Art and Religion in Traditional African Society Essay Example

Workmanship and Religion in Traditional African Society Essay Example Workmanship and Religion in Traditional African Society Essay Workmanship and Religion in Traditional African Society Essay Workmanship and Religion in Traditional African Society All through the world, changes in peopleâ„ ¢s lives are set apart by significant occasions, functions and festivities. Regardless of whether they are called affirmation, fellowship, graduation, birthday events, commencements or memorial services, certain measure of customs that portrayed there exercises and make them uncommon are incorporated. In Africa, these uncommon exercises or ceremonies establish a significant part of a rich socio-social and strict existence of the individuals, and are communicated through different aesthetic methods. Each phase of their lives, conventional Africans stick to specific qualities, mentalities and considerations which are results of their past encounters corresponding to the earth and powers inside and without, with a solid accept that the universe is given life by spirits that restrain the fields they ranch, the cloud that brings precipitation, the streams from which they accumulate angles and the wild where they chase wild animals and construct settlements. Given the presence of these spirituals, ways are looked to contact, to convey and control their forces, in this manner, they take part in steady and unwavering ceremonies, forfeits and love. Much of the time, workmanship, regardless of whether through exhibitions or substantial articles, turns into the medium and purpose of contact. Remarkable among these indications of imperceptible spirits in unmistakable structures, for example, cut wood or stones (design), is the force figure called Nkisi, from kongo. It epitomizes an otherworldly power that will be put in a compartment and set on the mid-region to swim away detestable. To the Yoruba of Nigeria, the Geledeâ„ ¢ cover, gives character and character to the in any case dynamic and impalpable spirits of their progenitors. The Ife individuals of Nigeria made stately busts of their rulers, who were called Oni, to recognize the rule of their pioneers. The Isangui individuals from Gabon, created wooden covers utilized additionally in functions for a specific town intended to speak to the spirits of all the perished female predecessors of the town. These portrayals in baffling and uncanny structures by the African craftsman, offers a methods through which the developing powers nature and the influence of enchantment are communicated, in this way bringing out a successful hotspot for the otherworldly epitome and security which furnishes religion with reason and significance, helping individuals to comprehend and adapt to conditions and sometimes clarifies the mishap and other unforeseen occasions of life. Without a doubt, the conventional conviction framework that structure the premise on which workmanship in Africa is delivered, communicates a regard for an all inclusive life power which can't be reached legitimately, aside from through mediums that fills in as delegates, these mediums are cut, fabricated or organized by an exceptional and hallowed not many. Regardless of whether they are the Chiraraâ„ ¢ veil of Bambara intended to mollify the spirits of farming or the Bundu cover of the Mende society, implied for commencement ceremonies, the images, covers and figures of customary Africa are saturated with influence to intercede fruitfulness, riches, wellbeing, and divination. Where these conventional traditions prospered, a congruity of the holy request is supported through inceptions, forfeits and love, as found in the Poroâ„ ¢ society of sierra-Leone and the Ifaâ„ ¢ love of Oshogbo, Nigeria. The otherworldly characters experienced in these social orders gives just yet a surface entrance into their implications and qualities. In spite of the fact that the heft of customary African craftsmanship is fixated on religions motivation, yet, there are those whose magnificent structures hold no religions noteworthiness whatever, for example, the Ashanti gold loads, Dahomean metal and appliqueâ„ ¢ materials, Yoruba house-post and the Cameroon pipe bowls. Be that as it may, African religions differ in their accentuation, however all incorporate some love of nature-obligations, the acknowledgment of the intensity of the precursors, the faith in a capacity to prognosticate the future, and in the viability of enchantment. In the eastern piece of the mainland, family factions appear to have supremacy, while in the western elixir; divine beings who speak to the powers of nature are generally unmistakable. However the two convictions are found wherever in Africa, even in the straightforward societies of the outrageous south. The overseers of these gods, divinations and tribal figures are pro whose strategies, places of worship and techniques broadly. Prophets that are counseled to remunerate great and rebuff abhorrent, enchantment that makes certainty and trust or scatters dread is omnipresent and discovers its demeanor in the appeal, which is wrongly and obliviously observed us detestable as a result of its fetishâ„ ¢ implication  " a term got from Portuguese feiticoâ„ ¢, which means, things madeâ„ ¢, and from this again the misnomer for the religion of specific pieces of Africa, fetichism. Moreover, the tasteful drive and religions articulations of craftsmanship in Africa isn't just rendered or confined to two and three-dimensional types of articulations, but on the other hand are found in music, move and narrating. All over the place, routine contributes hugely to venerate. Singing takes the central type of antiphony among pioneer and tune, while the drum is at times the sole and consistently the chief instrument played to go with tune. The move beat known in its ceremonial structures, depends on extraordinary resourcefulness in execution of muddled advances and real development, delineating otherworldliness, triumph or journey as on account of the Chiwaraâ„ ¢ move, Bambara, Mali. Moving is the incomparable articulation of love in each customary African religion. African legends incorporates fantasy, story, precepts and question which are firmly coordinated into the life of the individuals, and which are striking in their solidarity over the landmass. At that point legends clarify the idea of the world and the powers that standard it, in this manner, endorsing social structures and the tribal factions by the record they give of gathering roots and early family experience. By reference to hallowed stories, minister inferred authority, custom power and supernatural force. The legend of Faâ„ ¢ a being with sixteen eyes as told in the Dahomean fables, is of significant reference on this point. The general conviction that African workmanship is an aftereffect of motivation can't be overemphasized following the tracks and improvement of the African human advancements. Religion is a significant piece of the way of life that make up the immense African people group, and is interrelated with different features of life unmistakably more personally than among people. In this manner, the powerful world is part o the workaday round, to be met without dread and with full information that for each evil there is a cure, for each issue an expert who can help with an answer and for each wonder, a call for worship. In that capacity, religion gets quick to life, not expelled from it; a completely working piece of universe that includes both the living and the dead with an arrangement of that is solid and sure in light of the fact that, for the customary African, every day of his life is a satisfaction of the down to earth test to which he consistently experience. REFERENCES M. Hershovits The Background of African Art (University Microfilms global, London 1978) The language of African Art: A Bicentennial Exhibition From Museum of African craftsmanship 1976 â€Å" 1978 (Davis) Vogel, Susan M. Sedatives of African Art (The Center for African workmanship, New York: 1986) Berman, Esme (1993), Bermanâ„ ¢s Art and Artists of Africa, in Charda Jacqueline, 2006, African Art and Architecture, Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2005. Christopher Roy (1999), Art and Life in Africa. www.uiowa.edu/africat. Willet, Frank (2003), African Art: A presentation. third Ed. Thames and Hudson.

Richard Wrights - Black Boy :: essays research papers fc

Richard Wright's - Black Boy A Teacher's Guide for Secondary and Post Secondary Educators Presentation Richard Wright: An Overview Questions and Activities Before Viewing Questions and Activities After Viewing History: Questions and Activities Instruction: Questions and Activities Writing: Questions and Activities Brain research: Questions and Activities Human science Political Theory/Cultural Studies: Questions and Activities Lists of sources Presentation In spite of the fact that RICHARD WRIGHT: BLACK BOY centers primarily around the life and history of a globally acclaimed American creator, the visual and sound parts of the narrative lavishly contextualize the writing that Wright delivered. In that sense, the narrative blends a lot of chronicled, social and social data about the twentieth century. It very well may be utilized to provoke broad conversations, to invigorate understudies to embrace unique research ventures, to compose papers or join expressions of the human experience and additionally social information into a learning experience. Since the narrative is an hour and a half long, arranging and booking seeing time for understudies is basic so the narrative can be seen in possibly a couple of class periods. Educators are urged to see and talk about the narrative together and choose whether it is progressively productive to utilize it in showing one control or if understudies may benefit more from conversations that are not discipline bound. The Teacher's Guide is intended for those educators who need to utilize RICHARD WRIGHT: BLACK BOY to improve the encounters of their understudies as they investigate numerous and different school subjects. The guide isn't intended to be comprehensive. It gives thoughts to understudy exercises and assignments, lists of sources of Wright's work, and a chose posting of foundation sources. Some more established materials are incorporated to recommend the condition of grant and contemplating issues inside Wright's lifetime or as tokens of what works may have affected his reasoning. In making assignments, it is proposed that the instructor include current articles and books that are regarded proper. The pre-seeing inquiries and exercises are intended to assist understudies with picking up foundation information. The post-seeing understudy assignments center around ways Wright's works referenced in the narrative can be utilized to advance more extensive requests among the orders. Since the narrative contains scenes that depict Negro lynchings and an African lady's uncovered bosoms, it is suggested that educators and overseers beneath the school level survey the program before demonstrating it to understudies. Questions and exercises are given in the accompanying controls: History, Education, Psychology, Literature, Sociology, and Political Science/Cultural Studies. The reference index finishes the guide.

