English Coursework †Crucible Essay

The Crucible’ is a play, based on a true event in American history. Written by Arthur Miller in 1953, The Crucible was set in the small Puritan village called Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. This town can be seen to be extremely oppressive, and a place in which people had no freedom or individuality.  Miller wrote the play during the period in which McCarthy’s anti-Communist campaign was at its height. Miller saw many parallels between this period and the ‘witch hunts’ in Salem, for example unsupported accusations, fear of individual difference, and people being encouraged to inform on their friends. Senator Joe McCarthy organized a twentieth-century version of ‘witch-hunting’. In the early 1950’s he exploited the US fears about Communism and managed to create a national campaign against Communists. As chairman of the House Un-American Activities Committee, McCarthy interrogated many witnesses and tried to make them inform on their friends. Anyone suspected of communist views was arrested for taking part in ‘Un-American Activities’. Between 1950 and 1954 McCarthy investigated and accused a wide range of famous people such as Walt Disney, John Lennon, and Marilyn Monroe. Even Miller was investigated as many of his plays were seen as an attack on capitalism. This was very similar to what happened in Salem in the 17th century. Salem can be seen as a corrupted society in which people were trapped by the strict rules of Puritanism. The accusations of witchcraft and dealing with the Devil in Salem were all started off by a group of girls who were caught chanting, dancing and conjuring spirits in the woods. Dancing and partying was forbidden at this time, due to the strict puritan rules. The forest was thought to be where the Devil ‘carried out his work’, which led people to believe that the girls were witches. This was a prime example of when people’s longing for individuality and or spiritual freedom was undermined by the rules within society. This can be compared to the anti-communists during the McCarthy years, in which people’s political freedom was undermined. Also in both situations the allegations lead to hysteria.  However, many people may argue that Salem is like any other society, even today, full of good and bad people, the exploited and the exploiters. The plot in the Crucible starts after the girls were found dancing and conjuring spirits in the woods, and there were already suspicions of witchcraft. After being accused of witchcraft the girls begin to accuse other people in the town in order to deflect the attention away from themselves. The court believes these accusations made by the girls, and many are named as witches, and are sentenced to death. This then leads to many hangings of innocent individuals, who would rather die than commit the sin of lying and having their names tarnished. John Proctor and Abigail Williams are two central characters in the play. Their secretive affair results in Abigail conjuring spirits, as she was obsessed with rekindling their relationship. However John rejected her, which led to her becoming even more desperate to be with him. Her desperate act led to a catalogue of events, resulting in the death of many innocent people. John is one of those suspected of witchcraft. When given the opportunity to confess, he does so. However after signing the confession, John suddenly changes his mind. He takes back his confessions as he realises that he could not live with a name associated with witchcraft, and would therefore rather die. This can be linked to the themes of integrity and courage. Both of these themes are explored throughout the play through many different characters. Another central theme within the play is envy, which is mainly shown through the character of Abigail Williams. Tyranny, purification, justice and bigotry are also key themes in the Crucible as they all contribute to the oppressive society in which the play is set. They also show how people at the time felt a deep religious need to cleanse the town of any association with the devil. This was due to fear and intolerance of any cultural or religious difference or spiritual freedom. All of the themes explored are linked to the individual as well as the society.

Reebok: Advertising and Terry Tate

R â€Å"Reebok† case questions 1. How could viral marketing be used to complement or replace traditional media in this case? In this case, Reebok created â€Å"buzz† to attract the potential customers since its markets changed and its target consumers moved their attention away from the traditional media. Therefore, Reebok moved its advertising resource away from magazines and newspapers to online and mobile platform. Moreover, Reebok also advertised at sporting events, such as in NBA basketball games.The ultimate goal of Reebok creating successful viral marketing programs is to create viral messages that appeal to the potential customers and that the programs may have a high probability of being presented and spread by these individuals in their communications with others in a short period of time. 2. Evaluate the Terry Tate commercials. Did they increase recognition of the Reebok brand and significantly help build brand equity? Explain. Terry Tate was first aired in 2 003 at the Superbowl. Terry Tate is an American Football player who has been hired by an office firm to administer punishment to those breaking any of the companies’ rules.The way he administers the punishment is by tackling the perpetrators around the office environment. The story in Terry Tate commercial is about the office drama, and the humor in the ad was fairly conveyed to the target audience – Gen Xers between the ages of 25 and 40. The shots of the Terry Tate commercial performs more usual office tasks like making presentations and celebrating a fellow employee’s birthday to show that Terry is fitting in the office environment. Therefore, Terry Tate commercial may successfully create the resonance among its target audiences in the similar office scenes and moments.Reebok found that even though there were great amount viewers of its Terry Tate Super Bowl, its sales and market share did not increase at all. The main reason of this less successful result is   in that Reebok brand was not sufficiently mentioned in the ads. Most of the audiences memorized the Terry Tate character and this office comedy, but few of them recognized that this commercial was created by Reebok. Obviously, Reebok would not successfully  build the strong connection between the Terry Tate commercial video with its brand awareness in consumers’ minds.To sum up, this program did not assist Reebok in earning brand recognition and brand equity since the idea from Reebok did not generate more money from its products, as consumers believe that a product with a well-known name is better than products with less well-known names. 3. Was the central message effective? Was it memorable? Did it generate sufficient levels of positive attitudes towards the brand? Explain. 4. Is this type of communication capable of capturing the attention and influencing Gen X consumers? Explain why or why not.This type of communication is able to capture the attention and influenc e Gen X consumers. In this case, this commercial was an instant hit, flying across the Internet for months as the hottest office comedy joke to hit the air since Office Space. The humor in the ad that resonated so clearly with its target audience, mostly Gen Xers between the age of 25 and 40, was not necessarily attributed to the devastating blows which Tate delivered with the greatest of ease, but rather the office vignettes which transpired before Tate moved in for the kill.Clearly, Gen X consumers were fascinated by Terry Tate and they wanted to know more about him. 5. Recommend a possible viral marketing campaign for Reebok in today’s environment. Great idea!!! I love this one, too. This idea will attract the target audiences and make them involved in â€Å"Me and my Reebok† activity. Traveling and photographing are both the hot issues among GEN Xers. Combining these two factors for the marketing campaign is suitable and it will be appealing to them.

Ten Critical Steps for Risk Managers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Ten Critical Steps for Risk Managers - Essay Example Argentina is one of the Latin American countries which have a high political risks associated with international business. These risks affect the way international business is done between Argentina and the rest of the world.According to World Bank (2001), managing political risk and other forms of risks associated with international business is something that can be very difficult for businesses. However, experts such as Thomas Cook (2012) have provided useful information regarding the ways in which international businesses can address these issues. For a country such as Argentina, the main issue for international business people to understand is the fact that this country is not stable politically. Countries which have not matured democratically such as Argentina have more and higher political risk and it is necessary for businesses to be able to address these risks in a more serious way. The following ten steps as developed by Cook can be used to manage political risk in Argentina . The first issue to for a manager to consider is selecting a risk insurance firm which is suited to the insurance needs of the business. According to Cook (2012), it is absolutely necessary for a manager to know that the underwriters who they choose are conversant in political risks in the country. In this regard, choosing an insurance broker in Argentina will concentrate on looking for an insurance broker who critically understands the political risks in the country not only in theory but also in practice.... In buying insurance, it is always necessary to understand the nature and extent of the risk involved (Cook, 2012). In this regard, it will be increasingly necessary to understand the political risks involved in Argentina and then look for an insurance provider who will guarantee these risks. It will be necessary to look for an insurance provider who clearly understands these risks and who is able to look at the way in which the business can be shielded from this kind of risk. Thirdly, the manager should consider combining risk and covering them with one insurance policy. There are a number of risks associated with doing international business in Argentina and this will require combining risks when buying an insurance policy. In this regard, it will be necessary to understand the various risks which can be combined in order to make sure that the business is well protected. For instance, apart from political risks, there are other non-political risks which must be looked at in this reg ard, instead of having a different policy for each risk; it could be useful to have one umbrella policy which will protect the business from all the risks. Fourth, constant communication about the contract after it has been put in place is also very important. This is because Argentina’s political environment is very volatile and therefore the nature and extent of political risks in Argentina keep changing over time. Fifthly, constant review and update of the insurance contract is necessary because political risks can change with regard to which regime is in power and also depending on seasons such as the electioneering season. With a country which does not have a concrete public policy, the nature of the governance is purely

Changes in US for the Past 27 Years Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Changes in US for the Past 27 Years - Essay Example U.S is one amongst the country’s that have undergone change with time. This paper compares intelligibly how life used to be for an American citizen 27 years ago and how life is today for an American citizen. It also depicts the writer’s own perspective on the changes that have occurred with time. After interviewing Steve Lance, an American citizen now 50 years, he explained how life was 29 years ago when he was still 21 years old. He told me of the difficult situations he had to undergo during his twenties. Life was not a bed of roses and one had to struggle to make ends meet. From his perspective, life used to be hard and required perseverance. Although he experienced hardship, there was nothing to do about it. He often thought of a world without hardships and physiological torture. In comparison to today’s life, it is far much better, with no stress and everything made easier. Due to rapid change in technology, life for a 21-year-old American citizen can be vie wed meaningful. It is in rare cases to find a 21-year-old individual drowned in physiological stress since he/she has positive plans and informed of the daily happening. This is guaranteed by the advancement in technology and the prevailing political stability. According to Steve, he always had an optimistic approach of life. Despite the limitation in accessing education, he did not at any point of his life loose hope for the future. He always had mighty dreams, which he ever looked forward in achieving them. His own perspective was that he was to become a triumphant businessperson after all the perseverance in life. However, how he was to achieve his dream was the greatest fear he had in life. Each passing day, he was worried of how to establish him financially stable since he lived a life of hand to mouth. In relation to today’s life, people also base their hopes in future. They believe in the future due to the diverse changes in technology. Presently, individuals always dr eam of new inventions in technology. They always foresee great things ahead of life. However, it becomes a problem in relation to the skills and knowledge required to accomplish such a task. Steve further explained of the poor technology and infrastructure they experienced during his twenties and the drawbacks in comparison to today’s life. He is astonished by change in internet facilities and communication devices. He goes ahead and views cars and bridges because of revolution since he did not own a car and saw no importance of having one. 29 years ago, everything seemed slow, laborious, and labor intensive. Several people owned bicycles that aided in their transport. Leisure time was emphasized and people spent their time singing and dancing. This used to be a very important period appreciated by every person. Today, cars of different versions have found their way in the country and owning one is not a big issue. Moreover, people have invented better ways of having fun and relaxing which include watching television, browsing the internet, and playing various games like golf. Steve explained to me in depth of difficulties he had to face in his life in order to make ends meet for his family. He was by then married and had two children. Life tor him seemed hard and unfair since he was unemployed. He had a family to feed, which put its entire hopes in him. He viewed the president as someone capable of leading the country to both political and economical success but

