Online Banking Report (OBR) was the first publication in the field and quickly became a leading resource for banks and technology companies worldwide. Since inception, it’s been written and published by founder Jim Bruene, a former banker who’s become a leading voice in the industry. The publication continues to be an important source of unbiased guidance for financial services product managers, marketers, and C-level executives looking to improve their online products and services.
OBR subscribers have instant access to an online library of nearly 100 reports covering essential subjects such as epayments, security, pricing, online lending, account aggregation, business planning, and so on. Browse our research to see a complete list of reports. New reports are published every six to eight weeks.
Each is printed, bound, and sent to subscribers via first-class or airmail. Subscribers may also read new reports online or download them for printing (PDF format).Most reports are 30 to 40 pages in length, organized in an easy-to-digest format with strategic advice, tactical recommendations, examples, and supporting statistics. To sample Online Banking Report, please take a moment now to register as a guest.
Immediately after submitting your information, you’ll have access to several articles culled from our extensive archives.Following is a partial list of subjects covered in previous issues of Online Banking Report (all are included in the online archives):
Electronic payments: Bill payment and presentment (EBPP); electronic funds transfers including interbank transfers (A2A, me2me); credit/debit cards; prepaid cards; gift checks; preauthorized electronic debits (ACH); electronic checks; PayPal, BidPay, and other third-party system integration; email payments (P2P); automated payment technologies; payment dashboard; international payments; virtual bill manager using account aggregation technology; messaging and alerts; premium features and benefits; website and service usability; authentication and fraud prevention; email integration; electronic invoice presentment and payment (EIPP); payments calendar; send-a-buck viral marketing; budgeting; interbank connectivity; usage sweepstakes and ongoing rewards.
Transaction accounts: Electronic statements; checking accounts; credit and debit accounts; prepaid cards; virtual transaction accounts; electronic checkbook; download functions; online transaction archives; check images; online statements;
Internet-optimized accounts; messaging and alerts; premium features; website usability and trust; real-time deposit options; remote paper check scanning; authentication and fraud prevention; PC direct-to-desktop services; custom toolbars and browser plugins; account-to-account (interbank) transfers; electronic payment integration; long-term archives; year-end statements on digital media.
Online banking product design: Account aggregation technology; activation and usage; marketing and promotion; pricing; planning; business case; e-service; security and password management; customization and personalization; messaging and alerts; premium service offerings (Gold, Platinum); online banking and payments interactive dashboard; website usability and trust; branded browser and desktop extensions; integration with Quicken, Microsoft Money, and other software programs; read-only access; browser plug-ins and toolbars.
Customer service: Consumer preferences; self-service; call deflection; email deflection; messaging and alerts; queue management; service levels and guarantees; turnaround time; response management; everyday essentials such as time and temperature; problem escalation; small and microbusiness needs; personal e-bankers; customization and personalization; password resets; premium (VIP) service offerings; website ease-of-use; customer feedback mechanisms; live chat and IM options; toll-free support integration.
Online lending: One-click lending; mortgage originations, refinances, home equity secured loans/lines, auto, and other Web-based loan applications; interactive loan application forms; preapproved credit offers and acceptance; revolving credit and credit cards; overdraft protection; loan application status functions; online loan servicing; virtual credit manager using account aggregation technology; messaging and alerts; premium (VIP) features; customized (1to1) products; blank-check auto lending; lending microsites; bill-pay credit lines; line increase programs; real-time balance transfers; credit report and fraud monitoring; CRA friendly activities; website usability and trust; privacy policy and visible reassurances; open source lending; business case and profitability; sub-prime lending and referrals; e-statements; payment calculators and amortization schedules; credit insurance; rate alerts.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
What is Broker ?
A securities firm or an investment advisor associated with a firm. When acting as a broker for the purchase or sale of listed stock, the investment advisor does not own the securities him or herself, but acts as an agent for the buyer and seller and charges a commission for these services.An intermediary.
An individual or organization in-between the person/organisation that controls the funds and the provider/trader. A broker often knows someone who knows somebody else who may provide program trading.
This chain of brokers is known in the business as a "daisy chain". There are thousands of "want-to-be”-, "hope-to-be”- and "wish-they-were” brokers in the high-yield business who are giving the industry a bad name.A marketing specialist who represents buyers of property and liability insurance and who deals with either agents or companies in arranging for the coverage required by the customer.
A marketing specialist who represents buyers of property and liability insurance and who deals with either agents or companies in arranging for the coverage required by the customer.In commerce, a broker is a party that mediates between a buyer and a seller. A broker who also acts as a seller or as a buyer becomes a principal party to the deal.
Distinguish agent: one who acts on behalf of a principal.In computingIn computing, a broker consists of software which mediates between two objects: typically between a client and a server or between a repository and a requestor or caller. See for example:* object request broker* storage resource broker* tunnel broker* message broker* Information broker* Broker, Outer Hebrides — village in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland* The Power Broker — a biography of Robert Moses* The Broker — a novel by John Grisham* Limo Broker — Limousine rental broker.* Loan Broker — Home loan broker company - Loanskey.
An individual or organization in-between the person/organisation that controls the funds and the provider/trader. A broker often knows someone who knows somebody else who may provide program trading.
This chain of brokers is known in the business as a "daisy chain". There are thousands of "want-to-be”-, "hope-to-be”- and "wish-they-were” brokers in the high-yield business who are giving the industry a bad name.A marketing specialist who represents buyers of property and liability insurance and who deals with either agents or companies in arranging for the coverage required by the customer.