Analysis Of Environmental Conditions Marketing Essay

Investigation Of Environmental Conditions Marketing Essay Investigation of natural conditions depends on the structure set forward by Lynch (2009) that surveys the general level of choppiness in the earth. This should be possible by utilizing the two proportions of Changeability and consistency (Lynch, 2009, p80), which can be partitioned into intricacy and curiosity (variability), and pace of progress and perceivability (consistency). Setting up a degree of disturbance in the earth permits us to know with how much certainty we can foresee the future (Lynch, 2009). In the final quarter of 2009 the UK GDP rose by 0.1% (www.statistics.gov.uk, 2010) which implies Britain is authoritatively out of downturn. While this implies recuperation is in progress, numerous experts stay suspicious of the degree of recuperation. Andrew Sentance of the Monetary Policy Committee has asserted that pace of recuperation would stay questionable (Sentence in the Telegraph Newspaper, 2010). In this way, to the extent consistency and perceivability go, it shows up hard to foresee with certainty the degree to which the UK economy will recoup in 2010, with many envisioning a moderate procedure in light of the fact that the economy remains overloaded by a still delicate financial part and high shopper and government obligation levels (Seager, 2010). With respect to Changeability and intricacy, there is a general political decision expected in May this year and there is a solid chance of a difference in Government (www.yougov.co.uk, www.ipsos-mori.com, 2010), which will achieve an adjustment in Government strategy towards organizations, for instance, the Conservative Party are promising a cut in enterprise charge. (www.conservatives.com, 2010). Adding to the intricacy is the ongoing come back to a 17.5% VAT rate that adds progressively money related strain to shoppers in a previously battling market. The downturn may have finished however experts are not expecting an excess of progress in spending as financial downturn is crushing spending power and that weight will proceed into 2010 (Mintel, Oct 2009). Given the sensibly fierce conditions, associations must change its techniques, and perhaps its convictions on the off chance that it is to keep up its capacity to deal with changes in nature (Thompson, 2005). So procedure can't be made for a considerable length of time into the future as a result of the dubious idea of nature. Technique should concentrate on the up and coming year until the disturbance decreases. 4.2 PEST Analysis Nuisance Analysis is an emphasis on the full scale condition and which variables will change the outer condition in the years to come. Johnson et al (p.54) states the earth is the thing that gives associations their methods for endurance. Anyway nature is likewise a wellspring of dangers. The full scale condition is the most elevated level layer. This comprises of wide natural factors that effect on a more noteworthy or lesser degree on practically all associations. Subsequently a decent investigation of the large scale condition is basic to progress yet ought to likewise be as general and vague as could be expected under the circumstances, this prompts one of the ruins of PEST that it tends to be a helpful device while breaking down the full scale condition yet additionally its general nature can be its defeat in the event that it turns out to be minimal in excess of a colossal rundown of elements in a shopping list design. We have decided to utilize a straightforward PEST investigation yet to add Legal to Political and Environmental to Socio-Cultural to ensure we think about all issues of the outer condition. Another analysis of PEST is that it is just in the same class as the gathering or individual leading it, an analysis that can apply to any model. Anyway when utilized properly this model can give a decent sign of the variables that will influence the outer condition in the years to come. Its capacity to quickly dissect and introduce the variables that could demonstrate significant can be profoundly noteworthy. The PEST Analysis can be found in Appendix 1 and outline in Appendix 2 4.3 Porters 5 Forces Investigation of the business examination depends on Porters 5 powers model as referenced by numerous creators. The five components that can have an effect upon MS are The haggling intensity of providers The haggling intensity of Buyers Danger of potential new participants Danger of Substitutes Degree of Competitive Rivalry (Lynch, p97, 2009) Increasingly nitty gritty data on Porters 5 Forces can be found in Appendix 3 4.4 Strategic Group Analysis The following is the key gathering examination for Marks and Spencer, nitty gritty data on SGA and how the table was made can be found in Appendix 4 (Johnson, Scholes and Whittington (2008:76))SGA1.jpg Key Group Analysis for Marks and Spencer plc Extent of Activities (Degree of Product Diversity) Asset Commitment (Publicizing Effort) Imprints and Spencer Next John Lewis (Waitrose) Paradise Group English Home Stores Tesco Imprints and Spencer Tesco Next John Lewis (Waitrose) ASDA Debenhams 4.5 Market Segmentation Market division varies from SGA in the manner that is looks to clients as its concentrate as opposed to area contenders. Lynch (2006, p105) states Market division is crucial to the improvement of corporate system. Cautious examination of fragments and their attributes is in this manner significant. For instance a few portions may have more benefit potential, have less rivalry then others and some might be becoming quicker. Taking the age segment for instance the 18-30 age bunch is declining, though the 31-60 age bunch is developing quickly. (ONS.gov.uk) Imprints and Spencer have a lot of contenders with regards to showcase division chiefly because of the way that Marks and Spencer covers such huge numbers of sections, youngsters through to grown-ups, guys and females, for instance. The main fragment Marks and Spencer doesn't show up provide food for is the low pay section as its valuing arrangement is somewhat more than mid range offered by the contenders, for example, Tesco in food and Next in garments and home product. Market division obviously has its favorable circumstances as it will assist you with understanding more contenders however significantly like the SGA will likewise show key chances or holes in the market that after cautious thought could be moved into. Lamentably, once more, it is hard to put an organization effectively inside a section and as before may be founded on one people sees and in this manner can't be perfect. 5.0 Internal Analysis 5.1 Resource Audit Johnson et al. express that albeit numerous organizations in a similar division contend in a similar domain, one might be an unrivaled entertainer. It isn't their condition that recognizes them however their inward vital capacities. (If it's not too much trouble allude to Appendix 5 for definitions) We realize that Marks and Spencer has the vital ability to perform at the level required to endure and has the limit assets expected to do this just as the fundamental edge skills to support this, organizations that were established in 1880s would not still be ready to go today without these set up. Additional intriguing are the interesting assets and center capabilities explicit to Marks and Spencer that assist them with picking up and keep up upper hand. We realize that MS has a wide scope of shops and retail units the length of the nation yet this is certifiably not a one of a kind asset as Tesco has more units and all the more retail space, anyway remarkable to MS its quality on the high road in the volume it shows up, with food and apparel, more stores are arranged on retail stops and away, in any event, when they show up around they are little and don't convey a similar stock levels. MS likewise have 295 stores in 41 distinct nations. Strategically MS must have fantastic frameworks set up to permit every one of these stores to be supplied. MSs greatest exceptional asset maybe is the brand. At the point when you express Marks and Spencer to individuals they quite often consider quality. Imprints Spencer have been around for more than 125 years and no organization can endure this long without conveying great quality own marked items that have stood the trial of time. 5.2 Value Chain Analysis The worth chain portrays the classes of exercises inside and around an association, which together make an item or administration (Johnson, 2008, p110). The essential exercises for Marks and Spencer concern its inbound coordinations, activities outbound coordinations, showcasing and deals and administration. MS places extraordinary accentuation on the nature of its items, which they accept legitimize more significant expenses. The showcasing methodology accentuates this with, for instance, the your MS (see contextual analysis) endeavoring to offer back to the client and stressing the nature of the items. They have additionally started to advance a value correlation with Waitrose (Thomas, 2009) while keeping an accentuation on quality, with the lash line Price checked against Waitrose Essentials. Quality checked by MS (Thomas, 2009). This strategy for underscoring quality has given MS its notoriety, yet it is critical to live for the guidelines it sets itself. MS additionally includes an incentive through its client care, with a Mintel report uncovering it has the most noteworthy client care rating of any retailer among shoppers and is proceeding to put resources into increasing assistance expectations (Mintel, 2007). They have likewise prepared some staff to become good dieting specialists (Mintel, 2007) in an offer to improve client assistance. It is this kind of responsibility that empowers MS to be viewed as an excellent retailer. They would be not able to charge more significant expenses if client support was poor. For its outbound coordinations MS have propelled better approaches for bundling. Under a program known as plan An in participation with Oxfam they intend to become carbon impartial by 2012. This is being finished by vowing not to send any bundling to landfill and putting names on bundling with the goal that purchasers realize how to reuse their products. (Mintel, 2010). While numerous retailers have propelled moral approaches concerning bundling MS seem to have gone farther than others with its guarantee to become carbon nonpartisan. This approach is upheld up through one of its help exercises, innovation develo

Fluency Reading Plan Essay Example for Free

Familiarity Reading Plan Essay Brief Synopsis-The story happens on Manor Farm and has a third individual viewpoint. The animals on the ranch are discontent with their present conditions. Driven by a couple of pigs they rebel against the rancher that housed them. They want to shape an idealistic homestead for all creatures. In any case, Napoleon (one of the pigs that began the upset) begins to control the animals and the people around the homestead. The ranch begins to look like its previous self and Major starts to take after the wretched rancher. This book is essentially delineating socialism in a fascinating manner. Outline of the Unit Reading familiarity is an amazingly troublesome territory to survey and train. As a rule, there are three zones that are tended to that make up familiarity phonemic mindfulness (having the option to state words and comprehend the build of the letters that make up the word), language structure and understanding. These three zones framed together assistance an instructor survey the understudies they have. In any case, it is still exceptionally hard to characterize since familiarity appears to come normal to numerous understudies particularly by grade 8 (Rasinski, 2004). Remembering the entirety of this there still should be an authoritative measure for appraisal. This unit is based around some perusing out loud in class. After the understudies have perused individually, having them rehash the different entries for all to hear will assist with expanding their familiarity. As indicated by the book Classrooms that Work, â€Å"repeated readings is an approach to assist understudies with perceiving high-recurrence words all the more effectively, along these lines reinforcing their simplicity of reading† (Addison-Wesley 1998). This will likewise take into account the following zone of hugeness to turn into a connection in the familiarity chain-jargon. The student’s readings will give chances to get some information about the different jargon words in this unit. The unit will pressure different jargon words and a higher request of intuition to pick up cognizance. As they read, the educator can choose these words and connect with the understudies to check whether they appreciate what is being said. In the event that the understudies don't comprehend the words, the following stage can't occur which is perception. Understanding and familiarity are always connected. One can't occur without the other. The least demanding approach to mark it is understudies must have the option to comprehend what they read. That is the reason in numerous more youthful evaluations, grade levels are not just founded on the understudy having the option to peruse the words, however to what degree they comprehend what they are perusing. The primary develop of the exercise is to grow the information on the understudies and make them read something outside of their ordinary domain. Understudies ought to consistently feel they are discovering some new information (Grabe, 2010). This book and unit will take into account that to occur. Perusing out loud by the understudies, by the instructor, and conversations about different jargon and plot topics will make this exercise effective. The understudies will peruse an incredible book that is a work of art and they will increase a comprehension of some secondary school level jargon and manners of thinking. References Cunningham, P. M. Allington, R. L. Homerooms That Work: They Can All Read and Write. Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc. 1999 Rasinski, T. (2004). Making familiar perusers. Instructive Leadership, 61(6), 46-51. Grabe, W. (2010). Perusing in a subsequent language. Ernst Klett Sprachen.

