Business Model and Strategy Assessment - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2137 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Business Essay Type Research paper Did you like this example? Business Model and Strategy Assessment Industry Environment Analysis Based on Porterà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Five Forces Model, the footwear industry has a high intensity of competitive rivalry. The reason is that in this market, there are a number of wholesalers and retailers, and many of which are well-known and occupy the major market share. In addition, due to the low entry barriers and the affordable capital investments, the force of threat from new entrants is high. Threat from substitutes is low, resulting from the fact that shoes are considered necessities. Customers are more sensitive to price, resulting in all companies reducing price in order to cater and attract consumers. Also, people are fond of chasing fashion and comparing a shoe with all substitutive shoes. Consequently, the bargaining power of buyers is high in this industry. All suppliers produce homogeneous products, leading to a low switching cost to purchasers; thus the bargaining power of suppliers is low. According to dynamic industry analysis, customers, products, and technolo gies dimensions are growing. The world population will increase about 43% to 10 billion in 2050 compared to 7 billion in 2013 (Exhibit 1). With the growth of world population, the demand of life necessities will increase, so the footwear industry will grow as well. At the same time, as a result of people standards of living becoming higher and higher, the shoe companies should improve the level of technology to meet the new needs of customers. Now, healthy lifestyle is a mainstream idea. However, a majority of incumbent firms pay attention to producing high quality and low cost products, rather than lifestyle products. Therefore, lifestyle brands have a greater competitive advantage to disrupt the current market, helping companies achieve success. In summary, although Porterà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Five Forces Model expresses the footwear industry as unattractive, based on dynamic industry analysis, the footwear industry consistently maintains a huge market that might attract a great deal of potential new entrants. Accordingly, both incumbent and new firms should find some à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"market holesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ to capture market share and enhance profits, such as designing novel shoes that are good for health. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Business Model and Strategy Assessment" essay for you Create order Business Model Maps or Canvases Brown Shoe has adopts an à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Unbundledà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  business model, which includes three fundamental types of businesses: customer relationship, product innovation, and infrastructure. These three entities should be separated to avoid conflicts. This company puts customers first, and it provides a broad-range of products, and operates a variety of e-commerce websites in order to improve customersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ shopping experience. Moreover, Brown Shoe focuses on creating and innovating comfort and high quality shoes. Furthermore, it not only owns some factories in China, but it also has a network of global third-party manufacturers. Customer Segments, Customer Relationship, and Channels: All ages of people can buy products in real stores and the companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s E-commerce website. The company uses both owned and partner channels. Value Propositions: This companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s mission is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“to inspire people to feel good and live bet terfeet firstà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  (Brown Shoe Company, 2012, P.10). Key Activities and Key Partners: This company designs, produces, and delivers footwear for all kinds of people. It has a number of retailer and wholesaler partners. A major portion of its infrastructure is acquired from third-parties. Cost Structure and Revenue Streams: Cost-driven. The objective of this company is generating profits with a wide- range of products. Vera Bradley has adopts the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Long Tailà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  business model, which pays attention to niche markets. This business model requires a strong platform to innovate and create novelty products, in order to attract customers, leading to high demand and revenue. Customer Segments, Customer Relationship, and Channels: Vera Bradley aims at providing novelty and fashionable products for women. It uses a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Dynamic