Monday, September 30, 2019

To What Extent Does Restructuring Transform Corporate Market and Financial Performance?

To what extent does restructuring transform corporate market and financial performance? Discuss using an extended example. Restructuring is simply the reorganisation of a company’s structure to combat external or internal forces that hinder the maximisation of shareholder value. The term restructuring is quite broad an is an umbrella term for any action taken by a firm to maximise shareholders wealth (Wright et al) or a company’s reaction when it’s under pressure (Usui and Colignon, 1996). These actions â€Å"bracket mergers and acquisitions with much else† (Froud et al. , 2002, P. 2).This essay should explain in great detail how restructuring can transform corporate market and financial performance. It will focus on financial, portfolio and organisational restructuring and more specifically the following restructuring actions: mergers and acquisition and outsourcing and off-shoring. In addition Marks and Spencer and British Airways would be used interchan geably as extended examples to further illustrate stated points. Restructuring actions usually occur to revive failing businesses. By delayering or merging with another business firms are likely to become more competitive and more profitable.It is also not uncommon for restructuring to be used as a preventative measure to stay ahead of the game and react to competition. If done correctly and when necessary, it should result in economies of scale, decreased operational costs and easier communication. Financial restructuring refers to changes in a company’s financial structure. It involves managing debts, stocks and shareholder payments. Portfolio restructuring on the other hand deals with products, acquisitions and diversification. Finally organisational restructuring is mainly concerned with the human resources in the company.Mergers and Acquisitions are the most common forms of restructuring. â€Å"In value terms, the merger of whole companies through (often hostile) takeov er continues to be the most important form of restructuring†. (Froud et al P 3). Companies prefer to restructure in this manner as it brings numerous instant benefits and can aid in transforming market and financial performance immediately. Firstly, merging with or acquiring a company gives an instant increase in market share. It is the easiest way to enter into a new market and have a larger customer base overnight.British Airways' recent merger with Iberia has been beneficial to shareholders, employees and customers. According to the airline their corporate market would be transformed as they would be flying to more destinations, own more aircrafts and have more passengers. Thus making it more competitive and strengthening the company's image and brand. In addition, their financial performance would be transformed as they stand to benefit from a significant decrease in costs and benefit from economies of scale the merger is bound to provide.These costs savings can be then pa ssed on to the customer and might enable British Airways to be competitive on price; a luxury it might have not been able to afford prior to the merger. The merger might also help British Airways break into the South American market; a market in which it had no prior expertise or significant market share in. In addition to an increased market share, Kotler’s 8 C framework details how a firm’s market power could be increased through mergers and acquisitions (Kotler et al 2005).Firms gain greater control of every aspect of their products, greater efficiency, greater control of customer experiences and increased buying power if they have links with their competitors, challengers, collaborators, commodities, components, customers or consumers. Despite aiding in transforming corporate market and financial performance to some extent, mergers and acquisitions aren't exempt from critique. This form of restructuring despite being the most common is also the most critiqued. Firs tly, there is the issue of Monopoly and fair competition. The Acquisition of a competitor could instantly make a firm the market leader.Consumers suffer as a result. There might be little product differentiation, increased prices and barriers to new entrants could be put to prevent other smaller companies from entering the market thus giving a single organisation too much power. The government sometimes has to step in to minimise the formation of monopolies. British Airways were hopeful for a merger with American Airlines which would have made them a dominant airline in major airports across the world. The deal was eventually stopped because of its anti competitive nature. In addition to monopolies, a popular critique on mergers and acquisitions is they just don't work. †¦ the Boston consultancy group estimate that 64% of recent US acquisitions actually destroy value for the acquirers shareholders† (Kotler et al 2004) â€Å"rather than increased profitability, mergers an d acquisitions have come to be associated with lowered morale, job dissatisfaction, unproductive behaviour†¦ † (Meeks 1977, Sinetar 1981, Attendorf 1986, Cartwright & Cooper 1993). Three major reasons for the failure of mergers and acquisitions are a clash of organisational culture, human relations dilemmas and abandoning core competencies. Different organisations have unique styles of going about their day to day operations.When a company merges with or acquires another the dominant culture usually prevails however employees from the organisation with the less dominant culture might still carry on doing things the way they've always done it thus causing this clash. Errors associated with clashing cultures could range from minute to disastrous and if this carries on for a prolonged period of time, the opposite of the perceived benefits of mergers and acquisitions is most likely to occur. Employees also tend to feel worried about their job security when any form of restruc turing takes place.Their insecurities are manifested through their actions that usually prove costly for the newly merged or acquired organisation and can eventually drive it to failure. High labour turnover, absenteeism and decreased productivity are some of the actions that could be manifested as a result of job insecurity. A disparity in core competencies is a final reason why mergers and acquisitions are becoming more prone to failure. Hamel and Prahalad (1994) argue that an organisation can never gain long term financial rewards if its core competencies are ignored.Thus merging with or acquiring a company with contrasting core competences isn't likely to be successful. The merger between Daimler Benz (makers of Mercedes Benz) and Chrysler is a perfect example of a failed merger. Due to a clash of organisational culture and contrasting core competencies, the merger eventually ended in failure. There were good intentions behind the merger but finding the balance between Daimler B enz's high end auto mobiles and Chrysler's middle of the road range proved more difficult than anticipated thus Chrysler was eventually sold off.Druckers (1985) critique of mergers and acquisition argued that managers often seek to restructure in this manner to spread risk but it doesn’t guarantee success and usually results in failure. His five rules for successful acquisition give useful steps that managers might want to take into consideration prior to restructuring their organisation in this fashion. Outsourcing is another restructuring initiative used by firms when they find it necessary. Outsourcing aids in transforming the corporate market and financial performance of a firm to a great extent.It enables firms to focus completely on their core competencies as other organisations are hired to carry out activities that aren't directly related to the company's operations. It saves costs, improves efficiency and aids in the implementation of rapid change. In addition, findi ng workers with the necessary qualifications and skill in a specific country required might be difficult, thus offshore outsourcing becomes a necessity (King, 2009). One of the most outsourced operations in the United Kingdom and the USA is Information Technology. †There are more IT positions in the USA than there are graduates† (Morrill, 2009).Mark's and Spencer's indulge in offshore outsourcing to aid with its IT operations. As a result they have been able to focus on areas of more importance to them which is the quality of their products and their customer service. Additionally, offshore outsourcing aids in creating jobs in developing third world countries where unemployment rates are high. Some of the accounting and research operations on Wall Street are outsourced offshore. The companies are usually based in India where the best candidates are selected for the job and would be paid a good wage according to the standard of living in India.However if the very same ope rations were to be performed in New York, the staff may not be as skilled as those in India and would demand triple the salary in accordance to the higher standard of living in New York. All in all, Outsourcing is intended to ensure that the most skilled and most efficient people do the job at a mutually beneficial financial cost. On the other hand, there are so many ethical and political concerns associated with outsourcing. Many believe that it’s damaging to the economy as creating employment offshore decreases employment in the company's home country. â€Å"†¦ utsourcing is a poor alternative to a firm's internal management of Information Technology and services because it is tantamount to selling your ‘birthright'†¦ † (Clark et al, 1995). Also, ethical issues such as exploiting local workers in offshore countries in a desperate bid to keep overheads to a bare minimum and maximise profits have been connected to outsourcing. Numerous companies have be en scrutinised and criticised for this. The likes of Nike and Primark have endured the embarrassment and scandal of engaging in child labour in an attempt to keep overheads unrealistically low.Pisano (2009) argues that outsourcing operations especially manufacturing can provide a leak in information which might enable competitors overseas to hone their skills and possible surpass the skills of the company outsourcing. Other criticisms of outsourcing include quality control, loss of managerial control and hidden costs or the service being outsourced proving to be more costly in the long run. British Airways outsources almost all its operations. Back office operations, finance and accounting and its in-flight retail business are all outsourced.This has resulted in poor employee relations, a breakdown in communication and poor customer service amongst a host of other things. Whilst Marks and Spencer's restructuring included outsourcing IT operations which resulted in some employees bei ng made redundant and other transferred to their outsourced off shore location. To conclude, restructuring transforms corporate market and financial performance to a significant extent. Every firm needs to change especially when it is at risk of failure or it’s not as profitable as it once was.Mark's and Spencer’s restructuring ensured the company was re-branded in the customer's mind and an emphasis was placed on quality. As a result sales soared and market share was gained. On the other hand their restructuring initiatives also led to the company making the strategic decision to close all shops in France; thus bringing about bad press, criticism from trade unions and the French government, law suits and parties calling for consumers to boycott Mark's and Spencer's stores. Restructuring is however necessary if a business is to remain competitive.If competitors are changing and a firm decides to remain stagnant, it is only a matter of time before it becomes irrelevant. The decision to restructure must be dependent on the overall business strategy. â€Å"Strategic management as a discipline is concerned with how firms formulate and implement strategies in order to accomplish desired performance goals. † (Schendel and Hofer 1979). A more aggressive proactive strategy might be better suited for companies pursuing mergers and acquisitions whilst an organisation with a cost saving and value adding strategy might prefer to outsource.Restructuring does transform corporate market and financial performance but should only ever be used in synch with the overall corporate strategy to reap maximum benefits. Bibliography * MN220 Strategic Management: Lecture 18- Restructuring. Sukhdev Johal. 2012 * Restructuring for Shareholder value and its implications for labour. Cambridge journal of economics. Julie Froud, Colin Haslam, Sukhdev Johal and Karel Williams * Bbc. co. uk/business – Why firms bother to restructure. 12 Feb 2003: http://news. bbc. c o. uk/1/hi/business/711722. stm * Caterpillar: Two stories and an argument.J. Froud, K. Williams, C. Haslam, S. Johal, J. Williams. Accounting organisations and societies vol 23, 1998 * Globalisation, shareholder value, restructuring: The (Non)Transformation of Siemens Alexander Borsch * The Psychological impact of mergers and acquisition on the individual: A study of building society managers. Sue Cartwright, Larry L. Cooper. 1993 * Principles of Marketing. Phillip Kotler, Veronica Wong, John Saunders, Gary Armstrong. Fourth European Edition * The Outsourcing of information services: Transforming the nature of business in the information industry.Thomas D. Clark Jr, Rober W. Zmud, Gordon E. McCray. 1995 * An evaluation of the impact of corporate strategy and the role of information technology on IS functional outsourcing. V Grover, M Cheon, J TC Teng * Theoretical perspectives on the outsourcing of information systems. Myun J. Cheon, Vraun Grover and James T C Teng. 1995 * The U. S is outsourcing away its competitive edge. Gary P Pisano. HBR Blog network. 2009 * Offshore outsourcing: Practical and ethical arguments for and against from a small business perspective. Danny King. 2009 *

