Computers that can think Free Essay Example, 1000 words

Concept 1 One of the most exciting concepts that is presented by Howard in his presentation pertains to a demonstration of one of the implications of the advent of computer learning. In the demonstration, Howard (2014), a team in Boston had recently announced that they had managed to identify a number of new clinically relevant tumor features that will serve to greatly aid doctors in the making of future cancer prognoses. In a similar development, Howard also points out that a group in Stanford had recently announced that by looking at tissues under magnification, they had managed design a machine learning based system that was much better at the prediction of cancer survival rates as compared to human pathologists. The development of these two systems involved the input of both machine learning experts and medical experts. However, in what is a very fascinating development, it is now possible for programmers to design medical systems without the input of human pathologists and by people who. Using a PowerPoint presentation, Howard explains how a system had been designed that could be able to identify cancerous areas of the human tissue under a microscope with a similar degree if not a higher level of accuracy as human pathologists. We will write a custom essay sample on Computers that can think or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Using the same technology, it was possible for Howard to start a new medical company although he did not have any previous background in medicine. Despite his not being a doctor, Howard was able to receive fantastic feedback from both the media and the medical community and by using the system, it is now possible to take a mere 15 minutes to generate a new medical diagnosis test. Concept 2 Another interesting concept that is presented by Howard (2014) in his presentation is his demonstration of just how it was not possible for computers to listen and understand by using deep learning. In presenting this concept, Howard used a video presentation that showed part of the proceedings of a machine learning conference that had been held in China. In the video, the presenter explains that by taking a large amount of data and information from numerous Chinese speakers, programmers had been able to produce an effective text-to-speech system that is able to take Chinese text and convert this text into Chinese language. In addition to this, the programmers had taken about an hour of the presenter’s voice to be used in the modulation of the text-to-speech system so as to ensure that the projected voice would be identical to that of the presenter.

A Comparative Analysis of the Characters of King Lear and...

Kurosawa and Shakespeare Introduction: The greatest narratives in human history dont just resurface in critical analysis but are also given new life when channeled through modern media. This is well-exemplified by legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawas 1985 epic, Ran. The highly regarded and high-budgeted film, based on William Shakespeares 1606 play King Lear, demonstrates the power retained by the original play even when dramatically recontextualized. Indeed, in a comparative discussion of King Lear and Hidetora, his counterpart in the Kurosawa film, we are confronted with the universal themes of power, mortality, vanity and insanity. These are the themes that connect not just both pieces but the otherwise vastly historical periods and cultures represented within. Compare: The strongest point of comparison between the two characters in question is their mutual descent into mental instability and the degree to which this influences their behavior. Indeed, the common ground in the two stories is at the outset, when an ailing ruler is manipulated into divided his kingdom amongst his children. This division of territories, an event stimulated by individual vanity and infirmity, would have consequences kingdom-wide. The unraveling of civility and familial bonds which would occur thereafter is common to both tellings. Contrast: Perhaps the most important conceptual difference between the fading monarch presented in either story is the degree to which