Multi-Channel Distribution Modelà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  throughout its direct and indirect channels. Moreover, the real and online stores allow people to select and buy products easily. Value Propositions: This brand vision is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“accessible luxury that inspires a casual, fun, and family-oriented lifestyleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  (Vera Bradley, 2013, P.6). Key Activities and Key Partners: This company designs, makes, and sells complementarily accessory products for women. It has a good relationship with third-party retailers and manufacturers. Cost Structure and Revenue Streams: Value-driven. The company would like to achieve high profit by premium price. Yue Yuen has adopts an à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Unbundledà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  business model as well. The Pou Sheng Company, its subsidiary, is a retailer in China, and is responsible for dealing with customer relationships. Its market research department collects information from customers to help brand partners innovate and improve products. Yue Yuen manufactures branded athletic and casual footwear. Customer Segments, Customer Relationship, and Channels: The main market segment of Yue Yuen is athletic and casual footwear; thus, sports enthusiasts are its core customers. The company mainly depends on direct retail stores to capture market share. Value Propositions: The products quality of the company has resulted in significant consumer trust. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Group complies to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"put employees firstà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ as a promised actionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  (Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Limited, 2012, P.188). Key Activities and Key Partners: The company makes and sells a broad range of international sport brands footwear. Brand name customers, joint venture companies, and suppliers are its key partners. Cost Structure and Revenue Streams: Cost-driven. This company wants to increase market share by providing a variety of sportswear, resulting in a high sales volume. Similarities and Differences: First, all these companies have same key activities, which include producing and selling footwear and accessories. Additio nally, their similar point of value proposition is putting customers and employees fist, but the difference is that Brown Shoe and Yue Yuen are interested in providing high-quality products to customers, and Vera Bradley is effective at creating stylish and premium commodities for customers. What is more, these three companies have totally different customer segments. Brown Shoe targets all age groups; Vera Bradley aims at women, and Yue Yuen keeps a watchful eye on sports fans. Furthermore, in the aspect of channel, both Brown Shoe and Vera Bradley sell goods in real and online store through direct and indirect distribution channels. Yue Yuen mainly uses direct retail store to sell shoes. Finally, Brown Shoe and Yue Yuen are cost-driven and want to improve profits via a broad-range of products. On the contrary, Vera Bradley is value-driven through innovating premium products to achieve high profits. Corporate Strategy Brown Shoe utilizes multi-corporate strategies. First, it promotes organic growth through the opening of new facilities. In the next fiscal year, the company expects to open approximately 55 new stores in the US. Then, a global footprint strategy drives the company to open 26 stores in China and plans to open five new retail stores in 2013. In addition, Brown Shoe wants to collaborate with Hongguo International Holdings Limited, a joint venture partner, to add about 22 stores in 2013 (Brown Shoe Company, 2012, P.11-12). Furthermore, this company makes use of the acquisition of related companies to achieve a horizontal diversification structure in order to increase its market share. In 2010, Brown Shoe Company acquired the remaining 50 percent interest of Edelman Shoe Company, which is a leading fashionable footwear designer. In 2011, the company acquired a leading athletic footwear designer and manufacturerAmerican Sporting Goods Corporation. However, it sold AND 1 in 2011 and A via and Nevadors in 2013, in order to pay down debt. Vera Bradley mainly expands its retail sale in the United States by opening new stores. The company plans to open roughly 20 new stores annually during each of the next five fiscal years (Vera Bradley, 2013, P.10). To grab global market share, Vera Bradley sells products through 15 department store locations and an E-commerce website in Japan (Vera Bradley, 2013, P.6). Moreover, this company made a strategic alliance with Von Maur in 2012. Beginning on July 10, customers could buy Vera Bradleyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s