The XBOX 360 Kinect Intelligent Controller

Target Research Essays

Target Research Essays Target Research Essay Target Research Essay Individual Research Proposal Introduction In this day and age, we cannot deny that technology is a key aspect of our daily lives and has definitely made our lives more efficient and convenient in several aspects. 61 million individuals are using mobile phones for health related topics, 29 million patients exchange emails with physicians, and 9 million consumers use health communities online (Nicole Lucille). However, many pharmacies are currently not exploiting technology to benefit their companies to their fullest potential. It Is thus essential that technology Is embraced to allow pharmacies to gain a better understanding of their customers and their needs. After doing research in the technology area, I have found several methods in which pharmacies are adapting to improve their businesses. These include creating phone applications, the use of social media, utilizing and analyzing their patients data and the use of cloud storage. Through our past meetings, I understand our group does not want to move in the direction of Improving Targets phone applications due to the technicalities involved. In view of our short time span to work on Targets case, as well as our familiarity with social media platforms, I propose that we look into the use of social media and the collection and analysis of patients data. Social Media The power of social media is evident in the statistics and the results it produces. In the recent years of marketing, 93% of marketers use social media for their business (Peelers), reflecting a major shift In direction In how companies advertise and publicize. 7% of Americans say that Backbone has a greater Impact on their archiving behavior (Bell) and 80% of Backbone users prefer to connect with brands on Backbone (Peelers). 57% of marketers have acquired customers via their blobs and 52% of consumers say blobs impacted their purchasing decisions (BOB Informatics). In addition, only 11% of Americans trust the Pharmacy Industry (Lucille) which reflects a lot on the relationships that have been created between the industry and its customers. These statistics ar e Important for companies as It shows consumers spending most of their time on social media platforms. Thus, It Is evident that the roll is becoming more social and it is time for more pharmaceutical industries to jump in and get in line with this trend. Target currently has a social media platform but it does not seem to be utilizing it to its maximum potential and moreover, does not bring in the pharmaceutical aspect of its business into it. At the Ephraim Connect conference In 2012, it was identified that for industries to use social media effectively, It needs to be customer centric, consistently used and engaging for the consumers (Hammond). This Is something that pharmacies need to take note of when implementing the use of social media in their businesses. One successful company that has used social media effectively is Sansei Diabetes US. They experimented ways in engaging their patients by setting up a Discuss Diabetes Blob and free online education sessions for their patients (Pectoral). This allowed the company to improve and focus on the health and wellbeing of the patients that they served, engaging with also created Risk, Inc. , which allows patients to access news that is important to them at their convenience (Nasty). Austereness uses Twitter to host chats about attains prescription programs as well, which allows the company to receive feedback on their prescriptions, reaching out to more patients in an effective manner (Pectoral). These companies use the various social media platforms to connect on a deeper level with their patients, creating a closer customer relationship and thus greater value in their services. Data collection The use of technology allows companies to collect data in real time. Imagine going beyond Just a simple app, but one that monitors a persons health and gives a patient radical warnings when their health is taking a down turn. Anne O Ordain, Global Managing Director of Accentuates Life Sciences industry group, mentions that technologies can help bring products to market more quickly by allowing patients to provide real-time data right from their own homes (Accentuate). In addition, the extensive use of technology could allow one to gain greater insight on customers. Through the analysis of their medical records, financial, genetic and patient reported data, companies can provide a greater overall value to patients at lowest costs (Accentuate). The Problem Currently, Target seems to be failing miserably in the technological aspect of its company and is at present, not monopolizing technology to its advantage. Its cartwheel app was invented to provide discounts and various benefits to customers but instead has generated negative reviews from the public. The difficulty in finding it and navigating around the app to access the various functions that are available is frustrating for customers Geoff Bagel). In addition, having downloaded Targets main app myself, I realized that the pharmacy tab in their app, leads the user back to Targets official website, which defeats the purpose of the app all together. Looking at their current use of social media platforms such as Backbone, communication is only one way, from Target to consumers. No personal relations are created between Target and its customers through the use of the papas and social media platforms, which is vital should target wish to maximize its customer retention rate. The conclusion I draw