Analysis Of Marketing Positioning Of Kelloggs Special K Marketing Essay

Analysis Of Marketing Positioning Of Kelloggs Special K Marketing Essay Kotler et als ideology of marketing entailing understanding consumers and their needs and designing marketing initiatives to deliver those needs (2009, p. 5) emerges in the marketing endeavors undertaken by the Kelloggs Special K (SK) cereal brand. The marketing foresight inculcated by the brand not only helped it contribute to the overall success of the Kellogg conglomerate but also helped it evolve as a strong contender in the UK cereal industry. This assignment will unravel the marketing practices followed by the SK brand by analyzing its positioning in the UK cereal market. The analyses will encompass highlighting the customer segmentation adapted by this cereal brand followed by evaluating the efficacy of its target market selection. Subsequently, it will assess the cereals positioning as compared with its competitors positioning including its usage of the marketing mix elements to sustain that positioning. Finally as an outcome of the above analysis, it will offer recommendatio ns to strengthen the brands market positioning. Assumptions Made: Barring considering the retailers as buyers for a five force analysis of the UK cereal industry, the assignment considers the end users as the consumers of the SK cereal. Whilst for a perceptual map, price  [1]  has been used to draw inferences on the product quality of the various cereal brands, Kelloggs product life cycle stage in the UK market and SKs brand share have been used to draw inferences on SKs product life cycle stage. UK Cereal Market and Kelloggs: The UK cereal market grew by 15.7% in value between 2004 and 2008 because of the perceived health benefits of and convenience in consuming cereals coupled with the declining popularity of the traditional breakfast (Worth, 2009). This growth rate indicates the attractiveness of UK cereal industry, which is also substantiated by a Porters five forces analysis of the market (represented diagrammatically in Figure 1.1). This oligopolistic market is dominated by three big brands: Kelloggs, Weetabix and Cereal Partners (Worth, 2009 and Datamonitor, 2009a) with Kelloggs leading the market (as shown in figure 1.2). Since giving the world its very first ready to eat cereal cornflakes (Emerald, 1991, p. 16), Kelloggs has become practically synonymous with breakfast cereals (Mitchell and Boustani, 1992, p. 21). With over 100 years of experience in the cereal business, it appears that Kelloggs has built its high brand value (shown in figure 1.3) on consistent pioneering innovations and incessant delivery of consumers nutritious food requirements. And keeping true to this tradition is Special K, the leading cereal brand of the Kelloggs family  [2]  . Special K and its marketing choices: Launched in the UK in 1959 (Kelloggs Special K, 2009), Special K is a nutritious low-fat, ready to eat diet cereal that owes its eminent market position to the enhanced marketing choices made by the Kellogg marketers (Kellogg Company, 2003,2004). Following section of the assignment will analyse the components of the marketing choices made by the SK brand. Market segmentation and Target Market: SK is targeted at weight conscious women, employed/homemakers, between the ages of 25-49 who desire to attain a slimmer shape either for a healthy lifestyle or for an occasion. And in pursuit of their weight goals these women will prefer to consume nutritious food substitutes including paying an above average price for the product. Alike the cereal manufacturers who use a number of variables to segment their customers (deduced from the data on consumption of cereals displayed in figure 1.4), it appears that SK also segments its customers using demographic variables such as gender, age and occupation and behavioral variables such as occasion and benefits. But unlike the other cereal manufacturers, SK utilized its customer segmentation to identify and serve a distinct market group, which proved to be attractive and profitable over catering to the entire mass market. Moreover factors that contribute to the continued success of serving this target market are: Dieting trends: Results of a consumer research carried out in 2008 revealed that women are constantly trying to lose weight, where 24.3% of the women dieted most of the time as compared to 13.9% of men (Baxter, 2009). This consumer behaviour augments SKs target market selection. Popularity of Health food: The popularity of health food is increasing as confirmed by a consumer research where 43.8% of the research pool displayed an affirmative interest in purchasing functional food. This growing trend benefits SK as women (47.3%) accounted for the majority of the preference over men (40.1%) (Taylor, 2008). UK Obesity levels: The forecasted UK obesity levels for 2010 where women (29%) are more likely to be obese then men (27%) (Gower, 2008) not only favors SKs product proposition but also provides the brand with an opportunity to expand its customer base. Grocery shopping: SK can effectively access its target market using Kelloggs existing distribution channel of grocery chains, owing to the consumer behaviour where women undertake majority of the shopping at supermarkets as compared to the men (shown in figure 1.5). Growth of UK cereal market: In addition to its current growth rate (as discussed earlier), the UK cereal market is also forecasted to prosper in the future (displayed in figure 1.6). This future growth rate, supported by an immense market potential that exists in the form of people still skipping their breakfast, enables SK to attract new customers. Whilst the above factors substantiate SKs distinctive target market selection it is also imperative to evaluate the brands positioning in this target market as compared to its competitors to gauge the success of its marketing foresight. Competitors versus Special Ks positioning: Though Porters five force analysis of the UK cereal industry reveals that competitive rivalry in this market is moderate, failure by cereal manufacturers in differentiating their products will result in increased competition. SK endures industry competition based on the category points of the parity from other health cereal brands, including the various Kellogg brands, and market competition from other slimming aids such as diets, meal replacements and appetite suppressants (represented diagrammatically in figure 1.7). Whilst the popularity of the cereals is on the rise (refer to prior discussion) the popularity of the slimming aids is on the decline due to the augmented awareness of the healthy eating habits (Baxter, 2009). Hence though the slimming aids are positioned as weight management products (Refer to figure 1.8 for the positioning of the various slimming aids in the market) also targeted at women, it can be deduced that SK has a superior market