Of Mice and Men is a novel about people Essay Example for Free

Of Mice and Men is a novel about people Essay Of Mice and Men is a novel about people. Are there too many cripples, misfits and unusual characters in the novel to consider Steinbecks portrayal as true life? Steinbecks novel is based on ordinary people during the American Depression. Steinbeck has an understanding of how migrant workers were and how it was as he had his childhood in California near Salinas Valley. During the period in which the novel was wrote was written migrant workers went from ranch to ranch working for money never really having a secure job as new technology in machinery made it cheaper to harvest crops. This introduces the two main characters George and Lennie, migrant workers, who do not fit into 1930s society. The novel based is on characters that represent different walks of life during the period illustrating the American culture. Steinbeck portrays the American culture in a condensed version occurring only on a ranch, showing the grim truces of the society, when the novel was written In Steinbecks novel the character Candy is a man who has gone past his prime of his life. He has a stumped hand and therefore he is too maimed to be working in the fields, he can be seen as a cripple in the novel. The result of this is that he has menial job as a swamper. To represent the fears of time Steinbeck writes about Candy being worried about getting the can as a result of his unimportance on the ranch, and this is shown when Steinbeck wrote I aint much good with ony hand. I lost my hand right here on this ranch. Thats why they give me a job swampin This suggests that the job was only given to Candy out of sympathy. Furthermore Candy saying I aint much good shows his awareness of his own situation, being worthless to the ranch. Candy represents the aged sector that exists in every society, at the time the novel was written work was very scarce and if people were employed they would have to work hard to say in work. Candy as an aged person is on his last job, because if he loses it no one else will take him on. This is his major fear throughout the novel and Steinbeck portrays the aged migrant worker as a pathetic man with only a dog to keep him company. Steinbeck writes Candy looked a long time at Slim to try and find some reversal The above statement suggests that Candy has no authority with the other workers on the ranch and needs Slim to assist him; this shows Candy, as a cripple, has no respect from the other characters, which is a portrayal of true life during the American Depression. With the dog eat dog world of the period skill, strength, intelligence, age and skin colour affected authority. Candy has a change of attitude after hearing about the dream soon after his dog was shot, Steinbeck choosing to write the dream being heard by Candy at this point in the novel when the character had lost everything that was important, gives the cripple hope for the future as his past (with his dog) is finished. Sadly the dog is a symbol of his possible future, the fate of the aged. In a time of mass unemployment and the fear of loneliness compels Candy to latch himself onto a belief to persevere in the harsh lonely world and this gives Candy the renewed confidence. Steinbeck shows the change of Candys attitude after he hears about the dream, Candy joined the attack with joy Glove fulla Vaseline, he said disgustedly. This quote enhances the change in the character of Candy, as before he did not say anything in general conversation between the workers and at this point he was important. The verb attack shows Candys aggression against Curley, who has a higher status than Candy and is more important to the running of the ranch and is the bosses son, not a cripple and stronger. The adjective disgustedly in the quote shows that Candy is sickened by Curley and Curleys attitude to others and Candy himself. This shows Candy is more than a cripple in the story, but a character who needs an image of a better future for himself with no worries. The dream of getting a ranch of their own is the need for some security can be compared as a pension in a modern view. Once Candy has this security in the dream Steinbeck enhances the character making him bolder, and his character comes out from the shell of an old cripple. In chapter two Steinbeck introduces the reader to the character of Crooks. The name Crooks is not used for him at the start of the novel and it is only later on that he is called Crooks. The names used for him are derogatory labels including stable buck, nigger and Crooks. Throughout the whole novel the reader never finds out the characters real name, which adds to the effectiveness of the character being a misfit. Steinbeck enhances the idea of Crooks being a misfit when he writes They let the nigger come in. Little skinner name of Smitty took after the nigger. Done pretty good, too This depicts that the other characters do not see Crooks a real human being but as an object of entertainment. Steinbeck conveys how a black man fits into the society of the period through racism. Crooks is a misfit in the novel because of his skin colour and his physical appearance, because of this he is segregated from the other workers on the ranch. This can be shown by They let the nigger come in this implies that the others do not want to be around him and that it is an important event when he does. The above quote can also suggest that Crooks wants to be sociable with the others and the word let suggests that the character has tried before. His injury to his back illustrates to the reader that he can be put into a category with Candy, as a cripple. The connection between the two is deeper than them both have a disability. Steinbeck brings them both together in chapter 4 at the start of the novel when he writes Yeah. Nice fella, too. Candy is shown to have a high regards and respect for him; Steinbeck puts them in the same situation in the novel. Candy and Crooks as cripples both need to belong to something as there is always the threat of getting the can or a similar consequence to of Candys dog. One may think that Steinbeck was trying to portray a bridge across racism in the period with a white man and black man wanting the same dream. As Crooks changes his view in the novel from being a defensive one to felling some hope about the dream too. At first Crooks attitude to little piece of land in his head is an objectionable because society has made him pessimistic and spiteful to any sign of others having some dream of happiness knowing that he can not have any because of race. However when he hears about the money he is more open and suggests he wants to be apart of it, this can be shown when Steinbeck wrote If you guys would want a hand to work for nothing- just his keep This quotes conveys Crooks hope in the dream and he wants to be apart of it to be secure and treated as an equal. The reader learns a valuable lesson from Crooks and Steinbeck portrays it effectively that society is in the wrong not that the characters. Steinbeck illustrates Crooks as being a proud son of a bitch with his tidy room but this does not make just a misfit or a cripple but he has humanity with all other blacks. Thats why a lot of time is devoted to him in the novel, his role is equally important to the social statement made by Steinbeck. The end of this key chapter with Crooks in, chapter 4, unhappily ends how it began with Crooks rubbing medicine into his back, this is a powerful message put across to the audience which may evoke the reader to think that society will not change unless we change society. Crooks had briefly gained some respect from other white males and had hope for the future, but it is when this happens that a women shattered his hopes, this would be terrible to Crooks because women were thought to be lower and weaker than men, so being put down by Curleys wife made him worth nothing, just like during the beginning of this chapter. A character that is, in essence, unusual is Curleys Wife. She is unusual because she is the only female character who speaks in this novel. Steinbecks portrayal of women in this novel is not in a good light, given that the men go to a brothel. Women typically represented as objects of sexual nature not as partners or equals but as. Curleys Wife is unusual in a way that she is the only women on a ranch full of men going around dressed to seduce, this can be shown in She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red. Steinbeck suggests that she is trouble by all the red in the description, with red bringing up connotations of danger. The red also can connote seduction. Steinbecks character has a habit of looking for her husband which can suggest that she is lonely and is constantly seeking attention from the other men, another reason for dressing up seductively is to conceal her loneliness, Steinbeck includes her in the novel to portray the American housewife, wanting to be something more than a housewife. This was typical during this period of social change with Hollywood and women becoming celebrities, which is exciting compared to a life on the ranch. Steinbeck effectively portrays this in He says he was gonna put me in the movies. Says I was a natural. This implies to the reader that she wanted something more to her life than to be stuck on a ranch. This however makes her a misfit on the ranch in the novel because of her wanting a different dream to come true, but during that period people were fascinated about celebrities so the character of Curleys Wife can represent the womens struggle during the American Depression. We learn from the novel that society during that period was male orientated and that women were beginning to have their own dreams other than finding a good man to marry. Throughout the whole novel the reader is aware of Lennie being a misfit in the novel. When the reader is first introduced to this character his physical description suggests that he is misfit large pale eyes can connote the lack of intelligence, giving the sense of subdued expression, the adjective large agrees with the stature of Lennie, though the adjective pale implies the mindlessness of him. The other characters in the novel who are misfits, unusual characters or cripples have a physical or emotional problem but Lennie as one of the lead characters is different with an intelligence problem; this engages the readers sympathy as Lennie is every childlike. Steinbeck writes about the childlike behaviour of Lennie in Lennie was still smiling with delight at the memory of the ranch This quote depicts Lennies lack of social skills, like a child, which gets the character into a trouble that wouldnt have really happened in the novel if the character was not a misfit, such as what happened in Weed where he stroked the womens dress not knowing that he was doing something wrong and ended up being outcast and hunted. Steinbecks 1930s society is not tolerant of Lennie and his disability to handle a difficult social problem. Society when this novel was written is not an understanding one and Steinbeck dramatically portrays this by the fight in the novel. Steinbeck shows the reader during that period people acted too rash and unsympathetic, and Steinbeck with this novel wants people to take notice of society and for it to be more tolerant to misfits, cripples and in a sense unusual characters. Steinbeck leaves the ending of Lennie at a moderately neutral point of view; this lets one make up ones mind to know that its a tragedy. On one side that it is a tragedy that Steinbecks characters have no acknowledgment of Lennie killing Curleys Wife by accident and that he has no understanding of death and his own strength. On the other side some readers may believe that Lennie should be shot because he killed a human, even with his lack of intelligence it still make him a danger to society. Steinbeck writes his death in the place where Lennie suits best throughout the whole novel, in nature Suddenly Lennie appeared out of the brush, and he came as silently as a creeping bear moves. This quote implies that Lennie suited the environment that he was in, and the metaphor a creeping bear moves is a powerful one. In addition, it conveys the character to be almost part of nature and if he was never meant for society. As a result of this, the reader may think it is less of a tragedy as Lennie dies where he belongs. Steinbeck portrays the purpose of Lennies character of being the character that allows people to have a dream. Lennie is the one to console in and not to put down people, because he has no real understanding of how the world works. Candy and Crooks benefit from having time with Lennie as Candy has someone to talk too furthermore ensuring Candy a no opposition to joining the dream, which may not have occurred if Lennie was not a misfit to society. Crooks has someone to talk to without no prejudice as it because of Lennie being unintelligent, he did not understand the concept of racism. Lastly, Lennie ensured Curleys Wife finally got someone to talk to in the novel. Steinbecks misfit Lennie shows the flaws in society that needs to be exposed in true life. If there were more people like Lennie on the ranch (society) there would be more empathy towards others and their feelings and there wouldnt be feelings of superiority other one another. George and Lennie have a friendship that is not typical of the period in which the novel was set. Two men travelling around together and working together was unheard of, the American Depression saw people distant themselves from each other. With no security, men chose not to trust each other. Steinbeck depicts this effectively throughout the whole novel. This relationship is not typical of the era, Steinbeck shows this when he writes Guys like us, that work on the ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They dont belong no place. This illustrates the stereotype of the migrant worker making this unusual relationship out of place in the novel and Steinbeck wanted to show this by the effects of their relationship upon the characters. The relationship being not of true life has a sense of inevitable doom to it. Steinbeck depicts the relationship to draw other characters to it so that they can belong even though the friendship creates suspicion in; He hooked his thumbs in his belt and squinted one eye nearly closed This expresses to the reader the Boss had never seen it before and that thinks it trouble, with squinted one eye the verb creates suspicion. This clearly emphasis the idea, that the relationship sparks the plot with eventually, Lennie killing Curleys Wife. Perhaps Steinbeck shows this because he is making a social statement on the period where people just can not trust in one another or be emotionally close to each other, with out anything going wrong. George and Lennies relationship shows one how much empathy and understanding one man can have in another. Against everyone being antagonistic to the relationship George stuck by Lennie until he could no more. Steinbecks characters have a friendship that is destroyed by the attitudes in society of the period. In conclusion to this essay, Steinbeck has wrote misfits, unusual characters and cripples in Of Mice and Men to show the faults and prejudices during the 1930s American depression, in which the novel was written. Steinbecks characters portray different aspects to the life in the period. Crooks represents the life of a black man having to struggle through life being worth nothing because of skin colour, whilst Curleys Wife represents how a women struggles in a male dominant society, the male dominant society being the ranch itself. Candy symbolises the aged in the period, being old is being useless and unwanted. Though the novel has misfits, unusual characters and cripples they would not have as much affect if they were not contrast to the more stereotypical characters of the period. Curley and Carlson show the reader the bleak and lonely lives migrant workers had. The contrast has a bigger and more meaningful social statement made by Steinbeck. The writer effectively shows this at the end of the novel. Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin them two guys? This enhances the social statement made by Steinbeck, with Slim consoling George but the other more usual characters, Curley and Carlson, not coming together after the whole plot Steinbeck keeps them apart and socially distant, unaware of the situation George is in. the novel is also concluded within the novel where the image of the water snake an the heron. The whole novel is summarised, with the calmness to the heron snatching the water snake. Steinbeck implies this animal image that humans in a society live like animals and how that we have not evolved to be more tolerable of peoples differences; the consequence of this is Lennies death. Steinbeck conveys marvellously that this will keep transpiring as the heron returns to the pool to catch another water snake.