Factors and Hazards of Infant Development free essay sample

Factors and Hazards of Infant Development By Miranda Brueggeman EC100/EEC1700 Section 05 Foundations of Child Development Winter 2013 There are numerous components and perils that impact the improvement of children before they are even conceived. In this exposition I might be examining three that I feel are basic for guardians to comprehend. The three I will discuss are as per the following: Limiting introduction to all teratogens, for example, drugs, liquor, tobacco, and natural synthetic substances; Consuming a nutritious eating regimen; and The significance of acquiring early pre-birth care. Ladies ought to stay away from superfluous contact with known teratogens when they are contemplating getting pregnant or as of now are pregnant. A few elements can impact a teratogen’s hurtful impact on fetal turn of events, including the measure of presentation, fetal age, and hereditary cosmetics of the mother and embryo (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. We will compose a custom paper test on Factors and Hazards of Infant Development or on the other hand any comparative point explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page 80). Moms who devour liquor during pregnancy have a more serious danger of unnatural birth cycles, stillbirths, untimely newborn children, and low birth weight babies (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 80). No measure of liquor is viewed as protected to devour during pregnancy (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 1). Moms who smoke during pregnancy are bound to encounter unnatural birth cycle, untimely births, stillborn newborn children, and low birth weight babies (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 81). Substances known to negatively affect the creating baby go from solution and nonprescription meds to pesticides, composts, and road drugs. It is significant that the two guardians are completely mindful of these realities and that they put forth a valiant effort to maintain a strategic distance from any teratogens previously, during, and after pregnancy. Depending what the mother eats previously and during pregnancy significantly affects her wellbeing just as the creating embryo. Expending a solid eating routine decreases the danger of having a low birth weight or untimely newborn child (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 75). During the Live Lecture this week I heard that it is a smart thought to take Folic Acid three months before getting pregnant in light of the fact that it can help forestall certain birth absconds. Nourishment is certainly significant for the mother and infant. In China both mother and father will wash down their bodies for a whole year before attempting to get pregnant! Something else to recollect is that infants need a great deal of the fundamental nutrients and minerals and the mother should take a type of pre-birth nutrients to have enough supplements for her own body to remain solid. Medicinally administered pre-birth care is basic for guaranteeing the advancement of a solid newborn child (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 74). An absence of pre-birth care is frequently connected with an expanded pace of clinical inconveniences, preterm births, low birth weight newborn children, fetal demise, and handicaps (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 74). Guardians who have prior sicknesses or are on drugs of any sort need to talk with their primary care physician before attempting to get pregnant. A few drugs are extremely awful for fetal turn of events. I myself have rheumatoid joint pain alongside nervousness and gloom and I should look for a clinical expert for counsel before attempting to get pregnant. Another motivation behind why you should see a specialist previously/during pregnancy is on the grounds that they can give you a rundown of specific things you have to evade or things you ought to and ought not accomplish for a sheltered and sound pregnancy/infant. Taking everything into account, despite the fact that there are different factors and dangers to consider previously/during pregnancy these three are an incredible beginning to having a sound child. The best thing you can accomplish for your future infant is search out a clinical expert immediately on the grounds that they can reveal to all of you about the do’s and don’ts and help you along your excursion into parenthood. Reference Page Marotz, Lynn R. , Allen, Eileen K. (2012) Developmental Profiles: pre-birth through pre-adulthood seventh release. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Recovered from http://www. coursesmart. com/shelf.

War and Verisimilitude in Timothy Findley’s The Wars and Pat Barker’s The Ghost Road - Literature Essay Samples

With the imminent threat of global war looming over Europe, fear and hostility came to cast a shadow over the continent. A war that would almost decimate a generation of young men, became the reality for writers, poets, scholars, and artists who left an impression that would never be forgotten. World War I proved to be a dark and tumultuous period in European history that would later be the inspiration for contemporary authors, whose writing explored the Great War’s influences and effect on the period. Through some of the iconic fictional literary works based on the war, a broader understanding of the hardships and brutality involved are established using elements of verisimilitude. Verisimilitude can be defined as â€Å"the semblance of reality in dramatic or nondramatic fiction†. The technique attempts to present a realistic view of an event and evoke its believability for readers. Verisimilitude originated from Aristotle’s mimesis theory that applied to artist s attempting to depict reality in their work. The word itself originates from the seventeenth century, and the technique became popular in novels during the 20th century. In a piece of historical fiction, its purpose can be to promote historicity, and create a more powerful emotional attachment between the reader and the text. Verisimilitude offers a platform for describing brutality in a realistic light. Two novels that depend significantly on the creation of verisimilitude are Timothy Findley’s The Wars and Pat Barker’s The Ghost Road. Both incorporate verisimilitude as a tool to engage and maintain a balance of realism within the fictional work. In The Wars the protagonist, a Canadian soldier named Robert Ross, struggles with internal conflicts of longing and regret, while simultaneously fighting the real war in Europe. Findley tells much of the story through the eyes of a reporter who tries to discover the truth about Robert Ross using first hand accounts from relatives and friends who knew Robert. The novel’s complex narrative creates a nonlinear plot that revolves around both the reporter and Robert Ross. The reporter’s method of telling the story produces an element of believability as it provides more than one point of view to Robert’s life. Findley integrates elements of verisimilitude to create a piece of historical fiction while still presenting the underlying actual brutality on the battlefield. Similarly, The Ghost Road, achieves verisimilitude by following the story of Billy Prior and William Rivers, British citizens who play different roles in the war effort. Prior is a soldier from a small t own in Scotland who experiences the war first hand, similar to Robert Ross. Prior’s experience in the trenches as an officer returning for his second tour in France gives him an advantage but does not save him from the horrors that the war brings to all. William Rivers, a psychiatrist working at a hospital ward in England, presents a nonlinear storyline shifting between the hospital and memories of his time with a headhunting tribe in the Pacific. This allows Barker to tell two stories from the same character’s point of view, both inside and outside the war. Barker does this in an attempt to express the true futility of the war, telling the story of what becomes a ‘lost generation’ for Western Europe. In order to exhibit the importance of this common theme, verisimilitude instigates a serious tone. Rivers’ job at the hospital maintains a believable and often grim tone, while his life with the headhunters incorporates elements of spirituality that Th e Wars does not address. The successful use of verisimilitude can contribute to a novel’s coherence and promote its believability. Whether it be Barker’s use of horrific, detailed imagery or Findley’s explicit allusions and historical accuracy, both novels achieve verisimilitude. It is the specific techniques that each author uses that distinguish the two war novels and their realistic perspectives. The Wars is riddled with detailed, vivid animal imagery that is often accompanied by brutality. Findley evokes realism in these scenes through pity for the slaughter of innocent animals. During Robert’s time on the S.S. Massanabie, an injured horse is described with its â€Å"broken leg stretched out behind it, so badly smashed that it showed the bone†¦Ã¢â‚¬  while â€Å"it whined and tried to rise again but its efforts were completely useless†. With the bone showing and the whining of the horse, a mixture of visual and auditory imagery creates brutality paired with the realistic elements of the horse’s suffering, evoking sympathy for the horse. The images guide the verisimilitude as they enhance the relatable agony and also make coping with the war more difficult. The horses become symbolic of the innocence and bravery of men on the frontline, being slaughtered needlessly and brutally in battle. The pain associated with witnessing animals suffer is presen ted in the character Rodwell, a soldier fighting alongside Robert in the trenches. Rodwell arrives at his new post to find soldiers â€Å"slaughtering rats and mice† and is forced to â€Å"watch the killing of a cat† (Findley 150). This sadistic behaviour becomes a coping mechanism that distracts the men from the horrific trench conditions and brutal human events they witness. However, the continual needless slaughter causes Rodwell to commit suicide, distinguishing him as the only soldier who tries to stop this barbarism. Despite committing suicide, a trait normally associated with poor mental health, he is ironically presented as the most sane soldier in this situation. This highlights the extent to which the war destroys a soldier’s mental health, which the characters express through committing heinous, barbaric atrocities. To maintain relatability, Findley includes two different methods of coping with brutal elements of war through the use of animal imagery. The soldiers come from a variety of age groups and social backgrounds making it only natural for each man to have different methods of coping with brutality, making Findley’s depiction more verisimilitudinous. During the barn fire scene, Mickle says â€Å"a prayer for Robert Rossfor a quick death† and as Robert narrowly escapes, he utters â€Å"‘[t]he dog’† repeatedly before passing out (Findley 212). Despite the improbable event of fifty horses being caught in a barn fire, Robert and Mickle continue to express common human values. They do not however, become barbaric savages as they represent a higher order of men with compassion and understanding of war. Compassion is the prominent human characteristic that is often lost or forgotten in times of war, but that Robert and Mickle do express in this scene. Robert’s concern for the dog and Mickle’s concern for Robert, both create verisimilitude by expressing humane values in spite of bru tal situations. They demonstrate a type of courage, that Findley does not often include in The Wars, but by doing so, Findley gives Ross and Mickle more altruistic qualities, allowing for a more sympathetic protagonist. Nature continues to play an important role in creating realism by adding common connections to a world filled with absurd and horrific realities. Detailed description of setting, in particular the inclement weather conditions, becomes another method that Findley uses to create verisimilitude. He introduces a tumultuous setting in Belgium, where the weather conditions make coping with the war even more arduous. On the voyage to Europe, â€Å"[t]he storm that raged was real and it wreaked havoc in every quarter of the shipjugs of milk and water crashed and spun across the decks† (Findley 57). Here, the description of the ship’s voyage across the stormy Atlantic not only triggers the common knowledge of the Atlantic’s climate, creating a sense of believability, but also creating pathetic fallacy and foreshadowing the imminent dangers of the war. This can also be seen as a metaphor for men entering battle and possibly dying. Away from the front, Mrs. Ross attempts to cope with her son’s involvement in the war by â€Å"seek[ing] out storms† and taking â€Å"pleasure in the rain and snow† (F indley 151). To parallel the brutal conditions she imagines her son enduring, she unnecessarily exposes herself to harsh weather. It is natural for a mother to grieve about her son’s absence; Findley uses her self exposure to harsh weather as another form of foreshadowing as well as to continue verisimilitude. Alongside weather, realistic descriptions of physical setting such as using historically accurate cities and regions, help create relatability and believability. Upon Robert’s arrival in France, Findley provides a description of Ypres and Flanders, stating that â€Å"[t]o its rear-which is to say South West-is the only physical landmark worth mentioning: Kemmel Hill† (Findley 75). Kemmel Hill is in fact to the southwest of Ypres and was a key strategic point to control during the war. Findley’s use of specific, authentic landmarks of the region enable him to sustain the geographical and historical realism. This becomes useful later when Findley intr oduces the brutal war sequences, as they are made more believable by the realistic setting, and sustain the element of historicity. The horrific depictions of violence through visual imagery, are perhaps the most effective technique for displaying war’s brutality, especially when paired with verisimilitude. As the shattering artillery barrage rains down upon the men in their trenches, â€Å"the earth swayed. Forward. Back. Forward. Half-backfilled with smoke and things began to fall. Helmets, books, canned goodsthe pounding of guns was less a noise than a brutal sensation of being repeatedly hit† (Findley 121-122). This description employs three different forms of sensory imagery including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, all of which personify the artillery barrage as a sort of impending external force attacking the men. This highlights elements of the brutal conditions soldiers are forced to live and relive, in an attempt to connect the barrage to a relatable experience. At the hands of the flamethrower, â€Å"[t]he