Doing Business in Russia & Czech Republic Essay

When assessing the market for investment it is also important to be able to identify what risks are presented by these markets. As this project requires a $100 million investment it is crucial here to be able to have a steady economic and political environment to carry out the operations of the business. As of 2004, the Russian government has taken a strong control of the legislation in the region. The government has either help up or has cancelled several big American projects. The new legislation also tends to weaken the rights of the shareholders. Moreover Russia has not been cooperating with the United State in terms of energy agreements. This makes the country and its legal and political associations hostile towards business which is derived form the United States. This along with the political uncertainty in the region makes the investment climate in Russia very unpredictable and unfavorable. However despite this investment in the economy has been growing. Most of this has come from the FMCG and consumer goods sector. The advantage of conducting business and investing in this region would be benefiting from the high standards of technical education and training. However, by investing in this country the business will have to face and combat corruption at every level. Conducting business in the Czech Republic offers problems in the short term related to compatibility issues, registration of the business as well as adaptation to the culture and environment in the region. However the benefit of investing in this region would be benefiting from the tolerance and cooperation characteristics of the work force which enable the country to be economically successful in the long run. The unemployment rate n the country has decreased and the country is moving towards advancement presenting as a favorable market for investing in a business or operations in this region. According to the analysis of the two countries that has been conducted, it would be more feasible and economically viable to invest in the Czech Republic as compared to Russia.

Chaucers Canterbury Tales - 922 Words

In The General Prologue, Geoffrey Chaucer introduces various characters representing different roles of society. These characters are vividly described and distinguished into three different classes: the military, nobles and knights, the church, priests, nuns, and monks, and the common people. Chaucer’s detailed descriptions built these complex characters who now carried his opinions of the different classes. Trough Chaucer’s contradicting description of the Prioresse, the reader questions the sincerity of church figures during this time, ultimately suggesting that the church was not genuine and full-filling but instead an institution too rigid to be capable of functioning. When the author describes Prioresse all of the factors seemed to be covered, including her behaviors, talents, weaknesses and physical attributes. Together these seem to form not only a complete but a complex portrait of the Prioresse. This image however is directly from the perspective of the narrator. The third person point of view can make the reader wonder how accurate the image is. The narration doesn’t include the Prioresse thoughts or anyone else’s for that matter. Because of this, one can say that the description is the author’s biased view on the character. The author uses the Prioresse and his other characters to bring forth a bigger societal issue. The first thing that the narrator mentions in his description is that the lady was a Prioresse. This is her first and most important label. AShow MoreRelatedChaucers The Canterbury Tales1381 Words   |  6 PagesThe Canterbury Tales serves as a moral manual in the Middle Ages. In the tales, Geoffrey Chaucer portrays the problems of the society. For instance, Chaucer uses the monk and the friar in comparison to the parson to show what the ecclesiastical class are doing versus what they are supposed to be doing. In other words, it is to make people be aware of these problems. It can be inferred that the author’s main goal is for this literary work to serve as a message to the people along with changing theRead More Chaucers Canterbury Tales2103 Words   |  9 Pagesbe forever immortalized as Geoffrey Chaucer the writer, and the Satirist. The true goal of any Satire is to point out the flaws in certain aspect of society, while also inspiring reform to that very same aspect in o ne way or another. In Chaucer’s Canterbury tales, Chaucer satirizes the corruption Catholic Church and those associated. Chaucer saw that hypocrisy polluted the pureness of the church and expressed his disillusionment through the use of satire. Fearless of discommunication Geoffrey ChaucerRead MoreEssay on Chaucers The Canterbury Tales927 Words   |  4 PagesChaucers The Canterbury Tales In The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer comments on moral corruption within the Roman Catholic Church. He criticizes many high-ranking members of the Church and describes a lack of morality in medieval society; yet in the â€Å"Retraction,† Chaucer recants much of his work and pledges to be true to Christianity. Seemingly opposite views exist within the â€Å"Retraction† and The Canterbury Tales. However, this contradiction does not weaken Chaucer’s social commentary.Read MoreGeoffrey Chaucers The Canterbury Tales1030 Words   |  5 PagesGeoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales is a collection of several tales that are all told by different characters and all convey different messages. The story presented in the general prologue is that a group of pilgrims is traveling to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket, and during their journey they take turns telling tales and talking about themselves. Chaucer uses the pilgrims to express his beliefs, about religion , marriage, social class, and many other topics. One of the pilgrims is the MancipleRead MoreMarriage In Chaucers The Canterbury Tales1709 Words   |  7 PagesIn Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, a group of traveling pilgrims on their way from London to Canterbury pass the time by telling each other stories and tales. A handful of the tales are on the topic of marriage, most notably The Miller’s Tale, The Wife of Bath’s Tale and The Merchant’s Tale. The Miller talks about his wife and marriage poorly in his prologue and his tale is just as cynical. The Wife of Bath reveals in her prologue that she has had five husbands, something that was frownedRead MoreChaucers Canterbury Tales741 Words   |  3 Pagesreference to one of The Canterbury Tales discuss, what means Chaucer uses to create the highly individualized (and often comic) characters and how successful is his