Bonacorso Insurance Agency, Burlington, MA

Bonacorso Insurance company was created by John Bonacorso and Brittany Martel, in Burlington Massachusetts. Presently, that location offers their only office, but another office building is being built in Middleton, Massachusetts, and it will be open soon. The company was originally established in 1956, and it served as a local insurance agency, but recently it has expanded to some degree, and offers various insurance portfolios in the private and business sectors.The company is a basic small insurance company, that is trying to acquire as many clients as possible, and to facilitate that action, the company offers discounts to new clients, and campaigns to provide people who could potentially save with Bonacorso Insurance with free quotes, and the advantages of the company, compared with those of competitors. Bonacorso Insurance offers a number of basic policies and packages, and gladly provides quotes for potential clients.The have life insurance policies, homeowner policies, health coverage policies, automobile insurance policies, policies for boat-owners, and for motorcycle owners. Life insurance premiums vary based on the specific conditions of given clients, but the policies usually cost between $500 and $1,500 per month. Depending on the size, condition, and overall value of a home, homeowner’s policies also vary greatly. For more conventional homes, policies start at $500 per month, and range up to, for the more expensive homes, a rate of $250,000 monthly.Basic health insurance policies for those who qualify cost $360 a month. Automobile insurance policies range from $550 to $6000 dollars monthly, depending on the quality and condition of the vehicle. Boat insurance is comparable in premium price to homeowner’s insurance, as its premiums range from $350 a month to $250,000 per month, based on the specifications of the boat. Motorcycle insurance is also offered by Bonacorso Insurance, and premiums for this type of insurance range from $225 t o $350 monthly, depending on the quality of the motorcycle.That is how every successful insurance agency operates, as rates are different for every client depending on their histories, and certain specifications of what is to be covered. For more conventional cars, boats, motorcycles, and houses, rates may be lower, as not as much is at risk. But for expensive items, rates are generally higher, as are the deductibles, because the company will have to make a much larger payout if coverage proves to be needed. All of these policies also take into account the specific cases of each client who is covered by Bonacorso Insurance.Rates may be slightly higher for clients who have bad histories, and lower for those who have shown their responsibility. For instance, drivers whose records are free of accidents of their own fault save on automobile insurance, as they present less of a monetary risk to the company. But drivers who have been involved in a number of accidents will generally have h igher premiums because the insurance agency feels that they are more likely to be involved in accidents, which the insurance company will pay for on their behalf.And in trying to recruit new clients, Bonacorso Insurance has people who are hired to give people free quotes, hoping that that will encourage them to realize that they could be saving if they switched to Bonacorso. People who work for the agency seek potential clients, and show them their rates, compared to the rates of their competitors, or the national average of a premium for similar clients. Often, when new clients apply for policies with Bonacorso Insurance, discounts are offered to encourage the clients to remain with the agency, because it will save them money.The insurance agency also offers benefits to clients who remain accident free after joining the agency, which may show in a decreasing of premium rates for improving drivers. Automobile insurance is one of the company’s biggest fields, so a lot of the c lient benefits and rewards are offered in that field. Monthly get-togethers, or parties, are hosted by the company, which invites clients to attend the festivities, giving clients a homely, local feel about their insurance provider.Mugs, T-shirts, and other apparel and novelty items are given to clients as well. Businesses are also recruited by Bonacorso Insurance company, and certain benefits are offered to particular businesses. Portfolios for businesses that offer coverage in a number of areas are provided for professional clients, which gives many businesses incentive to join the agency. And much like other insurance companies that work with businesses, certain services may be exchanged between a business and Bonacorso Insurance agency.For instance, if a business agrees to speak out in favor of the agency, or host certain agency events, which shows the business’ satisfaction with the agency, potentially encouraging other businesses to compare rates and perhaps switch to B onacorso, rates and portfolios may be less costly for the business. The agency has been growing in popularity lately, and has expanded from just a small, local boat and automobile coverage agency to one that offers all of the amenities of a larger, more established firm.In 1983, John Bonacorso took the company down a new road, which opened the company to the market of home insurance policies, health insurance policies, life insurance policies, and motorcycle insurance policies. One of the major benefits of the company is that premiums are cut for improving clients. Clients who had histories of accidents at home or in their vehicles would generally have higher premiums initially, but like some of the larger insurance agencies such as State Farm and Progressive are doing, rates may decrease for a client if his or her record improves, as that shows that he or she presents less risk to the agency.Bonacorso Insurance only sustains itself by its number of clients. For any insurance agency to succeed, the number of clients has to be somewhat established, and it cannot sharply decrease. For example, if there were only three clients that an agency had acquired, who were paying an average of $500 a month for their automobile insurance, it would potentially ruin the agency if one of the cars was to be totaled, causing many thousands of dollars in damages.But one in three cars being totaled in a short period is very bad odds for the insurance agency, and if one thousand in three thousand clients totaled their vehicles, it would have the same devastating effects on the insurance agency as if one in three was totaled. But the risk is much higher when the number of clients is low, because with a large number of clients, the firm acquires a level of stability, as the premiums of everyone else would be used to cover the accidents of the few.So Bonacorso Insurance makes it clear that they are always looking for clients, and they tell potential clients how they operate, which is done by stabilizing themselves with a large number of clientele. As with most insurance companies, Bonacorso provides potential clients with rate quotes, that in some cases can be detrimental to the agency, as it demonstrates that, in particular cases, the people shopping for insurance could save more elsewhere. But this is part of the process. No company can offer every client a lower rate than the individual could find with other agencies unless that agency was well on its way to monopolizing the market.So for the most part, Bonacorso Insurance knows that most clients will feel that they could be saving with the agency, as in many cases, rates are lower for potential clients with Bonacorso than with other agencies. So Bonacorso has established enough stability to reveal their quotes, compared with their competitors quotes for particular people (which at times could be slightly lower) because for the most part, Bonacorso Insurance agency offers more to the clients. Another thing t hat the agency has going for it is its local status.The company fits into the community of the Burlington, Massachusetts area, and that makes people feel safe and satisfied as they are insured by people whom they know. This is really shown by the get-togethers and parties that the agency hosts, which it invites its clientele to attend. Trust is thus established by the agency and its clients, which encourages clients to remain with the agency, which, many of them feel, really is helping them. All in all, the company has been a smaller, cordial insurance agency that has a neighborly relationship with its clients.Benefits and cut rates help the agency to secure clientele, and decreasing rates and courteousness on the part of the agency help Bonacorso Insurance maintain its client base. Although it started as a very localized agency that did not offer coverage in all of the fields that it does today, Bonacorso Insurance has grown to some degree, and plans to open a second branch in Midd leton, Massachusetts. But community involvement and its local, neighborly nature should continue to keep the company going at both locations for some time, because clients are satisfied by the way the agency operates.

