Howard Schultz Strategy with Starbucks

When Howard Schultz first experienced Starbucks Coffee, Tea and Spice he was immediately smitten by the operations and business culture, and actively pursued a job with them. At that time, Starbucks Coffee, Tea and Spice was an 11 year old coffee shop with six stores in Seattle specializing in high-quality coffee beans. Starbucks Coffee, Tea and Spice desired to bring fine coffee to their customers, so to that end, they imported quality coffee beans, roasted them to their own exacting specifications and sold the beans and high-end coffeemakers to their customers, so customers could make superb coffee at home.The only coffee brewed onsite was the sampling of a roast, in order for a customer to determine if they wanted to buy that flavor, and as part of the education of their customers base to appreciate, and presumable buy more, quality coffee over the common variety available at the grocery store. Schultz, after a company trip to Italy where he accidently discovered the espresso bars of Milan, came back home with an idea of how to transform the business. His excitement was not shared by the owners, and when little changed over the next two years, Schultz left Starbucks Coffee, Tea and Spice to start his own company Il Giornale.At Il Giornale he did what he wanted to do at Starbucks Coffee, Tea and Spice – create the energy, ambience and community of the Italian coffeehouses in Seattle. Within two years the owners of Starbucks Coffee, Tea and Spice wanted to sell their business and Schultz happily purchased and combined both businesses, calling them Starbucks Corporation (SBUX). Schutlz, now in possession of the original stores, the roasting plant and his coffeehouses, was ready to fully explore his strategy.His plan was to create a place where his customer could enjoy premium coffee and feel pampered and relaxed, making the stop at his coffeehouse a part of the customers’ day – a 3rd place where they could go – an â€Å"urban oasisà ¢â‚¬  (Rumelt, 2011) (the 1st and 2nd place are home and work). This would be a treasured place, just for themselves or to meet with friends. Of course this unique experience was envisioned to expand nationally and create exponential sales as Starbucks became the place to be!To realize this ideal, Schultz needed to attract the right employees and engage his staff to behave so that â€Å"customers (had) a very positive experience in its stores. † (Thompson & Shah, 2010) He did this by a variety of methods, sourced from the six guiding principles the employee team came up with. He was able to achieve the 4th principle –â€Å"develop enthusiastically satisfied customers all of the time† – by having happy employees (1st principle), commitment to sourcing the best beans and standards to make the ‘perfect cup’ (3rd principle), and creating an emotional connection to his customers. Schultz firmly believed that Starbucks had to be a great place to w ork in order to provide the atmosphere and service that he envisioned. † (Brown, 2011) He realized that in order for his employees to be happy, he needed them to trust and feel they could communicate without retribution, and to feel valued. One of the ways he demonstrated their value to the company was to provide health care to even his part time baristas. Employees, now called ‘partners,’ were supported by extensive training in coffee knowledge, brewing, and how to â€Å"go out of their way †¦ to make sure customers were fully satisfied. (Thompson & Shah, 2010) Furthermore, they were rewarded by a recognition program which acknowledged excellence in brewing, customer service, leadership, savings, profits, and other activities that supported the company’s mission. Starbucks broadened their commitment to their staff by offering employee stock options to all employees, and later this would expand to include employee stock purchase programs. Schutzâ€⠄¢s plan created a new romance with coffee and the coffeehouse. His customers flocked to experience the ‘experience. Customers appreciated Starbucks dedication to fine coffee and the attention paid to them from the moment they walked into the store. Starbucks discovered that â€Å"the connections we make in communities create[d] a loyal following. † (starbucks. com) Customers spent afternoons at Starbucks. They brought their work to Starbucks. They dated at Starbucks. And they came back! Sometimes daily. Schultz’s strategy was a success. Starbucks became the number 1 retailer of specialty coffees. When Schultz took a break from everyday operations as CEO in 2000, Starbucks had grown to 3,501 stores.What a growth from a start of 11 stores and 100 employees in 1987. Two CEOs followed Schultz’s tenure and Jim Donald, the second one, put increasing the number of stores and store efficiencies as his strategy above customer service driving the business. â€Å"C omplaints surfaced that Starbucks felt more like a fast-food restaurant than a coffeehouse. † (New York Times ~ Business Day, 2012) This pursuit, along with the Great Recession, created havoc in Starbucks finances, driving stock price â€Å"from a high of $40 (5/1/2006) to $8 (11/17/2008). † (Living Economics) At that point, the Board usted Jim Donald and asked Schultz to come back as CEO and â€Å"lead a major restructuring and revitalization initiative. † (Thompson & Shah, 2010) Just like the first time he walked into Starbucks in 1981, Schultz wanted to be transported by the aromas and the ambience. He found the corporation he came back to missing those points. Making of breakfast sandwiches, added to compete with encroaching competitors, diffused the rich smell of coffee and distracted from the core product. Growth and appeasing Wall Street appeared to have become the product.His dream to â€Å"inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cu p and one neighborhood at a time† (starbucks. com) would need a brutal review of what wasn’t working and what needed to change. â€Å"Mr. Schultz faced a difficult task: He had to slow down the company to make stores feel more like hip neighborhood coffeehouses while also delivering the steady growth that investors have come to expect from Starbucks. † (New York Times ~ Business Day, 2012) Schultz â€Å"concluded that growth had become a ‘carcinogen’ and that the company needed a transformation in its culture and operating approach. (McKinsey Quarterly, 2011) He halted the aggressive store openings and closed 900 underperforming stores. This in turn caused layoffs of 1,500 store employees nationally and 1,700 globally, and 700 corporate employees. He refocused the company back to its passion of obtaining the finest beans and creating the best brew. He recommitted to respect and pay to all – from the small coffee growers to the employees. And to devote Starbucks and their employees to the ‘human connection’ – from the customers seeking a good drink and a respite to meaningful contributions to the neighborhood where the store was located.Keeping coffee at the core, Schultz explored other revenue streams in order to grow the business. They could â€Å"seed and introduce new products and new brands inside [the] stores† (McKinsey Quarterly, 2011) and then license them for sale with diverse retailers. For example Starbucks developed VIA, an instant coffee that was superior to the basic fare that was available. They â€Å"integrate[ed] VIA into the emotional connection [they] had with [their] customers in [Starbucks] stores†¦[doing] that for six to eight months and succeeded well beyond expectations. (McKinsey Quarterly, 2011) With that track record, grocery and drug stores lined up to add this exciting product to their store lineup. Starbucks has added many similar products to distribution â⠂¬â€œ Frappuccino, a flavored iced coffee in glass bottles, now available just about everywhere. Starbucks has licensed Unilever Corporation to manufacture and distribute seven different flavors of super-premium coffee ice cream. Starbucks coffee beans are sold in various retail establishments, whether by the bag or in pods, for single cup dispensers like Keurig.All these items keep Starbucks in control of their brand and have significantly contributed to Starbucks’ financial good health. The stock has clearly responded to Schultz’s revamped strategy by rebounding from the $8. 26 (11/17/2008) to $51. 17 (9/7/12). Today, Starbucks has slowed down from Donald’s ambition of 40,000 stores with a controlled growth of 17,000 stores in 55 countries. As the market, competition and economies change and adjust throughout the coming years, Starbucks can be expected to refine their strategic vision.If they want to continue to grow, Schultz and his successor will need to kee p the same core vision that Schultz first had in 1987 and then again in 2008: passion for the best and commitment to customer service. Bibliography (n. d. ). Retrieved September 2012, from Living Economics: http://livingeconomics. org/article. asp? docId=182 McKinsey Quarterly. (2011, March). Retrieved from McKinsey & Company: http://www. mckinseyquarterly. com/Starbucks_quest_for_healthy_growth_An_interview_with_Howard_Schultz_2777 New York Times ~ Business Day. (2012, January 26).Retrieved from New York Times: http://topics. nytimes. com/top/news/business/companies/starbucks_corporation/index. html Brown, H. (2011, March). External Environmental Analysis of Starbucks and the Coffee Industry. Rumelt, R. (2011). Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters. Crown Business. starbucks. com. (n. d. ). Retrieved September 2012, from http://www. starbucks. com/about-us/company-information/mission-statement Thompson, A. A. , & Shah, A. J. (2010). Starbucks' Strategy and I nternal Initiatives to Return to Profitable Growth.

Language Learning Strategies

Over the last few decades, ‘college of self-education’ has assumed more importance than the ‘college of education.’ That is to say, a noticeable transformation has taken place, as for language learning. The emphasis is more on learners and learning than teachers and teaching. The system of language education has undergone metamorphic changes. The focus is on the learner. The learner-centered curriculum and the learner-centeredness as for language education are the concepts in practice now. Many papers/articles have appeared emphasizing the above shift. The use of language learning strategies (in second and foreign language (LLS) in second and foreign language (L2/FL) for learning and teaching have become part of the language syllabi.Defining of Language Learning Strategies:â€Å"Weinstein and Mayer (1986) defined learning strategies (LS) broadly as â€Å"behaviors and thoughts that a learner engages in during learning† which are â€Å"intended to in fluence the learner's encoding process† (p. 315) Later Mayer (1988) more specifically defined LS as â€Å"behaviors of a learner that are intended to influence how the learner processes information† (p. 11).Human beings have the innate tendency to process the language and learning which in fact means processing of the information. Learning skills are the inseparable part of the learning process, whatever be the content or context. Learning skills are put to use in all subjects—like Mathematics, History, Geography, Language etc. Learning environment vary, it can be informal as well as classroom setting.As for L2/FL education—it has been defined by Tarone (1983) as â€Å"an attempt to develop linguistic and sociolinguistic competence in the target language — to incorporate these into one's inter language competence† (p. 67). Tarone, E. (1983).The earlier focus was on the linguistic or sociolinguistic competence. It has progressively changed and the current emphasis is on processes and the characteristics of LLS. One point incidentally. LLS are distinct from learning styles. Learning styles mainly concern to innate, inborn and chosen ways of noting, absorbing and processing the acquired information and skills. There exists, however, a distinct relationship between one’s own style of learning the language and the language learning strategies adopted by one.Good language learner/High Proficient students:The ways or learning a language varies from person to person. The choicest way to learn a language can not be singled out. The best way to pick up the language comes from within. You have the intense desire to learn a particular language and therefore you are immersed in the related activities that help the cause. Read books, watch movies, interact with people who speak that language, study the related articles in the magazines. If you cultivate a friend circle in the language of your choice, you pick up the language q uickly. You need not pay intense attention to the grammar at the initial stages. Join a tutored course and own a self-study package.Tutored learning is the commonly accepted mode to learn and acquire skill in a language. The experienced teacher in a classroom, who has handled hundreds of students in the past, knows their initial problems and the related solutions can provide motivation for the language learners. Language learning need not be a serious and tense exercise. If you travel and tour the country of the targeted language, your language related questions and problems get an automatic solution. Over the period, you find that you have picked up the language.Foreign language learning strategies:Research made to find the best method to teach a language is voluminous. The relevant answers to this problem came from the learners themselves. It was found that tested strategies play an effective role in the area of language learning. Of all the methods the ones classified by Oxford ( 1990) provided a system and stability to the whole process. Oxford viewed learning strategies as â€Å"specific actions taken by the learner to make leaning easier, faster, more enjoyable, more self directed, more effective, and more transferable to new situations† (p.8). The strategies are divided in to two categories:Direct Strategies: They are further classified into a) Memory strategies b) Cognitive strategies c) Compensation strategies.Indirect Strategies: These are further classified into a) Metacognitive Studies b) Affective Strategies c) Social Strategies(Oxford, 1990, p 16)Memory strategies are, i) creating mental images, ii) applying images and sounds, iii) reviewing well.Cognitive strategies are,   i) practicing, ii) analyzing and reasoning iii) creating structure for input and output.Compensation strategies are, i) guessing intelligently, ii) overcoming limitations in speaking and writing.As for Indirect Strategies,Metacognitive strategies are, i) centering your learning, ii) arranging and planning your learning iii) evaluating your learning.Affective strategies are, i) lowering your anxiety, ii) encouraging yourself, iii) taking your emotional temperature.Social strategies are, i) asking questions, ii) co-operating with others, iii) empathizing with others. (Oxford, 1990, p 17).Factors affecting the Choice of Learning Strategies:Many factors influence the selection of strategies employed by the students learning a second language. The most important factor is motivation. A highly motivated student is different from the less motivated one. If one has a particular and strong reason for learning the language, one picks up the language fast. Sometimes, career prospectuses are linked to the language. In such cases, one is expected to learn a language within the specified period. Females use such strategy in a greater degree than the male counterparts. Memorization is related to cultural background. Asian students showed higher degree of expert ise in this area. Attitudes and beliefs play the dominant role. The negative attitudes do not help the cause. The positive attitudes have a profound effect. The type of task assists in determining the strategy employed to carry it out. As for the age, the older and more advanced students employ different strategies. Learning style is also one of the important factors in the selection of the strategy. Tolerance of ambiguity is directly related to the selection of the strategy. (Language†¦..)Proficiency and language learning strategies:The number of English language learners is rising steadily. Special interventions for underachieves are therefore necessary. Different approaches are tried for teaching academics to students to whom English is a second language. It is no ordinary task to teach a student in a language in which he has no mastery. Lots of information is now available as for students hailing from different cultural/linguistic backgrounds. Firstly, the traditional peer- assisted Learning Strategies to enhance student efficiency in English are effective. Such a strategy has shown positive results on the reading achievement.Another intervention is Bilingual Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition program. This was beneficial for the Spanish-speaking students. In this intervention the focus is on writing, reading in both Spanish and English language activities. The students are divided into small co-operative learners groups. Another invention is Instructional Conversations and Literature Logs. The goal here is to enhance the comprehension ability and also English language proficiency. Importance is given to small-group discussions. The teachers   act as facilitators for the group, while the group of students is engaged in telling stories, relate personal experiences which are helpful   in understanding each other, keep topics and concepts, writing independently short notes as per the writing prompts.Answer questions related to stories etc. The exercises have high potential effects on the Language learners and they contribute to fast development of the English language skills. They also help the communication skills. â€Å"The Vocabulary Improvement Program for English Language Learners and Their Classmates (VIP) is a vocabulary development curriculum for English language learners and native English speakers (grades 4-6). The 15-week program includes 30-45 minute whole class and small group activities, which aim to increase students' understanding of target vocabulary words included in a weekly reading assignment.†(What works†¦) Many more such interventions are employed and language learning strategies followed for proficiency in English language.Why are LLS important for L2?â€Å"Within ‘communicative' approaches to language teaching a key goal is for the learner to develop communicative competence in the target L2/FL, and LLS can help students in doing so.† The importance of communication st rategies is an essential factor of strategic competence. Communication skill and language learning strategies differ in substance. The speakers make an intentional and conscious effort to communicate in a L2/FL.All strategies that L2/FL learners utilize in the language which they intend to learn are covered under LLS. LLS are very essential for learning the language because they are the proper tools for self-initiated active involvement, which is necessary for enhancing communicative skills.Conclusion:During the last few decades, many changes have occurred relating to teacher’s professional learning and consequently they have influenced and affected the teaching methods/standards for the students. Computes have influenced the teaching and studying pattern much. One can see effective use of technology in all areas. The pattern of collaborative activity between the teachers and the students has also undergone perceptible changes and such changes are for the better. They have he lped to create drastic level of improvement in the communication, and speaking skills. The teachers understand the needs of the students better. The students understand the expectations of the teachers even better. In this materialistic world and fast moving technological advances, expertise in communication and spoken language is an important aspect for the career growth.References Cited:Weinstein, C., & Mayer, R. (1986). The teaching of learning strategies: In M.C. Wittrock (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Teaching, 3rd Edition (pp. 315-327). New York: MacmillanMayer, R. (1988). Learning strategies: An overview: In Weinstein, C., E. Goetz, & P. Alexander (Eds.), Learning and Study Strategies: Issues in Assessment, Instruction, and Evaluation (pp. 11-22). New York: Academic Press.Oxford, R. (1990). Language learning strategies: What every teacher should know. Boston: Heinle & Heinle.Language Learning Strategies: Article: An Update Oxford (1990a) synthesized existing research on how t he following factors influence the choice of strategies used among students learning a second language. †¦www.cal.org/resources/digest/oxford01.html – 25k -Retrieved on June 16,2007Article: What Works Clearinghouse: English Language Learning Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies is an instructional program for use in †¦ develop reading comprehension ability along with English language proficiency. †¦ies.ed.gov/ncee/projects/wwc/english_language.asp – 25k – Retrieved on June 16,2007Tarone, E. (1983). Some thoughts on the notion of ‘communication strategy'. In C. Faerch & G. Kasper (Eds.), Strategies in Inter language Communication (pp. 61-74). London: Longman.

