Wednesday, January 29, 2020

A Review of the Movie Coach Carter Essay Example for Free

A Review of the Movie Coach Carter Essay While some players refuse to even attempt to meet these new standards, those who stay find themselves capable of, and dreaming of a future that had never once entered their minds. The following is a brief review of the challenges faced by both coach carter and his team, and the decisions and methods made and used by the coach to press his team on to success both on and off the court. Summary First we will quickly assess the challenges faced by Ken Carter as a coach and leader to this group of young men. He inherits a team of selfish, showy players, concerned only with their own stats and not doing the little things it takes to make the team a winning one. He moves into a school that seems to be supportive of the idea that these kids have no future beyond highschool and that the boys should be allowed to enjoy this temporary releif from a life where there are 4 times more likely than to go to college. The students alost have issues outside of school with one player looking at potential fatherhood and another player involved with gangs and drugs. If this was not enough the coaches own son transfers from a private prep school in order to play for his father. A basic breakdwon of these challenges into more generic ideas would look like this. The leader moves into an organization where those underneath him have no respect for his or the organizations values. There is no strucure in place for their success both individually or corporatly. Those in positions above him seem indifferent to the problems facing their charges, they are just trying to make it through the day. Also, there is a possible challenge of dealing nepotism in regards to showing favoritism towards his own son. In order to deal with these many issues Coach Carter had to instill his own strucure from the very beginning. To be firm in his convictions and actions while maintaining the compassion that would be needed to break down the walls of his players. If he were to waver at all the players would jump on him and his cause would be lost in an instant. These players had no stability in their lives outside of the gym, so it was critical to his and their success that there was something they could cling to no matter how turbulent their lives may be. They key to all of these issues was respect. The players had no respect for the game, their coaches, or themselves. In order for them to change, they had to understand the value that he placed on them and to understand that he saw things in them that they had not bothered to look for. There were so many variables outside of Ken Carters control. Turbulent home life, pressure to make it out of an economically depressed area, and the lack of cooperation from the students teachers and administration where lying in wait for the coach. Not only were their outside issues but there was also issues within the team. Lack of talent was not an issue however which helped to spur the team on to success once the proper structure and motivation was put in place. The players he was charged with leading bickered amongst themselves, ignored the previous coach, and disrespected the game and their opponents while being more concerned with their own pride than winning the games. From the beginning the goal for Coach Carter was to focus on the wellbeing of the students, to make them winners, not just on the court but in life. He imposed strict standards and when the students failed to meet them they were met with harsh consequenses, incudling being suspended from the team and the entire team being locked out of the gy muntill their grades improbed. He put himself on the line as coach to back up the idea that he was more concerned with their progress as men and students than on their success as bsketball players. While demanding respect and dealing swiftly with indescretions by his players he also displayed compassion towards these young men, allowing them to work their way back onto the team, and bringing one player back twice after his cousin was chot in front of him in a drug deal gone bad. The focus on this movie was on the development of the players as people more than the basketball teams success, however the systems put in place by Coach Carter for both paths ran paralell to one another. He began with the basics, conditioning and fundementals on the court, respect and discipline in life. Moving on to offense on the court and thinking about the future in real life. This was done on both ends to prove that what sets you up for success in the future is the decisions and habits that you implement today. The things that take the hardest work most often offer the greatest rewards. Application So what can I take from this story as it relates to my future in both coaching and athletic administration. The biggest concept that i have taken from this movie is the idea of respect and discipline. To have respect for the players i lead and the organizations within which i am given responsibilities. To lead those under me to an understanding of both their intrinsic and extrinsic value and to press them towards growth within and outside the confines of sports and careers. Finally the concept of discipline as a means to freedom. To work so hard on the foundation of excellence so that when the moment comes to leap forth and seize the goal, no thought will be given to the long hard hours of training and work, but the ingrained habits will propel us upwards to the realization of excellence in all our endeavors.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

