Research Korner

Who has the strongest business model in the DVD rental industry, Netflix or one of its competitors

Evaluate the Netflix business model in relation to its competitors and answer the questions (in each case fully explain your response) <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">Who has the strongest business model in the DVD rental industry, Netflix or one of its competitors? </li> According to Netflix found at Answers.com cited at Chiu, Doroudi, Haussler, Khosla and Mattingly (2007, p. 3), “Netflix began to partner with online movie information providers and promoted more features on its website to attract more customers and during September 1999, it began the Marquee Program, offering 4 DVDs rentals per month with no late fees or due dates for a monthly subscription fee”.  Thus, Netflix introduced CineMatch, a program that evaluates the rental patterns of customers, identifying which movies customers of similar tastes would enjoy (O’Brien, 2002, cited at Chiu, Doroudi, Haussler, Khosla and Mattingly 2007, p. 3 ).  The strongest business model in the DVD rental industry is Netflix because they have an effective supply chain strategy that keeps them alive and going in the global market. Hastings vision was then realized in a fair assimilation of the business process and how they deal to their employees is of great structure which allowed them to be one of the market leaders in online business. Netflix membership is also exceptional which provided their members confidence and convenience that has not changed over the years.   <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">Is there anything in the Netflix business model which is hard to copy by its competitors? </li> Of course, there is anything in the Netflix business model which is hard to copy by its competitors such as their supply chain integration and membership and charges are truly hard to copy.  Netflix’ business ability is inadequate merely by its trade model. The location structure, and communications can provide accommodation a complete e-commerce shopping pushcart—but the simply dealings are on one occasion enrollments and contributions to the monthly tune-up. An affiliate just revisits the business segment of the location if a contribution desires to be misrepresented. Transactions are regular and frequent. Members expend the mass of their moment within neighborhood of Netflix website that offer film reviews and exploration capabilities.c. In what ways has Netflix's business model evolved because of?  <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">changing technologies</li> The substance on the Netflix website has film descriptions, images and plot, and associate posted evaluations. A non-member is offered with satisfied planned to give confidence to enrollment, whereas the associate community take pleasure in consumer detailed know-how. The film titles offered to each affiliate are pertinent to his or her resemblances and abhors based on entity film reviews. The content includes stationary sequence concerning the Netflix group, its partners, profession listings, and community network relations. Netflix provide a vigorous society design ingredient to their location. Members are requested to contribute in reviews, discussions, and blogs. In addition, the tell-a-friend alternative generates a viral aspect practical in word of mouse advertising. The society factor of Netflix.com cascade little of providing purposes that permits member-to-member interaction. Much like a playlist, the Netflix stand in line is worn to manage and administer the title and categorize that the movie should be transported to the member. The site exercises this customization component to offer a member-specific know-how to the client. Examining the member’s formerly watched cinemas and the connected ratings present sufficient information to generate a recommended playlist.  <li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">the business model innovations of its competitors </li> Chiu, Doroudi, Haussler, Khosla and Mattingly (2007, p. 13) have concluded in their report that,  “Netflix’s business model has allowed it to thrive in the DVD rental market, but the development of technologies complementary to Video on Demand services are heralding the outdating of DVDs and its successor formats in the distant future. Netflix can prepare to eventually make a full transition from the DVD rental market to the VOD market by entering the streaming movie market today. By implementing its present entry in limited form, namely by offering streaming videos exclusively as a tie-in to its DVD service, Netflix will be able to differentiate itself from its competitors, and reduce the possibility of hurting its brand name due to any potential shortcomings with their new service. Meanwhile, its streaming service will act as a complement to its DVD rentals for several years to come. Ultimately, the experience Netflix gains while offering this bundle of services, combined with Netflix’s reputation for providing user-friendly interfaces will put Netflix in an ideal position to evolve into one of the major players in the VOD market in the last days of physical media. Taking advantage of the opportunity to enter the VOD market now is essential to Netflix’s future growth and survival” (Chiu, Doroudi, Haussler, Khosla and Mattingly, 2007, p. 13). The comparative improvement to Netflix rivals begin with the utilization of technology. An Internet-based scheme permits a client to discover film titles easier than leisurely walking the passageways of a video leasing amass. The complete supply sequence of the Netflix mail-order execution arrangement is further attractive than problems nearby weather conditions, superstore hours, and drop packages. Netflix started its commerce with a discrete competitive benefit.The subsequently little ladders, in the situation of Netflix were partly covered. The development implicated reviewing the resources essential to distribute the reimbursements. Next, there is a necessary glance into the technology expertise needed. This includes the collision of innovative technologies. The equipment existed during 1997 was prehistoric contrasted to what is present nowadays. Broadband is every day, creating the online customers experience countless times superior than previously, also placing Netflix for the prospected base. After refining the occasion into tangible conditions, the final step is placed on market chance examination structure; Netflix accepted their arrangement in the marketplace and acknowledged the syrupy smudge of chance for their commerce.

Who has the strongest business model in the DVD rental industry, Netflix or one of its competitors

Evaluate the Netflix business model in relation to its competitors and answer the questions (in each case fully explain your response) W...

