Diction and storytelling in Death by Landscape by Margaret Atwood

Rather than an exaggerated hyperbole, â€Å"scarred for life† is a very accurate description of Lois from the short story â€Å"Death by Landscape’s† state of mind. Margaret Atwood depicts a character haunted by her childhood and solidifies that past experiences do a great deal in shaping the future of children into adulthood. Through diction by an older and younger Lois: symbolism, setting and characterization are distinguished. Firstly, strong symbolism is expressed through the landscape paintings that Lois collects while at the same time she avoids the wilderness altogether. The readers are left wondering why Lois would collect these painting if she â€Å"does not find them peaceful in the least† but instead they â€Å"fill her with a world of unease† (2). It is revealed at the end of the short story that these paintings are representative of the tie Lois still has been unable to sever with her deceased best friend from childhood. A friend who in Lois’ mind completely vanished off the face of the earth; her body was never recovered. A young Lois recalled, â€Å"Lucy did not care about things she did not know, whereas Lois did†, from this it can assumed that Lois is a character of strong need for closure and she never got it. In her mind there was no way Lucy could just disappear like this, she had to be somewhere. With this mindset taken into her adulthood an older Lois had rebirthed Lucy through these landscape paintings symbolic of her death. â€Å"A dead person is a body, a dead body occupies space it exists somewhere†(9), with this mindset Lois preserved Lucy’s existence through these landscape paintings. In this case symbolism is key in understanding Lois’ fear of the wild. Secondly, setting and imagery play a key role in shaping Lois’ views of the wilderness in adulthood and childhood. As a child it’s made clear that Lois has hostility towards the camp and its atmosphere but then eventually she gets used to it. But Lois in adulthood is seen to have a traumatic fear of anything remotely to do with the wilderness. At first glance it just seems as though she just doesn’t care for gardening by her â€Å"[relief] not to have to worry about the lawn, or about the ivy pushing its muscular little suckers into the brickwork† (4). However after further insight it is seen that there is a reason behind her disdain for wildlife. The only thing signifying wildlife present in Lois’ life is the landscape paintings in which she believes Lucy resides. With these she is able to not have to let go of Lucy at the comfort of her closed-off and artificial world. The imagery of the canoe trip in Lois’ childhood is also seen to be particularly frightening and provides understanding of her complete disdain for nature. While going canoeing Lois feels the â€Å"lake go down, deeper and colder than it was a minute before† (6), this exemplifies the sheer power, terror and unpredictability that comes with the association of the wilderness. Lois’ diction in this passage also foreshadows the complete disappearance of Lucy in a matter of moments, after being swallowed up by nature. Thus, imagery and setting provide insight in Lois’ anxiety for the wilderness. Lastly, characterization is used to depict Lois’ disdain for wildlife and much is revealed about her through the narration of her private thoughts and feelings within her childhood and adulthood. Lois and Lucy grow to become best friends despite them having almost nothing in common. At the age of 13 they live completely different lives and Lois recalls even feeling a bit, jealous of Lucy’s life. The reader is left to think why Lois would have such a central sense of guilt from this childhood experience and why â€Å"she felt terrible-guilty and dismayed, as if she had done something very bad, by mistake†(8). The way that Lois went about her life following this incident was that of a convicted criminal. With the amount and remorse Lois felt, could it be possible that maybe she did subconsciously wish that something would happen to Lucy? After repeatedly having to feel inferior when listening to her stories. Lois ends up feeling so remorseful for Lucy’s death she is completely paralyzed of living her own life. When she marries and has children she finds herself unfocused in life and careless in social gatherings. Randy, her deceased husband’s face does not even resonate with her and neither do the memories of the birth and the raising of her children. . She feels drained and â€Å"as if she was living not one life but two: her own and another shadowy life that hovered†(8). The intense feelings of guilt would only resurface themselves if she were ever to return to the camp in which Lucy had her tragic fall. Therefore Atwood’s use of diction through a young and older Lois provides strong insights for her fear of the wilderness. All in all Lois’ disdain for the wild can be distinguished through: symbolism, characterization, imagery and setting by using the diction of an older and younger Lois. Her complete inability to overcome this grief and loss goes to show to that past experiences play a key role in shaping children into adulthood.

Iphone Micro Environment

Micro-environmental factors such as customers are essential in determining the success of marketing especially when the needs of the clients are satisfied. Similarly, the contribution of employees to the company is fundamental in production of high quality products which are highly marketable (Apple, Inc. 2008). The media is an equally crucial factor of the micro-environment because any information which originates from the media either positive or negative can adversely affect the sales of the iPhones.Macro-environmental factors include worldwide change in technological perspectives of the digital world as well as evolution of more sophisticated software. This attributes creates an edge for Apple iPhones hence increasing their demand in the global market. The global problems such as the recent financial crisis which hit the whole global market contribute negatively towards the marketing of products (Apple, Inc. 2008). SWOT analysis SWOT analysis involves seeking to understand the st rengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that are within the vicinity of the firms reach.Strengths include qualities which may be possessed by the iPhone and not present in other similar models which are in the market. Similarly, strength may be ability of a brand to meet the needs of a particular age bracket thus placing it on top of the others (Linzmayer, 1999). [pic] Weaknesses are negative attributes especially contributed by the micro-environmental factors such as poor publicity. Such a weakness may lead to collapsing of the brand especially when urgent measures are not undertaken to counteract it (Blokdijk, 2008). [pic]Opportunities involve taking advantage of the weakness portrayed by competitors and ensuring that the brand attains higher recognition. During the low season for competitors in addition to ensuring that the firm takes note of the activities and in case of any chance of failure to make a breakthrough (Apple Inc. 2010). [pic] Threats are negative aspects whi ch dampen the occurrence of any successful strategies. Negative aspects which hinder the achievement of certain goals are referred as threats as they interfere with execution of the firm’s productivity. SWOT analysis    |Apple’s iPhone |Samsung |Nokia | |Strength |Unique features of product |Presence of a wide variety of   |Reputation in the market | | | |products | | |Weakness |Position of moisture sensors onShortage of distributors in the |Presence of counterfeits bearing| | |the iPhone hence it easily |local market level. almost similar names. | | |exposed to moisture. | | | |Opportunity |Increased taste of customers |Well established international |Easy recognition of the brand as| | |requiring customized products. |niche thus increasing the |it has been in the market for | | | |international sales of its |quite some time. | | |products. | | |Threat |More competitors dealing with |The wide ranges of products in |Counterfeits being sold at | | |iProducts in addi tion to |the market tend to limit |cheaper prices than the original| | |increased availability of the |consumer loyalty as they cannot |products hence consumers tend to| | |internet at lower prices. recall the name and use of the |reject the real Nokia products. | | | |various products. | |

Analysis of 3m Command

