The Impact of Marketing in the Society - Can We Really Make a Difference?

Definitions

Marketing is generally thought of as the process of promoting goods and services to the end user. We can think of this as McDonald's advertising its Big Mac in such a way that we feel that we really need one for lunch. This demonstrates the advertising piece of the marketing mix, and is the element that most people identify with marketing.

Society is generally defined as the condition in which members of a community live together for their mutual benefit. Societies are more than just the individual members that make up the group, but the sum of the collective. We are all members of a society, and interact with the other members in that community. So what is the impact of marketing in the society?

Negative Connotations of Marketing - They Made Me Do It

Ever since society passed from a Subsistence economy (I grow my own food, make my own clothes, and don't need anyone else to help me) to a Trade economy (I'll grow some food to sell to you, if you will make some clothes to sell to me) we have had the challenge of marketing our products and services to others (Uh-oh, now that there are two people making clothes in my town I'd better let people know why they should buy mine). And ever since that first sales pitch there have been criticisms of marketing; like deceptive practices, high prices, unsafe products, and high-pressure sales - to name a few.

But many critics go further and claim that marketing has created false wants, promoted materialism, produced cultural pollution, and allowed big companies to gain significant political power. And there is an element of truth to all of these claims. Companies that have not performed ethically have had a damaging effect in society that the ethical businesses must now work through.

And the Good?

But it is hard to deny the positives that marketing has brought upon society as well. The wealth of technology at our fingertips today is directly related to the sales of these items and the continued downward pricing caused by the promotion of computers, cell phones, GPS navigation systems, digital cameras, MP3 players, etc. Dozens and dozens of these types of products are commonplace today, but seemed like luxuries for the rich just a few years ago. In fact, most of the people below the poverty line in the US today live better than royalty did 200 years ago -- with cars, heating and air conditioning, microwave ovens, cell phones, televisions, and other amenities now considered necessities.

More importantly, most medium to large companies now have significant charitable giving and service programs that donate large sums of money and time to needy organizations that make a difference in the lives of millions of people every year. Whether companies do this out of a pure heart or a need for positive publicity, the result is the same -- and many of the neediest in society are better for it.

Doing the Right Thing

As the public grows more knowledgeable and educated, they hold businesses to a higher standard than was once the case. The abuses of workers that were common a century ago are not tolerated by society today. Now corporate ethics policies drive decisions in the boardroom and the marketing department so that the end user (that's us) benefits in many ways. Doing the right thing is a good policy because people want to do business with someone they trust and respect. And the companies that are exposed as cheaters, liars, or abusers are generally shunned in the marketplace (Enron, anyone?).

The bottom line is that though there is a negative impact of marketing in the society, there is a positive to balance it out; and it is our job as society to reward the good guys with our purchases and punish the unethical companies by neglecting them in the marketplace. As we continue to do this over and over, we make Big Business aware that they will make money only if they honor their ethics policies and do the right thing on a consistent basis. In this way we can make a difference in the marketing tactics employed to sway our decisions. And that is a positive that we as a society can live with.

How iPad Kiosk Systems Can Help to Run Small Businesses

Small retail shop owners can use iPads and iPad stands to run and improve their small businesses in several ways.

Information centers





iPad kiosks can serve as information centres for walk in visitors. A retail shop owner does not have to be distracted from another buyer and the visitor too can get the information he wants from iPads that are enclosed in free floor standing units inside the door or in wall mount enclosures. The iPad can be loaded with information about products available and their prices besides deals, offers and loyalty programs that visitors can sign up for. A visitor can view the product, its specifications and even a demo. This frees up the retail shop owner who can focus on other important things.

Digital signage





One or a couple of iPads can be used as digital signage to display videos and product demos that will certainly engage visitors and possibly convert them to buyers. The effect is best achieved when such devices are enclosed in suitable enclosures that can be fitted on top of counters or on the wall. There is no doubt that videos and moving images are far more eye-catching compared to printed posters and do engage attention of visitors.

Payment processing





By offering card payment or bank transfers through iPads enclosed in stands on counters, retail shop owners can save valuable time and effort as well as offer greater convenience of shopping. Not every customer likes to pay in cash and when card payment is available they may even buy more. Restaurant owners can have a separate section where walk in buyers can view a menu, place order and make payment using the iPad. The same device can have a feature that requests buyer feedback that will help a retailer or restaurant owner improve services. Taking it a bit further payments so received can be ported to accounting systems. Small business owners need not employ assistants and they can save money too.

Shop windows





Retail businesses can have tablets in the shop windows that display deals of the day and this could encourage passers by to walk in and make impulsive purchases. The same tablet can display messages about the weather and other general information too as a public service. This helps improve the shop's branding.

