Research Articles Base

EMERGING MARKETS REPORT

H&M   Introduction             If an industry has decided to conquer the international market, there are many choices that will be opened.  These options may include the cost, risk and the degree of control that the company will encounter. In entering an international business, it is important that the management of the company should be able to choose a marketing entry strategy and carefully choose the product that the company will market.  Exporting, is the simplest form of marketing entry strategy which includes direct or indirect method such as using an agent, in the case of direct method and counter trade if the company opted to implement an indirect method. Moreover, if the business firm wants to be known globally, there are many other ways to choose from like joint venture or export processing zone.  If the management of the company has decided to choose the export strategy, they must include in their operation the specific channels to market their product.    Since, fashion has invading people style of living the product that has been chosen to go international market is the fashion cosmetics such as clothes, denims and other beauty cosmetics.  Hence, this paper will provide a marketing entry strategy for the clothing company using Porter’s Five Forces model (, 1980) (See Appendix 1) and SWOT analysis.  The company is a new entrant to the Chinese Market, thus, this paper will provide a marketing entry strategy analysis for the company as it invade the market of China.   Competitors Analysis             Competitor’s analysis is very important when a company will be considered as a new entrant within the market place.  It is essential so that the company will be able to know their competitors and the possible strategy that they may use to level up such competitors and know the needs of the target market.  There have been several clothing and cosmetic companies in China.  These companies have spent three years to increase their levels. Actually, there have been 4 leading clothing companies in China (i.e. Baoxiniao, Bosideng, Dayang and Ever-Glory International). Thus, this means that H&M will enter the China as a beginning industry considering many competitors within the market place.   Marketing Entry Analysis   Utilising Marketing Mix Traditionally, marketing has been utilised by the private sector in decisively increasing the capabilities of an organisation. Marketing can be considered as one of the most important element underpinning successful business creation (1994). Perhaps because of its complex applications, marketing has been defined in a variety of ways ( 1988). The marketing concept was first promulgated in the late 1950’s (1990). The importance of marketing concept incorporates oft-repeated elements such as: customer orientation; integrated marketing efforts; and resultant profitability ( 1990).  Part of a marketing strategy is the utilisation of the marketing mix.    The marketing mix principles is controllable variable that is why it can be adjusted on a frequent basis to meet the changing needs of the target market and other dynamics of marketing environment (, 2004). In relation to marketing plan, marketing mix includes both short term and long term strategies makes for a more profitable marketing mix. Long term strategies build brand/company awareness and give sales revenue a permanent, gradual boost. Short term strategies create a temporary, immediate revenue boost by giving buyers an incentive to purchase. By implementing both long and short term strategies, you can attend to immediate sales goals while building your business reputation and goodwill (, 2004). (See Appendix 2)   1.1.           Product             H&M AB (originally known as ), is a Swedish clothing company, known for their inexpensive and fashionable clothing offerings. It was established in  in Sweden in 1947 by , though at the time it only sold women’s clothing and was called . Swedish for “hers.” In 1968,  acquired the premises and inventory of a Stockholm hunting equipment store named . Included in the inventory was a supply of men’s clothing, prompting  to expand into menswear. Accordingly, he renamed the store   later abbreviated to H&M ().                         H & M is considered as one of the world’s favourite and preferred designer of apparels and clothing for man and women. In addition, H & M is also known not only for their fashion cosmetic but because of the quality of the clothes designed durability and the funkiness of its clothes. Through the online stores, H&M provides the US, UK and European Market an exclusive clothing designs. The main goal of this company is to provide innovative designs of apparels and clothes for different types of people in different countries all over the world.  The company has been known because of its strategy of providing clothing designs exclusively for each country’s preferences and needs.   1.2.           Pricing             One of the advantages of the H & M is when it comes to its pricing tactic.  In order to be known into the market place and as a new entrant, the company will provide its target market with an affordable cost while providing them a high quality products and services.  The company will be given the customer and client a price that is lesser than its competitors so that the consumer will be enhanced to buy and patronise the H & M clothes and cosmetics.         1.3.           Placement/Distribution To be known in the market place, the product will be distributed directly to its clients and consumers.  And to be known internationally, one of the strategies that the product will utilise is going on a joint venture with distinguished distributor of apparels, clothes and cosmetics, providing them with great offers, so as to market the product of the H & M.                In 2003, H&M announced its entry into the traditionally exclusive Milan fashion scene. Initial analysts declared that the high-fashion Italian market would be extremely resistant to the entry of this low-end competitor. It remains to be seen if H&M and other low-end retailers will be able to find a market there. In February 2004, The Gap, another prominent international retailer, sold off all of its German outlets to its competitor, H&M.               H&M is co-operating with  and introduced a line by her in the autumn of 2005. The planned face for this campaign was British model . On 20 September 2005, H&M announced they have dropped  for the advertising campaign of their autumn clothes range, stating that her image was “inconsistent with H&M’s clear dissociation of drugs” in light of recent drug allegations. The contract was reportedly worth £4 million a year. Singer and model  was featured in a short film and promotion campaign for the new denim jeans for women as well.               H&M launched its first American outlet on March 31, 2000 on New York’s famous Fifth Avenue. Following the success of that flagship, additional outlets were opened in the SoHo, Gramercy, and Herald Square areas of Manhattan, followed by outlets in Upstate New York in Syracuse, Utica, and West Nyack. The brand then expanded to other regions of the country, including Chicago and its outlying suburbs.               The first two H&M stores to appear on the West Coast of the US opened in San Francisco, California on November 19th, 2005. One store is located at 150 Post Street (next to Brooks Brothers), and the other store–H&M’s bigger West Coast flagship–is located at 150 Powell Street.               H&M opened its first Canadian store in Fairview Mall in Toronto and soon after, its flagship store in Toronto’s Eaton Centre in March 2004. Following great financial success, H&M opened ten other stores within the Greater Toronto Area. Stores will be opened in Montreal in Spring 2006.               