The New Form of Presidency and Vice Presidency

With the research that I have gathered I believe Al Gore would pose as a good candidate to serve our country. However I also believe that George W. Bush would serve us well too. So I have come up with an idea that perhaps in the next presidential election there could be a republican and a democrat as running mates. Maybe one could be the vice president and the other the president. I believe that a lot more laws and bills could be passed, and the country could be satisfied as a whole. Maybe the country could even come up with a new form of presidency where there are two presidents and one vice president. Then laws and bills may not be passed without both presidents being in agreement. The vice president would perform the same duties, while the presidents could get twice as much done in half the time. Now if I had to choose on a presidential candidate it would be George W. Bush. I would choose him for two reasons, one for his beliefs on social security and two for his views on education. First off with social security and the way that it is currently heading I believe that there will not be enough money left to fund it for my children or me. Bush believes that it is a promise to our nation. He wants to change it, not for current retirees or those soon approaching it, but for the next generation. To put that money away where it can earn higher interest rates. Now on to Bush†s views on public education. He has already reformed the public schools in Texas, and he wishes to do it all across the country. He wants to offer states the freedom form federal intervention, but receive results in return. Performance checks with also be held annually. With those two reasons alone give me a good enough will to vote for bush. If I were eighteen I would have no trouble when Election Day came.

Mass Media Impact on Adolescence Essay

People cannot deny the fact that media has been playing a powerful and influential role in the society. All the people are affected by the messages that are being shown on media sources and unconsciously change the values and beliefs that have been presented in the society. Undeniably, media contributes to the messages that develop the environments of the adolescents. Even parents agree that media has a great impact on the lives of adolescents but this opinion always leads to negative perception of adults toward media because of the influence that media conveys to the young generation. The information that is released by the mass media is willingly absorbed by the people. Adolescents are often targeted by this information because of their ability to conform easily to what media has exposed to the society. The vulnerability of adolescents in absorbing the knowledge and information that media has provided for them often leads to both negative and positive impacts not only on the adolescents themselves but also on the community. Because the young adults are the active consumers of the messages that are being portrayed in media sources like television, radio, newspapers and magazines, they have been the target of the information showed on media. Sexuality on Mass Media The sexual contents in media can affect the people not only the adolescents; however adults have been expressing their concern for the young people because of their early exposure to sexual messages. According to surveys, the average teenage viewer sees hundreds of sexual behavior on television a week with portrayals of four times as many sexual activities between married and unmarried couples. Moreover, most of the movies that are being shown on cable networks and videos on music channels contain sexual messages. Some researches also suggest that the sexual messages that are being portrayed on media sources are presented in positive aspects with little discussion of the consequences and potential risks (Gruber and Grube). Media has been influential in transferring information to the viewers. In fact, media is used by the young adults to get information about sexuality. Moreover, teenagers view the people showed by the media as the role models of sexy body and aspire to have the same body size and figure as what they have seen on television or magazine (Brown). Advertisements are created in order to persuade the target consumers to buy a certain product; however the audiences tend to buy not only the product that is being endorsed by the media but also the subliminal content of the advertisement. In other words, media is able to influence the emotional and psychological aspect of the society on the messages that are being conveyed on a certain media source. One television shows for teenagers portrays sexually active individuals openly talking about sexual experiences. The advertising poster of one milk brand shows a half naked woman while being bathed by the product. Physical flirting, kissing, and intercourse are often depicted and implied by the media to which adolescents are greatly exposed as they become matured individuals (Brown et. al). Media and Adolescents The people absorb the messages that media portrays to the society. Apparently, media has been an influential source of information for the people because it is the most accessible way of learning about any aspects in a person’s life. Since adolescents are the active consumers of the information that are being showed by the media, the messages that media offers to the society are largely absorbed by the young cluster of the society. Therefore, media has a great impact on the development of the youth and the construction of the society. Heavy exposure of adolescents to sexual messages of media helps the youth in developing beliefs and perceptions. Since this cluster of the society is extremely exposed to the messages that are being conveyed by the mass media, the effects of the information that media shows to the society will be easily absorbed by the youth. Media frequently shows images with sexual content to the society which young generation takes the largest part of the viewing population. In this aspect, information from media may promote sexual initiation and illusion to the young people. Adolescence is the stage of developing sexual exploration which can be triggered by many factors that are present in the society. In this period, the teenager becomes aware of the sexual behaviors that should be considered appropriate for his or her age. However, despite the idea that many young adults still prefer not to be engaged to sexual activities in a very young age, many teenagers are being affected by the factors of the society that change their views toward sex. In other words, adolescents are easily influenced by the perceptions of other people and conform in the cultural norms (Collins et. al). Teenagers easily follow what they can see on the society by imitating what they have seen others are doing and desiring to be fit on the society. Since media has been portraying sexual images without negative consequences to the teenagers, these people on the complicated stage of life would adopt the behaviors that are portrayed to them. Even though teenagers are aware that what media showed are all products of imagination and created only to attract viewers’ attention, the young adults would still perceive the message as reality and believe to the information that media had provided for them. Although some messages on media shows sexual risks, many teenagers tend to engage to sexual activities because of the media’s lack of emphasis to the consequences that it may bring to the young adults. Surprisingly, the media sources even portray safe sex messages and less discouragement to the viewers. However, most researches show that the programs that teenagers have sexual content. Some of the films and television programs portray characters believing in the idea that having sex would keep the romance alive in the relationship. The others talk about sexual experiences which conveyed encouragement to youth to be engaged to sexual activities. Although most of the media sources depict sex as common, some show patience to wait for the proper time and risk sexual consequences, such as unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. However, those programs still evoke sexual behaviors to viewers despite their resistance to sexual activities. In turn, these scenes mold social perspectives and affect the behavior of the young adults. Sexuality on Media and Consequences to Adolescents One of the impacts of sexuality towards media has been discussed even at the introduction of this study; however several problems still exist that adolescents and society may encounter because of the images portrayed on media sources. Aside from imitating and conforming to the messages that the young adults have learned through media, bigger problems may occur in society because of the constant exposure of images and frequently portraying of subliminal messages. In other words, short exposure of sexual images would bring a lifetime of societal problems. Since adolescence is the period in which a person strives hard to fit in the society, this stage is associated with conflicts and complicated aspects to young adults. Young adults conform to society and imitate the actions that adults do which becomes a constructed reality for them. Sexual content on media leaves a mark to young viewers and construct a new perspectives toward sex. In this aspect, a teenager engages in sexual activities at an early age then tends to pursue intercourse once committed to an intimate relationship. In other words, the young adults may continue to engage in sexual activities once they get involved in relationships with different persons. This idea does not show societal problems in terms of polygamy but poses a rather alarming problem. The risk of having sexually transmitted disease for constant shifting of partners can be one of the bigger problems that may be encountered by the society. Aside from this problem, unplanned and unwanted pregnancy often occurs in the society. A growing number of young people who became parents at a very young age are one of the problems that the society is facing today. Some teenagers are being strong enough to face the consequence of engaging to sexual activities by pursuing the pregnancy and accepting the responsibility of early parenthood. However, some prefer to escape the conflict of unwanted pregnancy and engage in abortion, which leads to another societal problem. If these problems would be viewed in a broader aspect, the adolescents’ sexuality results in an immature way of parenting that would lead to domestic violence to divorces and separation. Apparently, these problems have different factors to look back to; but the causes are oftentimes neglected focusing on the bigger or less important ones. Media is being used by the young adults for daily entertainment which makes them active consumers because of more time that are being spent on media rather than other activities. Moreover, adolescents use media to gain information regarding common issues in developing to become independent individuals and use the information learned in their daily lives. Although media has a purpose for sowing certain messages, adolescents use the messages acquired from media in different manner and purpose (Levesque). Undeniably, media has a great impact on the sexuality of adolescents. The influence of media can be considered as positive because of its ability to teach the youth about sex education and leaving them the choice to conform or negative for showing too much sexuality making youth exposed to unrealistic aspects of the society and giving them courage to conform to the media’s constructed reality. The sexual images that are being shown to young adults are not only a source of information but can predict and picture the future of the world through the social perspectives and sexual behaviors that are being constructed for the young adults. Works Cited Brown, Jane. February 2002. â€Å"Mass Media Influences on Sexuality – Statistical Data Included. † Health Care Industry. 12 December 2008 . Brown, Jane Steele, Jeanne & Walsh Childers. Sexual Teens, Sexual Media: Investigating Media’s Influnce on Adolescent Sexuality. New Jersey: Lawrence Earlbaum Associates, 2002. Collins, Rebecca, Phd. Elliot, Marc, PhD. Berry, Sandra, MA. Kanouse, David, PhD. Hunter, Sarah,PhD. & Miu, Angela,MS. Watching Sex on Television Predicts Adolescent Initiation of Sexual Behavior. Pediatrics. 3 September 2004: 280-289. Gruber, Enid & Grube, Joel. 2000. â€Å"Adolescent Sexuality and the Media. † PubMed Central. 12 December 2008 . Levesque, Roger. Sexuality Education: What Adolescents’ Rights Require. New York: Nova Publisher, 2003.

