Thursday, October 31, 2019

Current role of fire and technology in automobiles, and where the Research Paper

Current role of fire and technology in automobiles, and where the technology is heading - Research Paper Example The role of fire in creating light and heat in the combustion of bodies paved the way for utilization of the most innovative invention of all times, the automobile. Continued over reliance to traditional fuel sources ultimately affects the future of automobiles, particularly in ensuring that they run as efficiently as expected. With all the developments in technology, its functionality and aesthetic value, the fact remains that vehicles consume a vast amount of fuel. In this regard, this essay aims to discuss briefly the current role of fire and technology in automobiles, and where the technology is heading. The following concerns would likewise be addressed: (1) what type of alternative fuel will have the most success meeting transportation needs in the nearby future? Why? (2) How would alternative fuel types evolve in later generations?    Due to the susceptibility for car fires, automobile manufacturers have used the latest developments in technology to ensure that passengers are protected and kept ultimately in safe condition while travelling. In addition, technology is heading for the discovery of cost efficient and safe automobiles utilizing alternative fuels to run them. According to Toyoland (n.d., par. 3), â€Å"there are about half a dozen flammable liquids associated with a vehicle. There are an additional number of flammable solids, or â€Å"solid propellants,† that contribute to fire. There are, depending on the vehicle, any number of hoses and pumps that move flammable materials past hot areas of the engine. Any leak in a hose or pump can pour flammable liquids onto the hot engine block or electrical systems- resulting in a fire.† Elliot (2004) averred that â€Å"about 70 percent of our oil consumption is used for transportation†. The United States is identified as the biggest consumer of oil from among all the countries in the world. The EurActiv Network (2007) identified â€Å"three alternative solutions are seen as promising: biofuels, natural

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Fast Food Essay Example for Free

Fast Food Essay Fast-Food Feast Case Study Whitney Reichert Grand Canyon University MGT 655 Fast-Food Feast Case Study 1/9/13 Visit at least two different fast-food restaurants that make hamburgers and observe the basic differences in the following processes: How are in store orders taken How are the hamburgers prepared How are special orders handled How are the burgers cooked How are the burgers assembled Is a microwave used How are other items such as fires and drinks handled The two fast-food restaurants that I visited were McDonalds and In-and Out. The main differences that I found between the two restaurants were freshness and customer service. When in comes to in store orders at McDonalds, you wait in line to place your order. It seems to be not as customer service driven. You give them your order, which seems to be informal, and not that personable. You pay and stand off to the side until they call your order. They announce your order is ready by saying your order out loud, for example number 2 with a diet coke, without your name attached. At McDonald’s the hamburgers are prepared from frozen possessed meat, they then they cook the meat on the grill. As far as special orders go you must tell the cashier exactly what you don’t want because the burgers come as they are. The cashier then inputs the data into the computer, which then in turn allows the kitchen to make the arrangements. The employees in the kitchen then prepare the burgers; they utilize somewhat of an assembly line to make sure the right ingredients get put on the right burger. With McDonalds you do not have full visibility of the kitchen staff preparing the food. While at McDonalds I did not see a Microwave used. When it comes to fries, McDonalds has their fries frozen in a large plastic bag they then cook them in oil. With drinks you serve your self. When I went into In and Out it was a little different of an experience, and seemed more personable. The orders here are taken similar to McDonalds, but they take your name and give you a number, you wait off to the side and they then call your name and number aloud. The hamburgers at In and Out are grilled using higher quality meat, without preservatives, and they utilize local beef distributors. When it comes to special orders, it seems every order at In and Out is a special order. They ask you exactly what you want, where’s McDonalds doesn’t ask you exactly what you want, they just assume and you must be the one who asks for changes. The cashier then inputs the data into the computer, which then in turn allows the kitchen to make the arrangements. The burgers are cooked on a grill just like McDonalds. When it comes to the assembly, In and Out also utilize somewhat of an assembly line to add ingredients. In and Out uses fresh ingredients, the kitchen is open and you can see the employees making the food right in front of you. As far as I saw, a microwave was not used. As for fries, they use fresh potatoes with out preservatives, instead of bagged fries. As far as drinks goes at In and Out you also serve yourself. This assignment was quite interesting, I would defiantly choose In and Out over McDonalds. They have fresh ingredients, you can have it your way, and the experience is more personable.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Communication Strategies Used By Vietnamese Students Cultural Studies Essay

