Me, Myself: A Rolling Stone Out to Gather Mosses!

Old proverbs made new, so is the scripting of my life so far. Thus at the outset I thank the Almighty for presenting me a unique kaleidoscope to look through and to bask in the joy of discovering the unknown! The Journey I breathed first at Taiwan, then turned into teens at Shanghai and now I'm busy shaping my life in US. My horizon zoomed on gradually, and surely, it couldn't have been better! I hope someday I could boast about myself as a happy citizen of a global village. Thankfully, it was not the case of uprooting, and instead it all went like a series of happy adventure so far. Of course, a few hiccups were there, but who cares if it took some sweat to rise from a non-starter to a first boy in English Class at 7th grade (Shanghai), or for that matter, to adapt to the ethnic cuisine there? Who cared either, when it took some extra effort to excel in the Basketball Varsity Team in spite of a shorter height! Challenges actually serve as springs beneath the launching pads – so I have learnt from my experience – the greater the challenge, the greater the scope to attain a new height! I liked them all. With this spirit, this humble fish has now reached the sea, thankfully with time and tide by its side as guardian angels – one to provide the power of young mind, and the other, which is YOU, to provide me the scope to utilize that power, let alone guiding and governing me towards the right direction. As for the rough shades, I am lucky to have seen off the monotony of a run-of-the-mill life or political storms at places. I still detest the identical uniforms and rigid routines at Taiwan School, or political tension between Taiwan and Shanghai. These are the humdrums I've left behind. Yet I will obviously carry with me the simplicities of Taiwan and the financial/economic knowledge that I could garner from Shanghai. I would always salute my teachers at Villanova (the premier school of Shanghai) for cementing my basement of knowledge and rousing my craving for more of it. And why not? This business school has equipped me bit by bit, to meet all the challenges of academic and social circumstances whatsoever anywhere! And my parents! Words would fall short to describe their contribution in my life. It's because of them I could develop the attitude to find rhythm in diversity, to walk through the tough terrains of the unknown and to appreciate anything good anywhere.   It's this attitude that has made my transitions smoother and enjoyable – why, today I love English language no less than Taiwanese, or for that matter Chinese. Thanks to the unique and varied grooming, today I comprehend one adage from my heart:   â€Å"The more you learn, the more it opens up for learning.† Coming of Age I love my pond, I love that bigger lake too and now I'm excited about my prospect in the sea! So what if I think to raise more capillaries in my brain through varied social, academic and spiritual sparks? The bigger the canvas the bigger scope for its painter! I dream to be a part of the US society, an active molecule to its social, academic and cultural chemistry. I dream to be a big fish in Economics. Big fishes need sea, and so I am here! And yes! It would never be all about taking. Thanks to the new age gurus, I'm a firm believer of the Law of Giving. Thus it has to be a unique symbiosis between my world and me. And this is the world for me. Study and masterminding scopes cannot be better than what is available here. The fuss about politics is absent; the freedom of expression is highly regarded. These are the ideal conditions for a student to grow. Here I will be able to continue my co curricular activities too – I can brush up my Basketball skills again, or the debating skills I earned from the Student Association body. I can renew my writing or editing skills. I can unwind with community services. I can bask in the warmth of friendship. Here's the scope. Here I will be able to light a thousand bulbs in the hall of my heart. It's here I'll be able to air, care and share all of me. This place is the ideal example to establish the law of giving. This is my choicest springboard for actions. And who doesn't know, actions speak louder than words? That is my mantra and with that I'm merrily waiting at your gate. Knock knock knock! Open the door and let me in! I've wonderful dreams waiting to be unearthed. Let that happen here! Ends

Humanism in Renaissance Art

The Renaissance, occurring between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries, was a period of great rebirth. Humanism, an important part of the Renaissance, brought about more color, perspective, and realism within the artistic community. A few aspects of humanism include individualism and Greece-Roman influences. Humanist ideals manifested themselves in works of Renaissance art such as Michelangelo Sistine Chapel and his David sculpture, as well as Repeal's School of Athens. Individualism emerged in the works of Michelangelo along with numerous other Italian artists of the time.In Michelangelo Sistine Chapel painting, each of the over one hundred people depicted has its own distinct facial features. Prior to the Renaissance, artists would replicate the same prosaic face onto all of the people in a large group. However, Michelangelo preferred to distinguish every individual figure present. He also ventured so far as to include a depiction of God in the form of he paintings benefactor, Pope Julius II. The characteristics of individualism repeatedly appear in the works of Italian Renaissance artists. The prevalence of humanist ideals is also present through the inclusion of Greek and Roman themes.The statue of David by Michelangelo was a sculpture created between 1501 and 1504 featuring a nude male representing the biblical hero David. Davit's contrasts pose is the Renaissance interpretation of the common Greek theme of a casually standing heroic figure. Another ancient Greece-Roman theme represented in the statue is the idea of a biblical hero depicted as a supreme athletic embodiment. Additionally, Repeal's School of Athens, painted between 1 509 and 1 510, conveys classical Greek and Roman ideals. Aristotle and Plato, well known Greek philosophers, serve as the central focus of the scene.Furthermore, the building portrayed in the painting has the rounded appearance and incorporation of columns used commonly in Romanesque architecture. Also, there are two statue s visible in the background of the painting: one is of the Greek god Apollo, the god of light and cheery, and the second is of the Roman goddess Minerva, the goddess of wisdom. A myriad of Italian artists were influenced by the humanist ideals of the great thinkers. The likes of Michelangelo and Raphael used these principles of the great Renaissance humanists to advance their artwork. Humanism in Renaissance Art By illegible

