Death Penalty Should be Banned Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Death Penalty Should be Banned - Essay Example It aims at deterring others from committing similar crimes. Death penalty has been in existence for a long time and it is surprising that such a barbaric and inhumane act is still enduring in the apparently civilized world we live in today. This paper discusses why death penalty should be banned and whether it has been successful in reducing the rates of crimes that it is meant to deter. Since life is extremely valuable, no crime is significant enough to demand a deliberate and â€Å"lawful† murder of any individual. Death penalty should thus be banned and all laws that permit it should be exterminated. Several studies have proved that death penalty is unsuccessful in reducing crime rates. The main goal of capital punishment is to set an example for prospective criminals and to instill the fear that they will meet the same end for their crimes. Capital punishment thus aims at deterring any future crimes. However, it seems to have failed in achieving its objectives. According to statistics published by the Death Penalty Information Center, murder rates in death penalty states are higher than in non-death penalty states. The murder rate in death penalty states in 1990 was 9.5 while it was 9.16 in the non-death penalty states. By 2009, the murder rates in death penalty states came down to 5.26 and to 3.90 in non-death penalty states.

Religion and the Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Religion and the Media - Essay Example As Schofield Clark observes, the founding principles of Protestantism have led to the Protestantization of modern societies. Take say, the value of individualism. It is a value that is strongly equated to advanced industrial societies. The concept is used in Occidental discourse as the opposing principle to collectivism, which is said to represent the Orient. While most liberal democracies portray this value as a political ideal, nowhere is it more celebrated than in the USA. The much cherished national idea of the ‘American Dream’ is founded on the concept of right to own property, one of the legislative provisions that resonate with the individualistic ethos. More importantly, this contemporary manifestation of individualism can be traced back to Martin Luther’s plea to the Catholic Church, whereby he make a claim to eschew elaborate ritualized liturgy. In its place, according to Luther, should be a more direct interaction between God and individual through the medium of the sacred text. Likewise, the rights for freedom of expression and freedom of choice that we take for granted today, have had their origins in the Protestant Reformation. In Luther’s milieu, it meant foremost the freedom of the individual to ‘interpret’ the holy text as is cognizable to the faithful. This principle was promoted in critique of the role of official clergy, who had taken upon the role of sole arbiters of the divine word. Breaking away from this stifling tradition, Protestantism reinforced the primacy of the connection between God and the faithful. It achieved this by giving believers the freedom to own, read and interpret the Bible as they see fit. It also includes the freedom to inquiry using God endowed intellectual faculties (intellectual inquiry). The freedoms we enjoy as consumers or as citizens today can thus be called Protestantization of law and culture. Moreover, by emphasizing that all religious

Marketing Plan for an Updated Product

Marketing Plan for an Updated Product A marketing plan is typically designed to establish a framework for management to use as they pursue the marketing and sales objectives. It should be built on the results of the market research and the specific value proposition of a product or service. In general, a marketing plan is a shorter form of a business plan that has a limited scope and marketing emphasis. I have chosen UK chocolate confectionary market to present a market plan for an updated product. Market Overview: Chocolate sales in Europe have been growing steadily. The UK confectionery market achieved year-on-year growth for the last five to six years to reach a value of  £4.53bn i.e. the sales have increased by 13%. The overall European chocolate sales increased by 15% and the United Kingdom itself accounts for nearly 30% of European chocolate consumption. Product Overview: So far the need for innovation and the product development techniques has been explained. On the basis of these discussions I would like to use the opportunity to develop a new product in the confectionary market. Taking the existing products of Cadbury such as Cadbury Picnic, Cadbury Crunchie and Boost chocolate bars as well as Cadbury Crà ¨me Eggs, I have thought of updating Cadbury chocolate bars by producing a new chocolate bar and the Crà ¨me Eggs by producing another egg shaped product. The analysis of innovation need suggests that launch of new product can help Cadbury to attract more customers and thus increase market share in a highly competitive market of chocolate confectionary. Assuming the results obtained from the techniques for new product development and analyzing the market overview, I would say that a new product can be launched in the market and thats why I have thought of updating Cadburys existing products into other new products. This Cadburys new chocolate bar will be known as CADBURY LEMON BAR and the new egg shaped product will be known as CADBURY CHOCOLATE LEMONS. The bar name has been selected because this chocolate bar will be having an