Gibson and Fender Marketing Mix

Gibson and Fender Marketing Mix Introduction 1.1. Background A guitar is an indispensable musical instrument for playing a variety of music, such as jazz and pop music. Because of Chinese economy grows and an increasing number of consumers interest in music develops, China is becoming an essential market for guitar companies. Most guitar users own at least one guitar which can provide them their favorite tones. For the demand for different types of guitar making dissimilar tones, there are many producers that have been manufacturing guitars for a number of years such as Ibanez and ESP. However, the two quality makers, Gibson and Fender, stated by Gearpipe (2007), have the best sales volume at a high price. Gibson Guitar Corp (2010 a) mentions that Gibson is an American establishment which began in 1904 whose main product is electric guitar. Another leading guitar company is Fender. According to Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (2010 a), Fender began in 1946 in The USA which is not only adept at making electric guitars, but electric basse s and other products as well. 1.2. Theory 1.2.1. Market Segmentation All about economic on the web (2010) shows that as peoples different needs and wants, market segmentation is becoming increasing stable for business. The definition of market segmentation is dividing a market into a number of sub-markets based on some sort of particular features. 1.2.2. Marketing Mix According to Hall et al (2008), marketing mix is the elements of a market which are designed to satisfy consumers needs and wants. There are basically four Ps of marketing mix. The four Ps are product, price, promotion and place. 1.3. Aims There are three aims of this report. The initial one is to analyze the market segmentation of Gibson and Fender for Chinese consumers and comparing the marketing mix from different angles in the findings part. Moreover, evaluating and comparing these two firms from both positive and negative ways is another target in the discussion. Finally, recommendations in the conclusion show suggestions of development for Gibson and Fender companies in China. Findings 2.1. Market Segmentation The market segmentation of Gibson should be guitar players who are affluent and interested in old fashion music. Gibson Guitar Corp (2010 b) demonstrates that Gibson guitars are much more expansive than its competitors. In addition, Gibson electric guitars are almost all be designed in the same style which can often attract buyers who are the big fans of old fashion style. Fender mainly aims at attracting electric guitar and bass players who are wealthy and crazy about nowadays music. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (2010 b) shows that its products are costly which are designed in an extremely popular style with modern tone. 2.2. Marketing Mix 2.2.1. Product Gibson is a world-wide guitar company. According to Gibson Guitar Corps (2010 c) demonstration, the major product of this company, undeniably, is the electric guitar. The Gibson Les Paul and the Gibson SG are the most salable and classical types of product that are always in the same shape with limited colors. Gibson targets guitar players who play heavy metal. Therefore, the tone of Gibson electric guitars sounds highly heavy and quite suitable for performing heavy metal. Guitarz (2008) introduces that the famous lead guitar player Angus Young who was playing in a heavy metal band, ACDC, is using a guitar made by Gibson. Fender is also a well-running guitar establishment. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (2010 c) explains that despite the electric guitar, Fender is also well-known for other products such as modern styles electric basses and amplifiers. Fender has been trying to make its products can be used to play jazz, blues and pop-rock. Thus it is found that Fender guitars tone is awfully soft and clean. An example of musician who is using Fender to play pop music is Eric Johnson (Eric Johnson, N.D.). 2.2.2. Price By analyzing data from Smarter (2010), Price of Gibson merchandise is frequently higher than other guitar producers. The same as Gibson, Fender products cost consumers considerably. Undoubtedly, with such a high price, the quality of products from these two businesses is usually better than other companies for their unique technique. However, Gibson and Fender not only make high quality guitars to the rich. Both of them own subsidiary companies (Squier and Epiphone) for making lower-quality guitars for green hands playing guitar and who find that it is difficult to afford the guitars which are completely pricey(Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, 2010 d; Gibson Guitar Corp, 2010 d). 2.2.3. Promotion Gibson Company has only one effective major promotion that is product endorsement by asking famous rock stars to use its guitars. One example is, Gibson Guitar Corp (2010 e) states that Slash Les Paul which is shown in the picture is designed for a famous rock guitar player, Slash. This is such an impactful measure to promote Slashs fans to buy this guitar. (Gibson Guitar Corp, 2010 f) Similarly, Fender promotes in the same way. For instance, in the picture, there is Roger Waters Precision Bass which is a late-model electric bass of Fender that is named for a celebrated bass player, Roger Waters and recommending his fans to spend money on this bass (Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, 2010 e). What is more, Fender Centre (N.D.) reported that Fender frequently do public relations for promotion such as donates to poor children which is such a nice way to obtain public approval. (Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, 2010 f) 2.2.4. Place Selling place for Gibson and Fender are not even slightly different. There are mainly to locations types are involved. Firstly, is provision of products to retailers so that consumers can buy them which are displayed in musical stores. However, in China, there are few musical stores selling their products. As a result, another approach is to sell their merchandise online which is a convenient shortcut for customers who live in places where musical shop do not exist. Their online shops are available on their respective web-site. Discussion Comparing the market segmentation, Gibson pays mass attention on making guitars providing to metal and hard-rock players who fancy old style. The obviously edge is that Gibson can manufacture professional electric guitars to win more market share. However, Changing of fashion or other factors may cause a sharp decline of demand. By contrast, Fender is radically different. It has been making diverse musical equipments for an amount of fanciers of jazz, blues and pop-rock who are following the up to date fashion. The vantage is the problems caused by diversification of consumers taste and popularity will never be faced. A serious drawback is making the market over-broad. Further, the marketing mix is analogous between these two companies instead of their products considering their distinctive brand culture causing characteristic products. Additionally, Fender might achieve more public praise for its effort to public relations. Conclusion 4.1. Recommendations Although Gibson and Fender have obtained a high market share and public praise, it is still necessary to have further improvement. By do surveys to obtain information from 60 guitar players, there are three suggestions for each company depending on the surveys result which is shown below. 4.1.1. Recommendations for Gibson There are three recommendations for Gibson. First of all, it is applicable to manufacture guitars into dissimilar shapes and colors. The changeless shape and boring colors cannot satisfy today consumers. Additionally, it is practicable to make an effort to produce other musical instruments. Whats important should be done is to make more lower-level product for most Chinese are not wealthy enough hoping to buy their first guitars of good quality. Although there is Epiphone as the subsidiary company producing elementary product for novices, customers still hope to buy Gibson rather than Epiphone. (Reasons for refuse to buy Gibson products) 4.1.2. Recommendations for Fender There are three suggestions are provided to Fender. One method is to make products which can be not only high quality, but also unusual and special catching buyers eyes to gain more market share from competitors. What is more, Fender should focus on Chinese market by selling its merchandise to more retailers so that consumers can buy Fender products easily. Marking lower-level products as cash cows with affordable price to segment consumers who are interested in guitar but have not enough money is an acceptable strategy to improve sales volumes as well. (Reasons for refuse to buy Fender products) 4.2. Summary To sum up, both Gibson and Fender are immensely successful. The most essential factor for Gibson to achieve the success is to concentrates on electric guitar and making Les Paul and SG becoming world-wide triumphant. For Fender, the most momentous reason should be a broad enough market for with generally higher quality and public relation than its competitors. Other factors causing success, such as product endorsement, are notable too. It is firmly believed that as Chinese market becomes increasingly important, Gibson and Fender may find more methods to take on this market.