An Introduction to the Supply Chain and the Firm's Position within It Essay

An Introduction to the Supply Chain and the Firm's Position within It - Essay Example Discussion: A Supply Chain may be seen as a series or network of facilities and distribution channels which facilitate the procurement, processing and conversion of raw materials into finished products and their distribution from the place of production to the final customer through a series of distribution stages. The stages are characterized by the distributer at the given stage and the activities that are performed by the distributor to ensure the delivery of the product to the end customer (Wiley 2012). The supply chain usually takes diverse forms. The structure of the firm varies in length, size, shape and the kind of activity involved. Also, a firm may be part of more than one interconnected supply chains, whose final outcome might be differentially diverse (Enporion 2009). Thus the Supply chains may sometimes more appropriately be referred to as Supply networks. For example Kellogg’s the world leading breakfast cereal and snack producer, sources raw materials from diffe rent sources which are functionally as well as geographically diverse. Further, Kellogg’s collaborates with a huge network of distributors like wholesalers, retailers and other outlets like hotels etc to make its product reach to the end customers (The Times 2012). Once the concept of a Supply chain as part of the value chain is established, the concept of Supply Chain Management (SCM) comes to the fore. However it is important to understand the concept of logistics first. Logistics is concerned with Flow of materials and information to and from a firm’s boundaries aiding in the production and distribution of its products to the customers. At the same time, supply chain is a network of companies performing these logistical activities together to bring a product or products to the market. Also, a supply chain, apart from the logistical activities, also includes activities like marketing, finance and customer service. Supply Chain management thus is concerned with the co ordinated activities of production, location and inventory among the various participants of a supply chain. The activities are directed such that a mix of responsiveness and efficiency that is best suited to the market is achieved (Wiley 2012). Supply chain management is therefore concerned with the efficiency and effectiveness of a supply chain. One of the major objectives of a supply chain is to reduce the logistical costs. Also, it strives to achieve an incentive within the system to remove waste from the processes or activities involved. It is through effective Supply Chain management that a firm can achieve the objective of a giving a better and differentiated value to the end customer. Kellogg’s for instance achieves this value through activities like partnering with supermarkets like Tesco. It follows close relationships with such partners. It has come up with a shelf ready unit at Tesco, which helps gives better choice and visibility to customers. Also, it augurs wel l for the sales both for Tesco as well as for Kellogg’s. In the recent years, Supply Chain Management has assumed an increasingly important role. This is so due the increasing globalization and industrial competition. From the perspective of stakeholders of a supply chain

Abortion, war, and capital punishment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Abortion, war, and capital punishment - Essay Example The best thing to reduce cases of killings is to ban any form of killing be it in war, abortion, capital punishment etc. this would play a major role in reducing cases of deaths as all people who will commit any form of murder will face the full force of the law. There is no individual or body that should have the right to take the life of any person. Many cases have arose where a person is found guilty and sentenced to capital punishment and after appealing the case the person is then found innocent. This illustrate that it is hard to determine if the person is supposed to be killed or not (Korsgaard, 2008, p.189). War has also seen loss of thousands lives of innocent people. This calls for universal reshuffle of laws that have anything to do with taking away human life. My argument surrounds along the deontology rights where everyone has a duty to take care of his life without any outside interference. People should only be responsible for their rights and life and no third party should interfere through making decisions to take away their lives (Korsgaard 2008, p.

ART HISTORY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

ART HISTORY - Essay Example This construction is often used in bazaars in some of the Arab markets today. Pei and Parteners.The Bank of China, 1989 was constructed as beautiful architectural masterpiece with geometrical perfection of the mathematical design of each piece of glass. This was the precursor of his constructing the pyramids of the Louvre. Architecture in the commercial world has been transformed into art in itself. The design of Pei, the US Pavillon of Budminister Fuller and the beautiful buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright are just a small indication of how architechure has changed since the early 1950's. Art is to be beautiful to the eye visible at 180Â ° and promote social cohesion. Chapter 10: MORTALITY AND IMMORTALITY Man was deified and made immortal through art. 3000 BCE were the Pyramids in Egypt or the Chichen Itza in Mexico. Because of many social changes including the overcrowding of cities, graveyards became the responsibility of civil authorities. This can be seen in the Romanticism era wi th Pere LaChaise in 1804. (p265). As more controls were established less ornaments were allowed on gravestones. In some graveyards, stones were discontinued all together as in Memorial Lawn outside of Los Angeles. It is significant to bring up the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong in Tiananmen Square (p 266) for the architecture of the building and for the statue outside. A similar edifice can be seen in North Korea and in Moscow. There are two photos in this section which the writer feels should go in Chapter 12. Chapter 12: SOCIAL PROTEST AND AFFIRMATION The following two photos were in the last chapter for the number of people who have died. It is important to look at the date of publication of this book and the six years that have past and the importance of social affirmation. "Modern commemorative art serves a psychological need of loss" and of closure. The AIDS Memorial Quilt is a commemorative work which promotes cohesion. Other commemorative works in Chapter 11: USA MARINE CORPS WAR ( p 297) and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, (p 1982) No other time in history have people been able to congregate in masses to mourn their losses. The most significant piece of architecture today is the computer designed Liberty Tower or 7TC. Land has been broken and it is scheduled to be finished in 2013. This site represents a corporate structure built will a shape that has never been used before which has no national or cultural significance. It will be used a memorial for the thousands who have died and who have died in war. In building one of the highest buildings in the world, it will be a social protest and a social affirmation that terrorism can be won. The context might be considered subjective to those who were not part of September 11 2001. Context therefore is depended on the person's culture. An American reading this report will not have the same perspective as someone from an Eastern

American Slavery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

American Slavery - Essay Example In fact, slavery was for economic factors since the English settler required slaves to provide labor in their huge farms. The colonialists continually lured the many laborers to provide labor and sometimes, were forced to compel them to work forcefully (Morgan, 149). For some reasons, many believed that the decreasing populace and the need for a labor force compelled the white people to believe that African slaves were the most effective in provision of labor force. During the 1680s through to the 17th century, the population of the indentured servants declined and the need for more labor force was required for the huge tobacco plantations. To the farmers or tobacco planters, slavery was the ideal labor because it was cheap was of solving the shortage of labor. Planters had an abundance of land while suffered losses because they lacked laborers. Nonetheless, the status of the slave was predetermined by the material conditions of the slave life. During the early colonial period, both indentured servants and slaves got better treatments than the black slaves. The also belonged to the poorest ranks in the society, thus; they barely enjoyed greater freedoms. As any of the aspects of the history regarding slavery, the dynamics of urban existence for the enslaved went from one region to another between historical periods. Many colonies such as the Northern colony and low country such as Carolinas began moving from cities to the countryside, thus; focusing more on agricultural production, in the lower valley of Mississippi. For example in the 1763, a quarter of the black populace of Louisiana resided on small tracks in distinct near the city of New Orleans. Nonetheless, the circumstances were to be altered in subsequent periods. In the late 1700 and 1800, the slavery was beginning its state of decay as some of its founders had hoped. This is justified by the fact that in 1860, roughly 140,000 slaves had

Internet regulation vs Free

Internet regulation vs Freedom of Speech Essay MGM v. Grokster case determines the file sharing software. Grokster is a software development company that makes peer-to-peer file sharing software making it possible for all users to share files. However, one possibility with the usage of this software is that some users start sharing copyrighted files. Most commonly copyrighted music mp3 files are shared. In this case court determined that whether making of such software can be regulated. Proponents argue that file sharing is very popular and important technology implemented today in several companies for important business tasks. It is also commonly used by individuals for normal sharing of files for important reason. Only for just one reason it is not possible to shut down the whole business. This is just beginning of the exploration of current use of technology which may expand later. Court determined that whether Grokster should be liable for this file sharing that involves copyrighted material. The pro of this case is that today as we’re bound with each other via world wide networking, it has changed the way of our living. Regulating things going on Internet has recently affected our legislations. With internet networking we can easily connect together and communicate. However, recently several cases have emerged and made it more complex to handle people communicating on the internet. There is another law case that is very hot these days, a Yahoo case. Yahoo has been disgraced in France and now fighting with Chinese government on several issues of free speech. All legal aspects of internet regulation include several security measures and protection from threats. In addition, the way of communication on the Internet has made it much easier for anyone to pass any remarks to any person far away from the location. Speech and communication on the internet has to be regulated in order to protect people from any kind of abuse. According to the Judge decision of freedom of speech that the Yahoo had the right in favor it. The con of this case is that though, we know that all humans have rights. Freedom of speech is one of the rights an individual have by birth, but this right has a limitation as well. The limitation is decided by the exposure of the speech on makes in his social environment. Freedom of speech is a right until this freedom doesn’t hurdle the other’s same right. And if this come to happen the ‘right’ of one rests no more with him. Many firms and legislations are now restricting making use of language and topics on the communication board and email. For example, many big firms like Mircrosoft do not allow specific topics to be discussed on their forums. In China a journalist was imprisoned because of the fact that he forwarded an email that contained an inappropriate language terms. Many U. S. firms are now help resolving issues in China regarding communication. Different law now governs freedom of speech on the Internet. Whatever the case it must now be the matter of great concern to regulate everything that is going on Internet. Similarly, USA and other countries several such cases were detected. Many groups, forums and companies do not allow free talk on politics and religion in order to avoid hot debates involved on these topics. In the present circumstances, especially whereby the social environment has become digital, it’s become very crucial to maintain an equilibrium so that each one can enjoy his right of freedom of speech in the most effective way. The most prominent platform for present digital social environment is ‘internet’ which has not only reduced the distances among the continents, but has also opened the opportunities for individuals to have their say on broader channels. This outgrowth in the outreach of common man’s voice has lead him to be confident on one hand and made others to suffer from the un censored voice. Law gives the right to speech, freedom of thought, freedom of choice, freedom of choosing a religion and changing beliefs. Though we have right for freedom of expression but this does not determine that we can use abusive language, make false statements, and defame others. References Internet Regulation law. Retrieved from http://bubl. ac. uk/LINK/i/internetregulation-law. htm Kirby, Carrie (2005). Chinese Internet vs. free speech Hard choices for U. S. tech giants Retrieved from http://www. sfgate. com/cgi-bin/article. cgi? file=/c/a/2005/09/18/MNGDUEPNLA1. DTLtype=tech Supreme Court Hears Two Cases Critical For Future Of Online Free Speech. Retrieved from http://www. aclu. org/scotus/2004/13918prs20050329. html

