Activity Based Costing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Activity Based Costing - Essay Example Currently at Stream International, there is no defined way of recruiting and appointing people. Personnel management and conductance of HR activities at Stream International do not follow a charted procedure. As given in the case data, 34 different people conduct HR activities. Due to this, some of the activities like payroll, training etc. get duplicated. For Stream International, costs of human resources hiring, training, development and even allocation of resources is getting duplicated. Jobs are getting redundant because too many people are hiring individuals without any consideration of specific requirements categorized by departmental needs, roles and skills demanded. Controlling and supervision is also getting haywire because employees are not under single leadership. Also, due to excessive hiring by a number of HR people, roles have become ambiguous. Thus, people have outnumbered actual job duties. If number of recruiters at Stream International is large and undefined, recruitment will not be efficient because views and opinions will bound to clash and appropriate candidate would be difficult to find who can fulfill wishes of all. As such, first of all, there has to be made a central recruitment team or division which carefully analyzes manpower requirements of divisions, skills demanded and then hires accordingly. Re-engineering the recruitment process has to be undertaken. While doing so, departmental (Leitner 2004:3) dependencies have to be taken into account. For example, if an employee can undertake two activities of two different divisions, there is no need to hire two separate individuals for both the activities. By identifying people requirements based on departments, salaries, bonuses, incentives, training and development and other expenses can be easily apportioned to the respective business so that costs and

School Safety Essay Example for Free

School Safety Essay This paper is about an incident that took place involving an over age student making a school unsafe for others. The student was very violent and did not get the proper punishment to go along with his behavior. The success of the discipline administered, and alternate solutions to the problems will be discussed. John Green is an 8th grade student who is 16 years of age. He had been retained three times twice in the eighth grade because of his standardized test scores. Only after being in school for a month, John came back from his counselor bragging that he only had to take the test this time and he did not have to pass to move on to high school. This was a bad decision by the counselor to tell him that so early in the school year because he was a child who consistently caused problems in school. One day in October John’s math teacher was sick and could not make it to school so she had a sub take her place. The substitute was not informed of the behavior problems John causes. John repeatedly refused to do any school work in that class. The substitute approached John and asked him why he was not completing his assignment. John jumped out of his chair and said to the substitute, â€Å"This B must don’t know who I am. † She substitute asked John get back into his seat and to calm down. John became belligerent and said, â€Å"You really do not know who you are @^%$# with. † The substitute at this point became afraid and tried to pull the string to alert the office but John jumped in her way to stop her. One of the boys in the class pulled the string and John got so upset that he and the boy started fighting and John broke the boy’s nose and blood was all over the classroom. When John saw the security guards coming he started throwing chairs and desks at anyone he saw. The security guards were finally able to subdue him and handcuffed John while I took the other boy to the nurse. John was placed on a two day suspension for fighting at school. John was never disciplined for being totally disrespectful to authority and the situation was never brought to the attention of John again. Handcuffing John was seen as a punishment by the principal because she said the security embarrassed John by doing such a thing. The punishment was not seen as successful according to the staff and the substitute involved. John appeared to see his punishment as a joke because he had several offenses after that. John IEP states that he becomes violent when he feels threatened or provoked. To start the school or the teacher should have given the substitute prior warning of John’s behavior to prevent her from going through other situations like this. The teacher who is going to be absent should write a note stating her or his behavior students. John probably should be placed in another teacher’s classroom to prevent other situations from happening like this. Actually, it appears as though this is not the right classroom setting for John. â€Å"The intent of the SS/HS projects described here was to provide a multi-component framework that schools and agencies used to build services that address the specific strengths, needs, and service gaps within their local community,† (Sprague and Nishioka, 2007, para 6). John is violent the school should create an emergency RTI for John to have him placed in an alternative school setting. This will prevent any other kids from getting injured when he become uncontrollable. John social worker decided to mainstream him because he was very proficient in math. This consideration should be revoked because of this incident. John could have hurt many people in that classroom. In summary, John was a kid with special needs but because of his brilliance in math he was being mainstreamed. Counselors should consult with teachers before making decisions in telling students certain things. The administration and teachers at schools must try their best to protect substitutes from students who can be harmful. John is one of many students who get away with harming other students because of their IEP’s or exceptionalities. One downfall is the fact that the principal thought that John was being treated badly after he broke another student’s noise. To prevent other situations like this the teacher who will absent could write a note to the sum explaining certain behavior students or the administration team should warn the sub.

Use of Metaphors, Exaggeration, and Alliteration in Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essay

Use of Metaphors, Exaggeration, and Alliteration in Beowulf The epic poem Beowulf, written in Old English by Christian monks around 750 AD, is a wonderful adventure story about a warrior who kills ferocious monsters. The use of description and imagery enlivens the story, making it possible for a reader to really see in his or her mind the characters and events. Metaphors, exaggeration, and alliteration are three devices that together allow the reader to experience this poem which is quite different than most other poetry. A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily means one thing is applied to another thing to suggest a likeness between the two. Metaphors are used extensively throughout the poem to paint a more colorful picture in the listener's mind. These metaphors are used in phrases called "kennings". A kenning is a descriptive, poetical expression used instead of a simple name for a person or thing. Beowulf is hardly ever called by his actual name. Instead there are many kennings referring to him, such as: "Prince of the Weders", "The Son of Ecgtheow", "The Geatish hero", and "The Lord of the Seamen". These kennings describe Beowulf to us in a more interesting way than just stating the hard facts. Without these kennings Beowulf would be less interesting and we would learn less about him. Anybody would say that describing or referring to a person by his or her name over and over again is boring. So the use of kennings and metaphors is very important in this long epic poem. Exaggeration is another device to make Beowulf a more interesting, entertaining, and dramatic poem. For example, even though this story is a fantasy, it is hard to believe that the character of Beowulf would be able to kill a monster like Grendel with his bare hands. Exaggerating Beowulf's bravery makes the story more exciting. Another exaggeration used to convince us how great our hero is, is the passage, "Over all the world, or between the seas, / Or under the heaven, no hero was greater." (671-672). This dazzles the listener with Beowulf's bravery. His bravery is again exaggerated when he jumps in the swamp wearing heavy armor to fight and kill Grendel's mother. It's unlikely even a strong warrior could win a battle with a she-monster in an underwater cave with a broken sword. But it adds to the excitement. In the line "The head of Grendel, with heavy toil; / Four of the stoutest, with all their strength, / Could hardly carry on swaying spear / Grendel's head to the gold-decked hall. Use of Metaphors, Exaggeration, and Alliteration in Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essay Use of Metaphors, Exaggeration, and Alliteration in Beowulf The epic poem Beowulf, written in Old English by Christian monks around 750 AD, is a wonderful adventure story about a warrior who kills ferocious monsters. The use of description and imagery enlivens the story, making it possible for a reader to really see in his or her mind the characters and events. Metaphors, exaggeration, and alliteration are three devices that together allow the reader to experience this poem which is quite different than most other poetry. A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily means one thing is applied to another thing to suggest a likeness between the two. Metaphors are used extensively throughout the poem to paint a more colorful picture in the listener's mind. These metaphors are used in phrases called "kennings". A kenning is a descriptive, poetical expression used instead of a simple name for a person or thing. Beowulf is hardly ever called by his actual name. Instead there are many kennings referring to him, such as: "Prince of the Weders", "The Son of Ecgtheow", "The Geatish hero", and "The Lord of the Seamen". These kennings describe Beowulf to us in a more interesting way than just stating the hard facts. Without these kennings Beowulf would be less interesting and we would learn less about him. Anybody would say that describing or referring to a person by his or her name over and over again is boring. So the use of kennings and metaphors is very important in this long epic poem. Exaggeration is another device to make Beowulf a more interesting, entertaining, and dramatic poem. For example, even though this story is a fantasy, it is hard to believe that the character of Beowulf would be able to kill a monster like Grendel with his bare hands. Exaggerating Beowulf's bravery makes the story more exciting. Another exaggeration used to convince us how great our hero is, is the passage, "Over all the world, or between the seas, / Or under the heaven, no hero was greater." (671-672). This dazzles the listener with Beowulf's bravery. His bravery is again exaggerated when he jumps in the swamp wearing heavy armor to fight and kill Grendel's mother. It's unlikely even a strong warrior could win a battle with a she-monster in an underwater cave with a broken sword. But it adds to the excitement. In the line "The head of Grendel, with heavy toil; / Four of the stoutest, with all their strength, / Could hardly carry on swaying spear / Grendel's head to the gold-decked hall.

