Thursday, September 19, 2019
Connections in John Miltons Paradise Lost Essay -- Milton Paradise Lo
Paradise Lost: Connections "Put that down... NOW!" As many of us have grown older, familiar phrases return to us that were instilled during our childhood. These ideas taught us how to grow and learn within the world. Just As our Parents taught us these words, God taught Satan and everyone under him ideas for their further growth and enrichment. "Paradise Lost" contains connections which are still used today. "Paradise Lost's" initial connections begin with the awesome power of God. Another connection states Satan being theroot of all evil. The final connection refers to the forgiveness of God. Paradise Lost's ideas and connections have been in use since this epic poem has been written. The initial idea of "Paradise Lost" states that God is all powerful. God's supreme power is shown throughout "Paradise Lost": "Him [Satan] theAlmighty Power Hurled headlong flaming from the etherneal[sp.] sky" by Godis only one example of God's supreme power. Satan even admits to God's almighty power - "I now of force belie...
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Essay --
As of September 2012, the number of states and school districts requiring online courses for high school graduation has increased, as states seek to teach students how to manage in an increasingly digital world. In April 2006, Michigan became the first state to require online learning as a requirement for high school graduation. Since that time Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Virginia have legislated requirements. Georgia, New Mexico, and West Virginia recommend students experience an online learning course before graduating from high school; however, it is not required. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Utah allow students to choose online courses from multiple accredited online providers. Some local school boards in districts across the country have promoted similar graduation requirements, including Marietta City Schools in Georgia, Memphis City Schools and Putnam County Schools in Tennessee, and the Kenosha and Cedarburg School Districts in Wisconsin. Education leaders in these states and districts believe that requiring online courses as a requirement for graduation is a necessary step toward becoming college and/or career ready, because when a student graduates from high school, whether choosing a two-year or four-year college, or entering the workforce, there is the likelihood of taking an online course. According to the Education Commission of the States, most virtual offerings are at the high school level. Students taking individual online courses are much more common than are students attending fully-virtual secondary institutions. According to Market Data Retrieval, 15% of American high schools provide online courses; some states, districts and universities host virtual high schools. In O... ...chools and parish-based Catechism courses. Catholic Online Education Providers Edified Online partners with Catholic schools worldwide to provide online education resources and course offerings that exceed national standards and expectations. Edified has more than 80 online courses available for grades 6-12, including College Board certified AP courses. Edified Online is endorsed by the NCEA. Catholic Schools K12 Virtual is an online school comprised of resources, academic, elective and religion classes for Catholic school students. Working with a number of experts in the field of online education, Catholic Schools K12 Virtual has developed a two tiered model for online education; the virtual class and the digital classroom, blending traditional education and online learning. Costs for an online course, depending on its length, range from $300 to $700 per course.
Aztecs :: essays research papers
According to their own history, the Aztecs, who called themselves the Tenochca or Mexica, started as a small nomadic tribe originating from a place called Aztlan. Aztlan existed somewhere in the southern part of California or the north west of Mexico. At this time they were Nahuatl speaking. During the twelfth century they started a period of wandering and in the thirteenth century they came across Mexico's central valley. There they decided to settle. The reason for this is a prophecy. The prophecy said that when they saw an eagle sitting on a cactus with a snake in its mouth that was where they were to build their great civilization. For that reason they called it Tenochtitlan, meaning place of the cactus. Since the prophecy was filled upon an island in the middle of a small lake, called Lake Texcoco, land became short. They built Tenochtitlan in the year thirteen twenty five BC. They started as a small struggling village continually fighting with other Mexican city-states. Tenochtitlan acted as a place of refuge. Aztec Empire At first the Aztecs where ruled by the mightiest of the city-states in central Mexico known as Azcapotzlaco. They helped Azcapotzlaco to conquer surrounding territory in the early fourteen hundreds. By fourteen twenty-eight they had Azcopotzlaco itself with the help of neighboring allies. Tenochtitlan, by the year fourteen thirty-one, with an alliance with the neighboring city-states of Texcoco and Tlacopan had become and independent city-state itself. This triple alliance of three city-states soon controlled all of Mexico's central valley. Tenochtitlan, as the dominate city-state in this alliance, became a base for a program of military expansion and conquest. However the