Communication Strategies Used By Vietnamese Students Cultural Studies Essay In Vietnam, English is now the most popular foreign language and anyone who would like to integrate themslves into the global society and access the worlds knowlege to be sucessful in life is aware that English competence is one the most important characteristics they need to have. English is seen every where in education, business, entertainment and cultural exchanges. Therefore, English is becoming the main communication language in the country. In light of sociolinguistics development, linguistic researchers have been paying more and more attention to the importance of communication in its social context. The social factors in communication competence have been recognized and studied. These have impacted strongly on teaching and learning the language. English learning is changing basically and positively. Learners of English do not learn English for the sake of learning itself by treating grammatical knowledge primarily and separately but in the belief that it is more important to communicate effectively in the language by sending and receiving messages, creating meaning and negotiating meaning. These lead to the tendency toward which communication competence has recently been enjoying learners great popularity. However, the effectiveness of communication in the target language is still both learners and teachers deepest concern since learners who have already spent significant periods of time on learning the language to co mmunicate as the main goal of their learning but then most of them encounter too many difficulties in communicating in the language. The learning context In Petrovietnam Manpower Training College, where I am working as a teacher of English, students, the subjects of the research, are engineers and graduates who are recruited to work in Petrovietnams projects and plants taking a special training course. They have graduated university with nearly equivalent English language education but have different English proficiency and like almost Vietnamese students, they have been trying to learn English in purpose of communication but find difficult to communicate in the language. At the college, English is taught as one of the main subjects to equip the students with the language that they would need to perform their job. English speaking is attached special importance to and students are expected to be good at communication in all circumstances after finishing the course. To serve these purposes, communicative language teaching Approach (CLT) is applied in teaching these students so that they can particularly improve their communicative skil ls. The rationales and purpose of the research. Communication is interactive. So in pre-intermediate speaking class, students are usually given topics to discuss in groups with the assistant of their teacher before presenting their ideas to the class. These activities aim to get students involved in interpersonal communication or interaction to compensate their lack of practice in the EFL environment. These tasks require the students big effort in trying to understand the others and getting themselves understood using any means at their learning stage. According to my observation, in most situations, students at this level of English proficiency appear to struggle with expressing their thoughts because of their deficiency in linguistic proficiency, general knowledge of the given topics or confidence in using the language. Some of them exert themselves to the utmost to reach their communicative goals by unconsciously or consciously using different strategies to solve their particular communication problems and relatively confident in completing the given task meanwhile the others just keep silent because they do not know what to do to deal with the problems they have during the conversation and they fail to keep most of the conversations going on as they want to. So the purpose of this study is to identify the common communication strategies used by the students to enhance efficiency of communication when they deal with the task of group discussion and the communication strategy use of students of different English proficiency. The research questions. The study is conducted to find out the answers to the following questions: What types of communication strategies are used by Vietnamese students in English speaking class to compensate for their breakdowns in communication and to enhance communicative effectiveness in small group discussion? Do students of different English proficiency employ communication strategies differently? Definitions of key terms. The term communication strategies is simply understand as methods or techniques that language users use to help themselves overcome problems occuring during communication to achieve communicative competence LITERATURE REVIEW Communicative competence The main goal of any language learners is to achieve communicative competence to get the best communication proficiency. According to Canale and Swain (1980), to attain communicative competence, learners need to gain the following perfect knowledge: Grammatical competence which is related to the language knowledge (words and grammar rules) itself. Sociolinguistic competence which is concerned to the ability to use and to interpret the utterances appropriately in different sociolinguistic communication situations. Discourse competence is the ability to combine grammatical forms and meanings to achieve a unified spoken or written text Strategic competence is the ability of using verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to compensate for breakdowns in communication due to limiting conditions in actual communication or to insufficient competence in one or more of the other areas of communicative competence and to enhance the effectiveness of communication Among the four components that make up communicative competence, strategic competence is likely relating to EFL learners most because of the problems they commonly run into in communication and the communication strategies they usually employ to solve the problems. These strategies are considered extremely important in negotiating meaning where either linguistic structures or sociolinguistic rules are not shared between a second language learner and a speaker of the target language (OMalley Chamot, 1990, p.43). Canale Swain (1980) once confirm that good strategic competence can help leanres with limiting L2 skills evade communication breakdowns. Communication strategies Many researchers have conducted research or studies on communication strategies so far. Consequently, each of them in their own view states different definitions and classifications of communication strategies. Definitions of communication strategies What happens if interlocutors do not understand each other because of their limited language resources? Can they keep their conversation going on when they can not make themselves understood? Cohen (1990, p.56) believes that a major trait of successful speakers is that they use strategies to keep the conversation going on. They use communication strategies. Tarone (1980, p. 419) describes communication strategy as a mutual attempt of two interlocutors to agree on meaning in situations where requisite meaning structures are not shared. Communication strategies, to Tarones interactional view, are socially-motivated strategies which are used by more than one interlocutors to solve the problems of mutual lack of understanding by negotiating meanings. A communication strategy is simply defined by Corder (1977 as cited in Bialystok, 1990) as a systematic technique employed by a speaker to express his meaning when faced with some difficulty. According to Faerch and Kasper (1983 as cited in Bialystok, 1990) communication strategies are potentially conscious plans for solving what to an individual presents itself as a problem in reaching a particular communicative goal. More relating to forms of discourse, communication strategies in this definition are psychologically-motivated strategies which are related to mental plans of each interlocutor implemented in response to the problems of expression. Different authors define communication strategies differently. However , most of the definitions show the purpose of communication strategies which is to deal with the problems that the language users face up to when communicating by employing appropriate techniques. Classifications of Communication strategies. In the research on communication strategies, Dornyei, Faerch and Kasper and Tarone introduced their own classifications of communication strategies and their classifications. Dornyei (1995 as cited in Brown, 2000) shows two branches of strategies: negative and positive. Avoidence strategies (negative): topic avoidance and message abandonment Compensatory strategies (positive): circumlocution, approximation,use of all purpose words, word coinage, prefabricated patterns, non-linguistic signal, literal translation, foreignizing, code switch, appeal for help, stalling or time-gaining strategies. Faerch and Kasper (1983) classify communication strategies in to two main categories with their subcategories: Avoidance behavior reduction strategies: Formal reduction: phonological, morphological  , syntactic and lexical. Function reduction: reduction of speech art modality, reduction of propositional context Achievement behavior compensatory strategies. Code switching Interlingual transfer: generalization, paraphrasing, word coinage, restructuring. Cooperative strategies Non-linguistic strategies However, Tarones typology of conscious communication strategies (1977 as cited in Bialystok, 1990) seems to be simpler. Tarone classifies communication strategies into the following categories: Avoidance: topic avoidance and message abandonment Paraphrase: approximation, word coinage, circumlocution. Conscious transfer: literal translation, language switch Appeal for assistance Mime: Prior research found that all language users used communication strategies consciously or unconsciously. Bialystok observes that communication strategies should be classified according to different cognitive processes and should be seen as a process of language use. I agrees with her at this point because of the fact that as language users, we all know that communication breakdowns may occur with anyone at any time during a conversation and when these problems happen, we all try some ways to get out of the trouble by using some techniques called communication strategies. Besides, Bialystok insists that communicative strategies are used by language user in both L1 and L2, in this view, communicative strategies only reflect the way in which the language processing system extends and adapts to the demands of communication (Lee, 2004). In fact, the communication strategy use occurs during communicating consciously or unconsciously. However, learning and using a language are activities related to cognitive processes so when language learners use the language and the breakdowns come, they are aware of what situation they are in and consciously think of an escape by employing different negative or positive strategies solve the problems like avoiding talking about the topic or concept that they do not know much, leaving the utterance unfinished, using many words to describe , creating new word or switch to their mother tongue when they cannot find the right words to use and et ceteras. So, what exactly do learners do in each communication strategy? In this paper, I would like to focus on the simpler classification, Tarones typology of conscious communication strategies but in comparison with the other two of Dornyei and Faerch and Kasper . Avoidance strategies Both Dornyei and Tarone define avoidance strategies in the same way by mainly referring to two substrategies: Message abandonment strategy which is used by learners when they encounters language difficulties. To deal with these unpleasant situations, learners tend to leave their utterance unfinished. Topic avoidance is another strategy learners use when they lack of or forget necessary linguistic knowledge to express their thoughts on the topic. Their language difficulties may related to vocabulary or grammar rules that they do not know or remember. To overcome them, learners keep way from talking about the topic. In my experience of teaching, students of very low proficiency usually use these strategies because of their serious deficiency for the target language instead of using the strategies called compensatory strategies in Dornyeis or Faerch and Kaspers classifications or paraphrase and conscious transfer strategies as Tarone mentions in her typology of conscious communication strategies. Paraphrase Including circumlocution, word coinage and approximation which Faerch and Kasper suggest can promote learning as well Circumlocution strategy Bialystok argues that circumlocution strategy in fact is paraphrasing strategy. In terms of linguistic, the conception of the two strategies are very similar. Both strategies help learners make good use of simpler language or structures they have at their learning stage to convey their thoughts that need more complicated vocabulary and grammar rules to express. Dornyei states that circumlocution is the strategy used by learners when they want to describe something that cannot find the exact word or phrase to use by paraphrasing it. Doing so, they use more words to describe a word in the hope that the listeners can get what they mean by themselves. Approximation strategy Dornyei and Taroneideas meet each other when they name the strategy approximation which Tiono and Sylvia (2004) found to be used the most by students with low communication apprehension and high proficiency in speaking class in Petra Christian University in Surabaya, Indonesia to compensate their failure in retrieving the lexical items they have learned or their deficiency in vocabulary when they are asked to retell a pictorial stories. In the strategy, learners appear to be confident and willing to make mistakes by using an alternative or similar lexical term which they know that is not correct to illustrate the meaning of another word or phrase they aim to refer to. By doing this learners try to make themselves understood by using their limiting vocabulary. Word coinage is another compensatory strategy that learners use when they lack of vocabulary. In this strategy they make up a target language word which is based on the morphological rules that they know well. For example: they know well that worker is a person who works so they create cooker (a person who cooks) from the verb cook. Conscious transfer strategies Literal translation strategy is usually used when the language users share their first language or background. Learners translate a word or an idiom or even a structure from their first language into that of the target language. In my learning context, learners use literal translation mostly when they have difficulties with finding correct collocations for a word. In this case they tend to translate word for word from another language. For example: deep coffee ( which is not stated in dictionary) for strong coffee. However, relating to translating a structure from learners first language, Faerch and Kasper name the strategy Restructuring in which learners reformulate the syntax of their utterance. Language switch strategy or code switch or code switching by Dornyei or Faerch and Kasper In this strategy, learners use lexical terms or sentences from their first language when they cannot find the appropriate ones in the target language to express their thoughts (They insert some words or phrases from their first language). The strategy is also often employed by first language or background shared learners. This strategies may be expected to use the most by the subjects of this study for all of them are Vietnamese and in reality, it is also easy to see this in any of the English class in Vietnam. Appeal for assistance Explicit request is the strategy where learners ask for help from the other people like more advanced learners or teacher by saying How do you sayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.? or What is this calledà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.?. Referring to dictionary strategy is made use by learners when they need the correct words or structures Mine or Non-verbal communicative strategy also what Dornyei calls non-linguistic signal or Non-linguistic strategy by Faerch and Kasper. In this strategy, learners use non-verbal language like gestures, facial expression or even imitating sounds to express meanings. Mine and message abandonment seem to be coi in Faerch and Kasper in terms of learning. They think that these two strategies cannot help learners with their learning. But as a teacher I share Tarones opinion that in some extent, by using these two strategies, the speaker can get help from the listener to find the appropriate or correct word or structure to express what he or she wants to say. In both teaching and learning context, mine and message abandonment can be positive signals from the learners to interact with their teacher so that they can be taught event while communicating. The review of related studies Many studies and research have been done so far on communication strategies and their findings showed that almost every strategy were used by learners. However what strategies employed were contingent a lot on the task given because different problems would arise depending on different types of task, one -way task or two- way one (Mei Nathalang, 2010). So that the task requires learners different effort and strategies to solve the problems. It is easy to understand this because less interactive activities exist in one -way task like story telling while two- way task like role playing or discussing includes mostly interaction. To deal with one-way task, learners tend to use paraphrase, restructuring and message abandonment since these strategies helps them to make clear the meanings as they try to ensure the listeners comprehension. Whereas to deal with interactive task like doing role play or discussing, learners need to make special effort to negotiate to get communication goals so they cannot simply employ avoidance strategies if they still want their conversation to continue and reach a mutual agreement on what they exactly mean. This agrees with the finding of Dobao Martinezs study of Negotiating Meaning in Interaction between English and Spanish Speakers via Communicative Strategies. The finding revealed that in interaction, when linguistic problems arose, intermediate or advanced EFL learners and their interlocut ors (who were English native speakers or other EFL learners of their level) worked together to find solution by coordinating their use of CS, negotiating meanings to reach a mutual agreement on the learners originally intended meaning. Prior research also showed that the numbers of strategies used by learners were not influenced by their target language proficiency (Ting Phan, 2008). However, concerning to only the numbers of strategies used by learners is not enough in terms of language teaching and learning. Fortunately, the result found in Kwoks study of communication strategies used by Hong kong students in small group discussion (1987) revealed that students were able to make good use of different communication strategies in discussion to make their communication more effective. Moreover, the result also showed that the more the students mastered the communication strategies, the much better they could do in small group discussion. Althought Bialystok believes that we should teach learners language rather than strategy but as a teacher I do argue in favour of implication about teaching strategies to learners from studies of Manchà ³n (1999) and Faucette (2001). In my learning context, the class with both high and low proficiency learners is common. So it is not difficult to recognize types of strategies that different learners use when the language problems arise and the effectiveness of strategy use that the learners achieve in communication thought what is seen in the learning context can be subjectively observed and assessed. So, the study is hopefully an opportunity to confirm the phenomenon through its findings. SHORT CONCLUSION The fact is that learners can frequently run into communication difficulties because of varied reasons related to language problems and all of them find some ways to escape from the trouble they got in. Those ways are called communication strategies. Looking back at the studies and research that have been done on communication strategies so far, some significant pedagogic implication have been recognized. That is communication strategy use can promote learners communicative competence or the confirmation that employing appropriate strategies can enhance communication effectiveness and communication strategy use is teachable. So, what types of communication strategies that can help learners increase communication efficacy should be considered mainly in this paper in the hope that more useful pedagogic implication closely involved English teaching will be found as reference for language teachers to deal better with their job as well as to help their students improve their learning.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Different Sides of Embryonic Stem Cell Research :: Stem Cell Biology