Business ethics in different countries Essay

A Code of Ethics is a business or an organization’s policy applicable to all its activities and relationships. It should identify principal responsibilities its stockholders, shareholders, employees and communities. Its main function is to provide guidance in cases of moral dilemmas. Many corporations have implemented codes of conduct that define unacceptable behavior and serve as a guideline for the practice of ethical conduct. This is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough for an organization merely to have written codes of ethics. Many business organizations are also  taking a more proactive position in the area of promoting the practice of ethical behavior. To reinforce the organization’s values and standards, ethics training programs should be held on a regular basis rather than being a one-shot deal. Business ethics should be practiced in every country around the world. The United States, Hong Kong and Russia are several countries that will be menti oned that practice business ethics. In The United States, business ethics is a topic that businesses are becoming more aware of. An article in USA Today Magazine in January 1998,states, â€Å"Companies are discovering the value of ethics†. The discussion of ethics in the business world goes hand and hand with the term, profit. It was thought that the more ethical a business is, the less profitable it is; the more profitable, the less ethical. In recent times, there is a positive relation between ethics and profit. Ethics serves as a foundation for the success of businesses. An ethical company provides a moneymaking opportunity and can be the source of a competitive advantage. Employee and customer theft is a major problem for businesses, as a shrinking on the job and declining work ethic. A culture in which drug abuse certainly does not help minimize the problem of theft, businesses are ultimately forced to administer drug-screening tests. The expenses for the drug tests incur great costs for the businesses. Employees with the right values would not need to take the drug testing, thus the company would save money. Consequently, employers will try to hire employees who statistically are more likely to be honest. Ethical behavior is like a virtuous cycle between the customers, employees, and suppliers. As a company builds trust, customers, employees and suppliers are less likely to act immorally. Another benefit of ethical behavior is that it provides a solution to what theorists call â€Å"collective action problems†. A way to tackle the problem is to provide incentive so that the cost-benefit ratio is reversed. In certain situations, production of goods or services requires a team effort so that the individual contribution of each team member cannot be isolated or measured. Any team member who acts in a purely self-interested manner would free ride off the others. The benefits of group activity are optimized only when free riding does not take place. When team members or work associates are bounded  by trust and respect a common value will be present. Another benefit of ethical behavior is that it preserves the social capital that makes a free market possible. A market coexists with many other institutions in society, including: the family, the church, and the political, criminal justice, and educational systems. Each of these institutions contributes toward making capitalism possible: The court system enforces contracts; the political system provides monetary stability; and the educational system trains future employees and prepares them for the workforce. Corporate misconduct raises the cost and reduces the amount of social capital. The more businesspeople try to avoid the terms of their agreement, the greater the number of disputes that end up in court. Increased government activity adds to the cost of government. A market system needs moral capital as well. If capitalism is to be successful, there must be a widespread acceptance of certain moral norms, such as truth telling, and fair play. â€Å"As more and more people abandon these moral forms, the social capital that makes market activity possible, is depleted†, as stated by Norman Bowie. Bowie also states, â€Å"America is obsessed with quarterly reports -one that forces managers to focus on the short run, rather than the long run.† If corporations took the moral point of view, they would focus on meeting the needs of their stakeholders and focus on providing secure work for their employees and quality products for customers. If this were done, profits would follow. American capital differs from the capitalism in other countries. Ethical behavior can lower costs, increase productivity, and preserve the social capital that makes capitalism possible. It is in the nations’ interest to ensure that American capitalism is a leader in ethics as well as in product development. To help promote mutual understanding between the people of Hong Kong and foreign countries, as well as the development of business relationship, several major foreign countries have established their own chamber of commerce. â€Å"More recently, the ICAC and six chambers of commerce joined hands to boost corporate education as a way of increasing awareness of ethics in business.† The result was the founding of the Hong Kong Ethics Development Center in 1994. Among those foreign chambers of commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce has been playing an active role in promoting worker welfare and safety, and business ethics. The American Chamber of Commerce was an active participant in the establishment of the Hong Kong Ethics Development Center. â€Å"The American Chamber of Commerce is the only foreign chamber of commerce which incorporates the codes of conduct as part of their position paper.† Although the basis brief of Hong Kong Independent Commissions Against Corruption (ICAC) is to fight corruption, it also helps firms devise codes of ethics. To those international firms with an attempt to set up their Codes of Conduct in Hong Kong, the ICAC provides some advice regarding the basic concepts and contents. Honesty, integrity and social responsibility must be included in the Codes of Conduct. A study surveyed 197 second-year students who attended an international business course in an institution in Hong Kong, both at the beginning and the end of the term. Active learning about business ethics displayed significant effects on later ethical reasoning and judgment. A proactive finding is that business students learned business ethics to a lesser extent than did other students. The relative ignorance of business students needs special concern for enhancing their awareness of business ethics. Although female students were significantly more ethical in exhibiting judgments than male students, they learned about business ethics to a lesser extent. Female students should be of particular concern for promoting their ethical development through business ethics education. â€Å"Known as an amoral society, Hong Kong tends to be at risk for problems of business ethics.† â€Å"A study found that business students in Hong Kong were less ethical toward customers than Taiwanese and Japanese counterparts.† With the help of The American Chamber of Commerce and the Hong Kong Ethics Development Center, the people of Hong Kong will be on their way to succeed in becoming a more ethical nation. Perhaps, the surveys taken in the future will show outstanding results from Hong Kong’s ethical improvements. The Hong Kong Institute of Land Administration has established their own code of ethics, which have twelve guidelines, which are as follows: 1.This Code is meant to ensure the professional competence and integrity of all members in providing their services to the client or the general public. 2.Members should devote their utmost effort to become competent by qualification and experience to perform services, which they are appointed to take. Furthermore, they have to constantly update and upgrade themselves in new developments, law and technologies to cope with the changing demand, practice and procedures, and Government policies. 3.Members have a duty to contribute towards the improvement of professional standards and the training of their staff as well as any other people interested in the profession through career development, lectures or running courses, etc. 4.Members shall endeavor to co-operate with other professionals, disciplines and individuals so as to achieve optimum results in respect of their tasks and assignments. 5.Members should not take part in any business, malpractice or any act of misbehavior, which may cause an adverse effect on, or damage to the public image and reputation of the Institute. 6.Members should not get involved in any suspected or known illegal dealings especially in connection with their profession or duties. They have the obligation to uphold justice in land administration and in providing their professional services. 7.In the event of any controversies occurred between members of the Institute, the respective Committees of the Council, or the full Council of the Institute should settle them either between themselves or without involving any non-member third party, outside bodies or the public media to safeguard the professional reputation of the Institute. 8.Members should not publicly criticize their fellow members of the Institute without the explicit consent given and in a manner approved by the Chairman in Council Meeting. 9.No member shall injure falsely or maliciously, directly or indirectly, the reputation, prospects or business of other members. 10.Any member charged under the prevailing laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in connection with his/her professional activities or duties whether or not involving the Institute shall report the occurrence forthwith to the Institute. 11.Members must disclose to their employers or clients any personal or conflicting interest involved in the course of performing their duties or assignment. This also covers any benefit gained from a third party even not in breach of their professional responsibilities. If they are acting for their company, then any conflicting interest with other client(s) shall be disclosed to the client. 12.Members must protect the privacy of any data provided by or belonging to their clients for the sake of professional integrity as well as compliance with the relevant legislation of the HKSAR. â€Å"Internally, a Code of Ethics conveys to all staff a clear idea of the accepted conduct for achieving business goals.† It also helps maintain consistent standards of behavior throughout the company. Externally, the Code of Conduct enhances a company’s reputation for fair and responsible dealing. â€Å"It also strengthens Hong Kong’s reputation as an international business center where honesty and fair play prevails.† An effective Code of Conduct reduces costs and enhances profits because: it reduces incidents of corruption fraud and other malpractices, it reduces conflict if interests situations, it enhances the trust of your customers, suppliers and contractors. It enhances the credibility of your buyers and salespersons; it enhances the loyalty and goodwill of your employees and other stakeholders.  Individual companies as well as the Hong Kong business community continue to enjoy a reputation of honesty and fair play. Another country that is practicing business ethics is Russia. Although many people still view Russia as a corrupt country it is trying to modernize in the business world as compared to Hong Kong and the United States. Corruption has become a way of life for Government officials in Russia. Bribe taking, in fact, is a widespread practice throughout the Russian bureaucracy. A number of U.S. and other Western businesses and businessmen routinely pay bribes to Russian Government officials in order to conduct their businesses in Russia. â€Å"Indeed, the most prevalent crime in Russia today is bribery†. â€Å"Of those charged with bribery and corruption in Russia in 1993, over forty-two percent were Government officials and over twenty-five percent were law enforcement officers†. Not only do Russian officials routinely accept and even demand bribes, they have also entered into an illicit partnership with organized crime and with clandestine business groups. â€Å"Former Communist apparatchiks, who continue to work within the Russian bureaucracy, exploit previously made black-marketers relationships to profit in the new post-Revolutionary Russian system.† Not only does the Mafia kill and steal in Russia, it does so in the United States as well. â€Å"The Russian Mafia is increasingly engaged in crime in the West.† Mafia members are involved in â€Å"theft, extortion, money-laundering, gun-trafficking, drug running, prostitution, smuggling, loan sharking, contract killing and more. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has established task forces to deal with the Russian Mafia in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Thus, U.S. businesses that pay bribes and protection money in Russia may be unintentionally financing Russian criminal activity back in the United States. â€Å"Bribe-taking is standard practice among Russian Government officials, a fact of which the Yeltsin Administration is well aware.† In 1994, the Yeltsin Government reported that seventy to eighty percent of private businesses were paying extortion money to organized criminal gangs. Eighty percent of all U.S. businesses in Russia have bribed a Russian government official at least once. It is not uncommon for businesses in Russia to employ assassins in the collection of business  debts. † In 1993, organized crime controlled forty percent of the turnover in goods and services in Russia, according to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.† Moreover, the growth of organized crime has severely hampered the growth of private small businesses in the Country. The success of Russian democracy represents a fundamental pillar of U.S. foreign policy. The U.S. Government spends millions of U.S. tax dollars to promote democratic and market, economic reforms in Russia. Meanwhile, U.S. businesses and businessmen who pay bribes to Russian Government officials may be unwitting supporters of organized crime in Russia. More importantly, bribery of Russian Government officials undercuts efforts to create an open and democratic government in Russia. On the brighter side the Russian Government is taking action to control the ethical standards of the country. On November 8, 2000, the first Center for Business Ethics (CBE) in Russia was officially registered in St. Petersburg. The new Center evolved out of the private sector voluntary initiative, the â€Å"Declaration of Integrity in Business Conduct in St. Petersburg†, supported by over 130 leading companies in the community. â€Å"The Center for Business Ethics has two founding partners: a US company â€Å"Sovereign Ventures, Inc.† and a Russian firm â€Å"Bronze Lion†. The main counterpart of CBE is the Ethics Resource Center (ERC), headquartered in Washington DC, with over 50 years experience specializing in consulting businesses on corporate culture.† The mission of the newborn organization is to institutionalize ethical business in St. Petersburg. CBE provides an anti-corruption toolbox for businesses from ever industry operating in the region. Members of the new Center can obtain the following services: assistance in development a company’s code of conduct, advice on the effective ways of repudiation of bribery, hints on fair tax payment, development of ethics training programs for employees, publicity for ethical leadership, raising issues connected with business ethics a given industry branch. They can also network with other ethical businesses and thereby find natural partners for growth. â€Å"The Center for Business Ethics is a response to demand from local and  government business leaders who founded the â€Å"Declaration of Integrity† for a non-profit organization that could sustain a variety of new programs designed to create a culture of ethics compliance in St. Petersburg.† – says Matthew Murray, President of â€Å"Sovereign Ventures, Inc.†, who will also serve as the first President of the Board of CBE. The team of business ethics experts working for the Center consists of several Russian attorneys, a senior accountant and a journalist. They have been professionally trained by in the US at the Ethics Resource Center or other organizations in international practices of business ethics. The 6 experts include: Anna Ossipova (director), Anton Andreyev (ethics consultant), Elena Fedyushina (ethics consultant), Alina Mitzkevich (ethics consultant), Natalya Clark (PR manager), Oksana Trofimova (senior accountant). The first project launched by the Center for Business Ethics is an â€Å"Island of Integrity† designed to promote open tenders in the construction business and attract further investment to St. Petersburg. â€Å"It has been less than one week since our Center was opened, and the Open Society (Soros) Foundation has offered CBE a grant for the â€Å"Island of Integrity†. – Announced Anna Ossipova, Director of CBE- â€Å"It shows that the momentum behind voluntary initiatives to undertake honest business is growing†. The Saint Petersburg Ethics Center proposed the development of the St. Petersburg Ethics Center (SPEC). The organization’s mission will be to help cultivate the social capital or core values. SPEC will create the institutional framework to ensure sustainability of business ethics initiatives in the city. It will locally develop and retain important skills and capacities. The organization will serve as the legal framework to raise local and international funds in support of its programs. It will become a resource for the community at large, and the champion of the ethics dialogue in St. Petersburg. Specifically, SPEC will initially undertake a variety of proactive business ethics and anti-corruption initiatives and programs such as: Promoting the declaration of integrity; providing training, education and technical assistance; fostering dialogue about ethics education at the university and professional levels; assisting professional and trade  associations to develop codes of conduct, ethics programs and enforcement infrastructure for their membership. Other programs include: increasing awareness about corruption and the strategies to fight it; identifying concrete steps to encourage public-sector reform and conduct research and generate new learning. â€Å"The new learning generated through these activities will then inform the work of SPEC through the creation of culturally relevant approaches and strategies for the other programs of the organization.† Government corruption in Russia is a historical burden on economic and political modernization. Russia must find its own path to root out corruption, using the multitude of positive values and ethical traditions found in Russian culture. They are beginning a long-term process to integrate their strong moral traditions with international standards of business ethics. The present project is designed to sustain these accomplishments by developing and launching SPEC to institutionalize ethical business practices between businesses and government officials in ST. Petersburg and other regions of Russia. 1 Shrinking occurs when an employee or customer steals from a company in which they work or shop, and the outcome is less profit and shortage in inventory. 2 A Collective action problem occurs when an obvious public good cannot be achieved because it is not in the self-interest of any individual who is part of the problem to take steps to resolve it. 3In Hong Kong, there are the American Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Chamber of Commerce, the British Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. 4According to an article â€Å"International Business Ethics: Hong Kong from Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business 5 According to an article â€Å"International Business Ethics: Hong Kong from  Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business 6 College Student Journal. December 1999.  © 1999 Project Innovation (Alabama) 7 College Student Journal, December 1999. In Ikels, C 1989. Becoming a human being in theory and practice: Chinese views of human development. In D.I. Kertzer & K.W. Schaie (Eds.), Age Structuring in comparative perspective (pp.109-134). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum 8College Student Journal, December 1999. In Nyaw, M.K., & Ng, I. (1994). A Comparative Analysis of Ethical Beliefs: A Four Country Study. Journal of Business Ethics, 13, 543-555. As stated in Corporate Code of Conduct As stated in Corporate Code of Conduct To Whom Belongs Power in Russia? Ministry of Thieves-in-Law: An Attempt at Breaking into Politics, Izvestia, July 20, 1994, at 1, 5 [hereinafter Izvestia]. George Nikides, Journalists Hit TV Mafiya, Moscow Times, Oct. 5, 1994, at 10. While virtually all activities were controlled by the Government in the former Soviet Union, there are now a large number of government officials working in what is now the private sector. Id. As the Author notes: See To Whom Belongs Power in Russia?, supra note 4, at 1, 5; Money Talks, supra note 8, at 10. Stephen Handleman, Comrade Criminal 55-56 (1995). Daniel Klaidman, How To Police an Ex-Police State, Legal Times, July 11, 1994, at 12. Leonid Bershidsky, Aids Say State Loans Still Open to Bribery, Moscow Times, July 13, 1994, at 1-2. Officials in the Yeltsin Administration admitted that bribes often determine who and what organizations get government loans and  assistance. Id. U.S. Business and the Russian Mob As stated in Defense Industry Initiative on business ethics and conduct As stated in the Ethics Resource Center

