Corporal Punishment Argument Essay

Corporal Punishment Argument Essay Corporal Punishment should not be enforced to teach children from misbehaving. To spank and to hit children in todays society Is considered morally wrong but often unpracticed. There is a fine line between abusive hitting and spanking your child on the caboose. Parents who hit their children wither at home or in public leave mental and physical scars that could untimely influence violent behavior in children. Children who are physically punished at home hardly ever learn their lesson.Researchers from the Catalog of Physiologic Study have proved that punishing a child through corporal punishment only leads to more misbehaver. Instead, by confronting them in a calm matter has shown to work better by 35 percent, rather than hitting. In addition, by taking away something that the child possess dear to their hearts for a certain period of time forces them to behave in an orderly manner. For example, when a child runs up a cell phone bill, it would make m ore sense to take away the cell phone rather than physically spank the child and allowing them to keep the cell phone.By keeping the cell phone, children are more likely to take risks. Although, by taking away the phone children understand if they were to take another risk they would jeopardize not having a phone. Society can be viewed as extremely hypocritical. Their viewpoints on public corporal punishment can be seen as evil. More than 90 percent of the community disagrees with corporal punishment while they are in public, but only 15 percent will practice what they preach in their homes. This leaves about 85 percent of parents who exercise spanking in the comfort of their own homes.This hypocritical trait is what leads to frustration in parents and confusion in children. Many times the frustration from not being able to punish children in public leads to a more severe punishment at home. This is often seen when teachers notify higher authority when they see or suspect some sort of violence in their student’s homes. A child who receives corporal punishment undergoes more stress and emotional discomfort than any parent might from contributing punishment. The children’s helplessness can lead to more violent behavior; In addition, most children grow up to mimic the methods of discipline from their own parents or guardians.In 2008, child services survey announced that children who had been spanked at a younger age were at high risk of emotional damage, which often resulted to a poor and unsuccessful future. In addition most children loose respect and become accustomed to being hit by their parents. Most children aren’t fazed by others emotions because of their adapted ways. Spanking and hitting children are not the only idealistic methods to solving problems. The many viewpoints from parents, society and children are important to follow inorder to have a child who

My Father Goes to Court

Culture is the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. Today, in the United States as in other countries populated largely by immigrants, the culture is influenced by the many groups of people that now make up the country. Knowledge is a familiarity with someone or something, which can include facts, information, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. It can be implicit (as with practical skill or expertise) or explicit (as with the theoretical understanding of a subject); it can be more or less formal or systematic. [1] In philosophy, the study of knowledge is called epistemology; the philosopher Plato famously defined knowledge as â€Å"justified true belief. † However, no single agreed upon definition of knowledge exists, though there are numerous theories to explain it. Belief – a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing Social Norm Pattern of behavior in a particular group, community, orculture, accepted as normal and to which an individual is accepted to conform. folkway, the learned behaviour, shared by a social group, that provides a traditional mode of conduct. Mores-The accepted traditional customs and usages of a particular social group. Law is a term which does not have a universally accepted definition,[2] but one definition is that law is a system of rules an d guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior. Sanction- A penalty, specified or in the form of moral pressure, that acts to ensure compliance or conformity. Ethnocentrism is judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture. [1][page needed] The ethnocentric individual will judge other groups relative to his or her own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behavior, customs andreligion. Cultural relativism is a principle that was established as axiomatic in anthropological research by Franz Boas in the first few decades of the 20th century and later popularized by his students. Boas first articulated the idea in 1887: â€Å"†¦ civilization is not something absolute, but †¦ is relative, and †¦ our ideas and conceptions are true only so far as our civilization goes. â€Å"[1] However, Boas did not coin the term. The first use of the term recorded in the Dictionary was by philosopher and social theorist Alain Locke in 1924 to describe Robert Lowie's â€Å"extreme cultural relativism†, found in the latter's 1917 book Culture and Ethnology. [2] The term became common among anthropologists after Boas' death in 1942, to express their synthesis of a number of ideas Boas had developed. Boas believed that the sweep of cultures, to be found in connection with any sub species, is so vast and pervasive that there cannot be a relationship between culture and race. [3] Cultural relativism involves specific epistemological and methodological claims. Whether or not these claims necessitate a specific ethical stance is a matter of debate. This principle should not be confused with moral relativism. Xenocentrism is the preference for the products, styles, or ideas of someone else's culture rather than of one's own. 1] The concept is considered a subjective view of cultural relativism. [2] One example is the romanticization of the noble savage in the 18th century primitivism movement in European art, philosophy and ethnography. [3] A cultural universal (also called an anthropological universal or human universal), as discussed by Emile Durkheim, George Murdock, Claude Levi-Strauss, Donald Brownand others, is an element, pattern, trait, or institution that is common to all hum an cultures worldwide. Taken together, the whole body of cultural universals is known as the human condition. Evolutionary psychologists hold that behaviors or traits that occur universally in all cultures are good candidates for evolutionary adaptations. [1] Some anthropological and sociological theorists that take a cultural relativist perspective may deny the existence of cultural universals: the extent to which these universals are â€Å"cultural† in the narrow sense, or in fact biologically inherited behavior is an issue of â€Å"nature versus nurture†.

Reaction to word crimes

Through the use of social medias and testing, some of the youth and young adults of today have developed a type of laziness when It comes to simple spelling, as well as, grammatical mistakes. Surprisingly, these mistakes have become so common that they have been accepted as the standard. After watching the â€Å"Weird AY† Wantonly video one point was made very clear, that the target audience Is the youth of modern society. This is shown through his use of humor and illustration of modern social media and the poor habits that the youth of today posses.Weird AY† brings up some common grammatical misconceptions that have, unfortunately, become very common throughout society. One example of this is when he talks about the confusion people have with the difference between the use of less and the use of fewer. Through his use of illustration, it is conveyed how less is to be used when referring to a measurable amount, and fewer is to be used in reference to a number of items. AY also elaborates to the audience that the words â€Å"be, see, are, and you† shouldn't be written as single letters and the laziness that goes along with writing those words as single letters Is despicable.Through his song † Word Crimes,† AY projects his view on the literary repose of the modern cyber based society that is the world today. The often use of humor and criticism helps to teach the audience the proper use of grammar and spelling ,as well as, shed light on the ignorance of the English language that some of the youth and early adults of today posses. His use of humor is a very good tool to convey his point and view on the topic of awful English habits that have become apparently more common across society youth and makes his song all the more useful in his favor.

(classical old)chinese literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

(classical old)chinese literature - Essay Example The title of the â€Å"Written Crossing the Yellow River† sets the place as Yellow River and signals the upcoming stream of pictorial images. Indeed, both the noun â€Å"river† and the verb â€Å"to cross† denote a motion and imply that the narrator sets out on a voyage. The first line begins with a noun and the narrator speaks about a define boat: the boat that he is in. The river was described as â€Å"great†. The reason of its greatness is explained in the second line as to its â€Å"swollen waters† (386). It can be inferred from the second line that the weather is either extremely bad or the narrator is exaggerating the weather conditions since he describes the waters as â€Å"stretched to the sky edge† (386). We understand from the third line that the storm has just broke out. The motion is intensified and accelerated as â€Å"the sky and waves split apart suddenly†. Although it is the boat that wavered back and forth with the wav es, the narrator perceives it as if sky and waves split apart. The waves which obscured the narrator's view, now allow him to see his hometown as we can infer from the forth line. â€Å"The thousands of homes† in his town appear momentarily with the ebb of the tides. In the fifth line, he shifts his focus from homes to the marketplace. The sixth line paints a bit blurry picture, since the narrator's actual perception and his imagination seems to be merged. The adverb â€Å"vaguely† signifies the blurring of perception and imagination as he contemplates mulberry and hemp displayed at the town's marketplace. Indeed, it was impossible for him to discern mulberry and hemp from that distance (if we accept the previous information that he sees the thousands of homes in that distance). However, he sees the mulberry and hemp with his mind eye or â€Å"makes them out†. The one and only symbol of the poem appears when his mind shifts from the actual view to the landscape of his imagination. Indeed, the symbol of â€Å"mulberry and hemp† traditionally stands for China and its cultivated lands. After a momentary distraction, in the seventh line, he brings back his focus to his homeland and fixes his gaze, nevertheless it was too late. While he turned to gaze back, the town has already been disappeared with the flow of the tides. The last line brings us back to the beginning as the waters stretched to the clouds obscuring the subject's view. The last line is metaphorically linked to the second line as the verb â€Å"stretched† repeated twice in the poem. Meanwhile, â€Å"the vast floods† replaced â€Å"swollen waters† and â€Å"the clouds† substituted for â€Å"sky's edge†. The â€Å"vast floods† and â€Å"swollen waters† function like metaphorical curtains first covering then under-covering then covering again the view of the subject. The poet uses the ebb and flow of the tides to create an optic al illusion, which hides and then reveals his homeland. This rhythmic flow of waters reminds the fort-da (Gone! and There!) game. According to Freud, the child plays this game in order to appease his anxiety due to the absence of the mother. In this case, it is the homeland that first â€Å"Gone!† then â€Å"There† again† and the subject tries to overcome his feelings of loss while he leaves his hometown behind. In fact, the rhythmic

Learning Needs Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Learning Needs Assessment - Essay Example The hospital has been well recognized for being able to treat thyroid cancers of high incidence of the survivors in Ukraine and Russia that was caused by an accident that was caused by Chernobyl nuclear reactor. Coney Island Hospital is under the New York City Health and Hospital Corporation (HHC) which happens to be the county’s the largest health care system in the region serving more than 1.3 million people in New York. The hospital system is comprised of eleven acute hospital care centers, four nursing facilities that are skilled, six diagnostic centre that also carries out treatment and at least eighty clinic that are set up in the community. Home based health care services are also offered to the residents by HHC health care system. The hospital has also embarked to other services like healthy heart program as it served Bangladeshi, Pakistan and Indian communities when it came to their attention that these populations have a higher chance of being diagnosed with Coronary artery disease. The hospital is also known for being the first facility of HHC to start a Mosque and to serve halal food. Currently, statistics shows that the hospital has a workforce of 39,000 employees who offer health care services to the residents ranging from housekeepers to surgeon of the trauma. In their social responsibility, the hospital has embarked in a campaign that is supposed to increase safety, prevent and bring a culture of learning that is fair and just with an intention of bring accountability. The hospital’s mission is to become one of the best health care centres in the country come year 2010.

