Marketing Gum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marketing Gum - Essay Example 02). History of Chewing gum In the late twentieth century, chewing gum was exported to the United States of America (USA) from south eastern region of Mexico, known as Yucatan Peninsula. Mexico’s relationship with the USA developed tremendously in relations with the chewing gum market. Apart from modernity and consumer culture, chewing gum also boosts a person’s sporty appearance. Most of the sportsmen were spotted chewing gum during matches, which became a popular concept among teenagers and youth (Redclift, 2004, p. 05). Market of chewing gum in United Kingdom (UK) The market for confectionery in the UK is huge. The per capita consumption of confectionery is 15 kg annually. The chocolate confectionery segment has a market share of 65 % (Gibson and Williams, 2000, p. 265). The sugar free chewing gums are a rage in the UK. Sales of sugar free chewing gums doubled during the period 1993 to 1998. Currently, the market share of sugar free chewing gums is 73 % (Gibson and W illiams, 2000, p. 266). The major reasons of increased sales of chewing gum were due to health factors, it was considered healthy for dental reasons and nasal congestion. The Chewing gum market has made interesting developments gradually. Initially, chewing gums were sold in some basic flavours like mint, vanilla and strawberry. Chewing gum has seen some major modifications. Vitamin and mineral enriched sugar confectionery items are being sold in the UK markets like hot cake (Gibson and Williams, 2000, p. 266). The target market of sugar free confectioneries is the diabetic patients. Sucrose filled confectioneries are being replaced with fructose ones (Gibson and Williams, 2000, p. 266). The following chewing gum brands are popular in the UK market: 1) "Big Red" (Wrigley UK ) 2) Big Babol (Perfetti Van Melle ) 3) Trident Halls and Dentyne (Cadbury Schweppes) Market leaders of chewing gum market- Wrigley’s and Cadbury Schweppes The market leaders of the chewing gum market in t he UK are Wrigley’s and Cadbury Schweppes (Plunkett, 2008, p. 21). Wrigley’s is a subsidiary company owned by the US company â€Å"MARS† it was founded in the year 1891 by William Wrigley Junior (McNamara and Brozyna, 2008, p. 125). Initially, the sales of chewing gum skyrocketed, but in the late 2005 there was a stiff competition from Cadbury Schweppes, who invested heavily in their chewing brands â€Å"Trident and Dentyne† (McNamara and Brozyna, 2008, p. 125). Wrigley’s had dominated the chewing gum market for more than 100 years, but the drastic slide in its sales due to increased competiveness from Cadbury Schweppes made them aware of consumers’ changing taste and preferences. Wrigley revamped its marketing strategy and introduced a variety of chewing gums which were tasty and healthy at the same time (McNamara and Brozyna, 2008, p. 126). Wrigley’s continues to devise new marketing strategy. Recently, it has filed a patent to laun ch a chewing gum that has the effects of mouth wash and the target market would be consumers of all ages (Nieburg, 2013).Wrigley’s has also appointed hollywood actor Antonio Banderas as their brand ambassador (Reynolds, 2013). Key Factors of the External Environment of Chewing Gum Market in UK Economic Factors –The chewing gum market has not been affected due to the recession. This is mainly due to the low price of chewing gums. The consumers have not compromised on their healthy lifestyle. The increase in sales of Cadbury diary milk

In what ways are MNEs developing new business networks with an ethical Essay

In what ways are MNEs developing new business networks with an ethical orientation Using examples, explain why these developmen - Essay Example The sheer size of these corporations have made them almost like political actors, in the countries they are present and it is believed that their decisions and actions can affect the demography in both positive and negative ways (Holland, 2010). The emergence of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can be traced to this very point which is concerned with the issue of reducing negative impacts of the corporate on the population of the country. The CSR deals with the ethics and social responsibility of the company, the two major factors in the strategic management process of a country (Godiwalla and Damanpour, 2006). Ethical conduct is a major requirement of the MNEs in countries in which they operate. The expectations of the countries, in which these companies operate, are the major determinant of the ethical and social conduct of an organization. This essay aims to understand the ways in which MNEs are expanding their new business networks, considering the ethical considerations and the way these contribute in building competitive strength of the companies. Business Ethics: Definition There are numerous definitions of business ethics that can be considered. For the purpose of this essay, business ethics can be defined as the principles, values and standards, which guide the business in its conduct with the external world (Ferrell, Fraedrich and Ferrel, 2011). Principles include the basic rights like, freedom of speech, justice and equal rights, which are universal and form the basis of the rules. Values, on the other hand, comprise of social norms established by conventions in the society which are socially enforcing. These include integrity, accountability and trust and the standards for these are largely determined by investors, employees and interest groups and influence the society’s acceptance of what is permissible or not by the business. Strategic ethic management has the potential of improving both the economic and ethical goals of MNEs, whe n they consider expanding the existing business to new geographies. Research work has shown that there is a positive correlation between ethical business conducts and long-term financial development of the companies (Takei, 2011). This prompts companies to take ethical issues seriously in their expansion. The causality relationship between the profitability growth and business ethics are yet to be confirmed. Empirical evidences show that there are positive correlation between financial growth and ethical considerations. These discoveries imply that the strategic management must take into consideration the aspect of business ethics in their management process (Krishnamurthi, 2008). Rationale for business ethics Business ethics forms an important responsibility of the manager who conducts the business. The need for implementation of business ethics is more severe for managers who have the responsibility of conducting foreign operations as they face more pressing ethical issues which a re absent within the domestic borders (Luminita and Constantin, n.d.). There are various reasons responsible for this difference like: Firstly, the difference in the legal and political structure of a country in which the business is likely to operate. These differences are further pronounced by the ethical and traditional conventions of the society. Secondly, the differences between the economic organizations of countries in