Executive Summary 3M Singapore controls many market leading brands in their various markets, such as Post-It ®, Scotch ® Tapes, Scotch-Brite ® and Commandâ„ ¢. In this report, we will be focusing on the brand – Commandâ„ ¢. We aim to address the problem of the erosion of Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s competitive advantage in its increasingly competitive industry by providing improved/new BTL strategies which Command can undertake. Based on our survey, there are 2 interesting findings which we aim to tackle through our recommendations. The first of which is that consumers could not differentiate Commandâ„ ¢ from 3M. In other words, they viewed Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s products as â€Å"3M hooks† rather than â€Å"Commandâ„ ¢ hooks†. This could lead to a brand dilution of 3M in the long run which is not ideal. The next is that Command’s value proposition of easy and clean removal is not fully understood by consumers. To aid Commandâ„ ¢ in targeting its consumers effectively so as to anchor its footing as the market leader, we aim to address the problem and the misconceptions consumers have. We first investigated the factors behind motivating consumers’ consumption for products in the DIY-Mounting and Fastening Industry, followed by an analysis of the effectiveness of its current BTL strategies. From our results and findings, we have divided Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s consumers into 2 main groups: â€Å"The Innovalist† – Creative individuals who are motivated to purchase based on aesthetics appeal, and â€Å"The Functionalist† – Individuals who are more concerned with durability than other factors. All in all, we aim to help Commandâ„ ¢ differentiate itself from its competitors so as to anchor its position as the market leader. Table of Contents 1. 0 Introduction4 1. 1 Market description4 1. 2 Products review4 1. 3 Competitive environment analysis5 2. 0 The Problem, The Issues, Our Objectives5 2. 1 Issues5 2. 2 Problem6 2. 3 Objectives6 3. 0 Methodology6 4. 0 Results & Findings8 4. 1 Problems8 4. 2 Opportunities9 4. 3 Categorisation of consumers11 4. 4 Effectiveness of current BTL strategies12 4. 4. 1 Primary Space13 4. 4. 2 Secondary space14 4. 2. 3 Print Ads14 4. 2. 4 Promoters15 4. 2. 5 POSM15 5. 0 Recommendations15 5. 1 Primary Space16 5. Secondary Space17 5. 2. 1 â€Å"The Road to Commandâ„ ¢ing Success† Project17 5. 2. 2 â€Å"Is this your room? Start Living! † or â€Å"Tidy Room, Long Living†19 5. 3 Print Ads20 5. 3. 1 â€Å"Visuality Is Key†20 5. 4 Future Plans21 6. 0 Controls & Limitations22 Appendix24 1. 0 Introduction Commandâ„ ¢, one of the brands under 3M’s consumer and office business segment, positions itself as an innovative solution for consumersâ₠¬â„¢ mounting and fastening needs and the gateway through which they are able to transform their space quickly and easily. It has successfully carved a credible name for itself by being true to its brand promise of delivering damage-free, strong hanging solutions which can be removed cleanly and also as an innovative brand through the development of its USP: Stretch Release Technology (USPT). 1. 1 Market description Commandâ„ ¢ is in the mounting and fastening industry. Its target audience is aged 25-45, with a monthly household income above S$4000. The age group comprises of young adults who would most likely be working in their first job and adults who have reached certain milestones in their careers. . 2 Products review Commandâ„ ¢ has a wide range of products under its line, ranging from the general hooks of different sizes to various types of organization products to bathroom accessories. Although products are priced at a premium, it offers consumers damage-free, strong hanging solutions which can be removed cleanly. The main differentiating factor lies in Commandâ„ ¢ Adhesive the revolutio nary USPT that combines a reusable hook with removable, water-resistant adhesive that comes completely off with the pull of a tab and does no damage to the surface in the process. . 3 Competitive Environment Analysis With the rapid advancements in technology, the cost of technology is decreasing steadily, lowering the cost of entry into the industry. Hence, Commandâ„ ¢ face increasingly level of competition from less established brands such as Shunmei, Magic Mounts ® and LEC which positions itself as cheaper alternatives of Commandâ„ ¢ products. These competitors offer consumers products similar to Commandâ„ ¢- able removes cleanly and easily-. Their imitations of Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s USPT and competitive pricing strategies have been eroding Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s competitive advantage; compromising Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s standing as the market leader. 2. 0 The Problem, The Issues, Our Objectives 2. 1 Issues With the new entrants and less established competitors competing head-on with Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s core competency-positioning themselves the in a similar way as Commandâ„ ¢ but charging at a lower price-, it will erode Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s competitive advantage and possibly alter consumer’s perception of Commandâ„ ¢. Figure 1 illustrates the current positioning by Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s close competitors. Price Quality Command Competitors Price Quality Command Competitors Figure 1 Consumers' Perception 2. 2 Problem These issues pose a problem to Commandâ„ ¢ if left unresolved – Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s standing as the market leader and the prestige that it enjoys will be eroded. As competitors mimic Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s products, it is imperative to differentiate itself further and convey to consumers about the premium product it offers. 2. 3 Objectives To ensure Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s continued success and position as the market leader, it is crucial to discover consumers’ motivation in purchasing wall mounting and fastening products. We would thus assess the issues and the potential problem which threatens Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s legacy in the industry, and tailored a marketing plan that consists of a range of innovative recommendations to aid Commandâ„ ¢ in differentiating itself and to achieve its 3 goals of informing, raising awareness and increasing adoption rate by its target group. We start by investigating the factors that motivate consumers to purchase wall mounting and fastening products. Then, we analyse the effectiveness of Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s current below-the-line (BTL) strategies, propose changes and recommend new BTL strategies so that we can better target the consumers. These efforts are aimed to help Commandâ„ ¢ secure its position as the market leader, making it consumers’ preferred choice and proclaiming that â€Å"Commandâ„ ¢ is different, Commandâ„ ¢ is better†. 3. 0 Methodology A combination of primary and secondary research is undertaken to understand consumers’ motivation behind purchasing wall mounting and fastening products and assessing the effectiveness of Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s current BTL strategies. Our primary research consists of three parts. Firstly, a survey designed to help us understand the consumers and the factors that motivate or influence them to purchase wall mounting and fastening products. This survey is aimed at Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s target segment of consumers. The survey is conducted via the online platform to 100 consumers using Google docs, an online tool that enables collecting and analyzing data. Secondly, in-store observations of consumers purchasing wall mounting and fastening products is used to substantiate the analysis derived from our survey. The observation last between 30 minutes to 1 hour and took place in three different locations: the central and the heartland. We use a common set of questions to guide us when we are doing these observations, helping us to better understand the processes that consumers go through and identify the motivation consumers have when making their purchase decision. The effectiveness of current BTL strategies can be inferred through observing the influence it has on consumers’ purchase behaviour. Lastly, we did a focused group interview with 2 different groups of consumers; both are couples in the mid 20s. Pair A was a couple who works as an architect and a banker, while Pair B was a couple who are an engineer and an accountant. Our secondary research includes industry reports and literature reviews to assist us in generating a marketing plan tailored to Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s needs. Literature reviews help us to see how current BTL strategies can be improved for it to become more effective. The industry reports will provide us with a better understanding of the recent market conditions and the competitive outlook. 4. 0 Results ; Findings . 