Luxury Brand Marketing Essay Example for Free

Luxury Brand Marketing EssayWhile the word luxuriousness is used in daily lives to interest to certain lifestyle, the underlying constructs definition is consumer and situation specific. If you earn less than 15000 a month, a pair of reebok shoes would be a unfeignedly big sumptuousness item for you. On the other hand, if you are going to a departy with some big-wigs a $100,000 car may non be a sumptuousness. The word extravagance originates from the Latin term luxus signifying, soft or extravagant living, indulgence, sumptuousness or opulence The meaning of luxury is extremely inbred and multidimensional in nature. It depends on dimension such as high price, high quality, uniqueness, exclusivity etc. What is a luxury product? In economic terms, luxury products are those who merchantman consistently command and justify a higher price than products with comparable functions and similar quality. In marketing term, luxury products are those who can deliver emotional benefit s which is hard to match by comparable products. The luxury sector targets its products and services at consumers on the top-end of the wealth spectrum.These self-selected elite are more(prenominal) or less price insensitive and choose to spend their time and money on objects that are plainly opulence rather than necessities. For these reasons, luxury and prestigiousness posts have for centuries commanded an unwavering and often illogical customer loyalty. Luxury and prestige brands such as Rolex, Louis Vuitton and Cartier represent the highest form of craftsmanship and command a steady consumer loyalty that is not affected by trends. These brands create and set the seasonal trends and are also capable to pulling all of their consumers with them wherever they go.Premium brands are those brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger that aspire to be luxury and prestige brands but their marketing mix strategies are more attuned to a kettle of fish market, albeit a luxury mass market. They are also termed as mass-premium brands or mass-luxury brands. Fashion brands on the other hand are those that address the masses. Strategies for Luxury Marketing There are courtly foundations for ensuring success of a brand and they are listed below in brief 1. The brand must(prenominal) be expansive.Which means it should be full of conversion opportunities for the marketer and in terms of satisfying the divergent needs of the luxury consumer 2. The brand must tell a story It is this story, of either heritage or performance or other aspects that goes on to build the aura of a brand over time. The story always accentuates the identity of the brand. 3. The brand must be relevant to the consumers needs Depending upon the mindset of the luxury class, it is imperative for a brand to satisfy those needs, whether they be for recognition or functional use etc. 4.The brand must align with consumers values A brand that does not concur with the basic values of a consumers society has a small guess of succeeding because luxury items are forms of expression or identification for a luxury consumer. This makes it difficult for the consumer to adopt the brand in such cases. 5. The brand must perform Irrespective of which category the brand belongs to, a performance assurance is a must for the brand if it wishes to be in the evoked set of luxury consumers, considering the price being paid for luxury. LUXURY brand marketing CONCEPTSSocialite as a Conductor In 2006, when Christian Dior chose Chawla as its spokesperson, everyone was shocked some on the QT jealous. Chawlas association to be the face of the brand, be seen in Dior in the right striations, host events att cease by the right people and generally hobnob with the circle that she already moves in. The money details are not clear people in the circuit and in the luxury industry say its part financial, part goodies. But it might be working. Chawla says, Dior has done incredibly well wit h a consistent rise in sales.It is the most visible brand in India with the highest refuse value in terms of marketing strategies implemented. Socialites being signed up for a fashion brand is not new, at least not in the West, says former fashion editor and luxury specialist Sujata Assomull-Sippy. She mentions Armanis 19-year-old association with British semi-royal and socialite Lady Helen Taylor that started when he designed her wedding gown in 1992. The association ended in 2009. Taylor, who was also the face for Bulgari, gave a sigh of relief and was glad to give up her uniform. Six years hence, Chawla is nowhere close to hanging up her Dior couture.The Mohan for Gucci buzz has engendered new aspirations in the circuit that goes beyond the hostess or the grander-sounding luxury consultant tags. The socialite is becoming more important in a luxury brands marketing strategy as she pulls in the right kind of crowd, says Priya Sachdev, creative director for TSG International Marke ting that has brought brands like YSL, Diane von Furstenberg to India. Nichevertising Brand consultant and strategist Harish Bijoor of Harish Bijoor Consults loftily terms it nichevertise vs massvertise. According to him the luxury brands are not for mass consumption and shouldnt be mass advertised.The social circuit gives them a fresh channel to come about out to their target audience without any noise. The socialite model of marketing targets the guest lists minus the hard sell, he says. Personal voice- distinct style Every luxury brand needs to develop a marketing strategy that not only helps them achieve their marketing goals, but is also in line with their brand. For example, art object it makes sense for Christopher Bailey from Burberry to update the Burberry Facebook page with short videos he makes or music he supports, the same type of strategy might not work for person like Bentley or Rolex.Bijoor says that for luxury brands, sell is a four-letter word and not just lite rally and thats why they aim at buy. Luxury brands like to be bought, not sold, he says. Sell is a top-down strategy which involves an element of shout you asking consumers to consider you. Buy, instead, is a pull-oriented strategy. Luxury brands love pull not push, he explains. This is ideal for the socialite marketing where the conversation with the brand is more visual and not aural.

