Market Entry Report for Petcoats.com Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Market Entry Report for Petcoats.com - Essay Example Recently, the company received local coverage on BBC East Midlands followed by a favorable article on the company by Daily Mail. Following the two incidents of coverage, there was an avalanche of activity on the company’s website leading to the crash of the website. This event convinced the manager to explore the possibility of venturing into two foreign markets – the USA and France. This paper constitutes a report to the director of Petcoats.com on the viability of entering the US market and how best to approach the market. The report is organized into three parts: the first part investigates the US pet market, the second analyses a number of possible market entry strategies before proposing the strategy the author feels is the most appropriate. The third part of the report explores the various ways through which Petcoats.com can communicate with American pet. Finally, the author concludes by making a number of recommendations. In the 1970s, 64 million American households owned at least a pet. By 2012, that figure had more than tripled 164 million households – this figure translated to 62% of American households (The Humane Society of the United States, 2014). As has always been the case, the dog and the cat are the two most favored pets. In 2012, 47% of all households owned at least a dog, translating to a total of 83.3 million pet dogs. In that same year, dog owners spent an average $231 in a year on routine veterinary visits. The pet cat population stood at 95.6 million and on average, the cat owner spent $193 on routine visits to the veterinary.

Is our Education System Failing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Is our Education System Failing - Essay Example Research evidence seems to indicate the problem may be one of inappropriate measurement methods; however, a more detailed examination of American secondary schools indicates that although measurement methods might negatively affect our estimates about how much high schools are failing students, an underlying problem still exists and it needs to be corrected. This underlying problem with secondary schools is one that revolves around the concept of accountability, and a number of issues emerge from unaccountable schools. An important consideration to make when considering the success or failure of American secondary schools is the statistics involved with either side of the argument. A graduation rate is a good indicator of whether a specific school is successfully educating and preparing its students. Therefore, it is essential to see whether the statistical measurements of graduation are actually correct or not. Swanson (analyzes American graduation rates across the country, and offe rs a resource for better evaluating and measuring the graduation crisis. The analysis points to a clear role for public policy in improving the conditions and environmental circumstances in which American secondary schools operate. An important consequence of this is that â€Å"the findings here do tell us that there is a strong and very detrimental linkage between graduation rates and the environmental conditions that go along with factors like poverty and segregation† (Swanson, 2003, p. 35). Accordingly, the author of this report is convinced that incorrect concepts of graduation rates leads to incorrect views (and incorrect solutions) of the educational crisis. That is, by identifying the environmental circumstances surrounding failing schools, officials can be better prepared with â€Å"better knowledge† about how to fix the problem. However, ascribing poor graduation rates to environmental circumstances (such as poverty and segregation) is a point of view that mov es responsibility for failings away from the schools themselves. Swanson (2003) is suggesting that the only solutions to the graduation crisis can only come from successful interventions, which implies that internal changes to schools is not an effective strategy. But studies such as Chiang (2009) indicate that accountability pressure, which is defined as the â€Å"threat of sanctions on low-performing schools,† is not an effective tool when schools are able to manipulate the accountability system. Referencing claims like those made by Swanson (2003), Chiang (2009) argues that accountability systems within schools properly constructed and maintained make educational reforms more likely to generate test score gains. So, even if in fact American secondary schools are failing their students in terms of the students’ long-term benefits, improved accountability systems within schools will lessen the impact of environmental circumstances that decrease student performance. Fo r instance, in some cases, sanction threats prompted schools to increase spending on instructional technology, which improved student performance. Knowing that accountability is the best solution for making sure secondary schools do not fail their students, one might compare that result with additional studies where accountability is a problem

