High Fidelity Essays - English-language Films, Films, High Fidelity

High Fidelity Essays - English-language Films, Films, High Fidelity High Fidelity High Fidelity On the surface, High Fidelity is a story about breaking up and getting back together again. Only, thanks to director Stephen Frears narrative technique, we dont realize this until the credits start to roll. He plunges into the life of Rob Gordon, played by John Cusack, on the night his girlfriend, Laura, leaves him. Robs subsequent depression and self-analysis is the focus of the film; getting the girl back becomes secondary. Robs frustration from his break up with Laura reminds him of all of his other failed relationships, specifically, his Top Five All Time Break Ups List. His recounts of each girl are interspersed throughout the first half of the film. We only learn about Laura as we learn about Robs past. Consequently, the main part of the narrative is either flashbacks or direct commentary by Rob to the audience. This might seem to be a weakness, but it is in fact a vehicle for Frear to move the present plot forward. It is only through understanding Robs past, that we can understand his current angst. In addition, the slow revelation of the causes for his and Lauras break up reinforces Robs own mental journey. We learn things as Rob himself is ready to deal with them. For example, it is only when Liz, a mutual friend, marches into Robs record store and yells profanity at him, that Rob begins to think of what Laura probably told Liz. He finally lets the audience in on some of the things he did to caus e the break up. Yet Rob still hasnt fully grasped what happened between him and Laura. It is a great strength, and in fact the very nature of the film, that we are limited to Robs mental struggle. All of the information is slowly laid out, to him, and to us. In his struggle to understand his current break up, Rob becomes obsessed with his past relationships, and decides to go out with them all again and ask them what went wrong. His discoveries give him a whole new perspective. Basically, he realizes that although he was dumped, he is now glad now that each of them ended. For example, he discovers that Charlie, who he has always imagined as the perfect woman, is in his own words awful. Not only that, he finds that she broke up with him for purely superficial reasons. In another case, he is appalled by the neediness of his ex-girlfriend and is grateful that she dumped me, and not the other way around. He also comments that he could have had sex with her, but that he wouldnt be sleeping with a person. After these kind of enlightenments, Rob also has a whole new appreciation for Laura. Once again, the audiences perspective is linked with Robs personal journey. The perspective of the film is further reinforced by the way in which Rob speaks directly into the camera. It gives the film a quickly paced, informal structure. Yet Frear doesnt trap the audience in Robs perspective alone. Rather, it is the supporting cast that really defines Rob for us. Rob gives us commentary on an event, but we get to see the cast members physically create the event and judge for ourselves. Basically, we see how he learns to live in the real world. Instead of perpetually feeling sorry for himself and blaming other people, he starts acknowledging his own failings. His concept of his whole dating history and his idea of relationships start to change. He is beginning to mature. The plot rewards this maturity with the return of Laura into his life. Robs new appreciation and maturity is shown in the final sequence in which he tells the audience he is making a mix tape for Laura, full of things that she will like. High Fidelity is an entertaining, but poignant look at breaking up. So many stories trivialize it or play it for cheap comedy. This one is more interested in exploring what a breakup does to the psyche. Through the creative narrative techniques of flashbacks and candid monologues, the audience becomes fully engaged in Robs struggle. Cusack is able to represent the despair of a broken heart and to