The Role Of Media Essay Example for Free

The Role Of Media EssayInformation is a very powerful tool. One who controls it can manipulate the outcome of most events in society. The media possesses this desirable authority to independently disseminate information on all things hearty to everyone. Politics, entertainment, sports, health, current events, and governing body are the facets of civil society that the media needs to cover. It has a significant role in all these aspects to transmit every detail of information to the public. In government, the media plays an even bigger role. It serves as a bridge between government leaders and the people. The media is tasked with major responsibilities to function as broadcaster, educator, and watchdog.As a broadcaster, the media gathers noteworthy information about every action our government is carrying out. It needs to convey the intelligence with unequivocal objectivity with one major goal- bring the truth to the people. As an educator, the media holds the duty to instruc t the public on complex governmental issues. The process and dust of government policies and regulations need to be put in plain words so the majority of the citizens will comprehend. This will empower the people and encourage them to support their rights and privileges.As a watchdog, the media scrutinizes every decision the government makes. It acts as the eyes and ears of society taking all information into consideration and exposes them to the public for review. The media compels government officials to be always accountable to the people who placed them in their respective positions. The media has not really changed much.Throughout the years, it has remained true to the mission it has set to undertake. The muckrakers of the past and the journalists of present multiplication have stood their ground and remained steadfast. The media has withstood the test of time and continued to dedicate its existence in the service of the people. It has its fair share of triumphs and disappoin tments. The media has dedicated its whole life in the pursuit of the truth.Works CitedThe Role of Media in Democracy A Strategic Approach. Technical Publication Series. Jun. 1999 pg 3. Center for Democracy and Governance Bureau for Global Programs, field of view Support, and Research US Agency for International Development.Paletz, David L. The Media in American Politics Contents and Consequences. New York Longman, 1999.Rasky, Susan. Informing Democracy The Role of Media in Shaping American Policy and Public Opinion. USINFO- The United States Department of State. U.S. Department of States Bureau of International Information Programs. 12 Dec. 2004. http//usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/USINFO/Products/Webchats/rasky_11_dec_2006.html

PEST Country Analysis: Cuba

PEST Country Analysis CubaACKNOWLEDGEMENTFirst and foremost I thank my instructor who has assigned this term paper to bring out my creative capabilities.I express my gratitude to my p atomic number 18nts for being continuous source of encouragement and for all their financial support given to me.I would give c are to acknowledge the assistance provided to me by the library staff of Lovely Professional University.At last my heartfelt gratitude to my friends for helping me to ex unitaryrate my prepare in time.BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTCountry OriginCuba is one of the largest islands in the Caribbean which was once inhabited by tribal large number when Christopher Columbus visited the island during his low gear voyage. He discovered it and declared it as a territory of Spain 1762 this country was briefly held by Britain before being returned in exchange for Florida. A series of rebellions occurred during the 19th century which failed to end Spanish rule, but increased tensions among Spain and the United States, resulted in the Spanish-Ameri tin can War, finally led to Spanish withdrawal, and in 1902, Cuba gained formal independence.American trade dominated Cuba during the first half of the 20th century. It was helped by US government policy measures assuring influence over the island. In 1959, Dictator Fulgencio Batista was overthrown in a revolution led by Fidel Castro. Cuba-United States dealing froze while the island showed its faith towards the Soviet Union, which kept its economy running in spite of being US against Cuba. After the dissolution of the east-west-confrontation Cuba re primary(prenominal)s as one of the only Communist countries in the world.Past businessCuban business has mainly revolved nearly United States Soviet Union. Before 1958 everything was allright between US and Cuba and trade was carrying smoothly between them.In March 1958, when an armed conflict broke out in Cuba between rebels and the Fulgencio Batista government an arms embar go has been in effect. In July 1960, in response to Cubas new revolutionary governments seizure of US properties, the United States reduced the Cuban spell quota of brown sugar by 7,000,000 tons, under the Sugar Act of 1948 the Soviet Union responded by agreeing to purchase the sugar instead, as Cubas new government keep to take further actions to confiscate American businesses and privately owned property.In 1963, the 1963 U.S. embargo was reinforced in October 1992 by the Cuban Democracy Act (the Torricelli Law) and in 1996 by the Cuban Liberty and Democracy Solidarity Act (known as the Helms-Burton Act) which penalized foreign companies that did business in Cuba by preventing them from doing business in the US. The justification provided for these restrictions were that these companies were trafficking in stolen U.S. properties, and should, thus, be excluded from the United States.The European Union resented the Helms Burton Act because it felt that the US was dictating how an other(prenominal) nations ought to conduct their trade and challenged it on that basis. The EU eventually dropped its challenge in regard of negotiating a solution.PEST Analysis(P)olitical factorsCuba is a communist state. The departments of the state and the Cuban Communist Party are closely connected and their power is mainly devolved from the executive director Committee of the Council of Ministers.Their National Assembly which has legislative e powers consists of 614 members. Their next elections for the provinces and nation are due in January 2012, the municipal elections in April 2010, even though in that respect is only one legal party which is namely the Cuban Communist Party (PCC). The head of state and government of Cuba is Ral Castro Ruz.