The war on typos - Emphasis

The war on typos The war on typos Blimey! Great to see such a fantastic response to our proofreading challenge. Thank you to everyone who entered. Best of all, its proof positive that theres a ready platoon of gung-ho proofreaders out there who love the smell of Tipp-Ex in the morning. At ease, soldiers. Be sure to come back on Monday, though: well be announcing the winners.

British Columbia Geography and Facts

British Columbia Geography and Facts British Columbia is the province located the farthest west in Canada and is bounded by the Alaska Panhandle, the Yukon and Northwest Territories, Alberta and the U.S. states of Montana, Idaho and Washington. It is a part of the Pacific Northwest and is Canadas third most populated province behind Ontario and Quebec.British Columbia has a long history that still shows throughout much of the province today. It is believed that its native peoples moved into the province nearly 10,000 years ago after crossing the Bering Land Bridge from Asia. It is also likely that British Columbias coast became one of the most densely populated areas in North America prior to European arrival.Today, British Columbia features urban areas like Vancouver as well as rural areas with mountain, ocean and valley landscapes. These varied landscapes have led to British Columbia becoming a popular tourist destination in Canada and activities such as hiking, skiing and golf are common. In addition, most recently, British Columbia played host to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. British Columbias Population and Ethnicities British Columbias First Nations people may have numbered around 300,000 prior to European contact. Their population remained largely undisturbed until 1778 when the British explorer James Cook landed on Vancouver Island. The native population then began to decline in the late 1700s as more Europeans arrived. In the late 1800s, British Columbias population grew further when gold was discovered in the Fraser River and on the Caribou coast, leading to the establishment of several mining towns. Today, British Columbia is one of the most ethnically diverse regions in Canada. Over 40 aboriginal groups are still represented and different Asian, German, Italian and Russian communities thrive in the area as well. British Columbias current population is around 4.1 million, with the largest concentrations being in Vancouver and Victoria. Facts About Region and Topography The province of British Columbia is often divided into six different regions beginning with Northern British Columbia, followed by the Caribou Chilcotin Coast, Vancouver Island, the Vancouver Coast and Mountains, the Thompson Okanagan and the Kootenay Rockies. British Columbia has a varied topography throughout its different regions and mountains, valleys and scenic waterways are common. To protect its natural landscapes from development and over tourism, British Columbia has a diverse system of parks and 12.5% of its land is protected. British Columbias highest point is Fairweather Mountain at 15,299 feet (4,663 m) and the province has an area of 364,764 square miles (944,735 sq km). British Columbias Climate Like its topography, British Columbia has a varied climate that is highly influenced by its mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Overall, the coast is temperate and wet. The interior valley regions such as Kamloops are generally hot in the summer and cold in the winter. British Columbias mountains also have cold winters and mild summers. Economy Historically, British Columbias economy has focused on natural resource extraction such as fishing and timber. Recently however, industries such as ecotourism, technology and film have grown in the province. Main Cities The largest cities are Vancouver and Victoria. Other big cities in British Columbia include Kelowna, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Prince George, and Vernon. Whistler, though not large is one of British Columbias most popular cities for outdoor activities- particularly winter sports. Resources and Further Reading Tourism British Columbia. (n.d.). About BC - British Columbia - Tourism BC, Official Site. Retrieved from: hellobc.com/en-CA/AboutBC/BritishColumbia.htm

How firms gain competitive advantage in the changing business dynamics Essay

How firms gain competitive advantage in the changing business dynamics - Essay Example The intention of this study is the change management that has increasingly become key element of competitive advantage for the business organizations in the current environment of volatility and rapidly transforming socio-economic and political imperatives. The need to identify the drivers of change and incorporating the same within the business strategies by organizational leadership has become top priority for mot only to succeed but also to survive. The five authors discussed in the paper believe that changes are good for the firms and firms which have flexible approach are better able to absorb changes and surge ahead of others. In the highly competitive market, firms need to leverage their competencies for competitive advantage. The various modules and mechanisms of evaluating and analyzing the performance metrics become highly critical factors for success of the firm. The internal and external exigencies influence the performance of the firms and therefore need to be analyzed, evaluated and exploited for gaining leverage against their rivals in the industry. Indeed, the firms survive or fail in the competitive market mainly because they either unable to anticipate changes in the environment or failed to exploit the opportunities that were offered by the changes to survive and gain competitive edge. The visionary outlook of the leadership and the innovative approach of the firms are vital inputs that facilitate and create opportunities to maintain their niche market position. The paper would primarily be evaluating the works of five authors who have introduced radical concepts in the business strategies to cope with the environmental changes.... The paper would primarily be evaluating the works of five authors who have introduced radical concepts in the business strategies to cope with the environmental changes. Section 1 What is change and how companies cope with changes Change is inevitable and irreversible process that provokes reaction and forces people out of their comfort zone. Most importantly, impact of change becomes most visible when it is viewed adversely. Bateman and Zaithaml (1990) stress that organizations need to change because the environment within which they operate is constantly changing. The organizational leadership therefore becomes the vital ingredient that prepares and motivates people to become flexible. It not only helps them to adopt changes but also to look for opportunities in contextual changes which can be exploited for improving their productivity and outcome. As the following authors assert, changes become enabling factors when they are explored for opportunities. Indeed, the authors have dif ferent perspective on change and change management. Change management has become a critical issue for firms. They emphasize that it helps them to understand, anticipate, evaluate and analyze changes to identify the drivers of change and explore opportunities for exploiting them. They believe that changes are good for the firms and firms which have flexible approach are better able to absorb changes and surge ahead of others. Some of the mechanisms that are evolved to cope with changes are: fostering business alliances; using technology; thinking out of the box; being innovative through new development and R&D; creating learning environment; exploiting human

