The possible treatment for Arteriovenous malformation Essay

The conceivable treatment for Arteriovenous deformity - Essay Example The executives should be possible by treatment of indications just through medications. In any case, a draining AVM presents crisis and intrusive intercession gets fast approaching. The significant treatment treatments incorporate open medical procedure, endovascular embolization and radiosurgery. A multidisciplinary approach is normally utilized to limit the related inconveniences and accomplish better treatment results. An ongoing clinical preliminary has built up a higher danger of stroke, neurologic inability and demise patients with interventional the executives when contrasted with the patients oversaw without intercession. At long last, the investigation closes key discoveries as visual cues. The objective of this examination is to introduce different contemporary practices utilized for the assessment and the executives of arteriovenous abnormalities. The dangers related with every strategy are the prime focal point of the examination, which will likewise assist with featuring their differential viability in managing such various oddities. In spite of the fact that there has been wonderful movement being developed of non-intrusive strategies in the course of the most recent two decades, the methodologies are as yet being bantered based on viability and related intricacies. This examination will thusly likewise research significant difficulties looked by experts in exact finding and the executives of the illness. Further, late exploration headways into the job of multidisciplinary endeavors and their future possibilities will likewise be talked about. The human cardiovascular framework is among the early evolved frameworks, expecting its useful job by the fourth seven day stretch of early stage life. It comprises of heart and a shut system of rounded vessels, and fills in as a vehicle framework for course of blood in the body (1). The siphoning component of heart powers the blood into veins, at that point arterioles, trailed by many-sided bed of limited

The Best Spotify Playlists for Study

The Best Spotify Playlists for Study Music analysts concur that music for contemplating ought to be liberated from lyricsâ so the tunes arent vieing for your minds memory space. Luckily, there are a few verse free Spotify stations that are ideal for studying.â 1. Intense Studyingâ Creator: Spotify The Review: This station is ideal for keeping that mind sharp and centered, with a blend of sonatas, concertos, and more fromâ classical whizzes like Bach, Mozart, and Dvorak. While some traditional stations can loosen up you to the point of feeling like you may nod off, this playlist is loaded with perky rhythms that will keep you conscious and on target. 2. Superior Study Playlist Creator: Taylor Diem The Review: In case you need to tune in to a huge choice present day instrumentals (more than 900 tunes show up on this rundown), this Spotify station for considering centers around soundtracks like those from motion pictures like Amelie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,â and The Hours alongside instrumental beats from specialists like Explosions in the Sky, Max Richter, and Levon Mikaelian.â 3. Workday Lounge Creator: Spotify The Review: Dont let the title fool you; this isnt exhausting lift music. Relax and tune in to the smooth beats of specialists like ST*RMAN and Azul Grande, which could possibly be quieting enough for somebody with an insane life to feel like they can take a full breath and bust open the books.â 4. Acoustic Concentration Creator: Spotify The Review: Plug in and open up this verse free Spotify station to appreciate music from Michael Hedges, Antoine Dufour, Tommy Emmanuel, Phil Keagy, and over twelve additional guitarists who hypnotize with fast arpeggios and fitting chords.â 5. NO LYRICS! Creator:â perryhan The Review: For the individuals who are keen on hearing a blend of increasingly present day melodies adjusted by instrumental craftsmen, this station has you secured. From 90s grunge works of art from groups like Nirvana to melodies like Justin Timberlakes Cry Me a Riverâ on violin by David Garrett or Adeles Rolling in the Deepâ on piano and violin by The Piano Guys, theres something youll need to hear. 6. Study Mix (No verses) Creator:â mogirl97 The Review: This is additionally a Spotify station depending intensely on remixes of current melodies, revamped by instrumental groups. The Vitamin String Quartet, Lindsay Stirling, 2 Cellos, and The Piano Guys play their adaptations of famous tunes like Royals, Pompeii, Back to Black, Chandelier, Let It Go, She Will Be Loved and the sky is the limit from there. They are incredible for keeping you invigorated yet wont be as diverting as though you were tuning in to the first forms. 7. EDM Study No Lyrics Maker: coffierf The Review: Electronic move music probably won't be what first strikes a chord when you consider examining, yet for certain understudies, potentially those sensation students out there-the benevolent who need to keepâ movingâ to concentrate-this station, with more than 50 melodies and developing, might be exactly what you need. Bob along to tracks by Crystal Castles, Netsky, and Moguai.â The Effects of Music While Studying As indicated by Nick Perham, a scientist distributed in Applied Cognitive Psychology,â the best music for considering isâ no music by any means. He says you shouldnt tune in to music since it vies for your cerebrums space. Perham suggests that you concentrate in complete quietness or encompassing clamor like from a white machine or even the quieted traffic of a parkway or delicate conversation. However, some can't help contradicting this analyst and accept that music makes theâ study experienceâ better since it can lift a disposition or knock up positive sentiments.

Dreams

Dreams For many people, the idea of what do I want to be when I grow up is a question that is easily answered when we are five or six (princess, tiger (shoutout to my little sister Mikayla), spaceman, firefighter, president, etc.), but as the time comes for us to truly decide what we are going to do with our lives the question becomes infinitely more difficult. As time goes on, it is no longer just a question of what you want to be, but also how much money will such a career much, does this career require formal education, if so how many years, do you need an MD, do you need a PhD, how often will I have to move, are there any jobs available in this field, etc. It is no longer a question that can be easily answered by just saying the first thing that comes to mind. There is time, thought, and effort that now has to be put into thinking about what is that you want to do for, potentially, the rest of your life. Even here at MIT this is a question that students struggle with. There are so many options that it can be hard to stick with just one. Nevertheless, due to an unfortunate series of events, what I want to be has always been pretty clear. If you are new to the MIT blogs, mine in particular, there are a few things that you need to know about me before I continue. I lost my birth mother due to breast cancer in 2007. The day she died I promised her that I would do everything that I could to make sure that no one else had to suffer from cancer the way she did. That day, I began a binder full of cancer research wherever I could find it. That day, I decided that I would devote the rest of my life to cancer research. As time went on after that, I would eventually run into an interesting word. I was in middle school when my eighth grade teacher gave us a list of words that we could choose from to do a research project on. I scrolled up and down the list until my eyes fell on the word “nanotechnology”. At the time I wasn’t very familiar with the concept, but it had the word technology in it. I felt that was about as close as I was going to get to anything math/science related in an English class, so I took it and hit the ground running. As I began to look into this tiny “technology” I began to realize its relation to medicine, specifically cancer. Anyone who has known or loved someone diagnosed with cancer knows that chemotherapy treatment is one of the worst things a person can experience. As a kid I remember thinking that the “medicine” was doing more harm than the cancer was. Hair loss, weight loss, jaundice, etc. I hated everything that chemotherapy brought with it. However, during my seventh grade research project, I remember reading “If we can encapsulate chemotherapy drugs in nanoparticles we can kill the cancer without the side effects that are often very tightly associated with chemotherapy drugs.” It was then that I decided that nanotechnology was how I wanted to pursue cancer research. After that project my scientific readings began to move towards how nanotechnology could be applied to cancer. My notebooks became full of things like “A cool nanoparticle that makes pointy Killer T-cells using RhoGTPases to adjust actin.” (Lol that specific idea was called “drill T-cells”) I would take these ideas to my biology teacher in high school, and she would look over and tell me what I might be doing wrong or how to improve my ideas, and I would go right back to the drawing board. I would read more papers on the new nanotechnology that was coming out, and how I could improve my ideas. There was one constant amongst many of the papers I read. Paula Hammond, Michael Cima, Sangeeta Bhatia, Frank Gertler, Robert Langer, (all MIT researchers) seemed to keep appearing in the papers that I read. In my head these people were what I had always wanted to be. These people had given their lives to research and to the end of cancer. I wanted nothing more than to be like them. I w anted nothing more than to be at MIT with them. The second I got onto MIT campus, I began looking for a UROP. I was advised to wait until my second semester to begin a UROP, so that I could get adjusted to life at MIT first (good advice). Nevertheless, I settled on one with a Harvard graduate student at the Broad Institute in December that I would begin in February after IAP. It wasn’t at the Koch like I wanted, and it was kind of cancer research, but not really. I had just settled for the first real yes that I got. Fortunately, it fell through because there was no room in the lab. Looking back I was upset, but it ended up being one of the best things that could have happened to me. I ended up continuing my search for a UROP and finding one that I could do over the summer. It was at the Koch Institute, in nanomedicine, working on reducing chemotherapeutic side effects through nanoparticle encapsulation. I would be working under Dr. Paula Hammond, an amazing woman that had given me advice on what it would take to be a good nanote chnologist, and had told me that MIT would be a great place for college all the way back in eighth grade when I had visited MIT on a tour. I really could not have asked for anything more. That is how I got where I am now. I have been at the Koch Institute all summer working on ovarian cancer nanomedicine. I am working under a fourth year graduate student on some cool combination nanomedicine development. Half way through, I got to sit in a meeting with Sangeeta Bhatia, Paula Hammond, Robert Langer, and Angela Belcher. I honestly almost died (#nerddreams). If it wasn’t for MIT, I know I may not have gotten this opportunity, especially not as a freshman. Below is the first batch of nanoparticles that I created towards the beginning of the summer.   To many it would just look like a weird liquid, and in all honesty it doesn’t really do much. It was a test batch of particle I made so that I could learn how to make nanoparticle without wasting a bunch of expensive particle. However, right after I finished taking this picture I broke down in the lab. It was pretty gross, not going to lie. I probably shouldn’t have been crying in a lab, everything in it already looks like water, I don’t know what kind of reactions I could’ve set off. However, this batch of particles meant the world to me. I had spent so many sleepless nights in my life just staring at the ceiling, tears rolling down my face, worried that I would never be able to keep my promise to my birth mother. I had spent so many sleepless nights reading paper after paper after paper, hoping that each one would bring me that much close to a cure to cancer. I had so many old scars on my hands from walls I would punch in frustration, when I couldn’t save a friend’s mot her from dying of cancer, because I still couldn’t find the cure. I had so much weight on my back feeling that the weight of cancer was sitting on my back, and my back alone. However, that batch of particles showed me that I might just be capable of finding the cure that I had promised I would find. Having the entire Koch Institute working on the same dream showed me that I was not alone in this dream. That there were hundreds if not thousands that were with me in achieving this dream, and who knows, maybe one day we might just do it. This is the graduate student that I am currently working under. One of the coolest and smartest guys in the entire world. He reached out and took a freshman for an entire summer, and I cannot thank him enough for continuously pushing me in the right direction. The lab in which I am working in. A beautiful bench if I do say so myself :P Says enough for Itself.

