Marketing Management Essay Example For Students

Marketing Management Essay Marketing ideas have made singularly little penetration intothe centres of influence of the construction industry. To some extent thisfollows from the character of the industry as an agglomeration of serviceorganisations, not without structural relationship to one another, but serving aclientele from which individuals seek service very infrequently. (Jepson Nicholson, 1972: p.1) Although times have and are changing the abovestatement despite being written over twenty five years ago is still to someextent very true. The subject of this assignment is a construction firm that hasrecently designed and implemented a marketing management strategy. The objectiveof this assignment is fourfold, firstly the companys approach to marketingmanagement will be documented this will then be related to marketing managementtheory Then by analysing data collected through research the effectiveness ofthe strategy will be discussed. Finally using marketing management theory as afoundation recommendations will be made to identify where the initial strategycould be improved in order to promote future business development and success,in line with the strategic mission of the company. The organisation in questionhas strong foundations, since its incorporation in the mid fifties turnoverhas grown in line with inflation. In 1984 the Company was purchased by the sonof the original managing director, he took up the role of new managing director. By the beginning of the 1990s it became apparent that the company had reacheda stage where it was no longer a small hands-on enterprise. Thelevel of turnover and number of employees had increased at such a rate that theorganisation now employed a sizeable management team. All with an experiencedtechnical background in the fields of surveying, estimating or site managementand who had either progressed through the ranks of this firm or otherorganisations of a similar size and nature. The company was at the time of theinitial implementation of this initiative inexperienced in marketing managementand strategy. However, the senior personnel realised the company had reached astage where future business growth wasnt just going to come from hard work,doing the job well and relying on a good reputation. The view was taken that itwas necessary to pursue new ventures to bring about growth and development. TheCompany has a large contracting portfolio with contracts completed for publicand privat e clients in the commercial and industrial sectors. Appendix A showsthe diversification with the selection of recently completed projects and listthe clients for whom work has been carried out. The reason for a firm of thissize carrying out such a wide range of activities is largely based on the beliefthat in such a competitive industry as construction it has been necessary totake on whatever type of work was available in order to maintain a consistentorder book. In developing the companys marketing management strategy numerousworkshops were held, attending these were the company directors and two seniormanagers. Information on the company was gained from interviews with the personsattending these workshops. There are many reasons for running a business, thiscompany wanted to be clear on why it wanted to improve or introduce themarketing effort so that appropriate goals can be set. The aim of wanting togrow the business by increasing sales while at the same time sustaining thelevel of profit margin is the underlying factor in this case. Turnover could beincreased very easily as most of the work is procured on an invitation to tenderbasis where the deciding factor is almost always price, however, buyingin work will not necessary have a long term positive effect. The secondaryobjective was to secure profitable business relationships. These objectives arereflected in the mission statement in the appendix B. The development of themission statement was the start of the companys marketing managementinitiative. The companys overall objective in the eyes of the leaders wasdefined. It was thought the development of a mission statement would provide thefoundation needed. Perhaps the implementation of a mission statement doesnthave a direct link to the theory of marketing management however its place inthe overall field of strategy is illustrated below. A firms mission istop managements view of what the organisation seeks to do and become over thelong term. Expressed in the form of a mission statement it provides a publiclyavailable summary of the long term goals of a firms top managers.(Barney, 1997: p.10) After the preliminary stage it was decided that careful andcritical examination of the company would be needed. The questions of what do wedo well and what do we do badly ? were asked, however, analysis of what wedo? was first necessary. Previously there had been no formalcategorisation so the next step was to analyse the business in relation toits markets. It became apparent that this was impossible without analysingthe different business activities and categorising the market areas. Thecategories for such a division were decided upon as being type of client, sectorof work, type of work, type of contract and location of work. These divisionsproduced provided the workshop team initially with the sufficient tools foranalysing the business. The areas highlighted under these headings are shown inappendix C. This way of thinking doesnt have a direct link to marketingmanagement theory but can be proved to be a form of market segmentation. For theconstruction industry the application of marketing theory in order to segmentthe market is not directly appropriate, but it can be applied in the way statedto produce effective results as the common goal is the identification oftarget markets. Even though demographic, ethnic, religious and nationalclassification are not appropriate as regards construction, industry ownclassifications appear to make data collection and analysis possible. Market segmentation is the analysis of the total demand in a market intoits constituent parts, so that different sets of consumers, with distinctiveneeds and behavioural patterns, can be identified, (Page, 1995:p.40) Itwould become apparent later that the market segmentation would be extremelyuseful when analysing markets. At this moment the initial divisions would helpthe effort of gathering information from various sources enabling criticalanalysis of the company. From the customers point of view, theinformation process is the least visible of all the marketing functions. It is,nevertheless, the basis of all marketing activity. If the product / service issaid to be the cornerstone of marketing, then it must be remembered that goodproducts / services accurately reflect the needs and wants of customers, whichcan only be ascertained by gathering information. Information provides the meansfor a company to fulfil the marketing concept, (Lancaster Reynolds,1995: p.57) Examination of the company began by using the personal experience ofthe persons attending the workshop. In this forum, lists were made of thingsthat were likely to happen in the business environment which could havebeneficial or negative effects on the companys fortunes. Subjects that wereconcentrated on were, new technology such as Information Technology and thelatest building methods, the development of communication methods and any knowndevelopments within local and general government. This type of analysis of themacro environment could be perceived as a form of STEP or PEST analysis. From itthe company compiled a list, developed from the personal experience of theworkshop members, of all the external factors affecting the organisation. Further