Basf Marketing Report

In order to be known as â€Å"The† global chemical supplier BASF redefined its image by officially changing its name from â€Å"BASF† to â€Å"BASF the chemical company† in 2004. This bold statement is expressed in their brand, corporate identity and company logo. BASF has lived up to this goal establishing itself as the largest chemical company in the world. (1) BASF, which stands for Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik (Baden Aniline and Soda Factory), has used its image marketing to evoke the concept that We dont make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.  ®. BASF posted sales of 52. 6 billion euro in 2006 (1) placing itself above Dow Chemical, its closest competition, followed by companies Bayer AG and DuPont. BASF the chemical company markets a strategy in all its divisions called the â€Å"Verbund† concept, a German word meaning â€Å"linked†. This concept of total integration is how BASF aligns its businesses internally as well as with customers and suppliers. BASF has realized a competitive advantage by not only integrating but interlocking value chains. In the last three years practicing on the Verbund concept acquisitions like Engelhard Corporation, Degussa AG and Johnson Polymers have allowed BASF to further its vertical integration of its businesses. In 2007 BASF found its place at a rank of 81 on the Fortune Global 500 Companies list, up from 94 in 2006. In February of 2006 Fortune magazine performed a survey of U. S business professionals and BASF earned the distinction of being one of the 50 most admired companies in the world in a global comparison. Introduction When you say â€Å"BASF the chemical company† many people may not know the name but those who do can usually recite the slogan: We dont make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.  ®. Even those that can recite the slogan can be quite challenged to give one example of a product that BASF makes. Given this you would be amazed at some of the everyday products that use BASF chemicals. The additive that thickens your shampoo, the Ibuprofen used in your pain medication, the Legos  ® your kids play with all have components supplied by BASF. The only reason an average person would hear of BASF is through their corporate level image advertising. How is it that a company whose products are never seen by the average consumer ends up as the worlds largest in its industry? How it is a company that many have not heard of could make acquisitions in the 1. 6 billion dollar range? How is it a company can post sales in the 52. 6 billion euro range and the average consumer does not know who they are yet there products are everywhere? The first team discussions on what company to do the report on a team member brought some information to the table. This information is that he works for the world’s largest chemical company and no one knew what the company truly makes provoking the questions from above. The challenge is to understand how a company markets itself to a global position without the normal consumers influence. Our team chose this company to look at a business that would perform its marketing in a different environment than the main stream consumer environment and to better understand how a company markets without being seen. This is a report on business to business marketing observations of BASF the chemical company. Table of Contents †¢Macro-Environment Context †¢Marketing, Research Customer Analysis †¢Segmentation Target Markets †¢Differentiation and Positioning †¢Marketing Decision Levers †¢Recommendations Macro-Environment Context BASF is the worlds leading chemical company. They offer intelligent solutions based on innovative products and top notch services to its customers globally. This is the basis of their mission statement and purpose as a company. Their mission is also to create opportunities for success through trusted and reliable partnerships. BASF visions of success include sustainable profitable performance, innovation for the success of customers, safety health and environmental responsibility, personal and professional confidence, mutual respect and open dialog as well as integrity. Creating a Sustainable Profitable Performance to BASF is the basis for all activities within the company. They are continually committed to the interest of their customers first and foremost. They take pride in rewarding their employees, shareholders and take the same stance with regards to society as a whole to better the environment around them for future generations. BASF takes pride in developing innovation for their customers to add continuous long term partnerships well into the future. Their trade mark statement of We dont make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.  ® clearly states this philosophy. They derive nearly all of their business from Business to Business (B2B) sales. This makes innovation very important in all of their many niches in multiple markets they involve themselves in. Partnerships are valued within BASF and are built upon continually to mutually take advantage of highly scientific and technological advances. Due to the nature of the business, that being a chemical company, the environment must take precedence to ensure success. In this day and age, if your company doesn’t take steps to protect the environment that it is in, it won’t be in business long enough to matter. BASF takes safety, health, and environment responsibility to a level that supersedes that of economic considerations. BASF makes their products environmentally friendly for future generations by supporting the Responsible Care TM initiatives. BASF puts itself among the best in the world by fostering group-wide diversity personal and professional competencies. They feel that diversity leads to global success and capitalizes on competition by offering many differing views. They encourage employees to be creative and utilize their potential for common success. In addition they treat everyone fairly and with mutual respect. They try to keep open dialog with all employees, customers, stockholders and relevant groups within society to keep all on a level playing field. The last core value that BASF incorporates is Integrity. The company acts with respect to their words and values. They comply with all laws and respect all good business practices in the many countries that they operate. BASF has a great strategy that includes 4 simple strategic initiatives. They earn a premium on their capital, they help their customer be more successful, they form the best team in the industry, and they ensure sustainable development. All of which are conveyed in the visions for the company same as above. The strategic initiatives are the product of years of providing excellent products at a competitive price to all of its customers. Politically speaking, BASF is globally involved. Based in Germany and intertwined within business all around the world it would be impossible to not be involved in politics. It takes a great stance on political issues to continue its success in business and to show continued enthusiasm in protecting the environment. With regards to the Environment, BASF strives to be the best and let the world know that this is an important issue. Environmental issues in past years have shown light on companies that make their business creating and working with chemicals. BASF cannot escape the microscope of this issue. They comply with all government regulations in all countries it does business to ensure their future. They support the Responsible Care TM initiatives and keep them at the forefront of their values. Environmental issues to BASF ties directly to their social responsibility. The people at BASF value their own lives as much as their neighbors and support this by their integrity. They treat those around the world with the same respect that they feel they would want, regardless of what they are doing. Be it they are selling products to another company or creating a new product, social responsibility is never taken lightly. Technologically BASF prides itself in being the best for themselves and those they do business. They invest millions upon millions to ensure success in the ever changing markets all over the globe. They pass their technological advances on to their customers to ensure continued success and lasting partnerships. Technological advances in the chemical field have undoubtedly kept BASF at the top for so many years. Given a clear SWOT analysis of BASF from any level of the organization, the business unit, the product line or the specific product yields a clear image of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats all over the globe. SWOT analyses are often used during sales meetings to identify opportunities in the market. They have proven themselves over and over by being a superior company throughout all markets. A tried and true philosophy rooted in the company’s vision and values brings this out in them. They continually identify trends in the industry and counter the changes all the time. In addition they analyze their competition whenever possible to capitalize on those before them. BASF analyzes itself through multiple management channels to ensure continued innovation and profit for its customers, employees and shareholders. Teams all around the globe research the firm’s present and future clients to build lasting relationships and capitalize on hidden opportunities to improve themselves. Their strengths encompass being a globally prestigious brand, a large market share, and universally known for its social and environmental activities. Opportunities lie within possible joint product lines with other companies and customers. Weaknesses of BASF are global spreading in the way of having employees all over the world and keeping focus on attainable goals. They are influential in just about all markets and run the risk of being thin in a small amount of them. Threats within the chemical market could be the continual need to stay environmentally friendly. This can add costs and reduce focus on core assets of the business. While everyone wants to stay â€Å"green†, it comes at a price and that has to be economically accounted for keeping the cost benefit ratio at an equilibrium that is good for all. Marketing Research Customer Analysis BASF being a company that markets its goods and services to organizational firms primarily focuses on the practice of business marketing and being a company that produces no real end product the analysis of normal consumer behavior is not widely used. The success of a business to business marketing plan is in the hands of an organizations purchasing group. These groups that make the purchasing decisions for organizations usually have numerous deliverables that could drive the individual market. One group may see delivery performance as a key factor in their purchasing decisions, the next market segment may see price, value added services or warranty as the key elements. Because of this BASF must continually scan the environment of each of its individual segments and markets using a multidomestic marketing strategy. Being a global provider of chemicals the use a multidomestic marketing strategy helps in the sale of their diverse array of products dependant upon the particular market and the unique region. Marketing research in a commodity based business like the chemical business is primarily based on the use of combination of secondary data analysis and a small amount of primary data gathering and mainly environmental scanning. Scanning the environment and staying on top of the latest social, economic, technological, competitive and regulatory forces help BASF form its global strategy in marketing. This strategy then flows down to the different divisions using more practical marketing research tools to grow the business. Being a business to business company means marketing research is primarily secondary data. BASF globally uses SAP business software. The information gathered in this software is used to formulate sales forecast based off past performance. It is also used to analyze what products are moving and which are not giving key indicators of what products or even divisions are the Stars which are the Dogs, Cash Cows and Question marks. Corporate sales, procurement and logistic systems like WorldAccount or Ensphere ® are also used to gather this data to better service the customer. Trade magazines and publications are used by many of the divisions to gather data in the development of marketing plans. Here is an example from one of the divisions; BASF Industrial Coatings uses trade publications like Metalmag and Construction News to analyze industry trends. Along with trade magazines industry web sites provide information as well. Sites like the one listed below provide valuable information to keep BASF on top of the industry and what’s the voice of the customer. These sites are for the Industrial Coatings division. http://www. coolmetalroofing. org (cool metal roofing coalition) http://www. coolroofs. org (cool roof rating council) http://www. metalconstruction. org (metal construction association) http://www. themetalinitiative. com http://www. designandbuildwithmetal. com (new website lots of pertinent info). Although this is just one division of BASF the same practices reflect across the different divisions. Although not highly used, BASF does a small amount of primary data gathering. In the different divisions web polls, new product or service trials and focus groups have been used to gather information about the voice of the customer. Companies like Ducker Worldwide have performed â€Å"Voice of the Customer Focus Groups† to gather information on the performance of BASF as compared to their competition. Trials include potential new products or services that are either presented or given to a customer to test the markets interest in such goods. These goods or services are run through a customer in the industry to collect information on what the markets tolerance is for such goods or services. Regulatory, social, economic, competitive and technological forces help steer the marketing plan of the various BASF divisions. Through environmental scanning in each of these unique regions BASF collects data. The data is then analyzed to focus on trends in the global market. This data is then used to help direct the company and marketing plan. Canada has had legislation banning/limiting the use and importing of the chemicals such as Isophorone. Isophorone is a distillate of acetone a chemical used in inks, coatings and copolymers. This markets