Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 7

Marketing - Essay Example Furthermore, it has also been observed that, firms which offer interchangeable service channels are deemed to be ‘extremely appealing’ by the customers (Bendoly et al. 2005, Pp. 314). There is a substantial rise in the use of telephones and internet which are increasingly being integrated into the multi-channel service systems, and are substituted by the traditional means of communication such as face-to-face channel. Multi-channel retailing affords the customers to use additional service channels which entails a wider range of service outlets; increased convenience of shopping; time savings as well as reliability (Coughlan et al. 2001). Multi channel retailing offers several benefits to the firms in the form of service innovation; cost reduction; increased automation; customization of services; greater flexibility etc., among others (Bitner et al.2000). Maximising customer satisfaction is the key objective of multi channel retailing (Moriarty & Moran, 1990; Coelho & Eas ingwood, 2003) which is accomplished through an integration of various channel formats (Montoya-Weiss, Voss, & Grewal, 2003). Of all the channels of distribution, internet is ranked highly by both the sellers as well as the customers, as an appropriate and effective tool for enhancing the shopping experience of the customers. According to claims made, in recent research reports, there are various evidences which point to the fact that consumers with access to multiple retail channels, spend comparitively more than those with access to single channel of distribution. Furthermore, multiple channel retailers are known to have a wide base of loyal customers and repeat shoppers, as compared to those who offer a single channel of distribution (Berman, 2007). Such major shift in consumer preferences have acted as a major trigger for the retailers, compelling them to review their channel integration strategies, and take active steps in transforming the way they approach and target their cus tomer segments. Multi channel retailiers today, clearly have an edge over their single channel counterparts, both - in terms of competitive standing in the industry as well as higher customer satisfaction. Definition of Multichannel Retailing According to Levy & Weitz (2009) Multi channel retailing refers to an integrated set of activities which involves sale of products or services to the customers, via more than one channel of distribution. Berman and Evans (1998) classify retailing in accordance with store based and non-store based. Multi-channel retailing thus, refers to the integration of store based retailing with the non-store based channel. Multi-channel retailing in the Banking sector There has been a significant increase in the revenue growth in retail banks across the globe. This is because, of a tremendous shift in the number of channels used to reach their customers, leading to an enhanced customer experience; better market segmentation; ability to deliver an effective product mix; and a remarkable improvement in the service operations. The key channels of distr

War 1812 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

War 1812 - Assignment Example The goal of antislavery Republicans was to restore the Union and abolish slavery. They wanted the war to continue until the attainment of these goals. Originally, Lincoln did not recognize emancipation as the war’s goal, but he was burdened by the escape of several slaves in the South (â€Å"The Civil War†). With the fate of the Union being at stake, Lincoln was primarily committed to save the Union. His prime concern was to save the Union with or without freeing the slaves. Events led to the surrender of Lincoln to the antislavery republicans’ pressure. This made slavery the prime factor in Civil War and made the abolition evolve as a strategy to preserve the Union and put an end to the rebellion. Therefore, the president drafted emancipation’s general proclamation which was finally issued on 22 September 1862 and signed and approved by Lincoln on 1 January 1863. Abolitionists were concerned after the war that since the emancipation proclamation was deriv ed from the wartime powers of Lincoln, its power might wane. End of slavery in the US was an event of global significance