Operations Decision Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Operations Decision - Assignment Example le is very common with those people with high incomes; that is, those who can afford to use microwaves as a substitute to the traditional cooking methods. Since the use of microwaves has become so popular, microwavable food products have become popular too. Some of the leading brands in microwavable low calorie foods, which will be analyzed in this paper, include Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice. Lean Cuisine, which belongs to Nestle,  was formed in 1998, and it is currently being sold in Canada, US, and Australia.   On the other hand, Healthy Choice is a leading low calorie food brand, which gives Lean Cuisine a run for its money. The brand is owned by ConAgra Foods, and its idea was generated in order to offer a line of healthier frozen foods in 1985 (Gregson 25).   Ã‚  Ã‚     There are several factors that determine the effectiveness of low-calorie microwavable food industry’s market structure. The first one is the number of buyers and sellers. If there are few sellers of the commodities in the market, then the firms will have an ability to influence price of the commodities, but if the sellers are many, then they will lose the ability to have a great control over the prices. The second determinant is the nature of the commodity. In this case, if the microwavable food products produced by different suppliers are homogenous, then all the suppliers will be forced to sell it at the same price. However, if the food products are differentiated, then different producers may have different prices. Unfortunately, food products do not lack close substitutes, and hence the producers may not be able to charge higher prices on such a basis. Third, if there would be no restriction of entry and exit of firms, then it would be most suitable if prices are stabilized. On the other hand, if there is no freedom of entry and exit of firms, then the threat of competition will be minimal, hence the existing firms can practice a control over their prices. Fourth, knowledge of the

“A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift Essay Example for Free

â€Å"A Modest Proposal† by Jonathan Swift Essay The essay, â€Å"A Modest Proposal† by Jonathan Swift is a satirical piece that discussed, in great detail, the issues surrounding 18th century society as it pushed forward development as society progressed, both technologically and socially. The essay contained a ‘modest,’ albeit radical, proposal from Swift, wherein he tried to provide a rational solution to the problem of increasing population, scarcity, and poverty in his society under the British rule. Among Swift’s ‘modest proposals’ were the imposition of polygamy among humans, wherein â€Å"one Male [sic] will be sufficient to serve four Females,† and the practice of bearing children as Food, which he identified to be â€Å"very proper for Landlords. † These propositions provided a glimpse into the social problems Swift’s society experienced during his time, wherein poor governance, in order to be alleviated, was resolved through what Swift considered to be deviant and inhumane practices. Proposing these deviant and inhumane practices was a demonstration of the increased demoralization among the citizens of Swift’s society, a state which the author deemed to be too outrageous to be true but is actually occurring. Hence, in order to address these outrageous yet unconfronted social problems and issues, Swift’s essay generated the attention it deserved and warranted, therefore making the readers and the essay’s target audience aware of the social state at which their country found itself in. Swift’s essay, in effect, drove home the fact that in the midst of social progress and development, moral demoralization occurred as a consequence, defeating the purpose of development and progress in the society.

Comparing Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, Edward Thomas’ And As the Team’s Head Brass, and the film Hedd Wyn :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

