MLA Product Strategy

In all businesses, designing operations play a pivotal role in ensuring that the products and services being offered remain competitive, profitable and ideal despite numerous challenges that characterize different markets.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on MLA Product Strategy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As such, having thorough knowledge on operation management principles and concepts may give a business entity the competitive advantage it needs to guarantee its success in a highly competitive marketing arena. This paper shall set out to summarize a chapter of a book discussing the design of goods and services, and provide a case study analysis using the concepts discussed in this chapter. Summary Throughout this chapter, the authors emphasize on the importance of understanding the production process of goods and services. To foster clarity, the authors state that a business should develop a production strate gy that facilitates efficient product and service selection, creation of new products and services, product development and competition strategies. Using credible sources, the authors support their statements and arguments with facts and real life examples, which enable the readers to understand, define and apply product design concepts appropriately. In the same chapter, the authors discuss the documentation for production, production decision-making processes and total quality management (tqm) as core factors in ensuring customer satisfaction. Overall, this chapter seeks to educate readers on the factors that contribute to total customer satisfaction throughout the production process and operations management. The authors have successfully articulated their ideas in a concise and understandable manner. Case study analysis: De Mar ´s product strategy Identification of De Mar’s product: the tangible and intangible (service) components of De Mar’s product Located in F resno, California, De Mar is a company that repairs and installs plumbing systems, heaters and air-conditioners to clients within this region. The tangible parts of their products consist of the physical parts (spares and new equipments) handled during the repair and installation of the selected system. On the other hand, the service components include same day service, no extra charges and a one year guarantee for services rendered. By defining its product and services, de mar has successfully set itself apart from its competitors by developing a strong reputation and philosophy based on total customer satisfaction. The company’s product strategy focuses on solving customers’ problems in a timely, reliable and quality manner.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More How should other areas of De Mar (marketing, finance, personnel) support its product strategy? De Mar pr ides itself in having interlinked systems that work together to achieve set goals and strategies. As such, the marketing section of de mar should intensify its promotional efforts and seek to inform and remind current and potential customers that the company’s products are designed to satisfy their needs to the maximum. In addition, the marketing section should foster consumer and brand loyalty by ensuring the clients that the slight difference in pricing is well compensated by the intangible services the company offers to its clients (the value/price ratio is worth it for the clients). In regard to the personnel section, employees should be handpicked to ensure that they agree with the company’s philosophy and strategy. In addition, new employees should undergo special education to ensure that they are oriented with the systems, strategies and policies adopted by De Mar. Existing employees should attend training and retraining programs in a bid to improve and/or maint ain efficiency in their performance. In addition, good working conditions, payment packages and bonuses should be offered to employees so that they can be motivated to perform better. Finally, the financial section can play its role by developing cost effective marketing, pricing and production budgets. This can be achieved by consistently doing market research, which will provide valuable financial information regarding the factors that affect the pricing, marketing and production trends within a given market. Management techniques based on the 10 operations management decisions that can be used by De Mar to ensure the success of the product Competitive advantage can be achieved and maintained by guaranteeing customer satisfaction. This can be done by ensuring that they provide fast services, consistent prices and guarantees to clients. The human resource must come up with a recruitment and selection process that matches the employee’s skills to the organizational goals. For example, the job design may consider flexibility, friendliness and expertise as pertinent towards the hiring process. Similarly, ongoing training and education will ensure that employees have the necessary skills needed to handle any problem easily and professionally within a given time frame. This is important because it enables employees to be confident in an individual or group setting. In addition, aggressive promotion can increase product awareness thereby giving de mar strong publicity that ensures consumer loyalty and an ever expanding market base.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on MLA Product Strategy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More From the text, an increase in productivity can be evidenced from the dramatic rise from $200, 000 to $3.3 million within the past eight years. This is a clear indication that the strategies implemented by de mar are efficient. As such, the performance level should be maintain ed, if not improved. Conclusion The production process plays a pivotal role in ensuring that products are developed and distributed in a quality and efficient manner. The discussion presented herein provides valuable information that can be applied to guarantee total customer satisfaction This essay on MLA Product Strategy was written and submitted by user Daimon Hellstrom to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Web-Footed Gecko essays