A marketing specialist who represents buyers of property and liability insurance and who deals with either agents or companies in arranging for the coverage required by the customer.In commerce, a broker is a party that mediates between a buyer and a seller. A broker who also acts as a seller or as a buyer becomes a principal party to the deal.
Distinguish agent: one who acts on behalf of a principal.In computingIn computing, a broker consists of software which mediates between two objects: typically between a client and a server or between a repository and a requestor or caller. See for example:* object request broker* storage resource broker* tunnel broker* message broker* Information broker* Broker, Outer Hebrides — village in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland* The Power Broker — a biography of Robert Moses* The Broker — a novel by John Grisham* Limo Broker — Limousine rental broker.* Loan Broker — Home loan broker company - Loanskey.
Online Trading Information
Online Trading Information
Making trades via the Internet Investopedia Says:
The use of online trading increased dramatically in the mid to late 1990's with the advent of high-speed computers and Internet connections. Stocks, bonds, options, futures, and currencies can all be traded online.
Buying and selling securities using the Internet or broker-provided proprietary software that works through the Internet. Online trading is distinguished from Wireless Trading, a nascent area of service where brokerage customers can trade via cell phones, pagers, and hand-held organizers.Currency Trading OnlineFree $50,000 Practice Account With Real-Time Charts, News & Research! www.Forex.comSOGO Online TradingOnline Trading. SOGO, reliable, and trusted. Register today! sogoinvest.com
Finance and Investment TermsDictionary of Finance and Investment Terms, 7th edition, by John Downes and Jordan Elliot Goodman, published by Barron's Educational Series, Inc.A useful quick-reference tool for the home or office, the Dictionary of Finance and Investment Terms gives concise definitions of terms relating to transactions, tax law, stocks, bonds and mutual funds, and lingo of the financial markets. Includes related topics for further reading.
Making trades via the Internet Investopedia Says:
The use of online trading increased dramatically in the mid to late 1990's with the advent of high-speed computers and Internet connections. Stocks, bonds, options, futures, and currencies can all be traded online.
Buying and selling securities using the Internet or broker-provided proprietary software that works through the Internet. Online trading is distinguished from Wireless Trading, a nascent area of service where brokerage customers can trade via cell phones, pagers, and hand-held organizers.Currency Trading OnlineFree $50,000 Practice Account With Real-Time Charts, News & Research! www.Forex.comSOGO Online TradingOnline Trading. SOGO, reliable, and trusted. Register today! sogoinvest.com
Finance and Investment TermsDictionary of Finance and Investment Terms, 7th edition, by John Downes and Jordan Elliot Goodman, published by Barron's Educational Series, Inc.A useful quick-reference tool for the home or office, the Dictionary of Finance and Investment Terms gives concise definitions of terms relating to transactions, tax law, stocks, bonds and mutual funds, and lingo of the financial markets. Includes related topics for further reading.
Commercial Bank in UK
First Commercial Bank UK is wholly owned by Welsh Bank incorporated in Northern Wales in 1801.In 1994, First Commercial Bank London (UK) opened its branch in London. With over a decade of banking innovation and experience, we cater for a wide range of services for personal, professional and corporate clients.
First Commercial Bank is where the similarity ends as we offer a genuinely personal service to every one of our customers. Indeed, it's this policy on personal service that sets us apart from the 'mass market' banks. We take this commitment very seriously
Our services include : Offshore Banking, Personal Banking, Fund Management
Whether you are looking for ways to make your money work harder, or need help in financing your business, First Commercial Bank can tailor a solution to meet your needs.
Here, you'll not only find information about our services, but resources to help you plan your finances and make life easier. We're committed to being your first choice provider of financial services.
First Commercial Bank is where the similarity ends as we offer a genuinely personal service to every one of our customers. Indeed, it's this policy on personal service that sets us apart from the 'mass market' banks. We take this commitment very seriously
Our services include : Offshore Banking, Personal Banking, Fund Management
Whether you are looking for ways to make your money work harder, or need help in financing your business, First Commercial Bank can tailor a solution to meet your needs.
Here, you'll not only find information about our services, but resources to help you plan your finances and make life easier. We're committed to being your first choice provider of financial services.
Why Should You Trade Online And how safe it is ?
The Benefits Of Online Stock Market Trading
Regardless of whether you are an experienced stock trader or new to trading stock, you may never have experienced the joy of stock trading online. If that's the case, and you are currently thinking of trading online, you may want to know what all the fuss is about! To help you understand, the following are just some of the benefits of online stock market trading:
Commissions
One of the biggest, if not the biggest, benefit of trading stocks online is the reduced stock broker commissions you'll be expected to pay. In most cases, when trading stock online, brokers will charge you a commission of between $7 and $10 per trade. However, if you trade in sufficiently large enough volume, it is possible for you to negotiate with your broker so that these brokers� fees can be as low as $0.01 of the transaction value.
Control
When you use a broker in the real world you may find that your broker will not agree to execute a trade, believing your decision to buy or sell the stock in question is flawed. When you trade stock online this is no longer a problem, your broker has no input as to when you buy and sell stock you do!
Portfolio
In the real world some brokers will not buy certain stock � for example, some penny stocks. This may limit the stock you are able to have as part of your investment portfolio. However, when you trade online, subject to availability, you can trade in any stock - on any stock exchange - you want!
Information
With the use of computer software programs, you can use stock charts, technical indicators and real time stock prices to help you make the investment decision you want to make, when you want to make it.
