Google in China Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Google in China - Case Study Example Due to the speedy growth of the Chinese economy, the government encourages investment in communication and communication infrastructure. This was a major advantage for Google and other internet companies operating in the Chinese market. Introducing a Chinese version of Google is also a major problem depicted in the case study (Hill, 2009). Google was not the first American company to enter into the Chinese market since other American internet company such as yahoo had already rolled out their Chinese version of browsers and other internet utilities. Legal issue China has its own version of human rights that are not common in the international platform. The entry of Google in the Chinese search engines industry was hampered by the diversity of constraints that characterize the Chinese market. After launching the Chinese version of Google, Chinese human viewed it as a new platform that they would use to push for human rights reforms across the country. The case study illustrates ethica l conflicts between the company and Chinese ethics and culture. In addition, the company was developed according to American culture and therefore it was facing challenges of integrating into the Chinese culture and ethics. 2. Determine the various roles that host governments played in this particular global business operation According to the case study, the Chinese government played a vital role in the development of Google China. The role of the host government can be summarized into provision of supportive policies and legislation set by the government to promote Google business. The Chinese government has policies that facilitates or encourages development of businesses and infrastructures in the communication sector. This was the main factor that facilitated entry of Google into the Chinese market. Secondly, the Chinese government prohibits hacking and other cyber related crimes that affect technology businesses. The ant-hacking law imposed by the Chinese government has helped to protect Google customers from cyber criminals and hence promoted its growth. The Chinese government is also cautious about the role of technology in economic development. Thus, the government has a keen interest in promoting investments in the communication and information sector. Promoting international internet enterprises is among the factors that promoted the establishment of the Google business. 3) Summarize the strategic and operational challenges facing global managers illustrated in the "Google in China" case study By the end of 2004, Google considered China as a strategic market and investment. However, Google managers realized that they needed to have their own computer savers and a Chinese home page. Establishing a Google computer savers and a Chinese home page was the first strategic and operational challenged that the company encountered. Secondly, the companies had to serve its Chinese users from its American base. This posed a major challenge to the company that w as reflected as increased costs of doing business. In addition serving Chinese customer from the Google America posed a major operational challenged for Google China. The dilemma resulting from â€Å"don’t be evil† mantra posed major challenge Google’s operations in China (Hill, 2009). Unlike the American markets, the Chinese market had major constraints to information censorship. This required the company’s senior managers to asses the suitability of operating the business from their American base

Education and Life Chances in Modern Education Essay Example for Free

Education and Life Chances in Modern Education Essay Public education, it can be argued, shapes society, instils social mores and indoctrinates the impressionable with those philosophies the elites value. This essay will focus upon three main areas intrinsic to the education system. These are the social reproduction of ideas, the life chances created and instilled through education, and the socialisation of the individuals undergoing the educational process. Two main sociological perspectives that are useful when studying the education system are Functionalism and Critical Theory, because they focus on macro issues and social structures more than the interactionist perspective. Functionalists believe that the school system is an agent of social reproduction, which operates to reproduce well integrated, fully functioning members of society (Webb, Schirato and Danaher, 2002: 114). Critical theorists, conversely, hold that education is the most effective mechanism for promoting social change and for giving opportunities to less privileged groups so that they can advance their social standing. However, education usually reproduces existing social divisions, maintaining the relative disadvantage of certain groups (Webb, Schirato and Danaher, 2002: 106). Munro (1994: 108) describes the different approaches by stating that, functionalists tend to see education as synonymous with socialisation, while a conflict theorist is inclined to view education as ideological- that is, reflecting the interests of particular groups. Functionalists hold that the major institution for social reproduction is the education system, whereas, from a critical perspective, teachers, who oversee this reproduction, have been made into administrators of programs that provide manpower capitalisation through planned and directed behavioural changes (Illich, 1973: 327). Illich (1973: 327) comments, from a critical perspective, that teaching and learning remain sacred activities separate and estranged from a fulfilling life. This is because the things being taught do not line up with the necessary knowledge needed for life outside of education, and that learning from programmed information always hides reality behind a screen (Illich, 1973: 324). This means that the knowledge provided is set to a secret agenda. The learning process, which supposedly passes on the values and mores necessary in society to students,  is not, however, meeting these needs effectively. Relevant information, that is, knowledge, which will add skills to the labour market, is becoming less practical and more theoretical, expanding the gap between study and work. Regardless of this, employers and social elites have attempted to use the schools for the reproduction of compliant workers (Davis, 1999: 65). This double standard has been discussed in a best selling song, The Wall by Pink Floyd (1978) in which they stated that the reproduction received through the school system was set to a hidden agenda, and that society would be better off without it. Drucker (1973: 236) equates the influx of educated people to the potential for producing wealth in any given