How Muhammad Established Islam As A Major Political And Religious Force In The World Essay Example for Free

How Muhammad Established Islam As A Major Political And Religious Force In The World Essay While Muhammad was living with his wife Khadija, he often went to a cave outside Makkah called Hira, where he would reflect and pray. During one night in 610CE, when Muhammad was 40, he was in a cave on Mount Hira. God revealed himself to Muhammad. This was called the night of power, and it relates in Surah 95 of the Quran, which is entitled The Blood Clot. When Muhammad returned home, Khadija became his first believer. Then his cousin Ali, a freed slave called Zayd, and one of his closest friends, Abu Bakr, all became followers. There started one of the great religions of the world. Muhammad had a strong belief that there was only one God, the creator. He believed that all humans should be equal in their relationship with this creator. This undermined the tribes of Makkah who, especially the Quarish, rose up against Muhammad and his followers. All through his life, Muhammad fought to establish Islam, to gather followers, and to create a substantial political force. In the 22 years after the first revelation, until Muhammad died in 632CE, God delivered the Quran to Muhammad, his messenger. By the time that God had finished revealing the Quran, Muhammad had moved to Madinah. Hence we get Makkan and Medinan verses. The Makkan verses are usually shorter, more judgemental, and are found towards the end of the Quran. After the second revelation, the night journey, Muhammad migrated to Yathrib, 40 miles north of Makkah, to settle disputes with the pilgrims from that town. He went there with family and followers in 622CE. When he arrived, he built a house, which was later to become the first mosque. He then renamed the town Madinah. This is where the central community was established. After Muhammad died, no one knew if he had named a successor. Usually, it would pass to his eldest son. In the end the leader was chosen by the Muslim community as a person of great personal integrity. This is the belief of the Sunni branch of Islam, who did not want a government, but they wanted to rely on an authoritative ruler. The Shia branch believes that the early history was biased against Ali, Muhammads cousin. When Ali did become the leader, those who believed Ali to be the true successor formed the separate Party of Ali. The Shia branch wanted a leader from the family of Muhammad. Islam was greatly diversified by the achievements of the first four caliph successors to Muhammad. Here is who they are and what they achieved in their rule: * Abu Bakr (632-634 CE) He and his armies conquered Arab tribes, and they went as far as the Byzantine Empires borders. Abu Bakr had more than a personal belief of Islam and he had a belief of political ideology. * Umar (634-644 CE) He continued after Abu Bakr and captured Jerusalem and North Africa. * Uthman (644-656 CE) After Ali turned down the caliphate, Uthman was chosen and he expanded the empire through North Africa and Eastwards to India and China. * Ali (656-661 CE) He made Muawiya co-caliph, a disastrous move. Two parties were formed, one supporting Ali, the other supporting Muawiya. Islam today is the second largest religion in the world and it is growing fast. It is significant in the modern politics. It also contributes to art, music, architecture and philosophy. The religion has grown to have over 2 billion followers. However recently Islamophobia has stepped in. Islam has been treated very cruelly by the western media in the last few years. However Islam means to surrender, or submit, and it is linked closely to another Arabic word meaning peace. Indeed a Muslim is one who surrenders.

Green Tea Organics PEST, SWOT and Porters Analysis

Green Tea Organics PEST, SWOT and Porters Analysis When an organization gets prepared to step into the international market, it has a lot of things to do. The term marketing will always be an inevitable term for them whether they are supplying the products domestically or internationally. There are many differences between the domestic and international business in terms of marketing. Whenever an organization sees itself doing great in the domestic market, it also aims to capture the international market. But capturing the international market is not an easy thing. It needs a lot of research, planning and effort. The managers need to do understand all the complexities and diversities of international marketing. After understanding these things, they also need to build up the skills, aptitudes and knowledge so they can achieve their target in the international level. There is a need for strong research and development team in the organization to learn about the need of the products in the market and also to learn about how to establish their brand in that particular country for attracting and satisfying the new range of customers. There is a need to perform the PESTLE analysis- political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental analysis. They also need to learn about the strengths, weakness and the opportunities of the organization in that market. As the consumption of tea in Malaysia is increasing day by day and there is a growing need for organic tea, Green Tea Organics Limited, a recently formed organization thought of exporting organic tea to Malaysia. This report will focus on the external environment analysis by Green Tea Organics Limited. It will also try to analyze the strengths, weakness and opportunities and at the end, this report will try to design some marketing strategies for Green Tea Organics Limited for coping up with the market. Planning is always defined as a systematic way for relating things to the future. It is basically an attempt which is taken to manage the effects of external, uncontrollable factors on the strengths, weaknesses, objectives and the goals of the firms for attaining a desired end. Again, it is held to be a commitment of resources to the market of a country for achieving specific goals. We can also say that, planning is basically the job of making things happen in a synchronized way otherwise things might not occur. (Enderwick, 2009) It can also be related to the formulation of goals and methods for accomplishing them. So, it can be termed as both a process and a philosophy. Structurally, there are three ways to be used to define planning- corporate, strategic and tactical. International corporate planning is defined to be a long-term goal incorporating generalized objectives for the organization. The highest level of any organization conducts this planning. They also deal with the product, capital and research. International marketing strategy is the kind of a corporate planning which the highest levels of managers undertake to place their products in the international market (Cadogan, 2009). For that, they design different market entry strategies along with new marketing mix strategies so the products can catch the essence of the market and can also attract the right base of consumers. According to many researches, a cup of tea contains less caffeine than coffee. This is the reason health conscious consumers are more driven to drink tea. The invention of organic green tea is leading these consumers to prefer tea more than coffee as it has been widely promoted these days and it has also so many positive health benefits. (Waranantakul, 2014) There is an increase in the health conscious consumer base in Malaysia for which Green Tea Organics Limited chose it as their market place for organic green tea. International marketing is defined as the application of marketing principles by an organization or association in more than one country. There is a much debate between international marketing and global marketing. Coincidentally they both are held to be the same. (Peter and Olson, 2010) Situational analysis is performed to better understand the complexities and advantages in the market for the newly arrived organization. It consists of 5Cs- Company, Competitors, Customers, Collaborators and Climate. (Pandurangarao, 2015) 3.1 Company Green Tea Organics Limited started its journey in Assam, India. Domestically, it has a strong market of a 3.5 crores of organic tea consumer base in the all-over India. It has approximately 200 farmers in the different areas of Assam and among them, 120 farmers are certified. Seeing this growth, they want to export tea now. 3.2 Competitors Green Tea Organics as several competitors in Assam, India. But they have been able to differentiate themselves among them because of their quality and price range. Now it wants to capture the market of Malaysia with the same attributes. 3.3 Customers The growing health conscious consumer base of Malaysia is the main customers of Green Tea Organics Limited. Since they prefer tea to coffee and also want to have it in a low price range, Green Tea Organics has a strong potential to catch the market. 3.4 Collaborators Collaborators are the agencies or the media who help the organization from the foreign countries in setting up their business in the other country. Green Tea Organics will use the indirect channel for the distribution of their products. They will look for the third party agencies so they can sell their products in the market for the first few months. The advantage of using an indirect channel is that it doesnt require sales personnel to be present at the market. 3.5 Climate The climate for a business means the external environment. Green Tea Organics is currently ready to face all the complexities in the Malaysian market. 4.1 Mission Statement Right now, Green Tea Organics Limited wants to export their product organic tea to Malaysia to capture this international market with the quality of their product and also the low price range. Basically the roadmap of Green Tea Organics starts with the mission which is held to be enduring. It very well establishes the purpose and also declares the standard against which it will always weight their actions and decisions. The missions are- To give a refreshing start to the day To motivate people with optimism and happiness To create a value To make a difference in the society 4.2 Product Green Tea Organics Limited wants to introduce their signature product organic green tea in the Malaysian market. There are some very important health benefits in it. There is the presence of polyphenoloxidase in it. According to doctors and researchers, there is an abundant supply of antioxidants which is said to have the prevention and curing power of more than 14 diseases, such as skin diseases, cancer, cavities, food poisoning, virus and excessive fat etc. 4.3 Target Market The target market for the organic green tea product of Green Tea Organics is those above of 5 years of age and who are also health conscious. This product can be consumed by any one above 5 years of the age. It will be very helpful for the fat people as it reduces fat and also for those who have diabetic problem as it doesnt contain sugar. So the age range of the customers basically will be from 20 to 75. 4.4 Financial Analysis Primarily, it will be priced at 5.29 ringgit for 1.5 liter and 2.55 ringgit for 500 mile liter. In this price range, it is assumed that it will be able to increase the overall sales of the company by 40% which will also contribute to the profit maximization of the company.   It is also assumed that it will produce a profit of 17% in the beginning of the year and it is assumed that it will increase to 25% to 30% by the end of the year. Researchers basically use PESTLE- political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental analysis framework to understand the external environment (Waranantakul, 2014). It is said that it helps to understand the macro level factors of the business. This report will use this framework to analyze the external factors that might affect the business of Green Tea Organics in Malaysia. 5.1 Political Environment There are many political elements which have the potential to affect the organic tea product of Green Tea Organics. One of the reasons will be the duty and tax rate in Malaysia. It has the ability to affect the customer spending and also the enterprise expenses in Malaysia. Recently the Malaysia government has brought down the interest level to boost up the economy. There is another variable which is the interest rates. It would have a positive impact as it will help to bring much investment. Green Tea Organics will be able to bring in investment through loans. Apart from this, currently Malaysia has a very calm political atmosphere which shows the sign of no war and no distressing situation. 