The field of stem cell research remains highly controversial because of its ethical and moral values. â€Å"Despite the news in 2006 that researchers had found a way to harvest human embryonic stem cells without having to destroy embryos, controversy still surrounds potentially life-saving stem cell research.† (Gruen, 2007). Due to the strong emotional responses to some of the subject matter by the pro-lifers and certain religions and politics in general, I will attempt to explain different sides of embryonic stem cell research (ESC). This study describes what viable embryos are and the issues connected with them. Are stem cells viable embryos? Can they ever be a human being? Stem cells are no more than a precursor for some type of cell. They are not tiny embryos nor can they ever become embryos. Are human embryonic stem cells embryos? Although stem cells of themselves are not embryos, they are pluripotent; they can develop into any cell or tissue of the body. They are not ca pable of forming a new individual, as a fertilized egg or single cell taken from a four-cell embryo might if cultured in vitro and placed in a uterus. Stem cell research has become a subject of political discussion in recent years because of its social and ethical implications, but what is the big controversy with stem cell research? Most diseases are caused by the death of healthy cells in a particular organ. Parkinson’s disease is caused by the death of brain cells that produce a chemical call dopamine and diabetes is caused by the death of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. None of these organs can replace the cells that die. With stem cell therapy, these cells can be replaced. Researchers and scientists study stem cells to get a basic understanding of the process in cell development and disease. â€Å"The opposition of research on human embryos usually start and finish their argument with the claim that the human embryo is, from the moment of conception,a living , innocent human being. But the morality of using a being for research should depend on what the being is like, not on the species to which it belongs.† (Singer, 2001) This being of 64 cells has no brain and has never been conscious and can feel no pain. Take for instance researchers who do research on rats, the rats are not capable of preferring not to be in situations that are painful and frightening to them.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Site visit report

Visiting theatre is always exciting and interesting. It gives a lot of new information and new expressions. In order to be organized well enough any cultural site must be created as well-developed, complex structure with its each branch accomplishing its own functions.The Royal Court Theatre is one of the most famous theatres all over the world. The newest high quality performances take place in this theatre. These plays are always interesting and exciting and always refer to the eternal problems of humanity.This theatre is famous by its actual works using the works of writers not only from UK but from all over the world. â€Å"Nee York Times† referred this theatre as â€Å"the most important theatre in Europe†.   But it would be helpful not to forget that besides being the place of art it is also a public place. So, what Royal Court Theatre is and what its facilities are?First of all it is necessary to pay special attention to the Web-site of the Royal Court Theatre. It’s a great web-place which differs from thousands of other cultural places’ web-pages by its original design and convenient guide system.   Would like to distinguish such sub-page of this site as â€Å"Visiting†. Very useful and in-time information is given there. The complete theatre address is given. The potential visitor can get here the detailed information regarding how to get to the theatre. The authorities have taken into consideration all the particularities and details.For example, such announcement as (Royal Court Theatre web-site, 2006): â€Å"Please note that the station itself is not accessible for wheelchair users† (n. p.) – it testifies the high level of the theatre services. The detailed information about parking all around theatre’s territory is given. For example it is submitted that the theatre has no car park but the information about the nearest parking is given. It is said that â€Å"there is on street parking aft er 6.30pm.† Each can also get the most convenient route how to get to the theatre. All the bus and subway routes are presented by the web-site.The history of the theatre in its not too long but very interesting version is also present on the web-site. From this information one can understand easily the very concept of the theatre performances and then to choose a play for visiting (their announcement is given on the main page).The other interesting thing: â€Å"Bar† – a special sub-page in which the visitor can get known about the eating facilities of the theatre(Royal Court Theatre web-site, 2006): â€Å"The Royal Court's BAR AND FOOD facilities occupy the nineteenth century auditorium ‘pit', the original vaults under the pavement and a completely new spacious hall built underneath Sloane Square† (n. p.). The schedule of coffee intervals is given. In the very bottom of the page it is pointed out: â€Å"Service is not included†. So, a visitor gets full information till the visiting theatre- that’s a very strong point in favour of the theatre.Special page for students is also created on this web-site with full description of full students events and so on. At first glance, the design and structure if the web-site is very simple but each sub-page contains other pages with very detailed information on each of them. For example, students’ page has such sub-pages as â€Å"Student events†, â€Å"Join hype†, â€Å"Bar and food†.It can be said that the Royal Court Theatre is a bright example of a well developed cultural structure. In order to analyze its functions efficiently it will be helpful to do that step by step. First among those is the advertising of the place. Once we got out from the bus in London we already saw a rather big billboard with the Royal Court Theatre advertising. So, from the very beginning of our visit to London we already knew that such theatre can be visited by us in t his city. That’s a very big point in favor of this establishment.While traveling all over the city other advertisings of the theatre have been noted by us as well. And in Sloane Square the booklets with the theatre’s advertising were distributed. In those leaflets the short information about theatre’s history and actual exhibitions was submitted. All these additional means of advertising were arranged professionally. Besides, there always exists some other kind of advertising – it is so called verbal advertising –from the parts pf people who have already visited the theatre. In other cultural sites which we visited in London many people gave us good calls on the Royal Court Theatre.So, if to estimate the advertising activities of the theatre by the scale of 10, it can be estimated as 10 points and that’s completely justified.The second point to be estimated is the visitor management. This activities start to be estimated when a visitor is in the theatre already. The staff of the theatre is composed by professional people and that can be noted as soon as one gets inside.   Both external and internal design of the theatre can compete with the most beautiful theatres of the world. When getting inside a beautiful hall arranged in somewhat old fashion with high walls and spacious upper side involves visitors into the atmosphere of theatre mystic.Marvellous French windows enhance even more beauty to the theatre premise.   Special premises for coffee brakes, toilets are situated in such manner that they do not distract visitors’ attention from the principle theatre attributes.Regarding the interpretation of the performances it can said that the author’s presentation never can be correct for all visitors as each of them has his own opinion. Nevertheless, the performance of the two plays I was present on impressed me and I was agree with the author’s vision. What’s more, I even have changed my se eing of certain problems after seeing plays. This fact testifies the high professional level of the theatre plays.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Every AP Human Geography Practice Test Available

Every AP Human Geography Practice Test Available SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Practice tests are the best way to get acclimated to the timing and question formats that you'll encounter on the AP Human Geography exam. They'll also help you figure out where you need to put in additional study time to improve your scores. In this article, I'll link to all the practice tests available for AP Human Geography, including full official tests, full unofficial tests, and mini unofficial quizzes that test specific parts of the curriculum. Official AP Human Geography Practice Tests Official practice tests are the best materials to use in preparation for any standardized test, including AP Human Geography. You can be confident that the difficulty level of the questions is on par with what you'll see on the real test, which means you'll be able to estimate your score pretty accurately. This is in contrast to many unofficial practice materials, which can be hit or miss regarding their predictive value for the real test. Practice tests that weren't created by the College Board may have questions that are phrased and formatted differently or are either too easy or too challenging. Many past free-response questions for this exam are posted on the College Board site, and the course description has a set of sample multiple-choice questions.If nothing else, you can refer to them as benchmarks to make comparisons with the unofficial tests you take.They should give you a better idea of how difficult unofficial test questions are relative to those you'll see on the real exam. Unfortunately, there is only one official released AP Human Geography exam that I can link to in this article. However, that’s not to say other more shady individuals haven’t violated these terms and posted sample tests. Google is your friend (wink wink). Without further ado, here are the three resources I could find for official AP Human Geography questions: College Board AP Human Geography Exam Practice Luckily, the College Board exam practice has lots of great tools and materials for you! Not only can you look at sample questions, you can also: Practice free response questions See the scoring guidelines Read past student responses to exam questions Get College Board approved study tips While this site doesn't offer a full examination, there's still plenty of free material to help you prepare for your test. AP Human Geography Course Description 2015 The latest course description includes 23 sample multiple-choice questions and six sample free-response questions. Free-response answer guidelines are not included, but multiple-choice solutions are. Authenti City is a great place. The people are so honest, and their practice tests are the best you can get anywhere. Wouldn't recommend it as a vacation destination, though. You will not be able to escape from reality. Unofficial AP Human Geography Practice Tests There are many more unofficial AP Human Geography practice tests and quizzes available to you in various forms. These materials are useful, but you should avoid taking them completely at face value. I’ll list full practice test resources first, and then I’ll get into sites that provide short quizzes on specific topics. 5 Full Practice Tests #1: Barron’s Free Online Practice Exam This is a full practice exam in the same format as the real AP test (multiple choice, free response, the whole package). You can choose to take it in practice mode or timed mode depending on which stage you're at in your studying. I’d recommend saving this practice test for when you get closer to the AP exam. It’s good for simulating real test conditions when you feel relatively prepared and want to assess your score level. (Note: Barron's also has a test preparation guide for the AP Human Geography exam, too!) #2: REA Full Practice Exam 1 This is also a full practice exam in the same format as the real test. It has answer explanations, and I think the questions are solid replicas of what you’ll see on the AP exam. #3: Full Practice Exam from an AP Teacher Once again, this exam is in the same format as the real test. It includes both free-response and multiple-choice questions, and you'll find answer explanations at the end of the document. #4: Varsity Tutors Diagnostic Tests This site offers four diagnostic tests for AP Human Geography with 75 questions each (multiple-choice only). The tests have automatic scoring, and each one is given a preliminary difficulty level rating. Varsity Tutors also has tons of mini practice quizzes listed by concept if you want to practice topic-specific questions, as well as flashcards that will help you learn all the terminology for this course. #5: Review Books Don’t forget about the practice tests that are available to you in AP Human Geography review books. Most review books offer at least two full practice tests. Read my article on the best review books for this class to get a sense of which ones fit your studying needs. Short Quizzes on Specific Concepts and Geographic Regions Albert.IO Practice Questions Albert.IO has questions on every topic covered by the course that are categorized by difficulty level. The site keeps a running tally of how many questions you’ve answered correctly in the easy, medium, and hard categories. 4Tests.com This site offers a 50 question practice examination that you can take for free. I'd use this as a checkpoint examonce you get about halfway through studying, taking this test would be a good way to gauge your progress. SoftSchools Practice Quizzes SoftSchools has a series of 10-question practice quizzes on each topic. They're good for brief review sessions! ProProfs Quiz Maker This short, 23 question quiz is user-generated, so we don't recommend using it as a metric for measuring your progress. But the ratings are good, so it's probably a safe way for exposing yourself to some new material. Chapter Quizzes for Human Geography: Landscapes of Human Activities (th Edition) Select a chapter on the left navigation bar, and you can scroll down to find a link to its corresponding multiple-choice quiz. These quizzes are helpful for review even if your class isn’t using this particular textbook. Sheppard Software Geography Practice You'll earn points for citing specific examples in your free-response answer, and many multiple-choice questions ask about particular areas of the world. This site provides fun exercises that will help you learn exactly where everything is. You can progress through tutorial, beginner and advanced levels in activities that test your knowledge of the political and geographic divisions that exist within each continent. Study.com Human Geography Prep Quiz Study.com is known for hiring experts in their fields, so it's a pretty reliable source. Luckily, they also offer a quick exam prep for the AP test! What's nice about this one is that it has a timer build into the webpage, so you'll be able to pace yourself as you move through the quiz. More of us need to take these geography quizzes so people stop coming out with depressing surveys concluding that 75 percent of Americans think Australia is in Europe. I made up that statistic, but it might as well be real. How to Use AP Human Geography Practice Tests Here's an overview of how you can use these practice tests for review at different stages in the school year as you get closer and closer to the AP test. First Semester: Practice Tests as Review for In-Class Assessments During your first semester, you won’t have gotten through enough of the curriculum to take full practice tests yet. What you can do is take shorter quizzes that are specific to the topics you’ve learned already. Make use of sites like Albert.IO, Varsity Tutors, and many of the other unofficial listings that divide questions by subject. You can also practice writing answers to free-response questions that pertain to the topics your class has already covered. Second Semester: Preparing for the AP Test When you're midway through your second semester, you can start preparing for the AP test more directly. Take a full practice test and score it so you can get a better sense of your knowledge and abilities. You can use one of the three full practice tests listed in the unofficial test section for this step. I’d recommend saving the College Board practice materials until last so you can get the most accurate score predictions when you’re closest to the test. After you take the test, revisit all the questions where you made mistakes, and make note of their content. This will guide you in deciding which areas you need to study more and which you've already mastered. Once you've spent a couple of hours reviewing, take another practice test to reassess your score level. If you see some improvement, you can either repeat the process and aim higher or decide you’re satisfied with your current score level. If not, you should think about what went wrong in reviewing your mistakes. Did you only look them over haphazardly? Were you in a distracting environment? Change your approach if you’re not getting the results you want! Wait, What If Your Class Is Only One Semester? At some schools, AP Human Geography is only a semester-long class. If that's the case for you, much of the same preparation advice still applies, but it will take place on a slightly different timeline. If you take the class first semester, you'll have a significant chunk of time between the end of the course and the actual AP test. This can be a big advantage if you use your time wisely and avoid procrastinating (which you'll have to watch out for if you're very busy with your second-semester classes). You'll be able to start the second semester study process outlined above as soon as you finish the class. There will be plenty of time to take practice tests after your class has covered all the material, so it will be easier to get an accurate reading on your score level before the AP test. If you take this class second semester, the review process should be essentially the same as if it were a year-long class. The first-semester advice will apply to the first half of your second semester, and the second-semester advice will apply to the second half. You can afford to progress at a more leisurely pace in your studying if you take the class first semester because you have a few months that you can devote to preparing for the AP test. Conclusion Official practice testing materials for AP Human Geography are somewhat scarce. You should wait to use the one full official practice test until you're closer to the AP exam and are looking for highly accurate score predictions. You can use unofficial practice tests and quizzes at any time throughout the year to practice topic-specific questions for in-class assessments and prepare for the AP test as a whole. Be sure to reflect carefully on your answers to every practice test so you can assess where you went wrong and revisit relevant content. Practice tests should play a key role in your review for any AP test. If you treat them seriously and pay attention to what they tell you about your level of preparation, you're bound to do well on the exam! What's Next? Are you an intrepid AP pioneer navigating the treacherous waters of this course solo? Read our comprehensive seven-step guide to self-studying for AP tests! It's important to know when all your AP tests are happening this year so you can prepare appropriately. Check out the AP test dates for this year along with some tips for making it through the exam period with your sanity intact. If you're applying to very competitive colleges, you might be thinking about preparing for SAT Subject Tests in addition to AP tests. Find out how APs and SAT IIs differ from one another and which scores will make more of an impact on your admissions chances. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Monday, October 21, 2019

