Marketing Research Essays - Undergarments, Boxers, Boxer Shorts

Marketing Research 1. Product: Boxer shorts A. B. C. Yes D. Political, legal and regulatory, and sociological for conservative societies. It also makes it difficult to advertise. Color and size sensitivity. Some markets less conservative, easier to sell intimate apparel. Almost everyone wears underwear. Different styles are a different state of mind. 2. A. The first step is developing a hypothesis. B. Descriptive Research because its easy and requires minimal resources, and gets a general census. The company also has prior knowledge and the problem is clearly defined. C. Using secondary data because is inexpensive and easy to obtain D. Internet websites, trade journals, or computer databases. E. Looking at competitors websites and online databases, government publications, and periodicals such as American Demographics. 3. A. Product: JCREW Hockey Boxers B. Step 1 I need new boxers Step 2 Internal Memories- catalogs, online Step 3 Commando, whitey tighteys, boxer briefs Step 4 I bought JCREW hockey boxers Step 5 They are my favorite, most comfortable pair of boxers C. Relationship status Design and style D. Lack of religious beliefs Peer involvement E. I had brand loyalty to JCREW they have made stylish and comfortable clothes in the past. Quality, texture, and availability also affected my buying decision. Marketing Essays

Battaile D’algiers Position Paper

Battaile D’algiers Position Paper Battaile D’algiers Position Paper One of France’s longest-held overseas territories, Algeria has been thrown into revolt as Algerian nationalists strive for independence. The crucial decolonization effort by the National Liberation Front (FLN) is presently being fought through guerilla warfare between non-French Algerians and the French military. The FLN is the main revolutionary body of Algeria’s nationalist war for independence against France. This party was formed on November 1, 1954 as the merging of several other groups all similarly striving for independence from France. The National Liberation Army (NLA), known as the armed wing of the FLN will serve as the coordinator of the oncoming guerilla operation against the French military and colonists. This guerilla operation will operate as a terror campaign against pieds-noirs civilians, relying on the very belief that sufficiently intense violence will cause French colonists to flee in terror. Nationalist guerillas will specialize in ambushes and nig ht raids, avoiding French firepower in order to compensate for the FLN’s lack of materials and militant force in comparison to the massive French firepower. If the insurrection is not taken seriously enough, then European civilians will be targeted in order to elicit an adverse reaction from the French, which would polarize the Muslim and French communities, converting the insurrection into a nationwide revolution. In order to strengthen the FLN’s efforts against the French, it is possible to seek allies from neighboring Maghreb countries with similar goals for liberation from France such as Morocco and Tunisia. As the revolution progresses, other nationalist groups and leaders have attempted to undermine the efforts of the FLN and continue to do so. A particular rival of the FLN, Messali Hadj, is a nationalist politician dedicated to seeking the independence of Algeria, but seeks revenge for the initiation of the War of Independence without his consult. Hadj has formed the Algerian National Movement (ANM) as an organization designed to counter the efforts of the FLN, and some suspect it is partly financed by France in order to further counteract the FLN. Such rival nationalist organizations pose a significant potential threat to the future of the FLN, considering that the FLN does not have substantial enough support by Algerian civilians. In order to secure the FLN’s political future, rival organization efforts must be vanquished, and the support of the people insured. However,

Did Punk Sell Out Commodification of Popular Music Essay

Did Punk Sell Out Commodification of Popular Music - Essay Example Understanding punk visuals and noises amounts to a historic study of an ideology that was formed out of working class youth mentality on resistance and change and punk rock, may be considered a chief medium with which to channel the content and comprehension of this ideology. Unlike pop culture which concentrates on romantic themes, the songs and rendition of punk execute around the nature of sexuality, moral, and political concerns. When the barrier broke between pop and rock, being an oppositional character, in Britain and U.S. during the mid-to-late 1970s there came a point of fusion among art, pop, and rock, signifying the birth of punk rock. B. Longhurst pointed out that the decline of rock ideals and the activities of some rock stars in the 1960s proceeded for them to be perceived under a capitalist commercial venture which hardly gave followers anymore positive attraction toward rock. This then became a remarkable opportunity for punk to help resolve the crisis by its unique e xistence with the attempt to renew the belief of an active political force present in rock culture [Longhurst]. Despite how the punk subculture has had diversification out of authentic roots, no serious claim can afford denying that it has uniquely lain foundation about itself and beyond. The privilege further extends to molding the distinct coexistence of the black’s rhythm and blues, soul, and ska.

Fuel Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fuel - Case Study Example Hydrogen flows into the anode while oxygen flows into the cathode. The catalyst splits the oxygen into two negative atoms: the two opposite elements (hydrogen and oxygen) attract and pair and the end products of this chemical reaction are water, heat and electricity (Caitlyn 43) Amory Lovins opines that many of the objections against the use of hydrogen are either myths or can be overcome. He believes that hydrogen has a place in the modern world because those objections are based on ill-formed commentaries (Sadoway 56). Its advantages include; The proponents’ views are the most persuasive because there is a lot yet to be discovered about this fuel because it is relatively new. It is a clean energy initiative because the fact that it doesn’t produce harmful emissions makes it environmental friendly. These benefits of hydrogen economy will help us move towards a more sustainable energy economy (Amory 56). In the modern society, there is a place for hydrogen. The fact that this fuel is nontoxic makes it a rare source of energy because other hazardous sources can’t compete against it. Both it’s by products are environment friendly. Its energy is powerful enough to be very efficient compared to other sources and water is used in spaceships. Lastly, it is not a super clean and affordable fuel we expect it to be, but with time it will change because it is relatively new at the

