Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 11

Analysis - Essay Example Verification of requirements will ensure that people define them correctly. This will imply that they will be of acceptable quality. The institute should ensure that the management effectively revises the various requirements that defective. The management should assign a business analyst the role of ensuring that the requirements are ready for review by customers. They should also ensure that they contain all information that workers require for further work (Carkenord 36). The institute should verify both input and output requires for efficient results to attain efficient results. The main purpose of validate requirements is to ensure that the various requirements support delivery of value to an entity, fulfill its goals, and meet the needs of stakeholders. Brisbane Institute of Art (BIA) should validate requirements to ensure that stakeholders, solution, and transition requirements are in line with the requirements of business. The management should come up with assumptions concerning customers and stakeholders response on the services they offer. This will enable them to acquire vital information concerning the introduction of the unprecedented product or service (Carkenord 42). The institute should define an evaluation criterion that is measurable. The evaluation criteria should show whether the resulting change is successful. This criterion will indicate performance and thus ensuring that one chooses an appropriate criterion. This refers to the value that a solution delivers and which meets the scope of solution. In case a solution does not give either direct or indirect value to stakeholders, then they should eliminate it. There are requirements that have value to stakeholders and not desirable part of a solution. The management of the institution should consider the opportunity cost that would arise in investing in this institution. Opportunity cost is the benefit that one accrues as a

Bernard Arnault And His Duality Pioneering Act Of Lvmh Essay

Bernard Arnault And His Duality Pioneering Act Of Lvmh - Essay Example Global firms have the whole world as its market field that they can offer a wide array of products and services - firms keep growing while others downsize or rightsize. One aspect of globalization is that firms can assign departmental functions, such as marketing, finance, operations, human resource management, and accounting to other firms – this is known as outsourcing. Global firms use many different structural forms in dealing with globalization. They can use the horizontal structure which is made easier with the availability of the internet and Information Technology. It is still possible with the old structure, i.e., the vertical structure where the top echelon of the organization can dictate or take hold of the reins of business even if they are in the other side of the world. Whether we see this as positive or negative, globalization has change the world in terms of commerce and trade and how we see the world in different perspectives.After the world economic downturn, some of Europe’s giant firms have continued to keep watch the playing arena of businesses in terms of acquisitions and mergers. They have turned their eyes on the emerging markets of China, India and other countries of Asia. This is because these emerging markets survived and made remarkable steps during the financial crisis. And this is one of the reasons why Bernard Arnault, who is believed to be Europe’s wealthiest man, has shifted business focus to Asia, particularly the emerging markets of China and India.... This is because these emerging markets survived and made remarkable steps during the financial crisis. And this is one of the reasons why Bernard Arnault, who is believed to be Europe’s wealthiest man, has shifted business focus to Asia, particularly the emerging markets of China and India. Combine these two countries in terms of population, you have approximately one third of the world’s peoples who have the urge and the motivation to buy consumer products. In China, particularly Shanghai, the motivation is on luxury products, which is why Bernard Arnault has his own ambassador there in the person of John Galliano. Arnault has made business trips using his private jet to wherever he wants to promote the latest of his treasured bags and perfumes. He has made instant visits to places as far as Morocco not only to promote but to measure how much profits the company has earned there. 2. Background of Bernard Arnault and LVMH Bernard Arnault is not only Europe’s weal thiest businessman with an estimated worth of $39 billion, he is a multi-talented and product-oriented artist. He has acquired brands from bags to perfume and has made corporate acquisitions one after another. He describes his quest for perfection as a ‘duality’ which should be reinforced immediately with â€Å"timelessness and utmost modernity†. His desire to acquire businesses is not only motivated by finances but by his dream to infuse art on commerce (or commerce on art). And he is doing this because he believes he is doing it for France and the people who patronize LVMH. His modernity and art includes a collection of modern and contemporary art which will soon be housed in a grand museum designed by Frank Gehry, which Arnault has

A Study of the Predictors of Persistence in Stalking Situations Essay

A Study of the Predictors of Persistence in Stalking Situations - Essay Example The literature review builds up the idea that will lead to searching for the importance of finding which stalkers are more likely to provide important information regarding how clinicians might deal with perpetrators and victims. In other words, the literature review establishes the idea that will link stalking to the creation or formulation of violence in the long run. Aside from the idea of understanding its psychological implications and other relevant-linked ideas, stalking has been viewed a very important concept that calls for more meaningful understanding because of its associated perceived violence. In general, the literature review is therefore establishing the point that will allow the readers to understand the prevailing ideas or research studies that might help them link stalking to the actual creation of violence. In other words, it is much convenient to say that the literature review tries to collect the relevant point of views that might pave the way for showcasing the actual problem statement of the study. The research study’s problem statement is about finding an estimate that will lead to knowing which stalkers are likely to persist longest as this is important to clinicians dealing with both perpetrators and victims. ... Stalking as already stated is associated with violence. This means that understanding things concerning stalking is just a way of being acquainted more to things about its perceived violence. Not everyone who stalks might be harmful or will result to emancipate violence at some point. That is why it is necessary to understand the characteristics of stalkers and their behavior that might be associated with increased persistence. Increased persistence might be viewed to have significant association with violence. For this reason, there is a point of conducting this research study as far as knowing what eventually will lead to violence in the context of stalking is concerned. Violence has been a long-standing problem in the society and a great area of concern within the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system is always trying to improve or find some effective means in order to deal this matter effectively. Stalking together with the characteristics of the stalkers is anothe r important issue for consideration, as far as enhancing the justice system remains as a certain goal that requires more effective scientific approach at some certain point. Qualitative data were generated from the target respondents who were patients with stalking offense. These data were acquired based on the authors’ evaluation and therefore will eventually be categorized under the level of subjective judgment. The data were collected from 180 out of the 200 stalkers in the sample. The referral information and police report as collateral information was gathered from the records of the target respondents. Psychological tests and evaluations were further initiated among the respondents in order to record probable manifestations of mental disorder, and other relevant