regulatory force led to a change in the components used in coatings sold into Canada. This led to the marketing of â€Å"Isophrone Free† coatings. This information was gathered and then marketed through brochures and fliers as well as the face to face interactions of the BASF sales force with their Canadian customers. With the ever increasing focus on the health of our environment, not only locally but globally, BASF has recognized this social pressure and focused an incredible amount of energy on marketing to the â€Å"Green Movement†. A mere visit to the BASF web site will show the amount of energy being placed upon marketing to the environment. This Green Marketing can be seen in headlines like â€Å"Intelligent solutions for climate protection†, â€Å"Sustainable development†, â€Å"Eco-Efficiency† and â€Å"Climate Protection† on the lead in page of their web site. BASF is currently marketing its association with world wide movement â€Å"Eco- Efficiency Analysis†. Figure 1. Eco-Efficiency Analysis comparing BASF Ibuprofen to competition This term that was coined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in its 1992 publication Changing Course looks at the overall footprint of a product from â€Å"cradle to grave†. Realizing the negative image of chemicals and their effect on the environment BASF uses Eco-Efficiency certification to market and sell the total impact a product will have on the environment. The hope is that their product will stand out as environmentally better than the competitions (Figure 1). This certification is being offered on many of its product lines across the globe. Products like Ultradur  ® high Speed easy flow plastic, Ecoflex  ® biodegradable packaging material carry the Eco-Efficiency seal. Other products like or Ultra-cool  ® paints with UV resistant pigments to reduce heat transfer in buildings carry the Energy Star certification. All these have come from environmental scanning. Ultra cool was marketed well enough that it pre-dated any legislation that followed. California’s â€Å"Title 24 Energy Code† now mandates solar reflective coatings used in construction. In the metal roofing industry BASF was the only company producing â€Å"cool† coatings that could meet this legislation and they were producing it before the legislation was enacted. Since then all major suppliers of paint for metal roofing have developed and now market â€Å"cool† coatings. This market segment did not exist until the development of BASFs Ultra-cool ® coatings. This is a testament to the effects of collecting marketing data using environmental scanning, product development and marketing. In scanning the economic climate BASF has gathered data for years on the benefits of their concept Verbund also known as total integration. The Verbund concept has been marketed through every division of BASF the chemical company. There is a â€Å"Purchasing Verbund†, â€Å"Safety Verbund†, a â€Å"Production Verbund† and many more. All of these wide variety of products would make you think that there are a lot of different prices to consider when purchasing from BASF. Because the products they offer are mostly raw materials, the prices of their products change with the economy. When the price of oil goes up, their prices for materials related to that product go up as well. They don’t base their prices off of any index or manufacturer recommendation. This price fluctuation does not affect the quality of their services as there is really no comparison by price to judge whether or not the product is quality. The price that BASF offers for it’s products does not affect consumer perceptions of their company. It seems that along with the business of providing chemicals, they also bring along the feeling of connecting with their customer on a higher level. That overrules the price effect on a consumers decision to go with BASF. BASF does not use the concept of off-peak pricing, which consists of charging different prices during different times of the day, week, or month. This usually reflects the varying demands of the services or products offered. BASF would not benefit from this tactic because the only reason their price changes would be due to the economy and their resources. They do not have a peak time or an off-peak time of demands for their products because they are raw materials and chemicals. The chemicals that BASF offers are in need to make finished products by many different companies at all times of the year. Place BASF uses the e-commerce network widely to reach their customers and suppliers. E-commerce is the electronic handling of business transactions with purchases and production. They conduct most of their transactions through the web in which a customer can log into their personal account and purchase their products through what they call WorldAccount. BASF uses the new internet e-commerce world as a way to make communication faster, more effective, and more direct. It allows customers to have service 24/7, get precise product information, have orders processed faster as well as keep current data on all of your orders. BASF found that the e-commerce way of providing products was the best way allowing more detail and service to be provided to the customer. BASF also has a good representation with production and sales facilities in all of the economic regions. They are located in five continents which are Europe (which is their home market), North America, Asia, Africa and South America. They have more than 100 large sites throughout the world which allows them to be closer to their customers in 170 countries and supply them with their products in a reliable manner. BASF has verbund sites located in Germany (Ludwigshafen), Belgium (Antwerp), Freeport Texas, Louisiana, Malaysia (Kuantan), and China (Nanjing). The term verbund is a German word and means â€Å"linked† or â€Å"integrated†. These verbund facilities make use of integration production processes which makes it less expensive to manufacture the products. This allows BASF to supply a wide variety of different sectors. BASF also operates important production sites which are located in Germany (Schwarzheide), Spain (Tarragona), Port Arthur, Texas, Mexico (Altamira), Brazil (Guaratingueta), China (Shanghai), Japan, (Yokkaichi) and Korea (Ulsan). The use of these multiple locations makes BASF a company that one can rely on almost anywhere you are located. This allows the company to become inseparable from their customers making it more convenient to do business with them in person, as well as through their online stores. Promotion The main idea about BASF’s promotional campaign in Europe is to show that certain things would not exist without their chemicals. It aids you in the course of life and without them, certain things would not be attainable for you. Their main slogan is â€Å"Invisible Contribution. Visible Success. They are aiming to show you that BASF is often working behind the scenes to make their invisible contribution that creates a visible success for their customers through using their chemicals to create the end product. Their image campaign in Europe(which is made up of television commercials and print ads) is directed at the opinion leaders. These are members of society who lead others and shape the views of the general public. The campaign has been covered in Germany, France, Great Britian, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands through newspapers and lifestyle magazines (such as business, news and science magazines). Their television ads are broadcast during scientific and sport programs, new bulletins, films and television series and is aimed at a wide target audience in Europe. They feature different ads for each type of chemical that they provide which include television ads for the paper industry, the semiconductor industry, water treatment, house construction, sports and leisure, road construction, agricultural products, extreme sports, automotive industry, bridge construction, sun protection, fuel, and plasticizers. They are making sure that they cover each kind of service that they offer by showing this wide variety of television and print ads. BASF uses a discrete way of creating publicity for themselves. When you are on their website for Europe advertising you have the opportunity to download their several different print ad campaigns and use them how you would like. They also offer the option for you to purchase either a postcard or poster of the ad. Publicity is something that is nonpersonal and an indirectly paid presentation of an organization, good or service. In this case, the customer, or fan of BASF, is paying for the poster or postcard, and in turn when sending that postcard or putting up that poster, they are providing no personal advertising that was not directly paid for by BASF. It is a pretty creative way of getting a profit and recognition while allowing their customer’s to do the advertising for them. In this case, the publicity works for them. When it comes to advertising in America, the rules are a little different than they are in Europe. Their main theme is that they are helping to make products better. Their main focus is to show how their chemicals can make your everyday life better here and around the world by creating remarkable and visible changes in many of the most important industries. Their slogan is â€Å"We dont make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.  ®Ã¢â‚¬ . This slogan, according to BASF, has made them the most recognized of any chemical company in North America. The purpose of the several different TV ads allow you to see that they don’t make the finished product, they just provide the quality ingredients to make the best products. It also allows you to see that there are countless uses of the BASF materials that allows you to enjoy life. Just as their slogan says, in most of their TV ads they tell you that they don’t make the product, they just make the product itself better. For example, â€Å"We don’t make the helmet, We make it tougher† is a slogan used in a commercial about their Ultramid polymide nylon that provides hardness and abrasion resistance commonly used in helmets. Along with their TV and print ads, BASF is moving into a more innovational way of advertising to keep up with the demands of advertising and today’s technology. They offer through their website Podcasts. These podcasts include an audible innovation magazine of BASF that offers monthly topics on how chemistry and chemicals will design and shape our future. The other podcast available through the BASF website is â€Å"The Chemical Reporter†. This podcast is for the curious person that has questions about chemistry in your everyday life. This podcast offers answer in their weekly episodes. You can download this to your iTunes account or as an MP3 file for you MP3 player. Another innovation offered is to receive all news alerts and press releases through a RSS feed free of charge. This allows a customer to receive up-to-date news about BASF in a very quick and comfortable way (at your own computer). The only draw back is that you have to download and RSS-reader, but once you have you can select from several different news topics about BASF available online at their website. I’m sure these new innovations are there to create a buzz and traffic to their website. Recommendations The success of BASF marketing can be seen in there continual growth globally. To make recommendations would be easier if we were to look at one division of the company. Either due to market conditions or poor market strategy planning not all the divisions of BASF can be doing well at any given time. The American auto industry is in a state of flux with ever present pressures from the global market. Although divisionally BASF will feel these pressures globally their affiliation with non-US auto makers absorb some of this industries variation, this allowing time for the US market to be analyzed and adjustments to be made. Pure recommendations would have to come from some direct market analysis based off of the division of the company. BASF has done a great job in their Verbund concept. Being a supplier, the concept of interlocking processes or systems creates a relationship with the customer that is hard, or sometimes inefficient to break. From this alignment with cusotmers long term relationships are established. BASF could draw better on global technologies. In looking through the BASF corporate web site many of the technologies that are seen are from different countries. Online information on the use of these products in a specific country could not be confirmed or denied as a potential customer it would have been nice to know that they are available domestically. One observation is that BASF although a hidden part of many â€Å"name brand† products does not benefit from any of their customers successes. Co-branding could lock in the business through the social pressures felt by dropping BASF as a supplier in favor of an alternative. One flaw of focusing on the Verbund concept to lock in customer loyalty is it makes social pressure less of a final end consumer pressure and more of an industry pressure which in the end may not affect sales. In not hurting sales the decision to drop BASF is less of an issue of end unit sales and more of an internal issue of efficiency. Companies like Dow and DuPont often add their name to products in advertising. One example is LineX. LineX is a truck bed liner that is spray applied. This product uses BASF chemicals yet it is DuPont that benefits from co branding with LineX. LineX advertises on their website the following â€Å"LineX, fortified with DuPont Kevlar†. This co-branding is getting the name DuPont and their product Kevlar out to the end consumer. Thus if the customer is happy with the bed liner they may be happy with a product like â€Å"Suave shampoo with DuPont thickening agent† when it should be â€Å"Suave shampoo with BASF thickening agent†. This co-branding would broaden BASF’s evoked set and lock in customer relationships. BASF should capitalize on their success more publicly. The successes of BASF can only be found through their website. These high points in the story of BASF would help establish the confidence that a purchasing group would have in dealing with a stable successful company like BASF. One last recommendation would be to sponsor more events. Dow and DuPont get much of there brand awareness from the sponsorship of events like racing. BASF does a limited amount of this and mostly on a divisional basis. Sponsoring events would get the BASF name out there making it more of an everyday name than it is today.

