Sample of Essay Treasure Island - An Introduction

Sample of Essay Treasure Island - An IntroductionSample of essay Treasure Island is a superb literary work by a British author. It was published in 1937 and one can say that the author of this book wrote it because he was in touch with the social, political and economic changes taking place in Britain. The book mainly focuses on the lives of people of a particular area in a certain country and the changes they have undergone during those years. The author vividly portrays the changes of their life and how each of them has come to be who they are today.The book Sample of Essay Treasure Island tells us about the lives of ten people living in and around Treasure Island, Bermuda. It also discusses the change that these people have undergone during those fifty years. The book samples from their lives for one thing or another. It talks about the changes that the ten people have gone through during the past twenty years. The book thus gives us an insight into the lives of these people and t he changes that took place in the life of the people.The people of Treasure Island would not have survived these changes and upheavals, if it were not for the efforts of the writer. He wrote about these people not just to give them a moral support but also to make them familiar with what was happening in the world of his time. These changes were becoming evident in many places in the world especially those countries where the author lived. This book thus shows how important and valuable writings were to the English people at that time.Although the book Sample of Essay Treasure Island is a little too brief for any real discussion, it tells us the life of the people living in Treasure Island in a way that we would easily understand it. A small portion of the book Sample of Essay Treasure Island gives us a glimpse into the lives of these people. But a thorough study of the book will tell us the experiences of these people, even if we are not able to comprehend them very well.One thing is for sure and that is that this book Sample of Essay Treasure Island was written by a very famous writer and therefore the world knows his name and his fame. He is one William Gladstone and his works include works such as Excursions in Paradise and An Account of Some of the Adventures of the Late Captain Marlow. His works later on made him a very famous writer and thus he became well known. He died in 1907 and this book Sample of Essay Treasure Island was published when he was already dead.We are told about the people of Treasure Island, even though it only tells us some of their experience. The writers did not make much of an attempt to go deeper into the details of their lives. This can be considered as a good thing because a full understanding of life and the changes that take place in it depend on the fact that it was experienced by some people. If we look at other works, we would find that even they tell us of the experiences of people while writing about them.It is obvious t hat some changes that take place in the world of a country can affect people's lives there. The changes may have taken place in the social and political aspects but it is more likely that it will have a great effect on their lives. What would have happened if the author had written a book like Treasure Island?Sample of Essay Treasure Island shows how people are affected by the changes that are taking place in a country even without the slightest change in the social, political and economic aspects. The book had such an impact that it was published several times and even a movie adaptation of it was made. The book tells us about changes that were taking place even if we cannot know the exact details of their lives. It therefore shows how reading books is better than watching movies.

Virgin Group Marketing Performance

Introduction This paper presents a research project about Virgin Group. Richard Branson laid the foundation for the organization. It expanded from a small business venture publishing magazines to the present diversified international investment. The path to success involved intense research and formulation of strategic plans. Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Virgin Group Marketing Performance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Under organizational plan, the research project will enumerate on how research and development brought about existence of Virgin Group. Its system of management is decentralized which then empowers individuals to share ideas, values and experiences for the common good. The essay will further discuss marketing strategy of 4Ps as utilized in Virgin Group. Background of Virgin Group Development of the business started with Richard Branson when he was a student at a boarding school. Bran son was motivated by the success of his magazine which was published in 1968. He therefore quit school to conduct magazine business. Branson later undertook advertisement of mail order records on student magazine. Entry into joint ventures accelerated the rate of expansion and differentiation. The business name ‘Virgin’ was suggested by Branson’s business associate who thought that the business possessed some commercial purity, originality and high value. In 1985, Richard Branson looked into the possibility of expanding the capital base of the business by way of an initial public offer. Subsequently, 35 % of the company’s equity was listed on the London stock market. From 1990 – 2001 Virgin groups expanded intensely after Branson entered into joint ventures with other business including one of the leading Japanese retailers, Marui. There were opportunities which favored the new ventures. One of them was ‘privatization and deregulation in Brit ain’, Ansoff, (113). This is apparent in its successful bids for west Coast rail and Cross country services which resulted in Virgin rail. Deregulation is obvious in acquisition of Euro Belgian Airlines that was re-launched as Virgin Express. ‘Virgin group also expanded due to the possibility of selling goods and services directly to the consumers’ Branson (11). Richard took up this opportunity to searching for innovative business contract with its customers. On a higher scale, Virgin Group saw tremendous change from the explosion of information communication technology and media such that a joint venture between telephone operator NTl and virgin was sealed (Branson, 16). By the year 2004, virgin group of companies had expanded to over 200 ventures with its core on travel business, mobile, monetary, vend music and internet.