Main Trends in Births and Deaths in the United Kingdom Essay Example for Free

Main Trends in Births and Deaths in the United Kingdom Essay The birth rate of a country refers to the number of live births per thousand of the population per year. The general trend for the UK is that there has been a decline in the birth rate since 1900 however there have been fluctuations in the rate due e.g. After World War 1 2 and in the 1960s. Sociologists believe this is because of four major factors: changes in gender roles, falling infant mortality, children being seen as an economic burden and our society becoming more child centred. A main part of the decline can be explained in terms of women simply choosing to have fewer children. As the position of women in society has changed overtime, they have chosen to delay childbearing and to limit the number of children they are having because of several factors. Women now have equality with men because of the Equality Act 2010 as well as receiving increased educational and employment opportunities. Other ways in which women’s position has changed is that there is now easier access to divorce, contraception and abortion meaning that they can avoid unwanted pregnancy so have full choice over when they have a child. Beck and Back-Gernsheim(1995) said that the changes in the birth and fertility rate are due to individualisation meaning that people have more choice to follow their own norms and values as well as making their own decisions, rather the following what society deems acceptable. Also the falling infant mortality rate (number of children dying before their first birthday per thousand of live births) has fallen dramatically as a result of factors such as better living standards, improved hygiene and sanitation, improvements to healthcare and the developments made to the welfare state. Geographers explain that these circumstances lead to a demographic revolution in which birth and fertility fall because women no longer feel they need to have a large number of childre n to protect against the risk of infant mortality. It is clear that the attitudes towards children have changed and society in general has become more child-centred, meaning that we are now more concerned about the welfare of children than in the past. The social norms about childcare have changed significantly and the time and costs involved in raising children have significantly increased, therefore making a large family economically unattractive. In the early 19th century children were often seen as an economic asset because they were able to work and contribute towards the family income at a relatively young age however nowadays legislation has  banned children from working and has also increased the time that children have to stay in education for..Because of this, children are financially dependent on their parents for longer so are seen more as an economic burden rather than an asset. As well as this, due to the improvement of the welfare provision for the elderly, parents no longer need to worry as much about having large a mounts of children to look after them once they are elderly. Since people are now having fewer children, the dependency ratio, along with the birth rate has decreased meaning that there are fewer dependents within the population leading to less childcare and school services needed. Although there has been a decline in the birth rate, the amount of deaths occurring in the UK remains steady and the death rate is decreasing because of the growing population since 1900. The death rate refers to the number of people dying per thousand of the population per year. The average life expectancy is now around 78 years for men and 82 years for women whereas in 1900 it was 45 years for men and 48 for women. This tells us that people are staying healthier for longer and this is because of a number of factors including: improved nutrition and living standards, developments in medicine and improved government provisions of welfare and health. It has been said that over half the decline is the death rate is due to the decrease of infectious diseases and McKeow n(1972) argues that most of the fall in the death rate took place before immunisation and was based mainly on good nutrition and hygiene. Studies by Rowntree and others (1899, 1950) found a rapid decline in absolute poverty meaning that people have better living standards which have allowed significant improvements to diet that help increase resistance to some infectious diseases Medical knowledge has improved dramatically since 1900 because of the establishment of the NHS in 1949 as well as a better knowledge of antibiotics, surgery, treatment and immunisation which have helped decrease the death rate. The government also continues to make provisions for those who need it e.g. EMA, careers allowance, working class credits which allow people to have a better quality of life. After the Beveridge Report of 1944, the range of welfare provisions available has expanded and become more universally available. It provided protection against risk factors such as old age through pensions, and low income through housing benefits, unemployment benefit and the benefit now called income support. There are many of other factors involved in the  decrease of the death rate including that there are a lot less dangerous occupations available to people e.g. mining and factory working as well as having higher incomes meaning that people are able to afford better foods and medicines which contribute to the health and wellbeing of individuals. It is evident that even as the population of the UK increases, the death rate and birth rate are both decreasing. These are both because of a number of factors however the most important for both seem to be the improvement of medical knowledge and practices which stop people from becoming ill and include important things such as medicines, contraception and support services for those who become pregnant or suffer with diseases.

Principles of Management in McDonalds

Principles of Management in McDonalds McDonalds is the largest and most well known global foodservice retailer, which was founded in 1955 by Ray Kroc; head quarter in Oak Brook, Illinois, US. McDonalds has more than 32.000 restaurants (19% operated by the Company and 81% of restaurants operated by franchised restaurants) in 117 countries, serving more than 60 millions people each day (McDonalds, 2009). Recently, many of Vietnamese people still think that fast food services are small business that are not worth to do business. After studying McDonalds, my point of views about fast food industry have been changed considerably. Serving fast foods only, McDonalds receives annually almost 23 billions USD, that is equal about 27% of GDP or 71% total revenues of all types of services of Vietnam on 2009 (Vietnam General Statistic Office, 2009) and McDonalds ranks 153 biggest companies in the world (Forber, 2010). This study aims to analyze management of the Company in the past few years and strategy in the next decade, which help us to understand the reasons that lead McDonalds to the success. 1. Core business 1.1. The main products and services The products of McDonalds are fast foods of wide range of choices, such as: hamburgers, chicken, french fries, soft drinks, coffee, milkshakes, salads, deserts and breakfast with varies of famous in the world brands (Big Mac, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Filet-O-Fish, Chicken McNuggets, Chicken Selects, Snack Wraps, McFlurry, McCafe) which meet requirement of customers of different ages. McDonalds fast foods have became necessary daily foods for the numbers of people not only in the US but in other countries also. Therefore, McDonalds brand name became so popular, that many investors in the world willing to deal with McDonalds to open restaurant under franchised agreement 1.2. Business generates the most revenue McDonalds revenues mainly come from its own restaurants and from restaurants operated by franchisees. In accordance with the McDonalds Corporation Annual Report 2007, 2008, 2009, revenues of the Company in 2007, 2008 and 2009 are 22.8 billions USD, 23.5 billions USD and 22.75 billions USD respectively. Most of Companys revenues come from the restaurants operated by the Company, which has percentage in 2007, 2008 and 2009 are 73%, 70% and 68% respectively; the rest of revenue are from franchised restaurants. Obviously, the percentage of revenue of Companys operated restaurants has been decreased while percentage of revenue of franchised restaurants increased (McDonalds, 2009). Source: McDonalds Corporation Annual Report 2009 1.3. Business generates the most profit In 2007, 2008 and 2009, consolidated net incomes of Company are 2,395, 4,313 and 4,551 millions respectively. In accordance with McDonalds Corporation annual Report 2009, the most profit of the McDonalds has been generated by franchised restaurants, which in 2007, 2008, 2009 holds about 64%, 65%, 66% of the total profit of the Company respectively. The second place of profit has been generated by restaurants operated by the Company (McDonalds, 2009). Franchised margins Franchised margin dollars represent revenues from franchised restaurants less Companys occupancy costs (rent and depreciation) associated with those sites. Franchised margin dollars increased $254 millions of 4% (7% in constant currencies) in 2009 and $695 millions or 14% (11% in constant currencies) in 2008. The franchising strategy contributed to grow in franchised margin dollars in 2009, 2008 and 2007 (McDonalds, 2009). Company-operated margins Company-operated margin represent sales by Company-operated restaurants less the operating costs of these restaurants. Company-operated margin dollars decreased $101 millions or 3% (increased 3% in constant currencies) in 2008. Company-operated margin dollars were negatively impacted by this transaction in 2008 and 2007 and by the enfranchising strategy in 2009 and 2008 (McDonalds, 2009). Source: McDonalds Corporation Annual Report 2009 1.4. Business will drive growth in the next decade In order to keep sustainable growth in the next decade, for the last few years, McDonalds has differentiated the brand and enhanced efficiency of investment in expansion of restaurants chain in the world, mainly in the type of franchised restaurants. In accordance with McDonalds annual Report 2009 and report of Jim Skinner (2009) To our valued shareholder: To state the obviuos, 2009 was a tumultuous year economically, these strategies will continue drive growth in the next decade. Regarding to the strategy of differentiation of products, due to criticism in the society to McDonalds fast foods as the cause to obesity, McDonalds has launched new lines of products, which contain low fat, low calories or more fruit and vegetable, healthy alternative for the customers, which have been in great success for the last few years with some famous brands, such as: Fremium Fiesta Salad, New mans Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinargrette These types of foods will be developed in the next decade. Regarding to efficiency of investment, McDonalds will concentrate into expansion of restaurants in the world, mainly in the type of franchised restaurant, which have many advantages compare with restaurants operated by Company