The Abuse Of Power In Night And The Pearl

The Abuse Of Power In Night And The Pearl In the story Night by Elie Wiesel and The Pearl by John Steinback, I will be explaining, action,reasons, and the consequences of abuse of power in an excessive or unreasonable way. In Night I will be talking about Elieze and his father the abuse of power they experienced. In The Pearl I will be talking about Kino, and his family, the abuse they received by someone else having the power. In The Pearl Kino and Juana are also experiencing abuse of power. Have you money to pay for the treatment. (pg.11) this is the abuse uneducated, poor people, like Kino and Juana go through, for not having enough money to pay the doctor. Coyotito, Kinos son was stung by a scorpion and could not be attended by a doctor, because his parents cannot afford to pay. The doctor has gone out, he said. He was called to a serious case. He shut the gate quickly out of shame. (pg.12) the doctor abuses his power by helping only the clients with money, and putting aside the poor like Kino, Juana and Coyotito. Moishe the Beadle, was afraid that nobody would believe the massacre he experienced, as it turns out Moishe was right and nobody believed him. But now a young man named Elieze along with his family is experiencing the abuse of power by the Germans and the Hungarian police. We no longer had the right to frequent restaurants or cafes, to travel by train, to attend synagogue, to be on the streets after six o clock in the evening. Then came the ghettos. (pg.11) Elieze and his family are now prisoners in their own home, having to live by others rules. Sighet was divided into two ghettos, and every home was well watched and every window facing the street had to be sealed. Elieze and his family are now worried after finding out that, they will transferred to a unknown place. The ghetto was to be liquidated entirely; departures were to take place, street by street, starting the next day. (pg.13) The Germans are abusing their power and making everybody in Sighet fear for their lives, not know ing where they are going to be taken. That was asecret, a secret for all, except one: the president of the Jewish council. But he would not tell, or could not tell. The Gestapo had threatened to shoot him if he talked. (pg.13) everybody is waiting to find out what will happen, and what awaits them, after being imprisoned in their own homes unjustly by the Germans. Kino and Juana go fishing one day for oysters. Kino dives down into the water and starts to pull oysters off the hummock where they live. After opening all the oysters Kino opens the biggest one of all and finds a big shinny pearl inside. News of Kinos finding travels quickly into the ears of the doctors. He is a client of mine, the doctors said; I am treating his child for a scorpion sting. (pg.22) Now that the doctor knows Kino has money to pay for CoyotitoÂÂ ´s scorpion sting. The doctor decides that he will cure Coyotito, because Kino can now afford to pay him. The doctor is taken advantage of his power. The pearl was a sign of evil from the first time Kino found it. And suddenly he was afraid of his talking; his hand closed down over the pearl and cut the light away from it. Kino was afraid as a man is afraid who says, I will without knowing. (pg.26) the pearl as Kino and Juana start to notice is nothing but problems for them. One night after someone breaks into Juanas and Kinos home, Juana begs Kino to throw the pearl away. Throw it away; Kino let us break it between stones. Let us bury it and forget the place. Let us throw it back into the sea. It has brought evil. Kino, my husband, it will destroy us. (pg.38) Juana just wants to live in peace the way they lived before finding the pearl. Finally Kino and Juana take the pearl to sell it because they know people will try to take advantage of them. They are followed by the whole town, Now the dealers glanced quickly at one another, they knew they had played too hard, they knew they would be disciplined for their failure. (pg.52) the dealers try to take advantage of Kinos knowledge; they think they can convince him the pearl is not worth anything. Kino is aware of their evil intensions so he decides not to sell the pearl for the fifteen hundred pesos they offeredhim. The time has come you must leave all this, Hungarian police used their rifle butts, their clubs to indiscriminately strike old men and women, children and cripples. (pg16) The moment they have been waiting for has finally come. They are brutally being forced out of their homes by the Hungarian police and the Germans, the citizens are sacred and do not understand the cause of the police brutality. All the Jews, outside hurry (pg16) the citizens, are being lined up outside the street, so the police can take roll call They are forced to stand outside in the hot sun with no water. The heat was oppressive, sweat steamed from peoples faces and bodies children were crying for water. (pg16) Everyone has to wait in the hot sun for hours. Cruel and brutally is how the Germans are treating these poor people, not being able to stand up t o a higher power, the Germans are abusing their power on innocent people. Oh God Master of the Universe, in your infinite compassion have mercy on us. (pg20) El ieze after seeing his father cry for the first time in his life realizes this is not a game it is not a dream; all Elieze can do now is pray for all the injustice, pray and hope