factors relating to the proximate macro environment about markets andcompetitors were also noted. These environmental factors are in a broadercontext and are ones that the organisation has little or no control, however,they could highlight the marketing opportunities and threats of the future. Successful companies recognise that the environment is constantly spinningnew opportunities and threats and understand the importance of continuouslymonitoring and adapting to the changing environment. (Kotler, 1997 :p.147)The next stage was the development of the organisations strengths weaknessesopportunities and threats through a SWOT analysis. First came the opportunitiesand threats using the results of the analysis of the external environmentalfactors. Using a pragmatic approach all things on the horizon which could have anegative effect on the business. Including not knowing key competitors wellenough, changes in government spending. It was found the most of the threatswere also opportunities and vice versa, depending on how a firm made predictionsand reacted to changes. From the list produced the top three items that: had anextremely high probability of happening and a potentially high impact on thebusiness were identified. Following this the internal factors were considered,h ighlighting the sectors that the panel believed they were good at (internalstrengths) and areas were they were lacking in some way and where there waspotential for dangerous situations (internal weaknesses). This type of SWOTanalysis gave the firm the means by which to identify its own strengthsand weaknesses as they relate to external opportunities and threats.(McDonald, 1995: p.28) Following SWOT analysis further investigation into thebusiness was required as the SWOT had only dealt with the personal views andexperience of senior personnel. The various business classifications broughtabout following segmentation were analysed for the preceding five years. Factorsanalysed were profit, turnover, levels of enquiries and level of competition. Asmost of the work in the building industry is gained through tendering andselective tendering the competition factor would be the average number ofcompanies tendering for a particular project. All agreed profit margin analysiswas particularly im portant as profit margin was fundamental to both survival andfuture growth. Insufficient margins are unlikely to give the business thefreedom to choose the best strategic option because of the impact on break evenlevels. From the data analysis the following conclusions were drawn, themajority of the companys turnover came from work on schools and colleges andthe industrial sector from the construction of warehouses and other similarbuildings. Over recent years there had been a swing, however, towards work inthe leisure industry. Industrial and commercial work had risen while public workhad remained constant as the overall turnover increased. As far as profitabilitywas concerned it was difficult to see any particular definite trend as to themore and less profitable sector of work. As regards the other areas of analysis,design and build work had increased steadily over the last couple of years andhad proved profitable but was also considered an area where the company lackedexperience. Repair and maintenance work accounted for a small percentage ofturnover but was highly profitable. Location analysis didnt prove anyparticular use apart from the fact that contracts carried out outside the northwest region were generally for existing clients. At this stage the companydidnt have the set-up and was reluctant to venture further a field unless itwas to carry out work for valued clients. Following the analysis and informationgathering stage, the workshop team were in a situation where numerous internaland external factors affecting the companys ability to achieve profit andsales had been identified. They were asking the question How do we reach ourgoal using the results of the analysis undertaken? In order to make marketingmanagement decisions some kind of formal marketing planning would now berequired. There can be little doubt that marketing planning is essentialwhen we consider the increasingly hostile and complex environment in whichcompanies operate (McDonald, 1995 : p.21) The team focused their attentionon the options for development. Stay offering our regular clients the sameservices which would only be possible with the large clients that carryoutregular building work and profitability would need to be maximised by reducingcosts through increased efficiency. Provide a new type of service to existingclients possibilities included offering regular repair and maintenance serviceor offering the complete service from the initial design stage tothe finished product. The advantage would be that the company would be dealingwith clients where good stable relationship existed but the disadvantage was thecompanys unfamiliarity. Another option was to offer the usualservice to a wider range of clients, not necessarily meaning a different type ofclient but to increase the marketing effort as regards selling the company orperhaps by widening the geographic region. This type of strategy undertaken bythe company fits well with the theory of product / market expansion. Meaning theroute chosen to achieve company goals through the range of services it offers toits chosen market segments. The simplification of the firms competitivesituation into only the two dimensions of products and markets. Despite notactually using a framework such as Ansoffs expansion matrix the group managedto simplify their task to produce a logical path towards their objectives. Computer Software EssayCompanies which fail to recognise and take account of changes in theirenvironment have, in the past, either failed to capitalise on theiropportunities or worse still have suddenly realised that their markets havedisappeared. (Lancaster and Massingham, 1998: p.26) A successful externalanalysis needs to be directed and purposeful. There is always the danger that itwill become an endless process resulting in an excessively descriptive report. Without discipline and direction, volumes of useless descriptive material caneasily be generated. The external analysis process should not be an end initself. It should be motivated throughout by a desire to affect strategy and itshould contribute to the decision of the application of investment, by doing allof these it will be responsible for the development of a sustainable competitiveadvantage. External analysis can also contribute to the marketing managementstrategy by identifying significant trends, future events, opportunities andthreats. It has to be recognised that by identifying these areas threats to oneorganisation can become opportunities for another in being able to sustaincompetitive advantage. Attempting to lay any sort of plans for the futurewithout first gathering enough information is not only foolish, it alsodemonstrates dangerous tendencies towards complacency and arrogance. Knowingthat information must be gathered is one thing, knowing how much and what togather is quite another. (Fidfield, 1992: p.39) As the customers are thefocus of the marketing concept the first logical step when beginning marketingmanagement is to analyse the customers. The workshop teams approach tosegmentation was the right platform. However, as we saw their segmentation forthis type of industry is applied differently than that of other differentindustries that tend to be referred to in marketing theory. Nevertheless,through segmentation we can identify customer groups that respond differentlythan other customer groups. The way that the workshop team undertook the task ofdefining the segments