Author: admin

Russian cultures and traditions

Name

Due date

Topic: Russian cultures and traditions

Russia is a federal semi- presidential republic that lies on the northern side of the Eurasian continent. It s the largest country in the world, formed by the East Slavs in the 3rd and 8th centuries.  Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic became the largest constituent of the Soviet Union.

The perception of home by Russian culture…

Russians view their homes in spiritual aspect; they have the perception and respect for their homes as a spiritual dwelling and are sacred. According to their culture a home should not be built in regions close to cemeteries, where tragic events have occurred or marshy places. They have good or bad places for building their homes hence they just do not build any where they must first follow the spiritual aspect about it. This is evident in some of the decorations and objects in their homes; tables are a symbol of prosperity in the house, should be covered by a white cloth and people should not eat on uncovered table. They consider home as a place to relax and have bonding time with the family.(Singleton, 88)

Effects of Western culture on Russians…

After the post-war period in the Soviet Union isolation of the youth, lead to no infiltration of the western way of living in Russia; consequently western youth culture and their lifestyle rarely infiltrated the soviet nation. Under Khrushchev’s rule though, things began to change the western ways slowly dissolved in the Russian youth. Over the past half century the Russian youth have changed and have little in common as compared to the past. The youth started imitating the western culture which lead gradually to the diminishing of Russian culture. The ‘normals’ (soviets who had not embraced westernization) used their leisure time the soviet way but the ones who had already embraced the western way combined both leisure activities and studying which was not the trend before. The type of music too changed and suggested more of the western way than the soviet way; Russians viewed music as an element of the soul while the west viewed it as an element of the body, leading to a difference in the kind of music produced in the country (Pilkington, 7).

 Russians and religion…

Russia has been a Christian community from the past. Most of the population are of Christian religion. There are two theories to the origin of Christianity in Russia one theory suggests that Russia started as a catholic community another describes them as an Orthodox community. From the time of Peter the great to Alexander there has been conflict between the catholic community and the Orthodox institution, through protest and demonstrations organised by the Orthodox brotherhood. This institution and form of religion has dominated most of Russia and has hindered most of other Christian forms and other religions from establishing themselves (Fagan, 3).

 The influence of Dostoevsky on Russian culture…

He was supportive of the Russian legacy in Europe and always wanted Russia to maintain that aspect. He was very interested in the European literature, and as a child he would dream of himself travelling to countries like Italy and Switzerland. He promoted the importance of Europe to Russia and the other way round and encouraged people to ignore the western culture. He is quoted saying “do you not know how dear this land is to us and the tribes that constitute it?” he was a patriot to Russia even after his years in prison he still sent messages for people to love and take their mother country seriously and proudly. He influenced people to follow and preserve their cultural heritage (Rzhevsky, 131). He found the Russians more noble and above other people in European community. He foresaw a bad end in the west and warned Russia to stay away from the west to prevent it from falling as the rest of the nations did. He supported the knowledge of all cultures though even though he still wanted people to live the Russian way; through knowledge about other European cultures he believed that Russia would be the saviour of Europe. He influenced people to maintain their families and the relationship and customs in the family set up in Russia.

Stereotypes about Russians in media…

After the fall of the Soviet Union as others may still see Russia as a strong nation, western nation, U.S.A does not see it that way. And they have lost interest in the country. But as result they do not have an idea of the political, social and cultural development going on in the country. Some of the stereotypic information being passed on about Russia are; Putin is a former KGB member who is suppressing opposition and accumulating power, that Russian media is not free and is under state control, that Russians live under Putin’s tyranny, brutality and human right violation still are found in Chechnya. That Kremlin supports Hamas and Iran (Barfoot, 67).

This is the history religious and political status and origin of Russia. Russians are people that respect and love their country and still have the hope to keep it their strength and maintain their culture.

Cited work;

Fagan, Geraldine. Believing in Russia – Religious Policy After Communism. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2012. Print.

Pilkington, Harry. Looking West?: cultural globalization and Russian youth cultures. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2002. Print.

Rzhevsky, Nicholas. An anthology of Russian literature from earliest writings to modern fiction: introduction to a culture. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, 2005. Print.

Singleton, Amy C.. Noplace like home the literary artist and Russia’s search for cultural identity. Albany, NY: State 

Barfoot, C. C.. Beyond Pug’s tour: national and ethnic stereotyping in theory and literary practice. Amsterdam: Rodopi, 1997. Print

Credit Suisse Business Plan

Your Name Credit officer

Credit Suisse Business Plan

One Cabot Square

London, E14 4QJ

United Kingdom

]

ABN: [26 144 592 183]

ACN: [144 592 183]

[Credit Suisse]

Business Plan

Prepared: February 27, 2013

Table of Contents

TOC o “1-3” h z t “Plan 2,2” HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402271” Business Plan Summary PAGEREF _Toc302402271 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402272” The Business PAGEREF _Toc302402272 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402273” The Market PAGEREF _Toc302402273 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402274” The Future PAGEREF _Toc302402274 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402275” The Finances PAGEREF _Toc302402275 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402276” The Business PAGEREF _Toc302402276 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402277” Business details PAGEREF _Toc302402277 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402278” Registration details PAGEREF _Toc302402278 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402279” Business premises PAGEREF _Toc302402279 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402280” Organisation chart PAGEREF _Toc302402280 h 5

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402287” Management & ownership PAGEREF _Toc302402287 h 5

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402288” Key personnel PAGEREF _Toc302402288 h 5

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402289” Products/services PAGEREF _Toc302402289 h 6

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402290” Innovation PAGEREF _Toc302402290 h 7

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402291” Insurance PAGEREF _Toc302402291 h 7

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402292” Risk management PAGEREF _Toc302402292 h 7

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402293” Legal considerations PAGEREF _Toc302402293 h 7

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402294” Operations PAGEREF _Toc302402294 h 8

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402295” Sustainability plan PAGEREF _Toc302402295 h 9

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402296” The Market PAGEREF _Toc302402296 h 10

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402297” Market research PAGEREF _Toc302402297 h 10

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402298” Market targets PAGEREF _Toc302402298 h 10

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402299” Environmental/industry analysis PAGEREF _Toc302402299 h 10

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402300” Your customers PAGEREF _Toc302402300 h 10

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402301” S.W.O.T. analysis PAGEREF _Toc302402301 h 11

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402302” Your competitors PAGEREF _Toc302402302 h 12

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402303” Advertising & sales PAGEREF _Toc302402303 h 13

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402304” The Future PAGEREF _Toc302402304 h 14

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402305” Vision statement PAGEREF _Toc302402305 h 14

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402306” Mission statement PAGEREF _Toc302402306 h 14

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402307” Goals/objectives PAGEREF _Toc302402307 h 14

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402308” Action plan PAGEREF _Toc302402308 h 14

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402309” The Finances PAGEREF _Toc302402309 h 15

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402310” Key objectives & financial review PAGEREF _Toc302402310 h 15

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402311” Assumptions PAGEREF _Toc302402311 h 15

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402312” Start-up costs for [YEAR] PAGEREF _Toc302402312 h 16

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402313” Balance sheet forecast PAGEREF _Toc302402313 h 17

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402314” Profit and loss forecast PAGEREF _Toc302402314 h 18

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402315” Expected cash flow PAGEREF _Toc302402315 h 19

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402316” Break-even analysis PAGEREF _Toc302402316 h 20

HYPERLINK l “_Toc302402317” Supporting documentation PAGEREF _Toc302402317 h 21

Business Plan SummaryThe BusinessBusiness name: Credit Suisse.

Business structure: company.

ABN: 26 144 592 183.

ACN: 144 592 183.

Business location: 2000 NSW

Date established: June, 11,, 2010

Business owner(s): It is a public limited company.

Relevant owner experience: The directors of the company have a long standing reputation in the financial services sector.

Products/services:[The Company is involved in, and the provision of corporate banking and financial products. However, it does not provide retail banking to small scale customers

The MarketTarget market:

The target in this report is the retail customers and small scale business people, Credit Suisse is a big company and it is capable of attracting consumer confidence.

Marketing strategy:

The company will use aggressive marketing strategy when introducing the new product to the market. According to this strategy, the bank will do heavy advertising of the product immediately it launches in the market. This will work by convincing people to use the services, and also because the company has an already established goodwill.

The FutureVision statement:

To become the world’s most admired bank, renowned for our expertise in Private Banking & Wealth Management, including Asset Management, and Investment Banking and most valued for our advice, innovation and execution

Goals/objectives:

Open, respectful workplace that encourages people to work together and with our clients to deliver superior products, services and results and support the success and prosperity of our stakeholders

The FinancesThe company will fund the entire project because it is already a going concern, and it is doing well in the market. The cost of the project is not expected to be enormous because there are no accompanying overheads. The project should result into marginal profits of about 1 million Euros (Credit Suisse, 2012).

The BusinessBusiness detailsProducts/services: The new services of the company will entail the provision of loans and other financial form of credit to small scale entrepreneurs.

Registration detailsBusiness name: Credit Suisse

Trading name(s): Credit Suisse Australia

Date registered: 1896

Location(s) registered: Zurich

Business structure: company.