that this is just a big misunderstanding. Elieze cannot believe what they are being put through. We walked towards the station, where we were going to be taken by the Gestapo. After a long ride the train had finally come to a stop. In the air, the smell of burning flesh, it must have been around midnight, we had arrived in Birkenau. (pg28) The SS man came forward hitting and telling everyone to leave all the objects behind in the wagon. Their only things of value they had brought along had to be left behind Men to the left, women to the right. (pg29) This was the harsh reality, the moment when Elieze had been separated from his family, not knowing whether this was going to be the last time they would ever see each other. Elieze was scared and did not want to separate from his family. The threats continue for Kino and his family, the pearl has now become a real problem. Kino was attacked outside his own home by some stranger; Kino had no choice but to take a life to protect his family, killing a man for this reason Kino had to leave his home town. Kino was going to be wanted by these men and decided to leave It bit through neck and deep into the chest, and Kino was a terrible machine now.(pg86) This is what Kino has been driven to do, after being chased all over the place by some trackers trying to take his pearl and kill his family, Kino had no choice running out of places to hide Kino had to kill again. Kino had become as cold and deadly as steal.(pg87) After being pushed to the limit, Kino finally got tired and had to push back. Kino was tired of running, being scared, and treated like a dog. Worst of all Coyotito was shot, and killed by one of the trackers, causing Kino to lose his temper and go crazy. Kino killed the tracker with the rifle and with the same r ifle Kino killed the other two trackers. Sons of bitches, why have you come here? (pg30) The search for the truth is finally over, after a SS officer tells Elieze and the rest of the prisoners, why they have been brought to the concentration camp, and the terrible things that await them. You will be burned! With no compaction, you will be burned to cinder! Turned into ashes! (pg34) Elieze is stunned, and petrified at the news of being burned alive, how can the Germans be so cruel and cold hearted to just kill people for no reason, this is all a horrible nightmare for Elieze and the prisoners. A truck drew close and unloaded its hold, small children, Babies! Yes I did see this, with my own eyes.(pg32) Elieze cannot believe his eyes, how can something so incredible to believe be happening, and why doesnt anybody do something about this terrible nightmare. Why doesnt the world know about this horrible place, that is burning human being, and little defenseless children alive? If that is true, then I dont want to wait, ill run i nto the electrified barbed wire. That would be easier that slow death in the fire. (pg33) Elieze is now panicking and thinking of a better death, than to be burned alive. If he is going to die then he wants to have control over his own death. Now Elieze and his father are prisoners having to work and wait for their turn to be thrown into the crematorium, and be burned alive. As they approach the flames, they are ordered to go back to the barracks and wait to be transferred to another camp site. We had arrived in Buchenwald.(pg103) Elieze s father at this point cannot go on any further; he is tired, sick, and weak from all the beatings and cruelty the prisoners have been putting him through. They said that we were sick, that we would die, soon and that it would be a waste of food. (pg107) The guards did not feed Eliezes father because he is about to die, for the guards Eliezes father is just another body to throw away, they are just waiting for him to die so they can get rid of him. His last word had been my name.(pg112) Eliezes father could not fight any longer, after having a strong fever, he had started to hallucinate he could no longer go on dying on January 29. The resistance movement decided at that point to act.(pg1 15) Americans have penetrated into the camp and caused the SS to flee, and leave the prisoners behind. At six oclock that afternoon, the first American tank stood at the gates of Buchenwald.(pg115) the nightmare was over, just like that Elieze was a free man, he and the prisoners had been rescued from death. Not wanting to celebrate all Elieze wanted to do is eat some bread, he was dying of hunger and the way he wanted to celibate was by eating. From the depths of the mirror, a corps was contemplating me; the look in his eyes as he gazed at me never left me.(pg115) after so long of not eating right and being over worked like a slave, Elieze for the first time and could not believe it was him. In conclusion life is unexpected, and uncertain. The message The Pearl and Night give us is to never give up, to always keep fighting in what we believe. To stand up for our selves, and if possible to not allow others to control or take advantage over us. If we fall, to get up again to not allow miner speed bumps to slow us down. Fight for our right, our equality, and most importantly our freedom. These two amazing stories show us how brave and how much a human being can endure, under constant beatings and such cruelty by other human beings. This is a reminder to enjoy our life to the fullest, because any day our life, our luck can change so be happy with what we have and be grateful.

