Each presentation should specify the geological features, climate, and examples of biodiversity. parks that are already taken: Death Valley, Denali, acadi, Guadeloupe, Zion, yellowstone, Yosemite, redwood forest, Grand Canyon, Acadia the parks that are not taken, ask to make for that one Earth Science is the subject 1-4 minutes PP with audio/Prezi with audio/Media clip with audio 6 slides
Explication of Oedipus King Page 1431-1432
The actions in these two pages happen during daylight before the royal palace in Thebes. Thebans of all ages have come pleading for help from the king sitting on the steps and the Orchestra. These people have Laurel and olive branches in their hands that are wrapped with wool as a sign of prayer and supplication.
“Old man-for it is fitting that you speak for all- what your mood as you entreat me, trust or fear? You may be confident that I will do anything. How hard of heart if an appeal-like this did not arouse my pity! (Sophocles 1431) In these statements, Oedipus addresses an older man he thinks should present the plight of other people in the palace. Oedipus addresses the man as an old man as a symbol of respect and wisdom. Like in many other cultures, old age is treated with respect and expected to show a lot of wisdom to the younger generations. Therefore, as he addresses him, he uses a tone of respect, assuring him that he need not fear anything; he should confidently present the people’s challenges.
“ You Oedipus who hold power here you see our several ages who sit before your altars some not strong enough to take long flights, some heavy in old age the priests as I of Zeus and from our youth are chosen the rest with their windings in the markets at the shrines of Pallas and the prophetic embers of Ismenos.” (Sophocles 1432) Here the old priest begins to address the king as was instructed before. Using analogy to show the extent of their suffering, he compares the Oedipus who is at the palace enjoying power while the people suffer. The statement also uses two metaphors: not strong enough to take long flights and heavy in old age. These statements are used to indicate the extent of the sick’s suffering and the old back at home who could not make it to the palace.
“Our city as you see yourself is tossed too much and can no longer lift its head above the troughs of billows red with death” (Sophocles 1432). In these lines, the priest starts the complaint of what brought them to the palace. In his words, he complains about the troubles facing the city. Using personification, he refers to the problems ailing the city, saying that it could not lift its dead as it is dead.
Works Cited
Sophocles. Oedipus the King In Plain and Simple English: BookCaps Study Guide. BookCaps Study Guides, 2012.
Class, This is a reminder that your Assignment #8: Peer Edit is actually a Self-Edit assignment. All I am expecting is 1~3 paragraphs discussing 3 successes your research rough draft has, 2 improvements that should be made for your final draft submission, and advice on the process of writing your rough and final drafts—that’s it. This should be a very simple assignment that you can earn the full 40 points quite easily. If you have any questions, use the forums for your peers to answer or send me an email/Moodle message. Good luck!
Self-Edit Assignment
The rough draft as currently done has achieved to introduce OCD to the audience. the introduction part has shed some light on what comprises OCD and what it’s not. In this line, even for a person who has never heard or read of the disorder, the introduction would set a good starting point before one goes to the disorder’s details. The essay also takes the reader through the treatment process of OCD. The treatment process is written in chronological order, starting with the disorder’s diagnosis, which entails what one has to have to be diagnosed with OCD. The symptoms of the disorder are also put forward, which leads to the categorization of OCD patients into four main groups. From this information, the reader gets to know the challenges that OCD patients go through in their daily lives as they struggle with their obsessions and compulsions. The reader is also taken through the intervention process, which takes the form of psychotherapy and medications. The last achievement that the rough draft has gotten is the exposure of the risk factors. As the cause of OCD is not known, what people need to know is the risk factors
Despite its achievement, there is always room for improvement. The first improvement would be to work more on the thesis statement to focus on the issues discussed in the body of the essay. The essay arguments also need to be articulated more so that they serve the purpose of the thesis and derive some more conclusions based on the research around the disorder. Where necessary, restructuring the paragraphs will be done so that they meet the required criteria.
Innovative Model
Different health providers organizations implement the use of different models to ensure that quality health care is provided to their patients. This paper will focus on the Mayo Clinic, which implemented the use of Advanced-Care-at-Home model for care. This model will deliver innovative, comprehensive and complex care to their patients at the comfort of their homes.
In the medical field, providing quality health care services to the patients is always the key focus. Provision of such quality health care and a nice experience to patients requires a maximum collaboration between nurses and doctors. With the emergence of Advanced-Care-at-Home model, there have been several factors that have hindered the interprofessional collaboration. Lack of communication among them, knowledge about their colleagues, understanding of the others job among others hinders the interprofessional collaboration. Such factors create a negative feeling towards one another which will consequently worsen the quality of community care (Ohta, Ryu and Katsube, 2018). To understand a colleague’s competencies is crucial for effective collaboration; however, if this is not observed, it will automatically lead to poor performance in the Advanced-Care-at-Home model. Lack of Interprofessional collaboration can be costly since it can lead to disasters causing a fatality.