QI IV IMPLEMENTING AND REVISING Research Proposal

QI IV IMPLEMENTING AND REVISING - Research Proposal Example In addition, strategic planning of implementation can bring great change in any given organization. It clearly shows the missions and goals to be achieved by the organization. In order to plan an effective implantation process; one should ensure that there is active support from the board of executive, effective communication, and employee involvement (Gorman, 2001). The board of directors provides quality leadership for the QI process. It reviews, evaluates and puts in place the quality improvement services. The team also helps in supporting and directing the implementation of enhanced quality activities in the program. Successful planning implementation calls for extensive commitments from the board of directors and senior managers. The executive committee has a crucial role to play during the process. For instance, they must guide, support, monitor and live to the outcomes of the process, failure to this, the strategic process will simply be unsuccessful. Without extra commitment of the organization’s executives, the participants are likely to feel misled and unsatisfied with the results. Senior executive should draw a clear vision and mission for the planning implementation process. In addition, they should taint a picture to show the expected out comes. The executive can also appoint a leader such as an executive champion to ‘’own â€Å"the strategic process. Executives should sponsor some portions that involve the process. They become an involved participant that enables them to interact with other members of the organization. Executive leadership should steer up the committee, planning team and leadership group. They develop a performance plan within the management to reinforce, and communicate a structure that enhances the delivery and accomplishment of the planning goals. The quality improvement committee comprises of a wide range of health practitioners such as network physicians and the psychiatric health workers. It develops and comments the quality improving plan. It identifies opportunities for enhancement, outlines performance goals and guides the quality interventions. The committee is responsible for approving and updating the time plan. Subsequently, the committee carries out the quality evaluation process, analyzes, and summarizes work done within a given time span. It is evident that the committee monitors health activities and creates a work plan for each activity and the people responsible. In addition, it reports to the board of directors on the quality improvement services on a regular basis (Breen, et.al, 2010). Thirdly, improving the quality of a medical program requires the mobilization of medical staff. They should be equipped with enough technical expertise in Quality improvement methods and tools. Medical staff in a quality improvement program includes the medical clinicians, laboratory technicians, and pharmacists. Quality services of a medical staff improve the services of Services of a ny medical program. Clinicians ensure that patients receive quality medical care. They also ensure that all patients/clients receive their medical prescription according to the doctor’s prescription. They coordinate quality care by ensuring that all the equipment’s needed during medical services are readily available. Extensive involvement of the medical staff enhances the effectiveness of quality improving strategies. Furthermore, the participation of senior physicians should

Case Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Case - Assignment Example Cineplex had the advantage to show specialty movies, in particular foreign art films that could not be shown in large theaters with reasonable profit margin. The basic purpose of existence of Cineplex was not to compete with the large theaters but to develop a new market that to some extent does not exist. All the screens in the Cineplex presented a compelling picture of profit margins that show a success of the newly developed idea. After the comeback from the verge of bankruptcy Drabinsky has the possession over one of the North America’s major theater chains. The market was diversifying at that time and TV channels were eating the market share by showing the movies with the comfort of home. Drabinsky was concerned with this situation and decided to change the perception of moviegoers by enhancing the movie going experience in theaters. The enhancements were brought regarding the renovation of theaters. At first the uniformly drab design of Cineplex was abandoned that was common in most theater chains, introduced the art work in the lobbies, lush woolen carpet spread over the marble floors of theater and also incurred some other changes in the physical structure of theater. The screening auditorium featured scientifically countered seats, digital background music, and state of the art projection systems. One more new idea was introduced; it was real buttered popcorn in the concession stands and cafes th at offered freshly brewed cappuccino. With the introduction of such changes in its theaters, Drabinsky changed the face of film exhibition. This stand gave a sustained competitive advantage for a long time to the Cineplex. Drabinsky continuously focused on innovations and new ideas implementation in the business structure. He was always looking to increase the power of the company by consistent increase in the market share, new market development or market expansion etc. Continuously increasing market share was his main concern. Drabinsky had

Human resource management in Marine & Shipping Industry - Research Proposal

Human resource management in Marine & Shipping Industry - - Research Proposal Example ts in world trade balances and through market consolidation which require the implementation of well formulated processes and strategies, more especially in the human resource department. In view of the above facts, human resource management is no longer the simple task it used to be in yester years. With the ever dynamic global environment of today, companies must brace themselves and make changes whenever such needs arise in order to maintain their competitive edge. In fact, instead of waiting for other organizations to set pace, successful companies take charge and make proactive changes that continuously keep the competitor on its toes. Given its nature, the marine shipping is one of the oldest and most internationally diverse industries in the world and includes the famous voyage made by Christopher Columbus in search for a new world (Subhash and Divya, 2007). The shipping industry involves transportation of virtually everything including containers, bulk goods, petroleum products, human beings and special products such as armory. The last 50 years has seen massive expansion in demand of the shipping industry which clearly reflects that how much growth has occurred in the capacity of seaborne trade. This growth has been boosted by growth in technology such as seen in the introduction of gas-carrying capacity and containerization. Organizational structures of shipping companies have changed combined with changes in seafarers’ recruitment strategies. Despite the comparatively fast and amazing changes in the shipping industry, the human resource remains its primary production factor and is still based on steep hierarchical structure of ratings and officers (Subhash and Divya, 2007). Currently, job profiles in the shipping industry are changing faster that it was in the past. This requires the continuous performance of job analysis failure of which can dearly cost the organization. Human resource managers are often faced with the challenge of human resource

The Food and Beverage Operation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Food and Beverage Operation - Assignment Example Gordon, Manager of media relations for the AHLA, says "hotels can impact their bottom line via catering, restaurant, lounges and other food and beverages operations." (James T Aug 01, 2002) The increased number of convention centres, show planners and their emphasis on food and beverage as a way to increase revenues has also made a great fillip to the development of catering management. The hospitality managers are experts who have sound practical knowledge accompanied by theoretical background in meeting the customer preferences in the selection of food and beverages. A large number of food and beverage systems are in operation throughout the country to satisfy the customers with diverse tastes and preferences. There are many ways by which food and beverages can be processed and served. Each one has its own merits and demerits. Mainly, food and beverage service is comprised of two systems, which are complementary to each other. This is one of the crucial tasks of hospitality management as the quality of food and beverage is of utmost concern for all. It is, therefore, important for the catering manager to ensure that only quality food are prepared and served. In fact, the success of catering management depends upon how successful they are in meeting the customers' tastes and preferences. ... 4. Billing 5. Clearing 6. Dish washing 7. Clearing following service (Smith .R, (n.d.) Food and Beverage Service" 6th, Edition Page No. 8) Planning and Development of Recipes and Menus This is one of the crucial tasks of hospitality management as the quality of food and beverage is of utmost concern for all. It is, therefore, important for the catering manager to ensure that only quality food are prepared and served. In fact, the success of catering management depends upon how successful they are in meeting the customers' tastes and preferences. It is a known fact for all that management starts with planning. In the case of catering management also, the first and foremost activity is planning. Planning recipes refers to the process of deciding in advance what kind of food and beverage is needed by the customer. For that, the catering manager must know in advance the kind of gathering for which he/she is going to serve food. For example, if all the people in a party are vegetarians, then there is no meaning in planning non vegetarian cuisine. The various points to be noticed by the catering manager at the time of menu planning are: type of customer Location of Establishment Price range Physical capacity of outlet Staff level and capabilities Kitchen size and equipment availability Food Availability (ALaCarteTraining.com, (n.d) Design a Market Focused Menu) Factors to be considered for Menu Design Menu planning and designing is equally important as planning recipes. It requires utmost care because the menu selected must satisfy the customers. The following must be taken care of by the catering manager: Food preference of Customer a. Changing needs b. Current Trend c. Changing demographic and socio-cultural influences d. Changing

Emerging Market Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Emerging Market - Coursework Example This has lead innovation in the variety ways of availing resources to the customers through advertisement. In addition, businesses around the world are experiencing changes due to increasing number of emerging markets and there is also stiff competition in those emerging markets. Furthermore, the innovation of new ways of marketing with the use of high-tech machines and information technology (IT) has made the world a global village. This paper will focus on emerging markets in China. China has been considered by most businesses to be hard to achieve the best marketing strategies. This is because companies in China have grown for decades adopting sophisticated ways in their business performance. This has posed challenges to any company wanting to tap or consider starting a business in China. Companies, especially the western companies, have been faced with challenges but sometimes they have got opportunities to tap into emerging markets in China (Czinkota & Ronkainen 2009). China has grown to be the best economic country since inception of marketing reforms in 1978. The marketing reforms moved the country from a central governing style to a market defined economy. Changes have been felt in the country, for example, more that 500 million people have been salvaged out of poverty making the country achieve their targets. China is currently the second biggest economy after the US, and the economy of Chinese is still growing, which is one of the best achievements in the world’s most populated country of 1.3 billion people. Chinese products had high demand during the 2008 financial crisis when most countries in the world were hit by inflation and high prices of goods. The cheaper products from China were demanded by many customers. This was after the country made changes by the implementation of a $586 billion stimulus package which saw increases in leading rates by many institutions to their customers for the improvement of businesses (Dorn 2011). Despite the achievements of the Chinese government, the countries still has a high number of people living below the poverty line. China has a high number of poor people in the world and it ranks in the second position after India. World Bank numbers show that the gross national income per capita in China is $6091, and because of this, average income of persons per day is 1.8 dollars making the country to be ranked at the 90th income per capita position. Despite the high economic growth that China is undergoing, a number of challenges are faced by the country, for example, an increased rate of inequality is experience in the country. China is attributed to be losing a lot due to environmental challenges. According to Zhang (2012), estimation caused by environmental challenges in the economy is 10.51% of the gross national income. This is based on a 2008 review by the World Bank. The main focus in China is to sort the challenges they are facing with more attention on environmental and social ch allenges. The issue the country is facing is addressed in a 5-year plan which is taking place between 2011 and 2015. Characteristics and Challenges of Emerging Marketing in China The characteristics of emerging marketing China are mostly shared by most Asians countries like Japan, South Korea and China. The Asians countries have the same styles of marketing which makes them to be accepted in their continent as compared to emerging markets of Western