Components of the Entrepreneurial Process

Entrepreneurship as defined by Stevenson and Jarillo-Mossi (1986) focuses on opportunity and is therefore particularly relevant to the marketing interface; it is the process of creating value by combining resources to exploit an opportunity (Hills 1994, p.7). Entrepreneurs perform the function in society of identifying opportunities and converting them into economic value. Churchill and Muzyka’s (1994) characterization of entrepreneurship is “ a process that takes place in different environments and settings that causes changes in the economic system through innovations brought about by individuals who generate or respond to economic opportunities that create value for both these individuals and society” (p.16). Entrepreneurship is critical to enhancing the innovativeness and responsiveness of businesses, to boosting productivity and improving cost structures and trade performance (Harper 2003, p.1).   Components of the Entrepreneurial Process 1. Environments             Entrepreneurship can occur in different economic, social, and political environments. These can be Western market-based economies, Eastern and Central European countries coming out from under central economic planning, or emerging and Third-World economies. the Western model of entrepreneurship is not totally applicable to developing economies where the problems faced by the entrepreneur and the solutions required for successful innovation can be considerably different. Economic innovation can, and does, occur in all of these environments; the fundamental entrepreneurial process can be seen at work, but in different ways and in greater or lesser degrees (Hills 1994, p. 17). 2. Settings             Within a given economic, social, or political environment, entrepreneurship can take place in a number of different settings: new ventures; existing small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); large-scale businesses; not for profit enterprises or, as Osborne (1992) has so vividly described, governmental organizations. The exact nature of the entrepreneurial process may vary in these different settings, as will the problems faced and the solutions required, but economically innovative acts that create value for individuals and society can still take place. It is the act and its outcome, not the environment nor the setting that is the essence of entrepreneurship (Hills 1994, p. 17). 3. Innovations, Individuals, opportunities and Value             Innovations, by definition, create something new. If this creation does not involve economic well-being, no matter how important the creation may be in a physical, social, or cultural sense, the innovation is not entrepreneurial. If, however, either the creating individual or someone else sees an opportunity toapply this creation in a way that adds economic value to society and then implements this vision, then this individual is an entrepreneur (Hills 1994, pp. 17-18).       The Entrepreneur             Entrepreneurs are gap-fillers who take steps in correcting market difficiencies using their skills. Entrepreneurship involves determination, drive, motivation and perseverance. The entrepreneur must be willing to take individual responsibility to set goals, to solve problems and to reach goals by their striving. The entrepreneur assumes accountability for the inherent risks of a new enterprise or venture. Entrepreneurs are considered as people create system of offering products and services in order to gain profit. According to Schumpeter, (1966), the function of entrepreneurs is to reform or revolutionize the pattern of production by exploiting an invention or more generally, an untried technological possibility for producing a new commodity or producing an old one in a new way by opening up a new source of supply of materials or a new outlet for products, by reorganizing and industry (p.132). Entrepreneurs stimulate the economy by introducing innovations with a view to making money. They assume risk, manage activities and efforts of people besides themselves, receive profits or cover losses, discover new ways of doing things, and find new products and markets (Roberts 1991, p.48).   Business Environment Analysis             Firms operate in changing and at times hostile business environments. The environment does not always accommodate the interests of the firm. An organization in its environment might be likened to a ship at sea. Sometimes the sea is rough and the ship has difficulty in making progress on its journey, sometimes it is calm and the weather is clear so that the ship can make steady progress. Sometimes the weather is malevolent: there are thick fogs and icebergs which create risk for the very survival of the ship. Organizational environments present the same kinds of opportunities and threats for the organization as the sea does for the ship (Proctor 2000, p. 121). The business environment is the setting within which a business operates, formulates policies and makes decisions. The internal environment comprises the various assets and resources possessed by the organization. That is its workforce, plant and machinery, know-how, financial resources, etc. The external environment refers to people, institutions, developments, etc., which exert an external influence on how the organization performs. Firms need to know all about the business environment in which they operate. It is essential that they can anticipate the changes that are likely to take place in the marketing environment in the foreseeable future. Organizations can also exercise their own influence on the environment. Among the ways that this can be achieved is the development and commercialization of new technological ideas. These new technologies then become part of the business environment and in their turn have an impact upon what other organizations can do (Proctor 2000). Business environment analysis is important in identifying opportunities for future success. It includes an industry or market investigation, and a focus on customers, competitors, suppliers, substitutes, the changes in the society’s politics and economy, social tendencies and developments in technology.   Business Plan             A business plan is a written statement of what the business or organization expects to achieve and the resources and actions required to achieve it. It is part of the wider strategic decision making process of the organization. A traditional rational model of the strategic decision‐ making model involves an interactive process of: analysis of the external environment; consideration of internal resources; analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT); determination of the expectations of stakeholders (owners, staff, customers, suppliers and others with a stake in the organization) and of the organization's mission, goals and objectives; identifying and choosing between the strategic choices; implementation; and monitoring and evaluation of the strategy. Therefore, the business plan results from the strategic decisionmaking process and is used for external and internal management purposes particularly in fast-growth firms (Baker et al., 1993).   