Monday, January 27, 2020

Marketing Process Of BMW

Marketing Process Of BMW BMW cluster, headquartered in Munich, Germany, is one of the mainly victorious multi kind finest motor manufacturers in the globe. BMW is a German motor; motorbike and appliance manufacturers founded in 1916 and have been widely trade since 1969. The companys slogan in English is The Ultimate Driving Machine and Sheer Driving Pleasure. The original German slogan is fraud am Fahren, which translates to joy in Driving in English. The corporation produce, and market, a pied choice of senior end active cars and motorcycles. It is also own and make the tiny product and is the parent business of Roll-Royce vehicle Cars. BMW is known for its performance and luxury vehicles. BMW has a global presence with group subsidiaries in 41 countries and over 3000 dealerships and local importers in over 100 countries. BMW is a progressive company with salad of 1.2 million automobile and 101,000 motorbikes in 2008 generating revenue of 53.2 billion euros. It has a combined global workforce of 100,000 em ployees. In addition to cars and motorcycle, BMW operates an aircraft engine division under the brand name of Rolls Royce. The BMW group also has a strong market position in the motorcycle sector and operates successfully in the area of financial services. The Company operates its own financing company, which offers financing for vehicles. Automobiles accounted for 78% of 2000 revenues; vehicle finance leasing, 18%; motorcycles, 3% and other, 1%. UK is the third major souk and second main making base for the BMW group universal, and the only state where BMW groups three brands BMW, TINY and Roll-Royce vehicle Cars are represent. Chapter 1. 1.1: What is marketing? Marketing is a communal course by which person and group acquire what they want and want during creating, offering, and liberally exchanging goods and services of worth with former. (Kotler, 1991) 1.2: Marketing concept. The marketing concepts of BMW are as follow. Marketing focuses on the satisfaction of customer needs, wants and requirement. The philosophy of marketing needs to be owned by everyone from within the organisation. Future needs have to be identified and anticipated. There is normally a focus up on profit ability, especially in the corporate sector. However, as public sector organisations and not-for-profit organisations adopt the concept of marketing, this need not always be the case More recent definitions recognize the influence of marketing upon society. 1.3: Marketing process of BMW Marketing process of BMW are as trail. The marketing course aim to distribute enlarged success in company through better marketing tactic and marketing plan increase. A better marketing progression provide a number of benefits, with more free time, higher visibility, stronger worker skills sets, easier management, reduced duplication of effort, and increased individual and team rewards, and overall, less headaches. This process in turn creates a marketing organisation thats more reliable, more responsible, with budget. Under the marketing concept, BMW company find a way to discover unfulfilled customer needs and bring to market product that satisfy those needs. A model can be created to design the process using a targeted sequence of steps: The customer and market is analysed to identify opportunities. The market strategy is formulated to yield a value position. Tactical decisions regarding marketing strategy are made The marketing plan is implemented and the result is carefully monitored. 1.4 Benefits of marketing. The benefit of marketing is that it enables company to exploit their budding and achieve the punter at the correct time. A right loom to promotion involve sympathetic the client and their require identify the genuine wants of the souk. It is forever vital to appreciate bazaar wants, quite than to effort to power persons to purchase yours goods and services because you reflect they are enhanced than something else accessible. If the purchaser doesnt think you, you will not vend to them. It is as simple as that. A good advertising approach is base on the spot on level of explore in to a markets path and its key company. They have to spot precisely where your commerce strength fit into its souk, and how it will thrive inside it. Chapter 2. 2.1: SWOT analysis of BMW Anlnternal and corporate analysis in terms of strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) will assist in gaining an understanding of where BMW is currently in term of strength and where improvement is required with in the business and what outside environment threats it may face as well as what new opportunities are available to the company in the short and medium term. STRENGTH WEAKNESSES Diverse ranges of products- BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Strong cash flow position Increase turnover and trading profits Strong Balance Sheet Worlds leading Premium Quality Automobile Manufacturer Brand Awareness Human resources Capabilities to turn resources into advantages Perception of high prices Customer disinterest Environmental issues, pollutions Buyer sophistication and knowledge Substitute products or technologies OPPORTUNITIES THREATS New products Market shift to globalisation Innovation Alliances Customers demand change to more comfortable and relevantly cheap cars New Technologies in Automobiles New exiting competition Volatility in Price of Fuel New legislations Consequences of the oil crisis September 11th Economic recession Market shift to globalisation Takeover bids Far-East Automobile companies expansion Extremely high competition