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Final Project Report

GUIDE CERTIFICATE This is to certify that ASHISH RANA from M. B. A. 4rd semester bearing university roll number -611012045 has completed his Final project Report under my guidance. Project Guide (MR. NAVEEN SIR) Signatur ABSTRACT â€Å"A study on the customer perception of mobile phone service providers with special reference to BSNL† is a project aimed at studying the competitive position of BSNL, the strength and weakness of BSNL’s competitors, accessing the present level of service provided by BSNL and identifying the areas which require attention by BSNL for improving its services.The type of research undertaken for the study was descriptive research and the sampling design used is stratified proportionate random sampling. The sample size was 100. The target respondents were the customers of AIRTEL, AIRCEL, BSNL, and RELIANCE in a proportionate number. The data was collected using a standardized questionnaire, through the interview mode. From the analysis it was fou nd that AIRTEL and AIRCEL are the main competitors for BSNL.AIRTEL’s promotional campaign has played a significant role in attracting customers and its huge amount of value added services and add-on card features has also added to its success. AIRCEL’s call tariff and its early entry into the market and its SMS facilities has made customers choose its service. It is also found that the good network coverage, call tariff and roaming facilities are the strengths of BSNL whereas SMS charges, poor customer care, lack of value added services, lack of effective promotional campaigns and high network congestion are some of BSNL’s weakness.It is found from the analysis that the awareness of the schemes that BSNL introduce is not known to the public. The study has also revealed that there are small proportions of BSNL customers who are not satisfied with the services that BSNL offers. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I take this opportunity to express our acknowledgement a deep sense of gratitude for rendering valuable assistance and guidance to us by the following personalities for successful completion of our research project. I am highly indebted to Mr. Naveen Sir (Sr.Lecturer), department of management: Sri Sai University Palampur (H. P) for assigning us interesting task. I have fortunate enough to have him as a wonderful guide and for her personal encouragement, prompt assistance, constructive criticism, valuable interest, guidance and supervision in completing our project report successfully. . The experience was novel one and we would like to thank all the people who have lent their valuable time for the recording of the data and completion of the report. Without their consideration it would have been difficult to complete the study.Ashish Rana TABLE OF CONTENTS |Certificate i | |Acknowledgement iiii | |Table of contents iv | |Sr. No. |Name of Chapters |Page No. | | | | |1 |EXECUTIVE SUMMARY |05-06 | |2 |OBJECTIVES |07 | |3 |METHODOLOGY |08 | |4 |COMPANY PROFILE |09-18 | |5 |VISION AND MISION |19 | |6 |STRATICS |20-23 | |7 |SYNOPSIS |24-31 | |8 |COMPITITORS |32-37 | |9 |DATA ANAYSISES AND INTERPRETATION |38-48 | |10 |CONCLUSION & REFERENCE |49-53 | | | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Spending a period of three weeks with the project â€Å"A STUDY ON THE CUSTOMER PERCEPTION OF MOBILE PHONE SERVICE PROVIDERS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BSNL† was really a very interesting time for me . The way I received the views of the people in different areas of PALAMPUR (H. P. division made me to realize that practical experience is much different from theoretical knowledge. I was in direct selling and, I realized that it is very difficult to understand the behavior of customers. I am saying this because even though I was associated with a brand, sometimes it was difficult to convince the custom BSNL has a Quality management system which is demonstrated through its ability to consistently provide product and services that meets customer and applicable reg ulatory requirements. It aims to enhance customer satisfaction through its effective services B. S. N. L was born free, a force unleashed into the market with a relentless and unwavering determination to succeed.A spirit charged with energy and creativity and a team driven â€Å"to seize the day† with an ambition to become the most globally admired telecom service. B. SNL after just few years has risen to the pinnacle of achievement. As India's leading telecommunications company serving over 33 million customers the brand has played the role as a major catalyst in India's reforms, contributing to its economic resurgence. Today it touch people’s lives with its Mobile services to connect India's leading 1000+ corporate , empower them through Broadband services and connect Indians living in USA with the call home service. The strong product line from BSNL in Corporate Connections, customer friendly service and national distribution strength.Have helped in making BSNL the most preferred brand of mobile service provider in corporate world The telecom sector is witnessing a tough competition, with every major players (Reliance, Hutch in corporate) having a range of products, with the entry of Vodafone, it will become more tough. Despite of various difficulties and limitations faced during my research report project I tried myself to gain as much experience of marketing because Marketing is a very crucial activity in every business organization. Every product produced within an industry has to be marketed other wise it will remain as unsold stock, which will be of no value. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The objectives of this study/project as follows: ? To identify the features that encourages customers to avail services from mobile service providers. To evaluate various features provided by mobile service providers to identify their USP. ? To assess the present level of service provided by BSNL and compare the same with its competitors. ? To identify new are as which require attention by BSNL for attaining customer delight. ? To evaluate the strength and weakness of competitors of BSNL and to furnish recommendations for meeting the competition. LIMITATIONS ? The sample size of 100 respondents may not be representative of the entire population. ? The respondents consisted of various classes of people with varying levels of education, hence during the interview process the language and words that was used to ask the question was modifies suitably.This might have made the respondents interpret the question in a different fashion, Hence there is a possibility of bias. ? The linking or loyalty of the respondents to a particular service provider might have made them to respond in a biased manner. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY PRIMARY DATA: ? Data collected from sample of 250 people in Palampur involved in different professions by questionnaire method ? Data collected by visiting BSNL Retail. SECONDARY DATA: ? Data Collected from Internet. ? Informatio n received from various pamphlets, brochures and journals of BSNL. TYPE OF RESEARCH: Quantitative research Quantitative research is generally associated with the positivist/post positivist paradigm.It usually involves collecting and converting data into numerical form so that statistical calculations can be made and conclusions drawn. COMPANY PROFILE Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. formed in October, 2000, is World's 7th largest Telecommunications Company providing comprehensive range of telecom services in India: Wire line, CDMA mobile, GSM Mobile, Internet, Broadband, Carrier service, MPLS-VPN, VSAT, VoIP services, IN Services etc. Within a span of five years it has become one of the largest public sector units in India. BSNL has more than 2. 5 million WLL subscribers and 2. 5 million Internet Customers who access Internet through various modes viz. Dial-up, Leased Line, DIAS, Account Less Internet(CLI).BSNL has been adjudged as the NUMBER ONE ISP in the country. BSNL has set up a world class multi-gigabit, multi-protocol convergent IP infrastructure that provides convergent services like voice, data and video through the same Backbone and Broadband Access Network. The company has vast experience in Planning, Installation, network integration and Maintenance of Switching & Transmission Networks and also has a world class ISO 9000 certified Telecom Training Institute. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. [BSNL] will recruit Management Trainees (External) through competitive examinations to be held on All India basis, on different dates to fill up position of Deputy Manager in Telecom.Operations, Marketing, Finance, HRM & IT. HISTORY The foundation of Telecom Network in India was laid by the British sometime in 19th century. The history of BSNL is linked with the beginning of Telecom in India. In 19th century and for almost entire 20th century, the Telecom in India was operated as a Government of India wing. Earlier it was part of erstwhile Post & Telegraph Department (P&T). I n 1975 the Department of Telecom (DoT) was separated from P&T. DoT was responsible for running of Telecom services in entire country until 1985 when Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) was carved out of DoT to run the telecom services of Delhi and Mumbai.It is a well known fact that BSNL was carved out of Department of Telecom to provide level playing field to private telecoms. Subsequently in 1990s the telecom sector was opened up by the Government for Private Investment, therefore it became necessary to separate the Government's policy wing from Operations wing. The Government of India corporatized the operations wing of DoT on October 01, 2000 and named it as Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). BSNL operates as a public sector. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Corporate structure of BSNL Board consists of CMD & Five full time Directors Human Resource Development (HRD), Planning & New Services, Operations, Finance and Commercial & Marketing, who manages the entire gamut of BSNL operations .There are five other Directors in the full Board of BSNL CMD- Mr. Kuldeep Goyal [pic] Shri Kuldeep Goyal has joined as Director (Plg. ) on BSNL Board on 1st May, 2007. He is an Engineering graduate from IIT Roorkee. He joined the Indian Telecommunication Service in 1972. He is having vast experience in telecom field and had worked in all disciplines such as planning, installation, operation and maintenance of wire line and wireless services, data services, computerization of various activities in the telecom network and provision of value added services. He has served in various parts of the India viz. Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Mumbai etc.He was also deputed to foreign project at Yemen through Telecommunication Consultants India Ltd. In his previous assignment as Chief General Manager, Maharashtra, from October, 2005 to April, 2007, he was overall in charge for monitoring of operations, planning and expansion of telecom network of the largest circle of BSNL and contributed to rapid growth of telecom network in Maharashtra and Goa states during this period. Prior to that, he was working as Executive Director, MTNL, Mumbai from December, 2004 to October, 2005. He was responsible for rapid growth of GSM Network of MTNL Mumbai more than doubling the connections during this short period, taking market share of MTNL Mumbai from 8. 93% in December, 2004 to 15. % in October, 2005, in just 10 months against stiff competition.. Broadband service was also started in January, 2005, building up a customer base of 40,000 by October, 2005 in just 9 month. He has delivered a number of talks on various topics relating to Telecom for GSM Association, Institute of Engineers, Institute of Electrical and Telecommunications Engineers, CII, DD and AIR. He published many articles in ‘Telecommunications' Journal on topics viz. ‘Telecommunication Industry at a glance', ‘Universal access -An international perspective' and ‘Trade in Telecommunications'.H e was also a Member of National Working Group of ITU- T Study Group 2 on operational aspect of service provision, networks and performance of telecom networks and participated in meeting of ITU-T Study Group 2 at Geneva. He was also a member of Telecommunication Committee of Indian Merchants Chambers, Mumbai. In his present assignment, Shri Goyal would be responsible for ensuring planning and execution of strategy for expansion of BSNL network to achieve the targets set by the Government for 2010. Director (Operations)- Shri J. R. Gupta [pic] Shri J. R. Gupta is an Electrical Engineer, graduated from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh in 1971 securing first rank in the Punjab University.He joined the Indian Telecom Service of the DOT through a country wide competitive examination in December 1972. During the last more than 33 years, he held various important & responsible positions in the DOT. He has worked for installation/commissioning of Telecom Transmission Projects, Plannin g, Network Operations and Maintenance, Human Resource Development, Regulatory Affairs, and Licensing and Standardization. Before joining the BSNL Board, as Senior Dy. Director General, he was heading the Telecom Engineering Center of DOT, which is a reputed institution that works on Telecom Standardization, Engineering, and evaluation of Telecom Projects, Services and Networks. Shri J. R.Gupta has joined the BSNL Board as Director (Operations) on 02-11-2005. His main thrust is on improving the Systems and Methods so as to achieve Optimal Performance of BSNL's extensive country-wide (except Delhi and Mumbai Metros) Infrastructure and Network. He is also responsible for short-term and long-term business interests of the Company, particularly; Customer Satisfaction by way of ensuring timely, satisfactory and quality services, coordination with field units, successful implementation of New Technologies and Services through proper monitoring, and providing world class integrated Telecom Services in the highly competitive environment. Director (Finance)- Shri S. D. Saxena [pic]Shri S. D.Saxena has taken over as Director (Finance) in BSNL on 03. 04. 2002. Shri Saxena holds an excellent academic record. He is M. Sc. (Physics) and MBA (Financial Management). Winner of many awards and medals, he was awarded Chancellor's Gold Medal for being the most outstanding student in the Agra University in the year 1967. Prior to joining the Government of India through the IAS, etc. examination of 1972 he was a lecturer in Physics at the University of Rajasthan at Jaipur and taught for six years. During this period he was associated with various organizations including Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and Atomic Energy. Among the notable assignments of Shri S. D.Saxena, special mention can be made of C-DOT where he was involved in setting up of C-DOT with Shri Sam Pitroda and Padmshri G. B. Meemamsi. He was also Director (F) in the E-10 B Project for induction of Elect ronic Switching System in Indian Telecom Network. He was IFA of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. for 7 years and was actively involved in the GDR Issue, rated as one of the best GDRs brought out by an Indian Corporate including private companies. He was a member of Rakesh Mohan Infrastructure Committee which made significant recommendations for the growth and development of Indian infrastructure sector. Shri Saxena has been an acting Member of the Study Group III under the aegis of International Telecommunication Union.He was the Chairman of the Special Rapporteur Group of Study Group III for telecommunication statistics which made significant contributions for the presentation of telecom statistics on a Global scale Director (Planning & New Services)- Mr. A. K. Sinha [pic]Mr. A. K. Sinha joined the Indian Telecommunication Service of Govt of India in the year 1969. He is B. Sc (Engineering) from MIT Muzaffarpur. Prior to joining Indian Telecom Service he worked as a Lecturer at Bihar College of Engineering, Patna. Mr.. Sinha has wide experience in installation and commissioning of various switching systems in the network of Calcutta Telephones and Delhi Telephones.While working as Divisional Engineer (Installation), he was instrumental in commissioning first C-400 type Japanese Telephone Exchange in the network of Calcutta Telephones and thereafter in MTNL, Delhi Telephones. Mr. Goyal has got installed C-400 and many Analogue as well as Digital Telephone Exchanges. Mr. Sinha has worked as General Manager (Dev) in MTNL Corporate Office as well as MTNL Delhi Telephones. He has taken extensive training both within the country and abroad in various Telecom Switching Systems and many other important fields of Telecommunications. He has also worked for three years on deputation to the Telecom Department of Government of Nigeria as Principal Engineer Training. Mr.Goyal has worked as Chief General Manager of Andaman and Nicobar Island Telecom Circle and Jharkhand Telec om Circle. Mr. Sinha joined as CMD BSNL on 16. 