Venustiano Carranza, Revolutionary President of Mexico

Venustiano Carranza, Revolutionary President of Mexico Venustiano Carranza Garza (December 29, 1859–May 21, 1920) was a Mexican politician, warlord, and general. Before the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920) he served as mayor of Cuatro Cià ©negas and as a congressman and senator. When the Revolution broke out, he initially allied himself with Francisco Maderos faction and independently raised his own army when Madero was assassinated. Carranza was president of Mexico from 1917–1920 but was unable to keep a lid on the chaos that had plagued his country since 1910. He was assassinated in Tlaxcalantongo in 1920 by troops led by General Rodolfo Herrero. Fast Facts: Venustiano Carranza Known For: Revolutionary leader and president of MexicoBorn: December 29, 1859 in Cuatro Cià ©negas, MexicoParents: Jesà ºs Carranza, mother unknownDied: May 21, 1920 in Tlaxcalantongo, Puebla, MexicoEducation: Ateneo Fuente, Escuela Nacional PreparatoriaSpouse(s): Virginia Salinas, Ernestina HernndezChildren: Rafael Carranza Hernndez, Leopoldo Carranza Salinas, Virginia Carranza, Jesà ºs Carranza Hernndez, Venustiano Carranza Hernndez Early Life Carranza was born into an upper-middle-class family in Cuatro Cià ©negas in the state of Coahuila on December 29, 1859. His father had been an officer in the army of Benito Jurez in the turbulent 1860s. This connection to Jurez would have a profound influence on Carranza, who idolized him. The Carranza family had money, and Venustiano was sent to excellent schools in Saltillo and Mexico City. He returned to Coahuila and dedicated himself to the family ranching business. Entry Into Politics The Carranzas had high ambitions, and with the backing of family money, Venustiano was elected mayor of his hometown. In 1893, he and his brothers rebelled against the rule of Coahuila Governor Josà © Marà ­a Garza, a crooked crony of President Porfirio Dà ­az. They were powerful enough to secure the nomination of a different governor. Carranza made some friends in high places in the process, including Bernardo Reyes, an important friend of Dà ­az. Carranza rose politically, becoming a congressman and senator. By 1908, it was widely assumed he would be the next governor of Coahuila. Personality Carranza was a tall man, standing a full 6-foot-4, and he looked very impressive with his long white beard and glasses. He was intelligent and stubborn but had very little charisma. A dour man, his lack of sense of humor was legendary. He was not the sort to inspire great loyalty, and his success in the revolution was mainly due to his ability to portray himself as a wise, stern patriarch who was the nations best hope for peace. His inability to compromise led to several severe setbacks. Although he was personally honest, he seemed indifferent to corruption in those who surrounded him. Carranza, Dà ­az, and Madero Carranza was not confirmed as governor by Dà ­az and he joined the movement of Francisco Madero, who had called for rebellion after the fraudulent 1910 election. Carranza did not contribute much to Maderos rebellion but was rewarded with the post of minister of war in Maderos cabinet, which infuriated revolutionaries such as Pancho Villa and Pascual Orozco. Carranzas union with Madero was always tenuous, as Carranza was not a true believer in reform and he felt that a firmer hand (preferably his) was needed to rule Mexico. Madero and Huerta In 1913, Madero was betrayed and assassinated by one of his generals, a relic from the Dà ­az years named Victoriano Huerta. Huerta made himself president and Carranza rebelled. He drafted a Constitution that he named the Plan of Guadalupe and took to the field with a growing army. Carranzas small force largely sat out the early part of the revolt against Huerta. He formed an uneasy alliance with Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata, and Alvaro Obregà ³n, an engineer and farmer who raised an army in Sonora. United only by their hatred of Huerta, they turned on one another when their combined forces deposed him in 1914. Carranza Takes Charge Carranza had set up a government with himself as the head. This government printed money, passed laws, etc. When Huerta fell, Carranza (supported by Obregà ³n) was the strongest candidate to fill the power vacuum. Hostilities with Villa and Zapata broke out almost immediately. Although Villa had a more formidable army, Obregà ³n was the better tactician and Carranza was able to portray Villa as a sociopathic bandit in the press. Carranza also held Mexicos two main ports and, therefore, was collecting more revenue than Villa. By the end of 1915, Villa was on the run and the United States government recognized Carranza as Mexicos leader. Carranza vs. Obregà ³n With Villa and Zapata out of the picture, Carranza was officially elected president in 1917. He brought very little change, however, and those who truly wanted to see a new, more liberal Mexico after the revolution were disappointed. Obregà ³n retired to his ranch, although the fighting continued- particularly against Zapata in the south. In 1919, Obregà ³n decided to run for president. Carranza attempted to crush his former ally, as he already had his handpicked successor in Ignacio Bonillas. Obregà ³ns supporters were repressed and killed and Obregà ³n himself decided that Carranza would never leave office peacefully. Death Obregà ³n brought his army to Mexico City, driving Carranza and his supporters out. Carranza headed to Veracruz to regroup, but the trains were attacked and he was forced to abandon them and go overland. He was received in the mountains by local chieftain Rodolfo Herrera, whose men opened fire on a sleeping Carranza late at night on May 21, 1920, killing him and his top advisors and supporters. Herrera was put on trial by Obregà ³n, but it was clear that no one missed Carranza: Herrera was acquitted. Legacy The ambitious Carranza made himself one of the most important figures in the Mexican Revolution because he truly believed that he knew what was best for the country. He was a planner and organizer and succeeded through clever politicking, whereas others relied on strength of arms. His defenders point out that he brought some stability to the country and provided a focus for the movement to remove the usurper Huerta. He made many mistakes, however. During the fight against Huerta, he was the first to declare that those who opposed him would be executed, as he considered his to be the only legitimate government in the land after the death of Madero. Other commanders followed suit, and the result was the death of thousands who might have been spared. His unfriendly, rigid nature made it difficult for him to retain his hold on power, especially when some of the alternative leaders, such as Villa and Obregà ³n, were much more charismatic. Today, Carranza is remembered as one of the â€Å"Big Four† of the Mexican Revolution, along with Zapata, Villa, and Obregà ³n. Although for most of the time between 1915 and 1920 he was more powerful than any of them, he is today probably the least remembered of the four. Historians point out Obregà ³ns tactical brilliance and rise to power in the 1920s, Villas legendary bravery, flair, style and leadership, and Zapatas unwavering idealism and vision. Carranza had none of these. Still, it was during his watch that the Mexican Constitution still used today was ratified and he was by far the lesser of two evils when compared to the man he replaced, Victoriano Huerta. He is remembered in the songs and legends of the north (although primarily as the butt of Villas jokes and pranks) and his place in the history of Mexico is secure. Sources Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. â€Å"Venustiano Carranza.† Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 8 Feb. 2019.McLynn, Frank. Villa and Zapata: A History of the Mexican Revolution. New York: Carroll and Graf, 2000.

Individual Reflective Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Individual Reflective Report - Essay Example The report refers to areas the group performed very well while others it required to improve. The plan has ensured that the location and date are secured. In the plan, the venue for the event has been established at the University of Greenwich Council Room. The place has extra benefits it can host all the participants and provide for an allowance for additional participants. The room has also been booked to avoid inconvenience when the event starts. The date has also been set to be held on 10 June 2014, and the event runs from 2-7pm. In addition, all speakers have been contacted to confirm availability. The planners have also obtained catering and accommodation facilities to the participants, who are fifty. The plan has also ensured that there is flexibility in increase in the number of participants and allocated an additional budget of ten people (Bramwell, 1997, p.67), (Allen, 2009, p.180). The plan has also detailed on who is responsible for the budget as GOPIO and the stakeholders. It has established the site of potential expenditure and income, and then they created a framework to monitor the budget. A control mechanism was set maximize revenue but minimize costs. The selection of members was done according to abilities and competence on managing and planning (Ash and Dabija, 2000, p.35). The group initially comprised of inexperienced people that inconvenienced the event planning because the event is large and was a high profile event that required high expertise in planning. However, a selection of experienced group members was made to allow easier planning and members had to resolve their differences in order to continue with the work (Abbott and Geddie, 2000, p.77). In the planning committee, the members acknowledge the importance of unity in the process. A disunited planning committee has conflicts that may lead to the process to collapse (Shone and Parry, 2004, p.7). Group members learn to listen, understand each other, and respect the

