“The Stone Soup” an Example by

â€Å"The Stone Soup† Since time immemorial, we have been taught that a man should only be paired with a woman. The law and religion taught us that man-woman relationship is the only acceptable relationship. It is just understandable that most people would oppose gay marriage. After all, homosexuality is not even fully accepted in the society, how much more a marriage of two individuals of the same sex? Moving on, the fable of "The Stone Soup" is a story that has been passed through generations. If we approach the story with gay marriage taken into consideration, we would discover that "The Stone Soup" fable is a good analogy for the acceptance of gay marriage. Need essay sample on "The Stone Soup" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Our Customers Often Tell EssayLab specialists: I've procrastinated to write my health essays essay way too much today & I still don't wanna write it EssayLab specialists recommend: Academic Papers For Sale Basically, in the stone soup story, there was a pair of traveling men who had made their stop at a poor village. One of the travelers set up a small fire while the other prepares a cooking pot. The latter fills the cooking pot with water then puts a stone on the pot. The villagers became curious about the strange recipe that they had gathered around the cooking travelers. The villagers felt that the stone soup would be tasteless. And so the villagers had offered little contributions that had resulted to a soup with many ingredients. The villagers were thankful to the travelers because they were taught how to make a delicious soup out of a simple stone. In this analogy, we would use the villagers as the representative of the people in our present society. As for the travelers, they are two men traveling together so they would be perfect to be the representative of gay people. In the story, the travelers were doing something that the villagers could only describe as unorthodox. The unconventionality of the stone soup had stimulated the curiosity of the villagers. It is only when the villagers wanted to know why the travelers were making the stone soup that the interaction between the two parties had initiated. This kind of interaction could be the key to the acceptance of gay marriage. Although the travelers did not explicitly explain why they were cooking up a stone soup, the important thing is that they were communicating with the villagers. Perhaps our society's problem with gay marriage is also due to the lack of communication. If there is a platform, even if it as simple as cooking a stone soup, where people could communicate, people could know and understand each other better no matter how unorthodox individuals could be. The end of the story tells us that the travelers were not strangers anymore when they had to leave the village. Another important aspect of the story is the little contributions of the villagers. We could use this as an analogy to brainstorming. The villagers were contributing their inputs that had resulted to an output that is beneficial to the whole village. The vegetables could be an allusion to ideas, however small they are, these vegetables are still contributing to the taste of the soup. We could also take note of the detail that the villagers consider the stone soup as tasteless. This could be the same view of the society to gay marriages. We could not blame them entirely for being ignorant. It is just that all of us are taught men should only marry women and vice-versa, no other modifications. And so it is just understandable that they would initially object to something that they are unfamiliar. In the story, the villagers and travelers had cooperated with each other. The end result was the most tasteful soup. If we would cooperate in understanding each other regarding the matter of gay marriage, we could all taste a warm and delicious society. Works Cited The Stone Soup Legend. Retrieved 29 2008http://www.fairbanksfoodbank.org/about/stone_soup.html Sullivan, Andrew. An Exchange on Same-Sex Marriage William Bennett and Andrew Sullivan: Let Gays Marry. Retrieved 29 June 2008 http://faculty.mc3.edu/barmstro/sullivan.html

Social Mentions For Mobile The Best Way To Interact On Social Media

Social Mentions For Mobile The Best Way To Interact On Social Media You’re a Type A marketer who is ALWAYS on the go. Commuting between home and work†¦ Rushing to meetings†¦ Occasionally stealing 5 minutes to grab a latte†¦ #noshame But just because you’re away from the desk, doesn’t mean you stop working! Which meansyou need a mobile app that can keep up with you. An app with the same functionality as the desktop version†¦ with a slick interface for creating + editing foolproof social messages on the fly. Which is why I’m excited to announce ’s Mobile Refresh  and newest feature, Social @Mentions for Mobile! Focus on being an amazing ( + mistake-free) marketer and easily interact with your audience on social media, even when you’re on the go. With the Mobile Refresh and *new* Social @Mentions for Mobile, you can: Avoid (facepalm) mistakes and compose messages FASTER. With the mobile refresh, you get a NEW distraction-free message composer with larger font sizes and bolder colorsmaking it even easier to review your messages (and avoid mistakes) on the go. Add @mentions  to your social messages on the fly!  No more jumping from mobile to desktop just to add a @mention in a social message. With Social @Mentions  for Mobile, you can easily engage + interact with your audience on Facebook, Twitter, AND Instagram directly from your mobile device. Which means you can stay connected with your audience (and avoid any finger flubs) grab that latte†¦Ã°Å¸Ëœ  Thanks to a mobile app that can *actually* keep up with you.

Strategic Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Strategic Human Resource Management - Essay Example It is important to note that it is difficult to have a consistent HRM approach in the presence of workforce representing multiple demographic segments as compared to earlier uniform workforce. This periodic and apparently long-term change requires management to have flexibility in its practices in order to maintain a positive psychological contract with a diversified workforce comprising of people from different cultures, ages and genders. Therefore, it is essential to determine if SHRM approach and flexibility in its practices can present employers with effective and desired outcomes. Since there are multiple forms of flexible practices used by employers, it is also important to identify likely consequences of these flexible approaches in the light of SHRM. Hence, SHRM advocates integrating HRM functions and organisational goals in order to respond to requirements of external environment. Four major forms of flexibility offered by SHRM are changes in employment models of wage, funct ion, numerical status i.e. contracts, and temporal state i.e. number and patterns of hours worked (Kalleberg, 2001). Different Forms of Flexibility There are various forms of flexible approach that govern current ideology of strategic human resource management. These flexible approaches entail practices regarding workplace, scheduling and compensation. Although a general perception of flexible HRM approach is viewed as employees working from remote locations however it is a more extensive phenomenon than that as not every job can be handled remotely. The term flexibility itself refers to organisation’s ability of adjusting its workforce numerically, functionally and financially in response to external environment and employees’ needs with reference to structure of the business (Wu, 2010, pp. 278-9). The concept of ‘flexible firm’ provided by Atkinson (1985) acts as a foundation behind workplace flexibility and its relation to strategic human resource manag ement. A flexible firm or employer is able to change number of employees according to its needs and also alter source of acquiring potential talent i.e. permanent or temporary hiring, outsourcing or part-time/ remote work arrangements. Another major area concerning flexibility offered by SHRM is the alteration in organisational structure followed by work design. As organizations have transformed into humanistic employers, their organisational model has become more decentralised with reduced bureaucracy. Reduction in levels of management has made employees more accountable and participative in organisational decision making (Armstrong, 2009). Another important element of ensuring flexibility in organisational practices is training employees with reference to external environment. Updating organisational skills’ base is essential for acquiring necessary competitive edge over other firms. The concept of upgrading is also supported by Armstrong (2008) as he has considered adaptat ion to be an important element of employer’s flexibility and adoption of SHRM as a fundamental ideology. Armstrong (2008) and Purcell (2001) have further presented three concepts i.e. resource-based view, strategic fit and strategic flexibility to be the foundation of strategic human resource management which is also supported by Wei (2006).

