Why Performance-Enhancing Drugs Are Ruining Sports Essay

Introduction Sports are something that everyone in the world, regardless of age, sex, or nationality, can enjoy. Whether its a child playing in his first t-ball game or a professional athlete swimming in the Olympics and everyone in between, sports can connect almost everyone. Fan support and overall devotion for athletic competition has raised professional athletes to superstars and national icons; Super Bowl Sunday is a national holiday to some, and sports are one of the largest moneymakers in the economy. Because sports are very important to many people, and have been since the days of the Romans, there is much pride and honor in sports; however, there is something that has tainted the image of sports and athletes alike:†¦show more content†¦Kellen Winslow is one of these athletes, who is banned from riding motorcycles after injuring himself on one in the spring of 2005, causing him to miss the entire football season (Cleveland, 2007.) These drugs are seen as bad in the eyes of the owners and the league, too. Though there is an obvious increase in performance while using the drugs, they are not only banned in almost all leagues, but they can harm and even kill athletes. The recent murders and suicide by former professional wrestler Chris Benoit have been linked to abuse of steroids, a fixture in a league that has overlooked steroid use but has since started to change. Performance-Enhancing drugs are an unnatural way of changing ones body, and the effects can be life altering, sometimes better yet always, in the end, much worse. It is for this reason why major league sports have put strict rules in place suspending athletes who use these drugs; the Olympics ban these athletes for life. These drugs harm the bodies and minds of athletes, and they are banned to protect their health for their benefit and for the sports as well. Respect for Medical and Sports Ethics These performance-enhancing drugs are unnatural, and therefore medically unethical. Subjecting your body to something harmful is never good and a poor way to treat yourself. It is medically wrong to use these drugs. It is also wrong in the sport aspect of it all. A major argument against steroids and other drugs isShow MoreRelatedPerformance Enhancing Drugs in Sports1686 Words   |  7 PagesPerformance Enhancing Drugs in Sports Athletes use performance enhancing drugs to boost their game. The professionals who use these drugs are ruining the integrity of the game. Many people don’t understand why professional athletes would go to such extreme measures to be better when they have already proven themselves. Athletes are just taking away from their natural ability by using these dangerous drugs. 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TodayRead MoreDoping Testing Should Not Be Banned1669 Wo rds   |  7 Pagesaggressive soldiers†(Sports in America: Recreation, Business, Education,;Controversy., and Performance-enhancing Drugs). Doping was introduced into sports because people wanted to have an â€Å"extra advantage on their opponents†(Sports in America: Recreation, Business, Education,;Controversy., and Performance-enhancing Drugs). Drug testing was introduced to the world in 1968 at the Olympics (Sports in America: Recreation, Business, Education,;Controversy., and Performance-enhancing Drugs). This paper isRead MoreUse Of Performance Enhancing Drugs Should Be Banned1961 Words   |  8 PagesThe controversial question is whether the use of Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED) in sports should be banned or not. Professional sports are popular in most countries. Major franchises are dealing with the issue of PED being used by the athletes who are paid to perform in the sport on the belief that they are naturally a raw talent. This controversial essay will si de with the banning of PED use in any type of sport activity, whether it is at professional or amateur level. Both sides of this issueRead MorePerformance Enhancing Drugs4152 Words   |  17 PagesDavid Stone Performance-Enhancing Drugs and Athletes There has been a debate of epic proportion for the past few decades on whether professional athletes from around the world have the right to use performance-enhancing drugs. As for now these world athletes are not permitted to use most of the performance-enhancing drugs that are available by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The athletes are randomly tested by their professional leagues. Each American league has their own method of dealing

UK Pensions Debate Example

Essays on UK Pensions Debate Essay UK Pensions Debate: UK Pensions Issues Introduction Pension issues in the UK involve the need to save for the future by employees. Majority of employers enroll eligible employees who automatically subscribe for a terminal pension scheme. The employers contribute for their employees’ pension schemes fee to various institutions to make it affordable for the employees and find comfort within the pension schemes (Agarwal, 2015, p. 6). Additionally, UK government tries to harness current inactivity by encouraging and allowing the majority of people to join and begin saving for their future as they work in various institutions and companies in the UK. The government encourages taking up of pension schemes as an option of employees benefit. Besides, the government plays very vital role in encouraging employees to develop retirement plans by engaging in pension schemes and reducing reliance on the government after retirement. The push by the government is important because current situations on life expectancy are high (Chanel, Makhloufi Abu-Zaineh, 2015, p. 4). People live longer in retirement hence the development of appropriate pension schemes that accumulates great funds. Pension schemes financing assists in the preparation of future life (Pension Regulator, 2013, p. 1). On the other hand, defined occupational pension scheme pays out employees of various institutions and organizations an income depending on how much money earned after an individual retires. Through the