Marketing Essay Example for Free

Marketing Essay For any entrepreneur, marketing is an important component for the success of all businesses. Marketing can be identified as the process in which any business informs, satisfy and keep possessions of its customers. It is the main ingredient to bringing in customers to increase profits for a business. Many may think that marketing is as simple as advertisements and promotions but in the real business world to be successful, marketing is a bit more complex. A business needs a solid marketing plan to succeed and also to show the investors the company is able to return the investment the investors have given. For an entrepreneur to master the marketing skill the individual must understand the marketing mix. Marketing mix is the combination of the elements of marketing and what roles each element plays in promoting your products and services and delivering those products and services to your customers (about. com). Elements of Marketing Mix The marketing mix has four elements and until recently there have been a few new added elements which are referred to the 4 ps or the 7 ps of marketing mix. The 4 ps of marketing are product, place, price, and promotion and the additional p’s are process, people and physical evidence. When looking at it from a business sense of view it make a lot of sense because even though the added p’s can be explained in the original 4 ps, they each can stand alone. For instance process can be looked at as the protocol used by businesses for the marketing strategies and people can be seen as what they used to explain in debt the product or services. Last but not least physical evidence is what most consumers today go by which shows firsthand that a product or services does work. Product is the product and services offered to your customer, and how they are different from the competitors’ products. Businesses also have to make sure when offering a product to their customers it has to have the correct features meaning it must look good and work well and have enough to go around. Price is described as how you price your product or service so that your price remains competitive but still allows you to make a profit. In pricing businesses should also keep their targeted market in mind ensuring it is affordable to them and potential future customers. Place is describe as the distribution or where your business sells its products or services and how it gets those products or services to your customers. Place is very important because a business would want to make sure that their goods and services arrive when and where they are needed. For the promotion element it is the methods used to communicate the features and benefits of your products or services to your target customers. In today market promotion is made easier because your targeted consumer can be reached by the push of a button. With that being said businesses should keep technique and deliverance of the product and services offered into consideration also. The fifth p in marketing mix is described as people and is how your level of service and the expertise of the people who work for you can be used to set your business apart from the competitors. With the majority of products and services being offered by the click of a button, most consumers tend to rely on reviews to help them decide. If the business does not have the right people that look professional and have good ethics with the knowledge of the product or services they are selling it can hurt the business extremely. Which brings us to the saying a first impression last. Organization The Atlanta barber and beauty supply company or ABBS is an organization that supplies barber and beauty shops all around the country. They have been in business serving professional barber shops since 1946 with new, used and antique barber supplies and equipment. It is specifically marketed to the licensed barber or beautician shop owners. Just like any other organization ABBS has used the four elements of marketing mix to assist in the marketing strategy. For the product element the company has shown how each of their products are of great professional quality and last for years. Even though they sell top quality products, they also provide lower end products for those that maybe not willing or able to spend as much. They sell the same products as their competitors but they have a wider variety of clippers and shears in stock that are antiques. This allows them to provide their products to a larger consumer group from the older shops to the younger and ever changing shops. The company takes pride in having any kind of hair products in stock. Some barbers have specialty shops that only cater to an older market and likes nostalgic products and equipment to make their shop look and feel like the barber shops of the past, and ABBS has these products and items in stock and can ship them anywhere all around the world. This element does not affect the development of the company’s marketing strategy because it helps it by making sure the company keeps plenty of stock of their products. This element also gives the company a reason to look at other countries hair products to see what new products are being made and used in that country that can be sold to that market in the future. In the price element this affects the marketing strategy of the business by making the company decide how to price their products without making the price to expensive but attractive to customers to gain more customers than the competitors. The prices for the products are at competitive rates but lower than other barber supply companies because they give discounts to the owners of the barber shops. They also give a discount on shipping on all items purchased $60 and over. That is a strategy to bring in and keep more customers to use their internet website. The place element/distribution element for the ABBS is placed in 186 Mitchell St. S. W. Atlanta, GA that is the main building set for distribution of all barber and beauty products. The company utilizes its internet website by offering its products via e-commerce to a worldwide market. This affects the company’s marketing strategy and tactics in a good way by broadening their market to attract more customers. The more the clients they can generate worldwide the more the companies’ profits will increase. The internet is the best tool to advertise a business and its products these days, because of its power to reach a mass amount of people around the world in a matter of seconds. They also use catalogs to keep their existing customers updated on new products and price and can also be a good way of keeping them in the loop of new adventures to come. In past years the radio and TV ads were the top marketing tool for businesses, but it came with an expensive price to get a radio or TV ad spot it also only reached a local market so small businesses were stuck only doing business domestically. The internet made it easier and cheaper for mainly anyone to advertise anything to anyone all around the world. Now the company distributes its products from the main building in Atlanta to thousands of clients in many different countries. The ABBS Company has developed policies for its internet clients that are overseas; it also ships to APO/FPO addresses. In the promotion element the company communicates through the internet to advertise its products it also sends out catalog magazines to all new barbershops that are listed in the phone books of each city. The company is a top search when searched on Google. ABBS promotes the business in all forms of the marketing aspect, from newspaper ads, magazines, radio/TV ads, and the internet. Conclusion In conclusion new entrepreneurs understand that the marketing mix is a good tool to use when planning the marketing strategy of the business. It shows that these strategies are ever evolving with time and for a business to be and keep being successful their approach to cater to their consumer must also evolve. After identifying the four elements of marketing mix which are product, price, place, and promotion I was able to describe how each element affected the development of the company’s market strategy and tactics. I also described how each of the four elements was implemented for the business, and identified the industry in which ABBS exists.