internal layer of sweet lemon tart and externally it will be covered with a mix of chocolate and fine grains of peanuts. N.B: (In the report the word Cadbury Lemon means both the updated products i.e. Cadbury Lemon Bar and Cadbury Chocolate Lemons). Market Segmentation: Understanding the needs and desires of consumers creates the opportunity for new products to be developed and brought to the market, meeting these needs and generating incremental sales. Chocolate confectionary is a mass market attracting customers and consumers of almost every age group and gender, but those who like eating chocolate. The target market for both the Cadbury Lemon products can include children of age 5 to 13 years in terms of consumers and the parents to pay for the product in terms of customers. Further more it can be expanded from children of age 14 to young people and then onwards to aged people (65+) as long as they keep their interest in their chocolate eating habit. The product would also be suitable for vegetarians and further more it would be excluded of any religious issues such as alcohol free etc. In terms of income and price of the product there isnt any need to be selective to choose a particular group of audience as everybody can easily afford to buy a b ar of chocolate or a pack of chocolate sweets i.e. Cadbury Lemon Bar and Cadbury Chocolate Lemons. Snacking Today: Snacking today is the second largest segment in the UK confectionary market with a share of over 28%. Cadbury Lemon chocolate bar is such a product which is mainly bought for immediate personal consumption. The target market of this product would be people who will buy a chocolate bar and eat it. It does not identify any particular segment but includes everybody having an access to the stores and retail shops where they will find the product, buy it and consume it. For Home: The products in this category are those which are bought for consumption sometime later. Thus in this category both the products i.e. Cadbury Lemon Bar and Cadbury Chocolate Lemons will fit properly in this category of products. These two products would target people who like filling their cupboards with chocolate to consume them for different purposes e.g. filling lunch boxes or as a treat after evening meals. For home is a category which is more about the products to be eaten by the customers i.e. both male and female partners, their children and parents and as well as by other consumers such as visitors or guests visiting at different times e.g. evening tea time and so on. Sharing Occasions: This segment represents an emerging trend towards the sharing of confectionary at formal occasions. This is an emerging segment for products which are traditionally packed in larger pack formats such as tins, large boxes and cartons. They are purchased not as gifts but also for informal sharing on specific occasions e.g. the Cadbury Chocolate Lemons can be purchased as a gift for someones birthday and Cadbury Lemon Bar can act as a sharing product at a party or just at small gathering of friends. This is how another segment of the market can be differentiated. Seasonal Giving: Seasonal giving is the third largest segment of the overall confectionary market. The rate of growth of this segment has led to an increase of 3.8% in sales and an increased share of the overall confectionary market as 17.6%.This segment includes products bought to give to someone else as well as a larger number of seasonal lines and Cadbury Chocolate Lemons in different packs would best fit in this category. Seasonal confectionary is mainly sold during the run up to Christmas and Easter and is a traditional gift at these times of the year. Along with this other seasonal occasions can include Halloween, Mothers Day and Valentines Day. Competition Overview: The UK confectionary market is facing a very strong competition among the companies in this market. Thus Cadbury Lemon will also have to tackle such circumstances of competition from different major competitors including Nestle, Kit Kat, Mars, Maltesers and others. Moreover, rapid product growth at the mass end and the premium end of the European chocolate market is adding competitive pressures. Smaller companies are making chocolate products for niche markets, such as chocolates for people who want to avoid dairy products, chocolates for people who are diabetic and chocolates for people who prefer natural or organic flavourings and ingredients. Further, established companies are constantly introducing variations and other favourites to satisfy customers variety-seeking behaviour and encourage loyalty. Although Cadbury owns a good market share but still there is a need to be aware of the competitors and the situations which may cause hindrances for the new product. SWOT Analysis: Cadbury has been in the confectionary business for a long time and holds a strong market share. Thus the company has been using its strengths to always go for producing new products as well as updating the existing ones. National advertising and sales promotion support sales of Cadbury and for instance, Cadbury has been spending heavily to launch new chocolate products or building sales during Easter or other holiday periods. There might also be some weaknesses that could be associated with it. Most of the people see chocolates as an affordable luxury and therefore buy such products for themselves and also for gifts. People are adopting the habits of giving chocolate as gifts on different occasions like Christmas, Valentines Day and Birthdays etc which has increased the opportunities in terms of increase