Billabong Case Study

Introduction Billabong International Limited (BBG) produces surf wear, sports apparel and accessories for the surf, skate and snowboard markets (Macquarie, 2012). The firm recorded an 18. 4% decrease in net profit to A$119. 1 million in 2011 (Billabong Shareholder Review 2010/2011). After intense acquisition efforts, which saw Billabong buying over 11 brands (Appendix A), the company was forced to undergo a major restructuring, closing 150 stores and cutting 400 jobs worldwide (AAP, Feb 2012).The report will be analyzing the Billabong brand, specifically its surf wear in Australia, to identify the underlying crucial issues that must be addressed. Current opportunities and threats that Billabong can leverage on will be prioritized, then weighed against the firm’s internal strengths and weaknesses in order to increase sales. Solutions in line with Billabong’s mission of striving to set new benchmarks through youthful lifestyle brands and experiences will be explored. Situ ation Analysis & Problem IdentificationTo identify the key issues and opportunities that Billabong is facing, an analysis was conducted on the following five areas. Appendix B shows the consolidated list of issues Billabong faces. 1. Customers (Appendix C) The Customer Experience Cycle was used to identify key opportunities such as improving the Purchase context through greater interactivity with customers. Another opportunity was to promote an eco-friendly way to dispose of used products while gaining rewards. 2. Competitors and Context (Appendix D, E & F)A PEST analysis of the Australian market reveals a demographic shift to the under -15s market (Euromonitor 2012), which was an opportunity for Billabong to target. Using Porter’s Five Forces (Appendix E), a Positioning Map and Competitor Threat Analysis (Appendix F) to analyse the boardsport industry confirmed that competition from a few big surf brands was high and that all had a strong brand following and highlighted the need to differentiate its products from them. 3. Company (Appendix G) The Balanced Scorecard was used to measure Billabong’s performance.They had high brand awareness of 86% in Australia but a lower conversion rate of 46% (Billabong 2012), which presents an opportunity to target those already aware of Billabong. 4. Collaborators (Appendix H) Billabong has yet to explore the opportunity to â€Å"unsource†, allowing for customer collaborations in designing boardshorts. Another area to explore could be coopetition with surf brands to tackle problems which affect the surf wear industr y. Through an opportunity and threat matrix, the consolidated lists of issues were prioritized. Opportunity Matrix Threat MatrixThose with the highest probability of success and attractiveness in the Opportunity Matrix and those with highest probability of occurrence and seriousness in the Threat Matrix were taken into consideration as key issues. Those chosen were the most pressing issues th at Billabong would be able to address with a good chance of success. Key Issues/Opportunities Key Objectives Undifferentiated surf wear products To produce a new product line that is among competitors not available by other surf wear brands by 2013. Low conversion rate despite high brand To increase conversion rate to 52% and awareness brand loyalty by 7% by 2014.Surf wear is declining in popularity as a To revive the popularity of surf wear as form of casual apparel due to increasing casual wear and increase sales by 10% availability of cheaper alternatives from the 34% of Active Lifestyle consumers. Australians are increasingly To create an environmentally friendly environmentally conscious product range by end of 2012. Shifting demographics to under 15s Create activities for consumers under 15s to garner 50% brand awareness by 2014. Solution Scenarios & Implications Solutions to the identified key issues/opportunities were gathered from the Active SWOT, ERRC Grid and CEC (Appendi x I, J, C).The What if analysis (Appendix K) was used to consolidate the solutions. Active SWOT Scenario 1 Building a new Billabong Customer Experience Key Issues Addressed With the main objective of increasing conversion rate by 6%, Billabong physical stores will be revamped to offer 1. Low conversion rate despite a new surf experience for customers. high brand awareness The Sense Value, from the CEC, is an important factor 2. Undifferentiated surf wear products among competitors 3. Shifting demographics to under 15s in the retail experience as stimulating the five senses causes it to be memorable and engaging.As identified in the ERRC grid, Billabong Surf Villages will be constructed at popular surf beaches to be closer to potential customers. A surf school will be created to give under 15 year old customers surfing lessons and to introduce them to Billabong’s products through a starter kit. Interactivity and a multisensory experience in physical stores will be implemented through surfboard simulators so that customers can try how their apparel feels like while surfing. Surf enthusiasts will be hired as sales associates to spread the passion of surfing to customers and to increase retail expertise – a weakness highlighted in he Active SWOT. Scenario 2 Differentiating Billabong’s surf wear products Key Issues Addressed Differentiate Billabong’s surf wear through value adding rather than reducing price. Reversible boardshorts (one 1. Undifferentiated surf wear products among competitors side featuring a formal design and the other a fun design) will be introduced as a main differentiating point from competitors in the market. Low conversion rate despite high brand awareness To capitalise on the individuality of surfers, their Self Esteem Value, customization of apparel will be 3. Surf wear is declining in popularity as a form of casual ntroduced through Billabong’s e-commerce site and boutique stores. apparel due to increasin g availability of cheaper To create exclusivity and reduce over-supply, Billabong alternatives can reduce the quantity per collection and increase the frequency of collections to keep up with trends. Collaborations with well known fashion designers, celebrities or pro surfers can be explored for limited edition ranges. Billabong