Life of William Wordsworth Essay

William Wordsworth is considered one of the greatest poets during the English Romantic Period. He is also considered, only next to Shakespeare, one of the greatest sonneteers. There are some historians that even believe that William Wordsworth, along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped launch the Romantic Period. This statement has been debated between historians, but one thing that they do agree on is, William Wordsworth shaped the literary era. The Romantic Period was a time that allowed artistic freedom. The early 60’s is the closest period of time that can be related to this time in history. The creativity and experimentation of artists, poets, and ordinary people was beginning to bloom. That was a period of great change. The Classical Period was more controlling. There were strict laws of the Classical Period slowly began to change as Romanticism moved away from such control. The Romantic Period was also a movement of literary and intellectual thinking. Romanticism emphasized on imagination, freedom of feelings, and was mostly connected within the visual arts, music, and literature. Imagination was more important than logic. This period is mostly associated with the arts and poets like William Wordsworth. William Wordsworth, the most significant poet of the English Romantic Period, was greatly influenced as a writer by his childhood, love of nature, and his many relationships. According to Judith W. Page, William Wordsworth was the † central poet of his age† (Gale 1). William Wordsworth’s poetry was drawn from his amazing memory, and was mostly based on Nature, people he watched, and personal experiences. Leslie Brisman said of Wordsworth, â€Å"To call William Wordsworth a â€Å"Memory Poet† is to note how he substitutes personal memories for other assurances of continuity, natural or divine. (276-277). Because each encounter partly transmits and partly reformulates a myth of origins, William Wordsworth’s work seems easy to read, when in fact, he may be the most difficult of the English Poets (278). Many of his poems were based on his own life and his interpretation of it. The memories and encounters that William Wordsworth drew from, started when he was just a small boy. William Wordsworth was born at Cockermouth, Cumberland on April 7, 1770. He was the second of five children. His father was an attorney which allowed them to live a generous life style. At home is where he learned to appreciate poetry. It was his father that gave him the gift of memory, by requiring Wordsworth to memorize poems or parts of poems, it help developed his powerful memory. Relying on his memory became the very basis of his art (Anderson 9). Growing up in the Lake District is where Wordsworth gained his early appreciation for the beauty of nature. The river that he would play in at the age of five, also had influenced his writing (Gale 2). He loved the countryside and the freedom he had to roam for long periods of time. During this time, his imagination began to bloom. Although he enjoyed periods of solitude, he was adventurous, imaginative, and strong-minded (Aubrey 2). To all accounts, he had the perfect childhood till his mother passed away in March of 1778. He and his brothers were sent to a school at Hawkshead and his sister, Dorothy, was sent to live at Halifax. During his time at school, he only returned home for the holidays. He was well educated and prospered. When his father passed away he and his brothers spent the holidays with family who would patronized them and made them feel dependent (Watson 1577-1578). It was back at school at Hawkshead where he was cared for and his direction for poetry is nurtured by William Taylor, the Headmaster at Hawkshead Grammar School. The classes at Hawkshead were well ahead of other school and were unusual for that time (Purkis 22). According to F. R. Watson, â€Å"The Prelude† early years is about his childhood at Hawkshead and not Penrith (1577). Geoffrey Hartman writes that nature for William Wordsworth was not an â€Å"object† but a presence and a power; a motion and a spirit; not something to be worshiped and consumed, but always a guide leading beyond itself. Till 1804 Wordsworth thought that nature was guiding him. It was in 1804, that he discovers it was his imagination guiding him through nature. His imagination was his guide. This realization shakes him, but does not change his point of view (85-90). William Wordsworth love for nature started at an early age. Thomas Gale writes about Russell Noyes, who in his book William Wordsworth, recounted how Wordsworth credited the river with having influenced his poetic writing: â€Å"The sound of running water, he often felt, was almost part of his own being†¦ † (Gale 2). During his college years, he disliked his classes and felt he did not fit in. He wrote in the â€Å"The Prelude† that he believed that he was â€Å"not for that hour,/nor for that place. † (Aubrey 2). Although he did write the poem several poems while at school, one of the more famous one is â€Å"An Evening Walk†, which was meant for his sister, Dorothy. The year before graduation he went for a yearlong walking tour of France, the Alps, and Italy. Several of Wordsworth’s poems were created from this year long walk. His love of nature was magnified as he viewed glorious mountains, valleys, and other various landscapes. The walk through the Alps inspired â€Å"Descriptive Sketches†. Wordsworth stated â€Å"†¦. Nothing that I ever saw in nature left a more delightful impression on my mind than that which I have attempted, alas! how feebly, to convey to others in these lines†¦ † (George 10). The walking tour also gave way to the sixth book of â€Å"The Prelude†. The tour gave him some of his greater imaginative experiences of his life. Michelle Lee writes how â€Å"Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey,† were composed on a walking tour of the Wye River. He advocates the power of Nature. † (245) He returned to college and graduated in 1791, without honors. After graduation, he climbed Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Great Britain. This was an important event that he later incorporates in the final book of â€Å"The Prelude†, giving it a great symbolic importance (Aubrey 2). After climbing Mt. Snowdon, William Wordsworth returned to France i n November of 1792. During this time, the French Revolution was at its peak. This was also the time when he met and befriended Republican soldier, Michael Beaupuy. With the growing friendship between the two men, Wordsworth enthusiastically embraced the revolutionary cause. This was also the time when he had an affair with Annette Vallon, who later gave birth to his daughter. These were times that began to change and shape Wordsworth and his poetry. In 1795 he meets William Godwin and is influenced by his ideas. This is also the year that he is reunited with his sister Dorothy, with whom he is very close to. The relationship between brother and sister is also cause for several of his poems. Two years later the encounter that changes the Romantic Period, according to some historians, occurs when Wordsworth meets Coleridge for the first time. William and his sister, settled at Al Foxden in Somerset to be near Coleridge. Margaret Drabble writes that this was a period of intense creativity for both poets. This period produced the Lyrical Ballads, which was a landmark in the history of English Romanticism. The three friends, William, Dorothy, and Coleridge traveled and explored. They made new friendships notably with Sir W. Scott, Sir G Beaumont, and De Quincey (1085). These were happy times and times when he was taken mental notes that would soon turn into poetry. It was the death of his brother in 1805 that changed his joy to sadness. The death of his brother inspired several poems including Elegiac Stanzas Suggested by a Picture of Peele Castle. With the passing of his brother, William suddenly becomes opposed to Romance and Realism (Hartman 91). His brother’s death was not the only death to inspire some of his greater works. The death of two of his children inspired his sonnet Surprised by Joy (Drabble 1085). William Wordsworth died in April 23, 1850. It was after his death, his sister published â€Å"The Prelude†, his greatest work. His life, from start to finish, is expressed in this great piece of literature. Throughout William Wordsworth life, he went through many changes. He married his long time family friend, Marry Hutchinson and had a family. His view on religion changed, along with his thoughts on the political society. William Wordsworth’s poems are all created from the memories of his life experiences and the visions of his travels. Through many friendships and emotional relationships, Wordsworth created some of the greatest poems of the Romantic Period. He was an influence on great poets such as; Samuel Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, and John Keats. There is still a question of whether or not William Wordsworth launched the Romantic Period, but there is no doubt that he shaped the literary work of that time. William Wordsworth, who was greatly influenced as a writer by his childhood, love of nature, and his many relationships, is by far the most significant poet of the English Romantic Period.

Gift Shop Red Flags Essay

The interest expense on the income statement for the year is $1,560. This one is kind of tricky – you have to pay interest on loans there is really no way around it. You could either pay off the loan with the money that is in savings – this would save you a ton on interest – or you could try to find another bank with a lower interest rate for this. Because this is a non-profit organization paying interest on a loan is really unrealistic – If I were in control of the budget this would be paid off with the money that is in the checking account. Red Flag 4 The balance sheet shows that the checking account has over $20,000 in it, and the account does not pay interest. The gift shop does not have an interest bearing account. This is a problem because the gift shop is a non for profit organization so it really needs to be a little smarter with its finances – this checking account should really be an interest baring account. This needs to be switched over – it might not make a fortune but it would definitely be better served if we were gaining interest on this money that is just sitting here. Red Flag 5 You notice that in the floral cooler there are many flower arrangements which are looking as if they are dying. Not only is this not appealing to the customers that do come into the gift shop but this also means that whomever is doing the ordering for the gift shop is ordering more than they are selling – someone needs to go throw and make sure that there is not a lot of back stock for the gift shop – ordering more than the gift shop is selling is an internal control that can be fixed. Red Flag 6 There are five employees who are paid; one fulltime and the rest are part-time. The fulltime employee purchases the stock, which is to be resold. She places purchase orders, receives the goods, and pays vendors. Her sister is also a part-time employee. I really do not see the need to have that many employees running a gift shop that is not making any profit. If cutting back some hours would help until we can get the gift shop back to a profit or even just where we are coming out even then I think that should be done. We also need to make sure that there is just one person handling the books if we have to many employee’s doing the ordering and such than mistakes may happen. Our fulltime employee needs to take on more responsibility in the gift shop so the part time employee’s can be cut back. Since there is going to be a cut in what is being ordered for the shop this should increase her time to be helpful to customers and clean the gift shop.

Definition of Rhythm in the Visual Arts

Definition of Rhythm in the Visual Arts Rhythm is a principle of art that can be difficult to describe in words. We can easily recognize rhythm in music because it is the underlying beat that we hear. In art, we can try and translate that into something that we see in order to understand an artworks visual beat. Finding the Rhythm in Art A pattern has rhythm, but not all rhythm is patterned. For example, the colors of a piece can convey rhythm, by making your eyes travel from one component to another. Lines can produce a rhythm by implying movement. Forms, too, can cause rhythm by the ways in which theyre placed one next to the other. Really, its easier to see rhythm in just about anything other than the visual arts. This is particularly true for those of us who tend to take things literally. Yet, if we study art we can find a rhythm in the style, technique, brush strokes, colors, and patterns that artists use. Three Artists, Three Different Rhythms A great example of this is the work of Jackson Pollock. His work has a very bold rhythm, almost chaotic like what you might find in electronic dancehall music. The beat of his paintings come from the actions he made to create them. Slinging paint over the canvas in the way he did, he created a mad fury of motion that pops and he never gives the viewer a break from this. More traditional painting techniques also have rhythm. Vincent Van Goghs The Starry Night (1889) has a rhythm thanks to the swirling, well-defined brush strokes he used throughout. This creates a pattern without being what we typically think of as a pattern. Van Goghs piece has a more subtle rhythm than Pollock, but it still has a fantastic beat. On the other end of the spectrum, an artist like Grant Wood has a very soft rhythm in his work. His color palette tends to be very subtle and he uses patterns in almost every piece of work. In landscapes like Young Corn (1931), Wood uses a pattern to depict rows in a farm field and his trees have a fluffy quality that creates a pattern. Even the shapes of the rolling hills in the painting repeat to create a pattern. Translating these three artists into music will help you recognize their rhythm. While Pollock has that electronic vibe, Van Gogh has more of a jazzy rhythm and Wood is more like a soft concerto. Pattern, Repetition, and Rhythm When we think of rhythm, we think of pattern and repetition. They are very similar and interconnected, though each is also distinct from the others. A pattern is a recurring element in a particular arrangement. It may be a motif that repeats itself in a wood carving or piece of fiber art or it may be a predictable pattern such as a checkerboard or brickwork. Repetition refers to an element that repeats. It may be a shape, color, line, or even a subject that occurs over and over again. It may form a pattern and it may not. Rhythm is a little of both pattern and repetition, yet the rhythm can vary. The slight differences in a pattern create rhythm and the repetition of elements of art create rhythm. The rhythm of a piece of art can be controlled by everything from color and value to line and shape. Each piece of art has its own rhythm and it is often up to the viewer to interpret what that is.

