Brand Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Brand Management - Essay Example For the marketing program investment, NB is positioned as the best fit for athletes and people who want shoes that represent their fitness goals. NB concentrates on manufacturing shoes with diverse widths because it believes that a large fit enhances footwear performance. The brand is also known for the benefits of comfort, performance, and quality of fits and soles (Ryan 2008). The commodification is manufacturing for quality. NB is involved in international business; it sells products all over the world. Furthermore, employee relations are regarded as satisfactory, because the executive management is dedicated to responding to internal stakeholder needs (Baker 1999). For customer mindset, awareness is high, but not as high as for market leaders, such as Nike and Reebok-Adidas, when sales are considered. See Table 1 for Comparative Data on Major Athletic Footwear and Apparel Companies, 2004. NB also has good associate relations. NB imports finished soles and raw materials from Asian suppliers. The uppers would then be made and connected to soles in the U.S. almost seventy percent of NB’s domestic product is called â€Å"sourced upper.† For sourced-upper shoes, NB will import finished uppers and soles from Asia and will conclude the assembly at the American factories. Three warehouses in Skowhegan and Lawrence hold approximately $9 million (or 4 and half weeks) worth of raw materials inventory (Bowen, Huckman, and Knoop 2002, C-383). It can take 10 to 12 weeks for the shoes to arrive at Lawrence and Ontario (order to deliver lead time) (Bowen et al. 2002, C-383). The lead time has also been lessened, due to the efforts of NB to develop ordering and synchronization processes between the company and the suppliers. The management also strategically located the manufacturing plants near distributors and stores (Bruce, Daly, and Towers 2004; Jin 2004). Table 1: Comparative Data on Major Athletic Footwear and Apparel Companies, 2004 Company Worldwide Sa les Footwear Sales Total Assets Net Income Employees Nike 13,739.7 7,299.7 8,793.6 1,211.6 26,000 Adidas-Salomon 8,057.0 3,384.0 6,015.8 402.3 17,023 Reebok 3,785.3 2,430.3 2,440.6 192.4 9,100 Puma 1,903.3 1,065.8 1,263.1 320.0 3,910 New Balance 1,500.0 NA NA NA 2,600 Fila 955.2 NA NA -85.0 2,300 Vans 330.2 NA NA -30.0 1,890 Source: Bowen, Huckman, and Knoop (2006, C374) The attitudes of the company represent good work ethics and social responsibility. NB actively supports societal marketing. Some of its products use natural materials. NB also energetically donates to charity and other organizations. It has a New Balance Foundation that tackles child obesity, as well as other cultural and environmental concerns (New Balance 2011). Studies also showed that New Balance has loyal customers, because they appreciate the performance of its products and the grassroots marketing approach of the company (Datamonitor 2008). The main marketing promotions of NB are word-of-mouth and PR through de-emphasizing the importance of celebrity endorsements (Datamonitor 2008). Price premiums of NB are pricing for value. New Balance has different prices for its products, but mostly it charges premium pricing for its athletic apparel and footwear. Customers are not that price elastic. NB enjoys a market share of 8 to 12% market share (Bowen et al. 2002, C-384). Expansion success is high, since NB has strong brand equity. Cost savings is also good, because of the strategic supply chain management of NB

Health and Nutrition Worksheet Essay Example for Free

Health and Nutrition Worksheet Essay Use Ch. 1, 2, 3 of Visualizing Nutrition, supplemental course materials, the University Library, the Internet, or other resources to answer the following questions. Your response to each question should be 75 to 100 words. 1.What is nutrition? Why is nutrition essential to our daily lives? For me nutrition would be eating the right types of food in order to maintain your body healthy. Nutrition is very essential to our daily lives because without proper nutrition our bodies would be fully functional. Either you would be tired or weak everyday no matter how much sleep you get or how long youre at the gym for, again without the proper nutrition’s your body wouldn’t be fully functional. 2.What is the connection between nutrition and health? The connection between nutrition and health is that no matter what you do, everything starts with a foundation. In a house the â€Å"basement† would be the foundation, the part that’s holding the house up. But with our health, proper nutrition would be our foundation to a healthy lifestyle. 3.What is the relationship between poor nutrition and disease? The relationship between poor nutrition and disease is that with poor nutrition you are going to be more prone to catching a disease because your body is going to be weak and isn’t going to stand a chance against a virus. 