Human Resources Management Essay - 6194 Words

Chapter 1 â€Å"Human Resource Management in Organizations† 1. Discuss several areas in which HR can affect organizational culture positively or negatively. 2. Give some examples of ethical issues that you have experienced in jobs, and explain how HR did or did not help resolve them. 3. Why is it important for HR management to transform from being primarily administrative and operational to becoming a more strategic contributor? 4. Assume you are an HR director with a staff of seven people. A departmental objective is for all staff members to become professionally certified within a year. Using Internet resources of HR associations such as www.shrm.org and www.WorldatWork.org, develop a table that identifies four to six certifications†¦show more content†¦3. How can an organization maintain its image while dealing with a talent surplus? If layoffs are necessary, what would you recommend managers do to ensure that survivors remain committed and productive? 4. As the HR manager for a multinational corporation, you want to identify HR competencies that are critical for global companies. Visit the website for the World Federation of People Management Association (www.wfpma.com) to research the topic and to identify differences in the body of knowledge in different parts of the world. 1. Working in a hospital environment it is easy to see how technology can change in the workplace. Going from writing out orders or pulling medical records by hand to now being able to put everything in a computer and have that computer travel with you from room to room and patient to patient. This makes it a lot easier to improve patient care. HR is very supportive in helping making these changes. They ensure that everything you need is in place to make the process that much more smoothly so that the patients will not be disturbed or inconvenienced. 2. When an acquisition takes place, there is usually a lot of concern on behalf of all the company’s employees. Not only the company that is being acquired also by the company that is doing the acquisition. Usually there will be jobs lost, consolidation of positions, promotions, demotions, etc. It is the responsibility of the Human Resources Department to ensureShow MoreRelatedHuman Resources Management : Human Resource Management1140 Words   |  5 Pagesa business efficiently? Human Resource Management (HRM). Human Resources is the solid foundation that practically oversees the entire organization, whether its managing employees to surveilling the progress of every single department. There are six principle functions that Human Resource take into account: employee relations, recruitment, compliance, compensation and benefits, training and development, and safety (policies/regulations). Over time Human Resource Management has taken a new role intoRead MoreHuman Resources M anagement And Human Resource Management2123 Words   |  9 PagesIntroduction The study of human resource management becomes a major topic of the science of management at the beginning of 20th century and keeps attracting researchers’ attention (Merkle, 1980). The new models of human resource management derive from the advance of management theories and the accumulation of practices and experiences. With the development of global economy, the economic situation of each country deeply affects the world and becomes closely connected. In addition, the needs of customersRead MoreHuman Resources Management : Human Resource Management1138 Words   |  5 PagesHuman Resources Management Hilti continues to grasp on success and expand globally, but their path weren’t always well defined. The company began in 1941 and historically they’ve kept to traditional strategies when it came to recognizing human resource requirements. In the early 2000’s, the company established a new set initiatives, aimed at doubling revenue and operating profits. Hilti also recognized that this type of growth would require invigorating ideas to employ human resourcing requirementsRead MoreHuman Resource Management And Human Resources Management941 Words   |  4 PagesHuman Resources Management is one of the most important aspects of any organization, whether it be non-profit, not for profit, or profit. Human Resources Management is what makes it possible for a manager to be able to focus on their work and tasks at hand and not have to deal with lots of unneeded interpersonal activities. They are in charge of correctly evaluating the candidates that the managers will have to work with for the duration of the candidate’s stay. They are responsible for makingRead MoreHuman Resources Management : Human Resource Management835 Words   |  4 PagesHuman Resource Management â€Å"They humanize the brand and help workforce communities thrive† (Who). A human resource management position may be the job for you. Every business and enterprise has a human resource manager, including Starbucks, Disney and even Apple. This job includes planning and coordination, organization, consulting employees and to oversee the work and employees. All the schooling and stress that comes along with this occupation pays off in the end with an enjoyable job. HumanRead MoreHuman Resources Management : Human Resource Management1398 Words   |  6 Pages Human Resource Management Overview Tanya Phillips Dr. Andrea Scott, PhD HSA 320, Strayer University October 31, 2016 Human Resources Management Overview Human resources (HR) is the different kinds of clinical and nonclinical responsibilities for public and individual health involvement. The benefits and performance the system can deliver depends upon the knowledge, skills and motivation of those responsible for providing health services. Human resource managers don’t directlyRead MoreHuman Resources Management : Human Resource Management2534 Words   |  11 PagesIn most cases managers look at human resource management as an expense to a company rather than a source of benefit to the company however, research has proved that human resource management practices can be of greater value. Valuable decisions such as whom to recruit, what package to offer, the training necessary for the new recruits and how to assess employee performance directly affects the employee motivation and as such do affect the ability of the employee to provide products which the consumersRead MoreHuman Resources Management : Human Resource Management95 8 Words   |  4 PagesHuman Resource Management Overview As we all know when it comes to every business and organization that is out there, they all need help from Human Resources to continue to help the company grow. What is human resource management? Well Human Resource Management is the overall process that deals with how Human Resources manages their employees as well as different issues that can come across within the organization. Human Resource Management are in charge of different tasks including recruiting asRead MoreHuman Resources Management : Human Resource Management820 Words   |  4 PagesHuman Resources Management Proper Planning is one of the most important aspects of human resource management. Without proper execution of plans, the particular needs of an organization that are the responsibility of human resources will not be reached, and therefore, will fall short of what is necessary for meeting the goals of an organization (DeCenzo, Robbins Verhulst 2013).There are many facets a human resource manager must be familiar with in order to run an organization. The functions of humanRead MoreHuman Resource Management : Human Resources Management1264 Words   |  6 Pagesand research with my family, I decided to go into human resource management, specifically in a hospital. Many people questioned and often said â€Å"Why human resource management?† My answer, I chose human resource managers because I believe they are a vital part of a hospitals success. They make the plans, they direct the staff and they coordinate how people work together and where they need to be. Throughout this paper , I will describe human resource managers- what they do, what are the requirements

Levi Strauss s Decisions Hurt The United States Economy

In 1922, Levi’s was harvesting all materials and making their jeans in the United States. However, with time, the demand for jeans rose and materials became more expensive. Levi’s made the decision to begin purchasing cotton from another country and use overseas labor. The decision helped reduce the cost of making their jeans as well as increases the scale of production. While the 2013 production route saves Levi’s money by outsourcing production, it hurts the job market in the United States. As a result of these decisions, hundreds of jobs have been taken away from citizens of this country. The loss of these jobs has far-reaching ramifications, not only are the people who lost their jobs unemployed, but they no longer have health insurance coverage for themselves or their families. Since this segment of the population is no longer working, they are unable to contribute to the local and national economy, which negatively impacts other businesses. Although Levi Strauss’s decisions hurt the United States economy, they help the economies of other countries like Brazil and Egypt. Now there is a higher demand in Brazil to grow cotton and make fabric. This means companies that harvest cotton in Brazil need to hire new employees to keep up with the increasing demand. People who have previously been unemployed now have jobs. Consequently, they are now able to provide food and shelter for their families as well as medical care. Similarly, the decision to outsource the production ofShow MoreRelatedSWOT analysis of Walmart5872 Words   |  24 PagesHeadquarters Bentonville, US Current CEO Mike Duke Revenue $ 466.950 billion (2012) Profit $ 15.699 billion (2012) Employees 2.2 million (2012) Main Competitors Costco Wholesale Corporation, Dollar General Corporation, Dollar Tree, Inc., Kohl s Corporation, Macy s Inc, Sears Holdings Corporation, Target Corporation Walmart is a US based multinational retail company that sells general merchandise and groceries. It is the world’s largest retailer, third biggest public company, largest private employerRead MoreBusiness Ethics and Global Economy10535 Words   |  43 Pages6433ch10.qxd_lb 10/19/06 10:43 AM Page 260 CHAPTER OBJECTIVES ââ€"† CHAPTER 10 Business Ethics in a Global Economy CHAPTER OUTLINE Ethical Perceptions and International Business Culture as a Factor in Business Adapting Ethical Systems to a Global Framework Global Values The Multinational Corporation Sexual and Racial Discrimination Human Rights Price Discrimination Bribery Harmful Products Pollution and the Natural Environment Telecommunications Issues Intellectual-Property Protection WorldRead MoreBusiness Ethics: Child Labor in Wal-Mart8552 Words   |  35 Pagescan arise from business environment and how employees, management and corporation deal with them such as fiduciary duty, insider trading, bribery, discrimination. In other word, ethic of business is about making the right, moral, ethical business decision. Society has subsequently demand for higher business standards and ethics. Corporations are expected to be morally responsible for a variety of issues such as environment, product and workplace safety instead of only just making profit for theirRead MoreBohlander/Snell-Managing Hr24425 Words   |  98 Pagesas Daimler-Benz and Chrysler a few years ago. Or they might highlight companies expanding into other markets, such as Starbucks in Asia or Wal-Mart in Mexico. Or the stories might focus on international companies gaining dominance here in the United States, such as Sony or Toyota. â€Å"No matter what kind business you run, no matter what size you are, you’re suddenly competing against companies you’ve never heard of all around the world that make a very similar widget or provide a very similar serviceRead MoreQuestions on Oligopoly19013 Words   |  77 Pagescompetitive firms are not. TYPE: M DIFFICULTY: 2 SECTION: 16.1 12. Typical firms in our economy are classified as a. perfectly competitive. b. imperfectly competitive. c. duopolists. d. oligopolists. ANSWER: b. imperfectly competitive. TYPE: M DIFFICULTY: 1 SECTION: 16.1 13. Given that there are approximately 12 companies currently selling cars in the United States, the car market is classified as a. perfectly competitive. b. monopolisticallyRead MoreInternational Management67196 Words   |  269 PagesCompanies, Inc., including, but not limited to, in any network or other electronic storage or transmission, or broadcast for distance learning. Some ancillaries, including electronic and print components, may not be available to customers outside the United States. 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The quantitative approach to management has also been labeled process research. (False; moderate; p. 34) 20. Linear programming is a technique that managers use to improve resource allocation decisions. (True; moderate; p. 35) TOWARD UNDERSTANDING ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR 21. Concern for employee productivity is most closely associated with the organizational behavior approach. (False; moderate; p. 36) 22. Barnard, Follett, MunsterbergRead MoreHuman Resources Management150900 Words   |  604 Pagesstrategies and ensure that human resource dimensions are considered. For instance, the HR manager for manufacturing has HR responsibilities for 600 employees. In that role she contributes to workflow, production, scheduling, and other manufacturing decisions. It also means that she is more accessible to and has more credibility with manufacturing workers, most of whom are hourly workers. 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Frankenstein- a Victim of Society Free Essays