type. 1.5. How successful would you say this company has been since 2007? Cumulative total shareholder returns from 2007 to 2009 has been increased, higher than average of that of SP 500 index and Dow Jones Industrials (McDonalds, 2009). Net income is increased. Source: McDonalds Corporation Annual Report 2009 At the result of implementation of strategy Plan to Win, income and dividends were increased during period from 2007 to 2009, while revenue has been decreased. The number of restaurants operated by the Company decreased from 6,906 in 2007 to 6,262 in 2009, while franchised restaurants is increased from 24,471 in 2007 to 26,216 in 2009 (McDonalds, 2009) 2. Corporate Responsibility In accordance with the commitment to social responsibility, McDonalds focuses primarily on animal welfare, education, environment, people, quality, safety and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Regarding to the animal welfare, McDonalds recognizes that its responsibility as purchaser of food products includes working with their suppliers to ensure good animal handling practices. Thus, it buys all its beef, fork and poultry products from suppliers who maintain the highest standards and share McDonalds commitment to animal welfare. Regarding to the education, McDonalds mould the future of the society and therefore, is committed to the education of the youths. Thus, they support school-age employees in their reaching of educational goals. Regarding to the people, McDonalds recognizes the importance of the employees, who is driving force to the Companys success. So, McDonalds is committed to creating an environment that value and respects their employees, recognizes and rewards their performance, as well as providing them with meaningful growth opportunities. Regarding to the quality and safety, McDonalds has set strictly enforcing high-quality and safety standards often exceeding those standards established by industry and governments, quality and safety are the most important items on McDonalds menu of success, because they give customer confidence to McDonalds. Regarding to the Ronald McDonalds House Charity (RMHC), McDonalds supports RMHC by providing free goods and services, covering 100 percent of management and general costs for RMHCs global office. Therein, RMHC works to improve the health and well-being of children by awarding grants to organizations and supporting 206 RMHC worldwide. Recently, McDonalds has many CSR initiatives; and these seem to focus mainly on the areas in which they ware accused. For example, on allegations of rainforest deforestation, McDonalds response was CSR initiatives in the field of environment. Where they were being accused of bad working conditions, they responded that McDonalds has been a leader in setting and strictly enforcing high-quality and safety standards often exceeding those standards established by industry and governments and contributing to this cause. Fortune Magazine has even ranked McDonalds as one of the most admired socially responsible company. 3. Crisis management McDonalds manages to overcome the crisis occurred for the last few years, such as: CSR case (McLibel trial) and economical crisis from 2008-2009. From the case McLibel In the middle of 1980s London Greenpeace began a campaign focusing on McDonalds as a high profile organization, symbolizing everything they considered wrong with prevailing corporate mentality. In 1986 London Greenpeace produced a 6-sided fact sheet called Whats wrong With McDonalds? Everything they dont want you to know, which accused McDonalds of exploiting children with advertising, promoting an unhealthy diet, exploiting their staff and being responsible for environmental damage and ill treatment of animals. In 1990, McDonalds served libel writs against the five activists who came up with the Whats wrong With McDonalds leaflet. Three of the five activists took the former suggestion, while Dave and Helen chose the former. On 28th June 1994, the McLibel trial began and the verdict was announced on 19th June 1997 in favour of McDonalds, which stated that Helen and Dave had not proved the allegations against McDonalds on rainforest deforestation, heart disease and cancer, food poison ing, starvation in the Third world and bad working conditions. However, they had proved that McDonalds exploited children with their advertising, falsely advise their food as nutritious, risk the health of their most popular, long term customers, are culpabably responsible for cruelty to animals, are strongly antipathetic to unions and pay their workers low wages. Justice Bell ruled that Helen and Dave had libelled McDonalds, but because they had proven many of allegation true, they would only pay half of the claimed damages, that was à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¤60.000. However, both Dave and Helens litigation fee and the damages had to pay were donated by the public. Recently, McDonalds has many CSR initiatives; and these seem to focus mainly on the areas in which they ware accused, such as through animal welfare, education, environment, people, quality and safety and Ronald McDonalds House Charity (RMHC), McDonalds has tried to do a lot of good to the community. Economical crisis from 2008-2009 During economic crisis from 2008-2009, the prices on energy, foods and commodities were high, financial market was frozen, rate of GDP of almost countries were low, high rate of unemployment, many companies in fast-food industry suffered loses, such as income have been turned down. However, during this period, McDonalds took necessary measure to stabilize the business, on this, keep relationship with the suppliers to ensure the continuous supply of necessary ingredients for its foods at the reasonable price. Therefore, the prices on foods were stable, revenue was increased, income growled up. In fact, McDonalds net income in 2008 were 4,313 billions and was 4551 billions in 2009. 4. Strategy What markets has it forced on? Over the past few years, McDonalds has focused on the emerging markets, such as China and Russia, where the rate of growth has been highest in the world, even in the time of economic downturn during 2008-2009, the revenue of McDonalds in China increased almost 16% annually, while in the same period, in US and in Europe the rate of growth decreased. Till now, China is the fastest market of McDonalds, where McDonalds operates 1.100 restaurants and plans to increase the number of its restaurants in China to 2.000 by 2013. What are the core strengths? Brand name McDonalds with Golden Arches logo have became the symbol of retail of low cost fast foods among the people, therefore McDonalds products are the first choice of customers in the market of fast foods services. Process management have been established providing business activities efficiency helped secure the quality of products and reduce the cost, which can compete with other fast food companies. Managements staffs, employees of McDonalds are high qualified, quick respond to the changing of the market (products and service innovation, remodelling of restaurants, improvement of technology, management). McDonalds economy scale and bargaining power dominance provide advantages in supplying of raw material (at low costs), that contribute to reduce the price on products lower than competitors. Would you describe the company as innovative? McDonalds is a innovative company because of the following activities: + From 1973, McDonalds was the first company in the world to provide customers with nutrition about the products its offers. + In order to meet requirement of customers to avoid obesity, McDonalds created new line of low fat products, in this Salad is one of the successful low fat bands. + In recent years, McDonalds has turned to new line of products, which are innovative and trendy, such as: coffee and beverage products with brand names McGriddle, Snack Wrap, premium coffee (take market share from Starbucks), Strawberry-banana and Wild berry (take market share from the fruity beverage sector). 5. Vision, Goals and how does it motivate its employees? 5.1. McDonalds mission statement In every stage of development of the Company, the mission of the Company has been changed to meet new goal and adapt trend of the market, and at present, McDonalds brand mission is to be our customers favourite place and way to eat. To implement the mission, Company has reinvented global strategy which called the Plan to Win, which identifies five core drivers that are: people, products, place, price and promotion. 5.2. What are its goals? As stated Jim Skimmer, Vice Chairman and CEO in annual report in 2009, the goals of the Company are improving the overall experience for customers of the Company. In accordance with report of Andy McKenna, Chairman in annual report in 2009, the goal of the Company are elevation of industry leadership of the Company, enhancing long term profitable growth, providing relevant offerings and supporting balanced lifestyles all contribute to the Companys continued success. 5.3. How does it motivate its employees? McDonalds recognizes the importance of the employees, who is driving force to the Companys success. Therefore, McDonalds has taken necessary measures, such as: create good conditions for working, living, studying and promotion. For example, September 2006, McDonalds Europe introduced the McPassport program, designed to help employees move and work in other McDonalds restaurants across Europe with relative ease. McDonalds Singapores vision, Every crew member can be a manager. McDonalds offers a unique training opportunity through the McDonalds University Accredited Programme. McDonalds builds a caring, warm community for employees, offers a variety of programs that franchised and company-operated restaurant employees can participate in to grow and develop, both personally and professionally. Healthcare options for McDonalds restaurant employees. 6. Would you like to work for this company and why? Studying McDonalds I would like to work for McDonalds for the following reasons: McDonalds is a qualified company managed by intellectual management teams, which has continuous developed with high rate and high profits. Therefore, McDonalds will secure the job for the long term. McDonalds encourages people to work creative. McDonalds provides good working conditions, social benefits, having a chance to education and of promotion.   The company follow CSR initiatives. 7. Summary McDonalds, with limited of fast-food menu, has served 60 million in almost 120 countries in the world every day and became the biggest company in the food industry and a one of 200 biggest companies in the world. The success of the McDonalds has shown the sample of efficiency management of MacDonalds Board of Management and Directory, which are: strategy in motivation of people, innovation of product, CSR initiatives, creation in management. Although in its history of foundation and development, there were difficulties, but McDonalds has overcame and adjusted these in time contributed in its development. At present, McDonalds still faces many difficulties, such as there are different campaign against McDonalds in advertising towards to children, or accuse its products effect obesity, but I think McDonalds will take necessary measures to overcame this difficulties.

