Unilever in Brazil Essay Example

Unilever in Brazil Essay Case report Unilever in Brazil, Part II (1997-2007) Marketing Strategies to conquer North Eastern market Group:NAKED Members:Nico Schwendinger Alexandra Klopf Konstanze Horak Elif Kurtulus David Muhr Date:28 November 2009 Table of contents 1Introduction3 2Problem Statement3 3 Alternatives3 3. 1 Turn something old into something special3 3. 2 Mix amp; Mingle to form something new4 3. 3Keep it simple! 5 4 Issues5 4. 1 How does the product fit the way of washing clothes? 5 4. 2 How do the products have to be promoted to best reach customers? 6 4. 3 How can Unilever best skim the market without cannibalizing its portfolio too much? 4. 4To what extent does the company have to adapt its distribution to reach low-income consumer? 7 5Conclusion7 6Appendix8 1Introduction Unilever, the market leader of detergents in Brazil, does not want to rest on its laurels. Therefore, the company’s management has decided to conquer the North Eastern market (see Unilever in Brazil, Part 1), which Uni lever has not yet been able to saturate. Most of all, the low-income segment seems to offer further growth potential, which the company is willing to make use of and thus laying the foundations to prove itself ultimately as the clearly predominant market leader in Brazil. After familiarizing the reader with the existing problem situation, this case study presents alternatives and discusses relevant issues. This approach aims to weigh the alternatives according to their strategic capability of solving the problem situation and finally recommends the most advisable way of acting in a conclusion. 2Problem Statement Admittedly, even in the North Eastern market Unilever seems to perform pretty well. On the other hand, as already mentioned, the company has still not managed to attract the local low-income customers. This is probably not only due to the fact that Unilever Brazil lacks substantial experience in this segment as there are huge differences between its typical Brazilian customer and this low-income consumers, but also to obvious barriers in distribution and promotional activities in this market. Unilever now deals with the challenge to find the strategy that constitutes of the right balance of their marketing mix elements in order to address this customer segment appropriately and therefore represents the key to enormous future success. 3Alternatives . 1 Turn something old into something special In order to conquer the Northeastern market, Unilever may consider repositioning its cheapest brand Campeiro. Campeiro is currently not very well perceived by Northeastern Brazilians. Especially in terms of cleanliness, whitening productivity, smell and softness (the most important attributes of detergent powders for Northeastern Brazilians) Campeiro is ranked well behind other detergent brand s. Therefore, an intensive new marketing campaign should be started in order to discard Campeiro’s bad image. We will write a custom essay sample on Unilever in Brazil specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Unilever in Brazil specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Unilever in Brazil specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Campeiro’s formula may be changed slightly and scents may be improved. Although the product is changed only a little bit, „the new formulaâ€Å" would be advertised aggressively. Unilever may also consider adapting the brand name to Novo Campeiro in order to emphasize the message of a new and improved Campeiro. Advertising messages would strongly promote Campeiro’s new cleaning and whitening power and its irresistible scent. New package sizes would be created in order to better fit customers’ needs. Unilever would keep Campeiro’s current retail price of $ 1. 70 also for Novo Campeiro. $ 1. 0 already is very low compared to most other detergent brands, and with its improved formula and scent, Novo Campeiro even offers (promotes) an increased value for the same price. Although this might be challenging, Unilever should distribute Novo Campeiro to all of the approximately 75,000 small outlets across the Northeast. Most of the Northeastern Brazilians sh op in small stores instead of big supermarkets. Therefore, it is crucial for the success of Novo Campeiro to be sold all over the Northeast. 3. 2 Mix amp; Mingle to form something new Unilever may also consider creating a new detergent brand for the Northeastern market. The detergent powder formula of the new product would be in between of Unilever’s existing brands Minerva and Campeiro. Therefore, it would be designed to appeal to customers who prefer detergents superior to Campeiro but cannot afford buying Minerva. The new brand name would be Cheivadinho, which is a combination of the words „cheirosoâ€Å" (smelling good) and „lavadinhoâ€Å" (cleanly washed). By using this brand name, Unilever combines two of the most important detergent attributes for Northeastern Brazilians, namely cleanliness and good smell, in its product name. In order to promote Cheivadinho, an extensive new advertising campaign with a strong emotional appeal would be launched. Washing clothes is sort of a social activity for many Northeastern women. They enjoy meeting and chatting with friends while doing the washing in public laundries or rivers. Therefore, a strong effort would be put on transmitting this pleasant feeling in the advertisements. Commercials may show a group of women chatting and having a good time at a local public laundry while their clothes are being washed. The initial retail price of Cheivadinho would be $ 1. 