Author: admin

Creative Writing Essay Assessment

Name:

Institution:

Course:

Tutor:

Date:

Creative Writing Essay Assessment

Reading and Writing Strategies: Demonstrate or articulate an understanding of reading or writing strategies and assumptions that guide effective reading or writing, and how to read actively, purposefully, and rhetorically

The writer has listed the strategies used in the essay in general and doesn’t display them in an organized manner. Indeed, reading through the essay, it is not easy for the audience to easily understand hat the intention of the writer without being critical. The essay is dependent on the school of thought of the other bloggers and this is used to make the audience believe on the opinion given about NSA. The writer has not contextualized and developed relevant information for the audience, and has not given any definition for the strategies used and subsequent implementation. Finally, the writer does not appear honest since the other counter opinions are not given in the essay. The writer is dishonest when stating that, “people in the U.S. should be afraid that someone is monitoring their every step while they are in the internet dimension” (p. 4). The statement is meant is meant to create fear among the audience without facts illustrated. The writer therefore does not meet expectations and can be given a score of 4.

Reflection: Demonstrate or articulate meaningful generalizations/reflections about reading and writing practices and processes

The write has listed a number of bloggers who support the school of thought advocated by the essay. However, the writer has focused on the surface issues and does not really give the audience an in-depth of why the issues are really of concern. For example, it is stated that, “The blogger uses an accusatory tone here to make the audiences’ mindset to be the same as the blogger on the issue” (p. 2). Indeed, the blogger is only interested on ensuring that their school of thought prevails without critically explaining to the audience the position taken. Moreover, the facts provided are underdeveloped and appear to be repetitive since the bloggers quoted appear to be reading from the same script. It is could have been useful to bring in other bloggers with dissent opinion for the audience to have a choice and information that could help in knowing where the truth lies. The score to this section will be 3.

Summary/Conversation: Demonstrate summarizing purposefully, Integrate “they say” into writing effectively or self-consciously, and appropriately incorporating quotes into text (punctuation, attributions, relevance).

The writer has employed a good number of sources for use in the essay and this is very significant. Indeed, as can be seen in pages two and three of the essay, the writer has quoted several other bloggers supporting the school of thought of the essay. However, it is significant to indicate that the writer has not adequately incorporated sources of the dissent opinion. Nonetheless, the writer has demonstrated a clear understanding of both in-text and works cited MLA citation style. This section will be given a score of 5.

Rhetoricality: Demonstrate reading and/or writing rhetorically, discussing or considering consciously audience, context, purposes, and/or structural and conceptual continuity (i.e. rhetorical patterns)

The writer has indicated the availability of ideas on the subject of discussion on NSA but the ideas are not organized and despite the recognition of the audience, the writer does not make it easier for the audience to understand the arguments. For example it is not clear to understand what the writer talks about in page 3, “Blogger Gillmor uses a whiny tone to report about if one of the internet companies whom made the NSA program can make a move against the system then our information can be ok.” The statement appears confusing given the opinion stipulated in the essay. Indeed, the analysis made points to a well intended purpose but are underdeveloped. In this section, the writer can be given a score of 3.

Language Coherence: Have developed, unified, and coherent paragraphs and sentences that have clarity and some variety.

This is the section where the writer has done poorly. The writer did not devote enough time in proof reading the work and the paragraphs appear underdeveloped with punctuations marks and spelling mistakes all over. For example, “…NSA program is claiming to do for society is not of what they claimed to use it for the first time” (p. 1), “Another blogger named Saletanuses same method of persuasion to grab his audience about whatthe President of the United States have to say on the issue” (p. 2), “….NSA from have so much power online.” These are just some of the mistakes that are in the essay, this section does not meet the expectations and the score that can be given is 1.

Credit card companies should not be allowed on campus marketing

Credit card companies should not be allowed on campus marketing

Campus students should not be allowed to have credit cards, because it has adverse effects on them. It is difficult for a person who does not have a credit history, as well as who is not employed, to obtain a credit card, which is unsecured. College students offer a unique market to credit card companies as they have many advantages. Their market is untapped, thus offering a great opportunity for potential growth. Most campus students spend their money on many items, and expect their parents to help them out of debt (Frederick, 2007). Lastly, credit companies want to establish relationships with the students early enough. This will ensure that in the future, the credit card company benefits from brand loyalty, which is extremely strong. In turn, it makes it easy for the company to sell other credit related product. This means that credit card companies are only in business to benefit themselves.

This paper seeks to give an analysis on the reason why campus students should have credit cards. This is because they are bound to incur serious problems in the future.

Analysis of the disadvantages of campus students having access to credit cards

The approach being used by credit card companies to attract campus students is extremely enticing. The students are meant to believe that payments for purchased items can be made in the future, without any hustles. The students in turn, accumulate high amounts of debt and they will experience the repercussions when they seek employment, or after they have graduated (Frederick, 2007). The credit card companies should not market themselves to campus students, as this is a violation of the practices of underwriting. This is because they are meant to consider factors such as income, debt-to-income ratio, as well as credit history. Many young adults, who have graduated from college, are forced to file for bankruptcy. Others are forced to stop going to school, since they cannot be able to afford their college fees. It is difficult for the campus students to start life easily, when they are heavily indebted. Campus students, who have credit cards, usually have a low score on their credit, which is not attractive or beneficial.

Banks have gone to extreme levels to ensure that campus students obtain credit cards. They are becoming extremely creative and aggressive in their marketing efforts. Some have formed relations with alumni’s of different colleges, through partnerships, which are exclusive, making their business even easier than before. Other banks are sending their representatives to areas around where college campuses are located. This is a strategy meant to ensure that they target their market, without having to violate any campus rules. There is evidence to prove that the marketing strategies used are efficient. Tables within the vicinity of college campuses are responsible for marketing to students and the percentage is at 76%.The latter, is according to the Public Interest Research Group in the United States, after it conducted a study on this vital matter.