creation. The Friar from The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer was a master at creating highly individualized characters who are often comic and realistic at the same time and always have good traits as well as bad ones. The aim of this essay is to demonstrate this ability on the example of the Friar from The Canterbury Tales who is one of theRead MoreEssay on The Pardoners Tale of Chaucers The Canterbury Tales1482 Words   |  6 PagesThe Pardoners Tale of Chaucers The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucers The Canterbury Tales is a structured novel which starts with the narrator obtaining twenty traveling companions at an inn. They are all traveling to Canterbury to pay homage to a saint. On their way, these colorful individuals decide to make the trip more bearable by having a story telling contest. Each will tell one story on the way to Canterbury, and one story on the way back. The winner will be decided by the innsRead MoreChaucers Society in Canterbury Tales815 Words   |  4 Pages Chaucers society represents every social class. In doing so, it shows what it takes to actually make a society function. The different people carry different stories to share. These stories carry lessons learned in hopes of sharing them with others so that they may not end up in the same predicaments. After all, that is the main point of sharing stories, isnt it? In the Nun and Priests tale, a story of never trusting a flatterer is told. The Pardoner tries to sell indulgences to the pilgrimsRead More Chaucers The Canterbury Tales: The Parson’s Tale Essay2219 Words   |  9 PagesChaucers The Canterbury Tales: The Parson’s Tale The critical acclaim for The Canterbury Tales as a whole is matched by the puzzlement over the work’s conclusion, the â€Å"Parson’s Tale† and Chaucer’s retraction. By modern standards, it hardly seems the â€Å"merry tale† the Parson promises his audience, and after the liveliness of much of the rest of the Tales, it appears to close the work not with a bang, but a whimper. However, this does not mean that the tale and retraction aren’t worthyRead MoreEssay Immorality in Chaucers Canterbury Tales1646 Words   |  7 Pagesambiguity are two concepts that will ruin any relationship. In Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, he specifically illustrates through his pilgrims’ stories some comical and realistic events that display immorality in the Middle Ages. There are several characters whose stories are focused on presenting the immorality within their tales. Like that of â€Å"The Miller’s Tale,† and â€Å"The Merchant’s Tale.† Chaucer utilizes these tales to display one specific immoral act, which is sexual sin or lust. Chaucer

The Problem Of Poverty Of Homelessness - 950 Words

Poverty WHAT I ALREADY KNOW/WHY THIS TOPIC Down my building street, a homeless lives there. I always wonder what brought him here. What was his previous occupation before living down the street and annoying everyone else. Questions started to rise. Are they really homeless? poor? or faking it up to attract people’s attention? I had an experience that made these questions rise weirdly. One day, I was sitting in Starbucks, located in Cary street beside Chili’s and I saw the homeless that howl beside my home sitting there and charging his brand new Samsung Galaxy phone and began to text. I was shocked because what I saw is not how homeless should be. Another question rose again, which is, why would he buy a phone with an internet in it. He could buy food for that money. RESULT OF THE RESEARCH After that incident, I started to surf the internet look for an answer. If we do research and discover the situation of homelessness, we will learn that there are many reasons. There are many reasons why does homeless exists. One of those reasons is mental health illnesses. Think about it! Having a kid with a mental issue is a small problem and can be help tightly, but when that kid gets older he/she could be unbearable and living with that person is impossible. From that moments parents ignore that person and sometimes leave him/her alone in a park or even the street. This is one reason why homeless tend to increase over time. Another reason is that homeless tend to own homes and lives,Show MoreRelatedThe Problem Of Poverty And Homelessness1604 Words   |  7 Pagesissue of poverty and homelessness in America. In fact, a study taken in 2015 gathered that with more interaction and willingness to help the homeless, the more empathy and compassion is gained for them, later resulting in a larger contribution from society creating a social change. I obtained this information based on a survey taken by Lindsay Phillips, a physiologist, that took it upon herself to ask working, undergraduate college students to describe their perceptions of homelessness, willingnessRead MoreThe Problem Of Poverty And Homelessness956 Words   |  4 Pagestransportation and I see a person who is homeless I do one of two things: 1) Avoid eye contact and act as if they don’t exist or 2) I give them some extra food or my loose change. Poverty is something that most people tend to ignore, or act like someone else is there to fix it. This image critically argues that poverty and/or homelessness isn’t something that can be fixed with some coins it requires an actual change. This image makes this argument with its size and color, play on words that targets a specificRead MoreHomelessness And Poverty And Homelessness1699 Words   |  7 PagesCenter on Ho melessness and Poverty 7) While a portion of today’s society turns a blind eye to the subject of the criminalization of homelessness, an even larger quantity of people are not aware of the situation that is happening in every major city of America. For those living an affluent lifestyle, it can be difficult to discuss the amount of poverty and homelessness that is constantly occurring. The definition and meaning behind the absence of home is also arduous to discuss. While homelessness is commonlyRead MoreThe Perception of the Homeless1092 Words   |  5 Pagespeople in the United States alone (National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homelessness). Within this amount of people there are challenges beyond not having a home that most citizens with a home do not face that include thinking about appearance, quality and source of food, living space, and source of money. These are just a few things that non-homeless may overlook when thinking about the challenges of homelessness. The way that we as a na tion perceive others around us comes into play here, becauseRead MoreThe Perception of the Homeless1206 Words   |  5 PagesUnited States alone (National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homelessness). Within this amount of people there are challenges beyond not having a home that the majority of citizens with a home do not face. These include: thinking about appearance, quality and source of food, living space, and source of money. Those mentioned are just a few things that non-homeless people may overlook when thinking about the challenges of homelessness. As a nation the way we perceive others around us comes into playRead MoreHomelessness in the United States Essay1461 Words   |  6 PagesCampaign Against Hunger and Homelessness, â€Å"approximately 3.5 million people are homeless each year, while 36.3 million live in households without enough food.