â€Å"If you judge people, you have no time to love them. † -Mother Teresa In the novel, Frankenstein, the monster does not belong in society because of many factors, but if the monster was created in present time, he would still be criticized by society. Today, people are judged by humanity the same way they were in the past. We will write a custom essay sample on Frankenstein- a Victim of Society or any similar topic only for you Order Now Even as the world is drastically changing, society remains the same. The monster in Frankenstein does not suit society primarily because of his appearance, but also because he has no friends or family to guide him into becoming accepted. Victor Frankenstein unintentionally creates a monster while trying to establish an elixir of life. When the monster is brought to life, Victor initially sees him as beautiful, but then the sight of him became sickening and repulsive. Victor says, â€Å"His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful†¦ the beauty of the dream vanished, and the breathless horror and disgust filled my heart† (56). Victor is the only family the monster has. He is the father and creator of this being but cannot fathom the idea of his creation. Victor has nightmares about the monster and becomes extremely ill over his invention. Victor rejects the monster, leaving him to go out and discover the world on his own. â€Å"I sought to avoid the wretch whom I feared every turning of the street would present to my view†¦ My heart palpitated with the sickness of fear. †(58) This is the first indication of how the rest of society will treat the monster. The monster’s appearance is the main reason he is not approved by society. I had hardly placed my foot within the door before the children shrieked, and one woman fainted†¦ some fled, some attacked me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (101). The monster has no inclination as to why the village reacts this way until he sees a reflection of himself. He even describes himself as repulsive in appearance. The monster began to observe the De Lacey family. They have exactly what he wants: relationships full of love and kindness which symbolize acceptance. He longs for a companion to tal k to and enjoy life with. After a couple of months, he realizes the family is poor. He begins to help by cutting and collecting wood for them, but he stays out of sight. He does this so they will realize that he is a good person and not just a horrifying monster. After discovering that the father is blind, he prepares a plan to gain himself a place in society. One day, when the rest of the family is gone, the monster goes into the De Lacey home to socialize with the father. He succeeds in developing a short relationship, but as soon as the family returns they are frightened and attack him, without allowing the monster to explain anything about his existence. Even the loving and caring family that he has done so much for does not accept him, solely because of his appearance. â€Å"He [Felix] dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick† (129). Society today is much the same as it was in the past. People have trouble finding acceptance because of the color of their skin, the clothes they wear, or the language they speak. If the monster was created today, he would have the same amount of difficulties finding acceptance as he did during the time period of Frankenstein. In the article, â€Å"Political and Cultural Cross-Dressingâ€Å", Flavio Risech talks about how different countries each demand a different way of presenting oneself. Risech is a Cuban that crossed the border to live in the United States. The cultures are extremely different between the two. He has to change his appearance to try to fit in because the Cubans do not believe he is Cuban based on his skin color, apparel, and behavior. â€Å"It is the combination of the complexion, the clothing, and the foreigner’s demeanor which triggers the Cubans’ perception of me as other† (432). In Cuba, accents assist in characterizing a person as Cuban, but Risech is also told that he does not speak with a Cuban accent. â€Å"Then an acquaintance in Havana tells me I speak Spanish with a Puerto Rican accent† (432). Risech is incapable of finding acceptance in his native land, even though he knows he belongs. In the article, â€Å"From Outside, Inâ€Å", Barbara Mellix explains how language in African American culture helps define a person. When she is with her kinfolk she must use improper English so the rest of her family can understand. With friends or relatives, that are less close, she speaks a mixture of proper and improper English. In public and among strangers, proper English is the requirement. â€Å"There were implicit and explicit principles that guided our way of life and shaped our relationships with one another and the people outside† (390). Both of these articles are perfect representations of how the monster would fit into society today. The monster struggles with acceptance because of his appearance and inability to explain himself. Risech has trouble fitting in because of his disposition and accent, and Mellix has to be conscious about the way she speaks around certain people to be sure she is welcome in each group. Frankenstein, â€Å"Political and Cultural Cross-Dressingâ€Å", and â€Å"From Outside, In† represent how society â€Å"judges a book by its cover†, both today and in the past. The monster is inadequate for humankind because of his looks, which causes him to have no companions to cure his inexplicable pain of loneliness. â€Å"In the end, people should be judged by their actions, since in the end, it was actions that defined everyone. † -Nicholas Sparks How to cite Frankenstein- a Victim of Society, Essay examples

Describe Dropbox’s Freemium Pricing strategy of Dropbox- Free Sample

Questions: Freemium Pricing at Dropbox Dropbox provided remote-storage over the internet, also known as cloud storage, of any type of computer file. The name of the company came from the idea that their cloud storage service would allow users to drop files into a folder that could be accessed anywhere using the internet. This enabled file sharing, synchronization and backup. In six years, Dropbox had grown into a business with 200 million users saving more than a billion files per day, outpacing internet giants such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Using a freemium pricing strategy whereby a basic service was free- of-charge and premium services were paid, Dropboxs user base was still growing quickly. But only an estimated 1.6 to 4.0% of its users provided any revenue to the company. Going forward, could Dropbox, an internet company with only a few hundred employees and one product offered to businesses and consumers, compete in the cloud storage space? If so, how? And should Dropbox continue with its freemium pricing or not? Required: 1. Describe Dropboxs Freemium Pricing strategy to get users and revenue. What was this strategy? What did the company hope to accomplish with this strategy? 2. What were the positive results of this strategy? 3. What were the negative results or failures of this strategy, if any?4. What was the strategy that Dropbox used for corporate/business customers? Describe this strategy and its results. 5. What other strategies can you think of that Dropbox could have chosen, instead of Freemium Pricing? Answers: 1. The Freemium Pricing Strategy was a customer driven strategy that led the Dropbox to hold large share in the market of cloud storage. Drop was considered to be the first successful organizations that offered this freemium pricing strategy in the market of cloud storage services. This strategy provided the users an opportunity to try their products at risk-free level (Gannes). This strategy was implemented by the organization in order to provide incentives to users for sharing this product with their employers and friends in exchange of more storage capacity. As per the services that Dropbox offers, the Freemium plan of action is clearly the model that it receives. Dropbox offers free services and charges cash if clients oblige more space. In 2011, 96% of its clients paid nothing, nonetheless, the organizer and CEO of Dropbox Drew Houston guaranteed it was at that point beneficial yet wouldn't uncover edges. 2. The pricing strategy had prior been on a B2B model which in the end multiplied to a B2C model through the freemium model. The layered pricing models are a Value based framework that identifies with an extensive variety of customers. Dropbox has some solid competitors; like iCloud which gives comparable services furthermore has simpler access to the 222 million users of Apple. In any case, among a huge number of organizations that offer comparative services now, Dropbox appreciates some different peculiarities. This method functioned admirably and prompted noteworthy new client procurement. In 2010, Dropbox's 4million present clients delivered around 2.8million direct referral welcomes which was around a referral rate of 70%. Through this the organization reported around 30% of the client referrals with respect to the services. Dropbox has more than 50 million clients, and another client is being included each second (Eisemann). The reason that Dropbox has encountered such hazardou s development is that its tackled the issue of information being spread crosswise over different gadgets like telephones, tablets and machines. 3. The users however can face few failures for using this strategy for instance (Gobry): For success of this freemium strategy, there is a need of lots of users. This idea would work effectively, if there is lots of millions of users, or else it is better to use premium route. There is also need of lot of returning users. This is very important that the users stick to the product and provide huge return to the company. If they see that the users are not returning even after using this freemium, it is better to shift towards advertising strategy. Gaining profit takes long time: Since clients take more time to change over as the estimation of the item to them increments over the long run, and in light of the fact that you continue including new free clients, freemium organizations take quite a while to achieve breakeven point. When they do they can be exceptionally beneficial, in light of the fact that your income every dynamic client becomes speedier than your expense every dynamic client, however it takes a while to reach breakeven. Equity financing (VCs and angels) or option wellsprings of income can help you cross over any barrier yet not everybody has that opportunity or needs to do that. 4. Drew Hotson, the CEO of Dropbox recognized to turn on their target towards the corporate customers. This was done after outpacing the giants of internet market like Amazon and Google. The consumer version of the Dropbox started at the price of $120per year in the year 2013. Dropbox started a new business product named Dropbox for Business. This featured unlimited administrative and storage control which will permit the employee to manage the documents of the employees. Further, this featured Single-Sign-On option that permitted employees to share and access to the important documents without any signing in process. Further, the Dropbox also partnership with the Salesforce, that provided the IT departments of many enterprises, to set different rules through their management tools (Re/code). The organization also joined hand with Microsoft to make the office apps available on the phones and tablets so as to make the sharing process easier (News.microsoft.com). 5. Apart from Freemium Pricing Model, the DropBox can also utilize: Perpetual License Model- This is a one-time payment system which the users has to pay upfront along with some additional fee for support and maintenance of the service. Consumption Model- This model permits the users to manage their own cost through managing of product quantum usage. Tiered Model- the main idea behind this model is to tie up the user with some pricing based on usage and value which can usually be servers, data volumes seats, modules etc. References Eisemann, Thomas R. 'Dropbox, It Just Works'. iknowbase.com. N.p., 2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2015. Gannes, Liz. 'Case Studies In Freemium: Pandora, Dropbox, Evernote, Automattic And Mailchimp'. Gigaom.com. N.p., 2010. Web. 3 Feb. 2015. Gobry, Pascal-Emmanuel. 'EXPLAINER: What Is The Freemium Business Model?'. Business Insider. N.p., 2011. Web. 3 Feb. 2015. News.microsoft.com,. 'Microsoft And Dropbox Announce Strategic Partnership To Give People More Freedom In How They Work | News Center'. N.p., 2014. Web. 3 Feb. 2015. Re/code,. 'Dropbox Zeros In On An Enterprise Strategy'. N.p., 2014. Web. 3 Feb. 2015.