Metamorphosis Essays

Metamorphosis Essays Metamorphosis Essay Metamorphosis Essay Essay Topic: The Metamorphosis Metamorphosis is a richly layered and textured story that is the very definition of a polysemic text that it is open to numerous interpretations. The two most credible readings that apply to this novella are readings of a Marxist and psychoanalytical type. Historically these two interpretations have dominated assessments of the story since its initial publication. Deeper analysis clearly supports each interpretation of Metamorphosis. The common ground in both readings is the marginalization of the individual in society. Kafka’s context growing up in Prague at the turn of the twentieth century was exposed to a world of changing values; of the influence of industrialization on society: and the growing discontent amongst the working class. Against this backdrop, and combined with family tensions Kafka creates ‘Metamorphosis’. Initially Metamorphosis appears to be simply a tale about a man who wakes one morning to find himself transformed into an insect. A Marxist reading however interprets the story as an extended metaphor that highlights the dehumanization and exploitation of the working class and can be read as a type of social parable. The protagonist Gregor Samsa symbolises the working class (proletariat), and his unnamed manager represents the controlling middle class the bourgeoisie. Gregor’s inability to work due to his metamorphosis creates conflict between him and his manager who demands Gregor put aside all personal concerns, and continue to work. This conflict represents the impersonal and dehumanizing structure of class relations. A Marxist reading identifies Gregor as the ‘exploited’. He is forced to work as a travelling salesman, supporting his family and paying off his father’s debt from a failed business venture. While lying in bed, he reflects that: â€Å"Day in, day out†¦I’ve got the torture of travelling†¦about changing trains, eating miserable food at all hours†¦Ã¢â‚¬  His discontent with his daily labour is highlighted via adjectives: â€Å"torture,† â€Å"worrying,† and â€Å"miserable†. He is trapped working at his wearisome job as he is a member of â€Å"the class of modern wage-labours who†¦are reduced to selling their labour-power in order to live† (Marx and Engels). He says, â€Å"If I didn’t hold back for my parents’ sake, I would have quit long ago†. It is economic necessity that keeps him going to work everyday. Conflict arises when his metamorphosis occurs and serves as a metaphor for any type of impairment that renders the worker unable to work. This is the essence of the proletariat dilemma, and is at the heart of a Marxist interpretation of the story. The narrative style supports the supposed ignorance of the working class as Gregor clinging to the hope that he will recover is abandoned, firstly by his boss, then eventually his family, because he is no longer productive. Gregor’s other inability to confront and be horrified by reality lends itself to a psycho-analytical reading of the novella. The story explores the link between Gregor’s mental and physical truth, and as his ability to function within the parameters of humanity dissipates, his physical links with the human world diminish as well. He loses his personal connection with his own body, and slowly but surely loses connection with the outside world. Work and acquaintances move on without him, and his family shuts him away as if he had never existed. And while the author’s frequent superficial focus is on the physical transformation, it is fundamentally the mental breakdown, which Kafka wishes to examine. It is striking, in fact, how oblivious Gregor appears to be to the repulsiveness of the situation. One aspect of him still sees himself as human enough. This is exemplified by his attempts to explain his condition to the manager who has come to investigate his absence from work (‘the chief clerk had already turned away, just staring back at him over a quivering shoulder’); or when he attempts to calm his family’s horror as they see his transformation. Gregor himself seems only mildly shaken by his ‘metamorphosis’ into an insect lacking any appearance of humanity. The underlying reasons for his transformation become evident. As each layer of the text is revealed. His father is a domineering and tyrannical presence who manipulates each family member. Gregor is burdened by a deeper than normal sense of familial duty. His employment is based upon alleviating the impositions of the father. Gregor’s mother, although confused, afraid, and appalled at Gregor’s grotesque change, clings to the hope that deep within the creature remains some part of her son. Gregor himself divides into two separate entities; one of which, the greater part, cannot be considered human. The human Gregor is only barely present, the remaining remnants of his mind appear to be somewhat normal and rational, but in reality the audience is astounded by the inability to comprehend an unbearable situation. Gregor never raises the questions as to why or how he has been transformed. His family views the metamorphosis as a repulsive indulgence on his part. Clear and precise language, combined with Gregor’s seemingly human nd familial concerns for his job and his family’s welfare superficially cover over a deeply disturbed sense of self and horribly engrossing mental illness. In a sense, the entire progression has the appearance of a slow suicide. His mind has firmly and decisively shut away all ability to relate to the rest of humanity and to accept his own reality. His delusional state is one of the most disturbing aspects of the story. Kafka’s t rue intent in creating ‘Metamorphosis’ was to express his concerns that man was becoming an entity bereft of all humanity due to the conditions of world he inhabited. Readings applied to the novella allow narrower interpretations to be explored. Considering his context it is little wonder Kafka’s story possessed many qualities that allowed for a Marxist reading. Similarly though, those who sought to make sense of the human psyche during the same historical period also make a psychoanalytical reading possible. Each reading raises relevant issues, and each has merit in explaining a grimly wonderful tale about a man transformed.

How to Land an Interview When You Arent Qualified

How to Land an Interview When You Arent Qualified Anyone searching for a job has spotted classified job ads for what appear to be interesting positions. However, the person’s skills might be less than perfect, and he or she is hesitant to put in an application. Even if your qualifications aren’t a perfect match, should you go ahead and apply? Learn how to prove you are a good match for the position, even if your qualifications aren’t the best match. Not All People Being Interviewed Have the QualificationsThe first thing you need to know when thinking about applying for a position you found in the job classifieds you don’t have all the qualifications for is that you aren’t alone. According to a survey, 92 percent of job seekers find interviews stressful, and 11 percent feel they may be underqualified for the position they are seeking. If you have most of the qualifications the company is looking for, you shouldn’t dismiss applying for the job, especially if you can add on to your skillset to match the qualifications or have other things to offer.Focus on Your SkillsIf a company is advertising for a hire who has extensive experience in a position, this may not be the job to apply for if you are a recent graduate or your experience is limited. However, a lack of technical skills in the job requirements is doable because you can catch up on those before the interview. When your skills are a little short of the mark, focus on your transferrable skills and accentuate your soft skills such as your versatility, how you were an asset in previous jobs and ability to be a team player.Honesty HelpsLet’s say the position calls for five-years of experience in the field, but you only have two. Sometimes, job ads can stretch the qualifications hoping to get that master candidate to apply. That doesn’t mean the company has all the job requirements written in stone. Use this opportunity to explain why you would be a good candidate, despite the shorter work experience.Let Y our Resume Speak for YouA good resume will help get your foot in the door. Write it and include your qualifications that fit the description for the position, ensure that no errors in spelling or grammar exist and follow up a few days later. Being professional and showing interest can’t hurt your chances of getting that important first interview. Use your resume to show what a great candidate you are and how you have the motivation to fit well into the position.Preparation Is Key to a Successful InterviewIt’s easier to conduct a successful interview if you have done your homework and learned about the company. This makes it simpler to answer and ask questions and shows that you are interested in that particular job. You can learn a lot by checking out the company’s website, LinkedIn page and Facebook. Knowledge is power, and appearing knowledgeable about the company shows that you’ve invested some time into learning how you can fit in.Interviews Are Condu cted the Same WayWhether in person or on the phone, interviews are conducted the same way and should be prepared for the same. On a phone interview, dress professionally as you would for an in-person interview and remove any distractions behind you that might interfere, such as a busy background or noise that might disrupt. Prepare in advance since you might not know when the interviewer will call.Confidence, poise and advance preparation can help you get your dream job, even if your qualifications might fall a bit short. TheJobNetwork helps you find job openings the easy way by sending you email notices as soon as those jobs become available. All you need to do is fill out your qualifications and job interests to get started. You can start right now when you sign up with TheJobNetwork.