potential over these products. A perceptual mapping of SK with its industry competitors (displayed in figure 1.9) divulges that the brand is perceived as high quality premium priced product by its customers. However SKs consumer perceived value is not alone limited to its price and quality differentiation but rather is accentuated by its unique market positioning in the cereal industry. Special K is positioned as a premium shape management nutritious cereal for women The above positioning unveils that instead of imitating its competitors by using common variables such as quality, energy, taste, natural ingredients and price, SK utilizes the popular variable of body shape to differentiate its product (refer to figure 1.10). Though a number of consumer products and services use the variable of shape to differentiate their product, SK was the first cereal brand to employ this positioning making it unique in the cereal industry  [3]  . Kelloggs by using its extensive experience to develop and position the SK cereal, appears to have understood and delivered its consumer needs; where women may want to lose weight either post an occasion such pregnancy or holiday or to lead a healthy lifestyle or to improve their physical experience. The value proposition offered by SK that acts as its point of difference from the other cereal brands has also helped it minimize the risk of cannibalization from the other Kellogg cereals. Furthermore, SKs market positioning has helped convert the consumers cereal purchase decision from a low involvement to a moderate involvement activity by linking their purchase decision to the psychological and physical benefits that can be derived from the product. Infact the SK 2 week challenge, which is an important element of the brands positioning (refer to figure 1.10), facilitates potential increases in the product usage and brand loyalty as once consumers verify the benefits of the product they may want to extend their association with the brand. It can be argued that by targeting only one distinct consumer group, SK is limiting its profit potential but on the contrary the growth in its market share (depicted in figure 1.11) is a testament of its successful market positioning in highly profitable target market. However SKs current and future market share could be threatened if it is no more the only cereal adopting the shape positioning as revealed in a SWOT analysis displayed below. Hence the strength of its positioning depends on effective management of the marketing mix elements. Marketing Mix Elements: Product: SK by offering a series of value added benefits in addition to its core benefits (displayed below) appears to acknowledge the importance of support for its customers during the challenging process of weight loss. And by providing these benefits the brand has transitioned from a low fat consumer product to a perceived personal weight management partner for its customers. Furthermore it appears to understand variety seeking behaviour  [4]  of its consumers as it extended its product line to include other SK sub-brands failing which women might have used other tasty healthy cereals with the SK personal plan. The brands packaging while being environmentally and user friendly: easy to transport and store, also serves as an effective marketing tool. It provides product information and reinforces the brands positioning by illustrating its value proposition of shape on the box. Moreover by using the Kelloggs name and tag line: If it doesnt say Kellogg on the boxà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.it isnt Kellogg in the box on the packaging, it depicts its association with Kelloggs premium quality and high brand value thus discouraging potential brand switching  [5]  . Place: Kellogg distributes SK selectively through supermarkets, hypermarkets and convenience stores utilizing the below represented distribution network. Using popular supermarkets/hypermarkets, which are the leading medium for cereal distribution (shown in figure 1.13), is aligned with SKs target market selection (covered in a prior discussion) which is accentuated by the supermarkets ability to attract customers through their own high advertising budgets (displayed in figure 1.14). Promotion: SK utilizes promotional campaigns, advertising and interactive marketing to sustain its winning market positioning. The SK 2 week challenge, which is an integral element of the cereals offering, originated as a creative promotional campaign that helped the brand acquire its market growth (Kellogg Company 2003, 2004). Success of the 2 week challenge is largely attributable to the consumer perception that it is an easier challenge to take due to its shorter duration. Another successful campaign launched by the brand is the SK slimmer jeans challenge which astutely kicks-off at the start of the New Year when women would be keen on losing their post holiday weight and dropping a jeans size (Kelloggs 2009). SK uses its high media advertising expenditure, which is higher than any of its competitors (shown in figure 1.15) to effectively communicate its positioning to its target market. It creatively employs the informational appeal message style in its television advertisements to convey product information and benefits, aimed at sustaining and attracting new customers (as evident in its latest advertisement  [6]  ). On the downside, some women may not relate to the product as the brand stereotypes a womens body shape by using perfect size models in most of its advertisements which may also conflict with its brands positioning of slimmer shape (not perfect shape). SK also recognized the growing popularity of internet among UK consumers (Euromonitor International 2009a) and hence uses its website and facebook group, as forms of interactive marketing, to connect with its customers. SK by allowing consumers to access the brands value added services on its attractive website aims to engage its customers and encourage repeat visits. Price: As cited earlier, SK is priced higher than any of its industry competitors  [7]  (displayed in figure 1.16) which is in sync with its premium brand positioning. The brands high quality is buttressed by its high price. SKs growing brand share despite its higher pricing appears to support the consumer perception that a high value compensates for a high price. But as discussed in the SWOT analysis, SKs future product demand may decline if the consumers opt to purchase the cheaper private health cereals due to the economic recession (Worth, 2009). Moreover its future demand may also be impacted by the marketing tactics of supermarkets such as placing their cheaper cereals on the shelf next to the SK brands  [8]  . Marketing recommendations: From the above analysis, it is evident that SK is effectively managing its marketing mix elements to strengthen its market positioning. However since the brand is in the maturity stage of