The Elements of Transition and Threshold Spaces

Passage infinites are those infinites that are passed through in the journey to finish, some being the finish themselves.Threshold is a starting point or point at which something begins to take consequence.Passages and thresholds are infinites or points of alteration in a journey. They define our place in relation to where we have come from and where we are traveling.The experience and impact of a passage infinite is influenced by how it is revealed and how it relates to its milieus.It is believed that we, the perceivers are in a uninterrupted duologue with the infinite we are detecting. All the elements in the infinite speak to us. The more dominant 1s tend to talk first or we can state reveal foremost. This disclosure creates interesting experience through a passage infinite, making a better sense of journey and topographic point. There are assorted ways in which infinites or elements in the infinite are revealed. â€Å"Much of the delectation of a topographic point lies in how one gets to it.†2 2 Kevin Lynch,Site Planning, 3rd erectile dysfunction. ( Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1984 ) , 329.It is hence non incorrect to state that it is the creative activity of journey, the passage infinite and the disclosure of objects or elements both touchable and intangible, which generate stimulating experiences and heighten the sense of topographic point.The spacial experience of a passage infinite is a series of assorted degrees of containment and openness, shadow and visible radiation, degree alterations, frontage beat and forms and assorted other factors.The elementsPassage through infinites can besides be looked at constructing degree. We can see passage infinites in a vehicle and other on pes. So one is vehicular experience and other is prosaic experience. For a prosaic it is the finer inside informations that he experiences. He perceives all points of difference and alteration within the boundary really accurately, which he would be given to lose out while detecting from inside a v ehicle. The proportions and densenesss of edifices along the border of the streets influence the experience of the journey along the street. There may be narrow streets with tall edifices on both the sides. There are other streets with edifices on one side and unfastened countries on the other side. In both the instances the prosaic experience is rather the antonym, one gives the feeling of containment while the other gives you the feeling of openness. The feeling of openness is enhanced when it comes after the feeling of containment or frailty versa. These intangible feelings of containment and openness can be generated by many more ways. The interior decorator merely has to play with the volume of the passage infinite and the borders in order to bring forth these feelings. One must besides gain that a infinite might non be unfastened in true sense but it in relation to the infinite predating it or infinite next in row can be considered unfastened. This brings us to another facet o f a passage infinite which is they are frequently perceived in relation to infinite environing it.In order to understand passage infinites it is really of import to understand thresholds. As antecedently mentioned thresholds are like points of alteration in a journey. A door in the wall is a threshold which connects two otherwise separate infinites. Some interior decorators use different elements like little bridging elements to make thresholds. These thresholds enhance the sense of topographic point by restricting the position of what is beyond and make expectancy. Some usage thresholds to concentrate or pull attending towards a certain component in infinite. So in one topographic point thresholds are used to hide while in the other they are used to uncover.Thresholds for different edifices are designed otherwise. You will detect a toran with graven images of Gods and goddesses carved out in them in the thresholds of a Hindu temple. Whereas you will detect a corbelled arch with a w ooden door as a threshold in a house. Some thresholds are designed to stand for the position of the edifice or the street.Since clip immemorial the drama of shadow and visible radiation have been used to make a beat within the street or even inside a edifice. Shadow of the edifices, trees, vehicles parked, people and other objects create a beat. You may detect that it is at these points where people pause before traveling on to the following infinite. Just like shadow adds deepness in a 2D picture, the drama of shadow and visible radiation add life to any infinite. If the enchantment of shadow or visible radiation is big plenty to go a possible infinite so interior decorators create thresholds at the alteration from shadow to visible radiation and visible radiation to shadow.Other normally experient characteristics are stairss. They connect and separate infinites. They can make a sense of reaching. The placement of the flights of stepss influences the experience of reaching. The ste ps contained within the passage infinite defined by the edifices create a strong sense of separation.Through dividing the flight into two the tallness of the flight is less dashing and a infinite is defined by the landing. The landing becomes a passage into the confined infinite and the stairss at the terminal lead out of the infinite.Peoples are a really of import portion of the experience.Lynch, Kevin, 1967,The Image of the City, 3rd print, MA: MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and London, England. â€Å"Moving elements in a metropolis, and in peculiar the people and their activities, are every bit of import as the stationary physical parts. We are non merely perceivers of this spectacle, but are ourselves a portion of it, on the phase with the other participants.† The sight of old people sitting and reading newspaper, kids running about or playing games, adult females speaking in the front pace and making family jobs are a common sight in societies. It is these people that add life to any infinite. A market topographic point with people is more welcoming and pleasant than one without them. This does non intend that a topographic point without people appears dead. Even without people the infinite is still alive. The place and seting propose a infinite that is used by the people who live at that place, the scooter parked in the street suggests that person is place, the stairss lifting up to a door connect the street to the upper degree. The Windowss looking over the street perforate the mass of the edifices supplying connexion between interior and outside, a sense that person could be watching. The figure of doors accessing a public infinite affects the security of the infinite. An flat block serviced by merely one entree onto the street activates the infinite every bit long as there are people utilizing the door, but when no 1 is coming or traveling a individual door offers no indicant of the figure of people utilizing it. Multiple doors indicate a larger figure of people potentially utilizing the infinite. The more doors that entree a public infinite the greater the sense that people could emerge from the door, supplying activation and security in the infinite. Nowadays people have started edifice boundary walls. They frequently have one chief gate. The infinite outside the walls is activated merely when people use that gate. You can visualize a school gate with tonss of little kids running out of the gate. The street in forepart is active merely so. A boundary wall may be supplying security to the people inside but it makes the infinite around really insecure. At times t he infinite within the boundary walls is besides non safe. An easy solution to this job of security is to increase the porousness in the walls. Many doors accessing a street work the same manner.

