Inventory Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Inventory Paper - Essay Example The modern context, nonetheless, opposes the form of influence that entails coercion. Instead, effective leaders seek to build relationships with their followers. In fact, just like Blake with his TOMS idea for providing shoes to the children in Argentina, modern day leaders need to put the interest of their followers before theirs. They then forge a win-win situation for both parties. Despite all leadership not being equal, such successful leaders exude unique leadership styles that identify them and seek to lead by example, having developed their inner selves first before instilling the same in their followers. This activity has been useful in appreciating my leadership style. I am democratic and would always seek to have the will of the people prevail. Perhaps, this style is supported by the activity’s acknowledgement of the need for selflessness for success as a leader. In most cases, I seek to lead by example, always doing what I would expect my followers to do. This has made me to cause people to take up tasks they never imagined they would undertake. I am not coercive. This could be a failure on my part because as learnt from the activity, some coercion could help a leader realize the set objectives. However, care should be taken to ensure that a balance between coercion and free will by followers is reached. By being democratic, I have had the undesirable will of the people carry the day. There was this one day when I was charged with the finances for our sports cheering team that accompanied players to a tournament. I proposed that we share the allowances at the end of the tournament. The cheerers wanted it before and I did as they wished. By the time the games started, they had spent all the money and some were even hungry already. They failed to cheer our team well, perhaps the reason we were beaten. Thus, I do not support the postulate from this activity that a successful leader should be defined by a specific style. Instead, a leader should

Applying Balanced Scorecard Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Applying Balanced Scorecard - Assignment Example First, a balanced score card can be used in the financial category to help evaluate information on key financial performance measurements. Such measurements include: risk assessment analysis and cost and benefit analysis. Secondly, a balanced scorecard can help the organization assess their performance when it comes to the business process. A business scorecard gauges how a company is running when compared to the organization’s mission. As far as the learning and growth perspective of an organization is concerned, a company can evaluate its performance using two measures. First, the availability of trainers and mentors in an organization and secondly, the availability of help if needed by the employees. In the customer category, metrics on evaluating a customer’s satisfaction are crucial in monitoring the organization’s performance. In this category, questionnaires can be used to evaluate customer’s satisfaction. Customer complaints should also be checked, as this will definitely have an impact on future business

Professional Knowledge and Abilities Essay Example for Free

Professional Knowledge and Abilities Essay The AAPT also known as the American of Pharmacy Technicians was founded in 1979. The AAPT is an international non-profit organization that is dedicated to improve the delivery of pharmaceutical services, which includes exchange, development, and dissemination of information. All educational requirements are essential for all pharmacy technicians, due to the exparsions of pharmacy technology. It is important that the value of education continues so the AAPT recognized the importance so they established a continuing education service. â€Å"AAPT CES is the official provider of CE credits for pharmacy technicians. (American Association of Pharmacy Technicians 2009) The contribution that the American Association of Pharmacy Technicians is the continuing education to increase my professional knowledge and abilities. It is required by my state that I have ten CE credits to keep my state certification and I have to have twenty to keep my international certification for me to be able to practice as a pharmacy technician. Continuing these courses it helps me to keep up on the new medications, latest technology, pharmacy laws and policies, and leadership abilities. It is proven that the information that is retained from the continuing education is very important in the operation of pharmacy. Another reason that it is important to continue education because of the constant changes in medication and pharmacy laws. It is believed that the information retained from the CE program can be considered a safety mechanism for everyone such as patients and health care providers is vital for the proper dispense of the medications without doing any harm to the patients, but also giving the best possible way to get and take the medication. In conclusion, for one to obtain professional knowledge and abilities one must go forth in the necessary education courses to be able to obtain what one is looking for. The AAPT is the right place to obtain that knowledge and abilities. Without that additional education then the one person would not be able to obtain the knowledge and abilities that they are seeking for their professional job.

Principles of Strategic Marketing Management

Principles of Strategic Marketing Management Organizations use Strategic Marketing to create a plan to better reach and satisfy customers while increasing profitability and productivity. Read on to learn more about what Strategic Marketing is and how businesses use it. Companies use Strategic Marketing to identify customer needs and to create a marketing plan to meet those needs and increase profit. Typically, an organization will create a written Strategic Marketing plan that dictates what type of marketing programs it will use during a given time frame and how those programs will be implemented. Marketing promotes your business and all that your business offers to your customers, brings customers to your business, and makes your business stand out in the crowd. A solid Marketing Strategy brings consistent traffic and a constant flow of customers to your business. TASK 1 Principles of Strategic Marketing Management The principles of Strategic marketing deals with the big picture marketing planning. It analyses how a company can best satisfy its customers and make a profit  at it. Strategic marketing planning is directed from the top of the company and is extremely important in any for-profit organization. Several key principles govern strategic marketing. History of TARIK FOODS: I am going to construct a strategy on a grocery store (TARIK FOOD) in east London market. We aim to make the selection process through and challenging for a number of reasons, firstly to make sure us employee those people that are right for the role and just as important who will fit in with TARIK food culture. TARIK food started life in 1995 when Mar. TARIK started selling surplus groceries from a stall in the east of London Mr TARIK made a profit of  £1 from sales of  £4 on his first day. The TARIK brand first appeared two years later in 1997 when he bought a shipment of Asian stuff food from Pakistan. The nature of this business is sole proprietorship. Though there are so many grocery stores like TARIK FOODS, Vijays Store, Khan Super Food, Johan Supermarket Store and Sainsburys. People demand some change in their taste with higher quality food at lower price. So, we need competitive edge in the grocery market. Thats why we are going to launch something new according to consume r requirement in better way! This differentiation supposes to be a big profit for me. Growth of TARIK Food in 1999 represents increase of 4% compared to 1998. Growth