for customers and resources 2.3. Macro environment. The major external and uncontrollable factors that influence an organisation decision making and affect its performance and strategies. These factors are as follow 2.3.1 Political factors Laws and regulations had affected the automobile industry as a whole. These laws generally revolved around the environment norms that were to be fulfilled by any car industry. Thus the car manufacturers had to take care of the environmental issues during manufacturing of cars. European Commission proposed binding rules to cut CO2 emission on new cars to 130 gms/km Example According to my research 2005 BMW achieved only 40% of their emission target but today BMW groups with its efficient dynamics programme achieved a reduction of average fuel consumption and CO2 rating by 10.2% and has made a greatest progress in terms of efficiency of all car makers in the European automobile market in the year 2008. Extracting maximum driving pleasure from every drop of fuel; is the aim of BMW Efficient dynamics. 2.3.2 Economic Factors. Economic factors relate to the exchange rates, economic growth globally and the business setting prevailing in the industry. Following are the economic factors which has affected the automobile industry. Economic Downturn. Increase in the cost of oil Example Rapid increase in the fuel prices is affecting the demand and the buying power of customer. According to BBC News which crude oil prices at 22 year high, motorists are paying out up to  £1 a litre at the pumps. Moreover according to Automobile Association research showed that in June 2008, litre of unleaded petrol had achieved an average national price of 118.2 pence per litre, while diesel cost 131.6 pence per litre. He also claimed that the annual coast to the motorist of keeping a car worth between  £13,000 and  £20,000 on the road now stood at  £4,112. The impact of this price hike on the drivers of the UK is 28 million cars are clear and it shows how the increase in oil price is affecting the car industry as a whole. In order to cope up with the present situation and existing demand for more fuel cars, BMW efficient dynamic programme which aims at reducing consumption is proved to be successful. 2.3.3 Social environment factors. Social factors include the changes in cultures and demographics globally a part from change in the buying pattern and capacity of the customer. Increasing population also has an effect on the car industry. Example. According to the Mintel data, UK population will reach 64 million people by 2013. The strongest growth will be witnessed among the age group 25-34, 45-54 and over 65 age groups. Out of these two age brackets, the 25-34 age groups will be a potential key age group for the used car market where the highest proportion of demand is accounted for by younger adults. The age group 45-54 is a key age group for new and used car demand. Moreover during recession consumers spending priorities also changes and they are doing cost cutting on many areas of their expenditure. But the purchase of a new or second hand car has been one of the few areas to show an increase as a spending priority in 2009. This may increase the demand for the cars in the near future and car industry including BMW will again get a positive response from the existing and new customers. 2.3.4 Technical environment Factors. With every spin of time technology is also changing which also reflects the consumers buying patterns. Nowadays, people are more concerned with the new and latest technology. In order to cope up with the current demands, BMW efficient dynamic technology tries to stay one step ahead. BMW has launched an I Drive in its all new cars. BMW is also spending a huge amount of money on its research and development department in order to innovate latest techniques like BMW car 2-x communication in their AMULETT project with the aim of improving pedestrian safety and thus creating a more competitive image in the car market. 2.3.5 Legal Environment Factors. Restrictions and strict pollution norms set up in European market and health and safety rules on all cars by (EURO NCAP) is affecting the whole motor industry. The European New Car Assessment Programmed (Euro NCAP) is a European car safety, performance assessment programmed. Euro NCAP publishes safety reports on new cars, and award star ratings based on the performance of the vehicles in a variety of crash tests, including front, side and pole impact, and impact with pedestrians. The entire car manufacturing companies including BMW has to abide by these legal rules and regulations. 2.3.6 Environment Factors. With the increasing effect of awareness of global warming and greenhouse effect, people are more diverted towards the use of more eco-friendly cars, hybrid and fuel cars. With the change in consumer taste and preferences the automotive industry has to be more focussed on the changing demand and patterns of the consumers. In order to cope up with the changing behaviour of the consumer, BMW is working on managing resources efficiently and eliminating or recycling all forms of waste wherever possible and thus moving to the hybrid cars. BMW group was the first car manufacturer in the world to create a vehicle Recycling Network. Chapter 3 Q.3: How does your chosen organisation pursue Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning activities? Propose new suggestions based on your findings. BMW had worn three ladders to targeting which is advertising segmentation, target option, creation position. BMW use segmentation to spot exact trade description. To find additional information