Analysis of Strategy Essays

Analysis of Strategy Essays Analysis of Strategy Essay Analysis of Strategy Essay Jim’s Services was started from the emotions of Jim’s heart as apposed to the objectivity of his head. Jim did not adequately analyze and examine the market environment, the target market, the competition, and the market share he planned to enter. Jim used the, â€Å"fallacy of prediction† as his reasoning for starting Jim’s Services. His strategy did not identify all of the elements of the market environment, its activity and how it is driven. Jim did not have a clearly defined mission nor did he conduct an efficient environmental scan of the market. He identified the population size and the changes in that size during changes in season, however he failed to conduct a thorough systematic analysis of the target market and Mr. Bullard’s Services. Mr. Bullard had an established customer base and reputation that gave him a competitive advantage over Jim’s Services. Jim’s Services didn’t offer any distinct capabilities except for the fact that he could be available with little notice. This is only attributed to the fact that he didn’t have a large customer base. Jim failed to efficiently identify all of his strengths and weaknesses and match them with his opportunities and threats. Jim did not reach his broad goal of a $65,000 salary because he did not evaluate his environment, or formulate a specific strategy to reach his goal. Jim devised a broad goal of $65,000, however he failed to identify a specific strategy of how he would reach this goal. If Jim still wants to have Jim’s Services in the Petoskey area than he should differentiate himself from Mr. Bullard by offering services Mr. Bullard does not offer. References:

Quotes About Simplicity

Quotes About Simplicity Living in simplicity is about more than taking your time to soak in the warmth of the sun or stopping to smell the flowers, although those actions could certainly fit in a simple lifestyle. Simplicity is about deciding what is necessary and important in your life and then not being distracted by the business that fills our days. It is about focusing on the important, rather than the urgent. The term simplicity can also imply a lack of pretense or sophistication, although many would claim that the most uncomplicated life is the most sophisticated.   John Kabat-ZinnVoluntary simplicity means going fewer places in one day rather than more, seeing less so I can see more, doing less so I can do more, acquiring less so I can have more. Albert EinsteinEverything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best for both the body and the mind. Charles WarnerSimplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough. ConfuciusLife is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. Winston ChurchillAll the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope. Charles de LintLife is like art. You have to work hard to keep it simple and still, have meaning. SocratesBeware the barrenness of a busy life. Dalai LamaMy religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. William MorrisHave nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. Orison MardenThe waste of life occasioned by trying to do too many things at once is appalling. Ronald ReaganThere are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.   Warren BuffettThe business schools reward difficult complex behavior more than simple behavior, but simple behavior is more effective. Doris Janzen LongacreThe trouble with simple living is that, though it can be joyful, rich and creative, it isnt simple. Elizabeth SeatonLive simply that others might simply live. Henry David ThoreauAs you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness. Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify. Leonardo Da Vinci Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Hans Hofmann The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. Stendhal Only great minds can afford a simple style. Oscar Wilde Simple pleasures are always the last refuge of the complex. Arnold H. Glasgow Success is simple. Do whats right, the right way, at the right time. Lao Tzu I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ï » ¿Ã¯ » ¿In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.

Entrepreneurship Skills for Engineers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Entrepreneurship Skills for Engineers - Essay Example Learning-based model minimizes time through a learning loop. The intention of the lecture to engineers and innovators is to preserve resources and make best uses of them while making discoveries. Business plan or business case serves as an executive summary of the highly detailed business plan. It gets an entrepreneur out of the building and tests the concept of the market. A detailed business case envisions benefits over a reasonable period that outweighs costs and risks. The weak business case does not justify moving forward with a comprehensive business plan. It renders it challenging to estimate the return on investment. Commercializing an idea involves building, measuring, and learning. The building is turning ideas into products. Measuring pertains to customers’ response to the products generated. Learning results in the decision made on whether to pivot or persevere. Innovation intersects invention and market insights. In essence, it is the process of changing ideas into products while market insight is identifying customers’ needs in the market. Innovation may also involve improvements on an invented product to improve acceptance in the market. The presenter outlines various steps to the nail it then scales its process. There are five distinct stages. First, nail the pain. Second, nail the solution. The third stage involves nailing the go-to-market strategy. The fourth stage involves nailing the business model. The fifth stage is to scale it. Nailing the pain is identifying the problem and the possible solutions. Nailing the solution is selecting the best solution to the problem. Nailing the go-to-market strategy involves marketing of the idea or product and evaluating the perception of potential customers. The business model has several sections that require an address. It ends at the completion of the business plan. Scaling the business entails knowing the potential competitors and determining the size of the business. Business model canvas has nine  key factors that a business must have.  