can introduce a customer innovation platform, where customers give feedback or submit designs through their e-commerce site and physical stores. This ensures that styles remain relevant. A CRM system can e installed to track customers’ purchases and predict successful collections. Scenario 3 Incorporating Environmental Sustainability to achieve a competitive advantage Key Issues Addressed 1. Australians are increasingly environmentally conscious Billabong will either engage in a coopetition with a supplier or competitor to invest in green research and development for the surf wear industry. The brand can also rely on its strength of superior research and 2. Undifferentiated surf wear development skills highlighted in the Active SWOT. products among competitors An innovative way to engage customers and 3. Surf wear is declining in ifferentiate themselves from competitors in the popularity as a form of casual Disposal Context (from the CEC) is to launch an apparel due to increasing environmental disposal programme for Billabong availability of cheaper wetsuits and boardshorts. It would allow customers to alternatives recycle their used ones in exchange for a discount on their next purchase. Billabong could adopt a green approach from business practices to the design of the physical retail outlets. These solutions would motivate environmentally conscious consumers to purchase their products even if it is more expensive than casual wear alternatives.Scenario 4 Transformational Strategy Key Issues Addressed Billabong aims to focus on product and experience to 1. Undifferentiated surf wear products among competitors appeal to the acti on sports core and active lifestyle segment (Billabong, 2012). It will focus on simplifying its business by cutting down on style duplications and Low conversion rate despite leverage on the Billabong brand to translate the high brand awareness customer experience across channels including their ecommerce and physical store. Customer insights research will be undertaken. Customer driven innovation capability will also be mplemented. Its retail stores will be revamped to be more customer centric and retailing IT systems will be updated to gather more customer insights through its point of sales. The lack of retail expertise will also be addressed. Recommendation & Justification This matrix helps prioritize which of the 4 scenarios from Billabong is more urgent and which would have a greater impact upon the company. We can see that Scenario 2 is rated high in urgency and high in potential impact. Therefore it is recommended that Billabong conduct a detailed planning and implementation of this scenario immediately.This is urgent because Billabong’s product line is the core of it’s business; if it’s products are not attractive, creating other strategies should be secondary. Furthermore, a Risk and Return Analysis (Appendix L) on the recommended solution shows that the returns are much higher than the risks involved. Surf wear brands look similar due to limited styles. Customers have low switching costs and can easily purchase another surf brand or fast fashion brand. However, with differentiated products such as reversible boardshorts, Billabong offers greater value at its existing price.Furthermore, differentiated products would lead to an increased conversion rate among customers once they see the value in purchasing Billabong’s products over others. Costs incurred to manufacture such boardshorts are high; a budget of $1. 5 million was allocated. Several factors that Billabong has to consider are the specialised equipments, hygiene (i . e. shorts must be safe and clean to be worn on both sides in the same day) and materials used. In addition, Billabong will introduce customization services at it’s boutique stores and ecommerce platform to appeal to customers’ individuality.By being able to customize their surf wear, customers would find greater value in their purchase versus off -the-rack. To ensure Billabong apparels are trendsetters, quantity per collection will be limited to 500 pieces per design. With that, Billabong can introduce more collections per year aligning with current trends. By limiting quantity, it ensures Billabong inventory moves quickly before the season changes. This reduces the risk of selling excess inventory through heavy discounting (Walters 2012) and obsolete products.Billabong will introduce a new product line by 2013, the limited edition collection, which will be available for sale in Billabong’s boutiques only. These collections feature collaborations with fashion designers and pro surfers. Quantity will be limited to 300 pieces throughout Australia to ensure exclusivity. Such collaborations are likely to cost Billabong $3. 5 million. However, the returns are much higher as the limited quantity encourages customers to make purchases faster. To facilitate customer participation, Billabong can introduce a platform to collect customers feedback on what they would like to see in the upcoming collections.A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system will be installed at sales points to track customers purchases and best selling apparel in order to launch similar successful collections in near future. Although the remaining three scenarios solve similar problems i. e. undifferentiated surf wear products amongst competitors, however, the returns as seen in KPI measurement below would enable Billabong to achieve its key objective of increase of 6% conversion rate and 7% increase of brand loyalty through the various initiatives. Objectives Measures Target Initiatives (actions Budget (in (KPI) (Current) ased on scenario planning) $) Financial 1. Monthly 1. Increase 1. Launch 1 new 1. $70,000 Perspective sales profit sales by collection each 15% by 2015 month, instead of the 1. Increase in current plan of revenue launching new collections once every 3 months. 