Must write an individual report of 1500 words. This report must be Essay

Must write an individual report of 1500 words. This report must be based on the consumer focussed web site you are due to presen - Essay Example Thus, website development is highly crucial and it should be mainly designed using a customer centric approach so that it can steal the show among their existent competitors in the market (Chaffey and Dave, 2008, p. 152). I am a member of a website development team who is developing a website which deals with laundry products and apparels. The paper will focus on my justifications regarding the Internet market techniques along with other crisp business strategies which will be highly useful in making our website stand well in the competitive front. Promotion of Brand Awareness The promotion of brand awareness is one of the crucial parts to highlight the website and is one of the benevolent strategies of the e-commerce industry. The brand awareness must be executed in such a manner that the customers receive detailed and rational information regarding the firm and its offerings. This technique can be used as a signal to the current and prospective customers, which will state that the customer is on the cutting edge. I will develop a model with product differentiation strategies along with an image rich message with a tag line which should be in line with the actual performance of the products of delivery. Another stylized technique which I will apply to promote the website is AdWords which are an established mechanism of targeting the potential customers and establishing brand awareness at a reasonable price. I would also be posting some testimonials from our pleased customers along with a few photographs of our ways of functioning to support the services offered in my website. Target Audience Another major decision is the selection of target customers. The market has to be segregated into subparts of customers and sections should be set in the order of priority. Since our website focuses on the marriage laundry, domestic and hotel laundry, the market will be divided into subparts and focus on the micro analysis. People think of marketing management as finding a s many customers as possible and increasing demand. But it is not the right policy and it is not possible for the marketing manager to serve all the customers coming in their way. Trying to serve all the customers, it would not be possible to serve any of the customers properly. So in our area of target, our top priority will be on the marriage sector as well as the hotel sector. For example, Holt Renfrew and Harry Rosen stores profitably target affluent professionals; Dollarama stores profitably target families with more modest means. The advertisement budget will also have to be considered and will be concentrated on key areas. The main things which will be taken into consideration are targeting, demographics, key words and the budget. Keeping a close watch on this, our target customers can be attracted (Website Promotion, 2012). Creating Value Proposition The value proposition of the company

Springfield Nor'easters Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Springfield Nor'easters - Article Example The tickets will also consider the families buy giving the families a different package to make the families have fun with their children in the stadium. The stadium will be partitioned into sections and the prices set for every section in the arena. The proposed packages are Friends and family package Couple packages Children with birthday parties Single tickets VIP packages And general sits packages Expected annual revenue With good advertisements and the culture of giving good packages to the community, the tickets are expected to be sold out even before the leagues start. Since it is a new culture being built in the community, the fans will be intrigued by the new sports phenomenon and would be down to pay the tickets for the experience. Another motivation to the revenue collection is the fact that the fans will be treated to new teams who come to the venue therefore fostering the competitive culture and identification. With creation of a local fan base, the tickets are inclined to producing more money even during the friendly games and off-season matches. With the packages and pricing set per seat a family is expected to pay for a game is close to $59 every single game. The ticket for an individual is $ 4-12 depending on the preference of the sitting area. The stadium has a capacity of 8200 seats. With the approximation of 500 families in the community will start cultivating a culture of sports the family will spend $2242 a season. With five hundred families alone, the expected revenue collected is $1,121,000. If 2000 individual fans attend for a whole season at $4 each the expected revenue collected is $304,000. For the VIP section, the expected revenue is close to $500,000for the single tickets of a thousand fans. For families VIP tickets can cost an approximate of 96 dollars. The expected number will be higher in this section due to the environment conducive for the children. If only 300 families book the VIP area, the revenue is expected to be $1,094,4 00. The summation of this revenue will be close to 3,400,000. Concisely the annual revenue can be close to $5,000,000 when everything is done right in the initial stage. Better revenue collection will be realized with the events building up in the region and a fan base created. The revenue is based on approximation and the least amount charge to every game Expected annual concession revenue The concession calculations will vary due to the different types of ticket sales to the people. With an attendance bracket that depreciates from the 5game, 20 game seasons and a full season, the logical expectation of the revenue will be $2,000,000 as long as the tickets will be reasonable to the public. However, the tickets are supposed to medial to avert the events where the people do not attend since it is cheap. The establishment of a price that is at par with the control and building of the fans will create a culture of not missing a game to utilize the money spent on the ticket. Even in the assumption of full attendance, the variation in the fan attendance will dictate the revenue collected annually. With the survey conducted in the research there will be better concession revenue collected than the estimate. Breaking even The team will break even in the end of the year only if everything is done right. The qualitative analysis of the research is done using the contribution analysis. The model of payment is crucial to the

Michel Foucault Panopticism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Michel Foucault Panopticism - Essay Example al authorities have chosen to control citizens through the appointment of a syndic which will have an ‘absolute’ power over the town’s population. The term ‘absolute’ means that people in this ‘imaginary’ town are not allowed going out of their homes apart from the hours and the places indicated by the syndic in advance. This structure resembles with a prison and in this way the argument of Foucault that prison could be considered to have the same ‘structure’ as a hospital or a school, could be justified. On the other hand, in order for the above scheme to operate successfully, there should be provisions for the participation of citizens in it. In this context, it is noticed by Foucault that ‘this surveillance is based on a system of permanent registration: reports from the syndics to the intendants, from the intendants to the magistrates or mayor; at the beginning of the lock up, the role of each of the inhabitants pre sent in the town is laid down, one by one’ (Foucault, 1995). In other words, the effectiveness of this scheme could be based on the existence of a specific plan of registration through which all people participated in the relevant ‘project’ would be registered. Under these terms, every event in the town would be precisely checked and every aspect of citizens’ life could be controlled. In real terms, the above scheme could be partially applied. In modern towns where a series of tools of surveillance has been implemented in order to control crime, the life of citizens is under the control of the state. The above situation even if justified because of the need for the protection of citizens’ life and property, it should be carefully reviewed as of the appropriateness of the machines used for the surveillance of human activities. In fact, the conditions of life in modern town resemble the description of Foucault’s imaginary town. In accordance with Foucault this town will be a place ‘in which the individuals are

Cyberharassment Laws Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cyberharassment Laws - Thesis Example the most imperative issues with the manner these laws have been implemented is the fact that each state has a certain level of uniqueness in relation to the manner these laws have been implemented or applied for instance: In the United States, the penal code in relation to cyber-harassment in Alabama is quite different with cyber-harassment penal code in Alaska. This simply means that these laws differ on their efficacy as well as challenges (Sternberg, 2014). Apart from the United States, other countries that have also implemented cyber-harassment laws, identifying it as a criminal offense is the Republic of Philippines, Canada as well as Australia. It is quite an important issue to investigate in the contemporary society with a purpose of eliminating possible flaws that may be associated with these laws, taking into consideration that communication technologies are replacing traditional modes of communication at an increasing rate (Sternberg, 2014). The concept of cyber-harassment has been described has an act of repeated electronic contacts, driven by the purposes of creating distress on the targeted recipient (Easttom & Taylor, 2011). However, in order to clarify such acts as harassments, most law-makers claim that a reasonable person, possessing similar information, must consider it sufficient to create distress on their targeted recipients. There are certain considerations that have been given a high sense of priority in relation to cyber-harassment. To begin with, targeted victims of cyber-harassment may not even be in a position to determine that they are being subjected under harassment. Additionally, cyber-harassment is usually accomplished through the use of communication technology, mostly through social-communication technologies; this may be undertaken by a group of individuals or in some cases just an individual (Easttom & Taylor, 2011). Sociologists have claimed that actions considered cyber-harassment are inclusi ve of; destruction of data,

Ethics and Philosophy in Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Ethics and Philosophy in Religion - Essay Example ction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ 3 Thus, it is the art with which one is able to retrieve information and learning that sets one apart from simply recalling or remembering. In order for learning to take place, one must have a source from which to draw upon knowledge. Once this is achieved, recollection is attained. Thus, knowledge has a purpose and a direction which can be analyzed through various means. This is the nature of knowledge. [150 words] Part II. Method/Hermeneutics. Seventh-Day Adventist4 theology is unique. Seventh-Day Adventists’ theology approximates a movement with apocalyptic overtones. Adventists’ hermeneutics, or interpretational theory, stems from the books of Daniel and Revelation, which are both books of the Bible that deal with prophecy. Seventh Day Adventists are particularly concerned with prophecy and how it relates to the interpretation of the sacred text of the Bible. Basically, the main ideas that characterize Seventh-Day Adventism has been carefully analyzed. The way the Bible is interpreted by people within the religious culture of Seventh-Day Adventism is very specific. The theme of the end times reoccurs often, more often than not, in the hermeneutics of the Seventh-Day Adventists. The main hermeneutic regarding the book of Daniel deals mainly with the foreshadowing of the coming of Christ. The main hermeneutic regarding the book of Revelation deals mainly with the symbols associa ted with end times and the impending return of Christ. [150 words] Part III. Method/Hermeneutics. The Seventh-Day Adventist hermeneutic is continued to be discussed in this section. The interpretational theory of the Seventh-Day Adventists depends largely on the text being evaluated or analyzed. In the case of Seventh-Day Adventists, the text that is mainly focused upon—usually, but not always—is Revelation. This is because a large part of Seventh-Day Adventist theology usually focuses upon the up-and-coming return of Christ to earth in order to