The Iranian Revolution and the Beginning of the Islamic Republic Research Paper

The Iranian Revolution and the Beginning of the Islamic Republic - Research Paper Example The paper also explores Khomeini as the leader of the revolution, especially his leadership skills and character. The discussion also spotlights some of his decisions that led the country into becoming an Islamic Republic. The paper will utilize, as a background, a number of academic terms studied throughout the semester such as authoritarianism, theocracy, leaders’ personality traits and characteristics and the various forms of repression engaged by governments. The discussion concentrates on both the events that caused the revolution and the revolution itself. It is widely clear about the aftermath of the revolution and what Iran has evolved into, but not too many people are aware of Khomeini’s reasoning and tactics that brought this change. This discussion utilizes political finding theory grounded in the tenet that if those agitating for a revolutionary movement failed to utilize or provide the appropriate opportunities when conditions were ripe, the revolution will fail. It thus follows that a revolution is shaped by essential political opportunities or effective actions made by the leaders. The Iranian revolution in 1979 managed to topple Shah’s absolute dynasty and replace it with a theocracy led by Ayatollah Khomeini. For the first time, the world saw the conception of a new structure of government; one modelled around the concept of wilayat I faqih, which revolves around the thought that everybody requires guardianship in the form of the rule or supervision by the leading Islamic Jurists. Revolutions, Islamic or otherwise, rarely live up on all their promises, and an external enemy can avail a practical diversion for the pressing internal problems. The Iranian revolution did not live up to the people’s expectations. The revolution may have produced a popular and widely accepted form of governance structure; nevertheless, it did not entirely overturn the old order. Although the Iranian revolution managed to topple Pahlavi dyn asty, traces of dictatorship were not entirely eliminated. Khomeini and the Mullahs ended up replacing one dictatorial regime with another. It was a shocking to millions of Iranians who had participated in the revolution in the anticipating that it would surrender more freedom. The ally revolutionaries such as secularists and leftists were equally suppressed by the new Islamic Republic government just as when under Shah’s Regime. The triumph or failure of social movements is principally affected by political opportunities. The political suppression of the Shah Regime led to the creation of a collective determination by inflating opposition against the Regime. Shah introduced changes too soon and radical opposition was inevitable to those who felt that their status quo was threatened. The fall of Shah Regime The root of the revolution can be traced back in part to preceding revolutions such as Persian Constitutional Revolution by liberalists and the White Revolution. It was a protest against what they regarded as efforts to modernise and westernize Iran (January 4). Despite the witnessed economic growth under Shah’s leadership, there was a lot of opposition to Mohammad Reza Shah absolutist monarchy. This antagonism particularly fuelled by the Regime’s military dictatorship and use of the secret police (America trained SAVAK police) to manage the country. Dissatisfaction was alive among the masses, especially arising from the violent crackdowns conducted by the regime (January 6). This in turn, had led to an

