South Africa Essays (2318 words) - Provinces Of South Africa

South Africa South Africa South Africa is the southernmost part of the continent of Africa. It is one of the earth's oldest and stable landmasses. This is why there are no folded mountain ranges. The only mountain ranges that are similar to that kind of range, would be those in the southern tip. This is where the north-south ranges meet an east-west range in the Paarl area. The rest of the country has been slightly pitted so that interior lakes like the Okovango Delta have no outlet to the sea. Most of the country is at an elevation of 3,000 to 6,500 feet above sea level. South Africa lies north of 35 S latitude and is surrounded on three sides by the Indian and Atlantic oceans. Two large high-pressure areas control the weather in South Africa brought over by both of the oceans, in the winter a belt of depressions moves northward to bring rains to the south. During the summer moist tropical air masses migrate southward, bringing frequent thunderstorms. There are not many rivers in South Africa, and those few are not navigable. The unpredictable rainfall makes drought in the areas a very common problem. The towns and cities cannot depend on a consistent source of water for the year. Water supplies for both the town and the country must be very well planned, so there is no drought. Wells are usually the source for irrigation and general water supply in the countryside, however the urban and industrialized areas need the use of dams. On the major rivers of South Africa it is easy to see many of the plus 360 dams that have been built. These are easily found on the Orange, Vaal, Limpopo, and the Tugela rivers. Many of the dams provide hydroelectric power to the national electricity grid. Located on the upper Orange River are two of the largest dams in South Africa. The Lesotho Highlands Water Project was developed to supply water to the Transvaal industrial area by mid 1990's. Even though there are an abundant amount of dams in the coun try, the populations of both city and town must persevere intermittent water rationing. In spite of the amount of land that South Africa encompasses, surprisingly only 15% of the land is arable. Even so, South Africa exports any of its crops including wine, fruits, vegetables, corn, and cane sugar. Dairy and beef cattle are raised in many different areas, including sheep and Angora goats to provide wool and mohair. Natural vegetation has been changed greatly through overgrazing, seasonal burning, and introducing new species. Subtropical forests nurtured by spring and summer rains have been displaced by grasslands, exotic trees; east of the Drakensburg escarpment. Only one area of the Southern cape has a perennial rainfall, the Knysna and George districts. This rainfall has a true hardwood temperate forest in which the species such as stinkwood, sneezewood, yellowwood, and ironwood survive. Farther westward, the natural tree life fades and the grassy upland, otherwise known as the Highveld, prevails. As one travels further west the rainfall decreases and the thorn-tree c ountry begins. Thin grasses and sparsely covered areas become more prevalent. These areas are commonly called the Kalahari Desert and the bare Namib desert. The Western Cape province has a Mediterranean type of climate, referred to as a summer dry climate. The vegetation is found to be shrubby with waxy leaves, and pine and oak trees. Northwest of this region are low scrub, cactus, and aloes. These plants dominate the areas of Little and Great Karroo. It is quite obvious that the areas change very much by each mile because of the unsteady amount of precipitation, and South Africa's climate. Gold mining produces as by-product called uraninite. This product is then converted into uranium oxide for local use and export. Gem-quality and industrial diamonds are both mined in large quantities and sold on world markets. Significant deposits of iron ore are mined for local use and export. Immeasurable reserves of bituminous coal are exploited for thermo-electric power and for worldwide export. There is a singular nuclear power plant at Koeburg that supplies the west with electric power, because this area is very far from the coalfields. South Africa does have

the path to the unknown essays

the path to the unknown essays To search for the answers of his quest, Siddhartha undertook a long and unusual journey. A path to the unknown, a rout leading to the finish-line of the race, the same that helped him figure out things, material and spiritual, not pondered before. This expedition is filled with strange happenings, along with the most superb encounters. The forest symbolizes this opening towards a new world, of fresh experiences, which will be crucial to fulfill Siddharthas desires. Since the beginning Siddhartha departed in direction of the forest, in order to find remedies for his concerns and anxieties. Attaining Nirvana was his goal, a very difficult and supreme aspiration; therefore he was confused between what was best for him. He doubted that his father and the Brahmins had already transmitted everything that could be useful, but he wasnt pleased, ...his soul was not at peace, his heart was not still. (Hesse 5). It is noticeable that he was unsatisfied with himself. He demanded more than what was offered and required further erudition to complete his objective. So as to seek for the solution of this distress, he embarked on a trip that allowed him to learn from adversity, and to participate of innovative, hazardous, but mystifying events. The forest represents this course that Siddhartha took, so as to break apart the barrier, built up with riddles and obstacles, which hindered him from reaching enlightenment. Siddhartha encountered with one of his principal instructors at a village in the forest, Kamaswami, who taught him about the pleasures of life. These lessons covered Siddhartha with the vice of acquisitiveness, and detached him from everything he once admired and respected. Money was now his purpose and he gambled for it, was pitiless and exhibited disrespect for others. Obviously with Kamaswami, Siddhartha di ...

Moral and learning development in children Essay

Moral and learning development in children - Essay Example According to Piaget, the moral makeup of a child is a product of his/her own conception and understanding of the world. This view is contrary to the conventional view that children are taught what is right and wrong by parents and teachers. While moral preaching inevitably goes on, children made moral judgments based on their own observations of their environment. Further, morality is a product of interaction with peers and authority figures do not influence it much. Key moral concepts like fairness, equality, justice and mutual reciprocity were all largely constructed through their interactions with other children. Moreover, as per Piaget’s definition of morality, contemporaneous social norms do not matter much to children, but instead morality comprises of universal, generic principles. Of course, while these tendencies are evident during early childhood, the nature of moral development matures and becomes more sophisticated as they grow up. Lawrence Kohlberg’s work m odifies and refines several of Piaget’s theses. Kohlberg noted that the moral evolution of children is a lot more gradual and complex than what Piaget had proposed. Kohlberg identified a total of six stages of moral development, grouped under three major levels. Each of these levels represents a fundamental shift in the social-moral understanding of the individual.