from my research is that Target customers want something simple that provides value. Proposal I believe, to provide the greatest value and convenience to customers, Targets hermetically business can use social media platforms and an in-depth analysis of their patients data to improve customer relations, which in turn will improve revenues. The use of social media in advertising in the pharmaceutical industry is tightly regulated by the government (Anna Washerwomen) and this is probably deterring Target from expanding into this area. In depth analysis of customers data could result in having to deal with privacy issues as well. Is it worth it then, for Target to enter into this arena? Definitely. Companies such as Brayer U. S (Washerwomen) have overcome these obstacles by being more conscientious and investing greater time and energy to monitor such platforms, ensuring that they are used well within the these obstacles and monopolizing Targets use of technology to strengthen the relationships of the company and its customers. Reaching out to one person through social media is equivalent to reaching out to the hundreds in that persons social circle, resulting in an exponential increase in awareness of Targets efforts. In addition, by using in-depth data analysis, Target can cater its various products more accurately to meet their individual consumers needs. Conclusion Customer relations are vital to any business and in this tech save. y age of ours, there is no better way to create that connection then through the use of technology. In addition, technology will provide much needed convenience, efficiency and tools, if used properly, that are able to better allow Target to provide for its customers. Sooner or later, Target will have to use such tools to better market its products and by not doing so, Target might find itself lagging behind in the industry. Why start later when we can start now?

Apply Critical Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Apply Critical Thinking - Essay Example In childhood education literature we also witness ‘non sequitors’, which is an attempt to create a cause and effect relationship where none exists. For example, the claim that, since enrolments to schools have increased over time the overall standards must have also gotten better is a non-sequitor. Empirical studies show no correlation between these two parameters. ‘Faulty Analogy’ is comparing apples with oranges. To say that public schooling will fail in the USA because it has failed to impress in China or India is a faulty analogy. One has to also take into account the economic, social, cultural and political conditions that bear upon educational outcomes. ‘Equivocation’ is the deliberate attempt to confuse the reader by obscuring one’s position on the subject. A policy maker or legislator who says that public schooling should be encouraged while also supporting government austerity measures is guilty of equivocating. Equivocation is c losely tied to logical contradiction. Finally, a commonly found fallacy in childhood education literature is that of ‘petitio principii’, also called ‘begging the question’. If proponents of the existing education system are correct in their praise of the system, it then begs the question why American children fare poorly in comparison to their counterparts in Western European

Teaching music to Children in a General Education Classroom Essay

Teaching music to Children in a General Education Classroom - Essay Example According to Joanne, (2), the cognitive developmental theory is fundamental in understanding how minds make logic of music as it is heard. Some of the goals include imparting formal and intuitive knowledge. Joanne, (2), argues that, a teacher is supposed to learn significantly during the music experiments. The cognitive theory is fundamental in helping the teacher to succeed in balancing the mismatch of assumptions between a student and a teacher. Similarly, the cognitive theory enables a teacher to acknowledge the children’s formal and informal ways of understanding. Another goal that a teacher can achieve by applying the cognitive theory is the ability to use the children’s descriptions as vital evidence in understanding their musical development (Joanne, 4). Equally, the theory enables teachers to draw conclusions from the children’s oral drawings, imagery and spatial ordering of such things like bells to disclose the clandestine and interior nature of inner i nquiry and approximating an indisputable knowledge of musical development.... I agree with his theory Jon Dewey believed that, children be encouraged to develop free personalities and taught on how to think and make judgments. I agree with this theory Maria, Montessori believed in individualized education. I agree with this theory John Holt, the pioneer and advocate for Home Education. Holt believed that children study best when; they are allowed to pursue their own interests rather than imposing learning on them. I agree with this theory. Marie Clay, the pioneer of Balanced Literacy Model and Reading Recovery. Marie believed the reading recovery component served well in lifting the low achievers. I agree with this theory. Jerome Bruner, the pioneer of discovery theory. Bruner discovered psychology and embraced a constructivist approach. Bruner believed that the discovery theory based on the assumption that a child learns and remembers better, what he/she discovers. Conversely, Bruner believed that, the children are able to recall new information if they assoc iate it to something they already understand. I agree with his theory. Howard Gardener, the pioneer of multiple intelligence theory. Gardener believed that children developed diverse aspects of intelligence. I agree with this theory (Joanne, 6). John Holt’s theory of advocating for Home Education best fits my interests and a fully align to it. Choose two instruments on pages 16-19 that you would like to share with your children. Name the instruments. Describe the instruments. Describe how the instruments are played? How will you use the instruments with your children? 1. Jingle Bells A bell is a musical instrument that produces different sounds when played. A bell is played by using a stick or a small metal rod or shaking. The instrument can be used to teach the