in demand for the product. However the threats are always there when a company launches a new product. In addition to the major luxury chocolate makers with established brands, natio nal advertising campaigns and sizable market share, many smaller and local chocolate makers are attracting loyal customers. But on the whole, so far, the UK confectionary market for Cadbury seems to be having the opportunities to grow and increase the market share. Goals and Objectives: For this marketing plan I would say that the goals and objectives are simply the facts describing where the company i.e. Cadbury wants to be. The goals and objectives can be divided into two parts. Sales Goals: For many organizations the ultimate goal of the marketing plan is the effect it will have on the bottom line. Sales goals would be in terms of the sales figures estimated to be achieved. Until 2005, Cadbury has been earning great sums of profits and the further need is to increase the profits or maintain the profitability of the company up to a level at least meeting the required levels. Marketing and other Objectives: The marketing objectives for Cadbury Lemon should address each group in the target market in terms of meeting customer satisfaction and their interests in buying the product. The market objectives for Cadbury Lemon should fulfill the same elements as set for other brands. It includes continuing high Corporate and Social Responsibility standards through actions and brands, delivering superior shareowner performance, ensuring the capabilities are best in the market, focusing on creating a cohesive and talented workforce through encouraging inclusiveness and increasing the diversity of our people. Hence the product would only be said to be successful if these goals and objectives would be clearly identified and followed properly. Pricing Strategies for Cadbury Lemon: Pricing in general meanings means how much to charge for a product or service? Pricing is one of the four Ps of the marketing mix. The other three aspects are Product Management, Place (distribution) and Promotion. Penetration Pricing: Penetration pricing is the pricing technique of setting a relatively low initial entry price, a price that is often lower than the eventual market price. The expectation is that the initial low price will secure market acceptance by breaking down existing brand loyalties. Penetration pricing is most commonly associated with a marketing objective of increasing market share or sales volume, rather than short term profit maximisation. Competitive Pricing: The competitive pricing strategy is used by around a quarter (27%) of organisations. It is the most usual form of pricing which is based on evidence from the market where product prices are determined by reference to the prices of competitive products. A sound appreciation of competitive actions, especially prices, is necessary for the most effective strategies to be formulated. The most effective marketing manager will, however, try to develop an understanding of the various competitive positions based on an appreciation of the customer needs. Distribution: Like Pricing, distribution is another important part of marketing mix which needs businesses to carry out detailed analyses in order to distribute their products/services easily and efficiently to their customers. A distribution business is the middleman between the manufacturer and customer.. As far as distribution of confectionary products is concerned, the best and appropriate options would be the following. (Method 1) (Method 2) Producer Producers Retailers Whole Sellers Customers Retailers Customers Communication: For Cadburys updated products i.e. Cadbury Lemon Bar and Cadbury Chocolate Lemons I would like to recommend following communication techniques for the product promotion. TV Advertising: Importantly I would like to recommend using TV as the most appropriate tool of communication. Cadbury has already been sponsoring Coronation Street for a long time. So when people will be watching the programme then in every break the advert will be presented and people will see how the new product has been developed. This technique will pass the message to the right target market and thus will create awareness among public. Bill Boards: Bill boards are though to be another important tool of sending the message across the target market and overall to every one. Bill boards will be displayed at certain points which will clearly explain what the product looks like and how has it been developed. People while traveling will get attracted towards the product being displayed on bill boards and thus will get the message. Hence hopefully this technique is thought to be equally appropriate to create awareness among public and then leading them to further stages of decision making and purchase of product. Transport: Compared to bill boards, transport will be taken as a source of moving message across people. Thus this is another technique which holds an equal importance as TV advertising and bill boards. Transport including buses, trams, trains and to some extent taxis are thought to be quite suitable for making people aware of the product. The product will be displayed with its features and it differences from other products on the above mentioned transports. People when traveling on these transports or following them, will get attracted towards the printed message. So this is how it will help Cadbury to increase their profits when the sales will go up. Sales Promotions: One of the below the line techniques that I think would help to increase sales is sales