H&M continues its expansion in the Canadian market, planning to double the current 11 stores to 22 in Canada by end of FY2006. Planned new markets include Barrie, Hamilton, London, Kitchener/Cambridge/Waterloo, St. Catharines and Windsor. Although current expansion is primarily in the Ontario market, plans for expansion into Quebec continue, with the opening of 5 new stores in Montreal, beginning in March of 2006. The first store to open will be in the Fairview () shopping centre on March 30, followed by one in the Rockland Centre (April 6), the  (April 13), and the (May 18). So far, only Rockland and Laval locations will be stocking menswear. Certainly, expansion into Western Canada will start in 2007, continuing into 2008 through 2010. ()   1.4.           Promotion/Communication             To promote the company and its product, the company will use video advertisements, print advertisements and the concept of e-marketing. These promotion and communication strategy will tend to meet the consumers form different places everywhere, especially those target markets or the consumers in the working place (See Appendix 3).                Moreover, since the trend in the market place today is the usage of e-marketing, the company will provide a website that any client can access.  The use of the Internet is changing high-tech marketing overnight while different industries have been trying to use it as part of their marketing strategy. It does not only reconfigured the way different firms do business and the way the consumers buy goods and services but it also become instrumental in transforming the value chain from manufacturers to retailers to consumers, creating a new retail distribution channel (, 1999).  E-marketing is a powerful tool used by different business organisations around the world. It is defined as the process of achieving marketing objectives through the use of electronic communications technology.  (2001) have provided a 5Ss’ mnemonic for how the internet can be applied by all business firms for different e-marketing tactics.  These 5S’s are selling, serve, speak, save and sizzle.               E-marketing is also known to be the online marketing strategy utilised by different company whose objective is to be the best company in their field.  Thus, the H&M will create its own website ().  The main objective of utilising e-marketing strategy is to keep in touch to different internet users to be able to attract more clients and consumers. All in all, through the website, whether the user is a customer, employee, stockholders, vendors, retailers or end customers, the true strength of e-marketing is acceleration of the business portfolio.   1.5.           Market Segmentation             Here, H&M will provide its target consumers for its product. Primarily, the context of the market segmentation for this company will be the Psychographics.  Psychographics includes social class, lifestyle, and personality variables ( 2000). The end result of using these variables is a psychological profile of each market segment. Issues also examined the customers’ loyalties, habits and self-concept. Social class describes how individuals want their office automation will meet their comfort and satisfaction, what they consider important about their immediate surroundings, their opinions on various issues, and their interests.                As lifestyle studies concentrates on what the consumer requires, using these study results as marketing strategies eventually became a marketing concept.  (1960) is one of those highly credited for popularising this specific marketing concept. The marketing concept is a basic philosophy that maintains that an organisation should endeavour to satisfy the needs and wants of customers through a coordinated set of activities that also allows the organisation to achieve its goals at a profit. Some firms fail in this task since they are more concerned with making a product and selling the product than satisfying potential customer wants and needs.               The H&M must be able to consider its consumer, especially the demands of the consumer so as to let the business have an opportunity of having an expansion of its business portfolio as required by the consumers and the clients’ need (See Appendix 4).   SWOT Analysis In order to determine the different resources and capabilities of H&M, a SWOT analysis is appropriate. This specifically analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of a company. Situational analysis, where the SWOT technique is applied, is an integral procedure and a very powerful tool for businesses to instigate effective marketing plans. As the initial procedure of creating a market plan, situational analysis aims to comprehend the environmental as well as the organisational influences that surround a particular business establishment. A SWOT analysis actually has two parts and both are equally significant. One is the external analysis and the other focuses on the internal environment. When conducting an external situational analysis, the business’ customers, market and competitors are analysed. Relevant information regarding the company’s market segments, their competitor’s relative weaknesses and strengths as well as the industry as a whole.   An analysis of the external environment requires more than just a summary of what the competition is doing. The external environment is comprised of two elements — the societal environment and the industry. The societal environment includes a review of major trends in society affecting organisations across all industries. These trends include political, economic, social and legal. An analysis of the industry takes a look at factors that have a more direct bearing on the business. Hence, in addition to analysing the competition other groups must be similarly evaluated to ascertain that no opportunities or threats within the environment are overlooked ( 1997). On the other hand, internal situational analysis focuses on the identification of the company’s distinctive competencies, expected growth, their assets as well as their liabilities. The internal analysis also illustrates the core values of a company, and in what ways can these values be enhanced or beneficial to the market plan ( 2002). Below is the SWOT analysis for H&M:   Strengths: Weaknesses: <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Basis for strong management team </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Possibility to evolve into range of offerings </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Very focused management/staff </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Well-rounded and managed business </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Efficient Marketing plan </li> </ul> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Focus maybe too narrow </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Lack of awareness amongst prospective customers </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Potential need for larger premises </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Absence of strong sales/marketing expertise due to new environment </li> </ul>   Threats: Opportunities: <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Major player may enter targeted market segment </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Economic slowdown could reduce demand </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Market may become price sensitive </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Market segment’s growth could attract major competition </li> </ul> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Market segment is poised for rapid growth </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> New markets offer great potential </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Distribution channels seeking new products </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Potential to diversify into related market segments </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: baseline; margin-top: 5.