Road to Civil War Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Road to Civil War - Term Paper Example The weighty constitutional compromises were the Missouri Compromise of 1820, Compromise of 1850, the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 and repeal of the Missouri Compromise. The Missouri compromise of 1820 was as a result of an application for statehood made by Missouri in 1817. It was the first territory to apply for statehood within the area of Louisiana Purchase. This provoked the anger among northern states politicians because the main agenda of Southern leaders were to have a state with no restriction on slavery. Missouri application resulted to a fiery debate between the north and south over the issue of slavery in the new territories admitted as states to the union. Slavery was the most divisive issue between northern and southern States in early 1800s,and it threatened to break the union because of their differences regarding the slaves. Northern states were against slavery, and they wanted to have it outlawed. The Missouri application also led to controversy in congress over the s lave states with Congressman James Talmadge of New York seeking for additional provision in the Missouri statehood bill specifically restricting further buying of slaves into Missouri. His amendment also sought to have children of slave’s already in Missouri be set free at age of 25. Although the house of representative had approved the amendment, the senate rejected them and voted in favor of southern thus allowing slavery in Missouri. Southern senators were also blocking the statehood of Maine though a compromise was worked out for it during the congress meeting of late 1819. The compromise resolved that Maine would enter the union as Free State, while the Missouri would enter as a slave state (Alexander and Rucker 340). Alabama joined the union as a slave a state, making the number of slave states and Free states equal. The Missouri Compromise agreement helped is regulating the spread of slavery into the other parts Louisiana Purchase. This was achieved because the agreeme nt had stated clearly that no any new territory was to be admitted in the union from Missouri’s southern border. The congressional compromise over slavery also helped in setting a precedent that congress could control slavery in new territories and states (Schultz 480). The Missouri Compromise was exceedingly fruitful as it managed to contain the issue of slavery for three decades thus preventing eruption of war between northern and southern states. The Compromise of 1850 was second, and it was as a result of the end, of the Mexican –American war in 1848. It consisted of a series of bills which were passed by congress in their attempt to determine whether the western territories surrendered by America after the end of the war will enter the union as free or slave states. The legislation was highly controversial, and it passed after a lot of struggles as it was destined to be unpopular. The legislation consisted of five laws, which managed to balance the interest of Fre e states and slave states. The compromise resulted to admission of California to the union as a free state; Texas was paid $10 million as financial compensation for abandoning claims to lands west of the Rio Grande, organisation of new territory of Mexico without prohibition of slavery, elimination of slavery in Washington, D.C., and passing of the fugitive Slave

Power in organizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Power in organizations - Essay Example With reference to this aspect, the paper will discuss about the importance of power within an organization in a more diversified manner. Additionally, the paper also ensures a discussion regarding steps that the organization takes in order to encourage its employees and management to adopt and maintain an ethical and legal approach in their activities within organizational operations. Discussion Importance of power in an Organization The significance and the strong presence of power within an organization depict the fact that in the absence of it, proper execution of the operational activities of the organization will be highly uncertain. In precise, it can be depicted that power, which is mostly associated with the top level management and leaders of organizations is utilized as a major resources towards directing and accomplishing the goals and activities set by the organization for long and short term. Furthermore, the possessor of power in an organization will have the authority to manage various resources of the organization to ensure optimization of the benefits acquired from the same. Contextually, it will be vital to mention that effective use of these resources will further result in accomplishment of the organizational objectives, ensuring overall efficiency of the organization. Apart, from this vital aspect, power of a leader and a manager implies about their ability to influence higher authorities of an organization for accomplishment of the desired goals. Additionally, power of leaders and mangers assist them in promoting and reforming advanced strategies prevailing within an organization. This will enhance the probability of getting positive results from the utilization of the aforementioned resources. In addition to that, the possessor of power (leaders or managers) in any organization will also have the privilege to decide on the size of the organization, incorporation of latest technologies, operational approaches of the organization and alloca tions of the resources among other. Hence, it can be affirmed that a person acquiring maximum power in any organization will have his/her presence and influence in almost every sector of the organization with which he/she will be accountable to steer the overall performance of the organization towards a positive direction (Clegg, Courpasson & Phillips, 2006). Types of Power The above discussion apparently depicts the importance of power in an organization. However, to gain a comprehensive understanding regarding the facet of power in any organization, the various forms and sources of power will be vital to illustrate. In general, there are five types of power in any organization which further include coercive, legitimate, reward, referent and expert power among others. Coercive power, also regarded as the most primitive form of power in workplace that provides a person with the authority to punish or threaten the subordinates owing to non-completion of any task or inefficiency in th e same. This kind of power is implemented in scenarios where business is in a deteriorating position (Morgan, 2006). Subsequently, legitimate power refers to the formal rights of the top level leaders related to their designation within an organization. This type of power is quite universal and applied in ensuring proper functioning of the business through

BUS ECON (You Decide Activity) Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

BUS ECON (You Decide Activity) - Assignment Example The first thing that the government usually does in cases like this is to execute monetary policy, a mandate of the Federal Reserve. It lowers interest rates thereby increasing liquidity and helping customers and businesses get back on foot. However, as many analysts would say this may end up hurting the economy in the long run as it may lead to a rise in inflation, something that was witnessed in 2001 in the U.S (Desai, 2011). On the other hand, the idea of increasing taxes and reduced government spending will hurt the common person. This strategy is bad for the economy as consumers and business people will suffer and economic growth will slow down before it picks up again. Such tough measures are not good for the common man as they only benefit the rich (MacEwan & Miller, 2011). The best approach will be the Federal Reserve to retain the current interest rates and be involved strongly in selling bonds in order to increase the bank reserve requirement. This will lead to increased money supply in the economy, as well as stability of financial institutions (Mullard, 2012). However, the federal monetary policies may not be enough and this necessitates the need for both fiscal and monetary policies to help the economy. Some of the fiscal measures could include increased government spending and lowering of taxes. This will balance the economy as the effects of these decisions will be considerate to consumers, as well as businesses (Desai,

Personal Development Portfolio (Reflective Account) Essay

Personal Development Portfolio (Reflective Account) - Essay Example The actual process of writing the thesis took many twists and turns and there were long hours spent in accessing databases of stock exchanges and finding the reliable ones from the respectable ones; deciding on the methodology to be used, deciding the structure of the document and how information would be presented and so on. At the end of the thesis, I found that more than just a thesis, I was much richer as I had learnt the elements of conducting good research, how to structure the document, how to remain focussed and write so that the words represented my thoughts and analysis and how to conduct analysis of researched data. This document relates my experience as a researcher, learner and a student and my dissertation experience. The journey into conducting research for the thesis led me through various paths such as the very nature of equities, stock exchanges, bonds and debt instruments, share price indices, bourses, credit rating companies and other entities. I am glad to say that other than the 70 odd pages of the thesis, I also learn about many things such as how stock are evaluated, what is the nature of credit rating companies and more so, the intense efforts put in by these companies when they take up a debt instrument for rating. Prior to the thesis, I had very little idea of the methodology use behind rating. But now it is evident that rating agencies conduct very deep research into many aspects of a company such as its history, the nature of the market, history of the promoters, market sentiments and drivers and also variables that act on a debt instrument. The research taken up the teams in rating agencies cover many cross functional areas such as finance, accounts, economics and management and the research can take more than 2 months before a rating is given. When c company or its financial product is rated, it does not end at that as the rating is under regular