In order to ensure that the students are attracted to the stands and tables, free gifts are offered. It has been found out that the most common gifts are t-shirts. Other banks go to great levels to entice the campus students even more. Some of the prizes include iPods, pizza, and candy, among others. To add onto this, in order to be given these gifts, they just have to fill up an application to obtain a credit card. Some states have come up with laws that restrict the manner, which credit card companies, market to campus students. This is according to an article in USA TODAY in the year 2008. The restrictions have instead made the companies search for ways to become more aggressive in their marketing. Some of the strategies being used are going to locations, which are off campus, phone calls, as well as emails (Chu, 2008).

The extreme measure undergone by banks makes one to wander whether they are indeed ethical in their practices or not. The number of partnerships between colleges and banks offering credit cards has increased. The associations are with athletic and alumni groups and it includes the largest and best universities and colleges. The campuses are also benefiting as they earn millions of dollars, which benefits them in many ways. In return, the latter has to provide the banks with vital information regarding student information, which is normally not accessible to third parties. The banks are given access to exclusive campus events, where they can market their credit cards.

As a result of the partnerships between the banks and the colleges, the ID cards also have debit card functions. Many universities all over the United States are embracing this concept, according to USA TODAY and the figure is approximately two-thirds. Some of the biggest universities in America are embracing this change (Chu, 2008). Colleges are benefiting as they are obtaining state funding, which is beneficial to them. People are distressed about this matter because the students suffer in the long run, due to increased high debt. The interest rates charged on the credit cards are high, and the students who buy expensive items suffer the most.

The marketing done by the banks makes one to believe that the credit cards are heaven sent. The strategy used is that the earlier and more times the credit card is used, the more credit points the student will have. They are promised that in the future, they will be able to buy homes, cars, and other important items (Chu, 2008). There is a problem, which accrues as a result of having a credit card. It is easy to spend unwisely if one has a credit card, without having to worry about the repercussions in the future. Campus students may use their credit card for shopping trips, purchasing food at the cafeteria, among other things. After some time, the credit card limit ends and the student is left in debt, with no way to pay, as they do not have a job.

Research has found out that there are unprecedented levels of credit, which campus students are being offered. In the first week of college most freshmen are enticed with offers on credit cards, approximately eight of them. Every week, half the student population in the different campuses fills up applications for credit cards. Students become owners of credit cards when they are in campus and own many credit cards after they have graduated. This means that their debt is increasing at a high rate (Frederick, 2007).

Conclusion

In conclusion, students should be aware that companies dealing with credit cards only seek to benefit through the money they make. The companies benefit when the students are involved in excess debt, and thus make huge profits. It is a belief that by having a credit card, one can purchase as many items as they wish, but this is not true. Campus students should be wise enough to know the disadvantages of having credit cards, if one does not have an income. More should be done to ensure that credit card companies do not have access to students, who are in campus.

Reference

Chu, Kathy. (2008). Credit cards go after college students. USA TODAY. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/college/2008-03-30-credit-cards-college_N.htm

Frederick, M. (2007). Should credit card companies be targeting college students? HELIUM: Where knowledge rules. Retrieved from http://www.helium.com/items/704832-should-credit-card-companies-be-targeting-college-students

Credit Cards Features Comparison

Credit Card

Feature Bank of America (Accelerated Rewards) American Express (Blue Cash) Discover

(More Card)

1. Grace Period 25 days 25 days 25 days

2. Interest Rate 12.99-20.99% 12.24%-19.24 11.99%-20.99%

3. Annual Fee $0 $0 $0

4. Over-The-Limit Fee N/A N/A $0

5. Late Fee N/A N/A N/A

6. Cash Advance Interest Rate/Fees (variable) (variable) (variable)

7. Transfer Interest Rate 3% 3% 3%

Credit Cards Features Comparison

The credit card market in the US has numerous products from among which customers can select their best alternatives that correspond with individual needs. Since the market is highly diversified to meet the various needs that customers have, there is need to analyze the features of the various products. Different credit card needs are considered by the offering financial institution to bridge the gap between the need and the financial service. As an illustration, a single bank can provide different credit cards with different features and terms to meet a number of clients’ needs across the market. Below is an illustration of some of the features that customers would look for, in the analysis of the three credit card products as given by different banks.

Table 1. Obtained from the database (financeglobe.com, 2011)On a personal account, a credit card would serve a number of my financial transaction needs due to their convenience. However, the above features will play an important role in the determination of the appropriate type of product designed for such needs. On a personal finance management product needs analysis, a credit card must assist me to access my funds from any point of need. Such convenience will serve to avoid pending bills which are costly from personal financial management perspective. In addition, I will need my credit card to clear my online shopping which has become very fashionable and convenient during this information age. I don’t need to travel far distances to conduct my shopping thanks to the internet, which makes a credit card a necessity. Alternatively, many transactions nowadays attract discounts for credit card clearance. To this end, I need to maximize on cheap deals using a credit card and complement my saving approach to personal finance. Finally, a credit card will help me to save on costs of operating a financial account due to favorable rates when compared to the traditional bank accounts of other forms.

With regard to the need to reduce the cost of operating an account as a consideration, I will choose the credit card with flexible terms of interest, grace period and other related costs. From the above list of credit cards, Discover More Card fits well due to its relatively low interest rate. With reduced interest rates, consumer needs are likely to be handled in an advanced consideration since it is possible to reduce cost of transactions and channel the savings on other important needs. Besides, it offers attractive bonus packages to consumers amounting to 20% for making purchases from designated retail outlets. Discounted costs increase the capacity of consumers to maximize the benefits of the service offered by the provider and improve their lives. Since the use of the credit card is purely on personal transactions, this credit card offers the best alternative to consumer needs. It is perhaps important that these benefits are packaged for the ordinary consumer in one product to assist consumers in managing their finances and increase value for their money.