Communication Approach To Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 16

Communication Approach To Music - Essay Example Additionally, songs are also used as the alternative mean of communication for children who do not respond adequately to traditional treatment approaches. Physiotherapist throughout the world uses music or songs to do therapies and believe that it’s a way of relaxing the mind and body of human being. Not only human beings but birds also use songs as a tool of communication. Oliver Wendell Holmes says, â€Å"Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons.   You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body†. Well apart from bath it has become an effective tool of communication in fact some researchers believe that in early stages of human life music was used more as a tool of communication rather than for enjoyment purpose or pleasure so we can say that early forms of human language were actually developed through music but now it is also fulfilling many functions in different cultures. An important social role that music is playing is in favor of marketers as it helps them in form of jingles to sell their products. Repetition of these jingles on mass media makes them memorable ever after. One of the most memorable jingles was the one aired in mid-seventies and the strange thing about it was that it was an ad of venereal disease but its lyrics were very interesting like: If you want to know about a culture that is very unfamiliar to you will think first about getting hold of its art and music. From whistling of birds to bells of the church, from national anthems to songs of an emotional love story, music is used to convey emotions. In Greek culture, music is used to educate people and boys are taught music at the age of six whereas Indian Classical music is one of the oldest musical customs in the history of the world.

Deforestation and the effects on the environment with philosophical Essay

Deforestation and the effects on the environment with philosophical theoretical issues - Essay Example Current paper focuses on the expansion of deforestation as a critical environmental problem in countries internationally. Emphasis is given on the potential explanation of deforestation using appropriate philosophical approaches. As already noted, deforestation affects all aspects of life; its evaluation could be therefore initiated using philosophy, which has highly contributed in the explanation of critical social phenomena, such as the response of individuals to environmental threats. It is made clear that deforestation can be explained using philosophy, but the assumptions made can be differentiated under the influence of the local social ethics and beliefs but also the level of the willingness of the local government to guarantee the protection of natural environment. In any case, it seems that the expansion of deforestation is difficult to be controlled, even if appropriate initiatives are developed for urging individuals to respond dynamically to the particular problem. In acc ordance with a relevant study, ‘between the years 1950 and 1982 tropical forests worldwide shrank by between 25% and 40%’ (Babin 2004, p.63). ... This is the economic aspect of deforestation. It seems that the most important effects of deforestation are not related to the market. Indeed, forests can secure biodiversity and help towards ‘the regulation of climate’ (Montagnini 2005, p.115). At the same time, forests are valuable in controlling floods and keeping carbon at low levels (Montagnini 2005). In the study of Goudie (2006) reference is made to the role of forests in controlling the flow of river water, keeping the temperature of the water at a specific level and affecting the ingredients of stream water. Indeed, in accordance with the above researcher, forests help in the development of a chemistry process through which the ingredients of stream water are secured, at the level that the forests are ‘important sources of nutrients’ (Goudie 2006, p.152). The aesthetic aspect of forests cannot be ignored. At the same time, forests are used as areas of leisure, enhancing the relationship between the humans and the natural environment. However, their value is often disregarded. Strong financial interests promote deforestation with no prior planning, leading, among other consequences, to severe turbulences on climate worldwide. As Montagnini (2005) notes the development of deforestation internationally reveals the inability of governments to introduce effective plans in regard to sustainability and management of natural resources. Moreover, the expansion of deforestation indicates the lack of willingness to control economic interests of multinationals, which hold the major responsibility for the radical increase of deforestation the last decade. From this point of view, deforestation cannot