Discuss and evaluate societal and healthcare trends influencing Assignment

Discuss and evaluate societal and healthcare trends influencing healthcare systems and models within political environments including local, state, national, and global systems - Assignment Example Standards in western nations, for instance the US have vastly improved compared to standards in developing nations particularly in Africa. This can be attributed to better versus poor standards of living in western/ industrialized nations compared to developing countries respectively. As such, these issues affect the healthcare systems and models within political environments around the world. Developed countries deal with chronic degenerative diseases such as heart disease and various cancers while developing nations deal mostly with communicable and infectious diseases such as cholera (ODonnell, 2007, p 2820). Another important societal and healthcare trend is healthcare research and personnel. The healthcare sector has become a diverse sector today dealing with more issues rather than just preventing and treating diseases. As such, it has become imperative that healthcare and medical personnel be integrative people who can conduct and interpret research for healthcare purposes. However, the healthcare sector is understaffed making it difficult to provide adequate healthcare in local, state, national, and global systems (Skolnik & Skolnik, 2012). In conclusion, the issues discussed above among others are societal and healthcare trends influencing healthcare systems and models within political environments including local, state, national, and global systems and should be addressed to achieve a responsive and efficient healthcare industry globally. Learning.

Enron Corporate Culture Essay Example for Free

Enron Corporate Culture Essay Bench was founded in the Philippines by Ben Chan in 1987 originally selling men’s t-shirt in small retail stores. The brand is registered under the trademark of Suyen Corporation. The brand also grew on providing ladies’ line, underwear, fragrances, house wares, snacks, and a wide array of other lifestyle products, Kyle Marco P. de Vera, Justin Andrew Lawrence L. Rigor and Jolo Marco R. Tayag are junior students from the Department of Marketing and Corporate Communications in San Beda College AY: 2012-2013. The researchers have equally contributed to the fulfillment of the research with the help and advice of Dr. Jennifer T. Ramos. with the distinction of being present in virtually every retail space in the Philippines, and with a worldwide network of stores and outlets, reaching as far as the United States, the Middle East, and China. It has also been a pioneer to the use of celebrity endorsers, television, and giant billboards to push for a fashion brand that offers premium quality products at affordable prices in the market. By multiple product line and brand extensions, Bench was able to go through demographic divisions such as age, gender, socioeconomic status having â€Å"Bench is forever† as the company’s article of faith. Emerging as a global brand, Bench has 610 stores worldwide, 67 internationally 543 locally. (Adapted from Bench’s Website) Growing globally resulted to creating new product lines and extensions of the Brand; known for being an apparel brand, Bench as a product-oriented company have evolved into being a market oriented brand not only selling clothes but also extending to the market’s needs in terms of lifestyle such as food and personal care. One of Bench’s promising extensions is Bench Fix, aside from the Fix salon, hair wax is also one of the commonly sought product today in their offerings. Many companies or brand today have been adapting to the trends and needs of the society, by utilizing the brand that they have established in the market, they make their offerings relevant at the fast changing time. Product-line and brand extensions do not only create new markets but it is also one of the strategies in maximizing brand equity to survive in the competitive industry. The intention of the study is to know whether Bench is a strong Brand, by assessing its brand equity, brand positioning and competitiveness in the market and eventually make realizations for other pioneered and extending brand entities. The researchers got interested with this particular study because they want to discover whether a local brand of apparel like Bench, can be a strong brand and if it can be as appealing as those of the foreign brands that Filipinos patronize. Operational Framework Input Process Output Figure 1. 1 showed the three variables that have been assessed to know whether Bench is a strong brand, it can be measured through the independent variables, and these are the brand equity, the brand positioning and how Bench deals with the competition. The dependent variable is Bench being a strong brand because it has been the variable subject for result. The figure also displayed the process that the researchers have worked on. The research is a descriptive type of study. Survey was used to gather quantitative data which had been interpreted by its corresponding verbal interpretations. The person triangulation was intended to check and balance the consumers’ evaluation and be able to supplement qualitative data. Conceptual Framework This concept was adapted from , which suggested that a strong brand is manifested through the following indicators; Strong Brand Equity, Strong and Clear Brand Positioning, and Competitiveness. The main problem of the study is to know whether Bench is a strong brand. It specifically seeks to answer these following questions: 1. What is the assessment of the consumers to Bench’s brand equity? a. Brand Awareness b. Perceived Quality c. Brand Loyalty d. Brand Association 2. What is the consumers’ assessment on Bench’s brand positioning level? a. Attribute b. Benefits c. Beliefs and Values 3. How does Bench deal with the competition? a. The relative strengths and weaknesses of competition. b. The marketing strategies of their competition. Assumptions were used in this study. The researchers assumed that the product line and brand extensions of Bench are only categorized into accessories, apparel, personal care, footwear and food that the consumers have assessed in the questionnaire. They also assumed the determinants used in assessing the brand positioning. The researchers presumed that the close competitors of Bench are Folded Hung, Mint, Penshoppe, and People are People. The researchers assumed that Bench is not a strong brand. The study will benefit local competitive company brands to push for a more valuable product and service to create stronger brands enabling them to prepare for product and brand extensions so that they can survive long in the competitive market, not only that they will focus on their current products and services but they can also focus on the other needs and interests of the market. This study will also be able to provide companies and researchers a basis for assessing whether a brand is strong or not. The study will also benefit Bench, because the study will be able to provide an insight with regards to the brand’s current standing and be able to help them identify their existing constraints that inhibit their full brand development. To the researchers, the study will serve as ground for development, as future marketers. This research will be a good foundation for their career. In this study they will be able to assess, select, and apply carefully theories and concepts that they have learned and to the future researchers, the study will be a good source of information if ever it will relate to their topic well. The researchers are expecting that this will be available to the public since the current researchers also had a hard time finding local studies, this will be a good reference for them. Hopefully, the future researchers will be able to improve on this study and also be aspired to help other local researchers as well. It will also benefit the consumers, with the study conducted they will be able to learn and explore more of a brand’s offerings in the market. With more choices, variation in the brand, it will likely improve their buying behavior as to how they manage their lifestyle of selection and consumption. The scope of this study was limited on the assessment of the indicators of a strong brand, which was adopted from Armstrong and Kotler, namely; brand equity, brand positioning, and how a brand deals with competition in the market. The researchers were only focused on Bench as subject. With regards to the quantitative data, there is an ideal number of one hundred (100) respondents composed of buyers and nonusers of the brand to avoid conditional sampling; For the qualitative data, one (1) of Bench’s brand manager and one (1) brand manager of Bench’s competitor has been interviewed, particularly Folded Hung. Because the study is only good for duration of five (5) months, it has to meet with the researchers’ convenience. The researchers are bounded by time financial difficulty, respondents and lack of expertise. Review of Related Literature Building a Brand, a Strong One Brands play an important role in the purchasing decision of the product or service . Companies establish a brand primarily because they want to be considered a reference for customers when purchasing or availing products and services. Like what have said in their study, brands act as shorthand in the consumer’s minds so that they do not have to think much about their purchase decision. Being a reference provider, the brands are the interface between consumers and the company; on the other hand consumers are subject to commit to brands. Since brand is a cluster of functional and emotional values that promises a unique welcome experience (Chang Liu, 2009) and are fundamentally about relationships, these should form the main source of any company’s connection to the customers so that a brand may be able to avoid negative perception and aim for positive feedbacks. Brand’s influence is not imposed by the company