Compare and contrast two social media websites, for example Facebook Essay

Compare and contrast two social media websites, for example Facebook and Twitter, in terms of use and functions provided - Essay Example The internet has become a major platform for socialization through several social sites available these days. Some of the social sites available include Facebook, twitter, Instagram, whatsapp and 2go. Through these sites, the world has been reduced into a small location where people easily interact and share what they have. Though they are of advantage of bringing people together to share constructive views and news, social sites have been in criticization for bringing up bad vices to the community. Some user may become addicted to social sites and chats until they become antisocial. They are a major revolution in the current century. The information about the social sites and their effects comes from the general understanding of the functioning of the sites and their seen effects on daily human life. The work is a combination of daily experiences with research works from libraries both virtual and physical. A real life example is also an inclusion in the work. The effects analyzed herein are trivial to some extend but they do affect the comfort ability of users and the site’s reputation in general. From the research, it was found and the researchers came to conclusion that Facebook is the most widely used social platform. It has a membership of about 1.15billion users worldwide. The result for this discovery was because Facebook was found to provide more customization options and was less official. During the research, several analyses on the contents from the sites were made and it came to conclusion that more than 2.95billion pieces of information are available for sharing daily on the platforms. Social vices were also in notification during the study. Some of the vices did include cyber bullying and this, as was discovered latter, was a vice mostly from teenagers. Below is a fact box that shows a summary of some of the data and facts that were under study during the research. The current century, always known as the digital century is a time when

National Health Service Essay Example for Free

National Health Service Essay The NHS stands for the National Health Service, which provides healthcare for all UK citizens based on their need for healthcare rather than their ability to pay for it. It is fully funded by full-time workers taxes. The aim of the health service is to ensure that anyone can receive the medical care they need, regardless of their age, circumstances or financial situation. Advantages * To meet the needs of everyone * To be free at the point of delivery * The NHS provides care free of charge to most UK residents * Depending on the nature of your problem you may be treated by a doctor, dentist or optician * There are is a range of healthcare services offered by the NHS, covering every concern from flu to vaccinations, mental illness to ectopic pregnancy care. * When you seek help because you feel unwell, the medical practitioner you visit will be able to inform you of the care options available to you. * Every person in England having access to his or her own confidential medical records. * Helpdesk service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Disadvantages * Long waiting lists * Your situation of needing care may not be as important as others * They may use low quality equipment on you because you are not paying for the treatment, therefore your health issue may not be resolved as quickly or properly with incorrect equipment. * People will abuse the system by using is too much when it is not necessary or they have not paid taxes sufficiently.- The United States is now the only remaining MEDC country without some form of free access to a medical service, Partly because policy debates are driven by false, self defeating beliefs. One thought of this is that the United States cannot afford to cover the uninsured, when in fact a coordinated financing system is the key tool for holding costs down, and there are affordable ways to do it. Also many believe that the United States is so large and diverse that any lessons one might benefit from a smaller and less diverse countries do not apply here. Universal health care system would mean low salaries, rundown facilities, poor quality, and endless waits to see a doctor, as a good example of this is with the NHS. The current/ new NHS * The plan for the new NHS by the present government is even more ambitious than the transformation by Margaret Thatcher. * The NHS was widely discussed as no longer sustainable or no longer affordable. Therefor the rate of Tax has been increased largely. * Demands are rising, as are costs. And this is all happening at a time when money is tighter than ever. * Two thirds of hospital beds are now estimated to be occupied by the over 65s at any one time. * Nurses have been given a lot more responsibility. * IVF treatment is helping thousands of couples conceive each year. * Organ transplants are now saving over 3,000 lives a year. * Obesity, drinking and smoking. All three cause disease and death, adding billions of pounds to the NHS bill.

The Importance of Reading Books Essay Example for Free

The Importance of Reading Books Essay The joy of reading books cant be described in words. Its something that you can understand only by actual experience. There is much more to life than your work and spending time aimlessly with latest technology products. Reading books gives you that much needed break from the chaos in your life. It instills peace inside you, makes you relaxed and also exercises your brain in the process. When you read a book, it feels great to put yourself into a different world that the writer has created for you. Ask any avid reader about this and they too will agree that reading a book is same like watching a movie. When you spend hours and hours reading a book, creating a world with different characters in your mind, your imagination powers are sure to get a boost. Depending upon what you read, you will come out with the same experience as when you watch some really good movie. I have been a voracious reader ever since i learned how to read. Thats why i never get bored even being alone for a long time. I have found that reading books is the best medicine to kill boredom. What starts with reading story books, when you are a kid, turns into reading books for improving yourself as you grow older. From story books - technical management books - self improvement - spirituality and beyond, the journey is fantastic and you learn something with each passing day. You understand your thoughts and emotions more clearly. It makes you realize who you really are and makes your life more meaningful.Reading books will make you a better thinker and a better man. Thanks to technology you can easily find good articles to read on the internet. A great article can inspire and motivate you as much as a great book. Its not how much you read, but what you read which is more important. The only reason i recommend reading books over short articles is because when you spend hours with a thought or an idea then its more likely to stay with you for long time rather than when you spend just few minutes tinkering with it. Its easy to read a quote or an article for few minutes than discard it and continue with what you were doing. But when you invest your time in reading a good book, you end up spending at least a few hours reflecting on its contents as you read. Thus, its likely to stay with you for a longer time and have some positive influence on you. A good reader also varies his reading pace based on the content he is reading and what he wants to get from it. The purpose of reading news articles is different from reading stories, which is different from reading important documents. Over a period of time, you will understand how to vary your reading pace and comprehension based on what you read and what you want from it. Also, just reading good books is not enough. The way you read it is more important. When you come across a new idea or a different opinion, think upon it deeply. Dont accept it or reject it blindly. Try to reason with it and understand the writers point of view. Reflect upon the thoughts that come to your mind whenever you read a great book. You will know whether a book is great or not based on the thoughts it awakens inside you. As you continue this habit of reading and reflecting on what you read, you will start forming your own thoughts and values. It will challenge your mind and the thoughts, customs and traditions that you have grown up with. However, there is one thing which you should always remember when you make this a daily habit, as you are investing a part of your life doing it. Too much reading, without any thinking and action isnt of much use. When you know you are ready to do something its time to move to the next step. Act upon what you think is right and what you have decided to do. Its easy to get so much involved in the reading process, that you forget that the main purpose of reading is to make you a better person which can only happen when you act upon it. Just finishing one book after another without any real action from your side wont help you. What kind of person you want to be and what you would ultimately become depend greatly upon the type of content that you read and how much you act upon them. Reading articles that promote negativity, hatred and give wrong information is dangerous. Its better to not read anything at all than read such articles. Whether you read on some electronic device or prefer reading an actual book. Thats your personal choice. Personally, i prefer to read actual books whenever possible. I find that even after hours of reading my eyes feel fresh and full of energy. Thats something i dont find when i read too much on my computer. Before ending this article, i would like to summarize few important points and also suggest some Dos and Donts of reading: * Always read your content from a safe distance. Neither too close to your eyes neither too far away from your eyes. * Always prefer quality over quantity. Better to read one great book than hundred mediocre ones. * Understand properly what you have read and reflect upon it. * Dont accept anything blindly that you read but think for yourself and try to understand the reason behind whats been written. * Bookmark interesting pages for future reference. You never know when you will need them. * Sometimes it takes more than one reading to fully grasp some thing. Dont be disappointed if you dont understand a book in one reading. Maybe when you come back to it the next time, you will get it. * Focus completely on what you are reading. Dont think about other stuff while reading. * If possible, create a favorite spot in your house for reading books. You will feel more relaxed whenever you are there. * And above all, enjoy your reading experience. The habit of reading good content daily will act like an exercise for your mind and keep you mentally fit and flexible. If you have never given it a try then always remember that its never too late to start a good habit.

