The Aviator Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Aviator - Movie Review Example This article is a review of the movie looking into the themes, character, style and narratives. The information presented in this article is obtained from both primary and secondary sources. The primary source is through watching the films and trying it analyze the characters and finding out the themes. The secondary sources are the reviews that have been conducted by various authors on the movie. Different reviewers have given their views on the style and the representation of characters in the film. These sources were used to get the plot of the story and style used. The narrative style together with other techniques of film making is explored. The characters were then analyzed against each other (Marrett, 195). The different themes are then explored and the role each character played in the realization of these themes discussed. The movie starts when Hunges is a young boy where his mother tells him to take caution not to get a flue. Then in the year 1927, Hunges inherits his family fortune in California. He uses this fortune to design oil drilling bits a venture that made him a billionaire. Later when he was 22, he decided to invest in the film industry an area where he had a huge interest in. His first film was the silent Hells Angel which he works very hard to ensure that it turns out perfectly. His next film had some talking and was called The Jazz Singer. During this time, he also produced a sound version of the Hells Angel which became a major Hollywood hit. This was a key to entry into the Hollywood social network and he dated two Hollywood stars Jean Harlow and Katharine Hepburn. However, he did not quite fit into Hollywood and he decided to go back to designing aircrafts. He made new design and even risked his life trying out new aircrafts and flying around the globe. He even got into an accident ov er Beverly Hills when taking XF-11 for a test flight. He got major injuries that

What does Weber mean by charismatic authority How and why does he Essay

What does Weber mean by charismatic authority How and why does he contrast it to bureaucracy - Essay Example Much progress had been made, but he was not at all confident that that progress could raise human beings to the required moral status that was needed to ensure the world would be a livable place. One problem he had was the way current social scientists were analyzing history and social activity. They all seem to think that the world was on a route of progress, hence their evaluation of history was framed from valued, or normative points of views. Weber created the use of "ideal type" to analyze social data and activity such that values could be separated for observations and theorists could make empirically based views. An ideal type became a concept marking regularities of meaningful action. The ideal type model would enable precise definitions for comparison and measurement of social reality. In his analysis of leadership ideal types that have evolved through history, he created three models. These were the legal or bureaucratic leader, the authority leader, and the charismatic lea der. This report will concentrate on "charismatic authority" and will contrast it to "bureaucracy". It will view how charismatic authority may contribute to a sociological understanding of power in modern society. Discussion How has the concept of ‘leader’ risen in society and in what way has it became an authority figure? Weber attempted to not make value judgments as he outlined his leadership types. Hence he was able to accept as a fact that the bureaucratic leader existed, alone with the traditional and charismatic ones. Although the route that the leader took to authority may have involved injustice or arbitrary actions, Weber's task was to describe the various types and how they came to be accepted (Titunik 65). The bureaucratic or legal leader represented the impersonal type leader that worked efficiently in such organizations as businesses, schools, and even church hierarchies and hospitals. They were the officials of an organization who ruled not on personal lo yalties, but on clear hierarchic chains of command that were organized on systems of intentionally created abstract rules. There were rules of conduct and specified roles were marked out. There were distinct spheres of ownership and staff and staff was paid more or less for skills that were acquired and recognize to operate on the position. One of the problems dealing with bureaucratic leadership was that many times it could be seen as lording over an emotionless 'iron cage' (Weber 181). The traditional leader evolved from a historical patriarch whose position was that of a personal master who ruled over his subjects. He was more or less limited by traditional laws and his rule was held up by faithful followers who had received benefits. It is the charismatic leader whom Weber seems to spend much time on. This particular leader came to power through recognition of his exceptional powers as a hero, as a person who took the ultimate self-sacrifice. His followers are mesmerized before him and had accepted his otherworldly nature. He has exemplary character. He is able to bring meaning into the lives of his follower and he can give them goals and images to internalize and believe in to "transcend their own limited existence" (Conger et al 751). The charismatic leader releases his followers from "custom, law and tradition", even from family responsibilities and, most importantly, from their own conscience (Conger et al 751). Dow sees it as an ideal type and an emotional life-force that "remains forever beyond the reach of bureaucratic domination† (Dow 85). Charismatic leadership directly contrasts bureaucratic leadership. Dow suggests that Weber celebrated ‘charisma as an â€Å"emotional life-force† antagonistic to the dreary construction of the iron cage’† (Dow 85). Yet, today they both can be seen operating easily in tantrum. One

Future Concerns - Gattaca and Fahrenheit 451 Essay Example for Free

Future Concerns Gattaca and Fahrenheit 451 Essay Popular fictions texts expressing views of the future educate audiences about current issues and the dystopias that develop from them. Texts such as the film ‘Gattaca’, directed by Andrew Niccol and novel ‘Fahrenheit 451’ by Ray Bradbury explore futuristic societies and the implications that become of their innovation. Although entertaining, texts such as these are didactic and must be taken seriously, as they communicate messages to audiences regarding prevalent concerns and possible futures based on society’s choices. Gattaca’ (1995) directed by Andrew Niccol, follows the story of the underdog Vincent, who is challenged by genetic discrimination against ‘in? valids’ like himself. Through an elaborate identity switch and the help of ‘genetically advantaged’ Jerome, Vincent prevails to achieve his dreams and find his place at Gattaca Space Station. Niccol utilises conventions of film to convey messages to the audience by highlighting issues relevant to the context of production. Gattaca’ incorporates many themes which highlight the corruption and inequality in this strange, new world. Niccol explores concepts such as elitism, perfection, inequity and modernism. This film opens with two contrasting epigraphs, which entices viewers’ interest into moral themes in ‘Gattaca’. The first quote reads: â€Å"Consider God’s handiwork; Who can straighten what He hath made crooked? † Ecclesiastes 7. 