Implementation, Strategic Controls, and Contingency Plans

Introduction Tiffany Company is a renowned corporation that started its operations in the year 1837. The company’s core mission is to provide quality rings and luxury brand items that are associated with romance, quality and style. Since its inception, the company has recorded a remarkable growth financially and structurally. The growth in performance is attributable to its effective operating plans, strategic control measures, innovation and creativity.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Implementation, Strategic Controls, and Contingency Plans specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, the witnessed economic recession and diminishing prioritization of jewelry items by customers is threatening to impede the company’s performance.  As such, the company has identified key strategic issues that it seeks to pursue with an aim of countering the effects of the diminishing factors. The strategic is sues are set to facilitate its growth both in the established and emerging markets. Firstly, the company strategizes on expanding its market by venturing into new market such as India. This is to stop over saturating US markets. The company also strategizes on how to mitigate the possible risks that the economic complications may present. The objectives To identify potential change management strategies that would enhance successful implementation of contingency plans To identifies key success factors for implementation and functional tactics To provide credible information relating to budget, action items and forecasted financials To provide reliable information pertaining to risk management plan and key success factors in the implementation process Functional tactics for change management Functional tactics are operating guidelines and production systems that aid performance in institutions. They are also strategic measures and plan of activities that facilitate execution of dut ies (Barney, 2007). Imperatively, Tiffany Corporation should adopt new tactical approaches to production, sales, marketing, and distribution of products. The tactics that include the adoption of lean administration concept and proper market segmentation will to steer the realization of its contingency plans. This is because they are instrumental in ensuring effective management of resources, designing of products and development of new business units. Action items, milestones and a deadline As noted, the company has an obligation to implement key action items that hold the capacity of sustaining its performance capacity. The action items would ensure that the company is operated under conventional management techniques (Barney, 2007). They will also facilitate the implementation of the strategic plans. The items include, integration of democratic management system, designing of quality and affordable products and proper market segmentation. Other action items include improvement of brand recognition, infrastructure, distribution network and favorable pricing. Consequently, the company has made tremendous milestones in the management of its expansion and contingency plans since its inception.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Its major plans and strategic missions are being executed within specified timelines (Pearce Robinson, 2011). This shows that the current tasks will receive appropriate Implementation. That is the strategic plans will be executed within the set timelines and the company’s capacity in terms of resources. Tasks and task ownership The management of Tiffany Company must design key tasks and operating guidelines promptly to facilitate the implementing of the strategic controls and contingency plans (Mintzberg, Ghoshal, Lampel Quinn, 2003). This is essential in ensuring elimination of wastages that will enable the company to maximize on its resources. The main tasks that are vital in ensuring complete actualization of the strategic plans include. Tasks Duration Resources Performance of feasibility study 2 weeks Project experts Hiring of personnel 3weeks Hiring panel, time, resources Installation of task control and assessment panels 1 month Personnel, processors, hardware’s operating work plans and acquisition of basic equipment 1 month Financial aid ($ 60,000) Resource allocation Managers in any institution must adopt effective techniques of resource management and allocation. This is vital since resources such as money and infrastructure are key drivers of any strategic plan. Therefore, managers in Tiffany Corporation are under obligation to develop a viable work plan and a budget on how the expansion process including other strategic plans will be executed (Pearce Robinson, 2011). The work plan should be arranged in order of priority to ensure that essential tasks or activit ies receive adequate funding. Change management strategies that would enhance successful implementation Indeed, Tiffani Corporation must adopt conventional techniques of change management (Pearce Robinson, 2011). This is crucial in facilitating holistic implementation of its strategic and contingency plans. Particularly, the company should advance its technological set ups, execute online sales, marketing, embrace innovation and develop favorable guidelines to aid resource allocation. Development of effective communication systems, acquisition of quality raw materials, research and development of effective pricing strategies are also essential elements that facilitate change management. These elements hold the capacity of ensuring that Tiffany Company that has a strategic plan of expanding its network and eradication of pricing risks achieve its targets. Key success factors for implementation Success factors for implementation are essential elements that aid execution of tasks. The y ensure that key activities within the implementation process are executed with limited complications. Barney (2007) noted that, key successful factors that managers should adopt include effective performance of feasibility study on the tasks, favorable allocation of resources and designing of activities in the order of priority. Innovation, acquisition of quality raw materials, development of strong brands and effective marketing also form key success factors. The factors would enable Tiffany Company to effectively implement its strategic plans and achieve best results in turn.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Implementation, Strategic Controls, and Contingency Plans specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Budget and forecasted financials, including a break-even chart Tiffany company’s budget that covers cost of implementing its strategic plans and projected return on investment is provided below. As n oted, the cost of implementation of the plans is lower than the projected revenue by $ 600,000. This shows that the company would break even effectively. Plan Cost of implementation ($ 000) Projected revenue ($ 000) Opening of new branches 1,200 1,600 Product designing 200 300 Brand recognition 200 250 Market segmentation 50 60 Distribution network 60 100 Total 1,710 2,310 Break even figure = 2310/1710= 1.35% Risk management plan, including contingency plans for identified risks Superior risk management is one of the main strategic plans that Tiffany Company seeks to implement. This is because the company is facing severe risks that are caused by hostile environmental conditions (Mintzberg et al, 2003). The risks that seek to impede its profitability, expansion plans include diminishing of raw materials that threatens to affect the quality of its products, and price variations that seek to dampen customer loyalty. These risk factors have forced the company’ s top management to embark on high-powered deliberations.  The deliberations are to institute proper contingency plans to counter the risks as they occur. These contingency measures include identification of new sources of raw materials, alternative materials, and adoption of low switching costs for consumers. Other contingency measures include introduction of new brands, saving money in a reserve account and continuous innovation. These plans would help in cushioning the company from recording dismal performance in both worst-case and best-case scenarios if implemented appropriately. References Barney, J. B. (2007). Gaining and Sustaining Competitive Advantage. Upper Saddle  River, NJ: Pearson: Prentice Hall.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Mintzberg, H., Ghoshal, S., Lampel, J., Quinn, J. B. (2003). The Strategy Process:  Concepts, Contexts, Cases. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Pearce, J. A., II, Robinson, R. B. (2011). Strategic Management: Formulation,  Implementation, and Control. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. This research paper on Implementation, Strategic Controls, and Contingency Plans was written and submitted by user Nelson Mclean to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Email vs Snail Mail - Argumentative Essay on Email and regular mail- why email is better

Email vs Snail Mail - Argumentative Essay on Email and regular mail- why email is better E_Mail_is_Better@Communicating.netBefore telephones the only way to communicate with each other was to write letters. It took days before the letter got to the recipient and it took days for the writer to get the reply. Then telephones were invented and conversations became instant. Most people loved the telephone and its usefulness but some enjoyed and missed writing letters. Luckily E-mail was invented which allows people to write letters and send and receive them instantly. E-mail is a very effective way of communication.The critics say that E-mail is not as efficient as the telephone or a letter. They say the problem with e-mail is that it's harder to show emotion then if you were to use a phone. When talking in person or on the phone you can hear which syllable has the emphasis so you know the more important words. It makes it harder to disconnect from being in contact with someone.Mail transportation_YeachanDisconnection (in order to connect more deeply later) now requires the greater discipline and resourcefulness (Nixon 677). Nay Sayers not only say is it harder to show emotions but it's also harder to go back and forth. With a telephone it's all instant and you just speak what you want to say. With e-mail you keep having to check to see if you got any and it can really take up a lot of time. The challenge is how to keep technology with a rodentlike reproductive rate supplementary, not something that overruns our days (676). With all that typing it can really do a number on your muscles. The most common is carpaltunnel but other muscles are affected too. We just sit at the same computer all day long in the same position. No wonder our deltoid, trapezius, and infraspinatus muscles go into revolt (677).

