A Handbook of Management and Leadership A Guide to Managing for Resul

Question: Describe about A Handbook of Management and Leadership: A Guide to Managing for Results? Answer: Introduction Employees have always been referred to as the most valuable assets of an organisation(Hellriegel John W. Slocum, 2011). They put in endless efforts everyday in order to ensure that organisations decisions are transformed into actions which help achieving desired goals and performance objectives. They are regarded as an unsurpassed vital resource for an organisation and the issues related to their motivation have been seen as a indispensable part of the human resource strategies (Hossain Hossian, 2012). Motivation can be defined as the force which acts within an individuals and makes him decide to behave in a specific, goal oriented manner(Herzberg, et al., 2011). Motivation refers to the motives of the employees that determine their productivity thus it is essential to ensure that employee motivation is channelized in a manner that help achieving organisational goals(Adair, 2009). In order to remain competitive in todays dynamic marketplace organisations must ensure that they are a ttracting talented employees and have strategies to retain them, they must allow and facilitate employees to perform tasks for which they were hired and must stimulate and encourage employee to think beyond their routine jobs and realise their full potential and creativity while focusing on innovation. Problem This report aims at studying the lack of motivation faced by employees at McDonalds and how it is affecting their overall effectiveness and efficiency. Due to low motivation and a lack of job satisfaction employees at McDonalds do not consider their jobs as a means of long-term career growth (Nawaz, 2011). They just come to workplace to earn their living and are hardly interested in the growth of the organisation. Many of long term McDonalds employees have claimed that they do not feel motivated nor are provided enough opportunities to use their creativity and do things differently. They feel a lack of learning and thus see no growth in this sector. Due to all these factors McDonalds is being recognised as a company that witnesses highest employee turnover (Nawaz, 2011). Employees who are de-motivated tend to lack commitment and put in less effort. Standards of customer service are also affected adversely when employees experience lack of motivation and thus job satisfaction. It has been noted that employees who are happy and satisfied tend to enhance customer service experience. As it is said one cannot make others happy when one is happy inside. Founded in year 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald, McDonalds Corporation today is recognised as the worlds largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants (McDonald's, 2015). McDonalds has around 35,000 outlets in 119 countries from where they serve around 68 million customers every day. With 1.9 million employees working either for franchises or actual corporation McDonalds has become the worlds second largest private employer. This report analyses the employee motivation issues faced by some of the McDonalds in UK. In-spite of being a big brand in the fast food industry McDonalds still commit the same fault as performed by other fast food companies. Like every other fast food company McDonalds too offer McJobs to their employees. McJob is a term used to define a type of job generally related to retail or service industry that are low paid and does not demand specific skills and qualifications (Nawaz, 2011). These types of jobs experience high employee turnover mainly due to lack of motivation. Such type of jobs fails to satisfy the basic needs of the employees thus they are not at all influenced to stick with them for long time. Some of the main reasons that have lead to the decrease in employee motivation are; Managers at McDonalds apply Taylors scientific theory according to which in order to achieve maximum output from employees they must be supervised closely and should be made to work under pressure (Hossain Hossian, 2012). Poor employer-employee relations, less rewards, lack of learning and low wages are some of reasons for employee de-motivation as well (Nawaz, 2011). Monotonous nature of job wherein employees are directed how to carry out their day to day operations and are not expected to use their creativity. Employees at some of the McDonalds also face problems related to micromanagement wherein they are not involved in decision making process and are informed that their capabilities are not trusted owing to which employees show disengagement and feel highly de-motivated. There is lack of effective communication which leads to uncertainty and insecurity. After employees have completed 2-3 years in the job they start feeling insecure as they know the company can terminate them anytime as they can easily find cheap labor to get the same job done. This fact does not encourage employee to plan their long-term career with companies like McDonalds. McDonalds in order to keep their operations cost minimum so that they can offer cost advantage to their customers generally fail at meeting the basic needs of its employee which is leads to employee de-motivation. All these factors have adverse affects on employee motivation at McDonalds leading to reduced productivity and performance effectiveness. Employees are not committed to their jobs thus do not take too many pains to ensure customers are provided with high quality services. It is high time McDonalds must make necessary changes and implement motivational approaches and theories to increase employee motivation which in turn will ensure desired organisational goals are achieved. Method There are a number of motivational theories, concepts and models that can be implemented by McDonalds in order to increase employee motivation and ensure high productivity and quality performance. One of primary motivational principle defines performance as a function of individuals ability and motivation (Mullins, 2011). This can be represented by the formula stated below: Performance = f (ability * motivation) Ability in this case includes an individuals inherited talented as well