99. Thereby targeting consumers who can but do not want to buy Campeiro ($ 1. 70), but cannot afford Minerva ($ 2. 40). As described in Alternative 1, Cheivadinho should be distributed all around the Northeast. 3. 3 Keep it simple! Instead of adding another detergent to its product range, Unilever may consider introducing a new laundry soap for the low-end market in the Northeast of Brazil. This could be a profitable option for Unilever as the Northeast of Brazil has a huge market potential for laundry soap bars. Additionally, production costs for laundry soaps are far lower compared to those of detergent powder. The brand name of the new laundry soap would be Simlavo and it would be marketed as „Simplesmente alvo! â€Å" (Simply clean). Therefore, the advertising campaign should be as simplistic as possible, focusing mainly on the cheap retail price with the main message: Clean clothes at the lowest price. Simlavo would be sold at $ 1. 15, meaning $ 0. 5 lower than competitive products. This extremely low retail price can be achieved by keeping everything as simple as possible Production should be quarried out quickly and efficiently, using just the necessary ingredients and discreet scents and leaving out all the rest. Advertising costs should be kept as low as possible. Ads are designed in a simple way, just showing the product, the slogan and the price, for example. TV-commercials should be created in a similar way and may be shown only during the day. The main target group for laundry soup is housewives, who also watch TV during day quite frequently. Therefore, it is not necessary to spend money on expensive commercials during prime time. 4Issues 4. 1 How does the product fit the way of washing clothes? As the procedure of washing clothes is very particular in the Northeast, analyzing this point carefully is important. Firstly, a main issue is that only a few households possess a washing machine. In Recife, a two-million-resident city the penetration amounts to 28%. Therefore, the procedure of washing is done in a traditional way and hence highly labour intensive: Clothes are scrubbed using laundry soap, than bleach is added to remove stains and detergent powder is only used to finish and give a good smell. Moreover, washing clothes has a social impact. First, people in the Northeast attach a symbolic value to cleanliness and it is important for their self-esteem. As it is highly labour intensive it is seen as an indication of the dedication of the mother to the family. As well, low-income consumers own fewer clothes, so these are washed more often (up to 5 times a week). Secondly, washing is a social get-together as it is often done in a public laundry, at a river or pond and therefore perceived as pleasurable. As a matter of fact, although the penetration of detergent powder and laundry soap is almost the same in the North-eastern market, the quantity used differs tremendously. The new laundry soap Simlavo would perfectly fit the traditional procedure of washing clothes. However, for the newly advertised Campeiro and the new detergent Cheivadinho, it is a mean barrier, that more than a quarter of the households is not equipped with washing machines. Hence, promoting the detergent in combination with washing machines will be a challenge. 4. 2 How do the products have to be promoted to best reach customers? Promoting Simlavo would be an easy task as ads and TV commercials would be designed in a simple way, not involving many costs. However, as mentioned in the issue above, communicating both detergent powders most efficiently will be complex. But just as such a high value is attached to washing and cleanliness, consumers will be convinced that a detergent powder will better serve their needs. Campeiro or Cheivadinho will be advertised directly at the spot of consumption in public laundries and dispensers in the laundry could be filled with the product. The superior quality product Cheivadinho will be introduced in a campaign that will directly focus on the consumers needs of cleanliness, good smell and their need for washing machines. A raffle for 250 washing machines will take place. With every 500g package a lottery ticket will be included. Thus, an awareness for the need of washing machines will be risen. 4. 