ground was on fire [and] [t]roops were obliterated and others brought forwardbu t no one had believed it† (Findley 147). Despite the novel’s publication long after flamethrowers were first used, Findley describes them as a new and unbelievable invention befitting the reaction soldiers first experiencing this form of weaponry would react. Historical accuracy allows Findley to present the brutal imagery of destruction, without evoking much shock or doubt, and thus conveying verisimilitude. One of the most horrific instances in the novel occurs when Robert Ross is sexually assaulted by his own fellow soldiers. Robert finds himself defenseless in a dark room as four men pulled â€Å"at his lips until he thought his jaw was going to snaphe lost sense of gravitysomeone struck him in the face†¦[a]ll he could feel was the shape of the man who entered him and the terrible strength of the force with which it was done† (Findley 193). This bold, quick action, evokes discomfort through shocking imagery that presents the brutality soldiers face in wa r. The visual senses are impaired in this scene, and it is told only through kinesthetic imagery, which provides more disturbing descriptions of the reality of the situation. The depictions of desperation and horror Ross experiences, is in a moment of total confusion and chaos, making this the most brutal point of the novel. Findley’s method of suspending the reader’s disbelief is reliant on historicity and gruesome, detailed images, similar to Pat Barkers in The Ghost Road. However, Barker has a more scientific approach to her use of imagery. This begins through a description of the wounded soldier, Hallet, in the hospital with his â€Å"exposed eye [that] was sunk deep in his skull†¦[t]he hernia cerebri pulsat[ing], looking like some strange submarine form of life, the mouth of a sea anemone perhaps† making it clear he is in very critical condition. Barker intertwines medical terms with the use of simile, to create a clearer image of a hospital scene. A realistic hospital ward would encompass the gory brutality of how these men were affected when they came back, and it was made evident through the horrified reactions of the loved ones who visited. In the midst of the cumbersome war sequences, Billy Prior veers from any sort of morality, and uses a local French boy, damaged by the war, to relieve his sexual tension. Prior recounts in his journal: â€Å"I pulled down his trousers and drawers and started nosing and tonguing aroundA smell of chrysanths left too long in water, then a deeper friendlier smell†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Barker 248). This scene differs from the previous hospital scene as it is a first person account from Prior’s journal and stimulates the olfactory senses with everyday flowers to draw attention away from the heinous actions. In a way, Prior takes a break from the war, but still shows signs that he was affected by the gore and tragedy that the war has already brought upon him. After the counter attack on the front line Prior writes: â€Å"[b]rain exposed, a lot of blood, a lot of stuff not blood down the side of his neck. One eye goneI was thinking, What’s the use? He’s going to die anyway† (Barker 196). Although it may sound pessimistic, Prior bluntly recounts the story in his journal as he honestly feels it will end in Hallet’s death. Prior’s matter-of-fact tone suggests that there is no way back for Hallet from the brutality he has suffered. Much of the novel is set in William Rivers’ hospital where he is a therapist working with soldiers who have returned from horrifying experiences on the front. In the hospital, Rivers believes that â€Å"the rules of medicine are one thing, the rules of ritual drama are quite another† but then the diagnoses of the â€Å"quite unusually virulent† Spanish Influenza is given to a patient (Barker 53). When Barker explores the ‘magical’ or ‘witchcraft’ element of Rivers’ medical techniques, she also incorporates real medical cases to maintain a sense of balance. This brief inclusion of factual evidence is enough to counterbalance the magical realm and maintain the notion that Rivers is a real doctor who can actually help the brutalized patients. A conversation in the hospital wing between Rivers and Wansbeck commences with Rivers asking, â€Å"‘[a]nd the dream?’ ‘It isn’t a dream.’ ‘The apparition , then.’ ‘Oh, we still see quite a bit of each other.’ ‘Do you ever miss a night?’ A faint smile† (Barker 224). The conversation’s divergence into the supernatural realm that leaves behind notions of believability, is attributed to Wansbeck’s psychological state after the war. Barker maintains an element of verisimilitude in the way Rivers is somewhat skeptical about the apparition and also how Wansbeck does not indicate that this is an abnormality and continues to speak casually. These two elements combine to illustrate how soldiers can cope with the horrors and brutality they experience with mechanisms their own minds create. A verisimilitudinous story is usually not controlled by figurative language, but rather by a collection of detailed and specific images. Besides the aforementioned brutal images, common depictions of the everyday life in the hospital or on the battlefield help to create and sustain a realistic setting. One Sunday morning, the soldiers have a bit of free time and Barker lays out the scene with the â€Å"[s]mell of bacon frying, sound of pots and pans clattering abouta shaft of sunlight on the ground and the straw looks like gold† and later describes it as â€Å"[t]he ghost of Sunday morning at home† (Barker 177). A contrast from the scenes of gore and blood, this scene emulates the typical experiences of civilians. This juxtaposition expresses that warfare is often deceptive, and that war is presented as a lie to the public, one of Barker’s anti-war stances. It lays out the guilt that the soldiers feel, then uses contrast to show the sacrifices that the soldiers are ill equipped to make. However, Barker does not completely put them back into the comfort of home as she connects this scene as a ‘ghost’ of Sunday morning at home. This presents the idea that only the rough remnants of what the soldiers once had are safe when on the battlefield. The opposi te connection occurs earlier in the novel in England, as â€Å"Rivers turned to watch the sun swelling and reddening as it sank, a brutal, bloody disc, scored by steeples and factory chimneys†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Barker 116). This time, a peaceful setting is described with images that evoke sorrow and fear, maintaining a realistic scene while also creating pathetic fallacy with the war across the English channel. By connecting both settings, Barker depicts an understanding between those at war and those at home. This depiction is crucial in evoking compassion for the young men giving their lives to a futile cause they never really understand. When creating an illusion of reality, the use of descriptive setting allows for relatability between civilians at home, and those fighting in the war. Narrative style becomes one of the main distinguishing features between the two novels. Barker incorporates an unconventional writing style in which two protagonists’ stories alternate between chapters. Prior’s story is told in part in first person as if he is writing a journal, as well as conventional third person omniscient point of view. Rivers’ tells two stories simultaneously, one about his current job in the hospital and one about his past experience with headhunters, but both are told in third person. Prior’s first hand account reads like a war journal and tells the brutal events from the direct point of view of the character. This is the most direct development of verisimilitude as it allows the reader to experience hardships and horror through the eyes of the soldier. The closer and more in depth narrative style allows for more relatability to the fictional character and ultimately produces verisimilitude. Findley uses a postmodern style of writin g in which readers interpret the story as they please. A typical element of postmodernism is self-reflexivity in which the reader can connect various perspectives into one story which is seen in the various witnesses the reporter asks about Robert Ross.Aside from narrative style, both authors also employ different techniques of depicting verisimilitude. In The Wars significant animal and natural images contribute to the verisimilitude displayed whereas, The Ghost Road remains mostly focused on the human aspect of the war. Of course, The Wars frequently develops aspects of human emotion and psychology; however, it also includes vivid animal images that distinguish it from The Ghost Road. Much of Findley’s use of verisimilitude is dependent on an understanding of some of these animals and background knowledge of the geography and historical context of World War I. This is seen for example, with the names of provinces, the climate, the animals’ reactions, and the technolo gy of the time. These universal connections to the reader evoke emotion and address psychological phenomenon that occurs among soldiers in a group setting. In contrast, Barker occasionally focuses on spirituality, a feature that is not included in The Wars. However, instead of detracting from the believability of the novel, Barker’s inclusion of supernatural elements connect to the reader on levels beyond the emotional and physical. In The Ghost Road, a significant portion of the novel is spent developing the characters of the head-hunter island from Rivers’ point of view, and creating a sympathetic connection with them. Paired with the fact that the narrator tells the story with a focus on Rivers who is a doctor and uses scientific terms, the connection allows for the spiritual encounters to be taken with less judgement and disbelief. When preparing for the funeral of a respected tribe member, Ngea, the islanders place â€Å"a diadem of shells round [his] cranium and other shells in the sockets of [his] eyes† and began to make prayers for Ngea to be propitious in war and beyond (Barker 206). This scene makes allusion to the war that islanders believe men fight in the afterlife. Wishing Ngea propitiousness illustrates war as an event in which individuals must survive on their own, allowing for connections to be made with Prior’s fight in Europe. These connections contribute to the idea that war has universal themes of futility that Barker actively criticises by maintaining verisimilitude through even the supernatural sequences. Since both authors were born after World War I, they required extensive research and understanding of the elements that bound war stories together, such as futility, brutality, and chaos, as well as the actual history. They each had the task of maintaining historical and scientific accuracy in order to produce believable war stories. Notably, in The Ghost Road, when Prior is asked whether urine drenched socks can really protect from gas attacks he says â€Å"nobut it didn’t half take your mind off it† (Barker 181). This is a contradiction to The Wars, when the men are faced with a gas attack and â€Å"[t]he ammonia in their urineturn the chlorine into harmless crystals that could not be breathed† (Findley 141). Though both novels make reference to the same action, one could question which author more accurately presents these scientific details. In theory, Robert Ross was correct, that ammonia in urine should react with the chlorine gas and crystallize it, and hi storically the Canadian army was able to survive many gas attacks prior to having gas masks. However, according to Bert Newman of the Royal Medical Corps, after gas attacks in which soldiers used urine as protection, â€Å"you could see all these poor chaps laying on the Menin Road, gasping for breath†. Historical accuracy is necessary in creating verisimilitude, and whether or not each work is accurate, both novels describe urine used to combat chlorine gas attacks. Maintaining historicity in the minor details is crucial for the fluidity of a novel as it allows the authors to present their ideas seriously without inaccuracies drawing attention away from the story. This also continues to exhibit the theme of brutality, as covering one’s face in urine is a task so demoralizing to the human spirit, however it stays true to realistic and historical values. The result of both authors’ works is a way of criticising war and its ability to desensitize men to violence and brutality. Verisimilitude contributes to the depiction of these two anti-war novels by suggesting that violence on the battlefield is carried off the battlefield due to the soldiers’ desensitized state of mind. Sam Jordison from ‘The Guardian† describes Pat Barker’s depictions of the war as â€Å"vivid and pack[ing] an emotional punch†. She encompasses war through two identifiable and relatable characters, taking the World War I scenes to a more universal level. The central issues that she confronts, leave a lasting impression and instigate the notion that despite being in World War I, the extent of the brutality is present in any battlefield. Meanwhile, Findley’s style of incorporating verisimilitude includes memorable animal imagery and historically accurate locations and battles such as Ypres. These depictions of historical battlegrounds, bring life to specific instances beyond just statistics of lives lost. However, Findley still suggests universality as he encompasses some of the significant psychological factors that are deeply affected by all forms of war. Despite contrasting methods of displaying verisimilitude, both novels attempt to highlight the absurdities of war and the ways it affects the minds of soldiers. These young men, desensitized to images of violence, act in ways that evoke utter discomfort for the reader. Their actions touch upon the fear of what men are capable of becoming when stripped down to their darkest, most primitive instincts. Both authors use verisimilitude to establish the idea that war brings out the worst in men, and often replace the characteristics of courage, bravery, and compassion with barbaric displays of brutality and a competition for survival. Men such as Robert Ross and Billy Prior lose sight of the cause they are fighting for and instead fight for their own survival. This twisted group mentality leads to instances of rape or animal torture that despite being completely barbaric, still allows a degree of moral ambiguity due to the verisimilitude used. This connection to the real world that is created by verisimilitude, evokes pity for the characters despite their ruthless actions, as they have witnessed horrors that have changed the way they think and behave. By presenting numerous barbarities, the two authors depict war as an atrocity on a universal level. Using verisimilitude, each author creates a novel that criticises the fabric of warfare by highlighting the brutality of war.