Time
One of the essential elements about trading stock is the time it takes to execute the trade, as this can mean the difference between making a profit and making a loss. In the real world you have to phone your broker and ask him to sell/buy the stock. The broker then phones the trader, who gives the broker the price. The broker than tells you the price and you either agree to buy/sell or not to. If you agree to buy/sell, the trader then phones the order through to the trader. Online you push your mouse over a cursor and press buy/sell. A much quicker sell!
Volume
Assuming you are happy paying the commission, you can trade as large or small as you want over the Internet. In the real world, most brokers require a minimum buy/sell that is out of the reach of most individual traders.
Finally
All in all, online stock trading is about you. It provides you with the opportunity to trade in stocks without having to pay large commissions while keeping control over your investment decisions.
Regardless of whether you are an experienced stock trader or new to trading stock, you may never have experienced the joy of stock trading online. If that's the case, and you are currently thinking of trading online, you may want to know what all the fuss is about! To help you understand, the following are just some of the benefits of online stock market trading:
Commissions
One of the biggest, if not the biggest, benefit of trading stocks online is the reduced stock broker commissions you'll be expected to pay. In most cases, when trading stock online, brokers will charge you a commission of between $7 and $10 per trade. However, if you trade in sufficiently large enough volume, it is possible for you to negotiate with your broker so that these brokers� fees can be as low as $0.01 of the transaction value.
Control
When you use a broker in the real world you may find that your broker will not agree to execute a trade, believing your decision to buy or sell the stock in question is flawed. When you trade stock online this is no longer a problem, your broker has no input as to when you buy and sell stock you do!
Portfolio
In the real world some brokers will not buy certain stock � for example, some penny stocks. This may limit the stock you are able to have as part of your investment portfolio. However, when you trade online, subject to availability, you can trade in any stock - on any stock exchange - you want!
Information
With the use of computer software programs, you can use stock charts, technical indicators and real time stock prices to help you make the investment decision you want to make, when you want to make it.
Time
One of the essential elements about trading stock is the time it takes to execute the trade, as this can mean the difference between making a profit and making a loss. In the real world you have to phone your broker and ask him to sell/buy the stock. The broker then phones the trader, who gives the broker the price. The broker than tells you the price and you either agree to buy/sell or not to. If you agree to buy/sell, the trader then phones the order through to the trader. Online you push your mouse over a cursor and press buy/sell. A much quicker sell!
Volume
Assuming you are happy paying the commission, you can trade as large or small as you want over the Internet. In the real world, most brokers require a minimum buy/sell that is out of the reach of most individual traders.
Finally
All in all, online stock trading is about you. It provides you with the opportunity to trade in stocks without having to pay large commissions while keeping control over your investment decisions.
Understanding Online Trading
Recent changes in Internet technology affords regular people the opportunity to trade online without having to necessarily give their broker minimum buy/sell orders, nor do they have to pay large amounts of their trade profits to the broker in commission fees. However, with evidence showing that approximately 80 per. cent. of new online traders losing money from the offset, making sure you understand the fundamentals of online trading is essential.
Trading strategy
Put simply, your career online trading is going to be made or broken depending upon the trading strategy that you select. Chose wisely, your strategy will take advantage of the most opportune moments of when to buy and sell stock and, thus, will protect your profits. On the other hand, chose poorly and you could find yourself losing thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars in a few minutes. Here, your trading strategy is going to be dependent on which one (or even all) of the four types of online stock traders you are going to be, namely a:
(1) long-term trader who keeps hold of his stock for one or more years
(2) medium-term trader who keeps hold of his stock anywhere from 1 month to six months
(3) a short-term trader who keeps hold of his stock anywhere from a week to a month
(4) a day trader who buys and sells stock in the same day.
Without over emphasising it, in most cases the longer you keep hold of the stock, the more chance there is that you will make a profit from your online trading. However, there are very real possibilities that you can make lots of profits day trading online � if you know what you are doing.
Online trading software
If nothing else, the Information Age should have shown you that having access to information at the right time will mean the difference between making a profit and making a loss. To assist you with all your online trading information needs, you should give serious consideration to purchasing an online stock trading software program, which can provide you with technical charts, real time stock prices and historical data about stock that you can then use to analyse whether or not to buy/sell the stock in question.
Trading strategy
Put simply, your career online trading is going to be made or broken depending upon the trading strategy that you select. Chose wisely, your strategy will take advantage of the most opportune moments of when to buy and sell stock and, thus, will protect your profits. On the other hand, chose poorly and you could find yourself losing thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars in a few minutes. Here, your trading strategy is going to be dependent on which one (or even all) of the four types of online stock traders you are going to be, namely a:
(1) long-term trader who keeps hold of his stock for one or more years
(2) medium-term trader who keeps hold of his stock anywhere from 1 month to six months
(3) a short-term trader who keeps hold of his stock anywhere from a week to a month
(4) a day trader who buys and sells stock in the same day.
Without over emphasising it, in most cases the longer you keep hold of the stock, the more chance there is that you will make a profit from your online trading. However, there are very real possibilities that you can make lots of profits day trading online � if you know what you are doing.
Online trading software
If nothing else, the Information Age should have shown you that having access to information at the right time will mean the difference between making a profit and making a loss. To assist you with all your online trading information needs, you should give serious consideration to purchasing an online stock trading software program, which can provide you with technical charts, real time stock prices and historical data about stock that you can then use to analyse whether or not to buy/sell the stock in question.