13. An interpretation of this quote is that life is intended to be left alone to take its course, which is contradictory to many ideas in ‘Gattaca’. The quote following reads: â€Å"I not only think that we will tamper with Mother Nature, I think Mother wants us to. † Willard Gaylin. This presents audiences with differing opinions to contemplate as they consider what scientific advancements their own future holds, watching Vincent in his. The opening scene is an extreme close up shot of Vincent’s fingernails, hair follicles and loose skin, against a blue cubicle. The extreme close up shot suggests importance as the camera focuses in on the subject matter, emphasising the significance of Vincent’s DNA. Sterility and cleanliness is suggested by the use of cold, deep blue hues. The use of blue is constant throughout the film, as is the significance in detail. These concepts tie to other scenes, such as ‘The Eyelash’, where Vincent’s own ‘invalid’ eyelash is discovered during a murder investigation. This concept highlights the precision of technology in the future, and that life with such structure becomes complicated. Audiences can learn lessons from examples such as these scenes s they can relate the situations Vincent is put in with possible futures based on the direction society is heading in present times. Another effective technique demonstrated by Niccol is the first person narration by the central character, Vincent. This is important for the development in the movie, as Vincent is the protagonist we are encouraged to empathise with. Therefore, the use of bias narration and perspective is effective in supporting the ideas presented in the film. Following the opening scene is ‘The Not Too Distant Future’, which cuts to a low angle shot looking up to the bold, symmetrical lines of the building. In this shot, Gattaca is shaded in black and grey tones, also indicating the power and formality of the institution. As the camera tilts down, the strong lines and colouring remain constant as view of the staff are also brought into the frame. Directors have dressed actors in blue business suits, again, enforcing the concept of formality, conformity and sterility. The uniformed staff are very bland and indistinguishable from one another in their uniformed clothing. Silence is broken by the rising volume of diagetic sound effects, such as the beeping sound of accepted ‘valids’ through the turnstile, as well as an anonymous greeting by a placid female voice: â€Å"Welcome to Gattaca†. These techniques develop the idea that society has become lifeless and ‘black and white’, as Gattaca presents characters as clinical and robotic products of genetic modification, teaching audiences about social issues that relate to futures.

MNC Corporation Production Assignment

MNC Corporation Production Assignment MNC Corporation Production Analysis of MNC Behavior Introduction Multinational corporation (or transnational corporation) (MNC/TNC) is a corporation or enterprise that manages production establishments or delivers services in at least two countries. Very large multinationals have budgets that exceed those of many countries. Multinational corporations can have a powerful influence in international relations and local economies. Multinational corporations play an important role in globalization (Bartlett et al). Multinational corporations can be divided into three broad groups according to the configuration of their production facilities: Horizontally integrated multinational corporations manage production establishments located in different countries to produce similar products. (Example: McDonalds) Vertically integrated multinational corporations manage production establishment in certain country/countries to produce products that serve as input to its production establishments in other country/countries. (Example: Adidas) Diversified multinational corporations do not manage production establishments located in different countries that are horizontally, vertically or straight (Example: Microsoft or Siemens A.G.) The paper deals with analysis of MNC behavior of three popular MNC’s viz. Exxon Mobile, Royal Dutch and BP. These are oil and gas companies from India and China. The paper will explain about how the products of these companies differ or are similar to each other and how their marketing strategies corporate strategies differ. All this will be explained through the Dunning O-I-L framework and Global Integration Local Responsiveness framework. This paper represents the compare and contrast studies of different strategies. About the companies MNC behavior differs across various locations and is different regarding marketing, finance, human resource and other aspects related to the products. The three companies selected for analyzing MNC behavior differ in geographical locations, political conditions, cultural considerations and legal frameworks. The general introduction of the all the 3 companies is as follows: Exxon Mobil Corporation or Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM): It is an American oil and gas corporation and a direct descendant of John D. Rockefellers Standard Oil company. Formed on November 30, 1999 by the merger of Exxon and Mobil, Exxon Mobil is the worlds largest company by revenue at $404.5 billion for the fiscal year of 2007. It is also the largest publicly held corporation by market capitalization, i.e. $501.17 billion. While it is the largest of the six oil super majors with daily production of 4.18 million BOE (barrels of oil equivalent). Currently, the company ranks 1st in the world in net income, which was almost $40 billion last year. The Exxon Mobil Corporation global headquarters are located in Irving, Texas. The company markets products around the world under the brands of Exxon, Mobil, and Esso. It also owns hundreds of smaller subsidiaries such as Imperial Oil Limited (69.6% ownership) in Canada, and Sea River Maritime, a petroleum shipping company (Exxon Mobile Corporation 2008). Royal Dutch Shell: It is commonly known as Shell, a multinational oil company of British and Dutch origins. It is the second largest private sector energy corporation in the world, and one of the six super majors. The companys headquarters are in The Hague, Netherlands, with its registered office in London, United Kingdom (Shell Centre). The companys main business is the exploration, production, processing, transportation and marketing of hydrocarbons (oil and gas). Shell also has a significant petrochemicals business (Shell Chemicals), and an embryonic renewable energy sector developing wind, hydrogen and solar power opportunities (Royal Dutch Shell: About Shell 2008). BP (British Petroleum): It was previously known as British Petroleum but now using only the initials, it is the worlds third largest global energy company, a multinational oil company (oil major) with headquarters in London, UK. The company is among the largest private sector energy corporations in the world, and one of the six super majors (vertically integrated private sector oil exploration, natural gas, and petroleum product marketing companies). Though, all these companies are involved in similar business practices, yet there are also certain differences among them. There is a compare and contrast scenario among these companies. To analyze these three MNC’s, the â€Å"Global Integration- Local Responsiveness† framework and â€Å"Dunning’s O-I-L† framework can be used (BP Global: About BP 2008). Similarities and Differences The products of all three companies are similar in the sense that