3 How can Unilever best skim the market without cannibalizing its portfolio too much? A major concern that had been voiced by Unilever’s managers prior to the decision of entering the north-eastern market for low-income consumers was the possibility of cannibalising the company’s existing brands. Considering the firm’s market share of 75% in the north-eastern region it seems very likely that by repositioning an existing brand or launching a new product some cannibalisation will occur. Nevertheless we must bear in mind that Unilever’s main goal is to reach the low-income consumers, who are predominantly using laundry soap for the main washing process at this stage, using a little detergent only at the end. Even if the laundry soap market is a very large one, profit margins are very slim and therefore not very lucrative. Consequently Unilever must try to persuade costumers to change their habits and make detergent their main cleaning product. To achieve this Unilever keeping mind following things. First of all it is crucial to demonstrate that using detergent is actually more effective than the method that consumers have been employing hitherto. Thus extensive advertising that shows the benefits of the product will be necessary. Moreover price is a very important criterion. It must be low enough so that costumers can afford it, but high enough in order for it not to be perceived as low quality, and to prevent cannibalisation of existing brands. This suggests that the new or modified product should be cheaper than Minerva, which is too costly for low-income consumers, but slightly more expensive than Campeiro, which has a cheap appeal. . 4 To what extent does the company have to adapt its distribution to reach low-income consumer? Low-income Consumers in the Northeast rarely shop at large supermarkets like Wal-Mart and Carrefour, but rather at small outlets that are spread throughout the region. This is a big problem for Unilever who, despite having established a first-rate net work of generalist wholesalers has no access to these small shops. Subsequently it seems inevitable for the company to modify its strategy and to start contracting with special distributors. This would not only enable a more efficient and direct distribution to consumers, but would also give way to an extensive point-of-purchase activity. Not to forget that this would reduce the cost of distribution by 50%. 5Conclusion 6Appendix Exhibit 1 Unilever Advertisements 1. ) Unilever advertisement that tries to encourage people to buy washing machines 2. ) Unilever advertisement to motivate people to use washing machines by emphasizing the upcoming social interactions in launderettes whereas washing at the riverside getting rarer Where do you prefer to wash? Exhibit 2 Distribution Channel Analysis General Wholesalers Specialized Distributors Exhibit 1 The macro-environment of Unilever in Brazil: PEST-ANALYSIS * Relative political stability over the last 2 decades * Government incentives to invest in the Northeast * Influence of Mercosur (additional incentives, subventions, cross-border trade or expansion) * Cycles of deep recession and strong economic recovery in the past * New currency (the Reais, R$) since 1994 * Economic boom in the following years growing purchasing power among people * Huge potential of Brazilian economy Growing market of detergent powder in Northeast (annual rate of 17%) * Highly fragmented soap market in the Northeast * Competition through Proctor amp; Gamble * Women do the washing * Huge regional differences two clusters on the Atlantic coast: Northeast| Southeast| 40% illiteracy| 15 % illiteracy| 65% mixed African and European origins| 30% mixed African and European origins| 28% of households own a washing machine| 67% of households own a washing machine| 73% of women think bleach is necessary to remove fat stains| 18% of women think bleach is necessary to remove fat stains| Clothes are washed approx. times a week| Clothes are washed approx. 3. 9 times a week| Washing as a public meeting point| Most women washing alone at home| People attach much value to cleanliness| Cleanliness less important for self-esteem and social status| * Telecommunications industry barely tapped in the Northeast * Problems regarding distribution network, supply-chain-management * Marketing difficulties to reach customers in the Northeast Exhibit 2 The micro-environment of Unilever in Brazil CUSTOMER-ANALYSIS COMPETITORS’-ANALYSIS Exhibit 3 SWOT-ANALYSIS of Unilever Brazil Internal origin| Strengths * long presence in market, since 1929 * leadership position with 81% market share * high brand recognition * high market penetration * high media advertising * high reputation| Weaknesses * expensive products like OMO * below national average in Northeast * internal resistance * possible effect on corporate reputation * cannibalization of high margin sales * distribution problems to small outlets| External origin| Opportunities * not saturated Northeastern market * 48 million potential consumers * economic recovery – new currency * tax incentives through entering Northeast * more cloth washing in Northeast * symbolic values of cleanliness * growing consume of powder detergent * fragmented soap market| Threats * risk of local brands targeted at low-income consumers * less washing machines Northeast * Ramp;D and marketing expertise of Pamp;G * competition of Pamp;G in Northeast * economic deterioration * socio-cultural differences between Southeast and Northeast|

What is the Difference Between Prejudice and Discrimination?

