The Expansion of Europe and China in the 15th Century

In the 15th century, the western and eastern sail technology was comparable. The mariner's compass, so crucial to navigation out of sight of land, was developed from the Chinese magnetized needle of the 8th century, and it traveled via land route to the Mediterranean where about the 12th century the Europeans or the Arabs developed the true mariner's compass (floating), but China soon received the improved model. 27 So both East and West had the mariner's compass in the 15th century.Stern post rudders, which are a significant advantage over steering oars in steering larger ships in tumultuous seas, were utilized in China as early as the 1st century A. D. These were not developed until about the 14th century in Europe, but stern post rudders were available to both East and West in the 15th century. Knowledge of wind and sea currents was considerably more advanced in the West by the Portuguese and Dutch than by the Chinese in the 15th century. 8 The West also had superior knowledge of celestial navigation, that advantage being shared by the Arabs; the Chinese were reduced to utilizing Islamic astronomers and mathematicians at the Imperial Observatory, but had not extended celestial work to the practical work of navigating as of yet. The Arab and the Portuguese cross-staff or balestilha developed in the 14th century, and the astrolabe for even better measurement of the angle of celestial objects in the early 15th century. 29 In military technology, both East and West had cannon, armor and horses.In summary, before the 15th century, the Chinese were ahead in oceangoing ship technology, with larger compartmented ships and efficient fore-and-aft lugsails on multiple masts. In the 15th century, the Chinese and the Europeans were in rough overall parity. The Chinese were ahead in ship size and hull construction, and the Portuguese were ahead in the arts of navigation, and there was parity in sail technology (the Chinese with battened lugsails, the Portuguese with latee n sails). Neither had a distinct overall advantage.Both were technologically capable of great voyages of discovery, mercantile enterprise, and colonization. In tracing the developments, what is distinctive is that the rate of progress in nautical technology of the West was considerably faster than that of the East. By the 16th century, the West was clearly superior in ocean-going maritime technology (especially considering the regression that occurred in China due to policy influences). During the fifteenth century, Europe began a process of nprecedented expansion that by 1650 had affected all areas of the world. This was actually part of a global tendency towards complexity among many human societies. Matching the empires of the Aztecs, the Inca, and the West Africans were rising states on the Eurasian fringes such as Japan or the European monarchies in England, France, Spain, and Portugal. In Eurasia, developing navigational technology, along with expanding trade, encouraged long sea voyages by Arabs, Japanese, Chinese, and Europeans.But only the Europeans linked up all the continents in a new global age, when sea power, rather than land-based armies, was the main force in empire-building. Overseas expansion was obviously related – both as cause and effect – to the European transition from medievalism. The Crusades and the Renaissance stimulated European curiosity; the Reformation produced thousands of zealous religious missionaries seeking foreign converts and refugees seeking religious freedom; and the monarchs of emerging sovereign states sought revenues, first from trade with the Orient and later by exploiting a new world.Perhaps the most permeating influence was the rise of European capitalism, with its monetary values, profit-seeking motivations, investment institutions, and constant impulse toward economic expansion. Some historians have labeled this whole economic transformation â€Å"the Commercial Revolution. † Others have used the phrase in a narrower sense, referring to the shift in trade routes from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Interpreted either way, the Commercial Revolution and its accompanying European expansion helped usher in the modern era.

Les Miserables Essay

In Victor Hugo’s novel Les Miserable’s, one character plays a part in each of the other character’s lives. Cosette, a little girl, is created to develop the rest of the â€Å"miserables† throughout the book. Fantine, Cosette’s mother, digs herself into the shameless lifestyle of prostitution and poverty, while trying to support Cosette. The Thenardiers become her home while her mother leaves in search for work. There, Cosette is used to clean and work. Through Cosette, the Thenardier’s are shown as they beat and punish Cosette, their â€Å"slave†. Jean Valjean uses Cosette in a different way.He takes her in as his â€Å"daughter† and finds companionship through her. Cosette is loved and cared for. As Cosette’s character develops she is passed along from a pitiful mother who cannot support her; to the Thenardier’s who beat and starve her; then, to Jean Valjean who takes Cosette in where she becomes his everything. F antine, desperately in love with a man, Felix Tholomyes, whose feelings vary from hers, and yet she bears his child despite his fickle appearance. The illegitimate child, Cosette, is the outcome of her dying love toward him.Cosette is used to show Fantine as a â€Å"miserable. † Fantine leaves Cosette with the Thenardier’s and goes in search for a job to support Cosette. As Cosette’s character grows, she reveals how pitiful Fantine becomes. Fantine’s devotion for Cosette, a little girl who is too young to give anything back in return, exposes us to one of the themes being forced to consider throughout the book, unrequited love. â€Å"My child in not cold anymore, I dressed her in my hair. † Fantine does everything she can to work for money to support Cosette. She sacrifices her hair so that Cosette will have clothes.Without Cosette Fantine could live her life for herself. She puts all her effort into a child that she does not see and which the chil d does not know who she is. The child, Cosette, is a symbol of all the love and everything Fantine put into a man who gave her nothing back. Cosette’s character is used merely to show Fantine as she goes through life and through each step as she puts something into someone else, how â€Å"miserable† she becomes. As the Thenardier’s continue to send Fantine bills for Cosette’s deceptive needs, Fantine continues to find ways to get that money.She goes to every extent go the money they claim to need for Cosette. Fantine sells everything she has, and when she had nothing she sells herself. She becomes a prostitute as an alternative to earn money. The Thenardier’s use Cosette to get money from Fantine as needed. Fantine, being weak and trusting, does not know of their plans and her love for Cosette lets her fall into their scheme. The Thenardier’s take in Cosette because Fantine can’t take care of her and work at the same time. As Cosette gets older she becomes useful to the Thenardier’s.Her innocent childhood is taken away from her and she is treated like a slave. Cosette is used to clean and work around the house making stockings and other necessary things. Cosette’s character and the way she is treated show the Thenardier’s authority. The way that the two daughters of the Thenardier’s won’t play with Cosette reveals the superiority the daughters claim to have over Cosette. Cosette is different; she is small and skinny, for she doesn’t get fed as well; she is dirty and her clothes have holes, for doesn’t have the privilege of getting a bath; and she is used as help and treated as a slave.This shows the boundary that was put up between Cosette and the Thenardier girls. Cosette isn’t loved or cared for-only used. Her role plays into the plot of the book; after being beat and tortured by the evil Thenardier’s, it’s time for Cosette to be saved. Jean Valjean comes just in time to take Cosette away from these awful people. Cosette play an important role in the life of Jean Valjean. After being imprisoned for nineteen years and accused of many other crimes, Jean Valjean can’t find it in him to love or trust another human. Cosette changes that for him.When Jean Valjean first goes to the Thenardier’s and notices poor Cosette working away at knitting stockings while the other children play he connects with her. Jean Valjean then buys the stockings she is knitting and gives her permission to play. Cosette is shocked for she is never allowed to play, and Jean Valjean finds joy in watching this little girl content. When Jean Valjean takes Cosette from the Thenardiers, she becomes his â€Å"daughter. † Jean Valjean grows very attached to Cosette and learns to love and care for her. Cosette is used to show that a man in prison can change.Jean Valjean changes once Cosette enters his life. His actions become revolved a round the safety and happiness of her. Jean Valjean existence is centered on Cosette. As her character is developed with him, Jean Valjean’s outgoing love for others is revealed. Having Cosette in Jean Valjean’s life, it exposes us to a changed side of him. Through, Cosette, it is showed that a man in prison can become a good man. After adopting Cosette, taking her in, loving and caring for her, Jean Valjean and Cosette’s relationship shows what a good man he has become.Cosette becomes Jean Valjean’s entity. He puts everything into her happiness. She symbolizes all he has. When she falls in love with Marius and leaves him, he has nothing. Jean Valjean’s reason for living dies and so does he. Cosette’s character moves around many times throughout the novel. She spends a portion of the book with her mother, Fantine, who could not take care of her. Cosette becomes the object of Fantine’s poverty. Their relationship also exposes us to the theme of the unfulfilled love, since Cosette cannot return Fantine’s love at such a young age.Cosette then goes to the Thenardier’s where she presents us to this evil family who beat and abuse her. When Jean Valjean takes her in, Cosette reveals a side of Jean Valjean that has not yet been exposed- his loving side. Jean Valjean loves Cosette and supports and protects her. Cosette is used in many ways throughout the novel and by many different characters. Although she never becomes a well-rounded character, she plays an important role in the development of the other characters. Cosette touches each character she comes in contact with and each in a distinct way. Les Miserables Essay In Victor Hugo’s novel Les Miserable’s, one character plays a part in each of the other character’s lives. Cosette, a little girl, is created to develop the rest of the â€Å"miserables† throughout the book. Fantine, Cosette’s mother, digs herself into the shameless lifestyle of prostitution and poverty, while trying to support Cosette. The Thenardiers become her home while her mother leaves in search for work. There, Cosette is used to clean and work. Through Cosette, the Thenardier’s are shown as they beat and punish Cosette, their â€Å"slave†. Jean Valjean uses Cosette in a different way.He takes her in as his â€Å"daughter† and finds companionship through her. Cosette is loved and cared for. As Cosette’s character develops she is passed along from a pitiful mother who cannot support her; to the Thenardier’s who beat and starve her; then, to Jean Valjean who takes Cosette in where she becomes his everything. F antine, desperately in love with a man, Felix Tholomyes, whose feelings vary from hers, and yet she bears his child despite his fickle appearance. The illegitimate child, Cosette, is the outcome of her dying love toward him.Cosette is used to show Fantine as a â€Å"miserable. † Fantine leaves Cosette with the Thenardier’s and goes in search for a job to support Cosette. As Cosette’s character grows, she reveals how pitiful Fantine becomes. Fantine’s devotion for Cosette, a little girl who is too young to give anything back in return, exposes us to one of the themes being forced to consider throughout the book, unrequited love. â€Å"My child in not cold anymore, I dressed her in my hair. † Fantine does everything she can to work for money to support Cosette. She sacrifices her hair so that Cosette will have clothes.Without Cosette Fantine could live her life for herself. She puts all her effort into a child that she does not see and which the chil d does not know who she is. The child, Cosette, is a symbol of all the love and everything Fantine put into a man who gave her nothing back. Cosette’s character is used merely to show Fantine as she goes through life and through each step as she puts something into someone else, how â€Å"miserable† she becomes. As the Thenardier’s continue to send Fantine bills for Cosette’s deceptive needs, Fantine continues to find ways to get that money.She goes to every extent go the money they claim to need for Cosette. Fantine sells everything she has, and when she had nothing she sells herself. She becomes a prostitute as an alternative to earn money. The Thenardier’s use Cosette to get money from Fantine as needed. Fantine, being weak and trusting, does not know of their plans and her love for Cosette lets her fall into their scheme. The Thenardier’s take in Cosette because Fantine can’t take care of her and work at the same time. As Cosette gets older she becomes useful to the Thenardier’s.Her innocent childhood is taken away from her and she is treated like a slave. Cosette is used to clean and work around the house making stockings and other necessary things. Cosette’s character and the way she is treated show the Thenardier’s authority. The way that the two daughters of the Thenardier’s won’t play with Cosette reveals the superiority the daughters claim to have over Cosette. Cosette is different; she is small and skinny, for she doesn’t get fed as well; she is dirty and her clothes have holes, for doesn’t have the privilege of getting a bath; and she is used as help and treated as a slave.This shows the boundary that was put up between Cosette and the Thenardier girls. Cosette isn’t loved or cared for-only used. Her role plays into the plot of the book; after being beat and tortured by the evil Thenardier’s, it’s time for Cosette to be saved. Jean Valjean comes just in time to take Cosette away from these awful people. Cosette play an important role in the life of Jean Valjean. After being imprisoned for nineteen years and accused of many other crimes, Jean Valjean can’t find it in him to love or trust another human. Cosette changes that for him.When Jean Valjean first goes to the Thenardier’s and notices poor Cosette working away at knitting stockings while the other children play he connects with her. Jean Valjean then buys the stockings she is knitting and gives her permission to play. Cosette is shocked for she is never allowed to play, and Jean Valjean finds joy in watching this little girl content. When Jean Valjean takes Cosette from the Thenardiers, she becomes his â€Å"daughter. † Jean Valjean grows very attached to Cosette and learns to love and care for her. Cosette is used to show that a man in prison can change.Jean Valjean changes once Cosette enters his life. His actions become revolved a round the safety and happiness of her. Jean Valjean existence is centered on Cosette. As her character is developed with him, Jean Valjean’s outgoing love for others is revealed. Having Cosette in Jean Valjean’s life, it exposes us to a changed side of him. Through, Cosette, it is showed that a man in prison can become a good man. After adopting Cosette, taking her in, loving and caring for her, Jean Valjean and Cosette’s relationship shows what a good man he has become.Cosette becomes Jean Valjean’s entity. He puts everything into her happiness. She symbolizes all he has. When she falls in love with Marius and leaves him, he has nothing. Jean Valjean’s reason for living dies and so does he. Cosette’s character moves around many times throughout the novel. She spends a portion of the book with her mother, Fantine, who could not take care of her. Cosette becomes the object of Fantine’s poverty. Their relationship also exposes us to the theme of the unfulfilled love, since Cosette cannot return Fantine’s love at such a young age.Cosette then goes to the Thenardier’s where she presents us to this evil family who beat and abuse her. When Jean Valjean takes her in, Cosette reveals a side of Jean Valjean that has not yet been exposed- his loving side. Jean Valjean loves Cosette and supports and protects her. Cosette is used in many ways throughout the novel and by many different characters. Although she never becomes a well-rounded character, she plays an important role in the development of the other characters. Cosette touches each character she comes in contact with and each in a distinct way.