(E)conomic factorsThe consumer prices, or largeness rate, rose by 3,4 % in 2008 which is, compared to other countries, an average figure, because they are number 47 on the world list.The Cuban labor force counts 4.962 million people o f which 78% work in the state sector and 22% in the non-state sector. This figure scores them number 74 in comparison to the labor forces well-nigh the world.The unemployment rate is low compared to other countries as they only have 1,6 % jobless people and rank place 13 in the world. This rate even ameliorate by 0,2 % from 2007 to 2008.The buying power, GDP per capita, of each Cuban was $9,500 in the year 2008. Compared to other countries they rank place 108 in the worlds list, but seeing that the values modify over the years from 2006 until 2008 by $1,000 per capita, their score is still positive.Cuba produces several agricultural products such as sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice,potatoes, beans and livestock. Main export goods are nickel, fish, citrus, coffee, tobacco products, sugar and its by-products and medicines. A 2008 estimate for their export of goods is $3.78 billion which makes them number 119 on the list of countries by exports.Their main export partners are Chin a, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands and Iran. Goods that have to be imported are petroleum, food, machinery and equipment and chemicals.Their main import partners are Venezuela, China, Spain, Canada and the USA.(S)ociological factorsCuba has a population of estimated 11,451,652 people. The population grows by 0.233 % each year.18,3 % of these people are between 0 and 14 years, 70,4 % are between 15 and 64 years old and 11,2 % are 65 years or older. Therefore the average age is 37,3 years. 65,1 % are white, 24,8 % are mulatto and mestizo and 10,1 % are dumb (2002 census).The most dominant religions are Roman Catholics and Protestants. Nearly the whole population is able to read and write (99,8 %) at the age of 15 which enables them to pursue a good education.The majority (76 %) of the population preferably lives in urban areas.(T)echnological factorsCuba is a recognized leading country in the field of bio engine room, but there are still sectors that lack development.Internet main co urse is for example only provided by one provider at high costs which shows an inadequate telecommunications infrastructure.The information engineering science system in Cuba still has to be improved, because the profitable sectors such as tourism and biotechnology require good and continuously updated communication structures and instruments which are non sufficient at the moment. Castro sees that modern communication and computer networks are necessary for the economy and is willing to open new doors in order to make this possible. (Information technology in Cuba, 2009)Cuba World EconomyIn 2005 Cuba had exports of $2.4 billion, ranking 114 of 226 world countries, and imports of $6.9 billion, ranking 87 of 226 countries.Its major export partners are China 27.5%, Canada 26.9%, Netherlands 11.1%, Spain 4.7% (2007).Cubas major exports are sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, and coffee imports include food, fuel, clothing, and machinery.Cuba presently holds debt in an amount estimated to be $13 billion, approximately 38% of GDP.According to the Heritage Foundation, Cuba is dependent on credit accounts that turn up from country to country.Cuba holds 6.4% of the global market for nickel which constitutes about 25% of total Cuban exports. Recently, large reserves of oil have been found in the compass north Cuba Basin.BUSINESS CULTURE OF CUBADRESSDressing is quite informal in for both men and women,For men Depending on the situation, a guayabera fit out with nice goldbrick may be as formal as it gets. Business casual for a warm climate should suffice.For women A pair of pants and nice shirt should do. Skirts are fine as well.Jeans and business casual attire are generally acceptable.TITLES AND BUSINESS CARDSTitles are very important and it is best to shell out people directly by using their professional title (or Mr., Mrs., or Miss) followed by the surname.It is advisable, although not required, to have one side of your business card transl ated into Spanish. stupefy your business card with the Spanish side facing the recipient.There is no specific ritual surrounding the giving of business cards.MEETINGSArriving on time for a meeting is important even though you may have to wait 30 minutes or more.There is usually 5-15 minutes of small bubble before getting down to business. It is best to allow your host to begin the business discussion.It is considered acceptable to interrupt someone who is speaking.NEGOTIATIONSCubans value relationship building and consonance so it is important to avoid hard selling, pressure tactics and any sort of conflict or confrontation.Decisions are made from the top down and can take sometime.GIFT GIVINGGifts are not brought to a first meeting.When giving gifts it is best to bring something very modest as anything else could be misconstrued. intercourse STYLECubans tend to be direct and some what louder than what the norm is in North America.GESTURESCubans tend to speak very quickly and lou dly. They use their hands and bodies for accent when speaking and tend to be emotionally expressive.Cubans will point by puckering their lips in the direction or person they are referring to.Wrinkling or scrunching up of your wind up usually means, huh or what?Geert Hofstedes ModelAfter seeing some of the business culture and countrys culture we can draw some conclusions based on the quintuple dimensions of the above mentioned model.POWER DISTANCEAs Cuba is a Communist country, it is expected to have higher power distance than other capitalist countries. Geert Hofstede has not conducted his eyeshot in Cuba so there arent any scores regarding it.INDIVIDUALISM Vs. COLLECTIVISMIn Private sector individualism is practiced to achieve results with greater efficiency. era the majority of Cuba which is communist in nature has a greater faith in collectivism.LONG TERM ORIENTATIONOn observing the past and emerging business culture of Cuba, we can easily comprehend that in past it was mo re of short term oriented. Now while the country is growing , it has grow more of a long term oriented country.HALLS MODELHigh ContextCubans seem to pretty much fall in this category. I would like to state that because they behave in the following mentioned way -Less verbally explicit communication, less written/formal informationMore