in 2005 and 2006 represent 7% compared to 1999. Growth is forecasted at the same rate in 2010. The role of strategic marketing in TARIK FOODS As companies strive to ensure future growth and profitability, they are turning to their marketing organizations to accelerate and guide their paths. Marketing is expected to provide a competitive advantage in shaping not just brand and corporate positioning but also in driving corporate strategy and setting the agenda for innovation and growth. Marketing plays an important role in the strategic planning process for many organizations. Although some marketing positions are represented at the corporate level, most are at the functional level within the business units of an organization. As shown in Exhibit 3-3, however, marketing is involved in strategic planning at all organizational levels in TARIK FOODS Strategic marketing is describing the the marketing activities that are affecting the functioning of the TARIK FOODS in the competitive market of food products. The role of strategic marketing can be described in the three basic types and functions. First : This helps everyone in TARIK FOODS towards the market and the customers. Thus they are responsible to excute the marketing philosophy throughout. Second :- This help gather and analyse the information required to examine the current situation , identify the trends in the marketing environment for TARIK FOODS and assess the potential impact of these trends. Third :- The role of marketing is varied in the TARIK FOODS . For it is a organisation which is driven by the marketing philosophy , so it plays a key role in the strategic decision making. The trend is pushing towards the strategic marketing and its planning responsibility further down the organisation, which is increasing the clout in the organisation`s strategic planning process. Processes involved in strategic marketing in TARIK FOODS Setting up of marketing goals.  Once they have decided to market their products, they set realistic and measurable goals to achieve over the next 18 to 24 months. This time span allows them to plan activities around community events that are in line with their marketing goals. For example, TARIK FOODS might help sponsor an annual walkathon for breast cancer or speak at a nearby communitys annual health fair. Because of the rapid changes occurring in the health food and care environment. TARIK FOODS dont recommend planning specific activities more than two years in advance. Conduct market research.  The purpose of market research is to draw a realistic picture of their practice, the community they serve in and their current position in that locality . With this research, TARIK FOODS can make fairly accurate projections about future growth in the community, locality and Region and as well as identifies the competitive factors and explore non-traditional opportunities   Determine a budget.  Before TARIK FOODS can decide what specific marketing strategies they want to implement to achieve their goals, they examine ther financial information and come up with a marketing budget. Marketing budgets vary by the type of market a practice is in, the age of a practice and whether the practice has marketed before. Develop an implementation schedule.  An implementation schedule is a time-line that shows which marketing actions will be done when and by whom. TARIK FOODS decides the schedule should also include the cost of each marketing action and how it fits into the budget estimates for the 24-month period. While the management of TARIK FOODS creates the schedule, they carefully consider how the activities will affect the current practice operations and whether there are sufficient resources (such as staff, time and money) to accomplish the necessary tasks.   Creating an evaluation process.  The management of TARIK FOODS belives in the the value of a marketing plan is its effectiveness, which requires deliberate and timely implementation  and  monitoring and evaluation of results. Thus they pay importance to measure their results against the standards they had set in establishing your goals.This helps them achieve the said process laid down by them. Link between strategic marketing and corporate strategy in TARIK FOODS In TARIK FOODS the Corporate structure is very well laid and thus each and every strategies are linked and are co-releated to each other . This helps them to achieve each and every goal and the laid down of various marketing and organistaional stratergies very effectively . Corporate strategy is the  overall  scope  and  direction  of a  corporation  and the way in which its various  business operations  work  together to  achieve  particular  goals. Where as Strategic marketing is promotes your business and all that your business offers to your customers, brings customers to your business. In TARIK FOODS we can see that that the management which is promoting its business with the techniques of the strategic marketing , is also simultanesouly incorporating the said similar type of guuodelines in some of its corporate environment , which is controlling the few other branches of the stores and distributon and control of its staff. So it is very obvious that the lin between the corporate and the strategic marketing is evident. TASK 2 Tools used to develop a strategic marketing strategy In TARIK FOODS the management follows the following chart which is best describing the strategic marketing that they are using in oreder to develop and promote and bring in the growth for the organization . They are at present using the 5 Step Planning Process . Below here is the chart which describes it the best. C:UsersdineshDesktopplanprocess.jpg 2.1) The Models used in strategic marketing planning in TARIK FOODS SWOT Model : The SWOT tool is one of the most important tools in strategic marketing.  Ã‚  It is also one of the most maligned and misunderstood.  Ã‚  90% of the SWOTs that we see are done badly and have little use in developing strategy. SWOT means Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.  Ã‚  Done correctly , it should provide a one-page summary of your entire market audit and point towards the key issues that need to be addressed in the marketing plan. This simple tool will help you undertake your own SWOT effectively and provide a professional situation summary in your marketing plan.   McDonald Marketing Plan :- 2.2) The Link between strategic positioning and marketing TACTICS IN TARIK FOODS Strategic positioning is Primarily, strategic positioning is a differentiation tactic by customer segment, with the goal to dominate one market niche as much as possible, thus matching production costs, locations, price and product to maximize the ROI on that combination. Where as Marketing tactics is the tactics that are used by the TARIK FOODS or say any organization for its promotion of a particular product. In TARIK FOODS the whole concepot is to focus on the dominance of the market in the area and the adjoining areas in the particular segment of food business that they do, thus they lay down their marketing tactics in sucha manner that they bring out the best outcome from the straatergies of marketing that they lay down that helps them position their own organization at a place that helps them to expand their profits and help them grow and be positioned at a dominating position in the market. 