Reflection on Concussions

I learned many things from the completion of my senior exit project. My research has taught me the most because it furthered my thesis statement. The research proved that if the padding was reorganized and strategically placed into the helmet, that more protection would be offered to players and the severity of the injuries would be significantly less. When I discuss this topic with my teammates, they strongly agree with my new placement of the padding because they themselves have suffered concussions and other serious injuries due to the poor choice of padding placement in helmets.I have also suffered many injuries myself due to the lack of properly placed padding, but I have never had a concussion. I learned many things about myself throughout this project. I learned that I can manage my time a lot better than I thought and stick to scheduling in order to complete this project without getting distracted. I demonstrated that I am able to do extensive research on a topic that I am in terested in as well as being involved with by being an athlete, without getting bored.Lastly, I learned I can push myself to strive to be my best. In the past I have struggled with staying on task and battled Attention Deficit Disorder which I thought would have hindered my progress, but to my surprise, I was able to finish this project with confidence. I feel that I possess the qualities needed to succeed later in life because my confidence has risen. The research developed, gathered, analyzed, and studied from this project has helped me to gain a new perspective of myself when it comes to studying and working hard.

Steps Taken To Ensure Security Of Personnel

Personnel involved in emergency preparedness in an agency should be aware of state and local laws that are applicable in maintaining security. They should know how these laws may affect development and implementation of emergency preparedness in an agency. If the agency leases facilities that are owned by local government, state or private companies, responsibility in ensuring there is security should be allocated to all the parties who use the facilities.Occupant emergency plan should be well known by the key staff and disabled people should get involved in preparing for emergency where disabled should be engaged in maintaining security. Agency plan should be updated by the senior staff and plan should be reviewed by facilities personnel, first responders and no part of the plan should conflict with the procedures of nearby agencies. Security strategy should coordinate information among enforcement of law and security agencies and strengthen cooperation of police and community throu gh sharing information to know the causes of insecurity in an agency.Operation plan should help in providing timely information about criminal activities that may arise so that the director of security can take preventive measures to ensure that no personnel are under risk. (Douglas, 1993 pp38-42). Steps taken to ensure security of organization assets Risk assessment on organizations sensitive information on assets where assets are evaluated basing on integrity, availability and confidentiality of the requirements in classifying assets to determine the ones essential in achieving organization objectives.Risk assessment identifies the threat, probability of occurrence, how vulnerable it is and impact of severity. Threat analysis establishes all the threats that involve flood or virus and improper management of storage devices. Vulnerability analysis ensures that there is protection of critical information resources. Possible control to be implemented should be assessed to determine s ecurity functions to mitigate risks and provide protection to assets. Appropriate security measures should be selected to correspond to retained security functions.Analysis should be done followed by decision making and drafting of action plan according to priority of security measures that should be deployed. Director of security communicate with employees on security issues, monitor and update implemented controls. (Douglas, 1993 pp33-37). Role of scenario planning This is a method of strategic planning used by some organizations to make long term plans that are flexible. It combines known future facts such as political, geography and industrial information with social, technical and environmental trends that act as key driving forces.Scenario planning involves interpreting facts in a subjective manner, new inventions and shifting values. Scenario planning highlights the forces that push future to a different location. It ensures forces are visible so that the planner can recogniz e them in case they happen. It starts by identifying the decision where infinite number of stories tells of the future by telling the people that matter to make better decision. It begins by agreeing on the issue to be addressed and test of relevance of the issues. Scenario planning creates participation of the public and positive visioning.It helps to understand what you want by use of new technology in understanding impact of decisions made in a project and making informed decisions. Through scenario planning, community is able to understand their future and make tradeoffs by understanding the purpose of decisions made. (Bakeoff, 1988 pp17-23). Comparing SWOT and STEEP analysis Both of them begin with analyzing external environment of the business and there after looks at internal strengths and weaknesses of organization in relation to internal factors like prior performance and external factors.They combine analysis to look at organizations opportunities and threats to come up wi th plans in order to have opportunities for countering threats. Both of them help to develop effective corporate strategy. They are involved in changes in technology which they rarely consider as a threat and organization must make use of new improved technology so that it can produce final products that are of high quality and satisfy consumer needs and wantsContrasting SWOT and STEEP analysis SWOT assesses the business of your own or competitors while SPEEP assesses the market which includes competitors from standpoint of a business. SWOT analyses benefits all businesses by completing main competitors SWOT analysis which provide feedback into STEEP analysis economic aspects while STEEP analysis is useful and relevant when business is larger and complex but can still have one or two issues of importance in small businesses.SWOT analysis are used when business are starting to plan in order to identify the strength of business, weakness that may be encountered, available opportunitie s and threats. This is not a process of isolation but decisions taken should be based on findings while STEEP analysis looks for sociocultural, technological, economic and political factors and their impact on business. (Bakeoff, 1988 pp24-26).

How Technology Affects Youth

Technology Affects Youth? s Life The young people of today are constantly using technological devices, such as cell phones, X-Boxes, laptops, or iPods. Do you think Technology is effecting our youth today? Do you think it is a bad influence? Do you think it’s becoming a problem with their learning? I think youths are facing a bad moment with the technology without noticing.One effect the technology has is a negative influence on the social lives of youth, because it keeps people from experiencing reality. Youth are losing contact face to face because even they are at a party, family reunion or hanging out friends, most youth cannot leave their technological devices on the side and enjoy the moment. If youths are constantly being cut off from people and new experiences because of technology, our generation is dying in social life.If we never face reality by making personal relationships, experiencing things, and solving problems, we will never know how to solve any problem with out help of technology. Another effect of technology on youth is youth are no paying enough attention in class or when they are doing homework. Youths are always thinking in what their friend or boyfriend are doing instead of being paying attention to class or homework. Youth has to have balance in how much time to spend on Facebook, YouTube, or any social media.For example youth are allowed to get on any social media but all school work and chorus have to be completed The indiscriminate use of technology is making youth not enjoy the best of life like have a nice moment with their family, friends or boyfriend or girlfriend. In the other hand technology has too many benefits like helps to be in touch with people that are far. Technology is an excellent tool to learn. Youths needs to learn how to uses technology for their own benefits no technology uses youth.

Critical thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 9

Critical thinking - Essay Example The problem, is that the law seems to have been misused by some Floridians like George Zimmerman against Trayvon Martin. According to David Simmons, co-author of the state bill in his opinion article titled â€Å"Without Stand Your Ground, Attacker can Have Advantage†, the Castle Doctrine was revised to become the â€Å"Stand Your Ground Law† in order to prevent such incidents from happening. Under the doctrine, the victim, who, if carrying a gun, was first expected to flee the scene and try to de-escalate the situation before opening fire. The problem with that scenario, is that the victim more often than not does not have a chance to run away from the attacker. Hence the need to revise the law. I fully understand and support the â€Å"Stand Your Ground Law† because I have to live every day of my life in a world where I never know who is going to attack me. One can never be too sure as to when a situation might call for a â€Å"Stand Your Ground† response. It is always nice to know that I can defend myself whenever necessary without having to open myself to an all out attack in the first place. Sen. Simmons had his heart in the right place when he agreed to co-author this bill together with Rep. Dennis Baxley in 2005. I am quite sure that the law has saved many innocent lives since it was enacted into law in 2006. Even the safety measures to ensure that the law would not be used to turn Florida into a Wild West state were truly logical. That is why it saddens me that there are people who oppose the law simply because it has become tainted with racial discrimination accusations. The Trayvon Martin case has placed the â€Å"Stand Your Ground† law in the national spotlight because the person who was shot happened to be a young African American and the shooter, was a White male. The law is not as simple as â€Å"shoot first, ask questions