Develop a consumer behaviour report to be submitted to the M.D of a Essay

Develop a consumer behaviour report to be submitted to the M.D of a fashion clothing brand of your choice to outline the key issues facing the company in terms - Essay Example The Armani brand has a diverse appeal because it has line catering for special groups. Some of these consumers include the mature classy kind, young trendy consumers, children, wealthy and middle income consumers. The fashion industry is a competitive industry. There are a number of industries that could be viewed as Armani’s competitors. Some of these include; Christian Dior who has received acclamation for depth in his designs, Yves Saint Laurent has received acclamation for modernity in their designs, in 2006 they incorporated Asian themes in their clothing lines. Gucci received an award for being the highest selling brand from Italy in the year 2006. Gucci has acquired a reputation in the music industry by securing a market there. Gucci also made smoking tuxedos last fall. The clothing line is located all over the world. This implies that there is a wide client base for the company. Economies in those countries are improving and the need for clothes has increased. This means that the market is quite receptive at this moment. It is highly valued in Hollywood and fashion generally. It earns three billion euros to prove this point. It has a number of challenges that include: overstretching the line by venturing into too many products, having a strong personality behind the line- he may pass away and leave the brand hanging; it also has too many lines that may appear as if they are offering the same products. Armani Collezioni: this is the second most expensive clothing line in the Armani brand. This product focuses on the more mature consumer who is not looking for ‘hip’ clothes but prefers classy ones. The line is sold in various high profile department stores like David Jones and Harvey Nichols. Emporio Armani: this clothing line focuses on younger consumers. It offers a variety of trendy wear like jeans and t-shirts. It is an intermediate line that is not too expensive or too available either. It is found in boutiques and departmental

Gender inequalities within the NHS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Gender inequalities within the NHS - Essay Example Since its inception in 1948, it has improvised its policies and has incorporated better and newer policies for effective functioning. It is a humongous effort to run the NHS smoothly and efficiently as it has innumerable people involved in its administration and operation. It has gone a step ahead and has integrated computers for better functioning and also has its helpline on the internet. Amidst all these progressive steps, the main factor that remains important for it being effectual is its colossal staff. The UK government has ensured that almost all doctors and nurses in the UK are employed by the NHS and work in their hospitals. The government has also ensured that all the new student doctors train at the NHS after completing medical school and they have provision to accommodate almost 8000 doctors and nurses every year. These new doctors must undergo a two year foundation programme with the NHS to become registered doctors. NHS plays a very critical role in shaping the careers for new doctors and nurses. NHS has employment policies that promote equality and diversity within the organization and are non-discriminatory about race, caste and gender and disability (Department of Health, 2006). The Gender Equality Act of 2006 has made provisions for the following: equal opportunities for men and women in terms of employment, no sexual discrimination towards the transsexuals, no pay gap between male and female employees, part time work options and to provide training and up gradation of knowledge and skills. It has been acknowledged by most that there is predominance of women in the nursing field especially those working part-time. There is however, a deliberation that the women nurses are at the lower stratum of the profession, which questions the Equality policy. Studies are showing that female nurses are receiving disproportionate employment opportunities with most of

Walden Civil Disobedience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Walden Civil Disobedience - Essay Example (Whicher, 1945, 33-40) Walden was first published as Life in the Woods (Thoreau, 2004, iv) and the title itself is an accurate reflection of Thoreau’s setting for this non-fiction narrative on Transcendentalism. Thoreau’s work Walden focuses on his hiatus from mainstream society in which he took up residence on a plot of land just outside of Concord, Massachusetts. The land was owned by Thoreau’s mentor and friend Ralph Waldo Emerson. Thoreau resided on the plot, near Walden Pond for just over two years and during that time he constructed a cabin and while he buys food, he supplements his budget by growing some of his food. Thoreau explains the setting for Walden in his opening chapter as follows: â€Å"When I wrote the following pages, or rather the bulk of them, I lived alone, in the woods, a mile from any neighbor, in a house which I had build myself, on the shore of Walden Pond, in Concord, Massachusetts, and earned my living by the labor of my hands only. I live there two years and two months.† (Thoreau, 2004, 1) The setting is not more than a prelude to simplicity. It is within this setting that Thoreau’s rhetoric thrives. The quasi-isolationist background and the simple lifestyle is thought provoking. Not only is Thoreau driven to contemplate, his reader is as well. Bickman puts Walden’s setting in its proper rhetorical perspective: â€Å"It embeds itself in the Western philosophical and religious tradition only to undermine its basic assumptions. And it engages all these complexities in the context of a plea for simplicity, simplicity. Its final wisdom is that there is no final wisdom, that all truths are mediate, volatile, and that what can be conveyed to a reader is not a teaching but an intensity of response to life.† (Bickman,1992, 121) This rhetoric is exposed in the manner in which Thoreau spends his time in his rustic setting. His mornings are consumed with

Negative Effect of Reality TV Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Negative Effect of Reality TV - Essay Example These shows are very entertaining but many professionals are expressing concerns over the harmful implications. They point out that negative impacts of reality TV are higher for children and teenagers than adults. Studies have shown that children within the age of 9-12 who were depressed believed that money, popularity and beauty are key elements of gaining happiness because reality shows reinforce this concept (Genesis Health System , 2003).  A lot of stunt shows illustrate people doing risky, disgusting and scary stunts which often result in detrimental consequences when duplicated by the audience. These people tend to ignore the fact that participants in the reality show have stunt coordinators who ensure proper safety measures. Therefore, people should not follow what they see on the TV and should objectively comprehend and assess the messages and images being shown. Reality TV shows are real and profitable but the primary basis of such stunt shows seems to put people in pain o r humiliation for the audience to watch and derive enjoyment out of it. This way youngsters are turning into heartless individuals who delight in the distress and humiliation of others.Furthermore, reality TV shows often stress on superficial characteristics such as outward appearance over inner beauty consequently leaving a distorted impact on teenagers’ young and innocent minds (enotes, 2011).   Getting plastic surgery to enhance looks and becoming famous on the basis of beauty without having much talent are shallow messages. being conveyed to t