The 10 Trickiest Interview Questions and How To Field Them

The 10 Trickiest Interview Questions and How To Field Them Don’t get so stressed out about the interview that you forget to relax and show yourself in the best possible light. Look over this list of interview questions and be prepared for them. Then charge into your interview devoid of fear. Your biggest weaknessYou want to frame this one in a positive light, but you also want to make sure it doesn’t look like you’re too blasà © to admit your mistakes or failures. Find one weakness that isn’t too drastic, but isn’t a toss-off either, and then explain how you’re working constructively to make sure you’re a better employee because of recognizing it and moving past it.Former bad experiencesThey want to know how you dealt with a tough situation in the past. Don’t talk about getting yelled at by your boss, or suspended, or nearly fired. But do mention something that was a real stumbling block, and how you turned it into a positive by treating it as a valuable lesson, and learning from it.Em ployment gapsWhen the interviewer asks why you’ve been unemployed so long, the way you respond depends a little on the reason. If it’s personal and negative, be as vague as possible and focus on your bright future. If it’s for something professional, try emphasizing what you’ve accomplished in that time that makes you an infinitely more valuable employee.Corporate complaintsIf this is a corporate job and they want to know what you dislike most about that kind of environment, don’t sink to the occasion. Be sure to emphasize that you don’t find anything at all unsavory about the corporate world, but speak about one instance in which a particular corporation didn’t handle a matter the best way possible, and what you learned from it that you could apply to this new job, to make this corporation stronger.Your screw-upsYou’ll never be able to sell an interviewer on the idea that you never once screwed up on the job. So don’t e ven try. Instead, admit to a mistake you made and what it taught you. Emphasize, of course, how you will never make the same mistake again.How you break bad newsThey’re looking for leadership qualities, and how you handle stressful situations and emotions. Show off your conflict resolution skills and diplomatic finesse.The job you really wantIf they ask if you’d be after their job one day, don’t be honest. Explain that you’re more than content with the job that’s currently on offer, and try to laugh it off.Your record of changing jobsDo everything you can to convince them you’re here to stay. That’s all they want to hear with questions about shifting from position to position. Emphasize how settled you are on exactly this position being exactly where you need to be now. And then throw in some details about how your varied experience will only make you more valuable to the company.Your last jobWhatever you do, don’t bad mouth yo ur past job or your former boss. Explain that you’re looking for bigger challenges and more rewarding work, and assure them that you’ve left no burning bridges in your wake.Being firedIf you were fired from your last job, they’ll want to know why. Make it clear that you won’t be a liability, and never badmouth the company to make yourself look better.Do your best to showcase your professionalism and grace under fire- no matter what the question- and you’ll do just fine.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Strategic Analysis Nike Essays

Strategic Analysis Nike Essays Strategic Analysis Nike Paper Strategic Analysis Nike Paper a part of the website allows a customer to customize his own shoes and buy it. The website is available in 14 languages and is different according to the country requirements. Manufacturing Strategy: Nike manufactures all of its footwear from outside United States. Nike has contract suppliers in China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. These countries accounted for 36%, 36%, 22% and 6% of total NIKE brand footwear respectively. Nike also has manufacturing agreements with independent factories in Argentina, Brazil, India, and Mexico to manufacture footwear for sale primarily within these countries. Primary reason for this is that it is cheaper to manufacture in South East Asia and transport it to USA and Europe, regardless of the transportation and tariff costs involved. Organizational Strategy: With over 21,000 employees worldwide, the company was organized into departments by both geographic divisions and product categories, which created overlapping management responsibilities and a fluid leadership structure. For example, a footwear manager in Europe answered to both the Vice President of Footwear and the Vice President of Europe. However, there was no formal communication link between the regional vice presidents (those in the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America) and the product vice presidents (footwear, apparel, equipment). Human Resources Management Strategy: The sweat shop debacle in late 1990s has led Nike to form a distinctive strategy to provide a good working environment for employees. They have several internal guidelines and compliance standards apart from state laws for ensuring proper working conditions for all workers in its contracted supplier factories. Due to the magnitude of Nike and their number of stores and manufacturing plants throughout the world, Nike has taken the time to recognize the importance of each individual and what they can contribute to the team. For this reason, Nike does not call its employees, ‘employees’ but rather ‘team members’ because each part of the team has something to add to the business. They have also admitted that they have a very large array of workers and this brings many diverse cultures and points of views together. According to one of its statement, diversity and inclusion is a crucial factor in Nike’s diplomacy in their many locations and globally. In identifying the differences they have set apart the opportunities to better understand how their teams will work together and what adversity they may face because of this. In order to strive to reach this mission they have put into action these strategies: * Cultivate diversity and inclusion to develop world-class, high-performing teams * Ignite change and inspire critical conversations around diversity, inclusion and innovation * Create venues and environments for open dialogue, diverse opinions and a multitude of perspectives All of the above will in future venture apply and assist them in working more efficiently and having more satisfied employees for longer periods of time. Technology and Innovation strategy: Nike fields some of the best in class technological practices and has a few patents to its credit. Nike emphasizes on these and has developed a lot of new products with use of high technology and sophistication. An example of that is the microprocessor shoe to give great experience and comfort to the customer. However, Adidas is also working on high tech innovations to provide high quality shoes. Lately, Adidas and Nike have been doing entertainment based marketing campaign by forming alliances with technology/entertainment companies. Nike had an alliance with Apple to sell Nike shoes with Apple iPods while Adidas tied up with Microsoft to sell Adidas goods with Microsoft Xbox gaming systems. So far the success of these alliances is yet to be quantified. Manufacturing strategy: Nike follows a 100% outsourcing strategy. Most competitors follow the outsourcing strategy. Exceptions to this are New Balance and other smaller players. New Balance claims that 75% of its production is from the US and other small companies produce in the US as well.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Performance Evaluations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Performance Evaluations - Essay Example Plant engineer performance can be evaluated on criteria such as central services’ design, provision of technical support to maintain plant equipment and facilities, energy saving and production cost of energy (Amrine, Ritchey, Moodie, and Kmec, 2009). Similarly, specific criteria should be used to evaluate the performance of the employees according to their position. Secondly, the evaluation of an individual’s behavior is very essential for the provision of good outcomes, employees must have good behavior with each other; because collective decision making, work sharing, putting ideas for improvement and taking extra responsibility; helps in making organization productive. Therefore, behaviors of one employee with work and with peers should be evaluated. Behavioral evaluation is necessary for plant engineer because he has to work with others and if employees are not happy with him; they will not help him in making satisfactory outcomes. Third, the performance evaluation should be based on individual traits. This is the weakest criteria, but still it is widely used by organizations. Traits such as looking busy, having a good attitude, coming on work on time or before time and having experience are not significantly connected with optimistic results of tasks or may be connected (Robbins, Judge and Sanghi, 2009). Fourth, professional development is also an important criterion for performance evaluation. In such criteria, it is considered that either employee is continuing with his/her education, struggling for excellence, searching for opportunities in order to learn and grow and other such factors. By using different criteria, company and managers identify the strengths and weaknesses of employees. Performance evaluation criterion is an effective tool for the betterment of the organization. From analyzing the outcomes of the tasks, organization can assess