The Advanced-Care-at-Home model has proven to be cost-effective in several ways. Mayo patients with previously manageable conditions will be able to transition to home care. This will enable the hospital to have fewer patients since the cost of maintaining inpatients is literary high. The clinic will combine the use of advanced technology that will address efficiency and effectiveness through allowing regional health care systems to access an academic medical centre without the cost and infrastructure of a merge and acquisition model (Wald et al., 2018) The model ensures that patients remain at home and will receive care by their local providers even when complex medical issues arise. Through that, the clinic will not have to construct more infrastructure to accommodate the overwhelming number of inpatients. Through work with well known and trusted academic medical institution, the local providers will also be able to enhance their brands’ proposition.
References
Ohta, R., Ryu, Y., & Katsube, T. (2018). Challenges for Japanese rural home care workers in interprofessional collaboration: a qualitative study. Home Health Care Services Quarterly, 37(4), 313-324.
Wald, J. T., Lowery-Schrandt, S., Hayes, D. L., & Kotsenas, A. L. (2018). Mayo clinic care network: a collaborative health care model. Journal of the American College of Radiology, 15(1), 167-172.
Organizational Communication
Organizations are compared to objects which have similarities to them metaphorically they are essential in providing critical details or functioning that are rarely noticed when evaluating an organization (Mumby, 2012). The machine metaphor is commonly used in comparing different companies to machines in their operations. During the industrial revolution, numerous societal changes were complex and people began to carry out different activities in a complicated way (Holm, 2020). Different theorists began to use the machine metaphor to explain the different theories used. The machine metaphor comprises of four different components that are commonly discussed and include predictability, replaceability, specialization, and standardization.
Predictability refers to the aspect of forecasting the outcomes of an activity being carried out. Machines operate and perform different tasks by being governed by set rules. Without the rules, it would be impossible for the machines to work efficiently (Haken et al., 2012). When a machine fails to operate, there are different reasons which can be attributed to the breakdown. These reasons enhance the formulation of possible solutions to fix the machine. The solutions are put in a user’s maintenance manual where the mechanic can refer to for fixing. Organizations operate similarly (Mumby, 2012). When there is a problem that causes failures in the organization, the constitution is the manual used to provide the next steps towards solving the problem. Governments operate similarly and use the element of predictability in their operations to minimize failures.
Replaceability element considers the aspect of replacing a standardized part that has either broken down or is behind in technology. Machines are made of different parts that are easily replaced due to various reasons (Porush, 2018). Similarly, organizations are made of different components especially human resources. Employees within a company carry out different activities and they can be replaced when a need arises (Holm, 2020). These people can be fired or retire and the company employs others with the same or with higher qualifications. This depends on the interests and decisions of the management. In reference to the government, different civil servants such as the chief justice, ambassadors, ministers, and many others are replaced by different regimes that are in power.
In the specialization aspect, this refers to carrying out one unique operation and not being able to do any other. Machines are meant to carry out specific activities. The uniqueness of the machines makes them specialized in the operation and cannot be used in other areas (Haken et al., 2012). For instance, a computer has different parts that have unique and specialized purposes. The keyboard is meant for typing and navigating the computer but cannot do any other task while the battery is for power storage for the computer. All the parts of the computer are interrelated for it to function. This is similar to an organization setup. Organizations are departmentalized where each department has a different function from the other but all work to attain the ultimate goal of the company (Mumby, 2012). Governments usually have three arms of governance namely the executive, judiciary, and legislature. They are meant to govern and make the lives of their people better and thus, they have to work together but in different and specialized sectors.
The last aspect is standardization which means that there must be a similarity between elements of the same build. Similar machines are designed in a manner that their parts are the same such that one part can be removed from a machine and be put on another and operate normally (Porush, 2018). For instance, if a car windscreen breaks, you can easily buy another and replace it and the car continues to function normally. For employees in an organization, they are employed through a standardized procedure that ensures they have similar qualifications. This ensures that there is uniformity in carrying out operations and having similar outputs (Mumby, 2012). Due to the standardization of qualifications, it is easier to replace a person with another with similar qualities and the works continues as usual.
Organizational communication entails the process of sending and receiving information between interconnected people within the same environs to attain a common or individual goal (Putnam & Mumby, 2013). Understanding how organization communication operates, it can be described using the machine metaphor. Using the four elements of machine metaphor, organization communication can be described in how it operates. The machine metaphor describes the organizational structure as a complex web that describes the flow of messages, its purpose, and the people involved. For an organization to operate effectively and achieve the intended purpose, people must communicate to share information so that they can work harmoniously (Haken et al., 2012). Communication can either be top-down, bottom-up or from external sources. This enables the organization to succeed. A machine has different parts which have to receive or send information to a central point so that there can be coordination when it is working. Through predictability, replaceability, standardization, and specialization, each part works appropriately and information is transferred (Porush, 2018). In organizations, the elements also apply to people as the employees and the top management has to communicate. It is easy to predict the outcomes, replace the workers, specify the message, and standardize their qualifications for communication to occur efficiently.