One size fits all datatypes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

One size fits all datatypes - Essay Example The integer types has a number o language applications include signed char, char, short, unsigned short, unsigned long and unsigned char which have different storage size and value ranges (MACDONALD, 02, 2007). The void types exists in three main forms which include function returns as void, functions arguments as void that do not accept any parameter inserted to it and pointers to void that shows the address of a given object but does not include its type. The floating-point types has a applications such as the float, double and long double with different storage capabilities, value ranges as well as precision (CONNER, 12, 2010). The words true or false can be used in the description of Boolean types despite the fact that the two values or terms are hardly used as a single binary digit in order to achieve efficiency. The composite types use programming languages such as union which refers to the total number of permitted primitive data types (BALENA, 23, 2004). An array is a composite type that is able to store large number of elements in the format. An object offers description on the number of data fields that can be accessed through a program code. A set describes an abstract data structure that has the ability to store a number of certain values while a tagged union has additional fields that are used for enhancing the safety of a data type ( STEPHENS, 67, 2004). STEPHENS, J., RUSSELL, C., & HILLYER, M. (2004). Beginning MySQL database design and optimization from novice to professional. Berkeley, Calif, Apress.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Carbon Dioxide Emissions - Essay Example The average World Carbon Dioxide Emissions were 4.53 metric tones/capita in 2005. United States of America ranked first then with average emissions of 19.54 metric tones/capita followed by Canada, Russia and UK. Developing countries like India and China lagged at the tail end then. The Fourth Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded among other things that "warming of the climate system is unequivocal" and that "anthropogenic warming over the last three decades has likely had discernible influence at the global scale on observed changes in many physical and biological systems." The report also stated that human activities have significant impact on climate change. The Gross Domestic Product is one of the primary indicators calculated to assess the health of a country's economy. It representsthe total dollar value of all goods and services produced over a specific time period. According to the Environment Kuznets hypothesis, environmental pressure increases faster than the income in the early stages of development and slows down relative to GDP growth as higher income levels are reached. The EKC proposes that indicators of environmental degradation first rise, and then fall with increasing income per capita. There are views supporting and criticizing this theory. ... According to the Environment Kuznets hypothesis, environmental pressure increases faster than the income in the early stages of development and slows down relative to GDP growth as higher income levels are reached. The EKC proposes that indicators of environmental degradation first rise, and then fall with increasing income per capita. Environmental Kuznets Curve : Different Scenarios Source: Reference 1 There are views supporting and criticizing this theory. Those views supporting it emphasize that the curve exists though its becoming smaller in nature and shifting to the left(revised EKC) whereas those criticizing it argue that even if certain pollutants are reduced as income increases, industrial society continuously creates new, unregulated and potentially toxic pollutants. In their the curve will rise to a horizontal line at maximum existing pollution levels, as globalization promotes a "race to the bottom" in environmental standards, as shown in Figure In their view, the overall environmental risks from these new pollutants may continue to grow even if some sources of pollution are reduced, as shown by the "new toxics" line in the above figure. The relationship between economic growth and environmental quality has been a source of great controversy for a very long time. Multiple factors contribute to this. The complex nature of GDP calculation, data on environmental quality are patchy themselves and also that though the per capita capability to pay for clean technology increases, it does not necessarily imply a proportionate increase in the willingness to pay. This report makes an attempt to verify the Environmental Kuznets hypothesis while establishing a relation between additional variables like the energy

A Comparison of two poems based on the same thematic concern Essay

A Comparison of two poems based on the same thematic concern - Essay Example All these are used differently by poets to portray the message that they intend to even when the subject matter at hand is the same. Both Dylan Thomas and Wilfred Owen have based their poems, ‘Do Not Go Gentle into the Good Night’ and ‘Disabled’ respectively, on the subject matter of death. To portray this theme, both poets have effectively used language and different literary devices like repetition and similes. Despite the fact that they portray the same thematic concerns, the literary devices have been used in different ways to signify different aspects. This paper will compare and contrast the two poems based on the use of literary devices. Similes have been used as literary devices in both poems. In the poem ‘Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night’, the use if simile is evident in the line ‘blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay’. Here, Thomas compares blind eyes to meteors, the word blaze signifies the fact that blind m en burn with a zest for life and do not give up. The simile shows that even though blind men may be helpless, they still strive to live and not die. This contributes to the theme in that many people do not wish to die. ‘Saddening like a hymn’ is the simile in the poem ‘disabled’. Sadness is being compared to something so happy like a hymn.

Multinational Corporations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Multinational Corporations - Essay Example The company is in over 220 countries and has more than one million employees. Multinational corporations are provides an important force for the dynamics of the world economy. For instance, the Coca cola Company has been a driving force for the developing world economy as far as jobs creation is concerned Chong(1983,p.130). In global context, Coca Cola Company exhibits certain roles and behaviours.The Multinational corporations are involved in social corporate responsibilities across the globe. For instance, the Coca cola Company supports the sports activities. The company has major sporting events internationally. The coca cola company has sponsored such sports as football in developing nations by providing the teams with uniforms, painting stadiums e.t.c As Multinational corporations operate in many different countries, they are subject many tax jurisdictions. They are thus suppose to pay taxes in the countries that they operates. The tax systems usually differ between nations and thus the process is usually complex. These differences among the tax systems have affects the managers' decisions of the multinational corporations. The U.S government usually does not differentiate between that income which is earned at home and that which is earned abroad.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hormone Replacement Therapy - Essay Example This is usually referred to trans-women or trans-men (Manson, 2010). Cancer in recent years have been a worldwide problem, initially people believed that this life style disease was majorly for the wealthy and the able people, but recent researchers find that the disease affects anybody irrespective of a race one belongs to. Most treatments of cancers for instance the prostate cancer in men and menopause conditions in women as well as uterine cancer are based on hormone replacement therapy ( Chlebowski, Anderson & Manson, 2010). Resent researchers claim that replacement therapy in early menopause had a significant reduction of mortality, heart attacks without risks of cancer and stroke. As situation where estrogen stimulates the growth of lining of the uterine walls which increase the risk of uterine cancer; a prescription of estrogen in combination with progesterone is given to reduce the problem. Reduction of risk of endometrial cancer: Studies indicate that women who receive progesterone as well as estrogen treatment to decrease menopause symptoms reduced risks of endometrial cancer as compared to those who were under only estrogen (Manson, 2010). Evidence based research requires demonstration of a new practice which emphasizes on quality and safety of patients for instance; a use of empirical evidence from randomized controlled specimen, qualitative scientific research methods, information reports combined, results to a more relevant and concrete solution or step in controlling problem associated with hormone replacement therapy (Hjorland, Birger, 2011). The use of evidence increase patients’ outcome since it includes healthcare recommendations that help doctors and nurses address questions related to cancer and hormone issues (Hjorland, Birger, 2011). Though there have been successes in the effective administration of drugs or Hormone Replacement therapy especially to women, various side