2. Decrease 2. Operational 2. Reduce 2. Lock in several costs expenses costs by main suppliers to gain 2. $800,000 10% by 2015 EOS Customer 1. Brand loyalty 1. Repeated Perspective conversion rate purchases 1. Track 1. $500,000 purchases using CRM system 1. Increase in brand loyalty 2. Improve brand 2. Market brand 2. Increase 2. Exclusivity of perception arket Billabong’s products shares by (Limited edition line) shares 2. $1,000,000 15% by 2015 3. Improve 3. Customer 3. Increase product offerings Satisfaction rate satisfaction rate by 10% 3. Value-added 3. $2,500,000 product – reversible shorts by 2015 Capabilities 1. Number of 1. Increase 1. Customers persp ective customized by 15% by collaborators / Mass 1. $850,000 products 2015 customization 2. Delivery 2. Percent of 2. Reduce 2. Invest in quality quality product failures product management control / rejections failure by 1. Customization 2. $600,000 20% by 2015 Innovation 1. Number of 1. Implement 1.Introduce a Perspective feedback from 15% of platform to collect customers that customer customers’ feedback 1. Usage of Billabong feedback customer’s implemented feedback 1. $500,000 Conclusion To be able to differentiate its product offering would give Billabong a competitive edge over the few big players in the market who have all been competing on the same dimensions for the past decade. The focal point is to understand consumers through the CRM system and the information is crucial in order to design products and activities that appeal to them; increasing conversion rate and building loyalty to Billabong.By keeping its mission statement in mind of continuously setting a new standard in board sports through youthful lifestyle brands and experiences, the brand will be able to increase sales by selling the right product and offering the best experience. (2096 words) Appendix Appendix A: Sub Brands under Billabong International Sub Brand Description Element A line of shoes for technical skate footwear and for girls. Von Zipper Eyewear, accessories and premium apparel targeting the boardsports and general action sports sectors. Kustom Surf inspired footwear brand.Palmers Surf Surf hardware brand specialized in the manufacturing of surfboard wax and surfing accessories, including deck grip and legropes. It also offers an apparel range of t-shirts, boardshorts and walkshorts, as well as workwear. Honolua Surf Inspired by the iconic Hawaiian waterman and has a strong presence Company in Hawaii. Nixon Offers watches and accessories. Xcel Offers specialty wetsuits and a sun protective product line. Tigerlily Markets swimwear and apparel products in Austra lia. Sector 9 Skateboard brand specializing in skate longboards. DaKine Engages in the design and development of technical bags and ccessories for the surf, skate, snowboard, ski, mountain bike, windsurf and kite disciplines. RVCA Lifestyle brand offering apparel in the action sports category. Appendix B: Consolidated table of issues/opportunities identified Opportunity Customer Increase consumers’ sensory experience by creating a Billabong Surf Village. Increase relational and selfexpansion value by hiring surf enthusiasts to impart knowledge to customers and increase sense of belonging. Encourage a personalised experience by introducing a CRM system which caters to individual customer preferences. Introduce a simulated surf machine into selected retail utlets to increase element of fun and adventure; entertainment value. Raise status value of Billabong products by increasing exclusivity; create limited edition items. Threat Emphasize customers’ individual identities through customization of boardshorts. Create an incentive for customers to dispose of their Billabong products in an environmentally friendly manner. Launch a tradein program where customers may exchange their old boardshorts for a discount on a new pair. Context Value add Billabong’s products Lower buyer confidence and their surfer experience on affects discretionary spending other avenues beyond price reating price conscious differentiation. consumer New market of customers under- Demographic shift decreases 15s the usual 15-39 years old sports consumption age group. Increasing convergence of surf Increasing convergence of wear and casual clothing leads surf wear and casual clothing to opportunities for greater leads to threat of substitute differentiation among surf brands Body size shift and high Surfwear is decreasing in concerns of Body Image leads to popularity and fashionability a trend towards end-user (due to moving trend) customization and innovative shapewear. Gro wing environmental Government support, GST tax onsciousness among reprieve, stronger Australian Australians and the growth of eco dollar and better network and ethical clothing brands infrastructure give rise to more e-tailer competitors who offer lower prices and the ability to do price comparison. Innovations in green surf wear technology and creation of sustainable materials Growth of m-commerce and proliferation of smartphones leads to new retail formats A real driver for growth in the Australian luxury goods market from ordinary middle-class Australians shows an opportunity for collaboration with luxury fashion brands. Competitors Little differentiations between roducts leads to low switching cost and lower brand loyalty Little differentiations between surfer experience provided by Billabong, Quiksilver and Hurley Surfwear and other offshore e-tailers poses a strong threat as online buying becomes more popular with Australian customers. â€Å"Windows shoppers† who are on line shoppers who try products in physical shop with the intention to buy from an offshore e-tailer. To introduce customer customisation and more innovative surf wear technology into product range Collaborator Customer collaboration through â€Å"Unsourcing† allowing peer-to-peer support among user or through esign collaboration (The Economist 2012) Supplier Collaboration through collaboration with green supplier for new sustainable materials and green technology like ecosupreme suede to be incorporated into Billabong products Competitor Collaboration to tackle problems which affects the surf wear industry in general – to increase overall interest in the surfing culture or environmental isssues Company High brand awareness, low conversion rate. Convert remaining 54% of those already aware of Billabong into customers. Cut down on number of designs, Designs not catering to focus on those popular with consumers needs customers.Re-evaluate which designs are favoured by mar