Taylor came up with the Theory of Scientific Management which advocated for increased efficiency for the workers. Taylor proved that there is always a better way to carry out a task by using time and motion studies. Through proper selection of workers, training them, and rewarding their good work, this would increase their performance and work within the shortest time possible (Holm, 2020). Organizational communication is essential between workers as it helps in minimizing the time used for each activity. For instance, in a fast-food drive-through, employees in the kitchen work simultaneously but in different areas to ensure that your order is delivered in good time and is exactly as ordered (Putnam & Mumby, 2013). Without proper communication among them, no one would know what to do and at what point.
Fayol came up with the Classical Management theory that focused on the management operations that ensure effectiveness and efficiency. The theory suggests that in an organization’s setup, it should be clear about who is the manager in charge and the role of each employee. The hierarchical order ensures a smooth flow of communication between the management and the employees and thus increases productivity (Putnam & Mumby, 2013). However, Fayol’s theory was faced with challenges in organizational communication as hierarchies promote top-down communication. For instance, theory X advocates for micro-managing workers and this means that communication only comes from the top level of management and heads down to the employees (Porush, 2018). The machine metaphor states that there must be coordination between parts and each part must participate.
Weber developed his ideas on bureaucracy (Mumby, 2012). He believed that an ideal organization should be organized in a hierarchical order just like Fayol’s idea. According to him, authority in an organization should be centralized and labor is divided. With this kind of setup, it is easy to predict the progress of the organization. His bureaucracy idea enhances organizational communication as it requires an organization to have a well-set communication platform (Holm, 2020). Messages can be delivered to the central point and be disbursed to other workers and managers. Also, the central authority can send messages to the workers individually, per department, or the entire company. Having a central point where communication is directed or come from, ensures efficiency.
References
Haken, H., Karlqvist, A., & Svedin, U. (2012). The machine as metaphor and tool. Springer Science & Business Media.
Holm, S. (2020). The machine metaphor in science and science communication. Philosophical Perspectives on the Engineering Approach in Biology, 186-199. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351212243-13
Mumby, D. K. (2012). Organizational communication: A critical approach. SAGE.
Porush, D. (2018). The metaphor of the machine. The Soft Machine, 1-213. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351129688-1
Putnam, L. L., & Mumby, D. K. (2013). The SAGE handbook of organizational communication: Advances in theory, research, and methods. SAGE Publications.
Gucci Code of Ethics Evaluation
Gucci is a multinational company with over 270 fully operational stores that sell elite goods to customers worldwide, which leads to the company generating billions of dollars. Since 2005, Gucci has used its ethics even though the charter was drawn back in 1996 (Kerling, 2005). The ethics charter serves as an affirmation of Gucci’s respect for human rights for its employees and all individuals who work in its supply chain and add to its value creation. As a result, Gucci uses all its energies and vigilance to fight child labor, slavery, human trafficking, and the exploitation of the most vulnerable groups such as migrant workers. Gucci also seeks to combat violence and discrimination against especially against women. Therefore, the charter is important in identifying any shortcomings in adhering to Gucci’s principles and informing any remedial action that the company takes (Kerling, 2005). The charter also guides the protection of the people who report such shortcomings to the company’s administration as their privacy is crucial to their security and the reporting of such situations in the future.
Gucci recognizes that it operates in a market that has different laws and cultures. In this line, among the ethical rules that all people working within Gucci must follow include the compliance of different countries’ provincial laws. Respecting the laws of all countries entails respecting international standards on human rights and compliance with local and international labor laws (Kerling, 2005). Therefore, Gucci ensures that it observes laws and regulations on the environment, workers’ safety, and health in every country that they operate in. Gucci also knows that workers’ rights are not the same in every country. As a result, they are free to engage with freedom of speech and participate in workers’ groups. However, the worker’s union rights are regulated by the local laws of the host country.
Gucci bans all types of harassment in its organizational culture. To this end, Gucci defines harassment as any repetitive and voluntary behavior or action that is hostile, abusive, and humiliating to another person. Harassment in Gucci’s perspective entails actions, verbal comments, and gestures that jeopardize all people’s dignity and psychological wellbeing (Kerling, 2005). Therefore, Gucci demands that people within its workforce respect each other and give space for diversity without judgment. Any form of harassment leads to punishment as stipulated within Gucci’s policies and framework. Despite punishing any form of harassment within its organizational structures, Gucci recognizes the rule of law of all country that it operates (Kerling, 2005). Therefore, depending on the country’s legal stipulations on various forms of harassment, it affirms that it will stick to report any form of harassment against various countries’ local laws, such as physical abuse and sexual abuse.
Gucci recognizes the sensitivity of the data that their employees and consumers trust them. Therefore, they guarantee all people who entrust any information on them that their data will not be used wrongfully or shared with other third parties who are not within its structure (Kerling, 2005). This, however, may lead to complications in certain situations where the governments of certain countries do not respect data privacy, especially in certain situations such as those that threaten national security. In this case, if the data that these governments need can only be found withing Gucci, then Gucci would find it in an ethical dilemma of whether to break its ethical code and sustain a good relationship with the local authorities or to keep their ethical requirements and risk forced exit from these countries.
