Interrail Pass Integrated Marketing Communication Plan Essay

The main difference between the EuRail and the InterRail is simply based on the passenger’s country of residency. The EuRail is available to residents of a non-European country and the InterRail is available for European residents only. You can be eligible for the InterRail if you have been a resident in a European country for at least 6 months. EuRail and InterRail Passes are widely known as the best rail passes in Europe, having the ability of flexibility by its large range of options. The main audience in the market for the InterRail are a highly 74% youth, having the highest sales in UK, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Sweden. The InterRail Global Pass, valid for travel in 30 European countries, is still and remains for the 5 year the most popular option among the audience of youth travellers under 26 years old. But within the Global pass, there is dominance for the flexible travel. Due that is in high demand, it is clearly visible that the 10 travel days within 22 days is the most popular product for travellers not wishing to travel everyday of their vacations. One Country pass are Italy and Germany that combined form 62% of the market share. EuRail Group reports an audience of over 248,000 Europeans explored Europe by train. The biggest strength that InterRail has it that is a unique selling product in within the travel market. There is no other kind of pass similar to the InterRail, giving a huge advantage on the market place. Their only competition in a certain way will be the airlines, giving in some cases cheaper tickets or having a faster route. Other mayor strength is they have gathered all of the companies their users are more likely to need in their travels, and create a partnership between them, giving the user benefits and promotions in their services and products. A weakness for the product is that the trains can be highly confusing for the people that have never before use them, making that niche of the audience prefer that actual airplanes. Also there is an speculation in the internet about, the difficulties there are when booking a train with the pass. The Opportunities in within this product will always be to get as much destinations as possible. In within the travel market, the best agency will take you every place you want to go. Creating for InterRail, only a matter of agreements and routes to increase the diversification in the audience and options for the users. A Threat that I found on the market was the airplane because they can travel over seas, giving the advantage in some determined routes takes less time to arrive to the destination rather than the trains, making them look slower and therefore not functional. The Main objectives of the InterRail are to create, manage and target the increasingly comprehensive InterRail passes. Working to generate widespread awareness of the benefits of rail travel for the traveller. One of the Marketing Communication Strategies the product will be using is to emphasis on the brand differentiation with the airplanes. Letting know our audience and market, the benefits of using a train and with that, the InterRail. In here, the plan is to include us and other companies in a generic campaign, fighting for the environment. This would help the market to know, that using a train is more environmental friendly. Current Market Situation When the first InterRail Pass was launched on March 1, 1972 it was managed in conjunction by a large number of train and shipping companies. These companies were starting the business of an overall pass that could unite the traveling experience and save money traveling by train at the same time. In 2001, the EuRail Group was established as an organization dedicated to the marketing and management of the EuRail pass. The EuRail Group is wholly owned by the participating railways and shipping companies with key decisions being taken by the board, consisting of eight appointed member railways. In addition, the Group has many benefit partners, including hotels, transport companies, and museums, which offer their services either at a reduced rate or free of charge for rail, pass holders. In 2007 the EuRail group took over the InterRail pass, to give a more commercial focus. The Market of the InterRail has existed since 1972; there have been several changes. The first InterRail ticket was targeted towards backpacking students under the age of 21 travelling around Europe on a limited budget and cost around 118 euros. The age limit for availing of an InterRail holiday increased from 21 to 23 in 1976 and rose to 26 years in 1979. InterRail targets its rail passes to European residents of all ages and budgets. The highest sales originate in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Sweden. Around 74% of InterRail customers are youth, under the age of 26. The proportion of young travellers is higher for the InterRail Global Pass; 79,7% of customers are youth. For the One Country Pass, this proportion is 62,1%.. EuRail Group reports a positive full year of sales for the fifth year running. They had over 248,000 Europeans explored Europe by train. Compared to 2010, the month-to-month sales followed a similar pattern that on 2010. But there were some changes in the months of April and May. These two months were more productive than last year, having a positive sale of 11% for April and 14% growth in May. Also there has been and increase on online sales if InterRail passes, being a 25% amount of the total sales. The InterRail Global Pass, valid for travel in 30 European countries, is still and remains for the 5 year the most popular option among the audience of youth travellers under 26 years old. But within the Global pass, there is dominance for the flexible travel. Due that is in high demand, it is clearly visible that the 10 travel days within 22 days is the most popular product for travellers not wishing to travel everyday of their vacations. In second hand, we have the InterRail one country pass, also having a significant increase of 5. % in sales. The most popular destinations for traveling with the One Country pass are Italy and Germany that combined form 62% of the market share. The Travellers purchasing this pass are interested in visiting one particular country and explore it in depth. The EuroRail Group estimates to see continued growth for the InterRail passes, even with the challenging current European economic state. Mr. de Groot, Managing Director of the EuRail Group said: â€Å"Whilst growth remained modest for the InterRail Global Pass, we still welcomed an additional 5. 