What is e- business - Free Essay Example

Chapter1. 1.1 What is E- Business? Electronic Business is very simple the meaning to any reader that Business taking place electronically. E-Business which we are benefiting from has gone through many stages of maturity. One of main reason to choose this topic is that to see how organisation either switching their business to E-Commerce or starting solely only online business. No doubt there are many advantages but its note free of limitations. 1.2 Purpose of Report: There are many Organisations to consider in my report but I am choosing ASOS (As seen on Screen). ASOS is the United Kingdoms one of largest online-only fashion and Beauty store. The purpose to consider this organisation is to highlight in detail how ASOS using E-commerce Technology captured significant market share and Market Reputation. ASOS has targeted the people of age group 16-34, catering to both genders. I would like to focus how they formulated their E-Commerce strategy and how they have chosen a specific age group to Target their business to. ASOS has spent lots of money on Research and Developments. I would like to mention here very recent Example of their Advertising campaign in UK.I have seen in many places specially on Bus stops where they are advertising to give chance to every   individual to visit their website and upload your picture to participate in street style competition. I would also like to consider how their financial position has been significantly increased and showed positive sign of further progress in this Recovery Economic cycle. They also launched US, French and German specific language website which is another addition to their enhanced performance. I will also focus on their statement of core purpose Our core purpose is to inspire and power your fashion discovery; without an internal brand and strong people strategy we would not be able to live up to that promise. www.asos.com https://www.networksolutions.com/education/what-is-ecommerce/ Scope of the report: Here, I will discuss how still ASOS is achieving its target and maintaining its consistency in performance. The scope also included to focus on Business to Business(B2B) and Business to Consumer(B2C).The issues to be covered regarding birth of ASOS then how it has been built to reach at this stage, Development in progress, expanding abroad, organising events and their passion for more innovation. The report will also analyse Financial and Non Financial Ratios to reflect their position. Graphical Demonstration is also part of it. Key Results: Research of journals and ASOS financial statements shows the following split of its Fashion category: Women swear Clothing : 56% Womenswear Non-Clothing : 16% Menswear : 20% Beauty/Outlet/Kids : 8% There is significant growth in International markets, now ASOS is shipping to 167 countries. International sales has been increased by 95% in 2009-2010.In 2004/05, Uk sales was   94% and International sale was   6 %,   but in 2009/10, UK sales was 75% and International sales was 25%.It shows how ASOS has expanded all over the world by using its own brands and other existing brands. Currently, trading result has been issued at ASOS website and CEO, Nick Robertson has reported another successful year including highlights for the 2010/2011, Retails sales has been increased 58% on year (UK +24% and International +144 %). As Internationaly becoming an increasingly significant part of   ASOS future, Nick Robertson pleased to see International sales mix exceed that of the UK for the first time, accounting for 52% of retail sales.   https://www.asosplc.com/Doc/pdf/Announcements/Q4_Trading_Update_FINAL.pdf www.asos.com https://www.asosplc.com/Investors/Financials/Annual_~_Interim_Results/JQueryTabs.aspx?id=45 https://www.asosplc.com/Doc/pdf/Announcements/Q4_Trading_Update_FINAL.pdf www.asos.com https://www.asosplc.com/Investors/Financials/Annual_~_Interim_Results/JQueryTabs.aspx?id=45 Summary findings: The research finding shows a continuous growth in the financial and Market growth of the Organisation which is due to its strong E-Commerce bases Business Strategies. As ASOS is only online fashion retail store and up to 2010, 3 website in USA, France and Germany in their languages has been launched. It is E-Commerce who makes it not that hard to get access to one of the largest Economies otherwise it would have been quite costly to enter into larger fashion Markets such as of France and USA.Where physical presence in the form of Retail stores would have been quite challenging Financial and taking in context the strong competitors already present there. How greatly cost effective it is for ASOS, because they have Debt free financing. ASOS is one of those organisation where E-Commerce has played a vital role which are now Multimillion  £ organisation which are experiencing rapid growth due to E-Commerce base business. Chapter 2. Introduction. People thinke-commerceis just people browsing, but theres more to it than that. More and more people are using programs and agents to shop for the best deal, and thats how theyre going to be getting to your site. ~Tim Berners-Lee(June 08, 1955 ) Impact of an E-commerce on an Organisation plays a vital role on any Organisation, which has culture of Adopting this Approach and has Management to cope with approach, when most of the businesses now considering adopting this approach to enhance their performance and considering cost benefit analysis. I have chosen this topic because I mostly use E-Commerce websites and mostly read journals and Articles regarding organisations launching E-Commerce in their businesses. I strongly believe how E-commerce can cut down cost in any organisation. Many Businesses started to shift from Real time Market to Digital Market. https://www.instantshift.com/2010/03/26/the-history-of-online-shopping-in-nutshell/ E-commerce can be described as: the sharing business information, maintaining business relationships and conducting business transactions by means of telecommunications networks where business transactions take place via telecommunications networks, especially the Internet describes the buying and selling of products, services and information via computer networks including the Internet the conduct of a à ¯Ã‚ ¬?nancial transaction by electronic means Since transactions go through the Internet and the Web, the terms I-commerce (Internet commerce), icommerce and even Web-commerce have been suggested but are now very rarely used. It goes unnoticed that E-Commerce and its underlying technology is around us since almost   4 decades. The term e-commerce was originated   to describe the process of doing   business transactions electronically using technology from the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). These technologies, emerged in late 1970s, usually allowed many organisations   to share information among themselves, typically in the form of electronic purchase orders and invoices. EDI and EFT were theenabling technologiesthat laid the groundwork for what we now know as e-commerce. The Boston Computer Exchange, a marketplace for used computer equipment started in 1982, was one of the first known examples of e-commerce. Then it was in all 1980s when we have seen proliferation of these plastic cards, ATM machines and Phone banking, which was next step in evolution of   E-Commerce. In early 1990s, e-commerce has started to include other enterpri se Resource planning (ERP), Data Warehousing and Data mining. https://www.asos.com/infopages/pgeaboutus.aspx https://sellitontheweb.com/blog/history-of-e-commerce/ https://www.sxccal.edu/msccs/ecommerce1.pdf https://www.retail-week.com/careers/etail-power-list-2010/01-nick-robertson/5019098.article The world of E-Business. The word commerce and Business doesnt have much difference. Instead it wont be wrong to say that e-commerce is a part of e-business.   Electronic business transactions involves money are E-Commerce activities. when we talk about E-Business, it means have think broadly as E-Business doesnt mean that it is Buying and selling goods   and accepting only credit cards. What about Customer, Marketing, Procurement? This is where E-Business broadly focussed on. Figure 1 is clearly a perfect demonstration of E-commerce and E-Business. https://www.ebusinessprogrammers.com/ebusiness/ecommerce_and_ebusiness.asp As with e-commerce, e-business (electronic business) also has a number of different deà ¯Ã‚ ¬?nitions and is used in a number of different contexts. One of the à ¯Ã‚ ¬?rst to use the term was IBM, in October 1997, when it launched a campaign built around e-business. Today, major Organisations are rethinking their businesses to switch through internet and its new culture and capabilities and this is what some see as e-business. E-business is the conduct of business on the Internet, not only buying and selling but also servicing customers and collaborating with business partners. Who is ASOS? ASOS has been established in June 2000 by CEO Nick Robertson. As Nick Robertson is Entrepreneur, he started ASOS with only 3 Employees and after 10 years, he has over 1000 Employees. Nick Robertson has started with step to step approach to capture market share. ASOS has been started in June 2000 and he submitted ASOS PLC holdings to AIM on London stock Exchange. ASOS has launched branded fashions good and then in 2004   first launched its own label product for women, then ASOS has launched ASOS Beauty in 2005 and with this consistent approach, ASOS was the first UK online store to Launch Catwalk in 2006, then ASOS own label for Men has been launched in 2007 and their performance doesnt stopped even in Recession and up to now, ASOS has their website in American, German and French Languages. ASOS has also launched ASOS Little which caters for babies for up to 24 months and Boys and girls from 2-8 years. It includes all High Fashion brands like Diesel, Tommy Hilfiger, Miss sixty and True Religion. ASOS also launched its own Magazine, Facebook page and in final Quarter of 2010, had launched three international stores, ASOS USA, ASOS France, and ASOS Germany. ASOS Mobile has been launched In October 2010, which has been designed works through all devices like Blackberry, Android, Symbian and I Phone Operating systems. https://www.asos.com/infopages/pgeaboutus.aspx ASOS and E-Business: ASOS is one of the Largest Online Retail only, catering to the Fashion Retail sector specifically in UK and Great share in International market. They share some really Interesting Results for year 31st March,2010 which clearly shows the Profits they have reaped by adopting E-Commerce as their primary Business   Strategy. The company has gained rapid growth in the retail industry in a matter of few years. Limitation of E-Business: E-Business is not free of limitations as there are areas where any organisation has to be competent and keeps spending to improve what customer demands. In E-Business, Confidentiality and privacy is always key issue which could lead to distrust and hesitation among the customers to use services online Another drawback of the E-Business is that the customers cannot have exact feel and look of the product before purchasing so it depends on the organisation that how clearly and in detail they present the product or service. In this world of internet, networks failure could cause serious disruption customers and business alike, which could result in loss of revenue and productivity. Limitation for the ASOS is that they dont have retail outlets where they could probably miss their targets who may want to see and feel stuff before they buy. Summary of history: In Brief, we can say how ASOS have utilised the E-Commerce business strategy to established themselves in the fashion retail industry having rapid growth in a matter of only 10 years and has now become the one of the Major fashion player in E-Business and it is standing proudly shoulder to shoulder with some of the more established high street competitors. The organisation is a radiant example of a successful E-Business. Procurement : The company executives took a