all have natural resource seeking and efficiency seeking products. All three companies produce the same kind of products, so they also require the same kind of raw materials for the products. The products they produce are all location specific. All the companies have their established positions in the international market and are among the six super majors in the oil and gas industry. They possess abundant resource utilization capacity. They have competitive advantage, which helps them to achieve their strategic goals. The products of the companies are globally marketed. The major differences among the products of the companies are the quality and quantity of the products and the capital requirement for the products. The products also differ in the level and type of technology used and the customer demand for the product. The location where the product is manufactured is also important and it makes a big difference for the company. The export and import of the products vary from company to company. The manufacturing and innovation among the products also vary depending on the Government rules, regulations and policies in the countries in which the companies operate. The products also differ on the basis of marketing strategies used to market the product. The reason for these differences can be explained through the â€Å"Global Integration- Local Responsiveness† framework popularly known as I-R model. It is generally related with ideas of value creation. It states that these differences occur because of differences in the competitive advantage of the companies and the strategies used by them. Strategies can be global, international, multinational or transnational (Bartlett et al). The risk handling capability of the companies is also one of the possible reasons for the differences among them. The proportion of the global assets, number of countries in which the company operates in value added activities and the value of the output are responsible for significant differences among the companies of the same industry (Rugman Hodgetts 1995). These differences are not general differences. These differences are responsible for the company’s success and help it in making popular among the general public. The products of the company become known to the customers because of these significant differences and they are responsible for the growth and revenue of the company (Bartlett et al). The marketing strategies also differ between various firms and countries on the basis of the strategies used to market the products. The differences between countries occur because of alterations in the market structures among various countries with respect to the transactional costs. Differences also occur on the ground of capital availability and resource utilization. The difference in the market size is also very important. Marketing strategies differ across firms due to differences in the extent of market diversification and market stability of the firms. They differ according to the number of customers for the product and because of the market allocation for the product. The firms have set up in their respective locations because according to â€Å"Dunning’s O-I-L† framework, the assets which these companies possess are ownership specific and location specific. Though, they are available to all the firms, yet they are unique in nature and help the company to establish a difference for itself. This criterion of Dunning is based on the eclectic paradigm. The assets can be tangible like manpower, capital, etc. or intangible like technology, marketing, etc. Global, International, Multinational Transnational Firms As the companies grow and develop, there category changes and they become international, global, multinational or transnational firms. As time passes, their product category also changes. Global Firms consider the world as a single integrated unit with centralized scale intensive manufacturing. Through world wide diffusion and adaptation, these companies exploit the parent company’s knowledge and capabilities (Dunning 1993). International Firms take the overseas units as offshoots of domestic strategy. Here the core competencies are centralized and others are decentralized. It builds cost advantage through global scale operations (Dunning 1993). Multinational Firms consider the world as a portfolio of national opportunities. They are self sufficient and decentralized. Through strong resourceful national operations it creates a response to national differences. Transnational Firms comprise of all the above three firms. They are dispersed, interdependent and specialized. They have flexibility, global efficiency and great learning capability. Different Corporate Strategies The corporate strategies of the MNC’s differ across different locations as the Government policies and regulations are different in different countries. The goals and the means to achieve them differ according to the customer size and the market adaptability in different countries. The collaborations with the local partners also create a difference in the corporate strategies because they also have their company’s policies and requirements. It also differs according to the company law of the respective countries. The terms and conditions of the local partners differ, which causes significant variations in the corporate strategy (Dunning 1993).. Innovations in MNC’s Innovations are a growing trend in today’s world and MNC’s are successful till they maintain their innovativeness and creativity. Innovation does not necessarily come from the home country but it can also be sourced in the local country. The MNC’s hire the employees of the local country so it can be possible that innovations are from the local country. Government and the MNC’s There are differences among the MNC’s about the Government policies and regulations. Government’s encouragement or inhibition for the oil and gas industry depends on the type of country and the requirement of such an MNC in the country. There are also significant differences across various locations for the involvement of Government in the MNC activities. This depends on the need of the country to grow and develop and also on the economy of the country. This can also be explained with the help of â€Å"Dunning’s O-I-L† framework. The Government involvement depends on the asset availability of the country which is location specific. Social Cultural Factors The MNC’s are also affected by social and cultural factors of the local country. They have to conduct the business according to the conditions in that country. The products should be manufactured according to the needs and requirements of the people. The cultural and social sentiments of the people should be taken care of. For example, when Mc Donald’s started its business in India, it made beef burgers. But this was failed in India, as it was against the cultural, religious and social sentiments of the people of India, because Indians worship cows so they would never prefer a beef burger. But many a times it happens that MNC’s also shape the social, cultural, political and even the legal framework of the local country. The people of the local country many a times adapt to the products of the MNC’s. For example, Pizza Hut, Dominos, etc. have totally changed the eating habits of the people wherever they have spread their business. The dressing style of the people changes, e.g. Indians started wearing western style clothes. They also convince the Government to make its legal policy flexible to suit their business