Energy Sources of the Future Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Energy Sources of the Future - Essay Example With such discoveries and inventions like this on the horizon, it does feel like that our futures may have very little reliance on fossil fuels. Below is the list of the top three alternative power sources which can be used to replace fossil fuel (McLamb Eric). 1. SOLAR ENERGY: Solar energy, as we know, is linked with the sun and solar power is the conversion of sunlight. Solar seems to be one of the best replacements that we can have for current fossil fuel usage as it lasts for an indefinite time period and is one of the fastest growing energy sources. As days pass by solar cells are becoming more effective, transportable and flexile which enables to allow easy installation. Replacing solar energy with fossil fuels has lots of benefits. If we consider, solar energy’s use in electricity, we would notice that solar power is economically very beneficial for the people, which means that intra-continental electricity is feasible economically and works well in most regions. (Engle bert; McLamb Eric). In 2011, the International Energy Agency said, â€Å"The development of affordable, inexhaustible and clean solar energy technologies will have huge longer-term benefits. It will increase countries’ energy security through reliance on an indigenous, inexhaustible and mostly import-independent resource, enhance sustainability, reduce pollution, lower the costs of mitigating climate change, and keep fossil fuel prices lower than otherwise. These advantages are global† (Englebert Anne). Worldwide energy insecurity can be solved by solar energy which is one of the most rising sustainable resources. According to Ausra’s, executive vice president John O’Donnell, a storage system which is 93% efficient has made the utilization of solar thermal technology after the sunsets possible. In solar thermal plants, in order to store energy we do not have to convert it into any other form as they don’t rely on battery technology hence they are h ighly efficient. The electric current is generated when flat moving reflectors or parabolic mirrors focus solar energy to generate heat which in turn generates steam, which turns turbines so even if we need electricity at night we can store the heat from the sun for generating electricity later (Lozanova). According to the European Photovoltaic Industry Association, solar power could provide energy for more than one billion people by 2020 and 26 percent of global energy needs by 2040 (McLamb). 2. WIND ENERGY: Actually, wind energy is a form of solar energy because wind is basically formed when the atmosphere heats or cools down causing air and its layer to rise and fall and move over each other which results in wind currents. Wind power can create electricity by the basic principle of it passing through turbine which in turn converts them into electricity. Wind â€Å"farms† consist of hundreds of wind turbines which are spread over huge areas of land for collecting commercial wind energy. Replacing wind power with fossil fuels is very beneficial too because wind power is renewable, widely distributed, clean and does not produce greenhouse gas emissions when its used and it also

Chemistry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 9

Chemistry - Essay Example From this simple story we can see the different states of matter obtained and the different phase changes which occur to matter. Matter is anything that occupies space and has a mass. Matter exists in different states which include: solids, liquids, gases, plasmas and Bose-Einstein condensates. According to the kinetic theory of matter, all matter is made of atoms or molecules which have a motion energy which we perceive as temperature. Atoms and molecules are constantly in motion and the more the energy the matter has the more the molecular movement and consequently a higher temperature. The amount of energy in atoms and molecules influences the intermolecular forces holding them such as hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces and thus the state of matter of a substance. Solids are formed as a result of strong attractive forces which hold the atoms or molecules together. These forces are far much stronger than the forces which are trying to force the atoms apart and thus the individual atoms and molecules are fixed in a position. The atoms and molecules however retain their motion which becomes limited to just vibration. When John was exercising and holding the exercise bikes and rowing machines the amount of energy created during training increases the temperature of the solids (exercise bikes e. t. c.) thus increasing the amount of vibration but because the molecules are locked in place the solids retain a fixed shape and volume. When the temperature of solids increases the movement of individual molecules can increase and will change into liquid. The liquids are normally formed when the energy of a body in solid state increases leading to the breakdown of the forces maintaining its rigid state. Mary’s ice cream for example sometimes turns into liquid as she admires John doing his exercises and forgets her ice cream. As a result of this the molecules in liquids can move past one another although they remain relatively

Mini-report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mini-report - Research Paper Example The book has two central issues: the first argues whether Plato’s good morals are centered on individual humans or quasi-morals, the second issue is a discussion on what is good to them. The form of good in the republic is evaluated by different top philosophers and classicists. The book acts as an introduction to Plato’s philosophy thus equipping today’s students efficiently both in interpreting controversial issues and adding their ethical backgrounds. Terry has really worked hard in illustrating the admirable qualities in the republic of Plato. This is a result of her proficiency in writing; she’s the professor of philosophy in Wisconsin university together with the other authors. George Anastaplo, a scholar explains in this book how one can read and at the same tie enjoy texts from ancient authors. He illustrates how these great artists thought and discussed among themselves to come up with solutions of their time. In the book, the author does not mention the texts one by one but, but discusses what he has noticed or learnt from these individuals. His discussion ranges from the ancient Homer and Plato to Aristotle and Sappho. The author discusses how different these relate to chance, these include: art, nature, and divinity, this is in relation to different artworks from various philosophers. This is a book by the famous Christopher Taylor; he brings out a relationship between the infuriating and engaging figure and the historical Socrates that appears in most of Plato’s dialogues. He goes on and examines the big image in Socrates as a good example of a philosophic life. He emphasizes the influence of Socrates to the development western philosophies, without his play, it would have been a different thing. Socrates just had an influential figure in making advancements in philosophy; he wasn’t an author as well but played a

The period 1870 to 1914 In Germany Essay Example for Free

The period 1870 to 1914 In Germany Essay How Successfully in the period 1870 to 1914 did the ruling elites of Germany cope with the consequences of social and economic change? Introduction The period 1870 to 1914 involved significant social and economic pressures for change, not least in Germany. This essay will analyse how both Bismarck and Wilhelm II responded to these pressures and will examine how successful their responses were in coping with this change. A key change was the rapid industrialisation that put Germany ahead of Britain as Europes leading industrial power by 1914. This was reflected in the soaring of coal production, steel production, and the railway network, for example. Coal production grew from 89 million tons in 1890 to 277 million tons in 1914. However, it could be argued that Bismarck did not play an active role in economic policy, but did use it to his advantage. Historians such as Bohme point out that Bismarck merely rode and steered on the waves of Germanys economic life. The economic expansion had great implications for social and political change, as for instance an increase in the industrial workforce lead to demands for better working conditions, and an increase in Trade Union membership. As noted by Culpin Henig, there were some 2.6 million German workers who were members of trade unions by 1914. Such developments had frightened Wilhelm, like Bismarck before him, as they saw such minority groups as enemies of the state. Bismarcks strategy to Change Economic Change Spurred on by unification and an abundance of natural resources such as iron ore, Germany saw its industrial production soar. With support from financial institutions, this transformed Germany from what had been a predominantly agrarian to a major industrial state. Iron ore production soared from 2.9 million tons in 1870 to 2.2 million tons by 1890, whereas in Britain production of iron ore was 14 million tons in 1870, and had not changed by 1890. Expansion of the railways coerced the industrial growth in Germany, rising from 19.5 km in 1870, to 43 km in 1890. Agriculture did still play a vital role, act as a stimulus, due agrarian mechanisation. Bismarck however took little interest in the economy. Culpin Henig argue that this is ironic, as it was economic change that provided the greatest challenge to the stability of the empire. Bismarck embraced these changes as an opportunity to gain co-operation from the National Liberal Party at first, (the largest party in the Reichstag at the time), and also to gain military advantage. The chancellor had no party of his own, had common aims with the liberals such as national unity. By offering the liberals piecemeal concessions that at least appeared to favour free trade for example, he was assured of their support. In fact Bismarcks relationship with the Liberals was not insignificant. The so-called liberal era as Geoff Eley puts forward, produced an impressive concentration of forward looking legislation [and] an elaborate framework of capitalist enabling laws, hence promoting further economic development. Blackbaul and Ely portray Bismarck as very liberalising: Germany benefits from Bismarcks liberal and modernising tendencies. However, by the end of the 1870s Bismarck wished to discontinue granting the liberals concessions. Also, as competition from foreign imports grew, Bismarck faced increased pressure by the landed elites (the Junkers) and the Industrialists to increase economic protectionism. Bismarck believed in Real Politik, or the politics of realism. He responded accordingly to the demands of the Junkers and Industrialists. The additional attraction was that Germany would receive extra income from tariffs and that the country would be more self-sufficient. This increase in protectionism effectively ended the liberal era of Bismarcks chancellorship. Together with the system of Cartels already flourishing in Germany, the benefits of mass production remained with the Junkers and Industrialists, and were not passed on to the consumer. Social Change These intensive changes in Germanys economy had a significant impact on the society. The massive influx of workers from rural areas to cities and towns, resulted in people discovering new freedoms. With this new found freedom came increased demands for better working conditions, for instance, which fuelled an increase in trade union membership. The very speed of this industrialisation meant that society was less able to adjust than in Britain. Pulzer points to the dissonance of the economic dynamism of the Reich and the relative stagnation of its social norms and political institutions. Industrialisation did not usually involve social mobility, but a stratification of existing structures as S. Lee notes. For instance, the working classes increased in number and strengthened their identity, but this simply aggravated the suspicion of the social elites. The Prussian Junkers in particular felt threatened by these social changes (due to the decreasing role of agriculture in the economy), but as noted above, Bismarck took a change in direction to economic protectionism in an attempt to preserve their position. The middle classes were caught up between the working classes and the social elites. They had pressures below them from the working classes and from the Industrialists and Junkers above them. Their main aim was to maintain their position. Unification had involved the imposition of Prussian ideologies throughout the newly united Germany, in which Prussia was the dominant state. This presented Bismarck with a number of problems, one of which he saw as the Catholics, whom he viewed as the enemies of the state, partly for their dislike of Bismarckian