The implications of the European monetary union Essay Example for Free

The implications of the European monetary union Essay In this report, I will be addressing the implications of the European monetary union and the problems Zeus will have in developing their market in Europe. The UK and EMU When the UK decided not to join the European monetary union (EMU) in 1999, it affected UK businesses, especially those who trade within the EU. Does it matter whether sterling is in or out? For many UK Businesses, trading within the EU has become more competitive. After the introduction of the Euro, an Italian company for example, competing for a German companies business could cut 3% of costs due to their common currency, making it harder for UK business to compete. Currently UK businesses are paying à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½3bn per year in exchange rates, which hit small firms like Zeus the hardest. Advantages By joining the single currency, British businesses will benefit from a fixed exchange rate allowing businesses to plan and budget for future activities more accurately. Fixed exchange rates will deliver stability and increase confidence that will lead to more investment and jobs. By staying out of the Euro Britain will be at a disadvantage to competitors in the Eurozone who already trade with each other using the same currency. The development of free trade has contributed enormously to the economic prosperity across the EU, with the strong position of the wealthier nations and helping to bring the poorer nations more stability and economic success. The introduction of a single currency removes one of the final barriers to free trade i.e. the transaction costs and the uncertainty involved in currency conversion. The removal of national currencies will encourage cross-border investment since the traditional reluctance of many investors to move their money into a currency other than their own will no longer be a factor. Businesses across the Eurozone will therefore be able to attract more investors from other Eurozone countries, and investment will be based on the competitiveness of a business rather than its nationality. This will increase the pressure on uncompetitive businesses to improve their efficiency. An increase in cross-border mergers and acquisitions will also lead to more streamlined and efficient businesses across the Eurozone. Disadvantages Most of Britain international trade is carried out in US dollars, a currency against which the pound has enjoyed far more stability than has the Euro. The fact that the pound has risen so much against the Euro since the Euros launch is a sign of the Euros weakness. Changeover to the Euro would be endured by all businesses in the UK, whether or not they trade with Eurozone countries. Most British companies, sell to local markets. These firms would still incur the costs of conversion and not see any benefit from the removal of currency transaction costs. While there would be a saving from the absence of currency transactions for exporters, these would be offset by the costs of the changeover. There have been fears that inward investment in British based industry would suffer as a result of staying out of the Euro, the reality has been very different. In 2001 the Office of National Statistics reported that inward investment in Britain for the 2000/2001 financial year was à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½341 billion, an increase of 36% over the previous year. The theory that a single currency will lead to the harmonisation and lowering of prices across Europe seems hard to support. Regional differences in prices are a result of differences in levels of taxation as well as variations in labour, property and transportation costs. The cost of living in different parts of the UK varies considerably, even though all regions share the same currency. Less scrupulous retailers would use the introduction of the Euro to round-up prices, just as they did during decimalization 30 years ago. How This Effects Zeus Being part of the EMU will benefit a small company like Zeus, (see advantages above) however, there are some other factors that Zeus need to be aware of. Promotion and packaging will also have to change. The language and content on the wrapping and will have to that of the country it is being sold in. Health and safety requirements of products would have to meet one standard rather then having to adapt products for different countries, however since Zeus currently trade mainly in the USA they would need to adapt their product to EU standards in order to trade within the community, which might be costly but beneficial. Cost of the Benefit If the UK were to join the EMU, cost increases and reductions will occur. Change of Equipment The costs for UK businesses of abolishing the pound and substituting the euro would be massive notes and coins would need to be replaced, along with cash registers, cash dispensing machines, accounting systems etc. The retail sector would have to undergo a complete renovation of cash systems. The costs of this changeover would affect all businesses in the UK, whether or not they trade with Europe and whether or not they will benefit. Consumers and businesses would have to pay for these costs through higher prices and taxes. It would take years before the trivial day-to-day savings on European transactions outweighed the costs of the changeover. More Competitive Markets The Euro ensures companies will face a more integrated European market. Cross-border trade and investment will be stimulated and competition strengthened in many markets. Businesses who see foreign exchange risk and transaction costs as barriers to cross-border trade are likely to move into new markets once these barriers are removed. New business start-ups may also be encouraged. Transparent Price Differences It will be possible to directly compare prices for the same goods and services in different EU countries and spot the best prices. Despite the SEM, price disparities persist as a result of differential pricing policies, tax rates, transportation costs, national market structures, and perceived product values. The ability for consumers to compare prices will move prices towards the lowest market level and businesses will find it hard to maintain pricing policies by country and currency. Treasury and Finance For many European businesses the Euro will present opportunities for long-term savings altering balance sheets, cash flow management, currency management, and corporate finance. Businesses with units operating in different currencies will be able to record and compare all accounting values, margins, costs, expenditures etc. in one currency. Such transparency may greatly assist in processes of internal planning, accounting, and benchmarking. Foreign Exchange Eurozone firms avoid the risk of exchange rate changes. Exchange rate movements dont impose a penalty but volatility in exchange markets and the unpredictability of rates can be costly. Many firms have opted to hedge exchange risks for long-dated transactions or included a margin in their prices to cover exchange rate movements. Under the single-currency, foreign exchange transaction costs are eliminated on internal dealings with benefits as much as 8% on the total price of industrial goods. Wage Transparency Employees will find it easier to calculate and compare wages between workers in different countries within the same company. Transparency of wages will bring salary convergence closer to reality and increase labour mobility. Variations in salary and remuneration exist today and workers always ask why are they paid that much over there when Im paid this much here?, firms can usually demonstrate difference in taxation, benefits, purchasing power etc. by country and currency. Organisations need to consider how to set fair and competitive remuneration packages in a Euro-denominated environment. Lower Borrowing Costs Its axiomatic with a single currency and single central bank that there will be a single interest rate. Banks will lend in Euros and enterprises will be able to borrow from outside their countries without incurring the risk of exchange rates, reducing borrowings costs. Cost savings may be greatest in countries where Euro interest rates fall below previous rates. The introduction of the Euro should favour the development of new financing methods. Overall, firms should have more choice and flexibility in raising finance and, in many cases, will face lower costs. How This Effects Zeus All these costs are going to affect Zeus and it might be a good idea for Zeus to look into these costs now, if they want to stay trading in years to come. Moving Production Many multi-national companies have expressed misgivings of Britain staying out of the Euro and state it could