Entertainment





Families shop or go to restaurants along with kids and kids need to be kept engaged. A tablet loaded with games is just the thing for kids. Keeping the tablets safely secured in stands and enclosures will prevent any inadvertent damage besides making it easy to use. Even adults can play or surf the internet while they wait their turn.

Software developers are coming up with more apps that help small businesses and iPads will help them save costs and improve customer services but what is an iPad without an iPad stand?

Raised Gardening - What Are the Advantages?

There has been a considerable increase in the number of people turning to their own gardens to grow their own vegetables to save money and to eat healthier food. Organic gardening is enjoying a level of popularity like never before and raised gardening seems to be the popular choice. A quick stroll around a few of the gardens in your neighborhood will reveal small board or stone sided rectangles in peoples' backyards housing mini vegetable gardens.

First let us look at what a raised bed is. It is a small patch of land that is fenced in by either wood, stone, cinderblock or brick. In this article we cover some of the main aspects of raised bed gardening to help you make the transition from in-ground to raised bed gardening in a smooth way. The beds are built atop the native soil and may or may not incorporate the soil. The raised bed gardens can be built with a variety of materials. Alternatively you can simply pile up the soil and ingredients to several inches in height and go ahead and plant anything from herbs to vegetables.

Raised gardening is not a new concept and has been in use for centuries to grow cash crops. There are advantages to be had in using this method to grow a healthy garden, though it may be a bit more expensive than just digging up the existing soil and planting your vegetables. The raised beds are uniformly spaced out and the gardener can tend them from both sides quite comfortably.

When planning a raised garden you have to consider the cost of rot resistant, untreated wood, if wood is your choice of wall frame for the garden. Line the bottom with a hardware fabric or chicken wire to prevent the voles and moles from getting into the garden. If you think you don't have any in your garden, guess again! Look into the watering system you have, if your garden is going to be large enough to warrant more than a hose and spray nozzle you will need to have the connect laid on. You will buy the best quality soil and compost so factor that in as well.

Some of the advantages of having a raised bed garden are:

• You have the opportunity to grow your vegetables in the highest quality soil and compost available. Raised beds help you build up a rich and fertile base for your plants and you can make the adjustments with compost and fertilizer very easily.






• Soil drainage is far better in raised beds than in-ground gardens and you will not have to stand in puddle water in your garden. Make sure to line the bottom with sand and rocks to facilitate good drainage.






• Weeds and slugs will mostly stay out of your raised garden; it is not so easy for the weeds to get into a raised bed garden. If you leave enough room between the rows you can even use your mower to keep things tidy.






• A well laid out garden means less maintenance time and no need to bend over for ages tending the beds.






• A well laid out garden means less maintenance time and no need to bend over for ages tending the beds.

Robinson Crusoe - Contest Between Man & Nature

Daniel Defoe was born in 1659 at St. Louis. Gille's, Cripplegate in London. He was a man of many shades. These different personal exercises are reflected in his literary contribution. He had done a numerous occupation during his life time. (1705), "The Apparition of Mrs. Veal" (1705), "The Hymn to Pillary" (1703), "The Essence on Progects" (1770), "History of the Union" (1708-09), "Reasons Against Succession of the House of Hanover" (1712), "General History of Trade" (1713), "Robinson Crusoe" Captain Singleton "(1720)," Mole Flanders "(1722)" Rexona or the Fortunate Mistress "(1724) and other important literary works will remain glorious through the ages.

Man has control over everything except nature. But the fact is false in case of Defoe's "ROBINSON CRUSOE". Defoe's hero Robinson Crusoe has total control over the environment. He is hardcore traveler. He loves to explore new and unknown places. Due to his bad luck, and also a storm, his ship has been destroyed and he comes to an unknown island. The island is not only unknown to Robinson but it is too lonely. Robinson does not able to find a single human being. He is totally confused. He feels confusion due to uncertainty of his destiny. He has no shelter, no food and no clothing. He is alone. He does not get even a rare shadow of any one in this deserted and lonely island. He finds nothing on the island to survive. He has no shelter, food, fresh drinking water, no proper clothing, and the very basic elements to live a life. He stands all alone and he has to face the Nature from now onward.

Robinson cries bitterly but there is no one who can give assurance. There is no one who can provide the best comfort and warmth. But he has to survive as he comes in a desolated island. Slowly and gradually he understands Nature. More over it can be interpreted that Nature some plays a major role in bringing the required liability in Robinson. Nature grooms Robinson to be responsible man. He is traveler, he runs from his much protected shelter, ignoring his parent's warning but he never takes life as seriously.

He has been cast into an alien island and now he really understands the life how tough it is. But in the novel Nature has been portrayed as very polite character. Nature gives her ever thing to Robinson. Robinson learns to make adjustment with adverse situation. He wins over the hostile location. Nature makes him much more experienced, courageous, and skillful. Robinson should be thankful to Nature. She gives him every essential goods to survive decently on such a strange place.