Friday, October 18, 2019

Depression Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Depression - Research Paper Example If there was one word that could be used as an umbrella term to cover all the feelings resulting from depression that would be â€Å"hopelessness†. Depression is a serious disorder but can be treated if adequate measures are taken in time without delay. Learning about the potential causes, signs and symptoms of depression is indeed, the very first step in the way towards its resolution, treatment and prevention. What is depression? Depression is essentially an illness which affects and takes control of an individual’s mood, thoughts and the whole body. Under the influence of depression, an individual becomes pessimistic in his/her approach towards himself/herself and his/her eating and sleeping habits are particularly affected. Many people suffering from depression take eating as a means to escape depression. In their attempt to relieve their tension, they seek refuge in the taste of food. The resulting overeating makes them gain weight and many end up becoming obese. W here food intake is increased, there is a significant decrease in the amount of sleep. People suffering from depression either can not sleep or have nightmares when they sleep. They are haunted by ferocious dreams which interrupt the sleep. It is not possible for an individual that has a depressive disease to â€Å"pull himself/herself together† and start feeling better. ... There are four major kinds of depression, namely major depression, atypical depression, dysthemia, and seasonal affective disorder. They are explained below: 1. Major depression Thus type of depression is largely characterized by an individual’s lack of tendency to feel pleasure in life. The lack of enjoyment is persistent and uninterrupted. This makes the depression aggravate with the passage of time. However, even if no treatment is taken, major depression usually occupies the patient for 6 months. Most of the people experience a single episode of depression in their whole life. The disorder is generally recurring but there are medicines and treatment to minimize the recurrence. In the West, major depression is the No. 1 psychological disorder in the contemporary age (clinical-depression.co.uk, 2011) which is increasing among all communities and age groups, particularly among the youth. It is estimated that by 2020, major depression will be the second most disabling disorder in addition to the heart disease. In order to fight major depression, most patients resort to the use of antidepressants. They are undoubtedly effective in providing an individual with immediate relief, though they do little to guarantee the individual depression free life. 2. Atypical depression It is essentially a subtype of the major depression. Atypical depression is characterized by a particular symptom pattern that is inclusive of a temporal shift in mood as a result of positive events. An individual suffering from atypical depression feels good when he/she hears good news or when he/she hangs out with peers or friends. Nonetheless, the temporary emotional boost is ephemeral. The potential symptoms of atypical depression include but are not limited to increase of

Assignment #2 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

#2 - Assignment Example Price adjustments- this is the lowering of the prices with the hopes to generate more sales by increasing the number of units purchased. This is one of the most used methods by businesses to enter new markets. Product improvements- this occurs when a business decides to add quality to its products as a way of attracting more customers. Thus, price improvements are better suited for creating new interests in stagnating products and to offer extra benefits when one uses the product. Creation of more distribution channels- in this method, a business enters a market through increasing its methods of making products reach the consumers and making the products more readily available in the market. For instance, a business that operates through retails may open wholesale centers for distribution of more products. It helps in determining the market penetration goal. As such, the business subtracts the effects of the limiting factors from market potential, and it enables the business to estimate its measurable goals. Makes it possible for the business to define its market. By making adjustments in the market potential and the share figures, business can define its markets in terms of industry, product, and geography or customer type. A business can identify and quantify the limiting factors. Such factors include competition, government regulation, and limited resources. Therefore, by adjusting the market potential and the share figures, the business will be in a better position to realize these factors, and quantify them. The ranking method- this is the process of comparing one’s job with others to determine whether it is higher, lower or in the same rank. This method is based on the overall judgment of the required skills, responsibility and also working conditions of the job. The prime benefit of this technique is that it is simple and is

College questionnaire Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

College questionnaire - Essay Example This is an indication that his hardworking and that he has a great quest for space exploration studies. The prize was not only reward to rewarding to him, but also to me and his mother. Camping in Greenland during the GNE is a good accomplishment since my son gathered more knowledge and developed some deeper understanding of aerospace exploration. This has also made the boy curious about other forms of aircraft and improvement of the jet modeling skills in him has been noted. One of the characteristics admirable about our son is the persistence he has about innovation. He has been keen in trying to always invent something new that others have not, and he is serious when going through texts and drawings about innovation.in addition, he has an insatiable desire to experiment and test every model he makes and inn all these experiences, we never cease to give him support. Are there any specific considerations you feel strongly about as your child compiles a college list (e.g. geographic location, size, setting, athletic or artistic opportunities, religious affiliation, financial aid)? I feel that it is important that the university to offer aerospace and space exploration studies so this helps him in developing a deeper level of this field. This is because I perceive that nurturing him in this area would shape his future career. Additionally, there is a high probability of increasing artistic abilities as well as the boy getting a financial scholarship. The University of North Dakota located in the United States and specifically at Grand Forks, North Dakota, and the University of Southern California located in Los Angeles, California. This is because these universities offer courses in aerospace sciences and engineering respectively. Traveling and adventure are some of our hobbies and when doing this, we get an opportunity to explore different environments and diverse cultures. Our

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Sicko by Michael Moore Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sicko by Michael Moore - Essay Example Its runtime is 113 minutes and its language is English. The documentary is an interesting one since it comes from the directorial stint of Michael Moore who is a name unmatched globally. He has been known to producer similar movies and documentaries in the past, which have taken a gibe at the American President George W. Bush in more ways than one. At the same time, the movie turns out to be pretty entertaining as well and hence makes all the more reason for an ordinary person to watch it to know better about the prevalent healthcare regimes within United States. (Fengkov, 2007) The movie presents different facts related with this industry, which might at times look a bit biased more than anything else. The movie has a typical Michael Moore style and aims to project the different shortcomings which are present within the very system nonetheless. It contains a lot of sarcastic remarks as well as wit which suggests that he has directed his guns towards the said system as well as the American President who is running the show within the lengths and breadths of the American nation. Some people have suggested that Sicko has just touched the surface level of the problems which have haunted the very system within the country. Others are of the view that Moore should have gone much deeper than where he already has. Sicko has aimed to take a strong stance on the American drug companies and the like. Some critics suggest that he has made use of people who are in distress and portrayed them in a manner which makes them look real bad. In other words, Moore has used people with their ailments and distressing situations which are ethically wrong at the end of the day. This kind of criticism is being raised left, right and center since freedom of expression does come part and parcel with such movies and Moore must take the same in his stride in a head on manner all said and done. Sicko took two years to get completed and

Global Operations Management IP II Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global Operations Management IP II - Essay Example These strategies will enable the company realize better performance and gain competitive advantage in the global market. Introduction A PPQ part is a manufacturing company that deals with the manufacture of Sport Utility Vehicles in the United States with 5000 number of employees and controls 5% of the world market share. The company intends to reorganize its operations beyond the boarders of United States in which the company intends to expand its employee base to 10000. However, the company has experienced high turnover rates of 28% which is above the market average. The company therefore intends to increase its employee retention through reduction of annual turnover from 28% to 17%. PPQ Parts also intends to increase its profit margin from 6% to 13% in 4 years in order to improve its performance in the stock market from the current $10 per share to $22 per share. The company through its corporate values contributes 0.5% of its profits to charity work and would like to raise it to 5% in 4 years time. Strategic Management Plan Employment Rebranding Strategy The ability of PPQ parts to attract and retain customers is one of the big challenges the company faces. Moreover, ability to attract and retain customers in the new global market that the company intends to venture will be even more challenging. According to McLaughlin & Fitzsimmons (1996), attracting and retaining talent is becoming the main competitive differentiator for companies around the world. While PPQ parts intend to cast a wider net across the globe, it will be imperative for the top management of the company to manage its internal HR systems. Employment branding is therefore the best approach that will guarantee long term talent development and retention thus reducing employee turnover (Kuruvilla, 2008). Major Goal: To increase employee retention by lowering annual turnover from 28% to 17% while increasing the number of employees from 5000 to 10000. Objective: Reduce the annual employee turnover from 28% to 17% through implementation of key HR strategies necessary to motivate employees and improve performance. Responsible Parties: PPQ Parts Board, and Senior Management staff Key Strategies: 1. Training and career development by coming up with a career development plan that will include systems for assessing employee performance and recommendation of training needs. 2. Performance Management by developing employee appraisal system that would keep employees focused to organizational direction and ensures employees are involved in the process of decision making with respect to training needs and career development. 3. Developing a HR function through implementing logical connections, that connects the renewal and integration capabilities, practical interventions and dynamic behaviors. 4. Develop HR operational procedures and enhance communication system within the organization. 5. Conduct a survey on the areas of employees’ satisfaction and implement the recommendation s. Expected Outcomes: Increased employee referrals, retention rates improve, enhance employee motivation, develop a stronger corporate culture, reduce corporate negatives, ammunition for employees and managers and gain a competitive advantage Timeline: Implementation of these strategies is expected to take 6 months followed by evaluation process and finally addressing the