Strategic Management of HR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Strategic Management of HR - Essay Example This paper will present a short report on this company from theoretical perspectives on SHRM while focusing on external factors based on information available in the company’s website and other literature sources before identifying some key challenges and proposing recommendations to tackle those challenges along with concluding opinions. 2. The Walt Disney Company: As per their website, the Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries group is a world leading international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. Disney’s vision statement is ‘To make people happy’ (Plenert 2002; 77), and this they wish to accomplish through their mission, which states, ‘To be one of the world's leading producers and providers of entertainment and information. Using our portfolio of brands to differentiate our content, services and consumer produ cts, we seek to develop the most creative, innovative and profitable entertainment experiences and related products in the world,’ (Erling, 23). ... hile strategic management models strive to address company’s internal and external factors, the external factors stand out even before starting a business and also throughout the life cycle of the business. 3.1 Life cycle model: Considering the life cycle model, put forth by Sisson and Storey (2000 cited Marchington & Wilkinson, 2005), Disney can be categorized in the maturity phase after its rapid growth into locations worldwide during last decade; its standardized policies and procedures have been translated to suit the local needs and obligations. Although Disney continues to acquire and grow, its growth strategies seem to be in saturated markets, considering the evolution of advanced technology and systems, favourable economic conditions and regulations, which in turn are only sufficient to sustain its business. The recent acquisition of Lucasfilm and all of its franchisees, which has not only added greater value to Disney’s brand but also increased its share value in the US market (Cieply, 2012) also indicates that the company still continues to grow and expand while maintaining its standardized policies. The life-cycle perspective shows Disney fluctuating between growth and maturity phases. Resistance to change, adaptability of old strategies to new conditions and employee motivation and commitment are common issues that need to be addressed. 3.2 Harvard model: Gaining an understanding of the external factors is crucial for strategic decisions that can eventually spell the success, or performance of the organisation. The Harvard strategic management model, proposed by Beer and his associates (1984, cited Marchington & Wilkinson, 2005) identifies two critical factors that influence management, namely, situational and stakeholders’ interests, with the former

Gambling Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Gambling Industry - Essay Example ingapore Government in order to introduce the casinos officially in the international market was in 2005 by providing licenses to two of the casinos in Singapore. There were many controversies and remarks that went against the policy but today after taking proper legal actions and control the government have recorded to generate large incomes in terms of tax revenues from the gamblers. Another reason why gambling is so important for the economy is that it attracts customers from all around the world. Therefore, it enhances the growth of tourism sector, which is another major contributor to the Singapore Economy. This paper in this regard is focused on the challenges of the international market and the competencies of the gambling industry in Singapore. Conclusively the paper shall also direct to evaluate the limitations and drawbacks that can prove to be affective for the growth of the industry and try to suggest the economy to eradicate those factors. On this behalf, the paper shall also consider the Porter’s Diamond Model to analyze the competitive edge of the gambling industry of Singapore. Geographically emphasizing, Singapore is a country originated by the amalgamation of 63 islands in total and is termed to be the smallest country situated in the south eastern hemisphere of Asia. According to the economists’ view, Singapore is a developing economy, mixed by its nature, with a minimum interference from the part of the Government in its trading market. Mentionable, the economy ranked to be second among the economies possessing the best potential for international investment with the outlook to be most welcoming and liberal for the international trading business. Undoubtedly, despite the fact that the economy is geographically small, it is economically powerful as any other developing economy to attract the international trade (Economy Watch, 2010). The economy, in a wider perspective rather than international investments, is depended on the agricultural

Confrontation between the Germanic people and Romans Essay

Confrontation between the Germanic people and Romans - Essay Example To Germanic tribe, religion played an important role in the creation of alliances between tribes with other groups, and still it was the basis of the invasions. Following this, this paper seeks to evaluate how it would pay greater attention to the religious conflicts between the Germanic people and Romans. The confrontation between the Germanic people and Romans, and the religion clash led to the downfall of the Roman Empire and the commencement of German culture throughout Europe. In this case, it is hard to gain precise information about these tribes with their activities because they lacked written language thus; there was no account of events and people. With this in mind, Historians should regard the need of second-hand accounts of the Romans, who narrate stories through their own perceptive. Throughout history, Gordeeva (1) outline how Germans have retained the fundamental aspects of their religious culture and how they have absorbed essential elements of their race. Religion i s a crucial aspect of the German culture, which makes the country unique with its unique identity. With this in mind, religion is treated with reverence and openness. The German laws offer people freedom to choose their religion and faith. Christianity has been the prominent religion with over 55 million followers. However, half of the population are Protestants and Roman Catholic. For many years, religion has been paramount and amazingly, the liberal viewpoint of the nation has been commendable. Roman Catholicism is among the two important religions in German, and its origin can be traced in the 8th Century of Saint Boniface’s missionary work. After one century, Roman Catholicism made a difference in making more converts and spreading the gospel effectively. In 1517, Martin Luther transformed the world and European history when he formed the second faith in German â€Å"Protestantism†. This brought a lot of differences in beliefs and culture between the Protestants an d Romans, and these differences played a significant role in the World war. The legacy of the protestant reformation and conflict brought by religious differences brought â€Å"Confrontation between the Germanic people and Romans†. Still, the Germanic migration brought struggles and strife between Roman and Germanic. There were a lot of wars between the two tribes brought by differences in religion. Still, there was a concern in the year 496 of the baptizing of king of the Franks with his loyal followers. As a result, this conversion brought a great significance of Clovis, which expanded into southern and central parts of France. Mostly, the perception of migrations centres on confrontation between the Germanic people and Romans. Prior to the World War 11, a third of the German population was Roman Catholic and two-thirds the Protestants. In this case, Bavaria was among the Roman Catholic follower. Roman Catholics were populated in Saarland, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Rhineland. However, Protestants were the majority in the Northeast and North of Germany. During Hitler leadership, established churches could not air their challenges to the State. Hitler only respected the organization and power of the â€Å"Roman Catholic Church†. In late 1933, the opposition group under the ruling of Lutheran Martin and Dietrich Bonheoffer established a confessing church. Following this, Lutheran Church members were arrested and some executed such as Bonheoffer during the end of the World War 11. As a

Treaty of Versailles and World War II Coursework

Treaty of Versailles and World War II - Coursework Example Designed to ensure peace, the psychological effects on the German people as a result of these terms produced the opposite effect as Germany was tossed into economic ruin. The conventional wisdom has always been that it was the outcome of the Treaty of Versailles that created a political situation in which another war was almost inevitable. This conclusion is an example of the desire of humanity as a whole to reduce the most complex situations down to the simplest explanation. By insisently focusing on this one aspect of the history between the two world wars of the 20th century, the multiple lessons to be gained that could reduce that possibility of such a thing happening run the risk of not only being discounted but even denied. The complex mechanism of history that served to foment the unique conditions that led to World War II include factors as varied as the stock market crash of 1929 and its impact on the willingness of many to embrace extremist answers to crushing economic unce rtainty, as well as unexplained reluctances of the part of governments to recognize and control the growing threat of fascist authority and Germany's blatant violations of many tenets of the treaty. The substantial impact of the Treaty of Versaille should not be ignored, but under different circumstances it alone would probably not have been enough to create a situation of inevitability. What has become inevitable is that the terms of the treaty are blamed for creating economic fear and uncertainty in Germany that produced a psychological mindset in the nation that made them much more susceptible to the message of Hitler and the National Socialists. Lost admit this certainty of a correlation between divergent events, however, is that Germany was hardly alone in suffering devastating economic conditions during Hitler's ascension to power. The impact on the inevitability of World War II by the 1920 stock market crash thousands of miles away from Berlin cannot be underestimated (Redlich, 1999, p. 85). This event brought the boom market of the Roaring Twenties to an immediate halt not just in America, but around the world. While it is true that Germany suffered tremendously, so too were other major players in World War II affected. The greatest impact of the economic uncertainty engendered by the stock market collapse was not relegated to economic viability such as the inability to conduct necessary trade, but to political opportunism. The massive loss of jobs and income threw many people around the world into abject poverty, and with poverty comes despair, and with despair comes the willingness to look for an answer out. The Great Depression created the perfect opportunity for extremist or radical ideas to flourish. The 1930s saw the rise in power of proponents of both communism and fascism, each of whom promised a way out of hopelessness (Blum, 1998, p. 31). This hopelessness presented especially ripe opportunities for those who had been most devastating by the Treaty of Versailles and the loss of World War I. The fascists in Italy quickly gained support by appeals to nationalism by being quite capable of pointing the finger toward America and England as the cause of their misery. It was the rampant capitalism and the power of the banks and the blind greed that had thrown the world into turmoil. Promises of prosperity and the

Compare and Contrast___how technology is changing the way we live and Essay

Compare and Contrast___how technology is changing the way we live and the way we think - Essay Example Claudia Wallis in her article, â€Å"Gen M: The Multitasking Generation,† and Nicholas Carr’s â€Å"Is Google Making Us Stupid?† both argue against much of the way people interact and rely upon the technology both physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially in a few unpleasant ways. He focuses more on the intellectual laziness access to fast internet answers can breed and she focuses more on the social and interpersonal communicational perspective when people persistently interact and multitask with technology and how that can have a negative effects; both of these authors are absolutely right. Claudia Wallis discusses children are perpetually interacting with technology and that parents think there multitasking is a product and a credit to the presence of that technology and their minds, Unfortunately, that is little better than a â€Å"wives tale† that people may tells themselves to justify children’s excessive technological interactions. â€Å"Human beings have always had a capacity to attend to several things at once. Mothers have done it since the hunter-gatherer era--picking berries while suckling an infant, stirring the pot with one eye on the toddler† (Wallis p. 1). Many biologists and anthropologists would easily agree the things that defines us as human is our curiosity, ability to learn and adapt, and our ability to multitask and process multiple information at once; this did not evolve as a side effect of technological advancement. In truth, excessive interaction with technology leads to anti-social in face-to-face antisocial that belies th e communal and communicative nature of our species. The interactions online and the relationships we make are shallow and superficial, based on the shared likes and dislikes of other things posted on sites. There is also a misconception that the presence of all of this sophisticated