BMW at Geographic segmentation. Demographic behavioural Socioeconomic Beneficial characteristics of society Geographical segmention Geographically, the major market BMW where they are action more than 65% of auction are Europe North America and these district are both greatly industrialised locations which grades into tenant are monetarily position to procure high souk cars as they funds returns is added. Demographics behavioural, The demographics of those who are bright to purchase a BMW are men and women aged 30-50 lifetime old. Behaviourally these folks have a winning picture in their brain facing trade cars. They also estimated to wish a faultless current look or activity look, and the sense fine factors of a recognized trader system. The benefits are required by these folks are dominance, act, dependability excellence. BMW gases manages realize over the year is to site its self is on the regulars mind is power. Routine, scientifically complex, value saloon manufacturer. The bazaar where BMW is location them is greatly bloodthirsty motivation being for the aggressive is the number of other vehicle manufacturer that construct cars of a parallel excellence, cost, and picture. The main manufacturer that BMW struggle with are as discussed before to name a few are Mercedes, jaguar, Audi, Ford, Range Rover, Porsche, and etc. most of these are azure hew manufacture use differentiate strategy to create that each of these company relies on dissimilar make imagery to retail their cars. Example jaguar is seen as a luxury, dependable and excellence manufacturer that BMW does except on the other give Alfa Romeo is famous for being fashionable and presentation type but untrustworthy car as per the investigate. The position of these company and their brand has been build up over numerous lifetime but BMW has dazed their blot winning the community in an optimistic way with the help of superior community relative and pioneering publicity agitation. This has led to rolling sales expansion throughout the global car market. When we converse about Product Gratitude BMW is a directly known product forename that has a standing pro its old age habit of excellence. Also many of us see its symbol from a manufacturer; this brand appreciation allows BMW to readdress its wealth from pricey publicity campaign in a greatly bloodthirsty souk. The marketplace in which BMW operate has person seen as superior and reliable regulars. Chapter 4, Q.4: how does the extended marketing mix apply to yours chosen organisation? Analysis and give example? The Marketing Mix. Marketing mix is the combination of marketing activities that an organisation engages in so as to best meet the needs of its targeted market. Traditionarly the market mix consisted of 7Ps. Marketing mix can be put under seven headings, often referred to as the seven Ps:, Products Promotion Price Place Physical evidence Public purchase Product. The generally central constituent in the selling is the companys produce because this affords the positive desires required by patrons. For example a car that does not start in the Moring will be like by clients. Marketing manager expand their creation into brand that assist to make a single place in the brain of clients. The current models are: BMW 3 Series Sedan, vehicle, adaptable, Touring, dense. BMW 5 Series Sedan, Touring BMW 6 Series vehicle, adaptable BMW 7 Series Sedan BMW Z4 Roadster BMW X3 SUV BMW X5 SUV BMW M adaptable, vehicle Each creation goes during what is known as a life cycle procedure. When explore what combine is best matched to the creation. We need to deem where in the life cycle sightsee goods lie which is revealed in the below shape and then depending choose if there is want to make transform in the produce and re-launch. Example BMW X5 launched at 2000 and then corporation lunched the senior or new description of X5 in 2006, for 3 series its 7 years lifecycle and for 7 years only for the 1st model lifecycle of three merchandise. These are the 3, 5 and 7 Series Saloons. This PLC scheme not only helps to ensure more steady profits, but also allow for the growth of substitute produce on a steady base. BMW has also been growing its selection of late and this can be seen by the company of some new product launch in the last few years. The above goods are all moderately established. Many of them have been creature affected for many years now with some redesigns and re-launches. 2) Price. BMW cost variety is from about  £16,000 to  £60,000 minus. There are many factor that can influence their car price such as mechanism size, vehicle activity account etc. Example Price such as mechanism dimension has been used by BMW for the 3- series is opposition leaning price. Most of the investigate show that all other competitor such as VW, Audi, and Alfa Romeo etc. in the 3 Series manufacture price sore not so vital and create the main revenue is not as required as it would be for a lesser business. 