Criminology Mini-Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Criminology Mini-Project - Essay Example This was ambitious thinking. Practically speaking there is no professional group or industry that has ever sufficiently regulated itself; not the legal or the medical field, not the scientists or academicians, not the clergy, and definitely not the media (USA International Business Publications, 2009). When the more blatant exploitations have been revealed and corrected, primary recognition should perhaps be partitioned among the media that widely broadcasted the condition, governmental workers who perform frequently questionable therapeutic actions, consumerist who used force or pressure, and affiliates of the industry itself who possessed the guts to confront their social responsibilities (Abraham & Lawton-Smith, 2003). Particularly, a few drug companies, for various rationales, have faced up to such responsibilities somewhat critically (Abraham & Lawton-Smith, 2003). The literature will illustrate that a limited number of companies, especially SmithKline, Syntex, UpJohn, and Merck Sharp & Dohme in the United States and, recently, Switzerland’s Ciba-Geigy, have infrequently been found culpable of making unproven claims or of dismissing the dangers of their products (Silverman et al., 1992). The most unforgettable statement came from a Syntex representative who once disclo sed, â€Å"We have found that we can tell the truth and still make a decent profit† (Silverman & Lee, 1982: 150). Nevertheless, by the end of the 1980s the state of affairs had altered dramatically. Increasingly, it was the international businesses which had found out that they may tell the truth and still generate profit (Chetley, 1990). Rather, it was the domestic or local companies, many with tremendous political power and influence, that were deceiving, swindling, and jeopardising the lives of other people (Chetley, 1990). For many in poor countries, this was a troubling finding.

Does induce Therapeutic Hypothermia Impact Neurologic Function and Research Paper

Does induce Therapeutic Hypothermia Impact Neurologic Function and Improve Patients Outcome post cardiac arrest - Research Paper Example Cardiac arrest is one of the medical conditions, which are known to result into low or insufficient blood flow into the body of a patient. The process of executing therapeutic hypothermia on patients involves the use of a catheter, which is placed in the inferior vena cava through the femoral veins in the legs through a method known as invasive therapeutic hypothermia. Non-invasive therapeutic hypothermia involves an external application of a blanket that is made extremely cold by water. Strict adherence to the therapeutic hypothermia has been proved to reduce the level of risks for ischemic brain injuries that patients under such conditions of insufficient blood supply are exposed to. The development of therapeutic hypothermia to help reduce the levels of risks that patients recovering from cardiac arrest are exposed was developed by Greek physician Hippocrates when he advocated for the packing of wound soldiers in snow ice, a form of non-invasive therapeutic hypothermia. Studies in to the application of therapeutic hypothermia in modern medicine began in 1945 when the first publication on the topic was made as documented by Storm, Steffen and Schefold, (2008). This paper will evaluate how induced therapeutic hypothermia affects the neurological functions and help post cardiac arrest patients recover. The impacts of the practice in reducing the development ischemic injury in cardiac arrest patients will also be evaluated. Literature review The aftermaths of cardiac arrest involves neurological injuries, which results into impairment of oxygen flow into the brain, causes anaerobic metabolism in the brain. As stated by Riana, Abella and Mary, (2006), anaerobic metabolism disrupts adenosine triphosphate dependent cellular pumps, which lead to generation of excess calcium and glutamate in the excretions. This results into excitation of the brain, which magnifies hypoxemia resulting into mitochondrial and cellular death. Disruption of blood brain barrier results int o initial injury resulting into increased fluid flow into the brain resulting into worsens state of cerebral edema. This is exactly how persistent cardiac arrest result into increased level of neurological defects, a condition that can be arrested using therapeutic hypothermia. The application of therapeutic hypothermia results into counteractions of the neuroexcitations in the brain cells through process that stabilize the calcium and glutamate release resulting into decreased apoptosis in the brain. It also acts to stabilize the blood brain barrier resulting into reduced flow of fluids into the brain tissues thus reducing the instances of developing cerebral edema. Therapeutic hypothermia thus reduces the destructive mechanisms of cardiac arrest thus reducing the damaging impacts it may produce to the brain and the central nervous system according to Tsai, Barbut and Wang, (2008a). Based on Matthias, Fries and Rossaint (2012), therapeutic hypothermia is done following a three phas e procedure, which includes induction, maintenance and re-warming which must be done under controlled environments to prevent potential adverse effects of the procedure. The induction phase enables the attainment of a patient’s target body temperature within the shortest time possible. This is done using solid ice packs, ice lavage or even

Timothy McVeigh Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Timothy McVeigh - Case Study Example As such, this brief analysis will consider the type of evidence that used against McVeigh by the prosecution as well as an enumeration of the converse evidence that the defense sought to use a means of casting doubt into the minds of the jurors with regards to the case. The prosecution relied primarily on a combination of physical and eyewitness testimony from those that either new McVeigh personally or professionally. One of the witnesses that the prosecution called was that of Jennifer McVeigh; Timothy McVeigh’s own sister. Her testimony regarding the letters that McVeigh had sent her concerning his fury and rage over the actions of the United States government and the means by which he ultimately sought to rectify this evil were of primal importance for helping to paint McVeigh’s act as something that was highly premeditated and filled with rage and anger that, in his mind, necessitated revenge. However, Jennifer McVeigh’s testimony was not so clean as one may like to think due to the fact that the defense was able to prove that she had lied under great duress to the FBI in prior statements (Roebuck & Gest 1997). This was proven to be a function of the fact that when they had first interviewed her, they had done so for 8-10 hours per day for 8 days straight; continually threatening her that if she did not comply completely they would charge her with treason or any other number of federal crimes that were ultimately punishable by the death penalty. As such, the way in which this witness was utilized by the prosecution was highly suspect with regards to whether she was telling the truth or a version of the truth that the prosecution felt would be the most useful to the case. However, the most detailed account of McVeigh’s motives and eyewitness testimony to hearing these motives expounded was that of Michael J. Fortier; one of Timothy McVeigh’s old Army friends. Among other information that Michael J. Fortier was able to enga ge the jury and the prosecution with was the fact that McVeigh had told him that McVeigh’s hatred for the government had reached such proportions that he intended to blow up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building as a means of causing â€Å" a general uprising in America† (Esposito 1998). Conversely, the testimony of the Fortiers, both Michael and his wife, was sought to be discredited by the defense due to the fact that they were known drug users who also could have easily been blackmailed by the government to testify against their former friend based upon the grounds that long prison sentences could have faced them had they chosen to refuse. Furthermore, evidence that was provided by the written and sworn statements of the Fortiers showed that they had repeatedly changed their earlier statements with regards to the key instances of the bomb plot and of their knowledge about its proceedings. With regards to the physical evidence that was presented, the prosecution soug ht to utilize the fact that explosive residue was found on the jeans, t-shirt, and earplugs that McVeigh was wearing at the time of his arrest (Cohen 1998). Further physical evidence was revealed to have shown McVeigh’s fingerprint on a receipt for approximately 1 ton of ammonium nitrate used to make the bomb. Further, VIN numbers from the Ryder truck rented under an alias were found

Detective stories have been very popular from the mid 1900s Essay Example for Free