Preventing Teenage Smoking Essay example -- essays research papers

Today, there has been an increase in the amount of teenagers who smoke half a pack a day of cigarettes. The number of seniors in high school who have tried cigarettes has decreased over the years, but the number of those who smoke occasionally or half a pack or more a day, has increased. There are many factors as to why teenagers smoke including advertising and teen behavior. There are also a few ways we can stop teenagers from wanting to smoke. Therefore, we need to make teens aware that smoking is not good for you and it is not cool and we need to figure out why teens think it is cool. We need to find out why teens smoke and how we can make the stop and how we can prevent new teens from starting to smoke. Advertising and marketing of cigarettes are a big factor as to why teenagers smoke. There are promotions for different brands like Joe Camal and Marlboro Man. They’re some of the biggest marketing campaigns on T.V. Both companies have giveaways like T-shirts in return for coupons accumulated by buying their brand of cigarettes. Different cigarette companies make the...

My Antonia Essay: The Character of Lena Lingard -- My Antonia Essays

The Character of Lena Lingard in My Antonia  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lena Lingard is the best example of a non-domestic central character which appears amidst the domesticity of My à ntonia. Often the sections which feature Lena instead of à ntonia are seen as confusing divergences from the plot line of a novel that purports to be about the woman named in the title. However, since Lena appears in the novel almost as often as à ntonia, and more often than any other character except Jim, she is a central character. Lena is a working woman who refuses to accept the constraints society places upon her. Even when society predicts that by becoming a dressmaker instead of marrying she will fail and become a "loose" woman, she disrupts their expectations and succeeds.    The first image of Lena in the novel is as newly arrived, pseudo-sophisticated country girl who has come to town to learn the trade of dressmaking. However, from the beginning of our knowledge of Lena she is anti-domestic. Lena recognizes that marriage is difficult-- she is never caught up in the "idea" of romance which leads à ntonia to a disastrous relationship and unwed motherhood. à ntonia takes the dances and socializing much more seriously and ends up in trouble, whereas Lena enjoys dancing and kissing but is merely having fun. When asked about her mother, Lena responds, "Oh, mother's never very well; she has too much to do. She'd get away from the farm, too, if she could" (Cather, 104). When Frances Harling teases Lena about a suitor who the town thinks Lena will marry, she responds, "I don't want to marry Nick, or any other man, . . . I've seen a good deal of married life, and I don't care for it" (105). It seems impossible for the town to believe that a beautiful gir... ...c plot" limits and ignores the non-traditional female experience which is just as important to analyze. The Nan Princes, Lena Lingards and Tiny Solderalls of the fictional world deserve and demand critical attention not for what they don't do (the dishes) but for what they are-- working women.    Works Cited Cather, Willa. My Antonia. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1995. Gelfant, Blanche H. "The Forgotten Reaping Hook: Sex in My Antonia." Bloom's Modern Critical Views, 103-123. Jewett, Sarah Orne. A Country Doctor. New York: The Penguin Group. 1986. Romines, Ann. The Home Plot: Women, Writing & Domestic Ritual. Amherst: The University of Massachusetts Press. 1992. Weiner, Lynn Y. From Working Girl to Working Mother: The Female Labor Force in the United States, 1820-1980. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press. 1985.   