Web-Footed Gecko essays The web-footed gecko is native to the Namib Desert, located on the coast of southwest Africa. Living in this location has enabled the gecko to develop many unique physical characteristics that very few, if any, other animals have. The web-footed gecko also has developed a certain way of hunting for food, as well as a way of deterring predators if it feels it may become food. This gecko has also formed breeding methods particular to the region. This five-inch translucent lizard is native to the Namib Desert of southwest Africa. This region receives virtually no rain as the land is composed of bare rock and sand, although during the nights fog rolls in from the Atlantic, cooling the sand dunes. The gecko depends on this moisture to survive, as the geckos thin skin allows it to absorb moisture right out of the air. This reptile burrows during the day to avoid the extreme heat of the desert sun because the sand remains at a constant temperature just a few inches below the surface. Due to the harsh heat of the Namib the gecko has evolved into a nocturnal animal. Its name has derived from its feet, which resemble that of snowshoes in function, and a ducks feet in appearance. This gecko has the scientific nomenclature of Palmatogecko rangei. This name is significant as it shows its relationship to other geckos through its genus name Palmatogecko. The web-footed gecko is classified as follows: Kingdom: Animalia The web-footed gecko is a predator as it has a developed sense of sight. The geckos eyes have adapted to its environment to be more functional than most would expect. The lizards pupils narrow to very small slits in daylight only to transform into very large disks at night to absorb all the light possible. Although the gecko has good visibility, ...