Care Theory for Adults With Learning Disabilities

Care Theory for Adults With Learning Disabilities Critically discuss care theory in relation to social work with adults with learning disabilities. Social work has undergone a radical transformation in the last two decades. Today ideas about the multi-layered nature of disabilities and the complexity of needs are commonplace in the public discourse on welfare and social work. People with learning disabilities and their carers and families have formulated their urgent demands upon society while academics and practitioners have supported this re-shaping of the social care agenda and the government has attempted to integrate the various challenges and interests in new and significant policy documentation such as Valuing People (2001). This essay will deal with three interrelated issues that are of particular importance to people with learning disabilities and their quality of life. It will (1) explore the relationship between care theory and the issues of ethical practice when dealing with adults with learning disabilities. It will look at the rules of engagement that have found their way into the various codes of practice for soci al work practitioners and the ethical problems that they may give rise to. And (3) it will consider the link between anti-discriminatory practice and the rights that service clients have and how these rights may influence the way in which practitioners may discharge their responsibilities throughout the social service sector. Within the confines of this essay, (1-3) will be examined through the following lens. Given the existing code of practice and policy stipulations, what could self-determination mean for people with learning disabilities? And how do ethical difficulties find their expression in particular practices of social work for adults with learning disabilities, such as person-centred planning and direct payments. There have been several attempts to regulate and standardise work practice for employees and employers of social work practitioners in the UK. These attempts have deep historical roots, such as the Hippocratic oath (Loewenberg 1992: 36). Yet the more recent attempt by the Scottish Councils to draw up a conclusive list of responsibilities and duties of social workers and their employers has been triggered by the desire to introduce reliability and transparency into a field of social care which has hitherto featured a plethora of often conflicting norms and standards. The code of practice sets out (for the first time) the expectations, obligations and duties under which social workers and their employers ought to operate. It is supposed to be the initial step in a broader process of standardisation of the social services (Codes 2001: 13). It echoes the definitions of the nature, aims and guiding principles of social work given in the Code of Practice by the British Association of Socia l Workers (BASW 1986 and Codes 2001). The various values that inform social work are human dignity and worth, social justice, service to humanity and integrity and competence of practitioners (BASW and CoP) In particular, the Code emphasises the right of individuals to control their lives and the obligation of social workers to promote the right to self-fulfilment by clients (Codes 2001: 15 and BASW 1986: 2). This agglomeration of values and norms that ought to inform social care practice however raises some serious questions when it comes to their application in the social work with people with learning disabilities. First of all, it is generally acknowledged by analysts of the service as well as by practitioners that the particular interpretation of the notion of self-determination is a culturally contingent idea. Loewenberg as well as Watson acknowledge that the ethical principles and rules of social work are derived from societal norms (Loewenberg 1992: 38; Watson 1985: 22). However, modern society encompasses a multitude of often conflicting social norms and it is this plurality of notions of a good life and standards of social agency which creates problems. The code explicitly urges social service professionals to take account of their client’s understanding of self-determination and individual independence. Yet, within a culturally diverse population, different notions of what is acceptable and desirable with respect to the independence of people with learning disabilities prevail. To promote independence of an adult or child with learning disabilities in a community that traditional ly places a fundamental emphasis on continuous care within the family can pose a particular dilemma to social workers. More generally, however, governmental policy and the codes of practice can produce significant problems for social care workers. The government has made inclusion one of the main policy priorities with regard to people with learning difficulties. Mainstreaming employment for individuals with learning disabilities is a pillar of this new approach. However, the competitiveness of the first labour market has traditionally represented a considerable barrier to finding viable employment for people with learning disabilities or emotional behaviour problems. Social care workers are tasked to identify problems that impact on the quality of life and decrease the chances of self-fulfilment for their clients. But often they are neither trained nor have access to resources in order to identify and put in place support programmes that ensure that adults with learning difficulties can find employment in the first labour market. The compartmentalisation of services continues to produce additional b arriers that prevent social care workers from discharging their duties with regard to their clients. Let us consider an example. Let us suppose that a social worker has the responsibility to support some individuals with learning disabilities which live in group homes (Beckett 2005: 138). One of the residents approaches him and tells him that she has got into a muddle with her benefits with the result that she has run out of money and is very distressed about this. The social care worker calms her down and places some phone calls to the local benefits office and sorts it out for his client. In a way, the social worker ‘has respected [the client’s] wishes and done exactly what she asked of him. Has he therefore supported her right to determine her own life?’ (Beckett 2005: 138) His commitment to support her desire to self-determine her life here clearly conflicted with her desire to draw on needed support. The real crux of the problem however lies elsewhere. The client has been unable to get sufficient support from the benefits office and therefore felt unable to sort out the issue on her own. In fact, the lack of adequate support on the side of the benefits office, possibly the absence of a trained worker in the office who has the skills and training to deal with people with learning disabilities has made it impossible for her to deal with it independently. Additionally, the social worker may have chosen to limit his support by assisting her in dealing with the benefits office rather than sorting it out himself. In this way, policy and practice may substantially collide when it comes to practical issues for individuals with learning disabilities. The codes of practice fail to give any meaningful guidance in these cases. This criticism is not new. Academic observers have repeatedly noted that the codes of practice are too abstract and cease to have any meaning unless sufficient resources are made available to enable service professionals to act in a positive way towards service clients (Watson 1985: 31). More worryingly, Watson writes: ‘the abstraction of the code of practice renders principles not simply incapable of application, but capable of application in a number of ways – only some of which are consistent with the conception of professional social work.’ (Watson 1985: 31) Again, this gives rise to some serious problems with regard to care for people with learning disabilities. Let us consider another example. The conception of self-determination as enshrined in the Codes of Practice draws on culturally contingent notions of autonomy. On the other hand they also pay respect to the need to recognise other culture’s diverse social commitments. The code however fails to recognise that these two principles conflict. For some families and carers who belong to ethnic minorities, service support may be seen as contradicting cultural norms and standards and the family may be the preferred vehicle for support. Societal inclusion and integration in the wider community may therefore be barred as an option. Social workers are in a dilemma here. It is their obligation to promote the self-determination of their clients, this however may contravene the cultural and religious norms prevalent in some families. This demonstrates that the Codes of Practice are bas ed on an understanding of social life that is predominantly Western in character. Different stipulations of the Code are therefore inconsistent with each other. As Beckett writes, the notion of individual autonomy may be differently stressed in the various cultures (Beckett 2005: 132), Often the rights of individuals with learning disabilities may run counter to the interests of the rights of particular groups or communities (Beckett 2005: 132). The second way of framing the idea of social care and its conflict with particular practices is utilitarian in nature. Social workers and their management may be led by calculations of expediency in determining the right way of dealing with problems of people with learning disabilities. Resource allocation and budget constraints are the primary factors in these considerations. This approach is however often detrimental to the interests of adults with learning disabilities. Their interests are defined through the limitations and budgetary restrictions that are placed on the service. The individual with learning disability is not placed at the centre of planning and support packages. One particular practice has tried to square the constraints placed on the service with the ethical demands under which social workers operate. Direct payments have been actively promoted by central government and are often seen as a way to empower clients with learning disabilities. They are considered as an appropriate means to re-focus the delivery of social services on the needs of the individual with learning disabilities as well as represent a viable answer to the resource allocation problem. Clients are granted a particular budget and exercise total control over its spending. Adults with learning disabilities become buyers in a market of social and care services, or so the theory goes. At a first glance this will alleviate several acute problems. It enhances the (chances for) independence of clients and motivates them to make their own choices about important life decisions. It increases their participation in the decision making process and improves quality of life. It also ef fects a significant shift away from total care packages which are expensive to the tax payer and facilitates the involvement of clients in more task-centred care packages which are less expensive (Mansell 2005: 20). It therefore adequately and neatly addresses resource constraints while mirroring the move to individualised care and support plans (Mansell 2005: 20). This way it mirrors the stipulation of the Code of Practice which places the duty on social workers to maximise participation of clients in the decision making process (BASW 1986: 5; Codes 2001: 16). However, it works with a very lop-sided notion of independence. While participation in the labour market may still be prevented to clients with learning disabilities, acting as a buyer in an economic relationship is seen as a form of empowerment. The conception of social agency is severely restricted to co-operative schemes that are economic in character. The enhancement of social involvement may benefit little from this. This demonstrates that ethical issues in social work are often critically influenced by practices that are understood to reflect universal cultural attitudes but, more appropriately, may only resonate with erroneous and impoverished notions of social agency. Bibliography Beckett, Chris and Andrew Maynard (2005), Values and Ethics in Social Work. An Introduction. London e.a.: Sage British Association of Social Workers [1986], A Code of Ethics for Social Work, Birmingham: BASW Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and Employees (2001), Scottish Social Services Council, Dundee 2005 Loewenberg, Frank M. and Ralph Dolgoff (1992), Ethical Decisions for Social Work Practice, Itasca: F.E. Peacock Mansell, Jim and Julie Beadle-Brown (2005), Person Centred Planning and Person-Centred Action. A Critical Perspective, in Person Centred Planning and Care Management with People with Learning Disabilities, London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley, pp.19-33 Watson, David (1985), What’s the point of A Code of Ethics for Social Work? In A Code of Ethics for Social Work. The Second Step, edited by David Watson, London e.a.: Routledge and Kegan Paul, pp.20-39 Valuing People (2001). A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the twenty-first century, London: The Stationary Office