program was left incomplete even when the empire fell to the Spaniards. To connect the Capitol to the mainland the Aztecs built a network of canals, bridges and three stone causeways. Aztecs didn't rule directly over the lands they concord. Instead they demanded tribute such as food, clothing, woven blankets, precious stones, furs, feathers, fine woods and slaves or captives. As a result these products became available in the marketplace and common in people's homes. The emperor's power came from his control of the military, wich was exceedingly large. Under him was his chief deputy, who would communicate with the gods and relate the gods wishes to the Emperor. Below him there was a council of four noble princes and three honored classes of warriors who managed day to day affairs in the empire. Below them were four social classes, nobles, commoners, serfs and slaves. Nobles: the nobles owned private plots of land or shared land with other families. Commoners: The commoners were the largest group who included priests, merchants, artisans, and farmers who held land in common with the nobles. Serfs: The majority of the serfs farmed the nobles land. Slaves: The slaves were the lowest
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
AIDS and the pharmaceutical industry
The virus is present in blood and all body fluids and is known to be spread through exchange of fluids from an infected person to another person through sexual intercourse sharing of needles or even through embryonic fluid from a mother to an unborn foetus.It mostly attacks the immune system reducing the CD4 cells that are vital in the safe guarding the normal physiological function of the body making the body more prone to attack by other diseases for example tuberculosis. AIDS has affected a massive number of people in the third world countries especially in Africa where presence of sophiscated laboratories for research was a mere dream.In the late 1980s ARVS were introduced and were thought to cure AIDS but they were too expensive to be afforded by many people especially in the developing nations where poverty levels are very high. AIDS spread at a very fast rate and there was need to curb this rate of new infections.The need to produce drugs effective against AIDS proved almost i mpossible because the virus according to scientist is said to shift from one place to another along chromosome and therefore difficult to target them.Due to the increased prevalence of AIDS there was a call for the pharmaceutical industries to respond fast and promptly to this life threatening disease. The development of new drugs involves a lot of processes and technology making them relatively expensive to for instance those people struggling to make a living in developing nations.The high cost of branded drugs has led to development of generic drugs which are less costly and have the same constituents. Ã Despite the high numbers of infections in developing nations, research and manufacture of new drugs whether branded or generic is in the industrialized nations mostly.For sure the pandemic has led to a lot of suffering especially to those who are diagnosed with AIDS due to stigmatization. The impact of AIDS to economies of developing nations is extensive leading to decrease in labor power. This is because of the fact that most individuals affected are young people leaving the work load to the elderly persons.ConclusionAIDS has infected only a small proportion of the world population but in many ways has affected each and every individual. It is therefore the responsibility of every body to help bring the suffering of the people and economies to a halt.The pharmaceutical companies also have a responsibility in ensuring that drugs developed for prolonging lives of the infected people distributed fast and promptly to them.Ã With the help of scientists and researchers the pharmaceutical industries are also faced with the challenge of developing new drugs capable of curing the disease.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Explore the presentation of women in Much Ado about Nothing Essay
Explore the presentation of women in ââ¬ËMuch Ado about Nothingââ¬â¢ The women in the 1500ââ¬â¢s were always expected to do things such as taking care of the family not working outside of their houses and always seen as possessions, not people. As in Shakespeareââ¬â¢s time they were seen not heard. Shakespeare used this as a theme in him novel, ââ¬ËMuch Ado about Nothing,ââ¬â¢ and the character Hero in particular portrayed the typical woman. The typical woman was modest, convectional, reserved and many women were pressured to be exactly like her. There are many other ways of which women are presented in this 1599 play about love and the deception of appearances. The play was very popular with the audience and was a comedy. Women who had a high status were usually linked with honour. Hero is an example of this as her father, Leonato, is a successful character and has high status. He is described as a, ââ¬Ëhonourable father,ââ¬â¢ which means that if she was to be, ââ¬Ëunfaithfulââ¬â¢, to Claudio then her whole family would go down in status and she Hero would be seen as an unclean creature now worth nothing. Heroââ¬â¢s overall presentation is a typical woman and is used as a plot device to move the story along, so she is valuable but her value is not recognised. An example of this is when she furthers the plot when she is, ââ¬Ëunfaithful,ââ¬â¢ to Claudio. Hero is a possession to be passed on from father to husband as the society was patriarchal and