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt"> Emerging new technologies may move market in new directions </li> </ul>     Synthesis China is the fourth largest country, and with a population of 1.3 billion people, it is bound to be the largest economy of the future. That is, if it could set right its marketing policy after long years of economic “dark ages” under Mao Zedong’s autocratic socialist system. After the World War II, the communist government imposed a Soviet style centrally planned economy. Although this system ensured that the country was free from foreign intervention, there was a strict control over the everyday lives of the people, and the economy suffered, became sluggish and inefficient. DENG Xiaoping, who succeeded Mao, started focusing on a market-oriented economic development (:  2005).   China went through a major marketing philosophy change after the government initiated the policy shift. Previously, the only way to export goods to China is by directly approaching a government FTC (Foreign Trade Corporation) for the particular commodity to be exported The closed distribution system of the government has been shattered and this meant that the free market gave birth to systems that provide goods based on real market needs instead of what the bureau decides to supply. The advantage of this move quickly became evident as the living standards of much of the population have improved enormously and the people have more freedom of choice. The objective of this essay is to show the importance of further enhancing China’s marketing philosophy to maintain this development.  After a free market has been established, the next step would be import and export. In the 20th century, the major concepts that should be incorporated in China’s marketing plan are GLOBALISATION and e-commerce. China had opened its door to the rest of the world, but it is still not that simple for the foreign investors to capture the Chinese market.             China had indeed embraced globalisation, but of a sort. Travelling through Shanghai, it would be hard to distinguish it from Taipei, Hong Kong, or any US city for that matter. The wide streets are packed with automobiles. Bright Neon lights decorate the shops. You will find Chinese wearing Nike shoes or Calvin Klein tees, and drinking Coca Cola. Patrons fill the Discos and bars, where rock American rock music played and German beer were served all night. The impression is that foreign products and influence flows freely and accepted readily at China, but those who think they understand Chinese market completely better think twice. In his article “: ”, compared China to an awakening dragon who tossed down the large number of foreign investors who sat atop it, trying to ride it without fully understanding the dragon (2000).  The Chinese market is not as accessible as should be.               There were of course foreign companies able to set a stronghold in the Chinese soil, but only those who came utterly prepared, knowledgeable in Chinese  society, and committed to do business. After all, China is a large country with its transportation and communication sector still under development. Regions are separated and fragmented, and therefore cannot be considered a unified market. The immediate issues faced by the early investors were cultural differences, trade barriers and government restrictions. Coca cola, Philips, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Nokia, Microsoft, and Johnson and Johnson were some of the companies who succeeded in taming the “dragon”. There is social behaviour in China that in itself is not bad, but it does affect the country’s globalisation process. The predominant thought in Chinese Marketing System is that in order to do business successfully in China, the business must be organised, implemented, and operated in China. A business have no hope of much success if operated through long distance management, controlled by overseas main branch, or implemented by a foreign team that excludes participation by the locals. The Chinese are like westerners after all, sincerity and friendship is appreciated. A business in China must show acceptance of the host country. Donation to the government and charities , company leaders’ visits during China’s important days, company participation in China’s  activities or drives, these are likely to make a foreign company accepted by the Chinese market.  There were a lot of examples that illustrate this, involving the big foreign corporate names in China today.               Developing e-commerce is another impact that is brought about by globalisation. The principle of doing business internationally raises connectivity issues, which are better solved by e-commerce, which means doing business transaction electronically through the internet. E-commerce removes the geographical separation between regions, and made dealing with foreign trade a snap. E-commerce is just on its initial phase in China, but it is expected to grow as the Ministry of Information Industry starting to structure the basic framework for e-commerce development, rules and regulations.               Thus, we find that for China to emerge as a economic leader, it must embrace a significantly different marketing philosophy. The future of any developing country lies on globalisation, in trading with other countries without bias and discrimination. China must practice readiness to accept the trends in marketing strategy. Contact with the outside world market should be welcomed, not doubted. That way, china and its 1.3 billion people, would stand as the new pillar of world economy   Recommendation             The above discussion has evaluated the marketing entry plan of the H&M as an emerging clothing and cosmetic business in China.  Through this analysis, the company has utilised some marketing concept to be able to be competitive in the business world, specifically, the clothing and cosmetic industry.  And since the main mission of the company is to provide apparel, clothing and cosmetics suitable for the current trend, the company should efficiently create a product that would enable the client to buy it and be satisfied about it.               It is recommended that the company should be more innovative in making clothing and cosmetic that would make them known in the marketing arena, locally and internationally.  To be able to be known worldwide, the company must include in their strategy the acquisition and merges, to properly utilise branding strategy.  By acquiring, other famous company within the software field, the company can easily enter the marketing arena in the global competition.   Conclusion             Although, H&M is a new market within the business arena, the company has been utilised a strategic marketing move, including a strategic planning in order to make the market be know in the marketing environment.  The company has also made it possible to be connected to their target market thru the use of technological advancement like the e-marketing. Moreover, this marketing entry strategy can be considered as effective since the company has included all the factors to be assessed in order to make the business prolong its competitiveness and survive in the threatening place of the market.                                               References:   Appendices Appendix 1                             Figure 1:  Porter’s Five Forces Model             Source:  . (1980).    Appendix 2 Marketing Mix             Figure 1: The Concept of Marketing Mix     Appendix 3                     Figure 2: Marketing Communication Process Source:  1965. Appendix 4                       Figure 3: Buyer Decision Process Source:  1991 Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