ABN: 26 144 592 183

ACN: 144 592 183

GST: Yes. The company is registered. It registered in 1st July 2002.

Domain names: Credit Suisse Australia

Licences & permits: Registration licence from Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority.

Business premisesBusiness location: The business is located in 1 Macquarie place, Sydney. However, the company will implement its retail banking proposal in stages, and it will start on the bank which is in New South Wales. This bank is strategically placed, being in the middle of the city. The bank will attract many small scale traders because many people around its locality are retail tradesmen. The retail traffic is good which is also advantageous to the banks new proposal. The bank is already operational, and it has a large building to conduct its operations. Therefore, the bank will dedicate some of its rooms to the retail banking business which is to be introduced.

Buy/lease: The Company bought itself a building. It no longer leases properties from third parties.

Organisation chartOutline your business structure in the chart below.

190500076200Mr Rainer Gut

Honorary Chairman

Mr Rainer Gut

Honorary Chairman

68389534925Mr Urs Rohner

Chairman

Mr Urs Rohner

Chairman

320040034925Peter Brabeck

Vice- Chairman

Peter Brabeck

Vice- Chairman

52705116840Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 1: Organisation Chart.

Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 1: Organisation Chart.

Management & ownershipNames of owners: The company is a limited liability public company. The major shareholders are Capital Group Companies Inc., Blackrock Inc, Franklin resources, Harris and Associates, Dodge & Cox, Norges Bank, Olayan Group and Qatar Holdings LLC.

Details of management & ownership: The company is a limited liability company which boosts a large number of public shareholders. The shareholders have bestowed the management of the company to a few able managers. The managers are responsible for the day to day running of the company, and they are also responsible to the shareholders.

Experience: The business owners are many as the company is public limited company. However, the managers of the various sectors of the company are experienced persons in the management and running of financial institutions.

Key personnelThere are over 10,000 employees of credit Suisse Company worldwide. All employees are experienced and highly qualified for the various positions they hold.

Job Title Name Expected staff turnover Skills or strengths

Chairman Mr. Urs Romner 5 years He has worked for many years in the finance industry. He has a wide experience in banking, finance and business in general.

C.E.O Mr. Brady Dougan 10 years He has an M.B.A in Finance and an M.A in economics. He has served in many companies as the Chief Executive Office. He has extensive experience in management and finance.

Required staff

[List your required staff in the table below.]

Job Title Quantity Expected staff turnover Skills necessary Date required

Retail Credit manager [1] [2-3 years] Doctoral qualification in Credit management. Practical experience in many financial companies required. June 2013

Credit Officers 5 2-3 years Doctoral qualifications in Credit management. Notable practical experience in credit management June 2013

Tellers 35 2-3 years Degree in credit management from recognised universities. They should also have practical experience in working in banks June 2013

Recruitment options

The company will invite applications from able members of the public to fill the positions of the manager and the credit officers. The advertisements will be in daily newspapers, as well as on the company websites. Some of the tellers will be recruited from outside the bank, while other will be sourced from the various departments which the bank have.

Training programs

The positions which are advertised are common positions and there should be no problem getting the required manpower for the bank. However, after recruitment, the company will have to conduct training of the selected few on job specific matters as well passing on the culture of the organisation.

Skill retention strategies

The staff will be provided with contract letters which will clearly stipulate the terms of service. The contracts so provided, will aid the employees on what is required of them by the bank. The bank also has a culture in which the current staffs are always encouraged to further their studies whenever the opportunity arises. They are also encouraged to undertake self directed learning whenever the situation allows. The company also organises learning conferences for its employees from time to time, to update the employees on any current changes in the industry.

Products/servicesProduct/Service Description Price

[Product/service name] [Brief product/service description] [Price including GST]

Retail banking This is a service which the bank will give to small scale businessmen and entrepreneurs. The bank has always done corporate banking. Retail Credit facilities The bank will award loans and other financial services to the small scale entrepreneurs and businessmen. This service will also include offering financial advice to the small scale business persons, on how to manage their businesses and accumulate savings. Market position: The services which will be provided by the bank are budget services. The competitors in this kind of service will be small upcoming banks and the bank will have a competitive edge over them because of its size and the established brand name.

Unique selling position: The Company has the competitive edge in the retail banking sector because of its already established brand name. The bank is also huge which various branches around the world. This will instil some sense of confidence to the consumers.

Anticipated demand: The anticipated demand for the product is high.

Pricing strategy: The bank has no particular marketing strategy which it will use in the new service. The bank will adopt the pricing which is usually used in the market by other banks, and modify it to suit the needs of the bank (Credit Suisse, 2013b).

Value to customer: The bank will provide very valuable services to the customers. The services are valuable because they can improve the economic and the living standards of the customers.

Growth potential: The growth is expected to grow at a high rate, and stabilize after 3 or so years.

Innovation

Research & development (R&D)/innovation activities

The sector of the bank dealing with retail credit management will involve the customers in their day to day business activities. It will get positive feedback from the customers and incorporate these feedbacks and suggestions in their future activities.

Intellectual property strategy

The bank name is registered as a trademark. There is also a confidentiality agreement which is signed by the employees when they are signing their contracts of employment letters.

InsuranceWorkers compensation: The Company has existing workers compensation insurance for its existing employees. All the company has to do is to include the employees who are due to be employed in the insurance policy. A workers compensation policy is paramount because it releases the bank of the obligation to pay compensations to employees who are injured in the course of duty, or those whose services are prematurely terminated.

Public liability insurance: The Company also has a public liability insurance, which works like a third party insurance. It absolves the company any liability it may have to the public due to negligence on their staff.

Professional indemnity: The Company has a professional indemnity cover. This is because one of the services offered by the bank to its customers is professional advice. Should this advice causes a loss to any third party, the cover will absolve the company from any liability.

Product liability: The Company has no product liability cover. This is because it only offers services and not goods to the public.

Business assets: The Company’s assets are insured against any unforeseeable event which may occur, such as fire, burglary, and violence. The assets which have been insured include buildings, vehicles and furniture and fittings and computers.

Business revenue: The Company has no business revenue cover.

Risk management[List the potential risks (in order of likelihood) that could impact your business.]

Risk Likelihood Impact Strategy

Interest rate risk Likely Medium Interest rate risk is an inherent risk in any banking and financial institution. The bank can mitigate this risk by obtaining derivatives and other hedging instruments.

Systemic risk Unlikely High This is the risk that failure of other financial institutions will affect the institution. There is no way in which the bank can mitigate this because it is caused by external factors.

Credit risk Highly likely High The bank can mitigate this risk by obtaining an insurance cover which covers its bad and doubtful debts.

Operational risk Likely High The bank is to establish strong internal controls which ensure that the operations of the bank run in accordance to stipulated operational guidelines. The internal controls should also be strong enough so as to detect any frauds which may be committed.

Legal considerations

These legislations have an impact on the way the bank will operate.

Banking Act 1974

Bankruptcy Act 1966

Cheques Act 1986

Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997

Future Fund Act 2006

Securities Industry Act 1980

Trusts Act 1991

OperationsProduction processThere is no production process as such. The bank gets its revenue through lending of money to customers. Revenue comes from the interests it charges (Credit Suisse, 2012b).

Suppliers

There are no suppliers because there are no raw materials required. This is a service industry

Plant & equipment These assets only relate to the banking division which is going to be established by the bank

Equipment Purchase date Purchase price Running cost

50 Computers February, 21 2013 $35,000 –

10 Vehicles February, 21 2013 $100,000 $6000

Furniture and fittings February, 21 2013 $8,000 –

Miscellaneous February, 21 2013 $5,000 –

Inventory

There is no inventory in this company because it is in the service industry.

Inventory item Unit price Quantity in stock Total cost

Technology (Software): The Company does not require any new software, because the ones which have been operational are custom made to perform any task which may need to be performed by the company. The software which the company uses is accounting software, website, and customised banking software. Since the software serves all the branches of the bank, it is not possible to attach a price to each of the software.

Trading hours: The credit department of the bank will open its doors to the public at 8:00am -5:00pm from Monday through to Friday. The bank will also open on Saturday mornings to accommodate those who do their businesses on weekends

Communication channels: The bank has sufficient communication channels for its customers. When the issue to be communicated is critical, the customers can call the banks hotline which is available 24hours a day, 7 days a week. Any other feedback or enquiry can be made on the banks website and drop boxes on the banking lobby. Customers can also write to the bank when the circumstances call for such action.

Payment types accepted: Cash, Credit and Cheques. Bank transfer options will also be considered.

Credit policy: There is no credit policy which has been put in place by the bank. This is because it does not offer its goods on credit.

Warranties & refunds: There are also no warranties and refunds which are involved in the business. This is because the company is in the service industry.

Quality control: The bank has followed the banking prudential guidelines which have been provided by APRA. The bank also welcomes feedback from its customers about service satisfaction, and then act accordingly, adjusting where the situation call.

Memberships & affiliations: Yes. The bank is a member of Australian Bankers Association.

Sustainability planEnvironmental/resource impacts

The company will not have any adverse effects on the environment. However, it has to be wary about waste disposal as well as conservation of natural resources.