as learned competencies which are used to perform goal oriented tasks (Mukherjee, 2005). In order to understand and implement various motivational theories and approaches it is essential to understand the motivational process which is divided into six core phases namely; identifying individual needs, finding ways to satisfy those needs, employees are made to select goal-directed behaviours, employee starts performing, employee is either rewarded or punished based on their performance and lastly employee receives feedback based on which he redefines his need deficiencies (Jr, 2005). Motivation is goal oriented wherein a goal represents something that is desired by an individual. There are a number of sources of motivation which can be broadly classified into two broad categories namely; intrinsic and extrinsic sources (Fox, 2007). Intrinsic motivated behaviour is reinforcement of behaviour that forces an individual to find a job and then feel the job is interesting. Extrinsic sources of motivation refer to the external sources such as rewards and recognitions (Miner, 2005). Content theories and process theories are the two broad categories into which several theories of motivation have been divided (Kitchin, 2010). Motivational theories help identifying factors that affect human behaviours in different ways. Content Theories As stated by content theories of motivation all individuals have needs and there are certain factors that drive them to act in a manner so that they can satisfy their needs resulting in motivation(Murray, et al., 2006). There are a number of content theories which can be applied by McDonalds in order to identify factors that can enhance employee motivation. Process Theories Process theory studies the way employees needs themselves influence their behaviour (Ranganayakulu, 2005). According to this theory people are motivated to achieve a goal when they feel they goal is worth the effort. Individuals tend to display good perform when they are aware they will be paid equally well in return. There a several motivational theories which can be applied by McDonalds in order to overcome the issues related to low employee motivation. Needs Hierarchy Model Formulated by Abraham H. Maslow this model suggests that people have exceptionally high needs that are complex in nature and can be arrange in a hierarchical pattern(Herzberg, et al., 2011). According to this model once a needs has been satisfied its motivational impact declines. Employers must focus on satisfying lower level needs prior to higher level needs and higher level needs can be satisfied in many ways while there are few ways of satisfying lower level needs(Fox, 2007). This model has categorized human needs into five broad categories and has arranged them in form of a pyramid wherein the lowest level forms the base of the pyramid and the highest level need forms the cone. The five categories of needs arranged in an increase level of priority are; physiological needs, security needs, affiliation needs, esteem and self-actualisation needs (Shajahan, 2007). This theory can prove to be very effective for McDonalds and will greatly help them in satisfying basic needs of their em ployee who in turn will be motivated to deliver high performance and show commitment towards their jobs. Physiological needs: These are the lowest level needs and refer to an individuals desire for air, water, food and shelter (Armstrong Stephens, 2005). In order to satisfy these needs individuals are ready to take and job for which they are paid. Unless these needs are satisfied no individual can focus on satisfying higher level needs. As McDonalds is able to satisfy these needs people who only work for money are willing to take these job however they show very low level of job commitment. Security Needs: These are needs which people tend to satisfy once their physiological needs are satisfied. Need for safety, absence of threat, pain and illness and stability come under level of needs (Bonnici, 2011). McDonalds is able to provide their employee a healthy and safe work environment which is free from threats however they lack in providing stability to their employees. The wages offered to employees are too low to enhance stability. Affiliation Needs: This category of needs include individuals need for love, friendship and feeling of belonging (Daft, 2014). In a professional context this need define a desire for healthy employer-employee relationship. As stated earlier McDonalds has not been able to develop a healthy employer-employee relationship as they feel people tend to perform better in a supervised and pressurised state. Managers are responsible for ensuring their employees display high productivity and are not much concerned about their growth and development. Esteem Needs: This category refer to employees desire for feelings of self-worth, respect, recognition and achievements (Herzberg, et al., 2011). McDonalds do have rewards and recognition programs however they are not sufficient enough to motivate employees. Employees are expected to perform tasks as directed and are not enough to participate in decision making. As a result employee feel they are not important for the company and are not treated with respect and integrity Self-Actualisation Needs: This is the highest level need which employee tend to satisfy once all lower level needs are satisfied. This represent employees desire to realise their full potential and be what they want to be (Jr, 2005). McDonalds is not at all concerned about satisfying employees self actualisation needs. Very less focus is given to employee training and development thus limiting their learning. Processes are predefined thus leaving no space for employees to us their creativity. In order to implement the needs hierarchy model to increase employee motivation managers at McDonalds will have to focus on effective communication and conduct frequent one to one meetings and group discussions that will help them understand their employees better and identify their needs. Motivator-Hygiene Model Designed by Fredrick Herzberg and his associated the Motivator-Hygiene model is also called two-factor theory (Herzberg, et al., 2011). According to this theory motivators and hygiene are two sets