NHS And Community Care Act

NHS And Community Care Act Community care essentially aims to provide individuals in need with social, medical and health support in their own homes, as far as possible, rather than in residential establishments or in long-stay institutions. The enactment of the NHS and Community Care Act in 1990 marked a watershed in the evolution of community care practice in the UK (Means, et al, 2002, p 71). Implemented after years of discussion on the social and financial viability of maintaining people in institutions and homes, the NHS and Community Care Act, initiated by Margaret Thatcher, showcased her desire to radically change the practice and delivery of social and health care in the UK (Means, et al, 2002, p 71). The years following the passing of the Act have witnessed significant developments in the practice and delivery of social work in the country. This short essay attempts to investigate the basic reasons for the enactment of the NHS and the Community Care Act, its basic ideology and thrust, and its impact on the social work sector of the country. The essay also studies the developments in social care that have occurred in the years following the act, with particular focus on direct payments for people with learning disabilities, social care provisions for carers and the contemporary emphasis on personalisation. NHS and Community Care Act 1990 Whilst the initiation of the policy of community care in the UK is by and large attributed to Margaret Thatchers conservative government, the concept of community care, even at that time, was not exactly new (Borzaga Defourny, 2001, p 43). The need for community care existed from the beginning of the 1950s. It aimed to provide a better and more cost effective way to help individuals with mental health concerns and physical disabilities by removing them from impersonal, old, and often harsh institutional environments, and taking care of them in their home environments (Borzaga Defourny, 2001, p 43). Although various governments, since the 1950s, supported the need to introduce community care and tried to bring in appropriate changes, lack of concrete action on the issue resulted in constant increase of the number of people in residential establishments and large institutions during the 1960s, 70s and 80s (Borzaga Defourny, 2001, p 43). With numerous negative stories coming out in the media on the difficult conditions in such establishments, Sir Roy Griffiths was invited by Margaret Thatcher to investigate the issue of community care for the residents of such establishments and make appropriate recommendations (Harris, 2002, p 11). The Griffiths, (1988), Report named Community Care: Agenda for Action, followed by the publication of a White Paper Caring for People: Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond in 1989 led to the enactment of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 (Cass, 2007, p 241). Apart from being a strong attempt to improve the lives of people in long term institutions and residential establishments, the law was also an outcome of the conservative governments desire to bring market reforms into the public sector and stimulate the private sector to enter the social services, as well as its conviction that competitive markets would be better able to provide more economic services than a bureaucratised public sector (Harris, 2009, p 3). With social services being among the highest revenue spending departments at the local authority level and domiciliary and residential services for older people consuming the bulk of social service funds, community care for older people presented an obvious area for introduction and implementation of market principles (Harris, 2009, p 3). The act split the role of local and health authorities by altering their internal structures, so that local authority departments were required to ascertain the needs of individuals and thereafter purchase required services from providers (Lewis, et al, 1994, p 28). Health organisations, in order to become providers of such services, became NHS trusts that competed with each other. The act also required local social service and health authorities to jointly agree to community care plans for the local implementation of individual care plans for long term and vulnerable psychiatric patients (Lewis, et al, 1994, p 28). The act has however come in for varying degrees of criticism from service users, observers and experts, with some observers claiming the altered care conditions to be unresponsive, inefficient and offering little choice or equity (Malin, et al, 2002, p 17). Other experts, who were not so pessimistic, stated that whilst the system was based upon an excellent idea, it was little better in practice than the previous systems of bureaucratic resource allocation and received little commitment from social services; the lead community care agency (Malin, et al, 2002, p 17). The commitment of local authorities was diluted by the service legacies of the past and vested professional interest, even as social services and health services workers were unable to work well together (Malin, et al, 2002, p 17). Little collaboration took place between social and health services and the impact of the reforms was undermined by chronic government underfunding. The voluntary sector became the main benefici ary of this thrust for the development of a mixed economy of care (Malin, et al, 2002, p 17). Developments after the Enactment of the NHS and Community Care Act The assumption of government by the labour party in 1997 resulted in the progressive adoption of numerous forward looking policies in various areas of social care. The publication of a white paper in 1998 reinforced the governments commitment to promotion of community based care and peoples independence (Means, et al, 2002, p 79). The paper focused on assisting people to achieve and maintain independence through prevention and rehabilitation strategies, with specific grants being introduced to facilitate their implementation. The Health Act of 1999 removed obstacles to the joint working of health and social services departments through provisions for pooling of budgets and merging of services (Means, et al, 2002, p 79). The formulation of the NHS plan aimed to improve partnership between health and social care, the development of intermediate care and the construction of capacity for care through cash for change grants for development of capacity across social and health care systems (Means, et al, 2002, p 79). Direct Payments for Individuals with Learning Disabilities The Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996, which came into operation in April 1997, marked a radical change in the provision of community care for people with disabilities, including those with learning difficulties (Tucker, et al, 2008, p 210). It was illegal, prior to the implementation of the act, for local authorities to support people with disabilities by making cash payments in lieu of providing community care services. Policymakers however realised that many local authorities were successfully