1 Problems A) Based on our survey results, we identified that consumers are unable to relate Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s main characteristics to the Commandâ„ ¢ brand. Only 7% thought of Commandâ„ ¢ when â€Å"adhesive strips† and â€Å"removes cleanly† were used to describe a particular brand of hook. A significant percentage (76%) of the respondents felt that the description was on 3M. This shows that consumers are not able to dif ferentiate between 3M and the Commandâ„ ¢ brand. In fact, more than half of this 76% answered that they have never heard of Commandâ„ ¢. While this shows that 3M has been successful in establishing its credibility in the mounting and fastening market, this situation is not ideal. If there are negative reviews on any of 3M’s Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) brands, the sales of Commandâ„ ¢ would be affected as well. A good example of successful differentiation would be that of 3M Post-It ®. Consumers see the brand name as â€Å"Post-It ®Ã¢â‚¬  by 3M not â€Å"3M stickers†. B) From our observations done at DIY stores in Singapore, we have also found out that Commandâ„ ¢ shelves are not sufficiently strategically placed to capture consumers’ attention. Commandâ„ ¢ hooks are not the first hooks that consumers see when they step into the store. This is a problem as consumers tend to be more experimental towards low-involvement product, switching between brands, as the costs and risks involved are low. 4. 2 Opportunities From our analysis, we will explore the opportunities Commandâ„ ¢ can tap into. Also, we will attempt to better characterize the characteristics of the 2 groups in order to target them more effectively in our recommendations. Table 1 Consumer's Willingness to purchase Command hooks | Hook users| Non Hook Users| Willing to pay for Commandâ„ ¢| 9 (12%)| 24 (86%)| Not willing to pay| 65 (88%)| 4 (14%)| Our question posed to respondents includes listing out the various attributes of Commandâ„ ¢ hooks and asked respondents to indicate their willingness to purchase such a hook. From the table above, we infer that hook users are not willing to pay a premium price for â€Å"Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬  hooks, while non-users are willing to. This is an ideal group for Commandâ„ ¢ to target, with the aim to convince non-hook users to start using hooks, by creating a perceived need for using hooks. Hooks are low-involvement function-based product; people are only motivated to purchase them when there is a need to. Hence, in order to increase usage of Commandâ„ ¢ products, Commandâ„ ¢ would have to introduce to consumers the various ways one can do with hooks, creating a perceived need in consumers to purchase hooks. Non-users of hooks have the misconception that hooks in general would leave stains when removed. When targeting the non-users of hooks, Commandâ„ ¢ would need to address their concerns about hooks leaving ugly stains on the wall or peals the paint off. This shows that convenience is the main attribute consumers consider when they purchase adhesive removable hooks. However, the ideal attributes consumers have in mind for hooks in general are durability and the design of the hooks- both the aesthetic aspect and the shape of the hooks-. This indicates that there is a misalignment between consumer’s ideal hook and that marketed by Commandâ„ ¢. Commandâ„ ¢ could focus on promoting its hooks based on the top 2 attributes consumer’s go for when purchasing hooks, thus positioning itself as consumer’s ideal hook. From the above graph, we identified that most people use hooks in bathrooms and kitchens. Commandâ„ ¢ has focus on conveying to consumers the use of its products in these areas, and it’s substantiated by the display seen in HomeFix at Marina Square elaborated on later. From the graph, a significant number of respondents use hooks in the living room. Commandâ„ ¢ could explore how it can further encourage the greater use of hooks in this area to increase household penetration of its products. Commandâ„ ¢ could also explore the idea of bundling Commandâ„ ¢ hooks with the successful 3M â€Å"Post-It ®Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s† to reach out to office users. In summary, the misconceptions consumers have towards mounting and fastening needs can be translated into problems to address or opportunities for Commandâ„ ¢ to tap into. 4. 3 Categorisation of consumers There are 2 main attributes- design and durability- which consumers look for in their ideal hook and this play a role in motivating their purchase of hooks. Hence, we would divide consumers into 2 main groups: Innovalist and Functionalist. Innovalist: Consumers who are looking for design and creativity when they purchase products. They desire to be different from the rest. They tend to go for products that stand out and they are willing to try new things. This group of consumers will tend to be more price inelastic. Functionalist: Consumers who are concerned about functionality when they purchase products. They are not concerned about design, but more on durability of hooks. For them, hooks are mainly used to hang things and do not serve any other purpose. This group of consumers will tend to be more price elastic. 4. 4 Effectiveness of current BTL strategies BTL strategies serve to complement the above-the-line (ATL) strategies used by Commandâ„ ¢. BTL strategies are designed to target more specifically to the target audience and to get consumers to purchase our product. The BTL strategies play a significantly crucial role in differentiating Commandâ„ ¢ from others. From our primary research, the results obtained shed light on the effectiveness of Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s current BTL strategies. This chart shows that Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s in store advertising is effective, as 74% respondents know about Commandâ„ ¢ through newspapers, magazine and whilst shopping. However, this is not a significant number and more can be done to increase the impact BTL strategies have on the target group. This chart shows that Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s in store advertising is effective, as 74% respondents know about Commandâ„ ¢ through newspapers, magazine and whilst shopping. However, this is not a significant number and more can be done to increase the impact BTL strategies have on the target group. Non-users of hooks are less aware of Commandâ„ ¢ compared to users of hooks. This shows that Commandâ„ ¢ is one of the top brands associated with hooks, but more can be done to increase non-user’s awareness of Commandâ„ ¢ hooks; to establish their presence in non-user’s evoked set. Non-users of hooks are less aware of Commandâ„ ¢ compared to users of hooks. This shows that Commandâ„ ¢ is one of the top brands associated with hooks, but more can be done to increase non-user’s awareness of Commandâ„ ¢ hooks; to establish their presence in non-user’s evoked set. 4. 4. 1 Primary Space For majority of the DIY stores patronized, Commandâ„ ¢ products have a whole shelf space dedicated to it and could easily be distinguished from the rest of the brands. This offers Commandâ„ ¢ a certain level of publicity when shoppers are in the store. When Commandâ„ ¢ products are placed together as a whole it is very striking and distinguishable, attracting shoppers’ attention easily. At the other stores including DIY stores, Commandâ„ ¢ products are placed at the left column, hence may not attract much of consumers’ attention in comparison to products place in the center column. General hooks classified according to different colours and shapes Different sizes: small, medium, big Bathroom accessories, kitchen General hooks classified according to different colours and shapes Different izes: small, medium, big Bathroom accessories, kitchen In stores where a shelf is not fully dedicated to Commandâ„ ¢ products, the brands were divided into the respective rows and organised accordingly in a columns as shown in the figure below. Figure 9 Figure 9 Also Commandâ„ ¢ has made use of temporary cardboard shelves, which are placed near the mounting and fastening section, as seen in HomeFix Compass Point. However, these shelves are tucked at a corner, facing into the store and can only be viewed when one is at the corner where Commandâ„ ¢ hooks are. It is not strategically placed and thus the full potential of the effectiveness of such temporary shelves are not fully maximized, thereby losing the opportunity it have in influencing consumer’s purchase decision. We took into consideration the possible space constraints faced in the store as a possible limitation of its effectiveness. 4. 4. 2 Secondary space It is observed that a more interactive advertising was used in HomeFix at Marina Square – display of a glass cabinet which illustrates how of Commandâ„ ¢ bathroom accessories can be used in the bathroom- . This cabinet is effective as it is prominent, interactive and engaging, teasing consumer out of their boundaries when purchasing a low-involvement product. Shoppers’ attention is attracted and they are more inclined to go closer to the display. Furthermore, it acts as a visual aid, creating imagery in shopper’s mind. Shoppers are encouraged to visualize themselves using Commandâ„ ¢ products at home, leading to them forming a positive bias, as they can clearly picture how Commandâ„ ¢ products can play a part in their life. When they anticipated satisfaction in using the products, the vivid imagery they had earlier would sway consumers’ in their formation of preference, influencing their purchase decision. 