of factors that are responsible for creating job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction (Daft, 2014). Motivators refer to factors like achievements, advancements, challenge, feedback, work itself, responsibility and recognition(Daft, 2014). These factors help creating a positive perception about the job and its contents. Motivators can also be referred to as intrinsic factors as they are internal to the individual and are related to the job directly. Hygiene factors are related to salaries, company policy and administrations, job security, benefits, working conditions and interpersonal relations(Herzberg, et al., 2011). As they are external to the job they are also called as extrinsic factors. As discussed earlier McDonalds needs to seriously work to improve their motivators and hygiene factors. Managers must identify factors that enhance employee motivation at workplace resulting in improved effectiveness and efficiency. Equity Theory As stated by this theory individuals have a tendency to compare the ratio of their own input/outputs at the workplace to the ratio of input/output of other individual (Kitchin, 2010). Any inequality among ratios leads to job dissatisfaction and influence employees to find ways to restore quality (Moyles, 2006). In case of McDonalds their employees must be finding good inequality ratios thus are motivated to switch jobs due to which the company has to face high turnover. Expectancy Theory According to this theory people are rational beings who have definite set of goals and can be motivated if their expectations are met (Northouse, 2010). In order to meet the expectations of the employees it is important to inform them that their efforts will always be rewarded wither monetarily or by non-financial means(Daft, 2014). All these motivational theories and models can be implemented by McDonalds to solve the problems associated with low employee motivation and also to enhance their commitment towards their job, overall productivity and performance efficiency. Solution Employees at McDonalds face a serious issue of low motivation which is greatly affecting their overall productivity, performance and commitment. Its high time McDonalds must work on ways that will help increasing job satisfaction and motivation at workplace. A survey conducted among some of McDonalds employees has helped identifying factors they feel inspire them to work with McDonalds, more than 60% of employees strongly agreed with the factors being their motivators to work such as, flexible working hours, provision of food facilities and no specific skill requirement to get a job. They survey also helped identifying factors that are leading to high de-motivation among employees, more than 75% of employees strongly agreed with the factors being reason for low motivation such as; very low wages, poor employer-employee relationship, monotonous nature of work, lack or reward and recognitions and no focus on employee growth and learning. In order to overcome the problem of low employee motivation which result in high employee turnover and low productivity McDonalds must make efforts to bring some improvement in wages paid to employees and introduce an attractive reward and recognition program. Managers at McDonalds must focus on effective communication and improving their relationships with employees. Attempts must be made to identify the needs of employees and then making efforts to satisfy the lower level needs first. McDonalds must ensure that motivators and Hygiene factors that lead to high employee motivation must be in place and work efficiently. McDonalds must focus on training and development of employees in order to satisfy their learning needs and provide them ample growth opportunities so that they are motivated to show high commitment to their job. References Adair, J., (2009) Leadership and Motivation: The Fifty-Fifty Rule and the Eight Key Principles of Motivating Others. London: Kogan Page Publishers. Armstrong, M. Stephens, T., (2005) A Handbook of Management and Leadership: A Guide to Managing for Results. London: Kogan Page Publishers. Bonnici, C. A., (2011) Creating a Successful Leadership Style: Principles of Personal Strategic Planning. RL Education: RL Education. Daft, R., (2014) The Leadership Experience. New York: Cengage Learning. Fox, W., (2007) Managing Organisational Behaviour. Cape Town: Juta and Company Ltd. Hellriegel, D. John W. Slocum, J., (2011) Organisational Behaviour. New York: Cengage Learning. Herzberg, F., Mausner, B. Snyderman, B. B., (2011) The Motivation to Work. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. Hossain, M. Hossian, A., (2012) Factors Affecting Employee Motivation In The Fast Food Industry: The Case of KFC UK Ltd.. Reseach Journal of Economics, Business and ICT, 5(1), pp. 21-30. Jr, J. E. B., (2005) Motivation and Transactional, Charismatic, and Transformational Leadership: A Test of Antecedents. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, 11(4), pp. 25-39. Kitchin, D., (2010) An Introduction to Organisational Behaviour for Managers and Engineers. New Jersey: Routledge. McDonald's, (2015) About Us. [Online] Available at: https://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ukhome.html [Accessed 2015]. Miner, J. B., (2005) Organizational Behavior: Essential theories of motivation and leadership. New York: M.E. Sharpe. Moyles, J., (2006) Effective Leadership And Management In The Early Years. Boston: McGraw-Hill International. Mukherjee, S., (2005) Organisation Management And Business Communication. New Delhi: New Age International. Mullins, L. J., (2011) Essentials of Organisational Behaviour. London: Financial Times Prentice Hall. Murray, P., Poole, D. Jones, G., (2006) Contemporary Issues in Management and Organisational Behaviour. Sydney: Cengage Learning Australia. Nawaz, A. S. M. S., (2011) Employee motivation: A study on some selected McDonalds in the UK. African Journal of Business Management, 5(14), pp. 5541-5550. Northouse, P. G., (2010) Leadership: Theory and Practice. London: SAGE. Ranganayakulu, K., (2005) Organisational Behaviour. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers Dist. Shajahan, S., (2007) Organisation Behaviour. New Delhi: New Age International.

