Brand value and its effect on public perception and to a business Thesis

Brand value and its effect on public perception and to a business - Thesis Example The names of the products become brands when they are globally recognized by the people. When these names become brands, they also obtain the responsibility of commitment towards their customers and also the channel partners or intermediaries. A product is not a brand but a brand is something more than a product. Brand value helps in delivering or communicating specific message to the customers (Parameswaran 3). The message that the brand conveys to its target customers, helps to decide the type of strategies that the firm would form to retain its brand value. Marketing strategies are developed for protecting and further enhancing the brand value of the products. Brand value also helps in measuring the value that is generated from the marketing investments. If brand value is monitored regularly then it also enables the marketing agency and the client to react to the market fluctuations promptly and also assign particular resources for taking measures in those areas (Ahmad 81). The st udy aims at focusing on the oil and gas industry of UAE to discuss the different dimensions of brand value, its effects on the perception of the people and the business. It was oil that transformed UAE from an underdeveloped desert region to a prosperous and rich country. On one side this is positive aspect of UAE because oil and gas resource has changed the standard of living of the people. This suggests that the value of the oil and gas industry as a brand has increased with time. On the other hand, the recent oil spill incidence of British Petroleum in the Gulf of Mexico had adversely affected the brand image of the oil and gas industry globally. The developing countries around the world had held the company British Petroleum responsible for poor safety and maintenance framework. After this incident British Petroleum lost about $32 billion in a span of two weeks. Though British Petroleum assured that it would bear all the oil spill cleaning cost and compensate the people who were affected from this oil spill, but the loss was massive and it was really difficult for the company to recover its lost brand image and value even if it compensate the people for their losses. Many companies in this sector are facing branding issues due to various factors, such as entry of new labels or brands, fragmentation of the target customers, cut throat competition, economic condition and expectation from the financial market or customers’ preferences towards the visible brand names. It has been seen that many strong brands in this sector are losing their value and their financial performance is also getting affected. The major plays in the oil and gas industry around the world, such as Shell, British Petroleum, ExxonMobil, etc are using narrow approach as a method for branding as it is becoming difficult to companies to maintain their position and their well established brand value. This also reflects that in this industry,

Cyber War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cyber War - Essay Example This is proofing to be a threat in 21st century. However, there is one serious risk of cyber war. This threat is an attack of the computer systems by the malware (Gartzke, 2012). This is because it can cripple a country infrastructure with a coordinated move. This means the primary sectors of the economy will fail to perform, and this can lead to unprecedented loss. For example, if the cyber criminals attack power plants, the whole nation could be plunged into darkness (Gartzke, 2012). This mean most of the countries can remain in a position that was there two hundred years ago. This can paralyze a country before the problem is rectified. Huge amount of resources will need to be mobilized to resolve the threat. According to my thinking, the first country to establish a large-scale cyber offensive will be South Korea. This is because the country is heavily dependent on the internet. In fact, virtually all sectors of the economy depend on the latest technological advancements. North Korea, on the other hand, has little to lose, as it is less dependent on the technology (Gartzke,