The Impact of the Internet on the Production, Distribution, and Consump

The creation of the web was not only a revolutionary movement but also acted as a door for endless opportunities in the music industry. Its ability alone to provide the general public with continuous information is astounding, but it also acts a platform for users to access, distribute and produce music. According to Andrew P.S (2006, 1), the internet was not created with a business mentality but as the years went by it began and continues to be moulded into a continuous path where consumers grasp the aptitude to which they could discover incessant possibilities online such as the access to music. Evidently, the internet solely acts as a huge factor in the shaping of the music industry today, more positively than negatively. Below, we will take a look at effects the internet has had on the production, distribution and consumption of popular music. By analyzing the various methods the consumer is able to get access to, distribute and consume music, the essay will be able to draw on a conclusion. The internet proves to have a far and wide reach to its users, and popular music is short of what ends it can attain. ‘’ The success of the internet is due to its worldwide broadcasting capability that allows the interaction between individuals without regard for geographic location and distance’’ Romualdo Pastor-Satorras and Alessandro V. (2007, 1). The distribution of music on the internet can be a very delicate situation. Organizations such as the RIAA provide websites such iTunes where music can be legally purchased and this in turn allows users who have no method of substantial purchase a way to access music. However, with the internet’s rapid and continuous progression, it would only be of habitual nature that illegal download we... ...ay 2012. Andrew P. Sparrow (2006). Music Distribution And the Internet: A Legal Guide for the Music Business. unknown: Gower Publishing Ltd. 1. Bruce Fries, Marty Fries (2005). Digital Audio Essentials. Sebastopol,US: O'Reilly Media. 22. Marie Heimer (2011). The Theory of Access Replacing Ownership on the Example of Spotify. unknown: Grin Verlag. 24. Michael Zager (2011). Music Production: For Producers, Composers, Arrangers, and Students. 2nd ed. unknown: Scarecrow Press. 18. O.C. Ferrell, Michael D. Hartline (2007). Marketing strategy. 4th ed. unknown: South-Western College Pub. 373. Romualdo Pastor-Satorras, Alessandro Vespignani (2007). Evolution and Structure of the Internet: A Statistical Physics Approach. unknown: Cambridge University Press. 1 unknown. (2012). Youtube. Available:http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/youtube.com. Last accessed 15th May 2012.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Branding, Pricing, and Distribution Strategies