Majority Rule and Minority Rights Essay -- protecting minorities

Majority rule can often lead to tyranny because of the pursuit of the majorities’ interests; however, with the Supreme Court and its interpretation of the Constitution, minority groups are often able to rule over the unjust majority. Majority rule is essential in a democracy and having limits does not contradict the majority’s power. The principles of majority rule can be upheld while the rights of minorities are protected as long as justice is maintained through the checks on majority factions and justified court rulings. Though the government wants majority rule to be upheld, majority factions are often proved dangerous due to the fact that they may strip the rights of minorities. In Federalist No. 10, Madison states, â€Å"When a majority is included in a faction, the form of popular government, on the other hand, enables it to sacrifice to its ruling passion or interest both the public good and the rights of other citizens† to explain how the existence of large factions can be detrimental to the public good (72). In Chapter 1 of On Liberty, Mill states, â€Å"†¦.‘the tyranny of the majority’ is now generally included among the evils against which society requires to be on its guard† to signify how the principle of majority rule can lead to the â€Å"tyranny of the majority†, also known as when the power of the majority oppresses a minority group (96). Both Mill and Madison introduce how the concept of a majority rule can harm the interests of the people outs ide the â€Å"majority†. A more concise example is given in Martin Luther King’s letter from Birmingham Jail; in his letter, King describes the atrocities the African Americans face on a daily basis due to the majority opinion that African Americans are not of equal standing as the whites. K... .... San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 75-78. Print. King Jr., Martin Luther. â€Å"Letter from a Birmingham Jail.† 1963. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 13-20. Print. Madison, James. â€Å"The Federalist No. 10.† 1787. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 71-74. Print. Mill, John Stuart. â€Å"Chapter 1: Introductory from On Liberty.† 1859. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 95-100. Print. Plessy v. Ferguson. 163 U.S. 537 U.S. Supreme Court. 1896. Rpt. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 175-185. Print. Majority Rule and Minority Rights Essay -- protecting minorities Majority rule can often lead to tyranny because of the pursuit of the majorities’ interests; however, with the Supreme Court and its interpretation of the Constitution, minority groups are often able to rule over the unjust majority. Majority rule is essential in a democracy and having limits does not contradict the majority’s power. The principles of majority rule can be upheld while the rights of minorities are protected as long as justice is maintained through the checks on majority factions and justified court rulings. Though the government wants majority rule to be upheld, majority factions are often proved dangerous due to the fact that they may strip the rights of minorities. In Federalist No. 10, Madison states, â€Å"When a majority is included in a faction, the form of popular government, on the other hand, enables it to sacrifice to its ruling passion or interest both the public good and the rights of other citizens† to explain how the existence of large factions can be detrimental to the public good (72). In Chapter 1 of On Liberty, Mill states, â€Å"†¦.‘the tyranny of the majority’ is now generally included among the evils against which society requires to be on its guard† to signify how the principle of majority rule can lead to the â€Å"tyranny of the majority†, also known as when the power of the majority oppresses a minority group (96). Both Mill and Madison introduce how the concept of a majority rule can harm the interests of the people outs ide the â€Å"majority†. A more concise example is given in Martin Luther King’s letter from Birmingham Jail; in his letter, King describes the atrocities the African Americans face on a daily basis due to the majority opinion that African Americans are not of equal standing as the whites. K... .... San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 75-78. Print. King Jr., Martin Luther. â€Å"Letter from a Birmingham Jail.† 1963. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 13-20. Print. Madison, James. â€Å"The Federalist No. 10.† 1787. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 71-74. Print. Mill, John Stuart. â€Å"Chapter 1: Introductory from On Liberty.† 1859. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 95-100. Print. Plessy v. Ferguson. 163 U.S. 537 U.S. Supreme Court. 1896. Rpt. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 175-185. Print.

