From the Ostrich of the Mesozoic Era to Modern Birds

From the Ostrich of the Mesozoic Era to Modern Birds Youd think it would be an easy matter to tell the story of bird evolution- after all, it was the striking adaptations of finches on the Galapagos Islands that, in the 19th century, led Charles Darwin to formulate the theory of evolution. The fact is, though, that gaps in the geological record, differing interpretations of fossil remains, and the exact definition of the word bird have all prevented experts from coming to a consensus about the distant ancestry of our feathered friends. Still, most paleontologists agree on the broad outlines of the story, which goes as follows. The Birds of the Mesozoic Era Although its reputation as the first bird has been overblown, there are good reasons to consider Archaeopteryx the first animal to inhabit a place more on the bird than on the dinosaur end of the evolutionary spectrum. Dating from the late Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago, Archaeopteryx sported such avian features as feathers, wings, and a prominent beak, though it had some distinctly reptilian traits as well (including a long, bony tail, a flat breastbone, and three claws jutting out of each wing). Its not even certain that Archaeopteryx could fly for extended periods of time, though it would easily have fluttered from tree to tree. (Recently, researchers announced the discovery of another basal avilian, Aurornis, that predated Archaeopteryx by 10 million years; its unclear, though, if this was any more a true bird than Archaeopteryx was.) From whence did Archaeopteryx evolve? Heres where matters become a bit ambiguous. While its reasonable to assume that Archaeopteryx derived from small, bipedal dinosaurs (Compsognathus is often cited as a likely candidate, and then there are all those other basal avilians of the late Jurassic period), that doesnt necessarily mean that it lay at the root of the entire modern bird family. The fact is that evolution tends to repeat itself, and what we define as birds may have evolved multiple times during the Mesozoic Era- for example, its possible that two famous birds of the Cretaceous period, Ichthyornis and Confuciusornis, as well as the tiny, finch-like Iberomesornis, evolved independently from raptor or dino-bird forebears. But wait, things get even more confusing. Because of gaps in the fossil record, not only could birds have evolved multiple times during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, but they could also have de-evolved- that is, become secondarily flightless like modern ostriches, which we know descended from flying ancestors. Some paleontologists believe certain birds of the late Cretaceous, like Hesperornis and Gargantuavis, may have been secondarily flightless. And heres an even more dizzying idea: what if the small, feathered raptors and dino-birds of the age of dinosaurs were descended from birds, and not the other way around? A lot can happen in the space of tens of millions of years! (For example, modern birds have warm-blooded metabolisms; its entirely likely that small, feathered dinosaurs were warm-blooded as well.) Thunder Birds, Terror Birds, and the Demon Duck of Doom A few million years before the dinosaurs went extinct, they had pretty much disappeared from South America (which is a bit ironic, considering thats where the very first dinosaurs probably evolved, back in the late Triassic period). The evolutionary niches that had once been occupied by raptors and tyrannosaurs were quickly filled by large, flightless, carnivorous birds that preyed on smaller mammals and reptiles (not to mention other birds). These terror birds, as theyre called, were typified by genera like Phorusrhacos and the big-headed Andalgalornis and Kelenken, and prospered until a few million years ago (when a land bridge opened between North and South America and mammalian predators decimated the giant bird population). One genus of the terror bird, Titanis, managed to prosper in the southernmost reaches of North America; if it sounds familiar, thats because its the star of the horror novel The Flock.) South America wasnt the only continent to spawn a race of giant, predatory birds. The same thing happened about 30 million years later in similarly isolated Australia, as evidenced by Dromornis (Greek for running bird, even though it doesnt seem to have been particularly fast), some individuals of which attained heights of 10 feet and weights of 600 or 700 pounds. You might assume that Dromornis was a distant but direct relative of the modern Australian ostrich, but it seems to have been more closely related to ducks and geese. Dromornis appears to have gone extinct millions of years ago, but other, smaller thunder birds like Genyornis lasted well into early historical times until they were hunted to death by aboriginal human settlers. The most notorious of these flightless birds may be Bullockornis, not because it was particularly bigger or deadlier than Dromornis but because it has been given a particularly apt nickname: the Demon Duck of Doom. Rounding out the roster of giant, predatory birds is Aepyornis, which (wouldnt you know it) dominated another isolated ecosystem, the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar. Also known as the Elephant Bird, Aepyornis may have been the biggest bird of all time, weighing close to half a ton. Despite the legend that a full-grown Aepyornis could drag off a baby elephant, the fact is that this imposing bird was probably a vegetarian. A relatively late newcomer on the giant bird scene, Aepyornis evolved during the Pleistocene epoch and lasted well into historical times, until human settlers figured out that a single dead Aepyornis could feed a family of 12 for weeks! Victims of Civilization Although giant birds like Genyornis and Aepyornis were done in by early humans, most of the attention in this regard centers on three famous birds: the moas of New Zealand, the Dodo Bird of Mauritius (a small, remote island in the Indian Ocean), and the North American Passenger Pigeon. New Zealands moas formed a rich ecological community all by themselves: among them were the Giant Moa (Dinornis), the tallest bird in history at a height of 12 feet, the smaller Eastern Moa (Emeus), and assorted other picturesquely named genera such as the Heavy-Footed Moa (Pachyornis) and the Stout-Legged Moa (Euryapteryx). Unlike other flightless birds, which at least retained rudimentary stumps, moas completely lacked wings, and they seem to have been devoted vegetarians. You can figure out the rest for yourself: these gentle birds were completely unprepared for human settlers and didnt know enough to run away when threatened- the result being that the last moas went extinct about 500 years ago. (A similar fate befell a similar, but smaller, flightless bird, New Zealands Great Auk.) The Dodo Bird (genus name Raphus) wasnt nearly as big as the typical moa, but it evolved similar adaptations to its isolated island habitat. This small, plump, flightless, plant-eating bird led a pretty much care-free existence for hundreds of thousands of years until Portuguese traders discovered Mauritius in the 15th century. The Dodos that werent easily picked off by blunderbuss-wielding hunters were torn apart by (or succumbed to diseases carried by) the traders dogs and pigs, making them the poster birds for extinction down to the present day. Reading the above, you might get the mistaken impression that only fat, flightless birds can be hunted to extinction by humans. Nothing could be further from the truth, a case in point being the Passenger Pigeon (genus name Ectopistes, for wanderer.) This flying bird used to traverse the North American continent in flocks of literally billions of individuals, until overhunting (for food, sport, and pest control) rendered it extinct. The last known passenger pigeon died in 1914 at the Cincinnati Zoo, despite belated attempts at preservation.

Levels in Undergraduate Family Nursing Education Personal Statement

Levels in Undergraduate Family Nursing Education - Personal Statement Example The district nurse, my mentor started talking to them, and what I observed was worth noting. The visible anxiety gradually calmed down. This was an effective communication, and this was essential in this scenario to pacify them. When I went back home that night and when things started settling down, I thought I would go over the whole incident and find out what was special about this incident, and how this incident can help me in any future incident in the professional practice (Ghaye and Lillyman, 2000, 53-87). This was a set of home health care, and from the incident, it was clear that the incident had considerable acuity. I was a student nurse, and therefore, it was a learning experience for me. The major goal of nursing care in this situation, given Mr. Xs advanced cancer, is palliation and restoration of maximum health function. I was entirely inexperienced, so I decided to observe what my mentor did in this situation (Ghaye, 2005, 7-37).  While reflecting, I gradually came to understand, well-developed communication skills are therefore essential tools for nurses. It was a face-to-face situation, and perhaps there is no substitute for it. I witnessed how effective and appropriate communication helped to establish a therapeutic helping relationship and enabled my mentor to determine their care needs and how it promoted trust and confidence and facilitated care appropriate for this situation. They were anxious and angry.  