Community impact & engagement

The company will not have any adverse effects on the community surrounding the bank.

Risks/constraints

Should there be an impact on the community, it should be noted that this will affect the brand image of the company. Customer loyalty may also be compromised.

Strategies

The company will conduct an environmental audit assessment in order to find out the extent of the impact. The audit assessment will enable the company to device ways in which to tackle the risks.

Action plan

Sustainability milestone Target Target date

Reduce water consumption

20% reduction December, 2013

Increase on natural power use like solar energy 30% increase December, 2013

The MarketMarket research

The statistical research which was undertaken was theoretical in nature, and it entailed the study of trends and performances of various banks in the Australian market.

Market targetsIt is hoped that 1 million retail accounts will be opened by the end of the year.

Environmental/industry analysisThe banking industry in Australia has stabilised over the years. It has been a source of economic growth in the country for a number of years. Most banks in Australia provide specialised services, with 21 banks providing retail banking. However, the 21 banks which provide retail banking are relatively small banks. Large banks prefer doing corporate and international accounts. This leaves a dent in the retail banking sector because the relatively small banks are facing scepticism from customers. The country is also boasting of international and foreign banks which have come to set up in Australia. They provide the much needed FDI for the country (Credit Suisse, 2013).

There is a potential for retail banking for large banks. This is where Credit Suisse bank is planning to take advantage of.

Your customers

Customer demographics

The target customers for this business venture are small scale businessmen who need a bank to bank their money, and to also get financial support. The customers could be young or old, but is predicted that most of the customers will fall between the ages of 28-45 years. These customers are spread all over, and it is difficult to point out a precise place where the bank can get an advantage.

Key customers

Businessmen and small scale entrepreneurs

Customer management

The bank will follow its existing code of conduct for serving customers. The bank will ensure customer retention by being loyal to the customers, and provide high quality services to them. The bank also hopes to take active interest in their customer concerns addressing each of their concern.

S.W.O.T. analysis[List each of your businesses strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats in the table below and then outline how you plan to address each of the weaknesses/threats.]

Strengths Weaknesses

Strong and committed workforce- The Company employs only highly qualified and experienced workforce. This is a positive attribute for the company because it will be able to provide quality services to its customers.

Strong internal controls- the company has set up strong internal controls, and this will minimise the incidences of operational risks.

Able management- The Company has a strong management team, which is composed of renowned individuals in the financial services industry.

The company also boasts of strong liquidity and a large capital base- this means that the company is capable of meeting its current obligations as and when they arise without liquidating its assets (Yousigma, 2013). The company has reported a high amount of expenses in their financial statements and these have a negative impact on the profitability of the venture.

Opportunities Threats

The company has branches and outlets in various countries. This has increased its consumer base, and this is likely to contribute to positive marketing of the retail business to be started.

The company has also maintained a good brand image of its existing products. This will aid in the marketing of the new product as well as in customer retention.

The company is also the only big company which is endeavouring to start providing services in small scale retail banking. This will work in its favour because it is likely to gain customer confidence (Yousigma, 2013). There is a looming threat of competition from the upcoming banks. There are over twenty banks which have taken an interest in the retail banking and credit sector.

The financial market is also unpredictable, especially after the financial recession which led to losses for many financial service providers. There is, therefore, lack of certainty on whether the venture will be successful or not.

Your competitorsOn the retail credit provision, the company would rate highly because the other players in the field are smaller banks. The bank can be rated at number 2.

Competitor details

[List at least 5 competitors in the table below.]

Competitor Established date Size Market share (%) Value to customers Strengths Weaknesses

[Competitor name] [When were they established?] [Number of staff and/or turnover] [Estimated percentage of market share] [Unique value to customers. E.g. convenience, quality, price or service?] [What are your competitor’s main strengths?] [What are your competitor’s main weaknesses?]

ANP Limited 1849 — 2% Provides a wide array of services Extensive international presence It has not specialised in any specific investment, and it is too general

Bank of Queensland 1942 — 5% Excellence customer service Heavy local presence The bank has very minimal international presence

Bankwest 1945 — 2% The prices of their services are quite affordable when compared to other banks The bank has specialised in customer friendly services, like the provision of the Bankwest Regular Saver account for individuals. Facing controversies of predatory characters on its competitor’s clients

Suncorp Group 1996 — 3% Provides a wide array of services Highly specialised financial services It is not clear to the customers whether the bank is a financial service provider, or insurance services provider

Lloyds TSB Bank 1995 after a merger of TSB and Lloyds bank —— 3.5% Provides a wide array of services The bank is very stable financially. The company has had a bad reputation of tax avoidance and money laundering.

Advertising & salesAdvertising & promotional strategy

The company will undertake an aggressive advertising strategy through print as well as digital media.

Planned promotion /advertising type Expected business improvement Cost ($) Target date

Give-aways This will help the company by drawing the attention of the prospective customers to the services which are offered $1,500 December, 2013

Print media It will help to convey information regarding the products to the very many people who access the print media. $10,000 December, 2013

Online media It will give the company international recognition, because internet can be accessed all over the world. $1,000 December, 2013

Social Campaign This will promote a one on one interaction between the bank and the prospective customers. Any ambiguity will be cleared during such an event. $ 2,000 December, 2013

Sales & marketing objectives

There is a sales and marketing department in the bank, and this helps the bank in marketing the company products. They have custom made messages and slogans which they use during such an event (Credit Suisse, 2013c).

Unique selling position

The bank is keen on the production of customer friendly products and those which address a specific consumer needs.

Sales & distribution channels

Channel type Products/services Percentage of sales (%) Advantages Disadvantages

Direct sales Banking services 100 It gives a direct contact between the customer and the bank. The customer gets encouraged in the process. It is not possible to reach a larger number of people. Selling can only be done to the people who come in contact with the staff.

The FutureVision statementTo become the world’s most admired bank, renowned for our expertise in Private Banking & Wealth Management, including Asset Management, and Investment Banking and most valued for our advice, innovation and execution

Mission statementOpen, respectful workplace that encourages people to work together and with our clients to deliver superior products, services and results and support the success and prosperity of our stakeholders

Goals/objectivesService, Excellence, Teamwork, Commitment, Risk culture and Profitability

Action planPlease note: This table does not include sustainability milestones as they are listed in the sustainability section above.

Milestone Date of expected completion Person responsible

Employment of the required staff June , 2013 Human resource department

Furnishing the Retail Credit department June, 2013 Business Development department

Acquiring of Assets June, 2013 Finance Department

Starting Operations July, 2013 The FinancesKey objectives & financial reviewFinancial objectives

Operational cost reduction

Increasing the company profits

Increase liquidity

Shorten the credit turnover days

Finance required

Around $300,000 is required upfront for the financing of company operations. This amount will be obtained from the bank’s reserves because it has been in operation. Obtaining money from outsides will cost the company in terms of interests.

AssumptionsThe financial tables on the subsequent pages are based on the assumptions listed below:

There is no adverse effect on the financial market.

No systemic risk will be faced by the company

The action plan will be implemented as stated above

The venture will receive a positive reception from the customers.

Start-up costs for [YEAR]

[Double-click the table below to enter your details or attach your own start up costing sheet at the back of this business plan.]

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Balance sheet forecast

[Double-click the table below to enter your details or attach your own Balance sheet forecast at the back of this business plan]

EMBED Excel.Sheet.8

Profit and loss forecast[Double-click the table below to enter your details or attach your own profit & loss sheet at the back of this business plan]

EMBED Excel.Sheet.8

Expected cash flow[Double-click the table below to enter your details or attach your own expected cash flow sheet at the back of this business plan]

EMBED Excel.Sheet.8

Break-even analysis[Double-click the table below to enter your details or attach your own table]

EMBED Excel.Sheet.8

References

Credit Suisse., 2012. Credit Suisse Global Investment Returns. [Online]. Available at: HYPERLINK “https://www.credit-suisse.com/investment_banking/doc/cs_global_investment_returns_yearbook.pdf” https://www.credit-suisse.com/investment_banking/doc/cs_global_investment_returns_yearbook.pdf [Accessed 7 March 2013]

Credit Suisse., 2013. Brief Presentation. [Online]. Available at: HYPERLINK “https://www.credit-suisse.com/who_we_are/doc/brief_presentation_en.pdf” https://www.credit-suisse.com/who_we_are/doc/brief_presentation_en.pdf [Accessed 7 March 2013]

Credit Suisse., 2013b. Market Focus. [Online]. Available at: HYPERLINK “https://www.credit-suisse.com/investment_banking/doc/market_focus.pdf” https:

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Tour

Name

Institution

Course

Professor

Date of Submission

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Tour

The trip to Kalamazoo Institute of Arts was one of a kind that will remain memorable, considering that it was my first time to be at the fantastic place. The visit significantly changed my perspective toward the artwork as it was to a further more extent to what was in my mind. The quality and variety were astonishing as well as the historical context that the artwork portrayed and the information passed to the world. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is a fantastic place to be that gives a new experience as well as beautiful art that attract person’s site and significantly stimulates the willingness to know more about the traditional cultural ways.