Legally Blonde Essay Example for Free

Legally Blonde Essay Stereotypes are assumptions made about a group of people based on commonalities shared among that group. These assumptions normally have to do with religion, ethnicity, cultural values, and even outward appearances. One of the common reasons stereotypes exist is that it is easy to identify individuals without interacting with them. A person can identify a face and immediately categorize him or her based on information derived from upbringing, past experiences, and the media. Some labels have the capability of harming individuals who are judged based on appearances or nationality. These stereotypes can lead to the mistreatment and prejudices against a particular group of people. For example, after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, a religious group called the Sihks have been attacked on numerous occasions because they were mislabeled as terrorists (NPR). Stereotyping can start at a young age when children are taught to make assumptions. For example, a mother will caution her child not to talk to any strangers. This can lay a foundation for future stereotypes. The child may grow up to be a person who stereotypes and who is prejudice. The child may not know that the assumptions being made rarely apply to each member of a group. Even though there are examples of dumb blondes, many intelligent blondes do exist. Diane Sawyer is a prominent figure in the world of news. In 1984, she broke new ground as the first woman to work as a correspondent on the award-winning news magazine 60 Minutes (Bio. True Story). She also has blonde hair. This proves that stereotypes do not apply to everyone of a certain group. Some common examples of stereotypes are people who wear glasses are nerds or all Asians are very intelligent. One of the most commonly known stereotype is the dumb blonde persona. It has been presented in film, music and even in literature. Not only is the blonde stereotype being represented in the media, but also in marketing. There is a shampoo made by Bed Head called Dumb Blonde. The blonde’s label states that the lack of intelligence is based on hair color. This leads the blonde to be depicted to rely on looks rather than intelligence to be successful in life. Many jokes are made based on the stereotype as well. An example is â€Å"What do you call a fly buzzing inside a blondes head? A Space Invader. † (Cracked. com). In the sitcom Three’s Company, a blonde character named Chrissy is ditzy and gets a lot of attention from many groups of men. She is easy to confuse and is quick to fall for men. The media takes the blonde label and dramatizes it with the persona of Chrissy. One of the most famous blondes that seems to fit the stereotype is Paris Hilton. She has been quoted as saying many outrageous statements such as, â€Å"I don’t really think, I just walk. † (Brainy Quote). She is successful at exploiting the dumb blonde persona. Another statement said by Hilton is, â€Å"I get half a million just to show up at parties. My life is, like, really, really fun. † (Brainy Quote). Hilton uses her dumb blonde character in order to get farther in life. With an in depth look into Paris Hilton it may be found that she possesses more intelligence than what she portrays. It is known that she is an American heiress, socialite, television personality, fashion designer, model, actress, producer, author, and singer. Paris Hilton is a good example of the dumb blonde. She gives people the idea that all blondes are like her, when in reality, they are not. From the sitcom Three’s Company in 1977, to the rich and famous Hollywood star Paris Hilton, the dumb blonde can be found almost anywhere. However, the media is taking small steps to counter represent the blonde. In the 2001 movie Legally Blonde, the main character Elle Woods evolves from the stereotypical blonde to a Harvard Law graduate. In the beginning, she was the president of her sorority, had a pet Chihuahua and majored in fashion merchandising. She states, Two weeks ago I saw Cameron Diaz at Fred Segal, and I talked her out of buying this truly heinous angora sweater. Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed! (Legally Blonde). She then applied to Harvard Law School with an application video that showed her in a bikini with her and her friends. Surprisingly, she was immediately accepted and later graduated with high honors. In Legally Blonde, Elle displays her intelligence by solving a murder in an unconventional way. This movie does show the classic stereotypes of blondes in the beginning but then turns it around to make the blonde an intelligent honors student who goes on to be a successful attorney. Stereotypes can be stopped by preventing assumptions or getting to know someone instead of pre-judging them. It should be understood that stereotypes rarely apply to everyone of that group. The media can reduce stereotypes by ignoring them instead of marketing them. By making characters who portray their stereotype, audiences come to believe that the label applies to everyone in a particular group. If the stereotype is not represented at all, it can help the general public forget that stereotypes ever existed. Everyone has the capability of putting stereotypes to rest, it is just a matter of having an open mind. An example can be set to others and soon stereotypes will come to an end. Works Cited â€Å"Diane Sawyer. † Bio. True Story. Web. 3 August 2013. Inskeep, Steve. â€Å"Sikhs Face More Attacks Since Sept. 11 Tragedies. † NPR. Web. 3 August 2013 Legally Blonde. Dir. Robert Luketic. 2001. Film. Paris Hilton Quotes. Brainy Quote. Web. 4 August 2013.

