Learning via observation

Abravanel and Gingold (1985) conducted a study on learning specifically on deferred imitation and immediate imitation. Its review of previous studies conducted on learning revealed that a child at the second year of life shows evidence of deferred imitation, which is imitation of modeled behavior after an interval where other events have intervened between modeling and reproduction of behavior. Classes of object/action combinations used in the current study were taken from the study by McCall, Parke and Kavanaugh (as qtd by Abravanel & Gingold, 1985). The current study however further classified these classes of actions with objects into three: simple/single actions, reiterative actions and sequentially coordinated actions.Simple/single actions required demonstration of one behavior. Tasks measuring this were the Barrels where the child had to reveal contents of the large barrel by separating it into halves, and the Doll and crown, where the child has to put the crown on the bald-hea ded wooden doll. Reiterative actions were simple actions that had to be repeated several times. Tasks for this include the Spacemen, where the child is expected to produce vertical column of five spacemen toys in a feet-to-head order, the Blocks, where the child had to stack the cube block, disc block and pyramid block in that order, and Screwtoy, where the child had to turn the screwnut counterclockwise until it is free of the screw. Sequentially coordinated action tasks require two or more actions that differ from each other but have to be performed in some specific order.Tasks for this include the Cylinder and doll, where the child has to insert a drumstick into a cylinder and push the doll out to let it fall into the table, and the Xylophone, where the child was expected to lose one tube from the base of the xylophone and strike each of the other two metallic pieces.The study was conducted to children aged 12 months (12 ~ 13 months), and 18 months (18 ~ 19 months). There were 42 girls and 40 boys aged 12 months and 45 girls and 40 boys aged 18 months. These children were randomly grouped into two: the treatment group, where children were able to see a model perform a task, and the control group, where the children did not have models to imitate from. Having a control group was hoped to take into account the children’s familiarity to the materials, task and examiner.Both groups follow four phases in every task: 1) Pre-test, where the child was presented with all of the materials for the task and allowed to handle them for 60 seconds. 2) Modeling followed where the treatment groups saw the target actions modeled twice, while the control group did not see any models but allowed to handle the materials for another 10 seconds. Each child had to accumulate four tasks from the seven possible tasks. The child then had an interpolated interval of 10 minutes, where he/she was free to do anything. This time gap was necessary to emphasize on the deferred imitat ion. 3) Post-test followed, where the child was presented with the materials of a task he/she had taken previously and targeted or expected actions had to be demonstrated within 60 seconds.Responses were recorded and the next materials of second, third and fourth tasks were presented separately. 4) Immediate imitation follows right after post-test when it is clear that the child have not achieved the targeted actions of a particular task. The experimenter models again the targeted action and the child was given 60 seconds to reproduce the action. The third step looked into the deferred imitation while the fourth step looked into immediate imitation.Scores were ranged from zero, where the child did nothing but look at the materials, to six, where the child successfully reproduced the targeted actions. However, scoring was reclassified were score zero to four was rescored as zero and score five to six were rescored as one. Data was analyzed using three-factor analyses of variance (Age X Sex X Treatment Condition). The study seeks to answer whether performance of the three classes of actions (i.e., simple/singe, reiterative and sequential coordinated) in deferential imitation and immediate imitation were the same for 12-month old and 18-month old children and treatment and control groups. The researcher hypothesizes that the 12-months old children would succeed in deferred imitation of simple/single actions and the 18-months old children would succeed in both reiterative and sequentially coordinated tasks.Analysis on the deferred imitation found that in performing simple/single action and reiterative action tasks, the 18-months old produced the targeted actions significantly higher than the 12-month olds. In performing sequentially coordinated tasks, the 18-months old had greater number of targeted actions over the 12-months old on Cylinder and doll task, but equally on the Xylophone task. The treatment group had greater number of targeted actions over the contro l group in performing simple/single action tasks, in performing the two of the reiterative action tasks: Spacemen and Screwtoy   (but not the Blocks), as well as the Cylinder and doll tasks (but not the