products through Von Maur, a company that provides excellent customer service and creates a more pleasant shopping environment, so this cooperation helped it expand multi-distribution channels. In addition, the company founded the Vera Bradley Foundation for BreastCancer in 1998, and contributed about $1 million to support breast cancer research (Vera Bradley, 2013, P.36). Although philanthropy is different from its primary business, this unrelated service can improve its reputation with an added benefit of increasing sale volumes. Yue Yuen is the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s largest manufacturer of branded athletic and casual footwear, so its services are all over the word, such as Asia, USA, Europe, Canada, and so on. Moreover, considering retailing activities, the company focuses on China, and has 3,659 directly-operated stores and 2,276 sub distributors (Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Limited, 2012, P.13). In 2003, with the purpose of expanding related horizontal diversification product lines, Yue Yuen acquired Pro Kingtex, a manufacturer and retailer of sportswear, and formed a joint venture with Hua Jian Industrial Holdings Company Limited, a designer and manufacturer of ladiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ shoes. Furthermore, the acquisition of Zhanxin and Pengda sportswear retailers allowed the company to strengthen and consolidate the retail distribution channels in China. What is more, Yue Yuen pays attention to engaging in vertical integration by acquiring some supply chain services companies, for example, Luen Thai and LINE. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The vertical integration and horizontal diversification business model enhances the companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s visibility into customer demand and synchronizes its supply chains to help it control costs to achieve higher marginsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  (Jia Chu, Paper 1). Competitive Strategy Brown Shoe involves three key market segments to service all walks of life: Family, Healthy Living and Contemporary Fashion brands. These markets segments provide a broad offering of products at a variety of price points through Omni-Channel distributions to accomplish a differentiation strategy. Moreover, the company highly invests in advertising so as to boost brand recognition and create brand differentiation. In 2012, the investment of advertising and marketing support was about $21.5 million (Brown Shoe Company, 2012). Furthermore, Brown Shoe built a customer loyalty program, which is its members can earn points toward savings certificates for qualifying purchases at its Famous Footwear stores. This program improves the possibility that customers will choose to purchase goods in Brown Shoe instead of other companies the first time. The data indicated that approximately 66% of net sales in the Famous Footwear stores were made from the reward members in 2012 (Brown Shoe Compa ny, 2012). Unfortunately, the differentiation strategy generated a high variable cost that leads to a low operating margin for this company (Exhibit 23). The companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s product lines are too diverse to manage. Based on its 2012 annual report, the wholesale operationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s net sales accounted for about 50% of the net sales generated from retail segments. Additionally, the healthy living market should be intensely attended, because it fills current customer preferences. Therefore, narrowing the scope of business may improve the companys profitability, such as giving up part of the wholesale businesses. Vera Bradley carries out a niche strategy by providing stylish complementary products for women to make their life distinctive and cheerful. Moreover, Vera Bradley advocated a visual merchandising strategy, which is using homey decorations to create stores that have a friendly feeling of home. This distinctive customer shopping experience encourages cu stomers to visit again and purchase more (Jia Chu, Paper 1). Furthermore, this company positions its brand as a lifestyle brand emphasizing high quality, vibrant styling, and functional design, all of which highly match the contemporary consumer ideal. At the same time, Vera Bradley releases new patterned products and funny advertisings frequently in order to keep the brand fresh. By doing this, it promotes customers to purchase over and over again. In addition, Vera Bradley has both international and domestic manufacturing factories. This strategy helps the company save costs substantially. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Meanwhile, domestic factories help Vera Bradley adapt to the fluctuations in the market demand and consumer preferences quickly. Also, combining in-house manufacturing and outsourcing makes its suppliersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ power lowerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  (Jia Chu, Paper 1). As a result, a lower cost brings a higher operating margin (Exhibit 3). Yue Yuen exploits a cost leaders hip strategy by putting forward à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“a proactive supply chain model, which shifts the company from an essentially domestic manufacturing plant to a global sourcing platformà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  (Jia Chu, Paper 1). Integrating and acquisition supply chain departments allow it to successfully increase à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“flexibility and accuracy of inventory management. In fiscal year 2013, inventories accounted for only 18% of total assetsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ , so this reduce a great deal of cost (Jia Chu, Paper 1). Moreover, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“from helping brand name customers design, produce, and sell products, Yue Yuen has the market power to manipulate selling and general administrative expensesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  (Jia Chu, Paper 1). Also, the company has minimal advertising costs. Furthermore, this low cost structure allows the company to help its brand name customers offer all kinds of products at a relatively low price, in order to increase sale volumes. As a result, the company will m aintain the leadership role in the market, because of the cost-efficient business model. Conclusion Brown Shoe Company should adjust its differentiation strategy so as to gain the competitive advantage and improve profit its margin. Vera Bradley achieves success in the niche market by focusing on providing complementary products to accessorize a womanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s life. Yue Yuen benefits from its vertical integration business model that contributes to a low-cost and high-profitability performance. 1

Investigation in Microtubule Dynamic Instability Free Essays

Title: Investigation in microtubule dynamic instability Introduction Microtubules are important for maintaining cell structure, intracellular transport, formation of mitotic spindle, as well as other cellular processes. Investigation of dynamics of microtubule assembly and disassembly allow us to understand the malfunction of mitotic spindle formation or other cellular processes. This experiment is divided into two parts; we are going to find out the critical parameters for achieving greatest average length of microtubules in part one and achieving the greatest number of microtubules in part two. We will write a custom essay sample on Investigation in Microtubule Dynamic Instability or any similar topic only for you Order Now Principle In this experiment, we used a simulation programme to explore how various factors change the way microtubules grow out from centrosome, and the shrink back. Growth rate, shrink rate, catastrophe rate, rescue rate, release rate, minus end end depolymerization rate, nucleation rate and nucleation site are the factors we can adjust to see how them affects the average length and number of microtubules. The simulation time acceleration is set to 5x real time. Each time a parameter is varied and others are controlled factors. The record is taken when the simulation has reached steady state and graphs are plotted. Results Part1 – How to achieving greatest average length of microtubules Fixed parameter| Shrink rate| Catastrope| Rescue Release| MED| Nuc rate| Nuc sites| Variable Growth rate| 0. 263| 0. 042| 0. 064 0. 024| 0. 8| 0. 02| 180| Result| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| Mean| 0. 14| 32. 9| 21. 12| 23. 93| 23. 95| 27. 54| 25. 888| 0. 16| 33. 19| 36. 82| 32. 5| 28. 83| 30. 15| 32. 298| 0. 18| 29. 79| 39. 11| 41. 19| 40. 8| 31. 54| 36. 486| 0. 2| 40. 77| 41. 19| 45. 94| 38. 28| 47. 66| 42. 768| 0. 22| 38. 6| 47. 49| 48. 53| 48. 55| 47. 96| 46. 238| 0. 24| 42. 25| 45. 31| 45. 25| 46. 81| 40. 95| 44. 114| Table1 Figure1 Fixed parameter| Growth rate| Shrink rate| Catastrop/ Release| MED| Nuc rate| Nuc cites| Variable Rescue| 0. 12| 0. 263| 0. 042 0. 024| 0. 8| 0. 02| 180| Result| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| mean| 0. 084| 23. 76| 22. 77| 26. 56| 30. 78| 25. 12| 25. 798| 0. 104| 18. 88| 19. 07| 17. 82| 20. 08| 17. 55| 18. 68| 0. 124| 19. 96| 16. 69| 17. 37| 19. 37| 22. 38| 19. 154| 0. 144| 21. 34| 19. 53| 20. 54| 21. 44| 21. 95| 20. 96| 0. 164| 20. 65| 18. 76| 21. 76| 16. 33| 19. 73| 19. 446| Table2 Figure 2 Discussion Each free tubulin dimer contains one tightly bound GTP molecule that is hydrolyzed to GDP after the subunit is added to a growing microtubules. When polymerization is proceeding rapidly, tubulin molecules add to the end of the microtubule faster that the GTP they carry is hydrolyzed, and the microtubule growth. [1] Varied the growth rate and kept other factors constant, the average length of microtubules should always increase. However, the average length of microtubules rises as growth rate increase from 0. 