How to Master SAT Reading Questions A 5-Step Process

How to Master SAT Reading Questions A 5-Step Process SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips SAT Reading questions are notoriously tricky. They'll ask you to analyze passages in unfamiliar ways that seem confusing if you're not used to the format. It's helpful to have a basic game-plan for approaching tough Reading questions to make the section less overwhelming. This article lays out a step-by-step process for interpreting Reading questions and lists a few tricks you should look out for to avoid making careless mistakes. What’s in This Guide, and Who Should Read It? This guide will provide you with afive-step process for breaking down and answering tricky questionson the Reading section of the SAT.This is a list of all the steps you might consider taking to figure out Reading questions that stump you.I don’t advocate going through this entire process for every question (nor would it even be possible for many of them). Although it's presented as a step-by-step process, it doubles as a list of tips that you can use in isolation depending on the question.The new SAT Reading section has pretty straightforward question wording overall, but it’s still nice to have a strategy in mind before you dive into the test.At the end of this article, I’ll also tell you about some tricky question types you might encounter on the SAT Reading section and how you can outsmart them. If you’ve had some trouble on the SAT Reading section in the past (or know that reading just isn’t your strongest subject), the information in this article will probably benefit you. Alright, let's get nerdy. Step-By-Step: How to Correctly Interpret SAT Reading Questions In this section, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step process for interpreting reading questions.Here’s the sample question (taken from one of the College Board's new SAT practice tests) that I'll use for demonstration: I chose this question because it challenges you to consider statements made across two different passages.It also requires you to view the passage from the author’s perspective and develop some insight into his or her thought process. Some Reading questions will ask you to peer into the mind of the author. Gross. Step 1: Read the Question Quickly and Note Line Numbers First, do a quick read of the question to get a basic idea of what you’re facing.If there are line numbers in the question, circle them, and underline or bracket the corresponding lines in the passage: Step 2: Underline Key Terms After you read the question and mark the line numbers, start to pick it apart a little more so that you can zero in onits core meaning.Underline phrases that specify the type of answer you’re trying to find. Examples include: Main Idea and detail question phrases like... Best summarizes Best describes Central idea Evidence and author viewpoint question phrases like... Mainly serves to In order to Best evidence The author claims Would most likely agree Inference question phrases like... Can be inferred Most clearly implies You should also review all other parts of the question and underline any words or phrases that provide context (like paragraph and line numbers).In the sample question, I underlined the phrase â€Å"in order to† because it shows us the type of answer we want. The underlined phrasesays that this question is asking specifically about the author’s goals in including the quote in the passage: Some questions are too short or straightforward for this to be a useful tactic (there’s no point in underlining the whole question, after all).If the question is longer and asks you to consider a few different aspects of the reading, however, it's a helpful way to get your thoughts organized. Questions can seem like complex concept mazes, but if you underline key parts, you're less likely to miss the main point. Step 2.5: Rewrite the Question in Your Own Words This step may be unnecessary, but if you find that the original wording of the question is confusing to you, it's sometimes helpful to rewrite it in a way that makes more sense.For the sample question we’re using, the original wording is: In lines 61-65, the author of Passage 2 refers to a statement made in Passage 1 in order to A rewrite might look something like this: Why does the author of Passage 2 include the quote from Passage 1 in lines 61-65? Or even just: What is the purpose of the quote in lines 61-65? Often, coming up with a simpler way to phrase the question can provide you with all the clarity you need to answer it accurately. This also works for questions that include less familiar vocabulary words or concepts that aren’t directly explained. If you rephrase it, you won't have to unravel this information all over again every time you reread the question. Step 3: Predict the Answer Based on Evidence in the Passage Now that you have a clearer idea of exactly what the question is asking, you can take a look back at the section of the passage that it references.You know you’re looking for WHY the quote is included, so you should review its surrounding context: The essential question we’re considering is why the author of Passage 2 includes this quote from the author of Passage 1.In the context of the paragraph, it appears that the quote serves to point out a logical inconsistency in the argument advanced by the author of Passage 1. The author of Passage 1 stated that â€Å"according to abstract principles, it was impossible to explain† the exclusion of women from politics.So, when it comes down to it, even the (misogynistic) author of Passage 1 can’t logically justify any disparity between the rights of men and women. This is emphasized in the lines following the quote where the author of Passage 2 says â€Å"If so, on what does your constitution rest?