Impacts Of Singapores Integrated Resorts

Impacts Of Singapores Integrated Resorts Singapore is a small island city with a total population of about 4.98 million. The local population consists of approximately 74.2% ethnic Chinese, 13.4% Malays and 9.2% Indians. The remainder 3.2% is made up of Eurasians and other foreign workers. It is a relatively young population with only 217,000 or 7% of the population currently over the age of 65 (Singapore Facts and Figures, 2009) Integrated Resorts is to strengthen the leisure and entertainment options to enhance Singapores reputation as a must-visit destination for leisure and business visitors. The Integrated Resorts will be part of a larger spectrum of tourism products and are developing to enhance our destination appeal, and will enhance the tourism industry and economy. (Ministry of Trade and Industry, 2010) The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Singapore expanded at an annual rate of 24.00 percent in the last reported quarter. From 2007 until 2010, Singapores average quarterly GDP Growth was 7.62 percent reaching an historical high of 45.70 percent in March of 2010 and a record low of -12.50 percent in June of 2008. Singapore along with Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan is one of the Four Asian Tigers. Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. (Trading Economics, 2010). The Integrated Resorts are contributing to GDP of the country and it is boosting the economy. (DBS treasures 2010) Integrated Resorts is in reality nothing new in the world of gaming and Integrated resorts. Singaporeans were requesting international world class developments combining elements already found in other major casino developments such as the Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne, Australia; The Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas; The Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas; Genting Highlands outside of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. On the other hand Singapore has seen the results of the Integrated Resorts, so they wanted to achieve those benefits as well (Andrew. M William. R, 2008) Integrated Resorts Integrated Resorts (IRs) are resorts with mixed development like hotels, restaurants, convention centre, theme park, shopping centre, casino, (Lee, 2005). As it has a gaming component casino, integrated resorts development has stirred a great controversy among the Singaporeans. On 18 April 2005, The Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong announced the cabinets decision to develop two integrated resorts in Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa. The Singapore Government stated that the aim of the Integrated Resorts is to boost the countrys tourism industry and economy. There has been very keen competition from the neighboring countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong. According to the Government, the Integrated Resorts are expected to create some 35,000 jobs directly and indirectly (Business Times, 08 Nov 2005). There could be a negative social impact of gambling. The Government, however, promised to have a proper and strict safeguard to limit the social impact of gambling, among others exorbitant entrance fee and the casinos would not extend credit to local population (Parliamentary Debate on IR Decision, 2005) An Integrated Resort is really a very large scale entertainment development based around a casino. The casino component is physically small, but is the primary economic engine which drives overall returns and facilitates investment in other facilities and amenities. Thus the casino element must be of such magnitude and importance that it can generate over half of the developments annual cash. With capital costs associated with Integrated Resorts at, say, US$4 billion, such a facility would need to generate at least US$500 million in EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation) to be viable (Andrew. M William. R, 2008) 1.2. Definition of Socio Economic In most cases, socio economists focus on the social impact of some sort of economic change, which is basically a study of the relationship between the economic activity and social life (Davis et al, 2008) 1.3 Objectives of the Research The objectives of this research are to understand the Socio-Economic impacts of the Singapore Integrated Resorts. This research deals with the socio-economic factors that have potential impact from the Singapore Integrated Resorts and how Singapore is being affected by Integrated Resorts what kind of positive or negative things this can bring to the person such as it would create better and more job opportunities for the people and would it revitalize the Singapore tourism industry. On the other hand how does the Integrated Resorts play a vital role in boosting the economy of Singapore, will the Singapore integrated resorts will be able to attract the potential customers and the tourism industry will grow better and Integrated Resorts would revitalize the tourism industry as there been a drop in the tourism sector. Economy of the Singapore would be affected by the Integrated Resorts how it would play a vital role in booming the economy. 1.4 Motivation This research deals with the socio-economic factors that have potential impact on the Singapore. The main aim is to focus and to investigate, analyze the socio-economic impact. The motivation for this research is to find out the process and ways the Integrated Resorts of Singapore boost the economy, revitalize the tourism, and change the shape of tourist coming to Singapore and how they create job opportunities for the people of Singapore. Would the Integrated Resorts be able to improve the well-being of the local population by generating jobs and increasing income? Would they will be able to play the role towards Singapore Economy and how they would benefit the local people of the country. The motivation to do this research is to see that would be able to revitalize the Singapore tourism as it is declining in past few years and what does the IR have to contribute to make a difference and how would the economy of Singapore would be boosted by the IR and what Job opportunities would the IR create for the local people of Singapore. The researcher wants to study how the Singapore Integrated resorts would perform as it has all the same components which the other neighboring Integrated resorts have like Mauritius, Crown Melbourne, and Macau China. 1.5 Research Focus The Focus of this research is to understand the Socio-Economic impact of the Singapore Integrated Resorts. The main aim to understand how, the impacts of the Singapore Integrated Resorts can play a vital role on both socio and economic these impacts could be positive or negative as well Revitalize Singapore Tourism (Andrew. M and William R, 2008) Boost Singapore Economy (R. Nunkoo and H. Ramkissoon, 2010) Job creation (Andriofis. K, 2008) 1.6 Research Questions In this report we have to invest the socio economic impacts of Singapore Integrated Resorts and the effects of these socio and economic impacts could be negative and positive. Revitalize Singapore Tourism. Boost Singapore Economy. Job creation Chapter 2 Literature Review The purpose of literature review is to make sure that we analyze the Socio Economic Impacts of Singapore Integrated Resorts and the purpose of the literature review is to select promising measure, methods (Mamchak and Mamchak, 1994) The Integrated Resort (IRs) is undoubtedly a necessary step to Singapores future economic viability. As Singapore has no natural advantages, it must capitalize its ability to stay at the front of the global economy, with focus to attract foreign investors, tourists and talent. Surveys have suggested that Singapore is seen as unexciting compared to other travel destinations, and has been labeled as conservative, moderate and stale (Straits Times, 2005) The Integrated Resorts and casino in Asia has grown significantly across the Asia Pacific region since 1999. The growth of the Integrated Resorts and casino market in Asia over the past 10 years and its continued expansion will have an impact on established casino markets in the region, including Australia, Mauritius and Macau have led the way with the development of integrated casino resorts. These developments have come during a period when both Asian economies and the Asian tourism market have grown significantly since 1999, with further growth in both expected into the future. Integrated resorts can be viewed as an attempt to provide a carefully planned, controlled and well defined tourism product (Wall, 1997, p. 715) Macau became the largest casino and Integrated Resorts market in the world, growing from US$2bn 1999 to US$14bn by endà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 2008. The sole casino operator in Malaysia, Resorts World, grew revenues from Au $1bn to in excess of Au $2bn by 2007. These integrated resorts have similarities with the resort pioneered by Genting in Malaysia, with meetings, incentives conventions and exhibitions (MICE) facilities, restaurants and entertainment venues, sitting alongside gambling facilities. However, the sheer size and number of these resorts have eclipsed those in most other parts of the world. (Harry. A Laurie. K, 2009) Singapore having problems to attract tourist and there was big decline in the tourism industry in the year 2008-09 so Singapore decided to have the two Integrated Resorts in order to race with the other Resorts in the Asia as they were behind in the chase as the other nations were attracting plenty of tourist and the economy of the country is booming like Mauritius, Macau, and Crown Melbourne. Based on the research objectives, the researcher will provide relevant concepts in the review of current literature in this chapter. Growth in Asia since 1999 and the countries enjoying the benefits of the Integrated Resorts by economic boost to the country, better job opportunities to the people, and improve the tourism of the country. Singapore catches up with the mastermind race. Revitalize Singapore Tourism (Andrew. M and William R, 2008) The visitor arrivals to Singapore started to decline from June 2008 coinciding with the economic downturn. September/October saw a slight pickup in arrivals due to the 2008 FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix. As a result, Singapore ended the year with a marginal decline of 1.6% in arrivals to reach a total of 10.1 million visitor arrivals. Visitor arrivals to Singapore fell by 4.5% year-on-year in July 2009 to reach 881,000 visitors. Visitors days were estimated at 4.6% million days, year-on-year decrease of 11.6% in comparison of July 2008 (923,000) The decline in tourism is certainly a concern for Singapore and the solution is to revitalize Singapores tourism and create a unique Singapore niche. There is little point in selling Singapore as a country rich in heritage and culture; rather, the Integrated Resorts will market the modern entertainment, vibrant city life, and a constantly changing environment Singapore can best call her own (Singapore Tourism Board, 2009). Figure 1 Decline in tourism in 2008C:UsersDickeyDesktopSingapore factsdrop in numbers.png Source: Singapore Tourism Board, 2010 Arrivals to Singapore dropped by some 4% in 2009, to 9.7mn. An extremely strong performance in the second half of the year was not quite enough to offset the poor start to the year experienced by the tourism industry. Tourism revenue totaled an estimated SGD12.4bn for the year, according to figures released by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in February 2010. This represented a decline of 19%, as tourists spent less while in country. Although 2009 was difficult for the Singaporean tourism industry, there are reasons to be positive about the outlook for 2010 as the global economy recovers. In particular, the opening of the two integrated resorts, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, help the island attract new tourists (STB, 2010) Integrated Resort developments at the present time might cost US$4 billion or more, and include facilities and amenities that create virtual cities of entertainment. These new style resorts also change the landscape around them by spurring complementary developments and even enhancing the interest amongst some to have residences in close by to them. Thus they can become substantial hubs of economic activity, catalysts and improve tourism (Andrew. M and William R, 2008) Perhaps the most significant economic impact from the development of an Integrated Resort is tourist impact. An Integrated Resorts located in a capital city such as Singapore or Melbourne, IR can generate significant visitor numbers sometimes exceeding ten million per annum (implying an average of upwards of 30,000 visitors per day.) Depending on location and the actual type and range of facilities offered, this may well result in millions of additional tourists visiting the region, resulting in incremental spend in the local communities as these visitors take tours, eat in local restaurants and stay at local accommodations (outside the IR) and spend time and money outside the Integrated Resort. At Genting Highlands in Malaysia, for example, it is estimated that approximately three million people visit the country annually specifically to visit the Resort. This represents around fifteen percent of total international visitors to Malaysia (Andrew. M William. R, 2008) International visitor arrivals to Singapore registered 16.2% growth to reach 1,055,000 in January 2011. This is the highest ever recorded IVA for the month of January. Visitor days were estimated at 4.1 million days, a year-on-year growth of 13.3% and arrivals to Singapore have been on an upwards trend throughout 2010 so far. In April, the city-state welcomed 978,339 visitors, a record for the month and a 20% increase on April 2009. Cumulative arrivals for the first four months of 2010 came to 3.63mn. This strong performance reflects the improving global economic environment, as well as the positive impact of Singapores new integrated resorts. Business Monitor International ltd says both resorts will do much too significantly revitalize Singapores tourism industry from 2010, as they offer a wide range of entertainment aimed at complementary markets. Figure 2 Visitors arrival 2009/10/11 C:UsersDickeyDesktopSnag itVisitordec 07,dec08.png Source: STB 2010 The socio economic impact of Singapore Integrated Resorts have really revitalized the tourism sector of Singapore as shown in the figure above and the tourism industry has grown rapidly as there are a lot of visitors coming to Singapore to check out the new Integrated Resorts, leisure and recreation purpose. Based on the experience of Las Vegas, when dealing with a true Integrated Resort, it is possible that only about half of the total revenue generated will come from casino operations. The remainder will be driven largely by people staying in the hotels, attending conferences, conventions, events, or theme park activities. The general attractiveness of the venue and its supporting infrastructure, much of the non-gaming spend at the IR will be derived from people visiting from outside of the local area and local people, this will support the direct new investment to the Integrated Resorts and Singapore Integrated Resorts have those same components as the other IR have and the Singapore tourism industry is growing rapidly as the Integrated Resorts are attracting lots of visitors from different countries (Andrew. M and William R, 2008) Singapores tourism offering is being radically altered by the opening of the two new integrated resorts, the SGD 6.6bn Resorts World Sentosa operated by Genting International and the SGD7.6bn Marina Bay Sands operated by Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Resorts World is aimed more at a family audience, with attractions including theme parks and an oceanarium, while Marina Bay Sands is aimed more at the business travel and MICE market, with conference facilities and shopping area, both has casino. (STB, 2010) The Integrated Resorts brings in entertainment and conventions, hospitality and retail outlets, which will help to increase the demand for hotel services, greater patronage at restaurants and heightened convention and exhibition activities. Singapore had rapid hotel growth and development over the past two years with the openings of The St. Regis Singapore (April 2008), Capella Singapore (March 2009), Integrated Resorts and the Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore. The hotels are doing very good business as their occupancy rate has really grown up and they are performing well. The new hotel openings come at a time when visitor arrivals numbers to Singapore are seeing an increase. The destination saw visitor arrival numbers increase by 30.3 percent to 946,000 visitors total in May 2010, compared to the same period last year, which saw 726,000 visitor arrivals. May marked the sixth consecutive month during which Singapore saw record tourism arrival numbers. The country expects to reach its go al of at least 11.5 million total visitor arrivals by the end of 2010 (Travel Age West, 2010) Average Occupancy Rate (AOR) posted a 5.2 percentage point increase over September 2009 to reach 82% in September 2010. (STB, 2010) At the end of 2008, Singapore had 39,289 hotel rooms. In 2009, average occupancy rate (AOR) was 79%, a drop from 81% in 2008. The average room rate (ARR) for the year was estimated by the STB to be SGD191, a 22.3% decline. This reflected the more challenging operating environment for hotel companies during 2009. In April 2010, AOR stood at 85% for the month, an increase of 15 percentages. In 2010, the integrated resorts at Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands added 4,400 rooms to Singapores supply. Four of these hotels are already open. In 2009, several major new hotels opened, including the 300-room St Regis Singapore, the 121-roomAmara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa and The Boutique Hotel Tiong Bahru. In mid-2010, Australias StayWell Hospitality Group is to open the 200-room Park Regis Singapore (STB, 2010). In April 2010, AOR stood at 85% for the month, an increase of 15 percentage points. ARR was estimated by The STB to be SGD211, up by 12.2%. Figure 4 Hotels average occupancy 2009/10/11C:UsersDickeyDesktopSingapore factshotel occupancy in 2010.png C:UsersDickeyDesktopSingapore factshotel arr.png STB 2010 Figure 5 Average Room Rate 2009/2010/2011 Average Room Rate (ARR3) increased by 13.1% over September 2009 to reach an estimate of S$233 in September 2010. Average Occupancy Rate (AOR2) posted a 1.0 percentage point increase over January 2010 to reach 82% in January 2011 2.2 Boost Singapore Economy (R. Nunkoo and H. Ramkissoon, 2010) When Singapore decided to establish two Integrated Resorts in the City-State, did so on the basis of the potential visitor impacts and boost Singapores economy as well as its image. Singapores goal was to triple its tourist numbers over a period of twelve years and to more than triple the resulting economic impact by attracting higher spending and thus higher value visitors to that country. When they open in 2010 or 2011, the two IRs will be critical in achieving that objective and will likely contribute more than fifty percent to Singapores long term goal by 2015 Singapore is on the right track by opening the two Integrated Resorts which will boost the Singapore economy. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) had earlier forecast the Singapore economy to grow between 7.0 and 9.0 per cent this year. Singapore today doubled its economic growth forecast for 2010, expecting it to expand between 13.0 to 15.0 per cent following a better economic performance in the first quarter. (Bernama Malaysian National News Agency, 2010) As we have seen in the recent years that Macau has experienced an unprecedented level of economic success of its gambling monopoly. It has created an environment where casinoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ driven tourist investment projects attract industry leaders, while tourist, hotel guest numbers and revenues have grown with the opening of new integrated resorts. Macaus location is next to a rising and booming Chinese economy. As well as in recent years Mauritius has experienced a rapid increase in integrated resort developments, which have been intended to secure income from new tourism segments and to boost the economy. (Robin.N Haywantee. R, 2010) Singapore is also having such an Integrated development so the Integrated Resorts of Singapore are going to boost the economy as well. This success of Macau and Mauritius has not gone unnoticed, Singapore has followed the footsteps as well and having the Integrated Resorts which will for sure help to boost the economy of Singapore Perhaps the most notable move that illustrates this shift is Singapore. Traditionally conservative, in April 2005 it made the decision to attempt to emulate the success of Macau which has helped them to boost the Singapore economy by the help of the Integrated Resorts. However, in lateà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 2004, the Singapore government changed its policy stance in a move inspired by the incredible growth of Macau, the continued success of Genting Highlands and the phenomenal rise of tourism in Asia (Harry. A Laurie. K, 2009) There has been a great change from the over the past century. Governments and developers around the world have caught on the race to mastermind, create and develop Integrated Resorts and Entertainment which creates positive value propositions and potential growth to the countrys image and economic strength of Singapore. Between 1993 and 2002, tourisms contribution to GDP dropped from 6.1% to 3%, and our share of the Asia Pacific tourist flow fell from 8% in 1998 to 6% in 2002. Figure 6: Assessing the Economic Impacts Integrated Resort: Assessing the Economic Impacts Total Revenue of about $ 270 million, of which $212 million are derived from gaming activates Contribution to GDP of about $500 million, which is 0.4 of Singapores 2003 GDP Source: Forecast by Assoc Prof Winston Koh, Singapore Management University 2010 The positive annual impact from Integrated Resort developments can indeed be substantial. Estimating the economic potential of these IRs will depend on the unique situations established within each locale and legal situation. However, it is often the case that such developments can become the most significant that any locale will have seen from a single activity. Marina Bay Sands opened its first phase of development in April 2010, offering 963 out of its total of 2,560 hotel rooms, as well as opening part of its shopping mall, restaurants and convention centre. The grand opening for the resort took place in June. BMI believes both resorts will do much too significantly boost Singapores tourism industry from 2010, as they offer a wide range of entertainment aimed at complementary markets. Government projections have estimated that each resort could contribute SGD2.7bn to Singaporean GDP by 2015. Singapores two integrated resorts are a major boost to the countrys economy, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The Prime Minister said he is glad that visitors are generally happy with the IRs as such attractions make the economy more vibrant and the city more colorful. He added that the IRs have created buzz and both were packed with visitors on their opening days, creating many jobs in the hospitality and tourism sector. According to media reports, nearly 200 bus loads of Malaysian tourists a day are visiting the IRs. (Channel News Asia, 2010) Singapores growth accelerated to a record 18.1 percent pace in the first half of 2010, spurring the currency and putting the island on course to overtake China as Asias fastest-growing economy this year. Gross domestic product expanded at a 26 percent annualized pace in the second quarter from the previous three months, after a revised 45.9 percent gain in January to March, the trade ministry said today. Growth in the first half was the fastest since records began in 1975, prompting the government to predict GDP will rise 13 percent to 15 percent in 2010. (Bloomberg, 2010) Figure 7 Singapore GDP Growth rates 2007/2010C:UsersDickeyDesktopSingapore facts11-10-2010 1-48-36 PM.png Source: Trading Economics (2010) This will put Singapore on track to possibly becoming the worlds fastest growing economy, surpassing even China. On an annualized and seasonally adjusted basis, Singapore economy expanded 26.0 per cent in the April-June period (Channel news Asia, 2010). The two Integrated Resorts are now reflected in the GDP data contribution as integrated resorts have contributed SGD 470 million to the economy in the first year. Figure 7 and 8 Contribution of Integrated Resorts theC:UsersDickeyDesktopSingapore facts12-19-2010 4-53-26 PM.png C:UsersDickeyDesktopSingapore facts12-19-2010 4-54-59 PM.png Source: DBS treasures 2010 Contributions derived from the GDP statistics reflect only the direct impact of the IRs. The overall economic gains to the economy are likely to be significantly larger if the spinoffs to other industries are taken into account. (Dow Jones International News, 2010). Singapore economy will need to create as many as 130,000 jobs next year if the latest economic growth forecast is to be met, economists said. Most of these jobs are set to come from the service sector, although there is likely to be broad-based job creation across most industries, said human resource experts and companies. The two integrated resorts are leading the hiring charge. They look set to continue hiring rank-and-file service staff for restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions in the next two to three years. (Aaron, 2010) Job creation (Andriotis and Konstantinos, 2008) Integrated Resorts being constructed with a development involving capital in the billions of US dollars there are going to be a number of wide ranging economic benefits and multiplier effects accruing to the region of Singapore. The first round comes from the construction contracts and the related employment opportunities for the local people (Andrew. M William. R, 2008) Integrated Resort is generating the greatest flow of economic benefits. Integrated Resorts tend to be labour intensive, requiring large numbers of staff to service the various facilities and activities on offer to customers and guests in the Integrated Resorts such as in hotels, restaurants, shopping center and gaming components Casinos. This number can exceed ten thousand direct full time equivalent employees, depending on prevailing wage rates and other factors. The casino in particular can be a major contributor to employment with anywhere from five to seven employees per table game. In Asia particularly where table games are the most popular form of casino entertainment an IR casino might have five hundred or more table games with thirty five hundred or more staff just in that department (Andrew. M William. R, 2008) The diversity of job opportunities within an Integrated Resort can be very tremendous. However, an IR should be viewed as a small township with a multitude of roles required to maintain its operation. It is not unusual for there to be one to two hundred different positions within the entire complex. Direct employment of this magnitude induces a multiplier effect in the local community with additional jobs created to service the employees of the IR. Depending on the extent of economic development in the region, the increase in jobs and incomes deriving from employment at the Integrated Resort can be very large indeed. An employment multiplier of 1.5, for example, would result in an additional five hundred jobs for every thousand full time jobs created within an Integrated Resort. This sort of impact on a local community job creation can be of great significance and should not be underestimated. (Andrew. M William. R, 2008) The Integrated Resorts industry the IRs has been projected to create at least 35,000 jobs and greatly increase household revenue. Many governments have encouraged integrated resort development in an attempt to improve the well-being of the local population by generating jobs and increasing income, and because of the easier control of tourism activities within their boundaries. However, as found jobs offered by the Integrated Resorts are more desirable than local jobs due to higher pay. (Andriotis and Konstantinos, 2008) Singapore job market soared towards the end of last year, causing a plunge in unemployment and a sharp rise in the employment of local workers. The jobless rate among residents, who include citizens and permanent residents, fell from 5 per cent last September to 3 per cent in December, which meant about 61,400 people being out of work. This drop is the steepest three-month decline in a decade, according to preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) yesterday. Accelerated hiring for the year-end festivities and by the two integrated resorts (IRs) made for the improvement. (Straits Times, 2010) The Integrated Resorts have helped to reduce unemployment, but full potential of IR effect not seen yet Singapore decision to allow integrated resorts (IRs) with casinos to be built here has changed this country for ever and it is already reaping the benefits. The IRs began hiring well before the opening of the properties; they clearly had a strong role to play in pushing down unemployment to 2.1 per cent, says Leong Wai Ho, an economist with Barclays Capital. The economic landscape in the Singapore is changing very rapidly making it imperative for Singapore to adapt to an increasingly competitive environment not just to expand its tourism share, but to keep on target of being the ultimate Global City of Asia. Given the huge investment in the Integrated Resorts projects, integrated resorts will deliver significant economic benefits for local companies and businesses in order for the gains to be equitably shared by Singapore society. The key here is how to profit from the expected influx of tourists, and make the most of the opportunities brought about by job creation and benefit to the local people of Singapore (Business Times, 2010) Singapore has seen the neighbor and not gone unnoticed as The Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne, Australia is an example of an Integrated Resort casino opened in 1997 that was one of the largest single site job creators in the Southern Hemisphere. (The case for Integrated Resorts, 2010) Singapore, when it decided to establish two Integrated Resorts in the City-State, did on the basis of the potential visitor impacts and the positive effects they would have on Singapores economy as well as its image. Singapores goal was to triple its tourist numbers over a period of twelve years and to more than triple the resulting economic impact by attracting higher spending and thus higher value visitors to that country. Integrated Resorts will be critical in achieving that objective and will likely contribute more than fifty percent to Singapores long term goal by 2015. (The case for Integrated Resorts, 2010) As illustrated in Labour Force Survey the unemployment rate shows a downward trend due to the improving economic conditions over the past few years, from 2003 to 2008. For the year 2007, the strong economic recovery has helped to ease the unemployment rate to less than 2%. Total employment increased by 9.6% in the fourth quarter, December 2007, growing for the fourth consecutive quarter and at an increasing pace due to