09. 2004. Prior to joining as CMD, he was working as Sr. DDG (Switching) in BSNL Corporate Office Director (HRD) – Shri Niranjan Singh. [pic] Shri Niranjan Singh joined the Indian Telecommunication Service of Government of India in the year 1971. He is B. Sc. (Electrical Engineering) from Aligarh Muslim University with specialization in communications. Prior to joining Department of Telecommunications, he worked with U. P. State Electricity Board for two years. While serving, he did MBA degree in Financial Management.During more than 35 years of service in Department of Telecommunications and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited in various capacities, he acquired wide experience for operations, maintenance and development of network, personnel, financial, commercial and marketing, project implementation, regulatory affairs, signing and implementation of various agreements with other parties. He was actively involved in legal affairs of MTNL in various fields, public relations and coordination with other utility agencies. Shri Singh was deputed to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as Senior Engineer-cum-Quality Surveyor for Telecom Operations and maintenance projects of Eastern Province and also as Project Director of Saudi Telecom external plant expansion turnkey project in the capital city of Riyadh during 1985-90.Shri Singh has visited countries like USA, UK, Germany, Sweden Bahrain, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong to get exposure of management of telecom systems at international level. Before joining as Director (HRD), Mr. Singh held the charge of Chief General Manager (South) and Principal Chief General Manager (Operations) in MTNL, Delhi. Shri Singh joined as Director (HRD) on 1st May 2005. He is responsible for formulating and implementing policies pertaining to Establishment, personnel, industrial relations, training, restructuring and other HR related affairs. Corporate Philosophy [pic] VISION ? To become the largest telecom Service Provider in Asia. MISION ? To provide world class State-of-art technology telecom services to its customers on demand at competitive prices. ? To provide world class elecom infrastructure in its area of operation and to contribute to the growth of the country's economy. STATISTICS The country's top telecom company, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been having a rough run for some time. For each step forward, it has been pushed back two steps. Just when it thought it had cleared the air on its scaleddown 23 million line GSM tender, Bharti Airtel delivered it a fresh blow. In August this year, the private operator unceremoniously unseated BSNL from its leadership position as the largest integrated telecom operator in the country (in subscriber terms), pushing ahead with 78. 7 million subscribers against BSNL's 77. 2 million. That must hurt.For the one-time monopoly service provider, and the largest telecom company in terms of both subscriber numbers (mob ile, fixed and internet and broadband) and revenues, the upstaging by Airtel has somewhat bruised its image. Though it is still the largest operator in revenue terms, its slow growth is worrying – a point also noted by communications and IT minister A. Raja recently. This is not to say that BSNL is not a canny operator. But as a state-run entity, it finds its hands tied when it comes to taking decisions. Its operations are subjected to bureaucratic delays, interference and controversy. Every issue needs to pass through multiple levels before it is cleared. This is time-consuming and certainly not the best way to deal with competition. The government's latest intention of merging loss-making equipment maker ITI with BSNL is a case in point.Analysts say this is not a â€Å"smart move at all†. On the one hand, the government has expressly asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to work out a strategy to restore BSNL's market position, and on the other, it is sugg esting a merger with a loss-making entity, which will only impact BSNL's financial health further. As it is, the company's financials have been slipping over the years. Though on a strong wicket compared to other operators, in financial year 2007-08, BSNL's revenue (provisional) dropped to Rs 370 billion from Rs 397. 15 billion in the previous year. Its profit after tax (PAT) too slipped, from Rs 78. 06 billion to Rs 45 billion during the same period.Therefore, in the event of a merger, ITI's accumulated losses of Rs 25 billion would only put an additional burden on BSNL's financials. â€Å"This would be the last straw on the camel's back,† points out Sridhar Pai, CEO of consulting firm Tonse Telecom. â€Å"This should not be allowed at any cost. The world is now in a different mode and operators have a full-time job in building their brand and managing subscriber expectations. Why burden them with an ailing equipment vendor that has been surviving on subsidies and handouts from the centre? † BSNL couldn't agree more. It has reportedly informed Raja that a merger with ITI does not bring any synergies to the table. BSNL is a service provider and ITI is a manufacturing company. And no service provider is manufacturing its own equipment because it wants to source the best equipment at the best prices by exploring various options. Tying up with only one equipment manufacturer or manufacturing only one particular equipment may not be commercially producing the best out of BSNL,† says Kuldeep Goyal, CMD, BSNL. Goyal, who took over the helm in 2007, finds his hands very full. BSNL's previously dominant position in all areas of operation, except rural telephony, internet and broadband, is being threatened by unrelenting competition. It is certainly more vulnerable than it was even two years ago.In 2002, when BSNL launched mobile services, it took the market by storm, giving the older, private operators a run for their money. It matched their servic e offerings and competitive tariffs and soon became a contender for the top slot. By early 2006, it had 20 million customers and 25 per cent market share. Then the slide began. The company was faced with a huge capacity crunch with the last major network expansion having been undertaken in 2005. By late 2006, subscriber additions had hit an all-time low. Subsequent expansion plans were either stalled or delayed. Its mobile business, operating on a highly overburdened network, ran to the ground.Today, BSNL, with 38. 49 million mobile subscribers, trails way behind private telecom majors such as Bharti Airtel (75 million subscribers as of August 2008), Reliance Communications (RCOM) (54. 29 million) and Vodafone Essar (52. 76 million). In the wireline segment too, BSNL has been losing subscribers – though that is true of all landline operators. However, BSNL being the largest operator with over 80 per cent market share is probably the most impacted. What's worse is that this sl ide is expected to continue. Meanwhile, the company has been hit by the phasing out of access deficit charges, a revenue share it received from other operators.The regulator is also talking about a downward revision in termination charges, which will bring down BSNL' revenues further as most calls terminate on its network [pic] BRAND NAMES OF BSNL SERVICES ? Following are the approved brand names of †¢ CORPORATE SIGNATURE : †¢ POSTPAID CELLULAR SERVICE: [pic] †¢ PRE-PAID CELLULAR SERVICE: [pic] SYNOPSIS. This article deals with the miracle shared vision can do to the organization. Vision concept and philosophy at an individual as well as organization level has been discussed. It also covers importance and driving force of vision in Marketing strategies, Selling, Business Development, Market share etc.Various marketing trends have been mentioned. It is an effort to share vision with one and all. 1. Introduction. Our visions begin with our desires. – Audre Lorde We all have some visions of ourselves and our future, and that vision creates consequences. More than any other factor, vision affects the choices we make and the way we spend our time. Visions drive consequences. Principles drive results. Key is to base vision on principles. – Stephen R Covey. It is true for individuals as well as organizations. The strongest form of vision / motivation is to base vision on â€Å"What Legacy we want to leave. † And to achieve it we must take a principled centered path.History is full of examples that many organizations have vanished grown and vanished overnight as their path to achieve vision was not based on principled way Vision of the organization can only be translated into reality, if it is shared by one and all. The best way to implement is to involve them in formulation. But even if it is conceived by higher management then it has to be explained to each and every individual of the organization, otherwise it may remain as a sho wpiece. 2. Marketing Objective. The ultimate objective of any marketing activity is to satisfy the customers and today even a step ahead i. e. ‘delighting’ the customers, for which customers are offered something beyond their expectations from the service or the product. The objective being to acquire and retain the customers, who should continually feel that they are getting more value of the money, they are departing with.Marketing is the establishment, development, maintenance and optimization of long-term mutually valuable relationships between consumers and organization. Successful Marketing focuses on understanding the needs and desires of the customers and is achieved by placing these needs at the heart of business by integrating them with the organization strategy, people, technology and business processes. At its most basic, Marketing involves customers, organizations and relationships and the combination creates the need for the management. In simple words it implies a buyer, a seller, bonded by the mutual need, satisfying offer and a medium/process to exchange the offer. 3. Marketing Process.We often talk of marketing & Sales and often use it interchangeably without understanding the difference in it. Marketing is everything we do to get and leverage a client relationship. Marketing process is broad and includes all of the following: – †¢ Discovering what product, service or idea customers want. †¢ Producing a product with the appropriate features and Quality. †¢ Pricing the product correctly. †¢ Promoting the product; spreading the word about why customers should buy it. 4. Contrasting the Sales Concept with the Marketing Concept:- The concepts surrounding both selling and marketing also differ. There is a need for both selling and marketing approaches in different situations.One approach is not always right and the other always wrong – it depends upon the particular situation. In a marketing approach, more listening to and eventual accommodation of the target market occurs. Two-way communication (sometimes between a salesperson and a customer) is emphasized in marketing so learning can take place and product offerings can be improved. The 7Ps for service marketing (Product, price, place, promotion, physical evidence, people & process) are the means to attain, nurture, & retain the customers and not the end. 5. Mission & Vision. Here is a test to find whether Your mission on earth is finished: If you are alive, it isn’t. Richard Bach.Most of the big companies have a Vision & Mission statement so as to guide their all energy, efforts to realize it. BSNL also has a vision ‘To become the largest Telecom Service provider in South East Asia’. Firstly we need to understand the parameter for being the largest. Is it revenue, ARPU, profit, subscribers, Network (no of exchanges, BTS etc)? From monopoly to multi operator scenario, BSNL’s market share is bound to reduce. But how much down we will let it? There are lot of similarities between British Telecom & us. One must keep watch on market share in monthly growth and take timely action. To improve our share, we need to acquire more than 50% of new acquisitions while maintaining earlier. This is Q. ite challenging in this dynamic environment. Today landline base is reducing across globe, but why? Europe defines an operator with 25% or more market share as Significant market Power (SMP), while they intend to increase it largest operator and we must strive not only to maintain but enhance it. We need to act fast. Timely action is an essence What should be our marketing Vision, will it help us in inspiring to achieve higher. Can it be something such as â€Å"To retain the highest market share, build highest brand equity and maximizing the profits? † 6. Brand Equity. We may think what is Brand equity? In simple words it is how far people are willing to pay if we increase our prices i. e . remium for our services. We may feel happy to say there is lot of black marketing of our SIM cards. Is it a healthy sign? We reduce prices when competitors launch new schemes. Does it imply poor brand equity? Brand Equity can be built with good equity of Quality of services at the affordable price. Continuous innovation in product and delivery of services with the appropriate pricing is the key strategy for developing the trust in customer so that he keeps his loyalty with BSNL. We have to be first mover in our efforts for product and price differentiation. Presently the market is in growth phase and price could be a differentiating factor, but how long?Is any scope left for further cuts? Ultimately it is the Quality, customer care, and timely availability apart from price, which will matter. What is USP (Unique Selling Proposition) for BSNL? A Government company which delivers. A government company which gives service better than private could be a deadly combination, which no co mpetitor can copy. 7. Social Responsibility. B. S. N. L. the most trusted telecom brand in year 2003 & 2004. We have been given Golden Peacock award for Best Corporate Social responsibility. How can we leverage these distinctions? These achievements need to be highlighted through public relation exercise like press meet.This will help us in building our marketing image. In sales and distribution front though we have over one-lakh retailers, 1000 franchisees, 3300 CSCs, 36000 exchanges why are we not visible like others? Why can’t we utilize all possible space? Can’t we leverage our franchisee and STD-PCO strengths? Can we make these outlets as our core strength? Why our recharge coupons, India Telephone Cards are in shortage when there is no capacity constraint? Does it imply that our planning for printing, inventory management, logistics, and supply chain and of course franchisee management is inefficient? Do we have targets for these just like DELs & Cell One?Why can ’t we leverage this huge network for better customer care and improve collection efficiency? We must realize that with waiver of security deposits, no OYT schemes, no advance rentals, adjustment of landline security for Cell One, we don’t get fixed deposits to meet our funds requirements. Everything has to be met from Operating revenues. We need to improve collections, realize bills early, not on the last day of payment and reduce bad debts. We need to provide 24X7 culture in our organization, though we have been providing operation and maintenance on 24X7 basis in the past and we will continue to provide in future too, but what about provisioning customer care and marketing on 24X7 basis? 