Democracy And Development In Uganda History Essay

Democracy And Development In Uganda History Essay The topic of Presentation, is solicited and linked by the presenter, to a variety of suggested development topics, which bear profound concern and relevance to the concept of holistic human development, based on un diluted Democratic Governance. Holistic Development in general, as duly embracing the social and economic growth, in relation to developing countries, such as Uganda, bears a significant brotherhood, as well impacting relationship to undiluted democracy, where it is taken and emphasized as an inevitable basis and root of holistic human development. The selected topic of Democracy and Development significantly connote as well implies that democracy, in an un diluted form, is an inevitable basis of holistic human corporate development and that such development, should be rooted in the attributes of good, accountable, transparent, as well selfless positive democratic governance of a people. It is, therefore, to be noted that the functional practice and presence of democracy, or the profound lack of it, or presence of the same, in diluted unconventional forms and content, in a developing country, such as Uganda, in the defined aspects of human corporate, political, social and even cultural endeavors, does also add up to, as well imply a negative reversal of that development, whatever it may be. It is to be noted further, that holistic development denotes as well as implies the physical and spiritual growth of holistic human endeavors and efforts, in the inevitable context of morally good democratic corporate governance of a people. This means that human beings, duly struggle and work for holistic development, as well as ensuing growth, in both the physical and spiritual worlds, as the governance and leadership structures, the implementation of such structures, their functional lay outs, practices and operations, as well as leadership styles, are democratic and morally rooted in undiluted democracy, for democratic institutions, of moral democratic orientation and setting. Note the rationalization, as duly enunciated and amplified above, is quite perceivable in Uganda, as an African country, within the prescribed scenario of a developing world, (call it underdeveloped for some relative emphasis). The researcher and writer of the concept paper, is a Ugandan, working and coming from Uganda, for which this paper of presentation, demonstrates and amplifies, for international consumption, understanding, analysis, appraisal, evaluation, in addition to taking cognizance of the inherent concepts of diluted democracy, as impacting human holistic development, in a particular emphasis to Uganda, as an independent country of Africa. 2.0 THE BACKGROUND 2.1 The Recent Historical Perspective: Since 1986, Uganda (located in the East African interland), has made acclaimed substantial progress, in promoting good governance, at the political, economic, social and even cultural fronts of Uganda and elsewhere in the world. The country, has been officially and widely acknowledged, as sustaining a positive economic development and growth, which, in the statistical opinion and assessment of the view technical perpetuators, averages 6%, over the recent one and half decades, the country having progressively, moved from mere economic recovery stage and reconstruction status, towards a substantial sustainable economic development and progressive growth, targeting a massive poverty reduction from among the grassroots population. It is being further stated that Ugandas Macro economic stability, much as it is progressively and positively improving, remains a major area of the countrys grassroot focused reforms and development efforts, for the express purposes of wider resource allocation. Indeed, Ugandas fiscal and monetary restraints, as coupled with the attributes of prudent and fugal monetary management and administration, has appropriately and inevitably, supported the countrys robust economic development and systematic growth, and has, consequently, forestalled, and contained the hyper inflation, to a single digit level, over most of the one and half decades of the prospective periodic review. Nevertheless, according to the official statistics, the proportion of Ugandans, as defined and prescribed, as living in absolute poverty, did over the period of economic review, accordingly decline from 56% to 35%. It has been officially further highlighted that, the per capita income gains, between the years 1992 2005/6 were quite modest, allegedly because of the countrys high population growth rate at 3.4 per 1000 people. The same is feared to further increase, in the prospective future. It has been further stated, that significant challenges are poised, for the economic attainments, as stated and highlighted, in the acknowledgement reports of international nature for Ugandas economic and even political appraisal. These, among others, include: The setting up of a sustainable fight and impactive mitigations of abject poverty, at grassroot levels. Putting up impacting measures of mitigating high level economically retrogressive corruption, which is endemic in the countrys top and middle level leaders. Resolving the political and military conflict in the Northern Region of the country, this has persisted, for over two (2) decades. Addressing others, but not duly specified sub terranean forces which hamper, as well as derail the countrys democratization process and positive economic development of sustainable growth, as already highlighted. All in all, Ugandas political, social and economic development, is duly linked up with improvement in democracy and democratic governance, of the country, if all things, and the political will associated thereto, and the systems and practices established for the due installation of an undiluted democratic dispensation, were not merely cosmetic and inherently, distracted by the countrys successive political leadership. 2.2 The Instruments and Measures to Address the Development Dimension, but Rife with Diluted Democracy. This is properly demonstrated and amplified in the paper as follows: 2.2 (1) Diluted Democracy and Misguided Political Governance One has to note inter alia that Uganda, as an independent country and nation of colonial creation became of diluted democracy and misguided political governance; went through a tumultuous checkered political history, since the attainment of independence and standing, as a new country in the year 1962. The country has gone full circle from assumed parliamentary form of diluted democracy, to the years of full vetted and sporadic concealed military benevolent dictatorship of quasi civilian rule, of tactic political cajoling, to the present day. The short lived burst of apparent prospective political enthusiasm; to independence, and soon after it, was soon replaced by a long, almost unremitting period of near despair and disappointment, up to 1986, when Yoweri K. Museveni, an accomplished disciple of diluted democracy syndicate took over state power by force of arms. In the minds of many democratic foresighted Ugandans, this was in essence, not different from the 1966 Crisis, where the consensus ridden, and generally accepted independence constitution of the country, was violently overthrown and abrogated by similar force of arms by benevolent dictatorship of the Late Milton Obote. He did this, in his capacity as second Executive Prime Minister of the Country, after Uganda had become internally self governing in March 1961 under the first Political Leadership of the country of the Late Ben Kiwanuka who was manipulated out of power with British connivance. However, the distinguishing political feature between the Museveni and National Resistance Movement NRM Military take over, in 1986, and the Obotes Uganda Peoples Congress UPC take over, after abrogating the 1962 Constitution, was that in 1980 a Uganda grassroot peoples mandate, to govern the country, had been violently infringed and violated by a massively rigged general elections, which brought back Obote, to power, for yet another time, after his first violent overthrow from power by General Idd Amin in 1971. The inherent advocacy and justification of the Musevenis NRMs take over of Government by force of arms, was, therefore, made on the commensurate pretext, that there had been massive rigging of national elections by Obote, and his UPC party, in December, 1980, and that there had been fragrant dictatorial misrule of the country, by Obote and his party, which provided Museveni, with a blank Cheque of governance, in Uganda, after the military take over of power, in January, 1986.. It is, therefore, to be noted here, that since the year 1966, to the present day, despite the positive and inherently appreciable Museveni and NRM cosmetic democratic innovations, as well as plausible features, of due reliance to the military, rather than the established democratic institutions, to govern, has over the time, persisted in Uganda. Hence the assertion that the army, has to be represented, as an organ of state, in the Parliament of Uganda, a prerogative of civilian rule and governance, in well oriented democratic states of the world. Therefore, with diluted democracy in Uganda, at the centre stage, the country, has been characterized by civil wars; repressive governance policies, as well as statute laws of mere political expedience; a war monger governance style; a persistent refugee influx; and to big extent, a reversal and retrogression of would be attained social and economic gains, as presumably having been acquired, in the positive wake of the rather cosmetic democratic systems; which unfortunately have duly and inadvertently, persuaded committed and uncommitted political observers both locally and internationally. The negative impact of the political, social, economic and even cultural instability and overlapping political confusion, brought about as a result, is destined to leave a lot of deep scars in the general fabric of the country, for many years to come, across the countrys political and social spectrum. Nevertheless, there are, as it were, undeniable overt developments, since Museveni and NRM captured state power in Uganda in year 1986. It is also to be noted that the progressively concealed military regime change in 1986 was incidentally hailed locally, most especially in the countrys central region of Buganda and even across the globe. The regime brought relative peace and security in those areas, of the country, where it was not resisted, for obvious reasons. While one part of the country, was at war with the regime, for now over 20 years, the part not at war, got the economy of Uganda, partially and somewhat rejuvenated as well as resuscitated, under the mistaken guise that the whole country was not at war. The regime, has to some debatable extent, safeguarded the conventionally accepted principles of human liberties, through selected and guided promotions of relative press freedom, allowing some form of multiparty political dispensation, while limiting the fundamental freedoms of assembly and also did selectively, put an end to the fragrant open human rights abuses, as exercising appreciable controls over the army, from being an arm of repressive tacit political abuses, and to progressively make the same an apparently friendly organ of the civilian population, which was not the case before, for any of the past Government regimes of post independent Uganda. However, amidst these fairly positive attributes and apparent overt achievements, Uganda faces a momental task, as well a challenge for establishing and nursing, as well as fostering visible and feasible functioning democratic institutions, which shall be beyond the whims and outright undemocratic dictates of incumbent Executive Presidents of the country. 3.0 WHAT HAS DODGED THE CURRENT UGANDAN GOVERNMENT IN INSTITUTING DURABLE DEMOCRACY FOR DEVELOPMENT IN UGANDA This is to be the major subject of address and presentation of this paper, on Democracy and Development in Uganda. The Paper Objectives The Key Objectives for this paper therefore, are: 3.1.1 Objective One: To outline the brief events of thwarted democracy in Uganda, which have resulted in the checkered post independence history of the country, which has bred overt and covert military dictatorships. 3.1.2 Objective Two To state and demonstrate the profound failings, as well as shortcomings of Ugandas post independence dictatorial Government regimes including the NRM, in entrenching undiluted democracy which is the root and sound sanctuary of holistic genuine corporate development of the country. Objective Three To show why despite the apparently commendable progress in putting in place a plethora of regulatory institutions, policies, a constitution and statutory laws for building and establishing a democratic state of Uganda, there is unfortunately a looming and impending political catastrophe which might reverse and retrogress all apparent economic, political and even social gains, if nothing is done to forestall the same genuinely. 3.1.4 Objective Four To illustrate a lack of genuine commitment and political patriotic will to mitigate and fight the rate of high level corruption, which duly impacts democracy and holistic development, in Uganda. 3.1.5 Objective Five To demonstrate, as well as show that Museveni and the NRM duly displayed undiluted democratic tendencies and practices from the beginning, up to the 12th year of his rule in Uganda. It is in these years, that the country did genuinely develop and built the impetus that has pushed the NRM regime, to live up to the present day, albeit the diminishing fortunes, arising out of the incessant repressiveness overtime. 4.0 CONCLUSION By the end of the paper presentation, it is hereby envisaged and anticipated that the presentation, as envisioned, by this paper, shall lead to an international understanding, appraisal and evaluation of the democratic and developmental overtures, in Uganda, to lead to an appreciation of functions, innovations of fitting approaches and their due rationalization, in a Ugandan African context of congenial democratic development. THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF UGANDA AFTER INDEPENDENCE 5.1 Introduction Please, note the paper objectives, as pin pointed above. This section of the presentation is now, to focus on the stated objectives, as laid down in Nos. (3.1.1. 3.1.5) The British ruled Uganda, not as a colony, which they overrun, but as a Protectorate, to which they were mutually invited by the late Kabaka (king) of Buganda, Muteesa I. Before that, Arab traders had had their contact with Buganda as foreigners in the 15th Century, in 1745. Other foreign contacts were of John Speke, in 1862, from Britain and HMS Stanley in 1875, again from the same country, which resulted in the invitation of Christian Missionaries, as the kind of functional people, wanted by Kabaka Muteesa I, as a sign of mutual corroboration and cooperation between Buganda, and people of foreign lands. When the missionaries came to Uganda, as responding to Muteesas call, the final result was, so to speak, colonization of Uganda, where the British ruled Uganda, for over 60 years, until independence was granted in 1962. When the country became independent, the future looked quite good and prospective, compared to its neighbors, Uganda is small and compact, compared in size, to Britain. It was endowed with substantial resources and favorable tropical climate. When Uganda became independent in 1962, the future looked quite promising. The country which was small and compact (and still is), was endowed with substantial resources and favorable climate. It had a relatively developed social and physical infrastructure. Roads, schools, hospitals and the public service were amongst the best in black Africa. Besides, at independence, the country enjoyed relatively prosperous agricultural economy based on cotton, coffee, tobacco, tea, sugar and variety of food crops, as well as livestock. It was self sufficient in food production. Due to its abundant wild life and natural beauty, the country had untapped tourist potential. Though the manufacturing sector of the economy was small, it was rapidly growing, thanks to the policy of import substitution and economic diversification. Indeed, in terms of overall economic progress, Uganda was comparable to Ghana, South Korea and Malaysia, and was indeed ahead of India and Indonesia. Ugandas great expectations, however, did not materialize. Shortly after independence, the country degenerated into tyranny, chaos, violence, war, economic collapse and moral degeneration. Constitutionalism and the rue of law ceased to exist. Extra judicial killings were elevated to the level of public policy. By 1986, Uganda had become the land of untold human misery and an object of pity in the world. Its human rights record was appalling. An estimated over one million people, had lost their lives between 1966 and 1986. Thousands more, fled into exile and were scattered all over the world. The economy was in shambles. Indeed, when the NRM came to power, the country looked somehow ungovernable and was on the verge of Somalia-like war-lord-ism. What went wrong? Why did Uganda make such a false start? How can the decomposition of post independence Uganda between 1966 and 1986 be explained? Why did Uganda become so unhinged or dislocated? There are no definitive answers to the questions. Nevertheless, historians have explained the countrys post-colonial turbulence, in terms of colonial distortions, neocolonialism, under development, incompetent post independence leadership, ethnicity, militarism and religious bigotry. This brief historical survey from 1895 to 1986 attempts to explain why and how Uganda became the sick man of Africa before the NRM captured state power, in the hope of putting the country on the road to un diluted democracy. 5.2 The Legacies of British Colonialism: The modern state of Uganda, which assumed its geopolitical identity between 1890 and 1926, was a product of European colonialism. In drawing up the boundaries of Uganda, the British colonial authorities brought together fifty six (56) distinct communities, with diverse languages, cultures and historical traditions. At the same time, the colonial boundaries partitioned various African peoples, who had lived together for centuries in two or more colonial states. In Uganda the ethnic incompatibility was basically a product of British Administration and may have been a colonial strategy. Before colonialism, the various peoples of Uganda had co-existed in relative peace and equality, and in cases, such relative peace and equality, and in cases, such Buganda, the people had even mutually integrated through marriages and mutually beneficial cooperation activities of life sustenance and survival. People did not believe that they were more developed or cultured than their neighbors, except under threat and resistance of the new comers. Various Ugandan communities knew that they were different but equal, as human beings, for any material benefits as well as according one another the requisite human rights. Even civil wars and conflicts took place among would be equals of divergent interests. But the British progressive conquerors or in the case of Uganda, protectors, changed all this. They halted and froze the natural process of peoples integration and evolution for the better, or worse. The natural process of cultural diffusion and mutual dissemination into one another for, mutually identified social goals and benefits through trade, intermarriages and migration, as well as movement, was duly disrupted. For their colonial and administrative strategy, the British duly emphasized mutually disruptive differences, as well as adverse prejudices, which put otherwise co-operative and corroborative people further apart. Peoples mutual similarities were never identified and emphasized to ensure harmony and mutual solidarity among people of different cultural identity. The British policy of divide and rule not only enhanced the negative spirit and attributes of ethnic consciousness and social chauvinism, among ethnic peers, but exploited and made it become a source of tension and disastrous conflict, for post independence Uganda, when selfish ill fated politicians inherited the mantle of political power. It is said that once the British established the multi-ethnic-state of U ganda, through the quash constitutional agreements made with the different tribal chiefs or kings of more established nationalities of Uganda, they made no deliberate, well conceived efforts to forge Ugandas inhabitants and their possible leaders, into a unifying force of cadres, for possible and viable integrated Uganda. Some ardent scholars have pointed out that unity in diversity was not one of the British cardinal colonial intentions, for a people as diversified as Ugandas. Rather the British colonial and administrative mission was to exploit it with the four (4) coded intents of colonialism, at the broader level, namely; Procurement of industrial raw materials. Acquisition of prospective market for finished products. Employment of excessive qualified manpower. Attaining a sure sphere of political cultural influences, for the prospects ahead. It is said that what the British set out to do, bearing in mind their cardinal intentions, was to establish an efficient, but cost effective colonial administration, but not a Nation State, of a prospective viable future. Nevertheless, this does not represent the whole truth about British colonialism, compared to their counterparts, the French in their Colonial Policy of Assimilation. The thrust of British Policy before, 1945 was therefore, to keep Africans, as apart as practically possible, and to more or less promote disunity, ethnicity and parochialism among them, so that the future prospects of unity among them, would inevitably be kept at bay. This ethnic focused policy was duly implemented, through the system of Indirect Rule, more especially in Buganda (Ugandas central region, which became the focus of development). This is where the British were quite intent of entrenching their Anglicanism and all that it entails, and to use it as a springboard, to other areas of Uganda. In effect, the Baganda were profoundly devided on the basis of religious bigotry, which was later, to affect political developments in the country, not mentioning other dimensions of British colonial set ups. It is said, therefore, that the British knew, well before, that as long as they designed and constructed a Uganda that would remain a house devided, the future of British influence in Uganda, would be guaranteed by use of mere ethnic and nationality manipulation. Accordingly, the subsequent development of Uganda, became an artificial, disintegrated entity of British colonialism, with antagonistic nationalities of British cultural influence, but which are not prone to see themselves, as a united viable nation, springing from their well nurtured coherent cultural identities, across the board, without much mutual suspicions, as was fanned by post independence local politicians to ensure certainty of political office and longevity therein. In concerted conformity to the politics of divide rule, the British Protectorate administrators and policy authorities treated various Ugandan cultural entities differently. It is alleged that Buganda was singled out for unfairly allotted favors, if not profound envy, on the part of the British to employ Baganda, to conquer the rest of Uganda and to establish, with them, an effective Protectorate administration, which lasted over sixty (60) years. In some specific instances, Buganda was overtly and somewhat rewarded, and in other instances the British only gave tacit approval and appreciation, for the alleged Bugandas corroboration and cooperation with the British, in their endeavors to rule Uganda for their own acknowledged permanent and lasting intents. It is further emphatically pointed out by some unorthodox history authorities, that Buganda gained extended territory at the expense of the hostile Bunyoro and non belligerent Nkole Kingdom. It is not however, thoroughly discussed, how in the vagaries of peoples open movement from territory to territory, and acknowledged mutual equality, respect and solidarity for mutually acknowledged common benefits, how Buganda managed to do this, unless there are other unaccounted for, factors, in the Geopolitical re-alignment of Ugandas ethnic entities. This in the view of such historical authorities gave rise to the contentious issue of the so called lost counties of Buyaga and Bugangaizi, presently known as Kibaale District of Uganda. The Baganda chiefs who corroborated with the British were allocated the duty and functions of administering the said territories, it is duly highlighted. In the year 1900, the British and Buganda signed the well known Buganda Agreement, which defined the mutual relationship, between Buganda and British Protectorate Administration. In this agreement Buganda retained its own Government and local administration, as it were, for a system not merely overran by the British, in their bid to colonize. By this agreement, Buganda was devided into crown and privately owned land tenure, known as Mailo and Crown Land systems. The Kabaka, his chiefs and other Baganda notables, were by the agreement granted Mailo land. It is said that in this, the British sought to create a landed aristocracy which was to be one of the pillars of British policy protectorate administration, in Buganda. For the British, it has been said and acknowledged, that the Baganda were the Japanese of Africa, to which Professor Ali Mazrui, has also alluded. It has also been stated that by the British treating Buganda, as state within the state of Uganda, which is their own colonial creation, but which Buganda was, even before their coming, the British, created a recipe, as well sowed seeds of ethnic tension and conflict in Uganda. This is a contentious subject, whose settlement can only be addressed by the restoration of Ugandas independence constitution, which unfortunately, was abrogated and violently overthrown by Apollo Milton Obote by force of arms, in 1966. In so doing Milton Obote committed a treasonable act, for violating a peoples will, which had been enshrined in that Constitution at independence as the British left Uganda, and constituted nation of their creation. It could only be changed, through democratic constitutional genuine and legal means and not violently, as it was by Mil ton Obote. It has been categorically stated that the Baganda developed a high sense of ethnic nationalism, which also was reinforced by Bugandas economic, political and social centrality in the state of Uganda. For the perpetuators of these views, the British are accused of seeing the rest of Uganda, as merely a satellite of Buganda. Thus, the British are assumed by this school of thought, to have created Buganda, as a thorny problem, for independent Uganda, and for them, before independence. But one wonders what the British could conveniently do, to Buganda, which they found as a nation, already with management and administrative structures in place with a relatively sophisticated culture of its own. It has profoundly been highlighted that, during the 1950s and 1960s, the ambitions of Bugandas unwanted nationalism clashed with integrative policies and processes of the central government. Buganda is said to have sought to maintain their deserved identity, but through narrow minded and aggressive neo-traditional separatism. On the part of those in central government of Uganda, the government is said to have been determined to keep Buganda at any cost, as an integral part of Uganda, but without any hearing, nor providing any redress to Bugandas major concerns, and sense of cultural pride. In the view of Uganda Nationalist advocates, Bugandas concerns and identity pride, which in their understanding and estimate, are untenable, led to a clash of interests which exploded into the crises of first, 1953, when the Late Kabaka of Buganda, Sir Edward Muteesa II, was exiled to Britain by the former Protectorate Governor, Sir Andrew Cohen, and second to the 1966 in which the Late Milton Obote, overthrew the Independence Constitution, which he had been sworn to uphold, as well as, protect, as executive Prime Minister, at independence. The privileged status of Buganda, it is said, that sooner or later, generated the profound anti Buganda sentiments in the rest of Uganda. Non Baganda, are said to have resented the wholesale imposition of the Kiganda Administrative system, manned by Baganda chiefs, with the tacit consent of the British. Bugandas question in Uganda therefore has remained a thorny issue for the democratic governance of the country, created by the British as a super imposition over existing viable nationalities, which were nation states, in their own right. But all said and evaluated, Bugandas right to exist, within the independent state of Uganda, needs to be respected and rationalized within the national constitution framework of Uganda, taking account of its role and function to Uganda as a nation without any tresses of apparent subjugation. The Buganda question and the equitable status of the same, in the independent state of Uganda, as created by the British, has defied the self seeking, biased unpatriotic post independence political leaders who not only play the fiddle of diluted cosmetic democracy, but impact holistic development by their direct or indirect political overtures. The stagnated rate of development in Buganda, since independence, is therefore attributed to this. Buganda and other parts of Uganda, excluding the North, is claimed to be developing, since 1986, because Museveni and the NRM tended to demonstrate indicative attributes of democracy, in setting Ugandas outstanding problems such as the Buganda question. He received a lot of support in the so called war of liberation, before and after the bush struggle, which gave him propelling political impetus that gave rise to his longevity, in power. See figures below, as demonstrating economic development and growth in first ten (10) years of Musevenis rule in Uganda, but which are going down progressively, as direct result of diluted democracy, playing the rounds in Uganda. Year Tax Revenue collected in U.Shs in billions Tax Revenue as % of GDP 1988/91 44.6 5.16 1989/90 89.6 6.81 1990/91 135.9 7.84 1991/92 179.7 7.00 1992/93 286.6 7.85 1993/94 374.0 9.56 1994/95 522.5 10.76 1994/96 625.5 11.60 Table 1: Indicating the progressive rise in statistical economic development and growth in Uganda, as President Museveni and NRM, tended, in some measures, to walk the emphatic talk of undiluted democracy in Uganda, in the 1st ten (10) years of NRM with Bugandas support as well as patronage. 5.3 The Demonstrative Aspects: Looking at the dramatic political events, which have shaken Uganda overtime, behind them, the profound causes have been a lack of Democracy, or democratic governance systems. In the end such events have not only affected national development, but have shaken the countrys foundation to the core, and