5.2 Economic Environment The business of Green Tea Organics will be profoundly affected by the current economic environment of Malaysia. The last year was a difficult year for Malaysia but they were able to close it on a good note. In the last quarter the GDP had recorded the strongest performance. It expanded in a better than expected rate of 4.5 %. Acceleration in the fixed investment and resilient private consumption underpinned the robust result. Researchers are saying that ringgit has become weaker and there has been an increase in the oil price which has contributed significantly towards the development. However, they are also saying that the net contribution by the external sector got stable as the imports had gained steam. Thats why Green Tea Organics can hope for a better result when establishing their business in Malaysia looking at all these factors. 5.3 Social Environment Many social and cultural changes are being seen in Malaysia which can have impact on the consumption of organic green tea. Since there is an increase in the sense of health consciousness among people, they want to consume those foods which have positive health effect on them. One of the very popular domestic tea manufacturers of Malaysia earned a value share of 34% with a sale of MYR90 million with the introduction of their new product called Green Tea Latte with instant tea back in August 2016. The company also invented a recipe to make jelly by using that green tea latte. They promoted this recipe using Facebook and other social media which earned a lot of attention and popularity. So, they created a social trend of having different foods with the use of green tea. Green Tea Organics Limited has to keep it in mind. 5.4 Technological Environment As there has been an intense technological growth in Malaysia, it will help Green Tea Organics Limited to create an online business for their organic green tea product. It is told to be one of the most accepted models of the customers in Malaysia. Consumers prefer the online social networking sites like Facebook, twitter and YouTube to be the most interactive platforms for their communication with the manufacturers and others. Academicians and market researchers proclaim this to be as one of the main ingredients for a successful marketing strategy which allows the customers for finding the best facilities and also for developing effective communication that involve using different apps on their smartphones. 5.5 Legal Environment It is important that Green Tea Organics Limited maintain all the legal procedures while starting their business in Malaysia and exporting the products in here. They will have to maintain the standards that are enforced by the jurisdiction. They will have to maintain the regulations of processing the tea, the packaging, sourcing and manufacturing and distributing it to the market. 5.6 Environmental Analysis The climate of Malaysia is warm throughout the year. The temperature of Malaysia ranges from 20 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius on an average. It has been observed that basically a tropical weather is observed by Malaysia. It is also believed that it is never too hot. Thats why it can work as a positive thing for Green Tea Organics as their organic green tea product will have the need all the year round. If it was too hot, people would have rather gone for cold drinks. So the tropical weather of Malaysia will give a head start to the business of organic green tea. Green Tea Organics Limited is going to establish a premium positioning for the first time. For their product, the tea leaves are brought from drying. Just after plucking, the fresh tea leaves are steamed. It is said that a dietary source of biologically active compounds is provided by tea. They are assuming to prevent a wide variety of diseases. There is much evidence which say that a moderate level of the consumption of tea will protect against various forms of diseases. Still, to establish a business, Green Tea Organics will have to analyze their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. (Krstic and Becic, 2011) 6.1 Strengths Green Tea Organics has a strong brand image in Assam, India. They produce good quality products with fresh ingredients. Their products have an affordable price range. They are considered cheaper among all the other competing brands. Their products taste delicious It doesnt contain sugar It will work as a savior of thirsty In the drinkers, it will have a calming and soothing effect. It bears international standard. 6.2 Weakness It is primarily having a poor advertising strategy. It is a brand-new product in Malaysia. The rate of awareness among the consumers is still pretty low. It has some very strong competitors in the Malaysian Market. It is still having a less promotion. 6.3 Opportunities Green Tea Organics Limited can introduce more unique flavor and fragrance in their product. As it doesnt contain any sugar, it will be much valued by the diabetic patients. Other products by the competitors have been introduced a long time ago. The life cycle of their products have been approaching to decline stage. So Green Tea Organics has the opportunity to capture the market. They have the opportunity to increase the promotion and awareness of the product through proper advertising and promotional strategies. 6.4 Threats Brands like Lipton have established their products a long time ago for which they also have a strong brand image. Their old label is well known to the people of Malaysia. They will approach to their well-known product. As it doesnt contain any sugar. So the consumers may feel bored at a time with the single taste. So if they dont introduce new flavor, they will not be able to retain the market. Strategy is basically defined as the art of coordinating and managing the processes of the organizations, such as human resources, money and material for achieving the profit, company growth and customer satisfaction by following the policy and objectives of the company. So the marketing strategy of an organization is also defined as an implementation process through which the manager will be able to achieve the objectives of the company easily. (Krstic and Becic, 2011) For a marketer, it is hardly possible to satisfy everyone. For every individual, the taste and preference would vary. Everyone wouldnt like the same product or service. Thats why, there is the need to segment the market demographically, psychographic or behaviorally. There is a need to bring difference among the buyers. (Waranantakul, 2014) The market for the organic tea product of Green Tea Organics has been segmented. Since it has aimed to do an online distribution, it then eliminates the geographical barrier. Anyone will be able to order the product through the website of Green Tea Organics. Apart from the online consumer base, there will be a consumer base in Malaysia. For any efficient marketer, he will target the market after segmenting the market. For Green Tea Organics, the consumer base consist the age range from 20 to 70. They include the health conscious consumers. The introduction of new beverages has not really been able to affect the consumption of tea of these people. Their main priority is their health. For them, maintaining their health by having green tea is a priority. Again Malaysia has a tropical weather which inspires having tea at home rather than going out. (Enderwick, 2009) Green Tea Organics has aimed to position itself by following the premium positioning. So anyone will have an interest to it. 7.1 Marketing Mix To ensure a proper marketing strategy, there is a need to device marketing strategies and also integrate the marketing programs properly. So, marketing mix is followed which contains 4P- Product, price, promotion and place. 7.1.1 Product Green Tea Organics Limited will be introducing the very best organic tea product in the market which contains no fertilizer or chemical when growing them. The company will be exporting the tea directly to Malaysia just after deriving it from the garden to protect its originality. Green Tea Organics will be using their own brand name to sell the product. They will be selling it in bottles and tea bags for the convenience of the consumers. 7.1.2 Price The price range of the organic tea products will be an affordable one. A 35% of the margin will be kept aside for the retailers who buy in a bulk. After the product is delivered, the company will give them a month of bonus period. They will also give a month of credit period to those who will buy in larger quantities. 7.1.3 Promotion Green Tea Organics will be using the line advertisements. They will advertise and promote it by using their public relation. 7.1.4 Place Green Tea Organics will rent a place at first where the products will be stored for distribution. Various kinds of distribution channels will be used to reach the customers. The product will have its availability at various super markets. It can also be found in the shops in the neighborhood. Apart from all these, Green Tea Organics will have its own website for carrying out their online transaction. Thus Green Tea Organics Limited will be following the marketing mix strategy of 4P to market their product. For any organization, it is difficult to capture the essence of the international market at first.  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   It requires a great deal of research, analysis and effective decision making process to give a head start to the business. For any business in the international market, there will be strong competitors. To differentiate the business from them, there is a need to develop the kind of a marketing strategy that will promote the product and the organization to the consumers literally in a different way. This report has tried to develop the strategy by analyzing all the issues of the international market. Now Green Tea Organics Limited will be following all these strategies to capture the market of Malaysia with their organic tea products. References Abdullah Saif, N. (2015). How does Marketing Strategy Influence Firm Performance? Implementation of Marketing Strategy for Firm Success. International Journal Of Innovation And Economic Development, 1(3), pp.7-15. Cadogan, J. (2009). Marketing strategy. 1st ed. Los Angeles [etc.]: SAGE. Chimngamsert, C., Jhundra-indra, P. and Raksong, S. (2014). BUILDING SUSTAINABLE MARKETING SUCCESS THROUGH SOCIETAL MARKETING STRATEGY. International Journal of Business Strategy, 14(3), pp.39-58. Enderwick, P. (2009). Large emerging markets (LEMs) and international strategy. International Marketing Review, 26(1), pp.7-16. Krstic, I. and Becic, S. (2011). Implementation of marketing strategy: Factor of competitive advantage. Marketing, 42(2), pp.118-126. Pandurangarao, D. (2015). http://researchleap.com/how-does-marketing-strategy-influence-firm-performance-implementation-of-marketing-strategy-for-firm-success/. International Journal Of Innovation And Economic Development, 1(3), pp.16-22. Pandurangarao, D. (2015). http://researchleap.com/how-does-marketing-strategy-influence-firm-performance-implementation-of-marketing-strategy-for-firm-success/. International Journal Of Innovation And Economic Development, 1(3), pp.16-22. Peter, J. and Olson, J. (2010). Consumer behavior marketing strategy. 1st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Slater, S., Hult, G. and Olson, E. (2010). Factors influencing the relative importance of marketing strategy creativity and marketing strategy implementation effectiveness. Industrial Marketing Management, 39(4), pp.551-559. Special issue on International marketing theory, strategy and implementation: insights from Latin America. (2010). International Marketing Review, 27(6). Waranantakul, W. (2014). MARKETING STRATEGY COMPREHENSIVENESS AND FIRM PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF MARKETING STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION EFFECTIVENESS. Journal of International Management Studies, 14(3), pp.43-50.