John Updike :: essays research papers

Evolution of Sirenia   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many scientists believe that sirenians evolved around fifty-five million years ago from small hoofed animals. The closests living relatives today are elephants and small asian mammals called hyraxes. Although there are vast differences between elephants, hyraxes, and sirenians, fossil evidence shows that all three evolved from a common ancestor. The manatee’s physical characteristics are visible remnants of their ancient heritage. The dugong’s tusks are another link to elephants. Like elephants, sirenians are enormous animals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are five species of Sirenia, but scientists theorize that there were many more in the past. Early forms of manatees are thought to have originated near the Amazon basin in South America. Some remained there to become the Amazonian manatee, while others migrated up through the Caribbean, giving rise to the Antillean and Florida manatees. Another group managed to swim or where carried on currents across the Atlantic and became the West African manatee.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Dugongs thought to have evolved along with mantees once ranged from Europe to Africa, and along the East and West coasts of the Americas. At the present time, they are only found in the Eastern Hemisphere in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Steller’s Sea Cow, another species of Sirenian became extinct by fisherman within 25 to 30 years of its discovery in the 1700’s. Physical Characteristics   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An adult manatee has a rounded body, usually light to dark gray or black, that tapers to a horizontally flattened, rounded tail, which provides propulsion and also serves as a rudder. Manatee’s range in length from 8 to 14 ft. long, depending on the species and can weigh 440 to 1300lbs. Although males can grow larger than the females. The small head includes a straight snout and a cleft upper lip with bristly hairs. Whiskers can be found on the surface of the lips, each attached seperatly to nerve endings and its own blood supply in the follicle. A manatees only teeth are 24 to 32 molars located in the back of the mouth, in addition to molars, manatees have horny, ridged pads at the front of the upper and lower jaws. The manatees upper lip is cleft with two lobes this isn used for gathering food. There small eyes are located on the sides of the head. Its nostrils, set on the upper surface of the snout are closed tightly by valves when the animal is under wa ter. Their lungs and diagphram run lengthwise along the body, unlike other mammals, in which they run crosswise.

Is Balochistan the New Bangladesh?

THESIS STATEMENT: Despite the similar unfair treatment towards Balochistan, like Bangladesh; Balochistan is not the same situation as Bangladesh. Ever since Pakistan came into being it has faced numerous challenges, some of which have been crucial to overcome in light of its handicapped economy, and lack of a headstrong goverment. A very crucial point along these years has been the loss of East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, which revolted against the government of Pakistan due to unfair treatment of their people and gained independence for themselves with the help of the Indian Army, when matters were beyond bad.The case in discussion here is the recent turmoil in Balochistan; their lack of autonomy, lack of security, and extraction of resources. Does that make Balochistan the next Bangladesh? According to the following analysis, not so much. Social Similarities: The cry for independence in East Pakistan that led to the formation of Bangladesh started from the language riots. When East P akistan, which made up 60 percent of Pakistan’s population, was denied their right to Bengali being the national language; they became infuriated since most people there couldn’t speak Urdu or English very well.This need for their language brought about the start of the Bengali nationalism. The angry Bengalis of East Pakistan started rioting massively, fighting for their language; hence uniting the youth and the students towards one cause and starting the Bengali Nationalist Movement. The nationalism in Bengalis and their protests towards the wrong being done to them in other ways such as politically and economically brought about their first cry for independence.Similarly in Balochistan, the exploitation of their people, the atrocities done to them, and unfair conditions has led to the Balochistan Nationalist Movements. Organizations like BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army), BRA (Balochistan Republican Army), and BLF (Balochistan Liberation Fund) are all working towards supporting Baloch nationalism and fighting for their rights. Even though the cause of this nationalism in Balochistan does not have much to do with language, the fact that this nationalism has evolved and is now pressing the Balochis towards wanting independence, is a striking similarity etween Balochistan and Bangladesh. It can be said that this nationalism is what is driving both Balochis and Bengalis towards the larger picture of wanting independence. Differences: Even though socially Bangladesh and Balochistan are similar with their nationalism standing high and above, there are a lot of social differences that keep them apart from falling under the same situation. In Bangladesh, the Bengalis were a lot more united as a whole.Since the beginning Bengalis never wanted to be divided, but when they were done so against their will and then given to a federation that didn’t allow its language, agitation had built up amongst the Bengalis. This nationalism amongst them was very uniting, and helped them in the later years when they faced other unfair conditions politically and economically. So the fact that their leader Sheikh Mujib Ur Rehman and their different Nationalist movements led by the students were very united in their goals made their nationalism even stronger.It can be said that those leading the protests in Bangladesh wanted the goodwill of all the Bengalis and wanted their voice heard. However, in Balochistan that unity is seen missing. Historically, Balochistan was a large land mass which had different tribes living together, divided into borders, each on their own. Balochistan as a primordial ethnicity never existed. The Mughals had first set up Kaalat, with a king/emperor given the title of ‘Khan’. Slowly, five different states were set up in Balochistan, each with their own leader.Later on when Pakistan came into being, these 5 states were still pretty much separate without a larger name of a geo political entity. The name Ba lochistan was given to these tribes’ years after they had been a part of Pakistan, in 1971 when Balochistan was made a province. Slowly and gradually the political issues started tearing the Balochis into protesting for their rights. Since the tribes had been divided and appointed Sardars/chiefs to rule them, these Sardars started manipulating their own Balochi people into getting the government to fulfill their demands.Hence the Sardars would light up a fire, the people would start riots and the Government of Pakistan would pay them to calm them down. This continued until the Balochis backfired on their own Sardars and kicked them out of Balochistan. In light of this, it can be said that Balochistan