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

College questionnaire Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

College questionnaire - Essay Example This is an indication that his hardworking and that he has a great quest for space exploration studies. The prize was not only reward to rewarding to him, but also to me and his mother. Camping in Greenland during the GNE is a good accomplishment since my son gathered more knowledge and developed some deeper understanding of aerospace exploration. This has also made the boy curious about other forms of aircraft and improvement of the jet modeling skills in him has been noted. One of the characteristics admirable about our son is the persistence he has about innovation. He has been keen in trying to always invent something new that others have not, and he is serious when going through texts and drawings about innovation.in addition, he has an insatiable desire to experiment and test every model he makes and inn all these experiences, we never cease to give him support. Are there any specific considerations you feel strongly about as your child compiles a college list (e.g. geographic location, size, setting, athletic or artistic opportunities, religious affiliation, financial aid)? I feel that it is important that the university to offer aerospace and space exploration studies so this helps him in developing a deeper level of this field. This is because I perceive that nurturing him in this area would shape his future career. Additionally, there is a high probability of increasing artistic abilities as well as the boy getting a financial scholarship. The University of North Dakota located in the United States and specifically at Grand Forks, North Dakota, and the University of Southern California located in Los Angeles, California. This is because these universities offer courses in aerospace sciences and engineering respectively. Traveling and adventure are some of our hobbies and when doing this, we get an opportunity to explore different environments and diverse cultures. Our

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Global Operations Management IP II Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global Operations Management IP II - Essay Example These strategies will enable the company realize better performance and gain competitive advantage in the global market. Introduction A PPQ part is a manufacturing company that deals with the manufacture of Sport Utility Vehicles in the United States with 5000 number of employees and controls 5% of the world market share. The company intends to reorganize its operations beyond the boarders of United States in which the company intends to expand its employee base to 10000. However, the company has experienced high turnover rates of 28% which is above the market average. The company therefore intends to increase its employee retention through reduction of annual turnover from 28% to 17%. PPQ Parts also intends to increase its profit margin from 6% to 13% in 4 years in order to improve its performance in the stock market from the current $10 per share to $22 per share. The company through its corporate values contributes 0.5% of its profits to charity work and would like to raise it to 5% in 4 years time. Strategic Management Plan Employment Rebranding Strategy The ability of PPQ parts to attract and retain customers is one of the big challenges the company faces. Moreover, ability to attract and retain customers in the new global market that the company intends to venture will be even more challenging. According to McLaughlin & Fitzsimmons (1996), attracting and retaining talent is becoming the main competitive differentiator for companies around the world. While PPQ parts intend to cast a wider net across the globe, it will be imperative for the top management of the company to manage its internal HR systems. Employment branding is therefore the best approach that will guarantee long term talent development and retention thus reducing employee turnover (Kuruvilla, 2008). Major Goal: To increase employee retention by lowering annual turnover from 28% to 17% while increasing the number of employees from 5000 to 10000. Objective: Reduce the annual employee turnover from 28% to 17% through implementation of key HR strategies necessary to motivate employees and improve performance. Responsible Parties: PPQ Parts Board, and Senior Management staff Key Strategies: 1. Training and career development by coming up with a career development plan that will include systems for assessing employee performance and recommendation of training needs. 2. Performance Management by developing employee appraisal system that would keep employees focused to organizational direction and ensures employees are involved in the process of decision making with respect to training needs and career development. 3. Developing a HR function through implementing logical connections, that connects the renewal and integration capabilities, practical interventions and dynamic behaviors. 4. Develop HR operational procedures and enhance communication system within the organization. 5. Conduct a survey on the areas of employees’ satisfaction and implement the recommendation s. Expected Outcomes: Increased employee referrals, retention rates improve, enhance employee motivation, develop a stronger corporate culture, reduce corporate negatives, ammunition for employees and managers and gain a competitive advantage Timeline: Implementation of these strategies is expected to take 6 months followed by evaluation process and finally addressing the

Big Drive Auto Scenario Essay Example for Free

Big Drive Auto Scenario Essay It is the dream of every organization to enter a new market and in the process realize its dreams. However, this dream becomes very difficult to achieve due to a number of factors among them entry barriers put in place by those companies that are already operating in those countries. According to Arthur, S. Sheffrin, M. , (2003), some common non-pricing barriers likely to affect a firm wishing to enter a new market are high advertising costs, government policies, customer loyalty, and cost advantage independent of scale and distributor agreements. It would therefore be recommendable for such a firm to enter into negotiations with the government of the country where it wants to venture and the other firms that are operating in the country. This way, the new company will be able to cut on the cost of production. The reason is that in the negotiations, the companies will be able to discuss and have a common pricing index that should apply to the new company. Even though the other old company will not pay any new prices, the new company will have its prices reduced substantially. This helps the new company to reduce on the cost of production thereby having more disposable income. It can use this disposable income to invest on new technology or to maximize on its production. (Arthur, S. Sheffrin, M. , 2003) Another recommendation would be for the new company to first form a joint venture with the other operating company in the new company. This way, the new company will be able to escape or rather to get over all the other non-pricing barriers such high advertising costs, customer loyalty and distribution agreement. Under the umbrella of the already operating company, the new company now in the joint venture will be able to penetrate the market and only after it has succeeded in establishing the market should it break and be on its own. Due to these barriers, we can present sales at the new company in the tables below taking a span of ten years. From the tables, it is clear that the business is moving all right up to the year 2002 when it suddenly goes down. This defines the time when the new company decides to break-off from the joint venture and be on its own. The business goes down as they are now running independently but it slowly regains momentum because they are familiar with the market. (Arthur, S. Sheffrin, M. , 2003)