Goup Decision Making Essay -- Managing Management Business Essays

Group Decision Making Let?s define what is Group Decision Making, decisions made by committees, think tanks, teams and groups. They may include borrowers, lenders, producers, buyers, scientists and other experts, environmentalists, and real estate developers and so on. Decision making skills is one of the most important aspects of management. It involves personal and interpersonal skills, fact finding, logical thinking, creativity, analytical ability, sensitivity to others and assertiveness What are the key steps in making a decision? Whether decisions are straightforward or complex, a systematic approach will lead to success. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Setting objectives An objective is a specific step, a milestone, which enables you to accomplish a goal. Setting objectives involves a continuous process of research and decision-making. Knowledge of yourself and your unit is a vital starting point in setting objectives. Strategic planning takes place at the highest levels; other managers are involved with operational planning. The first step in operational planning is defining objectives - the result expected by the end of the budget (or other designated) cycle. Setting right objectives is critical for effective performance management. Such objectives as higher profits, shareholder value, and customer satisfaction may be admirable, but they don't tell managers what to do. They fail to specify priorities and focus. Such objectives don't map the journey ahead - the discovery of better value and solutions for the customer. The objectives must be focused on a result, not an activity, be consistent, be specific, be measurable, be related to time, be attain able. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Collecting information There are several ways to gather information. You can collect information from people, documents, performance data, and observation of events. Also, there are a number of methods for gathering information, including traditional measurement approaches such as tests and ratings, as well as more investigative procedures such as observation, interviews, case studies, and literature review. Each of the chapters in this handbook contains key criteria for the development and use of an effective technology infrastructure. If you employ these criteria as a guide, the first part of your evaluation will really be an audit in the sense that you will be looking retrospectively at the work ... ...sunderstood and sometimes resentful. Second, the minority members often feel that the voting has created two camps within the group and that these camps are now in a win-lose competition: The minority feels that their camp lost the first round, but that it is just a matter of time until it can regroup, pick up some support and win the next time a vote comes up. In other words, voting creates coalitions, and the preoccupation of the losing coalition is not how to implement what the majority wants, but how to win the next battle. If voting is to be used, the group must be sure that it has created a climate in which members feel they have had their day in court--and where all members feel obligated to go along with the majority decision. Summary Complicated issues often require the creation of a complex group and cooperation of the group's members to resolve the issues. In order to achieve consensus between members, the group should employ a facilitator and apply rules and guidelines of behavior. The chances that a diverse group can attain the goal of consensus are greatly increased when the group follows an established set of rules with the assistance of a facilitator.

