Marketing plan for Harrods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Marketing plan for Harrods - Essay Example While PESTLE will evaluate the external environment surrounding the fashion retailer in United Kingdom, Porter’s analysis will provide a deeper understanding of the fashion industry in United Kingdom and ways in which industry factors affect strategies and functioning of Harrods. SWOT analysis helped in evaluating internal strengths and weaknesses and external threats and opportunities. The major marketing objective of Harrods was to improve brand awareness and establish itself in the foreign market. The brand implemented an integrated marketing campaign involving all promotional and marketing activities. The IMC campaign consisted of advertising and media, promotional strategies as well as use of latest media strategies for maximum penetration. The current global fashion industry is defined by intensive competition as well as frequent implementation of creative marketing strategies and tactics. This is a direct result of increasing competition and necessity for creating a sustainable marketing advantage. Fashion industry consists of different fashion seasons, each characterized by new style or design of clothes. Nevertheless, these hyped fashion periods are short lived among fashion enthusiasts. Owing to the huge demand of fashion brands, control of the top fashion retailers over the industry is way more compared to political bureaucrats (Aaker, 2009). However, recent changes have witnessed a fall in demand for luxury fashion products. The current report will evaluate current positioning of Harrods and ways for the company to implement strategies for future growth and development. Harrods is a globally recognised upmarket departmental store established in Chelsea and Kensington, London. The brand has also diversified itself to other sectors such as, Harrods Estates, Harrods Bank, Air Harrods and Harrods Aviation. The stores in London are the biggest departmental stores in entire Europe with space of 20000 meter squares or 5 acres. The selling space

Great expectations Essay Example for Free

Great expectations Essay The novel Great Expectations is centred on the child protagonist, Pip. The novel is known as a bildungsroman. A bildungsroman is a novel which traces the Spiritual, moral, psychological, or social development and growth of the main character from (usually) childhood to maturity. The novel is set in the mid-1800s, and written in the first-person from the perspective of Pip. Pip, which comes from a working class family (in those days) develops a burning desire to become a gentleman due to his love for Estella, whom he meets in the mysterious house of Miss Havisham. This then becomes a responsibility when he discovers that he has a benefactor. Pip develops because hes discontented with his own home and wants to become part of the higher class of society. The novel deals with his feelings about himself and the environment around him. He sets out on a journey, ordained by his secret benefactor, to become the gentleman he dreamt of being. However, this change of life leads him to look down on his home and relatives, especially Joe, who becomes heartbroken; and Pip is forced to reassess his priorities and feelings at the end of the novel. In the novel, Dickens brings about the truth in life in those times; that only rich people had the opportunity to be educated and go far in life. This way the reader had can feel the pain and ambition that Pip yearned to fulfil through his life and; and see how neglectful Pip becomes after he starts to accomplish his dream. The sympathy the reader would have felt towards Pip severely diminishes as the novel progresses, and it is only in the second-half of the novel Pip realises his spite towards the people he truly loves. Dickens concludes the story by giving a message of great expectation; the novel finishes by showing the reader how the society around Pip changes his views and his belief of his inner mind. Pip is first introduced in the graveyard, in chapter one. The reader learns many things about the main character from the start of the novel. Pip is an innocent young orphan and was bought up by his sister Mrs Joe. This is established by Dickens in chapter 1 I never saw my father or my mother. The reader learns that Pips parents have passed away. This brings us to feel immediate sympathy towards the miserable young boy who seems to be alone in this big world. Pip is portrayed as a fearful and a very small child as we first meet him in the grave yard as Pip pleads in terror at the spectre who grabs him. Pip yells, O! dont cut my throat, sir, evidently suggesting that he is petrified but has been brought up to treat people with manners and respects; as he calls him