Responding to Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Responding to Terrorism - Essay Example The threat of terrorism is unending, and will most likely increase as time goes by. However, the response to terrorism should not be focuses on the military way, instead, the government should try to uncover the root causes of terrorism and work with other countries using intelligence to avert terrorist acts before they occur. Introduction One of the biggest issues in British politics is centered on terrorism and the resources expended for it. Some individuals in politics are of the opinion that terrorism should not be given as much attention as is currently done since it does not cause as much destruction as other catastrophes. Other politicians state that the best way to curb terrorism is by destruction of the terrorists using force of war. Terrorist acts all round the world continue to appear in headlines continuously, and some quarters seem to indicate that the attention given to global terrorism is not warranted. Statistically, global terrorism seems to pose a smaller threat tha n other catastrophes, for example, floods and famines. An investigation by an American economist, Krueger, indicated that the average chance of an individual succumbing to a terrorist attack in the United States or United Kingdom is less than 1 in 5 million (Krueger, 2007). However, the probability of individuals dying from other factors like natural disasters is of a higher magnitude. However, despite the statistic mentioned above, the threat of terrorism, or the actual occurrence of terrorism will dominate headlines more than any other event. Even if a terrorist attack does not claim any lives or damage property of substantial value, the media coverage and outcry from the public will still be overwhelming (Perl, 2007). Additionally, the government’s response to such an occurrence will most likely be higher that the response to any other event. Comparing the time and resources spent on the response to terrorism to the spent to on other global issues shows a big divergence (P erl, 2007). The government will spend more time, resources and personnel in trying to avert the threat of terrorism than any other global occurrence. Some quarters of the political quadrant might argue that the government is spending too much on an event that might or might not occur, but the following analysis shows that the resources and attention spent by the government, media and individuals in response to the terrorism threat is viable. The analysis will show that the terrorism response mechanisms currently in place are possibly due to the uncertainty of the attacks, but also due to the real threat that they pose to society. The Threat of Terrorism One of the first reasons why terrorism is taken seriously around the world is because of the uncertainty of possible attacks from terrorists (English, 2012). Many individuals will state that they are concerned for the country, but perhaps a more satisfying answer is that everybody is concerned for themselves. Increasing media coverag e has gone to show that terrorists strike randomly, thus increasing the chance that anyone could be a victim. This fact, coupled with the ruthlessness of the attacks, serves to greatly increase the attention given to terrorism. The main reason why the response to terrorism should be taken seriously is because of the underlying factors or reasons in every terrorist insurgence (English, 2007). Despite the fact that most

Pennsylvania Black Bear Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Pennsylvania Black Bear - Research Paper Example Those with black color are prevalent in the east while the brown phases from blond to cinnamon are mainly found in the west (Shoemakera 15).An adult male bear weighs between 350 and 500 pounds while a female may have 150 to 250 pounds even though, some male bears go up to 600 pounds occasionally. Black bears rise to about three feet high when standing on all fours and from six to seven feet when upright. The sounds made by bears are distinctive ranging from growls, woofing and jaw popping. The females communicate with their cub through huffs and low grunts while the cubs whimper, chuckle and bawl. Other distinctive features of a black bear are the tracks. The footprints of the hind legs resemble those of man and the toes are five. The front foot of a bear is shorter than the rear foot which is long and narrow. The claws may at times be visible. Black bears are herbivores. They maintain movement mainly at night or early hours of the morning in search of food. They feed on a variety of things such as berries, corn, beechnuts, grass, carrion, honey and insects (Fergus 32). They fatten up before winter for hibernation at the summer and the fall periods during which they take most of the time to feed amount to a close of twenty hours a day and consuming close to 20,000 calories. During winter, they remain dormant and choose to remain in their dens which are made up of rock caverns, excavated holes and hollow trees, underneath trees, dead falls and bushy thickets. The heartbeat during hibernation slows down tremendously and the body temperature drops. At this period, bears do not feed drink or pass body fluids such as urine (Gordon 45). The most prevalent season for mating is between early June and mid- July during which bears become very aggressive to one another. In January, sows give birth mostly to a litter of five. The newly born cubs are toothless, sightless and have less hair that is inadequately distributed on