Production And Perfect Competition - Megamergers and Oligopoly Coursework

Production And Perfect Competition - Megamergers and Oligopoly - Coursework Example The common market structure is either perfect or imperfect competition. Agricultural products are traded in a perfectly competitive market structure. For example, milk producers supply processed and non-processed milk products to the market for the consumers. The milk market is characterized by large of number of sellers and buyers who are involved in this exchange. In addition, the market is unregulated by the government hence a free-market with no government intervention. Owing to the large numbers of milk traders, the effect of a single seller/buyer may go unnoticed as each trader’s contribution is insignificant (Siegfried, & United States, 2010). Both the seller and buyer are price-takers in the market as the exchange price for milk products is determined by the market forces of demand and supply; therefore, each trader has limited influence on effective market prices (OaShaughnessy, 2005). The milk products traded in the market are homogeneous and undifferentiated. However, the sellers and manufacturers attempt to create a difference in the products through branding and packaging. Being a perfect competitive market, there are no barriers to exit or entry into this market. The buyers and sellers would leave or enter the market at will. Under this market, the milk products are similar in shape, size, quantity, and quality, hence, infinite cross elasticity of demand for milk products (OaShaughnessy, 2005). The buyers are therefore indifferent to all the milk brands and products in the market. Being a perfectly competitive market, milk market is characterized by perfect information symmetry. All the participants in the market have perfect information on all the prevailing market conditions, thus, no seller could benefit by charging abnormal prices for milk. Finally, the single unit price of the milk market is not affected by

Compare and Contrast___how technology is changing the way we live and Essay

Compare and Contrast___how technology is changing the way we live and the way we think - Essay Example Claudia Wallis in her article, â€Å"Gen M: The Multitasking Generation,† and Nicholas Carr’s â€Å"Is Google Making Us Stupid?† both argue against much of the way people interact and rely upon the technology both physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially in a few unpleasant ways. He focuses more on the intellectual laziness access to fast internet answers can breed and she focuses more on the social and interpersonal communicational perspective when people persistently interact and multitask with technology and how that can have a negative effects; both of these authors are absolutely right. Claudia Wallis discusses children are perpetually interacting with technology and that parents think there multitasking is a product and a credit to the presence of that technology and their minds, Unfortunately, that is little better than a â€Å"wives tale† that people may tells themselves to justify children’s excessive technological interactions. â€Å"Human beings have always had a capacity to attend to several things at once. Mothers have done it since the hunter-gatherer era--picking berries while suckling an infant, stirring the pot with one eye on the toddler† (Wallis p. 1). Many biologists and anthropologists would easily agree the things that defines us as human is our curiosity, ability to learn and adapt, and our ability to multitask and process multiple information at once; this did not evolve as a side effect of technological advancement. In truth, excessive interaction with technology leads to anti-social in face-to-face antisocial that belies th e communal and communicative nature of our species. The interactions online and the relationships we make are shallow and superficial, based on the shared likes and dislikes of other things posted on sites. There is also a misconception that the presence of all of this sophisticated

GE, Welch and the Trait Theory of Leadership Essay

GE, Welch and the Trait Theory of Leadership - Essay Example Two theories of leadership can be applied to the style used by Welch and these are the trait theories set and the situational theories of leadership. Gardner (1995) presents us with several ideas which leaders can use to change their leadership styles or how they can balance the styles depending on the situation. The idea of leadership traits can come with several stereotypes or ideas that some people are born leaders, but leadership skills can also be taught to people although the right personality always helps (Welch, 2005).For example, when we consider the third rule given by Welch which states that leaders must give out and infect others with positive energy and optimistic views about situations. That is a key pointer towards the fact that Jack Welch considers the majority of leadership skills to come from the trait theory than any other applicable theory. Undoubtedly, optimism is a personality trait and being able to create optimism or any other emphatic feeling in others requir es a leader to have charisma (DePree, 1989). Charisma is accepted by DePree (1998) to be a rare quality which is attributed to those leaders who create devoted followers. Devoted followers and employees who become your personal friends as well as have complete faith in your vision are simply essential. These employees can certainly be created with an informal style of management as applied in GEThis creation of trust and making the employees believe in the leadership of the leader is also a trait.

Pick a Quote from the Book To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Example for Free

Pick a Quote from the Book To Kill a Mockingbird Essay During the depression in Alabama, many people, no matter what race, were encountering hard times. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Haper Lee, Scout learns life lessons through experiences throughout her childhood. In her community and her household, Scout watches and interacts with all kinds of people. In the book, Scout learns something new about the people of Maycomb in each chapter and realizes that people are more than what they perceive to be by interacting with three main characters in the novel, Atticus, Mr. Cunningham, and Boo Radley. In the beginning of the book, Scout’s interpretation of these characters changed throughout the story. At the beginning of the book, Scout’s dad, Atticus, was not like the fun hunting loving father that the other kids had. Atticus was a fifty year old lawyer that didn’t have time or energy to even play football with Scout brother, Jem. Scout felt like she had nothing to brag or be proud of her father about that is shown in this quote, because his daily life was either in the office or into a book. â€Å"If your father was thirty you’d find life quite different† â€Å"It sure would. Atticus can’t do anything†¦. † (Lee 120) Later on in the story, Scout and Jem see a stray crazy dog. Atticus is asked to shoot it. Scout not knowing that her dad was the best shooter in Maycomb had doubts of letting her dad shoot the dog. Atticus shot the dog on the first bullet. â€Å"When we went home I told Jem we’d really have something to talk about at school on Monday. † (Lee 130) Scout’s first impression of her dad in the beginning of the story changed when she found that she could be proud of her father for being the best shooter in Maycomb. Another main character in the novel was Mr. Cunningham who was a farmer and one of Atticus clients. Atticus was also representing Tom Robinson, who was a black man being prosecuted for rape by Bob Ewell. Bob Ewell had gathered a bunch of men to go down to the jail house to kill Tom Robinson. Scout, who was hiding and watching everything from afar, could not recognize any of the men. Later on when she ran through the men to Atticus she then recognized one man, and that was Mr. Cunningham. At the beginning of the novel, Atticus told Scout that Mr. Cunningham was a good honest hard working man that did not take anything from anyone unlike Mr. Ewell. After she realized what was taking place at the jail house and what the men were there to do, she had doubts about Mr. Cunningham being the good man that her father had told her about at the beginning of the novel. Lastly, Boo Radley probably impacted Scout the most in what she learned. At the beginning of the novel, Scout, Jem, and Dill all were curious of the monster that lived at the Radley’s house. He was always kept away and never came out. All kinds of stories about Boo Radley had been told as Scout grew up, made by different people in her community. Scout was so scared of Boo that she would run past his house every time she would pass it. The town would not even eat the fruit off the trees by their house because they believed Boo had poisoned them. It was obvious that Boo Radley had a bad rep in the town. Later on in the story, Scout and Jim find out someone is leaving them things in a tree hole. They start to believe it is Boo, who was leaving it for them, but they are still not convinced that Boo is safe. Later on while Miss Maudie’s house was burning and Scout was watching it from afar, someone had put a blanket on her. They come to the conclusion it was Boo Radley and are confused why he would do so. When Boo Radley had saved them from Mr. Ewell in the last few chapters of the book, it had become clear that Boo was not bad at all but afraid of the outside world beyond his house. Scout’s original perception of Boo Radley was all wrong because of the people she interacted with day to day. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Haper Lee, Scout learns life lessons through experiences throughout her childhood. Three main characters in this book impacted her life the most. Atticus, Mr. Cunningham, and Boo Radley showed Scout to not judge a book by its cover. Not everyone is who they first perceive to be. Like Atticus said â€Å"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view — until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. † (Lee 30) Atticus was right, Scout did not really know any of these people until she put herself in their place and saw who they really were.

Common Theme :: essays research papers

Literary works have life changing messages hidden within their pages that have the power to teach a lesson. During the second half of the school year, we studied a myriad of novels and plays, however, despite their differences in plot and characters- the works had an overall theme in common. Each work discovers and characterizes the global theme of hope differently.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In The Lottery, the characters disagree with a deadly ritual but follow it because they are afraid and will be chastised. At first there is some resistance from the family who gets the black ticket but in the end there is no confrontation. The characters never collaborate and join a team to do anything against the tradition but they hope that one day the town elders will understand how ludicrous this act they hold so dearly to their hearts is.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A Catcher in the Rye, a novel explaining the nadir of an esoteric young man, depicts hope because Holden Caufield is stuck in a world of his own that he wishes to get out of. In the beginning of the novel, Holden tells Mr. Spencer that he feels stuck in his own world and that he wants to break away but can’t bring himself to do it. Holden hides his craving to be a part of the normal world by saying that everyone is phony. He hopes that one day he’ll be accepted and understood by the world for who he is. But Holden takes this theme to one more step; he gets help at the end. Holden sees a psychoanalyst and in turn he courageously looks in the eyes of his problem.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Death of a Salesman the theme of hope is ascertained through Willy’s strive to achieve the American Dream and to treat his family with valor. Biff demonstrates this theme by hoping that one day his family will cherish each other and be proud of him like they once were. Arthur Miller wants his readers to understand that if they work hard at something it can sincerely come true. If Biff and Willy put aside their differences for just a moment and talked things out- devoid of getting irrational they would have been back to normal. What the father and son pair doesn’t realize is that they both hope to get along with each other but they never speak about it so it doesn’t occur.