Developing Professional Practice And Needed Skills

Developing Professional Practice And Needed Skills In all areas of expertise, technical skills of the profession are important in order to be able to tackle any arising matters in your field. As a student in psychology there is need to learn how to acquire the skills which are crucial for your profession. During placement, a lot is expected of you as you act like any other professional in that field. It is therefore of prime importance to develop the skills necessary for that professional practice. Reflection in practice is one of the skills necessary as a student of psychology. Reflective practice is a model applied in adult learning and educational teaching where there is application of various concepts of reflection to analyze real issues. According to Reid (1993, p.305), reflection involves critical understanding any experience that a professional goes through with an intention of giving a vivid description, an in depth analysis and latter conduct an evaluation. This will provide an avenue to be able to gauge what the learner has acquired as a result of the practice. The aim of reflective practice is to create a problem out of a learning situation. The act of solving the problem will provide the professionals with a good opportunity to research therefore acquire relevant knowledge and growth in their profession. Reflective practice imparts skills to learners not only to become a repetitive doer but also gain cognition of tackling different situations during practice. Donald Schon, a philosopher is credited to have described the process of reflective practice in his book in 1983. This essay gives a description of my plan to develop professional practice during my first placement experience. Importance of reflection Reflection practice that is applied in psychology works within the concepts of reflection. It accounts for a conceptional structure around which psychology as a discipline that involves patient management works. Reflection is important in identifying the positivity or negativity that is associated with any practice in any discipline. It helps a student to learn from experience in his or her field of expertise. Once they are exposed to a certain experience during their period of practice, reflective practice provides a chance for the student to think back and relate the experience to the theoretical knowledge learnt in c lass. Various models are used which provide the framework for reflective practice. Among the most common are; Gibbs Model of Reflection which was formulated in 1988, Atkin and Murphys Model of Reflection of 1994, Kolbs Learning cycle and finally the Johns Model of Reflection of 1994. Which the model you decide to apply or to follow its principles the end result should be acquisition of reflective practice skills. Reflective practice is an important tool in solving day to day problems. Its application in difficult situation and in ideas that are undeveloped to provide a concrete solution provides an opportunity for further analysis and dispensation of knowledge and skills. It further synthesizes emotions and provides time for sober thinking and development of solutions to difficult situations. However, to be able to develop these skills it is of importance to have a good atmosphere that is conducive to reflection. It is important to have an understanding supervisor who is able to take you t hrough the process. Flexibilities in time are crucial and an environment that provides support in case any is needed. Finally, your learning institution should have a well structured curriculum which is able to encompass the above factors. Key learning goals during student placement experience Mostly, as an undergraduate student there is more to learn since there is many changes that one undergoes during that transition. Most of us are not much conversant with wide reading and research activities. They do not embrace the team spirit that is essential in their acquisition of knowledge. Additionally, various approaches used like problem based learning is a nightmare to most of them. However, most centers of learning have well experienced lecturers and professors who supervise the students. In psychological studies they promote development of research and the application of knowledge leant in psychology in real life situations (Boyd Fales, 1983, p.102) . Hence, being provided with placement experience will help me acquire a lot in the practice of psychology. First and foremost, I intend to acquire a lot in patient care and the quality expected. To become effective you need to be able to provide care of high quality to improve their satisfaction. Various approaches to care like counseling will be acquired and practically performed. As a result, I will be able to apply theoretical knowledge learnt in class to real life cases in the health center. Having done so, I will have accomplished my goal of ensuring that the gap which usually exists between theoretical knowledge and practical skills is minimized if not closed. My third goal would be to enhance my personal as well as professional growth. Having been in practice, I will develop a liking for one specialization in psychology which I can further pursue later on in life. I am of the opinion that the time allocated will be more than enough to meet my strategic goals in the placement experience. Reflective techniques used during the placement Reflection is a brainstorming process that involves processing ideas in the mind to come up with a solution to a situation at hand. With the right atmosphere for reflection and tasks that encourage reflection, clear solutions emanate from the thinking process. Reflection is encouraged by facing challenges during practice and often asking question with no clear answer. As a result the brain is triggered to think and this provides an opportunity for old ideas to be incorporated with new situations in practice to have a solution. I intend to apply Kolbs learning cycle during my placement period. This can be represented in a pictorial form as follows; Source: Kolb, D. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice Hall: New Jersey, p.21 First and foremost, what I have learnt in class will be put into practice in the active experimentation stage. After putting ideas to practice, I will have gained practical skills necessary in psychology. I will then evaluate the skills leant in a reflective manner. Finally, I will form ideas as a result of the experience gained. Experience to assess my practice It is important to have a form assessment during practice in order to gain full understanding of the skills that have been acquired. One of the assessment methods during my practice will be making entries in a journal (Ibarreta McLeod, 2004, p.136). The records that I will make in the journal will be the significant events that I experience during my time there. My entries will match to the concepts as defined be Kolbs in developing his model of reflective practice. This will provide a framework for which my arguments will come from during reflective thinking. After each day in practice, I will highlight the significant issues that I learnt or the skills that I was able to acquire. Detailing this information will guide me in enhancing my skills in critical thinking. In addition, it will impose an attitude of self directed learning as issues not well understood will be researched at a latter stage. The entries made will also be based by the relevant models hence acknowledging the wor ks of different scholars in the field of psychology. Entries made in the journal will also provide me with an opportunity to record in context any of the important aspects acquired as a result of the placement. The goals for the placement as outlined above will be comprehensively covered in the entries made in the journal. Patton et al. (1997, p.238), further notes that making entries in a journal provide a connection between what is learned theoretically in classroom and practical experiences that are gained during practice. Having gained this, it will be quite easy for evaluation of the notes and provide an avenue for reflection. Apart from journal entries, I intend to carry out an action research on one aspects of psychology that will seem to be having challenges. The aim of this research will be to modify the identified practice in order to enhance practice in my institution of placement. It will be important both to increase my professional skills and also leave an impact at the institution. Importance of supervision in the reflection process The students need supervision during their placement in order to acquire all the necessary skills and in a smoother manner. A good atmosphere is necessary during supervision to minimize serious distractions due to the clients. John (2007, p.3), notes that effective supervision is necessary as it offers practical support, enhances the morale of learning process and also offers challenges to the students to be able to learn. Supervision is important in practice of psychology as it gives inputs in the following three areas; to begin with it provides technical support in practice to the students. As a result the student is encouraged to seek more knowledge on an issue and the end result is attainment of practical and reflective skills. Secondly, the student is able to apply the learnt theory into professional practice. This is also part of the educational or teaching process. Finally, supervision gives a chance to the student to be able to evaluate their practical skills to those required to attain professional standards. In addition, a student is in a position to assess whether their goals of the placement have been achieved. Formal supervision sessions should take place daily and the student should be well prepared with any question, observation or addition that he/she intends to share with the supervisor. At times, the supervisor probes the students understanding through question asking or through interrogative discussion. After the session with the supervisor the student should be able to have a critical review of issues discussed with a view of updating him/herself and so as to remember the issues discussed. After reviewing, short notes are encouraged on the discussion held. The student should then proceed to the next issue of learning as per their formulated action plans. Supervision of students also serves to enhance a learning relationship between the students and the supervisors. It provides a chance for career counseling and mentorship and thus a student gets fulfillment and enjoys whatever they are doing. Supervision sessions also serves to check how the students are carrying on academically and disciplinary. It is through these sessions that abscond of learning process is noted and thus administrative actions can as well be taken against any such student. Challenges during placement and intended solutions During the teaching practice, one of the main challenges one may face is uncooperative supervisor. Some supervisors may be authoritative and give threatening warning of dire consequences to students during practice (Knowles, 1975, p.20). By so doing, an atmosphere of fear and mistrust is cultivated and this is retrogressive to acquisition of knowledge. A supervisor should be willing to negotiate and work towards creating good learning relationship with the students. When faced with such a supervisor care should be taken and avoid crossing their paths or being in the wrong places. Also, I would use professional approach whenever handling such supervisors. The second challenge is finding a non conducive atmosphere at the place of placement. This gives the student a hard time and learning is hindered. As a solution collaborative efforts with my supervisor to talk with the management would at least solve that problem. Lastly, is difficulty in putting theory into practice due to lack of e xperience. This would be easily solved through consulting my supervisor and the specialists that are in charge of me. Conclusion In conclusion, it is important for students to be given a chance during their coursework to have practical skills in their areas of expertise. This do not only give learners a golden opportunity to acquire professional experience essential for the practice, but also expose them to profession challenges that they may form part of solution finding. Moreover, by doing so professionals are produced who are capable of putting theory into practice and developing new ideas through their reflective practice.