Components of Business Plans 1. Executive Summary             The executive Summary is a concise coverage of all the main points in the business plan and is crucial in convincing the reader that it is worth reading the remainder of the plan. 2. Description of the Business             This will include a description of the business and its current and proposed future legal status (for example, a franchise, or independent producer and whether it is a private corporation, partnership, proprietorship/sole traders and so on), the management team and any strategic alliances (proposed or existing) with other businesses (details and letters of agreement are likely to be attached in an appendix). Also included may be a review of the organization's mission, short- and long-term goals, objectives and strategy, and identification of the key personnel involved in implementing the strategy (Glancey and McQuaid 2000, p. 218). 3. Markets and Competition             There should be a thorough analysis of the existing as well as proposed markets for the business. The market must be carefully defined in terms of size, trends, segments, demand elasticity, macroeconomic influence, and social and demographic changes. The competition must also be analyzed in terms of the general market and the specific market niche involved. Lessons can be learned from the operation and the products/services of competitors and their strengths and weaknesses. This will help determine likely responses of potential competitors and so impact upon the proposed marketing plan and other factors. 4. Products and Services offered             The characteristics of the product or service need to be specified and the product differentiated from competitors. This may cover the full service or product including, for instance, whether the product is to be sold through direct sales or mail order and how after sales service will be provided. Any further design or development work required has to be identified. The product may be differentiated from competitors in a number of ways, such as technology, product or service quality, speed of delivery, location and so on and use of e-commerce (Glancey and McQuaid 2000, p. 220). 5. Marketing             After analysing the market a marketing strategy will need to be developed. This may include the product characteristics and product support services, as well as pricing, promotion/selling and distribution plans. These and the market analysis are used to estimate sales forecasts or projectionsMarketing is a crucial part of the plan, because if estimated sales are not achieved then the entire financial viability of the project is affected. 6. Operation and Production             The operation and production section of the business plan describes how the goods or services will be manufactured or provided, identifying any potential problems with new technology or new production locations and the alternative supplies of key inputs. Also described in the plan may be the systems needed to maintain product quality, ensure environmental compliance and reduce environmental impacts, the use of sub-contractors and the lead times for getting  up and running, and changing product levels. The way in which the business operates and how operations are controlled may also be considered (Glancey and McQuaid 2000, pp. 221-222). 7. Financial Data             This section includes a number of financial forecasts, shown in cash flow statements, incomes statements/profit and loss accounts and balance sheets for the next five years or so. Each of these must be consistent with the rest of the plan and with each other, and should show present and future financial needs (Glancey and McQuaid 2000, p.222). 8. Company Structure             The structure of the company and responsibilities of key managers must be identified. In addition, the current ownership of the business and changes in the ownership due to implementing the plan need to be shown.   Franchising             Franchising is a method of organization that combines large and small business into a single administrative unit. In a franchise system one large firm, often called the parent company, grants or sells the right to distribute its products or use its trade name and processes to a number of smaller firms. The boundaries of the relationship and the ultimate basis for control are established by contract. Contracts typically either have no fixed term or run from three to twenty years, but once a franchisee signs on, the conditions under which termination or nonrenewal can legally occur are limited as long as performance is satisfactory. Although the contract defines the limits of the relationship, control is based more on the community of interest arising out of the near-exclusive relationship between the involved parties. For the system to work, franchise holders, although legally independent, must conform to detailed standards of operation designed and enforced by the parent company. There are two general types of franchise organizations. 1. Product franchising, the first to develop, remains the most important in terms of the value of total sales. Under this system, a manufacturer markets its output almost entirely through highly specialized retailers, who, in turn, rely on the manufacturer for most of the products they sell. This system first appeared in the mid-nineteenth century, when the makers of costly and complex goods such as farm equipment and sewing machines reached a size where their increased output and expanded markets forced them to modify their agency systems to better coordinate and control the flow of goods from factory to consumer. Today, the automobile dealership is probably the most common example of this type of franchise. 2. Business-format franchising, the second type to develop, is where the outlet itself -- together with a comprehensive package of services to support it -- is the product. Business-format franchising emerged in the early twentieth century, when the spread of big business led to the creation of a wide variety of specialized services and managerial tools such as professional advertising and sophisticated accounting systems. These services form the core of the package that business-format franchisers market to the would-be small business owner. By the late 1950s perceptive entrepreneurs realized that, to use a popular example, there was more money to be made selling hamburger stands than in selling hamburgers. Once business-format franchisers understood this and began producing small businesses, they found their success depended on applying the principles of mass production to the bundle of services they provided to their franchisees. When this happened, the franchise industry was born (Dicke 1992, pp.2-3).