xylophone task) of the sequentially coordinated tasks. Interaction effect of age and treatment condition in performing the three classes of action tasks showed that the 18-months old had greater modeling effect. Further, there was no difference between girls and boys in the number of actions tasks successfully performed.Immediate imitation was done for children who have not successfully accomplished the tasks on the third phase. More children from the control group were subjected to this analysis understandably because they had no models to imitate and learn from on how to achieve successfully the tasks subjected to them. Immediate imitation and deferred imitation were not analyzed as scoring for both sets were different. Analysis of immediate imitation data revealed that 18-year o ld had greater number of targeted actions over the 12-months old children. Less than 50% of the 12-month old children passed the tasks compared to more than 50% of the 18-month olds passed the tasks. More than 50% of the 18-month olds however find Spacemen and screwtoy tasks difficult to perform in immediate imitation.Approximate deferred imitation was further done where the reiterative and sequentially coordinated actions considered lower forms of imitations and where such forms somehow were equivalent to simple/single action level. The 18-month old children significantly had higher performance in post-tests reiterative tasks and Cylinder and doll task of the sequentially coordinated actions. Interaction between age and treatment conditions showed that at 18-months, treatment group achieved the Spaceman task, screwtoy task, Cylinder and doll task, but not on block task and xylophone tasks. At 12 months, treatment group achieved Spacemen task and Xylophone task but not the Screwtoy, Blocks, Cylinder and doll tasks.The study concluded that there are developmental differences achieved in learning between ages 12-months and 18-months, through imitation, whether through immediate or delayed information. The hypotheses of the research were not supported by the results as only few of the 12-month olds demonstrated complete deferred imitation on simple/single actions and less than 50% of the 18-month olds were fully successful with the three action tasks. It further concluded that the children’s performance in both deferred imitation and immediate imitation were the same by comparing treatment and control groups for immediate imitation analysis. The research further confirmed the study conducted by McCall et all. that 18-months old have internalized action sequences and means-ends relations although the current research acknowledged that spatial and serial properties of actions were difficult for these children. The researcher explained about the children†™s possible difficulty of recalling order for the Blocks task. It finally concludes that imitative ability is a developmental phase by the start of the second year of a child and fluency to make observational learning and deferred imitation during the second year.Analysis on the ArticleThe use of a control group in the study was not necessary. McCall et al, whom the researchers referred to in their study, did not employ control group. The researchers themselves have recognized that imitation and observation learning were facts of human functioning. Thus, learning the tasks as demonstrated by reproducing the targeted actions were better when somebody models how the task was to be accomplished than when children were left to find out for themselves how to accomplish the task.The analysis done on deferred imitation for the control group was subjecting the children in a problem-solving task by their own rather than learning via observation. The employ of control group sidetracked the researcher from the objective of establishing learning through observation in this group, precisely because the subjects in this group did not use observation in learning the tasks. All the control group did was to establish that indeed the use of models significantly facilitated accomplishment of the tasks. This was rather not necessary as previous researches have already established this.The use of control group in the analysis has rather made confusing interpretations and conclusions on the study. Such was done when the researcher made a conclusion on the immediate imitation by comparing the control and the treatment group that deferred imitation had no particular advantage over immediate imitation (p. 621, paragraph 2). This was rather an erroneous conclusion since control group cannot represent immediate imitation nor deferred imitation in any way. The researchers themselves have acknowledged that immediate imitation and deferred imitation cannot be analyzed because of the diff erential scoring used by the two sets of data but a conclusions made was to infer on this.The representational materials used in this study were carefully selected so that the objects give the platform by which actions (i.e, simple/single, reiterative, sequential coordinated) can be elicited. When disparity in the results existed for reiterative tasks (i.e., Spacemen, blocks and screwtoy) and sequential coordinated tasks (Cylinder and