Thursday, October 31, 2019

What to do with waste Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

What to do with waste - Essay Example To imagine, the amount of wastes being generated in hundreds of million to billion tonnes per year on a global scale should be alarming to the point we could not at all afford to neglect the issue and show meager efforts toward resolution of the encompassing matter. Actually, no exact statistical figures convey the immense number that must be dealt with since there are unreported cases of waste generation in several countries yet we can only be certain of the fact that waste quantities increase as they vary in direct proportion with human activities, material and energy consumption, as well as the widely experienced technological growth through time. The world has long struggled at managing waste disposals and treating wastes due chiefly to insufficient funds and appropriate fields of study that lack resources in terms of skilled researchers or interested experts who may be visualized together as solid passionate teams in creating ideas and innovating systems that efficiently address waste problems. Given this ever-worsening scenario, thus, we are brought to ask in serious enthusiastic tone â€Å"What do we and can we really do about our wastes on this planet in order to save mother nature, human health, and probably settle other critical concerns thereafter?† At one aspect, we can think of the fossil fuel crisis that affects almost everyone in the world and consider the equivalence fossil fuels make with contemporary wastes. By common knowledge, we are aware that fossil fuels are derived from organic remains of prehistoric plants and animals that undergo natural process of anaerobic decomposition. It normally takes 700 million years for decaying plant and animal matters to be fossilized upon exposure to extreme levels of heat and pressure. So how exactly would wastes, in relative measure, account for the risks of fossil fuel depletion? The point of advantage lies at discovering wastes as possible substitute for fossil fuels based on similar useful compo nents such as coal, natural gas, oil, or petroleum which may be recovered from a bulk of wastes’ organic composition. A successful content analysis must illustrate, by comparative studies, how wastes could feasibly become a good alternative for such non-renewable source of energy as their commonalities basically indicate that wastes are rich in carbon, hydrogen, and other elements capable of evolving heat energy upon combustive mechanisms. Once we have wholly figured such feasibility of producing energy with wastes through large volumetric yields of hydrocarbons, the next approach would be to come up with practical tools and methods relevant for the task. Hence, realizing the full potential of wastes in the context of possibly replacing fossil fuels should in part respond to the main query. Moreover, in the attempt to carry out energy conversions via exothermic reactions with wastes in solid and gaseous states, it would be necessary to establish medium to large-scale fuel pla nts just as what Dr. Martin Linck proposed to do in aiming for a 300,000-gallon per day production of fuel. An article written by Earth Times online columnist Dave Armstrong entitled â€Å"What to do with waste? Make our own fossil fuels!† notes Dr. Linck’s attendance and discourse during the 244th meeting of the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia where a scientific breakthrough known as the Integrated Hydropyrolysis and Hydroconversion Process (IH2) was introduced. According to Armstrong, â€Å"IH2 was developed by Dr. Linck’s Gas Technology Institute (GTI) in Des Plaines – Hydrogen from the waste and many cheaper catalysts move the processes by which the ‘feedstock’ raw materials are converted into the oily products.† Apparently, in this setting, wastes enter a type of modern technology which would manufacture gaseous hydrogen and oils as ready-to-use fuels. At this stage, we may further extend thought to the probability of ad opting designs for fuel production at optimum level and we may to some degree be glad on

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Prochaskas Stages of Changes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Prochaskas Stages of Changes - Essay Example The stage preparation is different from contemplation. While developing ideas there arise solutions to develop changes. During the preparation phase a long term planning which is practicable is to be considered predominantly. In this plan there must be technicalities to reveal how harmful old habits can be avoided successfully. There must also be certain tips to show how these technicalities can be employed properly. In the preparation stage people must provide more considerations for changes in the life. Anxiety is the killer element at this preparation stage. By employing small steps the anxiety can be counterchecked perfectly. People can arrange a specific time for doing commitments in a very suitable and reliable way. It is better to make a master plan for the utilization of the time allotted to perform commitments. Another way to make the process more vigorous is to tell other individuals about the master plan and its application. People must learn to utilize the time properly i n the preparation stage because the aim to create a change in people’s lifestyle is a long term process. The peculiarity of the preparation stage is that it focuses on the future of individuals in all respects. It also analyzes reliable solutions for future benefits while accommodating changes in the lifestyle of people. Hence this is different from contemplation. The existence of a problem is given more importance in this stage and the plans designing sort such problem must be highly realistic. The expecting change will not take place instantly. It will take considerable time to achieve the result as per the planning. Since this is a gradual transformation the time frame requires to fulfill the desired result is nearly one year. Hence people have patience to practice the solutions mentioned in the planning. It needs tremendous effort which consumes time. Once a plan is prepared to boost changes, then the next step is action. Action can never equalize the change with respect to the planning. If anybody is in action, it provides the implication that he has been processing to accommodate changes in life. It doesn’t mean that the change is over. Action is one of the steps in total changes. By concentrating on action stage one can change his behavior and nature of life style. People utilize time and energy at this action stage for bringing changes in their life.  