The Current Trends In Hotel Industry Tourism Essay

The Current Trends In Hotel Industry Tourism Essay In  economics, a  service  is an  intangible  commodity. More specifically, services are an intangible equivalent of  economic goods. It sets a onetime benefit; delivered from the accountable service provider, mostly in close coactions with his internal and external service suppliers, effectuated by distinct functions of technical systems and by distinct activities of individuals, respectively, commissioned according to the needs of his service consumers by the service customer from the accountable service provider, rendered individually to an authorized service consumer at his/her dedicated trigger, and, finally, consumed and utilized by the triggering service consumer for executing his/her upcoming business activity or private activity. The nature of the service, strategies for improvement, and understand the customers perception of having that is very popular among researchers over the past two decades (for examples, leonard and sasser, 1982; lockwood, 1996; johns and lee-ross, 1998). Increases the other hand, the growing economic importance of the service sector in many countries has been in quality initiatives including guided centrally based European Foundation for Quality Management. Many hospitality, tourism organization have taken this challenge focuses on customer orientation employee performance in the interface, the recognition of the centrality of meeting service By this definition, customer / employee interviews have the potential for conflicts. In a service context that feeling cannot be met exactly, but it provides a cautionary note for Service Manager, because the customers perception of product quality connection often depends on the interaction between customers and employees. The History of Hotels: From Economic To Extravagant http://www.searchandgo.com/travel/hotels-history.php The hotel has a very long history, but not as we know it today, back in the 6th Century began to develop BC, when the first inn in and around the city of London. The first match for travelers, offering them a simple roof to stay. This condition of the hotel was long before the industrial revolution in England, the new ideas and developments made à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹in the field to keep the inn. The invention of the steam engine to travel even more important. Who had more and more people are traveling not only for business but also for the sake of recreation. This will lead to the actual development of the hotel industry, as we know it today. Hotel today not only provide the basic needs of customers, such as food and shelter much more personalized services such as hotels, etc. are now a home away from home. Evidence of the hotels and restaurants has as far back as biblical times, when Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem collected during the census. As shown in the Bible, Mary and Joseph were refused accommodations because it. No room in the inn Since the dawn of time, people have traveled for trade, religion, family, health, immigration, education and recreation. Such as Texas Tech University, cited the word hospitality from the Latin root meaning host or hospice. The University has also noted that the first hotels were only private homes open to the public. Most unfortunately had a bad reputation. Under the influence of the Roman Empire and breakfast and hotels catering to the delight of travelers began in an effort to encourage visitors. The first hostel in America was recorded in 1607 and paves the way for many other firsts in the hospitality industry. The first hotel of the public (City Hotel), owned in New York opened in 1792. The first modern (Tremont) opened in Boston in 1809 and the hotel first opened (Buffalo Statler) in 1908. Current trends in hotel industry Hospitality Industry continued to change, which has made it more practical and functional in the world! The types of services and facilities that are offered by the great industry and has emerged from the past decade. All this is possible because of the widespread use of technology, environment friendly services, pricing, market division, regional preferences, etc. The relation of technology and hospitality industry will grow stronger in the years to come. The use of technology is present in all departments of the hotel, the upgrade reflects the motion of the hotel services. http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/leisure-travel/20120419117728.htm Keeping the entire latest trend in the memory of the hospitality industry, KONEKT V4 application that you would definitely want to explore. This is the application that will help you reach your customers in one click. The main attraction is the dashboard application. Is an unconventional marketing tracker is sensitive facts giving minute to give you the latest campaigns and activities conducted by you. The time, name and number of customers who liked your Facebook page, make your table reservation, you asked for any questions or comments about your application also can track comments on the same page! CRM systems help you to increase the advertising campaigns for events, and you can send informative mailers to customers, after core build your brand. It is a system that works on all digital platforms and databases also you can get more for clients achieve your Hotel, Restaurant and Resorts. It is the only system to integrate the old with the new database, so that you can get, its data in a single view. It works perfectly with the iPhone and iPad systems. It is built in a way that let you miss any opinion or report, even when youre away! Travelers increasingly will turn to their mobile devices not only research accommodation and travel options, but to book and communicate directly with the hotel options. Booking mobile channel has been multiplied by four between 2008 and 2010 according to Forrester Research. In addition, Google provides the mobile PC that exceed the device the most common internet access by 2013! To smart phones and tablets travel at a rapid pace, it is imperative for hoteliers to use their website for mobile capture potential mobile transactions. Revenue management has changed since the days it was first introduced by the airline industry in 1970 to be a complex science today. Managers always lowering prices to stimulate sales when demand is low and prices have risen during periods of peak demand. Hotels are now able to update prices for all future arrival dates to meet the market demands every day, through the application of advanced market information. TravelClick has reported passenger demand and visualize group bookings a year in advance. In addition, the Smith Travel Research reports that will soon provide information by looking at future bookings, rather than historical figures that. (By Robert A. Rauch, CHA) http://ehotelier.com/hospitality-news/item.php?id=P22373 Gueridon a form of service in restaurants food service to their customers is provided. This type of service includes the preparation of food (mainly salads, main dishes such as beef stroganoff, or desserts) in direct view of the customer, with a round table. A table usually consists of a trolley equipped for cooking, preparing and serving food. There is a gas stove, cutting board, cutlery drawer, cold room (depending on the type of carriage) region and for general working capital. Dishes such as these are generally Crepes Suzette, Caesar Salad, Cherries Jubilee, and banana flambà © steak tartar Read more:  http://www.cooksinfo.com/gueridon-service#ixzz2Dq1Y1MxT FUTURE Trends of hotel industry The hotel industry is in the midst of a transformation that affects virtually all aspects of the industry and its stakeholders. Essences the transformation of the hotel industry is changing its approach to concentrate more focused on the customer and brand insentive. Product and support services are developed around the perceived needs and desires of the customer for customer satisfaction. In the future, the focus will be customer focused to a level that transcends medical examinations. It will focus on the emotional and psychological needs and wants more precisely defined target audience. Hotels then use this knowledge to market a wide range of products and services through strong brands to a loyal customer for life. Some ramifications of changes will be made as reserves, trading activities and high taste information will be more automated. There will be a greater personal guest of technology accurate and fast service. Services and mobile technologies will be prompted to supply any service in the property. Supports functions such as accounting, human resources, reservations, etc. will be centralized at the place the most profitable worldwide. Medium sized hotels will be taken by brand chain like the Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Ramada, etc. while location will be the priority to choose a hotel by future traveler, brand names will be the next preference. Another aspect of future trends would be fusion of cuisines. The French started this trend with the Nouvelle Cuisine mixing eastern food products with western ones. Fusions restaurant will grow as the new adventurous public will search for new gastronomic experiences. (Intro to Hospitality Tourism   By Sudhir Andrews) http://books.google.co.in/books?id=PrRdc5SI_R4Cpg=PT188dq=future+of+hospitality+industryhl=ensa=Xei=H327UJX5I8LsrAfKg4HgAgved=0CDYQ6AEwAA A  bunkhouse is a youth hostel or barracks-like building that historically was used to cowboys working on ranches in North America. Like most cowboys were young single men, the standard bunkhouse was a large open room with narrow beds or cots for each individual and little privacy. The bunkhouse of the late 19th century was generally heated by a wood stove and personal needs were attended to in an outbuilding. A capsule hotel is a type of hotel, developed in Japan, which is a large number of very small rooms (capsules) cheap and easy accommodation for guests who do not require offers the services of more conventional hotel services offered. A condo hotel, also known as the hotel-condo or a Condotel, is a building used as a hotel and two condominium. Condo hotels are usually high-rise buildings developed and operated as luxury hotels in major cities and resorts in general. These residential units which allow someone to have a holiday full service. If they do not use this home can be used to ensure that the marketing and management of the hotel chain and manage the condo unit than any other hotel room is. An  ice hotel  is a temporary  hotel  made up of  snow, sculpted blocks of  ice, and, in some cases, some steel framing. They are promoted by their sponsors and have special features for travelers who are interested in novelties and unusual environments, and thus are in the class of  destination hotels. Their lobbies are often filled with  ice sculptures, and food and drinks are specially chosen for the circumstances. A pop-up hotel is a hotel that is temporary, being in one place for a short period before being moved. These hotels can be constructed from prefabricated modules that are connected together on site or from removable structures such as tents or they can be completely mobile, being built on a large vehicle. These hotels provide accommodation for seasonal events or unique such as music festivals in the outdoors. A Turbaza is, generally the Soviet era, the Russian form of cheap, spartan, holiday, a visit or a base camp tour. Turbazas are generally rented to groups or companies who rent the entire facility for holiday accommodation Oops for their members or employees. They are gene rally rustic located in rural areas that offer outdoor recreation. Eat, sleep, and often is housed in a large open space and common. A  love hotel  is a type of short-stay hotel found around the world operated primarily for the purpose of allowing couples privacy for  sexual activities. (^  Schreiber, Mark, Back to the future of a hotel for 2001,Japan Times, 16 January 2011, pp. 7-8). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Hotel_types Managers problems In the hotel managers are responsible for all management of human resources, or as appropriate, all managers have the responsibility to understand their human resources. When providing services to our clients, our primary resource is our people, our workers, our employees. Successful hospitality managers must be able to work with people. We need to develop guidance of people in our management approach. As a manager with responsibilities for human resources, your concern is that people of their needs, wants, and desires fit the needs and desires of the hotel company. We define managers as the implementation of strategies, plans and programs to attract, motivate, develop, reward and retain the best people to meet the objectives of the organization. Mike Hurst also emphasizes the role of management changes over management in the past and in conduit. The hospitality is based on the gift of friendship friendly people who care, it has become imperative in a service management concentrate on the benefits to the people and his style. The managers of today have earned a place of respect for their contribution to organizational value. The contemporary role of managers with the human resources responsibilities is a critical one to any hospitality organization. Most of the people spends more than one-third of their waking hours at their jobs, and as a manager you will make the decision that affects and influence the lives, dreams, goals and ambitions of these individual and their families. Manager in the hospitality industry participate in strategic planning sessions, understand financial documents relating to the work and the bottom line. Many managers in the host organization is part of the management team. The managers role is more important than ever before in the hospitality industry. It is up to us to keep management informed of what their needs and desires of people to be productive, and to be faithful. There are some things that came into consideration to keep them loyal; management should recognize the importance of balancing work and personal life. An opportunity to grow within the organization. A better explanation of employee benefit. A feeling that their coworker have the necessary skills to do their jobs. (Mary L. Tanke, march 2000) http://books.google.co.in/books?id=1PcrHgw-FO0Cpg=PA4dq=problems+faced+by+managers+in+hospitality+industryhl=ensa=Xei=hDK6UM_TIcrWrQfDqYDQDQved=0CDYQ6AEwAA#v=onepageq=problems%20faced%20by%20managers%20in%20hospitality%20industryf=true The globalization of labor and continuing advances in technology are changing the way the labor market. Knowledge workers are known for their special properties. These are people who analyze, synthesize and evaluate information to solve different problems. Knowledge workers actually use their intelligence, ideas, products, services and processes to implement. Your most important asset of an organization is its ability to collect and analyze data and make decisions that benefit company (Jyothi, 2010), (Bohlander G. a., 2009) Technology has had a positive effect on the internal processes of an organization, but also changed the way the work of the HR staff. Some managers in the hospitality industry will see the application of technologies to operational issues as a problem. It is true that technological systems used in the bar, front office, restaurants, etc. much more advanced and complex than those currently available only for a short time, continue to grow, these systems quickly. The approval of the computer and other technologies from all levels of an organization is a major challenge in view of the sponsoring organizations. For example, if the systems are updated and new technologies have made à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹the workers struggle to adapt. It is not a positive attitude towards it. (Bohlander G. a., 2009), (Hayes, 2009) The economic environment is very unpredictable and implementing change processes for each organization to make progress. Globalization and technology are the two main factors that drove the change in todays organizations. Globalization has opened new doors for business opportunities. It has led to many interventions, but also for how reform, reorganization, merger, downsizing, etc., in order to succeed, companies need to make these changes that have taken place with staff to manage the challenges occur. Change Management Sun is working smoothly for the vital organization. To do this, for example, when the new software is installed, which allows you to install the company has knowledge workers refuse to work on it. (Bohlander G. a., 2009) Due to the shortage of workers in the industry and the defection of customers of the quality of service that is affected. If the workload increases the performance of the employee moves. By too much work pressure, reduces the employees performance and, in turn, affects the quality of service. It is very important to overcome the various challenges faced by the organization to success. Company is now a day to develop the human resource function, because the meaning of HRM have been seen in the highly competitive market that exists today. In todays world of increased competition in the local and global. To succeed, businesses become stronger, more flexible and customer-oriented. Hr after for these changing market trends is adjusted. (Karan, Challenges faced by HR in the hotel industry, 2009). http://www.ukessays.com/essays/management/challenges-faced-by-hr-in-indian-hospitality-industry-management-essay.php Staff turnover is critical for a hotel, especially if you have a high quality hotel as we do. The goal of our hotel is on exceptional customer service that will exceed customer expectations, and therefore, we invest heavily in our people. A high rate of staff turnover has an immediate effect in the hotel industry, particularly in the areas of customer service, and therefore we can not afford to lose a single employee. The rate of staff turnover in the hospitality industry is generally higher than in other sectors. One reason for this is that many of our employees are students to work at the hotel is a first step in a career for them, and as soon as they graduate from the institute, they may consider working in their field of specialization. (Jason C. Cho, 14 June 2011) The hotel industry has a high turnover, which decreases productivity and costs companies time and resources. A number of factors affect the fluctuation in the hotel and one of the reasons is ineffective in recruiting. Identify many hotels and difficult to recruit the right people. Hotel staff need advanced knowledge of beverages, which are difficult to measure for recruiters during the interview. However, recruiters develop recruitment strategies that will identify the best opportunities and recruit the best workers. Do you understand what a candidate looking at the recruitment stage can help the hotel staff turnover. (Rose Johnson, 2008) Read more:http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business_for_business/article/staff-turnover-in-the-hotel-industry-two-realities/438729.html#ixzz2DpWNZeiu The Moscow Times To overcome this staff turnover keep in mind few thing. Which help in reduction on turnover. Understanding why employees leave. All organizations should conduct a confidential face-to-face exit interview with a HR manager (instead of the boss). Benchmark your company against current industry and geographical location. If you work in a restaurant business, you will naturally have a much higher turnover than auditing and consulting firm. Context and location are key. Set clear promotion and development policies that are transparent and fair. If an employee feels they do not progress in their role, and has no control over career development, after a certain time they will begin to look externally for a new position. Develop effective workplace policies and maintain a positive culture. Opened on appeal, bullying and harassment, the employee should be in an environment where employees feel confident to communicate about reporting problems. Investing in people management training for executives. This will enable them to not only support and reward employees effectively, but also t o intervene before small problems or escalating workloads are a reason for leaving.. http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/02/06/2010/333690/How-to-manage-staff-turnover.htm The recruitment process can only be doing well if only the organization understands its requirements. The candidates should be selected according to the requirements of the organization. Different strategies are required for focusing on hiring high performers and average performers. The strategy has to be clear about the amount of experience they require. It can range from an experienced senior professional to a new fresher. It should also describe as in from which industry they require the employee. That is from the same industry, different industry, employed or unemployed professionals.

Huntingtons Disease Essay example -- Disease/Disorders

Huntington’s disease is a degenerative neurological disorder affecting movement, cognition, and emotional state (Schoenstadt). There are two forms of Huntington’s disease (Sheth). The most common is adult-onset Huntington’s disease, with persons usually developing symptoms in their middle 30s and 40s (Sheth). There is an early onset form of Huntington’s disease, beginning in childhood or adolescence, and makes up a small percentage of the Huntington’s population (Sheth). Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder with a short history, a plethora of symptoms, and devastating consequences, with no current cure in sight. Cases of Huntington’s disease date back to the early seventeenth century, but those records are basic, with no convincing descriptions (Folstein). George Huntington’s paper was the best and first to describe Huntington’s disease, which was presented at a meeting of â€Å"Meigs and Mason Academy of Medicine at Middleport, Ohio, in 1872,† (Folstein). Shortly after 1900, papers on Huntington’s disease gradually began appearing in case reports and psychiatric literature (Folstein). In 1936, Huntington’s disease appeared twice in two different letters to an editor about eugenics, which is defined as â€Å"improving the species by regulating human reproduction,† (Bakalar). These letters named Huntington's disease as one of five diseases that should be considered for voluntary sterilization (Bakalar). In 1967, the first symposium devoted to Huntington’s disease was held inside of a larger conference on neurogenetics in 1967 (Folstein). By 1968, George Willem Bruyn had published the first complete review of all of the Huntington’s disease literature that had been published up until that point in time (Folstein). In normal circumstan... ...ml?res=9E06EFDF123FF93BA35751C1A96F9C8B63#> Folstein, Susan E. Huntington’s Disease. Baltimore: The John’s Hopkins University Press, 1989. Print. 3 April 2012. Genetic Science Learning Center. "Huntington's Disease." Learn. Genetics. Web. 23 March 2012. Miller, Marsha L. â€Å"HD Research – Past and Future.† Huntington’s Disease Society of America. 2011. Web. 23 March 2012. Schoenstadt, Arthur M.D. â€Å"Huntington’s Disease Statistics.† eMedTV. Last reviewed 30 November, 2006. Web. 25 April 2012. Sheth, Kevin. â€Å"Huntington’s disease.† PubMed Health. Last reviewed 30 April 2011. Web. 20 March 2012.