or the business; rather their relevance depends on the needs and wants of the people because â€Å"the power of the brand lies in the minds of consumers† . â€Å"Brand name alone does not make a brand† one has to be strong enough to develop a market-leading brand capacity that is essential for long-term competitiveness. What is a strong brand anyway? In identifying a strong brand, we have to take in consideration some key indicators of such; high brand equity, brand positioning and competitiveness. The Brand’s Labor: Brand Equity Aaker defines brand equity as a set of assets and liabilities inked to a brand’s name and symbol that adds to or subtracts from the value perceived by a product or service to a firm and or the firm’s customer however Keller defines brand equity as the differential effect of the brand knowledge on consumer response to the marketing of the brand . Aaker’s definition on brand equity is centered on the consumer’s negative or positive perception attached to the brand while Keller described it as the difference between the business’ projection of the brand on the consumer’s interpretation and perception of the brand. Taking it from a study’s perspective, have suggested that brand equity is the outcome that accrues to a product with its brand name compared with those that would accrue if the same product did not have a brand name, simply put it is the outcome of the overall marketing effort of the brand. Since there is already an evaluation of the product and service, brand equity plays a role in how information is learned and then retrieved and used in making choice . That is why brand equity has emerged as a key strategic asset that needs to be monitored and nurtured for maximum long-term performance . Not only that it serves as an important signal to reduce perceived risk but it is also why considers brand equity as the value of a brand to the firm. According to brands with higher equity have an established strength in the market for they are able to generate higher immediate returns from their marketing mix efforts and higher loyalty brands generate greater stockpiling from promotions. Also have mentioned that buyers respond to branding by purchasing the same products or brands or by showing preference toward a particular brand, bringing firms higher in the market share, higher profits or share value. To sum it all up, brands which have higher equity can get the customer’s preference and tendencies and result in higher level of sale . The concept of brand equity has remained a complex phenomenon for many researchers because of the many associated concepts applicable under it. To understand it fully, the researchers would have to identify its key components. Aaker approaches brand equity as a set of fundamental dimensions grouped into a complex system comprising mainly: brand awareness, brand perceived quality, brand loyalty and brand association. The Impression, Brand Awareness For a brand to sustain a presence in the marketplace, people must be aware of it. As such, at its most basic level, knowledge encompasses brand awareness and the extent to which customers recall and recognize the brand. . To define brand awareness, it is the consumer’s ability to identify the brand and can be measured with the help of brand recall and brand recognition. Brand recall is the ability of consumers to retrieve the brand from memory, when the product category, the needs fulfilled by the category, or some other type of probe, is given as a cue. Brand recognition reflects the ability of consumers to confirm prior exposure to the brand . It is also the extent to which a person able to recognize a particular brand given a set of brands according to . According to the role of brand awareness in building brand equity depends on the strength of the brand’s presence in the consumers’ mind and with that brand awareness had become a vital factor to influence the buying decisions and purchase intentions . It also enhances the prospects of being considered in the future purchase situations. . But awareness alone is not enough according to for the initial work was found that awareness alone was not adequate to build brand understanding. It will also need help of the other brand equity’s dimensions. Perceived Quality: The Judgment To sustain one’s presence in the market, awareness had been the founding principle to perform such but is the image just right to deliver positive quality perception that may even push more knowledgeable consumers to buy or purchase products. Perceived Quality is defined as the customer’s judgment of performance of a performance excellence of a product or service relative to the expectations of quality (Balaji, 2011). In other words perceived brand quality represents consumers’ view of how well a brand meets their requirement and expectations . According to , he stated that â€Å"perceived quality also represent consumers’ judgments regarding a brand’s overall superiority†. To add on Huang’s study, said that consumers’ apparel purchase decisions may be more likely to be influenced by their perceptions of apparel attributes such as price, quality, and style than by their concerns about the ethnical conditions under which apparel is or was produced. Perceived quality is a consumer’s subjective judgment about products or services . It is personal and irrational, quality may only equate to a certain features and benefits that are unique or different from others and these qualities may not be of standard or preference of one prospect, meaning a brand may only be able to be successful if they impress the right people or the target market per se. Brand Association: The Synapse Associations represent what the brand stands for and imply a promise to customers from the organization members. This means that brand association is something that provides meaning to a brand . In other words, brand association are ideas or descriptions consumers can relate with the product or service offered by the brand. Other definition of brand association stated by and is that it is anything linked in the memory of the consumers to the brand and the thoughts that come up to mind after brand or offering is recalled. Brand associations help consumers retrieve and process information and evoke a positive effect and cognitive considerations of the benefits . By convenience, brand association can actually make the product information more accessible that it can influence faster purchase decisions of consumers. Brand Loyalty: The Corner Stone Another dimension of brand equity is brand loyalty. To define brand loyalty on understanding, it is â€Å"a deeply commitment to rebuy or repatronize a preferred product or service consistently in the future, causing repetitive same brand or same brand set purchasing, despite situational influences and marketing efforts having the potential to cause switching behavior†. In relation to the study, mentioned that loyalty is understood to be a long term attachment to a firm and it is considered to be intimately linked to consumer based brand equity. Now how can brand loyalty be of use, brand loyalty is of strategic importance for companies to obtain a sustainable competitive advantage because it is considered as one of the most important factors affecting consumer choice according to and. In identifying loyalty, satisfaction strength is a vital determinant because it plays a crucial role in the translation of stated satisfaction into customer loyalty and research of indicates that though satisfaction is link to some aspects of loyalty, its impact may depend on facets of the prior relational experience. In addition, the authors anticipate that satisfaction strength will influence both loyalty and the translation of satisfaction into loyalty, also suggested that the willingness of individual consumers, employees, friends the investor personal sacrifices in order to strengthen the relationship may help. One of brand loyalty’s substance is, Brand self-connection wherein according to is the idea that attachment involves a bond with the brand included as part of the self; it suggests that a critical aspect of attachment involves the cognitive and emotional connection between the brand and the self. That’s why trust in a brand is important and is a key factor in the development of brand loyalty according to because it can result to customer retention. In metaphor, brand loyalty is the cornerstone of brand equity and brand itself. Brand Positioning According to marketers need to position their brands clearly to target costumer’s minds at the lowest level; they can position the brand on product attributes. However attributes are the least desirable level for brand positioning. A brand can be better positioned by associating its name with a desirable benefit. The strongest brands go beyond attribute or benefit positioning. They are positioned on a strong beliefs and values. They explained the concept of brand positioning in terms of its three levels. The brand must be aligned to its goals and prospect consumers in order to be positioned well in the market. Like what have mentioned in their study, consistency in value delivered helps brand providers understand the value targets and helps customers understand the brand positioning. In the study of , they stated that it is important for businesses to create attraction in their brand to be better positioned than their competitors. In return, when a brand has a relative advantage in consumers’ mind, its market share should increase or at least not decrease . The study of mentioned that positioning is a very left brained phenomenon, where brands are narrowly defined by either personality or benefits. When one defines brands so rigidly, the advertising gets predictable, and there’s no margin for creativity or expansion. Fluid nature and flexibility is one of the ways for brands to survive. Brand belief works by tracking a particular brand also by trying to see it in the context of other brands of the same category, the comparison creates a distinct positioning. Advantages to Competition