3 SERIES PRICE Sedan Price from:  £21,035 Couple Price from  £25,955 Convertible Price from  £30,915 Touring Price from  £22,215 3) Placement. BMW use better market dealership and significant for non merchant network countries they have four car developed vegetation in the UK. There are additional than 156 dealers in the UK who are franchise to retail BMW cars, moreover 148 dealers are franchised to sell Minis. Universal BMW work in more than 100 dissimilar countries with about 4,000 plus dealers which are authorised to retail both new and second-hand cars, parts and after sales service goods. Pattern of allocation for BMW is shown below in the drawing which followed by the business Producer >>>>>Dealers>>>>>>Customers 4) Promotion. BMW has forever focused completely on their cars with same promotion business, WCRS being the worn since 1979. A broad variety of publicity is used by this organization such as TV for branding campaign and new carriage launches, the press with sensationalist weekend dye addition, regional publication and magazines, outside campaign, sales fiction, fliers etc. publicity Campaigns/Slogans used by the corporation in the past. Example According to my research in 1983, 1994, 1997 and 1999 when James bond use in every movies BMW car, James Bond movie The Catcher The four CS: Customer solution: BMW strives hard to find out what their customer need are and works hard to wards fulfilling them. They believe that it is important to satisfy customer needs to keep customers happy and satisfied. customer cost BMW also realizes that all the costs taken to design their cars are also to be included in the cost of the car. They have retailers selling their cars in different regions/countries at different prices based on the acceptable customer cost for that region. Convenience. BMW does not have online purchase system but due to the high price of their products but they have online drive test appointment system for the 7 series using which doesnt need to go to the store to test drive car, hence making it more convenient. Communication. BMW has 24hours hotline number to help in communication with the company exclusively for certain model customers. They have a website for online communication. They believe in listening to customers when they are with you. Chapter 5, Q.5: Identify different types of buyer behaviours and how they apply to your chosen organisation? Customer trade performance is the production of how person or domestic customers behave or the choice creation on business any merchandise or services. Customer trade activities is a significant part of promotion, which studies the reason of why, when where, what and how the customers are behave on their trade decision. customer purchaser actions depends on dissimilar types of marketing (product place, price, promotion, physical evidence, public, purchase) and other stimulus ( Economic, Technological, Political and Cultural) these factors in fluencies the customer black box to make response for creation choice about selecting goods, brand option, price etc. Cultural, social, individual and mental these four factors have great power on customer buyer performance. Person wants, insight, values, performance erudite from culture, relations other institution. Social factor consists of a persons orientation collection relations, friends organisations. Private factor is incorporated age of lifecycle, financial circumstances, vocation, qualities and other individual kind power buyer choice course. Different mental factors like inspiration, perception, attitude, conviction have pressure on customer export conclusion. Our decision and attitude are also a product of our attitude. An individual might have a positive experience. Example. Driving with friend A- class which in turns affects attitude towards BMW Mercedes and change behaviour in purchasing an automobile. Attitude is not constant and change over time since they are result they are experience. A car crash might change the attitude towards the brand and one might decide to exclude BMW Mercedes as an option buying a car. Chapter 6, Q.6: How does the extended marketing mix apply to different marketing segments? Compare consumer vs. business markets, and International vs. domestic markets. Consumer market Consumer markets deal with final customer. Each customer buys the product for their direct scarification and has no other intended use for it Example The market for magazine is consumer market- the customer doesnt resell the magazine and buys it for their own enjoyment. Business market Business market is an online marketplace that matches business buyers with franchisors and business opportunities Consumer and Business market CONSUMER BUSINESS Each client has identical worth and represent a small % of proceeds There are a minute figure of big clientele that description for a large % of proceeds Sales are completed distantly, the producer doesnt assemble the client Sales are completed myself, the producer gets to know the purchaser Goods are the equal for all clients. The service ingredient is low Goods are adapted for unlike clients. Service is very valued purchase are made for private use picture is imperative for its own sake Purchases are completed for others to use icon is imperative where it adds value to clientele The buy occasion is not theme to loving and arbitration The acquire occasion is conduct capably and includes tender and arbitration The swap is one of deal. There is no long time view (monetary services vary) The switch is habitually one of tactical aim. There is the latent for long term worth The buyer is usually the consumer The buyer is usually an integrator some down the provide series the consumer 6.1: Table, Consumer and Business market. Domestic market and international market. Domestic market The market for goods and services in the country where the company is based. International market International marketing is the application of marketing orientation and marketing capabilities to international.