Comparing Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, Edward Thomas’ And As the Team’s Head Brass, and the film Hedd Wyn The wars of the Twentieth century have had a marked impact on the views and actions of societies all across the world. The impacts of World War I can be viewed vividly through the literature of the time period. In this period, each author had his or her own way of illustrating the effects of the war on their public. Three works dealing in particular with this representation are: â€Å"As the Team’s Head Brass† a poem by Edward Thomas, â€Å"Mrs. Dalloway† a novel by Virginia Woolf, and the film â€Å"Hedd Wyn.† These three works illustrate a common ground in general, of their representation of war, but each offers a particular emphasis of the impact of WWI in Europe more vividly. In the common realm, each work illustrates that every member of society was affected by the war. Each of these works detail a society in which the general tone is a somber one, a tone plagued by worry over the loss of loved ones, and the inability to understand the meaning of the destruction of the war. These three works illustrate the representation of war from three types of people. First, there are the people who had no direct contact with the war themselves, though perhaps a loved one or a friend of theirs may have died, they were not directly involved. The attitudes of those characters that were not directly involved in the war are distinctly different from those who have returned from participating in the war. Those not directly involved in WWI paint a much less terrorizing representation of the war than those who fought in it. In the last group are those who died fighting in the war. The impressions that war left on this group of people are illustrated through the letters and poems that they wrote during their time in the war. These last two groups represent war in a similarly dark fashion. In Mrs. Dalloway, we are exposed to the general conscious of the London community through a variety of characters; most of them are members of the first group, those who were not directly involved in the war. Most of these characters are depicted as interested in getting on with their lives.

Increasing the Educational Benefits of War Veterans Essay

It is tough to be an American soldier. After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the mainland, the United States of America has been on the offensive in hunting down the terrorists responsible for the crime. The US launched a war against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and a few years after in Iraq. And in order to sustain the offensive, more American youths are drafted to join the military. America’s military men and women serve as national role models for their selfless sacrifice. They spend more than a year in the front lines combating terrorists, insurgents and help liberating foreign lands from the tyranny. Soldiers help rebuild war torn nations through much needed infrastructure and by introducing democracy. But as the war on terror drags, the number of enlisted men killed in encounters increase day by day. More and more troops return home suffering from debilitating injuries, not just the physical but including invisible scars of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The patience and vigilance of America’s military men and women have preserved peace, stability and helped fulfill the nation’s destiny. It is therefore reasonable that they receive all the needed support and remuneration after serving the country. War veterans acquire assistance and benefits through the G. I. Bill. The original G. I. Bill officially known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 provided college or vocational education (covered full tuition at public or private schools, fees, books, and a living stipend) for returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as or G. I. ’s) as well expensive healthcare. It also provided loans for returning veterans to buy homes and start businesses (Hyman 1986). The G. I. Bill helped around 7. 8 million the World War II veterans re-adjust to civilian life. The unprecedented educational opportunity immensely transformed the American society. A whole generation of blue-collar workers became engineers, doctors, lawyers, teachers and entrepreneurs (Humes, 2006). The G. I. Bill was one of America’s most successful investments. According to the 1988 report for Congress’s Subcommittee on Education and Health of the Joint Economic Committee by 1952, the US government had spent $14 billion (1952 dollars) on educational and job training benefits for 7. 8 million veterans. Of these funds, $7 billion was spent on college and graduate school for 2. 2 million G. I. ’s. ? The first benefit from this investment was increased growth in the economy. The report calculated that about 40 percent of those who took advantage of the G. I. Bill would not otherwise have been able to attend college. The extra output those people created in the economy amounted to $35. 6 billion (1952 dollars after factoring out inflation) over the next 35 years. There is no doubt that better educated veterans have higher income levels that will inevitably increase tax revenues. For instance according to the same report, for every $1 invested in education under the original G. I. Bill of 1944, the government received at least $6. 90 in return economic benefits such as increased tax revenue. Unfortunately at present time, the educational benefits provided for by the G. I. bill is not enough to cover even the educational expenses of the war veterans. The sad reality is that while the cost of an education has increased, the benefits available to veterans have decreased. To obtain a college education, veterans must pay their own tuition, room and board and other college costs and then are reimbursed only up to their eligible benefit amount over the course of the semester. In 2005-2006, the average cost of a four-year college (tuition, fees, and room and board) topped $17,000 a year. Yet full-time G. I. benefits covered barely more than half those expenses (USA Today, 2008). All these limitations effectively put the dream of higher education out of reach for far too many soldiers who have served the nation in the current wars. As the war on terror drags, the prospect of serving the country among young Americans appears gloomy. A sound G. I. Bill is critical to the military in meeting its recruitment goals and attracting high-quality college-bound high school graduates. In order to ensure a steadier stream of good recruits, the government must enact legislation that would increase the benefits received by the war veterans. Investing on American war veterans through the GI Bill proved to be one of the most rewarding investments the country had. We must renew the commitment to a new generation of men and women who have served our country with extraordinary courage and distinction. In so doing, they will achieve the better lives they so richly deserve and we will secure a better America. We need a revamped GI bill that would address the educational needs and other benefits of our war veterans. I propose that the veterans committee provide an increase in the educational benefits or if possible award the same benefits received by the World War II veterans to the new generation of US war heroes. References Labor Institute and Public Health Institute (1997). Corporate Power and the American Dream: Toward an Economic Agenda for Working People. New York: Apex Press. Hyman, H. M. (1986). American Singularity: The 1787 Northwest Ordinance, the 1862 Homestead and Morrill Acts, and the 1944 G. I. Bill. University of Georgia Press. Humes, E. (2006). Over Here: How the G. I. Bill Transformed the American Dream. Harcourt Brace. Marklein, M. B. (2007, June). How Far Do G. I. Benefits Go? USA TODAY. Retrieved: April 20, 2008 from USA TODAY website: http://www. usatoday. com/news/education/2007 07-10-gi-bill-report_N. htm Subcommittee on Education and Health of the Joint Economic Committee (1988). A Cost Benefit Analysis of Government Investment in Post-Secondary Education Under the World War II GI Bill.