affect investments in British jobs. Companies want to know the value of the goods they sell from the UK will not decrease due to fluctuations in the exchange rate between Britain and the European countries and the cost of British labour will not rise significantly due to a strengthening pound. However, American, Asian and other foreign companies favour the UK as a base for their European operations because of factors such as culture, language, a de-regulated, business friendly environment, and low levels of taxation and corruption. EMU entry could reduce the cost of capital for UK firms if long-term interest rates fell within the EU and if membership of a larger financial market reduced the cost of finance. These costs could fall for SMEs in particular if joining EMU lowers the barriers which prevent SMEs accessing EU financial markets and lowers the cost of bank lending. Over time, EMU is likely to boost cross-border investment flows and foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Eurozone. The UKs share of total EU FDI flows has fallen, coinciding with the start of EMU, and a corresponding increase in the share of the Eurozone. But against the backdrop of many other influences on FDI flows, its difficult to say EMU has boosted FDI within the Eurozone. Successfully operating EMU and UK membership of it on the right basis, would boost FDI over the longer-term. The longer membership of the euro is delayed, gains of increased inward investment are postponed. If sustainable and durable convergence is achieved, then the quantity and quality of investment would increase. How This Effects Zeus If Zeus was to relocate to Europe, there would be decreased production, transport and currency costs however the initial outlay moving into Europe will be costly but allow Zeus to be in the market they wish to operate in. The skills and expertise of the workforce of that county may not have what Zeus require and may cost more money training employees to the standard required. Moving production into a different country may benefit the company as all countries have differing resources, like labour. Zeus will need to evaluate all the factors involved in moving production and decided wheather it would be beneficial for them. Expansion in Europe With more than half the UKs trade with the EU and increasing integration of product, labour and capital markets, the UKs economic interest is best pursued through a deepening cooperation with other European countries as part of the Governments commitment to a strong EU and a successful EMU. As the Prime Minister said in November 2002: We should have more self-confidence because we are a leading European power, always have been and always will be. However, there are implications to expanding a businesses share in the European market. The Governments objectives These global and European trends are mirrored in the Governments central economic objective for the UK to build a stronger, more enterprising economy and a fairer society, extending economic opportunity and supporting those most in need to ensure that rising national prosperity is shared by all. and strategy Stability, productivity and employment opportunity are the foundations of the Governments economic strategy. Since 1997, the Government has taken tough decisions and introduced wide-ranging reforms to establish a platform of economic stability and to promote work and enterprise, tackle poverty and deliver sustained investment to modernise public services. The Governments decision on UK membership of the single currency must contribute to these objectives. The benefits from adoption to the euro depend on trade integration between the UK and the Eurozone through the elimination of currency fluctuations and transaction costs. The UK has increased trade within the EU since joining. Chart 5.3 shows how UK trade with the EU has risen by 5%. The impact of EMU on UK trade, competition, productivity and growth thorugh substantial possible gains EMU membership could enhance productivity in the medium-term by increasing trade and investment and stimulating competition, also helping to promote economic reform in the EU and encourage specialisation in the longer-term. Therefore, EMU could effect the five key drivers of productivity. Based on broad-based evidence on the impact of trade, it seems reasonable to assume that each 1% increase of trade to GDP increases real GDP per head by at least 1/3 % in the long run and perhaps as much as 2/3 %. In a best case scenario, with stability through sustainable and durable convergence, a long-term increase in trade with the Eurozone at the top of the 5% to 50% range and increased investment spurring competition, UK output could be around 9% higher over 30 years within a successful EMU than outside. This could add around 1/4% a year to GDP growth. but not without sustainable and durable convergence Conditional on the achievement of sustainable and durable convergence between the UK and the euro area. Where it is not assured, the trade benefits from EMU would be likely to be at the lower end of the range, meaning gains to trade and competition from membership could be negligible. Estimates suggest a lack of flexibility and convergence in some EU countries. However, EMU has increased trade within the EU by 3% and 20% since 1999. Volatility and uncertainty resulting from EMU membership in the absence of sustainable and durable convergence could have a negative impact on the actual level of UK output in the long-term. The Governments strategy to tackle the barriers to productivity growth and close the productivity gap, involves continued microeconomic reforms in the UK to target the five key drivers of productivity combined with support at the European level for policies to strengthen competition and the Single Market. How This Effects Zeus Expanding into the European market place has two major implications that Zeus will need to consider. Firstly that since EMU, theres increased competitiveness within the EU and Zeus may find it hard to compete if their strategy and overall business is not strong. And when the 10 new countries enter the EU and join the EMU, it could decrease sales and profits even production as their economies are weaker then the rest of the EU and would affect Zeus expansion into Europe. Political Implications There are as expected, political implications to expansion into the European marketplace. In the UK, taxation on businesses is not as high as other EU countries, as the UK government want to promote economic growth. If the EU were to set the level of interest and taxation for all Eurozone countries it may not be beneficial for all countries or their goals. It could be seen as too much involvement and lack of sovereignty power and could cause bureaucracy and federalism. It could be argued that by joining the EMU the UK would lose its economic and political sovereignty; something the UK is not currently ready to give up for the euro and its benefits. To protect their own interests, countries can restrict imports by putting limitations, subsidies, quota or import duties to imports to protect industries. But this does nothing to protract free trade within the EU. Free trade was developed to increase political and economic stability within the EU. How This Effects Zeus Businesses like Zeus will need to consider political implications. Zeus will benefit from the movement of free trade within the EU, and the low taxation within the UK for businesses, however there are other political issues that Zeus will need to consider whether they stay in the UK or move into Europe. These are; o Social policies ~ health and safety standards, holiday/sick pay, working time directive, working conditions etc. o Environmental requirements ~ such as noise and pollution levels, safety fittings etc. o Technological ~ does the technology meet business requirements? do the workforce know how to use the equipment? etc. Recommendation I would recommend that Zeus stay in the UK. When the 10 new countries join the EU, EMU will be affected and it would be well advised to consider in the future expanding into Poland as they are in the centre of the EU and have a highly skilled and are inexpensive workforce to employ. Currently it would beneficial for Zeus to stay in the UK due to the governments objective to build a stronger economy. I would recommend that Zeus seriously look into moving or expansion into Europe and see how this mirrors with current and demand. Bibliography Books Palmer A, The Business Environment, 2002 Mercado S, European Business, Pitman, 2001 Piggott J, International Business Economics, 1999 Davison Purple, The European Competitive Environment, 1995 Websites www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/business www.gov.org.uk www.offical-documents.co.uk HND UNIT 29: European Business