Components of the Entrepreneurial Process

Entrepreneurship as defined by Stevenson and Jarillo-Mossi (1986) focuses on opportunity and is therefore particularly relevant to the mar...

Cathay Pacific Airways Short History

With its headquarters and main hub at Hong Kong International Airport, Cathay Pacific Airways Limited or simply Cathay Pacific refers to the flag carrier of Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific was founded by American Roy C Farrell and Australian Sydney H de Kantzow on the 24th of September 1946. According to its corporate website, the company began to operate passenger flights to Manila, Bangkok, Singapore and Shanghai. Expansion was fast and in the 1960s, the coming of age of Cathay Pacific took place. Business grew at an average rate of 20% annually between 1962 and 1967, leading to the initiation of international services to Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya in Japan. Progress continued from the early 1970s to the late 1980s but the 1990s was a difficult time for the airline industry. It was during this time that Cathay Pacific changed and acquired a new identity through changing the green and white striped livery into the dynamic and now famous ‘brushstroke’ image. With the changed physical identity comes various identities associated with Cathay Pacific and these identities will be explored in this essay using the AC2ID test and REDS2 process.

Cathay Pacific Airways Short History

With its headquarters and main hub at Hong Kong International Airport, Cathay Pacific Airways Limited or simply Cathay Pacific refers to the...

Sample Essay The Finn Forest Case Introduces a Methodology for Undertaking Supply Chain Redesign

Introduction The Finn forest case introduces a methodology for undertaking supply chain redesign. This methodology is illustrated in the supply chain of Finn forest Corporation, a supplier of timber products whose supply chain stretches from the forest to supplying builders and retail outlets. The case introduces students to supply chain analysis techniques-pipeline mapping and time-based process mapping-which can be used to develop proposals on how Finn forest's supply chain could be redesigned. The case taken and the implications for the supply chain management of risk of supply chain failure arising from “improvements”.   Rationale: Strategic supply chain management means management of the complex network of supply chain operations, which gets products and services to the customer, and the physical arrangement of the supply chain operations facilities, technology and people. In the face of ever increasing complexity, and customer expectations for faster supply chain response, businesses must be able to identify the potential weaknesses of their supply chain networks and adopt appropriate supply chain analysis and redesign.   Analyse the attached case study “Supply chain redesign at Finn forest” and submit a paper in report format of not more than 3000 words, with appendices, which analyses following tasks and questions:     Questions and tasks 1.      Analyse the Finn Forest supply chain and identify the proportion of supply chain process lead-time which is made up of wasted time. 2.      Name the specific steps in the supply chain which contain the largest amounts of wasted time. 3.      From your analysis of the supply chain, list where opportunities exist to reduce the overall supply chain lead-time. 4.      When you have identified opportunities for supply chain lead-time reduction in question 3, summarise the actions that Finn Forest could take to realise the opportunities that you identified. 5.      Discuss the effect that your proposed actions summarised at question 4 would have on the supply chain in terms of the following: a.      Working capital: Ø          raw and finished goods inventories Ø          warehouse space in the UK b.      Performance: Ø          supply chain lead times Ø          delivery performance, for example no supply or late deliveries c.       Ability to respond to supply chain risks, such as: Ø          Fashion driven demand swings in the UK DIY market (the ‘Changing Rooms’ effect – ‘Changing Rooms’ is one of a number of UK TV programmes that encourage viewers to enhance their lifestyle through home improvements) Ø          Exaggerated but generic demand swings, for example a warm Spring period or prolonged, wet summer Ø          Limited raw material availability, for example, in Spring the thaw in Finland waterlog the ground, preventing trucks from transporting harvested logs from the forest.   Assessment framework ¨           Addressing the issues raised in the assignment brief ¨           Demonstrating application of flow of reasoning ¨           Critical analysis using appropriate supply chain operations strategic and operational management models and theoretical frameworks ¨           Provision of evidence and examples to support observations ¨           Reference to appropriate published sources (Harvard system preferred) ¨           Demonstration of cognitive levels of learning to higher order levels (descriptor attached)   All of the major issues and some less obvious ones will have been identified. There will be evidence of wide reading around the issues. The student will demonstrate an excellent grasp of the theories and the concepts. There will be a critical review of the value of the concept/theory in this situation. The analysis of the case will be thorough and comprehensive, and there will be a good integration of theory and practice. Recommendations will be comprehensive, and clearly demonstrate the integration of theory and practice. If implemented they would significantly improve the situation. Issues around implementation will have been addressed and considered with great insight. Recommendations relating to this will be appropriate and justifiable within the approach and philosophy of the field.

Sample Essay The Finn Forest Case Introduces a Methodology for Undertaking Supply Chain Redesign

Introduction The Finn forest case introduces a methodology for undertaking supply chain redesign. This methodology is illustrated in the...

METHOD OF WELL CONSTRUCTION IN PAKISTAN Research Proposal

METHOD OF WELL CONSTRUCTION IN PAKISTAN Research Proposal

METHOD OF WELL CONSTRUCTION IN PAKISTAN Research Proposal A.A. MY INSTRUCTION WELL CONSTRUCTION IN PAKISTAN HOW WELL CONSTRUCTION(PURPOS...