Monday, October 14, 2019

The Consumer Electronics Industry And Apple Company Marketing Essay

The Consumer Electronics Industry And Apple Company Marketing Essay With the global economy boosting rapidly and continuous development of high and new technology, the competition of consumer electronic industry is becoming more intense. Depend on the hi-tech, consumer electronics manufacturers are able to push forward the productivity (Robert G., 2009), constant develop the varieties of consumer electronics, improve quality of product and service to meet consumer changing needs (Jeffrey, 2006), create a better satisfied life and change the society deeply. In the past, consumers have only a little choice in the consumers electronics due to there were not have many manufacturers in this industry, consumers feel easily to select in purchasing decision process (Ralph, 2011), but consumers are overwhelmed by too many choices now. As the consumer electronics marketers have realized in coming face to face with the brutal reality that its more difficult and complexity than ever to beat the competitors, so great is the worry of being shut out of this growing market for global marketers of consumer electronics. Under this market background, the growing role of marketing is to be seen. Marketing is about business creates consumers interest in products and services to the right price and place at the right time (Philip Kotler, 2009). Marketing is relating to understanding the needs wants of consumers and finding ways to offer products services which consumer satisfaction (Adcok, 2001). Marketing as a process for manufacturing, communicating, delivering and exchanging that provide value for consumers (Hochbaum, 2011). The marketing aims at meeting the needs of consumers and consumer satisfaction in return for business profit (Mohan, 2005). The theory of marketing is enriched day by day, the successful marketing is essential to any marketers to succeed (Schultz, 2006). Thus, for being success of marketing as a practice, it can be composed of a coordination of four or seven roles called marketing mix and also is called 4Ps or 7Ps (Chekitan, 2005). Marketing mix as a useful framework is that describes and decides how marketers driven consumer behavior to gain competitive advantages (Dennis, 2001). Marketers use this practice to try to create the optimal responses in the target market by compounding variables in an optimal method (Keller, 2012). Increasingly consumer electronics marketers are also gradually conscious of maintaining their sustainable competitive advantage to marketing by translate their core values into a rational marketing mix framework to effect on consumer purchasing decision (Levinson, 2007), so in the process of marketing, the role of marketing mix are becoming more importance than ever before (Halborg, 2002). Nowadays, consumer electronics marketers strive hard to run their marketing scenario with the right marketing mix which will enable them to foster a strong and sustainable competitive advantage (Schnnaars, 1997), moreover, they are also attempting to come out with sophisticates, effective and aggressive marketing mix are used to drive consumer behaviors to achieve objective of marketing (Meerman, 2011). Despite marketing has own many different definitions, but no matter what, in short, they all try to clarity the essence of marketing is about meeting the wants or needs of consumers (Yelland, 2000). If marketers want to directly driven consumer purchasing behavior in marketing, the premise is that they must determine what the phases of consumer buying decision making process while buying a product (Blackwell, 2005) and which the major factors are affecting consumer purchase behavior in each phase of this buying process. In other word, marketers must to know the demographics of their consumers and demand preference (Rakesh, 2006). Therefore, marketing as management process, which products and services move from concept to the consumer (Caroline, 2003), it is a consumer focused marketing that drives the entire market. Consumer is a central to all marketing activities (Moreno, 2010). Understanding how consumer behavior when they recognizing it, searching for, purchasing to use, evaluating it and expected satisfying will creates potent and available marketing mix (Christensen, 1998). There are many different complex dynamics closely interwoven with marketing, but can exactly forecast consumer behaviors thereby develop effective marketing mix to drive the variables that achieve desired outcome in line with the concept of marketing where consumers are satisfied and marketers meets their objectives( Clayton, 1999). Moreover, once marketers understand their target market, it is most likely their competitive advantages will be delivered to their correct target market and change consumer behavior by marketing mix (Deborah J. 2012), resulting in an expected final sales. Meanwhile, theres more than one perspective to say is that consumer behavior is an analysis of people and it can be used to create marketing mix framework that as a marketing tool to achieve target segments (Harper Boyd, 2007). Hence when the marketing mix and consumers behaviors are intervened, marketers will be able to success in their marketing and higher profits in industry market and sustainable competitive to future marketing development (Baker, 2008). However, experience has taught us that due to the significant differences exist in the relationship between consumers demographic variables and their perceptions of marketing mix in marketing procedure (Michael, 2007). Therefore, leverage operating in this relationship can be deeply challenging. Against this background described above, the Apple will serve as a case study to understand how marketing will successful drive consumer behavior by their marketing mix, this research with explore a relationship between components of marketing about the Apple marketing mix and consumers choice of the Apple product based on effects of demographic variables. With the marketing mix and consumers perception for Apple product, the effects of marketing on consumer behaviors can be understand. The interest for this study will base on the increased attention toward Singapore. Apple is an international enterprise that makes consumer electronics, computer software and commercial service, their core product lines are the iPhone, iPad, iPod music players, Macintosh line of computers, software and iTunes media browser (Kuester, 2009). For now, Apple is one of the worlds largest technological consumer electronics firm and the pioneers of consumer electronic industry by led a technological innovation (Neal Goldsten, 2012), Apples core product had a large market share in current consumer electronic market. Apple is well known for its successful marketing with effective marketing mix, in this digitalize tide (Homburg, 2007), consumer electronics manufacturers create value in the mind of their consumers, but the perception of value is subjective and what consumers value this year may be quite different from what they value next year (Tyson, 2011). Facing this more fierce competitive market, Apple still can successfully analysis the next wave of trend and grasp the continuous change of consumer preferences every time. It is awfully strange: how Apple to drive their marketing with the right marketing mix framework which will enable them to became the current worlds most valuable company by used in different stages of consumer buying decision making process, how the effects of Apple marketing on consumer behavior? the reasons why Apple is really successful strategic secrets of marketing are still a mystery to people, but one thing of which can be sure is that it didnt happen overnight. This research attempts to find that in a successful marketing, if there is a higher influences relationship between consumer behavior and marketing mix based on demographic variables. Through analyze the consumers behavior and perception for marketing of Apple in Singapore, to understand what marketing factors influences on consumer purchasing decision and how marketing mix can change consumer behaviors. I am taking several core products of Apple, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Macintosh line of computers, software and iTunes media browser are involved on this subject research, why is Apple outsells most other companies? How they successful implement the marketing? How are these products becoming a market leading position? What makes consumers go for these products? 1.2 Rationale The rationale is selecting the Apple instead of others of many. Firstly, as my research is Apple centered rather than consumer electronics industry, because different companies have different effects of marketing on consumers buying behavior by different marketing mix framework, but can better understand the process of marketing through my research. The second reason is that only use core product will not broaden the scope of my study, this will benefit from data search that can be easily obtained. Apple started out to get a personal computer in the hands of everyday and unique of products succeeded beyond others. With the introduction of the iPod in 2001, Apple successful established itself as a leader in the consumer electronics market (Kumar, 2011), and transfers a single area of computer from a new direction (Napier, 2010). After these, the success of the iPad has subverted traditional concept of in PC market again (Schneider, 2011). Since 2007, Apple Inc. has published the mobile product of iPhone that it is mean the touch screen has emerged and a real mobile phone war has begun in the mobile world (LaMarche, 2011). Additionally, the iTunes success revolutionizes music industry when Apple rolled out it for the masses in 2003 (Jantsch, 2010). Few companies can disrupt an industry only with a single product is launched, but Apple whose history is filled with such technological world-changing moments. The third reason for using Apple as a case study is that Apple had many successes in marketing. Ill confident of get high quality data richly in my research. 1.2.1 Benefits to the Consumer Electronics Industry and Apple Company To analyze the marketing of Apple by its marketing mix will encourage more consumer electronics business obtain success in the future. This research will bring out the effective marketing mix in consumer electronics industry, which helps in marketers to better understand the needs of consumer and marketing communications to achieve the objectives of marketing. The study also will demonstrate how consumer electronics companies can align their competitive capabilities and core competences to marketing communicate with their consumers and better satisfying the needs of the consumers. Moreover that doesnt mean the Apple product will be the only consumer electronic for everyone and destroy every consumer electronic on the future market. Therefore, this research also will undoubtedly help Apple to better monitor the their marketing framework and their consumers, the research result of consumer purchase behavior will use as a guidance that help enterprise to strategic plan marketing by improve marketing mix for a sustainable competitive advantages, also effective marketing help they in innovate development based on existing products and services to attract more potential consumers and retain the loyalty of old customers, know clearly their future opportunities and threats are faced so that can continually keep an invincible position in future. 1.2.2 Benefits to the Academics and the Society This research will be expected to study marketing based on the relationship between the influence of marketing mix and consumer purchasing behavior with many theories, not much has be studied on what if any factors have effect on customers and their buying choices by business marketing mix in marketing procedure. This research will try to support the future research as much as possible, at the least to describe the latest trends and development of this subject. A study of the significant differences in consumer behavior and their perception of marketing mix based on a distinct geodemographics. Academics and society will benefit from the relative problems of this subject answered by this research. 1.2.3 Personal Benefits As a market researcher, Im particularly interested in the marketing relate to an effects of factors on consumer purchasing decision via marketing mix framework as the mediator will explicitly examined. This will also be a unique opportunity to study marketing that focus on consumer purchasing behaviors and business marketing mix, which will support me in my future career as marketing professional. In addition, as a future manager, this research will show my ability of expertise to recognize marketing planning while meeting tough limited budget and time requirement. This research also will demonstrate my determination in of engaged in marketing management after graduate and encourage my entrepreneurial spirit. 1.3 Research Aims The aim of this dissertation is to research the influence of marketing mix through attitudinal buying behaviors consumers and further to evaluate the effects of marketing mix on attitudinal buying behaviors consumers. To identify the significant differences exist in the relationship between marketing mix perceptions of consumers and their consuming behavioral intentions based on their distinct demographic variables. Determine the influences of Apple marketing mix on consumers and their self-demographic characters have been taken as independent variables, and consumers purchasing intentions toward Apple product would become as a dependent variable. Further how the above mentioned independent variables will impact the consumer purchase intention for an Apple product will try to be studied. To understand consumer behavior understands how they interact the marketing mix that more conducive to effective marketing. From investigate in term of how marketing mix of Apple influence the consumer purchasing decision in Singapore. Additionally, do identify and assess the successful marketing which would be more helpful to my future career way after graduation. 1.4 Research Objectives According to the research problem, rationale and main aim detailed above, my research objectives are: 1. To identify there is a significant differences exist in the relationship between consumers responses for Apple marketing mix and consumer buying behaviors according to demographic variables in Singapore market. 2. To evaluate there is significant differences exist in the relationship between demographic variables and consumer behaviors in Singapore market. 3. To evaluate there is significant differences exist in the relationship between demographic variables and the perceptions of consumers for the Apple marketing mix in Singapore market. 4. To identify there is significant positive relationship between consumers perceptions of Apple products and consumers intentions to buy according to demographic variables in Singapore market. 5. To identify there is significant positive relationship between consumers consciousness of prices for Apple products and consumers intentions to buy according to demographic variables in Singapore market. 6. To identify there is significant positive relationship between consumers perceptions of promotions for Apple products and consumers intention to buy according to demographic variables in Singapore market. 7. To identify there is significant positive relationship between consumers perceptions of channel devilry for Apple products and consumers intention to buy according to demographic variables in Singapore market. 