00 passengers last year. This reconfirms that InterRail Passes are still an excellent way to explore Europe. We are therefore confident that InterRail sales will continue to grow in the years to come as more and more Europeans discover the real value for money this pass represents† SWOT and Market Analysis In the SWOT analysis we get to describe the strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats that are involved in a business venture. The analysis divides into two many factors, Internal and External. The Internal factors are the strengths and the weakness of the organization. The External factors are the Opportunities and Threats presented by the external environment to the organization. One of the biggest Strengths of the InterRail is that the EuRail Group has total control over the market, as I see it, it`s a Monopoly. I research for a competition pass, another company that was doing something similar, but I found none. This is because the EuRail Group belongs to the most powerful train companies in Europe, leaving no market space for any other company to equal their promotions. Their only competition in a certain way will be the airlines, giving in some cases cheaper tickets or having a faster route. But they make sure their costumers get what there are looking for, and that will be discount and saving money. EuRail Group has many benefit partners, including hotels, transport companies, and museums. This is another strength for the InterRail; they have gathered all of the companies their users are more likely to need in their travels, creating a microenvironment between them. Some benefits InterRail pass holders have are discounted and free ferry travels on various European crossings. An example can be, that the pass holder can travel free in a ferry between Italy and Greece and even can stop off in the Island of Corfu with no charges. Another strength the InterRail pass is the reputation it has in its marketplace. Since I’ve been to Europe in 2009 to travel with pass, every person I know from then, that has a relatively experience in travel in Europe or has been planning to do so in the near future, has the perception that the InterRail pass is the best way to travel, not only to get to know all of Europe in a short amount of time, but also a way to do explore and save money for other things. Another strength that InterRail has compared to airlines is that most of the stations are in the heart of the city, making it easy to move when arriving to your destination. As everything in life, there are strengths and weaknesses. The hard part about describing a weakness in this product is that they are the only product for this market. But there are a few we can talk about. One of the first weaknesses I found when starting to research was that at first, the InterRail was design for young people to get to travel around Europe for a low amount of money. But things have change, since the beginning of the InterRail; the pass has been changing its rules to travel. At first there was only a global pass, an unlimited month, were you can get in any train you want in the determined month you selected. But know, there is a different story. InterRail has now broken into several passes. Creating a new and different way to travel, having more options, because Europe had been divided into areas. However, some young people believe that the new-zoned tickets have destroyed the original InterRail concept, which allowed unlimited travel over a set period. Leaving the impression that the InterRail is to make profits, and not to help the traveler. Another weakness that I discover was the airplanes. As I began to research, general population of the InterRail had some problems with the booking of trains, they said that they didn’t know that some trains needed to be booked in advance or they didn’t know the difference within the ones you have to book or the ones who don’t. Creating an opinion that is safer to go in plane because you have secure you place in the plane when buying your ticket. Another weakness the InterRail has the trains cant leave the tracks, therefore having to create first the route with track to make the journey possible. The External factor of the InterRail are to be consider, these factors determine the position and structure EuRail Group has to market to be well placed in within the market. The opportunities InterRail has in the market are beginning to getting achieved. As you have read, the InterRail only moves within Europe. But what about Morocco, Libya, Iran Saudi Arabia or even better Mexico. The Opportunities in within this product will always be to get as much destinations as possible. In within the travel market, the best agency will take you every place you want to go. Creating for InterRail, only a matter of agreements and routes to increase the diversification in the audience and options for the users. Another Opportunity the InterRail can have, to create another kind of pass called â€Å"The Group†. This pass will have an itinerary and a trip already planed with nticipation, but the user gets to travel all the time with a group of 10 people, creating the experience of getting to know a new country or city with new people. Therefore the InterRail will become something more than just a pass, but the creator of a full experience trip. The Threats to this organization, the EuRail Group, has been and always be the airplane market. Because of that, the airlines become a direct competitor for the InterRail. This other different market basically does the same but has its difference. In the general outcome of airplanes, at first were considered annoying because of the separation between the city and the airport, the check in for the baggage and the long waiting hours to clime the plane. But all of this has given the InterRail some fight. Another advantage of the plane is that they can travel over seas, giving the advantage in some determined routes takes less time to arrive to the destination rather than the trains, making them look slower and therefore not functional. When booking a flight within 3 or more weeks in advance is a threat for the InterRail, because the airlines can assure very low prices. Another threat that came to me researching the airplanes market was the very low prices they can have in some flights. There is a website called lastminute. com, this website has flights opened at the last minute, 3 days before departure in some cases, and are sold at low prices. Another possible threat is the organization of the most powerful bus companies in Europe. Imagine creating the same pass the trains have, but creating a network of buses that could take you every were you want in the continent. Creating a similar but profitable competition for the InterRail a much cheaper way to travel in within Europe. This could be a niche even smaller than the one InterRail actually posses but can be a start, for the pass to be knowledgeable in the market place. As a general market analysis, the InterRail is in great positioning on the travel market. Giving the ability to travel all around Europe for a low cost, providing destination to every corner. The strength of the product makes it an incomparable experience, due to the factor that is an network of companies that have to share the expenses on the railing, and by that case, created an group for that same reason. As for the railing, its part of it weakness because of the fact that a railway route has to be made in order to create the destination, but what about those destination, not much frequent, but get to have a share in the audience options. Will it be profitable to have that destination; will it be profitable to have the railroad made? There is a lot to be discovered in this market but the most intriguing part of all its future are the opportunities they have to become bigger, to expand to different countries to different continents. Also the rapid innovation on train machinery makes the trains arrive faster at their destination and become more profitable an even more environmental friendly. For last, the most direct competitors for the InterRail are the airlines. They can have lower prices for longer destination, creating a disadvantage for the InterRail. Also can be considering the conjunction of the bus owners, having the same effect as the EuRail Group.