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Business Essays Marketing Strategies HSBC

Business Essays Marketing Strategies HSBC HSBC Marketing Strategies One of the largest banking and financial services organisation in the world is known as the HSBC Group. It has established businesses in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. In 1991, HSBC holdings were incorporated in England, with its head office based in London. In 1999, the company established its international brand name, which ensured that the Groups corporate symbol became a familiar sight all across the world. HSBC differentiates its brand name from those of its competitors by describing the unique characteristics which distinguish HSBC, namely being, The worlds local bank. As at 31st December 2004, its total asset was valued at  £660 billion. It has over 9,800 offices worldwide. It employs over 253, 000 people, across different countries and territories. Its shares are held by around 200,000 people in some 100 countries and territories. The companys shares are also traded on most of the worlds renowned stock exchanges, namely, London, P aris, New York, and Bermuda stock exchanges respectively. One of the major tools it uses for functionality on a worldwide scale is the companys use of information technology. Its e-business channels include the internet, PC banking, interactive TV, and telephone banking. It maintains its own private network (intranet and extranet), in which HSBCs websites attracted 900 million visits in 2004. The HSBC group provides a comprehensive range of financial services namely: Personal Financial Services: It has over 100 million personal consumers worldwide (including Consumer Finance customers). It provides a full range of personal finance services, including current and savings accounts, mortgages, insurance, loans, credit cards, pensions, and investment services. It is one of the worlds top ten issuers of credit cards. Consumer Finance: The Companys Finance Corporations consumer finance business ensures point of sale credit to consumers, and lends money and provides related services to meet the financial needs of everyday people. In 2004, it completed the integration of its former household businesses. Commercial Banking: HSBC is a leading provider of financial services to small, medium-sized and middle market enterprises. The group has over two million such customers, including sole proprietors, partnerships, clubs, and associations, incorporated businesses and publicly quoted companies. In the UK, 209 Commercial Centre were launched to provide improved relationship management for higher value small-medium-sized enterprise customers, while in Hong Kong, Business Banking Centres, were expanded to provide a one-stop service. Corporate Investment Banking and Markets: Tailored financial services are provided to corporate and financial clients. Business lines include Global Markets, Corporate and Institutional Banking, Global Transaction Banking, and Global Investment Banking. Global Markets includes foreign exchange, fixed income, derivatives, equities, metals trade, and other trading businesses. Corporate and Institutional Banking covers relationship management and lending activities. Global Transaction Banking includes payment and cash management, trade services, supply chain, securities services, and wholesale banknotes businesses. Global Investment Banking involves investment banking advisory, and investment banking financing activities. Private Banking: HSBC is one of the worlds top private banking businesses, providing financial services to high net worth individual and families in 70 different locations. HISTORY OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION The HSBC group evolved from The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, which was founded in 1865 in Hong Kong with offices in Shanghai, London, and an agency in San Francisco, USA. The company expanded primarily through already established offices in the banks name until the mid 1950s when it began to create or acquire subsidiaries. The following are some of the key transitions in the Groups growth and history since 1959. In 1959, HSBC acquired the British Bank of the Middle East formerly known as the Imperial Bank of Persia. In 1965, it acquired a majority shareholding of the Hang Seng Bank Limited. In 1971, the British Bank of the Middle East acquired a minority stake of 20% in the Cyprus Popular Bank Limited, which currently trades as the Laiki Group. In 1972, Midland Bank acquired a shareholding in UBAF Bank Limited (now known as British Arab Commercial Bank Limited). In 1978, the Saudi British Bank is established under local control to take over the British Bank of the Middle Easts branches in Saudi Arabia. In 1980, it acquired 51% of New York States Marine Midland Bank (now known as HSBC Bank USA). At the same time Midland acquired a controlling interest leading German private bank, Trinkaus and Burkhardt (now known as HSBC Trinkaus Burkhardt KGaA). In 1981, HSBC established a branch in Vancouver, Canada. In the same year the Group acquired a controlling interest in Equator Holdings Limited, wh ich was a merchant bank engaged in trade finance in sub-Saharan Africa. In 1982, Egyptian British Bank S.A.E. is formed, with the HSBC group holding a 40% stake. In 1983, Marine Midland Bank acquired Carroll McEntee and McGinley (now HSBC securities (USA) inc.), a New York based primary dealer in US government securities. In 1986, HSBC Australia was established. In 1987, it acquired the remaining shares of Marine Midland and a 14.9% equity interest in Midland Bank (now HSBC Bank Plc). In 1991, HSBC Holdings was established (as mentioned previously); its shares were traded for the first time in London and Hong Kong stock exchanges. In 1992, it purchased the remaining equity stake in Midland Bank. In 1993, it moved its head office to London. In 1994, HSBC Malaysia was established. In 1997, the group established a subsidiary in Brazil, Banco HSBC Bamerindus S.A., and acquired Roberts S.A. de Inversiones in Argentina, HSBC Brazil, and HSBC Argentina, respectively. In 1999, shares of HSBC began trading on a third stock exchange, New York. In the same year it acquired, Republic New York Corporation, which was then integrated into HSBC USA Inc and its sister company Safra Republic holdings S.A. (now known as HSBC Republic Holdings Luxembourg). At the same time Midland acquired a 70.03% stake in Mid-Med Bank Plc (now HSBC Bank Malta Plc.), the biggest commercial bank in Malta. In 2000, HSBC acquired CCF, one of the largest Banks in France. Its shares were also traded on a fourth stock exchange, Paris. The group also increased its shareholding in the Egyptian British Bank to over 90% and then later renames it HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E. It went on to acquire Demirbank TAS, now HSBC Bank A.S., Turkeys fifth largest private Bank in 2001. Additionally, it signed an agreement to purchase 8% stake in the Bank of Shanghai. In 2002, it acquired Grupo Financiero Bital, S.A., de C.V., one of Mexicos largest financial services groups; and a 10% interest in Ping An Insurance Company of China Limited, the second largest life insurance operation