Managing financial resources in health and social care Essay

Managing financial resources in health and social care - Essay Example One more key principal that the company may follow is that past costs should not be taken into the consideration for the future. The company should meet its all costs related with business control within stipulated time frame. If costs of earlier period are recovered in future period then it will be a wrong step from the organization. The organization can go for activity based costing. It will help the organization to measure each and every step of different activities. In this way the company can keep firm controls on its different activities. The organization needs information related with the different financial indicators of the company. Different information is EBITDA, revenue, earning per shares, profit before tax, dividend distribution, cash inflows of the company and different acquisition costs. All these information were very important for CareTech holding to manage their financial resources. EBITDA helps the organization to measure it operating profitability. This information is very important for the company to manage their operating expenses. It helps the organization to measure its core profitability. Revenue informs the organization about the amount of money that, the company earns from its different activities. Earnings per shares talks about the profitability of the company. The company’s profit related to each outstanding share can be measured with the help this indicator. PBT helps the organization to understand all its profit before paying tax. It gives significant importance to the organization. Cash inflows related information helps the company to understand and measure different cash inflows within a fixed time period. The Company can get significant information from their acquisition related costs. It will help the organization to understand different costs related with their recent acquisitions. Dividend distribution is also a very important aspect as far as the stakeholders are

Ethnographic Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethnographic Study - Essay Example But one word from her will silence him forever, and he will never bother her again. If, however, her feelings have changed, he has to tell her that she has bewitched him body and soul and he loves her. Lizzie comes forward, just as the sun was rising, and catches Darcy's hand in hers. She kisses it and tells him, your hands are cold. And they slowly bent their heads forward, touching each other's mind. The next part is Jane pacing the front of the door of her father's study. It opens and Darcy went outside, Lizzie rushes forward, without looking at Darcy. Then, as she was asked by her father to close the door, she turns back, gives Darcy a smile full of love, her heart on her eyes, as she slowly took her time to do her father's wish. Inside the study, Mr. Bennet asks Lizzie if she has lost her mind, as he thought Lizzie to despise the man. Lizzie denies the allegation. Mr. Bennet states that Lizzie will have more fine carriages than Jane, and if by being rich will make her happy Lizzie asks him if he has no objections than her indifference with Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bennet says none at all. He then added that Darcy is a proud unpleasant sort or fellow but that it would be nothing if she liked him. Lizzie states that she does. Her father nodded. Until she added that she loves him. Her father was surprised and Lizzie states that of all of them, she was the one who has mistaken him; who has judged him, that he is not a proud fellow. She also added that Mr. Bennet doesn't know him, doesn't know what he's done. Mr. Bennet then asked Lizzie what Mr. Darcy has done, and the scene cuts off to show Mr. Darcy pacing the courtyard, as Mrs. Bennet and Jane was looking out the window to him, telling each other the impossibilities of the situation as they thought that Lizzie disliked the man immensely. Then Jane stated that they must be wrong about Lizzie's true feelings, and Mrs. Bennet states that it isn't the first time, and Jane laughingly said, "No, it isn't. And it certainly isn't the last." While in the study, Mr. Bennet takes the full blow of Lizzie's confession about Darcy. He realizes the grave debt that he has now owed to the man. He wanted to pay Darcy, but Lizzie declined, stating that nobody must know, and that Darcy wouldn't like it. Lizzie then says that they have misjudged him in every way; that they are so much alike, both of them are fools as well as stubborn. And with this admission, Mr. Bennet burst out laughing, saying that Lizzie does love the man. So he heartily gave his consent. Lizzie hugs her father, saying thank you. The first cultural aspect shown in the scene was the apology for the behaviour of Darcy's aunt the previous night. This was to ensure that Lizzie knows that Darcy was against his aunts' actions and that he is sorry for the hurt it may have caused her. In this part, common courtesy was present, even in the early 19th century, where this movie was set, courtesy and respect are two most important factors for the titled and important people; even for the lower ones. Even up to now, common courtesy is still practiced as it is known to be the upbringing of a person's life since childhood. It is a brand and a name and it places people into a bracket of identity. Common courtesy also calls that Lizzie declines the apology, as she knows that

White Collar Crime in America Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

White Collar Crime in America - Research Paper Example â€Å"White-crime statistics are drearier still. Though two out of every three Americans have been the victims of a white-collar crime, 85 percent of victims don't file reports with the authorities. An untold number may never even know they have been the victims of crimes such as stock manipulation, double billing for purchases, unnecessary home or auto repairs, embezzlement, or as evidenced by recent events, Ponzi schemes.† (O'Donnell, Jan 29, 2009.) Is there a permanent solution to root out white-collar crimes from American society and if so what are the measures to be initiated? White collar crime baffles definition. The industrialization and the internet revolution which are the foundation stones of the materialistic civilization have contributed much to the advancement of the white-collar crime. Explaining the inability of the thinkers and writers on the subject to come to an acceptable conclusion to tender a definition that is acceptable to all, David O Friedrichs goes to elaborate the major crimes which can be classified as white collar crimes. He writes, â€Å"Some of these terms include economic crime, commercial crime, business crime, marketplace crime, consumer crime, respectable crime, â€Å"crime at the top†, â€Å"suite† crime, elite crime and deviance, official crime and deviance, political crime, governmental crime, state (or state-organized) crime, corporate crime, occupational crime, employees crime, vocational crime, techno-crime, computer crime †¦.†(Friedrichs, 2006, p, 5) That which is evident needs no further app reciation, explanation or elaboration. White collar crime has taken hold many segments of society and is growing in all directions like the octopus. This is also a contentious topic- whether one is committing a legitimate business activity in a free enterprise system which is the hallmark of a capitalist society or indulges in white-collar crime.  

Recruiting and Ad Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Recruiting and Ad - Assignment Example The general timeline will move backward from the search start date to the selection of candidate, and finally to the candidate hire date. The Recruitment Plan will encompass a 10 week process that spans the following elements in chronological order: Develop a concise statement to define the process and goal. Summary Statement for the Candidate search: Marvel Worldwide Inc. is expanding their creative universe with the addition of an energizing professional Product Review Technician for the Comic Book Division. We are offering excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic motivated Product Review Specialist to get their career off to a positive start. You will join our Creative team and have a range of duties and responsibilities including Quality Control and Product Synergy within defined parameters. The ongoing challenge of improving and streamlining our Creative department will require you to work and communicate closely with other members of our team. Decide upon the scope of publication for the current Candidate Search. Prepare an efficient and adequate applicant processing plan that is designed to create a short list of qualified candidates based on a qualifier pre-screening criteria. All Applications will be screened based on the following: Educational level, Editorial Experience, and Product Knowledge/Aptitude. Applicants are sub divided and grouped based on qualifier procedure. Highly qualified and skilled applicants receive a complete resume review including reference verification, verification of educational back ground and preliminary work history review. Applicants that are most qualified are contacted and scheduled for formal interview. Interview objectives are established and applicant testing/coordination exams are scheduled to correspond with interview schedules. Schedule ample time for each

The Joy Luck Club Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Joy Luck Club - Essay Example There is at the most only one Asian actor out of ten. And the Asian cast barely gets the top part. Unless he is Jackie Chan, he'd probably get only minor roles. In my opinion, this should change. You don't need an Asian related plot in the story to cast Asians. There are plenty American citizens who have Asian origin. They are what you can call "All American" already. Mainstream Hollywood films and TV shows often contain a stereotype Asian: geeky, foreign, martial arts expert, domestic or someone who barely speaks English. Take for example the TV series Heroes in NBC. It's about individuals having extraordinary powers, trying to save the world. The plot is very culture neutral. But take a look at the character Hiro Nakamura. He's Japanese and he has the power to stop time. Notice that he has glasses, looks harmless and a little geeky. In Grey's Anatomy - ABC's TV series about doctors, Cristina Yang is perhaps the only Asian woman in the series. She is hardworking and very driven. Again, like Hiro Nakamura, she is bordering on being geeky. The movies are no better. In Charlie's Angels, Alex Munday - played by Lucy Lui, was the intellectual 'techy' geek. It doesn't matter that she looks gorgeous. She's an Asian woman, she has to be good with computers. In Two Weeks Notice, George Wade - played by Hugh Grant comments on how the good the maid looks that day. He tells her that she looks like a "young Imelda Marcos". The maid is obviously Asian. In The Nanny Diaries, one of the nannies is also Asian. Therefore, aside from being intelligent and geeky, Asians are also portrayed as domestics. So how is it possible that Hollywood can make one movie brilliantly correct about Asian culture and make a thousand others that utterly misperceive the same Asian culture In my opinion, it's because of lack of thought. You see, these stereotypes did not come out of thin air. In a way, they have factual basis. There are Asians who work very well with computers and Asians who are into martial arts or are domestics. And we cannot deny that there are Asian tourists who cannot speak English very well. It's true that not all Asians are like that, but they are the ones that stand out. They stand out because their different. Their image sticks to you. Of course there are also Asians who have been living all their life in America. Who are American citizens and speak English like everyone else. They have embraced the American culture. And it's even possible that they have never actually set foot in Asia or any place outside America. They could be doctors, lawyers, teachers, writers, you name it. They are as normal as your average Joe. But we don't notice them because they are just like everyone else. Instead, we remember the geek, the nanny and the tourists. In my opinion, this is how the stereotype began in the first place. And Hollywood just didn't take the time to change that. Therefore, even if they make one or two brilliant film about Asian culture, because of lack of awareness and thought, they carelessly continue to stereotype Asians in the rest of the films they make. The Joy Luck Club did not break stereotype People may say that Hollywood succeeded in breaking the stereotype. I do not agree. The success of Hollywood in portraying Asians a little bit more accurately in the movie The Joy Luck Club is because of two things. First, this movie was an adaptation of the book: The Joy Luck

International finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

International finance - Essay Example This traditional system increased the necessity for the bankers to carefully evaluate the creditworthiness of debtors. However, as the years passed, a huge change was observed in the entire system of raising and borrowing funds. Under the new system it was observed that brokers started raising funds and lent it to the borrowers instead of the bankers. This particular process was termed as â€Å"originate and distribute model† wherein the brokers were paid depending upon the number of mortgages they sold to the borrowers. This in turn played a huge role in causing the financial crisis, as the brokers were not concerned whether the borrowers defaulted from the mortgage owing to limited liability in the transaction; instead they were only concerned about selling more number of mortgages. Consequently, the economies of numerous Asian and European nations were adversely affected by the US securitization system. For instance, there was a 4% fall in the GDP of Japan in the year 2009 wherein there was heavy decline in the overall industrial production of the nation due to which, its economy suffered largely. Thus, it was considered that one of the major causes for the financial crisis was due to the change in the U.S. mortgage industry (Allen and Carletti, 1-43). Global imbalances and the advent of the US housing bubble were also considered as a cause for the financial crisis being faced by the economy of various nations. It was believed that global imbalances resulted in bursting the US housing bubble, due to which, the global financial crisis occurred. Correspondingly, it is argued that the global imbalances was a result of economic policies framed in the East Asian regions, export-led development strategy, undervaluation of the exchange rate in China and accrual of global reserves that was driven by self-insurance purposes. Export-led development strategy was also considered as a cause due to the

Developing Management skills - 8th edition david a Whetten & Kim s Essay - 2

Developing Management skills - 8th edition david a Whetten & Kim s cameron - Essay Example ensation rewards and organizational goals will make employees take full control of their jobs hence improving their efforts and overall job performance. According to Navistar Internationals incentive plan, the plain aims at enabling the organization and its affiliated company subsidiaries to attract and retain employees with high qualifications and skills. Additionally, the company’s incentive plan aims at attracting consultants and non-employee directors who have exceptional skills in the operation of the company (Whetten and Cameron 90). The company is focused on providing its key employees occupying major positions an opportunity to earn incentive awards in line with the quality of their individual performance and achievement of performance goals. In line with the above mentioned organizational goals, the company has designed a number of compensations for its different categories employees. The company has different levels of employees defined by their tasks and responsibilities (Whetten and Cameron 95). The awards for performance depend on the performance of employees and their level of employment as stated earlier on. The objective of the company is attracting and retaining exceptional talent through attractive compensation packages. The incentive plan for the company is designed in such a way that employees with greater responsibility receive higher compensation compared to employees with less responsibility. This is because employees with greater responsibility have higher skills and talents and the organization is keen in attracting and such a group of employees in order to improve and maintain good performance. The organization’s incentive plan is based on pay-for-performance. The organization provides for the establishment of a committee that is responsible for the evaluation of employee performance and recommendation for compensation. Since the organization aims at attracting and retaining exceptional talent and skills, the pay-for-performance