What is the Difference Between Prejudice and Discrimination?When you ask people to define prejudice and discrimination, they usually say that prejudice is seeing something about someone else that you don't like and not taking it as a good enough reason to stop acting on it. Discrimination on the other hand, is an act of rejection or disdain for someone else. So how do we know whether discrimination is appropriate?This is true especially with children, because they tend to read into what other people say instead of actually analyzing it. As a result, they will continue to act on that prejudice even when they know it's wrong.This can lead to people being seen as bad or being excluded from things they should be able to enjoy. For example, if a couple is a couple where the man does not allow his wife to use the ladies room, then that couple is obviously not going to be happy together because they are seen as not getting along, which can lead to them having problems with the friends or fa milies they have.However, if the man continues to show his discrimination, then that can cause problems because the woman's friends may think that she has lost her freedom. They will eventually make her feel rejected, which is why she will be upset. This can lead to the couple not being able to be able to have sex, which is obviously not a great thing to happen.Therefore, if you want to avoid having people who discriminate, you need to have open communication with the people you're with. If you don't do this, then you will end up in an argument with them.With equality, you're trying to eliminate the discrimination and then prevent any future discrimination from happening. The bottom line is that you should respect every person, but also, you should treat everyone equally. You may think it's wrong, but then you could be saying it would be better if you didn't discriminate or offend anyone.

Women Characters in The White Queen (Wars of the Roses)

Women Characters in The White Queen (Wars of the Roses) In June, 2013, BBC One debuted a 10-part series, The White Queen, a depiction of the Wars of the Roses seen through the eyes of key women, and based on a series of historical novels by Philippa Gregory. The White Queen refers to Elizabeth Woodville, and The White Queen is the title of Gregorys first book in the series that is being adapted. Dont expect it to be exactly history but Gregory has respect for history, and that will likely show through in the series as well, even though there will be lots of poetic license taken. The other books in the series are The Red Queen  (about Margaret of Anjou), The Kingmakers Daughter  (about Anne Neville),The Lady of the Rivers (about Jacquetta of Luxembourg), The White Princess  (about Elizabeth of York)  and  The Kings Curse  (about Margaret Pole.) The sequel BBC One series,  The White Princess,  debuted in 2017. You can also see this as something of a prequel to the popular series, The Tudors. Elizabeth Woodville was the grandmother of King Henry VIII, featured in that series. Here are some of the women youll likely encounter in the series, and some of their interconnections youll see why Gregory called the series on the Wars of the Roses The Cousins War many close relatives found themselves on opposite sides. Many of the key characters traced their ancestry to the sons of Edward III of England, or to other kings of England. The White Queen and Her Family Elizabeth Woodville (1437 - 1492), widow of Sir John Grey who was on the Lancastrian side in the Wars of the Roses, and who was killed in the battle at St. Albans. The legend of her meeting with Edward IV under an oak tree by the side of a road is a very early one. That they secretly married and thwarted the marriage plans for Edward being made by Edwards uncle, the Earl of Warwick (known as the Kingmaker), is historical. One of her sons by John Grey was an ancestor of Lady Jane Grey.Jacquetta of Luxembourg, mother of Elizabeth Woodville, was a descendant of Englands King John. Her father was a French count. Jacquettas first husband was the brother of Henry V. She had no children by that first marriage, but at least ten by her second to Richard Woodville. She was accused during her lifetime of using witchcraft.Elizabeth of York (1466 - 1503), eldest daughter of Elizabeth Woodville and Edward IV, became the queen consort of Henry VII and mother of Henry VIII, Mary Tudor and Margaret T udor. Catherine or Katherine Woodville(~1458 - 1497), sister of Elizabeth Woodville, who married advantageously thanks to her connection to her sister the Queen. She became the Duchess of Buckingham and the Duchess of Bedford.Mary Woodville (~1456 - 1481), another sister of Elizabeth Woodville, was able to marry the heir to the Earl of Pembroke through her sisters connections. Her father-in-law was executed by Warwick, the Kingmaker.Cecily of York (1469 - 1507) was the second surviving daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville. (An older sister, Mary