Internet Stock Trading
Internet Stock Trading
Internet stock trading service from NobleTrading comes with a lot of account features. Being a discount stock broker we offer 4 different internet stock trading platform, from free web-based to direct access customizable. An internet trader can choose his trading software and commission plan.
Discount Stock Trading
As an international discount stock broker, NobleTrading provides deep discounted stock trading services. We have discount stock trading commission plans suitable for all types of traders. Whether you are a stock day trader or stock position trader, NobleTrading is the perfect destination.
Stock Trading System
NobleTrading offers both Web-based and Direct Access online stock trading systems. Open a stock trading account and download a trading system that suits your trading style. Scroll below to take a look at our stock trading system features.
Stock Market Investment
NobleTrading provides direct access stock market investment services to online stock investors. We offer flexible commission plans and a variety of online stock market investment softwares. Scroll down to know more about NobleTrading online stock market investment services.
Online Stock Broker
NobleTrading is a worldwide online stock broker offering direct access stock trading services to most American and European markets. Being a discount stock broker we offer you flexible commission plans, personalized customer support and advanced stock trading platforms.
Internet stock trading service from NobleTrading comes with a lot of account features. Being a discount stock broker we offer 4 different internet stock trading platform, from free web-based to direct access customizable. An internet trader can choose his trading software and commission plan.
Discount Stock Trading
As an international discount stock broker, NobleTrading provides deep discounted stock trading services. We have discount stock trading commission plans suitable for all types of traders. Whether you are a stock day trader or stock position trader, NobleTrading is the perfect destination.
Stock Trading System
NobleTrading offers both Web-based and Direct Access online stock trading systems. Open a stock trading account and download a trading system that suits your trading style. Scroll below to take a look at our stock trading system features.
Stock Market Investment
NobleTrading provides direct access stock market investment services to online stock investors. We offer flexible commission plans and a variety of online stock market investment softwares. Scroll down to know more about NobleTrading online stock market investment services.
Online Stock Broker
NobleTrading is a worldwide online stock broker offering direct access stock trading services to most American and European markets. Being a discount stock broker we offer you flexible commission plans, personalized customer support and advanced stock trading platforms.
Online Bank
Benefits Of Online Banking
More Free. Fast. Secure.
It's FREE. We don't charge for online banking or to pay bills online from a Bank checking account.
It's FAST. There's no complicated software to download or learn. Just register and set up your user name and password, and you're ready to go!
it's SECURE. You can bank online ecurity features are designed to guard your personal information. In the unlikely event that a fraudulent online banking transaction occurs while on our site.
Reasons to sign up for Online Banking
Get account information at your convenience
Why wait for paper statements to balance your checkbook? With Personal Online Banking, you can:
See account details for your eligible checking, savings, CD, loan, line of credit and mortgage accounts.
Check account balances and payment history.
Transfer funds between eligible Washington Mutual deposit accounts—and schedule future transfers.
Download account information to Personal Financial Management software, such as Quicken® or Microsoft® Money.
Save shredding time (and trees)—if you sign up to receive Online Statements, you can opt to stop getting paper statements in the mail.
Pay bills online—free of fees
Kick the check-writing habit—and kiss envelopes, stamps and stacks of paper goodbye. With our online Personal Bill Pay® service, you can:
Pay virtually anyone in the United States from your eligible checking account.
Schedule payments in advance—both one-time and recurring payments.
Pay multiple bills quickly, from the same screen.
See 18 months of your bill payment history.
Get a great deal—no matter how many bills you pay each month, Personal Bill Pay service is free (subject to funds availability, of course).
Pay bills on time—guaranteed
You won't have to worry about bill payments being late with our Personal Bill Pay service. When you initiate your payment four business days before the due date, you get our On Time Guarantee.
Service your accounts
No more mail, phone calls or trips to the bank to service your accounts. Instead, you can just log on to:
Order new checks—even order different styles for your checking account!
Stop a payment on a deposit account check.
Order copies of checks or paper statements.
Update your address.
Send secure online messages to Washington Mutual.
More Free. Fast. Secure.
It's FREE. We don't charge for online banking or to pay bills online from a Bank checking account.
It's FAST. There's no complicated software to download or learn. Just register and set up your user name and password, and you're ready to go!
it's SECURE. You can bank online ecurity features are designed to guard your personal information. In the unlikely event that a fraudulent online banking transaction occurs while on our site.
Reasons to sign up for Online Banking
Get account information at your convenience
Why wait for paper statements to balance your checkbook? With Personal Online Banking, you can:
See account details for your eligible checking, savings, CD, loan, line of credit and mortgage accounts.
Check account balances and payment history.
Transfer funds between eligible Washington Mutual deposit accounts—and schedule future transfers.
Download account information to Personal Financial Management software, such as Quicken® or Microsoft® Money.
Save shredding time (and trees)—if you sign up to receive Online Statements, you can opt to stop getting paper statements in the mail.
Pay bills online—free of fees
Kick the check-writing habit—and kiss envelopes, stamps and stacks of paper goodbye. With our online Personal Bill Pay® service, you can:
Pay virtually anyone in the United States from your eligible checking account.
Schedule payments in advance—both one-time and recurring payments.
Pay multiple bills quickly, from the same screen.
See 18 months of your bill payment history.
Get a great deal—no matter how many bills you pay each month, Personal Bill Pay service is free (subject to funds availability, of course).
Pay bills on time—guaranteed
You won't have to worry about bill payments being late with our Personal Bill Pay service. When you initiate your payment four business days before the due date, you get our On Time Guarantee.