doll, and xylophone), the researchers have attributed this to difficulty in recall (p. 621, paragraph 1) for the Block task and spontaneous performance (p. 620, paragraph 1) for Xylophone task.The Block task was a measure for reiterative action and which was to be accomplished by the child by stacking the cube block, disc block and pyramid block on each other on that specific order. The child, in this task, was not however required only to do a simple action repeated more than once (i.e., reiterative) but also required to demonstrate memory recall on h ow the order of the blocks should be. This requirement was different from the other reiterative tasks (i.e., Spacemen and Screwtoy) where the targeted action was essentially repetitive ones and did not require some recall of order of how things should be arranged, which was the case for the Block task.This additional requirement for Block task made it in disparity of results with the other reiterative tasks. Block task, in order to elicit only one requirement, which is to demonstrate singular repetitive action, should have used same-shaped blocks. This takes away the requirement for a recall of certain order of blocks, which was rather not a concern of this particular study. It is therefore suggested that the Block task be modified by using the same-shaped blocks or this is taken out all together as there were already two reiterative actions tasks, which were Spacemen and Screwtoy tasks.The disparity in the results of sequential coordinated action tasks, which are the Cylinder and d oll task and Xylophone task, was attributed to spontaneous performance. The Xylophone task involved removing one tube loosely attached to the base of the xylophone and striking each of the other two metallic pieces. The researcher’s explanation on spontaneous performance of the Xylophone task implies on the novelty of the task. Making the task as novel as possible was necessary in order to seclude memory recall on possible actions done outside the experiment. If the child have already played xylophone, his/her demonstration of the task may have been a direct recall of how he played a similar toy.A recall on actions outside the experiment would mean lack of control of extraneous variable. To keep extraneous variable to enter into the experiment, the tasks formulated should be novel as possible for the children. Spontaneous performance on Xylophone task as demonstrated by the control group was evidence to this (p. 620, paragraph 1). This explanation by the researcher was rather acceptable, but it should have been suggested that Xylophone task was removed as a measure for sequential coordinated action task in the future study, and suggested to be replaced by another task.Analysis on approximate deferred imitation was not necessary nor called for in the study. The study implied only on differential imitation and immediate imitation to answer the research question. Analysis done on this only confused interpretations and results relative to this were not incorporated nor integrated in the discussions or in the conclusions. The results derived from this analysis were like a free agent that was left to float, without particular beginning, that is, it was not part of the research question, or an end, since it was not integrated in the conclusions. Such kind of analysis should have been left out.Essentially, the research has done well in proving that the children in the second year of their life were advancing in their learning through imitation, whether deferred or immediate. It contributed to the theoretical base for developmental psychology by establishing that imitative ability starts at the second year of a child’s life and continues to develop as the child advances in age towards the end of its second year. The finding that modeling contributes to learning was not novel but was rather reiteratively established from previous studies and researches (p. 614, paragraph 1).If a replicate of the study has to be done, the use of control group, which is not to employ models, is suggested to be deleted. The use of Block task should utilize same-shaped blocks (i.e., three cubes or three discs or three pyramids). The Xylophone task should also be replaced by another sequential coordinated action that requires a novel task or introduces a novel material. Suggested tasks would be: Doll and little umbrella, where the targeted action is for the child to place the plastic doll in a sitting position on a table, to open a little umbrella and to place the umbrella beside the doll.This task required three sequential actions: placing doll  ® opening umbrella  ® placing umbrella. Doll on bucket, where the targeted action is for the child to position the bucket upside down and to put a plastic doll on a sitting position on the bucket. This task required three sequential actions: positioning the bucket  ® placing the doll. The principle is therefore clear, that the task should be novel as possible and requiring at least two different actions done in some particular order.ReferencesAbravanel, E. & Gingold, H. (1985). Learning via observation during the second year of life. Developmental Psychology, 21 (4), 614-623.

