“Apple Computer, Inc. Think Different, Think Online Music” free essay sample

1. 4 C’s Stakeholder Analysis †¢Customers Based on the background of â€Å"the era of the Digital lifestyle†, iTunes 3 target customers are; StakeholderStake in the projectPotential impact on ProjectGrowth percentage of online distributionPerceived attitudes and/or risks 12 – 24 yearsDownloaded an average of 12 tunes per month, housing libraries between 25 to more than 300,000 songs from the internetHigh59%†¢Unlimited library of songs and videos by genre, artist and album †¢Software design is attractive and easy to use Sound in industry standard Dolby Advanced Audio, allowing CD quality sound †¢Better data compression allowing users to store more files more quickly †¢There was no subscription fee but songs were not free †¢The teens and children felt exploited by the escalating prices of music 25 – 34 yearsDownloaded at least one music file from the internetHigh43% 35 – 54 yearsDownloaded at least one music file from the internetMedium24% Online music was growing to be the best phenomena in the United States. Statistics show that by July 2003, 65 million people in the USA had downloaded a song from the internet. We will write a custom essay sample on â€Å"Apple Computer, Inc.: Think Different, Think Online Music† or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The growth rate by December 2002 was at 26% and by less than 5 months it had grown to more than 30%. Most consumers of this online music were children and teens. They felt exploited by the escalating prices of music from stores and sort to look for other free or cheaper means to own the music. (They do not have a dependable income). Today’s music industry targets the younger generation. They like to be ‘down with the latest releases (both audio and video)’, ‘the newest kid on the block’ and to be known to own it. ITunes interface as shown in exhibit 7; have the top albums, top songs, latest releases and favourites and a free 30 second full quality preview of any song. This will seize the tedious search on the internet, but have a one stop shop for all their preferences. Based on this, the target segment 12 – 24 years was the most valuable. †¢Company ITunes fit Apple’s brand and capabilities because Apple’s brand already speaks for itself. It is associated with high level innovative products with end user capabilities from the time it began. Apple has for years tried to have products that are exclusive to Mac Computers. Although the market segment does not allow them to do that 100%, they had to have alternative similar products for Windows PC users. Apple always developed products that would be used first by Mac users, to dwell in the amazing features and resources. They were loyal to their customers. ITunes was launched into the already existing market that Apple carried. Its vision was to be a major player in the digital integration. At the time of its launch, iTunes came with the best services and features to all its competitions. Apple continuous to maintain a high standard of its products. †¢Competitors Tunes CompetitorsWeaknessesOpportunities for iTunesStrengthsThreats for iTunes Peer to Peer Networks-Quality of downloads was poor -No guarantee of the file download was a full version -No guarantee of correct song or correct title -Trading of copyrighted files was technically illegal -RIAA strategy of legally attacking individuals made some reconsider using these services -The music for s ome networks were on rental basis-Provided CD quality sounds and better data compression -Guarantee of full version download and legal activities because the five largest music publishers licensed songs to iTunes. A ready market segment -The user owns the music -Networks were free, containing an unlimited library of songs and videos -Easy burning into CDs and MP3 players -Software design is easy to use and attractive -One can own songs in 5 minutes -Can create musical anthologies -Songs are stored directly on the Hard disk of all PC users, not limited to Mac users only. -Downloads costs about the same as a CD in the store, this can discourage the (12 – 24 years) target customers who do not have dedicated income and already think that the costs of a CD is expensive. -The song list is limited to about 200,000. This service is exclusive to Mac users, thus other PC users cannot access it. Buymusic. com-A range in cost for songs -Users had to go through end-use agreements before o wning a song -One cannot navigate their downloads -Songs were not compatible to the popular ipod player-One cost for all songs -Site is consumer friendly -Songs are searchable by title, artist, album and genre before downloading -The ipod player is an Apple brand. -300,000 song library -Costs as little as $0. 79 -Downloads available as individual songs or albums -Downloads are not limited directly to the desktop, but other media -Extensive peripheral memory devices store Different content and usage rules based on the number of computer transfers, CD burns and portable music transfers -Services offered to the larger PC users (Windows technology)-The song list is limited to about 200,000. -Costs $ 0. 99, Buymusic. com offers a lower rate. This can be more attractive to the (12 – 24 year olds) customer target. -Mass transfers of downloads are limited to ipods. -Apple users are at 4% computer market, failing to convert Windows PC users. BuyMusic. Com has a larger audience offerin g the same service. Music Stores-A song/ album costs more -Stores were located in specific areas The consumer does not have control of the playlist -Tedious to look different at prices from one store to another physically-A song is cheaper than an album -Consumers select their own playlist -Online stores like iTunes were a click away and available to all internet users -Easy to look at different prices online-The music industry supports them 100%; therefore there are no legal issues. -Available offers of lowered price to purchase music -A much larger selection of music-The Music industry could develop copyright issues at any given time, thus legal issues with RIAA -The song list is limited to about 200,000. Community The other external organization/ stakeholder that could affect whether iTunes succeeds are; -Government e. g. if it introduces by laws regulating the use of ecommerce or internet based stores. -Suppliers e. g. The 5 music distributors decide to discontinue the sale of their license, not to grant exclusive distribution, increase their price cost of the license. -Recording Industry Association of America with continuous threats of copyright issues. -Lobby groups; airing concerns on explicit music and video content that is exposed/ accessible to children and teenagers (12 – 24 years, market segment). The action of the following people can affect the perception of consumers at the media level and as a result, the Apple brand is compromised. 2. Positioning Map of iTunes 3. ITunes Marketing Mix †¢Product Brand†¢ITunes is a product from the Apple Brand. Apple is a major player in digital integration. Appearance†¢Attractive and user friendly interface as show in Exhibit 7. Quality†¢The quality of the songs is industry-standard Dolby Advanced Audio coding format producing CD quality sound. Packaging†¢Better data compression enabling users to store songs and allowing faster downloading speeds. Support Service†¢Songs downloaded are legal with complete ownership †¢A large library with capabilities of searching songs by artist, song title, album and or genre. †¢A provision of 30 seconds preview Functionality†¢Exclusive to Mac users only †¢Price FinancingNarrow profit margin due to royalties Per song Royalties $ 0. 70 Admin Costs $ 0. 12 Profits $ 0. 17 Total $ 0. 99 List priceA single price for each tune, regardless of the genre, artist, album or hit. AllowancesAvailability of bonus tracks Place Location†¢Internet based website functioning as the interface for the online store Channel of motivation†¢One click shopping service Market Coverage†¢Available internationally, serving various customers at one given time †¢Promotion Media†¢Abundance of positive press †¢Apples stylish brand tones was continuous with many of the artists images Ad vertising†¢Attractive television advertising blitz with organic tones †¢Ilife bundled software suite †¢As the Strategic Director of iTunes, to create a barrier against the competition, I would: a. Launch a windows version without any more delays . Add an additional feature i. e. customer loyalty schemes tying customers to buy at iTunes only c. Customer management software tracking and monitoring consumers purchases needs d. Buymusic. com was exclusive to Windows PC users that were the larger percentage of the computer market. I would propose to acquire buymusic. com and gain their larger market share. Integrate the announcement to consumers with the launch of the Windows version with Apple quality and branding. I would retain the Mac users and acquire new clients with the windows PC users. This will give iTunes the exclusiveness they have been trying to gain. e. I would increase the brand equity by carrying out activities that would enhance the brand image i. e. targeting the 12 – 24 year olds f. To invest in strategic alliances with the 5 largest music publishers – so as to achieve exclusivity. This would imply that their competitors would have to buy from them or it locks them out that consumers can only buy from iTunes. However, one has to consider the cost implications and the positioning of the market, as exclusive distributors. 4. From a Strategic perspective, Apple launched iTunes because †¢Computer products are technology based and have very short product life cycles. There are in an industry that always keeps changing. Because technology matures, it is prudent to come up with new ideas, resources and efficiency of processes. †¢Apple has always remained focused on product innovations. It has increasingly looked to developing and controlling its own software. Using Ansoff’s Product Development, Apple was able to offer its existing customers and use the current markets new products. Apple relegated to niche status and took the opportunity to tap into an already existing market. The use of computers and internet based services was in the increase rapidly. This was a good opportunity to expand their revenue source from additional products. Bibliography Jisc Infonet (2008) ‘Stakeholders analysis template’ Good practice and innovation www. jiscinfonet. ac. uk [accessed 5 June 2009] Da tabase Marketing Institute (2009) ‘Managing Customer Segments’ http://www. dbmarketing. com/articles/Art134. htm [accessed 5 June 2009] Wikipedia (Modified 2009) ‘Stakeholders Analysis’ The Free Encyclopedia http://en. ikipedia. org/wiki/Stakeholder_analysis [accessed 5 June 2009] Product positioning Maps (2009) http://www. tcdcconnect. com/content/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/create-val ue-from-positioning-map. pdf [accessed 6 June 2009] Harvard Business publishing (2007) ‘Mapping your Competitive Advantage’ Harvard Business Review http://hbr. harvardbusiness. org/2007/11/mapping-your-competitive-position/ar/1 [accessed 6 June 2009] 12 Manage (2009) ‘Stakeholder Mapping’ The Executive Fast Track http://www. 12manage. com/methods_stakeholder_mapping. html [accessed 5 June 2009] 2 Manage (2009) ‘Marketing Mix’ The Executive Fast Track http://www. 12manage. com/methods_marketing_mix. html [accessed 6 June 2009] Wikipe dia (modified 2009) ‘Marketing Mix’ The Free Encyclopedia http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Marketing_mix [accessed 6 June 2009] 12 Manage (2009) ‘Product Market Grid’ The Executive Fast Track http://www. 12manage. com/methods_productmarketgrid. html [accessed 6 June 2009] Wikipedia (modified 2009) ‘Technology lifecycle’ The Free Encyclopedia http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Technology_lifecycle [accessed 6 June 2009]

Human Disease and Their Control Essays (1103 words) - Immunology

Human Disease and Their Control Essays (1103 words) - Immunology Human Disease and Their Control follow up questions 1a) When people refer to pathogens, they are talking about bacteria that cause disease. 1b)The toxins actually excreted by the pathogens are the main cause of diseases although thetoxins are only by-products of the pathogen's metabolism. 2a)In most cases, the toxins excreted by the pathogens find there way into the circulatory system. Thus, sometimes, the infection is caused somewhere else from where the toxins were excreted. An example of this would be Rheumatic fever. The toxins that ca Yet another example of where the disease is in a different location then where the toxin was released is Dipheria. The pathogen that causes Diptheria is usually located in the throat. As the toxin is released, it travels all the way to affect limb muscle 2b) Examples of where the disease is at the site of the bacteria could be Tetanus and Tuberculosis. The tetanus bacteria releases a deadly toxin which can affect the whole body which causes paralyzation. As it affects the whole body, the disease would mos 3a) In our environment, we encounter all sorts of micros of air-borne pathogens that cause diseases are the ones that cause whooping cough, scarlet feve 3b) An example for this kind of transmission would be the kind of pathogens found in feces. Typhoid fever is one of the kinds of diseases that are transmitted through water as these pathogens are found in feces. The feces released would sooner or later fi 4a) Besides transmitting disease through everyday drinking water and the air, another way of transmitting diseases are by contact. Chicken Pox and Small Pox are some of the many diseases that can be caused by contact. 4b) Veneral diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis can also be transmitted by contact. 5a) An example of a disease that can be transmitted if there is a wound would be our very familiar Tetanus. An example of how someone would acwuire tetanus from a wound would be like this: The construction worker moves around a lot and works very hard. Down on the floor is a tetanus infected nail. As the worker is too busy caring for his job, he accidently steps on the nail and gives the tetanus bacteria a chance to get into the body. The 6a) Immune carriers can be classified as those who have recovered from a certain disease and is immune to it, but still carries the pathogens. The immune carriers show no indecation of a disease with no symptoms, but this carrier can still trnasmit these 6b) One major disease carrier is the Anthropod. They pick up the pathogens in their food, where they walk and other places. As they carry the disease, they move to other places either for food or shelter purposes. When they bite or sting other organisms, 7) The skin is the main protector from pathogens. The first line of defense is the structure of the skin itself. It is almost impossible for pathogens to pass the skin layer. Those who do would go through the pores in our skin. The second line of defense 8a) Some cells that engulf pathogens are known as phagocytes. This is so because the phagocytes engulf the pathogens through a special process known as phagocytosis. An example of a phagocyte would be blood cells known as leucocytes. The whole job of thes 8b) What many people refer to as Pus is actually the left overs of dead leucocytes and pathogens. 8c) Serious infections cause the swelling of the nymph nodes as there are too many dead leucocytes and pathogens to store for excretion from the body. 9a) Antigens are foriegn proteins to the human body. In turn, these foreign proteins cause a reaction. Usually, the main cause of these foreign proteins would be toxins from pathogens or micro-organisms. 9b) When an antigen enters the body, a certain reaction occurs. When it has been found out that an antigen really is present, it causes the spleen and the lymph nodes to produce a substance known as antibody. This antibody is a specifically desgined aubst 9c) An antitoxin is a kind of antibody. This kind of antobody is specifically used to go after toxins release by these

Discuss the regulatory intervention that took place in the US post Research Paper

Discuss the regulatory intervention that took place in the US post 2008 crisis choosing a topic from FRANK-DODD ACT 2010 - Research Paper Example The consumer’s welfare is protected, and their rights are to be considered. Through consumer protection fraud and illegal activities are able to be avoided because some of the laws protect the needs of those who have no knowledge about their rights taking an example in a business where some firms use the advantage of their size over others. Through the laws installed in the country there exists a fair deal and assists in the consumer in making better decisions in the market place (Acharya 26). People like investors, those in need of mortgage are able to be clear on what their rights are before involving themselves in companies or people who will deceive them. These includes the government organizations and also the self-regulating business organizations such Federal Trade Commission among others. The consumer protection rights have been seen to grow over the years from the 19th century which people saw the need for this from the fraud seen in the mail to what we see to date. T his assists in the protection of both consumers and businesses in the operation of their works.9Through consumer protection people are able to use the law in reporting cases like illegal acts and works done against the law. They are therefore, said to protect the welfare of people in making fair deals and transparency to the services and businesses conducted. The consumer rights are also put to protect the environment and the welfare of people’s health. Some industries produce toxic products which leads to the retrogression of the health conditions of people like the Cigarettes and also the environment like the global warming effect (Li & Palumbo 23). Introduction There are several consumer protection acts in the American government and in this context we are going to use the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform and consumer protecting in establishing his acts, the benefits of the consumer protection laws and be able to tell the rights the consumers are eligible to. 1 The Dodd-Frank Reform and Consumer Protection Act is mainly n the financial crisis in America which started in 2007.It is an act imputed on the financial services to the banks and non- banking holding companies which include insurance companies, security firms and also international banks among others within and globally (Stowell 25). The Dodd-Frank Act leads to the change in financial services regulation creating a new federal authority and also a new financial consumer regulatory body. This act was approved in 2010 and became effective from 22nd July (Braybrooke 19). This legislation was put in place of all the financial activities within the States and also non-US banking organization firms. The main features in the legislation included maintenance of financial stability by creating a council which is given the mandate to overlook on the activities in the financial system. It also gives the Federal Deposit insurance Corporation to be able to control the firms which are failing by protecting th e counterparties which leads to t