8.Business Development. Business development units have been given the task to develop and nurture long-term relations with corporate houses. Many MoUs have been signed. Bulk bills are being issued. One-point payments are being realized for multiple service locations. Key Account Man ager concept has been introduced. All this requires change of mindset in addition to the skills of marketing & sales. Do we have skilled manpower? Is our organization setup apt for better results? The staff expense to revenue ratio could be a good indicator. No doubt our revenues are up. Profit has increased. But consider the marketing budget we have in comparison to others.Even with this little budget many circles are unable to utilize it. We need to probe ourselves. Corporate office has permitted delegation of up to 70% of Circle budget to SSAs. Does it mean that our budget planning is wrong? How should we allocate marketing budget and which parameter to weigh? †¢ Per DEL/Mobile †¢ Acquisition cost †¢ Life time value †¢ Competitor spend †¢ Growth targets 9. Life Time Value You can’t give people pride, but you can provide the kind of understanding that makes people look to their inner strength and find their own sense of pride. – Charleszetta Waddles. It is high time we learn fast, groom ourselves, improve our mindset and act fast.Business perspective is equally important as excellence in Telecom operations, maintenance, and installations & planning. Our core competence should be telecom business acumen and not just traditional expertise developed over the 10. Summary Vision is set in the Boardroom but realized in the battlefield. Each and every customers has to continuously lead this battle to be victorious. The corporate office is always willing to provide all resources. Together we can realize our vision. CAPITAL OUTLET OF BSNL Cumulative Capital Outlay BSNL had Gross fixed assets of over Rs 1,11,692 crores (US $ 25. 12 Billion) as on 31-03-2006. [pic] CAPITAL INVESTMENT Annual Capital Investment in the network has increased from Rs. 85 crores (US$ 0. 18 billion) in 1986-87 to over Rs. 6838 crores ( US $ 1. 53 billion) in 2005-06. This investment has been financed mainly by the internal accruals. [pic] COMPETITORS [pi c] Type Public, Listed on BSE Founded 1985 HeadQ. uarters [pic] New Delhi, India Key people [pic] Sunil Mittal Industry Telecom Products Mobile and Fixed-Line Telecommunication operator Revenue [pic]USD 3. 66 billion Website http://www. Bharti. com Bharti Airtel, formerly known as Bharti Tele-Ventures Limited (BTVL) is among India's largest mobile phone and Fixed Network operators.With more than 40 million subscriptions as of May 2007, the company is one of the world's fastest growing telecom companies. It offers its mobile services under the Airtel brand and is headed by Sunil Mittal, India's sixth richest men with a total worth of US$6. 9 billion. The company is the only operator to provide mobile services in all the 23 circles in India. The company also provides telephone services and Internet access over DSL in 14 circles. The company complements its mobile, broadband & telephone services with national and international long distance services. The company also has a submarine ca ble landing station at Chennai, which connects the submarine cable connecting Chennai and Singapore.The company provides reliable end-to-end data and enterprise services to the corporate customers by leveraging its nationwide fiber optic backbone, last mile connectivity in fixed-line and mobile circles, VSATs, ISP and international bandwidth access through the gateways and landing station. [pic] Airtel is a brand of telecommunication services in India operated by Bharti Airtel. Airtel is the largest cellular service provider in India in terms of number of subscribers. Bharti Airtel owns the Airtel brand and provides the following services under the brand name Airtel: Mobile Services (using GSM Technology), Broadband & Telephone Services (Fixed line and Internet Connectivity), Long DistanceServices and Enterprise Services (Telecommunications Consulting for corporate). Leading international telecommunication companies such as Vodafone and SingTel hold partial stakes in Bharti Airtel. TATA TELESERVICES Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) is part of the Tata Group of Companies, an Indian Conglomerate. The company forms part of the Tata Group's presence in the Telecommunication Industry in India, along with Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited (TTML) and VSNL. IDEA CELLULAR Idea cellular is a wireless telephony company operating in various states in India. It initially started in 1995 as a join venture between the Tatas, Aditya Birla Group and AT by merging Tate Cellular and Birla AT Communications.Commons: Image: Idea Cellular logogriph created by User: Karan deshmukh9005. Initially having a very limited footprint in the GSM arena, the acquisition of Escorted in 2004 gave Idea a truly pan-India presence covering Maharashtra (excluding Mumbai), GAO, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh (East and West), Haryana, Kerala, Rajasthan and Delhi (inclusive of NCR). MARKETING OF MOBILE PHONES The communication has become so important in the w orld of today that it provides a ground for success almost in all fields of human interactions, communications is the sum things that one person does when he wants to create understanding in the mind of other. It is a bridge of the meaning.It involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding. Recent developments in the field of communication have revolutionized the style of human being in the society. The telephones and mobile phones have become the necessities of daily life. The two instruments play an important role in the business profession and in jobs as well. Through India is a developing country but it has successfully converted its capacity to realities in the field of human interactions/ communication. Some specific group (businessman, professionals, customers) enjoy the facilities of mobile phones and instrument is becoming more popular with the passage of time.Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and some other private companies like Airtel and Reliance are working in the field of providing the facilities to the common people. The instruments manufactured by the national and foreign companies are in the market. The urban population is their target customers in the unaware of the benefits of the mobile phones in day to day life, therefore some specific methods of marketing are required to make the mobile phones an article of daily use in the rural areas. AVILABILITY OF MOBILE HANDSETS IN PALAMPUR Two basic things required for the use of mobile & landline phones by the people of a particular area are:- 1. Availability of mobile & landline phones sets 2.Availability of land line connections as well as WLL signals in the areas. As it has already been discussed that there are 78 Gram Panchayat and one municipality in Pratapgarh Sub-Division. In this area main two companies are providing land line connection and WLL signal to the people and these are:- 1) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (B. S. N. L. ) The B. S. N. L. has providing sim cards of mobile telephony to 120,000 customers as on 31 March 2009 under prepaid and postpaid facility. 32400 customers has been provided prepaid connections facility and 87,600 customers has preferred for postpaid services. At the time Following schemes of recharging are implemented by B. S. N. L. †¢ Rs. 331 (Talk value Rs. 75) (Period 30 days +15 days) †¢ Rs. 551 (Talk value Rs. 361) (Period 45 days +15 days) †¢ Rs. 1102 (Talk value Rs. 822) (Period 120 days +15 days) †¢ Rs. 2204 (Talk value Rs. 2000) (Period 180 days + 15 days) †¢ Rs. 3306 (Talk value Rs. 3000) (Period 365 days +15 days) (2)Airtel:- The Airtel has provided connections to 30,000 customers. Out of these customers 28050 has been provided prepaid sim cards and 1950 customers has Been provided post paid sim cards . Under prepaid sim cards Schemes are implemented by the companies are as follows:- †¢ Rs. 110 (Talk value Rs. 49. 32) (Period 10 days) †¢ Rs. 330 (Talk value Rs. 175) ( Period 30 days) Rs. 660 (Talk value Rs. 473) (Period 45 days) †¢ Rs. 1100 (Talk value Rs. 873) (Period 69 days) †¢ Rs. 3000 (Talk value Rs. 2869) (Period 365 days) DATA ANALYSIS & ITERPRETATION Ques. – Do you posses any Mobile phone? Y N ITERPRETATION:- 54% SAYS YES 46% SAYS NO Ques. – Which operator service do you have? B. S. N. L. AIRTEL RELIAN OTHERS ITERPRETATION:- 39% B. S. N. L. 31% AIRTEL 22% RELIANCE 8% OTHERS Ques. – Are you satisfied with your service? Yes No Can't S ITERPRETATION:- 66% YES 26% NO 8% CAN’T SAY Ques. – How you came to know about your services? TV RADIO NEWSPAP FRIENDS OTHERS ITERPRETATION:- 23% TV 33% RADIO 14% NEWSPAPERS 19% FRIENDS 1% OTHERS Ques. – Are you using prepaid or postpaid connection? PREPAI POSTPA ITERPRETATION:- 73% PREPAID 27% POSTPAID Ques. –Which mode of recharge you will prefer? EASY RECHAR RECHARGE CA ITERPRETATION:- 68% EASY RECHARGE 22% RECHARGE CARD Ques. – Do you think that private co. can offer you better services as compared to BSNL? Y N ITERPRETATION:- 48% SAYS YES 52% SAYS NO Ques. – Are you aware about the different scheme provided by your operator? Y N ITERPRETATION:- 73% SAYS YES 27% SAYS NO FINDINGS The major findings of the study are summarized as follow:- While surveying I got that 54% people have mobile phones and 46% haven’t.Out of total person availing the facility of mobile phones users 39% B. S. N. L. , 31% AIRTEL, 22% RELIANCE, & 8% are OTHERS have opted connections. In 100 people 66% were satisfied, 26% weren’t & 8% says they can’t say because they haven’t any idea about there service provider companies competitors. On analysis it was found that 23% by TV, 33% Radio, 14% Newspaper, 19% Friends, & 11% customers got information about On analysis it was found that 73% customers have got postpaid connections and 27% customers have opted prepaid connections. 52% customers say that B. S. N. L. can offe r better services than private companies because B. S. N. L. has Govt control. In Pratapgarh (U. P. ) sub-division B. S. N. L. as provided connection to 5000 customers and Airtel has provided connection to 3950 customers. In the area the sim cards of B. S. N. L. and Airtel are recharged at 10 places and 6 places respectively. The services were provided by B. S. N. L. and Airtel in 2003 in this sub-division and after that a considerable increase in the number of customers has been witnessed in the both the companies. A considerable section of the customers (48%) uses the mobile phones because of the reason that by using it , they can have regular contact with their family members . However 30% of the customers said that it helps them in their business/ employment activities. emaining 22% are using for some other reasons. The users were asked to tell â€Å"how the mobile phones can be made popular in the area. The 44% said that signal should be made available in all villages, 48% sai d that B. S. N. L and Airtel should introduced some new schemes of prepaid sim card and 8% of the users were of the view that latest models of different companies should be introduced in the market . On the same question the non-users view point was as follow:- 20% said that some cheap models(product) should be introduced, 66% said that some new schemes on less rate be introduced by B. S. N. L. and Airtel and 14% said that existing schemes should be popularized in the area.The 16% of the sub dealer of the view point that cheapest models should be introduced in the rural market. 28% were of the view point that people should be made aware about the benefits of mobile phones. 32% of the sub-dealers said that some more schemes should be introduced by B. S. N. L. and Airtel and 8% were of the view that latest models should be introduce. SUGGESTION & RECOMMENDATIONS Some efforts should be made at local level to make the mobile phones popular in the area. As the financial range of the rura l population is limited therefore the cheap models should be displayed at market places. The availability of recharging facility is not regular in the area.Some steps should be taken in this direction. Dealer should try to improve their after sale service Some more and cheaper schemes should be started by B. S. N. L. B. S. N. L should try to expand its signal facility as it is not available in many villages of the area Displaying of mobile phones in maximum possible market places is the important factor in this direction CONCLUSION The present study has attempted to candidly review, examine and explore in depth various aspects of customer’s behavior for prepaid & postpaid connection of B. S. N. L. During the course of study, a large number of observations have come to light.The present chapter is aimed at presenting the major findings which emanate from the study and offering some useful suggestions, which have been incorporate in two sections vis, its section first contains major conclusion and finding and section second deals with some useful suggestion QUESTIONNAIRE Ques. 1 – Do you posses any Mobile phone? Ans. a. Yes b. No Ques. 2 – Which operator service do you have? Ans – †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Ques. 3 – Are you satisfied with your service? Ans. – a. Yes b. no Ques. 4 – How you came to know about your services? Ans. -a. TV b. Radio c.Newspaper d. Friends e. other Ques. 5 – Are you using prepaid or postpaid connection? Ans- †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Ques 6. –Which mode of recharge you will prefer? Ans- a. Easy recharge b. Recharge coupon Ques 7 – Which services of your operator you like the best? Ans- †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Ques. 8 – Do you think that private co. can offer you better services as compared to BSN L? Ans- a. Yes b. no Ques. 9 – Are you aware about the different scheme provided by your operator? Ans- a. Yes b. no Ques. 0 – What type of problem you are facing with your operator? Ans – †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Ques. 11 – Any suggestion you want to give your operator? Ans – †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. www. trai. gov. in 2. Supplement to â€Å"The Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report for the Quarter Ending September 2005† (31st January 2006) 3. C. R. Kothari (2004), â€Å"Research Methodology Methods & Techniques†, Second Edition pp 62-64 4. Richard I. Levin and David S. Rubin (2004), â€Å"Statistics for Management†, Seventh Edition pp 568-581 5. Douglas A. Lind, William G. Marchal and Samuel A. Wathen, (McGraw Hill Irwin, 2005), â€Å"Statistical Techniques in Business & Econ omics†, Twelfth Edition pp 556, 564-565 6. Donald R.Cooper and Pamela S. Schinder, (Tata McGraw Hill, 2003),†Business Research Methods†, Eighth Edition pp 596-600 REFERENCES 1. David A. Aker, V Kumar and George S. Day (2002),† Marketing research†, John Wiley & sons , Seventh Edition 2. Kotler Philip(2002), â€Å"Principles of Marketing†, Sultan Chand & company limited, New Delhi Websites: 1. www. coai. com 2. www. dot. gov. in 3. http://www. indiainfoline. com/sect/Telecom_05012006. pdf 4. http://www. trai. gov. in/PressReleases_content. asp? id=118 5. www. tutor2u. net/business/strategy/competitoranalysis. html 6. www. bsnl. in 7. www. google. com 8. www. yahoo. com [pic] ———————– [pic] [pic]