Stereotypes and Prejudice Worksheet Essay Example for Free

Stereotypes and Prejudice Worksheet Essay Please complete the following exercises, remembering that you are in an academic setting and should remain unbiased, considerate, and professional when completing this worksheet. Part I Select three of the identity categories below and name or describe at least 3 related stereotypes for each: Race Ethnicity Religion Gender Sexual orientation Age Disability Category Stereotype 1 Stereotype 2 Stereotype 3 Race All black people like fried chicken All Asian people are smart White people are all nerdy. Sexual Orientation Homosexuals are all effeminate. Straight guys are all belching morons. Homosexuals are weak. Religion Muslims are all warlike Jews are greedy and money hungry. Christians are hypocritical conquerors. Part II Answer each question in 50 to 100 words related to those stereotypes. Provide citations for all the sources you use. What are the positive aspects of stereotypes, if any? It is my personal conviction that stereotypes have absolutely no positive aspects. This sort of thinking only leads to deeper struggles and inequality within societies. It is absolutely vital for a deeper level of understanding to be reached by people of differing race and ethnicity in order for the possibility of a peaceful world to exist. What are the negative aspects of stereotypes? There are many negative aspects of stereotypes. One of the main consequences is the lack of unity within a society or population. If different groups are at war with each other within a society their chances of becoming a true world power are miniscule. Also stereotyping generally leads to violence and pain for everyone involved because of the conflict that it arouses. Part III Answer each question in 50 to 150 words related to those stereotypes. Provide citations for all the sources you use. Define stereotypes and prejudice. What is the difference between stereotyping and prejudice? Use examples to illustrate the differences. The text defines stereotypes as: unreliable, exaggerated, generalizations about all members of a group that do not take individual differences into account. Prejudice is defined as: a negative attitude toward an entire category of people, such as a racial or ethnic minority . The difference between these two concepts is that stereotypes are false beliefs about an entire group of people that perpetuate fear and misunderstanding, like: all black people are thugs. Whereas prejudice is a negative feeling towards an entire group based on the fact that they are different. An example of this is the prejudice against hiring blacks to do a certain job because one feels they mentally inferior because they are a different race.(Schaefer 2012). What is the relationship between stereotyping and prejudice? The relationship between stereotyping and prejudice is basically one of escalation. The connection between the two usually occurs in the form that stereotyping leads to prejudice. This often occurs because stereotypes create a sense of uncertainty and distrust between groups and prejudice is a more refined and focused form of intolerance that often leads to discrimination and hate. What can be done to prevent prejudice from occurring? The biggest thing that can be done to prevent prejudice is to educate people about other races and ethnicities, and to work towards establishing a better degree of understanding and unity between different groups of people. It is also necessary to single out those who are acting in a prejudiced manner and show that this type of sentiment will not be tolerated. References Racial and Ethnic Groups, Thirteenth edition, by Richard T. Schaefer. Published by Merrill Prentice Hall. Copyright  © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.(Ch.2)