Research Method Cost Effectiveness

Question: Discuss about the Research Method Cost Effectiveness. Answer: Introduction: According to Fabrizio and Hawn (2013), Wejnert defines diffusion of innovations is the spread of abstract concepts, ideas and actual practices applied in a system where the spread takes place via influence and communication. It is argued that the theory adds relative advantage such as cost effectiveness, reinvention and explains the complexities and task issues along with it. However, the theory is criticized for having a pro-innovation bias that assumed change is always good. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) Edmunds, Thorpe and Conole (2012) state technology acceptance as the way people adopt and accept technology for usage. It mentions the psychological factors affecting technology accepted as developed by Davis for explaining technology use. According to the above figure, the perceived usefulness and ease of use serves as a mediator of actual system use. The two constructs help in underpinning the TRA as there is a link established between attitudes, intentions and actual system usage. Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour The Theory of Planned Behaviour helps in predicting the behaviour of people not having complete volitional control. Further, the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour focuses on the factors and beliefs that influences subjective norms, attitudes and perceived behavioural control (Zolait 2011). Dynamic capability theory involves the firms ability to build, integrate and reconfigure the rapidly changing business environments. They are necessary to meet challenges and build strategic assets such as technology, capability and customer feedback (Fabrizio and Hawn 2013). The stakeholder theory was originally formulated by Edward Freeman that considers the responsibility of managers to serve in the best possible interest of the shareholders (Fabrizio and Hawn 2013). Review of Empirical Research The following theories along with the empirical research from below provide a valuable starting point for studying the relationship between employee awareness and benefits of adopting ICT in the organization. Authors Purpose Variable from Research Methodology Limitation Extraction Chugh, Wibowo and Grandhi (2016) Determine the level of awareness of sustainable practices by Indian ICT professionals ICT usage Questionnaire using quantitative methodology Small sample size, geographical restriction Large organizations with more than 1000 employees have environmental sustainability awareness. Cecere et al. (2014) Studying the pattern of innovative activity in green ICT High growth, technological pervasiveness and other actors Qualitative using case study analysis The research method adopted in complex in nature There is high innovative activity where there is high growth and technological pervasiveness Radu (2016) Identifying emerging research trends in adopting green ICT. Economic, regulatory and ethical determinants Qualitative using review of existing literature No empirical test is made. General and specific determinants analysed separately. A few determinants of ICT adoption are competitiveness, cost reduction, dynamic of industry and various others. Khor et al. (2015) Overview of green IT applications Organizational theories Green IT/ IS implementation Qualitative using review of existing literature No primary method of data collection is used. No methodological aspects for application of theory are discussed. Organizations are increasingly becoming environmental-responsive. Buchalcevova and Gala (2013) Shows the drivers and inhibitors that influence Green ICT diffusion in Czech SMEs. Perceiving inhibitors and drivers Quantitative using survey No existing literature supporting concepts and theories are provided. There is lack of government support and incentives in adoption of green ICT practices. Peng (2013) Importance and impact of environmental challenges in the ICT industry ICT and environmental challenges Qualitative using review of existing literature The results are limited to China industry. Green ICT Conceptual Framework Technological Context System Quality Individual Impact Information Quality Organizational Context Low Financial Cost Positive Organizational Culture Technical Competence Environmental Context Less Energy Usage Low Environmental Footprint According to the above figure, it can be interpreted that the technological context, organizational context and environmental contexts, there is a difference in green employee awareness. The firm adopting technological innovations, both in equipment and processes make employees aware. Organizational context such as availability of resources, firm size and their culture also affects the employee awareness. Lastly, the environmental factors such as energy usage, impact on environment also affect employee awareness level and green ICT adoption. H0= There is an inverse or no relationship between employee awareness and adoption of ICT. H1= There is a positive relationship between employee awareness and adoption of ICT. Research Design and Methodology The research paradigm adopted for this study is epistemology. It is concerned with addressing facts that are acceptable. It also consists of acceptable knowledge about the information that can be treated as a fact. The philosophy is used as the information regarding employee awareness and ICT can be proved without doubt rather than opinions and changeable situations (Welman et al. 2012). The research philosophy adopted for the research study is positivism. Positivism generates hypotheses or research questions that can be tested allowing to measure acceptable and actual knowledge. This research method is adopted as the method chosen for collection and analysis is quantitative in nature (Welman et al. 2012). The methodology adopted for the current research problem is primary in nature. Primary data is adopted as not much secondary information is provided on the same research problem. Also, as it relates to employee awareness, the primary method shall be more suitable than secondary data collection. There is a gap in the existing literature that shall be minimized using this research study. Further, primary data is more relevant and accurately addresses the research intention (Welman et al. 2012). The research is conducted in a Malaysian organization with around 500 employees who shall be a part of the research study. Therefore, the target population is 500 employees. The sample size is chosen as 100 employees as the population size for the study is huge. The sampling is done using the simple random sampling where a group of people are randomly selected for the research study. The entire sampling process is carried in a single step where the people are selected entirely by chance (Welman et al. 2012). The simple random sampling gives equal chance or probability of getting selected. Every individual has an equal chance of getting selected for any subset of individuals (Welman et al. 2012). Approval was generated from the manager of Malaysian organization for conducting the research study. To attain the objectives of research, it required travelling to the Malaysian organization. Written