Marketing Channel Analysis

The furniture industry is a very lucrative business that spans domestic and international markets. With that fact in mind, it goes without saying that different channels of distribution exist with regards to delivery of furniture from manufacturer to consumer. Furniture manufacturers who target the domestic market segment have three (3) major marketing distribution channels: (1 ) Through online shopping portals, (2) through public showrooms in malls, and (3) through prouder by catalogue. Online shopping portals.With the rise of the digital age, the use of the net is to just limited to advertisements, but has transcended to become a means of direct shopping via the Internet. Online shopping portals like Amazon . Com, Testamentary. Com, and Alabama. Com are just some of the mediums widely used by consumers to buy an assortment of products suitable to their needs. The success of online shopping portals can be attributed primarily to its wide reach of consumers and its ease of access-?on e click away as long as internet is available.However, this also means that a lot of choices are available for consumers to choose from prompting companies to always try to innovate ND improve on product designs and concept. Also, customer feedback and satisfaction is difficult to track. Internet traffic and thousands of mail per day are difficult are problems to be addressed. Public showrooms in malls and buildings. Public showrooms are one of the most known venues for selling furniture.It is very effective for selling because it exhibits the products in actual with tasteful arrangements while you sell. Customers are able to see for themselves the quality of the product and be active in choosing process before buying. However, public showrooms tap sees consumers than online shopping portals. This goes without saying that people in the immediate area are the primary consumers of the furniture. Prouder via Catalogues.Some companies use catalogues in selling their products wherein con sumer choose a product of their choice and place an order by giving the item name of what they are going to buy. It is then delivered to them after a time at their doorstep.

