Business Ethics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Business Ethics - Research Paper Example One reason why government health care is important is because of the poor health of many Americans. The number of Americans who are considered to be obese is growing every year. This situation desperately requires some intervention for the sake of their health, and the government is best placed to do this. Everyone knows that the America is the largest economy in the world and its people enjoy one of the highest standards of living globally, yet many of its citizens cannot afford health insurance and thus remain afflicted of their illnesses. In fact, the United States of America is one of the last few remaining developed countries that don’t have a government sponsored health care system in place for its citizens. This reflects poorly of the American government because its number one priority should be to take care of its citizens. After all, Americans were the ones who voted a government into office, so their health needs should be a major priority. Another reason why the United States government should enact its health care program is that the economy will improve over the long term. If a large number of Americans are too sick or ill to go to work, then this has a direct negative effect on the American economy. The government is ideally placed to step in and provide support so that these people could be looked after. But, what better way to help them than to give them adequate health care so that they can go back to work. With more people in employment, the economy would experience an upswing. While it would cost the government money to provide health care for it citizens, these sick people would eventually repay this back to the economy over the long term. Opponents of government run health care say that the program is too similar to socialism. Why should it be the responsibility of the government to look after people that may have made bad choices in life? The truth is that the government should be for the people and not against them, so this direct

Forever And The Aloe Vera Company Marketing Essay

Forever And The Aloe Vera Company Marketing Essay Introduction: Forever, the aloe Vera company Established in 1978, forever living product giving best health and natural product to provide healthy and long life to the people and increase their personal value. Forever is sharing their product with whole world and giving great pleasure to get importance from product. On basis of new survey, forever, the aloe Vera product company becoming giant manufacture, distributor and publisher of Aloe Vera and as well as great bee products in the world. Forever is multi-billion company over the world and operating their business over 140 countries. Forever is international headquarter located in Scottsdale, Arizona, Rex Maughan, founder, President and CEO, Directs operations worldwide, its approx 9.25 million distributors enjoy the support, tools and guidance need to live healthier and wealthier life. Since their business grew and achieve high boost 9 millions of distributors over the world, their product line is increasing by day to day, which is some product e.g. Aloe Drinks, Bee products, Nutrition, Personal Care, Skin care and weight loss etc. Parker, B (2007) Forever Living Products (UK) ltd.  Forever Living Products (UK) ltd. () 4,5 Forever Company Background: Forever living products are commence their operational business form United Kingdom and after short period of time company ready to achieve largest provider of aloe Vera services over the world. In year of 1994, company was ready to spread their magic; first they start head office to the prestigious longbridge manor in Warwick. Forever company is operating and believing on Open door strategy policy meaning for new entrants are always welcome, and regular meeting and discussion are held throughout the year. In year of 2007, Companys revenue number is $2.1 Billion, forever transferred to the United States, which is larger location of business growing industry? Forever started their business as their distribution centre and now they can store 50 containers (1,000 pellets) of product form the US. Forever company successful distributor is packing order approximately 1, 35,000 orders annually. The distribution centre hosts to give increment to distributors and provide tour facilities and o peration. Parker, B (2007) Forever Living Products (UK) ltd.  Forever Living Products (UK) ltd. () 4,5 The Business projects opportunity Scope: By through of author view mission is, We endeavour to understand our customers business so well as to be able to offer comprehensive solutions to their problems. Author is describing if your mission gives ability to solving problem and accurate understanding with customer in business. It is great achievement for company portfolio and good indication of business reputation. Basically, Forever Companys scope strategy describing in following points: Company has been successful in the past but in market so many competitors are giving challenging by global operators expanding into the world. For be successful in the business environment company developing their current product and giving more consideration on RD to improve their services and value of money. To make new implementation on territory, and expand new customer and new market in the new location. To attract and build good relation with customer and distributors, who is giving repeat business from market? To keep distributors and customer loyalty safe provide rewards scheme. Company are trying to introducing new entrants in the team because they are brining new ideas and experience and giving flexibility into the incorporate world. Scribd.com  (2010) Available: http://www.scribd.com/doc/12982888/Busines Last accessed: 10th April, 2010 Marketing Strategy Business Techniques: Through of Roger Penske quotes; We believe that our strategy of aligning our brand mix with strong brands that are gaining market share helped us to perform in a tough first quarter market. Authors: Roger penske Gillian, F  Greenlight Greater Portland  portland.com, Available: http://http://thinkexist.com/search/searchquotation.asp?search=marketing+strategy Last accessed 12th April, 2010 In business marketing there is two important company strategy: How your business will address the competitive marketplace. How you will apply and give support to your day to day operations In Todays business environment is very competitive, there many companys trying to defeat/adopt forever company marketing plan or strategy, which only key success of forever company. So company must be aware of that and they have to make essential implementation and business research to the day to day basis to make safe position in the market. Company Sales Distribution Methods: Following given points describing company sales and distribution method. Points areà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The Forever Marketing Plan: Company is promoting forever product to the distributors on the basis of incentive. To promoting with other consumer and arranging meeting, conference and gate to gather with them and explaining business plan and one day they will be a company revenue maker. Companys trying to reducing paper material, advertisement cost, staff cost that why they arranging formal meeting and conference. Basically business is depended on one people to other e.g. Tree bunch or queue. Marketing plan is only depend on people whos existing in business and they have to introduce new people in the business. Forever living company has good, long track history with new goods and services and forever product improving health without the same old prescriptions for how to feel better. So its give good niche for the reputed business developer. Distributors and Managers incentives and commissions: In the company new distributor price is at least 2 case credit values of goods purchases into any 2 constant months it will make you for qualify for the assistant supervisor level. On the level of supervisor will gives you 30% discount on the whole retail price and once supervisors reached to this level then, they will also eligible for the 5% month and individual bonus, then they can start to build their own team tree of business. New distributors are purchasing all products at a 15% discount on the full retail cost will be  £195 each time order of product. Assistant supervisor (2cc months) getting incentives 5% from new distributors. Supervisor(25cc 2 month) are making incentive 8% on the new distributors and 3 % on Assistant supervisors, which is give total 11% to the supervisors. Assistant Managers (75cc 2 month) are earning 8% on the top of Assistant supervisors and 5% from supervisors, so that is gives sum of 13% to Assistant managers. Finally Managers (120cc 2 month) are generating 10% from Supervisors and 5% from Assistant manager. Managers finally constant on 15% of total. BusinessTown.com  (2003) Business Plan, Available: http://http://www.businesstown.com/planning/creating-rainbow.asp Last accessed: 16thApril, 2010 Forever Business planning- Implementing plans: Business concept of Forever: The forever company has growing rapidly faster and faster and setting good position in competitive market and prepared for future. Companys trying to spread every where in the world and that why they are seeking to provide higher quality of product and services and also considering on skimming method, that is giving higher price rates, companys business will be leader in the market because, they are giving top quality, special services and high level of transaction. Forever key success reason: The success of forever is vary in importance but some are essentially very successful like companys providing high standard products, top class services and giving extra afford on distributors motivate them and they will multiple in short period of time and achieved position in the business. This business ideas is unique thats why in the market we are facing less competitors and we are growing very fast. Forever product is providing stability and peace to the customer and customers are getting their money worth back, so customer satisfaction is key success of Forever Company. Companys current situation/Financial situation: Net Asset Value: 75.10 Trade Time: Apr 19 Change:   0.37  (0.49%) Prev Close: 75.10 YTD Return*: 6.02% Net Assets*: 34.42B Yield*: 0.16% * As of 31-Mar-10 Forever companys current situation is going very well but some time they are facing some error, which is make wrong effect on business growth. But still if see growth of company is going every year high and high achieving their success. Product of company is giving great satisfaction to the consumer and feeling good by using company product. Yahoo! Finance  (2010) Fidelity Growth Company (FDGRX) , Available: http://http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=FDGRXt=1y Last accessed: 18th April, 2010 Forevers Market Analysis: following given sub points to state briefly and give full detail of market analysis. These areà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The overall market of company: The overall company market is operating $150 million in the US and Canada. Company is operating two different groups, that is 1) Sales of product and 2) Adding new Entrants. First group has been operating low volume of profit but second group is generating high volume of profit, which is giving solid business competition to the completers. Company is leading business market and making higher revenue. Market Segments: The mass retailers are looking for low-priced products and high percentage of their goods and value to maintaining standard. Companys competitors are trying to make duplication of product and services which is diverting forever customer relation and stealing customer trust. Basically forever is spreading their business through of franchise. If distributors are capable enough capital and have excellent business ideas, they can also operate their own business under the forever company. Customer/consumer Needs: Customer needs are not only to enjoy benefits of product and services and also they are interested join this independent opportunities of companys business and build respected reputation in business world. Customers are demand are high about company product because of product is natural and long lasting value, which protecting them from future expenses e.g. medicine, weakness, un-healthiness and natural break down. Competitive Critical Analysis of Company: For topic explanation given points belowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Company operation overview: Across the UK and Asia there are many different firms that distribute the forever franchise. The huge majority wherever distribute only one and two low quality services as a very small filed of their overall distribution of business. In the company, there are providing many distribution firms that giving opportunities between a dozen and as many as one hundred forever products. These firms also to a wide variety of outlets including mass merchant accounts. Business opportunities: While the competitions is perfectly stand in, and giving a more of focus to, current important markets for this product, they are much less presser gaining the higher end of forever company market. Company is offering terrific potential because it has significant growth potential, and the competition is not well-introduced here. Might be company is not be largest but its appear a very strong status opportunity for a newer competitors. Threats and Risks: Company is facing some threat and uncertainty, because we are a new entrants firm, we do not anticipate a meaningful or prompt reaction our market entrance form our larger and more established competitors. We thought a solid reaction form existing distribution field is basically unlikely because the first competitors derive on a very small percent of their business from forever sales, and even that revenue is largely from different Franchise and Merchandisers. So we facing some threats like, if competitor are providing lowers their prices on the exact same products we are offering we will match their price on that product. That why we have to be keep updated with business environment changes and research, for solution forever companys is investing more money on Research and development to make unique implementation on the business. BusinessTown.com  (2003) Business Plan, Available: http://http://www.businesstown.com/planning/creating-rainbow.asp Last accessed: 16thApril, 2010 Sales and Marketing of Company: By through of Author said, Man does not only sell commodities, he sells himself and feels himself to be a commodity, and the sole purpose of marketing is to sell more to more people, more often and at higher prices. There is no other reason to do it. Erich, Sergio, F (2010)  DailyCelebrations  Sales and marketing qoutes, Available: http://http://www.dailycelebration.com/marketing2.htm Last accessed 20th April, 2010 Marketing Plan: Forever marketing plan is to work with our distributors on a day to day basis and implement innovate marketing programs for the company. Basically we are in corporate market so we have developed close working relationships with our distributors. In hence we will upgrade emphasis in new entrants sales calls to build credits. Company will closely building all of our marketing and sales efforts to project a consistent image of our company and a consistent positioning of our product or services. We will established this profile all our name Forever, The Aloe Vera Company and which we will attend meeting and conference some trade show and produce a colour catalogue these marketing initiatives are seen as supporting, not competing with our independent sales representative. Sales and Marketing Tactics: Companys primary tact is face to face selling and joining business opportunities. Spreading business opportunities hand to hand and giving importance to the need of customer and trying to displays, and in building a bigger forever business for our customers. Company will insist that our independent business tactics represent only non-competing, non-forever lines. We are organising meeting on daily basis on different location and giving motivation to the distributors and manger, they can set high target goal. Company is representing on a ledger basis, giving them incentives and bonuses on all sales of order in their exclusive territories. BusinessTown.com  (2003) Business Plan, Available: http://http://www.businesstown.com/planning/creating-rainbow.asp Last accessed: 16thApril, 2010 Michael Porters Five Forces on Forever, the Aloe Vera Company: In forever company business, the porters forces tool is playing important role to describe different characteristics on company business behaviour. It is also giving clear view to how to forever overcome their weakness and how forever can develop their fair advantage into the strength of company. These forces are also making awareness from competitors strategy, wrong steps into the business, new product failure, un-successful services or business opportunities. Reference:  http://www.metrixmedia.com/images/Porter03.gif Following point is describing company issues and assumption through of porters five forces that is stating competitive power in different situation: Supplier Power: Forever suppliers are demand increasing by day to day basis because company growth and profit margin is very high that why suppliers are forcing to the Forever to increased their power of supply. Forever product and services demand are increasing because of, they are giving life time valueless benefits. This is also kind of source where suppliers can ask for more benefits from company, if company is not agree on their demand, suppliers can switching to another company or other company competitors. If its happened then forever market value and relation with customer will affected in form of loss, diversity, failure of business. Buyer Power: Forever company product and business opportunity demand going up, so obviously consumer and distributors need will increased in form of facility, incentives, bonus, services etc. companys position is on standard and top level situation in the business market but in the business market forever have many competitors are there, those are looking for your one mistake and they will defeat you. So Forever Company aware of this, they have been flexible and understanding with buyer other wise company might be face failure in business. Buyer power is increasing because in market there is crucial competition between companies. So If forever will fail to satisfy buyer demand then could be buyer are start switching different alternative. If company deal with few, strong buyer, they are often able to dictate terms to Forever company. Competitive Rivalry: In this competition generation, if we see every one chasing their successful competitors and adopting and copying their strategy, innovation, services, schemes etc. Forever company is also market leading company that why some competitors like Fast track, kleenezee and Global world etc, are trying to defeat forever company. Forever companys always giving special consideration to make their suppliers and buyer will happy and satisfy, other wise they go elsewhere. But also company has to give a afford to whatever they do, on-one else can do, then company can often have tremendous strength in between competition. Threat of Substitution: Forever company powers unique and innovative that is reason many companies adopting and implementing their strategies on their business. E.g. for Kleenzee is adopting concept from forever company and giving tough competition to forever in the business. By this substitution companys seems to be decreasing their value in the market and their customer choosing different company product and services for this reason company might be loose their power in the market. Customer may substitute by doing the process manually or by outsourcing it. Threat of New Entrants: Todays every where competition is going in the business industry that is reason by my own point of view Present Generation is Competitive Generation New companies are just started their business, they start competition with other. Forever is giving opportunities to other people to make their own company by support of them but any how the new company are facing threat of substitution of product, services and technology etc. because of other competitors are already adopting their business tactics and strategies. That why forever always spending more investment on Research and development to regularly innovate unique ideas, which give confident to maintain their standard of services and customer trust on their company. If company have solid and effective barrier to entry, then they can perform on their position and take fail benefits of it. Porter, M (1995)  MindTools  Porters Five forces strategy, Available: http://http://thinkexist.com/search/searchquotation.asp?search=marketing+strategy Last accessed 21st April, 2010 Recommendation: When I meet face to face to the companys CEO to discuss the serious problem like many people do not know about Forever Company, because companys not Advertisement their product and independent business opportunities in different sources e.g. Newspaper, Television, Posters etc. Through of my point of view, they have to also provide variation of product, which is give different and unique experience to the consumer and its also make updated in between competitors. Implement important changes of adding an online benefits request system and provide online business opportunities, because of this company can also international customer and distributor. Forever company must be implement some important strategies like they have to provide more incentives for new distributors, that is one way to attract more distributors and once they will into the business then provide them standard percentages of incentives. Company should be provide companys financial, revenue, and profit margin information to the general people, its build trust and strong relation between customer and distributors and also for New Entrants, it will be first impression of company. In my point of recommendation, I suggest to company to give some percentage of concession on joining fees and order charges for student. Forever business offering necessary literature items and sundry items (e.g. carrier bags, guidelines book) not only to aid your product launches but also useful for education purpose and as business tools, this is also good source of education and knowledge. Conclusion of Project: Forever business has grown into as largest product selling company in the business world. Forever is not only one big business, but also million of successfully growing on home based business. It is also shared dream of many people that has made forever living the success it is. Forever is business strategy spreading all over world and providing un-forgettable service and product quality to their customer. Its also motivating people to join their business and giving opportunities to operate their own business.