politics. The Kulturkampf, or struggle for civilisation, was supported by the May Laws in 1873, which included the severing diplomatic relations with the Vatican and the removal of Catholic influence from society. The campaign in the main failed and was abandoned at the end of the 1870s, as Bismarck turned his attention to what he viewed as the menace of socialism and sought an defensive alliance with Austria. As C Grant Robinson put it, Bismarck deliberately sacrificed victory in the Kulturkampf to victory in other issues, more important in his judgement. This change of direction has often been referred to as political opportunism. With this change of direction Bismarck in the main severed his alliance with the German Liberals. This alliance had not lived up to the expectations of several influential groups in the Reich, which prompted Bismarck to switch towards economic and political conservatism. Agatha Ramm describes these changes as a coherent and systematic revision of policy in relation to the economic, social and financial needs of the Reich. Bismarck, partly looking to the events of the Paris Commune, took on a very anti-Socialist stance, as he saw the Socialists as the new enemies of the state. He sought to repress the Socialist movement, but this only seemed to serve to increase the popularity of the Socialist Workers Party. Bismarck tried to curtail this growth by means of legislation, which included the banning of socialist newspapers and meetings in Germany. Bismarck, realising that socialism could not be conquered by repression alone, introduced a programme of state socialism, which included medical insurance and sick pay. W.M Simon argues that this did not convince the workforce and hence they gave their support to the left. However, AJP Taylor suggests that this was not the case, indicating that workers had taken on an understanding that the more they co-operated with the state, the more rewards they would receive: the workers seemed to have received social security as the price of political subservience. Political Change There were political implications from the social diversity of Germany. There was an intention to rally to lower orders, by promoting nationalism through patriotism rather than socialism through internationalism as S Lee puts it. The elites put pressure on Bismarck to pursue an active foreign and colonial policy to promote this stance, to turn the lower orders attention away from the domestic social problems. The elites did their utmost to impose constraints to curtail any political expansion to the lower orders. Overall, Bismarck did all he could to stifle the development of parliamentary democracy in Germany. Whilst the Reichstag could comment on legislation, Bismarck had the power to veto anything. The parties in the Reichstag were more like sectional pressure groups, with membership centred around social class origins. Max Weber supports this viewpoint, noting that the German political system was merely sham constitutionalism. AJP Taylor sums up Bismarcks stance to democracy very effectively, in stating that Bismarck lived in an age of democracy and German power and he devoted his life to making these forces as harmless as possible. This did not bode well for the future, as Weber comments, Bismarck left behind him as political heritage a nation without any political education. He also emphasised that the country was accustomed that the statesman at its head would look after all policy for it. Bismarck wanted to be aware of potential threats to the state he had created, and once himself stated when we have arrived at good harbour, we should be content to cultivate and hold what we have won. In order to protect what he had achieved in a unified Germany, and in response to European pressure, Bismarck used his unique negotiating skills to forge a number of alliances, in an attempt to ensure European peace and avoid war on two fronts. A number of alliances were attempted to preserve peace in Europe, beginning with the dreikeiserbund, or league of 3 emperors in 1873, (involving alliances with Russia and Austria), and later a separate dual alliance with Austria alone, with Italy coming into the Fray in the late 1880s. Whilst these alliances in the main failed to run smoothly, they did at least restore order in Europe and ensure that the changes taking place in Germany were not impeded by an outside conflict. Wilhelm IIs Strategy to Change Wilhelm II stated that he wanted to appeal to all elements of society, and in doing so he pursued a number of random, ad hoc policies that appeared to be ill thought out indicating, lack of central direction and did not necessarily harness change to his advantage. Economic Change The spectacular pace of industrialisation, aided by significant population growth, served to propel Germany to the status a major industrial power in the years to 1914. The population increased from 49 million in 1890 to 65 million by 1910. Coal production increased from 89 million tons in 1890 to 277 million tons in 1914, whilst steel production over the same period increased from 2.3 million tons to 14 million tons. Advances in the railway network, and new industries such as chemicals and electricity coerced this economic expansion. Overall income per capita increased substantially relative to European peers , increasing living standards as a result. However, this economic prosperity was not shared by German agriculture, which had to be supported by substantial internal tariffs just to keep the Junker farmers solvent. Conversely, Wilhelm promoted greater economic liberalism, under his first Chancellor Caprivi, reducing certain tariffs in an effort to bolster free trade, but upsetting the Junkers in the process by reducing their income from agricultural tariffs. Wilhelm II harnessed this growth in economic power to build up Germanys military might, which included the merchant navy, to make it comparable to Britains. Volker Berghahn notes that the development of the navy was more for popular, patriotic emotion, rather than as a strategic weapon in its own right, inciting that it promoted national unity. With economic expansion on such a massive scale, it was bound to have deep social and political implications, which the Kaiser failed to realise. Germany became increasingly in such a strong position that could have frightened other European countries into defensive alliances against it. Social Changes The population of Germany increased rapidly, rising from 49 million in 1890 to 65 million by 1914 and many people found themselves living in cities close to their new industrial workplaces. Anti-socialist laws were allowed to lapse under Wilhelm, but as the 1890s progressed, under the influence of Industrialists and Junkers, the Kaiser became concerned at the number of concessions Trade Unions were winning. Working conditions improved significantly as a result, with reforms such as restricted Sunday hours. The Socialists in Germany were comparatively moderate, as the German workforce enjoyed a relatively high standard of living, which continued to improve. For instance, over the period 18895 to 1907, wages increased by some 100 percent, whilst the cost of living only rose 22 percent in the same period. Hence real wages and disposable income were outstripping the cost of living, which served to dampen Trade Union demands. It was because of this increase in affluence that support for Socialists grew, it could be argued. By 1912, the Socialists were the largest party in the Reichstag, which served to increase the Kaisers paranoia. Wilhelm himself commented, following these elections, the German Parliamentarian becomes daily more of a swine. Wilhelms attempts to curtail Socialism reflected Sammlungs politik, which was a policy of bringing together. This policy involved the bringing together under a common set of ideas, all grouping in Germany, with the exception of Socialists, and also the use of an active foreign policy. The main exponent of Sammlung Politik was Chancellor Bulow, who upset groups in the Reichstag, such as the Progressives, which pushed such groups towards Socialism. The next Chancellor, Hollweg, tried to stop this trend of an increase in support for the Socialists, and used many means that were at his disposal, such as the army and civil service, but his success in this respect was very limited. All the changes convinced the ruling elite that Socialism was a danger, but historians are divided on this point. For instance, when World War One broke out, the Socialists offered support, not typical of a revolutionary behaviour. In addition, to what uses would German workers turn their power, should they win it? The Socialist Democratic Party (SPD) suffered from lack of political education, as was evident in the fact they did not remove the Kaiser. So the attempt by the regime to crush socialism was not well thought out, as it did not pose any serious threat. The Kaisers campaign against Socialism at the beginning of the century offered no political concessions and is this respect was likely to spark domestic conflicts. Wilhelms attitude to the working classes contrasted sharply from that of the Junkers and Industrial elites, whose pleas he was very receptive to. This seems very contradictory, as the Kaiser in 1894 had proclaimed that he wanted to be the King of Beggars. Political Changes In effect, none of the four Chancellors under Wilhelm held any significant power, as Wilhelm would interfere in the business of the state, as his second Chancellor pointed out: if I cannot get the Kaisers consent for measures I regard as necessary, then I have no authority. Politically, Wehlr has described Wilhelm as being at the mercy of navy league nationalists, Junkers and industrialists. Whilst it was recognised that the Kaiser made all the decisions, he was greatly influenced by the Junkers, the Industrialists, the civil service and the army. This was against a background of democracy pretence in the Reichstag, which was effectively and constitutionally a talking shop. The Reichstag was not central or integral to the policy making process. There was immense resistance to political change, particularly in moves towards democracy. Wilhelm embraced conservative ideas that were so right wing they were almost fascist. Whilst there were major economic and social changes taking place inside and outside Germany, the political structure remained static. However, as time progressed there is evidence that the Reichstag began to fight back, for instance in 1912 the Kaiser tried unsuccessfully to pass a bill, intended to jail anyone stopping any man from working, or encouraging strikes. This was not the first occasion that the Reichstag had refused to pass anti-socialist and anti-union legislation. Above all, the Kaiser wanted a place in the sun for the Germans. The problem was that there was very little room left for new colonisation in the early part of 1900. Bulow suggested that the pace of economic expansion forced the need for colonisation: Our need for national development, mainly in the industrial sphere, forced us to cross the ocean. In spite of the fact that Germany was planning colonisation very late compared to other powers, the Kaiser built up the German military machine and under the Tirpitz Plan, and built a naval fleet to rival that of Great Britain. The term saber rattler sums up his politics as well as his personality. Historian Barbara Tuchman put it appropriately when she referred to the Kaiser as possessor of the least inhibited tongue in Europe. The Kaiser clearly wanted a world role for Germany, but the physical results of Weltpolitik were somewhat meagre. Conclusion The reaction on the part of both Bismarck and Wilhelm to the increasing but modest demands for social and political reform was to try to repress the forces of change, as both saw socialism as a significant threat to the regime. The key difference between Bismarck and Wilhelm was that Bismarck realised that he could not defeat socialism by repression alone. Comparing the policy styles of Bismarck and Wilhelm, it appears that in spite of Bismarcks adherence to real politik, he still maintained a clearer sense of direction than Wilhelm, whose policies seemed ill thought out and lacking direction. As noted by Mosse, although Bismarck played his hand with great skill, it was a good one in the first place. Sturmer supports this argument by stating that Bismark was good at diplomatic games. It is clear then that when the regime fell into the hands of Wilhelm, who according to Rhal dreamt up policies, pursued and made a mess of policies, there were socio-political implications for Germany, which it seemed by 1914 could only be alleviated by a short, sharp, victorious war. Bibliography. Culpin, C Henig, R ( 1998). Modern Europe 1870-1945. Longman Advanced Hisory. Lee, S (19). Germany 1870-1918 Morris, TA, (1995). European History 1848-1945. University Tutorial Press Limited. German News Magazine, (1998). Otto Von Bismarck, Founder of the German Empire.