Visual Merchandising In Apparel Industry

Visual Merchandising In Apparel Industry Visual merchandising is the activity of promoting the sale of goods, especially by their presentation in retail outlets. This includes combining products, environments, and spaces into a stimulating and engaging display to encourage the sale of a product or service. Visual merchandising starts with the store building itself. The management then decides on the store design to reflect the products the store is going to sell and how to create a warm, friendly, and approachable atmosphere for its potential customers. Many elements can be used by visual merchandisers in creating displays, including colour, lighting, space, product information, sensory inputs such as smell, touch, and sound as well as technologies such as digital displays and interactive installations. The main principle of visual merchandising is that it is intended to increase sales. Visual merchandising is one of the final stages in trying to set out a store in a way that customers will find attractive and appealing and it should follow and reflect the principles that underpin the stores image. Visual merchandising is the way one displays goods for sale in the most attractive manner with the end purpose of making a sale. If it does not sell, it is not visual merchandising. Especially in todays challenging economy, people may avoid designers/ visual merchandisers because they fear unmanageable costs. But in reality, visual merchandisers can help economize by avoiding costly mistakes there by saving time and money. It is important to understand that the visual merchandiser is there, not to impose ideas, but to help clients articulate their own personal style. Visual merchandising is the art of implementing effective design ideas to increase store traffic and sales volume. VM is an art and science of displaying merchandise to enable maximum sale. VM is a tool to achieve sales and targets, a tool to enhance merchandise on the floor, and a mechanism to communicate to a customer and influence his decision to buy. VM uses season based displays to introduce new arrivals to customers, and thus increase conversions through a planned and systematic approach by displaying stocks available. Recently visual merchandising has gained in importance as a quick and cost effective way to revamp retail stores. Apparel Industry The influence of fashion clearly, fashion has also played an important role in shaping apparel consumerism. As lifestyles change, fashion in India is becoming more stratified, as in the West. Technology, ideas and lifestyles are moving concurrently, and quickly. Companies and brands that offered monotonous, mundane products for years have now tripled their product ranges and new appealing shapes and forms are being launched each season. Top-notch fashion professionals came together four years ago to form the Fashion Design Council of India. Under the aegis of the Union textile ministry and in tandem with National Institute of Fashion Technology, FDCI now provides professional inputs for designing labels and is now working towards developing the fashion supply chain through backward linkages with suppliers and mills, and forward linkages with the retail and distribution network. The boom in domestic apparel, nevertheless, tells only part of the story. India has huge potential as a market for foreign clothing, given its large population and growing household incomes. A few significant foreign players-such as Levi Strauss, Benetton and Lacoste-have been selling their branded apparel in India for a number of years. But now, just like their Indian counterparts, global apparel brands are setting up their own apparel outlets, instead of just selling through departmental stores. Ralph Lauren, for example, has a limited range exhibited in generic department stores located in metro cities. Yet it has now set up its own stand-alone stores, which showcase all the companys brands. Now, with the governments proposal to let in branded retail players- brands like Benetton and Lacoste currently sell mostly through the franchise route-investments in Indias apparel sector are likely to go up substantially. Indian Apparel Industry- an Overview: The apparel industry is one of Indias largest foreign exchange earners, accounting for nearly 16% of the countrys total exports. The 1996 Indian textile exports approximately amounted to Rs.35,000 crores of which apparel occupied over Rs14,000 crores. Source: http://apparel.indiamart.com/lib/garments/indian07251998.html It has been estimated that India has approximately 30,000 readymade garment manufacturing units and around three million people are working in the industry. Today not only is the garment export business growing, enthusiasm in the minds of the foreign buyers is also at a high. Today many leading fashion labels are being associated with Indian products. India is increasingly being looked upon as a major supplier of high quality fashion apparels and Indian apparels have come to be appreciated in major markets internationally. The credit for this goes to our exporter community. Consistent efforts towards extensive market coverage, improving technical capabilities and putting together an attractive and wide merchandise line has paid rich dividends. But till today, our clothing industry is dominated by sub-contractors and consists mainly of small units of 50 to 60 machines. Indias supply base is medium quality, relatively high fashion, but small volume business. Recent recession in Europe and the South Asian currency crisis have also contributed their own bits to the decimating Indian exports. Though these are expected to fizzle out soon, there is no reason for complacency on the part of Indian exporters or of the garment industry. The industry will be soon faced with open competition shorn of quotas or tariffs. Thus the need of the hour is to enlarge both manufacturing as well as the marketing base. Inculcation of a spirit of innovation by way of research and development and tapping new markets especially in South Africa, Central Africa, CIS, East European countries, Latin America and Australia is also mandatory for export growth. In India, clothing retail accounts for 36% of organized retail business. It is the largest sector. Ready-made apparel accounted for an estimated 20% of domestic clothing sales in 2005. With growing working women wearing western wear to work, and pressed for time, market for good readymade clothes is likely to grow. India is a film-crazy nation, and the largest producer of films, with more than 1,000 every year. They provide entertainment and an escape from reality for Indias masses, and set the popular fashion trend. Bollywood fashions have become pan Indian. They affect various sectors of the market including clothing, footwear, weddings and fashion accessories. With the advent of modern format retailers and the growth of plastic cards, affluent urban Indian women are shopping like never before. Source: www.ibef.org They spend mornings browsing in stores looking for deals or latest styles. There are designer clothes that incorporate Indian motifs, ethnic fabrics and are a fusion of western and Indian styles. In the large urban centers, apparel retailers, like Shoppers Stop, Westside and Pantaloon have popularized their private labels, which have attracted urban shoppers. Westside carries only its own private labels, while for the other stores, 20-30% of their apparel turnover is from private labels. Customers have loyalty to a store rather than any particular garment brand. This has led to a thriving unbranded or local brand market for ready-to-wear clothes leading to severe competition. Hence organized retailers like Lifestyle, for instance, has a loyalty programme called `The Inner Circle, while Pantaloons offers a `Green Card Rewards programmes, Westside has `Club West to Woo the customers. Customers look to design and fit of the clothes, and use the shops name as a quality standard. About the Companies: Allen Solly Allen Solly was founded in 1744 by a company called William Hollin and Co Ltd. The brand was purchased some time in the 90s by a new company called Madura Garments which was a part of Madura Coats. Madura Coats was a big producer of threads. The Vision Of Allen Solly : The company aimed to emerge as a brand which was totally new and did not stick to conventions. Friday Dressing was introduced to give the company a stronghold. Initially the Indian markets was not open to experimental apparel for men. Friday dressing by Allen Solly gave Indian corporates an oppurtunity to transform their wardrobes. The new formal wear was relaxed and not boring. The Aditya Birla Group took over Allen Solly in 2001 . Allen Solly brings together people from different walks of life and unites them in the matters of style and attitude. The innovative garments of Allen Solly give people an identity in the work place, while chilling out. Source:http://www.mapsofworld.com/referrals/brands/mens-brands/mens-accessory-brands/allen-solly.html Max Max, a part of Landmark Group, is a fashion and footwear retailer in the Value segment. Max retails its own label clothing for men, women and children, as well as footwear and house ware. Max is opening around 100 stores across India, is a division of Lifestyle International Pvt Ltd., which is a part of US $ 1 billion Landmark Group. Landmarkgroup is one of the largest retailers in the Middle East with over 500 stores across 8 countries, directly employing 10,000 people. We have already opened stores in Indore, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi-Rajouri Garden, Agra, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai Noida and Delhi Laxminagar. A good shopping experience and a great value at Max translate into making customers Look good and Feel good to the maximum Source: http://company.monsterindia.com/lsiplin/ Kazo Kazo is a young international brand that has made its way into the centre of the fashion industry within a short span of time. Kazo launched its first showroom in Delhi on 07th july, 2007 under the directorship of Mr. Deepak Aggarwal. The idea of Kazo came into being with the aim of amalgamating international trends and fashion at a value that would be affordable for the woman of today. The garments designed are phenomenally fashionable with a high wear ability and practicality quotient. The main asset of the collections is that it is highly affordable which enables customers an access to the latest designer wear, giving a chance to every woman to feel great in her skin, right to her soul. Source: http://www.kazo.com/cmspages/index/1 Bizarre The bizarre label was first introduced in 1987, to fulfill self-expression. They entered this new age with a change in recent years and a person so assertive, they all have set the womens sights glouriously higher. With the buzz of a new girl on the block. Source: http://www.bizarreindia.com/company.html Globus Launched in January 1998, Globus is a part of the Rajan Raheja group. The company opened its first store in 1999 at Indore followed by the launch of its second store in Chennai (T-Nagar). The Globus has a Privilege Club card which is very unique in a way that Members are immediately rewarded for purchases at any of their stores, in addition to a host of other privileges such as exclusive tie ups, promotion and special shopping hours. To each his own individual needs vary. This is why Globus offers 2 different card categories, each with it own benefits designed to suit the needs of the customers. Source: www.globus.in Pantaloons This Company was incorporated on October 12, 1987 as Manz Wear Private Limited. The Company was converted into a public limited company on September 20, 1991 and on September 25, 1992 the name was changed to Pantaloon Fashions (India) Limited and in the same year the Company made an initial public offering. Later they changed their name to Pantaloon Retail (India) Limited on July 7 1999. Pantaloons believes in managing customer expectation by offering them all the requirements for their entire family under one roof is the key to being a successful retailer, and hence have built their business model around Family focus rather than individual focus. Pantaloons clearly define Lifestyle products under Private Labels and third party brands. They have a loyalty card programme with a name of Green Card. It is divided hierarchically into one star, three star and five star. Every point generated at all the levels is equivalent to Rs.1 It also stays in touch with its loyal customers through Mailers, SMSs E-mails and Telephone informing them about the developments and promotions. Source: 1) www.scribd.com/doc/47945/McKinsey-MGI- india-consumer-full-report 2) www.pantaloon.com/companyinfo.asp LITERATURE REVIEW Gaynor Lea-Greenwood, (1998) in his paper Visual merchandising: a neglected area in UK fashion marketing? outlines recent research which demonstrates that the re-naming of display as visual merchandising has led to centralization and professionalism of the function. Centralization of visual merchandising has given the function a strategic profile which has to date been neglected within the literature. The move towards centralization and therefore increased professionalization and sophistication of the creative process is discussed and includes the following benefits outlined by the respondents: (1) communicating a cohesive brand image; (2) differentiating the offer from the competition; (3) integrating promotional effort across the brand; (4) increasing availability of technology to facilitate the process. The paper concludes with future research avenues and recommendations. The article in Fibre to fashion on The art of visual merchandising talks about Visual Merchandising is the art of displaying merchandise in a manner that is appealing to the eyes of the customer. It sets the context of the merchandise in an aesthetically pleasing fashion, presenting them in a way that would convert the window shoppers into prospects and ultimately buyers of the product. A creative and talented retailer can use this upcoming art to breathe in new life into his store products. Passion for design and creativity are essential to be a good visual merchandiser. A perfect design process and the ability to create ideas that are different are required. Awareness of happenings in fashion world is needed so as to keep up-to-date with the dynamics of the market constantly. Components of Visual Merchandising: Make merchandise the focal point Right choice of colours is vital Display themes to appropriately support the product Thus visual merchandising is all about how to attract the customer to buy merchandise. Jerry Gelsomino in his article on Basic Tips for Better Visual Merchandising states that Great store presentation and product merchandising is like a good book. Its got an alluring cover to entice, an interesting first chapter to tell the reader theyve made the right choice, and a satisfying conclusion to get the audience to want more. The tools used to achieve these attributes are based on creating the most satisfying experience for the shopper, turning browsers into buyers. Storefront Identity and First Impressions the entrance reflects the personality of the store and gives a glimpse of the merchandise available