Marketing Research MKT2210 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Marketing Research MKT2210 - Essay Example The fashion designers took that step to head off just the kind of formal restrictions called for the doctor's group. So now the real debate can begin. We've been following this story closely as it unfolded over the past six months because the issues are big-certainly for anyone involved in fashion, including photographers, but also perhaps for the wider creative community. It started when a Brazilian model died following a drastic diet; fashion organizations in Spain, England, and Italy began reacting to a public and political outcry against the trend toward super-skinny (or "size-zero") models. The guidelines released today by the Academy for Eating Disorders would prevent any girl younger than 16 from modeling. Models from 16 to 18 years old would have to have a body mass index (B.M.I.) of greater that 17.4; those older than 18 would have to have a body mass index of 18.5. For instance, a 5-foot-nine model over 18 could weight no less than 126 pounds. Many fashion designers say such a guideline would be too restrictive. The recommendations of the fashion designers are .far more vague. The group's call for better education of models and designers had nothing of the specifics of the B.M.I. scale. There are very good reasons for looking into this issue, and those reasons relate to health-the health of the models working in the fashion industry, and the health of the millions of young girls around the globe who view fashion models as role models. The industry needs to look very carefully at the issue and work with medical groups to come up with actions that don't simply mask the problem. This must be done so that other groups don't dictate the terms of the discussion. The broader issue here is one of creative freedom. I'm not in favor of medical groups telling fashion designers whom they may hire, or telling photographers how someone should look in a picture. And just wait until some ambitious politician latches onto this issue to score easy points with voters. Fashion, frivolous by nature, is an easy target. The industry also has a bad reputation when it comes to policing bad behavior. As the New York Times points out today, Kate Moss, caught using drugs, was dropped from several ad campaigns, only to be rehired a few months later. But there are plenty of inconsistencies on the other side as well. Television shows feature plenty of skinny actresses who are probably also role models to millions of impressionable girls. (Anyone seen Grey's Anatomy There's not much of it to speak of.) Should television producers also be required to adhere to medical guidelines when hiring actresses And what about all the overweight men (and chunky kids) featured on sitcoms and television ads They might also be bad role models for a nation that is suffering from an obesity epidemic. Does some medical group want to step up to the plate and issue guidelines stating that you can't be too old or fat to appear on television or in pictures -David Schonauer Article 2 "Negative" Sizing: The Size Zero Debate There is a "growing" trend happening in fashion right now and no it has nothing to do with hem lengths, lip color or fabric style. According to Women's Wear Daily the infamous size zero demographic is no longer limited to the silver screen or the catwalk; in fact these women walk among us every day. And their numbers are swelling (pun intended)! But how many of us know anyone with a waist smaller than 23 inches or a bust that is no larger than 31 inches