Contemporary Issues In Health Policy Health And Social Care Essay

Contemporary Issues In Health Policy Health And Social Care Essay Expert knowledge; published research, existing research; stakeholder consultations; previous policy evaluations; the internet; outcomes from consultations; costing of policy options; output from economic and statistical modeling. This essay will explore the ontogenesis of evidence based health policy making whereby according to Buse et al (2005, p.6) health policy is assumed to embrace courses of action (and inaction) that affect the set of institutions, organizations, services and funding arrangements of the health system. The essay will use various case study examples to highlight the roles played by evidence from research, social and bureaucratic point of view. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in 1999 gives advices on the betterment of acceptable health guidelines for prevention and treatment of diseases in England and Wales. The concept of policy making was not well know before as it these days. The two fundamental rationale for the establishment of health policy includes change in the public health policies and the health care policies ( Gray, p.95, 2001). Public health policy refers to improving the physical, social and biological surroundings. Health care policy refers to financial and administrative changes (Gray, p.95, 2001). Recently the policies are established based on evidence which was not the case before. Health policy making used to be more of recommendation or suggestion based in the past. Quantitative research evidence is likely to be more appreciated in delivering health services (Rycroft-Malone et al 2004). The rise of evidence based healthcare took place in the 1990s in such a way that healthcare researchers, professionals and the health system adopted research evidence for research in clinical decision making. This rise was entitled as evidence based healthcare movement (Davidoff et al. 1995; Sackett and Rosenberg 1995). The terminology evidence based policy has emerged from the notion of evidence based practice, both of them being ushered from evidence based medicine (EBM). The origin of EBM extended back to the mid 19th century in Paris (David L. Sackett 1997). EBM is widely used in the United Kingdom and in the United States by policy creators and therapist for promoting health and treating illnesses which signifies that EBM has both informative and scientific role . The development of evidence based healthcare was driven up by research-practice gap which means that it took long time for the effective interventions to come into clinical practice and it also took a long time to discard the interventions which were ineffective (Antman et al 1992). The problems of these interventions were classified as underuse, overuse and misuse by the Institute of Medicine (1999). For patients suffering grom heart attack , thrombolytic treatment for myocardial infarction is used as a treatment which decreases the chances of the patient to get another heart attack and it also decreases the mortality rate (Walshe, 2006, p.480). Since it had an evidence of a decade or more it became the poster child for the EBM movement. Example for overuse : merger of an organization due to difficulties in service quality, volume and monetory viability. Example of underuse : substitution of GPs with health care professionals for providing the basic healthcare treatment. It generall y involves the primary care and accident and emergency departments. Example of misuse : The fosterage and application of total quality management (TQM) (Walshe, 2007, p.481). Development of basis for evidence involves 8 principles (Kelly et al 2007) : Princliple 1: An assurance to the value of equity. Principle 2: Acquiring an evidence based proposal. Principle 3: Variance in technology. Principle 4: Gradients and gaps. Principle 5: Social values and its result. Principle 6 and 7: Social structure and dynamics. Principle 8: Clarifying partiality. The new labour government which was formed in 1997 declared publically that what matters is what works, directing a reform from imaginary or visionary theorization to a more practical and technological approach in which a negligible role would be played by evidence of effect and impact (Cabinet Office 1999). A variety of reports and data were generated by the Cabinet office and National office for evidence in policy making and the centre for Evidence Based Policy and Practice has been supported by Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) (Jennifer Dixon, p.481, 2006). For conducting standardized and organized survey of the best evidence on the effects of social and educational policies and practices, The Campbell Collaboration was established (The Campbell Collaboration 2003). In 1997 the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF) was established by the government funds and its aim is to assist evidence based decision making in various health sectors( Dixon, p.481, 2006) . Health policy process involves diverse universal bodies like World Health Organization, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization (Rob Baggot, p.199, 2007). Health Policy Process also comprises of the nation states and their alliances, the G8 group of nations being eminently prevailing. Health policy is also influenced by a wide range of non-governmental organizations which represents professional and sectional interests as well as take up a position from which they can examine bureaucratic policies and recommend policies of their own (Chris Ham et al 1995). Health policy in the UK is formulated by authorities outside its communal horizon. The three key elements include global influences, international institutions and organizations as well as multinational corporations (Rob Baggot, p.197, 2007). Sackett and colleagues (1996) distinguishes EBM from EBP, and defines EBM as meticulous, accurate and wise application for the care of individual patients using current evidence in decision making whereas EBP is more about policy decisions for a group or bunch of people and not individual patients. In case of EBM randomized control trials are carried out which can raise certain arguments about outcomes, which is not the case with EBP. Black (2001) specifies that EBP in not merely a continuation of EBM but it differs qualitatively. The outcomes for policy generally depends on peoples thinking and judgemental behavior (Sackett et al 1996).There are two types of critical commentary for EBP, the first being internal critical commentary, which focuses on the appropriateness of the diverse range of methods for gathering, analyzing and using evidence as a foundation for recognizing and enhancing policies ( Head n.d.).. The external commentary is the second type of critical commentary which focuses on in what manner and place are the EBP benefaction more effective and the way in which they fit into the broad picture of policy debate and evaluation ( Head n.d.). Morgan (2010) recognizes six factors that forms the base for the growth of evidence based health policy (EBHP). They are as follows : The significance and advantage of having multi-disciplinary unit. The requirement to possess ample evidence substructure to draw upon. The indirect correlation between policy and research. The demand for policy exertion to be locally sensitive. The advantage of stakeholder engrossment. Aid from the national Government. These six factors yields a powerful foundation on which EBHP may be established (Morgan 2010). If these above mentioned factors are not satisfied in evidence based health policy then the consequence may be resistance of policy change. According to Carolyn Tuohy (1999, p.14) reformation occurs at certain favourable times and not others and it involves not only health care arena but also the political system. In addition, Tuohy (1999, p.14) mentions that reformation is influenced by various parameters such as history, series of reform and evidence based choice and two other terms which she outlined as institutional mix and structural balance. She describes institutional mix as the eveness of power between three main forms of social control : state hierarchy or authority based control; professional collegiate institutions or skill based control and market or wealth based control. She refers structural balance as the evenness of power between the three main stakeholders : the state, healthcare professionals and private financial interests. Tuohy argues that reform of healthcare would be different across different countries and would be incremental most likely. Evidence based health care focuses primarily on safety measures, analysis, detection and care of health related problems ( Haynes et al 1998). It is also important as well as necessary that the evidence based policy should be put into practice at the right pace, in the right position and in the right manner ( Haynes et al 1998). The outcome of the policies that are not designed properly or not tested may be detrimental (Tunis et al 2003). The data (i.e. efficacy and effectiveness) obtained for patients treatment is important but is not relevant for policy makers when it is considered for the constitution or implementation of regulations (Sturm et al 2002). Policy makers require evidence about healthcare proposals rather than efficacy and effectiveness data. According to Sturm et al (2002) randomized trials tend to be difficult in acquiring the information because RCT requires vast samples and a large unit, lesser duration would leave negligible time for conducting complex randomized studies and lastly there is a frequent change in the policy and healthcare arena. Ministers and civil servants must be willing to indulge themselves in the result monitoring which channels policy making (Ham, 1999, p.202). The clinicians and managers are not able to seek the evidence based practice because it is difficult to find the correct evidence for assisting decision making. The group of people who have high expectations for high quality evidence includes the clinicians, physicians, health policy makers, common public, patients and health care administrators (Tunis et al 2003). Amongst all of them patients and physicians more concerned for high quality evidence. The patients and physicians are guided by medical professional socities for shaping medical conclusions (Tunis et al 2003). Evans (2005) had analyzed the current reforms for over 11 European countries mentioned in the Journal of Health Policy Politics and Law. Evans (2005) observed that the reforms over the past 50 years were analogous , i.e. variation in the reform but parallel development. There are two apparent aspects of reform. The first aspect being the collection of payments for healthcare either by taxation or by mandatory social insurance which was linked to the World War II. The second aspect was the cost which was drive up by the highly motivated and intelligent opponents like the general practitioners and the pharmaceutical industries (Evans 2005). Nutley et al (2002) points out that a very narrow range of evidence is used by the United Nations in the public sector, precisely for research and statistical data, evaluation of policies and proficient information. According to Maynards (2005) observation the inadequacy of transperancy in describing public policy goals, creating trade-offs and allineating incentives was due to the underpinning of poor evidence of reforms in Europe. Evidence can be graded in terms of effectiveness in the National Service Framework on Mental Health (Department of Health ,1999) Type I evidence at least one good systematic review, including at