2.3) Analyse the merits of relationship Marketing in TARIK FOODS strategic marketing strategy Retaining customers for the long-term offers always benefits this is what TARIK FOODS has in mind when the stratergies are laid down by the management. The aim is for the company to obtain life time customer. Some of the merits of relationship marketing which TARIK FOODS belives is it includes :- Loyal customers will recommend your business to others, thus expanding your business for you. Loyal customers are willing to try some of your new products, because they trust you. Customers will be willing to pay more for your services/products if there are adjustments in pricing because they are loyal to you and trust your services/products. Loyal customers will tell you about problems with your products/services enabling to improve your products/services. The ultimate benefit will be an increase sales, market share and dominance. Task 3 Using of the strategic marketing techniques In TARIK FOODS the appropriate use of the strategic marketing techiniques is very essentioal for the success of the branch. As they belive in dominating the market , so they have this thing in mind that they have to use the strategic mareting techniques to the success as its implementation will only bring out a result. 3.1) Marketing techniques by TARIK FOODS There are a few small types of marketing techniques but very effectively used by the TARIK FOODS , this ascertain growth opportunities in the market for TARIK FOODS. The below mentioned techniques are used by TARIK FOODS :- Outdoor Advertising:  Hoardings and roadside boards are put up so that displays their exsistance and their current offers. This is quite effective for displaying a marketing message or introducing a new brand among public . The Management believes that the probability of message transmission is strong with outdoor advertising. Brochures and Leaflets:  Brochures and leaflets let them reach out to specific customer group through  the direct marketing, means  these can be distributed by hand to specific groups of people. This allows the management a guaranteed message delivery.May it be a particular offer that is running in the outlet or say a particular rate reduction in the offering. Internet Search Engine Marketing:  This specific type of marketing lets them reach out to targeted audiences with specific interest for their variety of eatable products and also lets the customers know about their customer service experiance. This often leads to product awareness and even sales in many cases. Search engine optimization and paid search marketing are two most effective methods utilized by TARIK FOODS for the stratergy of their marketing. 3.2) Plan how to use marketing strategy options in the market where tarik foods is operating MARKET DOMINANCE STRATEGIES Looking at the way the area has been dominated by TARIK FOODS the market dominance strategy is the one which will suit the management style of interest for them . As they have been dominating the market in the area, as well as in the surrounding also. Typically there are four types of market dominance strategies that they should consider: They are à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Market leader: It typically is the industry leader in developing innovative new business models and new products (although not always). Of the four dominance strategies, it has the most flexibility in crafting strategy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The main options available to TARIK FOODS are: Expand the total market by finding   Ã‚  New users of the product or more usage on each use occasion Protecting TARIK FOODS existing market share by: Developing new product ideas and improved customer service and improved distribution effectiveness as well as reduce costs Expand TARIK FOODS market share: By targeting one or more competitor and without being noticed by government regulators à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Market challenger:- A market challenger is a firm in a strong, but not dominant position that is following an aggressive strategy of trying to gain market share. It typically targets the industry leader (for example, Pepsi targets Coke), but it could also target smaller,more vulnerable competitors. TARIK FOODS should ssess the strength of the target competitor. Considering the amount of support that the target might muster from allies. Choose only one target at a time. Find a weakness in the target Position. Attack at this point. Consider how long it will take for the target to realign their resources so as to reinforce this weak spot. Launch the attack on as narrow a front as possible. Whereas a defender must defend all their borders,an attacker has the advantage of being able to concentrate their forces at one place. Launch the attack quickly, and then consolidate.Some of the options open to a market challenger are: price discounts or price cutting line extensions Introduce new products Reduce product quality Increase product quality Improve service Change distribution Cost reductions and Intensify promotional activity à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Market follower:- A market follower is a firm in a strong, but not dominant position that is content to stay at that position.The advantages TARIK FOODS will derive from these strategies are: No expensive RD failures   No risk of bad business model   Best practices? are already established   Able to capitalize on the promotional activities of the market leader   Minimal risk of competitive attacks Market nicher:- In this niche strategy TARIK FOODS should concentrates on a select few target markets. It is also called a focus strategy. TARIK FOODS tend to be in high value added market and are able to obtain high margins. TARIK FOODS tend to be highly focused on a specific market segment. TARIK FOODS tend to market high end products and are able to use a premium pricing strategy. TARIK FOODS tend to keep their operating expenses down by spending less on RD, advertising, and personal selling. 3.3) Create appropriate strategic marketing objectives for the market where TARIK FOODS is operating TARIK FOODS should look into the following strategic marketing objectives :- Purpose of setting OBJECTIVES is to  Convert TARIK FOODS into market performance targets  creating yardsticks to track market/sales performance. Establish performance goals requiring stretch  . Also they should push firm to be inventive, intentional, focused   products/services setting CHALLENGING but ACHIEVABLE objectives  such as SALES MARKET   SHARE DISTRIBUTION PROFIT/SALES   RATIO TWO TYPES OF OBJECTIVES NEEDED Outcomes that relate to improving firms financial performance Outcomes that will result in greater competitiveness stronger long-term market position Financial Objectives Strategic Marketing   Objectives example :- STRATEGIC   MARKETING   OBJECTIVES improve   market   share position as the number one .  Build a strong brand name   in growing   market develop new   products that women need and want.  Explore the market   to develop   international   market.  Increase   the   distribution   coverage to   maximize   sales.Increase   the   gross   profit   margin   by   Ã‚  5 %. CRAFTING A MARKETING   STRATEGY Strategy-Making concerns HOW to  develop strategy   to   achieve   Ã‚  desired the brand   acceptance   Ã‚  objectives   Position all   products to   win a competitive advantage   devise   a   channel   strategy   to   meet   outsmart   Ã‚  competition and devise   a   incentive   strategy   to   Ã‚  stimulate   the   trade/distributors also devise   a   retail   strategy   Ã‚  to   Grow the company   business Task 4 Changes in the marketing environment   Ã‚  Marketing environment comprises of the combination of two words marketing and environment. Marketing means responding to the needs and demands of the consumers to provide optimum satisfaction. Similarly environment refers to external factors influences and organizational power which is related to the aim and effective working of a firm. Thus marketing environment refers to external or macro factors and forces which not only influence a company but also the components which affect the consumers analyzing its trend and impact on the operations and performance of the company. 