Critique Of The Movie For Colored Girls English Literature Essay

Critique Of The Movie For Colored Girls English Literature Essay Problems that face women presented in the movie: All these women unknown to them cross paths and their lives interact throughout the movie. The movie is structured such that each of the women has their own stories and problems that are facing them. The movie is based on the problems that the women were facing at the period of the production of the play in 1975. Time has changed but the issues that were facing the women in the 1970s are still relevant in this day and age. This are still the same issues that women are facing in our current millennium. The movie slowly develops and all this women come together to openly share their troubles. The movie mainly revolves around the problems that the cast of nine African-American are facing in their lives. The issues presented in the movie mainly consist of HIV/STDS, rape, abortion, abandonment, infidelity and male cruelty. The paper is going to pick the theme of HIV and STDs, rape and infidelity and male dominance. HIV and STDs: The text has highlighted this as one of the major problem that faces women in the world. Many of them are infected by their unfaithful partner and are oblivious to the fact that they are infected until the symptoms of the infection start to show. The movie clearly has approached the issue of HIV and STDs in the society. The first character to present this theme is Kelly. Accompanied by her husband she visits a physician who after conducting a few tests tells her that she has an untreated sexually transmitted disease that she has had for a long time. The doctor explains to her n her husband that the untreated sexually transmitted infection has robbed her of her ability to have child bearing ability since her womb has become weakened. Kelly is distraught and run wait leaving her husband at the doctors office. Later that night at their home Kelly confesses to her husband what had really transpired so that she contracted the infection. She explains to him that long before the two were married she was having a sexual relationship with a man who unknown to her was having a sexual relationship with a friend of hers. She traces her infection to this incident in her life which she greatly regrets since it had caused her infertility. H er husband however is supportive and tells him that he loves her despite the incident. He decides to stand by her in her problems. This theme is also brought out by Jo who we see confronting her husband on his infidelity. Jo has recently discovered that her husband was having sexual relationships with other men. She had discovered this while the two were at an opera and Jo caught her husband exchanging glances with another man. She later had taken a HIV test which turned out to be positive. She discovers that her husband through his relationship had infected her with HIV and she asks him not to be sorry for anything since he knowingly committed the infidelity. She kicks him out of her house and she goes to share her problems with the other women in the movie. Juanita offers Jo comfort and readily offers her advice on how to live positively even with HIV. Juanita is on the forefront and advices women on the use of condoms so as to avoid unnecessary problems from sex. Rape: The text has discussed rape and has shown that in our present time the rate of rape is still high most of the rape cases go unnoticed and many women shy away from reporting such cases due to the stigma and shame that is attached to rape. Mainly in the developing world rape and sexual harassment is still a serious problem that faces women all around the world. The movie has effectively presented this plight. In the movie we see a number of rapes and sexual belittling of women which is a problem that is still face women in our current times. Yasmine in the movie is having what looks like a good time at a restaurant with a man named Bill at a restaurant. She later lets Bill into her house and he takes advantage of her. He undresses and undresses her. Her forces himself onto her, first he fiercely assaults her before raping her. Yasmine ends up in hospital and even with Kellys husband trying to ask her about the rape she offers no information but rather offers him a poem as her answer. We later learn in the movie that Billy had been stabbed by another woman who he had tried to rape also. The theme is advanced further in the movie in the scene where Alice is furious and bursts into Tangies apartment to confront her about her advising Nyla to go to the abortionists. In the ensuing argument it becomes apparent that Tangie is also a victim of rape. From the argument we learn that Tangies grandfather who was Alices father had raped her. It is also apparent that Tangies grandfather had had his way with Nyla. Alice also reveals that her father had raped her and taken her virginity at an early age. The scene also reveals that Alices father had forced her to have a baby with an old