ket. Cut down number of suppliers in order to achieve economies of scale. Appendix C: Customer Experience Cycle The Customer Experience Cycle (CEC) explains Billabong’s current value proposition and the proposed improvements. Fig 1: Customer Experience Cycle Billabong’s existing value proposition (red dots): Search Context ? Functional Value: W hen searching for information about Billabong, customers would desire a website that provides all that they need in one place, so as to achieve their objective easily. Billabong provides a comprehensive website that fulfills this. Sense Value: Customers would like an interactive experience when searching for information as it would make things more interesting and break the monotony. ? Linking Value: Customers would appreciate having a place that connects them to other people who may provide information to them. Billabong currently has platforms such as Facebook which facilitate this. ? Entertainment Value: Since Billabong is se lls apparel, customers who search are likely to be searching leisurely, and not for urgent purposes. As such, they would enjoy having a fun website which provides information while also being engaging.Billabong uploads videos of their team of surfers, which engages the customers. ? Convenience Value: Information about Billabong is easily obtained online through its website or at any retail outlet in Australia. Purchase Context ? Functional Value: Billabong’s retail outlets and it’s e-commerce platform provide customers with the features needed to purchase their products, which achieves the desired outcome of buying new products from Billabong. ? Confidence Value: W hen purchasing Billabong products online, customers desire for it to be safe and reliable, without the risk of having their credit card details stolen.Billabong certifies its e-commerce platforms to be safe, using online security programs Mcafee Secure and Norton Secured to protect consumers. ? Convenience V alue: It is important for customers to be able to purchase Billabong’s products quickly and easily. For it to be convenient, a store selling their products should be easily accessible. Billabong owns 287 stores in Australasia (Billabong 2012), even if 50% were in Australia alone, that would be 143 stores, not including its wholesale outlet. This indicates that it should be easy for a consumer to find a store selling Billabong products near to where they are.Purchasing online makes it even more convenient to purchase Billabong products. Use Context ? Functional Value: Billabong’s products must be able to fulfill the basic purpose that the consumer bought it for. An example would be that boardshorts should be lasting and comfortable to wear, as expected of surf wear. Billabong has been known for its high quality products (Billabong 2012), which indicates that customers are satisfied with the function of their products. ? Linking Value: Billabong customers want to be asso ciated and be part of the Billabong’s community which brings surfers together.Billabong does this well through various surf events such as Billabong Pipe Masters and Australian Open of Surfing (Billabong 2012). Their Facebook page is also a platform for customers to network with each other. ? Confidence Value: Billabong customers desire to have apparel that can withstand the rough water and weather conditions; reliable surf wear that can be worn repeatedly. As mentioned, Billabong has been known for its high quality products which satisfy customers. Billabong’s proposed value proposition (blue dots) Search Context ?Relational Value: In order to increase a sense of belongingness when customers begin to search for Billabong products, they could start a customer collaboration. Unsourcing: An online forum controlled by Billabong, with contributions by customers. They could share about their experience with Billabong products and recommend what to buy (The Economist 2012). Billabong could also hold contests where customers design boardshorts, with the winning design being produced and sold in retail outlets. Customers would feel a part of the Billabong family as they contribute towards the brand. It also helps Billabong to understand what customers want.Purchase Context ? Sense Value: W hen a retail environment stimulates the five senses, it would become a memorable experience for customers. Billabong could open a Surf Village by the beach, where there are a combination of retail outlets, eateries and surf classes are held. Having retail outlets by the sea would also enhance the sight, sound and smell of the Billabong surf experience. ? Relational Value: Store assistants should be friendly and able to hold a conversation with customers. Towards high-value customers, they should be able to greet the person by name. This would cause customers to feel a sense of belonging. Self-Esteem Value: Billabong could adopt a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, whereby it tracks purchase history of individual customers. When customers login to the e-commerce platform, the system could provide personalised suggestions for each customer based on their purchase history. It would make the customer feel valued and become a personalised experience. ? Entertainment Value: Customers would enjoy a fun experience while shopping at the retail outlet. A simulated surf machine could be placed in selected outlets to entice customers to surf, leading to higher conversion rates.It would be fun and also a way to attract more people to learn surfing. ? Self-Expansion Value: In order to facilitate customer’s learning experience, Billabong could hire surfer enthusiasts to work as store assistants. Their job would be to engage customers in conversation about surfing skills and knowledge, also to pass on the passion of surfing to customers. Another idea would be to include a surfing school in Billabong’s Surf Village, where newcomers are w elcome to take lessons. Every purchase of a pair of Billabong boardshorts could entitle a customer to a discounted price for a surf esson. Hence, customers would be encouraged to participate in the surfing experience. Use Context ? Status Value: As Billabong’s target market consists of aspirational surfers as well as actual surfers, they