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1. Marketing is a process that involves the combined use of elements referred to as the “marketing mix”. The marketing mix consists of four components: product, place, price, and promotion (Pue, 2002). Marketing must begin with the product because the purpose, use, and allure of the product to the consumer, and the consumer who would want this type of product, must become the focus around which the remaining items of the marketing mix are determined. The product, of course, is the item, company, idea, or service that will be marketed. The product tells the marketer the problems consumers who want that product need to solve and which of consumers’ needs the product meets. This information helps the marketer identify the target market for the product (Fetherstonhaugh, 2008). One marketing view is that product includes thoughts regarding “the full experience” of using the product which, in turn, includes ideas about how people shop for the product, who makes the buying decision, and how people use the product once they buy it (Fetherstonhaugh, 2008). Place, meaning “the different ways of getting products or services to customers” revolves around the consumer because a marketer cannot select the proper place for a product to be sold without understanding where the consumer will be and how the consumer will want to acquire this particular product. Place also involves decisions about where to store the product, how to transport it, and whether to sell it directly or through resellers or through other methods such as where to sell them, how to store them, how to transport them, and whether to sell them directly or through wholesalers or resellers (Bartle, 2007). All of these questions, of course, can only be answered by considering how the target market acts. Price, of course, is how much to charge for a product (Bartle, 2007). Only by looking at the target market, how consumers in that target view a price, how much they earn, how much they normally spend for a type of product, etc., can a marketer know how much to charge for a product. Lastly, there is promotion, the means used to tell consumers about the product and attract them to the product (Bartle, 2007). Only be considering what this target market likes to hear, what they are interested in, and what promotions they are most likely to react positively to can a marketer fulfill his or her job. References 2. The two approaches used to forecast market potential and sales are (1) extending past behavior and (2) predicting future behavior. The first approach is similar to that used in determining business growth. A marketing professional considers that past experience of an existing or similar product and then uses its actual results to predict how the current product or service will perform. It is often said that past experience is the best predictor of future experience. Often this is true, but if there are any changes in society or individuals lives or desires, then this may not appropriately predict future behavior given those changes. Therefore, “projections [may] make assumptions based on past behavior, ... [but] future behavior may or may not follow the same patterns” (Wellner, 2003). This method relies on the use of facts and figures from the past and puts them through mathematical models to predict what will occur. This method, therefore, may be best suited for products that the marketplace would be familiar with, existing products, or those very similar to existing products. Predicting future behavior occurs when marketing professionals rely on the predictions of sales professionals, the evaluations of executives, and market and consumer tests to determine what likely will happen with the market and sales in the future. Although not a quantifiable method, it does rely on knowledge, skill, and evaluations of the current market and its current conditions, which is important. This method may be the only one suited to manage new products not previously seen in the marketplace, such as the computer was decades ago. References 3. There are three key reasons why marketing inefficiencies occur. These include (1) a lack of interest in, or understanding of, the consumer; (2) improper blending of the four P’s due to a focus on internal concerns and not the consumer; and (3) a failure to understand or react to market realities and what competitors do (Perreault et al, 2008, p. 604). When marketing professionals ignore the consumer, as they do in all three of these causes for market inefficiency, the forget one of the most important parties in the process of marketing. Just as marketing should begin with a focus on the product and then look to the potential target market to determine how to market that product, it must also ensure that it considers the consumers’ needs, wants, and experience every step of the way. Where the consumer is not understood marketing professionals may not promote the product in ways that reach the target market or may sell a product at too high a cost for a particular demographic group. If a marketing professional creates the marketing mix so it fulfills internal needs rather than reaches the target market in a way that has a positive impact then the costs of the product will exceed its benefits. If a marketing professional fails to understand market realities then he or she will likely miss important opportunities that may harm their ability to grow sales. References 4. As in many industries, technology has been a benefit and a challenge to marketing. Technology has brought more effective and efficient methods to perform marketing and collect marketing data and reach consumers. Technology has also created a great deal of confusion and concern that the wrong types of methods are being used. Moreover, technology has also created new means to issue promotions and learn about consumers, which has