ASSIGNMENT 3 MARKETING PLAN FOR TEACH CHINA BRANDING, PRICING, AND DISTRIBUTION STRATEGIES This section of Teach China’s Marketing Plan will focus in on key factors related to branding, pricing, and distribution: creation and development of the domestic and global product branding strategy; determination of optimum pricing strategy; looking at how the pricing strategy supports Teach China’s branding strategy, preparation of a distribution channel analysis, justification of opting for a push or pull strategy; an overall look at how the distribution strategy fits the product/service target market.It is very important that a start-up company, such as Teach China, build and develop a strong product brand. It is essential that such branding solidify the link between the values of Teach China and its customers. Because of the competiveness of the education market branding the commodities and services of Teach China must be unique. Additionally, branding education is considera bly different than branding a commodity. [ (Gupta & Singh, 2010) ] According the Dr. ’s Gupta and Singh, the movement of a globalized world to a knowledge economy opens immense opportunities for building education brands. (Gupta & Singh, 2010) ] Gupta and Singh also warn against the tendency to confuse â€Å"branding in education as making enough noise to get people to enroll. † (2010) In determining a brand for Teach China it is imperative that the numerous stakeholders in this market are taken into consideration. Gupta and Singh suggest that a â€Å"careful balancing of the stakeholders’ interest is a key requirement of the leadership of each education brand. They identify the stakeholders as, students, faculty, prospective employees, parents and society.Research of current literature show that educational services earn their repeat business by word of mouth of well satisfied and well placed individuals. [ (Gupta & Singh, 2010) ] This idea is further supporte d by a feasibility study conducted by Bradley and Griswold who posit that â€Å"most Chinese are reliant on third-party endorsements from friends and colleagues. † [ (Bradley III & Griswold, 2011) ] The branding of Teach China must also take into consideration the fact that consumers are savvier, demanding value for their money and have little brand loyalty. (Abhijit & Chattopadhyay, 2010) ] Like other service providers, Teach China will have a logo, but its main source of branding, based on current literature will be through the use of social media and word of mouth. Additionally, Teach China’s partnering with an established educational institute, as stated in an earlier section of the company’s marketing plan, will have a direct impact upon branding. For its international market, Teach China will rely heavily upon business to business publications and its Web presence to promote services offered.Teach China will also target setting up a booth or kiosk at trade shows. Dr. Young-Han Kim, et al, writing for Managerial and Decision Economic, 2006 stated compelling reasons why optimal pricing is important: Of the four P's of marketing (product, place, price, and promotion), pricing is the only T' that generates revenue for a company. Although effective pricing can never compensate for poor execution of other P's, ineffective pricing can certainly prevent careful execution of other P's from bearing financial rewards for the company (Nagle and Holden, 1995).The role of pricing becomes even more critical in the context of global market entry. [ (Kim, Aggarwal, Ha, & Cha, 2006) ] Pricing services offered by Teach China is drastically different from pricing a product. There are three different pricing strategy options available to Teach China: cost-plus pricing, competitor’s pricing, or value added pricing. Cost-plus pricing is the standard used by many businesses. Elizabeth Wasserman, editor of Inc. s technology website, quoting Jerome Ost eryoung, a professor of Finance at Florida State University and outreach director of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, states that when determining the cost of a service using this method, one must be certain to include a portion of your rent, utilities, administrative costs, and other general overhead costs. [ (Wasserman, 2012) ] This approach could return the greatest profit margin but would cause a fluctuation in price when other costs increase.According to Professor Osteryoung, one should be aware of what competitors are charging for the same service. Yet he cautions against competing on price. Instead, he suggests that service companies compete on service, ambiance, or other factors that set [them] apart,† [ (Wasserman, 2012) ] The other factor discussed by Professor Osteryoung is perceived value to customers. Osteryoung points out that setting a price for a service can be subjective.He rightly posits that pricing (for a service) becomes an art form whe n one considers that â€Å"the important factor in determining how much (a customer is) willing to pay for a service may not be how much time was spent providing the service, but what the customer perceives as the value of the service and the level of expertise,† [ (Wasserman, 2012) ] One method available for setting a price for the services offered by Teach China would be to use what has been called in some literature the â€Å"service pricing formula†.Simply put this method helps determine an hourly rate for services rendered. Desired annual salary + Annual fixed costs (overhead) + Desired annual profit ?Annual billable hour = Hourly rate The other method used by my most businesses offering a service is simply that of setting market-based rates. In the book, The Small Business Start-up Kit, the authors suggest that if your rate is too high it will result in not getting clients. (Pakroo & Repa, 2004) There is also danger in setting rates below the market value. A PDF document downloaded from www. edi. org, warns that â€Å"In a service business, people tend to think that something is wrong, if your prices are too low. They assume that the services are of inferior quality. † (Anonymous, 2012) Taking into consideration available literature research, Teach China will use a market based flat fee rate for services (including a 5% profit margin), with an offer of a discount for businesses enrolling five (5) or more employees. An internet search of prices for language courses returned a range of prices from $645 to over $2000.In order to be competitive in this market, Teach China will offer 20 courses for $1500 this will include study materials, for an additional fee students can spend two weeks in China practicing skills learned. Since these prices reflect doing business in one of China’s major cities, there will be a cost reduction of 10-20% for students from targeted cities. These projections will be adjusted as financial statements ar e prepared showing the cost of fixed assets, faculty and staff, and other operating expenses.The chosen pricing strategy for Teach China is designed to enhance customers’ perceptions about the service offered by the company (its brand). Teach China is selling a value service, offering expertise in language training and instruction. The pricing strategy chosen for Teach China will insure that the company can continue to afford and offer the best language instructors in the business. The target market of Teach China usually shop for similar services by listening to recommendation, reputation and testimonials of satisfied customers.The distribution channels most used by the industry include direct marketing via target mailing, the internet and broadcast media. Teach China will therefore follow the industry standard, specifically, the following strategies will be used to help accomplish the marketing objectives and business goals of Teach China: Direct Mail; Direct Sales; Televis ion programs; with infomercials; Internet strategies; Participation in business trade shows. In its international market, Teach China will benefit from its partnership with its designated education partner already in operation in mainland China.Chris Rimlinger wrote an article in 2011 in Franchising World in which he advocates a balance of both push and pull marketing strategies to â€Å"expand the brand's reach and attract new consumers, maintain lasting relationships with existing consumers, and meet sales goals by creating demand and satisfying existing market needs. † [ (Rimlinger, 2011) ] Teach China’s direct marketing tactics will be the push that gets the brand in front of the consumers. Teach China’s television, infomercials and internet strategies will be the pull that creates consumer demand for the service offered.Using a balance of both push and pull marketing strategies will facilitate Teach China’s brand being disseminated at home and abroad . The combination strategy will allow for specific target marketing to students, businesses and governments. Additionally, according to research conducted by Mike Sands, this type of combination strategy is the most effective way of harnessing technology to develop and control electronic customer relationship management. [ (Sands, 2003) ] Bibliography Abhijit, R. , ; Chattopadhyay, S. P. (2010). Stealth Marketing as a Strategy.Indiana University, Kelley School of Business. Retrieved May 07, 2012 Anonymous. (2012, May 9). PRICING METHODS. Retrieved from SEDI: www. sedi. org/DataRegV2-unified/capnet†¦ /pricing%20methods. pdf Bradley III, D. B. , ; Griswold, R. J. (2011). A Feasability Study to Develop a Foreign Language Academy in China. Journal of International Business Research, 19. Retrieved May 08, 2012, from http://go. galegroup. com/ps/i. do? id=GALE%7CA275130691;v=2. 1;u=tall18692;it=r;p=AONE;sw=s Gupta, M. , ; Singh, P. B. (2010).Marketing and Branding Higher Education: I ssues and Challenges. M. J. P. Hikhand University, Invertis Institute of Management Studies. Uttar Pradesh, India: Review of Business Reasearch. Retrieved May 07, 2012 Kim, Y. -H. , Aggarwal, P. , Ha, Y. -M. , ; Cha, T. H. (2006). Optimal Pricing Strategy for Foreign Market Entry: A Game Theorectic Approach. Managerial and Decision Economics. Retrieved May 08, 2012, from http://www. jstor. org/page/info/about/policies/terms. jsp Pakroo, P. H. , ; Repa, B. (2004). The Small Business Start-Up Kit. Ipswich,, MA: NOLO.Rimlinger, C. (2011, December). Push and Pull Marketing Strategies: Using Them to Your Advantage. Franchising World, 43(12), 15-16. Retrieved May 10, 2012, from http://search. proquest. com/docview/913283066? accountid=10913 Sands, M. (2003). Integrating the web and e-mail into a push-pull strategy. Qualitative Market Research, 6(1), 27-37. Retrieved May 09, 2012, from http://search. proquest. com/docview/213439175? accountid=10913 Wasserman, E. (2012, May 08). How to Pric e Business Services. Retrieved from Inc. Com: http://www. inc. com/guides/price-your-services. html .