There at Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, the first artwork that caught my attention was egg tempera on linen mounted on board that contained a man looking at the sunshine leaning on bricks. “Looking at the Sunshine” by John Stockton De Martelly is a lithograph artwork that was created in 1938. John Stockton De Martelly was a famous lithographer born in Philadelphia in the year 1903 and studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts as well as in the Royal College of Art in London w, here he gained his skills in the artwork. John De Martelly offered back his skills to the society through his career as a teacher at the Kansas City Art Institute where he taught printmaking. The same students he taught in Kansas City studied printing art from the famous Thomas Hart Benton at the same institute.

Securing the same career with Hart Benton made the two close friend and Stockton De Martelly get influenced by his colleague’s regionalist style. Stockton De Martelly was promoted to be the head of the painting department after the act of institution’s Governor of boards firing Hart Benton who was the former holder of the position. However, Stockton De Martelly was not pleased by the board of governors’ action leading to his quit from the institution and later secured a job as a printmaking tutor at the Michigan State University (Berardi et al. page 7). During his early 1950s, Stockton De Martelly has adopted abstractionist life after abandoning the regionalistic subject that he had learned from Hart Benton. Stockton De Martelly produced lots of lithographs that are influential, and they were enormously being marketed through the Associated American Artists Galleries based in New York.

In “Looking at the Sunshine” Stockton De Martelly make use of contrast to portray the difference between the man’s body uncovered a body, the light blue clothing, and bright shoes. He had merely painted the image using appropriate contrast that makes it attracting and decorative. Stockton De Martelly significantly applies a variety of primary and secondary colors to paint the picture in dull ways to signify the advancement of industry during the era when the work was done as well as satisfying the cultural perspective. The building at the front side has been painted by use of analogous color to make it distinct from other objects, and its traditional shape postulates the decade when the painting was done. Stockton De Martelly significantly use opposite colors on the sky enhancing the subject’s focalization (Weed et al. page 23).

Initially, the reaction towards the canvas was conventional thinking that it was apparent to come across people’s painting around their homesteads and such. However, the perspective changed after a clear understanding of the historical context portrayed by the Stockton De Martelly’s art regarding the traditional customs and cultural beliefs. It was surprising to realize the advancement in the modern way of living compared to the conventional techniques regarding clothing as well as the building structures. From the class work, I would distinguish the Stockton De Martelly’s work with “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci. Both of these canvas to a profound extent signifies traditional customs as well as the historical context of the affected communities. Considering the use primary and secondary colors makes the subjects parts distinct and decorative.

“Dog on a Balcony, Paris”

The other artwork of interest that attracted my attention while at Kalamazoo Institute of Arts was the canvas of “Dog on a Balcony, Paris” by Joseph Stella ca. 1929. The image is part of Joseph Stella’s collection work who was an American painter born in 1877 in Muro Lucano, Italy and later died in 1946 in Queens, NY. In his life, Joseph Stella was popularly known as an Italian Futurism, Early American Modernism as well as Precisionism. After his completion of studies in New York, Joseph Stella abandoned his intentions to be a doctor in the profession and shifted to the artwork. During his schooling, he had undertaken a course on antiques at the Art Students League which gave him an inspiration for transferring to the New York School of Art. In 1905, later after completion of his studies, he worked as a magazine illustrator who was mainly based on realist drawing. Stella’s representations of New York’s cityscapes and built-up architecture made him turn out to be a major figure in the Precisionist movement. He is best known for his artwork depicting Coney Island and the Brooklyn Bridge among other urban scenes (Artwork et al. page 12). “Dog on a Balcony, Paris” significantly the precisionist perspective with decorative scrollwork on the balcony railing and on further distances a focus that enables the viewer to have an intrusion of the natural world which is represented by the artist in the form of a dog.

Joseph Stella significantly makes use of linear perspective that is created by the edges of the metal grids on the balcony to differentiate it with the adjacent building. The complementary color used for painting the sky makes it distinct and as well as being decorative to the canvas. Stella in this artwork makes use of portrait overview that appropriately fits it well. Furthermore, similar colors are used to paint the buildings giving them a clear focus and making them different from other objects such as the metallic grids. The primary color used in decorating the dog makes it distinct and represents the simplicity of nature.

On viewing the Joseph Stella’s “Dog on a Balcony, Paris” artwork, it was surprising as I seen it as an awkward deed to develop an art with such subjects. On further elaboration, I got to understand that it was symbolic of world’s nature where the author uses a dog. The work is interesting as the dog signifies simplicity and appreciation of nature. I would compare Stella’s work with the “American Gothic” by Grant Wood considering that both works are in portrait and the subjects are figured halfway. Also, both the buildings in both the artworks are painted in similar colors enhancing contrast among other themes found in the canvas.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is an excellent place to be where one cannot hesitate to have a visit again and again. The interesting artworks by different artists worldwide make the location fantastic and the experience memorable. I was accompanied by fellow students to Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and they also had an enjoyable experience as they moved from one artwork to another selecting the best to write about. Furthermore, I would like to have a visit to other famous museums discussed in the class to see more as a way of appreciating nature, appreciating the work of the favorite legends and gaining more skills as well as experience in the artwork.

References

Artwork, Studied, and Marcel Duchamp. “THE AMERICAN CENTURY: HOW AMERICAN ART CLAIMED AND DEFINED MODERNITY.”

Berardi, Marianne, and Henry Adams. Under the Influence: The Students of Thomas Hart Benton. Albrecht Art Museum, 1993.

Weed, Stanley E., ed. Art in an Age of Transition: Northern European Prints from the Collection of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Alfred Berkowitz Gallery/Published by the Regents of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, 2017.

Credit Unions and Insurance Companies

Comparison

1. Credit Unions and Insurance Companies

Structures and Functions

Credit unions and insurance companies have financial structures that render autonomy to the management of their own affairs, usually under clear legislative regulation. Special insurance companies known as mutuals operate in a version similar to a credit union which shows how similar the two financial institutions might be. Credit unions Due to the nature of their operation and type, management units and version are different between the two entities. Credit unions are managed by a regulatory board and committees while insurance companies are managed by managerial offices and a board of directors.

While credit unions are regulated by cooperatives regulations, insurance companies are regulated by incorporated entities regulations. By seeking financial assistance from a credit union, individual entities become owners of the financial institution which is not the case with insurance companies which are not owned through seeking insurance cover or any other financial assistance. Interest rates at credit unions are very attractive since they aim at initiating development among members. On the other hand, insurance companies charge high interests since they are profit oriented.

Both institutions are established to offer financial security in a certain way to their clients. In a similar end result, both the credit unions and insurance companies offer a clear savings channel that is not as clear in many other financial institutions. The operation of both of these financial institutions seems to be providing a secure means to invest since the risks involved are considerably shielded from several risk types. In contrast, on one hand, credit unions ought to spur development among the members through offering of cheap financial services. On the other hand, financial services offered by insurance companies are geared towards maximization of profits thorough delivery of a range of policies and other financial services.2. Open-end mutual funds, closed-end mutual funds, and exchange traded funds

Salient Characteristics and Features

Management is vested in the hands of a board of directors in all of the above mentioned financial institutions, with the sole responsibility of protecting the shareholders. In distinguishing open end mutual funds from the rest, it is clear that the fund operates on a self liquidating manner, in that it is always willing and able to purchase and sell investors’ shares any day of operation. On the contrary, closed end mutual funds are not bound by the provision of liquidity, a factor attributed to have caused a serious performance slump at the helm of Crush of 1929 (Haslem 2009, p19). Open end mutual funds allow redemption of the shares by the fund. On the contrary, exchange traded fund is a mutual fund portfolio through which an acceptance to trade the shares in a securities exchange program exists. In a similar way, exchange traded funds as well as closed end mutual funds therefore enable the fund investors to exchange and trade the shares among themselves.

According to Haslem (2009) the regulation of the open end funds is a very challenging order to match for several institutions since one of them is the provision of performance disclosure. Such disclosures are expected to solve the collapse risk observed during the Crush of 1929 and increase investor confidence. As a result, investors prefer open end mutual funds to closed end mutual funds to this day due to the disclosure protection. Open end mutual funds are also one of the most diversified investment mutuals due to a wide asset and securities coverage. For this reason, there more investment avenues in an open end mutual fund than several other funds. Investors that deal in exchange traded funds are more likely to use the features of the fund that allows them to hedge a certain financial position. This is due to the diversified nature of the fund such that its shares can be shorted to cover certain investment considerations.

3. Common stocks, preferred stocks, bonds, and convertible bonds Salient Characteristics and Features

Common stocks present a bundle of rights to a holding investor which include dividends, liquidity rights, consideration rights upon fundamental transactions, voting and owning assets proportion upon liquidation. Preferred stocks have all of common stocks rights and an additional advantage of preferential treatment during the effecting of the rights. For instance, dividend payments are preferentially made in consideration of the rights possessed by preferential stocks holders. Extra rights include inspection and information, blocking rights and pro rata participation rights during sales among several other special rights. Bonds holders are creditors to an institution that has offered to issue bonds as a financing mode. This is a difference from stock holders who are actually partial owners of the issuing corporation.

