of creating a long term affects should not be ignored. While the debate, whether sales promotion is short term or long term, is still on-going, the use of sales promotion has increased enormously in last two decades. Smith and Taylor state that the importance of sales promotions over advertising have been increased because of various reasons which are; a)the movement towards relationship marketing, b) the growth of direct mail, c) the emergence of promotion-literate consumers who expect promotions with certain product types, d) during recessions, price-conscious customers search for value-for-money promotions, e) powerful retailers favour suppliers whose products sell quickly, f) high television advertising costs force marketing managers to look for more cost effective below-the-line tools. (Smith and Taylor, 2004 p. 356) Even though they are widely used by many companies, some academics disagree to use them extensively. Many of them underline the facts that extensive and repetitive promotions of a product can damage the brand value, sales and cash flow (Schultz et al., 1998). 2.1.2 Strengths and Weaknesses of Sales Promotions Each communication mix can accomplish a certain objective that other elements cannot (Burnett and Moriarty, 1998; Shimp 2000). For example, advertising cannot change a product or services sales trend in short term however sales promotion can. What sales promotion is capable of accomplishing; Motivate sales force to sell a new, improved or mature product. When personal selling methods becomes boring and monotonous, exciting sales promotions can stimulate sale forces enthusiasm and make the job easier for them (Shimp, 2000). Stimulate sales in maturity stage of a product or service. By changing price / value relationship, it can encourage more people to use a product or service (Schultz et al., 1997). Counteract a competitors communication campaign. Competitors advertising and sales promotion campaign can be neutralized by using counter sales promotion campaigns (Shimp, 2003). Encourage consumers to try a new service or product (Fornell et al., 1985). When a product or service is being introduced into the market, it is very important to encourage people to experience it (Mela et al., 1997). Consumers would not know if the product or service is high-quality unless they try it. Many consumers would not try a new product without any sales promotion activity. Retain existing customers through repeat purchases. Sales promotion can be used to prevent existing customers to go to competitors. Shimp, (2000, p516) states that strategic use of sales promotion can encourage at least short-run repetitive purchasing. Besides short-term repetitive purchasing, continuous sales promotion programs such as loyalty card scheme encourage customers to repeat purchase. Reinforce the messages given with advertising and public relations campaigns. Sales promotion can be a main tool for an organizations communication plan. However, it can also help to emphasise messages given with any other communication tools (Burnett and Moriarty, 1998). Help to build a customer database. The importance of direct marketing is increasing. In order to build a database to contact consumers directly, sales promotion are used to capture their contact details. Some sales promotions require customers to provide their details in return of a free products or discounts (Mullin and Cummins, 2008). What sales promotion is not capable of accomplishing; Inability to change opinion about an undesired product or service. Consumers would not purchase a product or service if they do not like it. Sales promotion usually will fail to help to compensate a low quality product or bad service (Boone and Kurtz, 2001). Unable to compensate for poor advertising. Sales promotions cannot fix a problem caused by weak brand image or lack of brand awareness. It can help in the short run. However, it is unrealistic to expect a good result in long run. Sales promotions can have negative effects on long term (Jedidi et al., 1999). If sales promotion is used repeatedly, it can create confusion on perceived value of a product or service. Thus, customers would not buy the product or service once the promotion is over and wait for the new promotion. 