Business Tax Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Business Tax - Essay Example on, whether an activity is considered as trading or non-trading depends on the specific facts of different cases as provided in the badges of trade (Hmrc.gov.uk, 2015). In this regard, this paper states the general rules relating to how HMRC determines trading and applies them to interpreted different transactions in different scenarios. The badges of trade aid in deciding whether a transaction after review, is a trade or non-trade for the application of corporation taxes. The first of the badges of trade is the profit-seeking motive which states that with evidence that the sole intention of purchasing an asset is to re-sell at a profit and not holding it as an investment leads to the conclusion that trading has occurred or is being carried on (Great Britain & Hodge, 2013). The implication of the profit-seeking principle is not that a profit-seeking objective should definitely mean a trade is being carried on but that this motive should be weighed with the other factors provided in the badges of trade. For an example of a case law, Salt v Chamberlain (1979) case concerned losses that had been made by an individual in the transaction of buying and selling quoted securities with a motive of making profits. In that case, the prosecution asserted that the evidence that an individual is engaged in transactions involving speculative dealings in the stock market is considered as carrying on a trade (Great Britain & Hodge, 2013). In this case, the claim was that all the other badges of trade were present but the General Commissioners and the court declined to disturb the findings indicating that they were not trade transactions (Hmrc.gov.uk, 2015). This case implied that the motive of seeking profit is a question of fact that and is not determined by the professed intentions of the person and in most cases it is inferred from the surrounding situations. The second badge is emphasized on the number of the transactions and states that repeated and systematic transactions

Employment Law and Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Employment Law and Relations - Essay Example ted from the codifying of various acts and legislations that were against different types of discrimination.Some of these legislations were the Equal Pay of 1970, the Race Relations Act 1976, the Sex Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995.The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 provided a basis for the development of the 2010 legislation (Wadham et.al 2010, p. 3). The law also provides protection to employees against being discriminated for their religious faith or belief, age and their sexual preferences and also provides for equality when it comes to employment access to all people. The Equality Act of 2010 has nine characteristics that ensure that the same act protects every citizen in Britain. This essay will discuss the advantages and limitations of the Equality Act of 2010 concerning anti-discrimination within organisations in which the discussion will evaluate the provisions that protect individuals in employment relationships. Further, the essay will delve on disability and race as two out of the nine protected characteristics that are contained in the Equality Act. One of the notable advantages that the Equality Act 2010 attracts is that safeguards employees against any form of discrimination, which was established so as to strengthen the legislations that were there that prohibited discrimination. In 2010, the Act became the main law that prohibited any form of discrimination in the workplace.The Act placed emphasis on ageism, training, education, and employment (Smith, Wood & Baker 2013, p. 404). In essence, the laws cover areas pertaining to the ways in which individuals can be treated by higher education institutions and trade bodies other than just employment organisations. The law states that all individuals have the right not to be treated as disadvantaged or discriminated against because of their age. An additional advantage of the Act is that it protects the older citizens. After the implementation of the