Commercial Banks Essay

Banks have developed around 200 years ago. The natures of banks have changed as the time has changed. The term bank is related to financial transactions. It is a financial establishment which uses, money deposited by customers for investment, pays it out when required, makes loans at interest exchanges currency etc. however to understand the concept in detail we need to see some of its definitions. Many economists have tried to give different meanings of the term bank. Nature of Commercial Banks Commercial banks are an organisation which normally performs certain financial transactions. It performs the twin task of accepting deposits from members of public and make advances to needy and worthy people form the society. When banks accept deposits its liabilities increase and it becomes a debtor, but when it makes advances its assets increases and it becomes a creditor. Banking transactions are socially and legally approved. It is responsible in maintaining the deposits of its account holders. While defining the term banks it is taken into account that what type of task is performed by the banks. Some of the famous definitions are given below: According to Prof. Sayers, â€Å"A bank is an institution whose debts are widely accepted in settlement of other people’s debts to each other.† In this definition Sayers has emphasized the transactions from debts which are raised by a financial institution. According to the Indian Banking Company Act 1949, â€Å"A banking company means any company which transacts the business of banking . Banking means accepting for the purpose of lending of investment of deposits of money from the public, payable on demand or other wise and withdraw able by cheque, draft or otherwise.† Commercial bank being the financial institution performs diverse types of functions. It satisfies the financial needs of the sectors such as agriculture, industry, trade, communication, etc. That means they play very significant role in a process of economic social needs. The  functions performed by banks are changing according to change in time and recently they are becoming customer centric and widening their functions. Generally the functions of commercial banks are divided into two categories viz. primary functions and the secondary functions. The following chart simplifies the functions of banks. Primary Functions of Commercial Banks Commercial Banks performs various primary functions some of them are given below 1. Accepting Deposits : Commercial bank accepts various types of deposits from public especially from its clients. It includes saving account deposits, recurring account deposits, fixed deposits, etc. These deposits are payable after a certain time period. 2. Making Advances : The commercial banks provide loans and advances of various forms. It includes an over draft facility, cash credit, bill discounting, etc. They also give demand and demand and term loans to all types of clients against proper security. 3. Credit creation : It is most significant function of the commercial banks. While sanctioning a loan to a customer, a bank does not provide cash to the borrower Instead it opens a deposit account from where the borrower can withdraw. In other words while sanctioning a loan a bank automatically creates deposits. This is known as a credit creation from commercial bank. Secondary Functions of Commercial Banks Along with the primary functions each commercial bank has to perform several secondary functions too. It includes many agency functions or general utility functions. The secondary functions of commercial banks can be divided into agency functions and utility functions. A. Agency Functions: Various agency functions of commercial banks are * To collect and clear cheque, dividends and interest warrant. * To make payment of rent, insurance premium, etc. * To deal in foreign exchange transactions. * To purchase and sell securities. * To act as trusty, attorney, correspondent and executor. * To accept tax proceeds and tax returns. B. General Utility Functions : The general utility functions of the commercial banks include * To provide safety locker facility to customers. * To provide money transfer facility. * To issue traveller’s cheque. * To act as referees. * To accept various bills for payment e.g phone bills, gas bills, water bills, etc. * To provide merchant banking facility. * To provide various cards such as credit cards, debit cards, Smart cards, etc.

Virgil’s Aeneas and Dido Essay

Love Stories Introduction Virgil’s Aeneas and Dido   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This romantic story has been in existence for decades. It is therefore evident that it is one of the most narrated romantic stories. It is a love story between Dido and Aeneas, a Trojan soldier (Virgil 21). After the shipwreck, Aeneas and his troop had no option but to seek refuge in Carthage, which was ruled by Dido. When Dido spots Aeneas, she immediately falls in love with him, hence, allows his troops to stay in Carthage. Although Dido admires Aeneas, she does not want to fall in love with him. This is because she wishes to remain loyal to her dead husband (Virgil 12). Her sister however convinces her into falling in love with Aeneas. According to Anna, Dido’s sister, falling in love with Aeneas will be beneficial to Carthage since it will become mightier than before (Virgil 51). Although Dido developed the perception that she and Aeneas were married, this was not the case for Aeneas. This is because after a short period of stay in Carthage, Aeneas decided to leave for Italy. Dido tried to prevent him from leaving but this did not bear any fruits since Aeneas was acting in response to the gods that had visited him at night. When Aeneas finally left Carthage, Dido was left in tears to the extent that she opted to end her life. Strengths and Weakness   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This story can be equated as one of the best stories ever written. This is because it has a number of strengths in it. For instance, Dido portrays real love to her dead husband. According to Virgil (12), Dido had sworn never to fall in love again after the death of her husband. This is enough proof that she was quite loyal. The other aspect of real love that comes out in this story is the manner in which Dido falls for Aeneas. It is because of her love towards Aeneas that makes Dido allow the Trojan soldiers to stay in Carthage. Dido’s love for Aeneas was strong to the extent that she did not want her to leave cartage. It was because of the passion she had for Aeneas that made her decide to end her life the day she realized that Aeneas had left her for Italy. Although this story has a number of strengths, it also has several weaknesses as well. For instance, although Dido was in love with Aeneas, this was not the case for Aeneas. Th is is because Aeneas did not seem interested in Dido. This brings out the fact that Aeneas took advantage of Dido’s and was never in love with her. Apuleius’ Cupid and Psyche   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The story is about a romantic relationship that blossomed between Psyche and Cupid, the son of Venus, who was the goddess of love.According to the story, Psyche was quite beautiful to the extent that Venus, the goddess of love, developed hatred for her (Apuleius 39). He asked her son, cupid, to go and stab her. However, cupid was stunned by Psyche’s beauty to the extent that he stabbed himself instead. Cupid immediately falls in love with Psyche and gradually a relationship blossoms between the two. The most interesting thing about this love is that psyche was not allowed to see the man she was in love with. Out of curiosity, Psyche decides to see who his suitor was. When Cupid was fast asleep, Psyche uses the lamp to know the identity of her lover (Apuleius 26). She is surprised to learn that it was Cupid. Cupid is not happy with psyche; hence, he abandons her and goes back to Venus. Psyche is not ready to let her lover go, hence, she goes to Venus and requests to be allowed to see Cupid (Apuleius 39). Venus is not comfortable seeing Cupid with Psyche, hence, she assigns her difficult tasks in a move to get rid of her. To Venus’ surprise, Psyche accomplishes all these tasks. Cupid finally comes to her rescue and transforms her into a goddess; this implied that she was immortal. Strength and Weakness   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Unlike the previous story, this one tends to have more strength; hence, it stands a chance becoming the best love story ever written. This is because the story brings out the extent that one can go in the name of seeking love. For instance, although Cupid and Psyche were from two different worlds, they were able to finally marry each other and live happily. Similarly, the power of love is seen when Psyche decides to go search for Cupid (Apuleius 39). Although Psyche was aware that Cupid’s mother was never pleased with her, she still went to Venus to Inquire about Cupid’s whereabouts. Psyche’s love for Cupid is also seen when she accomplishes all the difficult tasks she was given by Venus.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The only weakness about this story is the fact that there are a number of unrealistic aspects in it. For instance, it is quite unrealistic for Cupid, a god, to marry Psyche who was a human being. Additionally, the fact that Psyche was finally transformed into a goddess also brings out the unrealistic aspect of this story. Human beings are mortal; hence, it is not possible for them to be transformed into gods and goddesses, which implies that they cannot become immortal. Dante’s Paolo and Francesca   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This is a story about Francesca, the daughter to the lord of Ravenna, and Gianciotto, the son to the lord of Rimini. These two cities had continuously been engaged in war. In order to end the continuous conflicts, an agreement be made. The two lords agreed to marry off their children in a move to have a lasting solution to the warfare (Singleton). Since Gianciotto was disabled and ugly, he did not attend the wedding ceremony. Paolo was the youngest brother to Gianciotto. He was picked to represent Gianciotto since he was handsome and good-looking and it was obvious that Francesca would fall in love with him. The plan proceeded well since Francesca did not know the truth until the following morning when she woke up besides Gianciotto (Singleton). Although she is angry, nothing could be done about it since she was already a married woman.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, since Francesca had fallen in love with Paolo, a secret relationship blossomed between the two (Singleton). After several years, the secret finally came to light when Gianciotto walked on them while they were behind closed door. This discovery angered Gianciotto to the extent that he decided to kill Paolo. However, when he swung the rapier, Francesca rushed between them and the rapier ended up cutting through Francesca’s bosom before finally slitting through Paolo, hence, killing both of them on the spot (Singleton). Strength and Weakness   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Although it has a tragic end, it is also one of the best-drafted love stories since there are a number of lessons worth learning from it. Compared to other love stories, this one tends to have more weaknesses than strengths. In the case of strength, through marriage, there was peace between Ravenna and Rimini. This implies that love can cause harmony to dominate in a region that that marred by wrangles.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The story tends to have more weaknesses compared to strengths. The story is marred with a lot of deception. For instance, during the wedding ceremony, Paolo impersonates Gianciotto since he is more handsome. This implied that not only did they lie to Francesca but also her father who was also the lord of Ravenna. It was because of this deception that the marriage between Francesca and Gianciottowas unstable. For instance, since Francesca had fallen in love with Paolo, this relationship still went on even after the wedding. This implied that Paolo was having an affair with Francesca, who was Gianciotto’s wife. It was because of these deceptions that finally resulted to the tragic death of the two couples. Analysis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Although the three stories are romantic, Apuleius’ Cupid and Psyche is the most romantic love story. This is because unlike the rest that end tragically, it is only Apuleius’ Cupid and Psyche that ends positively. Similarly, it is also the best love story since it has more strengths than weaknesses. In Apuleius’ Cupid and Psyche, Psyche portrays real love since she was willing to go to her extreme in search for her lover. References Apuleius, Joel. The Tale of Cupid and Psyche. Indianna: Hackett Publishing, 2009. Print. Singleton, Charles. â€Å"Romance Stories: Paolo& Francesca as told by Dante.† Wisdom Portal. 1977. Web. 31 October 2014. Virgil &Maclennan, Keith. Virgil: Aeneid Iv. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2013. Print. Source document