Gucci respects culture and of the people and cultures that they operate in. To this end, Gucci wishes to contribute to the economic and social wellbeing of local communities from whom they obtain their law materials. Gucci affirms its dedication to supporting local community projects that will improve the community’s wellbeing and improvement.
Gucci’s code of ethics works with my code due to its observance of Human rights and equal treatment of people. In my ethical code, I wish to treat others as I would wish to be treated. I am dedicated to behaving with courtesy in all my day to day interactions with other people despite the mood or the situation that I am in. this helps me have a positive impact on the people I meet. Gucci policies have a strong anti-harassment stand, which is also in line with my personal and professional code. I believe all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. Gucci’s policies also respect diversity and inclusiveness, which also rhymes with my personal and professional codes. All people are important in life and to the organization’s progress, and they deserve all the respect they can get. I believe in welcoming people from all backgrounds, cultures, political and religious beliefs. Respecting diversity is at the core of both Gucci and my ethical codes. Diversity is, therefore, a source of strength as people bring different things that contribute positively to the organization’s development.
Working at Gucci would be a good experience as its ethical code works in line with my code. Treatment of all people with respect at the core of both codes. Working at Gucci could even be better as they have the policy to give back to society. Deep inside my professional and personal code, I believe in continuous self-development and the development of others. To this end, working in Gucci and seeing them develop communities that they work in would work in line with my code.
References
Kerling. (2005). CODE OF ETHICS. https://www.gucci.com/documents/Kering_CodeEthique2019_English.pdf
PlayStation 4 versus Xbox One Comparison
In the world of gaming, two giant video game consoles have dominated the industry over the years and they are the PlayStation 4 (PS4) and the Xbox One. The battle between the two has been on the rise as each strives to advance the gaming experience and thus become the top choice for gamers (Diffen, 2018). The PS4 and Xbox One are the latest models from Sony and Microsoft respectively, having succeeded the PS3 and Xbox 360. Due to their popularity, the previous generations of gaming consoles sold over a hundred million units for each. The current versions are expected to sell in hundreds of millions before their predecessors, the PS5 and Xbox Series X, are released (Andronico, 2020). When the PS4 and Xbox One were released, they had a similar price tag of $399 without the Kinect. Despite having the same price, they have several similarities and differences which make gamers determine which to buy.
Both the PS4 and Xbox One have the same central processing unit. They operate using the single-chip x86-64 AMD Jaguar processor (Thompson, 2019). This CPU eight cores which ensure a smooth gaming experience for the gamers. The PlayStation 4 has a slightly slower CPU with a clock speed of 1.6GHz while the Xbox One runs at 1.75GHz making it faster in loading and streaming the games (Diffen, 2018). The Xbox One has thirty-two megabytes of static random-access memory card. The PlayStation 4 has An ARM CPU and a random access memory card that is meant for enhancing running background processes including recording and downloading (Brustein, 2015). PS4 and Xbox One are both 8th generation gaming consoles that contain an extensive library of games from their predecessors. The Xbox One has a 500GB/1 TB hard drive that is non-removable and non-upgradable. For the PS4, it has a 500 GB hard drive which can be upgraded and is removable (Tassi, 2017). From the 500 GB, 93 GB is dedicated to the operating system.
The two gaming consoles have online services that are paid for through monthly, quarterly, and annual subscriptions. The PlayStation Plus has a monthly subscription of $9.99, $17.99 quarterly, and $59.99 annually while Xbox Live has a $25 quarterly and $60 annual subscription. The Xbox One accesses the internet using the Microsoft Edge internet browser while the PS4 uses the PS4 Web browser (Andronico, 2020). Both units have AMD Next-Gen graphics which are Radeon HD7xxx series equivalent. The Xbox uses Kinect motion sensors while the PlayStation 4 has a gyroscope on the PlayStation camera. The controller inputs for the PlayStation 4 include the PlayStation camera, dual-shock 4, and voice command. The Xbox One has the Kinect, voice command, and Xbox One controllers (Diffen, 2018). Both have an HDMI output for the videos to connect to a screen where the games are displayed.
The most noticeable differences include the operating systems for the two devices. The PS4 uses the Orbis OS while the Xbox One has the Xbox OS. PS4 menu is better built making it easier to navigate around in search of games (Thompson, 2019). Its console is awesome in capturing and sharing gameplay with others. It is also Bluetooth enabled and thus it can connect with other devices and share video records and images from the games (Tassi, 2017). With video graphic resolutions up to 4K, gamers have the best quality images and thus improving their experience. PS4 can stream on YouTube and share on Facebook and Twitter. The Xbox One does not support Bluetooth and thus, sharing is done via the internet. It also supports graphics resolutions up to 1080p which is lower than that of the PS4 (Brustein, 2015). It is limited to streaming on Microsoft Mixer. However, both PS4 and Xbox One can broadcast the games on Twitch.