Robinson goes back to the damaged ship to bring the goods. He finds biscuits, rice, bread, cheese, goat's flesh, corn, wine, carpenter's tool, ammunition, arms, barrels, clothes, money and hundreds of other essential merchandise. He needs a roof to protect him and also to reserve the most wanted goods. He finds a suitable place where he can stock his goods. He even gets plenty of fresh water near his shelter. He starts using and exploiting the Nature from now on wards.

Nature teachers him to do many kinds of chores. He learns farming, baking, fencing, plowing, reaping and many other farm duties. He exploits Nature for his own purpose and Nature too helps him whole-heartedly. Robinson uses everything that he has brought from the ship but he can not use money. As in such a deserted island he can not able to buy or sell anything. So money or the wealth is just a useless thing to Robinson.

With the help of Nature he makes his personal life much more pleasurable and comfortable. He has everything. He prepares required furniture for his comfort, he reads the Bible, he learns that there are two farming seasons, he learns to make earthen utensils and also knows how to make them durable. He has goats, parrots with which he sees his leisure time. He remains busy all day with many kinds of works. But still he feels seclusion. Lonesomeness is the major problem for Robinson. He remains flourishing in utilizing the Nature. He makes all arrangement for his survival. He has full control over Nature. He remains victorious in the silent battle with the Nature.

Thus in Defoe's "ROBINSON CRUSOE" the protagonist has full power and control over Nature that Nature which can destroy anything within a fraction of second and that Nature which can be calm and serene at the same time.

How To Evaluate A Business Idea For Developing An Enterprise

Why Do You Need A Business Plan?

Planning is a process that never ends for all businesses. It is extremely important in the early stages of any venture when the entrepreneur will need to prepare a preliminary business plan.

There are different types of plans that may be part of any business operation. These include but not limited to Financial plans, Marketing plan, Human Resource plan, Production plans, Sales plans etc. Plans may be short term or long term or may be strategic or operational. Whatever the type of plan or the function, plans have one important purpose; to provide guidance and structure to management in a rapidly changing market environment.

A business plan on the other hand is a written document prepared by the entrepreneur that describes all the relevant external and internal elements involved in starting a new venture. It is often an integration of functional plans such as marketing, finance, manufacturing and human resources. It also addresses both short term and long term decision making for the first three years of operation. So, the business plan, or road map, answers the strategic questions of where am I now? Where am I going? And how will I get there? Potential investors, suppliers and even customers will request or require a business plan.

How I Prepared My Preliminary Project Proposal

In my case, I followed the following break downs keeping each section as brief as possible.

1. Background : In this section, I established the context of the project by giving an account of the problem it is trying to address.

2. State of the art: I gave an overview of existing and emerging technology in the field, including an account of rival technologies and a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the various options.

3. Proposal: I wrote an overview of the proposed project and the approach, ie the activities which I will be mandated to achieve the project objectives. Clearly establish the research element or novelty component in the proposal.

4. Consortium: an overview of the proposed manpower and establish the required ability to carry out the project successfully (eg skills, competencies, etc.)

5. Objectives and Deliverables: Identify (1) the objectives and (2) the deliverables of the proposed project.

6. Competitiveness: if applicable, establish the competitiveness or advantages of the proposed solution compared to other solutions, whether these already exist or are still being researched.

7. Cost: give an overview of the project cost (including start-up cost and working capital requirements).

8. Impact: this section should include:
i. Markets and Uses: identify possible uses and markets for the deliverables of the project.

ii. Benefits and Beneficiaries: identify the beneficies of the project's results (eg the project participants, the general public, third parties) and the manner in which they will benefit.

iii. Roadmap: give an indication regarding what further steps, effort, costs and timeframes are necessary before possible benefits can be realized from the deliverables or results of the project (unless these are realized within the lifetime of the project).

iv. Spillover Benefits: identify any secondary benefits of the project (eg facilitating participation in funding programs, improving Malta's ranking, strengthening Malta's reputation in a particular area, etc.)

Preparing a Detailed Business Plan
Stages of writing a business plan are: After deciding to go into business, before starting the business and when updating is required.

Business plans can be written for retail business, wholesale business, service business, manufacturing and any other type of business.

A business plan is written by doing the following:
Identifying all the questions that could have asked about the business.
Determining what additional information needs to be collected to answer all the questions.
Obtaining all the necessary information.
Comparison various alternatives
Making a decision on each question.

A business plan should:
Have a good appearance
Provide an index
Provide a summary
Number each copy
Be signed to show who is submitting it.
Depend on the nature of the business.

A business plan should be organized to carry a cover page, table of contents, executive summary, business description, marketing plan, organizational plan, operational plan, financial plan and appendices.