4.1) Impact of changes in the external environment on the marketing strategy of TARIK FOODS The impact of EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT has a very big change on the marketing stratergies in TARIK FOODS Considering the taste : Looking at the type of the people that live close by in a specific area the management in TARIK FOODS , takes utmost care while laying down the selling stratergy, so that the likes and dislikes of the people who will be eating and buying are matched appropriately. Atmospheric Change : The Cliate change forces the TARIKK FOODS to sell those food stuff which are the thing that are more preferred by the people who eat and buy the products . As this enables the management to get a high amount of sales for achieving the stratergic targets of their strategic marketing . 4.2) Conduct an internal analysis to identify current strengths and weaknesses in TARIK FOODSs marketing strategy Looking into the swot analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of TARIK FOODS , it can be observed the following. SWOT analysis of TARIK FOODS Weaknesses On performing a SWOT analysis of TARIK FOODSs the weaknesses,that can be seen are like Its very small in the amount of business it does when compared with the big wigs in the same industry Its serving a few selected categories of people , where in a larger chunk of people are left out Its looking more towards the market dominance and less towards the customer service TARIK FOODS is bound to reveal several weaknesses. One example, of many, is the amount of fossil fuel used in its transport network. With increasing oil prices,   TARIK FOODS needs to keep a close eye on transport costs. Another weakness come from TARIK FOODSs dependence on the UK grocery market. Hence, it is increasing its foreign outlets and selling other goods. SWOT analysis of TARIK FOODS Strengths TARIK FOODSs strengths in grocery retail allow it to compete easily with local businesses . This has led to its brand name and financial power becoming strengths in themselves. This has led to many more stores being built at the nearby areas as well, leading to geographical strength. The following strengths can be seen : The ability to perform with terms of revenue generation The abilty to deliver to customer at times when the other stores cant deliver The model of successful implementation of the Strategic marketing techniques. 4.3) Propose strategic marketing responses to key emerging themes TARIK FOODS marketing strategy The responses to the strategic marketing of the key themes that are emerging from TARIK FOODS , marketing strategy are very special in terms looking at their market capture in the area. They are also having a very good and healty competition in the industry , which is giving a run for the money to even the best known , international brands of food outlets and the product selling industry with in the area.

F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby :: essays research papers

During Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, it is apparent to be an absurd time for the wealthy. The shallowness of money, riches, and a place in a higher social class were probably the most important components in most lives at that period of time. This is expressed clearly by Fitzgerald, especially through his characters, which include Myrtle Wilson, Tom and Daisy Buchanan, and of course, Jay Gatsby. This novel was obviously written to criticize and condemn the ethics of the rich.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first character who represents the shallowness of the wealthy is Myrtle Wilson, even though she is not wealthy at all. She seeks to escape her own class and stoops to the low point of betraying her trusting husband who loves her more than anything. Her attempt to break into the higher class that Tom belongs to is doomed to fail. Even though she does take on Tom's way of living during their affair, she only becomes more vulgar and corrupt like the rich. She scorns people from her own class and loses all sense of morality. Myrtle never finds a place in Tom's higher social division, and what reveals her impertinence most is that she thought she would succeed in the first place, giving up all her morals for the wealthy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Undoubtedly, Tom and Daisy Buchanan exceedingly demonstrate the wealthy class's lack of integrity. Their lives are filled with material comforts and luxuries and completely empty of true purpose. Daisy's lament is especially indicative of this: 'What'll we do with ourselves this afternoon? And the day after that? And the next thirty years?'; Daisy also exhibits her shallowness when she is too restless to wait for her 'love', Gatsby, to return from he war, and she marries Tom. Her most drastic immoral action is committed when she runs over Myrtle and does not even bother to stop and help a person that is 'below' her. Daisy's husband, Tom shows his ridiculous morality in different ways. One way is his search for power, which is shown most through his affair with Myrtle and his possessiveness. He evidently feels further domination and masculinity when he has her, a woman of lower class, as his mistress. Secondly, Tom Buchanan is shallow enough to think that everything and everyone he has in his life are part of his property. This increases his 'power' and makes him feel as if he is truly successful. This couple, Tom and Daisy certainly contain serious corruptness due to their shallowness and self-indulgence. F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby :: essays research papers During Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, it is apparent to be an absurd time for the wealthy. The shallowness of money, riches, and a place in a higher social class were probably the most important components in most lives at that period of time. This is expressed clearly by Fitzgerald, especially through his characters, which include Myrtle Wilson, Tom and Daisy Buchanan, and of course, Jay Gatsby. This novel was obviously written to criticize and condemn the ethics of the rich.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first character who represents the shallowness of the wealthy is Myrtle Wilson, even though she is not wealthy at all. She seeks to escape her own class and stoops to the low point of betraying her trusting husband who loves her more than anything. Her attempt to break into the higher class that Tom belongs to is doomed to fail. Even though she does take on Tom's way of living during their affair, she only becomes more vulgar and corrupt like the rich. She scorns people from her own class and loses all sense of morality. Myrtle never finds a place in Tom's higher social division, and what reveals her impertinence most is that she thought she would succeed in the first place, giving up all her morals for the wealthy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Undoubtedly, Tom and Daisy Buchanan exceedingly demonstrate the wealthy class's lack of integrity. Their lives are filled with material comforts and luxuries and completely empty of true purpose. Daisy's lament is especially indicative of this: 'What'll we do with ourselves this afternoon? And the day after that? And the next thirty years?'; Daisy also exhibits her shallowness when she is too restless to wait for her 'love', Gatsby, to return from he war, and she marries Tom. Her most drastic immoral action is committed when she runs over Myrtle and does not even bother to stop and help a person that is 'below' her. Daisy's husband, Tom shows his ridiculous morality in different ways. One way is his search for power, which is shown most through his affair with Myrtle and his possessiveness. He evidently feels further domination and masculinity when he has her, a woman of lower class, as his mistress. Secondly, Tom Buchanan is shallow enough to think that everything and everyone he has in his life are part of his property. This increases his 'power' and makes him feel as if he is truly successful. This couple, Tom and Daisy certainly contain serious corruptness due to their shallowness and self-indulgence.