European Court of Human Rights

European Court of Human Rights Introduction The purpose of litigation at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), is to examine alleged violations and ensure that States Parties comply with their obligations under the Convention, providing individual applicants with effective remedies and just satisfaction under Articles 13 and 41 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The wider objective is to protect and embed locally the three CoE foundation stones; liberal pluralist democracy, human rights and the rule of law to effect structural and institutional change and create a common democratic and legal area throughout the whole of the continent. Yet comprised of 47 member states and 811 million citizens, the CoE inhabits a fundamentally different territorial scope to that in May 1949. Originally a social and ideological counterpart to NATO, it has undergone a central shift in its core modus operandi from an interstate process of protecting the democratic identity of Member States through the medium of human rights to its emerging front line role as an arbiter of liberal human rights through the medium of individual petition. Considerable problems that threaten to undermine what has been achieved over the fifty years during which the Convention has operated lead one to ask whether there is any point taking such cases at all. This brief essay is split in two sections. Section one analyses the tripartite problem outlined within PACE Resolution 1226 (2000); the inadequate clarity and casuistical nature of Court judgements, characterised by doctrinal uncertainty in the margin of appreciation; the systemic non-implementation of judgments and failure to employ necessary reforms that would avoid further violations, with a case study of the Russian Federation; and a critique of the insufficient rigour and failure of the Committee of Ministers (CoM) to exert enough pressure when supervising the execution of judgments. Section two, explores the central debate between individual and constitutional justice; and the potential impact Protocol 14 may have on the asphyxiating6] Court and CoM. Finally I assess the accomplishments of Strasbourg litigation before returning positively to our initial question with a passionate case for individual petition against the backdrop of a tide of human rights abuse in post-communist accession Europe; the utility of the Interlaken proposals; and preservation of the Human Rights Act 1998. Section One: Problems Theoretical Fault Lines: An Unprincipled Margin The extent to which there is any point to Strasbourg litigation is determined in the first instance by the extent to which the Court can effectively balance its role as a supranational judicial guarantor of liberal individualist human rights, within the CoE framework of upholding and deferring to the thread of pluralist democracy; an intrinsically collective ideal. For McHarg, Strasbourg jurisprudence is characterised by the absence of a conceptual framework integrating a preferable rights model with a defensible conception of the public interest. Greer agrees, highlighting unresolved normative, institutional, and adjudicative questions, and the failure of the Court to deliver a concrete body of jurisprudence and constitutional authority. The result formulaic, thin decisions and un-ordered interpretive principles, at best devaluing Convention rights and at worst denying them. This dichotomy is played out through the margin of appreciation doctrine; the latitude given to States Parties based on their better position with the facts on the ground. ECHR protections are not absolute, but relative; they are subject to exceptions permitting infringement of the fundamental right or freedom, specifically defined within paragraph two of Articles 8-11; and under Article 15 (A15) can be erased altogether to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation. These express definitional restrictions remind us of Bentham; this, we see, is saying nothing: it leaves the law just as free and unfettered as it found it. Strict judicial interpretation and objectivity are critical to the defence of Convention rights in the context of these exceptions. The flexibility of the margin is for Waldock advantageous to the evolutive nature of Strasbourg Jurisprudence, and for Dr Arai-Takahashi value pluralism being the fundamental prerequisite and virtue of a liberal democratic society, a set of standardised rules would devalue regional legitimacy and richness of cultural values and traditions among member states. The CoE is clear in its aim to promote awareness and encourage the development of Europes cultural identity and diversity.That Convention rights are relative is a moot point for realist theorists, since States Parties would never have been willing to be bound by the Convention in the first place without safeguarding their democratic sovereignty. Yet McHarg notes the paradox in a legal scheme which is supposed to protect the individual against the collective, sanctioning limitations to rights on collective grounds. How far in practice does the ECtHR go towards fulfilling the supervisory function it refers to in Handyside v UK (1976)? To what extent does Osts assertion that there is never an unchallengeable margin hold true? McHarg talks of doctrinal uncertainty while Jones points out that even the Courts president has acknowledged the justification to some extent of criticism of the doctrines lack of precision and use without principled standards. Fiercer critics lambast the abdication of the Courts enforcement responsibility. Dembour questions if Convention rights are so full of contradictions that they are useless? It is intrinsic to the dichotomy between international individual rights protections and the national collective interest that the margin of appreciation occupies a middle position between subjectivity and objectivity; between a burden of proof firmly on the government on one hand and on the other of wide deference to it. In Lawless v. Ireland (1961), Waldock asserted: a Governments discharge of responsibilities is a problem of appreciating complex factors and balancing conflicting considerations of the public interest; once the Court is satisfied that the appreciation is on the margin the interest the public itself has in effective Government and maintenance of order justifies and requires a decision in favour of the legality of the Governments appreciation; Simpson saw this reflecting an implicit determination to back the authorities. Dembour and Jones respective assessments of further A15 derogations demonstrate consistently deferential applications of the margin, and reluctance to objectively scrutinise the existence of an emergency or of the measures implemented to tackle it. In Greece v. United Kingdom (1958), the Commission argued that the assessment whether or not a public danger threatening the life of the nation existed is a question of appreciation; determining the validity of the repressive measures employed, the UK government enjoyed a certain discretion. Such a position is clearly evident in Ireland v. United Kingdom (1978), confirmed in Brannigan v. McBride (1993), both concerning A15 derogations of Article 5 with regard to the detention of suspects in Ireland. Several problems arise from the rationale employed in these cases. Dembour draws our attention to the absence of a factually and theoretically strict analysis impossible to justify in human rights terms. Indeed, the inevitability of a wide margin in the context of A15 derogations, led Judge Martens to assert that there is no justification for leaving a wide margin because the Court, being the last resort protector, is called upon to strictly scrutinise every derogation. Jones contends a state of emergency objectively determinable if a national government has evidence of such a situation, he asks why this is not capable of assessment by an international Court? Implementation: A pessimistic view is well founded Strasbourg jurisprudence has demonstrated the capability of the Court to robustly uphold Convention rights from major shows of arbitrariness, ensuring a degree of justice for applicants and families, international attention, accountability in relation to serious violations, and domestic legislative change. Notwithstanding the significance of such supranational decisions, analysis of the pending caseload (some 116,800 cases in October 2009), reveals a Court facing unsustainable pressure from repetitive cases concerned with structural problems in civil, criminal and administrative proceedings; serious pervasive human rights abuses; and unacceptable delays in the implementation of judgements. Implementation remains the Achilles heel of the Convention system, A brief case study of Russia underscores the gravity of the situation. It is the irony of history that the Russian Federation now occupies a key position in the very organisation established to provide European unity and security in the face of Soviet communism. Comprising 27.3% (31,850) of all pending applications at the ECtHR, the Medvedev Government faces protracted challenges in its attempts to develop civil and economic freedoms ending the legal nihilism that is seriously hindering modern development. I write following the death in Butyrka prison of Sergei Magnitsky, an anti-corruption lawyer acting for HSBC / Hermitage Capital in the $230m tax fraud case. This case and the ongoing second Khordokovsky trial are emblematic of structural defects in the Russian criminal justice system and procuratura that have lead to the accusation and incarceration of many innocent persons. Other important cases demonstrate the gravity of the situation, including Gusinskiy v Russia, Ilascu and Others v Moldova and Russia, the first six Chechen cases, Shamayev and 12 others v Russia and Georgia and Aleksanyan v Russia. Leutheusser-Schnarrenbergers recent PACE report on politically motivated abuses of the criminal justice system is a powerful indictment of the failure of the Russian Federation to entrench a meaningful institutional framework that engages with the rule of law. The report highlights a multi-layered problematic of political and hierarchical vectors of pressure on judges to secure convictions; retrogressive legislative proposals that call into questions Putins implementation of jury trial; the endemic failure to safeguard defence lawyers from coercion and realise a truly independent objective procedure for their selection and quality; serious investigative flaws; and unremitting legal nihilism. The systemic pervasive abuse of human rights in Chechnya represents perhaps the most serious Convention violations. It is here that PACE and the CoM face their most urgent challenges. Bowring draws our attention to the recent memorandum on the North Caucasus, exposing violations by security forces, including enforced disappearances, torture, extrajudicial executions; and impunity for these violations of international law; while Leach candidly outlines the scope and extent of the crisis; the first Chechen cases demonstrate the real limitations of the individual rights mechanism of the European Court as a forum for resolving wide scale, systemic and serious human rights violations. In his recent visit to Birkbeck College, Leach vividly underscored the paradoxical and lamentable and legally unsatisfactory problem of non-disclosure (ND) of domestic case files, in spite of repeated requests made by the Court. 