Randalls Department Stores Essay Example for Free

Randalls Department Stores Essay Department stores encountered a quandary surrounding their pricing strategies: Should they continue to pursue Every Day Low Pricing strategies coupled with frequent promotions or determine a narrow focus on one or the other? If this is preferable, then which one will reap the biggest benefits for the department store? Competitors were aggressively promoted their established brand promotions with more fervor than ever, and Randall’s was slipping in market dominance. A decision had to be made regarding their pricing policy henceforth. Sales data shows that Every Day Low Pricing was not a preferable strategy. Armed with this knowledge, Randall’s must execute a strategy of changing prices so that there is no confusion with the consumer as to what they can provide: Quality products at consistently low prices. With the elimination of erratic and deeply discounted promotions, Randall’s can begin a new era of consistent sales cycles and profitable returns in a marketing environment which is receptive to this development. #1 – There are several distinct advantages to having a more stable and single-level pricing structure. A commitment to this would mean a significant decline in store promotions, but it can be argued that the benefits outweigh the detriments. First, the money that could be saved on largely eliminating sales events accumulates to become a substantial savings pot for the company per year. Secondly, staff members would not be so taxed. Process adjustments borne by the need to honor their guarantee of matching a competitor’s price or paying back the difference if they were to reduce their own requires extra staff that is unnecessary under a stable pricing structure. Another benefit of this strategy is a better inventory turnover ratio. Daily sales can be better predicted and more consistent when the prices to not fluctuate constantly. The cost of residual merchandise to be sold in clearance events at the end of the season is too great when Randall’s is forced to mark these down at even deeper price discounts. This strategic advantage also spawns another: a lesser chance of stockouts. These occurred when a popular item was discounted unnecessarily. The item sold so fast that there were no more left to sell, and those products would have sold regardless without a significant discount. Stockouts can be recognized as revenue forgone when a stable pricing strategy is not implemented. This strategy enables the merchants to be able to dedicate more time and effort to planning their calculated assortment coupled with enhanced service measures. With this comes the success experienced when loyalty to the Randall’s brand is fostered through excellent customer care and superior product presentation established. A store-wide adoption of stable pricing could allow Randall’s to establish a reputation for good value, even in the sea of competitors who continued their fierce promotions. #2 – The introduction of a more leveled pricing was largely unsuccessful in many categories, but successful in certain others. The children’s clothing department enjoyed a relative price inelastic demand structure. This department enjoyed great success derived from implementing Everyday Low Pricing (EDLP) because the children’s merchandise sold carried a lower initial mark-up than formerly and was scarcely promoted at discount prices, if even once a season. The reason EDLP fell flat in many other areas, including jewelry and men’s suits, is because the quality perception of jewelry and suits can be compromised when prices are low from the outset with peripheral promotions going on, consumers anticipate similar discounts on these premier items when they are already at low prices. #3 – In the future, Randall’s should try to stabilize prices going forward. This recommendation comes in light of the fact that the only department which thrived under was Children’s. But there has already been too much damage done in the perceptual minds of the Randall’s consumers – their image has been compromised. The confusion as to whether Randall’s is a more like a Marshall’s or like a JC Penny’s. With a consistent commitment to lower-level initial mark-ups with few discount promotions, the short surges in revenue seen by sales events will not be as great as the steady revenue brought by the sales of a consumer confident in the quality and competitive price of the Randall’s item. Randall’s can’t follow in the footsteps of high-profile competitor Prescott’s and run aggressive sales events if they are not committed to promoting as hard, if not harder than this competitor. The sales will fall short every time and leave Emily ; Caroline Randall back where they started – riding the promotion wave, with the breaker close on the horizon. Please see Appendix A for a detailing of the specific plan of execution for Randall’s executives to changes prices and stabilize them store-wide. With this plan of action, Randall’s can be armed for an era of consistent pricing and steady sales cycles – at no expense to their quality perception.

Pre-Revolution :: History

Pre-Revolution George Washington was promoted to lieutenant colonel by Governer Dinwiddie in 1754 with orders to attack the French fort Fort Duquesne. Washington was inexperienced in battle and inevitably blew his assignment. While marching towards Fort Duquesne, Washington and his men came upon a French reconnaissance party. Washington attacked with victory and fled the area to prepare for the French retaliation. Washington ordered his men to construct a fort as a meager means of defense from attack. This fort would be called Fort Necessity. Fort Necessity was poorly constructed and located in a terrible position. The surrounding forest made it possible for the French and Indian attackers to approach the fort without being seen. Washington and his men were forced to surrender. The French captured Washington and his men and forced Washington to sign an admission of attack. In this admission, which was written in French, Washington unknowingly admitted to assassinating the leader of the reconnaissance party. Although Washington could not read French, he signed the documents. All educated and sophisticated men could read French, and for Washington to admit to not being able to read French would be degrading to himself. The French let Washington and his men march out after the admission was signed. Washington returned to Virginia a hero and, while undeclared, the colonies knew that war had begun. This war would become known as the French and Indian War. In 1755 Britain sent General Edward Braddock to defend the colonies and capture Fort Duquesne. Braddock appointed Washington as second in command of his British troops. With over 1400 troops, Braddock marched against Fort Duquesne, only to be ambushed by a party of French and Indian soldiers totaling a mere fraction of his troops. Braddock was killed in combat along with 900 of his troops, leaving Washington in charge and responsible for marching the men back to Virginia. The British followed this defeat by more and more. Although the British outnumbered the French and Indians, they were poorly organized and failed to use the resources that surrounded them. Indians would attack the British troops while they were marching, by hiding in trees and attacking from all sides. In 1756, the conflict spread to Europe. Britain still was incapable of winning battles even home their home front. It wasn’t until 1758 when King George II appointed William Pitt as Prime Minister did the war efforts take a turn for the better.