consent of the participants was generated and there was no forceful attempt for involving the participants in the research study. Privacy and confidentiality of the data obtained is maintained. The participants were assured about the study not affecting their employment status (Welman et al. 2012). References Buchalcevova, A. and Gala, L., (2013). Green ICT drivers and inhibitors perceived by the Czech SMEs.Journal of Systems Integration,4(2), p.43. Cecere, G., Corrocher, N., Gossart, C. and Ozman, M. (2014). Technological pervasiveness and variety of innovators in Green ICT: A patent-based analysis.Research Policy, 43(10), pp.1827-1839. Chugh, R., Wibowo, S. and Grandhi, S., (2016). Environmentally sustainable Information and Communication Technology usage: awareness and practices of Indian Information and Communication Technology professionals. Journal of Cleaner Production, 131, pp.435-446. Edmunds, R., Thorpe, M. and Conole, G., (2012). Student attitudes towards and use of ICT in course study, work and social activity: A technology acceptance model approach.British journal of educational technology,43(1), pp.71-84. Fabrizio, K. and Hawn, O., (2013). Enabling diffusion: How complementary inputs moderate the response to environmental policy.Research Policy, 42(5), pp.1099-1111. Khor, K., Thurasamy, R., Ahmad, N., Halim, H. and May-Chiun, L. (2015). Bridging the Gap of Green IT/IS and Sustainable Consumption.Global Business Review, 16(4), pp.571-593. Peng, G.C.A., (2013). Green ICT: a strategy for sustainable development of China's electronic information industry.China: An International Journal,11(3), pp.68-86. Radu, L. (2016). Determinants of Green ICT Adoption in Organizations: A Theoretical Perspective.Sustainability, 8(8), p.731. Welman, C., Kruger, F., Mitchell, B. and Huysamen, G. (2012).Research methodology. 1st ed. Cape Town: Oxford University Press. Zolait, A., (2011). The nature and components of perceived behavioural control as an element of theory of planned behaviour.Behaviour Information Technology, 33(1), pp.65-85.

The Geography of Art Essay Example For Students

The Geography of Art Essay Arts and Geography Geography (from Greek word geographic Vichy means earth description) is the science that studies the lands, the features, the inhabitants, and the phenomena of the Earth, While art gives a creative interpretation Of them. However, if you combine the two, you can bring geography to life. Explore the cultures and civilizations Of a country along With its land holdings. Use art to examine the values and lifestyle of a culture as you look at different artifacts for clues to past societies. Humans are made with a natural curious sense of art. Humans will never stop exploring new types and forms of art. We will write a custom essay on The Geography of Art specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now For example, visual arts can take an unforgettable moment and keep it like a photo, or painting. If youre not feeling good, you can restore confidence by remembering a good time you had looking at a picture, reminding you that not all of your life is useless, and good times still exist in you. This makes us feel closer toward art, thus giving us a relationship. In a patriotic country like the U. S. A. , you can find many monuments, and testers, and buildings, which make a place, feel lordlier, and give you a feel of safety, and pride. It helps tightening a good relationship more. Music is a different type of art, the beat in a song, or track, or rhythm, matches your heartbeat, beating together as one. Music is a very unique source of art, babies will clap to music, not just an ordinary sound, termites bite faster in music, and bees work better and harder once hearing music. There are many other forms of art, which work on the same lines. To sum it all up, art is a part of us, and that is our relationship with art. Geography as Art is a situation Which artists use features Of earth as their inspiration. One of the best examples is the San Francisco at Night by Ben Joyce. He describes his work as Abstract Topographical: The affective bond between people and place or The Love of Place. He explains how cities like San Francisco inspire his artwork. He stated, There is great beauty and intrigue in the layout of a city from your everyday drive to work, to the historical creation of the streets, to your personal relationship with the town. We can also teach geography through the use of artist paintings. Show pictures of art from different countries to the class, We have to pick an art that is distinctive, such as Egyptian, Aztec Indians or Chinese.

Essay Topics For the Giver

Essay Topics For the GiverThere are many essay topics for the giver. These topics can range from both personal and professional matters. The writing of a personal essay will most likely involve events that happened in one's life such as an upcoming wedding or a birth, while an academic essay will deal with more serious subjects such as time management, persistence, memory, reading comprehension, or course expectations.When you choose the topic for your essay, it is important to understand that the choice of subject matter will have a major impact on the way the essay turns out. You should pick topics that will engage your readers. Most people can relate to the topics that interest them, so just make sure that the topics you choose are things that they can relate to. Here are some topics for the giver:The first topic for a personal essay is one that is about self-awareness. You may have had negative things happen to you in the past, and this is the perfect time to get the word out abo ut those experiences and how they have impacted you. This is a great opportunity to discuss how you are no longer a victim; rather, you are the winner.The second topic for the giver is about ones that deals with difficult times. Such a topic may include the challenges that you have faced and overcome. You should remember that these are the types of difficult times that you face on a daily basis, so they are very relatable to others.The third topic is one that is about student life. This could be related to school, sports, or other activities that are important to you. For example, if you participate in church, or you work at a local store, then you may want to write about these activities in your essay.Thefourth topic is health and wellness. For example, if you are having trouble losing weight, or you are interested in personal fitness, then you should write about this topic. It is a good idea to use these topics as prompts throughout the essay, so you can incorporate your own obser vations about your own health and wellness into the essay.The fifth topic is about course expectations. If you have set goals for yourself in school or with your classes, then you should discuss these goals in your essay. This is also a good opportunity to highlight your own knowledge on the topic, and why you chose to pursue the specific course you have chosen.These are five topics for the giver in your personal essay. Remember that this is a very powerful medium in which to share your ideas. And in order to keep it interesting, it is also a good idea to write about all five topics for the giver in your essay!