inside. Design a distinctive store logo that communicates your mission. The way merchandise is displayed in show windows also has a lot to do with enticing the guests into the store. Whether you have a store in the mall or on the street, the customer has only a few seconds to view and be attracted by your displays. Your visual philosophy should replicate a billboard: make it bold, colorful, and simple. Store Layout In developing an effective store design, a most critical element is how the store is organized for a logical unfolding or discovery of merchandise by the browser. Is your store easy to shop? In this article on The importance of Visual Merchandising posted in Financial Express (2 November, 2002) it talks about the importance of VM in stores. It majorly focuses on aspects like: Walls Layout Shelving Colour Lighting Space Odour etc. Visual merchandising is the activity of promoting the sale of goods, especially by their presentation in retail outlets. This includes combining products, environments, and spaces into a stimulating and engaging display to encourage the sale of a product or service. It has become such an important element in retailing that a team effort involving the senior management, architects, merchandising managers, buyers, the visual merchandising director, designers, and staff is needed. This information on VM also contains: History Plano-gram Window Display Merchandising etc. Bill Gerba (19 October, 2006) In his article on Five visual merchandising tips for your in-store network the author explains Merchandising, as commonly used in marketing, means the promotion of merchandise sales, as by coordinating production and marketing and developing advertising, display, and sales strategies to increase retail sales. This includes disciplines in pricing and discounting, physical presentation of products and displays, and the decisions about which products should be presented to which customers at what time. Five tips: Dont bother force-feeding your network name to consumers: Do promote your host retailers brand and core values: Do work closely with the retailers store marketing department Do use your displays to complement the retailers other marketing strategies Do make your content valuable to shoppers This article on Retailing (2006) talks about the attitudinal shift of the Indian consumer in terms of Choice Preference, Value for Money and the emergence of organised retail formats have transformed the face of Retailing in India. With a growth over 20 percent per annum over the last 5 years, organised retailing is projected to reach US$ 23 Billion by 2010.The Indian retail industry though predominantly fragmented through the owner -run Mom and Pop outlets has been witnessing the emergence of a few medium sized Indian Retail chains, namely Pantaloon Retail, RPG Retail, Shoppers Stop, Westside (Tata Group) and Lifestyle International. Given the attractiveness of the Indian retail sector, foreign retailers like Wal-Mart, Carrefour SA, Europes largest retailer and Tesco Plc, the UKs largest retailer, were keen to enter this growing market, despite the Indian retail sector being closed to foreign direct investment (FDI). Himanshu Vaidya in her report on Visual Merchandising Concept and Concern talks about various aspects in VM and their importance Also the points where attention needs to be given. Some of the areas discussed are: Aim of VM Effect of VM Merchandise Seasons-Plans and schedules Life expectancy of Visual Displays Types of Visual Merchandise Displays VM problem in India etc. Preeta H Vyas in his IIMA journal (2 November, 2007) on Sales Promotion Practices in Apparel Retail Sector and Challenges Ahead, clearly explains that Indian organised retail industry is poised for growth. Apparel sector in particular has a great opportunity with alignment of Indian economy to globalised markets. With the widespread use of sales promotions- short term activities which provide material inducements to consumers and trade it becomes imperative for managers to understand such practices and understand challenges. This study investigates sales promotion activities of six apparel stores in Ahmedabad market and compares them on various dimensions. It presents major findings and provides insights on consumer behaviour. Ulla Harrison, Sebastien Retaillieux,, Laurence Hugon Ellen Verburg in their article on Visual Merchandising: Seeing is Buying (2008), talks about the various modes of visual display in apparel sector, it also gives a basic idea regarding: Window Display Entrance of a store Props and its use Types of displaying the merchandise: By family By colour By Product group etc. Zilka, Carlain their article on Dressing Down The Business Model; The apparel industry has been hard hit during the recession, and the industrys cost-cutting measures may be out of fashion(17 April, 2009), they state in detail the condition of the apparel sector and the exhausted strategies of cost cutting measures used by them and suggests new measures as well. This article answers the question as to how can companies truly understand their organizations health, especially when visible symptoms may or may not be obvious. Global Luxury Apparel Retailers Eyeing Indian Markets, (Edit Article | 13 Jan, 2010) mostly talks about the situation of the apparel sector and regarding the International Majors that are in talks With Indian players to target aspirational but Value-Conscious Consumers. Especially regarding Shoppers stop and how they are planning to bring in more foreign brands. This research paper posted by an anonymous person on Research Paper on Retail Industry (21 May, 2010), provides a detailed research on the organized retail sector of India. A brief introduction and evolution shows how the organized retailing changed its gears over the period from Panwala dhukan to chain stores across the length and breadth of India. The market size and related details gives a statistical view of increasing market in a few major areas of retailing. The major market players who enlivened the present caricature of retail sector are presented briefly along with statistics. The changing scenarios of Indian consumers give a proof to the potential opportunity in the retailing arena. SWOT analysis of retail industry and its future prospects. Major lifesaver of the Indian retailing is the advertising and promotional strategies and Visual Display; which comes out with innovative ways to win consumers over and keep them permanently happy. Gupta and Swati, (23 July, 2010) in their wonderful article on Deviant Displays New Trend in Window Fashion speak about the new trend that has started, where the deviant window displays are created to look creepy to grab attention. the article gives detailed information on what, how, when and Dos and Donts of deviant display. Hemanth Y. In his paper on Reshaping the Apparel Business, focuses briefly on the recent trends which are followed in Apparel retailing. Retail business in India has transformed from traditional mom and pop stores to big retail chains. We can witness the fact in this article what factors are going to bring about a change in the retail sector with special reference to Apparels. The paper gives a thought towards new trends followed in Apparel Retailing. Tappal Babu in his paper on Visual Merchandising states that Visual merchandising is a comparatively new career field in which has sprung up with the growing popularity of window and floor displays. Visual merchandisers main area of work is to create impossible window displays. They can find employment with fashion boutiques, shopping malls, euphoria etc. They are also engaged as shop floor mangers. They can also do freelancing on contract basis for windows displays in exhibitions, fares, and other places. Other career options under this head are production coordinator, quality control supervisor, fashion retailer, export manger etc. This paper discusses importance and potential for visual merchandising professionals. 1. PROBLEM STATEMENT To study the effectiveness of Visual Merchandising in Apparel Industry 2. OBJECTIVES To study the visual Merchandising of the stores covered under my research. (Max, Globus, Pantaloons, Allen Solly, Bizarre and Kazo.) To analyse the efforts put in by the stores in Visual Merchandising. To check the effectiveness of their current visual merchandising on the customers. To propose a new or modified Visual Merchandising for the store that has least effect of VM over its customers. 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Research design Research Design is a framework or blueprint for conducting the marketing research project. It details the procedures necessary for obtaining the information needed to solve the marketing research problems. Research Design can be classified into 2 major categories: Exploratory : The objective of this research is to explore or search through a problem or situation to provide insights and understanding. Conclusive: The objective of this research is to test specific hypothesis and examine specific relationships. A conclusive research is further sub-categorized into: Descriptive: The objective is to describe something-usually market characteristics or functions. Causal: The objective is to obtain evidence of cause and effect relationship. In this research of apparel industry, including Globus, Max, Pantaloons, Kazo, Bizarre and Allen Solly, I adopted a Conclusive research as I was working on a specific hypothesis and was examining the validity of that hypothesis. Within the conclusive research I have selected Descriptive research as I am trying to determine the effectiveness of Visual Merchandising in apparel industry (Globus, Max, Pantaloons, Kazo, Bizarre and Allen Solly). A Descriptive research requires a clear specification of the six Ws. So the specification of Six Ws in case for my research are: Who: Who should be considered as the patron for the research? Any one who is a customer of all or any of the stores considered in my research (Globus, Max, Pantaloons, Kazo, Bizarre and Allen Solly). What: What information should be obtained from the respondents? Information related to Customers feeling or view towards the display of all or any of the stores considered in my research (Globus, Max, Pantaloons, Kazo, Bizarre and Allen Solly). Information about changes required in the Visual display of all or any of the stores considered in my research (Globus, Max, Pantaloons, Kazo, Bizarre and Allen Solly).. When: When should the information be obtained from the respondents? After they have shopped from the stores. When customer is free and fills the questionnaire mailed to them. Where: Where should the respondents be contacted to obtain the required information? Outside the stores Online through mail. Outside the stores if they are not busy for a while. Why: Why are we obtaining the information from the respondents? To decide as to whether the visual merchandising of all or any of the stores considered in my research (Globus, Max, Pantaloons, Kazo, Bizarre and Allen Solly) is effective or not. Way: In which way are we going to obtain the information from the respondents? Direct survey through questionnaires. 3.2 Source of information In case of this research though I have gone through the few articles published on all or any of the stores in my research (Globus, Max, Pantaloons, Kazo, Bizarre and Allen Solly). I have not considered those information, my source of information for this research is Primary data collected through questionnaires. 3.3 Sample size In my research I have used the Statistical Approach to determine the sample size and in it I have used Sample size determination through proportions. I have considered this approach because I am interested in estimating the effectiveness of visual merchandising in the apparel industry. In my research: Confidence Level (CL) wanted is 95% Level of Precision required (S) is  ±0.02 so s= 0.02 Thus : Formula for n sample size is Zà ³p = s : Zà ³p = 0.02 The Z value associated with 95% CL is 1.96 So Z=  ± 1.96, 1.96à ³p = 0.02 Now à ³p = à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡pq/n, So 1.96à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡pq/n = 0.02, à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡pq/n = 0.02/1.96. à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡pq/n = 0.0102 By squaring on both sides we get: Pq/n= 0.0001 Hence pq = n x 0.0001, Thus n = pq/ 0.0001 Now we assume the parameter p, though ideal is 0.5 we considered p as 0.0168 And q = 1-p thus q = 1- .0168= 0.9832 Replacing p and q we get: n = (0.0168)(0.9832)/0.0001 = 165.18à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‹â€ 165. Thus our sample size is 165. 3.4 Sampling Technique In my research I have used Non Probability Sampling technique. Judgmental: As in this technique the researcher chooses the respondents on the basis of his/her judgment as to who will be the best suitable representative of the population. I mailed the questionnaire to all those whom I felt could be the customer of all or any of the stores in my research (Globus, Max, Pantaloons, Kazo, Bizarre and Allen Solly . Snowballing: In this technique a initial group of respondents is selected and after their response they are asked to identify others who belong to the target population of interest. I selected few respondents in Amity Hostel and my other friends after their response I asked them to name few more in the hostel or their friends whom they know are the customers of all or any of the stores considered in my research (Globus, Max, Pantaloons, Kazo, Bizarre and Allen Solly). 3.5 Hypothesis of the research H0 : There is no significant impact of Visual Merchandising in Apparel Industry. HA: There is significant impact of Visual Merchandising in Apparel Industry. 4. DATA ANALYSIS From the data that I collected for the research, I posted them in SPSS and got t-test and k-test results.. As I have considered 95% as my confidence level. The result (ÃŽÂ ±) of each question has to exceed 0.05, so that Null Hypothesis could be accepted. The result of each question is as follows: Are people attracted towards eye catching window display. As ÃŽÂ ± is 0.000 which is less than 0.05. So Ho is rejected. While passing through the racks, people tend to look through the clothes nearby. As ÃŽÂ ± is 0.000 which is less than 0.05. So Ho is rejected. People tend to buy the merchandise on display featuring a new style or design. As ÃŽÂ ± is 0.000 which is less than 0.05. So Ho is rejected. People are attracted towards sales or clearance signage. As ÃŽÂ ± is 0.000 which is less than 0.05. So Ho is rejected People are attracted towards promotional signage in the store. As ÃŽÂ ± is 0.000 which is less than 0.05. So Ho is rejected. Result of comparing the apparel stores (Globus, Pantaloons, Max, Bizarre, Kazo and Allen Solly) on the basis of there Visual Merchandising H0: There is no significant difference amongst the mentioned stores in the minds of customer in terms following attributes. Ha: There is significant difference amongst the mentioned stores in the minds of customer in terms following attributes As per preference of shopping H0: is rejected as ÃŽÂ ± is less than 0.05, so Ha s accepted 5. CONCLUSION From the market research on the effectiveness of the Visual Merchandising of Ap