List questions Case Studies Essay

Overview and Objectives: The case traces the path taken by an overseas operation from low cost manufacturing to higher value-added activities such as R&D. It asks students to consider the factors driving the evolution and this timing and circumstances that would make it successful. It creates the opportunity to discuss the tensions of designing for marketing vs. designing for manufacturing, the challenges of product development in a cross cultural setting, and the reasons why localized R&D may be successful. vs. adaptation, and the structures and systems built to manage that tension. The case also helps to the diagnosis of the causes of failure of a new product development project, and the sources of challenges of a cross-cultural context. Finally, the case enables students to discuss the â€Å"local for local† strategy. Suggested Questions: 1. What capabilities and resources does a company need to develop new products? 2. Which of these capabilities and resources foes Bella Healthcare India have? 3. Why did Project Baton fail? 4. Should Bella Healthcare India take on project TKO and develop an EKG specifically for the local market? Coloplast 10 years of global operations Ivey 2011 # W12101 STRAT MAGT – Internationalization and offshoring activities; matrix structure UD: 12/12/2012 Overview and Objectives: The case examines the organizational and managerial challenges involved in offshoring and internationalizing substantial portions of firms’ organizational activities to foreign countries. Students will need to consider the learning journey Coloplast underwent in this process, from managing the reconfiguration to the implementation of a new and complex design. They have to understand the features and challenges of the matrix form as the organizational structure used by Coloplast. The case covers three topics: offshoring and international business; international corporate strategy; organizational design and learning. Suggested Questions: 1. What are the strategic challenges of reconfiguring a company like Coloplast in which it transforms from a company with only domestically located activities to have offshored most of its production to a number of foreign locations? 2. Discuss the problematic introduction of the matrix structure. Why can matrix structures be problematic in large organizations? What could have made the matrix structure more successful? 3. The case illustrates how Coloplast reconfigured its organization from being only domestically located to become truly multinational. What are the organizational consequences of reconfiguring the company on a global scale? 4. Coloplast went through an extensive learning journey since the decision to offshore production facilities. Which key learning points were achieved, and how can the company ensure that this knowledge is embedded in future strategic considerations? 5. Identify, describe, and discuss the competitive environment and market characteristics if the ind ustry in which Coloplast belongs. Levendary Cafà ©: The China challenge 2011, HBS #4357 STRAT MAGT – Internationalization; expansion in China; standardization vs. adaptation; relationship HQ-subsidiary UD: 12/12/2012 Overview and Objectives: The case describes the establishment of Levendary Cafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s subsidiary in China and its evolving relationship with its parent company during the first two years of its existence. It focuses in particular on the decisions and actions of Louis Chen, the founding president of the subsidiary as he tries to establish relations in China and to negotiate its relationships with Headquarters in the USA. The case enables to examine the following topics: 1) the need for standardization and control vs. differentiation and flexibility; 2) the tension between strategic control and entrepreneurial flexibility; and 3) situational leadership, and leadership models. More precisely, it can be used to build an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of country subsidiary management and the corresponding changes in the nature of the headquarters-subsidiary relationship, including the control aspect. Students can also study the global strategic issue of operations of standardization vs. adaptation, and the structures and systems built to manage that tension. Suggested Questions: 1. What is your evaluation of the way Levendary Cafà © has entered the China market? 2. What changes (in any) should Mia Foster make? Specifically, what should she do about Louis Chen? And what changes (if any) would you propose at headquarters? 3. Prepare a specific action program for Foster to help her deal with the need for continued growth in China. What should be on the agenda for her meeting with Chen?