Guidelines for Report Essay

   †¢We focus on just the executive summary, because in your career that is what management will most often read from your report. The focus is on the logic of your argument and how well your report builds a clear coherent business case for decision makers. This means part of your task is to decide what information to include in your summary and what information is not essential. Your writing will need to be crisp and precise. †¢There are multiple potentially correct answers to this case. The quality of your summary comes down to how well you can justify your conclusions and how persuasive your argument is. Therefore, you will need to consider not just what you say but how and why you say it. †¢This report will require you to apply techniques covered in MGB309. Not all the techniques will necessarily be applicable or helpful. Part of your job as an analyst is to identify and apply the right tools and techniques for your analyses. †¢Adequately conducting the analyses will not guarantee an excellent mark. It is an important but not the only part of the process. A really good summary requires that you synthesise your information to build a compelling case rather than just report findings. The assignment requires that you demonstrate your understanding of strategic management through application of your strategic analysis knowledge. †¢Showing where you obtained the data from through appropriate referencing is an important aspect to substantiate your analysis. The references you use may be checked. If you use ideas that are not yours but are taken from a resource you have to reference it. Remember that the quality of the source will determine the credibility of the argument. Referring to essays from other students found on the internet is therefore highly inappropriate.

Malunggay can be used as water purifier Essay

Aside from its potential as biofuel feedstock, the seed of moringa, locally known as malunggay, could also be used for treating water, a Filipino scientist said yesterday. Dr. Isidro Sia, a professor of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the University of the Philippines-Manila, said moringa seeds have been found to be one of the most effective water purifiers, based on international studies. He said the technology is being used in Kenya, Indonesia and Uganda. In the Philippines, he said UP has an ongoing project to study the water-purifying property of the local variety. According to research, moringa seeds treat water on two levels, acting both as a coagulant and an antimicrobial agent. â€Å"It is generally accepted that moringa works as a coagulant due to positively charged, water-soluble proteins which bind with negatively charged particles (silt, clay, bacteria, toxins, etc.) allowing the resulting ‘flocs’ to settle to the bottom or be removed by fil tration. The antimicrobial aspects of moringa continue to be researched,† it said. Solutions of moringa seeds for water treatment may be prepared from seed kernels or from the solid residue left over after oil extraction. Reports said moringa seeds, seed kernels or dried presscake can be stored for long periods but moringa solutions for treating water should be prepared fresh each time. In general, one seed kernel will treat one liter of water. The process of treating the water with moringa seeds would take at least one to two hours. â€Å"This clean water can then be filtered or sterilized to make it completely safe for drinking,† a report said. Moringa is also being promoted as animal feedstock. According to research, moringa has seven times the vitamin C in oranges, four times the calcium in milk, four times the vitamin A in carrots, three times the potassium in bananas, and two times the protein in milk. In addition to nutritional qualities, it has medicinal uses, external and internal. Its oil can also be used for cooking and for cosmetics and lubricants. Medical experts and herbalists attest to the long line of health benefits of Malunggay (scientific name: Moringa oleifera). And the most recent finding by researchers at the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) shows that crushed Malunggay seeds are potent in purifying dirty water. The research has scientifically proven the practice of Filipinos and Egyptians in using crushed malunggay to purify water. The PSU researchers claimed in a paper that the protein in the Malunggay seed kills bacteria by gathering them into clusters that sink into the bottom of a container. The protein fuses the membranes that protect the bacteria, thus destroying them in one fell swoop. The proteins are reportedly potent in their cleaning ability when harvested as mature seeds during the rainy season. Writing for Popular Science on June 11, 2015, Mary Beth Griggs said the role of Malunggay seeds as water purifier would be a boon to hundreds of millions of people with little access to potable water. With Malunggay seeds as alternative, those living in remote communities need not secure nanotech filters and light-based water purifiers. Indian researchers also discovered that Malunggay improves the motility of spermatozoa, making it a favorite among men who want to sire many children. Several years ago, the Department of Agriculture (DA) launched a campaign to popularize the propagation of Malunggay through the Biotechnology Program Office (BPO) then under Dr. Alice Ilaga and consultant Dr. Satunina Halos. It was even suggested that oil from Malunggay seeds could be extracted and used for various pharmaceutical purposes. Malunggay leaves are a good source of calcium, iron, ascorbic acid and phosphorous. Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao credits soups with Malunggay leaves for boosting his energy during training. Moringa Water Purification In many parts of the world river water which can be highly turbid is used for drinking purposes. This turbidity is conventionally removed by treating the water with expensive chemicals, many of which are imported at great expense. Natural coagulants have been used for centuries in traditional water treatment practices throughout certain areas of the developing world. Crushed Moringa seeds clarify and purify water to suit domestic use and lower the bacterial concentration in the water making it safe for drinking. By  using Moringa seeds people will no longer be depending on expensive means originating from the West. Using Moringa to purify water replaces chemicals such as aluminium sulphate, which are dangerous to people and the environment, and are expensive. Moringa seed powder can be used as a quick and simple method for cleaning dirty river water. Studies showed that this simple method of filtering not only diminishes water pollution, but also harmful bacteria. The moringa powder joins with the solids in the water and sinks to the bottom. This treatment also removes 90-99% of bacteria contained in water. Water from varying sources will need different amounts of Moringa seeds powder because of the impurities present will not be the same. Experiments with a jar will help in working out the correct amount needed. Moringa In addition to food, shelter and clothing, water is one of our basic human needs and lack of potable water is a major cause of death and disease in our world.  Moringa oleifera seed contains 40 per cent by weight of oil, with the remaining presscake containing the active ingredients for natural coagulation. The high market value for the oil make the case for promoting the cultivation of the seed a strong one. The growth of Moringa oleifera trees by smallholder farmers should be actively promoted as a means of providing vegetables and raw material for oil extraction in addition to a simple, but effective natural coagulant for turbid river water. Using natural materials to clarify water is a technique that has been practiced for centuries and of all the materials that have been used, seeds of the Moringa have been found to be one of the most effective. Studies have been conducted since the early 1970’s to test the effectiveness of Moringa  seeds for treating water. These studies have confirmed that the seeds are highly effective in removing suspended particles from water with medium to high levels of turbidity (Moringa seeds are less effective at treating water with low levels of turbidity). Moringa Water Purification Theory Moringa oleifera seeds treat water on two levels, acting both as a coagulant and an antimicrobial agent. It is generally accepted that Moringa works as a coagulant due to positively charged, water-soluble proteins, which bind with negatively charged particles (silt, clay, bacteria, toxins, etc) allowing the resulting â€Å"flocs† to settle to the bottom or be removed by filtration. The antimicrobial aspects of Moringa continue to be researched. Findings support recombinant proteins both removing microorganisms by coagulation as well as acting directly as growth inhibitors of the microorganisms. While there is ongoing research being conducted on the nature and characteristics of these components, it is accepted that treatments with Moringa solutions will remove 90-99.9% of the impurities in water. Water Treatment with Moringa Seeds Solutions of Moringa seeds for water treatment may be prepared from seed kernels or from the solid residue left over after oil extraction (presscake). Moringa seeds, seed kernels or dried presscake can be stored for long periods but Moringa solutions for treating water should be prepared fresh each time. In general, 1 seed kernel will treat 1 liter (1.056 qt) of water. Dosage Rates: Low turbidity NTU250 2 seeds per 1 liter (1.056 qt) water INSTRUCTIONS TO CLEAN WATER WITH MORINGA SEEDS 1 Collect mature Moringa oleifera seed pods and remove seeds from pods. 2 Shell seeds (remove seed coat) to obtain clean seed kernels; discard discolored seeds. 3 Determine quantity of kernels needed based on amount and  turbidity of water; in general 1 seed kernel will treat 1 liter (1.056 qt) of water. 4 Crush appropriate number of seed kernels (using grinder, mortar & pestle, etc) to obtain a fine powder and sift the powder through a screen or small mesh. 5 Mix seed powder with a small amount of clean water to form a paste. 6 Mix the paste and 250 ml (1 cup) of clean water into a bottle and shake for 1 minute to activate the coagulant properties and form a solution. 7 Filter this solution through a muslin cloth or fine mesh screen (to remove insoluble materials) and into the water to be treated. 8 Stir treated water rapidly for at least 1 minute then slowly (15-20 rotations per minute) for 5-10 minutes. 9 Let the treated water sit without disturbing for at least 1-2 hours. 10 When the particles and contaminates have settled to the bottom, the clean water can be carefully poured off. 11 This clean water can then be filtered or sterilized to make it completely safe for drinking. DANGERS Secondary Infection: The process of shaking and stirring must be followed closely to activate the coagulant properties; if the flocculation process takes too long, there is a risk of secondary bacteria growth during flocculation. Recontamination: The process of settling is important. The sediment at the bottom contains the impurities so care must be taken to use only the clear water off the top and not allow the sediment to re-contaminate the cleared water. Additional contaminants: Moringa treatment does not remove 100% of water pathogens. Using Moringa oleifera as a replacement coagulant for proprietary coagulants meets the need for water and wastewater technology in developing countries which is simple to use, robust and cheap to both install and maintain. Water purified with oringa seeds, is acceptable for drinking only where people are currently drinking untreated, contaminated water.