† This statistic only reflects the United States, and to many people, it just doesn’t make sense. For instance Alfredzine Black of the YWCA in Marion, Indiana says, â€Å"I don’t understand why we have so much poverty in the richest country in the world!† Citizens of the United States have a hard time defining and identifying poverty in their communitiesRead MoreEssay on Solving Homelessness1416 Words   |  6 PagesSolving Homelessness Nationwide homelessness is a growing epidemic across the country. There are many ways an individual can become homeless, for the most part it is poverty. There are also different concentrations of homeless in different types of environments, such as urban or suburban areas. Last, there is the ever-growing homeless population, and how much money it costs us for others to live in poverty. A way we can help find the solution to this problem, is to know the facts about this lingeringRead More Homelessness in america Essay1369 Words   |  6 Pages Homelessness in America nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Here in Tahoe, we are lucky enough to experience a great quality of life, and only a few have to face the horrible life of poverty and homelessness. However, nationwide, even right outside the basin, homelessness is a growing epidemic across the country. There are many ways one can become homeless; for the most part poverty. There are also different concentrations of homeless in different types of terrain, such as urban or suburban areas. LastRead MoreWhy Do People Become Homelss1750 Words   |  7 Pagesto present to you why people become homeless and why it does not stop Homelessness is a problem that have getting out of hands because of not addressing the situation on time. The focus is not so much the why but, if it will ever stop. Homelessness is a phenomenon that has so much to address research has been done; it was discover that for our government to concentrate on the stop instead of the why. We know the why. The problem is to start by addressing th e gender, the culture, the psychosocial ofRead MoreCauses of Homelessness Essay1298 Words   |  6 PagesCauses of Homelessness Bentley Martin BSHS/302 July 16, 2011 Joey Schumacher Causes of Homelessness There are many factors that lead to poverty and homelessness. People often jump to conclusions and form stereotypes to look down upon those who are poor. Stereotypes include poor people who are viewed as lazy, jobless, criminals, or un-educated. When I think of a homeless individual, I would agree with most of the stereotypes and find within the reading and researching that there is more to

The Writing A Research Paper - 923 Words

Writing a Research Paper The research paper There will come a time in most students careers when they are assigned a research paper. Such an assignment often creates a great deal of unneeded anxiety in the student, which may result in procrastination and a feeling of confusion and inadequacy. This anxiety frequently stems from the fact that many students are unfamiliar and inexperienced with this genre of writing. Never fear—inexperience and unfamiliarity are situations you can change through practice! Writing a research paper is an essential aspect of academics and should not be avoided on account of one s anxiety. In fact, the process of writing a research paper can be one of the more rewarding experiences one may encounter in academics. What is more, many students will continue to do research throughout their careers, which is one of the reasons this topic is so important. Becoming an experienced researcher and writer in any field or discipline takes a great deal of practice. There are few individuals for whom this process comes naturally. Remember, even the most seasoned academic veterans have had to learn how to write a research paper at some point in their career. Therefore, with diligence, organization, practice, a willingness to learn (and to make mistakes!), and, perhaps most important of all, patience, a student will find that she can achieve great things through her research and writing. This handout will include the following sections related to theShow MoreRelatedWriting and Research Paper2935 Words   |  12 Pagesthe textbook. Read at least two articles per week. Read the Writer at Work following some of the articles. HE – Harbrace Essentials – recommended writing handbook. Strunk and White and the Purdue University Online Writing Lab can be found online (links in resources). Questions? E-mail the instructor: patricia.green@hccs.edu Other Materials Paper and pen Folder for handouts Jump drive/flash drive Grade Percentages Essay #1: (10%) 500 word personal memoir on childhood and familyRead MoreWriting a Great Research Paper1643 Words   |  7 Pagesby Karl Weber, M.A. Writing a Great Research Paper: Picking an A+ Topic Study Guide Video Aided Instruction, Inc. Roslyn Heights, New York 1 #VAI-S1914 v1.0 This study guide should be used along with a program published by Video Aided Instruction, Inc. For more information, call 1-800 -238-1512 or visit us online at videoaidedinstruction.com. This study guide should be used along with the following program published by Video Aided Instruction. The instructor works through the exercisesRead MoreResearch And Writing Interest Paper867 Words   |  4 PagesWanlin Jiang (Lynn) Research and Writing Interest paper 1. What is your research topic? Elements that contribute to a market campaign’s failure and the way to revise unsuccessful advertisement. In which point that makes the customer abandon a product because of the unsuccessful ad, and the way to fix the unwise designs of inappropriate ads. 2. Why do you research it? To begin with, I am interested in how advertisements influence our lives, and more, how customers respond to advertisements.Read MoreGathering Information and Writing a Research Paper1644 Words   |  7 PagesGathering Information and Writing a Research Paper xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx Gathering Information and Writing a Research Paper Writing a research paper for the first time can be a difficult task if not given the proper instruction to complete such an