Essay --

Hunter Reagan Mrs. Paschall Honors English IV 30 October 2013 The Good Guy Rules In the work The Road by Cormac McCarthy a father and son struggle to survive in a post-apocalyptic world with evil surrounding them. They always refer to themselves as, â€Å"The good guys,† (McCarthy 66) and try to not become evil. They see things like cannibalism as evil, and would rather go hungry than succumb to this evil. The father constantly tries to keep the child’s eyes away from the gruesome scenes that characterize this environment. When thinking of themselves as the good guys they keep from doing any wrong. Erik J. Wielenberg puts it best when he lists the rules of the good guys. He lists them as follows: "1. Don’t eat people. 2. Don’t steal. 3. Don’t lie. 4. Keep your promises. 5. Help others. 6. Never give up." (Wielenberg 4). All of these rules also have Biblical implications behind them. These rules are taught by the father to his son. Although the father does not always follow them. The father has a hard time following rule five, "Help others." The Biblical reasoning for this rule is, "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" (King James Version, Luke 6.31). The child continuously wishes to help all people that don’t seem to be bad guys. At one point the man and his son find a man that was struck by lightning the child questions, â€Å"Cant we help him? Papa?† (McCarthy 25). The father doesn’t want to give him any help. This conflict is exemplified when the child and father run into a man named "Ely." The man seems weary of the man as shown when it is said, "He looked up the road and down. If this is an ambush he goes first, he said." (McCarthy 83). The child follows the rules better than the man as shown whe... ...s son live by seven rules that make them the good guys. They do what they have to do to survive, without compromising their morals. They are the epitome of a light shining in the darkness. The conflict of the father and son’s polar opposite personalities is exemplified when looking at how they feel about the rules. The child has ease with following every rule but number six, whereas the father has trouble with every rule but number six. This shows that maybe the characters complete each other. This also shows that maybe the son is better cut out for living in this kind of world than his father is. That fact shows that the father taught the child correctly. â€Æ' Works Sited "Bible Gateway." BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 100 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. McCarthy, Cormac. The road. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006. Print. Essay -- Hunter Reagan Mrs. Paschall Honors English IV 30 October 2013 The Good Guy Rules In the work The Road by Cormac McCarthy a father and son struggle to survive in a post-apocalyptic world with evil surrounding them. They always refer to themselves as, â€Å"The good guys,† (McCarthy 66) and try to not become evil. They see things like cannibalism as evil, and would rather go hungry than succumb to this evil. The father constantly tries to keep the child’s eyes away from the gruesome scenes that characterize this environment. When thinking of themselves as the good guys they keep from doing any wrong. Erik J. Wielenberg puts it best when he lists the rules of the good guys. He lists them as follows: "1. Don’t eat people. 2. Don’t steal. 3. Don’t lie. 4. Keep your promises. 5. Help others. 6. Never give up." (Wielenberg 4). All of these rules also have Biblical implications behind them. These rules are taught by the father to his son. Although the father does not always follow them. The father has a hard time following rule five, "Help others." The Biblical reasoning for this rule is, "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" (King James Version, Luke 6.31). The child continuously wishes to help all people that don’t seem to be bad guys. At one point the man and his son find a man that was struck by lightning the child questions, â€Å"Cant we help him? Papa?† (McCarthy 25). The father doesn’t want to give him any help. This conflict is exemplified when the child and father run into a man named "Ely." The man seems weary of the man as shown when it is said, "He looked up the road and down. If this is an ambush he goes first, he said." (McCarthy 83). The child follows the rules better than the man as shown whe... ...s son live by seven rules that make them the good guys. They do what they have to do to survive, without compromising their morals. They are the epitome of a light shining in the darkness. The conflict of the father and son’s polar opposite personalities is exemplified when looking at how they feel about the rules. The child has ease with following every rule but number six, whereas the father has trouble with every rule but number six. This shows that maybe the characters complete each other. This also shows that maybe the son is better cut out for living in this kind of world than his father is. That fact shows that the father taught the child correctly. â€Æ' Works Sited "Bible Gateway." BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 100 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. McCarthy, Cormac. The road. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006. Print.

whip poor will Essay -- essays research papers

Whip-poor-will explanation The poem, â€Å"Whip-poor-will† by Donald Hall is written beautifully with a sense of nature and family. Throughout this poem, Hall illustrates these natural occurrences, such as the â€Å"sandy ground†, â€Å"the last light of June†, and â€Å"a brown bird in the near—night, soaring over shed and woodshed to far dark fields†. The bird in this instance is a whippoorwill, defined as a nocturnal nightjar of Eastern North America that uses loud, repetitive calls suggestive of its name. The whippoorwill is an imaginary representation of the poets long lost grandfather. The whippoorwill is active at night, when the subject of the poem is asleep, indicating that the memory of his grandfather is not needed at that time. When he hears the call â€Å"Wes-ley-Wells† each morning, he understands...

Computers in the Classroom :: Technology School Essays

Computers in the Classroom Over the past decade the world has moved from a place with little digital technology to one where computers, video, and technology are used everyday. The use of this technology can not be ignored even in the classroom. It is impossible to live in o9ur world today without exposure to computers. As teachers it is part of our jobs to expose students to using computers at an early age and to incorporate technology into our lessons. During the middle school years using computers are a great way to get students excited about learning. It has even become mandatory as one of the NCTM (National Council for Teachers of Mathematics) standards. The technology principle states that technology helps students to fully understand mathematical concepts (Principles 25). They are great tools for any type of learner. The hands on experience helps the students to remember the concepts because they have something visual to reference (impact). The NCTM standards states, â€Å"Technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics; it influences the mathematics that is taught and enhances students' learning† (Principles 25). As suggested, technology should not replace the traditional teaching strategies, but rather enhance them (impact). Many of the students know how to use the computers for fun things such as talking to their friends, playing games, and surfing the internet. However, few students know that computers can be used for educational things both inside and outside of the classroom. In math there are many ways to use computers in the classroom. One way to use computers in the classroom is by using online math games and manipulatives to help teach and review. In the class I am working with at Dunn Middle school they use games to help reinforce the lesson and to review for a test. During one review session before a test the students got into three groups one at each computer. They then logged onto the computers and played a fractions game. The students competed against each other for the most correct answers. All of the students were involved and enjoyed a break from the everyday instruction.

Proton Vehicles

1. Background of the Company It all began in 1979 when Malaysia’s Father of Modernisation, Tun Mahathir Mohamad, mooted the idea of establishing an automotive assembling and manufacturing industry in our country. It was Tun Mahathir’s dream to accelerate Malaysia’s industrialisation capabilities to match those of developed nations. His dream became one step closer to reality when the Cabinet approved the National Car Project in 1982. The dream was fulfilled when PROTON was officially incorporated on May 7, 1983. Our very first model, the Proton Saga was commercially launched on July 9, 1985.The name â€Å"Saga† was chosen by Ismail Jaafar a retired military soldier and derived from â€Å"saga† (Adenantherapavonlna) a type of seed commonly found in Malaysia. The first new market for the Proton Saga was Singapore, right across the Straits of Johor. In 1986, barely a year after the first car was launched, celebrated the official rollout of the 10000th Proton Saga. The following year, launched the Proton Saga 1. 5l saloon and Aeroback models. By then, over 50,000 units of the Proton Saga had been produced and sold in Bangladesh, Brunie, New Zealand, Malta and Sri Lanka.Soon after, PROTON cars were distributed in the United Kingdom. In 1988, PROTON debuted at the British International Motorshow, walking away successfully with three prestigious awards for quality, coachwork and ergonomics. PROTON progressed towards in-house engine operations in 1989. In quest to upgrade our technological prowess, a Transmission Assembly Plant was also set up in Shah Alam. In 1996, 1 millionth car was produced. This achievement was buoyed by several significant new model launches including the Proton Tiara, Proton Wira 2. Diesel and the two-door Proton Putra, in addition to existing line up of the Proton Wira, Proton Satria and Proton Perdana. In the same year, acquired a controlling stake in Group Lotus. Even as the new millennium dawned, PROTON sho wed no signs of slowing down. In 2000, unveiled prototype CamPro engine at the Lotus factory in Norwich, United Kingdom. The CamPro engine is aimed to show PROTON’s ability to make their own engines that produce good power output and meet newer emission standards. In 2009, PROTON EdarSdn. Bhd. nd EdaranOtomobilNasionalBerhad entered into a new Master Dealership Agreement to rationalise the sales and services network of vehicles, to ensure a more efficient nationwide distribution system. In January 2010, Petronas became official sole lubricant supplier, in a 10 year agreement that covers all markets in which cars are sold. In 2008, launched the latest iteration of PROTON logo, in conjunction with the rollout of 3 millionth cars. PROTON top mark retained its diamond shape although the tiger motif and colour scheme were changed to reflect the PROTON’s new direction.To further cement successes, launched new production models including the new Saga, Waja CPS, Gen 2 CPS and the Persona Special Edition. PROTON brand is the most valuable asset for all the companies in PROTON group. It embodies a unique set of perceptions about products and services that are triggered in the minds of our public by how others judge what we do, how we behave and what we say. 1. Proton Ideology Audacious Goal – Driving Malaysia’s transformation into a global leader in technology and quality. Vivid Description – Deliver innovative and superior quality products and services.PROTON brands inspire confidence and pride. Purpose – Passionate group of people working together, creating exhilarating products and services for global markets, synonymous with great styling, innovation and leading technology. 