Works Cited

“The Most Comprehensive US Credit Card Database,” 2011. Web. HYPERLINK “http://www.financeglobe.com/” http://www.financeglobe.com/ (accessed 12 October 2011)

Reliability and Validity

Name

Course Title

Institution

Reliability and Validity

Reliability

In the broadest sense, reliability would be looking at the consistency of measurement. The feasibility is observed by measuring the variable several times. Thus, it would be able to prove if the measure is consistent enough (Kothari, 2014). Therefore, a measurement that would be higher is observed to be more reliable than one that would have lower scalability.

Inter-observer reliability is a measure utilizing statistics to address the issue of consistency as a form of measure. Test-retest reliability looks at the consistency level from one period to another (Kothari and Garg, 2014). Reliability can be internal (this would be tested occurring from variables within) or external (this would be tested occurring from outside variables).

Evaluation of interrater reliability would imply that the study uses the same collected results. Thus, the sample would imply a correlation amongst the various sets of variables that have been analyzed. Hence, when all the respondents give a similar value, the test would have higher interrater reliability (Kothari and Garg, 2014). Thus, the aspect of yielding similar results would prove that the test is of the essence and that it is scientific. Therefore, the inferences can be used in the decision-making process and improve the livelihoods of a people.

Test 1

Reliability Statistics

Cronbach’s Alpha N of Items

.066 2

Test 2

Reliability Statistics

Cronbach’s Alpha N of Items

.276 2

Thus, based on the analysis, test 2 is more reliable.

Thus, based on the scientific tools present and used to test for reliability, one would be able to come up with the best measure (Kothari and Garg, 2014). Thus, the repeated analysis would be able to give the best results of a given timeframe over the dataset.

Validity

Validity looks into what will be measured (Kothari and Garg, 2014). This would look at any types of errors that might arise in the questionnaire. For instance, would the variables make sense to the user of the information being used in place.

Internal validity looks at the inferences that carry out the observations amongst the variables to show the type of manipulation if it was done transparently or measured based on the study parameters (Kothari, 2014). External validity looks into the observations that are made based on the manipulation of several variables that would be extending outside.

Concerning the statistical conclusions that are present, the information user would be out to assess the type of analysis. This is whether the data they are getting and the questions they are asking are making sense (Kothari and Garg, 2014). Thus, it would be guided by a psychological framework tasked to improve the nature of analysis and data presentation.

Thus, the study would also have the required sample size. This depends on the statistical test that would be used to analyze the results (Kothari, 2014). Furthermore, the researcher would be keen to look into at least twenty percent of the total population from the total sample size.

For instance, a correlation coefficient at a significance level of 0.05 can be used to analyze. Thus, the result would be testing the significance and insignificance of the variable based on the present results (Kothari and Garg, 2014). Thus, data would form the basis of critique, and the scientists would be able to infer what is happening from the data available for the study.

Thus, the criteria for validity would be based on values 0 and 1.00. This is based on the connection size between the two variables under investigation. This would include variables a and b.

Instrument

Test and measurement

Description

A test and measurement would be used to analyze the strength of the variables based on numerical factors.

Psychometric Properties

It ought to be an accurate system and dependable based on the present analysis.

Psychometric Properties of the Instrument

This will be based on the reliability and validity factors inclined to the correlational coefficients (r = .41).

References

Kothari, C. R., & Garg, G. (2014). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Delhi:

New Age International Publishers.

Kothari, C. R. (2014). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques (3rd ed.). New Delhi:

New Age International (P) Limited.

Types of Central Tendency and Variance (2)

Name

Course Title

Institution

Types of Central Tendency and Variance

Mean

Mean would refer to the average summation of the dataset. Then later divided by the number of variables listed.

Grade 1 Grade 2

Mean 74.5714 77.2857

The mean for grade 1 is (74.57) and grade 2 (77.28). Grading for 2 is higher.

Mode

Mode would refer to the value that is occurring several times in a given dataset.

For instance, test 2 has 5.5 hrs being repeated, test 1 has 8.5 hrs appearing twice.

Median

The median is the middle score in a set of given numbers.

Grade 1 Grade 2

Median 86.0000 77.0000

Variance

Variance would be the average in terms of variability. This by obtaining the mean and then squaring the differences and later making them positive. Afterwards the sum squares id divided by the values of the dataset.

Grade 1 Grade 2

Variance 555.286 267.571

References

Kothari, C. R., & Garg, G. (2014). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Delhi:

New Age International Publishers.

Kothari, C. R. (2014). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques (3rd ed.). New Delhi:

New Age International (P) Limited.

Types of Central Tendency and Variance

Name

Course Title

Institution

Types of Central Tendency and Variance

Mean

Mean would refer to the average summation of the dataset. Then later divided by the number of variables listed.

Grade 1 Grade 2

Mean 74.5714 77.2857

The mean for grade 1 is (74.57) and grade 2 (77.28). Grading for 2 is higher.

Mode

Mode would refer to the value that is occurring several times in a given dataset.

For instance, test 2 has 5.5 hrs being repeated, test 1 has 8.5 hrs appearing twice.

Median

The median is the middle score in a set of given numbers.

Grade 1 Grade 2

Median 86.0000 77.0000

Variance

Variance would be the average in terms of variability. This by obtaining the mean and then squaring the differences and later making them positive. Afterwards the sum squares id divided by the values of the dataset.

Grade 1 Grade 2

Variance 555.286 267.571

References

Kothari, C. R., & Garg, G. (2014). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Delhi:

New Age International Publishers.