assignment. Breaking a research paper down into separate tasks and sections might ease frustrations for the researcher and give them some fundamental tools for future research projects. A goodRead MoreThe Importance Of Writing A Good Research Paper2084 Words   |  9 Pageswill have to face the challenge of writing a research paper. As those who have written one before knowing, it is no easy task. But the writing process should not intimidate students. Even those who write well do so only after many attempts And by practice. Many students come to college unprepared to write a custom research paper simply because they have not had the opportunity to do so during high school. Thus, they do not know the basic components of a research paper and are bewildered when assignedRead MoreLoss: A Stage of Writing a Research Paper1503 Words   |  7 PagesLoss has everything to do with writing a research paper. It starts with a loss of words when nobody knows what word to pick. Then there is a loss of money because you’ve had to fuel your car up to go to the Auburn Library and make tons of copies of your research. By the time the thesis is due, a loss of words comes ba ck with a disappearing reason why the word is important. With the etymology most students are completely lost because, despite being given a crash course on how to read the Oxford EnglishRead MorePreventing Plagiarism When Writing A Research Paper980 Words   |  4 PagesPREVENTING PLAGIARISM WHEN WRITING In a research paper, you have to come up with your own original ideas while at the same time making reference to work that s already been done by others. But how can you tell where their ideas end and your own begin? What s the proper way to integrate sources in your paper? If you change some of what an author said, do you still have to cite that author? Confusion about the answers to these questions often leads to plagiarism. If you have similar questions orRead MoreBlood Type Caught My Interest For Writing A Research Paper1754 Words   |  8 PagesShubha Gautam Caitrin Blake Eng 121 Nov 3rd, 2015 Research Paper on â€Å"O Blood Group† Before we talk about O blood group. I would like to include that O blood type caught my interest for writing a research paper. It’s because I personally have O negative blood group which is rare and considered to be a universal donor. So first of all, we must know what is blood group? Blood group is actually a different type of blood with different and complex chemical system found in the human being, also determineRead More I Don’t Have a Topic for My Research Paper, So I’m Writing about Nothing2826 Words   |  12 PagesWhat is nothing? Though at first, the response may seem like little more than a play on words, the simple answer is this: Nothing is not. No word such as anything or everything can be added at the end of the statement to further clarify the crucial concept, which is non-existence: the dictionary definition of nothing. In actuality, though, although the denotation of nothing insists on absolute absence and void, in today’s society nothing is actually quite present, masquerading as something indeedRead MoreHow I Learned From Class Into My Writing876 Words   |  4 Pagesbeginning of the semester I thought Writing 102 was going to be very similar to other writing courses that I have taken. However, as the semester wore on, I came to the realization that this course would be challenging for me. I have always thought that my writing was fine and that I could skate by with mediocre papers. This thought process could not have been further from the truth. To be successful in writing classes such as this one, I needed to follow a writing process. I needed to utilize the

Intelligence Testing Article Free Essays

There is not one precise definition of intelligence. But, the idea of intelligence can be seen as a cluster of mental abilities that has the ability to obtain and use knowledge, exhibit problem-solving skills, and to excel at a variety of tasks (Shiraev Levy, 2010). Intelligence is a necessary factor that allows one to adapt to one’s environment. We will write a custom essay sample on Intelligence Testing Article or any similar topic only for you Order Now But outside of the dominion of cultural context, intelligence cannot be really explained; this is because questions on intelligence tests that are scored often do not have the same meaning in every culture (Shiraev Levy, 2010). Howard Gardner’s theory proposed his own view of intelligence in which he claimed that seven intelligences work independently but concurrently, completing one another. The PASS theory, a basis for the Cognitive Assessment System, features three functional units. Both these theories have a significant impact within psychology and smooth out the loose ends of extensive cross-cultural cracks in calculating tools. Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Howard Gardner offered an alternative understanding of intelligence, which added to the traditional definition; it incorporated three-dimensional relations, mathematics, music, linguistic ability, and interpersonal knowledge (Kaufman, 2013). Gardner (1989), defined intelligence as â€Å"the capacity to solve problems or to fashion products that are valued in one or more cultural setting† (P. 4). His definition acknowledged mathematical and verbal skills. Gardner’s theory outlines seven intelligences; linguistic, logical/mathematical, spatial, bodily, musical, intrapersonal, and two personal intelligences of social feelings and intentions of others. According to the theory of multiple intelligences, the intelligences work simultaneously, accompanying one another while an individual learns, develops, improves, and masters life skills. Gardner argued for the cultural and biological basis by emphasizing the outcomes of neurobiological research, which maintenances knowledge as a result of basic function capability and changes. Gardner not only had his biological origin for multiple intelligences, he also believes that culture plays an important role in the development of intelligence than traditionally acknowledged (Gardner, 1983). Some cultures value and preserve certain types of intelligences, especially if they help with the improvement and maintenance of a culture. The more appreciated a skill is, the more one is driven to know and thrive in that particular discipline. A particular intelligence can be very much developed due to a culture’s value, while others may not develop or develop hardly at all (Gardner, 1983). PASS Theory The PASS theory of intelligence proposes that cognition is organized in three functional units that are applied widely to IQ tests. According to Luria’s idea of this model, PASS stands for Planning, Attention-Arousal, and Simultaneous and