The Meaning Of Life Through The Eyes Of Ivan Denisovich Essay example -

What is the meaning of life? This is one of the most frequently asked questions by all of humanity since the beginning of time. It is a question naturally asked by people because they have the ability to make choices about life. The question would appear to be difficult to answer and different for every individual depending on their circumstances. It is the ultimate search for truth and purpose in life, although the meaning of life is believed to be an idea that expresses their true purpose within life. These expressions can be defined within a given proximity in accordance with their current lifestyles. Ivan Denisovich ¡Ã‚ ¯s lifestyle differs from all aspects of a normal life, for his was depicted within a Siberian work camp in the Soviet Union. Within this camp all that mattered was the amount of food rations attained and the will to live the best he could. Although he was well aware of how things function in the camp, he learned when to work hard and when to take it easy, defi ning his acute character. The meaning in life through the eyes of Ivan Denisovich was to live a life of integrity and honesty, utilizing an optimistic attitude in all situations, while maintaining his upholding status. Ivan Denisovich is an old-timer in the prison camp and although he does odd jobs here and there to earn food or favors, he maintains a level of personal integrity. Integrity and honesty can be defined as the quality or state of being unimpaired or of being honest, refraining from lying, cheating, or stealing; being truthful, trustworthy, and upright. Ivan ¡Ã‚ ¯s honesty and integrity have been illustrated in many events that assure his own personal morals to live a life worthy of his own actions. He exemplifies these honorable morals in his actions throughout the entire day, which consisted of pitiful meals and harsh working conditions. He demonstrated his strict morality while eating dinner in the mess hall.  ¡Ã‚ °Yet, this old man is unlike all the other zeks. He sits upright and brings his spoon up to his lips. He does not put his bread on the dirty table, but on his clean rag. Somehow, even through countless years of prison life, he has maintained a sense of dignity. ¡Ã‚ ± He manifests his acute morals in all situations regardless of the status in which he is situated. He stands out, even though he is no different from any other, for many were wrongfully imprisoned for actions ... ...e been illustrated in many events that assure his own personal morals to live a life worthy of his own actions.  ¡Ã‚ °Somehow, even through countless years of prison life, he has maintained a sense of dignity. ¡Ã‚ ± Shukov demonstrated his integrity by attaining trust among the prisoners, a trust gained only from his previous engagements of sincere and honest deeds. Ivan ¡Ã‚ ¯s optimistic attitude motivated the others around him to perform the given tasks with a can do attitude. To a man, ones aspect of life can aspire a man to perform a great deed with a positive attitude, which Ivan had accomplished within the power plant. Ivan Denisovich ¡Ã‚ ¯s heart found sympathy for those who had suffered without a just cause for survival allowing him to remain sane throughout his sentence. His sanity was part of his meaning in life as his main goal was to live a life the best he could, and to maintain that life it was necessary for him to remain sane. Therefore the meaning in life through he eyes of Ivan Denisovich was to live a life of honesty and integrity with an optimistic attitude, allowing himself to sustain his own stature within his society while serving out his sentence as a prisoner of Communism.

Services Marketing Integrating Customer Focus Across the Firm

services marketing integrating customer focus across the firmChapter 01 Introduction to Services Multiple Choice Questions 1. (p. 4)  In the simplest terms, _____ are deeds, processes and performances. A. Attributes B. Experiences C. Services D. Goods E. Benefits Difficulty: Easy 2. (p. 4)  The maintenance contract offered by Sears on its Kenmore refrigerators, dishwashers and microwaves is an example of a(n) _______. A. Service B. Experience C. Attribute D. Good E. Benefit Difficulty: Easy 3. (p. 4)  When Heather goes to the local gym, she has a personal trainer who helps make sure she is using the equipment correctly.The personal trainer is an example of a(n):   A. Service B. Experience C. Attribute D. Good E. Benefit Difficulty: Easy 4. (p. 4)  Many people when they go on vacation are choosing to leave their dogs in posh pet resorts that offer a variety of activities for the dogs, such as swimming pool frolics, nature walks and hayrides. Dog owners are paying $17 per nig ht for basic boarding at the pet resorts and up to an additional $20 for the other activities, which would be collectively classified as:   A. Goods B. Values C. Services D. Satisficers E. Attributes Difficulty: Easy 5. (p. )  _____ is a key determinant of whether a product offering should be classified as a product or a service. A. Physicality B. Audience passivity C. Tangibility D. Perception E. Abstraction Difficulty: Easy 6. (p. 4)  Which of the following is an intangible component of a car repair shop? A. Replacement parts B. Employee uniforms C. Barrel for storing recyclable motor oil D. The training the mechanic has received E. Customer waiting area Difficulty: Easy 7. (p. 4)  Which of the following is an example of a tangible component provided by a hotel? A. Wake-up call B. Guest rooms C. Room service D. Express check-out E.Guaranteed reservations Difficulty: Easy 8. (p. 3, 11)  Which of the following is NOT an example of a service business? A. Amusement park B. H otel C. Bank D. Department store E. Soft drink bottler Difficulty: Easy 9. (p. 17)  Extron Electronics makes coaxial cables for connecting computers to all types of peripheral devices like printers, modems and fax machines. For the benefit of its customers, Extron provides a laminated card with pictures of all the possible cable connections that a customer could need. With this card, a customer can order from one to any number of connectors with as many feet of cable as is needed.Orders can be placed using a toll-free number, a fax number or an e-mail address. Company reps are also available 24-hours a day in case the customer is not sure which drawing on the card matches his or her needs. Orders are shipped within 48-hours of receipt. If a customer is not completely satisfied with his or her order, Extron has a 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed return policy. Which of the following trends that has influenced the development of services marketing concepts and strategies as illus trated by Extron's focus on customer service? A. The increasing importance of service industries to the U.S. and world economies B. The increase of government regulation of service industries C. The growth in information-based technology D. Increased competition in professional services E. Manufacturing firms are placing increased emphasis on providing services Difficulty: Moderate 10. (p. 7)  Which of the following trends has directly influenced the development of services marketing concepts and strategies? A. The decreasing importance of service industries to the U. S. and world economies B. The growth in information-based technology C. Decreased competition in professional services D.The fact that manufacturing firms are placing increased emphasis on providing services E. None of the above Difficulty: Moderate 11. (p. 8)  On his way to work today, Terry saw a billboard for a physician's group that specialized in vascular surgery. In his local newspaper there was a full-page a d for a medical clinic that performed similar surgery. Then in his mail, he got a brochure from yet another medical clinic asking him if he wanted to get rid of ugly varicose veins. Which trend that influenced the development of services marketing concepts and strategies is illustrated here?A. The increasing importance of service industries to the U. S. and world economies B. The increase of government regulation of professional service industries C. The growth in database marketing D. Increased competition in professional services E. Professional firms are placing increased emphasis on providing services Difficulty: Easy 12. (p. 10)  Which of the following statements about services is true? A. A service economy produces services at the expense of other sectors B. Service jobs are low paying and menial C. Service production is labor intensive and low in productivity D.Service is a necessary evil for manufacturing firms E. The skills needed for managing services differ from those u sed for managing manufacturing businesses Difficulty: Easy 13. (p. 14)  Without good mailing lists, businesses cannot engage in effective direct-marketing advertising. On average 20 percent of the U. S. population moves annually. Return Path is a company that provides changes of addresses to businesses. It takes a business's mailing list, compares it to address changes that it gathers daily in its database and makes any necessary corrections.Return Path is a part of which trend in the services marketing industry? A. The increasing importance of service industries to the U. S. and world economies B. The decrease of human interaction as a result of widespread use of technology-based services C. The growth in the use of technology-based services D. Increased competition in the direct-mail industry E. The fact that direct marketing firms are placing increased emphasis on providing services Difficulty: Easy 14. (p. 14)  Garrett and Hugh were having breakfast when they decided they wa nted to have pizza and watch a video that night.Garrett turned on her computer, brought up the site of a local video store and ordered the movie Cold Mountain to be delivered to her doorstep at 7 p. m. Next she logged on to her favorite pizza restaurant's Web site and ordered a large pepperoni pizza and a bottle of her favorite soda to be delivered at 6:45 p. m. Garrett and Hugh enjoyed their evening. The next morning the video store had someone pick up their tape at Hugh's office. Which trend that influenced the development of services marketing is illustrated here? A. The increasing importance of service industries to the U. S. nd world economies B. The decrease of human interaction as a result of widespread use of technology-based services C. The growth in the use of technology-based services D. Increased competition in the entertainment industry E. The fact that manufacturing firms are placing increased emphasis on providing services Difficulty: Easy 15. (p. 30)  Which of the following statements has been suggested as a plausible explanation for the customer perception that service quality is declining? A. Technology-based services, which are superior to human-based services, are not being implemented enough B.Services are leveling the playing field and consistently trying to offer the same level of service to every customer C. Companies are decreasing their reliance on self-service and increasing the use of human interaction in the performance of services D. Customer expectations are higher