On the entertainment front, the Xbox is considered to be better than the PS4. It is capable of transmitting the signals of a cable box TV and allows the gamer to quickly change from playing a game to watching a show of choice. It is capable of supporting the Dolby Atmos which allows the Xbox to be connected to other sound appliances and thus improve the sound experience for the gamers (Brustein, 2015). With the Kodi app being featured on the Xbox, it is possible to access entertainment files from other devices, watch movies and shows, and listen to movies (Diffen, 2018). However, both the PS4 and Xbox One offer major entertainment features from large companies such as Hulu, Netflix, Spotify, and Crunchyroll (Thompson, 2019). Xbox has additional music apps such as Deezer, Pandora, and Soundcloud (Andronico, 2020).
In conclusion, it is difficult to determine which of the two gaming consoles is better than the other PS4 and Xbox One has many features in common, and others that are different. They offer the best experience in their unique ways and thus make it competitive to determine the one to choose. They have many games that can be played between several people or between a person and the computer. In terms of navigation and sharing, the PS4 is better than the Xbox One. However, the Xbox One is better in entertainment as it is capable of connecting with other devices in the house to enhance sound quality. The PS4 can be upgraded while the Xbox One cannot and thus limiting the gamer from making any changes to the hard drive. It is upon individual preference to determine which is more suitable as both are closely related in almost all properties.
References
Andronico, M. (2020). PS4 vs. Xbox one: Which console is right for you? Tom’s Guide. https://www.tomsguide.com/us/xbox-one-vs-ps4,review-2543.html
Brustein, J. (2015). Bloomberg. Bloomberg – Are you a robot?. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-16/how-the-cheaper-xbox-could-shake-up-the-console-wars
Diffen. (2018). PlayStation 4 vs Xbox one – Difference and comparison | Diffen. Diffen – Compare Anything. Diffen. Discern. Decide. https://www.diffen.com/difference/PlayStation_4_vs_Xbox_One
Tassi, P. (2017). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2017/02/21/the-exclusive-gap-between-ps4-and-xbox-one-has-become-a-canyon/?sh=5f22eedc3e9a
Thompson, W. (2019). Battle of the systems: PS4 vs. Xbox one; the similarities and differences. The Daily Athenaeum – thedaonline. https://www.thedaonline.com/culture/reviews/battle-of-the-systems-ps-vs-xbox-one-the-similarities/article_6eed0fb4-42b3-11e3-97c7-001a4bcf6878.html
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Turkmenistan Financial Policies
Turkmenistan has a trade-dependent economy which it seeks to diversify. For a long time, Turkmenistan’s economic development has been dependent on the export of natural resources and cotton. Due to the economic crisis experienced due to the fluctuation of natural gas prices, the country has sought to move away from an economy dependent on the export of natural resources(United States Department of State [USDS], 2019). However, little has been achieved due to weak financial policies that keep financial investors away. Here are some of the things that Turkmenistan can do to improve its financial policies.
Turkmenistan has rich natural gas fields that many investors would wish to explore and mine. However, investors kept off because only investors linked to the president’s family have access to mine in these fields (USDS, 2019). To change its financial policies, the country needs to diversify the investors who can mine in their field. Having investors from different countries would save the country from fluctuations in natural gas prices in certain countries. Traders who have invested in the country have left the country due to non-payment of orders completed. This has kept potential investors, and the country needs to rectify it. In doing so, the country needs to set up new contract laws and abide by them in all situations (USDS, 2019). This will make the country’s transacting technique with investors more stable, and it will earn investors’ trust.
The country also needs to move from an exchange process controlled by the government to one that goes with the changes in the markets. Previously, investors have had a hard time converting local money into hard cash to send their profits back home. This is a bad track record of hosting investors (USDS, 2019). The country needs to be more open and transparent on the exchange rate. Ownership laws also need to be restructured. As currently comprised, all land belongs to the government, and other ownership forms are also limited. As a result, FPI in this country is almost impossible, and companies have to operate on government property, which can be taken away at any time. Investors need an assurance that they can invest in Turkmenistan’s property without fear of it being taken back, which can only be assured through the restructuring of ownership laws.
References
United States Department of State. (2019, August 29). Turkmenistan. https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-investment-climate-statements/turkmenistan/
Marketing: Electric Scooter
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Marketing: Electric Scooter
Exercise 1 (counts 25%)
What is the idea (differentiation factor) that makes your electric scooter popular?
NB: You are also free to adjust and improve the idea based on any feedback and reflections you may have made afterward. Alternatively, you can come up with a whole new idea.
The common electric scooter brands in the Norwegian market are normally driven while standing. They also have a small battery that holds less power. This means that you cannot use them for longer distances while standing and due to battery drain. Therefore, they can only be used to commute around the cities for short distances. My electric scooter comes with a seat and a standing platform. This is meant to attract older adults to use the e-scooters as they have not been catered for in this industry. The scooter can have the seat removed and ride it while standing comfortably. The scooter is strong enough to pull a load hooked to it with a maximum towing capacity of 100kgs. The towing carriage is an alternative package for the premium version and can be hooked on the electric scooter whether with a seat or without. Therefore, it can be used to go shopping and carry some heavy goods comfortably. Other scooters have a low load capacity and thus it is difficult to use them when carrying more shopping.