Impact of Evo Morales and the Cocaleros in Bolivia

Impact of Evo Morales and the Cocaleros in Bolivia Elected President on December 18th 2005, Evo Morales’ victory into power was a significant and meaningful event for Bolivia. Not only was he the first President of indigenous Aymara Indian descent, of which a majority (62% according to a 2001 consensus) of the country is populated, but also a leader of the coca-growers union and the Movimento al Socialismo (Movement for Socialism, MAS). After a long and bleak history of colonialism, natural resource exploitation, incomplete revolutions and neoliberal oppression in Bolivia, with a democratic government long occupied by elites who did not represent the interests of a vast majority of the Bolivian population, the victory of Morales heralded the potential for a new era for the poorest country in South America and a radical shift in the country’s history (Webber, 2011; gthomas2219, 2013). Following two landslide electoral victories in 2005 (53% majority vote) and 2009 (64% majority vote) SAM gained a two-thirds majority in Bolivia’s two parliamentary bodies, and with that, arguably the stage was set for a revolutionary change â€Å"ending both the persistent exclusion of the (often poor) indigenous majority of the country, and undoing the neoliberal legacy of the three preceding decades, installing a local brand of socialism† (Salman, 2013: p625). However, soon thereafter critics from the left have begun to argue that the revolutionary promises made by Morales on the campaign trail and his strong socialist rhetoric that fostered the support of left indigenous movements (such as militant coca farmers) that largely contributed to his election victory have been foregone, broken, and replaced by relatively minor reforms (Webber, 2011). In this essay I will explore and assess the main interpretations of the Morales government’s performance since being elected, highlighting the debate around the issue, among scholars and social commentators alike, of the on-going struggle for national and social liberation and analyses of the steps Morales has taken in achieving this. Firstly, it is necessary to briefly examine how Morales came to power and the context within which his eventual presidential campaign was won. In the 1980’s Bolivia underwent radical neoliberal restructuring, â€Å"undertaking market liberalisation at the same time as political democratisation† (Kohl, 2006: p305). The hegemonic neoliberalisation processes in Bolivia at this time resulted in the poor becoming poorer as they were continuously excluded from economic practices, with multinational corporations and elites emerging as the dominant force. The scholarly consensus acknowledges this tendency as a fundamental characteristic of neoliberal restructuring that can be seen empirically across countries that have experienced this also (Kohl, 2006). Coupled with this, when the price of tin (one of the country’s most lucrative export industries) dropped, many Bolivian mines were closed making over 25,000 miners redundant (Howard and Dangl, 2006). Thousands of miners then proceeded to relocate to the coca growing region of Chapare as their only hope of making a living. From there, the miners used their militancy and organisational skills that had been honed by the revolution in 1952 (wherein the mining industry was heavily nationalised and unionised) to influence and help the coca growers who were facing crop eradication as a result of the boom in demand for cocaine and the subsequent war on drugs (Howard and Dangl, 2006; gthomas2219, 2013). The miners began unionising the coca growers, helping them to organise and coordinate in their resistance against the eradication of coca crops and leaves which have long been a fundamental symbol of indigenous Andean culture, and against the US imperialism in the form of neoliberalism they were facing at the time (gthomas2219, 2013). It was this organisation and unionisation that led to Morales becoming a distinguished figure, coupled with his charisma and apparent leadership skills he eventually became the leader of the largest coca growers union. Eventually the coca growers and other social movements developed and organised into a political party (MAS) with Morales at the helm, so they could have their socialist views represented in government. On top of his indigenous Aymara lineage, it has been argued that Morales’ best attribute was his ability to â€Å"galvanise and shape a vast array of indigenous and social protest movements into a unified political project† (gthomas2219, 2013) that has secured the MAS’ success. As a charismatic, likeable and relatable leader, Morales fostered support for his presidency by appealing to the air of discontent among the indigenous majority of the population. He pledged on the campaign trail to enshrine the rights of the indigenous people of Bolivia in a new constitution (ibid), and as the title of the party suggests, make cogent moves towards Socialism. Nevertheless, throughout the now-nine years of his tenure, critics from the harder left current have emerged claiming that Morales and the MAS have not kept the promises that were made on the campaign trail, and have forgone the opportunities for substantial change, settling for moderate reformism over revolution (Web ber, 2011). Of the esteemed critics such as Sven Harten and Luis Tapia, Jeffery Webber takes the most condemning standpoint in his interpretation of the MAS and Morales, insisting that since elected they have deserted their revolutionary gusto and have resolved to implement moderate reforms and preserve the capitalist foundations in Bolivia. He contends that many supporters of the Morales government are disillusioned as to what the MAS actually represent and the apparent contradictions that have emerged. For Webber, who claims to hold a â€Å"responsible perspective, authentically in solidarity with the popular struggles for socialism and indigenous liberation† (Webber, 2011: p2), the period between 2000 and 2005 is described as a â€Å"revolutionary epoch in which mass mobilisation from below and state crisis from above opened up the opportunity for fundamental, transformative structural change to the state and society† (ibid). However, his extensive analysis suggests that the MAS proceeded to discard the potential for revolutionary structural change and instead settle for a modest push beyond neoliberal orthodoxies as ‘moderate reformism’. He bases these assertions on such things as the supposed failures of economic transformations, nationalisations, redistribution policies and attempts at sustainable development and industrialisation (Salman, 2012), citing examples to emphasize that the MAS did not represent the more radical popular rebellion such as the Huanuni mine affair wherein the MAS administration opted to oppose the miners who demanded nationalisation so not to warn off foreign investment, as well as many others (ibid). Ultimately, these things, among many others, could be a result of the inherent contradiction that has led to the meagre attempts at reform, stemming from the institutional context and the shift towards electoral politics (Hines, 2011) which inevitably presents a clash of interests when an administration, supposedly bent on pushing towards socialism, operates within a neoliberal, democratised framework. It is this that Webber claims has played a substantial role in the MAS retaining â€Å"its core faith in the capitalist market as the principle engine of growth and industrialisation† (Webber, 2012: p232) and implementing ‘reconstituted neoliberalism’ having made no real attempt to remove or disassemble the capitalist economic and political basis, and limiting the potential for popular movements and significant social change. Naturally, many other commentators hold opinions along similar lines. As a Bolivian who had once had intimate involvement with key ideological aspects of many currently implemented policies, Luis Tapia offers a political-philosophical reflection of how he believes the Morales administration have again, not delivered what was implied and promised (Salman, 2012). What appears to be a common thread and prevailing sentiment among Morales’ critics is that Bolivia’s prior revolutionary potential was wasted and has now subsided. Esteemed and respectable analyses such as Webber’s warrant appreciative consideration, as most would certainly agree that Bolivia undoubtedly remains a capitalist nation which is exhibiting no considerable maturation into socialism. However, not all share such a pessimistic outlook. Some would argue that Webber and others along similar lines are â€Å"measuring the Bolivian government against an impossible standard, against the ideal program of a hypothetical mass socialist movement† (Riddell, 2011). For some, emphasis and support should instead be placed on the accumulative, tangible achievements of the MAS with moves that have been made towards â€Å"national sovereignty, social progress, and effective action on global warming† (ibid), as opposed to adamant criticism over the lack of implementation of an absolute socialist regime outright. The ‘refounding’ of Bolivia as a plurinational state and rewriting the constitution to enshrine the rights of the indigenous majority who have historically been marginalised against formidable odds are regarded by many as a significant accomplishment in and of itself. Despite the lack of a socialist revolution, some would argue that a â€Å"political revolution† has taken place, in that the MAS coming into power simply represents a sufficiently profound change in the form of substituting political elites and â€Å"shifting the hegemonic balance of forces in Bolivia more to the side of the subaltern classes† (Fidler, 