EMERGING MARKETS REPORT

H&M Introduction If an industry has decided to conquer the international market, there are many choices that will be ...

Diet Pills: Effective or Detrimental to Human Anatomy and Biological System?

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF DIET PILLS   Part One I have read about the story of a 362-pound pastor who was so humiliated when the flight attendant announced that she was bringing an extra seat belt to secure him. The pastor then decided to embark on the diet and basketball program. For the first four months of his personal weight-loss program, he avoided red meat and all fast and junk foods, stayed away from bread, and gave up his favorite munchies – potato chips.   He only ate boneless, skinless chicken and turkey meat, fish and fresh vegetable; learned to prepare his own low-fat, low-salt meals, taking over the family’s cooking chores from his delighted wife. To overcome late-night bringing, he ate oranges and grapes whenever he was hungry. Encouraged by his diet change, he embarked on an exercise program of swimming, aerobics and basketball. He joined a health club and started working out on a bicycle machine for an hour, and swam 5 or 6 laps every day for four months. This personal weight-loss program helped him lose 140 pounds.   The success story of the pastor motivated me to write something about weight-loss programs, focusing on diet pills. The story inspired me because of the fact that the pastor did not rely on diet pills which, nowadays, become a debate of health concerns. Thus this project, covering eight weeks, discusses the dangers of diet pills.   The title of my study is “Diet Pills: Effective or Detrimental to Human Anatomy and Biological System?” Obviously, I investigated the overall effect of diet pills to human system. I hypothesized that in general, diet pills are not detrimental to human anatomy and biological system. This was a result of my observation of some friends who do not experience negative side effects while taking diet pills. In this research, I attempted to answer the following questions: (1) How do diet pills affect the human anatomy and biological system? (2) How do people perceive themselves in terms of their appearance?; (3) Why do they turn to diet pills? To carry out the overall aim I first assessed and evaluated the situation by observing some friends who are into diet pills. I underwent archival research to gather information about the positive and negative effects of diet pills. Then I did a review of related literature on the effects of diet pills. Afterwards, I identified main issues and problems, followed by the interview. I made sure that the information given by the interviewee would be confidential. Through this interview, I was able to gain first-hand information about the topic. For this study, descriptive research method was utilized. In this method, it is possible that the study would be cheap and quick. The purpose of employing this method is to describe the nature of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the cause/s of particular phenomena. I opted to use this kind of research considering the desire of the researcher to obtain first hand data from the respondents. Primary research data was obtained through this new research study. In-depth interview was conducted. On the other hand, the secondary research data was obtained from previous studies on the same topic.    A lot of overweight people are getting more conscious about how they look. This is the result of the twisted thought that the seemingly anorexic supermodels and brainless beauty queens are the only beautiful creature in this planet. It is really important to watch one’s figures mainly for health concerns and not due to aesthetics concerns.    Those who are considering to enroll in weight-loss programs, specifically those who are into diet pills will certainly relate with this study. Moreover, conducting this study provides personal benefits for me, especially that diet pills have no effect on me and that I am not able to follow any regime. Conducting this study then was a learning process for me.   Part Two Although researching about the topic was a really tedious task, it was an adventure for me as well. Moreover, my eight weeks spent on reading everything about the topic makes me knowledgeable about the dangers of some weight-loss programs and diet pills.   For this research, I did library research and interview. For the first part, which was the library work, I gathered data, collated published studies from different local and foreign universities and articles from books and journals; and made a content analysis of the collected documentary and verbal material. Afterwards, I summarized all the information and made a conclusion based on the research question posited.   For the second part of the study, I interviewed a female human resources manager for whom I am working temporarily as a file clerk. In the interview, open-ended questions were used to obtain as much information as possible about how the interviewee feels about the research topic. Interviews took a maximum of approximately an hour. The interview process was spontaneous. We had fun recollecting our high school years when looks mattered over anything else. The interviewee shared that she tried taking diet pills but stopped after some unbearable side effects.   The questions being used during the interview have been based on the research questions for this project, they have been reviewed, refined and approved by the project supervisor. The researcher designed a semi-structured interview. Here, the researcher encouraged the interviewee to clarify vague statements and to further elaborate on brief comments. The interviewer did not share his/her own beliefs and opinions.   It has been hypothesized that women are generally particularly susceptible to the development and maintenance of disturbed eating behaviors Indeed, prevalence research supports that disturbed eating behaviors are common among these women. For example, large percentages of high school women indicate that they use several maladaptive weight control techniques such as fasting appetite suppressants and skipping meals to lose weight. This made me remember when I was younger. I was so much into dieting that there were days that I skipped meals to please people. Well, the truth is, I was delusional in hoping that I could be like Linda Evangelista of Cindy Crawford.      During my archival work, I had found that a majority of college women report engaging in subclinical eating behaviors such as chronic dieting and binge eating, and a high percentage either occasionally or regularly use extreme measures to control their weight. These high prevalence rates of subclinical eating behaviors, combined with the information that .5% to 2% of young adult women have clinical eating disorders, have prompted many counselors and health care professionals to devote attention to the prevention and treatment of disordered eating behaviors among women.   Reading literatures on self-perception, I found that when women become dissatisfied with their inability to match the ideals presented in magazine photographs, stories, and advertisements, they begin to develop eating disordered cognitions which may eventually be acted upon in the form of anorexic and bulimic behaviors. Authors also reported statistically significant relationships between reading fashion magazines and “body dissatisfaction” as well as between reading health and fitness magazines and a “drive for thinness.” Moreover, adolescents who saw images of thin fashion models were more likely to report higher levels of body dissatisfaction immediately after exposure than those who saw non fashion images.   In addition to heightened body dissatisfaction, exposure to content and images depicting thinness may also lead to short-term reductions in self-esteem, distortions in body-size estimation, and more depressed mood. Recent research suggests that as many as two-thirds of all high school females are either on a diet or planning to start one. In fact, dieting has become so common that some researchers contend that what is now considered “normal” eating by many female adolescents may actually border on what has been traditionally considered to be pathogenic or eating-disordered. Finally, in this study, I found that some diet pills provide life-threatening health risks. For example, a 2001 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded the Ephedra could cause high blood pressure, heart problems, stroke, seizures and death. And the FDA has reports of 100 deaths among ephedra users. Yet manufacturers adamantly claim the reports do not prove the product is risky and ephedra-containing products remain on the market. In 1997, the prescription weight loss pills redux and fenfluramine were recalled by their manufacturers after the FDA recommended that anyone taking them stop and consult with their doctors. The FDA asked manufacturers to withdraw the drugs after reviewing the records of 291 patients and found 30 percent had abnormal heart-test results. Some 92 patients had problems with their aortic or mitral heartvalves, the data showed. Most of the psychology books and journals were useful for my research. However, these are limited to the psychology of eating behaviors. Information of diet pills were briefly discussed on these materials. Nevertheless, they were still generally useful. The Internet was of little help. I could not find research articles on the negative impact of diet pills. As a result, I resorted to commercial domains.   