Applying Key Sociological Concepts: Poverty

Applying Key Sociological Concepts: Poverty Poverty is a global phenomenon that affects the whole world specially the developing nations. Poverty has affected millions of people suffering from hunger and thirst. Food, clean water, shelter and clothing are the basic needs for an individual to survive. However, people under poverty line have no access to these basic needs maybe due to economic reasons or other factors. According to Gilbert (2004), absolute poverty is the condition of people whose incomes are too low to satisfy their most basic needs (p. 3). Almost half of the world-over three billion people live on less than $2.50 a day (Global Issues, 2013). Poverty is a social issue that needs to be understood how certain class of people were able to cope under certain situation. Sociology bears the importance of helping me to understand poverty by applying sociological concept. Poverty has existed centuries ago and up to now it is still evident in recent society. As a society with interconnected parts, poverty affects not onl y a single person but rather the rest of the community. It is interesting to learn the different facets that contribute to poverty and how sociological perspective can be of use in understanding this dilemma. Illiteracy is one factor that contributes to poverty. Without proper education, people would find it hard to look for a decent job to sustain its everyday consumption and expenses. Generally, if a person cannot read and write, jobs correlating to his qualification would depend on his abilities. Poverty affects the nation economically and pulls the nation behind compared with other industrialized nation. Illiteracy brings down a society to poverty leading to widespread hunger and malnutrition. For instance, according to Igboanusi (2014), there are eight West African countries listed among the lowest ten countries in the world with regards to literacy rates including Burkina Fuso, Niger, Sierra Leone, Benin, Gambia, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, and Guinea (p. 83). These are also the poorest countries in the world- an obvious indication that poverty rates and illiteracy rates are closely connected (Igboanusi, 2014, p. 83). The social-conflict approach is a framework for building theory that sees society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change (Macionis, Jansson Benoit, 2013, p. 12). Applying this sociological concept means that there is an unequal distribution of wealth between the rich and the poor which creates conflict among developing nations. The inequality between the two dimensions creates a gap which makes the poor becomes poorer and the rich becomes richer. To cite a specific example would be my country where I came from, the Philippines. In the Philippines, people who are in authority holds the power and through their power they take advantage of the poor. Philippine elected politicians use their position to benefit themselves like pocketing the money allotted for public development funds. Recently, there were three Philippine Senators who were charge with graft and plunder cases for taking part in monopolizing the priority development assistance fund (Cayabyab, 2014. pa ra. 1). Also charged is alleged mastermind Janet Lim Napoles, whose bogus non-government organization were allegedly used as dummy fronts to pocket billions of public funds through ghost projects (Cayabyab, 2014, para. 6). Though recently, President Aquino’s administration has been combating enormously to counter corruption in the Philippines and seeks transparency in all government activities. Looking back to social-conflict approach, the inequality between the rich and the poor creates conflict and change in the same way as it is portrayed in the Philippine government. In addition, poverty is a difficult thing to address unless there is a balance and equal opportunity given to all people. The Feminism and Gender-Conflict approach is a point of view that focuses on inequality and conflict between men and women (Macionis, Jansson Benoit, 2013, p. 13). Feminism, in my opinion, seeks to find equality between two genders as not to place one gender ahead of the other. In my understanding, gender-conflict approach means that there is a preference of one gender over the other in terms of opportunity and employment sector. A specific example is the nation Botswana. Poverty in Botswana is a gender-based problem that disproportionately affects men and women (Raditloaneng Mulenga, 2003, p. 5). The feminization of poverty is based on measures of poverty as they relate to male and female headed households (Raditloaneng Mulenga, 2003, p. 6). These measures include income, head count ratios, and poverty sector approaches to gender-based poverty (Raditloaneng Mulenga, 2003, p. 6). Women and female headed households tend to suffer poverty and economic marginalization more acutely t han male-headed households in Botswana (Raditloaneng Mulenga, 2003, p. 6). Furthermore, Gilbert (2004) states that women experience a higher rate of poverty than men the world over (p. 179). When we measure poverty by the standard of â€Å"capabilities,† rather than simply income, the gender gap appears even wider, since females have less access to education, are often legally disadvantaged compared to males, and in many parts of the developing world do not yet have an equal voice in the political process (Gilbert, 2004, p. 179). The race-conflict approach is a point of view that focuses on inequality and conflict between people of different racial and ethnic categories (Macionis, Jansson Benoit, 2013, p. 14). In my opinion, race-conflict approach means that there is a prejudice among selected people when it comes to origin and background especially to the colored people. They are less regarded in term of employability. This approach relates to underprivileged black people in history wherein they were denied their rights. According to Baldwin Johnson (1996), â€Å"when labor supply curves are upward-sloping, wage discrimination against black men reduces not only their relative wages but also their relative employment rates (p. 302). Intersectional research highlights how barriers to employment for low-income Black women are symptomatic of their double-jeopardy, due to marginalized racial and gender identities (Branch Scherer, 2013, p. 355). Employment options available to black women were characterized by instability, exploitation, and invisibility (Branch Scherer, 2013, p. 355). Driven by economic interests combined with assumptions shaped by gender and race, those in power actively blocked black women from entering better jobs time after time (Duffy, 2013, p. 1130). Though this perception has been casted out in our modern society. I believe in equality to all people whatever their race or ethnicity. In conclusion, seeing a society in a sociological perspective helps me to understand the relationship among individuals and the society he lives in. It gives me a broader idea that a society is an interconnected network of people and people live together and creates their own culture, tradition, and ways of living through interaction. Different sociological theory or approach should be analyzed and understood to be able to relate to what is happening in our present surrounding why people behave in that manner and even sociological events that happen in the past. Likewise, poverty issue is a complex matter that encompasses a lot of sociological concept. It means that to be able to see it in a sociological perspective, I should consider using various approach to be able to understand the culture behind poverty and its consequences to people. References Baldwin, M. L., Johnson, W.G. (1996). The Employment Effects of Wage Discrimination Against Black Men. Industrial Labor Relations Review, 49(2), 302-316. Branch, E., Scherer, M. (2013). Mapping the Intersections in the Resurgence of the Culture of Poverty. Race, Gender Class, 20(3/4), 346-358. Cayabyab, M.J. (2014). Ombudsman files graft charges vs Napoles, Revilla, Estrada, and Revilla: Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net /609757/ombudsman-files-graft-charges-vs-napoles-revilla-estrada-enrile Duffy, M. (2013). Opportunity denied: Limiting Black Women to Devalued Work. The American Journal of Sociology, (4), 1129. Galbraith, J. (1979). The Nature of Mass Poverty. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. Gilbert, G. (2004). World Poverty: Contemporary World Issues. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO Inc. Igboanusi, H. (2014). The Role of Language Policy in Poverty Alleviation in West Africa. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 2014(225), 75-90. doi:10.1515/ijsl-2013-0066. Macionis, J., Jansson, S. M., Benoit, C. (2013). Society the Basics. Ontario, Canada: Pearson Canada Inc. Raditloaneng, W., Mulenga, D. (2003). Rethinking Poverty and Illiteracy: A case study of Botswana’s Urban Women. Convergence, 36(2), 5-27. Shah, A. (2013). Poverty Facts and Stats: Global Issues. Retrieved from http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats

Essay --

Sam Culleton March 9, 2014 Research paper Jesse Owens was a very important man. He was amazing at track and went to the Olympics. He was the best in college. Even though his childhood was not really good. Jesse Owens was born on September 12 1913. He was born in Oakville, Alabama and was born with the name James. Jesse had nine siblings. His family was very poor. They were all sharecroppers which means they were owned by white people but got little money. Even the kids and to help do the job. Every Winter Jesse would get pneumonia and had to work through it. Also every year he would get a big bump. One time it got so big his mom had to get a knife and cut it off. When Jesse was nine hid father found out that the landlord was cheating them out of their money. So once they had enough money, they moved to Ohio. His father found better work there and so did a lot of his family members. Jesse had trouble in school there. On his first day, his teacher asked him what his name was and he said his nickname which was J.C. but with his southern accent it sounded like he said Jesse. That name stuck with him for the rest of his life. When Jesse was in the fifth grade, the track teacher there saw him running and asked him to join the track team. Though with all the jobs Jesse had he could not do track in the afternoon so his coach made him get there before school so he could practice track. /jesse set Junior high records in the high jump with a 6 foot jump and he set another one in the broad jump with 22 feet 11 inches and 3/4. In high school, Jesse won all his major track events. He set records in the 100 meter dash with 9.4 seconds which also tied the world record. Also in high school he set two world records. He ran the 220 yard dash i... ...rld record in the 100 yard dash and won the 220 low hurdles all in under forty five minutes. In the Olympics he competed in the 100 meter dash, long jump, 220 meter dash and the 400 meter dash. In the Olympics he got four gold medals. Jesse Owens was a very important man. He set world records in high school, the Big Ten Conference Championships, and he won four gold medals in the Olympics. He also set records that stood for twenty five years. He impacted athletes by showing no matter what you have went through as a child sand no matter how bad of a life you had you can still do great things that you will be remembered for. He impacted racism by showing no matter what race you are you can still do amazing things, face racism and compete in the Olympics just like white people. He also showed that if you work hard enough and dream big good things will happen for you.

Ambrose Bierces Chickamauga Essay example -- Ambrose Bierce Chickamau

Ambrose Bierce's Chickamauga Ambrose Bierce’s short story, "Chickamauga," scrutinizes American values, specifically, America’s identifying with the natural world. Bierce is critical of the American association with divine destiny, which has manifested itself throughout history in the form of John Winthrop’s â€Å"City upon a hill† speech, the notion of the â€Å"white man’s burden,† and Manifest Destiny. American history, in the scope of the short story, is one of perceived â€Å"rightly† subjugation of others. Bierce satirizes this philosophy by use of the child as a manifestation of American values that are eventually shown to be feeble and weak. The opening paragraph summarizes American history in abstract terms: â€Å"It was happy in a new sense of freedom from control, happy in the opportunity of exploration and adventure; for this child’s spirit, in bodies of its ancestors, had for thousands of years been trained to memorable feats of discovery and conquest† (455). The diction Bierce uses conveys a sense of warmongering and that war and conquest is what brings about â€Å"memorable feats.† The ever expanding frontier, the cross-continental explorations, and the colonizing of the West, though, are all described by Bierce in terms of a mirthful child going to play in the woods unabated and â€Å"unobserved† (Ibid). Bierce undermines the notion that American conquests in the past were grand exploits of a privileged and godly people. Bierce also uses hyperbole in describing the child’s playing in the woods. Though the child is merely playing war in his mind, Bierce describes him as â€Å"a mightier conqueror† and â€Å"the mightiest† (Ibid). This diction of grandeur is juxtaposed with the rabbit scaring the child away: â€Å"With a startled cry the child... ...nquest do not give triumph to one nation and defeat for another, but instead bring about defeat for all. Thus, Bierce satirizes American culture and the popular beliefs of destiny and natural superiority associated with his time. American history is shown to be nothing more than a deaf and mute child roaming in the wilderness playing war games. The arrogant notion of superiority is described as feeble and ultimately destructive. Bierce calls upon Americans to view themselves with a kind of humility toward the natural world and its it place inside of it; no longer should Americans see themselves as privileged, instead, they should become humbled. Works Cited Bierce, Ambrose. "Chickamauga." The Heath Anthology of American Literature Volume C Late Nineteenth Century 1865-1910. Ed. Suzanne P. Weir. Boston, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006. 455-459.