conditions because the country is being benefited by the MNC’s. The role of WTO in MNC activity WTO and regional trade agreements influence the MNC activities in many ways. The fundamental principles of WTO are non discrimination, free trade, encouraging competition and extra provisions for less developed countries. Through non discriminatory trading system, all the MNC’s are provided with their rights and obligations to be used while performing their operations. Each country and MNC receives fair exports and fair treatment in the markets of other countries. It provides responsibilities regarding implementation of agreements, technical cooperation and increased participation in the global trading system. These agreements help in removing trade barriers and duty free access. It also helps in protecting industrial property rights and dispute settlement. The trade agreement system helps in promoting peace, provides more choices of products and qualities (Cherunilam 2005). Export processing zone refers to one or more specific areas of a country where some of the normal trade barriers are ruled out and bureaucratic necessities are let down in the desire of attracting new business and foreign investments. This zone also refers to the manufacturing centers, which are labor intensive involving the import of raw materials and the export of factory products. This zone is of great importance for the operations of MNC’s. Geography of production The linkages in the value chain also differ around different locations. The relationship between the various functional processes is different at different locations. The spread of production differs according to the spatial distribution. This differs according to the elements of the value chain. The working of the functional processes affects the production. It differs from firm to firm because the functional units like finance, marketing, etc. differ across firms and across various locations. So the firm’s production differs according to geography as the resource availability differs from place to place. Also, the human resource management, organizational structure and managerial responsibility differ between the firms and locations. These are not the same at all the places and with all the firms. The manpower availability differs from place to place and from firm to firm. Because of workforce diversity, human resource management differs and is not the same at all places. The organizational structure also differs because of each firm’s policies and regulations. The managerial responsibility is different depending upon the size of the firm and its working. It also depends upon the strength of the organization, type of business it deals with and the amount of work done by the organization (Cherunilam 2005). MNC’s also hire local people for key positions because its not possible for the MNC’s to hire people from the home country as it is a time consuming and costly affair. Instead of doing so, they can spend money on the training of the people in the local country. The Country Subsidiary Manager is responsible for the administration and management of the MNC in the country. He helps the MNC to recruit highly efficient and energetic people. He also helps in the growth and development of the MNC along with marketing its products. Comparison and Contrast between the Indian Market and Chinese Market for Exxon, BP and Shell The strategies in both the countries will be different for all the three companies i.e. BP, Exxon and Shell. The business environment, culture and traditions of both the companies differ from each other. The customer requirements, economic growth, political and social environment and legal obligations for both the countries can be compared and contrasted. Comparison CEOs of global energy giants BP, Exxon Mobil and Shell are thrashing out their plans with Indian companies and state government officials to pump dollars into 5 states Orissa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat. The oil and gas giants (Exxon, Shell, BP), can enter the Indian market through Joint Ventures with the Indian companies like Reliance or any ONGC. To establish joint ventures with Indian companies for manufacturing, all the 3 companies should track the key trends and survey the competitive environment in the oil and gas industry, which will enable them to maximize their returns in India (BP, Exxon Shell may invest in 5 Indian states 2008). Currently, Indian conversion kit markets are overflowing with duplicate and inferior quality products. Manufacturers must devote adequate resources for research and development to create world-class offerings that stand apart from the competition. Producing less expensive, lighter, and stronger fuel storage tanks could help the companies establish a leadership position in the marketplace. Reinforcing innovative products with strong after-sales service will allow companies to establish a brand image (Indian Automotive Alternative Fuel Conversion Kit Markets 2001). The entry strategy for China will be different. In China, the companies can enter through Merger or strategic alliance with a Chinese oil company. The companies should do a detailed study of the Chinese market to enter into strategic alliance with the Chinese companies, their growth patterns and their position in the market. As the entry strategy in both the companies will differ because of their business environment; similarly, business strategies would also differ on the following grounds. Firstly, the customer ratio and demand differs in both the countries. China has more population than India, so it has a large consumer market than India for these companies. Secondly, as compared to China, the price hike in petrol is more in India, so the companies can earn high revenue in India (Cherunilam 2005). Thirdly, China’s economy is growing at a much faster rate than India’s economy. Fourthly, the income level in both the countries is different. Middle class population is high in India. The per capita income of China is more than India and even the disposable income in China is more. Nowadays, BP is focusing on an eco-friendly campaign, which can be a great success in India where pollution is a major problem. This way, it can easily attract customers and become popular. Fifthly, the culture of both the countries is different, which affects the strategies of the companies. India is a country of diverse cultures and customs, so people with different thinking and values are found in India. But China has cultural unity, so the values and traditions do not differ across the country. This is good for advertisement and publicity to the people. Sixthly, it is also the political and legal environment that plays a crucial role in any business. A company cannot ignore the political situation and legal formalities either in the home country or in the host country if it has to operate successfully abroad. There is a quasi-federal-form of government in India and democracy is the rule of the country. Whereas China is a communist country, so the political setup can make a difference to the strategies. Also, the legal environment differs from country to country. India’s market has easy access and there are no strict regulations for the trade. In India, after the liberalization in 1991, most of the sectors are opened for foreign companies. Foreign Direct Investment is increasing rapidly. FDI policy is liberalized and 100% investment is allowed, whereas in China, there is not so much liberty for foreign companies. Only, a limited number of