2013). This perspective embodies a much more positive, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ outlook than the harder leftist critics. Many who fall into this category tend to examine Morales’ active policies and actions to reveal the more positive aspects of his regime. For example, cited by Riddell (2011) in response to Webber, Bolivia led the meeting of 50 governments in Cochabamba in 2010, a gathering that was distinctly anti-capitalist, in that it rejected the imperialist-imposed Copenhagen accord that produced no positive results. It promoted the ‘rights of mother earth’ against the effects of climate change, and encouraged action to be taken by ordinary people as opposed to the governments and corporations that have contributed the most to potentially cataclysmic climate change, creatively applying an indigenous perspective to this crisis. Even Webber acknowledges that this was â€Å"a genuine step forward for the construction of international, eco-socialist networks† (Riddell citing Webber, 2011). This (the Cochabamba meeting) in itself is perceived as symbolic of Bolivia and the MAS’ goal for sovereignty (Riddell, 2011), and is but one example of steps taken by Morales and the MAS cited to warn off U.S. imperial intrusion, others include the refusal to accept any more loans from the IMF or World Bank, ending dependency on such institutions; rejecting U.S. drug policy to reinforce the indigenous importance of cultivating coca leaves; and the decision to leave the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA); as Riddell asserts, â€Å"Bolivia’s campaign to free itself from U.S. tutelage and assert national sovereignty is an outstanding achievement, which was spearheaded by the Morales government† (2011). Critics such as Webber would certainly claim that this perspective is naà ¯ve, and that the underlying capitalist roots remain strong which is indicated by the MAS’ policies, yet for others it is the small, tangible wins that have impacted the country in a positive way that really matter, and present hope for the possibility of more substantial change in the future. After all, since his initial election in 2005 Morales and the MAS have won 6 consecutive elections, two of which were presidential, seeing a 10% increase in poll majority; upon doing so Morales became the first leader in the history of Bolivia to secure two consecutive electoral victories and rule democratically and stably for an unrivalled period of 8 years (Petras, 2013). Based on the accounts from the harder left current that criticise Morales for abandoning the pursuit of socialism and settling for moderate reformism in spite of the views of those that encouraged his victory, questions arise as to why Morales is still so popular in Bolivia and how his presidency has been sustained. One author for the Centre for Research on Globalisation, based on his interpretation the MAS’ policies, contends that â€Å"a brief survey of his ideological pronouncements, foreign policy declarations and economic policies highlights a very astute political regime which successfully manipulates radical rhetoric and applies orthodox economic policies with a populist style of politics which insures repeated electoral victories and an unprecedented degree of political stability and continuity† (Petras, 2013). According to him the key to Morales’ success has been his ability to implement orthodox economic policies while building a political and social coalition (ibid). What this implies is that Morales has made just enough of the right political and economic moves to ensure support from both the left and right, yet ultimately uphold the status quo of neoliberal capitalism in Bolivia, utilising his unique position as an indigenous Indian to essentially manipulate his huge base of support with near impeccable execution, making use of the remarkable leaderships skills that allowed him to come to prominence through the coca-growers union. Based on Petras’ analysis, that can be the only explanation as to why the MAS remain in power in what this author ironically calls ‘the most radical conservative regime’. Unfortunately, the more positive outlook in this debate is seemingly scarce, with the negative interpretations coming from far and wide. As for some of the cocaleros themselves, in particular the Federation of Organic Coca Producers of Yundas Vandiola , the impact of the Morales administration has in fact been disproportionate generosity. Despite being promised by the former coca-growing President, support to the coca growing regions has proved to be discordant, with some areas and groups (Chapare in particular) being favoured and experiencing substantial development with others going unnoticed, often the ones who operate outside of the designated traditional regions yet have no other opportunities to make a living. With that, there is surprisingly little being done to help the poorest of the country, most of which continue to live below the poverty line (Oikonomakis, 2014), and as Morales continues to face vehement pressure from the international community to reduce coca cultivation , this issue is likely to worsen. The poor coca growers who have spoken out about this issue serve to substantiate the claims of the critics and cynics who claim that despite the radical rhetoric and illusory agenda, Bolivia remains a neoliberal government like any other, favouring neoliberal economic and political strategies that often don’t consider a large percentage of the poorest people who represent the basis upon which Morales came to power. Unquestionably, changes are happening in Bolivia under the Morales administration, perhaps not on the scale that might have been anticipated by some, but arguably positive changes nonetheless. But is this just part of a strategy to defend the status quo of neoliberalism in Bolivia? Many would contend that it is, as the critical and condemning outcries overshadow the more modest and seemingly naà ¯ve, positive voices. Many of the careful analyses and apparently authentic perspectives claim to see the MAS with Morales at the helm for what it is, a noticeably astute regime that has managed to justify and maintain orthodox neoliberal economic and political practices with radical socialist rhetoric. Or, in fact, the apparent majority of social commentators and scholars could be wrong and Morales could be biding his time, securing substantial economic development until the country is ripe for a socialist revolution, at which point he will initiate it. Theories like this certainly do exist , but only time will tell whether they are accurate or an idealistic miscalculation. Bibliography Fidler, R. (2013). Bolivia: Why is Evo Morales still so popular?. [online] Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal. Available at: http://links.org.au/node/3437 [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Fuentes, F. (2012). BOLIVIA: The Morales government: neoliberalism in disguise?. [online] Global Research. Available at: http://www.globalresearch.ca/bolivia-the-morales-government-neoliberalism-in-disguise/30148 [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Gelder, S. (2010). Climate Game Changer. [online] Yes Megazine. Available at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/sarah-van-gelder/climate-game-changer [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. gthomas2219, (2013). The Cocaleros and the rise of Evo Morales. [online] Aletho News. Available at: http://alethonews.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/the-cocaleros-and-the-rise-of-evo-morales/ [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Hines, S. (2011). Bolivia Under Evo Morales. [online] Newsocialist.org. Available at: http://www.newsocialist.org/545-bolivia-under-evo-morales [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Howard, A. and Dangl, B. (2006). Tin War in Bolivia: Conflict Between Miners Leaves 17 Dead. [online] Upsidedownworld.org. Available at: http://upsidedownworld.org/main/bolivia-archives-31/455-tin-war-in-bolivia-conflict-between-miners-leaves-17-dead [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Kohl, B. (2006). Challenges to neoliberal hegemony in Bolivia. Antipode, 38(2), pp.304326. Oikonomakis, L. (2014). Bolivian cocaleros on Morales: â€Å"what a monster we created!†. [online] Roarmag.org. Available at: http://roarmag.org/2014/03/bolivia-morales-cocaleros-repression/ [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Petras, J. (2013). The Most Radical Conservative Regime: Bolivia under Evo Morales. [online] Global Research. Available at: http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-most-radical-conservative-regime-bolivia-under-evo-morales/5363248 [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Riddell, J. (2011). Progress in Bolivia: A reply to Jeff Webber. [online] John Riddell. Available at: http://johnriddell.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/progress-in-bolivia-a-reply-to-jeff-webber/ [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Salman, T. (2013). Book Review: From Rebellion to Reform in Bolivia. Class Struggle, Indigenous Liberation and the Politics of Evo Morales – By Jeffery R. Webber. Journal of Agrarian Change, 12(4), pp.625-627. Salman, T. (2013). The MAS Six Years in Power in Bolivia. European Review of Latin American and Caribbean Studies Revista Europea de Estudios Latinoamericanos y del Caribe, (92), pp.8998. Webber, J. (2010). From rebellion to reform: Image and reality in the Bolivia of Evo Morales. [online] Isreview.org. Available at: http://isreview.org/issue/73/rebellion-reform [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Webber, J. (2011). From rebellion to reform in Bolivia. 1st ed. Chicago, Ill.: Haymarket Books.