The Bitter Sweet Symphony of Life :: Music Capsule Bitter Sweet Essays

The Bitter Sweet Symphony of Life Time capsules are a trendy way of preserving the past for a period of time, in hopes of capturing physical proof of the advances in our society. Therefore, I am not surprised that many educational institutions have embraced the concept of a time capsule. However, this creates a problem: How can singular items be chosen to represent multitudes of ideas, creations, and people? The only logical conclusion to this dilemma is to allow those being represented to choose an example that they feel best represents the majority, which in this case would be the entire class. Therefore, as a fellow classmate, I feel that The Verveà ­s à ¬Bitter Sweet Symphony would be an excellent choice for the time capsule because all aspects of the song have the ability to symbolize our class. Music is composed of many different parts: the melody, bass, and accompaniment. In the bass line of à ¬Bitter Sweet Symphony there is a reoccuring music strain that is heard throughout the entire piece. This is an example of a recording process known as sampling, in which a small portion of an already existing song is reproduced and inserted into a new song. In this case, The Verve was able to utilize the Rolling Stoness The Last Time in collaboration with their own music to invent a new sound. Just as The Verve took a sound from the past, students are taking the experiences and knowledge of the past as they embark on the new millenium. We are not repeating our past failures, but instead are molding them into something that can be adapted into a new concept and a new way of thinking. Mistakes of the past can lead to the triumphs in our futures. As lyricist, lead singer, Richard Ashcroft states, just take [what is given to you] and use your imagination (Bittersweet Trium ph). The use of sampling also symbolizes how our past and our heritage will always surround us and be our base. Together we are able to create a melody that will stand out and be something more beautiful and unique than before. The sample of The Last Time is heard throughout the entire song, just as our different cultures are always present in our lives.