A Modest Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

A Modest Proposal - Essay Example 10), and the remainder may be sold on the market as food for wealthy landlords. He analyzes the disposal of poor children as a â€Å"saleable commodity† (Swift, par. 7), and discusses various ways to convert the flesh of children into delectable dishes. According to Swift, his proposal would ensure a reduction in the Irish Catholic population, serve as a source of income for the poor peasant, boost the economy of the country, lighten the financial burden of the parents, â€Å"bring great custom to taverns† (Swift, par. 25), encourage marriage and the good care of children, and boost the export of flesh. He declares that there is a good market for this ‘commodity’. Swift now lists the measures which would improve the conditions of the Irish peasants: the taxation of absentee landlords, the use of locally manufactured goods, the rejection of imported luxuries, the practice of thrift, the fostering of nationalism, unity and virtue, compassion towards the poor tenants, and â€Å"a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill† (Swift, par. 29) in merchants. He concludes his essay on a cynical note, saying that these measures will not be implemented in Ireland and, therefore, his proposal is the only practical alternative. Swift signs off with the affirmation the he is a totally disinterested participant in this debate, as he has no young children whom he could sell

INFO101 assigment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

INFO101 assigment - Assignment Example The content of these reports may vary depending on the situations and the needs of the manager requesting the report. Third and last, is exception report. Exception reports are those that deal with data outside ranges considered normal. They exhibit statistics of data beyond the normal range. The report consolidates the unusual conditions such as cost overruns or production down time and reports them differently. Timely reporting of unusual cases enables appropriate action to be taken by the management. Different types of reports cover different issues. Moreover, various circumstances in the business demand appropriate actions, which vary from one scenario to another. As such, it is important to distinguish between the three basic MIS reports so that each can be tailored to the informational need of its users. Clear distinction between the reports also enables the management to take timely actions on issues that require urgent attention. Summary reports are used when managers require quick overview of information on particular area. On the other hand, detailed reports are used for specific activities so as to gage their performances while exception reports are sued to report unusual occurrences in an organization, which need urgent solutions. Decision Support System (DSS) has three fundamental components. These include: data, models as well as user interface. Data is basically the information that is required for decision making. Data is usually kept in a database. Models refer to the models that are utilized in data analysis and the forecasting of outcomes of any particular decision. It also includes software that helps in managing models in DSS. User interface refers to the manner in which the users can use the DSS to facilitate their decision making processes, even if they are not technology experts. In most scenarios, a