Influences on Elderly Quality of Life: Age and Identity

Influences on Elderly Quality of Life: Age and Identity Many influences affect older peoples quality of life in the 21st century and there are changes in expectations both by and about older people in terms of identity and pressure to age well. The following will discuss and evaluate the many influences, which affect older people’s quality of life in the 21st century. The evaluation will also discuss the changes in expectations both by and about older people in terms of their identity and the pressure to age well. As will be demonstrated there are many diverse influences that affect older people’s quality of life ranging from government policies, non-governmental organisations representing their interests, prevailing demographic trends, as well as the provisions for retirement which the older people may or may not have made for themselves. The quality of life for older people is also influenced and to a large extent dependent upon the availability of health, housing, and social services. Non-governmental organisations have an important role in altering the expectations of older people in terms of their identity, and the pressure to age well. The value of occupational and state pensions as well as the potential ly high costs of having to be cared for are as will be shown a significant concern for older people when it comes to their quality of life. Government policies can and do have a major influence upon the quality of life of older people. The government could also alter the expectations that older people have in terms of their identities and any pressure to age well, which can be an integral part of government and public sector policies towards older people. This was a small document issued by the Better Government for Older People group to discuss the challenges that older people face. It is a good overview of the issues involved (Audit Commission / Better Government for Older People, p.2). Governments have to consider the cost of state pensions, other social security benefits, as well as the cost of health and social services (House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts, May 2004 p. 9). Demographic trends will also have a significant factor in the provision of government social security payments and public services to older people. The increasing numbers of older people within the population mean that people need to pay higher national insurance contributions and taxes whilst they are working to cover extra public expenditure caused by the higher costs that an ageing population brings with it (Vincent et al, 2006). As another way of reducing the strain on social security and public service budgets the government has also changed employment law to allow older people to carry on working past the state retirement age. Already the government has changed services and the help directed towards older people to improve their health and to reduce levels of poverty, i.e. the introduction of NHS Direct and Pension Credit. The whole of the House of Commons report contains very useful information concerning the policy decisions needed to help older people in Britain. The report provides analysis of the successes and the shortcomings of present public policies towards older people. On balance chapters 3 and 4 contained the most relevant information (House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts, May 2004 p. 9). Ultimately the government would more than likely increase the state retirement age so that older people in the future have longer working lives to pay towards their state retirement pensions (Brooke and Taylor, 2005). Allowing older people to work longer also compensates for the declining number of young people in the population that are paying taxes and national insurance contributions to provide social security payments and public services. When it comes to social security and public service expenditure governments have attempted to save costs by rationing or restricting services, as well as making older people with greater levels of savings or their own homes pay for such services. For instance, older people who own their houses are liable to sell those homes to pay for long-term stays in residential care homes. That practice has now been reduced nationally due to devolution in Scotland and Wales. The Department of Health report is a useful analysis of the current provision of med ical services to older people, as well as outlining the options for improving the level of healthcare provision in the future. There is also some useful information in the appendices (Department of Health, 2006). New Labour has attempted to reorganise government structures to target services towards older people more effectively. For instance the Department for Works and Pensions has made itself more responsive to the needs of older people via the creation of the Pension Service in 2002 (House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts, May 2004 p. 10). For the government and the non-governmental organisations which are interested in improving or at least maintaining the quality of life for older people there are social as well as economic reasons for allowing and encouraging older people to carry on working past the state retirement age. Non-governmental organisations like Age Concern and Help the Aged regard the encouraging of older people to stay employed as an important means of maintaining a higher quality of life and helping older people to age well. Older people had varying degrees of access to public services and opportunities to voice their concerns or problems. Generally older people in socially and economically deprived areas have greater needs and less influence over public services. Riseborough and Jenkins provide useful explanations as to why older people find it harder to benefit from the regeneration of deprived areas than younger people do so. Sections 3 and 4 were probably the most informative parts of this report (Riseborough Jenkins, April 2004 p. 6). As far as non-governmental organisations are convinced that working for longer enables older people to maintain or even improve their levels of self-esteem. Older people are more prone to been excluded from improvements to public services and employment opportunities in areas that have been regenerated. Another area of concern for non-governmental organisations is that the government’s consultations with older people are inconsistent nationally although it is improving on the whole (Riseborough Jenkins, April 2004 p.13). Working in either a paid or voluntary capacity is a valuable method of keeping older people mentally and physically active and therefore assists them to age well. For older people themselves staying employed could also have a significant influence upon their quality of life, as it facilitates their opportunities to socialise with other older people as well as younger people. Evandrou and Glaser contend that older people could increasingly face the choice of carrying on working due to the insufficient pension levels or caring for partners or other elderly relatives (Evandrou Glaser, 2003). Contact with younger people allows those younger people the chance to meet and understand older people, and therefore increase respect for older generations. Both the government and the non-governmental organisations, that represent the interests of older people, have found evidence that older people find it difficult to remain employed or return to the active work force due to prejudices based on ageism against them. Aside from prejudice there might be other barriers to older people being involved in the labour market, such as a lack of training facilities or restricted access for older people with issues around their physical capabilities. To a large extent, physical barriers to older people should be significantly reduced by the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. That Act requires equal access to work places and the provision of public or private services irrespective of disability and of age (Audit Commission / Better Government for Older People, p.2). The concept of establishing identities and ageing well depends on more than just the prospects of older people wishing to work for longer. Estes et al are in parts highly critical of present public services for older people, whilst the first couple of chapters provide valuable insights into the way older people are generally inadequately catered for (Estes et al, 2003). The desire of older people to work and remain active for longer is influenced by what they want out life themselves as well as by the influence of the government and non-governmental organisations. Older people have an influence upon the ideas and the policies of the government and non-governmental organisations towards them. Older people are often an essential part of the non-governmental organisations that they belong to, and who represent their interests. Non-governmental organisations will attempt to help older people to establish their identity and advise them how to age well due to older people requesting such a ssistance in the first place. Older people will use non-governmental organisations to lobby the government to change governmental policies to suit their best interests when it comes to a high quality of life, an identity that enables self-esteem and enhances the prospects of ageing well. It is not governments that older people and their associated non-governmental organisations attempt to lobby, they frequently use the media to publicise their opinions or advice. Of course the influence that older people have upon government policy should logically increase throughout the 21st century as the population continues to age and the government will need older people to work longer and stay healthy for longer. As older people will make up an ever-greater percentage of the electorate the political parties that do the most to improve the quality of life older people could have the best prospects of winning general elections. In return governments will have to assist older people by making it easier to remain employed and healthy for longer as well as reducing the incidence of ageism. Reducing the doubts that people have concerning the abilities of older people is vital if prejudices are not going to prevent the expectations of older people that the quality of their lives will be improved. The majority of the report by Bowers et al is critical of the failure of public policy to assist older people with mental health problems. The report frequently mentions the positive influence that non-governmental organisations do have upon the quality of life for older people and raising their expectations (Bowers et al, 2005 p. 25). To conclude the quality of life of older people, with closely linked expectations of identity and ageing well will be and is currently influenced by government policy, the actions of the non-governmental organisations that are interested in older people, and the media. Governments will argue that the best way for older people to achieve a high quality of life is for them to help themselves by working as long as possible. Governments are encouraging people to plan for their own retirement in terms of adequate income levels, and advising them of the all public services, which are available to help them. Urging people to stay employed not only prevents older people from living in poverty it raises expectations of being identified as being useful and active members of society that have self-esteem and who are respected by younger people. Governments have an important influence by demonstrating to society as a whole the valuable contribution that older people make to the social and econom ic quality of life for every body and not just for older people. Non-governmental organisations that help older people also have a strong influence over the quality of life, plus the expectations of identity and ageing well for older people. In a sense non-governmental organisations are essential for older people to gain the help and the advice they need to have a high quality of life whilst advising governments of the social and economic policies which will improve the lives of older people. Bibliography Audit Commission / Better Government for Older People – Older People, independence and well-being: The challenge for public services, Public Sector Briefing Bowers H, Eastman M, Harris J, Macadam A (2005) Moving out of the Shadows – A report on mental health and wellbeing in later life, Health Care Development Ltd, London Brooke L and Taylor P, Older workers and employment: managing age relations, Ageing society 25, 2005, 415-429, Cambridge University Press Department of Health, A Sure Start to later life, Ending inequalities for older people, January 2006 Estes, C.L. Biggs, S. and Phillipson, C. (2003), Social Theory, Social Policy and Ageing A critical introduction, Open University Press, Maidenhead Maria Evandrou and Karen Glaser, Combining work and family life: the pension penalty of care, Ageing and Society 23, 2003, 583-601, Cambridge University Press House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts, Improving Public Service for Older People, Twenty- Ninth Report of Session 2003-04 (May 2004) Riseborough M Jenkins C (April 2004), Now you see me†¦now you don’t How are older citizens being included in regeneration? Age Concern, London Vincent, J., Phillipson, C. Downs M., (eds) (2006) The Futures of Old Age, Sage

Sun Also Rises and Decline and Fall :: Free Essay Writer

Sun Also Rises and Decline and Fall Poverty is an issue which society faces each day. It is a constant struggle that cannot be ignored. Defeating poverty would take great efforts and contributions from all. Canada and the third world are examples of countries which are experiencing poverty, yet each differ in different ways. Once seeing the multitudes of condominiums, expensive restaurants, and streets jammed with cars, one would never see Canada as a place suffering from hunger, lack of food or clothing. Yet poverty exists. Poverty in Canada cannot be compared to that of a 3rd world country, since many of the poor have access to transportation and television. What people lack is ability to see the inadequate nutrition overcrowded housing and chronic unemployment. â€Å"A visitor to Canada from Africa or Asia, if told if told that there is a widespread poverty in this country, might find the statement hard to credit.†(Schlesinger 89) In most places, the poor are thought to be isolated, away from shopping zones a s well as residential areas. They are seen as a crowded cluster, living in shantytowns drinking a bottle of whisky, uselessly lying there in search for a job, or some method of employment. This is just one of the stereotypes given to the poor person, we must first define poverty. Individuals and families whose financial resources and/or other resources (including educational and occupational skills, the condition of the environment at home and at work, and material possessions) fall seriously below those commanded by the average person or family in society, are in poverty. (Schlesinger 105) The â€Å"poverty line†, is a method used by the government to determine the number of poor people living in a certain area. It is based on an individual’s income. Anyone below the annual level of income is classified as being poor. Who Are Our Poor? The Special Senate Committee on Poverty, using a poverty line, calculated that â€Å"approximately five million Canadians live in poverty† (NCW 10) Studies show various groups in society tend to be poorer in comparison to others. Over 1 million Canadians who work are poor. The working poor are usually employed in service sales, farming, fishing and clerical jobs characterized by low pay, limited opportunities for advancement, and instability. It is said â€Å"1 person in every eight who lives alone is member of the working poor.† (NCW 6) The second highest group is individuals that live in poverty are the elderly.

Counselling: Providing Biblical Hope and Practical Help Essay -- Bibli

1. Background Information & Gathering data Theresa is 50 years old and is in good health. She has been happily married for the last 20 years and lives with her husband Ron, who due to a disability no longer works. They have two school going daughters, whose ages are 14 & 12. Theresa grew up in a well to do family; she is regularly in touch with her 3 siblings, 2 brothers and a sister. Her family is important to her and she shares a close relationship with her husband. She did a Masters in accounting studies, is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has been very successful in her career. She and her family are Christians; they attend church regularly and Theresa has been an active member of the congregation for the last 15 years. The words which describe Theresa are active, ambitious, anxious, self-confident, hardworking, impatient and excitable. She tends to get worried easily and react to situations fairly quickly. Theresa has never been to any psychotherapy or counselling. Recently she was made redundant from the position of a Finance manager, for one of America’s leading defense companies. This highly paid executive role was part of the leadership team, involved with strategic decision making and she also handled a 9 member team. This serious financial pressure is creating major stress for her and the family, as she is the only earning member. In addition, she is not coping well with the stresses and is struggling with the loss of significance suffered in the redundancy. At fifty years of age, her hope for another equally paid level of employment seems gone. At the session Theresa looked anxious, fidgety and had a dejected tone. Some of the things Theresa shared at the session were: â€Å"I feel my future is hopeless and... ...rd game etc. (Ongoing) 5. Keep a journal, so every time she felt like going into negative thoughts about rejection, tracking it and countering it by mediating on one of the scripture verses. Also tracking the weekly activities and time spent with family.( Ongoing) So at the beginning of the weekly counselling session, we would review the previous growth goals and along with ongoing ones, set new goals, for the following week. In conclusion, it is not an easy path for Theresa to change her thinking, however with God’s grace it is a journey of patience, perseverance and hope. Works Cited 1. MacArthur, John F. & The Master’s College Faculty (2005) Counselling: How to Counsel Biblically: Thomas Nelson. 2. Hunt, June (2008) Counseling through your Bible Handbook: Providing Biblical Hope and Practical Help for Everyday Problems. Harvest House Publishers.