internalized understandings of what is communicatedMultiple cross-cutting ties and inter contributions with others pine term relationshipsStrong boundaries- who is accepted as belonging vs who is considered an outsiderKnowledge is situational, relational.Decisions and activities focus around personal face-to-face relationships, often around a cardinal person who has authority.HRM PRACTISES IN CUBAHuman imagination management (HRM) practices in Cuba are still incipient and close to what may be called the traditional Soviet-style model. In other words, HRM in Cuba mainly comprises a set of practices that emphasise cost control and administrative concer ns, resource allocation being controlled by the administrative hierarchy and not by the market characteristics.Additionally, human resource management is an undervalued function compared to other areas. Those who are not good enough for anything else, go to the HR function, as one manager noticed.Within the last few years, and in the context of perfeccionamiento empresarial, new concerns with the quality of human resource management have arisen. The new goals, in industries that compute to achieve a competitive position in the international arena, include the development of staff competencies.Capacitacion (qualification) became HRMs recent major buzzword in the country. Qualification is the major human resource management challenge for Cuban companies, and is viewed as a necessary means for achieving a series of new business goals, including quality, customer military service and independence in the execution of work, all of which are new descriptors in the national business vocab ulary.The new market-oriented logic, which is emerging particularly in the globally clear tourism sector, is far from being the normal. That is possibly one of the reasons why so many people try to work in tourism, the other being easier access to foreign currency. This has led to what is called the inverted pyramid a hotel waiter can earn more money (in tips) than the best university educated specialist or work hero.Macro-level administration of human resources is thus being challenged by micro motives and is forcing companies to develop and implement incentive systems that stimulate individual motivation, while trying to respect the ideological orientation towards a more altruistic and disinterested motivated behaviour, such as the one mentioned above.In fact, as a traditional rule of the Cuban enterprise, incentivos (incentives) are non- fabric. They are called spiritual incentives, and may include a letter, a diploma, an appreciation from the ships company or, at a more mater ial level, a dinner party including lobster. Managers attitudes towards the effectiveness of material rewards are highly ambivalent. On the one hand, they deny the importance of material incentives. On the other hand, they enthusiastically refer to the possibility of obtaining material rewards in the more progressive firms.BUSINESS GROUPS OF CUBASHERRITT INTERNATIONALSherritt International is one of the biggest business giants of Cuba that operates in Cuba Canada. Sherritt International Corporation is a diversified natural resource company that produces nickel, cobalt, thermal coal, oil and gas, and electricity. It also licenses its proprietary technologies to other metals companies. Sherritts 293.1 million common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol S. The company also produces oil from assets in Cuba, Spain and Pakistan, and manages 376 megawatts of power generation capacity in Cuba.HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTISESThe most important HRM practices practic ed in Sherritt areHR planning (i.e. to forecast and foresee the future business and employee needs and plan for them)Recruitment and selection job descriptions, selection tools, background checks, offersCompensation (i.e. methods, consistency, market)Employee relations (i.e. labor agreements, performance management, disciplinary procedures, employee recognition)Mandated benefits (i.e. social security, unemployment insurance, workers compensation, COBRA/HIPPA)Optional group benefits (i.e. insurance, time off benefits, flexible benefits, retirement plans, employee assistance programs, perks)Payroll (i.e. internal vs. outside options, compliance)Recordkeeping (i.e. HRIS, force-out files, confidential records, I-9, other forms)Training and development (i.e. new employee orientation, staff development, technical and safety, leadership, tuition reimbursement, career planning)Employee communications (i.e. handbook, newsletter, recognition programs, announcements, electronic communication )RECRUITMENT SELECTIONThe subprogram of hiring begins when new recruits are sought and ends when their applications are submitted.The result is a pool of applications from which new employees are selected.CompensationCompensation is the remuneration provided to an employee in return for his/her component part to the organization. It is an organized practice that involves balancing the work-employee relation by providing monetary and non-monetary benefits to employees.TrainingTraining is also provided for increasing the knowledge and skills of people for a specific purpose. It helps the trainees ingest new skills, technical knowledge, and problem-solving ability etc. It also gives an awareness of the rules and procedures to guide their behavior thereby improving the performance of employee on present job and prepares them for taking up new assignments in future.Performance AppraisalPerformance appraisal is a method of evaluating the behavior of employees in the work spot includi ng both vicenary and qualitative aspects of job performance. A process in which employees strengths and weaknesses are identified to improve the performance on the present and future jobs. Performance appraisal is a systematic review of individual or a groups performance on the job.Pay ringlet butterfly SectionAfter employee placement/joining the recruitment section handovers the details of the employees enclosed in a file to the payroll department. Pay Roll process starts from 25th of every month. First part is attendance, which will be coming from last 26th to 25th of the month. Salary is paid for 1st to 31st but attendance is calculated from 25th to 26th of the month. The Pay Roll department then looks after the following aspect of the employees.HSEQHEALTH, SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY (HSEQ)Every job involves certain risks. In order to provide a safer and sizable atmosphere at work place HSEQ is strengthened at all levels in the company.There is a possibility of occurrence of risk either from external and internal sources. External sources hear referred to infrastructure and internal sources referred to Behavior of employees. HSEQ is involved in regulation and controlling the risks involved in jobs.Bibliographyhttp//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_americahttp//www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Latin-America/Cuba.phphttp//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_exportshttp//www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/geos/cu.htmlhttp//www.cuba.com/index.php?catid=280cuba_info_record=Useful%20information%20of%20http//www.indexmundi.com/cuba/demographics_profile.htmlhttp//www1.american.edu/carmel/ms4917a/cuba.htmhttp//www.phpclasses.org/browse/country/cu/