Kothari, C. R. (2014). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques (3rd ed.). New Delhi:

New Age International (P) Limited.

Lululemon Marketing Analysis

Name

Course

Course instructor

Date

Lululemon Marketing Analysis

Introduction

Lululemon athletic a is an athletic wear store selling high quality performance wear mainly meant for women and was founded in 1998 by Dennis Chip Wilson in Vancouver, British Columbia. The primary focus is women leading healthy lifestyle and are determined to achieve it in a more comfortable but fashionable manner. Lululemon currently operates 45 stores in Canada and 70 in the US selling innovative and technical apparel products that provides performance, fit and comfort (Tucker Web). The company boasts of her ability to incorporate fashion and style in their products, which has ensured her strong brand recognition and high number of sales. The company’s concentration in Canada is much better especially brand awareness than in the US despite the fact that it has more stores in US than Canada.

Current Market

According to Tucker, Lululemon identifies itself with a high quality as well as exclusive yoga and sporting apparel strictly meant for female (Web). It operates in numerous stores across North America, Australia and New Zealand where it offers women’s wear for yoga, dance, running and other sport events. Most of the company’s customers are high-income women that are insulated to prices and the downturn of the economy as was evident in 2008 when the sales grew despite economic challenges. It has more stores in U.S compared with Canada that contributed to the $452.9 million revenue and gross of $ 223. Lululemon intends to make her US brand as better as the Canadian one because US has more stores than in Canada. The company is putting a lot of effort boost her brand awareness in the US market (Tucker Web). The organization has successfully returned to the community that gives it support such as hosting free yoga events around town. The company focuses on high quality products, which attracts higher prices for her upper income women target. Lululemon ensures prestigious and exclusive products that act as fashion forward and shows a healthy, well off lifestyle. The expensive high-end workout apparel has seen it standing even amid recession in 2008 due to the current market perception of the brand.

Target Market

Lululemon’s target market is 18-34 fit, health conscious and fashion forward, high-income females who are the company’s vital customers. The active young thinking woman who are appearance conscious, physically fit and well educated. Lululemon targets mostly the upper and middle class females residing in North America with the niche marketing strategy by pursuing a narrowly defined market segment. The niche market strategy has greatly contributed to the success of the company thus making it remain a primary market target. In the recent past, the company has been striving to gain reach the male workout market for some time (Tucker Web).

New male clothing brand with very high quality is another target market that the company looks forward to dominate. The males targeted are educated and physically active and appearance conscious aged between 16 and 45 living in North America. It is also targeting the pre-teen girls who may not be identified with the more mature females as well as more for more value proposition within all brands of the company. The target customer for Lululemon is very complex, active as well as health and is aimed at carrying out product expansion and matching the lifecycle and social status of those women.

Current Marketing Strategy

Acording to Ellis, Lululemon’s goal is to implement brand extension and reposition brand awareness that may result into 10% total growth as well 5% female growth within the next one year (Web). The strategy also involves holding a challenge in five Canadian cities and general 10% increase until 2025. The company has laid down various marketing strategies that may boost her sales and cover wider market. There are special marketing displays proposed by the management that helps in displaying products in stores for customers to distinguish between the products. Marketing displays however would however not apply to maternity clothing as while the Baby Belly Tank will be mixed with other active wear and loungewear products. The company uses strong pricing power as well as the strategy of getting product right and keeping it scarce.

According Ellis, Lululemon’s marketing strategy includes cupcakes, camp out, dances and running clubs, which are summed up as grassroots marketing that is very inexpensive (Web). The company is planning to enter new markets Hong Kong and UK with ambassadors who greatly support them. The ambassadors integrate with the local community as a way of expanding their market share. Additionally, the company encourages the utilization of social media as a means of interacting with the public.

According to Tucker, Lululemon has been building on brand recognition by letting the franchisee to take part of the cost (Web). The company also uses social media such as Facebook, twitter, YouTube to reach their market by posting pictures with short, catchy tag lines. The company further uses video demonstrations to launch new products as well as multifaceted social media campaign to educate the users on the usability of the product (Ellis Web). Moreover, Lululemon realizes the diversity of culture in different countries making her marketing messages vary between Canada, Asia and Australia. Generally, the grassroots marketing adopted by the company is deeply based on the customers’ desires since the company believes in being pulled into the market instead of being pushed (Malka Web).

Industry

Lululemon operates in a very profitable niche in the wider sportswear by offering services to customers that are more affluent and play a major role in her sustainability. The company United States sporting apparel provides the largest sportswear market representing almost 41% of the global sales then closely followed by the European Union market with about 38%.The company’s yoga wear has established itself as a prominent brand in the female sportswear market prompting them to charge maximum price for the products (Malka Web). Lululemon boasts as one of the most productive retailers in the sportswear market with several other opportunities of growth in various categories such as its recent expansion of merchandise for both men and youth.

However, it faces stiff competition from Gap Inc.’s Athleta brand as well as other businesses operating on yoga apparel. Moreover, it does not own patents in technology, fabric or even procedures they use in manufacturing hence exposing risk to their products. Competitors may decide to duplicate their products and technologies and just make away with it. The primary competitors of Lululemon are small businesses operating individual yoga wear stores as well as retailers situated in gyms and fitness places. This makes it harder to compete the company because of her many resources and popularity it enjoys amongst the yoga enthusiasts (Malka Web).

However, on a higher scale, the company faces stiff competition from the sport industry giants including Nike and Adidas that are incredibly larger than Lululemon. Nike and Adidas make huge sales and enjoy a wider presence both online and in their very own numerous stores (Ho Web). The company further faces risk of losing customers who may substitute their products with lower priced apparel because the Lululemon’s products are very expensive and only meant to serve the rich. It is also worth noting that the market that the company concentrates much on, North America does not have a larger capacity of expanding due to the company’s brand premium niche positioning.