Airtel Marketing Strategy

Integrated Marketing Communications Group-8, Sec-C Ajit, Anuj, Prateek, Rohit, Vaibhav AIRTEL: Evolution ? ? ? ? Founded: 7th July 1995 First mobile phone company in the world to outsource everything except marketing and sales and finance operates in 20 countries across South Asia, Africa and the Channel Islands The largest cellular service provider in India 4P+2P+3P for AIRTEL ? 4P’s ? Product: Airtel is the fifth largest telecom operator in the world with about 230. 8 million subscribers across 19 countries ? It provides mobile, fixed telephony as well as broadband and subscription television services Airtel won 3G licenses in 13 telecom circles of India ? Product differentiation is limited so main USP is uninterrupted services and troubleshooting support ? ? Price: Price in the telecomm industry are close to similar, hence main focus is on customized payment plans ? User is free to choose between plans which favor cheaper SMS? s or calls ? Pay-per-second of usage v/s Pay-pe r-minute of usage is the latest attraction ? 4P+2P+3P for AIRTEL ? 4P’s ? Promotion: ? Promotions are usually in multiple formats as discussed further in slides Main focus is connectivity, customized plans as well as dependable network ? Place: ? Airtel has separate plans for each of the regions ? Rural customers get more support and focus is on basic services ? Urban customers are main targets for value added services and accordingly Airtel designs its product offerings and communication plans 4P+2P+3P for AIRTEL ? 2P’s ? People: ? Involvement of people with Airtel has increased with campaigns like â€Å"har ek dost zaroori hota hai† ? Final offerings are also highly customized to friend group discounts and so on ? Pack Design: Pack design is kept red to re-inforce Airtel Brand ? Description of Plans is also evident 4P+2P+3P for AIRTEL ? 3P’s ? Peer -to-peer: ? High rate of communication to increase peer-to-peer interaction and reviews especially in rece nt stages ? Personalization: ? Personalization is constantly on rise especially with value- added-services ? Participation: ? Airtel has tried to conduct contest every now and then to maximize customer participation but due to high brand clutter it is difficult Media Vehicles ? ? ? ? ? ? Above the line Advertising ? Television ? Radio Print Media ? Out-of-home ? Cinema Below the line Advertising ? Trade Scheme ? Consumer offer ? In-shop and shop-front activities Direct Marketing Events Buzz Digital Communication Ad Agencies ? Creative Agency- JWT India ? ? ? ? Airtel ended its 15-year-long relationship with creative agency, Rediffusion – Y&R on Aug, 2010. Rediffusion has handled the brand since its inception in 1995 The Airtel account is worth Rs 400 crore in terms of ad spends This also led to change in their logo Madison Media handles ? ? The media duties for Airtel for more than five years nowIt also handles out-of-home and digital for the brand too Airtel TV Commercials T V Ad Campaigns by Airtel ? â€Å"Har ek friend zaroori hota hai† ? Purpose: ? The commercial for Airtel aims to make the brand trendier for the youth, while attempting not to alienate its older target audience set ? To position Airtel as a brand that embodies friendship, and helps all sorts of friends connect with one another ? TV Advertisement analysis: ? The commercial depicts different kinds of friends one has, and how the presence of each one is necessary in some way or the other ?A jingle penned by film lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya, makes use of ‘Hinglish' and popular youth lingo, and has the story of different categories of friends, such as the one who wakes one up during the wee hours for help, or another who may give you company during your financial crunch days ? The jingle ends with ‘Har ek friend zaroori hota hai', and with the message that Airtel keeps one connected to their friends TV Ad campaigns by Airtel ? ? ? ? ? ? ? â€Å"Dil jo chaahe paas laa ye† â€Å"Baat karne se hi baat banti hai† â€Å"Do airtel bajenge to tarakki main char chand lag jaenge† â€Å"Dil jo chahe pass laye† Kuch bandhan atoot hote hain, jaise Airtel ka network† â€Å"Airtel internet 3G par† â€Å"Express yourself † †Har ek friend zaroori hota hai† Ad â€Å"Do airtel bajenge to tarakki main char chand lag jaengeâ€Å" Ad â€Å"Dil jo chahe pass laye† Ad ATL-TV ? ? ? It creates Pervasiveness, allows Airtel to be in the eyes of the audience all the time Even though the audience is not obligated to pay heed to the advertisements, the high creativity quotient of the Airtel Ads makes it virtually impossible for the audience to turn a blind eye to them The Ads are very high on the use of imagery and music ATL-TV ? ? ? The genius of the Oscar winning music director A.R. Rahman is the man behind the catchy tune Airtel advertises more on its brand and its values than its products and services Mo st ads just establish the value and beliefs of Airtel than establishing its services like mobile, telephone, or broadband ATL-TV ? ? The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vidya Balan, A R Rahman have all been brand ambassadors of Airtel at some point or the other One of the key reasons for the lasting impact of the Airtel ads is the reinvention of the content displayed TV (Sponsorship) ? ? Leading sponsor of Kaun Banega Crorepati Airtel subscribers were given a special chance to directly enter KBC ? Participation to the show was only restricted to the Airtel subscribers and BSNL/MTNL landline users for the first couple of seasons. Sponsor of Indian Idol ? Airtel subscribers got an exclusive chance to enter the show TV (Sponsorship) ? ? BCCI has awarded the series sponsorship rights of all international cricket matches played in India to Bharti Airtel for the period 2010-2013 On 9 May 2009, Airtel signed a major deal with Manchester United Foot ball Club TV (Sponsorship) ? ? In 2009, Airtel had signed a three-year deal orth Rs 150 crore with official tournament broadcaster ESPN Star Sports for the title sponsorship of the T20 league. Airtel signed a deal to be title sponsor the inaugural Formula One Indian Grand Prix during the 2011 season Print Media Radio ? Bharti Airtel is among the top two advertiser on radio in India (1% share) ? Promotional ads released by Airtel on radio: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Mobile recharge Score kya hua? Aaj ka kya plan hai? EMI Airtel World Cup Pack Airtel happy Recharge Airtel Minimum Recharge Marathon Airtel – radio ad jingle Consumer Sales Promotions ? ? ? ? ? â€Å"Friendz† pre-paid plan for youth Ladies Special† plan â€Å"Seniors plan† for discounts to senior citizens Executive Corporate Plans â€Å"Family Celebrations offer† – Special