Alternatively, the bond relationship is a temporal arrangement that automatically expires at the end of the stipulated contractual period. The returns obtained from the bond investment are known in advance and tend to be fixed unlike that of stocks which considerably varies with the actual performance of the corporation. Convertible bonds are special type of bonds which present the owner with a rare opportunity to transform them into shares. As such, the bundle of rights possessed by shareholders becomes effective upon the conversion. It can be said to possess both debt and equity characteristics that bonds and stocks separately possess.

While stocks are translated as units of ownership of the corporation, bonds are a measure of debt that the corporation owes to holders who effectively become creditors. In the application of the general interpretation of the rights of these two groups of investors, there is a feature of corporate liability on one while the other does not possess the feature. In this sense, the stockholder is more of the owner who should take care of liabilities such as those claimed by the bondholder who is a creditor. It therefore means that these two types of investors are on the exact opposite sides of the ownership rights. A hybrid sense of corporate rights emerges from the merging of the rights of both a creditor and a shareholder. This is the rare investment opportunity presented by convertible bonds.

4. NASDAQ market, NYSE, and the stock market of the nation that was the focus of your group project

Strengths and weaknesses

NASDAQ market posses on of the most unique strength that modern securities markets can have, the electronic foundation. In a world whose operation is almost synonymous with incessant innovation particularly fueled by the information technology regime, it positions itself as a rare type of a market. Electronic security trading has a lot of insights to borrow from NASDAQ market, having been able to amass the largest market volume that is unmatched by any other market. On a market capitalization yardstick, NASDAQ is only second to the world largest stock market which demonstrates how powerful of a stock market that it is.

Similarly, the NYSE is a leading world stock and securities market second to none in its volume and market capitalization. Its electronic base got a milestone boost when it merged with Euronext, a leading electronic stock market in 2007. Perhaps, one of its strengths is hidden in the fact that it incorporates a huge electronic operation line with the ordinary stock market operation. Coincidentally, both systems of stock markets are in New York, home to the world business coordination center. The American system of stock trading is central to many world operations. New York City is home to numerous world related institutions and world economic watch derives its vibrancy from the city.

Among the most potent financial weaknesses that NASDAQ and NYSE posses include limited operating margin, low return on equity and a vey high reliance on the US security market (GlobalData, 2010). From these common weaknesses, the scenario is also made worse by the fact that both markets rely on the US dollar as the debt reference currency, which exposes their scope to the performance of the dollar. The US stock market is vulnerable to various risks such as the Wall Street risk analysis which is usually blamed for the recent economic slump.

References

GlobalData (2010) “NYSE Euronext (NYX- Financial and Strategic SWOT Analysis,” Retrieved from: HYPERLINK “https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reportinfo.asp?report_id=1495220&t=t&cat_id” https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reportinfo.asp?report_id=1495220&t=t&cat_id=

Haslem, J. A. (2009) Mutual funds: portfolio structures, analysis, management and stewardship. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons

Soft drink competitors usually have comparable products

Name

Institution

Soft drink competitors usually have comparable products

Introduction

Soft drink competitors usually have comparable products. Customers encompass different discernments relying upon on the quality of the soft drink previously presented. It is essential to compete with general brands. This paper attempts to introduce and market the Fresha soft drink as a brand identity as a new product. It commences with an elegant package design followed by promotions to exemplify exclusive approaches that instigate consumer knowledge by the employment of in-house creative marketers. The marketing of Fresha endeavors in the development of prevailing advert campaigns to bring in and uphold the brand identity. An extensive range of coordinated media hype and advertisements will be utilized in effect and competently in highly imaginative fashions to increase Fresha’s awareness. Marketing of Fresha will be subject to increase positive consumer awareness, resulting in the product’s success and establishing unparalleled growth and proceeds. In the event of accomplishment and thriving of Fresha soft drinks, other product brands will be developed, as well as, launched.

Description of Fresha

As soft drinks are manufactured, consumers develop into being more conscious of their food ingestion. Consumer apprehensions regarding the quantity of sugar or calories, or simulated ingredients and constituents in their drinks continue to mount. Consequently, healthy soft beverages like Fresha made from fruit and vegetable juice will gain as well as benefit more awareness from consumers. Indeed, organic juices recorded the uppermost overall volume sales increase in soft drinks last year because of a healthy reflection to consumers (Jain, 2011). On the contrary, carbonates growth, even though still recording an optimistic growth rate, established symptoms of reducing, seeing that consumers started to shift to healthier alternatives. The overriding idea is to discover the most recent marketing trends and expose sources of potential market development. The marketing of Fresha will be centered in finding unknown opportunities in nearly all existing research data obtainable. The product’s marketing also comprehends competitive hazards with comprehensive market study, as well as, planning a corporate approach through expert qualitative study and escalation projections.

Unmet Customer Need

The promotion is in reaction to a theatrical drop in proceeds as consumers shift as an alternative to tap water. Even though, bottled water exceeding billion liters were consumed globally in the preceding year sales and earnings have reduced by approximately nine per cent over the past twenty four months. There is a requirement and need to address the unmet customer need for organic juices. This will undo the reduction in sales and dismiss some of the depressing promotion bottled organic juices have engrossed over the preceding years (Kapferer, 2008). Bottled organic juices have been blamed for escalating pollution through the plastic bottles. It has also been subjected for being a needless lavishness at a period when numerous individuals all over the globe do not have access to sparkling running water. Promotions have been initiated to try to promote diners in eating places to request tap in place of bottled water. Therefore, juices bottled in recyclable materials would act as a replacement to this pressing issue.

With the pressing issues encompassing tap water globally, organic juices will rise to the occasion in solving the quest and thirst problems. Organic soft drinks in most locales of the planet have encountered extremely extreme competitive surroundings. International businesses and firms have long conquered sales regarding juices and drinks (Tremblay, 2007). In spite of all the hardships, Fresha organic soft drink will productively sustain its principal position in retail volume, as well as, price variation in the market. The drink’s promotion possesses a reflective perception of organic soft drinks, as well as, consumer behavior. In addition, inventive and forceful marketing activities as well will assist the company secure its consumer position.

Target Market Description

It is believed that Fresha organic soft drink is projected more at teenagers and young adults, as opposed to any other age cluster. It will be intended for the male along with female, young adulthood since it is perceived as a refreshing hip-hop beverage. Its promotion will mainly be promoted through media programs, which are predominantly watched by adolescents and young adults rather than the elderly. It will be vended everywhere so that every person can purchase it. The elderly can also consume the drink since it is organic, but the packaging and branding will target the youth to be specific in nature. Its price will be set at a sensible price so that teenagers can pay for it with their recreational jobs as well as their pocket cash. It could also be suitable for the elderly since it tackles their concern for being overweight, sleep as well as their maintenance to their healthy, as well as, balanced existence. The covering of Fresha will be related to mutually girls and boys, illustrating that it will be appealing for both genders. Being organic would steer families to purchase the organic juices since organic beverages are fit for consumption. The development of well built customer devotion will bring in improved profits and sales. It representation in numerous, diverse languages as well as styles will be appealing to all the planet’s civilizations. Target positioning is concerned about the manner a brand or business is located, or perceived in the conscious of the intended group of consumers (Smith, 2007). Developments of perceptual maps will assist in strategizing positioning, as well as, repositioning. A perceptual plot is a drawing which designs different positioning along with repositioning.

Description of Existing Alternatives and Substitutes

The only alternatives or rather substitutes that exist are the carbonated drinks. These have been in the market for extensive periods. Primarily, people have a liking for carbonate drinks since they are refreshing, but they pose to have numerous side effects. A person will not fancy drinking too much carbonated beverages due to the unhealthy consequences that will accumulate over time. The elderly persons will not want to consume so much of these drinks owing to the fact they encompass too many hazards than benefits to them. The Fresha soft drink is better than its counterparts since it is made from organic materials. Its sweetness will be synchronized as well as the sugar will be somewhat moderated to accommodate all the age clusters. There are no presentable alternatives for Fresha since many other products are manufactured and produced through synthetic methods. The bottled water business will be an alternative in some way even though it does not pose as a threat since it lacks the sugary element that the youth like. Fresha’s packaging will be more appealing to the Youth as compared to its alternatives and substitutes.

Marketing plan

The four Ps

This brand new product, is aimed to be presented to consumers of the modern era, who are focused in consuming food that are health and diet balanced, as they intend to thwart ailments such as obesity and diabetes, in their lives. This drink is intended to hit the market and succeed because it is to be sold at a price that customers will affords, and it has been established at a time when consumers are concentrating on their health; thus giving it an edge over the dominant and widely established beverages companies.

Product

In marketing, a product entails anything which can be given to consumers, and assist in satisfying their needs and wants. The Fresha soft drink comprises basic ingredients that can be traced in most similar drinks such as organic water, organic fruits, sugar colorings, phosphoric acid, citric acid and natural flavors among other ingredients (Klopper, 2006). The drink is caffeine free and is aimed to be a health drink, considering that current populations are concerned with living and consuming healthy foods, rather than sugary and tasty drinks, such as those from its main competitors, who will be coca-cola and Pepsi among other soft beverages companies. This Fresha soft drink is an innovation that is aimed to compete, and be accepted in the market, because of its organic nature, which is different from the other competitors’ products.