Sporting apparel in US generated about $9.2 billion in 2009 although it went down the following year because of the economic downturn by almost 5%. It is apparent that yoga industry is really increasing in size as Americans spend more than $5.7 billion in it and the same growth is experienced in sport apparel, workout gear and leisure activities. It is incredible to see Lululemon outperforming competition and is considered as one of the top performing apparel industry stock due to their suppliers who are the main stakeholders (Ho Web).

Product Review

Lululemon offers several products including jackets, hoodies, pants, shorts for sexes and bras, underwear and tank tops that are meant for women. According to Ekachakra, pants are provided either in regular or tall lengths and that they are pre-shrunk to make sure there is an initially quality fit (Web). Their products are believed to flatter women/s derriere that really appeals to women of all classes. Additionally, Lululemon boasts of its cutting edge and high quality fabrics that are integral in delivering maximum operation and body fit. It has greatly collaborated with some other leading suppliers that have aided it in developing trademarked fabrics that removes moisture from the body (Ekachakra Web).

According to Ekachakra, the uniqueness of the fabrics further facilitates drying process and protect against wind and rain (Web). The fabrics also have matte finish that enables it to be thicker compared to spandex hence assisting in avoiding unappealing shine. Additionally, the Lululemon products are flat seams, tear-out labels and thumbholes on their sleeves and pockets that are very helpful in keeping things such as audio players. Lululemon experiences expansion and growth aimed at offering products that are more appealing for men and youths. It also offers some fitness related accessories such as water bottle, yoga mats and DVDs that are characterized with the company’s high quality nature.

Works Cited

Ekachakra. Yoga Product Review: Lululemon Athletica – Worth the High Price? Yoga for Flowers 30 Aug. 2006. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/2006/08/30/yoga-product-review-lululemon-athletica-worth-the-high-price/

Ellis, Debra. Lululemon: Corporate Misstep or Targeted Marketing? Socialmediatoday 16 Nov. 2013. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. http://socialmediatoday.com/debraellis/1924476/lululemon-corporate-misstep-or-targeted-marketin

Ho, Solarina. Analysis-Lululemon seen Growing in Lucrative Niche Market. Reuters 2 Nov. 2010. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/11/02/idUSN0116446120101102

Malka, Dean. Strategic Review of Lululemon Athletica SlideShare Inc 2 Jan. 2013. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. http://www.slideshare.net/deanmalka/strategic-review-of-lululemon-athletica

Tucker, Erika. Why is Lululemon so Successful? Global News 6 Dec. 2012. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. http://globalnews.ca/news/316659/why-is-lululemon-so-successful/

The Case of Wafer Express Inc.

Name

Course

Course Instructor

Date

The Case of Wafer Express Inc.Lee Questin has lots of management challenges including time management and coordination of his subordinates. He is not able to manage his staffs and motivate them to work hard. It also seems that Lee does not understand most of the operations going on in the company. Moreover, Lee seems strains in his work because he cannot remember even Lazarus’ fifth year anniversary with the company. Lee is not sure about his abilities and responsibilities in management. There are also incomplete instructions and set of rules for manufacturing products which causes delays in operations and also raises the costs of production. Production engineers should come up with standardized way of building different products to reduce the delays and costs of operations (Buller & Randall 2-8).

In addition, the company is also faced by test failures which are regarded as serious problems and this may make customers be delayed. Product engineers should try to be as competent as possible to reduce various causes of test errors and other test related activities which consume most of their time. Part of improvements that need to be taken care of are proper documentation. Stopping interruptions especially while the product engineers are in the meeting with Lee may not be the solution to the problem because it would also mean that there would be delays during the meeting. Lee should just ensure that his engineers come up with effective layout on how to build different products. Lee should also come up with solid agenda in his meetings to ensure that important issues are raised at a particular time limit. Considering that time is an important thing for the company particularly the product engineers, he should therefore fix a particular duration for the meetings. Some of the agendas of the meeting should not involve problem affecting a single product engineer but general challenge facing all of them (Buller & Randall 2-8).

Moreover, Lee should also encourage product engineers to interact amongst themselves via various channels such as verbal or communication through mobile phones in case there is any problem in their work. There should be no time to discuss about wide company views in Lee’s meeting because these discussions may waste a lot of time. Lee should ensure that every issue raised in the meeting or amongst engineers that concerns the entire product engineering department is addressed and proper solution be found. Lee’s department does also not coordinate very well with the application engineers. Indeed there is a serious communication breakdown between application engineers and product engineers that even leads to customer dissatisfaction (Buller & Randall 2-8).

Furthermore, Lee should ensure that there is cooperation and good relationship amongst the two departments to minimize the issues arising due to communication breakdown. There is also a shaky relationship between manufacturing department and product department which derails the functions of the company. Relationship between Lee and his boss too does not seem promising. Sam is not giving Lee enough support to smoothen operations in the product engineering department. For instance he is not providing the under-staffed product department with more personnel to make work easier. Moreover Sam cannot give or mediate between Lee and Reese as a way of creating peace and motivating the workers. As much as Lee may try to be a good leader who intends to ensure that his department works well and achieves the best results as possible, he does not have good support to succeed in his duty and objectives (Buller & Randall 2-8).

OB Perspective

There is an increasing pervasiveness in job dissatisfaction and disengagement due to paradoxical organizational behaviors which has resulted into negative consequences for employers and employees. Management of job and work output is largely contributed by degree of job satisfaction and attitude towards work. Various issues concerning organization performance are never costly because they only need proper and timely implementation of actions. There are few issues that should not be taken for granted as far as performance and social co-existence within the organization is concerned. Various concepts such as motivation, leadership and communication are very vital in initiating success of a business. Employees have become very distrustful and unhappy while performing their duties thus causing organizational failures and customer dissatisfaction. This essay analyses some of the organizational behavior concepts that are necessary in Wafer Express Company (Wagner & Hollenbeck 213-225).