discounts in Call rates & SMS services Promotional Campaigns ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Airtel Jai Hind AD Campaign Leadership campaig n Quality Time Campaign Magic Dalo Say Hello Launch campaign Magic Hai to Mumkin Hai campaign Call Karo Sona Jeeto campaign Promotions: Health Campaigns ? ? ? ? Airtel and Wockhardt hospitals together launched a â€Å"Good Health† campaign to mark World Health Day on April 7 Comprised two health check-ups at discount of 75% Post-paid subscribers of Airtel could avail theWockhardt master health check up at Rs 799 against a original cost of Rs 3200 Also available as part of the campaign was the Wockhardt Heart Check at Rs 499, aginst Rs 2400 Grameen Mobile Puratchi: Rural Markets ? ? ? This scheme was for more than 45 lakh society members of IKSCL (IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Coopreative ltd) Farmers had five free Value Added Services under this scheme. The farmers had five free voice messages on mandi prices, farming techniques, weather forecasts, dairy farming, animal husbandry, rural health initiatives on a daily basis The pack for farmers ranged between Rs 1299 andRs 4000 along wit h the mobile phone. Direct Marketing ? Direct marketing techniques used: ? Email Marketing ? Display Ads, Social Media sites ? Location based marketing tools, QR Codes ? Telemarketing to customers Events (1/2) ? To reach their target audiences, Airtel has sponsored various TV programmes like ? Big Boss ? Indian Idol ? Super Singer ? Indian Sangeet awards ? Bol Baby Bol Events (2/2) ? Airtel has sponsored various events like ? Indian Grand Prix 2011 ? Champions League T20 ? Delhi Half Marathon ? Border-Gavaskar Trophy, other cricket tours ? Indian Fantasy League ? Indian Golf festival Buzz ? ? ?Launch of Blackberry, tie up with RIM Indian Grand Prix 2011 Social Networking sites ? Facebook, ? Twitter Airtel Simulator Challenge Airtel Out of Home Advertising – Hoardings ? ? ? ? Launching 360 degree campaign, spread over 43 days, rolled out in metros, mini metros in association with Madison media plus group Want to make the brand the part of every day life of costumer. Depict Air tel as youthful, vibrant &dynamic brand Gantries, bus shelters pole, neon's, traffic timers, unipoles, dropdowns, public utility branding, station branding etc are the form of advertisements involved Airtel Out of Home Advertising – Transit Medium,Street Furniture ? ? ? ? To communicate from door to door Seek more attention of the customer Key nodal points of market and high traffic points, TG dwelling and the concentration area Sky ballon branding, boat branding, Cycle branding, Airtel Product Placement Months before the announcement of the August 22nd iPhone launch, fanatics in India were screaming for their shot at iPhone 3G mania. You would think from the crowds in the photo that the Airtel iPhone launch in Mumbai, India was a raging success. Think again! One cult of iPhone follower present at Airtel's testical festival knows otherwise.Airtel Branded Entertainment ? ? ? Way to create buzz The ads can be flashed in between the various highly watched TV serials or can be sp onsors of some big movies Cricket matches, Super star awards, Dance, singing competitions Airtel Sensory Branding ? Through its signature tune ? Its unique color and logo ? Having celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar and A. R. Rahman Digital Communication: Web 2. 0 Digital Communication: Web 2. 0 Digital Communication: Web 2. 0 Digital Communication: Web 2. 0 CSR Initiatives ? ? ? Initiative of opening â€Å"Airtel Ashiana† for underprivileged children at the Mohali office of AirtelTied up with an NGO to distribute daily surplus food to needy children â€Å"Airtel Experience Centre by Access MO† for the benefit of visually impaired people as well as people from deprived section of society CSR Initiatives ? ? Bharti foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bharti Enterprises was established in 2000 with a vision to help underprivileged children and young people of our country realise their potential In the process of setting up a 1000 â€Å"Satya Bharti Schools† to deli ver high quality education to underprivileged children in the deepest rural pockets The First Mover Advantage 1.Electronic recharge 2. Hello Tunes 3. Airtel Live! 4. Portfolio Manager 5. Song Catcher 6. Easy Music 7. Black berry handsets 8. M-cheques Airtel- Retail Media ? ? ? ? Presence of recharging options through an extensive network of small stores/big retail stores/small or big retail shops/pan shops etc Easy way to recharge option by keeping a specific number digit for a particular type of recharge option Availability of new sim cards free of cost to increase the customer base at various outlets Airtel owned stores and Airtel galleries present in every district to address customer queries more responsiblySocial, Ethical & Legal Issues ? ? VAS Fraud ? There has been lot of criticism about Airtel for its unauthorized VAS activation ? Many of its services were activated automatically according to a complaint ? Several thousands of users were falsely billed ? In return Airtel lau nched STOP/START 121 services for such issues ? Alternatively, one can sign up on the â€Å"Do Not Disturb† list to avoid all telemarketing calls and SMS Controversy ? Bharti Airtel(India) was issued notices by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) for violation of Mobile number portability(MNP) Regulations. According to TRAI, it had received complains from customers regarding wrong rejection of porting requests by telecom operators Social, Ethical & Legal Issues ? ? Silcon Concept has dragged Airtel to the Federal High Court over allegedly making a publication to the claimant? s customers and subscriber by means of voice call, text messages or SMS informing them that the claimant is a band of fraudster (Oct, 2010) The CCC of ASCI has concluded that Airtel? s advertisement (campaign ‘Dil Titli„) is misleading, as the viewer of the TV commercial is led to believe that Airtel Digital TV has superior picture uality because of MPEG4 or DVBS2 technology (Jan, 201 0) ‘Dil Titli‘campaign Social, Ethical & Legal Issues ? ? ? The AIRTEL Digital TV advertisement offering ‘Free Regional Pack for life„ was accused of being misleading as the DTH licence was valid only up to May 2018 (Feb, 2010) The CCC of ASCI found the claim made in the SMS ad that Airtel Digital TV Recorder is High Definition capable as misleading BSNL has accused Airtel of unfair trade practices over the private operator's claim that it is the only mobile telecom service provider in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) (Dec, 2004) Thank You