Culture in the Poem Blessing :: Imtiaz Dharker

The title of the poem is ''Blessing'' and the poet is called Imtiaz Dharker. In my essay I will be looking at how the poet describes a culture different from our own and explaining how the poet brings this culture to life through his use of poetic techniques. The poem is set in a third world country which is in desperate need for water. A municipal pipe bursts and suddenly there is a flurry of people rushing to get that much desired water. The title of the poem is very significant. The title penetratingly outlines how precious they view the water to be. He does this by titling the poem ''Blessing''. Water is something which most people take for granted, so by making this the title he emphasizes the value they place upon the water. The poet highlights how much value they place upon the water in the fourth stanza when the pipe bursts by using word choice. ''As their blessings sing'' is the quote from the poem and the effect of this is that it gives you a sense of harmony. The words sum up a peaceful ending for the last two stanzas where the mood of the poem changes from desperation to the contrast of greatfulness. The poet has chosen the phrase ''blessings sing'' as when put together it has conitations of bountful amounts of happiness which accuratly shows their joy and relief they would of felt in that moment of time. I think the poet has used this quote to symbolise the end of a struggle which turned into a celebratio n and the word ''sing'' to create the passion for the villagers in that moment. The poet uses examples of imagery in this poem. The poet uses a simile in the first line of the first stanza to start off the poem. The simile she uses is ''the skin cracks like a pod''. The opening of the poem gives a clear message that something is severely wrong. A pod cracks with barely any resistance so the comparison to the skin is a unreserved statement outlining how easily the skin is. There is obviously a drought or a vast undersupply of water. The opening surprises the reader and gives an indication of what is to come. The poet uses a short and abrupt line which is effective The poet uses a effective metaphor in the second stanza of the poem, ''a roar of tongus''. Culture in the Poem Blessing :: Imtiaz Dharker The title of the poem is ''Blessing'' and the poet is called Imtiaz Dharker. In my essay I will be looking at how the poet describes a culture different from our own and explaining how the poet brings this culture to life through his use of poetic techniques. The poem is set in a third world country which is in desperate need for water. A municipal pipe bursts and suddenly there is a flurry of people rushing to get that much desired water. The title of the poem is very significant. The title penetratingly outlines how precious they view the water to be. He does this by titling the poem ''Blessing''. Water is something which most people take for granted, so by making this the title he emphasizes the value they place upon the water. The poet highlights how much value they place upon the water in the fourth stanza when the pipe bursts by using word choice. ''As their blessings sing'' is the quote from the poem and the effect of this is that it gives you a sense of harmony. The words sum up a peaceful ending for the last two stanzas where the mood of the poem changes from desperation to the contrast of greatfulness. The poet has chosen the phrase ''blessings sing'' as when put together it has conitations of bountful amounts of happiness which accuratly shows their joy and relief they would of felt in that moment of time. I think the poet has used this quote to symbolise the end of a struggle which turned into a celebratio n and the word ''sing'' to create the passion for the villagers in that moment. The poet uses examples of imagery in this poem. The poet uses a simile in the first line of the first stanza to start off the poem. The simile she uses is ''the skin cracks like a pod''. The opening of the poem gives a clear message that something is severely wrong. A pod cracks with barely any resistance so the comparison to the skin is a unreserved statement outlining how easily the skin is. There is obviously a drought or a vast undersupply of water. The opening surprises the reader and gives an indication of what is to come. The poet uses a short and abrupt line which is effective The poet uses a effective metaphor in the second stanza of the poem, ''a roar of tongus''.

Relate the Short Story to Any of Your Personal Experiences? Essay

I’m writing this article because I get a fair share of e-mails from people asking about winning the lottery via subtle realm methods, i. e. , astral projection. I personally have used astral projection to see the daily lottery so I know it’s possible. As for if you are for or against it, that’s no concern of mine. I don’t judge why a person wants it for that’s none of my business. I believe our universe is abundant and poverty is a man-made state. What you do with your money is also your business. I save my judgments for myself only. This ability isn’t also just reserved for astral projectors. I personally know of three other women who have seen via dreams 5 of the 6 numbers who played them and won. I think women have a slightly easier time of it due to social programming but we are all of the same make-up ultimately so it’s doable by any sex. Over and over I tell people that all the human shell (body) is, is a filter. All knowledge is â€Å"out there† and we only pick up bits of it because of our filter. Lessen the density of the filter and you’ll receive more data. It’s as easy as that. Leave your body and you’ve taken a huge leap towards removing the filter but even the astral is a filter, though a much finer one than the physical. So you can help get through this filter either through astral projection (often these APs are disguised as dreams), hypnosis, remote viewing or really getting connected to the higher self. It’s similar to the three B’s of inspiration or insight (bed, bath, bus). The ego has to be set aside, the mind is quiet and receptive, and the data is then allowed to pass through. There are other things we can do to lessen our density; think very high thoughts (love resonates the highest), eat no meat, refrain from things like drinking too much, smoking and other things that clog up the chakras and ultimately the aura. When I fast for awhile, I feel as light as a feather and I pick up a much broader frequency range of psychic data. If you want to win the lottery, develop a plan. I’ll try and help if I can.