in China. In 2003, it acquired Household International (now HSBC Finance Corporation), a leading US consumer finance company; and Lloyds TSBs Brazilian assets including Losango Promotora de Vendas Ltda, a major consume credit institution. Four French private banking subsidiaries combine to form HSBC Private Bank France. The companys insurance brokers at the same time formed a joint venture Beijing HSBC Insurance Brokers Ltd, in which it has a 24.9% stake. Hang Seng Bank also acquired about 16% of Industrial Bank Co. Ltd, a mainland Chinese Commercial Bank, and HSBC agrees to purchase 505 of Fujian Asia Bank Limited (now known as Ping An Bank Limited). In 2004, it acquired the Bank of Bermuda Ltd, a leading provider of fund administration, trust, custody, asset management, and private banking services. It also opened in a fifth stock exchange, the Bermuda stock exchange. In the same year it acquired about 20% of the Bank of Communications Limited, Chinas fifth largest bank. EXISTING LITERATURE REVIEW Around the world corporations are increasingly becoming aware of the enhanced value that corporate branding strategies can provide for an organization. According to Weitz and Wensley (1988), they define marketing strategy as an indicator that is specific towards which activities are to be targeted and the types of competitive advantages that are to be developed and exploited. Implicitly, the strategy requires clear objectives and a focus in line with an organisations corporate goals; the right customers must be targeted more effectively than they are by its competitors, and associated marketing mixes should be developed into marketing programmes that successfully implement the marketing strategy, Varadarajan (1999). A strategic market plan is an outline of the methods and resources required to achieve an organisations goals within a specific target market. It takes into account not only marketing but also all the functional aspects of a business unit that must be co-ordinated. These functional aspects include production, finance and personnel. Environmental issues are an important consideration as well. The concept of the strategic business unit is used to define areas for consideration in a specific strategic market plan. Each strategic business unit (SBU) is a division, product line or other profit centre within a parent company. Each sells a distinct set of products to an identifiable group of customers, and each competes with a well defined set of competitors, Dibb et al. (2001). Each SBUs revenues, costs, investments and strategic plans can be separated and evaluated apart from those of the parent company. SBUs operate in a variety of markets, which have differing growth rates, opportunitie s, degrees of competition and profit making potential. HSBCs business units includes, personal financial services, consumer finance, commercial banking, corporate investment banking and markets, and finally, private banking. Strategic planners within the group therefore must recognise the different performance capabilities of each business unit and carefully allocate resources or strategically implement its business objectives in order to meet the companys long term goals. They must also ensure that the business units complement each other for the greater good of the overall business. The process of strategic market planning yields a marketing strategy that is the framework for a marketing plan. A marketing plan includes the framework and entire set of activities to be performed; it is the written document or blueprint for implementing and controlling an organisations marketing activities. Thus a strategic market plan is not the same as a marketing plan; it is a plan of all aspects of an organisations strategy in the marketplace, Dibb et al. (1996). A marketing plan, in contrast, deals primarily with implementing the marketing strategy as it relates to target markets and the marketing mix, Abell and Hammond (1979). To achieve its marketing objectives, an organisation must develop a marketing strategy, or a set of marketing strategies. The set of marketing strategies that are implemented and used at the same time is referred to as the organisations marketing programme. Most marketing programmes centre on a detailed marketing mix specification and include internal controls and procedures to ensure that they are implemented effectively. Through the process of strategic market planning, an organisation can develop marketing strategies that, when properly implemented and controlled, will contribute to the achievement of its marketing objectives and its overall goals. However, Harris (2002) argues that companies operating in the financial services market, particularly the big four retail banks (HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, and the Royal Bank of Scotland (with its acquisition of Natwest), primarily rely on generic marketing strategies. To formulate a marketing strategy, the marketer identifies and anal yses the target market and develops a marketing mix to satisfy individuals in that market. Marketing strategy is best formulated when it reflects the overall direction of the organisation and is co-ordinated with all the companys functional areas. The strategic market planning process is based on an analysis of the broader marketing environment, by which it is very much affected. Marketing environment forces such as legal forces, political forces, technological forces, economic and competitive forces, societal/green forces, and regulatory forces, can place constraints on an organisation and possibly influence its overall goals; they also affect the amount and type of resources that a business can acquire, Dibb et al (2001). They also do create favourable opportunities as well, such as internet banking in which HSBC and Merrill Lynch created an online banking and investment facility, which has proved profitable for both companys as a whole, Eppendorfer et al. (2002). Marketing enviro nment variables play a part in the creation of a marketing strategy. When environment variables affect an organisations overall goals, resources, opportunities or marketing objectives, they also affect its marketing strategies, which are based on the factors mentioned previously. They impact consumers needs, desires and they affect competitors plans. Now, according to Polito (2005), branding in the classic sense is all about creating unique identities and positions for products and services, hence distinguishing the offerings from competitors. Corporate branding employs the same methodology and toolbox used in product branding, but it also elevates the approach a step further into the board room, where additional issues around stakeholder relations (shareholders, media, competitors, governments and many others) can help the corporation benefit from a strong and well-managed corporate branding strategy. Not surprisingly, a strong and comprehensive corporate branding strategy requires a high level of personal attention and commitment from the CEO and the senior management to become fully effective and meet the objectives. Corporate branding is a serious undertaking that entails more skills and activities than just an updated glossy marketing facade with