sir. However, the fact that Pips life was under the assailants control might have been the reason that Pip was so reverent. Pip is portrayed as a vulnerable character when we first meet him, and this is greatly reinforced by his appearance; dishevelled, skinny, and small. Pips life at home is very unfair because Mrs Joe has raised Pip up by hand bringing him up strictly by punishing him; for instance, she torments poor Pip by hitting him with the tickler (her rather affectionate title for the cane she uses to beat Pip). Pip also says Home had never been a very pleasant place to me, because of my sisters temper. This gives the impression that Pip was scared of staying at home and also that his sister treated him ungratefully. All this implies that Pip is being bullied by his sister and makes the reader have pity towards Pip because hes been rejected by his only family. It also suggests that Mrs Joe had bought Pip up single handedly with no gratitude. Joe and Pip are bonded together because Joe has acted like Pips father, and also due to the fact that Mrs Joe beats him just as she does Pip. Unlike Mrs Joe, Mr Joe has always been friendly and protective. This is suggested when Pip says Joe imparted a confidence to me. This shows that Joe is caring and will stand beside Pip through good times and bad times as a father. During chapter three a terrible feeling runs through Pip when he steals food from Mrs Joe to take to the convict. Pip feels scared because his conscience frightens him by saying A boy with somebody -elses pork pie! Stop him this suggests that Pip is feeling very guilty and he knows the difference between right and wrong, but is compelled to do the wrong thing because of fear. Although he is acting mainly due to fear; hes also very generous and shows compassion because hes saving the convicts life by feeding him. Dickens uses many techniques such as linguistic techniques in his writing to create various effects and as a way of communicating his characters emotions. An example of this can be seen in Chapter Three when Pip wakes up knowing he has to steal from Mrs Joe to provide the convict with food. Dickens describes the weather on the window with a particularly powerful simile creating memorable images in the readers mind As if some goblin had been crying there all night this descriptive image connects to Pips mood at this time. This image of the crying goblin using the window for his handkerchief reflects the fact that Pip is feeling miserable, lonely and scared about what hes being forced to do. This technique encourages the reader to feel sorry for him and anxious for him as well.

The 10 Most Sacred Places in the World

The 10 Most Sacred Places in the World 10 Most Sacred Places in the World Faith is the driving power for billions of people around the world. Regardless of the religion or faith you belong to, there are sacred places for every kind of people throughout the world. After going through many of such places and locations around the world, we have come up with what we think are top 10 in our mind regardless of the order. Below is a list these sacred places: 1-Masjid Al Haram-The Kaaba, Makkah, Saudi Arabia Masjid Al Haram is considered the most sacred place for Muslims. This place holds a significant value in the history of Islam and is the birth place and home to the last prophet and the most important and influential figure in Islam, the beloved Muhammad (PBUH). This place is significant for other reasons too, like Hajj- the biggest annual gathering of over 16 million Muslims from all over the world conducted to show unity and love to the one and only God- ALLAH. This place is surrounded by mountains and the ambiance and the atmosphere here exudes peace and tranquility. Praying-in and visiting this place really reinvigorates faith in your mind and soul and the feeling you get here is nothing you would have ever experienced in your entire life. Visit: http://www.beautifulmosque.com/Masjid-al-Haram-Night-View-Saudi-Arabia 2-Cenote Sagrado, Mexico Cenote is basically an underground water reservoir, and the Mayan people considered these to be very important for the sustenance of life, essentially due to water. Cenote Sagrado is one such cenote which is considered to be a sacred place for these people. This cenote is created from natural limestone, and is located in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is believed that unlike normal cenotes that provided people with daily life necessities like drinking and bathing, this cenote was used for ceremonies and special purposes like sacrificing children and women in the times of drought to please Chac, who was believed to be the God of Rain by the Mayans. The place is so beautiful and peaceful that you’d want to stay there forever. Visit: http://travel.prwave.ro/the-cenote-at-chichen-itza/ 3-Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar Shwedagon Pagoda is named by many travelers and tourists as the sacred place to visit. This beautiful monument of Gold is located some 100 yards over Rangoon, the largest and the former capital city of Burma. This location especially comes to life at the evening and night times and is famous in Buddhist people due to it being home to Buddha’s remnants. http://www.ursulasweeklywanders.com/culture/the-heart-of-myanmar-shwedagon-pagoda-yangon/ 4-Crater Lake, Oregon This is a beautiful fresh water lake that is located in the central region of South Oregon. It is a crater that has been considered sacred by the local Klamath tribe for centuries and is believed to have come into existence as result of an explosion in Mount Mazama some 8000 years ago. The place is covered with lush green plantation and the beautiful lake water reflects the sky to turn into a deep blue color. The result is a stunning scenery, a wonder that eyes just cannot let go of, the serenity and peacefulness of the location just captivates your imagination like few other places can. Visit: http://nexttriptourism.com/crater-lake-tourism-in-oregon/ 5-Hagia Sophia, Turkey Hagia Sophia can be considered as one of the most visited sacred places by tourists on Earth. This sacred place, unlike the rest is an architectural marvel, and reflects one of the finest pieces of craftsmanship you would ever encounter in your life. The most unique and differentiating fact about this place is that although it is a sacred place for Muslims in particular, but it attracts tourists from all over the world regardless of their beliefs and religions. Visit: http://nexttriptourism.com/hagia-sophia-is-a-unique-turkey/ 6-Ghats of Varanasi, India Ghat can be understood as a riverside place or the place on the river banks where one can sit or change before entering into the river. Varanasi is a sacred city of India and the several Ghats present on riverside in this famous city provides for hundreds and thousands of believers with bathing opportunities, the place to meditate or even an opportunity to say the final ceremony of their loved ones. The setting sun on this beautiful river is also a sight which will leave you speechless and in complete awe. Visit: http://www.hindugodwallpaper.com/wallpaper-59-101.html 7-Spanish Synagogue, Czech Republic If you are a Jew and happen to live in Europe, then you cannot miss to visit this sacred place. This is probably one of the most beautiful Synagogues in the Entire Europe, or better yet in the entire world. Located in the beautiful city of Prague, this synagogue is loaded with Fascinating ancient drawings, designs and beautiful architecture that overwhelms you with its presence, and the calm and quite atmosphere revives the faith from within. Visit: http://jbuff.com/shul%20prague%20spanish_synagogue.htm 8-Mount Kailash, Tibet This is probably the most beautifully dangerous sacred destination on our list. Mount Kailash is of immense importance for more than one religion, it is considered a holy place in religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and the religion of Bon. Annual trip to this wonderful and sacred mountain is made by many thousands who believe in its sacredness, but the road to the location is a very tricky one and you might need some assistance if you’re visiting for the first time. Visit:http://www.mountainsoftravelphotos.com/Kailash/Inner%20Kora/slides/33%20Nandi%20From%20Above%20Nandi%20Pass%20On%20Mount%20Kailash%20Inner%20Kora%20Nandi%20Parikrama.html 9-Vatican  City Set foot in the world’s only carbon neutral state, the Vatican City is as beautiful as it is sacred. It is home to the Pope and presents some of the most beautiful and the scarcest pieces of art and backdrops you can find in Rome. The city is absolutely full of lush green gardens and the atmosphere of the city just brings about the surge of emotions that are hard to feel in other cities of the world. Visit: http://www.airpano.com/360Degree-VirtualTour.php?3D=Vatican 10-Jerusalem Jerusalem is probably one of the oldest sacred places to have existed on this planet. Bearing its significance in some of the biggest religions in the world, it is a sacred and holy place for Muslims, Jews and Christians since thousands of years. Many battles have been fought amongst Christians, Jews and Muslims in the history over this great city and it still to this day is the most important city for Muslims after Makkah and Madinah. The mere history and the culture that this holy land presents is enough to attract millions from all over the Globe annually. Visit: http://sharingjerusalem.org/

Biometrics: The Science of Human Recognition :: Research Science Papers