Successive model of processing (Kaufman, 2013). According to this model, the first functional unit’s job is to focus and sustain attention. The second function is the attention process, which maintains alertness and arousal levels, and warrants focus on important stimuli. The final functional unit accepts and stores information with consecutive and concurrent processing. PASS theory challenges what is the foundation of all cognitive processes; G-based theories. G-based theories of human intelligence say that â€Å"human intellectual functioning is best described as a unitary class† (Das Abbott, 1995). The challenge comes from the fact that g-theory believes that neuropsychological research that establishes the brain is made up of diverse codependent organisms (Das Abbott, 1995). The PASS theory seeks to explain intelligence in a more dynamically appropriate sense and to overcome gaps from the traditional IQ test. IQ tests are based on outdates theories that rely on correlations between the IQ scores, but not taking into consideration that intelligence is evolving and unsolidified. Intelligence Testing The reason that traditional IQ testing is not reliable is because they are built on the concept that intelligence is mainly methodical and fixed. Gardner believed in calculating intellectual tendencies at an early age because he did not believe intelligences are permanent (Morgan, 1996). As cultures vary, they reach intelligence at different levels and they may see certain skills and knowledge of more value than others (Kaufman, 2013). Gardner’s theory is flexible to the dissimilarities in intelligences cross-culturally and is genuine in measuring intelligence (Morgan, 1996). The PASS theory emphasizes on developments, rather than intelligence and capability helps with being familiar cross-culturally, and is rather reasonable as oppose to general IQ testing (Das Abbott, 1995). General IQ testing and similar tests stress the importance of language and mathematical abilities,; this is not exactly accurate cross-cultural measurement (Kaufman, 2013). Conclusion The unfairness of intelligence testing is submerged. The measurements of these tests are reliable, but only to a small fraction of the population cross-culturally. Both theories mentioned smooth out the bumps of widespread gaps in effective measuring tools when it comes to cross-cultural population. Different cultures cannot be effectively measured by traditional IQ and similar psychological tests. When the correlations of social success and IQ scores are matched, they show an inaccurate picture of bias constructed with things like sexism and racism. The measurement of intelligence must take into account the essential cultural perspective of knowledge and learning. How to cite Intelligence Testing Article, Papers

Toqueville And Freedom Essay Example For Students

Toqueville And Freedom Essay Political Freedom: Arendt and de TocquevilleFreedom in America emanates from the state of political freedom held by the citizens. Both Hannah Arendt and Alexis de Tocqueville provide criticism of the apparent shape freedom maintains in America as well as insight regarding how they perceive true political freedom. By using the observations and criticisms of de Tocqueville and the vision of Arendt, the position of modern America and its relation to the ideals of political freedom can be understood. It is necessary to understand de Tocquevilles observation of equality in order to make the distinction of democracy and how freedom relates to it. According to de Tocqueville, democracy requires an initial ingredient of civil equality. Civil equality is the absence of social divisions and barriers. The necessity of equality then leads to individuals and the deconstruction of community bonds. This occurs because the presence of community requires separate social classes and dependencies based on the class relations. De Tocqueville says, ?equality places men side by side, unconnected by any common tie? (de Tocqueville 194). Individuals needs and desires in society evolve into individualism and the further pursuit of ones self-interest. Political liberties and freedoms are thus sacrificed in attempts to satisfy the private appetite for personal gains. De Tocqueville maintains that, Selfishness blights the germ of all virtue; individualism, at first, only saps the virtue of public life; but, in the long run, it attacks and destroys all others, and is at length absorbed in downright selfishness. (De Tocqueville 193)Such selfish disassociation from society equates to tyranny of the majority under the despotic rule of centralized government because citizens no longer find reason or a feeling of responsibility in terms of a public realm that offers no direct personal reward. The collapse of public responsibilities is rooted in the growth of private desires. Alexis de Tocqueville takes democracy down a miserable path where citizens become divided and governments become despotic and centralized. The morals of society collapse, connections dissolve between citizens, and freedom produces private animosities, but despotism gives birth to general indifference (de Tocqueville 195). Democracy in America does not end in despotic centralization; it concludes with the realization of the need for political freedom and the insinuation of power into the citizens through associations. In order to combat the evils which equality may produce, there is only one effectual remedy, namely, political freedom (de Tocqueville 197). Political salvation in America does not seep from the national government, nor does it fester within the states themselves. De Tocqueville recognizes associations, which are the political forces beyond the sphere of institutional government, as the necessary means of preserving political power of the majority and political freedom i n democracy. If men living in democratic countries had no right and no inclination to associate for political purposes, there independence would be in great jeopardy; but they might long preserve their wealth and their cultivation; whereas, if they never acquired the habit of forming associations in ordinary life, civilization itself would be endangered. (De Tocqueville 199) Associations offer salvation where governments fail to preserve themselves. Without politics beyond the government there cannot be politics within the government except for absolute despotism. For Arendt, the circumstances that inhibit political freedom and those that establish it are of equal importance. This helps in developing the necessary means involved in obtaining political freedom. There ?should be no reason for us to mistake civil rights for political freedom, or to equate these preliminaries of civilized government with the very substance of a