Part Three During the two years between 1996 and 1998, 2.5 percent of American adults used prescription diet pills, according to new figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Four percent of all women and nearly 6 percent of women age 25 to 44 took the prescription diet pills. However, one-quarter of those who took the pills were not overweight; therefore, at least 1.2 million adults may have inappropriately used the pills, says the CDC (see Healthy Weight Journal, 2001). Even diet pills that are prescribed by doctor may not be completely safe, either. By 1998, the use of prescription diet pills had dropped to 0.5 percent. The popular diet drugs fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine were withdrawn from the market in September 1997. Dexfenfluramine (Redux) had been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1996; fenfluramine was approved earlier but not for the commonly used fenphen combination (Heavy Weight Journal, 2001). Although these drugs were effective in curbing the appetite, they were linked to heart valve disease as well as a condition called primary pulmonary hypertension (Dee, 2000). With this condition, there is an increased resistance to blood flow through the lungs. That puts strain on the heart and can lead to heart failure. Concerned, the Food and Drug Administration collected information on 271 patients who had used these drugs and found that 32% had valve abnormalities (Harvard Heart Letter, 2000). Studies did show an increased risk of aortic regurgitation detectable by echocardiography among patients who had used one of the fenfluramines, particularly among those who had taken the drug longer than three months. However, the studies found that only one out of 1,000 patients who had used these drugs actually developed symptoms from their heart-valve problems. Researchers found no differences in heart-related symptoms or physical examination findings among the three groups. They did find a higher rate of aortic valve leaking among those who used dexfenfluramine (9%) or phen-fen (14%), compared with the control group (4%) — however, severe leaking of the aortic valve was practically nonexistent in all three groups (0%, 0.2%, and 0.2%, respectively). Among the three groups, the rates of a leaky mitral valve were about the same. The result of the study also showed that the rate of mild or greater aortic regurgitation was 1.4% for those who used the drugs for three months or less, but rose to 13% among those who used them for longer. Among people who used one of the fenfluramines for more than 18 months, the rate of aortic regurgitation reached 21%. Although the vast majority of these patients have not suffered from their leaking aortic valves, there is some possibility that, with time, the leaking will get worse and the patients will ultimately need surgery. Sachdev et al. (2002) studied the effect of fenfluramine-derivative diet pills on cardiac valves. These pills were withdrawn from the market in 1997 because of an association with valvular regurgitation, but subsequent estimates of the prevalence of this condition have varied widely. Sachdev et al. (2002) concluded that their  data indicate that fenfluramine-associated valvular regurgitation is less common than initially reported, but still present in 1 of 8 patients treated for >90 days. A variety of medications used to assist with weight loss have been implicated in the precipitation or induction of depressive symptoms and disorders. This is true of a large number of phenylethylamine agents possessing psychostimulant properties, non-phenylethylamine psychostimulants (e.g., caffeine) and the serotonergic agent, fenfluramine (Pattern, 2002). There is, as yet, no substantial evidence linking the more modern weight loss drugs, sibutramine and orlistat, to the aetiology of major depression. Nevertheless, when these drugs are used, major depression will continue to be an important clinical consideration because of the elevated frequency with which major depression occurs in obese patients, the contribution that major depression may make to poor outcomes in non-pharmacological weight loss treatment and because of the interplay between symptoms of depression and weight loss treatment. Pattern (2001) evaluated epidemiological associations between self-reported diet pill consumption and major depressive episodes (MDEs), using data from a large-scale, cross-sectional survey of the Canadian population. The result of Pattern’s (2001) study shows that approximately 0.5% of the population reported the use of diet pills. Diet pill use was more common among women than among men. At the time of data collection (1996-1997), the most commonly used medication was fenfluramine (since withdrawn from the market because of cardiovascular toxicity). The use of these medications was strongly associated with MDE: the annual prevalence among persons reporting use was 17.1% (95%CI, 8.6 to 25.6), approximately 4 times the underlying population rate. The association between valvular heart disease and diet pills was discovered several years ago in a small cohort of patients. Subsequent uncontrolled surveys and reports suggested a prevalence of cardiac abnormalities as high as 30%. (Weissman, 2001). These results led to widespread concern by millions of appetite suppressant users and the withdrawal of both fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine from the market. Through Weissman’s (2001) review of the literature, it becomes apparent that we have better defined the association between valvular heart disease and appetite suppressants; nonetheless, many questions and controversies remain. Most large scale, multicenter, controlled studies have shown that a prevalence of significant valve regurgitation is between 2 and 12% and that the likelihood of disease increases with increasing dose and/or duration of appetite suppressant use.    Dieter and Vorperian (2000) presented the case of an otherwise healthy woman with a history of palpitations who survived sudden cardiac death from a ventricular arrhythmia. According to Dieter and Vorperian (2001), the patient’s only medications at the time of the event were alprazolan prn and over-the-counter diet pills. The authors explored the relation between ventricular arrhythmias and over-the-counter diet pills. Moreover, They discussed basic electrophysiologic principles as well as an overview for the work-up and long term management of sudden cardiac death.   Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is the major ingredient of many over-the-counter cold remedies and diet pills. According to Ryu and Lin (1995), the use or abuse of PPA may cause hemorrhagic stroke or cerebral vasculitis similar to the clinical and angiographic picture associated with amphetamine use or abuse. In their study, they reported a 32-year-old Taiwanese women who developed sudden onset of severe headache, nausea and vomiting on the seventh day of oral ingestion of 75 mg PPA per day. Cerebral angiograms showed multiple areas of alternating focal constriction and dilatation in the anterior and posterior cerebral arteries consistent with cerebral arteritis. Ryu and Lin (1995) warned medical practitioners of the potential hazards of over-the-counter drugs like PPA.   PPA is consumed by millions of persons annually and is sold in varying dosages and combinations for different ailments. Adolescents are an especially susceptible group influenced by its action as an anorexiant. In the early 80s, several cases had been reported of patients in whom intracerebral hemorrhage developed, with and without concomitant angiographic evidence of vasculitis, after taking PPA. In Forman et al. (1989), the 11th documented case of PPA-associated intracerebral hemorrhage with vasculitis is described. This was the first case in an adolescent following the ingestion of an overdose of diet-aid pills. Cases of intracerebral hemorrhage with vasculitis have also been described in users and abusers of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ephedrine, all sympathomimetics with chemical structures similar to that of phenylpropanolamine. Forman et al.’s (1989) alerted pediatricians to the potential use by their patients of nonprescription medications containing phenylpropanolamine whenever unexplained acute cerebral symptoms were present. According to Dee (2000), over-the-counter weight-loss drugs such as Acutrim and Dexatrim contain PPA. When combined with changes in eating habits and exercise, PPA can help people lose weight. However, the results are temporary and should only be used for the short term until new eating habits are established. Kikta, Devereaux and Stroke (1985) described two patients with intracranial hemorrhage after ingestion of diet pills containing (PPA) in combination with caffeine. The first patient had bilateral simultaneous intracerebral hemorrhages, and the second had a subarachnoid hemorrhage. PPA is widely used most often without prescription and causes intracranial hemorrhage more often than has been realized. The mechanism may be induction of a transient hypertensive crisis.   Lewis (1992) reviewed twenty-six domestic reports of suspected adverse reactions from the guar gum-containing diet pill, Cal-Ban 3000 (filed with the FDA) were reviewed. There were 18 instances of esophageal obstruction, seven instances of small bowel obstruction, and one individual who was reported to have died after ingestion of Cal-Ban 3000, but for whom insufficient details were provided to assess causation. There were 14 women and 11 men for whom sufficient information was available. Preexisting esophageal or gastric disorders were present in 50% of those with esophageal obstruction, including peptic stricture, pyrosis, hiatal hernia, esophagitis, gastric stapling procedure, Schatzki ring, and muscular dystrophy. Fourteen of these 18 patients with esophageal obstruction were treated successfully by endoscopy, although the tenacious gel-like consistency of the material was often difficult to remove.   Two patients required rigid esophagoscopy when flexible endoscopy was unsuccessful. This resulted in the death of one patient who developed a pulmonary embolism after surgical repair of an intraoperative esophageal tear. For the seven patients with small bowel obstruction, no specific predisposing factors were mentioned. One individual required exploratory laparotomy, and inspissated tablets were found in the ileum. These cases, spontaneously reported to the FDA, are very similar to those reported in the literature. The water-holding capacity and gel-forming tendency of guar gum permits it to swell in size 10- to 20-fold, and may lead to luminal obstruction, especially when an anatomic predisposition exists.   Jones and Pillsbury (1990) stated that cellulose fiber diet pills have recently become a popular form of weight control. Jones and Pillsbury (1990) have seen two patients in whom ingestion of these pills had resulted in complete distal esophageal obstruction. Further studies revealed that each patient had a previously undiagnosed anatomical abnormality of the distal esophagus; in one case a Schatzki’s ring, and in the other a stricture probably secondary to chronic reflux. Jones and Pillsbury (1990) conclude that patients with known esophageal narrowing, or with a history of reflux and/or dysphagia, should use cellulose fiber diet pills only with extreme caution.   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Diet Pills: Effective or Detrimental to Human Anatomy and Biological System?