isn’t very united in its cry for independence/autonomy. The different organizations working for the Balochistan Nationalist Movement don’t work together, since they come from different families and have different agendas of their own.The Balochis were led down by th eir own Sardars who should have been holding them together and protecting them, but instead they were not willing to put aside their own agendas, goals and conflicts; this made the different Sardars stand against one another and not come together to stand for a larger cause for their people. Hence Balochistan is way different from Bangladesh in the sense that it lacks Bangladesh’s unity and strength that came from their union in Nationalism. Economical Similarities: Balochistan and Bangladesh both present one similarity, which is economical neglect from the rest of Pakistan.When Bangladesh was East Pakistan, it formed 60% of Pakistan’s population; however, resources were put more towards the establishment of West Pakistan, as compared to East Pakistan. Hence, East Pakistan was always economically ignored and not given higher weightage in line of the fact that they formed a larger portion of Pakistan. Resources were taken from East Pakistan and put to the betterment of West Pakistan; later in the years Ayub Khan’s industrialization plan, which was the golden age of Pakistani Capitalism, also involved setting up industries in West Pakistan, instead of East Pakistan.In the very same manner, Balochistan is also being economically neglected. Even though Balochistan is a desert and is largely barren, that does not mean that it lacks its fair share of natural resources. The land of Balochistan contains natural resources like Sui Gas and Rico Diq, which are worth hundreds of billions of dollars making it one of the world’s potentially richest regions. Yet, the people of Balochistan live in poverty, deprived of clean drinking water, education, and the natural gas that their own land pumps to the rest of Pakistan.This makes it a similar target of extraction of resources and lack of constructive attention, just like Bangladesh was. Geo Strategic Differences: Even though similar in the unfair treatment they received economically, Both Banglades h and Balochistan are different from one another from a geo strategic point of view. Talking about Balochistan, it is the largest land mass of Pakistan, is full of natural resources like oil, gas, coal, gold and many other precious materials and minerals, which are largely valuable to Pakistan.It plays a very important role on the foreign affairs of Pakistan by sharing borders with Iran, and Afghanistan. Protected by the surrounding Arabian Sea as well as mountainous ranges, Balochistan is connected to CARs through the Chaman Pass. Countries like China take interest in developing the Gawadar port in Balochistan; whereas the US also has immense interest in Balochistan’s large land mass; hence its unique geo strategic position is very important for Pakistan.Bangladesh on the other hand was never much important for Pakistan from a geo strategic point of view. Since East Pakistan was thousands of miles away from West Pakistan, with a large mass of enemy territory in between; Bang ladesh never held any geo strategic importance. Moreover, Bangladesh didn’t have the billions of dollars worth of resources, neither did it have any importance to the US which further decreased its geographical importance for Pakistan. The US never held any interest in East Pakistan, since they didn’t sign SEATO, which was a strategic treaty.The geographical importance of Balochistan makes it a lot more valuable for Pakistan, also since if Pakistan loses Balochistan, it basically losses its majority land area, as well as disrupts relations with its connecting countries. However, Bangladesh didn’t hold any such importance and it was always an understood fact that losing Bangladesh would be a lot easier, if ever there was an enemy attack. Political Similarities: Bangladesh was a victim of political instability from Pakistan’s end since the very beginning.The reason Bangladesh and Balochistan want away from Pakistan is the unfair treatment they have received . This unfair treatment varies greatly between the two, but brings them under the same light in the manner that it is highly uncalled for. Bangladesh was always denied its fair share of representation as East Pakistan, similarly Balochistan isn’t given any autonomous power to control its own province; the provincial government in Balochistan has been made highly handicapped with the little power it is granted. Differences:Politically, both Bangladesh and Balochistan fall under unfair treatment; however, the political situations in both areas are very different. When Bangladesh was still East Pakistan, the largest political problem it faced was the fact that it wasn’t granted the political representation in the government that it rightfully deserved, seeing that it was the majority area of Pakistan. From the day Pakistan was formed, till the years that followed, it was obvious that with the government being based in West Pakistan, The majority would be controlled by the minority. In his article Bangladesh: why it happened?G. W. Choudhary writes, â€Å"Pakistan began its political career under a parliamentary system modeled on Westminster and under a federal constitution. But neither the parliamentary system nor the federation was genuine. The constitutional forms and trappings of democracy only provided a cloak for rule by the few who were able to concentrate power in their own hands. During eleven years (1947-58) of so called parliamentary democracy, there was not a single general election, and the provincial elections were described and ‘a farce, mockery and a fraud upon the electorate’. In light of this it can further be explained how East Pakistan never received its fair share of representation in the government. Moreover, there were denied their rightful power when their political party, Awami League won the elections in 1970-71. From the years that followed from 1947, when Pakistan was formed, till 1971, when Bangladesh was for med; East Pakistan was never given its fair share, neither in the army, nor in the government.Hence they were always politically weak despite the fact that there was immense unity amongst their own organizations and political parties, working for the Bengalis. It must be noted that East Pakistan was always politically united amongst its own people; as in there weren’t sub divided feuds amongst the Bengalis that kept them politically at par with each other. In Balochistan this unity was missing. Since Balochistan had never been a single, united political entity; the Sardars were divided in their ambitions and had a tone of feuds amongst themselves.These caused the biggest political weakness of Balochistan. Even though just like Bangladesh, Balochistan never got the representation in army, or government that it asked for; what differentiates the two is the fact that Balochistan fell victim to its own internal feuds. In his article Balochistan is no Bangladesh, Sushant Sareen de scribes this as, â€Å"The trouble is that while many of the tribal Sardars, in their hearts ight be supportive of the Baloch cause, or are being forced by public sentiment as well as the circumstances on the ground to pay lip-service to the aspirations of the Baloch people (for example, Akhtar Mengal insisting on a dialogue with the Pakistani authorities under