Detective stories have been very popular from the mid 1900s Essay The victim in The Speckled Band was Helen Stoner and the victim in The Gatewood Caper was Audrey, even though she kidnapped herself. Both the victims in the two stories were women and they had a problem with their fathers. Audreys grudge was mainly due to the loss of her mother. Both of their fathers had towering figures for example Harvey Gatewood is described as: He was a big bruiser of a man, something over 200 pounds of hard red flesh and a czar from the top of his bullet to the toes of his shoes From this description we can see why Audrey had problems with her father, like when he lost his temper what could Audrey do with a man with that physique this also applied to Helen Stoner as Dr Roylott had the same temperament and physique. However, Dr Roylott was a stepfather. Ms Stoner was completely innocent unlike Audrey who took the law into her own hands instead of seeking help which Ms Stoner did. Ms Stoner was the more traditional as she was helpless and frightened of her father unlike Audrey was who kidnapped herself trying to hurt her father and from victim she turned to villain. The villain in The Speckled Band was Dr Roylott and the villain in The Gatewood Caper was Audrey, as well as being the victim. Both of the villains were cunning and smart and they both had motives, but Dr Roylott was the more traditional as he was mean and aggressive. Dr Roylott also had a criminal history as Helen Stoner tells us: He beat his native butler to death, and narrowly escaped a capital sentence. Audrey wanted to hurt her father mentally and financially and had an accomplice, which wasnt traditional as the villain should be alone. The ingredients required to be a villain are present in Dr Roylott and in Audrey as both had quarrels, but unlike Dr Roylott, Audrey didnt commit an evil crime. Audrey just ran away from home because she was sick of being tied to her father Harvey Gatewood. She fooled everyone by claiming to have been kidnapped because she wanted revenge on her father by getting his money, but there was no real harm done. The villain, Dr Roylott in The Speckled Band also added to my enjoyment of the story. Whenever his huge towering figure would arrive in the story I would get so tense and eager because I was worried that his actions would be fatal. This feeling made me feel as though I was inside the story. You couldnt even identify who the victim and villain was in The Gatewood Caper let alone feeling you were a part of the story and there wasnt enough background information which would make it easy to understand. Both the settings in the stories were good and added to the enjoyment of the story. The Gatewood Caper was set in the city in a rich area. However, The Speckled Band setting was more isolated and mysterious and was more eerie as it was set in the countryside in a big mansion which for me is more traditional. The fact that there were gypsies and animals in the set made the story more enjoyable to read. The setting also added to my enjoyment of the story mostly because of the extras like the baboon, cheetah and gypsies which made the setting like an extra character in the story. The whole creepy and unusual feeling about Stoke Moran funnily made the setting more pleasant for me to read. The setting of The Gatewood Caper was good, but it didnt get me involved with the plot. Both stories followed my anticipation of a classic detective story structure. The Speckled Band and The Gatewood Caper had the crime being described at the beginning of the story. The story started with the report of the crime. But in The Speckled Band I didnt discover the problem straight away; I was made to wait for a while which built up suspense, as I was eager to discover the crime. Both stories had a period of uncertainty in the middle of the story where the investigation was proceeding and the detective began to gather evidence. In this section the main similarity between the two stories was the fact that the detective in each story had already solved the crime, but me, being the reader was made to wait until the end of the story to discover the outcome. Both stories also had a period where the case was solved and explained by the detective at the end. The main difference in the structure of the story between the two stories was the fact that unlike The Speckled Band the criminals in The Gatewood Caper were not punished at the end of the story. I also found the structure of The Gatewood Caper hard to follow and confusing at times. Therefore I have chosen The Speckled Bands structure as being the more classic detective structure. The style of writing in The Speckled Band was very detailed, well described and precise. But it moved slowly which led to building up suspense holding my interest. The language was very different, but both were formal and the vocabulary used was of early 1900s. The Speckled Band had been written in Standard English unlike the The Gatewood Caper which was written in American English. The Gatewood Capers style of writing was less detailed, but it moved fast and got to the point quicker than The Speckled Band. Because it moved fast it built up the suspense much quicker, but it wasnt that effective for me. The language was very different from The Speckled Band as it was more modern and used vocabulary from the era we are in now. Overall The Speckled Bands style of writing was more like a classic detectives style of writing. The Gatewood Caper moved and started faster and tended to get to the point quicker, which is the style in which writers like to write these days. The Gatewood Caper was more modern as well as there wouldnt have been a shopping mall in the time of Sherlock Holmes and there were not many agencies in traditional detective stories. The themes raised by The Speckled Band were exactly what I had expected for a traditional detective story. The themes of a classic detective story were very straightforward and The Speckled Band raised all these themes. For instance crime doesnt pay. Dr Roylott didnt fulfil his evil motive by killing Helen Stoner. Good beats evil; Sherlock Holmes was able to unravel the evil truth behind the death of Julia Stoner. The themes raised by The Gatewood Caper were exactly what I didnt expect. Because good and evil were not easy to spot as the themes were not what they seemed and the whole truth doesnt come out. It didnt seem that Audrey got punished and the whole thing was a waste of police time as the only thing which was solved was a family problem. The morals of the story were quite different from what I expected as running away doesnt solve problems is not a theme I would expect in a detective story. The theme raised by The Speckled Band was another reason that made the story more enjoyable to read. The theme raised by The Speckled Band was very common to most detective stories. In normal detective stories you may discover the theme that the guilty are punished after villains are sent to jail, this theme is discovered after a very normal and unimaginative event. But in The Speckled Band this theme was demonstrated after a venomous snake had killed the villain, Dr Roylott, in mysterious circumstances. The way the themes were discovered added to the excitement of the story. Both stories had the same issue of the troubles in relationship between father and daughter. In The Speckled Band Dr Roylott was more violent and bad tempered and even though he was their stepfather he was practically all the girls had. To save his money he killed Julia and attempted to kill Helen. On the other hand in The Gatewood Caper the relationship between father and daughter was less violent as Audrey looked for attention. A classic detective story would have the more violent storyline of The Speckled Band as it is more explosive. This relationship issue made Dr Roylott more of a feared character and this induced more tension, which a classic detective story would want. In every category The Speckled Band obeyed the rules applied to a classic detective story. The themes raised by The Speckled Band were identical to themes raised by a classical detective story. Like a traditional detective story The Speckled Band identified the hero, villain, and victim very clearly and they were very simple to follow. The Gatewood Caper was unable to do this even at the end of the story I was struggling to identify the villain and victim in the story, as there were two possibilities. For some people this is an enjoyment and they like reading this type of story, but for me I was lost in finding the villain or victim that I couldnt understand the story. I personally preferred The Speckled Band rather than The Gatewood Caper, and there are multiple reasons for this. I found the plot of The Speckled Band extremely entertaining and that it was wrapped up at the end. This is because events such as the snake built up suspense which made me eager to read on. The plot events were enjoyable to read because it was easy to build up a picture from the description. There were far more dramatic events full of suspense and drama in The Speckled Band rather than The Gatewood Caper which had a lot less description. The main reasons I believe I personally preferred The Speckled Band was better because the story had the ability to include interesting characters by using great description. It included many exciting events which built up suspense making me eager to read on and find out what happened. It also included puzzles and mysteries for me to solve during the story. All these factors fulfilled a description of a classic detective story. The Speckled Band was like a classic detective story which is why I preferred this story to The Gatewood Caper story. To what extent did The Speckled Band and Gatewood Caper match the expectations of a traditional detective story ?

Gender Identity In the Fashion Industry

Gender Identity In the Fashion Industry Fashion is not what models exhibit in a magazine or a store window. It pervades every aspect of life. Fashion is mystifying, intimidating, irritating at time yet compulsive. It is an assertion or expression of identity. So long as identity is important, fashion will continue to be important. Fashion defines an individuals persona. Fashion designers define how people should dress up and how they look in different outfits. They continue to make contributions to cultural and social environment.In their zeal to create something unique, designers are always on the lookout for inspiration from history, cultural differences, themes, motifs and contemporary thoughts. But fashion cannot be moulded per the male or female outlook. It speaks independently of its creators. Role of designers need not be gender biased or biology biased. A detailed scrutiny into gender and sex shows one is biological and other societal. For instance, females, biologically are designed to give birth. Once they have given birth and performed the mammalian function, they can take up a role of hunter or a warrior. The terms hunter and nester refer to masculine and feminine. Masculine describes an approach that is abstract in nature, usually focused on a splendid thought, the way of a hunter. Contrary to this, feminine approach is considered to be orchestrating detailed decisions contributing to wider set of objectives, the way of a nester. Regardless of sex, fashion designers can be categorized into 3 groups- Hunter, Nester and nester- hunter designer. Hunter designers are those who have focused approach on one thing but to do that very efficiently. Designers in nester group have broad minded approach. They aspire to take steps in sequence contributing to a decision keeping i n mind long term objectives. It is striking to notice difference between male and female designs. There is a slight assumption that abstract skills are of higher value. Emphasis should be on both abstract and verbal reasoning, technical and aesthetics implying that Nester and hunter need to work hand in hand for best results. Many women have a masculine approach to a design and many men have a feminine approach to a design. Nester-hunter designers are a mix of both. It is important to understand these types of designer approaches as the best design teams have a combination of hunter and nester approach. It does make sense that a combination of abstract thought blended well with meticulous design and contractual management would lead to some of the best works getting designed. AT the drawing board one can work from a particular thought to a more general one. This can be done even vice versa. But the important thing is that one should have a clear precise perspective of the end design. Majority of the worlds fashion designing schools are run by women but have been organized by men. Fashion was not always a gendered occurrence. Until eighteenth century, both men and women decked themselves with elaborate dresses. Costume historians have elaborated that gender distinction in dress was not that prominent until nineteenth century. Men and women in elite class often emulated abundant show of rich velvets, fine silks, lace, decorative footwear, wigs, head embellishments and scented powders. Men in pink suits, gold and silver jewelry and embroidered shirts were considered very masculine, regardless of choice of color or ornaments worn. The more intricate the dress, the higher used to be the status of the wearer in the society. Fashion was not only a womens affair then. It became feminized since nineteenth century when gender representation became stronger than societal class. With the turn of century, not only fashion became more feminized, but male identity went through a distinct change with modernization. Early theorists related fashion to the social status of women. The affluent displayed their wealth by ornamenting their wives and daughters exuding an air of sophistication. The women also spent endless efforts and hours to be ladies. At the end of eighteenth century bourgeois male went through the great masculine renunciation, as a result of which men gave up wearing all the bright colors and jewelry leaving it to the womens domain. In post industrial societies, men were guided by occupational spheres. Their business and casual attire were starkly different. Also age segmentation has played a very prominent role in defining mens style. Amongst women, age segmentation is only for those who want to believe in it. Although the designer fashion tends to extend beyond the boundaries of masculinity, the gender fashion still exists between male and female fashion. To that extent, fashion may be assumed to be cultural, affecting consumers perception and experience of design.The impact of gender is very evident in the visual appearances in consumers mind. For instance, pink for the girl and blue for the boy goes the clichà © defining gender by color coding. In the designer world, industrial design is thought as male and textile design as female. Even design is rendered into gender stereotypes like feminine lace, dolls for girls, masculine leather, etc. As industriliazation took place, social stratas on clothing transformed in eterms of occupation. The social chasm between lower class, middle and upper class was huge during the industrial era. Clothes were almost unavailable for the poor but were in abundance for the rich- for whom changes in fashions were created. Members of other social classes were just expected to emulate the rich if they wished to appear fashionable. By late nineteenth century clothes had become cheaper and accessible to lower classes of society. Middle and upper class women spent substantial amount of their incomes on fashionable clothes. Mens social clothing became more and more simplified. Infact the concept of uniforms and dress codes gained importance to showcase the ranks in the bureaucratic organizations. In the twentieth century, clothes seem to have lost their economic relevance but not their symbolic relevance. This is because clothes are available in all price ranges to suit all pockets. Those with l imited resources can still emulate fashion by creating personal styles which are expression of their identities rather than imitating styles of the affluent. Appearance of fashion indicated sudden appearance of a new social bond and a social temporality With time, fashion trends have changed. It has been dominated by cult, uniqueness , inspiration from local and foreign models. Fashion instituted the social power of minute signs which has an astonishing mechanism of social distinction of those who dress in an innovative way. It also draws inspiration from ancestral heritage and social norms. Fashion perhaps forms a major part in the construction of a social identity. It is an indication of how people in different eras showcased their positions and status boundaries. The most visible marks of social status and gender has been broadly showcased by Fashion. Fashion dictates the choices that people make in the form of culture, norms and appropriateness of the occasion. For instance, hats were a huge fashion statement and were worn to either showcase recognised or desired social status. Fashion clothing also revealed the occupation, social class and regional origin of a person. It distinguishes elite fashion from everyday fashion. There is very less in common amongst dressing style of a secretary a homemaker, a businessman and a law enforcement officer. As a social phenomenon, it has been treated as futile because of huge association of outward appearance with women. The face of fashion defines its phenomena. Female fashion emanates uniqueness and change. Mens interest in fashion is dictated by their occupation generally but womens interest depends upon their fascination with beauty. Now the nature of fashion seems to have changed. From nineteenth century when fashion was more on well defined standard of societal appearance has now evolved into being more contemporary. It has become indistinct, multifaceted and highly fragmented. New styles have been evolved over the years. Societies have changed dramatically in the past few decades. Social class has become less prominent in the contemporary society of today. Instead of class differentiation there is fragmentation of cultures within societies. 1960s was a special era in the sense where fashion emerged in lower status groups and adopted by the affluent. This fashion phenomena defied age and social barriers conveying pride to the trendsetter. In early 90s, designers tried to be innovative by adding feminine elements to menswear.Also there seemed to be a female dominance over the culture. Fashion for women fits the definition of conflicted supremacy. Women have held contrasting position in different times ranging from marginally unconcealed to conservative to acceptable fashionable to feminine dominance and empowerment in 90s. Turrow believes lifestyles are now in hypersegmentation which isolates each lifestyle in its own niche. People are more likely to frequent changes in their lifestyle now. The mulitplicity of changes that such lifestyle in a contemporary society presents the opportunity to an indidual to break away from tradition.Todays individual constructs a send of identity from his past, present and future events, commitments and aspirations. The individual styles have also gone through frequent changes in line with their changing lifestyles. Personal orientation, income, education, family careers, social position influence a persons taste in fashion. The younger generation today, usually with more affluent background have post modernist attitude towards identity. Attitude of younger women towards fashion is that of liberalization, power and personal panache. Men are now borrowing elements of costumes from women. Problems are faced when there is persistence to keep male gender above the female one . Today men spend lot of time and money on hair styling, appearance, fashionable clothing and skin products. These men are being coined as metrosexual. A metrosexual man willingly displays his masculinity from his ability to consume, showcase his toned physique to assert his identity as an urban middle class man.Yet again, fashion is being used to exhibit gender identity. Fashions most imminent characteristic is that it changes. With multiple demands on clothing and dressing, change is the only constant. Cross-dressing has come up as a welcome antidote to confining concepts of society and gender. It offers alternative ways to visualize and dress up a gender and might end up freeing the consumers restrictive thoughts on gender dressing. Realm of fashion in undergoing a radical change. Fashion contributes to newer definitions of social identities and newer attributes to personal preferences. Today because of globalization, fashion houses have to constantly innovate, think out of the box as consumers are no longer fashion victims. Gender studies in design have now challenged these contentious gender, sterotypes, cultural and societal outlook. Female designers earlier have been more prevalent in ceramics, textile designs and men more prominent in abstract art and advertising designs. These self, societal and cultural divisions are breaking down now. Men and women both have critical roles to play as consumers and producers of design. People select styles to suit their identity, lifestyle and societal norms. Fashion is a choice not a compulsion. It is not a simple process to achieve equivalence between design and customer preference. Designers today are pushing gender based boundaries in fashion and almost pulverizing them. They are bringing to life their vision of what they consider fashion. Designers are now teaming up with people who have different perspectives to make an impact in all their designs. They take pride in and gain strength from the richness of a multicultural society and recognize it as a continuous growth . They work in an environment where they contribute their thoughts freely and create designs. These designs are sated with utmost creativity, uniqueness, abstractness and intricacy at the same time. This has become the definition of success.