Compare and contrast Abercrombie & Fitch and the Gap – company overview

Abercrombie & Fitch and the Gap are premier men's and women's clothing retailers in the United States and around the world. Both companies possess long histories of success and have their fair share of failures. I will compare and contrast how each company has their own distinct characteristics that set it apart from the other, which allows each of company to target specific markets. Via my presentation, I intend to analyze for the reader how each company gains their customers through advertising, target markets, brand segmenting, and pricing strategies, so that the reader may gain a better understanding of each respective company. Marketing the Brands Abercrombie & Fitch Gap Target Market 18-24 year old segment General Appeal for whole family Advertising Images Very sexual, Young, All American Multi-cultural, Brand Segments Abercrombie & Fitch , Hollister, Abercrombie kids Gap Stores, Old Navy, Banana Republic Pricing Strategy Moderate Value to Moderate Chart 1 Criterion for Evaluation Abercrombie & Fitch Abercrombie & Fitch is a leading specialty retailer encompassing three distinct product segments: Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids and Hollister Co. The company focuses on providing high-quality merchandise that compliments the casual, classic American life style. The brand was established in 1892, and sold under the name David T. Abercrombie Co., a small waterfront shop in downtown New York City owned by David Abercrombie. Abercrombie, born and raised in Baltimore Maryland, was a true outdoorsman; as well as an inventor and an ingenious tent and rucksack designer. His love of the great outdoors inspired him to begin Abercrombie & Co., a shop dedicated to selling only the highest quality camping, fishing and hunting gear. His clientele consisted mostly of professional hunters, explorers and trappers, as well as a man named Ezra Fitch. Ezra Fitch was a successful lawyer in Kingston, New York, who loved to spend his free time hiking the Adirondacks and fishing in the Catskills. In search of exceptional outdoor gear, he had come to rely upon David Abercrombie's shop and became one of its most devoted customers. Fitch was so devoted to the brand that in 1900 he convinced Abercrombie to let him buy into the business and become a partner. By 1904, the store was incorporated and the name was officially changed to Abercrombie & Fitch. The store changed locations at this time moving from the waterfront to downtown Broadway, in the heart of New York City. David Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch were both stubborn, hot tempered men, who held vastly different views about the future of their business. Abercrombie was more conservative, he was content how the store was, selling professional gear to professional outdoorsmen. On the other hand, Fitch was more of a visionary; he believed that the two should take the business and expand, selling the â€Å"outdoorsmen† way of life to the general public. The two partners could never come to a conclusion about their business, inevitably the partnership came to an end, and David Abercrombie resigned in 1907 (www.yahooshopping.com). Under the sole leadership of Ezra Fitch the store's focus was expansion. Fitch decided to change the shop so that it would not be an ordinary sporting goods shop, he was determined that the store have an outdoor feeling. Through his imagination and creativity he set up a shop where stock was not hidden behind glass, instead it was displayed as if in use. Displays were set up to feel as if the customer were in the middle of the Adirondacks, with a campfire blazing in one corner and an experienced guide in attendance. The clerks hired by Fitch were not professional salesman, but true sportsmen who listened and talked with the customer, and who sold the products only on the customers' insistence. By 1913, the store moved again, this time to a more fashionable and easily accessible midtown address, off Fifth Avenue. At this time the store expanded its inventory to include sport clothing, becoming the first store in New York to supply such clothing to men and women. Fitch, shortly after Abercrombie's resignation, decided to begin selling merchandise through a catalog. This catalog featured 456 pages of outdoor gear and clothing as well as camping, hunting and fishing advice to over 50,000 prospective customers around the world. Orders started coming in across the globe, thus bringing international status to the store. As the store continued to expand, it needed more and more space to occupy its increasing inventory and product lines. By 1917, Abercrombie & Fitch moved to Madison Avenue and 45th Street, where it occupied an entire twelve story building. At this time A&F, had become the largest and most impressive sporting goods store in the world ( www.Yahooshopping.com). Both the inside and the outside of the store were amazing, a sign proclaiming â€Å"Where the Blazed Trial Crosses the Boulevard†, was placed in front of the shop and a log cabin was built on the roof, which Fitch used as his townhouse. Next to the cabin he had a casting pool installed where serious fishermen could sample the store's collection of rods and flies while in the basement he set up an armored rifle range for hunters. Fitch capitalized on all of his innovative ideas, a golf school was set up, a floor dedicated solely to completely set-up camps, and a dog and cat kennel as well. Not wanting to miss any opportunity to grow, Fitch decided to capture the more exotic sporting goods equipment; hot air balloons, yachting pennants, portable trampolines, treadmills for exercising dogs, throwing knives, and everything a person could possibly need for falconry, were brought into the store. This made Abercrombie & Fitch a true sportsmen's haven (Hoover's 10-15). Not only did Abercrombie & Fitch outfit the general publics' outdoor needs, it outfitted many great hunting and exploration expeditions, such as Theodore Roosevelt's trips to the Africa and the