Services Sector Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Services Sector Marketing - Essay Example But a tangible product's quality can be evaluated at the time of purchase and it can be rejected, if the customer feels dissatisfaction about the product. It also creates problems when customers evaluate a product in terms of it price (Reif 1997). However, consumers can use other attributes of the service provider or the place of his business to evaluate the quality of service. Services are perishable in the sense that they have to be consumed the moment they are delivered by the service provider. If they are not consumed on site or immediately, they will be lost and that cannot be recoverable. They cannot also be stored and as such they cannot add time and place utility to consumers. The service offered at different time point need not have same quality. Consistency and uniformity in service cannot be expected even from the same service points. Naturally, service does not match with what was planned and promised. This causes concern for consumers and they often raise grievances in this respect. Utmost care and attention through personnel training and service maintenance alone can mitigate this issue. The major concern of marketing management is the development of tools for marketing goods and services. The marketing management means and includes all efforts that a marketer/manufacturer takes to make sure that goods and services are smoothly moving from production point to consumption point. In these efforts, marketing team put emphasis on certain elements, which they consider as indispensible for marketing success and they are collectively termed as marketing mix. Traditionally, the marketing mix consists of four components, namely: Product, Price, Place of Distribution and Promotional Activities, commonly referred to as 4 P's of marketing. These components of the marketing mix constitute the core of a company's marketing system. The 4Ps are strongly interconnected. However, with the advancement of modern marketing management theories, some more elements have been added to marketing mix. A brief description of all these elements comes in the coming paragraphs: Product: - is concerned with developing the right products and/or services, which should satisfy some customers' needs. Place: - is concerned with getting the right service to the target market. A service is not of much good to a customer if it is not available when and where it is required. Promotion: - is concerned with the creation of awareness to the target market about the right service. Price: - is very vital since it represents the only element of the marketing mix that creates revenue. Thus, through careful coordination of the 4Ps, management can draw the most benefit from any marketing environment. People: - Everybody involved in the marketing efforts irrespective of designation or status in the organisation. Physical evidence: - all the physical appearances and tangible thing that support the marketing process. Processes: - all the series of

Ethical Public Speaking Paper Essay Example for Free

Ethical Public Speaking Paper Essay The Speaker was Emma Watson introducing the campaign called He for She. The campaign is about political, economic, and social gender equality and not just for females, but for males as well. To often the word femanism has an underlying meaning to people as â€Å"man hating†. Emma Watson came to speak about just that and other issues that often go by unseen. The issues of the glass ceiling, equal wages for same work between genders, women involvement in poilicies and laws that will effect all womens lives, and socially having equal respect. There is no country in our world that have completely achieved gender equality that should be viewed as human rights. There has been significant improvement in many countries but many women today still do not have the opportunity to have secondary schooling. Men should be just as much involved in gender equality because there are also issues that they have to deal with. The role as a father is being valued less and less in society, and young men do not ask for help for fear they will be less of a man. Men and women should feel free to be sentative and strong. As Emma Watson said, â€Å"Gender should be on one spectrum and not two sets of opposing ideals†. Ms. Watson upheld most of the responsibilities for ethical public speaking. The topic of gender equality promotes positive values and she did not shy away or back down from what hse believed in. Multiple times in the speech she talked about in her research she has found many startling facts and presented them well. When her language was not inclusive, it was to show the conflict and differences between genders. The time in total for the speech was about 13 minutes long and was respectful to her listeners. Some things that were not fufilled was sometimes with the statistics she used whole numbers instead of percentages and did not credit her sources for any of her information. Some of the responsibilities that a listener would have to this speech would be clappinging at certain points. When the listeners clapped it communicated their agreement to Emma Watson, and she in turn, paused and waited for them to finish. While Ms. Watson was speaking, she invited all people to join her in the movement He for She and as a listener, we can choose to either join her movement or not. Emma Watson’s speech was an excellent example of an ethical speech discussing a controversial topic.

Hot Import Nights :: essays research papers

Car shows and race events are probably the largest forms of gatherings in America. People will spend all their money and drive long distances to show off their precious vehicle. Countless hours are spent cleaning, waxing, and prepping for a show quality finish. Hot Import Nights (HIN) is the largest car meet in the United States. Its flashy set-up and eye catching themes keep car enthusiasts craving for more all year long. This show is mainly for the younger group because they are the biggest spenders of products to modify their automobiles. Many would be disappointed if this ever ended. I support Hot Import Nights one-hundred percent because of the activities and product it brings to so many people. HIN is brought to just about every major city in the United States so that no one is left out. It’s a great chance for every one of all ages to get out and have some fun. As long as there is a passion for cars in their hearts it will be the most fun they have all year. Since there is so many people there from all over its amazing how different people are; social class, wealth, race, or gender doesn’t affect how people look at each other here, it is all about the cars. NOTHING else all year will give anyone a better chance to bond with dad than to spend a weekend with cars and just hang out. Most people go in large groups ranging anywhere from five friends all the way up to a hundred car crazed maniacs. It is very easy to find someone to go with, so nobody has an excuse not to go! HIN holds many events over its weekend to keep everyone entertained. There are several drag races for a wide variety of cars and prizes given to the winners. The great thing about HIN is that anyone can enter their car in the show event. Usually ranging from about 500-1000 cars brought just by locals, people love showing off their car to everyone that stops by. Just as the drag races, the show events give out many awards for having the wildest looking car and the craziest interior. Many people will just walk around during show events and talk to others with the same type of car as them. It’s a great chance to learn a lot about their car that they probably would have never found out.

Visual Imagery in The English Patient, by Michael Ondaatje Essay

Every writer uses a different set of methods, known as the narrative mode, to portray the plot to the audience for individual reasons. In the first section of â€Å"The English Patient†, Michael Ondaatje uses his narrative mode in order to more effectively convey his message in an appealing way. One way he does this is by presenting the reader with visual images and vivid description that trigger their imagination. His use of visual imagery, description, and pronouns to present the settings, and to describe people and their actions is part of his narrative mode. By eschewing the names of characters, and creating these images, he is calling attention to the small details in the text, which helps convey his message. A visual image, if well described, is particularly an exciting and eye-catching moment for the reader. In â€Å"The English Patient,† Ondaajte uses the following image to describe the English patient’s condition: â€Å"Above the shins the burns are worst. Beyond purple. Bone† (3). Ondaajte uses the words â€Å"beyond purple,† and â€Å"bone† not only to show the reader the extent of the Engli...

Aviation High School Parent Questionnaire Essay

Since Daniel was very young, he has always had an interest in how and why things work. Throughout his life, he has had some great opportunities to not only build on this curiosity, but also to gain other skills. Daniels recent excitement in Aviation High School is the latest example and hopefully opportunity to build on his interests. Daniel has been very active in Boy Scouts. He currently holds the leadership position of Patrol leader where he is in charge of a group of about 8 other scouts. This has built a strong leadership trait in Daniel and provided him many opportunities to grow as an individual. He has been able to camp, hike, canoe, and enjoy the outdoors while experiencing a strong team environment. We also have had many great adventures as a family which have influenced Daniel. I travel for work quite frequently and have to pleasure of sharing it with my family occasionally. This has allowed Daniel to visit many different areas and experience living and exploring those areas. Along with Daniels general interest in things, these trips have sparked new curiosities and allowed him to investigate his current ones. Though not intentional, Daniel has also moved schools during elementary twice. This has forced Daniel to start fresh with no friends and in a new environment. Daniel has excelled in this, and has developed great skills for meeting new friends and taking advantage of new opportunities. Now, Daniel does not hesitate going into a situation where he doesn’t know anyone. As a parent I am very proud of the person my son has developed into, and am extremely excited to watch as he continues his grows. I want to provide him with the best experiences and atmosphere to do this. Daniels interest in attending Aviation High School matches my goal to provide this to him.

Biography Of Henry Ford Essays - Protocols Of The Elders Of Zion

Biography Of Henry Ford Essays - Protocols Of The Elders Of Zion Biography of Henry Ford Henry Ford was one of the most brilliant entrepreneurs in creating the automobile assembly line, it was his controversial characteristics and unorthodox approach towards administrating the Ford Motor Company which resulted in the conglomeration of one of the most successful corporations in the world. At the turn of the century everything was booming! The growth of the economy and stock market increased the job opportunities as well as morals. As a result of this industrial revolution, out of the woodwork came a humble yet driven man, Henry Ford. Between the five dollar/day plan, his policies on administrating the company, and his relations with his customers, Ford was often presented as a suspicious character. This controversial behavior epitomized the success of the company, it did not lead to his own downfall as many suspect. The Anti-Semitic accusations, and the belief that Ford was taking advantage of his customers, were by far overshadowed by his brilliance and strong hand in running his company. Of course, there were not always supporters of Henry Ford. If fact, there were many critics, critics who believed that Henry Ford was so controversial that it prevented the potential of Fords from becoming greater than it is today. By the mid twenties the Ford?s was already the worlds most successful automobile company, but their great reputation would soon decline. Fords $5/day plan for all employees signified the overwhelming success of the company. Many believed this success was short-lived with the new policies dealing with the workers which soon followed. With the need to increase production and lower costs, in the mid 30?s Ford cut all Ford worker?s wages in half. Workers were expected to work faster, and harder. Department heads were ordered to ban all talking and whistling while work was in progress. All of this was a ploy by Ford to make sure he knew every move of his workers, he was very possessive. Secondly, Ford began to fire older workers and hire younger workers. His ideology was that the younger workers could work more productively and more efficiently. Which in turn would send more money flowing into his pockets. What resulted was quite humorous in fact. Black hair dye became a hot seller in the Detroit area . Older workers tried to disguise their age by dying their hair black. Ford?s manipulation of his workers was immoral and unjust. There was no industrial democracy, workers were forced to do what they were told or would be out of a job. Henry Ford?s controversial behavior reflected badly on himself and on the Ford Motor Company. The Anti-Semitic views expressed by Henry Ford could never be denied. It was common knowledge in fact that Henry Ford was prejudice. He wrote an article in the Dearborn Independent expressing his ideas that Jews were the cause of many peoples problems. Henry Ford was sued by a man by the name Aaron Sapiro in the early 1930?s. Sapiro had evidence that Ford threatened himself with Anti-Semitic sentiments. Ford was recorded as saying, ?Sapiro is a shrewd little Jew. The bible says Jews will return to Palestine, but they want to get all the money out of America first. Sapiro should be kicked out because he is trash..? The result of the trial was humiliation for the Ford company and Henry Ford himself. After a hung jury in the first trial, the case was dropped when Ford wrote a lengthy retraction and apologized for his statements. Ford?s was declining in profits and production among the worlds best. All as a result of Henry Ford?s ego. Thus, by 1931 Ford lowered in the ranks, controlling only 28% of the market 2nd to GM with 31%. Henry Ford was the godfather of the automobile industry in the early 1900?s. The development of his River Rouge plant was considered a ?industrial Cathedral.? Hundreds waited month after month in front of the employment building hoping to be hired. To foreign immigrants it meant hope and a successful future. The River Rouge plant employed over 50,000 employees. Pols, Lithuanians, Germans, almost every western Europe country could be represented at the Ford Plant. Like a father Henry Ford began educational programs, teaching his illiterate employees how