the aegis of the UN), they are not willing to put aside their personal egos in the service of Baloch nationalism. Their personal ambitions, feuds, rivalries, a desire to be one-up on their fellow Sardars makes it impossible for all of them to come together for the larger cause of their people. † Hence their leadership issues form a major political drawback for Balochistan.Another major political issue that separates Balochistan from being the next Bangladesh is the high importance of anarchy in Balochistan. Even though the legal constitution doesn’t allow for there to be a Jirga system that prevails in Balochist an; but since the judiciary is weak and Balochis don’t trust it, they turn to the Jirga system. Since the Pakistan government never did anything substantial to stop this Jirga system, it has deep rooted itself amongst Balochistan, turning it into anarchy in the name of democracy. This has given way to the Balochistan game.Different countries have come and started to set up their roots in Balochistan trying to take it over. MILITARY Similarities: On 25th March, 1971, Operation Searchlight was started; where six brigades of Pak Army moved into East Pakistan and arrested workers; people of East Pakistan were sexually assaulted by the army and were left crippling while their governor Sheikh Mujeed Ur Rehman was arrested. East Pakistan suffered sexual, physical, and psychological torture at the hands of their country’s army. Similarly, people in Balochistan have suffered and are still suffering at the hands of the Pakistan army.Missing people cases are on the high, bodies a re found lying around after days of waiting and the torture just doesn’t seem to stop. This forms part of the major problems of Balochistan, which is not enough security. Even though this similarity of torture at the hands of the army remains, there's no denying the fact that its intensity in Balochistan is far greater than that in Bangladesh. In light of all the above mentioned similarities and differences, a conclusion can be reached about whether or not Balochistan is going to be the next Bangladesh.Despite the fact that the similarities remain, making it look like the same way nationalism and nationalist movememnts were a start towards the larger independence of Bangladesh, Balochistan remains a different situation. It’s safe to say that Balochistan is no Bangladesh. That statement lies on the fact that the problem of Balochistan is beyond that of unfair treatment by the government. Balochistan faces what is a severe case of lack of unity, unlike Bangladesh which w as always a lot more united in its attempt to gain independence.Balochistan is a case of crippled inner politics, encouraged by the Pakistani government that further weakens it towards not being able to gain anything substantial. BIBLIOGRAPHY: * http://www. chowrangi. com/why-balochistan-is-burning. html * http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/History_of_Bangladesh#Creation_of_Pakistan * http://www. jstor. org/discover/10. 2307/2613440? uid=2129;uid=2;uid=70;uid=4;sid=21101363476631 * http://www. thedailystar. net/forum/2011/December/on. htm * http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Bengali_Language_Movement http://bangladeshwatchdog. blogspot. com/2012/02/bangladesh-and-now-balochistan. html * http://idsa. in/idsacomments/BalochistanisnoBangladesh_ssareen_190110 * http://www. defence. pk/forums/strategic-geopolitical-issues/165565-balochistan-pakistan-s-second-bangladesh. html * http://blogs. thenews. com. pk/blogs/2012/02/saving-balochistan/ * http://www. nation. com. pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-d aily-english-online/columns/03-Oct-2012/the-balochistan-plan * http://www. bangladeshfirst. com/docdetails. php? cid=9;docid=1

Qualitative Research and Respondents Essay

1.1. Introduction Leptospirosis is one of the deadliest bacterial infection that I commonly acquired in tropical countries. you can get the disease when you were exposed to soils and waters that is contaminated by leptospira bacteria. Rodents such as rats are the primary carriers of the leptospirosis bacteria. It is important to identify the signs of rodent infestation at home. If you regularly see rodent droppings around food packages, in drawers, cupboards, under the sink, then your house is infested. Whenever you see such droppings or boxes of food, or wirings that has rodent bites, you must take an action. Symptoms can take 2 – 26 days (average 10 days) to develop this may include: dry cough, fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, shaking chills, less common symptoms include: abdominal pain, abnormal lung sounds, bone pain, conjunctivitis, enlarged lymph glands, enlarged spleen or liver, joint aches, muscle rigidity, muscle tenderness, skin rash and sore throat. (Dugdale III, 2010) Test to be done to find if you contract leptospirosis are the following: CBC (Complete blood count), creatine kinase, urinalysis. Medications are given to the patient but complicated cases however are life-threatening if not treated promptly. The fatality rate of the disease is 5-40. (Dugdale III, 2010) Here in the Philippines one of the most common cause of leptospirosis is flood water. Leptospirosis cases goes up in the rainy period. In Metro Manila, improper disposal of our wastes such as plastics, domestic wastes, and others blocks the water pass on the sink or to the drainage system. This causes floods even in just a small amount of rain. And garbage attracts rodents that carry a letpospira bacteria and it contaminates the flood water that leads to acquiring the leptospirosis. 1.2. Background of the study Flash floods are common throughout the Philippine archipelago during the monsoon seasons, which runs from the June to December. They are particularly common in Manila, the country’s sprawling capital and home of 14 million Filipino’s. The awareness of the people is very much important especially when flash floods or typhoons occur. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease which could be contracted by humans when exposed to flood waters containing urine infected animals like rats, dog, and pigs. The leptospirosis cases was caused by the widespread flooding caused by the typhoons that affected the Luzon areas. In Quezon City one barangay, barangay Gulod, has encountered many cases of leptospirosis. Barangay Gulod is located near the Tullahan River and Kaybuktot Creek. The barangay itself is along the Quirino Highway. The barangay is big but because of poor urban development program the drainage system is still a problem during the rainy seasons they have the most number of incidents of leptospirosis cases in the past 3 years. In 2009 the disease, according to the record of Department of Health (DOH) has afflicted more people in Metro Manila, attributing the â€Å"Outbreak† to large numbers of people wading in flood waters carrying the bacteria. The DOH had recorded 1,027 leptospirosis patients, wherein 89 died. There were 122 cases in Quezon City alone with 14 cases in Barangay Gulod. (Quezon City Health Department [QCHD], 2011) In 2010, leptospirosis was noted as the fourth on the list of the top disease outbreaks in the Philippines. The DOH has recorded over 400 leptospirosis cases in the first half of the year (Department of Health [DOH], 2010), which includes 26 deaths with 1 case in Barangay Gulod. (QCHD, 2010) Recently, the Department of Health released an announcement that casualties