Essay --

The increasing number of strategic alliances in the era of globalization of business economy set a complex business environment. The current organizational landscape is characterized by inter-disciplinary, inter-departmental, inter-cultural workgroups or teams working towards a common cause. These workgroups constitute a key element for organizational effectiveness. Workgroup diversity has gained more scholastic attention off late in the wake of internationalization leading to people from different cultures, communities and other demographic socio-economic-political backgrounds participating at a common platform in the workforce. The last three decades, have witnesses significant legislations coming up in different countries as a growing number of organizations promote equality and diversity at work (Knippenber & Schippers, 2007; O'leary & Weathington, 2006; Dickens, 2005). Previous research studies have proved that group diversity may influence group processes positively as well adversely. Therefore the present attempts to answer the question regarding the processes that underlie the consequences of group diversity and how its challenges can be managed to exploit the advantage of the potential benefits. The effects of the changes in the workforce across the world are yet to be comprehended fully and the concept of diversity is still under different paradigms and meanings in both academic and organizational contexts (Franca et al. , 2010; Passos & Caetano, 2005; Herriot & Pemberton, 1995; Williams & O'reilly, 1998; Stahl et. al.2009,Syed & Murray, 2008). Appropriate management of diversity offers a mean to create a competitive advantage for organizations (Kramar,1998; Cox & Blake, 1991) as it is associated with advantages like bro... ...e suited for catering to the diverse customer group. The group of call centre managers interviewed in the study exhibited limited awareness regarding the issues related to the diversity management. Consultancy services may be engaged to gain a deeper understanding of the subject and to assist in the formulation of diversity management policies. CONCLUSION The goal of this study was to analyze the perspective of call centre managers on the issue of workplace diversity. It is clear from the procured information from the managers that the industry needs to travel a long road to embrace diversity as a source of competitive advantage. The industry is witnessing the increase in the diversity of customers and it can reap significant rewards from diversity management by tapping the increased capacity for creativity and innovation to cater to the needs of these customers.

