Marketing Mix Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Marketing Mix - Essay Example The ultimate objective of all marketing efforts is to generate revenue, which depends heavily on the price of the product or service. Some of the areas that pricing must look into include cost of development/ manufacturing, profitability, wholesale and retail prices, volume discounts and target market pricing etc. The promotion deals with the communication about a company's products and/ or services, targeted to improve the product image in customers' minds. It includes personal selling, direct marketing, advertising, publicity and other forms of marketing promotion campaigns. In addition to these 4 Ps of marketing mix, other Ps have been proposed like people, process, packaging etc. These are quickly taking over the new concept of marketing mix as being very important factors for a smooth and efficient system. New product development has become a significant source of differential advantage for companies nowadays. With the advent of modern technology, especially internet; customers are more informed of their needs and how to satisfy them. Hence, it is important for companies to consistently develop new products and improve existing ones to remain competitive. A business exist to satisfy customers while making profits (Etzel Walker Stanton, 2003, p.217) and hence it is required to identify the exact customers' needs before developing a product or service to satisfy it. The life cycle of a product consists of four stages namely, introduction, growth, maturity and decline. Product strategy varies for each of these stages and accordingly, all other strategies have to be developed to suit the requirements of a particular stage. For instance, during the introduction stage, it is unwise to manufacture a large quantity of product, but it is required during the growth and maturity stages to keep up with the demand of the product. C. Pricing Strategy Pricing decisions are affected by a variety of factors as stated above. In addition, these also depend upon the target customers. Price skimming strategy is used for innovative products by putting a very high price for the product and taking the first mover's advantage. Another strategy is to use the price penetration techniques to keep the price at a minimum in order to attract more customers. Hence, the pricing decisions vary and depend upon the market conditions. A general approach to pricing include selection of pricing objectives, determining demand of the product, estimating own costs and also the costs of competitors who are offering similar products in the market, and then the pricing method is selected (Kotler, 2003, pp. 472-485). A common method of pricing is to use a cost plus approach, where the price of the product is determined by the amount of money required to produce the product plus a margin over it (Etzel Walker Stanton, 2003, p.331). But other pricing strategies can also be used. A general objective of the pricing strategy is to gain maximum benefit while maintaining competition and the right positioning in the customers' minds about the company's products and services. Other pricing strat

Overview of Strawman Theory

Overview of Strawman Theory Strawman theory traces its origins to the ancient Roman legal practice of capitis deminutio (decrease of head), a term used in Roman trials for the extinguishment of a persons former legal capacity. Capitis deminutio minima meant a person ceased to belong to a particular family, without loss of liberty or citizenship. Capitis deminutio media involved loss of citizenship and family, but not liberty. Capitis deminutio maxima involved loss of family, citizenship and liberty (e.g. being made a slave or a prisoner of war).[4] The term was later revived in the US by the tax protestor and sovereign citizen movements and combined with a misreading of the definition of person from Blacks law dictionary (an American law dictionary). Strawman theory takes the term capitis deminutio, misspells it (commonly as Capitis Diminutio) and claims that capitis diminutio maxima was represented by an individuals name being written entirely in capital letters (even though Latin only had capitals back then). This led to the idea that individuals had a separate legal personality now called a strawman, represented in capitals. (rationalwiki, 2015) Strawman theory holds that an individual has two personas. One of them is a physical, tangible human being, and the other as their legal person, personality or strawman, often referred to as a legal fiction. (The term legal fiction is used by woos as if it were synonymous with intangible, rather than using its correct meaning.) The main use of strawman theory is in escaping and denying debts, liabilities and legal responsibility. Tax protestors, commercial redemption and get out of debt free scams claim that ones debts and taxes are