Effective communication skills entail good listening, non-verbal communication, team culture, consistency, clarity, and preciseness. Careful listening makes the communicator feel respected and appreciated whereas on the other hand careful listening reduces misunderstanding. A good listener shows interest to the information communicated, do not interrupt inappropriately, and is not judgmental. Lee could have listened to his juniors grievances and address them appropriately. He could have let them communicate only important information affecting them in the weekly meetings but not regarding company’s general information (Chaturvedi & Chaturvedi 27-40). However it is important to note that Lee exercises his communication skills to arrange for weekly meetings which are very essential. Sam and Reese are also not good in communication especially when it comes to providing feedback to information enquired. Whenever Lee raises issues regarding manufacturing engineering, Reese do not want to give a listening hear.

Communication greatly affects the daily operations of organizations and therefore, should be used effectively and efficiently. Better communication promotes employee morale and eventually boosts organization’s performance. Communication in Wafer Express is indeed very poor and therefore the management should ensure that effective communication is exercised for improved cooperation amongst employees. Every engineering department should have clear communication on what should be done from their leaders in order to avoid obstacles in operations. Top down communication right from the Vice president Sam Porter to the engineers via their leaders should be practiced (Chaturvedi & Chaturvedi 27-40).

Quality attention should be paid and the right effective method of communication be applied by considering cost, quantity, quality and the audience. Sam, just like Lee should effectively organize for forums where he can address employees’ grievances and understand weaknesses that may arise under his leadership. He should also be able to communicate target required for the departments to attain. Lee should also clearly communicate to his juniors about the mission and objectives of their particular departments. Communication breakdown must be avoided by using the most appropriate methods of communication where applicable. Skills and elements of communication are very vital in communication (Chaturvedi & Chaturvedi 27-40).

Team culture is another behavior concept that requires respect and team spirit among members. Members of a team should work towards a common goal with clear rules, regulations, and empowerment. Roles of every member of the team should be clear and respected by other members. Lee should ensure that all the team members work on their areas assigned properly as a way of boosting team’s performance. On the other hand, Sam Porter who is the overall head of application engineering and product engineering should arrange for a meeting that encourages team spirit amongst and within the departments. Consistency is another important aspect of communication where a leader practices honesty and open communication that allows subordinates space for discussion (Chaturvedi & Chaturvedi 27-40).

Finally, while communicating, clarity and preciseness should be encouraged. Whoever is communicating must be straight to the point and conclusive. Rules that all the engineers and other workers in the company should adhere to must be set by the seniors. Participation and engagement of everyone in decision making is very crucial in retaining and attraction of great people in a department (Wagner & Hollenbeck 213-225). If Sam could be able to mobilize all his juniors and encourage them to work hard towards achieving a common goal then there could be amazing results. Business itself is a team that requires highly motivated team spirit to catapult it to success. Inspiring employees is one thing that Howard believes in as it motivates them to share the company’s common goal (Banutu-Gomez & Rohrer 54-60).

Lee should allow for hands off approach where he encourages his juniors to work without interfering with them. He ought to encourage the team members to function independently and work out their problems by themselves. However he should avail himself for advice or assistance and offer little control over team members leaving them to tackle in their roles. Although this leadership style is recommended to a highly motivated and skilled team with an excellence of work performance, it usually leave the team struggling with little direction and motivation. It is vital to note this kind of style cannot be used on Wafer Express employees because they are not motivated (Banutu-Gomez & Rohrer 54-60).

Generally, there are skills or traits that an effective leader is required to have as explained by various theories both old and contemporary theories. Some of the main traits that appear in leaders are ambition, zeal, intelligence, self-directive, and self-confidence. At times, physical characteristics, capability, and persona may be important aspects used to summarize what a leader is. There are six distinct characters that popular effective leaders have such as honesty and integrity. In addition, drive, motivation, cognitive ability, and business knowledge are also other characteristics of leaders. These traits would definitely distinguish whether a manager will be an effective leader or not. Leaders are incredibly ambitious persons who are never afraid of taking inventiveness as well as people whom apart from willingness to lead, are especially ready to take charge (Gareth & Gill 35-45).

Furthermore, leaders usually have technical expertise in their businesses and are straightforward people who fulfill their promises. In Wafer Express, Lee does not fulfill his promise of doing documentation of the works of product engineering as he had promised Sam. This shows an element of distrust in his leadership. Leaders are individuals who do not fear taking risks and are very assertive and influential that admits mistakes and promotes trust and commitment to a vision (Wagner & Hollenbeck 213-225). Lee is not able to let his juniors committed to their duty because there are several mistakes done by his people as complained by manufacturing department. Leaders are emotionally stable, intelligent, discerning, and theoretically skilled who are able to show analytical ability, good ruling, and the capability to think strategically. Lee is unable to think strategically about challenges affecting his department especially after several foul cry from the manufacturing engineering department (Gareth & Gill 35-45).

The organization’s background and the values and associated behaviors of whoever is being led are in fact imperative while considering the leaders skills. Managers are usually needed to use these skills, which may be improved in training courses such as guidelines for decision-making, problem solving methods as well as appropriate use of power and influence. Leaders should be able to build trust to enable smooth and effective running of an organization. Lee has failed to use his power and influence to address the challenges facing his juniors. His department is constantly blamed by manufacturing engineering but he does not seem to have problem solving and effective decision making skills to stop these (Wagner & Hollenbeck 213-225).