Marketing Plan Mkt 421 U of P

Team C Product – Safety Step University of Phoenix MKT/421 Robin Reis March 29, 2010 Organizational overview Ames is a leader in North America and is known for its quality non-powered garden and lawn products. Ames was founded in 1774 by Captain John Ames. During most of the company’s past 230 years of service the company produced only shovels and controlled 60% of the U. S. market share (n. d. ). Over the past three decades Ames has purchased several companies to widen its market share to include quality non-powered lawn and garden products. In 1991 Ames acquired the Garant Company a Canadian company and in 1997 purchased Woodings-Verona and IXL. Over the next decade the shovel giant continued to purchase various companies in the garden and lawn business. The shovel giant is again looking for ways to expand its product line; Ames will introduce a new daughter company called Safety Step. Ames is a leader in quality products and customer satisfaction, Safety Step will keep the same quality and workmanship and focus on the customer. The Mission Statement is to develop and deliver the most reliable non-powered lawn and garden products including tools and decorative accessories that provide quality to our customers, maximize sustainable profitability, and drive shareholder value. We believe that our global manufacturing strategy, based primarily upon a blend of domestic manufacturing and sourced product, makes us cost-competitive while allowing us to provide a high level of customer service (â€Å"Ames true temper,†). Safety Steps is in the heart of the snow and ice to ensure quality product development is continued. The main headquarters is in Mount Washington New Hampshire. The average snowfall in Mount Washington is 260. 6 inches (NCDC, 2010), with an annual low mean temperature of 19 degrees. Mount Washington is noted for its extreme weather conditions, one of the world's highest wind velocities (231 miles [372 kilometer] per hour) has been recorded there in 1934 (Britannica, 2010). The production plant is in Marquette, Michigan. The city has an annual snowfall of 141 inches (NCDC, 2010) and an annual mean temperature of 8. 7 (Current Results, 2010). Safety Step is introducing a heated floor mat to allow both homeowners and commercial businesses a safe, snow and ice-free walkway into and out of their homes and businesses. The mat will have multiple attachments and color options to fit the demand of the customer. New Product Description The following paragraphs below take in consideration a new product that our parent company will amplify a tangible product for a household consumer and commerc ial customer. The difference between the consumer products market and the business product market is derived demand – the demand for business products derives from the demand for final consumer products (Kerin, Berkowitz, Hartley, & Rudelius, 2006). This product provides safety steps while walking through and on increment weather, snow, ice, or wet surfaces. The technology and design of the durable nonslip diamond-top surface has ? in diameter holes for excellent drainage and safe passage as pedestrians walk on surface. A mat that covers a walkway or porch that prevents snow and ice from forming called Safety Step. The mat can be purchased in different lengths and widths and has additional attachments for steps. The mat is plugged into an outlet that keeps the snow and ice from forming on it. The mat uses low wattage technology minimizing the amount of electricity used during operation. The product contains a circuit that will turn itself off in case of any power interruption or surge. It has a non-skid, non-slip proof surface that even when wet will prevent a person from slipping on it. The mat dimensions are two feet wide by five feet long. ? SWOT Analysis The external and internal factors of a business forces their company and management to come up with solutions to potential threats. A SWOT analysis aids to guide business strategies and identifies threats and opportunities an acknowledging the external and internal factors into the business plan will allows a company to achieve goals, and keeping a vision and mission of that company from failure. SWOT Analysis StrengthsWeaknessesOpportunitiesThreats Highest quality of products Safety step can be looked upon as seasonal item Uses a new type of technologies’ Competitors can alter Safety Step Provides safety steps for pedestrians as they move on surfaceCostly to hold inventory in warehousesCustomer service personal commitmentIncreases production; therefore, increases in production causing prices to increase Versatile can be used in landscapingCan be ordered 24hours online Strengths The uniqueness in the marketplace comes from the vision, mission, and values of Ames. We are well known worldwide and earn the trust of many customers and deliver the highest quality of products and services to our customers. Pedestrians walk with confidence and safety. Unique colors and costume features attract versatility. ? Weakness The Safety Step may be looked upon as only a seasonal item. Incremental weather only; therefore, overlooking the fact that the Safety Step technology design provides efficiency, safe comfort, and in all kinds of weather. Opportunities The unique colors and custom attachments provide a wide range of surfaces uses. The technologies that Safety Steps requires extra workers; therefore, providing new jobs. Ordering on telephone has direct access to talk with customer representatives, earning and keeping the trust of personal commitment. Promotes less injuries and lost time at work, or decorative yard landscaping feature. Threats Competitors can alter the Safety Step to make something similar whereas Ames would have to do fast adjustments; therefore, causing an increases in production or cost making the Safety Step less appealing because it becomes too expensive to own. Trends Recently on the news everyone has heard about how crazy the weather has been. The State of Washington covered in snow for weeks; the state of Texas covered four days of nine and 10 inches of snow. The world’s ever-changing environment it is a perfect time to launch a great product like the Safety Step. Marketing Research Market research for the Safety Step consists of consumer analysis and industry analysis. Consumer analysis will consist of secondary data gathered from the 2000 US Census Bureau that lists the potential households in cold weather states that may purchase the Safety Step. Primary analysis will consist of surveys of shoppers at a few targeted stores in the regions in which the Safety Step is planned to be sold. Demographics Demographics for the Safety Step are areas of the United States that experience cold weather below 35 degrees F. The Safety Step can be marketed to both consumers and businesses. Consumers would purchase the Safety Step to ensure a clear snow free/ice free walkway during the wintertime. Using the US Census Bureau results from 2000 there are 31 states in which the Safety Step may be marketed. Appendix A shows the states and the total households per state. The Census results show a US market potential of 60 million households in 31 cold weather states. Psychographics The consumer psychographics are homeowners in cold climates that have walkways prone to ice buildup. Homeowners with ice buildup fear someone slipping on the ice and causing an injury. Homeowners can be liable of injuries sustained on their property because of negligence. Safety Step will prevent any ice from forming on walkways removing the fear for the homeowners. Behaviors (e. g. purchase behaviors) Safety Step will be marketed to homeowners stating the benefit that the product provides to the consumer by eliminating ice buildup. The convenience of placing Safety Step on the walkway at the beginning of cold weather and plugging it in will be communicated to the consumers to promote the product. Geographical considerations Safety Step will be marketed in the colder states because of its snow/ice melting features for the consumer market. The business market will also be targeted in the colder states. Industrial Analysis Competitor Analysis Safety Step competition for the consumer market comes in many forms. The snow shovel is one source of competition in which the homeowner believes that if they just shovel well enough there will be no need for the product. Another competitor is the chemical product that the homeowner throws on top of the ice and as the chemical starts to work the ice is melted. The shovel and chemicals both need to be used after the snow or ice has built up whereas the Safety Step prevents snow and ice from forming on the walkway eliminating the potential of someone slipping. Segmentation Market segmentation for this product is important to justify the necessary marketplace needs. This product may be useful for some clients, and yet others may not find a need. This segmentation process is important to understand the needs of the client. A client who lives in Mexico is most likely not going to need a mat that warms up. This is understandable that this is not the target demographic . Criteria The geographic segmentation involves extensive research into the needs of the clients within the different areas. Demographic segmentation is based on the age, income level, purchasing power, gender, family size, nationality, religion, education (Mathe, 2010). The demographic segmentation focuses more on the larger purchases that a family may make such as a home or vehicle. Target Markets The sale of this product is more likely to be based on geography. Certain states with different climates will be more inclined to purchase a product that they can use in the winter. The Safety Step will be marketed to the all states that have a temperature that drops below 40 degrees in a normal year. These states will be the primary sales areas, but the product will also be available through website and catalog throughout the world. This product is important for those who have had issues with bad weather and are having issues with safety outside. Differentiation and Positioning The competing consumer products are shovels and chemical products that melt snow and ice after it has formed. Safety Step will be marketed with the approach that the mat melts snow and ice before it can build up on the customer’s step. The plan is to draw attention to the fact Safety Step is a safer product because it does not allow the snow and ice to build up on the step whereas the competitor’s product does. This will give Safety Step the unique position of promoting the product as safer than the competitor’s promotes. Another marketing strategy that will be used is the Safety Step’s ease of use. The plan is to market Safety Step to the consumers with the information that the all the consumer needs to do is lay the mat down on the step and plug it in before the weather turns cold. The approximate cost to operate is $0. 02 per hour. This is an estimate based on the cost per kilowatt-hour is $0. 15. Cost per kilowatt-hour may vary by state or region. The marketing approach will continue by stating Safety Step will provide a snow/ice from form on the walkway even during a heavy snowstorm unlike shovels or chemical products that require the consumer to go outside and shovel or apply the chemical to the step. The position defined with ease of use approach will be put the Safety Step on the consumer’s steps at the beginning of the cold weather plug it in and the consumer does not need to bother with the product until spring comes. This will differentiate the product from shovels and chemicals that have to be used frequently during winter months. Product Life Cycle Product life cycle needs to be understood and managed for a product to be successful. The market introduction phase for Safety Step may be a longer process than other products handled by Ames Company because there is no other product currently on the market similar to the Safety Step. The marketing approach during the introduction phase will be to demonstrate the product at local Home and Garden shows held in major cold weather cities throughout the United States. Additionally, direct mailings will be sent to households in major cold weather cities informing the consumer of the product. These approaches should provide the interest needed for the product to move into the market growth phase of the product life cycle. The market growth phase of Safety Step should last one winter season and possibly even two winter seasons before competitors develop a similar product. During the market growth phase advertising will continue with the direct personal approach for sales. The plan is to have one-on-one meetings and demonstrations of the product in the customer’s home. It is expected that the demonstrations will increase word of mouth publicity that will increase sales. Once the consumer interest has been established and the competition has similar products Safety Step will enter the market maturity phase of the life cycle. During this phase the marketing approach will be to offer discounts for consumers who buy more than one Safety Step. The advertising for Safety Step during the maturity phase will point out Safety Step’s durability and quality attributes as well as pointing out any other attribute that Safety Step has that the competition does not. The maturity phase of the life cycle should last a minimum of two to three years before another better product is introduced and sales start to decline. The sales decline life cycle may be short in duration as the new products take sales away from Safety Step. The approach during the sales decline phase will be to advertise the Ames company brand along with the products quality and durability features. The product price may also have to be reduced to keep consumers interest. The price will only be lowered to such that the company is still making a small profit but not much. The production of Safety Step will be stopped once the competition has driven the price below the cost to produce the product. Planning a marketing strategy for all four phases of the product life cycle will help to make Safety Step a successful product. Marketing mix In order for an organization to be successful, balance marketing fosters the termination of a new product or service. When examining the marketing mix for a product launch or new service eliminating the threat factor can happen if managed correctly. Understanding the tools are necessary, as marketers call the four Ps, will put the right product or the right type of service at the right point of sale price. Product and Service A new product or service first step is to consider where to begin, create and develop the process launch unto the public. An organization considers itself first when asking does it meet the needs in the perspective for the customer, how assessable can the organization provide and distribute its product or service; moreover, will the customer consider that the new product is a fair price and easy to remember the brand because the marketing communications developed. Type of Product Introducing Safety Step when weather grows tough and budgets are tighter, customers can rely on Ames to offer a quality new product at an extraordinary price. Safety Step is a heated floor mat offered to both homeowners and commercial businesses. This product provides safety steps while walking through and on incremental weather, snow, ice, or wet surfaces. The heated mat electrical waves built within provide enough heat to penetrate through snow and ice. The melted and wet surface drains from the sides of covered area. The technology and design of the durable nonslip diamond-top surface has ? in diameter holes for excellent drainage and traction. Features †¢Vinyl top is tough enough to take abuse from works shoes and wheelchairs. †¢Safe comfort provides workers with a cushioned area to stand or work that decreases strain on feet and legs. †¢Resist oil, greases, and liquid †¢ Runners (sides of the mat) are beveled around the entire mat to prevent tripping hazards †¢Snow /ice melting features for consumers/ business markets †¢Versatile can also be unitizes landscaping Identification/ Brand Ames Corporation is a quality merchandiser that customers can trust with reliable service. Ames distinguishes products from the competition with unique colors, and custom features that extends mats through easy attachments. Production and Delivery Service Products can be ordered online through secure shopping 24 hours a day. If a customer is registered through Ames website, Ames will offer discounts of 10%. Orders on a telephone have direct access to talk with a customer service representative. Orders in and service by mail fax, online or phone features to keep any customer happy. Ames has several large warehouses with large stock quantities. Shipping in some cases will be free, and for large orders because of super size surfaces coverage, Ames provides installing services as customer courtesy. Pricing The Safety Step mat has little to no competition in the market in comparison to other products as potato chips. The research has shown that less than 10 competitor mats are available for purchase now. The competitor’s mats range from $99. 95 to $127. 