Marks and Spencer Mission, Objectives and Responsibilities

Marks and Spencer Mission, Objectives and Responsibilities Introduction Terms of Reference. The purpose of this assignment is purely for academic reasons; this assignment has been made primarily to complete the module of Business Environment under the course HNC Business (Management) which I am studying Aims and Objective The assignment attempts to identify mission, objectives and responsibilities of an organization with its environment. It investigates the economic, social and global environment in which the organization operates. It investigates the behavior of organization and the market environment. It explores the significance of International Trade and the European dimension for the UK business. Research Methods Mark Spencer Ltd web sites articles, news, case studies. Theoretical studies from different books and Handouts from my tutor. Personal academic knowledge about Business environment Mission, Objectives and Responsibilities of Mark Spencer with its environment Developing a vision, mission and values is the foundation for the log term success, as demonstrated by Collins Porras in Built to Last. Mark and Spencer mission statement as former times and still is Good quality for the penny whereby the penny turned bazaars into stores. Mission, Values, Key objectives and influence of stakeholders Vision A vision helps working in goal congruence. It comes from within as well as outside. It accomplishes the following Give a sense of the future Guides decision making and strategy Creates a platform with same purpose Laydown behavior guidelines Inspire emotion Reflects the values Mark and Spencer vision is to be the standard against which others are measured- Benchmarking Mission A Mission statement is a statement reflecting what the organisation business is and what key purpose is there. Mark and Spencer Mission are to make inspirational quality accessible to others. Values Values are the beliefs and norms of the organisation. They underpin policies, objectives and procedures as they acts as an anchor and reference point for all the activity in the organisation. Mark and Spencer Values are Quality, Service, innovation and trust amernassargooglepages.com/MS.pdf . Key Objectives Employee orientation Higher expectations that staff can contribute more to the organization. There is a need for succession management. As such developing a career path for employees. Its part of Mark and Spencer to attract, motivate and retain high caliber workforce to assist the transformation of the business and deliver improved performance. Organizational objectives Mark and Spencer is to regain their leadership in clothing and specialty food. This is to be achieving by translating their scale and authority into superior quality, value and appeal. Sales objectives Mark and Spencer belief that there is plenty of room for improvement in their sales per foot. They saw Return per foot as a key operational objective going forward. Stakeholders influence. Employees -Interested in Job security, financial benefits, and satisfaction Pursuit of systems goals rather than shareholders interest. Suppliers -Interested in Profitable sales, Payment for goods and Long term relationship -Response to risk refusal of credit, court action and wind down relationship Government Interested in Jobs, Training and Tax. -Response to risk Tax increases, Regulation and Legal action Pressure Groups Society Interested in Pollution, Rights and other. -Response to risk Publicity, Direct action, Sabotage and Pressure on Government. Achievement of stakeholders objectives by organization If a vision and mission is recognised by all stakeholders and affects every hiring, strategic decision and communication: its effect can be magic. (function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "https://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })() To achieve Stakeholders objective an organisation should be able to separate their interest from each other and as such act according to the power they exert in the organisation. Responsibilities of organization and effective they are in satisfying them Mark and Spencer does satisfies their stakeholders efficiently Employees They have a welfare department established in 1930. Their financial interest are safeguarded by bonuses and increases in salary upon job performance Their package of benefits are extended, such as interest free loans granted Opportunity of buying shares for the company at bonus or rights issue. Suppliers Always used UK based suppliers, ensuring consistent quality Relationship to built reliance on suppliers Life long relationship. Mutual dependability respects the specification and standard. Social commitment Strong tradition of Corporate Social Responsibility Sponsorship of Charities and secondment programs Community development efforts Government social projects. Environment friendly -Mark and Spencer became the first retailer to remove all artificial colours and flavouring from its entire food and soft drinks range- April 2008 -Mark and Spencer became the first retailer to launch school wear made from recycled plastic bottle -Despite tough economic conditions Mark and Spencer stick to Plan A. As it gives them brand and differentiation and as AL Gore said a sustainable business can be profitable one http://plana.marksandspencer.com/media/pdf/planA-2010.pdf Economic, Social and Global environment The economic problem is mainly because of unlimited wants with limited resources. It is basically how nations decide to spread or allocate their resources effectively and efficiently to maximise the production goods and services. Economic System-Allocation and Effective use of resources. To deal with the question of scarcity different countries use different approaches or types of economic system. Market Economy Private parties (Individuals or businesses) own a vast majority of land, factories and other economic resources. Centrally Planned Economy Government owns most land, factories, and other economic resources and plans nearly all economic activity. The Mixed Economy Balance between market forces and state intervention. Certain activities need to be regulated by the state while others can be left to the influence of the market. It comprises: A free enterprise- where economic decisions reflects the market forces Public ownership control of key central industries Welfare sector provide a minimum level of medical social and educational services for all citizens regardless of wealth. Impact of social welfare and industrial policy initiatives and the wider community. Benefit and Pension Mark and Spencer Once youve worked for MS for a year you are qualified for the retirement plan where you can save up to 100% of your pay in the plan and the company will match it with double contribution (limited12%). It thus provide a secure retirement and with options to transfer your investment when you On top of these benefits, MS also offer our people: SAYE Scheme to all its employees Have more holidays the longer you stay with the company The company also subsidized benefits such as health and care and dental care. Particularly in the UK, the push by retailers to meet the demands of a growing number of ethical shoppers has raised the profile of the ethical practices of businesses. Marks and Spencer, for example, is inviting shoppers to look behind the label at the sustainability of its products, as well as its labor, fair trade and animal welfare practices http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ec333092-f937-11db-9b6b-000b5df10621.html Benefit and Pension Government Maternity allowance, Paternity allowance and adoption allowance Benefit for those who do not meet the requirements for statutory payments. Child Benefit Paid to whichever parents the child live with. Child Tax Credit Tax rebate for couple who has children Guardian allowance Tax free benefit for a child whom one is caring for but is not yours Disability Living allowance- Child who has care needs or mobility problems. Housing benefit If your total income is below threshold and you pay rent you might be qualified for housing benefit. State Pension Regular payment people claims when they get to certain age. Job seekers allowance People who are not working or working less than 16 hrs weekly can claim this benefit. http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/mscareers/rewards_benefits The government also provide Fiscal and Monetary policies for stability. Fiscal policy tools used by the government to influence level of economic activity through changing taxation or govt. spending. It can be targeted to a particular group. Fiscal policy is ineffective when investment is sensitive to interest rates and attempts to offset the actions of the government. Monetary policy- is an attempt to control macro economic variables through use of interest rates. It is very weak when consumers are holding money rather than spending them when interest rates are very low Impact of macroeconomic policy and influence of global economy on UK organizations and stakeholders. PESTEL The External Environment Political Integration of EU AND Free Trade Agreement the market has opened up for British companies opening in Europe. Technology The introduction of e-commerce. M S promoting people to buy on line with incentives likes discount. It provides flexibility 24hr Economy Retail sector very sensitive to changes in the interest rates. Environmental Marks and Spencers commitment to the environment put them at them within the top ten green brands in the UK recently * Global Warming Social Changes in consumer taste and lifestyle give rise to new market and consumers but also threats in terms of social acceptance to alcohol Legal National Health and Safety National Minimum Wage Taxation Policy Use of renewable resources. SWOT ANALYSIS Mark Spencer STRENGHTS Reputation/Brand/Goodwill Market position Quality products Detail in supplier control Internet Shopping Simon Marks understanding of customers preferences and trends WEAKNESSES Lack of newness Clothing- segmentation Lagging to provide up to date fashionable clothes Using most British suppliers believing higher quality but low cost Competitors using overseas suppliers to cut cost OPPORTUNITIES Define target age group Store a new upbeat look Respond to customer taste and purchasing power Improve CRM systems to retain existing customers and target potential new customers. To go global and expand the business Use technology to improve their functioning and thus gain competitive advantage THREATS Loss of market share of intense competition Strong competition with Next same price product but more fashionable Discount stores like Matalan Threat from Giant Tesco and Sainsbury who penetrate in the market to supply added value. (http://bizcovering.com/major-companies/a-case-study-on-marks-and-spencer/2/) Stakeholders expectations developed according to changes in the market. For instance, MS brand loyalty concept is less likely to survive where there are several substitutes of same standard in the market. As such MS has to be creative and innovative and constantly reacting to the change in the buying behaviour of the consumers. Market structures, market forces and Competition commission and regulatory bodies Market structures deviate from model of perfect competition. MS which has long been in this perfect competition, a market situation of many sellers and many buyers with similar or substitutes product. The price is determined by supply and demand and producers are to sell their products at the price determined by the market. Being in such competition the firm should have the perfect resource to produce and distribute efficiently as it faces fierce competition. MS deviated from the perfect competition to an Oligopolistic market structure, with the heavy advertising campaign for its brand name. As they are selling same product like other key players like Tesco, Asda but differentiate with its brand. It relies strongly on brand awareness and loyalty in a competitive market; differentiate itself with the quality standard with other supermarket. Relationship between market forces and organizational responses. Porters Five Forces The Industry The five forces model provides a summary of the threats within the immediate industry. Suppliers Low in this Industry Dual Sourcing Strategies Rivalry Low Competitive In this Industry Bargaining Power Buyers Aggressive Pricing Strategy Substitute Premium Branded Food Sainsbury John Lewis New Entrants Low Price Low cost BHS/ASDA Porters Five Forces Behavior and competitive strategies, Competition commission and regulatory bodies. The consumers buying behaviour trends is reflected by an ageing population and the high number of women in the workforce. The increase in disposable income and the lifestyle changes recent years. The revolution of home internet users online shopping which call for multi-cultural marketing. (Deloitte:2005 Global powers of Retailing report).In the recent years because of fierce competition MS market share suffered a blow mainly their clothing segment. Unlike when you consider MS Competitor, Tescos strategies to penetrate the UK market. Tesco operated on the pile it High sell it Cheap formula the early 70s and thereafter launches the operation check out which cut prices across their product and differentiate themselves from their competitors. Then Tesco diversified there channel of distribution with Stores like Tesco extra, Tesco metro and as well as beginning to open petrol stations. The Competition Commission has asked the Government to impose an ombudsman on the grocery industry to rule on disputes between supermarkets and their suppliers. The request comes after it failed to agree a voluntary arrangement with major retailers Only Marks Spencer, Waitrose and Aldi backed the plan. The takeover of MS store card business of  £763m by HSBC has given the Office of Fair Trading to launch a competition investigation into the matter. Richard Fletcher, Executive Editor, Business Published: 8:20PM BST 04 Aug 2009 TELEGRAPH .CO.UK The Office of Fair Trading has launched a formal competition investigation into HSBCs  £763m takeover of Marks Spencers store-card business. The firm Freshfield might be under investigation for its work advising Philip Green for abortion bid for MS and the investigation will be carried out by the Law Society, which regulates the Britishs legal profession. International Trade and the European Dimension Importance of international trade, economic integration and global markets to UK business International trade is doing business across national borders and is the backbone of our modern computerized business world. These occurs mainly because of lower production costs in one region versus another, specialized industries, lack of surplus of natural resources and consumer tastes. Globalization is a process driven by international trade and investment. It is the trend towards greater economic, cultural, political and technological interdependence among national institutions and economies. The benefits of globalization are as follows: Reduces marketing costs New market opportunities Balance in level in income Access to low cost labor Access to technical expertise Access to production inputs. The main drivers for Globalization are: GATT WTO Regional Trade Agreements Technological Innovation As MS is growing global and international competition has presented new challenges. The company stress its global sourcing principles amongst its selected suppliers and further down the supply chain which sets a minimum acceptable entry standard. MS want their suppliers to raise their standard as well to reflect the internationally recognized standard thus differentiating them and enjoying the competitive edge. Impact of two policies of the European Union on the UK business organizations The Agricultural Policy has always been a tension between members state. The banned of the import of beef from the US by the EU. The EU responded illegally according to the WTO with a refusal to comply. The US retaliated by levying an import tax of $ 117 m on imports of food from the EU. (Source Undersatnding European Union 3rd edition Anforme 2002.) Such transactions would impact the UK US relationship, it would adversely affect the UK economy. Last year only one Banking company crash in the US and the effect is still felt and now one can imagine if the US starts implementing quotas, barriers and levying tax on imports from the UK. The EU directives affect the UK businesses; even the different bodies of the EU are not always unanimous about the directives set. For instance, Advocate General Leendert Geelhoed from the ECJ said that EU health foods directive infringe guidelines in his opinion. In the case brought forward by the industry groups the British Health Food Manufacture Association, National Association of Health Stores(NAHS) and Alliance for Natural Health(ANH) ahead of the ECJ. (Source :http//news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/441192- 13/04/05) The Economic implication for the UK of entry into EMU. The EMU was masterminded by Jacques Delores which is mainly single currency. The EMU is seen as a logical extension of the single market and as a way of making EU more competitive and powerful in the world market. The EURO ZONE consisting Lower cost for management of money Faster transactions across borders Elimination of exchange rate fluctuations. Market Transparency The impacts of EMU on UK economy are huge, since the major partners of the UK are members of the EMU. The Euro relative weaknesses against the pound and UK export to Europe more expensive and thus make it more difficult for UK businesses to sell their products. On the other side domestic consumers will buy imported rather than domestic goods. Government subjected the Five Economic tests before considering membership. Euro Zone economic structure compatible to UK Is the UK labor market flexible to meet the requirements of such development The effect of the Euro Zone on the financial investment in the UK. The effect of the single currency on the competitive position of the City of London. Will the EMU be able to promote such growth, stability and employment that the UK has accomplished by its own. 6.0 Conclusion and Recommendations MS has been a leading retailer in the UK, but went through a phase by 1988 which pushed the firm into crisis. By 2006 MS reposition themselves in the market but could not enjoy the iconic brand it once was. They were to face the UKS largest and most profitable retailer in 2006 TESCO. MS respond tot the challenge with a drastic changes in management structure. They have to achieve the right balance between the corporate values, strong market position and the innovation to stay competitive. They need to use their strength Brand and product quality to be enabled to sustain profitability and to be less vulnerable to changes in the market condition. MS is in a very highly competitive and sophisticated industry, as such the need to be aware of the fashion trends, customer increasing expectations and changing tastes are more than ever one of the most important factor for them to consider. The lowering of international barriers has encourage a vast choices of product available to customer

