E-Commerce Marketplace

BUSINESS Retail consumer E-commerce continues to grow up at double-digit rates. The online demographics of shoppers continue to broaden. Online website continues to reinforce profitability by refining their business models and leveraging the capabilities of the Internet. The first wave of E-Commerce transformed the business world of books, music, and air travel. In the second wave, eight new industries are facing a similar transformation: telephones, movies, television, jewelry, real estate, hotels, bill payments, and software. The breadth of E-Commerce offerings grow ups, especially each and every one in travel, information clearinghouses, entertainment, retail apparel, appliances, and home furnishings. Each and every one business and entrepreneurs continue to flood into the E-Commerce marketplace, often riding on the infrastructure craft by industry giants such as Amazon, eBay, and Overture. Brand extension each and every one the way through the Internet grow ups as large firms such as Sears, J.C. Penney, L.L. Bean, and Wal-Mart pursue integrated, multi –channel bricks-and-clicks strategies. B2Bsupply chain transactions and collaborative commerce continue to reinforce and grow up beyond the $1.5trillion mark. TECHNOLOGY: Wireless Internet connections (Wi-Fi, Max, and 3Gtelephone) grew up rapidly. Podcasting takes off as a new media format for distribution of radio and user-generated commentary. The Internet broadband foundation becomes stronger in households and businesses. Bandwidth prices of telecommunications companies re-capitalize their debts. RSS (Real Simple Syndication) grow ups to become a mayor new form of user- controlled information distribution that rivals e-mail in some applications. Computing and networking component prices continue to fall dramatically. New Internet-based models of computing such as. NET and Web services expand B2B opportunities. SECIETYSelf-publishing (user-generated content) and syndication in the form of blogs, wikis and social network grow up to form an entirely new self-publishing forum. Newspapers and other conventional, customary & traditional media adopt online, interactive models. Conflicts over copyright management and control grow up in significance. Over half the Internet user population (about 80 million adults) joins a social group on the Internet. Taxation of Internet sales becomes more widespread and accepted by large online merchants. Controversy over content regulation and controls amplify and rises. Surveillance of Internet communications grows ups in s significance. Concerns over commercial and governmental privacy invasion grow up. Internet fraud and abuse occurrences amplify and rise. First Amendment rights of free speech and association on the Internet are challenged. Spam grows ups despite new laws and promised technology fixes. Invasion of personal privacy on the Web expands as marketers discover and locate new ways to track users. BUSINESS APPLICATION OF E-COMMERCE Typical business organizations (or parts within a business organization) design, produce, market, deliver and support its product (s)/service(s).Each of these activities adds cost and value to the product/service that is eventually distributed to the customer. The value-chain consists of a series of activities designed to satisfy a business need by adding value (or cost) in each phase of the process. In addition to these primary activities that result in a final product/service, supporting activities in this process also should be included:Managing company infrastructure Managing human resources Obtaining various inputs for each primary activityDeveloping technology to keep the business competitive. For instance, in a furniture manufacturing company, the company buys wood (raw materials) from a logging company and then converts the wood into chair (finished product); chairs are shipped to retailers, distributors, or customers. The company markets and services these chairs products. Those are the primary activities (value-chain) that adds value and result in a final product/service for the company. Value-chain analysis may highlight the opportunity for the company to manufacture products directly. This means, for furniture manufacturer, it may enter in the logging business directly or through partnership with others. he value chain may continue after delivering chairs to the furniture store. The store, by offering other products/services and mixing and matching this product with other products, may add additional value to the chair. The Internet can increase the speed and accuracy of communications between suppliers, distributors, and customers. Furthermore, the Internet's low cost allows companies of any size to be able to take advantage of value-chain integration. E-commerce may improve value chain by identifying new opportunities for cost reduction. For instance, using e-mail to notify customers instead of using regular mail helps for reducing cost. Selling to distant customers using the company web site may allow revenue improvement or generation. These sales may not have been materialized otherwise or selling digital products such as songs or computer software or distributing software through the web. Offering online customer service or new sales channel identification helps for product/service improvement.Dell Computer generates a large portion of its revenue through the Web by eliminating the middleman. Cisco systems sell much of its networking hardware and software over the Web, improving revenue and reducing cost. United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express use the Internet to track packages that result in enhanced customer service.History of EcommerceOne of the most popular activities on the Web is shopping. It has much allure in it — you can shop at your leisure, anytime, and in your pajamas. Literally anyone can have their pages built to display their specific goods and services.History of ecommerce dates back to the invention of the very old notion of â€Å"sell and buy†, electricity, cables, computers, modems, and the Internet. Ecommerce became possible in 1991 when the Internet was opened to commercial use. Since that date thousands of businesses have taken up residence at web sites.At first, the term ecommerce meant the process of execution of commercial transactions electronically with the help of the leading technologies such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) which gave an opportunity for users to exchange business information and do electronic transactions. The ability to use these technologies appeared in the late 1970s and allowed business companies and organizations to send commercial documentation electronically.Although the Internet began to advance in popularity among the general public in 1994, it took approximately four years to develop the security protocols (for example, HTTP) and DSL which allowed rapid access and a persistent connection to the Internet. In 2000 a great number of business companies in the United States and Western Europe represented their services in the World Wide Web. At this time the meaning of the word ecommerce was changed. People began to define the term ecommerce as the process of purchasing of available goods and services over the Internet using secure connections and electronic payment services. Although the dot-com collapse in 2000 led to unfortunate results and many of ecommerce companies disappeared, the â€Å"brick and mortar† retailers recognized the advantages of electronic commerce and began to add such capabilities to their web sites (e.g., after the online grocery store Webvan came to ruin, two supermarket chains, Albertsons and Safeway, began to use ecommerce to enable their customers to buy groceries online). By the end of 2001, the largest form of ecommerce, Business-to-Business (B2B) model, had around $700 billion in transactions.According to all available data, ecommerce sales continued to grow in the next few years and, by the end of 2007, ecommerce sales accounted for 3.4 percent of total sales. Ecommerce has a great deal of advantages over â€Å"brick and mortar† stores and mail order catalogs. Consumers can easily search through a large database of products and services. They can see actual prices, build an order over several days and email it as a â€Å"wish list† hoping that someone will pay for their selected goods. Customers can compare prices with a click of the mouse and buy the selected product at best prices.Online vendors, in their turn, also get distinct advantages. The web and its search engines provide a way to be found by customers without expensive advertising campaign. Even small online shops can reach global markets. Web technology also allows to track customer preferences and to deliver individually-tailored marketing.History of ecommerce is unthinkable without Amazon and E-bay which were among the first Internet companies to allow electronic transactions. Thanks to their founders we now have a handsome ecommerce sector and enjoy the buying and selling advantages of the Internet. Currently there are 5 largest and most famous worldwide Internet retailers: Amazon, Dell, Staples, Office Depot and Hewlett Packard. According to statistics, the most popular categories of products sold in the World Wide Web are music, books, computers, office supplies and other consumer electronics. Amazon.com, Inc. is one of the most famous ecommerce companies and is located in Seattle, Washington (USA). It was founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos and was one of the first American ecommerce companies to sell products over the Internet. After the dot-com collapse Amazon lost its position as a successful business model, however, in 2003 the company made its first annual profit which was the first step to the further development. At the outset Amazon.com was considered as an online bookstore, but in time it extended a variety of goods by adding electronics, software, DVDs, video games, music CDs, MP3s, apparel, footwear, health products, etc. The original name of the company was Cadabra.com, but shortly after it become popular in the Internet Bezos decided to rename his business â€Å"Amazon† after the world's most voluminous river. In 1999 Jeff Bezos was entitled as the Person of the Year by Time Magazine in recognition of the company's success. Although the company's main headquarters is located in the USA, WA, Amazon has set up separate websites in other economically developed countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and China. The company supports and operates retail web sites for many famous businesses, including Marks ; Spencer, Lacoste, the NBA, Bebe Stores, Target, etc.Amazon is one of the first ecommerce businesses to establish an affiliate marketing program, and nowadays the company gets about 40% of its sales from affiliates and third party sellers who list and sell goods on the web site. In 2008 Amazon penetrated into the cinema and is currently sponsoring the film â€Å"The Stolen Child† with 20th Century Fox.According to the research conducted in 2008, the domain Amazon.com attracted about 615 million customers every year. The most popular feature of the web site is the review system, i.e. the ability for visitors to submit their reviews and rate any product on a rating scale from one to five stars. Amazon.com is also well-known for its clear and user-friendly advanced search facility which enables visitors to search for keywords in the full text of many books in the database.One more company which has contributed much to the process of ecommerce development is Dell Inc., an American company located in Texas, which stands third in computer sales within the industry behind Hewlett-Packard and Acer. Launched in 1994 as a static page, Dell.com has made rapid strides, and by the end of 1997 was the first company to record a million dollars in online sales. The company's unique strategy of selling goods over the World Wide Web with no retail outlets and no middlemen has been admired by a lot of customers and imitated by a great number of ecommerce businesses. The key factor of Dell's success is that Dell.com enables customers to choose and to control, i.e. visitors can browse the site and assemble PCs piece by piece choosing each single component based on their budget and requirements. According to statistics, approximately half of the company's profit comes from the web site. In 2007, Fortune magazine ranked Dell as the 34th-largest company in the Fortune 500 list and 8th on its annual Top 20 list of the most successful and admired companies in the USA in recognition of the company's business model.History of ecommerce is a history of a new, virtual world which is evolving according to the customer advantage. It is a world which we are all building together brick by brick, laying a secure foundation for the future generations.