Ethics And Ethics Of Business Ethics - 1200 Words

Ethics meaning in simple way for average person is what is right from wrong. According to Chris MacDonald (2010)† Ethics† can be defined as the critical, structured examinations of how we should behave - in particular, how we should constrain the pursuit of self-interest when our actions affect others. â€Å"Business ethics is the applied ethics discipline that address the moral features of commercial activity (Business ethics, 2008).Working in ethical way in business has a lot of benefits which can attract customers, employees, investors and suppliers. â€Å"Now a days shareholders know that the company they are dealing has morals values and ethical and responsible behaviour and their money is being used in a proper way. When working for a company with strong Business Ethics, employees are comfortable in the knowledge that they are not by their own action or inaction allowing unethical practices to continue (Joseph, 2013)†. 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The State Hampering Of A Capitalist Economy Essay

The state hampering with a capitalist economy can have positive and negative to society. Theorist such as Hayek was against state intervention and believed in the neoliberalist movement, which meant that firms would are able to privatize their businesses and still trade in free markets. Hayek identifies that capital theory â€Å"was an area where he found that the coordinating processes of the market were underappreciated† and that the â€Å"evolved institutions and market competition as irreplaceable means for social coordination† (White, 1999, pg. 753-4). Despite Hayek’s claims of state intervention, it has been proved that the state hampering in a capitalist economy has brought positive effects. For example, mixed markets such as Sweden have 52% government spending shares, and 48% privatized firms in the market. 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Water Pollution and Drinking Water Quality Essay - 937 Words

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Design Project Mental and Physical Disability

Question: Discuss about theDesign Projectfor Mental and Physical Disability. Answer: Project Benefits The project would be of numerous benefits and advantages both to the restaurant as well as to the community at large inclusive of the customers who would be visiting the restaurant(Comit 2009, p. 356). Foremost of the benefits is the realization of profits. Being a business unit, the personnel that would be employed would be part and parcel of the organization that would help in the achievement of the objectives. The business would be able to record significant positive deviations in the profits realized. This would be as a result of the improvement in the quality of service delivery. The deaf are known to be very humane and humble when handling individuals. From their friendly nature, customers would be motivated and satisfied by the services offered thereby winning their loyalty(Pine 2011, p. 120). Visitors and other people working in the restaurant who are not deaf will be able to learn sign language. The top management will need to communicate policies or make consultations with the employees who in this case are deaf. Under such circumstances, it would be important for the top management to learn to understand and communicate in sign language. At the same time, the customers will be interacting with the deaf attendants at some points during their stay in the restaurant. This would promote the use of sign language to facilitate processes aimed at meeting their needs. It would thus be a possibility that all the users of the restaurant will be fluent communicators of the sign language gradually(Association 2015, p. 185). Still, the project would eliminate discrimination as a result of disabilities in the society. More often than not, people born with disabilities are perceived to be unable and more of a burden to their families and the society at large. By incorporating the deaf ad part of the staff in the restaurant, they would not only feel valued and respected but also not discriminated against based on the state of health. The deaf would feel that they as well have a place in the society and pay an important role in the building of the economy. This would be a source of motivation to them and would make them work towards the realization of their full potential(Weatherford 2015, p. 179). To be served in a restaurant by deaf staff gives the customers an opportunity to have a new experience of food as well as a good taste. The customers would get to have a new feel of how food can be prepared and served in such a way that it best suits their interest. From learning of new ways on how to order for food to new ways of settling the bills, the customers would enjoy a wholly overhauled system. Customers would get acquitted with new ways of doing things which do not necessarily involve a lot of talking and shouting. The needs of the customers would be met just at gestures and signs, a different case from a restaurant served by non-deaf staff(Pine 2011, p. 211). A quiet but robust environment would be their experience as they get services from the hearing impaired staff. References Association, AB 2015, Mental and Physical Disability Law Reporter, Volume 29, 3rd edn, American Bar Association, Washington. Comit, A 2009, Facts and Reports, 4th edn, Holland Committee on Southern Africa, New York. Pine, BJ 2011, The Experience Economy, 4th edn, Harvard Business Press, Kansas. Weatherford, J 2015, Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, 7th edn, Crown/Archetype, San Marcos.