Friday, September 27, 2019

Critical Analysis Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Critical Analysis Paper - Essay Example Along the kerbs and spaces in between the lines are trees and at some points are there are some overhead street lighting lamps in the parkway. On the rear of the painting of the parkway is a bridge below which the lanes of the parkway pass. Again, on the rear of the painting, the sky looks lighted, implying some source of natural lighting cast on the sky. In a similar way, hind sections of the parkway including the bridge and the surrounding sections are brighter as a result of the lighting. In contrast, the foreground of the parkway painting is not lit and creates an impression of some shadow. On the far rear of the painting, in the corner is equally lit storey building amidst several leafy trees. It is also noticeable that the trees around the storey structure are leafier as compared to the ones in between the lanes which look rather unhealthy. The painting of the Masholu Parkway also shoes a highway that is not up to standard since some sections of it look dilapidated. Proper planning of the highway also seems not to be sufficient no visible highway marks and directions to the highway users. Te lighting posts are also scanty in the painting of the Masholu Parkway. The textural surface of the painting and especially with relation to the tactile character of the highway is in agreement. The quality feel and coloration of the painting most resembles the fabric of what the highways are perceived and known to be. The grey color used in most parts of the painting correlates well with the usual nature and texture and the feeling of any road or highway. As to the areas in the foreground, middle ground and the background and the space around and within the objects of the painting, the highway itself is accorded sufficient space. The space occupied by the highway itself is much greater than any other object in the painting. In fact, the bridge and the highway lanes take up more than three-quarters of the space available. This, in effect enhances the main focus of

The rise of the Islamic State Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The rise of the Islamic State - Essay Example Sharia law was based on the rule of law, as Muslims had traditionally used sharia law to govern themselves (NabhaÌ„niÌ„, 2001). Secondly, the UN should come together with countries and strive to meet the mission of controlling and eliminating the group that is using the name Islamic state to destabilize world security. The Islamic world greatly wanted to control the world through Sharia law and rapidly advanced their militant groups across the world to capture and control states despite growth in anti-Muslim detestation. There is no sufficient reason to blame the rise of Islamic states. This is because United States had contributed for the upcoming Islamic states. In 2003, US invasion to Iraq concentrated mainly in guarding oils fields hence leaving Iraq boundaries wide-open for thousands of jihad combatants to come into the country (Ehrenberg,  2010). US has also contributed to falling of Iraq by dismantling Iraqi army that was the only force that was familiar with the layout of Iraqi topography. If the army had not dismantled, they had the potential to curb the armed insurgents. Sharia law was unprinted constitution, and it was instrumental in modeling the tradition of Islamic states over centuries. This law was essential as it made members of Islamic states enjoy a high degree of respect and prestige. Islamic states are calling for the establishment of the sharia law in the modern Muslim world. Islamic states were based on the rule of law as they had traditionally used sharia law to govern themselves. Sharia law historical was effective in balancing of power in the Islamic states. The westerns have termed sharia law as a threat to democracy, and this was against the Muslims notion. Consequently, Islamic states went against the stereotype the western countries had toward their use of sharia law and this made Islamic states to develop actions of being radical and anti-western armed group committed in inaugurating an independent

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic - Assignment Example According to Birkett (2005), response parameters measures in an organism involve aspects like blood pressure, concentration of hormones produced by the drug or severity of side effects. The first point when the curve diverts from the zero scale represents the threshold drug dosage. At this concentration, the drug starts exhibiting desired response from the organism. As concentration increases, the graph gets steeper. This means the levels of response increases together with severity of a drug’s side effects. At extremely high dosage, the curve grows almost flat again meaning adverse biological response and even fatality. Technically, drug response time may delay, causing a wrong response to be measured and plotted in a exposure-response graph. Delay in response is caused by the effect of drug distribution and re-distribution around the body system. When data from such unconventional measurements are plotted, they give either clockwise or anticlockwise hysteresis loops. In pharmacokinetics, hysteresis loops signifies presence of delayed response with changing drug concentration. At times, the hysteresis loop can assume a clockwise direction. An anticlockwise hysteresis loop usually results from the differing responses associated with distribution and re-distribution of the drug’s active components to site of action. On the contrary, a clockwise hysteresis loop occurs when there is rapid tolerance whereby after the first administration, tolerance develops which makes similar drug concentrations to cause different responses. After tolerance is developed, a succeeding dosage of similar concentration causes a greater effect than the first level of concentration. As acknowledged earlier, hysteresis in food or drug compounds results from differing responses associated with similar level of substance concentration. Hysteresis occurs when there is either tolerance of the substance or as an effect of substance distribution properties. Numerous

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Mango Medley Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Mango Medley - Essay Example The secret to keeping your customers satisfied is through quality service and product delivery. David. H. Maister, in his book â€Å"The psychology of waiting lines†, argues that satisfaction can assessed through a simple equation (S=P-E, where S-satisfaction, P-perception, and E-expectation). It can, therefore, be that a satisfied customer is a loyal customer. When customers enter a restaurant expecting a certain level of service and perceives the service reviewed to be higher, then they are satisfied customers. The management of any restaurant should, therefore, aim at improving the perceived quality of service as it would have the largest payback (Maister, 1984). Unexplained waits always tend to seem long and boring than explained ones. A reason should, therefore, be given to explain why a given service has been delayed. Customers are also concerned about the environment in which they are seated while waiting. Some customers may not like to wait in very crowded places as it may interfere with their personal conversations. It is important to keep the customers comfortable during their wait. Customer equity is also something that the management should put into consideration. It involves valuing the customer not only in terms of current profitability, but also with respect to the net discounted contribution stream the firm will realize from the customer over time. More emphasis should be put on not only on getting customers to buy their products but maintaining them for long (Zeithaml, Lemon, & Rust, 2001). Mango Medley restaurant has got only two workers. One is in charge of the kitchen and the other taking of orders, serving the customers and clearing of the bills. This divided attention makes service delivery slow especially during weekends and holidays when the restaurant is open for longer and receives more customers. Most