Acid and Base Report Qualitative Data

Acids and Bases Labs Report Aim: To study the characteristics of acids and bases. Experiment 1 Magnesium Ribbon with Sulphuric Acid Observations | |Material/substance |Rate of reaction |Bubbles |Initial colour |Final colour |Other Observations | |H2SO4 |N/A |N/A |Colourless |N/A |Acid | |Mg |N/A |N/A |Silver Metallic |N/A |Metal | |Mg SO4 |High rate |Yes- High rate |Colourless |Colourless |Heat is produced. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Acidic smell | |Hydrogen gas was produced. | | |Test: Burning Splint | |Result: Popping sound | |Overall Chemical Reaction | |Word Equation: Magnesium + Sulphuric Acid ( Magnesium Sulphate + Hydrogen | |Chemical Equation: Mg + H2SO4 ( Mg SO4 + H2 | 2. Calcium Carbonate with Hydrochloric Acid Observations | |Material/substance |Rate of reaction |Bubbles |Initial colour |Final colour |Other Observations | |HCL |N/A |N/A |Clear |N/A |Acid | |Lime Water |N/A |N/A |Clear |N/A |N/A | |Ca CO3 |N/A |N/A |White |N/A |Salt | |Ca CO3 + HCL |High rate/ Fast | Y es.High rate/ |Milky, Cloudy |White, Cloudy, |Heat is produced. | | | |Fast | |precipitate formed | | |Observation of Final solution: Final solution was cloudy with precipitation. | |Overall Chemical Equations | |Word: Calcium Carbonate + Hydrochloric Acid ( Calcium Chloride + Carbon Dioxide + Water | |Chemical Equation: Ca2CO3 + 2HCL ( 2CaCl + CO2 + H2O | 3. Almost equal amounts of sodium hydroxide and nitric acid (same concentration) Observations | |Material/substance |Rate of reaction |Bubbles |Initial colour |Final colour |Other Observations | |HNO3 |N/A |N/A | |N/A |N/A | |NaOH |N/A |N/A | |N/A |N/A | |HNO3 + Indicator |N/A |N/A |Strong Pink/ |rose pink/ clear |Test with PH paper; | | | | | |PH 1, maroon | |NaOH + Indicator |N/A |N/A | | |Test with PH paper; | | | | | | |PH 14, Dark purple | |HNO3 + NaOH |High rate/ Fast | N/A | | |Heat is produced. | |Observation of Final solution: Final solution was cloudy with precipitation. | |Overall Chemical Equations | |Word: Calcium Carbonate + Hydrochloric Acid ( Calcium Chloride + Carbon Dioxide + Water | |Chemical Equation: Ca2CO3 + 2HCL ( 2CaCl + CO2 + H2O | 4. Copper (II) Oxide with hydrochloric acid Observations | |Material/substance |Rate of reaction |Bubbles |Initial colour |Final colour |Other Observations | |CuO |N/A |N/A |Black |N/A |Black powder | |HCL |N/A |N/A |colourless |N/A |Acid | |CuO + HCL |Fast |N/A |Black cloud, opaque|Turns aqua green, |Heat is produced. | | | | |clear, translucent | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Black CuO settles at| | | | | | |the bottom of | | | | | | |apparatus. | | |Overall Chemical Reaction | |Word Equation: Copper (II) Oxide + Hydrochloric Acid | |Chemical Equation: CuO + 2HCL ( CuCl2 + H2O | 5. Ammonium chloride solution with sodium hydroxide Observations | |Material/substance |Rate of reaction |Bubbles |Initial colour |Final colour |Other Observations | |NH4Cl |N/A |N/A |Colourless |N/A |Powder | |NaOH |N/A |N/A |Silver Metallic |N/A |Metal | |NH4Cl + NaOH | | | | |Test with PH paper, | | | | | | |purple ( greater than| | | | | | |7, alkaline | | | | | | |(basic) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Acidic smell, pungent| |Overall Chemical Reaction | |Word Equation: Ammonium Chloride ( Ammonium Hydroxide + Sodium Chloride | |Chemical Equation: NH4Cl + NaOH ( NH4OH + NaCL |

Estimation of pH Essay

Acid-base titration calculations Aim: This experiment is designed to train our skills of calculation in titration as well as help us to be familiar with the procedures of titration. Background: 1. Titration is a technique which involves measuring the volume of one solution which just reacts completely with another solution. 2. A pipette is designed to deliver exactly the same volume each time it is used. 3. A burette is equipment fitted with a tap and is calibrated so as to accurately measure a variable volume of solution. 4. Tire is the volume of the second solution required in titration. Method: The whole experiment is based on computer simulation. To train our calculation skills in titration, two trials are set. One is titration between a strong acid and a strong base. The other is between a weak acid and a strong base. In this experiment, the strong acid is HCl, the strong base is NaOH and the weak acid is CH3COOH. Strong acid and strong base 1. Set up the apparatus. 2. Measure 25ml Ba(OH)2 by pipette. 3. Transfer the Ba(OH)2 into a beaker. 4. Add Bromothymol Blue which is and indicator. 5. Add HCl into the burette. 6. Turn on the pH meter. 7. Insert the probes into the beaker. 8. Read the reading on burette. 9. Start titrating. 10. Read the final volume. 11. Remove the probes. Weak acid and strong base 1. Set up the apparatus. 2. Measure 25ml Ba(OH)2 by pipette. 3. Transfer the Ba(OH)2 into a beaker. 4. Add Bromothymol Blue which is and indicator. 5. Add CH3COOHhe burette. 6. Turn on the pH meter. 7. Insert the probes into the beaker. 8. Read the reading on burette. 9. Start titrating. 10. Read the final volume. 11. Remove the probes. Apparatus: Pipette 25ml Burette 50ml pH meter Beaker 80ml Chemicals: Barium Hydroxide, Ba(OH)2 Hydrochloric Acid, HCl Ethanoic Acid, CH3COOH Bromothymol Blue Safety: Follow the rules in the laboratory and wear the safety goggles. Set up of apparatus: Procedure: Strong acid and strong base 1. I set up the apparatus. 2. I measured 25ml Ba(OH)2 by pipette. 3. I transferred the Ba(OH)2 into a beaker. 4. I added Bromothymol Blue which is and indicator. 5. I added HCl into the burette. 6. I turned on the pH meter. 7. I inserted the probes into the beaker. 8. I read the reading on burette. 9. I started titrating. 10. I read the final volume. 11. I removed the probes. Weak acid and strong base 1. Set up the apparatus. 2. Measure 25ml Ba(OH)2 by pipette. 3. Transfer the Ba(OH)2 into a beaker. 4. Add Bromothymol Blue which is and indicator. 5. Add CH3COOHhe burette. 6. Turn on the pH meter. 7. Insert the probes into the beaker. 8. Read the reading on burette. 9. Start titrating. 10. Read the final volume. 11. Remove the probes. Data collection: Strong acid and strong base Initial pH in the beaker 15.03 Final pH in the beaker 2.79 Volume of HCl added 41.02ml Weak acid and strong base Initial pH in the beaker 14.90 Final pH in the beaker 2.57 Volume of HCl added 38.60ml Data processing: Strong acid and strong base The chemical equation for this reaction 2HCl(aq) + Ba(OH)2(aq) BaCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l) Weak acid and strong base The chemical equation for this reaction 2 CH3COOH (aq) + Ba(OH)2(aq) (CH3COOH)2Ba (aq) + 2H2O(l) Graph: Strong acid and strong base Screenshot of the software Graph of the pH in the beaker against volume added Weak acid and strong base Screenshot of the software Graph of the pH in the beaker against volume added Conclusion: The concentration of hydrochloric acid in the first trial is The concentration of ethanoic acid in the second trial is Evaluation and improvement: 1. As what I have discovered, all the graphs of a certain reaction in this software are the same. There is no difference in the graph if the concentration is changed. Also the graph is distinct points rather than a curve. During the experiment, sometimes failure occurred. Thus the only improvement could be done is to change another software.

The Syntel Success Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Syntel Success - Case Study Example It makes continuous efforts to reap the benefits of new delivery models. Their objective is equally stressed upon in every single Syntel branches in the US as well as in offshore locations. Collaborative environments, excellent use of technologies in business intelligence and warehousing of data, skilled workforce, the strong network of sales and marketing has contributed to success quotient of Syntel for years in international markets. But Syntel could have been far more successful if it had not depended so much on North America for labor arbitrages and vendors. Moreover, in recent times, Syntel has focused more on specific groups or pockets of customers, which is not a wise decision keeping in mind the level of competition in present times. The success of Syntel is due to its development and expansion in IT and healthcare industries as well as worldwide IT- spending. The cultural outlook of US has further helped in the expansion of Syntel. The economic system of Syntel supports an integrated research environment. Besides being one the most developed countries US is also one of the leading countries which have strong IT systems. Thus, being an organization of US, Syntel was blessed with an added advantage over its other competitors across the world. Syntel gets full support of good infrastructure that is used in all parts of US. Its partners include Microsoft, Numerix, SAP, TriZetto, and Global Analytics. Its clients include Pharmaceutical Organizations like CRO, CMO, etc. Syntel is known for providing quality service to more than 2000 customers across the globe on a daily basis. To satisfy its customers, it makes use of latest innovations and technologies which are provided distinctness by experts and professionals of S yntel. What has made Syntel a success, is its comparatively flexible and custom-made procedure of IT and KPO.  