Sprint Nextel Corporation Analysis

Sprint Nextel Corporation Analysis Sprint Nextel Corporation (Sprint Nextel) is a telecommunications company that offers a wide range of wireless and wire line communications products and services for individuals, businesses, and the government. The companys retail brands include: Sprint, Boost Mobile, Nextel, Common Cents Mobile, Virgin Mobile USA, and Assurance Wireless that run on Sprints networks that utilize code division multiple access (CDMA), integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN), or internet protocol (IP) technologies. Sprint Nextel has made a device that can operate on both of its 3G and 4G networks, and Sprint also resells the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), fourth generation (4G) wireless services CLEAR which is provided by Clearwire Corporation. The Company was founded back in 1899 by Cleyson Brown under the name Dillo-Brown Telephone Company in Abilene, Kansas. Brown changed the company name from Dillo-Brown Telephone Company to United Utilities, in 1938 after the company filed for bankruptcy. Then changed again to United Telecommunications (United Telecom) in 1972, and Sprint in 1989  [1]  . The firm grew steadily during the 1970s and became the nations largest independent local telephone provider. In the 1980s, the company entered the long distance voice market with the worlds third largest commercial packet data X.25 data service, Uninet, and completed the first nationwide 100% digital fiber-optic network to its customers  [2]  . The company began offering cellular telephone services under the name Telespectrum, and sold it to Centel in 1988. However, during the 1990s, Sprint acquired Centel and made its way back to the wireless market. The company also started offering commercial Internet access, which made Spri nt a unique company that provides local, wireless and long distance services, and offers the first completed nationwide 100% digital PCS wireless network. Sprint established a global IP network offering 10 gigabit per second transatlantic IP backbone in 2001 and completed a nationwide 3G network in 2002. The company was finally renamed Sprint Nextel in 2005 by purchasing the wireless communication company Nextel. Recently, Newsweek has ranked Sprint Nextel as No. 6 in its Green Rankings.  [3]  As the first US based telecommunications company that has announced a target for reducing its absolute greenhouse-gas emissions, Sprint Nextels goal is to reduce the companys emissions by 15% within 10 years starting in 2007. They plan to achieve this though actions of using renewable energy sources to replace the backup generators at its cell towers and improving energy efficiency within its networks. Sprint has also launched a product recycling program that allows its customers to return the old cell phones, batteries to Sprint for free with the postage paid label. As of 2009, Sprint has recycled nearly half of its products and its goal is to recycle 99%. With 40,000 employees, Sprint Nextel is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas; the company offers services in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands under the Sprint corporate brand. Its Nextel Worldwide service is the largest all-digital wireless coverage in the US and operates in more than 70 countries. With more than 48.2 million customers served, Sprint Nextel is the third largest wireless telecommunication network in US, compared to Verizon Wirelesses 93.2 million and ATTs 92.8 million. In this highly competitive industry, Sprint Nextel has experienced a significant net loss of its post-paid subscribers on iDEN and CDMA wireless networks since mid-2006, which represents about 70% of its total consolidated segment earnings in the in the market. Not until the June quarter of this year did Sprint finally turn positive earnings, mainly due to the high demand for HTC EVO 4G cell phones. Its losing its existing customers mostly because of the fact the customers were not happy with the prices of the phones that Sprint offered to them, compared to its new subscribers special offers on the phone prices with the same contracts signed. Therefore, even though Sprints subscriber base has grown 110% since 2002, its market share has barely increased  [4]  . According to the Value Lines report, Sprint Nextels net operating revenues had significant declines in financial year (FY) ends December in 2008 from $40.1 million in FY 2007 to $35.6 million and continued declined to $32.2 million in FY 2009. As of FY 2009, Sprints revenues per share has decreased from $14.11 to $10.85; earnings per share has decreased from $.04 to -$.84; in common shares outstanding and has increased from 2,845 million shares to 2,973 million of shares; net profit has decreased from $240 million to a net loss of -$2,436 million since 2007  [5]  . With current companys financial strength rate of C++, which is marginal, the company is in a vulnerable status. According to Yahoo Finance, the company has a strong balance sheet with $20.3 billion in long term debt and $4.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of December 2009, which means the companys free cash flow is favorable. From Sprint Nextels 2009 annual report, it shows a decline of post paid average revenue per user (ARPU) from $56 to $ 55 and prepaid ARPU from $34 to $28 in this year due to the lower usage  [6]  . The company has been effectively reduced the post paid churn from 2.05% to 1.85% during last year and is on the right track of increasing the companys operating performance. II. External Analysis Sprint Nextel is a firm that finds itself in an industry where there is few, but very strong competitors. Currently Sprint is the third leading cell phone service provider in the United States. They currently maintain around 12.1% of the cellular services industry market, falling short of ATT and Verizon who maintain 25% and 31.2% market shares, respectively. The only other true competitor to Sprint is T-mobile, who maintains around a 12% share of the U.S. market as well  [7]  . The general environment for the telecommunications industry is extremely competitive. Many companies are looking to expand their resources and market share through mergers and acquisitions with smaller wireless providers that provide certain niches in the market. Some of the most recent mergers and acquisitions within the past couple of years include Verizons purchase of Alltel Wireless in 2008 for $28 billion, ATTs acquisition of Wayport (a network and applications management company that provides back-o ffice management for Wi-Fi hot spots) for $275 million in 2008, and Sprint disposed of its WiMax division in 2008 to form a $14.5 billion dollar mobile broadband company called Clearwire  [8]  . While competition drives these mergers and acquisitions, it is easy to concur that only the companies with enough capital to acquire the latest technologies are the ones who survive in this market. The overall structure of this industry can be easily broken down through the use of Porters Five Forces Model. The first part of Porters model explains the threat of new entrants into the market. Threat of new entrants is further broken down into analysis of economies of scale, product differentiation, capital requirements, switching costs, and distribution channels. While economies of scale mainly pertain to manufacturing industries, the concept can be applied to the main competitors in the market (Verizon, ATT, Sprint, and T-mobile). These four companies account for nearly 80% of the U.S. market  [9]  . Their high costs of RD, customer service, and maintenance of superior network quality can be spread out over millions of service plans. This allows each of these firms to attain very competitive pricing for service plans that non-economies of scale would not be able to obtain. The scope of product differentiation within the telecommunications industry is somewhat strong today, h owever it is weakening with time. Product differentiation derives from contracts made with electronic companies to exclusively sell certain phones through specific service providers. These contracts are usually made exclusively to the service providers with the greatest market share and best network, therefore decreasing the threat of new entrants even more. Capital requirements to start a telecommunications business are incredibly high due to the cost of setting up, maintaining, and purchasing the rights to use a wireless service. The final portion of the threat of new entrants is further suppressed through the existence of high switching costs between service providers. Each of the four big companies attempt to maintain their market share by drafting long-term contracts with their customers. Customers are exposed to penalties and fees when exiting a contract with a service provider before the termination date is reached. The next step in Porters model of assessing the industry lies in the analysis of the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers. The suppliers in the telecommunications industry consist of the manufacturers of phones, switch board equipment, fiber optic cables, network equipment, and billing software makers. The bargaining power of these suppliers is relatively low in this industry due to the decline in demand for expanding such networks in the recent years  [10]  . In contrast to the bargaining power of suppliers, the bargaining power of buyers in the telecommunications industry has been increasing over the past few years. Buyers have the choice of which phones they would like to use and which service plans they want to go along with them. A recent example of the buyers power is Sprints new service plan for unlimited everything for $69.99. In fear of too many subscribers leaving their network, Verizon and ATT very quickly presented their customers with opportunities to purchase th e same kind of plans. The