country. By stating this, educational socialisation and the development of educated people is the most important function education can have. He goes on to state that while this may be the case today, throughout history, being uneducated provided the wealth of a given nation, due to the class differences, and that education was for the rich and idle while the work was performed by the illiterate. This all changed with the Industrial Revolution, and the invention of moveable type in the 17th Century (Drucker, 1973: 232). The moveable type meant that education could be performed at a reduced rate, and words became a commodity that was necessary for improving the quality of the labour force. Education is purported to provide the best possible life chances for its graduates, yet in reality, in many ways education diminishes these chances. Heinz (1987: 132) points out that the life chances of graduates are in a state of flux, that when the labour market is depressed and work is difficult to find, then young people will opt for more education as a means of delaying their entry into a tight work force. The school then takes on the function of a warehouse; it is a place to mark time. At the same time school acts as a socio-political instrument for reducing social and political conflict, and this function gains predominance over its main function of educating young people. In many cases the academic credentials earned are unnecessary for working-class jobs (Furlong and Cartmel, 1999: 12), which changes the focus of education, making it oppressive and irrelevant (Davis, 1999: 83). Heinz (1987: 131) states secondary  school-leavers face a worsening outlook when they want to start in working life, and joining a preparatory program is increasingly becoming the only alternative to unemployment. There are a growing number of young people who are finding it harder to find a place, whose prospects on the labour market are poor, being qualified but underemployed, or drifting between unemployment and occasional jobs (Heinz, 1987: 131). This increases social inequalities and the gap between rich and poor. By acting as a warehouse education is not preparing students for life but rather crippling their life chances. The alternative to this are to reassess the curricula and teaching methods, reintegrating skilled workers into vocational education, ensuring that knowledge will be of direct benefit to graduates in obtaining a place within the work force. There are fewer and fewer opportunities becoming available, and school leavers have to undergo more and more relevant vocational training. However, fewer school-leavers are able to go directly into the vocational training they want. Heinz (1987: 130) noted a growing trend 16 years ago that Depending on the region, only between one-third and one-half of these school leavers succeed in getting a training place, and in 1994 Munro (1994: 109) observed that the school-to-work transition had failed which had major ramifications for everyone involved, causing underemployment of school leavers (Munro, 1994: 116). The seriousness of this trend is made even more apparent by the fact that school-leavers are even ready to enter apprenticeships that lead them into dead-end occupations (Heinz, 1987: 129). Drucker (1973: 232) however, states that while this may be so, to be uneducated is an economic liability and is unproductive, even though education is producing an unemployable, overeducated proletariat. (Drucker, 1973: 233) According to Mehan (1973: 240) education is a major socialisation agency, which moulds the individuals self-concepts into a socially accepted format, allowing each individual to be slotted into a specific function (Sargent, 1994: 240). Sargent (1994: 240) points out that in the function of education values are essentially involved and are taught beside worldly knowledge. However, this knowledge interprets the world, but does not necessarily  correspond with any external state (Sargent, 1994: 232). The transmission of knowledge, skills and values, helps to sort and rank individuals, that they might be better placed in the labour market (Munro, 1994: 96). This raises a paradox, however, where education is seen by many as the best possible means of achieving greater equality in society (Sargent, 1994: 233), yet it categorises the graduates into job specifications, personality types and the opportunities granted to each. Sargent (1994: 231) furthers this thought by explaining that the education system is an integral part of determining position and power in our society (Sargent, 1994: 231), and that through education the class structures are compounded, making it more difficult for those in the working classes from advancing in the social hierarchy. The education institution both absorbs and perpetuates the ideology, masquerading as knowledge, which legitimises inequality (Sargent, 1994: 231). Regardless of the inequalities produced, it has become the absolute prerequisite of soci al and economic development in our world to have a highly educated pool of people ready for the labour market (Drucker, 1973: 232). In conclusion, the failure of the education system to reduce social inequality and produce better workers, raises serious doubts as to its effectiveness. Life chances created through education appear to be diminishing, despite the extension of education. The knowledge taught seems to be ineffective in preparing students to cope with life. Functionalists need to reassess the structure of education, as it loses its ability to effectively provide for graduates, becoming dysfunctional in its goals to remove inequality and give a head start to people entering the work force. When looking at the education system, it is necessary to ask if the cost spent on educating people is being effectively used, considering the increasing number of educated poor. The gap between knowledge taught and life experience needs to be bridged, for education to effectively function. If, as it appears, schools are to socialise and reproduce effective and functioning members of society, the curricula has to be ad dressed. Bibliography Davis, Nanette J. (1999). Youth Crisis: Growing up in the High Risk Society. Praeger Publications, Westport Drucker, Peter F. (1973). The Educational Revolution, Social Change: Sources, Patterns, and Consequences (2nd ed) Amitai Etzioni and Eva Etzioni-Halevy (Eds). Basic Books Inc., New York. pp 232 238 Furlong, Andy, and Cartmel, Fred (1997). Young People and Social Change: Individualisation and Risk in Late Modernity. Open University Press, Buckingham Heinz, Walter R. (1987). The Transition from School to Work in Crisis: Coping with Threatening Unemployment, Journal of Adolescent Research (Vol 2). pp 127 141 Illich, Ivan (1973). The Breakdown of Schools: A Problem or a Symptom, Childhood and Socialisation Hans Peter Dreitzel (Ed). Macmillan Publishing Co. Inc., Canada. pp 311 336 Mehan, Hugh (1973). Assessing Childrens School Performance, Childhood and Socialisation Hans Peter Dreitzel (Ed). Macmillan Publishing Co. Inc., Canada. pp 240 264 Munro, Lyle (1994). Education, Society and Change: A Sociological Introduction to Contemporary Australia Brian Furze and Christine Stafford (Eds). Macmillan Education Australia Pty. Ltd., South Melbourne. pp 96 128 Pink Floyd (1978) The Wall, The Wall. Mushroom Records, California. Sargent, Margaret (1994). Education for equality? employment? emancipation?, The New Sociology for Australians. Longman Cheshire Pty. Ltd., Melbourne. pp 231 256 Webb, J., Schirato, T. and Danaher, G. (2002). Bourdieu and Secondary Schools, Understanding Bourdieu pp 105 106 (Reprinted in Sociological Reflections on Everyday Life: GSC 1201 Reader). Allen and Unwin, Sydney. pp 227 238