Market Segmentation, Positioning and targeting for BMW :: Business and Management Studies

Market Segmentation, Positioning and targeting for BMW 1.1 Introduction This report aims to examine the market segmentation, positioning and targeting of BMW (automobile company). BMW will be examined giving information about the company and where it is now and any recommendations that we feel are appropriate. 1.2 BMW Company Profile BMW was formed in 1917, from the merger of two small aero engine makers. Their famous blue and white symbol stems from the colours of the Bavarian Luftwaffe and is said to resemble the view of the one of their plane through a propeller. BMW is renowned for its sporty, sophisticated & luxury image which has been built up since the 1970's with many motor sport victories ranging from Touring Car to Formula 1. BMW Group's worldwide mission statement is: "To be the most successful premium manufacturer in the industry."[1] 1.3 BMW's Marketing Mix To examine BMW we must first look at the marketing mix. A company's marketing mix is made up of four main points these are Price, Product, Promotion and Place. Through these points we can examine the specifics of a company to gain an insight into their segmentation, targeting and positioning. 1.4 Product The products produced by BMW are prestigious, high performance, technologically advanced automobiles. These start from mid-range cars up to the most prestigious and luxurious. The present models are: BMW 3 Series - Saloon, Coupe, Convertible, Touring, Compact ----------------------------------------------------------- BMW 5 Series - Saloon, Touring BMW 7 Series – Saloon BMW Z3 - Roadster BMW Z4 - Roadster BMW Z8 - Roadster BMW X5 - 4WD BMW M - M5, M3 Coupe, M3 Convertible, M Roadster, M Coupe Mini Cooper - an independent brand within the BMW Group[2] 1.5 Price BMW price ranges are from $17,000 to $80,000. There are many options that affect their car prices such as engine size, equipment levels and motor sport versions. This means you can purchase a base model (which is the cheapest) and then add options which may cost as much as ?20,000 more per car. Examples of price: Model ----- Lowest Price. Highest Price cc: BMW 3 Series ?16,265 ?32,870 BMW 5 Series. ?23,540 ?42,010 BMW 7 Series ?52,750e ce. ?60,000 BMW Z3 ?