Tiger Energy Drink Marketin Plan Essay Example for Free

Tiger Energy Drink Marketin Plan Essay 1. 0. Executive Summary Tiger Energy Drink offers their consumers â€Å"a unique product endowed with different usage alternatives† providing a beverage focused on positive effects of an energy drink and guarana with an amazing sweet taste. Tiger Energy Drink is an alternative to tea and coffee and can be consumed cold or hot depending on the preference. It has a very sweet taste -not too much intense- and can be consumed as a regular beverage. Tiger is positioned itself as an alternative to coffee since it offers a great variety of caffeine (guarana) and other energy drink since it offers different flavors. Guarana, the main ingredient of the Tiger energy drink, has a cognitive effect. A 2007 human pilot study assessed acute behavioral effects to four doses (37. 5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg and 300 mg) of guarana extract. Memory, alertness and mood were increased by the two lower doses, confirming previous results of cognitive improvement following 75 mg guarana. Some research also shows that Guarana has antioxidant and antibacterial effects, and also fat cell reduction. The target audience is working class and is primarily males and females between 25 – 40 ages. The majority consumer group of Tiger Energy Drink includes white-collar workers who spend long hours in office, working parents and young adults. 2. 0. Situation Analysis Tiger, founded 6 months ago by 2 entrepreneurs, is about to enter the competitive energy drinks market in Turkey. Although Energy Drinks market is considerably small, its annual growth rate is around 30% and the market is the most profitable segment of the non-alcoholic beverages market. The existence of big players and many cheaper outlier products will make it difficult for Tiger to establish a strong brand and market share in the short term. In order to do that, Tiger will differenciate in product flavors, hot or cold use opportunities and varied serving sizes. Of course, careful targeting of specific segments and supporting marketing activities will be the key to success. 2. 1. Market Summary Energy Drink market in Turkey consists of 0,35% of the whole non-alcoholic beverage market in terms of the market volume. The total volume of non-alcoholic beverages in Turkey is 7,2 billion liters, whereas Energy Drink’s volume is 25,5 million liters. On the other hand, when the market value is taken into consideration, Energy Drink market gets 3,5% of the whole non-alcoholic beverages market. The value of the whole non-alcoholic drinks market is 8,5 billion TL, and Energy Drinks’ share is 298 million TL. While the average value per liter in non-alcoholic beverages market is 1,18 TL, The same ratio becomes 11,66 TL in case of Energy Drinks. Therefore, it can clearly be seen that this segment is quite lucrative and profitable. The sub-markets, from the biggest to smallest, are water, tea, carbonated drinks, non-carbonated drinks (e. g. ice tea) and coffee markets. Although, its size is small, Energy Drink market has a steady 30% annual growth rate. Energy Drink consumers are usually in the 25-40 age range, upper income level white collar people. However, cheaper products were able to penetrate low and mid income level segments too. These include truck drivers and blue collar workers. Energy Drinks are consumed in many different occasions. The need of concentration and productivity defines their daytime use whereas the need of fun and high energy defines their nighttime use. The table below shows how Tiger addresses the basic needs of its targeted segments. Targeted Segment| Customer Need| Corresponding Feature/Benefit/Product| All Segments| Wake-up in the morning| Tea flavored, hot or cold consumption optioned Tiger (B vitamins and thein)| Students Professionals| Concentration and Productivity in daytime and work activities| Orange, Melon or Tropical Mix Tiger drinks (Guarana)| | Fun and High Energy in nighttime activities| Orange, Melon or Tropical Mix Tiger drinks (Guarana, Ginseng, Taurin)| 2. 2. SWOT Analysis Tiger has several strengths which do not exist in Turkish market. However, lack of brand awareness and image is the most important weakness. The fact that the competition is well established could be identified as the strongest threat. Finally, the fast growing and profitable structure of the energy drink market would be the biggest opportunity. 2. 2. 1. Strengths Tiger has a number of important strengths 1. Innovative Product: The product has 3 different and well liked flavors which can be consumed without mixing with any other beverage. Alternatively, those flavors of Melon, Orange and Tropical Mix are suited to mix with many different alcoholic beverages. Finally the tea flavored, hot or cold consumption optioned, 4th variation is the revolutionary energy drink product. With its unmatched and tailor-made for Turkish taste tea flavor; this energy drink can be consumed even in breakfast. Its ability to be consumed as a hot drink is also revolutionary. 2. Pricing: Tiger offers excellent quality with better pricing than its 2 major competitors, Red Bull and Burn 3. Product Ingredients: Tiger’s excellent combination of Guarana and Ginseng causes great focus, improved memory and higher productivity. Furthermore, the Thein in tea-flavored variation invokes additional alertness, especially required in the morning. 4. Serving Sizes: Unlike its competitors, Tiger will have 350 ml cans for Orange, Melon Tropical Mix flavors and 75 ml cans for tea flavored variation as well as the conventional 250 ml cans. 2. 2. 2. Weaknesses 1. Lack of Brand Awareness: Tiger does not have an established brand awareness and image. On the other side, Red Bull, Burn and other competitors have strong brand images. This issue will be dealt with aggressive promotion activities. 2. 2. 3. Opportunities 1. Growing and Profitable Market: The Energy Drink market grows around 30% annually. Furthermore, that sub category of the non-alcoholic beverages market has the highest profitability. 2. Demographics: Turkey’s population is younger compared with European and U. S markets. Therefore, target market size is lucratively big. 2. 2. 4. Threats 1. Competition: The competition in Turkey is well established. Red Bull and Burn share the upper segment of the market with almost 65% of the market value in total. With the addition of smaller and cheaper products, there are around 40 different brands in Turkey. In sum, Turkish Energy Drink market is highly competitive. 2. Energy Drinks’ image: Energy drinks are still seen as unhealthy and unnatural. In 2001, Red Bull was banned in Turkish market due to excessive caffeine content. Red Bull’s caffeine content is 400 mg per liter, whereas Turkish regulations did not permit higher than 150 mg at that time. However in 2004, Turkish Food Codex has been updated according to European Union standards and Red Bull’s ban had been revoked. Additionally, some fatalities occurred after excessive alcohol consumption and it was said that energy drinks were also involved and they would cause death when mixed with alcohol. These incidents along with the banning history of Red Bull strengthened the â€Å"unnatural and unhealthy† image of the Energy Drinks. 2. 3. Competition 2. 4. Product Offering 2. 5. Distribution 3. 0. Marketing Strategy 1. The main marketing strategy is to emphasize Tiger’s distinctive taste, different usage opportunities and size can. The taste is not too intense but very enjoyable with three different flavor. The product has 3 different and well liked flavors which can be consumed without mixing with any other beverage. Alternatively, those flavors of Melon, Orange and Tropical Mix are suited to mix with many different alcoholic beverages. The tea flavored, hot or cold consumption optioned will be an innovative energy drink. The size also provides a longer lasting boost of energy and cognition and production capability which led to the brand â€Å"Stay focused† slogan. 3. 1. Marketing Objectives Since we are completely a new brand we have set realist but achievable objectives for the for the first and second years of market entry First year objectives: In 2012, the total volume of energy drink will be theoretically 33 million liter if we take the consideration of the growth rate and last year wasted volume. We are planning to get a 5 percent share of the Turkish energy drink market through unit sales volume of approximately 5. 000. 000. We have to achieve a steady increase in market penetration. The primary goal is to build and increase both awareness and brand loyalty for Voltro among upper-income professional age 25 – 40. Second year objectives: In second year the main objective is to increase market share from 5 to 8 percent. We are planning to achieve break-even and start to get profit on our third year in business. 3. 2. Financial Objectives. Energy drinks are most profitable beverage among all non-alcoholic beverages. The energy drink market is very small compared to other beverages market but it is growing 30 percent per year. Our financial objective is to maintain and increase this grow rate for our business. For the first year specially we would like to maintain a significant advertising budget to execute and utilize different media vehicles: magazine, internet, prime-time television, ambient and billboards. These media vehicles will allow Tiger to reach the desired reach and frequencies while keeping within the budget. 3. 3. Target Markets Tiger’s strategy is based on a positioning of different and exotic flavors, hot or cold use opportunities and varied serving sizes. Our main consumer target of Tiger is upper income level white collar people, working parents and young adults between 25 and 40 age who want healthy, natural, tasty and a high quality an energy drink with an affordable price. Tiger energy drink has ability to strengthen memory, increase focus and overcome exhaustion and insufficient energy. Our secondary consumer target is low and mid income level which include truck drivers and blue collar workers who seek to stay alert during driving, working, etc†¦ These type of consumers are only looking to pay less for an energy drink since they consume for a purpose: â€Å"stay focused and alert†. 3. 5. Positioning Kaplan’s strategy is to be an innovative energy drink by product differentiation based on size, taste and hot or cold usage. Using product differentiation, we are positioning Tiger Energy Drink as the most revolutionary, tasty and healthy energy drink. Tiger is the brand of energy drinks that gives you the need of concentration and productivity in day time and need of fun and high energy in night to allow you to do everything you want in a full day of work and play. The fruity and tropical fresh taste leaves you asking for more and the bigger size contain more healthy ingredients than their competitors. Our marketing will focus on the value-priced equilibrium, reflecting the positive side of a big size and product taste and usage alternatives. 3. 6. Strategies Product 3. 7. Marketing Program 3. 8. Marketing Research 4. 0 Financials 4. 1. Break-Even Analysis 4. 2. Sales Forecast 4. 3. Expense Forecast 5. 0. Controls 5. 1. Implementation 5. 2. Marketing Organization 5. 3. Contingency Planning Non-alcoholic beverages market data excludes pure milk and home use demijohn water products.