Price

Price is an integral variable in the marketing mix that is inte4gral in the marketing plan of Fresha. When the suitable price and the precise pricing strategy are determined it becomes paramount to a marketing process. The price of this product will be aimed to attract customers, and it will be founded on the structure of competition. Although other factors such as the cost of production are considered in the pricing of Fresha, the competition from other competitors and issues such as marketing and advertising will determine the pricing of this product. This will also entail that the company can lower its prices, to attract more consumers. Since competition is stiff the company by lowering prices risks incurring losses, but this will enable it achieve a consumer base that is loyal to its product.

Place

Since Fresha is a new product, its location will be located in the US, focusing on the American market, for its main consumers. The company is has not grown enough to compete with the multinationals such as coca cola, but it can compete aggressively with them in the local US market. Since the beverage is a health drink, it can easily find itself to many American’s hearts, as it will appeal to people across generations, who are concerned with consuming healthy foods (Chisholm-Burns, Vaillancourt & Shepherd, 2011). However, the company intends to go international, by merging with other smaller companies, in other nations, to boost its market reach.

Promotion

This will involve personal selling, sales promotion, advertising and publicity and public relations. These are critical for Fresha’s promotional plan. This indicates the level of attention that Fresha will accord each of the mentioned subcategories as well as specify the budget of cash to apply for each (Klopper, 2006). Fresha’s promotion is intended to en sure that the product is accepted in the market, enhance its sales, facilitate its image creation and position the brand in the soft drinks market. This brand will be promoted as a health drinks that add value and diet to its consumers. The company will also embark in advertising the product through the media such as TV ads and social media to enhance its reach among populations. Furthermore, the brand will be promoted by using brand ambassadors who will include famous celebrities both from the music and sports arena with immense influence among the population to facilitate its acceptance in the market.

P.E.S.T. Analysis

Political Influences

The production distribution and application of Fresha product is entailed to different federal laws including the food, drug and cosmetic Act and occupational safety and Health Act among others. Furthermore, the company and its product are subject to the state, local and overseas environmental decrees and regulations. The company has to comply with the established environmental and healthy laws, to prevent any environmental litigation, concerning its products.

Economic Influences

The company is affected by the harvest of the raw materials that it uses to produce the Fresha soft drink, such as orange, vegetables, potatoes and grapefruits among others. Fuel is also critical in the economic influences as the company depended of trucks and other means of transport to transport such raw materials to the manufacturing plant (Mukherjee, & Kachwala, 2009). Therefore, the fuel prices changes and fluctuations also affect the economic aspect of the soft drink. By taking into consideration the economical influences, this will allow Fresha to be prepared for economical turndowns; hence ensuring that it does not register a lot of losses.

Social Cultural Influences

The drink is a non alcoholic beverage, and it always strives to maintain this image, before the public and its consumers. The beverage is subject to people’s changing lifestyles because it has based its advertising and promoting campaigns in a specified form of people with a certain lifestyle (Rajagopal, 2000). Therefore, the company has to pay significant attention to the changing lifestyles. The Fresha drinkers are intensely defined to as those people of all ages who are aiming to consume drinks that are healthy oriented.

Technological Influences

The company is a subject to novel techniques of manufacturing for its soft drink. Therefore, the company has to concentrate on new distribution methods as well as be attentive to the developed competence, so as they will be aware of new products (Rajagopal, 2000). This will ensure that the company attains competitive advantage within the market. Furthermore, with the emerging trends, which are technologically oriented such as most businesses being carried out online, and through social media, Fresha will make certain that it operates within these new technologies, to remain competitive and relevant in the market.

Conclusion

Starting a new business such as selling organic soft drinks in a highly competitive environment would be challenging. Therefore, for an incoming company to be successful in such environment, it should have a strong business plan and strategy that will enable it to penetrate such competitive market and ensure that they continue to grow. This will entail that the company focuses on marketing its brand, and promoting its product to ensure that it increases its sales and gains more consumers. Furthermore, with a certain target audience in mind the company will ensure the company finds it is easier to mingle in the market and promote its products. Fresha has embarked in making a healthy oriented drink its priority, as most people are watching what they consume, to prevent food related diseases. This gives it an advantage in the marketplace to that is full of competitors. Therefore, considering the factors that a new product has to undergo to penetrate in the market, Fresha soft drink is well positioned to be successful in the soft drink industry.

References

Chisholm-Burns, M. A., Vaillancourt, A. M., & Shepherd, M. (2011). Pharmacy Management,

Leadership, Marketing, and Finance. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Jain, S. C. (2011). Handbook of Research in International Marketing: Ed. by Subhash C. Jain

and David Griffin. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

Kapferer, J.-N. (2008). The New Strategic Brand Management: Creating and Sustaining Brand

Equity Long Term. London [u.a.: Kogan Page.

Klopper, H. B. (2006). Marketing: Fresh Perspectives. Cape Town: Pearson/Prentice Hall South

Africa.

Mukherjee, P. N., & Kachwala, T. T. (2009). Operations Management and Productivity

Techniques. New Delhi: PHI Learning.

Rajagopal,. (2000). Marketing: Concepts and Cases. New Delhi: New Age International

Publishers.

Smith, A. F. (2007). The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink. New York: Oxford

University Press.

Tremblay, V. J. (2007). Industry and Firm Studies. Armonk, NY [u.a.: Sharpe.

Crime and Deviance from a sociological perspective

Topic : Crime and Deviance from a sociological perspective 

Student name

Course

Institution

Tutor

Introduction

Society is compared to a machine which has many parts that are interdependent. When one of those parts is missing the machine will experience problems and may not function well. Society is made up of social institutions that are supposed to be compatible otherwise there will be a rise of conflicts leading to social disorder and disharmony. The following discussion focuses on the social perspectives and an explanation for the causes of crime and how it can be reduced.

Discussion

Social perspectives are set of statements or theories that have been formulated by renowned theorists with an aim of explaining the social phenomena (Earl 2003). Society is so complex and so are the social issues that need to be analyzed to come up with solutions. The social perspectives serve as tools that explain the social phenomena, for instance it may explain the reason why the suicide rates are higher among the Protestants than the Catholics. Apart from that the social perspective also seeks to predict what is likely to happen if certain social disorders are not dealt with.

Social perspectives are scientific ways of explaining the society since they have been tested. They seek to maintain the harmony that is required in the society for it to function properly. Sociological theories gained power during the industrial revolution that resulted in many negative implications for the people who worked in the factories. They were poor, lived in shanty homes, and there was increase in social evils such as the prostitution and crime. It is with this regard that the earlier sociologists such as Emile Durkheim decided to formulate the theories that explained that situation and sought to provide the solution for it. It is therefore clear that the sociological perspectives are indisputable since they provide the guideline meant to maintain the social order.

One of such sociological perspective is the one that is used to explain the deviant behavior such as the crime. A deviant behavior is any act that is done against the society norms. It therefore violates the rules and regulations and the result for this is negative sanctions or punishment.

In his theory of defiance, a sociologist by name of Robert Merton says that the society is made up of three things that are interrelated. These are culture, social structures and social anomie (Ritzer et al. 2003) Culture can be said to be a set of beliefs and values that govern the behavior of any given society. It provides a way by which the society acquires their goals. Social structures are the institutions such as the religion and education which are supposed to socialize the society. They have a goal of ensuring that the society is orderly by promoting a kind of culture which is uniform with an aim of avoiding any kind of a conflict. Anomie on the other hand has been explained as the state by which the society has lost the values that are supposed to guide the behavior.

In explaining crime, Merton says that the society has been obsessed with the desire to achieve and live luxurious lives (Ritzer 2003). Therefore each person in the society has a goal of excelling in life. The only means to do this has been reduced to education since the society requires brilliant people who are advance in their studies. This however has a tendency of locking many people out while they still have the desire to achieve like any other person.

Merton argues that the society provides the goals but fails to provide the legitimate means to achieve them. In our example above, many people in the society might not have access to education. Others also may not excel in academics and therefore are likely to be left out of the job market. The explanation for this is that, people have to survive whether by using the legitimate or the illegitimate means. The inequality in the achievement of social goals using the legitimate means has caused many people to opt for criminal means to achieve them. One of the ways by which the government fails to maintain equality is in the distribution of the social resources. This deprives people the opportunity to be successful and therefore they result to criminal activities.

The other main cause of crime as explained above is the discrepancy between culture and anomy. When the society denounces their culture that offers the guidance to social behavior, they are left without values and therefore they can use any means to achieve their goals.

Therefore, crime and any social deviant behavior can be reduced by maintaining the culture that ensures cohesion, solidarity and harmony in the society. The relevant authority can also play a part in reduction by ensuring that the national resources are equally distributed amongst the society so that none is lacking.

Conclusion

The deviant behavior will perpetuate unless the cultural issues are taken into consideration since they provide values that stipulate the means that one has to use in order to acquire their goals.