4. 2. 3 Print Ads During our primary research, we were not able to find many local print advertisements solely on Commandâ„ ¢. We managed to find an image of 3M’s advertisement on the front page of a â€Å"Today† newspaper and another advertisement, which had â€Å"3M† in huge font, while â€Å"Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬  was just a small logo in the bottom right corner. In consistencies in advertisements like these have led to consumers’ confusion and the inability to differentiate between Commandâ„ ¢ hooks and ‘3M hooks’. Our recommendation would be based on overseas print advertisements by Commandâ„ ¢ and the advertisements we found on 3M and Commandâ„ ¢. 4. 2. 4 Promoters We did not notice any promoters when we conduct our primary research. Based on our secondary research, we found pictures of Commandâ„ ¢ promoters. The promoters did not have a noticeable dress code which allows them to be easily identified in the store. Promoters play an important role in creating public interest and increase product demand. They are the source of information shoppers can turn to when in doubt, helping in shopper’s decision making process. We are not able to analyze this aspect of BTL in depth due to the lack of primary research available. 4. 2. 5 POSM The use of the well known local celebrity Bryan Wong has been effective in reaching out to consumers and possibly encouraging them to be more innovative in the area of home decor. This is can be attributed to his influence in the well-received programme, the â€Å"Home Decor Survivor†, which he has co-host for the past 4 seasons. He is known for his creativity and knack for being innovative. His good reputation, and the high level of reliability and credibility he established throughout the seasons, was a convincing factor for consumers who trust his advice and choice. Furthermore, the use of his pictures on Commandâ„ ¢ in-store advertisements has influenced consumers and serves to remind them that Commandâ„ ¢ products are the best in the market. 5. 0 Recommendations These recommendations are specifically designed to target the 2 categories of consumers we have identified earlier. Using the insight gained from our results and findings about the gist of the associative networks- the linkages between the various concepts- consumers have, our recommendations are proposed with the aim to form the linkages which we want consumers to have when Commandâ„ ¢ comes to mind. We propose 3 different BTL strategies that Commandâ„ ¢ can focus on to inform, raise awareness and increase adoption rate. Table 2 Overview of 5 BTL Strategies Consumer/BTL| Primary Space| Secondary Space| POSM| Print Ad| Promoters| â€Å"Innovalist†| â€Å"Strategising Space Allocation†| â€Å"The Road To Commanding Success†| | â€Å"Visuality Is Key†| | â€Å"Functionalist†| | | | | | . 1 Primary Space Commandâ„ ¢ should occupy shelves at eye levels in outlets where it does not occupy the full shelf as research has shown that products placed at the eye levels get the most attention from shoppers though it does not help in improving the evaluation of the b rand (Eric T. Bradlow, J. Wesley Hutchinson, Pierre Chandon & Scott H. Young 2009). In addition, securing a larger shelf space is helpful in â€Å"increasing brand sales even when the price and location of the products remain unchanged† (Eric T. Bradlow, J. Wesley Hutchinson, Pierre Chandon & Scott H. Young 2009). 5. 1. â€Å"Strategizing Space Allocation† Initiative Commandâ„ ¢ should use words or attributes which Functionalists look out for in their purchases and include it in their in-store advertisements in order to capture their attention and spur them to purchase. Furthermore, Commandâ„ ¢ can explore using the temporary displays more efficiently, by strategically placing them in a manner that would attract the most attention from shoppers. Also, the design of posters found at the top of the temporary shelves can be change as consumers are currently unable to associate them with Commandâ„ ¢ when they view the posters from afar. A sample of this poster is attached in the appendix. We propose that Commandâ„ ¢ expand their shelf space, especially utilizing the eye level ranks and to craft and place its temporary shelves strategically within the space constraints faced in stores, in order to enhance its visual appeal and brand recognition among its consumers. 5. 2 Secondary Space 5. 2. 1 â€Å"The Road to Commandâ„ ¢ing Success† Project This is an interactive road show to increase level of brand awareness and engage consumers in understanding Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s range of products and how the USPT works. The road show targets both the Innovalists and the Functionalists through 4 activities at 2 different locations. A brief overview of the project is shown in the table below. Table 3 Overview of â€Å"The Road To Commanding Success† Project â€Å"The Road To Commandâ„ ¢ing Success†| | A| B| Venue| Central: * Outside Ngee Ann City * Inside CityLink| Heartland: * Pasir Ris * Tampines * Bedok| When| January 2011 (Before Chinese New Year); 2 weekends; 11am-9pm| Type| Stationary| Mobile (Moves from 1 location to the next)| Others| Media invited to cover event at different venues| Activities| * â€Å"What can you hang? Contest – Ongoing * â€Å"Come and organize! † Contest – Every hour * â€Å"Sketch your idea! † Contest – Ongoing * Live Advertisement (CityLink only) – Ongoing| 5. 2. 1. 1 â€Å"What can you hang? † Contest Participants will be invited onto stage to give a creative answer on what can be hang on Commandâ„ ¢ ’s hooks. Answers will be projected onto a screen on the stage. Viewers can vote for the idea they find most creative and the top 10 winners of the day will walk away with a Commandâ„ ¢ hamper (a full range of Commandâ„ ¢ hooks) either at the road show or at 3M’s office at Yishun. This aims to engage the consumers by involving them in brainstorming about what Commandâ„ ¢ hooks can offer them. In addition, this contest enables Commandâ„ ¢ to get inspirations for future design and improvements to be made to their products by finding out how consumers wish to use Commandâ„ ¢ products. 5. 2. 1. 2 â€Å"Come and organize! † contest Participants will be given a range of common household items (umbrella, keys, towel etc) and Commandâ„ ¢ hooks. They will be tasked to organize all these using Commandâ„ ¢ hooks within 5 minutes, during that time; they are allowed to make changes to the position of the hooks. Viewers will vote for the most creative organizer who will walk away with a mini Commandâ„ ¢ hamper (3 sets of different types of Commandâ„ ¢ hooks). This activity aims to instill in consumers how they can use Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s hooks and to demonstrate and justify Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s claim that its hooks can be removed easily and cleanly. 5. 2. 1. 3 â€Å"Sketch your idea! † contest Participants are invited to sketch a creative design of a hook and these designs will be updated on Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s website and the voting period would last 1 week following the road show. Voting would be done online and the top 10 winners will receive a Commandâ„ ¢ hamper (a full range of Commandâ„ ¢ hooks). This allow Commandâ„ ¢ to understand what the Innovalists want in terms of the aesthetics of hooks which could be a stepping stone for Commandâ„ ¢ to create hooks with new designs. More elaboration is under Future Plans. 5. 2. 1. 4. Live advertisement Commandâ„ ¢ can use the many glass casings along the walkway of CityLink and hire models to stay in the glass casings and act out their lifestyle through using hooks. For example, the actor dresses up as a student and mounts Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s hooks on the wall, hangs an item, removes the hook and places it at another spot etc. Commandâ„ ¢ can have 3 sets of actors and act out household, office, bathroom scenes which demonstrate how the different types of product can be used in each setting. This would be attention grabbing and interactive, serving to tease consumers about their traditional notion of a road show and at the same time enable them to form a vivid image of how the various Commandâ„ ¢ products can be used conventionally and creatively, creating the perceived need in consumers to purchase hooks. This road show project is effective as it can 1) boost product and brand recognition by 15 times compared to other forms of advertising and 2) achieves a 97% recall rate. 5. 2. 