Small business marketing plan. Dans Auto and Trucks Repair Company

Introduction Marketing forms one of the most important factors that dictate the progress that an organization can make since it constitutes the last step in the chain of production. Marketing analysts generally concur that the process of marketing brings consumers and an organization together, a consideration that makes it crucial to establish the correct face of products, service, and most importantly, the company making the products.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Small business marketing plan. Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More An effective execution of marketing however requires a closely coordinated and a highly analytical application of marketing plans and special skills to win customers. Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair Company has continued to grow and widen its market since it was formed. The latter has been attained through active marketing of its produ cts both in the United States and across the globe (Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair, 2013). This paper provides an evaluation of the company and particularly its marketing plan. Besides, an effective SWOT analysis of the company has been conducted by exploring the key strengths and opportunities. In addition, possible threats and opportunities have been addressed in the paper. A brief company background- Dan’s auto and track repair The ability of any business to assimilate the correct productivity and profitability is highly dependent on its ability to formulate and apply the mission, goals, and objectives in its management plans. According to Johnson (2002), a business should formulate its marketing objectives in line with its long term strategies upon which it intends to deploy technology, human resources, and funds to enhance the realization of its mission. Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair Company is one of the fastest growing small auto and truck repairs businesses in the United States. The owner who is known as Dan Wozniac began this business in 1991 in Arlington, Texas. It is worth mentioning that Dan’s business is family-owned and it provides wide range of vehicle service repairs to its customers (Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair, 2013). Its channels of primary sales and services are the regular customers and roadside assistance services conducted on a 24-hour basis. It also offers fleet services which includes state certified vehicle inspection, wrecker services, vehicle products, fleet priority service, DFW Metroplex area, vehicle repair and on-site maintenance. Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Its staff includes a small group of highly qualified technicians. The company’s management structure has undergone major reviews that push it towards decentralization and greater responsibilities to workers and custom ers. Ahenkora and Peasah (2011) indicate that a lean hierarchy allows employees to have direct touch with their top management and contribute to long-term planning. Besides, it reduces the overall time used to respond to workers, environmental, and consumers’ issues. In order to further emphasize on lean management, it is vital to mention that the inventories are greatly reduced while additional focus is given to corporate social responsibility. The structure has created important arms that reach out all stakeholders and therefore makes it easy to understand issues affecting them. The latter is a crucial consideration in defining the point of entry by the company. The company has seen significant growth in its market changes over the years. The latter has been accompanied by eventual success in business. This has been due to its efficient leadership, marketing skills and innovation. In addition, it focuses on improved and a wide range of service delivery and expertise of work ers. This has attracted the attention of truck and vehicle owners as well as several other well established and successful companies. It has also been attributed to the adaptive enterprise and corporate marketing strategies that provide the type of technology and services as well as the efficient marketing practice to apply. Other important services include diesel and electronic and non-electronic repairs, complete service and repair of clutch, air brake systems, axle, front-end, undercarriage among others. It has several business segments such as vehicle care segment, inspections for all vehicles, preventive maintenance and product segments, having new and used tyres, engine parts and other assorted vehicle spares. Mission statement Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair Company has immensely benefitted from the intimate relationship with its workers, consumers and the environment since it was incepted. It is one of the most important components that drive its success (Dan’s Au to and Trucks Repair, 2013).Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Small business marketing plan. Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As a result, it has taken great strides in ensuring that the provision of better and unmatched services and sustainability are carefully ingrained in its mission and leadership structure. This has been used as a mechanism of ensuring that the company’s ideology and principles are implemented. The company’s mission is built on core values that define its services and products. Its mission can be summarized as the provision of outstanding customer service. This denotes the responsibility of the company in fostering effective service delivery. Statement of goals and core competencies Johnson (2002) points out that a small business can be able to explore the successes in its environment by developing or focusing on its core compete ncies. Dan and his team of workers have come to develop effective strategies in catapulting their business to success over the past few years. In their provision of services, they have been able to aim towards exploiting, leveraging, strengthening, maintaining and developing core competencies. Core competencies as in a firm may include an organization’s functional skills such as research and development, technology, finance, marketing and manufacturing. A decision to develop a strategy via exploiting core competencies might in the next three years ensure that the firm does not merely produce quality products. It may also deliver valuable services and unique benefits to customers. Additionally, exploiting core competencies as a means of developing strategy requires that resources in a business are shared equally across all existing units. Johnson (2002) points out that the best and effective core competencies that should be shared need to be the intangible ones. Dan has showed a deeper understanding in his practice in the sense that intangible competencies are important in the sense that his competitors are not be able to see them because they are invisible. The company has been able to utilize competencies relate to skills and knowledge which its employees have.Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The business knowledge potential perspective currently entails viewing the business marketing strategy and provision of services through embracing technology as the driving force behind organisational success. The top management has sought to provide vision regarding technology-focussed service provision and marketing which involves designing and implementing the required IT infrastructure. The latter takes into consideration the external IT strategy components such as competencies, scope and governance. Competitive potential alignment perspective in the next three years appears to focus primarily on exploitation of the emerging IT capabilities in order to bring about new products and services. This can expand the business scope. It is also concerned with influencing the critical attributes of the strategy which involves distinctive competencies, and the development of new types of customer relationships. This perspective is considered unique because it allows business marketing str ategy to be modified using the emerging IT capabilities. Overall marketing strategy Janicijevic (2010) posits that developing a marketing strategy that is effective and oriented for long term requires key strategic planning and effective leadership methods. Developing a marketing plan gives a firm enough time to meet its goals. As a strategy, it reflects Hamel and Prahald’s view in their model of strategic intent. Hamel and Prahald argue that planning is a strategic marketing intent which is aimed at leveraging core competencies, capabilities and internal resources a firm has in order to accomplish unattainable goals a competitive market environment presents (Ahenkora Peasah, 2011). On the same breath, Strategic scholars point out that while strategic intent is crucial for higher levels of performance, its effects can only be realized when employees in an organization show commitment to a vision or a specific performance criterion. SWOT analysis Strengths Since its inception in 1991, Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair Company has continuously grown its marketing activities and processes to become one of the major providers of diesel vehicle and truck service providers in Texas (Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair, 2013). Analysts have pointed out that the services the company provides which ranges from computerized diagnostics of all diesel and other engines to a 24-hour towing and roadside assistance have immensely attracted customers who have in turn developed preference and confidence to the company’s available services. Besides, it is worth mentioning that its variety of unique fleet services and its ability to meet the convenience of its customers have enabled it to gain competitive advantage over the competitors. This has aided it in enhancing its profitability due to repeat customers. Weakness Marketing analysts indicate that the availability of substitute products and increasing demand for cheaper products and services presents small an d growing businesses such as Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair Company. Such a company may be faced with massive difficulties of lowering cost to ensure economies of scale. While many local auto shops and garages around Arlington Texas have opted to lower their product and service costs prices to gain a competitive edge, Dan’s business has maintained its service charges over others. This has had a negative impact on its expected gains as many of its customers opt for alternative service providers. Its fleet service costs are not reflective of the affordable prices necessary for capturing the ready market in the region. Opportunities Modern sales and marketing operations for products and services that a company provides demand the application of better technological platform. The company has been known to offer quality services. It uses technology to enhance the effectiveness and quality of its marketing plans and service provision. This in turn presents it with numerous opp ortunities to reach the market and introduce fresh ideas in the market. Threats One of the major threats facing the company is the nature of the highly competitive market environment where the company is carrying out its operations. The company is exposed to a stiff competition from its competitors. It is worth mentioning that since its competitors are selling similar vehicle products and lowering the cost of their services, Dan’s business faces a great threat of losing =its marketing strategy. An analysis using Porter’s five forces model New entry threat Though services provided by Dan’s company are