Linguistic Determinism: Words and Thoughts Essays -- Language, Semanti

There is no human language without socio-cultural context; meanwhile language resides inside each individual’s mind and as a result, linguistic interaction did not occur without the use of the language. Individuals do not create languages; they just use that one given to them by society. For Saeed (2009), language is the mirror of culture and it is determined by the categories available in speakers’ own language. Studies about relationship between language and culture and between language and thought have a long history and have placed a much conferred proposal to modern linguistic: the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. This hypothesis points out that influence of language on thought is only a component about such a complex web among language, culture and cognition. However, in essence, it leaves out the cultural pattern. Without language, a sort level of cultural development and cultural knowledge cannot exist, and, on the other hand, a high level of linguistic development could only exist through socio-cultural interaction. According to Flyht (2007), it is extremely evident that language reinforces cultural patterns through semantics whereas new meanings from new words are established by events which happen to people’s lives according to their cultural occurrence. The aim of this essay is to discuss the connection between linguistic determinism and the support of the semantic studies in order to understand words and sentences produced in human mind when the cultural and social pattern it is taken into account. Yet â€Å"knowledge an individual speaker of a language possesses which makes it possible for them to communicate with one another.† (Riemer, 2010: 13). Semantics is a theory of languages, natural or artificial, and it is part of gra... ...theory of substantive universals not only with regard to universal phonetic but also by fixed categories (noun, verb, etc..), which are the underlying syntactic structure of language. The words and grammatical structures of a language have a profound effect on how speakers think, even when they are not talking and listening. The essence of thinking consists of real words and phrases, so people do not have to conceive a concept which does not exist in their language. Also, if two people speak languages that differ in the concepts that they are able to express, their beliefs are irreconcilable and communication between them is impossible. The Semantics proposes that the meanings of words are mentally represented in the form of expressions. The meanings of words can vary between languages because children adjust and organise them from the most elementary concepts.