2 â€Å"Is this your room? Start Living! † or â€Å"Tidy Room, Long Living† We propose that Commandâ„ ¢ explore the use of more glass/clear display cabinets similar to that found in HomeFix at Marina Square, bringing the living room environment into the store and showing shoppers how the hooks can be used in the living room. The display would be located in a variety of places, from DIY stores to supermarkets in order to cater to the different consumer profiles who patronize the stores. This would be an effective way to influence shoppers unconsciously and introduce to them how the various Commandâ„ ¢ products can play an important part in the various areas of their homes. The use of the tagline would differ depending on which target consumers Commandâ„ ¢ is targeting. The tagline â€Å"Is this your room? Start Living! † is for Innovalists while â€Å"Tidy Room, Long Living† is for Functionalist. The design of the living room in the display cabinet would be simple, one that encapsulates the essence of a living room. The proposed layout of the display is attached in the appendices. 5. 3 Print Ads 5. 3. 1 â€Å"Visuality Is Key† Instead of using the conventional style of being information oriented, Commandâ„ ¢ should create ads that are more visually appealing by replacing words with graphics. In addition, the choice of words used is critical in distinguishing Commandâ„ ¢ from competitors’ ads. The ads should be structured in a manner that caters to the preferences of our 2 categories of consumers. Specifically words or phrases like â€Å"durable† and â€Å"ability to hold a certain weight† appeals to Functionalists. Innovalist would be attracted to products which appeals to their creativity. Thus, phrases such as â€Å"infinite possibilities† and â€Å"anything; anywhere† appeals to them. Furthermore, the size of the ads should be larger than the current ones and have a high frequency of repetition, for this would increase the level of positive attitude to the brand and the purchase intention (Chanthika Pornpitakpan 2004). However, in order to achieve effectiveness, Commandâ„ ¢ has to vary the ads in order to reinforce its position in consumers’ memory. The ads would be shown approximately every 1-2 months in order to achieve a positive reaction from readers. We have designed different ads to illustrate our point and they are included in the appendix. The location of the various advertisements is shown below. Table 4 Consumer Type| Strategy| â€Å"Innovalist†| Place ads at â€Å"arts centres† eg. Esplanade| â€Å"Functionalist†| Place ads at â€Å"populated places† eg. Bus stops, train stations| 5. 4 Future Plans Our recommendations are designed to educate consumers that Commandâ„ ¢ is superior to its competitors despite their claims to provide the same quality, using the same technology and cheaper offering. To anchor its position as the preferred choice, Commandâ„ ¢ needs to continue developing new innovative products and convey it to consumers in creative means. For the future, we propose that Commandâ„ ¢ introduce its current line of adhesive hooks in an innovative way – having varied shapes and designs and occasion specific designs-. Examples of the shapes Commandâ„ ¢ can explore are shown in the pictures below. Doing so would further differentiate Commandâ„ ¢ from its competitors and boosts its innovative brand image; it also helps to transform the need of buying hooks to a want to buy hooks. Table 4 Examples of Innovatie Hook Designs Pumpkin hooks design for Halloween| Balloon hooks design for Birthdays| â€Å"Ang Bao† hooks design for Chinese New Year| Table 5 Examples of Innovative Hook Designs Table 5 Examples of Innovative Hook Designs 6. 0 Controls & Limitations In the event of a wet weather, the road show may lose some of its attractiveness as shoppers tend to be more reserved in their participation during such situations. The road show would thus not be able to garner the attention it aims to achieve. Singapore being a tropical country, this will be unavoidable as our weather forecast may not be 100% accurate either. The risk could be limited by organizing less road show during the monsoon seasons. In print ads, we are not able to control the environment under which consumers view it. While we may have an advertisement on Commandâ„ ¢, depending on how they peruse the magazine or medium, readers may not be exposed to the ad. Hence, Commandâ„ ¢ might not be able to control the frequency at which one is exposed to its ads. Therefore, print ads will be a long-term rather than a short-term strategy. Commandâ„ ¢ must ensure that they do not waste resources by having aggressive ad campaigns, but stick to an ad every 1-2 months as stated in our recommendation. References 1. Chanthika Pornpitakpan (2004), â€Å"Cross-cultural Differences in the effect of Ad Repetition and Ad Size: Experiments with Americans, Germans and Singaporeans† Journal of Euromarketing 13(2/3), 49-83 2. Company info: http://www. wikinvest. com/stock/3M_Company_(MMM) 3. Creative hook designs: http://wildammo. com/2009/08/07/crazy-and-creative-wall-hooks/; http://freshome. com/2010/05/11/25-of-the-most-creative-wall-hook-designs/ 4. Eric T. Bradlow, J. Wesley Hutchinson, Pierre Chandon & Scott H. Young (2009), â€Å"Does in-store marketing work? Effects of the number and position of shelf facings on brand attention and evaluation at the point of purchase†, Journal of Marketing, 73, 1-17 5. JULIE A. EDELL and RICHARD STAELIN (1983), â€Å"The Information Processing of Pictures in Print Advertisements†, JOURNAL OF CONSUMER RESEARCH, 10, 45-61 6. Kuus Oberecker, Lea M. Wakolbinger and Michaela Denk (2009) â€Å"The Effectiveness of Combining Online and Print Advertisements Is the Whole Better than the Individual Parts? †, Journal of Advertising Research, 360-372 7. LEC : http://www. lecinc. co. jp/english/pr/index. tml 8. Magic Mounts : http://www. magicmounts. com/page4. htm 9. Roadshow Information: http://www. roadshowadvertising. com Appendix Figure 11. The entire shelf space dedicated to CommandTM in HomeFix at Compass Point, SengKang Figure 11. The entire shelf space dedicated to CommandTM in HomeFix at Compass Point, SengKang Figure 12. The shelf with competitor’s products in HomeFix at Compass Point, SengKang Figure 12. The shelf with competitor’s products in HomeFix at Compass Point, SengKang Figure 14. Temporary shelf B in HomeFix at Compasss Point, SengKang Figure 14. Temporary shelf B in HomeFix at Compasss Point, SengKang Figure 13. Temporary shelf A in HomeFix at Compass Point, SengKang Figure 13. Temporary shelf A in HomeFix at Compass Point, SengKang Figure 15. The display cabinet seen in HomeFix Marina Square Figure 15. The display cabinet seen in HomeFix Marina Square Figure 16. The 3M advertisement-collaboration with Giant hypermarts- in Today newspaper Figure 16. The 3M advertisement-collaboration with Giant hypermarts- in Today newspaper Figure 17. The advertisement with 3M in huge font and Commandâ„ ¢ in smaller font. Such advertisements may confuse consumers further, especially when a significant number of consumers are not aware of Commandâ„ ¢ Figure 17. The advertisement with 3M in huge font and Commandâ„ ¢ in smaller font. Such advertisements may confuse consumers further, especially when a significant number of consumers are not aware of Commandâ„ ¢ Venues for â€Å"The Road To Commandâ„ ¢ing Success† Project Figure 18. The 3 locations of â€Å"The Road to Commanding Success† Project Figure 18. The 3 locations of â€Å"The Road to Commanding Success† Project Figure 19. The open space area outside Ngee Ann City where â€Å"The Road to Commanding Success† Project will be held Figure 19. The open space area outside Ngee Ann City where â€Å"The Road to Commanding Success† Project will be held | Item| Cost| Miscellaneous| Ngee Ann City Space Rental| $3,900| | CityLink Space Rental| $1,140| | Equipment/Logistics/Transportation| $4,600| â€Å"What can you hang? †| Prizes @ $150/set| $3,000| â€Å"Come and organize! †| Prizes @ $15/set| $300| â€Å"Sketch your idea! †| Prizes @ $150/set| $1,500| Live Advertisement| Labour @ $6/hour| $360| Total| | $14, 800| Table 6. Estimated Cost for the â€Å"The Road to Commanding Success† Project Table 6. Estimated Cost for the â€Å"The Road to Commanding Success† Project Figure 21. Example of proposed print ad A Figure 21. Example of proposed print ad A Figure 20. Example of proposed print ad B Figure 20. Example of proposed print ad B Figure 22. Transportation of road show materials for Heartlands Figure 22. Transportation of road show materials for Heartlands Our Observations The questions we used to guide us in our observations to ensure a certain level of uniformity among all the observations 1. The estimated age of the consumer. 2. Consumer’s actions in the deciding process : * Which products they picked up * What kind of hooks does the shopper intends/ considering to purchase? What did they do with the product picked- flipped it over to read the details etc- * What products were they looking at? * Was the shopper influenced by any BTL strategies used by Commandâ„ ¢? 