the women were dominated by men and were assets to bargain. In the wedding scene Hero hardly says anything in her defence, and what she does say are only in one line blocks, ââ¬Ëis my Lord well that he doth speak so wide? ââ¬Ë She is not saying that he is wrong, but just asking him to rethink what he is saying. This shows us that she is a typical, modest woman and cannot stand up for herself. When Hero is accused of being unfaithful to Claudio, her father doesnââ¬â¢t defend her like a typical father would do today, but he says, ââ¬Ëdo not live Hero, do not ope thine eyes,ââ¬â¢ Leonato is ashamed to be linked with his daughter and basically says that he wants her to die. This is not how women should be treated. They have no voice and people would believe a manââ¬â¢s word over a womanââ¬â¢s. Hero is seen as a, ââ¬Ëplague right well prevented,ââ¬â¢ which means she is no longer any use to Claudio and is a plague on him. Once women had lost there virginity to a man when they were not married, they were seen as useless and unclean, a woman would not be able to get a husband and would be put in a nunnery or kept indoors. Honour is linked to virginity because then the women were not worthless and so that they could be married to someone of high status. Claudio thinks Heroââ¬â¢s appearance is deceiving him and he ruins her life as she had ruined his, ââ¬Ëthoughts of harm. ââ¬Ë He ruins her life because now people think that she is unfaithful, ââ¬Ërotten orange,ââ¬â¢ she will be worthless and kept indoors. Another example of Hero as a typical Elizabethan woman is at the party when she gets proposed to. Hero is told what to say to her marriage proposal and has no choice in what to say. Beatrice even prompts her on what her actions should be, ââ¬Ëspeak cousin, or if you cannot, stop his mouth with a kiss. ââ¬Ë Womanââ¬â¢s sexuality was controlled by men. Hero would be like any other good typical wife in Elizabethan times, she, ââ¬Ëwould do any modest office. ââ¬Ë She is quiet and chaste and conforms to the norms of the society. Hero is very predictable, again like the typical woman, ââ¬Ënow going to kiss Claudio,ââ¬â¢ Beatrice prompts her on her actions. In contrast Benedickââ¬â¢s and Beatriceââ¬â¢s relationship has more equality and they come across as comfortable with one another as they use, ââ¬Ëyou ,ââ¬â¢ and, ââ¬Ëyour,ââ¬â¢ as apposed to, ââ¬Ëthee,ââ¬â¢ and, ââ¬Ëthou,ââ¬â¢ as Hero and Claudio use. Beatrice is presented in a very different way to Hero. Beatrice is presented very openly. All of her emotions are shown and she always says what she thinks, ââ¬Ëthe commendation is not in his wit, but in his villainy. ââ¬Ë This shows us that Beatrice is a very plotting and witty character who is in control of the situation. She is an independent woman, who was not like how women in Elizabethan times were presented, she was like Queen Elizabeth. Hero and Beatrice are complete opposites. Beatrice doesnââ¬â¢t want any man to rule her life, in marriage, so takes an independent look to things. She doesnââ¬â¢t want a husband because she wants to remain like she is, ââ¬ËI had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me. ââ¬Ë Her strong voice is a strong comparison to Heroââ¬â¢s silence; it makes them seen very opposite and is not the norms of Elizabethan society. Because Beatrice is so independent, she uses her wit to stop her from getting hurt, ââ¬Ëso I would not he should do me, my Lord, lest I should prove the mother of fools. ââ¬Ë It shows that Elizabethan women were quite vulnerable. The love that Benedick has for Beatrice is true love, this gives Beatrice the power to manipulate him, and she tells him to, ââ¬Ëkill Claudio,ââ¬â¢ because she has to rely on a man to carry out what she wants to be done. The women in those times could not carry out a duel with someone else, as it was no, ââ¬Ëexpected,ââ¬â¢ of them to do that and they had to conform to the typical woman, like Hero. Beatrice shows her frustration when she says, ââ¬ËO God that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market place,ââ¬â¢ sheââ¬â¢s saying that if she was a man she would kill Claudio herself so makes Benedick chose if he looses a friend or love. Beatrice shows that she can be a domination person when she cuts Benedickââ¬â¢s sentences short, ââ¬ËBeat-,ââ¬â¢ then she says, ââ¬ËPrinces and Counties! ââ¬Ë Overall I think that the women in, ââ¬ËMuch Ado about Nothing,ââ¬â¢ were pressured into being quiet, chaste and not seen, like Hero. Beatrice is the total opposite and has her own strong-willed, independent mind. Men and women were not treated as equals and men had so much more power and freedom and saw the women as possessions not wives. Hero resembles the perfect presentation of what a woman should be like. Beatrice does not because she is not quiet and is not told what to do, she is different, she is stubborn and will do things her own way.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Stefan’s Diaries: Origins Chapter 22