Amazon and Robert Peary's expedition to the North Pole. The famous clientele did not stop with these two men, Ernest Hemingway brought his guns there, Presidents Hoover and Eisenhower relieved on A&F for the best fishing equipment. Other famous clientele included Amelia Earhart, Presidents Taft, Harding and Kennedy, the Duke of Windsor, Bing Crosby, Howard Hughes, Katherine Hepburn, Greta Garbo and Clark Gable. After twenty four years creating and expanding Abercrombie & Fitch, Ezra Fitch decided to retire from the business to enjoy the outdoors life. When Fitch retired the store continued to grow, with stores opening up in Chicago and San Francisco. But by the late 1960's the store begin to falter and went bankrupt in 1977. A Houston, Texas based company, Oshman's Sporting Goods, brought the company but business was not good. The company eventually sold it to The Limited Inc, in 1988, which repositioned the company into a more fashion-oriented casual apparel business with around 25 stores. Michael Jeffries, the current CEO of Abercrombie& Fitch, took over the company in 1992 and transformed the still money losing chain into an outfitter for college students. He micromanaged the company, issuing a 29 page handbook on everything from how A&F salespeople must look to exactly how many sweaters can be placed in a stack. This strategy worked and the company began to see profits in fiscal year 1995. The company went public in 1996 with more than 110 stores (Hoovers, 1-5). Today, Abercrombie & Fitch has been repositioned as a lifestyle brand, targeted at college students and is focused on high quality casual apparel in a classic American style. It targets preppy college students and makes them feel at home in its stores by hiring a college aged sales staff and decorating its stores with posters of twenty-something models. A&F's image as the clothier for a social elite class has, in some circles, earned its clientele the nickname â€Å"Aber-Snobbies†. The concept behind targeting the college age student is that by doing so Abercrombie & Fitch will attain a much broader customer base. â€Å"The younger high school age children aspire to be college kids. And then if you are targeting a young, active lifestyle that attracts older customers as well, people want to think of themselves as active and young.† Seth Johnson, Executive Vice President and COO of Abercrombie & Fitch. The Abercrombie & Fitch lifestyle is portrayed not only through company management, but also through the celebrities that patronize the brand. Many high profile celebrities wear A&F, thus giving free advertisement to the brand. These contemporary trendsetters, in terms of sports personalities, actors, actresses and musicians wear the Abercrombie label and thus people see these trends and want to become a part of them. Since the retail outlets are easily accessible in major malls in every state, these â€Å"trendy† and â€Å"luxurious† are now readily available to common folk, at a premium market price. Abercrombie & Fitch sells the lifestyle across three distinct brands: Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie and Hollister. Currently there are over 597 stores throughout the United States across the three brands, and this number is increasing, in 2002 alone the company opened 112 new stores. Each brand is geared to a different age set, this way as the individual grows up, Abercrombie & Fitch is there to clothe all of the stages. The children's store, abercrombie kids (with a lower case A) was introduced in 1997 and targets the age group of 7-14 year olds. Today there are over 170 abercrombie stores located in malls throughout the United States. The newest concept, Hollister, is based on the West Coast lifestyle and is geared toward the high school age, 14-17 years old. It is also priced significantly less than its parent store, Abercrombie & Fitch. Introduced in July of 2000, Hollister already has 129 stores and Abercrombie & Fitch plans to open at least 70 more stores in the next year. In 2002, Hollister improved its sales productivity and gross margin, and the business is now making a solid profit contribution. Hollister is doing so well that projections indicate Hollister to be a 600-800 store business. As the individual becomes ready for college, Abercrombie & Fitch is there. Today the namesake operates 352 stores across the United States, gearing its brands, as mentioned above to the college age set, 18 years and older. Through the use of three separate brands, Abercrombie & Fitch is able to smoothly transfer brand loyalty and retain customers of all ages. Abercrombie & Fitch stores are placed amongst high end trendy stores, with established brand names. It would be unusual to find an Abercrombie store nestled in a far away corner of a mall, next to a food court. Typically it is located in a high customer traffic area, around other designer stores which also serve to enhance its reputation and face value. Placing its stores in these key areas brings Abercrombie & Fitch the exposure and type of customer it is targeting. Abercrombie & Fitch not only sells through its 597 stores, but also via the internet at www.abercrombie.com, as well as the A&F Quarterly. The internet and the A&F Quarterly made up 4.7% of 2002 net sales and have steadily been increasing since the introduction of the two sales mediums (A&F Annual Report, 6). The online experience for Abercrombie & Fitch not only offers e-commerce, but provides entertainment features that seek to mimic virtual store shopping. The website includes downloadable features including wallpaper and photos that can be found in retail stores as well as the ability to download songs that are heard in the stores. The online changing room allows for mixing and matching throughout the store without the hassle of real fitting rooms, hangers and lines. As far as payment is concerned, checkout is hassle free by using the A&F credit card or any variety of credit cards. Delivery is as efficient as payment, since teaming up with UPS; orders can be processed and delivered within 