Theme of Carpe Diem in A Fine, a Private Place by Ackerman and To His C

The words carpe diem mean â€Å"seize the day† in Latin. It is a theme that has been used throughout the history of literature and has been a popular philosophy in teaching from the times of Socrates and Plato up to the modern English classroom. Carpe diem says to us that life isn’t something we have forever, and every passing moment is another opportunity to make the most out of the few precious years that we have left. In the poems â€Å"A Fine, a Private Place† by Diane Ackerman and â€Å"To His Coy Mistress† by Andrew Marvell, carpe diem is the underlying theme that ties them together, yet there are still a few key differences throughout each of these two poems that shows two very different perspectives on how one goes about seizing their day. The first poem by Ackerman is about two lovers who find their own special place to make love: under water. The writer describes the captured moment over four stanzas of the undersea world, describing physical attributes and actions with marine life. The woman in the poem is described as â€Å"his sea-geisha / in an orange kimono / of belts and vests, / her lacquered hair waving† (Lines 24-27) and the man with â€Å"his sandy hair / and sea-blue eyes, his kelp thin waist / and chest ribbed wider / than a sandbar / where muscles domed / clear and taunt as shells† (Lines 34-40) Ackerman’s poem has a feeling of tranquility and patience, capturing the moment and enhancing it to its fullest extent. She portrays sex as a beautiful act, saying â€Å"he pum...

A Case Study of a Colloid Cyst :: Medical Tumors Cancer Essays

A Case Study of a Colloid Cyst Colloid cysts in the third ventricle of are very rare intracranial benign tumors. The cysts are located deep inside which makes treatment of the tumor very difficult. It takes a team of skilled professionals to treat patient with these kinds of cysts. The two people that I will be focusing on are the Neurologist and the Neurosurgeon even though there are whole teams of people that specialize in neurosurgery and that see to the patients care pre and post operation. The Role of the Neurologist: The role of the Neurologist is to diagnose and come up with a plan of action for the patient, depending on what is wrong with the patient. The Neurologist can order test for the patient to see what is wrong and what needs to be done. These tests can include but are not limited to blood test, CT scan, or MRI scan. The Neurologist works with the Neurosurgeon and instructs him or her on what to do during the surgery. Patient can get referred to Neurologist for many reasons but most often the patient symptoms are intracranial pressure (headaches) and/ or dizzy spells. Common signs of a colloid cyst are short-term memory interruptions and papilledema. Papilledema is swelling of the optic disk where the optic nerve enters the eyeball. The optic nerve is responsible for carrying virtual impulses to the brain. Based on the symptoms of the patient the neurologist will order test to find out what is going on. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one way of diagnosing. Most of the brain and central nervous system problems are diagnosed through the use of a MRI. MRI creates an image using nuclear magnetic resonance and is possible because the human body is filled with small biological magnets. (See figure 1, normal brain during MRI) In the case of the patient he never saw a neurologist because his colloid cyst was found during a routine CAT scan following his accident. However the patient was suffering from dizzy spells prior to surgery. For patients with a colloid cyst the most common plan of action is surgery, which is preformed about 93% of the time. The two method used most often are Transcallosal and transcortialtransventricular. Out of the 105 patients in the

Poem Analysis “Out, Out”

Poem Analysis: â€Å"Out, Out-† In the poem, â€Å"Out, Out-â€Å", author Robert Frost starts off his poem by giving an inanimate object, the buzzsaw, a sense of life. Using the literary device, Personification, the buzz saw is being written with characteristics a curious and rather playful child. The buzzsaw acts like once hears the young man’s mother call for supper time, that it wants to eat, so eats the young man’s hand. The buzzsaw takes (Cuts Off) the hand in a rather subtle demeanor, but in truth, it would be a very graphic to behold.Throughout the poem, everything is written in a peaceful and quite tone, even during the violent and gruesome ones to. To add to the fact of the buzzsaw is being personified in the story, the buzzsaw seems to only attack when the mother calls all for supper. The buzzsaw acts like it knows what the meaning of supper time is. Another literary device used in this poem is the process of along with the use of otomotapia(s).Using repetition first to deliver emphasis to the reader of the sounds that buzzsaw would be making, and then the actual sound being written/sounded out in an otomotapia base. The otomotapia in the story would be the grinding sounds made the buzzsaw ripping the through the poor young man’s arm. This quote from the story pretty much sums all that I describe above; â€Å"The saw snarled and rattled, snarled and rattled†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and it continues about three more times over and over.The use of the sound effects gives the once playful buzzsaw a more animalistic approach, making it seem like it is hungry after hearing the key word â€Å"supper†. To conclude, the literary devices used in Robert Frost’s poem are mostly to emphasis and give life to once lifeless piece of machinery. The story, rather bloody and saddening, is a well written example of poetry and depth behind each and every letter/word. The analysis is still to be assessed, but this all gives basic underst anding as to what meant behind his more obvious literary devices.

In what ways do poets portray the exprience of war in ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ and in ‘For the Fallen’ Essay