Various Types of Drivers

Various Types of Drivers Drivers come in many different forms and each carry their own characteristics. When on the road, one can experience several different drivers and their driving habits. The different drivers you experience during your journey may result in many things such as you being late to your destination or even become part of a car crash. Most motorists would like to make it to where they need to go on time, but how they get there depends on their style of driving as well as the types of drivers they encounter along the way.Despite the many driving skills motorists may come across during their journey, they should always drive safely following the rules of the road to avoid any dangerous car collisions. The various types of drivers can be broken down into three categories which include non-obedient, careful and reckless. Non-obedient drivers are often the ones who disrupt traffic and sometimes cause traffic jams. They have poor judgment in performing road tasks such as making turns, using their indictors when necessary and drifting within a traffic lane.These motorists lack the ability to change behavior in unexpected or dangerous situations. They have a tendency to slow down traffic, aggravate other drivers and cause inconvenience for other motorists. They fail to function properly and the proficiency to focus quickly is nonexistent. This causes avoidable accidents and puts their lives as well as others in danger. For instance, there was a time where my mother and were watching the news and a middle aged woman switched from the right lane into the left lane without using her indicator.The fact that she fail to signal that she was merging into the next lane resulted in her getting rear ended by another driver. Had she done the simple task of using her indicator, this rear end collision could have been avoided. Motorist who are more precautious and careful while behind the wheel tend to have a more decent style of driving. They are usually more lik ely to follow the rules of the road. This includes wearing their seatbelt at all times, using their indicators and driving by the appropriate speed limit.They usually have steady concentration while on the road, which allows their mind to be fully focused while driving. These drivers have a good idea of what is happening in their surroundings and have keen awareness skills which are vital when driving. There was a time when my mom and I were driving and approached a four-way street. The roads on our left and right were obligated to stop and the road in front of us and the only we were driving on had no stop signs. Although we were not required to stop we did.Had we continued driving we would have been involved in car accident because a driver required to stop ran the stop sign and would have crashed directly into us. Careful drivers not only look out for themselves but for other motorist as well to ensure the safety of all drivers while on the road. Drivers that have the least respe ct for other motorist or the can be known to have a reckless style of driving. These drivers can sometimes be very dangerous because they are not afraid to get a bit irresponsible while on the road.For example they do things like run stop signs, traffic lights and make illegal turns. Motorist like this have a tendency to weave in and out of traffic at fast speeds with no regard for other drivers. For example my brother and I were driving on the highway and one motorist was driving at speed way above the 60mph speed limit. This driver switched in and out of lanes without using their indicators and cut many people off almost causing fatal car accidents. Actions such as these puts many innocent lives at risk and force people to be more aware of their surroundings.The driving skills people have may vary. Many drivers experience the different types of motorist on a daily basis. Drivers should always follow the rules of the road and avoid any distractions while driving. Many drivers fail to do so putting themselves and others at risk. This can result in fatal car crashes that could have been avoided if motorists were more cautious when driving. Drivers should always maintain good driving skills, not only to guarantee their own safety but the safety of others while on the road.

Development And Importance Of Youth Cultural Consumption

Introduction Consumption is a pivotal component in economies of regions, countries, cities, towns, and other localities. This is premised on the fact that consumption is a function of an area’s economic standing. The young people are affected by the identity mission, an issue which makes them big spenders. Identity is an aspect which is based on perceptions within different contexts (Kjeldgaard, 2002). The youth culture in the marketing world is held as a prototypical illustration of a global segment (Hassan and Katsanis, 2001).This has led to the labels like the Gen X, the teen segment, baby busters, etc. These sub sets of society stem from the uniform consumption styles adopted by the group. The sharing f such consumer behavior across the world is thought to be behind the development of the world youth sub culture growth. The spaces present in different localities where the youth conduct their lives are however hugely ignored (Kjeldgaard, 2002). Globalization creates an expl osion in the product and image market.The young consumers are generally responsive to world trends as compared to the other sub groups in the society. he different sub cultures and lifestyles across the globe continue to fragment though it seems like the youth segment of society continue to merge in reference to the pursuit of identity as reflected in their consumption habits. However, the notion of the young has changed over time shifting from its empirical sense to the cultural sense (Kjeldgaard, 2002). The identity construction in the youth is the largest consequence occasioned by youth consumer culture. However, in other localities it remains hugely latent in nature since it arises from primary meditation (Kjeldgaard, 2002).The youth consumer culture greatly impacts on the development of economies in a variety of ways. To begin with, the youth sub culture leads to an increased demand for various products, secondly, the sub culture occasions the growth of other services like adve rtising and marketing, thirdly, the sub culture expands the job market (Hassan and Katsanis, 2001). The youth as indicated above present a consumer oriented group. This is so because of their responsive nature to world trends. Unlike the old generation, the youth spends a lot of their income.The income due to the youth is however not always earned as a number of this generation may be dependent on the older generation for upkeep. However, the working class younger generation is known for their pursuit of fashion, an attribute which predisposes them to heavy expenditure (Hassan and Katsanis, 2001). This aspect implies that the youth forces the demand for luxury and fashion goods to higher levels. If a city is a big producer of the luxury or goods in the line of youth attraction, then such a city is likely to develop.The city or country will definitely have to expand on production with a view to meeting the rising demand or the products in question. however, if the country which offer s residence to the a youth which does not work though it spends, this may be a drain on the economy as a lot of money is spent on consumption instead of having such funds being channeled to investment. This will affect the future development of a city or a nation in the long run. In the same line, if the city or country does not produce the goods demanded by the younger generation, it means such a destination will have to rely on imports to meet the demand.Imports may be cheap; however, in the long run they will have an adverse effect on the country’s balance of payments (Hassan and Katsanis, 2001). This does not augur well for the development of any region whether a city or a country. The other effect of the consumer culture attributable to the youth segment of society as identified above rests on its ability to ignite the development and growth of other industries. Consumption is affected by a host of factors. Advertising and marketing present such factors.Every producer in tends to sell; selling depends on the level of awareness that pervades the ground concerning product emergence or availability. Advertisements are very creative and have developed to all time highs as marketers try to outwit each other. The result of the consumerism nature of the youth has thus led to the expansion and growth of marketing and advertising in different countries and cities (Hassan and Katsanis, 2001). The youth sub culture as realized remains consumption focused; as a result, the group is under no illusions as it must seek employment to support its activities.This inculcates a hard motif into the group in the pursuit of finances to fund their projects. In this pursuit, towns, cities, and countries benefit from a high number of competent individuals entering to the labor force. An increased number to the labor force has a variety of benefits to every society. Conclusion This paper finds out that the youth sub culture has a number of effects on the economies of towns, c ities and countries. The effects are two-fold as the culture leads to both beneficial and adverse effects, however, with good planning; the youth sub culture is a useful segment which helps in the development of an economy.