foreign companies can establish themselves in China. Contrast There are several points of similarities that affect the strategies of the companies in both the countries. Both the countries are in a developing stage and follow collectivism. Collectivistic culture tends to embrace interdependence, family security, social hierarchies, cooperation; and low levels of competition (Cherunilam 2005). As such, the Chinese and Indian society historically focuses on social interests and collective actions, and de-emphasizes personal goals and accomplishments. Also, the people of both the countries are dominated by foreign products and import items. Conclusion Thus, from the above discussion about MNC’s, it is concluded that they differ across different locations in terms of their resources, working, legal framework, etc. They also affect the culture and social life of the people of the local country. References Bartlett et al. Building Layers of Competitive Advantage. Europe: McGraw Hill Companies Inc. BP Global: About BP. 2008. [online]. [Accessed July 19, 2008]. Available from World Wide Web: BP, Exxon Shell may invest in 5 Indian states 2008. [online]. [Accessed July 19, 2008]. Available from World Wide Web: Cherunilam, F. 2005. International Business: Text and Cases. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd. Dunning, J. H. 1993. The determinants of MNE activity. In Dunning, J. H., Multinational Enterprises and the Global Economy: 76-85. Addison-Wesley Pub. Co. Exxon Mobile Corporation. 2008. [online]. [Accessed July 19, 2008]. Available from World Wide Web: Indian Automotive Alternative Fuel Conversion Kit Markets 2001. [online]. [Accessed July 19, 2008]. Available from World Wide Web: Ramaswamy, V.S Namakumari, S. (3rd ed.) 2005. Strategic Planning Formulation of Corporate Strategy. New Delhi: Macmillan India Ltd. Royal Dutch Shell: About Shell. 2008. [online]. [Accessed July 19, 2008]. Available from World Wide Web: Rugman, A.M. Hodgetts, R.M. (1st ed.).1995. International Business. New York, McGraw Hill Publishing Company. Appendix Generic Value Chain of OPERATION OUTBOND LOGISTIC MARKETING SALES SERVICE FIRM INFRASTRUCTURE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROCUREMENT INBOUND LOGISTIC Secondary Activity Or Supporting Activities Primary Activities Source: Ramaswamy Namakumari 2005.

The Universes :: Semantics Language Essays

The Universes I can't tell you what I was just thinking. As in Augustine's view of intuition, the associations I registered were too free of any repeatable limitations for me to verbalize the experience. Perhaps these associations were of diverging thoughts that have not departed my mind. The most handy example of something similar is the simultaneity of sense perception. Each sense perception is specialized and in that respect removed from the whole and yet also registered in the same moment. In the thought I'm speaking of there were different concerns, we might even say a universe of concerns none of which I can fully express. This complex event might be considered incidental in regard to what I have learned to value. I am now attempting to acquire a greater appreciation of something I cannot verbalize, meaningful associations I can't excite a recurrence of through keying words into a computer. Semantic sensation is never original. It must always be familiar. Language does excite original sensations, as in the sound of a speaker's voice, but the semantic experience itself is never sound or vision, or any other sense perception of the material universe. Original experience of semantics would be like immediately comprehending a language we never heard before. This kind of appreciation is possible with music. Music we've never heard before can be immediately appreciated as music, but semantics, like memory, must always be a response to what is already familiar. My concern is how to proceed. If I can only register verbally what has already become familiar through cognitive means, my work with language is not directed toward spurring meaning for the first time. Has there ever been a first time in regard to comprehending language? Is anything we read utterly strange, or is it rather strangely familiar? We may read something and make no sense of it, and later return to it and find familiarity as if we always should have been able to comprehend this particular passage. This parallels how we initially acquire language through a growing familiarity with the effects of verbal expression. We learn to fortuitously repeat limited effects. We grow to appreciate what we had already experienced albeit as incidental and free of the constraints of communication. Infants can distinguish between phonemes their parents, having learned a particular language, can no longer tell apart (Pinker 264), and meaning is similar in this respect. To understand how this c an work we must put aside the notion that language makes meaning.

Vaccine Essay -- Medicine, Autism

This research paper consists of varying information coming from four published articles found on the internet related to whether the MMR vaccine causes Autism in children or not. According to the article MMR Vaccine (2010) in Black's Medical Dictionary, 42nd Edition there have been several studies and experiments performed and until this day, there is no direct link between the MMR Vaccine and Autism. Other researchers such as Robert M. Youngson (2004, 2005), who wrote in the Collins Dictionary of Medicine that: â€Å"No association has been demonstrated between autism and the use of the MMR vaccine.† (Youngson, 2004) An editorial by Stephen I. Pelton, published on March 15, 2010, in the Family Practice News Magazine stated he was happy that THE LANCET took back the paper written by Dr. Andrew J. Wakefield in 1998, which explained a relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism. According to Michelle Meadows writer of an IOM report titled â€Å"No Link Between Vaccines and Autism† the evidence did not show an association between the MMR vaccine and autism. (Meadows, 2004) Word Bank: MMR: Measles Mump Rubella Dr: Doctor IOM: Institute of Medicine Controversy between MMR Vaccination and It’s Possibility of Causing Autism in Children. Many authors have conducted research and experiments to prove the point that there is no direct link between the MMR vaccine and Autism. Newspapers, magazines, books, encyclopedias, and dictionaries all have articles written by authors who suggest that there are links and relationships between the MMR vaccine and Autism and then there are many who say there is no link. In order for one to fully understand the meaning of the vaccine, the uses, ... ... such as Robert M. Youngson (2004, 2005) who wrote in the Collins Dictionary of Medicine that: â€Å"No association has been demonstrated between autism and the use of the MMR vaccine.† (Youngson, 2004) An editorial by Stephen I. Pelton, published on March 15, 2010, in the Family Practice News Magazine stated he was happy that ‘THE LANCET’ took back the paper written by Dr. Andrew J. Wakefield in 1998, which explained a relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism. According to Michelle Meadows writer of an IOM report titled â€Å"No Link Between Vaccines and Autism† the evidence did not show an association between the MMR vaccine and autism. (Meadows, 2004) To sum it all up, PARENTS do not feel misinformed. The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccination combination does not cause autism nor does the thimerosal additive for preservation cause autism.