Community Development Challenges

friendship Development Challenges1. IntroductionThe concept of conjunction ontogenesis, an sure and much lauded mechanism for interventionist and participative kind development grew out of the many strange ironies of empire building. The British, after infiltrating and achieving political domination over the Indian sub unpolluted and vast tracts of Africa, and thereafter ensuring the decimation of topical anesthetic trade, industry, handicrafts and self government initiatives, made its officers busy with action plans and initiatives to develop and empower communities in these nations at the local level. Nobody in the British establishment presumably thought of the select to find out from the benefiting (sic) community whether they wanted either the destruction and bondage, or the succeeding efforts to help in local development and empowerment.Notwithstanding the rather questionable beginnings of the community development effort, the concept has grown over the ages to become a n established method for interventionist social development where external agencies, governmental or otherwise, initiate, encourage and help local community development efforts in numerous beas, including social and economic development, fostering a cap king for local co-operation and self-help, with the use of expertise and methods drawn from outside the local community. (Midgeley, 1995) residential area development initiatives, while growing and adapting to the needs of local communities in the UK and the USA, and despite universe adopted by voluntary organisations like Rotary International for world wide implementation, have also seen large scale failures in meeting its objectives, peculiarly in the African countries. These failures, especially in areas where they were needed most, led to disillusionment, and a feeling that community development practices were ill founded, or based upon unworkable concepts, and should peradventure be replaced with other modes of development .Nevertheless, community development efforts remain globally strong and attract many young and closely-intentioned people, to work towards achievement of economic and social improvement of underprivileged or deprived communities. It becomes exceedingly important for community development initiators, practitioners, workers and volunteers, to understand the principles and values of community development, in order to understand its electric potential and limitations, the many constraints and challenges that crop up in the development process, and the likely chances of the success or failure of development initiatives.2. CommentaryCommunity development has been defined by an official publication of the UK government as active amour, and if possible on the initiative of the community, but if this initiative is not forthcoming spontaneously, by the use of techniques for arousing and impact it in order to achieve its active and en soiastic response to the movement. (Smith, 2006) Thi s definition entails an inherent contradiction, namely that while community development works on the principles of local participation, initiative and self-help at the community level, it also calls for sponsorship by external, mostly governmental agencies, who see it as an avenue for implementing governmental policies at the local level. Development initiatives thus also involve a significant amount of social work, and sometimes, even activism, in regions characterised by illiteracy, backwardness, poverty, deprivation, inequality and oppression.Community development initiatives are characterised by the bearing of two elements, one local, meaning the existing community, and the other, external, which is represented by governmental agencies, not for profit service organisations like the Rotary, and private foundations and corporations. British American baccy (BAT), for instance, sponsors significant community development programmes for tobacco growing communities in Asian and Africa n countries, while Rotary International works on village fender and community development programmes in many nations, in which it has a presence. Non-governmental organisations, however, still need to operate with the help of the local government in many areas, thus making the involvement of the state in community development a fait accompli.The functioning of external agencies in community development involves a number of phases that commences with the localising of a community and ascertainment of its various deficiencies and needs. This initial assessment is followed by the agency entering the community, obtaining familiarity with the neighbourhood, ascertaining needs, objectives and federal agencys, establishing contact with local people, influence makers and power centres, bringing people together, obtaining agreement on specific objectives, forming and building local organisations to improve local issues like health, education, economy and self empowerment, clarifying goals and priorities, catalysing action, helping in keeping the initiatives going, monitoring progress, and taking disciplinary action. At all stages external agencies need to work in a catalytic fashion, encouraging, helping, and assisting community work, while refraining. from taking on a controlling role. Empowerment, and the building and enhancement of local community capacity in various areas that help in development should be the main objectives, as opposed to achieving results through plow control of the development process. (Henderson and Thomas, 2001)Community development activity can be general or specialised. Generic work takes place in a geographically demarcated area, takes up all the issues that lead to social and economic