external analysis of the telecommunications industry can be further examined through the analysis of substitutes present within the industry. The threat of substitutes has been increasing as advances in technology are continuously released. Customers are introduced with new ways to communicate with each other such as Facebook, Skype, and other forms of communication via the internet  [11]  . Companies are responding to the presence of substitutes through the acquisition of companies offering these forms of communication and incorporating the new communication tools into their own service plans. Porters model is finalized with the analysis of the intensity of rivalry among competitors within the industry. In the telecommunications industry intensity of competition is incredibly high. The competition is driven by economies of scale trying to minimize their costs in the most efficient manner while expanding their market shares at the same time. The competition is further enhanced by the large amount of fixed costs associated with operating a communications network and the exit barriers of the market being incredibly high  [12]  . The external analysis of the telecommunications industry can be summarized as a very profitable industry with high barriers to entry, low bargaining power of suppliers, high bargaining power of buyers, increasing substitutes, and intense competition. To the extent of whether this industry is attractive to enter is up to the judgment of the entrepreneur. Opportunities in foreign countries may be very attractive if business plans are modeled after those of U.S. companies. Sprint last year alone managed to generate $15.825 billion in profit. Industry wide revenues reached nearly $145 billion in 2009, with around 84% of the U.S. population as subscribers  [13]  . With numbers like these the industry becomes much more attractive, but of course those numbers are not achieved without each firm adhering to a set of key success factors that help each of them compete within a very competitive environment. The key success factors in the telecommunication environment are network quality, cus tomer service, brand name, partnerships, and convergence. Each of these is discussed in greater detail in part five (comparison to competition). III. Internal Analysis Many companies provide a clean cut mission statement on their website. They do this to ensure that they are able to provide a clear company direction for all shareholders and employees. Searching Sprints revamped website, some people will be surprised to find that there is no mission statement document. One has to look through all of their new technology offerings, advertising and re-organization to determine the companys current direction. Previous to the 2005 merger with Nextel, Sprint was by far the telecommunications market share leader. Five tumultuous years, lower customer service and missed opportunities, have led to top-to-bottom corporate reorganization, with new CEO Dan Hesse being introduced in 2007. His mission was to create a company that would again become an industry leader by introducing cutting edge technology and utilizing their network to increase customer satisfaction and lower customer churn. Their new advertising campaign do more, talk less, really embodies what they are trying to accomplish. They want to move beyond just offering simple phone service, and with the introduction of their new 4G technology and Overdrive; Sprint is striving to become an all in one telecommunications provider. When Dan Hesse took over Sprint was a falling industry giant, and falling hard. To stop the bleeding, he enacted certain business strategies to first stop the flow of customers to competitors and then others to win them back. The first major issue that the new regime addressed was the call in customer service. The major change in this strategy here was how the company evaluated is customer care employees. They changed the key metric that customer service employees were evaluated on, from call duration time to first call resolution. This new metric encouraged employees to spend the extra time to make sure the customers problems were solved the first time they called. According to Tom Patton, Sprint Senior Sourcing Manager, this was the key change in strategy that has led to Sprints revival. This was effective in decreasing their customer churn, but to win customers back Sprint has developed new products offering the latest technology. They were the first in the telecommunications mark et to offer 4G service, and have won favorable market share while their competitors attempt to catch up. And their latest strategy has been the purchase of pay as you go providers, such a Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile, which gives Sprint access to a growing market. With many people facing hardships, their phone plans were changing from 2 year deals to monthly plans. Sprint was able to turn downturn in the economy into an opportunity for the company. After a discussion with Tom Patton, he and other Sprint Employees believe that their major core competency is their extensive network. Sprint has spent many millions of dollars over three decades to improve on and create one the most powerful telecommunications networks in the United States. This is one area that sets them apart from their competitors. Since Sprint has been around much longer than many of its competitors, they have had a huge head start in building up their network. Having this network was instrumental in the introduction of the 4G technology, and it also allows Sprint to find synergies with other new products. For example, Sprint is able to offer access to their network for their pay as you go customers. Concurrent with this competency is the relationship with suppliers that Sprint has been able to build over the years. This has allowed them to involve suppliers earlier in the RD stage and has led to cost savings and creative innovation on both sides. Another recent core competency for Sprint is their heavy investment in Sprints applied research and advanced technology laboratories. This facility has allowed Sprint to create the first all digital fiber optic networks, and has lead to other innovations in security, monitoring and wireless technologies  [14]  . Outside of their core competencies, Sprints major resource advantage is the brand name they have been able to create. They were one of the few telecommunication firms that have successfully made the transition from landline service to the wireless industry. Customers could have potentially been with the company for many decades. And being in business that long has allowed Sprint to gather some of the best talent in its employee base. Tom Patton and many of his co-workers have been in the telecommunications industry for twenty to thirty years. From the supply chain group to the RD engineers, the accumulation of experienced talent has proved to be a major resource advantage for Sprint. As a potential customer looks at Sprints long line of phones, they will notice that a popular choice is missing. The iPhone is a major factor that has led to the revival of Sprints major competitor ATT. After discussion with Tom Patton, apparently Sprints extensive network attracted Apple to approach them first with the offer to be the exclusive service provider for their new phone. At the time, the Sprint brass felt that the price of the unit was too high and customers would not be willing to pay that much for a phone. Declining that offer coupled with the other issues previously discussed, intensified Sprints fall in market share. Tom also expressed that an area of disadvantage for Sprint could be the morale of the companys workforce and reliability they believe the company has for them. In the restructuring phase many of thousands of jobs were cut across the board. In Tom Pattons supply chain division 55% of the people were let go. While these cuts were necessary for the longevity of the company, afterward there can be trust issues with the remaining workforce. While the effect of these cuts could take some time to hit the companys bottom line, its employees remain scared that they could be the next ones to be let go. As Sprint attempts to recapture much of the market that it once had, their new CEO has enacted business strategies that will once again make them a major force in the telecommunications industry. He has made major strides in that direction by utilizing their major core competencies while at the same time trimming the size of a bloated corporation. The unsuccessful merger with Nextel in 2005 could have left this company in bankruptcy. Trying to have a merger of equals left no one with clear decision authority, and the new company was left stagnant. The recent top- to- bottom reorganization of the corporation has led to a leaner more efficient company. The new Sprint is a company with a clear direction, even though they dont provide it in a neatly packaged mission statement. IV. Comparison to Competition The reorganization of Sprint has allowed for them to have a larger impact on the market than theyve had in recent years. By refocusing their business to work around their core competencies, moving forward Sprint will continue to be an industry leader. By focusing on Key Success Factors of the industry, it is easier to gain insight as to Sprints competitive position within the telecoms industry. One of the most important Key Success Factors for any telecommunications company is network quality. Sprints network is as extensive as any other in the country and has been able to achieve differentiation by being a first mover in bringing in new technologies to market such as the 4G (WiMax) network. Along the lines of network quality is the need for convergence, which is the ability for customers to access any data effortlessly without restrictions and to have the networks and devices to get that data. Sprints network