least one randomised controlled trial. Type II evidence at least one good randomised, controlled trial. Type III evidence at least one well-designed intervention study without randomisation. Type IV evidence at least one well-designed observational study. Type V evidence expert opinion, including the opinion of service users and carers. Subtler strategies would be required by the clinicians to alter their usual procedure as evidence in itself is not adequate (Dopson et al 2002). Systematic reviews of RCTS are carried out in order to overcome inadequate evidence. These RCTs were reinforced by the development of Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) team. Social values and political beliefs plays an important role in the development of evidence based health policy (Kelly et al 2007). A combination of social and political determinants of evidence on health would lead to a powerful response. Social beliefs produce injustice in health amongst the different classes of people. The rich and powerful population has got easy access to health services in comparision to the poor people who die at a younger age (Kelly et al 2005). The description and measurement of social determinants of health is a complex process. The psycho social model suggests that biasness based on the social status of an individual leads to stress which in turn produces a disease because of neuroendocrine response (Karasek 1996; Siegrist and Marmot, 2004; Evans and Stoddart 2003; Goldberg et al 2003). Environmental factors, proper sanitation and pure water, balanced diet, vaccination and good housing are essential for improving health (Graham et al 2004). Apart from socia l values and political belief situational factors like an earthquake or draught or some epidemic are also responsible for processing and implementation of policies (Buse et al 2005). Case Studies : Case Study 1 : Topic: European union policy on smokeless tobacco : a statement in favour of evidence based regulation for public health (Bates et al 2003). The significant aim of tobacco control campaigning is reduction of ailment and death from malignancy, cardiovascular disease and lung disease. Bates et al (2005) case study is about the ill effects due to tobacco and substitution of tobacco by smokeless tobacco. Tobacco contains an addictive substance called nicotine and because of nicotines addictive property many users are not able to quit smoking. Smokeless tobacco is considered to be les injurious as compared to smoking cigarette and there was a proof from Sweden which implies that it is used as a replacement for smoking and smoking cessation. This substitution is substantial argument which depicts that Sweden has the least tobacco related diseases. It is difficult for chain smokers to quit smoking but an alternate option to it could be meagrely dangerous forms of nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) may also reduce harm. Proofs from Sweden implies that snus can be used as a replacement against smoking and it has half mortality rate in comparision to other EU. Chewing tobacco like guthka and paan are officially forbided in the EU but is eminently lethal and Bates et al (2003) suggestion might eradicate more products from the market. In the entire Europe, Sweden ranks least smoking prevalence for male and female. Snus is 90% less injurious as compared to cigarette and the mortality rate can be declined if we use it in a limited manner. Smokeless tobacco is also harmful but to a lesser extent as compared to tobacco. For eg, the products made of smokeless tobacco in India and USA leads to oral cancer. In india the prime reason for oral cancer is smokeless tobacco. Diseases related to deaths in Europe due to smoking includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung disease. However, smokeless tobacco do not produce these above mentioned diseases. A complete ban on the products that are least injurious forms of smokeless tobacco should be substituted by a regulation for all products that are smokeless instead and the products that are seriously harmful to the society should be eliminated. This policy is fair, rational, beneficial for chain smokers, self control might be developed amongst the smokers, toxicity controls would be applied and it might prove to be beneficial worldwide. Case Study 2: Topic: Translating research into maternal health care policy: a qualitative case study of the use of evidence in policies for the treatment of eclampsia and pre-eclampsia in South Africa: (Daniels et al 2008). Deaths of pregnant women and infants due to eclampsia and pre-eclampsia is one of the prime concern of the society. A qualitative case study approach was used in South Africa for analyzing the policy procedure. This case study explores about the usage of magnesium sulphate in curing pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in South Africa from 1970 to 2005 for which RCTs and systematic analysis were carried out. Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are one of the prime reasons for maternal and infant morbidity and mortality universally and this is the case generally in developing countries. South Africa did not have a national maternal care policy before 1994 and hence every institution had its own guidelines for treating eclampsia and pre-eclampsia. In the mid 1990s the democratic government changed and various health policy reforms took place which resulted in the formation of new national policies for maternal care. These policies were evidence based and evidence was generated from RCTs and systematic reviews. The new government identified the health of females and children as a first concern and gave greater importance to it. The new government engaged academics in policy making from local networks in the National Department of Health. The local academics had much more understanding of evidence based practice and they used their strategies for policy process. The research identifies that affiliation amidst knowledge generation and application is critical thus research in healthcare policy making is also converted into an attempt to study. If pregnant females are suffering from hypertension it may lead to her death. Hypertension was regarded to be the main cause of death for females in 1998. Evidence was generated from research by doing two multi-center RCTs and three systematic reviews which shows that magnesium sulphate is effective in curing eclampsia and pre-eclampsia. Garner et al elucidates that in 1995 a survey was carried out which shows that magnesium sulphate was the most promising drug in curing eclampsia. This study thus uses evidence from research for developing guidelines and policies for maternal health. Case study 3: Topic: The impact of Chinas retail drug price control policy on hospital expenditures: a case study in two Shandong hospitals(Meng et al 2005). This is a retrospective case study which deals with the cost reduction of retail drugs and medicines in two Shandong hospitals in China. For the past two decades the pharmaceutical expenditure in China is found to be more than the overall economic growth (Wei 1999). Pharmaceuticals contributed to about 44.4% of the total health cost in 2001 in China. Hence the Chinese government adopted a systematic approach in cutting down the costs of retail drugs. In order to bring a change in the retail costs of drugs the financial data and records were viewed and analyzed. For the examination of the changes in the cost tracer condition approach was used and cerebral infarction was the health issue. About 104 and 109 cases of cerebral infarction were selected from the two hospitals prior to reform as well as after reform. The usage of drug was measured on the basis of prescribed daily dose (PDD). The usage of the drug after reform can be viewed from the literature of the hospital. But it was obse rved that even after implementing the pricing policy in the two hospitals the usage of drugs increased rapidly. In the provincial hospital there was a significant decrease in drug utilization whereas in municipal hospital there was a drastic increment of 50.1% even after reform. The provincial and municipal hospitals spent about 19.5% and 46.5% of the expenditure respectively on the top 15 drugs for treating cerebral infarction whose costs have been decided by the government and this took place after reformation. Allopathic drugs accounted for about 65% and 41% in the provincial and municipal hospitals respectively, though it did not had sufficient evidence for safety and efficacy in treating cerebral infarction. The Chinese government brought about a change in its policies for drug pricing after 2002 so that a control over the pharmaceutical expenditure could be made. In order to overcome the conflicts in pharmacy settings, countries such as Sweden approached direct salary compensation of the pharmacists. The drugs which came under the category of Urban Health Insurance Scheme were set up by the State Commission of Development and Planning. Policy makers have made a number of efforts in order to reduce the cost of pharmaceuticals. Various initiatives taken by the policy makers include preparation of a drug list, sharing costs for various schemes on health insurance, monitoring the GDP of hospitals and marking up regulations. The drug list includes two types of drug: Part A and Part B. Central government decides the cost of drugs for Part A and Part B but Part A drugs are generally used by the retailers whereas Part B drugs are used by the provincial government. Utilization of the drug along with the price determines the drug expenditure hence there should be rational usage of drugs and the prescribers should use various strategies for controlling drug expenditure. Conclusion : According to Walt (1994, p.1) since health policy is about power and processà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. It is concerned with who influences whom in the making of policy and how that happens. Health policy is all about decision making, consistent approach, expertise knowledge and positive action and it is emanated by senior officials, directors, ministers and government bodies. Evidence based policy stimulates a crystal clear and parallel application of evidence in health policy framework. Policy making is influenced by various social values and political belief like racial minority, holy belief, statistical features, unhealthy conditions and contagious diseases. Evidence based healthcare movement brought about a drastic change in the 1990s for the development of health protocols. Scientific research or RCTs play a key role in the development of EBP making. Incorporation of the contemporary nonpareil evidence would decline the hindrance between the creation of evidence and its appliance, and there would be an increment in the bulk of patients to whom the best treatment is offered. Bates case study is more of social belief because the public should co-operate with the health professionals to quit smoking. Even though he replaced tobacco by smokeless tobacco, it is still harmful to health. From the above mentioned case studies it can be observed that not all the health policies are implemented because of issues related to the government or the common public. Policy makers in the earlier period were not aware of the health protocols in depth as they are today and this awareness among the policy makers is brought by reformation in the public health protocols and the healthcare protocols. The support and approval from the government is mandatory for the implementation of the policy which indicates that political support plays more important role than the social support in developing policy.