hermes essay :: essays research papers

John smith  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Homeric Hymn Essay In the Homeric Hymn to Hermes, the author give his audience a parable showing that through forgiveness and communication, two people can settle an argument and remain close friends.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the beginning of the story, Hermes plots to steal his half-brother’s cattle. He carries out his deed, working carefully to conceal the identity of the thief. When he got home, he climbed into his cradle and acted like a feeble baby. His mother, Maia, saw the young child and let him know that she knew he had been up to no good. Hermes assured her that he was to be the God of thievery and that he would win honor and riches for them both among the Olympian gods. Apollo, after figuring out who the true thief was accused Hermes of the crime. Since Hermes would not admit to it, Apollo sought justice from their father Zeus. He took the child before the great god and enlightened him of his side of the story. Zeus then asked the infant what he had to say and the young one again lied about his involvement of the case. Zeus satisfies Apollo by telling Hermes to lead them to the cattle. Hermes was pleased because it appeared that he had escaped punishment from the g reat God.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After Hermes led Apollo to his cattle, the two reconcile their differences. Hermes picked up the lyre that he had made from the tortoise and played a song so well that Apollo exclaimed that he would give fifty cows for Hermes skill at playing the instrument. In exchange for the skill, Apollo promised Hermes that he would become the messenger of the gods and that he and his mother would have prominence among the immortals.

Videocon Dth

BRAND AUDIT: VIDEOCON DTH 2011 GROUP 1 MAUNIL RITU ROHAN SHOIB SIDDHARTH VARSHA 10/25/2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents BRAND INVENTORY2 HISTORY2 PORTFOLIO OF VIDEOCON PRODUCTS3 BRAND ELEMENTS FOR DTH4 VIDEOCON DTH PRICING, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION6 BRAND EXPLORATORY10 CUSTOMER KNOWLEDGE10 SOURCES OF BRAND EQUITY15 CBBE FOR DTH17 BRAND POSITIONING19 POD AND POP19 THREATS TO BRAND EQUITY21 RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUSTAIN BRAND EQUITY21 BRAND INVENTORY HISTORY Videocon, founded in 1985 by Nandlal Madhavlal Dhoot, is an Indian multinational with business into consumer electronics, mobile phones, oil and gas, colour picture glass tube, telecommunications and DTH. Having interests to expand all over the world, Videocon has not only 17 manufacturing plants in India but also has extended its stake into countries such as China, Italy, Mexico etc. It is also the third largest  picture tube  manufacturer in the world. Videocon started with manufacturing Television sets and washing machines in India and eventually in 1990s forayed into manufacturing other consumer electronics and appliances including glass shells for CRT. Once the biggest moves for Videocon was on July 7, 2005, when it acquired the entire stake of Electrolux India and Thompson CPT. It was in the same year that Videocon took over Hyundai Electronics. As they progressed and expanded into new businesses, Videocon moved into the DTH service in July 2009 under the brand name as Videocon ‘d2h’. DTH services had already started to make its presence in the Indian market with the launch of Dish TV by Essel Group's Zee Entertainment Enterprises back in 2004, that was soon followed by Tata Sky, Airtel Digital Tv and Reliance's BIG TV to name a few. Even though Videocon did not have the first mover advantage, they soon built up the service and in Oct 2009, Videocon d2h was awarded as the 4th most Successful Brand launched in 2009 by Brand Derby Survey done by Business Standard. The offerings soon were differentiated with the introduction of satellite DVDs in Nov 2009 and further the 3D versions of all set top boxes in March 2011. They also offered  LCD  & TVs with built-in  DTH  satellite  receiver, which was relatively a new concept unlike the other players who provided only the set top box. By Feb 2010, they grew big and achieved Pan India Operations. PORTFOLIO OF VIDEOCON PRODUCTS The Group Videocon is worth around US$ 4. billion and its brand portfolio and partners include- AKAI| | Electrolux| | Kelvinator| | Kenstar| | Toshiba| | Sansui| | Hyundai Electronics| | *In the form of Marketing Operation and Distribution agreement signed The Videocon products have been segregated based on the interests of the company and includes- * Consumer electronics and appliances * Mobile phones * Oil and gas * Colour picture tube glass * Telecommunications * DTH services The Videocon d2h products portfolio includes- Satellite HD box| Satellite HD DVR| Satellit e HD box (3D)| Satellite DVD| Satellite LCD| Features| * Mosaic (12 PIP) – Genre wise * Favourites * Multilingual Channel Guide * Preview Screen (Full Guide) * Info Bar * Tickers * Active Services – Direct Active ( Darshan, State, Channel & East)| * Full HD Picture Quality (1080i) * 5 x times Digital Quality Picture * HDD Sound – High Definition Digital Sound * 16:9 Wide Aspect Ratio * Record upto 200 hours * Slow motion feature| * High Definition Satellite Box * Full HD Picture Quality (1080i) * 5 x times Digital Quality Picture * HDD Sound * 16:9 Wide Aspect Ratio * USB Port * Active Music Space * Multiple Tickers * d2h Movies| * Co-axial Digital Audio Output * Smart Power Control * DTH enabled Satellite DVD * USB Port * Multimedia Card Port * DVD / MP3 / VCD / SVCD / ACD / KODAK * DiVX / MPEG-4 compatible * Power Resume| * Inbuilt D2H * UV Glossy Look * HD Ready * 200000:1 Contrast Ratio * MPEG4 & DVB S2 Technology * Tickers * Energy Meter * Capture Logo| Pac kage| Based on zone and channels| Based on zone| Based on zone and channels| Based on channels| -| Offers| Available| -| Available| -| -| Warranty| Life time| Life time| Life time| Life time| -| Price| Rs. 1390/-| Rs. 3990/-| Rs. 1690/-| Rs. 2690/-| Varies with screen size| BRAND ELEMENTS FOR DTH About 3 years ago, the Videocon group, with great fanfare in Los Angeles, launched their new logo to project a more modern look that gave a contemporary feel. The logo was unveiled by none other than Videocon brand ambassador Shahrukh Khan. The new logo is based on the consumer-based approach of the brand and it’s positioning is supposed to be nearer to the consumers heart – both in terms of its ideals and philosophies, as well