The week of the Founders Ball came with a cold spell that settled into Mystic Falls and refused to leave. Ladies walked around town in midafternoon in wool coats and shawls, and the evenings were cloudy and starless. Out in the field, workers fretted about an early frost. Still, that didn't stop people from as far away as Atlanta coming into town for the ball. The boarding-house was full, and the entire town had a carnival-like air in the days leading up to the event. Damon was back at Veritas, his mysterious tenure with the brigade over. I hadn't told him that Katherine and I were attending the Founders Ball, and he hadn't asked. Instead, I'd busied myself with work, feeling renewed vigor about taking over Veritas. I wanted to prove to Father that I was serious about the estate and about growing up and assuming my place in the world. He'd been giving me more responsibility, allowing me to look over the ledgers and even encouraging me to go to Richmond with Robert to attend a livestock auction. I could see my life, ten years from now. I'd run Veritas, and Katherine would run the inside of the home, hosting parties and playing the occasional card game at night with Father. The night of the ball, Alfred knocked on my door. ââ¬Å"Sir? Do you require any assistance?â⬠he asked as I swung the door open. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I was dressed in a black long-tailed coat and tie, with my hair slicked back. I looked older, more confident. Alfred followed my gaze. ââ¬Å"Looking smart, sir,â⬠he allowed. ââ¬Å"Thank you. I'm ready,â⬠I said, my heart fluttering in excitement. Last night, Katherine had teased me mercilessly, not giving me any clues as to what she was going to wear. I couldn't wait to see her. I knew she'd be the most beautiful girl at the ball. More important, she was mine. I headed down the stairs, relieved that Damon was nowhere to be found. I wondered whether he was attending the Founders Ball with some of his army friends or perhaps one of the town's girls. He'd been distant lately, impossible to find in the morning and at the tavern at night. Outside, the horses were pawing at the drive. I entered the waiting coach, which clip-clopped its way to the carriage house. I glanced out the window, and noticed Katherine and Emily standing at the front door. Emily wore a simple black silk dress, but Katherine â⬠¦ I had to press my back into the carriage seat to keep from jumping out of the moving coach. Her dress was emerald green, nipping in at the waist dress was emerald green, nipping in at the waist before flowing over her hips. The bodice was low and tight and showed off her creamy white skin, and her hair was pulled back on the top of her head, exposing her graceful, swan-like neck. The second Alfred pulled back on the horses' reins, I opened the door of the coach and hopped out, smiling broadly as Katherine's eyes caught mine. ââ¬Å"Stefan!â⬠Katherine breathed, lifting her skirts slightly as she glided down the stairs. ââ¬Å"Katherine.â⬠I gently kissed her cheek before I offered my arm to her. Together, we turned and walked toward the carriage, where Alfred stood with the door open. The road to Mystic Falls was filled with unfamiliar coaches of all shapes and sizes, leading to the Lockwood mansion on the far end of town. I felt a thrill of anticipation. This was the first time I'd ever escorted a girl to the Founders Ball. In all previous years, I'd spent most of the evenings playing poker with my friends. Invariably some sort of disaster happened. Last year, Matthew Hartnett had gotten drunk on whiskey and had accidentally unhitched the horses from his parents' coach, and two years ago, Nathan Layman had gotten into a fistfight with Grant Vanderbilt, and both ended up with broken noses. We slowly made our way up to the mansion, finally reaching the front walk. Alfred stopped the horses and let us out. I laced my fingers with Katherine's, and together we walked through the open doors of the mansion and headed toward the dining room. The high-ceilinged room had been cleared of all furniture, and the candlelight lent a warm, mysterious glow to the walls. A band in the corner played Irish reels, and couples were already beginning to dance, even though the night was young. I squeezed Katherine's hand, and she smiled up at me. ââ¬Å"Stefan!â⬠I whirled around and saw Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright. I dropped Katherine's hand immediately. Mrs. Cartwright's eyes were red, and she was positively gaunt compared to the last time I saw her. Meanwhile, Mr. Cartwright seemed to have aged ten years. His hair was snow-white, and he was walking with the aid of a cane. Both wore purple sprigs of vervainââ¬âa tuft stuck out of Mr. Cartwright's breast pocket, and the flowers were woven into Mrs. Cartwright's hatââ¬âbut other than that, they were clad entirely in black, for mourning. ââ¬Å"Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright,â⬠I said, my stomach clenching with guilt. In truth, I'd nearly forgotten that Rosalyn and I had been engaged. ââ¬Å"It's good to see you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Y could have seen us sooner if you'd come ou to call on us,â⬠Mr. Cartwright said. He could barely hide the contempt in his voice when his gaze landed on Katherine. ââ¬Å"But I understand you must have been in deep â⬠¦ grief as well.â⬠ââ¬Å"I will come now that I know you're taking visitors,â⬠I said lamely, tugging at my collar, which suddenly felt quite tight around my neck. ââ¬Å"No need,â⬠Mrs. Cartwright said icily as she reached into her sleeve to pull out a handkerchief. Katherine clasped Mrs. Cartwright's hand. Mrs. Cartwright looked down, an expression of shock on her face. A wave of apprehension ran through me, and I fought the urge to step between them and shield Katherine from their anger. But then Katherine smiled, and amazingly, both Cartwrights smiled back. ââ¬Å"Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright, I am so sorry for your loss,â⬠she said warmly, holding their gazes. ââ¬Å"I lost my parents during the Atlanta siege, and I know how hard it is. I didn't know Rosalyn well, but I do know she will never be forgotten.