its product life cycle (represented diagrammatically in figure 1.17) it needs to defend its market share to avoid the onset of the decline stage. Hence the following recommendations have been offered: Firstly using its exposure of a high advertising budget, SK can enhance its promotional activities by aptly launching additional innovative promotional challenges. And increase consumer participation in these challenges by providing opportunities to win prizes such as designer wardrobes or free SK cereal vouchers. Secondly by using real  [9]  slimmer size women in its advertisements it will not only distinguish itself from the other product manufacturers who stereotype womens body shape but also may generate increased consumer confidence in the products market message. Alternatively by taking inspiration from its website, SK can incorporate the success stories of its consumers in its advertisements to reinforce the products effectiveness. Lastly owing to the growing popularity of health foods it can extend its product line to introduce other weight assistance products such as SK nutrition drinks which may complement rather than compete with the cereal. Such product introductions will also reflect the brands commitment to delivering the healthy weight management needs of its consumers. The above recommendations will not only augment SK existing strong market positioning but will also discourage possible brand switching due to the economic recession. Conclusion: This assignment acknowledges that the marketing choices made by Special K, quite like its name, prove to be special for the brand. Perceptive of its consumer needs and behaviour, Special K effectually segmented its customers and selected a profitable and sustainable target market in a flourishing cereal industry. This target market selection has immensely contributed to the special status acquired by this brand. However the true success of the brand lies in how it differentiated itself from its competitors by relying on the SHAPE positioning that also acts as the value proposition for its consumers. Though the brand astutely manages the product, place, promotion and price attributes of its marketing mix to support its positioning, the reality of its product life cycle stage cannot be escaped. Hence recommendations to improve SKs advertising, promotional activities and brand line extensions have been made to avoid the onset of the decline stage for the product. Appendix: Kellogg brand list: Kellogg offers a vast product line catering to the needs of different customer segments. Kellogg brands include All bran, Coco Pops, Cornflakes, Crunchy Nut, Frosties, Fruit n Fibre, Winders, Natures Pleasure, Optivita, Country Store, Honey Loops, Just Right, Ricicles, Start, Pop tarts, Rice Krispies, Frosted Wheats and Special K. Special K product variations: Special K Packaging: As shown in the above images, Special Ks packaging conveys that it is a low fat cereal and provides information on the personal plan and its benefits and cereal nutrition figures. The red color is synonymous with the Special K branding and labeling which not only shows it strong connection with the Kelloggs brand but also symbolizes confidence and excitement (Kelloggs Special K, 2009) that a consumer will enjoy after achieving the shape desired by them. The packaging supports easy and convenient usage through the cardboard box and plastic bag, which help in storage and preservation of the quality of the cereal. Special K in supermarkets: The observations on the shelf space occupied by Kelloggs Special K were made by visiting two large supermarkets, Tesco and Morrisons. A large section of the middle shelf space in the cereal section of the supermarkets was devoted to Special K cereals and its sub-brands. This shelf positioning helps attract customer attention and expedite the purchase process. Another observation made was that both Tesco and Morrisons placed their cheaper cereals next to Special K which may deter the purchase decision of a cash strapped consumer. Infact Tesco has also extended this marketing gimmick to its online shop as displayed in the below images. Links to advertisements: http://www.specialk.co.uk/special-k-news.aspx Latest advert h ttp://www.tvadmusic.co.uk/2009/06/kellogs-special-k-shape-up-for-summer/

Essay --

Assignment #1 Ethics Bernie L. Madoff Investment Securities LLP was part of what is considered to be one of the largest financial frauds in U.S history. The Wall Street investment firm was used as an elaborate â€Å"Ponzi Scheme† that extorted upwards of $65 billion from unsuspecting investors. The Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays earnings to older investors using the money generated from newer investors. The Ponzi scheme was perpetrated by founder Bernie Madoff and was carried out for a number of years until 2008 when he was finally convicted. Bernie L Madoff Investment Securities LLP was founded in 1960 by Chairman Bernie Madoff and was one of the top market-maker businesses primarily serving as the middleman between buyers and sellers of shares. Bernie Madoff first started his firm as a penny stock trader using the $5,000 he saved up from his job as a lifeguard and sprinkler installer. As time went on he was able to build up his firm with the help of his father-in-law, Saul Alpern who referred him to a large circle of friends and families which further helped expand his business (Biography.com). The firm eventually became so successful that by the 1980s, the firm handled up to 5% of the trading volume on the New York Stock Exchange. The firm also helped develop the National Association for Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ), a computer technology information platform which the firm used to broadcast stock quotes. In the 1990s Bernie Madoff was eventually named chairman of NASDAQ (DeGrace, 2011). Alongside B ernie Madoff was his brother Peter Madoff who was the firm’s chief compliance officer and senior managing director. Bernie also hired his two sons Mark and Andrew Madoff at his firm. ... .... According to the nytimes.com, it is required under the SOX that brokerage firms such as Madoff Securities are required to be audited by firms registered with the Public Company Accounting Board. However, the S.E.C issued a rule to waive that requirement for privately held brokerage firms. This again allowed Friehling & Horowitz who weren’t registered with the board to continue on doing the audits for Madoff Securities. (Norris, 2009) It’s obvious that Bernie Madoff was highly respected among his peers for his knowledge and experience in stock trading and he used that leverage to manipulate hundreds of investors. His returns despite seeming suspicious left his investors wanting more. There’s no doubt greed was the driving force behind Madoff’s unethical behaviour but it could also be said greed was also the reason Madoff was able to get away with it for so long.