14 to 0. 22Â µm/sec and stop increasing at 0. 2Â µm/sec. It tends to level off rather than increase at 0. 22Â µm/sec. It means the growth rate is no longer the limiting factor. Some factors other than growth rate, may be the rescue rate, limited the increase of the average length. Rescue rate is the rate at which a shrinking microtubule switches to growing state. We assume the greatest rescue rate, the more the microtubules undergo polymerization. So that the proportion of growing microtubules would increase and the average length rise. Instead of increase, the average length of microtubules drops from 0. 084 to 0. 104Â µm/sec. Increase the rescue rate may trigger the mechanism that lowers the average length of microtubules. It remains at around 20Â µm from 0. 104 to 0. 164Â µm/sec means that that there is no correlation between rescue rate and the average length beyond a point among 0. 084 and 0. 104Â µm/sec. Part2 – How to achieve the greatest number of microtubules Fixed parameter| Growth rate| Catastrop| Rescue Release| MED| Nuc rate| Shrink rate| Variable #nuc site| 0. 12| 0. 042| 0. 064 0. 024| 0. 8| 0. 02| 0. 263| Result| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| mean| 180| 47| 65| 42| 57| 68| 55. 8| 200| 70| 77| 66| 53| 68| 66. | 220| 71| 73| 86| 70| 68| 73. 6| 240| 82| 88| 85| 81| 84| 84| 260| 90| 93| 80| 81| 84| 85. 6| 280| 87| 107| 100| 97| 91| 96. 4| 300| 90| 101| 110| 92| 96| 97. 8| Figure3 Fixed parameter| Growth rate| Shrink rate| Catastrop| Rescue Release| MED| Nuc cites| Variable nuc rate| 0. 12| 0. 263| 0. 042| 0. 064 0. 024| 0. 8| 180| Result| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| mean| 0. 02| 62| 57| 49| 54| 50| 54. 4| 0. 04| 95| 107| 85| 80| 86| 90. 6| 0. 06| 103| 110| 107| 113| 114| 109. 4| 0. 08| 120| 99| 112| 113| 115| 111. 8| 0. 1| 124| 134| 126| 116| 113| 122. 6| 0. 12| 120| 131| 130| 119| 136| 127. | 0. 14| 136| 128| 127| 130| 136| 131. 4| Table4 Figure4 Discussion Centrosomes contain ring-shaped structures formed from ? -tubulin, and each ? -tubulin ring serves as the starting point, the nucleation site, for the growth of one microtubule. The nucleation site acts as a preexisting microtubule structure for -tubulin dimers assembly. [1] We assume the more the nucleation site, the more the microtubules present. According to table3, the number of microtubules is always increasing with the number of nucleation site. There is no sign of level off or decline of the curve. It always is the limiting factor of the number of microtubules. The nucleation rate is the rate at which new microtubules are nucleated at the centrosome. The number of microtubules should be raised if the nucleation rate increase since new microtubules generated. Indeed, the number of microtubules is raised as the nucleation rate increased. From 0. 02 to 0. 06Â µm/sec, the increase of microtubules is sharp and starts to slow down afterward. The trend shows that the curve would level off at certain level eventually. It means there are some factors other than nucleation rate control the number of microtubules. The number of nucleation site may be the limiting factor as all nucleation sites are occupied by the microtubules, so that no new microtubules generated. Limitations In actual cell, the number of tubulin dimer is limited. This factor is not shown in this simulation programme. The temperature and the pH may affect the configuration and polymerization of the microtubules. There are some microtubules not attached to the centrosome, but present in cilia and flagella. It is not clearly stated by the simulation programme whether these microtubules is counted. Conclusions Besides the growth rate, there are other limiting factors controlling the average length of microtubules. We cannot achieve the greast average length of microtubules by consider growth rate is the only factor. We found that we should keep the rescue rate at 0. 084Â µm/sec or below. Also, more information about the rescue rate below 0. 084Â µm/sec should be obtained. Both nucleation site and nucleation rate are the factors controlling the number of microtubules. But the nucleation site is more critical than the nucleation site. The above show the nucleation rate is restricted by other factors but the nucleation sites does not. We should examine another set of data by varying the nucleation rate with more nucleation site. If the plateau of new obtain curve is above the original curve, nucleation site is limiting factor of the number of microtubules. Similar experiment should be established with different combination of parameters in order to obtain the best curve. In short, there is not enough information for us to draw conclusion for how to achieve the greatest average length and greatest number of microtubules unless we obtain more data. Reference 1. Alberts et al,. (2010) Essential Cell Biology, 3rd Garland Science, p. 579-580 How to cite Investigation in Microtubule Dynamic Instability, Papers