of York, died in 1482, before she could be married.) Edward tried to marry her to the Scottish royal heir, then to that heirs brother, but Edward died before that could be complete. Then Cecilys marriages were arranged and unarranged by the next two kings, Richard III (her uncle) and Henry VII (her brother-in-law). The Kingmaker and His Family Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, (1428 - 1471) was a powerful figure in the drama of the Wars of the Roses. He used his female family connections to advantage, including gaining the Warwick title itself through his wifes inheritance. He was called the Kingmaker, as his presence and that of the troops he could muster would make a difference in which king won. Lady Anne Beauchamp (1426 - 1492), Countess of Warwick, wife of the Kingmaker, mother of Anne Neville and Isabella Neville. She was an heiress, inheriting the Warwick titles because no male heirs remained, and bringing them to her husband. She was descended on the maternal side from King Edward III and the powerful Despenser family.Cecily Neville (1415 - 1495), was the aunt of the Kingmaker. She was the mother of Edward IV as well as of George, Duke of Clarence, and Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was married to Richard, Duke of York, who was the heir of Henry VI and his protector during his minority and during one or more bouts of insanity. Both Cecily and her husband were descendants of King Edward III of England and his wife, Philippa of Hainault. Cecilys mother was a daughter of John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford.Anne Neville (1456 - 1485), daughter of Richard, Duke of York, called the Kingmaker, who was a nephew of Cecily Neville. She first married Edward of York, son of Henry V I of England, but after his early death, married Richard, Duke of Gloucester, the future Richard III, brother of Edward IV (and son of Cecily Neville). Richard and Anne were first cousins once removed. Isabella Neville (1451 - 1476), sister of Anne Neville, and thus daughter of the Kingmaker and great niece of Cecily Neville. She was also known as Isabel. She married George, Duke of Clarence, a younger brother of Edward IV (and older brother of Richard III, Anne Nevilles second husband), and also a son of Cecily Neville. Isabella and George were first cousins once removed. From the House of Lancaster Margaret of Anjou (1429 - 1482), was the queen consort of the Lancastrian king, Henry VI of England, with whom Edward IV contended in the Wars of the Roses. Margaret of Anjou was herself an active Lancastrian leader. Elizabeth Woodville had been a maid of honor serving Margaret of Anjou when she married Sir John Grey.Margaret Beaufort (1443 - 1509) was the Red Queen to Elizabeth Woodvilles White Queen. She was married to Edmund Tudor when she was only 12, and gave birth to his child after he died in Yorkist captivity. That child later became Henry VII. Though she married twice more, she never had more children, and threw her support to her sons cause in the Wars of the Roses. More? These women arent likely to be in the series, except by reference, but are important to the context of the story. Catherine of Valois (1401 - 1437), sister-in-law of Jacquetta, was the queen consort of Henry V of England and mother of Lancaster king Henry VI. She was also the grandmother of Henry VII, the first Tudor king, via her second husband, Owen Tudor. This is the same Henry VII who married Elizabeth Woodvilles daughter, Elizabeth of York. Catherines father was Charles VI of France. She is not likely to make an appearance in The White Queen: she died the year that Elizabeth Woodville was born.Margaret of Burgundy, a sister of Edward IV who was friendly with Edwards new wife Elizabeth Woodville. Margaret was married off to the Duke of Burgundy a few years after Edward became king, and after the Tudor triumph, her home became a haven for Yorkists in exile.Lady Jane Grey was descended from one of Elizabeth Woodvilles sons by her first husband, John Grey, and from one of Elizabeth Woodvilles daughters, Elizabeth of York, by her second husband Edward IV, through Elizabeth of Yorks and Henry VII s daughter Mary Tudor. Margaret Pole (1473 - 1541) was the daughter of Isabella Neville and George, Duke of Clarence. She was a peeress in her own right, and eventually earned the enmity of Tudor King Henry VIII. The Roman Catholic Church beatified her as a martyr in 1886.Elizabeth Tilney (1447 - 1497) was a lady-in-waiting to Elizabeth Woodville. Whether shell appear in the series I doubt, but it would be a subtle foreshadowing of the Tudor era: she was grandmother to both Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, second and fifth wives of Henry VIII. One way women often got entangled into the Wars of the Roses: illegitimacy controversies. Learn more about some of those: Birther Controversies and the Wars of the Roses Many of these same women were portrayed in Shakespeares Richard III as well.