from leptospirosis has increased 247% in 10 months (January-October) in Metro Manila with number of 131 cases of Leptospirosis in Quezon City with 5 cases in barangay Gulod. It usually takes two weeks after the infection to manifest flu-like symptoms. If not diagnosed early enough, it can lead to more severe symptom and may cause death. Mild infections can be treated by antibiotics like doxycyline, but for severe infections generally, they require Intravenous Penicillin which is still dangerous because the patient might encounter the Jarisch-Hexheimer reaction. This disease needs prompt medication upon its contraction. (Uy, 2011) 1.3. Theoretical Framework Systems design approach is interconnected, interdependent and interacting problems that seeks to create an action to take the entity as a whole. It implies that we take the responsibility of the whole thing to be able to create future better by understanding the nature and saving the environment by fulfilling its requirement on saving it. (Laszlo & Krippner, 1998). Living in this planet, there are things we need to maintain. The Systems Design is said that it is interconnected and interacting problems. Meaning every problem we do, creates another one and relates to another, everything is a chain from small to the biggest. Just like what is happening here in the Philippines right now the people who throws their trash everywhere creates a bigger problem. Systems Design is participatory by nature (Bethany, 1996), meaning everyone from the society can make a change on how the problem will be solved by making small steps on providing a remedy on their problems. They can engage themselves by becoming an active participant on change and they can be more resourceful. Bela Bethany (1996), a Systems Theorist characterized the systems design focusing the humanities to be, experience oriented, rational, neutral, and it has concerns on future generations . (Banathy, 1996, pp. 34-35.) Here in the Philippines we believe that systems design by being participatory makes people move on their own on the time of calamities. Disasters are made by simple forms of action. Nowadays when it rained a little it floods the city and that would make people alarmed and take actions. And by that they will learn from their mistakes and try to solve their problem as a â€Å"system† and functioning as one. Because being in a societal systems human beings actively apply their skills to the analysis of the design of socially and ecologically sustainable systems by becoming active participants of their community on shaping their future. (Laszlo & Krippner, 1998) 1.4. Conceptual Framework This part of the paper will serve as a guide to study systems approach of the input-process-output devised by Stoner, Freeman and Gilbert Jr. (1995). The system has flows of information, materials and energy, including human energy that enter as an inputs then transform the processes on the system and exit as an output. A feedback is considered as a key to systems controls . Leptospirosis prevention on barangays are being followed in the subject matter. The following protocols followed by the local government is preventing leptospirosis: â€Å"Policy-Making† it refers to the concept of operation and the tasks for execution of the organization’s programs by the respective staffs and officers, ths directs the functions and responsibilities of the personnel to strict guidance and compliance. (Leveriza, 1983) â€Å"Access† it is the portal of each citizen to the city government on the services of the city government. On every projects and information about the services they need. This would let them have the power to know and accumulate certain information. (Dr. Cruz, Personal Communication, 2011) â€Å"Social Participation† is the extent of the participation of the people in both formal or informal group activities. (Leveriza, 1983) These inputs undergo the process of assessment to determine whether the existing policy and procedures being implemented by each of the subject government institutions are sufficient to protect the network resources from any unlawful acts, as well as identify problems in relation the said review of the prevention of leptospirosis cases on the barangays. (Stoner et al., 1995) The dynamic process in the framework shall contribute, as output, to a significant improvement of the review of leptospirosis cases, including the measures that should be adopted by each respondent government agency. Given the foregoing system’s model, the research paradigm of the study id presented in Figure below for a clearer understanding and appreciation.   Selected Government Institutions.City Health Government-Policy procedures-Access-Society Awareness| | Analysis of-Leptospirosis cases in Barangay Gulod, Quezon City. | | A significant review of Leptospirosis prevention on the barangays.| FEEDBACK Research paradigm As shown in paradigm, the input variables include the profile of the network of subject government institution. It is the city health department of the Quezon city is the department of the city from which the programs and developments are made while encountering this leptospirosis cases. 1.5. Scope and Limitations This study would focus more of Leptospirosis cases in Barangay Gulod, Quezon City from the year 2009 – 2011 who had recorded the most of the cases of the said disease for the past 3 years. This would include the citizens of the barangay in all age groups. We would also investigate the programs (if any) implemented to prevent the Leptospirosis cases in the Barangay before, during and after the floods, and the projects aimed at eliminating the floods and rats that caused the disease. 1.6. Statement of the Problem This study would like to the answer the following problems about the strategies of the City Government towards the leptospirosis cases encountered in Barangay Gulod Q.C.: 1. What are the efforts made by the City Government before, during and after the typhoon? 2. Are the efforts effective enough? 3. What are the programs and projects implemented on the said Barangay? Does the programs and projects help the citizens of the Barangay? 4. What are the steps of the City Government to empower its people on the time of floods and rains? This study would like to help the barangays and the Quezon City on preventing the leptospirosis cases during the time of typhoons and floods. 1.7. Importance of the Study This study is important to the following: Quezon City Government – to help them on implementing: rules, programs and projects to prevent Leptospirosis on the barangays that is said to have a large scale of Leptospirosis cases. This hopefully would help them on the ideas of the other barangays and cities to prevent and hopefully stop the spread of the disease. Barangay officials – to give them knowledge on the status of the leptospirosis on their barangay. Barangay Citizens – to help them and their families on contracting the disease. 1.8. Definition of Terms 1. Afflicted – being troubled with pains. 2. Ceftriaxone Injection- injection used to treat certain infections caused by gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease) and infections of lungs, ears, skin, urinary tract, blood, bones joints and abdomen. It is also given to some types of surgery to prevent the development of another disease after the operation. 3. Chemoprohylaxis – use of a chemical agent to prevent a development of disease. 