the responsibility of the strawman and not of the real person, freeing the real person from the need to pay them. Sovereign citizens movements and freemen on the land also extend this concept to law and legal responsibilities by claiming that it is only their strawman that is required to adhere to statutory laws such as paying taxes, having licences and obeying traffic laws. They also claim that all legal proceedings in courts are taken against your strawman rather than you as a person and that when one appears in court they appear not as themselves but as representing their strawman. The justification for this is their false notion that governments cannot force anybody to do anything against their will. They therefore create a strawman which being their own creation they are free to boss about at will. Woos believe that by separating oneself from their strawman or refusing to be identified as their strawman they can escape their various liabilities and responsibilities such as paying their debts or obeying laws they dont like. This is typically done by denying they are a person and the same thing as their strawman or by writing their name in various bizarre ways such as the following: John of the family Smith John of Smith John:Smith John (commonly known as) By doing this they are refusing to represent the strawman. In addition to capitals, the use of titles such as Mr and Mrs are claimed to indicate a reference to a persons strawman. Surnames are also typically referred to as part of the legal fiction and advocates will often insist that they dont have a surname but rather a family name. Some woos believe that the strawman is created by the government when a birth certificate is filed. Woos sometimes then try and present their birth certificate when their strawmans name is called for, such as in court. [edit] Debunking It should be noted that there is a legal principle known as Idem sonans (Latin for sounding the same) which states that similar sounding names are just as valid in referring to a person. The relevant UK precedent is R v Davis 1851. If two names spelt differently necessarily sound alike, the court may, as matter of law, pronounce them to be idem sonantia; but if they do not necessarily sound alike, the question whether they are idem sonantia is a question of fact for the jury. The strawman belief seems to stem from a misunderstanding of the concept of legal person-hood. In actual legal theory there is a difference between what is known as a natural person (which is a human being, i.e., not a legal fiction) and that of a corporate person (a legal fiction known as corporate personhood, which applies to business, charities, governments and any recognised organisation). Courts recognise human beings as persons, not as a legal fiction joined to a flesh and blood human being but as one and the same (though in the past not everyone was recognised as a person before the law). They have never recognised a right to distance oneself from ones person, or the ability to opt out of personhood. Where this defence has been tried in court, judges have rejected it. It is impossible to dodge the law by insisting that you are different from your person. If a court can establish your identity, regardless of your consent or cooperation, then it is free to engage in proceedings and sanctions against you. The use of block capitals to fill in forms is often used as evidence for the existence of strawmen. The idea is that the form is asking for your strawmans identity. In reality this is done for ease of reading by humans and computers alike; it is not evidence of some legal conspiracy. (rationalwiki, 2015) rationalwiki. (2015). Retrieved from rationalwiki.org: http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Strawman_theory

Foreshadowing in A Tale of Two Cities Essay -- Tale Two Cities Essays

Foreshadowing in A Tale of Two Cities    How does diabolically spilt blood and mysterious footsteps become important in a historical fiction novel? What makes these murder-mystery traits relevant? Charles Dickens, author of A Tale of Two Cities, creatively foreshadows future events using suspenseful topics: A forbidden declaration of love, a tragically beautiful sunset streaked with crimson, echoing footsteps of a past that will not be forgotten, and wine stained streets soon to be smeared with blood. The aforementioned events are pulled together in this story of love and sacrifice. Collectively, they are an example of successful use of foreshadowing to create an atmosphere of foreboding and intrigue.    Dickens dedicated many of his long-winded paragraphs to the scene where the Defarge's wine was spilt. He describes in detail how eager and needy the French peasants were... drinking wine from muddy streets, feeding the drink to the youngest and oldest of their ranks. Such a scene may seem unimportant, but, since it was thoroughly described, Dickens m...