Vincent Van Gogh Essay Example

Vincent Van Gogh Essay Example Vincent Van Gogh Paper Vincent Van Gogh Paper Vincent Van Gogh was born in 1853 in Groot-Zundert, which is located in the Netherlands, and died in 1890 at the tender age of 37. This story details his lack of acceptance in society during this period, in addition to how his paintings affected modern-day society, the critics, and the censorship of art. Van Goghs father was a Dutch protestant minister. In addition to Vincent, his father had other children: Anna, Willamina, and Theo, who was very close to Vincent.Theo went on to become a very successful art dealer through the acquisition and sale of impressionist paintings. Eventually, his father saved up enough to send his children to boarding school but it wasnt right environment for the young children. The children were forced to endure cold showers, lack of proper nutrition, in addition to not being able to form a bond with the other students. At the age of 15, Vincent was no longer interested in the mundane topics of school and withdrew from it. He wanted to follow his passion of painting, and he had a keen eye for color. From the early 1880s on, van Gogh was supported by his brother Tho, who was an art dealer in Paris who was financially backing Vincent. He corresponded frequently with Tho for most of his life, describing in detail his daily life and the ideas for his works. Later Vincent moved to Paris and found a whore named sin and she had already two children from previous guys but Vincent wanted to marry her. Van Gogh contracted syphilis from her and she later left him. He had started to believe he was an exile of the public. Vincent later wrote a man by the name Paul Gauguin and asked him to live with him. Gauguin wrote back saying your crazy, shortly after Gauguin left and meet up with him. Van Gogh and Gauguin got in a lot of brutal conflicts, after an argument one night Van Gogh cut off the lower portion of his ear lobe. These comflicts caused Gauguin to leave but hi

Free Essays on Chopin

Frederic Chopin, the Polish composer and pianist, was born on March 1,1810, according to the statements of the artist himself and his family, but according to his baptismal certificate, which was written several weeks after his birth, the date was 22 February (Huneker, 2). His birthplace was the village of Zelazowa Wola, part of the Duchy of Warsaw. The musical talent of Frederic became apparent extremely early on, and it was compared with the childhood genius of Mozart (Marek, 23). Already at the age of 7, Frederic was the author of two polonaises, the first being published in the engraving workshop of Father Cybulski. The prodigy was featured in the Warsaw newspapers, and little Chopin became the attraction and ornament of receptions given in the aristocratic salons of the capital. He also began giving public charity concerts. His first professional piano lessons lasted from 1816 to 1822, when his teacher was no longer able to give any more help to a pupil whose skills surpassed his own (Seroff, 19). Wilhelm WÃ ¼rfel, a renowned pianist and professor at the Warsaw Conservatory, supervised the further development of Frederic’s talent. WÃ ¼rfel would offer valuable, although irregular, advice as regards playing the piano and organ to young Chopin (Marek, 51). Frederic later attended the Warsaw Lyceum where his father was one of the professors. He spent his summer holidays in estates belonging to the parents of his school friends in various parts of the country. The young composer listened to and noted down the texts of folk songs, took part in peasant weddings and harvest festivities, danced, and played a folk instrument resembling a double bass with the village musicians; all of which he described in his letters. Chopin became well acquainted with the folk music of the Polish plains in its authentic form, with its distinct tonality, richness of rhythms and dance vigor (Huneker, 41). When composing his first mazurkas in 1825, as w... Free Essays on Chopin Free Essays on Chopin Frederic Chopin, the Polish composer and pianist, was born on March 1,1810, according to the statements of the artist himself and his family, but according to his baptismal certificate, which was written several weeks after his birth, the date was 22 February (Huneker, 2). His birthplace was the village of Zelazowa Wola, part of the Duchy of Warsaw. The musical talent of Frederic became apparent extremely early on, and it was compared with the childhood genius of Mozart (Marek, 23). Already at the age of 7, Frederic was the author of two polonaises, the first being published in the engraving workshop of Father Cybulski. The prodigy was featured in the Warsaw newspapers, and little Chopin became the attraction and ornament of receptions given in the aristocratic salons of the capital. He also began giving public charity concerts. His first professional piano lessons lasted from 1816 to 1822, when his teacher was no longer able to give any more help to a pupil whose skills surpassed his own (Seroff, 19). Wilhelm WÃ ¼rfel, a renowned pianist and professor at the Warsaw Conservatory, supervised the further development of Frederic’s talent. WÃ ¼rfel would offer valuable, although irregular, advice as regards playing the piano and organ to young Chopin (Marek, 51). Frederic later attended the Warsaw Lyceum where his father was one of the professors. He spent his summer holidays in estates belonging to the parents of his school friends in various parts of the country. The young composer listened to and noted down the texts of folk songs, took part in peasant weddings and harvest festivities, danced, and played a folk instrument resembling a double bass with the village musicians; all of which he described in his letters. Chopin became well acquainted with the folk music of the Polish plains in its authentic form, with its distinct tonality, richness of rhythms and dance vigor (Huneker, 41). When composing his first mazurkas in 1825, as w...

Investment Analysis and Security Valuation to a Real Life Situation Research Paper

Investment Analysis and Security Valuation to a Real Life Situation - Research Paper Example The scrip of the Almarai Company under the agriculture and food sector has been given a buy recommendation as it is a bull in the market which is also outperforming most of the other players of this sector. Almarai Company is one of the attractive stocks on the Saudi Stock Exchange Tadawul. The stock is actively traded. Eqarani (2012) has reviewed Almarai to be the largest integrated dairy company in the world, with a well recognized brand that was ranked number three in Forbes’s ‘Top-40 Arab Brands’ list. A snap shot taken out of the exchange and presented as Fig 1 depicts its active trading patterns. Fig1 The company has the authorized capital of 4000 million Saudi Arab Riyals and has issued 400 million shares of par value of 10 Riyals. The stock is trading at a level above 50 Riyals on Tadawul stock exchange. The company has a paid capital of 4000 million Riyals and its floated issued shares are 165,409,795. The company belongs to the agriculture and food secto r which is a tremendously growing sector of the economy of Saudi Arabia. The growth for this sector on the Tadawul in last one year is 29.21%. There are reasons. Saudi Arabia is the largest market in the middle-east for agricultural and food products. This sector of economy in Saudi Arabia is growing at a GDP of 8%. Agriculture products in Saudi Arabia account for more than 25% of the private sector investments. The companies not only produce for the local market but they are eying the export market also in the surrounding middle-east countries. All the more, the Saudi government has set its priority on becoming self dependent on the food front because still it is importing 70% of the food items. It is boon time for companies including multinationals for meteorically rise in this progressing economy. Almarai Company already holds a significant place in the economy. The company enjoys a robust health and is a mature company. It was established way back in 1977. The then chairman of t he company Prince Sultan bin Mohammed bin Saudi Al Kabeer worked with a vision to transform the tiny dairy farming industry into an efficient and professional giant that should be able to cater to the growing demands of its population and that too by making its products available at affordable costs. A few graphs presented below depict the consistent good performance of the company in last few years. Graph 1 (Years range from 1 to 4 on X-axis is 2008 to 2011) The Graph 1 shows that the revenue earned by the company is rising at a consistent rate of 8 to 10 per cent each subsequent year. This is an indicator of robust market position of the company. Graph 2 (Years range from 1 to 4 on X-axis is 2008 to 2011) The scenario of operating income is comfortable. The operating income in Dec’ 2011 is 1517 million riyals incrementing by 59 million riyals in comparison to the operating income level of 1459 million riyals in Dec’2010. In contrast to this the incremental enhancemen t in the operating income in Dec’2010 was 494 million riyals in comparison to its level of 965 million riyals in Dec’ 2009. This is a point of concern but at the same time the capital investment in the expansions done by the company explains this low incremental increase in Dec’2011. It is not that heavier in comparison to