exceptional, many similar companies have come up to in Texas to provide auto services. The fast increase in Dan’s profitability has agitated their concerns for a share of profits. Indeed, the market was insatiable by the company’s services and therefore provided a ripe opportunity for new entrants to fill the gap. However, the company still enjoys the advantage of a large number of customers who have developed loyalty due to its special services. Buyer and supplier power Winer (2009) notes that the bargaining power of consumers and suppliers dictate the ability of a company’s products to trade effectively in the market. The management of the company has sought to ensure that its customers, as indicated in the mission and goals, obtain the highest quality of the product possible at the best prices that could be able to effectively compete in the market. This is therefore essential for the company to stabilize its service provision and raise prices with time to encourage better production. Competitive rivalry Competitive rivalry on the other hand, forms a major business consideration that dictates the overall ability to forcefully infer the much needed impact in the market. The company suffers strongly from its general lack of enough resources that dictated the overall ability to reach its consumers. This has given larger co mpanies the general advantage to maintain bulk of the market share. Threat of substitution Since its conception, Dan’s company has been faced with strong forces of other vehicle products in the market. Though Dan has sought to infer the best method to counter the products that are in the market by use of unique technology, the threat of substitute products requiring greater knowledge continues to be very strong owing to their demand in the market. In addition, it cements their overall preference by ccustomers. Target market In his publication, Winer (2009) points out that segmentation and targeting of a market is an important component since it boosts the competitive advantage, increases product identification, and improves market segment and marketing mix. In the case of Dan’s company, it should be able to select potential locations where a mixture of low class, middle class and upper class car and truck owners can buy its products and services. In these segments, it may be able to market and carry out promotions of its products. Product strategy Dan’s company product ought to be transformed so that it can win the market and build the brand in the US and other parts of the globe. Its services include repairs of engines, brakes and exhausters. The company must adopt a new and unique style to attract customers. This may include ensuring efficiency and speed in carrying out services. Distribution strategy A producer to consumer channel has been lauded by scholars of chain management studies as a channel which enhances a distributor’s profit margin. In agreement, the option by Dan’s company to adopt a producer consumer channel can be considered to be attractive in the sense that it can maximize profits. Indeed, as Mary Jo Hatch Posits in her model of business dynamics, direct selling or provision of services is a key business concept that enables a producer to favorably manage sales and enjoy all the profits without having to sh are with distributors or other intermediaries (Winer, 2009). Promotional strategy Promotional methods should be purposefully designed in a manner that more consumers are able to get the message on the availability of the services that Dan’s company is offering. A good consideration at this point is intensification of online promotion and use of billboards to reach more consumers alongside the current methods. Notably, intensified online promotion would enable the company to reach more consumers even beyond its already established locations. However, greater care should be taken to ensure that the system is secure and its brand carefully guarded. Pricing strategy The pricing of Dan’s services and products has always been a key consideration for the company because it determines their affordability. As a result, Dan should establish a clear method of determining the prices of different products in a manner that several people are able to afford the products. In order to further promote accessibility, different products and services should be priced differently depending on complexity of their production and design. Conclusions To sum up, developing marketing plan requires managers to employ strong systems of control for their companies so that they can enhance objectivity. There is need for a change in Dan’s company mode of marketing operations. It should be made a key platform for continuous improvement. As such, putting in place a new marketing plan is very crucial if the pre-established objectives are to be met. Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair Company should gradually increase its marketing goals while heightening the much needed promotion to inform and persuade the consumers to seek its services. References Ahenkora, K. Peasah, O. (2011). Crafting strategy that measures up. International Journal of Business and Management 6(10), 278-283. Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair (2013). Full Service Automotive and Heavy-Duty Diesel Truck and Trailer Repair Facility. Web. Janicijevic, N. (2010). Business processes in organizational diagnosis. Management: Journal of Contemporary Management Issues, 15(2), 85-106. Johnson, L. (2002). Issue selling in the organization. MIT Sloan Management Review, 43(3), 8-9. Winer, S. (2009). New communications approaches in marketing: issues and research directions. Journal of Interactive Marketing 23(2), 108-117. This term paper on Small business marketing plan. Dan’s Auto and Trucks Repair Company was written and submitted by user Amber K. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.