Deregulation Of The Airline Industry :: essays research papers

Deregulation of the Airline Industry The airline industry has been subject of intense price competition since it was deregulated, and the result has been a number of new carriers which specialize in regional service and no-frills operations. These carriers typically purchase older aircraft and often operate outside the industry-wide computerized reservations system. In exchange for these inconveniences, passengers receive low fares relative to the industry as a whole. This research examines two low fare air carriers, ValuJet and Southwest Airlines. By investigating these air carriers, we can better understand the economic impacts of price versus service in the airline industry as a whole, as well as, the impacts on passenger and investor confidence. Until 1978, air transport rates were approved by the government, which meant that price was not a primary competitive factor. Instead, airlines would compete on service and image. The airline industry was dominated by giants (American, United, TWA) which offered nationwide and some international service, and by regional carriers, such as Southwest, which offered short trips between airports not served by the nationals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Deregulation of the airline industry brought about in 1978 introduced a situation in which the national and regional carriers were suddenly able to compete in an environment that resembled a free market. Rate schedules were lifted, price fixing was eliminated and route management was removed. The main factors that affected whether an airline could serve a particular city was whether or not that city had enough gates for the new carrier, and whether the carrier was able to afford to purchase them. Companies such as Southwest recognized potential for low fares, and began building a niche for themselves by offering low fares with equivalent low levels of service. Southwest's success gave rise to a new generation of low fare airlines, with ValuJet entering the market in the early 1990's. Unfortunately, ValuJet suffered a string of accidents which brought the future of this air carrier into question. ValuJet is a low-priced airline that offers inexpensive tickets for regional travel. Based in Atlanta, the airline serves the Southeastern United States and competes with Continental Airlines as well as with other small regional carriers. It serves 31 cities primarily in the southeastern United States. The airline began its service with flights to Tampa and Orlando from Atlanta in 1993. The no-frills strategy paid off for the fledgling airline, which posted half again as many revenue passenger miles in April 1996 as it did in April 1995. However, the company announced that it was slowing the expansion of its services, voluntarily, at the same time that it posted this impressive revenue mark (Cole & Pasztor, 1996, p. Deregulation Of The Airline Industry :: essays research papers Deregulation of the Airline Industry The airline industry has been subject of intense price competition since it was deregulated, and the result has been a number of new carriers which specialize in regional service and no-frills operations. These carriers typically purchase older aircraft and often operate outside the industry-wide computerized reservations system. In exchange for these inconveniences, passengers receive low fares relative to the industry as a whole. This research examines two low fare air carriers, ValuJet and Southwest Airlines. By investigating these air carriers, we can better understand the economic impacts of price versus service in the airline industry as a whole, as well as, the impacts on passenger and investor confidence. Until 1978, air transport rates were approved by the government, which meant that price was not a primary competitive factor. Instead, airlines would compete on service and image. The airline industry was dominated by giants (American, United, TWA) which offered nationwide and some international service, and by regional carriers, such as Southwest, which offered short trips between airports not served by the nationals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Deregulation of the airline industry brought about in 1978 introduced a situation in which the national and regional carriers were suddenly able to compete in an environment that resembled a free market. Rate schedules were lifted, price fixing was eliminated and route management was removed. The main factors that affected whether an airline could serve a particular city was whether or not that city had enough gates for the new carrier, and whether the carrier was able to afford to purchase them. Companies such as Southwest recognized potential for low fares, and began building a niche for themselves by offering low fares with equivalent low levels of service. Southwest's success gave rise to a new generation of low fare airlines, with ValuJet entering the market in the early 1990's. Unfortunately, ValuJet suffered a string of accidents which brought the future of this air carrier into question. ValuJet is a low-priced airline that offers inexpensive tickets for regional travel. Based in Atlanta, the airline serves the Southeastern United States and competes with Continental Airlines as well as with other small regional carriers. It serves 31 cities primarily in the southeastern United States. The airline began its service with flights to Tampa and Orlando from Atlanta in 1993. The no-frills strategy paid off for the fledgling airline, which posted half again as many revenue passenger miles in April 1996 as it did in April 1995. However, the company announced that it was slowing the expansion of its services, voluntarily, at the same time that it posted this impressive revenue mark (Cole & Pasztor, 1996, p.