Online Marketing Challenge

Online Marketing Challenge Executive Summary The analysis of online marketing challenge is aimed at improving the performance of a hotel in the competitive Australian industry. In this case, the Managing director of the hotel needs to understand means of optimizing the internet marketing to improve the performance of the hotel.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Online Marketing Challenge specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The challenge of online marketing necessitates the use of online resources and approaches to increase the number of audience to the hotel’s site. As a result, it would increase the number of sales as well as the company generating revenue through some online activities. Introduction Online marketing refers to the advertising and promotion products and services through the Web or e-mail in order to increase the sales or information about the content. Most organizations conduct online marketing using e-commerce models that a re designed to reach their targeted clients. The common internet approaches adopted include web advertising, email marketing, and social media promotion. Due to competition, organizations attempt to create appealing and captivating sites, which offer the best adverts for their products. This is attributed to the placement of organizations to a common platform in the internet irrespective of the sizes. In addition, the utilization of online marketing enables an organization to market its products to a wider customer base at cheaper rates (Demiray 2011, p.48). Although there are many benefits associated with online marketing, there are critical issues that organizations should consider before exploring the marketing strategy. Internet marketing Primarily, the hotel has to identify its targeted consumers before launching online marketing. Such an understanding is vital based on the products or services that one intends to offer. Various factors such as gender, age, educational level, d isposable income, and occupation of clients influence the nature of marketing to be designed. When such issues have been addressed, it is crucial to identify the appropriate sites and sections where the adverts should be placed. In most cases, the expenditure cost and objectives of the hotel influence the choice.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, the common issues to be considered include volume of traffic, quality of existing ads, page ranking of the sites and presence of rivals (Janal 2011, p.96). Consequently, the hotel would be forced to design its adverts appropriately using the appropriate keywords. Once the hotel has identified the best sites and nature of advertising to conduct, it is critical to determine the type of internet marketing to adopt. The common types of internet marketing include Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Search Engine Optimization (SOE), and Search Engine Results Page (SERP). SEM refers to the means of improving the traffic to the web based on the ads of the products. This method aims at addressing the needs of customers as well as provision of information on how to acquire the products. SEO involves the use of appropriate words that optimize the ranking of web pages in search engines. In this case, it improves the chances of internet users visiting the site due to its ranking. SERP entails the appearance of the web pages when a search engine query is inserted. This implies that when the appropriate keywords are used the site will appear in frequently compared to the other pages (Johnson 2010, p.3). These issues will assist the hotel in developing ads that would suit the needs of the people as well as choice of sites that have high traffic. Core areas of online marketing Online marketing demands the understanding of the core issues such as keyword analysis, content marketing, email marketing, search marketing , and affiliate marketing. Keyword analysis is the use of appropriate keywords that internet users utilize in most cases while using search engines. This implies that the hotel should search for popular words in order to attract traffic and convert it to sales. Content marketing involves the organization of appealing information to captivate the attention of audience. The content is vital in providing useful information to the audience, which attracts them to revisit and assess other available services. E-mail marketing is the use of messages to communicate with customers when they provide their emails to the hotel (Labbà © 2011, p.26). In essence, the hotel should maintain emails of its clients in the database for consistent communication with clients on the new updates and products that it offers. Search marketing involves the marketing of products through opportunities that exist in the search engines. Affiliate marketing is the use of other sites to advertise the products in or der to market the services of the hotel.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Online Marketing Challenge specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Following the understanding of the appropriate method to adopt in online marketing, the hotel should decide on the means of increasing the number of audience visiting the site. In this regard, the hotel ought to utilize the AIDA concepts to enhance the information that users can access from the site. AIDA involves the creation of content that attracts attention, interest, desire, and action. For this reason, the audience would be able to undertake some initiatives of conducting sales or acquiring products from the site. On the other hand, the hotel should be able to analyze the traffic capacity of its site and improve on the performance of the site (Levinson Rubin 2010, p.122). Consequently, the site would be able to attract the users as the hotel utilizes other means of advertising s uch as banner ads, pop ups and links from other sites. Online marketing resources The use of online marketing necessitates the hotel to use vital online resources. The main online resources include aMember, Digg, Feedburner, Flickr, Google Adsense, Google Adwords among others. aMember is a plugin that enables sites to integrate PHP for users to undertake online payments through provision of authorization and privacy of the website. In most cases, users have to subscribe with the site to enjoy the services. Digg is a resource that offers the hotel with a chance to provide their news to the community. In essence, it enables the hotel’s sites to post its articles in the internet with the most recent articles appearing at the top of the list. This enables the users to access further information in the hotel’s site through the links offered. Feedburner offers free statistics for the number of visitors in a site as well as a chance to subscribe for free emails and articles. Flickr is a resource that enables the hotel to upload and share photos, which improves the presentation of information to the audience (Sheehan 2010, p.146). Google AdSense is a resource that enables web publishers to advertise and market their products. Google offers the publishers payments for posting ads in the sites. For this reason, the hotel can earn some revenue through publishing ads in its sites. On the other hand, Google AdWords provided advertisers a chance to offer their products through provision of their ads with distinct keywords.