Hiv Infection In Indonesia Health And Social Care Essay

Indonesia has among the fastest turning prevalence of people infected with HIV in Asiatic parts. However, the prevalence in Indonesia itself is still low: harmonizing to the Data and Information Centre from Indonesian Ministry of Health, around 0.2 per centum from the entire population. However, since Indonesia is the universe 4th most thickly settled state, this figure means that presently there are a sum of about 200.000 people populating with HIV in Indonesia ( UNAIDS, 2007 ) . From the informations in Indonesian Ministry of Health ( 2006 ) , we can besides see that 82 % of known people populating with HIV/AIDS is work forces and are concentrated within specific groups with specific behavior in the population: approximately 50.3 % of HIV infection instances are from shooting drug users, 40.3 % from unprotected heterosexual sex, while 4.2 % from unprotected homosexual sex. There are besides several surveies that show the HIV infections epidemic work forces who have sex with work forces communities in developing Asiatic states, including Indonesia ( Pisani et al. , 2004 ; Toole et al. , 2006 ; Wong, Zhang, Wu, Kong, & A ; Ling, 2006 ) . To reply with the HIV infections pandemic, the authorities, with the presidential edict figure 36/1994, established the National AIDS Commission. This committee were created to forestall and to take incorporate and co-ordinated, inter-sectoral actions against AIDS in Indonesia. This committee is headed by the Ministry of Welfare and besides with the coordination of other Ministries, such as Ministry of Health and Ministry of Internal Affairs ( Presiden Republik Indonesia, 1994 ) . It is aimed to forestall and to take actions against AIDS harmonizing to the current ordinances, in conformity with the planetary scheme set by the United Nations, and besides to increase community consciousness for AIDS and bettering the intersectoral, integrated and coordinated bar and actions against AIDS In 2003, another presidential edict was set up to better this committee. It stated that the committee actions are organizing steps in actions against AIDS, including bar, instruction, wellness service, surveillance, and control of AIDS, epidemiological observation on vulnerable populations at hazard of infecting HIV, wellness instruction, wellness run and regional and international cooperation in forestalling against AIDS ( Presiden Republik Indonesia, 2006 ) . 3. Is it bettering the status? The plan set up by the cardinal authorities, regional authorities, non governmental administration, and the support received from foreign givers in the signifier of HIV consciousness and bar plans throughout Indonesia have been bettering some of the state of affairs of HIV infection in Indonesia. A study on rubber usage in sex industry in Indonesia in 2004-2005 reported that 61 % of sex workers in whorehouses said that they had use a rubber in the last clip they sold sex. A prevalence of 57 % was found in sex workers who didnit work in a whorehouse. ( UNAIDS/WHO, 2008 ) . For shooting drug users, the plan is focused on cut downing the usage of non-sterile injecting equipment. In Jakarta and Medan, where plans such as these are making the injecting drug users, the study found out that more than 80 % of shooting drug users said that they ever used clean acerate leafs ( UNAIDS/WHO, 2008 ) . The injury decrease method, which has been set up as a theoretical account for Indonesian authorities to undertake the turning HIV infections from shooting drug users group in Indonesia, was established by the Sentani Commitment ( see Appendix ) , as an understanding between the National AIDS Commission and regional authoritiess ( National AIDS Commission, 2004 ) . While plans to forestall HIV infections in female sex workers and shooting drug users have been demoing some grade of success, another vulnerable populations is still hold lower precedence in AIDS bar plan. A study in 2004 mentioned HIV infection degrees of 2.5 % in work forces who have sex with work forces, 3.6 % among male sex workers, and 22 % on waria ( Indonesian term for transgender ) sex workers in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Almost of them are practising hazardous sexual behavior. It is stated that 65 % of the male sex workers and 53 % of work forces who have sex with work forces in Indonesia reported holding insecure anal sex with male spouses and besides 54 % of the male sex workers reported that they had sex with adult females in the anterior twelvemonth ( Pisani et al. , 2004 ) . However, when we look at the tendencies in the undermentioned figure, we can clearly see the increasing figure of new instances of HIV infection found in Indonesia until 2006. ( Pusat Data dan Informasi Departemen Kesehatan Republik Indonesia, 2006 ) Besides we have another graph demoing the theoretical account to foretell the figure of HIV infections in Jakarta, merely from the informations taken from one population: the shooting drug users. ( UNAIDS/WHO, 2008 ) From the above graph, we can see that the state of affairs in Indonesia is still far from bettering. In add-on, although the overall HIV infection prevalence in Indonesia is still low, if we look into the parts of Indonesia, we have a figure every bit high as 2.4 % as the grownup prevalence rate of HIV infection in the Papua state ( Pusat Data dan Informasi Departemen Kesehatan Republik Indonesia, 2006 ) . The Ministry of Health vision of Healthy Indonesia by the twelvemonth 2010, which set a end of 0.9 per centum of maximal prevalence in 2010 ( Menteri Kesehatan RI, 2003 ) in all parts of Indonesia, seems farfetched. In the undermentioned subdivision, we will discourse jobs in the execution of the policy for HIV bar in Indonesia. 4. Problem in plan of HIV bar Although the authorities already put up a committee accountable straight to the president, we can see that the job with HIV infections in Indonesia is still turning. In the undermentioned, I would wish to discourse several points why the policy against HIV in Indonesia is still unable to accomplish its end ( such as in the Healthy Indonesia by 2010 ) . There are 4 chief jobs that I would discourse, two related to the mark of the plan, in covering with the sexual transmittal of HIV infection, and besides transmittal in shooting drug users. The others two related to the decentralization procedure in Indonesia and on support. 4.1. Extensive sex web and geographical difference Sexual activity industry in Indonesia itself is extended even though their legality is questioned. A study on 1994-1995 found that there were 71,281 sex workers in Indonesia ( Endang, Ivan, Walter, Noni, & A ; et al. , 2002 ) , even though the existent figure should be higher. Prostitution is non allowed in Indonesia, and sex workers who were caught beging in the streets can be sent to a rehabilitation cantonment. Nonetheless, whorehouses are slightly recognized particularly in the large metropoliss: they are non illegal, there are no regulations sing this, the illegality of harlotry merely concern on those who sell sex on the street. Therefore the local authoritiess have regulated sex works in these whorehouses, supplying wellness installations and put certain restrictions. However, this ill-defined position for whorehouses can present a job for keeping sustainable wellness plan in forestalling HIV infections. The huge parts in Indonesia besides made an obstruction in the plan to forestall HIV infections. In most Indonesian states, such as in Java, Bali, Sumatra, and others, the common transmittal of HIV infections is through shooting drug users. However, in Papua state, we have a different transmittal form. Papua is equaling Jakarta in footings of HIV infections prevalence: a prevalence of 2.4 % for overall grownup HIV prevalence, and this could make to every bit high as 3.2 % in distant Highlandss of the Papua state ( UNAIDS/WHO, 2008 ) . In this part, unprotected sex is the chief manner of transmittal. Based on informations from the UNAIDS/WHO, thereis a high proportion of work forces engaged in bad sex, with 25 % reported that they had sex with non regular spouse ( over half of it were paid sex ) and 20 % had more than one sexual spouse. From this study we can besides see that the usage of rubber is uncommon. It is reported that merely 14 % who said that they use rubbers for paid sex, and even merely 3 % said that they had usage rubber every clip in old month. Another job with the Papua state is sexual force. It was mentioned that 12 % of adult females has experience sexual force, even from their domestic spouse. Therefore, to forestall increasing HIV infection in Papua, the chief co ncern is to supply better sex instruction and besides to advance and to administer rubber throughout Papua part. ( UNAIDS, 2007 ) 4.2. Harm decrease policy for shooting drug user Even though the term of injury decrease itself is still controversial, whether it is a wide term of steps embracing schemes of restricting supply and minimising injury, merely like in Australia, or merely purely merely a portion of the scheme to undertake drug maltreatment specifically to understate the injury of utilizing drug ( Ball, 2007 ) . Harmonizing to Beyrer, Kumarasamy and Pizer ( 2005 ) , the jobs with the execution of harm decrease policy in Asia, including Indonesia, can be categorised into three classs. The first 1 is this policy is considered as a manner to state that it is wholly right to hold people who abuse drugs and that this behavior is merely an look from several people that tend to take hazards. The focal point of the injury decrease ( at least in the narrow definition ) so is to understate the injury from utilizing drugs irrespective whether the position of utilizing drug is right or incorrect or wherever the drug comes from, since it is the wellness sector itself would bear the brunt if HIV infections ( and besides Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infections ) spreads from shooting drug users. Whether drug dependence itself pose a serious wellness job to the community, where increasing drug user would besides means increasing figure of neurologic disablement and psychosocial job, would be tackled by the r estriction of supply of drugs, non by the injury decrease system. I think that if Asiatic states, particularly Indonesia, want to to the full implement harm decrease policy, both understating the supply and pull offing the injury of drug maltreatment should set into pattern. Therefore, the injury from bad pattern of shooting drug users ( for illustration needle sharing ) can be minimised while effects of drugs to single and society itself can besides be minimised through controlling/ cut downing supply of drugs in the black market. However, it is interesting to see in Iran, another Asiatic states with high Muslim population, merely like Indonesia, that the caput of Persian Judiciary declare, sing on this quandary between public wellness and drug control, after sing the Islamic rule of idoing no injury to oneself or othersi and ithe worst injury is eliminated by a lesser harmi , that the public wellness is more of import in commanding the spread of HIV infections ( as the worst injury ) instead than command on drug maltreatment ( which considered as a lesser injury ) ( Ball, 2007 ) . The 2nd obstruction of harm decrease policy, as in many Asiatic states, is the legal system ( Beyrer et al. , 2005 ) . The current legal system in Indonesia still considers that the maltreatment of drugs is illegal and can be punished. The job arise with this is that the harm decrease policy is normally set up several topographic points for shooting drug user to entree clean acerate leafs and besides topographic points to dispose them decently. Injecting drug users besides need topographic point for them to acquire some intervention, instruction, and referral. If puting up these topographic points can present a menace in the security of the community and besides put on the lining the injecting drug users being caught by the constabulary, there should be some via media between the rights of shooting drug users and besides the rights of community for security. Therefore if we want to put up a safe oasis for shooting drug users so that they can safely derive entree of clean acerate leaf s, intervention, instruction and referral, the supplier of such topographic point must be able to supply legal protection for their client from being arrested in that topographic points. Obviously we should merely set safe sphere for shooting drug users everyplace, but we must understand foremost where shooting drug users needed largely. Another facet of the legal system is related to the position of possessing injection equipment: eg syringe. Although in Indonesia it is non illegal to transport needle syringe, nevertheless, it is regulated under prescription merely. In several states, there are Torahs that prohibit people to possess injecting equipment, but finally experience from developed states shows that if this ordinance is abolished, it truly removes the pattern of needle sharing between shooting drug users while does non truly hold much consequence on the prevalence of new user ( Deany, 2000 ) . In add-on to that, if the legal system can work to suit the injury decrease system, the constabulary can besides move an of import portion in HIV bar among shooting drug users. Police so should mention drug users for intervention instead than imprison them. Finally, the last obstruction is on fiscal support and coverage of harm decrease plan. Other than supplying a safe topographic point for shooting drug users, a plan on harm decrease of drug maltreatment must supply a continued supply of clean acerate leafs. They besides need human resources to run the plan such as checkups and paramedics, counselors, and others. Possibly it is difficult to set some money from the budget merely to isatisfyi the demand ( or rights? ) of shooting drug users, nevertheless, this is needed to forestall farther job in public wellness. And this job in support will be discussed in the following subdivision. From this we can see that the job is much clear: whether the society accepts such behaviors and trades with the injury caused by it and whether the authorities is willing to carry on such plan. 4.3. Problem in regional execution In 2007, 23 provincial authoritiess reduced their HIV budget by a sum of 5.72 billion rupiahs, to be put toward the outgo of regional election, even though President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called for an addition in the stateis budget for HIV/AIDS during a cabinet meeting in July. In Papua, for illustration, the provincial authorities allocated Rp 10 one million millions for its regional AIDS committee in 2007, but merely 1 per centum of the budget was realised. The authorities did non see HIV/AIDS a precedence because the figure of septic people remained little compared to patients of other diseases. In December 2007 the Ministry of Health recorded 6,066 people with HIV and 11,141 with AIDS. The National AIDS Commission said it needs more than Rp 1.5 trillion in 2008 to cover with the virus, which most of the budget would be spent on bar plans, but the cardinal authorities has promised to supply Rp 1 trillion merely. The committee estimated the figure of people with HIV/AIDS would make 400,000 in 2010 and one million in 2015 across the state. ( The Jakarta Post, 2008 ) . 4.4. Problem on support and sustainibility In relation to the old treatment on regional execution of the policy, we can see that it was expected for the regional authorities to increase their disbursement on publicities against HIV infections. This is because Indonesia is still depending on foreign givers to undertake the issue of HIV infections. Foreign givers provide up to 70 per centum of financess to forestall HIV infections in Indonesia ( Pathoni, 2008 ) . However, givers such as the United States and Australia are expected to diminish AIDS-related aid partially because they now consider Indonesia a middle-income state. This means that plans on HIV bar in Indonesia should stress on sustainability. We shall look at one illustration: the Aksi Stop AIDS plan. The Aksi Stop AIDS plan is a plan of HIV bar where USAID, in cooperation with the Family Health International and working together with the authorities of Indonesia through the National Commission of AIDS ( Family Health International, 2007 ) . This plan is aimed to cut down incidence of STI/HIV/AIDS in most-at-risk groups ( MARGs ) thereby assisting to forestall a generalize epidemic and decreased incidence of STI/HIV/AIDS within the general population of Papua ( Family Health International, 2007, p. 5 ) . The plan itself were late came to an terminal in September 2008, where it was expected that we have ( Family Health International, 2007, p. 5 ) : i Increased coverage of most-at-risk groups with trim intercessions and improved utilizations of hazard decrease behaviors, patterns, and entree to and usage of services ; and i Increased ability of implementing bureaus to on a regular basis supervise, evaluate and better plan public presentation, therefore accomplishing expanded coverage. We can see that from this illustration that sustainability of the plan is really of import. After the plan ended, and we have the end product of improved implementing bureaus in HIV bar, therefore we can anticipate the result is the continuity of the HIV bar plan. 5. Decision In decision, we can see that although Indonesian policy on HIV bar is already set, they have to cover some of the issues which are different from other states: the extended sexual web, the geographical difference in HIV infection prevalence and chief method of transmittal, jobs in implementing the harm decrease policy for shooting drug user, jobs arose with decentralization, where regional authoritiess donit prioritise HIV bars, and besides the job with support and sustainability. In covering with the increasing figure if HIV infections in Indonesia, therefore we need to develop a better scheme which turn toing these issues.