( muhlbacher, Helmuth, Dahringer 2006) DOMESTIC MARKET INTERNATIONAL MARKET Domestic marketing is the manufacture, backing, sharing and sales of goods and services in a local market International market is the production, promotion, sharing, and auction of merchandise and services in a global market. Domestic marketing is less dangerous and easier to conduct International marketing is more dangerous and more multifaceted Domestic marketing requires lesser fiscal assets International marketing requires huge economic assets Domestic marketing deals with only a single market International marketing deal with several different countries markets. Domestic market deal only with the laws and system of one country International marketing is more difficult and requires more pledge form the business because of the ambiguity and different in laws and system in the global market. Domestic marketing deals only with one set of consumers International marketing deals with different types of consumers with different rates and tastes Domestic marketing, the business can have the same policies and strategies International marketing requires different strategies in the encouragement of their products 6.2: Table, International market and Domestic market Conclusion. It has taken a lot of referencing and researching for me to write this report and I have learnt a lot from this report, I started off with very little knowledge about this topic and worked my way through the assignment and I would conclude that BMW is a very powerful name in the automobile industry due to its reputation of providing high quality products and services. BMW and person actor has yearly shown burly monetary results and has reserved its market shares. This become of curiosity to study more greatly, in direct to find the factor last a unbeaten concern and burly product. Scrutiny the progress of BMW through the past five years. Not only are the monetary account taken into reflection that BMW is the most flourishing vehicle producer in top sector. BMW is a well known and greatly cherished brand and has high miscellany in the merchandise range. BMW possesses high inner aptitude and the corporation develop a big part of the car by themselves. The rising market in South East As ia, Russia Eastern Europe and South America has shown obvious swelling growth. Produce, transport and raw fabric outlay have both dampened margins and affected the export power of customers like as lofty oil price.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Minimum Wage in the United States Essay

A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily, or monthly wage that employers may legally pay to employees or workers. The debate over minimum wage in the United States has been ongoing for over 100 years. It is a hot topic in labor, human interest, and especially in economics. Is the minimum wage too low? Is it too high? Should we have one at all? Does having a minimum legal wage help those who it is intended to help, or does it actually make them worse off? Theses questions are asked on a daily basis by interested parties. While there may not be one definitive correct answer, there are compelling arguments on both sides of the issue, and those who represent their â€Å"side† are passionate about their opinions. This is one of a few social topics about which people are generally not indifferent. Much of the adult workforce in the United States has worked a minimum wage job at some point in their career, so we can easily relate to the challenges that face today’s minimum wage workers. This paper is not intended to solve the debate over minimum wage, nor will it attempt to persuade the reader in one direction or the other regarding what should be done concerning minimum wage. The pages that follow will present a brief history of the minimum wage debate in the United States, and then present some of the arguments offered by both sides of the debate. A Brief History of Minimum Wage Although New Zealand was the first country to formally enact minimum wage legislation in 1896,[i] the United States was one of the first major industrialized nations to set a national wage floor for their workers. For decades during the industrial revolution, workers in the United States endured work environments that consisted of long hours, dangerous working conditions, and low wages. Small movements to develop a national minimum wage by labor unions and activist groups were met with predictable resistance from business people, and ultimately struck down by the U. S. Supreme Court. [ii] Finally, in 1938 President Roosevelt and Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act. This act was intended to alleviate some of the poor working conditions that mostly women and young children were subject to. Additionally, this act imposed a federally mandated minimum wage of $0. 25 per hour, with some exceptions. [iii] There have been subsequent pieces of legislation that continue to address and improve workers’ rights since that time, focusing more on quality of life issues rather than eliminating abuses by employers. Additionally, individual states now have the right to enact their own minimum wage, so long as it is no lower than the federally mandated minimum wage. Since 1938, the national minimum wage has been raised 21 times, most recently in 2009, and is currently $7. 