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF DIET PILLS Part One I have read about the story of a 362-pound pastor who was so humiliated when the flight atte...

In what ways Walker engage with Woolf? What “changes ” does she make to Woolf’s text, and why are they significant?

Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own presents a personal criticism that does not violate her privacy that, in fact, hides it even as it penetrates into a discussion with the reader which appears very personal (1991). This permits her writing to converse to readers like Alice Walker who consider a bond to Woolf in spite of their consciousness of the numerous disparities between them. Virginia Woolf as a persona and centre it on the narrator’s common honesty of mind. This in turn interprets into a comparable porous ness of the text for her readers. The apparent inconsistency is: how can writers as personal its Woolf is related with “personal criticism”? When the thought of the individual comes up in fictional criticism, it is more often than not part of a conversation of both feminism and the essay (1991).     All I could do was to offer you an opinion upon one minor point—a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction; and that, as you will see, leaves the great problem of the true nature of woman and the true nature of fiction unsolved. (Virginia Woolf “ A Room of One’s Own”)     Feminists would be clever to clinch the essay, for it is a structure well appropriate to creation of disagreements for social transformation, in spite of many discharges of it as too respectful, too appeasing, too eager to occupy themselves the womanly role of “hostess” to opposing or even unpleasant ideas. The essay’s indirect, loose form presents the worth so often advocated by feminist critics, particularly the readiness to believe indeterminacy, the “both/and” vision celebrated others ( 1992). The essay’s scrupulous power lies in its skill to guide a reader to a novel standpoint. It converses to the interchanged. Think, for an instance, Virginia Woolf’s accomplishment in persuading non-feminists that the lack of a female character in Shakespeare is due not to female flaws other than to social forces and boundaries Woolf decided to speak to the enemies of her feminist thoughts and has been condemned by feminists ever since (1981). Those favouring disagreements that proclaim their principle and politics should be careful that polemic can turn away the understanding as quickly as an essay, in its readiness to hear and even eloquent a contrasting view, may turn away the passionately committed. It is not anything in opposition to the essay that it is not polemic, just as it is not anything in opposition to polemic that it is not an essay.   Even though A Room of One’s Own unlocks with an autobiographical tale, it is a tale that centres the reader’s interest on Woolf’s thought, on the subject of women and fiction, not on Virginia Woolf herself: Like Alice Walker, Woolf shows the readers a little about herself to help convey into focus the difficulty of the thought, the significance with which she advances the topic, not because she wants us to like her (1985). This curiosity in the well-chosen evidence that will help to give details one’s facts is innermost to personal analysis, as is the longing to put explanation in the context of everyday life. In this mixed and ongoing discussion the essay must not only give explanation its views but also demonstrate an enthusiasm to be convinced otherwise. Woolf repeatedly pleas to her frame of mind, her view, her own facts, scrutinizing accepted beliefs against the text and her. So there is a sagacity of literature being unlock to anyone willing and able–which is why she disagrees for rooms and money to do that kind of thorough thinking. It is not a kind of philosophy dependent relative on any one teaching, on any scheme (1981). Woolf demonstrates women the aptitude they previously articulate in spite of dissuasion from others and from themselves.   In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens’ changes Woolf’s representation of the white female convention by inserting in brackets the black corresponding for Woolf’s excellent writers and issues, Instead of `wise women,’ `root workers’ (1993). Walker’s purpose, then, is not so a great deal to leave out white women writers as to comprise earlier unidentified black women, to provide “the missing parts” of the norm so that it valour “the whole story” of women’s creative custom. To a certain extent than misunderstanding Woolf, she focuses on a balancing aspect of creative pressure that Woolf fail to notices. Walker gets relieve of what is irrelevant (the geographical location, the flaws in the speaker’s attitude) and highlight the aim that “In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens” acts out: black women must stop take note to men and start listening to each other if they are to understand and fulfil their creative prospective (1985). Even though the poet has the right idea, the male voice must be defeat as part of women’s search for artistic liberation-in-community, which the essay rejoices and passes. Walker’s essay begins where women must start: variety of types of domination by men, a woman’s reaction focussed to men to a certain extent than to other women, and the stillness that bars a woman’s possible stasis. Walker used Toomer as epigraph; the essay also begins where Walker herself started her work with black writers (1991). Nonetheless, Walker “relates Toomer with the disgraced perfect of masculine society”, Moreover Walker must acknowledge the courage of the epigraph other than move to a conversation between black women who are completely conscious.   While there is a wealth of criticism on Walker’s interest in Toomer and occasional comments on “In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens,” critics have passed over her use of Okot p’Bitek’s Lawino in her essay, a surprising fact given her statement that it is her “favorite modern poem”. Walker become visible to be doing just what she does with A Room of One’s Own, creating simple changeovers (1992). Further notably, transposing lines into her own dispute about black female writers in America exemplifies one of the meanings of “Womanist” at the opening of In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens:     Committed to survival and wholeness of entire people, male and female. Not a separatist, except periodically, for health. Traditionally universalist, as in: “Mama, why are we brown, pink, and yellow, and our cousins are white, beige, and black?” Ans.: “Well, you know the colored race is just like a flower garden, with every color flower represented.” (Alice Walker “In Search of Our Mother’s Garden”)     Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

In what ways Walker engage with Woolf? What “changes ” does she make to Woolf’s text, and why are they significant?

Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own presents a personal criticism that does not violate her privacy that, in fact, hides it even as...

The Iraq War

The Iraq War Introduction What’s behind the great conflict in Iraq? What’s beyond the deaths of both innocents and military officers?… Is it worth it? What is the major reason and the US government keeps their paws in the country? These and other questions are clouding my mind when it comes in a review in a war that seems never ending. There are many suspicions on where or what the reasons for this war. Some states that it is the revenge of the US from the New York’s Twin Tower attack, while some says that it is the idea of mass destruction invented by promiscuous minds. However, there is another issue that tells the other story. The United States is planning to claim one kind of mineral that might add to their greatness and advantage on other developed countries. The main reason is the U.S invades Iraq in order to access Iraq’s oil, aid Israel, and to achieve a strategic position in the Middle East (geopolitics). In Politics and War Many experts reached to the conclusion that the US first attempt to resolve the conflict is to provoke a war. In the long journey of war process, the US derived with the advantage of possessing the Iraq’s oil. On the public discourse on Middle Eastern, oil plays an important role. And now event the idea of water politics emerged. These resources are in great scarcities and now became an important part of the under-recognized geopolitical importance. The geopolitical implications will soon serve greatness in the country that possesses the resources. In the matter of attracting the resources through the use of war is not about the safety of the country and the allies but about the political economy. What makes the Middle Countries rich is their rich oil reservoirs and it seems that it is their upper hand in the global economy. Oil is an important source of economic position in the Middle East in which triggers to the inter-state conflict and co-operation. The conflict between the US and Iraq is projected in the economic development. This is a crucial state for the two countries because they are in tug-o-war for the economic advantage that will soon deteriorate the resources. According to some political analysts argued that in the invasion of Iraq, the US should take the opportunity to control not just Iraq’s oil reserves, but also its water resources, in the process reconfiguring the geopolitics of the entire Middle East. In addition, Iraq has perhaps the world’s largest reserves of oil. But in a regional and perhaps even geopolitical sense, it may be more important that Iraq has the most extensive river system in the Middle East. Although, there are many resources served for the country, there is no progress has been made or recorded largely because of Iraqi intransigence. America believed, that with their hands, there will be changes. And soon planning to control the water as well (Selby, 2005). Historically speaking, many Iraqi civilians are still in confusion and with great outrage about the US invasion that is playing with various faces. For them, rescuing the depress Israelites is not the main purpose of the invasion but to claim the supremacy. In the evolution and development of countries, the idea of Fertile Crescent blooms in the Western Asia which is Mesopotamia, the ancient name for the regions in Iraq and the neighboring countries. They debated that before the US achieved their full development, Iraq firstly reached the civilization, development and advantages compared to other regions of the world for more than 8, 000 years. Now, jumping into the theory of war, the US war propaganda with an aim to facilitate peace advocacy is a doubtful statement. This involves countering asserted justificatory reasons with demonstrable facts that reveal other motives; thereby yielding reflective understanding against the publicly declared reasons for the joint US/UK invasion of Iraq in 2003 with reasons discussed internally months and even years before in government and think-tank documents. More and more researchers suggested that the control on oil was the underlying motive of the invasion and the US justify this by citing an exoteric/esoteric distinction. As with the Iraq invasion so in general such propaganda and its rationalizations can be undermined by the continuous attacks of the Americans – destroying not only the culture, but also the livelihood of the once named as the “cradle of civilization” (Byrne, 2006). Conclusion The US is aiming for greatness and planning to control the oil resources of Iraq seems ambitious and greedy. However, until the recent years, the US invasion most likely created no progress.    References: Byrne, E.F., (2006) Leave No Oil Reserves Behind, Including Iraq’s: The Geopolitics of American Imperialism [Online] Available at: http://liberalarts.iupui.edu/philosophy/uploads/docs/leavenooil.pdf [Accessed 26 November 2010] Selby, J., (2005) The Geopolitics of Water in the Middle East: Fantasies and Realities, Third World Quarterly, 26(2) [Online] Available at: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Users/js208/thirdworldquarterly.pdf [Accessed 26 November 2010].   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

The Iraq War

The Iraq War Introduction What’s behind the great conflict in Iraq? What’s beyond the deaths of both innocents and military officers?...