Israel: A Blessing to All Nations

â€Å"I will make of you a great nation? And you shall be a blessing? And all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you† (Gen. 12:2-3). Israel is a blessing to the other nations. As long as Israel succeeds in informing other peoples and proving that Yahweh is God, it will be understood to be a blessing to these nations. The very examples often employed to dispel the idea of Israel’s being a blessing serve as evidence to support it. The plagues in Genesis actually prove that Yahweh is God to the Israelites and the Egyptians. In the infamous conquest of Canaan, Rahab and her family are spared because she acknowledges that Yahweh is God. Joseph gathers food to feed the Egyptians during the 7 years of famine. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, the Israelites relationship with other nations ultimately leads its peoples to benefit by the realization that Yahweh is God. At first, Israel’s relationship with the Egyptians does not seem to be a blessing; however, The Plagues result in the Egyptians ultimately perceiving Yahweh as God. God, so that the â€Å"Egyptians shall know that I am Lord† (Exodus 7:3,5), puts the Egyptians through a gauntlet, comprised of some of the worst conceivable ills that can befall man. When God states that He will bring down a hail storm, Pharaoh’s courtiers, â€Å"? who feared the Lord’s word brought their slaves and livestock indoors to safety† (9:20). This quotation signals a change in faith: previously, Pharoah’s courtiers did not pay attention to Moses’ premonitions. Gradually though, the courtiers begin to take notice of Yahweh’s power. Similarly, God vows to unleash locusts all over the land. Pharaoh’s courtiers become increasingly involved with Pharoah’s decisions and favor allowing the Israelites to leave: â€Å"? how long shall this one be a snare to us? Let the men go to worship the Lord our God† (10:7)! Examined carefully, the quotation reads † the Lord our God. † Even though the entire nation does not, Pharaoh’s courtiers accept Yahweh as their God. In a similar manner, Israel’s conquest of Canaan, at Jericho, reaffirms Israel’s status as a blessing. While hiding the two Israelite spies, Rahab confides, † I know that the Lord has given the country to you? for the Lord your God is the only God in heaven above and on earth below† (Josh. 2:9,11). Rahab is a harlot, whom one would presume to be anything but pious. When Israel destroys Jericho, † only Rahab the harlot and her father’s family were spared? and she dwelt among the Israelites? † (6:25). This quotation highlights two important notions: the author’s choice of stating â€Å"her father’s family,† can be interpreted as her immediate family or a larger group of people who also accept Yahweh. Secondly, Rahab’s † dwell[ing] among the Israelites† is a classic example of how the inhabitants of other nations remain and become a part of Israel. By remaining with the Israelites, Rahab embraces the fact that their God is the one and only God. Also part of Israel’s conquest of Canaan, are the events surrounding the city of Gibeon. Upon seeing what Israel had done to Jericho, â€Å"? the people of Gibeon had come to terms with Israel and remained among them? † (Joshua 10:2). This is yet another example of people from other nations accepting Yahweh and becoming a part of Israel. Without having directly experienced what Yahweh is capable of, the Gibeonites immediately identify Him as God. When Joshua arrives with Israel, and realizing what the king’s true intentions are, commands, † Stand still, O sun, at Gibeon,/ O moon, in the Valley of Aijalon† (10:12). Miraculously halting these supernatural forces, Joshua defeats all five armies and kills the kings. These marvels further strengthen the people’s faith in Yahweh and prove again that Israel is a blessing to the cities of Canaan. (israel proves to be a blessing to Canaan because it reveals to Canaan’s people the one true God) Proving that he himself is a blessing to the Egyptians, Joseph saves Egypt and its surrounding nations, from death and starvation. Joseph prophesizes that there will be â€Å"seven years of abundance? After them will come seven years of famine† (Genesis 41:29), and proposes that someone be in charge of gathering food to be used during the famine. Though Joseph is an Israelite, Pharoah puts him in charge of the life-saving task. Just as Joseph foretells, † There was famine in the land, but throughout the land of Egypt there was bread? So all the world came to Joseph in Egypt to procure rations? † (41:54, 57). In the above quotation, Joseph is portrayed as a godlike figure who saves the world from starvation, thus proving himself to be a blessing to the Egyptians and Canaanites. In addition to these cases, in which a named group of people (Pharaoh’s courtiers, Rahab, the Gibeonites) are enlightened to Yahweh’s existence, there are other instances in which unnamed groups of citizens proves Israel to be a blessing. As Israel finally departs from Egypt, the author describes how there are † about six thousand men on foot, aside from children. Moreover, a mixed multitude went up with them? † (Exodus 12:37-38). The author specifically mentions that â€Å"a mixed multitude,† which is understood to mean non-Israelites, joins the Israelites and recognizes Yahweh as God. In I Samuel, Israel is at conflict with the Philistines and has suffered a defeat because the Ark of the Lord is in Shiloh and not with the Israelites. Upon hearing Israel’s joyous shouts, the Philistines become † frightened† and question, † God has come to the camp? Who will save us from the power of this mighty God† (4:7-8)? The inhabitants of other nations previously refer to Yahweh, as † the God of Israel† or â€Å"the God of the Hebrews. However, in this quotation, the Philistines refer to Yahweh as if they are speaking of their own god, by omitting a distinction of whom He rules. After Israel captures Edom, â€Å"? all the Edomites became vassals of David† (II Sam. 8:14). Initially, this is capture is not seen as a blessing. However, after examining what nations ty pically did after capturing another nation, Israel is truly a blessing, because not only did Israel refrain from destroying, robbing, and murdering the citizens and the city, but instead appointed them to official positions. Israel’s conquests prove to be a blessing to other nations, as they allow the peoples to live by accepting Yahweh as God. Though Israel’s actions may not initially allow it to be apparent, Israel is a blessing to other nations. It is true that many people suffer, some innocently and others because they chose not to accept Yahweh as God. However, the Tanakh says it is much better to die with the truth, than it is to live in ignorance.