was good as it identified the variables that candifferentiate between one project and another. Following this the subdivisionwas useful because it recognised the broad categories like to the industry wereto vague. In essence the divisions proved to be effective and can be linked tothe industry standard. The act of segmentation opens the doors for analysis ofthe industry, an indi vidual organisation, its markets and its customers. It also provides the focus for the organisations strategy for businesssuccess. The workshop teams method of segmentation links directly to theDepartment of Trade and Industrys method of segmentation when analysing thewhole of the construction industry for government statistics. For this reason itis very easy to collect data and analyse the external sectors and then link thisto the companys own business. The data has been collected from varioussources and this is stated in the appendix D. The conclusion are drawn below. The output of the construction industry for work done for the industrial sectoris relatively small. The current output for this sector is estimated to be ?3.26bn, where as the total output of the industry as a whole is in excess of ?55bn. The problem with this particular sub sector is the manufacturing sector has notgrown by very much, steel has undergone radical changes and coal has all butdisappeared. Fewer factories and warehouses are being built. For the company theonly work undertaken in the industrial sector is the construction and majoralteration to warehouses, it is a large and important part of the companysturnover. Clearly the prospects for the industrial sector are less favourablethan for those of the others. In general, there has been no change in thepattern of investment and, although there has been an increase in the value oforders in the private sector, it is not large enough to make a significantdifference to future output of the construction industry. However, the level ofoutput for work carried out in relation to warehouses is increasing year on yeardespite the shift from a manufacturing to a service economy. The deciding factoris whether or not this will continue to be the case. Commercial construct ion isa much more important sector in that it represents nearly 39.8% of the output ofthe construction industry. It is highly cyclical and very sensitive to changesin economic conditions. The sector has been favourably affected by privatisation. In the private sector the sub sections of offices shops and entertainment arethe dominant factors. While for the public sector output is concentrated in theareas of education and health. The overall trends for both are positive,however, there is a strong element of volatility in the output and the orders,for private sector work. There are still a large number of small and mediumsized firms in the industry but this number is declining. Design and build hasbeen a growth area in the construction industry in recent years. Design andBuild is where on organisation takes responsibility for both functions on behalfof a client. As the market for building contractors has become more competitiveand margins have been squeezed tighter the contractors sought other ways ofincreasing competitive advantage by offering the full service it had dualbenefits for client and contractor. Design and build projects do have anattraction nevertheless there are pitfalls to this market. To thedetriment of the tra ditional architects practice, recent times have broughtabout the augmentation of design and build contractors. It appears to be anincreasingly preferred method of tendering for private concerns in the lightindustrial and commercial sectors. More recently research suggests some buildingcontractors have paid the penalty for entering the new sector with littleexperience. The attractiveness of low competition and perceived greater marginshad blinded the judgment some what. (Ashworth, 1998: p.7) Theidentification of trends within the industry can provide vital information as tothe current and future state of the various sectors. The correct prediction offuture trends is the key to achieving the competitive edge. Trends withinthe market can affect current and future strategies and assessments of marketprobability. (Aaker, 1995: p.26) In the construction industry clear trendscan be identified. The long term trend in the industrial sector has been a moveaway from manufacturing towards a ser vice-based economy causing overall declinein the industrial sector. Decline also in coal mining and steel based industriescausing construction firms connected with these areas to switch their efforts toother activities. In the commercial sector an appreciable amount oftraditionally public sector work has been transferred to the private sectorthough the privatization of industries. Increase in demand for entertainment andleisure activities and the consequent increase in demand for the necessaryfacilities. Despite objections from various pressure groups, large commercial centersare increasing in number. There is a demand for modern offices adaptable to therequirements of information technology and computerization, together with therecognition of the fact that the working environment has a significant effect onthe performance of individuals. When analyzing the external environment usingPEST the company needs to have a list of areas to investigate for each of thefour factors; political, economic, social and technological. Political factorscould be to look at the effect of a change of government would have on spendingin the public sector. The state of play as regards the ability to obtain grantsfrom the European commission. Changes in the requirements for obtaining planningpermission. Changes in the health and safety regulations. Economic factors to belooked out for would be situation with the UKs Gross Domestic Product. Whichindustries are experiencing increased investment as this is likely to lead toincreased construction activities. Change in the demand for new buildings thatwill be suitable for changing needs of other industries for example the needs ofa high technology environment. Changes in interest and exchange rates have largeeffects on construction projects. Development grant awards for various regionsand sectors such as the national lottery. Social factors that could beidentified are as follows. Inner city regeneration and outer city developmentwould bri ng about an increased requirement for construction work. Environmentalist pressure for the extension of the Green Belt and other currentenvironmental factors. Demographic changes leading to increased need for specialhousing. Changes in social trends and consumer behavior. Technological factorsthat could potentially provide the company with competitive advantage can beidentified by looking at the following areas. Increased use of informationtechnology. Innovations in construction techniques for example the greater useof pre-fabricated elements. Further development in high technology creating aneed for suitable buildings. Using the information gathered from an appraisal ofthe external environment we need to turn the information into action. Whatsimportant is to search through the environment for specific opportunities whichappear to be open to our organization. It takes time to develop new services anddevelop new markets. If there is a hint that new market possibilities are likelyto open then we should plan our time accordingly to gain the m aximum benefit. Aswell as identifying the opportunities in tomorrows market place it is alsoimportant that we clearly identify the threats which may appear in the businessenvironment. The important thing is not just to identify the threats but to beable to do something about them.