2. Proton Core Values Each PROTON employee practices in the Company’s shared values to guide their behaviour with each other and PROTON customers. These precious values form the foundation of how they work and conduct business as follows: Quality à ¢â‚¬â€œ Ensure continuous quality improvements for customers by delivering products that are positively conceptualised and manufactured.Customer Focus – Customers remain priority at PROTON. PROTON deliver on promises to customers’ satisfaction. Innovation – Challenge the convention, always seeking new and better ways to do things. View changes as opportunities. Teamwork – PROTON trust, respect and share knowledge to foster teamwork at the workplace. Speed – PROTON have a ‘can-do’ attitude and will not rest until the problem is solved. – PROTON have an inherent sense of urgency in everything PROTON do. Caring – As a responsible corporate citizen, PROTON invest in safety, health and the environment. Honesty Let’s be transparent and take responsibility for own actions. 3. Proton Vision Proton strives to become a successful Malaysian Automotive Manufacturer globally by being customer oriented and producing competitivel y priced and innovative quality products. Since inception, PROTON have gained a significant international presence bringing PROTON to 27 countries across South-East Asia to the Middle-East, China, South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom. Over the years PROTON have increased cost-efficiency, realibility and quality through the use of automation and robotics in manufacturing processes.The launch of Research and Development facilities has contributed a most critical activity, innovation in design and creative engineering methods. Consumers can now expect PROTON to deliver more unique, stylish and attractively priced cars. 4. The Proton Personality PROTON have challenging but unique opportunities to change people’s perceptions of what stand for by asserting a clear brand personality founded on a set of brand attributes that should guide all our activities and communications. Proud – Although relatively brief, PROTON company history is one of the remarkable achieveme nts of which PROTON proud.In PROTON pride lies the vital energy that drives us forward and forces PROTON to take on new challenges. Reliable – PROTON committed to providing quality products and services. More important, however is receiving recognition for such quality from customers, business associates and shareholders who need to trust our ability to deliver on PROTON promise of quality Innovative – PROTON ability to innovate is also geared at developing collaborative relationships with other national projects to assist in the development of indigenous products able to compete in the international markets.Knowledgeable – PROTON is committed to the acquisition of intellectual capability in design and technology, which will propel the nation to achieve the status of an industrialised nation. Caring – PROTON responsible corporate citizen, commited to building a friendly organisation centred on personal touch and sensitivity to customers’ needs, wit h clear communications leading to mutual understanding. 2. Consumer Behaviour of the Target Market: Proton Holding Berhad 1. Definition on Consumer BehaviourConsumer behaviour is the study of how individuals, groups, and organizations select, buy, use, and dispose of goods, services, ideas or experiences to satisfy their needs and wants. Consumers are exposed to a myriad of marketing and other external stimuli on a daily basis for which the marketer has to consider consumer characteristics and consumer psychology to successfully position a product or service. Consumer characteristics include; culture, social and personal factors and consumer psychology include motivation, perception, learning and memory. . Consumer Behaviour on Proton Research conducted by Hossein Nezakati1*, KemOon Kok2 and Omid Asgari3 Department of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Economics & Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) MBA student, Graduate school of Management (GSM), Universiti Putra Malaysi a (UPM) Founder & CEO, Delta Consulting Group (DCG), Tehran, Iran. The title of research is Do Consumer based-factors influence consumer buying behavior in automotive industry? (Malaysia Evidence). 3. Research MethodUsing primary and secondary data as well as sampling technique. The target population on this study consists of consumers from region of Klang Valley. Most of the respondents were Malay where contributing 98 respondents, followed by Chinese were 56 respondents, Indian were 35 respondents and others races were 21 respondents. Majority of the respondents were aged 18 to 28 years old and most of them in the highest education level were bachelor degree. Some of the respondents were still student where they are attending class as part-time students.The income level, some of the respondents were below RM1,800 but most of the respondents were average monthly income were RM1,800 to RM3,000. From the reliability results, it was found that majority respondents was beliefs them sel f about the quality of the car before they made decision to purchase. Factors influencing consumer behavior on local car like Proton are as follows:- a) Price consciousness- consumers will enormous search information and see the financial performance before acquiring automobile. ) Value consciousness- consumers seems to be equivalently beliefs them self regarding perceptive of the import car, meaning that they purchase car based on the experience from the past where they belief which car will suitable for them. They also act like a consumer seeker whereby they will keep forward looking for the new design of the imported car. Some of the consumer beliefs which car they are prefer to drive and which car they are not prefer or dislike. ) Price-quality inference – Most of the respondent believed that imported car were made by high quality material in term of interior design, more quality in term of engine performance and also more towards science and technology. In this results s how that Malaysia consumers are concern on the value that they receive when they purchase imported car. To be intention to purchase imported car, they will consider how far the price and quality they concern. d) Risk Awareness- In this study, we also found that most of the respondent beliefs that imported car were more safety to drive due to test safety before launching new model.Other than that, they also believe imported car were made by high quality material in term of interior design, more quality in term of engine performance and also more towards science and technology. To successfully compete in the Malaysia and international market, PROTON must emphasize the quality of the products in order to gain competitive advantages in the market. PROTON and its group of companies must remember quality is the factors that will influences consumer’s beliefs and also will influence the intention to purchase.PROTON is also should increase their product quality in order to increase t he consumer’s beliefs about the products by maintaining the quality to gain competitive advantage. 4. SWOT Analysis On Proton The SWOT analysis is an extremely useful tool for understanding and decision. The SWOT analysis is an extremely useful tool for understanding and decision-making for all sorts of situations in business and organizations. SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.The SWOT analysis headings provide a good framework for reviewing strategy, position and direction of a company or business proposition, or any other idea. Use SWOT analysis for business planning, strategic planning, competitor evaluation, marketing, business and product development and research reports. To enable this to happen cleanly and clearly, and from a logical point of view anyway when completing a SWOT analysis in most business and marketing situations, Strengths and Weaknesses are regarded distinctly as internal factors, whereas Opportunities and Threats are regarded distinctly as external factors. Strengths |Weaknesses | |Strong brand image |Concentrated Operations | |Received various 8 awards, recently, i. eFrost & Sullivan Malaysia |Although Proton has expended to other international regions, it| |Excellence Awards 2011. (Value-for-Money Car of the Year (1. L and |still depends on the Malaysia market for majority of its | |above), Auto Industry Awards 2011, â€Å"Best People’s Car† for the Saga FL |revenue. | |andâ€Å"Best Value-for-Money Family Car† for the Inspira. | | | |Declining profit trend | |Strong recognition |PBT declined by 17% for FY2011.These mainly due to economic | |Gives it competitive advantage compared to its other competitors. |slowing down and increase in its production cost. | | | | |Strong focus on R & D |Marginal increase in revenue | |PROTON TechnologyAdvisory Council (PTAC) in 2011 and PROTON Technology |Sales increased by marginally at 9% for FY2011.This | |roadmap (PTR) serves as a blueprint for the Company in shaping PROTON’s |performance was the result of encouraging sales recorded by the| |car of the future. |three core models – the Saga, Persona and Exora. This is | | |forcing PROTON to rethink its strategy to optimize plant | |Strong management team |utilization and if possible minimize additional required | |Had strong management in terms of qualifications and leadership, lead by |investment. |Dato’ Sri Haji Syed ZainalAbidin B Syed Mohamed Tahir. Most of the | | |directors have collectively 25 to 40 years of experience in their |Declining market shares | |respective field. |Proton also arrested the decline at 24% in 2010 and gradually | | |increased the same to just below 30% for FY 2011. |Encouraging continuous learning | | |PROTON Critical Mass Scheme-increasing the ratio of PhD and Master | | |Holders in the company. | | | | |Various types of models | | |Through the years the PROTON Group has collectively realized ove r 24 | | |various models. | | | | |Strong staff strength | | |Total staff strength close to 12,000 employees | | |Worldwide. | | | | |Strong cashflows | | |PROTON’s cash and cash equivalentsare maintained above the RM1 billion. | |Opportunities |Threats | |Strategic alliance |Intense Competition | |Entering into strategic agreements, acquiring assets or organizations to |Proton faces intense competition from local manufacturer | |further strengthen its position in the industry. . e Lotus Engineering |i. ePerodua as well as international manufacturer, i. eToyata and| | |Honda, which customers’ perceive better value for their money | |Collaboration with other country |in terms of quality and safety. | |Iran SAIPA, Iran to explore Iran and Middle East market. | | | | |Strong government support |Economic slowing down and volatile global market | |In 2009-Second Stimulus Plan. Current global economies slow down and the uncertainties that | |2010- Economic & Gove rnment Transformation program and 10th Malaysia Plan|currently prevail, especially in Europe, Japan and the USA. | |and attractive loan package. This shows government participations on the | | |growth and sustainability of PROTON. Other country rules and regulation | | |Proton has to abide with the other countries’ regulation in | |Accelerate Strategy into China market |order to penetrate the market. | |PROTON will upgrade the current Representative Office in Hangzhou, | | |Zhejiang Province to a Wholly Owned Foreign Entity (WOFE) in Shanghai |Increase fuel price | |which will be operational by end 2011. The automotive industry is highly affected by fluctuation in | |WOFE will allow PROTON to conduct business and pursue new opportunities |the fuel price. When the fuel price increases significantly | |in China. |people would choose other economical public transport i. e train| | |and monorail/LRT. |Technology transfer | | |PROTON has worked on a feasibility study programme with King Abdulaziz | | |City for Science and Technology (KACST), to develop the plan to achieve | | |full automotive development and manufacturing capability in the Kingdom | | |of | | |Saudi Arabia. | | 3. Situational Analysis 1. Basis of Segmentation A market segment consists of a group of customers who share a similar set of needs and wants. The marketer’s task is to identify the appropriate number and nature of market segments and decide which one(s) to target.They are researcher define segments by looking at descriptive characteristics such as geographic, demographic, and psychographic. Other researchers try to define segments by looking at behavioral considerations, such as consumer responses to benefits, usage occasions, or brands. The major segmentation variables are geographic, demographic, psychographic, and behavioral segmentation. a) Geographic Segmentation Geographic segmentation divides the market into geographical units such as nations, states, regions, counties, cities, or neighborhoods. The company can operate in one or a few areas, or