Roman Terms Covering Politics, Law, War, and Lifestyle

Roman Terms Covering Politics, Law, War, and Lifestyle The Ancient Roman Republic lasted from 509 BCE to 27 BCE, and was followed by the Ancient Roman Empire which existed from 27 BCE to 669 CE. While already boasting a lengthy rule, the Romans influence continued to shape all aspects of society for centuries after. Roman civilization made its mark on Elizabethan literature by inspiring Shakespeares seminal play, Julius Caesar. The iconic Colosseum in Rome is a staple case study in architecture studies and influenced many similar structures, especially sports stadiums. The Roman Republic, and even the Roman Empire with its Senate legislature, is often referred to as the building blocks of modern democracy. And its ruling over diverse lands and its trade with Asia via the Silk Road inevitably established cross-cultural exchanges that continue to today. These terms cover a variety of topics, ranging from names of battles to significant architecture, from geographical features to an explanation of cultural rituals. Hopefully, this extensive list will be intriguing for any history buff or Ancient Rome enthusiast.   Battles   and Warfare Rome was imperialism personified, and the Romans kept blow by blow records of many of the important battles that sealed that definition. Many Roman battles and battle plans are still cited as ideals by recent military tacticians and teachers in military academies. ActiumBattle of CarrhaeBattle of Milvian BridgeBattle of PharsalusCatapultCohort  Gergovia BattleMacedonian WarsMorbihan Gulf BattleRubiconSeleucidsSocial WarVercingetorix Politics and Law Politics played a vital role in Roman society. The passion plays in the Senate and the struggles for power among generals, kings, and emperors provide us a great deal of historical precedent for our society today. Comitia CenturiataConstitutio Antoniniana (Edict of Caracalla)ConsulCuriaCurule AedileCursus HonorumEdict of CaracallaForumInterregnumOptimatesPax RomanaPlebiscitumPlebeiansPraetorsSenatorsTarpeian RockTetrarchyTribuneTriumvirate Architecture   Rome built some of the finest civic architecture, both as public displays but also as functional works, aqueducts and other structures still standing today.   AqueductsCloaca Maxima  ColosseumForumInsulaRegionariesTemplum Lifestyle   What do you know of these terms related to social mores and traditions, music, and foods of Roman society? A.D.  and B.C.AgonaliaBacchanalia  ConfarreatioCornucopiaFabula TogataFescenine VerseGarum (Roman Fish Sauce)HedonismJulian CalendarLudiLudi ApollinaresLudi FloralesPater Familias  PraetextataPrandiumSalutatioTogaTria Nomina Geography At its height, the Roman Empire stretched over much of Europe; do you know these points of geographic interest?   ​7 Hills of RomeAlba LongaAntonine WallAppian WayBoiiGallia /GaulHadrians WallHispaniaMt. VesuviusPraefecturesVesuvius Religion   Roman religion changed over the centuries, and it includes Roman gods and goddesses, but also the influence of religion, and religious specialists.   Abundantia  Fides  FlamenJulian the ApostateMaiaMonkNicene CreedPersecutionsPervigiliumPontifex MaximusPriapusRegiaRex Sacrificulus  Sibyl People Do you know who these important persons were to the history of the Roman Empire?   7 Kings of RomeAugustusCaligula  ClaudiusConstantineCurtius (Lacus Curtius)Historia AugustaJulius CaesarJustinianNero  Pontius PilateScaevolaScipionic Circle

Enhancing Employability Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Enhancing Employability - Assignment Example Unlike other industrial sectors that require immense capital to invest in, this sector of business comprises of small businesses, which require less amount of minimum capital in order to invest in. This means that even college student after getting through with their course work are capable of acquiring capital and investing in small businesses. Throughout my entire life, I have always wished to invest in self-employment, since it will allow me to work under my own conditions and rules. I have also wished to create a less formal working condition for fresh graduates. Additionally, I want to invest in a business sector that provides more than better services to the community. In this paper will, therefore, detail my qualifications, analyze my job skills/opportunities verses my skills, and justify my career choice. Methodology In the Business and Administration class students are always divided into small groups comprising of seven students each. Apart from discussions and assignment w orks, the groups are also charged with the task of coming up with available business opportunities they are interested in, at the end of the course. From the discussion groups, students are expected to list all the available business opportunities that are available in the current local and global markets and discuss the requirements required for each job opportunity. From here, each student is also expected to select one of the business opportunities they have described in their group, and justify why he or she is interested in that area of business opportunity. From the business opportunities described in my group, I decided to choose the self-employment opportunities available in the small business management and administration. In order to understand the requirements needed...