Perth Arena Case Study and Business Management

Question: Case Study: The Perth Arena Answer: The Perth Arena Designed to be the citys most spacious, multi-purpose indoor sports and entertainment venue, The Perth Arena is located on the Northbridge Link site in Perths CBD. The Arena is being constructed with an intent to hold and sporting entertainment events to an assemblage of between 5000 and 14000 people. The planning, tendering and contracting for the Arena was under the Department of Housing and Works (DHW). The project was scheduled for completion by 2009 but in December 2007, soon after commencement of construction, responsibility of the Arena was given to the Office of Strategic Projects (OSP) who was to report directly to the Minister for Housing and Works. Summarising the Governance Problems Perth Arena has been a significant project for Western Australia and the above preamble has been given to illustrate how high profile this project had become for the state authorities. Still, governance was not adequate and the project went three years behind the schedule of its completion and was commissioned in 2012. Why the planning[1] went wrong can be understood from the following factors, which emerged after a deep analysis. The authorities arrived at the cost and time estimates well before making a thorough analysis of the project. This resulted in escalation of the cost to $483 million, which was $323 million more (an escalation of 200%) than the estimated cost of $160 million announced at the time of planning in September 2005. DHW accepted an offer which was fundamentally different from the original conception of the Arena. This resulted in a tender process that became problematic and the contract negotiations created more problems than solutions. DHW made another mistake by changing the design without fully appraising the prices nor did it did made an analysis whether these represented value for money[2]. Most of the key decisions regarding the fundamental changes in the contract document were taken without making adequate assessment of the risks involved, legal opinion or consideration of available alternative options. The state had to bear the escalated costs and risks because DHW did not transfer the responsibility of scheduled completion of the Arenas design to the contractor. These inadequacies in governance of the prestigious Arena project exposed the State to greater levels of risk, both on time and money. The OSP also lacked in fulfilling its duties by not keeping the Minister or the Cabinet about its decisions and key risks associated with the project. This shown how lackadaisical was the projects governance, and though the governance arrangements were subsequently strengthened, risks remained of further cost escalation and delays[3]. 2(a) Stakeholder Circle The Stakeholder Circle is a tool which can be used to provide an effective way of visualising the power and influence of the stakeholders which may make an impact on the success or failure of the project. This tool is developed for a project to identify and prioritise the key stakeholders of the project and develop a strategy to build and illustrate the relationships between the key stakeholders. The key stakeholders in The Arena are OWNERS The Honourable Minister for Housing and Works Although the Honourable Minister is the main decision maker for all the projects which come under the jurisdiction of his ministry, it is not practical for him to keep a day-to-day control over each and every project[4]. He has dedicated departments and personnel who are designated to monitor, carry out the ministers instructions and see that the project finishes on schedule. The Office of Strategic Projects (OSP) As discussed above, the OSP was given the overall responsibility of The Arena Project with the binding that it shall keep the minister posted on the developments concerning the progress of the project. Department of Housing and Works DHW was the supervising agency for the project and was responsible for acting on behalf of the government of Western Australia. Department of Treasury and Finance The responsibility of this department was to control the financial transaction connected with the project[5]. GOVERNANCE VenuesWest the owners (on behalf of State of Western Australia) VenuesWest can be termed as the CEO of the project. The Stakeholder circle STAKEHOLDERS Ashton Raggatt McDougall (Architectural firm) This firm had the responsibility of designing the project and supervise its implementation. Cameron Chisholm Nicol (Architectural firm) This firm had the responsibility of designing and implementing the projects accessories which included seating arrangements, control panels and administrative sections. CSR Buckeridge Group of Companies (the contractors) The company which won the contract for building the entire project. AEG Ogden Management Consultants The responsibility of the management consultants was to take charge of the finished project and manage its day-to-day operations[6]. 2(b) Stakeholder Circle Analysis High Importance Low Importance Low Influence High Influence KEHOLDERSSStakeholder Analysis OWNERS The Honourable Minister for Housing and Works The Honourable Minister carries overall responsibility for all the projects which are under his ministry, but it is not possible for him to keep control over every project. This is the responsibility of his dedicated departments and personnel who are authorised to monitor the projects. The Office of Strategic Projects (OSP) The OSP got charge of The Arena Project after the blunders done by DHW but this department also failed in carrying out its responsibility with full impunity. Department of Housing and Works DHW failed miserably right from the beginning of the project. Department of Treasury and Finance This department was to control the financial transaction connected with the project, but it also failed in proper monitoring of the finances. GOVERNANCE VenuesWest the owners (on behalf of State of Western Australia) VenuesWest can be termed as the CEO of the project and it duly and diligently performed its responsibilities post taking control of the management. STAKEHOLDERS Ashton Raggatt McDougall (Architectural firm) This firm also failed in carrying oy its responsibility of designing the project effectively. Cameron Chisholm Nicol (Architectural firm) This firm was to look after the designing and implementing the projects accessories which included seating arrangements, control panels and administrative sections and proved to be successful. CSR Buckeridge Group of Companies (the contractors) The company which won the contract for building the entire project was not at fault as it was the design factor which led to cost escalations. AEG Ogden Management Consultants The responsibility of the management consultants was duly discharged successfully by this company. List of References Barnes, R. and Doidge, G. Managing Your Investment Property: The Essential Guide to Property Management in Australia and New Zealand. Milton, QLD: John Wiley Sons, 2010. Christensen, S. and Duncan, W.D. Professional Liability and Property Transactions. Annandale, NSW: Federation Press, 2004. Emerald Gems (ed). Built Environment and Property Management: A Focus on Australia. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2015. Marshall, A., Williams, N. and Morgan, J. (ed). Land of Sweeping Plains: Managing and Restoring the Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia. Clayton South, VIC: Csiro Publishing, 2015. Parker, D. Global Real Estate Investment Trusts: People, Process and Management. Milton, QLD: John Wiley Sons, 2012. Spoehr, J. (ed). State of South Australia: From Crisis to Prosperity? Kent Town: Wakefield Press, 2009.53.

