International Business. Marketing policies Essay

International Business. Marketing policies - Essay Example This paper focuses on the International marketing mix for the number one bank in the Netherlands called ABN AMRO. The paper is divided into two sections. The first section speaks about the essential components in a marketing mix and then goes on to compare and contrast the differences in a domestic marketing campaign with that of an international marketing campaign. The second part of the paper focuses on ABN AMRO launching itself and its credit card campaign to be more specific into the growing markets of India. As the international marketing manager in charge of this venture, I focus on the areas and topics which we research, analyse and finally decide upon before venturing into the Indian market. This write up is simple yet interesting, focussing on the differences one has to consider in launching an international campaign from that of a domestic one, and the careful planning and research that needs to be adopted on critical topics so that the launch of ABN AMRO into India would n ot only be popular and successful but also rewarding and provide long term benefits including that of establishing a back office, so that ABN can take advantage of the outsourcing fraternity in India in the long run ahead. International Business (Section: A) ABN AMRO BANK: The merger between ABN BANK and Amro Bank created ABN AMRO Bank on 22 September 1991 in Amsterdam. ABN may not be as popular as the Bank of America or American Express but one only has to walk down the streets of Amsterdam or Rotterdam to be surrounded by the presence of ABN in the form of advertisements, promotions and numerous ATM's located all over the city. In the Netherlands ABN is in your face wherever you may go, for its reputation and brand name is a household name. Having been the domestic marketing manager for ABN in the Netherlands for 7 years and seeing the way the Bank steadily expanded in revenue and brand name had made my role as domestic marketing manager not only remarkably challenging but also tremendously satisfying. With the steady growth and performance year after year, ABN has followed the current trend of business and now looks to spread its international presence and expand its products and services. Keeping this in mind, I was promoted to International marketing manager and asked to spearhead, plan and co-ordinate the International campaign. Marketing Mix: The task is one that is exciting and involves a lot of research and careful planning. Those who are familiar with the rudiments of general marketing theory will know that marketing is far more than selling: profitability and added shareholder value is the ultimate aim of all marketing pursuits. Marketing is a collection of activities, including advertising, public relations and sales promotions, marketing research and new product development, package design and merchandising, personal selling and after-sales service and the determination of selling prices. (R Bennett, J Blythe, H Alder, 2002). The term marketing mix is frequently used to describe the combination of marketing elements applied in a given set of circumstances (Borden, 1965). Although the whole marketing scenario is in many ways different when it comes to the International market, they are in some ways similar to that of the domestic market, because the key areas in both aspects are more or less the same but need to be implemented in a new way. Major components of the marketing mix can be listed under seven headings. (R Bennett, J Blythe, H Alder, 2002). Major Components 1. Promotion: including advertising, merchandising, public relations, and the control and deployment of sales staff; 2. Product: design and

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

For some of you graduates, this will be the last ceremony you might ever sit through. Most of us, though, and I regret that I am in this group, will sit through many more ceremonies -- ceremonies longer and more tedious that this or anything else you can imagine. If you think this is bad, try a college graduation. Think, that is, attend a wedding. And, if just for a moment you think that that is bad, just be thankful you have never attended or will attend a Bar Mitzvah. The only ceremony I think anybody would truly enjoy attending is a funeral. But, only if you are lucky enough, or unlucky enough, to be the guest of honor, because, really, that will be the only time you will be able to be honored at a ceremony and not have to make chit chat with a bunch of strangers afterwards. I hate chit chat. Mindless talk, with really no subject to talk about. People love to chit chat after ceremonies, especially after graduations. Be prepared fellow students. Be prepared. Look around at the people in the stands. They are eyeing you, picking you out. They are going to find you, and they are going to chit chat. I think it is these costumes we are wearing. Something about us all dressing alike that makes people tend to think we're all the same person. They look at one of us in cap and gown, and figure they might as well talk to us like we're all the same relative they came to see. Note to guests: Just because you are Uncle Lenny, does not make you my Uncle Lenny. My Uncle Lenny could not attend tonight. He is the guest of honor at a funeral. Well now I am a minute or so into my speech and all I have done is rant and I have said anything of importance, so let me do that, now. Usually people like to choose a quote to use in speeches like the... ... from there my sultry suburbanite. I know what some of you are thinking right now, though. You right there, you are saying, "Hey guy, while I'm over here thinking about how purty I am and how not-so-purty my neighbor is, my neighbor is thinking the same thing about me. It don't work. Your hypothesis is unfeasible." Well, let me tell you this right now, and it is just between me and you. You are the real good-looking one. Let that beastly person next to you think whatever they want, both me and you know who is hot, and who is not. You will all find this helpful in your lives. Just remember that cardinal rule. When two people are next to each other, one of them has to be better looking than the other, and it might as well be you. Unless, of course you're sitting next to me you infectious flap-mouthed scut, you. Thank you all, for your sweetly faked attention.

J.I. Packer Reflection Paper

Jonathan Gamble Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God Reflection Paper When he sat down to write Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, J. I. Packer sought to explain the incredible importance of understanding the antinomy – or tension, as some call it – between the undeniable sovereignty of God and the free will of men. Throughout the book, Packer puts an emphasis on reconciling these two commonly misconstrued components of Christian doctrine. There are two primary points that the author stresses to the reader: the divine sovereignty of God and the free will of man, and evangelism and what it means for churches and individuals.The first point J. I. Packer makes in his book is the seemingly contradictory doctrine of the divine sovereignty of God and the free will of men. This opposition – as some would call it – is remedied by Packer early on in the book. On page 23 of the text, the author states, â€Å"Man is a responsible moral agent, though he is also divinely controlled; man is divinely controlled, though he is also a responsible moral agent. God’s sovereignty is a reality, and man’s responsibility is a reality too. Though it may seem confusing to unbelievers and believers alike, this statement truly encapsulates Packer’s argument and helps to alleviate doubt toward this apparent opposition in Christian doctrine. Man is a moral being; meaning, he has free will, but was designed (by God) to be virtuous and upright in morality. Humans have the power to do as they please (free will); they can either live according to God’s laws or reject His teaching. God allows man to possess free will because He wants men to choose His teachings willingly and on their own accord, not forced into God’s law against his will.However, Packer states that man is also divinely controlled, which seems to be at odds with the previous statement. Though man has free will, to a certain extent he is still controlled by a div ine being (God). Ephesians 2:10 tells us, â€Å"For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do† (NIV). This proves that, although we have free will and are capable of making our own decisions, God created us to do good works and He knows what we will do before we even do it.Thus, Packer’s argument is that, although we have free will and God allows us to make our own decisions (including accepting or rejecting Him), we are still divinely controlled by Him through the good works we do. Second among Packer’s emphasized points is that of evangelism; not just the act, but what it means for churches and individuals alike. Throughout this portion of the book, the author focuses on several main questions regarding evangelism: what is evangelism, what is the evangelistic message, and what is the motive for evangelizing.Packer uses the following to define evangelism: â€Å"To evangelize is so to p resent Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, that men shall come to their trust in God through Him, to accept Him as their Savior, and serve Him as their King in the fellowship of His Church† (Packer 38). This definition is superb because it leads into Packer’s next questions of evangelism. The message of evangelism, according to the book, is the message of Jesus Christ’s work, including, but not limited to, his miracles, death, burial, and resurrection.However, Packer warns not to complicate the Gospel message; instead, a simplified version geared toward the target audience is a much more effective means of presenting Christ. The motive for evangelizing is thus: to reach lost and broken souls with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to lead them to a saving faith in Him. Packer makes very good arguments and backs up his stance with solid evidence from both the Bible and extra-biblical sources; because of his logical and straightforward argument, I agree with his presentation of the antinomy of evangelism and the sovereignty of God.In Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, the author argues that men both have free will, yet are divinely controlled. I fully support this viewpoint, from both a biblical and practical standpoint. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, men demonstrate their free will, for good or ill. For example, the parable of the talents shows how men’s free will – through the illustrations of the three servants – can either bring glory to God or condemn the man. All three of the servants exercised their free will by either doubling the talents entrusted to them (the first two), or by simply hiding their talent (the final servant).Obviously, the first two servants brought glory to their master by earning interest on their talents, while the final servant was condemned as a â€Å"wicked, lazy servant† (Matthew 25:14-30). Thus, despite the outcome, men have been given the free will by God to do as they please. Packer endorses this viewpoint throughout his book, and gives numerous biblical citations to support his doctrinal views. Although men have free will, they are also divinely controlled by God; Packer shows this throughout his book, and I agree with his arguments and evidences.An excellent example of this – and the main reason why I support Packer’s argument for men being divinely controlled – can be found in the book of Exodus. â€Å"Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord† (Exodus 10:1-2).This event shows that God controls the hearts of man, by his hardening the heart of Pharaoh. So, although we have free will, God is still in control of our h eart, mind, and soul; we are still divinely controlled. If I was to explain to somebody the biblical teaching on the relationship of evangelism Packer’s book and my own understanding of this seemingly contradictory doctrine. I would attempt to explain to them this complex doctrine in simplified terms. To start, I would define sovereignty for them.Sovereignty can be defined as the complete, utter, and undeniable rule of God as King over all creation, including the stars, planets, and man. After establishing the meaning of the basic words for the argument, I would go on to explain about the antinomy of men’s free will and the undeniable sovereignty of God. Men are made with the free will to make their own decisions, and are left to their own devices for the most part. However, with this free will comes responsibility; our actions can either bring glory to God or can bring hardship upon ourselves.Although we are given free will, we are still divinely controlled by God. I would bring about examples from both my own life and the Bible. I would try to relate to them by telling them of my past; I was heavily involved in alcohol and partying in high school (my free will – to reject God and His teaching), until God intervened and brought me to a saving faith in Him, and my life turned completely around (God’s sovereignty over my own life). By drawing events from my own life, it would help to make the confusing doctrine a bit more understandable and relatable to whoever I’m talking to.I would explain the concept of evangelism to them next; evangelism, in my own words, is the act of reaching out to an unreached audience and telling them about Jesus Christ, his miraculous life and works, his death and resurrection, and the saving grace that comes as a result of putting one’s faith in Him. Evangelism is worldly important because it brings sinners to God’s grace; by spreading the Good News to the unreached, we can help turn t he tide of religious apathy into a generation that is in relationship with Jesus Christ.Many would argue that because God is sovereign, evangelism is pointless and a waste of time, resources, and talent. However, both Packer and I would argue that this is completely false. I would explain to my listener that because of the free will God grants us, we should tell others about Him and His great love and mercy. I would go on to quote Ephesians 2:10, which says that we were created to do good works. Because we were created to do good works, it should not feel an obligation to evangelize; rather, it should be viewed a privilege and an honor – a necessity – to spread the news of Christ.Although God is in control of man’s actions and thus already knows who is going to be receptive of the Truth, it is still our obligation and privilege as Christians to spread the Word (evangelize) to any and everybody. Works Cited 1. â€Å"Ephesians 2:10, Exodus 10:1-2. † NIV Bib le. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2000. N. pag. Print. 2. Packer, J. I. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1991. Print.

Nathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter Essay - 1928 Words

Societal influence on people is a highly discussed topic today, and evidently was in the past, as Nathaniel Hawthorne makes comments on how society should affect people in The Scarlet Letter. This book is about a woman named Hester Prynne, who is condemned to wearing a scarlet letter A by the Puritan society, in which she lives. The symbol explored is Hawthorne’s use of nature. Nature is found everywhere, no matter where a person looks. It can be a display of beauty or a display of ugliness. It also contains many elements, such as leaves, stems, and roots. Nature is used in The Scarlet Letter to represent the characters of the novel. Hawthorne uses nature to point out how the actions of characters reveal their true nature in order to convey that by not living by one’s true identity, a person doesn’t live their life to the highest potential, and instead corrupts their natural character. Hawthorne uses trees and weeds to depict the Puritan people in order to convey how societal systems prevents character growth in the Puritans. After about 15 to 20 years after the town had been settled, the jailhouse has shown evident signs of age and wear, and in front of it grew an overgrown patch of â€Å"burdock, pig-weed, apple-peru,† which had found â€Å"something congenial in the soil† (33) where the jailhouse was located. The plants described in this passage are all weeds, and are used to represent hidden sin that sprouts within the village. The weeds represent sin because they blossom whereShow MoreRelatedNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1187 Words   |  5 PagesPuritanism in Red Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter shows the early view of Puritanism by concentrating on sin, guilt, and its effects on society. Nathaniel Hawthorne conveyed a dark and romantic style of writing in â€Å"The Scarlet Letter†, impacting the society by focusing on the concepts of romanticism. 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