33 of the 37 Chechen judgments have been characterised by this problem, notably Basayeva and Others v. Russia and Bitayeva and X v. Russia and Isayeva, Yusopova and Bazayeva v. Russia. The Court in Bazorkina v. Russia pointed out that documents of the criminal investigation are fundamental to the establishment of the facts and their absence may prejudice the Courts proper examination of the compliant both at the admissibility and merits stage. Chechnya aside, Leach identifies a further threefold problem of implementation vis-Ã  -vis Russia, confirmed in Pourgourides 2008 CLAHR Report; deficient judicial review over pre-trial detention, resulting in excessive periods of detention and overcrowding; the Nadzor procedure supervisory review of final judicial dec isions; and the urgent complex problem of the non-enforcement of domestic judicial decisions against the state In the context of these problems, can there be any hope for optimism? Bowring draws our attention to the often ignored historical context which has characterised Russia as part of a long and complex relationship with human rights and with the rule of law and judicial independence, which are its essential underpinning. It is in this context he argues that the ECHR, rather than an alien implantis to a large extent a restoration of the reforms of the 1860s. Ghorkova contends current legal reforms and the creation of the rule of law and a civil society with the appropriate structures and mechanisms to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as the participation in the activities of the Council of Europe, are wholly in line with Russian Interests. Behind Russias posturing is, according to Bowring a serious engagement with international law its commitment in terms of diplomatic and financial resources is substantial; and compliance with its obligations indeed, in 2007 the ECtHR heard 192 complaints against Russia. Russia won just 6 and paid in full the orders for compensation in every case. In addition, in a wider sense, Leach points out the pre-eminent position of the CoE vis-Ã  -vis Russia in view of the inability of the United Nations effectively to sanction Russia over human rights abuses, and as a result of Russian suspicion about the motives and aims of the OSCE. Entrenching the rule of law in Russia will be a slow process. However, the mechanisms for its success are at least in legislative terms visible. It is my contention that through the work of the CoE and ECtHR, the Russian Federation will make a true engagement with human rights. As we shall explore below, the right of individual petition is an essential part of this process. It is easy to dismiss the Court as having failed in its mission when confronted by the ongoing abuses of rights in Russia. Yet this depends on how one defines success. From Systemic Individual Justice to an Abstract Constitutional identity The critical mass of applications lodged coupled with systemic non implementation of Court judgements has led Wildhaber to a paradoxical observation; that the quantum leap in recognising the individual as a subject of international law, has reduced the capability of the ECtHR to ensure the safeguarding of the individual from violations of Convention rights. That the Courts well noted asphyxiation is intrinsically related to the right of individual recourse is clear. De Vries April 2009 CLAHR Report lays bare the unsustainable increase in applications, principally in the wake of post-communist accession, underscoring the urgent need to tackle obviously inadmissible cases; repetitive cases that concern established systemic defects; and to concentrate on the most important cases. The inferences drawn from these stark figures have been decisive shaping proposals to ameliorate the crisis; but moreover reveal the wider battle for the soul of the ECHR borne out of competing understandings of the Courts function. The crippling application rate is for Greer emblematic of the intrinsic failure of the CoE structure to systematically deliver individual justice; intrinsic since individual recourse is a flawed paradigm. Foremost, the Convention system was, according to Greer, simply not designed as a conduit for the fulfilment of individual human rights through the medium of individual petition, but rather the protection of democratic identity through the medium of human rights. Its contemporary utility is thus encouraging European public organisational, legal and ideological parity though articulation of an abstract constitutional model member states should then apply. Greer goes on to cast doubt over the possibility of the ability of the Convention system to deliver systematic justice to every applicant, concluding that given this individual justice becomes arbitrary. Finally, he argues that where cases are adjudicated in favour of the applicant, they are often hollow victories marked by symbolic rather than instrumental awards of just satisfaction, but beyond that little else. Consequentially he argues the urgent need to that the cases the Court does select for adjudication represent the most serious Convention compliance problems in Europe, and that they are settled with maximum authority and impact. Wildhaber agrees, the need for the Court to concentrate its efforts on decisions of principle However, for Sir Stephen Sedley, the proposal to introduce a discretion to refuse to entertain cases which are legally admissible is a counsel of despair; to do this would be to abandon the Courts crucial role, which is not that of a Supreme Court, but that of a tribunal of last resort for citizens of non-compliant states. This, he argues may be attractive to judges but is less attractive to citizens of sates which persistently or systematically fail to observe the convention. And this is less attractive still in light of the concern that amendments to the admissibility criteria will restrict the right of individuals to seek redress at the European Court, without ade quately tackling the problem of the increasing number of Convention violations across Europe. Conclusion: Why Bother? Camerons renewed pledge to repatriate the Human Rights Act (1998) (HRA) with a British bill of rights to better tailor, but also strengthen, the protection of our core rights may soon be a reality. DPP Kier Starmer has made an impassioned defence of the HRA and broad impact of Convention jurisprudence on the CPS: the common law sometimes struggles with a coherent approach to human rights; the Human Rights Act is an essential component of the framework within which everyones rights may be protected. The ECHR has shored up the right to a fair trial in the UK, the CPS underscoring the relationship between Article 6 and its work securing the fairness of trial proceedings in criminal proceedings. It was central to the development of PACE (1984), ensuring formality of interrogation and ending miscarriages of justice through uncorroborated evidence. Regina v Fulling (1987) demonstrates the efficacy of PACE safeguards against evidence collected under oppression, contrary to the ECHR; the meaning of the term (oppression) reflects the wording of Article 3. Starmer underscores the positive obligation on the state to take reasonable steps to protect potential victims from a real and immediate risk to their lives from criminal activity. When they (victims) unfortunately acquire that status, they have the right to an effective investigation. These are rights that spring from the Human Rights Act, not rights that conflict with it. Critically, they are now enforceable in court. Through the application of the ECHR, challenges may be made under Section 78 PACE as to the admissibility of the evidence obtained; and victims have the right to challenge decisions not to prosecute, particularly where they can point to poor decision-making or inappropriate consideration of irrelevant factors in that process. The HRA is central to legal certainty and transparency, and development of a modern public prosecution service prosecuting firmly and fairly, in an open, transparent and independent way; supporting victims and witnesses by enabling, encouraging and supporting their effective participation at all stages in the criminal justice process; and a commitment to respect and protect the human rights of all those affected by our decisions, whether they be victims, witnesses, suspects or defendants. Klug demonstrates the tangible protection of freedom under the Human Rights Act in sixteen important areas; freedom of association; private and family life; freedom of expression and the media; terrorism; torture; jurisdiction in Iraq; protecting the right to life; investigations into deaths; marriage; asylum seekers; disability; mental health; restraint of young people in secure training centres; sexual orientation; race; and gender. A few examples of Case law in these areas make a powerful case for Strasbourg litigation. A and others v UK (2009) held that the incarceration of suspected international terrorists under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 without charge or trial was disproportionate and discriminated on the ground of nationality or immigration status. In R (H) v Mental Health Review Tribunal, the rights of those detained under the Mental Health Act (1983) were bolstered by the shifting burden of proof for continued detention onto the health authority. Prisoners rights have been enhanced, including the granting of voting rights in Goldberg and Others v. Minister of Prisons (1979); the freedom from censorship of correspondence, in Silver and Others v. UK (1980); and changes to cell policies following the racist murder of a prisoner in R (Amin) v SSHD (2003). R (Baiai) v SSHD (2008) was important ensuring the sacrosanct right to marry under Article 12 was free from discrimination on the grounds of immigration status. Leach, in his recent visit to Birkbeck College drew attention to the heart-rending fact finding missions in Anchora in the early 1990s, highlighting serious pervasive violations of the Kurdish minority in South East Turkey. The deplorable case of Aydin v. Turkey (2005) is emblematic of the effect of individual petition and its fundamental importance to the effective protection of the substantive rights and freedoms provided for in the Convention. It is perhaps through this significant programme of litigation, setting key standards in violations of Articles 2, 3 and 5, and delivering access to justice to those most vulnerable and marginalised members of society that the true point of litigation in Strasbourg is made. For those in the North Caucuses, 2009 has been a frightful year, symbolised by the death in Grozny in July of Natalia Estimirova, followed a month later by Zarema Sadulayeva and Alik Dzhabrailov. Through the delivery of constitutional justice those most vulnerable people whose voices so desperately need to be heard will be cut off from the most advanced international system for protecting civil and political liberties. Barkhuysen and Emmerick contend that the Courts constitutional legitimacy and moral authority are derived through providing legal protection to individuals by breaking the State Partys sovereignty. This unique achievement, unprecedented in international must be defended. It is here that the point of Strasbourg litigation is to be found.