Invasion of Privacy by Employee Monitoring Essay

Employee monitoring has been a serious controversial issue in the modern workplaces besides its necessity. There are many technological surveillance methods are being used today, and it does not only monitor the quantity of work but the quality. Many employers believe that the monitoring helps to increase productivity and customer service activity and control and keep the business in an ideal, stable shape. They sometimes use it to determine one’s promotions and pay decisions as well as to reinforce disciplinary actions. However, what about employee’s privacy? Do employers think that the current monitoring situation is really fair to their employees? Lots of employers use different types of monitoring methods including computer monitoring, video surveillance, investigators, undercover operatives, spying, eavesdropping, wiretapping, and electronic mail and voice mail. All these methods are derived from high technology have made it so easy for those who are monitoring to overstep the boundaries from business information to private information. Many computer programs allow employers to access and monitor employee’s activities such as e-mail communication, keyboard activity, and website visiting history. A frequently debated issue is whether an employer has the right to read and check employee e-mail and voice messages. One recent survey shows that more than 73% of companies search or read employee files, e-mail messages, web connections, and other networking communication technology (Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, p. 590). Another data shows 25% of them have fired employees for misusing communication technology. The problem is that currently, there is no privacy laws exist relating to employee e-mail even though several lawsuits have been filed for many years against employers because many people believe that such internal employee communications should be private. (Slobovnik and Stuart 144-160) Another method of surveillance that is commonly used in a workplace is video recording. This is the most effective form of monitoring yet. However, there are restrictions regarding the legality of using this form. It is defined as illegal if there is audible recording along with the images in the tape. Employees must know that they are being recorded, and most of all, images should not be taken in any undesignated area such as restrooms. In fact, there are some benefits from video surveillance, including increased safety on the job, deter employees from stealing, promote good behavior, and can be used as evidence of a crime. However, video surveillance also can create a false sense of security and a decrease in morale. Imagine if someone is watching where you go and what you do. You might think as if this is not a human workplace but more like a prison. It is absolutely a privacy invasion for employees. The most recent invention of technological surveillance is a Smartcard. One statistic says that 53% of U. S. companies are using Smartcard, and the numbers are increasing rapidly. It simply controls employees’ physical activities within the company; it allows company to track every personal activity from using cell phones to visiting information. Invasion of privacy is a growing concern among employees. â€Å"Electronic monitoring without informing employees that it is taking place is no different than spying. Monitoring is a supervisory tool, not a tool for employee surveillance (CSE, 2006). Monitoring is a simple way of invading employee’s privacy. For example, computer data banks, telephone and video monitoring, active badges, and other monitoring techniques make the private lives of workers easier to delve into without detection (Mishra, J. M; Crampton, S. M 1998). Employers can maintain the productivity and accuracy of their employees without invading their personal lives by using motivation methods. Punishments should be followed for those who break the company’s policy. However, employers also have to protect their employees’ right as a human being.