Leadership Challenge Moving To Leadership Business Essay

Leadership Challenge Moving To Leadership Business Essay Everyone in their professional career usually starts their career from bottom and work to reach at top of the career ladder. During the course of professional career, individuals become proficient in work, gain respect from the whole management and eventually becomes a valued member of the organization. On getting promoted as a leader of that same team within which we have been working with so far certainly is an advantageous offering however coupled with several problems and challenges. However, being promoted within the same team is advantageous up to a certain extent as that individual would be aware about the policies and procedures and working environment as well as expected problems often encountered by the team, individual would also face several challenges while leading a team. The problems and challenges arise in a sense that when other employees who have been working for a longer duration than that of the individual being promoted and possess more experience might feel that they actually deserve the promotional hike. Also, problems arise owing to the assertiveness often expressed in meetings and words by the individual. Consequently, individuals being offered promotional hikes and promotional offerings entail to gain respect from the team and getting the things done without thinking that the power or authority has been moved to individuals head. Additionally, several things are ought to consider to smoothen the transition process of promotion. Primarily individual has to stop beating head and applaud on promotion as dynamics of the team are changed to a large extent and individual have to embrace the changed circumstances. Another key initiative is to show explicit value and support and listening to other team members ideas to even the process of promotional transition (Case Studies). Case II: Leadership Challenge: Juggling Cultures Several cases of bi-diversity are common in the Middle East with subject of leadership of women at workplace. Government is certainly putting in tremendous efforts towards recognition of women in the society and inclusiveness in different sectors of the economy. It is the key requirement of organizations to incorporate flexibility in corporate cultures in order to respect and consider individual needs. While comparing with the scenario in western countries, it is required in Arab countries to broach such issues within the cultural sensitivities and tradition and culture. In large organizations, it has been determined that they are in a better profitable state and quarter attributing to success while having female employees in senior leadership. Moreover having female executives in senior leadership leads to bringing of new perspectives as well as new innovative ideas. In the context of the case organization, the officials contemplate in selection of male executive over female executive for arranging deals with Saudi Arabian clients. The environment in Saudi Arabian organizations is inflexible characterized by male biased talent management systems and culture. Throwing light on the case situation, it would be effectual to select a male executive over female executive owing to the conservative biased system prevailing across Arabian countries. The selection and choice of male executive is justified to comply with the conservative and male dominated organizations and clients (Case Studies). Case III: What Leadership Characteristics Does Reuben Mark Possess? Reuben Mark professional accomplishments are legendary who is considered as a niche player for almost all the time of his career in one of the most valuable companies operating across the globe, especially in terms of market capitalization. Colgate-Palmolive is a leading consumer goods company serving in two hundred countries across the globe. Several business organizations would strive to achieve level of success and aspire to achieve a competitive edge likewise of Colgate-Palmolive. The case is primarily digging out the management style of Reuben Mark and his management and leadership style. Mark the leader possesses dynamic personality whose genius and innovation contributed successfully towards the growth of the company. Being one of the prominent leaders in the market and entire corporate world, Marks leadership style can be visualized as with tremendous clarity. Reuben Mark is certainly a willful and driven leader and the products and services directed under his supervision have raised the development and commercialization of brand in the market. At the same time, the leadership style of Ruben Mark has been intensely focused with strong commitment and confidence in taking risky leaps. Mark is also considered as a charismatic that has successfully solicited employee legions as well as customers in the relentless pursuit of his ambitions and aspirations. The exclusive style of leadership has also helped the company to shape the unique and powerful culture within the environment owing to his seemingly constructive behaviors (Case Studies). Case IV: Leadership Challenge: The In-Group Applicant Individuals hired through employee referrals tend to have a longer duration of association with the company in comparison than those of individuals hired through other methods of recruitment. Today, employers of business organizations try to determine the effectiveness of employee referrals and compare with other hiring methods. At the time of hiring, several factors are taken into consideration pertains to determine effectiveness such as overall hiring costs, performance of employees, employee retention rate. They tend to ponder these key aspects to narrow the field of best pool of candidates. Also, the current and existing staff gets benefitted by an incoming of lucrative salaries packages and recognition they get at the time of every hiring on their recommendation. In the context of the business case, the manager faces a contemplating situation of hiring an assistant manager on the basis of strong reference by his office manager. The office manager recommends the name of one of his family members for the job and the one is effectively suitable for the offered job profile. With an aim to get his family member into the job, the office manager tries to convince his manager to not to take risk with other outsider/stranger becoming his assistant. He sees this opportunity to build strong relationship with the company and is therefore motivated to refer to his family member. Recruiting talent in todays competitive market is certainly a difficult and tedious job and therefore employee referral program has been seen as an effective strategy to hire new employees (Case Studies). Case V: Leadership in Action: The Caring Dictator: Understanding and embracing a team is the main talent of a leader who is essentially thinking out in a creative manner and whose style of leading is based on his or her strengths. The best leaders of the industry allow leaders to emerge as reach to the top premier position in their professional career ladder. In todays fast paced world and competitive era, it has been determined that best leaders are ones those who bring out and build best leaders and not the best followers. The traditional military kind of leadership style is no longer proven to be effective. Nowadays, the leadership is more to be executed in a dynamic way depending on changing circumstances and changing needs of the team. At times, it takes the way of coaching; sometimes it is executed as visionary and is therefore termed as situational. In the context of the business case, Jack Hartnett is more of an affilitative leader who appears to rely on creation and building of emotional and companion bonds with other team members as well as subordinates. According to Jack Hartnett, if we sum up his vision in terms of leadership style, then it would be people come first. The affilitative style of Jack Hartnett has been proved to be highly successful during the times of relieving from stress and mental trauma, and even at the time building of trust. Jack Hartnett essentially put a greater reliance on praise and appreciation to foster performance (Case Studies). Case VI: Janine Bay of Ford Focuses on Interpersonal Skills: In todays competitive and changing times, leaders are mainly focusing on leveraging and utilizing their strengths and try to support and compensate their weaknesses to achieve organizational directives. Leaders are continually recognizing the significance of fact to concentrate and focus up on ones preeminent attributes and initiate efforts to compensate certain shortcomings and weaknesses coming their way to achieve greater success as well as positive self regard. The case study pertaining to Janine Bay, one of the top executives of a large corporation, Ford Motor Company articulates her journey so far in the professional career and how she managed to achieve zenith with her unique style of leadership. According to her insightful thoughts, an individual could not find recognizing his/her strengths a much difficult task in which they excel. The harder point is realizing out ones weakness. Another key fact of managing effectual leadership within a team is a teamwork that works like a fuel allowing people to achieve set and established directives. As per the views of Janine Bay, it is imperative to build an effective communication to members of the team group while allowing them to respond with innovative ideas and become a vital part of the visioning process. Appropriate communication as well as effective listening has been emerged as key components of undertaking successful leadership (Case Studies). PART II Based on your knowledge of the field of management and your personal definition of leadership, how are management and leadership similar or different? Write your answer after discussing it with a business leader. Leadership and Management are often seen as different terms by several people and terms have been even used interchangeably at workplaces. On the basis of personal experience gained from several field researches and scrutinizing industrial and organizational scenarios in todays competitive environment, a vast relationship can be established between management and leadership. Particularly, it has been observed that management requires good leadership styles which mean effective management is carried out with the support of effective leadership. For instance, at times when managers in large organizations are required to persuade his team members to his point and his view to facts, it is then handled out and managed effectively with the use of mixed leadership skills. Both goes hand in hand as the main focus of the manager here would be to be a good leader in the team who is able to manipulate and influence others views and decisions, ultimately involved effective dealing with people. An encounter with the business leader, who is the successful entrepreneur operating well in the area of fast food restaurants in the Emirate of Dubai has resulted in the emerge of several surprising and astonishing facts in the area of leadership and management. On having a formal meeting and discussion with him, it was essentially determined that an individual could be a great leader and an individual could also be a great manager, only the difference being that both the area requires a slightly differential set of skills and competencies. Where management is resulting in producing order and consistency in the process of operations and flow of work, leadership is resulting in change and movement up to a certain level within the process. The management in any organization includes a vast array of activities such as planning and budgeting, setting of agendas, preparation of timetables, allocation of resources, setting of rules and procedures, hiring, organizing, problem solving as well as taking corrective actions spontaneously. Leadership on the hand requires an individual to set direction, clarify the big picture and prepare strategies, communication of goals and responsibilities, alignment of tasks, seeking commitment, building teams, motivating peers and subordinates, and satisfy unmet needs and wants. As it has already been mentioned above that both leadership and management goes hand in hand, both the fields certainly requires human skills, conceptual skills and technical skills. Also, with the closing of discussion with the fast food business owner promoting healthy and happy lifestyles, he stressed on the fact that leadership is certainly required to set a new direction in the business like for example in their business targeting a new customer segment would require an individual leader to take an initiative to lead the team of members to conduct market research. At the same time, this requires effective management skills by the individual to plan and organize about the financial resources, time constraints, staff required etc. Indeed, there is no end to overlap of leadership and management.