promotion. It can be done in a way that Cadbury can encourage customers to buy Cadbury Lemon by offering the products at trial prices or another way could be that first few millions of products would be given free without any charges. Similarly when the products would be sold through a third party e.g. retailers then it can also be looked t providing point of sale material, or special promotions aimed at encourage the distributors to sell or stock more products, so that it can help to increase the amount people will use our product. Monitoring and Reviewing Marketing Performance: The organisations who manage to be both efficient in their operations and effective that they deliver what their customers want, they enjoy the benefits of their business in real sense. On the other hand those who are neither efficient nor effective lose their market share and at last come out of the business. Financial Measures: Profit: Most of traditional financial measures concentrate on profit and it goes without saying that profit is essential to the long-term survival of any business no matter what size or shape. The performance of Cadbury Lemon could easily be judged by analysing the difference in the profits of the company. If the companys profits have gone up then it can be assumed that the product has been successful in the market and that it has helped to meet the companys objectives in terms of achieving the target profit. Meeting the financial targets is very important for every business. Companies invest a lot of money in carrying out Research and Development to make their products effective and efficient in the market. So a successful launch of Cadbury Lemon and the analysis of profit would clearly help Cadbury to make decisions about whether the product should be kept in market and let it become a cash cow or pull it out before it becomes dog. Return on Sales: Another area that gives good and bad signals to the businesses about their performance is sales. Return on sales can tell how well a product or service is performing in the market. This is how Cadbury Lemons sales will help to see what the demand for the product is. This can be analysed, whether the consumers have liked the idea of developed product and are doing repeat purchases or the product have failed to satisfy customers needs. Thus higher the sale levels will be greater would be the customers satisfaction, which will result an increase in Cadburys market share. Now lets have a look how non-financial measures can take part in reviewing Cadbury Lemons performance. Barriers to Marketing Planning: In order to overcome any problem the first and important requirement is appropriate monitoring of the problem and see how easily and effectively can a business overcome a barrier. As long as the proper control measures are installed there will be no more problems that can interfere. Taking a look on previously described external barriers; organisations are needed to take complete analyses of the factors that could influence their strategic implementation process. The political as well as legal factors especially Government policies related to taxation, employment, health and safety and other issues can be influential for the organisations. So for organisations, it is necessary to keep in mind the Governments rules and regulations in order to take step in any part of business strategy. Accordingly it would be important for managers to detect changes early so as to respond effectively. Similarly an early forecast of economic factors is also important so that recommendations related to future can be made. Technological barriers to some extent could be considered as slow acting barriers because technology does not change everyday. However for Research and Development purposes technology plays a vital role in giving the information to businesses that, then, is to be used for developments processes. The internal marketing, being an integral part of successful strategic implementation, involves all the processes necessary to carry the message of the strategic plan inside to the various audiences that compromise the organisation. The internal marketing is equally important as that of external marketing and thus it needs to be analysed fully in order to eliminate errors. Like external marketing, internal marketing also requires a good and appropriate understanding of the needs and motivations of the target audiences to be successful. The organisations should be designed in such a way that the communication between top and the bottom layers is quick and detailed. Keeping everyone informed about any changes going on within an organisation can help to take ideas and views from internal bodies which could then further be utilised in the process of final decision making. In order to analyse that how well a marketer is performing, the information can be obtained with the help of a marketing feedback. Although the information and feedback on a plans progress is can never be 100% accurate but it does act to both reduce the uncertainty in planning and improves the quality of action. Conclusion: Hence in this report the need for innovation for organisations has been explained. Product development techniques have been discussed in detail with reference to the confectionary market. A marketing plan has been presented which is covering all the aspects related to market review, competition, pricing, distribution and communication. The measures to review performance have also been talked about. And finally the barriers and the suggestions to overcome these barriers have also been explained in detail.