Traditional Art vs Digital Art Essay Example for Free

Traditional Art vs Digital Art Essay Traditional art VS Digital art Fri, May 15, 2009 News Because we live in a century dominated by technology innovation, art itself has been offered new creative horizons. But these new advantages have not been considered so beneficial for the art by some conservative art lovers, who believe that if the art is not created using traditional tools (pen, oils, watercolor, etc. ) that art cannot be considered true art (true in the meaning of recognizing it’s real values). Even if the painting, the design or the sketch is created using   traditional tools, just a pencil and paper, or a drawing tablet, both reflect in the same way the artist’s creative effort and talent. ? What is really offending nowadays, due to this technology, is that many people pretend to have â€Å"become artists† just because he/she can easily combine some Photoshop brushes. The main question that stands is: how much of that person’s talent is reflected in that resulting piece of art? That depends very much on the person behind the technology. If the person who wants to create ART using the computer is an ARTIST, the resulting piece of digital stuff is ART, without the artist, drawing and manipulating programs can’t do a thing.? Sometimes it’ very hard to discern between the real artists and the ones who are just playing with the tools provided by digital programs. There are also some artists, who pretend their art is totally innovative, abstract or exceeds the limits of imagination by disposing mixtures of abstract elements and finally call it ART. The limits of deciding are actually fragile, because everything that is considered to be ART is decided to be valuable, innovative or absolutely worthless, by   subjective points of view, and a design that is considered to be total crap for one might look absolutely amazing in some others’ opinion. That’s true concerning all kinds of tastes. ?To that, many artists are still attached to those sensitive feelings that traditional art gives, that intimacy between yourself and the blank paper, that process of transforming the paper in front of your eyes, touching it, etting dirty or wrapping it when everything goes wrong. These are feelings that cannot be experienced in front of a monitor.? But although modern art is made of true and false artists, talented and crooks, innovative or copy cats, we cannot ignore the BENEFITS that digital technology has brought.? Digital art is also considered the art of the future, because it provides infinite opportunities for the artist to expand his imagination and show us the   crazy and amazing things he can do just by using a mouse, a drawing tablet and his skills. These things can be considered wrong and â€Å"evil† only by those artists who have been painting all their life in the traditional old style and cannot accept or cannot adapt to new techniques.? Digital art can be considered innovating also for the classical process approach:   programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effect, not to speak about the 3d ones, 3D Studio Max and Maya offers the artist many electronic brushes, pen tools, endless colors and combination, which make their life and the process of creation much easier and pleasant. Amazing   illustrations   and images that seemed impossible to create in the past, are possible with the help of new technologies. The progress that digital artist are achieving nowadays   in the fantasy/sci-fi field is mind blowing. Even though, there are also charcoal nudes or portraits who carry along profound aesthetic emotions for the viewer.? People may say that when an artist creates a   digital piece of art, that piece of art can be printed or sold in various forms in an infinite number of identical copies, and in the same time, that element which is so important for visual art lovers is lost: the uniqueness. But let’s keep in mind that copies of many famous traditional paintings have been manually created by the painters themselves, in order to satisfy as many collectors as possible.? Probably in the future, digital art will be considered traditional as well. But today, it’s the artists’ decision to choose the ways of expression f or their talent. http://blog. tshirt-factory. com/? p=678