Sony Corporation

Company Overview Sony Corporation (Sony) is one of the leading electronics manufacturing and distribution Companies in the world. The company deals with the design, development, manufacture, and sale of products such as communication products, televisions, video and audio products among other electronic components (Stà ¤dtler, 2011). Apart for this entity, it also offers insurance services through its subsidiaries in Japan. Other business operations include advertising agency and network services.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Sony Corporation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company’s operations fall under six reportable segments. They include networked Products and Services; Music; Consumer Products and Devices; Pictures; Financial Services and others. It also operates its subsidiaries across 200 countries inEurope, North America as well as Asia. The Company’s headquarters is in Tokyo, Japan. Its major industry competitors include Dell, Creative technologies, LG, Samsung, Fujifilm Holdings, Philips, Pioneer Corporations, Hitachi, and Casio Computers (Stà ¤dtler, 2011). How Internal and External factors may affect the firm The internal factors are those whose origin and control are within the capacity of the firm. They include strengths and weaknesses. The strengths within Sony shall be material assets that will boost its performance if well administered. This firm may achieve strategic objectives through utilization of its strengths. On the other hand, external factors entail those influences that emanate from outside the firm. They come as opportunities and threats. Threats are harmful hence; they will impair on Sony’s growth objectives. Such threats may come in form of strong brands, imitation, and changing customer needs. On the other hand, opportunities are external factors that the business can utilize in achieving its objectives. Threats also fall u nder the external fundamentals that could damage performance of Sony Corporation (Jalan, 2004). Analysis of the company using this tool would be beneficial in diagnosing the external and internal environments in which Sony operates. As such, the information can steer growth and progress within the limits of its goals and aims. EFE Matrix It relates the firm’s performance ratings relative to a laid down aggregate score. The tool employs a factor approach is its analysis of the external opportunities as well as threats in which numerous factors relevant to the firm are established. Allocation of weights depends on the magnitude of their influence on the firm’s performance in order to develop their relative weights (Stà ¤dtler, 2011). The weights may take ratio or percentage form. No OPPORTUNITIES WEIGHTS RATINGS WEIGHTED 1 Maintenance of leadership in prices 0.10 3 0.3 2 Creativity and Innovation 0.25 3 0.75 3 Strong IT base in the industry 0.1 4 0.4 4 Wide N etwork and global Presence 0.1 4 0.4 5 Strategic Outsourcing and marketing 0.1 4 0.4 6 The capacity to develop Quality products 0.15 3 0.45 THREATS 1 Price wars 0.05 4 0.2 2 Product imitation 0.05 2 0.1 3 Strong and competitive brand in the industry 0.05 4 0.2 4 Changing consumer needs 0.05 3 0.15 TOTAL 1.00 3.35 The above analysis of 3.35 aggregate weight score in Sony’s EFE Matrix indicates that it is responding well in respect of its threats and opportunities in the electronics industry.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The analysis depicts the external environment in which Sony operates, and how it is doing relative to the industry participants (Jalan, 2004). It is therefore, important to note that strategic efficiency has capitalized on the opportunities presented by both environments. On the other hand, the company has done well in m onitoring and dealing with the threats that may deter its progress. The ratings used above for individual factors are calibrated on the scale of 1to 4. The total maximum score obtainable by any industry participant is four. The weights and ratings employed in the EFE Matrix demonstrate the effectiveness of a Company’s strategic framework (Jalan, 2004). Below is the interpretation of the weighted scores in order to show the outcome of the performance obtained by Sony. 4 = Excellent Response to factors; 3 = Above Average; Average Response and 1 = Poor Response. Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix (IFE Matrix) No INTERNAL STREGTHS WEIGHTS RATINGS WEIGHTED 1 Customer relationship 0.10 3 0.3 2 Production Adaptability 0.10 3 0.30 3 Leadership in Technology 0.10 4 0.40 4 Reliability of products 0.10 3 0.30 5 Leading Supply chain 0.10 4 0.40 6 Financial ratios 0.15 3 0.45 INTERNAL WEAKNESSES 1 Weak management 0.15 2 0.30 2 Little Diversification 0.10 3 0.30 3 Communication loops 0.10 3 0.30 TOTAL 1.00 3.05 The IFE Matrix is an audit tool of an organization. This strategic management tool helps the management to evaluate a company’s internal environment in relation to its threats and strengths. This tool summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of Sony Company in order to observe its performance from the internal space (Stà ¤dtler, 2011). The methodological approach used in the design of the IFE is similar to that used in EFE. The difference between the two is that IFE deals with the internal factor analysis whereas EFE examines the performance of a firm with regard to external. Sony’s weighted score of 3.05 represents an average performance and response to its internal factors influencing its operations. It shows a well strategically managed position in a bid to capitalize on the prevailing strengths while at the same time cushioning itself against its weaknesses (Jalan, 2004). Interpretation of the weightsAdvertisi ng We will write a custom case study sample on Sony Corporation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More 4 = Excellent Response to factors; 3 = Above Average; Average Response and 1 = Poor Response. SWOT Analysis Strengths Sony has the capacity to develop a high-quality product portfolio for its customers. historical results and record show that the company is reputable in the market Advanced and technological capacities capable of handling multiplicity of product lines present Sony with a rare opportunity for success. The company engineers have the knowledge of the previous failures and are capable of making up for the lost glory. The competitiveness of the company is good compared to its market rivals The ability to expand its market share and produce a wide range of products Weaknesses Prevailing price wars in the industry are a major undoing to Sony. The company has enjoyed the confidence of being a price leader the recent past, b ut the emergency of strategic price wars poses a potential threat (Jalan, 2004). Minimal diversification in its product portfolio is a critical scenario that may hamper Sony’s strategic growth. Retarded growth of its sales depicts a great slow down in its expansion plans. The management of the company seems to have no proper strategic management plan to forge the business ahead. Lack of proper formula of communication within the functional departmental network has led to reduced productivity. Opportunities Its originality and creativity is an essential asset for its potential growth. Its reputation may pose a significant platform for its progress. Its customer led pricing strategies aimed at winning market loyalty is a huge milestone opportunity