City Super free essay sample

Please write down your Full Name, Group Number and Student ID Number on the first page of your Answer Sheet. Those who fail to comply will be subjected to a penalty of 5 marks deduction of your Assignment. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments. Today there is a trend toward targeting multiple segments. Very often, companies begin their marketing with one targeted segment, and then expand into other segments. This often boosts a company’s competitive advantage and knowledge of the customer base. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is â€Å"geodemographic† segmentation. 3. 1. 2Requirements for Effective Segmentation To be useful, market segments must be: 1)Measurable: The size, purchasing power, and profiles of the segments can be measured. 2)Accessible: The market segments can be effectively reached and served. 3)Substantial: The market segments are large or profitable enough to serve. 4)Differentiable: The segments are conceptually distinguishable and respond differently to different marketing mix elements and programs. 5)Actionable: Effective programs can be designed for attracting and serving the segments.

Medical Billing free essay sample

Week Seven Checkpoint By Melanie Goodwin-Deloach Briefly explain causes and solutions for three of the most common billing and coding errors. What effect does the Medicare National Correct Coding Initiative have on the billing and coding process? Explain your answers. Some of the most common errors in billing and coding can actually be very easily fixed. They generally come down to not using proper modifiers and this can often result in a service not being covered. If the modifier states a service for a male rather than a female than the payment will be not be paid. This can be fixed by making sure one understands and uses proper modifiers. One error has to do with upcoding which results in a higher reimbursement. This can be done either purposely or not. If done on purpose, this is fraud. If not then it is a case of not following proper procedures with determining the right code and modifiers. We will write a custom essay sample on Medical Billing or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This can be fixed by double checking the coding and billing paperwork before submitting for payment. Billing without proper signatures on file, is one problem that can be fixed when registering during check in process. This is a simple fix b ut is necessary in order to receive remimbursement. Some easy ways to fix billing errors is to make sure there is the right staff which has been properly educated and not handling too much claims is responsible for billing. This can be done with the right amount of staff and a system of double checking. This creates a work environment which is productive for both employee and a well run business.

Literacy Assessment Assessment Summary Chart

Literacy Assessment Assessment Summary Chart Outline Assessment Summary Chart Appropriateness of assessment tools for reporting progress, diagnosing reading skills, or providing outcome data The effectiveness of usage in groups or individually Assessment Summary Chart Assessment Tools Progress Diagnostic Outcome Individual or Group Assessment Additional Explanation of Use IRI X X I IRI are used with individual students to assess the progress and diagnose the development of definite reading skills Retelling X X I/G Retelling is used with individuals as the oral variant of the assessment and within a group as a written variant Running Record X X I Running records are used with individual students to assess the progress and diagnose the development of definite reading skills Observations X I/G The usage in a group or with an individual depends on a purpose Fluency Assessment X X I The assessment is recommended for progress monitoring of the students’ fluency and as a general outcome assessment for indiv iduals Phonics Test X X I Are effective for assessing and diagnosing individuals Reading Logs X I/G The usage in a group or with an individual depends on a purpose Phonemic Awareness Assessment X X I Are effective for assessing and diagnosing individuals Rubric X G Are based on standards and criteria Portfolio X X I/G The category depends on the type of portfolio Appropriateness of assessment tools for reporting progress, diagnosing reading skills, or providing outcome data Informal reading inventories (IRI) and running records are effective to monitor the students’ progress in reading, paying attention to the specifics of word-recognition (Gunning, 2010, p. 77). IRI and running records help determine the changes in reading with references to the number and character of miscues made by students.