†She points out that the author of Passage 1 has no logical grounds to claim that the rights of women should be given less consideration than those of men (â€Å"those of woman, by a parity of reasoning, will not shrink from the same test†). The author of Passage 2's response to the author of Passage 1. Step 4: Use Process of Elimination to Find Your Answer You’ve read the question, you’ve figured out what it means, and you’ve even anticipated the answer!Now use process of elimination to decide which option fits best with your predictions: Choice A can’t be right because the author isn’t using the quote to call the QUALIFICATIONS of the author of Passage 1 into question.She’s questioning his argument, but not necessarily his authority on the subject (although that definitely deserves to be questioned). We can also discount Choice B because it's actually the opposite of what the author intends (the first sentence of Passage 1 is the quote cited in Passage 2).She expressly points out this statement as support for her argument. Choice C is a likely answer based on our predictions in the previous step, so we’ll leave that one alone. Choice D is another answer that is the polar opposite of what we want.Passage 1 argues that women should be excluded from politics, and Passage 2 argues that this point of view is illogical and immoral.Passage 2 is not attempting to validate any of the ultimate conclusions drawn by the author of Passage 1. Step 5: Make Your Final Selection It looks like Choice C is the clear winner. Before you commit and bubble in your answer, double check everything to make sure you didn't miss any key aspects of the question. This is a crucial step if you hope to eliminate careless mistakes! 3 Tricks to Watch Out For on SAT Reading As a follow-up to the basic steps for interpreting reading questions, I'll list a few tactics the test might use to try and throw you off. Be on the lookout for these traps so you don't fall for them! Apparent Subjectivity You’ll see many of these types of phrases on the SAT Reading section: â€Å"It can be inferred† â€Å"Most nearly means† â€Å"Would most likelyagree† This terminology implies that there will be a couple of answer choices that make sense, but one will make a little more sense than the others. NOPE.Reading questions are NOT subjective, and viewing them that way will only make the test harder.There is only one accurate answer for each question, and that answer is always supported by evidence in the passage. All the other choices are flat-out wrong. Don’t make things more difficult for yourself by assuming the SAT is more complex and nuanced than it is! True Statement vs. Correct Answer This point is related to the previous section’s discussion of the â€Å"only one correct answer† rule. As I said, there is only one accurate answer for each question, and you should be able to find evidence for that answer in the text. However,there’s a big difference between a statement that’s technically accurate according to the passage and a statement that’s the correct answer to the specific question being asked. Sometimes, the SAT will include answer choices that are correct factually but don’t respond directly to the issue at hand.Take this question, for example: Choice A is the correct answer, but the paragraph appears to align with Choice D as well.The passage as a whole is pro-public transportation, but this paragraph is talking about why people are sometimes justified in choosing to drive instead.However, it’s just describing a potential counterargument, not actively advocating that public transportation should be abandoned. Questions like this are why you need to read both the question and the relevant parts of the passage carefully before deciding on an answer. Just because an answer choice appears to be true at first glance doesn’t mean that it’s the appropriate response to the question. My car counts as a form of public transportation because I pick up ALLL the ladies awww yeahhh (*buys darker sunglasses to hide secret tears of loneliness*) Deceptive Charts The Reading section now includes data interpretation questions, which means that you’re gonna have to read some Crazy Charts and Goofy Graphs (I really want this to be the title of an actual SAT subscore category). If you don’t take the time to look closely at these charts and graphs and make sure you fully understand them, you'll run into some trouble.For example, I was confused by a question based on this pie chart: To me, both A and D seemed like correct answers, but that was because I hadn’t looked at the chart closely enough to grasp exactly what it was showing me.ChoiceD is incorrect because the graph doesn’t tell us anything about the FREQUENCY of use of public transportation in these different groups of people.It only tells us the makeup of the public transportation population in terms of numbers.Unemployed people could use public transportation just as often or more often as employed people. We don’t know based on the information we've been given. This example demonstrates that it’s critical to read closely and avoid making assumptions.Pie charts may seem like an easy-to-read, friendly type of chart, but sometimes the delicious apple-cinnamon filling is laced with a few drops of Sneaky SAT Serumâ„ ¢. Even pie can betray you. TRUST NO ONE. Conclusion SAT Reading questions and answers are sometimes confusingly worded. Although the new testing format aims to make them more accessible to students, it's still smart to plan out your strategy beforehand so you don't panic if you come across a tricky one. Here's a recap of the steps you should take to interpret SAT Reading questions accurately: Step 1: Read the Question Quickly and Note Line Numbers Step 2: Underline Key Terms Step 2.5: Rewrite the Question in Your Own Words Step 3: Predict the Answer Based on Evidence in the Passage Step 4: Use Process of Elimination to Find Your Answer Step 5: Make Your Final Selection As you go through the steps, make sure you stay vigilant. The new SAT can still be tricky. Look out for: Questions that appear subjective (they're not!) Answers that are true but not correct responses to the question at hand Deceptive charts and graphs for data interpretation questions If you keep practicing these skills with real SAT Reading questions, by the time you take the test you'll be able to handle any curveballs the College Board throws your way. What's Next? The new SAT may be easier or harder for you depending on your academic strengths. Learn about ways the new SAT could be more challenging or less challenging for certain students. What's a good score on the new SAT? Find out what score you should be aiming for on the new scale out of 1600 based on your goals. The SAT isn't the best standardized testing option for everyone. Check out this article for advice on whether you should take the new SAT or the ACT. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this Reading lesson, you'll love our program.Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands ofpractice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Check out our 5-day free trial:

British Electoral System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

British Electoral System - Essay Example In this system ranks are provided by the voter to the candidates by marking 1, 2, 3 etc on the ballot paper against the name of the candidate. The candidates are ranked across different parties or within the same party by the voters. Certain quota of votes must be achieved by the candidate in order to win. This system is used â€Å"for local government elections in Northern Ireland and Scotland, European Parliament elections in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Assembly† (Voting systems in the UK, 2008, p.2).Under this system the voters can cast their votes into two parts, firstly for constituency MP and second for party list. The lack of proportionality that arises from the FPTP is compensated by this system. â€Å"AMS is used for elections to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the London Assembly† (Voting systems in the UK, 2008, pp.2- 3).   Closed Party List SystemThis system is applicable to a multi member constituency. The electo rs vote for the party and as per the proportion won by the party, it gets seat in the constituency.† The Closed Party List system has been used for European Parliament elections in the UK since 1999 except in Northern Ireland where STV is used† (Voting systems in the UK, 2008, p.3).The Single- member plurality, which is followed by the British Electoral system was believed to facilitate â€Å"a two-party system of alternating single-party majority government†.... le transferable vote In this system ranks are provided by the voter to the candidates by marking 1, 2, 3 etc on the ballot paper against the name of the candidate. The candidates are ranked across different parties or within the same party by the voters. Certain quota of votes must be achieved by the candidate in order to win. This system is used â€Å"for local government elections in Northern Ireland and Scotland, European Parliament elections in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Assembly† (Voting systems in the UK, 2008, p.2). Additional Member system Under this system the voters can cast their votes into two parts, firstly for constituency MP and second for party list. The lack of proportionality that arises from the FPTP is compensated by this system. â€Å"AMS is used for elections to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the London Assembly† (Voting systems in the UK, 2008, pp.2- 3). Closed Party List System This system is applicabl e to a multi member constituency. The electors vote for the party and as per the proportion won by the party, it gets seat in the constituency.† The Closed Party List system has been used for European Parliament elections in the UK since 1999 except in Northern Ireland where STV is used† (Voting systems in the UK, 2008, p.3). Effectiveness of the Electoral System The Single- member plurality, which is followed by the British Electoral system was believed to facilitate â€Å"a two-party system of alternating single-party majority government†. But in the 2010 UK election no party could secure an overall majority due to which formation of peacetime coalition government was done (Curtice, 2010, p. 623). This issue raised questions on the effectiveness of the system. To understand this merits and demerits of

Analyzing the major challenges i faced as a member of a writing Essay

Analyzing the major challenges i faced as a member of a writing community (IMPORTANT worth 20% of my grade) - Essay Example Despite the advantages associated with excellent writing skills, international students face challenges in development of effective writing skills. The challenge is adverse when the English is not the student’s first language. Students from Arabic and French speaking African countries face massive challenges because they must study English as a language before developing the necessary writing skills. Language learning is the process that requires time. For instance, early introduction to language leads to a better understanding of the language. For this case, students study English language at an old stage when in college. Such late introduction to a new language will adversely affect the writing skills of the students. For my case I started studying language in high school and despite the aggressive learning approach, I have not reached a satisfactory level. Therefore, the main challenge is to understand the language and developing the necessary skills with the focus being on the writing skills and style (Briggs 56). The introduction of the various languages at the infant stage of life may be beneficial for the students compared to the current college approach employed. The main challenge in international writing is the understanding of the Standard English for academic use, which affects article or publication quality. Language understanding and proficiency is vital in the development of the necessary writing skills and can be improved through practice and writing. In addition, there are five domains, which an international student can experience difficulties when developing academic writing skills (Briggs 20). The first challenge is the difference in culture. Difference in culture leads to culturally coined problems. The assumed and actual differences in the concepts of academic writing between the country of origin and host country can affect the writing significantly. In fact, it is a considerable challenge for international students because of the difference in understanding and perception. Some words may be translated to give a different meaning to the whole situation. The use of slang within the college causes a challenge because it affects understanding and meaning of words for international student. Academic writing approach between the different nations illustrates the difference in writing concepts which will be evident in the writings. According to Briggs, the observation by teachers indicates that the problems related to cultural adjustment, language and learning are products of cultural differences. The main challenge with culture is the difference in the learning style between country of origin and study country. For instance, the Middle Eastern culture does not encourage male and females interacting freely in the learning environment (Briggs 56). Therefore, the students may face the challenge when studying in the western countries which have no gender related restriction. Such changes will affect the international student and in turn reduce or lead to poor academic success. Culture is a vital issue in learning for international students because it affects perception and understanding. The international students are faced with general-linguistic problems, which result from linguistic knowledge or competency of the student. These are problems that cannot be accounted for by the students because of the second language deficiency (Briggs 23). Additionally, the ability of the student to