would value clothes that speak of their â€Å"surfer status†. Billabong could aim to raise its status value through sponsorships of surf-related movies. Strong Billabong brand placement could be used in the cast’s wardrobe, accessories and filmed in it’s retail outlets. Billabong could also produce limited edition apparel, which only sells for a short season.This would increase it’s exclusivity as a brand and as a result, increase its status. ? Self-Esteem Value: Customers value experiences that emphasize their individual identity. In response to this value, Billabong could create a platform for customization of bo ardshorts and other surf apparel. It could be designed on Billabong’s website then submitted online, or at the actual retail outlet itself, where computer terminals are available for customers to design the clothes. Wearing clothes that are customized yet branded would increase the customer’s sense of identity as an individual. Disposal Context Price Value: If customers were able to obtain a cash discount when disposing of their old surf apparel, they would make the effort to do so. Billabong could launch a program where customers trade-in their old surf apparel for a discount on their next purchase. ? Self-Esteem Value: Australians pride themselves in being environmentallyfriendly, therefore, being able to recycle their surf wear would appeal to them as it emphasizes their identity. ? Convenience Value: The recycling surf wear program must be convenient for customers as well, so that it can be done quickly without much effort.Recycling bins could be made available in the shops and customers would allowed to trade in shorts at any of Australia’s many Billabong outlets. ? Self-Expansion Value: The recycling project would boost customer’s learning experience and be a new initiative for many. They would learn how to properly dispose of their surf wear through a novel programme. APPENDIX D: PEST Analysis General Industry Analysis – Billabong Forces (Australia) Implications Political / Legal ? Push for online retail ? presence Domestic brick-and-mortar retailers must adapt to multi- Australian Retailers channel retailing to stayAssociation (ARA) is pushing competitive. local retailers to adopt an online store or upgrade their ? Rise of local and foreign current online or mobile internet retailers with wide presence to facilitate range of surf brands as product, location and strong competitors. opening hour searches (Euromonitor 2012) ? Carbon Taxes ? Australia is set to introduce a Australia has obligations tax on carbon emission in under the Climate Change July 2012 which taxes Convention and the Kyoto companies as well as rail Protocol to reduce its transport and domestic carbon footprint aviation for each tonne of Euromonitor 2012) to CO2 emitted. encourage Australia to move towards a clean energy ? future. Apparel industries in Australia are unlikely to be liable however they will feel an indirect impact through various increasing costs, namely through freight and electricity costs. ? There is growing consumer scrutiny of the processes used to manufacture and source products. ? Green Sustainability ? industry is to align green The Green Party in Australia credentials with value-for- is today a significant political money fashion. force (Euromonitor 2012). ? Tariff Barriers Australian governments ontinued protection of the domestic clothing and The challenge for apparel ? Trade tariff barriers on foreign export increase the price of goods produced by Billabong’s foreign manufacturing industry throu gh the maintenance of (Hawaiian Island Surf & tariff barriers (TPJ Sport) and Californian International 1999) ? competitors – Hawaiian (Pacific SunWear). No GST Taxes on imported ? Online channels will become goods a more popular shopping Online shoppers have won a choice due to savings from reprieve from goods and taxes and stronger Australian services tax (GST) on dollar. More local retailers mported goods worth less have to catch up with an than A$1,000 (US$1,030). online presence. Economic ? Weaken Consumer’s ? Creating a price-conscious consumption – price being a Confidence Severe floods, the global more important determinant economic downturn and with consumers spending less increased unemployment on clothing by looking for rate – from 0. 1% to 5. 2% cheaper options. (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012) have ? Rise of value clothing made weaken consumer’s available via cheap imports confidence affecting from China or online channels. discr etionary spending. ? Many Australian retailers use xtensive and prolonged sales ? Spend per capita and activity to coax customers back volume per capita declined which might not be sustainable between 2005 and 2010 in the long run. (Euromonitor 2012). ? Appreciation of the ? Australian dollar Offshore retailers are of interest to local consumers due With an increase of about to appreciation of the 31% against the US dollar Australian dollar and the (April, 2012). 1. 00AUD = relatively lower prices available 1. 05526USD (XE, 17 Sep on surf apparels abroad. 2012) Social ? Thrifty Characteristics of ? Rise in price-conscious consumption – consumers want the Australians he best possible value for their Despite the strong economy, a purchases. consumer sentiment survey conducted by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) ? This includes measures such as revealed that Australian waiting for the next inevitable shoppers were among the most worried and financially wave of industry-wide pri ce insecure in the Developed slashing, purchasing fewer items World, with many planning or seeking value offerings additional reductions in their through mass merchandisers, discretionary spending shifting down to a lower price (Euromonitor 2012). band. ? ? Consumers seek clothing suited Body Image o all body shapes and sizes. According to a survey Garments that flatter and conducted by Mission compliment a range of body Australia on 30,000 under-25 types are a crucial aspect of the participants – Body Image is trend towards end-user apparently the number one customization. concern for young Australians, ahead of the environment and family issues. ? Shift in average body size ? Sportswear have great potential Men in Australia are also for design features that cater to undergoing a body size shift. larger body sizes, with The average male weight innovations in shapewear and rose from 77. 