Internet impact on HK travel agents

Internet nowadays have evolved fast and provided great influence on the lives of the people for the reason of convenience, easy communication and many other functions that has a positive sense on reality. The internet has dominated the world of travel industries in many countries and Hong Kong is no exception of the latter. The internet surges on a high end leveling wherein travel agencies are getting positive scoop on sales, profits as well as several online based promotions. The internet impacts positively on the easy arrangement and fast online purchase on several services/products, offered by the travel agents. The future of travel agents, as there can relate to traditional intermediary became an uncertain base. For the travel and tourism context, the ideas or concepts concerning disintermediation, like for example, elimination of middleman by using internet, into such traveler agent destination network in the HK travel industry, were being debated by different researchers of the field. The accessibility of online travel websites reduce the importance of travel agents, might result in travelers bypassing travel agencies altogether (Buhalis, 1998; Barnett and Standing, 2001). Palmer and McCole (1999) and Walle (1996) have argued that strength of travel agencies is their ability to provide personal information and advice to travelers continuously. The role of travel agencies would remain secure if the advice offering capability were strengthened by the presence of the Internet, rather than if they functioned according to the more negative image of being simply in the booking agency. Thus, some of the tourism researchers have investigated the views of suppliers and travel agents/agencies (Fong, 2001; Law et al., 2001) as well as internet oriented academics and consultants (Buhalis and Licata, 2002) regarding the issue of disintermediation, views of travelers have not been investigated and has been unclear whether travelers judge travel agents/agencies in a less valuable path along with the presence of online travel websites. The internet has a great usage within Hong Kong based agencies as there adheres to the effective presence of the internet and all of its important aspects which  dramatically increased, due to innovative base of information which implies to the situation known by travel agents into the travel agency market in Hong Kong. The internet have allowed easy access to imperative information of tourists and guest seeking help to travel agents for travel promotions and packages such as online booking and purchasing of electronic tickets for airfare and many others, convenient service and desirable opportunity for customers. The internet has captured the travel industry and has moved into the every industry, which can be inevitable along with technical problems as well as slow turnaround times.

Internet impact on HK travel agents

Internet nowadays have evolved fast and provided great influence on the lives of the people for the reas...

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: COMMERCIALIZATION OF INTERNET

1.  What were the main forces that led to commercialization of internet?   The concept of internet begins with the vision set by          of MIT in 1962 about his "       Network" concept.   (a packet-switching network), was introduced in 1969 whose aims was the process of information sharing among researchers but the impact of the project benefited a bigger scale and its functions and applicability has also increased.  In 1983,          came up with TCP/IP and were then hook-up to the connected machines.  The commercialization of internet flourish as some of the companies incorporated internet technology with the development of their products.  It was in 1988 the first Interop trade show was born that proved the interoperability of the use of internet link into business.     2.  Describe in two paragraphs the origin of HTML. Explain how mark-up tags work in HTML, and describe the role of at least one person involved with HTML’s development.   HTML is used to indicate how documents should be formatted, a coding system where it contains a text file containing tags that is used by web browsers to format a document, display multimedia objects and creates hyperlinks.  Further, according to  (1995), HTML uses special characters or sequences of characters to indicate structure, formatting or other often hidden aspects of a text.  One of the people involved in the development of HTML is        , who envision an independent computer platform to have a common language for easier communication to be scattered world-wide (“”, 1996)   Mark-up tags works in HTML as it defines what format to apply or what action to make.  There are 3 basic types of tags in any mark-up language: structural markup, stylistic markup and the descriptive markup.  All of which are to be used to specify the structure of document, specifically alter appearance of some elements and the description of the nature of the content of an HTML document.     3.  In about 400 words, describe the similarities and differences between XML and HTML.  Provide examples of at least two situations in which you would use XML and two situations in which you would use HTML.   A preview of HTML has already been given; let us now describe the nature of XML.  XML is a way of making markup languages that simply describes a text.  Founded in 1998, it was developed as a subset of Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) and was created to provide management of information on the web and databases, publishing documents and the usage of business-to-business (B-to-B) dealings.                XML and HTML languages may have had similarities but they differ in many respects. Among the differences between XML and HTML is that in regards to the case sensitivity, in HTML is it not very particular in terms of the case wherein in XML it very particular and the type of case typed would matter.  