The Strengths and Limitations of the Behaviourist Approach in Explainin

The aim of this essay is to describe and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the behaviourist approach in terms of ability to explain behaviour. This essay will briefly outline the historical development of the behaviourist approach and include psychologists ranging from Watson to Bandura. This essay will describe in detail the different perspectives held within behaviourism from classical conditioning to the social learning theory and discuss the strengths and weakness surrounding these theories. The idea of Behaviourism dates back to Descartes. Descartes was a philosopher that introduced the mind and body debate, he believed that the mind and body were two separate existences that casually interacted with each other, he named this his theory of interactive dualism however the idea of behaviourism didn’t derive from just this one point. Theories on the mind and body originated from as far back as Plato and Aristotle. (Gentile 2008) Another contributor to the idea of the behaviourism approach was John Locke with his belief that all humans are born with ‘tabular Rasa’ a blank state. Locke believed that the mind at birth had no innate conceptions and that all behaviour is learnt from the environment. Locke wanted to validate his nurture belief so employed empirical methods of research. All these different theories helped Behaviourism come into a discipline in its own right from the twentieth century onwards (Gentile 2008) The behaviourist approach is somewhat different to the other approaches in Psychology as the main focus is on the external environmental factors and the effect these have on behaviour. Behaviourists believe that People have no free will and that a person’s environment determines their behaviour and that psy... ...lots of contrasting views surrounding the behaviourist approach and the explanations it gives for explaining behaviour however it can be said that behaviourism has made great contributions to a better understanding of behaviour. Works Cited Flannagan,C (1997) A Level Psychology.London: Letts Educational Gentile,B and Miller,B (2008) Foundations of Psychological Thought: A History of Psychology.Los Angeles :Sage Publications Ltd Glassman,W and Hadan,M (2004) Approaches to Psychology.4Ed.Berkshire:Open university Press. R,Gross 2004 Key studies in psychology.3Ed.Oxford:Hodder and Stoughton Gross,R (2009)Psychology. The science of mind and behaviour. 5ed.Oxford:Hodder and Stoughton Moxon,D and Brewer,K.(2003) Heinemann Psychology.Oxford:Educational Publishers Roth,I (2000) Introduction to Psychology.Glasgow:Bath Press Colour books.

Business Proposal Outline Essay

This is a summary that can answer the question: what kind or type of business am I in? You must be able to answer this with a one sentence answer that summarizes everything you’ll do. You’ll use this as a tag line when meeting business people as you market your business or as an introductorily statement presented to a lender. Structure Define your business as a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, C Corporation, S Corporation or Limited Liability Corporation. To accomplish this will require the skills and expense of a good attorney specializing in small business. Management See more: argument essay format You’ll need bios and resumes on your principal team players, including details of their experience, education, noteworthy achievements and why you’ll think they will be an asset. Employees How many and how will you hire them? What qualifications are you looking for? Will you outsource? What about compensations, benefits, workman’s comp insurance or health plans? Finances & Accounting In house or subcontracted? Computerized? What software will you need? You’ll need a proforma profit and loss statement with income and profit projections forecasted out three years. What kind of a balance sheet method will you use? You’ll need three-year projections of assets and cash-flow. Will you outsource for expertise in this area? Who can you hire and who can recommend reliable professionals? How much will a qualified CPA cost you a year? What services will he/she provide? Technology What are your needs? How will you use your equipment and in what aspects of your business? What file databases are you going to maintain? How much power do you need to maintain these? Can you option for online vendors or do you have to install an in-house system,? What about IT? Outsourced or hired? What is you budget for upgrades of equipment and software? Will you be doing graphics and promotional materials design in-house or outsourced? What about spyware, malware and virus protections? More Than An Afterthought Writing a business plan that is comprehensive will require a lot of work and thought. But once it’s done, you’ll have a tool that can breathe and grow as your business grows. A successful business plan template will be divided into sections allowing the reader an easy interpretation of what your goals are and how you plan to achieve them. It should include the following: †¢Cover Sheet. Includes the name of the new business and the principals involved. †¢Table of Contents. Easily divides the plan into different sections and allows for easy navigating. †¢Executive Summary and Mission Statement. Introduces the business idea, summarizes the ideas and goals and what you intend to accomplish. †¢Start-Up Costs and Operations. Lists all the details of the items and costs required to get started as well as the operating costs once the business has opened its doors. This includes all expenses such as rent, supplies, administration, equipment and employees. †¢Marketing Plan. Your strategy for advertising and other methods of gaining clients. †¢Revenue Projection. Your financial forecast over a period of several years. †¢Appendix.