it can operate in all but pay attention to local variations.In that way it can tailor marketing programs to the needs and wants of local customer groups in trading areas, neighborhoods, even individual stores. In a growing trend called grassroots marketing, such activities concentrate on getting as close and personally relevant to individual customers as possible. b) Demographic Segmentation In demographic segmentation, we divide the market on variables such as age, family size, family life cycle, gender, income, occupation, education, religion, race, generation, nationality, and social class. One reason demographic variables are so popular with marketers is that they’re often associated with consumer needs and wants. Another is that they’re easy to measure.Even when we describe the target market in non-demographic terms (say, by personality type), we may need the link back to demogra phic characteristics in order to estimate the size of the market and the media we should use to reach it efficiently. c) Psychographic Segmentation Psychographics is the science of using psychology and demographics to better understand consumers. In psychographic segmentation, buyers are divided into different groups on the basis of psychological/personality traits, lifestyle, or values. People within the same demographic group can exhibit very different psychographic profiles. One of the most popular commercially available classification systems based on psychographic measurements is Strategic Business Insight’s (SBI) VALSâ„ ¢ framework. d) Behavioral SegmentationIn behavioral segmentation, marketers divide buyers into groups on the basis of their knowledge of, attitude toward, use of, or response to a product. Below are the criteria to evaluate market segments: a) Identifiable The differentiating attributes of the segments must be measurable so that they can be identifie d b) Accessible The segments must be reachable through communication and distribution channels c) Substantial The segments should be sufficiently large to justify the resources required to target them d) Unique needs In order to justify separate offerings, the segments must respond differently to the different marketing mixes e) DurableThe segments should be relatively stable to minimize the cost of frequent changes An ideal market segment meets all of the following criteria: a) It is internally homogeneous means the potential customers in the same segment prefer the same product qualities b) It is externally heterogeneous means the potential customers from different segments have basically different quality preferences c) It responds similarly to a market stimulus d) It can be cost-efficiently reached by market intervention. Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) uses demographic segmentation as their market segmentation a) Age Consumer needs and wants change with age. The marketing mix m ay therefore need to be adapted depending on which age segment or segments are being targeted. Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) is targeting their customer age ranging from 18 years onwards.It is due to the affordable price, variety of car models such as Proton Exora, Proton Saga FL, Proton Persona, Proton R3 Satria Neo, and Proton Inspira, variety of promotional installment package offered by Proton Edar as a Proton dealer. Basically Proton cars model are suitable for teenagers to an adult. b) Gender It involves dividing a market into different groups based on sex. Proton realizes that the purchasing power of women and men nearly the same. All the marketing campaigns through motorsport exhibition and advertisement done via media electronic, such as television, radio and internet had attract both gender, women and men to purchase Proton cars. With the attractive interior design, up-to-date technology such as GPS navigator install at Proton Exora and variety color schemes had attract both gender to purchase.Besides that Proton emphasize on safety factors of their car manufacture which is desired to market their cars to women, as well as men. c) Family Size For Proton Saga and Proton Satria Neo model, the car model is suitable for small family size whereby the family consist of 2 adults and 2 children. For medium size family whereby the family member consist 4 to 5 members, Proton Persona is suitable for them and for big family size whereby it consist of 6 to 8 members in the family, Proton Exora is suitable for them. d) Life Cycle Stage Market can de divided into different groups based on customer life-cycle. People change the goods and services they want and need over their lifetime.Life cycle stage of customer can be categorized as: †¢ Bachelor Stage whereby the customer is young, still single and not living with their parents. Most of them just finished studied either at university, college or school leaver †¢ Newly Married Couples whereby they stil l young with no children and just enter marriage life †¢ Married couples with dependent children †¢ Married couples with no children living with them †¢ Married couples and they had retired with no children living with them †¢ They had retired and still unmarried Proton car’s model is suitable for every life cycle either the customer is bachelor or an adult or the customer had retired. Their car model can cater every life stage needs and wants.For example, Proton Gen-2 had a modern design, masculine and sporty character in term of design and interior styling and also performance. The car is suitable for bachelor stage and newly married couple who loves very particular about style. Proton Exora is suitable for consumer who has a family member with size of 3 to 6 members. The price of the car is affordable and competitive. Besides that Proton Exora is also suitable for retiree. a) Generation Proton car’s model has been in the automotive sector for 25 years. Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) has produced over a dozen car models to date that have sold more than 3 million units and has exported to more than 25 countries. Proton Saga was the first Proton model.It rolled off the Shah Alam assembly line for the first time in September 1985. The 100,000th Proton Saga was produced in January 1989. The second proton’s car model is Proton Wira which was produced in the year 1993 followed by Proton Satria in the year 1995, Proton Putra in the year 1995, Proton Perdana in the year 1995, Proton Tiarain the year 1996 t, Proton Perdana V6 in the year 1999, Proton Juara in the year 2001, Proton Waja in the year 2000, Proton Arena in the year 2002, Proton Gen-2 in the year 2004, Proton Savvyin the year 2005, Proton Satria Neo in the year 2006, Proton Personain the year 2007, Proton Saga FL in the year 2008 and Proton Inspira in the year 2010.Until today, Proton car’s model still in demand with new development of the car design, up-to -date technology and car features. According to Dato’ Sri Haji Syed ZainalAbidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, Group Managing Director of PROTON Holdings Berhad during the launching Proton Saga FL 1. 6 on 25th May 2011 said that the Proton Saga FL is suitable for younger generation of purchaser and car owner because the car has more attractive design, affordable price, cost-effective and powerful alternative. b) Income Income segmentation involves dividing a market into different income groups. Marketers of products and services found that income segmentation very useful. Companies with luxury goods and convenience services target well off consumers.Income segmentation is also used to identify and target lower-income groups, so that they can be approached with appropriate products, prices and distribution outlets. Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) targeted their customer with monthly salary of RM 2,000 and above. The price of the car is affordable and value for money. Proton model is tar geted for people who just enter the working world whereby they need car as a mode of transportation beside public transport such as public bus, taxi, Putra LRT, Commuter or Star LRT. Below is the price of Proton’s car models. |Proton Car Model |Price Starting From | |Proton Exora |RM 59. 48 | |Proton Inspira |RM 78,549 | |Proton Gen-2 |RM 54,538 | |Proton Persona |RM 46,499 | |Proton Saga FLX |RM 38,148 | |Proton Satria Neo |RM 57,313 | |Proton R3 Satria Neo |RM 79,797 | |Proton Savvy |RM 39,693. 68 | |Proton Waja |RM 56,888 | (Souces :www. proton-edar. com. my) c) Life Style It involves classifying people according to their values, beliefs, opinions, and interests. There is no one standardized lifestyle segmentation model.Market research firms and advertising agencies are constantly devising new categories, which will best help target possible consumers of their client’s products. As for Proton’s customer, each of their car models is targeted to different life style of customer. For example, Proton Satria Neo is suitable for your generation who love style and sporty looks. The had an interactive interior design and built-in technology that attract young generation especially college and university student to owned it. d) Social Class Is the single most used variable for research purposes, and divides the population into groups based on their type of occupation as such it can be seen as a socio-economic scale.Description of occupation can be categorized into: †¢ Higher managerial, administrative or professional †¢ Intermediate managerial, administrative or professional †¢ Supervisory, clerical, junior administrative or professional †¢ Skilled manual workers †¢ Semi and unskilled manual workers †¢ State pensioners with no other income, widows, casual and lowest grade earners As for Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton), they will not separate their car model purchaser according to social class. The mos t important element in buying the proton car model is the affordability of the customer to pay down payment and monthly installment. e) Religion Malaysia is multicultural and multiconfessional. The dominant religion in Malaysia is Islam. The large Chinese population in Malaysia practices a mix of beliefs, with influences from traditional Chinese religions such as Buddhism and Daoism.Hinduism is practiced by the majority of Malaysian Indians. Christianity has established itself in some communities, especially in East Malaysia. It is not tied to any specific ethnic group. Other religions, such as the Baha'i Faith and Sikhism also have adherents in Malaysia. All the world's major religions have substantial representation in Malaysia. The Population and Housing Census 2010 figures show approximately these proportions of the population following these religions: †¢ 61. 3% Islam †¢ 19. 8% Buddhism †¢ 9. 2% Christianity †¢ 6. 3% Hinduism †¢ 1. 3% Confucianism, Taoi sm and other traditional Chinese religions †¢ 0. 7% Atheist †¢ 1. % Other religions or no information The majority of Malaysian Malay people are Muslim. Most Malaysian Chinese follow a combination of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and ancestor-worship. Statistics from the 2010 Census indicate that 83. 6% of Malaysia's ethnic Chinese identify as Buddhist, with significant numbers of adherents following Taoism (3. 4%) and Christianity (11. 1%). Christianity is the predominant religion of the non-Malay Bumiputra community (46. 5%) with an additional 40. 