Bernard Arnault And His Duality Pioneering Act Of Lvmh Essay

Bernard Arnault And His Duality Pioneering Act Of Lvmh - Essay Example Global firms have the whole world as its market field that they can offer a wide array of products and services - firms keep growing while others downsize or rightsize. One aspect of globalization is that firms can assign departmental functions, such as marketing, finance, operations, human resource management, and accounting to other firms – this is known as outsourcing. Global firms use many different structural forms in dealing with globalization. They can use the horizontal structure which is made easier with the availability of the internet and Information Technology. It is still possible with the old structure, i.e., the vertical structure where the top echelon of the organization can dictate or take hold of the reins of business even if they are in the other side of the world. Whether we see this as positive or negative, globalization has change the world in terms of commerce and trade and how we see the world in different perspectives.After the world economic downturn, some of Europe’s giant firms have continued to keep watch the playing arena of businesses in terms of acquisitions and mergers. They have turned their eyes on the emerging markets of China, India and other countries of Asia. This is because these emerging markets survived and made remarkable steps during the financial crisis. And this is one of the reasons why Bernard Arnault, who is believed to be Europe’s wealthiest man, has shifted business focus to Asia, particularly the emerging markets of China and India.... This is because these emerging markets survived and made remarkable steps during the financial crisis. And this is one of the reasons why Bernard Arnault, who is believed to be Europe’s wealthiest man, has shifted business focus to Asia, particularly the emerging markets of China and India. Combine these two countries in terms of population, you have approximately one third of the world’s peoples who have the urge and the motivation to buy consumer products. In China, particularly Shanghai, the motivation is on luxury products, which is why Bernard Arnault has his own ambassador there in the person of John Galliano. Arnault has made business trips using his private jet to wherever he wants to promote the latest of his treasured bags and perfumes. He has made instant visits to places as far as Morocco not only to promote but to measure how much profits the company has earned there. 2. Background of Bernard Arnault and LVMH Bernard Arnault is not only Europe’s weal thiest businessman with an estimated worth of $39 billion, he is a multi-talented and product-oriented artist. He has acquired brands from bags to perfume and has made corporate acquisitions one after another. He describes his quest for perfection as a ‘duality’ which should be reinforced immediately with â€Å"timelessness and utmost modernity†. His desire to acquire businesses is not only motivated by finances but by his dream to infuse art on commerce (or commerce on art). And he is doing this because he believes he is doing it for France and the people who patronize LVMH. His modernity and art includes a collection of modern and contemporary art which will soon be housed in a grand museum designed by Frank Gehry, which Arnault has

Environment on Darfur After the Conflict Essay Example for Free

Environment on Darfur After the Conflict Essay The world has experienced a lot of conflicts for quite a long time throughout history. All the time there is a conflict, the damages caused is mostly documented in terms of how many casualties have been reported, and the impact it has caused on the economy. It is however rare to hear people talking on the effects these conflicts can have on the natural environment or which steps have been taken to protect the natural environment from such conflicts. The natural environment for a long time has been a silent victim of the conflicts that occurs either locally or internationally leaving the repercussions to be felt for quite some time. In many cases, the impact the war and other conflicts have been having on the environment has been generally very devastating. There are many pollutants that are released in the environment during the war which can end up affecting the natural resources. On the other hand, there are other natural resources that are depleted during the conflict leaving the environment at a worse position. A major problem is that most of the current conflicts are witnessed in the developing countries which do not have the economic capacity to deal with the environmental problems hence causing a major setback. Africa has had quite long cases of civil wars some which started during the colonial period and still taking place to now. These countries have been mostly been fighting over the borders which were drawn by the colonial powers for their on interests. Most of the wars taking place in Africa are as a cause of fighting for natural resources such as fertile farming land or water. Due to the long history of these civil wars in Africa, it is difficult to know exactly what these conflicts have caused to the environment. However, looking at the rate of the loss of biodiversity in the affected regions, it can be easy to realize how serious the situation has left the damage to the environment. Darfur Conflict and the Impact It Has Caused on the Environment Southern Sudan has witnessed along civil war that has caused many nations through the United Nations body and the African unity to try and broker peace in the region and bring things to the normal situation. The conflict that is being witnessed in the region right now is considered as a war between the different ethnic and tribal lines (IRIN, para 2). The sides that are mostly conflicting are the government’s military and the Janjaweed group. There are other rebel groups that have also made the situation to be worse. The major cause of the war in Sudan has been attributed to fighting for water between the Baggara nomads who moved to the south, a region mostly occupied by the farming communities to search for water. This conflict has led to many casualties being reported throughout. Despite putting in place a government of national unity, and increasing the presence of the African Union Peace keepers, the situation has not improved in any way (Borger, para 2). There have been many reasons given as a source to the Darfur conflict, though the major reasons have been cited to be the increasing population which the current natural resources can not hold, hence making these people to fight for the scarce resources. On the other hand, there have been claims that the conflict is as a result of the Arab dominants intention to wipe out the black Africans. This has even made the United States to refer to this as a form