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF L earn More Organization of virgin group The investment has continually registered success derived from the concept of team spirit. Virgin aims at bringing about difference in their area of operation starting from transport to retail business. It utilizes forward planning criteria which have assisted management in setting objectives for the diversified business investment. Decision makers in Virgin Group integrate both risks and research and development in their planning process. Most of the business venture entered into by Virgin involved extensive research and in-depth analysis. The way to success for Richard captured an aspect of risk-taking with a sole intent to win innovations in the market place (Allen, 21). This also went a long way in pleasing the target customer through product improvement and differentiation. The company does not distinguish bureaucracy in its management hence flow of information is free and originates from a diversified spring. This decentralized system of management allows sharing of ambitions, concerns and even expertise. Solving a problem is fast and easy if teamwork is built in employees. Performance of virgin group Virgin Group has expanded to more than 200 companies in thirty countries. Its revenues exceeded  £11 billion with an approximately number of employees being 50,000 people in 29 countries. Richard Branson who controls the company announced that profits were an approxiamately GBP 68.4 pound which is an increment from the previous year’s earnings. This was attributed to its diversified business venture and the launching of airlines between Australian and Tokyo in Japan. The profits contrast sharply with pre tax loss made by the British Airlines. Group’s sales level for the year ended 2009 increased to 2.579 billion pounds up from the previous year. This figure included sales from virgin holiday. The profits was an outcome of new polices regarding premium travel and enhanced services in the travel sect or which subsequently attracted about 5.77m passengers for the ended 2009. Alliance between Virgin Atlantic and Regus group in May 2009 benefitted flyer program. If global recession is brought under control, it is most likely that Virgin Group will generate more sales and profits.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Virgin Group Marketing Performance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Marketing Organizations struggle to capture new customers and preserve old once in a competitive environment. This is among the aims of forming marketing strategy for a business i.e. to be competitive in the globalised world (Wright, 12). While recognizing the fact that Virgin Group is an international company with customers located in various countries, consumer based approach to marketing is utilized. The company conducts research about customer preferences on a continuous basis. This allows them to avail products which are m ore preferred by the customer. They can further improve their services after evaluating feedback from the customer. Virgin integrates the following dimensions in marketing their product and services: product, position, price and promotion (Mohan, 42). The virgin Brand The strength of Virgin brand found application in many businesses including airline, Virgin Media, financial sectors, motor vehicle industry, train services and even telecommunication industry (Wright, 13). The brand values pleasure, value for money, superiority of the product, improvement, aggressive challenge and excellent customer service. It despises incompetence, simplicity, and disregard to customer care. Virgin group gives licenses to its subsidiary business units but for the case of Virgin mobile in Australia owned by Singtel Optus, the arrangement was a simple agreement for license. Virgin Management Limited is part of Virgin’s Group shareholder that manages the interest of Richard Brandon. VML also ac ts as a service sector providing recommendations and management services to companies in Virgin Group. Any investment decisions are channeled through Virgin Management limited before executing them. Products Sectors in Virgin Group offer competitive products and services. The travel sector provides Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Travel. There are also Virgin books which publish and distribute books with other stationeries. Virgin holiday is characterized by the ability of the customer to book a holiday and fly Atlantic. Other products available to the customer are the independent recording label V2 music and fitness clubs located throughout UK. Pricing strategy Pricing strategy employed by Virgin group is highly sensitive to the demand and affordability of the customer. An example in the travel sector is Virgin Atlantic which offers a variety of six price level for the customer to choose from. Their objective is to ensure that customers get value for what they spend. It is essential to note that customers are ready to expend their money if the level of satisfaction is greater especially in Britain where standards of living are high (Chekitan, 10). This is the reason why Virgin Group offers competitive products and services. Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Group bases its pricing strategy on factors which affect the global market. Examples of these externalities include: inflation, interest rates, political instability, recent global recession and natural disaster i.e. volcanic eruption. Richard developed ‘premium-tization’ an aspect which brings about division of market. The trend forces consumers to demand quality product at a higher price level. Place (Market segmentation) This signifies a location area where a product meets the consumer. Segmentation as utilized by virgin group is an important element where leadership in the market is still in its development stages. There has been tendency by the organization to establish itself well especially in its best and specialty sectors. Some of the strong holds of the company are: the transport sector i.e. airline subsector, newly established mobile stores in Europe and United States (Bower, 21). Rapid expansion of distribution network and development in airline industry is a trend towards achieving customer satisfaction. In addition to market segmentation, virgin group is capitalizing on the new world order of e-commerce. The company can now deliver products and services to its clients at any position in the globe within the shortest time possible via electronic purchase and physical delivery using cargo planes. Virgin is always in the forefront following its ability to implement actions within a recommended time frame. Promotion To reach intended customers, advertising and other aspects of promotion must be employed as a marketing strategy (Kotler, 39). Various channels of communication are exploited with an objective of conveying relevant information about a product or a service to potential customers. Any successful advertisement brings about increased sales and ultimately more revenue to the market. Promotion plays a vital role in growth of Virgin Group by a system of taking information about their product and service to the proximity of the customer (Anon, 15). Internet advertisement regarding quality services offered by Virgin Trains and Atlantic is advantageous to customers since it helps them in making choices before booking. Discounts given on advanced booking and favorable deal to those travelling in group is an incentive to customers. Websites for these transport sectors are very efficient such that it has received an ‘A’ and ‘AA’ rating by the WCAG (Bower, 15). Access to the website is fast enough to guarantee immediate dissemination of information. This is one of the best criteria to expose a product to its customers. Success of virgin is credited to the whole workforce whose talents are challenged constantly by the ever changing consumer environment. Absence of bureaucracy in Virgin Group givens people an opportunity to share their skills, values, ideas and expertise in a positive manner. According to (Koichi, 52), a performing organization is most likely to receive both media and cus tomer’s attention. Recommendations After a profound analysis of marketing strategy engaged by Virgin Group, it is prudent to consider a variety of strategy options available to the management. The management may rethink integrating in the planning process both inside and outside environment of the companies. This means that management must review social, political and demographic descriptions affecting directly or indirectly running of the business. These external variables are critical in developing internal strength i.e. customer experience, technological progress, channel bonding, and market sensing. Highly globalised company has to consider centralizing its management so that information flow along the bureaucratic channel is retained. A centralized management as well means that a person who is given certain responsibilities must be answerable to a member at a higher rank. This will measure performance level of an individual in an office and consequently take control of its resources. Although virgin group values its customers, they must focus on building customer experience centers in their different locations. Apart from giving personalized service to their customers, the center will be mandated to supply the management with data regarding customers’ preferences. Such data is valuable when introducing a new product which will need to penetrate the market fast. Conclusion This paper offered a vivid explanation of the Virgin Group. Richard Branson orchestrated the inception of the firm after succeeding in his magazine venture. The business expanded from one business venture into a collection of more than 200 sectors in 20 countries. As detailed in the literature, profits of the group are always on the increase with a record of more than 68.4 billion pounds in the year ended May, 2009. Cumulatively, sales level reached a value of 2.579m while Virgin Atlantic registered a passenger rate of 5.77m during the financial yea r2009. The success of virgin group is attributed to high regard placed on customers in addition to marketing strategy employed. The paper is very clear on pricing, positioning, product and promotion strategy of the firm. As a policy recommendation virgin group should centralize the role of management in order to take a full control over its resources and also instill in individuals a sense of responsibility. Works Cited Allen, Katie. â€Å"Branson sells Virgin Megastores†. The Guardian Newspaper 17 Sept. 2007: 20-21. Anon, Philips. â€Å"Virgin to close its West End make-up store†. London Evening Standard Newspaper , 1 Feb. 2000: 15-20. Ansoff, Igor. Strategies for Diversification. Harvard Business Review, 35.5 (2001): 113- 124. Bower, Tom. Branson. 4th Estate: Limited publishers, 2001. Branson, Richard. Losing My Virginity. London: Virgin Books Limited, 2002. Chekitan, Dev, and Schultz, Don. â€Å"In the Mix: A Customer-Focused Approach Can Bring the Current Marketing Mix into the 21st C entury†. Marketing Management 14 .1 (2005): 10-20. Koichi, Shimizu. â€Å"Advertising Theory and Strategies†. Tokyo: Souseisha Book Company, 2009. Kotler, Philips, and Keller, Kevin. â€Å"1â€Å". A Framework for Marketing Management. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009. Mohan, Ramesh. International Marketing. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2005. Wright, Robins. â€Å"Branson urges  £1bn rail spend†. Financial times 20 May. 2009: 12-15. This research paper on Virgin Group Marketing Performance was written and submitted by user Rylen S. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.