as its servicing characteristics. The brand make-over is aimed at young consumers who have a new international mind-set. Below are the new and old logos and the launch pictures: Note how the new logo indicates ‘green’ and ‘fluidity’. The message from Videocon is that it is ready to get adapted to the changes in the coming times. The logo was brought to life by the two characters ‘Chouw’ and ‘Mouw’ which represent the 2 parts of the V of the logo. Both the characters have certain personality traits based on their physical attributes. A series of short videos of these two characters was presented to promote the new brand image. Although a good concept, it can be surmised the new mascots failed to connect with the audience and did not generate enough brand recall. Videocon DTH name has the advantage that the brand name is almost the category name of the brand (direct to home). Hence, in that sense, Videocon has played a master stroke in increasing the salience of the brand. The punch line rhymes well ‘Direct Hai, Correct Hai’ and gives a meaning to the brand and should help in building of the brand mantra. The circle of the logo can be interpreted as the button of your TV remote which is further a source of brand association. DTH has chosen Abhishek Bachchan as its brand ambassador, looking at his clean image and family values. Below is the logo and copy of the DTH brand: VIDEOCON DTH PRICING, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION Videocon launched its Direct-to-Home services after a lot of other companies had already made their presence in the Indian market however, ever since they launched their services they differentiated themselves by highlighting that they were only one to offer the customers across India the world’s first Satellite LCD, Satellite TV, Satellite DVD as well as the Satellite Box (STB). On one of the occasions Mr. Anil Khera, CEO, Bharat Business Channel Ltd. (BBCL) said, â€Å"We are glad to introduce our satellite range of products and services. We are the latest entrant in the DTH category in India, but surely not the same as others. We are creating a new category of Satellite Products. Our exclusive line of Satellite range of products is sure to catch the eye of today’s consumer, who is looking for technological innovations. At Videocon d2h, we promise to deliver the latest providing value for money to our consumers. The market segmentation for Videocon d2h primarily focu sed on women who are regular viewers and engage in daily soaps. In other cases, they also focus on women intend to learn English as an added feature of DTH service. Videocon also concentrated on children by providing games, dictionary, discovery videos, specially inbuilt Math, Science and Social exercises etc, while older group of customers are offered special services such as videos of deities and programs with cultural and religious content. Hence, this marketing strategy focused on product – the first ‘P’ of marketing mix. Videocon d2h, considered world’s first satellite television product introduced with the most advanced DTH Services, has a pan-India presence. Videocon d2h was first launched in the Punjab market, followed by a phase wise launch across various regions. Today, it is available in almost all cities of India and grown to a position where acquiring a connection is not a deterrent. Thus, Videocon has successfully leveraged the use of place- the second ‘P’ of marketing mix. Videocon d2h employs special marketing strategies for promotion and sales of its product. The steps below outline their strategies- * Advertisements with the brand ambassadors (Secondary associations) The main reason lies in the fact that film stars and celebrities add the quotient of fun and entertainment to these services. Abhishek Bachchan was roped in to become the face of Videocon ‘d2h’ and feature across all Videocon d2h brand and product  communications  including advertisements on TV, print, outdoor, radio. Videocon invested Rs 1billion to promote the brand and with time, Abhishek was instrumental in communicating the benefits to consumers across the country. * Packages form the other component of the promotion and sales that may come as discounts, offers or regional packs to suit the customers. Videocon has performed a customer categorization based on the needs and has customized various packages suit their viewing preferences, location and tenure for which the customers want to buy. In A-La-Carte services, customers are given the option to design their own package either by choosing individual channels or by combining two or more existing packages. The next marketing mix, Price played a part to increase their market share. When Videocon launched the set up boxed for its DTH services, the market already had big players. Thus, it was essential for them to use competitive pricing to enter the market and push volumes, acquire market share and create itself as an option for the customers to buy the service. Therefore, set-top boxes were cheaper than the ones available in the market and pricing became an important strategy with Videocon across all its product lines. With contact to Thomson technology, Videocon d2h has developed a patented hardware and CAS system and this seem to work for them by cutting set-top boxes prices by half. The D2H prices were lower than its competitors such as Airtel and Tata sky as seen in the table. DTH| PACKAGE| NO OF CHANNELS| COST PER MONTH| COST PER CHANNEL| Dish TV| Titanium pack| 193| 332. 5| 1. 722797927| | Child pack| 190| 165| 0. 868421053| | Platinum| Shine Pack+1 free top up190| 312| -| | Gold| 165| 210| 1. 272727273| | Silver| 145| 125| 0. 862068966| | South platinum| 190| 312| 1. 642105263| | South Gold| 155| 190| 1. 225806452| | South Silver| 145| 125| 0. 862068966| D2h| Gold pack| 125| 150| 1. 2| | Diamond pack| 165| 275| 1. 666666667| Airtel| Super value| 110| 127| 1. 154545455| | New value| 118| 160| 1. 355932203| | Economy| 155| 221| 1. 425806452| | Mega| 177| 304| 1. 717514124| | Ultra| 184| 364| 1. 97826087| BIG TV| Value pack| 81| 90+ Taxes| 1. 111111 + Taxes| | Bronze pack| 111| 135+ Taxes| 1. 216216 + Taxes| | Silver pack| 123| 180+Taxes| 1. 463414 + Taxes| | Gold pack| 138| 225+Taxes| 1. 630434 + Taxes| | Diamond pack| 152| 270+Taxes| 1. 776315 + Taxes| | Platinum pack| 156| 315+Taxes| 2. 019230 + Taxes| TATA SKY| Super Hit pack| 63| 160| 2. 53968254| | Super Value pack| 103| 200| 1. 941747573| Super Value Kids pack| 104| 225| 2. 163461538| | Super Saver pack| 124| 275| 2. 