The Important Discovery of Kenyanthropus Platyops - The Flat Faced Man

The Important Discovery of Kenyanthropus Platyops - The Flat Faced Man of Kenya A recent finding on the western shore of Lake Turkana in northern Kenya, a semi-desert area, could hold bold new implication for the origin of man. The finding was the skull of a very early hominid which displays facial features of both modern man and early, more primitive ancestors. The findings have been dated to approximately 3.5 million years, a time period once thought to be dominated by human ancestors that did not posses any noticeable and unique characteristics held by modern man. The find was discovered by Meave Leakey of the National Museums of Kenya and her colleagues, Fred Spoor, Frank H. Brown, Patrik N. Gathogo, Christopher Kiarie, Louise N. Leakey and Ian McDougall. The find originated from an area in Northern Kenya which has been a hot bed for early hominid fossils, and has earned the nickname the â€Å"Leakey Stable†. The specific area in Northern Kenya is located in the Lomekwi and Topernawi river drainages in the Turkana district. The type locality is LO-6N at 03’ 54.03’ north latitude, 035’ 44.40’ east longitude. The bed where the skull was found contains sedimentary and volcanic rocks in addition to the skulls placement between the Lokochot Tuff, and Tulu Bor Tuff, layers of earth that have an approximate age, allowed the scientist to conclude that the skull was approximately 3.5 million years old. Although the skull was dated 3.5 million years old it held distinctly human facial features, earning it its name Kenyanthropus platyops – The Flat-Faced Man of Kenya. It has a flat face, protruding somewhat like an ape with small teeth. The skulls cranium falls within the range of A. afarensis and A. africa... ...g this modern people can see their past and present in the natural world and come to a better understanding of what it truly means to be human. Bibliography 1. Leakey, M. G., Spoor, F., Brown, F. H., Gathogo, P. N., Kiarie, C., Leakey, L. N. and McDougall, I. New hominin genus from eastern Africa shows diverse middle Pliocene lineages Nature 410, 433 - 440 (2001). 2. http://www.nature.com/nsu/010322/010322-8.html Notes: [1] Leakey, M. G., Spoor, F., Brown, F. H., Gathogo, P. N., Kiarie, C., Leakey, L. N. and McDougall, I. New hominin genus from eastern Africa shows diverse middle Pliocene lineages Nature 410, 433 - 440 (2001). Pg. 436 [2] Leakey, M. G., Spoor, F., Brown, F. H., Gathogo, P. N., Kiarie, C., Leakey, L. N. and McDougall, I. New hominin genus from eastern Africa shows diverse middle Pliocene lineages Nature 410, 433 - 440 (2001). Pg. 433

Singapore by author Mary Oliver :: essays research papers

Singapore by author Mary Oliver Let me begin this paper by introducing you to two people who live among many others in this world. One is an Electrical Engineer and the other is a labourer . According to the world , there is alot of difference in these both . A lot of things vary among them. One is highly educated and the other is not. One works in an Air conditioned office where as the other works in burning sun. The engineer earns in hundreds of thousands where as the labourer earns in hundreds. But there is one thing in common in both of them.There is one thing that is smiliar . Both are earning thir living. Both are working to live their life . No matter how much they earn, but they are doing it to go thorugh this world. Human Beings have been divided into different categories .There are certain kind of jobs to do in this world. Whatever the job we do, we have to do it sincerely and it is our responsbility to fulfill all the requirements our job requires from us.Once committed to our job, we have to be sincere, honest, devoted and responsible. This paper focuses mainly on the sincereity as well as the passion with which we do our job. Human body is a very sophisticated machine created by God himself. It can do all sorts of things but there are a few things at which the human body gets very perfect.And that perfectness comes from practice, devotion,love,sincerity and responsibility towards that particular thing. Let me associate the word "thing" in the previous sentence as working. Working for living. Reason I chose to write on this topic was that the Poem " Singapore" written by author Mary Oliver that I read in the book by John Schilb and John Clifford influenced me alot. The Poem narrates the life of a woman which works on an aeroplane and is cleaning teh restrooms which are very dirty. She visually and physically finds the job dirty. But while cleaning that restrooms she sees it in her own world.She finds her hands working in pleasure as she is wondering the scenes of rivers. She realises the truth o f life that she has to work to earn her living. I really admire the phrases author used to describe the feelings , emotions , visions and thoughts of that woman .