Explain religious teaching about what it means to be a human Essay

– Human has a embodied spirit who thinks, act, speaks and desires. Religious teachings say that humans are created in the image of god. They are different from animals because humans have the ability to love, be moral and have free will. Humans life is a gift from god. We must value life. God created us as intelligent beings with the ability to control our actions, urges and emotions. Christian teaches that free will is given by God. By free will, we shape our own lives. Bible says Humans are creation of God. God desired humans to exist. God gave us the ability to reason, speak and to live a moral life. Humans are mixture of earth and divine breath. Bible teaches that we are the incarnation of the divine and part of us is drawn from the earth. Everything created by god is perfect and it was intended. Of all the creatures in God’s creation, Humans are the only ones who enter into a dialouge with God which is by prayer. Most christians believe that humans are distinct from the animal word, and that the most important differences between animals and humans have is soul – a divine spark that sets them apart from other living things. This asserts that Christians do not treat animals as their equals, as only humans were made in the image of God. Christians believe in the sanctity of life, that there is something special and holy about life. Christians believe that humans have a soul which lives on after the body has died, this soul will then be judged and then can join God in heaven. God gave humans dominion over the non-human life, E.g. in Genesis ‘Let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air’ suggesting human life has a higher value than non-human life, this shows God has given humans a big responsibility to life which exempliflies the value. God made man ‘in his image’ many christians believe that God gave them the brains and the abilities to find cures for humans by experimenting on animals and not to use these abilities would be denying God’s plan for them. Some christians say that this gives them the right to use animals in  experiments because humans are of more value. As well in Genesis God said to Adam ‘Rule Over’ all living creatures suggesting animal testing is acceptable. However, Some christians may be very much against this, as when God created the world, he saw that all that was in ‘was good’. Some say this means we should not experiment on animals because they are wonderful part of God’s creation. ‘The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Human lives are special because it is a gift from God. Human lives distinct from any other creatures and are in higher positions. Humans have sanctity which relates to their dignity, which has both natural dimension, in terms of rational thought and moral decision-making powers. â€Å"Human beings have complete control over their own life and destiny.† (15 marks) How far might a religious believer agree with this statement? Everyone has a purpose of being in this universe because we all have a special position that is created by God. Humans make their own choices and lead on their life. But, God is always there to show people the right path. Only God has control over peoples lives. He decides when we die and when we born. Everything is in God’s hand as religious believer will say God created the world. God’s choices are always right. He is capable of carrying out any project to a successful conclusion without the possibility of fault or failure. Nothing in His universe happens by chance or accident. For every effect there is a cause. God is in control. We have freedom to choose within the constraints of who we are and the circumstances we find ourselves in. Yet while God controls those circumstances but does not control us. While God is able to control us, and if he wanted to he could override our freedom, he chooses not to. The concept of the control of God over everything is called the â€Å"sovereignty† of God. Nothing gives us strength and confidence like an understanding of the sovereignty of God in our lives. God’s sovereignty is defined as His complete and total independent control over every creature, event, and circumstance at every moment in history. Subject to none, influenced by  none, absolutely independent, God does what He pleases. God is in complete control of every molecule in the universe at every moment, and everything that happens is either caused or allowed by Him for His own perfect purposes. Religious believer might say that God is directing your steps down to the smallest details. He can make things happen that you could never make happen on your own. He is for you, on your side, and what He has purposed for your life will come to pass.