People at Work Essay

There are many styles of management that produces different kinds of results. If not done right, it would either be too much or too little, bringing out effects such as being less creative, however efficient or being more creative but less efficient. Wanting to bring out the best of our employees, innovation in management tends to analyze workforce who are also more adept to technical innovations and easy practical solutions. In a generation with ever changing attitudes who are attuned to the trends of society, it is also a must that old management styles are being updated and innovated. Philips Cooke (2006) described innovation in its simplest form as the transformation of new creative ideas into new goods and services. It is not only focused on products and new technological gadgets, innovation are also most effective when applied to management. With innovative management applied in a company, results can be seen in effectiveness, production, excellence, spirited positioning, and market share. This is why, in management innovation, Emotional Intelligence or Emotional Quotient (EQ) has now become a very critical factor in the workplace and top management today because more than just smart heads and high IQ people, companies and businesses today takes more than just desks, ledgers, machines and materials to make a business work. More than anything else, businesses need people. People are needed to make a company grow, people who are working together, not necessarily on the same department or in the same building, but people pulling together so that the organization operates efficiently and can continue running the business. But sometimes, people are being funny or uncooperative. They do not pull or group together, and sometimes fail to manage their full share of load. Thus, the question now is, how will we know that our managers possessed the ability of being a leader? Does he know how to properly handle people? Does he know how to develop new ideas and implement it effectively? How will we know in the first place that we have the manager we are looking for, or how can we develop such? Literature Review Globalization had brought out a steep competition for the market of goods and services everyday and it is management innovation that brings forth key factors for company’s future survival. (Cooke. P, 2006) According to Kira Fabrizio (2006), the world is currently entirely driven by technology. Additionally business existence routines are transforming rapidly. All the same, proper innovation management skills will always guarantee future survival of any given organization for a company or a firm cannot operate smoothly if not managed properly. Due to tough competition, companies always aim to satisfy customers by producing quality products and services. Chesbrough (2006), Simcoe. T, (2006) and Allen, & L. D. Evans. (1997) argued that for an innovation to be a success, correct discharge of the creative ideas already born is critical in any organization. As a matter of fact the creativity emanating from an employee and/or from a team of employees forms the basis for innovation. A successful innovation can not be attained by the Production of creative ideas alone but by correct implementation of those creative ideas to bring about new or improved product and/or service within the organization. For creative ideas to be generated there must be a room to try out the ideas emanating from the creative employees. This is usually achieved in a loose and flexible environment. Innovative work does not well with rules used for routine handling of an organization however these rules are supported by theory and practice. The efficiency of day to day within an organization requires stable routine (Sunbo & F. Gallouj, 2000). This is usually achieved in a stable controlled environment. The trick is to have a management that balances the factors that allow creativity while at the same time promoting effective operations of the organization (Utterback, M. 1994). Innovation normally occurs through a management system that allows for combination of many diverse players within any particular organization. (West, J, 2006). The player may include among others managers, supervisors, technicians, employees, and consultants. Research on social networks involved in the development of innovation process points out that successful innovation normally occurs near or at the primary interface of an organization and manufacturer. With these, O’Connor (2006) said that innovation process requires the inputs of all personnel of a particular company that is from the top executives to subordinate staffs. It may also require the expertise of a consultant who is normally outsourced. Existing Management Innovations Innovative approaches are assessed based on its impact upon its profitability. Through implementing strategic management approaches in ones company, the need for customer satisfaction will be met, not only locally but world wide. Currently, there are many innovative approaches to management, which needs top management support to be implemented properly. The new ISO 9000:2000 standards promote the adoption of a process approach when devising, implementing and improving a quality management system (QMS). PCL – Petts Consulting Ltd) This model of a quality management system approach acknowledge the facts that quality results are achieved by producing a company manual, complete with work procedures and work instructions, proper recording and keeping of quality records and tracking of inputs and outputs. The HACCP (Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points) System is a systematic approach to the identification, assessment of risk and severity, and control of biological, chemical and physical hazards associated with a particular food production process or practice. When speaking of HACCP, it is always associated with food safety. By using and by being certified with this system, the customers of the company are always assured of the safe processing of food. CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society. (Baker, 2006) It is the balance between the companies performance in terms of products and services to satisfy its market, on how the company manage ,treats and train its workers, on how the company shows its concern to its environment and on how it shows concern to the surrounding community. Low Morale due to Ineffective Management These are few of management innovations that are putting a company ahead of others. Today, companies encountered dilemmas such that too much management which ceased to innovate, thus, bringing out to little or no impact or improvements to a company at all. The problem here is that, businesses need more efficient people, have an environment to let innovative people flourish, however, it wont be effective if management does not have the skills and abilities to develop new ideas effectively. Thus, the question now is, how will we know that our managers possessed the ability of being a leader? Does he know how to properly handle people? Does he know how to develop new ideas and implement it effectively? How will we know in the first place that we have the manager we are looking for, or how can we develop such? The management should be flexible enough to absorb the views of all stakeholders. Management is not always willing to accept new ideas. Most managers always want to remain in a comfortable zone. Too much management, which is commonly found in large organization, should understand innovative people. Modern executives’ definition of efficiency is operating business which can supply their customers with better products or services at lowered cost. Modern executives are forever asking questions which is more concerned in productivity and efficiency rather than employees self regard and self esteem. â€Å"How are we doing? †, â€Å"Is production going up? †, â€Å"Sales up? †, â€Å"Costs going down? † are just few of executives questions about efficiency clearly showing the classic ways of hierarchal management systems. This results to low self-esteem which has a very strong relationship with morale. The loss of self-confidence or a feeling of discouragement may also be caused by frustration, which in turn causes mental efficiency and creativity to be lowered. This situation was experienced by Oracle. Ashby and Miles (2002) cited Oracle who was facing crisis in June 1992. Its culture â€Å"win at any cost, the end always justify the means† caused low morale and its effects on day-to-day operations was out of control since employees no longer pay attention to rules either internally or with customers. Applying EQ for Effective Management Innovations Change of management structure especially for large businesses to accommodate innovation is very critical for an organization to remain competitive (Tidd, J et al 1997). The management system in place should be flexible enough to create room for creative ideas. The management should easily adapt to changes brought about by trends in technologies and human issues. The organization needs to be loose and flexible enough to allow room for creative new ideas. A tight management system hinders creativity. Management should also motivate employees by rewarding not only success but also failure. This is because you cannot produce good ideas without bad ones (Maguire, 1994). Further for innovation to be successful there is a need for key personnel who are primarily concerned with the development of new product or services. The complexity of the procedures and levels involved in the production of a new product can impact negatively on the success of an innovation. (Fabrizio. K, 2006) For the success of an innovation the key is to delegate a few personnel on that activity, as too many people are less innovative compared to a few people. The virtuous circle can also impact negatively on the development of an innovation. It follows the following steps such as organization reputation for innovation, attraction of creative people, organizational need for creativity and innovation, development of innovation product, willingness within the organization to accept new ideas, motivation of people within organization to reduce frustration, high morale and protection of creative people (Henry et al: 1991). This means that if one the above listed steps is missed then innovation would not be established. So if we ask, why is there a need to apply Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in management innovations? This is because Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is now more important and useful especially in businesses. It tends to analyze and identify why people do what they do, think as they do and think as they do; with their abilities, motives, disappointments, ambitions, queer streaks. The successful business person is almost always efficiency minded through and through whether he is the boss or not. He keeps a close eye on the efficiency, and the personal efficiency of those working with him. According to Herrera (2006) IQ is quickly losing ground to EQ when it comes to predicting success. Moreover, supervisors and executives are generally rated on still more EQ qualities such as winning cooperation, handling people, suitable use of language and accepting suggestions and criticisms. This proves that the higher the position you can attain the higher EQ qualities, tests and evaluation that you have passed. An employee with more promotional possibilities shows high EQ for higher executives take on more social responsibilities at each step on the way up. According to Bradberry, T. & Greaves, J. (2005a), 16 hours of work can make a person feel 465 emotions in a day with (2005b) 90% top performers tested to have high EQ and only 20% high EQ individuals being rated as low performers. Rather than IQ, companies and corporations now opt for high EQ individuals to work for them. This is because, high EQ employees are more productive, and have great job performance and good leaders. High EQ employees and leaders are worker-centered which had higher producing work groups. And as we all know, companies aims for high productions at low cost and less turnovers. Conclusion Management systems have a significant effect on the innovation process. A tight management system normally hinders creativity because it does not allow employees to express and generate innovative ideas. All the same for small organizations suppressed management approaches can increase abilities to innovate through less formal management structures facilitating rapid decision-making, which is facilitated by having to communicate the changes to members of the organization. For innovation process to be a success there should be a â€Å"slack† element in the management Structure. To balance between effective running of an organization and creativity the management should know what is best for routine work and what is best for innovative work. And with this, management innovation and creativity is best improved by applying EQ tools. Today, EQ ratings are almost always taken with high importance in a company. During a company’s periodic reviews of individual efficiency, the boss, supervisor or head of the company watch work ways and attitudes of employees. According to Laird and Laird (1979) employees are rated according to desirable qualities or social characteristics such as cooperation, communication and appearance. This shows that individual efficiency is not based on high IQ but rather based on the qualities of high EQ. Production is also influenced by the friendly interaction of members of a work group. An employee’s level of EQ is tied in with friendliness because it shapes its interaction of people towards each other. High EQ of employees encourage warm and friendly atmosphere in the work place. On the other hand, employees with low EQ will be cold and aloof towards its co-workers. This will hinder the productivity of a worker with low EQ and increase the rate of absenteeism, thus, absenteeism is an outcome of an employee with low EQ. With this, managers will think that unnecessary absence from work shows irresponsibility. The human emotions shape the interactions of people to each other. With the types of people in one company, considering warm or friendly and cold or aloof, those employees with high EQ will stand out and be more productive than the others.

Contemporary Theories of Political Economy Essay - 1

Contemporary Theories of Political Economy - Essay Example He proceeds thus in virtue of his taxonomic approach to the characterisation of an essence which he inherits from his biology: a sentence characterising an essence of an entity of a particular kind standard has the form of a noun phrase indicating a genus modified by an adjectival phrase that expresses the differentiae, the properties that are peculiar to that kind. (Fukuyama, 82-113) The chrematistic art of acquisition, because it involves acquisition of objects not for their "proper and peculiar" properties, is, for Aristotle, "unnatural" for humans, and hence to be held in check. It needs to be held in check, however, because it is the normal developmental outcome of exchange. The essential nature of market exchange is revealed for Aristotle in its developed "unnatural" form (Frank, 213-268). In this final state the dispositional properties of markets are exhibited. The most significant of these for Aristotle is the particular moral character it tends to produce: Aristotle's political theory is by and large concerned with the tendency of different social and political institutions to issue in different virtues and vices. The market, where its development is unchecked, tends to issue not in the virtues constitutive of a flourishing human life, but in the vice of pleonexia, the disposition to want more than is proper. (Marx & Fowkes, 347-574) Distinctions and influences Aristotle's essentialism is a complex of claims that are logically independent of one another. One might accept his basic distinction between the essential and accidental properties of an object without accepting the further teleological specification of essences in terms of normal patterns of development. Indeed it is worth noting that the example of essentialist descriptions of copper I used in section A does not conform to the Aristotelian teleological model. Likewise one might accept essentialism in its basic form without accepting his particular taxonomic approach to the specification of essences. Again, it is possible to adopt an essentialist position in either its basic form or its teleological elaboration for entities in the natural world, but to reject it for the social world. (Fukuyama, 82-113) One might accept essentialism about social institutions generally and markets in particular, but reject the teleological elaboration of essentialism that Aristotle offers. The options open to the "essentialist" are much more varied and complex than recent anti-essentialist caricatures of the position allow (Frank, 213-268). The picture of Aristotle's influence on subsequent essentialist thought about social institutions in general and the market in particular is similarly complex. Both Aristotle's essentialism and his discussion of the market have had a large influence on philosophical and economic thought. Aristotelian essentialism, as far as description of the natural world is concerned, has had a long-standing influence and indeed has recently undergone something of a revival. (Fukuyama, 82-113) In the social realm it is possible to find theorists, most notably Hegel and Marx, who self-consciously defend Aristotle's essentialism in its full teleological form. Aristotle's discussion of th

Arrange marriage vs love marriage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Arrange marriage vs love marriage - Essay Example Whiles being common in cultural communities within Asia, Africa, and Middle East, arranged marriages are characterized mainly by close parental involvement. In such a marriage, parents or elders within a community select for their children whom they will marry, and such a decision is arrived at based on compatibility as the parents or ‘matchmakers’ are experienced and have sound judgment. Normally, the main objective of an arranged marriage is to ensure future economic stability, prosperity, and harmonious coexistence between both families. Parents that arrange marriages for their children put more emphasis on personal habits, values, education, source of income and family life. Hence, this gives marriage a practical reason rather than an emotional one, as is the case with love marriages; since in the end, if passion or love fades there needs to be something that still binds the union. On the other hand, romantic love, mutual affection, and willingness to commit are attr ibuted to love marriages. In this case, the two parties decide to get married based on these attributes and parental involvement is minimal or non-existent. The mutual aspect of love marriages are what make it a favorable choice as both partners share an understanding and are comfortable around each other. Therefore, with regard to arranged marriages, the partners have to trust that the choice made by their parents is right and therefore, romantic feelings will come along as the marriage continues. It is important to note that arranged marriages differ from forced marriages as partners have the option of not consenting (Browne 89). In view of that arranged marriage is governed through wisdom from parents, which stems from their life experiences, this gives them an edge over love marriages. In addition, the bride and groom selected hail from similar background and economic status, share important values and personal habits; all of which make them compatible. Secondly, arranged marria ges create a sense of order in the community, as heeding to a choice made by the parents implies respect. This coupled with the fact that a marital union in arranged marriages focuses on a harmonious coexistence between families of both partners (Das). In addition, arranged marriages are based on compatibility as opposed to physical attraction as is the case with love marriages. Parents who get involved in selecting a partner for their children look for similar qualities, life ambitions and personal habits and values. This is seen to establish a sense of commitment as physical attraction fades. Having something profound as similar values shared, allows for sticking it out in a marriage even when things get tough. This pragmatic approach makes marital unions found as arranged marriages more sacred (Bentley). In addition, love marriages are usually decided upon blindly following only mutual affection for each other. However, more often than not, this does not hold against the test of time and conflicts that arise as the marriage progresses, and this explains the need for arranged marriages. Hence, love marriages lead to divorce as opposed to arranged marriages because it is inevitable that in the end of the drama passion will fade. In addition, these forms of marriages are arrived at in haste and crucial issues may be overlooked, and end up coming to haunt the couple later on in the future when the passion has faded (Leung). Despite the fact that it is crucial to base a