Construction scenario Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Construction scenario - Essay Example There are three modern partnership forms: general partnership, limited partnership and LLP or limited liability partnership (Types of Partnerships, n.d.). In the situation given, Lou and Jose’s partnership takes form of general partnership while Miriam is their limited partner. Miriam invested her money to earn profit but will not be in charge of any business doings. In general partnership, the partners share equal rights and responsibilities in connection with managing the business. Having an agreement made orally or in writing, any of the partners can bind the entire group to a legal obligation. Since all of the partners have equal control, each of them assumes full responsibility for all the duties and losses of the business. Although, Jose and Lou’s personal liability is frightening, this responsibility comes with a tax advantage. The partnership profits are not taxed to the business but the taxation policy requires each of them to pay individual taxes. Because of t his, both of them have their own gains in their individual tax returns which are at a lower rate. Miriam, on the other hand, has limited partnership with Lou and Jose. ... Â   Â   Â   The second scenario is about the Akiva and Tara who want to start their professional practice by opening a birth clinic after having completed all educational and experiential requirements to be licensed as obstetrician. To finance the start-up cost, the two decided to take out a large loan. To help Akiva and Tara, they should be able to know more about business loans. The following are some of the most important tips when planning to have a business loan: get everything in writing, be careful when offering your security, understand loan agreements, avoid signing releases and waivers, and lastly, know your rights. As borrowers of money, Akiva and Tara need to make sure that everything is specified in writing. There may be oral promises and agreements, but they need to rely and follow those in writing. Secondly, they should make sure and be careful of what they are offering or enlisting as their security. One of the general guidelines of making a loan is not to offer se curity that when taken away can greatly affect your life. Akiva and Tara should be careful because there are some lenders who ask more than what is needed. Before entering into a loan, Akiva and Tara should fully understand the agreements and the legal doctrines before signing. It is advisable that they hire their own lawyer to protect their interests especially before signing waivers or release. Thus their lawyer could help them understand everything and explain to them the possible consequences of their waivers. Most importantly, Akiva and Tara should know their rights as borrowers. It is prudent to be cautious to avoid problems in the future. After they were

Write an appraisal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Write an appraisal - Essay Example Her skills in terms of team building are exceptional. She has the ability to create an environment that is team-oriented. She is capable of transforming a group to a team. She is also focused on strengthening the relationship among the members of her team. She is able to come up with fresh ideas that can be used to enable the improvement of the quality of the output. She strictly adheres to all the instructions provided to her formally. She also takes interest on increasing her knowledge in regards to any given job. As much as she makes she makes decisions carefully, and can solve the simple problems, she also has to learn how to solve the complex problems. I recommend enough exposure to the difficult problems for her so that she can be able to learn out of them. She needs to be exposed more to the people who are at the top management of an organization, so that she can be able to learn more on how to communicate with the top management people. She also needs to be exposed to more clients so that she can be able to develop excellent communication skills in regards to

Challenged Questions 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Challenged Questions 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 - Essay Example 3. Forward pricing makes sense when firms are launching products and the strategy is to ensure that in the initial stages, forward pricing is competitive in the hope of increasing sales later on as well as having an outlook that is bullish on the potential of the product. 4. Centralized decision making is effective when goods are mass produced and sold on a large scale whereas decentralized decision making is effective when the products are targeted at niche segments. The lower wages in the former scenario as well as the higher wages in the latter scenario are justified by the pricing of the products. 5. The differences between these two strategies lies in the way in which marketing costs dominate for export related strategy whereas manufacturing costs dominate for import related strategies. The management control issues that these firms face would be in the sphere of having less control when they operate in nondomestic markets in a manufacturing capacity whereas they would have more control when they are operating in a non domestic market in an import related capacity. 2. It does not seem paradoxical to me because there are certain aspects of products that are not imitable and these are the patented features. Hence, the way to resolve this paradox is by making products that are have unique and distinctive features. 4. It is not the case for firms operating in monopolistic competition as the firms need to be efficient to pursue a product differentiation strategy which needs niche investments and expertise in making unique products and services. 1. Backward integration often results in maximizing efficiencies across the value chain and hence ensuring that firms gain competitive advantage. The opportunism of vertical integration is that firms can leverage upon the entire supply chain as opposed to some parts of it in backward integration. 2. The threats