The Value of College Education

The Value of College Education Getting an education is something that is very important and is essential for the growth and development of an individual. By getting an education, a person is able to rise above the rest and is able to achieve so much more in life. This does not mean just in terms of monetary or career oriented way, education serves to enlighten the body, the mind, as well as the soul. College education is a step further and takes a person into realms that can only be understood and appreciated by someone who has earned a college degree.So many benefits exist for a college education, all of which are impossible to list in the course of this essay. This classification essay shall attempt to classify some of the benefits that a person can reap from a college education. College education has a profound effect on a person and his or her life. It helps people choose their careers more wisely and the college experience makes people become more confident and can make better a nd well-judged decisions. To get a higher education is perhaps crossing the biggest milestone of your life.A college education is a very valuable thing and everyone should get one so that we can all be enlightened and help make our society a better place. A college is a place where people come together in an environment that helps nurture their educational and professional curiosities. People learn to read, reflect, explore, listen, argue, and especially, stretch their known boundaries. A college education helps people and prepares them for the entry into the real world of economics and social bindings.Students learn what exactly personal freedom is and then they learn how to enjoy that freedom in the real world once the education has been completed. College teaches people to dream of, to reach their highest aspirations, to choose well, and to choose wisely. It is sometimes very perplexing to think that many people undermine the value of a college education. A college is where peopl e go so that their mental capabilities can be thoroughly challenged, where they can grow and mature as individuals and as future carriers of the society.People who complete their college education can be spotted out from a group instantly. Such people appear more poised and confident in every aspect of their lives. I believe that people who complete their college education are the ones who are most responsible in making a society a better place to live in. If everyone in a society gets a college education, the society can be improved tenfold because of the values and the traditions that a person learns in college.A college education can teach a person about his or her moral obligations and helps the people to realize what it is that is missing from their lives. It has also been noted that people who have had a college education are generally happier in life and that they appear more sophisticated and enlightened. Such people have a better quality of life as they understand more abou t the world and can appreciate the finer things in life such as art, music and theatre much more than a non-graduate.It has also been noted that people who have a college education tend to be more satisfied as individuals as it helps them to achieve a greater sense of personal development. They are more at ease within themselves and enjoy more prosperity than others enjoy. They find great satisfaction in the knowledge that they have achieved their education in life and they tend to take great pride in that. People meet many different kinds of people at college and this helps prepare them for the life in the field where one has to interact with all sorts of people who are working.This aids in a person's personal development as well. Students attending a college learn to write more effectively and to express themselves more clearly. Studying with students from all different kinds of economic, ethnic and social backgrounds also help the person attending college into learning more about the world and this brings the people of the world closer as well. People at colleges come from every aspect of life; a person going to college is bound to interact with his classmates who can come from all sorts of different countries, cultures and generations.This interaction is another valuable aspect of a college education and it helps shape a person's personality in a way that is unmatched by any other kind of an institution, whether it be a church or a home. A person, perhaps, learns the most throughout his or her college years and this not only includes academic education but also education in the social and political realms. All these things combined are very useful and very necessary for a person to obtain if he or she wants to lead a happier and brighter life.

Individual Assignment: Classic Airlines Marketing Solution Essay

Bryan Spearman July 22nd, 2010 Abstract In the case study of Classic Airline (CA), the paper use problem-solving model to solve CA’s marketing problem. After taking into account of the internal and external pressures contributing the CA’s current crisis, the new objective of implementing strategic market plan to resolve solution is clarified; furthermore, potential issues of implementation is also considered to ensure impact of the plan. The paper will also highlight that implementation of improved CRM which expected to significantly improve the profitability of the organization. Successful implementation requires effective leadership, targeting market group, realizing shared vision among stakeholders and appropriate delivery strategies. Classic Airlines Marketing Solution For every successful organization, a question is often brought forward by the management: What philosophy should guide a company’s marketing efforts? Should organization focus its strength first on the interest of stockholder, the customers or the society? Often times, these interests are in conflict with one another. Since the mid-1950s, the marketing philosophy had shift from product centered â€Å"make to sell† toward customer centered â€Å"sense and respond† philosophy. Thus the questions of marketing are finding the product that fit customer’s need instead of other way around. [ (Philip Kotler, 2006) ] Facing fierce global competition, companies had realized the importance of retaining healthy customer relationship because every companies knows it is far more cost effective to retain a loyal customer than to acquire a new one. According to Plunkett Research Online, the 2009-2010 periods for commercial airlines are expecting some rough ride ahead: consumer budget is tight while companies are cutting down business traveling expenses. To combat with economical hardship, airlines are fighting to cut routes, removing older models of air planes and reduce the fuel cost; at the same time, competing on best price and total service package to the customers. [ (Plunkett Research Ltd. , 2009) ] The Problems at Classic Airline The Classic Airline (CA) is world’s fifth largest airline that operates 375 jets serves 240 cities with over 2300 daily flights. In the last 25 years, the company had grown into an organization of 32000 employees with multi-billion sales. [ (University of