of genocide in the area. Whichever the cause of the war, it has caused so many untold damages. The focus on this conflict has always been the number of people who have died in the region, or the number of those displaced. It is important that people’s life and welfare is put first. This is what has been the major concern of many bodies, organizations and other nations. However, like many other conflicts, little concern has put on what effect this conflict is causing to the environment (AP, para 6). As earlier argued, the war in Sudan was triggered by the environmental problems which led to the communities to fight over scarce resources. It is however a worrying trend that the continued conflict is further endangering the environment that is supposed to support the whole population. The environment has been made worse by this conflict and made the land to become uninhabitable. This means that the tension between the conflicting communities gets to be more intense when it occurs that the natural resources are not going to support all of them as expected (Beyrer, Pizer pp 67). Environmental degradation in Darfur has been on the rise due to the continued conflict. It means that the conflict that started as a result of the environmental problems is being escalated by destroying the environment further. The issues in Sudan over the environment indicate how complex the environmental matters can be in the causing breach to peace. This region has witnessed the decreased cases of traditional methods of environmental management systems, and in some places being disregarded completely. The conflict over resources in Darfur was at a local level but expanded to national level where political and economic marginalization was heightened. Ethnic differences have contributed to making the matters worse to the situation. Therefore, despite having the political and economic factors leading to the problems in Darfur, the major issue surrounds natural resources (de Montesquiou, para 8). The Sudanese Arabs moved to the south to look for pasture for their animals due to the prolonged drought that was experienced in their regions. This led to them conflicting with the black farmers whose land the Arabs were grazing on. The grazing of the animals on the farming land worsened the situation as there was increased soil erosion which made land to be poor for farming. When the black farmers realized that the Khartoum government was indifferent in solving the matter, they rebelled against them. By rebelling, the people started to fight destroying many manmade and natural resources that were on the way (Borger, para 7). When the nomads inhabited the farming areas, they started to cut down the trees. To the farmers, the cut trees were very important as they provided shade for their crops and holding together the soil to avoid erosion. Due to the conflict of interest, these important natural resources were destroyed as they were caught in between the fighting. With no trees cover, the problem of lack of rainfall becomes even heightened, which is a big trouble to both the farmers and the nomads since they cannot be able to get rain that is important for the crops and animals respectively. Due to the bare land caused by the cutting of the trees, it has become harder for the farmers at the refugee camps to go back to their homes as they can not carry out any meaningful activities to such bare lands. With this kind of the situation, it becomes difficult to control human suffering without further harm to the environment (HPN, para 3) Many people have been killed in the conflict while millions of others have been living in the camps after being left homeless. At the camps, the refugees need to be given their basic needs. Water is a very important commodity that no human beings can do without. In fact as argued throughout, the conflict has been surrounding fighting for water resources. Therefore, while at the camps, the refugees have to be provided with water. This has led to the humanitarian organizations to dig boreholes to help the refugees get water. Considering that the land in Darfur is largely dominated by hard rocks, it means that the rains that fall in the short season mostly wash away, hence, the boreholes depends on the underground reserves. Considering the rate at which the reserves are being used, it is tough to imagine the consequences that await the Darfur people when the reserves will finally be depleted. The situation might lead to the refugees being moved to another region that can support them. There are already some areas that have reported the drying up of the boreholes. Apart from water, the refugees also need other resources for their daily work. There have been many trees that have been cut by the refugees near the camps to provide them with firewood. The trees are also cut and used to construct and reinforce the makeshift houses of the refugees. This implies that trees are being used at a higher rate than they are being replaced. There are some refugees who are involved in some economic activities. The common economic activity that the refugees are involved with is making mud bricks. The refugees are involved with this activity mostly because it does not need skilled labor, and the materials are readily available. A lot of water is usually used in the making of the bricks. A lot of water is used considering the dryness on most of the camp soils. Furthermore, since the refugees want to make a lot of money, they try to make as many bricks as possible. The more work they do, the many materials are required. The areas that the soil for making the bricks is dug usually leaves many holes indicating the rate at which the soil is being depleted. The formation of a layer of soil takes many years, however, the refugees depletes many layers in a very short time. It is very bad to notice that the fertile soils that can be used for agricultural production is actually used for the making bricks. These soils can not be replenished in the short run as it is being depleted. In the areas that the refugees remove the soils to make the bricks, they leave the tree roots exposed which contributes to the wilting of the trees (Homer-Dixon, pp 19). Therefore, this still adds the woes the refuges already have. Furthermore, since to make the bricks requires a lot of water, it means that the refugees have to compete on how to use the water for the domestic work and the production of the bricks. In the end, the action contributes to the hastened depletion of the water resources. The bricks cannot be complete if they have not been burnt in the kiln. The kiln requires using a lot of firewood. This means several trees have to be felled to be used in the kiln. One kiln can take as many as 35 trees for the bricks to be ready. This shows the impact this single activity can have on the important natural resources. There have been increased sand dunes in the areas that had once been covered by trees just a few years ago. This is all because of the refugees activities in trying to earn a living. Most of the dams in Sudan are drying and having a lot of sedimentation as a result of deforestation. Many dams have lost their holding capacity due to these reasons (HPN, para 8). Once the war comes to an end as is presupposed, the refugees will have to go back to their homes to start a new life. They will first need to rebuild their damaged homes, which will basically require that they cut more trees to build these homes. Considering the already cut trees in their former homes, there are therefore no trees left behind to cater for their needs. This implies the building materials will have to be sourced somewhere else, which automatically will be increasing