Outline of a typical business plan is as below;

1. Title: Feasibility study Report on______________________
Commissioned by_________________
2. Project consultants
3. Table of contents:

Executive Summary
The Report
Project Background
Objective of study
Project description and
Loan promotion
Promoter
Location

Market and marketing plan
Potential customers
Competition
Pricing
Sales Tactics
Advertising and Promotion
Distribution.

Technical Feasibility and management plan:
Factory
Machinery
Overhead charges
Packaging materials
Raw materials Manpower and Labor costs.

Financial Projection / Feasibility:
Overview on capital requirement
Financial plan
Projected cash flow
Projected profit and loss account
Expected balance sheet
Break-even analysis
Source and application of funds

Organization Plan:
Form of ownership
Identification of partners / Principal shareholders
Authority of Principals.
Management team background
Roles and responsibilities of members of organization

Assessment of Risk:
Evaluate weakness of business
New technologies
Contingency plans.

Schedules:
12 months projected sales
12 months proposed purchase
Fixed Assets and depreciation schedule
Profitability index.

Thanks for reading

Reasons Which Make Video Games the Most Addictive Interface

Talk about video games and all heads start turning. In the present scenario where the technology is advancing rapidly, the games are gaining huge momentum. Whether kids, youngsters or even older people, all seem to have traveled with its addiction. These have been in existence for quite a while now and is also one of the largest source of entertainment around us. To understand it better, let us have a close overview of the types of games and the negative and positive effects it has.

Types of Video interface games- These are different kinds and have different skill sets, with time limits as well, some are quite basic while others are too advanced. A few of them are-

• Casual Play Games- These games are generally of small duration and are easy to play. They do not need any specific software or system.

• Online gaming - These types of games can be played on any sort of browser and thus attracts a larger audience, objectives strategy and role plays. These games need no specific operating system and are more often played by dedicated gamers.

• Social Network games- These are very common games which are played with the help of social networking forums in order to access its users.

Effects of Video Console Games- Playing such games comes very naturally to kids, something which needs not to be taught to them and they get well conversant with it as they keep playing and has its own effects, some of which are quite positive, while others which are detrimental to the health and the overall well-being. Let us take a look at its positive and negative sides.

Positive Effects

• It is said that playing video console games makes the brain very sharp and improves hand eye synchronization.

• They become more adept in facing situations later in life as the skill sets of each level are different and they have to keep the pace going in order to play the game.
Negative Effects

• It is more of an addiction and kids give it the earlier importance.

• The attention diverts from studies due to playing games

• Few games involve getting violent in order to kill the opponent and win it so the player starts practicing the same in the real life as well.

• Physical exercise gets reduced as kids want to play video games and not outdoor games.

Even though video games are the most comfortable and user friendly gadgets for people of all ages, especially kids, yet if proper care is not taken it can prove hazardous for the health. So it is of utmost importance that these are given for a stipulated time and are played under proper guidance.

Autoresponder - The Key to Running a Successful Online Business

In this article, we shall define what autoresponders are, and why you should utilize them to achieve successful online business.

If you run an online business it means you already own a website or a blog. Once your online business is setup, the next most important thing to consider is using an effective autoresponder.

Autoresponder defined

In simple understandable term, it is actually electronic newsletters forwarded automatically to your subscribers via your mailing list, and this is done at intervals that you specify or define. By sample, you can design and specify an autoresponder so that once a person signs up to your mailing list he or she will receive a welcome note from your business. Subsequently, you can send other messages such as business discount codes, invitation to connect on social media, new product launch, etc.

The importance of autoresponders

Using autoresponders for your online business keeps a large bulk of your email marketing automated, and that's if you setup things appropriately. With an autoresponder installed on your website, your subscribers will be able to receive specific vital key messages about your business. With this benefit, you do not need to bother about manually sending these messages out, as it is fully automated as set. This simply makes the importance of using autoresponders all the more clear. In short, they help you save time running your online business, loads of it.

How can you utilize autoresponders to help promote your online business?

• You can utilize them to forward custom birthday greetings with other related offers to subscribers on your mailing list.

• You can transition a subscriber from one phase of communication to another after they purchase an item/product. For example, you can move a subscriber from a 'prospect' level series of messaging to 'upsell' series of communication.

• You can forward mails to subscribers exactly one month after they purchased a product. This can be done to motivate them to renew a 'policy or guarantee.'

When autoresponders are utilized in such creative and meaningful ways, it can help generate substantial sales and income - with high returns on investment for your business.

To use them, you can sign up with popular providers such as MailChimp, Getresponse, Aweber, Mad Mimi or Campaign Monitor, etc. These providers are renowned for offering businesses robust autoresponders with dedicated tools for hosting mailing lists and forwarding newsletters and messages.

Finally, autoresponders when setup and used properly can help online businesses automate lots of marketing activities and tailor specific messages to a mailing list for profit making and client engagement.