presented to it (Jalan, 2004). Its technological strength may render its expansion plans possible in order to capture other income streams. Strong and robust supply chain- marketing and advertising departments have stepped up their strategies to create new market niches for its expanding product portfolio through strategic partnerships with leading chain suppliers. Threats Competitors- The industry is rife with competitors who are equally powerful. They are market participants with strong brands, and they include Samsung, Fujifilm, and LG among others. Market surveys and researches indicate that imitation of its products is on the increase. This product proliferation poses a huge threat on the originality of products and customer loyalty developed over many years. This trend occasioned by the emergence of new and cheaper technologies from the Asian region whose proponents have interfered with the brand (Jalan, 2004). Lack of adequate and comprehensive strategy implies that most of its rivals are doing better because their product penetration is doing well. Summary of SWOT matrix (Analysis) STREGNGTHS WEAKNESSES Production capacity and adaptability Stiff competition from strong brands on the market Fi nancial ratios Price wars Leadership in technology Little diversification Price leadership Lack of strategic communication plan Excellent customer service OPPORTUNITIES THREATS Wide market Coverage and global presence Price wars Maintenance of low price leadership Changing needs of the consumer Supply Chain Presence of other strong brands (Samsung, LG) Creativity and innovation Product Imitation (Chinese Electronic industry) Emerging markets Conclusion The SWOT analysis above demonstrates how Sony has been able to nurture is ability to gain a competitive advantage in the market. Although weaknesses and threats are inevitably present, their effects have remained detrimental due to capitalization on opportunities and strengths inherent within the firm. Some of the significant factors greatly responsible for this milestone include a robust and sustainable technology, price leadership, and innovation. References Jalan, P. K. 2004). Industrial sector reforms in globalization era. New Delhi: Sarup Sons. Stà ¤dtler, R. (2011). Strategy Coursework – Sony Corporation. Norderstedt: GRIN Verlag. This case study on Sony Corporation was written and submitted by user Broderick Valentine to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

True Reasons We Love Super Bowl

True Reasons We Love Super Bowl Super Bowl is the most popular show among Americans. In a bit more than a week the whole nation will be glued to the screen to see the game. And there is a number of reasons for that! Loving NFL is a long lasting tradition, so nobody actually asks questions like Why watch Super Bowl? or Why do you like Super Bowl? or (God forbid) What is Super Bowl? However, we decided to bring these wonderful Super Bowl things together to make your week of game anticipation even more exciting. This post is also for Super Bowl haters. You still time to change your mind start loving Super Bowl (because in week its going to be too late!) Bringing Folks Together Okay, maybe there’s a fair amount of other things going on in this world that need more attention. And yes, it would be nice if we saw the same passion and fervor for civil rights and personal liberties these days. But at least this magical game, when the best of the best go head to head and the commenters are flipping out, brings people together in sports bars and living rooms across the land. Chanting, cheering, stumbling around, and pretty much going quasi-insane for a few hours. It’s good fun. And listen, Super Bowl parties run the whole gauntlet from two dudes in their boxers in their dorm room eating Cheetos from the vending machine on the first floor†¦to blockbuster block parties and after-parties that literally anger the gods. It proves that whether you want it or not football is a part of our national heritage†¦a part of the DNA, to be more precise. Special Food Chips and dips, wings and BBQ feasts, casseroles galore Super Bowl food comes in many different nuances of class and sophistication. There’s your cheap and dirty munchies finished off with piss beer and then all the more â€Å"adult† parties where they take some time to make decent grub: gourmet sandwiches, tiny sirloin burgers, high-brow quesadillas, etc. If you get invited to one of these parties start counting your blessings! The food rocks no matter what though. And, while the game’s going it doesn’t matter if it’s the most fattening food in the known galaxy. Halftime Commercials Rule Corporations pull out all the stops, it’s madness! Throughout the rest of the year most commercials are like Super Villain fingernails carving words into chalk boards. Then suddenly, this one spellbinding game comes around and almost all the commercials are either super-deep thinker-pieces, or funny as hell. According to superbowl-commercials.org (yep, there’s a website for everything), here are a couple big hits from 2014: NSA – Smile, We Know When You’re Not (youtube.com/watch?v=NcAEjvT-Ri8#t=97) A commercial like this can only happen during a Super Bowl. AXE – Make Love, Not War (youtube.com/watch?v=UIecNEIaPao) It makes sense during the Super Bowl, everything does. Oh man, then you’ve got the halftime show, which, let’s be honest, is pretty hit or miss. Some years it’s dull or you’re laughing all over the place. But some years, wow, the show knocks your socks off and typically delivers some controversy to boot! In case you’re wondering, the Billboard list of the Best Half-Time shows claims these are the top 3 so far: Prince, in 2007: â€Å"But the explosive coda was Purple Rain, which had the stadium full of testosterone-pumped football fanatics waving their arms and howling in falsetto.† U2, in 2002: This was the mega-heart-wrenching tribute to 9/11 set when the wound was still very deep and fresh for the nation. Madonna, 2012: This got some pretty mixed reviews. But that’s the beauty of it, there are winners and losers in every aspect of the game, even in terms of entertainment. Rivalries Are Fun True, it’s not so cool when these rivalries get out of hand and people riot after football games. But to be honest, sports rivalries are much safer than wars, battles, revolutions, civil upheaval, geopolitical struggles, and all the other sorts of violent ways people create to release some steam. The Super Bowl let’s people who love the game really beat up a few pillows, scream at TVs, throw controllers, pull out a little hair, tear a jersey or two, and stomp around like they’ve got the last of their savings account riding on the game. Great Success Stories We follow NFL for the whole year. We know the players and all about them what coffee they drink, how their girlfriends look like and their football career, of course. We know the strengths and weaknesses of each team. And one day here they are on the field. The struggle begins. Each move counts. Each moment can be decisive. One big winning or a big failure. Fans rage. Thats the atmosphere where the legends are born. These stories are remembered and passed from generation to generation. These stories inspire. So, each Super Bowl is legendary and cant be missed for anything on earth. And that’s why we love the Super Bowl! Are there any reasons you like Super Bowl that we didnt mention! Agree or disagree with us in the comments!