â⬠Mrs. Cartwright blew her nose noisily, her eyes watering. ââ¬Å"Thank you, dear,â⬠she said reverentially. Mr. Cartwright patted his wife on the back. ââ¬Å"Y thank you.â⬠He turned to me, compassion es, replacing the scorn that had occupied his eyes just moments earlier. ââ¬Å"And please take care of Stefan. I know he's suffering.â⬠Katherine smiled as the couple rejoined the crowd. I gaped in amazement. ââ¬Å"Did you compel them? â⬠I asked, the word tasting bitter in my mouth. ââ¬Å"No!â⬠Katherine placed her hand over her heart. ââ¬Å"That was good, old-fashioned kindness. Now, let's dance,â⬠she said, tugging me toward the large ballroom. Luckily, the dance floor was a crush of bodies and the lighting was low, so it was almost impossible to make out specific people. Flower garlands hung from the ceiling, and the marble floor was waxed to a sheen. The air was hot and cloying, with the scent of hundreds of competing perfumes. I put my hand on Katherine's shoulders and tried to relax into the waltz. But I still felt jumpy. The conversation with the Cartwrights had stirred my conscience, making me feel vaguely disloyal to Rosalyn's memory, and to Damon. Had I betrayed him somehow by not telling him that Katherine and I were at the ball together? Was it wrong that I'd been grateful for his prolonged absences? The band stopped, and as women adjusted their dresses and grasped their partners' hands again, I headed toward the refreshment table in the corner. ââ¬Å"Are you all right, Stefan?â⬠Katherine asked, gliding up beside me, worry lines creasing her lovely forehead. I nodded, but I didn't break my stride. ââ¬Å"Just thirsty,â⬠I lied. ââ¬Å"Me too.â⬠Katherine stood expectantly as I ladled the dark-red punch into a crystal tumbler. I passed the glass to her and watched as she drank deeply, wondering if that was what she looked like when she drank blood. When she placed the glass on the table, she had the slightest trace of red liquid around her mouth. I couldn't help it. With my index finger I wiped the drop off the side of her bow-shaped mouth. Then I put my finger in my own mouth. It tasted sweet and tangy. ââ¬Å"Are you sure you're all right?â⬠Katherine asked. ââ¬Å"I'm worried about Damon,â⬠I confessed as I poured myself a glass of punch. ââ¬Å"But why?â⬠Katherine asked, genuine confusion registering on her face. ââ¬Å"Because of you,â⬠I said simply. Katherine took the tumbler from me and led me away from the refreshment table. ââ¬Å"He's like a brother to me,â⬠she said, touching my brow with her icy fingers. ââ¬Å"I'm like his little sister. Y know ou this.â⬠ââ¬Å"But all those times when I was sick? When you and he were together? It seemed like â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"It seemed like I needed a friend,â⬠Katherine said firmly. ââ¬Å"Damon's a flirt. He doesn't want to be tied down, nor would I want to be tied to him. Y ou are my love, and Damon is my brother.â⬠All around us, couples swirled in the semi- darkness, dipping in time to the music and laughing gaily at private jokes, seemingly without a care in the world. They, too, had to worry about attacks and the war and heartbreak, but they still laughed and danced. Why couldn't I as well? Why did I always have to doubt myself? I glanced at Katherine. A dark curl had come loose from her updo. I tucked it behind her ear, relishing the silky feel of the strands between my fingers. Longing coursed through me, and as I stared into her deep brown eyes, all feelings of guilt and unease vanished. ââ¬Å"Shall we dance?â⬠asked Katherine, taking my hand and pressing it to her cheek. Through the crowded dance floor, I spotted Father, Mr. Cartwright, and the rest of the Founders whispering furiously in a far corner. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠I whispered huskily. ââ¬Å"Let's go home.â⬠I grabbed Katherine's shoulder, and we whirled around the dance floor until we reached the kitchen, where servants were busily preparing refreshments. Hand in hand, we tore through the kitchenââ¬âmuch to the confusion of the servants ââ¬âand exited at the back of the house. We sprinted into the night, oblivious to the cold air, the shrieks of laughter from the mansion, and the fact that we'd just run out on the social event of the season. The coach was tied near the Lockwoods' stable. Alfred was no doubt playing craps with the other servants. ââ¬Å"After you, my lady,â⬠I said, lifting Katherine by the waist and placing her in the passenger seat. I hoisted myself up to the driver's seat and cracked the whip, which immediately caused the horses to start clip-clopping in the direction of home. I grinned at Katherine. We had an entire evening of freedom in front of us, and it was intoxicating. No having to sneak into the carriage house. No skirting the servants. Just hours of uninterrupted bliss. ââ¬Å"I love you!â⬠I yelled, but the wind stole the words as soon as they left my mouth. I imagined them traveling with the breeze, floating through the entire world until every person in every town knew of my love. Katherine stood up in the coach, her curls whipping wildly around her face. ââ¬Å"I love you, too!â⬠she shouted, and then collapsed into giggles on the seat. By the time we got back to the carriage house, we were both sweaty and red-cheeked. The second we reached Katherine's chambers, I pulled the dress off her slim frame and, seized by my passion, gently ran my teeth against her neck. ââ¬Å"What are you doing?