4.What does it mean to eat a balanced diet? Why is food choice important for good nutrition? For me a balanced diet would be eating the right types and amounts of foods and drinks to help your body get the right amount of nutrition it needs, this means that if your body needs just 1 cup of wheat and 2 cups of fruits then that’s what you’re getting, not more or not less. Food choice is important for good nutrition because if you don’t get the right food that will satisfy your â€Å"pyramid† then you’re going to have too  much of one thing and not enough of the other which will lead to an unbalanced diet. 5.Why is physical activity important to a person’s health? What changes, if any, should you make to ensure you get enough physical activity? Physical activity is important because it can improve your health and reduce the risk you developing certain kind of diseases. Also by being active it will also help you stay fit and prolong your life rather than just being at home and being a couch potato which will hurt you a lot, because I am in the military I believe that I am already fit, sometimes I even think I’m getting too much physical activity, we workout 5 days a week and 4 out of the 5 days we work out in the morning and afternoon. 6.What influences your food choices? Why? What influences the food I pick would be a variety of things such as how it smells, looks, taste and most of all my culture. Im Puerto Rican so I was brought up eating rice and beans for me food wasnt food unless rice and beans were included. But around ten years old I moved to New York where its multicultural so thats where I started tasting all different kinds of food such as Italian, Dominican, and real Chinese food, and realized that in order for something to be food rice and beans didnt have to be included. What also influences the food I pick depends on my son, me and my wife wont usually cook something that he doesnt like but hes so picky at times that we just make something healthy for all of us and he wont eat it, I would have to feed it to him in order for him to eat it. 7.What is the difference between digesting protein and carbohydrates? Which would make you feel fuller longer? Why? The difference between digesting protein and digesting carbohydrates is that proteins are digested into amino acids while carbohydrates are digested into simple sugars. Also carbohydrates are converted into glucose which are then stored in the body and Proteins are broken down into amino acids which then are used to build and repair body tissues. I believe that protein will make you feel fuller because you don’t have to eat as much in order to satisfy your hunger. 8.How does today’s society affect our nutritional habits? Our society today affects our nutritional habits tremendously It’s so hard to control our food portion because of the food industries in the United States. Right now for example we could go down the street to McDonalds and order a Big Mac meal. Now the Big Mac alone has about 550 calories but then they give you some fries with the Big Mac and a fountain drink. Now if you were brought up like how I was, which was your mother or father yelling at you and telling you, you need to eat everything on my plate, then of course you are going to inherit those habits and youre going to be eating everything they give you, and that of course unhealthy. Youre going to be eating a lot more than what you’re supposed to, making us gain weight and even have health issues. 9.How are nutrients used to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP)? Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, acts as a source of fuel within your cells. Formed from a series of chemical reactions, carbohydrates, proteins and fats can all be converted into ATP following digestion. One type of food that provides a source of ATP is meat and fish. These foods contain several animal cells, with each cell containing preformed ATP. The nutrients found within meats and fish may also provide a source of ATP within your body. Upon consumption, the fatty acids and proteins in meats and fish are digested and absorbed. If your body requires an immediate source of energy, these nutrients are used to make ATP within your own cells, helping to fuel your body. 10.Consider your personal dietary habits. What are some modifications you might make to promote good health? My personal dietary habits are eating only two meals a day and just drink water or powerade throughout the rest of the day. Which I know now that is a terrible idea, skipping meals isn’t good for us. In them two meals I eat a day, since I’m always at the gym I eat a lot of meat to intake a lot of protein, and with the meat I would eat about 1.5 cups of rice and .5 cups of beans, which is diffidently not maintaining a balanced diet at all. Some modifications I might make to promote good health would be to not skip meals, and maintain a balanced diet, not too much and not too less.