25 per hour. Today, more than 90% of countries in the world have some sort of wage floor for their work force. [iv] The Case for Minimum Wage Those in favor of a minimum wage argue that it increases the standard of living of workers and reduces poverty. [v] Those workers that are paid minimum wage are unskilled laborers, perhaps first entering the job market. Without any marketable skills, the worker needs some protection that they will be paid a fair rate that will enable them to be self-sufficient until such time that they have learned a skill or trade that will allow them to work their way up from the low wage jobs. Without a minimum wage, employers would have significantly more market power than the workers – a monopsony – and that could result in the intentional collusion between employers regarding the wage they will offer. [vi] Absent this protection, workers would be forced to accept the artificially low wages, resulting in a very low quality of life. Additionally, the argument can be made that paying a â€Å"livable† minimum wage incentivizes workers to not only get a job, but to work hard to keep that job. When minimum wages are significantly greater than payments received through a social welfare system, people are rewarded for their hard work. If a person could receive an amount close to what they would earn at minimum wage through the welfare system, what motivation would they have to work the minimum wage job? In contrast, if workers are paid an amount that is considerably more, they will find and keep work. This serves another purpose, to decrease the cost of government administered social welfare programs by getting people off of welfare and onto payrolls. Another common argument made by those in favor of the minimum wage is that it actually helps to stimulate spending, improving overall economic conditions. [vii] The theory behind this argument is that low wage earners typically spend everything they make. Whether on necessities or luxury items, minimum wage earners are likely to spend their entire paycheck. If there were an increase in the minimum wage, the people who would receive the pay increase would turn around and spend their new money. This would help to cover the costs of the increased wages as many businesses would see an almost immediate return through increased sales. While this argument seems to make sense, it must be clarified that no empirical evidence to support this claim could be found. Another argument made is that an increase in minimum wage helps to improve the work ethic of those who receive the increase. The implication is that if their employer is forced to give them a raise, they will be compelled to work harder to improve their efficiency and increase their productivity in return. Again, there is no evidence to either support or refute this claim, and opinions run strong regarding this argument. Perhaps the most basic and most often made argument in support of a national minimum wage law is that it is simply the correct thing to do, morally speaking. The idea that we should want to take care of each other and make sure that everyone made a comfortable wage is one of the most basic tenets of the philosophy of those who support it. Arguments against Minimum Wage Laws: On the other side of the argument are those who are opposed to increasing the minimum wage, as well as some who think it should be abolished altogether. Many businesspeople and economists are on this side of the debate, and they present some pretty compelling arguments. They argue that imposing an increase on the federally mandated minimum wage actually will do more economic harm than good. [viii] The main argument deals with the elasticity of demand regarding employment. A minimum wage increase actually reduces the quantity demanded of workers, either through a reduction in the number of hours worked by individuals, or through a reduction in the number of jobs. ix] Simply put, employers are likely not going to increase their salary budget, so if the hourly wages increase, then they must reduce the number of hours of work that they are paying for. This could result in the exact opposite impact of that which is intended. Those earning the minimum wage and are facing reduced hours or even being let go will find themselves much worse off as a result of an increase than leaving it at its current rate. Additionally, often the way out of e arning minimum wage is through skills learned through those minimum wage jobs. If there are fewer of these jobs as a result of the wage being higher, fewer people will be able to learn the skills needed to move up on a career path and break the cycle of poverty. Secondly, if employers are unwilling or unable to reduce the number of hours they pay their employees, they will simply attempt to make up the increased salary expense through increased prices. On a small scale, this may not have a large impact on the overall economy. When this is done on a large scale because many employers need to cover their increased costs, this is likely to lead to inflation. x] Higher salaries necessitate higher prices which will erode most if not all of the benefits of the increase in pay. The minimum wage workers will have the same buying power as before, but because of unnecessary inflation, the lower middle class will actually face the biggest impact because their wages will not have increased but their purchasing power will also have eroded. Another area that may be impacted by a mandated wage increase is training. As most workers who earn the minimum wage typically have little education and training, their biggest chance to work their way into a higher paying job is through on the job training. One part of an employer’s budget that could face cuts would be for providing training to employees. Often employers provide training to their employees that would help them advance in their career, but may not be completely necessary in their current position. Unnecessary expenses such as this will most likely be trimmed, resulting in fewer opportunities for the working poor. [xi] Perhaps the simplest argument is if a minimum wage worker is producing $4. 00 per hour worth of product, and then the federal minimum wage is raised to $5. 