disadvantage, and works out participative programmes to alleviate or eliminate them. The context can be either urban or rural. While rural development has gained ground in recent years and is attracting more funds, community development is an equally cri tical requirement in the slums and underbellies of the worlds metropolises, which continue to be haunted by gang overlords, prostitution, substance abuse, and domestic violence, as well as lack of educational facilities and despicable housing. Specialised community work deals with specific groups within a region, namely issues like homelessness, unemployment, child prostitution, substance abuse or ethic issues, or with determine issues like transportation, housing, public health or sanitation. (Hickey and Mohan, 2004) A USDA publication states that community development initiatives are best achieved through the creation of business initiatives, sustainable community development, community-based partnerships and building and initiating long-term strategic plans. (Key principles of community empowerment, 2002)This complex situation demands great understanding, perception and ability from community development workers. These committed men and women are expected to handle a myriad fun ctions that include identifying community issues, needs and problems, developing new community based programmes and resources, and evaluating and mentoring existing programmes. They also need to be outgoing, possess excellent communication skills, and be able to empathise with members of the local community, qualities that help in obtaining cooperation and help from government bodies, community organisations, and various sponsors, as well as in raising public awareness on relevant issues. Community development practitioners are also expected to provide leadership, co-ordinate programmes, still and promote community self help, encourage and increase local participation, and challenge inappropriate political and social structures. Administratively, their functions entail formulation, development and finalisation of strategies, recruitment, motivation and readying paid and voluntary workers, net functional extensively to build contacts and raise funds, liaising with interested volunt ary groups to build new programmes and services, mediating and negotiating with opposing parties, planning, attending and co-ordinating meetings and events, overseeing, optimising and administering limited budgets, preparing reports, and carrying out other infallible administrative tasks. (Community development worker, 2007)3. ConclusionCommunity development demands enormous integrity, stamina, maturity and compassion from practitioners, workers and volunteers. The inherent difficulties in working in alien locations in non-structured working environments and inherently dynamic and changing conditions pose significant challenges. In addition, the inherent contradictions of being human catalysts for social reassign in foreign environments, of being change agents, at once part and yet distinct from the community, instil feelings of inadequacy, and sometimes even rejection, in communities where intervention may not be welcomed by significantly substantial members of the community.Com munity development projects aim to unearth local problems, resource limitations, and unsatisfied needs, and work towards their objectives through local participation and empowerment. Yet community participation often fails, once the operating agency withdraws, and much of the gains of community development are lost in the following years. Most agencies working in community development, e.g. the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and Rotary International, as well as governmental and private agencies feel this to be a major problem. Situations like this, as well as apprehensions of development of such situations, result in implementing agencies having to stay on in particular communities or with specific projects, much after their need has diminished, and their services and skills required elsewhere. (Bhattacharya, 2004)This often happens because of confusion in community development objectives and the undertaking of roles, in excess of actual needs, by development agencies. This factor, when combined with the role assumed by development agencies in mobilising funds, often results in producing feelings of inadequacy and helplessness in the community. It strengthens attitudes that magnify community problems, link the success of programmes with the expertise, infrastructure, and fund mobilising ability of the agencies, and works towards disempowering the members of the community, instead of increasing their capacity to address their problems. This overstretching by development workers establishes and ingrains a sense of reliance of the community on the agency, which consequently tends to negate the shopping centre of the development programme. Development practitioners need to understand the delicacy of their roles and the thin line that they must necessarily tread upon if the community is to become truly empowered. A great appreciation of the necessity for producing change agents in the local community, rather than donning the mantle themselves for perpetu ity, and the need for engaging local people, so that they can help communities create a common dream of a fair and sustainable future, becomes extremely important for the long-term success of community development programmes.Community development practitioners play extremely important roles in todays grossly inequitable society, and with their grass root developmental programmes, have been instrumental in improving lives across the globe. A better appreciation of the values and principles of community development will possibly help them in improving the results of their efforts.BibliographyBen-Meir, J.,2006, March/April, Win the War of Ideas through Community Development. The Humanist, 66, 5+.Bhattacharyya, J., 2004, Theorizing Community Development. Journal of the Community Development Society, 34(2), 5+.Community development worker job description and activities, 2007, Prospects.ac, Retrieved April 14 from www.prospects.ac.uk/links/CommWorkerDenise, P. S. Harris, I. M. (Eds.), 19 89, Experiential nurture for Community Development. New York Greenwood defend.Dube, S. C., 1958, Indias Changing Villages Human Factors in Community Development. Ithaca, NY Cornell University Press.Hamilton, E., 1992, Adult Education for Community Development. New York Greenwood Press.Henderson, P. and Thomas, D. N., 2001, Skills in Neighbourhood Work 3e, London RoutledgeOliver, G., 2000, August, Gentrification Threatens Community Development Groups. Planning, 66, 29.Key principles of community empowerment, 2002, Rural empowerment programs, Retrieved April 14, 2007 from www.ezec.gov/Communit/rurempowprogguide.pdfMidgley, J., 1995, Social Development, The developmental perspective in social welfare, London Sage.Popple, K., 1995, Analysing Community Work. Its theory and practice, Buckingham Open University PressSmith, M, 2006, Community Development, Infed, Retrieved April 14, 2007 from www.infed.org/community/b-comdv.htm