The Case of Wooden Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Case of Wooden - Essay Example The employers are neglecting the safety conditions require to dispose of the wooden dust and reduce or eliminate the risk of any unnecessary event from happening. There seems to be less emphasis on the safety precautions and safe workplace environment rules in the company premises. The employees of wooden seem to be concerned about the possible impacts of lack of measures regarding the issue. The employers are, however, neglecting their duty to carefully formulate a strategy where employees may be provided with a safe, clean and secure place to work. The Safety coordinator seems to reject the concerns, which is an alarming situation. The safety coordinator has the duty to perform all the necessary steps to make the workplace safer and better. Rhine is of the opinion that â€Å"wood dust is not explosive†. The claim can be forfeited by explaining the issue to Rhine using different examples where wood dust did cause the explosion. Parse’s statement can be used as supporti ng evidence as Parse explains the devastating explosion in the plant near his place. However, if Rhine does not pay heed to the issue after explanation and further evidences, I still have the duty to report to the member of staff immediately above my rank.

Michel Vinaver Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Michel Vinaver - Essay Example When he left Gillette in 1986, he was an acclaimed playwright and writer. The story comes across as a contemporary, issue-based relationship between a mother and her 17-year old son. However, the relationship goes through testing times as a result of the son, 1Philippe's tryst with drugs and his arrest in this connection. His mother, Helena wishes to communicate reason to her son. The stark difference in the attitude of the characters does not need reason. The reasons exist, but they are not tackled in the play. Vinaver takes the scene right across the audience and uncannily tests their power of imagination. Strangely enough the audience comfortably lap up the reason. The scene is right out of the normal home where there is a teenaged son. The catch is in the way the scenes are presented in bits and pieces. The audience is at the edge grappling with the pieces in the jigsaw puzzle when all of a sudden there is a move, a particular scene that provides a breakthrough. The reaction is almost the thrilling climax of a long and difficult journey (Factors Unforeseen). Helena is concerned about her son's misbehavior. However, she is not keen on losing her son and so does everything possible to make him understand without rocking the boat. She does not want to lose him. On the other hand, Philippe is not too keen on snapping the relationship either. His behavior and attitude may show signs of the coming moment when he is all ready to break out of his mother's confining influence. However, he does not do it. What he does is, however, criminal. The disjoint in the big picture is very clear. The audience wants this breach to be cleared. The happy ending is elusive. Vinaver is master stroke player in the realm of presentations. He may not be the ideal narrator. He does not provide a commentary. However, he makes his world by fitting in the pieces rather than do it one-step-at-a-time. He is adept at keeping the audience in humor although he does not allow them to ease down on the suspense. The glass pieces in the kaleidoscope may change in form and colo r. But he uses the time element to project the solutions in sharp, almost quixotic variations. Philippe may do all that Helena does

Globalization Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Globalization - Research Paper Example It comes with a cost-benefit package (Faux, 2007). The export and the import of the nation get affected due to globalization. So, the policies previously formulated e.g. in United States hampered export. It affected the currency value of the country, the value of goods and services with job losses. The trade practice gets affected if globalization is not in the favor of the domestic country. Some restrictions are required so as to prevent the middle and the small class of the businesses to bear the heat of globalization (Imade, 2003). The products and the services sold in the global market generate foreign currency. The products and services that are availed in the domestic country of the globalized world helps in the flow of currency from own economy to the other economy. So, the balance of payment gets affected. The balance of payment shows a negative balance which implies the country is facing problem in terms of international trade. The balance of payment should be always positive or equal vent in nature so as to minimize the risk of currency value in the world economy. Globalization also gives an opportunity of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), which means inflow of foreign currencies for investment purposes through companies within the domestic country which also increases the economic strength of the nation. But also as it is foreign money, the return related to it would also be transferred to the foreign investor. Ultimately, the big corporate gets the advantage of foreign currency and grows further (Heakal, 2010). Both the transacting parties can gain absolute advantage from globalization. Specialization in terms of technology or labour gives opportunity to produce goods or services at a low cost and gets them exported. The imported goods or services come at a low cost in comparison to its manufacturing cost in the country. By this way, it is expected that the values of goods and services comes at a cheap rate. But if the policy is formulated is in

A landscape material - Mulch (Organic) Assignment

A landscape material - Mulch (Organic) - Assignment Example In such like practices, a form of irrigation known as Drip is often essential because plastics never allow water to penetrate through. In the small-scale farming, commonly used mulch is the homemade organic mulch. It involves farm remains and household leftovers. After being composed in an accurate place for some time, it will then be placed in between the plants by use of hands. Initially, mulch is often introduced into the farm during the start of a growing season. Some farmers can opt to add it ones on the farm while others can continuously reapply it over and over. During these times, the mulch will efficiently provide a form of heating system to the soil through the retaining of the heat. In this attempt, it will create room for individual activities including early harvesting and relocation of the crops. In the long run, the soil will end up attaining firmness in relation to adequate warmth and moisture (Ripley, 56). The use of mulch has always been accompanied by several benefits to both the land, the plants and to the landowners too. First, use of mulch helps significantly in the ensuring that the soil preserves much water during the dry seasons. Mulch can be of many benefits in the event of trying to overcome the weeds available in a certain piece of land. The applied mulch will tend to cover the available spaces that ought to have been the growing space for the weeds. Mulch also increases the efficiency of the texture of the soil. In certain places, farmers have embarked in using of mulch manure in an attempt to prevent the infestation of the crops by some pests. Mulch is also beneficial to the plants by offering protection to the roots of the plants in certain extreme temperatures. Crops are often known to fall from the main plant due to certain reasons including wind. However, in the event that mulch is used on a farm, it can be of help suppose an edible crop or fruit drops. The mulch will assist greatly in the

Concentration Indices Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Concentration Indices - Research Paper Example This index also shows the amount of competition present among the companies. Basically it takes market shares in account and calculates the sum of shares of the market shares of all the companies present in that particular industry. So if there are N firms in an industry, the HHI is calculated as Where s is the market share of the firm and 'n' represents the number of the firms in the whole industry. If we see a decrease in HHI index we can say that there is an increase in competition and there has been a loss of pricing power and it's vice versa when there is an increase in the value. Other significant variants which typically revolve around the value of HHI are unconcentrated index which is indicated when H index is below 1000. HHI index between 1000 and 1800 indicates moderate concentration value and HHI index above 1800 indicates high concentration Concentration Ration is defined as the percentage of market share which is owned by N largest firms in an industry. Usually the value of N is 4 but sometimes some other larger number is taken. It is expressed as CRn, so a concentration ration for N largest firms in an industry is defined as follows Where s defines the market share of the firm and n defines the number of the large firms if the value of the index is near zero then we can say that the industry is extremely competitive. However as general thumb rule followed by the industry analysts, that if CR value is lower then 40 then it implies that the industry has very stiff competition among the firms present in them and that none of them have a major chunk of market share in them. While on the other scenario where the value is close to 95 then we can say that one firm which is dominating the whole scenario. It can be called a monopolistic scenario. Lerner Index: This index value considers the market positioning of the firm. It talks about the pricing and measures the extent to which a given firm's prices exceed marginal costs. Basically it is measured as the difference between the price and the marginal cost of the goods and it is defined as One thing we need to understand is that a high index value does not indicate the firm's exercising market power. Prices may exceed marginal costs Gini Coefficient: One of the most famous indexes is the gini coefficient; it is termed as a measure of inequality of a distribution. It is defined as the ratio of areas on the Lorenz curve If the area between the line of perfect equality and Lorenz curve is M, and the area under the Lorenz curve is N, then we can say that the Gini coefficient is M/(M+N). we can say that this index is used as health inequality or finance related inequality metrics. It is termed between 0 and 1 where if it becomes 0 it is termed as perfect income or health equality. And 1 related to perfect inequality. A practical value usually lies in between them. Costs and Benefits of the Indices There are benefits and advantages of some of the indices and some issues with others. If we look at HHI index we can say that it is a costly proposition. It considers all the firms in one single industry and if suppose the industry has 10000 firms under its belt then taking the considerations of 10000

Company analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Company analysis - Research Paper Example It is a holding company. The company is a supplier of communications, entertainment, and information services and products to customers, government agencies, and businesses. It functions in two most important segments: Wireline and Verizon Wireless. Verizon Wireless Communications services and products consist of data services, equipment sales, and wireless voice over all United States (Verizon). The services and products of Wireline include internet access, voice, long distance, broadband video and data, network access, Internet protocol network services, and various other services. The company gives these services and products to consumers of United States, as well as to businesses, carriers, and government consumers in both America and all its one fifty countries globally. Verizon Communications Inc. attained HUGHES Telematics Inc. as well. The long-term source of Verizon value is central role we usually play in industry fundamental to global economy and extremely embedded in cust omers’ lives. Even though it’s the iconic products that enhance people’s creative strategies, and lives that release new markets and develop technological access. The associations that endorse initiatives or innovation apply technology to imperative social issues. Verizon is standard-bearer for industry and organizer in giving advantages of our authorizing technology to the global (Verizon). Verizon Communications Inc. ranked number one in industry list of World Most Admired Companies in 2012 Fortune magazine. For Verizon Communications Inc, the philanthropic and technological resources to attend to world’s unmet environmental and social needs are the first priority. In this procedure, the social innovation that will release new markets, reinforce growth and grow Verizon’s important role in digital world. Verizon Wireless was founded in 2000 as a mutual venture of Verizon Communications and also Vodafone. It is an inventive wireless communications corporation that links businesses and people with innovative wireless technology and also available service (Verizon). Vodafone is also an innovation of Verizon Communications Inc. It is the biggest mobile telecommunications giver in Western hemisphere and accounts for 45% possession of the Verizon Wireless. Vodafone provides services in thirty countries and networks in more than fifty more. The mission statement of Verizon Inc is As follows: "As a leader in communications, Verizon's mission is to enable people and businesses to communicate with each other. We are also committed to providing full and open communication with our customers, employees and investors." (Verizon). â€Å"Vision statement of Verizon Communications Inc is, â€Å"Win customers by building wireless, broadband and global IP networks and delivering the innovative products, services, applications and content that transforms lives and empowers businesses and communities.† (Verizon). Strategic Imperatives A t Verizon Communications Inc, the power of technology is used to resolve the impediments any company may face. The Strategic Imperatives are to increase the revenue, customer retention and growth, give bundle services of Television, data, and voice and takes share from the competition. Verizon exploit the weaknesses of cable, outperforms cable on service of customers, give best customer service, and also provided flexibility of installation. Verizon believes in