capabilities match that of any competitor for the need of technological co nvergence as well as some of the most state of the art smart phones in the market. Being the first to put 4G to market has allowed for them to gain market share, but Verizon is right on their heels with a 4G network of their own coming out. The next Key Success Factor that is essential to the sustained growth in the telecoms industry is customer service. Although there is rarely direct contact between the customer and firm, mostly only during installation and service outages, it is a vital aspect and can define customer experience. The truth is that customers dont want to have to deal with customer service calling centers or have to go into the store, theyd rather have no problems at all or have their problem fixed immediately; which is another reason why Sprint changed their operating procedure for measuring customer service effectiveness from call duration to first call resolution. Sprints redefined customer service strategy is now on its way to leading Sprint to the top of the industry in terms of customer satisfaction. One area that Sprint is decently far behind the competition is in terms of retail presence and the ability to achieve economies of scale. The telecommunications industry is largely a fixed cost business, having to install and constantly maintain the network. The marginal cost of adding a new customer to the Sprint network is minimal compared to the revenue it generates, as a result, providers with large subscriber bases enjoy a significant advantage over the smaller ones  [15]  . Sprint is the third largest provider in terms of customers being served at 48.2 million while industry leaders Verizon and ATT serve 93.2 million and 92.8 million, respectively. Having nearly half of the customers served compared to the industry leaders shows that Sprint is a ways behind the competition in achieving the full effect of economies of scale. Sprint is also a ways behind VZW and ATT in terms of retail locations throughout the United States. Sprint owns and operates approximately 1,200 retail locations while VZW and ATT own and operate 2,200 and 2000+, respectively. Having less retail locations could be a potential cause for Sprints diminished market share, but they are in the process of increasing that number within the next couple years. The final Key Success Factor that Sprint is doing exceptionally well at is maintaining partnerships. Diversity of services [in] this industry makes it difficult for a service provider to be good at everything, so the crucial thing for a firm in this industry is to forge partnerships to be able to provide what customers need  [16]  . Sprints major partnerships include Cisco, IBM, Intel and Microsoft, which are all very successful and innovative companies to be partnered with. In comparison with the telecoms industry leader Verizon Wireless partnerships; Nortel, Cisco, Alcatel, Lucent and Polycom, Sprints competitive position in terms of partnerships is rather high. Leveraging these partnerships and carrying them on into the future will be a vital key for success for Sprint. In terms of financials, Sprint is pretty far behind ATT and VZW. According to Morningstar.com in 2009, Sprint recorded revenues of $32.2 billion while the competitions was much higher, Verizons revenue was $107.8 billion and ATTs was $123 billion. In comparison with industry leaders, Sprints gross margin in 2009, as a percentage, was approximately 10 percent lower. Sprint also suffered much harder through the worst of the recession between 2006 and 2009 where they posted negative net income in each of those years. During the same span of the recession both VZW and ATT were able to post net income above the line. The hardship for Sprint isnt over yet, according to Moringstar.com, they are projected to post another consecutive FY end with a loss for net income. While [Morningstar] believe Sprint holds a collection of valuable assets, [they] expect a rough ride over the next several quarters.  [17]  Sprint is on its way out of the red but there are still major changes that need to b e made to ensure Sprints spot atop the telecommunication industry. V. Recommendations for Strategy After further analysis, there are four ways in which the Sprint Nextel Corporation can improve their operation. The Sprint Nextel Corporations can improve their business and operations by continuing to develop a better quality customer service, offer the most cutting edge technology in wireless mobile industry, cutting overall cost and venturing into the international markets. If Sprint can achieve these four objectives, the corporation will become more competitive both domestically and internationally and enhance their profitability in the future. First, the Sprint Nextel Corporation must continue to improve their customer service. In the past, the Sprint Corporation had the reputation for one of the worst customer services in both quality and the duration of the time it takes to rectify the problem. In response, the Sprint Corporation began First Call Resolution in which the customer service representative is rated on their ability to resolve the problem on the customers first call. Hence, the First Call Resolution is a great way to improve their overall quality of the resolution as well as the duration of the service. Moving forward, Sprint must continue to initiate similar projects that will enhance the customer service experience of the customers so that if and when the problem arise the customers know that the problem will quickly and correctly be resolved. In the end, happier customers will create more market share and the reputation as the best customer service provider will be a difference maker in a saturated mobile t echnology industry. Secondly, the corporation must continue to develop cutting edge technology. More specifically, the Sprint must develop technology that is aligned with their core competencies which is the extensive network throughout the nation providing an excellent coverage. In juxtaposition to their network, Sprint must develop technologies for corporate customers who have different needs than the individual users. Nowadays, many corporate customers want mobile wireless Internet that can be accessed anytime and anywhere. In response to this need, Sprint must continue to leverage their extensive network and coverage into providing the fastest and the best quality wireless Internet coverage for the corporate customers. Also, there has been a great technology innovation in personal mobile technology. Many of the mobile devices can stream videos in high quality definition. However, some of these videos may have to be downloaded onto the device, which has limited storage. Therefore, developing a websit e portal where individuals can download their preferred shows, movies and videos and then access it through the high speed internet via handheld device may be in need. In summation, Sprint must respond to the changing technology environment in both the corporate market and individual market to gain first mover advantage in the new markets. Third, the Sprint Corporation must develop a cost leadership strategy. There are two approaches in which Sprint must cut costs. First, Sprint must cut costs towards its bottom line. In other words, the Sprint Corporation must cut their operating costs. There are many subsidiaries of Sprint that are not contributing to developing Sprints core competencies. After reviewing the financial data and subsidiaries, there are few subsidiaries that may be spun off or be eliminated. These subsidiaries incur various operating costs as well as the research and development costs that do not add value to the Sprints future operations. Moreover, these cost reductions will allow Sprint to revise their pricing strategy, providing a lower price for equivalent or better quality of service to the corporate and individual customers. For example, if Sprint successfully eliminates some of the subsidiaries, they can procure more mobile devices from vendors such as Blackberry, Samsung, etc. and package those devices into a bundle for customers. In the end, cutting costs towards the bottom line will help Sprint develop its core competencies as well as gain pricing competitive advantage in the consumer market. Lastly, Sprint must venture into international market. More specifically, Sprint must develop markets in developing nations. The nations such as Brazil, Russia and India are popular nations that have already grown intense competition among mobile technology companies. It may be a better strategy to develop a market share in other countries such as Kuwait, Iraq or Afghanistan because the competitors do not heavily target them. Having s joint contract with the U.S. Military to provide services and devices may give Sprint relatively low costs and expansive exposure to the brand. The expanded international market will allow Sprint to hedge the volatility of the domestic market and stabilize the revenue stream of the company. In conclusion, the Sprint Corporation can strengthen their competitiveness by providing higher quality customer service, developing cutting edge technology, cutting costs for operational activities and providing lower priced services and venturing into international markets. By providing a better customer service, Sprint will gain trust of the customers they have lost in the past and regain market shares by gaining reputation as customer oriented corporation. Developing technology will allow Sprint to gain first mover advantage in new markets. The cost reduction will allow Sprint to be more competitive because the customers will respond to cheaper pricing point that is packaged with high quality of service. Lastly, transitioning into international markets is crucial to the corporations success, because it will diversify their risk and hedge the domestic volatility of the industry.