English-Rule Only Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

English-Rule Only - Research Paper Example Advantages of the Rule The subject that only English should be used at work places creates very strong feelings. Some individuals may believe that it is wrong to speak in a language that others do not understand. In the same way, speakers of languages other than English may believe that complaints against the usage of another language stem from racism or unnecessary suspicion of what is being spoken. But the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regulations state that a restriction to speaking English at all times is disadvantageous to an individual’s employment opportunity on the basis of national origin. The commission believes that English-only rules create an atmosphere of inferiority, isolation and intimidation which is based on national origin that could result in discriminatory working environment (Bothwell-Marketing-Inc, 2011). EEOC regulation clearly states that the rule English-only rule is permissible only where the employer can show that the rule is justified by the necessity of the business. Spun Steak offered a justification that the non-Spanish speaking employees felt bad because they were being insulted in Spanish. The company also noted there were some safety benefits to using a language common to most employees. Employers in areas where the rule applied pointed to safety issues, customer service, and business related justifications which are related to their businesses. But opponents say that the U.S has been a country of immigrants coming from various cultures speaking different languages. In the past the new migrants wanted to quickly assimilate into the local culture and adopt the local language. This helped them in their integration with the local society. However currently, many new migrants foster separate almost ghetto-like communities which interact on a limited basis with the outside. As many of them fail to learn English they do not gain the ability to interact outside their own community and thus cannot easily integrate in the society. This inability to communicate is the basis of mistrust, fear and war among the different cultures (ask-Vile, 2006). Statistics show that about 215 million Americans speak English while only 2 million people speak Spanish (Juggle, 2011). There are already 26 states where English is the only official language Most of the migrants also state that they think everyone should learn English if they are to live in the United States. English is spoken in Congress, courthouses, national parks, and Presidential speeches. It is also spoken in almost every business corner. Every where the English language is spoken (Juggle, 2011). But accounting office report that was released shows that 99.94 percent of all federal government documents are produced in English. The English proponents argue that more than 300 languages are

Media Representation: Body Images

Media Representation: Body Images Images of female bodies can be seen everywhere. Womens bodies are seen on commercials and billboards selling everything from food to cars. Popular actresses on television and in movies are becoming younger, taller and thinner. We hear many stories in the news about actresses fainting on set from lack of food all the time. Gender and body image is portrayed negatively in many different ways throughout the media in todays society. It is estimated that we are exposed to over 3,000 advertisements every day. This makes advertisements a very powerful educational force in society. It can be seen that advertisements sell more than just products. They sell values, images and concepts, love and sexuality, and popularity and normalcy. They ultimately tell us who we are and what we should strive to be. Men, women, teens, boys, and girls all identify people by how they look, to body size and shape, to clothes, as well as hairstyles. Therefore, the way we view our body and image can have a large impact on the way we feel about ourselves. For the most people, especially with adolescents, body image is strongly influenced by mass media and advertising. When looking into advertising within media representation and self body image one can see how powerful of an outlet advertising can be in our current society (Advertising: Its everywhere, 2010). Advertisers emphasize body image and the importance of physical attractiveness in order to sell products. They hope to persuade society that something needs to be added or fixed, because what we have is either not enough or good enough to meet the high demands that society puts on satisfaction. Womens magazines are full of articles convincing women that if they can just lose those a little more weight, then they can have the perfect marriage, loving children, great sex, and a rewarding career. The standard of beauty that is imposed on women is difficult to achieve and maintain and therefore, the cosmetic and diet product industries are sure to profit and grow off the high beauty standard. It is no surprise that youth is increasingly promoted, along with thinness, as an essential criterion of beauty in todays society. Aging is looked at in the media as an issue that needs to be dealt with and ultimately stopped all together (Gerber, 2010). Adolescents are the main target for most media outlets because they are particularly vulnerable and inexperienced consumers. They are still learning their values and roles and developing their self-concepts. Most adolescents are sensitive to peer pressure and find it difficult to resist (Kilbourne, 1999, p.129). This constant exposure to negative body image advertisements may influence individuals to become self-conscious about their bodies and to obsess over their physical appearance. The beauty industry is an extremely large industry that profits off the negative self-esteem and body image of many women in todays society. Women who are insecure about their bodies are more likely to buy beauty products, new clothes, and diet aids. It is estimated that the diet industry alone is worth anywhere between 40 to 100 billion dollars a year selling temporary weight loss products (Cummings, 2005). On the other hand, research indicates that exposure to images of thin, young, air-brushed female bodies is linked to depression, loss of self-esteem and the development of unhealthy eating habits in women and girls. The American research group Anorexia Nervosa Related Eating Disorders, Inc. says that one out of every four college-aged women uses unhealthy methods of weight control, such as fasting, skipping meals, excessive exercise, laxative abuse, and self-induced vomiting (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 2010) . The Canadian Womens Health Network warns that weight control measures are now being taken by girls as young as 5 and 6 years old (The Canadian Womens Health Network, 2005). Another study conducted by Marika Tiggemann and Levina Clark in 2006 titled Appearance Culture in Nine- to 12-Year-Old Girls: Media and Peer Influences on Body Dissatisfaction, notes that nearly half of all preadolescent girls wish to be thinner and as a result, they have engaged in a diet or are aware of the concept of dieting (Clark, 2006). In 2003, Teen magazine reported that 35 percent of girls 6 to 12 years old have been on at least one diet, and that fifty to seventy percen t of normal weight girls believe they are overweight (Gibbons, 2003).Overall research indicates that ninety percent of women are dissatisfied with their appearance in some way (The Canadian Womens Health Network, 2005). Media activist Jean Kilbourne concludes that, Women are sold to the diet industry by the magazines we read and the television programs we watch, almost all of which make us feel anxious about our weight (Kilbourne, 1999, p. 47). Many of the media images of female beauty are unattainable a majority of women. The media continues to set unrealistic standards for what body size and appearance is considered normal. If you look through any magazine or turn on the television, you would see collarbones, hipbones, cheekbones and rib cages as the overall trend in Hollywood. Celebrities like Mary-Kate Olsen and Nicole Richie, both of whom have been reported to have eating disorders, can be seen in designer clothing with designer handbags and gorgeous men along with them. This is the model of success for many adolescent girls. Most of these girls look up to and admire these celebrities and are therefore taught at a young age that Barbie is how a woman is supposed to look; tall, blonde, big breasts, and extremely thin. Barbie in reality is so thin that her weight and body proportions are not only unattainable, but also unhealthy (Gerber, 2010).. Researchers have generated a computer model with Barbie-doll proportions and have found that her back would be too weak to support the weight of her upper body, and would be too narrow to contain more than half a liver and a few centimeters of bowel. A real woman built that way would suffer from chronic diarrhea and eventually die from malnutrition. Jill Barad president of Mattel, the manufacturer of Barbie, estimated that ninety nine percent of girls between the ages of 3 to 10 years old own at least one Barbie doll (Greenwald, 1996). Still, the number of real life women and girls who seek a similarly underweight body is epidemic, and they can suffer equally devastating health consequences (Gerber, 2010). Researchers report that womens magazines have more ads and articles promoting weight loss than mens magazines do, and over three-quarters of the covers of womens magazines include at least one message about how to change a womans bodily appearance through either diet, exercise or cosmetic surgery (Gerber, 2010). Television and movies reinforce the importance of a thin body as a measure of a womans worth. Canadian researcher, Gregory Fouts reports that over three-quarters of the female