Charles by Shirley Jackson Analysis Essay

Laurie creates an alter ego named â€Å"Charles† and uses him to take all the flaws that Laurie has in kindergarten. 2. a) The underlying message, central idea, or moral discussed in a story. b) The story teaches us that something can be going on and we may not even notice it. The mother refuses to look at what is right under her nose, for trepidation of realizing something that she doesn’t want to see- her dear, naà ¯ve little boy causing serious trouble. She adored listening to the stories her son would tell her about â€Å"Charles†. In fact, she couldn’t wait for Laurie to get home from school so she could hear them. All the while Laurie was misbehaving at home. Instead, she would relatively think that it is another little boy named Charles. Another minor theme can be: if you lie then you will in time get caught red-handed. 3. â€Å"The teacher spanked a boy, though †¦ For being fresh† (pg 8) was Laurie’s replay to his mother asking him what happened in school. When I reread this I thought that this was where Laurie decided to put on his act. Another foreshadowing example was the unusual way Laurie kept on taking about â€Å"Charles†. Another observation I made was about Laurie’s behavior. His mother also notes changes in his behavior: he no longer waves goodbye to her, slams the door when he comes home and speaks insolently to his father. Since they adore their son, his parents believe all he has to say, and this belief stops them from seeing that what he says is not the full truth. 4. When the mother discovers at the end of the story that there is no child named Charles in the class and that it is Laurie who has had trouble bending into kindergarten and has done all the bad things he credited to Charles, the reader no less than the mother is surprised. The mother’s reaction would be quite embarrassed since she is the mother of ‘Charles’. Laurie creates a double of him to do â€Å"bad† so that he might stay good in the eyes of his parents. Loving but narrow-minded, the parents do not get involved. I think after realizing that Charles is indeed Laurie, this might affect the way his parents treat him from now on. Not only that, but I think their attitude towards their own unobservant behavior might change as well. 5. This story made me think of when I was younger and the kids who acted this way to get attention from their parents. This story shows the ways children invent shadow figures as a means of confronting problematic feelings while forming their identities. I know that a lot of young children are clever enough to do a lot of things, and some times they go unnoticed, like Laurie’s travesty. In Laurie’s example mentioning Charles so much, the family’s bound to make Charlie a part of daily conversation. Why was Laurie hinting to his parents instead of coming right out and telling them? Was it because he wants his parents to shape it out on their own little heads? I too indeed might’ve lied a couple of times as of way of being included and known. Although my parents were observant and I was quick to learn that it’s not good to lie. 6. Verbal irony – contrast between what is said and what is meant. In other words, sarcasm. Dramatic irony –between what the character thinks to be true and what we (the reader) know to be true. For example: In City Lights the audience knows that Charlie Chaplin’s character is not a millionaire, but the blind flower girl (Virginia Cherrill) is unaware and believes he’s rich. Situational irony – a certain fact is perhaps highlighted by an event that is in contrast to that fact. For example: An old man turned ninety-eight. He won the lottery and died the next day. 7. The point at which we the readers realize that Laurie is tricking his parents and from then on we also know— or suspect — more than the narrator about his misbehaving and amused the mothers lack of observance is an example of dramatic irony. Parents, by definition are thought to be mentally advanced than their children (when they are at such a young age such as Laurie) but are outsmarted by the imagination and creativity of a clever little nipper.