The electric scooter comes with a larger lithium battery that is 60V and can last for seven hours in the city and five hours on rough terrains. In the economic model, the scooter can manage to travel for ninety kilometers while in off-road mode, it can travel for sixty-five kilometers. To ensure that the rider enjoys the technology that the scooter comes with, there are USB ports that allow phone charging. There is an extra battery pack for emergency and can be connected to the scooter and give it a one hour ride. The scooter can be charged by both alternative and direct current. Therefore, for those who would want to go on an adventure for several days, they can use a small solar panel to charge it and enjoy the rides. It is the ultimate ride for off-road driving.
Another key feature is larger three wheels and shock absorbers than those on the common scooters. The scooter comes with two types of tires for both city and off-road rides. The rough terrain tires are eleven inch CST which is popularly known worldwide. For the city rides, it has Kenda tires. The CST tire is meant to make the electric scooter usable in off-road rides when the owner wants to go outside cities for adventure. They have a better grip on loose soils and muddy areas and thus enhance the strength of the electric scooter. The rear has two wheels which increase stability. They have independent suspensions and thus improve the ride. The shock absorbers on the rear wheels increase cushioning when driving on rough terrains and thus there is minimal shacking when riding.
Lastly, my electric scooters have very safe and strong due to the diversity of use. It uses the CNC integrated electric control oil braking system which enables quick stops and evasions in traffic and other areas. This has helped to minimize accidents while using scooters. The scooter is smooth to control and can be ridden by teenagers and adults of all ages comfortably on any of the terrains.
Case (part 2 of 2)
The investor liked your sale and goes in with a significant amount to realize your own electric scooter. She joins the company as marketing manager and asks you to make three more studies that will build on the idea from Task 1. She does not want long studies but rather wants summary and concise answers (500-600 words) where you apply learned marketing theory.
To guarantee the sales of the electric scooters, it is important to understand the marketing mix which is an essential tool for every marketer (Kucuk, 2016). The 4Ps are commonly used in the marketing mix theory. The first P is for Product and in our case is the electric scooter which is favorable for bot city and other rough terrains. The product is fit for human use as it has been tested and verified. It has been presented in the market and sales are high as most of the stocks are already sold out. The second P is for Place which is Norwegian cities and the adventures outside the cities. A product requires having a definite place where it is consumed. The target consumers have been identified and the company wants to focus on the older adults who would feel comfortable riding a scooter while seated. Also, it is for the enthusiast off-road adventurists who love to experience an electric scooter on the mountains.
The third P is for Promotion which involves promoting the product in the market for it to sell successfully. As the marketing manager, the investor will be pivotal in the advertisements, sale promotions, and social media. The company has gained good grounds in marketing and thus has become known by many consumers. The last P is for price. Providing such a product at an affordable price is challenging as there are many electric scooters in the market. However, the feature of the electric scooter and the reputation it has gained is ensuring that the sales are made. The scooter sells at slightly higher but affordable prices for low to medium-income earners. There is another marketing Ps in the mix which includes People, processes, and productivity.
Using Porter’s five forces of competition in the market, the company has been able to strive despite there being popular electric scooters. There are many competitors in this volatile sector. Many companies have established ground in the Norwegian cities and thus offer stiff competition. However, only a few have catered for off-road electric scooters making our company have a competitive advantage. The company is relatively new and is also facing threats from other new entrants in the market. This has posed a challenge which has enabled us to perfect our scooter making it more efficient and reliable. Due to the high number of competitors and new entrants in the market, the threat of substitution is inevitable (Mulders, 2019). However, due to off-road capabilities and bigger power storage, it is difficult to be substituted. There are many suppliers who can provide us with different parts and hence no need to worry about monopoly. There are many buyers in need of the product in Norway. The biggest challenge has been financed to feed the market adequately.
The Ansoff matrix has been essential in the growth and development of the company. It helps in understanding marketing penetration for the electric scooter by evaluating the existing products in the market and their sales. We have increased the volume of sales by setting more outlets. Product development has been key as the market is very competitive (Cordell & Thompson, 2019). We are planning to expand the product portfolio by advancing the existing scoter and bringing in new and different models. Diversification in this field is our priority and would want to dominate the industry in Norway and the global market. Market development has been enhanced by the marketing mix strategies employed by the company.
Exercise 2 (counts 25%)
First discuss how Figure 14.4 (Model for service quality, see Appendix 1) can be used as a tool to achieve high service quality and then briefly explain what you want to do to reduce the five mismatches.
Service quality involves comparing the perceived performance against perceived expectations in an organization. In a competitive market, companies do not compete for customer experiences but in the provision of high-quality services. The model is formulated on the basis of different aspects. Customers judge the services based on these dimensions and if they are not satisfying, it means that the service quality is poor. One of the dimensions is reliability which involves how the organization can be gauged as accurate in what they say and being honest with their customers (Oskooii & Albonaiemi, 2017). It is necessary to make and fulfill promises on the services such that the consumers can depend on you. Being responsive to customers’ demands and complaints is essential as it makes them feel that their concerns are essential. There is needed promptness, willingness, and availability to respond in good time.