Why Take the ACT 9 Important Reasons

Why Take the ACT 9 Important Reasons SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Standardized testingis not most people's idea of fun- quite the opposite actually. Why take the ACT, then?There are quite a few reasons, actually, and they range from the essentially necessary to the more elective. In this guide, we'll discuss what those reasons are, from college applications to job searching, as well as why the ACT may fit you better than the SAT. #1: Most Colleges Will Require Your Scores There are, indeed, some colleges that don't require scores- schools that are test-optional or even completely test-blind. That being said, most colleges want to see how you did on the SAT and/or ACT. Colleges will accept either one- you don't need to submit both unless you want to, and no college will dictate which you should send. Not taking the test, then, severely limits your options regarding the schools you can hope to attend. #2: There Are Score-Based Scholarships for the Winning Many colleges reward students with loads of tuition money, provided they can supply the appropriate test scores. Taking the ACT (and doing well on it) could actually lead to a full ride at some schools and generous scholarships at many other. Hopefully your scholarship money won't be meted out in single-dollar bills, either. #3: Some Jobs Require Your Test Scores This may seem odd, and it's certainly a newer trend. Still, some potential bosses want to see data from the SAT or ACT before they hire you. This doesn't just apply to test prep jobs, either; it applies to jobs in consulting and the financial sector, too. According to the Wall Street Journal, it's getting more common. How much better, then, to get it taken care of now, rather than scrambling to take the test when an employerasks for scores unexpectedly? (Answer: A lot better.) #4: The ACT Has a Science Section The SAT incorporates some scientific passages into the test, but there's no all-out science section. If science is your thing, then- if you're a total science whiz- use the ACT as an opportunity to shine! #5: The ACT Is Lighteron Algebra Than the SAT The ACT makes up for its relative lack of algebraic heft by shining the light on geometry and trigonometry more so than the SAT. This, then, is largely a matter of taste and your sense of preparedness. If you're not a fan of algebra, but you do really with geometry and trigonometry, opt for the ACT. #6: The ACT Permits Calculators Throughout the Math Test The SAT has a calculator portion and a no-calculator portion of the Math test. The no-calculator questions on the SAT are generally the kind a calculator wouldn't help much on anyway, but, still, if you really rely on having those buttons to push, the ACT is your test. This also applies if you simply dislike the kinds of calculations that you can do by hand. If you like crunching unwieldy numbers better than manipulating expressions by hand, go for the ACT! Make sure you're comfortable with that calculator, though! #7: The ACT Does Not Have Any Grid-Ins Student-produced response questions, or grid-ins, are the ones where you supply your own answer, as featured on the SAT. These questions don't exist on the ACT, meaning you always have answer choices handed to you to work with. #8: The Essay on the ACT Wants Your Opinion Well, technically, it doesn't care whose opinion you give, but you do need to argue a case by evaluating and analyzing complex issues of relevance to humanity and life as a whole. The SAT's essay, on the other hand, is all about reading comprehension and literary analysis. If you're a better debater than you are a literary detective, the ACT may be your test. #9: The ACT Is Required by Some States Any high schooler going to school in certain states will be required to take some form of the ACT, either with or without writing. There's not much choice to be had if you live in one of the states in question. Conclusion: Why Take the ACT? In this article, we've seen a number of reasons to take standardized tests, including keeping college options open, winning scholarships, and even appealing to potential employers. We've also looked at some reasons that the ACT may fit students better than the SAT, like the inclusion of a science section and the relative lack of emphasis on algebra. If you're going to take the ACT for any of these reasons, make sure you spend some time preparing. Your level of comfort will be much higher if you prepare ahead of time- and, most likely, your results will be better, too. What's Next? If you've decided that standardized testing is for you but aren't quite sold on the ACT, read a more dedicated discussion on which test might be right for you. Maybe youare sold on the ACT, though.Are you wondering what kind of score is going to get you where you want to go? Take a look at our guide to what qualifies as a good score- and why it's so subjective. You can also take a moment, if you're aiming for a perfect score, to read about how to get there. Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points? Download our free guide to the top 5 strategies you need in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically.

Information Sensitivity and Protection of Data (CASE) module 5 Essay

Information Sensitivity and Protection of Data (CASE) module 5 - Essay Example For instance, employers and organizations are putting more limitation on the accessibility of their information. In the long run, these organizations are suffering time management issues. In this cases, organizations have limited the access of information to physicians and nurses likewise. This limitation requires organizations to only authorize a few entities to information databases. For the physicians and nurses, flow of information changes from prompt and detailed to delayed and censored. The article defines the cost of unintended consequences from policies and other strategies (Jarrell et al. 2012). An interdisciplinary health care delivery can be defined through the consideration of the term interdisciplinary meaning integration of multiple disciplines or fields of expertise. Within the health care sector interdisciplinary health care delivery means the delivery of services by collaboration of multiple health care professionals. Normally health care professionals use interdisciplinary health care delivery when they are faced by multi-step medical intervention. This medical intervention plan may involve diagnosis by a doctor, tests by a lab technician, prescriptions by a physician, and administration of care by nurses. In this case, the flow of information starts from the first professional to see the patient down to the one offering care. The advantages of using interdisciplinary health care delivery include professional intervention by experts on specific areas of the intervention. This ensures accuracy and best practice ensuring that all parties provide timely and relevant i ntervention input coinciding with their qualifications (Hinegardner, 2003). The law of unintended consequences is an idiomatic warming that informs administrative bodies that their strategies and policies have the potential of leading to undesired or unintended results. With application to the health care sector, the law of unintended

Criminology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Criminology - Essay Example However, more recent theories seek to front crime as caused by a multiplicity of causes, most of them inherent in the larger society. As per Croall (9), there is no one way of looking at crime in society that can fully explain why crime usually takes place. More so, Croall asserts that â€Å"there is no clear cut history of which have predominated in distinct periods although some have more resonance at particular historical moment† Sociological theories explain crime as caused by disconnect within society and/or lack of core tenets of moral living. The major sub-theories within sociological explanation of crime include strain theory, labeling theory, control theory, social theory, and critical theories. All these sociological theories tend to explain crime in the context of the social environment that essentially includes the family, work places, the school, and other areas of the community that people tend to live in and interact. The only way that these theories seem to dif fer is in the way they focus on different aspects of the social environment occupied. While some focus on individual differences in crime, others tend to look at crime as a larger end-product of group differences in society. They later try to look at distinction in criminal activities in distinct communities so as to explain the causes inherent in the neighborhood with a higher crime rate that are absent or minimal in the areas with lower crime rates. A new frontier in crime causation, however, seeks to combine a number of the above theories, thus creating integrated theories. According to Arrigo (17), this theory, in essence, shows a link between several of the sociological causes giving rise to crime causation. Sociological theorists, however, portray crime as result of the social environment within which individuals correlate with others. This is shown clearly in the sub-theories of sociological theory as evident below. Strain Theory Strain theory as sociological theory of crime causation explains crime as a product of the pressure imposed on individuals or groups in order to achieve certain goals. When people become upset, they might take part in criminal activities to offload their stress. In addition, they might take such step in order to try to free themselves from the strain they are going through. For instance, if other people constantly bully someone, he/she might take it off on a weaker target, or one might resort to theft to reduce financial pressures (Goode & Yehuda, 1994 p 97). An earlier proponent of the strain theory was Robert K. Merton who came up with a paradigm where crime causation is explained as occurring or taking place due to a blockade between institutional means of achieving cultural goals. Merton further elaborates the institutionalized means as education leading to a good job while the cultural goals are money, family, and a status in society. Robert K. Merton deviance typology Merton came up with the typology to show the various r elationships between institutionalized means and culturally accepted goals. The first group, according to Merton (1968), is that of those who accept both the institutionalized means and the culturally accepted goals. They are the conformists who struggle to attain the goals by following the means prescribed by society. The second group is that of the innovators.