white man when she was just fifteen. The men that they had trusted the most and who were supposed to protect them had been the same people who had hurt them. Infidelity and male dominance: The movie also furthers this theme. This is shown first by the incident of Kelly contracting a sexually transmitted disease. She discloses to her husband that her previous lover was having a sexual relationship with her friend. It was this infidelity that had cost her the ability to bear children. Jos husband is always coming home late and when she confronted him at one point he claims that his phone battery had died. Jos husband had also infected her with HIV since he was having extra marital sexual relationships with other men. She confronts him about it and it becomes apparent that he was having unprotected sex with other men and thus had contracted HIV which he had passed on to his wife. Male dominance is also shown by Jos husband who claims that since Jo earns more than he does and provides for the family he feels that he has been robbed of his masculinity and has to succumb to her control. Crystals husband also exemplifies male dominance and sheer cruelty when he come home to find a man in the drive way. He quickly assumes that the man is his wifes lover and he storms into the house to confront her about it. He shouts and abuses her and eventually takes their children and he drops out of their apartment window. The children die from the fall. Jo then realizes the level of abuse that Crystal has to go through every day. Crystal had to suffer through this due to her husbands machismo that asserts to him that he had dominance over her since she was his wife and she was a woman. Bill also furthers the theme of male dominance since he forces himself on women so is Alices father who raped her and robbed her of her virginity. Male dominance in the movie has been built up on the lines of viewing women as sexual objects At the end of the movie all the women meet at the top of balcony and they all discuss openly their problems. They stand by each other and offer each other comfort through their struggles. They prove to the audience that women need to stick together and support each other through their problems.

Canada Goose

Canada Goose has shown excellent performance and numbers ever since Dani Reiss took over as CEO of the company in 2001. In the decade since, the company has registered an astounding 4000% growth leading many in the industry to deem Reiss as a visionary. Canada Goose has established strong markets in many European countries, especially the Scandinavian ones in addition to its home base in Canada.What is more surprising is that the company has been able to achieve such phenomenal success at the most meagre of marketing budgets – marketing including salaries accounted for 10% of Canada Goose’s total revenue. Organic marketing, including word of mouth marketing were the company’s biggest draws and speak volumes about the well-established brand’s loyalty and value amongst its customers. I would give the brand an excellent score of 9 on a 1 to 10 scale of brand strength.Through proper brand management, the company has been able to establish an aura of exclusivit y around the brand – this is even more impressive when you consider that the brand had initially started out as a utilitarian brand, nowhere close to high end, luxury jacket manufacturers out there. By effectively using marketing tools, Canada Goose has indeed now become more of a status symbol for many and the demand for these sought after products has always outstripped supply by a mile.An example of how the management effectively were able to establish Canada Goose as a high-end, authentic brand is as follows – before Dani took over the company utilized product placement and would give bouncers outside bars who had to stand in the extreme cold all night their jackets but now the company has signed a sponsorship deal with Fairmont Hotels and outfits all the bellhops, greeters and doormen at every Fairmont Hotel in Canada Goose jackets. Not only does it help to strengthen the brand’s association with exclusivity but it also bolsters the association that Canada Goose has with Canadian Heritage and History.The fact that Canada Goose jackets never go on sale, even during big shopping events during Christmas, is proof of the brand’s tenacity. Like other luxury brands, for example Louis Vuitton – who has famously never gone on sale – Canada Goose jackets as well have never been sold for a discount. They are instead often sold at a premium by many of its retailers. The fact that there have been numerous attempts by large national retailers to order the company’s jackets, which were all turned down by the company is testament to the brand’s forte.Consistently good sales and a general increase in brand awareness has led the management to rethink its strategy and start stocking at national retailers as well. Canada Goose’s ability to combine jackets that were chic yet fully functional is the company’s differential advantage. The industry has many competitors, both high end brands which sell jackets at higher price points than Canada Goose and others that were driven by functionality and sold for lower prices. However the company felt unthreatened by both.An unlikely indicator of brand strength for Canada Goose would be the fact that the company is plagued by piracy and counterfeit issues. Although by itself it is a bad thing but it speaks volumes about the fact that the brand is popular and has a high enough demand that pirates want to mint money by using Canada Goose’s iconic brand.   