217741935| Distribution Companies such as Videocon have a strong distribution and dealer network in India with presence in almost all cities. Moreover, Videocon has leveraged its tie up with channel partners, which are hard to break, in order to better penetrate the market and reach customers. * Videocon connected with Tech Mahindra as their IT partners and IBM to provide an excellent technology infrastructure. * Videocon’s, media arm Bharat Business Channel  and its partners offer scalable Conditional Access system (CAS) that protects content conveyed over cable networks.   With 75,000+ Distributor/Dealer/Sub-dealer base, Videocon provides the best regional content. * Channel partners have enabled Videocon to offer bulk services (value added services/active services/products) and decrease the distribution costs. The above points poses a major threat in front of the new entrant as Videocon d2h already serves with the channels and the new  entrant  will  have  to  persuade  the  channels  to accept its product through high margins, promotional allowances,  better  credit  facilities  and  advertising support, which will reduce the profits. Thus, Videocon d2h experiences a cost advantage as compared to new ent rants. BRAND EXPLORATORY CUSTOMER KNOWLEDGE DTH market in India is growing rapidly. This is estimated to grow at a rapid rate of 24%. With the government of our country deciding on digitizing the whole cable network, the potential for growth is really enormous. To tap this growing market, corporate giants across the country are making their presence felt in this growing DTH segment. While in most countries across the world, only 2 or 3 DTH operators operate, in India there are 6 DTH operators. The competition is really fierce and they are biting off each other’s market share for growth at this moment. But the fact to be noticed here is that the customer is the ultimate beneficiary. Find below the market share of the Indian DTH operators as on July 2011 DTH operator| Launched in | Market Share| Subscribers| Dish TV| Jun-05| 31%| 11000000| Airtel| Nov-08| 17%| 5600000| TATA Sky| Sep-06| 19%| 6000000| Sun Direct| Mar-08| 16%| 5500000| Big TV| Sep-08| 9%| 3600000| Videocon DTH| Apr-09| 8%| 3000000| Videocon was the last player to foray into the market with its Value for Money proposition of its DTH. As already shown in the exhibit before, Videocon DTH provides the best Value for Money across various entry packs. A Summary of the comparison across various DTH operators is shown below (Source: www. indiabroadband. com) VIDEOCON D2H Growth: Videocon D2H is growing rapidly. It is estimated to outpace Big TV in the following year. Videocon D2H is also the most successful brand in the last quarter. The growth of its brand is clearly visible. Videocon d2h acquired 7. 47 lakh subscribers in the first quarter of FY 2011, which is more than its competitors. Rapid advertisement spends is also planned for this purpose. Rs 800million is the allotted budget for ad-spends for 2012-13. They hope to increase their market share to 11% by the end of this year. Videocon’s potential in this emerging market can be tapped by this strategy only. The general BDI/CDI matrix indicates the following | | Category Development| | CDI:0. 027 BDI: 0. 0028| HIGH| MEDIUM| LOW| Brand Development| HIGH|   |   |   | | MEDIUM| Market Leader Positions Stronger base from which to build share|   | | LOW| Position of Videocon Cost of Obtaining Initial awareness and trial is high|   | The ad spending of Videocon is therefore justified as indicated by its BDI/CDI matrix. This is strengthened by the fact that Videocon has very less good will with respect to the total Assets it possess. This contributes to just 0. 0015% of the total assets and has been in a decline as indicated by the graph below. With this at the background, it was also intended to carry out a study to determine what factors influence the purchasing and recommending power of the user. The study was conducted based on reviews obtained from www. mouthshutreview. com. The data indicated the presence of two important variables. The significance of the same was tested. The two variables are: * Price and features(including Service) * Advertisement Based on these factors two hypotheses were formulated. These were subjected to statistical test based upon the data obtained from 30 reviewers. The variables had significant amount of co-relation between them and were identified as two important factors. The hypotheses based on these factors are Hypotheses: H1: Sale of Videocon D2H does not depend upon Price and features offered: Rejected H2: Sale of Videocon D2H is not influenced by advertisement: Accepted Descriptive Statistics| | N| Minimum| Maximum| Mean| Std. Deviation| Movie | 31| 1| 5| 2. 87| 1. 648| Quality of Display| 31| 1| 5| 3. 42| 1. 544| Service| 31| 1| 5| 3. 29| 1. 553| Interactive services| 31| 1| 5| 2. 81| 1. 662| Price| 31| 1| 5| 2. 97| 1. 169| Advertisement| 31| 1| 4| 2. 29| . 902| Valid N (listwise)| 31| | | | | Coefficientsa| Model| Unstandardized Coefficients| Standardized Coefficients| t| Sig. | | B| Std. Error| Beta| | | 1| (Constant)| 3. 065| . 169| | 18. 111| . 000| | REGR factor score 1 for analysis 1| . 911| . 172| . 706| 5. 294| . 000| | REGR factor score 2 for analysis 1| . 070| . 172| . 054| . 404| . 689| a. Dependent Variable: Recommendation| MEASURING BRAND STRENGTH: 1. This project has measured the Brand strength with respect to its overall sales recommendation provided by the users across the country. 2. The Score for recommendation depends on Price and features and does not depend upon advertisement spends. 3. The co-efficient indicate the fact that with a 0. 