Service your accounts
No more mail, phone calls or trips to the bank to service your accounts. Instead, you can just log on to:
Order new checks—even order different styles for your checking account!
Stop a payment on a deposit account check.
Order copies of checks or paper statements.
Update your address.
Send secure online messages to Washington Mutual.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Global Marketing
Introduction To Global Marketing
A look at the appropriate figures, (for example The World Development Report by the World Bank) will indicate that the world is becoming increasingly interdependent for its economic progress. In 1954, in the USA, for instance, imports were only one percent of GNP, but in 1984 they had risen to 10%. In food crops, while developing countries trade in coffee, cocoa, cotton and sugar actually declined in value during the 1980s, developing countries as a group experienced annual export growth rates of 4 to 11% in categories like processed fruit and vegetables, fresh processed fish products, feed stuffs and oil seeds. High value food product exports in 1990 totalled approximately $144 billion, the same as crude petroleum, representing 5% of world commodity trade. In 1990, more than twenty Less Developed Countries (LDCs) had exports of high value foods exceeding $500 million including countries like Brazil, China, Thailand, India and Senegal.
Terms such as "global village" and "world economy" have become very fashionable. Marketing goods and services on a global scale can happen in an "engineered" way, but often it is as a result of good and meticulous planning. For example, in order to stave off potential famine, the United Nation's World Food Programme (WFP) may purchase maize from Zimbabwe and distribute it in Tanzania, Malawi and Kenya. This "engineered" international marketing transaction may benefit Zimbabwe, without Zimbabwe having to prospect markets. Most international transactions are not like this. Most are clearly planned, involving meticulous attention to global social and economic differences and/or similarities in product, price, promotion, distribution and socio/economic/legal requirements.
The evolution of global marketing
Whether an organisation markets its goods and services domestically or internationally, the definition of marketing still applies. However, the scope of marketing is broadened when the organisation decides to sell across international boundaries, this being primarily due to the numerous other dimensions which the organisation has to account for. For example, the organisation's language of business may be "English", but it may have to do business in the "French language". This not only requires a translation facility, but the French cultural conditions have to be accounted for as well. Doing business "the French way" may be different from doing it "the English way". This is particularly true when doing business with the Japanese.
Let us, firstly define "Marketing" and then see how, by doing marketing across multinational boundaries, differences, where existing, have to be accounted for.
S. Carter defines marketing as:
"The process of building lasting relationships through planning, executing and controlling the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create mutual exchange that satisfy individual and organisational needs and objectives".
The long held tenants of marketing are "customer value", "competitive advantage" and "focus". This means that organisations have to study the market, develop products or services that satisfy customer needs and wants, develop the "correct" marketing mix and satisfy its own objectives as well as giving customer satisfaction on a continuing basis. However, it became clear in the 1980s that this definition of marketing was too narrow. Preoccupation with the tactical workings of the marketing mix led to neglect of long term product development, so "Strategic Marketing" was born. The focus was shifted from knowing everything about the customer, to knowing the customer in a context which includes the competition, government policy and regulations, and the broader economic, social and political macro forces that shape the evolution of markets. In global marketing terms this means forging alliances (relationships) or developing networks, working closely with home country government officials and industry competitors to gain access to a target market. Also the marketing objective has changed from one of satisfying organisational objectives to one of "stakeholder" benefits - including employees, society, government and so on. Profit is still essential but not an end in itself.
Strategic marketing according to Wensley (1982) has been defined as:
"Initiating, negotiating and managing acceptable exchange relationships with key interest groups or constituencies, in the pursuit of sustainable competitive advantage within specific markets, on the basis of long run consumer, channel and other stakeholder franchise".
Whether one takes the definition of "marketing" or "strategic marketing", "marketing" must still be regarded as both a philosophy and a set of functional activities. As a philosophy embracing customer value (or satisfaction), planning and organising activities to meet individual and organisational objectives, marketing must be internalised by all members of an organisation, because without satisfied customers the organisation will eventually die. As a set of operational activities, marketing embraces selling, advertising, transporting, market research and product development activities to name but a few. It is important to note that marketing is not just a philosophy or one or some of the operational activities. It is both. In planning for marketing, the organisation has to basically decide what it is going to sell, to which target market and with what marketing mix (product, place, promotion, price and people). Although these tenents of marketing planning must apply anywhere, when marketing across national boundaries, the difference between domestic and international marketing lies almost entirely in the differences in national environments within which the global programme is conducted and the differences in the organisation and programmes of a firm operating simultaneously in different national markets.
It is recognised that in the "postmodern" era of marketing, even the assumptions and long standing tenents of marketing like the concepts of "consumer needs", "consumer sovereignty", "target markets" and "product/market processes" are being challenged. The emphasis is towards the emergence of the "customising consumer", that is, the customer who takes elements of the market offerings and moulds a customised consumption experience out of these. Even further, post modernisim, posts that the consumer who is the consumed, the ultimate marketable image, is also becoming liberated from the sole role of a consumer and is becoming a producer. This reveals itself in the desire for the consumer to become part of the marketing process and to experience immersion into "thematic settings" rather than merely to encounter products. So in consuming food products for example, it becomes not just a case of satisfying hunger needs, but also can be rendered as an image - producing act. In the post modern market place the product does not project images, it fills images. This is true in some foodstuffs. The consumption of "designer water" or "slimming foods" is a statement of a self image, not just a product consuming act.
Acceptance of postmodern marketing affects discussions of products, pricing, advertising, distribution and planning. However, given the fact that this textbook is primarily written with developing economies in mind, where the environmental conditions, consumer sophistication and systems are not such that allow a quantum leap to postmodernism, it is intended to mention the concept in passing. Further discussion on the topic is available in the accompanying list of readings.