Reference:

George Ritzer. (2003) “Robert K. Merton”, in Blackwell Companion to Major Contemporary Social Theorists, Blackwell Publishing, 2003, ISBN 1-4051-0595

Tepperman, L., & Curtis, J.(2006). Principles of Sociology: Canadian Perspectives, p. 117. Oxford University Press, Canada. ISBN 0195423488

Ritzer, George and Douglas Goodman. (2004). Sociological Theory, Sixth Edition. McGraw Hill.

Babbie, Earl R. (2003). The Practice of Social Research, 10th edition. Wadsworth, Thomson Learning Inc., ISBN 0-534-62029-9

Crime Fighting Strategy

Crime Fighting Strategy

Introduction

What is crime? Many definitions have been provided to define crime. There are many variations depending on what the type of crime committed. Therefore crime is based on anything that is contrary to the criminal justice of any nation or country. Crime is an offence committed by an individual against the state laws or set of conditions that protect basic the community. The society is made of certain aspects that maintain and manage order amongst its members. In order to maintaining peace, unit and harmony Smartt, U. (2006), it was devised to implement various clauses that explain what is to be carried out if a crime is committed, therefore a criminal justice system is developed. Therefore crime can be an offence that is punishable by the law.

Therefore due to the existence of a criminal justice system it has become efficiency to uphold the trend of punishing law offender and criminals. Therefore a criminal justice is the grouping of various governmental set standards and institutions that uphold the common agenda of maintaining peace and order in the society. Through the various institutions that have been established by the government are, court systems that are used to pass judgment to various criminal offenders, correctional facilities that act as basic institutions, to provide discipline and keep out of dangerous individuals from the public and society. Finally there are law enforcers such as the police, military personnel and other justice institutions that make the laws for punishing individuals with criminal intent, Smartt, U. (2006). 

In order for the criminal justice to exist, it has become essential to implement certain crime fighting strategies that can act as means of maintaining order and peace in a society without using the power of law. Consequently in order to safely implement these criminal justice systems, it has developed different strategies that maintain the aspect of developing a better means and way of controlling crime. There are many strategies that have been used by various systems in order to control crime in the community. Since there are many reasons that may certainly force individuals to break laws and standards set by various community leaders and their government, it is therefore important to establish leadership and responsibility forums that seek to educate everybody on how to be responsible, Baker, T. E. (2009).

Crime Educating Forum

This is a better strategy in the current dynamic world. It creates a better understanding of the world of criminal justice in any responsible governmental, Keyes, L. C. (1992). . There are many strategies that cannot be quantified as providing a person with the knowledge of making reason ahead of everything. Others may argue that anybody with a better reasoning can still commit a crime. Therefore it is important to develop a reasonably means of developing a criminal justice that first educates the society of the importance of maintaing a crime free society. In the community development there are rules that engage various people about the responsibility of following rules and set standards, Baker, T. E. (2009). Therefore the policy behind this strategy is to outsource the many resources of law and criminal justice in order to educate the public on what is to be done when certain measures are broken. Regardless of the crime committed, correctional means may differ depending on the crime committed. Therefore with first hand information and a department committed to creating a better and crime free society, this is the perfect policy that will seek every person and individual in upholding an outstanding criminal justice system.

Purpose of this policy

The main objective of developing this policy is to educate the public and society on the importance of developing a well educated and fundamental society that upholds law. In order to encompass a community or society, it has become fundamental and essential to form an educative program that can be integrated into our society’s common agendas. This will create a better frontal that helps in maintaining the balance of leadership and justice. How does one improve the desire of maintain a better society? Education has become a paramount resource nowadays that will maintain order and harmony, Keyes, L. C. (1992). .

Theory of the policy

There are many theories that cab grouped in the study towards achieving and proposing this policy. In order to oversee the power of knowledge it is important to gain understanding and then acting on the conscience of that idea. Committing crime cannot be regarded as the fundamental idea of lacking reasoning and power of making sound decisions. Therefore this is a policy developed from the theory of knowledge and understanding the consequences of committing a certain crime, Keyes, L. C. (1992). Furthermore it is encouraging to learn that among the many strategies that have been developed they are all based on achieving the integrity of the society and criminal justice. Passing judgment can be seen as thing of integrity and not persuasion.

Anticipated benefits

The strategy should be able to provide basic ideas about developing a resourceful atmosphere and community that seeks the power of knowledge and unity. Taking into account the many reasons and beliefs about criminal justice, through better understanding and following of the rules, will help achieve an integral justice system. This system will be viewed with an idea that is essential and for the betterment of the community.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the policy

The policy has many ideas and advantages that can be viewed as means to promote the general community. Therefore some of the benefits will include;

Developing a better society that understands the common goals of justice

To avoid and reduce the number of crime offenders in the community

To enhance integration and cohesion among society members

To enhance the importance of objectivity and justice for the society, Keyes, L. C. (1992). 

Although there are many benefits, it may have contrary effects on the society

Although education is fundamental, it can’t cure ignorance that many societies face about leadership and the power or rules.

Educating every individual in the society may be a tedious work that many volunteer may deem unnecessary

Sometimes education may be different interpreted by many people hence it may lack meaning to others

Not all community members are literate to understand the concept being presented, Keyes, L. C. (1992).

Implementation plan

How can the community and government implement this educating policy? There are many issues that many governmental bodies can use to implement this policy. The government and justice institutions may integrate this policy through education forums in the public and schools. Presenting different talk shows in the public and community gathering is a better way of creating cohesion and integration among community society. Hosting public forums is essential in developing a clear resource center, Baker, T. E. (2009). This resource center will have sufficient resources and educating the society about crime and its effects if not well developed and monitored. Employing community volunteers to educate society from one area to another in order to implement the common goal of teaching and educating the public about law and crime.

References

Baker, T. E. (2009). Intelligence-led policing: Leadership, strategies, and tactics. Flushing, NY: Looseleaf Law Publications.

Davies, M., Croall, H., & Tyrer, J. (2009). Criminal justice. New York: Pearson Longman.

Keyes, L. C. (1992). Strategies and saints: Fighting drugs in subsidized housing. Washington, D.C: Urban Institute Press.

Palmiotto, M. (1999). Community policing: A policing strategy for the 21st century. Gaithersburg, Md: Aspen.

Purpura, P. P. (1996). Criminal justice: An introduction. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Smartt, U. (2006). Criminal justice. London [u.a.: SAGE.

The baby’s first year’s causal study is trying to determine how reduction of poverty causses changes in brain development

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The baby’s first year’s causal study is trying to determine how reduction of poverty causses changes in brain development. The research study was conducted on randomized mothers within the United States, who were given unconditional cash gifts, and others were made to receive larger amounts of money which could help change their day-to-day lives, and most likely increasing their monthly income by 20% to 25% (TED Salon, 2019). The research was committed to determine whether poverty reduction helps to improve the cognitive, emotional, and brain development of a child within their first three years of life.

The neuroscientists are trying to understand whether the cost-effective way to help children living in poverty would be to give their mothers more money that would first help to reduce the poverty level. The researchers postulate that the level of family income affects a child’s brain structure; such that, children born in disadvantaged families have been found to have a smaller surface area of the brain cortex, while those from non-disadvantaged families have larger surface area (TED Salon, 2019). Thus, their study is to understand the effectiveness of poverty reducing in improving the brain development of a child.

The study is trying to produce a hypothesis that would support that reducing poverty would promote the child’s brain, cognitive, and emotional development. If the hypothesis is established, the researchers intend to use the study results to address and inform debates about social servicesthat have a greater influence on millions of families with young children within the USA. The results would be used to prove that addressing poverty will mean that children born in poverty today will have a promised brighter future (TED Salon, 2019).

Information learnt from this study is important because it helps to promote the understanding on how poverty affects the child’s brain development. It also helps to communicate the message that issue of brain development can be tackled through provision of better lifestyles for the families that are affected by poverty itself. By focusing to improve the brain development of children, the study will help to reduce inequalities and to achieve the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This study is also significant because its results will help to build up the evidence on how poverty affects development of children’s brain, and how it can be addressed. Understanding what poverty does to a child’s brain development is important since there are millions of children who live in poor conditions within the US. Besides, poverty’s effects on child’s brain development is a critical factor in other social issues, not only educational outcomes, but also job employment. Hence, the study will hep to build a more comprehensive view of poverty and its effect on the neurological wellbeing of a child., as well as their cognition and socio-emotional competence.

This information can be used to enhance family economic stability and well-being through the support that would be provided by the welfare system after the study’s results inform on the effectiveness of addressing poverty. This will help to reduce poverty and improve brain development of the children which will result in improved academic performance; thus, increasing chances of employment. As a result, the wellbeing of families will be improved since the children will be made independent.

Studies show that children from low-income families are confronted with risk factors such as impaired physical health, mental health problems as well as exposure to toxic substances at home. These factors in turn lead to decreased cognitive and socio-emotional development of these children which may lead them into crime and substance abuse. By addressing the problem of poverty, the brain development of a child will be enhanced; thus, improving the child’s academic performance and reducing further involvement in crime.