Abusive Husband essays

Abusive Husband essays The Abusive Husband An Approach to intervention by David Currie was written primarily for service providers who are undertaking to provide service to abusive husbands and partners. The purpose of this manual was to provide information and direction for designing and implementing an intervention program for abusive husbands which emphasizes the safety and protection issues for the woman. The article discussing the following themes: The women may have to leave the relationship for the reasons of safety and protection. They do not want the marriage to end rather the violence. The mens treatment programs began in the 70s. The manual discusses those frameworks that are currently in use and also points out the draw back related to some of them. What framework does the mens program use? Psychological problem based framework The manual argues that reducing wife assault to a pshchological problem, ignores the social context in which violence occurs. This model consists of three overlapping sets of casual and perpetuating factors that reflect the view of wife assault, which are: Attitudes, values regarding women Ineffective counseling resources The manual discusses how programs should be devised. The programs should consist of an assessment phase. This phase is important because it will provide the facilitators with the relevant information needed to deal with the underlying issues of abuse. After the assessment, the manual talks about the breakdown of ten sessions. It is an ongoing group program. It is a very well written manual. The manual describes in detail the differences between frameworks that only deal with psychological reasons for abuse in contrast to programs that deal with the reasons of abuse from a social context. The manual goes in depth about the psychological profile of an abuser. Finally it breaks down in ...

Coffee, Tea, or Opium essays

Coffee, Tea, or Opium essays In the nineteenth century, Chinese green tea became very popular among the British people. Chinese silk and spices were also in great demand. The Chinese, on the other hand, needed almost nothing the west had to offer and the only things they would take in trade, other than Spanish silver dollars, was woolen and cotton cloth. This created an imbalance of trade, especially bad for the European nations. England and other Western nations changed the balance of their trade by using opium as a means of payment, welcomed in China by many merchants in lieu of currency, in spite of the Imperial Chinese prohibition on opium. During the early 1800's opium addiction reached an all time high in China, and by 1838 thirty-five thousand, one hundred and fifty pound chests of opium entered China. In 1839 Lin Zexu, Chinas commissioner for foreign trade, was given the assignment to stop the import of opium to China. He studied what he considered the barbarian culture of Europe looking for clues to their behavior. To try to stop the trade, he wrote to the Queen of England, Queen Victoria, and tried to reason with her for help with the opium import problem. Alas, he had no luck and the Qing government, after a decade of unsuccessful anti-opium campaigns, enacted drastic laws against the opium trade. Lin Zexu, seized and destroyed some twenty thousand chests of opium. The British retaliated violently, soundly defeating the unprepared Chinese, and in 1842 forcing them to sign the Treaty of Nanking which required the Chinese to pay twenty-one million dollars in reparations, the opening of five ports to British trade, and surrendering Hong Kong to Queen Victoria. Lion Zexu was disgraced instead of praised for his peaceful efforts and was forced to supervise irrigation projects and repairs of dikes for the last few years of his life. The city of Hong Kong was held as a British territory from that time unti ...

Daily Writing Tips Spelling Test 1

Daily Writing Tips Spelling Test 1 Daily Writing Tips Spelling Test 1 Daily Writing Tips Spelling Test 1 By Daniel Scocco It took us some time, but we are finally up with another test, the Spelling Test 1. Spelling mistakes represent a common problem on the Internet. Sometimes just one letter separates two words with completely different meanings. Other times we end up transposing a vowel, and the result is hardly noticeable by the eye. Regardless, you should make sure that spelling mistakes are not crippling your writing, and this test is a good opportunity to do so. Here is a teaser: 9. It didn’t turn out the way we wanted, _________. though tough through thought Do you think you can pass with 100% accuracy? Test your spelling skills now, and let us know the result! Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the General category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Rhetorical Devices for Rational WritingExpanded and ExtendedUsing "zeitgeist" Coherently

Barbra's final wishes Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Care Plan for Old Aged Woman with Lung Cancer - Assignment Example The plan begins with the demographic information of the patient; following is our clients care plan details and the recommendations given to help her during her period of grieving and management of the diagnosed condition (Weber & Kelley, 2003). Barbara James is a retired teacher who was just diagnosed with lung cancer. Besides, the patient lost her long-term partner of sixty years. The diagnosis has changed her entire life because it has changed her mood and emotional status. This brought many changes in her life especially when it came to coping with how to start living life with her when she was used to living with her husband. This prompted her to seek assistance from the hospice on how to cope with the disease, the grief, and resource to help her in it together with financial help. The plan developed will help the patient, the friends of the patient and other parties take effective measures in helping the patient manage conditions. Madrid is a football-loving region and Barbara James as a resided said, â€Å" I would love to watch a Real Madrid match at least once per month or just one of their matches now that am a great Madrid fan.† This shows that she has an attachment to the cultural and social aspect of the city because the region has a massive following of sporting activities with football taking the largest share. The plan will ensure Barbara get to view her preferred team play by ensuring she has a for the matches played at home ground and occasionally attending selected away games (Tompkins, 2003). Li et al (2014) ascribe that caregiving should meet the preferences and goals of the customer. Therefore, the hospice team must tailor the approach to meet any goal identified.

Network (LAN) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Network (LAN) - Research Paper Example On this regard, this paper focuses on the development of a secure Local Area Network via an account of a manufacturing company located in Kuwait. It is essential to clarify that the Information Systems group for the company is composed of a significant number of high quality professionals. These professionals are expected to play a very important role in coming up with the most secure IT infrastructure system within the organization. They include the Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and the Chief Security Officer (Schneier, 2004). The roles of each of the aforementioned group members are as stipulated below. The Chief Technology Officer is in charge of overseeing the current technology applied in the company. He is also responsible for the creation of the relevant policies used in the day-to-day implementation of the current technology. The Chief Information Officer is responsible for the Information Technology along with the computer systems that support the enterprise goals of the company. Finally yet importantly, the Chief Security Officer is responsible for ensuring maximal security to the company’s communication and business systems. This is to protect the company from any unauthorized data access by an intruder In order to provide maximal security in the company’s IT infrastructure, a well-designed network diagram has hereby been integrated into the report. The aim of the diagram is to ascertain that there is a bird’s eye view of how the organization is expected to benefit from the adoption of integrated network communication system (Schneier, 2004). As indicated in the diagram below, a significant number of networking and computer devices have been provided for the day-to-day operations of the company’s IT Infrastructure. These devices include a gateway router, a wireless router switches, networking cables, printers, personal computers, a face recognition

Law, Ethics &Accountability for Nurses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Law, Ethics &Accountability for Nurses - Essay Example This study is being conducted in order to comprehensively explain the legal and ethical issues which nurses often encounter and the possible ways that such issues can be legally and ethically resolved. In the first scenario, a nurse decided independently to indicate in the chart of an 80 year old end-stage heart failure patient that the latter is classified as ‘not-for-resuscitation’ or NFR. The NFR order was not consulted with the patient’s doctor. Moreover, since the patient was too ill to express her consent or dissent to the order, her husband’s consent was secured. The nurse recorded in the patient’s chart that the on-call physician approved the NFR order. The physician also apparently agreed to the discontinuance of the patient’s continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The following day, the patient died and the cause of death was not the withdrawal of the CPAP but because of a heart attack. The RN was later fired for disregarding the chart orders which indicated that the patient’s medical treatment should be continued. The relevant legal and professional issues in the above case can be broken down to: a) the RN’s independent decision on the NFR decision – without proper consultation with the patient’s physician and in violation of orders indicated in the patient’s chart; and in b) ordering the withdrawal of the treatment without proper consultation with the patient. First and foremost, NFR orders are decisions and orders which are indicated in patient’s charts by the patient’s doctor. It cannot be independently decided upon by the nurse without proper consultation with the physician. In turn, this decision is made by the physician after proper consultation with the patient (Dames Clinical Nursing Education Site, 2010). The function of a nurse in NFR orders is to carry it out and to follow the directive as indicated in the patient’s chart. In the current case, the nurse independently decided that an NFR