â⬠She stepped back and stared at me sharply. ââ¬Å"I'm just â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ What was I doing? Playacting? Trying to seem as if Katherine and I were the same? ââ¬Å"I guess I wanted to know how you feel when you â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Katherine bit her lip. ââ¬Å"Maybe someday you'll find out, my innocent, sweet Stefan.â⬠She lay back on the bed, arranging her hair on the snow-white goose-down pillow. ââ¬Å"But right now, all I want is you. ââ¬Å" I lay down next to her, tracing the curve of her chin with my index finger as I put my lips to hers. The kiss was so soft and tender that I felt her essence and mine combine, creating a force that was larger than ourselves. We explored each other's bodies as if for the first time. In the dim light of her chambers, I was never sure where reality ended and my dreams began. There was no shame, no expectation, just passion and desire, and a sense of danger that was mysterious and beautiful and consuming. That night, I would have allowed Katherine to consume me entirely and claim me for her own. I would have gladly offered up my neck if it meant that we could have stayed locked in that embrace for all of eternity.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Bskyb Marketing Plan
BSKYB | MARKETING PLAN | | MATHEW KURIAN STUDENT ID ââ¬â 4745251| EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The rationale of this report is to write a Marketing Plan for an existing company in the UK (BSkyB Sky), selected from any industry (telecommunication industry). This plan is aimed at identifying ways in which the firm designs its strategy for the next 5 years. BSkyB (Sky) should target acquiring 30% of the yearly revenue by 2018, after five years of systematic implementation of the extended marketing plan.The target markets of BSkyB are both individual citizens and small business enterprises, where the later will be at the centre in the targeting. BSkyB (Sky) is to segment the targeted markets geographically where the concentration will be small cities in UK. BSkyB (Sky) will concentrate its product/service strategy on SMS texting, apart from other common mobile communication services. BSkyB (Sky) plans competitive pricing to appeal the customers in UK mobile telecommunication sector.When it come s to distribution strategy, BSkyB (Sky) will place its services to the organized retail shops in the UK mobile telecommunication sector. For some markets, the distribute shops will be opened BSkyB (Sky) in malls of the geographically segmented cities. In order to reach the targeted customers in UK mobile telecommunication market BSkyB (Sky) will centrally focus on advertising so far as promotion is concerned. INTRODUCTION BSkyB (Sky) is a comparatively youthful firm in UK telecommunication industry, however has a considerable and rising track in the UK.BSkyB (Sky) offers an array of entertainment and communications services to just about 40% of homes, where its aired television channels are watched by more than half the populace every week in the country, and moreover BSkyB (Sky) employs thousands of group all through the different regions of UK the country. BSkyB (Sky) claims to have changed consumersââ¬â¢ experience of television and home communications in UK, whilst making mom entous returns for its shareholders and further confidently contribute to the economy of the country overall. More clearly, overall, BSkyB (Sky) was projected to s put in a ? 5. billion giving to UK GDP in the year of 2011. So far as UK telecommunication industry is concerned, BSkyB (Sky) is fast emerging as a major player in the industry as regards the market segments of broadband and telephony markets, though its performance in these market segments are yet to be acknowledged as leading (CorporateSky, 2013). The major facts about BSkyB (Sky) are presented in the Table. Table: Key Facts: BSkyB (Sky) Source: BSkyB (2013) Adjusted operating profit for BSkyB (Sky) is a foremost measure of the underlying business performance. It has increased by 14% in 2012(? m) Source: CorporateSky (2013)Even though BSkyB (Sky) is making substantial profits restricting its operation the solo targeted segment of UK telecommunication market, yet it has ample opportunity to grow and increase profits shif ting gears, where there ia an opportunity awaiting in mobile telecommunications services market segment. It is in this context that a marketing planning is developed for BSkyB (Sky) in this report. IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF MARKET The marketing process of a firm all concerns to planning and implementation of the research objectives defined in terms of the identified market segment to be targeted.This is what marketing management is described as an order of selecting target markets and further based on marketing planning acquire, carry on, and nurture customers all the way through generating , bringing and communicating advanced customer value. In this framework, marketing practitioners in firms are expected to be possessing proficient skill as per the requirements in the market, and they need to look for controlling the echelon, time, and concerto of demand (Mullins, Boyd and Larreche, 2006). The marketing attempt is connected to not only servicing he customers but as well be nefiting the firms. So far as identification and assessment of the market is concerned, the procedure all concerns to analysing marketing opportunities, deciding target markets, planning marketing strategies, extending marketing agendas and finally monitoring and controlling the marketing endeavor that largely connect to marketing