The Agriculture In Malaysia Economics Essay

The Agriculture In Malaysia Economics EssayAmounting to 12 of contribution from gardening to nations GDP employing 16 of total population of Malaysia, assorted crops such as rubber, palm petroleum, cocoa, bananas, coconuts, durian, pineapples, rice, rambutan are grown. Being agricultural dominant country Agriculture Trade liberalization is expected to affect the economical, cordial and political sectors.Palm oil universe the largest industry contributing higher(prenominal) portion in global liberalization of trade in oil fats markets as an export oriented industry giving continuous efforts to increase productivity and efficiency still efforts are required to compete with other edible oils. To mortify this, automation, research and development, quality control diversification are being recommended to enhance the industry. Incidences of poverty in the country have raised the protection of Paddy sub-sector in Malaysia which is one of the most highly protected sub-sector with a hi gh degree of market intervention. Followed by the Paddy is the tobacco industry receiving subsidy, high tariffs and drudgery quotas from political sympathies for protection purpose as it is cultivated in the poor regions of the country.ClimateLocated in the peninsula in south-east Asia, Malaysia has agriculture friendly climate. Being a hilly region it has become a disadvantage for cultivation of rice and other produces which require a flat land, which has resulted into import of the same.Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, Malaysia (MOA)MOA is Ministry of Agriculture who helps to secret agriculture players and gather information, analyze it, do research and development, survey and provide required information and expert advice to agriculture, fishing and live stock to producer and framer. discussion section OF AGRICULTUREEstablished in the year 1905 DOA handles agriculture sector related legal aspects. DOA has established state DOA has given responsibility of their respective state and carry for their development. In 1926 Rubber Research Institute Malaysia was established realizing the tremendous development potential and immense demand within the rubber industry.Agriculture Malaysias economic and genial transformationIn 10th Malaysian plan (2011-15) they missed out agriculture aspect for its in store(predicate) day, resulting into economic and social transformation workers, with about half of these being temporary migrants. In spite of this agriculture, along with fisheries and forestry contributes 7-8% in GDP.Palm oil and Rubberdespite the reliance on migrant labour palm oil and rubber continue to do well as demand of palm oil in nutrition and non-food sectors is high, and demand of rubber as a industrial product is high. With a good backup of RD in both the products their production is high because of that they are exporting in neighboring countries helping them to gain higher profits.Rubber based industry there are more than 500 manu facturers of rubber in Malaysia producing latex product contributing 18.1 billion to the countrys export lettuce in 2011. The rubber based agricultural sector is producing a wide range of products such as gloves, condom, catheters, latex thread tyres and tyre-related products mountings, beltings, hoses, tunings, seals, and sheeting for the automotive, electrical electronics, machinery equipment and whirl industries on a wide scale.RiceMalaysia is continuously facing problems for promoting improvement and change as it is a hilly region. There are many future plans as to innovation and up-gradation of the agricultural equipments.Food industryMalaysias food industry is a multi-cuisine food industry so its expecting to grow more in future and right now its 3rd largest producer of poultry meat. Malaysia has started organic farming in fruits and vegetables and has come up with logo Organic Malaysia. One of the largest processor in cocoa and 6th largest producer and exporter in spices. Food Agriculture Business Development CenterAgri-BDC developed by ministry of Malaysia to support and develop agriculture and food sector. Center of agri-food business development is the sole information center and resource for public and private sector formed by the MOA to assist food and agriculture business community in the country with the objective to attract existing and new investors in agriculture sector.AGRO FOOD POLICY (2011-20)A continuation of 1998-2010 third base National Agriculture Policy aims at increase in income and food supply guarantee and production sustainability. Various product based, Agri-forestry approach have been make by the policy.1) FOOD SECURITY POLICY With the objective to overcome the food shortage food security policy is formed which aims at increasing production of the agro food sector, supply and quality consumption. MOA planned seven programmes in 2008-10 and five other programmes.2) ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE (PRE) YEAR 2009-10 Economic stimulu s packet boat undertake project to stimulate countrys economy. For this two projects coconut industry development project and abandoned land development project have been entrusted to DOA.3) 1MALAYSIA CONCEPT With an intellect to bring unity among all the races, Malaysia has brought a concept of 1Malaysia. It aims at the principle of justice for principle. It is envisioned that Vision 2020 is achieved with help of all levels of the society. The vision is to make Malaysia a developed country.4) NATIONAL KEY ECONOMIC AREAS (NKEA) Government has launched the Economic Transformation Programme to make Malaysia a high income country. ETP emphasis on 12 brotherhood State Economic Areas like oil, gas and energy, palm oil, financial services, tourism, health, education, agriculture, IT tec. DOA is involved in two economic drivers project, Entry Point Project EPP 1 which tenseness on plants and herbs and EPP 7 which focuses on fruits and vegetable crops.