2.1.3 Consumer Sales Promotions and Methods According to Fill (2006), sales promotions are used for various reasons such as reaching new customers, reducing distributor risk, rewarding behaviour, retention, adding value and assisting segmentation. There are three types of sales promotions depending on who they target: consumer sales promotions, trade sales promotions and employee sales promotions (Srinivasan and Anderson, 1998; Wright, 2000; Fill, 2006; Boone and Kurtz, 2001). The focus of this study will be on consumer sales promotions, as it is mentioned in Chapter 2 and on discovering what types of sales promotions methods are used by Pitcher Piano and whether they are tactical or strategic. Pickton and Broderick define consumer targeted sales promotion as pull promotional activities designed to encourage demand by end-customers that will pull products through distribution channels (2001, p539). Objectives of sales promotion and analysis of whether the objective is strategic or tactical are given in the Table-1. Consumer targeted promotions are used for improving sales of existing products, encouraging repeat purchase, trial of new products and brand loyalty, giving a response to competitors move and capturing customer database information. There are different tools of consumer targeted promotions. The most popular and widely used ones are sampling, couponing, premiums, money-off, bonus-packs, prize draws and refunds. However, Pitcher Piano uses sampling, premiums (2 for 1s, 3 for 2s), money-off and contests and sweepstakes more often, for example, last summer, Pitcher Piano customers could win Bacardis global music festival tickets on completion of registration forms (Appendix 1). Price-offs offer consumer discount on the regular price of a product. They are used to accomplish different objectives. They can be used to reward the existing customers. In this case, price-offs collaborated with loyalty card schemes (Hobbs and Rowley, 2008). Another use of price-offs is to encourage consumers to stockpile the product. It is a good way of pre-empting competitors. Those customers who stockpiled the product are out of marketplace until they consume the product. They would not buy competitors brand during that time (Shimp, 2000). Price-offs can be offered to customers on a specific time of the day. For example, happy hours in pubs and bars is a good example of it. The objective behind is that to pull the customers inside the venue at slow periods to increase volume (Reid and Bojanic, 2006). Combination offers or bundling are one of the most popular methods that are employed by restaurant and bar industry (Kotler et al., 1996). Two or more products or services are combined together and offered on a price that would be more if they are purchased separately. Such examples are restaurants 3 course meal deals, two for one deals and drink and meal at a specific price deals. 2.1.3.2 Premiums Premiums are products or services that are offered free or at relatively low cost when buying a product; such as buy a meal get the drinks free or purchase this meal and get a baseball cap free (dAstous Jacob, 2002). Premiums are typically given to consumers as a reward for behaving in a particular way, usually visiting a store or buying a product or service (Burnett and Moriarty, 1998). They can also be used to add value to product and represent an advantage over competitors products (Pickton and Broderick, 2001). The main target of premiums is to encourage the trial of a product. There are two types of premiums which are direct premiums and mail premiums. Incentives are provided at the time of the purchase with direct premiums. Direct premiums can be given to customers in the store, be placed with the package, be inserted in the package or the container itself can be the premium (Yeshin, 2006). Mail premiums require consumers to provide a proof of purchase of a product or service before being handed. Some of the mail premiums are given free after the customer sending the proof of purchase and some requires customers to save a specific number of coupons or special labels (Burnett and Moriarty, 1998). 2.1.3.3 Sampling Sampling means offering standard or trial-sized samples of a product for free or at a reduced price in order to either create an awareness of a new product / service or increase the consumption of an existing one (Shimp, 2003). Sampling is usually used to aid when a new product or service is launched. Although it is very effective, it is the most expensive way of introducing a product or service. If the consumers are not targeted properly, the losses can be big (Kotler et al., 1996). Thus, companies should avoid giving samples to consumers who would never purchase the product or service in future. Samples are widely used in hospitality sector as well (Reid and Bojanic, 2006). Some restaurants and bars offer samples of their potential customers or people whose opinion is respected in the area. One of the reasons for that is to create a positive word of mouth about the service. 