Phoenix, 2005) ] Due to the difficulties with increasing global competition, overexpansion within the organization, changes in customers spending, and increased concern with airline security; CA along with its competitors in the industry are dealing with issues of growing stress and reduced financial gain. Increased uncertainty had triggered a drop in stock price; thus CA has seen a 10% decrease in share price. To make the situation worse, the company had also shown 19% decrease in number of reward members and 21% decrease in flights per remaining member. (University of Phoenix, 2005) With rising cost especially in fuel and labor, CA is tight up financially in its ability to compete effectively in the market. Furthermore, the board of director mandated 15% cut in cost or the company will face bankruptcy. A key component of the business model affecting both competiveness and profitability is the structure of the marketing portfolio within the company. In fact, Classic Airlines is struggling with a number of marketing challenges both internally within their corporate culture as well as with their external marketing portfolio. Some senior executives such as newly promoted CEO Amanda Miller believed in focusing organizational resources on operational excellence and financial stability thus gives less attention to marketing. As a result, the shift in priority had caused the firm more vulnerable in this critical time which consumers needs should be valued as most important of all others. Meanwhile, CA’s competitors are learning fast in continuing improvement in customer satisfaction to regain their market share. Opportunity Identification Targeted at the problems at home, also lies opportunity to success. Because the executives of Classic Airline believes that they can turn the things around and improve the current situation, First opportunity is to increase customer satisfaction through the company’s existing program called Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Using this information, CA can determine what it needs to focus on to bring customers back. Though the CMO, Kevin Boyle is a big supporter of this program; he might be facing disagreement with other executives down the road during the implementation process since they don’t have much faith on how marketing department can be benefited from the program Stakeholder Groups and Shared Vision Stakeholder alignment is an important part of marketing planning thus holds a key to the success of implementation of problem solution. The potential of conflict of interest is inherent in any organization. Conflicts may exist whenever a group or an individual is paid to serve and support another from a position of assumed trust and responsibility. † [ (Emlyn Neuman-Javornik, 2006) ] Before any product reaches to consumers, it must connect with all stakeholders in every levels of the organization first because CA’s employees will be affected by these changes and so will their perfo rmance in the future. Can the risk due to the conflict of interest be eliminated once for all? Unfortunately, the answer is no; but the progression of actions that cause potential risky situation escalating to the point of destruction can be and should be prevented beforehand. [ (Emlyn Neuman-Javornik, 2006) ] The key step is management awareness and proactive action taken to minimize the risk factors. An effective risk-management program based on three critical phrases: Creation, Communication and Commitment. Creation is referring the solid cross-companywide statement of policy which states a clear expectation and govern ethical standard of conduct toward the all stakeholders including employee, managers, suppliers and officers; Communication, allows all levels of stakeholder to understand the statement policy and oversee any differences before it progresses; Last and most importantly, the commitment of employees, managers, partners and suppliers to invested in the company’s policy and shared vision as same as they are equally liable for the consequence if violates the policy. (Emlyn Neuman-Javornik, 2006) ] â€Å"The creative difference between reality and the vision is a way of seeing progress and an objective that serves as a motivator for a lot of people. † [ (Senge, 1997) ] Senge also states that the vision should come from all levels within an organization instead of being applied â€Å"top down†. Despite the individual belief and differences, it is vital for Cl assic Airline to establish a shared vision among all stakeholders in order for the organization continues creating value. In addition, the importance of a shared vision is the core of the company which allows teams learning to happen throughout the stages of product cycle. In fact, company that learns faster as a team than its competitor has a clear competitive advantage thus is more flexible toward changes. [ (Senge, 1997) ] In the case of Classic Airline, management had been working hard to maintain a high level of efficiency; however the passive approach has its limitation thus incapable of continuing improving when deals with worse market response. Therefore, the core competency must shift toward customer centered business operation. Employees must be encouraged to know and listen to the consumer’s voices which allow a clear channel of communication. As a result, the info collected from bottom up will help marketing team to shape a clear picture in how to meet market demand with effective strategic solution. In addition, a cross-function communication network must be established which integrated with CRM system to close the communication gap between external and internal stakeholders. Problem Solution An Overview of Customer Relationship Management â€Å"CRM systems can be viewed as information systems aimed at enabling organizations to realize a customer focus. † [ (Bull, 2003) ] Though CRM has gained an increasing popularity in improving and meeting marketing demand; however, the studies had shown a great number of failure in CRM implementation. According to Giga surveys: companies generally underestimate the complexities of CRM, lack of clear business objective and tend to invest insufficient resources into the program; thus Giga survey have estimated 70% of companies are likely to fail. (Whittle, 2001) ] The truth is that CRM system is evolving over the years as market demand changes. Because the leaders oversees not only the internal running of operation but also monitor the external environments changes; and are best positioned to set the vision and strategic direction for CRM project. In addition, the top executive is more cost aware than middle management thus has stronger control over the expenditure of project over the long run. [ (Bull, 2003) ] Classic Airline had earned $8. 