characters in TV situation comedies are underweight, and only one in twenty are above average in size. Heavier actresses tend to receive negative comments from male characters about their bodies and eighty percent of these negative comments are followed by canned audience laughter (Gerber, 2010). Billboards are one of the largest forms of advertisement. Advertisers tend to make these advertisements especially memorable so they dont go unnoticed. Sometimes, they overlook and take it too far. An example of this was a billboard advertising one of NBCs popular television shows, Friends. The billboard glamorized anorexia by picturing the three female stars of the show and beside them the phrase Cute anorexic chicks. The caption was originally meant to be looked at as a joke regarding the accusations towards the three women of having eating disorders and unhealthy exercise habits, which all of them denied. Although the billboard was removed immediately, it illustrated a spectrum of ads promoting harmful body ideals (Smith, 1999). What may really make a difference in this unhealthy trend are organizations that promote fighting back against the standards that the media presents. An organization that has helped do just that is the About-Face Organization. About-Face is a San Francisco based media literacy organization that concentrates on the effect of the mass media on the physical, mental, and emotional health of females. About-Face encourages personal activism against the thin body ideal. Since 1995 About-Face has been providing education and resources on this subject through research that indicates a relation between exposure to the idealized female in the media and the occurrence of eating disorders (About-Face, 1996). Another organization to promote positive body image is Dove. In 2004, Dove launched the very successful Campaign for Real Beauty which features real women, not models, advertising Doves products. The advertisement is composed of six women all with perfect skin, hair, and teeth. The only thing that is looked at as not perfect is their weight. The women within the Dove advertisement are supposed to portray real women instead of extremely thin models in in hopes to offset the unrealistically thin and unhealthy images associated with modeling and advertisements in an effort to widen the stereotype of beauty and boost sales in the process. The slogan real women have curves as well as the campaigns Web site, which features quotes from each of the Campaign for Real Beauty models, does a great job of capturing the overall message of real beauty (Dove, 2010) . The Campaign for Real Beauty has had a huge impact and response throughout the world. The six women in the U.S. ads are featured in national television spots, magazine advertisements, print advertisements and billboards in major urban markets in North America and similar campaign ads are being run throughout the world by Dove as well. The campaign and its influence on body image have been the topic of many newspapers and blogs, receiving mostly praise, but like any other media outlet, some criticism as well. Some question the legitimacy of real beauty messaging through commercial beauty products along with how the ads might affect women who still do not fit in with the portrayal of beauty in the Dove advertisements. Although the women are not touched up, the models in the series are still smaller than the average American woman at size 14. These women can be paid far less, but they can also break the sameness of advertising (Corbett, 2006). All of this attention is what Dove was really striving for in order to get the message across. According to a press release, Dove wants to make women feel more beautiful every day by challenging todays stereotypical view of beauty and inspiring women to take great care of themselves. The use of women of various ages, shapes and sizes is designed to provoke discussion and debate about todays typecast beauty images (Prior, 2004). According to a study conducted by Dove, only two percent of women describe themselves as beautiful. Sixty three percent strongly agree that society expects women to enhance their physical attractiveness. Forty five percent of women feel women who are more beautiful have greater opportunities in life. The study also looked at the degree in which mass media has played in portraying and communicating an unrealistic view of beauty. More than two thirds of women strongly agree that the media and advertising set an unrealistic standard of beauty that most women coul d not ever achieve. Women feel they are surrounded images unrealistic beauty. The majority wish female beauty was portrayed in the media as being made up of more than just physical attractiveness. Seventy five percent went on to say that they wish the media did a better job of portraying women of diverse physical attractiveness, including age, shape, and size (Dove, 2010). Other advertisers have also been departing from the idealistic body type. In the Just Do It campaign, Nike features muscular, disembodied thighs and butts, labeled Thunder Thighs and Big Butt. These advertisements are very important to understanding the media representation and body image of the direction that society will be heading. It is important to take action with the media and society like represented with the Dove campaign, in order to try and change the trend and get women to love being who they are, no matter what their size, and love the uniqueness of their own body (Corbett, 2006). Another media outlet that should not go unnoticed is the digital media. In todays society this plays a very important role. A great example of this is shown through Doves Evolution video. The video starts off with what appears to be a normal woman and is magically transformed into a beautiful supermodel and placed on a billboard. By using a computer, the womans face is geometrically changed and made to look perfectly proportioned. The video shows people that absolutely perfect faces and bodies are not only rare but nonexistent in many cases (Postrel, 2007). In Madrid, one of the many popular fashion capitals, thin models were banned from the runway in 2006. Spain has recently undergone a project with the aim to standardize clothing sizes through using a process in which a laser beam is used to measure real life womens bodies in order to find the most true to life measurement. This project is hoped to help fight the perception that thin equals beautiful. Milan has also jumped on the idea and also banned ultra thin models from fashion week in 2006 in hopes that models will start to become more healthy sizes (Woolls, 2008). Twenty years ago, the average model weighed eight percent less than the average woman. Todays models weigh twenty three percent less. Advertisers are convinced that thin models sell products and that thin is in. When the Australian magazine New Woman recently included a picture of a heavy-set model on its cover, there was an instant backlash of grateful readers praising the change. The advertisers were less then pleased however. They complained and the magazine soon returned to featuring bone-thin models. Advertising Age International concluded that the incident made clear the influence wielded by advertisers who remain convinced that only thin models spur the sales of beauty products (Gerber, 2010). Mainstream media representations also plays a role in reinforcing ideas about what it means to be a real man in our society. Most media sources portray male characters as rewarding for self-control and controlling of others, aggressive and violent, financially independent, and physically desirability. Although distorted body images have been known to affect women and girls, there is a growing awareness regarding the pressure for men and boys to appear more muscular. Many males are becoming more insecure about their physical appearance due to advertising and other media images that raise the standard and idealize well-built men. Advertising images have been accused of setting unrealistic ideals for males, and men and boys are beginning to risk their health to achieve the well-built media standard (Eating disorders: Body image and advertising, 2008). Another issue is the representation of ethnically diverse women in the media. A 2008 study conducted by Juanita Covert and Travis Dixon titled A Changing View: Representation and Effects of the Portrayal of Women of Color in Mainstream Womens Magazines found that although there was an increase in the representation of women of color, overall white women were overrepresented in mainstream womens magazines from 1999 to 2004. An experiment was designed to view the effects of counter stereotypical portrayals on readers. The research showed that exposure to articles featuring counter stereotypical depictions of women of color tended to evaluate the occupational expectations of women of color among white readers but not people of color (Covert, 2008). In article on African American women and beauty ideals, it is stated that Black women are less vulnerable than white women to reacting negatively is they dont match the ideals pervading prime-time television shows and magazines, according to studies (Smith, 2004). African American women pay little attention to thin images of white women and have better body images than white women, though heavier and unhealthier. African American women have disregarded the idea of thin, pretty white woman as unattainable for themselves and as unimportant to others in the black community (Smith, 2004). It is also found in research that black women were less likely to exhibit signs of bulimia (Smith, 2004). When you think of sexy black women in the media, many would instantly think of Beyonce, Rihanna, or Tyra Banks. However, some would argue that though they are ethnically black, they are whiteified. Their hair has been dyed blonde, straightened hair, and even skin lightened. This is sending a negative