Human Health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Human Health - Essay Example lth, and its role in disease prevention, is too often neglected, leading to increasing deaths caused by diseases; this can be inferred from the 1997 figures of the Health Division of Statistics Canada (Table 1). It is desirable to be more aware of the factors affecting human health and the prevention and remedial measures, to be taken. Modern media like the internet and electronic mail are utilized to promote health awareness, but are not always reliable or easily understandable to lay persons. Hence it is important to assess and discern between reliable and unreliable information. This essay is a step taken towards improving awareness regarding health. Herein, an article titled â€Å"Trans Fat†, electronically published by Health Canada (2005), in It’s Your Health, will be assessed critically by this student (article enclosed), in the perspective of the learning gained from the ‘Health Studies 200’. The statements made in the article will be analyzed for their presentation of facts without bias, the simplicity of presentation and, usefulness in promoting health awareness; in the process, the student shall try to learn and understand the issues involved in the prevention of diseases and promotion of physical health and fitness. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Canadian Government’s premier agency for health research, in a report reviewed in the year 2004 states that, â€Å"Cardio-Vascular Disease is the leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for at least 36% of all deaths 37% among women, 35% among men, or about 80,000 people each year†. According to Statistics Canada, Health Statistics Division, 1997 figures, Cancer caused 27.2% of all deaths, and was the leading cause, and Cardio-Vascular Diseases (CVD) was behind with 26.6% (see Table 1). Other leading causes for death are (also diseases) Cancer, Cerebro-vascular diseases etc. Deaths caused by ‘unintentional injuries’ is a negligible .4 %. CVD seem to have increased since

Business Data Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Business Data Analysis - Essay Example Histogram for the First Quarter Average Order Size Figure 1.3. Histogram for the Second Quarter Average Order Size Table 1.2. Relative Frequency Distribution for the First Quarter Average Order Size Order Size Intervals Frequency Relative Frequency 0-20 0 0.00 20-40 0 0.00 40-60 0 0.00 60-80 0 0.00 80-100 2 0.03 100-120 8 0.13 120-140 17 0.27 140-160 19 0.31 160-180 10 0.16 180-200 4 0.06 200-220 1 0.02 220-240 1 0.02    62 1 Table 1.3. Relative Frequency Distribution for the Second Quarter Average Order Size Order Size Intervals Frequency Relative Frequency 0-20 0 0.00 20-40 0 0.00 40-60 0 0.00 60-80 0 0.00 80-100 1 0.02 100-120 10 0.16 120-140 24 0.38 140-160 19 0.30 160-180 5 0.08 180-200 3 0.05 200-220 2 0.03    64 1 (b) Construct similar quarterly charts for the company’s total number of orders per day. ... Relative Frequency Distribution for the Third Quarter Orders Q3 Order Intervals Frequency Relative Frequency 100-110 0 0.00 110-120 1 0.02 120-130 1 0.02 130-140 4 0.06 140-150 2 0.03 150-160 14 0.22 160-170 16 0.25 170-180 13 0.21 180-190 10 0.16 190-200 1 0.02 200-210 1 0.02    63 1 Table 1.5. Relative Frequency Distribution for the Fourth Quarter Orders Q4 Order Intervals Frequency Relative Frequency 100-110 0 0.00 110-120 0 0.00 120-130 2 0.03 130-140 2 0.03 140-150 5 0.08 150-160 10 0.16 160-170 15 0.23 170-180 9 0.14 180-190 8 0.13 190-200 8 0.13 200-210 3 0.05 210-220 1 0.02 220-230 0 0.00 230-240 0 0.00 240-250 1 0.02    64 1 Table 1.6. Relative Frequency Distribution for the First Quarter Orders Q1 Order Intervals Frequency Relative Frequency 100-110 0 0.00 110-120 1 0.02 120-130 1 0.02 130-140 1 0.02 140-150 3 0.05 150-160 3 0.05 160-170 9 0.15 170-180 12 0.19 180-190 14 0.23 190-200 7 0.11 200-210 4 0.06 210-220 5 0.08 220-230 1 0.02 230-240 1 0.02    62 1 Table 1.7. Relative Frequency Distribution for the Second Quarter Orders Q2 Order Intervals Frequency Relative Frequency 100-110 1 0.02 110-120 0 0.00 120-130 0 0.00 130-140 0 0.00 140-150 2 0.03 150-160 7 0.11 160-170 7 0.11 170-180 19 0.30 180-190 13 0.20 190-200 9 0.14 200-210 4 0.06 210-220 1 0.02 220-230 1 0.02    64 1 (c) What changing patterns are evident in the data from quarter to quarter? What are some possible explanations? The histograms and relative frequency distributions of the average order size for the first and second quarters are both uni-modal and negatively skewed. This indicates that data are concentrated to the right of the mean. This supports Laurel’s trending assumptions that â€Å"orders will be more frequent and for smaller amounts than before†. Meanwhile, the histograms

Gertrudes as Shakespeare Essay Example for Free

Gertrudes as Shakespeare Essay Where a twenty-first century audience would express sympathy for Hamlets loss and would understand his hesitation in taking vengeance, an Elizabethan audience would not sympathise towards him for avenging his fathers death, and would question why Hamlet is showing inaction. As Dori Ripley suggests, The church advocated Gods vengeance, while the state demanded justice through Gods chosen representative(s) (Ripley, 1), meaning it would be Hamlets duty to avenge his fathers death in the eyes of the Elizabethan Church, for Gods cause. Therefore, this would certainly contribute to Hamlets turmoil, with the added pressure to exact Gods vengeance on the wicked (Ripley, 2), and become King of Denmark. However, in the eighteenth century, Thomas Hanmer drew attention to Hamlets delay in avenging his fathers death, suggesting that Had Hamlet gone naturally to work there would have been an end of our play, meaning Shakespeares play would not have been as dramatic for his intended audience of his era. Ernest Jones suggests that Hamlet refrains from killing Claudius earlier in the play because he had already committed the deed Hamlet himself subconsciously wished to carry out; The long repressed desire to take his fathers place in his mothers affection is revealed in unconscious activity by the sight of someone usurping this place exactly as he himself had once longed to do (Jones, 99). This is evident in the play when Hamlet has the opportunity to kill Claudius, however he decides to wait for when he is in thincestuous pleasure of his bed so he is guaranteed to suffer the same pain Hamlets father did when he was in purgatory. Eliminating his competition in the most torturous way suggests Hamlets hatred towards Claudius for marrying his mother. As an extension of this Hamlet is somewhat hostile to his mother throughout the play, shown through the language Shakespeare uses when Hamlet is alone with her. His anger towards his mothers sexuality is expressed, thus: O shame, where is thy blush? Rebellious hell, If thou canst mutine in a matrons bones, To flaming youth let virtue be as wax (3. 4. 82-4) Hamlet demands to know how young people can be expected to control their passions if mothers cannot control theirs. In the same scene, Hamlet pleads with Gertrude not to sleep with Claudius that night and to, Refrain tonight, And that shall lend a kind of easiness To the next abstinence (3. 4. 166-8) After that until she no longer wishes to sleep with Claudius. Whether this is right must be considered in psychoanalytic terms because abstinence stores up emotions that leads to a later emotional explosion. In the context of the play as a whole, this is symbolic because throughout Hamlet stores up his confusion, anxiety and turmoil until he explodes in the final scene, ending in death and destruction of the dynasty. Recent developments in Hamlet criticism suggest Hamlets attitude towards his mother can be explained in terms of Freudian psychoanalysis, in particular the Oedipus Complex where unconscious ideas and feelings centre round the wish to possess the parent of the opposite sex, and eliminate that of the same sex (Rycroft, 118), according to Charles Rycroft in A Critical Dictionary of Psychoanalysis. Although this is a modern theory which did not exist during the Shakespearean period, Shakespeare unconsciously reflects this possible interpretation of character in the play. Hamlet seeking to avenge his father by eliminating Claudius, his mothers husband, could be one of his motivations and subsequent causes of his emotional turmoil. His confusion is, therefore, redirected onto Ophelia who experiences Hamlets anguish. Rycroft also suggests that this is symbolised in Hamlet as persons who are fixated at the oedipal level that are mother-fixated or father-fixated reveal this by choosing sexual partners with obvious resemblances to their parents (Rycroft 119). However, Ophelias qualities are not representative of Gertrudes as Shakespeare suggests Gertrude tends to sexually dominate men in the play whereas Ophelia is obedient to them, suggesting she is vulnerable. Therefore, whether Rycrofts analysis is related to the play must be considered because it does not directly link to Hamlets situation, choosing to have a relationship with Ophelia because she resembles his mother he has sexual desires for. In Gertrude marrying Claudius, Hamlets jealousy is provoked, which eventually contributes to his rage when alone with his mother, You are queen, your husbands brothers wife. Here, Shakespeare shows Hamlets confusion within his complex situation, that his mother has become queen by incestuously marrying her husbands brother. Combined with Hamlets oedipal fantasy and his mothers new marriage, therefore, he is bound to show rage and confusion towards his mother and hostility towards her new partner. In conclusion, Hamlet is a character whose mind is in turmoil, which is subliminally presented through Shakespeares use of soliloquies. This turmoil could exist due to Hamlets life experiences, whether they were his fathers death or his mothers hasty marriage to his uncle, who murdered his father. These occurrences may have caused Hamlets confusion between mothers and lovers, his contemplation of suicide and his hostility towards others, resulting in catastrophe at the end of the play. An Elizabethan audience would not sympathise with Hamlets hostility towards other and his delay in taking vengeance and so could argue that his mind is in turmoil, the reason why he is inactive.