Robert Mondavi Corp. †Executive Summary

Robert Mondavi Corp. – Executive Summary Free Online Research Papers The purpose of this report is to provide the Executive team with a series of recommendations to minimize the impact of the current production deficit of our Chilean joint venture, Caliterra, and therefore minimize lost revenue. This report also aims to provide recommendations to put in place an infrastructure that will support the Mondavi Corporation’s strategy of growth through international expansion. Since the inception of the joint venture between the Mondavi and the Errazuriz wineries, sales have been extremely positive. The outlook for Caliterra remains positive, with sales estimated to increase 20% in the coming year, it is important due to the negative impact of poor weather conditions and a phylloxera outbreak on Mondavi’s California harvest coupled with the drought conditions in Europe. Acknowledging that we cannot rely on the opening of our new winery at La Arboleda within 10 months, below are my recommendations to minimize lost revenue while putting in place the infrastructure to take advantage of increased harvest sizes predicted by the Wine Availability Reports: ? Appoint a joint Caliterra-Mondavi project team to oversee the build of the La Arboleda winery with the project goal to complete within 10 months; ? Approve financial and contractual terms with the â€Å"lost merlot† winery for the investment and implementation of modern equipment and technology to be installed within six months; ? Organize a Mondavi based team to oversee modernization of the â€Å"lost merlot† winery and subsequent fermentation; and ? Move the less premium wine to the lost merlot† winery for production replacing the higher end Merlot. Analysis Poor quality control and the â€Å"lost merlot† are two of the underlying root causes of our involvement with Caliterra. After entering into the joint venture, we quickly discovered that the focus on cost versus quality was very different. The focus was in part due to the traditional market that Chilean wine was marketed to – locals who preferred value for money over product quality and also due to the operational and cultural differences between Mondavi and Caliterra. Quality has always been critical to Mondavi and it will continue to be, even in our Chilean operations. The analysis below is aligned with each of the recommendations. La Arboleda winery is currently scheduled for completion in 2000 based on a conservative project plan. There are a number of geographical and logistical challenges that need to be addressed in progressing with the build, namely accessibility and supply of water and utilities. In order to complete the project in a 10 month period in time for the Caliterra harvest, we need to acceleration the above geographical and logistical challenges, which will increase costs in the short term. However, the cost increase (estimated at 11% compared with the current build timeline and budget) will be more than offset by the additional production capacity it will provide in the future. La Arboleda would be able not only be able to accommodate the five million liter shortfall we currently have but also the harvest projections deliver the needs from the Wine Availability reports for the foreseeable future. To successfully complete the build we need to have the correct management team in place and to motivate workforce. The ideal management team should be a mix of Mondavi and Caliterra staff, bringing the wine growing expertise and quality control procedures of Mondavi while taking advantage of local staff to bridge the cultural and linguistic challenges. A portion of the planned additional expenditure is allocated to bonuses payable to the workforce and management team upon successful completion of the winery in 10 months. Lastly, we need to understand the benefits of using the â€Å"lost merlot† winery. There is not enough time to use or to buy a competing winery that has a successful infrastructure to manufacture wine to our quality levels. Aiding the â€Å"lost merlot† winery will initiate discussions surrounding a future reduced price for wine in exchange for modern technology and processes. All of the above will help in reducing any net cost to Mondavi over a five year period. Recommendations The ability to take advantage of the growth within the Caliterra brand and the Errazuriz wines is crucial; therefore immediate additional capacity resources need to be discovered. ? Appoint a joint Caliterra-Mondavi project team, one that understands both the culture and the quality constraints needed to succeed. The construction of the La Arboleda winery project will be aimed for completion within 10 months. When completed, La Arboleda will have all the capacity to produce all the ultra-premium product while the remaining wineries handle the lower end product and overflow. ? As a long term and contingency plan we need to agree to financial and contractual terms with the â€Å"lost merlot† winery for the provision of modern equipment and technology to be installed within six months. The improved technology includes standing a team from Mondavi to oversee the modernization of the â€Å"lost merlot† winery and subsequent fermentation process. These improvements will bring the standards to the winery up par with the Errazuriz and surrounding wineries. Additionally it will be a fail safe if the La Arboleda project slips its deadline for completion and will give us additional capacity for short term and long term growth. ? Move the less premium wine to the â€Å"lost merlot† winery for production helps our business control the quality of the higher end product by keeping in within the Errazuriz wineries walls. By avoiding these risks, the higher margin product would get the attention it needed compared to the earlier â€Å"lost merlot† example and leave the lower end product for the â€Å"lost merlot† winery, where the quality will not be as crucial immediately. Conclusion In conclusion, to minimize the impact of the current production deficit of our Chilean joint venture, we need to act immediately by moving forward with the La Arboleda project as well as aiding the â€Å"lost merlot† winery by â€Å"Mondavi-izing† it. This will give us the capacity we need and will support the Mondavi Corporation’s strategy of growth through international expansion. Following these recommendations will be set up to win for years to come! 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Understanding Legacy Status for College Admissions