Marketing is Essential to Business

Marketing is Essential to Business Free Online Research Papers Marketing is an essential facet in the development and success of every organization in today’s business world. This complex term is often used to describe the process that companiey’s use to communicate, deliver and satisfy their consumer’s need and wants. Through the use of plans known as marketing strategies, organizations can set various objectives that may range from informing a target audience about a new product to the sales and distribution of the product. This paper’s intention is to examine the various definitions for marketing and look at the examples that support each definition. There are countless variations for the definition of marketing. According to Contemporary Business, Marketing is as the means of determining the needs and wants of a target audience. Then taking that information and using it to provide the goods or services that will fulfill or exceed the expectations of that specific target audience (Boone, 2002). One example that supports this definition for marketing is The Children’s Jewellery Company located in the United Kingdom. This is a small business in the fashion industry whose target market is children. The Children’s Jewellery Company designs and produces unique beaded jewelry for children at reasonable prices. The company has used word of mouth and the Internet to promote its regular products as well as introduce its newest product line. The new line is hair accessories and targets girls and babies that differsdiffer from the Jewellery Company’s jewelry line. Along with its unique products, the company also provides a personalized service for weddings and other special occasions (Company, 2009). Marketing has also defined as the performance of activities that seek to accomplish an organization’s objectives by anticipating customers’ or clients’ needs and directing a flow of need-satisfying goods and services from producer to customer or client (Perreault, Cannon, McCarthy,  2002). Another successful organization that supports the definition for the term marketing is Starbucks. This coffee giant focuses on every aspect of the four P’s. The first P in the mix the company focuses on is place. All of Starbucks’ coffee shops are in high traffic neighborhoods. These neighborhoods include near or on college campuses, malls, and business plazas. With this, Starbucks was last recorded as having over 27,000 stores between the United States and internationally in 2009. Unfortunately, this count included the 900 stores the Starbucks Corporation intended on closing within the United States and the other 900 it planned on opening internationally (Coffeealera, 2009). Next, the company concentrates on how it promotes its products which is the second p in the marketing mix. With the need to reach such a vast number of consumers, Starbucks uses various types of campaigns. One is a coffee service to businesses provides and delivers hot fresh coffee and pastries to the business. Another is Starbucks donations and support of nonprofit organization in the surrounding communities. By doing so, the company gains free advertising and increases brand and product awareness to potential customers (Bhaskar, 2009. ). Though the company’s primary product line is coffee it continues to create customer loyalty and continuity through the creation of new and innovative products like coffee liqueurs, prepaid Starbucks card, and smoothies. Along with the innovation and quality of Starbucks’ products comes the price. Though the company has been known to be quite pricey with its products and adjusts its prices accordingly to adapt to economic circumstances and changing competition. Although the company may have the second highest priced cup of coffee next to Dunkin Donuts, it does not stop customers from digging deeper in their pockets for the high quality product and unique Starbucks experience. Finally, there is my personal definition of the term marketing. My definition of marketing follows: The process of identifying consumer needs, wants, and trends than producing and providing the specific goods or services that fulfill those needs or wants, meeting the high level of consumer satisfaction.A method of introducing, reinventing, promoting, displaying or making a target audience or other consumers familiar with or demand a new or reinvented product or service. A strong example of organizational success because of the use of extraordinary marketing is McDonald’s. With almost 30,000 stores around the world, the fast-foot giant provides low cost food and meals to more than 50 million customers a day, around the world. Because the fast food restaurant excludes no one from its target audience, it includes everyone in its various promotional campaigns. These campaigns range from mailing flyers that contain coupons for by one-get-one free deals to including Ty Beanie Babies in Happy Meals, and placing pieces of the popular game Monopoly on cups and sandwich containers with the chance to win $1,000,000. Presently, the Golden Arches is running its two for $3.33 promotion. This allows customers a choice of two Fillet of Fishes, two large French Fires or a Fillet of Fish and a large French fry. Marketing has become a crucial term in the world of business. Though there are numerous definitions of this term, it describes how organizations interact, produce and provide goods and services that meet their customers’ expectations. Without proper implementation of this complex term, organizations struggle to survive and fail to succeed. References Bhaskar. (2009, December). Indews.com. Retrieved March 1, 2010, from Starbucks marketing Mix. Retrieved February 25, 2010 from http://blogs.indews.com/starbucks_marketing_mix.php. Boone, L. . (2002). Contemporary Business Brief Edition. Thomson Learning, Inc. Coffeealera.com. (2009). Retrieved February 27, 2010, from All About Starbucks Coffee: coffeealera.com/coffee101/about starbucks coffee. Company, T. C. (2009). Blogs.Com. Retrieved February 26, 2010, from The Childrens Jewellery Company: http://thechildrensjewellerycompany.com. Perreault, W.D., Cannon, J.P., McCarthy, E.J. (2002). Basic Marketing (17th Ed.). : McGraw- Hill. Research Papers on Marketing is Essential to BusinessMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductThe Project Managment Office SystemAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaOpen Architechture a white paperDefinition of Export QuotasTwilight of the UAWRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NicePETSTEL analysis of IndiaResearch Process Part One