step by step approach, in targeting the customers and implementing the business plan. They have invested in parts and specifically targeted age group after a thorough market research. If we analyse the history of ASOS, we find that it has started with some Famous High Street brands the likes of Diesel, FireTrap, Karen Millen and French Connection etc and then gradually launched its own label products in interval of years. This was a part of their business objective to enhance their financial gains by starting their own company brand. ASOS promotes welcoming Like Minded talent together .It says their people have no fear to enter into the unknown market. .https://www.drapersonline.com/people/next-generation/asos/5021069.article https://www.asosplc.com/Who_We_Are/Our_History/Default.aspx?id=15 https://www.asosplc.com/Investors/Financials/Annual_~_Interim_Results/JQueryTabs.aspx?id=45 Risk Management and Financing: ASOS insisted that all of their investments have been funded using operating cash flows and if any additional working capital required, it uses short term facilities. ASOS group is continuously working to reduce Risk of Interest rates, Foreign Exchanges and other financial risk. Their hedging strategy is to hedge their future foreign currency risk for 6 and 12 months forward. That is the one of the reason that they have got DEBT FREE BALANCE SHEET with increase in net cash to  £ 15.6 million. https://www.asosplc.com/Investors/Financials/Annual_~_Interim_Results/JQueryTabs.aspx?id=45 So how did this tiny start-up become the UKs leading fashion site, at a time when traditional rivals with a much longer heritage were and are struggling? There are many reasons: the site offers something for everyone men and women of course, but also maternity wear, beauty products and kids wear. Although it does sell premium items, the average price is reasonable and accessible, the site is easy to navigate, and it is painless to return items which is more, in Fashion Statements experience, than can be said for some far more expensive online retailers. Then there is the generation it sells to, its key demographic one that expects a snappy online experience as a matter of course. E-Commerce Diagram below describes how the key elements of E-Commerce connected to each other. Information Gathering: In Gathering information for my topic, I have used two main Approaches. Quantitative Approach Qualitative Approach. In Quantitative approach, Research regarding subject has been done through collecting it and then evaluating it through application of Mathematical Models and then demonstrate the Results in the form of Graphs, Statistical data and Tabular forms. Research usually been obtained through internally generated Financial information e.g., periodically (Monthly, Quarterly) performance report/statements with Graphs and statistics as well. In Qualitative approach, it is different in nature; it is like soft data, where data has been gathered through Interview, Observation to interpret the details of finding from the research methods. In the Annual report, it is really helpful to get these data where Company senior management Interviews, statements has been reported There has been both Primary and secondary research involved in my carrying out search for discussing impact of E-Business on an Organisation. For primary search purposes, ASOS website was the main point of getting information regarding their financial and Non financial performance. Primary: ASOS website investor section has been mostly used in my Research Analysis where their Annual report for the year ended March 2010 helped a lot. Structure of report and split of information in different categories, made it easy to focus on required area. It kept engaged while doing research when organisation about us gathering information is ASOS. ASOSs consistency in achieving its objectives and hitting all budgeted and forecasted figures has been exceeding in almost every single year since it has been started. Through participative observation, being a customer of ASOS, I have experience an easy to use feature enriched website which enables the customer to purchase the desired product in a matter of few clicks. Secondary:In secondary search, articles from various weekly magazines, Newspapers, other comparison websites of E-Business, ACCA Text books, Library, Case study helped a lot. Limitation on information Gathering: As ASOS is only virtual business, all relevant information regarding their Strategy, their growth plan, further expansion strategies, the main point of getting all data is online, Magazine Articles, Newspaper. Because if business has got outlets as well then it provides opportunity to get access to any outlets and ask their Management for interview, latest developments, events taking place. No doubt, having own experience by doing that kind of primary research enhance your information gathering. Business Techniques and Models: When we talk about E-Business, its all about Businesses,Goverments and Customers who originate E-commerce.E-Commerce can be divided into further categories, considering perspectives of producers/providers and customers: ACCA P3 Interactive study manual Business-to-Business(B2B_ Business-to-Consumer(B2C) Business-to-employee(B2E) Business-to-government(B2G) Government-to-business(G2B) Government-to-government(G2G) Consumer-to-consumer(C2C) Consumer-to-Business(C2B) https://www.sxccal.edu/msccs/ecommerce1.pdf ASOS has mainly focussed on the following: B2B ( Business to Business) E-commerce is E-business enable organisations to connect their internal and external data processing systems more efficiently and flexibly which lead the operations among suppliers and partners to operate more closely, and needs of customers are satisfied and exceed the expectations. ASOS believes and confident to say that actions which has been taken   and there are still more exciting innovation in progress which will keep ASOS apart from other rivals and lead us to drive boost to sales. E-Business has impacting both party, means ASOS selling over 800 brands and plus their own internal brands as well. To some extent using other high street brands they are generating goodwill for their brands as well. It is B2B which are connecting and sharing data among themselves. There are normally 3 groups of B2B in which many E-business could fit in. Direct selling and support to Business. E-Procurement Information Sites. https://www.sxccal.edu/msccs/ecommerce1.pdf Interactive LSBF, P3 study Manual. https://www.asosplc.com/Investors/Financials/Annual_~_Interim_Results/JQueryTabs.aspx?id=45 Recent example of Business to Business is when ASOS has been targeted by Giant Super Market TESCO Plc for Fashion venture, after Tesco has found the excellent recession-Busting growth of ASOS. https://econsultancy.com/uk/blog/4255-tesco-targets-asos-chooses-venda-for-fashion-venture B2C (Business to consumer) It is another split of Classification of E-commerce in any Business, where any transaction which ends on serving products or services for the consumer. Any E-business basically do Serve consumers plus retailers as well. ASOS is ambitious doing much for their consumers, they have launched free return to their UK customers in Sep, 2009 and also started Free Supersaver delivery for UK customer which in return gave us a positive reaction and our Items per basket, Frequency of orders have all increases as a direct result of this. https://www.asosplc.com/Investors/Financials/Annual_~_Interim_Results/JQueryTabs.aspx?id=45 For Ecommerce usability is one of the largest contributors to customer conversion and retention rates. Do ASOS follow best practice? If we follow a customer process through focusing onthree key stages of the buying journey, product page, shopping basket and the checkout. The shopping basket which follows many of the best practice recommendations shows clearly that the item is in stock. For reserved items it is clear how long it has reserved this product for this helps tackle the issue of visitors returning to their shopping basket on a subsequent visit only to find the product they had added previously is no longer in stock. ASOS have tried to ensure secure access and use securely on the button wording, which improves the customers sense of trust/security. There is no ambiguity about what standard delivery costs will be, so visitors dont need to wait until they are within checkout to know what delivery costs are. Along with the product thumbnail and title, there is just the right amount of product information provided to ensure you know that you have ordered the right size, colour and quantity Making the delivery costs clear on the shopping basket allows ASOS to make it absolutely clear what the visitor will be paying in total. ASOS makes this a much more customer friendly experience by allowing you to choose other delivery options at the shopping basket stage. This ensures you are going into the checkout process knowing what you will paying and what delivery period you have specified. They clearly display which payment methods are accepted ensuring that shoppers are not confused. Business Model: According to Michael Rapas (P3 Business Analysis Interactive book),General E-business models, ASOSs Business Model was based on Merchant but then as the company business grew, the business model evolved encompassing the Merchant and Manufacturer as well: Merchant:ASOS has started as retailers of goods by using other famous high street brands like All Saints, Mango, and Firetrap etc. A virtual merchant operates only over the web (e.g. Amazon, EBay). Business was started with an Initial Investment of  £1.4m.They has marketed high street market brands and then slowly on step by step Approach. Manufacturer:   After Advertising and hitting targets of their initial strategy of selling external High street brands, ASOS has developed their own internal brands. That is how they have been called as Manufacturer, because it relies on the power of the website to get access buyers directly and then provide distribution channel. ASOS this model is based on Improved, Efficiency, and Customer Service. Brokerage:   As we know, Brokers are those who make markets,they bring together buyers and sellers together and then provide Transaction Facility.Brokers play vital role in businesses like ASOS where there are B2B,B2C markets.ASOS is now operating on combination of Manufacturer and Brokerage Models. The E-business model has always been based on IT Applications and using B2B, B2C, ASOS has chosen CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Tools to support their Strategic Growth Plans. CRM is one the Internal Business Systems Application, is a Business Strategy focuses on Customers with objectives of Maximising Turnover, Customer Satisfaction and Profits. ASOS has chosen this tool from SMARTFOCUS which helps them to keep record of Customer buying, their feedback, refer a friend, Loyalty programmes. Mhairi Brown, CRM Manager for ASOS, said that using Smartfocus will facilitate easy solution and strong marketing strategy and choosing CRM will help to achieve their goal of a Truly Customer Focussed business. https://www.onwindows.com/Articles/Asos-chooses-CRM-for-growth/2812/Default.aspx P3 LSBF Study Manual. https://www.sxccal.edu/msccs/ecommerce1.pdf This framework, was à ¯Ã‚ ¬?rst developed by Kalakota and Whinston, who knows as a Professors of Information Systems, takes a holistic View and identià ¯Ã‚ ¬?es the different components of business and technology which will combine together to form E-commerce. In ASOS, this framework applies equally as in any other E-Business.The following are built on foundation of technology: People and Organisation: People of ASOS are the all key stakeholders like suppliers, customers, Employees, Government, Other regulatory Authorities, which any organisation prioritise according to their level of power and interest in organisation. It is a interaction between People and Organisation which manage to coordinate the Infrastructure, Applications and Businesses and it leads for the functioning of