Organizations, competition and environment Essay

There are different kinds of organizations. All of which exemplify the complex nature of organizational relationships. The public sector is an excellent illustration of the interaction and tensions both within the organizational essentials, as well as those operating between the organization and its environment. Besides, government policy of privatization, deregulation and the commercialization of the public sector has destined that the peculiarity between public and private concerns is becoming ever more blurred, further explanatory our focus. Though, we will discuss them briefly for better understanding. Private organizations sprang up equally for economic and non-economic purposes. Scientific relations, propaganda leagues, religious, sports and tourist associations, etc. , became global in scope. The growth of private organizations for economic rationales is connected with the capitalist expansion of this period. A large numbers of commercial firms implicit an international character by extending their activity to all parts of the world. And so international companies came into being; international competition was synchronized by agreements, ententes and cartels between private organizations, which at times took on a quasi-public form. The public services are those public sector organizations giving public goods to citizens, excluding the public corporations. The major UK public services are central and local government, health care, education, the police, fire services and the armed forces and their employee relations have always be different from those in the private sector. This difference does not relate mainly to the absence of profit, a characteristic the public service sector shares with the private ‘not for profit’ sector, though clearly this limits the resources and strategies of both types of organizations. Nor does it relay to the greater strength of trade unions and communal bargaining in the majority of the public services compared with the private sector, as this has not always been the case and in several public services, i. e. the police and the armed forces, trade unions are outlawed. The difference is that, unlike the private sector, the fabric of public service employee relations is turn through with the key dimension of political power. As Storey has commented, the dilemmas for public sector managers ‘derive . . . rom the inherently political nature of the values and objectives which should inescapably govern the way taken’ (Storey 1992a: 55). Though tere are also Voluntary organizations that held responsible (to funders and to the public) for the grants they receive, and may as well be competing for funding in an added stringent environment. But the extent to which voluntary organizations are held to account for the grant they obtain and the involvedness of the accountability mechanisms needs to be perceptively tailored to the size of the grant, the stage of development of the organization, and the nature and purpose of the organization. Major accountability for the welfare of its citizens, the charities and other voluntary organizations which had established and delivered so many services were to be displaced to the margins, to become little more than icing on the constitutional cake. In Britain the development of voluntary sector studies was led by David Billis and his colleagues, initially at Brunel University and now at the London School of Economics. Other main contributions have been made by the Open University’s Business School and by Martin Knapp and his colleagues at the University of Kent, while scholars at another dozen British universities have turned their consideration to the study of the sector. Developing and disseminating visions and missions for organizations is considered as a basic component of alignment to facilitate stakeholders to know what an organization’s values are and what it stands for. Though, there are definitely those who believe that this has been, in several organizations, a purely cynical process to influence alignment. The gap practiced by staff and customers between the rhetoric of espoused values and the policies, procedures and practices supports this view. Expressions such as ‘we need buy-in’, ‘how will we get staff to sign off’, ‘developing ownership of the vision and values’, while professing to reveal a concern for alignment may simply obscure a deliberate and conscious choice of language somewhat than making real changes in the way things are done. Ever more, the shift in the relationship between an organization and its stakeholders facilitated by technology is resulting in ongoing, dynamic and receptive processes being developed. Organizations view themselves as communities and to act similar to communities not only inside the walls of the corporate offices, plants and outlets but as well outside in the wider society. Corporations do not function in a vacuum. The reason governments’ worldwide proffer giving incentive schemes to entice businesses to their shores is because governments know that the existence of such businesses can provide community benefits least of which are jobs. There are also well documented instance of the desolation that a company pulling out of a country can have on the community it leaves behind. The impacts can be massive. Corporations, consequently, exist within a context a framework which they cannot ignore and a framework in which they have certain responsibilities. There are substantial international differences in the ways in which the local and national economy and the affiliation of the economy to market, state, and civil society are envisioned. The ways in which the local and national economy is conceptualized and understood, and the ways in which it is seen to relay to social exclusion, have taken a variety of forms, partly reflecting changeable national cultural and political traditions and policy choices (Jouen 2000:15-26). In the UK, ‘†¦a country characterized by a welfare system of an enduring type†¦the distribution and production of goods and services was undertaken mainly by†¦non-profit organizations’ (Borzaga and Maiello 1998:25). Reflecting the dearth of a strong welfare state, there has been an entrenched tradition of seeking to build a sense of community and persuade local ‘bottom up’ community development progressively distanced from the politically-inspired community activism in which it was initially rooted. The Third Sector became a new form of organizing welfare via non-profit and voluntary organizations. Planned or command economic system place in the employment of large workforces to mass produce goods for a mass consumer market persistent by growing wages, state demand management policies and state welfare provision. A distinguishing combination of state and market – centered on the economics of mass production/consumption and Keynesian regulation catered for economic and social need transversely the social spectrum. ‘The free market and restricted government form the space in which all the institutions that stand between the individual and the state can develop and thrive’ (Willetts 1999:31), stress the virtue of self-responsibility. The social economy can instill an ideology of self-motivation and self-provision, serving to return individuals as free market agents. Whereas, the capitalist system underline on individual greed, profit, and market value relatively than social need. The linkage between the local and national economy through evocations of community and local connectivity is ever more justified through the specificity of problems at the local level. The localized notion of the economy emphasizes the capability to address specific local needs and tackle localized social segregation. The mixed system, therefore, conceptualized as an aggregation of localized Third Sector organizations, ready and competent to combat localized social exclusion. For ‘the free market/capitalist system approach makes obvious the extent to which alterations in the division of labor between monetized economic activity and non-monetized activity depends on the local context and culture’. As a result, the ‘national’ and, reflecting well-established or further recent forms of regional devolution in a range of advanced capitalist states; ‘regional’ social economies might be simply heterogeneous agglomerations of localized practices. The role of the state in the economy mostly influences organizations. The capacity for adapting organization new open and competitive framework and significant investments in territorial infrastructures, with the resultant risk of an