Customer Management and Customer Intelligence

Customer Management and Customer Intelligence Introduction Customer Relation Management (CRM) is an important part of any organisation. Managers utilise it to improve sales and profitability. Any organisation that targets to be successful in any field must place the customer central to its operations. Such organisations should make customers their most important assets.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Customer Management and Customer Intelligence specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Over the years, many institutions have established the study of customer relations in their curriculum. Managers have also been trained on the most effective ways of employing customer-relation tactics in the course of their operations. Although many industries are coming up at an alarming rate, the fashion and design industry stands out based on the way it has applied CRM to boost its sales through guaranteeing clients quality products. In the fashion and design industry, the custo mer is the most important shareholder. Organisations that are able to understand their customers end up being more successful than others that do not have the same policies (Rigby, Reichheld Schefter 2002; Greenberg 2009). The customer management principle that is applied in any organisation is important because it determines the strength of any brand that the company intends to market and/or sell. The following is an assessment of one of the companies in the luxury fashion industry. The paper discusses the customer management practices that the company has applied. Besides, it gives the necessary changes that the company needs to implement. Company Profile The business selected for assessment is the Christian Louboutin Company brand that operates in Spain. Christian Louboutin Spain is a subsidiary of the main company that is based in Paris. It has stores in many parts of the world. The company specialises in the manufacture of specifically branded shoes. Christian Louboutin is cre dited with the revival of stilettos that were popular among women in the past decades, thus making them part of luxury fashion design today. Products As stated above, Christian Louboutin produces expressly branded and internationally recognised shoes. The red-bottomed shoes act as the trademark for the company. These shoes are popular on the catwalks and other fashion events. The company designs shoes with very high heels since many of its customers prefer the high heels o other types of shoes. In fact, the company has produced heels with a height of more than 120mm with the aim of making women appear decent and more attractive by giving an impression of long legs (Greenberg 2009).Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The category of shoes that Christian Louboutin makes is usually won with the evening dresses. The brand is associated with prominent personalities an d models. The company also offers low-heeled shoes, although they are not as common as the high-heeled ones. The shoes are in most occasions fitted with jewel straps to give them the elegant look and feel. The other accessories include patent leather, red soles, and bows. The company is well known for its signature red-bottomed shoes. This design is patented under the United States laws. The company has also ventured into the manufacture and sale of women handbags. In fact, the owners expect to increase the contribution of handbags for the total company revenue to increase. Size and Revenue Christian Louboutin has recorded significant growth in size and revenues since its establishment in 1991 by Christian Louboutin. The growth in sales started in the first year after the start of the business. This period was occasioned by the increased publicity that the original outlet in France got. In the first year after establishment, Christian Louboutin sold approximately 200 women shoes, wh ich were sought by some of the rich and famous women in the area. The company currently sells over 700,000 pairs of shoes in a year. These shoes are sold to the rich and famous as a policy of luxury. The company is reported to make over $300 million annually as revenue where the shoe section contributes 95% of the revenue. The growth in revenue from the sale of shoes is significant in the company. It approximates to around 40% annual growth. The prices for individual shoes vary. However, a single pair of shoe can go for as much as $6,000. Most of the shoes in the store have a price tag of over $4,000. Customers can also get a custom-made brand to suit their tastes, although at a higher price. The company has been considered the leading brand in the fashion industry for a long time. It continues to lead in the luxury fashion shoe design. The company makes sales through the many outlets in the world. However, the bulk of purchases from the outlets are wholesale purchases. More than 80 % of purchases from the company are wholesale (Greenberg 2009). Market The company has a significantly large market. The fashion industry contributes much to the market. Many fashion events that display luxury designs use Christian Louboutin shoes and handbags, which are mainly rented from the company. Many celebrity women are known to purchase the brand, although most of them come from different parts of the world to purchase the products. The company also has international distribution centres in different parts of the world. Most of the markets for the items are in the United States.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Customer Management and Customer Intelligence specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The United States forms the largest market for Christian Louboutin, with 52% of sales for the company being in this country. The company also has a presence in almost all continents. The European and Russian bazaars in combination with markets from the Middle East countries contribute to over 30% of the company’s revenue. The Asian market makes up the rest of the proportion of the sales. Some of the personalities that form the market for Christian Louboutin include Angelina Jolie and Nicki Mina. Most of the catwalks in the US and Europe market the products as a way of promoting the company on the local and global front. Operation Country The country in which the organisation in focus is located is Spain, which is known for its appetite for luxurious items such as those offered by Christian Louboutin. The company has the store being located in Madrid, Spain. It is renowned for its luxurious items. The country has a favourable macro-environment for any luxury fashion company. It has many centres that are considered the fashion capitals of the world. Companies that work here also enjoy organisational cultures that are favourable in the production of the luxurious items. Madrid offers a large m arket for the company. Dozens of celebrities visit the city as well as other areas in Spain, thus ensuring a constant supply of customers, and hence the positive performance from the company in the country and the region compared to other subsidiaries elsewhere. The country also has an operating environment that allows companies to operate with autonomy. It has also managed to market itself in the fashion industry (Greenberg 2009). Many fashion companies operate within Spain. The companies have utilised the existing policies on different fields. Customer Management and CRM use Customer management is one of the most basic functions of any organisation. Christian Louboutin has adopted a number of strategies to that effect. In the operations that the company has in Spain, it ensures that the specific needs of each customer are met. This strategy reveals why the company allows customers to specify the designs that they require. It is able to offer different prices for items in relation to the customers’ buying ability. According to Peppers, Rogers, and Dorf (1999), an organisation should adopt a one-to-one marketing strategy, which is the change of behaviour in an organisation to suit the needs of the individual customers. This plan allows the organisation to develop goods and services that are customised to the clients’ needs, including the provision of luxurious services.