The fact that these jackets are made in Canada are another aspect that add to the brand’s strength. This appeals to the locals by inciting patriotism and for international customers it adds to the products authenticity – who would no winter outerwear better than Canadians?Once a brand has orders coming in, products being sold at higher prices than the MSRP, repeat orders during one season and organic band expansion to international markets it means that the brand is fully developed on a sound and stable footing. Canada Goose has achieved just that. Brand loyalty is at an all-time high, people think it’s chic and fashionable to wear the company’s jackets and even the company’s round logo with a map of the Arctic is extremely popular.Reiss and his team have indeed developed an enviable brand in Canada Goose and from here there is only one way to go to – forward. Question 2 Canada Goose is truly at an enviable position at this point in time. The brand commands excellent sales, has immense awareness and demand for its products actually is far more than the supply. There are certain advantages that come along with such brand strength, I’ll discuss three of these in what follows.Ability to Innovate The company has shown excellent numbers ever since Reiss took over as CEO and  is financially in a position to reinvest profits into developing new product lines. Indeed innovation has been the hallmark for the brand and the company has consistently developed products that are not only technologically at the cutting edge but also are up to date in terms of fashion as well. Premium Pricing Since the demand for the brand has traditionally outstripped supply, the company can easily and without loss charge a premium from its customers. As mentioned the company sells its products at a 100% markup and which in turn translate into increased revenues.Selection of Distribution Channels Canada Goose’s impressive numbers lend to it a semblance of autonomy. The company is in a position to dictate its terms and conditions to distributors, rather than the other way round. Traditionally the company has used only curated small independent retailers, which helped the company establish the brand’s exclusivity but is now in a position to leverage the Canada Goose brand to nationwide retailers and reap the benefits of increased research.Increased Brand Awareness  Brand awareness is at an all-time high. The brand is usually assumed to be synonymous with Canadian heritage and culture and at a 2010 G8 conference the then Finance Minister present Canada Goose jackets as souvenirs to visiting delegates from member countries. Owning a Canada Goose is considered to be a privilege by its customers and loyalty translates into increased brand awareness. This added flexibility can help the company cut down marketing costs and hence focus on product development.Question 3The company is at a juncture where it has to decide to either go forward with nationwide sales or stick to its current strategy of local retailers, which has brought the company so far. However saying no to either of the two orders would be suicidal for the company. Stagnation The company has a potential to use the brand’s current standing to lure more sales and increase its customer base widely. However if they continue to do business as usual, there is a risk of the company peaking out sooner and dying down. Increasing C ompetitionExtreme weather outerwear is a very fiercely competitive industry. If the company refuses to expand, there is a very strong risk of some of its closest competitors, most likely The North Face to overtake Canada Goose and gain some of its market share. Increasing competition translates into decreasing market share. Promote Counterfeits Expansion of the company’s sales net is one way to rid Canada Goose of the menace of piracy. When there is only a limited number of retailers, currently localized by geography, customers who want their products but can’t find them will be easier to con by pirates.This is especially true for online retails because currently the company just has two third party retailers online and unsuspecting customers can be easily lured to buy counterfeit products. In essence, changing the way the company does its business can be an indirect solution to the company’s piracy issues. Question 4 Canada Goose has a number of options which i t can avail if it chooses to expand. However there is always the risk of brand dilution due to saturation of the market with Canada Goose products, which obviously would be detrimental to what the company desires.However saying no to any of these opportunities is like rejecting growth. In addition, the company had recently had its first experience at retail chain distribution by stocking at Ontario-based Atheltic Legends. This experience had been very successful and Atheltic Legends had placed larger reorders. In what follows, I will discuss and compare all of the possible expansion opportunities that the company has based on market breadth, depth and share criteria. Option 1: Asmun’s Menswear Asmun’s Menswear has approached the company with the offer of a long term contract.Asmun’s is a 170 year old Canadian retail store with 10 branches nationwide, it stocks several of the best high end brands and is usually frequented by affluent women and men. It is perfectl y suited to the aspirations that Canada Goose has of becoming into a full-fledged luxury goods manufacturer. However that being said the current order by Canada Goose raises certain concerns, in my opinion, which should at least be evaluated before making a decision. Asmun’s has placed an order for four or five women’s jackets only and that too in their choice of colors and styles.I