7 billion in sales; however, the ineffective CRM system had reduced yields from consumers and failed to maintain loyal customers. The firm suffers CRM integration problem due to unclear direction in dealing with customer relationship. Therefore, a set of priorities must be established to set straight forth the focus of the CRM system which is to identify consumer needs, assisting market segmentation, discover value and cost driver, improving customer retention and leveraging stakeholder feedback. Holistic Market Approach Classic Airline could apply the concept of holistic marketing which based on four components: relationship marketing, integrated marketing, internal marketing and social responsibility marketing. The goal is to have more comprehensive approach that goes beyond the traditional marketing strategies in order to deliver highest value to the customer. [ (Philip Kotler K. L. , 2006) ] In the relationship marketing, the company can update and strengthen the CRM program to collect data required based on the goal to understand the need, wants and demand of the customers; as the same time, integrated marketing enable multiple marketing activities to communicate thus deliver value and maximize each activities’ joint effect. As a result, two objectives that can be achieved: lower the cost of marketing and implement a solid customer service solution to increase sales. [ (Philip Kotler K. L. , 2006) ] Notably, internal marketing must be incorporated into the solution process which to ensure every stakeholders within the organization embrace and participate the marketing principle especially the senior management. â€Å"Holistic approaches to CRM help organization co-ordinate and effectively maintain the growth of disparate customer contact points or channels of communication. [ (Bull, 2003) ] By placing CRM system as the heart of holistic marketing approach, new solution allows company undergoing transformation needed to emphasis on customer orientated business process with higher flexibility and adaptability to market changes. Identification of Right Customer Groups According to Newell, CRM is a useful tool in terms of identifying the right customer groups; in another word, assisting with market segmenta tion in order to provide appropriate service and product to different level of market groups. (Newell, 2000) ] The basic idea of market segmentation is that a company cannot have equally profitable relationship with all customers. By targeting consumer with different product and services according to their lifestyle, individual taste and financial ability will create a win-win relationship in which both parties received maximum benefit from one another. Newell had stated that identifying customer groups is the idea of distinguishing between transaction and relationship customers; which transaction customer are highly volatile thus have less to no loyalty other than obtaining the max benefit per transaction with best price. On the contrary, the relationship customer have far more potential for loyalty as they often prepared to pay a higher price within their financial ability for a range of reliable goods and services. [ (Newell, 2000) ] Generally, relationship customer will less likely to defect once establish a relationship; however, he will expect consistent quality service as a return for his loyalty. Relationship customer is far more cost effective than new customer because they had already understood the process and requires less persuasion; as the same time, he will be able to provide useful feedback to improve quality services of the organization. Delivery of CRM System Another dimension of market problem solution is CA’s ability to deliver the strategy successfully. CRM strategy is only effective if they deliver positive outcome; therefore, customer focused CRM system may not be enough with current consumer demand. Not only CRM will be able to assist the organization to predict future market demand, but keep the organization strong as a market leader. The studies had shown that fundamental goal of CRM is to improve organizational profitability though efficient and effective customer relationship. If the CRM strategy is struggling to impact profitability of organization after the initial implementation period; clearly, the strategy is failed to accomplish its goal. [ (Bull, 2003) ] In the case of Classic Airline, to revise and establish a stronger and effective CRM system: the top executive must clarify the expectation and announce an overarching theme to CA employees. The top executive must assume a strong leadership role within the organization to lead the transformation of the business process and passed down to the bottom level. When employees are more anticipated, the transformation process will be easier to implement. Value is ultimately built on the improved relational variables cultivated between business unit as CA experience learning as a team. As a result, manages and employees’ behavior will help improving the existing organizational culture so all stakeholders are motivated to work toward the common goal. Although the risks associated with transformation is relatively high, CA must utilize CRM system with proactive models to address the challenges/trends that market demand in a timely manner because strategy nd efficiency should always exist alongside each other. Alternative Solution and Benchmarking â€Å"When organizations want to improve their performance, they benchmark. That is, they compare and measure their policies, practices, philosophies, and performance measures against those of high-performing organizations anywhere in the world. † (James Cavanagh, 2000) Southwest Airline i s one of market leader in airline industry which has a reputation of delivering consistently high quality of customer service and employee performance. Southwest airline is reported that 2009 marked as their 37th year of consecutive profitability which proven their immovable leadership within the industry. (Gary C Kelly, 2009) During the period of recession, Southwest Airline had continued to dedicate quality of customer service as their top priority and led the industry with lowest customer complaint ratio. The organization is constantly seeking new opportunity to enhance customer experience. Examples of their initiatives are early bird check-in which encourage customer online-reservation; P. A. W. S that are welcoming customer with pet aboard and last, in flight internet that installing satellite-delivered broadband to onboard passenger. [ (Gary C Kelly, 2009) ] CA should learn from Southwest Airline which is developing strategic planning based on consumer focused philosophy. With new updates and perfected CRM system, CA will be able to establish more stable customer relationship in order to regain the competitive advantage in the market. Conclusion Marketing is the life and breathes of an organization, and the organization must be reminded how its strategic marketing solution should be based on consumer satisfaction consistently. Encompass the body of the paper, it is confirmed that CRM is a complex and holistic concept that requires appropriate business process and integrated systems. After identification of existing problems, alignment the stakeholders’ value and creation shared vision; Classic Airline had come to conclusion that in order for the successful implementation of updated CRM system to impact the profitability, CA need to execute effective leadership and risk management, targeting the right marketing group and evaluation within CRM strategies. The future of CA relies upon a collaborated effort infused with productivity and team work.