empty jargon. A strong corporate branding strategy can add significant value in terms of helping the entire corporation and the management team to implement the long-term vision, create unique positions in the market place of the company and its brands, and not the least to unlock the leadership potential within the organization. Hence a corporate branding strategy can enable the corporation to further leverage on its tangible and non-tangible assets leading to branding excellence throughout the corporation, Polito (2005). HSBC as stated in the latter has in recent years acquired a vast number of companies across the globe and adopted them fully under its international corporate brand with great success and within a surprising short timeframe. A strong brand is about building and maintaining strong perceptions in the minds of customers. This takes time to establish and many resources to keep, but eventually no one remembers what the local banks used to be called, and HSBC has managed to transfer the brand equities from the acquired brands into its own corporate brand equity. There are several benefits for employing a branding strategy that a corporation can exploit. First of all, a strong corporate brand is no less or more than the face of the business strategy, portraying what the corporation aims at doing and what it wants to be known for in the market place. The corporate brand is the overall umbrella for the corporations activities and encapsulates its vision, values, personality, positioning and image among many other dimensions. Think of HSBC, which has successfully implemented a stringent corporate branding strategy. HSBC employs the same common expression throughout the globe with a simple advertising strategy based on the slogan The worlds local bank.  This creative platform enables the corporation to bridge between many cultural differences, and to portray many faces of the same strategy. Additionally, HSBCs brand name has enabled a number of key mergers and acquisitions (mentioned previously) around the globe, which has so far strengthened its market presence in the banking world, Brand Finance (2000). The Marketing Strategies of the HSBC Group 2005 Towards the end of 2003, HSBC launched Managing for Growth, a strategic plan that provides HSBC with a blueprint for growth and development during the next five years. The strategy is evolutionary, not revolutionary. It builds on HSBCs strengths and it addresses the areas where further improvement is considered both desirable and attainable. HSBC concentrates on growing earnings over the long term at a rate which will place it favourably when compared with its peer group. Also it focuses on investing in its delivery platforms, its technology, its people and its brand to support the future value of HSBC as reflected in its comparative stock market rating and total shareholder return (TSR). HSBC remains committed to benchmarking its performance by comparison with a peer group. Its core values are integral to its strategy, and communicating them to customers, shareholders and employees is deemed as intrinsic to the plan. These values comprise an emphasis on long-term, ethical client relationships; high productivity through teamwork; a confident and ambitious sense of excellence; being international in outlook and character; prudence; creativity and customer focused marketing. Under the managing for growth scheme, eight strategic imperatives were identified as the key marketing and business strategies for 2004 2008. They are: Brand: make HSBC and its hexagon symbol one of the worlds leading brands for customer experience and corporate social responsibility Personal Financial Services: drive growth in key markets and through appropriate channels to make HSBC the strongest global player in personal financial services Consumer Finance: extend the reach of this business to existing customers through a wider product range and penetrate new markets Commercial Banking: make the most of HSBCs international customer base through effective relationship management and improved product offerings in all the Groups markets Corporate, Investment Banking and Markets: accelerate growth by enhancing capital markets and advisory capabilities focused on client service in defined sectors where HSBC has critical relevance and strength Private Banking: serve the Groups highest value personal clients around the world People: attract, develop and motivate HSBCs people, rewarding success and rejecting mediocrity; and TSR: fulfil HSBCs TSR target by achieving strong competitive performances in earnings per share growth and efficiency. RESEARCH APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY EMPLOYED Research Approach The research approach will be carried out using the positivist case research approach. According to Cavaye (1996), positivist epistemology tries to understand a social setting by identifying individual components of a phenomenon and explains the phenomenon in terms of constructs and relationships between constructs. The theoretical constructs describing the phenomenon are considered to be distinct from empirical reality. Hence, empirical observations can be used to test theory. This looks at the world as external and objective. Positivism employs four major research evaluation criteria: a good research should make controlled observations, should be able to be replicated, should be generalizable and should use formal logic. Under positivism, case research findings are not statistically generalizable to a population, as the case or cases cannot be considered representative of a population, however case research can claim theoretical generalizability. This will also include comparing, contrasting and critically evaluating past and present papers, articles, journals, and established theories that have been published on the subject matter. Methodology Employed Multiple-Case Study Design This project uses the multiple case study method in order to enable analysis of data across cases and relating it to the theoretical perspectives in the available literature of marketing strategy. This enables the researcher to verify that findings are not merely the result of idiosyncrasies of research setting (Miles and Huberman, 1984). According to Yin (2002), in such a method it is important to use: multiple sources of evidence. The appropriate number of cases depends, firstly, on how much is known about the phenomenon after studying a case and secondly, on how much new information is likely to emerge from studying further cases (Eisenhardt, 1991). This paper detailed analysis about the marketing strategies employed by HSBC, in comparison to its other major competitors, namely Barclays Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Citibank. Analysis of the marketing strategy of HSBC is evaluated with regard to the organisation meeting customer needs and requirements, advertising strategies and the need to increase its customer base and market share are all addressed. One wants to see if there are any matches with regard to the theoretical literature of marketing strategy and what the empirical evidence gathered says and also any mismatches. This also relates to the literature review. Qualitative Data Cavaye (1996) states that qualitative investigation refers to distilling meaning and understanding from a phenomenon and is not primarily concerned with measuring and quantification of the phenomenon. Direct and in-depth knowledge of a research setting are necessary to achieve contextual understanding. Hence, qualitative methods are associated with face-to-face contact with persons in the research setting, with verbal data (Van Mannen 1989) being gathered. Qualitative data can be collected in a number of forms. One major form of qualitative evidence is interviews, which may be recorded and later transcribed. Qualitative data are rich, full, holistic real their face validity seems unpeachable; they preserve chronological flow where that is important (Miles 1979). In spite of the abovementioned, qualitative data have weaknesses (Miles 1979; Miles and Huberman, 1984). Collecting and analysing data is time-consuming and demanding. In addition, data analysis is not easy, as qualitative data analysis methods are not well established. Recognised rules of logic can be applied to verbal data in order to make sense of the evidence and to formally analyse the data. Rubin and Rubin (1995) state that it is most desirable to disclose the identities of both the case and the individuals interviewed because, The reader is able to recall any other previous information he or she may have learned about the same case from previous research or other sources in reading and interpreting the case report. The entire case can be reviewed more readily, so that footnotes and citations can be checked, if necessary, and appropriate criticisms can be raised about the published case. Nevertheless, there are some occasions when anonymity is necessary. The most common rationale is that when the case study has been on a controversial topic, anonymity serves to protect the real case and its real participants. The second reason is that the issuance of the final case report may affect the subsequent actions of those that were studied. Quantitative Data This is concerned with measuring aspects of a market or the population of consumers making up the market. This includes soft approaches such as consumer attitudes as well as the hard things such as market size, brand shares, purchase frequencies etc. Quantitative data on a market or consumer group can be obtained through carrying out a census, obtaining the relevant measures from every single consumer or player in the market. In practice, research through a census collection is very rare; for one thing it is usually prohibitively expensive to obtain data from every individual (the government only carries out a population census once every 10 years) and even if the money is available the timescales involved are likely to be too long to meet commercial deadlines, Meier (1991). Furthermore, a census is unnecessary since the alternative; sampling can normally produce adequate and acceptably reliable data for a fraction of the cost. Quantitative research is, therefore, nearly always based on more or less rigorous sampling methods which have in common the assumption that the data from the samples can be taken to represent, within estimated levels of accuracy, the population or universe from which they are drawn, (Hague 2002). Types of Quantitative Data The range of information which can be and is collected through quantitative research is enormous if not infinite. In relation to deciding how data should be collected, all the possibilities can be categorised into a simple threefold classification: 1.Market measures 2.Customer profiles or segmentation 3.Attitudinal data. Market measures quantify and describe a market. Common examples include: market and sector size; shares of the market held by suppliers or brands; penetration levels (what proportion of all potential consumers own or buy a product); purchase and consumption frequencies; patterns of consumption and seasonality. Data of this type is very essential for any manager developing or reviewing a marketing plan for a company, product group or brand name like HSBCs hexagon logo. Market measures taken from a sample are generally projected or grossed up to the total market or population, e.g., the proportion of households in a sample found to be without a PC can be multiplied by available estimates of the number of total households to provide an indicator of untapped potential. A vital concern in the marketing of a product or service is knowing and understanding the potential customer base; what type of people or organisation are they? What other types of products or services do they own or use? What is required to meet this need is customer profiling or segmentation data and it is quantitative in nature because reliable breakdowns are needed for the whole market or population, Buck (1990). Hague (2002) argues that profiling data can take various forms: socio-demographics (age, sex, income and occupation group, education level, home tenure etc); geo-demographics; various business classifications such as company size, industry etc. for business to business research or it can relate to consumer behaviour (ownership of various products, purchase or usage levels, media exposure etc.). Unlike market measures, consumer profiling data can be collected only from consumers (including organisations in the case of business to business research) although the distribution or manufacturing levels in the market may also need profiling. Attitudinal data is used in a quite general sense to cover concepts such as awareness, perceptions, beliefs, evaluations, preferences and propensities. In other words they are, in their various forms, subjective and reside in the minds of individuals. Much market research under this is concerned with attitudes and attitude measurement because attitudes and your marketing may mould consumer choice in your favour. Attitudes are of course very much the subject of qualitative research which is often concerned to identify relevant dimensions and categories of attitudes. In quantitative research, the focus is on establishing the degree to which specific attitudes exist among the market and population. The most important tool for data collection under quantitative research is face to face interviewing. However, in situations where over a hundred firms need to be interviewed, due to the cost attached to carrying out such a task, doing a telephone interview would seem more appropriate. The methods used to record data and data analysis here, is predominantly through questionnaires. Most questionnaires used in quantitative research involve a predominance of pre-coded or closed questions and the layout of the response points can help to minimize problems of mis-recording. More problematical, however, is the recording of open-ended questions, such as why did you buy this product, then? This usually leads to a lengthy or rambling response from the individual, in which what is said is then summarized or abbreviated and there is no way of knowing whether what is recorded reasonably reflects the response given. In the case of this paper, due to the short deadline associated with writing this paper, one was only able to get a telephone interview (primary data collection method) from a senior manager of customer relationship management at one of HSBCs flagship branches in the London area. Additionally one has also used multiple sources of evidence, i.e. secondary sources of information, articles, journals, established theories, HSBCs annual report, comments by top management within the organisation are analysed and also the companys website are all used to evaluate and address the effectiveness of its use of market strategy to increase its market share and customer base. The remainder of this paper proceeds as follows, analysis of findings, overview of the marketing strategy, criticisms, summary and conclusion. ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS Central to achieving a companys corporate vision is the need to build up a loyal customer base of satisfied customers. HSBC did not overtake its major competitors by chance in acquiring foreign financial institutions; it developed a clear marketing strategy based on a desire to fully satisfy a carefully targeted set of market segments. As the BBC (2004) gathered, a quarter of HSBCs 2003 profits were made in the UK, and it made around  £70 profit per customer. Additionally, the bulk of its profits came from acquisitions elsewhere, US personal loan firm Household International and HSBC Mexico. Although Household International operates in the UK, HSBC says its British market accounts for less than 10% of this divisions profits. Market segmentation is at the core of robust marketing strategy development. This involves identifying customer needs, expectations, perceptions, and buying behaviour so as to group together homogeneous customers who will be satisfied and marketed to in a similar manner. One segment will differ from another in terms of customer profile and buying behaviour, and also with regard to the sales and marketing activity likely to satisfy these customers. Having sufficient knowledge of these customers is fundamental. It is important to remember that the process of market segmentation involves more than simply grouping customers into segments. Shrewd targeting of certain segments and the development of a clear brand positioning are part and parcel of the market segmentation process. Now, HSBC launched a marketing strategy called Managing for growth, which is to cover and deal with its strategic outlook for the period 2004 2008. From the company website, they have stated that they will deliver this by; focusing on enhancing HSBCs revenue generation culture, develop its brand name further (hexagon logo), manage costs strategically, maintain a prudent credit/market risk stance, and invest further in its people. Addition ally, acquisitions still remains an integral part of their strategy. As stated from the companys website, they will concentrate on growing earnings over the long term at a rate which will place it favourably when compared with its peer group. It will also focus on investing in its delivery platforms, its technology, its people and its brand to support

Friday, October 25, 2019

Charles Lindbergh :: History

Charles Lindbergh Charles Lindbergh was born on February 4, 1902, in his grandfather's house in Detroit. The son of a lawyer and U.S. congressman, he grew up on a small farm in Minnesota (Lindbergh Biography, ONL). As a child, Lindbergh showed remarkable mechanical ability. He could understand every part of his motorcycle and car as he grew older. After graduating high school, Lindbergh worked on the family farm for two years before enrolling in the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study Engineering (Charles Lindbergh biography, ONL). But, after two years, Lindbergh found something else that excited him. He was more interested in the expanding field of aviation (Lindbergh Biography, ONL). He left college to attend the Lincoln Flight School in Nebraska. Once graduated, he spent the next few years performing daredevil stunts at county fairs and carnivals as a barnstormer (Charles Lindbergh biography, ONL). In 1924, on advice from his father, Lindbergh enlisted in the United States Army to be trained as an Army Service Reserve pilot. A year later, he graduated first in his class and was hired by the Robertson Aircraft Corporation of St. Louis as an airmail pilot. Gaining a reputation for being a cautious and capable pilot, he flew the mail between St. Louis and Chicago (Lindbergh Biography, ONL). During the course of his job, Lindbergh heard of the famed Orteig Prize. In 1919, Raymond Orteig, the owner of Brevoort and Lafayette hotels in New York City, made an offer to "flying buffs". Orteig offered a prize of $25,000 to the first aviator to fly nonstop from Paris to New York or New York to Paris. Before 1926, no one had even attempted the feat. But, as aviation technology developed, the challenge began appearing possible (Spirit of St. Louis, ONL). Before becoming an airmail pilot, Lindbergh hadn't even heard of the Orteig Prize, but he immediately became interested (Lindbergh Biography, ONL). In 1927, Lindbergh obtained a financial backing of $15,000 from a group of St. Louis businessmen, and he set out to find a plane. Hearing of Lindbergh's search for a plane, the Ryan Airlines Corporation in California offered to build him a plane for $6000 (Lindbergh Biography, ONL). Working with chief engineer and designer Donald Hall of Ryan Airlines, Lindbergh designed "The Spirit of St. Louis". Lindbergh and Hall designed the airplane specifically for "getting to Paris". In order to cut down on weight, any item considered to heavy or unnecessary was left out including a radio, parachute, gas gauges, and navigation lights.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Wage Determination

Methods of Wage Determination in India 1. Fixation of wages is a recent phenomenon in India 2. There was no effective machinery until 2nd world war for settlement of disputes for fixation of wages. 3. After independence of India, industrial relations become a major issue and there was phenomena increase in industrial dispute mostly over wages leading to substantial loss of production. 4. Realizing that industrial peace is essential for progress on industrial as well as economic front, the central govt. convened in 1947, and a tripartite conference consisting of representatives of employers, labour and government. Govt. of India formulated industrial policy resolution in 1948 where the govt. has mentioned to items which has bearing on wages †¢ statutory fixation of minimum wages †¢ Promotion of fair wages. 5. To achieve 1st objective, the minimum wages act, 1948 was passed to lay down certain norms and procedures for determination and fixation of wages by central and state govt. 6. To achieve 2nd objective govt. of India appointed in 1949, a tripartite committee on fair wages to determine the principles on which fair wages should be fixed Wages and salary incomes in India are fixed through several institutions. These are Collective bargaining †¢ Industrial wage bound †¢ Govt. appointed pay commissions †¢ Adjudication by courts & tribunals 1. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING:- †¢ Collective bargaining relates to those arrangements under which wages and conditions of employments are generally decided by agreements negotiated between the parties. †¢ Broadly speaking the fo llowing factors affect the wage determination by collective bargaining process ? Alternate choices & demands ? Institutional necessities ? The right and capacity to strike †¢ In a modern democratic society wages are determined by collective bargaining in contrast to individual bargaining by working. In the matter of wage bargaining, unions are primarily concerned with ? General level of wage rates ? Structure of wages rates (differential among occupations) ? Bonus, incentives and fringe benefits, Administration of wages. 2. INDUSTRIAL WAGE BOARDS:- †¢ Concept of wage board was first enunciated by committee on fair wages. †¢ It was commended by first five year plan and second five year plan also considered wage board as an acceptable machinery for setting wage disputes. †¢ Wage boards in India are of two types ? Statutory wage board ? Tripartite wage board Statutory wage board means a body set up by law or with legal authority to establish minimum wages and other standards of employment which are then legally enforceable in particular trade or industry to which board’s decision relate. Tripartite wage board means a voluntary negotiating body set up by discussions between organized employers, workers and govt. to regulate wages, working hours and related conditions of employment. †¢ Wage board decisions are not final and are subjected to either executive or judicious review or reconsideration by other authority or tribunals. The powers and procedure of wage boards are same as those industrial tribunals unsaturated under ID Act 1947. 3. PAY COMMISSIONS:- †¢ First pay commission was appointed by govt. of India in 1946 under chairmanship of justice vardachariar to enquire in to conditions of service of central govt. employees. †¢ The vardachariar commission in its report said that in no case should a mans pay less tha n living wage †¢ The 2nd pay commission was appointed in aug. 1957. and commission submits its report in 1959, examined the norms for fixing a need based minimum wage set up 15th session of ILC. †¢ Govt. f India appointed third pay commissions in 1970’s which submit its report in April 1973. In this report commission express its support for a system in which pay adjustments will occurs automatically upon an upward movement in consumer price index. †¢ After thirteen years, govt, appointed fourth central pay cimmissions under chairmanship of justice P. N. Singhal on July 26, 1983 to examine structure of all central govt. employees, including those of union territories. Officers belong to all India service and armed forces. Commission submits its report on July 30, 1986 and recommended drastic changes in pay scale. The 5th pay commission (1952-1996) made certain recommendation regarding restricting of pay scales. †¢ The 6th pay commissions was established on 2006 and committee submit its report on March 2008. 3. Adjudication Since independence adjudication has been one of the main instruments for settlement of disputes, improvement in wage scales and standardization of wages and allowances. Though courts and tribunals were primarily intended to deal with settlement of industrial disputes, in practiae, wage fixation has become an important element in their work and functioning. This is because of large of disputes concerning of wages and allowances. Numerous wage disputes in many industries have been referred for adjudication to labour courts and tribunals during past ten decades. The high courts and Supreme Court have also adjudicated upon such disputes. The awards given by these authorities not only helped in formulation of a body of principles governing wage fixation but laid foundation for present wage structure in many of major industries. Some major legislation which governs the principles of wage fixation -Minimum wages Act 1948, Payments of wages Act 1936, Equal Remuneration Act 1976, Industrial Disputes Act 1947, and Companies Act 1956.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Career Preference

Career is a job or occupation regarded as a long-term or lifelong activity, the general path or progress taken by somebody where he is trained in a particular occupation for his entire working life while preference is the selection of something rather than other choices, it’s the power to choose on what you desire or what is desirable in your part. Socio means society, human society is a best example to understand its meaning because you can understand easily what you observed on it.Socioeconomic is relating to or involving money or financial matters. The above mentioned are the factors affecting the students who aren’t able to finish Bachelor of Science in Criminology in its allotted duration in to finish it. The Bachelor of Science in Criminology or Criminal Justice is a 4-year college degree program intended for individuals who wishes to have a career in the fields of law enforcement, security administration, crime detection and prevention or correctional administrat ion.It aims to foster the values of leadership, integrity, accountability and responsibility while serving fellowmen, community and the country. BS Criminology does not require any special skills, except general skills for the course. Many students would classify the field of study as interesting and not too difficult at all but the course includes several intriguing subjects, even the Practicum is highly anticipated by the graduating students due to its social relevance.Practicum is a non-academic performance; it is performed outside the school, from the time the interns are turned over to the different agencies and offices particularly on PNP divisions and sections they are divided into groups and do the activities they were required to do. They will apply what they learned on the major subjects like when they’re are assigned on traffic section they will apply what they learned on traffic Management and Accident Scene Investigation a major subject of the course.On HPG unit they are lectured to acquire knowledge on patrolling techniques, on BJMP they will learn more about Jail Management and apply some of what lessons on Institutional Correction Administration also a major subject, on the other hand they are also assign on offices like in Mountain Province Police Provincial Office (MPPPO) and in Bontoc Municipal Police Station wherein they observe the jobs/works of officers assigned on offices. The group performs their duty 8 hours a day excluding weekends which is the requirement of the practicum.After accomplishing all the above mentions the graduating students can apply for graduation. Our country suffers from multicrisis such as socioeconomic and financial crisis which is greatly affected by global economic crisis, despite of all this crises, Filipinos are imaginative, creative and courageous to surpass these obstacles of everyday life. Every one of us has a great responsibility lies on our acquired knowledge and skills when we engage into a job an d acted as one of the enforcement in industry that would further improved the depleting economy of the country.All of these come first from wishes and aspirations that arises during childhood years that someday we will become a professional to ascend into