Hbr Cases Csr Outsourcing in Tangers 2 P

CASE STUDY: Multinational Outsourcing and CSR. Inditex: The worldwide outsourcing garment industry and social community development in Morocco Intermon claims that pressures on foreign clothing suppliers are smothering employees. [†¦]  In Morocco, where Cortefiel, Inditex Zara), Mango and Induyco El Corte Ingles)manufacture their products, a Tangier based textile factory sold a pair of slacks to large Spanish retailers for 3.3 euros three years ago; today, the same item sells for 2 euros. Female factory workers work 12 to 16 hours a day during the high season, because orders from Spain demand six ? ay delivery  terms  in  order  to  suit  shop  window  change  schedules. † (El  Pais  Newspaper,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Mujeres  en  Aprietos†,  10  ? 02  ? 2004) towards  process  outsourcing  that  responded  to  its  characteristic  labor  ? intensive  production and current competitive pressures for cost reduction and flexibili ty. Sector companies had been  forced  to  redesign  their  business  strategies,  focusing  on  performance  measurement,  new competence and skill development, product quality improvements and more strategically oriented  human  resources  management.Yet,  this  new  strategic  focus  entailed  unprecedented   risks,   especially   as   regards   labor   practices,   environmental   care   and   unfair   competition. As   multinational  companies  embarked  on  this  process,  multilateral  agencies  and  global  NGOs  had   begun  to  look  into  and  report  on  wrongful  practices  by  large  corporations,  significantly  calling   the  attention  of  increasingly  sensitive  and  aware  consumers  and  customers. Global  society  was   urging  apparel  industry  players  to  adopt  a  more  responsible  attitude  to   be  embraced  by  their   entire  business  value  chain,  including  vendors  and  outsourced  suppliers.Thus,  Inditex  was  held   responsible  for  what  went  on  at  outsourcing  shop  s  owned  by  Moroccan,  Peruvian,  Chinese  or Indian  businessmen. This  was  precisely  why  Javier  Chercoles,  Social  Responsibility  Department   director   at   Inditex,   was   losing   sleep:   how   could   they   know   for   sure   what   happened   in   over   1,800  outsourcing  shops  scattered  all  around  the  world? Introduction It   was   early   in   October   2005,   and   the   date   set   for   the   next   Social   Council   meeting   was   fast   approaching. This   advisory   body   provided   counsel   to   Inditex   Group   on   corporate   social   responsibility   (hence   CSR)à ‚   issues.The   upcoming   meeting   would   assess   the   CSR   policies   and   programs  the  Group  was  developing. The  textile  industry  in  general  and  Inditex  ? as  an  industry   leader  ? in  particular  were  facing  complex  social  challenges  that  affected  not  only  their  image   and   reputation   but   their   operations   as   well. Inditex   CSR   strategy   had   emerged   largely   in   response   to   these   challenging   issues. The   time   had   come   to   evaluate   this   strategy’s   impact,   especially   focusing   on   outsourced   shops,   in   order   to   outline   a   future   course   of   action.Specifically,   Inditex   had   launched   a   program   in   Tangier   and   needed   to   assess   this   experience   and   find   a   way   to   incorporate   it   into   the   Group’s   global   strategy. At   the   same   time,   Javier   Chercoles  wondered  what  options  were  available  for  social  intervention  in  developing  nations. What  were  the  limits  to  the  company’s  social  responsibility? Should  Inditex  strive  to  ensure  the   wellbeing  of  its  suppliers’  workers? He  also  pondered  the  visibility  issue  :  Should  the  company   communicate   its   CSR   efforts   openly,   or   should   it   pursue   a   more   â€Å"   subtle†,   low   ? profile   approach?In  recent  years,  the  textile  industry  had  become  highly  globalized  as  a  result  of  a  strong  trend   1 Inditex  Group  Evolution By  late  2005,  Spain’s  Inditex  (Industria  de  Diseno  Textil)  Group,  owner  of  several  retail  brands   including   Zara,   Pull   and   Bear,   Massimo   Dutti, Bershka,   Stradivarius,   Oysho,   Zara   Home   and   Kiddy’s  Class,  was  a  world  leader  in  its  sector,  with  more  than  2,600  stores  in  62  countries. The   first   Zara   store   was   inaugurated   in   La   Coruna,   Spain,   in   1975. Since   then,   the   company   had   opened  stores  in  over  400  cities  in  Europe,  the  Americas,  Asia  and  Africa.Inditex  engulfed  eight  retail  chains  with  broad  international  presence. The  group  also  included   other   companies   associated   with   apparel   business   design,   manufacturing   and   distribution   operations. Group  figures  show  that  Zara,  its  oldest  and  most  internationally  expanded  chain,   accounted  for  70%  of  its  overall  business,  with  724  stores  located  in  54  countries. Europe  was   Inditex’s  core  business  focus,  featuring  1,945  stores  that  grossed  over  80%  of  its  total  sales. In   2005,   the   more   than   1,000   stores   located   outside   Spain   accounted   for   57. %   of   the   group’s   sales,   and   stores   were   opened   in   four   new   markets:   Slovenia,   Slovakia,   Russia   and   Malaysia. Most  Inditex  stores  were  wholly  ? owned  and  managed  by  the  company;  franchises  were  only   2 used  for  12%  of  the  group’s  points  of  sale,  contributing  10%  to  total  store  sales  from  all  chains. Inditex  had  experienced  significant  growth  over  the  past  few  years,  posting  a  net  income  of  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚   628  million  on  consolidated  revenues  of  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  5. 67  billion  in  2004. As  of  December  31,  2005,  the   group  had  an  overall  headcount  of  58,190  employees.Amancio   Ortega   Gaona,   founder   of   Inditex,   started   his   first   apparel   manufacturing   factory,   Confecciones   Goa,   in   1963. Soon   he   developed   an   interest   for   retailing   and   opened   the   first   Zara   S. A. store,   which   became   his   first   retail   and   distribution   company. Since   inception,   Zara   was   positioned   as   a   store   selling   quality   fashion   clothing   at   reasonable   prices. By   the   end   of   the   1970s,   there   were   half   a   dozen   Zara   stores   in   Galicia,   Spain. In   1985,   Inditex   S. A. was   established   as   a   holding   company   atop   Zara.Since   then,   its   expansion   gathered   momentum: the  first  store  outside  Spain  was  opened  in  1988  (in  Portugal),  and,  between  1989  and  1998,   the   company   expanded   to   18   additional   countries,   developing   or   acquiring   other   fashion   brands,  such  as  Pull  and  Bear  and  Massimo  Dutti. Throughout  this  process,  the  Group  underwent  deep  structural  changes  and  went  from  being   an  exclusively  Spain  ? based  producing  chain  in  1980  to  deploying,  by  2005,  company  audited   and  certified  production  centers  and  providers  in  the  Americas,  Africa,  Europe  and  Asia.This   new   scheme   posed   new   challenges   for   Inditex,   especially   in   terms   of   labor,à ‚   social   and   economic   concerns   regarding   its   employees,   its   suppliers   and   outsourcing   shops,   as   the   company   struggled   to   uphold   the   values   and   principles   inspiring   the   Group’s   CSR   strategies. Zara  was  a  successful  store,  and  success  brings  visibility. For  several,  reasons,  both  the  media   and  the  NGO  community  had  their  eyes  set  on  Zara,  a  fact  the  company  could  not  ignore. culture  based  on  ethics  and  respect  and  translate  into  more  than  just  aesthetic  moves.So,  is   Inditex  really  and  globally  committed  to  CSR? (Press  release  by  SETEM  NGO,  June  15,  2004)      In  1992,  Levi’s,  a  U. S. apparel  company,  was  accused  of  selling  jeans  manufactured  by  Chinese    immigrants  working  in  slavery  ? like  conditions. In  1994,  Kukdong,  a  Nike  and  Reebok  supplier,   was  charged  for  violating  labor  standards  by  hiring  minors  to  work  up  to  10  hours  a  day  and   allowing  verbal  and  physical  employee  abuses. In  1998,  charges  were  brought  against  Adidas   for  forcing  prison  inmates  in  China  to  work  in  despicable  conditions.These   precedents   had   driven   large   textile   companies   all   over   the   world   to   adopt   socially   responsible   strategies   and   policies. Industry   leaders,   like   Nike,   H&M,   Benetton   and   Gap,   had   developed   and   published   codes   of   conduct   that   included   their commitment   to   observe   and   enforce   legal   labor   practices   and   the   principles   contained   in   the   Universal   Declaration   of   Human  Rights  both  at  their  own  production  plants  as  well  as  their  suppliers’. This  implied  the   adoption   of   specific   practices,   such   as   inspection,   audit   and   evaluation   mechanisms   for   outsourcing  shops.However,   many   NGOs   were   still   quite   skeptical   when   it   came   to   textile   industry   practices. Especially   noteworthy   in   this   regard   was   the   Clean   Clothes   Campaign,1   an   organization   that   originated   in   Holland   in   1984   and,   by   2004,   had   already   turned   into   an   informal   NGO   and   union   network   spanning   throughout   the   world. It   was   devoted   to   pressing   apparel   multinationals  to  ensure  all  their   products  and  services  were  produced  in  accordance  with  fair   labor  policies,  as  well  as  to  raising  consumer  awareness  on  industry  abuses.The  Clean  Clothes   Campaign  had  such  a  vast  impact  in  Europe  that,  in  1997,  the  European  Parliament  praised  its   work  and  recommended  the  European  Commission  to  explicitly  support  this  organization. In  Spain,  the  Clean  Clothes  Campaign  had  been  initially  led  by  Setem,  a  Spanish  development   NGO,  and  later  by  Intermon  Oxfam,  a  larger,  more  established  organization. Both  had  adopted   differing   strategies   in   their   dealings   with   the   industry:   while   Setem   pursued   an   ongoing   and   outspoken   advocacy   strategy,   especially   in   the   case   of   Inditex,    Intermon   ?Oxfam   preferred   a   more   collaborative   approach   to   both   the   entire   industry   and   Inditex   in   particular. In   2001,   4 Stakeholders’  Reaction  to  Inditex  CSR  Strategy â€Å"Arteixo. ?  SETEM,  NGO  that  coordinates  the  Clean  Clothes  Campaign,  will  attend  the  textile   Inditex  Group’s  General  Shareholders’  Meeting,  to  be  held  tomorrow  at  Arteixo  in  La  Coruna,  in   order  to  question  company  officials  on  primary  issues,  such  as  its  Code  of  Co duct’s  failure  to   refer  to  International  Labor  Organization  (ILO)  standards  and  the  right  to  a  fair  wage. Since  the   creation   of   the   Inditex   Corporate   Social   Responsibility   Department,   SETEM   ? Clean   Clothes   Campaign   has   monitored   the   company’s   commitment   to   labor   rights,   purchasing   practices,   management   transparence,   etc. ?   in   short,   all   the   aspects   that   truly   determine   a   business   3 Setem  purchased  Inditex  stock  in  order  to  join  the  company’s  annual  Shareholders’  Meetings.Setem’s  July  2004  press  release  clearly  expressed  its  position  on  the  company:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Inditex  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s  social   responsibility   plan   is   a   deceitful   front   that   has   enabled   the   company   to   portray   itself   in   the   media   as   a   pioneer   in   social   responsibility   issues   in   Spain. †Ã‚   Instead,   Intermon   Oxfam,   a   development   NGO   used   to   working   with   business   companies,   published   a   report,   Moda   que   Aprieta  (February  2004),  that  referred  specifically  to  Inditex  in  the  following  terms:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"This  is  the   Spanish  apparel  group  that  has  made  more  progress  in  CSR  issues.Its  key  weakness  lies  in  its   difficulty  to  match  its  aggressive  marketing  policy,  based  on  stringent  order  fulfillment  terms,   and  its  demand  for  suppliers  to  comply  with  its  ethical  code. †Ã‚      Currently,   Clean   Clothes   Campaign   platforms   were   approaching   several   sector   multinationals   to   formulate   a   proposal   for   good   practices   in   the   textile   industry.    In   other   words,   some   companies   and   NGOs   were   trying   to   analyze   market   pressures   forcing   harsh   productivity,   flexibilityà ‚   and   low   cost   strategies   on   sector   players   in   an   attempt   to   minimize   their   negative   impacts,  such  as  labor  instability  and  unsafe  working  conditions. A   group   of   Inditex   top   executives   recognized   the   need   to   approach   company   stakeholders   meaningfully  and  to  develop  sound  CSR  strategies. They  believed  that  it  was  crucial  for  Inditex   to   set   in   place   suitable   mechanisms   to   approach   its   stakeholders. The   company   had   already   moved   in   this   direction