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Literacy Assessment: Assessment Summary Chart specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Lea rn More That is why, the results of IRI and running records are important to focus on the students’ progress while reading. These assessment tools can be also used by the teacher to diagnose the level of the skills’ development to implement strategies which can help students overcome difficulties in reading and achieve higher results. Retelling is effective when it helps determine the students’ progress in comprehension and in grasping the main idea of the text. The progress is marked with references to the number and character of details which are reproduced by students while retelling. Retelling is also effective to diagnose the development of the students’ skills, orienting to their further improvement basing on the diagnostic results. The level of the students’ understanding phonics and of the phonemic awareness is constantly changing that is why phonics tests and phonemic awareness assessments are necessary to monitor the general stude nts’ progress and for the additional diagnosis of the individual students’ abilities to distinguish sounds or work with phonemes to receive the ability to develop and improve definite skills. Observations are used as progress monitoring tools to watch the changes in the students’ development of literacy skills, and they provide the general picture of the students’ skills, interests, typical miscues, behaviors, techniques, strengths, and weaknesses. Reading logs are effective tools for the students’ self-evaluation. The regular character of completing the assessment provides the teacher with opportunities to monitor the students’ progress in reading more difficult books, changes in reading interests and reactions, and involvement with reading. Portfolio is the specific assessment tool which can be used both for monitoring the progress and assessing the outcomes, depending on the type of the portfolio. For instance, the process portfolios are effective to monitor the progress with references to the levels of the materials used and competency in completing the portfolio which can change during the definite period. The evaluation portfolios are necessary to assess the students’ results with references to the definite standardized samples used, and these portfolios are used as outcome assessment tools.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Fluency assessment is important to monitor the students’ progress in pace of reading or reading more letters and words (indicators of proficiency). Thus, it is used as the progress assessment tool. Fluency assessment is also standardized and based on benchmarks, and it uses fixed criteria to assess outcomes. From this perspective, it is a general outcome assessment (Gunning, 2010, p. 77). Rubrics also belong to the outcome category because they focus on â€Å"what is expe cted from students in order for them to meet a certain level of performance† (Gunning, 2010, p. 86). Rubrics are necessary to assess the students’ results and compare them with definite standards adopted within certain institutions or states. Thus, rubrics provide evaluative criteria and information about students’ outcomes. The effectiveness of usage in groups or individually IRI, running records, phonics tests, and phonemic awareness assessment can be used to assess only individuals because the teacher should focus on reading or sound recognition presenting by one student at a time to take notes, to fix possible miscues, to concentrate on the individual skills which need to be developed or improved. Fluency assessment is also effective when it is realized individually to pay attention to the students’ definite competencies to make conclusions about the level of performance. Rubrics can be used in a group of students to assess and compare their performanc e in relation to the definite criteria and standards presented in the rubric. Retelling as the assessment tool should be used with individual students when retelling is oral, and retelling can be used within the group of students when it is the written assessment. Observations can be both individual and group, depending on the task of the assessment determined by the teacher before starting the observation of an individual or a group of students (Paratore McCormack, 2007). The usage of reading logs in a group or with an individual depends on a purpose to receive the information about an individual’s progress and interests or the group’s progress in reading at a time. Portfolios are effective as the tools to assess the individual progress of a student, but they can be also used to assess the work basing on the group when portfolio conferences are conducted. References Gunning, T. (2010). Creating literacy instruction for all students. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon/Pearso n Education.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Literacy Assessment: Assessment Summary Chart specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Paratore, J., McCormack, R. (2007). Classroom literacy assessment: Making sense of what students know and do. USA: Guilford Press.