planning . However, a foremost component of the marketing planning process is discerning, innovative marketing strategies and plans that may well direct marketing attempts (Kotler and Keller, 2009:80).In this direction, the first and foremost task is to identify the opportunities in the market and find out the prospective segments where a firm can take opportunities to enhance its business and profitability. This report all concerns to identifying and assessing potential segments for BSkyB (Sky) UK telecommunication market. This business organizing operating in UK telecommunication industry is yet to make a mark and achieve a leading position.On the basis of identified market opportunities, it might be suggested to BSkyB (Sky) to concentrate on mobile telecommunications services, which appears a promising market segment, where BSkyB (Sky) huge opportunities to expand its business and so the profitability in order to emerge as a leading player in UK telecommunication industry. It is worth to mention here that UK mobile telecommunications market corresponds to one of the most striking tele-communications markets globally , with the mobile telecommunications services market segment creating just about ? 1 billion of revenue yearly, where yearly growth in this market segment is projected to total ? 900 million yearly. Therefore, BSkyB (Sky) should target acquiring 30% of the yearly revenue by 2018, after five years of systematic implementation of the extended marketing plan. MARKETING PLAN The marketing plan is the most fundamental tool for expressing and integrating the marketing attempts whilst targeting to a specific market. The marke ting plan functions on two echelons namely strategic and tactical. Firstly when it comes to strategic marketing planning it all concerns to establishing target markets and the value offer for the customers.On the other hand, the tactical marketing planning spells out the product, price, place and promotion as strategies (Kotler and Keller, 2009:80). In the Figure a methodical process of marketing plan model is developed that involves planning, implementation, and controlling. Figure: Marketing Planning Model Source: Kotler and Keller (2006) In order to develop marketing planning for BSkyB (Sky), the both the strategic and tactical approach is adopted where the focus of the marketing efforts is concentrating on marketing mix components in the forms of product, price place, and promotion, apart from segmentation and targeting.Moreover, the marketing planning process for BSkyB (Sky) is developed based on the model extended by Kotler and Keller (2009) as mentioned above. This marketing planning is developed for BSkyB (Sky) to target the mobile telecommunication market segment in UK telecommunication market, so that BSkyB (Sky) could expand its business in the market and emerge as a leading player in the segment with enhancing its profitability for ensuring long term survival and sustainability. The planning involves marketing objectives, segmentation and targeting.The implementation involves marketing mix strategy and finally controlling involves measuring and reviewing the mid term achievements. This marketing plan is developed keeping in mind the duration of five years. Marketing Objectives, Targeting and Segmentation The process and strategy of segmentation all concerns to positioning strategy of a firm in the market, where the firm has already recognized and assessed the targeted customers , and further it is indispensable to determine as what position the firm wishes to engage in the selected market segments (Armstrong and Kotler, 2005).For getting done a thr iving positioning, whilst the target customers discover that the product fulfills their wishes and needs, there are strategies the firm needs to peruse in the forms of defining objectives, deciding target markets and for segmentation(Mullins, Boyd and Larreche, 2006; Kotler and Keller, 2009). UK mobile telecommunications market corresponds to one of the most striking telecommunications markets globally, with the mobile telecommunications services market segment creating just about ? 21 billion of revenue early, where yearly growth in this market segment is projected to total ? 900 million yearly. Therefore, BSkyB (Sky) should target acquiring 30% of the yearly revenue from mobile telecommunications services market segment by 2018, after five years of systematic implementation of the extended marketing plan. The target markets of BSkyB are both individual citizens and small business enterprises, where the later will be at the centre in the targeting. BSkyB (Sky) is to segment the tar geted markets geographically where the concentration will be small cities in UK. Marketing Mix StrategyThe strategy of marketing mix involves deciding strategy about the four components of marketing mix namely product, price, place and promotion. In fact marketing mix strategy is trademark of marketing actions. Marketing mix is in fact a conscious attempt as regards division of a firm to decide on their offered products/services that eventually determine the success/failure of the firm in the market. Hence, the marketing mix strategy should be in line with the point in time, competition and the hope of the customers (Armstrong and Kotler, 2005). Accordingly the marketing mix strategy is developed for BSkyB (Sky).Product/Service BSkyB (Sky) will concentrate its product/service strategy on SMS texting, apart from other common mobile communication services. Price BSkyB (Sky) plans competitive pricing to appeal the customers in UK