supporting independent living schemes, centres for independent living and personal assistance schemes (Tucker, et al, 2008, p 210). Such schemes handled community care payments for disabled people and provided them with help to organise assistance or support. The Community Care (Direct Payments) Act built on this situation, allowing direct payments to be made to replace care services, which otherwise would be given by social service departments (Tucker, et al, 2008, p 210). Direct payments provide flexibility in the way services are provided to eligible people. The giving of money, in lieu of social care services, helps people to achieve greater control and choice over their lives and enables them to decide on the time and mode of delivery of services (Tucker, et al, 2008, p 210). Direct payments can not only be used for services to satisfy the needs of children or their families but also enables carers to purchase the services they need to sustain them in their roles. Research conducted in 1997 in the utilisation of direct payments by people with learning difficulties revealed that whilst utilisation of direct payments by people with learning disabilities was increasing, such utilisation was low among women and individuals from minority or black ethnic groups (Tucker, et al, 2008, p 210). Research also revealed the presence of wide differences in the interpretation of the capacity of persons for consenting to direct payments by local authorities. Whils t some local authorities felt that direct payments could be sanctioned to all persons with learning difficulties who were able, with assistance, to successfully control and use direct payments, other authorities did not heed the fact that such people could indeed be assisted to communicate decisions and consequently assumed their inability to consent to direct payments. Such interpretations, it was felt, could debar many people in need from obtaining the facility for direct payments (Tucker, et al, 2008, p 211). Assistance for Carers Recent years have seen a number of social care initiatives for easing the condition of carers. Carers are people who provide assistance and support, without payment, to family members or friends, who are unable to manage without such assistance, on account of illness, frailty or disability (Government Equalities Office, 2010, p 1). Carers can include adults who care for other adults, parents who care for disabled or ill children, or young people who care for other family members. The governments social care policies for carers include supporting people with caring responsibilities for (a) identifying themselves at early stages, (b) recognising the worth of their contribution, and (c) involving them from the beginning in designing and planning individual care (Government Equalities Office, 2010, p 1). Such policies aim to enable carers to (a) satisfy their educational needs and employment potential, and (b) provide personalised support, both for carers and the people they support, to enjoy family and community life and remain physically and mentally well. Whilst the NHS and community care Act 1990 looked at carers as valued resources because of their ability to provide support, it did not refer to their rights; relying instead on rhetoric to deliver the message of their value to society (Government Equalities Office, 2010, p 2). Succeeding years have however witnessed greater focus on the needs of carers and to progressive introduction of suitable laws and appropriate policies. The passing of the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 drew attention to the needs of carers. This was followed by the passing of the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 and the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 (Government Equalities Office, 2010, p 2). These acts entitle carers for (a) assess ment of their needs, (b) services in their own right and support in accessing education training, employment and leisure opportunities. The proposed equality bill introduces four new opportunities for carers. It (a) requires public authorities to give due consideration to socio-economic disadvantages, whilst exercising strategic planning functions, (b) takes account of associative discrimination with regard to disabled people, (c) provides for prevention of indirect discrimination, and (d) calls upon public bodies to ensure that their policies are designed to eliminate harassment and discrimination and further equality of opportunity (Government Equalities Office, 2010, p 2). Personalisation The concept of personalisation in social care, whilst discussed for some years, was formally inducted into social care practice in the UK with the publication of Putting People First in 2007. The concordat outlined the concept of a personalised adult social care system, where individuals will have extensive control and choice over the services received by them. The government committed that social services would progressively be tailored to meet the preferences of citizens, with person centred planning along with self directed support becoming mainstream activities, assisted by personal budgets for maximising control and choice (Aldred, 2008, p 31). Whilst personal budgets and direct payments form an important aspect of personalisation, the idea concerns fitting services to the needs of people, focusing on outcomes, and recognising the worth of the opinions of service users assessing their own needs, planning their service, and producing their outcomes (Aldred, 2008, p 31). Conclusions and the Way Forward This essay investigates the reasons behind the enactment of the NHS and the Community Care Act and studies the developments in social care that have occurred in the years following the act, especially in areas of direct payments for people with learning disabilities, social care for carers and personalisation. It is obvious from the results of the study that social care in the UK has experienced significant change and metamorphosis since the enactment of the 1990 act. Whilst significant progress has been made a consensus s growing that the British social care system is facing a crisis because of drivers like increasing demographic pressures, alterations in family and social structures, rising public expectations, increasing desire for greater choice and control, and eligibility for services (Glasby, et al, 2010, p 11). The need to move people out of local accommodation because of rising rents exemplifies the challenges faced by the social care system. With the financial system becoming more challenging, the social care system will have to find ways of improving efficiencies without diluting the quality of care (Glasby, et al, 2010, p 11). The next round of social reforms, whilst attempting to achieve better delivery efficiencies will have to renew its commitment to satisfying social expectations and basic human rights, reducing costs, preventing future needs, helping people to regain independence, freeing individuals to contribute, and supporting carers to care and contribute to society (Glasby, et al, 2010, p 11).