Best Buy Managing For Competitive Advantage Commerce Essay

Best Buy Managing For Competitive Advantage Commerce Essay The paper is a critical examination of Best Buy managing for competitive advantage. The essay brings forth strategies Best Buy uses as well as how these strategies are put into action in order for it to gain competitive advantage over its competitors. Competitive advantage refers to set of strategic advantages a business have adopted that make it be in a better position to compete or even out shine its rivals. Thus attaining Competitive Advantage fortifies and places an organization in a better position within the competitive business world. According to Pfeffer 21, this theory of competitive advantage was brought forth by Porter Michael back in 1990. He suggested that business entities as well as other non-profit institutions need to adopt some policies, procedures and plans that will help it to develop very high quality goods and services that can be sold at higher prices to consumers. With the fact that almost all kind of business entities do meet very stiff competitions there is thus need for each and every organization to adopt the best strategies that will help them cut themselves an edge in this competitive world of business, Best Buy not being an exception. However various business and management scholars have come to a conclusion that having these strategies is not important unless they are adequately managed; hence competitive advantage management (Pfeffer 142). This refers to set of mechanisms and plans that not only places and organization at an upper hand as compared to its competitors but making it stand out in the business environment. The paper recognizes Best Buy competitive advantage as being it customer-centricity this implies delivering modified and extremely personalized service to clients. All this has been attained by automating the services it provides to customers by using online services. Best Buy customer centered strategy It has been argued out that once an organization clearly understands the need, wants and aspiration of its customers, there is nothing that will block it from excelling provided it takes corrective actions towards attaining the same. Additionally, research as shown that business entities that focus or are customer oriented do have higher chances of securing a competitive advantage which in most cases translates to higher revenue generation, price earnings ratio, highly satisfied customers thus creating customer loyalty. This concept seems to have been well mastered by Best Buy. For instance, since the plan was rolled out, the profit margin for the organization rose by almost 3% (Jaynie Flanagan 122). It is worth mentioning that the strategy has been successful thanks to technological innovation that has allowed customers to even buy good 24/7 even during the holidays. It is important to note although this strategy was recently launched, the organization adequately trained and educated its store-level workforce so that they could be in a position to have in mind the varied needs of the customers on the basis of how they were segmented. One strategy that was a milestone in taking the business where it is to day is customers segmentation. Best Buy segmented its customers into five different levels which include; small-business customers that utilize the business services and products to foster increased profits in their business, busy mothers leaving in suburban that aim at enriching their kids way of life with technological innovation especially in entertainment,, men having families that are in quest of bettering their general way of living through entertainment and other ways, young men who are is thirst of technological innovation and finally very rich professionals that seek the best in terms of entertainment as well as other life experiences. It is worth noting heretthat this I in line with the notion brought forth by Mentzer in his article titles Achieving Competitive Advantage through Supply Chain Management he suggested that not all customers are created equally because there are those that are very crucial to success of any organization while some are not as crucial as other and thus need to be treated by using a different approach. This has been adequately addressed by Best Buy by segmenting its customers (Mentzer 3). According to Mentzer 1 after successfully carrying out a survey, which included slightly over thirty of its stores, Best Buy started rolling the strategy of computerizing the quote-to-order process aimed at making it possible for customers to buy in a 24/7 hour basis even if it is on holidays. In total over hundred of the companys store adopted this strategy. Reports suggested that the company financial result could be boosted and indeed it was and that less cynical outcomes are expected as well as development of a stable link between the company and its customers. Additionally, it is important to remember that for any organization to be prosperous even in its best strategies, the part played by its workforce is of paramount, it is evident that the company did provide education and training to its employees so that they could be well equipped with knowledge to help customers. An example where customer centricity was attained through the efforts of store employees is in Pasadena store in which there was a reconfiguration of the place to appeal to suburban mothers (Peppers Rogers 4) It entailed transferring small electrical appliances to a low rack situated on the walk way of the store from high shelves, this boosted sales of the same to almost two folds. Generally speaking, the company strategy fundamentally rests on viewing its initiatives from the customers point of view, clearly understanding what they need as well as trying its best in meeting these needs (Jaynie Flanagan 211). According to the vice chairman and CEO of the company, this is what gives them a cutting edge in the business environment. On the same note, the company has adopted a way of distributing its goods that is inline with customers demand and aspirations. This has time and a gained been managed by using enterprise resource planning system that seem to have successfully synchronized the need of clients. Additionally, the company best strategy is also its ability to harmonize it various chains of supply together with what its stores need; (Peppers Rogers 2) this has resulted to those employees who work as sales representative having at their disposal a variety of products that meet the needs of those customers that are dear to the company. Similarly, it is worth mentioning that Best Buy has successfully adopted technological innovation whereby customers need not to come to their stores to select or see those appliances they plan to buy. This carries with it a number of advantages for instance convenience and lack of being pressurized by sales persons to buy (Pfeffer 164). Additionally, it give one enough time to scrutinize the features one desire to have in a given appliance. Conclusion From the review of competitive advantage management of Best Buy Company, it is evident that technological innovation adoption and focusing in customer and empowering its employees are among the strategies that have played a better part in shaping the company. What make the company different is that it has clearly understood what its customers need and have taken serious steps towards attaining those things desired by the customers. It is thus no doubt that the company has thrived despite stiff competition from other well known business organizations such as Wal Mart, Dell among other. In my view, every organization must adopt a set of strategies to help it thrive now and in future.

Field Study At Alcoholics Anonymous Essay -- Research Alcoholism Drink

Field Study At Alcoholics Anonymous On Wednesday March 15 and 22 I attended meetings of the Serentiy Group, a local meeting group of Alcoholics Anonymous that were held at the Congregational Church in East Bridgewater. The meetings started around 8:00 pm and went until each member was given the opportunity to speak, or to share their feelings in some way. There was a total of 15 people present, including myself and my companion. The group was primarily made up of males, there was one female aside from my companion and I. The age of the group members was pretty much middle age (late 30s to 50s).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before attending the meeting I was very apprehensive about going, for many reasons. The main one was that I did not know what to expect. I was unsure of who was going to be there, if I would know anyone, or if anyone would know me. I felt as though I was going to be invading the privacy of those in attendance. Upon arrival at I felt very extremely uncomfortable for two reasons, the obvious age difference, and the male to female ratio. The uneasiness passed quickly as the members of the group welcomed us in, and made us feel as if we were a part of the group. I think that part of my initial nervousness was due to the fact that I did not know what to expect, I was unsure as to what a drunk would look like. Once I arrived I realized that they do not look any different than anyone else. My initial impression was that the meeting would be very depressing, a ...

Little Fugue and Morning Song by Sylvia Plath Essay -- Sylvia Plath Po

A relationship is an emotional connection to someone involving an interaction between two or more people. There are many types of relationships, some functional and others far from being workable. I will demonstrate this through my texts of; Little Fugue, and Morning Song both poems written by Sylvia Plath; the movie, Love Actually; and the book, Trickster’s Choice by Tamora Pierce. Little Fugue by Sylvia Plath is my first example of how we all perceive our different relationships. This poem is about Plath talking of her father and herself and the lack of communication between the two. Throughout the poem, Plath contradicts herself, saying, ‘I was seven, I knew nothing’ yet she constantly talks of the past, remembering. Her tone is very dark and imposing, she uses many images of blindness, deafness and a severe lack of communication, ‘So the deaf and dumb/signal the blind, and are ignored’. Her use of enjambment shows her feelings and pain in some places, in other places it covers up her emotional state. She talks of her father being a German, a Nazi. Whilst her father may have originated from Germany, he was in no way a Nazi, or a fascist. He was a simple man who made sausages. ‘Lopping the sausages!’ However she used this against her father, who died when she was but eight, saying that she still had night mares, ‘They color1 my sleep,’ she also brings her father’s supposed Nazism up again, ‘Red, mottled, like cut necks./There was a silence!’. Plath also talks of her father being somewhat of a general in the militia, ‘A yew hedge of orders,’ also with this image she brings back her supposed vulnerability as a child, talking as if her father was going to send her away, ‘I am guilty of nothing.’ For all her claims of being vul... ...r child being an alien, she still stumbles from bed ‘cow heavy’ at a single cry from the child. Morning Song is literally the cry of a baby, as it calls for it’s mother. The relationship between mother and child is strong although Plath seems to view her child as something totally unchildlike. She doesn’t seem to be able to connect with her child in any way. I have learned that relationships are diverse and can change from one moment to the next. I have learned that not all people share the same views as I do when it comes to the people I hold dear. The world around me is a very different place to my perceived ideals. Relationships are like diamonds, with many sides and facets. It can be perfect and clear, or cloudy and distorted. It is life. 1American spelling used as it is a direct quote 2Corus is the capital city of Aly’s home country, Tortall

Keeping Close to Home Essay

Bell Hooks essay â€Å"Keeping Close to Home†, describes her struggles after she was accepted at Stanford University to further her self-realization. In this essay Hooks talks about her journey to educate herself and no losing her sense of where she came from as African American woman from a working class background. Hooks parents wanted her to go to a school close to home, a non-diverse like Stanford was. They wanted her to go to a school no just close to home but were the majority were black too. Her family biggest fear was her daughter changing her mind or losing her values and the connection with them. They knew college change people. However Hooks found the way to keep close to home by visiting every year, sometimes when she couldn’t go home because she didn’t have the money to travel, she had to stay at school, she expresses in a passage how her family wasn’t happy or supportive about her decision about her going to Stanford. As she said â€Å"My pa rents had not being delighted that I had been accepted ad adamantly opposed my going so far from home. At the same time, I did not see their opposition as an expression of their fear that they would lose me forever, â€Å"Like many working-class folks, they feared what college education might do to their children’s even as they unenthusiastically acknowledge its importance† (101). Most kids have a very strong knowledge about were they come from like Hooks was, opposite to some others which doesn’t, this make them to be weak, they could change their values and they might forget about their families and community. . When kids go to college they are in touch with many different people from different backgrounds. It is normal that their parents could be afraid of their kids changing their minds afterwards they will be living away from home and this could happen. This changes depend on how strong their roots are. Having no contact with no contact with their families that could happen, like Hooks explains on her essay when she said â€Å"Often I tell students from poor and working-class backgrounds that if you believe [that] what you have learned and are learning in schools and universities separates you from your past, this is precisely what will happen. It is important to stand firm in the conviction that nothing can  truly separate us from our pasts when we nurture and cherish that connection† (108). The best way to maintain the values our family gave us when we go away from home either to college or to live far from our families is keeping in touch with them for this purpose talk to our families once in a while will be good also never forget were we came from. When I read Hooks essay, this send me back in time to the year of 1979 when I graduate from High School. As I was reading her essay I felt that Hooks and I had the same struggles. Before I graduate from High School I had my mind set about going to college. My family was very poor. My mother was always a very hard worker woman, she ironed all the neighborhood clothing. I am very proud of my mother being a single mother she was capable to race my little sister and I all by herself after my dad past away when I was twelve years old Hooks’s talks about how proud she was about her father too when she said â€Å" â€Å" I never knew how poor we were until I needed to go to college. I knew I will need to find a job to fu rther my education. Hooks reveals all the pain and struggles she had after she was accepted at Stanford, how her parents were not supportive. I had the same exact struggles. My mother was very upset when I told her about my decision on going to school, she argues with me about how her friend’s kids never came back to their homes and how they stop visiting their parents after they went to school. My mother was not being very supportive like Hooks parents were. She teaches us to how to be loving, caring, how to respect each other in the family and everyone else. She wanted for me just to find a job close to my house, she even talked with the owners of this pharmacy on the corner of my house to give me a job as a cashier. She said I should stay home and help her with the house chores, she never thought I could be anything more than a housekeeping. We lived in a very small town called Villa Canales which was eight hours away from the college I decided to go. That was the most painful decision I had ever made. After all I was the first generation going to college. My family was very tight with very strong values. My sister and I used to spend all our summers vacations at my grandma’s house when we were little, we loved to listen all the stories she had to tell us, while we grow up. This made my family very similar to Hooks’s family. However my mother was afraid of me being far from her and my little sister and forget about them which didn’t happen. Even when the communication was not easy in Guatemala where I grow  up, I did all my efforts maintaining communication with my family. Distance was not enough reason for me to stop keeping in touch with them the same and never forget about all the instructions she gave me. The same way Hooks never stopped her contact and communication with her family. The purpose of her essay is to argue about that students coming from a working class background should not be ashamed where they come from nor either forget about their families. Going to school far from home shouldn’t change people, at least no their values. To keep this values intact people needs to keep the connection as Hooks did by keeping in touch with her family and community. Universities separates families this should not happen because the only way we keep our values is being tight with our families.