Promotional Strategies of Idbi Federal Life Insurance Essay

The paper deals with the study of the promotional strategies of IDBI federal life insurance co ltd vis-à  -vis its various competitors like LIC, SBI life, ICICI prudential, etc. The paper aims at the various promotional strategies adopted by the company to make information available, about its products, to its potential customers. The primary objective of the paper is to find out whether the current promotional strategies are effective enough in attracting customers, to find out what customers look for in a life insurance advertisement and to suggest the company as to what are the new sources through which it can advertise its products. The secondary objective is to find out whether the current marketing strategies are sufficient enough to capture the current market in the face of rising competition. The research methodology includes collection of primary data from people by interviewing them over phone, meeting them, getting their opinion through questionnaires, etc. as well as col lection of secondary data from internet, published articles, books, research reports and other sources. A Questionnaire was designed to collect information from the respondents about the awareness of the brand IDBI Federal and the data analysis was based on the information collected through the questionnaire. Data analyses were done through graphical representation and excel tools. The limitation faced was that it was confined to one area due to travelling constraints and time constraints. Overall the project has tried to maintain an accuracy of data so that unbiased responses may be recorded which will give a true picture of the respondents’ opinion and help the company in taking a proper decision as to the promotional strategies of the company. 2. Company profile IDBI Federal Life Insurance co Ltd (formerly known as IDBI Fortis Life Insurance) is a joint venture between three financial companies – development and commercial bank, IDBI Bank, India’s private sector bank, Federal Bank and European insurer Ageas (formerly Fortis), which was formed on March 2008 In this venture, IDBI Bank owns 48% equity while  Federal Bank and Ageas own 26% equity IDBI Federal Life Insurance Co. Ltd.,(formerly IDBI Fortis Life Insurance) is a joint venture each. IDBI bank is a government owned bank started in 1964 as a subsidiary of RBI for providing institutional credit. It is known to be a bank for high end customers. In 2008 it changed its name to IDBI bank ltd. and entered into the retail segment. IDBI has more than 1500 branches across India. Federal bank is a scheduled commercial bank which was started in 1931. It has a strong base of NRI customers. It has a presence in both south and west. It was one of the first banks to start core banking. Federal bank has 1200 branches across India. Ageas is a Belgium-Dutch multinational insurance company. After its creation in 1990, Fortis expanded its offerings to include private and investment banking and asset management, establishing subsidiaries around the world. 3. Introduction 4.1 Introduction to the problem In the current scenario, Indian insurance companies have become competitive in nature and are providing appropriate distribution channels to get the maximum benefit and serve customers in manifold ways. Indian Insurance industry has big opportunity to expand, given the large population and untapped potential. The insurance market in India has witnessed dynamic changes including entry of a number of global insurers. Most of the private insurance companies are joint ventures with recognized foreign institutions across the globe. Saturation of markets in many developed economies has made the Indian market even more attractive for global insurance majors. The US$ 41 billion Indian industry is considered the fifth largest life insurance market, and is growing at a rapid pace of 32-34% annually, according to the Life Insurance Council. Innovative products, smart marketing, and aggressive distribution have enabled fledging private insurance companies to sign up Indian customers faster than anyone expected. Insurance products come in a variety of forms and are advertised and marketed using a variety of methods to entice customers. Thus insurance companies need to market their products because they are in competition with other insurers for the same customers. The only thing that distinguishes an insurance company’s products is the  price as well as the advertising message that it sends across to its customers. Thus the major area of concern of the study is how IDBI federal should distinguish itself in terms of reaching customers through various promotional strategies so that customers respond to the promotional strategies of the company Vis-à  -vis those of competitors. 4.2 Significance of the problem There are many players in the Indian Insurance Industry, each capturing sufficient market share of the total industry. In the Indian insurance sector, the market position of the incumbent, LIC, continues to dominate even 10 years after the opening up of the sector for private players. This puts the onus on the private sector players to differentiate themselves in terms of product innovation and customer servicing, so that they could grab a bigger share of the Indian insurance pie. As insurance is a ‘push’ rather than a ‘pull’ product, it is a big challenge for the companies to make their products meaningful to prospective customers. Companies should simplify insurance products and design the benefits so as to suit the specific needs of policyholders. A higher degree of transparency on policy terms will ensure that the customer understands the product and its benefits, minimizing fears of being cheated. It is therefore important for the industry to invest not just in expansion and distribution but also in client servicing and processing. Many customers are discouraged from buying insurance due to the anticipated complexity involved in settlement of claims. Insurance companies do assert that the competition in the industry is forcing them to speed up their claim processes, but the fact remains that a lot more needs to be done to make general insurance a hassle-free experience for the customers. Such things are very important to be communicated to the prospective customers so that they understand the products of the company and the benefits and features of the products. Thus promotion becomes very important for any IDBI federal to stand ahead of other players. 