Why I Want to Be a Nurse

Why I decided to become a nurse. Growing up I always thought I would someday be a nurse. It was a dream that I always had. Knowing that it would be hard for mom and dad to afford, I considered enlisting into the army to get school and training paid for. As high school graduation got closer, I decided to â€Å"take a break† from school. So, I didn't go to college or enlist. When I started running low on funds, I decided to go to training to become a certified nurse's aide (cna). It didn't take long and cna jobs were plentiful in nursing homes. My first job was as a cna in a nursing home. I loved it, but it was hard work. Next, I got a job as a cna at Cabell Huntington Hospital on the med-surg floor. This reaffirmed the notion that I do love that kind of work. Pay was not bad either. At this time I was single so I made plenty enough money for me. I still wasn't ready to commit myself to school. The years passed by and my life began to take shape. I got pregnant with my first daughter, Jasmine in 1999. My son A. J came along in 2000. I decided to marry their daddy in 2001. Our last daughter Kiana was born in October of 2004. I stayed home with my kids for about 7 years but decided I needed to go back to the adult world. My sister talked me into going to massage school and becoming a certified massage therapist. So, I did and got the job that I currently work at with a chiropractor. I love this job also, but I don't think I can do it much longer because it is very hard on my hands and wrists. My sister failed to mention how hard it was to do this kind of work. Being in the chiropractors office also allows me help people. Nursing jobs will probably always be in demand. I don't think there will ever be a day that the world has too many nurses. Today disease is abundant and the need for good nurses is on the rise. The pay is also a plus. I'm not sure if I want to specialize in a particular area of nursing or not. I like all areas. The hustle and bustle of the emergency room is appealing but I also think working the floors in the different units of a hospital would be exciting. Working in a nursing home is also something that I ouldn't mind. I've done it before, so I know how rewarding it can be. I love working with the older population. I go to a local nursing home and give a couple of my patients massages since they can't get out and come to my office any more. I am very thankful for the opportunity I have been given to finally fulfill my dream of becoming a registered nurse. I can't wait to get this new chapter in my life started. I am anxious to get started helping as many people as I can and help pr ovide a better living for my family. Why I Want to Be a Nurse It was on a Monday morning, the 1st day of December, 2010. I had spent two years preparing and saving money for this memorable day. I was going to be my best moment after my wedding day. The whole village where I was born â€Å"Makupa†led by our local chief Mr. Ndoto, my brothers, sisters members of the Clergy both young and old men and women, no wanted to miss that memorable opportunity of escorting me to Jomo Kenyatta international Airport. One would have thought that there was a very important dignitary visiting the country. Dressed in green and red, women danced and sang patriotic songs, children were not left behind, they recited poems, old men who could hardly stand due to their advance age spoke words of blessing, members of the Clergy invoked long prayers, as though they would never pray again. The whole Airport garden came to a stand-still. A gentleman by the name of John Brown join our group and sort to know about our huge crowd and what it was upto. He introduced himself as the Chief Security Manager. Our Chief, Mr Ndoto took over, he was charge as a bull. When he started talking, her was dead silence, a pin would fall and be notice. He gave along chronology of how our village started and how no one had ever excelled in studies, to a point of winning scholarship abroad. To him that was enough reason to bring the whole Village to the Airport Mr. Brown did not have any choice but allow us celebrate our victory. Clock ticked and my departure time drew neigh, I tried to imagine how Lagos international Airport looked like but I could not fathom. How Nigerians have heavy but good accent, I could not wait! An hour before departure time, the Captain announced â€Å"Passengers KQ 374† please board. There was mix reaction, some of us wept tears of joy, others felt I should have stayed bit longer while still others felt like I was going to heaven and I would never come back again. But in all these, Mr. Ndoto comforted them that I would only be away for two years and my studies would benefit the whole community. After hugging and kissing the much awaited moment came and I boarded the plane. It was a real adventure I had not boarded a plane before, therefore I did not know what to expect, but thank God I was ready to lean. My laugage was put in the cock pit only the carry on was allowed inside the cabin. The whole flight was going to take seven hours. It was meal time and there came a beautiful smiling attendant, ready to serve me. Since no body had told me that the meal was paid for, I thought it was very expensive and I could not afford. I declined the offer! She went ahead and offered a drink, which I neither accepted. Not because I was full but fearful. Six and half hour later, the Captain announced that we about to land, every passage to fasten their belt. I did that with grate excitement because I knew finally we were in Lagos Nigeria. The flight was exiting though fierce being the first time to fly. We disembarked I took my laugage and headed to the Immigration office. I knew the the college which I was joining had sent representative and they were waiting for me at the visitors lounge. No sooner had I entered the office than the officer gave me a card to fill in, Question number one was my religion, I happily wrote Christian, The officer thundered to me , and exclaimed. ‘Stop! ’ Don’t go any further†. His accent scared me to death! He went ahead and told me that I was under