0, the employer must find a way to increase the workers marginal productivity or face operating loses due to underproductive employees. One final thought from opponents is that once all of the aforementioned arguments are considered, there are more effective ways of helping address the issue of poverty. The Earned Income Tax Credit is pointed to as a strong example of one of the more effective ideas, rather than putting the burden of poverty on em ployers, it is shifted to the government. [xii] Empirical Data: When considering both sides of this debate, it is important to realize who are the workers earning minimum wage, and what role they have in providing for their families. Of the 1. 9 million workers in the United States who were paid the minimum wage in 2005 (most recent information available), more than one half (53%) are between the ages of 16-24. These workers are most likely high school and college students, and most of them do not work a full time schedule. Two thirds are members of families who have a combined income of at least 2 or more times the official poverty level based on their family size. Less than 17 percent are the only wage earners in their families, and less than 6 percent are poor single mothers. [xiii] What does this information tell us? The most important thing is that an increase in the minimum wage would target a majority of people who may not be living in poverty and are otherwise not in need of direct assistance. The far-reaching effects of raising minimum wages across the board in order to get help to the approximately 22 percent of earners who are truly living in poverty seems to be at the least ineffective, and at worst it could epresent a terrible misstep in economic policy. It is difficult if not impossible to identify the jobs lost because of minimum wage, but it is very easy to identify the additional income for a minimum wage worker. This is often the first retort from minimum wage advocates in response to arguments made by the other side. Alison Wellington’s research found that a 10% increase in the minimum wage resulted in a 0. 6% decrease in teenage employment, with no effect on unemployment rates. [xiv] A study along the same lines by David Neumark and William Washer in 2008 found contrasting results. They concluded that minimum wage resulted in a reduction in employment opportunities for low skilled workers, it was most harmful to poverty-stricken families, and that it lowers the adult wages of young workers by reducing their ultimate level of education. [xv] There are countless studies on both sides of the issue, and each one only solidifies each side in their existing opinion. No matter what position one takes regarding the minimum wage debate, there are a multitude of studies available to support it. The seemingly obvious fact is that these small increases that are enacted every few years are never enough to truly make a difference in bringing a person or a family out of poverty. A fifty cent increase in the minimum wage results in about $20 more per week for a full time worker. In my estimation, it is quite unlikely that small amount is making the difference in a person or a family living in poverty and living comfortably. A study of PhD members of the American Economic Association found that 46. % of respondents wanted minimum wage completely eliminated while 37. 7% want the minimum wage increased. [xvi] Such division among even the most expert economists shows exactly how contentious this issue is, and that there is no black and white, right or wrong answer to solve the debate. Perhaps as time goes on and there is more historical data to review, there may be a more definitive answer regarding this debate. Until such time, both sides will most likely remain entrenched in their current position.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Persuation in Communication Essay

The concept of Persuasion has been developed between the 1940s and 1950s after studies aimed at defining the optimal persuasive effectiveness of Propaganda, being it political or an advertising campaign. Like the Hypodermic Needle Theory, it considered audiences passive although the scope of a campaign switched from manipulation into persuasion. Researches on Limited Effects of mass communication demonstrated that messages are successful only if they embed the same opinions of their receivers. Therefore, the focus of any campaign has to be on individual psychological factors. Unlike the Hypodermic Needle Theory, Persuasion Theory considers the Stimulus-Response model as interposed by a filter: individual’s specificities, i.e. psychological characteristics of an individual. In this perspective, persuasive messages are thus able to activate an attitude change that can modify behaviors of consumers, voters and individuals in general. According to Persuasion Theory, the communication process consists of a three phase model: Communication-Attitudes-Behavior. See also the communication process of: Limited Effects Theory and the Two-Step Flow Model. Unlike the Play Theory of Mass Communication, the concept underlying persuasion is that information is provided to influence receivers’ behaviors. Once they had developed the concept of persuasion, researchers on Persuasion Theory focused on the audiences and the content of messages. Audiences in Persuasion Theory 4 psychological factors of audiences have been identified: An audience is interested in getting information. To reach a bigger audience (including those who seem to be not interested in certain information at that moment) the message has to be designed to capture