Laurence Binyon wrote ‘ For the Fallen’ in 1914, at the beginning of the Great War, while Wilfred Owen composed his ‘ Dulce et Decorum Est’ in 1917-18, by the end of the conflict. This difference in time means that there might be inconsistencies in the portrayal of the war, due to the changing perspectives of the fighting, which in turn would provoke irregularities in the purpose, style and nature of the two poems. In ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’, Owen tries to prove us that war has no mighty purpose behind it and that it is just a waste of lives. He describes one soldier dying with verbs such as ‘guttering, choking, drowning’ and gives an account of the blood which came ‘gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs’. This strikingly visceral portrayal of loss of life suggests that he sees nothing spiritual or divine in the sacrifices that the soldiers make for their country. He prefers to depict the experience of the war as true and cruel as it is in reality without sparing the reader. In the poem we are informed about two deaths. The first is due to harsh conditions, when some soldiers ‘dropped behind’, while the second is caused by lethal gas that one of the soldier inhales. In both of these cases, the young men’s deaths didn’t contribute in any way to the protection of their country and they weren’t even fighting when they passed away. This suggests that war is just a waste of human life which won’t secure England’s peace. In ‘For the Fallen’, Binyon tells us that the soldiers have ‘fallen in the cause of the free’, thus suggesting that they try to make the world a better place, that they fight for something good. This gives war a mighty purpose and to the deaths meaning. This idea of ‘for the greater good’ is further highlighted in the phrase ‘a glory that shines upon our tears’, which conveys the idea that the sacrifices of the soldiers contribute to the welfare of society and that’s why everybody should be proud of those who are fighting. It is clear that the two poems depict the meaning and purpose of the war very differently. While Owen indicates that war is a meaningless and cruel waste, Binyon tries to cast a better light upon the deaths of the soldiers, giving their sacrifices a higher significance and thus implying that war – with all its faults – is for the greater good. In Owen’s poem the soldiers going to the fight are ‘like old beggars under sacks’, ‘coughing like hags’ ‘blood shot’ and ‘drunk with fatigue’. ‘Many had lost their boots’, implying that they cannot face the harsh conditions of the war and that they are even unable to look after their essential belongings. The description of bootless ‘beggars’ is humiliating, while their tiredness and the hag simile suggests that there are lethargic and hopeless. Their physical appearance isn’t attractive either. All these depict the soldiers as tired, old and humiliated men who are unable to face life and are completely incompetent in war. However, in Binyon’s version the soldiers ‘went with songs to the battle’, suggesting their fearlessness and gaiety. ‘They were young, straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow’. This phrase conveys an admiration for the almost divine soldiers who seem to be the incarnation of some hero from a child’s tale – powerful, handsome and determined men who save the world. This image of glorious warriors seems to be taken out of a happy-end story – rather than the realism – to satisfy the audience. Once again the dissimilarity between the two accounts is obvious. Owen sticks to the merciless truth, while Binyon sees something beyond the harsh experience of the war. Actually, he seems to use the brutality of the fighting and the deaths to emphasise the greatness and divinity of the soldiers. In ‘Dulce et decorum Est’ soldiers die either to the harsh conditions of the war, or due to poisonous gas. The soldier who experienced the later, plunges at the nearest men choking and drowning – an image of a helpless, suffering person. Unlike the soldiers in Owen’s poem, in ‘For the Fallen’, the fighters ‘fell with their faces to the foe’, – not to their companions – in the middle of the battle, fearless and brave. The determination which they seem to possess suggests that they believe that their deaths have a higher purpose. This encourages the reader and the mourning families to have faith that their loved ones’ lives weren’t wasted, but contrarily represented a salvage for humanity. It seems that the greatest difference between the two poems lies in the way they portray death and their significance. In ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ the dying soldier’s face is ‘like a devil’s sick of sin’ with ‘writhing eyes’. The phrase implies that the soldiers committed the greatest sins, most probably killing, which this altered the way they viewed life forever. They seem to be ‘sick’ not only of the war, but of the persons in which the war transformed them, into devils. The ‘writhing eyes’ suggests the violent ending that they had, and it possibly implies that they never found peace. The mention of the devil together with this, insinuates that they will never go to heaven, but rather to hell. The phrase ‘incurable sores on innocent tongues’ further emphasises the idea that the experience of the war severely damaged their character in a negative and irredeemable way. ‘Incurable sores’ implies that the greatest wounds were not physical, but psychological, and this might be the reason why they will never find peace, not even the moment they die. In ‘For the Fallen’ death is ‘august and royal’, thus dignified and splendid, something rather positive and good. This is because the sacrificed soldiers’ songs go to up ‘into immortal spheres’, suggesting the place where the dead soldiers found peace. This idea is repeated throughout the whole poem. The phrase ‘they shall not grow old, as we that are left to grow old’ implies that the deceased soldiers are divine, angelic and eternal beings. Due to their valiant death, their gift is that of eternity, as if their vibrant, determined and brave souls were immortalised, and thus they will be forever young, forever in the best of their condition. The deceased soldier’s march in the ‘heavenly plains’ is ‘as the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness’. ‘Heavenly’ and ‘stars’ suggest that the divine fighters will always light upon the mortal humans, guiding and pr otecting them. ‘Time of our darkness’ refers to the war, and how young men, in the hardest periods of their life, left their homes to save their loved ones, as they will always do from heaven. Binyon sees a continuation of life after death, and that’s why the choice of the word ‘fallen’ in the title, because the sacrificed young men never die. Contrarily, they seem to receive a better, divine existence, incomparable to that of their living fellows. This idea might very well surprise Owen, who suggests that the experience of the war turned the innocent soldiers into devils, who will never find peace in heaven, but will burn in hell – thus the violent death of the soldier and the ‘obscene cancer’ which infects him. The differences between the portrayals of the experience of war in the two poems in striking. Binyon’s account is patriotic one, which glorifies the fallen soldiers and gives meaning and divinity to their deaths. However, considering the time when it was written – at the beginning of the Great War – we can get a better understanding of the poet’s reasons for such an idyllic portrayal of the fighting. At the start of it, the government needed to make the idea of warfare an appealing one in order to have young men risking their lives in the battle . Thus the attractive and heroic depiction of the combating soldiers. At the same time, the poem tries to soothe the mourning families, and this explains the almost holly aura that encircles the deaths on the front. However, as time went on, people got tired of the war and the increasing number of deaths. Soldiers returning from the battle spread the world about appalling conditions and cruel, meaningless deaths. O wen, who wrote the poem by the end of the conflict, seems to be well informed about the direct experience of the war and at the same time he is aware of the patriotic and idyllic accounts that existed at the beginning of the fighting. This explains the angry, visceral and meaningless deaths which he depicts in his poem, almost as if he was angry about people lying and making war seem a worthy, purposeful thing. And indeed, his poem ends with a call to other people not to ‘tell with such high zest/To children ardent for some glory, / the old Lie: Dulce et decorum est/ Pro patria mori (It is sweet, and honourable to die for one’s country). Owen wrote as an answer to other poems such as Binyon’s which glorify the experience of war, and this is why he chose the title ‘Dulce et decorum est’, to arise the memory of the patriotic accounts from the beginning of the war, and then throughout his poem to shatter ‘the old Lie’. He personifies this lie with the capital letter, making it seem as a destructive, evil person. This is the reason why Owen sticks to visceral descriptions – he prefers not to spare the reader, because he believes that the Lie is even crueller than th e merciless reality of the war.