the base of the damage to other regions. Having realized the impact the conflict is leading to the refugees affecting the environment, especially on trees, several organizations like the US aid have helped the refugees to design the cooking stoves that uses a completely reduced amount of fuel as a way of the saving the environment. This stoves though taken as a move to save the environment, it has a big impact on the social and cultural life (de Montesquiou, para 11). Since the conflict is between two ethnic groups with two distinct lifestyles, each group undertakes an activity that they think will destroy the other. For instance, the nomads usually graze their animals on the farmers’ crops. This leaves the farmers with nothing as their crops are destroyed by the animals. On the other hand, the farmers on their side burn the grazing lands for the nomads. This is even a worse action to take as it does not only affect the nomads in terms of lacking food, but it affects the farmers themselves in that the burning of the ground destroys the important living organisms that are found in the soil which helps in improving the soil fertility. This means that the soil is left unproductive which will affect both the nomads and the farmers in the long run. Furthermore, the nomads are used to grazing their animals and moving from one region to another after the feeds in that area have reduced. However, due to the conflict, the migration routes for the nomads were blocked by the farmers. This made it impossible for the nomads to move from one region to another with their animals, hence meaning overgrazing in one region. The overgrazed areas will generally have very poor production as there will be increased soil erosion (Homer-Dixon, pp 29). In general, humanitarian issues are usually given much priority over the environment as a short term solution to any crisis. Therefore, whatever actions that are taken by the involved bodies do not give much or even any consideration to the environment. For instance, when the refugee camps are set up, it is aimed at providing security and a better life to the refugees. No consideration is put on what activities the refugees are going to carry out that might affect the environment whether in the long or short run. This is being evidenced by the number of boreholes drying up in various refugee camps (HPN, para 16). There are hundreds of thousands of the Darfur refugees who have been granted asylum in Chad. The Chadian locals are thus forced to compete for the natural resources in their territory with the refugees. Putting in mind the activities the refugees are engaged with, and the major aims of the organization that are associated with the taking care of the refugees which are just humanitarian care, the refugees can have a very big impact on the environment of the host country. The refugees in the camps hopes for someday to go back home. This implies they cannot have long term projects that will help in the development and taking care of the region that has granted them asylum. This might make them to be at loggerheads with the host country and thus be denied the asylum (Gouroukoun, para 7). Furthermore, as the refugees enter the Chadian soil, it is not guaranteed that they have their safety. The Janjaweed have been following the refugees in their camps attacking them. This has also posed danger to the Chadian nationals making them to move closer to where there is security in their country. In essence, the Chadian people are not even free in their own land because of hosting the refugees. As the Chadian moves to the place they feel is more secure, they also cause congestion and constraint to the resources that are supposed to host them. There are many other effects that the conflict has caused to the environment. As the conflict rages on, both sides are heavily armed. The weapons used to attack one group leave a lot of damages to the environment. For instance, there have been many crops, homesteads and the grazing grounds for each group that have been burnt by the opposing group. The oils and chemicals used to burn these properties, and the residue of the burnt products find their ways into the water bodies contaminating them. This on the other hand affects the lives in the water bodies. Furthermore, as the crisis continues, weapons used like bombs have continued to pollute the environment and their effect left in the environment for along time affecting the quality of life. It is very difficult to find crops growing in a region that has experienced a battle field. This is because of the effect that the weapons and chemicals used in the process have on the environment. It is common to find that the areas that had been bombed can not sustain any agricultural activity. It thus means that as the communities fight over the scarce natural resources and keep on destroying them during the fight, it only helps in escalating the problem they are already facing (Homer-Dixon, pp 41). The Janjaweed and the other militias in the Darfur conflict are always in the hideout. Most of the hideouts are in the forests. This implies that they have to depend so much on the forests for their own needs. For instance, they have to cut down the trees to use for fuel, hunt wild animals for food, and all these activities upsets the natural environment settings. There are many regions that used to be occupied by trees and wild animals like the elephants and the antelopes but when looked at now are bare because of the activities that have been taking place in the regions. Conclusion The Darfur crisis has actually been said to have started for over three decades ago. However, it only escalated in 2003 when the current crisis became out of control. The major cause of the war has been attributed to lack of enough natural resources. The problem is that because the fights were due to the protection and the need to acquire more natural resources, it is ironical that the same resources are being destroyed. In essence, this seems to increase the problems already faced. This has created the vicious cycle of the war in the Darfur region. Therefore, unless the concerned bodies look for a way of dealing with the problem of these natural resources, it is not possible to stop this war despite the many peace agreements that might be signed by the leaders of the region. Work Cited AP. Darfur conflict worsens environment, 2007. Retrieved on October 29, 2008 from http://platform. blogs. com/passionofthepresent/2007/06/darfur-conflict. html. Beyrer, Chris Pizer, Hank. Public Health and Human Rights: Evidence-based Approaches; ISBN 0801886465, JHU Press, 2007. Borger, Julian. Darfur conflict heralds era of wars triggered by climate change, UN report warns, 2007. Retrieved on October 29, 2008 from http://www. guardian. co. uk/environment/2007/jun/23/sudan. climatechange. de Montesquiou, Alfred. Darfur violence leaves environmental scars, 2007. Retrieved on October 29, 2008 from http://www. msnbc. msn. com/id/19357602/. IRIN. SUDAN: Climate change only one cause among many for Darfur conflict, 2007. Retrieved on October 29, 2008 from http://www. globalsecurity. org/military/library/news/2007/06/mil-070628-irin03. htm. Gouroukoun. Chadians Increasingly Feel Impact of Darfur Conflict, 2006. Retrieved on October 29, 2008 from http://www. voanews. com/english/archive/2006-04/2006-04-21-voa44. cfm. Homer-Dixon, F. Thomas. Environment, Scarcity, and Violence; ISBN 0691089795, Princeton University Press, 2001. HPN. Environmental degradation and conflict in Darfur: implications for peace and recovery, 2008. Retrieved on October 29, 2008 from http://www. alertnet. org/thenews/newsdesk/HPN/10adb58d76337a4eb2b436c319bf427e. htm.