because of the excellent service they receive from some companies E. Even though it is Easy to provide consistent, high-quality service, many companies do not want to do it Difficulty: Moderate 16. (p. 30)  Which of the following statements has been suggested as a plausible explanation for the customer perception that service quality is declining?A. Increasing use of technology is perceived by many customers as less service because there is no human interaction B. Companies provide unclear tactics for customers to follow when dealing with service providers C. Delivering consistent, high-quality service becomes routine D. Customers have no concept of what conditions produce to quality service E. Too many talented employees are left mired in front-end jobs that do not challenge them Difficulty: Moderate 17. (p. 15)  Which of the following statements about how technology has positively influenced service is true? A.Technology provides vehicles for delivering existing services in more accessible, convenient, productive ways B. Technology facilitates basic customer service functions C. Technology facilitates transactions by offering a direct vehicle for making purchases D. Technology provides an Easy way for customers to learn and do research about products and companies E. All of the above statements about how technology has influenced service are true Difficulty: Easy 18. (p. 14)  Which of the following statements describes how consumers and employees are responding to technology-based services? A.Services can readily calm fears that privacy may be sacrificed if technology is used B. An infusion of technology can lead to an increase in human interaction C. The payback for investments in technology is a certainty D. Employees are often reluctant to integrate technology into their work lives E. All of the above statements describe how consumers and employees are responding to technology-based services Difficulty: Easy 19. (p. 20)  The most basic and universally cited, difference between goods and services is:   A. Heterogeneity B. Perishability C. Intangibility D. Comparability E. DivisibilityDifficulty: Easy 20. (p. 20)  The characteristic of a service that means that it cannot be seen, felt, tasted or touched is:   A. Intangibility B. Heterogeneity C. Divisibility D. Perishability E. Compatibility Difficulty: Easy 21. (p. 20)  On a recent visit to The Home Depot store, a sales associate greeted Gigi when she entered the store, helped her locate the items she needed to repair her gutters and suggested how she could prevent gutter problems in the future. The assistance provided by the sales associate illustrates the ______ of services. A. Intangibility B. Comparability C. Divisibility D. PerishabilityE. Compatibility Difficulty: Easy 22. (p. 20)  In India weddings are timed to occur when Venus is in the ascendant and Jupiter is strong. This day is deemed lucky. In 2005, almost 15, 000 couples in New Delhi had their wedding on December 25, the day astrologers announced would be the best day for a wedding. The service provided by the astrologers is an excellent illustration of the _____ of services. A. Intangibility B. Comparability C. Divisibility D. Perishability E. Compatibility Difficulty: Easy 23. (p. 20)  Last November, Andrew and Jana went to talk to a wedding consultant about planning their June wedding.The consultant congratulated them on thinking ahead and then began to ask th em questions about what kind of wedding they wanted. She gave them a book that contained all the information they needed to plan a memorable wedding. They met with the consultant regularly to talk about how the plans were coming and made more decisions with her help. The consultant helped them with everything from invitations to wedding reception favors. She even went with Jana to select her wedding gown and her bridesmaids' gowns. The sort of assistance provided by the wedding consultant illustrates the _____ of services. A. IntangibilityB. Comparability C. Divisibility D. Perishability E. Compatibility Difficulty: Easy 24. (p. 21)  Which of the following statements describes a marketing implication that results from the intangibility of services? A. Customers participate in and affect the transaction B. Service quality depends on many uncontrollable factors C. Services can be readily communicated D. There is no sure knowledge that the service delivered matches what was planned a nd promoted E. Services cannot be inventoried Difficulty: Easy 25. (p. 21)  The characteristic of a service that refers to differences in employees' performances is:   A.Intangibility B. Heterogeneity C. Divisibility D. Perishability E. Simultaneous production and consumption Difficulty: Easy 26. (p. 21)  The first time Terry brought his car to Auto Lube to have the oil changed he was very satisfied with the service. The service manager consulted him several times while his car was being serviced, asked him if there were any problems with the car, recommended when additional services should be performed and answered questions directly and politely. However, when Terry went back to Auto Lube after three months to have his oil changed again, he was not satisfied with the service.The manager spoke to him only when he arrived and when he paid his bill. In addition, the manager was impatient and unfriendly during the interaction. Terry's experience at Auto Lube illustrates the ____ _ of services. A. Intangibility B. Heterogeneity C. Simultaneous production and consumption D. Perishability E. Divisibility Difficulty: Easy 27. (p. 21)  The first time Alexis went to take golf lessons, she had a golf pro who was very patient with her and who was able to pinpoint what she was doing wrong without making her feel uncoordinated. Her second golf lesson was not nearly as helpful.The golf pro who gave the lesson wanted Alexis to watch what he was doing and imitate his swing. He was unable to verbalize his instructions. Alexis's experience with the two golf instructors illustrates the _____ of service. A. Intangibility B. Heterogeneity C. Simultaneous production and consumption D. Perishability E. Divisibility Difficulty: Easy 28. (p. 21)  Two roommates both registered for an introduction to business class. At midterm, one roommate found his instructor so boring that he was thinking of changing his major to history. The other roommate had a charismatic teacher and loo ked forward to going to class.This heterogeneity of instruction demonstrates:   A. How difficult it is to synchronize supply and demand with service B. That customer service depends on employee actions C. How customers affect each other D. The fact services cannot be readily communicated or displayed E. Why services cannot be inventoried Difficulty: Easy 29. (p. 21)  Weddings have always been lavish in India. Vandana Mohan is New Delhi's most successful wedding planner. The average New Delhi middle-class wedding in 2005 cost $20,000 with one recent wedding costing more than $10 million.Because budgets vary as do the desires to show off one's ability to engage in conspicuous consumption, Vandana Mohan sometimes finds it difficult to maintain his reputation for lavish and beautiful weddings. The problems associated with the planning of weddings illustrate the _____ characteristic of services. A. Versatility B. Heterogeneity C. Simultaneous production and consumption D. Perishabili ty E. Intangibility Difficulty: Easy 30. (p. 21)  Parents everywhere are very busy and often cannot spend time with their children.In the Netherlands, children who want a bedtime story can call the telephone service and request to listen to one of twenty prerecorded fairy tales. The phone company charges $7 per story. Because of the prerecording of the stories, this bedtime service reduces the problems typically associated with the _____ characteristic of services. A. Versatility B. Heterogeneity C. Simultaneous production and consumption D. Perishability E. Intangibility Difficulty: Easy 31. (p. 22)  Which of the following is a marketing implication that results from the heterogeneity of services? A.Services cannot be returned or resold B. Services cannot be patented C. Services cannot be inventoried D. Mass production of services is difficult E. All of the above are marketing implications resulting from the heterogeneity of services Difficulty: Easy 32. (p. 22)  Because of t he _____ of services, service producers find themselves playing a role as part of the product itself and an essential ingredient in the service experience for the consumer. A. Comparability B. Intangibility C. Heterogeneity D. Simultaneous production and consumption E. Perishability Difficulty: Easy 33. (p. 2)  Due to the _____ characteristic of services, customers can affect the transaction and how others perceive the transaction. A. Comparability B. Intangibility C. Heterogeneity D. Simultaneous production and consumption E. Perishability Difficulty: Easy 34. (p. 22)  The Offshore Sailing School in Jersey City, New Jersey offers a basic sailing course, which takes place in three days over two weekends, for $495. Students enrolled in the course attend classroom sessions that cover the theory and technology of sailing and receive hands-on sailing instructions in the water that introduces them to all fundamental sailing kills. Student participation in the Offshore Sailing School' s classroom sessions and hands-on sailing instructions illustrates the _____ characteristic of services. A. Versatility B. Heterogeneity C. Simultaneous production and consumption D. Perishability E. Intangibility Difficulty: Easy 35. (p. 22)  For their wedding anniversary, Beth and Rick wanted to go skydiving. They enrolled in a skydiving class at the local airport at a cost of $260. After a 30-minute training course in which everything that was going to happen to them was carefully explained, Beth and Rick were sent up in an airplane with two skydiving experts.Each was placed in a harness arrangement with one of the experts and did what is called a tandem dive. With a tandem dive, Beth and Rick get to enjoy the experience without having to worry about when to open the parachute. The skydiving expert does that for them. This tandem jump illustrates the _____ characteristic of services. A. Versatility B. Heterogeneity C. Simultaneous production and consumption D. Perishability E. Intangibility Difficulty: Easy 36. (p. 22)  Which of the following statements describes a marketing implication that results from the simultaneous production and consumption of services?A. Services cannot be returned or resold B. Service quality depends on many uncontrollable factors C. Employees affect the service outcome D. Services cannot be readily displayed or communicated E. There is no sure knowledge that the service delivered matches what was planned and promoted Difficulty: Easy 37. (p. 22)  _____ refers to the fact that services cannot be saved, stored, resold or returned. A. Intangibility B. Heterogeneity C. Simultaneous production and consumption D. Perishability E. Incompatibility Difficulty: Easy 38. (p. 2)  In India weddings are timed to occur when the stars and planets are in certain positions, which are deemed lucky. In 2005, almost 15,000 couples