Effectual leadership earns and keep others trust, have personal integrity, inspires trust among their followers, and ensures steadiness with what they promise their hanger-on. Nice leaders define and set a sense of mission by setting goals, priorities, and standards and ensuring the communication and implementation of the objectives set for smooth running of the organization (Gareth & Gill 35-45). However, Lee does not seem to set clear and achievable targets for his juniors since there are several issues arising in his department. Moreover, good and successful leaders acknowledge leadership as a responsibility rather than a rank by surrounding themselves with sharp and proficient people and do not blame others in case of failures. Lee is supposed to take responsibility in his department and set goals for his juniors. He should ensure that he addresses all the problems facing product engineering to reduce the blame and test failures (Gareth & Gill 35-45).

Lee need to engage in participative management style by involving subordinates in decision-making process through consulting group members. This is significant in promoting engineers ownership for the decisions. Nevertheless Lee should not be overtaken by his juniors’ participation by losing sight of the fact that he bears all the crucial responsibility of leadership (Wagner & Hollenbeck 213-225). A good leader supports participation and delegation intelligently and values group discussion and contribution from team members by maximizing their strong points in order to obtain best performance from the group. Although participative managers motivates and empowers the subordinates, there may be assumption that he is unsure of himself and that all issues are solved in the group discussions (Gareth & Gill 35-45).

Additionally, leaders may use motivation to reach goals by either positive or negative approach. Positive approach includes use of praise, recognition and rewards while in negative style comprises of punishment, penalties, potential job loss, threats, suspension and remands (Wagner & Hollenbeck 213-225). Task and employee orientation is the manager’s approach on the best way to get work done by using better methods, controlling the work surrounding, assigning work, and monitoring performance. Attitudes and behaviors of workers significantly affect the management and operations of firms regardless of the management style used.

Interview Response

Julie responded to the first question by admitting that she has had several occasions where her subordinates are just too reluctant to meet the deadline set. In many occasions there may be delays of supply of solar to her company’s customers due to failure to manufacture the products on time. She would talk to her team to work overtime and even over the weekend just to ensure the customer is satisfied and the company does not loss her customers. Because of additional incentives, most employees would always turn up.

On the other hand, James has also had numerous instances but the one he says that remains important to him was when he advised his subordinates to exercise positive attitude and corporate amongst themselves. There was division amongst the subordinates as the male ones felt that James favored two female employees compared to them. Male employees refused to understand until they were transferred to other retail shops because their performance went down. Additionally, Terry stopped two months allowance for her employees due to poor performance of the business. Employees threatened to sue her and four of them resigned.

Both the people I interviewed admitted that dealing with human being is not an easy task and that it requires high degree of caution. However Terry feels that as a boss she must use all the authority under her to ensure that the business does not fail.

Regarding challenges faced within the teams they work with, they all acknowledged that there have been many instances they disagreed with their groups. Julie recalled frequent cases where she has to push her team to work on solar panels and meet deadlines. She thought male employees did not like her perhaps because of her sex or her low profile attitude. Nevertheless, James and Terry who admitted challenges with their respective teams did not think that they were personally hated.

Interestingly, all the interviewees confessed that working as a group is a good thing. Though James thought that team or group politics may greatly affect teamwork and therefore individuality may be preferable. He further added that a focused individual is better than a million members of a discouraged and politicized team. Also, Terry shared almost similar thought that as much as she loves teamwork, at times a single individual may really bring it down. Three of them said that they normally talk to all of them in weekly meetings to clear air on any important issues raised. Julie carefully tries to listen to challenges affecting them and she admits that there have been marvelous results of late.

Julie feels that she is a transformational leader who has achieved great success with her team. She postulates that the team believes in her and she too believes in her team from the way she interacts with them. On the other hand, Terry feels that being that she is a quick decision maker and loves her team to work efficiently; she must be an autocratic leader. However, she admits that she has faced few challenges with her employees regarding this. They feel that she is pushing them to work. Interestingly, she says that success of her retail shop is attributed to her leadership style. Furthermore, James thinks that because his team do routine work, he does not like interfering with them. He says his leadership style must be Laissez-Faire and that the style has really improved performance of his team.

Indeed every leader is faced by numerous challenges in their teams but what makes a difference is the type of a leader or manager someone is. Dealing with subordinates is not an easy task unless they feel motivated. Both the interview and the Wafer Company case have revealed a lot about challenges facing leaders. The case and the interviews are very similar in numerous instances. Leadership indeed is all about motivating the employees and showing them visionary direction to follow.

Works Cited

Banutu-Gomez, Michael, and Rohrer, William. “Teams in Organization.” The Business Review, Cambridge 18.1 (2011): 54-60. ProQuest. Web. 9 Aug. 2013.

Buller, Paul F, and Randall S. Schuler. Managing Organizations and People: Cases in Management, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management. Mason (Ohio: South-Western, 2006. Print.

Chaturvedi, and Mukesh Chaturvedi. Business Communication: Concepts, Cases and Applications. Delhi: Dorling Kindersley, 2011. Print.

Gareth, Edwards and Gill, Roger. “Transformational Leadership Across Hierarchical Levels in UK Manufacturing Organizations.” Leadership & Organization Development Journal 33.1 (2012): 25-50. ProQuest. Web. 9 Aug. 2013.

Wagner, John A, and Hollenbeck, John. Organizational Behavior: Securing Competitive Advantage. New York, NY [u.a.: Routledge, 2010. Print. (Wagner & Hollenbeck 213-225)

Appendix

Questions Raised

Is there job experience in which you had to talk and tell people what you felt and what is right for the company? How was their reaction

Is there any situation where you felt that you should be more cautious while handling company operations especially while dealing with subordinates?

Have you ever had a challenge while dealing with a team in which you are the leader and team members do not like you?