24 hours. The internet has proved an important medium for gaining and retaining customers for Abercrombie & Fitch, coupled with the A&F Quarterly, combined sales will steadily grow and become a significant amount of total sales for the three brands over the next ten years (A& F Annual Report, 8-11). The Company's catalogue, the A&F Quarterly, appeared in late 1997, and became an immediate success as a marketing tool. The first catalogue â€Å"Naughty or Nice† Christmas was so popular that sales rose by 27% (www.Youthtools.com). A&F sells around 300,000 copies a year charging around seven dollars an issue, the company is able to make a sale even if the customer only looks at the catalogue, which is also considered to be a magazine. The Quarterly is a mixture of feature articles, pages displaying the product and page upon page of nearly naked twentysomethings photographed by the famed photographer Bruce Weber. â€Å"Much like Vogue and GQ, the Quarterly serves as a means of aspirational and inspirational living for young men and women all over the country† (Johnson, 4). The company has created quite a stir with the introduction of the catalog as a marketing medium, when the Quarterly comes to circulation four times a year, it usually becomes the talk of parents, Religious Groups, the news media etc., bringing more attention to Abercrombie & Fitch. The company has found a way to combat this negative image, by only allowing persons over the age of 18 to purchase the magazine as well as producing a â€Å"cleaner† catalogue. This â€Å"cleaner†, free catalogue only shows the clothing in a straightforward manner, minus the photography of Bruce Weber and the articles. Abercrombie & Fitch uses both catalogs to gain customers and show the â€Å"lifestyle† through its models. â€Å"This publication is meant to be the voice of the American youth, a chronicle of the college experience. It conveys the image of the brand – it is sexy and beautiful and healthy and energetic†- Hampton Carney A&F spokesman (Nolan, 2). Spring Catalogue Cover 2002 Abercrombie & Fitch understands and is able to target its specific markets through a variety of ways. The company sends out around 30 staffers each month to visit college campuses to chat up students about what they play, wear, listen to and read, whereas store managers visit fraternities and sororities to recruit â€Å"brand representatives†, who work as few as five hours a week. These brand representatives, must all have the all American look, blond, blue-eyed and preppy, pervasive in its stores, catalogues and websites. â€Å"Brand representatives are ambassadors to the brand, we want to hire brand reps that will represent the Abercrombie & Fitch brand with natural classic American style, look great while exhibiting individuality, project the brand and themselves with energy and enthusiasm, and make the store a warm, inviting place that provides a social experience for the customer†- Tom Lennox A&F Communication Director (Greenhouse, 2). Abercrombie & Fitch is a lifestyle brand; it is targeted in such a way as to make people want to belong to it and show loyalty to the brand. â€Å"A&F shrewdly understands that teens want to belong, and therefore has captured their dollars by making sure they want to belong to the beautiful, exclusive world that the Abercrombie image projects† (www.youthtools.com). By continuously pursuing this marketing strategy it is clear to see that Abercrombie & Fitch will be in the marketplace for a long time. GAP Inc. Gap Inc. is a leading international specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies under the Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy brand names. The company's stores aim to offer a shopper-friendly environment with an assortment of casual apparel and accessories that emphasize style, quality and good value (www.Gap.com). Gap Inc. was founded in 1969 by Donald Fisher and his wife Doris. The couple named their store after the â€Å"generation gap† and concentrated on selling Levi's jeans. When Gap first opened its doors it was unique and new. It prided itself in having the â€Å"individual style†. At this time the Gap's hottest seller was its â€Å"basic look†, which consisted of its signature blue jeans and white cotton t-shirts. The first store was opened near what is today San Francisco State University and the second store was opened in San Jose, California, by the end of 1970 there were six Gap stores. The Gap went public six years later (Hoovers, 1). In the beginning the Fishers catered almost exclusively to teenagers, but in the 1970s they expanded into activewear that would appeal to a larger spectrum of customers. Nevertheless, by the early 1980s the Gap, which had grown to about 500 stores, was still dependent upon teenagers but less dependent on Levi jeans, because of its growing emphasis on private label makers (Levy, 1-3). In a 1983 effort to revamp the company's image, Donald Fisher hired Mickey Drexler, a former president of Ann Taylor as the Gap's new president. Drexler changed the old clothing lines of plain blue jeans and white t-shirts so as to concentrate on sturdy brightly colored cotton clothing. He also consolidated the stores' many private clothing labels in to the Gap brand. Lastly, Drexler replaced circular clothing racks with white shelving so clothing could be neatly stacked and displayed. During this time Gap Inc. bought Banana Republic, one its three distinct brands the company owns. At this time the brand was a unique chain of jungle -themed stores that sold safari clothing. Gap expanded the chain, which enjoyed tremendous success in the mid 1980s but slumped after the novelty of the stores wore off late in the decade. To counter this slump, Drexler introduced a broader range of higher priced clothing and got rid of the safari lines in 1988. By 1990 Banana Republic was again profitable. In 1985, the first GapKids opened in 1985 after Drexler could not find clothing that he liked for his son. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the company grew rapidly, opening its first stores in Canada and the UK. In 1990 it introduced babyGap in 25 GapKids stores, featuring miniature versions of its GapKids line. Also during this time the Gap announced it would no longer sell Levi Jeans and would sell nothing but private label items (Hoover's, 2-8). During the early 1990s earnings fell because of Gap division losses brought on by low margins and high rents. The company rebounded by opening Old Navy Clothing Co., named after a bar Drexler saw in Paris. The company also opened two Banana Republic stores outside the United States in Canada. For the last couple of years, the Gap had begun to stray away from its former vision of classic clothing, and during this time the company had hit a record sales slump. Gap's CEO Drexler seemed to have lost his touch, since he did most of the merchandising for the company he choose clothing with flair and design: bolder colors, low rider jeans, small form fitting tops, and stretchy materials. Gap went from casual to very trendy, alienating and displeasing many of its core customers. In May 2002, Drexler decided to salvage the company and thus began a â€Å"Back to Basics† campaign. Drexler wanted to bring back the old apparel, the old ads, and the old management style. He wanted to bring back everything that was once Gap Inc. and its identity (Gap Annual Report, 10-15). Today Drexler is no longer the head of Gap Inc. but his â€Å"Back to Basics† campaign still lives on through the current CEO, Paul Pressler, the former Chairman of Walt Disney's Global Theme Parks. The company is bringing back all of what made Gap unique when it first opened. It is reemphasizing the basics and promoting its classic fit jeans, signature khakis and cotton tops, as well as simplifying its mix of colors and fabrics and remembering that 90% of the tops it sold were the color blue. Through this campaign the Gap has regained some of its previous customers and plans to evolve from this point (Levy, 1-3). Gap Inc. must remember who its target market is, the family, and their market strategy is such that from babies to adults Gap has something for everyone. This target marketing is seen through the three distinct brands Gap Inc. operates: Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. All three brands target different price ranges and different styles; from chic stylish apparel to everyday relaxing pants Gap Inc. has a product for everyone. Banana Republic was bought by the Gap in 1983, and it is known for casual luxury with high quality apparel for men and women. It has also introduced a sophisticated line of seasonal collections of accessories, shoes, personal care products, intimate apparel and gifts for the home. Today there are over 430 stores in the United States and Canada. The brand caters to the 30 years and older consumer who is more affluent and fashion-oriented. Banana Republic stores are primarily located in major cities, however the introduction of the catalogue has enabled the brand to expand its consumer reach to cities without a store location. The brand also has its own website and high-image advertising that help promote the idea of the high profile Banana Republic lifestyle (www.Gapinc.com). Old Navy, launched in 1994, was created to capture an even broader audience then the Gap with its moderate prices. It has quickly become the Gap Inc.'s portfolio star. Old Navy's strategy differs from the Gap because it offers a product mix with an edgier fashion look but with a broader fashion range. Old Navy makes shopping fun and fashion affordable to the whole family. The stores sell everything from basic denim, khakis and graphic tees to casual clothing for work and play. Today the company has more than 840 locations in the United States and Canada and customers can also shop around the clock at www.oldnavy.com (www.oldnavy.com). The Gap stores sell through a variety of namesake stores including Gap, GapKids, babyGap and Gap Outlet. With 2,608 stores throughout the world, the company strives to be the world's headquarters for khakis. Customers expect classic styles from the Gap for the whole family, by having different segments of the Gap, the brand is able to grow up with the consumer and gain brand loyalty. The Gap is also easily accessible through its website www.gap.com, which only offers e-commerce (Brady, 112-113). Gap Inc. prides itself on the individual, and constantly challenging itself to think about what the customer wants instead of what other stores are selling. Under the guidance of Pressler, Gap Inc. is no longer targeting teens, who change their minds rapidly, but rather its initial target the family as individuals. Gap wants to win back the trust of the customers it had lost. Through advertising the Gap is emphasizing the individual and that everyone no matter what age, color, sex, or ethnicity the Gap has something for them. â€Å"Gap is a brand people can make their own, and now Gap Inc. is offering a chance for everyone to be in one of the Gap print ads. They are looking for individuals who personify the Gap brand-intriguing people with personal style† (Levy, 3-6). Gap Inc. is one of the most successful retailers in the world and now that it has gone back to its target market will continue to gain market share through its three distinct brands. Conclusion Abercrombie & Fitch and the Gap Inc. are both highly respected international brands that hold large market shares in the retail industry. Each company targets different markets through different mediums. Abercrombie & Fitch focuses on the younger age groups with sexy, more stylish clothing while the Gap targets to the family with basic, sturdy clothing. Both companies have three distinct brands which cater to individuals in their target markets, whereas A&F's segmentation is more age based, Gap Inc. is more monetarily segmented. Looking towards the future both companies seem to understand what they have failed to accomplish in the past and are looking toward the future on how to improve their marketing strategies to their target markets to gain sales and brand loyalty.