Biodiversity :: essays research papers

Biodiversity is described by Ruth Patrick as, â€Å"the presence of a large number of species of animals and plants†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Patrick 15). In other words, biodiversity is the term for the measure of the variety of different species that do exist still on our plant. These species can range from the simplest bacteria to the very complex primates. Biodiversity can relate locally or globally. For example the Southern New England forest contains 20 or 30 tree species while in the rainforest of Peru there are hundreds of species of trees (Patrick 15). There are also further ways to view biodiversity and that is in levels. These levels can be the â€Å"diversity of higher plants, number of species, or expressed as sheer weight (biomass)† (Patrick 15). Biodiversity is different is each part of the world. Not every part of the world contains the same amount of creatures yet there are parts of the world that might contain similar amounts. These regions of the world have similar we ather patterns and therefore similar species will develop there but they are not necessarily the same. One of the more important regions of the world that contain a large amount of biodiversity is the tropical rainforest region. â€Å"The forests comprise roughly 7% of the dry land surface of Earth and may hold more than 50% of all species† (Patrick 15). Yet us as humans do not know all of the creatures and organisms that live on this planet at all. We only have discovered, in one way or another, about 1.4 million species yet the number that is estimated is about 10-100 million (Patrick 15). The unknown species that do exist on this world can have many and countless benefits to the human race. A good example can be the rosy periwinkle, which is a plant found on the island of Madagascar, helped cure the Hodgkin’s disease and lymphocytic leukemia. (E.O. Wilson 3). Another can be the cyclosporin that was found in an obscure Norwegian fungus that is the foundation for the organ transplant business (Wilson 3). There also exist countless other potential uses and numerous other benefits that can be found in nature. The only problem is that we do not know even half of the amount of life that exists on this planet and many of them are disappearing faster than we can discover. With the advancement of technology and the growing population go mankind, nature seems as if it is in the way.

Figure of a Mother Holding a Child Essay

Created in the nineteenth century by an unknown Lulua artist, the Figure of a Mother Holding a Child is a very interesting sculpture because there are multiple ways of understanding its import. On one hand, the sculpture is a perfect depiction of the pain of starvation that the African people have been experiencing for a long time, and that nobody outside of Africa has done anything consequential about – despite the fact that the entire world discusses it. On the other hand, it represents a ritual that the Lulua tribe of the Democratic Republic of Congo had practiced for its own survival (â€Å"Figure of a Mother Holding a Child†). The sculpture is that of a skinny, African female with an infant in her arms. The woman’s head is larger than her body. The bone lines on her neck are particularly telling. Even so, the bone lines on her neck and the wrinkles on her face had actually been created by the artist to show that the Lulua peoples had used scarification to adorn their bodies (â€Å"Lulua Tribe: Democratic Republic of Congo;† â€Å"Figure of a Mother Holding a Child†). Indeed, it is scarification that adorns the woman carrying the infant. Just the same the viewer is made to feel sorry for the woman and her child because they appear extremely poor. Made with wood and copper alloy, the woman in the sculpture has bulging eyes and a â€Å"pointed base (â€Å"Figure of a Mother Holding a Child†). † According to the Brooklyn Museum, the base was most probably â€Å"thrust into a pot containing earth and various bishimba, or materials of mineral, plant, animal, or human origin endowed with protective powers (â€Å"Figure of a Mother Holding a Child†). † In actuality, the sculpture had been created for a Lulua woman who had experienced difficulties in childbirth. The Lulua people believed that it was the evil spirit which interrupted the process of childbirth for many women. So that the woman would attract the ancestral spirit of the Lulua tribe to get rid of the evil spirit, the artist gave her the sculpture to care for until delivery. The bulging eyes of the sculpture reveal that the woman is aware of the influence of the evil spirit that is stopping her from becoming a mother (â€Å"Lulua Tribe†). The Lulua peoples had migrated from western Africa to the Democratic Republic of Congo during the eighteenth century. These people lived in â€Å"small regional chiefdoms,† and therefore formed closely knit communities (â€Å"Lulua Tribe†). Because they were immigrants, they were rather concerned about their continuity. Moreover, the Lulua people believed that their sculptures had to be made for religious reasons (â€Å"Lulua Tribe†). The Lulua artists who created sculptures such as the Figure of a Mother Holding a Child must have had faith that they were carrying out their moral duty toward their own people. Indeed, the religious values of the Lulua people were guarded by their art. Sculptures of female were quite popular among them, as these figures exemplified â€Å"the union of physical and moral beautify (â€Å"Figurative Sculpture†). † The Lulua people believed in equating proper behavior with physical beauty (â€Å"Figurative Sculpture†). It can be inferred that the Figure of a Mother Holding a Child and all other sculptures created for the same reason were reminders for the Lulua people that the human body cannot be separated from morality. This principle is clearly exemplified by the bond between mother and child. Works Cited â€Å"Figurative Sculpture. † Central African Art. 4 Dec 2007. . â€Å"Figure of a Mother Holding a Child. † Brooklyn Museum Collections: African Art. 4 Dec 2007. . â€Å"Lulua Tribe: Democratic Republic of Congo. † For African Art. 2006. 4 Dec 2007. .