Something You Do Well on

Something that I learned to do non academic is a to play cymbals. Why cymbals you may ask? Well I was never really interested in band even though I was in it for a year. I wasn’t interested in playing a wood, horn, or drum. I never knew that my school had cymbals cause my class period there were none. The first time that I ever seen actual cymbal players was at TSU football game. I saw how they twirled and danced as they played the instruments. My cousin was in the drum line he bounced around to instrument to instrument.Then he found his last option cymbals. He told me â€Å"Keandre why you don’t play in band anymore? † I said â€Å"they don’t have any interesting instrument s†. He said â€Å"you should play cymbals†. I immediately joined again. On my first day I had to learn the three basic skills on cymbals choke chase and crash. First was the crash. Crashing the cymbals you had to hold the left or right at an angle the hit it with the othe r. I could do this step it was the easiest. I never could mess up this step. Crash, crash, crash, one after another left then right then again.Most people that first learn the cymbals this step should come naturally. Next was choke a little more complex. I had to put my hands in the a certain way then had to act as if I was clapping my hand and then move the cymbals forward. I couldn’t do this motion right, I tried and either it was wrong or wasn’t loud enough. My instructors told me that I couldn’t keep moving forward unless I learn this step. I took my pair of cymbals home the next few days. Came back and perfected it like I was one of the cymbal players.The last step is chasing, when I do a little crash to a chock, right before you do the choke you turn your cymbals towards you. I couldn’t do this difficult step. I tried to watch the others do it but couldn’t, I was thinking of quitting but that wasn’t a factor this time. This is somethin g I wanted to do. So I took my cymbals and watched an instructional video on Youtube. I found out that something difficult could be so simple. Once I got this step then I was allowed to play with the rest of the band. As time went by, I learned most of the songs. Then they taught the best part of cymbals to me.Twirling, I was already watching videos on Youtube. They said â€Å"what you got? † then they showed how to call other cymbal players out. Put my cymbals in the air and twirl them towards each other. I started to learn the call outs and soon called out everyone even though I would either get beat or win. Someone from Stafford called me out then I raised my cymbals and battled. Once I was done, he sat down. I can hear all of my fellow band members cheering behind me. Once I actually felt like I was a part of an activity. People were actually proud of me.