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Accounting Law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Accounting Law - Assignment Example The Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 – Schedule 1 provides for the conditions of release of the superannuation funds under Part I, sections 101 to 114 thereof, namely: retirement; death; terminal medical condition; permanent incapacity; former temporary resident under certain conditions; payment to the Commissioner of Taxation under the Superannuation (Unclaimed Money and Lost Members) Act 1999; termination of employment on or after July 1, 1997 where the member’s fund does not amount to more than $200; severe financial hardship; attainment of age 65; compassionate grounds; termination of employment with an employer who contributed to the funds for the member; temporary incapacity; attainment of preservation age; a found lost member with fund balance amounting to less than $200; certain conditions under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997; under s 292-B of the Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997, and; so provided as release conditions unde r  §62(1) (b) (v) of the 1994 Act. In the problem at hand, Jonathan’s primary condition for release of his superannuation fund balance is retirement, which is further defined as a state when the person under gainful employment of another is set to terminate that employment and will never again seek employment either on a full or part time basis. 1 In addition, that employee contemplating retirement must have reached the age of 60 or if below 60, must have reached his or her preservation age, according to s. 7 of the same Act. The problem does not state, however, if Jonathan has reached his preservation age, a condition assumed if a person is born under the following dates: before 1 July 1960 to 30 June 1961, if 55 years of age; between 1 July 1960 to 30 June 1961, if 56 years of age; between 1 July 1960 to 30 June 1962, if 57 years of age; between 1 July 1962 to 30 June 1963, if 58 years of age; between 1 July 1963 to 30 June 1964, if 59 years of age, or; after 30 June 1964 , if 60 years of age.2 Fig. 1 Superannuation Interest Tax3 Thus, for Jonathan to be able to able to access his superannuation fund balance, he must have been born between 1 July 1960 to 30 June 1962, since he is now 57 years of age, otherwise he will not be able to access the same on the ground of retirement. Assuming he was born between that period, Jonathan can lawfully access his fund and the tax due on the benefit from the superannuation fund depends on the following factors: age; whether as lump sum or income stream, and; the taxed or untaxed elements present in the fund.4 Figure 1 above illustrates how taxes of superannuation benefits are determined. A superannuation benefit, according to the diagram, may have components, which according to s. 307.120 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 97 hereafter), may be a taxable or tax-free component. Superannuation income streams paid on or after 1 July 2007 have tax free components that are usually the â€Å"crystallised segme nt and the contributions† while the taxable component is the amount of the income stream benefit minus its tax free component. A superannuation income stream as a â€Å"regular series of payments: made directly from accumulated superannuation contributions or purchased with a lump sum† (Guide to Social Security Law 2011) while the ITAA Regulations define it as: â€Å"an annuity for the purposes of the SIS Act in accordance with the subregulation 1.05 (1) of the SIS Regulations; or a pension for the purposes of the SIS Act in accordance with subregulation 1.06 (1) of the SIS Regulations; or a pension for the purposes of the RSA Act in accordance with regulation 1.07 of the RSA Regulations.† In addition, it is also â€Å"an annuity or pension within the meaning of the SIS Act; and commenced after 1 September

Monday, September 23, 2019

Healcare policy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Healcare policy - Assignment Example However, this law has been applauded for reducing cost of healthcare as it is anticipated by research conducted by different scientists (Hertel, 2011). The implementation of the law will be affect the access to healthcare in the US since it will make healthcare accessible to many people who had no access before due to cost. However, the law will lead to detriment to quality of healthcare offered to Americans since little resources will cater for a huge number of patients (Hertel, 2011). The increased number of patients seeking healthcare will lead to increased numbers of healthcare practitioners compromising nursing standards. This will create a problem for oversight bodies in maintaining quality healthcare practices (Gray, 2011). Every American has a right to access quality healthcare and this law gives an opportunity to all Americans to access quality healthcare. In my own opinion, I think there should be a law that looks into the welfare of mental patients and a law should be created to provide mandatory healthcare to these patients. A policy should be implemented to create nursing standards and practices that cater for mental p atients under a universal healthcare

Sunday, September 22, 2019

North Korean Authoritative Government Essay Example for Free

North Korean Authoritative Government Essay In this paper, I will attempt to explain why authoritarianism regimes such as the one in North Korea, still continues to govern even though the government is one of the more corrupted types of government still in existence today. The word authoritarianism is defined as, â€Å"a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc. )†(Word Net) There are currently many countries in our world that are not democratic societies. There are authoritarian regimes that still exist today. Probably one of the more well known authoritarian regimes is the government in North Korea. North Korea gained its independence from Japan in the year 1945. Kim Jong Il is currently the leader of North Korea. The mismanagement of economics through the 1990’s has made North Korea rely heavily on international aid to feed its population. North Korea has expanded their resources to help develop a military of about one million soldiers. Central Intelligence Agency) â€Å"North Korea’s long-range missile development, as well as its nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons programs and massive conventional armed forces, are of major concern to the international community. † (Central Intelligence Agency) The government in North Korea is a big part to blame for the economic struggles. In President Bush’s first State of the Union Speech he declared North Korea as part of the â€Å"Axis of Evil. † President Bush also went on to say his goal was, â€Å"to prevent regimes that sponsor terror from threatening America or our friends with weapons of mass destruction. He singled out Iraq, Iran and North Korea, claiming these states and their terrorist allies constitute an axis of evil arming to threaten the peace of the world. (Fact Sheet) â€Å"The United States must act against these regimes by denying them the materials, technology and expertise to make nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and provide them to terrorists, Bush said. † (Fact Sheet) North Korea is currently a communist-state one-man dictatorship. Under a communist-state one-man dictatorship elections are held but there is nobody to run against the leader. For instance in September of 2003 there was an election held in North Korea. Kim Jong Il and Kim Yong Nam were the only nominees for the positions and nobody opposed them. (Central Intelligence Agency) The government controls the people. The government rules a lot of what the people of North Korea can do or say. For the executive branch in this country, Kim Jong Il has been the ruler since July of 1994. Kim Yong Nam is the president of its Presidium and he also has the responsibility of representing state and receiving diplomatic credentials. Central Intelligence Agency) As for the legislative branch, the ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition, but some seats are held by minor parties. (Central Intelligence Agency) The judicial branch of North Korea consists of a central court, and the judges are elected by the Supreme People’s Assembly. The way this government is set up is very different than the way the democratic states are set up. In a democratic society the people get to vote for leaders and high ranking officials. While in these authoritarianistic regimes, the people have no say in who is going to run their country. There have been many North Koreans that have tried to escape either to China or South Korea. Few people have made it across the boarders safely. However, if they fail to escape and they are captured by the North Korean military they will be tortured or even executed in some cases. (Pearson Education) â€Å"North Korea, one of the worlds most secretive societies, has been accused of egregious human-rights violations, including summary executions, torture, inhumane conditions in prison camps, which hold up to 200,000 prisoners, and denial of freedom of expression and movement. Access to the country is strictly limited and North Koreas domestic media is tightly controlled, making it difficult to substantiate the accusations. † (Pearson Education) I believe a huge part of why North Korea is actually still in existence is because the military has so much control on the people. Of course no country wants to start a war with North Korea because of their military strength and their nuclear weapons. â€Å"A number of stabilizing elements assist the regime’s efforts to maintain internal order. The society seems united in popular support for the party, and the people have a strong sense of national pride. Kim Il Sung, by all indications, truly is admired and supported by the general population. † (Federal Research Division Library of Congress: Pg 275) It is difficult for people that are from a democratic government to actually understand why authoritarianism governments work. Most all of the authoritarianism governments that I know have a strong following from their people. Whether the masses like the leader because he is helping the economy or helping a food shortage situation is another story. Personally I think these people in these countries are so afraid of what the leader might do to them or their family that they just do what they are told. Of course these people have never had it any other way. They don’t know what it is like to have a democracy. They don’t know what it is like to voice their opinion. The people in North Korea didn’t get to choose where they wanted to be born. If we had a free world I’m sure when some of those people realized that there are better governments in the world that won’t control your every move then they would leave the country. It is just not that easy for anyone to just get up and go to China or South Korea. People born into democratic societies should be thankful that they can enjoy the freedoms that they have, because there are other parts of the world where the idea of having rights is completely out of their control. There is no possible way the people can over throw the government in North Korea. North Korea has too strong of a military. One way the government will get overthrown is if it is done internally. The second way it will get overthrown is if they go to war with another country and they lose their power. â€Å"Indeed, research on Korean communism has become the pursuit of an avocation, meandering off the mainstream of contemporary social science. Most students of Korean communism have come under the influence, in varying degrees, of the lingering legacy of Kremlinology and the advancing model of Chinese studies. Following the general lines of development in Chinese studies in the 1960s and 1970s, research on Korean communism has shown an uneven advancement. On balance, research and knowledge concerning North Korea’s domestic politics and economy have developed more rapidly and significantly than the study of its foreign policy, which has remained neglected and underdeveloped. (Kim Pg:282) The economy in North Korea is struggling. Due to flooding and the lack of arable land, the people in North Korea are at a food shortage. Massive amounts of international food aid have allowed people of North Korea not to starve. Central Intelligence Agency) Mal-nutrition and poor living conditions still exist heavily in North Korea. As with everything else in the country, the government has the right to control the food and economic conditions. The religions that are practiced in this authoritarianism government are traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, with some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way. ) â€Å"Autonomous religions activities now are almost nonexistent; government sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom. (Central Intelligence Agency) Like other authoritarianistic governments such as Cuba, Iran, Afghanistan, and Iraq until not to long ago, the regimes will last until somebody does something about it. The United States ended the authoritarianism regime in Iraq because we had enough military power to overtake Sadaam Hussein. The U. S. troops are still over in Iraq trying to force the Iraqi people into having a democracy. The Iraqi people that have voted so far on the new leader of their country is not a man that the United States wants t o have them run their country. Sadaam Hussein would still be in power and have complete control of Iraq if the United States didn’t take him out of power. The military balance in South Korea is much stronger then North Korea. In case of another North Korean invasion, the South Korean military only has about 600,000 people while the north has around one million. However these numbers are misleading because of the fact that these numbers don’t include the superior training, equipment, and logistical support that the south has. Kang: Pg 262) â€Å"The South has outspent the North on defense in the last 15 years, if not longer. † (Kang: Pg 262) North Korea’s nuclear threats are a grave concern for South Korea and the rest of the world. The Soviets were building bombs in the 1950’s and China developed a nuclear bomb in the early 1960’s. North Korea didn’t start trying to assemble nuclear weapons until South Korea became a threat to them because they were overtaking North Korea in a lot of areas during the 1970’s. Kang: Pg 266) â€Å"North Korea’s significance to the world with a bomb is much greater than without a bomb. † (Kang: Pg 266)In conclusion, there are many reasons why the authoritarianism regime in North Korea is still up and running to this day. There is simply no way that anyone can overthrow the government unless it is done internally. The people located in these authoritarianism regimes usually like the leader, and agree to what he says. These people didn’t choose where they wanted to be born just like nobody in a democratic state had an opinion as to where they would like to be born. It is sad that most all of the money spent in North Korea is aimed toward building up a better military and not helping out with the economy or the food shortages. The only way these people know how to live is to be ruled by a dictator. Until the United States or some other world power takes down North Korea, the authoritarianism regime will continue to govern.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Interview Nursing Essay Example for Free