free republic (Arendt 220). Arendt has established civil rights as an entity separate from political freedom. Civil rights apply to liberation and not political freedom, because civil rights do not necessarily assume the presence of freedom. Civil rights can be granted to a population under the rule of a tyrant in the form of a law, but when the population is not part of the formation of such a law then political freedom does not exist. According to Arendt, the presence of poverty further suppresses the possibility of political freedom. If individuals are forced to focus their efforts towards the fulfillment of biological n eeds such as food and shelter then they cannot possibly be political. Capitalism also prevents the existence of Arendts political freedom because capitalism is based on consumption. When the members of society are focused on obtaining goods and material possessions they become equally preoccupied as individuals engulfed in poverty. Capitalism creates greed and unnecessary needs and desires that inhibit political freedom. Political freedom requires an absence of as many social conditions as it does a presence of other conditions. Oliver bacon(the duchess and the jeweller) EssaySo it is understood that political freedom is a possibility in America. I have taken the understanding of de Tocqueville and Arendt and applied their principles and visions to formulate and understand where America is in the present and where America needs to head if political freedom is to become a reality. I understand that this vision, my own vision, is very rough and is vulnerable to much criticism, but it must be realized what potential exists in America. Arendt and Tocqueville have paved the road to political freedom; now it is up to the citizens to travel that road and obtain the freedom that founded our nation. Political Issues

Strategic Brand Management Final Notes Essay Example

Strategic Brand Management: Final Notes Essay Strategic Brand Management Final Study Guide Entire Book, but focus on Chpt 8-15 Reading: The Anatomy of Buzz- How to Create Word of Marketing- (Has taken significance due to 3 reasons: noise, information overload, skepticism-don’t believe message from companies and connectivity-internet). Takes a network approach. The importance of Buzz depends on the 1. Nature of your product (paperclips vs. movies) 2. The people that you’re trying to reach (younger people are more influenced by peers) 3. Your Customer’s connectivity 4. Your marketing strategy (if you have a contract, buzz is less important) 1. Buzz is an invisible network-You will never really see how buzz moves from person to person. You just need to understand that people need to communicate with one another, and figure out how to get them talking. 2. There are thousands of networks through which buzz flows-These networks are loosely connected with one another. Buzz can start one, but might not jump to another without a push. 3. In every network, there is a person who is the hub-Opinion Leaders(Regular Hub, Mega Hub-celebrity, press, Expert Hub, Social Hub)that person needs to be cultivated so he can spread the work about your product or service. Learn how to identify and engage this person. Reach the hub early! 4. A great product is essential- Contagious products- products that evoke an emotional response (blair witch), products that advertise themselves (wheeled luggage bags), products that leave traces, products that become more useful as more people use them (phones), products that are compatible, products that do the rest. We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Brand Management: Final Notes specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Brand Management: Final Notes specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Brand Management: Final Notes specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer There is no reason to spread buzz if the product isn’t compelling. 5. Networks must be seeded-Before word-of-mouth can take off, each network must be seeded with suggestion, maybe through first-time or free offer, put the product in their hands, reduce price barrier, listen for silence Rules of Networks- networks are invisible, people link with others like them, similar people form clusters, buzz spreads through common nodes, information gets trapped in clusters, network hubs and connectors create shortcuts, we talk to those around us, weak ties are surprisingly strong, the net nurtures weak ties, networks go across markets. Ads and Buzz can work together- be careful because the wrong kind of advertizing can kill buzz. Distribution and Buzz can work together- seed retailers, or create mystery Reading: Brand Asset Management (–In phases) 1. Develop a Brand Vision- a statement of overall goal for the brand, the target market, the POD, and financial goals, all of which involves senior management approval and that fills in a financial growth gap. 2. Determine Your Brand Picture-determine your brand’s image (association and persona), create your brand’s contract (promises the brand makes to the customer), craft a brand-based customer model (why do they chose one brand over another, how does your brand stack up, what are the opportunities for growth) 3. Develop a Brand Asset Development Strategy- positioning your brand for success, extending your brand, communicating your brand’s position, leveraging your brand to maximize channel influence, and pricing the brand at a premium. 4. Supporting a Brand Asset Management Culture- measuring the ROBI and establishing a brand-based culture Final Review- Building Customer-Based Brand Equity Tools and ObjectivesChoosing Brand Elements(Must be memorable, meaningful, favorable, transferable, adaptable andProtectable)Marketing ProgramsProduct-tangible/intangible BenefitsPrice-value perceptionDistribution Channel- Communications-Leverage Brand Association(company, country of origin,event, etc)| Knowledge EffectBrand AwarenessDepth-Recall and RecognitionBreadth- Purchase and ConsumptionBrand Associations (ex. ountry of Origin)Strong-relevant/consistentFavorable-Unique-POD, POP| 9 Brand OutcomesPossible outcomes are-Loyalty -Less vulnerable to competition and marketing crisis-Lower/Higher margins-Elastic/Inelastic Pricing Response-Increased marketing comm. Efficiency-Licensing Opportunities-Greater trade Cooperation-More Favorable Brand Extension Opportunities| Stages of Brand Development- Customer-Based Brand Equity Pyramid Customer-Based Brand Equity Pyramid-Branding Objectives at Each Stage Managing Customer-Based Brand Equity Define Brand-Product Matrix-Brand Extensions: establish new equity and enhance existing equity. Brand Portfolio: maximize coverage and minimize overlap Enhance Brand Equity Over Time- Brand Reinforcement, Brand