4% identifying as Muslims. Many indigenous tribes of East Malaysia have converted to Christianity, although Christianity has made fewer inroads into Peninsular Malaysia.Proton car model is suitable for all religion. There is separation between religions in order to own the car. The most important element to purchase the car is the affordability and the interest of the features of the Proton car’s model. f) Education Lev el of education that purchase proton’s car can be categorized as customer who had obtain education until secondary school and who had obtain tertiary education in universities or colleges. Basically customers with tertiary education are more detailed in analyzing the car model from the car design, car features, the function of the car and the technology installed in the car. Usually the will study before deciding to purchase the car.Basically Proton car’s is suitable for everybody either the customer is educated or just finished the secondary school level such SijilPelajaran Malaysia. The car’s model has not separated in term of level of education. The most important things in purchasing the Proton car’s model is knowing to read and write. It is because the manual book will be given to all customer in order for them to know more about the car’s model such as the technology built-in, features and the function of the car. g) Ethnicity The population of Malaysia consists of four main ethnic groups which are malays, chinese, Indians and other ethnic group in Sabah and Sarawak.Malays and other indigenous groups are known as Bumiputras. Non-Malay indigenous tribes constitute about half of Sarawak's residents; the largest indigenous group consists of the Sea Dayaks, or Ibans, followed by the Land Dayaks, or Bidayuh. The majority of Sabah's population consists of indigenous peoples, principally Kadazans, Bajaus, and Muruts. The balance is dominated by Chinese. Basically as for Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton), ethnic will not play an important role in targeting purchaser of proton car. Every ethnic group in Malaysia has the opportunity to purchase proton car models regardless where they come from in the state in Malaysia.The most important thing is they attract to the design, features and the technology built-in to the car. 2. Target Market The target market is the part of the qualified available market the company decides to pursue. The Malaysian automotive market is certainly one of the more significant markets in Asia Pacific. It is estimated that over 21. 25 million vehicles have been registered in Malaysia to date with every 3 in 10 Malaysians owning a vehicle. Uniquely, Malaysia is one of the few countries in Asia Pacific  to have its own national carmakers, further adding spice and flavour to this market. Malaysia is also one of the few right- hand- drive ( RHD ) markets in the world.The Top 50 best selling cars in Malaysia for the year of 2011 ( Up until October 2011 ) |Rank |Car |Total sold | |1 |PeroduaMyvi |65,783 | |2 |Proton Saga |63,615 | |3 |Perodua Viva |49,636 | |4 |Proton Persona |40,666 | |5 |PeroduaAlza |30,398 | |6 |Toyota Vios |25,485 | |7 |Proton Exora |18,165 | |8 Toyota Hilux |18,015 | |9 |Nissan Grand Livina |10,620 | |10 |Honda City |10,470 | |11 |Proton Inspira |8,028 | |12 |Mitsubishi Triton |6,974 | |13 |Toyota Camry |6,679 | |14 |Toyota Avanza |6,660 | |15 |Honda Civic |6,121 | | 16 |Toyota Corolla Altis |5,178 | |17 |Isuzu D-MAX |4,871 | |18 |Naza ( Kia ) Forte |4,783 | |19 |Honda Insight |4,085 | |20 |Honda Accord |4,058 | |21 |Honda CR-V |4,007 | |22 |Suzuki Swift |3,962 | |23 |Nissan Teana |3,876 | |24 |Ford Fiesta |3,753 | |25 |Toyota Innova |3,735 | |26 |Proton Satria Neo |3,367 | |27 |Nissan Navara |3,122 | |28 |Hyundai Sonata |2,605 | |29 |Nissan Sylphy |2,385 | |30 |CheryEastar |2,251 | |31 |Proton Waja |2,159 | |32 |Hyundai i10 |2,115 | |33 |Toyota Rush |1,988 | |34 |Ford Ranger |1,900 | |35 |Mercedes- Benz E- Class 1,857 | |36 |Mercedes- Benz C- Class |1,823 | |37 |Hyundai Tucson |1,757 | |38 |Peugeot 308 |1,732 | |39 |BMW 5- Series F10 |1,723 | |40 |Toyota Prius |1,640 | |41 |Volkswagen Golf TSI |1,633 | |42 |Mazda 2 |1,591 | |43 |Naza ( Kia ) Citra |1,575 | |44 |Mazda 3 |1,555 | |45 |Toyota Hiace |1,550 | |46 |BMW 3- Series Sedan |1,513 | |47 |Nissan Urvan |1,447 | |48 |Toyota Fortuner |1,376 | |49 |Volkswagen Polo TSI |1,298 | |50 |Peugeot 207 Sedan |1,282 | Source: Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) 3. Target market for Proton Holdings Berhad The Proton Persona had won the Frost & Sullivan for the Best Value of Monet Car of Year 2011 with total sales of 4,000 units per month. For the year 2011, there are 156,487 units of Proton Persona already on the road.Proton Persona is one of the top selling cars in the domestic market. According to the Dato’ Sri Haji Syed ZainalAbidin, Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) competition is in the domestic market is so competitive. Proton is trying to take advantage these opportunities by introducing variety of new Proton car’s model in order to give variety of Proton cars for their customer to choose. In Malaysia, PROTON ranked second in terms of market share at 26%. With proper sales and marketing strategy combined with product launches of the Exora MC, Saga FL and Inspira, the performance in FY 10/11 was 3% higher at 162,012 units compared to 157,170 units in FY09/10.The launch of the latest addition, Proton Inspira, to the family, has allowed PROTON to capture more customers from different segments. The new sporty sedan contributed 6% to our monthly sales, the fourth largest contributor after the Saga, Persona and Neo. Saga remained the strongest contributor making up 45% of sales, continuing this multi award winning car’s reign as the most preferred amongst PROTON models especially after the introduction of the Saga FL. The introduction of Exora MC has also enabled PROTON to maintain their MPV sales performance while offering their customers a fresher look and feel. Besides that PROTON also had export their car to the international market such as China, Australia and Middle East Region.For the year 2011, the five top performing markets were Thailand, Australia, Indonesia, Egypt and Syria. In Thailand, Proton models were gaining higher acceptance gauging from various feedback from the customers, dealers, motorshows and mass media. The Exora received accolades as one of the Top Ten Passenger Cars 2010 in the Bangkok Post. The introduction of Saga FL and improvement initiatives at dealer network will be a hopeful stream for PROTON to achieve greater success. In Indonesia, PROTON has established itself as the 12th top brand in the market and managed to increase volume by 23% in 2010, in which the Exora has again been the best selling model and has remained the core product for PROTON Indonesia.With the current outlook and barring any unforeseen circumstances, PT PEI is expected to perform better in the new fiscal year. In 2010 China continued to record robust growth with 18. 1 million vehicles sold which represent a 33% increase over 2009. The growth was mainly powered by favorable government incentives, urban economic development and China’s stimulus package to boost the economy. PROTON expect China’s long-term growth to remain intact and continue in the next few years due to the current low motorization r ate and buoyant economy. CAAM (China Association of Automotive Manufacturers) expects China’s TIV to reach 20 million units in 2011.To accelerate PROTON’s strategy into China and serve the market better, PROTON will upgrade the current Representative Office in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province to a Wholly Owned Foreign Entity (WOFE) in Shanghai which will be operational by end 2011. The WOFE will allow PROTON to conduct business and pursue new opportunities in China. The Satria Neo, Artiga Concept Car and Lotus Europa were displayed during the Shanghai Motor Show in April 2011 to enable PROTON to gauge market acceptance and pursue future opportunities for these products. Currently, PROTON cars are being sold under the Youngman brand through 100 appointed dealers throughout China.Thailand’s automotive industry in 2010 showed a significant increase of 46% against 2009 despite domestic political instability. The remarkable growth in the Thai automotive industry is due in part to the reduction in excise duties for small passenger cars. This reduced the prices of cars and the added advantage of credit availability was instrumental in increasing demand. The rise in petroleum prices did little to dampen the automotive market growth in Thailand. PROTON continues to make headway in the Thai market with our strategy of practical designs at affordable prices. The Proton Exora which was introduced in December 2009 was voted as a Top 10 model by Bangkok Post for the year 2010.In 2010 PROTON also saw the introduction of Saga FL in the market, competing heads on with Eco cars. Currently, through PROTON Thailand distributor, Phranakorn Auto Sales Co. Ltd (PAS), PROTON has a network of 40 dealers (all 3S outlets) throughout Thailand. The current in service models consist of Savvy, Saga FL, Neo, Neo CPS, Gen. 2, Persona and Exora. PT Proton Edar Indonesia (PT PEI) was established on 16 August 2002 but commenced full operations on 16 March 2007, as part of PROTONà ¢â‚¬â„¢s brand expansion and AMLO strategies to spread out its presence intensely and dynamically. PT PEI till end 2010 offered the Indonesian market seven attractive models to target the different segments.The models are Savvy, launched in July 2007, that received 2 Awards for Best City Car from Majalah Mobil Motor and Auto Bild Indonesia; the Gen. 2 and Neo (also launched in 2007), with the more sporty and stylish outlook within the hatchback categories and not forgetting the highly comfortable and functional mini sedan class, the Gen. 2 Persona, and Waja (launched July 2007) and the Saga (launched March 2009). Saga has won the â€Å"2009 Best Budget Sedan†, awarded by Indonesia Otomotif Awards. In a country where there is a large preference for MPVs, the Proton Exora gathered the most accolades. This model has become the biggest sales contributor to PT PEI since its launch and debut at the Indonesian International Motor Show in 2009.Exora has been awarded by Indonesia Otom otif Awards the â€Å"2011 Best Budget MPV†. On the dealer network aspect as of 31st March 2011, PT PEI has appointed 17 sales outlets and 30 after-sales service centres or authorized workshops throughout Indonesia and PT. PEI is looking at expanding its sales coverage to 25 outlets in FY 2011/2012. Over this period the Australian industry volume increased by 10. 5% compared to the previous year. Improved economic conditions and heavy promotion by industry competitors lead to an overall volume of 1. 035 million sales. The sales result was the second highest annual volume recorded in the Australian market. Proton Cars Australia recorded a 16. % increase in sales on the back of the improved trading environment. The main sales increase came from the successful launch of the S16 (Saga) which was overwhelmingly accepted by the Australian public 4. Proton Financial Aspects | |2007 |2008 |2009 |2010 |2011 | |Revenue |4687. 3 |5621. 6 |6486. 6 |8226. 9 |8969. 9 | |Profit/(Loss) bef ore taxation |-618. 1 |144. 3 |-319. 2 |260. 9 |214. | |Profit/(Loss) after taxation |-589. 5 |184. 6 |-301. 8 |218. 9 |155. 6 | |Retained earnings attributable to shareholders |4319. 2 |4476. 2 |4174. 5 |4372. 8 |4526. 4 | |Dividend paid |-27. 5 |- |-20. 6 |- |-82. 4 | |Retained earnings carried forward |4291. 7 |4476. 2 |4153. 9 |4372. 8 |4444 | Table 1. 1 Table of Financial Summary & Highlights [pic] Graph 1. 1 Graph of Sales in 5 years [pic] Graph 1. Graph of Net Income/Loss in 5 years In the financial year 2007, the weakened industry state of affairs and the cumulative impact of various legacy issues had adversely affected PROTON during the financial year under review. Domestic sales volume for the period declined by 46. 8% to 88,635 units in comparison to the 166,656 units recorded in the previous financial year. PROTON's market share in Malaysia also declined to 29. 7% during the financial year compared to 39. 1% in the previous year, due to persistent competitive pressures w ithin the automotive sector. Such conditions and circumstances have led PROTON to a net loss after tax of RM590 million on a turnover of RM4. billion, as compared to the previous year's results of a net profit after tax of RM46 million on a turnover of RM7. 8 billion. The Group's losses for this financial year were also accentuated by various provisions, which included right-sizing costs incurred by a foreign subsidiary, higher component and raw material costs as well as the impact of legacy issues such as additional expenditure recognized in respect of vendor claims for previous years' project development costs and settlement of onerous contractual obligations previously committed. In addition, accounting adjustments to PROTON's deferred tax assets also adversely impacted the financial results. Accordingly, for the financial year ended 31 March 2009, PROTON recorded a loss after tax of RM301. million albeit on the back of improved revenue of RM6. 