Marketing Implementation Plan for New Product

Marketing Implementation Plan for New Product 1. Executive Summary:- With the ever increasing ratio of crime in the UK and all around the world, an unprotected property has become extremely vulnerable, day or night. This is why, in the presence of current environment it is of utmost importance to keep your loved ones safe at home by protecting it with a professional burglar, fire and intruder alarm system. After more than 40 years of success in the current business line, it has been thought that the Weather Seal Holdings (Weather Seal) has now got the right strength to diversify its business. Thereby, I have seen an opportunity to introduce Home Security System as a new product for company to be marketed sold at competitive cost to its existing and new customers through its branch at Romford, Essex (UK). As a result of kind approval by the companys branch regional manager and area managers (project sponsors), I have fascinated an opportunity to develop a project report regarding introduction and marketing plan of this new product for company. Time period allocated/authorized by Weather Seal branch management for the completion of project work is Six Weeks. The final project report will be submitted to the said project sponsors at Romford Branch (UK) for final vetting and valuation. It would then be on the excretion of branch management to send the report to company head office at Ches hire (UK). This project experience could give me a personal learning experience of how to introduce new products to companies. Hoping this project report would gain necessary attention of Weather Seal regarding launch of new product in marketplace and thereby creating cutthroat competition for companies like ADT, Chubb securities etc. The report will be important for the company to launch the fascinating new product among its product range enabling it to not only to diversify its business line but also generate extra revenue in the near future. Findings will be discovered through the data provided by the company, through company risk assessment form to be completed by customers, by acquiring few statements about the company performance from selected customers and assessing home security and crime survey reports being published by the institutions like Home Office (UK), The British Crime Survey etc. These findings will help the company in launching the new product at right levels. The strategic marketing implementation plan will be proposed in order to present important factors of success in future such as marketing budgets, marketing tactics and advertising options. Environmental analysis will be presented in order to critically analyze the marketing aspects by using the tools such as SWOT analysis and Porters Five Forces Model etc., will help in building the marketing strategies and objectives by highlighting the factors such as Marketing Mix(Product, Price, Promotion Place)), Target Audiences and examining all possible strategic options including financial projections. The conclusion and recommendation about the new product will be presented in terms of product usefulness for the customers, profit generations, customer satisfaction and different sort of tactics being recommended to increase sales in future. 2. Introduction To The Business:- Weather Seal Holdings (Weather Seal) has been the Britains largest privately owned manufacturer installer of PVC-u replacement windows, doors, rooflines and conservatoires. The company was founded in 1968 under the prestigious mono of â€Å"The Pride of the Nation†. Since its foundation, huge commercial and public projects has tested companys technology from time to time and more than a million domestic customers are witness to weather Seals craftsmanship. The company continues to grow and in a period of 14 years i-e. From 1995 to 2009, Weather Seal has become a  £75.0 Million company. The company is now renowned as an award winning service provider to its customers. The product qualities are of highest possible standards and second to noe.. The head office of the company is located at the heart of the country on the M6 motorway network at Winsford Cheshire (UK). The company has 21 local branches servicing the UK and 07 Installation Depots all around the country. Weather Seal has got over 1000 trained personnel nationwide and 24 hour customer service response. Local staff includes: Designers Surveyors Fitters Service and Installation Engineers Administrators The company rightly claims that with Weather Seal the customers are dealing with the industry No. 1 as it has achieved every industry standard. Among its competitors like Euro Glazing, Everest Group etc, Weather Seal provides 10 year Platinum Guarantee for all of its products. This is the only guarantee worth having is issued by the company who design, manufacture and install the entire product range themselves. Weather Seal wants to introduce a sophisticated and state of an art Home Security System all around the UK market place. As an Initial phase, company wants to utilize the services of its Romford branch in this regard, which is located in the South region of the company. 2.1 Introduction To The Branch Management:- As project work has been conducted under the supervision and guidance of Romford branch management and that is the premises where the final project report would be submitted. Therefore, it is thought to describe the branch management structure as follows: Owners Mr. Ian Blackhurst and Mr. Brian Kennedy Group Head Marketing Sales Mr. Tony Reilly Director Sales Marketing (South) Mr. Mushtaq Zaman Divisional Manager (South) Mr. Kevin Brookman Romford Branch Regional Manager (South) Mr. Muhammad Ovais Hafeez Romford Branch Area Manager (South) Mr. Mudassar Nawaz Khan 2.2 Aims and Objectives:- Aims:- The aim of this project report is to introduce the desired state of an art Home Security System as a new product to Weather Seal Holdings and also present an appropriate marketing implementation plan. Objectives:- The essential objectives of this report are: Present the complete description of the new product and propose the most appropriate manufacturing partner in order to make the new business a successful operation of revenue generation in future. Identify the target audience assess the customer thinking about the company and new product enabling the company to attain the better customer range for the new product. To present the appropriate marketing strategy by using tools such as environmental analysis, marketing mix and financial projections for the new product. 2.3 Name of the New Product:- The name of the sophisticated home security system (new product) will be PowerMax+ Wireless Alarm Control Home Security System (PAS) 2.4 Product Overview:- The PowerMax+ (PAS) is the latest, advanced and state of an art wireless alarm control home security system that provides protection against burglary, fire and tampering. In addition, it can be used to control lights and electrical appliances within the customer household and/or to monitor the activity of elder or disabled people left at home. Status information is presented visually and verbally, and in most cases a recorded voice prompts customer to take correct action. The PowerMax+ is governed by a control panel designed to collect data from various sensors that are strategically located within and along the perimeter of the protected site. In the disarmed state, the system provides the customer with visual and verbal status information, and initiates an alarm if smoke is detected or upon disturbance in a 24-hour zone (a zone which is active 24-hours a day). In the armed state, the system initiates an alarm upon detection of disturbance in any one of the armed zones. Customer will need a 4-digit security code to master the system, and he/she can authorize 07 other persons to use the system by providing them with their own security codes. Moreover, customer can obtain up to 08 multi-function key-ring transmitters that will allow the customer and other users to control major functions without approaching the control panel. 2.5 Key Product Features:- PAS will offer the customers a personal security guard watching customers family and home 24 hours a day seven days a week 52 weeks a year. The Key features are: Latest technology Invisible two beams, thermal velocimatic system Motion sensor Wireless (no messy installation) Smoke alarm (optional) Flood alarm (optional) Up to 04 members of family / friends as contacts via text, land line or pager Latch key for kids Access remotely (if away from home) via landline or mobile Can connect up to 15 different electrical appliances (computer, lights etc) with additional X-10 units Back up battery if electricity goes down Pet friendly Panic button (elderly) wrist, pocket etc Fire button Save on the insurance policy Secured by design (police approved) Security guard access to premises in case of no contact with alarm Complete peace of mind Leave voice message for the family Codes for false alarm and under duress 2.7 Proposed Partner Company for New Product Business:- Honeywell Security and Communications will be the partner of Weather Seal in the manufacturing of PAS and cater off the customer needs from alarm response centre. This will be the perfect partnership for UK customers security needs. Weather Seal Holdings and Honeywell Security and Communications will jointly deliver a winning combination of expertise in selected home security system, and a proven track record of quality and a firm commitment to their customers. Honeywell Security and Communications is one of the worlds largest manufacturers of security systems, with 30 million security systems installed. Weather Seal is one of the UKs leading home improvement companies with a strong heritage in making peoples homes more stylish, energy efficient and secure. Security focused, the fusion of two well-known names in the UK will eventually give their customers the peace of mind that their home security will be in the safe hands. Why Weather Seal:- With a UK wide sales, installation and service network, customers can be safe in the knowledge that they are putting their trust in a reputable business that is here to stay. The Weather Seal name and brand synonymous with the home improvement market for in excess of 40 years and have worked on more than 200,000 peoples homes. The company started out in the business with a clear focus on providing the products that would make its customers houses warmer, safer, more efficient and a great place to live. The security elements of Weather Seal doors and windows are something that company has always taken really seriously. With this as central to companys approach and off course through continual research and development, Weather Seal products have undoubtedly set new heights in security with style in relevant industry. Why Honeywell:- Part of a global technology and manufacturing leader with revenues in excess of $30 billion, Honeywell Security and Communications has been designing and manufacturing security systems since 1923. With expertise in every area of security, the company provides advanced security solutions for residential and commercial applications. Honeywell works closely with professional security installers and alarm monitoring providers to ensure our products are designed and manufactured with the flexibility to be tailored to each individual customers security needs. Be it private homes or global corporations, around I million customers trust their security to the company each year. Designed for customer convenience, Honeywell intruder alarm systems like PowerMax+ have a wide range of user-friendly features gives the customers peace of mind that their property is secured, with round the clock monitoring in the hands of professionals. 2.8 Importance of the Topic:- This is an interesting project studies as this will offer an opportunity to the renowned company like Weather Seal to introduce a diversified new product in the market place thus enhancing its business line. Companies are becoming more global day by day and to be able to have a critical insight of the marketing strategies and implementation plan of a new Home Security System product of successful UK Company can be an important reference when conducting other marketing activities. This project study will offer an opportunity to Weather Seal to create massive partnership with globally recognized company like Honeywell in order to successfully run its new product in UK market place. As a result of this partnership, Weather Seal could make a global presence with the help of Honeywell and thereby giving more competition threat to its competitors. As a part of research, risk assessment questionnaire has been presented to the customers to be filled out by them in direct interaction with them. The response from customers would enable Weather Seal to better understand the customers security urgency level. The project studies helps researcher in understanding how to introduce new product by making the appropriate marking strategy and provides an opportunity to look into insight of the Weather Seal operational activities. 