4.3 Important Observations IDBI Federal Life Insurance already has a strong distribution network of over 1477 branches through their partner banks. IDBI Federal has adopted various promotional strategies like commercial ads, print ads, events, personnel  selling, word of mouth, viral marketing, etc. The advertising focus of the company has therefore been the product rather than the corporate brand. TVC’s- The major promotion of IDBI federal is done through television commercials on sports channels. The TVC’s for IDBI Federal have been designed by Ogilvy and Mather. January, 2011: IDBI Federal Life recently launched three clutter breaking television commercials focusing on its frontline products – Wealthsurance and Incomesurance. The first advertisement reflects that the product is so great that whoever hears about it, buys it instantly and the second advertisement promises to be clear and transparent on the issue of returns in the investment product. IDBI Federal has also introduced two animation characters by the name of Happy and Lucky to promote the brand. The campaign revolves around the immense strength of the products and conveys the message: Anyone who hears about it buys it. The story board revolves around the most unexpected people in the most unexpected situations, hear about the product and buy it. * March, 2011: Through the example of a 60-year-old-son and his 90-year-old father, the insurance company, in its new campaign, reinforces the need to be financially secure post-retirement. Through the TVC, they wanted to explain the benefit of a tension-free life thanks to the pension plan. * August, 2011: The incomesurance TVC adds a comic touch to a series situation of family interview. The strategy for them was to drive home a practical and relevant message to the viewers. After sifting through many auditions, they singled out on a non-model/ non-celebrity talent to ensure that the slice-of-life situation came across as genuine and credible. The TVC went on air on 15th Aug, on the eve of Independence Day. The company’s fil ms are based on simple consumer insights that bring alive the core product benefits. * January, 2012: IDBI Federal Life Insurance has come up with a new campaign to promote its child insurance plans. The head of the Ad agency commented that in a world of goody-goody child plan advertising, they wanted to ensure that IDBI Federal’s Childsurance stood out. The senior vice-president of IDBI Federal said that choosing the right plan is very important today, given the rising inflation in education. Childsurance, with five unique features, can be the strong partner that parents seek to ensure that their children’s dreams come true, which has been captured in the ad campaign. Distributors- IDBI Federal has a strong network of distributors  who contribute a lot to the promotion of the products by word of mouth promotion. IDBI Federal has Bancassurance partnership with IDBI Bank and the Federal Bank and also distributes its products through its own network. To further diversify its distribution base, it has set up an Alternate & Direct Distribution channel. Management- IDBI federal life insurance co ltd leverages on its strong distribution network of promoters and advisors who have constantly revised the company’s product portfolio by adding on new products from time to time depending on the environment and needs of the customers. Partnerships- IDBI Federal Life Insurance, in partnership with SAMHITA Community Development Services, is engaged in financial literacy programs for the urban and rural poor in MP since 2011. The company has participated in a felicitating program organized by SAMHITA for women from slum dwelling households in Bhopal, who have successfully completed this financial literacy program in 2008, when it tied up with SAMHITA for providing low cost group coverage to the female members of SAMHITA under Group Microsurance. So far it has covered over 86,721 lives for a sum insured of Rs.66.7crores. IDBI Federal Life Insurance also offers the protection of Termsurance Grameen Suraksha to the family members of these people. Thus, this was a major step taken by IDBI federal for promoting its products in the rural areas. Web promotion- The TVC’s are uploaded in you tube. They have launched microsites for their ads. In addition, IDBI federal also planned to launch a viral in the digital space to create awareness about its products. Events- IDBI federal has tried to promote its products by conducting certain events. They organized the event Spelling Bee, which was a specially created spelling contest arranged to connect with children. The event was organized on children’s day, 2010 to coincide with the launch of childsurance. The spellings to be completed revolved around visual and verbal cues to words related to savings, money and finance. Viral marketing- â€Å"Boss-ka-Boss†, the viral flash film launched by IDBI federal for marketing its product online, made it very popular and was a good way to reach customers which could be viewed through You-tube. The film had also been adjudged for a special award under animation film category at the PR Council of India (PRCI). 4.4 Comments by the experts in the area Mr. Amish Tripathi, National Head – Marketing & Product Management, IDBI Federal Life Insurance said that â€Å"the critical objective for IDBI Federal is name recognition and a strong differentiator, and each of their products is designed to be unique and offer great value to the customers† He also said that, â€Å"they are happy to have a creative partner like Ogilvy & Mather that has been able to successfully convey the message.† According to Mr. Aneesh Khanna, Senior Vice President – Head – Marketing & Product Management, IDBI Federal Life Insurance, â€Å"the strategy for them was to drive home a practical and relevant message to the viewers. ‘Humoring’ the customer with a convincing, rational appeal has been the insurance venture’s style. Their films are based on simple consumer insights that bring alive the core product benefits. According to Amish Tripathi, there were clear guidelines that the commercials have to be funny and clutter-breaking when it comes to campaigns, as every second company sells the same proposition in the insurance sector. â€Å"Therefore, it is important to stand out from the rest,† according to Mr. Tripathi. Nitin Pradhan, executive creative director, Leo Burnett, says, â€Å"It’s a tongue-in-cheek take on retired life† which meant that it was very common for IDBI Federal to take old people in the retirement term advertisement. In 2010, when private life insurance companies were facing a decline in sales, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer GV Nageshwara Rao said that the company is in in the process of adjusting the products. They expected to plan a few revised guidelines on pension products, which they hoped would revive pension plans again. He said that the long-term solution is to increase productivity in a sustained manner. He also quoted that going ahead; the company would consider three segments — children, retirement and health. And the company kept up to its promises by coming up with childsurance, healthsurance and the retirement plans. Acknowledging the viral flash film awards, Mr. Amish Tripathi, National Head – Marketing and Product, IDBI Fortis, said that â€Å"it was a great honour for them for being bestowed with the special award. He also said that at IDBI Fortis, they believe in innovation and delivering unique and distinct  offerings. The company has tried to follow the same in their communication through the films. The prestigious awards were an encouragement for the team and they hope to get many more of these in the future†. 