generated concerns regarding privacy. There is not tool that is perfect, and the technological environment in marketing is significant, effective, helpful, and also difficult to maneuver. Technology has increased marketing professionals access to consumers and expanded the method through which they can reach the consumer and learn about the consumer to build a stronger relationship. Marketing can now occur through direct marketing, the Internet, cell phones, and the traditional methods. These are much more personal types of marketing and enter areas that at one time were private to a consumer. This has allowed marketing professionals to build closer relationships with customers that were not once possible. However, while technology enabled “businesses to focus on customer relationships, technology also gave customers power” and this has created problems. Consumers can now post information about a company or product and instantly distribute real or false information that can instantly damage the reputation of a company or product. Likewise, the ability of companies to put marketing everywhere has made many consumers turn away from marketing and simply ignore it. References 5. Delinquent behavior may be defined as that which society finds unacceptable. The three integrated theories that explain delinquent behavior are reinforcement theory; and social structural theories; and social process theories. Reinforcement theory indicates that the allure of crime and the rewards it offers are what attract juveniles to crime and that they model their behavior by observing the rewards crime provides. Social structural theories indicate that for the lower classes the breakdown of control factors such as the family and community as well as the development of different values or the frustrations inherent in living in a poor community result in the acceptance of deviant or criminal behavior. The social process theories indicate that a person’s development and links to society determine whether or not he or she will engage in delinquent behavior. Both reinforcement and social process theories can apply to anyone while social structural theories examine delinquent behavior as something strictly associated with the lower classes. All three, however, view the environment as critically important in shaping or controlling deviant behavior. Given the clear examples of wealth in society today and the growing gap between rich and poor in the nation, reinforcement theory provides a clear motivation for people to engage in criminal activity. 6. There are certainly differences in juvenile delinquency when factors such as race, gender, and social class are considered. Males, for example, are known to be more likely to engage in juvenile crime. Minority juveniles are also more likely to engage in criminal activity or delinquency. As of 1997, for example, minorities made up 1/3 of juveniles in the country but 2/3 of juveniles in the criminal justice system (Minorities, 1999). These conditions have remained the same, with minorities consistently overly represented in the criminal justice system in terms of juveniles and adults. Statistics also show that males are far more represented in the criminal justice system. The final element, that of social class, is one not easily determined for juveniles as juveniles from both wealthy and poor communities engage in deviant or criminal behavior. However, for those juveniles in the criminal justice system, the fact that most are minority youth suggests that, as minorities are more likely to be in lower social classes for many reasons, social class is a great determinant of who engages in criminal activity or who ends up in the criminal justice system. The fact that the ability to effectively avoid probation or incarceration or criminal charges depends on one’s ability to hire an attorney easily illustrates that social class is a factor not in the likelihood to commit deviant behavior but in the likelihood of being unable to avoid the consequences for that behavior. This, in turn, also helps a juvenile avoid the problems of labeling and lowered expectations that those unable to avoid such consequences suffer. Money, in short, may be more important than it is considered. The case of the “rich” college boys accused of raping a dancer illustrates this fact, as the parents were able to have the DA disbarred. Had those boys been poor it is doubtful a public defender would have had the time to devote to their defense that the attorney their parents’ money was able to provide them could afford to spend References 7. There are both official and unofficial measures of juvenile crime. Official measures are those provided by the Uniform Crime Reports or other government records that include only verified and reported criminal activity. However, there are many unofficial sources of criminal data, such as those not recorded or investigated by police, that on which juveniles themselves report, and that which unofficial agencies collect. Both provide valuable insights into criminal activity, yet both are subject to reporting errors and bias. Official sources may underreport while unofficial sources may over-report. The unofficial data, however, as it normally has broader definitions of criminal activity, may come closer to better calculating a measure of juvenile crime in the United States. This is particularly true when one considers the fact that many people fail to report crime to the police for cultural reasons. The unofficial data may be unverifiable, while that of official sources is, but that alone does not make the information incorrect. 