Grant Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Grant Proposal - Essay Example Statistical data from WIC tell us that 50% of the new mothers in this area initiate breast feeding but only 14.5% maintain breast feeding (WIC). This implementation plan will put into place a peer to peer breastfeeding program. The aim would be to improve the numbers of maintained breast feeding mothers and infants. The program is a peer to peer (buddy program) to support mothers attempting to breast feed. As noted, many women initiate the attempt (50%) but those who manage to continue are only (14%). There are many reasons for this, some of which are lack of support, confusion, fear, and anxiety (Stube, 2009). The primary goal of this program would be to increase the numbers of women who are able to maintain breast feeding. Keeping mothers breast feeding at least the first few months could improve the health of both mother and infant (Stube, 2009). It has been shown through several recent studies that peer coaching improves the continuation of breast feeding. Hoddinott, Chalmers, and Pell (2006) supported the fact that in some areas this has increased up to 35%. This is further supported by a quasi experimental evaluation done by Olson, Haidir, and Vanggel et. al. (2010) in which they found that peer to peer counseling improved initiation by 27 points and increased duration by 3 week. In Bangaladesh Hollander showed that peer counseling increased breast feeding at five months by 70% and Shafer, Vogel, and Vigas (2009) showed in their randomized control trial, an increase of 6% initiation and 9% continuation in rural low income women. Referral Peer support is provided through a network of volunteers that are trained in the problems related to breast feeding as well as having been successful at breast feeding themselves. This training will be initiated through the WIC and LaLeche League International program to assure that the new mothers are getting the support that is needed. The idea is to choose a supporting peer that has the same culture and socioeconomic background as the mother to be supported. The new mother may be referred in several ways including WIC, Public Health, Food Stamps, physician, social services, self referral and others. Access Once the mother has been referred she is contacted by a peer and given information, including classes that she can attend that prepare her for the breast feeding process. This includes such procedures as needed to harden nipples, decreasing pain on initiation of breastfeeding. After childbirth, the provide nonmedical assistance as needed to reduce frustration and anxiety in the new mother who is attempting to breast feed. This includes the mother who goes back to work. Often, the transition from breastfeeding to pumping and bottle feeding is extremely difficult (Dennis, Hodnett, & Gallop, 2002). The peer who has been successful through this transition can help quite a lot in improving this transition, keeping the mother breast feeding for a longer period of time. This program would be based in the community clinics in each of these counties but the peers are available through the hospital setting as well as phone. Telephone counseling and support are available 4 times per day. Peer Training Peers will be expected to attend classes on basic breastfeeding management, nutrition, infant

Powers Of and Limitations On the UK Prime Minister

Powers Of and Limitations On the UK Prime Minister Parliament is the legislative body of the UK; it is composed of bicameral parliaments; The House of Commons (HOC) is responsible for considering and proposing new laws as well as scrutinizing governmental policies and legislation, oversees governments finances and administration. The House of Lords (HOL) participates within the law-making process, investigates matters of public interest independently and examines the administration of government. The party with the largest number of members in the HOC forms the government under the office of the Prime Minister (PM). This arrangement exists by a whereby the Monarch must appoint a PM to oversee government and lead the HOC; this position has evolved overtime as a consequence of historical and political acts with origins in the early 1680s. This appointment results in a transfer of power from the sovereign to parliament under the Royal Prerogative Powers (Bradley 2011). The role of the PM is to serve as the head of the Her Majestys government having been elected as the premiership winning party in the UK elections. He / she are not elected as head of their respective party by the public but from within their respective party (Braizer, 1999). Serving as the Chief of the Executive, the PM has a number of functions which include; overseeing Parliament, overseeing the operation of the Civil Service and government agencies, serving as the link among the executive and legislative branches of the assembly, responsibility for policy and governmental decisions ensuring that they are scrutinized and implemented once Royal Ascent has been granted and serving as the figure head in the HOC (Heffernan, 2005). They are responsible for managing a number of relations which include those between; the Government and the Monarch, Government and the Opposition and between the UK and the devolved assemblies. Through