Compare Law Of Defamation In Us And Britain Media Essay

Compare Law Of Defamation In Us And Britain Media Essay Introduction The purpose of this report is to compare the law of defamation in the United States and the United Kingdom. Considering the defense is open to a journalist accused of libel, an analysis will be given as to which system better serve society. In considering a comparison of defamation law in the United States and the United Kingdom, it is useful to consider points of advantage and disadvantage. An assessment of the advantages and disadvantages will help to demonstrate which system better serve society. An overall assessment shows that, while the United States may have disadvantages associated with the defamation law system, the British system has many glaring problems that undermine free speech and equity. This means that the British system does not serve society better. Such analysis will be supported by referring to the sources of free speech guarantees, which in the US are guaranteed by the Constitution, the burden of proof, which in the US wife with the plaintiff, and the cost and ease of access, which in Britain is a situation that has spiraled out of control. Sources of Free Speech Guarantees In critically investigating the advantages of defamation law in the United States for journalists, Crook (2010) indicates that the existence of the First Amendment is advantages for journalists, a point well voiced by other legal practitioners (Meiklejohn, 1961; Byrne, 1989). The reason why is because it guarantees them, through the Constitution, the right of free speech. This means both at the federal level or otherwise cannot block the freedom of speech and that is the fundamental guarantee. In America, the case that sets the constitutional principles for libel is the case of New York Times versus Sullivan (Crook, 2010). Because of the constitutional right of the freedom of expression in the United States, there is more of a positive culture for the freedom of expression (Crook, 2010, p. 237), a perspective again voiced by other writers like Fiss (1988) who said the freedom of speech amendment to the constitution defines we America is as a nation. Indeed, there is more room given t o the rights of the freedom of the press as a result, among other advantages. In the United Kingdom, there are not a constitutional principles established. In other words, in the UK, there are not any constitutional provisions on free speech law like the United States. Crook (2005) explains the reason for this being is because the UK does not have a federal legal system or Constitution. As well, the UK is subject to unique forces like the European Court and the European communities. Still, the legal framework with regard to the freedom of speech and United Kingdom is found in the rulings of Reynolds versus Times and Turkington v Times. Burden of Proof Another advantage of the defamation law within the United States is the burden of proof for journalists is on the plaintiff. The evidence the US plaintiff has to present during cases of defamation includes the following. In particular, a U.S. plaintiff has to prove that the communication was executed to purposely injure reputation, that the message is false and publish to a third-party (Watts, 2004). Further, if the definition is associated with public officials or in the interests of the public, the requirements extend further. In such cases, the US plaintiff will have to prove actual malice and negligence (Crook, 2010). This is not the case in the United Kingdom where the burden of proof is said to lay with the defendant. With the burden of proof lying on the defendant rather than the plaintiffs, such the underlying assumption is that any offending speech has the potential to be untrue and the writer or author has to prove that it is true (Crook, 2010). Again, this is in contrast to the United States where, in order to succeed, the plaintiffs have to prove this speech is false and has been published with a disregard for the truth. The thoughts of the disadvantages because, when compared with the United States system, the plaintiff is in charge of providing evidence of an injury to reputation. Costs and Ease of Access Another disadvantage that has been associated with the defamation law for UK journalists are the costs involved. Crook (2010) documents the fact that attempting to defend against libel is way expensive, and as a result those who are able to defend against any attacks on reputation or against libel are generally those who are more powerful or who are wealthier in society. As a related concern, there has also been in the documentation of substantial awards of damages, and the amount of awards that are given are thought to heighten the risks associated with defending against libel actions and place on pressure journalists to settle even if they have a chance of winning the case. The situation is not helped by the introduction of what are called contingency agreements and conditional fee agreements, abbreviated CFA, which means more people are able to sue in cases of libel (Crook, 2010). Thus, the amount of damages awarded, the costs involved, and the lack of barriers, present a disadvan tages situation, and these issues are further explored in the paragraphs that follow. Indeed, some statistics are instructive in pertaining a picture of the current situation as pertaining to costs and restrictions on speech. According to the Libel Reform campaign (Libel Reform, 2010), more than 30% of editors supported medical and scientific journals say they have been threatened with libel more than 40% have been asked to change the articles to protect from libel, and more than a third have an his work from journalists because of the fear of libel