2.1.3.4 Coupons Coupons are the legal certificates by manufacturers that offer customers discount when buying a specified products (Schultz et al., 1998). They can be mailed or emailed (direct mail), given with newspapers, magazines or with another product. According to Kotler et al. (1996), coupons are very popular in restaurant and bar industry. Srinivasan and Anderson (1998) suggest that the value of the discount should be decided very carefully. If the face value is low, consumers are reluctantly to redeem the coupons. However, if the face value is raised, more people redeem it on a price lower than they would have redeemed. Moreover, excessive uses of the coupons can make customers feel they are getting poor value, if they purchase the product or service without a coupon. 2.1.3.5 Contests and Sweepstakes Different forms of competitions such as contests, sweepstakes, prize draws, where they can win a prize without having to spend extra money, are used in order to attract customers (Boone and Kurtz, 2001). This kind of competitions creates an excitement amongst consumers. A sweepstake is a sales promotion technique where customers are required to submit their names and e-mails in a drawing in which they have the chance to win cash, trips or a product or service. The winners are determined purely on the basis of their luck (Egan, 2007). Because of its low cost comparing with other methods, simplicity and ability to accomplish a variety of marketing objectives, the usage of sweepstakes have increased recently (Shimp, 2000) Contests are also another technique for sales promotion. Unlike the sweepstakes, in order to win a prize, contestants compete with others on the basis of skills or ability (Fill, 2006). They are usually asked a contest problem or proof of purchase. The winners are sele cted by judges. Regardless the type of sales promotion, all the sales promotion campaigns should go through an ethical consideration. Consumer oriented promotions such as coupons, contests and premium offers fail to be ethical if the consumers are promised a reward for acting in a certain way wished by promoter and the reward is never given (Shimps, 2000). For example, contests that are making people believe the winning odds are high when they actually are not or lowering the quantity or quality of a product or service when they are on promotion and advertising it as normal. Consumers can also be guilty of unethical behaviour. For example, filling coupons with fictitious names and addresses in order to get the reward. 2.2 Marketing Communications and Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Marketing communication is an important aspect of an organizations overall marketing mission and key determinant of its success. Marketing communication is the process of reaching and acknowledging target audiences about a product or service. According to Thomas and Housden, there are four main objectives of marketing communications which are to initiate a relationship (prospecting), to develop the relationship into a sales transaction (conversion), to maintain the relationship (loyalty building) and to resurrect a lapsed relationship (re-activation) (2002, p13). Companies apply different approaches and methods in order to communicate with their target audiences. Advertisements, salespeople, store signs, point-of-purchase displays, product packages, direct-mail marketing, publicity releases, sponsorships, sales promotions are all various forms of communication devices for marketers (Shimp, 2000). All these devices are used to create awareness or to promote a product or service. Any activity that an organization is involved in can deliver messages to their consumers. These messages can either be planned or unplanned. Planned messages are sent to consumers through communication mix. Unplanned messages would include all other communications such as store cleanliness, distributors, employee attitudes and the exterior surroundings of your business, in other words, any elements related with the company that are capable of delivering implicit messages. For example, unfriendly bartender, dirty glasses in a bar, untidy back bar can all deliver negative messages that can have more impact than all the planned marketing communication messages (Burnett and Moriarty, 1998). The term marketing communication mix and promotion mix from 4Ps of marketing mix are used interchangeably in existing literature. Therefore, they are also used interchangeably throughout this research. In 1980s, many academics and practitioners treated each communication tool as separate and distinct. This approach, sometimes, could create some confusion for customers. For example, messages from advertising campaign could fail to match with the messages from public relations campaign, since the sources of the messages were different. Thus, this could give two different messages to consumers about the same product, servic