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The advertisers usually pay when their ads are clicked, and for this reason, it creates an opportunity for the hotel to increase its profits by offering such services. These vital resources should be incorporated while the means of payment such as PayPal and Moneybookers are integrated in the sites. As a result, the hotel would make money through the services it offers in its site as well as sales made through acquisition of its services or products (Scott 2007, p.104). Conclusion Online marketing is a vital concept that entails multiple variables to exhaust and achieve the desired needs of the hotel. Based on this situation, the hotel should adequately prepare resources to invest in the program to realize the full potential. Moreover, the hotel should understand the nature of risks attributable to the hotel such as privacy and security of the site. Such issues offer consumers power to interact with services offered in the site. Furthermore, it ensures that the consumers are sensiti zed on the activities that are involved in the enhancement of service delivery within the hotel. Recommendations Blogging forms a crucial component of internet marketing since the hotel can present its information or issues in a casual manner. In this regard, the products of the hotel can be covered in depth with respect to the interests of the consumers. Furthermore, the hotel has the ability to assess the response of the consumers since they can present their comments (Sudhaman 2004, p.2). For this reason, interactivity between the hotel and its consumers is enhanced leading to effective way of understanding customers’ behaviors and preference. This issue leads to the presentation of products or services that suit the needs of the clients. Meanwhile, the hotel should adopt internet services such as auto-respondent, call to action and cannibalization. Auto-respondent services enable the hotel to respond instantly to the needs of clients as a cycle of activity of the site. Th e call-to-action is a technique that would allow consumers to take an appropriate action based on the nature of the site, which increases the level of sales (Loda 2011, p.33). At the same time, cannibalization would allow the hotel to utilize the sites of other companies to source for clients or customers. As a result, the number of customers visiting the site would increase leading to the expansion of client base, which improves the profitability of the hotel. The use of social sites for marketing also plays a crucial role in internet marketing. The growth and expansion of technology has enabled many people to interact and share through social sites. Some of the common sites that have contributed to creation of partnership, friendship, and associates include Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Hi5 among others (Scott 2007, p.85). In this case, the hotel should exploit these avenues to access customers and create a good rapport with them to enhance sales. In most cases, the social sites al low users to create pages that market their products as well as connection with vital human resource for the growth of the hotel. Essentially, the hotel could adopt the social sites to create awareness of their site amongst the social site users, which improves the traffic to their site due to ability to offer their link in the social sites. When internet users visit the website of the hotel, it is possible to offer them a chance to present their views and remarks. Most of the common types of user-generated content that users can offer include product reviews, comments of the websites and forum entries. The User-Generated Content enables the hotel to increase interaction with the audience as well as market effectively their products. At the same time, the hotel has the ability to review the content of the site to create appealing image of the hotel through use of SEO. The use of User-Generated content can be integrated with blogs, photos and video, which improves the quality of info rmation received by the audience. Some of the main hotels that have exploited the User-Generated Content include TripAdvisor, Goodreads, Allrecipes and Craiglist. Following these crucial services of the site, the hotel can improve the nature of its services or products being offered in the market (Grossnickle Raskin 2010, p.145). References Demiray, U. 2011. Marketing online education programs frameworks for promotion and communication. Information Science Reference, Hershey PA. Grossnickle, J., Raskin, O. 2010. Handbook of online marketing research. McGraw-Hill, New York. Janal, D. S. 2011. Online marketing handbook: how to promote, advertise, and sell your products and services on the Internet. J. Wiley, New York. Johnson, T. 2010. Australian Tourism Minister Lawlor Says New Tourism Queensland Online Marketing Guide to Help Queensland Tourism Operators, Washington, D.C., Malaysia, Washington, D.C. Labbà ©, M. 2011, A natural partnership: Tourism Online Marketing, International Trade Forum, , no. 2, pp. 26-27. Levinson, J. C., Rubin, C. 2010. Guerrilla marketing online: the entrepreneurs guide to earning profits on the Internet. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. Loda, M.D. 2011, Comparing Web Sites: An Experiment In Online Tourism Marketing, International Journal of Business and Social Science, vol. 2, no. 22, pp. n/a. Scott, D. M. 2007. The new rules of marketing and PR: how to use news releases, blogs, podcasting, viral marketing, online media to reach buyers directly. John Wiley Sons, Hoboken, N.J.. Sheehan, B. 2010. Online marketing. McGraw Hills, New York. Sudhaman, A. 2004, Tourism Australia lifts online marketing plan, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Hong Kong.