HUMAN TOXIC THREAT RISK ASSESSMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

HUMAN TOXIC THREAT RISK ASSESSMENT - Essay Example Food additives are used for purposes of food preservation and the improvement of their test. Manufacturers also use food additives for purposes of imparting color as well as improving the appearance of the food. A significant number of manufacturers cannot ignore using food additives because of the fact that they guarantee long shelf life. It is no wonder that almost every food products contain additives. I recent years, there has been an increase in the use of additives which eventually has led to an increase in the number of its negative effects among consumers. Consequently, there has been a debate on whether food additives are more harmful than healthy. Tests carried out on animals that exhibit molecular structures similar to that of humans have shown that most additives in foods and drinks have the long term effect of causing diseases in the consumer. According to the website peopleforethicalliving.com, most people consume harmful substances in their foods without their knowledg e of it or due to plain ignorance. The website gives examples of such to include aspartame and most types of fluorides. On the contrary, the website answers.com has an argument that food and drink additives have many advantages which include improving its natural color and nutritional value, adding flavor to the food or drink, increasing its shelf life and, by keeping the food or drink in question fresh, reduces the risk of food poisoning (Monosson 42). Consumer Exposure The chemical threat from food and beverage additives is both acute and chronic in nature. While most additives could be harmless to most consumers, many lead to allergic reactions among them coughs and rashes on the skin. The chronic diseases set off by food and drink additives include many types of diseases including Type 2 diabetes, obesity and weight gain in general. The chemical threat from food and drink additives is a target organ threat besides being a carcinogenic and developmental threat too. As a target or gan threat, research using mice has shown that some chemicals used as additives cause brain tumors in consumers. These chemicals include excitotoxin food additives which enter the brain due to the porosity of the brain-blood barrier (BBB). Since the brain is very sensitive to foreign chemicals, many diseases such as brain tumors, head trauma and Alzheimer’s disease are a most likely occurrence. The carcinogenic properties of most food and drink additives such as cyclamates and saccharin have been proven beyond reasonable doubt by researchers. These chemicals cause brain tumors in rats and since rats share many genetic characteristics with humans, the effect on human consumers should be more or less the same. The two artificial sweeteners are found in most manufactured foods and drinks and were mostly used in the United States during the two world wars (Miller and Spoolman 11). These findings lead to the banning of cyclamates due to its adverse effects. As a developmental toxi c threat, food and drink additives have been proven to cause hyperactivity in children. Personally, the chemical threat from the use of additives found in foods and drinks shall affect me only in the normal way since no family history increases my vulnerability to their effects. My preference for the energy drink Red Bull though could put me at a great risk of being affected by the preservatives used in this drink. Risk

First Ancient Civilizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

First Ancient Civilizations - Essay Example Religion is of crucial importance to society since it facilitates the guarding of morals in society. The word Mesopotamia in the Greek language means ‘the land between two rivers’, because the civilization began between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It was in the Eastern Mediterranean, had the Zagros Mountains to the northeast and the Arabian Peninsula to the southeast, and corresponded to the present-day Iraq, most parts of Iran, Turkey and Syria. It was called Al Jazira by the Arabs and has been termed to as the Fertile Crescent. This civilization is the earliest in world history and, one which lasted for the longest time having begun around 3500 BC and ended in (Chadwick, 2005). It had much influence in western civilizations and most of these civilizations laid their foundations based on its example. Unlike other civilizations, Mesopotamia was a collection of various cultures, which were only bound together by their gods, writing and how they treated women. Mesopotamia is regarded as the cradle of civilization because it was the first to build cities, use the potter’s wheel, to develop writing, to organize armies, use large quantities of bronze and is called the place where history began. The yellow river civilization in china began in 4000 BC in China. Since water is known to play a critical role in the development of a civilization, the yellow river civilization owed its origin and development to the yellow river. The yellow river occupies a place of importance in china and has been known as the mother river of china. Just as the Egyptians credit their existence to the river Nile, the Chinese also attach great importance to the yellow river, referring to it as the cradle of Chinese civilization. The yellow river population was the centre of politics, economy and culture of the Chinese. It was also the center of science and technological advancement. It existed for 2000 years, covering the period