98. These mats are primarily online with little to no advertisement. The Safety Step will be priced accordingly to ensure sales are possible for the company and the employees. Although there is not a single way to price a product there are many ways to test the market and find an appropriate price for an item. The pricing strategy for this product begins with performing a market analysis, segmentation, targeting, and positioning. Understanding that this mat is most useful in an environment that is more likely to have ice or snow is necessary when analyzing the market. The product sales will need to be focused on the beginning of the winter season. The spring and summer months are less likely to have a large amount of sales. The demand will increase in the beginning of the winter cycle; the price of the item should coincide to help sell the item. The cost of production will also have an effect on the product. The company will attempt to maximize the current profit, while taking into account revenue and costs. Maximizing the quantity of product is justified to have preparation of customers. The status quo is keeping the product stable avoiding price wars among other companies. The company will choose to focus on a cost plus pricing method to achieve the production costs as well as a small profit to achieve a toehold in the market. Once the product has been placed for sale the market will show the company what if any reduction of price should take place. If the product sells quickly than the company may need to reevaluate their pricing strategy for the future. Safety Step will be price competitively at $99. 00. Production costs for each mat is roughly $38 dollars, distribution costs is a percentage of each sale and base pay for the sales team. This comes to about $15 dollars per mat sold. If the staff sells 100 mats to a retailer, they will net $1500 dollars. Marketing of the product is $3 dollars per mat. The retail price of the mat should be $99 dollars; this price is based on the $56 dollars in costs and overhead with $10 dollars going to the retail establishment for sales. This leaves a profit of $33 dollars per mat. This profit will go toward revelation of the product and the continued manufacturing of the product. Based on 100 mat sales the company would make $3300 dollars in profit. This mat must have 1000 sales in order for the company to have a good profit base. Once the market has been tested with this price the sales will show if the product price is too high or too low. Placement The company will have Safety Step manufactured at the existing facility in Camp Hill Virginia. This manufacturer will complete an established amount of mats within the necessary time frame. Production costs are based on the different sizes, and components of the mats. The company may decide to focus on three sizes than they must have three separate prices and production costs for the mats. The company will focus on one mat that is 24 x 5; this particular mat has 120 volts and 263 watts. This mat is one color and one size to make the production costs less than they would be in the future. Promotion Promoting a product is not only about developing the correct product at the correct time, but also the communication involved with all parties. A company would not want to promote a product that was used for ice and snow in a climate that never receives snow or ice; the likely hood of the product selling is not very high. Promotion is the fourth â€Å"P† in the marketing mix designed to teach the end consumer about the product, what the product does and how the product can help the user. What benefits the consumer will receive from the product and will the price of the product fit into the budget. Promotion is also used to persuade a customer that the product is the correct one for him or her. The promotional mix is a combination of personal selling, advertising, sales promotion, public relations, and websites. The first thing a company needs to ask its self is what strategy they believe will work best for the company, will they use the â€Å"PUSH† or the â€Å"PULL† method. Safety Step believes the â€Å"PULL† method would work best for the new heated mat. The PULL STRATEGY requires direct interface with the end user of the offering. Use of channels of distribution is minimized during the first stages of promotion and a major commitment to advertising is required. The objective is to â€Å"pull† the prospects into the various channel outlets creating a demand the channels cannot ignore (Center for Business Planning, 2010, para 12). The product cannot be promoted effectively in warmer areas causing the company to work with specific areas and to build a strong bond with customers to help ensure safety. Safety Step will focus on the benefits of product advertising. This is especially beneficial when you have introduced a new approach to solving a user need and comparison to the old approaches is inappropriate (Center for Business Planning, 2010). † Initial Sales Promotion Safety Step will focus sales of the heated floor mat through the company website www. safetysteps. com. Sales from the website are virtually free of charge to the company with only a small set up fee and the process of fulfilling the orders. Personal selling to households and businesses in major cold weather cities will be the main focus in the initial selling process. Safety Step wants to have a personal relationship with its customers; with one-on-one meetings and demonstrating the product in a home or business setting to allow the customer to feel comfortable to ask questions and see the product in person with no pressure. Safety Step believes that with this approach the product can sell its self and the customer will learn Safety Step is about not only safety but also the customer. Safety Step will advertise through direct mail via an 8 ? x 11 glossy sheet showing areas used without a mat and also used with a mat. Ames the parent company has a large database of addresses, phone numbers and e-mail address for both businesses and homeowners available to Safety Step. The flyer will also picture other options currently available for snow and ice removal including salt pellets, sand and rocks, Sodium chloride (NaCL), which may contain cyanide. Calcium chloride (CaCl) is slightly better because less goes farther, but it is still not ideal, considering its run-off still increases algae growth, which clogs waterways. Potassium chloride is another salt to avoid. Customers will learn the advantages of Safety Step and how it will not only help the customer but also landscape plants, especially those particularly salt-sensitive, like tulip poplars, maples, balsam firs, white pines, hemlock, Norway spruce, dogwood, redbud, rose bushes, and spirea bushes (The Daily Green, 2010). Landscaping can be an expensive cost to customers and the Safety Step can eliminate the need for chemicals that can cause damage and even death to landscape plants. Safety Step will have promotions for customers who wish to purchase more than one mat and with the purchase of the accessory all in one transaction. Contests also can be used to find the most creative ways a mat has been applied around a business or home. This will not only benefit the customer but also the business with a flow of new ideas and ways to better help the end user. Budget Safety Step has allotted a budget of 11. 7 million dollars for the first year of operations. Areas covered include personnel, marketing research, marketing communication, channels, customer acquisition, retention, and other. Safety Step has looked at each area and broken each section into sub-sections see appendix B attached. Safety Steps has allotted the largest portion to the personnel section. The personnel section has sub-sections of salaries/wages, benefits, payroll taxes, commissions, and bonuses. Salaries and wages tops out the chart at 7. 2 million in burden with taxes coming in second at two million. Safety Step believes the allotted amounts should cover the personnel section with a contingency included. Marketing and Research have a budget of 260 thousand dollars. This amount covers both the primary and secondary research for the Safety Step mat. Secondary research has been allotted approximately five thousand per month to cover quality problems should they exist. Safety Step and the Ames Company are known for their quality products and service and keeping a fund for problems is essential. Marketing Communications falls second in regard to cost of budget. A budget of 1. 1 million has been set. The areas with the larger amounts being spent are branding at 240 thousand, advertising at 435 thousand, and public relations at 140 thousand. Advertising the Safety Step in a positive and customer-focused atmosphere is critical for the continuance of the product. Channels have a budget of 96 thousand. Channels include communications and training, promotions and incentives, and commissions/bonuses. Commissions and bonuses are awarded in December of each year allowing a budget only in December. Training and communication is included to ensure the quality of the sales team at Safety Step. Incentives are also included each month to promote the sales team. The sales team, production, and office staff will need focus and drive and offering incentives will help with morale and positive workflow. Safety Step has a section for other to include postage, attorney fees, telephone, travel, computers, and office equipment. Postage will be a large expenditure with mass mailings to costumers to educate them in Safety Step. Travel is the largest expenditure in the other sections; because of the need for salespeople in strategic areas (cold weather cities) to promote Safety Step. Computers and equipment is the second largest expenditure for the other section, Safety step believes in year two this amount should drop dramatically. Computers and office equipment are needed to offer both the customer and employees piece of mind. The computers can offer piece of mind by fast reliable service for ordering, processing claims, and tracking inventory. Attorney fees are in the section to have an on hand attorney office for any needs that may arise. Monitoring and Evaluating Effectiveness A successful development process for Safety Step starts with Ames 5D Principles; in addition, will apply a perceptual map for identify opportunities by highlighting unsatisfied needs of the customer to gain an edge because Safety Step goal must differentiate. DISCOVERDEVISEDESIGNDEVELOPDEPLOY Good Data Organizations values and Philosophy Perceptual Map SWOT Analysis Message Strategy Brand name, label, and packaging Production staff functionality controls changes and defects Execute with confidence Production method and delivery of service Target Customers and customers feedback Measurable Data Developed copy writer and creative art ads Testing phase implementing mat to diverse weather conditionsPlan activities around promotions Purchase Behavior Marketing Strategies Competitor AnalysisPromote safety step phrase in visual and verbal expressionsResearch and testing staying ahead of the competition Evaluate preparations for the next four years plan Review and research Geographical ConsiderationsPlanning process through project managers Challenging target market , but avoiding costly errorsTracking movement of sales and awareness of recommendations Perceptual map gives a visual representation to the marketing team of customers’ perception of Safety Step aids in the positioning strategy. The insight gained from the perceptual map can be formulated through the four parameters’; therefore, implementing a guide of a before and after execution. Ames understands that increase of profit and sales drives the success in marketing execution, but a good marketing team also understands it is not the best indicators. During the course of an execute launch of a new product sales sometimes remain flat. Ames will identify all performance indictors with comprehensive reports so that through execution of the 5Ds principles, perceptual map, and knowing the parameters for development will be modified the next four years. The success of Safety Step growth stage in an oligopoly market can keep the competitions in uncertainly. Ethics and Social Responsibility The marketing efforts will be monitored to ensure that Safety Step will be promoted accurately to the consumer. The advertisement for Safety Step will only contain information that is true and accurate for the product. Packaging of the product will not have any misleading claims but rather describe the product accurately. Salespeople will also receive training to communicate accurately the product without pressuring customers while they are demonstrating the product during the door to door campaign. The company’s goal is to promote the product accurately by having knowledgeable salespeople that provides product information not pressure. Conclusion Developing a marketing plan with Perceptual Maps, SWOTT analysis, identifying environmental factors affect marking decisions. These business decisions move the product life cycle and identifies the appropriate price strategy along with public relations opportunities for Safety Step. Therefore, allowing Team C to answer all questions, without this structure information could not be obtained in an orderly prompt manner. ? References: (n. d. ). Ames true temper: past present and future. Retrieved from http://www. ames. com/aboutus. html (n. d. ). Ames Shovel Works. Retrieved March 14, 2010, from http://www. responsiblegrowthforeaston. com/shovel_shop/ShovelWorksHistory. pdf Center for Business Planning (2010). Marketing Plan. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from http://www. businessplans. org/Market. html Current Results (2010). Coldest Places in United States. Retrieved March 15, 2010, from http://www. currentresults. com/Weather-Extremes/US/coldest. php Kerin, Berkowitz, Hartley, and Rudelius Chapter 9, McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2004 New York, NY Mathe, AR (2010). Market Segmentation Targeting Positioning. Retrieved March 15, 2010 from website http://www. scribd. com/doc/24765486/Market-Segmentation-Targeting-Positioning-by-amarnath. NCDC (2010). Snowfall – Average Total In Inches. Retrieved March 15, 2010, from Pearce, Jack and Richard Robin, ( 2004). Chapter 1, Overview of Strategic Management. Retrieved March 5, 2010 from University of Phoenix, rEsource, Bus475 course Website. The Daily Green (2010). 9 Eco-friendly Ways to De-Ice Your Driveway. Retrieved March 21,2010, from http://www. thedailygreen. com/living-green/blogs/green-products-services/driveway-ice-environment-55013001 U. S. Census Bureau, (2000). United states — states; and puerto rico . Retrieved from http://factfinder. census. gov/servlet/GCTTable? _bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-format=US-9|US-9S&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_GCTH5_US9&-CONTEXT=gct (n. d). Washington, Mount. Retrieved from Britannica Online database. ? Appendix A: 2000 US Census Bureau Total Housing Units Geographic areaTotal housing units United States115,904,641 Alaska260,978 Colorado1,808,037 Connecticut1,385,975 Delaware343,072 District of Columbia274,845 Idaho527,824 Illinois4,885,615 Indiana2,532,319 Iowa1,232,511 Maine651,901 Maryland2,145,283 Massachusetts2,621,989 Michigan4,234,279 Minnesota2,065,946 Montana412,633 Nebraska722,668 New Hampshire547,024 New Jersey3,310,275 New York7,679,307 North Carolina3,523,944 North Dakota289,677 Ohio4,783,051 Oregon1,452,709 Pennsylvania5,249,750 Rhode Island439,837 South Dakota323,208 Utah768,594 Vermont294,382 Washington2,451,075 Wisconsin2,321,144 Wyoming223,854 Total59,763,706 (U. S. Census Bureau, 2000) ? Appendix B: Budget (amounts in thousands) Marketing Budget Plan Safety Step JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecTotal Personnel Salaries, wages800 400 400 400 800 800 800 400 800 800 800 $ 7,200 Benefits 100 100 100 100 100 $ 500 Payroll taxes 500 350 400 150 200 200 200 $ 2,000 Commissions and bonuses 100 $ 100 Total$800$400$1,000$400$1,250$800$1,300$0$550$1,100$1,000$1,200 $ 9,800 Market Research Primary research 100 100 $ 200 Secondary research10 10 10 10 10 10 $ 60 Library management $ – Total$10$0$10$100$10$0$10$0$10$0$110$0 $ 260 Marketing Communications Branding60 60 60 60 $ 240 Advertising50 100 50 25 100 100 10 $ 435 Web sites2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10 2 10 10 10 $ 72 Direct marketing20 10 10 10 10 10 10 $ 80 Internet marketing10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 $ 80 Collateral $ – Press relations5 5 5 5 5 5 5 $ 35 Public relations20 20 20 20 20 20 20 $ 140 Analyst relations $ – Events5 5 5 5 5 5 5 $ 35 Total$172$2$12$2$62$160$110$85$62$160$160$130 $ 1,117 Channels Channel communications and training10 10 10 10 10 10 $ 60 Channel promotions and incentives2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 $ 16 Channel commissions/bonuses 20 $ 20 Total$12$12$12$10$10$12$2$2$0$0$2$22 $ 96 Customer Acquisition & Retention (CAR) Lead generation 10 10 10 10 10 $ 50 Customer loyalty2 5 5 2 5 4 3 $ 26 Total$2$0$0$10$10$5$5$12$0$15$4$13 $ 76 Other Postage8 10 10 10 10 $ 48 Attorney fees5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 $ 60 Telephone2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 $ 24 Travel12 8 8 8 8 12 12 12 8 18 18 18 $ 142 Computers and office equipment10 5 5 5 10 10 10 10 5 10 10 10 $ 100 Total$37$20$20$20$25$39$39$29$20$45$45$35 $ 374 Total Marketing Budget$1,033$434$1,054$542$1,367$1,016$1,466$128$642$1,320$1,321$1,400 $ 11,723