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The concept of one-to-one marketing is heavily employed in Christian Louboutin. The organisation has dedicated its services to the satisfaction of the customers’ needs. The company made adequate preparations to the one-to-one marketing strategy, which in turn led to its success. Peppers, Rogers, and Dorf (1999) confirm that most companies that have adopted the one-to-one marketing strategy have not succeeded because they took it without prior preparations. The company specialises in the manufacture of products that are described by many professionals as being luxurious and state-of-the-art. However, this outcome is only because the company involves customers in the development and marketing of these products. Some of the customers for the organisation frequently shop at the Spanish outlets because they are renowned for their quality and exceptional designs. The prices of the company are also custom-made, and that only a few individuals can afford some of the luxurious items o n offer. This situation has ensured that some of the categories of products are only available to a particular class of customers, and hence the reason why they are sought by these customers. According to Peppers and Rogers (2011), the price of a product in the fashion industry is important in determining the class of customers that buy these products. In Spain, the company has managed to apply specific forms of marketing. These forms include the use of the internet and social sites. According to Lent and Tour (2009), the use of these forms of marketing is favourable for any fashion company that targets to attract any class of customers. Christian Louboutin has traditionally not used print media in the marketing of its products because of the tradition that has been held for a long period. This situation has further contributed to the segmentation of its market, with only a specific group of customers being targeted in the marketing campaigns. Expected Changes There are many expecte d changes in the market developments in Spain for luxurious items. These changes are occasioned by the changes on the national economic front and the change in demand for the luxurious goods. There are also expected changes in the rules and regulations that govern the industry in Spain. After the global economic crisis, the numbers of people participating in the fashion industry were noted to decrease (Greenberg 2009). Customers also reduced in this industry because the Spanish economy was also affected. The effects of the crisis have constantly disappeared with time. The economy is now performing better in Spain and elsewhere in the world. The expectation is that more customers will be able to afford the products that are provided by the company. Advice for the Company The company needs to invest in more customer-relations management practices, with the management being involved directly in these strategies. The other possible advice for the company is that it should engage its cus tomers more through the internet marketing since the move is likely to improve its performance. Seybold (2001) observes that the internet is an important tool in the delivery of information to customers. It provides a cheap means of helping customers carry out a number of activities. Although the company has not established itself on the print media, largely preferring one-to-one marketing, it should also embrace this form of marketing, as it is likely to grow its customer base (Yastrow 2007). Fournier, Dobscha, and Glen Mick (1998) claim that organisations can create friendly relationships with their customers. However, they assert that the very things that organisations are doing to improve relations with their customers are the ones destroying these relations (Fournier, Dobscha Glen Mick 1998). Christian Louboutin may ensure that it gets to learn the customers before it can engage in creating any form of relationship with them. Fournier, Dobscha, and Glen Mick (1998) observe tha t the organisation can embark on the creation of a healthy relationship that is intimate between it and customers. In any relationship, input is from both sides. Customers can be allowed to provide input for the product development and marketing at the Christian Louboutin Company in Spain. This move is in line with the suggestions that are provided by Fournier, Dobscha, and Glen Mick (1998) in their article. The institution can develop and maintain trust between itself and customers. Many of the customers buying from any particular company do so because they consider the company trustworthy in quality, design, and pricing. This case also applies for Christian Louboutin. According to Fournier, Dobscha and Glen Mick (1998), this company needs to provide privacy emotional support and confidentiality to its customers. Customer behaviour is an important part of marketing in any luxury company, and before development of a product, there should be adequate consultation between the customer and the developers. According to Fournier, Dobscha, and Mick (1998, p. 4), â€Å"For contemporary consumers, product satisfaction is linked inextricably with their satisfaction, and companies must attend to both these dimensions if they expect to win.† Christian Louboutin may participate in assuring customers the satisfaction that they deserve in purchasing their products. Conclusion In conclusion, the luxury fashion industry is very competitive. Organisations that want to survive need to ensure that they apply effective customer-relations management. This report has looked at a company operating in the luxury fashion industry in Spain. It has provided a look at the profile of the company and the operating environment in the industry and the country in general. Christian Louboutin is a fashion company providing the best shoes in the luxury industry, as it is known for producing custom-made shoes for her customers. The company utilises some useful CRM measures. However, it sh ould guarantee customer satisfaction and more use of technology in the production and marketing processes. References Fournier, S, Dobscha, S Mick, D 1998, preventing the premature death of relationship marketing, Harvard Business Review, vol. 76 no. 1, pp. 1-6. Greenberg, P 2009, CRM at the Speed of Light, Social CRM Strategies, Tools, and Techniques for Engaging Your Customers. Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY. Lent, R Tour, G 2009, Selling Luxury. Wiley, New York, NY. Peppers, D Rogers, M 2011, Managing Customer Relationships: A Strategic Framework, Wiley, New York, NY. Peppers, D, Rogers M Dorf, B 1999, ‘is your company ready for one-to-one marketing?’, Harvard Business Review, vol. 77 no. 1, pp. 151-160. Rigby, D, Reichheld, F Schefter, P 2002, Avoid the Four Perils of CRM, Harvard Business Review, vol. 80 no. 2, pp. 101-109. Seybold, P 2001, ‘Get inside the Lives of Your Customers’, Harvard Business Review, vol. 86 no. 1, pp. 80-89. Yastr ow, S 2007, We: The Ideal Customer Relationship. Selectbooks, Washington, DC.