References

TED Salon. (2019, January). How does income affect childhood brain development? [Video file]. https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberly_noble_how_does_income_affect_childhood_brain_development

Crime- Juvenile Delinquency

Crime- Juvenile Delinquency

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Introduction

Sociologically, crime and deviance can be viewed as the externalities or acts that are harmful to the individual and society at large, which are prohibited and punishable by law. Each and every social setting has mores, values, beliefs and expected standards that govern interaction of the members and in the long run help to streamline coexistence. For an action to be classified as crime it must be engagement in an activity that sways away from mores and standards of expected behavior accompanied by intentions of the errant which is mostly motivated by strict societal exceptions. In the analysis of social order, institutions within a given social setting and structures have defined social practices that maintain, conserve and enforce ways of interactions and behavior in order to reproduce those conditions that are capable of continually reproducing conditions essential for its own existence (Inderbitzin, Bates & Gainey, 2013). This implies that different institutions will have different definitions of crime and different mechanisms of control or course of action in case there is violation; the conditions affecting the changes and magnitude of committing these crimes and the form of legal or penal responses made by that institution. Juvenile delinquency on the other hand can be viewed as a classification of crime that is associated with young people that is, individuals younger than the statutory age of majority. This age will differ with countries and economies, social institutions and structures as the independence of expected behavior varies and depending with the nature and severity of the crime committed, juveniles can be tried or punished as adults. This paper will evaluate juvenile delinquency from a sociological perspective by use of theories and other sociological insights in a bid to understand various concepts of and offer solutions to this classification of crime since at this age control and management of behavior is paramount to curb regional and international crimes in now and in future.

In human growth and development, there are transitional stages which are characterized by various psychological needs and wants and puberty, as the age bracket of our interest, has personal challenges that can promote development of crime and other violations of social order. For instance, in cognitive development, individuals’ at this age bracket are more abstract than egocentric enabling individual to reason and think in a wider perspective with which the executive functioning of thoughts and cognitive skills control and coordinate thoughts and behaviors. Sociological and behavioral studies suggest that thoughts, notions and perceptions developed at this stage of life significantly impact individual’s future life by shaping one’s character that plays a major role in personality formation. It is in this stage of social development that adolescents form personal identities with egocentrism influencing the self-conscious desire to feel important/ recognition in social groups and enjoy social acceptance (Nofziger, 2010). Theories suggest normalcy as part of development rather than formation but the cognitive process of change in both content of one’s thoughts and structure about one’s self makes it more of a formation and thus control and management of traits such as self-awareness and self-control will lead to wise decisions during the stage and in transition to adulthood.

Researchers suggest two types of juvenile delinquency, repeat offender; defined as life-course-persistent offender who starts showing anti-social / aggressive behaviors in childhood to adolescence and continues to adulthood and specific offender also known as adolescence-limited offender whose anti-social and aggressive behaviors begins and ends during the adolescence period. For good parenting and societal nurturing, it is important for stakeholders to account for behavioral changes from childhood to later stages of development in a bid to evaluate the course of action for respective individual. For instance, by understanding the behavioral changes one can identify an adolescent-limited individual by analyzing his/her post-adolescent actions such as less pathology, dropping of criminal/ aggressive activities once the adolescence is over and other problematic issues such as substance abuse and financial dilemmas, characterized at both adolescence and adulthood for those who were delinquent than those who were not (Moshman, 2011).

Causes

Sociologically juvenile delinquency can be attributed to two major factors of personal/cognitive development and external factors with personal growth/cognitive factors largely influenced by process of growth and development which can be tamed or untamed depending with the approach implemented. For instance, experts view juvenile crimes to be disproportionately committed on sex differences with boys more susceptible than girls; attribute that feminism theories suggest as ideologies of masculinity that make boys feel strong, powerful and aggressive necessitating competition, which in the process of asserting and expressing their masculinity end up in anti-social and criminal behaviors (Silvestri & Crowther-Dowey, 2008). Other factors within the development can be social and economic class of these adolescents as they grow up with the observations that the ones from low social status and who in one way feel social or racial disaggregated are prone to juvenile delinquency. This is naturally manifested in the process of growth and development which with effective control and management from parents and other social institutions can be tamed and managed in the long run. External factors include family factors and peer influence with family factors taking form of parental supervision; disciplining and punishing, parental conflicts and separations, parental abuse and other parent-child relationships influence the susceptibility of the child to juvenile delinquency. Peer influence on the other hand fall under differential association and cultural organization with observations that in a group context, existence of culturally complex communal institutions such as schools, churches and social group, coupled with peer pressure can lead to children diverting their focus to crime (Gelfand, Chiu & Hong, 2011).

Risks and Mitigation

Risks involved with juvenile delinquency include behavioral and cognitive problems such as extreme criminal behaviors of rape, murder and other violent behaviors in childhood or adolescence and other cognitive problems in adulthood such as substance abuse and poor financial and time management, low intelligence and impulsiveness, gratification, restlessness and lack of empathy in adulthood. As part of mitigation, effective parenting such as consequence-based discipline; parents should avoid neglect so as to know and monitor child’s activities and actions, they should be reflective on justifying the discipline actions to avoid authoritative and harsh discipline to the children as they grow and they should give attention to their children especially on mental and psychological needs necessary for upright development.

Conclusion

Juvenile delinquency as a subtype of crime cannot be ignored in that ineffective management can lead to developmental problems which can necessitate crime in a wider perspective both in childhood and in adulthood. This can be tamed and managed by proper parenting and strengthening of social institutions; which as a sociologist, understanding the process of growth and development in conjunction with adaptability in the social institutions will go further in reducing the cases of juvenile crimes for societal, regional and international peace and coexistence.

References

Moshman, D. (2011). Adolescent rationality and development: Cognition, morality, and identity. New York: Psychology Press

Silvestri, M., & Crowther-Dowey, C. (2008). Gender & crime. Los Angeles: SAGE.

Nofziger, S. (January 01, 2010). A Gendered Perspective on the Relationship Between Self-Control and Deviance. Feminist Criminology, 5, 1, 29-50

Gelfand, M. J., Chiu, C., & Hong, Y. (2011). Advances in culture and psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.

Inderbitzin, M. L., Bates, K. A., & Gainey, R. R. (2013). Deviance and social control: A sociological perspective. Los Angeles: SAGE.

Space Yacht Concert; Evelyn Munoz

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Date of SubmissionSpace Yacht Concert; Evelyn Munoz

Music is an essential and primary element of the entertainment industry. Attending a live concert is one of the best experience not only regarding entertainment but also in the basics of understanding the music theory part taught in class. There is a lot involved in music starting from the key learning, composing, recording, sound and instrumentation to the real performance as well as stage appearance. The overall art determines the presence and attraction of the genre to its audience. The aim of every artist is composing exciting music that will attract and satisfy the fans desire as entertainment is the crucial issue in this industry. Space Yacht concert powered by Night out is one of the best music recitals that I attended as an external live performance where Evelyn Munoz was the chief artist. In this paper, Evelyn Munoz performance at the Space Yacht place is illustrated in a profound extent as an out of class concert that helps in understanding varied types and styles of stage representation in consideration of the voice type, performance quality as well as the performer’s appearance.

Music keeps in advancing as time goes regarding the melodies, texture, chord structures, and harmonic series among many other music fundamentals. Also, the music composition and styles used are most important as various genres today are different to what they were some decades ago. The difference is distinct, and one can note when listening to the 90’s and nowadays music where today artists have the freedom to compose their work on own perspective. The case was different a few decades ago where the musicians had to write songs talking about their past experiences which were mostly related to their future in particular. Change is inevitable, and the artists have to adapt it to enhance diversification in the industry.

In the night out at the Space Yacht place lots of musical fundamentals were observed in the famous artist, Evelyn Munoz’s performance. During the presentation, the pitch of Evelyn Munoz’s voice was steadily creating a reverent melody that perfectly caught the audience’s attention. The excellence sound articulation free from noise and other irrelevant distractors from unconditioned instrumentation made her art unique and unusual becoming an efficient entertainment journal to all. Her attack style preferably marks the beginning of her performance as the note is explicitly introduced. The choral style is depicted by the homophonic texture in Evelyn Munoz art where mostly there is the application of soft text dynamics.

The unique vocal features mentioned above boosts the quality of her music, making Evelyn Munoz’s one of the most famous female artists worldwide. Stage appearance and performances are also a vital thing when it comes to determining an artist’s perfection in the music industry. Evelyn Munoz proved this right during her presentation at the Space Yacht during the memorable night out. She digitally made her performance starting from her dressing mode to instrumentation and dancing. It being a night out is clear that the audience is there for entertainment, it is an effective way of relieving stress after the long day’s chores work. Evelyn Munoz’s appearance made the presentation efficient and on the other side used instrumentation that provided the right pitch. The dancing modes especially in her work “Dance Sauté” made the audience left helpless from joining the changing styles throughout her presentation.

Evelyn Munoz’s art made the night out at the Space Yacht entertaining through the efficient application of her experience in music industry. The voice types, stage styles as well as the actual presentation and appearance in the stage significantly determines the quality of music genre. External learning out of the class work is vital to the music students as it provides an exposure to the real world and in the process, they end up learning different skills to boost their career as well as talents.