Personal Growth in College Essay examples -- essays research papers

So far, the college experience has made me a changed person. College changed me into a better person on many occasions. I have learned to be more responsible, when it comes down to getting work done. In college you must be responsible. I have also changed my attitude. Moving from high school to college is a big step; if you don’t change your ways for the better then you might not be successful in college. When you reach college then is the time that you become an adult. First off, the college life has changed me for the better. I am much more responsible in many different ways. I had to change my study habits, or should I say I have to get study habits. I high school I never studied, because everything came so easy to me and I could just do the work and end up with passing grades. When I reached college I tried to do the same thing and it didn’t work. I had to start studying on a daily basis and it was hard to go from not doing any work to studying every night and on the weekends, I wasn’t use to that, but I had to make it a habit or I was not going to make it. Going to school everyday was not a problem because my parents made me go everyday, my major change was my study habits. Secondly, the main thing is to be responsible and make the right decisions. In college you have to make decisions and it is hard. Peer pressure come in hard when you get to college, for example you could have a test that you need to study for and there is a party that you want to go to, and all of ...

Vacant Chapter 4 Questions

We sit in silence for quite some time, and I can tell she's nervous about telling me what's going on. I don't want to force her. When she's ready, she'll let me know. As I wait, I realize it's the first quiet night I've had since she moved in. I really don't want to make assumptions because things aren't always what they appear. However, as I sit playing protector to this girl, scenarios run rampant through my mind. She has very few clothes. Irregular bathing does not bother her. She is careful, but trusting – not at all shy. She's young and alone; she has no furniture and no utilities. All evidence points to her being parentless and homeless. I can relate. Don't get involved. Keep things simple. Take care of yourself! _ Don't get involved. Keep things simple. Take care of yourself! _ Don't get involved. Keep things simple. Take care of yourself! _ No matter how many times I recite the mantra in my head, it's useless. This life isn't suited to girls who are alone, no matter how equipped they are to deal with the shit life flings at them. Women are taken advantage of in the blink of an eye when the opportunity is given. I make a mental note to be sure Emily doesn't suffer the same fate, particularly by my hand. I'm sitting on Emily's mattress, my head against our shared wall. She's leaning into my side, quiet, in what I hope is peaceful sleep. After thinking this situation over for a while I shake my head, realizing I've already talked myself into this, into helping Emily; I find it nearly impossible not to now. Eventually, I drift off with determination and the realization I've opened a big-assed can of worms†¦ for both of us. Hours later, my inner alarm clock wakes me. There is a little drool on my shoulder and it's kind of gross. I lay Homeless Girl down on her bare mattress and make note to bring over an extra set of sheets. Who knows where she even got the mattress? I'm sure it's infested with who-knows-what. I may be poor, but I like clean. There are some things that shouldn't be bought in used condition. Shoes, underwear, and mattresses quickly spring to mind. During my run, I think about the upheaval I'm getting myself into, and the reality of the situation is weighing heavily upon me. As a kid, I was lucky enough to be moved to a safe place where all my basic needs were met. I never had to fend for myself in the physical sense; emotionally, though? That was another story. I run an extra two miles trying to process everything. I decide this is my chance to pay it forward. I ignore my mantra as it only serves to confuse me further at this point. The fact remains I've already gotten involved, and I try to rationalize how much trouble one small girl can really be. Part of me feels like it's none of my business what her personal situations is, but if I'm going to help her, then I want some basic information. She doesn't have to tell me her life story, but I need to know her circumstances. After I get home from work and knock on the bedroom wall, I chuckle to myself thinking it may as well be a shower curtain for all the privacy the thin, flimsy wall provides. I yell, telling homeless neighbor girl I've ordered pizza and she should come join me for dinner. â€Å"You're the best! I can't believe you got us pizza!