Analysis of Current Event at Telstra Essay

Management issue is a common phenomenon that an organization attempting to maximize profits must grapple with. Telecommunication as it is the case with Telstra Corporation Limited has been distinguished by highly competitive market. On the same breath, actors and competitors on the market have been seen struggling with the increasing cost of operation, production, development and mature market. In light of this, the Company faces management issue when it comes to decision making, integrating new models and working within the realm of theoretical frameworks. ResearchMoz (2013) notes that in an industry where competition is rife, analysis of a company’s management issues and current events encompass the recognition of different strategies that enable it maintain competitive position. Despite these positions, it has to be recognized that analysis of management issues of Telstra Corporation Limited must first recognize the position of the Company with regard to managing risks as p ostulated by the Company’s Chief Risk Office (Schermerhorn et al., 2014). Ideally, Telstra Corporation Limited has Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to undertake and as one of its management issue or strategy. Consequently, such must be conceptualised through its laid platform, structure, financial reports and annual reports. Similarly, evidence based researches have shown that the first step in understanding management of a company is to integrate its undertaking when it comes to CSR and how sustainable the Company intends to operate with regard to the environment, competitors and specific objectives (Millmore, 2007; Hubbard, 2008; Bardoel, 2012). Based on the Company’s Corporate Social Report 2014, its CSR is embedded on four critical issues; internal environment, external environment, customers and sustainability (Corporate Social Responsibility Report, 2014). That is, the commitment of the Company towards corporate responsibility starts with simple but straight forward commitments that cover its areas of operations and targeted objectives. F rom its principled perspective, the primary corporate responsibility can be summarised as follows: Provision of the country a foundation that ensures economic growth, sustainability prosperity, productivity improvement and global competitive Contributing towards resources; increasing technology, product services and people in employment to support the communities in which the Company operates and the specific needs of community at large Give a leading stewardship of environment by first and importantly, conservation, efficiency in the usage of resources, reducing and maintaining environmental footprint and reduction of operation costs (e.g. it took part in the Mobile Phone Recycling Program that was co-ordinated by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Associations (AMTA) (Daley et al. 2014) Based on the Company’s corporate social responsibility as one of the management issues and as reported in the article, there is an integration of new management approach and that is the fact that risk management approach has been tailored to facilitate maximization of profits. Conversely, it can be established, based on its business principles and risk management approaches that the CSR has succeeded in the reduction of any adverse effects on and injury to the environment. Such is also embedded on the desire to preserve the beneficial qualities of the environment, while ensuring quality products and services in Australia (Baigh, 2014). In addition, to the above principles, analysis of the company’s management of this particular issue has also considered profits to the Company thus concluding that Telstra is revamping on this particular management strategy which is succeeding in line with its short and long term goals. To conceptualise this argument, scholars such as Hooper and Potter (2006) have drawn a thin line between CSR as a management issue and as a marketing issue. To ascertain that the CSR approach as contextualized is a management issue but financial or marketing issue, in most cases, companies always engage in pricing strategies which also depend on value pricing coupled with strategic markdowns. In such cases, this makes sales of their products to go down since it cannot compete effectively with other products. Additionally, products face what Hamlin (2012) terms as ‘a society of shifting priorities’ (p.281). Therefore there is pressure to keep up with the emerging social needs by style modification. It is for this reason that any decision to modify must be embedded on the premise to meet the needs of the targeted consumers. While the explanation above provides for what would constitute a marketing issue, what Telstra engages in is management issue. According to Johnson et al. (2011), CSR is not only management issue but a current one the sense that it deals with financial performance, top management, chief executive and shareholders. Herewith, the management issue within the context of Telstra is the responsiveness that should be taken because in a competitive environment where there are other operator s such as Huawei and Vodacom, managers are supposed to intervene in accordance with their position and power, especially where management can fail to respond to economic challenges and changes. Also related to CSR as a marketing issue is ethical decision making approaches. According to the article, the process of identification of managing risks through ethical decision making is an integral part of the Company’s governance framework and management issue which help in the realization of the success of the strategy as well as financial prospects for future operations. Telstra business ethics entails standards and principles that guide managers, individuals and work group behaviour in line with telecommunication and terms of service in Australia. Additionally, it is important to note that stakeholders of the Company make these conventions (principles) and such have been codified as regulations and laws. Contextualising this definition within the frameworks business management issue; ethical decision making help Telstra family design strategies that eliminate misconduct. According to Peng (2014) there are three significant components that sum up its ethical decision making as critical management issue; ethical decision making being individual factors, ethical decision making being Company’s relationship with others and ethical decision making being opportunities available for the Company. Basically, while this issue might to be seen as revamp on a current management strategy, it has been applied successfully since the Company bases the three components on behaviourist theory where what matters is what individuals in the Company can do rather than specific quality or attribute. That is, different patterns of individual b ehaviours are linked to ethical decisions that are made by the Company and such are geared towards the realisation of the goals and objectives that have been set by the Company. To contextualise the success of the Company with its approach of ethical decision making as one the management issue, Perren and Burgoyne (2010) report that Telstra has been engaging with Communication Workers Union with a view to offering better terms of service and transparency in supply management. For instance, in 2013, the Company engaged Low-Income Measures Assessment Committee (LIMAC) (this is an example of Communication Workers Union which is viewed as independent and transparent) which made changes to the package the Company was initially giving to its workers and suppliers. In connection to this, the Company, this particular issue has successful been engaged in what Katzenbach and Smith (2005) term as ‘vertical management’ (p. 37). Vertical management within the context of ethical decision making is a case where a Company liaises with regulatory organization so as to have a common agenda and conform to the requirements of the industry. Conceptualist theorists a nd ethical formalism argue that ethical decision making process in management encompass evaluations of fairness product stewardships but with respect to firm’s overall culture. In summary, with ethical decision making process as one of the management issue, Telstra has a well-defined management and leadership structure which is focused on the achievement of defined objectives including ‘green’ managements. Lastly, this issue departs from being finance or marketing issue on the ground that the approach lacks market orientation is a model that concretizes the strategy of finance and marketing. Senge et al. (2007) define this theory (market orientation) as a strategy that ensures all products and services as undertaken by Companies are oriented towards specific demands of clients and customers. Still on ethical decision making as one of the Company’s management issue or approach, Telstra’s planning, leading, organising, controlling and functioning is based on choices made on guidelines laid. According to article, one of the important issues to not is that the Company’s risk management frameworks are aligned with ISO 31000 Risk Management (Baigh, 2014). While this is an indicator of a management strategy or practice that has succeeded, underpinnings of theories of issue management are significant to the Company additionally; technical and commercial objectives remain axis for the Company. The success in management of this issue is conceptualised with regard to audience or customer satisfaction. This is to mean that in as much as its ethical decision making remains a priority as a management issue, targeted markets shapes such priorities—an aspect Aras and Crowther (2009) terms as ‘ascertaining the success of management strategies and policie s in downstream and upstream relationships’ (p. 213). From Michael Patterson (Telstra’s General Manager for Tasmania) statement on the legal battle the Company had with Optus, it can be realized that the Company’s planning, leading, organising, controlling and functioning are in line with the tenet of management of telephony inputs and components that are required in the market. This is an indication that there is long term transparency and conformity to good practices. Assessing Corporate Social Report 2013 vis-Ã  -vis opening of the China’s SouFun Sensis, there is evidence that efforts are diverted to supply chain relationships with third party suppliers as well as other competitors. It is important to note that Telstra is overemphasizing on CSR strategies; an aspect that may affects its ethical decision making. If this stretches beyond what the Company can handle, strategic alignment with other sectors may be affected. Basically, this is where this strategy differs from the aspect of marketing in the sense that according to the theory of signaling, the best way to market a product is to engage a brand or product in competitive signal that are intended to pass information to potential consumers with an aim of making such consumers believe that competing products are substandard (Cole, 2012). This is exactly how Cadbury for instance has succeeded in capturing the attention of their targeted market every time they engage in marketing. Telstra, through this does management and not marketing as they do not engage in competitive signaling. As a management approach, Telstra looks at ethical decision making differently. That is as a management issue, ethical decision making is seen in terms of transparency when it comes to critical corporate accounting and statements. One of the critical goals of the Company is to attain what it terms as ‘front-line management’ (Baigh, 2014 p.26). The benefits of the people within and around have been necessitated through avoidance of misleading information. The continuum of growth in economy resonates around a transparent business operation—which is also a recipe of what this assessment considers to be a successful management approach. Synopsis on the Management Issue From the perspective of undertakings in the Company, the aspect is a management issue in the sense that it analyses the environment issues in lieu of external factors that impact business activities. On the other hand, the purpose of the management issues as analysed is to evaluate and determinate competitive advantages as well as threats a Company has with regard to its operations. These analyses recognise stiff competitions, threats and opportunities faced by companies such as Optus, Vodafone and 3 Mobile. In as much, this analysis considers Telstra due to its cutting edge when it comes to services such as broadband, hosting, directory and pay TV which are not as extensive in other companies. Since the management issue has been a success, revamping of a current policy is twofold; first, there is need to strategize the management issue identified to an extent that the company benefits from the economies of scales and the strong relationships with suppliers, which will place it in a strong bargaining position with its upstream partners and allows leveraging the costs. Strategizing the management issue to attain this goal means that a focus on customer-relationship and loyalty creation, as well as investment in research and technical development (R&D) to reduce the costs of services so as to compete with niche operators. Secondly, revamping on the current management issue must assess the possibility of working alongside its downstream partners to deliver triple-play solutions in voice, data and video services, expansion of data download quotas and continuous innovation in fixed line services, as opposed to mobile services, to offer incentives to its clients. Similarly on the question of whether Telstra is handling the identified management issue appropriately is manifold but the assessment will review two issues that offer succinct answers to the question. First, proper management of a company circles around how best a company maximizes a profit and expands networks (ResearchMoz, 2013). Through the management issue, Telstra has leveraged the risks of economic downturns by diversifying its income channels. The growing domestic market and the boost in 4G technologies enable further market penetration and help to reduce the pressure of external factors. Secondly, the Company through the management issue has pursued an investment heavy strategy to grow its existing network. However, financial indicators, outline a challenging internal environment in terms of liquidity and internal funding options. References Aras, G. & Crowther, D (2009). Global Perspective on Corporate Governance and CSR. Farnham: Gower Pub. Baigh, H. (2014). Seven Strategies for Simplifying Your Organization. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/05/seven-strategies-for-simplifyi/ Bardoel, A. (2012).Tool or Time Thief? Technology and the Work-Life Balance. Retrieved Cole, K. (2012). Management: Theory and practice. Australia: Pearson. Corporate Social Responsibility Report (2014): Understanding the Definition of Corporate SocialResponsibility: http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/download/document/csr.pdf Daley, J., McGannon, C., & Ginnivan, L. (2012). Game-changers: Economic reform priorities for Australia. Melbourne: Grattan Institute from The Conversation, Future of Work: https://theconversation.edu.au/tool-or-time-thief-technology-and-the-work-life-balance-8165 Hamlin. R. (2012) Towards a Universalistic Model of Leadership: a comparative study of Britishand American empirically derived criteria of managerial and leadership effectiveness. Working paper WP005/02, University of Wolverhampton. Hooper, A. and Potter, J. (2006) The Business of Leadership. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing Company. Hubbard, G. (2008). Strategic management: Thinking, analysis, action. Australia: Pearson. James, K. and Burgoyne, J. (2001) Leadership Development: Best practice guide for organisations. London: Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership. Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Wittington, R. (2011). Exploring Strategy: Text & Cases. (9th ed). London: Prentice Hall. Katzenbach, J. and Smith, D. (2005) The Wisdom of Teams. New York: Harperbusiness. Millmore, M. (2007). Strategic Human Resource Management: Contemporary Issues. Harlow: Financial Times, Prentice Hall. Peng, M. (2014). Global Strategy (3rd ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Publishing. Perren, L. and Burgoyne, J. (2010) Management and Leadership Abilities: An analysis of texts, testimony and practice. London: Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership. ResearchMoz. (2013). Australia – Telco company profiles – Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Retrieved from http://www.researchmoz.us/australia-telco-company-profiles-telstra-optus-and-vodafone-report.html Schermerhorn, J.R., Davidson, P., Poole, D., Woods, P., Simon, A., & McBarron, E., (2014). Management (5th ed.). Australia: Pearson Senge, P., et al. (2007). The dance of change: The challenges of sustaining momentum in learning organizations. London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing. Source document