Personal World View Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Personal World View - Research Paper Example It also serves as an explanation and interpretation of the daily events of the world and how the explanation is applied to our daily lives (Bengtsson 41). The beliefs that one has about a given situation are the driving force to the world views that he will come up with. It is the beliefs that serve as evidence for the ways in which he interprets reality. Religious world views also cannot be the same as secular world views as they differ in terms of evidence and the point of argument. It is the world view that gives one confidence in everything he does an indication that they are able to judge their actions as being either right or wrong. It therefore gives one confidence and with it they can be able to defend their actions as they have specific rules that they cane respond to incase of an argument or confrontation. The world views are however different when it comes to dealing with different people hence the need to understand the difference that occurs in character among the people . This can therefore be affected by cultural and sexual orientations. The Christian world view focuses its arguments on the teachings of the bible and that God is the whole source of truth. Therefore understanding of God will enable an individual to be able to understand the purpose for the daily events in life. It is through God that we can be able to tell the absolute truth. However personal truth tends to overpower all the truth as it is a great determinant for ones actions in life. Most people regard the Christian world view as being the best for everyone as God is the teller and judge of absolute truth. Secular lives tend to carry with them several consequences including broken families, ineffective Christianity and devastating lives. It is through Christianity that we can be able to get hold of the best world view with which we can grow in our own commitment and truth. We can help others to grow in their own commitment and in telling and having the truth within their souls (Be ngtsson 8). This serves as a driving force behind your emotions, actions and the decisions made whether in a group or as an individual. This will in the end affect the way you respond to every situation in your daily life with reference to different topics of interest. The world view acts as the interpretive lenses through which you view and judge the events of the world. With the lenses you can be able to observe a wide range of perspectives or factors that affect the well being of an individual. In order to avoid conflict of interest, we should learn not to let our worldviews appear to be superior to others. My personal world view is that of God being the teacher and life is the school. Being a religious based world view, it therefore implies that life can serve as an institution where we are to try out things and see if they work through learning process. In a case where they do not work, we go ahead to correct them in order to be able to fir into the system. In life as individua ls we are exposed to various challenges from all the directions and it is upon us to be aware of how we can work them out. The society has rules and regulations that we have to adhere to whether or not they are in agreement with our personal world views. This is what is commonly experienced in the society as we tend to break most of the laws that have been set up just because they are not in agreement with what we consider v as right. This should also serve as a guiding principle among individuals when staying in the society and they have to be

Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Human Resource Management - Essay Example The process must begin with planning and preparing the entire infrastructure needed for the auditing process. This is important for identifying the existing levels of skills in the organization. Following this, the organization must strive to set skill targets against its long term goals and objectives. For this it needs to forecast the skill demands in the organization for various work processes in future. Comparing the target skill requirements against the existing skill levels in the organization reflects the actual measure of skill gaps. Shortfall in skill levels in the organization must be complimented with either training the existing employees to enhance their performance and productivity in the organization. The skill gap can also be met up by recruiting fresh candidates on new skill requirements as per the long term strategies of the organization (Pravin, 2010, p.123). Actions and documents for correct recruitment procedures The criterion for a strong recruitment procedure i n the organization is to recruit the right candidates in the organization and at the right time and position. The process must begin with writing the job description or the job specification. This is crucial to understand the exact needs and requirements of the job. The purpose, responsibilities and tasks associated with the job are the most crucial components of a proper job description. In this context the scope of the job is also important, i.e., expanding on the primary tasks and activities and importance of the job in the organization. This must be followed by the person specification or the detailing of skills, attributes and knowledge associated with the job. It is crucial to mention the types of experience needed in the job; the necessary competencies, education and requirements in the job. The person recruited must be evaluated on his future potential and prospects in the organization along with the present requirements. The next stage is to give consideration to the pay ra tes associated with the job. Factors like grades, scales, skills availability, market rates, and negotiated agreements must be considered. The organization must be careful about discrimination legislations. The final and the most crucial part are attracting the candidates. This can be done through internal recruitments, by providing promotional and training opportunities to existing employees. Recruitments can also be conducted through commercial recruitment agencies, in cases large scale candidates are required and internal hiring is not sufficient to meet the purpose. Using the internet as an active source of finding candidates can be extremely effective and useful as majority of the labour force attains recruitment information from the internet. It is also easy to access the talents across the globe through this medium. It can be mainly effective in technical and graduate level jobs as it can target a selected group of candidates with the requisite qualification and experience in stantly (Staffing.org, 2012). After deciding the channels of recruitment, it is important to design the advertisement for attracting candidates. This includes providing the various details for the position, contact number etc. Finally the candidates shortlisted through their

Drugs & Crime- Internal Restraints Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Drugs & Crime- Internal Restraints - Assignment Example Self-acknowledgement acts as a cause of motivation for the individual trying to overcome the problem. In addition, motivation helps the patient to suppress the cravings for engaging in criminal behavior and drug use. Sharing the problem with other people also weakens the craving. Over a period, the individual will be able to deal with the urge systematically until they overcome the craving completely (Marlatt et al. 65). External cues are events and activities that exist within the environment of the affected individual. Certain stimuli in the surrounding of the patient can be associated with alternative stimuli (Marlatt et al. 276).The sights, sounds and smell formally associated with a craving to commit a crime or abuse drugs may imply danger. Locations previously associated with fulfillment as bars, houses where the crimes were committed or friends who took part may be subject to interpretation by the brain as a sign of danger. The individual may voluntarily desist from visiting such locations during

Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Human Resource Management - Essay Example The process must begin with planning and preparing the entire infrastructure needed for the auditing process. This is important for identifying the existing levels of skills in the organization. Following this, the organization must strive to set skill targets against its long term goals and objectives. For this it needs to forecast the skill demands in the organization for various work processes in future. Comparing the target skill requirements against the existing skill levels in the organization reflects the actual measure of skill gaps. Shortfall in skill levels in the organization must be complimented with either training the existing employees to enhance their performance and productivity in the organization. The skill gap can also be met up by recruiting fresh candidates on new skill requirements as per the long term strategies of the organization (Pravin, 2010, p.123). Actions and documents for correct recruitment procedures The criterion for a strong recruitment procedure i n the organization is to recruit the right candidates in the organization and at the right time and position. The process must begin with writing the job description or the job specification. This is crucial to understand the exact needs and requirements of the job. The purpose, responsibilities and tasks associated with the job are the most crucial components of a proper job description. In this context the scope of the job is also important, i.e., expanding on the primary tasks and activities and importance of the job in the organization. This must be followed by the person specification or the detailing of skills, attributes and knowledge associated with the job. It is crucial to mention the types of experience needed in the job; the necessary competencies, education and requirements in the job. The person recruited must be evaluated on his future potential and prospects in the organization along with the present requirements. The next stage is to give consideration to the pay ra tes associated with the job. Factors like grades, scales, skills availability, market rates, and negotiated agreements must be considered. The organization must be careful about discrimination legislations. The final and the most crucial part are attracting the candidates. This can be done through internal recruitments, by providing promotional and training opportunities to existing employees. Recruitments can also be conducted through commercial recruitment agencies, in cases large scale candidates are required and internal hiring is not sufficient to meet the purpose. Using the internet as an active source of finding candidates can be extremely effective and useful as majority of the labour force attains recruitment information from the internet. It is also easy to access the talents across the globe through this medium. It can be mainly effective in technical and graduate level jobs as it can target a selected group of candidates with the requisite qualification and experience in stantly (Staffing.org, 2012). After deciding the channels of recruitment, it is important to design the advertisement for attracting candidates. This includes providing the various details for the position, contact number etc. Finally the candidates shortlisted through their