Marketing Mix For Volkswagen Brand Marketing Essay

Marketing Mix For Volkswagen Brand Marketing Essay The Volkswagen Group is one of the worlds leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmakers in Europe. Company owns ten car brands from seven European countries : Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, SKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN. Besides automotive industry, company operates also in financial sector. Every car brand operates as independent unit with unique portfolio. Products are differentiated from low-consumption small cars to luxury one. Commercial vehicle sector offers ranges from pick-ups to buses made by Volkswagen and heavy trucks made by MAN and Scania. Firm has 94 production plants around entire Europe and 8 in the Americas, Africa and Asia. Labour power is estimated to 501,956 workers worldwide and production to 34,500 vehicles every single day. The Volkswagen Group exists in 153 countries so far. TASK 1 A  business  strategy  typically is a document that clearly articulates the direction a  business  will pursue and the steps it will take to achieve its goals. In a standard  business  plan, the  business strategy  results from goals established to support the stated mission of the  business. A typical business  strategy  is developed in three steps: analysis, integration and implementation. In the analysis step of  business  strategy  development, one of several methods is used to analyze a firms market, resources, obstacles to success and specific advantages. The goal of strategic analysis  is to identify what a  business  wants to accomplish, the strengths it can bring to bear on accomplishing the goal and weaknesses that need to be addressed prior to integration and implementation. Strategic assessment methodologies can include evaluating the  business  environment, gaming various competitive scenarios, determining what market forces are at work and rating competitors, among others. Integrating a  business  strategy  usually is one of many steps in a larger  business planning process. A  business  plan begins with an overall vision. From the vision, a  mission statement for the  business  is constructed, usually the shorter and more precise the better. A mission leads to specific goals the  business  will achieve to accomplish its mission and that in turn leads to  strategy  to achieve goals. Specific tactics are usually then developed to support the business  strategy. Porters five forces model illustrated in Figure below helps to measure the industrys attractiveness by examining the threat of new competitors and substitutes, the 13 bargaining power of buyers and suppliers and the degree of rivalry between existing competitors. (Porter 1984, 24) Porters five forces emphasizes the external scanning which indicates the opportunities and threats in the markets.(Wheeler Hunger 2006) An opportunity or threat could be events or trends that may affect the company in a positive or negative way when certain strategic actions are followed. (Aaker 1995, 21) These five forces shape the attractiveness of an industry and particularly that the company can make use of these five forces to gain sustainable competitive advantage in the market of competition. This influences the barriers of entry in the industry which includes issue like companys economic size, the product differentiation, demand for capital, and access to supply chain etc. (Porter 1984, 25-48). The first force of the model is the threat of entry of new competitors. This threat decreases the attractiveness of the industry by increasing the level. The industry structure analyses also the threat of substitute products. According to Aaker (1995) substitutes are manufactured by parties identified as competitors but with less concentration on the main industry. And these manufactures have strong 14influence over the profitability of market. The substitutes are able to provide the same requirement as the main competitors. As the substitutes can help a company to improve its price strategy and performance, the customer could choose their product without making any loss in costs. (Porter 1984, 44-46) The bargain power from buyer provide the possibility of the customer to press down price and ask more service which will decrease the profitability of a company and influence the overall business. The characteristics of an industry dominated by customers are through high volume purchase and compared lowest prices. (Porter1984, 46-48) The bargaining power of suppliers exists in markets which are highly concentrated on selling in different segments and customers. The supplier may dominate markets by increase the price level or decrease the products or service quality. The supplier can also affect the profitability of an industry where the cost level cant be covered by increasing prices by using this technique. The suppliers have dominance in the market with opposite circumstance to industry dominated by buyers. (Porter 1984, 49-50) The last element in Porters model is the degree of rivalry between existing competitors. This consists of forms of rivalry such as price competition, new product development, improved customer service and better guarantees. The defending actions against competitors are results of being threatened. The intensity of rivalry is due to various structural factors, such as the number of competitors in an industry, or whether the industry is declining or growing, or companys strategic contributions. (Porter 1984, 38-44) P5F.JPG Figure shows Porters Five Force Model (Porter 1984, 24) Pest analysis stands for Political, Economic, Sociocultural and Technological analysis. It describes a framework of macro-environmental factors for environmental scanning. It is a useful strategic tool for understanding market growth or decline, business position, potential and direction for operation. (Wheelen Hunger 2006, 73-79) Political Volkswagen outsources a great deal of their manufacturing outside the Europe in continents such as Asia, Africa and South America. Due to these countries being considered as booming economies, government may encourage local residents to try minimizing purchasing products from abroad, but instead use locally produced products in order to maintain the situation of the home market and make a higher value of the GDP. However, these or any other legal or political constraints should not be a significant barricade to continue outsourcing and/or sales in foreign markets. In certain countries such as Denmark and Norway car insurance and registration alone can amount to the price of the car itself. These rules and regulations are becoming ever-increasingly