overly heavy presence of the state in the economy. This risk in turn leads to a requirement for institutional reform, to bring the Union closer to citizens, and at the national level to push a considerable amount of power towards lower institutional levels which are closer to the individual citizen, as laid down in the principle of subsidiary which is enshrined in the Maastricht Treaty as one of the basic principles of the Union, and as has been forcefully reasserted during the Intergovernmental Conference. Regulations by the government have the economic result of segmenting the market according to diverse qualities of the product, subject to the government’s authority, on which the public administration depends and which firms recognize. Inside a single regulated segment there can be cost advantages from a more competent use of internal economic resources, from a lessening in transaction costs, and from the generation of constructive externalities. Amongst the different segments subject to different regulations, however, these advantages turn into disadvantages, making entry into the segment in question more arduous. If the qualitative regulation is on a per-country basis, these increased demands take on the uniqueness of non-tariff barriers. It follows that the means by which such regulations are arrived at has been measured extremely relevant, politically, by national governments, all the more so the greater the force of commercial relations among states. Types of market certainly influence the organization; international production mainly comes from the proponents of the ‘internationalization of capital’ school. As focus on monopoly is based on a neoclassical-type ‘quantity theory of competition’, which observes competition and monopoly as polar opposite types of market structure. In fact, competition must be viewed as a process which dialectically links competition and monopoly. Accordingly, escalating concentration need not entail monopoly power, given actual and prospective competition by rival firms. The market forces is a nexus of horizontal relations in which virtual power is not given, but is contestable on the basis of the capability to influence organization productive activity. The organization of production and industrial competition are as a result the instruments for affirming the rights of individuals in society. The economic dynamic is therefore associated to institutional change, and this is linked to the existence of a multiplicity of subjects, free of institutional restrictions and economically independent, capable to compete to confirm their power and their social position. n economy based on the development of market forces needs a strong state to guarantee property rights and to legal private contracts, but also to guarantee those positive externalities that no one individual citizen could set off by himself, like defense, justice and public works, and those essential for collective growth such as communications, educational and health systems, and finally to avert any risk of monopolization (Robbins 1978:37). Organizations of the European Union try to pack the political gap by developing regional alliance as a condition to EU membership. It resulted in the creation of a committee of cooperation in Central Europe between Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary in 1991. This sub-regional cooperation, validated by the Visegrad Agreements, evolved lastly into a quadrilateral free trade agreement (CEFTA). The Treaty on European Union appeared to induct a new era in European foreign policy that appear to imply that European Political Cooperation (EPC) would relent to a more obligatory intergovernmental procedure. The planned use of Community institutions as well appeared to indicate a reduction of the attempt to sustain control over EPC by governments at every levels of the progression. Yet, if the economic effects of Visegrad are worldwide positive, it was not part of a progressive scheme of assimilation into the EU. On the contrary, it has formed a feeling of the marginalization of the eastern countries on the Western European scene. If it was thought that the CEFTA symbolized a structure of dialogue with the EU, the increasing number of eastern countries applying for membership provided such a proposition indefensible. Yet, even though the EU was rather slow in recognizing the goal of the eastern countries to assimilate with Western Europe, the different trade agreements showed the evolution of the EU towards the question of the enlargement. Hence, the approach between the EU and the eastern countries might be illustrated by bilateral Agreements, support programmes (like the PHARE programme) and mainly by the Association Agreements. Certainly, the appreciation of the enthusiasm of the eastern countries to become members of the EU is illustrated in the preamble of the Europe Agreements: ‘Having in mind that the final objective†¦is to become a member of the Community and that this association, in the view of the Parties, will help to achieve this objective’. Official Journal of the European Communities, No. L 347, Brussels, Vol. 36, December 1993). Centrelink co. UK is the coordinated efforts of numerous persons toward common objectives. At the same time, the structure of organization is almost inexorably a hierarchy of superiors and subordinates in which the higher levels exercise power over the lower levels. The thriving leaders of organizations, or more precisely the organization builders, are in any s ociety a small, but aggressive minority. But they feed the aspirations, give expression to the goals, and shape the destinies of peoples. They play the principal roles on the stage of history; they systematize the march of the masses, and they are responsible for the direction, the pace, and the definitive success of the march. The objectives within private and public sector is a result of choice and diversity in the provision of public services has been greater diversity in the range and type of public or near-public bodies used to provide public services. The range of bodies has given significance to the ecology heuristic in decision making about public services. The ecology heuristic is used more when there is an assemblage of stakeholders associated with a service. Like Pascal’s sphere the new and diverse public sector has its bounds everywhere and its centre nowhere. Rhodes (1995) argued that the public sector is increasingly comprised from networks, as well as from hierarchies and markets, as government moves from a system of government into a system of governance: This use sees governance as a broader term than government with services provided by any transformation of government and the private and voluntary sectors. Inter-organizational linkages are a defining feature of service delivery and I use the term network to describe the numerous interdependent actors involved in delivering services. These networks are made up of organizations that need to exchange resources (for example money, information, expertise) to attain their objectives, to maximize their influence over outcomes and to evade becoming dependent on other players in the game (Rhodes 1995:9). The growth of firms’ diversification is a significant element in companies such as Centrelink co. adopting a divisional structure. Over the past ten years over three-quarters of British companies have upturned their diversification; in contrast German companies have been disinclined to pursue refocusing strategies. Stakeholders are constituted to co-ordinate wider goals as if they are a type of social contract, undervalues the extent to which dominant power groupings have set those goals and shaped the appropriate structures. In fact, co-ordination or co-operation might reflect pressure, constraint or acquiescence to power as much as shared goals. Moreover, the development of organizational culture as an analytical device leaves much to be desired. There are troubles of defining the elements which comprise organizational culture, and, until we develop some systematic measures of organizational concept then its utility as an analytical tool should be limited. Even then, culture is much more complex than many credits. It is dynamic, in that the behavior and expressed feelings of staff can adapt a culture over time. Many organizations are also multicultural. Furthermore it is very hard to observe and measure something that is implicit, informal and very often invisible. Given such problems it is difficult to establish consistent links between culture and performance, let alone recognize how such a relationship operates.