Advanced Management and Design in Yotsuba Group Assignment

Advanced Management and Design in Yotsuba Group - Assignment Example Before the implementation of this type of network, this report acknowledges the fact that there are two types of networks that will be implemented in this setting. The report proposes that the company adopts a wired and wireless type of network system infrastructure (Akyildiz, Wang, & Wang 2005, p 123). This organization is highly reliant on a computer network. The downtime cost may be extremely high. The information technology department will be responsible for the maintenance and upgrades of the computer network (Biswas & Morris 2004, p 234). The greatest concern with the implementation of a wireless network is the security that will need to be implemented when installing an enterprise wireless LAN. Therefore, this document is aimed at providing a technical guidance to Yotsuba Group for the proposed deployment for the Wireless LAN (WLAN) Other floors will contain an equal population. Since the organization has a population of 290 employees, the network designers will work on the assumption that each floor will have an approximate number of 40 employees per floor. It will also be impossible to set individual offices for these employees, therefore, they will have an open office which will be structured in the following way; Each flow will have a design that will approximate;y have the same capacity. They will be wired and wireless connections to facilitate those employees who choose to come to work with their own computing devices. The figure below represents the cubicle arrangement that will accommodate four individuals. This, therefore, means that there will be 10 such cubicles in one flow with both a wired connection and wireless connections. The following questions were important before the deployment of the wireless network connection that would fit the needs of the 8 floor newly acquired Yotsuba Group building (Forman, &Zahorjan, 2004, p 214).

In English Employment Law the Issue of Employment Status is Almost Essay

In English Employment Law the Issue of Employment Status is Almost Exclusively one for the Courts to Decide Upon - Essay Example The basic distinction between employee and self employed person is that employee has to serve under the employer with certain terms and conditions whereas the self employed has to work under the contractor for specific job on fixed payment. Another simple way of distinguishing employment from self employment is: a) buying an employee or b) buying a service1. Employment Tribunals Act 1996 provides the formation of employment tribunals. It comprises of judge and two lay members. Most of the times tribunals deal with the employment disputes leaving few exceptions where a judge has to sit alone2. The Tribunal can hear and decide the case if it falls within the ambit of the given acts: a) equal Pay Act 1970 breach of equality clause in contracts of employment b) employment Agencies Act 1973 application by the Secretary of State for a prohibition order c) sex discrimination Act 1975 d) race relations Act 1976 e) Section 230 (3) 19963. Employment Tribunals Regulations 2004 governs the proce dures of employment. The tribunal in question examines the nature of employment with specific reference to the relationship of an employee and the self employed. The decision of the Tribunal is binding on all stake holders. In such cases, if affected employees hire the services of a solicitor he / she have to bears the fee4. The aggrieved party can challenge the decision of lower judiciary in the Court of Appeal or in the Supreme Court as the case may be. The apex court while dealing with the employment cases frequently refers the judgments of House of Lords5. The Supreme Court can: a) affirm or set aside the impugned orders of the subordinate courts b) Order subordinate courts to retrial the case if found that the trial was not fair6. The terms that create confusion in the trials are ‘implied’ and ‘irrelevant’. Employment status is determined on the basis of actual relationship. Court has its own guidelines which prevail in the event of any dispute. One qu estion that arises is that why should the two parties be in dark over this issue for a considerable amount of time. Many workers carry on their duties under the employment status labelled on them by the employers. This goes on for months and even years. There should be a rigid framework that prevents workers from living in ignorance or being completely oblivious to the benefits they can receive from a change in their employment status7. Control Test One of the most important tests to determine the employment status is the Control Test. This test determines the manner in which the work is done8. In the ancient times most of the workers were unskilled. Now there has been a dramatic change in the labour market. Workers are skilled and have in-depth knowledge about their work as compared to their employers. As mentioned earlier, changes in the working styles of corporations and individuals have made the control test less effective in many ways. The problem multiplies when dealing with s killed workers who are not under the direct control of the employer / client, but an integral part of the organization9. Of course there are strengths and weaknesses in control test. Many factors can be considered in the physical control such as presence at work, timely completion of task and the quantity of work given to workers. But with skilled workers who decide their own pace and timing may not be under direct ‘