Business Messages Essay Example for Free

Business Messages Essay In a traditional workplace, memos are the usual form of business messages that are sent from officers to employees. With the advent of technology, the issuance of memorandums is often limited to topics of general interest, like organizational meetings or policy changes. If I were a lead engineer in Cards4U, Id maximize the use of faster and more efficient tools to aid me in communicating with other members of the team, as well as company executives and potential customers.    That means e-mails will be the primary source of communication among the team members, since sending and receiving messages take only a few seconds to a few minutes.   E-mail communications are convenient, does not need to be too formal, and can be accessed anytime, anywhere.   The memos will be utilized to inform the CEO or customers regarding product presentations and updates. Since Im a lead engineer in a creative design group, presentations using PowerPoint or Flash would be very useful in showcasing latest designs and innovations.   Reports are also necessary to document the progress, activities, and changes in the production department.   Face to face meetings with customers are important to establish rapport and get them to buy your designs, or get their feedback. If face-to-face meeting is not possible, conference calls can also be used.   Meeting the CEO for updates and developments would also require face-to-face encounters.   However, if the chief executive initiated conversation using e-mails, then, I should take his lead and reply using the same medium.   But if the message were sent through the more formal memorandum, then the reply would also be of that kind. More importantly, in any type of business communication that I would send, the messages should be concise, direct to the point, and professional. References Business/Professional Writing.(1995-2004). OWL at Purdue University.   Retrieved December 4, 2007, from:   http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/pp/index.html#business Ramsey, L. (2005). Business E-mail Messages Professionalism.   Retrieved December 4, 2007, from, http://website101.com/email_e-mail/e-mail_business-etiquette.html Kotelnikov, V. Effective Business Communication. Retrieved December 4, 2007, from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/crosscuttings/biz_communication_main.html

Mini Cooper: Expansion and Launch in India

Mini Cooper: Expansion and Launch in India THE PRODUCT: MINI COOPER IN INDIA INTRODUCTION: The Mini Cooper is a small car that was produced by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered an icon of the 1960s, and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout that allowed 80% of the area of the cars floor pan to be used for passengers and luggage influenced a generation of car-makers. In 1999 the Mini was voted the second most influential car of the 20th Century, behind the Ford Model T[i]. This distinctive two-door car was designed for BMC by Sir Alec Issigonis. It was manufactured at the Long bridge and Cowley plants in England. The Mini Mark I had three major UK updates: the Mark II, the Clubman and the Mark III.The Mini Cooper is a sports car that was successful as rally cars, winning the Monte Carlo Rally four times from 1964 through to 1967. Initially Minis were marketed under the Austin and Morris names, as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor, until Mini became a marquee in its own right in 1969. The Mini Cooper was again marketed under the Austin name in the 1980s. AWARDS AND POPULARITY: The Mini has won many awards over the years, perhaps the most notable includes: Car of the Century, Number One Classic Car of All Time and European Car of the Century. The Mini managed second place behind the Model T Ford for Global Car of the Century in that same poll. In the end 5.3 million Minis were sold, making it by far the most popular British car ever made. Thousands of these are still on the road, with the remaining pre-1980s versions being firmly established as collectors items. At its peak, the Mini was a strong seller in most of the countries where it was sold, with the United Kingdom inevitably receiving the highest volumes. It was a huge seller in the mini-car market. It was 16 years before the Mini received a serious threat to its sales success. INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRODUCTS: MINI HATCH: The new Mini First will be Minis most attractively-priced model on sale in India. Starting at just Rs.8, 76,000 OTR, and the Mini First offers customers the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a unique small premium car at an unbeatable price. Available only in Hatch form, the Mini First features the 1.4-litre petrol engine currently found in the Mini One, but with a power output of 75 hp. The frugal engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and great go-kart handling is ensured by the trademark sophisticated chassis of all Minis. A multi-link rear axle and independent front and rear suspension systems combine with Dynamic Stability Control to put a smile on the drivers face every time they get behind the wheel. SEGMENTING, TARGETING AND POSITIONING SEGMENTATION: refers to a marketing technique that targets a group of customers with specific characteristics. In the process of launching mini cooper in India the upper class people in the country are considered under segmentation. TARGETING: refers to the selection of a particular market towards which all marketing effort is directed. The targeted market for the mini cooper will be the young girls and the ladies sector in the country. POSITIONING: refers to the efforts of influencing a consumers perception of a brand or product relative to the perception of the competing brands or products. Its basic objective is to occupy a clear, advantageous and unique position in the minds of the consumers. With the help of newspapers, internet and hoardings the positioning will take place in the minds of consumers about the product. THE CONSUMERS: An individual who buys products or services for personal use and not for manufacture or resale. A consumer is someone who can make the decision whether or not to purchase an item at the store, and someone who can be influenced by marketing and advertisements. An official definition of consumer behaviour is The study of individuals, groups, or organizations and the processes they use to select, secure, use, and dispose of products, services, experiences, or ideas to satisfy needs and the impacts that these processes have on the consumer and society. Mini Cooper in India will be mostly preferred by the upper class people of the society. This is because of the cost of the product. As the cost is higher people would prefer to buy a bigger and luxury car instead of a small and sporty car. Those people who are more interested and knowledgeable in brands and values would be influenced to buy a Mini cooper in India. Mini cooper is recognized as a girly car all over the world. Mini cooper is a car of status and pride. The type of consumers who prefer a Mini cooper will be a consumer of status and pride. It a sporty car as well as a statement symbol of status. Consumers do not make their decision in a vacuum. Consumer purchases are influenced by four factors. They are as follows Cultural factors Social factors Personal factors Psychological factors. CULTURAL FACTORS: Culture is the part of the external influences that impact the consumer. That is, culture represents influences that are imposed on the consumer by other individuals. The definition of culture is That complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man person as a member of society Culture plays an important role in the buying behaviour of the consumers. As India s rich in culture and tradition, this factor acts as a major role in launching of Mini Cooper in India. As the product Mini Cooper is focused on the young girls and ladies of the society, their decisions are based on the family situations. Some women are not able to decide on their own products and services in India. They have to be depended on their family and society. SOCIAL FACTORS: A consumer may interact with several consumers before buying a product. They may be different type of groups like membership group and reference groups. Family decisions are also very important in choosing a product. Roles and status also play an important role in influencing the buying behaviour of a consumer. As Mini Cooper is the symbol of status and pride the consumers can show their ostentatious behaviour. Those are people who are concerned about image. PERSONAL FACTORS: Personal factors are based on economic situation like his income, occupation, personality and self confidence and age and family life cycle stages. In purchasing a Mini Cooper in India a consumer has to take into consideration his level of income as the price of the product is high. He also has to consider his age and economic situation in the society. The major part in the personal factor is a person should have a high level of personality and self confidence to buy a product. Psychological factors like motivating consumers are mainly done by advertisements, road shows and other motivating factors. Attitudes and beliefs are very important in the process of launching a product. The Consumers have to be given more knowledge about the products. The Mini Cooper will affect the psychological factors of the customers when they see the advertisements. DECISION MAKING PROCESS: The act of making up your mind about something, or a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration is called as decision making. It is the process of selecting a logical choice from among the available options. When trying to make a good decision, a person must weight the positives and negatives of each option, and consider all the alternatives. For effective decision making, a person must be able to forecast the outcome of each option as well, and based on all these items, determine which option is the best for that particular situation. The below diagram shows the process of decision making, and also will explain about how the decision making process affects the customers of Mini Cooper. In this model, the consumer passes through five stages: problem recognition, information search, evaluation and selection of alternatives, decision implementation, and post-purchase evaluation. Problem recognition or need recognition: In the problem recognition stage, the consumers buying process begins when the buyer recognizes the problem or need. When a consumer of an upper class society is in need of a car he recognizes the problems and the need of it. This is the first stage of decision making process. When the consumers find the difference between the actual state and the desired state, a problem is recognized. In other words a need is recognized to solve the problem. Information search: When the consumers discover the problem they are likely to search for information. In this case the consumers who recognized the need for a car would search for more information about the different type of cars and they would be more attentive to car advertisements, cars purchased by their friends or relatives, and peer conversation about cars. Or they may be more actively seeking information by visiting car showrooms, talking to friends and reading car magazines etc. Through gathering information, the consumer learns more about some brands that compete in the market and their features and characteristics. After the search of information the consumers go to the next stage of decision making process. Evaluation and search of alternatives: Under this stage a consumers try to solve the problem and ultimately satisfying their needs. In other words, the consumers will look for problem-solving benefits from the product. The consumer, then, looks for products with a certain set of attributes that deliver the benefits. Thus, the consumer sees each product as a bundle of attributes with different levels of ability of delivering the problem solving benefits to satisfy their need. The distinctions among the need, benefits, and attributes are very important. In this case a person who wants to purchase a car will evaluate and search of alternatives to satisfy his needs. Decision implementation: To actually implement the purchase decision, however, a consumer needs to select both specific items that are brands and specific outlets that is where to buy to resolve the problems. In many situations, consumers engage in a simultaneous selection process of stores and brands. In the case of purchasing car a consumer will search a brand and in that brand they will search for different varieties in the showroom. It is also possible, that the consumer decides where to buy and then chooses one or two brands the showroom carries. Once the brand and outlet have been decided, the consumer moves on to the transaction. Post purchase evaluation: The final stage in decision making process is post purchase evaluation. It is common for consumers to experience concerns after making a purchase decision. This arises from a concept that is known as cognitive dissonance. The consumer having bought a product may feel that an alternative would have been preferable. In these circumstances a consumer will not re-purchase immediately but is likely to switch brands next time. Post-purchase evaluation processes are directly influenced by the type of preceding decision-making process. Directly relevant here is the level of purchase involvement of the consumer. Purchase involvement is often referred to as the level of concern for or interest in the purchase situation and how extensively the consumer searches information in making a purchase decision. These are the different stages of decision making process. With these levels a consumer decides when, where, why and how they buy the product. Mini Cooper is to be launched in India in two major cities of Mumbai and Delhi. Showrooms will be opened in these cities and customers can buy Mini from the showrooms. Perceived risk: Perceived risk refers to a functional or a psychological risk a consumer feels he/she is taking when purchasing a product. Negative or unexpected consequences a consumer fears may occur as a result of making the wrong purchase decision. A high-priced, complex, durable good like an automobile has a higher perceived risk than a low-priced, consumable commodity like hand soap. The greater the perceived risk, the more likely it is that the consumer will seek information about the product and the recommendations and experiences of peers before Buying. Educated, self-confident, affluent consumers are less likely than others to perceive risk. In a situation with high perceived risk, the consumer is more likely to purchase the same brand repeatedly or to purchase a leading brand or one with performance guarantees and warranties. New products or brands will be avoided. 4.0 LAUNCHING THE PRODUCT The primary goal of marketing communications is to build awareness of the business, its products, and its position through customer-facing materials such as brochures, press releases, internet, media, billboards, and road shows. Planning an integrated and consistent cross-team approach to these activities, one that reinforces a companys message with target audiences and motivates customers to buy is very important in launching a product. Mini Cooper is being launched in Mumbai and Delhi by positioning through customer facing materials like brochures, press release, web sites, media and road shows etc. Advertising is a form of communication used to influence individuals to purchase products or services or support political candidates or ideas. Frequently it communicates a message that includes the name of the product or service and how that product or service could potentially benefit the consumer. Advertising often attempts to persuade potential customers to purchase or to consume a particular brand of product or service. Modern advertising developed with the rise of mass production in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The major part in launching of a product is opening of showrooms. Showrooms of Mini Cooper will be more attractive and impressive for the customers. A showroom is an area where merchandise such as car can be displayed. It can also be defined as a room in a business set aside for the display of th e companys products. The three models of Mini Coopers in different colors will be displayed in the showroom. Customers can visit the showroom and book their minis hassle free without any problems. Customers are also offered with test drives if required. This will help the customers to understand practically about Mini and will also be helpful for them to buy the car with a clear mind as a result they will be happy to purchase the car without having any perceived risks in mind. Showrooms will be opened at the commercial area of the cities so that it will be easy for the customers. BROCHURES: A small booklet or pamphlet containing promotional material or product information is known as a brochure. Its a type of folding leaflet, literary advertisement. A brochure advertises about the location, products and services. They are actually in attractive slogans and eye-catching designs. Direct mails and trade shows are common ways to distribute brochures to introduce a product or service. The two most common types of brochures styles are single sheet or folded booklet leaflet form. Compared with a flyer or a handbill, a brochure usually uses higher-quality paper, more color, and is folded. In launching the Mini in the market, brochures are being used as one of the customer facing materials or advertisements. With the help of brochures, the people will come to know about the product and will take an initiative to visit the showroom and to check with the websites. The brochures will be made of high quality and will be printed in attractive colors and impressive slogans will be given. Free test drives will be added in the brochures to attract the customers. The address of the showroom and a map will be printed in the brochures for the customers. These brochures will be supplied to the public in the commercial areas and city centre. PRESS RELEASE: A public relations announcement issued to the news media and other targeted publications for the purpose of letting the public know about the launching of product and services is known as press release. A press release is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. Typically, they are mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to assignment editors at newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television stations, and television networks. Commercial press-release distribution services are also used to distribute them. A press release will be taking place one the showrooms are opened. Only the basic informations will be relieved to the public. In the press Release, the description of the product and services will be described to the public. The location of the showroom will also be relieved. INTERNET advertising is rapidly growing and is said to be the fastest growing sector within the advertising industry. The Internet has brought media to a global audience. Internet advertising ties together creative and technical aspects of the Internet, including: design, development and sales. Internet advertising is relatively inexpensive when compared to the ratio of cost against the reach of the target audience. Companies can reach a wide audience with the help of internet advertising. The nature of the medium allows consumers to research and purchase products and services at their own convenience. Therefore, businesses have the advantage of appealing to consumers in a medium that can bring results quickly. A website is introduced in the name of Mini Cooper. All the informations regarding the product is included in the website. The different models and the colors will be shown attractively to grab the attention of the customers. The customers will be given an option to book their car online through the website. The customers can also book for the test drives online. MEDIA: Ever since mass media became mass media, companies have naturally used this means of communications to let a large number of people know about their products. Two types of media advertisements are as follows: published media and visual or aural media. Newspaper, magazines and internet comes under published media and television and radio comes under visual or aural media. Advertisements in famous newspapers and magazines will be given for the Mini Cooper. Attractive slogans like MINI HITS INDIAN ROADS will be given on magazines and newspapers with colourful pictures of Mini Cooper. Advertisements in televisions will become livelier with the presence of celebrities with the Mini Cooper. Radio advertisements will also be given. Media will cover the major part of advertisement compared to the other types. BILLBOARDS: are large outdoor advertising structures. A billboard presents large advertisements to passing pedestrians and drivers. It is highly visible in the top designated market areas. Billboard advertisements are designed to catch a persons attention and create a memorable impression very quickly, leaving the reader thinking about the advertisement after they have driven past it. They have to be readable in a very short time because they are usually read while being passed at high speeds. Thus there are usually only a few words, in large print, and a humorous or arresting image in brilliant color. Attractive billboards with impressive colors and slogans will be placed at many places in the city. These will help the consumers to be aware of the car. The billboards will be very simple and clear for the public. The cars will be printed on the billboards. Billboards are very useful for the public to know about the launching of the product. ROAD SHOWS: are kinds of advertisement of the product. Basically a road show is nothing but a show of cars on the road in the public. These road shows will be attractive to customers as they see them on the road. Some number of Minis will be driven on the road in the city so that people become familiarized with the product launch. And they will also be parked alongside the road as a road show. Different colors of Mini Cooper will also be on the road show. Discounts and offers will be given to the customers on the early stage for the development of product in the market. It is very important because customers are more attracted towards discount and offers. Surprise gifts will be given to the first fifty customers who book Mini Cooper. The customers will be provided with the facility of Mini Cooper service stations in Mumbai and Delhi. First two services will be free of cost for the car. Cars will be picked and dropped at the customers place for service and it will also be free of charge. Accessories like seat covers, alloy wheels, music player etc will be available at the showroom. Customers can buy them at lesser prices. CONCLUSION: Thus the launching of Mini Cooper will be done effectively and efficiently. Customer satisfaction is more important for a sound business. We will promise to give our best to our customers to satisfy them. Mini Cooper will maintain its level of brand and will become a great success in India. With its great success Mini Cooper will be launched in more cities with more models in India. REFERENCE How the MINI Cooper Works, by Jonathan Strickland, http://auto.howstuffworks.com/mini-cooper.htm, retrieved 2009-12-12