Children and War Essay

How do children experience war and what coping assistance do they need from adults? What can we do to raise children in war torn times. According to a report by the London based International Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, an estimated 300,000 children in more than 80 countries are participating in armed conflict. I personally feel that children experience war because adults bring them into this conflict. Professor Henninger mentioned in his post, â€Å"Culture plays a big part,† in how children around the world experience war. Children are seen as innocent and many times are used as undetectable threats in war zones because who would suspect that a child is carrying a bomb or other various weapon devices such as hand-grenades and high powered guns. According to my research on this topic, children are used to having a safe haven and during war safety cannot be a permanent item, which is what children will need. The class text mentions that children’s memory is affected by not so pleasant images of being around a war zone, children can become desensitized to violence which could cause children to display violent behavior; reasoning on moral issues are affected, plus numerous other issues such as anxiety and depression are items children experience during war. It is unfortunate during war time in various areas, young girls can become victims of rape and often young girls are used as â€Å"Soldiers wives† in various foreign countries (Garbarino, Kostelny & Dubrow 1998), where they are made to live in slavery and care for the soldiers every need, which includes intimate needs. This is why some of these young girls become pregnant and are then often time abandoned while the solider finds a new young female victim. Research has shown that once these young girls have babies, they seen as outcast and cannot return back to their regular family unit, due to most family members have been killed due to war zones. Young female and male children both experience major disruption to their family unit. I have seen on new reports where children became instant orphans and most likely saw their parent or parents murdered during war and then the child is left to care for themselves or many times they may have to care for other siblings. Young males may lose their fathers permanently due to war and this loss may place this young man as the â€Å"Head of household†, where their maturity level is not consistent (Weisenmiller) with taking over such as important role for the family. Coping Assistance for Children of War How children will experience war is also based on how the adults around them handle the situation. For example, if the parent is able to be with the child by offering comfort during such a climatic time and by being upfront with the child or children of what is happening, this will help ease the anxiety caused by war. The United Nations in the past held special sessions on how to deter the affects of war on children who live in war zones on a worldwide level. Special curriculums have been set-up in many war torn countries to allow children to either discuss, draw, or play act events that occurred to them during war, so they share their story and not hold things in, which could cause more stress in their young life. Assistant for children involved financial backing, which many times under developed countries do not have the mean, so international help organizations cans step in and provide the children with the physical and psychological help they would need to recover. Children need coping assistance that will help provide their basic everyday needs such as food, shelter, reassurance of safety and assistance with social development. Social programs such a UNICEF, Salvation Army, Red Cross, along with family, friends and the community will help children cope during times of war. When a child is raised in war torn times, they need to feel valued and make them become part of the community again by assisting in keeping them in school, healthy, have food and water available. Children need truthful information provided to them during war times because it is very important that they have an understanding of what is happening around them. Overall, support from parents, the community, friendly nations is important in helping to raise children during war time, and also help the child keep a sense of childhood when war issues arise. References: Berk, Laura E. (2009), Child Development Eight Edition. Pearson Education Clements, Paul T, Jr., PhD,R.N., C.S. (2001). Terrorism in America: How do we tell the children? Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 39(11), 8-10. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/225547648?accountid=828 Garbarino, J., Kostelny, K., & Dubrow, N. (1998). No place to be a child: Growing up in a war zone. Jossey-Bass Weisenmiller, M. (2007, May 11). Health: Trauma haunts children in war zones. Global Information Network. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/457557903?accountid=8289

How to Nurture the Markets You Know

How to Nurture the Markets You Know Recently, I hung out on an online writers workshop group, and the talk traveled to diversification. My fellow  Ã‚  writers tried to convince me, yet again, to write for businesses and corporations. This didnt sound totally right to me. Wasnt magazine publishing a business, too? I said that, for now, I would stick to articles. The moderator, an internationally praised freelance journalist, praised my fortitude. In the end, I guessed, it was about sticking to what you know, what made you comfortable. Over the last year, I realized that sticking to good markets, like staying faithful to a good spouse, could save your life in the end. I learned to nurture the markets I knew. Like most people, I hated selling myself to strangers. Strange magazine editors, with their cold inboxes and expectations of knock-your-sock-off queries, were no exception. This realization had improved my relationships with editors. Now I feel more confident that Ill get off welfare and succeed, again, as a full-time writer. I have hope again in the â€Å"meat market† freelancer situation of 2014, where A+ authors are competing like never before with the merely very good. I always considered myself a wonderful writer, but fighting for crumbs with Columbia Journalism School grads had really depressed me. In the end, I ended up being the girl who learned that she didnt have to attract the captain of the football team, or even had to work overtime to be pretty and dateable – at least in this cutthroat market. She just had to be laid-back with unglamorous but well-paying and consistent magazine markets. Finding Faithful Markets I have three rules to finding, keeping, and nurturing markets. 