Revitalization Establish Brand Equity over Market Segments- Identify Differences in Consumer Behavior, Adjust Branding Programs Brand Positioning (Why is it better, how it is different, the solution to the buyer’s problem, its unique selling proposition) The Process 1. Target Audience (be very focused to have more brand resonance)(D,B,P,G) and must be sizable, identifiable, accessible, responsive. . Competitive Frame of Reference (how do customers relate to you and others)-direct competitors indirect competitors, perceived competitors 3. Benefits-(rational- features-often with tech products/emotional-connection Apple IPod)-POD must be feasible, communicable, sustainable, relevant, distinctive, believable- is desired by target consumer, company can deliver on promise POP 4. Brand Values- abstract brand associations 5. Brand Personality-5 Factors sincerity, excitement, competence, sophistication, ruggedness 6. Brand Essence/Mantra- McDonalds: Food, Folks, Fun=Brand function, Descriptive, Emotional Brand Positioning Matrix: Mapping Differentiation- Relevance and Differentiation Positioning Statement For target audience, brand name is the product description that product payoff 1/Reason Why and product payoff 2/Reason Why. For the Asian or Asian American grocery store consumer, Ranch 99 is the Asian grocery store that has the largest selection of Asian food products and the lowest prices in the San Diego region. Guidelines for Building Brand Equity: 1. Mix and match brand elements 2. Ensure high quality by creating rich images and linking tangible and intangible brand elements 3. Adopt a value-based pricing strategy (customers pay a premium) 4. Consider direct/indirect distribution options (push/pull) 5. Mix up marketing communications 6. leverage secondary associations Why Brand Management Fails- failure to communicate meaning of brand, to live up to brand promise, adequately support brand, be patient, balance consistency and change, to understand the complexity of brand equity measurement and management. Highlights: Chpts 8-10 Brand Value Chain: To Trace the value creation process for brands to better understand the financial impact of the brand to better understand the financial impact of brand marketing expenditures and investments. Brand Value Stage MultipliersProgram QualityMarketplace ConditionsInvestor Sentiment (Clarity, Relevance, (Competitive Reaction, Channel Support(Market Dynamics, Growth potential Distinctiveness, Consistency)Customer Size and profile)risk profile, brand contribution) Brand Tracking Studies Brand Audits-Provide in-depth information and insights for long-term strategy and positioning development Tracking Studies-involve information collection from consumers on a routine basis over time. We should track: Awareness/image, sources that make brand equity, corporate family tracking. Brand Tracking Survey Format: Follow the Customer-Based Brand Equity Pyramid from bottom to top!! How: Who to track: Current customers (light, medium and heavy users) loyal customers vs. rice sensitive customers, non-customers rejecters, When and Where to track: continuous and regular interval tracking-frequency depends on frequency of product purchase. Interpreting tracking studies: shifts are often subtle, what are the minimum threshold numbers. Brand Context Measures: Your brand does not live in a vacuum. What’s happening in the environment (competitive frame of reference) will impact brands long-term value. Examine 8 factors: economic indicators, retail trends, t echnology, media indicators, demographic profile, other products and service, personal attitudes and values, attitudes to brands and shopping. Brand Equity-Who’s responsible? Senior management who develops a brand review process: review brand sensitive material, review status of brand initiatives, review new brand positioning conflicts, etc. Understanding Consumer Behavior: Why do people buy our brand? Or see other brands? See â€Å"Brand Asset Management Measuring Sources of Brand Equity: Qualitative Research Techniques: focus groups, free association, brand personality and values, Projective Techniques: (ex. Maxwell House vs. Nescafe example) (ex . Presidents and products) experiential methods. Quantitative Research Techniques: Awareness, recognition, recall, image, attitude and usage, product-concept, brand relationship. Quantitative Techniques: n 200, generally between 400-1000. Can test 2 things. Awareness- recognition of packing on shelf (eye tracking technique), recall-identify the brand under different circumstances (aided and unaided),( techniques: fake branding, false guesses etc. ) Image-(Strong, Favorable and Unique)- Forced choice, purchase intent, 3 measures of consumer beliefs. -Free choice (which attributes they prefer -Scaling (agree disagree scale 1-6) Ranking (how close is a brand associated with a attribute) Types of Brand-Focused Quantitative Studies Attitude and Usage Survey (AU)-measures attitudes toward brands, describes category involvement, how consumers use the products, track trends. Brand Segmentation Studies- Net Promoter Score-Promoters-Detractor=Net Promoters. Scale of 1-10, 9-10 promoters, 7-8 passives, 1-6 detractors, Asks â€Å"Would you re commend brand X? † Brand Loyalty Studies-Past purchase percentage mix/future purchase mix Brand Substitutability-What brand did you buy last time? , If not available, which brand would you buy? Track repeat rate. YR Brand Asset Valuator Model-Important!! Five Measures of Brand Equity (Pillars) 1. Differentiation-how a brand is different 2. Energy-ability to meet future consumer needs, attract new customers (momentum, dynamic) 3. Relevance-Brand’s appeal (size of franchise, not necessarily profitability) 4. Esteem-How a brand is regarded and respected 5. Knowledge-how familiar and intimate customers are with brand Developed in 1993 and updated in quarterly waves in the US. Its global, 400,000 consumers, 20,000 brands, 72 parameters. Assesses different categories simultaneously vs. one category. Brand Health Indicator- Brand strength: leading indicator future values, Brand Stature: lagging indicatorpast performance. High Brand Strength(Future Performance, Differentiation, Energy and Relevance)| Niche/Unrealized Potential/Growing| Power Leaders vs. Declining Leaders| Low Brand Strength (Future Performance, Differentiation, Energy and Relevance)| New or Unfocused Brands| Eroded| YR Brand Asset Valuation Model| Low Brand Stature (Current Performance Esteem and Knowledge)| High Brand Stature(Current Performance Esteem and Knowledge)| Introducing New Products and Line Extensions New Product Strategic Matrix Current Products| New Products| Current Markets| Market PenetrationStrategy| Product Development Strategy| New Markets| Market