Strategic Marketing Plan for the Guardian Newspaper

Strategic Marketing Plan for the Guardian Newspaper 1. Introduction Unlike any national newspapers, the Guardian can divide readers’ opinions. It can provoke feelings of contempt in critics, who might think its publications of the world to be satisfied and smug. On the other hand, loyal readers claim that their favorite newspaper could have alternative, critical and argumentative viewpoints, which are unique, distinct and separate it from its rivals. Many Guardian supporters continue to believe that their morning newspapers are essential in a way that no other articles would dare to challenge. However, in a globalization environment and with a modernized technology platform, brands should beware of being beached. Marketing activities of the Guardian were mainly relied on price and supporting special editions a decade ago. ‘The papers marketing department is planning an extensive operation to generate trial of the newspaper by Guardian faithfuls to secure an extra 40,000 readers. The first redesigned issue was available for 10p to Guardian readers and use will also be made of The Guardian’s database to direct mail 80,000 of its readers.’ [1] Additionally, the strategic plans have not yet been successful for the past years. The Guardian feels that it should be the natural Sunday choice for Guardian and any other liberal left readers in the market and it is testimony to the success of the newspaper. Nevertheless, there are still grounds to make up. 2. Strategic marketing plan 2.1. Technological innovation – Diversifying its targets The Guardian has tried to reach as many domestic and international consumers as possible. Many agencies have created a brand campaign in order to reflect the multi-media presence of the Guardian. It has remained innovation to adapt to the new business environment by continuously changing. In 2006, the newspapers marketing director Marc Sands has mentioned ‘If you aggregate the changes weve made over the last two years, such as the decision to print news stories on our website before theyve appeared in the newspaper, youll see the direction were moving in.’ [2] All good media brands should measure and publish across brand perceptions rather than just the number of circulations. Likewise, the Guardian has ensured its brand to increase its market shares globally. Its sales team has been able to inform their clients that the newspaper brand could help them buy across many platforms, not just the ones who are interested in reading newspaper. It is working with the industry and looking at different brands and measurements to enhance both sellers and buyers of advertising to have different platforms for different kinds of currency. ‘The newspapers branding has been attached to numerous technological advances in delivering content across a range of platforms. These includes the groups blog site Comment is Free already one of the worlds top 100 blogs according to technorati.com and G24, a regularly updated printable version of breaking news for commuters to read on the journey home.’ [3] Additionally more competition has happened. Through its own research, the Guardian has found out that ‘it is perceived as worthy and dull by lapsed readers. Those between 18 and 35 find it old-fashioned, tired, lacking style and too conservative. Over the past ten years 40 per cent of all readers under 35 have deserted the newspaper with female readers providing the greatest hemorrhage 50 per cent have dropped the paper.’ [4] As a result, the Guardian should diversify its market segmentation and try to divert perceptions of the consumers in its strategic plan. To continuously promote the articles to a target market of 18 to 35-year-olds, the Guardian should ensure that the future newspaper can provide appropriate advertising contents to attract target group to sell to advertisers. Decades ago, ‘This is partly down to the fact that the Saturday Guardian is a good product and its readers dont feel the need for a Sunday.’ [5] Furthermore, it should concern the lack of loyalty in the Sunday newspaper market, since the Sunday vouchers has been dropped during promotional campaign. As part of its attempt to stay ahead of a future of declining newspaper sales, the rise of number of obsessed youth and throwaway free newspapers through online contents should consider. 2.2. Relaunching strategies – Agency promotion Another strategy is promoting the brand through free newspaper with DVD and CD. The breaking-news market has been grounded in term of content, volume, target and the frequency of the quality press. Their high growth approaching method will bring with more strategic leverage, not just with DVDs for posh papers. Our relaunch strategy was all about encouraging people to reappraise The Guardian. says Richard Furness, circulation manager for Guardian Newspapers. The two free DVDs on consecutive Saturdays did just that we enjoyed our two highest-ever sales in the history of the newspaper, and our subsequent Saturday sales show that many have stuck with us.[6] Traditionally, newspapers used to facilitate the line with primary sales promotion tools that help to be hit in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market. Since entertainment becomes a major decision for consumers to purchase a product, DVDs can lead to the right strategy to implement. Its an expensive but extremely good tool. says Dermot McPartlin, director of PD3, the agency that handled The Guardian DVD push. Essentially, the relaunch was a sampling exercise for the new product. The films that were used had a great synergy with the papers brand values and broad consumer appeal. [7] Over the past few years, due to the impacts of the World Wide Web, big newspapers have tried to transpose their brands onto the web. The obvious advantage of the online facility is that the internet can enable marketers to ask readers to register, and as a result, their customers’ concern can be responded quickly. The two-way dialogue could be promptly done and help build a meaningful relationship. When media can be effectively transferred their brand value online, demographics are essentially different from the newspapers with traditional hard copy delivery. Due to the lack of commitment on the part of print publisher, the online content is usually less well thoughtful. Additionally, print publishers have a print view of pricing, which might inhibit the realistic cost per response. Most print publishers have tried to stick to the standard rate. In fact, the newspapers have paid as little of the supposed price; but consumers have not yet realized that they have been overcharged for their online equivalents. However, the Guardian might be not the first title to adopt this template. ‘Heeding the large proportion of ads on newspaper web sites bought as part of cross-media campaigns, the Audit Bureau of Circulation has launched what it calls a Group Product Report, which aims to simplify the process of choosing a cross-media campaign by outlining the audited number of a newspapers print copies, its web sites page impressions and the footfall of any related exhibition.’ [8] The Guardian has made enormous efforts to provide compelling contents to cover all areas. To prove that the Guardian has been committed, will succeed and are succeeding, it should be more popular, both in domestic and international regions. 2.3. Facilitating banners Brand owners need to adjust their internal culture in order to persuade their customers that they have been reborn. They have different degrees of success in adapting when the ground moves beneath their feet. However, cultural difference for a big brand, like the Guardian which has a strong worldwide impact, can cause a steady and slow procedure, rather than a prompt fire remedy. The Guardian seem trapped in its culture, hardcopy print, producing innovative information, but still seems unsuited to a new technology trend, the World Wide Web. Coy about the exact revenue Guardian Unlimited is pulling in, Waldman says: Our revenues are growing very rapidly in all areas of the site, and through all types of advertising from banners and buttons through to e-commerce partnerships and sponsorships. Elaborating this point, Guardian Unlimiteds commercial development manager, Helen Mayor, says: Increasingly offline sales teams like ourselves are looking to mirror the developments and integrated structure of the agencies involved in buying traditional and online. [9] Using both digital and print in a cross-media campaign, the Guardian has tried to run an aggressive competition. The inherent conflict between the media buying community and the promoting sales can cause difficulties to implement. The sales operations in a large organization is gearing up for a cross-media sell, while the media buying operations have focused on expertise in dedicated media division, which specializes exclusively in online content for planning and purchasing. Many media agencies have established their interactive departments in response to what they have perceived, rather than what the real demand could be in the market. ‘The Guardian is to yield to commercial pressures and make people register to visit its Websites. The Guardian, which last week unveiled details of a staffing revamp in its new media division, is to introduce registration on its revamped Websites. The move is intended to improve its appeal to display and classified advertisers.’ [10] The Guardian sales team has determined that although many uncertainties have existed in the marketplace, the Internet is still a relatively new medium. The bold strategic framework to take first step to integrate into both media will help the sales teams feel confident with both media. These strategies might question the competence of the agencies in order to understand and properly facilitate the web as a media channel distribution. 3. Proposals The Guardian has created more original content than any agency in town and has led the way in online publishing. The question is not just about the internet media channel, but the growing part of the Guardian brand. ‘Its hardly surprising, because every day in the UK some 13.5 million national papers are sold, which could easily mean over 20 million people read them. Yet, if predictions from Jupiter Communications prove correct and US trends wend their way to the UK, online advertising will outstrip magazines or radio by 2005.’ [11] Additionally, the Guardian brand management should not think that consumers as people to be targeted, but people to be engaged to work for the brand. Increasing fragmentation, differentiation and proliferation of media channels are arising trends in consumer sovereignty, gained through internet technology. Consumers are establishing their own channels if they could get anything in return, such as customizing products themselves, entertaining and exploring their own world, expressing their voices, knowledge that they are buying social responsible products, or simply just saving their time, creating most convenient means for them; they are willing to pay for and work for that brand. With that concept in mind, the successful brand of the future will be most productive and efficient to facilitate the mix of consumers-employees relationship. Agencies will consider themselves as consultant for brand, which help recruit and engage consumers for ideas, dialogue, gaining consumers’ consents as well. As a result, the Guardian’s research and measurement will need to gain clear insights into the consumer-brand relationship as well as understand the value of consumers-employees. With the current technology trends, consumers can find faster and cheaper ways to get information. In fact, news publishers are challenged to engage and fulfill consumers’ expectations. Thus, the following proposals can help the Guardian engage consumers to ‘work’ for its brand. 3.1. The Guardian should increase C2C (consumer-to-consumer) business and reduce B2C (business-to-consumer) interface. The Guardian should facilitate the concept ‘the word-of mouth’ among key consumers. It should consider ‘consumers as media’. 3.2. It should have more content and dialogue and less advertising. The strength of a dialogue involves mental disciplines. Thus, these dialogues engage the customers to think and to work with the Guardian’s staff to complete the message. This strategy might fascinate the customers to promote message from the Guardian. 3.3. More emotional media should be involved in the circulations. Obviously, the more touching and vivid a story will be, the more likely it is to be remembered. The future will be in branded contact that consumers can choose to involve themselves in voluntarily, as a part of the Guardian. In this environment, the share of employment will be a major impact, not just the share of their voice or raising their opinions. 4. Conclusion Galvanizing itself ahead of technological and social trends is not easy, especially for iconic brand, which tends to navigate in cultural system that defies change. However, without successful product innovation and such progress, the Guardian could risk itself of being cast adrift. Ensuring and enhancing a brand is not just simply washed up the changing tides of technology and society. This is also a key strategic framework, which the Guardian has facilitated. Reference list Kavanagh, Michael 1998, ‘Guardian joins in registration game’, Marketing Week.London, vol.21,no.24, 13 August,p.32 McCann, Paul 1995, ‘Observer strives for fresher image’, Marketing Week, London, vol.18,no.25, p.22 Scott, Jon 2000, ‘Do newspapers deliver online?’ Marketing,London, 21 September,p.43 ‘The Guardian: Thinking ahead’ 2006, Marketing Week,London, 24 August, p.24 Thornton, James 2006, ‘Do quality and giveaways mix?’ Promotions Incentives. London, January,p.25 Page 1 Footnotes [1] McCann, Paul 1995, ‘Observer strives for fresher image’, Marketing Week, London, vol.18,no.25, p.22 [2] ‘The Guardian: Thinking ahead’ 2006, Marketing Week,London, 24 August, p.24 [3] ‘The Guardian: Thinking ahead’ 2006 [4] McCann, Paul 1995 [5] McCann, Paul 1995 [6] Thornton, James 2006, ‘Do quality and giveaways mix?’ Promotions Incentives, London, January,p.25 [7] Thornton, James 2006 [8] Scott, Jon 2000, ‘Do newspapers deliver online?’ Marketing,London, 21 September,p.43 [9] Scott, Jon 2000 [10] Kavanagh, Michael 1998, ‘Guardian joins in registration game’, Marketing Week.London, vol.21,no.24, 13 August,p.32 [11] Scott, Jon 2000