Ludvig Von Mises essays

Ludvig Von Mises essays Ludwig von Mises: Defender of the Free Market Ludwig von Misis thoughts on human behavior, socialism, and money and credit have had a major impact on economic thought. He championed true free markets and is seen as a defender of liberty. Former President of the United States Ronald Reagan said Ludwig von Mises was one of the greatest economic thinkers in the history of Western Civilization. Through his seminal works, he rekindled the flames of liberty. As a wise and kindly mentor, he encourages all who sought to understand the meaning of freedom. We owe him an incalculable debt(Mises Institute). The remainder of this paper will outline the life of Ludwig von Mises. This will be accomplished by describing the social, political, technical, and economic environment that influenced his ideas. A description of his major ideas in economic thought will be presented. Next, the people and ideas that influenced his approach to economics will be addressed. Finally, the paper will conclude with an assessment of Ludwig von Mises co ntributions to economic thought. Overview of the Life of Ludwig von Mises Ludwig von Misis was born on September 29, 1881 in Lemberg, Austria. He attended a private elementary school, the public Akademishe Gymnasium in Vienna from1892 to 1900. In 1900 Mises entered the University of Vienna. On February 20,1906 he received a Dr. Jur degree, a Doctor of both Canon and Roman Laws, from the University of Vienna. When Mises attended the University, it had no separate economics department; the only way to study economics was through law (Mises Institute). From 1907 to 1914 Mises was employed as an advisor to the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. His first major thesis, the Theory of Money and Credit was published in 1912. In 1913 Mises was awarded the position of Privatdozent (unsalaried lecturer) at the University of Vienna (Mises Institute). Mises academic pursuits were interrupted from ...

Literature review Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Literature review - Research Paper Example Consequently, all the 9 conducted studies reported that AHI was significantly lower in OSA patient who practiced exercise as a remedy. Three RCTs reported that exercise independently reduces the severity of OSA, however it is reported to be less effective compared to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), oral appliance and surgical interventions. In those studies the participant blindness to the intervention was impossible while the blindness of data collection personnel to participant intervention were not mentioned. Lack of blindness may affect the accuracy of data collection. The two studies that conducted by Kline and colleagues in 2011 and 2012 were counted for only one evidence because the authors published the same article in two different journals, which considered double publication. One RCT study and the five observation studies reported that exercise in combination with the traditional interventions of CPAP and diet reduced the OSA severity. The small sample sizes as well as the reliance on survey and self-reports limit the generalizability of findings. Although all of the studies utilized moderate intensity exercise to treat OSA, the mode, frequency, and duration were diverse. The types of exercise were varied from walking on the treadmill, bicyclic, jogging, and stretching. Both the duration and frequency of exercise were also varied. They were ranged from 1 hour per week to 3 hours per week for a time period range from a minimum of 12 weeks to a maximum of 12 months. These variations in application confused the research’s consumer and unable them to come up with new recommendations for best practice. This concludes that despite having a few amounts of studies that utilized exercise as an intervention for reducing the severity of OSA we still lack of knowledge on the exact exercise dose (mode, intensity, and duration) that is associated with more reduction in OSA severity. Further research is needed to compare and contrast the effect o f those different presented exercise doses in OSA severity. The studies used different kinds of exercise like jogging, cycling and walking on a treadmill among other methods to set some motions on the body muscles. Different people would have different response to such exercise. The study did not categorize the participants in accordance to their body size and weights for more accurate results. Obese kid may take several weeks before the impacts of exercise on OSA are clearly indicated. Different people correspond differently to body exercises. There are those whose muscles are strengthened after a few reps on the treadmill while a few may take more than 3 weeks before their muscles sense the changes in the body movements. The research ought to have considered reports from exercise experts before making verdicts, other than producing generalized results. Although Dr. Kline laments that his study indicated that exercise can reduce the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) by 25% there is a grou p of thought that exercise could have some negative impacts on human health. The research team did not mention consulting the participants’ doctors before subjecting them in the exercise session. This may result in some complications depending on individual health conditions. Participants with heart conditions may worsen their health condition on a sudden body exercise. It is advised that such patients should avoid heavy

McDonald's Corporation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

McDonald's Corporation - Essay Example No wonder, McDonald’s Corporation every year rakes in revenues worth billions of dollars. At the foundation of this impressive international expansion and mind boggling profitability lays the unique and customized marketing strategy of McDonald’s Corporation. Over the years, McDonald’s Corporation has evolved a highly versatile and resourceful marketing strategy to promote its products. McDonald’s is a corporate concern that believes in customizing its marketing efforts and brand strategy to suit the local markets. Therefore, it resorts to an innovative mix of apt marketing planning and execution, effective brand management and evolution and strategic creativity (McDonald’s Corporation 2009). Hence, the overall marketing strategy of McDonald’s has always been an assorted blend of catchy advertising and promotional, media publicity, in-store marketing, public relations initiatives, etc (McDonald’s Corporation 2009). The primary objective behind the marketing strategy of McDonald’s is to forge a meaningful and long lasting relationship with its customers. In its expansion history, McDonald faced several unique issues that were often specific to the local arenas in which its restaurants were located. The forte of the company has been its ability to realign its marketing strategies to accommodate the local concerns and issues. For example, in 2003, McDonald had to face a unique situation in Europe and particularly the UK, when its sales figures started dwindling owing to the rising customer concerns over obesity and health problems associated with fast food consumption (Marketing Week 2005). The situation desperately required an innovative and fresh approach towards marketing. McDonald responded to this challenge by coming out with timely, integrated marketing campaigns revolving around â€Å"music, sport,