8. A status offender is a juvenile who has committed a violation of law that is only considered a violation of law due to the fact that the juvenile is a minor. A delinquent, however, is a juvenile that has committed an offense that would be a crime regardless of their age. For example, a status offender is a juvenile who has run away or has been truant from school. An adult who “runs away” may be a missing person, but a child who has run away has broken the law. Likewise, adult students are not required by law to attend school, although they are highly encouraged to do so. A delinquent, however, has been found to have spray painted a building or trespassed a private property. If an adult committed these same actions he or she would also be guilty of the same criminal offenses. The offenses of a status offender are only crimes because they are meant to protect juveniles whiles the offenses of a delinquent are meant to protect the members of society. The status offender is far less likely than the juvenile delinquent to be incarcerated, at least for a first offense. Both, however, may suffer prosecution of some type and may be confined or otherwise regulated by the court. Both may also indicate that they have problems which need to be taken care of in order to avoid future criminal problems. 9. Automobiles are a product that has been marketed differently across generations. Automobiles targeted for business professionals and families between the ages of 30 to 50 or so, tend to be presented on the basis of luxury and special features. Automobiles targeted to persons aged 20 to 30 tend to be sold on their value, the fact that they rely on alternative fuel, and reliability. Of course, each type of vehicle, the minivan, sports car, and pick-up truck are also marketed differently based on the particular target market expected to purchase that product. This type of marketing has been successful across all groups, but it may have been most successful with the people aged 30 to 50. Automobile brands such as BMW, Lexus, and Audi, in particular, are status symbols and persons in their 20s normally want them when they reach their 30s and persons in their 30s to 50s normally want them so they can appear to be “successful”. 10. There is a well known link between juvenile victims and juvenile crime. “Research has shown that child victimization and abuse are linked to problem behaviors that become evident later in life. So an understanding of childhood victimization and its trends may lead to a better understanding of juvenile offending” (Juvenile, 2006). When juveniles encounter trauma and are victimized this affects their relationships with others and shapes the way they view others. It may harm their ability to feel compassion for others or to interact positively with others. They also learn to model their behavior on that which they have experienced. The way a juvenile grows up will clearly affect how he or she lives his or her life and the choices he or she will make regarding criminal activity. While it is understood that environment often creates many of the situations which can lead a juvenile to engage in criminal activity, the majority of programs designed to help “at risk” juveniles tend to rely on parents to bring their children to these programs. There is an assumption made that all juveniles will have parents who will sign them up for such programs as soon as they become available in a community. That is not the case. Instead of creating programs where parents must be responsible and caring enough to engage their children communities need to develop programs that reach out directly to juveniles to engage those who may be most at risk – those with poor parental models and protection. References 1. The two basic types of software are system software and applications software. System software controls, structures, and coordinates computer functions, those items behind the scenes normally. System software manages computer resources such as memory, control inputs and outputs, and determine the user interface (Wolfe, 2000). Types of system software include DOS, Windows, Unix, Macintosh, and others (Wolfe, 2000). System software, moreover, is what allows application software to function. While computers would not operate without system software this type of software is not often considered by the average user., Applications software is designed to complete specific functions and is clear and evident to most computer users. These are the systems the average computer user thinks of when he or she thinks of computer software. They include the word processors, games, and e-mail programs people use on a regular basis. Each of these applications have a unique purpose and interact with the system software to complete that purpose and function properly as they cannot function of their own volition without the system software’s assistance. References 2. The vast majority of the public uses the terms Internet and World Wide Web interchangeably, but they are actually two different things. The Internet is a system of interconnected computer networks that helps transfer information via computers (Internet, n.d.). The Internet, for example, carries private communications through e-mail and organizations. The Internet also carries mainly public or semi-public communications via the World Wide Web. The World Wide Web is a part of the Internet that helps users obtain and provide information to each other and that connects them to each other (Internet, n.d.). Therefore, computer users reach the World Wide Web, abbreviated www, by going through the Internet. There are many different ways to connect to the Internet. Internet2 developed through a collaborative effort between U.S. research universities to create the broadband application, engineering and network management tools that will enable advanced research and education to take place (Kleinsasser, 2002). Internet2 is not only private, while the Internet is public, but it is also much, much faster than the Internet (Kleinssser, 2002). Another key difference is that the Internet2 has a specified purpose that conducts only certain kinds of traffic or resources, while