Gerard Egan

An Easy Introduction to Egan’s Skilled Helper Solution Focused Counselling Approach By Patrick JM Nelson Part One What is it? Gerard Egan’s Skilled Helper Model of eclectically based counselling provides a structured and solution focused basis for counsellors, psychotherapists and hypnotherapists. It is a three stage model in which each state consists of specific skills that the therapist uses to help the client move forwards. By mastering the process of using these basic skills in an appropriate manner (often in a cyclical process of stage 1 – 2 – 3 evaluate 1 – 2 – 3 evaluate) the talking therapist may be able to increase their efficiency and structure their work in a more logical way, thus helping clients in a more consistent manner and being less reliant upon their fluctuating ‘therapeutic inspiration’. Theoretical Origins Theoretically the Skilled Helper approach draws on Carkuff's theory of high-level functioning helpers (which explains that helpers with the skills of empathy, respect, concreteness, congruence, self-disclosure, confrontation and immediacy are most effective); Strong's Social influence theory (which explains that helping is a process whereby clients are influenced by others because they perceive therapists as having particular attributes and with this influence being most powerful when the the therapist avoids both laxity and coercion and is instead collaborative, empowering and democratic) and Albert Bandura's Learning theory (in which clients are seen as acquiring skills through coming to understand the processes of learning and developing appropriate self-efficacy expectations – expecting to achieve their goals by learning useful behaviours). Essential Therapeutic Orientations The Egan Skilled Helper approach encourages clients to become active interprete rs of the world, giving meanings to actions, events and situations, facing and overcoming challenges, exploring problem issues, seeking new opportunities and establishing goals. Quite simply, success usually comes when human beings become active in initiating positive behaviours and developing problem-solving strategies. The Skilled Helper aims to help their clients develop the skills and the knowledge necessary to solve both their current problems issues and ones that may arise in the future. To facilitate client development the helper builds a healthy therapeutic alliance with the client based on collaboration, warmth and acceptance. The Skilled Helper facilitates the client by helping them to formulate a plan of action, helping them accept their responsibility for becoming a more effective person and helping them to develop their own inner resources. The Skilled Helper also helps their client to transfer newly acquired skills and knowledge to fresh situations, facilitates them in establishing appropriate and realistic goals (that match their problem-solving skills), encourages them to become selfdirective and develop the skills of problem-solving, helps them to build on their inner strengths and to utilize external resources and support groups, helps them realize their potential and facilitates them in developing goals which are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, ethical and reasonable. Furthermore the Skilled Helper remains in a state of external sensory awareness and retains an awareness of their client's non-verbal communications. Effective Listening – SOLER Effective listening is key to being a Skilled Helper. It consists of various skills, which Egan covers with the acronym : S. If it suits them, face the client Squarely (some prefer up to 45 degrees etc) O. Maintain an Open Posture with the client. L. Lean towards the client (as appropriate). E. Maintain appropriate Eye Contact with the client. R. Be a Relaxed helper as by doing so you greatly improve the quality and comfort of the sessions. Active Listening & Empathy Active Listening is a key skill for the Skilled Helper. It consists in concentrating on the client's non-verbal and verbal communications and relating them to the client's story (non-verbal communication includes body language, expressions, reactions etc). Verbal communication articulates the client's experiences, behaviours and feelings. The Skilled Helper encourages the client to stick to the point (what is relevant), they are non-judgemental and they are Empathic rather than sympathetic. Appropriate Empathy is a state of human interaction in which the helper enters and understands the client's perspective, whilst getting in touch with their thoughts and feelings, however, in this the helper remains rational in their understanding of the client's situation and reality. Unlike in some counselling approaches, although the Skilled Helper communicates Empathy to the client as the basis of counselling, when appropriate they may also use challenging skills with the client when particular and clearly harmful irrational statements or destructive patterns etc keep resurfacing, however any challenging must be congruent with the maintenance of therapeutic Rapport and Empathy because Empathy and Rapport provide the client with the warmth, comfort and safety needed to facilitate effective positive change. Exploring Skills (Egan Stage I Introduction) Exploring the client's Existing Situation The stage one skills of the Egan Helping Model are based upon the exploration of the client’s situation and they basically correlate with the Rogerian counselling skills of the Person Centered Approach. The purpose of Stage I is to build a nonthreatening counselling relationship and help the client explore their situation and then focus on chosen issues. In this stage the Skilled Helper helps the client to identify and clarify problems and opportunities and assess their resources. Clients are often reluctant or resistant at this stage, therefore the therapist helps them to explore new perspectives, challenges negative modes of thinking and constructively challenges the client's excuses, evasiveness, distortions and negative self-statements. This stage is based around helping the client in establishing priorities and developing action plans that put into practice productive strategies. Stage I exploring skills include: Open-ended questions Silence Focusing Empathy Paraphrasing & Reflecting Meaning Paraphrasing & Reflecting Feeling Structuring Summarising Understanding Skills (Egan Stage II Introduction) Helping the Client Establish Aims and Goals The purpose of Stage II is to help facilitate the client in developing a more in-depth and objective understanding of their situation. This stage is enacted as the Skilled Helper assists the client in exploring options and possible goals. The Skilled Helper establishes what the client really wants and needs and the client is encouraged to consider new possibilities and perspectives, choosing ones that are realistic, consistent with their values and for which there are adequate incentives. The Skilled Helper facilitates the client in developing rational decision-making based upon healthy data collection, analysis and action planning. In this state brain-storming, divergent thinking, a balance-sheet approach and force-field analysis may be used with the client in order to facilitate choices between different ways of dealing with situations and achieving goals. These techniques help the client to explore various options and strategies as well understand and work around blocking factors with facilitating factors. Stage II understanding skills include: Recognising Patterns & Themes Alternate Frames of Reference Self-disclosure Immediacy Challenging Timing & Pacing Advanced empathy Acting Skills (Egan Stage III Introduction) Help the Client to Develop Strategies Stage III skills are assist clients to take appropriate action by defining goals, changing ways of relating and working through issues using problem solving or decision making methods, while providing support and encouragement. Stage III skills help the client to cope with current problems and assist in the learning of new skills that will enable them to live more effectively in the future. Action is based on exploration and understanding gained by using stage I & II skills. In stage III the Skilled Helper facilitates the client in finding ways of achieving their goals. After helping the client to come up with as many strategies as they can the Skilled Helper then helps them to focus upon those that are viable in terms of client situati on, needs, aspiration and resources. This process is designed to help the client move from the current situation to one that they would prefer. Transition experiences may make the client feel vulnerable therefore the process may often be built upon the taking of small comfortable steps as the client grows in confidence (but this must be based upon the needs of the client – some like big jumps). Realistic achievable planning and time-tabling are key to success and the Skilled Helper is warm and supportive – helping the client look out and overcome obstacles, turning challenges into opportunities and inspiring the client to mobilise their personal, social and material resources (particularly helpful family members, friends and self-help networks etc). Stage III action skills include: Divergent Thinking Goal Setting Decision Making Problem Solving Programme Choice Evaluate Knowledge of Resources Using Knowledge of How Behaviour is Changed Using Knowledge of How Useful Behaviour is Maintained Teaching skills & Promoting Learning skills Evaluation In addition to Explore, Understand & Act skills evaluation of the therapy process is also important. It can take place at the end of each session as a summarization, whenever appropriate. It helps the client understand what ground they have gone over, helps them perceive progress they have made and inspires them with understanding on how they want to move forwards. To learn about this approach in detail see Part II, III & 4 of An Easy Introduction to the Egan’s Skilled Helper Solution Focused Counselling Approach by Patrick JM Nelson. Gerard Egan’s ‘The Skilled Helper’ is available from the FETT Bookshop Article Copyright Patrick JM Nelson 2007