in New Delhi had their wedding on December 25, the day astrologers announced would be the best day for a wedding. Wedding planners had to prepare all year for this one date instead of planning lots of weddings throughout the year. The service provided by the Indian wedding planners illustrates the _____ characteristic of services. A. Versatility B. Heterogeneity C. Simultaneous production and consumption D.Perishability E. Intangibility Difficulty: Easy 39. (p. 22)  An attorney who charges a client for a missed appointment is taking into account the _____ characteristic of services. A. Heterogeneity B. Simultaneous production and consumption C. Incomparability D. Perishability E. Intangibility Difficulty: Easy 40. (p. 22)  Bob Wilson owns and operates Flashdance Skating Rink. Last Monday afternoon, he had rented the rink out for a birthday party that was cancelled at the last minute due to a flu epidemic that had sickened three-fourths of the children who were invited.While Wilson kept the deposit, he did not get the skate rental fees or the snack food money he had anticipated from the rent al. Wilson lost money as a result of the _____ characteristic of services. A. Heterogeneity B. Simultaneous production and consumption C. Incomparability D. Perishability E. Intangibility Difficulty: Easy 41. (p. 20)  Which of the following is a marketing implication that results from the perishability of services? A. Service quality depends on many uncontrollable factors B. Employees affect the service outcome C. Synchronizing supply and demand is difficult D. Customers participate and affect the service outcomeE. Service delivery and customer satisfaction depend on employee actions Difficulty: Easy 42. (p. 23)  Which of the following is NOT an element of the traditional marketing mix? A. Production B. Place C. Product D. Price E. Promotion Difficulty: Easy 43. (p. 24)  In addition to the elements of the traditional marketing mix, the expanded mix for services includes:   A. Positioning, personalization and process B. People, physical evidence and process C. Personalization , procurement and people D. Profit, production and psychology E. People, partnerships and positioning Difficulty: Easy 44. (p. 4)  Which of the following is an example of the people element of an airline company's services marketing mix? A. Pilots B. Baggage handlers C. Customers D. Flight attendants E. All of the above Difficulty: Easy 45. (p. 24)  Andreason Removal Company removes asbestos from old houses and buildings. Which of the following is an example of the people element of services marketing mix? A. Federal inspectors who check behind Andreason's employees to make sure the job is done properly B. People in the community where it disposes of the asbestos C. Physicians who have studied the dangers of breathing asbestos D.People who hire the company to remove the asbestos from their property E. Suppliers who provide the uniforms and masks to protect Andreason's employees from the asbestos Difficulty: Easy 46. (p. 24)  When Alicia and Jordan dined at Formia Ristorante, a contemporary Italian restaurant in New Jersey, they both enjoyed Formia's coy, smart and embracing atmosphere. Formia creates this atmosphere with a single large dining room that measures 20 by 60 feet and contains 14 roomy tables. Ceiling fans slowly swirl as candlelight dances across the tables that are attentively cared for by servers.Vertical pink and white florid patterns emerge from old wainscoting. Finally, Formia's two-page menu offers guests a range of pasta, chicken, veal and seafood entrees, in addition to nightly specials that are handwritten and presented on large index cards. Alicia and Jordan experienced the _____ element of Formia Ristorante's services marketing mix. A. Product B. Production C. Process D. Place E. Physical evidence Difficulty: Easy 47. (p. 24)  Ruth recently visited a day care center that is convenient to her work. Ruth is thinking of letting the day care workers care for her infant son while she is at work.The first thing Ruth noticed when she wa lked in the door of the facility was the smell of urine. There was a dead plant in the window. Three babies were crying and no one was paying them any attention. Other children that Ruth could see looked listless. In this example, Ruth experienced the negative side of the _____ element of the day care center's services marketing mix. A. Product B. Production C. Process D. Place E. Physical evidence Difficulty: Easy 48. (p. 24)  Historically, the Japanese have had poor dental care. As part of their beauty regimen, the Japanese do have a habit of lightening and whitening their skin.Teethart has developed â€Å"tooth manicure† salons, which allow Japanese to match their teeth coloration to their skin. Each treatment takes place in a small booth, which contains an ergonomically-designed chair, muted lights and New Age-style music. The walls are painted calming shade of blues and greens. Teethart uses the _____ element of its service to reduce stress associated with dental proce dures. A. Product B. Production C. Process D. Place E. Physical evidence Difficulty: Easy 49. (p. 24)  Historically, the Japanese have had poor dental care.As part of their beauty regimen, the Japanese do have a habit of lightening and whitening their skin. Teethart has developed â€Å"tooth manicure† salons, which allow Japanese to match their teeth coloration to their skin. A personalized whitening mouthpiece is developed for each patient. The mouthpiece is placed around the teeth and a cleaning solution is added. The patient listens to soothing music and sits in a comfortable chair while his or her teeth are whitened. Monthly treatments in this spa-like environment reflect the _____ element of Teethart's service mix. A. Product B. Production C. Process D. Place E. PromotionDifficulty: Easy 50. (p. 24)  Yesterday, Mike went to the dentist for his 6-month check-up. Two weeks before he went to the dentist, he called the office to make an appointment. The day before his ch eck-up, the office's receptionist called him to confirm his appointment. When Mike arrived at the office, he checked in with the receptionist and then waited in the waiting room for 15 minutes, reading a magazine, before being greeted by the dental hygienist, who escorted him to an examination room. The dentist entered the room, greeted Mike, examined Mike's teeth, took a set of x-rays and asked the dental hygienist to clean Mike's teeth.When his teeth were cleaned, the hygienist told Mike he should return in 6 months for another check-up. Mike experienced the _____ element of the dental office's services marketing mix. A. Product B. Personalization C. Process D. Place E. Physical evidence Difficulty: Easy True / False Questions 51. (p. 6)  Corn, bricks and paper clips are three examples of tangible dominant products. TRUE Difficulty: Easy 52. (p. 5)  According to the concept of derived services, the value derived from physical goods is really the service provided by the good, n ot the good itself. TRUE Difficulty: Easy 53. (p. 0)  The development of services marketing concepts has been strongly influenced by professional services like doctors and attorneys. TRUE Difficulty: Easy 54. (p. 12)  Despite the importance of services and the bottom-line profit potential for services, consumers perceive that overall the quality of service they are receiving is declining. TRUE Difficulty: Easy 55. (p. 10)  The deregulation of industries has actually lessened the demand for services marketing skills. FALSE Difficulty: Easy 56. (p. 16)  Technology is creating a demand for ethnocentric services. FALSE Difficulty: Easy 57. (p. 7)  All businesses and organizations that operate on the Internet are essentially providing a service. TRUE Difficulty: Easy 58. (p. 22)  Because a product is tangible, it cannot be inventoried. FALSE Difficulty: Easy 59. (p. 22)  Because the production and consumption of services is simultaneous, the mass production of services is d ifficult. TRUE Difficulty: Easy 60. (p. 22)  A primary issue that marketers face in relation to service perishability is ensuring service quality over time. FALSE Difficulty: Easy 61. (p. 21)  Pricing is easier when marketing services than when marketing goods. FALSE Difficulty: Easy 62. p. 24)  The seven elements of the marketing mix for services are product, promotion, place, price, process, physical evidence and people. TRUE Difficulty: Easy Short Answer Questions 63. (p. 4)  What do deeds, processes and performances have in common? Those words together define what a service is. Difficulty: Moderate 64. (p. 4)  What do tax preparation services, law offices, dental practices and architects have in common? They are all industries classified as part of the service sector. Difficulty: Moderate 65. (p. 6)  What is the key determinant of whether a product is a good or a service? Its intangibility.Difficulty: Moderate 66. (p. 6)  Luke Rison has developed a great new massag e therapy that can completely alleviate the pain produced by the typical migraine headache. He wants to patent his massages. What is wrong with this plan? A massage is a service. Services are by definition intangible. Intangibles cannot be patented. Difficulty: Moderate 67. (p. 6)  Weight loss centers provide moral support and weight-loss aids to those who believe they need to diet. The centers often use before and after pictures of their most successful cases to overcome problems associated with which service characteristic?Intangibility. Difficulty: Moderate 68. (p. 20)  Keith overheard two women comparing the way the dog groomer clipped their poodles. One claimed the groomer did not cut the hair between her dog's toes as was advertised, but that everything else about the cut was perfect. The other groused that the groomer left the hair on her dog's tail too long, but at least the hair on his feet had been cut. Which characteristic of service were the two women discussing? Het erogeneous. Difficulty: Moderate 69. (p. 21, 22)  Briefly explain why it is impossible to mass produce a service.Services are typically produced and consumed at the same time. Difficulty: Moderate 70. (p. 22)  Imagine you own an ice skating rink that operates in Aspen, Colorado. What is your primary concern when considering service perishability? Your inability to create an inventory when demand for your service is low. Difficulty: Moderate 71. (p. 22)  Maria Kingsley is a fortune teller. She is concerned because today two of her clients missed their appointments to have her read their Tarot cards and she had plans for the money she would have earned. With which characteristic of services is Kingsley most concerned?Perishability. Difficulty: Moderate 72. (p. 24)  A service provider is studying other services to see how they achieve and maintain service quality. The service provider has looked at nurses, concierges, massage therapists and department store customer service rep resentatives. With which element of the services marketing mix is the service provider concerned? People. Difficulty: Moderate 73. (p. 24)  Which elements of the services marketing mix are influenced by the techniques used to recruit and train new employees as