the Internet can contain anything. It is a much more direct method to communicate than the regular Internet. References 3. Cloud computing has been defined as “an IT consumption pattern that relies on abstracted resources delivered as utility services” (Can cloud, 2009). In clearer English this means that cloud computing allows organizations and individuals to obtain large computing resources, such as networks and systems, that they would not otherwise be able to acquire unless they had the significant financial resources to purchase them. Cloud computing allows parties to obtain the resources they need through a system where they pay only for the amount of resources they use. Resources and services can include: “storage, database, information, processing, integration, security, management/governance, ... testing, ... application, platform, and infrastructure” (Linthicum, 2010). The reasons for cloud computing’s increasing popularity as an IT strategy are easy to identify. While computing storage, processing, and other needs have increased for even the smallest of businesses, the costs of these things are not affordable for all businesses. There are, however, many organizations that have these resources and often have excess capacity. It is a profit opportunity for the organizations with these resources to lease or rent them out to others and it is an effective cost containment method for those who need them to lease or rent them. Both not only help increase profits and reduce costs, but effectively use resources. The security available and the speed of transfer also make these popular. References 4. As the name implies a decision support system is a computer system that helps mangers and others who need to make decisions or conclusions about something. Professionals define a decision support system as “an intelligent model dealing with semi- or ill-defined and structured decision-making problems in order to support better judgment amongst decision-makers” (Lee, 2006). A decision support system helps collect, distribute, and analyze data so that decision makers can better understand and better evaluate options and their consequences to help them make a final decision on any matter, be it product, construction, operational, or service related. It is also useful in nearly all industries. If I were a manager that needed to make a decision in an area where I lacked expertise the decision support system I selected for my use would be one that defined and explained the area and how it interacted with all other areas. I would want to have the ability to analyze the information provided by the system so the system would need to let me manipulate the data in multiple ways. This will also be important where there are complex relationships hidden in the data. Further, if the system would allow me to create simulations where I could manipulate variables and make alternative decisions to see what would result, that would also help me make a better choice. References 5. The term computer virus if often used to describe any type of harmful or destructive infection or infiltration of a computer made against the wishes or the knowledge of the computer owner or user. In reality, they are two different things. A computer virus is a program that enters a computer and can then copy itself and spread to other computers (Disinfecting, 2010). Spyware is a type of program that collects data about the user of a computer and how he or she uses the computer at the time he or she uses it, but it does not copy itself or spread as a computer virus does. Both, viruses and spyware, however, can lead to significant harm and cost. A 2007 study “put a price tag of more than $7 billion on the financial suffering experienced by victims of Internet fraud and attacks” (Prince, 2007). To avoid these costs there are many things people can do. One of the best ways is to put an effective anti-virus system on one’s PC and to ensure it is updated on a timely basis. Another way is avoid replying to e-mail’s from recipients one does not recognize or avoid clicking on websites or on email links from others. Downloading programs from unknown sources can also help a person avoid these problems. References 6. Web 2.0 is technological evolution in the way that the web can be used (Barbry, 2007). While these changes in technology are not modifying the way the average use approaches the Internet or uses it, it is creating “important modifications including the creation of new services, modifications to business models, new behaviour patterns on the part of internet users and ... a revolution of the legal certainties acquired under Web 1.0” (Barbry, 2007). The greatest difference between the two is the manner in which Web 2.0 is a system created through the active interaction of users and website business owners. One of the most common ways in which Web 2.0 is being used by firms today is the fact that many retailers, in particular, have developed Facebook or Twitter pages and use these to provide information from their “fans” and to get ideas from them about things they want. Apple, for example, has a strong Twitter and Facebook following and uses it to announce product introductions and help users create groups where they can exchange information about the Apple products they use. Ultimately, this has helped the company develop a devoted fan base that has helped it build strong sales for its products. References Application Question My favorite viral marketing campaign of all time was launched by a non-profit group within the last couple of months. This organization has created brief images of cultural experiences, opera, dance, orchestras, singing, and the like, called “Random Acts of Culture” and put several videos on YouTube. In these scenes, which take place in malls, airports, or other public places, performers who dance, sing, or play musical instruments