4.5 Previous work According to a journal, written by professors of VIT University, Vellore on the promotional strategies adopted by IDBI Federal life insurance co ltd, for the South- Asian journal of marketing and management research, we find the following recommendations given by them After analysis of data, they suggested the following points * Television is the best source for entertainment and gaining information. So it is the best media for promotion * People don’t give more importance to the advertisements while compared to brand name * Tax benefit, death benefit, security and low premium are the important components which people look for in an insurance product * The message and creativity is important for insurance product * The promotional efforts and word of mouth is most influencing while compared to internet * Advertisements play a major role in influencing a person to buy an insurance policy * Insurance companies don’t need a brand ambassador to endorse the product 4.6 Gaps in the problem of interest 4.7 Proposed Work * Amazing customer experiences are one of the most powerful tools in marketing strategy. In today’s market, when a company treats its clients better than kings and queens they will tell the whole world about the company through social networking sites or through word of mouth. * There are many opportunities for growing business. The company can get great PR in the newspaper, meet other local community members and business owners, and educate people about the values and benefits of insurance. * The company can promote its products through social networking sites such as Facebook, twitter and linked in or other popular sites where potential customers visit frequently like news channel sites. Customers who prefer to read news online will be able to notice the ads if the ads are put in such sites. * The best television marketing opportunities would be during programs  specifically aimed at the target prospects. The company can aim those channels which potential customers see reg ularly such as news channels or sports channels. * An important promotional strategy would be to roll out advertisements during cricket matches such as IPL or one day series which will gain a lot of popularity for the products as well as the company. * Another strategy is to host networking events so businesspeople can meet other businesspeople. Making as many contacts as possible and following up with people will assist insurance marketing with the help of referrals. * Online E-mail newsletters should be sent to customers on a regular basis so as to attract potential customers and retain existing clients. The newsletters will constantly remind the clients about the products and they will re-think over their decisions while investing in insurance products and will keep IDBI federal in mind. * The company can host seminars about financial planning, understanding insurance, saving money on insurance etc. * IDBI Federal’s sales people can go door to door talking about their products to potential customers. Many sales people can convince about their products to customers in such a way. * One more promotional strategy is advertising through hoardings and billboards in important public places like railway stations, airports, bus stands, restaurants, etc. * The last IDBI federal ad was released in 2012 and the frequency of the ads were also less. To increase visibility of the products, the company should advertise more frequently so that customers notice their products vis-à  -vis its competitors. * They can also advertise through various radio channels as more and more people are shifting from television to radio channels * The company can also go for celebrity endorsements as customers go for celebrity endorsed brands as they attach some value to the product when it is endorsed by any celebrity. 4. Objectives and importance of the study Product promotion is one of the major necessities for getting a company’s brand in front of the public and attracting new customers. Companies use different promotional strategies for different marketing purposes. The importance of the study lies in studying all promotional and marketing strategies followed by IDBI Federal, how effective are the strategies in  maintaining the existing customer base and attracting new customers, what do customers look for in the advertisements to go for a particular product, and are the promotional strategies effective as compared to other insurance companies. Primary objective * To find out whether the current promotional strategies are effective in attracting customers. * To find out what customers look for in a life insurance advertisement. * To suggest a new concept of promotion for the company depending on people’s awareness about the brand IDBI Federal life insurance co ltd Secondary objective * To find out the level of awareness of the brand IDBI Federal among people * To find out whether the current marketing strategies are sufficient or the company needs to increase promotion in order to capture market. 5. Methodology Primary data: collecting data from people by interviewing them through phone, meeting them through questionnaires, during the time of sales etc. Secondary data: gathering data from internet and television, published articles, books, research reports and other sources. The sample size is 100 and the sampling unit is office going people who have either joined recently or who have been working for quite a few years. The research is carried out in Cuttack, Orissa where the sample is a representative portion of the population of the state. Both open ended and close ended questions are used in the design of the questionnaire so as to know the opinion of customers relating to insurance and awareness about the brand IDBI federal and how they respond to the marketing stimuli adopted by the company. The type of questionnaire used in this project is structured. The questions are listed in a prearranged order and respondents are informed about the purpose of collecting information. The type of sampling is convenient sampling. The methodology adopted for sales was to visit office going people with a  permanent income and explain them about the products of IDBI Federal life insurance co ltd.