Confessions – Aurelius Augustine

26 November 2007 The Measure of a Woman In one of his most famous works, Confessions, Aurelius Augustine maps out important details and happenings throughout his life in reference to his loved ones and his God. An undeniable aspect of his life is the influence of his mother, Monica, and her perspective on life, love, and death. If compared to another famous female figure in the Christian life, such as Rebekah, the mother of Jacob, Monica’s virtues of patience and eternal perspective shine through, revealing her Biblical view of marriage and her husband.Augustine commends his mother’s virtues and lifestyle, providing an example for women everywhere to carefully consider. Monica shows one of the most difficult qualities in life to possess-patience. She demonstrates patience toward her son, Augustine, in her continual prayer and intercession for his salvation. In his Confessions, Augustine describes his mother’s prayers mixed with tears as he sets sail for Rome (5. 1232). Despite his departure, she continues to seek God for His power in the life of her son. Her patience is rewarded years later when Augustine finally comes to know the Lord.When Augustine brings her the good news, she is â€Å"filled with triumphant exultation† (8. 1238). Ultimately Monica realizes that God has done more than she could ever imagine. In Carl G. Vaught’s The Journey Toward God in Augustine’s Confessions: Book I-VI, he presents the importance of Augustine’s relationship with his mother concerning his conversion. He proposes that because of his relationship with his mother Augustine â€Å"begins to move beyond Skellenger 2 space and time toward the positive relationship with God that Monica wants him to embrace† (68).No doubt Monica’s patience influences her son to embark on his journey towards the Lord. By the time her son is converted, Monica already has countless opportunities to develop patience in her life. Before her e nduring attitude touches Augustine’s life, she is able to influence both her husband and mother-in-law. Referring to his mother’s impact on the life of his grandmother, Augustine confirms that Monica â€Å"won her completely by her unfailing patience and mildness† (Confessions 9. 1243). Such a straightforward statement proves that he not only recognizes, but also admires the virtue of patience he sees in his mother’s life.In one of his other works, Encounters With God in Augustine's Confessions: Books VII-IX, Carl G. Vaught draws attention to the fact that â€Å"Monica’s victory in this case is an unusual feat in any culture† (122). Perhaps demonstrating patience towards her mother-in-law is one of a woman’s greatest accomplishments in life. If so, this would greatly substantiate Monica’s character. Another virtue that Augustine reveres in Monica’s life is her eternal perspective. This is seen in his account of her last few days before her death. He reports that to both of them â€Å"the world with all its delights seemed cheap† (Confessions 9. 245). Monica’s focus on the life to come causes her to disregard the importance of her physical body’s final resting place. She gives instruction that her body is to be buried â€Å"wherever it may be† at the time of her death (9. 1246). Vaught again comments on the life of Monica, suggesting that â€Å"she points beyond death and the need to place the body in a particular place† (Encounters 135). Monica’s ability to see past the temporal life on earth illustrates her faith and obedience to God’s Word, which encourages the believer in II Corinthians 4:18 to concentrate on that which is eternal.In comparison, Rebekah of the Old Testament is not as patient nor eternally minded as Monica. Rather than waiting on the Lord to work in the lives of her family members, Rebekah feels the need to make things happen for h erself. When Rebekah discovers that her husband Skellenger 3 desires to bless their two sons she wastes no time to command the younger of the two boys, Jacob, to trick his father in order to receive the greater of the blessings. Though Jacob attempts to warn his mother of the potential danger she disregards it replying in Genesis 27:13, â€Å"My son, let the curse fall on me.Just do what I say. † The reader virtually hears the impatience and haste in Rebekah’s voice. In Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible, he describes Rebekah’s response as â€Å"a very rash word† (162). He also points out the fact that if Rebekah would have walked in patience and trust, rather than impulsiveness and anxiety, Jacob could have received the blessing in a proper way since God had already promised in Genesis 23:25 that he would be blessed (164). Both Rebekah and Monica receive the things they are after, yet in contrast to Monica’s patience whic h produces peace nd harmony in her home, Rebekah’s impatience results in additional strife and dissension amongst her family. It also displays Rebekah’s earthly and temporal mindset. She is so concerned with an earthly inheritance for her son that she fails to remember that it is God who blesses and fulfills His Word in His perfect timing and way. The virtues a woman possesses can have a huge impact on her view of marriage. Particular virtues may also shape her understanding and belief about her responsibilities to her husband.While counseling her peers, Monica reveals her personal belief and view of marriage, calling it a â€Å"matrimonial contract†¦an instrument by which they became servants† (Confessions 9. 1243). She also sees her life and the institute of marriage as a way to reach others and bring peace. Her son calls her a â€Å"peacemaker between people quarreling and minds at discord† (Confessions 9. 1244). Monica considered herself a servan t within the realm of marriage. This concept consequently affects her opinion of what her responsibilities are to her husband. Augustine Skellenger 4 lainly describes Monica’s behavior towards her husband in Book IX of Confessions, writing that â€Å"she served him as her lord† (1243). Such behavior apparently touches Augustine so greatly that he takes the time to include these particular facts in his work. Elizabeth A. Clark also observes in her book, St. Augustine On Marriage and Sexuality, that Augustine â€Å"praises her for the meekly subordinate position she had assumed in relation to his father† (21). Not only does Monica desire to live as a humble servant, she also sees her responsibility to be a witness for Christ to her husband.Augustine goes on to say in Confessions that Monica â€Å"use[s] all her effort to win him† to the Lord and does so by â€Å"preaching†¦to him by her character† (9. 1243). What a beautiful picture of Christâ⠂¬â„¢s love shining through her actions and integrity. She understands the power of her pure and submissive conduct, as well as the negative influence words possess while spoken in uncontrolled emotion. As Vaught so beautifully articulates, Monica â€Å"is prepared to wait for God’s mercy to transform him† (Encounters 121).Her approach to her husband may appear backwards to her peers, yet Monica’s demeanor proves to have amazing influence in her husband’s life. In comparison to Monica’s submission and faithfulness to her husband, Rebekah chooses to act out of desperation and fear. Though she serves her husband and family for the majority of her life, the story of her and Jacob’s deception illustrates a time when she decided to be lord of her house, instead of submitting to the head of their home, Isaac. During that time she does not walk in integrity towards her husband as Monica did.On the contrary, she devises a plan found in Genesis 27:14 -17 to deceive Isaac by dressing up Jacob in order to appear as Esau, his brother. Instead of utilizing her position of wife and mother to promote peace she attempts to orchestrate a selfish and cunning plan. This is a complete contrast to Monica’s desire to be a witness and model of God’s love. Skellenger 5 Monica is a Godly woman, referred to by her son with same qualities found in the third chapter of I Timothy, such as making herself beautiful by submitting to her husband.Her perspective and conduct would be magnificent to see in today’s women. Perhaps her ways might be considered old fashioned, weak, or even a way of suppressing women’s power. On the other hand, Rebekah’s choice to take charge is widely accepted and viewed as powerful in society today. Yet by humbling herself, Monica receives God’s power, as well as answers to her many prayers, and in her supposed weaker state she has enormous influence and power that goes far beyond th e realm of Rebekah’s misleading strength. Skellenger 6 Works CitedAugustine, Aurelius, and Elizabeth A. Clark, ed. St. Augustine On Marriage and Sexuality Fathers of the Church V. 1. Washington, D. C. Catholic University of America Press, 1996. ; http://www. netlibrary. com. library. dbu. edu:2048/Reader/;. Henry, Matthew. Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume I (Genesis to Deuteronomy). Logos, Inc. 1706-1721. Christian Classics Ethereal Library. ;http://www. ccel. org/ccel/henry /mhc1. html;. The Holy Bible, New International Version. International Bible Society, 1894. ;http://www. biblegateway. om/;. Lawall, Sarah, and Maynard Mack, Eds. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. 2nd ed. Vol. B. New York: W. W. Norton ; Company, 2002. Vaught, Carl G. The Journey Toward God in Augustine’s Confessions: Books I-VI. Albany State University of New York Press, 2003. ;http://www. netlibrary. com. library. dbu. edu:2048/Reader/;. Vaught, Carl G. Encounters With God in Augustin e's Confessions: Books VII-IX. Albany State University of New York Press, 2004. .