Veja Sneakers with a Conscience Essay Example

Veja Sneakers with a Conscience Essay Example Veja Sneakers with a Conscience Paper Veja Sneakers with a Conscience Paper I. Background Morillion and Kopp founded Veja, an eco-sneaker company to serve the ethical fashion industry. This case focuses on the development of sustainable business practices in organic cotton, natural rubber and leather. Veja shows that they can create a product that is both appealing and conscientious. The company grew rapidly due to praise from the media and word of mouth. What leads to their success is the fact that they can integrate sustainable practices into a holistic and ever improving offering, which engages multiple supply chain participants (employees, consumers, suppliers, partners, even artists) in co-devising a value proposition that appeals not just to our sense of fashion, but also to our conscience. II. Challenges and Opportunities Veja encountered challenges due to their small-scale operation at first and the inherent fierce competition from big players in the market. Customers expect ethical products in the first place, so having eco-shoes in Veja’s production line may raise unnecessary costs. Since Veja does not spend on advertising, they may not be able to get the message to the customers that their stores are different from everyone else. In addition, supply for organic materials such as cotton and rubber are limited, which may hinder Veja’s future growth and interrupt their supply chain should adverse weather affect their sources. However, being the few players in the ethical fashion industry, Veja enjoy their first-mover advantage of selecting the finest suppliers. Also, Veja entered the market at the right time because this niche market is growing at a fast rate. Customers are also embracing the green lifestyle and being more aware of ethical fashion. In addition, the corporate culture at Veja allows the employees to be happy, which in turn contribute to the success of the company. III. Veja’s business model vs. conventional model Veja’s business model resembles that of a small business with an entrepreneurial spirit. Since the company started very small, Veja founders were able to control every aspect of their business. The founders knew very little about the fashion industry, aside from the fact that both of them are sneaker addicts. The difference in Veja’s model is that the company learns by doing and making mistakes and willing to take some risks. Veja’s distribution is also different. Instead of having their own store or section for display, the company decided to place their products next to non-ethical brands. This may lead to consumers thinking that their products are just the same as the other name brands. However, this model works for them because Veja’s products are appealing to the mass and the fact that the products were placed in trendy avenues increased their appeals. Veja’s corporate culture is also different from that of conventional model. The company treats the employees well, allowing them lots of freedom and flexibility, paying higher wages than most fashion companies. Veja also encourage work-life balance which show they care for the employees’ happiness. As a result, Veja was able to keep a lot of the original talents. The founders created a supply chain that was based on sustainable relationships. Whereas the fashion industry was accustomed to contracting new parties as soon as a factory could deliver on time or cut costs, Veja tried to improve living conditions and to work cooperatively with supply chain to jointly develop the best product they could imagine. Veja bought raw materials directly from producers. The company paid a fixed price, which, though higher than the market price, was calculated by the farmers. This allowed the farmers to have a higher standard of living. Veja also works solely with cotton and rubber families to produce organic materials. Doing so not only help preserve the Amazon rainforest, but also employ the families in the poverty-stricken area of northern Brazil. Also, Veja continues to research ways to make leather sustainable and works in collaboration with specialist in the field to ensure a sustainable product. This type process improvement mentality is rarely seen in the fashion industry. In contrast to conventional business model, Veja employs two distinct strategies: zero ads and zero stock. Since most of the cost of producing a sneaker was dedicated to marketing, Veja was able to save on cost by having a no advertising policy. Veja benefitted widely from media coverage, blogs, and word of mouth due to their eco-friendly products and ethical business line. Also, most outlets had fewer Veja sneakers than they could sell. Veja did not produce extra, only according to orders placed six months in advance. Doing so ramped up Veja’s popularity because their products are now becoming scarce. Veja’s main business goal was not to make money only by having large volumes, but they want profitability with a conscience.

I Am Legend Analysis Essay Example

I Am Legend Analysis Essay Example I Am Legend Analysis Paper I Am Legend Analysis Paper Essay Topic: I am Legend Novel Robert Neville (Will Smith) is a brilliant scientist, but even he could not contain the terrible virus that was unstoppable, incurable and manmade. Somehow immune, Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City and maybe the world. But he is not alone. He is surrounded by the Infected victims of the plague who have mutated into carnivorous beings who can only exist in the dark and who will devour or infect anyone or anything in their path. For three years, Neville has spent his days scavenging for food and supplies and faithfully sending out radio messages, desperate to find any other survivors who might be out there. All the while, the Infected lurk in the shadows, watching Neville? s every move, waiting for him to make a fatal mistake. Perhaps mankind? s last, best hope, Neville is driven by only one remaining mission: to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus using his own immune blood. But his blood is also what The Infected hunt, and Neville knows he is outnumbered and quickly running out of time. MY THOUGHTS. From my personal point of view for Smith to play a character thats alone throughout an entire film and to pass it off so well, he deserves a round of applause. What attracts me to the film so deeply is not just the story but the elegance of how well the film adapts and plays out. The audience are straight away emotionally connecting with Robert Neville (Smith) and i found myself striving for him to find the viral cure and some means means of civilization. The audience are teared through themes of honour, pride, passion, love, hate, determine, i felt as though i was close to shedding a tear many times throughout the film. Up until the very end of the film things got gradually worse for smith. For me the most sad but beautiful shot in the entire film is when Roberts god Samantha gets killed and smith drives off in his SUV. The camera pans out from Smith to show a spectacular view of road and cars just justifieing how alone Smith really is in the world and how emotionally, mentally and physically lonely he is. Not only is he the last man in New York but his only means of interaction that happened to be with his dog are also lost, even the most manly of men became in touch with the femanine side there. Overall i rate this film 9. 5/10, to me the only downside to the film was that i found it to be a little short in length. My favourite aspect has to be that ironic contrast of Robert Neville not only living inside New York but in Washington Square. In Henry James Novel Washington Square the characters within the novel loose everything they have and own much like Robert does. Within the novel only one character composes them self (Catherine) and strives for what she believes in. Catherine wont and doesnt let her farther take control of her. Robert Neville wont let everything destruct and leave the world to fray, I wont let this happen. Catherine and Robert share many comparisons in character and are unquestionably alike. Bear in mind I am legend was wrote after Washington Square. A definate must see film, real action, real emotional and plenty of determination. KP. Analysis The Will Smith blockbuster I Am Legend was an undeniable box office success. Having set the record for the highest grossing December opening ever ($77. 2 mil. ), it is safe to say that audiences everywhere loved the film. Yet there were many who were left feeling cold and empty with the rather incongruous ending. Why was there this sudden tangible shift in the narrative during the last 10 minutes? It wasn’t until the recent release of an alternate version of the film on DVD that those who were left bewildered in the theaters finally found the ending they had hoped for. So why was one version so much more emotionally fulfilling than the other? Hollywood executives are terrified of downer endings and this was, without a doubt, a bona-fide Tragedy. In this version, Neville (Will Smith) not only failed to find a cure, he also came to discover that he was responsible for murdering hundreds of sentient and evolving beings who were fully capable of that all important human quality love. Despondent and disgusted with himself, he could do nothing more than crumple to the floor in shameful hopelessness. http://storyfanatic. com/2008/04/08/i-am-legend-analysis/