action. Moreover, the report, Free Speech Is Not For Sale, has also documented a long list of criticisms against the wealthy in society as the report documents how those who are in power have filed their suit in London because of the fact that 90% of such cases are usually won by claimant (The Guardian, 2010). The total costs have been documented to be above more than 1,000,000 pounds, 140 times more than the little cases that are held in the mainland of Europe (The Guardian, 2010). Because journalists and scientists are n ot able to afford such extraordinary costs, they usually end up withdrawing their comments, apologizing to publish material that they believe true information and are important to contributing to an informed public debate on issues that matter to society (BeVier, 1980). There are efforts for change in place. In 2009, the Justice Secretary in Britain, Jack straw, indicated the introduction of the government plans to reduce the fees to launch defamation cases so as to make the system more equitable (Mulholland, 2009). If such reforms are implemented, this will represent an important step forward in making the British system more equitable because the press is a vital element of democracy (Shiner, 2008). According to the media and legal literature (Petrova 2008), the press serves the function of informing the public and providing information that enables them to make choices as good citizens (Dahlberg, 2001). Therefore, being able to publish information and not restrict the freedom of expression is seen as being a critical component of democracy but presently this situation constrained in Britain because of the libel law (Loper, 1974; Hensley, 2001). Lord McNally Justice Minister of the United Kingdom has raised this concern recently. McNally indicated the urgent need to allow different forms of journalism or scientific research be able to be published without the fear of unfounded, lengthy and costly defamation and little cases being brought against them (Sweney, 2010, p. 1). However, to achieve this, the government as well as the justice minister is of the belief that what it requires is to reform the UK law on defamation to strike a balance between freedom of expression and the protection of reputation (Sweney, 2010, p. 1). Attempting to achieve this balance is very typical in considering the present system where costs are extremely high and where awards serve as a deterrent to achieving justice in the system. Moreover, there has been a great deal of discussion regarding the ease of launching a lawsuit in Britain and how the rich are involved in it (Lahlou, 2009). In fact, it has led to what is called libel tourism (Howard, 2008). With the term refers to is instances in which a company operating in for example Iceland complains about a newspaper that published information in Denmark, and then a London lawyer will be called to handle the case, and the court is held in Britain (Carvaja, 2008). One report launched, called Free Speech Is Not For Sale, showed how dangerous the law of defamation is in this respect (Libel Reform, 2010). According to the English law for example, any writer who contributes to blogs or journalists, can be sued in London irrespective of where they live or work and regardless of where the blog was published (The Guardian, 2010). This means that citizens in America or a citizen of Russia can be sued in Britain who are exercising their right of free speech in their own country. Obviously, this is a system that is not in the interest of free speech and is not in the interests of equity. The situation described above is not just theoretical. Many cases have resulted from libel tourism. The disadvantages stemming from the system in the UK can be seen in the case of writer, racial Ehrenfeld, who published a book about a Saudi billionaire entrepreneur and accused the entrepreneur of providing financial support to Islamic terrorist groups (Carvaja, 2008). Although the book was not published in Britain, only copies of the book had been purchased their online, the judge in the case ruled that the writer had to pay more than $200,000 and apologize for the allegations in the book as well as destroy existing copies of it. (Carvaja, 2008) The outcome of this particular case has not only affected the writer in question but is also affected other publishers because they are now afraid, according to Ehrenfeld, to publish information about potential terrorist or Saudi financiers even if the evidence is there. So because of the way the burden of proof operates, this can have an eff ect on limiting the amount of free speech. Globalization does not ease the burden on journalists. Because of globalization, where telecommunications are increasing the amount of information dispersal and access, the potential to sue in Britain is increased all around. For example, a television network that is based in Dubai and broadcast in Arabic was sued by a businessman in Tanzania who was disputing against allegations to ties to a terrorist group in a British court (Ungoed-Thomas Gillard, 2009). The British court was involved because the program was accessible through a satellite in Britain. The man from Tunisian was awarded more than $160,000 (Ungoed-Thomas Gillard, 2009). In the United States, there have been some legislative protections passed to protect U.S. journalists from the British system. New York State implemented the libel terrorism prevention act (Carvaja, 2008). The law that has been passed in New York is important for many reasons, one of which is that it helps to provide protection for her journalists to publish information. Essentially, what the Bill has done is to declare any judgments that may be made with regard to a US journalist unenforceable unless the country