Phil Company II Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Phil Company II - Research Paper Example This means that a company should create a brand after acknowledging the influence of economic forces on any given marketing environment. In the contemporary business environment characterized by economic forces created by free enterprise, a company’s brand has proven to play a substantial role in ensuring accomplishment of marketing objectives. Therefore, modern managers should develop reliable skills of initiating and developing a company’s brand. In the context of Phil Company, we will strive to create a brand that deems appropriate for the company’s marketing strategy. From a theoretical perspective, creation of a brand starts at the definition stage whereby a manager defines what a company’s brand should mean to all the interested stakeholders. Upon defining a company’s brand, the responsible manager determines clear objectives meant for that company (Julian, 2011). Based on the business profile of Phil Company and the prevailing marketing force s in the electronics manufacturing industry, Phil can develop a concrete brand by articulating marketing research information into their decision making processes. Research information helps in brand creation because it highlights the key stakeholders and their respective expectations with respect to the company’s marketing practices. In the context of Phil Company, research findings show the expectations of selected market segments. After an accurate definition of the brand, the next step should involve specifying the intended objectives of that brand to the interested stakeholders. A typical brand should communicate the intended message to the target audience(Peter, 2004). A brand should create a vivid perception of a company’s products’ qualities and uniqueness. Phil Company emphasizes the need to differentiate their product with respect to the element of competition in the industry. As a result, the brand developed will influence the target audience at an em otional level. The content of the created brand should achieve a feeling of connection to the consumers. In addition, Phil can achieve loyalty among the consumer population by engaging in the house of brands. In order to reach all its target audience, Phil Company will engage in active brand positioning, both at the domestic and the international market environments. Brand positioning can be achieved through the use of advertisement channels like the media, both television and print, or through the internet. Employment of these modes of advertisement will facilitate substantial positioning of Phil’s brand in both markets (Peter, 2004). Product pricing is another essential element in marketing. In a competitive environment characterized by the typical forces of free enterprise, product pricing is influential in a company’s marketing process. A business environment enjoying the economic aspect of free enterprise allows easy entry and exit from any product industry. In th is regard, the electronic products industry in the US and at the international level has numerous competing manufacturers. Therefore, Phil has to consider the influence of pricing during the development of their marketing strategy. Phil chooses to adopt three pricing strategies that can facilitate the development of comprehensive pricing principles. The first pricing strategy adopted by Phil is

Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse Policy Research Paper

Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse Policy - Research Paper Example The problem statement for this study is elderly abuse as a social problem considered as a complex phenomenon lacking a single and consistent definition. It falls under the wider domestic abuse and mistreatment definition which encompass â€Å"incidents perpetrated by either a family member or a member of the victim’s household†¦ to include physical, psychological, or financial abuse, and neglect,† referring to the elderly as the victim. Elderly, too, may be of contention since acceptable age range or bracket may be different from one institution or state to another. It was observed that resolution of elder abuse require multidisciplinary approach of which administrators form adult protective services and the criminal justice system cooperate to address cases and prevent repetition and escalation of the abusive acts as there are possibilities that unreported and undeterred abusers may turn to more victims.Local law enforcement have jurisdiction to investigate any co mplaint of elderly abuse and another investigative body is the adult protective services or APS. APS is usually the agency that handles elder mistreatment. McNamee and Murphy cited lack of knowledge about elder abuse with the case of nursing home caretaker Charles Cullen as example. In 2004, Cullen admitted to administering fatal doses of medication to about 40 patients in various institutions over a 16-year period indicating the extent of knowledge on the recognition of abuse, incidences, prevention, and prosecution. The lack of standard for recognition of elder abuse was cited as a major factor in the lagging knowledge about the maltreatment (McNamee and Murphy, 2006). There is a need to rely on forensic markers in order to identify abuse and neglect. However, this was also seen as problematic because caregivers, APS agencies, and physicians lacked training to determine injuries caused by mistreatment and those that came from accident, illness or aging (McNamee and Murphy, 2006). Elderly individuals, too, also experience signs and symptoms that are disease related which may be mistaken for abuse or maltreatment. Thus, caretakers, family members, and health professionals are not alarmed about the real causes even when incidents lead to death (McNamee and Murphy, 2006). Facts and Figures The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting noted that in 2004 that there were 1,551,143 reported incidents of family violence between 1996 and 2001; that 20,955 elderly relatives were victims of simple assault during that period. A study on elderly sexual abuse, Burgess (2006) reported that among the 284 victims under study, the mean age was 78.8 years and that majority or 82.3% were Caucasians. The majority also consisted of 93.2% females with only 6.8%