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Interview Nursing Essay The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) I interviewed is FS; she is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) with the department of Urology at Saint Louis University Hospital (SLUH) and has been licensed and board certified since 2010. FS graduated in 2005 from Goldfarb School of nursing in Saint Louis earning her bachelor of science (BSN) and then took an intensive care staff position with Missouri Baptist hospital for two years. With two years of experience she felt she needed to continue her education in nursing and enrolled in a Saint Louis University (SLU) ACNP program. She realized after the first year that trying to work full time and take classes was too much for her, so she decided to quit her job to focus full time on her studies. Her first position as an ACNP was with the trauma department step down floor at SLUH in 2011. This position was advertised in newsprint and after sending in her resume she was contacted to for an interview in person. My first interaction with FS was last fall when I was teaching Advance Trauma Care for Nurses as she was one of the students that I recognized from the trauma department. We struck up a conversation and I basically did a mini interview then and she since has given me contacts for preceptors this summer. Last week I notified her regarding this interview and she informed me to meet her at noon in her office where we discussed questions listed according to the description of assignment for a total of 30 minutes. Personal history including education FS received a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University in Economics and International Business. When working out a problem or learning a new skill she likes to get the general picture and start gradually focusing in on specifics similar to deductive theory. She knew she wanted to work in a hospital setting, from there to a surgical floor, and now she has focused in on Urology. She learned the Urology department at SLUH wanted to bring in two or three APN’s on service to round and be first assistants in the operating room through networking with other APN’s in the hospital. When she interviewed for the position she had a great working relationship with that service already. They knew she was punctual along with having familiarity with documentation system. She basically had been marketing herself before she even knew it by having a proactive relationship with consults. Description of current practice FS does not currently have a formal job description since her position is new and she is the first APN to fill this newly developed role with this service. Other than being told she would round on patients in the hospital, write orders, discharge patients, and first assist in the operating room she has no formal written description. When she applied for her position she was informed it would be a lateral move with no increase in pay or benefits. FS arrives to the hospital at 0600 similar to an intern or second year resident. Every morning she receives report from night float of any new patients or issues to existing patients who have been admitted. Information is gathered on labs and radiology films that have been completed and she uses this information when her first patient assessment is completed early that morning. The fellow or senior resident will round on each patient to discuss labs, radiology, and patient assessments. From this a plan is developed what needs to be done that day to move forward before the attending rounds with the team to discuss the same items. From this point she may go to the operating room to first assist if it is her patient or write new orders on the other patients assigned to their service. If she happens to be first assistant she will follow the patient back to their room and write post operation orders. Her role is very similar to a second year surgery resident duties. Description of APN functions using the APN core competencies. Working in an inner metropolitan city hospital that has many ethnicities has been challenging. She has had to learn certain customs, body posture, and position can have either a positive or negative impact in perception from the patient with regard to attitude of care they are receiving. She has learned from staff of the same ethnicity or watched family and friends interact with one another on proper cultural customs. The first of two main core competencies FS uses is clinical and professional leadership with fellow APN’s and physicians discussing assessments and plan of care. The second of two core competencies is consultation with other services and the nursing staff in consideration to patient care and goals (Cooke, Gemmill, Grant, 2008). APN’s have additional competencies but these are the two main descriptions FS uses daily. FS has worked through many challenges as an APN the last few years. Some of the minor issues have been the acceptance from other services that do not have APN’s. Over time other services have become accustomed to consults from APN’s by her demonstrating knowledge, professionalism, and kindness. The biggest challenge she has faced is an overabundance additional patient work load since the department will no longer have residents this year. She has the attending’s blessing to hire more APN’s and they will take on more direct patient care. Issues confronting the APN in current practice FS reports there are no real issues she faces at present other than just continue to work on suturing skills in the operating room. She stays current in Urology by attending grand rounds along with reading and presenting journal articles. She also has the luxury of having a fellow who has been a great source of knowledge. Perceived impact on APN role pursuant to current healthcare developments, changes, and national recommendations. It is my personal belief APN’s will be one of the fastest growing professions in the coming years when the Affordable Health Care Act takes place. It appears that many physicians will probably be in specialized services along with the APN. In addition, APN’s will be the majority of primary care in the future as more individuals will seek wellness physicals and the baby boom generation is nearing 70 years of age.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Marketing strategy for a LAN gaming centre