E-Commerce. https://www.sxccal.edu/msccs/ecommerce1.pdf Public Policy: ASOS have to comply with relevant laws and Regulations according to their geographical location. They should follow the relevant tax policies and making sure all payments made according to the relevant Laws and Regulations. ASOS must follow internal procedures and making the most of Tax evasion policies. Company must maintain high level of confidentiality to proceeds as to retain customer confidence; this can be achieved by segregation of duties and applying strong internal control. They must also ensure that security systems are improved to keep the Organisation confidentiality policy competitive globally. https://www.sxccal.edu/msccs/ecommerce1.pdf Technical standards: In Technical standards, all data has been converted into such a way that it can be use universally, means all data can travel seamlessly across different network where it is accessed by range of hardware and software like Palmtops, Computers and other kinds of browsers. ASOS have not got only one website now for user interface and they do meet all Technical standards globally. https://www.sxccal.edu/msccs/ecommerce1.pdf The next part of the Model is Infrastructure and E-Business work by Interlink of both Technology and Infrastructure. Common Business Service : In this part of Infrastructure, once all process of creation of data and content done, its been display and transmitted for user interface, other supporting services has to play their part to facilitate buying and selling. ASOS website in very well structured and one can see how this process works. For finalising transaction on ASOS, one should be feel safe and rely before authorise any payments because of confidentiality issue. This is where Electronic payment like PayPal in ASOS, directories/Catalogues help to check out. https://marketplace.asos.com/basket Message and Information Distributor: This part of Infrastructure is the Engines and fuel, which takes data around the network after Multimedia content of website, is created. But this content then has to be transported for sending and retrieving this information of content. ASOS has its own form of transporting information. Common Examples are EDI, Hyper Text Transfer Protocol, and Email. https://www.sxccal.edu/msccs/ecommerce1.pdf Publishing: It is   Infrastructure of Warehouses and vehicles, where Electronic data and Multimedia content over the Network are stored and then transported using Publishing Infrastructure like World Wide Web(www), Web Servers transport. It depends on website how much Electronic data and Multimedia content it using. Usually HTML and JAVA are used to create Multimedia content. Some websites are Text only or some contain audio, video, graphics. ASOS website is mostly Text and Multimedia where Images has been mostly used. https://www.sxccal.edu/msccs/ecommerce1.pdf Network: Once all of the above completed, and then Network needed to interconnect globally so it could be access anytime, anywhere. As now Technology is so advanced, we can even use ASOS in our Handsets like IPhone; Android Phones etc with Network provider browsing facility, Internet, Telephone wires, Intranets are all form of communication which forms this Network infrastructure. Interfacing: This is the infrastructure where finally customer can get access to all data on website and have user interface with all application. All Technology and infrastructure components interact together to produce the Ideal demonstration of E-Business. These applications are used by Online Banking Sector, Financial sectors, Marketing and Advertising Agencies, Online Shopping. This model really helps for Senior Management to see how important within business or outside for planning and development of E-Business or E-Commerce solution. https://www.sxccal.edu/msccs/ecommerce1.pdf Analysis: Last 3 years of ASOSs Financial performance are incredible. Where UK economy is in Recession and then in Recovery phase now, in these hard times ASOS has maintained their Growth with Consistency. Records sales, Earning per share and Profit has been recorded. Following is details discussion and Analysis of Financial impact on Income, Expenditures, and Profits for last 3 years. Revenue: ASOSs revenue has shown positive signs as in 2008 and 2009, 90% and 104% increased respectively have been reported in Annual report. Then in 2010, 35% increase had made. Increase was not that significant because of increase in international sales. Huge amount of investment has been made in these years for Warehouses to increase their sales volume. Clothes of all genders, Accessories and Footwear are the main sector which result in boost of Revenue Because online user who hit on daily basis the website is increasing day by day and according to latest record, ASOS.com attracts more than 8 million unique Users in a month of which 3.7 millions are registered users and 1.6 million active users (describes as they have shopped in last 6 months).It can be seen that, because of virtual nature of ASOS, the only way of boosting their income is to attract as much users as it can. In only 10 years, its not easy for any business to be in head to head in ranking in various categories in last 3 year s. In top UK shopping website, ASOS was ranked in 2008 17th (2007:40), 12th in 2009. Figure 2.1 and 2.2 give a birds eye view of Retails sales Split for the year ended 2009 and 2010, where we can see Quarterly sales figures for UK and International, which shows a huge increase in International sales of 103% for year 2008/09 and 144% for year 2009/10. Its indication of how just through E-Commerce, without any outlets overseas, ASOS is on way to Business success. Statistical representation of Split of Sales is shown below which compare quarterly change in retail sales as compare to year 2009 ASOS has been ranked 2 year continuously in 2008(4.74%) and 2009(5.13%), 2 nd to Next with 8.96% in 2008 and 6.31%in 2009, in top 10 player as % of Market share list. Figure 1 A demonstrate their actual and forecast % of market share. Annual Reports: for References Expenditures: Because of driving business with new initiatives taken and Passion to be on top of Online Retailers List, ASOS has spent Millions in Development, Management, Marketing and Infrastructure. They have spent Millions on Warehouses for hitting its Targeted Annual sales. ASOS has spent  £20 million for new warehouse with Initial Capability of  £600 million annual sales. They have done adequate investment in IT Systems and Infrastructure, as being a virtual business; it acts as a back bone for the Organisation to capitalise on their potential growth and to take full advantage of arising new opportunities. In last 3 years, E-Marketing Expenditure played vital role for capturing a potential share in market. Annual Reports: for References. Profit: ASOSs Operating figure has always been good news for its shareholders, particularly for the year ended 2008 and 2009 when their Operating profit has touched milestone of around 100% increase each year. Increase in profits included Expansion of own label products and Launch of ASOS Maternity, Little ASOS   and ASOS black which attracting more users to register and make full use of E-commerce technology. This organisation has spent Millions in E-Marketing, which adds value for achieving required profit. E-Marketing has impacted significantly on ASOS, as ASOS has launched their ASOS mobile then ASOS Facebook. https://www.thetimes100.co.uk/download-asoscom-edition-13-full-case-study_134_325_863 Demonstration of turnover and profil analysis in chart shows history. https://www.connectid.co.uk/stuey/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/asos_financialchart.png Key P erformance Indicators ( KPIs ):   KPIs (Key performance Indicators) are used measured performance, success of an organisation or any specific activity of an organisation. KPIs could be financial or non-financial measurements which indicate how much organisation is compliant towards organisation mission strategy. ASOS has following KPIs mentioned in table. Sales Retail Margin Average basket value Average units per basket Average selling price per unit Number of orders Average basket value is which indicates how much an individual spent for completing its single purchase, which comprises of Number of units in basket. For year ended 2010 Average basket values stay the same for UK and International Customers as compared to year 2009. Average number of units in basket has increased in both markets. International number of orders has increased by 83% which indicates how ASOS as an e-business attracted overseas customers. UK sales have been increased 20% as ASOS has launched its free delivery and free return. International sales have increased by 95% which is result of launching country website of USA, France and Germany. Business valuation: ASOS approach is relatively different as compared to other, as being a one of only online retailer at the moment, ASOS.COM has to innovate and retain that shopping experience which will offer choice, reasonable prices, unique styles and present convenience for online users, because if an organisation is a Fashion retailer, consumer prefers to do shopping by visiting and seeing, trying the stuff they want to buy. Nick Robertson said that we have always stated our desire to achieve a free delivery/ free returns proposition and I am pleased to report that both have been accomplished for all our UK customers. ASOSs competitors GAP, HM, ZARA, NEXT, MS and DEBENHAMS are stepping up into E-Business as well; so where the edge ASOS had over the other competitors, it might be in jeopardy. Not being, physically present on the Retail market, its one of the factors which ASOS have to consider for their future growth and stability. According to Annual Report for year ended March 2010, being an E-business, the entities   results has shown positive signs since it began but their dividend policy is still under review and the reason justified is for shareholders best interests, ASOS will continue to reinvest their cash to utilise the substantial expansion both in UK and abroad. This decision is for short term but for long term purposes the money saved in this manner will be reinvested into the business pumping the much required investment for companys growth and development. https://www.digitallook.com/dl/news/store/3765232/ASOS_seeks_to_fashion_a_niche_overseas.html https://www.thetimes100.co.uk/download-asoscom-edition-13-full-case-study_134_325_863 Strategy: In brief, to be the leading Fashion retailer website in United Kingdom and be a focus for increasing overseas customers. Figure 2 represents graphically the history of growth in UK and overseas. In any organisation, the strategy which firstly focuses is Planning, Pricing, and And Marketing. Strategy makes up of various elements and one of the most important in ASOSs strategy is to keep investing in to support their planned development and growth with maximum efficiency. Following 3 elements tells the reader how passionate this organisation is discussed below. Annual report 2009 Incredible choice: Already offering more than 36000 branded and own label product lines is incredible. It keeps launching new product range so customers have choice according to what they looking for Annual report: 2009. Delivering Impeccable service: ASOS has accomplished their desire to offer free Return and free Delivery for UK customers, now they consider increasing more options of delivery for all customers. Annual report: 2009 Uncompromising Presentation: The only place from where ASOS can see our customer is website, so their motive is to keep improving it and make it that attractive so customers feel fun and enjoy their time while browsing the website. Ref: Annual report 2009 Marketing Strategy: Being an online Fashion Retailer, the organisation have to market their product through the same channel for this, the company have an aggressive strategy which is unique and different, if not same from the competitors. The two main E-Marketing schemes which are part of the marketing strategy are