1. When contacting a magazine with a query or letter of introduction, I like to deal with publications that respond quickly. For first-time assignments, I dont deal with any magazine that doesnt make a decision within two weeks. The old-style, three-month rule of New York publishing doesnt apply to most magazines currently looking for freelancers. Your market should be like a date thats TRULY interested in you. 2. I also prefer magazines that are generous with assignment information. Obviously, knowing how to create a professional article is paramount. However, I hate it when an editor leaves everything to me; possible conflicts can and often do arise. I always verify length of article, deadline, slant of article, and of course payment amount. 3. After finishing an article for a publication, if they encourage me to submit more stuff, they make me especially happy, and they go to the head of my idea queue. I admit that some publications are not pro-active. They are like the shy but good guy, and sometimes, I make the first step to maintain a good relationship. However, perpetually making the first step with markets that dont respond is a waste of time. I only have a limited time for my career. For the best use of my effort, I emphasize my work with markets that respond to me quickly, consistently, and professionally. Markets Here are five trade magazines currently looking for freelancers who deliver consistently. Minority Nurse Magazine minoritynurse.com Contact: Megan Larkin mlarkin@springerpub.com Tea Coffee Trade Journal teaandcoffee.net Contact: Vanessa Facenda v.facenda@lockwoodpublications.com Vineyard Winery Management vwmmedia.com Contact: Tina Caputo tcaputo@vwmmedia.com Medical Economics http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/ Contact: Dan Verdon dverdon@advanstar.com Cleveland Business Connects (CBC) Magazine cbcmagazine.com Contact: Thomas Skernivitz tom@cbcmagazine.com Find out more about Behlor Email: thebxscribbler1980@gmail.com Website: behlorsanti.net LinkedIn: linkedin.com/pub/behlor-santi/53/32/193

Avogadros Law Definition in Chemistry Terms

Avogadros Law Definition in Chemistry Terms Avogadros Law is the relation which states that at the same temperature and pressure, equal volumes of all gases contain the same number of molecules. The law was described by Italian chemist and physicist Amedeo Avogadro in 1811. Avogadros Law Equation There are a few ways to write this gas law, which is a mathematical relation. It may be stated: k V/n where k is a proportionality constant V is the volume of a gas, and n is the number of moles of a gas Avogadros law also means the ideal gas constant is the same value for all gases, so: constant p1V1/T1n1 P2V2/T2n2 V1/n1 V2/n2V1n2 V2n1 where p is pressure of a gas, V is volume, T is temperature, and n is number of moles Implications of Avogadros Law There are a few important consequences of the law being true. The molar volume of all ideal gases at 0 °C and 1 atm pressure is 22.4 liters.  If pressure and temperature of a gas are constant, when the amount of gas increases, the volume increases.If pressure and temperature of a gas are constant, when the amount of gas decreases, the volume decreases.You prove Avogadros Law every time you blow up a balloon. Avogadros Law Example Say you have 5.00 L of a gas which contains 0.965 mol of molecules. What will be the new volume of the gas if the quantity is increased to 1.80 mol, assuming pressure and temperature are held constant? Select the appropriate form of the law for the calculation. In this case, a good choice is: V1n2   V2n1 (5.00 L)(1.80 mol) (x)(0.965 mol) Rewriting to solve for x give you: x (5.00 L)(1.80 mol) / (0.965 mol) x 9.33 L

What Is Pre-AP How Are Pre-AP Classes Different

What Is Pre-AP How Are Pre-AP Classes Different SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips What is a pre-AP class? Has your school started to offer pre-AP classes or are you wondering if they should? Have you heard about the College Board’s new official pre-AP classes and aren’t sure what they are? This guide is here to answer all your pre-AP questions. We’ll explain what pre-AP is, how official pre-AP classes differ from unofficial pre-AP classes, important changes coming to pre-AP, and what subjects the official pre-AP classes will cover. What Is Pre-AP? What is a pre-AP class? Pre-AP classes are a fairly new term for classes that are meant to prepare high school students for AP classes (college-level classes taken in high school) as well as college classes themselves.Pre-AP classes are typically taken by high school freshman, but some courses are also meant for sophomores. Can any school decide it wants to have pre-AP and just assign the title to some of its classes? Yes, but not for much longer.The College Board has recently announced that it will launch an official pre-AP program in the fall of 2018 (learn more about the official pre-AP classes in the â€Å"What Official Pre-AP Classes Are Available?† section further down).Beginning in the fall of 2022, all classes that are labelled as â€Å"pre-AP† must be submitted to the College Board and have their curriculum approved in order to be called pre-AP. Official pre-AP classes must also be available to all students in a grade, not just honors or advanced students. Currently, however, there are both official and unofficial pre-AP classes, and although both are meant to prepare students for future college classes, the two types are actually quite different from each other. Unofficial Pre-AP Classes Until 2022, any school can give certain classes the â€Å"pre-AP† title without having to follow the curriculum or rules of official pre-AP classes.Unofficial pre-AP classes are usually similar to honors classes. They are more challenging than regular-level classes and will likely have more homework and more rigorous tests to help you prepare for the advanced level of AP classes.You may need to have certain grades or pass a test to be accepted into an unofficial pre-AP class. Official Pre-AP Classes Official pre-AP classes are those that have had their curriculum approved by the College Board. Beginning in 2022, they will be the only pre-AP classes allowed. The College Board created pre-AP classes as a way to introduce all high school students to the skills and resources they'll be using in college classes. Unlike regular AP classes, which are often only for advanced students, official pre-AP classes must be open access, which means students at all learning levels