message to the darker skinned African American women that they are not beautiful (How the media destroys black beauty, 2010). Some other examples of media sources lighting the skin of African American celebrities by using Photoshop and special lighting techniques is recently shown in Gabourey Sidibes Elle 25th Anniversary Cover. Though the magazine denies the accusations, this is not the first time this has been brought to everyones attention (Everett, 2010). Beyonce Knowles has also been represented several skin shades darker in her LOreal Paris magazine advertisements. Even after the company made a statement claiming this was untrue, many find this hard to believe (Guardian News Media , 2008). Other celebrities to undergo the supposed Photoshop skin lightening include OJ Simpson, Mariah Carey, and even President Obama. The message that media gives about thinness, dieting and beauty tells ordinary women that they are always in need of adjustment. The female body is looked at as an object to be perfected (Gerber, 2010). Jean Kilbourne argues that the overwhelming presence of media images of painfully thin women means that real womens bodies have become invisible in the mass media. This statement implies that the constant exposure of images and texts suggests the idea that the thinner a woman is, the better she is. This has a strong influence on women which then contributes to eating disorders and low self esteem issues. Kilbourne concludes that many women internalize these stereotypes and therefore judge themselves by the beauty industrys standards (Kilbourne, 2010). Some may blame society for accepting negative representation of media. However, it is going to take the media to make a change through better marketing choices and a better view of body image and self-esteem. We are bombarded with images of perfect women and men everyday, whether it is on our favorite television shows, movies, magazines and music. The majority of the women are tall, thin and beautiful and the men are muscular, tanned and seductive. People who do not fall within this media induced norm are left without models to look up to. Instead, they give in to the cosmetic and diet product industry and try to alter their bodies to what they have been told is beautiful. Adolescent girls and boys are constantly striving to acquire an unattainable physique. Across the nation, millions of teens struggle with eating disorders and borderline conditions. With the help of Organizations like the About-Face Organization and programs like the Doves Campaign for Real Beauty, body image can s oon be embraced by men and women of all ages, sizes, and skin color. Work Cited Advertising: Its Everywhere. Media Awareness Network. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Body Image and the Media. The Canadian Womens Health Network. 2005. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Clark, L. and Tiggemann, M. (2006), Appearance Culture in Nine- to 12-Year-Old Girls: Media and Peer Influences on Body Dissatisfaction. Social Development, 15: 628-643. Cummings, By Laura. BBC NEWS The Diet Business: Banking on Failure. BBC News Home. 5 Feb. 2003. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Campaign for Real Beauty. Dove. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Corbett, Rachel. Doves Larger Models Spur Sales and Attention. Womens ENews. 29 Jan. 2006. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Covert, J. J., and T. L. Dixon. A Changing View: Representation and Effects of the Portrayal of Women of Color in Mainstream Womens Magazines. Communication Research 35.2 (2008): 232-56. Eating Disorders: Body Image and Advertising HealthyPlace. HealthyPlace.com. 11 Dec. 2008. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Everett, Cristina. Elle Magazine Accused of Digitally Lightening Gabourey Sidibes Skin on October Cover. NY Daily News. 17 Sept. 2010. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Gerber, Robin. Beauty and Body Image in the Media. Media Awareness Network. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Guadian News Media. LOreal Denies whitening Beyonce Knowles Skin in Cosmetics Ad. Buzzle Web Portal. 8 Aug. 2008. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Gibbons, Sheila. Teen Magazines Send Girls All the Wrong Messages. Womens ENews. 29 Oct. 2003. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Greenwald, John, Valerie Marchant, and Jacqueline Savaiano. BARBIE BOOTS UP TIME. TIME.com. 11 Nov. 1996. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . How The Media Destroys Black Beauty | Socyberty. Socyberty: Society on the Web. 24 Oct. 2010. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Kilbourne, Jean. Beautyand the Beast of Advertising. Center for Media Literacy. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Kilbourne, Jean. Cant Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel. New York: Simon Schuster, 1999. National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Postrel, Virginia. The Truth about Beauty. The Atlantic (2007): 1-3. Prior, Molly. Dove Ad Campaign Aims to Redefine Beauty Womens Wear Daily, October 8, 2004. Smith, Dakota. Black Women Ignore Many of Medias Beauty Ideals. Womens ENews. 10 June 2004. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Smith, Katie. Effect of the Media on Eating Disorders. Effect of the Media on Eating Disorders. 23 Nov. 1999. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. . Woolls, Daniel. Spain to Make Clothes for Real Women. USATODAY.com. 7 Feb. 2008. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. .

Scm Micromaxx and Rim

SCM of Research In Motion & Micromaxx India An assignmemt of Supply Chain Management Submitted to Ms. Hemlata Madam Faculty (S. R. Luthra Institute Of Management) BY Farhan 118050592017 Asmita 118050592050 March 20, 2013 BlackBerry BlackBerry is committed to ensuring that the management of supply chain activities is socially and environmentally responsible. As a multinational company it recognizes that supply chain operations reach many parts of the globe and a diverse range of communities, each with their own culture and business normsThere are certain standards of employment and environmental performance that must be respected wherever they operate or have business relationships. These standards are encapsulated in our Supplier Code of Conduct Supplier compliance with the BlackBerry Supplier Code of Conduct and Responsible Minerals Policy is an expectation for doing business and is fundamental to supplier engagement activities. This Code is made up of five sections. Sections A, B, and C outline standards for Labor, Health and Safety, and the Environment, respectively.Section D outlines the elements of an acceptable system to manage conformity to this Code. Section E adds standards relating to business ethics. BlackBerry  continues to be an active participant in the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI). Supply chain social responsibility Implementation BlackBerry  uses a risk-based approach for monitoring supplier conformance to Supplier Code of Conduct. In fiscal 2012, BlackBerry established an enhanced process for evaluating supplier social and environmental responsibility (SER) risk and prioritizing suppliers for assessments.The first step is a high-level risk assessment based on such factors as supplier location, commodity, relationship and history. The high-level risk assessment intended to be conducted annually on identified supplier list. The output of this assessment is a prioritized lis t of suppliers, who will be required to complete detailed self-assessments. BlackBerry  intends to use the EICC-ON system to gather this information. BlackBerry  supports a common industry solution to supplier SER management and is actively engaged in the continued development of the system through work with EICC.Freely chosen employment in our supply chains BlackBerry  supports the principle of freely chosen employment and does not support the use of slave labor in any of its forms, including forced labor and child labor. Supply chain carbon reporting BlackBerry  is participating in the EICC’s carbon reporting system. Through this system it will survey many of direct suppliers of materials, which will give insight into the carbon emissions associated with BlackBerry’s supply chain.It will help us to identify areas for improvement and opportunities to work with suppliers on projects to reduce carbon emissions. It will also help to raise awareness within supply chain of the impact of carbon emissions on the environment and the benefits that can be gained through reduction programs. Conflict minerals BlackBerry  does not support the use of minerals that are illegally mined, transported or traded, nor metals derived from such minerals, including gold, tantalum (columbite-tantalite), tin (cassiterite) and tungsten (wolframite).Learn more about BlackBerry work to address conflict minerals Supply chain conflict minerals due diligence BlackBerry  is an active participant in the piloting of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. They launched program in early 2012 with a request sent to more than 170 direct suppliers of materials to provide information regarding their minerals sourcing practices. The results will enable to have a greater understanding about the sourcing practices of our suppliers.Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade In 2011 the US State Department launched the Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade. This is a joint initiative between governments, companies and civil society to support supply chain solutions to conflict minerals challenges in the DRC and the Great Lakes region of Africa. BlackBerry  has joined this initiative, which aims to help the governments of the DRC and other countries in the region break the link between the illicit minerals trade and ongoing violence and human rights abuses. Supplier diversityThe BlackBerry  Supplier Diversity Program works to create mutually beneficial business relationships with diverse suppliers that strengthen communities. The goal is to provide opportunities to diverse suppliers who satisfy purchasing and contractual standards. Diverse businesses include small businesses, businesses owned by veterans, minorities or women, and those in historically underutilized business zones. Sourcing areas of the corporation are encouraged to identify and in clude diverse suppliers and consultants in the procurement process. BlackBerry  Supplier Diversity ProgramBlackBerry's Supplier Diversity Program aims to achieve corporate diversity goals while enabling growth in the communities in which they operate by providing opportunities for qualified small, diverse and women-owned businesses. They strive to create vendor–buyer relationships that allow diverse organizations to continue to develop, while offering quality products at competitive prices. Included in program are: 1. Minority-owned businesses certified by the  National Minority Supplier Development Council  in the U. S. and by the  Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council  in Canada 2.Women Business Enterprises certified by the  Women's Business Enterprise National Council  in the U. S. and by  WeConnect  in Canada 3. Small Businesses  certified by the U. S. Small Business Administration 4. Veteran-Owned and Service Disabled Veteran-Owned busines ses  certified by the U. S. Small Business Administration 5. Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone businesses  certified by the U. S. Small Business Administration Objectives include: 1. Actively seeking out certified diverse suppliers that can provide competitive, high-quality goods and services with business models that align with our business strategy. . Seeking the inclusion of diverse suppliers as a part of our strategic sourcing and procurement process. 3. Communicating the value of supplier diversity both internally and externally to stakeholders. 4. Leveraging our supplier diversity results to help meet the supplier diversity expectations of our customers. Networking Project managers, commodity managers, buyers and contractors are encouraged to attend diverse supplier trade fairs and expositions to identify and establish business relationships.BlackBerry  endeavours to meet with diverse businesses at procurement conferences in order to explain purchasing proce sses and expectations and to communicate our needs for products and services. Mentoring BlackBerry  offers a mentoring program where employees have the opportunity to provide assistance to diverse suppliers in the areas of business planning, product/service pricing, financial planning, marketing, technical knowledge, brochures, the bidding process, paperwork simplification and workflow. We also encourage some of our largest suppliers to mentor diverse suppliers.Supplier diversity affiliations BlackBerry  is committed to growing our diverse supplier network through partnerships with the following organizations and other local diversity councils: 1. U. S. Small Business Adminstration (SBA) 2. National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) 3. Women Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) 4. Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) 5. Women-Owned Enterprise Connect, CA (WeConnect – Canada) Value Chain Analysis (VCA) [pic] Primary Activities Inbou nd Logistic Automated Receiving SystemsRIM has implemented sophisticated automated receiving systems to speed up the receiving process and reduce facility footprint and storage space requirements. Delegate Raw Materials Acquisitions RIM works its OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) partners to delegate the raw materials acquisition process but provides some supervision for quality control purposes. Operations Utilize OEM’s Economic of Scale RIM outsources production to third-party OEM partners to utilize their economies of scale while removing the burden of production management from the firm. Internal DesignThe design and conceptualization of current and future product is done internally at RIM, utilizing industry-leading industrial design teams and engineering. Outbound Logistic Economical/Stylish Packaging In order to save money on shipment an entice customers Blackberry use eye-catching packaging that takes up less physical space and weight less. This reduces shipping c osts and environmental effect while attracting customers to the firm’s products, Worldwide Blackberry Store To control the firm’s brand image RIM sells Blackberry products through first-party retail establishments and through authorized retailers.Direct shipment Blackberry. com online orders are shipped directly to consumers form storage facilities in China. This minimizes inventory buildup in more costly warehouse locations in the Canada. Marketing and Sales RIM is marketing the company’s products and solutions in order to generate revenue, and increase the market and mind share for the organization. Planning, developing, implementing and executing the company’s go-to-market and sales strategies and programs, including product advertising/promotion; telemarketing; e-commerce marketing; specific product/product line marketing; and multiple channel  programs.Planning, developing and coordinating all internal and external communications programs. Building awareness of RIM services and  products in all key segments. Creating content, setting style and supporting all company websites. Assessing, analyzing and maintaining the supply to demand ratio. Services Creates the first and last impressions our customers have of our business. Deliver a consistently superior experience across all areas where the customer is engaged. Provide BlackBerry device, software, account, andtechnical support to millions of end-users. Support ActivitiesGeneral Administration RIM general administrator tracks and reconciles global benefits invoices, ensures financial guideline compliance, prepares monthly reports and participates in continuous improvements projects. Human Resource Management RIM Human Resources team consists of  dynamic, forward thinking professionals who are located in each region. Being passionate about RIM allows the team to be creative and resourceful when finding the right people to join our team. This passion also drives us to enhanc e our skills of driving employee engagement on a global scale.The Recruitment Specialist establishes and fosters a consultative relationship with RIM hiring managers through close working relationships with various business units. Research, Technology and System Development Research and Development BlackBerry smart phone plans to open a research and development operation. RIM has more than 30 million subscribers. In the third quarter of 2012, it shipped more than 10million devices. Patent Filling Blackberry believes in the importance of protecting its intellectual capital by filling patents in U. S and worldwide for its inventions and innovations. MICROMAXMicromax is one of the leading Indian Telecom Companies with 23domestic offices across the country and international offices in HongKong, USA, Dubai and now in Nepal. With a futuristic vision and an exhaustive R&D at its helm, Micromax has successfully generated innovative technologies that have revolutionized the telecom consumer space. Micromax is on a mission to successfully overcome the technological barriers and constantly engender life enhancing solutions The company’s vision is to develop path-breaking technologies and efficient processes that incubate newer markets, enliven customer aspirations.DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY Micromax managed to  make  dealers pay in  advance by offering them more margins. It offered higher margins of 15 %margin, which is higher than the industry average of 6-10%. Micromax managed this hurdle through strategy of more margins for advance payment. It is not a new strategy to offer such kind of discounts for advance payments (cash discounts), but to make a retailer accept such an offer is indeed a remarkable feat . To increase penetration in the Indian telecom market, Micromax is bundling with telecom operators such as Aircel.For better accessibly and prominence in the market, Micromax is coming up with 150 experience zones (exclusive stores)across the nation, in addi tion to ensuring bigger presence at the multi branded stores. Corporate Level strategies 1. Expansion strategy 2. Resource allocation: heavy investment in R&D, lately heavy investment in brand building. 3. Wide portfolio catering to diverse segments. 4. Business Level strategies: 5. Unique Fusion of Cost Leadership and Product Differentiation. 6. Following a Frontal and Flanking attack strategy. 7.Products are mostly in the embryonic and growth stages. Functional Level  Strategies 1. Product Innovation 2. Rapid channel expansion 3. Targeting widest customer base ( Rural + Youth) 4. 360 Degree advertising 5. Innovative advertising 6. Effective and accurate segmentation 7. Excellent Supply Chain management (Delivering value to each channel member). KEY ELEMENTS OF SCM 1. Easy access to rural markets in India by product innovation in form of dual sim phones and 30 day battery life phones 2. Offering margins and commissions to distributors 3.Lean, cash-based supply chain means Microma x has to be much more accurate and faster in its forecasting compared to its bigger competitors. 