My Suicide :: personal narrative

Everyone hates me for what I am. They all think I am strange. They stare as if i were the main attraction at a freak show. I hate myself for what i am not: social, outgoing and happy. No one would miss me if I died. I cannot take the torment of living in this world anymore. I would be better off dead! I sit on bed in my candle-lit room, the black velvet curtains drawn shut. The smoke from the burning incescents swirls throughout the room the in the pale flickering light. The melancholy sounds of Nine-Inch-Nails softly echoes in the corners. Depressed, I wonder what is wrong with me? Why does everyone make fun of me? Why do I not any friends? How come no one cares about me? I need an escape from the insanity of my own mind? Death, it is most people's worst fear; however, it is the only thing that will liberate me from this hell on earth. In my hand I hold the key to my freedom, a razor blade. In awe I analyze the razor: it's sterile, machine precise metal, cutting edge. It is more beautiful than anything nature could produce. Holding it with my right index finger and thumb, I place it's razor edge upon my left wrist. It glistens in the candles' flames. I stare as the shadows of the razor dance like ghosts on my forearm. I apply pressure down on the blade until the skin depresses under the metallic edge. Slowly I apply more pressure. My skin separates beneath the razor edge and the blade sinks into my flesh. Fascinated I raise my arm to my eyes. There is no blood, despite the fact that there is a piece of metal embedded in my wrist. I lower my arm back down and again grasp the razor blade with my right hand. I slide the razor's edge along my arm, away from my wrist, and then remove the blade from out of my arm. The razor had left a clean three and a half inch surgical incision, starting a couple of centimeters back from the bottom of my palm. Throughout all of this I did not feel a thing. Finally, blood slowly beads up along the slit. Instantaneously the cut splits open into a deep crevice. Blood gushes out from the wound, pouring onto my satin bed sheets. My Suicide :: personal narrative Everyone hates me for what I am. They all think I am strange. They stare as if i were the main attraction at a freak show. I hate myself for what i am not: social, outgoing and happy. No one would miss me if I died. I cannot take the torment of living in this world anymore. I would be better off dead! I sit on bed in my candle-lit room, the black velvet curtains drawn shut. The smoke from the burning incescents swirls throughout the room the in the pale flickering light. The melancholy sounds of Nine-Inch-Nails softly echoes in the corners. Depressed, I wonder what is wrong with me? Why does everyone make fun of me? Why do I not any friends? How come no one cares about me? I need an escape from the insanity of my own mind? Death, it is most people's worst fear; however, it is the only thing that will liberate me from this hell on earth. In my hand I hold the key to my freedom, a razor blade. In awe I analyze the razor: it's sterile, machine precise metal, cutting edge. It is more beautiful than anything nature could produce. Holding it with my right index finger and thumb, I place it's razor edge upon my left wrist. It glistens in the candles' flames. I stare as the shadows of the razor dance like ghosts on my forearm. I apply pressure down on the blade until the skin depresses under the metallic edge. Slowly I apply more pressure. My skin separates beneath the razor edge and the blade sinks into my flesh. Fascinated I raise my arm to my eyes. There is no blood, despite the fact that there is a piece of metal embedded in my wrist. I lower my arm back down and again grasp the razor blade with my right hand. I slide the razor's edge along my arm, away from my wrist, and then remove the blade from out of my arm. The razor had left a clean three and a half inch surgical incision, starting a couple of centimeters back from the bottom of my palm. Throughout all of this I did not feel a thing. Finally, blood slowly beads up along the slit. Instantaneously the cut splits open into a deep crevice. Blood gushes out from the wound, pouring onto my satin bed sheets.

Advantages for Having a Dog.

Dogs, simply put, are a man’s best friend. These animals are extremely loving and loyal. Both humans and dogs are happier when they are around each other. A lot of dog owners make their dogs part of their family, treating them as one of their children. Numerous benefits come to owners: responsibility, companionship, mental health benefits. The top reason people adopt or bring a dog into their lives is for companionship. When I had a dog, I came home from school to find him waiting by the front door, wagging his tail in the most happy fashion.I did not know if he was so animated because he had done something in the house or he really needed to go outside to relieve himself, but it made me happy knowing he was there. Being with my dog, I never felt alone; in fact, just walking from room to room in my house, I was always followed. In a funny way, my dog was like my very own stalker or sidekick. The loyalty of dogs is amazing; they always want to be by your side, even when you hav e had a bad day or are just feeling down. When you bring a dog into your life, you also take on commitment and the responsible tasks of chores for your dog.My Dad always told me that in addition to playing with him, I had to learn to take responsibility for walking, feeding, and grooming our dog. Teaching me this early in my childhood showed me the importance of caring for and taking care of my belongings, as well as a living creature. Taking my dog to the park is a great ice breaker with women, since seeing that I take care of my dog shows that I can take care of my own life. When I took that step to own a dog, it affected my mental and emotional well-being.I never had that feeling of being alone, with that I was always grateful for having my companion along with me. I researched the health benefits of having a dog as a pet and being alone all the time can lead to depression by having a dog, can help cure the depressed state that you may experience. Also medically the brain release s serotonin and dopamine hormones which give moments of pleasure and calmness. I felt happier in which gave me a better mental wellness, but who wouldn’t want a lower stress level in their lives.If you are not ready to commit to taking care of an animal like a dog because it is too expensive or it is just too big of a commitment, then perhaps this is not the best plan for you. Making the decision to bring a dog into your home is life-changing, and has to be one you are ready for, like buying a new car or finding a new girlfriend. Dogs are calming, accepting animals that offer unconditional love and kindness, as well as many health benefits. So, if bringing a dog into your life is what you want, you will not regret it at all.