Professional associations influence on HR practitioner Essay

Professional associations influence on HR practitioner - Essay Example uch, the human resource team employed by a company or an organization should be efficient and attentive to the rights, privileges, as well as the personal needs of the workers of the organization in order to foster a good working environment at the company to promote productivity and efficiency within the operations of the company (Bogardus, 2009). Aside from the skills acquired through learning and professional experience, HR officials should always be on the lookout for new skills, talents and expertise that comes about from leading professional associations and journals within the market. These assist the HR practitioners from getting up-to-date information on the performance of their tasks and duties as HR Managers, thereby being efficient and effective in their practice. Some of the leading professional associations in Human Resources that influence the practice and trade of a HR Practitioner in Australia include the Australian Human Resource Institute, the HR Monthly, and similar publications from consultancy firms (Bondarouk & Olivas-Lujan, 2013). The Australian Human Resource Institute is a professional association of Human Resources professionals who study, review and make recommendations on the current needs and demands of a HR practitioner in the Australian Human resource market. As such, a HR practitioner gains abundantly from reading the findings and reports published by this institute, as these reports touch on the sensitive issues of their professional practice that enable them improve and enhance their professional practice. For instance, the latest publication of the Australian Human Resource Institute provided a methodology of how to undertake appropriate HR Strategies and Planning within the organization in order to promote efficiency and productivity within the company (Cheung-Judge & Holbeche, 2015). HR strategies incorporate an effective assessment of all the HR needs and demands of an organization, and as such, getting the right personnel

White Males Essay Example for Free

White Males Essay What is white male privilege? It is important that white male privilege is defined because the majority of whites males want to deny that it exists at all. The denial of its existence by white people is racialized. People of color say white people enjoy white privilege while white people deny, as often as possible, that they have it and that such a power structure exists. Before defining White male privilege we must first understand the idea of privilege in an anti-oppression setting. Privilege is defined my the webster dictionary as a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor. It is a status that is conferred by society to certain groups. â€Å"It’s about advantages you have that you think are normal. † When this idea is applied to a certain group of people rather than others you begin to see a social polarization, one group that benefits from the privilege and another group that is setback by it. To understand white male privilege one must first understand each factor of privilege, how they work together, and how they effect society. White male privilege is made up of two different privileges, white privilege which is defined by race and male privilege which is defined by gender. White privilege is defined (Clark, 2005), as (1a) a right, advantage, or immunity granted to or enjoyed by white persons beyond the common advantage of all others; an exemption in many particular cases from certain burdens or liabilities. (b) A special advantage or benefit of Stephens 2 white persons; with reference to divine dispensations, natural advantages, gifts of fortune, genetic endowments, social relations, etc. (2a) A privileged position; the possession of an advantage white persons enjoy over non-white persons. (3a) The special right or immunity attaching to white persons as a social relation; prerogative. (b) Display of white privilege, a social expression of a white person or persons demanding to be treated as a member or members of the socially privileged class. (4a) To authorize or license of white person or persons what is forbidden or wrong for non-whites; to justify, excuse. (b) To give white persons special freedom or immunity from some liability or burden to which non-white persons are subject; to exempt. Peggy McIntosh describes white privilege as â€Å"an invisible weightless knapsack of special previsions† in the sense that white privilege provides the beneficiary with advantages that they don’t realize others lack. These advantages can range from being late and not have that count against your race to not worrying if your skin tone makes you the target of police brutality. Many whites against the idea of white privilege believe that the notion of racial preference originated with affirmative action programs and that is should be dismantled to address the issue of privilege. Others against white privilege simply believe it is a myth to essentially make them feel bad for there â€Å"ancestor mistakes†. Most people do not fully understand the privileges that they benefit from so they can not ever truly except this reality. Most men feel this way when they are presented with the idea of male privilege for the first time. Male privilege is a set of privileges that are given to men due to their institutional power in relation to women. While every man experiences privilege differently due to his Stephens 3 own individual position in the social hierarchy, every man, who is seen as male by society, benefits from male privilege. Male privilege branches out over all men no matter what there race, class, or sexuality is. In our patriarchal society male privilege is a bit more inherent. Female workers are, on average, are paid more than 20 percent less than their male components doing the exact same thing. Male privilege can be found in most things in our lives from tv and entertainment all the way to mannerism and how we hold ourselves in our day to day lives. Now that both white and male privilege have been defined we can go into detail about how the both are intertwined White male privilege is an institutionalized power structure in which white males are at the apex of the social pyramid. White males have a very disproportional amount of power compared to women and people of color. Some people would describe being a white male as â€Å"the lowest difficulty setting in a game call the real world†. Both white and male privilege are the most prevalent advantages throughout time. Those who are opposed to this say that white male privilege is a thing of the past and is no longer relevant because we live in a post racial society where citizens may create their own destinies. With Barack Obama as president they believe any structure that existed before hand is nullified by the presence of an African american president. To some white male privilege provides a group with advantages they don’t realize they have. Unchecked it can be used deny it’s very existence with ignorance. The them the best way to combat this issue is to face it head. It’s hard to acknowledge some you don’t you have or why you have it. If people were more aware of their privileges they could find ways to end them or Stephens 4 even making them a common thing provided for others no matter what your race, gender, or sexual preference was. To others white male privilege is nothing but an illusion. They believe that in a post racial society privilege is what you make of it and we all are equal. Some would even go as far to say that white privilege is nothing but a crutch people of color use to take advantage of the white people. Now that I’ve defined Privilege whether it be male privilege or white, showed examples of it in our day to day life , and described it implications on society how will you perceive it? Will you go out teach others about this invisible advantage or will you see it as anything else that’s invisible.