poverty. This factors that serves as preference of student in choosing a career in college includes childhood aspiration, family and relatives, peers or friends an anticipated problems they encounter are presumed to affect the student preference of their career. Career preparedness will help the student become more effective and successful in life with his chosen job but there is an external factor such socioeconomic status which changes their aspiration in life.Such when a student wants to become a law enforcer which he always dreamed to be but because of his family’s economic status he has to change his aspiration and take another course, his interest get less concentrated because it’s not suitable for him. Some gra duated high school students gradually stop in pursuing their college career because they lack money, financial sustainability plays a major role in alterations of career life. Some students need to work in order to sustain their studies, as well to help their family about expenses.Another prime factor is attitude, the personal view of something, opinion or general feeling about something which either promote or demote academic performances among students, for example a student says, â€Å"I study hard on examinations but I don’t try hard during quizzes, I cheat on my notes during quizzes in order to get a passing grade â€Å", clearly a bad attitude that a student has already practiced to do which when he don’t do the same in some times he will fail other activity. Attitude plays a major role in attaining ones aspirations because it affects our performances. Review of LiteratureAccording to Webster, career preference is free opportunity to select a desired career. It is also a decision-making in a confusing situation which occurs during the senior year (3rd and 4th) of high school level. According to Tiedeman, career development unfolds within general process of cognitive development as one resolves ego- relevant crisis. He cited the factors in choosing a career e. g. , when one is confused in choosing a career, he relies on his friends and relatives, he was confused in the sense that he cannot make his own decision because he’s not yet ready to get into a college.External factor such as parents’ choice of what course their child to study, this affect s the child’s interest to study, they may go to school but it’s for compliance because they are not interested on the course they are studying. He further noted out that decision-making is a continuous process in which individuals will change their courses of career action, generally by leaving an environment such as when a student is dis-oriented in his course he have been taking that will result in decreasing eagerness on that particular field.He decides to transfer in another school or to shift another course that he thinks it will fits his own interest. Another is, when one is unstable in making decision, these dis oriented strategy may be repeated until he achieve a bachelor’ degree but it took a long time which is supposed to achieve in four years. Based on Ap- apaway (Official Student Publication of MPSPC Main Campus) Bachelor of Science in Criminology in MPSPC Bontoc campus, the course has the highest population in the institution highest number of enrollees contributing 37.63 percentage of the total population of the institution, a total of 1,519 criminology students.The department has increased its population by 8. 29% from 1,393 of the previous semester SY 2013-2014 and being the highest number of enrollees it has also the highest number of graduates during graduation, even on October, end month of the first semester there are no t less than 100 students who take their practicum, termed as criminology internship. According to its population it is the most preferred course of student of the Mountain Province and other nearby province who came to study here.As mandated by CHED (CMO no. 37 series of 2010) normally the course takes 4 years to complete. On the job training/ internship takes 1 semester or 540 hours. Graduating students are required to take practicum for 1 semester on the fourth year of the program. It is designed to provide practical experience for graduating students to work on the five pillars of the criminal justice system. During these periods, the students taking practicum are allowed to observe and assist, but not to perform actual operations that may compromise their safety.Conceptual Framework This study researches on the three basic factors that affect the students who aren’t able to finish the four years duration of the course. Career preference as previously explained is one majo r factor which affects the performance of the student, the selection of course to study rather than other course, the students should enroll the course they prefer because they are the only one which is aware of their capabilities and what profession they want to have in the future as their life-long activity.Some students choose to enroll the course because they are interested but they are not good in performing the activities and requirements of some subjects of the course, which will affect the students’ interest to continue their study. Some students thought criminology is very interesting but as they start to study they found out the hardship of some subjects and they will tend to drop the subject and enroll it to the next semester or summer which will make the time of studying longer.Economically, parents tends to let their child to stop studying for a while or let them shift into another course if they came into a point that they no longer afford to pay the course†™ fees. In the other hand, attitude of the student a prime factor on the cause of not finishing the course in the allotted duration, it affects how the students behaves and perform required activities. In this study it conceptualized that the student can overcome the factors affecting the problem. The college needs effective, competent and full time instructors that can balance the applications of some subjects.The course can be understood more if we have adequate facilities and equipment in the institution, especially in our department it must require that all faculty members be actively involved in criminology research in their respective field of interest in order to deliver enriched learning through their practice. Statement of the Problem This study aims to help criminology students to finish the study on the allotted duration of the course. Specifically the study seeks to answer the following questions: 1. What are the possible actions of the students that they can do that m ay lessen the effects of the factors affecting the problem?1. 1 Can the students avoid the factors affecting the problem? 2. Scope and delimitation of the study Importance of the study Operational definitions of terms Career-a job or occupation regarded as a long-term or lifelong activity, the general path or progress taken by somebody where he is trained in a particular occupation in preparing for his entire working life. Preference- the selection of something rather than other choices, it’s the power to choose on what you desire or what is desirable in your part. Socioeconomic- relating to or involving economic and social factors