popular and pose a threat to sales of cars in other Scandinavian markets and places which seek to follow such a trend. Almost all of the regulations come from consumers increasing concerns for the environment and the concern for safer automobiles. (Highfill, Copus, Smith, 2004) Economic As an advantage to Volkswagen few markets which proved to show a decline in salesmainly in Spain, which proved to show a decline of 16.8 %. Taken as a whole, sales of VW however, were on the increase- despite overall motor industry taking a dive. VW sales increased in W. Europe by 8.6 % improved sales figures. The main brands which contributed to the sales were Audi, Skoda, Bentley and the VW commercial vehicles. Sales of the VW passenger cars, such as the VW Sharan van grow tremendously in regions/ markets such as Central and Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific and North America. The percentage growth of the following markets is as follows: Asia Pacific with 17.4 % North America had a significant growth of 21.4 % Central and Eastern Europe with a larger 29.7 % Although the most part of the growth came from the Central and Eastern European markets, there proved a decline within the Polish market. As the following figures will indicate, the Polish appear to have opted for the more cost-focused car brand, from the Volkswagen Group- the Skoda. This goes to prove that the Polish customers are evidently beginning to become more cost-focused. This is the strategy the Volkswagen Group use, to aim cost-focused clients with the Skoda and for those seeking more luxury at an affordable cost it offers the clients the range from the Volkswagen product portfolio. Social Poland is doing fine during economic crisis compare to other European countries. There are few reasons for this situation. Firstly, it is a big country with huge and cheap labor power. There are almost 40 million of habitants in Poland, so it is attractive market for foreign companies. Secondly, taxation rate is relative low comparing it to for instance Denmark. Finally, location of Poland makes this country competitive. Poland is settled up between Germany and Russia, two powerful markets but in the same time close to Scandinavia due to sea connection. Poles perceive Volkswagen brand as a car maker which produces stable, affordable and reliable cars. It is based on German hard-working spirit and precision, that is why Volkswagen cars are very popular nowadays also in aftermarket. Another advantage of having car from German manufacturer is the slowest ratio of value loss among other automotive companies. (Business in Poland Law, tax and banking, 2006) Technological Volkswagen has 94 production plants worldwide and additional 8 in Americas, Asia and South Africa. There are two production facilities in Poland. One is responsible for making parts for various models, while the other one makes commercial vehicle called Transporter. Main materials that company uses to produce cars are. Company intensively focuses on developing new technologies and innovation to become the most economical and ecological car producer in the world. Directly quoting words of board chairman, Martin Winterkorn it seems that company is aiming for the leader position within automotive industry. Till 2016 we would like to invest 62,4 mld Euro for Research Development to become number one. . Moreover, company aim also for renewable energy sources like water, wind and sun. German car manufacturer brings practical assistance service for example Park Lane, which make car seeking for space and park afterwards. Another example could be a Temporary Auto Pilot which control car under 130 km per hour. Together with Lane Assist car stays on same lane, so driver can do something else in same time. Above sentences proof that Volkswagen is consequently developing new technologies to make cars better, more ecological, more economical, more technology advanced and remaining affordable to every customer. Without doubts firm is one of the most leading if it comes to innovation in industry. (Volkswagen Technology). TASK 2 Inbound logistics: In general automotive industry right now is mainly using materials like steel, plastic, copper etc . By time going and constant innovation process and ecology care make this materials gets slowly substitute by other materials like aluminum, lithium and even cobalt. Volkswagen do not owe any mining subsidiaries therefore is addicted to suppliers. To secure production continuity company has to secure process of getting raw materials. That is why German manufacturer come up with raw materials strategy. This includes IT system called Central Procurement and Treasury System. Operations: An operation is the process of putting raw materials together and producing the final product. In this case Volkswagen operations process takes place in factories that company possesses. There are 94 production facilities in different locations. Company believes in systematic localization so productions plants can handle themselves the value added process. This process of international outsourcing allows reducing currency risks, transport and duties. Outbound logistics: This section focuses on delivering product to the retailers, outlets, stores or DTC. Firstly it is important to state that company has own logistics department called Volkswagen Logistics which deliver products to Volkswagen outlets. As it was stated before different productions facilities produces various parts and models. From those facilities cars are ready to be transported into outlets. Volkswagen Logistics uses mainly road transport and big trucks to transport ready to use products. Marketing and Sales: This section describes pricing, promotion and selling the final product within value chain. Volkswagen makes adverts spots independently. Usually spots describe specific product or new technology invented to the car. They are played on TV stations, Internet websites, YouTube. Social services where Volkswagen exists like Facebook and Twitter allow users to share experiences with Volkswagen brand. It is a great tool to create a relationship or brand loyalty with actual customers and acquire new one. http://www.coursework4you.co.uk/essays-and-dissertations/images/value-chain-fig1.jpg Figure shows a Value Chain SWOT analysis provides the strengths and weaknesses as an internal factor of the company and Opportunities and Threats for the external environment of the company. Any company has to change its strategic planning according to the SWOT analysis. SWOT analysis will also help the company to analyze the prospects after the acquisition of a Chinese car company. Strengths Volkswagen has strong