Managing Creativity of Shanghai Tang Essay

Shanghai Tang was founded by David Tang in Hong Kong in 1994. It was a retail store selling high quality product made in China, such as traditional Chinese costumes, Chairman Mao wrist watch, qipao, traditional Chinese silk products with Chinese design. Its target customers at the first place were those high ended tourists. Taking around 1 year, instead of 2 year which is typical period a new retailers need to make business in break even, Shanghai Tang turned its first profit in October 1995. Shanghai Tang later entered an agreement with the Richemont Group which is a famous Switzerland-based luxury goods maker. David Tang thought Shanghai Tang would become China’s first international luxury brand. Like other ambitious entrepreneur, in Nov 1997, Tang opened the first Shanghai Tang store on Madison Avenue in New York USA. However, things were not going the way it was supposed to. Not many people liked what Shanghai Tang was selling. Unfortunately, the financial crisis worsened the situation, and it had to scale down the business. By 2001, Tang had reduced his stake in Shanghai Tang to near 5%, so the Richemont Group took control of the company. Appointing executive chairman of Shanghai Tang in September 2001, Raphael Le Masne, who then employed a new creative director, Joanne Ooi, having intensive experience in international garment business. With correct insight and vision, hired more in house designers, and fixed the right directions, they were successfully turning Shanghai Tang around. Image of Chinese-themed high-end fashion and lifestyle emporium had been established. Sales and global coverage had been increased a lot from 2001 to 2008. By summer of 2008, company had more than 40 stores in 14 countries all over the world. Things will never run smooth, at the same time, Joanne had handed in her resignation. An increasing conflict within company between creators and commercial departments also gave big headache to Raphael who always relied on Joanne to smooth things out. During that time, the global financial crisis was striking the whole world economy again, while China, still with double digit increase in GDP every year, was considered a shelter and gold mine for every business. Shanghai Tang has no exception, but tried to expand its business in China market. Should Shanghai Tang hire a new creative director under this uncertain economic time? How to strike a balance between creativity and the  profit? How the company can maintain its success? How the company should adapt its strategy to make it successful in China market and other potential global markets? These were the main challenge Shanghai Tang were facing. Analysis Conflicts between Creativity/Innovation and Business Sense As a business, the past success factors are always considered as a critical factor. Business people have a tendency not to deviate this much in order to maintain the success. On the other hand, it will certainly jeopardize the creativity and innovation from designers especially it is considered it is too much different from the successful factors or past evidences already prove it had not worked out. For creative people, they always tend to be very trendy and creative, so they try to make something completely new which is of course totally different than the past. However, like Shanghai Tang, it had experienced a very bad time, and a new design strategy set by Le Masne and Ooi, had made the company turn around. It just likes an endless cycle – company having a success factor, makes itself become successful in terms of profit and image, then it will resist to change and the success may last for another couple of years. At the end, with emerge of new competitors, change in economy or whatever reason, past success factors may no longer work. The company may be forced to think deeply in creativity and business innovation, but it is always too late. A real successful company must be able to continue its success factors, but new elements must always be needed to be added in its business. In Shanghai Tang, from design process to the start of mass production, there was heavy involvement from a Product Committee which comprise the designers, executive chairman, the creative director and key business managers like retail /marketing/ merchandizing directors. To help designers to understand how different products perform in the market, they received reports from the retail and marketing departments regularly. Those reports mainly revealed the sales and customer feedback to different items. Designers also had to follow the company norm â€Å"Shanghai Tang DNA† which contains 2 major elements – Chinese-ness and the use of bright color. Excellent design but expensive to produce will be eliminated. Designers are also paid a salary plus bonus based on KPI such as its generating revenue and ability to innovate. It can simply observe  that there were too much constraints to the design process. Potential generating revenue becomes a very important element to determine the success of the new design. New design which is not similar with past success factors is unlikely to survive. The consequence is that it will eliminate some new elements which make the company even successful in future. Shanghai Tang has 2 main business streams – core collection and seasonal collection, which about 50/50 in terms of revenue. In fact, for its seasonal collection, extra room should be given to the design teams, and more deviation from Shanghai Tang DNA should be allowed. It can let the company to test the water temperature in the market and to get more insight how the market is changing. It would not impact to its core business. Shanghai Tang could even think of the 3rd stream which more innovation would be allowed. The bonus scheme for designers would also be linked to the recognition of their design. The Shanghai Tang DNA should be reviewed from time to time to keep pace with the market trend to make sure the new fashion elements will be captured. Thus, those designers will be motivated and encourage to participate in the theme of their design. As Shanghai Tang is a high end fashioned product, it should not be limited to high manufacturing cost as well. Margin can be set higher for products with nice design but higher manufacturing cost. Replacement of Creative Director Ooi was going to leave Shanghai Tang, but the global economy was in the tough situation. Le Masne was in a dilemma to hire a new replacement or let the whole team to continue the work. Considering the fact that the Creative Director is the soul of the company which can define the main frame of the products and company direction, it is indeed an urgent matter that they have to hire the new replacement or promote internally. Promoting internally may create conflicts inside the team, and it doesn’t add any new element to the team. Unless there is someone very outstanding, Shanghai Tang could look for a competent replacement externally. Working a whole team without leader is not going to work especially there are too much conflicts between the design and commercial teams and no one is able to resolve it. Expanding China Market Shanghai Tang had around 10 shops in China. It also had 9 shops in Hong Kong which can be considered crossover between eastern and western culture, not pure Chinese taste. The Chinese society accounted totally half of its total shops all over the world. However, looking deeply to its customer profiles, its major customer group was still USA and Europe. The Chinese customer in mainland China market was just over 50%. American and European might be in favour of existing product design in Shanghai Tang. However, it doesn’t imply that the Chinese customers are with the similar taste. Foreigners may be in favour of design with fashion and absolute Chinese styled, but Chinese may desire the design with mix of Chinese and Western style, and do not want it to be too Chinese. They may be even reluctant to accept the goods â€Å"Made in China†, as there was a trend wealthy people tend to buy foreign luxary brand. Shanghai Tang had experience that different culture may have different taste. Design had to be fine tuned somehow to fit different culture. In terms of customer age group, excluding Mainland China market, the target age group was those between 36 to 45. However, in China market, there’s also 40% of customer from age group 26-35. Among the 7 key in house designers in Shanghai Tang, though 3 of them were Chinese, they did not really have exposure in China. For the rest, they were foreigner but had certain exposure in eastern fashion industry, not much in China yet. It was proven their design can quite hit the western market with age group 36-45, but it did not imply it will work perfectly in China market and younger age group. It is advisable that Shanghai Tang should conduct a thorough research in China to define the Chinese taste. Moreover, they should also bring in some designers with Mainland Chinese exposure. They should also add in innovation elements into the business in order to compete the market shares in China. â€Å"Jacket in Chinese, skirt in more western† may not work for US/European customers, but it may work perfectly in China market. Using the famous western celebrities to promote its brand in China may increase its awareness effectively. Chinese may not perceive Shanghai Tang as â€Å"Real Chinese Stuff† only, but also an icon of western fashion. Conclusion Though Shanghai Tang had been quite successful in the past years, it cannot simply stick to it. It has to keep its creativity and innovation, and bring new elements to the company. Thorough preparation is essential for its battle in Mainland China Market.

Cycle of Life and Death Essay

â€Å"Nothing endures but change† (Heraclitus 540-480BC). People are born, only to die again. In a never-ending cycle of life and death, new ideas replace older ones and an evolution of perspectives takes place. Paulle Marshall aptly portrays this cyclical nature through her last line â€Å"she died and I lived† referring to her grandmother. The death is not physical alone. It is the death of old ideologies, dated traditions and disparate acceptance of modernization. In a vivid recollection of her grandmother Da-Duh’s reluctance to accept change during Paulle’s childhood visit, she narrates how the old lady loathes urbanity and finds delectation in her little island of natural beauty. The interactions that the narrator has with her grandmother remind us of the passage of time between generations. The demise of Da-Duh signifies the change that is inevitable, the transition from the old to the new. Symbolism Paulle Marshall’s work is replete with a richness of literary devices like symbolism, imagery and metaphors. Describing the foreboding character of death, the narrator feels that the planes that bring death to the little village are â€Å"swooping and screaming†¦monstrous birds†. The sugarcanes that grow in the village are Da-Duh’s delight and also the reason for the exploitation in the village. The pride of Da-Duh, the sugarcanes appear threatening to the narrator she feels that the canes are â€Å"clashing like swords above my cowering head†. This is a description of the duality of life. Where there is joy, there is pain and when there is life, death is bound to follow. Cycle of Life and Death 2 Imagery The life-death antithesis is depicted in the closing lines of the book where the narrator paints â€Å"seas of sugar-cane and huge swirling Van Gogh suns and palm trees [in] a tropical landscape . . . while the thunderous tread of the machines downstairs jarred the floor beneath my easel. ’’ Light is identified by the surrounding darkness and life, by death that eventually follows. The transient nature of life is evidenced by the changes that happen over a period of time. Death’s morbidity invades the colorful mind. The narrator imbues the reader’s mind with images that allude to this dark reality. â€Å"All these trees†¦. Well, they’d be bare. No leaves, no fruit, nothing. They’d be covered in snow. You see your canes. They’d be buried under tons of snow. † Metaphor With a judicious use of metaphors, the narrator has drawn us to the reality of inevitable changes that our lives are subject to. Again, the sugarcanes are metaphorically perceived as the ominous danger that â€Å"†¦ would close in on us and run us through with their stiletto blades. † Later, the planes that cause the death of her grandmother are visualized by the narrator as â€Å"the hardback beetles which hurled themselves with suicidal force against the walls of the house at night. † She points at our dogmatism in accepting the fact that the world is constantly changing. Those who fail to see this at first, experience it the hard way later. Conclusion However prejudiced we might be, towards change, the hard-hitting reality of a life-death cycle is inevitable. Time stands testimony to this fact. Paulle Marshall has Cycle of Life and Death 3 illustrated this through the depiction of conflicting ideas between her and Da-Duh and she conveys this message at the start when she writes, â€Å"both knew, at a level beyond words, that I had come into the world not only to love her and to continue her line but to take her very life in order that I might live. References Marshall, Paulle (1967). To Da-Duh, in Memoriam Rena Korb, Critical Essay on â€Å"To Da-duh, in Memoriam,† in Short Stories for Students, The Gale Group, 2002. Martin Japtok, â€Å"Sugarcane as History in Paule Marshall’s ‘To Da-Duh, in Memoriam,†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ in African American Review, Vol. 34, No. 3, Fall 2000, pp. 475-82.

Ida B. Wells and Her Anti-Lynching Campaign

Ida B. Wells and Her Anti-Lynching Campaign African-American journalist Ida B. Wells went to heroic lengths in the late 1890s to document the horrifying practice of lynching blacks. Her groundbreaking work, which included collecting statistics in a practice that today is called data journalism, established that the lawless killing of blacks was a systematic practice, especially in the South in the era following Reconstruction. Wells became deeply interested in the lynching problem after three black businessmen she knew were killed by a white mob outside Memphis, Tennessee, in 1892. For the next four decades she would devote her life, often at great personal risk, to campaigning against lynching. At one point a newspaper she owned was burned by a white mob. And she was certainly no stranger to death threats. Yet she doggedly reported on lynchings and made the subject of lynching a topic which American society could not ignore. Early Life Ida B. Wells was born into slavery on July 16, 1862, in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She was the eldest of eight children. Following the end of the Civil War, her father, who as a slave had been the carpenter on a plantation, was active in Reconstruction period politics in Mississippi. When Ida was young she was educated in a local school, though her education was interrupted when both her parents died in a yellow fever epidemic when she was 16. She had to take care of her siblings, and she moved with them to Memphis, Tennessee, to live with an aunt. In Memphis, Wells found work as a teacher. And she resolved to become an activist when, on May 4, 1884, she was ordered to leave her seat on a streetcar and move to a segregated car. She refused and was ejected from the train.   She began to write about her experiences, and became affiliated with The Living Way, a newspaper published by African-Americans. In 1892 she became the co-owner of a small newspaper for African-Americans in Memphis, the Free Speech. The Anti-Lynching Campaign The horrendous practice of lynching had become widespread in the South in the decades following the Civil War. And it hit home for Ida B. Wells in March 1892 when three young African-American businessmen she knew in Memphis were abducted by a mob and murdered. Wells resolved to document the lynchings in the South, and to speak out in hopes of ending the practice. She began advocating for the black citizens of Memphis to move to the West, and she urged boycotts of segregated streetcars. By challenging the white power structure, she became a target. And in May 1892 the office of her newspaper, the Free Speech, was attacked by a white mob and burned.   She continued her work documenting lynchings. She traveled to England in 1893 and 1894, and spoke at many public meetings about the conditions in the American South. She was, of course, attacked for that at home. A Texas newspaper called her an adventuress, and the governor of Georgia even claimed that she was a stooge for international businessmen trying to get people to boycott the South and do business in the American West. In 1894 she returned to America and embarked on a speaking tour. An address she gave in Brooklyn, New York, on December 10, 1894, was covered in the New York Times. The report noted that Wells had been welcomed by a local chapter of the Anti-Lynching Society, and a letter from Frederick Douglass, regretting that he couldnt attend, had been read. The New York Times reported on her speech: During the present year, she said, no less than 206 lynchings had taken place. They were not only on the increase, she declared, but were becoming intensified in their barbarism and boldness. She said that lynchings that formerly took place at night were now in some cases actually perpetrated in the broad daylight, and more than that, photographs were taken of the atrocious crime, and were sold as souvenirs of the occasion. In some instances, Miss Wells said, the victims were burned as a sort of diversion. She said that the Christian and moral forces of the country were now required to revolutionize public sentiment. In 1895 Wells published a landmark book, A Red Record: Tabulated Statistics and Alleged Causes of Lynchings In the United States. In a sense, Wells practiced what today is often lauded as data journalism, as she scrupulously kept records and was able to document the large numbers of lynchings which were taking place in America. Personal Life In 1895 Wells married Ferdinand Barnett, an editor and lawyer in Chicago. They lived in Chicago and had four children. Wells continued her journalism, and often published articles on the subject of lynching and civil rights for African-Americans. She became involved in local politics in Chicago and also with the nationwide drive for womens suffrage. Ida B. Wells died on March 25, 1931. Though her campaign against lynching did not stop the practice, her groundbreaking reporting and writing on the subject was a milestone in American journalism. Belated Honors At the time Ida B. Wells died she had faded from public view somewhat, and major newspapers did not note her passing. In March 2018, as part of a project to highlight women who had been overlooked, the New York Times published a belated obituary of Ida B. Wells. There has also been a movement to honor Wells with a statue in the Chicago neighborhood where she lived. And in June 2018 the Chicago city government voted to honor Wells by naming a street for her.