Pursuing a Career in Real Estates Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Pursuing a Career in Real Estates - Essay Example Title companies’ main work is to make smooth the exchange of properties between the concerned parties, doing all the work for the buyer who can be a citizen or a foreigner (Tyson and Griswold 62). Unlike the U.S., other countries have rules in regards to what property foreigners can buy. In Mexico, for example, foreigners are not allowed to own property within 50 km of the coast or 100 km from the borders unless they have a Mexican trust or Mexican corporation title. In South Asian countries like Thailand, foreigners cannot own land, but properties in it can be purchased followed by land acquisition under a lease option of 30 years. However, this land acquisition is not assured because the government still insists that land ownership by foreigners is illegal. In the Philippines real estate development is one of the fastest growing businesses (Edwards 78). This paper discusses real estate as a possible business venture and the qualities of a successful real estate agent. THE RE AL ESTATE BUSINESS SECTOR As the world economies evolve, individuals and organizations have seen the need to make smart investment choices. In his book, on investing in real estate, Eldred asks, ‘What types of markets offer the best opportunities for future profits? What type of markets alleviates risks?’ (20). Questions like these are the ones that an individual asks when they wish to invest. The answer to the questions lies in the real estate industry. Real estate development has had a positive impact on economies of nations over the years. This is because land is so much a limited resource that even reclaiming it from the seas is not a sustainable option. Thus, a smart investor invests and owns part of it so as to have a bargaining chip. Furthermore, its value rarely goes down, and even if it does it does not take long for its value to shoot once again. Fields in the Real Estate Business. Private property ownership, has led to the development and growth of real estat e to a significant business sector, also called commercial real estate. In reality, real estate properties are always expensive thus; they require a significant amount of investment. In addition, each piece of land has unique characteristics, which has lead to development of different fields in the industry with specialists that evaluate the real estate and facilitate the transactions. Businesses in real estate include Appraisals, where a professional determines the value of the property (Edwards 78). Second is the brokerage, where a broker is paid a fee to facilitate the transaction between the two parties. Third is development, which involves land improvement for use via replacing or adding buildings. Fourth is net leasing, which ensures tenants pay rent plus the additional expenses that are supposed to be paid by the landlord. Fifth is property management, which involves managing a property on behalf of the owner. Sixth is real estate marketing and it entails managing the sales a spect of the property. Seven is real estate investing, which entails management of the investment in the real estate. Eight is the relocation services, and as the name suggests, involves relocating business or people to different countries or regions. Lastly is the corporate real estate, which deals with management of a corporation’

The Influence of Marketing Channels on the Marketing Mix Essay

The Influence of Marketing Channels on the Marketing Mix - Essay Example The marketing channel includes every aspect of the business, from the product concept to the guarantee of its value or usefulness. There are two essential parts of a marketing channel namely the physical distribution structure which moves a product from the manufacturer to the consumer, and the marketing structure which is meant to ensure the achievement of marketing objectives. When a manufacturer designs a product to offer to the market (goods or services) he/she will consider first what are the customer needs to be addressed, what benefits will satisfy these needs and thus what features the product design should contain so as to deliver these benefits. The good manufacturer will employ this process of product definition, in the order above. Manufacturers stand at the top of the supply chain and can use a variety of sales, marketing, and physical distribution systems to connect their products with customers. Since the marketing channel is such a comprehensive concept which forms the relationship between the manufacturer, the distributor and the consumer, every aspect of the marketing channel affects the products or services mix, the distribution mix, or the communications mix. Suppliers and distributors have a great influence on the success of a firm. Distribution issues come into play heavily in deciding brand level strategies. In order to maintain one's brand image, it may be essential that retailers and other channel members provide certain services such as warranty repairs and carrying a large assortment of accessories.  Ã‚  

Argument speech Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Argument speech - Essay Example Lets commence with the strongest argument which supports the claim that technology is detrimental to a child’s creativity as outlined above. 1. It is very easy and simple now days to write about an idea unlike in the past where the idea had to be thoughtful. Today, a student or child undertaking a creative writing task will look for an idea, search it online and then read the relevant articles before writing his own. This reduces the thoughtful process (Noddings, 2013). 2. Batten & Russell (1995) stated that the use of technology elements such as spell checkers and grammar checkers has made students to be scared of performing handwritten tasks since these tools are absent to correct or check their mistakes. Thus, students or children who have developed this dependency will be reluctant to use a pen since they will are scared or afraid of failing. Transition: The use of technology should be minimized since it leads to poor development of critical thinking skills and low confidence in handwritten tasks among students and children. Further, there is another significant reason as to how technology reduces creativity among children and students. 2. Playing enables children’s braid brains to develop properly. Lack of play and the use of technology reduce brain development. This limits the ability of a child since poorly developed brains are less efficient when it comes to creativity (Ginsburg, 2007) c. (impact statement) Although technology is vital for enhancing learning and creativity in children or students, its draw backs outweigh its benefits. Children and students need to get first hand engagement through play and interactions with real people or things. First hand interactions stimulate brain development and learning leading to an improvement in creativity. Transition: Children should minimize the use of technology since it tend s to reduce their creativity. Rather, they should interact more with people in addition to playing. Below

Japanese American Internment during WWII Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Japanese American Internment during WWII - Essay Example The attack destroyed two battleships, one hundred and forty nine airplanes and sunk four other battleships. The damage caused to Pearl Harbor brought about fresh resentment to the existing bias towards Japanese immigrants. Within hours of air strikes at Pearl Harbor, FBI representatives checked through Japanese American communities in Oregon, Hawaii, Washington and California and arrested community leaders, Christian ministers, Buddhist reverends, teachers of Japanese culture, language or martial arts, businessmen and people with famous political ideas. The arrests included Japanese Americans with sympathetic relations to Japan. Thousands of Japanese Americans were rounded up, interrogated and shipped to detention camps according to the orders of the Justice Department to Bismarck, Santa Fe, Crystal City and Missoula. Some Japanese Americans disappeared for years. With the entry of United States into the Second World War, anti Japanese reactions strengthened through a number of hyste rical stories of sabotage, propaganda and news related to American battlefield fatalities. Banks serving only the Japanese were closed down and the U.S. Treasury froze the bank accounts of all born in Japan (Inada & California Historical Society p.xi). Apparently, to safeguard individuals of Japanese ancestry from arrest and suspicion, a mandatory curfew was set up initially on Japanese aliens and later on Japanese American citizens and it was mandatory to carry identification. The Army pressurized the Department of Justice and the FBI to perform unannounced searches and seize contraband products in enemy alien homes with specific emphasis to weapons, cameras and radio transmitters that could be utilized to signal Japanese ships floating offshore. After ten weeks of the Second World War, in February 1942, the Executive Order 9066 was signed by President Franklin Roosevelt. The order authorized to exclude people of Japanese descent; both aliens and

Article Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 15

Review - Article Example To formulate an effective plan one must assess prior disaster experiences since the risks vary in size, location, industry, and business size. It is sad to note that businesses fail to formulate a contingency plan for the unexpected event. According to the Disaster Recovery Preparedness Council Survey, at the end of 2013 more than 70 percent of businesses acquire dismal grades in terms of disaster preparedness. The author surveys 100 small businesses in New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York after disaster of Hurricane Sandy and the report reveals that two thirds of the businesses do not have disaster recovery plan in place. Scarinci(2014) says that in October 2012, Hurricane Sandy causes major devastation in New York especially in borough of Staten Island’s many small businesses struggle to recover. After the disaster small business owners, assess the loss and identify the requirements to reopen their businesses as well as apply for financial assistance. Most of the small business owners that try open to their businesses realize that planning is crucial to facilitate the recovery process and prepare for future disasters. In addition to that, the business owners do not understand disaster preparedness since it is a topic that overwhelms them. Small businesses in Staten Island rely on limited assistance due to limited resources. CPAs in the area can provide audit services, tax, financial services. CPAs offer advice on growth, planning, retirement, contingency, development, and disaster recovery. The survey 1 on disaster recovery plans reveals that respondent CPA firms do not have a contingency plan before the Hurricane Sandy. Some of the businesses assume they do not need a disaster recovery plan since it cannot affect them directly. The most widespread problems on the small businesses include computer viruses, utility outages, and power issues. It is positive to note that most of the small businesses

Strategy and Innovation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Strategy and Innovation - Research Paper Example The McDonald’s vision, mission as well as the objectives are strategic and focus people customers and employees, price, products, promotion, and place. The corporation’s values are; offering quality customer service, commitment to people, and balance between the interests of the owners, suppliers, and employees, upholding ethics, community service, and continued growth as well as improvements. Her vision revolves around becoming the world’s leading restaurant in quick service. This is through offering the best service, value, and cleanliness with an aim of satisfying her customers. The corporation’s main aim or better still objective is along with serving food industry responsibly, to be responsible as regards the caring for a sustainable future for all. These are aligned with the community, employment, environmental care, food chain responsibility and ascertaining nutritional well-being to all. By targeting the community, the corporation is engaged in com munity service and charitable organization. On the employment portfolio, the company aims at continuously expanding through which more opportunities for employment will be available, both locally as well as through online participation. By adopting energy friendly systems in her corporations, the McDonald’s seeks to maximize on energy usage for sustainability. It also upholds innovation and adoption of quality energy practices in sharing. The corporation aims at continuously designing and developing new food recipes which are healthy for her clients. It also aims at expanding advocacy on good nutrition habits through campaigns. Furthermore, in maintaining sustainable supply chains, the corporation ensures proper relations with the supply chain as well as the constituent parties (McDonald’s, 2009, 1-6). The annual report on investors for the year 2010 reveals a fabulous performance of the company despite the many challenges she faced just like all other firms and especially those in a like industry of the fast foods. By managing deeper insights for customers and proper alignment of McDonald’s business strategies, the CEO says that a 5% rise in comparable sales was realized, 9% growth in operating income and the company’s overall market share around the globe increased. By upholding proper prioritization for the relevance of the firm’s brand and focusing sharply on the customers, the firm managed to keep on top in the year. However, as the CEO puts it, it was the same focus that was to be employed for the following year,