4kg in 1989-1990 ther performance-enhancing to 83. 6kg in 2004-2005 support garments. (Eur omonitor 2012). Weight gain is not just due to ? Compression sporting garments fat, with muscle bulk deemed are likely to drive growth in desirable by many â€Å"Aussie sportswear as consumers blokes. † become better informed about their benefits for optimum muscle performance and recovery. ? Demographic shift ? Critically, there will be a squeeze As seen in fastest-growing age on the traditionally core 15-39 band over the coming decade year old sports consumption age will be the over-65s, followed band. by the under-15s (Euromonitor 012). ? Sporting Culture ? Apparel items can provide a key Sporting activities play a incentive to participating in central role in Australian physical activity and sports. This cultural life signifies a growing need for well- Australians are currently designed and correctly-fitting encouraged to adapt simple, clothing which enhance everyday changes for better performance as well as injury health as part of the â€Å"Measure prevention. Up† nationwide public awareness campaign (Euromonitor 2012) ? Extreme sports/expeditions ? Specialist apparel is facing challenge to merge consumer is currently ranked as no. 10 nterest in sport with growing in a Euromonitor demand for value fashion as International from FDS seen in the example of Stella International's â€Å"Supporting McCartney has a line of Sport† survey as one of the sportswear with Adidas. top 10 self reported sports interest (Euromonitor 2012). ? Beach Culture ? Australian male has always prided himself on being laid back With the vast majority of and casual, this impulse has Australians living within a short been replaced among many by distance from the beach, the an urge to succeed and reflected influence of the beach culture by the greater demand for suits, s significant, particularly in dress shirts and ties. However Sydney and up the east coast there must be strong emphasis of Queensland. This was on how price conscious their reflected by Australian fashion tastes tended to consumers spending of A$29 become. per capita spending on swimwear (Euromonitor 2012). ? Dressing Down ? Euromonitor (May 2012) also Inexpensive, everyday fashion has steadily become the primary revealed trends of Australians type of fashion purchased by dressing down in times of Australian shoppers. economic uncertainty. Australians are dressing down and filling their wardrobes with nexpensive, clothing, according to the AMP Capital Shopping Centres Shopping Intent Report (2012). ? Attitude to Luxury Products / Services ? There is a real driver for growth in the Australian luxury goods market coming from ordinary Research by American Express Business Insights published on fashion website middle-class Australians who are looking to splash out on something special. This shows fashioinmag. com appears to an opportunity for collaboration confirm the appeal of luxury with luxury fashion brands. products and services to a new group of luxury consumers, referred t o as the newcomers, who are not articularly rich but who are spending a lot in high-end fashion and restaurants (Euromonitor 2012). By 2010, newcomers‘ share of luxury spending represented 14% of the total luxury spending in Australia. ? Domestic Holidays ? Though there is a rising outbound tourism due to the Australia contains a wide appreciation of the Australian variety of holiday options dollar and cheap fares from low within its own borders making cost carriers, domestic holidays Domestic holidays typically are still more common involve visits to the rural and outnumbers the number of coastal areas that are in close oreign holidays taken by nearly proximity to Australia‘s major cities. ? nine to one (Euromonitor 2012). Given various choices for ? This reveals an opportunity to types of holidays, market boardsports as a tourism respondents ranked nature activity within Australia holidays, (beaches, especially in coastal areas like waterways, wilderness and Secret Har bour (Perth), Noosa wildlife) first in terms of (Sunsine Coast), Bondi Beach interest, followed by holidays (Sydney), Boomerang Beach involving relaxation, health (Pacific Palms) and many more and indulgence; (travelintelligence. com) entertainment, nightlife and hopping; arts, culture, history and heritage; and food and wine. ? Key principal motivations behind tourism includes ‘to get away from everyday life, and to do/experience something new’. Other motives also include ‘to master a skill’ and ‘to engage in challenging physical activities’ (Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism) ? Eco – Consciousness ? among Australian Eco-friendly brands are tipped to show upbeat growth consumers over the next five years, albeit from a low base. Deadly bushfires in Southeastern Australia and prolonged periods of drought across the region have brought issues of climate

Psychology, Theology, And Spirituality - 1413 Words

The book â€Å"Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christianity Counseling† by Mark R. McMinn (2011) is an informative read that delves into the issues of practically integrating concepts of psychological counseling in the Christian context. Some of the questions that McMinn (2011) aspires to address in the book include whether it is appropriate to pray with clients, the role of confession during the therapy process, whether counselors should use scripture memory during the interventions as well as the role of forgiveness and sin during the counseling therapies. The author also looks at the secret spiritual life pursued by Christian counselors. Indeed, as the author vividly points out, the value of counseling interventions especially in the Christian context relies more upon the character of the individual rather than one’s theoretical orientation or technical training (McMinn, 2011). 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The Issue Of Medical Marijuana Programs Essay - 875 Words

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