Compare and Contrast a Life Raft, an Island, and Earth Essay

Survival is a key part of life in which humans have been attending to throughout our entire existence. As time progresses, technology and knowledge not only increases but also improves. Eventually, we develop to the point where our educational system has an important and crucial question where the students are asked to compare and contrast a life raft with emergency supplies in it, a moderately sized island, and Earth itself. The three subjects have a number of similarities and differences; however, some are obviously more important than others. Read Also:  Topics for a Compare and Contrast Essay There are quite a few similarities between a life raft, an island, and Earth, all of which are just as obvious as the differences. Each of the three can carry things in them. The Earth and an island hold many different things on their land, including us humans. A life raft can, and is meant to, hold things such as emergency supplies or people in it. More obviously, each of the three is in a solid state of matter. Also, each of them has its own gravitational pull or influence. Earth has its own gravitational pull; so naturally, things that are located on Earth are influenced and affected by gravity. Lastly, each of them (can) support life. Earth, itself, is supporting life for a huge number of organisms and beings at this very moment. An island supports not only a number of plants, but also some animals and other organisms as well. A life raft, or life boat, is meant to help people safely distance themselves from a larger ship or boat disaster. Because a life raft has emergency suppli es, it will support human life until they run out. With similarities, there are also differences within the life raft, island, and Earth. While Earth and the island is an ecosystem supporting a vast and diverse number of species and organisms, a life raft is merely just a lifeless boat. The island and Earth are also part of each other, while the life raft is more of an object that is used by humans. The island is  literally a part of Earth, they are one thing. However, the life raft is not a part of Earth; it’s more like a Third Party Program that is used along with the main server or program. This also leads to the fact that the life raft is man-made, rather than being organic like Earth or an island. Obviously, we humans did not create Earth. And in normal circumstances, humans also do not create islands. Comparing and contrasting a life raft with emergency supplies, a moderately sized island, and Earth is truly a random and odd thing to do. However, doing so would prove that everything has at least a similarity and difference. Where there is a similarity, there is also a difference. It could be an obvious and blatantly clear similarity or difference, or it could also be a well and critically thought comparison. In conclusion, the man-made life raft seems to be the center of difference and the background character of similarities.