defined occupational pension schemes, the amount an individual receives after retirement entailed guarantee and paid directly to an individual (Nomura, 2015, p. 5). Controversies, Options and Potential Pension Issues in the UK The UK pension issue entails controversies, options and potential requirements in companies and various organizations. Controversies for pension scheme in the UK include involuntary enrolment with obligatory employer donations and participation in the national employment savings trust (NEST). All the employees must subscribe to pension schemes and employers must participate in ensuring that their employees comply with the pension schemes rules and regulations (Gardiner, Robinson, Fakhfakh, 2015, p. 5). Moreover, all employees must members of national employment savings trust to allow for developments of pension schemes that assists the employees. The two mandatory requirements raise controversies in the implementation of pension schemes in the UK since some employees and employers resist participation in the pension schemes. Moreover, some employers do not want to contribute for their employees causing default payments within the pension schemes (Maynard, 2013, p. 12). Besides, some employees are unwilling to join the pension schemes since their commitment in the schemes becomes difficult. These requirements raise controversies during the implementation of pension schemes in the UK. The option in the implementation of pension schemes in the UK includes membership participation in the National Employment Savings Trust especially if employers do not provide the option of pension schemes. Therefore, the National Employment Savings Act, is used an option when employers do not provide the option of pension schemes for their employees (Palea, 2015, p.1). The option gives employees an opportunity to save for their future without necessarily engaging the employers with their various pension schemes within companies or organizations. The potential requirements for the establishment of working pension schemes include automatic enrolment of employees of the age of 22 and governments retirement age (Hansen et al., 2015, p. 9). The employees must contribute to a suitable pension scheme. The pension scheme must have proper rules and regulations within the set earnings limit to allow for proper engagements in the development of pension schemes among the age of 22 and the national retirement age. The pension schemes allow for the development of defined occupational pension schemes. The schemes pay out employees upon retirement depending on the amount of money saved in the schemes (Gibbs, Tucker, 2015, p. 2). Defined occupational pension schemes give employees an opportunity to contribute and save for their future with a guaranteed benefit after retirement. Therefore, UK pension institutions require employees to use a defined occupational pension scheme to guarantee their benefits in future through savings in the defined occupational pension’s schemes. The payments are made directly to them after retirement according to the amount of money saved in the pension schemes (Loughran, 2011, p. 6). Therefore, despite the fact that they exists controversies, options and potential developments in UK pension schemes, the development of defined occupational pension schemes in UK allows employees to save for their future. Additionally, employees enjoy benefits after retirement ag e of the government(Pension schemes,2013, p. 15). Calculating Criteria from Final to Average Salary Calculations Defined occupational pension schemes in the UK have various methods of calculations from the final salary to average salaries before providing individual pensions (Pension trustee support unit, 2014p.8). The current calculated criteria for the pension schemes rates, as set by defined occupational pension scheme, is as shown in the diagram Transitional period Duration Employer least contribution Accumulated minimum contribution 1 The duration affects employers until September 2017 1% 2% 2 The duration affects employers from 1st October to 30 September 2018 2% 5% 3 The duration affects employers from 1st October to 30 September 2018 3% 8% The employers’ contributions in percentage represent the average salary of employees’ contributions to the pension scheme. The accumulated minimum contributions represent the final salary as calculated by defined occupational pension scheme within the set period of working. According to the table above, the third transitional period has a huge average salary and final salaries for pension benefits of employees (Yang, Tapadar, 2015, p.2). However, many organizations in the UK are against defined occupational pension schemes.The rates that employers contribute to the schemes are too low as compared to their salaries as shown in the table above for calculated criteria (Vlachantoni et al., 2015, p. 9). Causes and Impacts of Pension Issues with the Provision of Financial Data The cause of pension schemes is to save for the future after retirement. However, the impacts of pension schemes on financial data gives different results as the final salary.The financial data table below shows changes in percentages of total investments and the amount of money in asset investments Asset Class $0000 % of total investments $0000 % of total investments UK fixed interest rates of pensioners 246, 940 8.3 238, 410 6.7 Quoted corporate 174, 955 5.2 91,272 2.7 Unquoted corporate 322,384 10.2 362,352 9.0 AVCs 5,077 0.2 4,140 0.2 Cash and other investments balances 9,851 0.1 9.682 0.1 Total 759,207 24 705,856 18.7 (Source: (Bank of England, 2014, p. 14) The financial data above gives different amounts on the final salary given to pensioners on different assets invested at the scheme. Depending on the financial data, pension issues on reward depend on the total amount of investments contributed by employees to the pension schemes (Stittle, Wearing, 2008, p. 5). Lord Tuner’s Recommendations of Pension Schemes Lord suggests that the most recommended pension schemes for states such as the UK include changing final salary basis to pay out basis. The changes need to engage the average pay of career based workers (BBC News editors, 2015, p.1). Lord argues that this move allows developments in pension schemes and the switch takes longer for various schemes. The most influenced schemes that give significant results include armed forces and police schemes. Furthermore, the changes allows growth in the cost of public sector pension developments as shown in the financial graph data below (Source: (BBC, 2011, p. 1) Lord suggest on the development of the average plan in raising the age of people to draw a pension as the state. Plans to raise state pensions to age 66 for both women and men by April 2020 in the UK will lead to developments in pension schemes (BBC News, 2015, p. 1). Additionally, Lord maintains that uniformed services such as firefighters and armed forces need to raise pension age up to 60 to add value to the benefits accrued with pension schemes to employees. Consequently, the Bank of England Pension Fund for different organizations in England includes calculations as shown in the diagram below. These are calculated funds for the year ended 28 February 2014 of different contributors for a pension scheme (Pension trustee support unit, 2014, p.). (Source: (Bank of England, 2014, p. 14) Conclusion Pension schemes entail as important saving investments for employees. Employers need to contribute significantly for their employees’ pension scheme contributions to allow for savings and great benefits after retirement. Different banks and pension schemes focus on employees’ investments and assets in calculating benefits and rates of profits for the schemes. Bibliography Agarwal, S. (2015). Exploring the Benefits of Pound-Cost Averaging. Available at SSRN 2615093. BBC News editors. (2011).Public sector pensions report explained. BBC News. Retrieved on June 28, 2015, from http://www.bbc.com/news/business-11466273 Chanel, O., Makhloufi, K., Abu-Zaineh, M. (2015). Testing the circular payment card elicitation format: Evidence from a contingent valuation on health and pension insurance schemes in Tunisia, pp. 1-28. Gardiner, J., Robinson, A. M., Fakhfakh, F. (2015). Exploring the private pension gender gap and occupation in later working life. Work, Employment Society, 0950017015575868. Gibbs, T., Tucker, J. (2015). 2014. Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings: Summary of Pensions Results. Hansen, J. V., Allà ©, P. H., Jensen, S. E. H., Stephensen, P. P. (2015). Occupational Pensions, Aggregate Saving and Fiscal Sustainability in Denmark, pp. 1-32 Loughran, M. (2011). Financial Accounting for Dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, Inc. Maynard, J. (2013). Financial accounting, reporting, and analysis. Oxford: Oxford University Press Nomura, A. (2015). Defined Contribution (DC) Pension System Ready for Reform: Growing Need to Improve Investment of DC Assets. Nomura Journal of Capital Markets, 6(3). Palea, V. (2015). The politics economy of fair value reporting and the governance of the standards-setting process: Critical issues and pitfalls from a European perspective. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 29, 1-15. Pension Regulator. (2013). Pension schemes under the new employer duties. Workplace pension’s reform detailed guidance. Retrieved on June 28, 2015, from http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/docs/pensions-reform-pension-schemes-v4.pdf Pension trustee supports unit. (2014). Bank of England. Pension fund: report and financial statements 2014. Park communication Limited, London. Stittle, J., Wearing, B. (2008). Financial Accounting. Los Angeles: Sage Publications. Vlachantoni, A., Feng, Z., Evandrou, M., Falkingham, J. (2014). Ethnicity and occupational pension membership in the UK. Social Policy Administration. Yang, W., Tapadar, P. (2015). Role of the Pension Protection Fund in the financial risk management of UK defined benefits pension sector: a multi-period economic capital study. Annals of Actuarial Science, 9(01), 134-166. Bank of England. (2014). Pension Fund Report and Financial Statements 2014. Pension Fund. Web. Accessible from http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/about/Documents/humanresources/pensionreport.pdf British Broadcasting Station (BBC). (March 1, 2011). Public sector pensions report explained. Business. Web. June 29, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/business-11466273

An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Premiums Promotion, Limited Free Essays

string(162) " expanded in the introduction stage, sales volume should be quickly boosted in the growth stage, and customer loyalty should be maintained in the maturity stage\." Qing Lu 2111573 10 weeks Business M. Sc. International Business Permission given to use this project Word Count: 2824 An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Premiums Promotion, Limited- time Discount and Loyalty Card Promotion—Based on Product Life Cycle 31 August 2012 Abstract In recent years, sales promotion tactics are extensively used to achieve different marketing targets. We will write a custom essay sample on An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Premiums Promotion, Limited or any similar topic only for you Order Now The aim of this project is to analyze the effectiveness of premiums promotion, limited-time discount and loyalty card promotion according to the marketing targets in the first three phases of product life cycle, which can help companies maximize the effects of sales promotion. The specific marketing targets in the first three stages of product life cycle are discussed and the effective sales promotion tactics are analyzed, based on a rich literature about sales promotion. The potential risks in the implementation process need to be taken into account and the possible solutions are proposed to help companies reduce the unnecessary losses. This may be of interest to marketers, which intend to enhance the competitiveness of companies.   List of references Introduction As the competitive pressure on market increases, the studies on product life cycle are paid more and more attention by marketers in recent years. On one hand, product life cycle can direct companies to set the clear marketing target in each phase. On the other hand, it can help marketers select the effective sales promotion tactics to achieve each marketing target. The selection of sales promotion strategies in each stage of product life cycle seems to be of considerable importance in achieving different marketing targets. The study by Yeshin (2006) suggests that premiums promotion, limited-time discount and loyalty card promotion play marked roles in the first three stages of product. Moreover, it appears to be necessary for marketers to set the marketing targets in different stages of product life cycle, to select the effective means of sales promotion, and to be aware of possible solutions for dealing with potential risks. As Kotler and Armstrong (2001) point out, companies can induce customers to know, to use and to be loyal for their products by the effective means of sales promotion, even if customers may have different buying habits, product preference and purchase motivation. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effectiveness of premiums promotion, limited-time promotion and loyalty card promotion according to the three marketing targets in the first three phases of product life cycles, which tends to help companies expand new product awareness, increase market share and maintain customer loyalty. Features nd marketing targets of the first three stages of product life cycle will first be presented. The reasons for the effectiveness of the three marketing tactics mentioned above will then be analyzed, with a focus on the three corresponding marketing targets. The limitations and the possible solutions will finally be discussed to help firms reduce the potential risks. 1. Features and Marketi ng Targets of Product Life Cycle When a new product is launched into market, it will go through four stages of product life cycle, which are introduction, growth, maturity, and decline (Kotler and Armstrong 2001). The first three stages, however, may be the optimal period at which the effect of sales promotion can be maximized. Therefore, features of the first three stages and the corresponding marketing targets will be discussed in the following subsections. 1. 1 Introduction stage Introduction stage refers to a period at which new products are first introduced into market (Ibid). In this phase, the growth of sales tends to be slow because much time and money need to be invested to attract the resellers, to inform customers of new products, and to encourage the trial (Ibid). In other words, customer demand for new products should be aroused in the introduction stage. As Bhasin (2011) points out, marketers should induce customers to accept new products, thus inspiriting their desires for these products. As a result, the marketing target in introduction stage appears to maximize new products awareness and to stimulate customers to try out new products. 1. 2 Growth stage Growth stage refers to a period at which new products are widely recognized in the market, and more and more customers are willing to follow their innovators (Kotler and Armstrong 2001). The market share is likely to be quickly expanded in this stage as long as marketers attempt to form a purchasing trend. According to the illustration by Bhasin (2011), growth stage offers the appropriate opportunity to markers to occupy more market share due to the high growth rate of sales. Hence, the marketing target in this phase should be to quickly boost sales volume, so as to create a customer trend that more new customers could be attracted to follow. 1. 3 Maturity stage It is widely agreed that sales in the maturity stage continue to grow at a relatively slow rate until it reaches the peak, which means the number of customers seems to maintain relatively stable (Kotler and Armstrong 2001, Janotta 2012). There is far less agreement, however, about customers’ purchasing behaviors in this phase. Yeshin (2006) concludes that it may be a competitive period in which the existing customers are likely to buy other brands. In fact, competitive products are likely to flood into the marketplace in the maturity stage, providing more options for customers. Thus, if the effective measures are not taken, companies would lose a portion of market share. Likewise, Bhasin (2011) also illustrates that fierce market competition probably occurs in the maturity stage because some competitors tend to drive down the prices under the cost, in order to draw the attention of customers. Namely, the risk of brand switching in this phase seems to be high, so the marketing target should be set to retain customer loyalty. In conclusion, the first three stages of product life cycle have their own features, so different marketing targets need to be set in different phases: new products awareness should be expanded in the introduction stage, sales volume should be quickly boosted in the growth stage, and customer loyalty should be maintained in the maturity stage. You read "An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Premiums Promotion, Limited" in category "Papers" Then, effective sales promotion tactics will be analyzed in the next chapter, according to the marketing targets in the three phases. 2. Analysis of the Three Sales Promotion Tactics 2. 1 Premiums promotion for new product awareness Premiums promotion refers to free products or free services that can be obtained by customers in addition to the main purchase (Yeshin 2006). Gift promotion plays an important role in new product introduction. First of all, free gifts as incentives can encourage customers to try out new products as well as inform customers about new demand. For example, 200,000 Quattro for Women razors were given out as free gifts in American by Schick, which allowed Quattro to receive the recognition of most female customers (Pride and Ferrell, 2010). It seems that free gifts are effective to stimulate customers to generate interest in new products. Yeshin (2006), however, argues that premiums promotion may reduce the value of brand due to the possible hazard caused by the free gifts in the product contents. For example, in order to attract children, small toys are often inserted into snakes as premiums, which are likely to arouse the controversy about food security, thereby resulting in brand crises. Nevertheless, premiums still contribute to expand new products awareness. Pride and Ferrell (2010) illustrates that the Promotion Marketing Association’s Product Sampling Council, according to an investigation, showed that 92%of participators in this survey indicated that free samples motivated their trials for new products. Besides, the free experience as a kind of intangible gifts could allow customers experience multi-value such as relational, emotional and behavioral value, which increases brand popularity and affinity. As a case in point, the customers who buy the new item in Burger King could watch the latest Star Wars film for free (Yeshin 2006). Not only did the famous film expand the new item awareness, but also increased customers’ affection for Burger King. In fact, the reason why premiums promotion has a great appeal to customers tends to be that it gets hold of customers’ mentalities. According to the study by Yeshin (2006), customers usually get used to regarding themselves as the weaker end of the deal, so the free products or services as the compensatory gifts can incentivize customers. Consequently, premiums as incentives can benefit to expand new products awareness in the introduction stage. 2. 2 Limited-time promotion for quick boost to sales A promotional deadline is set for customers to ensure that the volume of sales can be boosted as soon as possible, which is called limited-time promotion (Reid and Bojanic 2010). The advantage of limited-time discount lies in a short-term surge in sales, which enables companies to rapidly grab market share in the growth phase. Limited-time discount seems to create a sense of excitement and competition and a tense atmosphere. Customers tend to be attracted by excitement that limited-time discount create. Or rather, what customers love may not be products themselves but the sense of getting a good deal. Kolb (2005) also indicates that even the customers with high wages like to feel that they are smart in this way. In addition, as this kind of discount is temporary, which will restore regular prices soon, it creates a threat to customers, aiming at stimulating them to make immediate purchase (Gaffney and Francis, 2009). Such a threat appears to take effect on rapidly increasing sales. According to Reid and Bojanic (2010), Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and Hilton gave discounts to customers on weekends as so to quickly boost the volume of sale, which had gotten great success. Hence, if limited-time discount is used in the growth stage, market share can be quickly expanded by increasing sales in the short term. 2. 3 Loyalty card for customer loyalty Loyalty card is used to earn points for purchasing certain products or shopping at certain retailers. When customers collect enough points, these can be exchanged for money, goods or other offers (Kotler and Armstrong 2001). One of the main functions of loyalty card is to maintain the long-term relationship between customers and brands. It motivates customers to keep buying products with fixed brand, thus strengthening customers’ brand loyalty. A study by Lancaster and Massingham (2011) shows that Tesco owed its success in becoming the largest grocery supermarket retailer in Britain to introduction of loyalty card, since loyalty card was used to reward regular purchase, thus enhancing consumer loyalty to Tesco. Furthermore, loyalty card is felt to be effective in analyzing purchasing behaviors of the existing customers and directing enterprises to improve the operation of businesses, which thus benefits to build long-lasting relationship with existing customers. As Humby, Hunt and Phillips (2007) conclude, shopping habits, brand preference and economic capability of certain customer groups can be analyzed through loyalty card data, which contribute to firms to adjust marketing strategy. As a matter of fact, most marketers concern about customer loyalty in the maturity stage in that many competitive brands have piled into the market, which may lead customers to switch other brands. Liljenwall(2004) points out that it is difficult to be loyal for most products that customers purchase, even though many of them have brand preference for commodities. Indeed, they attempt to seek the best one by constantly changing brands. However, it seems that loyalty card reduces the risks of brand switching by offering discounts for regular purchases. When facing to different brands with same quality, customers usually would like to purchase fixed brand in return for discount. That is to say, loyalty card promotion can effectively maintain customer loyalty in the maturity stage. In conclusion, the three sales promotion tactics are effectively used to help companies to achieve the marketing targets in different phases: premiums promotion expands new products awareness in the introduction stage since this way could induce consumers to try out new items; limited-time promotion probably helps companies increase market share in the growth stage through boosting the volume of sales as soon as possible; loyalty card seems to be effective to maintain customer loyalty in the maturity stage because marketers would like to provide discount or gifts in return for regular purchase. Nonetheless, some potential risks may occur in the implementation. In order to maximize the effects of sales promotion on different phases of product life cycle, limitations and possible solutions of the three means of sales promotion will be discussed in the next main section. 3. Limitations and Possible Solutions 3. 1 Risks of premiums promotion There seems to be two limitations in premiums promotion. First, it is difficult for marketers to ensure that premiums or free samples are attractive enough to their target customers (Ace 2002). In the introduction stage, new products usually need to be widely aware, so if premiums cannot arouse customers’ interest, marketers may lose chances to convince customers to try out their new products. Second, the cost of premiums and the value that customers perceive should be balanced. As Yeshin (2006) illustrates, the low-cost premiums may be perceived as low quality, thus reducing the brand value of new products themselves, whereas free gifts with high quality often cost much. Hence, it is felt to be difficult for marketers to forecast the perceived value of premiums and to ensure that premiums can enhance new products reputation. 3. 2 Risks of limited-time discount Two possible limitations should be taken into account when limited-time discount is implemented. First, overusing limited-time discount probably shakes consumers’ decision for instant purchase in that they get used to waiting for discounts (Hendershot-Hurd 2007). As most customers are waiting for discount, it seems possible that the growth rate of sales becomes low in the growth stage. Second, if the time interval between the end of a limited-time discount and the start of the next limited-time discount is short, the perceived value of products may be reduced (Devlin, Ennew, McKechnie, and Smith 2007). In other words, Customers may regard the promotional price as the actual value. As a result, once restoring the original price, products may become unacceptable. 3. 3 Risks of loyalty card promotion The security of personal data caused by loyalty cards may lead to customer dissatisfaction (Janotta 2012). For example, customers probably regard loyalty cards as source of spamming, thereby refusing to use loyalty card; they may also feel that individual privacy is offended, which could directly decrease customer satisfaction and destroy customer loyalty; if rewards cannot satisfy customers, they are likely to lose interest in loyalty card. As Janotta (2012) concludes, loyalty card system often disappoints consumers because of unattractive rewards, harsh requirements for exchange, and time and place limit. 3. 4 Possible solutions With regard to the limitations above, the possible solutions are proposed by Yeshin (2006) and Kotler and Armstrong (2001) as follow: * A small quantity of premiums should be first used at the beginning of introduction stage for market test, and a mass of premiums or free samples should be then used to expand new products popularity. * Time limited discount should be reasonably used and the promotion cycle should be identified by market investigation * Integrated promotion replacing single promotion should be used to stimulate customers in the first three stages of product life cycle. These possible solutions enable companies to reduce the risks in the implementation, thereby avoiding the unnecessary losses. All in all, the risks of sales promotions should be considered by marketers. First, low attractiveness and low perceived value of premiums could reduce the interest of customers in new products. Second, overuse and short cycle of limited-time promotion tend to compel companies to cut prices in that customers may overly relay on discount and reject to purchase at the original price. Third, the invasion of privacy caused by loyalty cards can result in decreasing customer satisfaction since customers could feel to be offended. Furthermore, in terms of possible solutions, early market test on a small scale enables companies to adjust promotion strategies, appropriate promotion cycle probably stimulate customers to make instant purchase decision, and integrated promotion mode could make better use of the advantages of sales promotion and compensate for the disadvantages of each other. Conclusion Sales promotion tactics seems to be of considerable importance in achieving different marketing targets. This paper analyzed the effectiveness of three sales promotion tactics according to the three marketing targets mentioned above. First, premiums could encourage customers to try out new products, which are beneficial to expand new products popularity in the introduction stage. Second, limited-time promotion is used to increase sales as sons as possible, eventually occupying more market share in the growth stage. Third, loyalty card has great advantage in keeping long-term relationship with existing customers, which could reduce the risk of brand switching in the maturity stage by rewarding regular purchase. Nevertheless, it seems to be inevitable that the three sales promotion strategies have limitations. First of all, the quality and attractiveness of free gifts may directly influence the perceived values of new products. Furthermore, limited-time discount may stop products from restoring the original prices since customers prefer to wait for discounting. Finally, even if companies may obtain useful information about customers through analyses of loyalty card data, customer satisfaction is probably reduced due to the invasion of individual privacy. The possible solutions can be summarized as market test on a small scale, appropriate promotion cycle, and integrated promotion mode, which could reduce the risks above and maximize the effects of sales promotion. In discussing process in premiums promotion, limited-time discount and loyalty card promotion, it was conclude that the three tactics of promotion can be effective to help companies achieve the marketing targets in the first three phases, based on a rich literature about sales promotion. However, it should be noted that a detailed analysis of other tactics of sales promotion realizing different marketing targets is not involved in this paper and future work could be done in this area. This would mainly focus on online marketing and could help marketers enhance the competitiveness of online marketing by appropriate strategies of sales promotion. References Ace, C. (2002) Effective Promotional Planning for e-Business. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann Devlin, J. , Ennew, C. ,McKechnie, S. , and Smith, A. (2007) ‘A study of time limited price promotions’. Journal of Product amp; Brand Management 16 (4), 280 – 285 Gaffney, S. and Francis, C. (2009) Honesty Sells: How to Make More Money and Increase Business Profits. Hoboken: John Wiley amp; Sons Humby, C. , Hunt, T. , and Phillips, T. (2007) Scoring Points: How Tesco Continues to Win Customer Loyalty. London: Kogan Page Hendershot-Hurd, K. (2007) Beyond the Niche: Essential Tools You Need to Create Marketing Messages that  Deliver Results. Swindon: Acuminate Janotta, S. (2012) Loyalty Cards in the Apparel Retail Industry. Munich: Grin Verlag Kolb, B. M. (2005) Marketing for Cultural Organizations. London: Thomson Learning Kotler, P. and Armstrong, G. (2001) Principles of Marketing. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall Lancaster, G. and Massingham, L. (2011) Essen tials of MarketingManagement. Abingdon: Routledge Liljenwall, R. (2004) The Power of Point-of-Purchase Advertising: Marketing At Retail. Washington, DC: Point-Of-Purchase Advertising International   Pride, W. M. and Ferrell, O. C. (2010) Marketing. Stamford: Cengage Learning Reid, R. , D. and Bojanic, D. , C. (2010) Hospitality Marketing Management. Hoboken: John Wiley amp; Sons Yeshin, T. (2006) Sales Promotion. London: Thomson Learning How to cite An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Premiums Promotion, Limited, Papers

Monday morning Essay Example For Students

Monday morning Essay In the evening of 8 August, 2004, a 14-year-old boy was ordered to his room after, allegedly, giving cheek to an adult. He refused to obey and physical force was used against him. The truth about the terrible consequences of this most ordinary example of childish non-compliance finally emerged yesterday, when an inquest jury in Easington, Co Durham, found that Adam Rickwood, the youngest child to die in custody in modern times, had been treated unlawfully by staff at Hassockfield Secure Training Centre (STC) in the same county, before he ended his young life at the end of a makeshift noose. For Adams family, this weeks verdict marked the end of a long and painful search for justice. The jury in the first inquest into Adams death, in 2007, were not allowed to consider whether the force used on the boy was lawful. That ban, imposed by the coroner, was wrong STC rules, drawn up by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) clearly stated that restraint, for non-compliance, should not be used on the children in their care. But the staff concerned went further than restraint: they applied a nose distraction technique to the boy in plain speaking, a sharp blow to his nose. Adam was incensed and wrote in his suicide note What right have they got to hit a child? It took three judicial reviews, brought by Rickwoods mother, Carol Pounder, challenging that flawed inquest, before a high court judge ruled the verdict unlawful and ordered a second examination of the circumstances of his death.  The use of nose distraction technique and restraint for non-compliance is now banned in STCs. Shamefully, that is no thanks to those charged with the care of young children who take a wrong turn in life. Following Rickwoods death and that of 16-year-old Gareth Myatt, who died while being restrained in another STC in the same year the Ministry of Justice, backed by the Youth Justice Board, tried to bring the use of restraint for non-compliance, along with other painful methods into STC rules. In July 2008 they were foiled by the court of appeal, which ruled that such methods were an infringement of young peoples fundamental human rights. During this second inquest, some members of the jury openly wept when they heard of the treatment imposed on a troubled young boy with a history of self-harming, incarcerated some 150 miles away from his home and family. In 2004, I was present at another inquest, when another jury shed tears on hearing how 16-year-old Joseph Scholes had taken his life in a Young Offenders Institution. Thirty children have met their deaths in custody since 1990 how many more must die before the state, which is acting in loco parentis, decides there must be a better way of dealing with damaged children? The portents offer little hope of change. Last October, it was revealed that 21 children had sustained injuries while being restrained at Hassockfield in the previous year and that restraint was used 543 times in 2008 and 2009 at the privately run centre.  And only a few days ago, following a freedom of information request, the charity Children and Young People Now reported that almost a third of custodial staff working with young offenders had not completed training on safeguarding, and assessing the vulnerability of, those in their charge. Deborah Coles, the co-director of Inquest, which supported Adam Rickwoods family throughout their campaign, believes that only a public inquiry into the way we treat children who break the law will bring about change.  She says the whole population should hear the evidence that made juries into deaths in custody weep. I endorse her view on a highly personal level. For I was the same age as Adam when I first went into custody, more than half a century ago and I weep now when I think how rich my life has been since then, and despair that we allow such damaged children to suffer the kind of treatment to which we would not dream of subjecting our own children. .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6 , .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6 .postImageUrl , .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6 , .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6:hover , .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6:visited , .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6:active { border:0!important; } .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6:active , .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6 .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ucc13aff974661b1a32fdfc62c3032fd6:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Paradise of the Blind EssayMums fight for justice over Burnley boy, 14, who became youngest to die in custody  by Andy Chapman, Sunday Mirror 30/01/2011  Adam Rickwood always wanted to be a policeman. Aged 12 he dressed up as one for a youth group play, proudly wearing a sergeants hat with its distinctive chequered band and a crisp white shirt with a black tie.  Yet Adam never grew up to realise his dream. Only two years later he was dead in a cell while in the care of people supposed to be looking after him. Just 14 and held in a secure unit for young offenders, Adam became the youngest person to die in custody in Britain a victim of the very system he hoped would give him a career.  Alone in his stark cell, a three-and-a-half hour journey from his home and family, Adam hanged himself with his shoelaces only a few hours after he was given a bloody nose by a warder with a karate-style blow. It is now illegal as a method of restraint and even then was against the rules of the unit holding him.  On Thursday an inquest ruled that unlawful force by warders directly contributed to Adams suicide. The verdict is the climax of a six-year battle for justice by his mother Carol Pounder on behalf of her angel-faced boy who died in August 2004. Yesterday she told in an emotional interview how she aims to fight on and bring the warders to court on assault charges. I feel a bit nearer to getting justice for Adam and I can sleep a little sounder now, she said. But I will not give up my fight.  Carol, 42, a mother of four from Burnley, Lancs, who has suffered years of depression since Adam died, told how the tragedy began in June 2004 when her son was arrested after a youth of 19 was injured with a knife in a mass street brawl. Adam was accused of wounding the youth. But the victim later insisted he had made a mistake after initially naming Adam as his attacker. Even so, the case ground on through the legal system.  Carol said: Adam had always been a delightful lad, very bright at school and doing well. His father and Carol split before he was born. Adam was brought up by his stepfather John, who married Carol when Adam was three months old. He had a happy home life with his mum, John and sisters Sharon, Sarah and Laura.  He made me birthday and mothers day cards, he was a loving son, polite and well mannered. But when he was 10 and 11 both Johns parents died, then my dad died, and he got in with the wrong crowd. He started smoking cannabis at 13. He acted strangely, saying he could hear voices in his head and punching the walls. But he was never violent to his family. He needed help. He had psychological issues. He did stupid things, getting caught with cannabis, burglary, hanging around with older lads, going in stolen cars. He wasnt an angel. Vulnerable Adam felt so low he began to self-harm too. But the old Adam still shone through. Hed help old ladies off the bus and carry their shopping.  Of that fateful night in 2004, Carol says: Adam was arrested and accused of having a knife. But he swore it wasnt him. Later, the stabbed lad came to my door to say It wasnt Adam. He was sure.  Because Adam had been in trouble before, he was remanded in custody to await trial. On July 10 he was sent to privately-run Hassockfield Secure Training Centre (STC) in Durham, 150 miles away, because there were no secure places nearby. STCs were the brainchild of Tory former Home Secretary Michael Howard a cheaper, supposedly more professional alternative to secure council childrens homes. .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b , .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b .postImageUrl , .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b , .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b:hover , .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b:visited , .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b:active { border:0!important; } .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b:active , .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uc0a7545d6fba86ef146ccdd0ae1a006b:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The boy-page held the tent flap open as Richmond and his officers emerged out EssayCarol said: I was mortified. It was three-and-a-half hours away and I could only see him for two hours a week. Grown men on remand get visits daily, yet a kiddie couldnt see his mum. He was desperately unhappy.  Carol told how Adam pleaded to be moved nearer home. He hated it there. He said some warders were kind, the others were bastards who beat kids up, always away from the CCTV.  The last time she spoke to him was on a Sunday. He had taken part in a sports day and was in good spirits. Theyd had sack races and egg and spoon. Hed enjoyed himself. But that night Adam had an argument with a female warder. He wouldnt go back to his cell, and four officers restrained him. One, named at the inquest as Steve Hodgson, used a nose distraction technique to subdue him. This was a painful blow in which two fingers are put under the nostrils then used to twist the nose. It has now been outlawed in the UK by the High Court. But even then Hassockfields written rules said it was only to be used if an inmate was escaping or causing harm to others. Adam was carried back to his cell by his arms and legs and left face-down with blood on his face. Carol said: He rang his solicitor and said hed been beaten up by the screws. She rang me and I was horrified.  At 3.30am on Monday morning, Carol answered a knock on the door. Two policemen were on her doorstep They told me Adam had committed suicide. I told them its because the warders beat him up. What are you going to do about that? At a first inquest in 2007 the jury was not asked to consider the legality of the nasal distraction technique. Carol won a new hearing and on Thursday a new jury took just an hour to rule unanimously in a narrative verdict that Adam had been the victim of unlawful force. The jury criticised a host of other failings in his care but ruled that warders believed at the time they were acting lawfully, though all sides now accept with hindsight that his treatment was illegal.