Assuring customers of the fulfillment of the promises increases their confidence and trust in the organization. This is enhanced by demonstrating competence by the employees in the work they are doing. When customers know that the service provider is skilled and understand what is expected, they are likely to rate the service high. Employees are supposed to be polite with the customers when communicating to establish a good rapport. Communication is essential in any company as it demonstrates the kind of service being offered and determines its outcome (Won & Lee, 2017). A constant engagement with customers in communication helps in knowing your customers and their needs and thus improves on the weaknesses of the company. Lastly, security is vital to consumers as they want to trust that the company will protect their products until they reach them (Oskooii & Albonaiemi, 2017). All these dimensions are featured in the model service quality and when adhered to, the company is able to achieve a lot in service delivery and its quality.
The model of service quality has five mismatches and the first gap is that of knowledge. When the company has inadequate or a wanting in the knowledge of the customers’ needs it is unable to meet their demands as expected. To mitigate this mismatch, it is necessary to conduct extensive market research on consumer behavior to gain insight into what they expect from the company (Won & Lee, 2017). Another mismatch is that of standards which occurs when the company formulates a wrong idea about the expectations of the customers. This leads to the development of a wrong product that is not to the standards expected. It can be prevented by ensuring that you identify a market gap and seeking advice from experts to ensure that you have a good idea that meets the expected standards.
Communication mismatch occurs when the company sends a message externally and it is interpreted wrongly. It can also occur when the company makes promises that are not achievable. This can be solved by ensuring that every communication that is released is followed by a good elaboration to the consumers (Won & Lee, 2017). Every promise made should be in line with the product being made. The delivery gap occurs when consumers get products delivered to them and are different from their order. A good inventory system would prevent wrong deliveries to the customers. Lastly, is the satisfaction mismatch which occurs due to the service received against the service expected (Oskooii & Albonaiemi, 2017). To prevent dissatisfaction, it is crucial to ensure that every service requested meets or goes beyond the expectations of the consumer.
Exercise 3 (counts 25%)
Explain how you want to set the price target and choose a pricing method? Justify the choices.
The price target is set based on the use of the electric scooter. For city rides, the scooters do not engage in tough terrains as the roads are all-weather and smooth. The servicing of the scooters is therefore relatively cheap. For those that are engaged in off-road riding, the prices are higher these scooters require to be reinforced to minimize damages caused by hard surfaces on the terrain. They require more servicing on the damaged parts and hence the rise in prices. Also, the pricing is influenced by the extra set of equipment such as the carrier, extra batteries, and any other addition. The premium version is slightly expensive than the low-class version.
The pricing method employed is cost-plus pricing. This is a method used by companies to make the maximum amount of profit. This is done by increasing the production levels so that the marginal costs and revenue are equalized. The price is set depending on the demand curve (Li et al., 2015). This method is fairly easy to use and does not require extensive information about the company and the market. To get the price, you calculate the cost incurred in the production process and then add it to the profit percentage and get the final price of selling. It can occur in two ways namely full cost pricing and direct cost pricing. Full cost pricing uses the variables and fixed costs and adds the percentage difference between the cost of the product and the selling price
Direct cost pricing entails the addition of variable costs to the percentage of the markup. It is not favorable to use as it eventually leads to losses. It is commonly used in a market where competition is very stiff (Marshall & Jacobs, 2016). It is easy to use and does not take into account whether there are potential customers who are going to buy the product or not at the given selling price. With this method, it is easy to set a price that will favor both the company and the consumer and thus minimize losses. The cost of production is usually known and the next step is normally adding some money on top of it as the profit. The extra money added can vary depending on the market prices for similar products. Most startups begin with a small profit margin to ensure that they attract potential customers. The profit margin is then increased gradually depending on the changes in the market and the decision of the management.
Companies use the cost-pricing method mainly due to its simplistic nature in determining the selling price. With this method, it is difficult to make any losses as the final cost of production is known. The cost has added a markup which is agreed by the management (Marshall & Jacobs, 2016). This method is considered the most sensible technique that guarantees maximum profits. However, the method does not account for whether consumers will buy the product at that price or not. The company may incur a cost that is higher than the selling prices for similar products. Since the company has to make a profit, it will have to add the markup and this could raise the price above what an average consumer can afford (Li et al., 2015). Therefore, there is a need to try the production of goods in small quantities to determine the cost of production.
Exercise 4 (counts 25%)
Take as a starting point Figure 19.3 (Eight steps to develop effective communication, see appendix 2) and explain how you would design steps 1, 2, 3, and 6 in a possible launch campaign.