There are also differences in the use of the tags wherein in HTML not all tags need both an opening and a closing tag but in XML all tags must have an opening and closing tag and would complain if not properly closed.  In HTML there is no need for a outermost tag whereas in XML one outermost tag will be required to enclose all the others.  There is no need for formal nesting in HTML; however, in XML there is a need for all tags to be nested properly.  In short, HTML is a forgiving language although due to its forgiving nature, it may at times cause confusions to web browsers such that there is not much specifications in the tags and XML, on the other hand is generally strict since is does not negotiate any missing or mismatched tags. The use of HTML may be more recommendable in some situations and in some situations, XML may be more recommendable to use.  An example in the use of XML would be, in the use of open applications group that includes the leading business software companies wherein they would be required to develop document type definitions to make business transactions application reliable.  XML can also be used in financial institutions such as banks in the creation of knowledge systems and third-party service providers. Meanwhile, an example of HTML use would be, it is very useful for distance learning students as a means of learning communications method in which they can have access to the web sites essential for their learning and as a means that they can keep track with course.  Another example, closely related to the first example is that it can be used as a research material and updated information essential to keep up with the latest developments especially in the field of science and technology.     4.  In two paragraphs, explain why a customer-centric Web site design is so important, yet is so difficult to accomplish.               A customer-centric web site is a web solely intended to put emphasis and great importance to customers.  With this approach, it is aimed to build customer relationship that may generate customer retention and customer loyalty in the long run.  That is why, it is very important for companies and firms to establish this kind of website since good customer relationship with customers entails profitability.  Beforehand, the need to satisfy the customer is the primary aim of customer-centric web site.               Customer-centric website is difficult to establish because there is a need to cater to different people with diverse taste and preferences. Other than that, the company must have all the resources and basically come up with the right ingredients to make the web site compelling enough to motivate and draw people to the said customer-centric website for it to be effective.  The ingredients may really vary as to what market they want to venture and as to what motivating tactics they will employ to convince customers with the whole package they will be offering to the customers.  Constant improvisation in restructuring is essential so that the web site can meet up the customer’s standards of product and services satisfaction.     5.  Select a retail store with which you are familiar that has a Web site on which it sells products or services similar to those it sells in its physical retail stores. Explore the Web site and examine it carefully for features that indicate the level of service it provides. Using your experience in the physical store and your review of the Web site, write a 200-word evaluation of the company’s touchpoint consistency.               Marks and Spencer is an interesting retail store that practices a great deal of customer relationship strategies, where it only not caters people from the United Kingdom but on some other parts of the world as well.  Having gone through the web site, the level of consistency it shows is remarkable because it does not only make you feel you are being taken care of but Marks and Spencer provides a great deal of offers to different people and they provide terms that would really suit the customer’s budget.  Their website provides basically everything you need which is also available in the physical retail store.  All the things the customer’s need to know is has been made readily available to customers in a very convenient accessibility.  Browsing Marks and Spencer website is interesting and customers would really have reasons to engage business with them and that they really employ big efforts to pursue and get every customer’s touch points especially in the products and services they have been offering.  Providing the customers with personalized services in the aim of satisfying every customer they have.  Overall, they have shown commitment in their continuing efforts to build a lasting customer relationship with customers.     6.  In about 400 words, describe what a search engine inclusion and placement broker does and explain why an advertiser might use such a broker rather than working directly with a search engine site. Search-engine inclusion is a form of advertising wherein advertisers seek that their ads can be included in a search engine such as Yahoo or Google where they pay a huge amount of fee.  The placement broker on the other hand, pertains to people who do the job for the advertisers.  Brokers specialize in searching the best search engine as to where to place the advertiser’s ads that enable the advertisers to reach their target audience.   An advertiser prefers to choose a placement broker because they knew and are more knowledgeable than them when it comes to search-based advertising.  It saves them not only money but brokers can place the ads in a very strategic place in the search engine ranking results, thus, to the advantage of the advertisers.  Advertisers who consult directly to a search engine site for inclusion may not be a wise decision such that the advertisers cannot be sure if they can reach their target audience through that certain search engine site.  Advertisers may not get their money’s worth if they will directly go for search engine inclusion.     References:

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: COMMERCIALIZATION OF INTERNET

1. What were the main forces that led to commercialization of internet? The concept of internet begins with the vision set by ...

Tourism Plan Report For SWARMMS

Tourism Plan Report For SWARMMS     Section 1 Executive Summary The tourism industry allocated much income in the South West Economy. The travel that associates the tourism industry is in the region have made a significant impact on the network of strategic transport. The entire transport strategy of SWARMMS has the great consideration on the tourists’ mode choice. The plan also has the consideration between the relationship of transport and tourism in the South West. It has also the focus on the ways by which the tourists need encouragement in using the alternatives in the private car and more efficient modes of transport. As the plan is implemented there will be Rural Access Plan which can be benefitted on the making access on the rural areas and to the other tourist activities. It can also meet the needs of the tourist which can have benefits also on the local residents. The plan has recommendations also on making train more attractive for the trips of long distance. The train operating companies are also encouraged in offering more incentives to the tourists so that there will be more introduction of flexible ticketing. Since, cycling is the most popular activity in South West, then, it has the most potential increase of growth tourism in the area. This can also have benefits on creating opportunities which can be actively marketed. The tourism trips all over the South West will be a shorter distance and needs advancement for the travel information.  Many of the potential tourists also can encourage traveling all over the destination of holiday even without the use of cars before they will go back in their homes. This plan only signifies that the tourism industry will transform into more active on giving public transport information and can also encourage the guests for the alternative transport modes. The joint forces of the idea between the organizations and the authorities can recognize the tourism and the transport.   Section 2 Table of Contents       Title Page Tourism Plan Report 1 Section 1 Executive Summary. 2 Section 2 Table of Contents. 3 Section 3 Introduction. 4 Section 4 Body. 7 4.1 Vision, Goals and Objectives. 7 4.2 Public Participation and Stakeholders Participation. 8 4.3 Strategies and Actions. 8 4.4 Tourism Planning Approaches. 10 4.5 Sustainability. 10 Section 5 Conclusion. 11 Section 6 References. 12     Section 3 Introduction SWARMMS – South West Area Multi-Modal Study is the tourism plan which can address the long-term strategy in addressing the transport needs of freight and the passenger within the important transport corridors which is between the South West of England, London and South Wales (South West of England RDA, 2007). The planned map is given below: Source: Government Office for the South West Figure 1 The Study Area of SWARMMS The plan is address on the predicted and the existing transport problems in the said area. This looks particularly on the opportunities for reduction of congestion by the modal shift and better management added to the choices of taking into the account of improving forward focused (SWARMMS Final Report, 2002). The major objective of the plan is primarily focus in the issue of tourism as comprising ranges of schemes and policies which are designed to give solutions on the transport problems of the study area. The plan had also been incorporated by the other nine plans wherein the four of which are the multi-modal transport plans on the corridors and the other two had been planned for addressing the principal urban areas of Swindon and Bristol. The geographic plan coverage is shown below: Source: Government Office for the South West Figure 2 The Geographical Plan Coverage   The theme plan also has the goal of reducing the travel demand growth, the intermodal freight, and the rural access going to the corridors of the main transport. The plan for the rural access and the tourism are also connected whereas there are common influences and the links as being associated (Ibid). The people behind the plan are the councils of Cornwall and Devon County who submitted the bid for the small scale integrated transport for the context tourism. The bid has the two major recommendations as achieving modal shift for the journeys which was made by the South West visitors and attraction of the additional trips in the public transport. The entire councils agreed in the objectives which relates to tourism as supporting the sustainable tourism and the integration of public and tourism transport which can give the visitors a broader choices of modes. The County wants to invest in the providing the transport infrastructure so that it can support the economy of tourism wherein with the aide of the development of the Environment and Riviera Regeneration Projects in Cornwall, the National Cycle Network, and the Devon’s program for the betterment of comfortable use of Public Rights which is on its way with the Agreement of Public Service. There are also recognitions from the County Council regarding the support of the sustainable tourism which can also have the opportunities in the provision of Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, the Biosphere Reserve, and the West Devon Mining World Heritage Site. The councils also believe that most of the Actions in Tourism Plan of SWARMMS will definitely involve the working closes to the partners which include the Tamar Area Team of Outstanding National Beauty, South West Tourism, and the train and bus operators. There is also well awareness on the desires of South West Tourism for the region in presenting more consistent and cohesive tourism products which can avail by the visitors. In this regard, with the aide of the plan, it can have the key actions from the Tourism Plan of SWARMMS that can help in achieving this. The Cornwall County Council Joint Bid and the Devon County Council wants to fund the plan which is base on the Tourism Action Plan of SWARMMS. The other stakeholders include North Somerset Council, the Plymouth City Council, and the Bath and North Somerset Council (Cornwall County Council, 2008).     Section 4 Body               In this section, it covers all the necessary data of the plan as the aims, objectives, processes, the description, public participation and stakeholders’ consultation, actions and strategies, and monitoring and evaluation.   4.1 Vision, Goals and Objectives The primary aim of the report understands the future and the current issue regarding the tourism industry. It has also the aim of understanding the tourism industry’s future aspirations and can also gather information regarding the tourist travel mode within and both to the South West. It also needs to understand the transport impacts for the growth of potential tourist and identify the opportunities in improving the more sustainable benefits of travel in the tourist industry. In this regard, the plan wants also to encourage the tourists in using the public transport as alternative for the private car for the rides in the South West or for the trips around the South West. It can also attract the additional tourism trips through the public transport. In the tourist industry, it has the primary objective of influencing the tourists’ travel behavior. This report has also goals of becoming more pro-active in giving the information to the public transport and can encourage the guests in considering the alternative transport modes. The attraction by the tourists is also been encourage so that it can develop more significant visitors and to have a better management technique. The plan also wants to maximize the employment and economic benefits that brought by the tourism, promote the seasonal and geographical spread of tourism, encourage the non-traditional and development popular visitors’ locations, and respects the needs of the customers and the tourist industry. The improvement of the tourist industry which is necessary in the improving the transport and will encourage the people in visiting to the South West. Alleviate congestions and must improve the conditions of the transport corridors. The other particular goals are written in the table which also covers the funds.                