4. Creatine Kinase – The mitochondrial creatine kinase (CKm) is present in the mitochondrial intermembrane space, where it produces phosphocreatine (PCr) from mitochondrially-generated ATP and creatine (Cr) imported from the cytosol. 5. Disease – disturbed or abnormal structure or physiological action in the living organism as awhole or in any of its parts. 6. Dopamine – an important neurotransmitter in the brain. 7. Doxycyline – this is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections or to treat the trave ler’s diarrhea. It acts by inhibiting the growth of bacteria 8. Fatality – a state of how bad the disease is 9. Flashflood – an event caused by heavy rain   10. Furosemide- this is used to treat high blood pressure. Furosemide reduces fluid accumulation by increasing the elimination of sodium and water through the kidneys. 11. IgM ELISA – is a fast test for a qualitative detection of IgM anti Bodies. 12. IgM leptospira Dipstickâ„ ¢ – is a fast test for a qualitative detection of IgM anti Bodies against Leptospirosis. It is used to determine the leptospirosis cases in Yucatan, Mexico. 13. Input – something put into a system or device as energy into a machine, food into the body, data into a computer, etc. 14. Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction – reaction caused by organisms (bacteria) dying off and releasing toxins into the body faster than the body may comfortably handle it. 15. Meningitis – an inflammation of the meninge, the membranes that covers the brain and spinal cord. 16. Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) – a test to determine if you are infected by leptospirosis. 17. Outbreak – a sudden and violent breaking forth; said of passion or of disease affecting large numbers of people. 18. Output – the quantity put out or produced in a specified time 19. Sanitation – making something sterile or clean. 20. Seropositivity – showing positive reaction to a serological or test on blood serum for a disease. 21. Serovars Manilae – sample Vaccines used for Leptospirosis 22. Spirochetes – any of a genus of typically saprophytic bacteria commonly found in water and sewage and characterized by spiral flexible filaments with apparently rotary movements. 23. Thrombocytopenic – relative decrease of platelets in blood. 24. Urinalysis – also known as Routine and Microscopy (R&M), is an array of tests performed on urine, and one of the most common methods of medical diagnosis. 25. Vasodilatation – dilation of blood vessel, as by the action of a nerve drug. 26. Vax-SPIRAL ® – Trivalent AntiLeptospirosis Vaccine for Human use. 27. Zoonotic – a developed individual of a compound animal or of a simple egg CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES AND STUDIES This portion of the research gives some additional information that have been made both local and foreign researchers which are in one way of the other related in the research under taken in this study. 2.1. FOREIGN LITERATURES According to www.Leptospirosis.org (2010) a reference archive on the internet for Leptospirosis information, the Leptospirosis bacteria can’t live on saltwater. We cannot get Leptospirosis by taking a bath on a beach. Contaminated fresh waters and flood waters are usually the bacteria carrier. They also said that you can get Leptospirosis by swallowing, swimming with open wounds on contaminated water. It is never air borne. It also said that the bacteria can’t survived by acid, heat, disinfectants, and alkali’s. Thus cooked foods are safe. Everything in your house should be clean most especially if your house is infested by rodents. Doxycycline offers some protection against severe illness and is the best and normal medication to be given in these situations, but it cannot guarantee protection and a mild illness may still occur. Therefore, protection is all we need. We should be aware that the disease is existing and might cause death. According to an Indian heath portal www.aarogya.com gave some guidelines on how to prevent the Leptospirosis infection. The first step is sanitation, of course cleanliness is the first step. Then protect your self with gloves, masks, boots, when going to a water area that might be contaminated by the Leptospirosis. (S. Pallavi, 2008) You should also keep your open wounds from the contaminated water, and also wash your hands after touching an animal. Do not touch rats. Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, we should educate people from the disease, do not let them swim on a possible contaminated fresh water. Get rid of rats and throw your waste properly. Waste management repels rats. The Medicenet.com states some implications or symptoms of the Leptospirosis, he said that at the first phase the patient would experience some flu like symptoms like fever, headaches, muscle pains, cough and colds. Then the redness of the eye would develop on the ninth day. Then it will develop some aching with stiffness of the nerves then some inflammations. This disease is somewhat connected to liver and kidney disease. That would take the disease to another implications. (Cunha, 2009) That is why whenever you experience the first types of symptoms then you should do something about it right away before it’s too late. Vaccines are developed already which are given to some explorers but it is not that advisable for some research are not yet done about the vaccine. According to www.nlm.nih.gov there the procedures to cure Leptospirosis, this would include the intakes of medicine, such as Ampicillin, Ceftriaxone, Doxycyclne, and Penicillin. He said that complicated cases need to be taken care in ICU (intensive care unit). Leptospirosis is curable, but serious and complicated cases maybe life-threatening. There are also other complications that the patient can get in Leptospirosis. There is the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is a reaction of the body when the is an intake of Penicillin, there is also Meningitis, and severe bleeding. Therefore, although the Leptospirosis is life threatening there are still hopes that is coming out, there is a vaccine developed in Europe and in Asia that might not stop but at least freeze the Leptospirosis spread. Still prevention is better than the cure. We must manage our surroundings to stop the infestation of the rodents on on our households. And we should learn to clean our environment to stop the flooding. (Dugd ale III, 2010) 2.2. LOCAL LITERATURES Sison, (2009) said that â€Å"the Philippines is facing a serious problem of Leptospirosis. Poor sanitation and the increase of the urban slums along with frequent typhoons and expansion of flooding areas in the country have exacerbated the risk of infection. Leptospires are said the cause of the Weil’s disease in Japan, where it was common in coal miners. Leptospirosis can affect many species of of wild and domestic animals, including marine mammals. Prompt scientific treatment is essential, and aggressive support care with strict attention to fluid and electrolyte is a must. Some severely ill patients may require dialysis.