arrest. I sort an explanation and he said that I was a spy. I could not connect spying and my education. One of the soldiers told me that the northern state of Lagos was a Muslim state and no Christian was allowed in, peradventure one was found, he would be treated as a spy whose penalty was life imprisonment or death penalty. His words made me feel like I wish the ground would open up and swallow me alive. I explained to them how I got a scholarship to their country but all that fell on deaf ears. They gave me two options, either life imprisonment or death sentence. I found myself between a rock and a hard place. None of the options was better than the other. But I chose life imprisonment. They locked me in jail, fortunately the staff from the college arrived. Better late than never. They engage those officers but they held that I was a spy. They realize they were hard nuts to crack and resolved to contact Kenya ambassador . In the prison, I made all kind of prayers repented all known and unknown sins purified my heart in readiness for any eventuality. Two hours later, there was a knock at the door, I was always hoping and expecting a miracle, but I was prepared for the worse. This time the two officers were accompanied by a third person. He introduced himself as the Ambassador of Kenya in Nigeria. I could not wait for a second word, I defied all the decorum and protocol jumped upon his shoulders and wept uncontrollably. He apologized for what had happened and assured me that my scholarship would de transferred to the southern state which was a Christian state. All this time, the immigration officers were speechless. I was ushered out of the cell by our ambassador to a his waiting limousine fly Kenya flag. I thought I was dreaming! He hosted me in his residence until he transferred my scholarship to another college. My morning was turned into dancing. Why I Want to Be a Nurse When I was in high school I was voted most likely to become a Dr.. This wasn’t a big deal except that I went to a Vocational and Technical High School. So I went on to pursue my parents dream to become a Dr. , note it was my parents dream. I just wanted to play baseball and become a nurse. At last there dream fell apart when I got hurt lost my scholarship in my freshman year of college. Funny thing is I could have stayed in school and really concentrate on my sports ops I mean school. My father told me to join the service so I could have the Military pay for school GI bill. After some thought I would no longer be under my father’s thumb and agreed to join the Navy. After taking the ASVAB test the recruiter smiled and asked if I had ever thought of nuclear subs I said no but said I like this 5 year hospital Corpsman thing it sounds good. The next 5 years was awesome I got to play baseball for a Puerto Rican professional team and play competitive softball for the Navy until I hurt my leg again. Now what to do didn’t take long to decide after my father passed away from a massive heart attack a week before my oldest daughter was born. I knew my calling to be a paramedic. This lasted several years but I realized that I could make more money and make my own hours. Now some years later I after some bad health have come back to my High School dream to become a nurse and this time I won’t be called a sissy for wanting to be one! My original reason to be a nurse was I wanted to work in an Emergency Room. From an early age I wanted to be a nurse not a Dr.. I think it was that while in the hospital I found that the nurses were the ones that left the lasting impressions on you. That was the seed. The ability to go to one job and stay there for a long time is a very good thing. In with what the other options in todays economy are. Most places that employ nurses offer good medical coverage. The last but not the least would be the pay. In today’s economy this has to be the number one reason to have brought me back full circle, to my high school days. So today at all most 50 I know that I can start here and then train to be an ER nurse for many years. Maybe even specializing in a pediatric ER unit. Why I Want to Be a Nurse Although my motives for becoming a nurse haven’t always been as set in place as they are now I have always, ever since I can remember, had the idea that this was the profession for me. I am an outgoing person who enjoys working with and helping people. It wasn’t until my father was diagnosed with cancer that I knew that being a nurse is what I wanted to do, to be an advocate to my father and to all the other patients that I would eventually care for.During my first year of study I was kept very busy trying to juggle all of my courses and at the same time taking care of a 4 yr old and a new baby, I was very determine to accomplish my dream to give my family a better life. Once I became a nurse, I was very proud of my accomplishment, even though my father had passed away from cancer, I was doing this for him. The nurses in the hospital taught me so much about care and compassion.They showed me first hand the characteristics of a good nurse and what being a nurse is all ab out. I believe that nursing is a profession that somebody must feel in their heart and truly love. After my experience in the hospital I can honestly say that I am proud to be a nurse and I definitely do feel it in my heart. I am currently working fulltime at Sentara home care as a nursing supervisor. My experience in nursing involved working at Chesapeake General Hospital as an Orthopedic nurse right from nursing school.I realized once I graduated and starting working with the patients that nursing isn’t just doing the task at hand, it involves compassion, sitting at the bedside of a patient that hasn’t had anyone visit them and spending time or just holding their hand. I love nursing and the longer that I am a nurse the more rewarding it is. I chose VCU to further my education because it enables me to continue working as Home care infusion nurse fulltime and taking care of my family. VCU is a reputable school for nursing and I feel that I would get the best education and experience going through your nursing program.