Expanding an MNC Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Expanding an MNC - Assignment Example Finally this study will focus on future business strategy for ford to expand their business in China. Table of Contents The Ford Motor Company 4 Organizational Culture of Ford Motor 4 Environmental Scanning 5 Political 5 Economical 5 Social 5 Technological 6 Environmental 6 Legal 6 Entry Strategy 6 Political Risk 7 Implementation Strategy 7 References 9 The Ford Motor Company Ford motor company (FMC) is an iconic automobile manufacturer in the world. The company is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, USA. It was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford, Horace E. Dodge and John F. Dodge. FMC was the most sold automobile brand across the world before World War II. Large scale car manufacturing concept was introduced by Ford motors in the year of 1914. Organizational Culture of Ford Motor Proper understanding of leadership skill and management is required to build a successful organization. Top management of the company believes in creating a sustainable environment for all. Ford has set a targe t to reduce 30 % CO2 emission from car within next eight years. The company tries to operate with a small but efficient workforce. They discontinued more than seven thousand underperforming employees in 2008. This is an example of strong leadership quality in terms of ability to take hard decisions. FMC has always tried to design product in a unique way. They use state of art technology to manufacture automobiles. Organizational culture of Ford can be described in three words- practical, innovative and one that believes in sustainable development (Seligman, n.d.) Environmental Scanning FMC is trying to enter Chinese automobile market. They need to analyze macro environment (considering political, economical, social, technological, legal, environmental condition of a particular country) before planning an entry strategy. Political Communist party is the ruling party in the country. Government has strong control over print media and electronic media. Political condition of the country is stable due to absence of any major opposition party. China has joined world trade organization (WTO) in 2001. The country has become more open in terms foreign investment after Joining WTO. It takes only thirty seven days to start a new business in china. This type of political condition will help FMC to grow their business in the country. Economical Chinese government has direct control over the financial institutes of the country. Government regulates Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy. Chinese government has cut down corporate tax rate last year. Ford has the opportunity to save huge amount of money due to low corporate tax policy of Chinese government (Viswanadham, & Balaji, n.d.). Social Literacy rate in china is more than 90% and most of the educated people are aware of international brands. Many international organizations have entered China in recent years. They have created employment opportunities for Chinese people. Disposable income of a customer has increased du e to rapid industrialization. Technological China is global leader in terms of technological development. Major achievements in the field of science and technology are, building the first atomic reactor, and hydrogen bombs, discovery of the Daqing Oilfield, synthesis of crystalline insulin, electronic collider, nuclear power stations etc. Government is trying to develop automobile industry with the help of foreign companies. This condition also supports the market entry

Financial Services Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financial Services - Essay Example The parties involved in the financial markets include investors, financial institutions (intermediary) and other parties that are brought together by formal trading rules and communication networks for business different financial instruments (assets and credits)(Brigham&Ehrhardt2010). Difference types of financial markets Financial market are classified depending on the types of securities that is traded, time to maturity, types of participants and types of transaction(Besley 2011, p.83). Different types of financial markets are as follows: Capital markets This market deals with medium and long- term funds. This is made up by all the long-term borrowings from banks and financial institutions, borrowings from foreign markets and rising of capital through capital market, through issuance of securities. This market is classified into two; primary market and secondary markets. Primary market comprises of obligations that comprises of long-term funds by companies by making issuance of sh ares and debentures for the first time. This is normally during the first stage when the companies are rolling into business for the first time. A secondary market is also referred to a stock exchange. It represent the day today dealing in the stock exchange. It is a channel where long –term funds are mobilized through organized markets where shares and debentures are traded on daily basis through openness and secure platform (Module 4 Business finance n.d.) Money markets The market deals with short-term funds, which include financial instruments that have a shorter maturity of up to one year. This financial credit instrument includes bills of exchange, promissory notes, commercial papers, treasury bills. These instruments help governments and other companies to meet with short-term financial obligations through borrowing of funds. Commodity markets This is a market that deals with commodities like minerals, grains, oil and gases. Traders engaged in future contract for their supply and these insulate them from price fluctuations and guarantee them the continuity of operation without much think on the supply of these items(Alexander 2007,p.2) Derivatives markets In this market large financial instruments are traded which include options, and futures. Derivatives agreements are assets that take upon themselves the right or responsibilities as the case may be(Parameswaran2006, p.1).This trade is not on any organized conversations; these include forwards contracts, foreign-exchange swaps, forwards rate agreements and barrier options(Levinson 2010) Futures markets This market allows traders to agree with a financial institution to lock in a conversation rate at certain future dates by procuring or selling a future agreement. For example if a company is expecting to receive a certain payment in the future and are not sure of the exchange rate they can come to an agreement with a financial institution by buying a future contract .this guarantees them to receiv e their cash at agreed conversation rates(Levinson 2010). Foreign exchange markets This market enables exchange of currencies between two different traders in to different geographical locations or boundaries. The trader is largely over- the- counter market, which means that there is no particular market place (Bradstreet& Dan 2007, p.2). This market exists both as retail market (small dealers like tourist or