Biometrics: The Science of Human Recognition As our society becomes more and more modernized so does our need for more sophisticated ways to identify people for who they really are. Biometrics is the science of human recognition. With this rapid movement to develop this new technology, many companies have come out with different ways to distinguish people. Some of these new forms of recognition include; retinal scanning, iris recognition, finger imaging, hand geometry, face recognition, voice recognition and signature recognition. These forms of distinguish people may be broken down into two basic categories: physical characteristics and personal traits. Physical characteristics are specific to each person. A physical characteristic is as unique as a person’s DNA code. A personal trait is a ‘style’ that is often unique to each person. The only problem with the recognition of this ‘style’ is that it may often change as a person grows and matures. Retinal scanning falls into the category of scanning for physical characteristics. It is performed by bouncing a laser beam off the cornea, which then absorbs specific frequencies of light according to that person’s specific cornea. The light that is not absorbed bounces back into the machine and is then read. The machine is able to recognize the unabsorbed frequencies of light as, Frank Turco. Another new physical biometrics system is iris recognition. Iris recognition is similar to retinal scanning. The colored area of the eye that surrounds the pupil has many lines randomly placed. These lines are specific to each individual; like a barcode is to a product. Again, a laser scans the eye and recognizes the bars of the iris as a person. Amazing isn’t it? Iris canning tends to be more ‘user friendly’ because you don’t need to be as close to the machine when it is scanning your iris. You may be up to nine inches away, where as with retinal scanning you may only be one to two inches away. The reason iris scanning is more "user friendly" is because when utilized by the public many communicable diseases may be passes along by the machine because of it close contact with the person. Face recognition is similar to the way we recognize people. A computer would be utilized to take a photo of each person and then analyze it. The computer's analysis of the photo would use facial geometry to recognize each person. Biometrics: The Science of Human Recognition :: Research Science Papers Biometrics: The Science of Human Recognition As our society becomes more and more modernized so does our need for more sophisticated ways to identify people for who they really are. Biometrics is the science of human recognition. With this rapid movement to develop this new technology, many companies have come out with different ways to distinguish people. Some of these new forms of recognition include; retinal scanning, iris recognition, finger imaging, hand geometry, face recognition, voice recognition and signature recognition. These forms of distinguish people may be broken down into two basic categories: physical characteristics and personal traits. Physical characteristics are specific to each person. A physical characteristic is as unique as a person’s DNA code. A personal trait is a ‘style’ that is often unique to each person. The only problem with the recognition of this ‘style’ is that it may often change as a person grows and matures. Retinal scanning falls into the category of scanning for physical characteristics. It is performed by bouncing a laser beam off the cornea, which then absorbs specific frequencies of light according to that person’s specific cornea. The light that is not absorbed bounces back into the machine and is then read. The machine is able to recognize the unabsorbed frequencies of light as, Frank Turco. Another new physical biometrics system is iris recognition. Iris recognition is similar to retinal scanning. The colored area of the eye that surrounds the pupil has many lines randomly placed. These lines are specific to each individual; like a barcode is to a product. Again, a laser scans the eye and recognizes the bars of the iris as a person. Amazing isn’t it? Iris canning tends to be more ‘user friendly’ because you don’t need to be as close to the machine when it is scanning your iris. You may be up to nine inches away, where as with retinal scanning you may only be one to two inches away. The reason iris scanning is more "user friendly" is because when utilized by the public many communicable diseases may be passes along by the machine because of it close contact with the person. Face recognition is similar to the way we recognize people. A computer would be utilized to take a photo of each person and then analyze it. The computer's analysis of the photo would use facial geometry to recognize each person.