System Analyst Skills and Knowledge

System Analyst Skills and Knowledge There is no doubt that information system analyst is playing an increasingly important role in most of the successful system project development. To achieve this, information system analyst must possess a wide range of qualities which involves appropriate skills and abilities as well as sufficient knowledge in the implementing system of users supports and functioning of business. It has to be considered that information system analyst carries responsibilities to analyse and understands the complex needs of human resources, people skills, technical understanding and process facilitation and it is basically applied from the first day of the system projects existence. It is crucial for every information system analyst to have dynamic project teams which are not static and unchanging as to ensure that they are able to articulate the needs that are associated with the key problem to be solved or opportunity to be realized. There are also several barriers exist in gathering and interpretin g of project information that needs to be concerned by information system analyst as this will affect the results of the project and the effectiveness of system development. This paper is critically emphasized on the skills and knowledge of an information system analysts and how these skills and knowledge have impacted in the successful in system project development. The structure of the paper will begin with the introduction, terminologies section, most important skills and competencies for a system analyst, other important requirements as well as a conclusion as the summarization of the whole topic. 1.0 INTRODUCTION Initially, information system analyst is highly necessary to run a system project. Without information system knowledge and appropriate skill set, it is hardly to achieve projects goals. There are various formal and informal roles that system analyst play in creating successful. In short, every system analyst in project has their own responsibilities that carry both formal and informal task and sometimes they are also assigned to run in big or small project concurrently based on the project requirements to achieve project successfulness. Essentially, system analyst plays an important role in the process of system development life cycle tasks which involved project planning, analysis, design, implementation and support process. Each process requires system analyst to perform different task and they must possess a wide range of skills with sufficient knowledge. This is important as system development is very difficult activity that needs very careful planning, control and execution. With the emergence of information technology, system has become increasingly role in most of the organization. In fact, a good system becomes the solely sustainable advantage for organizations to gain a winning position in todays highly competitive world. Parallel with that, the task of system analyst becomes more difficult because they have to deal with different organization with different requirements. According to Misic and Graf (2004), system analyst perform their job is characterized by constant change where the change of the environment and uncertainty places forces the system analyst to regularly and consistently update their task and activities. Meaning here, the system analyst should be able to adapt to the environmental changes. For that, a system analyst has to learn the culture or environment for every organization that they assigned to develop a system in order for them to effectively perform their job and meet the projects goals. In addition, they also need to have ful l understanding of system development and try to apply it within the organization with the support of knowledge and skills as it is very important and necessary to ensure the organization gain value and outperform rivals. Numerous articles have been written about system analyst skills and knowledge by many authors. Various authors have expressed different opinions on the skills that should be possessed by a system analyst such as analytical, technical, managerial and interpersonal or communication skills. There are two key skills that are needed to perform system analysis task, fact-finding for the investigation of system requirements and modelling of business process based on the system requirements (Satzinger, Jackson and Burd, 2009). Therefore, the purpose of this article is to provide thorough information on the aspects of tasks, knowledge and important skills of todays system analyst as well as to identify the impact of these aspects towards the effectiveness of system development. 2.0 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS: SYSTEM ANALYST, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS There are several of definition of a system analyst have been identified by many professionals. The meaning of the terms may vary from various authors depending to business process, workflow and discipline where it is used; however, the concept of a system analyst remains the same. According to Dennis and Wixom (2003), system analyst can be defined as the individuals who generate ideas and suggestions for how information technology can improve business processes, define new processes with the help of a business analyst, design a new information system and ensure that all the standard information systems maintained. In contrast, Whitten and Bentley (2007) have defined system analyst as a specialist who are responsible in identifying and study the organization problems and needs as to determine how people, data, processes and information technology can contributes to the business developments. Some people get confused the meaning between system analyst and computer programmer. Basically, system analyst is not a computer programmer; he or she is individuals that decided what form of information technology to be used in the development of a system, whereas a computer programmer is individuals which are responsible in putting appropriate instructions with specific code into computer system. However, both Information System professionals have a similar skills needed in system development, which is emphasized on technical skills (Patrick Chang Boon Lee, 2002). Systems analyst and computer programmer are related in some way or another, but they are not exactly the same. Systems analyst requires different skills. Instead, computer programmer is focused on a particular emphasis of the study. Systems analyst and computer programmer like other professions were forced to have a sense of ethics. As viewed by Kagan and Sobolo (1987), systems analyst job involves analysis of the problem or need information on the organization and resolve the problem through the design of an efficient pattern of information flow from the source data into the computer. In different point of views by Green (1989), system analysts are service providers who are work closely with users as to define, develop and implement computer based system in order to meet business and other requirements. The involvement of users is required to help the system analyst to do analysis and synthesis tasks on a particular system. Almost similar with Misic and Graf (2002) views, system analyst acts as problem solver where they work closely with users and management in collecting and analyzing information on current and/or future computer-based system. Information system knowledge and appropriate skills for effective tasks and duties is needed to be an excellent system analyst. Several authors reviewed knowledge as an actionable or relevant information available in the right format at the right time and at the right place for decision making. In other words, people seek knowledge because it assists them to improve performance and succeed in their work. Knowledge also is the most precious therapy for complexity and uncertainty. Further, the process of system development depends heavily on knowledge so that, by having right knowledge, organization can produce a good decision making with producing good product and services to ensure meet the business requirements. In the case of information systems, knowledge can be referred to as content or technical information needed to do an adequate job and is usually acquired through formal education, on job training and information media such as the manuals (Cheney, Hale and Kasper, 1990). Meanwhile, skills are referred to the specific psychomotor processes necessary to meet the current requirements of job a specific job. Skills also include facilities to choose from between the repertoire of action that may be most appropriate for their specific actions (Cheney, Hale and Kasper, 1990). Environmental projects may differ from organization to organization and project to project, however, some skills will help in almost any environmental project. These skills include understanding the changes and understand how the organization works within the social, political and physical. Important to realize, understanding the importance of system analyst activities and the related skills and knowledge may be critical in successful of system development. 3.0 MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES FOR SYSTEM ANALYST The system analyst needs certain skills to conduct system development. They need the skills to do systems analysis and design, where they have to understand what stakeholders (users, clients and technical staffs) need as to analyze the flow of data or enter data in a systematic, process or transform data, store data, and output information in the specific context of the business (Kendell and Kendell, 2010). Systems analysts aim to improve and develop information systems and information technology to get the best benefits for business especially in solving the business problems. Essentially, job skills support the core information system capabilities to determine the effective exploitation of technology innovation for IT organizations (Lerogue, Newton and Blanton, 2005). There are number of opinions that describe the skills that system analyst should possessed to be successful. Following is the most important skills and competencies for system analyst as pointed by various authors. Analytical skills According to Misic and Graf (2002) in their article entitled System analyst and skills in the millennium, analytical skills were considered the most important skills in the system development. Analytical skills can be defined as the ability to examine things critically and/or minutely, to separate the clear picture into its individual components (Misic and Graf, 2002). As indicated by Misic and Graf (2002), these skills provide the primary basis for an individual to adapt to changes in technology and by focusing on the development of their current employees and / or recruiting new employees that strong analytical skills of focusing mainly on a technical background, management information system will form a team development to be successful today and also in the face of the next wave of inevitable change and stress in their technological procedures. They also indicated that, this skill is applied in defining and analyzing requirements and insuring the fit within the organizations info rmation system environment. In other hand, analytical skills were involved in the analysis process where it is the task to understand the whole of something by breaking it down into important components. By understanding its components and how they fit together in a larger whole, it leads to understand the whole better. Analytical skill requires a system analyst to precisely in defining the problems. It is a fact that, knowing how to define a problem is a tough part. They have to find a way to break things into elements and utilize those elements to understand the real situations. The system analyst tasks might involve visualizing, articulating, and solving complex problems and concepts, and making sensible decisions based on information available. Analytical skills assist the system analyst to figure out the needs of the organizations and then try to satisfy those needs with a new system development. The growing use of technology has become a major part of the organization around the world. This led to the making the task of properly defines the problem ever more difficult. The system analyst has to be more precise in defining the problem besides determining the scope of a new system. This is the task where, system analysts have to properly define the possible problem and the target where they aim to hit. Important to know that, if the problem is wrongly identified it may impact on the system development, such as the new system will not well known, more time needed to do some research on a new system and many possible issues might be occurred. In contrast, if the problems are well identified with the analytical skill is applied to do this; the solutions to the particular problem are usually straightforward. Furthermore, to ensure the problem is precisely identified, systems analysts need to analyze and address the available information, to know what information sources are good, to be able to access and to make effective use in developing a new system. Identifying very clearly defined and specific problem is an important step to successfully implement the first solution. Interpersonal skills and communication skills Interpersonal and communication skills are other skills that required by every system analyst. Such skills are required at various stages of the development process for interacting with the users and try to identify their requirements in order to find out possible solutions to that particular problem. Interpersonal skills are related with individual skills needed to interact with individuals that associated with an IS project. In other words, interpersonal skills also can be referred as a behaviour and attitudes of individual, interpersonal communication and group behaviour in the IS context (Lerouge, Newton and Blanton, 2005). According to Lerouge, Newton and Blanton, (2005) in their study, IS managers have viewed these skills as the most important set skills for a system analyst in affecting IS success, whereas, for CIOs and end users indicated that technical skills were the most vital skills in successful of system development. Several authors indicated that behavioural, social, c ommunication and soft skills are sometimes referred to interpersonal skills as its characteristic represents individual behaviours such as articulating and speaking skills to interact with the users, ability to work in team such as programmers, analysts and other system professionals, personal motivation and working independently, good listener, ability to write and many more. Based on Odini (1991), interpersonal skills are term use to describe variety of social and communicative skills that involve two way communication skills, styles of positive behavior, leadership and teamwork and understanding of human behavior and interpersonal relationships in terms of interaction with relevant individuals. In contrast, Misic and Graf (2004) have distinguished interpersonal and communication skills into two different categories. Interpersonal skills are the ability to interact with other workers including end users, other system analyst, managers and outside vendors, meanwhile, communication skills is referred to the ability of people to effectively write and speak clearly, able to summarize document and that document must be understandable to the users. Most of company IT based found that interpersonal skills or communication skills in both speaking and writing and ability to work in team are very important and necessary to carry out their task. System analyst need to have communication skills as they are required to write users requirements into technical specifications. It is a fact that, good communication skill is significance to help the system analyst to interact with users in order to identify their needs, to interact with system designers to assist them in developing of system interface as well as to communicate with the system developer as to keep track of system development. According to Green (1989), system analysts believe that they must rely on behavioral skills to effectively interact with user during the crucial stages of problem definition and analysis. As indicated by Misic and Graf (2004), if system analyst is able to interact well with users, it shows that he or she has ability to work with members of project team . Moreover, system analyst should spend time getting close to the diverse stakeholders such as users, client and technical staffs in order to obtain information as they are the group of people who will use a new system and will benefit most from it. Generally, interpersonal skill is a significant factor in the success of system analyst in developing system. The excellent system analyst is involved in every aspect of the system development process, and is actively involved in the interaction design for the system. They have an understanding of the various ways the stakeholder need to interact with the system, understand the different needs and to identify the different aspects of design that will work for different stakeholders. Based on Green (1989), management must recognize that successful system development depends on both behavioral and technical skills. He added that, training to improve behavioral skills such as interviewing and listening is needed. This is because they have to interact with many groups of people in various businesses where this group of people provides valuable insights to ensure the system satisfies the business needs. Besides, systems analysts also liaise with almost every department of the business that is involved in solving the system problem. In addition, management must also provide an orientation program for the users involved in new projects. This program is mainly about the specific activities of system development and related skills needs for analysis. This program may facilitate the improvement of interaction skills and promoting greater consumer awareness of the importance of behavioral skills for systems development functions (Green, 1989). Technical skills There is no doubt that technical skills are areas commonly considered major to the computer related profession including system analyst. According to Misic and Graf (2004) technical skills are the ability to use techniques such as the development of systems of functional decomposition, data flow diagrams, process specifications, object-oriented analysis, data modeling, computer programming, hardware and software knowledge and other tools that are recognized to help in the development of system. In different point of views, Gallagher et. al (2010) indicated that technical skills can be divided into three major categories, foundational skills, operational skills and essential skills. Table 1, shows some of the technical skills that need to be possessed by every IT professionals. Table 1: Technical Skills Foundational Skills Operational Skills Essential Skills Programming System testing Desktop Support/ Helpdesk Database Design / Management Operating Systems Voice / Data Telecommunications Operations Service Hosting Continuity / Discovery Planning Mainframe / Legacy Systems Analysis Systems Design IT Architectures / Standard Source: Adapted from Gallagher et. al (2010) Based on the above table, it can be assumed that system analyst requires all three technical skills as to stay competitive with todays dynamic environment especially in the emergence of internet and intranet technologies. This rapid change in technology forced the system analyst to prepare and focuses on the system analysis and development of system by mastering all relevant technical skills. Foundation skills are skills to be obtained in advance by system analysts for their basic knowledge before they can further develop to a higher level of skills. Whereas as indicated by Gallagher et. al (2010), operational skills often in particular, but they are usually not firm-specific. Though, they may be specific to technology providers such as, IBM mainframes or Microsoft server products. These skills are important to solve problems that are related to the computers and both hardware and software. Meanwhile, essential skills are the most important skills in assisting system analyst to perfo rm in analyzing and designing of system development. There are changes in the system analyst technical skill set due to the development of technology. Haga et. al (2007), have defined technical skills set that are listed in the job bank into three major categories, there are, database skills, operating system skills and other miscellaneous skills. Table 2, summarizes the technical skills required for a system analyst listed in the job bank. All these skills are crucial for them to operate and Table 1: Technical skills required for system analyst listed in the job bank. Database Skills Operating System Skills Other Miscellaneous Skills Oracle SQL PL/SQL Database DB2 SQL Server Powerbuilder Sysbase Data Mining/ Data Warehousing Informix Delpi UNIX/LINUX Win NT Win 95/98/2000 AS400/ OS400 Mainframe JCL Novell Sun Solaris DOS MAC OS MS Office Internet/ Intranet Development Networking/Telecom SAP Accounting (pay-roll, etc) Peoplesoft Tech Support/ Help Desk ERP Lotus Notes uml Crystal Reports Vision Source: Adapted from Haga et. al (2007)