The Second Amendment Essay Example for Free

The Second Amendment Essay America has given many rights and has offered protection to US citizens. Like the second amendment states, â€Å"The right of people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. † However many riots and shootings have recently broke out in the last couple of years. So therefore the right to bear arms has been taken advantage of and as lead to many malicious events like The Columbine Shootings, Virginia Tech, Aurora Shooting, and New Town Shootings. In 1999, a failed bombing which turned into a shooting occurred at Columbine High School. This event is known as the Columbine Shootings in which two high school seniors, by the name of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, were involved. According to an article â€Å"7 Myths about the Columbine Shooting† by Trevin Wax, both convicts seemed like regular teenagers that, â€Å"attended football games, dances, and school plays†¦ [they were not] part of a street gang or known to dress in gothic style,† but they had been arrested a couple of months before for stealing. They also seemed to be part of the Trench Coat Mafia, which were a group of students dressed in black coats that were against school bullies. Since Eric and Dylan were targets of bullying, they both decided on a plan to get revenge on the people who were mean to them last year. So for that whole year, both teenagers gathered up materials to carry out their plan. They had been researching, building pipe bombs, and purchasing guns from their older friends who were unaware of what the consequences could lead to. Their plan for revenge was to blow up Columbine’s cafeteria by placing â€Å"explosives to kill about 100 people. † However that was not enough for their plan. They decided that once the explosives go off inside the school, they would be waiting outside and shoot the remaining students and teachers that would come out of the school, trying to escape. However, everything didn’t go as they expected. The bombs that they had placed inside school never went off, so therefore Eric and Dylan just decided to go in and shoot whoever they could. They had no specific range; everyone was a target to them. After killing twelve students, one teacher, and injuring 24 others, Eric and Dylan pointed their weapons towards hemselves and committed suicide. They were both found dead on the floor, fully armed, and with their explosives around them. According to Eric and Dylan’s journals, they didn’t expect to come out of there alive. They knew they would end up dead from either police bullets or by their own hand. So committing suicide or ending up dead was part of their risky plan. The Columbine Shooting in April of 1999 is one of the most violent and memorable shootings to occur in American’s high school. It is heart-breaking to see how far bullying can reach to. Because Eric and Dylan had such high temper, they felt as if they needed to get revenge on everybody who ever brought their confidence down by killing them, and illegal weapons were their first reaction. Even though teenagers aren’t allowed to purchase guns, Eric and Dylan had access to them due to irresponsible private gun sellers. Now a day, people are trying to argue that placing restrictions on the 2nd amendment is against the US Constitution and that it’s violating their rights. However risky behaviors and actions, like the Columbine Shootings have shown that restrictions over gun control are needed for safety reasons due to the fact that it has gotten out of control. Society, in the few previous years, has shown how they cannot be trusted with illegal weapons. If every single person owned a gun in the US, then this country would not be a safe place to live in. When an individual is mad, they usually react in a violent way and can make irresponsible decisions, like pull out a gun on somebody. So placing restrictions on the right to bear arms is necessary. The government should make it clear that the second amendment was written for self-defense and not to motivate society to kill each other. Another event that will forever be etched in the memory of all Americans is the day of April 16th, 2007. On April 16th, 2007 32 people lost their life’s and 17 others were left severely injured in the hands of the gunmen Seung-Hui Cho. Today this incident is known as the Virginia Tech Shootings. The Virginia Tech shooting is known as the deadliest mass murder by single gunmen. The event happened as follows: The first killings began at 7: 15 a. . in West Ambler Johnston Residence Hall, two people in the same dorm as Cho, were the victims. At 9:26, more than two hours after the first killings began did the school decide to notify the students via email that the shootings had occurred. By that time it was too late for the students and teachers having class to escape the fury of Cho. Cho chained the doors shut in the building known as Norris Hall; he also decided to leave a bomb threat if anyone decides to come in. The shootings took place on the second floor of the building. The second shooting left 30 people left and over fifteen injured. The victims were caught off guard and killed by a senseless act of evil. After the damage had been done the police break into Norris Hall, police officers not only find the bodies of the victims but they also find the body of the perpetrator. Cho had taken his own life after noticing that the officers were coming into the building. With the killer dead many questions of why the massacre took place were left unanswered. As it turns out Cho mailed a package to the NBC network between the first and the second shooting. The package contained many irrelevant towards the massacre that is except one letter. That letter basically said that he was tired of the rich kids around him; he blames them for what took place. Cho also compares himself as being like Eric and Dylan from the Columbine Shootings. Ironically like Eric and Dylan Cho also went through bullying as a teen himself. In fact Cho was considered mentally ill, but when applying to Virginia Tech he did not inform the school about his special needs. Virginia Tech is a perfect of how The Second Amendment has failed to do what it was intended to do. As stated before The Second Amendment clearly states as follows: A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. † Most people will interpret The Second Amendment differently than what it truly was meant to mean. A lot of people are very protective of their right to bear arms but the truth of the matter is that the second amendment was meant to prevent the government from becoming a threat to society. The Second Amendment has allowed almost anyone to be in possession of a gun and in return has caused deadly massacres to ccur. It is obvious that Cho was mentally ill yet he was not denied the right to have a gun. The second Amendment was made to fit the time period of 1791 and it should respectively be altered to today’s day and time. It is not fair to the public to be on guard all of the time in case of another mass shooting. There should be extensive background checks in order for