DevelopmentStrategy| DiversificationStrategy| Branding Options: 1. Develop a new brand 2. Apply an existing brand (Brand extension) 3. Combine a new brand with an existing brand (Levi’s Dockers) (Brand extension) Brand Extension: 1. Line extensi on 2. Category extension. Why Products Fails: market too small, product is poor match for the company, inadequate product research, entered too early or too late in the market, provided insufficient ROI, product not new or different, unrecognizable/limited capability. Advantages of Brand Extensions: 1. Facilitate New Product Acceptance 2. Provide Feedback Benefits to the Parent Brand Company Disadvantages of Brand Extensions: 1. Possible customer confusion 2. Retailer resistance 3. Can fail and hurt parent brand 4. Can Cannibalize parent brand,5. Can hurt image 6. Can dilute brand meaning Brand-Building Situations Chpt. 12 1. Managing a Corporate Brand, 2. Building a Sub-Brand, 3. Branding an Ingredient 4. Branding a Commodity (coffee, milk, a location ex. Juan Valdez) 5. Managing a Portfolio 6. Building a Corporate Brand 7. Managing a High Growth Brand. Brand-Product Portfolio Strategy Brand-Product Matrix: Brand Portfolio is the set of all brands and brand lines the firm sells in a particular category and the product line. Breadth Vs. Depth of the Product Line: Different lines vs. variants Breadth is how many lines Depth is the variances within Ex. Product from PG | Laundry Detergent| Other Product line| Brand 1| Tide| | Brand 2| Cheer| | Brand 3| Dreft†¦and so on| | Determine the Breadth of a Branding Strategy-Category Attractiveness: 1. Review aggregate market factors 2. Category/industry factors 3. Environmental factors. Reasons for Introducing Multiple Brands: 1. Any one brand is NOT viewed equally favorable by all market segments, increase shelf presense, to attract customers who might switch to another brand. Ex. Mother switches from Tide to Dreft. Special Roles of Brands in a Brand Portfolio: 1. Attack market segments not being served by other brands 2. Flanker to protect flagship brand (5 different brands of beer for Miller) 3. Cash Cow (Milk for Profit)-Funyons 4. Low to end entry level to attract new customers (100 series of BMW) 5. High end prestige product to enhance credibility of entire portfolio (Olay Microdermabrasion) 6. To increase internal competition within firm 7. To leverage economies of scale Ideal Brand Portfolio: Eight Categories of Brand Definition 1. Power -needs to be defended ex. Tide 2. Sleeper -with support, can grow into a power brand 3. Slider -has-been brand, needs attention! 4. Soldier -needs no management attention ex. Funyons 5. Black Hole -Resource suck, no payback 6. Rocket- quickly on its way to be a power brand 7. Wallflower- underappreciated brand with loyal customers (Payday candybars) 8. Discard- should have been tossed Brand Hierarchy: permits companies to focus their communication on key brand elements: Corporate Brand (top) (GM)Family Brand (Chevy)Individual Brand (El Camino) Modifier (SS) Importance Corporate Image Associations: When the brand is primary corporate (GE/HP/BP), then the corporate brand image has to reflect certain associations 1. Common Product attributes, benefits or attitudes 2. People and relationships 3. Values and Programs (CSR) 4. Corporate Credibility (expertise, trustworthiness, likeability) Designing a Brand Strategy: 3 options Corporate Dominant (16%)- corporate brands, house brands -Mixed Brands (52%)- ex. Kellogs corn flakes-dual brands, endorsed brands -Dominant Brand (32%)- mono brands, furtive brands (corporate identify undisclosed Global Marketing (Now a Prerequisite for Success) Why Go Global? 5 Reasons 1. Perception of slow growth and increased competition in domestic markets 2. Belief in enhanced oversees growth and opportunities (BRIC) 3. Desire to reduce costs from economies of scale 4. Need to diversify risk 5. Recognition of global mobility of customers Four Major Decisions to Make Before Going Global 1. Decide which markets to enter (India,EU? ) 2. Decide how to enter the market- (J. V, FDI, exports? ) 3. Decide on the marketing strategy (global or multinational? ) 4. Decide on the marketing organization (centralized or decentralized) Some Advantages of Going Global: lower marketing costs, consistency in brand image, power and scope, economies of scale, etc. Some Disadvantages of Going Global: differences in consumer needs/wants (Venezuela/Colombia), differences in consumer responses to marketing, differences in competitive scope, differences in legal environments, differences in marketing institutions, etc. Selecting Global Markets and Devising Market Entry Strategies Global Market Selection Criteria: economic environment, cultural environment, demographic environment, political/legal environment. 3 Global Market Entry Strategies (Important! ): 1. Export existing brands 2. Acquiring existing brands 3. Creating some form of brand alliance with another firm. Trade-Offs in Market Entry Strategy Strategy| Speed| Control| Investments| Geographic Extension(exporting existing brands)| slow| High| Medium| Brand Acquisition| fast| medium| high| Brand Alliance| Moderate| low| Low| Designing Global Marketing Programs: Standardized or customized? Leverage global PODs and Advantages Global Positioning Considerations: Create mental maps, define core brand values and identify POP, POD/ 10 Commandments of Global Branding: 1. Understand similarities and differences in the global branding landscape 2. Don’t take short-cuts in brand building 3. Establish marketing infrastructure 4. Embrace integrated marketing communications 5. Cultivate brand partnerships 6. Balance Standardization and Customization 7. Balance global and local control 8. Establish operable guidelines 9. Implement a global brand equity measurement system 10. Leverage brand elements Criteria to Develop Successful Global Brands and Viable Industries 3 Essential Criteria: 1. Global positioning and branding, 2. Technology that can be applied globally 3. Capabilities for local implementation Global Branding: Setting the Stage: Centralized: Power at HQ, strong creative theme. Conditions for success= education across the company, global appeal, global recognition of benefits, strong communication. Decentralized: Power in the field, positioning varies with markets, multiple creative directions, create different consumer messages. Conditions for success=strong marketing leader, excellent communication across markets, strong localization opportunities Issues/Learning From Working Internationally: 1. Limited competitive information 2. Quality and training of staff (improving) 3. Limited understanding of research, media and alternative marketing techniques 4. Speed to market 5. Listen to locals 6. Logical vs. emotional consumers