† She won't stop gushing about how nice I am or how â€Å"awesome† the pizza is. When she came over, she looked a bit skeptical, like she wondered what I wanted from her in return, but I didn't even want to think about what that might mean. Food, clothes, shelter. That's all†¦ As we eat, I try to think of the best way to bring up her state of affairs. I find that being direct is the best solution. I watch as she inhales her third slice of pizza, I rationalize I need to start referring to Emily by name. Calling her Homeless Girl and Neighbor Girl isn't helpful for either of us. I need to see her as a meaningful person, not a ‘problem from next door'. Emily needs to hear her name, if for nothing else, so she knows she exists. â€Å"So, I have a couple questions. I've been thinking about this since last night,† I pause making sure she is receptive to my inquiry. She nods indicating her permission. â€Å"Question number one: Where are your parents?† She eyes me quickly, and then takes a bite of pizza, chewing slowly. She's stalling. â€Å"I don't know my dad, and my mom passed away recently,† she says quietly. I take her answer at face value because I know how difficult the loss of a parent is. â€Å"Where were you living before?† This time she's a little quicker to answer. â€Å"We lived in shelters for a while. Then my mom got sick.† She takes another bite of her dinner then continues. â€Å"I know how things work. Since I'm almost eighteen, there isn't too much the state will do for me. I would live in a home for a few months then get tossed out on the street. I figured I might as well get a jump on living, you know?† I wonder how she's able to be so light-hearted about this. Emily's smiling which she tends to do on a regular basis. This girl – almost woman – has had some terrible circumstances, yet almost every time I see her, her smile brightens the room. I find her positive outlook on life is rubbing off on me. â€Å"My next question was your age, but you've already answered that. When do you turn eighteen?† â€Å"In a month,† she replies. I take several minutes to think about the information she's just told me while finishing my own slice of pizza. Living in a shelter would explain her lack of inhibition. There is no such thing as privacy when you live with fifty other people. She's used to being watched. â€Å"Hey, I went to the grocery store you work at today and filled out an application. I looked for you, but you must have been on break or something.† I just nod; I don't need this complication spilling over to my work. As soon as I think it, though, I regret the thought. I can't think of Emily as a complication. â€Å"They said they weren't hiring right now, but will let me know if something comes up. On my way home I stopped at the convenience store on Jamison. I found out they are hiring, so if the grocery doesn't work out, I could do that instead,† she finishes, and then takes a fourth slice of pizza. I know my face pales, and she doesn't have a clue why. I have no idea how to tell this girl I don't even really know, occasionally uses my shower, and who I just referred to as a complication, that I don't want her to work in a convenience store because Dad was shot in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven.

Lohri Festival Essay

In Punjab the life is lead in a different style. A tradition of living life with fun and gaiety, enjoying very moment, can be seen here. Glimpse of this life style can be seen every year on Lohdi festival, 12 January. Lohdi is celebrated in the evening before Makar Sankranti, in the northern states of India like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and the near by areas. This day, the culture of these places display a new look. Lohri is not just limited to Punjab. But here the look of this festival is something different. This day, the color and happiness is in full beauty and liveliness. While talking about Punjab how can we forget mentioning Mustard’s Saag, Chapattis made of corn, smell of Earth, sweet smell of water from pot. Lohri is a festival of thanking nature, and, the spark of joy is different if it is celebrated in the style of Punjab. Lohri is also called the knock of Makar Sankranti. The folk songs in the evening of Lohri, make the environment musically beautiful. As per the Hindu religion, it is believed that what ever we donate something in fire, it directly reach to our God and ancestors. On the day of Lohdi, the swinging crops from farm are brought home, then it is burnt in fire.Dancing and singing people move around it and do a thanks giving. Here also, there is a different style of worshiping God. Although the festival of Lohri brings in happiness for every class and age people of north India. But, it is particularly special for young men, women and newly married couples. Today, youth, girls and guys, dress up beautifully and organise a competition of signing.