Business Taxation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business Taxation - Essay Example Theoretical findings have however undermined the notion of state spending. This has been backed up by an important strand in political science that have argued a declined trust and accountability on most state institutions. On the other hand, sociology has claimed that citizens have become more individualistic, reflective and more oriented on the responsibilities for meeting their own needs. Bilodueu, M (1996) Considerable increases in health expenditure were inaugurated by Gordon Brown in his substantial speech in 2002. This however was implemented in the year 2003 and was spread over a period of 5 years cumulatively. Long term reviews were evaluated where increased taxes were realized to support the health domain. The implicit is that the biggest ratios of the enhanced taxes in the exchequer's receipts were responsible for the rates of NICs for employees, employers and self-employed. The rate of the NICs rose by 1% point to a rate of 11% on cumulative earnings between basic threshold and the upper earning limit. The NIC in this case was levied an increased 1% percentage point to a 12.8% earning rate above the elementary threshold. The NIC was increased by 1% to appoint of 8% on collective earnings between the lower profits limit and the upper profits limit. The income tax personal allowance was therefore to be frozen at this stage from 2002-2003. The report of the Royal Commission on th e Taxation of Profits and Incomes (1955) The measures rose to 8.6 million by 2003-04; the collective increasement in employee's NICs was 3.55 billion, the total increase in employer's NIC was at 3.9 billion and the total increase in self employment NICs was at 0.45 billion. The freezing of the NICs threshold brought about 0.25billion. This was the government's decision that was hinged on supporting a holistic insurance policy that meet the rising costs of medical advances and hence offering a security measure upon the Britons in a required manner. In supporting the health sector the renewal of the shared national agreement encompassing the NHS was to be run through taxation. The way forward was through initiating of new audit systems that integrated money paid to benefits received and having also resolved after deliberation to exempt the elderly and the vulnerable. Troup, E. (1992) Introduction One on the concrete reasons for levying taxes on goods such as alcohol and tobacco is the culture that consumers hold inconsistence preferences for these goods and that it's the obligation of the government to protect the consumption of these harmful elements by deterring consumers from partaking of the same. Alcohol and tobacco pose a potential threat on the consumers and also on those who do not indulge into the usage. This grants the government the rationale to enter the market and hike the price of harmful goods that could otherwise endanger the society; this reduces the levels of demand. The harmful commodities pose a health hazard known as the merit good. From the categorical perception of equity, taking harmful goods could otherwise help in revamping health conditions, which is financed using taxed revenues. It has been agreed that excise tax levies generate colossal monetary value for the governments. The causality of taxing this goods however spark a lot of controversies sin ce it's not clear whether

Astronomy 101 for 2 year college Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Astronomy 101 for 2 year college - Lab Report Example 5% of them seem to split in two facular points; (h) they disappear simply by fading away in an intergranular space; (i) they never merge with another facular point or with a granule. C. Small dark regions called sunspots. Sunspots are cooler regions on the photosphere. Since they are 1000--1500 K cooler than the rest of the photosphere, they do not emit as much light and appear darker. B. During a total solar eclipse, an exceptional situation occurs, and for a few fleeting seconds, an emission spectrum can be observed. This happens at the very beginning of totality and just after the last bit of photosphere has been covered by the Moon. (Picture 1) For a period of several to perhaps ten seconds the chromosphere is visible as a red arc. (Recall that the chromosphere is a very thin layer just above the photosphere.) Often prominences are seen jutting from the chromosphere. The deep red color of the chromosphere comes from very strong emission in the hydrogen-alpha line at 656 nm. Because the chromosphere is quite rare and hot (with a temperature of about 10,000 K) it shows an emission spectrum in the absence of any light from the much brighter photosphere. Of course, the advance of the Moon soon covers the chromosphere and then the much rarer corona becomes visible as a broad white halo. Within minutes totality reaches completion, the chromosphere reappears on the o pposite side of the Sun followed seconds later by the overwhelming brightness of the photosphere. (Picture 2) Because the chromosphere is so thin, it forms an ideal subject for spectral imaging. A diffraction grating inserted in the light path of a telescope separates the light according to wavelength (just as in your spectrometer). An attached camera will then record the chromosphere imaged in each of the component wavelengths in its emission spectrum. This is the flash spectrum, so-called because of its brief accessibility. B. Because the chromosphere is quite rare and hot (with a temperature of