Lexington and Concord: Who Fired First? Essay

The purpose of this Essay is to investigate and state my opinion on who fired first at the Battle of Lexington and Concord. As for every story, there are two sides to this important timepiece. There are many sources of information for this subject. Many provided for me were affidavits, or accounts, of key people in the conflict. Some are more credible than others. As for the affidavit of John Parker, it seems believable. On the other hand, it lacks detail. His account is very short and simple. Not many details are present compared to others. In this legal document, he states he ordered them to disperse and to not fire upon the enemy (British Troops). According to him, the British troops approached and rushed with fury and fired without any previous provocations. In my opinion, this may seem like a good source, but when compared to others it is not the greatest. I believe that the affidavit of Edward Thoroton Gould is the second to the last most credible group of statements of the six pieces of evidence/ information that were given to me. He testified that on April 18th of 1775, he embarked with the light infantry and grenadiers of the line commanded by Colonel Smith, proceeding to Lexington. â€Å"On our arrival at that place, we saw a Body of provincial troops armed, to the number of about sixty or seventy Men; on our approach, they dispersed, and soon after firing began, but which party fired first, i cannot exactly say, as our troops rush’d on shouting , and huzzaing, previous to the firing, which was continued by our troops, so long as any of the provincials were to be seen.† As you can see, Edward Thoroton Gould is very clear and detailed in his description. He seems to know what he is talking about, and has no doubts that it happened that way. Simon Winship of Lexington speaks for the opposing side of Edward Thoroton Gou ld. They are both clear and detailed, and have well-written descriptions. He was passing the public road in Lexington, peaceably and unarmed, when he was met by a Body of the Kings regular  Troops. Also being asked to dismount, he was forced after asking why. Ordered to march in the midst of the Body, he was being examined as to whether he was or was going to warn the Minute Men. He came within about an eighth of a mile of the meeting-house, when he saw an officer commanding his troops to halt, prime and load their firearms. They marched a little further, within a few rods of Captain Parkers Company , when Winship â€Å"observed an Officer at the head of said troops, flourishing his sword, and with a loud voice, giving the word fire!† If Winship is honest, this is the most believable story. He even has the details of the word â€Å"Fire!’† being said. He declares in the most solemn manner that there was no discharge of arms until the word fire was given by the British Officer. In the diary of British Officer Lt. John Barker, he makes the most detailed description of what happened ikn his eyes. Since this is a diary/primary source, this may be the most credible for me to believe. According to him at 2 o’clock they began marching through a very long ford up to their middles, where they took 3 or 4 people who were going to give intelligience. â€Å"About 5 miles on this side of a town called Lexington, which lay in our road, we heard there were some hundreds of people collected together intending to oppose us and stop our going on. At 5 o’clock we arrived there and saw a number of people, I believe 2 and 3 hundred, formed on a common in the middle of the town; we still continued advancing, keeping prepared against an attack tho’ without intending to attack them, but on our coming near them they fired one or two shots, upon which our men without any orders rushed in upon them, fired and put ‘em to flight.† Their missioon was to destroy a magazine of stores collected in Concord. Of all the legal documents, the diary entry of British Officer Lt. John Barker is the most credible. Bits and pieces of all the affidavits could be true, but as a whole piece the diary entry in my belief is the best. The reason for this is because it is a actual written entry, and has the greatest of details. The colonial troops fired first, in my opinion. Only someone who experienced it firsthand and documented it could have given that credible piece of evidence. He even stated that were actually a few people trying to sneak intelligience, otherwise stated by Simon Winship. This is my opinion of who fired first at The Battle of Lexington and Concord.