Marketing strategy for a LAN gaming centre Our business which is called Pro-Gamers, is a LAN gaming centre and an entertainment area for people whom are interested in playing computer and console games. It will be useful to explain what LAN gaming is. LAN means Local Area Network that enables more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time,(Wikipedia) In other words, it is simply a network of devices and computers in a given area. In the light of the information about the meaning of LAN, LAN game centre is a business where a person can use a computer connected over a lan to other computers in order to play multiplayer computer games. (http://wn.com/LAN_gaming_center) LAN game centres are becoming common and well known in the world wide. There are over 650 LAN game centres in the US and 90% of the LAN game centres in the world are in China (Wikipedia). We are living in a computer era now and computer games are becoming more and more popular in the world especially for the new generation. Therefore, this creates us a good opportunity to setup this kind of business in this North West region of United Kingdom as further market research shows the laciness in this kind of gaming centres and identifying such market gap we are going to establish this kind of gaming centre in the Liverpool region. 1.1 Location and focused customer groups: We are planning to launch our business model in the areas which are close to the four universities in Liverpool because LAN game centre is more related to young people. So our focus customer group is students especially international students. Students have large groups in general and they tend to play such games together in the same environment. However, it cant be easy for international students to find chance in order to play computer games, especially LAN games. Local students have their own game consoles and convenient computers in their houses that enable them to play such games comfortably. Because of this reason, we are focusing on international students and it is a well known fact that there are many Chinese students in Liverpool, considering the majority of LAN game centres are in China, we have a significant opportunity. 1.2 Collaborations: In terms of our collaborations, we are planning to work with the organisation of Interactive Gaming UK which is professional in LAN gaming in UK. The IGUK provides professional support to new LAN gaming centres. So, we gain another significant opportunity to make a successful start up process. 1.3 Business: 1.3.1 Structure: Our business models structure is divided into two parts. First one is about the products and services, and the second is about the platforms. With regard to the products and services, we are providing project rooms to our customers with wide screens for watching sports games such as football for British and cricket games for Indians. We have a small food court as well in order to have some drinks, snacks, sandwiches while customers are playing games. In terms of our platforms, 1.3.2 Equipments: We arrange high end Pcs, X-box 360 and play station 3 (PS3) with LCD TVs so our customers can play separately or together with their friends. 1.3.3 Products: On the other hand, we also provide special memberships separated by their willingness of playing platforms such as Pro-Gamers PC for computers users, Pro-Gamers X for x-box users and Pro-Gamers PS for play station users. It is an opportunity for the customers to pay less and the same for us as well because we make discounts for membership cards holders. 1.4 Future purpose: As mentioned in the introduction part, our business model is a LAN game centre and the popularity of playing such games is getting bigger day by day in the world wide. The most important example about the popularity of LAN games is the World Cyber Games. It is an international e-sports event arranged by Korean Company World Cyber Game Inc. and backed by Samsung and Microsoft. (http://www.wcg.com/6th/main.asp) It is the largest gaming festival celebrated once a year and more than one million visitors come every year to this LAN game event.( http://www.bukisa.com/articles/362457_the-top-pro-video-game-competitions) In world Cyber Game Championship, there are specific games which are quite common in the world such as counter strike and each country has its own teams to represent. The teams are playing against each other to win the World Cyber Game Championship. It can be deduced from the information above that this championship is the hugest and the most popular one in the world and the biggest companies are in support of this big event such as Samsung, Microsoft, Dell Alienware. Our future purpose is to create a LAN game team sponsor them and send them to represent UK in the World Cyber Game Championship by means of our business. Therefore, we will expand our business to the world wide and be a well known and famous game centre, and on later expansions of such teams we will be introducing our own teams from the countries in which where we will be operating our LAN-Game centre, in this way we are in an option to enter into the International market and make our feature in the game centres. 1.5 The uniqueness of our business model: It is the fact that uniqueness is one of the most significant features for a new small business in the start up process. It is the essential point that enables small businesses to run and make profit. If there are some important competitors in that business area, it will be so difficult for new businesses to grow. Considering our business model, we have this significant feature, we are unique in Liverpool. There are some LAN gamin centres in UK in different regions but in North West region which Liverpool is located, there is no LAN gaming centre. (http://lancenters.com/Default.aspx) The locations of the LAN gaming centres in UK are shown region by region in the table below. Approaches to Start up Process: Every business start up is a unique event. Everyone has a different set of skills and experiences, which may give rise to entrepreneurship opportunities (David Deakins and Mark Freel), e.g. personal SWOT. Everyone wants their launched business to be stable, profitable, and manageable. This is only achieved by selecting the prior approach model which fits within the business idea. Therefore every business organization should have to consider all the aspects of setting-up a business. According to David Deakins and Mark Freel there are three types of approaches in setting-up a business, they are: I. Intuitive approach, II. Methodological approach and III. Incremental approach. According to the business start-up approaches given by David Deakins and Mark Freel, our business idea i.e., setting up a game centre (pro-gamers) in Liverpool resembles to both intuitive approach and incremental approach. Where intuitive approach has the upper hand than incremental approach. Intuitive approach: Carl Jung noted that intuitive approach does not denote something contrary to reason. But something outside the province of reason. It is neither a magical sixth sense nor a paranormal process. Intuition is not the opposite of rationality, nor is it a process of guessing. it is a sophisticated form of expert hones over years of job specific, experience (prietula Simon, 1989). Therefore intuitive business approach means just start up from nowhere, with strong personal belief in the idea and with minimal planning. Intuitive approach is an opportunistic and tends to be high risk because of minimal planning. Therefore as our business idea to launch a game centre in Liverpool, intuitive approach suited our business idea because of the following factors, Opportunistic. Strong personal belief in idea. Minimal planning. Can be viewed by some as the true entrepreneurial approach. Has the advantage of speed. Tends to be high risk. The above are some of the factors of intuitive approach (entrepreneurship and small firms 5th edition by David Deakins and Margarent Fletcher). 2.1 STAGES IN THE START-UP PROCESS: Everyone who are intended to launch their new business in the market should undergo a number of stages in the start-up process of a business. Without considering the stages, one cannot launch a profitable business. Similarly we have considered the stages in the start up process in our business idea, which gave us a clear idea on the opportunities and validating the idea of our business. Thus the following are the stages in the start-up process of a business. Formation of the idea. Opportunity recognition. Validating the idea. Entry in to entrepreneurship. Launch and development of the ongoing business. Formation of the idea: The seed stage of your business life cycle is when your business is just a thought or an idea. This is the very conception or birth of a new business. This is the stage where idea is formulated. Opportunity recognition: Most seed stage companies will have to overcome the challenge of market acceptance and pursue one niche opportunity. The seed stage business should recognise the opportunities for their business to move to the next stage. In our business idea we had recognised a great opportunity, because there is no game centre located in the north-west of the United Kingdom which provides lan gaming, play station gaming etc. Validating the idea: Validating the idea is an important stage where one should validate his/her idea, and ensure that it really solid enough for ones personal investment of time and money. Therefore validation means collecting the prior information to validate the business plan. In our case we gathered the information and validated the business idea. Launch and development of ongoing business: Launch and development of an ongoing business is the last stage of the stages in the start-up process of a business (David Deakins and Mark Freel, 2009). It is the stage where the business idea is finally launched. To launch and develop the game centre in Liverpool we have to consider some of the factors like, business idea is : Depending on budget Organizing events for the awareness among the people Expansion : infrastructure Food court Cafà © and bar Projector rooms 2.2 Start-up options of a business: To launch every business plan into business activity there are four options to start up a business. According to David Deakins and Mark Freel they described start-up options of a business into the following categories. They are. Starting from scratch. Buying a going concern. Buying a franchise. Management buy-out/ Management buy-in. Therefore according to David Deakins and Mark Freel the best start-up option of a business, which fits in our business idea, is starting from scratch. Starting from scratch: Starting a business from scratch can be the most rewarding method of business start-up. Unlike Franchising, Referral Marketing and Buying a business- you are 100% on your own. Before you dive in at the deep end, there are plenty of things you can do to increase your chance of success. There is a better opportunity to know the market and competition, creating a realistic business plan etc. Our business idea fits starting from scratch start up option,because as there is no such game centres in the north-west region of UK which provides different ranges of fun facilities. Therefore it will be 100% of our own implementation. Therefore starting from scratch got both advantages and dis-advantages. Thus the following are some of them Advantages: Initial investment level is decided by yourself or your ability to attract investment. Many organisations offer support / subsidies / funding. You will have the chance to explore new business concepts / formulae. No restrictions on your business methods. Control expansion to suit. Ability to adapt quickly to changing economic circumstances. Great sense of achievement and ability to say I told you so. Potential to sell, franchise or float on stock market once business has established. Disadvantages: Most business start-ups fail in their first year. Takes time to build up the business. No goodwill from customers and suppliers. Ability for your friends to say I told you so. Potentially high risk than all the other options. 2.3 Market research and marketing: Market research: In todays world as the gaming industry is booming to an extent, many of the gaming companies are competing between each other to become the best. Therefore many of the game centres in UK are trying to make good business with this opportunity. As there are many lan gaming centres spread in UK, north west of UK doesnt got any. Therefore according to the IGUK (Interactive game United Kingdom) list of lan gaming centres, north-west of UK is a game centre free zone. Therefore our business idea is to fill up the market gap. Therefore we would like to launch a lan gaming centre in Liverpool to cover the market gap. Market targeting: According to our business idea, i.e. launching a Lan gaming centre in north-west of UK, Liverpool. We mainly focus on people between the age group of 12-20 (youth) because people of that age group are more attracted to play computer games. So we have mainly concentrated on the people between that age group. Our main target is to attract the students of different universities, schools etc. We mainly focus on international students because numbers of international students are un-able to play the games which they would play in their home countries. The main dis advantage or limitation of this business idea is the age group of the people, because people of above 25 years will not have interest to play computer games. As our business idea has the age limitation criteria, we cannot attract the whole market. Therefore we need to capture the young generation market to achieve the goals. When it comes to market targeting there are many issues which we have to consider. They are, How to target the market? Whom to target? Can the targeted market is enough to achieve the profits? Marketing and marketing strategies: As one of the famous scholar described in his words the meaning of marketing that Marketing is the social process by which individuals and groups obtain what they need and what through creating and exchanging products and values with others, (PHILIP KOTLER). Every business has to market its products and its services to the consumers according to consumer needs and wants. Every business has to market its products and services or people will be unaware of that particular brand. Every company follows their own marketing strategies to attract customers. Without implementing marketing strategies one cannot attract the customers. In our business proposal as the main target is on young generation, we are mainly focusing on the young minds. We are planning all kind of marketing strategies to attract them. Some of the marketing strategies are as follows. Distributing palm plates in all the universities, schools etc in Liverpool. Organising events to increase awareness among the people. Advertising through internet pop-ups Offering different membership categories. Organising inter college championships Advertising through social networks. 2.4 Organization and management team: Management structure: A Management structure consists of activities such as task allocation, co-ordination and supervision, which are directed towards the acheivement of organizational aims (pugh, D.S., ed. 1990). In other terms management structure is defined as it is the form of structure that determines the hierarchy and the reporting structure inn the organization. Explicit and implicit institutional rules and policies designed to provide a structure where various work roles and responsibilities are delegated, controlled and coordinated to acheive the organizational goals is known as management structure. Therefore every organization i.e. from small scale organization to large scale organization will have a management structure. Without an organizational structure one cannot run business effectively. According to pugh, D.S. he has described management structure in to 3 types. They are, Traditional structure (based on the functions between line and staff managements) Divisional structure (based on different divisions in an organization. i.e. product division, market division, and geographic division) Matrix structure (it is the mixture of both traditional and divisional structures.) Therefore according to our business proposal, as our business is on a small scale. The initial owners will be 4 partners. Every thing is carried on the basis of divisional management structure, by categorising on the product, market,and geograpgic structures. As our business idea throws a light on incremental stage also, there will be a chance of recruitments in the future. 2.5 Operations: There are certain feature milestones for our business, those are set for the development of the business by all means in the international market, the key reason that is forecasted in our business plan are on the primary purpose Milestones: every business has its milestones to achieve so as to work on the first step is to establish firmly in the local market and the next step is to enter into the national market and the third step is to enter into the international market by franchise way, Franchise is a kind of vertical marketing system with a contractual relationship between the franchisor and franchisee, (Brassington and Pettitt, 2006, Pg. 1082), and on later expansion there will be a cafà © and bar in addition for the lateral income to the business Project and events: Pro-Gamers will sponsor teams from the operative country and sponsoring them to WCG and on the other hand we will be organising tournaments in between the operative countries and also there will be tournaments from the universities in the operating countries, which has its key reasons to keep us active and also to gain profit from these kinds of activities. Resources and Locations: in our Pro-Gamers business the resources are in general will in collaboration of IGUK.Org and associates providing all the required equipments like (n Vidia, WD Raptor, Creative sounds, AMD, Keconnect Broadband, EXS systems), supports all game publishers by buying their games and to reject all forms of piracy,(IGUK.Org sponsors), followed by the locations in the initial stage it will be organised near the university or in permission of the university premises, and later in the slightest increment in organising it will be setup in the large stadiums, with this there will be standard cash flow which will be helping us in the development of our business. SMEs Internationalization: 3.1 Role of SMEs: Business is a profession that starts with purpose of making profits out of it, and theres a fact that should never be kept out of focus that is by all means to develop the business, its development, growth, expansion in the sense of local to international markets. It is always said that SMEs involvement in international markets is increasing (Hall and Donchels 1988, Lamb and Liesch 2002), yet SMEs are not fully represented in the international economy as large firms (Fujita 1988). Well SMEs are though in the international economy but their reliability and feasibility are questioned by the big players, but in the recent times there were many reports which says that SMEs will play a greater role in the rapidly changing economic environment (WIPO General Assembly, Twenty-six (12th Extraordinary) Session Geneva, 25/09/2000 3/10/2000), so we often come across the term SMEs so lets know what is a SME as it is defined as, The category of micro, small and medium-sized (SMEs) is made up of e nterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million euro, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million euro. Extract of Article 2 of the Annex of recommendation 2003/361/EC (European Commission). The researches says that the SMEs are real player of the todays economy in comparing to the large businesses, but there are also some reports that says that they also fail as it is the span of business or lack in improvement to survive or cannot sustain the competition from the other business firms, A study by Equifax has revealed that the retail sector saw a 17.2 per cent rise in business failures last year, with many SMEs forced to close their doors, reports Creditman, Neil Munroe, the external affairs director at Equifax, confirmed that a number of the failures recorded would be small businesses, (SMEs business failure rate increases, Published On 8 January 2007). 3.2 SMEs Market Expansions: Well though business starts from some point, but there is a point that a business can develop itself to the international level by entering into the international market. Which is in the term called as Internationalization, well we are talking about internationalization lets know what is internationalization as there are many definitions that internationalization is defined but there is no exact definition to define it, as it can be defined in general term its an opportunity that is recognized by the firm to enter into the markets of different countries to expand their activities. This is what internationalization can be define or said in general. 3.3 Pro Gamers Internationalization: As it is defined the business of LAN (Local Area Network) gaming centre Pro-Gamers', which is our small business that we are going to start, as it is defined that at some stage it is in need to recognize an opportunity to enter into different market from, local to national and international in an order to expand our activities by all means considering all the ethical marketing issues in a specified market. As our gaming centre is basically a new kind of gaming centre that is different from the other gaming centres of indoor game activities or casinos, though it is well known in the international market but the confusion that is always observed by the audience in the locality of the Liverpool, is that it is the same kind of gaming centres like the casinos and the indoor game centre, which is basically not of that kind and it differentiate from the other gaming centres by all means. The market that is observed in the North West region of England does not have this kind of gaming centre to the farthest reach of people of Liverpool. 3.4 Gaming Market of North West of UK: Liverpool has 4 casinos. Our database says there are 35 gaming machines in Liverpool, and 45 total table games., as for these are the casino and indoor gaming centres these centres does not meet the exact criteria to Pro-Gamers, so this is one of its kind as mentioned, this game centre will have all the state of the art technology for the gaming purpose and all kind of games that makes its customers to experience the good gaming experience. 3.5 Entering into the International market: There are several reasons to enter into the international market or supply chain relies on the development of a supportive business environment for SMEs and the build-up of the human, technical, and financial capacity of these SMEs so they can understand the policies and operations of global supply chains and profitably respond to those requirements. (Pg 1, Enabling SMEs to enter into the International Supply Chain, June 2005) . These are certain reasons that makes Pro-Gamers to enter into the international market to expand our activity, as we mentioned earlier that we will be providing a membership options to the customers to play in the respective platforms and, later on to the interest of the customers we will be organising teams and sponsoring them to represent U.K, and later as we enter into the international market we will be expanding our activity and then we will be organising team from the operating countries and they will be battling against each other in the WCG and in occasions there will be tournaments between the Pro-Gamers teams from the operating countries in the mean time 3.6 SMEs Advantages and Disadvantages: As it is said the SMEs have the advantage compared to the Multinational Co., because it tend to Includes faster and more streamlined decision making process Less bureaucracy Low fixed cost, and More agility to responding to new customers needs and changes in the business climate. (European IT SMEs in India SMEs in focus: Main results from the 2002 Observatory of European SMEs). Pro-Gamers is a micro business unit has the advantage in comparing to the other gaming or casinos of its nature of being a micro business unit and having low number of employed personnel thus the maintenance is low and, it has the benefit of one time investment in local but as it grows to the international markets it need more investments and more persons to employee and expand the activities into the international markets. There are some disadvantages in the SMEs Internationalization which in general, include limited working capital and resources, more difficulty in attracting and retaining talented workers, and higher transaction costs. SMEs also tend to be young, specialized companies, which means they lack the scale and scope of larger firms. A small number of managers leaves SMEs with a lack of collective experience as well as a limited bench to draw from for new initiatives. Many SMEs are also suppliers to much larger multinationals, which often translates to a lack of bargaining power(European IT SMEs in India, Eric Olsson, Peter Schumacher pg 1). Resource constraints of SMEs can be turned to their advantage by maintaining flexibility and resource leveraging (David, D and Freel, M, entrepreneurship and small firms), as for the resource gathering the IGuk.org is reliable sponsor of all kind of hardware and software installation as for the pert of infrastructure and they also provide guidance for the financial approvals and financial activities. 3.7 Network Model: The network model is based on the social exchange of firms, there is always a network of organisation that come in touch of the new emerging business and thus IGUK.org is a kind of an organisation that introduces and provides all kind of support from the government as well as from the private investors, well entering into the international market there is an Org that will help in establishing LAN game centres iGames.Org, thus continues interaction will eventually increase the speed up in process of the organisational set up. These are details regarding the countries that has won the medals in the international WCG championship these are some of the primary sources and thus, there is another primary data the illustrate the area of operation of the international gaming organisations which is in the below chart. Thus these are some of the primary data that is collected in the initial market research Secondary data: The secondary that is gathered is by a questioners which is provided to the respondent and the result of the active respondent showed that this business is new and some thought that its an old business model but on later discussion with the respondent and making them aware of the business it just came to approve that most of the respondent are very much positive of the business, there we almost all of 60 respondent of which almost all were positive and some were not sure about what is the business but the positive respondent made it to appear a good customer response. There is questioner is attached to the file and its a prototype. Joint venture Strategies: Joint venture and strategic alliances is a process that Pro-Gamers is in the purpose of alliance that we are going to opt for the international market to set up our business and iGamer.Inc and WCG.Org are the international partners for us to establish in the international market and grow our business in all times there are certain countries that is targeted to enter, most of these countries are the economy of emerging and transition like India, Brazil, Turkey, Pakistan, Sri lanka these are some of the target market in the internationalization of our business.