Step one is identifying the target audience who are the consumers of the products to be produced. In this case, I would first create a customer profile which comprises determining and grouping the potential customers in terms of factors such as age, location, and gender. The customer profile will help to get information on the kind of product and the pricing to be set. The second step is selecting the target group or a cluster that is to become the consumers of the products. The target audience is identified in both concentrated and differentiated markets. Then the information collected is consolidated and identify the specific market to be satisfied (Luo et al., 2019). The identification of the target audience is essential as it helps in minimizing venturing into a market that has no consumers.
Step two is the determination of objectives. It is important to plan and have effective coordination. There need to have objectives for effective communication. The main purpose of communication in a business is to inform potential consumers of the existence of the company and its products. Brand awareness is essential and is achieved when there is a good communication strategy. Persuading the customers to buy the products from a company is a challenging task. However, with well-formulated communication strategies, the consumers are enticed to try the product and could potentially become regular customers. Also, being objective persuades potential investors to join the company. Another objective would be to build a strong relationship with consumers, investors, and suppliers. This helps to grow the company rapidly and thus overcome the competition.
Step 3 is designing communication. This involves setting communication goals and objectives which vary with the target audience. Then there is a need to develop messages that target and speak to the target group. It should touch on their needs so that they can buy and get satisfied. The communication needs channels, approaches, and tools to ensure that it reaches the target audience. The resources available are mapped for use and can include experts and marketing tools. The communication design requires to be closely monitored to determine the achievements and the timelines as indicated in the action plan (Masami, 2019). Without a good communication design, it is difficult to determine how to reach out to customers and potential investors.
Step 6 is the determination of the media mix. Media is essential in the communication process for a company to the market. It is necessary to find the right media mix. Multiple media platforms such as television, radio, and social media can be used to convey the message. The choice of the right media to incorporate is determined by the identified target audience. With current data on the target audience, it is easier to determine the media mix to use. Poor data could result in using the wrong media mix and thus fail to reach the intended audience (Steinberg, 2012). Using a single media channel can be harmful to the company’s communication strategy as not all the target audience uses that platform. Therefore, there is a need to incorporate several media channels
References
Cordell, A., & Thompson, I. (2019). Ansoff matrix. The Procurement Models Handbook, 45-47. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351239509-14
Kucuk, S. U. (2016). Marketing and marketing mix. Visualizing Marketing, 3-7. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48027-5_2
Li, L., Lin, X., Negenborn, R. R., & De Schutter, B. (2015). Pricing intermodal freight transport services: A cost-plus-Pricing strategy. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 541-556. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24264-4_37
Luo, J., Pan, X., Wang, S., & Huang, Y. (2019). Identifying target audience on enterprise social network. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 119(1), 111-128. https://doi.org/10.1108/imds-01-2018-0007
Marshall, R., & Jacobs, F. (2016). Cost-plus pricing. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3141407
Masami, Y. (2019). Designing the communication of traditional ecological knowledge. Routledge Handbook of Ecocriticism and Environmental Communication, 279-290. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315167343-24
Mulders, M. (2019). Competitive forces, porter. 101 Management Models, 74-77. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003022022-18
Oskooii, N., & Albonaiemi, E. (2017). Measuring the customer satisfaction based on SERVQUAL model (case study: Mellat bank in Tehran city). Innovative Marketing, 13(2), 13-22. https://doi.org/10.21511/im.13(2).2017.02
Steinberg, M. (2012). Media mixes, media transformations. Anime’s Media Mix, 135-170. https://doi.org/10.5749/minnesota/9780816675494.003.0004
Won, E., & Lee, J. (2017). A study on integrated model of SERVQUAL and service blueprint. Journal of Industrial Design Studies, 39, 125-136. https://doi.org/10.37254/ids.2017.03.39.13.125
The Letter
Student’s Name:
Affiliation:
Course:
Instructor:
Date:
The Letter
“The Letter;
Selected clip: 0:00 to 2:16; 24 shots; no discernible temporal ellipses.”
Both diegetic and non-diegetic music is present in the clip. Diegetic music starts at 1:22 and ends at 1:29—the non-diegetic music cues in at 1:30 and cues out at 1:48.
Puccini aria
The use of the Puccini aria has been used in the film. The use of Opera has been used in the film industry for ages. It is featured in the most classical film soundtrack, such as in the identified film. The theme has been used to heighten the film’s climax, which can be described as the most dramatic point. It is heard from 1:32 to 1: 48. The scene shows the girl entering the house to deliver the letter, and suspense is created in the room where the intended letter was to be delivered. The scene is short and happens within a brief period.
Repeated note piano motive
The clip has incorporated the use of repeated notes. From 1:03 to 1:19, the repeated notes have been utilized in the film. While playing the piano, repeated notes are accomplished by the continuous dropping of the hand on the piano. As used in the clip, the repeated note piano motive is meant to establish hooks in the film. It has also been used to create suspense where the girl runs to deliver the letter as she disappears into the forest. Using repeated notes at the same time changes emotion as the film transitions from one scene to another. The technique captivates the viewers and leads to changed expectations about events. The technique can also be associated with desirable sounds which the viewers may find pleasant to listen. It also allows viewers to relate to that particular scene, thus allowing easy recall of particular scenes such as in the selected clip.
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