† So with a clean surroundings, and a better prevention of the disease is a Leptospirosis free community even those people in the slum area, if know how to clean and sanitize their belongings they can’t get leptospirosis. So whenever there are contaminations in the place they should be alert. Cause prevention is better than cure. (Sison, 2009) (Medenilla et al., 2009) Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a bacterial infection when humans get contact in flood waters contaminated by animal urines from dogs, cats, pigs and specially rats. It takes 5 days t o 2 weeks before you can see the symptoms. During that time the leptospirosis cases hits a large amount of cases in Luzon with 1,027 cases with 89 fatalities. Sec. Duque said that the widespread cases were caused by the two tropical storms that hit the country. The Government warned the public to avoid flood water to prevent getting infected by the bacteria. The government that time prepared P 4-million pesos for the leptospirosis victims. Phrophylaxis, a drug which cures leptospirosis. This medicine is given immediately to those admitted cases of Leptospirosis. However, Prophylaxis is not suitable for children and pregnant women. The PCP (Philippine College of Physicians) and PMA (Philippine Medical Center) released a guidelines on an antibiotic â€Å"Prophylaxis† to people in leptospirosis-affected communities. They said that Prophylaxis is not recommended to those individuals unless they confirmed that they have visited a leptospirosis contaminated area. Ii is said that to prevent this disease, sanitation and protection is the best. Flood water is one of the risk factors that would infect you a leptospirosis. By just wearing boots, goggles, overalls, gloves and others. 2 capsules of Doxycycline is given once weekly for those who were exposed and should be continued through out the end of the exposure period. Then, the use of Prophylaxis is not 100% effective. It is said that it would depend on the quality of the drug and the timing of the intake. (Manongdo, 2009) If the rat’s urine was mixed in the flood waters, what comes next is the Leptospirosis. There lots of rats in metro manila, Rats are the largest group of mammal in the world. Their population is even greater than humans. The dirtier the place the more they would get in to your households. (Editorial: Pilipino Star Ngayon; 2009) For the past epidemiological research the Leptospirosis cases in the Metro manila especially in the Quezon City, were reported to have a high case of Leptospirosis. One of the reasons of this disease is the improper waste management. Many of Filipinos are not disciplined enough to throw their waste properly, some were just throwing their garbage on the river. And some doesn’t separate the biodegradable and the non biodegradable. So by keeping the discipline everywhere and not just throwing waste every where we can at least refrain the floods that brings the Leptospirosis.

Junk Food and Fast Food in the UAE Essay

In the last 3 or 4 years, many schools in the UAE started selling junk food and fast food to the students. Junk food and fast food is known for causing obesity among people all around the world. As Dubai Health Authority (DHA) public relation agency we will try to raise awareness about the harmful effects of junk food and fast food on people especially the students who still in schools, and why junk food and fast food should should be banned in schools across the UAE. Dubai Health Authority (DHA), was created in June 2007. The DHA aims to provide a valuable, accessible, and integrated health care system to protect the public health. Its mission is to guarantee access to health services, advance and continue the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, visitors and residents, professional health sector. According to an article entitled â€Å"A weighty concern: obesity and fast food in Dubai.† The city fast changing lifestyle have accompanied it with the opening of many new restaurants, and especially the fast food restaurants, because the people are choosing to have a nice and delicious meal in a minute and with cheap price, this habit had transformed to their children. And then this also had made some schools in UAE start selling them ignoring the harmful effects of them on the students. (Faust 2012) Furthermore, the first step that will be taken is that we will start planning our organization goals and objectives. Second, we will identify our target audiences and their demographics and know more about their backgrounds. Third, we will start researching about the problem and try to find solutions for it. Fourth, we will start planning the tools and the tactics that we will be using; for example: how many news releases we will be using through the year, the media outreach tactic: trying to promote our organization in many types of media. Fifth, we will start making a case study about the problem; we will use the web, newspapers, books, magazines etc.., and try to know more about the problem. In addition, we will be doing blogs and join social networks to promote our PR organization more. Furthermore, we will start our communication plan with : 1- Explaining the organization to the public by: handling press releases all around the UAE to get the people know about our organization. Additionally we will distribute brochures in the schools and to make our organization more known. Additionally, we will join the social networking sites to communicate with the public widely. Also, we will create a website that contains all the information that we want the people to know about our organization and how does it work. 2- We will identify our target audience: who do we want to send the message to. Our target audiences the Ministry of Education, and the schools around the UAE that sell junk food and fast food. 3- The methods for sending the messages: we will try to have media contacts all around the UAE for example: we will spread our message through the television programs, and also through advertising our message in newspapers, magazines, etc.†¦ . Moreover, we will measure the success of our communication plan by: 1- Count down how many press releases, news releases, articles in magazines, online articles are produced in a given time. 2- Measurements of how much did our message succeeded, did the public respond positively to the organization’s message. 3- Conducting regular surveys to measure the effectiveness of our organization. 4- Monitoring how many people are cooperating with the organization. We will see how many people are communicating with the organization through the social media for example: twitter, Facebook. Post information online about our organization and monitor how many people are visiting our website or blog. And allow the public to make comments about our organization. According to an article entitled â€Å"Crisis Communication Plan: A PR Blue Print.†, There are some steps can be taken if the communication plan fails: 1- Establish a communication crisis team: this team is important to identify what actions should be taken. The job of the team primary is to identify the plan actions and find a spokesperson. 2- Try to know more about what caused the communication plan to fail. List some examples that may contribute to the failing of the communication plan, and try to fix them. Ignoring the situation will only make things worse. 3- One spokesperson will represent the organization, we will try to make official statements and allowing the ask media to ask questions about the situation if possible. (Freeo, 2012) Moreover, this assignment made me learn more about how to make an effective public relation message. Additionally, after writing this report, I feel that makes me an expert in handling public relation plan and how to handle the plan if it fails. Also, it gave me more information about handling any public relation organization messages in general.