Plantation Crops and the Slavery System Essay Example for Free

Plantation Crops and the Slavery System Essay Plantation crops and the slavery system changed between 1800 and 1860 because of the industrial revolution. After the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention, the Southern states were granted freedom to decide about the legality of slavery. At this point in time, the cotton production was very low and there were around 700,000 slaves in the whole country. Cotton changed the course of the American economic and racial future, because of the mass production of textiles. The cotton quantities increased considerably. The South was producing and exporting over sixty- seven percent of the world’s cotton by 1840 which gave the region strong economic power. As the cotton production continued to grow it required more manpower or slaves. The supply of slaves needed for growing of such production was restricted, making slaves more valuable resulting in the domestic slave trade. The domestic slave trade emerged as a crucial commercial enterprise during the 1800 and 1860, which resulted in white planters looking for new slaves in the upper South states. (Henretta, Edwards, and Self 2012, 352-359) â€Å"For white planters, the interstate trade in slaves was lucrative; it pumped money into the declining Chesapeake economy and provided young workers for the expanding plantations of the cotton belt. For blacks, it was a traumatic journey, a new Middle Passage that broke up their families and communities. â€Å"Arise, Arise and weep no more, dry up your tears; we shall part no more,† the slaves sing hopefully as they journey to new lives in Tennessee.† (Henretta, Edwards, and Self 2012, 358) The domestic slave trade emerged as a crucial commercial enterprise operating through a coastal and inland. The coastal system sent slaves to the sugar plantations in Louisiana and the inland to cotton plantations. The domestic slave trade was crucial for the prosperity of the southern economy. It was an important resource to raise money and help support the economy of the Upper South. (Henretta, Edwards, and Self 2012, 352-359) References Henretta, J. A., Edwards, R., Self, R. O. (2012). America: A Concise History, Volume One: To 1877, 5th Edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins.

The Devil’s Playground :: Devil Religious Beliefs Creative Writing Essays

The Devil’s Playground Slowly the snow drifted along the sidewalks and streets as he strolled down his own path. Following no particular way but his own, he traveled. Knowing not his destination but only his outcome. His ideas were changed, his beliefs were diminished to that of nothing and his perception of reality was turned upside down. All he knew now was himself and that of his tendencies. His own nature was the only real and raw thing that he was able to hang on to. A life of mistreatment and abuse, his last actions displayed his true feelings. "I should have stopped you in the womb. When I had the chance I should have taken it. YOU, were my worst mistake." "LEAVE! Nobody here wants you nobody here cares for you and there is no place for you. Hide yourself somewhere and do the world a favor." His mother screamed constantly, shaming him to that of nothing but guilt of being alive. It was a common ritual in his OLD household. Then tonight, with the quick flick of a wrist and the glisten of rose red, the shaming ended. The guilt stopped. Then with two more quick and swift movements he finished off what was left to remind him of his past. What would have been witnesses were nothing more than cold and bludgeoned heaps. Ryan lived on the outskirts of the city. Wandering from house to house throughout his childhood he knew not much of the meaning of family. His parents were constantly sending him to foster families for a few weeks at a time then taking him back, only to get a few more pleasurable meetings with him. He was unwanted by all but himself and ignorant to the idea of remorse. He always knew one day, he alone, could stop all his pain and all his suffering but he wasn’t concerned with that right now. In fact, the only things that crossed his mind were, "Right foot, Left foot." It was all he thought of and it was all he spoke of as he walked. He carried the rose red razor in his right hand and his left was clenched tight. His knuckles as white as the snow that surrounded him. His pajama pants and white tee shirt were all he wore. No shoes to protect his feet from the harsh winter cold and snow and no hat to warm his freezing head.