Kerrys Speach to the National Convention essays

Kerry's Speach to the National Convention essays The difference between being heard and being ignored is the difference between success and failure. The effectiveness of an argument can be judged by the reaction of an intended audience. Through the use of rhetorical appeals speakers can gain credibility, prove facts, and emotionally persuade an audience to support their argument or point of view. John Kerrys speech at the National Democratic Convention uses numerous techniques in order to persuade his audience that his party offers the superior ticket for the presidency and vice-presidency of the United States. The target audience in this speech are television viewers and convention attendees who are listening to the speech live. Since Kerrys speech is live, his audience does not have a chance to read and analyze his words. This presents a unique literary opportunity to use logical fallacies and repetition. Kerrys utilization of ethos, pathos, and logos combined with the integration of logical fallacies allows him to convey an effective argument. Fallacies are statements that might sound reasonable or superficially true but are actually flawed or only half truths. Fallacies are usually ineffective in written arguments but in a live speech where the majority of the audience listens to the argument verbally, they can be very effective. The audience heard strong statements like: And let's not forget what we did in the 1990s. We balanced the budget. We paid down the debt.   We created 23 million new jobs. We lifted millions out of poverty and we lifted the standard of living for the middle class. We just need to believe in ourselves and we can do it again (Kerry). The audience was thrilled by his words. They applauded this statement which appears to have great logos appeal to it. Since the audience is hearing this statement only once, they may not think to question its authenticity, and they may not realize that the economic prosperity it describ...

Facts About James Buchanan the 15th President

Facts About James Buchanan the 15th President James Buchanan (1791-1868) served as Americas fifteenth president. Considered by many to be Americas worst president, he was the last president to serve before America entered the Civil War.   Here is a quick list of fast facts for James Buchanan. For more in depth information, you can also read the James Buchanan Biography Birth: April 23, 1791 Death: June 1, 1868 Term of Office: March 4, 1857-March 3, 1861 Number of Terms Elected: 1 Term First Lady: Unmarried, the only bachelor to be president. His niece Harriet Lane fulfilled the role of hostess. James Buchanan Quote: What is right and what is practicable are two different things.Additional James Buchanan Quotes Major Events While in Office: Pony Express (1860) Southern States begin secession (1860)Confederate States of America created (1861) States Entering Union While in Office: Minnesota (1858)Oregon (1859)Kansas (1860) Related James Buchanan Resources: These additional resources on James Buchanan can provide you with further information about the president and his times. James Buchanan BiographyTake a more in depth look at the fifteenth president of the United States through this biography. Youll learn about his childhood, family, early career, and the major events of his administration. Civil War: Pre-War and SecessionThe Kansas-Nebraska Act gave the settlers in the newly organized territories of Kansas and Nebraska the power to decide for themselves whether or not to permit slavery. This bill helped increase the debate over slavery. This increasingly bitter sectionalism would result in the Civil War. Order of SecessionOnce Abraham Lincoln won the election of 1860, states began to secede from the union. Chart of Presidents and Vice PresidentsThis informative chart gives quick reference information on the presidents, vice-presidents, their terms of office, and their political parties. Other Presidential Fast Facts: Franklin PierceAbraham LincolnList of American Presidents

The interactional view theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The interactional view theory - Essay Example The interaction view theory was developed by Paul Watzlwick, a scholar in family studies who developed detailed therapies concerning miscommunication in family units. The main aim behind the theory development was to study the interaction of family units and occurrence of miscommunication problems within the family that may arise in different situations. Basically, there are five main concepts under interaction view theory that Watzlwick developed in studying miscommunication within families. The concepts are that as a family it is impossible not to communicate, and that communication is determined by the relationships between members of a group. Moreover, the theory postulates that relationships are developed through punctuation and that any communication has to be either digital or analogic. The last concept of the theory is that communication may either be complementary or symmetrical (Griffin 186-191). No one brings about the meaning and concepts of the interaction view theory better than the characters in the in the film stuck in love. In this film, parents have apparently split after the wife is caught cheating on the husband. Their two kids in the meanwhile live with their father while their mother has found a new husband with whom they live together. On one occasion, the daughter eventually finds her mom kissing her new husband notwithstanding she had not divorced with her dad. As a result, the daughter becomes furious with her mom and even refuses to speak to her. On the other hand, the daughter is still furious with her dad in that her father had refused to let her mother go through a divorce and had no plans of getting back together with her. Nevertheless, after the family members took time to reconsider their actions away from their controlling emotions, they come back to their senses and the family shows signs of improvement. Finally, the family is back

In what ways would understanding the causes of crime aid offenders in Research Paper

In what ways would understanding the causes of crime aid offenders in the restorative-justice process - Research Paper Example includes: priority should be given to victim needs either through financial, material, emotional or social means; to avoid re-offending by re-integrating the offenders into the community; to make offenders accept their responsibility for their actions; and rehabilitation of offenders and victims by recreating the working community in order to avoid crime and to avoid the long process of the justice system and the related costs and delays. (Marshall, 1991). The Restorative Justice process is based upon the following assumptions: the root cause of a crime could be social conditions, the responsibility has to be shared by the local government and communities because they are also responsible for such social conditions, and in order to rectify it they have to accept some responsibility; collaboration of all parties in order to solve the problems present and to achieve resolution, along with including the collaboration among victims, offenders and community are essential factors that lead toward effectiveness and efficiency; The conditions of the legal outcome should be flexible enough in order to take proactive actions in any case; and lastly, justice is meant to represent balance between both the parties and no single justification will be allowed to dominate other. (Marshall, 1991). The process of victim-offender mediation provides the victims and offenders a safe and secure place with the purpose of holding the offender accountable for their misconduct. It is a platform provided to the victims where they can, with the help of a mediator, let the offender know how much they have been affected by the crime, to receive compensation and to get some answers to their questions. Victims can be a part of the restitution plan and may claim their losses directly. Therefore, the offender has to accept their responsibility for their behavior and assist within the process to develop a plan that provides compensation for the victim. It is through this stage that the

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Sale of Goods Act 1979 Commercial law (uk) - Assignment Example If one were to adopt the narrow semantic position in this discussion, then one could conceivably argue that The Sale of Goods Act 1979 is more suitable as a commercial code. After all it was created specifically to address itself to commercial transactions between parties. In that these transactions almost always pertain to providing a good for a fee, this type of undertaking in an of themselves can be classified as a commercial transaction. The thrust of the Sale of Goods Act and its intent is to provide a net for all transactions; consumer and business. When one views the Act in its totality, it is readily discernable that it is an interchangeable document. Which attempts to address all of the possibilities which might surface during the course of a transaction. It was through the formulation of contracts that man was able to expand the acts of liaise faire and enter into deals. A contract is formed by agreement between two parties to the contract; the parties must choose to enter into a binding agreement; in a ordinary buyer to seller contract this may entail; the seller agrees to provide the buyer an item at a stated price. The seller (may be implied or explicit) then agrees to deliver the item in a reasonable or merchantable (satisfactory) condition to the buyer. The buyer having agreed with the conditions of the purchase agrees to pay the seller his previously stated price upon delivery of the item.... price upon delivery of the item. This is a bilateral contract, wherein each party has taken on an obligation to do something, in return for something. The promise which has been made by each party makes the "verbal" contract (may be formal or informal), binding. If any term or condition in this legally binding contract is breached by either party, the contract can then be voided. 3 As we find in Baldry v. Marshall [1925]; B owned a racing car but his wife refused to ride in it. He approached M, a car dealer, requesting details of Bugatti cars, about which he (B) knew nothing. He asked for a car that would be comfortable and suitable for touring purposes, and the dealer recommended a Bugatti. B agreed to buy a Bugatti; after inspecting the chassis. Once completed, it was obvious that the car was a racing car and not suitable for touring. He returned the car and sued for one thousand pounds that he had already paid under the contract. The court held; that B had relied upon the skill and judgement of M, and that it was in the course of M's business to supply cars. Hence, there had been a breach of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 S 14 (3). When a purchaser relies upon the skill and judgment of a seller and that seller is acting within the course of his business, then the purposes of S 14 (3), goods must be suitable for the purpose made known to the seller if a breach is to be avoided. Even if the goods are of merchantable (satisfactory) quality; other implied terms must be satisfied. S14 (3) precludes the seller from

CAD drafting software Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

CAD drafting software - Essay Example One of the reasons why autoCAD is ranked top among other CAD softwares is the fact that it is packed with features within the tool bar which are relatively easy to use and navigate. AutoCAD has all the relevant and necessary features which make usability easy while improving compatibility at the same time. It allows the user to customize the tool palettes consisting only of the tools required for the current project. AutoCAD supports a myriad of files which requires no conversion during import or export (Cohn, 16). The software is not easy to use and in addition to time consumption, there is difficulty in figuring how to use some of its features. AutoCAD is supplemented with a wide range of help and support options besides the online knowledge-base present on the website. SolidWorks is considered to be an extensive software that is meant for corporate environment and large production. SolidWorks has extensive design capabilities which makes it a very complex system. Despite the complex and extensive designs in cataloging and tolerance control, the user interface has been kept as dynamic and simple as possible. The design makes SolidWorks a design software suitable for users at all levels. SolidWorks is quite expensive; Premium version goes for $7,995, Standard for $3,995 and the Professional version at $5,490. There is minimal training required for a user to become productive and knowledgeable of SolidWorks. Besides, there is a good production demonstration video which offers design lessons (Cartwright, 12). SolidWorks has an electrical package which is highly used in electrical engineering field in designing complex circuits. It has a wide range of electrical design functionality suitable for design professionals. Google Sketch Up is free but can be upgraded to Pro version at a cost of $485 which comes with email technical support and export options. It’s a simple CAD software for sketching models in a 3 D space. Google Sketch up is

Human Resource Management Practice in the UK private security industry Essay

Human Resource Management Practice in the UK private security industry - Essay Example heir employer’s investment, ensure that laws are followed and implemented, and apart from preventing many other problems they prevent criminal activity (Brewster, 1994). The security personnel are expected to behave as a part of the culture of the organization and process information to protect the interests of their employers and suggest improvements in the infrastructure. This requires them to have good judgement and common sense as they need to follow directives given to them and moreover may be required to testify in courts. Their instinctual development and insights make them respond to emergencies effectively and take charge of the situation in a can do attitude while directing others to safety. Either in groups or working alone or being assisted by technology, the security personnel have to be solely responsible of any situation that calls for their immediate response (Brewster, 1994). Based on the needs and requirements of the industry and the dynamic way the companies progress, the recruitment and selection processes of these companies are made to follow government regulations and internal policies to ensure service and recruitment of personnel (Bratton, 2001). As human resource development has progressed so has the recruitment and selection process as well. The standards that are set professionally by the industrial psychologists suggest that the selection system has to be backed by a comprehensive job analysis to relate the selection criteria with the job requirement. The main requirements for the selection process are based on the knowledge of the applicant that is directly related to the job requirement. Furthermore, the assessment of the abilities and other characteristics of the recruits are evaluated for successful performance (Bratton, 2001). The objective of hiring personnel in security agencies to provide solutions to companies is to match the requirements while ensuring a profitable return on investment. The process of recruitment revolves

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What was the historical significance of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 - Essay Example If we look at this event from a historical perspective, it was the forerunner modern labour laws and unions ("Ohio History Central"). The working class began to realize that they were not just puppets of their employers and they could voice their rights. They also started thinking on the lines that they had a greater chance of having their demands met if they stood up collectively. More and more organized strikes were witnessed in succeeding years and it was not long before labour unions started to form. Even at the time, the most charismatic labourers of the lot started to take control of small groups of fellow labourers marking the first instances of present day union leaders (O. Stowell 128-137). And although proper labour laws were not adapted until after the great depression of the 30’s; the framework for such laws had already been devised due to excessive pressure. This was done by the labour unions via organized strikes, on President Roosevelt (Rhea Dulles and Dubofsky 319-388). The railroad workers of 1877 might just have seen their wage cuts restored, but this marked the beginning of a flurry of strikes across industries which evolved into more coordinated and structured ones over

Human Resource Management Practice in the UK private security industry Essay

Human Resource Management Practice in the UK private security industry - Essay Example heir employer’s investment, ensure that laws are followed and implemented, and apart from preventing many other problems they prevent criminal activity (Brewster, 1994). The security personnel are expected to behave as a part of the culture of the organization and process information to protect the interests of their employers and suggest improvements in the infrastructure. This requires them to have good judgement and common sense as they need to follow directives given to them and moreover may be required to testify in courts. Their instinctual development and insights make them respond to emergencies effectively and take charge of the situation in a can do attitude while directing others to safety. Either in groups or working alone or being assisted by technology, the security personnel have to be solely responsible of any situation that calls for their immediate response (Brewster, 1994). Based on the needs and requirements of the industry and the dynamic way the companies progress, the recruitment and selection processes of these companies are made to follow government regulations and internal policies to ensure service and recruitment of personnel (Bratton, 2001). As human resource development has progressed so has the recruitment and selection process as well. The standards that are set professionally by the industrial psychologists suggest that the selection system has to be backed by a comprehensive job analysis to relate the selection criteria with the job requirement. The main requirements for the selection process are based on the knowledge of the applicant that is directly related to the job requirement. Furthermore, the assessment of the abilities and other characteristics of the recruits are evaluated for successful performance (Bratton, 2001). The objective of hiring personnel in security agencies to provide solutions to companies is to match the requirements while ensuring a profitable return on investment. The process of recruitment revolves

Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals Case Study

Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals - Case Study Example It is open for emergencies, critical care for animals and surgery. The hospital endeavors in serving the critical health needs of animals with time as of the essence. Previously, the center served as an overnight emergency clinic for pet owners and veterinarians in the local area of Milwaukee and became the first 24 hour emergence and critical care referral center in the state in 1984. 1991 came with the addition of emergency and critical care specialists, surgery and internal medicine doctors to the care givers (Marla, 4). The center moved to another building facility in West Silver Spring Business District in 1999. The building covers more than 13, 800 feet squared with a large waiting room plus four examination rooms. The building has three surgical suites and 41 cage intensive care units and many other functional rooms like isolation units’ laboratories and imaging rooms. Most of the rooms, officially opened in June, 2009 have transparent glass walls to let their customers and veterinarians to keep their eyes on the procedural treatment of their pets and animals. The emergency care hospital has well over 35 staff, which includes an emergency and critical care specialist. ... Information research The team had to submit a questionnaire containing only questions relevant to study in the efforts to get information on the company. This served as a pre-visit to the company which helped the owner and the administrator to prepare in advance. This also helped to avoid any inconveniences that would come in because the team would have interfered with the programs at the center. Some of the questions that we submitted were to find out some of the challenges incurred in running such a large facility, the response of the immediate community towards the establishment of the facility in the area, the revenues, their products and services and other operating processes. The group planned for the interview to be conducted by two of the members and to ask open ended questions to different people in the company in order to get their views. The best resource on this area was Dr. Lichtenberger who is the owner of the facility and the administrator, Frank Mahler. They answered the questions both directly and expressing their views about the hospital in general. Since we organized the interviews in a way that each group comprised of two members, one member of each group asked questions, while the other one did the recording of the answers through taking notes. We had two groups each interviewing the owner of the hospital and the hospital administrator independently, after which we compared the responses. The members were to be principally sensitive to the kind of job that goes on in the hospital and use their observatory instincts in partly collecting information. The members had to look at other areas to get other information about the hospital, including the hospital

Marketing Strategies for the Shoe Industry

Marketing Strategies for the Shoe Industry They separate different type of these shoes can help the customers find the shoes they like quickly and clearly. And the sale can attract the customers buy their shoes. Let the customers buy the shoes have a quick way and lower price. Advertisings Sign up email face book twitter Sales discount Though this advertising, the customers can know the shop when they online. They can satisfy customers new demand. Sales discount always can attract customers. Though the online information they can know the news very quickly and they can tell the information to others. 2. ALDO: http://www.aldoshoes.com/uk Shoes categories Trends: military; Victorian; galactic; American; heritage Women: sandals; buzz worthy boots; mid heels; lace-up boots Men: shoes (plimsolls &trainers; moccasins; casual; smart lace-ups; smart loafers) Boots (casual boots; dress boots) Sandals Special size for big size New arrivals Colours They have special size for big size, so there are more people have special size can buy the shoes they like. Give the price level can help customers buy the shoes which the price they prefer. Advertisings Free delivery when you spend over  £75 Sign up email: get 10% off Face book Digital connect on homepage When customer need to have the delivery they can buy the shoes price over  £75 and they can have free delivery. This can attract customers buy the shoes price over  £75.Though sign up the email, for the shoe shop, customers get more information about the shop and can tell their family and friends. For the customers they can get 10% off, they would like to go this shop. 3. Schuh: http://www.schuh.co.uk/ Shoes categories Women: high heels, low heels, flats, boots, sandals, trainers. Mans: trainers, shoes, boots, sandals. Brands: womens brands(schuh/ugg/red or dead/irregular choice/nike/iron fist) Mens brand (converse/adidas/fred perry/base London/ikon/vans/) Junior: girls(low heels/flats/boots/trainers/sandals/new in/bestseller) Boys (shoes/boots/trainers/new in/bestseller) Advertisings Face book twitter Blog Schuh TV Sales gift card Free delivery They have free delivery, the customers buy their shoes no need to pay the delivery. More convenience to people and attract more customers. 4. Converse : http://www.converse.co.uk/ Shoes categories Shoes : Chuck Taylor/Star Chevron/one star/Jack Purcell Collections : Chuck Taylor All Star Slim/ Blondie/One Star 74/Star Player/Weapon Advertisings Blog (top 10) Videos for advertising Hot chip film on homepage Different types of converse and the homepage is very fashion, this can attract more young people to visit. The film and videos can show the new products directly to the customers. 5. Clarks : http://www.clarks.co.uk/ Shoes categories: Women: boots/ankle boots/pimps/sandals/shoes/winder styles/party styles Men: Boots/Gore-tex styles/waterproof/active air/workwear/modern style Kids: boots/waterproof/willies/casual/sports/cica/school/bootleg Sports : boots/shoes/ waterproof/walking/hiking/trekking/open air/free style Originals : shoes/boots/desert boot/classic/fashion style There are many types of the shoes can be chose by customer. Advertising: TV e-mail TV is the best way to introduce the products. Most people watch TV and can see the advertising, and know more information about this shoe shop. TASK 2 WEEK 1(01/11) Note taking from internet and text book WEEK2 (08/11) Essay plan for marketing plan short report WEEK3 (15/11) Marketing plan first draft WEEK4 (22/11) Short report first draft WEEK5 (29/11) Task 67 first draft WEEK6 (06/12) Presentation-PPT WEEK7 (13/12) Marketing plan Short Report Task 6 Task 7 Final draft TASK 4 BUSINESS VISION I prepare to expand my business and set up a website about sell hand-painted Special Shoe. The website can give many choices to the customer. Customers can choose the picture they like and we can help them paint the picture on the shoes. So the Special shoe will have USP (unique selling point), this means that your product and service can attract more attention from customers in the eyes and mind. Special shoes will sell these to people who want have their own style. The coverage of my shoe shop will be the UK. More and more young people want to aspire after new fashion and be different from others, so they favour original things to show their personality. I found some well-known companies also do the hand-painted shoe, like Nike and Adidas. Every year they launch a limited range of hand painted footwear. Our shop does the B2C (business to customer) part, B2C part can help us know what the customers want and can save money and time. Customers can buy their favourite shoes cheaply and quickly. We can use website, newspaper and magazine to attract customers and make people to know our Special Shoes. Analysis External analysis Everybody needs shoes and there are many kinds of shoes in our life. For the country footwear is an important part. There are  £6bn of shoes sold to UK and half of them sold around the world (Britfoot, 2010 ). Today, some companies do hand-painted shoe business, for example, Converse was very famous for its canvas shoes. In recent years, Converse put out hand painting shoes, but these shoes are limited. So this cannot satisfy most customers demand .Our hand-painteg shoes are having a rational price and when the customer want these shoes we can painted for them. Most people can buy a pairs of shoes they favour and show their individual. 2. Internal analysis Our on-line shop sell hand-painted canvas shoes, but for different customers we also sell the colour pen and no pattern shoes, so customers can paint the shoes in any way they like. For all the customers we will teach them how to wash the shoes and they can return of goods if shoes have any problem within three days. Because I have 4 physical shops in high street, so I have existing customers and I have enough money to set up my special online shoe shop. Start my business I need some people to help me. I structure them in three groups, first is the group who buy raw material, second is the group who painting the shoes, last one is the group who sell the shoes. 3. SWOT analysis a ¼Ã… ½Strengths My shop start a new style of shoes buying, there are three main strengths of my hand painting shoes. First, because I already have four physical Special Shoe shop in High Street, so we have the basic of the customers for my Special online shoe shop. I set up online Special Shoe shop can increase many new customers for my business and make more profit. Second we paint the shoes of the customers choice so the customers cannot find another pair of shoes like it. Third, because our online Special Shoe shop do B2C part, so we can communicate with customers quickly and clearly. We can know what the customer really want and satisfy their demand. Special Shoes have a reputation for giving advice about foot problems and they can use this knowledge to do the same on the Internet. We can find the health magazine talk about the podiatry service and put our online shoe shop website in. This can tell the people that our shoes are comfortable, and then attract more people to visit our website and buy our shoes. b. weaknesses First, we can not produce with a large number of hand painting shoes. Because we make these shoes by hand, this restricts our output, and we need more time and more labour to produce shoes. Second, because we sell the hand painting canvas shoes, so this not for all people. The hand-painted canvas shoes just one kind of Special Shoe. For example, customers will not buy these shoes when the weather becomes cold. c. opportunities Economy is recovering now, however The world economy is facing difficult and dangerous times (BBC News, 2010) that means economy will not grow much, companies sell goods not very high. And though economy grow slow, but economy not too bad. Companies sell goods not too low. I start business online must careful, we need prepare everything to face any problem. Today, more and more sellers choose start a business online in UK, and the customer in UK spend  £42. 7bn online in 2010 accounting for the CCR (Centre for Retail Research).(BBC New , 2010) I start an on-line shop, so I can increase many new customers who need special shoes and keep the existing customers. d. Threats Our threats come from other online hand-painted shoe shop. People prefer buy famous brand. So the famous in the world, like Adidas and Nike will attract more customers. We must buy the raw shoes from the factory. If the factory makes the mistake of the shoes or do not give us the raw shoes on time, we will face trouble, for example, we can not give the hand painting shoes to customer on time or the shoes have quality problem, these will make us lose trust from customer. Marketing and sales 4 ps Product We supply our products to the people who want to show personal style. We put the picture online and the customers can choice. The customers also can e-mail the picture they like and we painted for customers. . We also can sell the pigment and paint brush to customers, if they want to paint the shoes by themselves. We try our best have a good reputation and supply good products and service to customers b. Place We sell the hand painting shoes on-line. Customers can enter my online Special Shoe shop and buy shoes anytime and anywhere. And we no need to pay the rent of physical shops. It has a lower cost to set-up an online Special Shoe Shop. The customers around the world can know my online Special Shoe Shop and buy my products. The online shop is no geographic retractions. Pricing We have different level price of the shoes. The price of the hand-painted shoes will between  £80 and  £150. These prices are based on the brand of the canvas and the pattern. For example, the shoes have simple pattern will be cheaper than the shoes have complex pattern. Promotion The promotion brings the benefit to the products, and promotion will give the products a brand and an image that the customers will pay attention to your products. I choose online activities and offline activities to promotion my online Special Shoe Shop. I use online activities, first of all I need search engine registration, and search engines can help the customers find the information about our business and products. We pay fees let our online shops web site at the first page of the search engine. When the visitors enter our online Special Shoe homepage, they can sign in our webpage use e-mail address. So I can collect these visitors e-mail address and send the e-mail about our Special Shoes. We can make a video of shoes being painted and put this video to YouTube or other video website to introduce my online hand-painted shoes. Second, I will use newspaper and Magazine to advertising my online Special Shoe Shop; for example, is the most fashion magazine in UK, most people read this magazine, we put our hand-painted shoe in this magazine, so more people can know my Special Shoe. Newspaper and Magazine advertising are cheaper than the TV ad vertising. At same time we do direct mail. I will send the information about my online Special Shoe Shop to the customers who buy the shoes from my physical shops; let them to understand our online hand-painted shoes. Customers Existing customers My Existing customers are the people shopping in my four physical shops in High Street. We want to keep these customers so we need give these customers convenient and we need work hard and give better service to customers. And we must pay the attention to all the Special Shoes, so we can know what the customers really like and meet their demand. New customers I set up an online Special Shoe Shop and sell hand-painted shoes. So I have new customers who need have their own style and buy our hand-painted shoes. And I do the online and offline promotion to attract more new customers to know and buy my Special Shoes. Conclusion In conclusion, online shop has many benefit of my Special Shoe business. It helps me expand my business; increase the kind of Special Shoes. Thereby, increase the customers and profit. Nowadays, more and more people shopping online. There also have problems of my online business, we cannot do the batch production and our online shop is a new, so just few people know us. However, if we have good advertising and the best products, I believe that my online Special Shoe shop will have more customers and become famous in the future. Bibliography Schneider, G.P. (2007),eBusiness 7th edition, Thomson Learning, Inc: London Edwards,S. Economy, P. (2009), Home-based Business for Dummies, Dummies 3rd Chaffey, D (2004), E-Business and E-Commerce Management, 2ed edition, Inc: London www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11721010 www.britfoot.com http://ezinearticles.com http://www.clpstudio.com/ http://www.paradoxartistry.com/temp.htm Task 5 With the development of society, Internet becomes very important in our life. Internet has much information from the world and it becomes a global resource (ezinearticles, 2010). The definition of online shopping is that the act of purchasing products or services over the Internet.(www.businessdictionary.com). The Internet also becomes a popular way to buy products. Because people can find the products they want to buy very quickly and clearly. They can buy the products at home or office. Online shopping is very convenient, so more and more people choose online shopping. Search engine is important for a website. Sellers must make sure the customers can find your shop very quickly and easily. In this short report I will explain what search engine is positioning, how importance of search engine positioning to the online shop and enabling the customer to find the website easily. The definition of search engine positioning is that The process of obtaining high page ranking on Search Engine Results Pages, these results pages are a list of links pertaining to a specific user submitted search term. Positioning is only relevant for search engines with crawler technology (www.anduro.com/glossary.html ). Search engines have three main parts. First are simply bots, this can finding the website the customers interested in. When customers entering the information the result will give you page title, keywords in page text and the information from other website. Second is storage, when the customers stored the website, the computer has an index for stored the website. Third part is the search utility, search utility can help visitor take the term they find match the search term in index. Then the visitors can choose the links they will visit.(Gary P. Schneider, 2007) Search engine is the important part of online shop sell Special Shoes. We must make sure that the customers can find our website quickly and easily. Search engine is important for e-commerce. So, give the search engine a good positioning is also important. We make the search engine have a good ranking, so our website will go to the first page of the result. Just like Google, when you search information, you will find there are thousand results. If put the website in first page or the top, the visitors will find the website easily and quickly. And this can help us have more visitors and increase the click volume. Based on the importance of search engine positioning, find the good way to increase the ranking of the website is the basic thing we need to do. We can give the search engine money to buy a good positioning. We can put the title of the text as the search engine or put the keyword of my product. For example, I sell the hand painting shoes, these shoes include in special shoes. So I can put the special hand panting shoes as the description of the website. Now I designed three domain names for my Special shoes online shop site. 1. www.cnadyhandpaintedshoe.co.uk 2. www.canvaspaintedshoe.co.uk 3. www.specialdiyshoe.co.uk I prefer choose the first one to be my website domain name. I choose this name in many reasons. First, I open an online shoe shop but not normally, the shoes are special. Second, the shop domain name include my name and I have 4 physical shops in high street. For the old customers the can easily remember my name. The pattern on the shoes all painted by ourselves. The customers can find our website when the customers entering hand painting shoe. Attract visitor I need to attract the visitors to visit my website and buy my special shoes. At first, I need to build a brand of my shoe shop and give it an image; this will make the people remember it easily. And make the customers trust you. For all the seller and customer reputation is the most important thing. We must make sure the quality of shoes and solve the problem very quickly. And we need effective communication with customers, let them to know my shop and my products. We can e-mail them the information of our Special Shoe. The other important thing is that makes sure your homepage special, clearly, and has enough point to attack the customers. For example, if we have the discount, we can put the discount information in a full position. We can use the big title to introduce our main products and put some customers feedback on homepage, these can make visitor know more about our shop and trust us. Because I have 4 shoe shops in high street, so I can have an advertising to introduce my online shoe shop in these 4 shops. I can put the shop website on the wall and window. And give the customers some discount in these high street 4 shops if they go to my online shop. For example, when the visitors go to my online shop to download a picture and print it out, they can take these pictures to the high street shoe shop and then get the discount. In conclusion that many people choose online shopping, so it has a good benefit. However there are many online shops, so there also have strong competition. For online shop, search engine positioning is important; we must give our website a good ranking at search engine, so the visitor can find our online shop easily and quickly. We also have a easy remember domain name. We do many methods to attract the customers to buy our shoes. Bibliography Schneider, G.P. (2007),eBusiness 7th ed, Thomson Learning, Inc: London Edwards,S. Economy, P. (2009), Home-based Business for Dummies, Dummies 3rd Kent, P.(2008), Search Engine Optimization, 3rd Edition. http://ezinearticles.com, Why is the Internet important www.businessdictionary.com Supply chain management Make supply chain short Supply chain is composed by many parts. They are complex; include the manufacturer and suppliers, warehouses, retailers, transporters and customers. So when the customers want to get the products, it will have a long process. But we do e-commerce; we can use the internet to contact the renders, so we can make a short supply chain and we can save a lot of time and reduce the cost of some part, so we can get cheap products and can supply in time. At same time we can ensure the customers can buy cheap and good quality products. Transaction Transaction plays a point role; every part of supply chain will have the transaction. We do B2B system to the suppliers and B2C to the customer. These all need transaction. Transaction will finish on Internet, so this reduces the mistake and save time. We must make sure the transaction safe and quickly. We can find the transform company have the good quality, and cooperate with the company. It has highly accurate so it is safe and have many item can be scanned so it more flexible and save time. Also when the customers buy the shoes from our online shop, we must send the shoes to the customers as soon as possible. So express company also important, we cooperate with the express company we believe. Stock control Every shop has its own store; the seller must make sure they have enough stock to meet demand. We use Internet to understand the demand fluctuation, so we stock the right products to satisfy customers demand. For our special hand painting shoes, we make sure we have enough no pattern shoes. So when the customers order the shoes, we can paint the pattern they like on shoes and send them to customers at s short time. If we have enough stock, we can save much time and can attract more customers. Because we use online, we can use the internet to follow the stock, so can be check the stock from anywhere there is an internet connection. Use internet, we can control the stock directly. Information flow Information will affect the sellers decision. All the information we get on Internet. E-commerce technology gives a fast way to communicate and share information. Every time have its own need, the seller must understand what the customers need and catch the opportunity. We can build an information system and get the information from the internet. For example, we can ask the customers do the questionnaire online, so we can know the customers demand. Depends on the information we will do the right products and service. Special shoes can use an Information System that will help them know where deliveries are; what customers are buying; where customers are; what the best prices are for their suppliers. They can have a Just-In-Time system to use this. That way they can use the information flow to bring better service to the customer and make lower costs to make prices lower. E-Procurement We do not have our own firm to produce the raw shoes, so we must purchase these raw shoes from the firm and for our hand painting shoe, we need purchase the pigment and the painting brush. This is B2B system and we finish the procurement on Internet. E- Procurement helps us purchase the raw products quickly and reduce the error. Because use e-procurement we can communicate with the supplier online also can sign the contract online. Use internet are very convenient to contact if they supplier far away from us. Purchase online we have not the geographical limitations; this means we can find the supplier all over the world. We have a good supplier, so we can give our customers good quality and cheap products. Find a supplier firm we trust, so the customers also can trust us. Bibliography 1.Schneider, G.P. (2007),eBusiness 7th ed, Thomson Learning, Inc: London 2.Wiley, J. (2007), Supply chain management-best practices, Chapter 1 3. http://logistics.about.com/ 5. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=scm http://www.bestpricecomputers.co.uk/glossary/supply-chain-management-software.htm Task 7Returns policy As a good company, not only take care of its profit, but also has a good after sale services. When online shopping more and more popular, return policy become more important. A good return policy can help the shop attract more customers and make the customer trust you. So you can get a good reputation. I consider five parts to build my special shoes return policy. The circumstances of purchased shoes allowed to be return As a general rule, we allow the customers return in 14 days. If the problem is the size, the pattern they do not like or there is the quality problem we will allow to be return. Because, the customers buy the shoes online so they can not try the shoes, and some times the size of shoes will have a little difference. Due to the pictures of shoes on the website and the real shoes have the difference of colours, the customers also can return the shoes. The exchange policy If the customer is not satisfied with the shoe, they can order another one in exchange. However if they order another pair of shoes have different level of the price, we will return the remaining money if another pair of shoes cheaper, and the customer give us money if that one expensive. When the customers want to exchange, they must provide proof a payment, such as receipt. The refund policy By law, customers located in the European Union à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ have the right to withdraw from the purchase of an item within seven working days of the day after the date the item is delivered. (www.amazon.co.uk) We will use this as a basic refund policy and offer to pay for postage. The condition of the shoes must be return The shoes must be return when we find there are some quality problems we will call the shoes back and solve the problem. At the same time we will give the customers another pair of shoes and give them some discount. Responsible for postal charges If the customer wants to refund, we will pay for the postal charges. We can give pre-paid label for return. And customers no need to worry about the postal when they refund or return the shoes. This makes customers happy and trusts my shop. This point can attract more customers.

Epilepsy Research Paper -- Papers Disorder Health Essays

Epilepsy Research Paper People most often associate violent twitching, falling to the floor and drooling with epilepsy. However the described event is only one kind of an epileptic seizure, which is called a tonic-clonic seizure. There are many other kinds of seizures, and each has different sets of signs and symptoms. During generalized seizures the whole brain is affected and the initial symptom is loss of consciousness. This category includes such seizures as absence seizure, myoclonic seizure, and atonic attack. Those seizures affect the whole body and brain of the patient, and are much more serious than partial or focal seizure, which only affects one muscle or one part of the body, and not accompanied by loss of consciousness. Epilepsy occurs when nerve cells in the brain fire electrical impulses at a rate of up to four times higher than normal. This causes a sort of electrical storm in the brain, known as a seizure. During a seizure the normal neuronal activity, which is usually responsible for human thoughts, feelings, and actions of glands and muscles, becomes disturbed and as a result strange behavior, convulsions and loss of consciousness might occur. Epilepsy knows no geographical, racial or social boundaries. It occurs in men and women and can begin at any age, but is most frequently diagnosed in childhood or old age. Anyone can be affected by seizures. In fact, up to 5% of the world's population may have a single seizure at some time in their lives, but a person might be diagnosed with epilepsy only after they had two unprovoked seizures. From many studies around the world it has been estimated that the m... ...mpted to move, chair should be put in supine position, everything should be out of the way and passive restraint should be used to prevent patient from hitting anything or falling out of the chair. Emergency assistance should be summoned right away. Epilepsy is not contagious and is not caused by mental illness or mental retardation. Many people with epilepsy have normal or above-average intelligence. Famous people who are known or rumored to have had epilepsy include the Russian writer Dostoyevsky, the philosopher Socrates, the military general Napoleon, and the inventor of dynamite, Alfred Nobel, who established the Nobel prize. Many people with epilepsy lead productive lives. Many medical and research advances in the past two decades have led to a better understanding of epilepsy and seizures than ever before.

Monroe Doctrine :: US History Historical Essays

Monroe Doctrine The Monroe Doctrine can be considered as the United States first major declaration to the world as a fairly new nation. The Monroe Doctrine was a statement of United States policy on the activity and rights of powers in the Western Hemisphere during the early to mid 1800s. The doctrine established the United States position in the major world affairs of the time. Around the time of the Napoleonic Wars in the 1820s, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Colombia all gained their independence from Spanish control ("Monroe Doctrine" 617). The United States was the first nation to recognize their independence from Spain. The European powers had still considered the new nations as still belonging to Spain. The Americans had a sense of pride in the former Spanish colonies gaining independence. They felt as if the American Revolution was a model for these new Latin American nations (Faragher 265). After Napoleon went down, the monarchy in Spain regained power ("Monroe Doctrine" 6 17). The Spanish had felt embarrassed after losing their colonies to independence. In 1815 Tsar Alexander I of Russia and the monarchs of Austria and Prussia formed the Holy Alliance. This alliance was a group set out to maintain autocracy (Migill 594). Spain then demanded the return of its colonies of the New World (Migill 594). With the possibility of help from the Holy Alliance and France, Spain’s goal was looking realistic. The Americans also feared that if the Spanish colonies were recaptured the United States might be next ("Monroe Doctrine" 617). Great Britain refused to let the Spanish take back their now independent colonies. As free countries the new Spanish-American nations could trade more goods with Great Britain. However, if Spain regains control of their former colonies then trade with Great Britain would decrease drastically ("Monroe Doctrine" 617). The Russian Tsar attempted to extend his interest of expansion in North America. In 1821 Rus sia had claims on the North Western coast of the North American continent as low as the 51st parallel, deep into the Oregon Territory (Migill 595). On September 14th of the same year Tsar Alexander I issued an Imperial Ukase (decree), saying that no foreign vessels could come within 100 Italian miles of Russian territory. Although the decree was never enforced, John Quincy Adams, the Secretary of State at the time, strongly opposed it. Adams felt that many regions of North America were still unexplored such as Alaska and North Western Canada.

Customer Service in the Transport Logistics

The South African transport industry is one that is changing. In terms of Customer service there are certain companies that are excelling and are able to provide service that gains them a greater measure of customer satisfaction. Good customer service is an integral part of any business or organization. The process of managing stock, warehouse inventory, and freight transportation is at the heart of logistics. Logistics is the management and coordination of moving inventory from its origination to its ultimate destination. The goal of a logistics team is to find a way to do this process in the most streamlined, cost efficient method possible. The overall High costs in the logistics industry though are a cause for concern as they hinder the ability of organisations to provide maximum efficiency, to their customers thus not achieving maximum customer service. We will discuss what customer service is and its importance in the transport industry. We will look at the challenges facing the South African Transport industry as well as current developments going into the world cup and what these developments mean for the future of the South African transport industry. Customer Service is defined by Vogt and Pienaar as â€Å"the integrated series of activities between a supplier and a buyer, which enhance the sale and facilitate the effective use of the suppliers’ products. When rendered effectively, customer service is the overriding logistics supply chain function that can create demand and retain loyalty. In a broader sense customer service is the measure of how well the logistics system is performing in providing time and place utility for a product or service (Pienaar & Vogt; 2009, 25). According to Christopher and Peck (2003) customer service includes points of contact between a supplier and buyer also including tangible and intangible elements. Logistics performance is extremely important in achieving customer satisfaction. Importance of Customer service The importance of customer service in any organisation and the transport industry as a whole cannot be over emphasized. Customer service is the most critical aspect of the whole supply and distribution chain (Ron). According to Karl it has been proven in surveys that most customers do not come back to certain business establishment because of the indifferences they might have had with the owner, manager and employees regardless if they like the product or service the business renders. Every business management must recognize the reality that customer service is imperative in the success of the business. This ensures customer loyalty and commitment to the business. The company’s ability to focus on customers needs rather than on their own will ensure that company is cost effective and efficient at all times. Characteristics of customer service in transportation There are a number of factors that make up customer service and specifically for the transport industry these include, dependability, time in transit, flexibility of mode chosen, loss and damage performance of the mode, and ability of the transport to adapt to the changing customer needs. (Craig, 2004) Most customers are more interested about receiving their delivered goods on time than whether the person delivering the goods has a cheerful face. Successful companies try to under-promise and over deliver in terms of delivery time. This allows the firms to capture their customers ensuring that the company’s reputation is not jeopardized so firms need to ensure that their lead times are accurate. Customer service excellence is about reliability and consistency. Reliability means that the suppliers commitment to maintain a promised delivery schedule and to advise customers if deliveries subsequently cannot be made on time. This shows that the suppliers are reliable and keep the customer at ease. It is better to switch to a more expensive but reliable supplier than to rely on a relatively inexpensive but erratic supplier. Customer satisfaction is highest when a customer knows they can rely on their goods to be delivered at the specified time and that the goods will be delivered. Companies such as Manline offer customers the service of being able to track their goods in transit through a customer call centre where they can monitor their cargo through real time satellite tracking of their vehicles. Such services allow customers to be more at ease. In South Africa overall this is a concern in the transport industry as the rate of hijacking is high and thus the risk of goods not arriving is high. This means that in South Africa it is imperative that an organisation gets the best security technology in order to meet customer needs. The amount of time in-transit is another important element in customer service within the transport industry. Goods need to be transported and delivered as quickly as possible as customers need their cargo on hand as soon as possible. The flexibility of any mode of transport is another important element in customer service. If an organisation is to provide the best service they need to react to a customer’s changing needs. In the South African transport industry it is sometimes difficult for there to be immediate changes in customer requirements as the most used mode of transportation is road transportation. This means that service delivery in any other form is sometimes difficult or unreliable. The idea is to move goods as quickly, efficiently and cost effectively as possible. JIT (Just-In-Time) deliveries are a powerful force in the modern epoch. Deliveries are getting smaller but more frequent. We are moving into a situation where there is a continuous flow of goods from source to final delivery. Those carriers who are able to adapt to the changes in the market and accommodate a wide set of logistical competencies will be the winners in the new age of transport. Traditional haulers must change their ideas of what industry they belong to and face the challenges of the new order. Fast-moving, 2005) Challenges affecting customer service in South Africa Within the last couple of years the country has been able to address some of the issues within the transport industry, though there is still much that needs to be addressed. There have been various challenges that have and still face South Africa’s growing transportation and physical distribution industry. One of those challenges is that with increased globalization the local industry has to compete wi th foreign industry. Customers want the most reliable yet inexpensive way of transporting their goods and foreign companies are doing this, making it difficult for local companies to stay relevant. Another major challenge which has been addressed to an extent by some companies and aspects of the transport industry is that of technology. Customers want to know the exact specifications of the transportation of their goods. They want to know time of departure, time of arrival, amount of time in transit, and even the route of transit. This then means that the best tracking technology is required. In South Africa this high technology has been slow in infiltrating the transport industry. Devices for tracking and monitoring load carriers using real time satellite tracking is not something that is widely used in the industry. A good example of a company that is doing this though is Manline . This Company has set up a 24-hour control centre operated by fleet trackers that constantly monitor all vehicles and also to apply effective route rationalizing techniques and maximize vehicle productivity and utilization. (Manline 2010). According to the findings of the ‘Research Report for the Infrastructure Inputs Sector Strategy’, commissioned by the Presidency, and compiled by Sudeo International Business consultants. One of the other major challenges facing the South African Transportation industry going into 2010 is that freight volumes travelling by all modes of transport will have to be suppressed for the duration of the world cup. This will have considerable impact on the logistics industry as a whole. Ways to improve and Developments in 2010 The challenges that face the South African industry are ones that can be remedied. The 2010 World cup in South Africa has become a catalyst event in developments in the country and the transportation industry as it is one of the most integral parts of achieving efficient customer delivery and thus achieving high customer satisfaction. An important component of ultimate improvement would be making on-time deliveries every time. When a product is ready for use, the clock starts to count down how long it will take to complete the cycle from completing the manufacturing of a product to the consumption of that product. The longer it takes to get the product into the hands of the consumer, the more money a company loses. It is important that the products are delivered quickly and on time to the customers in order to maintain the company’s customers and keep them loyal. So how does one streamline this process? By implementing a logistics plan of action, a company can do just that. Larger manufacturers will hire a logistics team that is responsible for the routing of goods from the company, to the freight transportation company, and finally to the end client. They will have a database system to track all inventory. They will monitor inventory levels to make sure that a backlog of supply occurs. An additional responsibility of transportation and logistics specialist is to account for accurate transportation times. It is vital for companies to be able to rely and trust that their shipments will arrive in a timely manner. Being well organized accounts for much of this success, but the ability to transport the shipments quickly is also important. Because the country's infrastructure has improved with better maintained highways and interstates, transportation times have decreased. Freight transportation is more reliable now because companies can more accurately predict when a shipment will arrive. Some trucking companies will even guarantee the precise day and hour that a delivery will be made. This is very important because customer satisfaction is often based around on-time deliveries and accurate accounting of merchandise. This has also helped to reduce the cost of shipping freight, since trucking companies now have reliable, more direct routes to utilize. It indirectly affects cost because better roads create less wear and tear on shipping vehicles. It is important for the organization to answer all e-mail and phone calls from customers within an hour. If possible, the owner of the business, personally take care of the problem. This will show that the organization cares about customers and will improve the service quality of the organisation. This is an important area of improvement in South Africa as clients would be able to trust load carriers as they would be in constant contact. It will give customers peace of mind if they can continuously monitor their cargo themselves and also stay in contact with their company. The organisation should offer as many contact methods as possible. Allow customers to contact you by e-mail. Hyperlink the e-mail address so customers won't have to type it. Offer toll free numbers for phone and fax contacts. Some trucking companies have contact numbers written on their trucks so that the customers can be able to contact that particular company when they need their service. The organisation should invite customers to company meetings, luncheons, workshops or seminars in the meeting the manager can inform the customers about when the products will be available in the market because it is important to give customers more than they expect. Create special events for the customers like parties, barbecue's, dances etc. This will make them feel important when the company include them in regular business operations and special events (Larry Dotson, 2004) If a logistic team only concentrates on reducing freight cost, they could potentially lower customer service quality. Therefore, the goal of a logistics manager, or third party administrator, is to find a balance between cost and customer satisfaction. They must also be able to provide accurate tracking information, correctly estimate shipping cost, and be able to calculate delivery dates and times. By being organized, keeping cost low for the clients, and by making on time deliveries, freight management can help control the overall customer satisfaction of their clients. Reducing cost in freight transport is great, but if you can improve customer service at the same time, that’s even better. Logistics software can help reduce costs in freight transportation and logistics while improving customer service quality. (Barone, 2003) In the South African industry research shows that there should be plans to shift back to rail-freight and reduce that of road as the overall cost of damage to roads will eventually filter down in costs to the customer. Although currently there are greater cost savings and cost competition in using road freight. Measuring Customer Service. Measuring customer service in logistics for any organization is crucial to determine whether the organization is doing what the customers are expecting. The needs of the customers differ to a large extent and the reason being is not all customers are treated the same. Since the needs of the customers differ to a large extent, organizations end up knowing so little in general about the customers’ real requirements hence they end up setting the service levels that are too high and hence too costly (Ballou, 1978). The high service levels result also in higher distribution costs and therefore the overall price of a product. Even though the aim of any organization is to meet the needs of each and every customer, the organizations should however try to generalize about customer service as much as possible to drive down the costs. The problem that is encountered while trying to measure the customer service is what factors to measure exactly. There has always been a contradiction on whether the service levels should be determined by the customers or be set by the organizations. The firms normally select factors that are easier to measure such as order handling, order picking times whereas customers might be interested or concerned about the order transmittal and delivery which tend to be more difficult to measure. Therefore to determine those factors or aspects that the customers value the most, the organizations normally use the performance model (Murphy and Wood, 2004). The performance model is a questionnaire that the customers fill on receipt of their orders; its main objective is to determine the percentage of times the firm accomplishes specific goals and objectives. Managers normally set some visible goals against which performance can be measured. These come in two forms; standards and policy statements (Ballou, 1978). The managers might for example set a standard whereby the target is to ensure a 95% in-stock rate, filling customer orders within 24 hours of receipt or a one day order cycle time for all customers staying close to the organization. Against these standards managers can be able to tell if they are meeting and exceeding the customer service levels the organization had set. I should be further noted that it is inefficient and costly to provide more service than the customer expect or requires hence the firm should try to meet to break-even. Some companies take customer service seriously in a sense that they even have the written printed statements. The policy statements promise the customers that the company intends to act in a specified way with regard to service. There are five ways in which the organizations measure or test the customer service levels (Gwilliam M, 2008). Firstly, if the organization is able to fill the orders then it must be meeting the customers’ expectations. Normally the acceptable standard is the 95% fill rate whereby it is only 5% of the time when there is stock out. Secondly it is the delivery of the goods on time. It is vital to measure how fast the organization can deliver the products that have been ordered. If most of the time the goods are not delivered at the targeted date then major changes need to be done. Furthermore, it is important to measure how successfully the customers’ concerns can be resolved. Since the customers use the enquiries to express their concerns, the proportion of the number of customer enquiries that have been effectively resolved can be used as a means of measuring customer service given the number of enquiries that have been received. Another way to measure customer service can be how quick the organization responds to the customers’ mails, emails, and phone calls. If the organization is able to respond to the customers within 24 hrs than the level of customer service is up to standard. The last way of measuring the customer service in logistics is by letting the customer decide. The customers can let the organization know if it is fulfilling the needs of its customers. The customer surveys that focus on the customer service issues can be conducted and from the response of the customer surveys the organization can be able to improve on the areas that the customers are not happy with. Once the level of customer service is known it becomes easier to control it. When the level of customer service is below the standard the customers become dissatisfied, however if the level of customer service is above or exceed what the customers require it increases the costs of the organization. Control is therefore defined as a process of taking corrective action when measurement indicates that the goals or objectives of customer service are not being achieved. For example, if the delivery targeted dates are not met there might be a need of changing the mode of transport or simply the route being used. Firstly the service level standards are set, and then the actual is compared to the standard. If there is a variation then the corrective measures need to be done so that the standard is met. At times the reason why the standard is not met is because it was set too high that it cannot be matched, in this case the standard itself needs to be revised. Conclusion â€Å"The success of South Africa’s infrastructure growth challenges will be dependent on the ability of logistics infrastructure and, in particular, transportation, to cope with the demands placed on it. †(Engineering news, 2007). In the future the quality of customer service will be the main determining factor in the survival of a company as customers become more aware of product offerings that will suit them. The transportation industry in South Africa is changing, with greater emphasis being placed on the customer and their level of satisfaction. This will bring a greater move forward in the industry that will see South Africa competing on the world stage in terms of transportation. Customer service is vital to the survival of any company, organisation or industry and establishing and implementing customer service policies that work is what will lead organisations and industries to greater growth and success.