3. Literature Review:- Most break-ins are opportunistic, not planned and with statistics revealing that burglaries are on the rise day by day not only in the UK but globally, thereby, now is the time for the consumers to take next step in protecting their homes and thus their loved ones too. Summarized important facts that evoked Weather Seal to work on the idea of introducing PowerMax+ Wireless Alarm Control Home Security System as a new business product and researcher to introduce this new product to the company are as follows: Households with no security measures in place are 10 times more likely to be burgled than those with such simple security measures. Results from the British Crime Survey demonstrated that having security measures in place was strongly associated with lower level of victimization. Government officials predict that the economic slow down will lead to â€Å"upward pressure† on levels of property crime. As property crime increases, insurers demand better security to stem losses. 1.7 million burglaries were reported to police in England and Wales during 2007/2008. Home burglaries recorded by the police have risen by 4%, the largest rise in seven years for the period July-September 2008. On the basis of these facts and figures and data already revealed the research has been made via internet to explore the best possible system in order to develop the desired new product for the Weather Seal. As a result of internet research, Stage-Gate System of product development has been shortlisted. STAGE-GATE THE ROADMAP FOR NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT:- The need for lean, rapid and profitable new product development has never been greater. Product life cycles are shorter, competition is more intense and customers are more demanding. Companies that fail to innovate face a grim future. The problem is that winning with new products is not easy. An estimated 46% of the resources that companies devote to the conception, development and launch of new products go to projects that do not succeed they fail in the marketplace or never make it to market. Leading companies have overhauled their product innovation processes, incorporating the critical success factors discovered through best practice research, in the form of a Stage-Gate new product development process. According to several independent research studies (i.e. Product Development Management Association, AMR Research, Booz-Allen Hamilton, etc.) between 70-85% of leading U.S. companies now use Stage-Gate to drive new products to market. A Stage-Gate System is a conceptual and operational road map for moving a new-product project from idea to launch. Stage-Gate divides the effort into distinct stages separated by management decision gates (gatekeeping). Cross-functional teams must successfully complete a prescribed set of related cross-functional activities in each stage prior to obtaining management approval to proceed to the next stage of product development. How Does the Stage-Gate ® Product innovation begins with an idea and ends with the successful launch of a new product. The steps between these points can be viewed as a dynamic process. Stage-Gate divides this process into a series of activities (stages) and decision points (gates). Stages are where the action occurs. The players on the project team undertake key activities to gather information needed to advance the project to the next gate or decision point. Stages are cross-functional (there is no research and development or marketing stage) and each activity is undertaken in parallel to enhance speed to market. To manage risk, the parallel activities in a certain stage must be designed to gather vital information technical, market, financial, operations in order to drive down the technical and business risks. Each stage costs more than the preceding one, resulting in incremental commitments. As uncertainties decrease, expenditures are allowed to rise and risk is managed. In addition to the discover stage, there are five key stages: Stages The structure of each stage is similar: Activities: The work the project leader and the team must undertake based upon their project plan. Integrated analysis: The project leader and teams integrated analysis of the results of all of the functional activities, derived through cross-functional interaction. Deliverables: The presentation of the results of the integrated analysis, which must be completed by the team for submission to the gate. Preceding each stage is a decision point or gate which serves as a Go/Kill and prioritization decision point. Gates are where mediocre projects are culled out and resources are allocated to the best projects. Gates deal with three quality issues: quality of execution; business rationale; and the quality of the action plan. Gates The structure of each gate is similar: Deliverables: Inputs into the gate review what the project leader and team deliver to the meeting. These are defined in advance and are the results of actions from the preceding stage. A standard menu of deliverables is specified for each gate. Criteria: What the project is judged against in order to make the go/kill and prioritization decisions. These criteria are usually organized into a scorecard and include both financial and qualitative criteria. Outputs: Results of the gate review. Gates must have clearly articulated outputs including: a decision (go/kill/hold/recycle) and a path forward (approved project plan, date and deliverables for the next gate agreed upon). What are the benefits of using Stage-Gate ®? The Stage-Gate Product Innovation system has been referred to as the single most important discovery in product innovation empowering almost 85% of all North American companies to achieve improved returns on their product development dollars and to achieve new growth. When implemented properly, Stage-Gate delivers tremendous impact: Accelerates speed-to-market Increases likelihood of product success Introduces discipline into an ordinarily chaotic process Reduces re-work and other forms of waste Improves focus via gates where poor projects are killed Achieves efficient and effective allocation of scarce resources Ensures a complete process no critical steps are omitted The results: A more effective, efficient, faster process that improves the companys (in this case Weather Seal) product innovation results. 4. Cost Incurred on Facilities and Resources Utilized:- Following are some of the items and their approximate costs that were required for the conduction of project work. 5. Sources and Methods:- In order to answer the key aspects of the project studies i.e. how to introduce new product for the company and how to prepare the marketing plan, secondary and primary research will be collected. Both types of research are essential in this project work as they offer crucial results regarding finalization of project report. Furthermore, qualitative data has been collected instead of quantitative data, this is because the available time was not enough to collect and analyze a wide range of data. Secondary Research:- The secondary research consists of â€Å"reanalysing data that have already been collected for some other purpose† (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2003: 188). In this project studies, we will be interested in information about this national level company overall, the importance and impression of the company in the marketplace and among its customers prior to the launch of new product and off course the utmost important strategic marketing issues affiliated with it. One of the main books used for this is Principles of Marketing (Kotler et al, 2005). These sorts of usage create the part of theoretical frame. The information needed to conduct the project will be collected through the use of external sources of secondary data such as published books and online articles and survey reports. However, the main part of the research focuses on the introduction of new product for the company. In order to collect all the necessary information the researcher will gather internal sources of secondary research. This information includes corporate documentation such as company reports and earlier marketing plans which are available due to solid professional relationship of the researcher with the branch management. The internal sources of secondary research will be backed-up by other external sources such as published general statistics and industry statistics, which have been collected through the use of the internet. Some of the most relevant information collected from online sources regarding UK burglary, fire and child abductions incidents and statistics will be presented in Appendix. This informa tion will be essential to collect and analyzed in order to make the company enable to assess the urgency of new home security system product among the UK citizens. Although secondary research has a number of advantages such as the fact that it is readily available, it saves money and it is not time consuming it also has some disadvantages. In order to use secondary data effectively it is important to make sure that the data is relevant to the specific issue addressed and that it has been classified in a way that is consistent with the study at hand. This consists in making sure that such things as variables and measurements are â€Å"in line† with those used in the investigation. It is also important to make sure the data is accurate and that it comes from the original source and not an intermediate or third-hand report (Ghauri and Gronhaug, 2002). Primary Research:- The secondary research conducted, will be further backed up, by some primary research. This is â€Å"data gathered and assembled specifically for the project at hand† (Zikmund, 1994: 40). 5.2.1 Security Risk Assessment Check Questionaire:- The Weather Seal will create Security risk assessment check questionnaire and researcher will carry the assessment visits with company assessor to observe and record the individual customer needs for statistical purposes. The said questionnaire will be closed end and enable the company and researcher to approve or disapprove the installation of PowerMax+ Wireless Alarm Control Home Security System at the premises. This will also enable the company to estimate the correct number of new product to be remained in stock. The Security risk assessment check questionnaire will be presented in the Appendix. Customer Survey Questionnaire:- As business can only run on the basis of customers. Therefore, it is critically important for Weather Seal to explore the customer views about the company and its new product. A sample close end survey questionnaire will be presented to 50 selected customers along with Security risk assessment check questionnaire to be directly filled by the customers during our visit at their premises. The responses against the survey questionnaire would enable the company to assess the attitude of customers towards the company and its new product. 