mobile telecommunication sector. This implies that BSkyB (Sky) will decrease or increase the price of services keeping in mind the movements of competitors, though high pricing strategy will be avoided in order to penetrate the market. Place When it comes to distribution strategy, BSkyB (Sky) will place its services to the organized retail shops in the UK mobile telecommunication sector.For some markets, the distribute shops will be opened BSkyB (Sky) in malls of the geographically segmented cities. Promotion In order to reach the targeted customers in UK mobile telecommunication market BSkyB (Sky) will centrally focus on advertising so far as promotion is concerned. The budgeting of promotion is to be as following: Print Advertising| Electronic Advertising| Internet Advertising | Others| 25%%| 35%| 30%| 10%| Controlling Strategy Yearly or half yearly controlling of marketing plan is suggestive in order to make sure that the firm is not wastefully expending and achieving the marketing objectives as per planning.So far as performance achi evement is concerned financially the foremost ratio to watch is marketing expense-to-sales ratio. Moreover, the period-to-period fluctuations in every ratio may well be tracked on a control diagram. The conduct of consecutive remarks even within the higher and lower control limits ought to be looked at (Mullins, Boyd and Larreche, 2006). UK mobile telecommunications market corresponds to one of the most striking telecommunications markets globally , with the mobile telecommunications services market segment creating just about ? 1 billion of revenue yearly , where yearly growth in this market segment is projected to total ? 900 million yearly. Therefore, BSkyB (Sky) should target acquiring 30% of the yearly revenue by 2018, after five years of systematic implementation of the extended marketing plan. The achievement in this regard will be evaluated on yearly basis. Furthermore, period-to-period fluctuations in every ratio will be tracked on a control diagram by the marketing practit ioners in BSkyB (Sky). Following is the planning of controlling on yearly basis. 1st year| 2nd year| 3rd year | 4th year | 5th year | %| 5%| 10%| 5%| 5%| In order achieve the marketing objectives, performance evaluation will be conducted on half yearly basis, and in the case of success/failure of achieving targets, further planning will reviewed accordingly. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Even though BSkyB (Sky) is making substantial profits restricting its operation the solo targeted segment of UK telecommunication market, yet it has ample opportunity to grow and increase profits shifting gears, where there ia an opportunity awaiting in mobile telecommunications services market segment.BSkyB (Sky) should target acquiring 30% of the yearly revenue by 2018, after five years of systematic implementation of the extended marketing plan. In order to develop marketing planning for BSkyB (Sky), the both the strategic and tactical approach is adopted where the focus of the marketing effort s is concentrating on marketing mix components in the forms of product, price place, and promotion, apart from segmentation and targeting. BSkyB (Sky) should target acquiring 30% of the yearly revenue from mobile telecommunications services market segment by 2018, after five years of systematic implementation of the extended marketing plan.The target markets of BSkyB are both individual citizens and small business enterprises, where the later will be at the centre in the targeting. BSkyB (Sky) is to segment the targeted markets geographically where the concentration will be small cities in UK. BSkyB (Sky) will concentrate its product/service strategy on SMS texting, apart from other common mobile communication services. BSkyB (Sky) plans competitive pricing to appeal the customers in UK mobile telecommunication sector.When it comes to distribution strategy, BSkyB (Sky) will place its services to the organized retail shops in the UK mobile telecommunication sector. For some markets, the distribute shops will be opened BSkyB (Sky) in malls of the geographically segmented cities. In order to reach the targeted customers in UK mobile telecommunication market BSkyB (Sky) will centrally focus on advertising so far as promotion is concerned. Period-to-period fluctuations in every ratio will be tracked on a control diagram by the marketing practitioners in BSkyB (Sky).In order achieve the marketing objectives, performance evaluation will be conducted on half yearly basis. REFERENCES Armstrong, G. and Kotler, P. (2005), Marketing: An Introduction, 7th Edition, Prentice Hall Inc. , Upper Saddle River, N. J. Company Report (2012), BSkyB (Sky) Industry Report (2012), UK Mobile Telecommunication Industry: Euromonitor International. Kotler, P. and Keller, K. L. (2006), Marketing Management, 12th Edition, Prentice Hall Inc. , Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Mullins, J. W. Walker, O. C. , Boyd, H. W. and Larreche, J. C. (2006), Marketing Management, 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York. BSkyB (2013), ââ¬Å"Key facts & figuresâ⬠. [Online] accessed from http://corporate. sky. com/about_sky/key_facts_and_figures [22 March, 2013] CorporateSky (2013), ââ¬Å"British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc : Unaudited results for the six months ended 31 December 2012â⬠. [Online] accessed from http://corporate. sky. com/documents/pdf/latest_results/q2_press_release_201213. pdf [23rd March, 2013]
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