think this foretells the rigidity that the established retail giant has or will have once Canada Goose gets into relationship with them. No company wants an over bearing distributor. To make matters more difficult, Asmun’s had requested Reiss that they be allowed to use Canada Goose’s products in store’s print advertisements. Since these advertisements went out to almost anyone who signs up with them and also since Canada Goose had as a principle never used advertising as a marketing tool, went against Canada Goose’s current marketing strategy.There is always the chance that this increased used of advertisements and other variations in the marketing mix, could lead to brand dilution – something that the company so dearly wants to avoid. Freedman, Asmun’s representative has also told Reiss that if they stock men’s products in the future – Canada Goose will have to be exclusive to them. I would consider this to be a veiled threat, since what they are doing is that not only are they dictating terms of this contract but also of future contracts.If Asmun’s offer to eventually begin stocking men’s merchandise as well does materialize, Asmun’s would be a good alternative in terms of market breadth. The retailer is frequented by affluent women over the weekdays and has an equal split between men and women over the weekends. These customers have the budgets to afford Canada Goose jackets. Also since the store has a veritable history stretching 170 years, they certainly will have loyal customers who pr efer to shop only at Asmun’s.This means that repeat purchases (market depth) will be most likely possible here, provided Canada Goose gives the customers monetary incentives as well to come back and buy again. However market share is where this option seems to lack. Because currently they’ll only stock women’s clothing and also because the average customer for Canada Goose is anywhere from 18 to 60 years of age, the younger lot wouldn’t frequent the shop very often. Also the company’s 10 outlets pale in comparison to the other option 20. Upfront however both the options will represent 5% market share of Canada Goose’s business.Option 2: Levine’s Menswear Levine’s Menswear like the other option, is an established retail chain specializing in the ultimate high end premium men’s brands. It too has a heritage associated with its 50 years history and has 20 retail locations across Canada – and they also have plans to e xpand by 20 more in the near future. Levine’s was synonymous with high quality menswear and stocked the best luxury brands from across the world. It is well suited with the company’s plans of furthering strengthening its status as a premium brand.This order, in my opinion offered Canada Goose a lot more flexibility. Unlike Asmun’s, they weren’t overbearing on ordering decisions and placed a larger upfront order of 8 to 10 different jacket styles, with the possibility to increase the number in subsequent orders. Also the average customer at Levine’s was a working male, who had enough disposable income and didn’t necessarily care about cost when making a buying decision. In addition to being exposed to these affluent customers, Levine’s had given the go ahead to Canada Goose that they’ll stock the company’s newer prototype models as well.This was the first time any distributor had favorably responded to prototypes the comp any developed. The biggest drawback in terms of market breadth that this offer has is that the retailer is completely men-centric. This means that although the number of male customers would definetly rise, women’s sales won’t be growing at much the same rate. Again since these store were frequented by affluent males, Canada Goose might be missing out on its younger customers. Another advantage that this option offered is that they are a much larger chain of stores then Asmun.40 stores in the near future means that there will be 3 times as many customers to serve as Asmun’s. If managed effectively, the greater number of stores can translate into increased sales. Like Asmun’s, the store has a veritable history and loyal clients. In addition, these clients have the ability to pay a premium for the same products sold at another competing stores just because of its excellent customer service and brand reputation. Market depth will be maximized by going for th is option.Market share is bound to increase as well because these stores will offer Canada Goose a much larger client base, in addition this client base has the capacity to pay for these products. Option 3: Going for Both If the company is able to strike out a deal with Asmun’s to accept men’s products even when the company is stocking at Levine’s Menswear or if they divide their men and women product lines between these two stores, the company can achieve maximum benefit. In terms of market breadth, the company will now have the most varying type of customers and the numbers for both the stores will definitely add up.However there is a chance that repeat purchases (or market depth) might suffer as a result of going for both the options. There is a chance that the market may become saturated by the sudden influx of Canada Goose products at two giant national retailers leading retailers to make less frequent purchases because they aren’t able to get their existing inventory out of the stores. In the off chance that this does happen, Canada Goose needs to devise an effective strategy to tackle this – which can probably mean allowing discounts, something that is against the nature of the company.However by stocking at two national retailers with their own set of loyal customers, market share would definitely increase. These