When organisations develop into global marketing organisations, they usually evolve into this from a relatively small export base. Some firms never get any further than the exporting stage. Marketing overseas can, therefore, be anywhere on a continuum of "foreign" to "global". It is well to note at this stage that the words "international", "multinational" or "global" are now rather outdated descriptions. In fact "global" has replaced the other terms to all intents and purposes. "Foreign" marketing means marketing in an environment different from the home base, it's basic form being "exporting". Over time, this may evolve into an operating market rather than a foreign market. One such example is the Preferential Trade Area (PTA) in Eastern and Southern Africa where involved countries can trade inter-regionally under certain common modalities. Another example is the Cold Storage Company of Zimbabwe.
Whether an organisation markets its goods and services domestically or internationally, the definition of marketing still applies. However, the scope of marketing is broadened when the organisation decides to sell across international boundaries, this being primarily due to the numerous other dimensions which the organisation has to account for. For example, the organisation's language of business may be "English", but it may have to do business in the "French language". This not only requires a translation facility, but the French cultural conditions have to be accounted for as well. Doing business "the French way" may be different from doing it "the English way". This is particularly true when doing business with the Japanese.
Let us, firstly define "Marketing" and then see how, by doing marketing across multinational boundaries, differences, where existing, have to be accounted for.
S. Carter defines marketing as:
"The process of building lasting relationships through planning, executing and controlling the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create mutual exchange that satisfy individual and organisational needs and objectives".
The long held tenants of marketing are "customer value", "competitive advantage" and "focus". This means that organisations have to study the market, develop products or services that satisfy customer needs and wants, develop the "correct" marketing mix and satisfy its own objectives as well as giving customer satisfaction on a continuing basis. However, it became clear in the 1980s that this definition of marketing was too narrow. Preoccupation with the tactical workings of the marketing mix led to neglect of long term product development, so "Strategic Marketing" was born. The focus was shifted from knowing everything about the customer, to knowing the customer in a context which includes the competition, government policy and regulations, and the broader economic, social and political macro forces that shape the evolution of markets. In global marketing terms this means forging alliances (relationships) or developing networks, working closely with home country government officials and industry competitors to gain access to a target market. Also the marketing objective has changed from one of satisfying organisational objectives to one of "stakeholder" benefits - including employees, society, government and so on. Profit is still essential but not an end in itself.
Strategic marketing according to Wensley (1982) has been defined as:
"Initiating, negotiating and managing acceptable exchange relationships with key interest groups or constituencies, in the pursuit of sustainable competitive advantage within specific markets, on the basis of long run consumer, channel and other stakeholder franchise".
Whether one takes the definition of "marketing" or "strategic marketing", "marketing" must still be regarded as both a philosophy and a set of functional activities. As a philosophy embracing customer value (or satisfaction), planning and organising activities to meet individual and organisational objectives, marketing must be internalised by all members of an organisation, because without satisfied customers the organisation will eventually die. As a set of operational activities, marketing embraces selling, advertising, transporting, market research and product development activities to name but a few. It is important to note that marketing is not just a philosophy or one or some of the operational activities. It is both. In planning for marketing, the organisation has to basically decide what it is going to sell, to which target market and with what marketing mix (product, place, promotion, price and people). Although these tenents of marketing planning must apply anywhere, when marketing across national boundaries, the difference between domestic and international marketing lies almost entirely in the differences in national environments within which the global programme is conducted and the differences in the organisation and programmes of a firm operating simultaneously in different national markets.
It is recognised that in the "postmodern" era of marketing, even the assumptions and long standing tenents of marketing like the concepts of "consumer needs", "consumer sovereignty", "target markets" and "product/market processes" are being challenged. The emphasis is towards the emergence of the "customising consumer", that is, the customer who takes elements of the market offerings and moulds a customised consumption experience out of these. Even further, post modernisim, posts that the consumer who is the consumed, the ultimate marketable image, is also becoming liberated from the sole role of a consumer and is becoming a producer. This reveals itself in the desire for the consumer to become part of the marketing process and to experience immersion into "thematic settings" rather than merely to encounter products. So in consuming food products for example, it becomes not just a case of satisfying hunger needs, but also can be rendered as an image - producing act. In the post modern market place the product does not project images, it fills images. This is true in some foodstuffs. The consumption of "designer water" or "slimming foods" is a statement of a self image, not just a product consuming act.
Acceptance of postmodern marketing affects discussions of products, pricing, advertising, distribution and planning. However, given the fact that this textbook is primarily written with developing economies in mind, where the environmental conditions, consumer sophistication and systems are not such that allow a quantum leap to postmodernism, it is intended to mention the concept in passing. Further discussion on the topic is available in the accompanying list of readings.
When organisations develop into global marketing organisations, they usually evolve into this from a relatively small export base. Some firms never get any further than the exporting stage. Marketing overseas can, therefore, be anywhere on a continuum of "foreign" to "global". It is well to note at this stage that the words "international", "multinational" or "global" are now rather outdated descriptions. In fact "global" has replaced the other terms to all intents and purposes. "Foreign" marketing means marketing in an environment different from the home base, it's basic form being "exporting". Over time, this may evolve into an operating market rather than a foreign market. One such example is the Preferential Trade Area (PTA) in Eastern and Southern Africa where involved countries can trade inter-regionally under certain common modalities. Another example is the Cold Storage Company of Zimbabwe.