Smart Phone

Smartphone Security Survey of U. S. consumers Sponsored by AVG Technologies Independently conducted by Ponemon Institute LLC Publication Date: March 2011 Ponemon Institute © Research Report Smartphone Security Survey of U. S. Consumers Ponemon Institute, March 2011 Part 1. Introduction Ponemon Institute is pleased to present the findings of the Smartphone Security Survey: A Study of U. S. Consumers sponsored by AVG Technologies. The goal of the research is to determine consumers’ perceptions about the potential privacy and security risks when using their smartphones.In addition, we wanted to learn if participants in our study care about these risks and if they take security precautions. We surveyed 734 consumers who are 18 years and older and own a smartphone. The risks that we address in our survey concern location tracking, transmission of confidential payment without the user’s knowledge or consent, diallerware (specialized malware unique to smartphones), spyware, viruses from insecure WiFi networks and others. What we learned is that most of the consumers in our study are using their smartphones without understanding that they are exposing their sensitive information to the risks listed above.We also believe the findings of this study signal a potential security risk for organizations because so many consumers surveyed use their smartphones for both business and personal use. With business confidential information stored on these smartphones, organizations should make sure employees and contractors take appropriate precautions to secure such sensitive information. We also recommend that security policies state these precautions and ensure they are enforced. Following are the most salient research highlights: ?Eighty-four percent use the same smartphone for both business and personal purposes. The cross over of business and personal usage means much more sensitive and confidential data is at risk and suggests that the smartphone is with them most of the time. Sixty-six percent admit they keep a moderate or significant amount of personal data on their smartphones. Such personal data include email address, name, contact lists, photos, videos, anniversary and personal dates, music, Sixty-seven percent of consumers surveyed say they are concerned about receiving marketing ads and promotions.However, less than half (44 percent) are concerned about having a virus attack on their smartphone when it is connected to an insecure Internet network. In addition to using it as a phone, 89 percent use their smartphone for personal email and 82 percent use it for business email. A smaller percentage of consumers use their smartphones for financial transactions including payments. In fact, 38 percent of consumers use the smartphone to make payments and 14 percent use it for banking. Sixty-six percent of consumers have paid at least once for an item using their smartphone.In addition, 12 percent of consumers say they have experienced a f raud attempt vis-a-vis a mobile payment scheme. Despite this fact, only six percent say they check their mobile bill or statement every month and eight percent check the statement when the bill is higher than usual. Fifty-eight percent of consumers say that based on how they used the smartphone for purchases, Internet browsing and location they were targeted by marketers. Accordingly, 67 percent say they are very concerned or concerned about aggressive or abusive marketing practices. ? ? ? ? ? Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 1 ?Despite security risks, less than half of consumers use keypad locks or passwords to secure their smartphones. In addition, only 29 percent of consumers said they have considered installing an anti-virus product to protect their smartphone. Forty-two percent of consumers who use social networking apps say they allow smartphone versions of well-known social networking applications such as Facebook to access the same key chains, passwords and log-ins that they use of their desktops, laptops or tablet. Only 10 percent of consumers say they turn off Bluetooth â€Å"discoverable† status on their smartphone when not in use. ? ?Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 2 Part 2. Key Findings In this report we have organized the findings from the study according to the following topics: Consumers’ use of smartphones, consumers’ awareness about the security risks that accompany their use of smartphones, scenarios that illustrate potential smartphone security risks and how consumers are or are not managing these risks. Consumers’ use of smartphones Most consumers use their smartphone for both business and personal use. Forty percent use their smartphone for business and personal use equally and 25 percent use it for personal but some business use (Bar Chart 1).Only 6 percent of consumers surveyed use their smartphone exclusively for business. Bar Chart 1. What best describes your smartphone use? Both busine ss and personal use equally 40% Mostly personal but some business use 25% Personal use only 16% Mostly business but some personal use 13% Business use only 0% 5% 6% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% Despite using the Smartphone for personal use, 34 percent say their employer purchased the smartphone and pays all monthly charges. As shown in Bar Chart 2, 35 percent say they purchased it without any reimbursement.Bar Chart 2: Who purchased your smartphone and who pays the monthly service fee? I purchased it without any reimbursement from my employer My employer purchased it and pays monthly charges I purchased it and my employer provided some reimbursement I purchased it and my employer pays monthly charges My employer purchased it and I pay monthly charges 0% 5% 13% 35% 34% 10% 8% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 3 Smartphones can perform a wide range of tasks. However, the most popular use next to the phone is business and personal emailing.The mo st popular smartphone uses are checking both personal and business email, using it as an address book, texting, Internet browsing, storing or moving data, obtaining and viewing documents, as a calendar and listening to music (Bar Chart 3). Least popular are banking, travel assistance and video conferencing. (For a complete list of tasks, please see Q. 24 in the Appendix to this paper. ) We suggest this finding may indicate why many in our study are not concerned about the security risks. Because consumers believe its primary use is as a phone or to email they may think (incorrectly) that there are negligible security or privacy risks.Bar Chart 3: Tasks that consumers do on their smartphone Phone Personal email Business email Address book Texting Store or move data Internet browsing Obtain documents Calendar View documents Listen to music Schedule tasks Shop Camera Social networking 0% 20% 100% 89% 82% 57% 54% 53% 53% 52% 51% 51% 50% 48% 44% 42% 40% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% As reported in Bar Chart 4, 66 percent have paid for an item via their smartphone once, irregularly (once every two months) or regularly (maybe once a month). Fifty-one percent were surprised that they were charged for a service of product they signed up for.Bar Chart 4: Key questions about smartphone use Each bar defines the percentage yes response Did you ever pay for an item via the mobile phone? Did you every sign-up for a service or product on a mobile without realizing that there would be a cost? Have you ever signed a terms and conditions request on your mobile phone? 66% 51% 46% Have you ever been the victim of mobile payments fraud? 0% 10% 12% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 4 Consumers store confidential information on their smartphones. Sixty-six percent (40+26) of consumers store a moderate or a significant amount of personal data.Bar Chart 5 shows that only 11 percent say they do not store personal data on their smartphone. Bar Chart 5: How much p ersonal data do you store on your smartphone? 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% A moderate amount of A significant amount of personal data personal data A small amount of personal data None 11% 26% 23% 40% As shown in Bar Chart 6, data most often stored on smartphones include email addresses, names, contact lists, photos, anniversary and other personal dates and location. Consumers are less likely to store planned future purchases, purchase history, health data and security test questions (see Q. 3 in the Appendix for the complete list). Bar Chart 6: What kinds of data do you store on your smartphone? Email address Name Contact lists Photos Anniversary & personal dates Location Music Home address Confidential business documents Date of birth Gender Credit or debit card numbers Videos Passwords 0% 20% 97% 85% 69% 59% 53% 52% 47% 40% 37% 33% 32% 29% 25% 23% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 5 Many consumers surveyed have used email and text to sign u p for services or products without realizing they would be charged.As noted previously in Bar Chart 4, 51 percent made what they thought was a free service and later found out they were charged for it. Bar Chart 7 shows most of these purchases were made by consumers using email (46 percent), text message (34 percent) and website (31 percent). Bar Chart 7: The methods used to sign-up for services or products on your smartphone 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Email Text message Website Other 12% 34% 31% 46% Despite these unexpected charges, Bar Chart 8 shows consumers surveyed rarely check their bills for unusual or unidentified payments.Only six percent check their bills every month and eight percent check their bills only if it is higher than usual. Fifty-two percent never check their smartphone bills. Bar Chart 8: Do you check your mobile bill or statement for unidentified charges? 60% 52% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Never Yes, occasionally Yes, but only if the bill is higher than usual Yes, I check it every month 8% 6% 34% As previously noted in Bar Chart 4, the majority of consumers (78 percent) say they have not experienced any mobile payments fraud. Twelve percent say they have experienced such fraud and 10 percent are not certain. Ponemon Institute © Research ReportPage 6 Consumers’ awareness about the security risks that accompany their use of smartphones Marketing messages—not privacy and security risks—worry consumers. While the majority of consumers do not feel their private information is at risk or that their smartphone will be hacked (56 percent and 58 percent, respectively), they do worry about receiving unwanted marketing messages. A shown in Bar Chart 9, consumers also worry about being tracked when using their smartphone (64 percent). Bar Chart 9: Attributions about privacy and security risks The agree response is a combination of strongly agree and agree.The disagree response is the sum of unsure, disagree and stro ngly disagree. I worry more about the security of my desktop or laptop computer than my smartphone. When downloading software to my smartphone I do not always check to see if the app is from a trustworthy source. I do not worry that a hacker will attack my smartphone. I do not feel my private information or privacy is at risk when I use my smartphone. I do not worry about losing my smartphone while traveling. I do not worry about being tracked when using my smartphone. I do not worry about receiving marketing messages on my smartphone. 5% 35% 62% 38% 58% 42% 56% 44% 50% 50% 36% 64% 33% 67% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%100% Agree Disagree They also worry more about the security of their desktop and laptop computers than the security of their smartphone. Because of these perceptions about the security of the smartphone, they are not likely to check to see if an application comes from a trustworthy source before downloading it. Scenarios concerning smartphone risks In the surv ey, we asked consumers to respond to eleven scenarios illustrating a range of security issues and risks.Specifically, they were asked if they are aware that what is described in the scenario could happen to them, if they are aware that they experienced what was described in the scenario and what was their level of concern. Following are the 11 scenarios: 1. Location data embedded onto image files can result in the tracking of the smartphone user. 2. Smartphone apps can transmit confidential payment information (i. e. credit card details) without the user’s knowledge or consent. Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 7 3.Smartphones can be infected by specialized malware called â€Å"diallerware† that enables criminals to make use of premium services or numbers resulting in unexpected monthly charges. 4. Smartphone apps may contain spyware that allows criminals to access the private information contained on a smartphone. 5. Financial apps for smartphones can be infe cted with specialized malware designed to steal credit card numbers and online banking credentials. 6. If a social network app is downloaded on a smartphone, failing to log off properly could allow an imposter to post malicious details or change personal settings without the user’s knowledge. . A smartphone can be disposed of or transferred to another user without properly removing sensitive data, allowing an intruder to access private data on the device. 8. In many cases, people use their smartphone for both business and personal usage, thus putting confidential business information at risk (a. k. a. cross-over risk). 9. A smartphone can connect to the Internet through a local WIFI network that is insecure. This may result in a virus attack to the smartphone. 10.Smartphones contain basic security protections that can be disabled by jailbreaking, thus making the smartphone more vulnerable to spyware or malware attacks. 11. Smartphone users can be targeted by marketers based o n how the phone is used for purchases, Internet browsing and location. As a result, the user may receive unwanted marketing ads and promotions their smartphone. Bar Chart 10 summarizes the consumers’ level of awareness about the above-mentioned smartphone security risks. Consumers are most aware of receiving unwanted marketing messages based on their smartphone usage (60 percent).They also understand that they may be putting business confidential information at risk when using the smartphone for both personal and business use (55 percent), and that they are vulnerable to a virus when connecting to the Internet through a local WIFI network is insecure (35 percent). Bar Chart 10: Are you aware of the following smartphone security risks? Each bar defines the percentage yes response Marketing abuse Cross-over Insecure WIFI Improper disposal Location tracking Jailbreaking Spyware Social network snafu Auto transmission Diallerware Specialized malware 0% 11% 11% 10% 9% 10% 20% 30% 4 0% 50% 15% 15% 21% 35% 31% 55% 0% 60% 70% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 8 Bar Chart 11 reports consumers’ actual experience with these security issues. Fifty-eight percent of consumers say they indeed have received unwanted marketing messages. In addition, 52 percent say they have experienced cross-over risk – wherein the security of business information was jeopardized because of the personal use of the smartphone. Bar Chart 11: Have any of these situations happened to you? Each bar defines the combined very concerned and concerned responseMarketing abuse Cross-over Insecure WIFI Improper disposal Location tracking Spyware Jailbreaking Social network snafu Diallerware Auto transmission Specialized malware 0% 5% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 8% 8% 6% 11% 10% 16% 13% 23% 52% 58% 60% 70% Bar Chart 12 summarizes consumers’ level of concern about eleven smartphone security risks. Accordingly, a large percentage of these consumers say they are very concerned or co ncerned about each scenario happening to them, especially diallerware (68 percent), unwanted marketing (67 percent), and the auto transmission of personal data from the phone (66 percent).Bar Chart 12: Are you concerned about of the following smartphone security risks? Each bar defines the combined very concerned and concerned response Diallerware Unwanted marketing Auto transmission Jailbreaking Spyware Location tracking Specialized malware Improper disposal Social networking snafu Insecure WIFI Cross-over 0% 10% 20% 30% 42% 40% 40% 50% 60% 51% 50% 60% 68% 67% 66% 65% 65% 65% 70% 80% Consumers are concerned about being tracked while using their smartphones or having their security protections disabled through â€Å"jailbreaking† but generally are not aware of this risk.In Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 9 contrast, only 40 percent of consumers are very concerned or concerned about cross-over and 42 percent about an insecure smartphone-to-WIFI connection. While the re is some awareness that a smartphone that is disposed of or transferred to another user without removing sensitive data could allow someone to access private data on the device, about half of consumers are not very concerned about this occurring.In summary, consumers surveyed are least aware that the following can happen on their smartphone: the transmission of confidential payment information without their knowledge or consent, downloading a financial app for their smartphone that has specialized malware designed to steal credit card numbers and online banking credentials, â€Å"diallerware† infections that enable criminals to make use of premium services or numbers resulting in unexpected charges and spyware that allows criminals to access the private information contained on a smartphone.Those who are aware of these risks are generally very concerned about how these risks may affect their smartphone. Line Graph 1: Summary of consumer responses to eleven smartphone securi ty risks 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Location tracking Auto Diallerware transmission Spyware Specialized malware Social network snafu Improper disposal Cross-over Insecure WIFI Jailbreaking Marketing abuse Are you aware? Has this happened to you? Level of concern Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 10 Part 3.How consumers are managing security risks associated with smartphones Despite the confidential information on their smartphones, consumers are not taking appropriate security precautions. As showing in Bar Chart 13, less than half (43 percent) of consumers surveyed consider security features to be important when deciding which smartphone to purchase. It is not surprising, therefore, that they are not taking security precautions. Bar Chart 13: How important is security as a feature on your smartphone? 60% 50% 43% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Important Not important 57%Bar Chart 14 shows 51 percent of consumers surveyed have neither keypad locks nor passwords on their smartpho ne. Nineteen percent have passwords and 10 percent have both keypad locks and passwords. However, when we analyzed the responses of the more experienced users the percentage dropped to 31 percent who do not use keypad locks or passwords on their smartphone. Bar Chart 14: Do you have keypad locks or passwords on your smartphone? 60% 51% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% No, neither Yes, keypad locks Yes, passwords Yes, both keypad locks and passwords 20% 19% 10% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 11Forty-two percent of consumers allow smartphone versions of well-known social networking applications such as Facebook to access their key chains, passwords and log-ins that are used on their desktop computer or tablet (see Bar Chart 15). Twenty-nine percent of consumers say they have considered installing an anti-virus product and 10 percent turn off Bluetooth â€Å"discoverable† status on their device when they are not using it. Only 10 percent set up download controls on their smart phone to protect against apps and games that may contain malware. Bar Chart 15: Security habits of smartphone users Each bar defines the percentage yes responseDo you allow smartphone versions of well-known social networking applications such as Facebook to access your key chains, passwords and log-ins that you use on your desktop computer or tablet (only for those who use social networks)? Have you considered installing an anti-virus product on your smartphone? 29% 42% Do you turn off Bluetooth â€Å"discoverable† status on your device when you are not using it? 10% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 12 Part 4. Methods Table 1 summarizes the sample response for this study of US consumers who own or use smartphones.Our sample frame consisted of nearly 30,000 adult-aged consumers located in the Unite States. These individuals were screened to ensure they use a smartphone for both personal and business purposes. A total of 793 respo nded to our web-based survey. Fifty-nine surveys failed reliability tests, resulting in a final sample of 734 consumers (2. 5 percent response rate). Table 1: Sample response Sample frame Invitations sent Total returns Rejections Final sample Frequency 29,921 27,498 793 59 734 Pct% 100. 0% 91. 9% 2. 7% 0. 2% 2. 