Ways to Discipline

There are many simple ways that parents can help encourage their child’s development from an early age. Learning how to effectively discipline your child is an important skill that all parents need to learn. â€Å"To get what we want in life, we have to do what we have never done.† (Derrick 25). Whether the parent is traditional, a stay home parent, or a fulltime worker, the most precious thing a parent can give his or her kids is their time. Here are some ways to discipline, educate, and spend quality time with your children. It is very important to educate your child to succeed. First of all, build up their confidence and ensure that they are happy children. Fuel their imagination by reading bedtime stories. Roy Derrick’s research found that children who are regularly told stories have a better vocabulary, have more idea of sentence structure, and sense of stories (126). Also, nurture their creative skills through play. Some activities can help; like building with plastic bricks, painting, or simply creating items can help a child to build up their confidence. Here are some ways to discipline your children. Avoid physical punishment; it can make your child more aggressive and angry. Also, remember to always give rewards and praise them for good behavior, that way they will know you are happy when they behave well. â€Å"Because of their size, children may be difficult to discipline properly† (Rourke 38). Most importantly, provide your child with a safe environment in which they feel secure and loved. Discipline means to teach and train children family values, right from wrong, to respect the rights of others, and how they are to behave or not behave. Discipline is a positive parenting skill that emphasizes nurturing, guidance, teaching and training that builds a child’s self-confidence and teaches self-control and behavior management. The better you are with discipline, the less you will have to punish (Lin 45) Try to spend some quality time with your kids. Most parents work all day and do not give their child the time they deserve. There are many easy ways to be there with them, like helping them with homework. Make it fun and interesting for them. Plan a picnic, kids love to be outdoor where there is food, games, and they enjoy spending time with family and friends. â€Å"Your children need your presence more than anything else†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Jackson 42). Growing a garden with your child is also interesting and different from other activities, but they will enjoy getting their hands dirty and being accompanied by you. In conclusion, spending quality time with your kids helps both the parent and child to be more open with one another. Also, educating your child to succeed from the early age, will be an advantage for them in the future. Last of all, to discipline your children with the correct manners, it is important for them and yourself as a parent. Remember to always be there for them when they need you, and you will be a great parent.

The Distribution of Power at Gateshead in Jane Eyre Essay Example

The Distribution of Power at Gateshead in Jane Eyre Essay Example The Distribution of Power at Gateshead in Jane Eyre Essay The Distribution of Power at Gateshead in Jane Eyre Essay Essay Topic: Jane Eyre At Gateshead, the Reed family holds power over Jane Eyre. The Reeds power comes in several forms, including limiting Janes social contact as well as bullying her. The Reeds also psychologically abuse Jane by attacking her value. Mrs. Reed does not allow Jane to interact with her cousins saying that not until, by her own observation that I was endeavoring in good earnest to acquire a more sociable and child-like disposition, she really must exclude me from privileges intended only for contented, happy, little children. (p.7) This line not only shows the limit of Janes social contact, but also her exclusion from the family as well as a psychological attack against her. Janes cousin John is the member of the Reed family that physically holds power over her. He bullied and punished me: not two or three times in the week, nor once or twice in the day, but continually: every nerve I had feared him (p.10) Up until Janes fight with John, she was expected to remain silent until she could sp eak pleasantly, she also took all of her abuse without reply. Throughout Johns bullying, Janes, care was how to endure the blow which would certainly follow the insult. (p.10) She realizes that reacting will do her no good and that is shown when she does react to John throwing the book at her, Mrs. Reed punished her by sending her to the red-room, while it appears that John receives no punishment. Jane is also reminded of how she is not apart of the Reed family. When John finds her reading he tells Jane that, You have no business to take our books: you are a dependant, mama says: you have no money; your father left you none; you ought to beg, and not to live here with gentlemens children like us. (p.11) Once Jane does gain hope of leaving the Reeds household, the Reeds begin to act curler towards her. Janes social interaction is further red