4. Time-to-market from the design to production stage is around 3 months as compared to the 18 months taken by larger guys 5. It puts new designs on the shelves by leveraging with China. Primary Activities Inbound Logistic Commission and Margin Offerings Micromaxx has implemented simple discounts and margins to distributors to speed up the receiving process and reduce facility footprint and storage space requirements.Delegate Raw Materials Acquisitions Micromaxx partners to delegate the raw materials acquisition process from China but provides some supervision for quality control purposes. Operations Utilize OEM’s Economic of Scale Micromaxx outsources production to third-party OEM partners to utilize their economies of scale while removing the burden of production management from the firm. Internal Design The design and conceptualization of current and future product is done inte rnally as well as externally , utilizing industry-leading industrial design teams and engineering.Outbound Logistic Economical Packaging Micromax uses a push mail service called easy mail. Idea was to package the phone pack like a parcel Worldwide Stores To control the firm’s brand image Micromaxx products through first-party retail establishments and through authorized retailers in India, China, Srilanka and Nepal Direct shipment Micromaxx. com online orders are shipped directly to consumers form storage facilities in China,gurgaon. This minimizes inventory buildup in more costly warehouse locations . Marketing and SalesMicromaxx is marketing the company’s products and solutions in order to generate revenue, and increase the market and mind share for the organization. Planning, developing, implementing and executing the company’s go-to-market and sales strategies and programs, including product advertising/promotion; telemarketing; e-commerce marketing; specifi c product/product line marketing; and multiple channel  programs. Planning, developing and coordinating all internal and external communications programs. Building awareness of services and  products in all key segments.Creating content, setting style and supporting all company websites. Assessing, analyzing and maintaining the supply to demand ratio. Support Activities General Administration Micromaxx general administrator tracks and ensures financial guideline compliance, prepares monthly reports and participates in continuous improvements projects. Human Resource Management Human Resources team consists of  dynamic, forward thinking professionals who are located in each region. Being passionate allows the team to be creative and resourceful when finding the right people to join our team.This passion also drives us to enhance our skills of driving employee engagement on a global scale. The Recruitment Specialist establishes and fosters a consultative relationship with hiring managers through close working relationships with various business units. Research, Technology and System Development Research and Development Plans to set up a research and development centre in China by the year-end at an investment of Rs 50 crore. The centre will help customise phones at the manufacturing level company, since we import from China. The software development will continue in Gurgaon. Scm Micromaxx and Rim SCM of Research In Motion & Micromaxx India An assignmemt of Supply Chain Management Submitted to Ms. Hemlata Madam Faculty (S. R. Luthra Institute Of Management) BY Farhan 118050592017 Asmita 118050592050 March 20, 2013 BlackBerry BlackBerry is committed to ensuring that the management of supply chain activities is socially and environmentally responsible. As a multinational company it recognizes that supply chain operations reach many parts of the globe and a diverse range of communities, each with their own culture and business normsThere are certain standards of employment and environmental performance that must be respected wherever they operate or have business relationships. These standards are encapsulated in our Supplier Code of Conduct Supplier compliance with the BlackBerry Supplier Code of Conduct and Responsible Minerals Policy is an expectation for doing business and is fundamental to supplier engagement activities. This Code is made up of five sections. Sections A, B, and C outline standards for Labor, Health and Safety, and the Environment, respectively.Section D outlines the elements of an acceptable system to manage conformity to this Code. Section E adds standards relating to business ethics. BlackBerry  continues to be an active participant in the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI). Supply chain social responsibility Implementation BlackBerry  uses a risk-based approach for monitoring supplier conformance to Supplier Code of Conduct. In fiscal 2012, BlackBerry established an enhanced process for evaluating supplier social and environmental responsibility (SER) risk and prioritizing suppliers for assessments.The first step is a high-level risk assessment based on such factors as supplier location, commodity, relationship and history. The high-level risk assessment intended to be conducted annually on identified supplier list. The output of this assessment is a prioritized lis t of suppliers, who will be required to complete detailed self-assessments. BlackBerry  intends to use the EICC-ON system to gather this information. BlackBerry  supports a common industry solution to supplier SER management and is actively engaged in the continued development of the system through work with EICC.Freely chosen employment in our supply chains BlackBerry  supports the principle of freely chosen employment and does not support the use of slave labor in any of its forms, including forced labor and child labor. Supply chain carbon reporting BlackBerry  is participating in the EICC’s carbon reporting system. Through this system it will survey many of direct suppliers of materials, which will give insight into the carbon emissions associated with BlackBerry’s supply chain.It will help us to identify areas for improvement and opportunities to work with suppliers on projects to reduce carbon emissions. It will also help to raise awareness within supply chain of the impact of carbon emissions on the environment and the benefits that can be gained through reduction programs. Conflict minerals BlackBerry  does not support the use of minerals that are illegally mined, transported or traded, nor metals derived from such minerals, including gold, tantalum (columbite-tantalite), tin (cassiterite) and tungsten (wolframite).Learn more about BlackBerry work to address conflict minerals Supply chain conflict minerals due diligence BlackBerry  is an active participant in the piloting of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. They launched program in early 2012 with a request sent to more than 170 direct suppliers of materials to provide information regarding their minerals sourcing practices. The results will enable to have a greater understanding about the sourcing practices of our suppliers.Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade In 2011 the US State Department launched the Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade. This is a joint initiative between governments, companies and civil society to support supply chain solutions to conflict minerals challenges in the DRC and the Great Lakes region of Africa. BlackBerry  has joined this initiative, which aims to help the governments of the DRC and other countries in the region break the link between the illicit minerals trade and ongoing violence and human rights abuses. Supplier diversityThe BlackBerry  Supplier Diversity Program works to create mutually beneficial business relationships with diverse suppliers that strengthen communities. The goal is to provide opportunities to diverse suppliers who satisfy purchasing and contractual standards. Diverse businesses include small businesses, businesses owned by veterans, minorities or women, and those in historically underutilized business zones. Sourcing areas of the corporation are encouraged to identify and in clude diverse suppliers and consultants in the procurement process. BlackBerry  Supplier Diversity ProgramBlackBerry's Supplier Diversity Program aims to achieve corporate diversity goals while enabling growth in the communities in which they operate by providing opportunities for qualified small, diverse and women-owned businesses. They strive to create vendor–buyer relationships that allow diverse organizations to continue to develop, while offering quality products at competitive prices. Included in program are: 1. Minority-owned businesses certified by the  National Minority Supplier Development Council  in the U. S. and by the  Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council  in Canada 2.Women Business Enterprises certified by the  Women's Business Enterprise National Council  in the U. S. and by  WeConnect  in Canada 3. Small Businesses  certified by the U. S. Small Business Administration 4. Veteran-Owned and Service Disabled Veteran-Owned busines ses  certified by the U. S. Small Business Administration 5. Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone businesses  certified by the U. S. Small Business Administration Objectives include: 1. Actively seeking out certified diverse suppliers that can provide competitive, high-quality goods and services with business models that align with our business strategy. . Seeking the inclusion of diverse suppliers as a part of our strategic sourcing and procurement process. 3. Communicating the value of supplier diversity both internally and externally to stakeholders. 4. Leveraging our supplier diversity results to help meet the supplier diversity expectations of our customers. Networking Project managers, commodity managers, buyers and contractors are encouraged to attend diverse supplier trade fairs and expositions to identify and establish business relationships.BlackBerry  endeavours to meet with diverse businesses at procurement conferences in order to explain purchasing proce sses and expectations and to communicate our needs for products and services. Mentoring BlackBerry  offers a mentoring program where employees have the opportunity to provide assistance to diverse suppliers in the areas of business planning, product/service pricing, financial planning, marketing, technical knowledge, brochures, the bidding process, paperwork simplification and workflow. We also encourage some of our largest suppliers to mentor diverse suppliers.Supplier diversity affiliations BlackBerry  is committed to growing our diverse supplier network through partnerships with the following organizations and other local diversity councils: 1. U. S. Small Business Adminstration (SBA) 2. National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) 3. Women Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) 4. Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) 5. Women-Owned Enterprise Connect, CA (WeConnect – Canada) Value Chain Analysis (VCA) [pic] Primary Activities Inbou nd Logistic Automated Receiving SystemsRIM has implemented sophisticated automated receiving systems to speed up the receiving process and reduce facility footprint and storage space requirements. Delegate Raw Materials Acquisitions RIM works its OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) partners to delegate the raw materials acquisition process but provides some supervision for quality control purposes. Operations Utilize OEM’s Economic of Scale RIM outsources production to third-party OEM partners to utilize their economies of scale while removing the burden of production management from the firm. Internal DesignThe design and conceptualization of current and future product is done internally at RIM, utilizing industry-leading industrial design teams and engineering. Outbound Logistic Economical/Stylish Packaging In order to save money on shipment an entice customers Blackberry use eye-catching packaging that takes up less physical space and weight less. This reduces shipping c osts and environmental effect while attracting customers to the firm’s products, Worldwide Blackberry Store To control the firm’s brand image RIM sells Blackberry products through first-party retail establishments and through authorized retailers.Direct shipment Blackberry. com online orders are shipped directly to consumers form storage facilities in China. This minimizes inventory buildup in more costly warehouse locations in the Canada. Marketing and Sales RIM is marketing the company’s products and solutions in order to generate revenue, and increase the market and mind share for the organization. Planning, developing, implementing and executing the company’s go-to-market and sales strategies and programs, including product advertising/promotion; telemarketing; e-commerce marketing; specific product/product line marketing; and multiple channel  programs.Planning, developing and coordinating all internal and external communications programs. Building awareness of RIM services and  products in all key segments. Creating content, setting style and supporting all company websites. Assessing, analyzing and maintaining the supply to demand ratio. Services Creates the first and last impressions our customers have of our business. Deliver a consistently superior experience across all areas where the customer is engaged. Provide BlackBerry device, software, account, andtechnical support to millions of end-users. Support ActivitiesGeneral Administration RIM general administrator tracks and reconciles global benefits invoices, ensures financial guideline compliance, prepares monthly reports and participates in continuous improvements projects. Human Resource Management RIM Human Resources team consists of  dynamic, forward thinking professionals who are located in each region. Being passionate about RIM allows the team to be creative and resourceful when finding the right people to join our team. This passion also drives us to enhanc e our skills of driving employee engagement on a global scale.The Recruitment Specialist establishes and fosters a consultative relationship with RIM hiring managers through close working relationships with various business units. Research, Technology and System Development Research and Development BlackBerry smart phone plans to open a research and development operation. RIM has more than 30 million subscribers. In the third quarter of 2012, it shipped more than 10million devices. Patent Filling Blackberry believes in the importance of protecting its intellectual capital by filling patents in U. S and worldwide for its inventions and innovations. MICROMAXMicromax is one of the leading Indian Telecom Companies with 23domestic offices across the country and international offices in HongKong, USA, Dubai and now in Nepal. With a futuristic vision and an exhaustive R&D at its helm, Micromax has successfully generated innovative technologies that have revolutionized the telecom consumer space. Micromax is on a mission to successfully overcome the technological barriers and constantly engender life enhancing solutions The company’s vision is to develop path-breaking technologies and efficient processes that incubate newer markets, enliven customer aspirations.DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY Micromax managed to  make  dealers pay in  advance by offering them more margins. It offered higher margins of 15 %margin, which is higher than the industry average of 6-10%. Micromax managed this hurdle through strategy of more margins for advance payment. It is not a new strategy to offer such kind of discounts for advance payments (cash discounts), but to make a retailer accept such an offer is indeed a remarkable feat . To increase penetration in the Indian telecom market, Micromax is bundling with telecom operators such as Aircel.For better accessibly and prominence in the market, Micromax is coming up with 150 experience zones (exclusive stores)across the nation, in addi tion to ensuring bigger presence at the multi branded stores. Corporate Level strategies 1. Expansion strategy 2. Resource allocation: heavy investment in R&D, lately heavy investment in brand building. 3. Wide portfolio catering to diverse segments. 4. Business Level strategies: 5. Unique Fusion of Cost Leadership and Product Differentiation. 6. Following a Frontal and Flanking attack strategy. 7.Products are mostly in the embryonic and growth stages. Functional Level  Strategies 1. Product Innovation 2. Rapid channel expansion 3. Targeting widest customer base ( Rural + Youth) 4. 360 Degree advertising 5. Innovative advertising 6. Effective and accurate segmentation 7. Excellent Supply Chain management (Delivering value to each channel member). KEY ELEMENTS OF SCM 1. Easy access to rural markets in India by product innovation in form of dual sim phones and 30 day battery life phones 2. Offering margins and commissions to distributors 3.Lean, cash-based supply chain means Microma x has to be much more accurate and faster in its forecasting compared to its bigger competitors. 4. Time-to-market from the design to production stage is around 3 months as compared to the 18 months taken by larger guys 5. It puts new designs on the shelves by leveraging with China. Primary Activities Inbound Logistic Commission and Margin Offerings Micromaxx has implemented simple discounts and margins to distributors to speed up the receiving process and reduce facility footprint and storage space requirements.Delegate Raw Materials Acquisitions Micromaxx partners to delegate the raw materials acquisition process from China but provides some supervision for quality control purposes. Operations Utilize OEM’s Economic of Scale Micromaxx outsources production to third-party OEM partners to utilize their economies of scale while removing the burden of production management from the firm. Internal Design The design and conceptualization of current and future product is done inte rnally as well as externally , utilizing industry-leading industrial design teams and engineering.Outbound Logistic Economical Packaging Micromax uses a push mail service called easy mail. Idea was to package the phone pack like a parcel Worldwide Stores To control the firm’s brand image Micromaxx products through first-party retail establishments and through authorized retailers in India, China, Srilanka and Nepal Direct shipment Micromaxx. com online orders are shipped directly to consumers form storage facilities in China,gurgaon. This minimizes inventory buildup in more costly warehouse locations . Marketing and SalesMicromaxx is marketing the company’s products and solutions in order to generate revenue, and increase the market and mind share for the organization. Planning, developing, implementing and executing the company’s go-to-market and sales strategies and programs, including product advertising/promotion; telemarketing; e-commerce marketing; specifi c product/product line marketing; and multiple channel  programs. Planning, developing and coordinating all internal and external communications programs. Building awareness of services and  products in all key segments.Creating content, setting style and supporting all company websites. Assessing, analyzing and maintaining the supply to demand ratio. Support Activities General Administration Micromaxx general administrator tracks and ensures financial guideline compliance, prepares monthly reports and participates in continuous improvements projects. Human Resource Management Human Resources team consists of  dynamic, forward thinking professionals who are located in each region. Being passionate allows the team to be creative and resourceful when finding the right people to join our team.This passion also drives us to enhance our skills of driving employee engagement on a global scale. The Recruitment Specialist establishes and fosters a consultative relationship with hiring managers through close working relationships with various business units. Research, Technology and System Development Research and Development Plans to set up a research and development centre in China by the year-end at an investment of Rs 50 crore. The centre will help customise phones at the manufacturing level company, since we import from China. The software development will continue in Gurgaon.