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Essay on Politics In Texas - 1564 Words

Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians are perhaps three of the most prominent political parties within Texas. Within the pages of their party platforms, we see that each possesses a unique philosophy, with specific viewpoints and recommendations for shaping or reforming government policy. To be sure, the people of Texas face many challenges, two of the most compelling issues being the crisis in healthcare and in education. Not only are we lacking in these areas as Texans, but also on the national level. The parties’ stance on these two major issues defines them, giving us insight into the mind and intentions of each. â€Å"Of the people, by the people, and for the people† heralds the Texas Democratic Party. As stated in their 2008†¦show more content†¦Indeed, greater funding is crucial if they are to see implementation of the many educational programs they recommend. Some of these include universal access to updated instructional materials, libraries, and computers, supplemental reading and bilingual programs, increased funding for the arts and extracurricular activities, smaller class size, and extending greater salaries, support, and benefits to teachers. As with the position of educational equity, so too is their stance on â€Å"universal† healthcare. â€Å"Texas Democrats believe health care is a right, not a privilege reserved for those able to pay for it. Every family deserves health care they can count on and a health care system that puts the health of the people first (cite).† Among all 50 states, Texas ranks dead last in percentage of insured, including over 1.4 million children uninsured. With such embarrassing statistics, Texas Democrats demand that measures be taken to address this crisis. Namely, an affordable universal health care plan for all Texans, even in the absence of a national plan, encompassing medical and dental care, full reproductive health services, preventive services, prescription drugs and mental health treatment. Additionally, they would like to see increased funds for Medicaid programs that assure coverage to low-income Texans, including a full restoration of the 2003 Medicaid cuts (cite ). In the past, Texas Democrats proposed, and passed the Children’sShow MoreRelatedPolitics in Texas599 Words   |  2 PagesUS Politics Texas was loyal to Democratic Party for a long period of time due to a number of reasons. First, it has to be recognized that Democratic Party played pivotal role in political development of Texas dating back to the time when the white Americans first settled there. This made Texan Democrats evolve from a loose political association into an organized party. 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