Planning to meet the opportunities and challenges of global marketing
In order to take advantage of global opportunities, as well as meet the challenges presented by so doing a number of concepts can be particularly useful. Every organisation needs an understanding of what is involved in "strategy", or else the hapharzardness involved in chance exporting can be accepted as the norm with all inherent dangers involved. Also potential exporters need to know what is going on in the global "environment". Just as in domestic marketing "Government" "competition", "social" and other factors need to be accounted for, such is the case in international marketing. If one can place products or services at a point on an environmental sensitivity/insensitivity continuum, one can see more clearly the need to account for differences in the marketing mix. By comparing the similarities and differences between domestic and international marketing needs and planning requirements, then the organisation is in a better position to isolate the key factors critical to success. This section examines all these concepts in brief.
Monday, May 14, 2007
ONLINE STOCK TRADING
A brief thesis on Online Stock Trading
Online traders can become too aggressive, and it can be very easy to lose one's shirt. It is not uncommon for avid traders to roll over their 401k funds or other investments -- only to lose everything in the stock market. It's "a double-edged sword," said Kenneth Prather, owner of Prather Investment Management.Online securities trading was a big fad a few years ago, but some of the major players disappeared from the scene after the dot-com fallout. However, many do-it-from-home traders cannot resist the Internet's speed and convenience, and there are still plenty of firms to accommodate them.
Although some major brokerage companies swore they would never offer access to electronic trading tools, many quickly learned that customers were eager to trade via the Internet, and realized they would need to provide services or lose them to the competition.Currently, online trading is gaining credibility.Electronic storefronts offer consumers dedicated Web sites, software and online trading tools to help them go it alone. Some online investing firms have begun offering limited to full professional investment consulting services for a fee.
"Online trading is more than a passing fad. Many individual investors are using online brokers today," Fred Ruffy, an analyst at Optionetics, told TechNewsWorld.
The cost of trading online is generally lower than at brick-and-mortar brokerage houses. In addition, improvements in technology and security have made online trading an efficient and safe experience. In fact, some online brokers, such as E-Trade and TD Ameritrade, offer more than just trading. They also provide credit cards, mortgages, bonds and mutual funds, for example.Stiff CompetitionOnline trading has rendered phone brokers obsolete. Before the dot-com bubble burst, a phone trader working late at night at a big-name brokerage firm would fieldroughly 300 calls per shift.When online trading began to gain popularity, many phone traders were laid off, due in part to a decline in sales Email Marketing Software - Free Demo volume. The interest in online trading is even more intense now."We see a burst of activity. It's going up and down, but always there are those investors who want to do it themselves," said Andy Rolfe, CTO of Authentify.
The number of online traders has been increasing, apparently in spite of scams -- or the fear of scams. "People believe in the institutions that exist online," said Rolfe.
Online traders can become too aggressive, and it can be very easy to lose one's shirt. It is not uncommon for avid traders to roll over their 401k funds or other investments -- only to lose everything in the stock market. It's "a double-edged sword," said Kenneth Prather, owner of Prather Investment Management.Online securities trading was a big fad a few years ago, but some of the major players disappeared from the scene after the dot-com fallout. However, many do-it-from-home traders cannot resist the Internet's speed and convenience, and there are still plenty of firms to accommodate them.
Although some major brokerage companies swore they would never offer access to electronic trading tools, many quickly learned that customers were eager to trade via the Internet, and realized they would need to provide services or lose them to the competition.Currently, online trading is gaining credibility.Electronic storefronts offer consumers dedicated Web sites, software and online trading tools to help them go it alone. Some online investing firms have begun offering limited to full professional investment consulting services for a fee.
"Online trading is more than a passing fad. Many individual investors are using online brokers today," Fred Ruffy, an analyst at Optionetics, told TechNewsWorld.
The cost of trading online is generally lower than at brick-and-mortar brokerage houses. In addition, improvements in technology and security have made online trading an efficient and safe experience. In fact, some online brokers, such as E-Trade and TD Ameritrade, offer more than just trading. They also provide credit cards, mortgages, bonds and mutual funds, for example.Stiff CompetitionOnline trading has rendered phone brokers obsolete. Before the dot-com bubble burst, a phone trader working late at night at a big-name brokerage firm would fieldroughly 300 calls per shift.When online trading began to gain popularity, many phone traders were laid off, due in part to a decline in sales Email Marketing Software - Free Demo volume. The interest in online trading is even more intense now."We see a burst of activity. It's going up and down, but always there are those investors who want to do it themselves," said Andy Rolfe, CTO of Authentify.
The number of online traders has been increasing, apparently in spite of scams -- or the fear of scams. "People believe in the institutions that exist online," said Rolfe.
Real Estate Marketing
Real estate or immovable property is a legal term (in some jurisdictions) that encompasses land along with anything permanently affixed to the land, such as buildings. Real estate (immovable property) is often considered synonymous with real property (also sometimes called realty), in contrast with personal property (also sometimes called chattel or personalty). However, for technical purposes, some people prefer to distinguish real estate, referring to the land and fixtures themselves, from real property, referring to ownership rights over real estate.
The terms real estate and real property are used primarily in common law, while civil law jurisdictions refer instead to immovable property.
In law, the word real means relating to a thing (from Latin res/rei, thing), as distinguished from a person. Thus the law broadly distinguishes between [real property] (land and anything affixed to it) and [personal property] (everything else, e.g., clothing, furniture, money). The conceptual difference was between immovable property, which would transfer title along with the land, and movable property, which a person would retain title to. (The word is not derived from the notion of land having historically been "royal" property. The word royal — and its Castilian cognate real — come from the related Latin word rex-regis, meaning king.)