that is deciding on the case has free speech protections that are similar to the United States Constitutions First Amendment (Libel Reform, 2010). British citizens are not much happier with the current system, either. In fact, there is even a campaign that has been ongoing for some time, which can be found on libelreform.org (Libel Reform, 2010), and is urging individuals as well as politicians and businesses to reform libel laws. Those participating on the reform campaign see the system as unjust because it enables too many individuals to launch cases and silent claims that others do not agree with. This is not to say the system in the U.S. is perfect. For example, in the past there have been cases in which, in the United States, companies have open suits of commercial defamation when journalists have listed companies among those who face bankruptcy risk. Hertz did this by suing a journalist publishing information about Hertz, questioning its financial performance (Starkman, 2009). This brings up issues of whether those involved in market research and other research firms can criticize a company that is publicly listed without fearing defamation claims. The issue also demonstrate how commercial and publicly listed companies have involved federal courts to punish those who speak out on company performance ((Starkman, 2009). The issue is disturbing because it shows an abuse of the system as it pertains to defamation law, and it also undermines the freedom of speech, while bringing up very disturbing implications about what is journalists can publish about companies obviously, hav ing access to accurate information about company performance is something that should be able to be published (Crook, 2010). However, in the end, it appears the system in Britain presents far more concerns and undermines democracy. Conclusion The purpose of this report was to compare the law of defamation in the United States and the United Kingdom to determine which system serves society better. In considering the defamation law in the United States and the United Kingdom, one could conclude that the system in the United States is better. The reason why is mainly because in Britain there are too many ways for journalists to be sued and it compromises free speech guarantees. In contrast, in America, such are solely rooted in the foundations of the country. To be sure, this does not mean that the system in the United States is without flaw. But from the perspective of the present writer, it does appear that the system in the United States is better serve society than the system in the United Kingdom because in the UK so many people can be sued and it serves the rich better. This undermines equity and undermines free speech. Such analysis may coincide with others who have criticized the British system; even the Minister for Justice, Lord McNally, has indicated that the libel law in England is not fit for purpose and is striving throughout his career in the justice system to reform the system (Libel Reform: Justice Minister tells campaigners libel law à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"is not fit for purposeà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ , 2010).

Another Feminism :: essays research papers

Q.1(b) Feminist approaches to sociological theory have developed out of historical sites of struggle for equality. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of four (4) different feminist theoretical orientations. Sociological theory is broadly concerned with structured forms of social inequality. Therefore, sociologist generally attempt to approach human behaviour and relations in terms of the particular social setting of different social groups, classes and etc. However, feminist critics of sociology have pointed out that sociological theorists have neglected gender as a central principle of social differentiation. Feminist sociologist argue that most sociological theory is characterised by a 'malestream' view of the social world in which women are either overlooked altogether or discussed as if they were identical to men. The concept used most frequently to capture structured power relations between the sexes is 'patriarchy'. This essay will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of four different feminist theoretical orientations. Liberal feminism Liberal feminists are the least 'radical' of all feminist perspectives. The main aim of the liberal feminists is the creation of equal opportunities, particularly in education and work. Probably the most positive thing liberal feminism has for itself is the fact that it has contributed to considerable social change, especially in relation to employment opportunities and conditions, and social policy. Liberal feminist themselves have not produced a clearly developed theory of gender, but they generally rely on role theory. One of the main strengths of liberal feminism is that they aim for gradual change in the political, economic and social systems of Western societies which, it is assumed, will in turn transform gender roles. This is considered a strength because it is a reasonable and realistic accomplishment. Liberal feminism is willing to take the appropriate time it may take to produce gender equality. With this time liberal feminist pursue an aim through the introduction of legislation and by attempting to change attitudes. They encourage and support such measures as anti-discrimination and equal pay legislation in the hope that they will help to end discrimination. Liberal feminists do not seek revolutionary changes in society, but rather reforms that take place within existing social and political structures. If there are any weaknesses to he liberal feminists this may be it. Other feminist may argue that the liberals are not aggressive enough and rely too much on hope. Radical feminism Radical feminists turn their explanatory focus onto heterosexuality as a social construction. Radical feminists thus often see the social context of heterosexuality, family life, as central to women's