5% Table 2a provides the types of smartphones used by consumers.Table 2b lists the operating systems contained on these smartphones. As can be seen, the top rated smartphones are Apple’s iPhone, RIM Blackberry and Google Nexus One. Accordingly, the top rated operating systems are iPhoneOS, RIM and Windows Mobile. Table 2a. Type of smartphone Apple iPhone RIM Blackberry Google Nexus One Nokia N8 Motorola Droid X T-Mobile G2 Sprint HTC EVO 4G Palm Pre Plus Samsung Epic 4G Other Total Pct% 27% 21% 12% 9% 9% 6% 6% 5% 4% 0% 100% Table 2b. Operating system iPhoneOS RIM Windows Mobile Android Symbian OS Linux Maemo Garnet OS Bada MeeGo Other or unsure Total Pct% 24% 19% 12% 9 % 3% 3% 2% 2% 1% 1% 25% 100%Pie Chart 1 reports the age range of consumers in our study. Pie chart 2 shows the employment status of consumers. The largest segment of consumers are aged 36 to 45 (21 percent), and 52 percent are employed in a full or part-time position. Pie Chart 1: Age range 10% 2% 18% 18 to 25 26 to 35 36 to 45 46 to 55 19% 17% 56 to 65 66 to 75 75+ 21% 14% 10% 9% 52% 8% Pie Chart 2: Employment status 5%2% Employee Homemaker Retired Student Unemployed Business owner Active military 13% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 13 Pie Chart 3 reports the household income of consumers.Pie Chart 4 shows the location of consumers according to their region in the United States. A total of 44 states are represented in our sample. The median household income of consumers is $81,000 per year. Pie Chart 3: Household income Pie Chart 4: Regional location 1% 4% 10% 13% Below $20k 20 to $40k 41 to $60k 19% 19% Northeast Mid-Atlantic 14% 20% 61 to $80k 81 to $100k 101 to $150k 12% 18% Midwest Southeast Southwest 15% 17% Pacific west 16% 22% 151 to $200k Over $200k In addition to web-based survey analysis, we conducted debriefing interviews with a random cross-section of consumers.In total 128 individuals were contacted, resulting in 66 one-to-one interviews to discuss certain questions and probe for additional insights from the consumers when appropriate. A total of 53 percent of consumers are female, 47 percent male. Forty percent of consumers say they use their smartphone for both business and personal reasons. Only six percent say they use their smartphone solely for business (see Bar Chart 1). Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 14 Part 5. Conclusion The key finding from this research is that consumers in our survey are unaware of the security risks associated with their smartphones.This could be attributed, in part, to the lack of information being published about smartphone security risks. We also conclude that there may be a perception that because the most popular uses are phoning and emailing they are not putting the data on their smartphones at risk. In contrast, the security of desktop and laptop computers receives much more attention. It is not surprising, therefore, that consumers surveyed are more worried about protecting their computers from security risks. This is despite the fact these devices can contain just as much sensitive data that if lost or stolen could result in financial harm.Caveats There are inherent limitations to survey research that need to be carefully considered before drawing inferences from findings. The following items are specific limitations that are germane to most Web-based surveys. ? Non-response bias: The current findings are based on a sample of survey returns. We sent surveys to a representative sample of adult-aged consumers in the United States, resulting in a large number of usable returned responses. Despite non-response tests, it is always possible that auditors who did not pa rticipate are substantially different in terms of underlying beliefs from those who completed the survey.Sampling-frame bias: The accuracy is based on contact information and the degree to which the list is representative of individuals who are information system auditors. We also acknowledge that responses from paper, interviews or telephone might result in a different pattern of findings. Self-reported results: The quality of survey research is based on the integrity of confidential responses received from consumers. While certain checks and balances were incorporated into our survey evaluation process, there is always the possibility that certain consumers did not provide responses that reflect their true opinions. B ? ? Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 15 Appendix: Detailed Survey Responses Following are the survey results for a final sample of 734 adult-aged consumers located in all regions of the United States. Fieldwork concluded in February 2011. Sample response Sa mple frame Invitations sent Total returns Rejections Final sample Part 1. Background Q1a. Please select the smartphone that you presently use. If you use more than one smartphone, please select the one you use most frequently.T-Mobile G2 Apple iPhone Motorola Droid X Samsung Epic 4G RIM Blackberry Sprint HTC EVO 4G Nokia N8 Google Nexus One Palm Pre Plus Other (please specify) Total Q1b. Please select the operating system your smartphone runs on. Symbian OS Android Linux Windows Mobile Bada MeeGo Maemo Garnet OS iPhoneOS RIM Other Unsure Total Q2. What best describes your smartphone use? Please select only one. Business use only Mostly business but some personal use Personal use only Mostly personal but some business use Both business and personal use equally Total Frequency 29,921 27,498 793 59 734 Pct% 100. 0% 91. 9% 2. 7% 0. % 2. 5% Pct% 6% 27% 9% 4% 21% 6% 9% 12% 5% 0% 100% Pct% 3% 9% 3% 12% 1% 1% 2% 2% 24% 19% 0% 25% 100% Pct% 6% 13% 16% 25% 40% 100% Ponemon Institute © Resea rch Report Page 16 Q3. Who purchased your smartphone and who pays the monthly service (usage) fee? Please select only one. I purchased it without any reimbursement from my employer I purchased it and my employer provided some reimbursement I purchased it and my employer pays monthly charges My employer purchased it and I pay monthly charges My employer purchased it and pays monthly charges Total Q4. Please select all the tasks that you do on your smartphone?Phone Personal email Business email Address book Texting Internet browsing Store or move data Obtain documents View documents Calendar Listen to music Schedule tasks Shop Camera Social networking Payments Games Maps and navigation Upload videos Location services Watch TV/films Banking Travel assistance Video conferencing Monitor health Q5. Have you ever paid for any item via your mobile phone? Yes, only once Yes, irregularly (maybe once every two months) Yes, regularly (maybe once a month) Never Total Q6a. Have you every signed u p for a service or product on your mobile without realizing that there would be a cost?Yes No Total Q6b. If yes, please select the all the methods you used to sign up for the service or product. Text message Email Website Other Total Pct% 35% 13% 10% 8% 34% 100% Pct% 100% 89% 82% 57% 54% 53% 53% 52% 51% 51% 50% 48% 44% 42% 40% 38% 34% 24% 24% 23% 21% 14% 10% 9% 5% Pct% 11% 32% 23% 34% 100% Pct% 51% 49% 100% Pct% 34% 46% 31% 12% 123% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 17 Q7. Do you check your mobile bill or statement for unusual or unidentified payments? Yes, I check it every month Yes, but only if the bill is higher than usual Yes, occasionally Never Total Q8.Have you ever signed a terms and conditions request on your mobile phone? Yes No Unsure Total Q9. Have you ever been the victim of mobile payments fraud? Yes No Unsure Total Part 2. Attributions Q10. Please rate each one of the following statements using the scale provided below each item. Strongly agree and agree shown . Q10a. I do not feel my private information or privacy is at risk when I use my smartphone. Q10b. I do not worry that a hacker will attack my smartphone. Q10c. I do not worry about receiving marketing messages on my smartphone. Q10d. I do not worry about being tracked when using my smartphone.Q10e. I do not worry about losing my smartphone while traveling. Q10f. I worry more about the security of my desktop or laptop computer than my smartphone. Q10g. When downloading software to my smartphone I do not always check to see if the app is from a trustworthy source. Part 3. Scenarios Pct% 6% 8% 34% 52% 100% Pct% 46% 21% 33% 100% Pct% 12% 78% 10% 100% Strongly agree 18% 25% 10% 11% 18% 25% 21% Agree 38% 33% 23% 25% 32% 40% 41% Q11. Sometimes location data can be embedded onto image files such as digital photos contained on your smartphone so that other people can track where you are.Were you aware that this could happen? Yes No Unsure Total If yes, has this happened to your smartphone? Yes No Unsure Total Pct% 21% 45% 34% 100% Pct% 13% 28% 59% 100% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 18 On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = not concerned and 5 = very concerned, how concerned are you that your location could be tracked while using your smart phone? Concerned and very concerned shown. Response Q12. Smartphone apps can transmit confidential payment information such as credit card details without the user’s knowledge or consent. Were you aware that this could happen?Yes No Unsure Total If yes, has this happened to your smartphone? Yes No Unsure Total On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = not concerned and 5 = very concerned, how concerned are you that your credit card details could be transmitted with your knowledge or consent? Concerned and very concerned shown. Response Q13. Smartphones can be infected by specialized malware called â€Å"diallerware† that enable criminals to make use of premium services or numbers resulting in unexpected monthly charges. We re you aware that this could happen? Yes No Unsure Total If yes, has this happened to your smartphone?Yes No Unsure Total On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = not concerned and 5 = very concerned, how concerned are you that your smartphone could be infected by diallerware? Concerned and very concerned shown. Response Q14. Smartphone apps may contain spyware that allows criminals to access the private information contained on a smartphone. Were you aware that this could happen? Yes No Unsure Total Very concerned 29% Concerned 36% Pct% 11% 53% 36% 100% Pct% 6% 41% 53% 100% Very concerned 31% Concerned 35% Pct% 10% 58% 32% 100% Pct% 8% 65% 27% 100% Very concerned 36% Concerned 32%Pct% 15% 53% 32% 100% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 19 If yes, has this happened to your smartphone? Yes No Unsure Total On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = not concerned and 5 = very concerned, how concerned are you that your smartphone could be infected by spyware? Concerned and very concerned shown. Res ponse Q15. Financial apps for smartphones can be infected with specialized malware designed to steal credit card numbers and online banking credentials. Were you aware that this could happen? Yes No Unsure Total If yes, has this happened to your smartphone?Yes No Unsure Total On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = not concerned and 5 = very concerned, how concerned are you that your smartphone or downloaded apps could be infected by this specific type of malware? Concerned and very concerned shown. Response Q16. If a social network app is downloaded on a smartphone, failing to log off properly could allow an imposter to post malicious details or change personal settings without the user’s knowledge. Were you aware that this could happen? Yes No Unsure Total If yes, has this happened to your smartphone?Yes No Unsure Total On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = not concerned and 5 = very concerned, how concerned are you that your failure to close the social networking app on your smartphone could allow unauthorized access and/or malicious posts your user account? Concerned and very concerned shown. Response Pct% 11% 56% 33% 100% Very concerned 33% Concerned 32% Pct% 9% 57% 34% 100% Pct% 5% 66% 29% 100% Very concerned 32% Concerned 28% Pct% 11% 56% 33% 100% Pct% 8% 55% 37% 100% Very concerned 26% Concerned 23% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 20 Q17.A smartphone can be disposed of or transferred to another user without properly removing sensitive data, allowing an intruder to access private data on the device. Were you aware that this could happen? Yes No Unsure Total If yes, has this happened to your smartphone? Yes No Unsure Total Pct% 31% 36% 33% 100% Pct% 16% 54% 30% 100% On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = not concerned and 5 = very concerned, how concerned are you that private information on the smartphone would not be removed properly before disposing of it or transferring it to another user? Concerned and very concerned shown. Response Q18.In many cases, p eople use their smartphone for both business and personal usage, thus putting confidential business information at risk. Were you aware that this could happen? Yes No Unsure Total If yes, has this happened to your smartphone? Yes No Unsure Total On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = not concerned and 5 = very concerned, how concerned are you that your use of a smartphone for personal reasons could put the confidential information of your business at risk? Concerned and very concerned shown. Response Q19. A smartphone can connect to the Internet through a local WIFI network that is insecure.This may result in a virus attack to the device. Were you aware that this could happen? Yes No Unsure Total If yes, has this happened to your smartphone? Yes No Unsure Total Very concerned 23% Concerned 28% Pct% 55% 28% 17% 100% Pct% 52% 36% 12% 100% Very concerned 19% Concerned 21% Pct% 35% 42% 23% 100% Pct% 23% 45% 32% 100% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 21 On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = not concerned and 5 = very concerned, how concerned are you that your smartphone when connected to an insecure Internet network may result in a virus attack?Concerned and very concerned shown. Response Q20. Smartphones contain basic security protection that can be disabled by jailbreaking, thus making the smartphone more vulnerable to spyware or malware attacks. Were you aware that this could happen? Yes No Unsure Total If yes, has this happened to your smartphone? Yes No Unsure Total On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = not concerned and 5 = very concerned, how concerned are you that your smartphone’s security settings could be disabled remotely by a third party without your knowledge or consent?Concerned and very concerned shown. Response Q21. Smartphone users can be targeted by marketers based on how the phone is used for purchases, Internet browsing, and location. As result, the user may receive unwanted marketing ads and promotions. Were you aware that this could happen? Yes No Unsure Total If yes, has this happened to your smartphone? Yes No Unsure Total Very concerned 22% Concerned 20% Pct% 15% 57% 28% 100% Pct% 10% 55% 35% 100% Very concerned 34% Concerned 31% Pct% 60% 17% 23% 100% Pct% 58% 15% 27% 100%On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = not concerned and 5 = very concerned, how concerned are you that your smartphone could receive marketing ads and promotions? Concerned and very concerned shown. Response Part 4. Other Questions Q22. On average, how much personal data do you store on your smartphone? None (Go to Q24) Only a small amount of personal data A moderate amount of personal data A significant amount of personal data Unsure Very concerned 31% Concerned 36% Pct% 11% 23% 40% 26% 100% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 22 Q23.What kinds of data do you store on your smartphone? Email address Name Contact lists Photos Anniversary and other personal dates Location Music Home address Confidential business documents Date of birth Gender Credit or debit card numbers Videos Passwords PIN number Hobbies, sports and travel interests Ages and gender of children Names of children Alarm codes Planned future purchases Purchase history Health data Security test questions Q24. Do you use a one Gigabyte (or higher) storage device on your smartphone? Yes No Unsure Total Q25. What do you worry more about?Losing my wallet/purse Losing my smartphone I worry about both equally Total Q26. What do you worry more about? Losing my laptop computer Losing my smartphone I worry about both equally I don’t have a laptop computer Total Q27. Do you have keypad locks or passwords on your smartphone? Yes, keypad locks Yes, passwords Yes, both keypad locks and passwords No, neither Total Pct% 97% 85% 69% 59% 53% 52% 47% 40% 37% 33% 32% 29% 25% 23% 19% 15% 13% 13% 11% 8% 8% 5% 2% Pct% 19% 68% 13% 100% Pct% 50% 23% 27% 100% Pct% 38% 10% 19% 33% 100% Pct% 20% 19% 10% 51% 100%Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 23 Q28a. Do you synch your smartp hone with any of the following devices? Laptop Desktop Another smartphone An online backup storage solution None of the above Total Q28b. How regularly do you synch your smartphone with any of the devices listed in Q28a? Hourly Daily Weekly Monthly Irregularly Total Q29. Do you allow smartphone versions of well-known social networking applications such as Facebook to access your key chains, passwords and log-ins that you use on your desktop computer or tablet?Yes No Unsure I don’t use social networking apps Total Q30. Do you turn off Bluetooth â€Å"discoverable† status on your device when you are not using it? Yes No Unsure Total Q31. Have you considered installing an anti-virus product on your smartphone? Yes No Total Q32a. Do your children have a mobile/cell smartphone? Yes No I don’t have children Total Q32b. If yes, do you use your children’s smartphone to keep track of them (from a security perspective)? Yes No Total Pct% 44% 38% 9% 8% 45% 144% Pct% 25% 29% 14% 8% 24% 100% Pct% 21% 25% 4% 50% 100%Adjusted 42% 50% 8% 0% 100% Pct% 10% 83% 7% 100% Experienced 30% 62% 8% 100% Pct% 29% 71% 100% Pct% 22% 33% 45% 100% Experienced 53% 47% 100% Pct% 41% 59% 100% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 24 Q32c. If yes, do you set up parental controls on the smartphone to protect your children when they access the Internet? Yes No Total Q33. Do you set up download controls on your smartphone to protect against apps and games that may contain malware? Yes No Unsure Total Q34. When deciding which smartphone to purchase, how important are its security features?Very important and important shown. Response Part 5. Demographics D1. Please check your age range. 18 to 25 26 to 35 36 to 45 46 to 55 56 to 65 66 to 75 75+ Total D2. What is your present employment status? Full-time employee Part-time employee Business owner Homemaker Retired Student Active military Unemployed Total D3. What range best defines your annual household income? Below $ 20k 20 to $40k 41 to $60k 61 to $80k 81 to $100k 101 to $150k 151 to $200k Over $200k Total Pct% 21% 79% 100% Pct% 10% 74% 16% 100% Very important 21% Important 22%Pct% 18% 19% 21% 17% 13% 10% 2% 100% Pct% 48% 6% 5% 13% 10% 9% 2% 8% 100% Pct% 13% 20% 22% 17% 14% 10% 4% 1% 100% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 25 D4. What is your highest level of education attained? High school Vocational University or college Post graduate Doctorate Other Total D5. Please check gender: Female Male Total D6. Are you head of household? Yes No Total D7. US Region Northeast Mid-Atlantic Midwest Southeast Southwest Pacific Total D8. Please rate each one of the following statements using the following five-point scale.Strongly agree and agree sown. The Internet is central to my lifestyle I often give advice to others about how best to use computers and software I need to ask for help if something goes wrong with my computer I always try to spend as little time as possible online I am often confu sed when I try to use the Internet to do things I am really concerned about online threats Only people who do risky things on the Internet are at risk to online threats I don’t feel the online threat is that significantPct% 21% 22% 45% 7% 1% 4% 100% Pct% 53% 47% 100% Pct% 48% 52% 100% Pct% 19% 18% 17% 15% 12% 19% 100% Strongly agree 25% 19% 22% 16% 23% 18% 15% 18% Agree 32% 21% 23% 24% 24% 35% 28% 34% Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 26 Please contact us at 231. 938. 9900 or send an email to [email  protected] org. Ponemon Institute Advancing Responsible Information Management Ponemon Institute is dedicated to independent research and education that advances responsible information and privacy management practices within business and government. Our mission is to conduct high quality, empirical studies on critical issues affecting he management and security of sensitive information about people and organizations. As a member of the Council of American Survey Resea rch Organizations (CASRO),we uphold strict data confidentiality, privacy and ethical research standards. We do not collect any personally identifiable information from individuals (or company identifiable information in our business research). Furthermore, we have strict quality standards to ensure that subjects are not asked extraneous, irrelevant or improper questions. Ponemon Institute © Research Report Page 27