Virgin Blue

VIRGIN BLUE UNDERSTANDING EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT 1. Attractiveness of the Industry 1a. Identify the industry, product segments and value chain The industry is the Australian airline industry (global). Core activities cover providing travel services to leisure travellers in Australia and overseas, including flights, travel insurance, holiday packaged deals, and freight business. Products segments including ? Business travel? 57. 1% of industry revenue ? full-fare ? business & government travellers ? growth of video conference (-) impact on growth unit value of sale/pax double leisure travel fare ? Leisure travel? 29. 4% of industry revenue ? low-fare ? leisure travellers ? price is an important factor and strong driver for growth ? high cost incurred for flight changes ? Freight and other? 13. 5% of industry revenue ? freight transport, time sensitive & high value to weight item & charges on excess baggages, late fee,etc†¦ 1b. What is the current life cycle of the industry? The Aus tralian airline industry is at the mature stage of its life cycle.This is demonstrated by the low average growth rate of the production, and the low airline operating margins around 2 percent over the last five years. Declining fares in the leisure travel segment due to strong competition have combined with increasing costs to lower profitability over this period. Yield management is critical to profitability due to high fixed costs involved in operating a flight, that is, the marginal cost of passenger on a flight is very low, so having a plane full, with as many full-fare passengers as possible, is important to maximise profitability.Over recent years, there has been consolidation, brand transformation in the industry and more services been introduced to attract higher yield customers. This is evidence of a low growth environment, wherein the industry is at the mature stage of its life cycle, the organisation focus is on efficiency, cost control, and market segment. 1c. What have been the key issues affecting historical industry growth? What was their impact? Key issues influencing historical industry growth using TEMPLES model FactorIssuesNature of Impact ————————————————- +/ =/ -) Technology? The growth of video conference- Negative has had a slightly negative impact on growth in this segmenting recent ————————————————- years Economy? Threat of the uncertainties of the global financial- Negative crisis, changing interest rate and fierce competition ————————————————- from low-cost carriers in its domestic market Market? the low density of population and the size of Aus+ Positive Air travel in Australia is somewhat of necessary ? Declining fair in the leisure travel segment due to- NegativeStrong competition have combined with increasing costs to lower profitability over this period; fierce competition from low-cost carriers in its domestic ————————————————- markets Politics? Being restricted in the ability to expand overseas due – Negative to Singapore Airline’s right to veto the use of the Virgin ————————————————- Blue name internationally. SIA had the power to block ————————————————- Virgin Australis’s brand due to 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic ————————————— Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€- hat SIA acquired in 1999 Law ————————————————- Environment? With a launch of the first real low-cost arline in+ Positive Australia, one class of ticket and minimal on-board, complementary service, there had been strong growth in the 2000s in market for travel for leisure, encourage ————————————————- Australians to take more holidays and air travels Society? low density of population and size of Australia+ Positive ————————————————- Air travel is somewhat necessaryOverall+ Positive 1d. What are the key issues that will affect future industry growth? What are their likely impact and the overall assessment of the industry’s future growth? Future growth for the overall industry is assessed as positive (although it will be at a lower rate than historically growth) Key issues influencing future industry growth FactorIssuesNature of impactAssessment of (+/ =/ -)impact on future Industry growth ————————————————- (Low/Med/High) Technology? The growth of video conferenceNegativeLow as had a slightly negative impact on growth in this segmenting recent ————————————————- years Economy? Threat of the uncertainties of the global Negative Low Financial crisis, changing interest rate and fierce competition from low-cost carriers in ————————————————- its domestic market Markets? Threat of new entrances present theNegativeLow Possibility the firms will enter industry And diminish the industry return by passing along value to buyers in form of lower price and raising cost of competition the alliance with SIA was one of thePositiveMedium several that Virgin had formed in building ————————————————- its international network Politic? the alliance with SIA was one of PositiveMedium several that Virgin had formed in building its international network, allow Virgin to offer global flight coverge, epscially South-east asia and China, attractive to International business and leisure ————————————————- travellers Legal ————————————————- Environment?Alon g with alliance with SIA, there have beenPositiveMedium forged alliances with other international airlines such as Etihad, Air NZ, and US giant Delta Air Line to give business travellers an attractive overseas ————————————————- and flequent flyer network Society? the airline developed and preserved its PositiveMedium culture by spending a lot of resources on recruiting the right people to serve its leisure customers and providing a culture and conditions that retain good ————————————————- people Overall ImpactPositiveMediumIn conclusion, the future industry growth is assessed as Low to Medium 1e. What have been the key issues affecting historical profitability? What was their impact? Industry revenue was estimated to be $14. 5 billion in 2012, with its main busin ess being the transportation of passengers and freight on scheduled routes within Australia. Approximately 86% of the industry revenue is generated from airline ticket sales. The business travel segment is accounted for 57. 1% of industry revenue in 2012, while leisure travel segment is 29. 4% and freight and other are 13. 5%.Airline operating margins are relatively low, averaging around 2% over the last five years. Declining fares in the leisure travel segment due to strong competition have combined with increasing costs to lower profitability over the period. Using Porter’s five forces model, we can review the factors affecting historical profitability, it can be concluded that industry’s rivalry has increased. This is the result of many factors including: ? Threat of new entrance is low due the barrier of entry high. Capital requirements required to enter the airline industry. High fixed cost in operating the fly. The power of suppliers has been high due to limited number of service options available in business travellers segments such as proving access to hundreds of destination and business lounges around the world, offering high quality catering and other on-board service like newspapers & magazine in premium class cabins, car hire and hotel reservation services. ? The increasing power of buyers’ buyers due to the price sensitivity of consumers (low price) and the search for best deal available, as well as air travel in Australia is somewhat of a necessity, given the size of Autralian and the low density of population. The increasing impact of substitutes such as alternative services like video conference maintaining low-cost services ? Industry rivalry is high: Jetstar, QAL’s low cost airline, was introduced in 2004 in response to Virgin Blue’s success in the industry and the loss of market share away from Qantas's full-fare service to the low-fare carrier; Jetstar is a low-cost carrier targeting low-fare leisure trav ellers; The airline industry growth is average and as it is easy for buyers to switch between the airline companies, depending on price. Thus rivalry is increased.Furthermore, the high fixed cost create opportunity for the airline companies to have price wars to compete each other, the great market share of Qantas will kill Virgin Australia at last. Porter’s competitive model Airline industry Potential New entrants Airline club loungesForeign carriers Priority ticketingRegional carriers Priority check-in High quality catering Newspaper ; magazine Hire car ; hotel reservationIndustry Rivalry Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Qantas Jetstar Alternative services Business travellers Subsitute products ; services Video conferenceLeisure travellersFreight ; other, tour packages 1f. What are the key issues that will affect future industry profitability? What is their likely impact and the overall assessment of the industry’s future profitability? Attrac ting higher yielding corporate and government customers has been a key driver of improving the industry profitability. Yield management is critical to profitability due to high fixed costs involved in operating a flight – that is, the marginal cost of a passenger on a flight is very low, so having a plane full, with as many full-fare passengers as possible, is important to maximise profitability.Also, in order to improve profitability, the major competitors in the industry (Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin) have become vertically integrated. Strategic airline alliance been introduced. Qantas and Malaysia airline negotiated an agreement for access markets in Asia and code-sharing. SIA and Virgin formed an alliance, allowed SIA customers access to Virgin Australia’ s domestic airline airport’s lounges. This partnership, along with Virgins’ other alliance, would allow Virgin to offer global flight coverage, attractive to international business and leisure travellers. The key factors influencing the future profitability of the industry can be summarised as follows: ? Positive factors include ? Forming alliance has allowed Virgin to offer global flight coverage, attract more international business and leisure travellers ? introducing a premium – valued service ? develop new lounge – product enhancement ? introduce new uniform and new menu – product enhancement ? Negative factors include ? Strong competition in the industry between major companies as growth slow and more emphasis is placed on maintaining or increasing market share with price becoming a key factor. Potential entrance of other new low-cost carriers. The future profitability of the industry will continue to be medium. 1g. Who are the industry’s key competitors? What are their strengths and weaknesses? In 2012, the industry is dominated by two airlines, Qantas Airways Ltd and Virgin —————————â₠¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€- CompetitorValueStrengthWeaknessRelative ————————————————- Propositionproposition Qantas Airways Ltd? Fully integrated? Highest market? Less focus on? Strong ? Accounting for 65%shareleisure travellers share of industry? Dominates business evenue in 2012segment ? More services offered such as full service, ————————————————- low cost, regional Virgin ? Fully integrated? Second highest? No coverage? Strong ? Accounting for 17. 2 %? Strong presencein regional share of industryin leisure market revenue in 2012? Offer services in full service and low ————————————————- cost service Others? Accounting for 17 . 8%? private charter ? group of small? Weak share of industrypassenger flights orcompanies revenue in 2012freight operation UNDERSTANDING EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT 2.Summarise the strategic position of Virgin Blue 2a. Who are Virgin Blue’s key stakeholders, what are their objectives and are their objectives aligned with Virgin Blue’s strategic goals? As stated in the section on â€Å"Game change program- a new strategic direction for Virgin in Australia†, Virgin regard itself as number one position in the leisure segment and maintaining its low-cost focus. Its state strategic goals are as follows: ? Growing its share of the Australian business travel segment from 10% to 20% ? Establishing a ‘virtual’ global network through strategic airline alliances ?Ensuring capacity was closely aligned to profitability ? Maintaining a strong presence in the leisure market ? Enhancing its brand in Australia and overseas markets There are numerous stakeholders (individ uals/groups that have interest in the business or corporate strategy of the organisation) in relation to Virgin Blue. An analysis of the objectives of each of these stakeholders and the alignment of these objectives with Virgin’s strategic goals as follow ————————————————- Who are theWhat do they seek to receive fromIs Virgin Blue delivering against their stakeholders? he organisation? expectation? John Borghetti? Launching â€Å"Game Change† program? Yes, the transformation of Virgin (CEO)with the vision to be the airline of has been well on the way and choice for Australian business and attract numbers of business & leisure travellersleisure travelles ? Reinvent the company as a full-service? No, still not yet take over Qantas brand by altering its low-cost, no-frillsbusiness market model to take market share from Qantas ————â₠¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€- in the higher-margin, business market Board including: Roger Linderman? new management team, formed to?Yes, its chase growth in business (General manager)take on Qantas, particularly in thesegment, but not yet take over Jane McKeoncompetition for business travellerQantas (running government’s relation team) Hope Antzoutlatos (head of domestic ; International network Operations) Will Owens (Heads of yield Management) Hans Hulsbosch? develop the airline’s economy ;? Yes, have been attractive to (Creative director)business class cabins to attract numbers of business travellers ————————————————- Business traveller segment Employees? Secure employment prospect? Yes, as its chase growth in the family based, teamwork,business segment, it has to ensure ——â€⠀Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€- respect and funlow turnover and maintain culture Singapore Airline? SIA and Virgon form an airline? yes, the agreement between SIA alliance, allow the use of Virgin Ausand Virgin has allowed SIA customer Band overseas. Virgin able to build to use Virgin’s domestic network its international network, and alsowith just one ticket & allow two allows SIA customer access to Virginairline gold member to access to Australia’s domestic networkVirgin’s domestic airline’s airport ————————————————- ounge 2b. What business strategy is Virgin Blue supposed to have been pursuing and has this in fact been the case? The five questions (5Qs) approach is used to understand Virgin Blue’s stated business strategy Business strategy usingExamples of how V irgin has been pursuing this stated ————————————————- 5Qs approachbusiness strategy ? Does Virgin Blue want to growthVirgin blue wants to grow. We can see from their new vision profitability? â€Å"to be the airline choice for Australian business and leisure Travellers†. And its targeting to grow the share in business travel segment from 10% – 20%.The airline alliance strategy to establish it built its international alliance network in Asia as it is a critical market for Virgin ? What products/services will Virginleisure travel segment maintaing its low-cost; Virgin Blue Blue provide? began offering a premium economy fare, reinvent itself as a full service brand by altering its low-cost, no-frills model to take market share from Qantas in the higher margin, business market; developed its passenger lounges, introduced a loyalty reward scheme, ‘Velocity R ewards’, and offered the first Web check-in service in Australia. In what market will Virgin BlueGeographic market – Australia domestic airline, global flight operate? coverage after Virgin formed alloances with Singapre Airlines Customer market – business traveller, leisure traveller, freight and other include travel insurance, and formed a new venture with ZUJI, an online travel company. ? What generic strategy will VirginGeneric strategy – low cost leadership (no-frills models) adopt? -;Differentiation: take market share from Qantas in the igher margin, business market (full-service model). ? what is the position in the insutryVirgin Blue had grown through expanding its leisure travel does Virgin Blue plan to hold? segment, and growing low-fare passenger numbers to hold the number one position in the leisure segment and maintaining its low cost focus; By 2010, Virgin had about 10 per cent of business travellers and an approximate 30 per cent of all dom estic air travellers; Growing its share of the Australian business travel segment from 10 per cent to 20 per cent.SWOT ANALYSIS Identify the capabilities of the organisation in the context of the competitive environment, using SWOT analysis ? Strength: Virgin Blue had grown through expanding its leisure travel segment, and growing low-fare passenger numbers to hold the number one position in the leisure segment and maintaining its low cost focus. _ Virgin had formed alliances with Singapore Airlines in building its international network _ Borghetti was a former QAL executive who was appointed CEO and MD of Virgin in 2010.He quickly established a new management team capable of taking on Qantas, particularly in the competition for business travellers, by recruiting some highly experienced ex-Qantas staff including: Roger Lindeman as General Manager Service Experience; Jane McKeon, to run Virgin's government relations team; Hope Antzoulatos as head of domestic and international network operations; and Will Owens as head of yield management. ? Weakness: Qantas has 65% of industry revenue in 2012 but Virgin only has 17. % and no regional offered compete with Qantas; Qantas dominates the business segment. _ Unprofitable routes in New Zealand and to destinations including Fiji, Phuket and South Africa, high costs in maintaining its four brands, and confusion in the market between the brands. ? Opportunities: Acquire 20% of market share in market sector _ brand transformation reduce the cost of advertising and less confuse customer _ expand alliance with SIA to enter Asia market, broaden its offering by adding more services to enter the business segment and attract higher yield customers ?Threats: fierce competition from low-cost carries in its domestic market; Jetstar would have in capturing part of the leisure market _ Declining fares in the leisure travel segment due to strong competition have combined with increasing costs to lower profitability over this period. EVALUATION OF STRATEGIC OPTION ? Competitive advantage Benefits:yes, to sustain growth and profitability Valued by customers_ maybe not as people perceived Qantas as leading provider for business segment _ have to be careful not losing loyalty customers External consistency Industry’s life cycle:Fits well – moves to more competituve environment TEMPLESto respond to the external environment particular social cultural factors and economy factors – > fit well to maintain profit Profit well with the changes in external environment where more competitive from low cost Jetstar and profit due to pressure on price, to sustain growth & profitability by capturing more market sharee in business segment ? Internal consistency Revenue & costrevenue increased by capturing more in business segmentCost reduced by consolidating into one brand Not implementmore difficult to complete in the industry because of competition Reputation riskculture issues Loyal customer * Consistent i n term of growth and sustainability But not consistent with the current culture and balance >< low cost leisure and business segment ? Internal consistency Capabilities:experience management team from Qantas Capitalcan be quite costly to reposition itself and do it property Strong culture in family oriented can be quite difficult for business market