Sociocultural Constructivism Theory Essay -- Sociology, Piaget

Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework: Cognitive Constructivism Theory and Sociocultural Constructivism Theory As stated in Chapter I, to create better readers, many reading specialists agree that word study is a developmentally sound approach to providing reading instruction (Bear et al, 2008; Ganske, 2000; Zutell, 1999). Word study is founded on robust evidence-based research on the developmental stages of reading and spelling; however, word study and specifically word sorts have a diminuative amount of scientific evidence as to it success in reading instruction (Boscardin et al, ND). To create an evidence-based study, it is useful to analyze word study using the lenses of cognitive constructivism and sociocultural constructivism theories. In combining these two theoretical frameworks, I will view the WtW reading instruction approach from both the internal cognitive development as well as the external social influences of learning. In Chapter 2, I will succinctly review the principles of each theory and demonstrate how the theories provide an applicable balance for this study. Constructing meaning from an event is an important link to comprehension (Carlisle, 2000; Francis, et al., 1996; NICHD, ND; Rasinski & Oswald, 2005; Williams & Lundstrum, 2007). However, the idea of constructing meaning, or constructivism, is a broad concept with multiple connotations. Two distinct types of constructivism will be the lens for this study, cognitive constructivism and sociocultural constructivism. The two theories are essentially different in that cognitive constructivism posits the internal construction of information as the controlling influence, while sociocultural constructivism posits the external interactions with peers and adults as m... ...ible tool for examining data from this study. Word study’s origin is based on the belief of the student’s constructivism in understanding and comprehending new knowledge by the word study developers, the generalized belief by education specialists that it is the way students learn, its foundational role in teacher preparation programs, and its acceptance of the dynamics within the classroom as playing a role in appropriate instruction. Hence, for this study, it is advantageous to use the constructivism theories of both Piaget and Vygotsky, cognitive and sociocultural, as theoretical frameworks. Together these theories will be the lens for analysis of the data collected within the study. By using both, I am able to examine both the an individual’s internal and external construction of information. In the ensuing chapter, I establish the methodology of this study.