small claims court Essays -- essays research papers

On March 1, 2005, I went to the 3rd District Matheson Court House in the down town area and sat in on a few small claims court cases. I wanted to do this because I had never been to an actual court proceeding and I have been interested in seeing one live instead of on television. I am going to write about the three different cases that I sat in on, what the conflict was, what the outcome was and what I learned from each one. CASE #1   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Plaintiff’s name in this first case was Watt. His case was that he subleased a vehicle to Kapone and Kapone had breached their contract by not making payments for vehicle which ultimately affects watts credit. Watt also filed crimal charges against Kapone for harassment and personal check theft which took place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Watt placed a restraining order on Kapone. Watt wanted to be paid for the car payments that were delinquent. The Defendant’s name was Kapone and he was not present but submitted a letter to the judge. Although there was no signed contract in the letter, Kapone did in fact state they did have a written contract. The judge ruled in favor of Watt for the amount of $764.56.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  You can never be too careful when lending money to anyone even if it is a friend. In this case it did not turn out so well for Watt. He chose to go out on a limb and help kapone, wheter he was a friend or not, I don’t know but he was not trustworthy and it ended up costing Watt time and m...

Holmes’ character Essay

By completing some further research on the Internet, I ascertained that Holmes’ character was actually modelled on the mentor of Doyle, Dr Joseph Bell:  Doyle admired the work of Dr. Bell who utilized observation and logic in the medical field. Doyle decided to mimic the methods of Dr. Bell when he developed his fictional detective. Doyle was always adamant that Holmes was indeed, based on Dr. Bell. The readers of the stories would have been aware of this, allowing them to relate to the story. Another method that Doyle uses to allow the reader to relate to the characters is by using a narrator, Watson. His hugely biased view tells of Holmes’ brilliance, and at the same time allows an insight into the mind of the hero, and with it the attitudes of the people at that time. For this reason, Watson is used cunningly to reflect the era. In stark contrast to Holmes’ debonair attitude, Reseck is much more down-to-earth, and works by very different methods. He is not an intellectual, but works impulsively, as did many people at that time. He works quietly in the background, and is an introvert loner. He works alone, (without a sidekick, unlike Holmes) and he â€Å"always knew if anybody was close to him†. The distance he keeps to his own family, especially Al, his brother, shows this wish for solitude. This attitude is the opposite of the eccentric Holmes who can always be seen and heard. These differing attitudes significantly reflect the eras; the confidence of Victorian England versus the seclusion of Prohibition U.S.A. Chandler reflects this isolation by using derisive adverbs to describe Reseck, such as mockingly and gravely. As mentioned above, Holmes appears to be flawless. In contrast, Reseck is shown to be human and fallible by the elk’s tooth that he relies upon for good luck. Despite thi s, he is not inferior to Holmes, but is the result of a very grave time. Chandler does not describe Reseck as an attractive man. He says Reseck is:  Short, pale, and paunchy middle-aged man  The reason for this is that readers from that time could not relate to a flawless, attractive man. Chandler has used an ugly character to achieve this. In addition, Reseck’s sleight-of-hand shows the need for being alert in an opportunist time. Al, Tony’s brother, sums Reseck up when he says:  You take it slow  In summary, the characters are greatly different. Where Holmes is elegant, handsome and arrogant, Reseck is paunchy, quiet and thoughtful in his actions. When further analysing the characters, much can be achieved by comparing them to their arch-villain. This will help in analysing the two eras. Holmes’ arch villain is Dr Grimesby-Roylott. The two men are greatly different, with Holmes plotting his brains against Grimesby-Roylott’s brawn. The two confront each other only once, with Holmes naturally coming out on top. This was when Grimesby-Roylott challenged Holmes in his Baker Street office. Holmes is undaunted by his enemy’s aggressive attitude, and shows utter contempt to his threats. This is demonstrated when he ridicules the aggressive Grimesby-Roylott:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"What has she been saying to you?† screamed the old man furiously.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"But I have heard that the crocuses promise well,† continued my companion imperturbably. Grimesby-Roylott then attempts to use his strength to scare the composed Holmes. He bends a poker then hurls it into the fire. Holmes, unconcerned, then picks the poker up and unbends it with ease: â€Å"I might have shown him that my grip was not much more feeble than his own.† This reinforces the idea of Holmes’ superiority over everyone else. This symbolism is a precursor to the end of the tale, and the reader knows that Holmes will eventually prevail over his enemy.  In I’ll be Waiting, there is no arch villain, hinting at the corruptness of the times. However, when Reseck meets with another character, Al, he is insulted, and in the end is seen to be inferior. Al calls Tony his â€Å"little fat brother†, which is obviously derogatory. Reseck does not have the same superiority over others as Holmes, which shows how different the times and self-esteem of the characters are. As well as the heroes that are portrayed in the stories, the language and accents that are used also depict the eras. In Holmes’ Baker Street location, he speaks in very proper English, again trying to reinforce his superiority. He is suave and soothing, speaking in a cultured accent, especially when talking to Helen Stoner. He uses archaic language, such as ‘pray’, and never abbreviates his words. All sentences are grammatically correct, and often contain archaic clauses. An example of this is:  And now, Watson, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. Reseck, in contrast, speaks in argot, slick language. There are many slang words and phrases that he uses. Examples of this are:  The guy stopped the big one. Cold.  And  Talk it up copper. My mind reader just quit.  Other cynical wisecracks show the alertness and the need for being streetwise in such an opportunist time. His accent is also colloquial, showing the lower class of people he deals with, compared to Holmes’ London. The settings of these stories show where the interest of the people lay, and can give an insight into life at that time. Location also plays an important role in reflecting the times. The Speckled Band is set in bachelor rooms in Baker Street London, a very affluent area of West London. This shows the prosperity and superiority of Holmes, and with it his success in life. The second part of the story in set in an English country mansion, again an affluent location. The admiration that the Victorian people had for the rich and successful in life, envying them greatly is demonstrated by this. In contrast, I’ll be Waiting is set in a seedy and dangerous world, in a crime-ridden inner city, controlled by gangs running the illegal alcohol trade. An example of this is the ‘Trouble Boys’ who are stereotypical gang-members of that time. They use colloquial language and the way that they turn their collars up and hide in the shadows indicate to the reader that they are clichà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½d criminals. Reseck works in a hotel called the Windermere Hotel, another undesirable location. I’ll be Waiting appeals to 1940’s readers, as they had more interest in the reality of life, rather than on the lives of the rich aristocracy.