Understanding Legacy Status for College Admissions A college applicant is said to have legacy status at a college if a member of the applicants immediate family attends or attended the college. In other words, if your parents or a sibling attend or attended a college, you would be a legacy applicant for that college. Why Do Colleges Care About Legacy Status? The use of legacy status in college admissions is a controversial practice, but it is also widespread. Colleges have a couple reasons for giving preference to legacy applicants, both having to do with loyalty to the school: Future Donors. When a family includes more than one person who attended a college, its likely that the family has greater-than-average loyalty to the school. These positive feelings often turn into alumni donations down the road. This financial side of legacy status shouldnt be underestimated. University relations offices fundraise millions of dollars a year, and their task is easiest when alumni families are highly committed to the schoolYield. When a college extends an offer of admission, it wants the student to accept that offer. The rate at which this happens is called the yield. A high yield means a college is getting the students that it wants, and that will help the school meet its enrollment goals. A legacy applicant is coming from a family that is already familiar with the college, and that family familiarity and loyalty typically leads to a better yield than the general applicant pool.   Do Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, or Cousins Make Me a Legacy? In general, colleges and universities are most interested in seeing if your immediate family members attended. For example, if you are using The Common Application, the Family section of the application will ask you about the education level of your parents and siblings. If you indicate that your parents or siblings attended college, youll be asked to identify the schools. This is the information that colleges will use to identify your legacy status. The Common Application and most other college applications do not have a space for indicating if more distant family members attended, although some will ask a rather open question such as Have any of your family members attended our college? With a question such as this, it wont hurt to list a cousin or aunt, but dont get carried away. If you start listing third cousins twice removed, youre going to look both silly and desperate. And the reality is that in most cases cousins and uncles really arent going to play a role in an admissions decision (with the possible exception of a relative who is a million dollar donor, although you wont find colleges admitting the crass financial reality of some admission decisions). Some Common Mistakes Related to Legacy Status Assuming your legacy status will make up for a mediocre academic record. Highly selective colleges and universities are not going to admit students, legacy or not, who are unlikely to succeed. Legacy status tends to come into play when the admissions officers are comparing two equally qualified applicants. In such cases, the legacy applicant will often have a slight advantage. At the same time, this doesnt mean that colleges wont lower the admissions bar slightly for legacy applicants from prominent and/or extremely wealthy families (but youll rarely hear colleges admit this fact).Using the Additional Information section of The Common Application to draw attention to a distant connection to the college. You should use the additional information section of The Common Application to share important information not reflected in your application. You could use this section to explain extenuating circumstances that may have affected your grades, or you might use it to present interesting information about yourself that doesnt fit elsewhere on the application. This type of information can enrich your application. The fact that your great-great-grandfather attended Prestigious University is rather trivial and is an ineffective use of your opportunity to provide additional information. Making monetary threats. For good or bad, a colleges interest in your legacy status is often related to money. Family loyalty to an institution often leads to alumni donations. That said, it will reflect badly upon you if you suggest that your parents donations to the college might end if you arent admitted. The college already considers such possibilities when making admissions decisions, and raising the issue yourself will seem crass.Placing too much emphasis on your legacy status.  Aside from listing family members who attended the college or university, you dont need to draw more attention to your legacy status. The focus of your application needs to be you and your merits, not those of a parent or sibling. If you try to overplay your hand, you may look either desperate or obnoxious.   These Factors Matter More Than Your Legacy Status College applicants are often frustrated by the advantage that legacy applicants have. This is for good reason. An applicant has no control over legacy status, and legacy status says nothing about the quality of the applicant. But be sure to keep legacy status in perspective. Some colleges dont consider legacy status at all, and for those that do consider it, legacy status is just a small factor in admissions decisions, Colleges know that being a legacy is a rather dubious distinction. When a college has holistic admissions, several pieces of the application will almost always carry more weight than legacy status. First of all, you will need to have a strong academic record. Without it, you are unlikely to be admitted whether youre a legacy or not. Along similar lines, SAT scores and ACT scores are going to be important unless a school is test-optional. Selective colleges will also be looking for meaningful extracurricular involvement, positive letters of recommendation, and a winning application essay. Legacy status wont compensate for weaknesses in any of these areas.

Paraphrasing of Discussion and Analysis of Dell Strategy Essay

Paraphrasing of Discussion and Analysis of Dell Strategy - Essay Example However, recent times have seen the increase in competition against Dell and its winning strategies. As such, Dell seeks new strategies so as to gain and maintain competitive advantage. One such strategy Dell zeroed in on is â€Å"dynamic capabilities† (Magretta 1998, p.4). The trick is to go beyond utilizing resources in an ordinary way. Instead, the company employs strategies that configure and thereby create competitive advantage of these resources. â€Å"Dynamic†, on the other hand, stands for the ability to transform these resources with ease in light of the flux environment within which Dell competes. The ability to adapt to external and internal change is also a significant way of maintaining competitive advantage. In light of this analysis, Michael Dell states that: â€Å"The goal is to stay a few steps ahead of change. That means the company can create and even shape change to some extent. The best way to beat change is to spend adequate time with the customer s (Magretta 1998, p.83)†. This approach reflects not only on the nature of the strategies Dell upholds but also on the nature of their operating models. That is, adjusting and improving the models capabilities over time in light of changing market needs. Critical Overview: Focusing on Relationships within a Supply Chain. Dell attributes its key successes on a unique value chain. This chain owes its uniqueness to the nature of relationships of the various stakeholders within the supply chain. These relationships create leverage for the company in view of its customers’ appreciation. Secondly, Dell is one of the company’s that heavily relies on web technology to differentiating itself from other players in the market. One advantage of utilising web technology is the ability to select direct market routes, as opposed to other companies. Direct market routes are cost efficient as they facilitate quick delivery of goods and services. Also, the company can adapt and re spond to the market environment needs with flexibility. Source: Magretta, 1998. In regard to the stakeholders in the supply chain, Dell focuses on the customer’s interests more than any other stakeholder. Granted, distributors and retailers contribute significantly to the value chain. However, in maintaining the differentiation strategy Dell prefers to target the customer directly. This approach provides convenience for the customer through superior customer service and the company by building a customer oriented brand name. Secondly, a direct approach to customers’ business model vouchsafes lower operating costs. This enables customers to enjoy Dell products at relatively affordable prices. Lower operating costs are an advantage for the company as they can invest other capital to improve the value of their products through research and development and also, enables them to invest in other ventures. The ever changing external factors over the years have led to the need to expand some previous strategies. Therefore, Dell outsources some logistic and distribution elements of its strategy. While exploiting the internet to create effective distribution channels, Dell does not ignore traditional channels such as direct mail. Through outsourcing primary activities, Dell creates a virtual value chain because suppliers and distributers alike qualify to be partners hence â€Å"integrated in their value adding activities† (Magretta 1998, p.7). This strategy further differentiates Dell from competitors offering the same services. The partnerships created also allow for competitive advantage for Dell. These partnerships facilitate innovation through injection of â€Å"