Over View Marketing Of Products Within Nestle Marketing Essay

Over View Marketing Of Products Within Nestle Marketing Essay To pose Nestlà © product against the competitors, the company will be using differentiation strategy which will not only differentiate their own from others but also give an edge over others. Nestlà © core products will be very beneficial especially in terms of quality, health, and hygiene and most important consumer satisfaction. Nestlà © augmented products will include consumer satisfaction, warranty to retailers in terms of expire, delivery and after sales services. The companies all over the world get some competitive edge based on some features which other companies dont have. For example, as the Dell has the competitive edge over other computer manufacturer companies, because they use built-to-order Strategy while no other company in computer industry use this strategy. Similarly in Pakistan nestle has their competitive edge based on the strategies like product differentiation and customer oriented. Nestlà © is using the product differentiation strategy by providing the superior quality products. Their main focus is to keep the customers loyal. They bought shelve space in different departmental stores to attract the customers. They tried to reach each group of people in which they have succeeded. Besides, customer satisfaction is the focal point for the company. They provide hygienic products to their customers. Products are also verified by health and safety measures and international quality standards. Porter Five Forces 3.1.1 Threat of New Entrants: There is big number of food companies in the world; meanwhile the competitive between food companies are happened. Some companies have carved out role in which they support to dairy supply. These food companies are fearful of being squeezed out by the big players. Another threat for many food companies is other food services companies entering the market.15 Competing in a new industry requires resources to invest. Production of packed products requires huge investment of financial, human, technical, and marketing resources. Bargaining Power of Suppliers: The suppliers of food might not pose a big threat, because of the number of suppliers. Raw milk is standard commodity and is available in the open market from a large number of milkmen. If anyone refuses to sell its product then company can buy it from others who are already willing to sell to company. On the other hand, the importance of volume to supplier also considered as a threat. Suppliers also have less leverage to bargain over price because the company is purchasing the large volume of their milk and suppliers dont have much option to sell milk to others. Bargaining Power of Buyers   The buyers will not post much of a threat to the food industry. Large clients have their own bargaining power with food companies. Large corporate clients like airlines and retailers pay millions of dollars a year. There are large numbers of distributors, who are buying and distributing the product, so their bargaining power is low and company have leverage to dictate implement its terms and conditions to distributors. Availability of Substitute   There are few of substitutes in the food industry. Most of the food companies have similar suites of services. Companies focusing on their role usually have a competitive advantage, but this advantage depends on whether there are any barriers that preventing other firms from entering.15 Competitive Rivalry The food industry is highly competitive in nowadays. As a result, food industry has become more like a commodity, an area in which the food company with the low cost structure, greater efficiency and better customer service will beat out competitors. In long run, larger companies prefer to take over or merge with other companies rather than spend the money to market and advertise to people.15 Source of Cost Efficiency 3.2.1 Economy of scale Economy of scale determines cost efficiency based on time, and processing of the operations and labour cost. Nestlà © used new high-technology system machines to process all the products, like high-speed bottling system, packaging machine for increasing the output of the products so, it could save time of the operation in process, and save labour cost. The company do not need to hire more labour to operate the process, which is one of the key to save cost. 3.2.2 Experience Nestlà © has been serving Pakistani consumers since 1988, when parent company, the Switzerland-based Nestlà © SA, first acquired a share in Milkpak Ltd. Today Nestlà © is fully integrated in Pakistani life, and is recognized as the producer of safe, nutritious and tasty food, and leaders in developing and uplifting the communities in which they operate. Nestlà © Pakistan ensures that their products are made available to consumers wherever in the country they might be. Convenience is at the heart of the Nestlà © philosophy, and there aim is to bring products to peoples doorsteps. Resources 3.3.1 Tangible resources Nestlà © Milkpak produces in over 81 countries and achieves 98% of its turnover outside Europe. Nestlà © Milkpak is the worlds largest milk company, which does 98% of its business. It has an annual turnover of 70 billion Swiss francs, 522 new factories in 81 countries, 200 operating companies, 1 basic research outer and 20 technological development groups, has more than 231,000 employees and more than 8000 products around the globe. There are three companies co-ordinate the activities of some 200 operating companies around the globe. Intangible resources There are three different functions, Nestlà © Milkpak, holds the financial shares in the allied companies. It also checks the profitability of these companies and to ensure the profitability of the group as whole. Second, Nestlà © Milkpak, has two areas of activities that are research and technological development, and technical assistance. Beside this, it provides know-how in engineering, marketing, production, organization, management and personnel training on a continuous basis. The third company is Nestlà © World Trade Corporation that oversees the import and export of merchandise worldwide. 3.4 BCG Matrix Relative Market Growth Low High STAR (Growth) QUESTION MARKS (Introduction) CASH COWS (Maturity) DOGS (Decline) 3.4.1 Stars The stars are the high relative market share and high market growth. Nestlà © beverages are the stars in their business, because with the high quality and new designs which comes every now and then makes them more popular among the customers, because customer with upper class wants the quality and nestle offers the best quality food items. Besides, Nestlà © major products such as Nestlà © milk pack and Nestlà © water will lies in the category of star products, due to the needs of human in their life. 3.4.2 Question Marks The product which have high anticipated growth rate but low market share would be considered as question marks. The product which the company launch first time in Pakistan is Nestlà © Ice-cream would come under the question marks due to the unknown result whether successful or failed in the growth of business in future. 3.4.3 Cash Cows The cash cows are Nestlà © cereal and other baby food products. There is less competitive brand on these specific of products and Nestle was considered as a branded and reliable brand, so most of the consumers prefer to buy from Nestle. 3.4.4 Dogs The pharmaceutical products are Nestlà © Dog; because it has low-share business with low growth market especially when talk about Pakistani market. The company has to think on what it can do by improving the low share and growth market. 3.5 Product Life Cycle ` Nestlà © Nestlà © Cereal Baby Food Nestlà © Food items pharmaceutical product (e.g. Milk pack and water) Nestlà © Ice-Cream INTRODUCTION GROWTH MATURITY DECLINE Product Development Time Nestlà © Products Nestlà © Milkpak Industry The product life cycle has been used to analyse the products development refer by the BCG matrix. Product life cycle has 4 stages consist of introduction, growth, maturity and decline. Nestlà © Ice-cream has been stated on the introduction stage because it is launched the first time in Pakistan. Next, the growth stage would be the food items like milk pack, water and etc, due to human need as Nestlà © has provided. On the other hand, Nestlà © cereal and baby food were stated in the maturity stage, due to less competitors. Lastly, Nestlà © pharmaceutical product is on the decline stage, because of the low share in business and low demand. In the product life cycle, it shows that Nestlà © Milkpak industry is now on the maturity stage, the company has been recognized by consumers. 3.6 SWOT Analysis (TOW Matrix) SWOT Analysis (TOW Matrix) Strengths Worldwide fame of Nestlà ©. Efficient milk collection system. Keeping high quality standards. Integrated distribution and warehousing facilities. Large market share of innovative. Having Good reputation in the market by strong brand name i.e. Nestlà ©. Strong RD. Weaknesses Unable to compete in price sensitive segment of UHT milk market. Under-utilization of the capacity. Unable to fulfil the demand of local powder milk market. Opportunities Improving Economy. Population growth rate. High urbanization rate. High literacy rate. Flexible government policies for food industry. Have significant growth opportunities. May merge with other global businesses to eliminate competitors. Having Capable of expanding into other markets of the world. SO Increase production of quality milk to cater the unsatisfied demand. They should go in the product line of powdered milk. They should increase their exports. They should cater the wide range of unsatisfied demand by improving their distribution networks. WO As per the increase demand of the milk they should fulfill the demand as Nestlà © have the ability to expand. They should make a strong distribution system to cater to avail the full benefit of the growing market. They should adopt affective marketing strategies for the promotion of their product. Threats High inflation rate. Low purchasing power. Decrease in GDP growth rate. Increasing interest rates. Recessionary period in business cycle. Competition with the new entrants. ST Invest more on the dairy product line as there is still a large chunk of the market which require modernization. Introduce new technology for quality assurance and better productivity. WT The co-ordination between different departments should be improved it will lessen the bureaucratic cost and increase the efficiency of the company.

Social Security Act of 1935: Causes and Effects

Social Security Act of 1935: Causes and Effects Social Security Act of 1935 Before 1935, there were no benefits for the old and other financially challenged persons in America. The only people liable to benefits after their service were veterans who received pensions. The remaining occupations had no benefits after their service (DeWitt, 2010). In every occupation there is a retirement age upon which the employee is considered unable to contribute positively towards the organization. As a result, when employees attain such status they are cut off as employees. Unfortunately, when one had not made savings during their service they would up in the streets as beggars. Alternatively, the elderly would ultimately become dependents especially if they had low wages during their active duty. The fortunate people were those who had been employed in high paying jobs and managed to make huge savings while they were working. Being dependent would mean that you either rely on your siblings or children to cater for your financial needs. In August 1935, Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act which improved life for the elderly in the society (Gareth and Derthick, 2007). The Act ensured benefits to elderly citizens in the US. As a result, United States of America become one of the first countries in the world to provide support for the elderly in their country. In life, there are complex challenges that are accompanied with old age, based on these challenges most people tend to avoid old people instead of helping them. The US stood out as one of the communities that would rather provide support to the elderly than to lock them out of national benefits. Therefore, this paper discusses  the Social Security Act of 1935, describing factors that led to the development of the legislation (history) including the amendments made to it. In addition it discusses its effects and relation to the American Economy. Social Security history The federal government of America had isolated itself from elderly benefits before the legislation of social security Act. Primarily this responsibility was handled by family members since they are the only social unit most reluctant to abandon their kin. Moreover, this responsibility was accustomed to the local and state governments Social security concerns from the federal government were initiated by the Great depression. During and shortly after the Great depression most Americans especially the elderly were exposed to harsh living conditions. The depression led to the increased unemployment rates ever in the US history (DeWitt, 2010). The elderly who had lost their jobs during this time had no chance of seeking employment elsewhere. In addition, the few remaining vacant spots were consequently filled by the younger work force who had also been sacked as a result of the Great Depression. In January 1935, Franklin Roosevelt decided to write to the congress seeking legislation for social security in the country. Despite of the positive influence that the legislation would have made on humanity, the bill was greatly opposed. Since the president was so eager to pass this bill, he lobbied several senators and even appointed six judges who consequently approved the bill. The president signed the bill seven months late after drafting the later to the congress and it became a law. Social Security Act of 1935 On 14th August 1935, America passed a bill which ended up in the development of social security system that provided benefits for the elderly unemployed, causalities of industrial accidents, unemployed persons, vulnerable mother, children and the physically handicapped. The Act was not specific to the elderly alone but also other economically challenged persons in the society as described. A society is composed of both negative and positive attributes of human nature. Whilst a society is made vibrant by the youth and the young adult through their workability, it should not disgrace the elderly or those unable to fend for themselves (Cogan and Mitchell, 2013). Both entities should coexist together in harmony supporting and encouraging each other where and when necessary. Social Security Act of 1935 is composed of 11 different titles which express support for the economically challenged America citizens. The first title entails grants to states for old-age assistance. The second title encompasses federal Old-Age benefits. Third, grants to states for compensation for the unemployed. Fourth is a grant to states for aid to dependent children. Fifth is grants to states to maternal and child welfare (Cogan and Mitchell, 2013). Sixth is title for public health. Seventh is title for social security board. Eighth is title to taxes with respect to employment. The ninth tile is to tax on employees of eight or more employees. The tenth title is grants to states for aid for the blind. The eleventh title is general provisions. These grants are contributed by both the government and the working population. Both employees and employers contribute differently towards these grants. The federal government then allocated the grants to states based on the quality of a state’s population based on the number of dependent children mothers, unemployed persons and the elderly. This statistics are extracted from the most recent census to aid the allocation process (Cogan and Mitchell, 2013). The social security board manages the collection of revenues attributed to social security funds. Amendments to the Social Security Act of 1935 The first amendment was instituted four years after the signing of the original amendment. In 1939, the act was modified and the beneficiaries were not only the retired worker but also the children and spouse of the retired worker. Initially, the benefits were solely allocated to the retired worker and it was upon them to utilize the benefits on their family. However, after sometime it was discovered that a portion of retired workers misused the funds from their benefit scheme. Instead of using the funds in enriching their lives they wasted the money on personal needs as irresponsible consumption of alcohol (King and Wayne, 2009). To minimize these, the federal government decided to recognize both the children and spouse of a retired worker and they were also affiliated to the retired worker’s benefit. The first amendment was later preceded with a series of changes until the 2008 during Obama’s reign, there have been addition to the social security trustees. For instance Medicare has been slotted together with social security (Hodges, 2013). Not only financial benefits are allocated to the beneficiaries but also medical benefits. This is as a result of current concern for high quality Medicare which is expensive. Therefore, dependent mothers and children were more likely to miss out. But with the amendments of the current administration the poor and the physically challenge would also have equal chances in obtaining high quality healthcare as the rich in the society (King and Wayne, 2009). Effects of the Act Production in any system is determined by the morale manifested by the working force. The standard age of retrenchment is not an indicator of senescence in human resource capability. Retrenchment is a tactic used by the government to create employment opportunities for the youth. Therefore, when people retire form civil service, they might still productive in their present locations (Cogan and Mitchell, 2013). Grants allocated to the old serves as an inspiration to these elderly population. This money can be used in establishing small scale enterprises which serve as injection to the economy. Grants allocated to dependent children helps these children obtain education and end up as positive resource for the economy. Education is a positive contributor to strong economy. In addition, education is directly proportional to the economic strength of a country. As a result, the US poses as the strongest economy in the world based on positive human resource which is due to high quality education in the country (Hodges, 2013). Children without education or those who lack other basic needs end up in the streets. Once on the streets they are more likely to indulge in criminal activities to meet their needs. Consequently, this result to increased crime rate which ruins an economy. When dependent mothers lack sufficient financial support it leads to strenuous consequences. The first problem is associated with delivery of pregnant mothers. Since they are not capableof financing safe delivery costs in hospitals, they would opt for unsafe birth avenues which are cheaper and require lesser or no paper work (Gareth and Derthick, 2007). Unfortunately, this might lead to the  death of either the mother or child or both. High mortality rates also negatively impact the economy. However, with grants being offered to states for dependent mothers and children in the United States as a result of the social security Act negative attributes associated with dependent mothers and children are lower compared to other regions in the world (King and Wayne, 2009). In conclusion, Franklin Roosevelt unveiled a formidable mechanism of ensuring that all members of the society are catered for. In addition, the system also contributes positively towards the economy. Despite the amendment made to the act the primary objective has been maintained. References DeWitt, L., (2010) The Development of Social Security in America, Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 70(3) Hodges, K., (2013), Debating Social Security: Understanding and Evaluating Perspectives on the Social Security Act of 1935, Academy for College Career Exploration, Baltimore City Public School System King, T. and Wayne, C., (2009), The History of Major Changes to the Social Security System, The CPA Journal May Issue Gareth, D. and Derthick, M., (2007), Race and social welfare policy: The Social Security Act of 1935. Political Science Quarterly 112(2) Cogan, F. and Mitchell, O., (2013), Perspectives from the President’s Commission on Social Security reform, Journal of Economic Perspectives Vol. 17(2)