stores with their extensive network of retail outlets and efficient supply chain systems will be able to sell more products quickly than say for instance, the small independent retailers. The common threat from the first three expansion strategies is that of brand dilution. Since the brand will now be sold it more locations, if not managed well, there is a chance of it loosing that brand exclusivity that the company has nurtured so far.Also to successfully go and tap international markets, the company needs to carry out extensive market research that will aid in product development. The product will need to b e modified for regions, for instance, where the winters may not be as severe as they are in Canada. Option 4: International Expansion/Buying back Distribution Rights Canada Goose already has established sales in 28 countries. In fact, Scandinavian countries were the ‘early adopters’ of the brand as a high end, chic and fashionable product rather than the home base in Canada.The company’s success in the European market proves that a market for Canada Goose exists internationally and that the company can effectively manage international distribution by giving distributor’s in the new countries full autonomy over product placement. This will not only increase sales and revenues but provide the company with valuable market research. For instance, Canada Goose’s distributor in Japan – Empire of the Sun Distribution Company Limited used its extensive knowledge about Asian tastes to guide the company to modify their products to suit local tastes.The Chilliwack bomber with its fitted design was an outcome of this collaboration and has gone on to become a market leader for the company in not only in Japan, but in other countries including Canada as well. Market breadth, depth and share all will definitely increase as a result of this expansion. The company’s already burdened supply chain will need to be upgraded to support this international expansion. A marketing department which can coordinate all these international ventures will be needed, as well as opening satellite offices in countries where sales are going really well (for instance, in Sweden).The risk associated with this move will be that there is a possibility that the over-reliance on third party distributors might lead them to become too powerful so as to pose a significant threat to company policy. A company wants to keep control of how its products reach the end user. To mitigate this risk, Canada Goose might consider Buying Back Distribution Rights in coun tries where sales are really well. So for instance in the Scandinavian countries the company can buy out the third party distributors and hence gain the maximum benefit from that market.This will also be a way to curb the threat posed by exceedingly autonomous distributors. Option 5: Increased Online Presence Canada Goose’s closest competitor, The North Face, has a much more wider audience online. Canada Goose can reach to a much wider customer base by selling its products to a greater number of third party retailers. However, there is a risk to doing this. Stores selling counterfeit jackets will become harder to discriminate by the customer – this threat is also posed by international expansion.Increasing piracy, an issue which underscores the fact that the brand is doing well, is a menace for the company and increased online sellers make it easier for pirates to con people. To mitigate this, the company can adopt a two pronged approach. Start a campaign to effectivel y teach customers on how to differentiate between genuine and fake products and second to file high profile public law suits to deter any potential pirates from copying your products. Question 5 If I were lucky enough to be in Dani Reiss’s place, I would start a tactical program to expand into new markets.Brand awareness and recognition is at an all-time high and the company has raked in enormous profits over the last decade. It is in a position of strength and has the ability to expand its business, in an effective way all the while maintaining its image of exclusivity and high-end fashion. Considering all the options discussed above, I suggest the company to deliver products to both the nationwide retailers Asmun’s and Levine’ Menswear. A good strategy would be to revise the contracts by talking to both the retailers and giving them incentives to do business on Canada Goose’s terms.To placate Asmun’s demand for exclusivity in the men’s bus iness, an appropriate strategy for the company would be to give the two stores distinct product lines. The company is in a position of strength and has exceptional innovation capabilities and coming out for distinctive product lines shouldn’t be too hard. By stocking at both the nationwide retailers, the company’s market share is bound to increase however this new development will definitely draw some ire from its current small independent retailers. These larger nationwide retailers can use their economies of scale to effectively price out the small retailers out of business.Canada Goose, as a socially responsible company, and also since these small retailers grouped together had significant bargaining power wouldn’t want to disappoint them. Multiple channel distribution is one of the most discussed topics in Marketing Strategy. While it is usually necessary and beneficial for a company to have multiple channels for distributing its products to the end customer ; it is at the same time tricky to manage this situation in a way where all the parties get along harmoniously. Canada Goose currently relies only on small independent retailers to deliver its  products and