position in the Chinese market as it has a long experience in this market. Volkswagen has a strong brand portfolio; a good mix of luxury models are included in its portfolio and German engineering with competitive pricing will make a big difference. Volkswagen has a strong research and development department which continuously works for the improvement in the quality, functionality and environmental compatibility. Volkswagen design team can come up with the customize design which will suit the customers of China. Weakness Poor performance in Africa and North America can be issue for concern for Volkswagen. Operational inefficiency and weaker productivity are other reasons for concern for Volkswagen as it has relatively low employee productivity compared to its competitors. Opportunities There is encouraging rate of growth in the Chinese car market. Chinese car market has reached $98 million in 2008. Market consumption has reached to 7.4 million units in 2008 which is an increase of 17.8% compared to previous year. The volume of market is expected to reach 13 million by year 2013 (Datamonitor, 2010). Threats Increase in the production cost due to the increase in the raw material prices. Increase in the government rules regarding the labor may also increase the prices. Increase in the competition may cause price wars due to which there will be fall in prices. There is enormous growth potential in the automotive industry in China and in the coming few years, various factors will derive the demand. There are enormous growth prospects in Chinas car market, the rate of car ownership is low and financial industry for automobiles is immature. As China is a developing country, its economy is expected to increase rapidly, it is least expected that the car industry will grow in a steady or balanced way. The car registration rate rose in 2002 and 2003 was 63% and 70% which were not sustained and the growth rate was moderate in 2004 with 16% and further modest in 2005. This slowdown of growth coincided with the huge investment in the productive field which led to the decline in the prices. However a utomotive sector recovered very strongly with the growth rate of 30% in 2006 and 24% growth rate in 2007 respectively (Automotive Industry Report, 2009). TASK 3 Marketing Mix for Volkswagen Brand For brand strategy of Volkswagen there is involvement of first P according to marketing mix is Product as described in model. The product in this model is defined as that combination of services and goods sell to the customers by the company or organisation in target market (Armstrong Kotler, 2005). From analysis it is found that product is also a part of Brand name. Design and quality are the main product features that possess variety in them. Here an example can be quoted for a brand of Volkswagen Touareg that has been sold in India comprises of a package of seating, engine, breaks and engine etc. (Volkswagen India, 2009). Hence for product strategy the company is equipped with variety and design in their products including warrant for them which in turn results in good response from the customers and make them satisfied and bring loyalty in them. The second P in this model if marketing mix is price. Price is of a product or service is defined as that amount which is paid by customer to the organisation or company for buying their products or services offered to them (Armstrong Kotler, 2005). While discussing the price strategy it has been found that there are 61 dealership offers high prices for the products to sell in India as compared to their rivals like Honda city and Ford, but there is variation that the company charge interest rate by 4.5 5.0 % instead of other rivals make with 8% or more as a loans given by banks or building societies of other rival car makers. This facility is attributed by the Volkswagen financial Services that aided to support the sales of the company to their customers. There is next P for the marketing mix is Place that is also very crucial in Brand management. The place usually referred to that place where there is availability of products of company to their customers. As in concerned to Volkswagen the company involved in using dealers and distributors for the purpose of the sales of their products. There are two modes for the dealers to get authorised either through franchised or direct ownership of company. For the company their network related to their dealers is very important and is maintained in a proper way because the product of the company are introduced through them to the customers, hence it is very important. In the views of Kotler 2005 the company usually share their losses and profits both with their dealers for purpose to maintain the quality of cost leadership. At present the Volkswagen has fine relationship with their dealers in India and also involve in the dealing of their products with Skoda with 61 leaders (Top News, 2010). The last and fourth one P is Promotion. The promotion has variance in their objectives that has to be achieved in market. The promotion is usually handled with the tool of advertisement. The promotions for customers are added through the advertisement that results in the excitement among them. The aim of promotion is to pull in target consumers. These promotions are based on the scheme of non profit but in turn results in the profit for the company (Bradley, 1993). For example the Volkswagen Company in year 2009 has launched a promotion named Pre Monsoon campaign published by Motor beam, 2009. This promotion is for the purpose to establish the brand of company India. In India the company offered a variety of range of services to their customers and fro this company is getting profit from the promotions of the company brand. Market development According to Reiziger (et al, 2003) when a company took entrance into a new market and launch themselves by introducing existing products this is came to know as the development of market, and the main aim of the company is to lure the customers from the their existing competitors in that exiting market i.e. new market. The company Volkswagen has got the entry into Indian market in 2007 by launching their product Jetta, then after two years in 2009 the company has launched two new cars in market with their existing brand using the brand value in market these cars are ionic beetle and the Touarge sedans (Volkswagen India, 2010). Diversification Again in the views of Reizger (2003) this is the entrance of any new company with having the launch of their new product under its own brand is termed to be diversification. This strategy is commonly recognised as most risky one as there is introduction of two