3. How long the deciding process takes 4. Shop’s staff actions during this process, if any. 5. Observe the BTL strategies employed by Commandâ„ ¢, if any. Observation #1. L ocation: HomeFix Compass Point Date: Done on the 25th September 2010 Time spent: 1 hour Observed an approximately 30 year old Chinese lady. She went to the Commandâ„ ¢ products first and spent a reasonable amount of time there (about 10 minutes). She took up the hooks for kids, which has Walt Disney designs, at the bottom shelf and the general hooks. She walked away to the shelf displaying competitor’s products, took up the metal hook by Sellery which cost $1. 60 and kept on holding onto it while she glance at the other hooks on display. She took up the wooden hook by LEC-which requires glue for installation- and cost $2. 90. It can carry a maximum load of 3kg. She flipped to the back of the packaging to read the instructions and lingered for a while before placing the LEC back. She also took up the concrete hook by Double-G. In the end, she bought the Sellery hook. She missed the temporary display by Command 3M as her back was facing it when she was viewing the products in the shelf dedicated to Command products. No sign of metal hooks by command Observation #2. Location: Selffix D. I. Y Store, Jurong Point Date: Done on 30th September 2010 Time spent: 45 mintues I noticed two customers interested in the mounting and fastening section. The first customer knew exactly what he wanted, picked up a cheap brand costing $1. 50 and left. The hooks he purchased where a small hook that came in a set of three and had a â€Å"peal to stick† sign on it. His product awareness either showed he had strong brand awareness or was a routine buyer of hooks. The second customer was more of a first time buyer. She spent her time comparing brands, reading the information on the packaging and in the end decided to purchase a pair of large hooks. The packaging contained 3 hooks each was worth $2. 50. The consumers’ behaviour indicated that the hooks were for a particular purpose and was after a brand that could support the weight of what she needed to hang. Observation #3. Location: Harbourfront Center Date: 23 September 2010 Time spent: 30 minutes There were a total of 5 customers who purchased hooks during the 30 minutes observation. 1 of them was a female, while the rest were males. They were all wearing office wear and looked in their mid 30s. The males seemed to be in a hurry as they simply came into the store, grabbed a hook and other DIY items before making payment. Out of the 4 males, only one decided to purchase a LEC hook instead of a Commandâ„ ¢ hook. The female customer spent a little more time deciding on her hook purchase. She compared between the large and small sized Commandâ„ ¢ hook. In the end, she decided on the larger one. Survey Questions Q1. Which age range are you in? a) 25-30 b) 31-35 c) 36-40 d) 41-45 Q2. Are you a a) Male? b) Female? Q3. What is the range of your monthly HOUSEHOLD INCOME? a) Less than $4000 b) $4000 – $6000 c) $6001 – $8000 d) $8001 – $10,000 e) More than $10,000 Q4. Do you currently use hooks? a) Yes (Move on the Q5) b) No (Move on to Q8) Q5. What type of hooks do you use and why? (Choose one which best describes your reason) | Design| Durability| Convenience (Ease of removal and setting up)| Re-Usable| Don’t use this hook| Nail-On| | | | | | Adhesive (Removable)| | | | | | Adhesive (Non-removable)| | | | | | Door Hanging| | | | | | Suction| | | | | | Q6. Where do you use the hooks? | Never (Area has NONE)| Sometimes (Area has some hooks)| Always (Area has the most hooks)| Bathroom| | | | Kitchen| | | | Bedroom| | | | Living Room| | | | Office| | | | Q7. What is your ideal hook? (Move on to Q12) | Not Important at all| Somewhat Important| Neutral| Very Important| Extremely Important| Design of hook (Aesthetic)| | | | | | Design of hook (Shape)| | | | | | Ease of Use| | | | | | Re-Usability| | | | | | Durability| | | | | | Brand (Reputation)| | | | | | Price (Affordable Price)| | | | | | Q8. Why don’t you use hooks? a) I make use of other instruments b) It is not part of my lifestyle (Never considered using hooks at all) c) I need to use it, but I have not gone to purchase it d) Others: ____________________________ Q9. Would you be interested in hooks with adhesive strips that can be REMOVED CLEANLY? a) Yes b) No Q10. An ordinary hook which is not easily removable would cost between $2-$3. Would you be willing to pay $4 for a hook with an adhesive strip that removes cleanly? a) Yes b) No Q11. Have you heard of hooks sold by Commandâ„ ¢? ) Yes (Move on to Q18) b) No (Move on to Q21) Q12. Have you heard of hooks sold by Commandâ„ ¢? a) Yes (Move on to Q18) b) No (Move on to Q13) Q13. Do you currently use hooks with adhesive strips? a) Yes (Move on to Q14) b) No (Move on to Q16) Q14. What brand of hooks do you currently use? a) 3M b) Shunmei c) First Choice d) LEC e) Magic Mounts f) Bostik g) IKEA h) Others: _____________ ________ Q15. After removal, rate the extent of damage on the surface. | I do not use this brand| Non-removable| Removes while damaging paint/wallpaper| Removes cleanly| Never tried removing before| 3M| | | | | | Shunmei| | | | | | First Choice| | | | | | LEC| | | | | | Magic Mounts| | | | | | Bostik| | | | | | IKEA| | | | | | Q16. Would you be interested in hooks with adhesive strips that can be REMOVED CLEANLY? a) Yes b) No Q17. An ordinary hook which is not easily removable would cost between $2-$3. Would you be willing to pay $4 for a hook with an adhesive strip that removes cleanly? a) Yes (Move on to Q21) b) No (Move on to Q21) Q18. How did you find out about hooks by Commandâ„ ¢? a) Newspaper b) Magazines c) Friends & Family d) Internet e) Television f) While shopping g) Others: _______________________ Q19. What kind of hooks do you think are sold by Commandâ„ ¢? a) Nail-on b) Adhesive (Removable) c) Adhesive (Non-removable) d) Door hanging (hooks that ledge onto the top of doors) e) Suction f) Others: ___________________ Q20. What other products do you think are sold by Commandâ„ ¢ as well? a) Bathroom accessories b) Door stoppers c) Cord organization d) Computer games e) Furniture f) Others: ___________________ Q21. Which brand of hooks first comes to mind when ADHESIVE STRIPS are mentioned? (Choose one) a) 3M b) Shunmei c) Commandâ„ ¢ d) First Choice e) LEC f) Magic Mounts g) Bostik h) IKEA Q22. Which of the following brands of hooks first come to mind when the description â€Å"REMOVES CLEANLY† is mentioned? (Choose one) a) 3M b) Shunmei c) Commandâ„ ¢ d) First Choice e) LEC f) Magic Mounts g) Bostik h) IKEA Layout Plans for â€Å"The Road To Commanding Success† Project Stage Screen for â€Å"What can you hang? † Contest Wall for â€Å"Come and organise! † Contest Booth for â€Å"Sketch you idea! † Contest Command Products Display Booth Command Products Display Booth Booth for Command Products Booth for Command Products Booth for Command Products Command Staff/ Promoter/ Emcee 25 Meter 30 Meter Stage Screen for â€Å"What can you hang? † Contest Wall for â€Å"Come and organise! † Contest Booth for â€Å"Sketch you idea! † Contest Command Products Display Booth Command Products Display Booth Booth for Command Products Booth for Command Products Booth for Command Products Command Staff/ Promoter/ Emcee 25 Meter 30 Meter Figure 2 General Layout for Central (excluding CityLink) and Heartlands Decorations such as fake flower garlands or drapes Fake Television Set Stereo Set (hung on the wall using CommandTM hooks) Curtains 1-sitter small sofa Pictures /paintings (hung using CommandTM hooks) Table displaying Command Products Table containing Command products and household items for person to set up in the â€Å"room† 2. 5 Meter 7 Meter Decorations such as fake flower garlands or drapes Fake Television Set Stereo Set (hung on the wall using CommandTM hooks) Curtains 1-sitter small sofa Pictures /paintings (hung using CommandTM hooks) Table displaying Command Products Table containing Command products and household items for person to set up in the â€Å"room† 2. 5 Meter 7 Meter Figure 3 General Layout for CityLink 1. 1 metre 1. 1 metre 1. 1 metre 1. 1 metre Figure 4 Layout of Display Cabinet in stores Figure 4 Layout of Display Cabinet in stores Layout plan for Instore Display ——————————————– [ 1 ]. The heartlands in the West and East side of Singapore. The outlets where these observations are done were at Selffix D. I. Y Store, Jurong Point; HomeFix, Sengkang and Harbour Front Centre [ 2 ]. The exact questions we used to guide us in our observations are in the Appendix [ 3 ]. Henceforth, we would refer to this hook as â€Å"Commandâ„ ¢Ã¢â‚¬  hooks, as we would hope to draw insights from respondents’ willingness to purchase hooks exhibiting the listed attributes which Commandâ„ ¢ hooks do. We do understand that in reality, the brand of the hooks may play a role in moderating this purchase intention. [ 4 ]. Advertisements are found in the appendices. [ 5 ]. 80% of consumers are outdoors during this period of time [ 6 ]. The models would include students, housewives and working adults. This is done so as to allow shoppers to be able to relate to them better and visualize how they can use Commandâ„ ¢ products in their lives. [ 7 ]. European Outdoor Advertising Association, Zurich, Switzerland [ 8 ]. Outdoor Advertising Magazine, July 2002