ICT and Education Essay

Information and Communication technologies (ICTs) are invaluable in the education of young people today. The internet is the most recent ICT development that is popular with the young generation and can therefore be a very important tool in the education of the young people. Internet-based instruction and course delivery is convenient since it makes education more meaningful, responsive, reliable and relevant. Education technology has embraced the internet both for teaching and learning since it is a paradigm shift that enables both beginning computing level, undergraduate or elementary level, and the advanced computing level, for graduates to be more reliable and responsive. A digital native refers to those people who are born in places where digital technologies- ICT, such as computers, mobile phones and the internet already thrive. The ICT will at this juncture be less important to the education of such young people as compared to those who had no access to ICT earlier at home therefore have to learn and adopt ICT later in life (Anderson & Garrison 2003). This term is used to refer mostly to young people in the 21st century who are in deed in the digital age as compared to those born before this period. ICT will be invaluable to digital natives, also called the millennium learners, as they are well endowed with the necessary skills required for one to be in tandem with the dynamic teaching and learning techniques. ICT is significant to education in a number of ways such as: Facilitating faster access to varieties of learning resources that will enhance teaching and learning, provides immediate feedback from people who are remote of distance, provide authentic and updated information, learning can take place at any time of the day or night, facilitates multimedia education approach, provides online libraries and even caters for children with disabilities (Linn, Davis & Bell 2004). Students are able to actively contribute to the construction of knowledge since the internet promotes cooperative learning while at the same time the students can receive immediate feedback from the teachers. The internet has led to a redesigning of course features such as: online resources, syllabi, virtual classrooms, online discussions, interactive learning and fewer lectures (Roxanne & Turoff 2007). Learning is shifted from teacher centered to learner centered as a result of the internet which caters for the needs of the students more adequately and is self-regulated by the students. In addition, the learners develop critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, better cognition and better management skills. Virtual classrooms are the simulated and computer based environment where there is real time teaching of students from different locations all over the world as if they were at one place at the same time. Instructions are delivered remotely via the internet in these virtual classrooms to teach at high schools, colleges and university to deliver distance education Kariuki & Louis 2004). This method is increasingly becoming popular with students who can now learn from the comfort of their homes and is therefore becoming a major component for education mostly in the developed nations like Britain, the United States, China and Germany. Interactive learning has been developed through the use of engines and programs like face book and twitter where students can chat with their tutors and class mates live to get reading materials, instructions, submit their completed tasks to their tutors and receive immediate feedback on their progress (Plank et al 2009). The internet is therefore an invaluable tool that has significantly impacted to the development of teaching and learning in line with the dynamic world. Reference Kariuki James & Louis Henry (2004), â€Å"The myths about e-learning in higher education,† Taylor & Francis: London Anderson T. & Garrison R, (2003), â€Å"E-learning in the 21st century: a framework for research and practice,† Routledge, London. Starr Roxanne & Murray Turoff, (2007), â€Å"Education goes digital: The evolution of online learning and the revolution in higher education, Routledge Publishers: London. Plank D et al (2009), â€Å"Emerging Web Technologies in Higher Education: A case of incorporating blogs, podcasts and social bookmarks in a web programming course based on students learning styles and technology preferences,† Taylor & Francis: London. Linn M. , Davis E. & Bell P. (2004). â€Å"Internet environments for science education,† Routledge: New York.