Perceptual Map Marketing Essay

The purpose of this document is to illustrate the information contained within the Perceptual Map Marketing simulation and relate to it’s information as practical and important. Contained in the simulation were three phases, each of significant importance. We will include in this document the situation, the recommended solutions and the results. We will discuss the multiple marketing aspects that were revealed within the simulation and we will attempt to create satisfactory responses to the various questions which arise out of the relationships between differentiation and positioning of products or services and what the impact of the product life cycle on marketing is. It is the hope that after reading this document there will be a clear concept of what the results of this simulation were and how they are applicable to the paper’s mission. All good things have a story and Cruiser Thorr was no exception. We learned about the meaning behind the bike. The simulation showed how to create and use a perceptual map using the bike as a primary example. When using the Perceptual Map it then became clearly more evident which direction the marketing goals should take to carry on it’s back the heart and soul of the Morotcycle brand. In selling thousands of motorcycles a year the Thorr Motocycle company has created a client base capable of supporting their imense variety of choice that is given to the consumer. Everything from the type of engine to how many people can ride the bike. They sell accessories such as protective gear, clothing and even little models for children. The services they offer to their customers are that you would expect from a first rate bike shop. Our task is to set up a positioning strategy, a perceptual map and create the parameters that will become vital to the product as it will be the customers only information before making a major purchase. For decades now the industry of motorized bikes have been on the ries. Even with this evident truth backed by consumer research the top selling item that Thorr Motorcycles is creating seems to be dwindeling. The logical conclusion that we are coming to to is that their target customers are in the decades of their 30s till almost 60s and through the proccess of life seem to have lost interests in what Thorr stands for. No longer are these men rebels or out to â€Å"be wild† as Steppenwolf would say. Any consumers who are younger are simply not capable of affording the high price tag associated with a Thorr bike which ranges in the high 20 to low 30 thousand dollar range. Younger riders are more apt to buy less expensive, quicker riding bikes that are the exact opposite of the image that Thorr stands for. We are going to solidify Cruiser thorr’s postion in the market by creating it’s Perceptual map. There are four basic parameters that are relevant to the entire scheme of biking industry which reflect the highest chances for Cruiser Thorr’s survival. These are the four parameters: lifestyle image, product design and styling, service offerings, and price. The selection of lifestyle image is almost a no brainer as it is the backbone of the Cruiser Thorr’s previous success. The entire bike’s thriving record is built upon a reputation that having their bike is a status symbol. The same reason that people buy Starbucks instead of simply brewing their own coffee at home. Unlike other industries, transportation specfically speaks to the identity of the person who has the item. They will spend much of their time utilizing their vehicle. In no vehicle type is this more relevant than in bikes where people will see the bike and there will be no windows, walls, or doors hiding the rider from the world. Everyone will see who the rder is and that is why Product Design nd Styling are so vital to it’s success. The bike and the rider are one. Man and machine moving along the pavement together. The service offerings are probably the most second important aspect to a vehicle other than the price. Maintanence and such can get very expensive very quickly. Assuring that you are taking care of you customers and looking out for their well being is primary in the grand scheme of all things. At the end of the thought of course is always the most important aspect. Cost and price. The price is affected by many, many things. Among these things is engineering, construction, materials, labor, transport of the bike itself. The whole purpose for this bike’s creation is ot make money. To make money you must have a clear marketing plan. Due to this obvious fact we have restructured Cruiser Thorr and decided to not create a new bike. It is imperative to keep the Cruiser Thorr in production if Thorr is going to keep making motorcycles. It is the bike that has built their empire. It would be as if Levi’s stopped selling 501 Jeans. We instead create a financing option that gives the consumers with less money an opportunity to own a Cruiser Thorr. With increased service options will be able to make rational sense of the high price that we will be able to keep at the same price. For advertising it would probably be a good idea to put some endorsements in race tracks, hook up with a popular drink brand like MONSTER and maybe make a â€Å"Monster Bike† that can ride around. We can also take a page out of the GM book and put our bikes into movies and on television for product placement. The current straegy is based on price, product, location, current pomotions and services offered. With the goal of repositioning the product in an attempt to remove the competions hold on the market because we will move the parameters into concurrent thought forms and proccesses making us and our strategies the same as the competition. We know that there are four key factors that are represented by stages in a products life cycle that are important for the marketing officer to know and understand. The four stages: introduction, growth, maturity and decline. Once a product reaches the stage of it’s full maturity it is time to revisit it with the hope of making improvements. If this is not done the product will very quickly enter the declining stages of it’s life cycle. This is the reason that Cruiser Thorr started to drop it’s sales figure. Their product had reached it’s maturity. Their current customers were old and any knew ones had no idea what Cruiser Thorr, the brand, stood for. For this reason we had to reinven and improve their bikes. It was necessary to compete. It is the hope that we have together reached and addressed the various key points necessary to form a graps of the information that was provided. We have described the three major phases in the simulation. The situation and the recommended solutions have been addressed along with what our results were. We have talked about the different marketing aspects and answered the different question sthat were arisen between the relationships of differentiation and positioning for each of the products and services and it’s impact. It was the desire of I to create a solid understanding of the purpose and use of Perceptual Maps in Marketing. References All information was taken from the Perceptual Map Marketing Simulation provided on the University of Phoenix website.