Study carefully the following extract from The Social Contract, and the painting The Lictors Returning to Brutus The Bodies of his Sons

Both Rousseau and David's philosophy have the same idea where David was influenced by Rousseau to a great extent. However, they have presented their ideas in different medium whereby one was on the written form whereas the other one was on the visual form. Therefore, this essay will prove their ideas in different ways which they are explored by Rousseau and David. Rousseau constructed the social contract was to solve the question of freedom, and his solution to this problem was the construction of the civil state. In other words, his idea was that living in the civil state was similar as signing a contract in which one agrees to obey the general will and not one's particular will. Rousseau wanted to show that man could live in the civil state and be free as in the state of nature. Through the grouping of citizens, each willing to surrender himself and live with others as a whole which required thinking rationally and act morally. Most importantly, by agreeing to the social contract, people gave up their physical freedom in state of nature and signing himself over to the civil state. Hence, this directed by the general will. In the first and second line of the extract, ‘a remarkable change in man' indicates that people would benefit in a change from the state of nature to civil state. He believed that in joining the civil state, people escape the slavery of appetite and fulfill themselves as human beings. Only ‘general will' makes people human. Our particular wills may want to pursue selfish ends with no regard for the people's interests. Hence, Rousseau believed that ‘general will' is a will that â€Å"it would be in each individual's best interest to think according to the general will and so escape brutish stupidity. (Blk 3, pp115). Therefore, votes must be cast to find a ‘general will'. This general will is the product of reason (Blk 3, pp122). Only then will the society benefit if citizen act according to reason and embrace the ‘general will'. Thus, in obeying the state, citizens will be obeying themselves because the ‘general will' should be what they desire. Therefore, the particular will should coincide with the will of the state because everyone wants the best. Another idea from Rousseau was â€Å"to be legimate, the authority the state has over the people must come from the people themselves† (Blk 3, pp97). In social contract, Rousseau is trying to defend a certain view about legimate authority. He argued that a state is only legimate if based on a contract between all its members, in which they give away their bad qualities in exchange for good qualities. Thus, he claimed that the goal of the government should be to secure freedom, equality, rights and justice for all within the state. Hence, he also claimed that we should abandon our inclinations and consult our reason and think as a member of the state. This had to adopt the general will. As such, people could relate Rousseau's political ideas with David's painting. It helped to ignite a passion amongst the French general public and change French politics. In Rousseau's social contract, the minorities of individuals who do not agree with the ‘general will' must not be ignored. When there is a conflict between the two, Rousseau expects that the citizen will rationalize and choose the ‘general will' over his ‘particular will'. To do otherwise would be ignoble and slavish to selfish appetite. This emphasizes duty to state over personal desires and it was this same belief which David, a painter of the Revolution subscribed to. In his painting, â€Å"The Lictors Returning to Brutus the Bodies of his sons†, David painted in such a way that the view of the spectator is at the same level and it is drawn in a horizontal space. The picture is organized into two different figure groups whereby the females are on the extreme right while the males are on the extreme left. Thus, the empty chair forms a barrier between the two halves of the painting. The group of female figures and a woman on the far right attract the attention in this picture. Their strong emotions show sadness and anxiety to grief at the sight of the corpses. The tallest woman gives a point of interest that she is turning towards her dead sons and one of her hands supports her two daughters while the other hand hopes to rush towards her dead sons. However, her two daughters could not accept the truth that the death of their family members as one was fainted and the other one used her two hands to hide her eyes. Next to them is a female who is seated at one corner as she is deeply depressed of this scene. On the left, Brutus sits impassively in the shadow of the goddess Roma and his right arm signals the lictors to bring the corpses in. He turned his back and refused to look at his dead sons. His tightly clenched toes and muscles on his arms show how tense he is. His other hand held a letter tightly. Thus, the content of the letter has something to do with his sons as they planned a plot to overthrow Brutus. Thus, David has chosen a part of history and he has painted at that moment that Brutus sacrificed his sons for the sake of politics. Hence, he has portrayed the conflicts between political duty and family allegiances. The painting became politically significant because the content reflected the Roman republican virtues and promoted the ideas of moralizing France. This painting leads our eyes along perspective lines and into the depths of the room which was blocked half-way on this picture. The column nearest to the viewer, the dark doorway and the walls on the left and the curtain screen on the right block the view of what lies behind the painting, making us focus on the action of the figures which was closer to us. Thus, it also creates a greater depth in the dark brickwork beyond a second row of columns. The colours and features of the lictors who are first to enter the room are darker then those behind them. Hence, this gives a further sense of pictorial space and takes the viewer deeper into the picture creating depth. The red cushion to the left closer to us adds to another dimensional space. Thus, the different proportions of the chairs and table add more space and depth to the picture. Light is bright and has poured into the scene with different angles. This makes the spotlight effect on the female figures which captures our attention. Bright lights also fall on the columns and empty chair, on the feet of Brutus and on the legs of the body on the second litter. It is also more evident from the shadow of the man on the left, the shadow of female group on the cloth and flooring and one of the lictor's shadows is cast on the column. We could conclude that the light is coming from the doorway from the left. These also seem to be lit in their outlines and add to the three-dimensional effect. In his painting, David chose bright colours such as red and orange costumes for the females, table cloth and empty chair. On the other hand, he also chose dark neutral colours to create a somber mood. There is a broad tonal range in it as a whole, from very bright to very dark and this creates dramatic contrasts. The figures are clearly defined and certain colours are repeated and balanced as reflected in this painting. Like David's painting, Rousseau's ideas are also very clear and well-defined. The brushwork is well-defined and shows clear facial expressions. The expressions on the female figures clearly showed their emotion reactions whereas Brutus is left alone. Brutus and his sons had different views as his sons supported the monarchy instead of him. Thus, it symbolizes that from the left are 'emotions' and from the right are ‘reasons'. Therefore, David introduces the themes of the triumph and role of reason. When looking at David's painting, it could not separate from Rousseau's ideas. As I have mentioned earlier, one must surrender himself and live with others as a whole which required thinking rationally and act morally. In other words, we should bring across the moral values that people should be noble and not possess those bad qualities that has mentioned in the extract. Last but not least, the similarity between Rousseau and David is their ideas involved human reasons and attitudes. Hence, it also grasps an emotional and passionate side of man in both painting and extract. These two medium symbolizes both political and historical context. Thus, David's Neoclassical art extolled civic virtues and emphasized morality, Rousseau was willing to sanction death as a punishment allowing for the achievement of his civil state and David's painting serves as propaganda to reflect his ideology in his painting.