911 unit increase in price and features provided the brand strength in terms of its recommendation power increases by 1 unit. SOURCES OF BRAND EQUITY Videocon D2H tries to derive its brand equity from the following sources: * Logo * Corporate * Brand * Brand Ambassadors * Brand elements * Revamped Videocon logo * Brand * Characters: Chau and Maou * Punch line * Technology: MPEG-4 The two major sources of brand equity are brand awareness and brand image. Brand awareness further consists of brand recall and brand recognition. Based on our interviews, we found that D2H fares poorly along these dimensions, as respondents failed to confirm prior exposure to the brand. Especially along the brand recall dimension, D2H fares poorly as given the product category of satellite television, respondents failed to recall the brand. It can be thus said that Videocon marketers failed to establish the ‘brand node’ in the memory of the consumers and hence failed to create a brand association. A positive brand image happens when strong, favorable and unique associations are created in the memory. Strong and favorable associations have already been created in the minds, due to the secondary association of the corporate brand Videocon. However, the uniqueness association is still evolving. In an attempt to achieve this, D2H has managed to score a few points when it has tried to offer the LCD TVs with built-in set top boxes. D2H has a number of attributes that it competitors do not. D2H offers a wide range of regional channels. However, it is not cashing in on these brand attributes. It needs to be found out if consumers derive brand benefits out of these attributes. It may be the case that a large no. of regional channels are available but consumers attach no importance to them and hence derive no brand benefit. CBBE FOR DTH Shown above, is the Consumer based brand equity model theorized by branding Guru Kevin Keller. This model says that consumer based brand equity happens when consumers provide a differential response to marketing activities of the brand, and talks about how consumer knowledge affects their response to those marketing activities due to the brand equity. The base of the pyramid model talks about Brand Salience. Salience is the measure of how frequently the brand is evoked under various situations. We believe that the brand has a low salience chiefly due to the fact that it is a young brand has not got enough time to build brand equity. Also, it seems that the marketing spend by competitors is much bigger in terms of above the line communication. Albeit, one can say, that the name Videocon itself is a potent cue for brand recall. Brand performance is what the firm tells customers about the brand in their communications. So this will mean how the brand will perform, what features it will provide, and how the customer can benefit from its use. Brand performance includes dimensions that differentiate the brand. D2H differentiates itself by offering more regional channels, more total channels and bundled services as shown above in the pyramid. Brand imagery includes the way in which the brand attempts to meet the customer’s psychological needs. It is the way people think about the brand abstractly. The different intangibles that are abstract and can be linked to a brand are: user profiles, personality, values, history, heritage and experiences. Videocon has a long history in India as one of the pioneers in consumer electronics and D2H builds on this brand imagery. Also, the corporate brand Videocon stands for fairly reliable product quality for the mass market. The imagery that D2H has built includes entertainment variety, lot of consumer options, easy payment and channel flexibility. Brand judgment is formed by putting together all of the brand images and performance associations. The 4 judgments where D2H rates are as follows: Quality: Consumer may view Videocon as a fairly good quality brand which can bring all the values of its parent brand combined with reliability and efficient service. Credibility: Consumers rate Videocon low in terms of perceived expertise and this can be due to the presence of several international giants. However, in the D2H segment, the perceived quality will approximately be the same for all competitors. Consideration: Customers rate Videocon fairly high in terms of its inclusion in their consideration set. They will consider the brand to be relevant because strong and favorable associations have been created by the brand. Brand feelings are customer’s emotional reactions and responses to the brand. D2H, through its ad campaigns has generated the feelings that it is sort of the pioneer in offering the LCD with the built in set-top-box in India. Also, its campaigns generate a feeling that it is a technology intensive brand using all the latest technologies like MPEG-4 and so on. The ‘Direct Hai, correct Hai’ campaign generates the feeling that direct satellite technology is the best technology for the consumer. BRAND POSITIONING POD AND POP Points of difference are attributes or benefits that customers strongly associate with a brand, positively view it and believe they cannot find to the same extent with a competitive brand (Keller, Parameswaran, Jacob, 2011). D2H has set up a number of schemes and attributes to differentiate itself from its competitors. D2H has the following PODs: * TVs with built in STBs * More regional channels than competitors * More HD channels * Claim to be the first industry player to introduce 3D TV * User friendly payment system * Leverages the brand equity of Videocon and its experience with consumer business The HD DVR offered by D2H is the first in the industry and instantly differentiates it from its competitors. With a lot of hype being created about HDTV, D2H can set up an ideal platform that can be leveraged to extract benefits out of other HD offerings. Young urban consumers love to make transactions online and this will also help D2H in eliminating its fixed costs. The online payment system will further differentiate D2H on the convenience dimension. Points of parity are not unique to one brand but may be shared with other brands. (Keller, Parameswaran, Jacob, 2011). Category points of parity are necessary but not sufficient conditions for positioning. Competitive points of parity negate competitors’ points of differences. Especially, during product line extensions, it is critical that ideal POPs be clearly established to gain customer credibility and trust. Videocon sure has a long drawn consumer electronics background but it needs to create sufficient points of parity to convince the consumer that it is a serious player in the D2H industry. The POPs are as follows: * A generic Direct to home satellite television provider * Satisfies all the basic needs of a DTH provider * Provides options in the form of packages, products, services * Strong network of deals, service personnel and technicians * Call centers to address customer queries THREATS TO BRAND EQUITY RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUSTAIN BRAND EQUITY * Brand Architecture * Brand Hierachy * Brand Growth Strategy Bibliography: 1. http://www. videocond2h. com/wsc/products. aspx 2. http://www. videocond2h. com/wsc/packages. aspx 3. http://indiandth. in/Thread-Big-CBS-Prime-hops-on-to-Videocon-d2h 4. http://www. adgully. com/marketing/abhishek-bachchan-to-endorse-videocons-d2h. html 5.