Capitalism Promotes Greed and Selfishness

Capitalism promotes greed and selfishness In capitalism country, not everybody does things with the purpose related profit. Many people also do something or help somebody because of kindness, but for the most major companies or governments in the Capitalism country, they run with the profit purpose. In this kind of operational system, people tend to be greed and selfishness.Therefore, people in capitalism country being greed and selfishness because of they are in a profit running system; and most capitalism country are developed country, greed is from human nature, then in a specifically environment, it just become bigger; also, revolt is another thread to reflect the oversqueeze from the greed and selfishness level people. Mostly, people in high level, who work for capitalism government or companies, they are work for money. The only purpose to work is make money. Every time they decided to do something or develop some, it means that will bring them profit.Even people not in this wa y from nature, they have to be like this, because they are working in such a system. In Goldstein’s article â€Å"Capitalism moral system, greed cause its failure†, he mentioned â€Å"In fact, one of my biggest fears about entering the business world is being put into a position where I may be asked to compromise my moral integrity and how I would behave under certain pressures?. In another words, if people being too bountiful, they cannot own too much money, everything is a competition, everybody will think themselves during this competition.Greed and selfishness are the natural personality for everybody in the world, when people comment a person whether greed, selfishness or not they just focus how much percentage of this characteristic in his personality. When people in a capitalism system, the characteristics of greed and selfishness seem like put under a microscope. The reason of it is when people in a high level, they have already know and have experience of how useful the money it is, then they never back to the life with less money. People have desire, they want more, and never contented. However, it just like a trend or a flu breeding in capitalism country.When the capitalist desire more, the pressures other people get will become bigger, and when people cannot stand any more, they will against to the capitalist in many different ways. Such as the revolution in Wall Street, people protest in Wall Street, even not show any fear of the policemen. This is a side to reflect capitalist’s greed and selfishness. As what Goldstein illustrated â€Å"Capitalism is a moral system, which has unfortunately been exploited by some immoral people. Acting unethically is counter-productive to a firm's success, but selfish people motivated by short-term gains may ignore this fact. Capitalism in an immoral management causes serious consequence. In conclusion, capitalist most likely look at the profit. For this purpose they are mostly greed and self ish, and they have more desire of money, then they just being more selfish because of covetous. Also, capitalism causes consequences, people cannot always stand the egoistical capitalists, they will revolt. Therefore, capitalism mostly promotes greed and selfishness. http://www. collegiatetimes. com/stories/15078/capitalism-moral-system-greed-causes-its-failure

Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men essays

Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men essays Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men by Eric Foner was first published in 1970 and it discusses how the ideology of the Republican Party shaped the outcome of the Civil War. America faced a crisis in which it had two paths it could take, would it become a country of free men or slavery? Eric Foner in Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men, argues that free labor was economically and socially superior to slave labor and because the Northern society was given the opportunity to become independent and own property, it was superior to the Southern society. The Republican ideology which consisted of "the average American was driven by an inordinate desire to improve his condition in life and by boundless confidence that he could do so" was well developed in the antebellum Northern society. Foner states that the Northern society supported the idea that a wage earner was responsible for what their future would turn out to be and that everyone in America was given the opportunity to excel. The northern society and specially Republicans believed that man was meant to work and that this was the only way that their economic and social condition could get better. Originating from the Whigs, Republicans also proclaimed that the government should provide economic opportunity and a great example of this idea was the Homestead plan. Foner takes begins to discuss the settlement of the United States and pointing out that the free labor ideology wasn't new to America, we witnessed in Colonial America that those that worked diligently advanced in social status. Those that came from England and Scotland in the 1770 worked for their freedom. Foner also mentions that social mobility of colonial Americans set the path for the future free laborers beliefs that would become the foundation of the northern society and the Republican Party. Foner's analysis of the Republican ideology in Antebellum America explains why the Union was willing to risk to go to war wi...