MNEs only tend to migrate to greener activity if force by government Essay

MNEs only tend to migrate to greener activity if force by government regulations - Essay Example The rest of the essay will present views from both sides of the debate and argue that ultimately a strong regulatory framework is essential if Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) are to take green standards seriously. In looking to answer the topic question, it is useful to peruse sociological scholarship and policy literature on the subject. Conventionally, analyses of the topic have tended to focus on corporate compliance within existing legislations. Here, it is tacitly assumed that complying with regulations by targeted groups is essential and sufficient for meeting goals of social regulation. (Dahl, 2010, p.248) Another assumption is that business enterprises go out of their way and improve their green standards only when they are faced with steep penalties for failing to do so. In this analytic framework, corporations are seen as ‘amoral calculators’ of risk and reward for themselves; and their primary motive is to maximize profits while minimizing losses in the form of penalties. This used to be the traditional view on corporate compliance. Yet, in recent years a refreshingly new pattern of corporate behaviour has started to emerge, giving government agencies and social activists renewed hope. (Kagan, et. Al., 2003, p.52) â€Å"It is becoming apparent that an increasing number of companies now perform, to a greater or lesser extent, "beyond compliance" with existing regulatory requirements. This suggests that the degree of variation in, and the motivations for, corporate behaviour may be much broader than many researchers have imagined previously. This is of practical importance: some existing regulatory strategies, in focusing on compliance, have failed to facilitate, reward, or encourage beyond-compliance behaviour, or even inadvertently discourage it, while other regulatory reformers, in contrast, have argued that government-mandated self-regulation  is the key to progress.† (Kagan, et. Al., 2003, p.51) Hence, it could be argued, th at MNE’s need not always be pushed by government regulations in order to make their activities clean and green. Scholars such as Samuel Loewenberg, on the other hand, are not quite enthused by the record of major corporations (especially those based in the United States), in upholding green standards. The chemical industry in the United States, which is a major contributor to environmental pollution, has been a culprit in this regard. While the industry got away with its slack quality and safety standards in its home country, it got into controversies upon entry into the European market. The EU, worried that it does not possess health and environmental data on most of the chemical compounds currently in use, is drawing up legislation that â€Å"by 2005 will require the industry to conduct extensive safety tests on 30,000 common chemicals. At least 1,500 are expected to be banned or severely restricted in their use as a result. The industry estimates that the testing alone wi ll cost it more than $7.5 billion.† (Loewenberg, 2003, p.55) MNE’s based in the United States, whose present safety norms are supported by Washington, continues to put pressure on the EU to loosen up its standards. In Washington, MNEs wielding insider connections and an abundance of campaign funds are used to wooing legislators and regulators. (Vernon, 2010, p.B04) But this tactic does not

Designing Learning and Development Activities Essay

Designing Learning and Development Activities - Essay Example The essay "Designing Learning and Development Activities" analyzes the required factors to make a successful learning session. The paper also overviews the methods available to assess learning and performance. There are numerous methods available to assess learning and performance although the most vital factor in selecting the assessment tool should base on the type of audience, experience, education, venue and subject matter. In adult learning theories and Andragogical learning phenomena, the most effective way of adult learning is self-directed and experiential learning, where a participant can experience the problem first hand and propose a solution for it. Such activities are more effective in groups since brainstorming can provide alternatives. The culture and environment of the organization can impact the training, if an organization has a culture that is redundant to change with no regards to self-improvement or learning activities; learning activities would not be fruitful and participants would yawn in even the most appropriate training session with a lot of exciting and job relevant activities. Learning methods range from one-sided lecture-like training to facilitator based learning sessions. Both methodologies have their pros and cons although both are still used widely in organizations depending on the type of training and intended audience. A one-sided training is suitable for learning sessions that are general in nature, for example, code of conduct or explaining a policy to the employees.

Social classes and education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Social classes and education - Essay Example Racial theorist Shelby Steele felt that racial discrimination determined their lack of effort to achieve what others do.(Ogbu) The other issue that needs attention in determining African-American children’s education is the methodology used for teaching. In a multicultural urban elementary school, black teachers in an attempt to explore the best instruction to serve the black students felt the necessity of the attitude of â€Å"I want the same thing for everyone else’s children as I want for mine,† in teachers.(Delpit, 1998) Rectifying the cultural hegemony in teaching and empowering children the freedom of expression and culture in learning and inculcating child-centered approaches were found to be some of the steps. One way of achieving this end is by reminding children about their power to shape meaning and rationale. J Anyon found out that pedagogical care and practice differed in schools of different social classes.(Anyon, 1980) He studied a total of five schools and found out that the first two which were working class’ schools emphasized on rote behavior, gave less explanation and used less textbooks. The third school which mostly belonged to middle class parents had the system of getting only the right answer and no serious attention was given. The fourth one, which he called as the affluent professional school encouraged in individual thought and expression. The fifth one called executive elite schools which comprised children of the capitalist class, was the only school that worked on the development of analytical and intellectual powers through logical reasoning. Jonathan Kozol, a teacher who was being fired by a school for having his students read a poem that wasn’t prescribed in the list, does not disagree with the trend of this segregated school system (Kozol, 1991). He cites an example of a public school in New York which conducted classes in abandoned

How has the UK retail sector adapted to recent changes in the economic Literature review

How has the UK retail sector adapted to recent changes in the economic climate effectively - Literature review Example The Global Financial Crisis had a profound impact on almost all parts of the world. Millions of people around the world had to change their lifestyles, many financial institutions went bankrupt, thousands of employees lost their jobs, many people ended up living on the streets, governments in most part of world had to interfere, with bail out plans regardless of the fact that how capitalistic and free market their economy was, to save their institutions. Many countries, which were climbing up the ladder of economic growth, witnessed decline in growth rates and worse, many western countries ended up posing shrinking of the economy. Stock markets in all around the world crashed very badly. The Gross Domestic Product of the world economy was 61.38 Trillion US dollars in the year 2008, which fell down to the level of 58.26 trillion in the year 2009. The trend also continued in the year 2010, however, there are no authentic figures released for the same yet (Buckley, pp. 201-203, 2011; Un ited States Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, pp. 28-30, 2011). Most the countries, specifically the United States government turned towards the Keynesian school of thought of overcoming an economic recession. John Maynard Keynes, who became prominent in the United States and Europe during the great depression, strongly believed that there is no invisible hand in the economy, which causes business troughs and peaks. If an economy wants to move upwards in the business cycle then the economy will have to increase its aggregate demand, which is the sum of consumption, investment, government spending and net exports (exports minus imports). Higher aggregate demand would force the economy to move towards an upward spiral of growth and thus pushing the economy towards a boom. In hope of stimulating the economy with fiscal packages, the US government announced bailout packages of worth more than one trillion US dollars to help the economy to recover (Carpenter, Sanders & Harling, pp. 3148-352, 2011). The UK government also injected money into the econo my in various fashions to help solve the liquidity crisis. The United States injected money into various corporations such Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,

Social classes and education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Social classes and education - Essay Example Racial theorist Shelby Steele felt that racial discrimination determined their lack of effort to achieve what others do.(Ogbu) The other issue that needs attention in determining African-American children’s education is the methodology used for teaching. In a multicultural urban elementary school, black teachers in an attempt to explore the best instruction to serve the black students felt the necessity of the attitude of â€Å"I want the same thing for everyone else’s children as I want for mine,† in teachers.(Delpit, 1998) Rectifying the cultural hegemony in teaching and empowering children the freedom of expression and culture in learning and inculcating child-centered approaches were found to be some of the steps. One way of achieving this end is by reminding children about their power to shape meaning and rationale. J Anyon found out that pedagogical care and practice differed in schools of different social classes.(Anyon, 1980) He studied a total of five schools and found out that the first two which were working class’ schools emphasized on rote behavior, gave less explanation and used less textbooks. The third school which mostly belonged to middle class parents had the system of getting only the right answer and no serious attention was given. The fourth one, which he called as the affluent professional school encouraged in individual thought and expression. The fifth one called executive elite schools which comprised children of the capitalist class, was the only school that worked on the development of analytical and intellectual powers through logical reasoning. Jonathan Kozol, a teacher who was being fired by a school for having his students read a poem that wasn’t prescribed in the list, does not disagree with the trend of this segregated school system (Kozol, 1991). He cites an example of a public school in New York which conducted classes in abandoned

General Question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

General Question - Essay Example The main purpose of this method of teaching reading to schoolchildren is to provide them with instructional support and a strong basis for the development of reading skills. It requires teachers' involvement in the reading process before, during and after the reading of a basal text. Stages of DRA There are several approximately eight steps in the Direct-Reading Activity. Each step comes with some expectations and advantages to the learning of reading skills amongst children. Step 1: Choose a text and the aim of reading The first step involves the teacher identifying a given text in the basal reader. This means the teacher will have to identify a portion of the reading text and identify the main reading techniques and new vocabulary that can be learnt through the reader. This step is to set the aims, objectives and basis for the whole exercise. This step sets the framework of the entire reading and here, the teacher will know the exact objectives that must be met by the class. This c an be an avenue for the teacher to guide students through the various stages of the reading process. This will enable the students to progress gradually through important stages in the process of learning how to read and comprehend information in a given text. Step 2: Select vocabulary to be pre-taught After the teacher concludes on the aims and objectives of the reading exercise at hand, the next step is to identify new and unusual words in the text. These words are often words that the students have not met before or words that have links to other situations that the children are likely to meet in the future. These words are to be identified and written on the board for the children to understand. It usually helps if the teacher explains the meaning of the words as well as the linkage of the word with other contexts within which the students are likely to meet in the future. The immediate reason for this exercise on vocabulary is to enable the children to get familiar with the mor e difficult words that they are going to meet in the reading. It enables comprehension during the reading process because the students become familiar with the implication of those words and the context within which they are used in the text. The longer term aim of the pre-teaching of words is to help the children to improve their vocabulary. This will help them to acquire new words that will enable them in the future. Additionally, teaching vocabulary before reading also builds the conception of predicting the meaning of words by examining the context within which unfamiliar words are used. This will help students in future comprehension assignments and examinations like SAT and other English language examinations. Elicit prior knowledge on the topic of text After the vocabulary is taught and discussed, the teacher will have to take opinions and knowledge brought forward from the class. This will include discussing matters from the known to the unknown. This implies that the childr en will be called upon to share basic knowledge about what they know about the subject. Thus for example, when you are to talk about a fox in the reader, the teacher can ask about the similarities between the foxes and other animals. Obvious answers that are likely to come about might include a dog and other animals. Then the attributes of a fox as a sly creature or a creature that is not so straightforward can be brought up by drawing into similar tales like sly fox and

Billy Budd - Good and Evil Essay Example for Free

Billy Budd Good and Evil Essay In the play Billy Budd, the author, Hermann Melvinne, creates two conflicting character personalities which are portrayed as good and evil. John Claggart (Master-At-Arms) tries to destroy Billy Budd because he is jealous of Billys reputation and acceptance among the crew. There is also a conflict involving Captain Vere when he is forced to decide on the fate of Billy Budd after he kills Claggart. Billy is a handsome, young sailor, new to the ship and eager to impress. Billy becomes very popular with the crew. When seeing Billy accepted by the crew it reminds him of the their dislike for him and he becomes jealous. The Danksters conversation with Claggart also shows his fear that he will lose the power he held from the fear of others when he says ? they turn from hating you to loving him, and leave you impotent. Claggart becomes determined in destroying Billys reputation. Claggart ? lives on hurting people and his evil nature prevails through his attempts to bring down Billy throughout the play such as when he orders Squeak to ? put that new seaman Budd on report and when he lies to the captain and falsely accuses Billy of starting a mutiny. Billy is innocent in a sense that he has done no wrong which leads to his blind and naive view of evil. The Dankster tries to warn Billy that ? nobodys friend is Jimmy-Legs and by saying ? he is down on you but he does not see Claggart to be a threat of any sort. Billys innocence and devotion to good do not let him see the evil in Claggart whom is trying to destroy him but eventually conflict resulting in the murder of Claggart from a blow by Billy. Billys retaliation leads to another conflict between good and evil where Captain Vere must decide Billys fate after he commits a crime punishable by death after killing Claggart. Vere likes Billys character and would not like to see Billy put to death. Vere accepts that Claggart provoked Billys retaliation by lying and can see the evil in Claggart but also recognizes the call of duty which at war-time was non-tolerable for such an offence. Vere is troubled with the conflict of conscience and duty and under the circumstances of war he does what is right and has Billy hung. Captain Vere loves Billy and has no problem with him in any way but finds where authority has evil it will command. In conclusion Billy was innocent but by failing to see the evil which was upon him he became unable to protect himself from it, being Claggart, who held an authoritarian position higher than him. Captain Vere was also exposed to evil through Claggart by not stripping him of his rank before he began to provoke Billy which then lead to Veres decision to put Billy to death. Therefore even the good exposed to evil in a position of authority will sarcome to evil retaliations.

Effect of Motion on Facial Recognition Skills

Effect of Motion on Facial Recognition Skills Introduction Humans have a remarkable capacity to learn and use facial motion to extract personal characteristic to recognize another individual’s facial motion which is considered is one of the most active areas of research in the field of computer vision and pattern recognition and numerous algorithms have been proposed to handle various aspects of the problem such as illumination, pose, expression, age (Aggarwal, Biswas , Flynn, Bowyer, 2011), and even smile and human identity (Ning Sim, 2010; Avarguà ¨s-Weber , 2012).Facial motion is able to provide identity-specific dynamic facial signatures that benefits the perception of identity (Roark, et. al, 2003). For example, study has shown that people who are famous, their faces were able to be recognizes by the participant better when it is a moving image which involving several kind of facial motion rather than static images (Ning Sim, 2010). Similar observation has been made by Thornton Kourtzi (2002) too. Pilz, et al. also further e xplains that moving images not only help human subjects to improve their rate of recognition but also time of reaction too (Ning Sim, 2010). This clearly shows that faces are a special type of visual pattern for which we haveunique expertise (Avarguà ¨s-Weber , 2012). These findings may means that facial motion may contain considerable identity-specific information and that humans are probably using these to recognize each other in daily life (Ning Sim, 2010). In short, when increased response times or error rates of faces are shown in an inverted, but not upright orientation, the recognition performance of an individual will be impaired as it required strenuous amount of effort in recognition, this occurrence is known as the face inversion effect (FIE) (Martin Macrae, 2010). This  Ã¢â‚¬Å"face-inversion effect† (FIE) has become one of the standard tools for exploring face processing, in particular the roles of configure or relational versus feature (Thornton, et. al, 2011). Macrae and lewis have shown evidence that face recognition is caused by individuals’ orientation to global or due to local facial features during encoding of stimulus (Martin Macrae, 2010). To add on, individuals’ propensity are different in order to identify complex visual stimuli in a global or local manner (Martin Macrae, 2010). Looking at the research question, there are actually a total of four hypotheses, to show a further understanding. The first, it is hypothesized that the mean scores of low static upright orientation are equal to that of the mean scores of the low static inverted orientation. Second, the mean scores of the low dynamic upright orientation are lower than the mean scores of the low dynamic inverted orientation. Third, the mean scores of the high static upright orientation are higher than the mean scores of the high static inverted orientation. The four and the last is that the mean scores of the high dynamic upright orientation are higher than the mean scores of the high dynamic inverted orientation. Methods Participants 150 participants from a University, including 39 males and 111 females. The students’ ages ranging from 19 to 51 with the mean age of 22.2. Students were supposed to complete the experiment, as part of an academic requirement of a tutorial class. All participants given written consent prior before commencing the research study. Materials In order to measure the level of facial motion in affecting face inversion effect, a Match- to- Sample task was used. Participants were required to fill up and complete the sequence of trials, identifying the right faces which was presented to them at the beginning of the experiment, followed by a blank screen of 5 seconds. Next step to do, they were to identify the right upright or inverted static and dynamic faces shown in each trial. The images of the faces will stay on screen till a response was given. Procedure Participants were instructed in the beginning of the experiment how trial sequences will be presented. Four different sequence of trial types was randomly assigned in the presentation. The first trial type is an upright static image of the target face was presented to the participants. Second trial type, an inverted static image of the target face. Followed by the third trial type, an upright dynamic footage of the target face and the fourth trial type; an inverted dynamic footage of the target face. In each and every trial sequence, participants were presented with the image for 5 seconds, then followed by a blank screen for 5 seconds. Participants, next, were shown with two test images choices and there is only one of them matched the actual shown earlier which is correct. Images in the test will appear until the point of a response is being clicked on. The next trial test will then began with another new image right after a response was made. Design The independent variables in the research study were Motion, being it dynamic or Static, Face Recognition skills either High or low recognition of faces and Orientation of the face, be it Upright or Inverted. The dependent variable in the research study will be the proportion of matches of the images that were deemed correct. Results The results on the test were calculated based on accuracy of data collected and the performance to respond to test images and footage in an upright static condition using a one- way repeated measures analysis of variance test. These results were according from the top and bottom, participants’ result was evaluated based on the performance of the participants on the test in the static upright environment. The mean proportion of correct matches in the low group participants who has poor facial recognition (FR) skills in the upright static environment (M= 0.82, SD=0.052) and inverted environment (M= 0.78, SD=0.134) was compared to high group participants who have high FR skills in the upright static environment (M= 1.0, SD=0.00) and inverted environment (M= 0.89, SD=0.096). Figure 1. Mean proportion of correct matches made in the low and high groups under Static orientation The result shows that the low group participants reflected poor FR skills in the upright static environment (M = 21.6 years, 6 males), t (48) = 16.88, p Table 1 Paired Sample Statistics for Low and High Facial recognition in upright and inverted orientations with static or dynamic conditions. Table 1 above has shown that the mean proportion of correct matches made in the low and high facial recognition groups with static or dynamic condition. Based on the first hypothesis, it is not true as the results has shown in Table 1 that it does not support the overall studies done on the facial recognition and visual orientation. However, The mean scores of the high static upright orientation were higher than the mean scores of the high static inverted orientation which resulted that the third hypothesis which was mentioned earlier in the introduction is true. Figure 2. Mean proportion of correct matches made in the low and high groups under Dynamic orientation. Figure 2 above has shown that the mean proportion of correct matches made by low and high groups participants under Dynamic orientation. Based on the second hypothesis, it stated that mean scores of the low dynamic upright orientation were lower than the mean scores of the low dynamic inverted orientation. However, it seems that the graph in Figure 2 has shown differently where actually the mean scores of the low dynamic upright orientation was higher than the mean scores of the low dynamic inverted orientation. Therefore, it seems that second hypothesis which is based on the results shown on table 1 above is also not true and subsequently does not support the overall studies done on both facial recognition and visual orientation. The means proportion of the graphs in the high static upright orientations is higher than the mean proportion of the graphs in the high static inverted orientation which is also reflected in Table 1. In the results of the final hypothesis as shown in Figure 2, the mean scores in the high dynamic upright orientation appeared to be higher than the mean scores of the high dynamic inverted orientation. This further concludes that the third and fourth hypothesis is true as reflected in Figure 1, 2 and Table 1 and supports the overall studies on facial recognition and visual orientation. Table 2. 2 Paired Sample t test for Low and High Facial recognition in upright and inverted orientations with static or dynamic conditions. Above Table 2 shows the results of mean proportion of correct matches made in the low and high groups of the participanta under the several types of visual orientation. Discussion The aim of the study was to see how motion improved performance for people who have poor face recognition skills. The Participants were asked to complete the tests which involved series of trials that consist of differentiating the images of faces in upright and inverted orientations under static and dynamic conditions. Four hypotheses were created in conjunction to the research question given, to show further understanding of research question. The first hypothesis is that motion and recognition are proportional in terms of identifying faces, the dynamic movements able to help the people with poor recognition skills to identify motion. This meant that the upright condition is similar to the inverted condition, where both were static and the condition of low FIE, prove that it is not true. The second hypothesis where the mean scores of low dynamic upright orientation is much higher than the low dynamic inverted orientation in recognizing the faces in the trials, but the low dynamic i nverted orientation group, the mean scores are higher. Therefore, the second hypothesis was proved to be not true, in terms of the low dynamic inverted orientation. Thus, it helps those poor recognition skills participants to perform better in an inverted orientation instead. Using the result, the third and the last hypothesis shows that both upright orientations with static and dynamic conditions are greater than the inverted conditions which shows that facial recognition is assisted by the images in the upright orientation. The last hypothesis which the mean scores of the high dynamic upright orientation is proved to be true to be true that the scores were higher than the means scores in high dynamic inverted orientation, based on Longmore Tree, 2013, this was demonstrated to be a benefit in aiding the process of face processing and facial recognition. Thus this concludes that motion does have a significant effect in the facial recognition process of people. On contrary to the study done in discussion of the strengths and limitations of this study, it is found that the number of participants were a total of 150 which satisfy the general requirement of a study in having at least 30 participants. Therefore the criteria on sample size were fulfilled. As this study was done based on the focus that if motion was helpful, in terms of the targeting the right audience, this study was helpful in terms of helping individuals understand the issues with facial recognition and how the difference in orientation would affect our visual perception. The limitations of the study is that it was conducted in the way for individual to understand that how motion actually helps in individuals’ recognition skills, involving studies of individual who have different cognitive perceptual disorders. Therefore, making the study seem unhelpful in giving information on how can motion be fully utilized in terms of treatment of the disorders. Another limitation would be the age ranges of participants, where it is between 19 to 51 ranges of age. It was proven that younger observers were proven to be better than older observers in multiple motion. Older observers usually require practice to be better due to controls of optical blur and retinal image even though they show similar learning function as the younger ones. (Legault, Allard, Faubert, 2013). To conclude, the result shows that motion do have an impact to in visual processing and facial recognition. However, Future studies should be conducted in a way where by the age range is conducted along with a balanced number of participants in term of gender. It would be better if future studies were to focus on specific audiences with more research and academic information as to understand better of the issues treating disorders. Last but not least, there is a level of significance showed in the student, proving that there are important information provided in regards to facial recognition skills.

Death Of A Salesman :: essays research papers

1. The book Death of a Salesman is a play about a salesman who wants to be well liked by everyone. The title of this book fits the book because there are two salesmen who die in the book. The two salesmen who die in the book are Dave Singleman, who was well liked by everyone, and Willy Loman who was the main character. The book is about a traveling salesman named Willy Loman who has a wife named Linda and two kids named Biff and Happy. The theme of the book is that the most important thing in the world is to have personal attractiveness and to be well liked. 2. Willy Loman is a sixty-one year old man who is a traveling salesman for the Wagner Company. He had worked for the same company for thirty-four years. Willy’s last name is a pun on the word low-man which is symbolic of the kind of person he is and the things he has accomplished. He has nothing and owns nothing and he would be considered a low man in the world status. Willy develops a maxim that states the most important thing in the world is to be well liked. Willy is not well liked so he often lies to his family telling them that he is very important to the New England area. He also pushes his kids very hard to be well liked so he can live vicariously through them. 3. Biff Loman his Willy’s oldest son. Biff is thirty-four years old and was once a high school football star. He spent fourteen years of his life presumably somewhere out west trying to “find himself.'; Willy caught his father having an affair with Miss Frances and quickly developed a lack of trust for his father. Willy throughout the play seems to be opposed to his father, but there are many similarities between the two. There views on life tend to be the same and also their values are the same. This is found out when Willy sends his son to steal wood from a construction site to prove to Ben that he is a fearless character. Biff’s willingness to perform the task shows that their values are the same. Happy Loman is the youngest son and was often overshadowed by his brother. Happy works at a department store and has his own apartment. Happy was deprived of attention as a kid because his brother got all the attention.

20th Century Latin American Literature Essay examples -- Essays Papers

20th Century Latin American Literature Global literatures in English have always played a key role in developing international understanding and appreciation for the social realities and cultural developments beyond Western lifestyles and familiarity. For anthropologists seeking to perceive the social realities of 20th century Latin America, the work of popular authors and novelists of this century is invaluable. Popular authors are the modern mouthpieces of the people and societies who read and love them, and thus, novelists can serve as reliable representatives of the social climate from which they draw material and compose their works. Writers manipulate dominant languages of Latin America â€Å"inherited from rejected colonial powers† to express the content and soul of the people who still live and breathe in these 21 countries of rich heritage and music (Gallagher 1973:1). This collection of countries and peoples has â€Å"experienced parallel histories, cultural formations and literary developments†, and because of these â€Å"profound† ties, constitutes â€Å"a single unit in many senses† (Martinez 1982: 63). Throughout history, â€Å"common Iberian patterns were imposed upon men, cultures and nature that encouraged a blending or unifying process, that is, the creation of the community of nations we call Latin America† and today Latin Americans â€Å"extend their literature in the world†¦no longer concerned about whether or not they express America or their representative countries† (Martinez 1982: 64).However, translating literature from one language to another fo r the benefit of international audiences is a tricky political process, and the history of the evolving Latin American novel testifies to the wild dynamics of language and human identi... ... Texas Press. Martiniez, Jose Luis. Unity and Diversity. In Latin America in Its Culture, vol. 1: Latin America in its Literature. Cesar Fernà ¡ndez Moreno and Julio Ortega, eds. New York: Holmes & Meier Publishers. Minta, Stephen 1987 Gabriel Garcà ­a Marquez: Writer of Colombia. London: Jonathan Cape. Simpkins, Scott. 1995 Sources of Magical Realism/Supplements to Realism in Contemporary Latin American Literature. In Magical Realism: Theory, History Community. Lois Parkinson Zamora and Wendy B. Faris, eds. Durham: Duke University Press. Slemon, Stephen. Magical Realism as Postcolonial Discourse. In Magical Realism: Theory, History Community. Lois Parkinson Zamora and Wendy B. Faris, eds. Durham: Duke University Press. Swanson, Phillip, ed. Introduction: Background to the Boom. In Landmarks in Modern Latin American Fiction. London: Routledge.

Sony Research Paper

Journey of SONY : A Revolution of Walkman to I-Pod 1981 Walkman II Sony is arguably Japan's best known company and one of the world's largest and most well respected consumer-product manufacturers. Its products are world famous and sold everywhere around the globe. Surveys in early 2000s have showed that Sony was the most recognized and esteemed brand name in the United States (ahead of Coca Cola, General Motors and General Electric) and is third coolest global brand after Nike and Tommy Hilfinger among American teens. Although Sony has some of its luster since then it is still a remarkable company.Sony is the world’s No. 2 consumer electronic maker after Panasonic with around $70 billion in worldwide sales. One of Japan’s first internationally-minded companies, it has relied heavily on exports and was among the first Japanese firms to build a U. S. factory. In the 1960s, 70s and 80s it helped turned â€Å"Made in Japan† from a joke into a symbol in unsurpassed q uality. Sony has traditionally been known as a great innovator that transformed entire categories of electronics with products like the Walkman music player and PlayStation game console, and was able command premium prices for its top-quality products.Sony not only changed business and the electronic industry it also changed the world. Before it came along electronics were large bulky products that kept people sequestered in their homes. After Sony, they became small products that people they could to take with them to enhance their surroundings wherever they went. Sony topped a Harris poll for best brands for the 7th consecutive year in 2006. Dell and Coca Cola were 2nd and 3rd respectively. In 2004, it was ranked by Forbes as the 72nd largest company in the world. Sony placed 35th in the 2011 Interbrand Best Global Brands ranking. Coca Cola and IBM were No. and 2. Sony had 160,000 employees and 57 manufacturing sites as of September 2008. It has traditionally been regarded as one of the top transnational companies in terms of foreign assets and foreign employees. The goal of the company has been to apply the most advanced technology to consumer products for fun and enjoyment rather than just practical uses. Sony Walkman Walkman prototype The Walkman miniature cassette player first went on sale in July, 1979. Inspired by pocket cassette recorders designed for dictation, it changed the way we lived by making music and electronics portable, personal and mobile.It changed the lifestyles and listening habits of millions and was particularly embraced by young people, commuters and joggers. In 1986, â€Å"Walkman† was added to the Oxford English dictionary. For a while it was used as a generic term for all portable music devices. The Walkman was originally made as a prototype so that Sony co-founder Akio Morita could listen to opera on long-distance flights. The device, which was original marketed in Britain as the Stowaway, almost didn’t happen. â₠¬Å"Everybody gave me a hard time,† Morita said in his memoirs.Sony engineers and executive said it was ludicrous to sell a tape-player without a recording function. It took a while for the Walkman to catch on. Sales initially were sluggish. The Walkman has been described as Morita’s product and his greatest contribution to Sony. It was Ibuka who came up with the idea for product but Morita was the one who overcame resistance of senior Sony executives to bring the product to market. The Walkman was the right product for the right time. It was the prefect device for the me generation era and the fitness craze.Its headphone output jack was originally named â€Å"guy† and input hole â€Å"doll. † A famous Walkman ad from the 1980s featured a monkey (a Japanese macaque) listening to a Walkman with a very human-like relaxed, content expression on its face. The Walkman was followed by Watchman mini television (1982) and Discman compact disc player (1984) and hund red of imitations by competitors. As of 2004, 340 million Walkman had been sold and130 different Walkman models had been released. They included models that ran MDs and memory sticks. The first device to gain as much attention as Sony’s Walkman was Apple Ipod, released in 2004.In response to that Sony introduced a hard disk Vaio pocket and a hard disk Walkman. In October 2010, Sony announced it was cease producing conventional Walkman cassette players. They were done in by competition from MP2 players and Ipods. They lasted for 31 years. Sony and Sweden’s Ericsson produce cell phones together, mainly making mid- and high-range handsets, In recent years sales have suffered. It has profits have been around $300 million on around $4. 5 billion in sales Sony and KDDI developed a Walkman brand cell phone that downloads music Sony: How did the former gadget king lose its mojo?Before the iPod, everyone's headphones were plugged into the Sony Walkman. But as the Walkman lost i ts relevance, Sony seemed to, as well posted on April 2, 2012, at 6:25 AM Sony has faded since its classic '80s-era Walkman went out of style, but a new CEO is trying to change that. Photo: DK Limited/CORBIS Like Xerox, Kleenex, and Google, Sony's Walkman was the rare brand that was so popular it became the thing itself. The Japanese electronics giant was ubiquitous in other ways, too, and there was a time when it seemed as if everyone owned a Sony device, whether it was a television, a camcorder, or a stereo.But in the iPad age, Sony seems to have all but disappeared from the marketplace for must-have gadgets. What happened? And how can its new CEO, Kazuo Hirai, turn the company around? Here, a guide to Sony's woes: How badly is Sony struggling? It's not pretty. The company is set to post a loss of $2. 7 billion for the current fiscal year. It was worth $100 billion in 2000, but since then has lost 80 percent of its value. And it's even struggling in its native Japan, where Apple f or the first time was just voted the country's top consumer brand. Where did Sony go wrong?Sony is an enormous company, and its movie unit (which produced the Spiderman movies) and music business (which distributes Adele and Taylor Swift) post profits. In fact, its biggest moneymaker is Sony Life, an insurance company. The problem is lackluster gadgets. Consumer electronics still account for half of Sony's sales, and the company's once-unrivaled television division, for example, â€Å"is drowning in red ink,† says Matt Burns at TechCrunch. Why can't it make another Walkman? Sony's â€Å"gift for innovation† came more easily when the company was â€Å"young and streamlined, not sprawling,† says Chico Harlan at The Washington Post.Sony has become an â€Å"unwieldy multiheaded beast,† says Burns, and is simply less focused on product development. Furthermore, Sony is reluctant to take the draconian steps — firing workers, for example — that are often necessary to make companies more nimble. Like other struggling Japanese companies, Sony still adheres â€Å"to cultural expectations of lifetime employment,† says Harlan. What is Sony's new CEO planning to do? Hirai, who took the helm on April 1, is proposing a new business structure called â€Å"Sony One,† which will see the company focus on gaming, mobile devices, and digital imaging.For a company that missed out â€Å"completely on the iPod era of portable music devices,† it's hoping to â€Å"make up for lost time† with a big splash in the smartphone industry, says Devindra Hardawar at VentureBeat. Gaming is still a â€Å"cash cow† for Sony, and its digital cameras are â€Å"better† than most, so the Sony One plan seems solid. Can it make a comeback? Hirai says he's willing to take the â€Å"painful† steps it will take, says Cliff Edwards at Bloomberg Businessweek, including cutting costs. But Sony will also have to do a bet ter job of wedding its gadgets with the vast music and movie content at its disposal.Sony's â€Å"engineers were slow to weave it all together, as Apple did seamlessly with its iPod and iTunes,† says Harlan. It's an ironic twist of fate for the reigning company â€Å"Apple and Steve Jobs were aiming to dethrone 15 years ago,† says Burns. Sony's Walkman Disappears With a Whimper Few tears were shed as Sony announced plans to shelve most editions of its once ubiquitous Walkman cassette player. The now-unwieldy device, which debuted in 1979, was credited with beginning the portable music player craze and ushering the transition of music fans â€Å"from listeners into users. But many columnists, instead of penning fond farewells to the iPod's ancestor, are bidding the device good riddance, asking why it wasn't discontinued â€Å"years ago. † Still, there were a more than a few who waxed nostalgic about those tinny headphones blaring their favorite '80s tunes. A Ver y Subdued Goodbye for the Device The Wall Street Journal's Daisuke Wakabayashi wonders how the iconic device managed to disappear so inconspicuously, especially in Japan. â€Å"Perhaps there was no raucous send-off in Japan, because the Walkman has come to symbolize, fairly or unfairly, how Sony relinquished its portable music player lead to Apple Inc. s iPod on its ways to taking a backseat to Steve Job’s seemingly endless string of hits†¦. To be sure, most consumer electronics products disappear with barely a whimper†¦. However, one can not help but think the Walkman and its incredible success deserved more than a gadget’s equivalent of a gold watch and a pat on the back. † ‘The Best Symbol of the Demise of Sony' Douglas A. McIntyre at 24/7 Wall Street pens a eulogy for the Walkman and, in turn, Sony. â€Å"There will be many histories of Sony written and most will question why the company was not more aggressive to court music companies and c reate its own iTunes store. Unfortunately, McIntyre argues, â€Å"Its digital version of the Walkman came to market too late†¦. The burial of the Walkman signals the death of Sony’s own ambitions in the portable multimedia device industry. It will be a case study at business schools for decades to teach how a company can lose a market it has dominated. † It Used to Be Amazing, Today It's ‘Kind of a Joke' Talking Points Memo editor Josh Marshall briefly recalls 1979. â€Å"It wasn't just that the device was small, though it was — not that much bigger than the size of a cassette itself.It was that the headphones were so small and managed to provide — right up against your ear — a surprising degree of audio fidelity. Remember, holding a boombox up on your shoulder wasn't just an affectation. It was the only real way to listen to music on the go. † We Wouldn't Have the iPod Without It After making the requisite quips about the Walkman (â€Å"at least it outlived disco†) CNet's Greg Sandoval notes that the devices designers â€Å"likely influenced† the eventual concept of the iPod. â€Å"[Steve] Jobs took portable music to a new level, one where even [Sony] couldn't compete.Jobs wrapped his offering around a cohesive and as yet unbeatable combination of hardware, software, and digital retail. Sony knew hardware but was at best so-so in retail and a total disaster at developing software (see Sony Connect). Some have speculated that Sony's failure to keep up in a segment that the company created was one of the reasons it has given the Walkman such a quiet send off. † ‘Enough Nostalgia. Let's Recall the Bad Times. ‘ NPR's Jacob Ganz remembers the music players with little fondness. Walkman was all about smaller and cheaper: headphones were light, but breakable. You could hear your music on the go; so could everyone else, since the speakers in the headphones were so bad that you had t o crank the volume. † It also had the interesting effect of turning â€Å"music into a drug, boiled down into capsules that were lower in purity but easier to acquire and manipulate. The device itself may have been too rigid and flawed to survive changing times, but the Walkman changed us from listeners into users. † 30 facts from 30 years of the Sony WalkmanThe first Walkman was launched 30 years ago today Related stories Three decades ago today, Sony launched the Walkman in Japan. It changed how and where we listened to music and its legacy and name still continue today. To celebrate the anniversary of the launch, we've gathered together 30 facts from the last 30 years of one of tech's biggest product icons. 1. The idea for the Walkman came from Masaru Ibuka, the founder of Sony. He was a regular user of the 1978 TC-D5 portable tape recorder, but found it too heavy.He and Sony's Executive Deputy President Norio Oga challenged Nobutoshi Kihara to come up with a simple, playback-only stereo version of the small Pressman tape recorder. 2. Despite initial troubles with batteries and the strangeness of a large pair of headphones teamed with a small device, Ibuka said to Sony's Chairman Akio Morita â€Å"Don't you think a stereo cassette player that you can listen to while walking around is a good idea? † 3. Over 300 different Walkman models have now been produced. 4. Walkman was chosen as a name partly because of the popularity of Superman in 1979. 5.In early 1979, Morita held a meeting in which he held up the prototype Pressman-derived device and said the product should be manufactured and would be a hit among the young. He gave the engineering team less than four months to produce the model, which needed to launch in June. 6. Due to the short time frame, members of the engineering team had to work through the night two or three times a week. 7. The first H-AIR MDR3 headphones weighed just 50 grams at a time when most headphones were 300-400 grams. They were being developed in Sony's research labs at the time of the Walkman project. . By June 1989, a decade after the original, 50 million units had been shipped. 9. Morita ordered an initial production run of 30,000 Walkman units to be made – double the montly sales of the best-selling tape recorder. Poor initial response and sales 10. The first TPS-L2 model was shown to the press on 22 June 1979. Journalists were driven to a park, given a Walkman and were told to walk around while listening to an explanation of the Walkman in stereo. 11. However, initial press responses were very lukewarm. They believed it wouldn't take off. 2. By the end of the first month on sale only 3,000 units had been sold. 13. Retailers weren't keen on the product as they didn't think they could sell something that wouldn't record. 14. Yet, the word of the Walkman spread quickly among the young in Summer 1979. So much so that Marui Department Store placed an order for 10,000 units – even though major Japanese retail was still ignoring it. 15. The initial batch of 30,000 units sold out by the end of August and Sony had problems fulfilling orders for the rest of the year. 6. A worldwide launch was planned for six months after the Walkman's Japanese launch, but Sony subsidiaries didn't like the Walkman name. 17. Other proposed names were Soundabout in the US, Freestyle in Sweden and Stowaway in the UK. 18. But Morita went on a business trip and in both France and the UK people asked him when they would be able to get a Walkman. The name was already set in stone. 19. The latest Walkman line is the X-Series portable video player. A complete success 20.To emphasise the nature of the product, the 1979 launch event was held outside with Walkman demos in the form of people roller skating or cycling while listening to the device. 21. 100 million units were shipped by 1992. 22. In 1986 the name Walkman was included in the Oxford English Dictionary. 23. Many at Sony initia lly felt that the Walkman should be able to record, but Morita was determined to produce a playback-only unit. 24. Again, due to the short time frame, the development team was told not to worry too much about what the original Walkman looked like. 25.In the UK, the first Walkman in the UK came with stereo and two mini headphone jacks – even though it only had one pair of MDR-3L2 headphones. 26. Sony does not like Walkman to be pluralised in the traditional form – either as Walkmans or Walkmen. 27. The first Discman was launched as early as 1984 – the D-50 or D-5. Later models included ESP for shock protection. 28. 1992 saw the launch of the digital re-recordable, MiniDisc Walkman. 29. The Sports line of waterproof players was introduced in 1983. 30. Incredibly, Sony still manufacturers cassette-based Walkman players today.

Iberia Airlines Essay

i. whom does it serve? In 1944, the civil Aviation Conference was held in Chacigo, where fifty two states siged an International Convention that established the basic principles for the functioning of the air market: each country could negotiate bilateral agreements with other countries in order to regulate the market conditions that would govern air traffic. Before the 1980’s, the planning system used was basically â€Å" point to point†, that is to say, direct flights from one city of origin to another of destination. Instead of planning simple routes, they planned routes from and to the hub airports that came from or were going to other cities. In 1959, ii. What value does it deliver? They used medium and low capacity aircraft on low density routes. Generally they only made domestic flights and rarely international ones. They competed with flag carriers and also with low cost carriers, which had caused a decline in their per passenger income. For that reason, some regional companies decided to go into partnership with flag carriers which results to also low cost carriers. iii. Why does it matter? It matters with the 1.9 billion passengers carried safely by the airline, because of the low cost but efficient carrier. The strategic master plan II 2000-2013, established customer service as one of its priority objectives which in fact result with the passenger’s satisfaction that would be converted to profit. iv. What is its ambition? Its ambition is to suffice the need of its passengers while giving low cost in a way that their service will be still in the international level and not only for domestic purposes with the intention to give a safe and worth it flights. 2. How does the firm create and capture value? i. What is its difference? Its difference is that it gives low cost flights which gives the customers the right satisfaction. They managed flights â€Å"point-to-point†, both scheduled and short haul. They used to regional airports that were cheaper and less crowded than the main airports. Nevertheless, some low-cost carriers such as easyJet and Vueling also used main airports. They had homogenous fleets that facilitated crew information and saved on maintenance costs. They offered one class only with high density seating and no in-flight service. They made sales directly by telephone and internet without issuing tickets. They offered unnumbered seats on the aircraft so as to speed-up the boarding process. They subcontracted many activities such as ground assistance or maintenance. They employees were not union members, and in many cases they contracted for several tasks. Iberia enabled Iberia to ramp up its security without having to take on additional staff. The automatic detections made by Vi-System have resulted in more effective surveillance, managed centrally from the security team’s headquarters, without the need for regular patrols around the large site. ii. How does it deliver its value proposition? Our research indicates that most companies, when asked to construct a customer value proposition, simply list all the benefits they believe that their offering might deliver to target customers. Therefore, the benefits of Iberia are as follows: 1. Non expensive flights 2. Safe flights What makes its strategy superior? Its strategy is superior because they know how to choose their trusted customers. Customers which aims for a low prices offered by the airlines, they made their schedules convenient and frequent, made a good edge by making good previous experience and definitely a direct flight. iii. How does it evolve? It has established partnerships with other flag carriers. Iberia became a partner of European regional airlines although still having independent capitals but it they achieved better service and obtained positive results 8. Describe the here and now condition of the firm as given by your case material PEST Political factors: -Government regulations regarding the safety of the people -Economic policies of government regarding the airline industry, these may include licenses, inspection by the duly authorities that is airline companies follow. Economic factors: – Interest rate would impact the cost of capital, the rate of interest being directly proportionate to the to the cost of capital – Economic trends act as an indicator of the sustenance and profitability of your business in the chosen region and help you in deciding your marketing strategy. – Rate of inflation determines the rate of remuneration of employees and directly affects the price of the restaurant’s products. Again, the proportion between the inflation rate and wages/prices is direct Social Factors: -Certain cultures, like 1st world countries would not choose to go to the Iberia airline just to save money, they would choose airlines which gives better customer satisfaction. Technological Factor: – The technology of the Iberia Airlines is very efficient because when the internet was used, the Iberia Airlines quickly took the idea of selling tickets in the internet. Porters 5 forces It is known for a fact the Iberia Airlines is not the first airlines, but it is said by porter that when there’s a new one, there will always be an old one. Its idea of selling tickets cheaper compared to other companies is a stepping stone. The advantage of this airline is that it has cheaper flights compared to other airlines but same service. Its technology is sufficient and ready for competition. In its early age, it is a fact that there were already 1.9 billion customers and a basis to have a reason of better achievement compared to other rivals. The Mckinsey 7S Strategy: to build partnerships among other airlines but still having independent capital to have independent profit Structure: Everyone reports to the CEO, Rafael Sanchez- Luzano Turmo who decides whether the proposals are to be accepted Systems: Iberia Airlines became more established in the world of air travel and began commercial connections six days a week between Madrid and Barcelona. Shared Values: Its goal is to dominate the airline industry Style: Its style is selling cheaper flights but efficient service. Staff: The Iberia airlines provides ground staffs and cabin crew with iPads to improve customer service Skills: Its main objective is to give services to customers who wants a point to point flights (domestic flights) but it is currently serving international flights SWOT: Strength- Low cost price but efficient service Weakness- Too many international airlines. The train industries are also being their rival companies in term of short term travels Opportunities- well known internationally by giving efficient service Threat- insufficient capital, companies that are well known giving services faster and easier in terms of international flights 9. Formulate the vision and mission statement As we move towards our goal of being a world-class airline, we will continue to give extra-ordinary services to attain customer needs. We intend to provide our customers with a efficient though low cost pricing flights and will surely give memorable experience in the flight. Mission statement Our mission is to run a profitable business by providing high-end international airline. To provide quality and efficient service to the customers, we will maintain the low-cost prices of our services. references: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pest-analysis-example.html http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm http://hbr.org/2006/03/customer-value-propositions-in-business-markets/ar/1 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_91.htm http://www.airlinetrends.com/2012/07/23/iberiacabin-crew-ipad/

Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 6

Culture - Essay Example I also realized that I belong to this cultural group because I abide by its beliefs and customs, which determines the way of life that we practice on a daily basis. Before analyzing how this culture affects my life, it is crucial to define vast aspects of our culture and how it is practiced. Firstly, the Hispanic, Mexican culture is strongly based on family matters where everyone in the family becomes his brothers’ keepers (Merrim 150). The above is depicted by the fact that the Mexican families are very wide open and largely spread outside of the cities within; thus, we care for each other and live as one society. This aspect positively affects my life because it planted a seed of care in my daily life practices. For this reason, it means that by being a part of this culture, I have become a caring person who is always concerned about issues faced by friends, family, and the entire society. Prior to living together and caring for each other as a family, we also love celebrations and feasts that occur subsequently during the year. These parties and celebrations unite the extended families, who are usually invited to the celebration venues (156). These celebrations are highly embraced because they remind us of the past times and at the same time remind us the reason for embracing values and customs. In this regard, the celebrations positively affect my sense of originality and roots because it offers me a platform of knowing who I am. More so, these celebrations increase my patriotism because it gives me the reason to love my background. The other culture that we adhere to is the family setting, where the father is considered as the head of the family, or the authority of the home (198). The mother is perceived as the home manager, who runs the home. This cultural practice has slightly been affected by globalization because women currently engage in vast

Free Trade and Industrial Zones in the UAE Research Paper

Free Trade and Industrial Zones in the UAE - Research Paper Example The establishment of free trade and industrial zones may well be considered as a unique step which other Middle Eastern countries have not yet emulated. The UAE has proven though that there are advantages gained for diversifying through such approach. Two very successful free trade zones, Jabel Ali Free Zone Area (JAFZA) and Dubai Airport Free Zone Area (DAFZA), have contributed significantly to the economy. Indeed, free trade zones are not without its share of problems and these also have negative impact to the economy. Nevertheless, the benefits far outweigh the costs. JAFZA has made very relevant contributions to the UAE’s economy since its establishment. In fact, its share in the Dubai’s economy is very strategic. It accounts for more than 25 per cent of the total trade being conducted in the city. In just 25 years, it saw the establishment of many companies in its vicinity. The year 2010 is considered as its most successful year. By the end of this year, there were 480 companies that set up facilities in the area. 55 of these are multinationals and were draw by JAFZA’s â€Å"customer focused value proposition that brings together products, all relevant services as well as value added benefits under one roof to form an ecosystem that is conducive to business† (Banga, 2011). The entry of such investments has, in turn, benefited the UAE in more ways than one. It is one of the entities that continue to fuel the country’s growth, resulting in UAE’s distinction as one of the countries in the region with the most stable economies. JAFZA has been a major factor in increasing the country’s gross domestic product. This is proven by information from the International Monetary Fund and the Dubai Statistics Department which says that â€Å"growth over the last 15 years in the number of companies at JAFZA are 3 times that of the  UAE  GDP, and that it outpaced the rate of growth of Dubai's GDP by nearly one and a hal f times† (AME Info, 2010). It is not just in the area of investments that the UAE has benefited from the operations of JAFZA. The Free Zone has also created thousands of jobs for the locals and for migrant workers. In 2001, there were about 40,000 people employed in the companies operating in it but this number further increase in meteoric fashion that by 2010, a workforce of 115,000 was achieved (Banga, 2011). JAFZA has definitely been very advantageous to the emirates. Despite the positive contributions though, the existence of JAFZA and free trade zones, in general, has negative repercussions as well. Per free trade zone rules, the companies that operate here are not required to comply with the laws of the UAE regarding visa requirements, employment, and labour market nationalization. With such freedoms, foreign investors can develop flexible labour schemes that may guarantee higher profits without fear of government intervention to protect the workers’ rights. Hence , this puts the workers in the free zones at a disadvantageous position. While the companies within the premises of the free zone earn bigger, they also enjoy tax holidays or exemptions. JAFZA, similar to other free trade zones elsewhere, guarantee that â€Å"multinational companies enjoy full ownership and profit repatriation within the confines of the free-trade zones† (Kanna, 2011, p.142). This means that the country does not get any share in the profits generated through the operations of the foreign companies existing in