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf also known as the “Iron Lady” was born on October 29, 1938. She is the current president of Liberia and considered as the world’s first elected black female president and also the Africa’s first elected female head of the nation. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was named as the 51st most powerful women in the world (Anonymous, 1). The “Iron Lady” was born in Monrovia, Liberia. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf ahs played an important role in the civil conflicts in which she denies being a part of the elite group. She gains her education at the College of West Africa in Monrovia and continued her studies at the University of Colorado in 1961.               Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has made many contributions in line with politics. She started her political career when she worked as Minister of Finance (1972-1973). However, because of the disagreement in public agreement she left her position.  During this time, Liberia was under the power of one-party which became more polarised for the benefit of the Americo-Liberian elite. On April 12, 1980, Master Sergeant Samuel Kayon Doe has been able to seized the power in a military coup and the Liberian leader (William Tolbert) was executed via a firing squad along with several cabinet members.               As the People’s Redemption Council under Samuel Doe controls the country, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has managed to escape and go to Kenya.  She served as Director of Citibank in Nairobi from 1983 to 1985. However, when Samuel Doe declared himself as the president of the Republic of Liberia in 1984 and disbanded different political parties, Johnson-Sirleaf returned to the country. During the 1985 elections, the Iron Lady campaigned against Samuel Doe which was placed her under house arrest.               Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was sentenced to ten years imprisonment but only spend short time in the jail before being allowed to leave Liberia once again as an exile.  During 1980s, she served as Vice President of both (HSCB) Equator Bank in Washington and African Regional Office of Citibank, in Nairobi.          She also served as Assistant Administrator from 1992-1997 and then became the Director of the UN Development Program Regional Bureau for Africa. During that time, Liberia has been under an interim government lead by a succession of four-unelected government officials but in 1996, the presence of West African negotiators created a lull in the civil war and has been able to run an election (Price, 1).                         In 1997, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf returned to Liberia to become part of the election. However, she came second to Charles Taylor which gains 75% of the vote out of 14 candidates. Such election was declared free and fair by the international observers.  Johnson-Sirleaf played an essential role in the transitional government as the country prepared for the election in 2005. She takes office after the controversial reign of President Charles Taylor who has been accused as a corrupt public official and accused of being connected with Al-Qaeda.  After experiencing many lost in gaining power, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf had never loses hope and became the president of Liberia which happened as she took the presidency in January 16, 2006 (Gberie, 1).               Being the President, she made many contributions for her country and her constituents. With her election, the spirits of all those who believe in equality of gender has been lifted. Her devotion on her country and her good intentions had lead her from where she is right now. A true leader indeed, she never gives up from all the experiences that she had before she achieves her goal (Chappell, 124).               Johnson-Sirleaf, has vowed to cultivate closer and tight relationship with the United States. Although she was known as the Iron Lady, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf doesn’t run from her femininity. She embraces it and hopes to use this for being more sensitive as a leader.  Part of her achievement as a president is she instituted the tough reform agenda which includes the revision of many political, economic and social programs and practices within Liberia. She is a very optimistic leader. With her enthusiasm and determination, Liberia is considered to be under a leader who will nurture them as a mother but with tough strength.     Reference Chappell, Kevin, Africa’s Historic ‘First’: President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf The Continent’s First Elected Female Head of State Is Poised to Turn Things around in Liberia. Ebony, 1 (6), 2006.   Anonymous, The 100 Most Powerful Women, 2006 http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/11/06women_Ellen-Johnson- Sirleaf_BMW8.html>   Gberie, Lansana, Liberia: New Hope for a Troubled Region; Lansana Gberie on What the Election of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Is Likely to Do to Liberia and the West African Region as a Whole, New Africa, 447, 2006.   Price, Stuart, and Jarwalah Tonpo, Liberia: A Lesson for Africa’s Big Men. New African, 446, 2005.   
line-height:200%;font-family:Arial" xml:lang="EN-HK">  Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf also known as the “Iron Lady” was born on October 29, 1938. She is the current president of Liberia ...