Five Fundamentals of Real Estate Marketing
Your real estate marketing program needs certain ingredients in order to succeed. Chief among them — research, focus, testing, honesty and enthusiasm.
Fundamentals of research
Effective marketing demands thorough research, and the more of it the better. In fact, I would rank research as one of the top-three factors of successful real estate marketing.
Before you can write a brochure to inform your audience ... before you can write an advertisement to persuade your audience ... before you can write Web content to educate your audience ... you have to know everything about your audience.
You have to know what their days are like, how they define success, what they worry about. Everything. Only then can you begin to communicate to them effectively.
You have to know what their days are like, how they define success, what they worry about. Everything. Only then can you begin to communicate to them effectively.
Fundamentals of focus
In real estate marketing, seduction lurks around every corner. New ideas emerge during a prolonged campaign. Distractions and side doors present themselves. “This is old,” you might think. “I need to shake things up a little.”
Focus and consistency bring benefits over the long haul, but it takes patience. An ad-testing program, for example, could take several months to start producing valuable insight. It takes steady measurement. It takes long-term vision. It takes focus.
Focus and consistency bring benefits over the long haul, but it takes patience. An ad-testing program, for example, could take several months to start producing valuable insight. It takes steady measurement. It takes long-term vision. It takes focus.
Fundamentals of testing
Eugene Schwartz, author of Breakthrough Advertising, said it best: “There are no answers in direct mail except test answers. You donÂ’t know whether something will work until you test it. And you cannot predict test results based on past experience.”
What he meant was this. You can take an offer that has worked for somebody else in your industry, apply it to your audience, and have it flop.
What he meant was this. You can take an offer that has worked for somebody else in your industry, apply it to your audience, and have it flop.
Sure, there are “best practices” you can start with. And you can learn a lot from the successes and failures of other marketers. But to get the best possible ROI on your marketing investment, there is no substitute for testing.
Think of it this way. Best practices will put you ahead of 75% of your competition. Testing will help you surpass the other 25%.
Think of it this way. Best practices will put you ahead of 75% of your competition. Testing will help you surpass the other 25%.
Fundamentals of honesty
If you say “free,” it better be free — with no strings attached. If you say “number one real estate company on the east coast” ... you better be number one in some legitimate way.
Deceit and trickery only work the first time around.
Deceit and trickery only work the first time around.
Fundamentals of enthusiasm
Have you ever read an ad, article or website and found yourself thinking, “Boy, this writer doesn't even care.”?
If your designer, copywriter, webmaster — or anyone else involved with your marketing — lacks enthusiasm for a particular project, the project has already failed.
If your designer, copywriter, webmaster — or anyone else involved with your marketing — lacks enthusiasm for a particular project, the project has already failed.
A wise marketing manager knows this and will take the necessary steps to inspire his or her team. All this being said, it always helps to have a superior or service. But that's another topic entirely.
Forex Trading
What is Forex?
The Foreign Exchange market (also referred to as the Forex or FX market) is the largest financial market in the world, with over $1.5 trillion changing hands every day. That is larger than all US equity and Treasury markets combined! Unlike other financial markets that operate at a centralized location (i.e. stock exchange), the worldwide Forex market has no central location.
It is a global electronic network of banks, financial institutions and individual traders, all involved in the buying and selling of national currencies.
Live Forex Rates
Another major feature of the Forex market is that it operates 24 hours a day, corresponding to the opening and closing of financial centers in countries all across the world, starting each day in Sydney, then Tokyo, London and New York. At any time, in any location, there are buyers and sellers, making the Forex market the most liquid market in the world.
Forex Rates
EUR/USD 1.3435 1.3349 1.3421
USD/JPY 119.40 118.76 119.04
GBP/USD 1.9713 1.9602 1.9694
USD/CHF 1.2285 1.2193 1.2205
EUR/GBP 0.6822 0.6805 0.6815
EUR/JPY 159.80 159.05 159.76
AUD/USD 0.8242 0.8156 0.8233
USD/CAD 1.1533 1.1494 1.1514
Whether you are aware of it or not, you already play a role in the Forex market. The simple fact that you have money in your pocket makes you an investor in currency, particularly in the US Dollar. By holding US Dollars, you have elected not to hold the currencies of other nations. Your purchases of stocks, bonds or other investments, along with money deposited in your bank account, represent investments that rely heavily on the integrity of the value of their denominated currency ¨C the US Dollar. Due to the changing value of the US Dollar and the resulting fluctuations in exchange rates, your investments may change in value, affecting your overall financial status. With this in mind, it should be no surprise that many investors have taken advantage of the fluctuation in Exchange Rates, using the volatility of the Foreign Exchange market as a way to increase their capital.
Traditionally, access to the Forex market has been made available only to banks and other large financial institutions. With advances in technology over the years, however, the Forex market is now available to everybody, from banks to money managers to individual traders trading retail accounts. The time to get involved in this exciting, global market has never been better than now. Open an account and become an active player in the largest market on the planet. Discover the advantages of investing / trading at Forex Marketbanks and large international companies were able to take advantage of the huge earning potential in currency trading. These days, all you need is a bank account and an internet connection. Forex Clearing Houses are open 24 hours a day, from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon. During that time, anyone can trade anything. Simply jump on your computer and you can do it at home.
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Minimum amount to open an mini account - just $500 USD, and standart account $2000 USD
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