The Grimké Sisters, Abolitionists From South Carolina

The Grimkà © Sisters, Abolitionists From South Carolina The Grimkà © sisters, Sarah and Angelina, became leading activists for the abolitionist cause in the 1830s. Their writings attracted a wide following and they drew attention, and threats, for their speaking engagements. The Grimkà ©s spoke out on the highly controversial issues of slavery in America at a time when women were not expected to become involved in politics. Yet the Grimkà ©s were no mere novelty. They were highly intelligent and passionate characters on the public stage, and they presented a vivid testimony against slavery in the decade before Frederick Douglass would arrive on the scene and electrify anti-slavery audiences. The sisters had particular credibility as they were natives of South Carolina and came from a slave-owning family considered part of the aristocracy of the city of Charleston. The Grimkà ©s could criticize slavery not as outsiders, but as people who, while having benefited from it, ultimately came to see it as an evil system degrading to both masters and slaves. Though the Grimkà © sisters had faded from public view by the 1850s, mostly by choice, and they became involved in various other social causes. Among American reformers, they were respected role models. And there is no denying their important role in conveying abolitionist principles in the early stages of the movement in America. They were instrumental in bringing women into the movement, and in creating within the abolitionist cause a platform from which to launch a movement for womens rights. Early Life of the Grimkà © Sisters Sarah Moore Grimkà © was born November 29, 1792, in Charleston, South Carolina. Her younger sister, Angelina Emily Grimkà ©, was born 12 years later, on February 20, 1805. Their family was prominent in Charleston society, and their father, John Fauchereau Grimkà ©, had been a colonel in the Revolutionary War and was a judge on South Carolinas highest court. The Grimkà © family was very wealthy and enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle which included the owning of slaves. In 1818, Judge Grimkà © became ill and it was determined he should see a doctor in Philadelphia. Sarah, who was 26, was chosen to accompany him. While in Philadelphia Sarah had some encounters with Quakers, who were very active in the campaign against slavery and the beginnings of what would become known as the Underground Railroad. The trip to a northern city was the most important event in her life. She had always been uncomfortable with slavery, and the anti-slavery perspective of the Quakers convinced her that it was a great moral wrong. Her father died, and Sarah sailed back to South Carolina with a newfound belief in ending slavery. Back in Charleston, she felt out of step with local society. By  1821 she had moved to Philadelphia permanently, intent on living in a society without slavery. Her younger sister, Angelina, remained in Charleston, and the two sisters corresponded regularly. Angelina also picked up anti-slavery ideas. The sisters had inherited slaves from their father, which they freed. In 1829 Angelina left Charleston. She would never return. Reunited with her sister Sarah in Philadelphia, the two women became active in the Quaker community. They often visited prisons, hospitals, and institutions for the poor, and had a heartfelt interest in social reforms. The Grimkà © Sisters Joined the Abolitionists The sisters spent the early 1830s following a quiet life of religious service, but they were becoming more interested in the cause of abolishing slavery. In 1835 Angelina Grimkà © wrote an impassioned letter to William Lloyd Garrison, the abolitionist activist, and editor. Garrison, to Angelinas surprise, and to the consternation of her older sister, published the letter in his newspaper, The Liberator. Some of the Quaker friends of the sister were also upset at Angelina having publicly announced a desire for the emancipation of American slaves. But Angelina was inspired to continue. In 1836 Angelina published a 36-page booklet titled An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South. The text was deeply religious and drew upon Biblical passages to show the immorality of slavery. Her strategy was a direct affront to religious leaders in the South who had been using scripture to argue that slavery was actually Gods plan for the United States, and that slavery was essentially blessed. The reaction in South Carolina was intense, and Angelina was threatened with prosecution if she ever returned to her native state. Following the publication of Angelinas booklet, the sisters traveled to New York City and addressed a meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society. They also spoke to gatherings of women, and before long they were touring New England, speaking for the abolitionist cause. Popular On the Lecture Circuit Becoming known as the Grimkà © Sisters, the two women were a popular draw on the public speaking circuit. An article in the Vermont Phoenix on July 21, 1837 described an appearance by The Misses Grimkà ©, from South Carolina, before the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society. Angelina spoke first, talking for nearly an hour. As the newspaper described it: Slavery in all its relations - moral, social, political and religious was commented upon with radical and stern severity - and the fair lecturer showed neither quarter to the system, nor mercy to its supporters. Still she did not bestow a title of her indignation upon the South. The Northern press and the Northern pulpit - Northern representatives, Northern merchants, and the Northern people, came in for her most bitter reproach and most pointed sarcasm. The detailed newspaper report noted that Angelina Grimkà © began by talking about the active slave trade conducted in the District of Columbia. And she urged women to protest the governments complicity in slavery. She then spoke about slavery as a broadly based American problem. While the institution of slavery existed in the South, she noted that northern politicians indulged it, and northern business people invested in businesses which depended on slave labor. She essentially indicted all of America for the evils of slavery. After Angelina spoke at the Boston meeting, her sister Sarah followed her on the podium. The newspaper mentioned that Sarah spoke in an affecting manner about religion, and ended by noting that the sisters were exiles. Sarah said she had received a letter informing her she could never again live in South Carolina as abolitionists would not be allowed within the states borders. Theres little doubt the sisters would have been in peril had they visited South Carolina. In 1835 abolitionists, sensing it was too dangerous to send emissaries into the slave states, began mailing anti-slavery pamphlets to southern addresses. The pamphlet campaign resulted in sacks of mail being seized by mobs in South Carolina and the pamphlets being burned in the street. Controversy Followed the Grimkà © Sisters A backlash developed against the Grimkà © Sisters, and at one point a group of ministers in Massachusetts issued a pastoral letter condemning their activities. Some newspaper accounts of their speeches treated them with obvious condescension. In 1838 they stopped their public speaking, though both sisters would remain involved in reform causes for the rest of their lives. Angelina married a fellow abolitionist and reformer, Theodore Weld, and they eventually founded a progressive school, Eagleswood, in New Jersey. Sarah Grimkà ©, who also married, taught at the school, and the sisters kept busy publishing articles and books focused on the causes of ending slavery and promoting womens rights. Sarah died in Massachusetts on December 23, 1873, after a long illness. William Lloyd Garrison spoke at her funeral services. Angelina Grimkà © Weld died on October 26, 1879. The famed abolitionist Wendell Phillips spoke of her at her funeral: When I think of Angelina there comes to me the picture of the spotless dove in the tempest, as she battles with the storm, seeking for some place to rest her foot. Sources Veney, Cassandra R. Abolitionism.  New Dictionary of the History of Ideas, edited by Maryanne Cline Horowitz, vol. 1, Charles Scribners Sons, 2005, pp. 1-4Byers,  Inzer, Grimkà ©, Sarah Moore.  American Women Writers: A Critical Reference Guide from Colonial Times to the Present:  A Critical Reference Guide from Colonial Times to the Present, edited by Taryn Benbow-Pfalzgraf, 2nd ed., vol. 2, St. James Press, 2000, pp. 150-151.Byers, Inzer, GrimkÉ (Weld), Angelina (Emily).  American Women Writers: A Critical Reference Guide from Colonial Times to the Present:  A Critical Reference Guide from Colonial Times to the Present, edited by Taryn Benbow-Pfalzgraf, 2nd ed., vol. 2, St. James Press, 2000, pp. 149-150.