Costa Del Sol essays

Costa Del Sol essays It is possible that the Neolithic revolution, the discovery of agriculture the passage of nomadic to sedentary peoples, reached Europe by way of Africa through what is known today as Andalusia. This historical center of influence, an east - west displacement, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic began with a revolution that introduced the usage of metals and the arrival of colonizers from the east. A confluence of fertile lands, of metallurgy and fishing activities took place in this westernmost area that the Tartars once inhabited. This mysterious civilization that lived in the southern Iberian peninsula since the bronze ages, established the first known monarchy in western Europe. The Tartars, an agricultural and cattle raising people, also worked the gold mines while their ships traded with Great Britain from the west and received the Phoenicians from the east. This marked the beginning of a complex geographical position between two oceans and two continents. Rome took up residence on these shores after realizing that this region could become the open door for a threat from Cartage. Roman legions appeared for the first time in the 3rd century BC. The exuberant province of "Btica" would become for the next seven centuries part of the great civilized world, contributing to the empire materials such as metals, wine, oil, wheat, philosophers, writers and the first two emperors born outside of the Italic peninsula.: Trajano and Adriano. Other peoples appeared from the north. From the shores of the Rin descended the Vandals in 411 AD. They settled in the valley of the Guadalquivir river and in northern Africa and for half a century united the shores of the two continents. Before being expelled by the Visigoths they had given a new name to the region of Europe: Vandalucà ­a. Since the arrival in 711 of Islam this region enjoyed wonderful times. The Caliphate of Crdoba during many years was the most sophistic...

25 Love Sayings and Quotations

25 Love Sayings and Quotations Love makes us do things we never thought we were capable of. Some love sayings inspire us to believe in love. Others give us the courage to tide through the tough times. Here is a compilation of love sayings that encourage and instill the spirit of love in these cynical times. Are you in love? Do you pine for your sweetheart in private? You dont have to retract into a shell every time the love of your life talks to you. Love cannot endure indifference. It needs to be wanted. Like a lamp, it needs to be fed out of the oil of anothers heart, or its flame burns low. Henry Ward Beecher People think love is an emotion. Love is good sense. Ken Kesey If you cannot inspire a woman with love of you, fill her above the brim with love of herself; all that runs over will be yours. Charles Caleb Colton The whole world loves a lover is an interesting theory, but a very bad legal defense. Keith Sullivan Let those love now who never loved before; Let those who always loved, now love the more. Thomas Parnell One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love. Sophocles Love is not something you feel. Its something you do. David Wilkerson She is the heart that strikes a whole octave. After her all songs are possible. Rainer Maria Rilke Love is always bestowed as a gift- freely, willingly, and without expectation...We dont love to be loved; we love to love. Leo Buscaglia The only love worthy of a name is unconditional. John Powell I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. Martin Luther King, Jr. Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. Martin Luther King, Jr. If you would be loved, love and be lovable. Benjamin Franklin Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love. St. Francis of Assisi We look forward to the time when the power to love of will replace the love of power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace. William Gladstone May no gift be too small to give,nor too simple to receive,which is wrapped in thoughtfulnessand tied with love. L.O. Baird There is no instinct like that of the heart. Lord Byron All you need is love. John Lennon Love conquers all. Virgil Amor vincit omnia. (Love conquers all) Geoffrey Chaucer There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. George Sand True love stories never have endings. Richard Bach Love grows more tremendously full, swift, poignant, as the years multiply. Zane Grey Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope. Maya Angelou There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness. Friedrich Nietzsche

Value Chain Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

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