Market Segmentation free essay sample

Marketing strategy that involves dividing a broad target market into subsets of consumers who have common needs, and then designing and implementing strategies to target their needs and desires using media channels and other touch-points that best allow to reach them. Market segments allow companies to create product differentiation strategies to target them. Market segmentation is the technique used to enable a business to better target it products at the right customers. It is about identifying the specific needs and wants of customer groups and then using those insights into providing products and services which meet customer needs. Segments are usually measured in terms of sales value or volume. In the diagram below, segment B is twice the size of segment C: A marketing term referring to the aggregating of prospective buyers into groups (segments) that have common needs and will respond similarly to a marketing action. Market segmentation enables companies to target different categories of consumers who perceive the full value of certain products and services differently from one another. We will write a custom essay sample on Market Segmentation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Generally three criteria can be used to identify different market segments. Basis of Market Segmentation ?Gender The marketers divide the market into smaller segments based on gender. Both men and women have different interests and preferences, and thus the need for segmentation. Organizations need to have different marketing strategies for men which would obviously not work in case of females. A woman would not purchase a product meant for males and vice a versa. The segmentation of the market as per the gender is important in many industries like cosmetics, footwear, jewellery and apparel industries. Age Group Division on the basis of age group of the target audience is also one of the ways of market segmentation. The products and marketing strategies for teenagers would obviously be different than kids. Age group (0 10 years) Toys, Nappies, Baby Food, Prams Age Group (10 20 years) Toys, Apparels, Books, School Bags Age group (20 years and above) Cosmetics, Anti-Ageing Product s, Magazines, apparels and so on ? Income Marketers divide the consumers into small segments as per their income. Individuals are classified into segments according to their monthly earnings. The three categories are: High income Group Mid Income Group Low Income Group Stores catering to the higher income group would have different range of products and strategies as compared to stores which target the lower income group. Pantaloons, Carrefour, Shopper’s stop target the high income group as compared to Vishal Retail, Reliance Retail or Big bazaar who cater to the individuals belonging to the lower income segment. ?Marital Status Market segmentation can also be as per the marital status of the individuals. Travel agencies would not have similar holiday packages for bachelors and married couples. Occupation Office goers would have different needs as compared to school / college students. A beach house shirt or a funky T Shirt would have no takers in a Zodiac Store as it caters specifically to the professionals. Criteria for segmentation An ideal market segment meets all of the following criteria: †¢It is possible to be measure. †¢It must will be large enough to earn profit. †¢I t must be stable enough that it does not vanish after some time. †¢It’s possible to reach potential customers via the organizations promotion and distribution channel. It is internally homogeneous (potential customers in the same segment prefer the same product qualities). †¢It is externally heterogeneous, that is, potential customers from different segments have different quality preferences. †¢It responds consistently to a given market stimulus. †¢It can be reached by market intervention in a cost-effective manner. †¢It is useful in deciding on the marketing mix. ? Basis for segmenting consumer markets Geographic segmentation The market is segmented according to geographic criteria—nations, states, regions, countries, cities, neighborhoods, or zip codes. Geo-cluster approach combines demographic data with geographic data to create a more accurate profile of specific [1] With respect to region, in rainy regions you can sell things like raincoats, umbrellas and gumboots. In hot regions you can sell summer wear. In cold regions you can sell warm clothes. A small business commodity store may target only customers from the local neighborhood, while a larger department store can target its marketing towards several neighborhoods in a larger city or area. In geographical segmentation, market is divided into different geographical units like: †¢Regions (by country, nation, state, neighborhood) Population Density (Urban, suburban, rural) †¢City size (Size of area, population size and growth rate) †¢Climate (Regions having similar climate pattern) A company, either serving a few or all geographic segments, needs to put attention on variability of geographic needs and wants. After segmenting consumer market on geographic bases, c ompanies localize their marketing efforts (product, advertising, promotion