The American Landscape of Literature Essay -- Literary Analysis, J.D S

The authors J.D Salinger and Joseph Heller have created novels that depict the American landscape based on spirit, culture, identity and values. American spirit is defined through rebellion in both novels. J.D Salinger captures rebellion through Holden’s refusal to go with the flow of society, and Joseph Heller shows rebellion using Yossarian to capture rebellion by his ideals that it is better to survive then fight in a war while most Americans uphold the belief that it is an honor to sacrifice oneself for one’s country. The essence of American culture is portrayed in the novels by the loose meaning of love in that era. Both authors define the loose meaning of love through the multiple lovers both Holden and Yossarian obtain, as well as the lack of seriousness used when stating they are in love. J.D Salinger defines the American identity of individualism through Holden’s desire to make his own decisions and choose his own fate. Joseph Heller uses Yossarian to de scribe the American identity of independence because of his want to be free of the war and all the hardships it brings. Finally the American values are defined by J.D Salinger and Joseph Heller through Holden’s concern for a person’s inner being, and Yossarian’s concern for self-preservation. Through the development of the characters Holden and Yossarian, the novels Catcher in the Rye and Catch-22 capture the meaning of being an American through spirit, culture, identity and value’s. The Catcher in the Rye and Catch-22 are novels which equally capture the essence of rebellion in the entirety of the American spirit. Salinger demonstrates the American spirit through teenage rebellion arising from the needs of truth and security in life. The protagonist, Holden, creates this... ...fluences him to impress his superiors with the sacrifice of his inferiors. Throughout both novels, the essence of being an American has portrayed by Holden and Yossarian through American spirit, culture, identity, and values. Both characters develop through the novels to capture the American landscape of literature. The American spirit is conveyed by the spirit of rebellion in Holden and Yossarian. American culture is portrayed by Holden and Yossarian through the loose term and meaning of love in the era around World War II. Both protagonists and antagonists in Catcher in the Rye and Catch-22 capture the American identity of individualism and independence, as well as their opposites. The American values are also shown by both protagonists and antagonists through the concern of the inner being of a person and the desire for self-preservation and their opposites.

Essay --

Surviving the drop of an atomic bomb and trying to live a normal life after such a tragic event, is the most difficult goal anyone can achieve. Hiroshima, by John Hershey takes us into the memories of six survivors that made it through the attack and how they managed to get their life back together. Forty years after the bombing many survivors were still haunted by the horrifying event, but as time went on they were willing to share their experiences and let the world know that they made were alive and survived. On August 6, 1945 the first atomic bomb to be dropped on a city destroyed Hiroshima, Japan and its people. Mr. Tanimoto, the pastor of the Hiroshima Methodist Church, was uninjured and with the help of Father Kleinsorge, a Jesuit priest, they managed to get people to safety at Asano Park a private estate on the outskirts of town. They consoled the wounded and also brought water for those who needed it from the river. Among those that were ill from the radiation of the bomb in Asano Park was Mrs. Hatsuyo Nakamura, a tailor’s widow, and her children. Miss Toshinki Sasaki, a young clerk, is suffering from a leg fracture and won’t be treated until weeks after the explosion. Dr. Masakazu Fuji, a physician, is unable to aid anyone else after the bombing due to his minor injuries when he fell into the river and was squeezed between two large timbers. On the other hand, Dr. Terufumi Sasaki, a young surgeon, remains the only uninjured doctor in the Red Cross Hospital and tend s to the wounded, unable to leave his spot and or get rest for months after the explosion. Weeks after the bombing Japan begin to rebuild its city, but a new terror strikes: radiation sickness. The victims of the radiation sickness, such as Mrs. Nakamura us... ...ever receive help from my people as well if I was ever in a situation similar to what happened to Hiroshima. In my opinion, I think that the book was intended for teens and adults because of the author’s great use of imagery and detail. Also I believe that to have a better understanding of why Hiroshima was bombed, we would need to have background knowledge of WWII and what Japan did to the United States to make us use the atomic bomb on their city. I think that the major theme in this book is the people of Hiroshima’s will to survive. This book shows how people react in a crisis and what they chose to do to rebuild their lives. It also demonstrates the human spirit and our will to live on even after we face so much death and disaster. Survival is a key that will help us get return to our normal lives, so that we will be able to achieve greater goals in the future.