Panera Bread Case Study Essay Example for Free

Panera Bread Case Study Essay INTRODUCTION: Panera Bread is one of the great American success stories of breaking trends, and shaking up the market with complete innovation. Not only were they successful, but they were able to achieve this success while doing things their own way. Product and Service differentiation were the keys to this bakery-cafà ©s success. Before Panera Breads creation in ___, never had a business combined the relaxing environment of a cafà © with the fresh aroma of an artisans bakery. This proved to be a gold mine for its owner and stakeholders, and the analysis of this period from 2001 to 2003 shows exactly why. In this analysis, we will examine the success factors of Panera Bread and explain why they were able to achieve some of the goals they had accomplished thus far. We will also explain some alternatives and opportunities that Panera Bread may look forward to taking advantage of in the future. Panera Breads mission was to create the bakery-cafà ©; a place the combined the welcoming atmosphere of coffee shops, the food of sandwich shops, and the quick service of fast food restaurants. They named this type of service fast-casual dining and the term fits because of the atmosphere and quality of service they were able to provide. Panera Bread targeted 5 key consumer dining needs which include the following: SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS: CURRENT SITUATION The companys revenues rose from 350.8 million to 977.1 million between 2000 and 2003 as a result of new unit expansion, with 419 stores opening between 1999 and 2003. In 2000 system wide comparison sales and annualized unit volumes increased 9.1% and 12%. The growth of these two metrics decreased in the years following with system wide comparable sales and AUVs increasing only .2% and .5%. GENERAL ENVIRONMENT The fast-casual dining market consists of those companies that seek to fill the gap between fast-food chains and full-service restaurants. These companies offer speed, efficiency, inexpensiveness, hospitality, quality and ambiance. These restaurants fall under fast casual when they offer self-service, a check between 6 and 9 dollars, slightly more expensive than fast food but cheaper than full service restaurants. Other requirements include that the food be made to order and the dà ©cor being upscale. This market of restaurants experienced significant growth between 1999 and 2003. Continued growth was expected with sales projected to reach 50 billion in the following decade. This growth was expected to come at the expense of fast food chains. The industrys growth started with high profitability and diverse dining avenues, with concepts such as Mexican, Chinese, and bakeries. Opening costs for these establishments in relation to annual sales was minimal, allowing more new players to get into the market with fresh concepts and menu items. Also the maturing of baby boomers and their children contributed largely to the growth of the fast casual market. This demographic expressed insufficient time for cooking while growing tired of fast food and desiring a high-quality, fresh, healthy dining experience, without the time consumption of a full dining restaurant. This market has effectively emerged itself into a legitimate trend in the restaurant industry. Modern day customers seek establishments that combine qualities such as a casual atmosphere, quality, and quick service. Panera Bread focuses on these aspects of their bakeries by offering breakfast, lunch, daytime chill-out, lunch in the evening and take home meals; in alignment with consumer dining  needs. The companys customer base included seniors, matinee-goers, shoppers, business professionals, and students. The company focuses on delivering high quality foods, targeting suburban dwellers and workers as a premium specialty bakery and cafà ©. Panera Bread was a pioneer in the cafà ©-bakery segment with unique concepts and operation strengths, which has led the company to its current position in the fast casual dining market. The company designed its concept in meeting the consumers needs of efficiency and the desire for high quality dining, which arent met by traditional fast food chains. The company strived to establish Panera Bread as a leading national brand, with its operation quality, real estate strategies, and design being integral to their success Each company-operated bakery had computerized cash registers to collect point of sale transaction data, used in generating marketing information. Product prices were programmed into the system from the corporate office. The companys in-store information system was designed to assist in labor scheduling and food cost management, to provide corporate and retail operation management fast access to data, and to reduce administrative time. These systems supplied data to the companys accounting department daily, enabling them to use the data to generate weekly reports on sales and other important elements. The company also monitored the average check, customer count, product mix, and other sales trends. Also, facilities had systems that allowed the dough facilities to accept electronic orders from the bakery and deliver orders to the bakeries. TASK ENVIRONMENT Employees consisted of full time associates in administrative or general positions, commissary operators, bakers, and associates at the bakeries. As of December 2003 the company had 3,924 full time associates, of whom 344 were employed in general or administrative roles principally at or from the companys support centers. The company also had 4,078 part-time hourly associates at the bakeries. The companys priority was staffing its bakeries, fresh dough facilities, and support centers with skilled associates, investing in training programs to ensure quality. The company  offered incentive programs and bonuses to salaried employees, with the addition of product discounts and employee stock options. Panera Bread believed that providing bakery-cafà © operators the opportunity to participate in the success of the company would enable the company to attract and retain highly motivated and experienced personnel, resulting in a better customer experience. The company targets mostly those individuals in urban areas, focusing on white collar workers who seek a fast and healthier alternative from fast food burgers and other common establishments of fast service. With a large focus on individuals seeking a fast, quality bakery product, the company seeks to give its target customers a stylish ambiance to dine in. Panera Breads competition derived from sources within its trade areas. The stores competed based on consumers need for breakfast, lunch, daytime, lunch in the evening, and take home bread sales with the competitive factors being location, environment, customer service, price, and quality of products. The company also competed for leased space in desirable locations where certain competitors had capital resources that exceeded those available to Panera Bread. Those primary competitors included specialty food and casual dining restaurant retailers, including national, regional, and locally owned concepts. Panera Bread had a fresh dough facility system that supplied fresh dough to the company owned and franchise operated bakeries daily. The company had 16 commissaries that prepare the fresh dough. These commissaries assured product quality and consistency, headed by the companys master artisan baker, Mile Marino, who has been with the company since 1987. The company also entered into five year contract with a company named Bunge for its supply of frozen dough. The company also signed an agreement with Dawn Food Products to prep and deliver the frozen dough; structured as a cost-plus agreement. Franchised bakerys operated under individual contracts with either the company distributor or other regional distributors, with three companies serving as the primary distributors for Panera Bread. The company has had increasing stock holders equity between 1999 and 2003, with its most recent total stockholders equity equaling 195,937 in December of 2003. Total incurred liabilities of the company equaled $46,235 in December of 2003 which made for a total liabilities and stockholders equity of $245,943  for the year. INTERNAL ANALYSIS The company strategy centered around a conceptual focus on the specialty bakery category with a focus on artisan attention bread made with all-natural ingredients. The strategies implemented by the company focus on meeting the important consumer trends met by fast food chains, while striving for a more upscale environment. In an effort to make Panera Bread emerge into a nationally dominant name, the company framed its menu, operating systems, prototype, and strategies around effective competition within sub-level business targets. This helped to company to increase profits between 2002 and 2003. The unique character of Panera Breads quality in its cafà ©s, menu options, distinguished bakery design, along with the valuable locations of its stores contributed to its success. The company planned to combine company and franchise efforts in order to achieve its growth. Franchising proved to be a key factor in the companys success, allowing the company to expand more rapidly due to increa sed resources to outfit the strategies and concepts produced by Panera. At the closing of the 2003 fiscal year, the company had 429 bakeries in operation and documented intention of opening an addition 409 bakeries. The company has 8 key executive officers with extensive experience, both with Panera Bread and also with other major corporations and organizations including Starbucks, Fidelity Investments, and other companies. All of these officers obtained their position with Panera between 1999 and 2003. The company derives its culture from the pre-existing chains of fast food and full service dine-ins. In an effort to supply consumers with a third option that combined the attributes of both of these markets, the company, through many stages of conception, effectively identified a niche within urban consumers. The company pioneered a new market segment of food service trends and through constant growth and innovation has built a successful company. The company is structured with top management and board executives establishing and updating views goals and visions for the growth and target of the restaurant chain. The company has both corporate and franchise operated bakerys that adhere to the vision and direction of company management and consumer trends. STRATEGY FORMATION: Panera Bread has maintained its business strategy over its lifespan and they continue to employ a product/service differentiation strategy to sustain their competitive advantage as a fast-casual dining experience. This strategy has enabled them to grow very swiftly over the past 15-20 years and has given them a substantial hold on the market for fast-casual dining. Panera Breads decision to employ this differentiation strategy correctly, gives them the best opportunity to succeed for their target market. They are in a market where there are many ways to differentiate the products and services they provide. Buyers often perceive these differences as the product/service having value. Fortunately, few rival firms are following this distinct differentiation approach. Ron Schaich and his team were correct when concluding that this differentiation strategy would attract patrons which gave Panera Bread every reason to employ this strategy. To differentiate themselves from the likes of McDonalds, Burger King, or Pizza Hut; they focused on an extremely high quality of food products. This played into their game plan of becoming a specialty cafe and they continued to choose the best and most natural ingredients for their products. Every loaf of bread is baked with the four ingredients, water, natural yeast, flour and salt, no chemicals or preservatives are ever used. Another practice they employ to provide first class products is within their supply chain. To provide fresh dough to their locations every day, they have many regional fresh dough facilities. These facilities would go through a 48 hour process to prepare bread and bagel dough for shipment, which provides consistent quality and efficiency to all the locations. Panera Bread also found that many customers were more health conscious which prompted them to introduce a full line of whole grain breads. Other improvements that they instituted included new artisan sweet goods, egg soufflà ©s and natural anti-biotic free chicken all to meet the customers ever changing preferences. These are the practices upon which Panera Bread has continued to provide an exceptional distinct product line to its customers in hopes of sustaining a competitive advantage. Panera has also implemented change in other areas to provide their customers with a differentiated service experience. They have employed a cafe design which created one of the most comfortable and warm environments to dine in. This has been very successful for their strategy of distinguishing themselves and their offerings to customers. Like Starbucks, they wanted to create an environment in which consumers would identify Panera Bread as a neighborhood meeting place. As a result, patrons would continuously use a Panera Bread location for all sorts of gatherings whether they are for business or pleasure. One of the greatest benefits that Panera Bread provides to its customers is free wireless high-speed internet and since they were one of the first to do so, this created a competitive advantage for them. The fast-casual dining industry is generally a new concept. At this point, Panera needs to sustain its leadership and competitive advantage in this industry to continue to grow and fend off competitors. One of the best defensive strategies that they can employ is the leverage gained by economies of scale. With these economies they can continue to offer their products on their terms, which give them an advantage over the competition. This in turn gives them more control over the market and the suppliers in this industry. Here they can block avenues for current competitors as well as new entrants. If they can continue to stay on the top of the industry they can continue to employ this defensive strategy. One of the main reasons that Panera Bread is relevant is because of its size. At this point they are one of the largest fast-casual dining businesses and they use this size to stimulate further growth. Continuing to grow gives them the opportunity to generate more revenue if executed well with the right buyers. Revenue is always a great reason for expansion and Panera Bread knows this. They are one of the best in the restaurant industry at recognizing shifts in consumer preferences and being able to make the proper adjustments to satisfy their customers. This is crucial especially in todays world where change is continuous and rapid. As Panera Bread consistently strives to be a leader in product and environmental offerings,  its crucial that they continue to be aware of and progress along with the changing world. Even though they can employ some of these strategies in the future, they cant lose track of their business model for fast-casual dining restaurants in the process. Though Panera Bread has been very successful during this period, there are some strategies which they can enact to stimulate a growth in profits. Unfortunately, with each benefit from an alternative there is always a cost that Panera Bread may or may not be willing to incur. Firstly, Panera Bread could try to vertically integrate their products. This would call for them to pre-pack some of their bread and sandwich products and sell them in local grocery chains across the United States. This strategy would make their products more accessible to the general public even where there are no Panera Bread cafà ©-bakeries nearby. One of the key risks with strategy would be the possibility that product quality would diminish because the products are not being made fresh within the actual bakeries. The second strategic alternative would be the use of mini cafes within retail stores. This strategy has already been implemented by Starbucks with their mini cafes inside of Target retail stores. This would also make the products more accessible to the general public, thus giving Panera Bread more exposure. This strategy would require Panera Bread to train managers within the retail store to be able to handle the proper preparation of their products. Lastly, the third alternative would be acquiring local cafes and transforming them into new cafà ©-bakery locations. This strategy would essentially eliminate competition and create new areas where these products can be accessed. On the other hand, if Panera Bread is unable to conduct full takeovers, there is a risk that they could lose some of the authenticity of their products/services.