Free Essays on Gangs In The US

Violence is a part of life out here. In our ‘hood you see violence all the time, and that’s what time it is. Either you stay ready or it’s gonna get you... To me, selling dope is the best thing a young girl can do in trying to make it in the streets. Call us a gang or whatever you want. What we is, is getting paid. – Dewana, 20, member of drug gang (Taylor:1993, 32) Violence is a reality for the youth of America, gang violence being one of the fastest growing forms. While overall crime rates have decreased, it is becoming more common for the youth to the perpetrators. Our youth are increasingly the perpetrators and victims of some of society’s most violent crimes. Until recently, the rate of youth violence has climed drastically, between 1984 and 1993, the rate of homicides commited by juveniles increased 169%. (Walker:1993, 506) Gangs have become violent street families for many of our youth. Less than twenty years ago fewer than half of US cities reported gang activity, now 95% of the largest cities and 88% of smaller cities suffer gang-related crime. With the ever increasing population, according to demographic experts there will be a doubling of juvenile arrests for violent crimes by the year 2010. (US Department of Justice) Luckily with action these numbers can be changed. The facts of recent studies provide proof for an alternative outcome: o Over the past five years, violence- and especially murder- commited by young people has declined. o While the juvenile violent crime arrest rate increased 62% between 1987 and 1993, it decresed 2.9% in 1995, the first decline in seven years. o The juvenile murder arrest declined 15.2% in 1995- the largest one year decrease in more than ten years. o Since 1993, the juvenile murder arrest rate has dropped 22.8% (US Department of Justice) It has only been until recent years that the study of youth crimes has gained momentum, so far we know that: - Only a small fractio... Free Essays on Gangs In The US Free Essays on Gangs In The US Violence is a part of life out here. In our ‘hood you see violence all the time, and that’s what time it is. Either you stay ready or it’s gonna get you... To me, selling dope is the best thing a young girl can do in trying to make it in the streets. Call us a gang or whatever you want. What we is, is getting paid. – Dewana, 20, member of drug gang (Taylor:1993, 32) Violence is a reality for the youth of America, gang violence being one of the fastest growing forms. While overall crime rates have decreased, it is becoming more common for the youth to the perpetrators. Our youth are increasingly the perpetrators and victims of some of society’s most violent crimes. Until recently, the rate of youth violence has climed drastically, between 1984 and 1993, the rate of homicides commited by juveniles increased 169%. (Walker:1993, 506) Gangs have become violent street families for many of our youth. Less than twenty years ago fewer than half of US cities reported gang activity, now 95% of the largest cities and 88% of smaller cities suffer gang-related crime. With the ever increasing population, according to demographic experts there will be a doubling of juvenile arrests for violent crimes by the year 2010. (US Department of Justice) Luckily with action these numbers can be changed. The facts of recent studies provide proof for an alternative outcome: o Over the past five years, violence- and especially murder- commited by young people has declined. o While the juvenile violent crime arrest rate increased 62% between 1987 and 1993, it decresed 2.9% in 1995, the first decline in seven years. o The juvenile murder arrest declined 15.2% in 1995- the largest one year decrease in more than ten years. o Since 1993, the juvenile murder arrest rate has dropped 22.8% (US Department of Justice) It has only been until recent years that the study of youth crimes has gained momentum, so far we know that: - Only a small fractio...