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison was written on the heels of the World War II. It was a rebuilding time, a time of new birth for our nation. Ellison, an enlisted soldier came out of the war with haunting imagery that he crafted on the page. He exited the war filled with suffering and depression. He found isolation as a means of transitioning back into society. Invisible Man is a story of characters that chose to hide out from society, living underground. I will argue why Ellison’s satirical approach tapped into segregation issues and was a powerful and influential means of reaching an audience that can relate to its theme on many different levels. Death is an overwhelming subplot within the theme of Ellison’s masterwork. He chose a satirical approach to lighten the weight of death. Yet, at the same time, the powerful impact that death has on individuals is viewed with clarity due to his poetic, colorful, and humorous means of reaching his audience. He opens the story with satire while probing into the inner meanings of one’s path in life. This, in effect, lays the groundwork for our protagonist, the narrator. Ellison penned, I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. (p. 15). this quote lets us in on the narrator’s persona. It begins. Our protagonist—and narrator—is a young boy who overhears his grandfather’s last dying words. These words remain deeply wedged within him, through high school and college. Issues beyond death play important roles in this novel as well. Ellison digs deep and moves across thin ice, so-to-speak, when he brings in issues such as incest, stereotyping and exploitation of women to the table; thus, without satirical softening through dialogue and deep—even poetic—story telling, readers might question his motive if he didn’t take the stance of satire. The article The Music of Invisibility from City of Words offers a very telling analysis that helps in the argumentative stance I have taken in Ellison’s work, Invisible Man. Just as the narrator is about to be sent away from college for his behaviors at the bar and brothel, he senses that he is losing his own identity, the only one he’s ever known. This identity was forged in his childhood. The letters from Dr. Bledsoe had the initial intent of guiding him to find a job that will, in turn, lead him into the bowels of his higher educational pursuits. They, instead, backfire. The letters hinder his progress, as it is Bledsoe’s secret scheme to keep him as far away from higher educational pursuits as possible. We see the issue of death surface over and over in the story. Early on, our narrator is led into a bar filled with mental patients from a nearby veteran’s hospital. Ellison displays an elderly man, near death, who is pushed around in the bar by our ‘mental’ patrons. They treat our narrator and the old man like a toy, feigning any morale fiber whatsoever. A barroom brawl ensues with your stereotypical beer-bottle-throwing scene. Then, to satirize the situation further, our narrator leads the unconscious old man into an upper flat to get away from the warring men down in the bar. The upper room is filled with prostitutes who miss the gravity of this dying man’s situation. One prostitute says, â€Å"I sho do. I just love ‘em. Now this one, old as he is, he could put his shoes under my bed any night. † (p. 88) Also, it’s no coincidence that the bar and brothel are on the other side of the railroad tracks. This represented an underground segment of society gone wild, yet another segregated piece of society growing in two directions: the pleasure seekers and, at the other end of the spectrum, we have the good-natured cynic. So, depending on what side of the track a person walks, their political stance will vary. As our narrator returns to his college campus, he exits from the â€Å"apparent† lower crust of society that dwells in saloons and goes window-shopping through brothels and enters his collegiate setting. Here, however, we see segregation in the lime light: his bubbly roommate enters with a hopeful girlfriend. The narrator states that she’ll probably become impregnated. This rude remark that he hoped will get a negative reaction actually wins him praise—denouncing this segment of society that claims higher status due to their educational pursuits. We see how the symbol of fertility for college students is viewed in stark contrast to the middle-class expectations many of the students were raised in. Our narrator is confronted by campus officials for going to the bar and brothel in the first place and even called â€Å"nigger,† which inflames our narrator—and rightly so. This hits the mark of segregation that Ellison was reaching for. He does it with biting clarity. They even threaten to expel our narrator and, the reverse-discrimination attempts by our narrator are of no use in this situation—at least in so far as the ruling official is concerned. Ellison wrote, â€Å"He said that I believed white was right,† I said. â€Å"What? † Suddenly his face twitched and cracked like the surface of dark water. (p. 140) The intensity of this argumentative scene is strengthened further by Ellison’s use of satire within a deeply scarred scene where segregation is toyed with. The official even goes on to yell at our narrator by asking if the man in question was â€Å"northern or southern. † This geographic tip is almost a slap in the face and could only b softened, again, with Ellison’s satire-like plotting and character development. Then, our narrator is staged into a scene of isolation by Ellison. It is in this very state of isolation that the narrator begins to gain confidence. He wants to represent his school with pride. He goes to Harlem. Aboard a subway, our narrator is pushed into a white woman. She gives little, if any notice, of him. Even her lack of concern over the narrator’s close proximity adds mysterious intensity to the scene as centuries of racial tension are nearly impossible to ignore. He, then, meets up with a huge contingent of black’s from Harlem. A riot is brewing; yet, the police lead him to the Men’s House. Eventually, our narrator’s agitation surrounding all this racial tension and segregation issues gets to him. As the scene unfold Ralph Ellison weaves sarcastic wit into the story by mixing rage into his thoughts with memories of our narrator’s childhood. A vendor is seen buttering a yam which swells him with nostalgia. He is beyond feeling homesick as he is drown in rage. He becomes vengeful over his own past. He attacks Bledsoe and is laughing at the same time. The yam becomes a form of life insurance, or a life policy. Why should he feel embarrassment of his youth? Instead, he chooses to eat them whenever he wants, and he’ll be more than pleased. Ellison describes this satire in the following, â€Å"These here is real, sweet, yaller yams. How many? â€Å"One,† I said. â€Å"If they’re that good, one should be enough. † (p. 263) Ellison creates more satire—again with death. Here, the satire is the necessary writerly element that creates impact without losing the reader. I cut through a block in which there were a dozen funeral parlors, each decked out with neon signs, all set up in old brownstone buildings (p. 286). This satirical segment of the novel creates the humor necessary to softens the blow regarding respecting the dead and families in mourning. Rinehart is another key player in the storyline that is heavily tainted in satirical prose. Rinehart is a very suspicious and distrustful member of the Harlem community who holds his share of power. Rinehart is also a manipulator. The narrator never meets up with Rinehart. He wears dark green shades an a big hat for a disguise—another agent of mockery crafted by Ellison that make fun of how society tries to hide from one another, yet they are always obvious to someone in the crowd of life; for the people walking the streets recognize him. According to the narrator, Rinehart has taken on many roles: zoot suit wearer, Reverend, and player. He uses his reverend stature to manipulate others to believe in him and follow his requests. Rinehart is the poster-child manipulator of his culture. As the novel nears its end, our narrator makes a leap of faith, so to speak. He is tossed back into his own past and life experiences. Now he envisions his past as a unified whole. He believes in his Brotherhood experiences; for they have shown how blinded he was in his youth. He sees all the liars and hypocrites in society. He discovers that he can make them feel happy when he preaches what they want to hear. This is yet another satirical slant taken by Ellison that wraps up his characterization and thematic nature. In closing, it is clear that the impact of Ellison’s Invisible Man was so persuasive due to his knack for mixing satire into his storyline. With all the issues that he brought to light— segregation, racism, and gender inequality—satire was the lightening element that helped keep the story moving as our narrator discovered himself, first in isolation and finally as a member of this society filled with hypocrites and those yearning for equality.

Biblical Worldview Essay Essay

Introduction The Bible is an illustration of God and His love for us. Within the pages that we so effortlessly read, it is our life long journey to embody Christ and adhere to scripture and it’s teachings. The lessons to be learned in life are all encompassed in God’s words. The Bible displays so many lessons on life and how our lives should resemble His love. In this essay, we will examine the scripture of Romans 1-8 as it teaches us in great multitude of how our biblical worldview derives from the various aspects within those chapters. The Natural World God made the heavens and the earth, therefore, any and all acknowledgment of the natural world is a blessing by which He spoke the words of life and it appeared. We give all praise to God for providing such a blissful place to lie before we unite with Him in Heaven. The natural world is distinctively seen throughout Romans but more so in Romans 1:20 where Paul writes, â€Å"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.† This piece of scripture is saying that through all of our doubt in God and His power we can’t deny the fact that the world in which we live in is a product of His power. Without our natural world we would not exist and be able to live and die within our flesh. Our natural world is a showcase in which God shows His presence  within every facet of our natural world. Human Identity â€Å"Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.† Written in Genesis 1:26-27. To identify as humans is to embody Him because God created us in His image and gives us the choice to be Christ-like. To be Christ-like we must connect with Christ in all avenues so that we may die with sinful flesh but forever live in Heaven as an untouchable essence that no sin can corrupt. We are designed in the image of God and it’s our sole purpose to live life and love, as His son Christ loved us. Human Relationships Human relationships are a complex aspect to our lives. If we look at this topic from a biblical worldview then all human relationships and encounters should derive from love and not of hate. Since we are created in God’s image it is only fitting that we pay other humans the same love that we grace in our Lord’s presence. In Romans 5 we read of how humans are destined to be sinful as a result of the original sin but through Christ’s birth and sacrifice we can be born again and be seen through a new light. Romans 6:11 states so clearly, â€Å"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.† We are giving a second chance in living up to God’s image and allowing our human relationships to cultivate as a result of Christ’s love for us. From that point on we are no longer seeking out God’s acceptance but rejoicing in His profound forgiveness. Culture God does not see us as a culture or a race. He identifies us by our faith and saves us by his grace. Within the Roman scripture we see that the Romans  had faltered in their ways and the habits in which they displayed on a regular basis showed God that their culture was full of sin and that sin inevitably forced them to turn away from God. Acknowledging God’s presence but not acting in accordance to His word is a sign of a culture of rebellion and denial. The Romans turned their backs on God and this is not something that you would want God to do. Some cultures seek out God and long to live for Him and as stated from history, there are the lesser fortunate cultures and subcultures that follow their flesh and their minds. Your culture does not define your relationship with God but it can inhabit you from ever having a relationship with Him. Conclusion Throughout life we can identity what our worldviews are and throughout our life with God and the Bible we can stamp our biblical worldviews and share them to the world. The things we see, hear, touch, smell, and taste are all products of our God’s spoken words to create life. We should live everyday of our lives thanking Him for grace. We can be thankful that God created us all in His image and it is our life long pursuit to live Christ-like. Our flesh will always be a burden and let us down because of Adam’s sin yet it is Christ who sacrificed himself and gave us the opportunity to be born again. Our newfound life as a child of God is to live as Christ did and love others as He loves us. God loves us by grace and does not see us as cultures but as individuals whom seek him and love him as Christ does.

The poems I, Too and The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Langston Hughes Compare & Contrast