Toronto Blue Jays :: GCSE Business Marketing Coursework

Toronto Blue Jayss case study The Toronto Blue Jays baseball team was founded in the 1970s and experienced support from the fans during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1992 and 1993, the Jays won back-to-back World Series, yet in 1994, the team faced setbacks. The team had a losing streak, there was a major league baseball strike, and no World Series was played. At the same time, gambling came to Toronto, and the team had to compete for the fan's time. Also, players' salaries skyrocketed at a time when the Canadian dollar fell in value. How could the Toronto Blue Jays adjust ticket prices to improve financial performance and increase fan attendance? Situation Analysis The opening pitch of the 1999 marks the start of the Toronto Blue Jays twenty third seasons in the American League. In 1998, the Jays brought in their first winning season since 1993. The Jays plays in the worlds most advanced retractable-roof stadium. It is luxuriously called the Sky Dome. With a winning record like this and a state of the art stadium, the Jays feel their tickets are a great value because of the satisfaction fans can expect to receive from the ball game. Recommendation  · Price is that which is given up in an exchange to acquire a good or service. Price is typically the money exchanged for the good or service. Blue Jays pricing structure is based on the perceived value of the game, the entertainment, the love of baseball, and the action, not just the money.  · Inelastic demand means that an increase or decrease in price will not significantly affect demand for the product. In spite of the rising prices for the Blue Jays tickets, fans were expected to turn out in large numbers. This inelastic demand for the tickets can be attributed in large part of the fact that their teams plays so well in 1998, and another factor is that the Blue Jays fan could never stay away from their team. Another inelastic demand for the Blue Jays tickets is that there is no other locally substitute team.  · Blue Jays pricing strategies are not just a financial necessity, they are also a promotional tool used to increase fan attendance. How? At all Saturday home game and nonholiday games, senior citizens and young people up to fourteen years old can purchase tickets except for the most expensive ones.

citizern kane :: essays research papers

CITIZEN KANE Throughout the whole movie, the viewers got a feeling that Kane never had emotions and nothing could affect him, well this is until we learn of Rosebud. A childhood is something Kane was deprived of. When he was about 8 years old his parents sent him away to be educated and becoming something big in life, but what they did is take something away from him that no parent should take away; a childhood. Love is something that was not apparent in the opening scenes of the movie, his mother seemed so cold and stern, believing that is was in his best interests to leave home and become successful. Did this success make him a happy man, well later we learn the answer and that is no. Kane had everything a man could want in life, a wife who was not all ways loving but still there for him, an extravagant social life and last but not least billions of dollars. Kane had all this but he still never seemed to be pleased. He was demanded more and the best out of what he had. Kane had nearly fooled himself that these materialistic posesions made him happy, but what we really find out is; all he wanted was a normal life. His house was cluttered with senseless ornaments that probably mean the least to him. Kane’s amazing lifestyles with everything so big and exuberant was in a way his cure to a lonely soul. He never could determine who were his friends and who weren’t, once he dies we find out: many weren’t. If Kane had been brought up with a childhood, with the love and fun most children experience, maybe he wouldn’t have been so cold and brutal. The attraction of money wore out for him after a few years but it had already done its damage, and then we find him stuck, with nothing to do and most of all nothing that pleases him in life anymore. The key to understanding Kane was not in what he found pleasurable nor what interested him, it was his weakness. Kane always seemed tough, like he never gave a second thought about what just happened, he just did what he had to do and he did it swiftly but like all people something did affect him. Superman had Kryptonite and for Kane it was memories. Many memories that he should've had, that he missed out on.

A Comparison of Perfection in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knig

Perfection in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight The heroes of both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight are fighters. However, the traits they have in common are far less numerous than those that set them apart. As each of the two is dubbed perfect by his contemporaries, it should be possible to draw the picture of both the model warrior and the paragon knight by comparing Beowulf and Gawain. The first question to arise is that of leadership. In Beowulf, the hero is referred to as "prince"*, the "helmet-of-Weders"**, or "master-friend"***. This is not without reason: in the times of the epic, might did literally make right. Therefore, he who was to be an accomplished warrior had to display a leader s qualities as well as combat prowess. As for the knights, they had their appointed ruler, king Arthur, and none thought of challenging him. Neither did any of the knights distinguish himself as a general; all their exploits were done single-handedly. Now, let us focus on combat. Beowulf fights a great many battles during his life, and while some of these are only briefly mentioned (the famous sea-monsters, for instance), the really titanic ones are described fully and with abundance of detail. The clash between the Geats and Grendel may serve as an example here: " Now many an earl of Beowulf brandished blade ancestral, ( ) The outlaw dire Took mortal hurt "* And so it continues for fifty-one verses. And this is but one of the heroe s armed encounters! Clearly, one has to fight much to be a great warrior The matter is quite different when it comes to knights. While Gawain's skill with sword and lance is highly praised throughout the poem, his battles are only hinted at as... ...e himself notices, "nothing is said of Beowulf's wife in the poem, but Bugge surmises that Beowulf finally accepted Hygd's offer of kingdom and hoard, and, as was usual, took her into the bargain"*** - which reflects the lack of concern a true warrior should show when dealing with women. There is, however, a trait common to the warrior and the knight: the two have a set of rules they should obey. And though the regulations that force Beowulf to come to Hrothgar's help are not nearly as neatly organised as Gawain's chivalric code embodied in the "pentangle"****, the idea of being compelled to act in a way dictated by generally accepted rules appears in both poems. We have thereby drawn the pictures of the ideal men of two different ages, and proved in the process how much the notion of perfection has changed from Beowulf to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Personal Reward and Stimulation

Assessment task 4 : project 1 Ground rules for how a team will operate: Current level: We treat each other with respect. We intend to develop personal relationships to enhance trust and open communication. We value constructive feedback. We will avoid being defensive and give feedback in a constructive manner. We strive to recognize and celebrate individual and team accomplishments. As team members, we will pitch in to help where necessary to help solve problems and catch-up on behind schedule work Team member opinion: Team members can speak freely and in turn and all participants will have a sayNo one person will be allowed to dominate the discussion Team members will not speak on behalf of anyone else Team members will say what they think and not what they think someone else wants to hear Strengths and weaknesses Strengths: More friendliness, confiding in each other, and sharing personal problems; discussion of the team’s dynamics A sense of team cohesion, a common spirit an d goals Establishing and maintain team methods and boundaries Weaknesses: Arguing among members even when they agree on the real issues Defensiveness and competition; factions and â€Å"choosing sides†Establishing unrealistic goals Expressing concern about excessive work My Recommendations: Discuss team expectations Communicate; make sure everybody stay in the loop. Use organizational tools. 2 COMUNICATING RESPONSABILITIES. Current level By communicating responsabilities, you will be able to obtain desired results/outcomes, improve an employee's performance, and develop new skills. When you do meet to discuss these expectations, standards, and goals, meet in a quiet place without interruptions and have the job description and objectives in hand.Be sure to discuss the expectations with the employee and confirm that the employee understands the tasks and responsibilities of the position. Meet in a quiet place without interruptions 1. Have the employee's position description as well as unit's business plan and/or objectives at the meeting 2. Talk with employee about expectations, 3. Confirm that employee understands the tasks, responsibilities of the position 4. Ask the employee for comments, suggestions on performance standards 5. Finalize performance standards with employee, confirm the employee's understanding 6.Define performance standards at each level of performance, e. g. , meets expectations, exceeds expectations. Team member opinion Communication is one of the keys to running a successful business. And no one in a business should be exempt from workplace communication responsibilities. All employees and management of all companies no matter what size must learn proper business communications to insure excellence and productivity in the workplace Strengths and Weaknesses Strengths Skilled communicators recognize that effective communication takes forethought.For example, smart managers first evaluate their intended audience to gauge such factors as the current mood, audience education level and the context of the situation, and they frame their message accordingly. Effective communicators also evaluate all the possible channels available for communicating, such as face-to- face, over the phone and via email, and they choose the channel best suited for that particular message and audience. Also key to communicating effectively is learning to engage in actively listening: It takes two people — a sender and a receiver — to communicate.Effective communicators avoid distractions and focus on more than just the spoken word. They evaluate body language and tone of voice for clues to gauge whether their intended audience comprehends the message. Skilled communicators in the workplace also encourage open feedback, recognizing that communication is a constant process. Weaknesses: Typical weaknesses in communication include failure to adequately consider the needs of the audience. For example, rushed employees trying to me et deadlines often overload their audience with information, losing important details in the process.Additionally, many communicators inadequately evaluate their audience and ignore the impact of such crucial details as cultural background or education level on the communication process. For instance, industry experts who speak only in jargon will lose members of a general audience lacking experience with those terms. Ineffective communicators also underestimate the affect of physical distractions and emotional interference on their audience. Audiences often discount a speaker’s message if she uses bad grammar, appears sloppy or lacks enthusiasm for the topic.My Recommendation Smart business managers encourage communication strengths in the workplace by modeling superior communication skills with their own messages. Effective communicators educate themselves on the their employees’ individual frames of reference and adapt their messages accordingly. They recognize that meaning exists not in words, but in the people who use those words, and they use language that their audience will understand, avoiding slang, jargon or colloquial expressions.Most important, however, smart business managers actively listen to their audience, ask questions and encourage feedback to ensure that both the intended information and meaning of a message are understood. 3 Share tasks and activities Current level A Task is an activity that needs to be accomplished within a defined period of time or by a deadline. A task can be broken down into assignments which should also have a defined start and end date or a deadline for completion. One or more assignments on a task puts the task under execution.Completion of all assignments on a specific task normally renders the task completed. Tasks can be linked together to create dependencies. Strengths and weaknesses Strength Leaders communicate where they want to take their companies. They also organize groups for particular task s and ensure that group members have a clear understanding of their individual roles. The task- oriented is well suited to structured work environments, such as law enforcement and manufacturing assembly lines, in which repeating well-defined processes usually results in consistently high levels of productivity and quality.Weaknesses In most projects, tasks may suffer one of two major drawbacks: Task dependency: Which is normal as most tasks rely on others to get done. However, this can lead to the stagnation of a project when many tasks cannot get started unless others are finished. Unclear understanding of the term complete: For example, if a task is 90% complete, does this mean that it will take only 1/9 of the time already spent on this task to finish it? Although this is mathematically sound, it is rarely the case when it comes to practice 4 Planing and schedule activities Current level