new entities one is market and other one is product. For the Volkswagen diversification is not so risky, as it has already successfully launched a variety of cars in the market with its own brand and in accordance with its brand image and with every brand it has inched higher and created sense of the demand in the market on every launch of new products. Most currently the company has as innovation there are four new car that has gone to be launched in 2012 and these new coming products are SUVW, Couple, Up and Blue Sport (Volkswagen, 2010). CONCLUSION Volkswagen is a successful company with long history and well-known brand name. Firm tries to continue tradition from decade as a people car with putting innovation to it. Such successful company like Volkswagen is can aim for the bigger goals. With power and support of the Volkswagen Group firm has a chance to dominate automotive sector. Carried internal marketing and external marketing audit proofed that it is really hard to find a weakness within company structure. To remain successful on the market company have to use winning strategy. No matter what are the circumstances Volkswagen still have to put additional resources for research and development of the newest technology and maintain current labor power and structures within Human Resource Management. Make their products better and better in order to compete with other automotive companies. And finally deal with long term issues like how to substitute petrol. APPENDIX http://www.seeklogo.com/images/V/Volkswagen-logo-F2A46D9A81-seeklogo.com.gif http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT4wE65k57GIDmexFeoF3r7IHdy2mhBUw7aiyb79vnjeeZwYnfkdw Figure shows the 1st model of Volkswagen http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/1st-Volkswagen-Jetta-Sedan.jpg http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7JKyGkitlyAsnNvL7B_q5aF5goOl8utO5su5BRnzWOVuRC5JJ Latest model of volkswagen

Soliloquy Essays - Analysis of Hamlets Soliloquies :: Shakespeare Hamlet Essays

Analysis of Hamlet's Soliloquies "To be or not to be--that is the question..." Many people incorrectly interpret those famous words of Hamlet's, not knowing the true meaning or background behind his speech. In his soliloquy, Hamlet contemplates whether or not he should take it upon himself to act accordingly to his uncle's/step-father's crime against his own father. However, later on in the play, Hamlet realizes Fortinbras' resolve and his quest for victory. By witnessing Fortinbras and his actions, Hamlet comes to realize that he has no inner struggle and sees the actions that he must take in order to bring inner peace to himself and avenge his father's murder. In his most famous soliloquy, Hamlet ponders whether he should take action against his "sea of troubles" and seek revenge for his father's death or live with the pain of his father's murder. Hamlet's weakness is later illustrated when he passes up the opportunity to kill Claudius by rationalizing that he has made peace with God, therefore sending him to Heaven if he were to be slain. In addition to his proposal of vengeance, he also contemplates whether it is better to stay alive or commit suicide. "To die, to sleep--/No more--and by a sleep to say we end/The heartache and the thousand natural shocks/That flash is heir to--'tis a consummation/Devoutly to be wished" (III,i,68-71). If he were to sleep, he feels that all his troubles would vanish, and this would not be such a bad thing. However, he says that if he were to sleep, he might have disturbing dreams while in slumber which would be wholly undesirable. Hamlet knows that what he wishes to do to his uncle is sinful an d wrong, but it is this train of thought that leaves him in a state of anxiety. This soliloquy portrays Hamlet as a sort of coward because he can not act upon his own emotions and desires. In order to escape his heartache, he cowardly thinks about killing himself. Nevertheless, Hamlet's resolve makes a dramatic turn by the time he recites his soliloquy of Act IV, Scene iv. In his last soliloquy, it is obvious that Hamlet's state of mind has gone through a metamorphosis. Unlike his "To be or not to be" soliloquy, Hamlet knows how much of a coward he has been and illustrates this in his final soliloquy by comparing himself to Fortinbras. Soliloquy Essays - Analysis of Hamlet's Soliloquies :: Shakespeare Hamlet Essays Analysis of Hamlet's Soliloquies "To be or not to be--that is the question..." Many people incorrectly interpret those famous words of Hamlet's, not knowing the true meaning or background behind his speech. In his soliloquy, Hamlet contemplates whether or not he should take it upon himself to act accordingly to his uncle's/step-father's crime against his own father. However, later on in the play, Hamlet realizes Fortinbras' resolve and his quest for victory. By witnessing Fortinbras and his actions, Hamlet comes to realize that he has no inner struggle and sees the actions that he must take in order to bring inner peace to himself and avenge his father's murder. In his most famous soliloquy, Hamlet ponders whether he should take action against his "sea of troubles" and seek revenge for his father's death or live with the pain of his father's murder. Hamlet's weakness is later illustrated when he passes up the opportunity to kill Claudius by rationalizing that he has made peace with God, therefore sending him to Heaven if he were to be slain. In addition to his proposal of vengeance, he also contemplates whether it is better to stay alive or commit suicide. "To die, to sleep--/No more--and by a sleep to say we end/The heartache and the thousand natural shocks/That flash is heir to--'tis a consummation/Devoutly to be wished" (III,i,68-71). If he were to sleep, he feels that all his troubles would vanish, and this would not be such a bad thing. However, he says that if he were to sleep, he might have disturbing dreams while in slumber which would be wholly undesirable. Hamlet knows that what he wishes to do to his uncle is sinful an d wrong, but it is this train of thought that leaves him in a state of anxiety. This soliloquy portrays Hamlet as a sort of coward because he can not act upon his own emotions and desires. In order to escape his heartache, he cowardly thinks about killing himself. Nevertheless, Hamlet's resolve makes a dramatic turn by the time he recites his soliloquy of Act IV, Scene iv. In his last soliloquy, it is obvious that Hamlet's state of mind has gone through a metamorphosis. Unlike his "To be or not to be" soliloquy, Hamlet knows how much of a coward he has been and illustrates this in his final soliloquy by comparing himself to Fortinbras.