telemarketers? People and process. Difficulty: Moderate 74. (p. 4)  Which element of the services marketing mix is influenced by the health inspector's report that is prominently displayed in all restaurants? Physical evidence. Difficulty: Moderate 75. (p. 24)  Which elements of the services marketing mix is being used when the guy preparing pizzas in the front window of an Italian restaurant tosses the pizza dough in the air? People and process. Difficulty: Moderate 76. (p. 24)  An airline is concerned with whether its passengers are satisfied with how their luggage is handled before, during and after a flight. With which element of the services marketing mix is the airline concerned?Process. Difficulty: Moderate 77. (p. 16)  How are customers and employees responding to the proliferation of technology-based services? Technology is providing vehicles for delivering existing services in more accessible, convenient, productive ways. Technology facilitates basic customer service functions such as bill paying and order tracking. Technology also facilitates transactions by offering a direct vehicle for making purchases. Technology also gives customers access to a wealth of information. Through self-service technologies, customers can serve themselves more effectively.On the downside, customers worry about privacy and the confidentiality of their personal information. Customer technology readiness is also an issue with some customers who prefer to be laggards. With technology infusion, there is a loss of human interaction, which may be seen as a negative by both customers and employees. For employees, technology can provide tremendous support in making them more efficient and effective in delivering services. Customer relationship management and sales support software are broad categories of software that can aid front-line employees in providing better service.Employees can use the information available through technology to customize services and create greater customer satisfaction. Not all employees are eager to integrate technology into their work life either because they don't want to change or they don't see value in the new technology. Difficulty: Challenging 78. (p. 17)  What does it mean when someone says, â€Å"The Internet is a service†? All businesses and organizations that operate on the Internet are essentially providing services-whether they are giving information, performing basic, service functions or facilitating transactions.Thus, all the tools, concepts and strategies learned in studying services marketing have direct application to e-business. Although the Internet has changed how people do business and what offerings are possible, it is clear th at what customers still want is basic services. Difficulty: Challenging 79. (p. 20-22)  List the four characteristics of service and discuss how each would impact the marketing of a chain of fitness centers that is being started by six former Olympic athletes. Student answers will vary.They need to look at intangibility, heterogeneity, simultaneous production and consumption and perishability issues and relate each to its marketing implications listed in Table 1. 2. The following is a possible answer. Intangibility-If they develop some unique weight-training or aerobic exercise program, they cannot be patent it. Moreover, it could be easily copied by competitors. The service itself is difficult to promote because they can only show the results of using their fitness center.Pricing will also be complex because of the intangibility of service-people have to believe they are getting their money's worth. Heterogeneity-Employees must be carefully trained and even then inconsistency of service is a possibility, especially if an employee has to work overtime. There are many uncontrollable factors that determine the effectiveness of the fitness center, including the motivation level of the customers. There is no way the athletes can be sure customers are receiving the services exactly as they are being promoted-what if an aerobics instructor is sick.Simultaneous production and consumption-Patrons who sign up but don't attend miss the benefits of the program as do patrons who talk others into boycotting instructors who require a full commitment. Employees who are not committed to fitness and miss exercise classes also can cause problems. Perishability-Fluctuating attendance in terms of time of day and day of week will make it difficult to provide the service. If members are not there at the time the class is offered, that class cannot be resold. Difficulty: Challenging 80. (p. 24, 25)  Stakeholders are defined as all the people who have an interest in the success o r failure of a firm.With this definition in mind, comment on the following statement: â€Å"All stakeholders are a part of the people element of the services marketing mix†. People who would have an interest in the success or failure of an organization would include its employees, suppliers, stockholders, distributors, legislators and government officials, consumer advocates and people in the community. The people element includes all human actors who play a part in service delivery. Therefore, the two terms are not typically synonymous. The people element of a service is limited to employees and customers. Difficulty: Challenging

WRL media coursework, Amnesty

In June 2007 amnesty international, an organisation who have traditionally partnered the Catholic Church, changed there policy on abortion after there research in Dafur. They looked into rape and how in many countries it is being used as a weapon of war and once a tribe has defeated another tribe the women of the area would be raped as a signal of victory. After these findings amnesty who previously neutral on abortion has stated that it supports abortion in certain circumstances such as rape, incest and as a weapon of war. Over the years both the Catholic Church and amnesty have worked together on freeing political prisoners and highlighting human rights. However since amnesty changed its policy on abortion against there's they have advised all Catholics to quit there membership to amnesty. In my coursework I'll be looking at two articles on there views on the preceding and be comparing and contrasting between them. The first article is from the guardian, a paper which is well known for its liberal thinking and belief of free will. It believes the Catholic Church is wrong for banning amnesty and both starts and finishes ridiculing the Catholic's view as â€Å"nonsensical. † They also mention how out of the 1/4 million catholic members of amnesty only 222 quit and how most of these where from the clergy who may of lost there jobs if they had refused. It also mocks the catholic mentioning how â€Å"105 Catholics have even increased there donations†. To show what side the guardian is really on it talks about how 2000 Catholic schools will suffer from not being able to use amnesty's teachings. The final part of the article talks about amnesties policies and talks about there research in Darfur and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, overall the guardian makes a very convincing argument which undermines the Catholic's view. Meanwhile the Telegraph is a much more traditional paper and believes in the Catholic Church, however does not rebuff amnesty too much. The telegraph relies on statistics to present a case and uses numbers such as â€Å"2000 secondary schools† and â€Å"5000 Catholic parishes† and if the telegraph were to present a case where the numbers aren't available they would probably struggle. The article contradicts the guardian by claiming the number of Catholic's leaving Amnesty as â€Å"exodus†. However unlike the guardian admits how the splitting has made a lot of Catholic's look at there faith. The article also does not insult the Catholic's decision as the telegraph has a large catholic following which it would not want to upset. I believe each of the articles support one side, the guardian supports amnesty and the telegraph supports the Catholic Church's view. After reading both articles I believe the guardian puts up a much more convincing and uses the information carefully to make me believe it is a pointless decision for the Catholics to turn there back's on amnesty and will do them no good. I personally feel neutral about abortion, I believe that abortion is a serious decision and unnecessary abortion is wrong. However just like amnesty I believe abortion is ok if caused by rape or it may affect the women's life. This just goes to show maybe the Catholic's attack is unfounded and that there is no point in splitting of amnesty and the Catholics, as I am a catholic and like many share these views. What I have learnt from this coursework is how influential the media can be and how they can pick up a topic, twist it, put people against each other and make a profit from it. Newspapers can create evil figures and change the public's view of a character for example the way the tabloids have changed the way people think of Heather McCartney during her divorce. However everybody has there own opinions on what the Catholic Church has done and all have these opinions for different reasons. Some peoples religions change there view many Catholics will back there Church and fully support there church. Others will be altered by there upbringing and many will follow what they were brought up to believe so if they were brought up to follow amnesty they are more than likely to stick with them. Newspaper's change people's views and can create a bias between sides and if the public are constantly battered with the information it is only a matter of time before the minds change. A final factor that can change peoples view is there own good and bad experiences and if someone has a bad experience with a person, group or organisation there view of them will be altered. This may not be an issue that effects everyone, however it is a very important event for Catholic's or anyone associated with the Catholic Church, especially those who are members of Amnesty as it put there religion and personal beliefs in conflict and can cause some important personal decision to be made on there religious future. So it goes to show moral views and religious views for Catholics are not identical and issues such as this just highlight this. Finally we come to what may happen from now on and what the future paths are for the Catholic Church and amnesty. Firstly the Catholics may ignore what the church has to say on amnesty and carry on supporting both amnesty and being a catholic and in the end ant feud will be dropped. Secondly the media may carry on picking up on the story and use it as a daily article, this may result in publicity neither side wants and the whole topic becoming out of hand and both sides being made a mock of. The final option is for both amnesty and the Catholic Church to come to a compromise and to forget there one minor difference and focus on there many similarities and soon the media will get bored of the whole topic and move onto a more interesting news. As for both amnesty and the catholic church this is the result which suits them both but what happens from here is down to them and the media.