Free Essays on Causes of gangs in Our Communities

Gangs Gangs are a violent reality that many people have to deal with in today's cities. What has made these groups come about? Why do kids feel that being part of a gang is both an acceptable and prestigious way to live? The long-range answer to these questions can only be speculated upon, but in the short term the answers are much easier to find. On the surface, gangs are a direct result of human beings' personal wants and peer pressure. To determine how to effectively end gang violence we must first find the way that these morals are given to individuals. Unfortunately, these can only be hypothesized. However, by looking at the way humans are influenced in society, I believe there is good evidence to point the blame at several institutions. These include the forces of the media, the government, the theatre, drugs, and our own economic system. On the surface, peer pressure and greed cause gangs. Many teens in gangs will pressure peers into becoming part of a gang by making it all so und glamorous. Money is also a crucial factor. A kid (6 - 10 years of age, who is not already a member) is commonly shown how he/she could make between two hundred to four hundred dollars a month for a small part time gang job. Although, one wouldn't think that factors such as this are strong enough to make kids do things that are strongly against their morals. One of the ways that kids' morals are bent so that gang violence becomes more acceptable is the influence of television and movies. The average child spends more time at a television set than he/she spends all day in a classroom actually learning something productive. Since nobody can completely turn off a child's mind, the youth must be learning something, even if it is morally wrong. Very few hours of television watched by the common child are educational, so other ideas are being constantly absorbed during this period of time. Many shows on television today are extremely violent and are often shown... Free Essays on Causes of gangs in Our Communities Free Essays on Causes of gangs in Our Communities Gangs Gangs are a violent reality that many people have to deal with in today's cities. What has made these groups come about? Why do kids feel that being part of a gang is both an acceptable and prestigious way to live? The long-range answer to these questions can only be speculated upon, but in the short term the answers are much easier to find. On the surface, gangs are a direct result of human beings' personal wants and peer pressure. To determine how to effectively end gang violence we must first find the way that these morals are given to individuals. Unfortunately, these can only be hypothesized. However, by looking at the way humans are influenced in society, I believe there is good evidence to point the blame at several institutions. These include the forces of the media, the government, the theatre, drugs, and our own economic system. On the surface, peer pressure and greed cause gangs. Many teens in gangs will pressure peers into becoming part of a gang by making it all so und glamorous. Money is also a crucial factor. A kid (6 - 10 years of age, who is not already a member) is commonly shown how he/she could make between two hundred to four hundred dollars a month for a small part time gang job. Although, one wouldn't think that factors such as this are strong enough to make kids do things that are strongly against their morals. One of the ways that kids' morals are bent so that gang violence becomes more acceptable is the influence of television and movies. The average child spends more time at a television set than he/she spends all day in a classroom actually learning something productive. Since nobody can completely turn off a child's mind, the youth must be learning something, even if it is morally wrong. Very few hours of television watched by the common child are educational, so other ideas are being constantly absorbed during this period of time. Many shows on television today are extremely violent and are often shown...