The eNotes Blog Beyond The Great AmericanRead

Beyond The Great AmericanRead Prejudice and Tolerance If you weren’t following PBS’s The Great American Read, it’s worth catching up: this eight-part series discussed America’s best-loved novels as users voted for their favorite books. Some of us at even wrote about our personal choices for The Great American Read. Just this week, we learned which book was voted as America’s #1 favorite book: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. And no wonder- to quote host Meredith Vieira, the book â€Å"is a mirror of who we are in all our complexity. It shows us at our worst, and it ends tragically. But it also offers a way forward.† To Kill A Mockingbird is well known for the challenging themes it presents throughout the novel. Now, this may be because we’re huge book lovers here at - but we wanted so many of the books to win! To celebrate TKAM’s win and encourage more reading, we’re showcasing some of the other books from the original 100 that touch on similar themes. Prejudice and Tolerance #4: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Unsurprisingly, prejudice reappears again and again as an important theme in Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth continually makes hasty decisions, misreads others, and literally pre-judges others according to her own prescribed moral values- until someone else snaps her out of it, that is. #72: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison A story of self-discovery and identity, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison asks serious questions about race and prejudice as well as broader questions about who we think we are and what we can do in the face of injustice. Guilt and Innocence #19: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Christie’s classic murder mystery invites the reader to join each of the characters in questioning who is innocent and who is guilty. She further complicates the question by writing moral ambiguities into the story at every turn. #64: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Crime and Punishment examines of the psyche of the guilty. The novel asks the question, â€Å"Could someone get away with murder?† and then follows Raskolnikov as his guilt steadily drives him into deeper levels of mental instability. Knowledge and Ignorance #18: 1984 by George Orwell This dystopian novel follows an employee of the Ministry of Truth, a branch of the all-powerful government that edits historical documents and withholds information from the public. Although he works for the very branch that obscures reality, Winston of 1984 craves to learn the objective truth. #34: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Another dystopian tale, The Handmaid’s Tale first toys with the theme of knowledge and ignorance by being told by unreliable narrator and protagonist, Offred. As a member of the lowest class- literally a â€Å"walking womb†- Offred is kept uninformed of real news, and as a woman, she is not allowed to read or write. Courage and Cowardice #50: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Tolstoys ambitious novel explores myriad characters through times of, you guessed it, war and peace. Each character grapples with battling cowardice in order to find courage amidst the chaos of a country at war. Loss of Innocence #43: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Mary Shelleys Frankenstein has long captivated the imagination of readers. While popularized as an exploration of science gone awry, Shelleys novel does much more: it explores how a dream of a better tomorrow can be corrupted by pride and ambition, resulting in a loss of innocence and, tragically, life. #83: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad A ship’s commander for a trading company, Marlow travels deeper and deeper into Africa. He becomes appalled by the living conditions for black slaves and, as he travels deeper inland, becomes more suspect of everything he encounters. By the end of the novel, Marlow is changed.