The Weimar Republic And The Treaty Of Versailles, League...

â€Å"Freedom and Justice are twin sisters.† This quote was obtained from Friedrich Ebert, in his inaugural speech when he was elected President of the Weimar Republic in January of 1919. For the past few months, I have been deeply analyzing and researching incessantly some reliable sources to discuss some of the major events and factors that led to the failure of the Weimar Republic which are the Treaty of Versailles, League of Nations, and poor leadership. Well, to start of with, It all goes back to a small town in Germany called Weimar. In this German region, the first constitutional assembly of the Weimar Republic occurred. The name Weimar Republic derives after the location of where the convention took place. Not to mention, the Weimar Constitution was formed after the votes of three political parties in Germany. Before I continue, how did the Weimar Republic actually form? Before the start of World War One, the head of Germany was Kaiser Wilhelm, and despite that he was one of the main causes of the war, he did not took responsibility for it and took some of the German Government money and fled to the Netherlands. Wilhelm was the Emperor of a Monarch Germany up to November 9, 1918, when the Chancellor of that time, Prince Maximilian Von Baden announced the abdication of the Kaiser. Although Prince Maximilian Von Baden was the chancellor for a short amount of time, he is seen as imperative for the formation of Germany into a republic, however his liberal reputation was putShow MoreRelatedThe Fall of the Weimar Republic Essay1390 Words   |  6 PagesThe Weimar Republic would have continued to be a functional government far longer than achieved if not for the defeat of WWI, the economic burdens imposed by the Versailles Treaty, and the flawed Article 48 which all contributed to the down fall of Germany’s first attempt at a legitimate Democracy. This paper will argue that the societal, economical, and constitutional aspects all played a role i n the hopeless Democracy Germany attempted which ultimately lead Germany into a totalitarian state thatRead MoreThe Rise of Hitler and Nazism in Germany1435 Words   |  6 Pagessuch as the treaty of Versailles and some of the restrictions that were put on Germany, the loss of the war, and the Weimar Republic. These are just some of the reasons that are going to be looked at and discussed. Germanys beating in World War One made political, economic and social fall in the Weimar Republic and led to the rise of the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) or Nazi party. The First World War put stress on the German people. The space between the rich and poor got biggerRead MoreWhy the Weimar Republic was Able to Survive the Difficulties of the Years 1919 to 1924926 Words   |  4 PagesWhy the Weimar Republic was Able to Survive the Difficulties of the Years 1919 to 1924 In the period from 1919 to 1924, Weimar Germany faced multitude threats. It faced uprisings from both left and the right, economic crises, criticism over the Treaty of Versailles and hostility from the old conservative power. However, in spite of the strong opposition, Weimar Republic managed to survive the turbulent period and even reach a period of relative stability later in the decadeRead MorePolitical Ideology and Other Factors Leading to the Holocaust Wwii7367 Words   |  30 Pagesorder.† No matter how advanced or uncivilized the culture, their political ideology is based on basically two factors, the form of government they use and the type of economic system they use. Examples of a type of government would be a democracy, republic, aristocracy, dictatorship or a monarchy; and within these there are many types. Government If were to look at Germany before the holocaust we would see before WWI they were a Monarchy run Empire with 26 states that made up the German TerritoryRead MoreThe Rise Of The Great War2463 Words   |  10 PagesThe first half of the 20th century saw many changes within the German state. With the end of the Great War, Germans were dejected, poor and looking for someone to lead them into a period of happiness and prosperity, like that of the years before WWI. In 1933, Adolf Hitler ascended to the position of Chancellor of Germany, and thus began his conquest for power, domination, and genocide. His rise to power can be characterized by his own cunning and charisma, his exploitation of the Germans desperationRead MoreHitler s A Study Of Tyranny5435 Words   |  22 Pagesfor human struggle and the glory of war, which would characterize his foreign policy in later years. After leaving the hospital, Hitler found himself in an atmosphere of confusion that ensued following the German surrender. In light of the treaty of Versailles which He denounced as insufferable, Hitler chose to enter into the ruthless world of political life in Germany after WWI. In politics Hitler elected to join the small German Workers Party in September 1919. In 1920 the party put him in chargeRead MoreThe Essential Questions5521 Words   |  23 Pages In some areas the Northern Renaissance was distinct from the Italian Renaissance in its centralization of political power. While Italy and Germany were dominated by independent city-states, parts of central and western Europe began emerging as nation-states. The Northern Renaissance was also closely linked to the Protestant Reformation and the long series of internal and external conflicts between various Protestant groups and the Roman Catholic Church had lasting effects, such as the divisionRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesunprecedented number of people that soared well into the hundreds of millions by century’s end. But for a clear majority of these migrants, movement was coerced by flight from war and oppression or was enticed by labor recruiters who preyed on the desperately poor. The prospects for the great majority were almost invariably lives of drudge labor in urban sweatshops, on tropical plantations, or on the wharves of an expansive, global export economy. Throughout the century, advances in human rights, which were

Confusing I and Me

Picture this: Jessica Kasserman, a high school senior with a strong academic record and high hopes, walks into the office of Mr. Roberts, an admissions representative of XYZ University. â€Å"Thank you for inviting my mom and I to see the campus,† she says. The college representative cringes. Jessica may have blown the interview already. Which Is Correct? Jessica should have said â€Å"my mom and me.† It’s one of the most common mistakes in word usage, so dont fret if youve found yourself guilty of this gaffe. Still, for those in the know, the misuse of â€Å"I† and â€Å"me† is agonizing; you would do well to learn whats right and wrong here. People seem to fear the word â€Å"me†Ã¢â‚¬â€perhaps this goes back to our elementary school days when our teachers steered us away from the word in favor of My mom and I went to the store yesterday. However, the kind of sentences were looking at here has a different structure, meaning the evasion of me no longer applies. â€Å"The secret is just between you and me may sound strange to your ear, but its correct. The Rules of I Versus Me â€Å"I† is a nominative pronoun and is used as a subject of a sentence or clause, while â€Å"me† is an objective pronoun and used as an object. The trouble with â€Å"me† usually begins when speakers are stringing together two or more objects in a sentence. â€Å"I† is not an objective case word, but people try to plug it in as an object because it just sounds smarter. Sound too technical? Then think of this: To determine if you should use I or me, leave out the extra object in your sentence and see if it is still correct. You might be tempted to say:â€Å"Would you explain that to John and I?† But then, when you omit the other object, you’ll have:â€Å"Would you explain that to I?† Now that just sounds silly. Try this:â€Å"Would you explain that to John and me?† You know its correct because you can break it down and it will still make sense:â€Å"Would you explain that to me?† Examples WRONG: Leave the decision to Laura and I.WRONG: Leave the decision to I.RIGHT: Leave the decision to Laura and me. WRONG: Please join Glenna and I for lunch.RIGHT: Please join me for lunch.RIGHT: Please join Glenna and me for lunch. WRONG: It’s between you and I.RIGHT: It’s between you and me. WRONG: The group consists of Laura, Joe, and I.RIGHT: The group consists of Laura, Joe, and me.