a person to come in contact with a gun. No mentally ill person or any criminal should be allowed to be in possession of any firearms for the safety of everyone around them. The Second Amendment should not be omitted but it definitely needs to be altered in order to prevent any extensive damage than what has already been done. Gun Control laws are desperately needed to stop these crimes from taking over. In 2012 the Aurora and Newtown Shootings, to name a few, have taken the life of innocent people. The Second Amendment has done the opposite of what it was originally meant to do, which was just for defense. How many more Newtown’s and Columbines need to happen in order to see the reality. The NRA (National Rifle Association) needs to be aware of the intensity of the situations that are taking place. Omitting the Second Amendment would be against the Constitution yet altering it for the safety of the public is not. Gun Control is a crucial thing and not unconstitutional! Another example of why The Second Amendment has failed to do what it was intended to do is the incident now known as the Aurora shooting. On July 20, 2012, a mass shooting occurred at a movie theater during a midnight screening of the dark knight rise, in Aurora, Colorado. Killed 12 people and leaving 58 injured. The police identified him James Eagan Holmes, as the shooter. It is said that he bought a ticket and entered the theater. He sat in the front row and after 20 min into the film he exited the building through an emergency exit door and kept it slightly open with a rock. Then to return 30 min later into the film around 12:38, the police say, from his car that was parked near the exit door, he changed into protective gear wearing a gas mask. The audience didn’t at first considered him a threat because they assumed he was wearing a costume also like the others that dress up for the screening. Some also thought that he was playing a prank or he was part of a special effects installation set up for the films premiere as a publicity stunt. The gunman then threw a canister releasing a gas obscuring the audiences’ vision. He then started to fire a shot gun, semi-automatic rifle and finally a Glock 22 handgun at the audience, first at the back, then toward the people in the aisles. Around 12:45 am, police detained Holmes behind the cinema next to his car. He even told the police that his apartment was booby-trapped with explosive devices, so if anyone tried to open his door, the entire apartment would explode. James Holmes was described by those that knew him as a doctoral student, who was quiet and responsible; an image that confuses us with the man that opened fire at the movie theater. Holmes was a scholarship student who attended the University of California, Riverside, in 2006 and graduated with highest honors with a bachelor’s degree in 2010, later enrolling at University of Colorado School of medicine, as a doctoral candidate. The university police state that they have no record of having contact with him but only for a speedy summons. The biggest mystery around the 24-year-old doctoral student was why he did it, as a police allege. Holmes didn’t appear to have any social media contact. A along time neighbor told the authorities that he was to believe that he were just a â€Å"normal kid†. â€Å"You would never guess he was a violent guy,† Mitchell said describing Holmes as a â€Å"nerdish† and â€Å"a book-smart type guy. † Lynne Fenton, a psychiatrist who treated accused Colorado theater gunman James Holmes, stated that Holmes made a remark on June 11, about fantasizing about killing â€Å"a lot of people,† six weeks before the shooting. He rejected the offer to be confined for 72 hours. No one knew that he was actually mentally ill other than the psychiatrist that treated him. After the shooting the Colorado gun sales spiked, with number of background checks for those who seek to purchase a firearm, the increased also occurred in Washington, Florida, California and Georgia. The shooting reignited the political debate on gun control with one of the issues being â€Å"easy Access. † â€Å"There is a common thread that we see in these massacres,† said State Representative Rhonda Fields, a Democrat from Aurora who sponsored both pieces of legislation and whose son was shot to death in 2005. They’re using high-capacity magazines so they can unleash as many bullets as they can, to kill as many people as they can, in our schools, our theaters and our churches. † It is sad that as a country we have come to the point of self destruction. We have seen over the years the violence getting worse there need to be some kind of stop to it all, somekind of control taken by the government. The right to bear arms has now effected the new generation. About three months ago there was a shooting in Newtown Connecticut at Sandy Hook Elementary school . A act done in revenge to Adam Lanza mother, ended up killing twenty children and six adults. On December 14, 2012 a gun man named Adam Lanza came into sandy hook elementary and began to open fire towards the classrooms . The principle ran out once she heard gunshots once Lanza spotted them he then approached them and killed them. He then made his way into the office while an office administration was on the intercom telling the kids and faculty to take cover. He makes his way in and shoots them and all the kids hear it. He then makes his way into a first grade class where there was a sub and although she attempted to hide the children he killed all of the students besides a six year old girl. It has been told that the only way the little girl made it thru the shooting was playing died and stayed still till she heard no nose. The gunman then went into another first grade class with a teacher by the name of Victoria told the gun man that her kid where in the auditorium. Many of the kids ran out of the hiding place trying to escape the room and Lanza the shot them dead. Out of that class only six children were able to escape. Many of the teachers and faculty along with kids had a near death experience. One of the teachers saw two kids in the hallway on their way to the office and pulled those kids to safety. Along with the Liberian helping saved fourteen kids life by putting them in a lock that had a door that no one could get in without the lock. Although most of the kids and faculty was in first grades this sad day took a toll on not only the school, city but the whole nation. After this many students did not feel safe going back to school as parents were scared to send them back. The debate over whether to enhance restrictions on firearms has become a contentious focal point of state legislative sessions around the country this year. The Aurora shooting is a perfect example on how restrictions on gun control would have helped prevent anything related to that matter from ever happening. Yes although the second amendment states we have the right to bear there should be gun control laws that prevent any mentally ill person from purchasing any fire arms. If that had taken place Virginia Tech, Newtown and the Aurora Theater shooting would have been prevented.