Quality in customer focussed operations Assignment

Quality in customer focussed operations - Assignment Example Its cost control techniques, details of operational process and incessant product development, along with the corporate attributes, have aided the company to maintain a lower price for customers. During the period of global expansion, it has lowered price of products on an average of 2%-3%. As of January 2014, the company owns around 349 stores across 43 countries. It has been recorded that the company had sold products, amounting to $23.1 billion, in 2010. It is identified that sales of the company has increased by 7.7% from the previous year. The company website displays over 12,000 products to customers, along with clear pictures of IKEA range of products, in order for the latter to gain interest in the company products. The number of visitors, who visit IKEA’s website every day, has been recorded to about 470 million in 2013. It has been identified that in 2013, IKEA has been the largest user of wood, as the company has been noted to use about 1% of the total wood availabl e on the earth. IKEA concentrates on selling wide range of products. The company sells nearly everything, which are required for furnishing a home, including furniture, plants, toys, kitchens and many more. The products, which are provided by them, have unique styles and the function of good quality and style is complimenting products to become most attractive and satisfy customers need. The company accepts the challenge of producing products at a lower price. Any company can make higher quality products at a high price, but IKEA provides its customers with the best quality, along with the lowest price possible, on the product. To provide high quality products at low prices, the company has undertaken cost effective and innovative techniques, which have made them strong enough to rule the retail market with confidence. The whole production process has been reviewed by designers, which has brought in new packing methods and such, thereby reducing cost of manufacturing. The

Context Analysis and IMC Recommendation Assignment

Context Analysis and IMC Recommendation - Assignment Example Mainly Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) technique will be used to serve the purpose. Different techniques of marketing communication can be used by VOLVO, but selecting a communication strategy which has right blend of clarity, large communication impact and consistency can be a challenging task. The next half of the project will discuss about the features of the product. VOLVO MOVE is a seven-sitter MPV which has already won NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) status according to European safety standard. Fuel consumption rate is very low for this car and applications like satellite navigation and park assist facilities are also offered along with their standard model. Moreover, the product is also priced at an affordable rate of ?24, 995. VOLVO has also successfully positioned itself as a car that offers safety and durability to the customers. SWOT analysis for VOLVO MOVE Strength VOLVO is perceived as a reliable and durable brand that manufactures durable cars. The company gives high value for safety and. Likewise in the process of manufacturing MOVE; the company has implemented all such measures. VOLVO has already created a group of customers who strive for safety and in the same way their new product can target the families and elderly people. Weakness Factor like traditional design can create a negative image in the mind young people and unknowingly VOLVO is de-marketing their product for their target young customer (D'Amico, â€Å"Demarketing e turismo sostenibile†). VOLVO lacks the technology to design stylish cars which is the reason why they cannot compete with the car brands like BMW, Cadillac and Lexus in terms of style quotient. Opportunity VOLVO MOVE can change its marketing strategy by using social media marketing to fulfil the primary intention of spreading their message for test driving. VOLVO MOVE can enhance technical features along with better design. VOLVO can use their previously satisfied customer groups to generate word of mouth promotion via online social interaction. Threat VOLVO is not a premium car brand and rather it competes with car brands like Infinity, Lexus and others. VOLVO MOVE has to change their marketing communication strategy constantly otherwise their competitor can copy their move. VOLVO MOVE needs to improve their research and development program on a regular basis to match with customer’s requirement. There is a threat for the car brand in the form of its old fashioned design. However it needs to change with respect to time. Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) IMC is a strategic marketing communication technique and it represents four types of marketing communication modes. 1. General Advertising-General Advertising creates awareness about the brand and provides information to customers about different aspects and applications of the product. 2. Direct Marketing- This is an approach to create relationship with customers and delivering information about products to the customers. Direct marketing also helps to close sales cycle in a structured manner. 3. Sales Promotion-It is not a long term process. Incentives are there for both consumers and traders. 4. Public Relation- Companies can go for organizing public