150 Million Years of Marsupial Evolution

150 Million Years of Marsupial Evolution You wouldnt know it from their relatively paltry numbers today, but marsupials (the kangaroos, koalas, wombats, etc. of Australia, as well as the opossums of the western hemisphere) have a rich evolutionary history. As far as paleontologists can tell, the distant ancestors of modern opossums diverged from the distant ancestors of modern placental mammals about 160 million years ago, during the late Jurassic period (when pretty much all mammals were the size of mice), and the first true marsupial appeared during the early Cretaceous, about 35 million years later. (See a gallery of prehistoric marsupial pictures and profiles and a list of recently extinct marsupials.) Before we go any further, its worthwhile to review what sets marsupials apart from the mainstream of mammalian evolution. The vast majority of mammals on earth today are placental: fetuses are nurtured in their mothers wombs, by means of a placenta, and theyre born in a relatively advanced state of development. Marsupials, by contrast, give birth to undeveloped, fetus-like young, which then must spend helpless months suckling milk in their mothers pouches. (Theres also a third, much smaller group of mammals, the egg-laying monotremes, typified by platypuses and echidnas.) The First Marsupials Because the mammals of the Mesozoic Era were so smalland because soft tissues dont preserve well in the fossil recordscientists cant directly examine the reproductive systems of animals from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. What they can do, though, is examine and compare these mammals teeth, and by that criterion, the earliest identified marsupial was Sinodelphys, from early Cretaceous Asia. The giveaway is that prehistoric marsupials possessed four pairs of molars in each of their upper and lower jaws, while placental mammals had no more than three. For tens of millions of years after Sinodelphys, the marsupial fossil record is frustratingly scattered and incomplete. We do know that early marsupials (or metatherians, as theyre sometimes called by paleontologists) spread from Asia to North and South America, and then from South America to Australia, by way of Antarctica (which was much more temperate at the end of the Mesozoic Era). By the time the evolutionary dust had cleared, by the end of the Eocene epoch, marsupials had disappeared from North America and Eurasia  but prospered in South America and Australia. The Marsupials of South America For most of the Cenozoic Era, South America was a gigantic island continent, completely separated from North America until the emergence of the Central American isthmus about three million years ago. During these eons, South Americas marsupialstechnically known as sparassodonts, and technically classified as a sister group to the true marsupialsevolved to fill every available mammalian ecological niche, in ways that uncannily mimicked the lifestyles of their placental cousins elsewhere in the world. Examples? Consider Borhyaena, a slouching, 200-pound predatory marsupial that looked and acted like an African hyena; Cladosictis, a small, sleek metatherian that resembled a slippery otter; Necrolestes, the grave robber, which behaved a bit like an anteater; and, last but not least, Thylacosmilus, the marsupial equivalent of the Saber-Tooth Tiger (and equipped with even bigger canines). Unfortunately, the opening of the Central American isthmus during the Pliocene epoch spelled the doom of these marsupials, as they were completely displaced by better-adapted placental mammals from up north. The Giant Marsupials of Australia In one respect, the marsupials of South America have long since disappearedbut in another, they continue to live on in Australia. Its likely that all of the kangaroos, wombats, and wallabies Down Under are descendants of a single marsupial species that inadvertently rafted over from Antarctica about 55 million years ago, during the early Eocene epoch. (One candidate is a distant ancestor of the Monito del Monte, or little bush monkey, a tiny, nocturnal, tree-dwelling marsupial that today lives in the bamboo forests of the southern Andes mountains.) From such unprepossessing origins, a mighty race grew. A few million years ago, Australia was home to such monstrous marsupials as Diprotodon, aka the Giant Wombat, which weighed upwards of two tons; Procoptodon, the Giant Short-Faced Kangaroo, which stood 10 feet tall and weighed twice as much as an NFL linebacker; Thylacoleo, the 200-pound marsupial lion; and the Tasmanian Tiger (genus Thylacinus), a fierce, wolf-like predator that only went extinct in the 20th century. Sadly, like most megafauna mammals worldwide, the giant marsupials of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand went extinct after the last Ice Age, survived by their much more petite descendants.