4.2 Public Participation and Stakeholders Participation               In doing the plan, there are data that needs to get and study as the number of the tourist trips, contribution to the local economy, the types of tourists, the number of the night stays and the mode of travel. The said information had taken from the tourist organizations, to the Local Authority Sources, to the website and to the other organizations. There are also series of Stakeholders’ meetings and to the interested parties. In this meeting, they can identify the certain problems that the plan is facing. Local authorities which are interested in the plan also include the Devon Country Council, the Cornwall Council, the Plymouth City Council, and the North Somerset Council. The meetings were with the responsibilities of Tourism, Transport, Economic Development, and to the Public Transport. There are also brainstorming that talk about the improvements of the quality of services of transportation in the study area. Upon the implementation of this plan, the public can have the direct access on the transportation organization through the aide of travel agents and the tourist information centers. There are also call centers which the public can acquire valuable services.    4.3 Strategies and Actions               Below are some of the actions of the plan that are the recommendations for the Longer-Distance trips into the South West.   SWARMMS Priority - Reference Proposed Action/Measure COST £'000s A1 Promote the A39/A361 as a tourist traffic route 40 B1   Promote TOC schemes in discounting rail travel (e.g. Cornwall Rail Card, Wessex Devon Rail Card) 20   E1/E2 Promote TOC/Bus operator schemes in introducing ticketing schemes which allows linked train/bus travel (e.g. Cornwall Bus and Rail Card and First Devon and) 20 B2 Support TOC initiatives to add to the visitors experience as Thames Trains 20 E5 Provide Real Time Bus information in the key point of interchange stations (e.g. Exeter St Davids) 50 E7 Promote the rail lines and branding of buses to develop the image for a seamless journey and give clear tourist identity. 200 F1 Provide secure cycle station lockers 100 F8 Ensure accessibility of the stations for cyclists and the less able 100 J1/J2 Support promotion/ production of days out by train in Cornwall and Devon leaflets while ensuring wider monitoring and distribution. 20 K2 Develop/investigate coach ways as drop off points for key destinations 50 L1 Provide free, bus timetables which are user friendly at tourist information centers, hotels, travel agents, and other key locations 40 L2 Produce 'personalized bus maps' which will be sent out by information providers 40 L3 Provide hoteliers with 'browsers' with public transport information. 30 L4 Provide cycle racks on key routes of buses operating 60 M1/M2/M3 Develop bus services demand responsive to serve rural tourist areas 100 N1 & N4 Encourage development of a network of cycle hire outlets, initiate Internet booking and promote. 60 N5 Advertise and Signpost cycle routes 100 Total            1,050 Source: Cornwall County Council Table 1 Funding for the Proposed Action For the evaluation of the proposed action, there will be a large number of alternative routes that the tourists can enjoy. For the general rail, there will be discounts on the rail tickets in order to encourage more tourists. The sleepers can be advantageous but there can also lead to the conflicts as maintenance and other drivers. In the motorail service, there will be a less time required in travelling to Cornwall and to London. The bus and rails are also ne of the most convenient land transportations that the tourists can enjoy so that it can see the view as he is travelling. Since, cycling is one of the centers of tourism, and then it can also encourage the tourists to try and to have the experience of cycling. Most of the actions also in the Longer Distance to South West are in the medium term manner as compared to the travelling. The plan also has benefits for the tourist industry as it can encourage attractions in the development of the Travel Plans. It can also provide expertise and guidance to facilitate the improvement of the promotions of uptake service from EEBPP and the Travel Plans. It can also let to attract the enhancement and development to the management technique of the visitors when the arrival of the visitors at different time. The development that was made in the past years by the transport of public operators had been initiated by the Wessex train. The said initiatives are all operating directly to the action points of the Tourism Plan and this can only support the initiatives through the positive promotion working closely to the operators. It had been known that the demand of the buses offers beneficial of the transport in the rural areas. In this manner, there will be a better transport way and method for the tourists. The responsive services can offer the people in travelling around the place even without the car which can be use as an alternative for the promotions and marketing of the transport mode.    4.4 Tourism Planning Approaches   In the said example, the approaches of the tourism plan is said to be economic/ industry approach as it merely emphasizes on the site consideration and to the land use of zoning. It these manner, according to the meeting of the stakeholders, these had been implemented to create employment as well as earning foreign revenues as it can also improve the terms of the trade and the regional development encouragement. This means that the plan has an economic impact (Hall and Page, 2002, p. 311).       4.5 Sustainability   The plan needs to seek for the sustainable development as it should seek integration over economic, environmental, and to the social sphere. The trades off between the three are only acute questions in the region and needs to have sound evidence. The existing strategic plan made trade off as in the environmental loss which supposedly for the economic gain as in the new road corridor. There are also increase in the capacity and speed of transport links which can only bring benefits to the south west. According to the study of the government regarding the transport and economy, it had been founded that there are no existing links on simple. The government also recognized that that the transport is merely and evidence based and not subjective. It the economic appraisal of the plan has no account on the study and can reduced the perceived peripheral. Though the table is for the public claim, there are still the unproven benefits which are doubled as includes in the criterion.      Section 5 Conclusion   The Plan has many benefits towards the time reliability and the improved journey. This can also boost the tourism and the business for the region in South West in general. The plan has also solid progress and better goals. But, there are also negatives and unawareness that we can detect about the plan. The plan is considered to be the mixture of local and strategic approach. It has also many desired details with the overall supportive one. Nevertheless, some of the key issues need to be resolved. In the said plan, it should have to reduce the needs in travelling so that it can have the better public transport integration.      Section 6 References   Hall and Page 2002, The Geography of Tourism and Recreation: Environment, Place and Space, Routledge. London Office for the South West 2002, Government Office for the South West, Halcrow Group Limited. SWARMMS 2008, Cornwall County Council, viewed 19 April, 2008, https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5655. Transport and SWARMMS 2007, South West of England RDA, viewed 19 April, 2008, http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/what-we-do/infrastructure/transport.shtm.

Tourism Plan Report For SWARMMS

Tourism Plan Report For SWARMMS Section 1 Executive Summary The tourism industry allocated much income in the South West E...