Have you ever read a poem that cached your eye? Ever wondered how that poem is similar to others or different? Perhaps you read a poem about animals, the economy or someone’s feelings. The poems I, Too and The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Langston Hughes, have many important similarities and differences. One could have been when he was young and the other when he was older. He describes what he’s seen and done in The Negro Speaks of Rivers. In the poem I, Too, he describes what he wants to do. In both of these poems they cross a point where it is noticeable what they have in common. Both have very strong views, along with the positive attitudes that he has towards inequality and discrimination. He attempts to get his voice out so everyone can see what he really wants to say. Also, they have many differences with the things he has done. There are many differences between I, Too and The Negro Speaks of Rivers. In I, Too Hughes expresses more internal than external and he speaks about himself more than speaking about others around him. Secondly, he describes racism and the way he is unequally treated. They don’t treat him fairly and he has challenges to over come. Therefore, he opens up to what he did and is going to do. He also wants people to notice him more. Hughes, wants to be visible to others, not invisible. Americans should be treated the same and that’s what he says he wants to be treated, the same as others, because he too is American. His tone is surprisingly joyful, hopeful and confident. His feelings as well as his being, are important. He is, he isn’t ashamed of who he is and tries to explain who he is and the actions he wants to take. He wants a change in his life and will no longer put up with the situation he is in. Another difference between the two poems is that in The Negro Speaks of Rivers, he is expressing more of an external concerned vs. an internal manner. However, he speaks more about beauty, nature and the world and describes the things he’s seen and wants to see. Hughes, wants to explore and travel the world. He wants to see the things around him. Next, the poet describes the different things he has seen and the places where he has gone. He, therefore expresses how beautiful the world can be if one goes out an explores; this shows he is more free than before. Hughes, takes on a serious tone and the poem is more formal. Time has passed when he wrote this poem according too, the places and events he has seen with Abe Lincoln and slavery. Hughes, describes the things that have occurred during the time of his life and him seeing everything. There are some similarities between the two poems, I, Too and The Negro Speaks of Rivers. For example, they both talk about the abolishment of slavery. Everyone has the right to be treated equally. The world can be cruel to everyone but everyone has something to look forward to and live life happily. In both poems, he expresses how in both situations he had obstacles to over come and how the world can come to a change. He had both strong and positive words to express in both poems. According to his poem I, Too â€Å"My soul has grown deep like the rivers† he says his soul hasn’t stopped, he continues to fight for what he really wants and he is beautiful no matter what. He also states, â€Å"Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed† he says he’s beautiful inside and out. He wants to show everyone who he really is and says he is both strong and confident. Hughes, is no longer the same man as he was before as he expresses in the line â€Å"bathed in the Euphrates. † He expresses, the lives of African Americans and how they are being treated during that time. In conclusion, although both have many differences, they also have many things in common. Both poems have very strong views and ways to express his feelings. He also had positive views towards both of the poems to get his voice out so everyone can hear and see what he really wants to say. He expresses the obstacles he has done and wants to do with the challenges he is going to face. In both poem he abolishes slavery and express the way they wanted slavery to be vanished. In both of these poems they cross a point where it is noticeable what they have in common. He describes what African Americans really go through and what they really feel. They came to America for an opportunity not for slavery. As time passed, things had changed along with himself and the world. He did an amazing job to express himself with his writing to get his point across with both poems.

Deoderent Market in India Essay

Abstract Topic:- Monopoly or monopolistic competition in Deodorant brands? After seeing so many outrageous deodorant advertisements on television we were wondering whether it affects the consumer behavior and we also wanted to find out whether Axe has a monopoly over this market or not. The aim of this assignment is to compare the parent companies of five deodorant brands with the help of ratio analysis. We are going to consider the time period 2007-12. Primary data was collected through a survey which will help us determine what thinking goes behind purchasing a deo between college students and the office going crowd. To conduct the ratio analysis we used secondary data by obtaining the balance sheets of the various companies. The market share and revenues of five major brands- Axe, Adidas, Nivea, Wildstone and Park Avenue will be analyzed. Introduction Monopolistic Competition Monopolistic competition is a type of imperfect competition such that many producers sell products that are differentiated from one another as goods but not perfect substitutes (such as from branding, quality, or location). In monopolistic competition, a firm takes the prices charged by its rivals as given and ignores the impact of its own prices on the prices of other firms.[1] In a monopolistically competitive market, firms can behave like monopolies in the short run, including by using market power to generate profit. In the long run, however, other firms enter the market and the benefits of differentiation decrease with competition. There are six characteristics of monopolistic competition (MC): * Product differentiation * Many firms * Free entry and exit in the long run * Independent decision making * Market Power * Buyers and Sellers do not have perfect information (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopolistic_competition) Economic Background The deodorant market in India is estimated at Rs 900 crore. Men’s deodorants dominate the category with a 70 per cent share estimated at Rs 650 crore. The segment is expected to grow 25 per cent annually to become three times its current size in the next five years. The overall deodorant market has grown by about 40 per cent a year in the past five years driven by introduction of new brands and aggressive media promotions. The market will continue to grow at 20-25 per cent thanks to low penetration and availability at low price points. Deodorant sales are seasonal — maximum sales happen in the summer months (April to September). About 90 per cent of the market is concentrated in the mass segment (with deodorants priced between Rs 125 and Rs 175 for a 150 ml pack). With new players entering the category at popular price points, the mass segment, with brands like Axe, Adidas, Nike and Reebok, will continue to grow faster and command higher share in the deodorant market. The size of the premium and above segments, which have brands like Burberry, The Body Shop, Kenzo and Ralph Lauren, will double by value in the next five years. (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/kit-the-men%5Cs-deodorant-market-in-india/443714) Method We will be using the financial tools of various ratios to determine which company has been more successful in this market. Survey The survey was conducted on 200 males in the college and office going crowd the results were as follows. 1. Which Deodorant do you use? Analysis As we can see from the above graph that Axe has a majority amongst the people surveyed while the others are below 10%. This gives us a picture of the domination of Axe in this market and same is the case when market share all over India is observed. 2. Reason for buying the particular brand. From the above graph we find that the decision of people in the age group of 15-25 behind buying a particular deodorant is not its fragrance but its price followed by easy availability and advertising. This shows us that main factor which affects a consumer’s decision, in this age group is the price of the product followed by other factors regarding quality, availability etc. This was the result obtained from the office crowd which gave an entirely different reason. The consumers decision in this age group is affected by the brand as people become brand conscious and are more bothered about which brand they use rather than its use. After the brand value the price affects their decisions. Hence from both these results we see that consumer behaviour varies on the different age groups and changes as a consumer grows older. Findings: Name: Mahikaansh Reddy Brand: AXE (Hindustan Unilever) AXE was launched in France in 1983 by Unilever. It was inspired by another of Unilever’s brands, Impulse. Unilever were keen to capitalize on AXE’s French success and the rest of Europe from 1985 onwards, later introducing the other products in the range. Unilever were unable to use the name AXE in the United Kingdom and Ireland due to trademark problems so it was launched as Lynx. The European launch of the deodorant was followed by success in Latin America and moderate impact in Asia and Africa. In the new millennium, the brand has launched with great success in the United States and Canada. The company has also consolidated its deodorant portfolio by migrating other overlapping male deodorants into the Lynx brand such as South Africa’s Ego brand. In January 2012, Unilever launched its first Lynx product for women in the United Kingdom as part of a global expansion of the previously men’s-only brand. The AXE deodorant was popular in India in the Grey market (duty paid shops). Impressed by the volume of AXE sold there, AXE deodorant was launched in India in 1999. The brand launch was very quiet and had the strategy of ‘High Price, Low Promotion’. At that time, the deodorant market was a nascent one with an estimated market size of Rs 72 crore. HLL, at that time, had the brands Denim and Rexona and was ruling the market. AXE was priced at a premium. In just three years flat, AXE had a market share of over 35% and HLL started phasing out Denim to concentrate more on AXE. It is known for its very controversial advertisements which actually helped in its publicity and led to a faster growth in the industry. Its target group was mainly men between the age group of 18-24 as they were seen as the easiest to convince with such advertisements. Not only does the brand use TV commercials to its advantage, but it also uses its print ads effectively. Besides print, the brand also uses outdoors for maximum impact. Hence, Axe is a classic example of the 360 degree branding effort. Therefore Axe is a perfect example of how important advertising is for a brand and how it can lead to higher revenues. Marketing Mix 1. Product: 2. Place: Available at all malls across India. Every deodorant selling shop will 99% be selling Axe. All other variants of Axe brand could be purchased from established retailers viz. BIG BAZAAR (PANTALOONS RETAIL INDIA LIMITED). 1. Promotion: Concentrates on single- segment male youth and targets young at heart. The competitive advantage of this brand is its complete monopoly over this proposition. The â€Å"Axe Effect† is one of the most famous claim in the world. This so called effect is supposed to draw women in hordes to any male who has sprayed himself liberally with the Axe deodorant. The advertisements are very slick and usually display a normal male but with oodles of self-assurance as an Axe user. The females get irresistibly drawn to this male implying that Axe acts like a nasal aphrodisiac. 2. The Axe brand of deodorants is from Unilever and is primarily targeted at 15 to 25 year old males. The brand portrays normal yet cool, trendy and confident, a positioning that is aspirational to the target segment. At a more subtle level, the Axe Effect also acts on the confidence levels of the user. The very act of being associated with the brand serves to boost the ego. The success of AXE attracted lots of new brands which were trying to follow the same marketing strategy as AXE. The one notable difference though is that all these newbies use hunks as opposed to the regular guys which are a stable for the Axe advertisements. This strategy has proven very effective for the brand. It comes across as approachable and it acts like a confidante and friend to its users. They are currently distributed in more than 40 countries. Unilever started out allotting roughly 60 percent of its advertising budget to television, but it has since winnowed that down to about 30 percent, pouring more money into offbeat alternatives. Competitive analysis: Axe faces competition from new entrants such as Wildstone, Adidas, Park Avenue etc. However among all these brands AXE has a dominating share in the market because of the brand equity and brand loyalty that it has built and is leveraging the same. AXE has a wide acceptance among the youth which forms the major chunk of perfume & deodorant users. Vis-à  -vis all these the AXE deodorant never forgets to promote any of its new product. AXE time and again, on launch of the new product goes for PR as well as wide advertising campaigns. 3. Target group- 18 to 24 What next? As such, I believe that AXE has the potential to spread its reach and increase its market share by expanding into the 35-50 year old demographic. In doing so, AXE will need to associate and disassociate itself with a more mature brand image and its inexpensive nature respectively, thereby attracting the average male aged 35-50 years. Hence it needs to re-focus the marketing mix towards 35-50 year old demographic, whilst retaining its keystone market, the 16-25 year olds. Conclusion Axe has a very large share in this market and has hardly got a foot wrong. It just needs to follow its tried and tested market strategies and build upon it, by doing that it can thwart the competition and maintain its kind of monopoly in the market. The only thing that could be suggested is to increase its target group so that it could expand more in the market and serve a larger base leading to higher revenues. Hence Axe just needs to follow what it was doing from before and be wary of the new competition in this segment with the help of excessive advertising and PR.