the power of patronage, the PM has the power to select the Cabinet The Executive and can appoint ministers to the Cabinet and appoint ministers to lead on specific policy areas such as education, health, foreign and commonwealth; extending the ministerial responsibility for the respective areas of work to them. The PM will also appoint special advisors and other political advisors within the Cabinet, on the basis of political viewpoint, skills and expertise. The PM is required to ensure that the order of precedency is upheld in Cabinet as well as ensuring that ministers adhere to and uphold the ministerial code. Holding power over ministerial conduct (1997 revised 2007) and if required they can appoint, reshuffle or dismiss ministers. The PM can use their power of collective responsibility to silence any critics avoiding dissention and ensuring cohesion exists with the cabinet. Decisions made with Cabinet meetings chaired by the PM must have support of the ministers irrespective of agreement on such matters, they are required to publicly support the PMs decision / mandate, failure to do so can result in dismissal / resignation as was the case of the late Robin Cook, Leader of the Commons and former Foreign Secretary, 2003. In order to encourage support from the cabinet the PM can use their power of patronage as a tool for reward and recognition bringing about change in behaviour and ensuring loyalty. It could be argued that this is both a power and a limitation, to some it is perceived as an elitist method of promotion on the basis of political support and rather than on the merit of work. Whilst the PM has many powers, one of the greatest limitations is the threat and in fighting from within their own respective party; without majority support, their position is weakened significantly as was the case with Margaret Thatcher in 1990, her former cabinet colleague Geoffrey Howe initiated a revolt against her leadership style leading to her resignation as PM. Interestingly, her successor John Major was subjected to a revolt following the lack of support from his party on the issue of Britain developing greater links with Europe, when the 1997 general election was undertaken he and the Conservatives suffered the largest electoral defeat in history. Without consulting the electorate, the governing party can at any time seek to replace the PM, as was the case in 2007 when Tony Blair was replaced by Gordon Brown as PM. The style of leadership style (Norton) of a PM can work for or against them during their time in office (Norton 2013). Thatcher gained significant popularity in the early 80s but went on to lose support as she was perceived as being too over-bearing and out of touch. Her famous statement This Ladys not for turning demonstrated how aggressive her leadership style was. Blairs leadership was strong and presidential like, he, like Thatcher did not always use his Cabinet for scrutiny or consultation giving rise to accusations of utilizing a kitchen-cabinet and increased use of special advisors, ultimately this caused much mistrust and dissention within the party and executive (Buckley, 2006). Although the PM serves as head of Cabinet; Ministerial members of the cabinet have equal powers primus inter pares, yet the PM is accountable to the nation and the electorate and is not above reproach. They are responsible not just for their decisions but those of their ministers. How the PM deals with contentious political or social issues and how they seek resolution can impact greatly on their popularity and confidence in them as a leader (Quinn, 2012) as was the case with Heath (Miners Strike 1974), Thatcher (Poll Tax 1989) and Blair (Iraq 2003). Browns popularity waned over the issue of calling a general election (2007) and tax rate reductions (2008) resulting in a call for leadership contest, this was usurped on the basis of his handling of the financial crisis (2008). Media can grossly influence public perception on the PM depending on their readerships left or right wing views (McCombs, 2013). To conclude, the PM is granted numerous powers, many of which bestowed from the Monarch and others from their position of PM and leader of their respective party. All powers come with limitations; the powers will work for or against a PM. Fundamentally their position is dependent on their interpretation and execution of said powers, a majority support of ministers on their mandate or how well he or she can secure their support. The office of Prime Minister is what its holder chooses and makes of it H H Asquith (Hennessy, 2001). Their leadership style can affect how ministers react; their position on changing legislation, how accountable they are politically and socially or when subjected to scrutiny can sway the balance of power to eventually become a limitation. (Word count 1094) Bibliography BRADLEY, A., 2011. The sovereignty of Parliament-form or substance? The changing constitution, 23, pp. 54-56. BRAIZER, R., 1999. Constitutional Practice: The Foundations of British Government. Oxford University Press on Demand. BUCKLEY, S., 2006. Prime Minister and Cabinet. Edinburgh University Press. HENNESSY, P., 2001. The Prime Minister: the office and its holders since 1945. Palgrave Macmillan. MCCOMBS, M., 2013. 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