5.2.3 Interviews:- No specific interviews will be conducted. This is due to the already available massive customer pool of the company all around the UK. However, the researched has suggested the company to publish the comments of few prestigious customers of the company about its performance and customer support and services. These comments will be published in the company new product brochure for the product promotional purposes. Few customer comments will be presented in Appendix. Data Analysis and Interpretations:- After conducting both the primary and secondary in depth researches, it has become possible to present the key findings and data analysis both in terms of figures and percentages. Data Analysis -Secondary Research:- British Crime Figures:- As a result of this type of research, the following key findings have been revealed relating to British crime figures: A home is burgled in UK every 20 seconds. Marketing Implementation Plan for New Product Marketing Implementation Plan for New Product 1. Executive Summary:- With the ever increasing ratio of crime in the UK and all around the world, an unprotected property has become extremely vulnerable, day or night. This is why, in the presence of current environment it is of utmost importance to keep your loved ones safe at home by protecting it with a professional burglar, fire and intruder alarm system. After more than 40 years of success in the current business line, it has been thought that the Weather Seal Holdings (Weather Seal) has now got the right strength to diversify its business. Thereby, I have seen an opportunity to introduce Home Security System as a new product for company to be marketed sold at competitive cost to its existing and new customers through its branch at Romford, Essex (UK). As a result of kind approval by the companys branch regional manager and area managers (project sponsors), I have fascinated an opportunity to develop a project report regarding introduction and marketing plan of this new product for company. Time period allocated/authorized by Weather Seal branch management for the completion of project work is Six Weeks. The final project report will be submitted to the said project sponsors at Romford Branch (UK) for final vetting and valuation. It would then be on the excretion of branch management to send the report to company head office at Ches hire (UK). This project experience could give me a personal learning experience of how to introduce new products to companies. Hoping this project report would gain necessary attention of Weather Seal regarding launch of new product in marketplace and thereby creating cutthroat competition for companies like ADT, Chubb securities etc. The report will be important for the company to launch the fascinating new product among its product range enabling it to not only to diversify its business line but also generate extra revenue in the near future. Findings will be discovered through the data provided by the company, through company risk assessment form to be completed by customers, by acquiring few statements about the company performance from selected customers and assessing home security and crime survey reports being published by the institutions like Home Office (UK), The British Crime Survey etc. These findings will help the company in launching the new product at right levels. The strategic marketing implementation plan will be proposed in order to present important factors of success in future such as marketing budgets, marketing tactics and advertising options. Environmental analysis will be presented in order to critically analyze the marketing aspects by using the tools such as SWOT analysis and Porters Five Forces Model etc., will help in building the marketing strategies and objectives by highlighting the factors such as Marketing Mix(Product, Price, Promotion Place)), Target Audiences and examining all possible strategic options including financial projections. The conclusion and recommendation about the new product will be presented in terms of product usefulness for the customers, profit generations, customer satisfaction and different sort of tactics being recommended to increase sales in future. 2. Introduction To The Business:- Weather Seal Holdings (Weather Seal) has been the Britains largest privately owned manufacturer installer of PVC-u replacement windows, doors, rooflines and conservatoires. The company was founded in 1968 under the prestigious mono of â€Å"The Pride of the Nation†. Since its foundation, huge commercial and public projects has tested companys technology from time to time and more than a million domestic customers are witness to weather Seals craftsmanship. The company continues to grow and in a period of 14 years i-e. From 1995 to 2009, Weather Seal has become a  £75.0 Million company. The company is now renowned as an award winning service provider to its customers. The product qualities are of highest possible standards and second to noe.. The head office of the company is located at the heart of the country on the M6 motorway network at Winsford Cheshire (UK). The company has 21 local branches servicing the UK and 07 Installation Depots all around the country. Weather Seal has got over 1000 trained personnel nationwide and 24 hour customer service response. Local staff includes: Designers Surveyors Fitters Service and Installation Engineers Administrators The company rightly claims that with Weather Seal the customers are dealing with the industry No. 1 as it has achieved every industry standard. Among its competitors like Euro Glazing, Everest Group etc, Weather Seal provides 10 year Platinum Guarantee for all of its products. This is the only guarantee worth having is issued by the company who design, manufacture and install the entire product range themselves. Weather Seal wants to introduce a sophisticated and state of an art Home Security System all around the UK market place. As an Initial phase, company wants to utilize the services of its Romford branch in this regard, which is located in the South region of the company. 2.1 Introduction To The Branch Management:- As project work has been conducted under the supervision and guidance of Romford branch management and that is the premises where the final project report would be submitted. Therefore, it is thought to describe the branch management structure as follows: Owners Mr. Ian Blackhurst and Mr. Brian Kennedy Group Head Marketing Sales Mr. Tony Reilly Director Sales Marketing (South) Mr. Mushtaq Zaman Divisional Manager (South) Mr. Kevin Brookman Romford Branch Regional Manager (South) Mr. Muhammad Ovais Hafeez Romford Branch Area Manager (South) Mr. Mudassar Nawaz Khan 2.2 Aims and Objectives:- Aims:- The aim of this project report is to introduce the desired state of an art Home Security System as a new product to Weather Seal Holdings and also present an appropriate marketing implementation plan. Objectives:- The essential objectives of this report are: Present the complete description of the new product and propose the most appropriate manufacturing partner in order to make the new business a successful operation of revenue generation in future. Identify the target audience assess the customer thinking about the company and new product enabling the company to attain the better customer range for the new product. To present the appropriate marketing strategy by using tools such as environmental analysis, marketing mix and financial projections for the new product. 2.3 Name of the New Product:- The name of the sophisticated home security system (new product) will be PowerMax+ Wireless Alarm Control Home Security System (PAS) 2.4 Product Overview:- The PowerMax+ (PAS) is the latest, advanced and state of an art wireless alarm control home security system that provides protection against burglary, fire and tampering. In addition, it can be used to control lights and electrical appliances within the customer household and/or to monitor the activity of elder or disabled people left at home. Status information is presented visually and verbally, and in most cases a recorded voice prompts customer to take correct action. The PowerMax+ is governed by a control panel designed to collect data from various sensors that are strategically located within and along the perimeter of the protected site. In the disarmed state, the system provides the customer with visual and verbal status information, and initiates an alarm if smoke is detected or upon disturbance in a 24-hour zone (a zone which is active 24-hours a day). In the armed state, the system initiates an alarm upon detection of disturbance in any one of the armed zones. Customer will need a 4-digit security code to master the system, and he/she can authorize 07 other persons to use the system by providing them with their own security codes. Moreover, customer can obtain up to 08 multi-function key-ring transmitters that will allow the customer and other users to control major functions without approaching the control panel. 2.5 Key Product Features:- PAS will offer the customers a personal security guard watching customers family and home 24 hours a day seven days a week 52 weeks a year. The Key features are: Latest technology Invisible two beams, thermal velocimatic system Motion sensor Wireless (no messy installation) Smoke alarm (optional) Flood alarm (optional) Up to 04 members of family / friends as contacts via text, land line or pager Latch key for kids Access remotely (if away from home) via landline or mobile Can connect up to 15 different electrical appliances (computer, lights etc) with additional X-10 units Back up battery if electricity goes down Pet friendly Panic button (elderly) wrist, pocket etc Fire button Save on the insurance policy Secured by design (police approved) Security guard access to premises in case of no contact with alarm Complete peace of mind Leave voice message for the family Codes for false alarm and under duress 2.7 Proposed Partner Company for New Product Business:- Honeywell Security and Communications will be the partner of Weather Seal in the manufacturing of PAS and cater off the customer needs from alarm response centre. This will be the perfect partnership for UK customers security needs. Weather Seal Holdings and Honeywell Security and Communications will jointly deliver a winning combination of expertise in selected home security system, and a proven track record of quality and a firm commitment to their customers. Honeywell Security and Communications is one of the worlds largest manufacturers of security systems, with 30 million security systems installed. Weather Seal is one of the UKs leading home improvement companies with a strong heritage in making peoples homes more stylish, energy efficient and secure. Security focused, the fusion of two well-known names in the UK will eventually give their customers the peace of mind that their home security will be in the safe hands. Why Weather Seal:- With a UK wide sales, installation and service network, customers can be safe in the knowledge that they are putting their trust in a reputable business that is here to stay. The Weather Seal name and brand synonymous with the home improvement market for in excess of 40 years and have worked on more than 200,000 peoples homes. The company started out in the business with a clear focus on providing the products that would make its customers houses warmer, safer, more efficient and a great place to live. The security elements of Weather Seal doors and windows are something that company has always taken really seriously. With this as central to companys approach and off course through continual research and development, Weather Seal products have undoubtedly set new heights in security with style in relevant industry. Why Honeywell:- Part of a global technology and manufacturing leader with revenues in excess of $30 billion, Honeywell Security and Communications has been designing and manufacturing security systems since 1923. With expertise in every area of security, the company provides advanced security solutions for residential and commercial applications. Honeywell works closely with professional security installers and alarm monitoring providers to ensure our products are designed and manufactured with the flexibility to be tailored to each individual customers security needs. Be it private homes or global corporations, around I million customers trust their security to the company each year. Designed for customer convenience, Honeywell intruder alarm systems like PowerMax+ have a wide range of user-friendly features gives the customers peace of mind that their property is secured, with round the clock monitoring in the hands of professionals. 2.8 Importance of the Topic:- This is an interesting project studies as this will offer an opportunity to the renowned company like Weather Seal to introduce a diversified new product in the market place thus enhancing its business line. Companies are becoming more global day by day and to be able to have a critical insight of the marketing strategies and implementation plan of a new Home Security System product of successful UK Company can be an important reference when conducting other marketing activities. This project study will offer an opportunity to Weather Seal to create massive partnership with globally recognized company like Honeywell in order to successfully run its new product in UK market place. As a result of this partnership, Weather Seal could make a global presence with the help of Honeywell and thereby giving more competition threat to its competitors. As a part of research, risk assessment questionnaire has been presented to the customers to be filled out by them in direct interaction with them. The response from customers would enable Weather Seal to better understand the customers security urgency level. The project studies helps researcher in understanding how to introduce new product by making the appropriate marking strategy and provides an opportunity to look into insight of the Weather Seal operational activities. 