People either love working as a group or an individual. Which one do you prefer? How do you make your style effective?

What is your leadership style? What have you achieved with your leadership style?

Interviewees

Name: Julie Gircys

Phone number: 416 712 1488

Email: juliegircys@sympatico.com

Companies of interviewees: Mondial Energy and Beach Solar

Number of People Managed by Interviewee: 10

Venue of the Interview: Office

Name: Peter James

Phone number: 760 9871234

Email: Peterjames@starbuck.com

Company of interviewee: Starbuck

Number of People Managed by Interviewee: 5

Venue of the Interview: Restaurant

Name: Lucy Terry

Phone Number: 760 988 5432

Email: Terril@gmail.comCompany of Interviewee: A small retail shop

Number of People Managed: 8

Venue of the Interview: Within the retail shop

Time and Miro, An image showing a strong use of motion

Name

Course

Course Instructor

Date

Time and MiroAn image showing a strong use of motion

Tittle: People in a boat

Artist: Robert Blackburn

Medium: Drawing

Timeless image

Tittle: Shinto/Buddhist votive Plaque with image of Jizo (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva0 Attached to a Circular Mirror

Artist:

Medium: Plaque

An image that uses circular (cyclical or non-linear) time

Tittle: astral Snake

Artist: Anselm Kiefer

Medium: Painting

(The Metropolitan Museum of Art Web).Miro has actually achieved his intended goal since there are several incidences of repetition, rhythm and action that tie the work together. He has managed to control my eyes by making them move along various paths shapes and colors. He has related various elements together such as color that makes the eyes move around the whole paint without concentrating on a particular point. The intensity of the color used is almost uniform throughout the whole work. There are also large spaces between lines which are really creating harmony. There are fewer figures and few lines on the artwork that depict statutory movement and harmony on the image.

Works Cited

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2013. Web. 11 September, 2013. <http://www.metmuseum.org/search-results?ft=Printmaking>.

Variation in Asset Prices and Macroeconomic Performance

Name

Course

Course instructor

Date

Variation in Asset Prices and Macroeconomic Performance

It is worth noting that disproportionate credit expansion, uncontrolled liquidity to financial institutions as well as lessening of lending principles may result into financial imbalances due to over investment and asset price fluctuation. Asset price growth may be triggered by conducive monetary stability that may prompt investors to take risk or because of low inflation and a sound inflationary policy of the central banks (Case, Quigley & Shiller 2-5). It is undeniable that variation in asset prices may lead to either financial stability or financial distress.

If economic boom is characterized with unstable developments in credit market especially when the asset prices rises, then there is probable risk that the asset prices may exceed economic expectations thus turning out to be costly to the real economy. Increase in asset prices may lead to an increase in household wealth, boost collateral for mortgages and in turn decrease the need for precautionary saving the rising asset prices may have a huge impact on consumption and enhance the businesses expenditure due to available financing (Case, Quigley & Shiller 2-5). However, high asset prices may contribute to the financial build up as well as real imbalances, which is very risky for macroeconomic stability making it important to monitor the assets.

Classical theory of asset prices equals the present value of the stream of income, which individuals expect the asset to pay. According to Case, Quigley & Shiller melodramatic surge in stock values in the latest past has prompted introduction of new policies (2-6). Inflation of the prices of stock enhanced pressure on consumption spending of households. Housing wealth has a significant effect on both the individuals and financial institutions thus relating to the fact that changes in national wealth is linked with changes in national consumption. Looking at the savings hypothesis, the consumers extrapolate wealth over the anticipated wealth as the marginal propensity to consume remains small though slightly higher than the real interest rate.

Several factors may affect consumption based on the form of wealth such as the increases of measured wealth, which is deemed temporal, and uncertain. Moreover, the household may hold appreciated assets pending death after being empowered by the bequest motive or even view the accumulation of certain form of wealth as an end in and of itself. It is also likely that an individual may not be able to ascertain the amount of wealth they possess or perhaps segregate numerous forms of wealth into different mental accounts by setting some wealth for current and future use.

A bubble would always take place when the price of an asset rises due to individual expectations thus raising their demand. It is until the prices continue to rise beyond people’s expectation thus prompting doubt regarding future increases that the demand falls and people rush to dispose of their holdings. For instance, the average price of houses in the U.S experienced an increase of 71% from 2002 to mid-2006 making a number of people to buy second homes for fear of future rise in prices that will lead to higher profits (Case, Quigley & Shiller 2-5). Loans and mortgages were powered the housing demand and prices but later the bubble collapsed when house prices fell to 33%. It is significant to note that the stock prices are largely affected by bubbles that affected the companies’ earnings. The decline in the house prices saw decline stock price during the bubbles because the crisis reduced the financial firm’s expected earnings and further increased the risk premiums.

He argues that the balance sheet recession is linked with an initial AD shock, which included the housing bubble burst in Japan in 1992, and the one happened in U.S in 2007. Koo claims that the housing bubble prompted an eventual decline in house prices which turns out to cause private sector deleveraging since both the private and corporate begin to save and none is neither borrowing nor spending (YouTube). . Koo feels that the government intervention could offer sustainable growth path yet the liquidity resulted into cumulative deficit between 1190 and 2005 hence sounding as a self-defeating negative spiral of ineffective government stimuli (YouTube). Although Koo’s proposal helped Japanese GDP to plummet, it is a failed approach because it turned the financial institutions to be risk-averse making financial markets to perform poorly.

Works Cited

Case, Karl, Quigley, John and Shiller, Robert. Comparing Wealth Effects:

The Stock Market versus the Housing Market. National Bureau of Economic Research, 2001. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.

Koo, Richard. “Balance sheet recession (INET, 2013)” ari100teles video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 18 Jul. 2013. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.