Measure

At the end of Measure for Measure the Duke has apparently caused a good deal of chaos, including the near execution of a man whose only crime is having sex with his lover, all for no apparent reason. At the beginning of the play he hands over power to Angelo, even though Angelo says that he is not ready for it. The Duke then goes into disguise as the Friar and essentially plays games with people’s lives. It is thus not surprising that the people might want to overthrow him. The first argument that would be used, and perhaps the most powerful, would be that the Duke is the Duke. The idea that a person had a divine right to power through the â€Å"divine right of Kings† was powerful at this time. The Duke might have done some bad things – I would seem a fool if I didn’t admit this – but he made everything right in the end, and anyway, God has chosen him as Duke through birth. For better or worse he is the Duke, and the people should think twice before replacing him. First, if you get rid of leadership through birth, what system will replace it? Second, what likely candidates are there for being Duke instead of him? The most likely, at least as far as birth and position is, ironically, Angelo. The rebels should be asked the question of whether they would prefer the present Duke or Angelo as their leader. I think the answer is quite easy to predict.   This is based upon the quite practical, better the devil you know than the devil you don’t argument. This should appeal to the practical kind of people who would probably be wanting to remove the Duke at the end of the play. Another argument would be to suggest that the Duke was showing how a real leader should act through putting a man who would be tempted by power in charge. Thus a real leader, such as the Duke himself, knows that the laws are written by men and are thus fallible. He becomes the Duke of â€Å"dark corners† to show that at times a leader must bend with the wind rather than applying the law absolutely. This argument suggests that the Duke knew that Angelo would turn out to be a bad leader, and let him carry on with it, even when people’s lives were at stake.   This showed the people that the Duke had their best interests at heart through showing them just how bad a leader Angelo would be, or someone like him, if the Duke was removed or died without an heir. Another argument is the fact that despite obviously quite enjoying the kind of chaos and risk which ensued when he gave up power, the Duke never showed any sign of indulging this when he was acting as Duke. He thus did not succumb to the temptation of absolute power as Angelo did. This will be argument for the fact that the Duke, probably coming from a whole line of similarly powerful people, as the blood and temperament to control the city, even though his imagination might lead elsewhere. The people might also be persuaded by the fact that at the end of the play everything is actually excellently resolved. The right people are marrying the right people, others have been pardoned when they deserve it and even, as in the case of Barnadine, when they don’t. Even the Duke has rescued Isabella from what is regarded as a terrible life in the convent and will marry her. This ensures that the Duke will soon have an heir to take over form him, and the succession of Dukes will be preserved. This being the case, why not forget the past rather than trying to bring about retribution for the Duke’s misdeeds. Trying to remove the Duke might also cause a miniature civil war. It is unlikely that he or his supporters will go quietly. Also, the Dukes of neighboring cities might come to the Duke’s rescue because they fear the precedent of removing a Duke when the people don’t like him could spread to their cities. Or they may come to the â€Å"rescue† of the city through invading it while there is a power vacuum. That way the people would lose their Duke and their city. So I would appear to several different arguments in order to save the Duke from the planned rebellion. First, he is the Duke and has the divine right to be so because he has been chosen by God. Secondly, what he did was actually a favor to everyone because it removed someone (Angelo) from contention of ever becoming Duke who appeared to be good material but actually turned out to be a total disaster. Third, the Duke showed that he understands the dark side of human nature, and even has his fair share of it himself, but ahs been able up to this time to keep it in check. He has been a just Duke up until this point – that is why Angelo’s strict and eventually hypocritical decisions seem so harsh. Fourth, the Duke has shown just how difficult it is to be a Duke, and the people should think twice about replacing him because of the uncertainty of what will follow. Fifth, the Duke restores peace and harmony at the end of the play, and he is even getting married himself so he can now have an heir in waiting. Sixth, if they try to remove him a war will almost certainly occur, and the whole city may be lost. To conclude, perhaps the best argument, if Shakespeare’s plays exist in this imaginary world of â€Å"after the play ends† will be the title of one of his other dark comedies: â€Å"all’s well that ends well†. Of course the question left by this play is â€Å"well is it?†, and the citizens are perhaps right to ask whether a man who could everything the Duke has done should continue in power. Bu the alternatives are too uncertain, too bloody and too chaotic to imply that the Duke should be replaced. In the final part of the argument I would make clear that all those who were presently planning to remove the Duke will receive a full and absolute pardon.   They might continue with the rebellion just because they are afraid of what would happen if they don’t, and yet have revealed themselves as potential rebels.   However, I would mark down the names of all those involved carefully and watch them on behalf of the Duke in the future. . . .