Things to Know Before Visiting a Butterfly House

Things to Know Before Visiting a Butterfly House Youve probably seen live butterfly exhibits offered in your local zoos or nature museum. These exhibits offer visitors the chance to observe butterflies up close. Most butterfly houses populate their exhibits with butterflies from around the world, allowing you to see a variety of colorful species youd have to travel the globe to find in the wild. Bring a camera, because youll definitely want to capture images of these flying flowers. Heres a primer on what to expect when visiting, including tips for getting butterflies to land on you, and photographing your favorites. Things to Know Before You Visit a Butterfly House Butterfly houses are hot, humid environments. In most cases, the exhibit is meant to mimic butterflies native tropical habitat. If you have health issues that may be exacerbated by high temperatures or humidity, you may want to keep your visit short. A well-designed butterfly house usually has a double set of doors with a vestibule in between at both the entrance and exit. This is to help prevent butterflies from escaping  and to help keep the temperature inside the exhibit constant. Butterfly houses usually have misters placed throughout the exhibit to help maintain the humidity. Depending on where they are located, you might be sprayed with a gentle mist of water as you walk through the exhibit. Butterflies sometimes rest on the ground, including on the pathways where you will be walking. Pay attention to where you are stepping to avoid crushing a resting butterfly. Be sure to look up, too! Resting moths can fly way up high on the exhibit walls, or even on light fixtures. Butterflies behave differently depending on the species, the time of day, and environmental variables like temperature and humidity. Some species on exhibit may seem to do nothing but rest. These are often crepuscular butterflies, meaning theyre active at dawn and dusk. Most will be most active during the warmest, sunniest part of the day, which is usually the afternoon. Because butterflies are short-lived, some of the butterflies you observe may be nearing the end of their lives. You might see some butterflies that look tattered, with missing wing scales or even torn wings. This doesnt mean something is wrong with their care. Newly emerged butterflies, by contrast, will have bright, bold colors, and clean wing edges. Usually, the staff will release newly emerged butterflies and moths into the exhibit at a specific time each day, often in the afternoon. If you want to see this, you might want to call ahead to ask when they do the daily release, so you can plan your visit accordingly. Butterfly House Donts You will usually find a set of rules posted where you enter the butterfly house. These may include: Dont bring food or drinks into the exhibit.Dont wander off the pathways in the exhibit.Dont touch the plants or pick flowers.Dont pick up or handle the butterflies, unless a staff member invites you to do so.Dont remove butterflies from the exhibit area, even if they are dead. Butterfly House Dos Do take your time. Butterfly spotting takes patience!Do ask questions. Most butterfly houses have knowledgeable staff or volunteers posted in the exhibit area, able and willing to teach you about the species you are seeing.Do look for feeding stations and puddling areas, where you can get a closer view of the butterflies.Do visit the emerging area, where you can watch new butterflies and moths break out of their pupal cases. You might have to wait for a while to see one emerge, but it is well worth it.Do consider bringing a small pair of binoculars with you, to get a better view of butterflies perched high in the exhibit.Do take lots of pictures! Where else will you have that many butterflies within reach of your camera lens?Do check for hitchhikers before you exit the butterfly house. Ask a friend to make sure no butterflies have perched on your back. Behaviors You Can Observe in the Butterfly House To the novice butterfly observer, it might look like the butterflies are only doing one of two things: flying or resting. But theres more to butterfly behavior than that. Some male butterflies will patrol a territory, looking for a mate. Youll see him flying back and forth, back and forth in one area of the exhibit. Other butterflies are more passive in defending their territory, preferring instead to perch. These butterflies sit quietly in one spot, usually high on a tree or other foliage, watching for females to flutter into their area. If a male competitor enters his territory, he may chase him away. Because butterflies are ectothermic, they will bask in the sun to warm their bodies and their flight muscles. Butterflies also engage in puddling, which is how they get the minerals they need. You may see butterflies mating, and you will definitely observe butterflies feeding on nectar. See how many different behaviors you can observe! Tips for Getting a Butterfly to Land on You If youre lucky, a butterfly might land on you while you are in the exhibit. Theres no guarantee this will work but, you can do a few things to increase your chances. The best rule of thumb is to act as a flower: Wear brightly colored clothes. I have a bright yellow and orange tie-dyed shirt that always seems to lure butterflies to me.Smell sweet. If youre wearing a skin lotion or perfume that smells a bit like flowers, that attract a hungry butterfly.Stay still. Flowers dont move, so you wont fool a butterfly if youre walking around. Find a bench and stay put for a while. Tips for Taking Photos in a Butterfly House Butterfly houses afford photographers a unique opportunity to capture images of butterflies from all over the world, without the expense of traveling or the frustration of looking for them in the wild. Keep in mind that some butterfly houses do not allow photographers to bring tripods in, so call and ask before you visit. Here are a few tips for getting the good photographs on your next visit to a butterfly exhibit. Plan your visit for early in the day. Butterflies will be most active from late morning until late afternoon. You have a better chance of photographing butterflies at rest if you visit the butterfly house as soon as it opens in the morning.Give your camera time to adjust to the tropical environment. One thing that drives me nuts when I visit a butterfly house is my camera lens fogging up. If you move from a cooler, drier environment into the hot, humid climate of the butterfly exhibit, your camera is going to need a bit of time to acclimate before your lens will stay clear.Photograph butterflies from the front, not the back. You will be tempted to photograph the easy targets, like the butterflies resting on foliage with their beautiful wings visible to you. Look for butterflies on feeding stations or flowers, where you might be able to get a good close-up of it uncoiling its proboscis to drink, or tasting a piece of fruit with its feet. Rules for Displaying Live Butterflies Organizations that operate  live butterfly exhibits in the U.S.  must follow very strict USDA regulations. In most cases, their permit does not allow them to breed the species on exhibit. Plants within the butterfly exhibit provide nectar only; no larval host plants will be provided. Instead, they must purchase butterflies as pupae, which are housed in a separate area until the adults emerge. Most butterfly houses receive new shipments of pupae on a weekly basis since adult butterflies are short-lived. Once they are ready to fly, the adults are released into the exhibit. All butterflies must be kept within the confines of the butterfly house, and careful measures must be taken to prevent escapes.