selects them after a thorough investigation to ensure that the retailer matches the brand’s persona.The company’s strategy to start stocking its product at national chains is bound to draw ire from its current customers, as is already visible in the email from Westboro Downtown’s owner. However it is not uncommon for companies to do business with both small retailers as well as retail chains; North Face as has been mentioned in the case is effectively harvesting both these channels. In the MM Micromotors Simulation as well we learned on how to balance multiple distribution channels.To allay concerns by small retailers, which when combined can pose a potent threat to the company’s sales, communication can be the most effective weapon in Canada Gooseâ €™s arsenal. A good idea will be to bring together all the small business owners, or at least the most prominent amongst them, and have them meet with Dani Reiss so that their concerns about being priced out can be addressed. Canada Goose can give them guarantees that they won’t do business with large retailers who engage in unfair discounting or using the economies of scale card in any harmful way.Effective, clear communication can go a long way in solving many of the conflicts with smaller retail stores. Another common way to manage conflicts between large and small distribution channels is to use pricing effectively. Marketers can use implements such as discounting from the ‘pricing toolkit’ to offer, for instance, bigger discounts to smaller retailers so that they can charge a higher markup and still sell at a price that is competitive with what the big national retailers are offering.What it means is that Canada Goose sells its products at a lower price to small retailers, so that they can earn larger profit per jacket. The big retailers can use the volume of sails to their advantage. Also since the company has already shown immense potential in international markets, a very potent part of the strategy would be to further develop international sales. The US, despite its geographical closeness, accounts for only 10% of all sales of the company – compared with Europe’s 40%!Adapting products for less severe winters, while still maintaining its prestige and roots can spell guaranteed success for the company. Product development will be key here. The company has to continue to evolve their designs to adapt to local tastes in these new markets because, for example, bulky winter wear isn’t necessarily the first choice for many in Asia where the climate is much warmer. Company owned retail stores can be a great asset for Canada Goose. A trend started very successfully by Apple, is now being replicated by any brand that wants to expand sales yet keep that feeling of exclusivity and class.The North Face has 28 company operated retail locations in the US that stock North Face outlets exclusively. These stores can be used as a tool to add to the brand’s premium feel. Louis Vuitton, for example, only follows this business model and sells only through its own stores. That being said, retail is a whole new ballgame unlike anything Canada Goose has done before. They’ll need to hire a new team to manage these operations, implement a revamped supply chain strategy and otherwise is very resource intensive.

Power and Dependency

Section B: The Power-Dependency Relationship In order to understand power, one must understand that it comes from dependency. Power and dependence have a causal relationship in that power creates dependence and vice versa. In addition, power and dependence are positively correlated because the degree of power A has over B is equal to the degree of dependence A has on B (Molm, 1990). Therefore, the more power A has over B, the more dependent B will be on A. â€Å"Dependence increases when the resource [one controls] is important, scarce, and non-substitutable (Robbins & Judge, 2013)†.To illustrate this point, consider the following: 1. Importance – If A places great value on a resource B controls, then A’s dependence on B increases. For example in the given scenario, Employee 1 places great value on receiving a large bonus that will be used to go on a much needed vacation. Since the bonus depends on the performance review rating given by the manager, Employee 1’s dependence on the manager increases. This can also be demonstrated in Employee 3’s case. The sales team places high importance on increasing sales. Employee 3 used referent power to convince the team to try the new idea and was selected to lead the team.The sales team is now dependent on Employee 3 to be their leader and generate increased sales. 2. Scarcity – If A has sole control over a resource that B considers valuable or important then B will be solely dependent on A. For instance, Employee 2 is the only CPA in the company and as a result is the only employee able to prepare financial statements. CPA’s are scarce in the company therefore the accounting manager’s dependence on Employee 2 increases. The manager is solely dependent on Employee 2 to complete this vital task for the company.Another example can be seen in Employee 1’s case. Employee 1’s manager has sole control over the performance review rating which means that he or she is solely dependent on the manager. 3. Non-Substitutability – The less alternatives there are for a resource which A controls and B requires, the more B will be dependent on A for that resource. The Accounting Manager over Employee 2 has Legitimate Power to approve the shortened workweek and that power cannot be substituted by any other employee in the company. As a result, Employee 2 is solely dependent on the manager to approve the schedule.