An Explanation of the Use of Imagery and Figurative Language to Convey the Central Theme in Mending Wall, a Poem by Robert Frost

An Explanation of the Use of Imagery and Figurative Language to Convey the Central Theme in Mending Wall, a Poem by Robert Frost In the poem â€Å"Mending Wall†, Robert Frost uses language and paragraph structure in order to develop controversial ideas about the necessity of change and stirring rebellion, and about maintaining individuality. One of the prevalent themes present in this poem is that of change, and when it is necessary. When describing the uselessness of the wall, the speaker says, â€Å"My apple trees will never get across/ And eat the cones under his pines†. Here, the speaker emphasizes that the wall is not needed, and implies that there is no use in mending the wall, therefore advocating for change. The speaker’s believes that the wall is not necessary, shown when he says, â€Å"There where it is we do not need the wall† (line 17). He clearly sees no use for the wall anymore and is thinking practically. Logically, maintaining the wall is simply a waste of time and resources, as it is no longer needed. Frost relays the theme of change and rebellion through the speaker’s questioning of old customs as time goes on. After the speaker suggests that they perhaps break down the wall the reaction he receives is, â€Å"He only says, ‘Good fences make good neighbors’ †Å"(line 27). The neighbor’s repetition and insistence of this proverb shows his devotion to tradition and his unwillingness to change. This proverb has most likely been passed down over generations, once again reinforcing the idea that the neighbor is obsessed with custom and tradition. The fact that the poem ends with this line suggests that no change was established, and that the wall remained. The young, refreshing voice of change is clearly overshadowed by the elder opinion that change is unnecessary if the current system is working. This is an extremely powerful and controversial message, which is especially interesting during a time of such political uproar in America. Another message clear in Frost’s poem is that of the importance of individuality. For example, in lines 8 and 9, the speaker says, â€Å"And on a day we meet to walk the line/ And set the wall between us once again†. The order of these lines is meant to express the irony of the situation. The only time the two neighbors converse or meet is when they are trying to ensure that they won’t be bothered by each other for the rest of the year. This exposes the American culture as an individualistic one, and subtly criticizes the American belief in autonomy. In addition, when describing the mending of the wall, the speaker says, â€Å"One on a side† (line 16). This emphasizes the fact that even when working together towards a common goal, the two are separated. Once again, this stresses the importance of individuality in the American culture; the fact that even when we all want the same thing, we refuse to work together to achieve it, and we look out for our own s elf-interests first. Lastly, in line 18, the speaker describes himself and his neighbor by saying, â€Å"He is all pine and I am apple orchard†. The juxtaposition between these two items is once again meant to describe the separation between the two. Despite the fact that they live in the same neighborhood (and are therefore likely from a similar social class), they are still completely separate beings. Again, through this, Frost hopes to express the idea that individuality is one of America’s core values. Through his usage of language and his paragraph structure, Frost conveys controversial views on American society and its perception of change and individuality.

New Jim Crow Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

New Jim Crow - Annotated Bibliography Example This source supports the fact that new Jim Crow is prevalent in our society even though not readily accepted by the community. This book assists the reader to understand that racism has taken a new form from the previous practices. This article critically examines the height of racism and how racial biasness has taken a new course through criminal justice. It talks about the challenges faced by the blacks because of their skin color and socioeconomic class they are purported to belong to. It goes further to discuss the role of race and class in criminal justice and points out why belonging to the second-class results to unequal justice with the whites. This article supports the argument that new Jim Crow has taken root in our society through mass incarceration, whereby it states how blacks’ imprisonment is seven times that of whites (Cole 22). This argument is supported by the findings in this publication that found why for every one black graduate from college, 100 have been arrested. It also tends to support the argument that racism still exists in many forms. It points out how crime has been used to victimize the minority. This book highlights and genuinely talks about the flawed Justice System in US. It critically questions the trust of American criminal justice system that for a very long time has been praised by many for being fair and equal to all. This book argues that racial biasness is present although it has been disguised form the rest of the world by freedoms and rights stipulated by the constitution. It shows the degree of unequal treatment by the justice system and links the police to enhancing this biased treatment of the blacks. This book explains how 70% of drivers stopped in Maryland and searched were blacks and how they only constitute to only 17.5% of the overall drivers (LCCR & LCEF 3). This book seems to concur with the argument that new Jim Crow is prevalent in the modern US society, by pointing how

Case study on MABUCHI MOTORS CO. LTD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case study on MABUCHI MOTORS CO. LTD - Essay Example (Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.). The strategic management of Mabuchi Motor Co. Ltd., has come in for acclaim for its use of innovation in products, processes, and management techniques that has made the company a formidable business enterprise. This was rewarded by, Mabuchi Motor Company becoming one of the first four Japanese companies to receive the Porter Prize in 2002. (New Porter Prize Awarded in Japan). Mabuchi Motor Co. Ltd. has concentrated on market and production location diversification, while hanging on to its limited product range strategy. (Goerzen, A., 1998). This strategy of Mabuchi, enables it to concentrate all its efforts into its single product, and consolidate these efforts to give it opportunities into diverse markets. This also signifies the strong confidence of Mabuchi in its product enhancement to meet new challenges in the market for small electric motors. The disadvantage of a single product portfolio is that it makes the creation of adequate demand for the product a very significant factor. Mabuchi has turned this disadvantage into an opportunity, as it strives to meet customer requirements within its narrow product base. The Germany Company, Braun is the largest manufacturers of electric razors, and approached Mabuchi with an attractive proposal to enlarge its product base by developing an electric motor without a steel core. Mabuchi refused this offer, but t ook this up as challenge, and convinced Braun on the true capabilities of its steel-core electric motors, and developed a motor for Braun at roughly one-tenth the price of the motor that was in use at that time by Braun. This endeavor of Mabuchi has made it the sole supplier of small electric motors to Braun. The ability of Mabuchi to develop electric motors for diverse application provides it with a window of opportunity for finding new markets. (Hiroaki, N.). The prices of the products of Mabuchi are extremely competitive. This is because of