professionally from local dance, music, choral groups, or opera companies, and are dressed as members of the public, all of a sudden begin to perform their acts, much to the delight of the crowd. My favorite is the Opera Company of Philadelphia which in late October 2010 got some 650 members of the opera and nearby choral groups to break out into the Hallelujah chorus at a Macy’s store in Philadelphia. It was beautiful, entertaining, and spread a smile to everyone’s face. This campaign is effective because it supports something good – the arts. Its goal is to publicize important elements of culture that are not otherwise promoted and remind the public that they truly enjoy these forms of entertainment. It is also a way to publicize the arts without asking for money or preaching about their importance. The very fact that people are pleased and enjoy the experience provides sufficient reason to support the arts and those groups involved in these Random Acts of Culture. 1. A good is normally a product that can be purchased while a service is something that is done for a buyer by another person for a fee. For example, buying shoes is the purchase of a good while having one’s shoes shined or repaired are services one purchases. The differences between these two are, of course, that goods can be seen and touched as they are tangible. Services, however, can be experienced (as in the case of a massage) or one can benefit from a service (such as a haircut) but one cannot touch a service as it is intangible. While goods are normally manufactured first and then wait for consumers to purchase them, services are normally only “created” or provided when a consumer purchases them. Therefore, goods are produced independently of consumers while services involve consumer participation. This also means that goods can be stored while services fully consumed when they are provided. As goods are created without direct consumer intervention or evaluation they require their manufacturers to rely on quality measures to determine when they are good enough for the market while the quality of a service is based on the perceptions of a consumer. In addition, while one can purchase a good and take it from the store or have it delivered, that is not the case with services. Services only exist where they are provided and cannot be moved or shifted from different locations once completed. (Note: this is a DISCUSSION question not a list question) 2. The words efficiency and effectiveness are often used together, but few realize that they refer to very different things. While is its true that they refer to similar concepts and often appear together, they do not always have to exist together. Efficiency refers to the ability to achieve a desired result, such as the production of a good, with a minimum of effort or cost (Efficiency, 2010). If an organization can produce a good and maintain the same amount of quality but reduce the time it takes to produce the goods by 10 minutes each, then this is a great improvement in efficiency. Likewise, if it can reduce the use of raw materials needed to create the same good, while maintaining the same quality and size, it has also achieved a greater efficiency. Effectiveness, however, refers to the ability of a process or action to achieve its desired goal or result. A car that can drive well for a long period of time without needing any repairs is effective. A coat that keeps a person warm on a cold day is effective. A production line that produces good products on a continuous basis is an effective production line. When managers are able to combine effectiveness with efficiency, however, the ultimate result is far better than that of their individual accomplishments. An effective production line that also is efficient means it produces high quality repeatedly but at a lower cost and with less waste. References 3. A value chain is a system of interrelated parts that combine to provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace (The value chain, 2010). While all businesses consist of departments and personnel who complete different tasks so the organization as a whole can provide goods or services to the marketplace, the manner in which this is done can help increase or decrease profits, effectiveness, and efficiency. To create a value chain business owners or managers must identify all value producing activities completed by a business. By focusing on ways to manage and improve how each of these is managed an organization can then ensure its value chain is as efficient and effective as possible. This, in turn, will result in the business having identified its areas of expertise, efficiency, and effectiveness. It can then rely on these to obtain significant competitive advantages in the marketplace and to develop its most effective marketing strategies. References 4. Operations managers must ensure that they can carry on operations regardless of where they are located. Six key factors that operations managers must consider when deciding where to locate a facility are the following: adequacy of utilities; land; labor market conditions; transportation factors; quality of life factors; and the legal and political environment. These are essential as they can also impact the quality of production and the ability to produce and deliver products. These issues are discussed below. The adequacy of utilities will determine whether computers, equipment, and machinery can operate when needed. If production lines cannot operate because there are repeated, random power outages in a location then that location is not a good option. Determining the reliability of power in a location, particularly a developing country, is necessary prior to site selection. The quality of the land, whether it floods or suffers other dangerous weather patterns that can prevent operations or make it difficult to obtain raw materials is also