Fashion Fundamentals Test Review

The designer who creates designs for several manufacturers, is called a High fashion or name designer Stylist- designer Freelance designer The secondary level of the fashion industry is composed of: Is composed of growers and producers of the raw materials of fashion Ђ Is the ultimate distribution level Is the retailer Is composed of manufacturers and contractors of finished apparel Is the level that functions with all other levels simultaneously The primary level of the fashion industry is composed of: 5. True or False Licensing is a legal arrangement whereby firms are given permission to produce and market merchandise in the name of the licensor for a specific per 6. True or False Lines encompass an entire seasons production from a designer 7. True or False odd of time.There is no difference in price point or market location between a line and a election. 8. True or False A knock off is a copy of an original designer garment. 9. True or False An anchor piece for a collection is a piece that sold well at retail therefore it is re cut/ remade in new fabric for the current season. 10. Spring I is shown (circle one) October and November January February March None of the above 11. Resort is shown (circle one) 12. True or False Merchandisers are the links that hold the entire product development process together. They are the link between the design staff, production facilities and the sales staff. True or False The manufacturer does it all from sales, product development to shipping product. He final In stage four of the production process garments are shown to retailers Cutting involves (circle 3 of the below) Making a marker Grading a pattern Spreading the fabric on a cutting room table Bundling the pattern pieces Finishing involves (circle 3 of the below) Sewing on buttons Dyeing Attaching labels Washing to prevent shrinkage Floor ready procedures include (circle 3 of the below) Labeling cartons Adding sales tickets / bar codes to garments Completion of sh ipping documents Packing properly with correct hangers Private labels are owned by a retailer and only found in their stores. Specification buying is when the retailer tells the manufacturer their standards before they place an order. Offshore production is the practice of producing goods within the country of origin. Manufacturers/ designers produce product only within their category. (For example: a coat manufacturer only produces coats/ outerwear) Designer price zones are considered: The highest price point Bridge price pointModerate price point Budget price point Please select the price point for product that is sold in the moderate market (Guess, Esprit, Levi Strauss is examples) The major market centers are: (circle 2) New York Houston Dallas Chicago Marts consist of exhibition spaces that house wholesale markets Haute Couture losses money itself but creates profitability through licenses, pr ©t a porter lines and franchising. Pr ©t a Porter is fashion that is â€Å"custo m made or made to measure† Semi Annual â€Å"Prà ªt† shows are held in the below capitals: (circle 3) Paris Milan London Geneva Rome Which European fashion market city is known and respected for its luxury textiles, handwork, leather goods and accessories. 30. Compare and contrast the roles of the designer versus the merchandiser? They both research trends, colors, and fabrics using forecasters. Designers sketch the piece while the merchandisers figure out the right prices, places, quantity, etc. 31 . How does a Jobber differ from a manufacturer?The Jobber handles the designing, planning, cutting, selling, and shipping, but not the sewing 33. What is a chargeable? Retailers way of financially penalizing the manufacturer for late, incomplete, mistaken, or wrong ticketing issues on garments 34. What role do factors play in the fashion industry? Fund the deals by purchasing accounts receivable or lending money 35. What are the six stages of the product development process ? 1 . Plan line 2. Create design concept 3. Develop design 4. Plan production 5. Produce 6. Distribute 36. Name the major market centers in the USA. Miami, New York, Dallas, Los Angels, Chicago 37. Name the major market centers in Europe. London, Paris, Milan