Alcohol Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Alcohol - Assignment Example It affects the central nervous system. The human body eliminates the alcohol in three different ways metabolism, evaporation and excretion. Since the excretion of alcohol is done through tears, sweat, saliva, urine and semen. On the other hand when the blood circulates the alcohol into the lungs it is evaporated through ones breath which can be measured through breath sample test (Alcohol and the human body 101). For DUI, these physical changes allow police officers to investigate an individual. The concentration of alcohol in blood shows in fact the same symptoms as cocaine, heroin, and other narcotics. The drug crimes include drug trafficking, possession of drug with an intention to distribute or manufacture. A level of alcohol in the blood content can be measured by blood test, urine test or by breath testing. Blood test is more expensive and intrusive but one of the most accurate methods while breath testing is cheaper and inaccurate ways of testing alcohol content because results can vary depending upon certain factors (Alcohol and the human body

Discussing animal rights and animal research in the classroom Article

Discussing animal rights and animal research in the classroom - Article Example Even though the research question is not clearly stated in the article, the author makes it clear that the research question is whether it is right or ethical to use animals in behavioral and biomedical research For this purpose, the researcher reviews two major philosophical positions used by animal activists and tries to stimulate a discussion in the classroom on the debate (Herzog, 1990, p. 90). 2. Introduction: The article has a very comprehensive introduction which tells the reader of the significance of the issue and the rational for the present study. The introductory part of the article reviews a large number of literatures to highlight the cruel and unjust practice of using animals for behavioral and biomedical research purposes. The introduction also deals with the efforts made by animal rights groups and movements, depicts animal rights controversy as a social issue, pinpoints the reformers’ versus animal liberators’ debates, and summarizes the two most influ ential perspectives used by animal rights activists to protect animals from such cruelties-the Utilitarian argument and the Rights argument (Herzog, 1990, p. 90-91). Both the groups consider animal research as immoral: while the Utilitarian proponents argue for ‘equal consideration of interests’ to animals, the Rights argument holds that animals’ rights should be preserved (Herzog, 1990, p. 90). 3. Methodology: The methodology used in the paper is quite innovative and interesting. The author divided the students in the class room into groups of five or seven and each group had to engage in role-play participation on an ACUC (Animal Care and Use Committee). Each group was assigned a research proposal on animal research; each group had to evaluate and either approve or reject the research proposal submitted to them based on the information provided in the proposal (Herzog, 1990, p. 91-92). For the purpose of the study, the author provided the class with four animal research cases where each group had to make the final verdict on whether the research is to be permitted or not. The author used this exercise with 150 students in five classes and the conclusions of the study are drawn based on the student responses to the exercises (Herzog, 1990, p.93). 4. Results: The results of the study are dealt with in the paper in terms of student responses after the classroom exercises. Each student who participated in the exercise was asked to make an anonymous evaluation of it (Herzog, 1990, p. 93). The author claims that the responses were extremely positive and out of the 150 students only two had negative responses (Herzog, 1990, p. 93). Most of the participants admitted that the exercise offered them a unique opportunity to develop their thoughts on the cruelties shown to animals in terms of animal researches and that it offered them life time valuable lessons (Herzog, 1990, p. 93). 5. Discussion/Conclusions: The study has got great relevance as it d eals with a very controversial topic in scientific research and it has got great implications in the modern era where a lot of animals are being used for research purposes. The exercise is not just a matter of logic; on the other hand, it needs to take into account such factors as the animal’s similarity to humans, their perceived intelligence, and ethical considerations (Burghardt & Herzog, 1980; Herzog, 1988, as cited in Herzog, 1990, p. 93). While psychologists and animal rights activists argue for ethical treatment of animals there are many others who support the right of researchers and scientists to use animals for scientific research and advancements. Thus, the exercise makes the learners become equipped to grasp animal rights and it is the responsibility of psychologists to convince the students of both the sides of the issue (Herzog, 1990, p.