important. Labor market conditions, meaning both the cost of labor and the availability of educated labor can determine whether one has the necessary personnel to complete work. Transportation factors, such as the ease of transportation and the availability of it will determine whether materials and employees can get to the facility easily or whether it will cause costly slowdowns. Quality of life factors, as well, will impact how easily a facility can lure talented employees to the location. Legal and political factors, of course, will attest to the stability and enforceability of contracts in a location and is vital to business success. References 5. As with all responsibilities that require multiple steps before they can be effectively completed, projects often require the combined efforts of multiple people and the coordination of those efforts at specific points in time to achieve a single goal. Without a well orchestrated project plan that work cannot be completed. A project plan effectively indicates who will do what and when tasks are expected to begin and be completed. Effective project scheduling helps identify resources, times, tasks, and work flow so that mistakes are not made and items that must be completed in a certain order are ready when they are needed. A Gantt chart provides a clear indication of when tasks are expected to begin and how long they are expected to take to complete (Chung, 2007). This type of chart provides a clear visual indication of these facts which makes it effective to use where a quick look is desired to understand the proper scheduling. A critical path method, however, is better in situations where tasks must be completed on a set time basis as it identifies which actions must be taken and in what order. It also indicates the proper work flow that must be followed (Chung, 2007). References Application Questions a. Malcalm Baldrige was the Secretary of Commerce for Ronald Reagan (Malcolm, 2010). During the 1980s, as the Japanese industries were developing a strong reputation for product quality, Baldrige met with business leaders to find ways to improve quality in American manufacturing plants. The group creates a quality award, similar to the Deming Prize used by the Japanese to reward quality manufacturing (Malcolm, 2010). The award is named in memory of Baldrige, who as a chief advocate of the award. References b. One of the great benefits associated with simply applying for the award is the fact that an organization’s programs will be fully evaluated. An organization that applies, therefore, even if it does not win the award, will be told what improvements it can make and what changes it can apply to improve its operations even more. c. The Baldrige Award evaluates the following factors: leadership; strategic planning; customer focus; measurement, analysis, and knowledge management; workforce focus; operations focus; and results. Leadership refers to the way in which the organization’s senior leaders shape the organization and motivate it toward excellence. Strategic planning refers to the ways in which the organization develops goals. Customer focus refers to the way in which the organization builds relationships with customers and strives to meet their needs. Measurement, analysis, and knowledge management refers to the way the organization improves its data collection and information stores. Workforce focus refers to the ways in which the organization helps build a motivated and effective workforce. Operations focus refers to the way in which the organization works to develop and improve its operations management and procedures. Results refers to the types of improvements and assessments made by the organization in all areas. d. The Baldrige Award is available to more organizations in more industries than ISo 9000. Further, the Baldrige Award is useful for competitive improvements whereas ISO 9000 provides a strict list of rules companies must adhere to. Both do, however, focus on quality. The Baldrige Award is also far broader in the areas it examines than other quality programs are. 2. The introduction of just-in-time (JIT) inventory control methods were a breakthrough for many organizations. The cost to carry large stores of raw materials and work-in-progress inventories reduced the ability of many firms to price their products more effectively in the marketplace. JIT inventory controls, which ensure that manufacturers or retailers have the inventory they need, when they need it but not before, help reduce carrying costs. In turn, this reduces costs of production and business. For JIT to work, however, a manufacturer or retailers must ensure it can obtain the materials it needs when it needs them. This, in turn, requires the business to correctly predict when it will need its inventory. Forecasting, therefore, the ability to determine when materials will be needed and how much of a certain material will be needed, is central to JIT. Older levels of inventory control were based on estimates of needs based on past performance. JIT, however, while it may look at past performance, considers future market changes and expectations when it determines what levels of JIT will be needed and when (Justin-time, n.d.). JIT systems appear to be better designed for manufacturing operations than service operations. Service operations normally rely on far greater human capital than inventory stocks and often has significant lead time available during which they can order any materials they do not have on hand. They also, therefore, do not normally have to carry large inventory stocks. Manufacturing operations, however, rely on inventory availability and must have it when it is needed. To reduce costs, therefore, JIT perfectly meets its needs. References Just-in-time production. (n.d). Ashland University. Retrieved December 4, 2010, from http://personal.ashland.edu/~rjacobs/m503jit.html