Chemistry Abbreviations Starting With the Letter M

Chemistry Abbreviations Starting With the Letter M Chemistry abbreviations and acronyms are common in all fields of science. This collection offers common abbreviations and acronyms beginning with the letter M used in chemistry and chemical engineering. Abbreviations Starting With M M - concentration (Molarity)m - massM - Megam - meterM - Methylm - milliM - MolarM - MoleculeM3/H - Cubic Meters per HourmA - milliampereMAC - Mobile Analytical ChemicalMADG - Moisture Activated Dry GranulationMAM - Methyl Azoxy MethanolMASER - Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of RadiationMAX - MAXimummbar - millibarMBBA - N-(4-MethoxyBenzylidene)-4-ButylAnilineMC - MethylCelluloseMCA - Multi Channel AnalyzerMCL - Maximum Contaminant LevelMCR - MultiComponent ReactionMCT - Medium Chain TriglycerideMCT - MonoCarboxylate TransporterMd - MendeleviumMDA - MethyleneDiAnilineMDCM - Mechanistically Defined Chemical MixturesMDI - Methylene Diphenyl diIsocyanateMDMA - MethyleneDioxy-MethylAmphetamineMDQ - Minimum Daily Quantityme - mass of an electronME - Materials EngineeringME - MEthyl groupMEE - Minimum Explosive EnergyMEG - MonoEthylene GlycolMEL - MethylEthylLeadMES - MethylEthylSulfateMeV - Million electronVolt or MegaelectronVoltMF - Methyl FormateMF - Micro FiberMFG - Mo lecular Frequency GeneratorMFP - Maximum Freezing PointMFP - Molecular Free PathMFP - MonoFluoroPhosphateMg - Magnesiummg - milligramMGA - Modular Gas AnalyserMH - Metal HalideMH - Methyl HydroxideMHz - MegaHertzMIBK - MethylIsoButylKetoneMIDAS - Molecular Interactions Dynamics And SimulationsMIG - Metal Inert GasMIN - MINimummin - minutesMIT - MethylIsoThiazolinoneMKS - Meter-Kilogram-SecondMKSA - Meter-Kilogram-Second-AmperemL or ml - milliliterML - Mono Layermm - millimeterMM - Molar massmmHg - millimeters of mercuryMn - ManganeseMNT - Molecular NanoTechnologyMO - Molecular OrbitalMo - MolybdenumMOAH - Mineral Oil Aromatic HydrocarbonMOH - Measurement of Hardnessmol - moleMOL - moleculeMP - Melting pointMP - Metal ParticulateMPD - 2-Methyl-2,4-PentaneDiolMPD - m-PhenyleneDiamineMPH - Miles Per HourMPS - Meters Per SecondMr - Relative Molecular massMRT - Mean Radiant TemperatureMS - Mass Spectrometryms - millisecondMSDS - Material Safety Data SheetMSG - MonoSodium GlutamateMt - Me itneriumMTBE - Methyl Tert-butyl EtherMW - MegaWattmW - MilliWattMW - Molecular WeightMWCNT - Multi-Walled Carbon NanoTubeMWCO - Molecular Weight CutOffMWM - Molecular Weight Marker

Emergency Disaster Plan xyz Corporation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Emergency Disaster Plan xyz Corporation - Essay Example If such a plan is not presented and activated in time, it becomes highly risky in the course of time when such an eventuality occurs. The cost of the loss sustained is far higher and in many cases, there is no compensation possible for such losses. Whether this is a flood or a fire or a terrorist strike the company should be ready to take care of the eventuality. A high level technical support should be planned and there should be a clear commitment from across the company and its management. Management should be aware of the liability and accountability to the company and the public in general. The process would involve a steering committee being set up for this purpose which would enable the members to know the different classes of security and protection in addition to disaster management for different types of companies. It is also essential that an appropriate budget is drawn for this purpose. Budget can be effectively planned only if there is a clear allocation of teams for specific jobs and execution plan for every one of the jobs in the disaster management. 1. Property damages could occur due to water seepage in the company as well as due to wind. In an insurance company, the threat perception is noticed only for the information contained in the computers and the loss that could occur to this data will be the one that would cause loss to the business. 2. Water is capable of damaging the entire computer network in the office which could result in loss of data in the computer as well as loss due to stoppage of work. 3. Loss due to wind could take the form of disrupted wiring and networks resulting in communication issues that could stop smooth flow business. Loss of business activity would mean that clients are not served and orders are not booked. Either of them would result in a loss to the company in terms of finance or in terms of service creating wrong impressions with the clients. 4. Apart from this the company is also vulnerable to external man made attacks in terms of virus or such other external ingression of unwanted elements on to the computer network. 5. The possibility of a fire to the building also exists. 6. The possibility of an earthquake in that area is also possible. Out of these possible vulnerabilities, the area is prone to flooding and winds of hurricane grade. Therefore, the company should ideally plan for defending itself against such vulnerabilities. In order to safeguard itself against flooding and hurricanes, the company should look for the following measures: 1. To counter flooding, physical security is primary. All back up data taken every day should be kept inside safe packs of water proof and fire proof quality. Fire can also be caused by hurricanes. 2. The structure of the building may be so planned that the building is appropriately raised and built so that the chances of flooding the building goes down to zero if possible. 3. Company should ensure that the data is safely backed up every day and moved to a different location so that even in the case of a large flood stopping the work and spoiling the data in the company main data center, the data in the other location can be called on

Supply Chain Management case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Supply Chain Management - Case Study Example Another supplier evaluation research is carried out on the potential suppliers to ensure nothing has been overlooked before making a final decision. Selection of the supplier, negotiations and sending out the RFPs is done at this stage. Selecting the best source and integrating any conflicts in order to ensure the contract will be workable and finally is the monitoring of the supplier through the FedEx Supplier Scorecard system. The supply chain management comprises of a team of individuals assigned different roles and different suppliers to handle. Only one individual associate from the group is assigned to every supplier. The work of the associates is to take responsibility and oversee all the ground work necessary including being in charge of the research and profiling. They are also tasked with the responsibility to manage and nurture the relationship with the suppliers as well as ensuring that the needs of FedEx are well taken care of by the suppliers. They also keep close tabs with the happenings in the market and the other suppliers as well and any changes initiate their renegotiation with their current suppliers. This is carried out to prevent them from being short changed or losing out on new innovations and deals that will make them lose out the competitive advantage they currently hold in the industry. They also handle the decisions revolving around strategic management which means they coordinate the supplier and engineering groups as well as dealing with any challenges brought about by the sourcing process. Yes. The first step of the process that includes research and profiling is carried out by almost all the companies before selecting the best suppliers in the market. This is important for all the companies to doing order to eliminate frauds in the market, ensure they get a good bargain and deal for their money as well as being provided with only the best as long as they can