World War I Essay Example for Free

World War I Essay Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The war began in the mid of May, year 1914. A Bosnian Serb student, Gavrilo Princip, fired shots from his revolver under an oak tree, aiming to murder Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the sole heir to the Habsburg throne, the Austria-Hungary supremacy. This happened as he and his wife visited Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital. The plot to murder the archduke is a part of Princip’s training and it was directed by Colonel Dragutin Dimitrijevic, otherwise known as the â€Å"Apis†, or â€Å"The Bull†. Colonel Dragutin Dimitrijevic is the head of the Serbian military intelligence during the time of assasination.   Bosnia-Hercegovina, then, was under the rule of Austria-Hungary, that which Archduke Franz Ferdinand is scheduled to succeed. Princip did not only successfully accomplish the murder of the archduke. He did fire a shot that killed his wife, Sofie, as well. She passed away in few minutes with his husband (Strachan 1998).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This single instance of this assassination triggered the First World War, which is further referred to as â€Å"The War to End All Wars†. It was in July 28 of the same year that Austria-Hungary declared war against Serbia. At first, this was supposed to be the third Balkan war, but it did eventually become the World War I. Initially, the Austrian government would like to Serbia to take responsibility of what had happened and to fully allow Austrian investigators to take part in the case investigation and proceedings. At this point, Austria-Hungary was already assured of an exclusive, unconditional support by the Germans, should the war break out. The Serbian government, on the other hand, has been able to solicit the support of Russia, which is already considered as a big powerful nation then. Serbia agreed to all terms subjected to them, except to the one that allows the involvement of the Austrian agents in the case. Serbia believed that this is another issue of violation of their already marred sovereignty by the same nation (Strachan 1998).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Both Russia and Austria-Hungary mobilized their armies during the long stand-off. Germany, however, set an ultimatum to Russia to stop their army mobilization in no less than 12 hours. After the ultimatum has expired and Russia did not respond, Germany then declared war on Russia. Germany started with the occupation of Luxembourg, aiming to get Belgium as well.   The German wanted a free passage from Belgium into France, but the former disagreed to it. During this point in time, Belgium, France, and Britain are all on neutral position with regards to the war. But by August 3, Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium because their free passage was not granted (Strachan 1998). This then triggered Britain to declare war against Germany. Thus, the formation of the Allied Powers, led by Britain, France, and Russia came about. Later on, they are joined in by Italy and the United States army. They all unite in full force against the Central Powers, which, on the other hand, were composed of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire, which can also be regarded as the Turkish Empire, joined the First World War as a result of a secret Ottoman-German Alliance that is signed in August 1914. Russia was a long-time enemy of the Ottoman Empire, and this is the main reason why they chose to be on the Central Power’s side, even if there have been several parties in their side who are in favor of alliance with the Allied powers instead (Strachan 1998). America’s Position in World War I   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Prior to 1917, the American position on the First World War was neutral and impartial, just like that of Britain’s before the declaration of war with France. The then president, President Woodrow Wilson, reflects the public mood of remaining that way and instructed the Congress to do and maintain so. The Washingtonians and the whole nation in general, fully supported this stance. America upheld its position of insisting on unbiased rights. They are also aiming to successfully negotiate peace in all other places that has acquired stress due to the tensions brought about the war boiling in Europe. But America has one stand which is based from its own stateliness and pride. And that is not to tolerate unrestricted submarine warfare. The American nation believes that viola infringement of this would result in the violation of their respective national dignity (Goldstein and Maihafer 2004).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At first, Germany agreed to this sole provision. They stopped unrestricted submarine warfare, but only for the time being. It is by January that they publicly announced that they would continue to do so. It was in this year that Britain dominated the seas, and they have done so for many centuries preceding the war.   This caused the State of America to entirely eradicate its neutrality and join the forces of the Allied Powers, as an associate. To counter America’s response, Germany even commissioned Mexico to join the war beside them and be their ally against the United States. This instance fueled and further angered the American population and opinion. By April 16, 1917, the United States declared war against the Germans, as requested by President Wilson. The U.S. House of Representatives accordingly approved the resolution to join the First World War with a high margin of pro-war votes at 373-50. The US Senate followed suit with an 82-6 stand also in favor of the nation’s approval to join the now much celebrated war (Goldstein and Maihafer 2004).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The American initial position on the war, in reality, seems to make its decision to enter it relatively less likely. America is on a neutral stand, and would likely to remain neutral had the Germans did not took the first step to severe that otherwise peaceful position (Goldstein and Maihafer 2004). Even prior to America’s involvement in this war, the whole governing body, including all its people, continually follows the judicious guidance of its previous president, President George Washington in his farewell address, as delivered on September 17, 1796. And that is to steer clear of any permanent alliance in any portion of the foreign world. The people and the government of America remained true to this statement, until after its own dignity was trampled upon and was forced to join the First World War. And that single instance made it easy for the entire nation to take part in a coalition against the very people who attempted to take pride out of the whole country (Klose and Lader 2001). But following the events of the First World War, the German people did seem to intentionally go against the United States’ declaration of no unrestricted submarine warfare. That is the only stance that the American nation requested with the conflicting forces, but that simple request was not granted. Germany, in their own defensive and offensive tactics, found it fitting to continue their attack, for reasons they alone know (Klose and Lader 2001). Given this scenario, it seems as if that that whole circumstances was planned and mitigated, with the aim to drag the Americans into the war. The Germans, at that point, believe that they could walk over America and their whole army. But they were painfully wrong. They had underestimated the military offense of the American force and they actually seem to have requested for their defeat even more, after they had decided to involve the Americans (Klose and Lader 2001). The American artillery joined forces with the British and the French, and the American troops are not scattered or broken up to reinforce the British or the French army. They fought as one group, one nation, against one cause. The Effects of American Involvement on the Home Front   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   America’s participation and victory in the First World War has its share of advantageous and disadvantageous points. First and foremost, right after the war, the United States, as well as her other allies, namely Britain and Italy, experienced an increase in their respective Gross Domestic Product or GDP. While statistics tell that that is seen to have decreased in allies France and Russia, the American nations have surely gained from the boost. However, on the Central Power’s side, there was an astounding shrinkage of as much as 30% to 40% in their respective GDP’s (Hibbard 1919). It is also believed that the greatest and the most important thing that the war ever contributed to the American nation is in the form of loans and supplies that are given and are sent to the Allies. As a proof, a lot of money was raised by bond sales, which is much as compared to those raised by taxes. The cost of the war was estimated to be US $35 billion, and about $10 billion of that went to the Allies in the form of loans. The whole American Nation gained from this, as the British and the rest of the forces began to repay their loans back to the United States (Hibbard 1919). The First World War also resulted in the expansion of the military powers of the then underestimated American nation. America was not even remotely compared to the British Empire or the other powerful countries before. But because of their support and victory of the First World War, the American people and government became aware of what they can do with their military powers. This is the birth of America being a super power, in terms of weaponry attack and tactical offense. Indeed, America was reborn to that of a giant, a giant in terms of its national stability, force and power (Hibbard 1919). The First World War also brought about American apparent domination of the world. As a country that never affiliated itself with other foreign entities, it is perceived to be just a stand-alone race, ready to respond to its internal needs and requirements. But because of the World War I, the American nation has become a domineering force in the economical, political and the social aspects (Bagby 1999). As a negative effect the First World War actually resulted in the shortage of laborers and farm workers. Military men and soldiers were sent over to the war. And common men were even drafted to join in, to add to the number of military soldiers and privates. America, even though it is engaged in the war, inevitably, still has to produce for the rest of the nation. The need to be economically stable amidst the war is very much important (Bagby 1999). Because it was the women who are left on the American soil, they stood up and participated accordingly. These women, who then, do not have any social powers and abilities to call their own, came out and worked in the absence of their male counterparts. If before, they were merely persons of the house, the war drastically changed that. They worked and did their husbands, their son’s, or the brother’s job (Bagby 1999). And in line with this, it is also the First World War that sparked women’s right to suffrage. This originally started in the British soil, but actually found its way towards America. American women suddenly found their voices and demanded to be heard in the society, as well as in politics through the electoral process. And the woman did succeed in this endeavor. She was given the right to vote in the 19th amendment of the United States Constitution in the year 1920. The rest of the nations, including Canada and Britain, followed (Mead 2004). American radicals proposed a â€Å"live for the day† attitude in response to the World War I. This attitude was introduced so as to inculcate to other people that American nation has to stop in meddling with other nation’s concerns and start living on its own, for its own. But this isolation idea can be referred to be in vain, if data up to the current day is taken into consideration (Mead 2004). Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The First World War has taken its toll towards other nations as well as America. Any war, big or small would create an impact in all the aspects of a nation. A war is not for the poor, because it would just consume its resources even more. The war maybe for the rich nations, but even them, would feel the impacts of the war, even if the lose or win in it. Either the case, there is no real winner in a war. Every nation, everyone, is left on the losing end.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   United States has been wise to join the war. Because through it, it has successfully unleashed its military powers and social dominance that it otherwise would not have discovered. The potential to become powerful, to uphold the whole world’s rights, to protect every nation’s privileges, have become so moving in the part of the Americans. The American has become the stronghold for leadership, equality, power, and justice. This is the image that American has acquired because it has joined the very First World War. And this image is too life-size and too real. The rest of the nations began to be looking up to the American power and pride. American has indeed become a super power.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   But America could have been wrong to join the war too, because it has exposed the whole nation into unnecessary grief and hardships. The United States of America has long been self-sufficient. It participated in economic trade and relations, if only to develop itself and its people. It has not affiliated nor allied itself to other foreign entities, no matter how big and strong they may seem, simply because it do not want to subject its people to the implications a certain international treaty would bring; a treaty that, in the face of difficulties and international strain, would definitely place the entire nation in a very inconvenient stature. And this is a stature that the great men in the history of the United States have foreseen.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   And because America has proved that it is strong and capable, over time, it has lived up to its own self-acclaimed title of being the world’s alleviator, as the world’s protector against injustice and violations. Since the World War I, the American nation has processed laws and statues that have involved its own self in the Second World War, in the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and more recently, the attack on Iraq.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The then stand alone and sufficient nation has seen itself suddenly amidst turmoil and conflict against other countries, in reasons directly, and even indirectly applicable to them. They are involved in situations they have to decide for themselves and the other nation. They require themselves to help who they perceive as the much weaker country.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The effects of the World War I on the United States of America is indeed, very big. Its once neutral stand against disagreeing countries that was seen prior to World War I was never seen again after it. The nation has assumed a role on its own, and it is not necessarily a productive idea, because it does affect it overall processes as a nation, and as an entity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   America’s international relations have changed since the First World War. Some diplomatic relations have severed. A lot of economical embargo was positioned. But there are also international relations that are nurtured and stabilized. Since the First World War, America’s alliance with Britain was enhanced and has become noticeable stronger, no matter which President or which Prime Minister has replaced their respective predecessors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The war, in general, brought out in to open the men who are in abnormal need of power and those who are philanthropists of goodwill and equality.   There are times that war is good when it is viewed from a different angle. But in general, and in essence the avoidance of war should still be primary. The effects of war to the people of today and the future generation should not be overlooked just to serve personal and selfish reasons. In times of war, we needed people who are humanitarian advocates, and not those who have an uncharacteristic clamor of authority and control.    Works Cited Mead, Rebecca J. How the Vote Was Won: Woman Suffrage in the Western United States, 1868-1914. New York: New York University Press. 2004. 1-10. Goldstein, Donald M and Maihafer, Harry J. America in World War I: The Story and Photographs. Virginia: Brassey’s Inc. 2-6.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Strachan, Hew, ed. The Oxford Illustrated History of the First World War: A History. New York: Oxford University Press. 1998. 52-59   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Klose, Nelson and Lader, Curt. United States History Since 1865. New York: Barrons Educational Series. 2001. 6-12. Bagby, Wesley Marvin. Americas International Relations Since World War I. New York: Oxford University Press. 2001. 5-9 Hibbard ,Benjamin Horace. Effects of the Great War Upon Agriculture in the United States and Great Britain. New York: Oxford University Press.1919. 65-69

The Consequential Or Teleological Theories Philosophy Essay

The Consequential Or Teleological Theories Philosophy Essay Introduction This chapter presents an overview of the literature on the concept of ethics. First, we present the different definitions of ethics in the existing literature. An overview of the ethics current theoretical developments is then presented. Section 1: Concept of ethics Contrary to what one might think, ethics is not a new pheromone (Gà ©nard, 1992). It was originally identified by Greek and Roman philosophers. Inspired by the works of his predecessors Socrates and Plato, Aristotle is considered as the father of the ethics concept (Lavorata, 2004) which had been widely discussed over several decades by many philosophers who proposed several definitions to this concept. I. Ethics definitions The word Ethics is derived from the ancient Greek word Ethikos, which mean character (Reese, 1990). According to the Universal Philosophical Encyclopedia, ethics is the science of moral and human conduct. Nonetheless, many definitions of this concept had been suggested in the literature. For example, Taylor (1975, p.1) defined ethics as an: inquiry into the nature and grounds of morality, where morality means moral judgments, standards, and rules of conduct. Gove (1976, p.210) defines ethics as the study of what constitutes good and bad human conduct, including related actions and values. For Beauchamp and Bowie (1983, p.3), ethics is the inquiry into theories of what is good and evil and into what is right and wrong, and thus is inquiry into what we ought and ought not to do. As it could be noticed, in all the above definitions the term ethics refers to the study of moral conduct (Tsalikis and Fritzsche, 1989). However, the boundaries between morality and ethics are sometimes blurred and they should be differentiated in order to clarify the concept of ethics (Shaw and Barry, 2001). 1. Ethics and morality The terms ethics and morality are derived from the same root which often causes confusion. Some authors consider that the distinction between the two concepts is unnecessary (Ricoeur, 1990; Even-Granboulan, 1998). However, others academicians make a distinction between them (Iannone, 1989; Boatright, 2000; Ferrell et al.; 2000; and Petrick and Quinn, 2001). For example, Grace and Cohen (1998, p.4) claim that there is no reason to make a distinction in meaning between ethical and moral. There is no difference in meaning which could be attributed to their etymological roots, while, Beauchamp and Bowie (2001) argued that morality is the principles of moral as defined by society, while ethics refers to individual rules. In fact, ethics concept had been also closely related to deontology. In the following, this relation is presented in more details. 2. Ethics and deontology Ricoeur (1990) identifies three components of ethics: a subjective component (life good for itself according to Aristotle), an interpersonal one (or the concern for others in reference to Kant) and a societal component (or the concern for the institution). The societal component refers to the concept of deontology. Thus, the definition of deontology is literally a set of codes of conduct specific to a profession. The following diagram summarizes the different concepts and relationships between ethics, morality and deontology. Figure 1: Definitions and relationships between Ethics, morality and deontology, (Lavorata, 2004, p.20) II. Ethics school of thoughts There are three approaches in the study of ethics: normative ethics, descriptive ethics, and meta-ethics (De George, 1982). Normative ethics Normative ethics is the study of how we should behave (Pascal, 1670; Spinoza, 1677; Kant, 1781). It attempts to justify the principles or the values of a moral system (Tsalikis and Fritzsche, 1989). The normative ethical theories are classified into three groups: 1-Consequential or teleological theories; 2- Single rule non-consequential or deontological theories; and 3-Multiple rule non-consequential theories. Consequential or teleological theories These theories argue that the evaluation of the rightness of an action is determined by considering its consequences (Ferrell and Gresham, 1985). Researchers have demonstrated that teleological theories involve several constructs such as: (1) the individuals behavior and its effect on various stakeholder groups particularly customers and employers; (2) the estimate probability that the consequences will occur to the stakeholders;  (3) the evaluation of desirability or undesirability of each consequence; (4) the analysis of the importance of the stakeholder groups (Tsalikis and Fritzsche, 1989). Moreover, according to these authors, when using teleological evaluation, the individual acts in a manner that produces at least as great a ratio of good to evil as any other course (Tsalikis and Fritzsche, 1989, p.697). The two major consequential theories are egoism and utilitarianism. Egoism holds that individuals act in a way that creates the greatest gain for their self-interest (Hunt and Vitell, 1986). Contrary to ethical egoism, utilitarianism holds that the individual behaves in a manner that produces the greatest good for everyone (DeConinck and Lewis, 1997; Loo, 2004). These theories only look at the consequences of actions, not at its foundations (the end justifies the means) (Bougerra et al., 2011). Single rule non-consequential or deontological theories Some researchers contend that to determine the morality of an action, many other factors should be taken into account other than its consequences. These theories appeal to a single rule. The two main single rules non-consequential theories are: the golden rule: Do unto others as youd have them unto you. In other words, we have to treat individuals the way we want to be treated (Tsalikis and Fritzsche, 1989). The other single-rule non-consequential theory is Kants categorical imperative (Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end.). Multiple rule non-consequential theories These theories claim that the moral rightness or  wrongness is determined by moral rules that cant be reduced to a single moral rule. These theories are a mixture of teleological and deontological theories. 2. Descriptive ethics The second approach is descriptive ethics and it deals with the human behavior. This approach aims to study and describe what is moral and immoral, as well as the factors affecting the evolution of moral principles and values (Rich, 1994). According to Pera and Van Tonder (2005, p.7), descriptive ethics does not pass moral judgments on conduct or beliefs; it merely describes what certain people believe to be right or wrong without judging these beliefs. Desjardins and McCall (2000, p.5) noted that the distinction between descriptive and normative ethics is related to the difference between what is and what ought to be. In the same vein, Beauchamp and Bowie (2001, p.6-7) claimed that normative moral philosophy aims at determining what ought to be done, which needs to be distinguished from what is, in fact, practiced. 3. Meta-ethics The third approach was defined as the study of moral reasoning (Tsalikis and Fritzsche, 1989). It analyzes ethical concepts, which explains why it is also called analytical ethics (Rich, 1994). Meta-ethics analyses questions about the meaning of right and wrong or good and bad (Pera and Van Tonder, 2005). According to Creasia and Parker (1991), meta-ethics is the linking between ethical beliefs and the real world. Section 2: Business ethics As we stated before, research on business ethics, and most importantly on marketing ethics has begun to expand since the publication of Bogarts article (1962) The Researchers Dilemma (Jones and Kavanagh, 1996; Rao and Singhapakdi, 1997; Tsalikis and Fritzsche, 1989). It has gained growing interest among marketing scholars in the 1980s (Hunt and Vitell, 1983; Chonko and Burnett, 1983; Gresham, 1985). Studies in this domain had taken two main orientations: normative one or positive one. Normative studies aimed to develop guidelines and rules for marketers. Positive studies, in particular, in the last three decades focus on the description and the development of models and theories (Chonko and Hunt, 2000). But, what are the reasons behind this interest to study ethics in marketing? I. Reasons of the growing interest in business ethics According to Lavorata (2004), this growing interest in business ethics can be explained by several reasons: 1- external reasons and 2- internal reasons. 1. External reasons The integration of ethics by organizations can be explained by external reasons such as consumers pressure (Mercier, 1999). According to a survey conducted by the Foundation of France in 1997, 63% of consumers claimed to be sensitive to firms supporting a humanitarian cause. Thus, Ethics becomes a way to retain consumers. In fact, competitive pressure incited firms to look for new positioning and for means of differentiation from their competitors. Implementing strategies based on social responsibility and ethical practices is considered as a means to achieve this objective. Indeed; this may boost one firms public image and contribute in building long-term relationships with clients (Schwepker and Hartline 2005; Thomas et al., 2004). Moreover, the awareness about ethics importance and consequences seems to be boosted by top managers as a result of many scandals that had shaken the business world: WorldCom, a huge accounting scandal estimated at $11 billion. Enron, fraud and conspiracy in January 2006. Merck and GlaxoSmithKline, pharmaceutical companies, have had to retire drugs that have been considered unsafe for public use. Each new disgrace seemed to create a buzz for organizational change (Barnes, 2006). As a matter of fact, in 1920, Henry Ford wrote: A company must make profits otherwise it will die. But if we want the company to only run for profit, it will also die since it will have no reason for being. In 2001, the CEO of Lafarge B. Colomb has echoed these ethical concerns: Far from being expensive, ethics is a critical success factor. 2. Internal reasons The internationalization of organizations has led to a weakening of the corporate culture and in particular a loss of collective benchmarks (Lavorata, 2004). Moreover, individual ethics is the subject of an ongoing dilemma (Seidel, 1995). In fact, the organization must ensure its profitability and profit: its objective is then to reduce costs while boosting employee productivity (Mercier, 1999). Conclusion Despite its historical origins, ethics remains a subject matter of a special concern for contemporary academicians. In fact, it has been shown that ethics domain has undergone major changes in its foundations. This current widespread preoccupation among researchers about ethics led to an increased awareness about business ethics. The marketing is seemingly even more concerned. Indeed, the activities in this domain are often considered to be unethical (Baumhart, 1961; Brenner and Molander, 1977; Murphy and Lazcniak, 1981). According to Chonko et al. (1996), ethical abuse may take place as marketing professionals and particularly salespersons often face bothersome ethical problems in business. In fact, sales representatives are under great pressure and they are constant targets of ethical criticism (Mantel, 2005; Abratt and Penman, 2002). In this context, according to a survey of 1,324 workers including salespersons, managers, and executives conducted by USA Today, 48% of workers admit to do unethical or illegal acts (Jones 1997, p.1). In the same line, Jolson (1997) argued that for a long time, the sales representative was a person who put pressure on his customer by questionable techniques and whose only philosophy was increasing sales regardless the means used. The following chapter deals more in details with the (un)ethical behavior of sales representatives in marketing literature.