5 billion. This decline was largely due to the one-off exceptional provision for the impairment of property, plant and equipment and inventory write-down for certain models impacted by declining demand. Additionally, PROTON’s financial performance for the second half of the financial year was also adversely affected by the accelerated amortization of dies and jigs for certain models as well as higher commodity prices, increased costs of components and raw materials which arose from higher foreign currency exchange rates, particularly, the Japanese Yen and the US Dollar, coupled with allowance for doubtful debts.During the financial year 2011, the Group recorded a net profit of RM156 million (2010: RM219 million) which was lower than the previous financial year. The decrease was substantially due to higher losses from Lotus Group International Limited (‘LGIL’) whilst better contribution from the Proton cars business partly offset the decline. Growth in domestic sales volume, as well as introduction of models with better profit margins mainly accounted for the improved performance of Proton cars. In line with its transformation plans, LGIL incurred higher branding, marketing and restructuring costs in the rebuilding of the brand and improving production capabilities respectively. PROTON ranked second in terms of market share at 26%.With proper sales and marketing strategy combined with product launches of the Exora MC, Saga FL and Inspira, the performance in FY 10/11 was 3% higher at 162,012 units compared to 157,170 units in FY09/10. In terms of Service Marketing, more intense activities are being carried out to capture the â€Å"after warranty† customers in order to promote their visits to Proton EdarSdnBhd (PESB) service centres. Better values for money packages have been introduced to boost the said segment. In addition, tactical campaigns are also implemented every quarter to induce the element of surprise and enhance a ‘feel good’ sentiment among our customers. 5. Marketing Mix StrategiesIn Malaysia for the last 10 years, the car industry was practically taken over by Proton brand. 70 percent of vehicle sold are Proton sales. Some 25 other manufacturers compete for the remaining 30 percent. The previous best selling car like Nissan Sunny was totally wipe out almost overnight since Proton huge takeover in market sales more than 10 years ago. A marketing mix consists of four items or the four basic marketing mix tools that is product, price, place and promotion. This tools make up the marketing or advertising programs a company uses to entice consumers into purchasing specific types of products. Successful strategies typically maximize each piece of the marketing mix.Many people think a product is tangible, but a product is anything that can be offered to a market to satisfy a want or need, including physical goods, services, experiences, events, person, places, properties, organizations, information and ideas, (Kotler , 2012). In PROTONcontex, product refers to cars that Proton produce like Proton Saga, Proton Iswara, Proton Wira, Proton Satria, Proton Perdana, Proton Tiara, Proton Putra, Proton Savvy, Proton Gen2, Proton Persona, Proton Exora and Proton Inspira. PROTON offer unquestionably the best warranty package of any manufacturer and the most important part being the power train warranty, which guarantees the engine and transmission assemblies against failure for six years.The PROTON Invention and Innovation Competition (PICC) which was established in 2009 is an annual events which enables PROTON staff to generate new ideas and interest in creating next generation cars and also for employee to feel that their ideas and contribution are valued by the company. In marketing mix, price is the amount of money charged for each item. Before the product is developed, the marketing strategy is formulated, including target market selection and product positioning. There usually is a tradeoff between product qua lity and price, so price is an important variable in positioning. Because of inherent tradeoffs between marketing mixelements, pricing will depend on other product, distribution and promotion decisions.PROTON car has varieties types of car price according to their models offered. Generally consumers feel that the prices of PROTON’s products are affordable as compared with other brands in the category with which it compete. Pricing for PROTON car will eventually affects other marketing mix elements such as product features, distribution channel decisions and the aggressively promotion held nationwide. Place is the location at which customer purchases the product, including stores and websites. Proton has two distribution channels which are PROTON EDAR and EON. With this two distribution channels all prospect customer can easily accessible as it can be reached in all major towns in Malaysia.Besides that PROTON also opened a branch at another countries like China, Thailand, Indo nesia, Singapore, Australia and United Kingdom. China In 2010, China continued to record robust growth with 18. 1 million vehicles sold which represent 33% increase over 2009. The growth was mainly powered by favourable government incentives, urban economic development and China’s stimulus package to boost the economy. PROTON expect China’s long term growth to remain intact and continue in the next few years due to the current low motorisation rate and buoyant economy. CAAM (China Association of Automotive Manufacturers) expects China’s TIV to reach 20 milion units in 2011. Thailand PROTON continues to make headway in the Thai market with strategy of practical design at affordable prices.The Proton Exora which was introduced in December 2009 was voted as a Top 10 model by Bangkok Post for the year 2010. In 2010, PROTON also saw the introduction of Saga FL in the market, competing heads on with Eco cars. Currently, through PROTON Thailand distributor, Phranakorn Auto Sales Co. , Ltd (PAS), PROTON has network of 40 dealers (all 3S outlets) throughout Thailand. Indonesia PT Proton Edar Indonesia (PT PEI) was established on 16 August 2002 but commenced full operations on 16 March 2007, as part of PROTON’s brand expansion and AMLO strategies to spread out its presence intensely and dynamically. PT PEI till end 2010 offered the Indonesian market seven attractive models to target the different segments.The models are Savvy, launched in July 2007, that received 2 Awards for Best City Car from Majalah Mobil Motor and Auto Bild Indonesia, the Gen-2 and Neo also launched in 2007 with the more sporty and stylish outlook within the hatchback categories and not forgetting the highly comfortable and functional mini sedan class, the Gen-2, Persona and Waja launched July 2007 and the Saga launched March 2009. Saga has won the â€Å"2009 Best Budget Sedan† awarded by Indonesia Otomotif Awards. Singapore The new car market in Singapore is regul ated by the Certificate of Entitlement quota (CEO) which is issue by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). TIV has consistently outgrown the road space development which leads the LTA to introduce a drastic change in the formulation of quota supply.This new measure has created a drastic decline of quota supply and as a S$18,502 to S$47,604) within the year 2010 which is a ten year record high. Australia Over this period the Australian industry volume increased by 10. 5% compared to the previous year. Improved economic conditions and heavy promotion by industry competitors lead to an overall volume of 1. 035 million sales. The sales result was the second highest annual volume recorded in the Australian market. PROTON Cars Australia recorded a 16. 1% increase in sales on the back of the improved trading environment. The main sales increase came from the successful launch of the S16 (Saga) which was overwhelmingly accepted by the Australian public. United KingdomThe retail buyer segment saw a 7% decrease in sales and this would have been significantly lower had it not been supported by the government scrappage scheme which ended in the first half of 2010. High fuel prices and economic factors drove demand for smaller more fuel-efficient cars, with â€Å"B† segment (Supermini) vehicles accounting for 37% market share and diesel vehicles increased consumer demand for these models. Promotion is the communication method companies use to inform customers about goods and services. The very first promotion Proton used was to organize the car naming contest, and it was from here that a certain brand belonging patriotism towards Proton SAGA name was instill among Malaysian.The government itself also relentlessly pursue the promotion of Proton car on a nationwide scale with the Prime Minister launching almost every new model category in the Proton car lineage. This itself has been widely covered in all major newspaper for the benefit of market brand awareness. As in r ecently the Prime Minister as a prime mover in promoting PROTON cars have launched numerous world events namely the World Cup Golf ’99, and Le Tour De Langkawi, awarding a Proton car to its winners. The recent achievement of Malaysian athletes who had set and broken records in Kuala Lumpur 98XVI Commonwealth Games was also not forgotten, as the athletes were each awarded a Proton PERDANA.Besides this Proton through its marketing arm EON, have also been sponsoring world events to promote the car namely, FIFA/Coca Cola IXth World Youth Club, 34th International Youth Skill Olympics, Motor Rallying Activities and the Malaysia Thomas Cup team to restore the badminton glory. These intensive promotions especially at world function have nevertheless promoted Proton Proton cars to a vast majority of people in Malaysia as well as overseas. Marketing mix strategies concern either one item or the entire group. For example, product strategies may consist of selling brand new items or subs tituting goods for item already in the market. Prices can be extremely high to create a sense of exclusiveness or inexpensive. The place may be in-store or at special location, with wide ranging promotion using multiple methods. All four pieces of the marketing mix helps companies set the price for their goods and services.In economic term, the best price is at equilibrium, or the price at which consumers will buy the most products and the company will make the most profit. 6. Forecasting for the Near Future To say that a lot has happened recently to the world of automotive marketing and CRM would be an understatement. Since the days when marketing managers were schooled in the marketing mix of the four â€Å"Ps† — Product, Price, Place and Promotion — practitioners have applied these fundamentals in time- and battle-tested ways, ever honing their craft. Marketing as we have known it is undergoing a radical transformation as the internet plays an ever-increasing role in consumers' lives. For consumers, the internet has become the primary research tool used to determine the best car to purchase.And for Proton, it is now the path to reach and learn from these consumers — providing automotive professionals with a vastly better way to quantify and qualify the most important aspects of consumer attitudes, shopping behaviors, vehicle demand and the conversion of demand to sales. The internet has enabled customer acquisition techniques and efficiencies that were never before possible. Furthermore, it has enhanced the quality of intelligence and accelerated its availability. Given the power that these changes have ushered in, we can no longer rely on the traditional â€Å"P's†, lest we fall victim to what marketing guru Ted Levitt referred to as â€Å"marketing myopia. † The fundamentals are no longer adequate to effectively win and keep consumers and, as such, a powerful new entrant — a fifth ‘P' — has eme rged in the marketing model: Process.Process calls for grounding tactical and strategic marketing decisions in the insights that can be drawn from online consumer data and leveraged across the predecessor Ps. With Process, online data regarding consumer preferences and shopping behavior is used to precisely pinpoint, measure and analyze consumer activity and build more effective marketing programs that cost-effectively increase sales and profit per vehicle. With more than two-thirds of new vehicle buyers going online to research purchases before buying a new vehicle, insights derived from these data can be used to develop highly customized marketing programs geared toward consumers' specific purchasing behavior.In short, Process, powered by online data, enables companies to quickly optimize the return on their marketing investments and drive overall marketing efficiency. It is no longer enough to place a product and price and promote it; instead, marketers must ‘connect the do ts' and utilize data to its fullest advantage to transform the way they identify and reach potential buyers. There