must be able to take them. Pre-AP classes are meant to be the standard curriculum for a course, not an honors or advanced program.If your school has an official pre-AP course, then all students must be enrolled in it. Schools can’t exclude anyone from a pre-AP class based on his or her grades or aptitude for the subject. It's possible for a school to have an honors pre-AP class, but only if they also have a regular-level pre-AP class in the same subject as well.This could mean that, instead of having regular and honors biology, a school would just have pre-AP biology and honors pre-AP biology. When a class is an official pre-AP class, that doesn't necessarily mean it's an advanced class or more difficult than regular classes. Pre-AP just means the class has more of a focuson preparing you for future college classes. You'll still be studying the same major topics in a pre-AP class that you would in a regular class, but the way the lessons are taught and how you are assessed will be slightly different and more similar to a college class. This may mean you'll analyze more texts similar to those studied in college classes, practice critical thinking skills, and learn specific lessons that are part of the pre-AP program. Since these are skills all students should be learning, pre-AP classes aren't meant for just advanced students. How Does Pre-AP Differ From Regular Advanced Placement? Because the names are so similar, it’s easy to confuse pre-AP and regular AP classes. However, they’re quite different from each other, and the three major differences are discussed below. #1:You Can’t Get College Credit for Pre-AP Classes AP classes are taught at the same level as college classes; therefore, passing one means you can pass its college counterpart. This is why many colleges give college credit for passing AP classes. Pre-AP classes are still taught at the high school level, so although they can be more difficult than regular high school classes, you won’t get college credit for them since they aren’t as difficult as regular college classes. #2: There Is No Final AP Exam to Pass in a Pre-AP Class For most students, the most important part of every AP class they take is the final AP class in the spring. These exams, which are scored from 1 to 5, are important for showing colleges how well you understood the material and possibly getting college credit. Pre-AP classes don’t have final AP exams like that. Just like a regular class you’ll probably end the year with a final exam or project, but there’s no official pre-AP exam you need to take or pass. #3:Pre-AP Classes May or May Not Give Your Transcript a Boost Some students and parents get confused as to how important college think pre-AP classes are. Does a pre-AP class look as good as an AP class on your high school transcript? No, since, as mentioned above, AP classes are significantly more difficult than pre-AP classes. Currently, many colleges will view a pre-AP class on a high school transcript the same way they view an honors class. However, once official pre-AP classes become more widespread, colleges will likely stop viewing pre-AP classes as honors or advanced classes since official pre-AP classes are meant to be taught to students of all abilities. An honors pre-AP class will likely be viewed the same as a regular honors class. What Official Pre-AP Classes Are Available? Beginning in fall 2018, five official pre-AP classes will launch in schools. These classes are all official pre-AP classes and will follow curriculum designed by the College Board. The five classes are all meant for 9th graders, but more pre-AP classes, including some for students in other grades, are expecting in coming years. Many of them include more of an emphasis on critical reading and analysis skills than regular classes typically would. Below are the five official pre-AP classes, each with a short description. You can find out more about the pre-AP classes on the College Board’s pre-AP website. Pre-AP Algebra 1: Focuses primarily on linear relationships as well as other building blocks of math. There will be an emphasis on using math skills to solve real-world problems as well as being able to support or refute mathematical arguments. Pre-AP Biology: Gives students a foundation on basic biological concepts, both macro and micro. Students will read higher-level biology texts and learn analytical reading and writing skills useful for upper-level and college science classes. Pre-AP English 1: Teaches students close reading skills, analytical writing, and language skills while reading a variety of complex texts similar to what you'd read in intro-level college English classes. Pre-AP World History and Geography: Focuses on how history and geography are related, the importance of evaluating evidence from historical texts, and how to explain historical relationships. There's an emphasis on identifying and analyzing relationships between historical figures and events, as well as incorporating evidence into written and oral arguments. Pre-AP Visual and Performing Arts: There are four specific courses in this group: pre-AP Dance, pre-AP Music, pre-AP Theater, and pre-AP Visual Arts. Compared to many regular classes, these pre-AP classes focus more on analysis and interpretation of important works, peer-to-peer dialogue, experimentation, and reflective writing to prepare students for college-level classes in these subjects. Conclusion: What Is Pre-AP? Pre-AP classes used to be a title used by schools to designate honors classes or other rigorous classes designed to prepare students for AP classes in future years. Beginning in fall of 2018, the College Board will launch five official pre-AP classes. These classes are open-access, which means students of all abilities must be allowed to take the class. Instead of being honors classes, official pre-AP classes are meant to be the standard class in a school to teach a subject.Unlike regular AP classes, you can’t get college credit for pre-AP classes, and there is no final AP exam to take at the end of the year. What's Next? Want to learn more about Advanced Placement classes?Check out our introductory guide to AP classes and tests to learn everything you need to know! Does your school offer AP and IB? Are you curious about the differences between the two? Take a look at this article to learn whether AP or IB will be a better fit for your needs. If you're taking the SAT or ACT soon, you'll want to be well prepared. Check out our ultimate study guide for the SAT and ultimate study guide for the ACT for everything you need to score high! Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: