Essay --

1.0 Company Background Empress Luxury Lines is a company that offered cruise vacations to the vacationers. In 1990s, this company had achieved high demand from the customers and they had increased their cruises in order to meet the demand during the stock market bubble. However, this increment of the demand did not last for long time. Unfortunately, the company had to face with several problems which caused the decrease of its demand. Like, in the year 2000, there was a dramatic fall in the stock market due to the incident of September 11 that badly affected the nation, sudden drop of bookings caused by the Norwalk virus and also the strike of the hurricanes at the Caribbean and Gulf ports in 2005 caused a huge amount of refunds. Early age of Empress Sunward left Southampton for the first time on June 25th 1966. Unfortunately, bookings were very low. A disagreement between Spain and Great Britain regarding Gibralter –Spain saw Gibraltar as a part of Spain- didn’t help matters either. Part of her brochure when sailing as The Empress for Empress Cruise Line Ted Arison, an Israeli, managed several Israeli passenger ships cruising out of American ports in the sixties. These ships were gradually sold however, so Arison was facing a situation in which he would be left without a ship. He saw many possibilities for cruises out of Florida to the Caribbean. It was his foresight that started Caribbean Cruising. He contacted Kloster and unfolded his plans for Caribbean cruising. Kloster agreed and the Sunward started sailing out of Miami on short cruise to the Bahamas for the newly formed Norwegian Cruise Lines. She was now used as a cruise ship, although her car deck was still in use so passengers could take their cars to th e Bahamas. So... ...ormer Sunward seemed to have found her niche. Although a one ship operation, Empress was a rather successful small firm, holding her own in a market dominated by competitor Star Cruises. There was even talk of a second ship, but Empress wanted to develop step by step and was not in a hurry to add further tonnage. Suddenly, Empress Cruise Lines ceased operations. The exact reasons remained somewhat obscure, which happens more often in the Asian cruise scene. The Empress was laid up. Then, (summer of 2003) there were rumours of several (Asian) parties being interested in her while reports that she had already sailed for the breakers turned out to be incorrect. Other reports indicated that she had been sold for $ 1.3 million for further cruise service in Indian waters. Her planned refit did not materialize however and she was suddenly sold to Indian scrappers in 2004.

Service Cycle of Medical Tourism in India

One of the major practices in healthcare is the process of ‘patient outsourcing’, in the form of medical tourism or ‘Medical travel’.This form of business protocol is becoming hugely popular in the developed countries of the world, as it has tremendous benefits.   Medical tourism is a deliberate effort to combine health issues along with travel for tourism and leisure (Health Base, 2006, Recover Discover, 2007). Several organizations may be involved in the process of medical tourism including:-The governments – They are responsible for framing a policy that would ensure regulated flow of tourists from one part of the globe to another to enable effective healthcare provision.   Besides, it would also ensure that the tourists can obtain valid travel documents easily.Hospital Associations – Associations founded between the hospitals of the tourist and the destination country are required to communicate with each other so as to help in the flow of medical tourists.   This is to ensure that all ethical and legal issues are addressed, and an effective marketing communication system can exist.It would be ideal for the patient to first speak to his/her usual healthcare provider before seeking medical facilities in another nation.   Hospitals in the west can also consider recognizing and providing accreditation for hospitals in developing nations, so that the quality standards pre vailing is well-understood.Travel authorities – They are the authorities who are providing valid travel documents and permission required to enable medical treatment in another nation.   The authorities should understand the need and urgency for medical treatment and hence would have to permit such travel.Travel agencies – They would have to communicate with other parties in the destination to ensure that the health and travel needs of the tourist is meet, keeping in mind quality, cost-effectiveness and hassle-free processes.The travel agency would have to provide the travelers with customized packages that are cost-effective and seem attractive.   They would also have to market the health packages in the West, to demonstrate clear advantages to the ones existing at home. Ministry of Commerce and trade (Hutchinson, 2005, Heatlhbase, 2006 & American University, 2003).Through the process of globalization, many countries are beginning to closely review their economic strengths and risks.   If something is costly in one nation, immediately the resources present in other nations would be approached and utilized.In medical tourism, the individual would be using cost-effective options in order to fulfill their healthcare needs in areas where the limitations may be less.   These limitations can be several and can be utilized to the advantage of the individual.   Some of the limitations which can be met through medical tourism include:-Going from one nation where certain types of treatment are not available, to another where treatment is available.  Ã‚   Going from one country to another, where the quality of treatment is better, improved technology and where expertise in health is available, and innovative options are presentGoing from one country to another where treatment is provided in a more cost-effective manner Going from one nation to another where medical treatment including surgery is provided in a more timely manner (to reduce the w aiting periods for elective surgeries)Including the family members and seeking treatment away from home where the usual stressful factors would not be felt (Hutchinson, 2005, Heatlhbase, 2006 & American University, 2003)Medical tourisms can take place from one nation to another and from one region of a nation to another region within the same nation. The trend today is that many people from the western or developing nations (which have a very restrictive health setup) are moving to the east, where the practices and policies do favor provision of several benefits in healthcare. There are many unique features of the prospects of medical tourism:-The nations which serve as a market for medical tourisms are providing several attractive policies and practicesThey are using vary attractive marketing strategies to encourage business – An example of this would be to combine medical health visits with holidays to exotic tourist destinations.   Many people from the developed nations are finding such packages very attractive and are considering them as they are not only cheaper but also meet their customized needs, conveniently.The developing nations such as Thailand, India, Latin America and China, are offering more holistic kind of treatment and are providing several complementary and alternative treatments that deviate away from allopathic medicine.   Many of these treatments have proven to be effective.   Besides, the treatment facilities are provided in more natural kinds of environment, thus encouraging better healing and recovery (Hutchinson, 2005, Heatlhbase, 2006 & American University, 2003).Medical tourism can be held for various reasons including health and wellness tourism, reproductive purposes, alternative treatment strategies, preventive medical care, spa tourism, surgical tourism, dental tourism, diet and nutrition tourism, transplant tourism, cosmetic tourism, spiritual tourism or even for end-of-life purposes.Often the individual requiring health treatment would also like to include their family members in the process.   They would also like to take their family members along.   People also want to visit resorts and spas to get away from the usual humdrum.   Several theoretical frameworks have been proposed for Medical Tourism:-Consumer Motivation – Consumers may find the health packages offered at the destination nations cost-effective, of better quality and would also combining their travel needs Medical tourist motivation – Some people prefer traveling and getting treatment done in a foreign nation, away from home Push-pull motivation – This has been one of the most explanation to justify medical tourism.The pull factors are usually contributed to the attractiveness of the market and the various marketing strategies that have been employed.   The pull factors are tangible and are attributed by the destination.   The push factors are intangible and may need a lot of explanation.   So me of the push factors include:-  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Fulfilling travel needs ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Preferences for certain destinations ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Travelers often have the intention of traveling for whatever need, even if a such a need can be fulfilled at home (Hongnaphadol, 2008)India has been one of the success stories of medical tourism in the world.   Thousands of tourists from various parts of the World including the US, UK, Australia, Middle East, European Union, etc, visit India every year for medical and surgical treatment.   India is also one of the sought out destinations for alternative forms of treatment including Yoga, Ayurveda, herbal medicine, massage therapy, etc.Effective collaborations between the tourism industry and the healthcare industry have existed in India to enable medical tourism to be a success.   This has been an initiative from both, private and public parties.   India has several other cha racteristics that have permitted medical tourism to prevail:-Rich culture and tradition – favoring tourism Natural characteristics of the country Traditional systems of medicine – which seem to be very attractive for the West Cultural competence of the professionals existing in IndiaLow waiting time Cost-effective treatment Good quality of medical care Pre-existing tourist destination Effective collaboration with organizations in the US/UK which would enable movement of touristsEasy currency conversion processes Good quality of education prevailing in India – Academic organizations are able to meet with the requirements of the healthcare industry Connectivity with international airports Good technology utilized in healthcare (Recover Discover, 2007).The service cycle of the medical tourism process and is an experience for the customer.   It starts even before the consumer meets the service provider to obtain an effective medical tourism package that would meet his/her travel and health needs.The process starts when the consumer understands that there is an unfulfilled health need which has to be met.   The process would go on and the several steps present including (as fulfilling health need is not a single transaction and involves several processes):-Meeting with the service provider Discussing an effective package that would meet their needs (the package would include several aspects including air and travel costs, hotel stay, food, consultation charges, investigation costs, treatment and surgical charges, medications costs, holiday packages, etc).The customer should be provided with a number of options and choice of destinations.   Negotiations should also be permitted. Purchasing the health/travel package Preparing to enter in the package Starting with the travelEntering and experiencing the destination country Getting used to the destination country Meeting the healthcare provider and ensuring that the electronic health records are received – the healthcare professionals should take an adequate history of the patient and should also conduct adequate diagnostic tests.Identifying the health problems and developing a plan to solve these problems Presenting the plan to the patient and taking the consent Initiating the treatment plan – May include several visits; The pre-treatment period may include several precautions, restrictions in diet, lifestyle, medications, travel, etcPost-treatment period – Taking adequate precautions regarding diet, lifestyle, exercise, rest, medications, etc.   The patient should be adequately informed of these so that they may be comfortable. Follow-up visits – Any additional treatment Advise or consultations before the patient goes back to the home nationFulfilling any other travel needs Returning back home Contact with the healthcare providers through telephone, e-mail, chat services, etc (Health Base, 2006, Wachovia, 2008, Monash University, 2004).Th e process may not be complete once the patient returns home.   This is because fulfilling health needs is a continuous process and the requirements are never ending.   At each of the steps, the customer would be having certain expectations.   The quality standards of the service are usually determined by the ability to fulfill the customer’s expectations and to meet as to what was promised in the initial package (contract).   Some of the expectations of the consumers include:-Having a high quality travel package which is cost-effective Finding the destination country comfortable and relaxing Getting used to the destination quickly Developing rapport with the new healthcare professionals and the healthcare system – Ability to clear all doubts and queries.The patient should be assured about the quality standards of the organization and the qualifications of the healthcare professionals.Preferable a standard prevailing at the home nation should be sought.   It i s also important that the processes existing in the hospital should be similar to that of the home nation.   The healthcare system prevailing should be culturally competent to that of the tourists.Able to meet with the precautions and advise from the healthcare professionals easily Undergoing the treatment processes without much complications, side-effects and negative events Resolving any problem the patient has during the treatment processes Enjoying the benefits of treatment Ability to contact the healthcare provider and fulfilling any problem (Health Base, 2006, Wachovia, 2008,)References:American University (2003). Globalization and Medical Tourism, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from American University of Delaware Website: http://www.american.edu/ted/medical-tourism.htmHealth base (2006). Medical Tourism FAQs, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Health Base Website: https://www.healthbase.com/hb/pages/medical-tourism-faq.jsp#1Hongnaphadol, W. N. (2008). Medical Tourism, Retri eved on August 15, 2008, from Leeds University Website: www.leedsmet.ac.uk/research/W_Hognaphado-pm_1.ppHutchinson, B. (2005). Medical tourism growing worldwide, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from University of Delaware Website: http://www.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2005/mar/tourism072505.htmlMonash University (2004). The Cycle of Service, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Monash University Website: http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/cheq/support-services/cycle-service.htmlRecover Discover (2007). Medical Tourism – Medical Tourism India – Healthcare Tourism, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Recover Discover Website: http://www.recoverdiscover.com/Wachovia Corporation (2008). The Cycle Of Service – How To See Things from the Customer's Point of View, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Wachovia Corporation Website: http://www.wachovia.com/small_biz/page/0,,447_972_1697_1994_2016,00.html

Egocentric Ways of Thinking

An egocentric tendency is the inclination to think only of oneself without thinking of others. Basically, this means putting some or all aspects in your life at the moment over everything else. I believe that everyone has egocentric tendencies mainly in areas where we fail to think logically. Three ways that I am egocentric include egocentric hypocrisy, blindness and immediacy.Egocentric hypocrisy is the natural tendency to ignore flagrant inconsistencies between what we profess to believe and he actual beliefs our behavior imply, or inconsistencies between the standards to which we hold ourselves and those to which we expect others to adhere. This applies to me in various ways. For example, I want all of my friends to be as holy as a Christian. I'm not saying they need to be saved but I would like for them to practice religion.When people ask me what religion I am part of I always say I am a Christian because I was raised by a Christian woman and in a Christian home. Hypocritically, I don't practice what I preach. I don't agree with a lot of the things a Christian is opposed to live by, such as how we can't listen to certain kinds of music, how we can't have sex before marriage, smoke or drink, and do most things that teenagers would call fun. So in conclusion, I can't hold my friends to certain standards when I do not even live by them myself.Another egocentric tendency I possess is egocentric blindness, the natural tendency to not notice facts or evidence that contradict our favored beliefs or values. Meaning, I am ignorant to things that I don't already know or haven't seen with my own eyes. Since I am this way I always have my guard up and I feel like it is very hard to â€Å"trick† me. I don't believe anything I haven't seen with my own eyes. I have heard countless testimonies and miracles being done by the mercy of Christ but I have never actually experienced it.Therefore, I believe that faith is whatever it is believed to be. Yet people choose to argue religion while having no real evidence besides a man written bible. When people argue with me about religion I tend not to entertain it. When I do decide to, I try to get others to see that yes religion s acceptable and while I may not agree with religion I do understand why people believe. My mom once told me â€Å"If God isn't real and you believe then when all is said and done you have absolutely nothing to lose.But say God is real and you do not believe, then you have absolutely everything to lose. † Speaking for myself, it is a lot easier to believe in something you can see. Egocentric immediacy is the natural tendency to overgrazing immediate feelings and experiences-?so that when one event in our life is highly favorable or unfavorable, all of life seems favorable or unfavorable as well. Its like favoring a certain belief or feeling as long as things are going right but turning away from those beliefs or feelings when things aren't in your favor.Last year on Jan uary 14th, I had been extremely ill and was admitted to the hospital with an internal infection. During my stay at the hospital, I received a phone call from my mother in Tampa, stating that my great grandfather had passed away. I immediately felt the need to give up on everything. The feeling I felt at that moment was superior to all persons, places, and things that came my way. The day after he passed away I began praying that he was pain free from cancer and living a great after life somewhere else.As I was standing in my kitchen one of the wine bottles, that Just so happened to be from Italy, cork popped off. That immediately put me at ease. I felt like my prayers had been answered. An egocentric tendency is the inclination to think only of oneself without thinking of others. While we're all people in progress it is important to change the way we think. But naturally when thinking egocentrically, we fail to do so.

Place and Process for the Promotion of Nike Removable Massaging Insole

In Nike Inc. ’s deliberation of where to physically position and place their new product of a sneaker with removable massaging insole, they can focus on making this product available at main flagship outlets and various retail stores across different cities among countries. Nike Inc. can prioritize mainly the various, almost universally-situated retail outlets known as Nike Town, serving as Nike’s premier product outlet amongst district, states, and nations. Such massive and multi-leveled outlets hold the obvious purpose and reputation of holding a comprehensive merchandise and accessory list and availability. Mall retail stores could also provide the product, but only after great discernment and thought. Nike Inc. must learn to build and at the same time keep the anticipation and buzz for this insole technology. Being that the product is of innovative and break-through orientation, many from sport enthusiasts, athletic foot-wear collectors, and even avid Nike accessorized shoe aficionados themselves may have an already heightened anticipation. Nike Inc. hould identify and foresee the sales requirement enough to provide for the demand of the product but not to the unnecessary point of landing clutter inventory at the said profit nests for Nike’s sneaker insole technology sales and distribution channels. Availability should be kept and maintained at either par or above par but should not be overdone in terms of in-store stock supply. With all of these, Nike Inc. must keenly consider a sense of consistency among the availability of the product. In terms of development of a formidable promotion strategy for the pioneering technological feature found exclusively first in Nike footwear, Nike Inc. hould build a series of promotional business activities for better and over-all brand and product awareness that would affix the company specifically as a sports athletic brand committed in spearheading in-detail inventiveness among products for customer satisfaction. Thus, truly giving note-worthy distinction to the brand’s reputation, in terms of product quality, ingenious product ideas, execution and indeed also on product promotion, separate from other players of the athletic shoe market and industry. The selection of promotional tools for a consumer good such as athletic footwear is still rather traditional, but with an originally unique Nike attribute, an edge could be truly utilized, and the creative envelope can be pushed further for endorsement. However, the objectives of the promotion strategy must be concretely identified and should touch as many bases as possible in terms of reaching consumers. As Kotler explains, â€Å"For consumers, objectives include encouraging purchase of larger-sized units, building trial among non-users, and attracting switchers away from competitors’ brands† (Kotler et al. 2006, p. 620). A good and strong sales promotion strategy â€Å"would have short-run sales impact as well as long-run brand equity effects† (Kotler et al. , 2006, p. 620). Nike Inc. must choose the most fitting means, and with such a revolutionary product, a choice of effective methods can be done. Such activities can range from optimization of handing out fr ee trials at outlets for the customer to acquire firsthand experience on the new product. Since the product is the first of its kind, Nike Inc. ust encourage in-store promotions for these help communicate product benefits, in-person, to the customers. Moreover, ensuring product warranties entails confidence in the product and at the same time conveys a sense of accountability in customer relations. And, also realizing cross promotions and holding sponsorships, and building independent programs for events with evidently sporting and athletic themes are other options to be included as part of the sale promotion program. This is where resourcefulness and ingenuity can be stretched. Nike Inc. ust incorporate the value and indispensability of the product in the customers’ lives through a gathered experience via events. In addition, with a strong and justly experienced advertising expertise, Nike Inc. ’s product promotion could have greater impact. Such potent pair-up is confirmed by Kotler and associates as they mention that, â€Å"Sales promotion seems most effective when used together with advertising† (Kotler et al. , 2006, p. 622). In terms of an initial sales promotion schedule, Nike Inc. must capture interest and awareness from the beginning as the product is launched to the market. The series of promotional endeavors at introduction should be broadly well-built and wide-spreading yet calculated. In-store promotions should be consistent in every outlet where the product is available. From the product’s launch until its maturity, customers must be well-informed of Nike’s insole technology even as the promotions gradually change. For approximately four months as the product is introduced, Nike’s sales promotions will be simultaneous and at its strongest, reinforced by an ample advertising campaign and also a comprehensive public relation program implementation.

Eugene onegin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Eugene onegin - Essay Example A dandy, deprived strict moral values and norms, he goes on the booze. Through this character, Pushkin depicts the gap between expected, traditional, usual things and reality people try to escape. He shows that perception of the world was limited by traditions and values imposed by their society. â€Å"Tatyana leaves Onegin kneeling, / looks at him with a steady gaze† (Pushkin). This remark shows that Tatyana is deeply hurt by Onegin who ruins her life and Olga’s happiness. The surface of her story is limpidly clear and beguilingly placid, but Pushkin’s use of it is to enforce by close logic an impossible and often very shocking proposition driven with distinct and startling imagery. Onegin deserves his fate because his desire to possess love of Tatiana is nothing more than dissatisfaction of the past that resulted in losses and hopelessness. On the other hand, I sympathize with this character because love becomes a vein sacrifice that is painful and sorrowful causing terrible sufferings and emotional burden for people. Quite early Onegin explores the meaning and significance of money and social status in life which brings him no good: â€Å"Onegin, my good friend, was littered / and bred upon the Nevas brink’ (Pushkin). On the other hand, Pushkin’s contribution to the pessimism which characterizes so much of the important writing of the ninetieth century was to probe the inner recesses of human behavior to see by what instincts people are governed. Onegin proposes a view of mans essential nature: greedy and rakish. In practice it is possible and desirable to create new law and values, because new environment forces people to change their personal priorities and morals. Social ideology and way of life typical for many young people of his age is the main cause of his suffering and fate. â€Å"Onegin swiftl y came to know / his tale of youthful love, narrated / with deep emotion through and through, / to us, though,

Customer Service Interview Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Customer Service Interview - Coursework Example Once the customers are given excellent service, they will be happy to do another transaction with the company and even recommend it to their friends and colleagues (Zemke & Woods, 1998). Still it is already assumed that every once in a while customers will ask or complain about something that is obviously the reason why companies have customer care services. To have an idea on how customer complaints are handled, an interview with Ms. V. Siva, a customer service representative of Dish Network was conducted. According to her, customer service representatives play a vital role in an organization. As a part of the customer service team, it is their responsibility to provide outstanding customer service and help the management obtains ideas for product innovation from the given customers feedback and recommendation. Ms. Siva often receives calls from customers who wish to cancel their subscription. Other customers complain about their bills, while some are just asking for information reg arding their services and packages (personal communication, July 8, 2011). Those are the common day-to-day dilemma of the Dish Network subscribers. It shows that there are really no exemptions when it comes to customer service complaints, no matter how big a company is, because customer complaints cannot be avoided although it can be lessened. ... Its major competitor is DirecTV Group, Inc. (â€Å"Profile: Dish Network Corp,† 2011). Last April 2011, the company was able to purchase Blockbuster a home video and video game rental services company (Henry, 2011) and just recently, the company acquired ownership of Terrestar Network, a mobile communications company (Avery, 2011). Dish Network’s consecutive acquisition of bankrupt companies allows them to venture into other forms of home video and television services, attracting more and more subscribers in the country. As the people of this modern era seek for convenience and entertainment in the comforts of their home, Dish Network is able to give them the many available options for home entertainment. Even though the company has undergone major developments, it does not mean that they are exempted from receiving customer complaints. Customer complaints are part of the business cycle. The interview proves that like any other company Dish Network also has issues with their customer services. It is the common perception of most companies that when they are able to earn a profit that is more than enough to sustain the overall operation of their organization, their marketing strategy is effective. Actually it is true, their marketing strategy is effective but what is overlooked in this situation is in the area of customer service. Well it is good to focus on how to increase profit but it would not be good to set aside the concerns of the customers. If the company is serious with its intention to fully satisfy the customers, it must be able to provide outstanding customer services. On a positive note, one can say that the complaints encountered by the company are not