Language Learning in Early Childhood Essay

Early childhood education and early schooling for young children usually starts at the age of three; however, language learning for all human begins at the very early age. Many new born babies start to communicate with meaningless words like pa and ba; perhaps, it is the first stage they want to begin learning how to speak. The question arises with a grappling impression of why it happens, and what pushes them to superfluously generalize those meaningless sounds. The reason behind this amazing issue is what has engaged many psychologists and linguists all over the area of language research projects around the world. Beginning to simply answer this question, Lightbown and Spata (2010), state that in very early stages children produce a specific group of repeated words to convey their thoughts: for example, a comfortable baby frequently repeats cooing and gurgling; however it is not the case with a hungry child. Moreover, they assert that the process of learning to communicate falls into different sequential stages, which is the focus of this paper. According to Lightbown and Spata (2010), as children grow up, the sense for communication eagerly start to discover many features of the language that gives them the idea of how meaning relationships are created through the language. A twelve years old month baby exactly knows the meaning of cookies; he/she is still unable to use an appropriate language to ask questions about that. To state the matter differently, the linguistic cognitive development gradually unfolds the puzzle of how language is manipulated to express ideas. Many children who could not produce correct grammatical utterances, they would learn that in later years as they hear complete sentences from the environment they live. Vygotsky (1976) (citing Lightbown and Spata, 2010), believes that a great deal of children language is acquired through interactions with families and friends; however, B. F Skinner, and American psychologist, explain the acquisition of language in term of behaviorism that marks learning of a language as practice of reproducing what children hear or receive in daily conversation. In addition to these two theories, Noam Chomsky, a well-known figure in linguistics; argue that children are innately capable of learning language; though, the surrounded environment provides them with fundamental contributions that help them learn the basic language rules. Although learning a language is a natural process, but things get worst if we think about negative aspects of language acquisition. In attachment with some biological types of obstacles in acquiring a language like deafness, articulatory problems, and dyslexia, there is one last hurdle oppositely functioning in course of language learning, which is called bilingualism. Children who face a different language during school periods, it is too difficult for them to maintain their first language, and they often lose the normal range of their native language. In this case, children are said to be caught in a confusing dilemma. They haven’t completely learned their native language not have been learning the other one. â€Å"To deal with the problem, we suggest the maintenance of the first language while a second language is being learned† (Lightbown and Spata. 2010, p 26). Indeed, it is concluded that language learning is a series of interconnected stages which is progressed within the first three years of child’s age. Many psychologists and Linguists have presented different ideas about language acquisition; however, they only partially understand about how language is learned. Besides, since Language is a social phenomenon, it must be the result of some interactive means of communication between human beings. Children have some kind of innate capacities that predispose them not only learn their native language but also enables them to learn languages that are spoken in the place they live.

Brendon Gallacher and Medusa Essay

Loss is a key, reoccurring theme in my two poems of choice; ‘Brendon Gallacher’ and ‘Medusa. ’ ‘Brendon Gallacher’ is an affectionate elegy for an imaginary, eponymous childhood friend, ‘Medusa’ is a poem divided into stanzas of mostly equal length. Both poets use varying language to help the reader visualise the characters’ feelings and persona. Emptiness and loss are presented in both poems through numerous techniques including alliteration, imagery and refrain. There is a childlike quality to Jackie Kay’s elegy for the death of an imaginary friend. The persona uses simple language and a range of techniques such as colloquialism. Contrastingly, in Medusa, Duffy uses a sombre tone thought the poem which helps the poem flow naturally and contributes to the developing sorrow. In ‘Brendon Gallacher’, Jackie Kay’s use of a repetitive refrain gives a song-like quality; this is further reinforced by the interjections that show grief in the last lines: ‘Oh Brendon, Oh my Brendon Gallacher’. The passing of Brendon leaves an empty void, filled by the repetition of ‘Brendon Gallacher’, which demonstrates fixation and inability to let ones feelings pass – an emotional attachment; ‘Brendon’ as opposed to the full name previously used. The repetition of the possessive pronoun emphasizes the idea that Brendan belongs to the narrator, and emphasizes the theme of loss and longing for something that is gone. Similarly, Duffy uses evocative language immediately by beginning on the theme of obsession/mistrust. Duffy emphasises this by the list of three, â€Å"suspicion, doubt and fear† which â€Å"grew in her mind†, allowing the flow of thoughts through enjambment. This doubt and fear shows that Medusa is somewhat compulsive and has lost any freedom or ability to control her thoughts. Moreover in Brendon Gallacher, they meet ‘in the open air’, as if Brendon represents autonomy and journeying; he talks of ‘Some place far’, which offers a purpose for the narrator to live on. This is all lost with the ‘death’ of Brendon. A physical loss rather than emotional loss is demonstrated through the words â€Å"we’d been friends for years† and â€Å"he would hold my hand† which suggests there is an emptiness of physical intimacy. Similarly, Medusa was once a beautiful woman who was transformed into a horrible monster by the Greek goddess, Athena. Jealousy and paranoia transform the hair upon â€Å"Medusa’s† head, in the poem, into â€Å"filthy snakes. † Already the reader is aware of the change ‘turned the hairs’, giving the impression that she was not always like this and did at one point have beautiful hair. Both poets have used descriptive techniques and imagery to show the physical changes and loss each character has undergone. â€Å"One day when it was pouring and I was indoors†, this paragraph in Brendon Gallacher uses pathetic fallacy to make the mood evoke a loss of innocence which is reflected by the rainy weather. Immature language and description is used to help the audience visualise the narrator’s childhood, â€Å"He had six brothers and I had one† can be conveyed as quite childish and this might have been used to emphasise that the narrator is talking about her past when she was younger, her childhood emptiness and loss. Also, in Medusa the rhetorical questions, â€Å"Wasn’t I beautiful? Wasn’t I fragrant and young? † show insecurity due to the repetition of questions but also shows a side of innocence as is normally related to young people. Both poems show a loss of innocence, albeit in different ways. â€Å"Look at me now. † The single line in Medusa emphasises the final request that appears as a paradox, a plea for sympathy but also a threat. Another, loss, this time more mentally affecting, Medusa has lost control over her decisions, this is further enforced by her turning of others into stone; â€Å"bullet tears in my eyes†, â€Å"you were stone†, Medusa has lost her ability to even look at others, and much like her tears, her fate is set in stone. This varied sentence length is indulging and engrossing as it really questions the empathy of the reader. All in all, both poems have certain similarities when trying to present loss. Both ‘Brendon Gallacher’ and ‘Medusa’ use language to bring alive the thoughts of the characters. Duffy focuses more on the imagery and tone of the poem whereas Kay brings to life the exact detail to provide the full picture.

“MYD Program”

The Make Your Day Program is shaped to develop classroom management through evaluation and assessment as academic protocols in enhancing the student’s performance in school as well as with the development of the â€Å"guidance† aided by the school instructors. Consequently, on the case presented, the most efficient way to bring back the enthusiasm of the student is through the utilization of parent-teacher collaboration and Make Your Day Program philosophies—â€Å"do what is expected and do it the best you can†Ã¢â‚¬â€which provides the student the opportunity to engage in self-peer-teacher evaluation tackling their efforts and behaviors on an everyday basis with corresponding points.   Conceivably, with the aide of constant communication and opening up the emotion of the child and making the student share the presupposed reason for the actions, the predicament shall then be given ample attention and analysis so as to draw the ability of the child away from the verve of unreceptive reactions. Classroom management dilemma The speaking incentive or the pre-requisite regard towards communication strategies has been evident in educational curricula in the contemporary society.   Hence, it is undeniable that there are students who possess the utterly â€Å"shy† personality by which they are unable to air what they wish to express in classroom for reasons which are laid on the issue on health, racial discrimination, status quo or an innate sense of anxiety (Aviv, 2007). These problems are cited by communications professors as a an â€Å"academic dilemma† since that it pulls back the student from getting the whole gist of what is to be acquired in school only because there exists a cold feet in expressing their emotions—which by hand is considered as a vital factor in learning—to be able to share their thoughts.   Studies show that there are students who fail getting a degree and drop out of further education because of the crippled ability in public speaking or in effective communication by which various profession pay high regard and attention. Reference Aviv, R. (2007, November 13, 2007). Don’t Be Shy. The New York Times.      

Criminal Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Criminal Justice - Essay Example These children lack access to basic resources such as adequate food, basic health care, safe shelter and sufficient education to make them economically independent adults. Also children whose parents engage in crime and those who are neglected or constantly abused tend to become delinquents in comparison to other children. Another issue is youth violence. The widespread fear of crime in urban areas comes as a result of juvenile violence. Statistics show that between the period of 2005 to 2010 victimization rate, arrest rate, murder rates and homicides committed by juveniles between the ages of 15 to 16 shot up by more than 100 percent (Larry, 2006). The cause for this is increased involvement of youth especially African Americans in drugs trade. Since they cannot solicit for police protection, the youths acquire guns for protecting themselves and their valuable merchandise. The youth network through schools saw a proliferation of guns throughout a majority of youth community. Other than acquiring a gun for self defense, this habit also became a symbol of status. Finally, the issue of deterrence as mitigation to the fore stated problems is of paramount importance to CJA. Though deterrence works effectively among citizens with responsibilities, it is insufficient in instilling discipline in the impulsive, unsocialized and senselessly destructive people. The issues can be ranked in order of importance for a number of reasons, i.e. Deterrence, juvenile delinquency and youth violence. If administrators and public policy makers were to take the step of bringing parents into accountability then juvenile delinquency and youth violence would issues of secondary importance to CJA system (David, 2006). Apparently incompetent, rejecting parents who do not supervise their children and those who are abusive are to blame for the antisocial behavior of displayed by their children. Other risk factors for juvenile delinquency

Application of quality management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Application of quality management - Essay Example 3.2.4 Apply Actions Of Outcome (A-Act) . 15-15 Overall Process Performance (P) Evaluation ... 15-16 Suggestion To Improve PDCA . 16-16 Conclusion 17-17 Glossary 18-19 References . 20-20 Appendix - 1 . 21-23 - TOWS Matrix For Cycle 1 .. 21-21 - TOWS Matrix For Cycle 2 .. 22-22 - TOWS Matrix For Cycle 3 .. 23-23 Appendix - 2 . 24-25 - 2.1 Standard Cell Library Design Process Flow .. 24-24 - 2.2 Standard Cell Library Characterization Process Flow .. 25-25 Introduction of Organization: Organization: Conexant Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CNXT) - INDIA Design Center (IDC - Hyderabad)). CEO: Mr. Steve Sanghi. (Former) (During project in this case study). Industry Type: Semiconductor IC Design (Product Based MNC). - Fabless (Uses TSMC, Jazz & UMC facilities for fabrication of their IC products.) Company's Products: Audio (Speakers-on-a-Chip, PC HD-Audio, PC HD-Audio Modem Combo), Video (MPEG Encoders/Codecs, Video Decoders, Demodulators, Surveillance / Security, Imaging Solutions), Fax Modems (Fax and MFP System Solutions, Digital Photo Frames, Dial-Up Access Modems), PC Dial-Up Modems (Embedded Dial-Up Modems, Broadband Access - Client Side), ADSL Solutions (VDSL Solutions, SHDSL Solutions, Embedded Communications Software, Broadband Access - Central Office), ADSL Solutions (VDSL Solutions, SHDSL Solutions), Passive Optical Networks (GPON & BPON). Company URL: http://conexant.com Quality Management Standards: According to ISO 9001:2000, Auditor: DNV Certified. Environmental Standards: DNV EMS Certified. Background of Department in Organization (For Present Case Study): Department Chosen: Foundation IP BU (Standard Cell IP Development) Business Unit Head & Standard Cell Library Manager: Mr. Kedar...It also demonstrates both conceptual & analytical ways to solve various flow & process related problems in a step by step manner." Company's Products: Audio (Speakers-on-a-Chip, PC HD-Audio, PC HD-Audio Modem Combo), Video (MPEG Encoders/Codecs, Video Decoders, Demodulators, Surveillance / Security, Imaging Solutions), Fax Modems (Fax and MFP System Solutions, Digital Photo Frames, Dial-Up Access Modems), PC Dial-Up Modems (Embedded Dial-Up Modems, Broadband Access - Client Side), ADSL Solutions (VDSL Solutions, SHDSL Solutions, Embedded Communications Software, Broadband Access - Central Office), ADSL Solutions (VDSL Solutions, SHDSL Solutions), Passive Optical Networks (GPON & BPON). Project Overview: Re-establishment of a CMOS (Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) IC design library team for improvement in layout views for compliance with new 65nm Design Rules (Physical / Layout Design Rules) & DFM (Design For Manufacturability) rules to cope up with the demands of area reduction challenges & compliance of the design with manufacturing constraints of 65nm feature size & high yield assurance, targeted to TSMC fab for manufacturing. Project Technical Challenge: Technology migration from 11 track to 9 track standard height of each cell in 650 TSMC GP standard cell library.

The War in Vietnam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The War in Vietnam - Essay Example The basis of such view are what elicited heated debate and controversy over the motive and gain of the US government in engaging in Vietnam War. In this regard by not understand the lopsidedness of commitment between the Vietnamese communists and the United States, the anti- Vietnam War activists claim that this paved the way for causing the most egregious blunder a nation going to any war can make.. Those that opposed the war then felt that it was obviously unnecessary, immoral or illegitimate, and there was a consensus on the nature of the war. During the initial years of the War, there was an intense dispute within civilian and military decision-making institutions mutually over the fact that the conflict was predominantly a conventional cross-border aggression or an internal insurgency. Regrettably, U.S. foreign policy advisers in the 1960s did a supreme action of miscalculation by getting involved directly in the Vietnam conflict yet the intervention proved calamitous and dreadful. There is a general consensus among the public particularly the section opposing the war that the war violated a set strategic injunction for committing military of the U.S. to a large-scale land conflict on the Asian mainland. The question thus was the war justified and was it worth such expenditure and risking the lives of the young soldiers? More seriously, in analyzing the argument was the fac t that the Vietnam War achieved very little yet a lot had been pumped in terms of cost. Anti-War theorists argued that the United States should not have invaded Vietnam since Vietnam’s political battles and internal conflicts did not directly impact or influence America. Despite the fact that U.S. politicians and leaders and military experts in one spirit agreed that Communism had at that time infringed on political freedoms and violated democracy, the war in Vietnam presented no direct threat to the government of United States or to

Customer Relationships and Marketing Communications Essay

Customer Relationships and Marketing Communications - Essay Example Technology has grown manifolds and has been a great boon to mankind over the past few years. Since the past decade, the intent of the Internet has provided man with a strong weapon to acquire every minute details pertaining to various products in a jiffy of a second. The Internet has provided mechanisms to obtain information related to diverse products by sitting at one spot. These technological trends provide an opportunity to the companies for carrying out a good marketing plan that would satisfy the consumer’s requirements up to a maximum extent possible (Embellix, 2000). The producers are not left with an option to modify the related details as the Internet is a vast field that possesses, the vendor’s site with the product details and also the information that the critics put up pertaining to the specific products. So, the vendors need to be careful about the impact that online information has over the consumer’s thought. Therefore, by the development of tech nology producers cannot fool the consumers with over budgeted advertising schemes. Technology trends are also offering scope for consumers to compare similar products based on their features and quality performance. These sorts of comparisons enable the consumer to purchase the necessary product that would serve the purpose based on all the requirements. Consumer convenience has been a key issue for the producers to add value to their products (Lindsey Partos, 2005). These issues have been mostly addressed by technology developments. The consumers are provided with e-commerce aspects wherein they can do a whole lot of shopping by sitting at home.

Factors in High-Impact Innovation Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Factors in High-Impact Innovation - Term Paper Example Jewkes contextualized his research by noting the underlying mythology about high-impact innovation, which is basically that it requires a lot of manpower, a lot of resources, a lot of money and fancy equipment, and complex bureaucratic support (Jewkes). While not proving the inverse of this notion, his findings indicated more variability than popular assumptions support. In examining an impressive range of high-impact innovations, more than half were done by individuals, working independently and with few resources, either in isolation or within an organization in which they had freedom to experiment and analyze on their own initiative without having to cooperate in a team (Jewkes). Inventing can be a group process, of course, but the kind of individuals who contributed some of the most important discoveries and basic products of the 19th and 20th centuries were not even assigned to a project to do so and, in various intriguing cases, were not even formally qualified in the area they explored, discovered or invented within. Sometimes it was an accident and other times individuals were pursuing interests rather than careers. (Jewkes) Furthermore, it seems that many such individuals are not people who negotiate a career field and social skills that would endear them to a team or get them appointed to a formal position in the area to which they greatly contributed. They are often people who question every assumption, however consensual (Jewkes). They are eccentric and want to be left alone to explore their own curiosity. Many such individuals can be characterized as loners. The work of inventing has private elements to it. Thinking and creative â€Å"messing around† with ideas and materials needs a climate of unconstrained thinking, uninterrupte3d reflection and working autonomy. It can call forth heroic effort. The group dynamics of a team can constrain thinking and redirect creative ideas, or even humiliate them. Cooperation may overly-structure the proce ss and conflict may weaken it. Jewkes notes that the human mind, working alone, can organize and synthesize ideas far more efficiently than a team. There is a loss of creative power when the individual has to adjust to team members. Perhaps these are clues to why so many initial innovations came from lone individuals (Jewkes). Jewkes distinguishes between initial pioneering discoveries and inventions and the development of those discoveries and inventions (Jewkes). Development will generally benefit from the resources and monetary investment, as well as additional input and expertise that can be found in a university setting or in a larger organization. While inspiration and exploration is often initially a private matter, development and exploitation is often a more cooperative and planned one. Some stunning chemical innovations were accomplished by General Motors (Freon refrigerant and tetraethyl lead), but their pattern was more typical of the lone hero, since they are not a chem ical company, but a motor engineering company, and since their innovation involved an element of chance (Jewkes). Large companies have contributed significant innovations out of strong research programs, maybe because research itself has a private, lone hero aspect which can be done with a certain amount of autonomy by an individual or a small team, and merely funded and later expanded by the larger organizati