All Is Not For The Best Essays -- essays research papers fc

"All is Not for the Best" 10-K Candide Voltaire's Candide is the story of an innocent man's experiences in a mad and evil world, his struggle to survive in that world, and his need to ultimately come to terms with it. All people experience the turmoil of life and must overcome obstacles, both natural and man-made, in order to eventually achieve happiness. In life, "man must find a medium between what Martin (scholar and companion to Candide) calls the "convulsions of anxiety" and the "lethargy of boredom"" (Richter 137). After a long and difficult struggle in which Candide is forced to overcome misfortune to find happiness, he concludes that all is not well (as he has previously been taught by his tutor, Dr. Pangloss), and that he must work in order to find even a small amount of pleasure in life. Candide grows up in the Castle of Westphalia and is taught by the learned philosopher, Dr. Pangloss. Candide is abruptly exiled from the castle when found kissing the Baron's daughter, Cunegonde. Devastated by the separation from Cunegonde, his true love, Candide sets out to different places in the hope of finding her and achieving total happiness. On his journey, he faces a number of misfortunes, among them being tortured during army training, yet he continues to believe that there is a "cause and effect" for everything. Candide is reunited with Cunegonde, and regains a life of prosperity, but soon all is taken away, including his beloved Cunegonde. He travels on, and years later he finds her again, but she is now fat and ugly. His wealth is all gone and so is his love for the Baron's daughter. Throughout Candide, we see how accepting situations and not trying to change or overcome obstacles can be damaging. Life is full of struggles, but it would be nonproductive if people passively accepted whatever fate had in store for them, shrugging off their personal responsibility. Voltaire believes that people should not allow themselves to be victims. He sneers at naive, accepting types, informing us that people must work to reach their utopia (Bottiglia 93). In Candide, reality and "the real world" are portrayed as being disappointing. Within the Baron's castle, Candide is able to lead a Utopian life. After his banishment, though, he recognizes the evil of the world, see... ...appiness. He believes, in his optimistic way, that he will find Cunegonde, his true love, and Dr. Pangloss, his mentor, and all will be well. When Candide is reunited with both he realizes that he was right not to lose hope. In essence, it was Candide's optimism that keeps him from a state of total dejection, maintaining his sanity during troubled times. Candide eventually achieves happiness with his friends in their simple, yet full, lives. The book's ending affirms Voltaire's moral that one must work to attain satisfaction. Work helps Candide overcome his tragedies and enables him to live peacefully and in contentment. The message of Candide is: "Don't rationalize, but work; Don't utopianize, but improve. We must cultivate our own garden, for no one is going to do it for us" (Richter 161). Works Cited Bottiglia, William. "Candide's Garden." Voltaire: A Collection of Critical Essays. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1968. Richter, Peyton. Voltaire. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1980. Tsanoff, Radoslav. Voltaire's Candide and the Critics. California: Wadsworth Publishing Company, Inc., 1966. Voltaire. Candide. New York: Viking Publishers, 1976.

Coca-Cola Advertisement Essay -- Business Analysis

What could possibly be more American than apple pie, baseball or the anonymous World War II kiss? Coca- Cola, of course! Coke’s strong pathos resonates as a symbol of America’s golden years. The Coke bottle montage adorned in pictures of unforgettable American events, artists and past times embodies what it truly means to be American. To be American means to take pride in your country and represent as a unit, not as an individual. All the components that have compose this montage grasp the concept of American patriotism. One of the most identified brands in the world: Coca-Cola has distinguished itself as a symbol of American pride. Since, its 1886 debut, Coca-Cola has been the world leader in â€Å"Delicious and Refreshing† soft drinks. This timeless classic has captivated and supported audience’s morale for decades. The modern Coca-Cola advertisement conveys the message that effervescent classic never dies. The icons displayed are testament of the longevity of an active human lifestyle as their legacies hold strong. Each one has played an active role in the American dream. This advertisement is designed in a way most recognizable. The importance of the trademark insignia is reminiscent of the times. The Coca- Cola logo present in the advertisement is that from 1969 where the ribbon device Arden Square with Dynamic Ribbon, was introduced (â€Å"Trademark Chronology†). Similar to the American flag the ribbon flows. The Arden Square with Dynamic Ribbon device is still present similar to the memories of the greats (i.e. Elvis) with minor alteration (â€Å"Trademark Chronology†). The advertisement uses pathos to appeal to the audience through collage pictures of various American classics. But before the revolution of Classic Coca-Cola came th... ... ideal projection of the values for this advertisement focuses on the patriotism of America and how it ties in with Coca-Colas image. These ideal include confidence, recouping after a failure as they did with the† New Coke Advertisement†, and a sense of unity for country and fellow man. Works Cited â€Å"Coke Lore: Trademark Chronology.† The Coca-Cola Company, 2006. Web. 15 February 2010. History. â€Å"Coke Lore: The Real Story of New Coke.† The Coca-Cola Company, 2006. Web. 15 February 2010. Simon and Schuster. â€Å"The Beatles: Biography.† Rolling Stones, 2001. Web. 15 February 2010. Barbara Haberman. â€Å"Marilyn Monroe: Biography.† Marilyn Monroe, 1 June 1 2004. Web. 15 February 2010. Raecroy, A. â€Å"Coca-Cola Advertisement†. Advertisement. Toxel.com 2 Aug. 2008 Web. 1 Feb. 2010.