Overview of Electronic Commerce Essay

Electronic commerce is the process of buying, selling, or exchanging products, services, and information via computer networks. E-business is a broader definition of EC that includes not just the buying and selling of goods and services, but also servicing customers, collaborating with business partners and conducting electronic transactions within an organization. 2. Distinguish between pure and partial EC. Companies utilizing pure EC conduct all of their business online. Businesses utilizing partial EC conduct a portion of their business online and a portion of their business off-line. 3. Define click-and-mortar organizations. These are organizations that conduct e-commerce activities, but do their primary business in the physical world. 4. Define electronic markets, IOSs, and intraorganizational information systems. Electronic market – An online marketplace where buyers and sellers meet to exchange goods, services, money or information. IOSs – Communication systems that allow routine transaction processing and information flow between two or more organizations. Intraorganizational information systems – Communication systems that enable e-commerce activities to go on within individual organizations. Section 1. 2 Review Questions . List the major components of the EC framework. The EC framework is made up of the following components: people, the public policy, technical standards and protocols, business partners and support services. 2. List the major transactional types of EC. The major transactional types of EC include: business-to-business, business-to-consumer, business-to-business- to-consumer, consumer-to-business, consumer-to-consumer, mobile commerce, intrabusiness EC, business-to-employee, collaborative commerce, nonbusiness EC, electronic government and exchange-to-exchange. 3. Describe the major landmarks in EC history. The major landmarks in EC history began with the use of EDI to transmit business information. This was followed by a wide public acceptance of the Internet. The next major landmark was the development of several early electronic commerce sites online and the growth of the â€Å"new economy. † Another major landmark is the winding down of many of these â€Å"new economy† businesses. 4. List some EC successes and failures. Student answers will vary. Section 1. 3 Review Questions 1. Define a business plan, business case, and business model. A business plan is a written document that identifies the business goals and outlines the plan to achieve them. A business case is a written document that is used by managers to gather funding for specific applications for projects; its major emphasis is the justification for specific investment. A business model is a method of doing business by which a company can generate revenue to sustain itself. 2. Describe a revenue model and a value proposition. Revenue model – Description of how the company or an EC project will earn money. Value Proposition – The benefits a company can derive from using EC. 3. Describe the following business models: name your own price, affiliate marketing, viral marketing, and product customization. Name your own price – reverse auction where bidders submit prices they would pay, and the system attempts to match those prices with merchants Affiliate marketing – One firm helps advertise for another and takes a commission on sales from referrals Viral marketing – Word of mouth marketing Product customization – creating products based on individual needs 4. Identify business models related to buying and those related to selling. Some business models related to buying include: electronic tendering systems, find the best price, group purchasing and supply chain improvements. Some business models related to selling include: online direct marketing, name your own price, affiliate marketing, buyer marketing, online auctions, product and service customization, electronic marketplaces and exchanges and supply chain improvements. 5. Describe how a linear supply chain can be changed to a hub. By allowing all members and levels of the supply chain to interact directly with a central hub (private or third-party), members can more easily communicate back and forth while improving and streamlining their overall processes. Section 1. 4 Review Questions . Describe some EC benefits to organizations, individuals, and society. EC benefits consumers by providing them convenience, speed, cost, customization, personalization and communities. EC benefits organizations by expanding the marketplace, creating a cost savings, improving business processes and promoting interactivity. EC benefits society by improving the standard of living and delivery of public services. 2. List the major technological and non-technological limitations of EC. These limitations are summarized in Exhibit 1. 5. Section 1. 5 Review Questions . Define the digital economy. A digital economy is an economy that is based on digital technologies, including digital communication networks, computers, software, and other related information technologies. It may also be called the Internet economy, the new economy, or the Web economy. 2. List the three characteristics of the digital revolution cited by Choi and Whinston. These characteristics include: a wide variety of digitized products, financial transactions being conducted digitally, and microprocessors and network capabilities embedded in physical goods. . List the major business pressures faced by organizations today. The major business pressures faced by organizations can be divided into markets, societal and technological categories. 4 . List the major organizational responses to business pressures. Organizations respond to business pressures by using: strategic systems, continuous improvement systems, business alliances, electronic markets, increased efficiencies, employee empowerment, supply chain improvements, and mass customization. 5. Describe how EC supports organization responses to business pressures. EC, and technology in general, provide organizations with ways to operate their businesses more efficiently by providing services and functions that in the past have been performed by employees at less than optimum efficiencies. Section 1. 6 Review Questions 1. Define intranets and extranets. An intranet is an internal corporate or government network that uses Internet tools, such as Web browsers, and Internet protocols. An extranet is a network that uses the Internet to connect multiple intranets. 2. What is a corporate portal? A corporate portal is a major gateway through which employees, business partners and the public can enter a corporate Web site. 3. Identify EC transaction models (e. g. , B2B) in Exhibit 1. 9 (page 27). These would include: ? Selling online ? Selling digital goods ? Online auctions ? Reverse Auctions ? Supply chains Answers to EC Application Case Questions EC Application Case 1. 1: Voice-Based 511 Traveler Information Line Questions 1. Enter tellme. com and find more information about this case. Summarize the benefits to the users. Student answers will vary. Users obtain a number of benefits, but the largest is the ability to quickly and easily access travel information from a single number. 2. What is the role of Tellme? What Internet technology is used? Tellme is the technology provider that uses a voice portal to access a number of Web sites and databases. 3. Can this application be classified as m-commerce? As l-commerce? Why or why not? This application is m-commerce since it is accessed with a mobile device. It is not l-commerce, since no location sensors (GPS) are used. EC Application Case 1. : The Success Story of Campusfood. com Questions 1. Classify this application by EC transaction type. This is a hybrid business model combining B2B and B2C elements. The business acts as an intermediary to other businesses (restaurants) and then resells these products to students (food). This business could be described as B2B2C. 2. Explain the benefits of Campusfood. com for its students and for the restaurants it represents. Both parties re ceived benefits from this relationship. Campusfood. com is able to create a market and revenue by reselling restaurants’ food to students. The greater variety of restaurants that they represent, the better possible market for students (and thus higher revenues). Restaurants benefits from the additional marketing and sales volume generated by Campusfood. com 3. Trace the flow of digitized information in this venture. Campusfood. com receives restaurant menus and enters them into their EC site. Consumers view this information on the Internet and place electronic orders to Campusfood. com. The orders are then forwarded digitally to the restaurant. 4. How does the outsourcing of marketing activities contribute to the business? By outsourcing marketing activities, the business is able to benefit from the firms expertise in this area. Additionally, the business is able to concentrate on its core abilities. EC Application Case 1. 3: Orbis Group Changes a Linear Physical Supply Chain to an Electronic Hub Questions 1. Identify the benefits of the ProductBank system to the supply-chain participants. The hub model is beneficial to the participants in the supply chain because it eliminates unnecessary steps in the process, and by doing so lowers overall cost and increases the speed of the process. 2. Where does the cost reduction in the ProductBank process come from? The cost reduction comes from several locations. The first area of reduction is the ability for the retailer or their advertising agency to immediately view and select an appropriate image without the use of a courier. When an image is selected it can be immediately pulled from the database instead of being sent out for scanning. 3. Where does the cycle time reduction come from? The cycle time reduction comes from two locations. The first area of reduction is the ability for the retailer or their advertising agency to immediately view and select an appropriate image without the use of a courier. When an image is selected it can be immediately pulled from the database instead of being sent out for scanning. 4. Explain the benefits of electronic collaboration between the catalog owner and the ad agency. Electronic collaboration between the two parties allows them to communicate more quickly and efficiently than traditional methods. The retailer is able to participate more fully in the process of the selection of photos, while the ad agency is able to more quickly process their customers’ requests. EC Application Case 1. 4: The Internet and the Intranet Shorten Time to Market for New Drugs Questions 1. How does the computerized drug application system facilitate collaboration? This application system facilitates collaboration because it provides full and easy access to the information needed. In addition, the information can also be easily searched and specific facts retrieved quickly. 2. How is cycle time reduced? Cycle time is reduced because pharmaceutical and FDA employees are able to concentrate more fully on the review of the drug in question. This is accomplished by the ease of searching online databases for facts and information as opposed to wading through hundreds of thousands of pages of paper documents. Answers to Discussion Questions 1. Compare and contrast viral marketing with affiliate marketing. In both viral and affiliate marketing of business, relying on a third party to assist in its marketing effort is necessary. With affiliate marketing, individuals or firms are paid based on the amount of additional business they can send to the selling firm. With viral marketing, individuals are encouraged to market the product to others without any financial gain. 2. Carefully examine the nontechnological limitations of EC. Which are company dependent and which are generic? All of the listed nontechnological limitations are generic concerns with EC with the exception of â€Å"Lack of trust in EC and in unknown sellers hinder buying. † This limitation may be overcome by well-known and established merchants who will bring with them some level of customer confidence. 3. Compare brick-and-mortar and click-and-mortar organizations. Brick-and-mortar organizations only maintain a presence off-line. Click-and-mortar organizations maintain a presence both online and off-line. 4. Why is it said the EC is a catalyst of fundamental changes in organizations? EC causes fundamental changes in organizations because it requires business models and processes to be redesigned and streamlined. This is required for firms to have successful EC. 5. Explain how EC facilitates supply chain management. EC facilitates supply chain management by exposing the inner workings of the supply chain and indicating which areas contribute the greatest value. These indications, coupled with a firm understanding of the chain’s workings, provide the necessary information for supply-chain optimization. 6. Which of the EC limitations do you think will be more easily overcome—the technological or the nontechnological limitations, and why? Student answers will vary. In most cases technical limitations are easier to overcome, with customer preferences taking more time to adapt. 7. Explain how EC can reduce cycle time, improve employees’ empowerment, and facilitate customer support. EC can reduce cycle time by eliminating steps in business processes. The steps may be redundant or can be replaced with more efficient technology solutions. The elimination of the steps speeds the overall process and reduces cycle time. EC can provide employee empowerment by providing employees with greater and easier access to information provided by the employer. EC facilitates customer support by providing a wide range of technological solutions and communication opportunities. Additionally, EC supports self-help customer service so consumers can answer their own questions. 8. How does EC facilitate customization of products and services? EC facilitates customization by allowing customers to see the full range of options available for a given product. Customers are then able to select the options that they desire and these options may be sent directly to the manufacturer or service provider. This provides a more direct link between the customer and the firm that will eventually fill their custom order. 9. Why is buying with a smart card from a vending machine considered EC? EC can be defined as the application of technology toward the automation of business transactions and workflow. Because a smart card uses technology to automate a process (creating greater efficiencies and ease-of-use) it can therefore be considered EC. 0. Why is distance learning considered EC? EC can be defined as the application of technology toward the automation of business transactions and workflow, as well as a gathering place for community members to learn, transact and collaborate. Distance learning fits both of these definitions because it provides the technology solution for workflows (education) while also creating a learning community. Internet Exe rcises (Note: URLs may change over time; please check the Internet Exercises on the Turban Web site for possible updates: www. prenhall. com/turban. ) 1. Enter bigboxx. com and identify the services the company provides to its customers. What type of EC is this? What business model(s) does Bigboxx use? This company provides a large supply of office products, as well as other products and services to customers in the Hong Kong market. This company focuses primarily on B2B sales. This company makes the majority of its revenue through the direct sale of items. 2. Enter Amazon. com’s site (amazon. com) and locate recent information in the following areas: Student information will vary based on when this question is completed. a. Find the five top-selling books on EC. b. Find a review of one of these books. c. Review the customer services you can get from Amazon and describe the benefits you receive from shopping there. Amazon. com provides several services for customers. These benefits include: †¢ free shipping on large orders †¢ the ability to track orders †¢ the ability to combine orders †¢ the ability to send orders as guests †¢ additional answers will vary d. Review the products directory. Amazon. com provides a wide variety of products including books, electronics, music, travel services and many others. . Enter priceline. com and identify the various business models it uses. Priceline. com uses the â€Å"name your own price† or reverse auction business model. This model allows consumers to place bids for different services with several third-party companies through priceline. com. If the amount paid by the customer meets the third-party company’s minimum sales pri ce, the customer purchases the product or service at that price. 4. Go to ups. com and find information about recent EC projects that are related to logistics and supply chain management. UPS provides a variety of EC business products and solutions. Many of the solutions allow companies to easily ship, track and receive packages through UPS. In many of these cases, UPS provides software and services that allows customers to link UPS information to their existing information or e-commerce systems. The systems then allow greater visibility of the supply chain creating easier understanding of problems and opportunities in logistics. 5. Go to mixonic. com and create a CD. Then go to nike. com and design your own shoes. Next visit iprint. com and create your own business card. Finally, enter jaguar. com and configure the car of your dreams. What are the advantages of each activity? The disadvantages? Each of these sites provides the ability of individual customization for various products. The major advantage of this system is the ability of the consumer to create and purchase a product that meets their individual specifications. The disadvantages of the systems are the limitations and possible customizations and the additional cost and fulfillment time associated with customized products. 6. Enter chemconnect. com. What kind of EC does this site represent? What benefits can it provide to buyers? To sellers? This company provides an Internet-based exchange for the buying and selling of chemicals and plastics. This site provides benefits to both buyers and sellers. Buyers are able to evaluate pricing, availability and other information from a variety of sellers. Sellers are able to present their products for sale to a wide variety of buyers. 7. It is time you try to sell or buy on an online auction. You can try eBay. com, auction. yahoo. com, or an auction site of your choice. You can participate in an auction of almost any country. Prepare a short report describing your experiences. Reports will vary based on the auction site used by the student. In many cases students will comment on the overall experience of listing and purchasing products. Points of reference would include the ease-of-use of the site, the ease in searching and gathering information, the ability to compare products and the ease in completing transactions. 8. Try to save on your next purchase by using group purchasing. Visit letsbuyit. com, shop2gether. com, and buyerzone. com. Which site do you prefer? Why? Opinions will vary based on student preferences. . Enter espn. com and identify all sources of revenue there. I was able to identify: Advertising (pop-up) Advertising (co-branding MSN) Advertising (banners) Advertising (internal, for ESPN) E-Commerce (sales) Team Assignments and Role Playing 1. Assign each team two failed or failing Internet companies (e. g. , musicmaker. com, comdex. com). Use startupfailures. com to identify companies th at are in distress. Fortune. com is a good source of details for particular business failures. Have each team prepare a report on why is the companies failed or are failing. Responses will vary based on the businesses chosen by students and the source of their information. 2. Each team will research two EC success stories. Members of the group should examine companies that operate solely online and some that extensively utilize a click-and-mortar strategy. Each team should identify the critical success factors for its companies and present a report to the other teams. Responses will vary based on the businesses chosen by students and the source of their information. Answers to End-of-Chapter Real-World Case Questions: E-Commerce Supports Field Employees at Maybelline Questions 1. IVR systems are still popular. What advantages do they have over a system in which the reps mail or fax reports? Information comes in faster, and in a machine understandable format. 2. Explain why the MSP application is an e-commerce application. Compare it to the definitions and classifications in the chapter. The MSP application is an e-commerce application because it uses IT to directly enable communications and sales of products. 3. The existing technology enables transmission of data any time an employee can access the Internet with a PC. Technically, the system can be enhanced so that the data can be sent wirelessly from any location as soon as they are entered. Would you recommend such a wireless system to Maybelline? Why or why not? Student answers will vary. Students will weigh the benefits of real-time information against the costs and access issues of a new system. 4. Summarize the advantages of the new MSP system over the IVR one. Some of the advantages include: †¢ Easier to use †¢ More accurate information †¢ More detailed information †¢ More timely information †¢ Two-way communication †¢ Fulfills more roles