and sales efforts) Demographic Segmentation: In demographic segmentation, market is divided into small segments based on demographic variables like: †¢Age †¢Gender †¢Income †¢Occupation †¢Education Social Class †¢Generation †¢Family size †¢Family life cycle †¢Home Ownership †¢Religion †¢Ethnic group/Race †¢Nationality Demographic factors are most important factors for segmenting the customers groups. Consumer needs, wants, usage rate these all depend upon demographic variables. So, considering demographic factors, while defining marketing strategy, is crucial. Psychographic segmentation Psychographics is the science of using psychology and demographics to better understand consumers. Psychographic segmentation: consumers are divided according to their lifestyle, personality, values and social class. Consumers within the same demographic group can exhibit very different psychographic profiles. In Psychographic Segmentation, segments are defined on the basis of social class, lifestyle and personality characteristics. Psychographic variables include: †¢Interests †¢Opinions †¢Personality †¢Self-Image †¢Activities †¢Values †¢Attitudes A segment having demographically grouped consumers may have different psychographic characteristics. Behavioral segmentation In behavioral segmentation, consumers are divided into groups according to their knowledge of, attitude towards, use of or response to a product. In this segmentation market is divided into segments based on consumer knowledge, attitude, use or response to product. Behavioral variables include: †¢Usage Rate †¢Product benefits †¢Brand Loyalty †¢Price Consciousness †¢Occasions (holidays like mother’s day, New Year and Eid) †¢User Status (First Time, Regular or Potential) Behavioral segmentation is considered most favorable segmentation tool as it uses those variables that are closely related to the product itself. Occasions Segmentation according to occasions is based on the arising of special need and desires in consumers at various occasions. For example, for products that will be used in relation with a certain holiday. Products such as Christmas decorations or Diwali lamps are marketed almost exclusively in the time leading up to the related event, and will not generally be available all year round. Another type of occasional market segments are people preparing for their wedding or a funeral, occasions that only occurs a few times in a persons lifetime but happens so often in a large population that it can be considered a market segment. Benefits Segmentation takes place according to benefits sought by the consumer or which the product/service can provide. Bases for Business Market Segmentation †¢Business market can be segmented on the bases consumer market variables butbecause of many inherent differences like †¢Businesses are few but purchase in bulk †¢Evaluate in depth Joint decisions are made Business market might be segmented on the bases of following variables: Company Size What company sizes should we serve? Industry Which industry to serve? Purchasing approaches Purchasing-function organization, Nature of existing relationships, purchase policies and criteria. Situational factors Seasonal trend, urgency should serve companies needing quick order deliver, Order: focus on large orders or small. Using segmentation in customer retention The basic approach to retention-based segmentation is that a company tags each of its active customers with three values: Is this customer at high risk of canceling the companys service? One of the most common indicators of high-risk customers is a drop off in usage of the companys service. For example, in the credit card industry this could be signaled through a customers decline in spending on his or her card. Is this customer worth retaining? This determination boils down to whether the post-retention profit generated from the customer is predicted to be greater than the cost incurred to retain the customer. [2][3] What retention tactics should be used to retain this customer? For customers who are deemed worthy of saving, it is essential for the company to know which save tactics are most likely to be successful. Tactics commonly used range from providing special customer discounts to sending customers communications that reinforce the value proposition of the given service. Price discrimination: Where a monopoly exists, the price of a product is likely to be higher than in a competitive market and the quantity sold less, generating monopoly profits for the seller. These profits can be increased further if the market can be segmented with different prices charged to different segments charging higher prices to those segments willing and able to pay more and charging less to those whose demand is price elastic. The price discriminator might need to create rate fences that will prevent members of a higher price segment from purchasing at the prices available to members of a lower price segment. This behavior is rational on the part of the monopolist, but is often seen by competition authorities as an abuse of a monopoly position, whether or not the monopoly itself is sanctioned. Areas in which this price discrimination is seen range from transportation to pharmaceutical.