Marketing Implementation Plan for New Product

Marketing Implementation Plan for New Product 1. Executive Summary:- With the ever increasing ratio of crime in the UK and all around the world, an unprotected property has become extremely vulnerable, day or night. This is why, in the presence of current environment it is of utmost importance to keep your loved ones safe at home by protecting it with a professional burglar, fire and intruder alarm system. After more than 40 years of success in the current business line, it has been thought that the Weather Seal Holdings (Weather Seal) has now got the right strength to diversify its business. Thereby, I have seen an opportunity to introduce Home Security System as a new product for company to be marketed sold at competitive cost to its existing and new customers through its branch at Romford, Essex (UK). As a result of kind approval by the companys branch regional manager and area managers (project sponsors), I have fascinated an opportunity to develop a project report regarding introduction and marketing plan of this new product for company. Time period allocated/authorized by Weather Seal branch management for the completion of project work is Six Weeks. The final project report will be submitted to the said project sponsors at Romford Branch (UK) for final vetting and valuation. It would then be on the excretion of branch management to send the report to company head office at Ches hire (UK). This project experience could give me a personal learning experience of how to introduce new products to companies. Hoping this project report would gain necessary attention of Weather Seal regarding launch of new product in marketplace and thereby creating cutthroat competition for companies like ADT, Chubb securities etc. The report will be important for the company to launch the fascinating new product among its product range enabling it to not only to diversify its business line but also generate extra revenue in the near future. Findings will be discovered through the data provided by the company, through company risk assessment form to be completed by customers, by acquiring few statements about the company performance from selected customers and assessing home security and crime survey reports being published by the institutions like Home Office (UK), The British Crime Survey etc. These findings will help the company in launching the new product at right levels. The strategic marketing implementation plan will be proposed in order to present important factors of success in future such as marketing budgets, marketing tactics and advertising options. Environmental analysis will be presented in order to critically analyze the marketing aspects by using the tools such as SWOT analysis and Porters Five Forces Model etc., will help in building the marketing strategies and objectives by highlighting the factors such as Marketing Mix(Product, Price, Promotion Place)), Target Audiences and examining all possible strategic options including financial projections. The conclusion and recommendation about the new product will be presented in terms of product usefulness for the customers, profit generations, customer satisfaction and different sort of tactics being recommended to increase sales in future. 2. Introduction To The Business:- Weather Seal Holdings (Weather Seal) has been the Britains largest privately owned manufacturer installer of PVC-u replacement windows, doors, rooflines and conservatoires. The company was founded in 1968 under the prestigious mono of â€Å"The Pride of the Nation†. Since its foundation, huge commercial and public projects has tested companys technology from time to time and more than a million domestic customers are witness to weather Seals craftsmanship. The company continues to grow and in a period of 14 years i-e. From 1995 to 2009, Weather Seal has become a  £75.0 Million company. The company is now renowned as an award winning service provider to its customers. The product qualities are of highest possible standards and second to noe.. The head office of the company is located at the heart of the country on the M6 motorway network at Winsford Cheshire (UK). The company has 21 local branches servicing the UK and 07 Installation Depots all around the country. Weather Seal has got over 1000 trained personnel nationwide and 24 hour customer service response. Local staff includes: Designers Surveyors Fitters Service and Installation Engineers Administrators The company rightly claims that with Weather Seal the customers are dealing with the industry No. 1 as it has achieved every industry standard. Among its competitors like Euro Glazing, Everest Group etc, Weather Seal provides 10 year Platinum Guarantee for all of its products. This is the only guarantee worth having is issued by the company who design, manufacture and install the entire product range themselves. Weather Seal wants to introduce a sophisticated and state of an art Home Security System all around the UK market place. As an Initial phase, company wants to utilize the services of its Romford branch in this regard, which is located in the South region of the company. 2.1 Introduction To The Branch Management:- As project work has been conducted under the supervision and guidance of Romford branch management and that is the premises where the final project report would be submitted. Therefore, it is thought to describe the branch management structure as follows: Owners Mr. Ian Blackhurst and Mr. Brian Kennedy Group Head Marketing Sales Mr. Tony Reilly Director Sales Marketing (South) Mr. Mushtaq Zaman Divisional Manager (South) Mr. Kevin Brookman Romford Branch Regional Manager (South) Mr. Muhammad Ovais Hafeez Romford Branch Area Manager (South) Mr. Mudassar Nawaz Khan 2.2 Aims and Objectives:- Aims:- The aim of this project report is to introduce the desired state of an art Home Security System as a new product to Weather Seal Holdings and also present an appropriate marketing implementation plan. Objectives:- The essential objectives of this report are: Present the complete description of the new product and propose the most appropriate manufacturing partner in order to make the new business a successful operation of revenue generation in future. Identify the target audience assess the customer thinking about the company and new product enabling the company to attain the better customer range for the new product. To present the appropriate marketing strategy by using tools such as environmental analysis, marketing mix and financial projections for the new product. 2.3 Name of the New Product:- The name of the sophisticated home security system (new product) will be PowerMax+ Wireless Alarm Control Home Security System (PAS) 2.4 Product Overview:- The PowerMax+ (PAS) is the latest, advanced and state of an art wireless alarm control home security system that provides protection against burglary, fire and tampering. In addition, it can be used to control lights and electrical appliances within the customer household and/or to monitor the activity of elder or disabled people left at home. Status information is presented visually and verbally, and in most cases a recorded voice prompts customer to take correct action. The PowerMax+ is governed by a control panel designed to collect data from various sensors that are strategically located within and along the perimeter of the protected site. In the disarmed state, the system provides the customer with visual and verbal status information, and initiates an alarm if smoke is detected or upon disturbance in a 24-hour zone (a zone which is active 24-hours a day). In the armed state, the system initiates an alarm upon detection of disturbance in any one of the armed zones. Customer will need a 4-digit security code to master the system, and he/she can authorize 07 other persons to use the system by providing them with their own security codes. Moreover, customer can obtain up to 08 multi-function key-ring transmitters that will allow the customer and other users to control major functions without approaching the control panel. 2.5 Key Product Features:- PAS will offer the customers a personal security guard watching customers family and home 24 hours a day seven days a week 52 weeks a year. The Key features are: Latest technology Invisible two beams, thermal velocimatic system Motion sensor Wireless (no messy installation) Smoke alarm (optional) Flood alarm (optional) Up to 04 members of family / friends as contacts via text, land line or pager Latch key for kids Access remotely (if away from home) via landline or mobile Can connect up to 15 different electrical appliances (computer, lights etc) with additional X-10 units Back up battery if electricity goes down Pet friendly Panic button (elderly) wrist, pocket etc Fire button Save on the insurance policy Secured by design (police approved) Security guard access to premises in case of no contact with alarm Complete peace of mind Leave voice message for the family Codes for false alarm and under duress 2.7 Proposed Partner Company for New Product Business:- Honeywell Security and Communications will be the partner of Weather Seal in the manufacturing of PAS and cater off the customer needs from alarm response centre. This will be the perfect partnership for UK customers security needs. Weather Seal Holdings and Honeywell Security and Communications will jointly deliver a winning combination of expertise in selected home security system, and a proven track record of quality and a firm commitment to their customers. Honeywell Security and Communications is one of the worlds largest manufacturers of security systems, with 30 million security systems installed. Weather Seal is one of the UKs leading home improvement companies with a strong heritage in making peoples homes more stylish, energy efficient and secure. Security focused, the fusion of two well-known names in the UK will eventually give their customers the peace of mind that their home security will be in the safe hands. Why Weather Seal:- With a UK wide sales, installation and service network, customers can be safe in the knowledge that they are putting their trust in a reputable business that is here to stay. The Weather Seal name and brand synonymous with the home improvement market for in excess of 40 years and have worked on more than 200,000 peoples homes. The company started out in the business with a clear focus on providing the products that would make its customers houses warmer, safer, more efficient and a great place to live. The security elements of Weather Seal doors and windows are something that company has always taken really seriously. With this as central to companys approach and off course through continual research and development, Weather Seal products have undoubtedly set new heights in security with style in relevant industry. Why Honeywell:- Part of a global technology and manufacturing leader with revenues in excess of $30 billion, Honeywell Security and Communications has been designing and manufacturing security systems since 1923. With expertise in every area of security, the company provides advanced security solutions for residential and commercial applications. Honeywell works closely with professional security installers and alarm monitoring providers to ensure our products are designed and manufactured with the flexibility to be tailored to each individual customers security needs. Be it private homes or global corporations, around I million customers trust their security to the company each year. Designed for customer convenience, Honeywell intruder alarm systems like PowerMax+ have a wide range of user-friendly features gives the customers peace of mind that their property is secured, with round the clock monitoring in the hands of professionals. 2.8 Importance of the Topic:- This is an interesting project studies as this will offer an opportunity to the renowned company like Weather Seal to introduce a diversified new product in the market place thus enhancing its business line. Companies are becoming more global day by day and to be able to have a critical insight of the marketing strategies and implementation plan of a new Home Security System product of successful UK Company can be an important reference when conducting other marketing activities. This project study will offer an opportunity to Weather Seal to create massive partnership with globally recognized company like Honeywell in order to successfully run its new product in UK market place. As a result of this partnership, Weather Seal could make a global presence with the help of Honeywell and thereby giving more competition threat to its competitors. As a part of research, risk assessment questionnaire has been presented to the customers to be filled out by them in direct interaction with them. The response from customers would enable Weather Seal to better understand the customers security urgency level. The project studies helps researcher in understanding how to introduce new product by making the appropriate marking strategy and provides an opportunity to look into insight of the Weather Seal operational activities. 3. Literature Review:- Most break-ins are opportunistic, not planned and with statistics revealing that burglaries are on the rise day by day not only in the UK but globally, thereby, now is the time for the consumers to take next step in protecting their homes and thus their loved ones too. Summarized important facts that evoked Weather Seal to work on the idea of introducing PowerMax+ Wireless Alarm Control Home Security System as a new business product and researcher to introduce this new product to the company are as follows: Households with no security measures in place are 10 times more likely to be burgled than those with such simple security measures. Results from the British Crime Survey demonstrated that having security measures in place was strongly associated with lower level of victimization. Government officials predict that the economic slow down will lead to â€Å"upward pressure† on levels of property crime. As property crime increases, insurers demand better security to stem losses. 1.7 million burglaries were reported to police in England and Wales during 2007/2008. Home burglaries recorded by the police have risen by 4%, the largest rise in seven years for the period July-September 2008. On the basis of these facts and figures and data already revealed the research has been made via internet to explore the best possible system in order to develop the desired new product for the Weather Seal. As a result of internet research, Stage-Gate System of product development has been shortlisted. STAGE-GATE THE ROADMAP FOR NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT:- The need for lean, rapid and profitable new product development has never been greater. Product life cycles are shorter, competition is more intense and customers are more demanding. Companies that fail to innovate face a grim future. The problem is that winning with new products is not easy. An estimated 46% of the resources that companies devote to the conception, development and launch of new products go to projects that do not succeed they fail in the marketplace or never make it to market. Leading companies have overhauled their product innovation processes, incorporating the critical success factors discovered through best practice research, in the form of a Stage-Gate new product development process. According to several independent research studies (i.e. Product Development Management Association, AMR Research, Booz-Allen Hamilton, etc.) between 70-85% of leading U.S. companies now use Stage-Gate to drive new products to market. A Stage-Gate System is a conceptual and operational road map for moving a new-product project from idea to launch. Stage-Gate divides the effort into distinct stages separated by management decision gates (gatekeeping). Cross-functional teams must successfully complete a prescribed set of related cross-functional activities in each stage prior to obtaining management approval to proceed to the next stage of product development. How Does the Stage-Gate ® Product innovation begins with an idea and ends with the successful launch of a new product. The steps between these points can be viewed as a dynamic process. Stage-Gate divides this process into a series of activities (stages) and decision points (gates). Stages are where the action occurs. The players on the project team undertake key activities to gather information needed to advance the project to the next gate or decision point. Stages are cross-functional (there is no research and development or marketing stage) and each activity is undertaken in parallel to enhance speed to market. To manage risk, the parallel activities in a certain stage must be designed to gather vital information technical, market, financial, operations in order to drive down the technical and business risks. Each stage costs more than the preceding one, resulting in incremental commitments. As uncertainties decrease, expenditures are allowed to rise and risk is managed. In addition to the discover stage, there are five key stages: Stages The structure of each stage is similar: Activities: The work the project leader and the team must undertake based upon their project plan. Integrated analysis: The project leader and teams integrated analysis of the results of all of the functional activities, derived through cross-functional interaction. Deliverables: The presentation of the results of the integrated analysis, which must be completed by the team for submission to the gate. Preceding each stage is a decision point or gate which serves as a Go/Kill and prioritization decision point. Gates are where mediocre projects are culled out and resources are allocated to the best projects. Gates deal with three quality issues: quality of execution; business rationale; and the quality of the action plan. Gates The structure of each gate is similar: Deliverables: Inputs into the gate review what the project leader and team deliver to the meeting. These are defined in advance and are the results of actions from the preceding stage. A standard menu of deliverables is specified for each gate. Criteria: What the project is judged against in order to make the go/kill and prioritization decisions. These criteria are usually organized into a scorecard and include both financial and qualitative criteria. Outputs: Results of the gate review. Gates must have clearly articulated outputs including: a decision (go/kill/hold/recycle) and a path forward (approved project plan, date and deliverables for the next gate agreed upon). What are the benefits of using Stage-Gate ®? The Stage-Gate Product Innovation system has been referred to as the single most important discovery in product innovation empowering almost 85% of all North American companies to achieve improved returns on their product development dollars and to achieve new growth. When implemented properly, Stage-Gate delivers tremendous impact: Accelerates speed-to-market Increases likelihood of product success Introduces discipline into an ordinarily chaotic process Reduces re-work and other forms of waste Improves focus via gates where poor projects are killed Achieves efficient and effective allocation of scarce resources Ensures a complete process no critical steps are omitted The results: A more effective, efficient, faster process that improves the companys (in this case Weather Seal) product innovation results. 4. Cost Incurred on Facilities and Resources Utilized:- Following are some of the items and their approximate costs that were required for the conduction of project work. 5. Sources and Methods:- In order to answer the key aspects of the project studies i.e. how to introduce new product for the company and how to prepare the marketing plan, secondary and primary research will be collected. Both types of research are essential in this project work as they offer crucial results regarding finalization of project report. Furthermore, qualitative data has been collected instead of quantitative data, this is because the available time was not enough to collect and analyze a wide range of data. Secondary Research:- The secondary research consists of â€Å"reanalysing data that have already been collected for some other purpose† (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2003: 188). In this project studies, we will be interested in information about this national level company overall, the importance and impression of the company in the marketplace and among its customers prior to the launch of new product and off course the utmost important strategic marketing issues affiliated with it. One of the main books used for this is Principles of Marketing (Kotler et al, 2005). These sorts of usage create the part of theoretical frame. The information needed to conduct the project will be collected through the use of external sources of secondary data such as published books and online articles and survey reports. However, the main part of the research focuses on the introduction of new product for the company. In order to collect all the necessary information the researcher will gather internal sources of secondary research. This information includes corporate documentation such as company reports and earlier marketing plans which are available due to solid professional relationship of the researcher with the branch management. The internal sources of secondary research will be backed-up by other external sources such as published general statistics and industry statistics, which have been collected through the use of the internet. Some of the most relevant information collected from online sources regarding UK burglary, fire and child abductions incidents and statistics will be presented in Appendix. This informa tion will be essential to collect and analyzed in order to make the company enable to assess the urgency of new home security system product among the UK citizens. Although secondary research has a number of advantages such as the fact that it is readily available, it saves money and it is not time consuming it also has some disadvantages. In order to use secondary data effectively it is important to make sure that the data is relevant to the specific issue addressed and that it has been classified in a way that is consistent with the study at hand. This consists in making sure that such things as variables and measurements are â€Å"in line† with those used in the investigation. It is also important to make sure the data is accurate and that it comes from the original source and not an intermediate or third-hand report (Ghauri and Gronhaug, 2002). Primary Research:- The secondary research conducted, will be further backed up, by some primary research. This is â€Å"data gathered and assembled specifically for the project at hand† (Zikmund, 1994: 40). 5.2.1 Security Risk Assessment Check Questionaire:- The Weather Seal will create Security risk assessment check questionnaire and researcher will carry the assessment visits with company assessor to observe and record the individual customer needs for statistical purposes. The said questionnaire will be closed end and enable the company and researcher to approve or disapprove the installation of PowerMax+ Wireless Alarm Control Home Security System at the premises. This will also enable the company to estimate the correct number of new product to be remained in stock. The Security risk assessment check questionnaire will be presented in the Appendix. Customer Survey Questionnaire:- As business can only run on the basis of customers. Therefore, it is critically important for Weather Seal to explore the customer views about the company and its new product. A sample close end survey questionnaire will be presented to 50 selected customers along with Security risk assessment check questionnaire to be directly filled by the customers during our visit at their premises. The responses against the survey questionnaire would enable the company to assess the attitude of customers towards the company and its new product. 5.2.3 Interviews:- No specific interviews will be conducted. This is due to the already available massive customer pool of the company all around the UK. However, the researched has suggested the company to publish the comments of few prestigious customers of the company about its performance and customer support and services. These comments will be published in the company new product brochure for the product promotional purposes. Few customer comments will be presented in Appendix. Data Analysis and Interpretations:- After conducting both the primary and secondary in depth researches, it has become possible to present the key findings and data analysis both in terms of figures and percentages. Data Analysis -Secondary Research:- British Crime Figures:- As a result of this type of research, the following key findings have been revealed relating to British crime figures: A home is burgled in UK every 20 seconds. Marketing Implementation Plan for New Product Marketing Implementation Plan for New Product 1. Executive Summary:- With the ever increasing ratio of crime in the UK and all around the world, an unprotected property has become extremely vulnerable, day or night. This is why, in the presence of current environment it is of utmost importance to keep your loved ones safe at home by protecting it with a professional burglar, fire and intruder alarm system. After more than 40 years of success in the current business line, it has been thought that the Weather Seal Holdings (Weather Seal) has now got the right strength to diversify its business. Thereby, I have seen an opportunity to introduce Home Security System as a new product for company to be marketed sold at competitive cost to its existing and new customers through its branch at Romford, Essex (UK). As a result of kind approval by the companys branch regional manager and area managers (project sponsors), I have fascinated an opportunity to develop a project report regarding introduction and marketing plan of this new product for company. Time period allocated/authorized by Weather Seal branch management for the completion of project work is Six Weeks. The final project report will be submitted to the said project sponsors at Romford Branch (UK) for final vetting and valuation. It would then be on the excretion of branch management to send the report to company head office at Ches hire (UK). This project experience could give me a personal learning experience of how to introduce new products to companies. Hoping this project report would gain necessary attention of Weather Seal regarding launch of new product in marketplace and thereby creating cutthroat competition for companies like ADT, Chubb securities etc. The report will be important for the company to launch the fascinating new product among its product range enabling it to not only to diversify its business line but also generate extra revenue in the near future. Findings will be discovered through the data provided by the company, through company risk assessment form to be completed by customers, by acquiring few statements about the company performance from selected customers and assessing home security and crime survey reports being published by the institutions like Home Office (UK), The British Crime Survey etc. These findings will help the company in launching the new product at right levels. The strategic marketing implementation plan will be proposed in order to present important factors of success in future such as marketing budgets, marketing tactics and advertising options. Environmental analysis will be presented in order to critically analyze the marketing aspects by using the tools such as SWOT analysis and Porters Five Forces Model etc., will help in building the marketing strategies and objectives by highlighting the factors such as Marketing Mix(Product, Price, Promotion Place)), Target Audiences and examining all possible strategic options including financial projections. The conclusion and recommendation about the new product will be presented in terms of product usefulness for the customers, profit generations, customer satisfaction and different sort of tactics being recommended to increase sales in future. 2. Introduction To The Business:- Weather Seal Holdings (Weather Seal) has been the Britains largest privately owned manufacturer installer of PVC-u replacement windows, doors, rooflines and conservatoires. The company was founded in 1968 under the prestigious mono of â€Å"The Pride of the Nation†. Since its foundation, huge commercial and public projects has tested companys technology from time to time and more than a million domestic customers are witness to weather Seals craftsmanship. The company continues to grow and in a period of 14 years i-e. From 1995 to 2009, Weather Seal has become a  £75.0 Million company. The company is now renowned as an award winning service provider to its customers. The product qualities are of highest possible standards and second to noe.. The head office of the company is located at the heart of the country on the M6 motorway network at Winsford Cheshire (UK). The company has 21 local branches servicing the UK and 07 Installation Depots all around the country. Weather Seal has got over 1000 trained personnel nationwide and 24 hour customer service response. Local staff includes: Designers Surveyors Fitters Service and Installation Engineers Administrators The company rightly claims that with Weather Seal the customers are dealing with the industry No. 1 as it has achieved every industry standard. Among its competitors like Euro Glazing, Everest Group etc, Weather Seal provides 10 year Platinum Guarantee for all of its products. This is the only guarantee worth having is issued by the company who design, manufacture and install the entire product range themselves. Weather Seal wants to introduce a sophisticated and state of an art Home Security System all around the UK market place. As an Initial phase, company wants to utilize the services of its Romford branch in this regard, which is located in the South region of the company. 2.1 Introduction To The Branch Management:- As project work has been conducted under the supervision and guidance of Romford branch management and that is the premises where the final project report would be submitted. Therefore, it is thought to describe the branch management structure as follows: Owners Mr. Ian Blackhurst and Mr. Brian Kennedy Group Head Marketing Sales Mr. Tony Reilly Director Sales Marketing (South) Mr. Mushtaq Zaman Divisional Manager (South) Mr. Kevin Brookman Romford Branch Regional Manager (South) Mr. Muhammad Ovais Hafeez Romford Branch Area Manager (South) Mr. Mudassar Nawaz Khan 2.2 Aims and Objectives:- Aims:- The aim of this project report is to introduce the desired state of an art Home Security System as a new product to Weather Seal Holdings and also present an appropriate marketing implementation plan. Objectives:- The essential objectives of this report are: Present the complete description of the new product and propose the most appropriate manufacturing partner in order to make the new business a successful operation of revenue generation in future. Identify the target audience assess the customer thinking about the company and new product enabling the company to attain the better customer range for the new product. To present the appropriate marketing strategy by using tools such as environmental analysis, marketing mix and financial projections for the new product. 2.3 Name of the New Product:- The name of the sophisticated home security system (new product) will be PowerMax+ Wireless Alarm Control Home Security System (PAS) 2.4 Product Overview:- The PowerMax+ (PAS) is the latest, advanced and state of an art wireless alarm control home security system that provides protection against burglary, fire and tampering. In addition, it can be used to control lights and electrical appliances within the customer household and/or to monitor the activity of elder or disabled people left at home. Status information is presented visually and verbally, and in most cases a recorded voice prompts customer to take correct action. The PowerMax+ is governed by a control panel designed to collect data from various sensors that are strategically located within and along the perimeter of the protected site. In the disarmed state, the system provides the customer with visual and verbal status information, and initiates an alarm if smoke is detected or upon disturbance in a 24-hour zone (a zone which is active 24-hours a day). In the armed state, the system initiates an alarm upon detection of disturbance in any one of the armed zones. Customer will need a 4-digit security code to master the system, and he/she can authorize 07 other persons to use the system by providing them with their own security codes. Moreover, customer can obtain up to 08 multi-function key-ring transmitters that will allow the customer and other users to control major functions without approaching the control panel. 