Changes In Democracy: From Early Athenian To Present Day Politics Essay

Democracy From Early Athenian To Present Day Politics. When following current events we cant help alone witness politicians use terms such as defending freedom, liberty, or democracy, but one is simply left wondering if the general public, or even the politicians themselves, know what those terms really mean or where they come from. The reality is that near dont. The ideals of living in a democracy have been drastically changed from their original meanings and diluted into persuasive political language to become mere ornateness as opposed to meaningful concepts of ethical and moral value. The word democracy is thrown around to make convincing, patriotic speeches that many times are utilised to usurp the rights and property of peoples in the name of this most sacred of political concepts in the history of western civilization. In order to better understand the true(a) meaning of this idea we must go back to its roots and search for the original intentions behind it. We must find the similarities and differences between Hellenic democracy and raw day democracy. By separating the two we can see how distant they are from each other. Without a clear understanding of the history involved we are substantially blinded by the eloquence and charisma that politicians utilize to control the populace.Democracy dates back to the Golden Age of Greece or the Classic Period. Not yet an organized, alter nation Greece was made up of warring city-states none of which possessed full control over its neighbors. During this period and under these circumstances there was a howling(a) advancement in Greek thought encompassing philosophy, politics, medicine, mathematics, and the sciences to name just a few areas of influence that still maintain a strong Greek legacy today.Of all the Greek city-states it was Athens that gave birth to many of the political philosophies that still survive today. At around 600 B.C.E Athens was in severe economic, social, and political crisis. It was then that a rich aristocrat named Solon emerged to produce for Athens its first comprehensive set of political rules and regulations, overhauling the constitution, reining in the plutocrats, and giving decent footfall of power and responsibility to the moderately well-off non-aristocrats. He also provided some legal... ...of a city (Minogue, p.11).Unfortunately we have not kept the best of these ideas. In modern day politics rationality is no longer paramount. It is the fence we see the influence of politicians full of arrogance, believing in the superiority of their own position trying to amass power through the use of the ancient Greek political concepts. Modern day politicians, mostly American, attempt to use emotion, not reason when addressing the American people. It is with great sadness that as we have witnessed with the last election this notion succeeded and now under the banner of values and fear will endeavor the ignorance of the general public.Cartledge, Paul. Th e Greeks Crucible of Civilizations. New York TV Books, 2000Freeman, Charles. The Greek Achievement The Foundation of The Western World. New York Viking Penguin, 1999Martin, Thomas, R. Ancient Greece From Prehistoric To Hellenistic Times. London Yale University Press, 1996Minogue, Kenneth. Politics A Very Short Introduction. Oxford Oxford University Press, 1995Pomeroy, Sarah, et al. Ancient Greece A Political, Social, and Cultural History. New York Oxford University Press, 1999

Tropical Areas in Florida Essay -- Tropics

The Trouble with TropicsFlorida, like many tropical areas, has two seasons the wet season and the wry season. During thewet season (June through October), irrigate is plentiful, lawns grow green, farmers grow their crops and kidswakeboard in the park. But, of course, flooding is a problem. In the dry season (seven months Novemberthrough May), grass turns as brown as a desert bush.The source of Floridas water system is the Lake Toho/Kissimmee River/Lake Okeechobee system, andthe level of the lake system rises and falls between the seasons. At low levels during the dry season,Florida residents must be mindful to exert water and animals are left to fend for themselves. water systemresources have the potential to be unsustainable without management.Florida water resources fluctuate, so life can be difficult. The South Florida wet ManagementDistrict was created to maintain sustainability of Florida water resources.Today, tourists come to visit the beautiful tropical climate of Florida s beaches, wildlife, and palmtrees. South Florida wasnt always so pristine. Florida used to be a much soggier swampland. Mosquitoeswere so plentiful, that some early pioneers of the area joked that they must be the state bird. Because ofFloridas flat geography, rainfall was the determinative factor in every facet of South Floridas environment.1After a large rain, water would stand in floodplains and flow from river to river like water in an icetray without canals or dams to control the flow of storm waters. Standing water would remain for weeks ormonths leaving disease and water damage behind.1During the dry season, farming became difficult. Droughts were common and crops and cattlewould thirst without a reliable source of ... ....dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/coral.htm.6. Facility and Infrastructure Location Index Map. May 2002. South Florida Water Management District.http//www.sfwmd.gov/images/pdfs/facility_map_overview.pdf.7. Wetland Wildlife. 8 Dec. 2004. University of Flori da.http//wetlandextension.ifas.ufl.edu/wildlife.htm.8. Land Management Annual Report. 2003. South Florida Water Management District.http//www.sfwmd.gov/org/clm/lsd/images/pdfs/lsd_ar03.pdf.9. Environmental Restoration Efforts. South Florida Water Management District.http//www.sfwmd.gov/org/wrp/env_rest_efforts.htmllakeo.10. underlying and Southern Florida Project Comprehensive Review Study (Restudy) Update andBackground. July 1999. http//www.evergladesplan.org/docs/backgd.pdf.11. ACCELER8 Everglades Now. South Florida Water Management District.http//www.evergladesnow.org/a8_overview.shtml.