through social network and Email-marketing. Marketing through social networking website:   ASOS already launched ASOS Mobile through which now user can access their E-stores on go. One of the social networking website is Facebook where ASOS got opportunity to do marketing through launching full featured website which will connect them to Over 500 Million has been launched earlier in 2011. Experts guess that social websites would become channel of communication like advertising on TV. Organisation is aware of data protection act and safeguarding the privacy of the customers and for this, has taken serious protective measures to prevent any data theft or its misuse. https://www.zippycart.com/ecommerce-news/2042-asos-poised-to-launch-full-featured-facebook-store.html https://www.zippycart.com/ecommerce-news/1908-facebook-set-to-increase-ecommerce-capabilities.html Social networking websites like Facebook could be next logical step for organisation to set up fully featured version of website through it (fCommerce). In USA, this is already has been adopted where leading high street brands enjoying and maximising trade on this platform. ASOS and French Connection are first Facebook shops launched in UK. Mostly retailers are risk averse when it comes to consider online trading https://www.businesscomputingworld.co.uk/is-your-business-ready-for-f-commerce/. Email-Marketing: The second and the unique way of E-Marketing are through Email Marketing. Email Marketing is not new invention but the way ASOS using it make it different from other customers. As we know, once you are register user on any website in this case like any fashion retailers, registered user keep receiving email regarding new product range, events, Organisation updates, promotion offers. Most of the times, if information is not relevant to user, it might make them to ignore emails from those senders unless it is absolutely related to what they want. In the case of ASOS, to prevent this problem of missing attention of users, they use different senders ID with different theme in email. Another feature of their Email-Marketing is VIP Emails. It sounds like everyone receive those email but in fact VIP emails are for active users who actively involved with organisation in correspondence and in return those users rewarded with VIP messages. But still this causes annoyance if a user receive emails from different IDs the same company, although it minimises the chances of ignorance in other case when sending emails from same ID in other organisation. https://www.mailingmanager.co.uk/blog/why-asos-have-got-their-campaigns-right Planning strategy: ASOS, one of the UKs largest online retail fashion and beauty retailer offers over 36000 branded and own labels line which includes Menswear, Womenswear, Footwear, Accessories, Jewellery and Beauty. When it has been started, there were only 3 Employees and now up to recent figures for year 2010 shows they have over 1000 Employees. With Internationally expansion in recent years, it has become the market leader in online fashion world quickly. Sales for 2010 were  £223 million. ASOS has planned and designed really easy to use website which creates an eye candy experience for the online shopper giving them the experience of a retail store shopping from the Brand information to fabric used, from party wear to casual fashion wear and from colours to the stitching each and every detail is provided so that the customer can confidently choose and purchase from the wide variety of product range available. As they have only got the online retail business so Website plays vital role for attracting customers and registering new users. And the web-interface acts as the shop-window which usually shows the latest fashion trends. ASOS.com attracts more than 8 Millions unique visitors a month and for the year ended April 2010 had 3.7 Million Registered user and out of them 1.6 million are active users according to surveys means they have shopped in last six months. ASOS has started firstly in UK but as we know history tells us how it is beneficial for any organisation, having their business online through Communication (Internet) which is available 24/7 in all over the world. As we know, to expand internationally by having physical existence of any company, is not an easy task, there are many factors involved before any organisation considering expanding abroad. Huge investment required in physically expansion of any organisation internationally as compared to E-Business. The strategic   advantage of making a business E-commerce enable, is that it play key role in decreasing the delivery time, labour cost and other additional costs like Documentation, Reconciliation, Telephone calling, Supervision Expenses. It can be concluded that one can understand how prospective the foundation of ASOS has been led which lead to E-Business oriented Annual report for reference. Pricing strategy: The target customer base is in between 16-34 years old, this age bracket generally constitute of the more fashion frenzy population usually belonging to the student and working class and for them, ASOS has maintained such a pricing strategy that can provide them with products which fulfil their fashion appetite and can be affordable. According to table below extracted from Annual Report 2010, Average selling price per unit including Vat is  £24.38 for UK customers   which is just 7% increase from year 2009.For International customers Average price per unit increases 4% from  £23.35 to  £24.25. Extract from Annual Report 2010. Achievements and Awards: Though ASOS has been launched in 2000 but there are many occasions where its Brands, Quality, and Services has been Awarded and Nominated. ASOS has begun with Other High Street brands but it was not too late when in 2004, its own label womenswear has been launched then following year ASOS launched Beauty. In 2007, ASOS has launched its own menswear label brand range and in same year their first edition of Magazine published. In almost ten years, ASOS has pocketed more than 50 awards. They were first voted the Best Trendsetter in December 2000 by the Sunday Times. https://www.connectid.co.uk/stuey/?p=53 Asos.com has scooped four out of thirteen Awards at E-Commerce Awards in 2009 for Best Customer Experience, Best Pureplay Retailer, User Generated content Innovation and Asos.com picked up four of the thirteen awards at the Ecommerce Awards for Excellence ceremony this week à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬  for Best Customer Experience, the Coveted Olga, user Generated Content Innovation the online Gold Award and Best Pureplay Retailers. https://www.bearingpartnership.com/blog/2009/10/asos-picks-up-four-gongs-at-first-ecommerce-awards/ They have also won Best Online Retailer 2010 at theCosmopolitan Online Fashion Awards 2010 event, ahead of fierce rivals Next.co.uk and RiverIsland.com. https://www.connectid.co.uk/stuey/?p=53 Social impact: Any organisation either online or retail outlets impact socially as well. At current time, Social impact on Environment, Ethics and Employees play vital role to achieve an organisations business goals. ASOS has established policies for Ethic trade, Sustainability, Recruitment, Training and Developments for Personnel. ASOS are active member of Ethical trade initiative (ETI), which consider being practice code in their global supply chain to keep enhancing the working lives of people across the world. ASOS describe their sustainability as they are the first fashion retailer to become carbon neutral, always keep connect with carrier of deliveries for keep improving energy efficient customer delivery and keep doing companywide training. Benchmarking: Benchmarking is an evaluation of quality of an organisations strategy, products and programs with either measurement or standards of its competitors. That comparison, evaluation could Internal, with competitor, best in industry or world class. Being an E-Business and Online fashion retail, ASOS has to be in consistent with other Top UK shopping website. ASOS is eager to be at number 1 for being a holder of maximum percentage of market share which currently stands at number 2. Neil Robertson, CEO of ASOS has taken picture of how ASOS is competing in the market where many of the big names are existing from long time like   Top shop , New Look, HM, River Island, Zara, they wont let ASOS to sell their brands which could be a totally different ASOS once this deal would reach in future. That is one the main reason to expanding outside UK, UK sales are declining gradually and its working more than expectation which we have seen in analysis regarding international growth. https://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article7148909.ece ASOS has been targeted by Tesco for Fashion venture but deal has not been reached as Venda won the worthwhile deal. https://econsultancy.com/uk/blog/4255-tesco-targets-asos-chooses-venda-for-fashion-venture Following tables compare overseas sales over the year performance 2010 to 2011of ASOS plc and Next Plc. Overseas Result of Next plc .Annual Report 2011. ASOS Interim result for year ended March 2011: Asos.com Comparing the international sector of ASOS and Next overseas, they are head to head in e-commerce as International sales of ASOS has increased up to 144% compare to last year 2009/10 and Next has increased its Overseas sale 115% and they expecting to increase it by 100% for next year as estimated. Recommendations ( Ways to extend the business ) Further developments that ASOS could consider are to perhaps focus on a fashion line for trendy seniors (over 50 60 years old).They could consider opening an ASOS fashion school and sponsor up and coming designers. Up to latest development, ASOS has considering to launch Collect and return-in-store service. How they do it? ASOS senior management is in talk with their some of potential partners and it could be Waitrose but not confirmed report.https://www.peoplevox.co.uk/e-commerce-collect-return-in-store-097/ ASOS are continued on their journey, it has to make sure that customer should be satisfied at highest level of customer service.https://www.thetimes100.co.uk/download-asoscom-edition-13-full-case-study_134_325_863 ASOS should launch outlets which could lift the veil between ASOS and Customers and bring more head to head with their Key rivals.https://www.businesscomputingworld.co.uk/is-your-business-ready-for-f-commerce/ ASOS needs to expand more considering economies of scales accordingly. They have to look into markets overseas such as Kuwait, Oman so that they can capitalise on the week pound in such economies and improve their international sales further. The organisation has to further increase in market research for best practices in the industry wherever it wants to initiate something new in their existing chain of products and services. CONCLUSION Asos would not have grown so rapidly if it did not offer a pleasurable shopping experience. The first step in any online business is to ensure that the website offers something of real value to consumers, something that cannot be obtained by visiting a store or a shop. They have created an online shopping experience that offered convenience, choice, interesting styles, competitive prices, all complemented with high levels of customer service such as prompt and reliable delivery. Heavy investment in E-commerce has been vital to its success. Behind the technology and the website, asos.com has invested heavily in ensuring that customers get what they want from the online store. Internet shoppers have very high expectations. Asos knows that customers must be pleased with their shopping experience. ASOS has grown too fast internally. They havent grown through acquisitions rather spent millions to make strong customer base, number of brands and launching new products ready to buy anytime. If a customer got excellent customer service, they often recommend them to other relatives and friends which would build loyalty among the fans of brands. .https://www.thetimes100.co.uk/download-asoscom-edition-13-full-case-study_134_325_863