Hamlet: Power vs Happiness :: Shakespeare Hamlet Essays

Claudius what are your motives for killing the king, marrying his wife and taking on the role of father to his young son?      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Claudius is introduced in act I, ii.   In this scene he has an important speech. In this speech he talks about the death of the king, his marriage to the queen and the foreign problems of the state. He utilizes many transitions and tends to empiseze the foreign affairs of the state. I don't know what to make of this, it could mean various things. It could mean that Claudius is making a grab for power shown in his concentration on the foreign polices trying to distract from his lust for power, along with his marriage to the queen giving the change in leadership a smoother and more acceptable feel. He also down plays the death of the formal king so that he can redirect the peoples' attention to his plans and the problems of the state. But I could mean something else I'm not sure. Later on in this scene Claudius talks to Hamlet, Hamlet is very depressed, Claudius gives hamlet some comforting and fatherly advice here trying to get him out of his deep depression. But what is his true motivation here is he trying to get hamlet as a backer for his new rain, so he is just   lying and manipulating hamlet, or dose he have true and deep feelings for Hamlet and is just trying to help hamlet and was no self-interest in it. I feel right now that   it a bit of both I think   he cares about hamlet but would also like him to support his rise to power.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Next we come to act II, ii,   hamlet has made many strange comments and actions lately, many people think he is going, or has gone insane. Claudius finds two of Hamlets good friends to spy on him and try to find out what wrong with him. At this point we know that Hamlet knows that Claudius killed his father but we don't know whether Claudius knows that hamlet knows or even if he suspects, this cast a strange light on this scene. First if Claudius suspects hamlet knows that he killed his father then we might assume that Claudius is sending these spy to find out for sure if he knows, but if he dose not suspect hamlet then this might be another show of Claudius's affection towards Hamlet. So the same question keeps coming up dose Claudius like Hamlet or is he just using him? At this point it to hard to tell so we must delve deeper in to the

Incarcerated Parents and Their Children Essay -- Children of Incarcerat

The challenges of children who grow up with parents whom were incarcerated at some point in their childhood can have a major effect on their life. The incarceration of parents can at times begin to affect the child even at birth. Now with prison nurseries the impregnated mother can keep her baby during her time in jail. With the loss of their parent the child can begin to develop behavioral problems with being obedient, temper tantrums, and the loss of simple social skills. Never learning to live in a society they are deprived of a normal social life. â€Å"The enormous increase incarceration led to a parallel, but far less documented, increase in the proportion of children who grew up with a parent incarcerated during their childhood† (Johnson 2007). This means the consequences of the children of the incarcerated parents receive no attention from the media, or academic research. The academic research done in this paper is to strengthen the research already wor ked by many other people. The impact of the parent’s incarceration on these children can at times be both positive and negative. The incarceration of a parent can be the upshot to the change of child’s everyday life, behavioral problems, and depriving them a normal social life. There have been many questions raised if the nurseries programs were fair but â€Å"the number of women incarcerated in state prisons in the United States (US) has dramatically increased in the past 20 years, and 70% of these women are the mothers of minor children, as of the last Bureau of Justice estimates† (Mumola, 2000). â€Å"Allowing women to parent their children within correctional facilities in the US may be â€Å"one of the most controversial debates surrounding the imprisonment of women† (Bel... ...e, May 2009. Web. . Mumola, Christopher J. 2000. Incarcerated Parents and Their Children. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, NCJ 182335. Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics Phillips, Susan D., Alaattin Erkanli, Gordon P. Keeler, E. Jane Costello, and Adrian Angold. 2006. â€Å"Disentangling the Risks: Parent Criminal Justice Involvement and Children’s Exposure to Family Risks.† Criminology and Public Policy 5(4). Sroufe LA, Egeland B, Carlson EA, Collins WA. The development of the person: The Minnesota study of risk and adaptation from birth to adulthood. New York: The Guilford Press; 2005. Tolan, Patrick H., Deborah Gorman-Smith, and Rolf Leober. "Developmental Timing of Onsets of Disruptive." Journal of Child and Family Studies 9.2 (2000): 203-20. Print.

Marketing strategies of the crescent

In the recent years, Amtrak has been forced to undertake new marketing strategies due to declining sales.   As faster and more cost effective ways of traveling have become more popular and cost effective, train travel has had some difficulty keeping up.   However, traveling by train offers some unique opportunities and experiences that are not available with other modes of transportation.   Amtrak is attempting to use these unique attributes to market its train that travels from New York City to New Orleans and back, the Crescent. Amtrak has been marketing the Crescent by emphasizing the comfort that it offers as compared to other forms of transportation.   The new marketing strategies of Amtrak compare the seats of the Crescent with the seats on an airplane and show that the seats on the Crescent more spacious as compared to the seats an airplane.   This marketing strategy is also similar to the new â€Å"travel as you wish† campaign for Amtrak Cascades which emphasizes the comfort and luxuries of traveling by train. Another marketing strategy that Amtrak has employed is by improving the quality of the meals that are served since the Crescent is also equipped with a dining car which serves full meals that are cooked fresh aboard the train.   The menu on board the Crescent has a wide variety of choices to select from and the quality of the food is much better than typical airline food.   In line with this marketing plan, Amtrak has also kept the prices of foods and beverages in its dining car and snack bar reasonable to provide the passenger with all the eating opportunities possible. The marketing strategies for the Crescent that have been utilized by Amtrak also emphasize the fact that train travel is more convenient and enjoyable than any other mode of land transportation, especially for families.   Unlike traveling by car or any other mode of land transportation, traveling by train allows passengers to sit back and enjoy the ride. There is no more need to worry about taking a wrong turn or trying to navigate by using folded maps that are inaccurate or outdated or even finding a nice place to use the restroom.   Amtrak capitalizes on this advantage by marketing its services to families with children by offering discounted rates for children traveling with adults.   This makes train travel a great experience for the entire family because it also allows the children to wander around on board the train as opposed to being confined to the backseat of a car. Boarding a train has also been made much easier by Amtrak to the extent that is has made this even easier than boarding an airplane.   The passengers can avoid long lines and are allowed to keep most of their luggage within easy access of their seat.   This is even better than airplanes which only allow hand carried items of limited dimensions to be stored on board with the passenger and cause a certain level of inconvenience for the passenger, not only during boarding but also upon arrival and waiting at the luggage claim area. Another inconvenience caused by traveling by airplane which Amtrak has used to its advantage it by allowing the use of cellular phones throughout the duration of the train ride.   This advantage appeals to those who have important business to conduct but still prefer to travel comfortably.   The cellular phone use allows businessmen and bankers to be on top of their work while enjoying the many fine facilities and comforts that the Crescent can provide. The Crescent is sometimes equipped with an observation car that allows travelers to climb up to a second level and enjoy a panoramic perspective of their surroundings through its large windows, which unlike in an airplane, allows the train travelers to enjoy much of the scenery as they travel.   This is another advantage that the Crescent has over the modes of transportation because it allows the passenger to literally see life as it passes buy and to experience and behold first hand the breathtaking beauty of America. While there are those who criticize train travel by saying that there are to many stops along the way, the train can still sometimes be a faster option than traveling by car because of the fact that passengers can sleep on a real bed while they travel throughout the night or even during the day thus eliminating the rest stops that accompany traveling by car. The Crescent also offers such comfortable beds that even the passengers sleeping in the coach section of the train have a much more restful and revitalizing rest experience as compared to attempting to sleep in the cramp and uncomfortable seats on an airplane.   Not only does the Crescent allow passengers to be well rested for their arrival at their destination it also makes the travel time much shorter as opposed to traveling by car or by bus. Another convenient aspect of the Crescent, which Amtrak has capitalized on in its marketing strategies, is the fact that most train stations are located right in the middle of downtown business districts.   This is the reason why Amtrak has been marketing train travel as a viable alternative aggressively to business travelers.   Instead of having to go through the hassle of claiming baggage in an airport, finding a taxi, and then finally arriving at your destination, business travelers can walk or take a short subway ride to train station or from the train station to their intended destination. This saves a great deal of time and also allows these weary businessmen to maximize their work days while ensuring that they are not too stressed out or harassed as they normally would through other modes of transportation.   The fact that the Crescent also has comfortable beds and even allow the use of cellular phones provides the businessman with more opportunities to work yet at the same time not feel too harassed or troubled by the time that he arrives at this final destination. Trains are also a good option for business travelers because they are less susceptible to weather delays thus offer greater reliability.   These advantages of trains are the key points in the marketing strategies of Amtrak with respect to its Crescent Line and are the main draws for businessmen. The 9/11 attacks have also increased the volume of passengers on the Crescent Line of Amtrak as more and more Americans realize just how dependent the nation has become on a single mode of transportation which has proven vulnerable to attacks and tragedies.   The tragedy has shown that passenger rail is vital and Amtrak greatly anticipates that more and more Americans will take to traveling by train instead of by airplanes because of this incident.   The spotless record of train travel with regard to hijacking has been a great influence on many American’s decisions to travel by train instead and Amtrak has capitalized on this by giving worried travelers the security option of traveling by train. In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina may have greatly disrupted the Crescent’s route from New York to New Orleans but it also created a unique marketing opportunity for Amtrak. Amtrak used this to its advantage and worked diligently to restore train service to the New Orleans area via the Crescent within a month and a half of the aftermath caused by the hurricane and by doing so became one of the first companies to do so. Many of the railroad tracks leading to the city were severely damaged in the storm.   A press released announced the restoration of train service to the city and Amtrak officials stated that they hoped that having the city accessible by train once again would aid the city in its effort to start rebuilding.   The situation allowed Amtrak to show the people of New Orleans that Amtrak values their city and looks forward to things returning to a more normal pace in the area. Another key step in this was in November 2005, when Amtrak began offering discounted rates to passengers traveling to New Orleans.   Travelers received a twenty percent discount on fares to New Orleans.   Amtrak said they hoped that by making it more affordable, more tourists would be able to travel to New Orleans, boosting not only their sales, but the economy of the city.   The discount was also offered to assist aid workers who traveled to the city. Amtrak has also vied for the business of people traveling on cruises out of New Orleans.   Carnival and Amtrak partnered to offer twenty five percent discounts to passengers traveling on the Crescent to reach the port of New Orleans to depart on their cruise.   The two companies hope that this is an incentive for tourists to travel to New Orleans thus helping the city recover faster.   Amtrak was able to capitalize on this situation by showing that they are more than just a company that cares for the welfare of its passengers but also a company that cares for the welfare of America. These key advantages of traveling by train are also the key marketing strategies of Amtrak in increasing the volume of passengers on its Crescent Line.   The relative comfort, reliability, luxury, convenience and security which the Crescent provides is incentive enough for any businessmen or any traveler for that matter to prefer traveling by train over the modes of transportation throughout America.