2.5 Key Product Features:- PAS will offer the customers a personal security guard watching customers family and home 24 hours a day seven days a week 52 weeks a year. The Key features are: Latest technology Invisible two beams, thermal velocimatic system Motion sensor Wireless (no messy installation) Smoke alarm (optional) Flood alarm (optional) Up to 04 members of family / friends as contacts via text, land line or pager Latch key for kids Access remotely (if away from home) via landline or mobile Can connect up to 15 different electrical appliances (computer, lights etc) with additional X-10 units Back up battery if electricity goes down Pet friendly Panic button (elderly) wrist, pocket etc Fire button Save on the insurance policy Secured by design (police approved) Security guard access to premises in case of no contact with alarm Complete peace of mind Leave voice message for the family Codes for false alarm and under duress 2.7 Proposed Partner Company for New Product Business:- Honeywell Security and Communications will be the partner of Weather Seal in the manufacturing of PAS and cater off the customer needs from alarm response centre. This will be the perfect partnership for UK customers security needs. Weather Seal Holdings and Honeywell Security and Communications will jointly deliver a winning combination of expertise in selected home security system, and a proven track record of quality and a firm commitment to their customers. Honeywell Security and Communications is one of the worlds largest manufacturers of security systems, with 30 million security systems installed. Weather Seal is one of the UKs leading home improvement companies with a strong heritage in making peoples homes more stylish, energy efficient and secure. Security focused, the fusion of two well-known names in the UK will eventually give their customers the peace of mind that their home security will be in the safe hands. Why Weather Seal:- With a UK wide sales, installation and service network, customers can be safe in the knowledge that they are putting their trust in a reputable business that is here to stay. The Weather Seal name and brand synonymous with the home improvement market for in excess of 40 years and have worked on more than 200,000 peoples homes. The company started out in the business with a clear focus on providing the products that would make its customers houses warmer, safer, more efficient and a great place to live. The security elements of Weather Seal doors and windows are something that company has always taken really seriously. With this as central to companys approach and off course through continual research and development, Weather Seal products have undoubtedly set new heights in security with style in relevant industry. Why Honeywell:- Part of a global technology and manufacturing leader with revenues in excess of $30 billion, Honeywell Security and Communications has been designing and manufacturing security systems since 1923. With expertise in every area of security, the company provides advanced security solutions for residential and commercial applications. Honeywell works closely with professional security installers and alarm monitoring providers to ensure our products are designed and manufactured with the flexibility to be tailored to each individual customers security needs. Be it private homes or global corporations, around I million customers trust their security to the company each year. Designed for customer convenience, Honeywell intruder alarm systems like PowerMax+ have a wide range of user-friendly features gives the customers peace of mind that their property is secured, with round the clock monitoring in the hands of professionals. 2.8 Importance of the Topic:- This is an interesting project studies as this will offer an opportunity to the renowned company like Weather Seal to introduce a diversified new product in the market place thus enhancing its business line. Companies are becoming more global day by day and to be able to have a critical insight of the marketing strategies and implementation plan of a new Home Security System product of successful UK Company can be an important reference when conducting other marketing activities. This project study will offer an opportunity to Weather Seal to create massive partnership with globally recognized company like Honeywell in order to successfully run its new product in UK market place. As a result of this partnership, Weather Seal could make a global presence with the help of Honeywell and thereby giving more competition threat to its competitors. As a part of research, risk assessment questionnaire has been presented to the customers to be filled out by them in direct interaction with them. The response from customers would enable Weather Seal to better understand the customers security urgency level. The project studies helps researcher in understanding how to introduce new product by making the appropriate marking strategy and provides an opportunity to look into insight of the Weather Seal operational activities. 3. Literature Review:- Most break-ins are opportunistic, not planned and with statistics revealing that burglaries are on the rise day by day not only in the UK but globally, thereby, now is the time for the consumers to take next step in protecting their homes and thus their loved ones too. Summarized important facts that evoked Weather Seal to work on the idea of introducing PowerMax+ Wireless Alarm Control Home Security System as a new business product and researcher to introduce this new product to the company are as follows: Households with no security measures in place are 10 times more likely to be burgled than those with such simple security measures. Results from the British Crime Survey demonstrated that having security measures in place was strongly associated with lower level of victimization. Government officials predict that the economic slow down will lead to â€Å"upward pressure† on levels of property crime. As property crime increases, insurers demand better security to stem losses. 1.7 million burglaries were reported to police in England and Wales during 2007/2008. Home burglaries recorded by the police have risen by 4%, the largest rise in seven years for the period July-September 2008. On the basis of these facts and figures and data already revealed the research has been made via internet to explore the best possible system in order to develop the desired new product for the Weather Seal. As a result of internet research, Stage-Gate System of product development has been shortlisted. STAGE-GATE THE ROADMAP FOR NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT:- The need for lean, rapid and profitable new product development has never been greater. Product life cycles are shorter, competition is more intense and customers are more demanding. Companies that fail to innovate face a grim future. The problem is that winning with new products is not easy. An estimated 46% of the resources that companies devote to the conception, development and launch of new products go to projects that do not succeed they fail in the marketplace or never make it to market. Leading companies have overhauled their product innovation processes, incorporating the critical success factors discovered through best practice research, in the form of a Stage-Gate new product development process. According to several independent research studies (i.e. Product Development Management Association, AMR Research, Booz-Allen Hamilton, etc.) between 70-85% of leading U.S. companies now use Stage-Gate to drive new products to market. A Stage-Gate System is a conceptual and operational road map for moving a new-product project from idea to launch. Stage-Gate divides the effort into distinct stages separated by management decision gates (gatekeeping). Cross-functional teams must successfully complete a prescribed set of related cross-functional activities in each stage prior to obtaining management approval to proceed to the next stage of product development. How Does the Stage-Gate ® Product innovation begins with an idea and ends with the successful launch of a new product. The steps between these points can be viewed as a dynamic process. Stage-Gate divides this process into a series of activities (stages) and decision points (gates). Stages are where the action occurs. The players on the project team undertake key activities to gather information needed to advance the project to the next gate or decision point. Stages are cross-functional (there is no research and development or marketing stage) and each activity is undertaken in parallel to enhance speed to market. To manage risk, the parallel activities in a certain stage must be designed to gather vital information technical, market, financial, operations in order to drive down the technical and business risks. Each stage costs more than the preceding one, resulting in incremental commitments. As uncertainties decrease, expenditures are allowed to rise and risk is managed. In addition to the discover stage, there are five key stages: Stages The structure of each stage is similar: Activities: The work the project leader and the team must undertake based upon their project plan. Integrated analysis: The project leader and teams integrated analysis of the results of all of the functional activities, derived through cross-functional interaction. Deliverables: The presentation of the results of the integrated analysis, which must be completed by the team for submission to the gate. Preceding each stage is a decision point or gate which serves as a Go/Kill and prioritization decision point. Gates are where mediocre projects are culled out and resources are allocated to the best projects. Gates deal with three quality issues: quality of execution; business rationale; and the quality of the action plan. Gates The structure of each gate is similar: Deliverables: Inputs into the gate review what the project leader and team deliver to the meeting. These are defined in advance and are the results of actions from the preceding stage. A standard menu of deliverables is specified for each gate. Criteria: What the project is judged against in order to make the go/kill and prioritization decisions. These criteria are usually organized into a scorecard and include both financial and qualitative criteria. Outputs: Results of the gate review. Gates must have clearly articulated outputs including: a decision (go/kill/hold/recycle) and a path forward (approved project plan, date and deliverables for the next gate agreed upon). What are the benefits of using Stage-Gate ®? The Stage-Gate Product Innovation system has been referred to as the single most important discovery in product innovation empowering almost 85% of all North American companies to achieve improved returns on their product development dollars and to achieve new growth. When implemented properly, Stage-Gate delivers tremendous impact: Accelerates speed-to-market Increases likelihood of product success Introduces discipline into an ordinarily chaotic process Reduces re-work and other forms of waste Improves focus via gates where poor projects are killed Achieves efficient and effective allocation of scarce resources Ensures a complete process no critical steps are omitted The results: A more effective, efficient, faster process that improves the companys (in this case Weather Seal) product innovation results. 4. Cost Incurred on Facilities and Resources Utilized:- Following are some of the items and their approximate costs that were required for the conduction of project work. 5. Sources and Methods:- In order to answer the key aspects of the project studies i.e. how to introduce new product for the company and how to prepare the marketing plan, secondary and primary research will be collected. Both types of research are essential in this project work as they offer crucial results regarding finalization of project report. Furthermore, qualitative data has been collected instead of quantitative data, this is because the available time was not enough to collect and analyze a wide range of data. Secondary Research:- The secondary research consists of â€Å"reanalysing data that have already been collected for some other purpose† (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2003: 188). In this project studies, we will be interested in information about this national level company overall, the importance and impression of the company in the marketplace and among its customers prior to the launch of new product and off course the utmost important strategic marketing issues affiliated with it. One of the main books used for this is Principles of Marketing (Kotler et al, 2005). These sorts of usage create the part of theoretical frame. The information needed to conduct the project will be collected through the use of external sources of secondary data such as published books and online articles and survey reports. However, the main part of the research focuses on the introduction of new product for the company. In order to collect all the necessary information the researcher will gather internal sources of secondary research. This information includes corporate documentation such as company reports and earlier marketing plans which are available due to solid professional relationship of the researcher with the branch management. The internal sources of secondary research will be backed-up by other external sources such as published general statistics and industry statistics, which have been collected through the use of the internet. Some of the most relevant information collected from online sources regarding UK burglary, fire and child abductions incidents and statistics will be presented in Appendix. This informa tion will be essential to collect and analyzed in order to make the company enable to assess the urgency of new home security system product among the UK citizens. Although secondary research has a number of advantages such as the fact that it is readily available, it saves money and it is not time consuming it also has some disadvantages. In order to use secondary data effectively it is important to make sure that the data is relevant to the specific issue addressed and that it has been classified in a way that is consistent with the study at hand. This consists in making sure that such things as variables and measurements are â€Å"in line† with those used in the investigation. It is also important to make sure the data is accurate and that it comes from the original source and not an intermediate or third-hand report (Ghauri and Gronhaug, 2002). Primary Research:- The secondary research conducted, will be further backed up, by some primary research. This is â€Å"data gathered and assembled specifically for the project at hand† (Zikmund, 1994: 40). 5.2.1 Security Risk Assessment Check Questionaire:- The Weather Seal will create Security risk assessment check questionnaire and researcher will carry the assessment visits with company assessor to observe and record the individual customer needs for statistical purposes. The said questionnaire will be closed end and enable the company and researcher to approve or disapprove the installation of PowerMax+ Wireless Alarm Control Home Security System at the premises. This will also enable the company to estimate the correct number of new product to be remained in stock. The Security risk assessment check questionnaire will be presented in the Appendix. Customer Survey Questionnaire:- As business can only run on the basis of customers. Therefore, it is critically important for Weather Seal to explore the customer views about the company and its new product. A sample close end survey questionnaire will be presented to 50 selected customers along with Security risk assessment check questionnaire to be directly filled by the customers during our visit at their premises. The responses against the survey questionnaire would enable the company to assess the attitude of customers towards the company and its new product. 5.2.3 Interviews:- No specific interviews will be conducted. This is due to the already available massive customer pool of the company all around the UK. However, the researched has suggested the company to publish the comments of few prestigious customers of the company about its performance and customer support and services. These comments will be published in the company new product brochure for the product promotional purposes. Few customer comments will be presented in Appendix. Data Analysis and Interpretations:- After conducting both the primary and secondary in depth researches, it has become possible to present the key findings and data analysis both in terms of figures and percentages. Data Analysis -Secondary Research:- British Crime Figures:- As a result of this type of research, the following key findings have been revealed relating to British crime figures: A home is burgled in UK every 20 seconds.