people’s attention. Selective exposure. People are more interested in a message if it supports the same opinions and ideas that they already have. Selective perception. Audiences select information that is right for them, and a message can be voluntarily misunderstood or simply not caught if audiences haven’t chosen to receive that piece of information. A receiver perceives opinions embedded in a message according to Messages in Persuasion Theory Regarding the message, Persuasion Theory identified 4 factors that facilitate and reinforce the persuasion process: The credibility and reputation of the communicator. It implies the acceptance of the message by a receiver: the level of persuasion is low if the producer of the message is considered not credible or reliable. The order of statements. In this respect there are two different schools of thought: some consider it more effective to put opinions supporting a defined position at the beginning of the message transmitted (primacy effect); others sustain the opposite (regency effect). Completeness of statements. If receivers are not in favor of a certain opinion, the persuasion increases when a message contains both supporting and contrasting statements regarding the opinion. If receivers agree on a certain opinion or are not knowledgeable or educated, it is better a message includes only pros of the opinion supported. In any case, it has negative effect in terms of persuasion if any relevant topic about an opinion is omitted in the content of the message. Announcement of conclusions. If a receiver is interested in a message it is better not to barely state the conclusions of the message, but to leave them implicit. Application of Persuasion Theory Persuasion Theory can be applied in: Politics: to promote certain candidates, persuade voters to switch their preference, convince masses about needed changes or about the validity of certain political commitment for society. Business: in advertising, to position products or services in consumers’ mind, to persuade prospects to switch supplier, to create a need for new products, to sustain sales of cash cows businesses, to change organizational culture, to support or implement a change project. Conflicts and negotiations. Strengths of Persuasion Theory. Benefits The main advantage of Persuasion Theory is that it offers cost-effective approaches for various uses. It can help in many different kind of situations: from resolution of conflicts to solve organizational, advertising, sales and marketing issues, but can also help in interpersonal relationships. Limitations of Persuasion Theory. Disadvantages An authoritative source of limitations of Persuasion Theory is a book â€Å"Power and Persuasion: Ideology and Rhetoric in Communist Yugoslavia: 1944-1953† from Carol S. Lilly. The author analyzed the most frequently used Persuasive Techniques to sustain a long-term cultural transformation of society. Lilly’s conclusions are: 1) Persuasion is most effective when a communicator builds on existing values and beliefs. The attempt to change people’s values or create new ones has proven to be highly ineffective. It is often impossible to radically transform an existing culture. 2) Since persuasion is predominantly utilized in newspapers, radio, television, education and arts, those who don’t enjoy these tools are less likely to be persuaded.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Analysis Of John Milton s Paradise Lost - 1035 Words

Satan is the first figure to speak in Milton’s poems in Paradise Lost. His words to Beelzebub are the sort of utterances a politician would make to his party members after a defeat. It combines convincement with the virtue of emotional manipulation. Satan’s words shift like a dream from expression of grief and sympathy to the restatement of united defiance, to which Beelzebub replies unconsciously. Milton creates this shift so subtly that it is hardly noticed and highlights through this that the gift of the gab—the talent of persuasive speech—is virtually the only resource that Satan possesses. However, the gift of the conversation is extensive and enough for Satan to carry on and try to meet his motives. It earns Satan the allegiance of†¦show more content†¦That same line is brought out as a simile to ironically depict Satan as not a man moved by zeal for the common good but rather a self-seeking immortal stimulated by resentment to destroy virtu ousness. On line 678 of the same book, Milton uses the term â€Å"Tempter† whereby it is Satan addressing the fruit before addressing Eve directly. Milton deems the mutual goodness is of outstanding significance. His opposition to kings relies on a principle that states can hardly benefit from monarchies, which are dangerously susceptible to the power held by a faulty individual. God is the only perfect king and thus no human being ought to take over God’s empty throne. Milton is very aware of the ways in which a naked ambition would corrupt republics. He illustrates Satan as deeply cut off by his desires since he cannot put up with the common good afore his desires. An impression of frustration is thus brought out. Satan is frustrated, as he cannot achieve what he desires. Satan always demonstrates manipulation. Indeed, this is his instrumental trait when he makes speeches to other individuals. He gains an inconspicuous supremacy in the first disagreement between the wicked person in Book II by merely being the last to speak after they halt their debate. With monarchial pride, Satan claims the position of traitorous champion for fall of man (II, 428). Imperial sovereignty in his own monarchy,