3. Literature Review:- Most break-ins are opportunistic, not planned and with statistics revealing that burglaries are on the rise day by day not only in the UK but globally, thereby, now is the time for the consumers to take next step in protecting their homes and thus their loved ones too. Summarized important facts that evoked Weather Seal to work on the idea of introducing PowerMax+ Wireless Alarm Control Home Security System as a new business product and researcher to introduce this new product to the company are as follows: Households with no security measures in place are 10 times more likely to be burgled than those with such simple security measures. Results from the British Crime Survey demonstrated that having security measures in place was strongly associated with lower level of victimization. Government officials predict that the economic slow down will lead to â€Å"upward pressure† on levels of property crime. As property crime increases, insurers demand better security to stem losses. 1.7 million burglaries were reported to police in England and Wales during 2007/2008. Home burglaries recorded by the police have risen by 4%, the largest rise in seven years for the period July-September 2008. On the basis of these facts and figures and data already revealed the research has been made via internet to explore the best possible system in order to develop the desired new product for the Weather Seal. As a result of internet research, Stage-Gate System of product development has been shortlisted. STAGE-GATE THE ROADMAP FOR NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT:- The need for lean, rapid and profitable new product development has never been greater. Product life cycles are shorter, competition is more intense and customers are more demanding. Companies that fail to innovate face a grim future. The problem is that winning with new products is not easy. An estimated 46% of the resources that companies devote to the conception, development and launch of new products go to projects that do not succeed they fail in the marketplace or never make it to market. Leading companies have overhauled their product innovation processes, incorporating the critical success factors discovered through best practice research, in the form of a Stage-Gate new product development process. According to several independent research studies (i.e. Product Development Management Association, AMR Research, Booz-Allen Hamilton, etc.) between 70-85% of leading U.S. companies now use Stage-Gate to drive new products to market. A Stage-Gate System is a conceptual and operational road map for moving a new-product project from idea to launch. Stage-Gate divides the effort into distinct stages separated by management decision gates (gatekeeping). Cross-functional teams must successfully complete a prescribed set of related cross-functional activities in each stage prior to obtaining management approval to proceed to the next stage of product development. How Does the Stage-Gate ® Product innovation begins with an idea and ends with the successful launch of a new product. The steps between these points can be viewed as a dynamic process. Stage-Gate divides this process into a series of activities (stages) and decision points (gates). Stages are where the action occurs. The players on the project team undertake key activities to gather information needed to advance the project to the next gate or decision point. Stages are cross-functional (there is no research and development or marketing stage) and each activity is undertaken in parallel to enhance speed to market. To manage risk, the parallel activities in a certain stage must be designed to gather vital information technical, market, financial, operations in order to drive down the technical and business risks. Each stage costs more than the preceding one, resulting in incremental commitments. As uncertainties decrease, expenditures are allowed to rise and risk is managed. In addition to the discover stage, there are five key stages: Stages The structure of each stage is similar: Activities: The work the project leader and the team must undertake based upon their project plan. Integrated analysis: The project leader and teams integrated analysis of the results of all of the functional activities, derived through cross-functional interaction. Deliverables: The presentation of the results of the integrated analysis, which must be completed by the team for submission to the gate. Preceding each stage is a decision point or gate which serves as a Go/Kill and prioritization decision point. Gates are where mediocre projects are culled out and resources are allocated to the best projects. Gates deal with three quality issues: quality of execution; business rationale; and the quality of the action plan. Gates The structure of each gate is similar: Deliverables: Inputs into the gate review what the project leader and team deliver to the meeting. These are defined in advance and are the results of actions from the preceding stage. A standard menu of deliverables is specified for each gate. Criteria: What the project is judged against in order to make the go/kill and prioritization decisions. These criteria are usually organized into a scorecard and include both financial and qualitative criteria. Outputs: Results of the gate review. Gates must have clearly articulated outputs including: a decision (go/kill/hold/recycle) and a path forward (approved project plan, date and deliverables for the next gate agreed upon). What are the benefits of using Stage-Gate ®? The Stage-Gate Product Innovation system has been referred to as the single most important discovery in product innovation empowering almost 85% of all North American companies to achieve improved returns on their product development dollars and to achieve new growth. When implemented properly, Stage-Gate delivers tremendous impact: Accelerates speed-to-market Increases likelihood of product success Introduces discipline into an ordinarily chaotic process Reduces re-work and other forms of waste Improves focus via gates where poor projects are killed Achieves efficient and effective allocation of scarce resources Ensures a complete process no critical steps are omitted The results: A more effective, efficient, faster process that improves the companys (in this case Weather Seal) product innovation results. 4. Cost Incurred on Facilities and Resources Utilized:- Following are some of the items and their approximate costs that were required for the conduction of project work. 5. Sources and Methods:- In order to answer the key aspects of the project studies i.e. how to introduce new product for the company and how to prepare the marketing plan, secondary and primary research will be collected. Both types of research are essential in this project work as they offer crucial results regarding finalization of project report. Furthermore, qualitative data has been collected instead of quantitative data, this is because the available time was not enough to collect and analyze a wide range of data. Secondary Research:- The secondary research consists of â€Å"reanalysing data that have already been collected for some other purpose† (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2003: 188). In this project studies, we will be interested in information about this national level company overall, the importance and impression of the company in the marketplace and among its customers prior to the launch of new product and off course the utmost important strategic marketing issues affiliated with it. One of the main books used for this is Principles of Marketing (Kotler et al, 2005). These sorts of usage create the part of theoretical frame. The information needed to conduct the project will be collected through the use of external sources of secondary data such as published books and online articles and survey reports. However, the main part of the research focuses on the introduction of new product for the company. In order to collect all the necessary information the researcher will gather internal sources of secondary research. This information includes corporate documentation such as company reports and earlier marketing plans which are available due to solid professional relationship of the researcher with the branch management. The internal sources of secondary research will be backed-up by other external sources such as published general statistics and industry statistics, which have been collected through the use of the internet. Some of the most relevant information collected from online sources regarding UK burglary, fire and child abductions incidents and statistics will be presented in Appendix. This informa tion will be essential to collect and analyzed in order to make the company enable to assess the urgency of new home security system product among the UK citizens. Although secondary research has a number of advantages such as the fact that it is readily available, it saves money and it is not time consuming it also has some disadvantages. In order to use secondary data effectively it is important to make sure that the data is relevant to the specific issue addressed and that it has been classified in a way that is consistent with the study at hand. This consists in making sure that such things as variables and measurements are â€Å"in line† with those used in the investigation. It is also important to make sure the data is accurate and that it comes from the original source and not an intermediate or third-hand report (Ghauri and Gronhaug, 2002). Primary Research:- The secondary research conducted, will be further backed up, by some primary research. This is â€Å"data gathered and assembled specifically for the project at hand† (Zikmund, 1994: 40). 5.2.1 Security Risk Assessment Check Questionaire:- The Weather Seal will create Security risk assessment check questionnaire and researcher will carry the assessment visits with company assessor to observe and record the individual customer needs for statistical purposes. The said questionnaire will be closed end and enable the company and researcher to approve or disapprove the installation of PowerMax+ Wireless Alarm Control Home Security System at the premises. This will also enable the company to estimate the correct number of new product to be remained in stock. The Security risk assessment check questionnaire will be presented in the Appendix. Customer Survey Questionnaire:- As business can only run on the basis of customers. Therefore, it is critically important for Weather Seal to explore the customer views about the company and its new product. A sample close end survey questionnaire will be presented to 50 selected customers along with Security risk assessment check questionnaire to be directly filled by the customers during our visit at their premises. The responses against the survey questionnaire would enable the company to assess the attitude of customers towards the company and its new product. 5.2.3 Interviews:- No specific interviews will be conducted. This is due to the already available massive customer pool of the company all around the UK. However, the researched has suggested the company to publish the comments of few prestigious customers of the company about its performance and customer support and services. These comments will be published in the company new product brochure for the product promotional purposes. Few customer comments will be presented in Appendix. Data Analysis and Interpretations:- After conducting both the primary and secondary in depth researches, it has become possible to present the key findings and data analysis both in terms of figures and percentages. Data Analysis -Secondary Research:- British Crime Figures:- As a result of this type of research, the following key findings have been revealed relating to British crime figures: A home is burgled in UK every 20 seconds.