Animal Farm. The Great Purges

Emily Mills The Great Purges As previously quoted by George Orwell, â€Å"Political language†¦ is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind†. In many cases, a historical significance used in literature can be very effective and can be used to get an event or message across using symbolism and metaphors. George Orwell’s novel, Animal Farm, incorporates both a children’s read of talking animals taking over a farm and the historical horrors of the 1900’s.One of the many underlying events that the book includes is the Great Purges. Both metaphorically introduced in Orwell’s satire version, and historically researched, the Great Purges were displayed as â€Å"respectable† murders and ways to gain power and leadership. George Orwell’s Animal Farm demonstrates how the unwillingness to deny those of higher importance or authority condemns the lower classes to bear the op pression of those in command.The murders of innocent victims, or purges, with which Josef Stalin eliminated any potential threats and demanded his political title find expression in Animal Farm when the forced confessions and executions of animals, such as other pigs, sheep, and hens whom Napoleon finds distrustful following the collapse of the windmill. Though thought to have been merely out of fear, the confessions were previously coerced and forced by Stalin. In fact, the fear was instilled in Napoleon who warned the other animals to â€Å"†¦ keep [their] eyes open.For [they had] reason to think that some of Snowball’s secret agents [were] lurking among [them] at this moment! † (Orwell, 82). Those animals who showed even the slightest hesitation in one of his orders or disapproval toward Napoleon, such as the pigs who opposed the cancellation of Sunday Meetings, were executed immediately. Similar to the 1930s, when Stalin staged a number of infamousâ€Å"purge s,† trials where Stalin and trusted allies forced government members and citizens to â€Å"confess† their disloyalty to Stalinist actions. Napoleon forced confessions from other animals with the use of the terror installed by his hounds. In most cases, the victims of the purges would admit to assisting in these illegal actions in which they had never engaged in in order to eliminate further torture. Unfortunately, once confessed, the alleged traitors were murdered as â€Å"enemies of the people. † Both the pigs who admitted to forming an alliance with Snowball and the goose who confessed to â€Å"having secreted six ears of corn during the last year’s harvest and eaten them in the night† (Orwell, 84) where both slaughtered along with three hens and a sheep.Stalin and Napoleon used their purges to terminate any form of disloyalty or mutiny among their people or animals and to instill fear in the eyes of their societies. The Great Purges were a mass o f killing streaks lead by Joseph Stalin in the late 1930’s. The purpose behind the purges was so that Stalin had a way of keeping his party loyal to him. Also, he executed anyone with power or thought to have power who opposed or challenged him. Before Stalin, it was Vladimir Lenin who had planted the seed, but Stalin who took the initiative to proceed with the idea.Instead of expelling members of his party, like Lenin had suggested, Stalin took the drastic and unnecessary route of execution. Another huge part of the Great Purges was known as â€Å"the confessions†. Stalin’s policeman, the NKVD, would round up innocent people and accuse them of crimes against society and proclaim them as traitors. Then, through methods of torture, confessions would be signed, and they would be executed. Killing nearly 500,000 people and sending many more to concentration camps, Stalin left a huge and unforgettable bloodstain on Soviet Russia’s history.This historical even t connects to George Orwell’s story Animal Farm in several ways. The actual event of the Great Purges is shown in chapter seven when Napoleon has all of the animals executed for helping out Snowball. This is exactly what Joseph Stalin did when he executed the men of his party and all of the innocent people for being traitors. Also when all of the animals confess to the crimes that they didn’t commit connects to how during Stalin’s reign, the NKVD tortured people until the confessed to the crimes they didn’t even commit.While reading Animal Farm, it is easy for the reader to find the similarities in characters and events and connect them to the real life events that took place. George Orwell incorporated and captured the horror of the Great Purges in Animal Farm. He truly grasped the main ideas of the evil ways of Stalin, the tremendous loss of lives, and â€Å"the confessions†. The terror of the Great Purges is so hard to comprehend, but through re ading Orwell’s satire version it helps society understand, in a more simple way how awful he Great Purges were. In the very few pages that he wrote relating to the Great Purges he really did capture the horrible losses and ghastly events that took place back in the late 1930’s during Stalin’s reign. Works Cited Page 1. â€Å"George Orwell Quotes. † BrainyQuote. Xplore, n. d. Web. 24 Feb. 2013 2. Orwell, George. â€Å"VII. † Animal Farm;. New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1954. 82-84. Print. 3. â€Å"Union of Soviet Socialist Republics: Chapter 3C. Stalin and Stalinism. † Countries of the World. 1991. eLibrary. Web. 24 Feb. 2013.