Guccis Marketing Strategy

Guccis Marketing Strategy Critically contrast the key elements of Guccis marketing strategy to its closest competitor. Justify why you have chosen this company as Guccis closest competitor. Guccis focus on Heritage, craftsmanship and philanthropy: Prada a close competitor. With over 7,000 direct employees across the world, I believe we should all see ourselves as custodians of the Gucci brand—a brand that was here before all of us and one that will survive all of us. The long lasting values of the brand ultimately inform and guide every decision we make and they also inspire all of us along the way. -Patrizio di Marco: President and CEO, Gucci (Interbrand, 2009a) Renowned for its Italian craftsmanship, Gucci was founded in 1921 in Florence. ‘Over 90 years Gucci has built a heritage of exclusivity, attention over quality and style, the Made in Italy label, innovation and craftsmanship (PPR, 2010b, pp 46) and is one of the ‘worlds most desired luxury fashion brands (Nielsen Company, 2007). The Brand was highly successful in the 1950s as it became the status brand for Hollywood film stars and European royalty. However, by 1980s Gucci lost its appeal and significant losses were made in the business (Jackson and Haird, 2003). Domenico de Soles financial acumen and Tom Fords creativity transformed Gucci as a successful brand in the 1990s. In 1999 Pinault-Printemps-Redoute purchased the controlling stake and owned Gucci. With the departure of Tom Ford and De Sole, Frida Gianini took the control in 2005. Globalisation helps the evolving luxury market to expand. Factors like growing consumer expectations, clear brand positioning, pursuit for authenticity, exclusivity, differentiation contribute to intensify the competition between luxury brands with high ‘aspirational values (Baker and Sterenberg, 2003). Gucci is among the top 10 luxury brands considering brand value in the latest survey by Interbrand. In the array of luxury market Gucci competes with brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Prada, Burberry, Ferragamo, Dior, Dolce Gabbana, Versace, etc. Interbrand Leading Luxury Brands 2009 Rankings: The top 15 Luxury Brands. (Interbrand, 2009d) 2009 Rank 2008 Rank 2007 Rank Brand Country of Origin Sector 2008 Brand Value ($m) 2009 Brand Value ($m) Change in Brand Value in 2008 Change in Brand Valuein 2009 16 16 17 France Luxury 21,602 21,120 6% -2% 41 45 46 Italy Luxury 8,254 8,182 7% -1% 59 60 58 France Luxury 6,355 6,040 9% -5% 70 76 73 France Luxury 4,575 4,598 8% 1% 87 91 94 Italy Luxury 3,585 3,530 9% -2% 98 New United Kingdom Luxury 3,095 New* 99 New United States Luxury 3,094 New* Interbrand Best Global Brands rankings. (Interbrand, 2009d). In order to sustain in the competitive luxury market and define a clear brand positioning and maintain it, brands adopt innovative marketing strategies. The Marketing mix tools like the traditional 4 Ps: product, price, promotion and place along with recently added people, process and physical evidence propel the decisions in direction of the market success. Brands need to provide right product, at right price, in right place and at right promotion in order to match the consumer needs and demands. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermes, Chanel, Prada are in close competition. In order to create an emotional attachment between brands and consumers, brands try to convey an image and personality that customer aspires to. Louis Vuitton has been a ‘byword for stylish elegance and sophistication (Louis vuitton, 2009). Gucci is perceived as smart, sexy, modern whereas Prada has an image of modern, trendy yet sophisticated. Chanel is very classic and elegant. Also, Chanel and Louis Vuitton were founded in France and Gucci and Prada in Italy. According to the Interbrand survey for Italys most valuable brands Gucci Ranked first (6,388 million euro) followed by Prada (2,775 million euro). Guccis pricing strategy in 1993 positioned itself below Hermes and Chanel and at par with Prada and Louis Vuitton (Kwak, 2001). Gucci and Pradas product lines include leather goods, ready-to-wear, jewellery, footwear, silks, timepieces, eyewear, skincare, home decor and fragrances. Louis Vuitton has the categories which Gucci has, although Louis Vuitton indulges even in writing instruments and textiles besides Chanel extends into sport accessories .Gucci products are sold in 283 directly operated stores at end of 2009 and in selected ‘departmental stores as well as specialist stores (PPR, 2010b). Intending to accelerate the growth of brand, Prada stated to double the number of directly operating stores in 2007. Considering Guccis 2009 revenue breakdown by geographical area, maximum revenue was from Asia- Pacific region while Europe which includes fashion forward London, Paris and Milan contribute almost equal to Japan. Breakdown of 2009 revenue by product category Breakdown of 2009 revenue by geographical area(PPR- Gucci: Gucci Group ,2010a) Gucci Chanel Prada Louis Vuitton Year of establishment 1921 1909 1913 1854 Country of origin Italy France Italy France Known for Leather goods Fashion and perfumes Leather goods Leather goods and Luggage bags Current Designer Frida Giannini Karl Lagerfeld Miuccia Prada Marc Jacob Product categories Ready-to-wear, canvas and leather goods, bags, footwear, fine jewellery, fragrances, eyewear, watches, travel and business bags, home dà ©cor , etc. Ready-to-wear, fragrances, make-up skincare, eyewear, hats, leather goods, sports accessories, fine jewellery, etc. Ready-to-wear, Nylon bags, leather goods, footwear, Fine jewellery, eyewear, fragrances, travel and luggage bags, Prada phones, etc Ready-to-wear, leather goods, travel bags, footwear, bags, eyewear, watches, writing instruments, home goods, textiles, city guides ,etc. Ad campaign theme Forever now , Spring Summer 2010 Spring Summer 2010= First Spring and lookbook Spring Summer 2010 Store locations Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America. Has 283 Directly operated stores. Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, Oceania. Asia, Middle East, Far east, Europe, North America, South America. Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America. Comparison of brands on basic criteria. Louis Vuitton and Chanels brand image differentiates them from Italian brands like Gucci and Prada which target towards a similar target market which is modern and fashion conscious. Gucci and Prada indulge into similar product lines and pricing levels getting them into closer competition. In 1990s during revamping the brand image of Gucci an important decision made was to develop a strategy expressing Gucci has changed. ‘Brand communication plays a vital role in redrawing the image (Jackson and Shaw, 2006). During the recession competitor brands are trying to be more distinctive. Chairman and CEO Gucci, Patrizio di Marco and his team adopted the strategy to strengthen and fine tune its positioning in the luxury goods market by focusing on its heritage and craftsmanship stressing on balanced brand equity in marketing and communication (PPR, 2010b). It also included cost cutting, adjustments to pricing, global store designs concept and structure simplification. As per Interbrands report 2009b, among global luxury brands, Prada spends highest in marketing and advertising and continued to invest more in social and cultural initiatives, brand extensions and communication. Important factors that help in building brand image. (Moore and Britwistle, 2005) Image no.1 : Louis vuitton spring summer 2010 Image no.2: Prada Lookbook 2010. (The Fashion time Magazine, 2010) (AMO, 2010) Image no.3 : Chanel Spring Summer 2010 Image no.4 : Gucci Spring Summer 2010 ad Ad campaign. campaign. (Bang Jaslyn, 2010) (Gucci, 2010a) Advertising which is guided by current market scenario and competitive environment, helps in communicating and building brand image as it creates powerful image and message to gain customers attention (Jackson and Shaw, 2009, pp.161). Luxury brands communicate their values and aura to the consumers to prove experience through images that operate on aesthetic and expressionist level (Salzer-Mà ¶rling and Strannegard, 2004). Visually stimulating Guccis Spring summer 2010 campaign focuses on sensuality with modernity and Pradas Lookbook 2010 displays uniqueness and creativity. Guccis Ad campaign ‘Forever now launched in 2010 depicts the importance of connecting past and present. The campaign uses images from 1950s focuses on heritage and craftsmanship. Gucci focusing on tradition introduced an Artisan Corner an event where houses skilled artists will travel to Guccis VIP stores where the craftsmanship will be brought to customers sight. Similarly, Pradas film ad campaign 2010 titled ‘First Spring shot by Chinese artist in Shanghai depicts the tension between the straight and gay tensions of silent intimacy (James, 2010). However, the black and white effect of the video takes us into flashback and it depicts that anything is possible in timeless and dreamlike realm. Louis Vuittons ad campaign is inspired from new age traveller, while Chanels countryside rural chic look ad campaign displays beauty and elegance. Image no. 5 : Guccis ‘Forever now ad campaign 2010(Gucci ,2010b) Image no. 6: Pradas 2010 ad campaign ‘First Spring. (Fashioning.com, 2010) Prada attempts to spread a social message to reduce tensions between straight and gay people. Also, Prada signed PETAs campaign in 2007 to ban cruelty against animals and eliminate fur usage from fashion. Gucci and UNICEF partnership began in 2005, since then Gucci consistently support education and healthcare programmes for orphans and HIV/AIDS affected children. Gucci embraces philanthropy taking new initiatives and ad campaigns to support the partnership like specially designed accessories collection, White Tattoo Heart collection (2008) featuring Rihanna in its campaign, Book ‘ Snowman in Africa, fundraising event with Madonna, ‘Gucci for UNICEF Baboushka bag etc. Professor John Fernie said ‘Alliance between charity n business is the perfect way to build brand awareness and establish brand credibility and ultimately boost profits, (McDougall, 2006). As metioned on philanthrpohy section of Guccis official website, Gucci in collaboration with the Film Foundation h as made travelling screening movie of the restored movies to save the treasures in cinemas called ‘Cinema Visionaries. Proceeding in 2010, to increase online presence and reach online customers, brands are delving into digital communication. Brand affiliation is aided by the application of appropriate functionality tools (Okonkwo, 2007). Focusing on innovation Gucci launched lifestyle application for iPhone and iPod touch. Guccis application offers access to products, fashion shows, playlists, city guides, news, ability to compose own music etc. Prada launched Prada phones in collaboration with LG in 2007. The LG designed Prada phone incorporates features like video player, high pixel camera and MP3 player. Chanel also has application on iPhone which shows Chanels runway collections. Image No. 7: Gucci application for iPhone. Image No. 8: LG designed Prada Phone. (Gucci news, 2010) (Mossesgeld, 2007) Luxury atmosphere, aesthetics and appealing luxury stores reflect the brand personality and spread the brand message into the subconscious and psychological levels on a consumer mind (Okonkwo, 2007). Following the strategic concept of global store design by Creative Director Frida Giannini ,Gucci is renovating its stores to embrace the luxurious experience of shopping which complements the brands heritage and exclusivity. In October, 2009 Gucci launched a travelling sneaker store in New York which will later move to London and Tokyo in spring 2010. Similarly proving its exclusiveness, Prada took a radical approach towards the store architecture through Prada Epicenter which communicates a distinct identity into customers mind which is in quest for something new. Image no. 9: Gucci Sloane street, London Store renovated under the Global store design concept. (WallPaper, 2010) Image no.10: Prada Epicenter (Herzog de Muron,2003). [Accessed on 14 November 2009] With Economic downturn, it is highly important for brands to provide distinctive experience to consumers. Brands are striving to create a brand image congruent to the customers image (Aaker and Biehl, 1993) and meet customer needs and demands. Gucci has adopted the strategy to be true to its long lasting values and expand its presence, tune its brand image and positioning by emphasising on the rich 90 years history, heritage and core essence of the brand into its marketing and brand communication coinciding with ‘modernity and aspirational values (Gucci, 2010a). Brands like Prada are using tactful strategies focusing on parameters like timeless, authenticity, social values and culture. Louis Vuitton differentiates its customers through its brand image, brand values in terms of turnover and advertising. Chanel though is close to Gucci considering turnover it targets a more elegant, sophisticated target. Hence, Prada is the closest competitor to Gucci by comparing them on brand c ommunication like advertising, philanthropy and an attempt to standout in the terms of store designs. REFERANCES : Aaker, D. (1991), Managing Brand Equity, The Free Press, New York, NY. Aaker, D. and Biehl A. 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