Analysis of Individual Performance in a Team

Analysis of Individual Performance in a Team Introduction: The Team and Purpose The “service team” is designed for the individuals who are committing their skills towards the customer satisfaction and excellence. The team is established to satisfy the customers by consistently providing the quality service as well as customer relations. It is expected that all the members will work as a family by doing their shares to the best of their abilities and respecting each other as much as they respect themselves. Role and Team Dynamics Because of the growing popularity of quality service, the team undergone into a serious of training that will be entailed to determine the needs and wants of the customers. Each member has a role to be played in order to create the quality service. One of the most critical roles in the service is to create the relationships among the customers. Therefore, catching the attention of the customers should be the evident which can be also the start of customer relationship. The effectiveness of the role provides the entire team to describe the characters of each customer and create a comprehensive plan on how to target their needs and preferences and if possible, exceeds the customer expectations.   Strategies Values and skills are the most important part of customer service and this same aspect remains the important ideas within the organization. Customer service has been an important instrument for businesses to reach out to customers thus; this allows the business organizations to be adaptable to customers’ specific needs and preferences. Moreover, customer loyalty is also achieved through quality and efficient customer services. In the case of its application in the team, the customer-oriented focus remains in the heart of the entire team. In order to respond to the challenges of the business world, the team considers the application and appropriate allocation of the resources to improve the customer service, which is also the same aspect in every organization. Sending their members under the various workshops and trainings is important to as part of improving the customer services (Zeithaml, 1990).  The commitment of the customer service is not only based on the technical aspect but also through the internal participation of an individual and this is one of the facts that the customer services wants to create (Subroto, 2003). In order to empower the customer service participants and the customers themselves, it is important that there is a participation which is often hard to find. Because individuals are uniquely born, the needs, interests, and other preference varies as well as their personal objectives (Brunning, Cole and Huffington, 1997). Processes and Standards in the Team The idea of group dynamics can be the result of the investigation of the corporate leaders in combining the innovation and social interaction. The process applied in group dynamics is the information is shared or spreads to the members allowing them to create their assumptions and insights. The flow of the communication in between the group is the outcome of the good relationship between the employees. Working together is a good evidence that all of the employees are aiming to achieve the productivity truly meant for the entire organization (Aral, Brynjolfsson, & Alstyne, 2007). The collaboration of the individuals in working together is within the scope of social processes. Through the group dynamics, the individuals can enjoy the interaction with the co-workers and might explore the other essential ideas through the use of brainstorming. There is a traced competency among the individuals who support the group dynamics because they are willing to accept the other opinions of other and they can divide the tasks equally to lessen the burden. The complexity of the tasks, are the most common problems of the employees that fails to answer the demand of the organization, but with the help of the group and proper communication, there is an identified confidence among the individuals (Xia, et al., 2007). Suggestion Aside from being committed, the team should focus on the two other important aspects to establish good customer service. One is leadership and the other is openness to change (Bass, 2000). In order to train the employees and provide satisfaction to customers, the team must have effective leaders that can direct the people towards their goal. The open communication within the team should be intensified because it primarily allows the people to be informed and align in their goals (Batt, 1999). Conclusion I learned that in order to satisfy the objectives and complete the purpose of the team, changes should be adopted because it allows the entire team to be oriented and updated in the trend of consumers’ preferences that can duly affect the performance of the entire team.   References: Aral, S., Brynjolfsson, E., & Alstyne, M.V., (2007) “Productivity Effects of Information Diffusion in Networks”, Accessed 01 October 2010, from http://digital.mit.edu/research/papers/234_VanAlstyne_Productivity_Effect_Info_Diffusion.pdf. Bass, B. (2000) “The Future of Leadership in Learning Organizations”, Journal of Leadership Studies, Vo. 7 No. 3, p. 18. Batt, R. (1999, July 1) “Work Organization, Technology, and Performance in Customer Service and Sales”, Industrial and Labour Relations Review, Vol. 52, pp. 539-564, Accessed 01 October 2010, from www.highbeam.com Brunning, H., Cole, C. & Huffington, C. (1997) “A Manual of Organizational Development: The Psychology of Change”, London: Karnac Books. Subroto, B. (2003, January 1) “Effects of Management Commitment on Service Quality to Increase Customer Satisfaction of Domestic Airlines in Indonesia”, Singapore Management Review, Accessed 01 October 2010, from www.highbeam.com Xia, L., Shami, N.S., Yuan, C., & Gay, G., (2007) “The Impact of Negative Relations on Performance and Satisfaction in Group Work”, Accessed 01 October 2010, from http://csdl2.computer.org/comp/proceedings/hicss/2007/2755/00/27550246a.pdf Zeithaml, V. (1990) “In D. Bowen, Service Management Effectiveness: Balancing Strategy, Organization and Human Resources, Operations and Marketing”, (pp. 369-381), Jossey-Bass, Inc. Publishing. Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Analysis of Individual Performance in a Team

Analysis of Individual Performance in a Team Introduction: The Team and Purpose The “service team” is designed for the individuals who...

Career Portfolio

Career Portfolio   I am writing to express consider self-assessments of my strengths and weaknesses as a student.       My strength and capabilities has also been improved when I worked as  a leader. Through these experiences, I developed my office ability, teamwork, and leadership skills to make decisions and solve problems for my team. The experience allowed me to learn important skills, to develop the confidence needed to succeed in a competitive environment, and to use my knowledge and skills and apply them to the real world.   I have different strengths which enables be to work hard and become an asset.  I am creative, resourceful and hardworking. I also consider myself as a dynamic team player and an individual player to finish the tasks given to me. I also have proven leadership skills involving managing, developing and motivating teams to achieve their objectives. In addition, through the things I learned from my previous schools and the experiences I have with my previous endeavors I am able to have well organized plan, methodical and charismatic working attitude.             With strong communication skills and dynamic presentation, let me also note that one of my strengths is my ability to build harmonious relationships within and outside the organization. As described, that the learning that I have sounds like a perfect match for me to become an important asset of the society.   I believe that communicating with my colleagues is most effective when I practice good listening behavior (Model, 1993). I make it a point to hear them out and follow their line of thought, see myself in their situation, and analyze where they are coming from. In this light, I am able to comprehend and better their stand and the approach they are utilizing in dealing with the conflicts and challenges that beset our team. This most often than not produce well-rounded output in which all sides of the issues were dealt with thereby fostering productive and dynamic interpersonal communication within the members of the department.  Being optimistic is considered to be my greatest strength. In this manner, I can say that I can tackle all the issue regarding me positively. I took all the challenges positively while doing the job the best that I can. As a group, I can say that the main ingredient for our success is our teamwork and respect to one another. Through better teamwork, we cooperate to one another especially to our leader. We all share our information and opinions regarding the company, its management and leadership style, culture, the issues in human resource and to the other areas. We did our best in every task that given. I am also a good listener, specifically in doing activities with my groups. . In terms of listening, I can be a good listener and can comprehend well with what the person is trying to impart or imply. Although I have much strength, I also have some weaknesses. I found some flaws in terms of my leadership styles. These instances occur mostly when I am confronted with relationship issues among colleagues that beset my function as a leader and member of my group and with my considerations to practice good leadership styles. Sometimes, my beliefs as a person go against the things that are required of me to perform. But fortunately, I was able to make both ends meet whenever I face these types of challenges by explaining myself to the people who are concerned.    In addition, I also found some shortcomings on some of my actions in my profession. Through these assignment exercises I was able to learn about myself not just as a chairman and a leader but also as a person. I have learned that I am capable of being compassionate when I least expect it and that there are a lot of opportunities for me in my profession. My responsibilities are great due to my influence and my ability to change other people’s lives and I am grateful that with such realization I am still able to place myself in the shoes of the individuals I work with and empathize with their concerns. My proficiency takes place through natural processes, because I can use it when interacting and communicating with other people.  In addition, I am also good when it comes to comprehension. I have learned a lot from all the activities that strengthened more my competencies which I am excited to apply in my work setting expecting good results.  Know that my weaknesses can hinder my work, hence, I tried to learn from others and train more to ensure that I achieve my career objectives. Some of our ideas are opposing but through our extensive conversation and mutual respect to each other’s opinion, we were able to meet on the same ground highlighting my important stakes and her intelligent reflections. She was likewise thankful since she learned a lot from my assignment. The leadership experience I have gone through at work richly contributed to the development of my personality mainly because my work is one of the major aspects of my life. The things I have learned about myself and from the people around me were not only applicable and limited to my career life but alt also to the other aspects of my existence as a person. By and large, I can say that my current position and activities I have done helped me to develop my strengths and capabilities more and helps me to enhanced other skills which needs improvement.   Reference   Model, A. H. (1993). The Private Self. (Chapter 2, pp.42-69). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Career Portfolio

Career Portfolio I am writing to express consider self-assessments of my strengths and weaknesses as a student. My strength and ...