1.5 Research Questions This research will try hard to offer an in-depth analysis of major research problem and seek to overall purposes of research, so research questions are highlighted to the following: 1. Will demographic variables make significant affect consumers intentions to purchase Apple product? 2. Will demographic variables make significant affect consumers perceptions for Apple marketing mix? 3. Will Apple marketing mix has a positive impact on consumer buying behavior? 4. Will the value of Apple product make positive affect consumers intentions to buy on alternative evaluation stage of consumer purchasing decision process? And will the value of money as a significant medium influence on post-purchase and customer loyalty? 5. Will the price of Apple product as a significant medium influence on alternative evaluation stage of consumer purchasing decision process? 6. Will the promotion of Apple make a positive impact on consumers intentions to purchase an Apple product? 7. Will consumption channel of Apple make consumers feel satisfied and comforted? And if has a positive impact on consumers intentions to purchase an Apple product? 1.6 Dissertation Structure CHAPTER TWO Literature Review 2. Literature Review 2.1 Concept of Consumer Buying Behavior Consumer buying behavior is study based on consumer purchase decision making process and act of consumers involved in buying and using products. (businessdictionary.com, 2010). Understand the needs of consumers and their purchase behaviors are important when a marketer comes to success delivering products to the market. (Sheth, 1973) However, the most challenging thing about that every consumer is unique and has his own reason for purchasing a particular product in satisfaction of his needs and wants. Consumer buying behavior also trends to move with change continually in influential factors. As marketers, they must know what factors influence consumer purchase. The earliest literature review on consumer buying behavior is the book of Golden Rules of Business Success by Tao Zhu Gong (Fan Li, 439BC), which record about the importance of understanding the current and forecasting the future consumer purchasing trends, and then educating consumers, thereby influence their purchasing decision (Kotler et al, 1994). There is a wonderful example of how does Apple through evaluate consumer behavior to obtain an effective online marketing. Apple assume about consumer behavior are reflected in their online shopping. In consideration of an assumption for consumers time presses and technical savvy, Apple focus on their products and technology, and design with a tag relating to their core products like iPod, iPhone, Mac and iTunes in website. The design aim at facilitate information intensive and more convenient to consumers online shopping based on Apple behavioral assumption for consumers. This is a minimalist method that Apple assumes their target consumers are suspicious of hard sell, so Apple tries marketing toward soft sell approach. 2.2 Six Stages Consumer Purchasing Process A consumer gets through six stages in any purchase (Vashisht, 2005) (see Figure 1). According to this model, a consumer must first be recognizing a problem based on his needs. This perceiving could be external stimulated by marketing communication, physical cues or seeing the product in use (Neal, 2006). When the consumers are aware of they need, and then meaning the identification of product consumer needs, this stage depends on how important the product is to consumer by socially, economically and psychologically (Adcock, 2001). Once the consumers have recognized a problem, they enter the information search stage on products that look for solutions to their problems. Consumers could undertake both an internal search (memory), and an external search from commercial or public sources (Belch, 2007). Consumers will also tryout the product if possible. The consumers will have a rank or shortlist from which they will buy the products by then. After the information search, the shortlisted products will be compared and evaluated by product attributes, subjective factors or personal criteria (Gilligan, 2007). By the end of alternatives evaluation stage, the consumers would have decided on an ideal product to buy. When the alternatives have been evaluated, the consumers will decide to purchase product includes from whom to buy, where and when to buy, even whether to buy (Vashisht, 2005). Khosla, Swati (2002) notice that marketer must facilitate the action of consumers on purchase intention. In the final stage of post-purchase evaluation, the consumer compares it with his expectations and ranks his purchase levels of satisfaction. The evaluation determines if the consumer will purchase this product again and tell others (Mullin, 2008). With the newest MacBook in June, 2012, a case about the influence of Apple successful marketing on a typical consumers purchase decision making process based on six stages mentioned above. At first a consumer is going to recognizing need. This problem is recognized by the stimulus, like Apples secretive press conference. The result as may not be a truly essential item but still become his needs and he so desperately want it. After recognizing his needs, consumer starts an information search stage. Depend on a high interest, he is going to search all pertinent information for the newest MacBook, because he want understand it better, it include opinions for others and reviews to weight his own options. During this consumer to evaluate the alternatives, the result in the newest MacBook is very different from others and it is an innovative product. Now to his purchase decision, he is inclined to purchase the newest MacBook base his evaluations on a truly need level. Lastly, when he has gained the newest MacBook, he feels satisfaction on the post purchase. 2.3 Factors Influencing Consumer Behavior Various analysts categorize the many factors influencing consumer behavior in different classification. Relevant ways are internal and external factors by Koudelka (1996) and categorization in to sociocultural and psychological factors by Hitesh Bhasin (2010). Mowen and Minor (2009) identifies five factors, which they categorizes in to Personal, Social, Cultural, Psychological and Situational factors effect on consumer purchasing decision (see Figure 2). This way is also endorsed by Kujnish Vashisht et al. (2005). 2.3.1 Personal Factors Gilligan (2009) opinion that each of us is unique traits such as age, knowledge, profession, personality, lifestyle and financial situation will influence our consumer behavior. Kotler (2009) identifies that individual factors are highly linked to the human psychological factors. According personal factors, Apple will segment market into a meaningful consumer groups, better serve toward target consumer groups, provide differentiated serve to target consumers and positioning themselves in the minds of consumers. Another compelling example highlights how does Apple utilizes personal factors to implement their marketing successfully. Due to Gilligans opinion for everybody is unique, Apple allow consumer according to their own favor to download the different software in their devices so that assemble into a unique product for theirself, such as iTouch allow consumers to download their own favor games, music or moves by iTunes, thus everyone has a unique iTouch that should aim to maximize consumer satisfaction. 2.3.2 Cultural Factors Bob Perry (2009) suggests that cultural factors has most important effect on consumer purchasing decision due to they are the major cause of a personal needs and behavior. Cultural factors include personal value, attitude, perception, etc. cultural factors dominated by personal social culture, geographical area, education level or religious belief and life experiences of shape the personal consciousness or behavior ways (Wilson, 2009). Berkman (1986) note that social status also plays a role will be reflected in the consumer purchasing habits by a combination of income, wealth, education, occupation and others. For example, consumers used to measure their social status by their consumption level, higher consumption level represents the higher social status, Apple successful utilizes this variable to induce consumers purchase Apple product on an expensive side. Owning an Apple product has become a contemporary social sign. It means that youre doing well enough financial conditions to piss away on a higher-priced consumption level. 2.3.3 Social Factors Human beings live in a society and social factors are really important influence for individual buying behaviors. Family members, friends, relatives or colleagues often form reference groups who play an important role in influencing the purchasing decision of individuals (Hoyer Haythornthwaite, 2002). Hence, Apple did a smart application about networking, public forums discussion, and online reports share to indirect influencing the consumer emotion. Based on the modern socially-connected world, Apple marketing has benefited to public praise, word of mouth way, social proof or media hype by this variable (Macinnis, 2010). 2.3.4 Psychological Factors Psychological factors include personal motivation, views, needs, attitudes or perception. Marshal (2007) believes that individually psychology is the biggest challenges will be managed. If a resource is scarce, people will put a lot of value to it, Fernbach (2012) said, consumers go nuts, and they want to buy it. The rarer a thing is, the more it is value has been become the Apples marketing mantra is used to driven consumers psychology. Fernbach also indicated two other psychological behavioral factors play a role in helping Apple draw their consumer behaviors to marketing are impatience and herd mentality. Apple thinks that when we see others doing something, we will automatically to following. When Apple release iPhone 5 in September 21st 2012, many consumers take the time to line up outside Meadows mall in order to first to get an iPhone 5 (Denver, 2012). Conformity psychological trend will add personal value, acknowledge and self-recognition (Herzberg, 1987). 2.3.5 Situational Factors Foxall (1998) identified that situational factors accounted for a large proportion of consumer purchasing decision. The act of purchase is influenced by many factors: physical environment (mood, weather or lighting), social surrounds (stores atmosphere) occasion (seasonal pressures) and even temporal perspectives (Stewart, 1987). 2.4 Types of Consumer Buying Behavior Henry Assael (1987) divide buying behavior into four types (see Figure 3), depending upon the extent of involvement and degree of difference among products: complex buying behavior, dissonance reducing buying behavior, habitual buying behavior and variety seeking buying behavior. 2.4.1 Brief Four Types of Consumer Buying Behavior Habitual buying behavior in results when the consumers choose between different substitute products with same features and functions, consumers will go for the one that they has been using before or familiar with it. Kotler (2009) is of the opinion that more due to brand loyalty than habit. Variety seeking consumer buying behavior is a randomly buy, the result when the consumer has decided on a different product every time. Adcock (2001) holds that switch a new brand not due to dissatisfaction for old brand, it only satisfy they to try out the new one. Dissonance reducing buying behavior as the third, consumers will be highly involved in this type of buying behavior due to the cost and risk of the purchase, but will recognize less or no product difference between the brands. They feeling distrust or disappoint (Wilson, 2009). Complex buying behavior takes place when highly involved consumers who compare with full brands of the products in the market. This type of consumer will go through a relative lengthy stage of information search and evaluation based on their needs (Baker, 2003). 2.4.2 The Application for Apple Company The analysis shows that four types of consumer buying behavior-based, Apple successful built their brand loyalists, this type consumers loyal to Apple brand goes beyond the product itself. For example, the loyalists who purchase Apple Mac because of them like and believe in the Apple brand. Apple positions their brand values in mind of consumers. Apple applies these values to design anything. If Apple were to sale a car as result in they should be also successful with their loyal consumers due to loyalists will believe that the same perceived across every Apple product they offer. In this research, according to the concepts, influential factors, purchasing decision making process and types of consumer behavior, consumers gender, age, education level, and income level as the most important demographic variables will be involved in Apple marketing. Apple applies these individual demographic factors to create marketing mix in order to cater consumers satisfactions. These demographic factors play a major role in consumer purchasing decision making process. Hence, the hypothesis one was stated as follow: H1: The significant differences exist in the relationship between demographic variables and consumers intentions to purchase Apple product. 2.5 Marketing Marketing Mix Adock (2007) using Neil Bordens 4Ps (1953) (see Figure 4), identifies marketing is that a right product, in a right place, at the right time and at the right price. Around this conclusion, the market competition between the businesses has moved from product, price, place and promotion to a single p-people, and that people are the consumers. Marketers are able to obtain more consumers that play a major role in deciding the winner in a diverse, complex and rapid changing situation (Uysal, 2005), because of they recognize that it look unlikely to produce one product that will satisfy all consumers in this competition. Instead, marketers must plan marketing mix to guide marketing. The marketing mix is the strategic framework to focus on developing best tactics and strategies to achieve marketplace success based on objectives of marketing. Marketing mix also as a strategic tool is that used in marketers to communicate their marketing objectives and control variables to their target market (Kolter, 2001). It includes 4 types of variables in marketing mix, also called the 4Ps: (1) product: supply of a tangible or intangible item to meet the needs of consumers, such as brand name, functions, design or packaging etc. (2) price: the amount of money a customer pay for the product, it may include pricing, discounts etc. (3) promoti on: the methods of communication that companies to delivery information to consumers, the means like advertising , sales promotions etc. (4) place: a location where is consumer to purchase, the decision such as distribution channels or transportation (Clemons, 2006). 2.6 The Extended Marketing Mix The Extended Marketing Mix of Booms and Bitner (1981) also called 7Ps (see Figure 5), as marketing tool that increase 3 variables based on 4 traditional Marketing Mix framework for seven. The 7Ps model is more useful for technological-intensive industries to attract and retain their consumers (Mauborgne, 2004). The expanded the marketing mix by replenishing the following three additional Ps: People refer to all individuals directly or indirectly involved in the consumption process. They include the workers, employees, management and consumers themselves. Process as methods, procedures of providing quality services and products and is an essential element of the marketing mix. Ph