Opposing Viewpoints Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Opposing Viewpoints - Essay Example Genesis is not merely prolonged exercise of metaphors rather it provides an in depth analysis, as evolutionary believers have used metaphors for their interpretations as well. Natural selection in case Charles Darwin mechanism and Dawkins talk of selfish genes. Early scientists believed that God has created earth and life primarily based on some knowledge and not merely a divine whim which would be revealed through inquiries. Life is governed by rational, cognitive and eternal set of laws. Although grudgingly, yet the persecution of Galileo was accepted as mistake of the past. However, the recent events have unfolded the defamation of therapeutic cloning by the same conservative and erratic school of thought. Science and religion co-existence is the only way forward. At times science has owed to the nature. Science has profoundly admired the explicit concepts of nature and making a premise for the fathoming of science and religion. Similarly religion cannot stand alone or the proposition of denying religion with reference to science should be obliterated. Like the early scientists, who were as Christian as evolutionist paved the way for the harmony among science and religion. Also, both science and religion should adapt to the ever changing world and embrace the new concepts emerging on the surface of the world. The religion must not abscond the realms of the science for the prosperity and developments of nations, societies and world at large. 8. Louis Bolce and Gerald De Maio. "American Politics Is Dominated by Battles Between Religious and Secular Voters." At Issue: How Does Religion Influence Politics?. Ed. James D. Torr. Detroit: Greenhaven Press,

Com class- Blog Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Com class- Blog - Essay Example This is an important reminder of how communication from individual to individual can be felt even through a recording. Communication is very powerful and wonderfully shown through the voice of slaves. The culture of the African American who has experienced such slavery is full of much hurt and pride. The listener can understand the hurt and frustration that these slaves had to experience. A sense of pride is also noticed because the African Americans seem to be proud that they have come such a long way. The language used by the slaves is the English Language. Although the language is English, the slaves have a slang that is used and makes it hard to make out at times. The language is perceived to be broken English. After reviewing some of the voices and the folklore songs it was important to develop recognition of the way the African American culture speaks and refers to things. This deciphering of language is used by many without recognition that one is even doing it. Language is wh at allows the listener to comprehend what is being projected by the African Americans. â€Å"Language is the primary means people use to communicate with one another† (Words and Meaning). This form of language through music such as folklore is common in many cultures. The folklore music presented by the African American slaves is like a story told in a different language.

How Convincing is the distinction Dewey makes in A Common Faith Essay

How Convincing is the distinction Dewey makes in A Common Faith between 'religion' and 'religious' - Essay Example The development of such beliefs thus developed the concept of religion. Dewey explains that religion is set of cultural systems that provides for the type of relationship that exists between humans and their creator. As a cultural system, Dewey explains that religion has a set of rules and guidelines that influence the nature of the relationship that exist between humans and their supernatural beings. As such, religion is not a liberal concept since it has specific ways of behavior and communication that exists between man and his creator. Historical religions had ways of forgiving sins and seeking the intervention of the supernatural being in cases where the humans were in need. The unique characteristic that compels humans to eat particular foods, dress in particular manner and adopt particular postures during worship make religion dogmatic thus cultural. In his distinction between religion and â€Å"religious† Dewey observes that the society is dynamic, the fact that culture changes should influence the nature of religions thus resulting in the creation of equally dynamic religions that will consider the societal factors and features prevalent at specific times. In his argument, it bec omes retrogressive to confine people to a particular way of doing things while there are other evidently better ways of doing the same things. Dewey thus advises for the development of a religious society instead of a society that ascribes to religions. In fostering his campaign, Dewey asserts that the need to infuse faith and beliefs in religion is vital since it helps link individual to the supernatural being without necessarily having to undertake dogmatic cultural features. Faith is a belief; Dewey thus explains that the most vital belief hat every religion propagates is the existence of a supernatural being who is deserving of praise

Riordan Amended IT Budget Essay Example for Free

Riordan Amended IT Budget Essay Amended Riordan Manufacturing IT Budget The executive board for Riordan has tasked Information Technology with reducing their overall budget by two percent, while providing an increase of four percent to hardware line item, software line item, and outside IT support services. There are many lines within the budget that can be cut immediately to provide the necessary budget cuts, but it is important to make sure that none of the services being provided to staff will suffer with the adjustment to the budget. This paper will discuss the current budget, the increased made to the requested line items and the overall budget decrease. The paper will also justify the changes made to the budget. CURRENT BUDGET Riordans current IT budget consists of $1,567,750 being spent on salaries, benefits and bonuses. Another $333,500 is being spent on Operating costs. The total IT budget is $1,901,300. In order to meet the expected two percent decrease, IT will need to cut $38,026 from their budget. The hardware line item has a total budget of $8,500 and the four percent increase totals an additional $340. The software portion of the budget has a total of $45,000 when you include the line items for software licenses and maintenance. The four percent increase for this line item will cost Riordan an additional $1,800. The outside IT support services has a budget of $93,600 when you included the contracts and the leased lines line items. The increase for this portion of the budget totals $3,744. The total amount needed to increase each of the requested line items by four percent is $5,884. WHERE TO CUT BUDGET After increasing the specified line items as requested by the executive board, the IT department is left with the need to cut nearly $39,000 to meet the two percent budget reduction. This would bring the total IT budget down from $1.91 million to 1.87 million. The first places to look for reductions are any miscellaneous projects or non-essential spending within the budget. The first line item to reduce would be the entertainment portion. Currently, the IT department is spending $1,400 for entertainment. I would adjust the budget and allow $200 to be spent every four months, which will total up to $600 dollars a year. While I understand the need to entertain or reward the IT department for a job well done, it is not necessary to entertain them nearly every month of the year. Quarterly job well done or entertainment is enough to keep team members motivated, but not enough to become an expectation. By reducing the amount of entertainment, the IT department will recognize a cost savings of $800. This leaves a balance of $38,200 in order to meet the reduction goal. The next place I would check for reduction is in the travel budget. Now I do understand that Riordan has three locations worldwide and sometimes it may be necessary to travel to a location, but there is no need to travel every month of the year. Travel could occur twice a year, February and June. The rest of the months would be cut out. The IT department can set up Skype accounts, or WebEx accounts to allow the managers to communicate about projects and to take care of the issues that were normally handled with the travel budget. Skype allows users to communicate face to face while the WebEx account allows the users to see each others screen and collaborate. The travel budget would go from $22,000 to $7,000. This is a cost savings of $15,000 and now only leaves a balance of $23,200 that must be reduced from the budget. The last place where I would adjust the budget would be the special projects line item. This line item has $150,000 allocated to it, but no specific projects tied to it. I would reduce the budget to $126,800 which would take  care of the remaining shortfall to reduce the overall budget by two percent. This final reduction will take the total IT budget to $1,862,300. NEW BUDGET I was able to reduce the IT budget without losing staff. This allows Riordan to continue with the plans to move the China location to Shanghai. The new budget also allows for the IT Department to continue their hardware purchases, software licenses and IT support services. The new budget is as follows: The highlighted sections include the reductions made to meet the requested two percent decrease. SUMMARY OF CHANGES To meet the requested two percent budget reduction, there were three line items that were reduced. The first group was the travel line item. This line item was reduced to $7,000 and was reduced because staff members can have video conferences using Skype and can collaborate via WebEx on projects. While some travel is necessary and reflected with a budget of $7,000 some work can be completed from their local offices and thereby eliminating the monthly trips between the three locations. The next reduction made was to the entertainment line item of the budget. While there is a need to keep the staff happy by providing entertainment or rewards for a good job, the rewards can be better received by making them an expectation. I dont see a benefit in completely removing the entertainment budget, but there was a benefit in reducing the amount spent on entertainment/rewards. The budget was reduced to allow for entertainment/rewards quarterly. This can motivate employees to work harder to be one of those chosen to receive a reward every quarter. The entertainment budget was reduced to a total of $600. The last change made was a reduction to the special projects line item. The  special projects line item was reduced to $126,800. The reason for the reduction was there were no special projects tied to the line item. Because there were no special projects tied to the line item, it is easier for IT to adjust to the reduction before planning any special projects. CONCLUSION The IT department was tasked with increasing the following line items by four percent: software, hardware and IT support services. But the overall budget also had to be decreased by two percent. This was done by first increasing the requested line items and then decreasing the budget to the requested levels. It was only necessary to reduce three line items, the entertainment section, travel section and special projects. The reduction of these three line items do not have a huge impact on the IT department but allows the department to meet the budget reduction request.