Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Effects of Social Networking on Empathy and Relationships Free Essay Example, 1750 words

Every individual usually spare some time to talk about himself or herself on the social networks like on Facebook and this provides the perfect opportunity for one to share his problems with the people who care and from there, one can get solution to his problems and find ways of overcoming the challenges of life (Mitcham, 2005). The social network, therefore, provides the platform where individuals share their life experiences, and when a person finds out the solution to his problem from a similar story from a friend, they empathize with one another. From social networks, individuals are also able to build up relationships. These results from the fact that people move towards one another understanding another s interesting and can, therefore, build a strong and long-lasting relationship. Through these activities, individuals share and understand their moral obligations in societies (Leydesdorff Bornmann, 2000, pp. 2040). Despite having numerous positive changes in human society, t he use of social media has also impacted negatively to the daily living of people. Too much indulgence in the sites, may change an individual s behavior and negatively change their moral conduct through the imitation of the behaviors and cultures portrayed in the social media (Castells, 2010). The social network has become one of the sites where privacy and personal information is given the least of attentions and the erosion of the private lives is increasing at a faster rate as the number of social sites increases in number (Mitcham, 2005). Individuals reveal much of their personal information such as full names, birth dates, who our family members are, our life experiences, hobbies, and interest. We will write a custom essay sample on Effects of Social Networking on Empathy and Relationships or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page This kind of disclosure of very personal information can make the user vulnerable to crimes such as theft. The same applies to companies where most managers usually do a background check on the social network before hiring an employee.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Green Housekeeping - 1467 Words

Good afternoon my name is Andrew Lloyd current CEO of the Luxor hotel Melbourne and we are here today to emphasise the importance of operating at high standards of performance and implore environmentally and socially sustainable practices, in particular the section of housekeeping. It is the Luxors aim to operate in quality service in economic growth, employment retention and environmental protection. It is out initiative to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, actively improve out environmental performance and reduce our impact and create environmental education and awareness for our staff and customers. The reason the Luxor hotel Melbourne is actively going â€Å"green† is for a number of reasons, the first being†¦show more content†¦A study conducted by Bohdanowicz shows that and average hotel produces more than one kilogram of waste per guest per day and that approximately thirty percent of this waste can be reused or recycled. The first step to minimising waste management within the context of house keeping is by implementing an extensive waste management system to sort recyclables from general waste, Bohdanowicz (2005) claims that such an implementation can minimise unsorted waste from three kilograms per guest per night to half a kilogram. Another prominent example of how the Luxor Melbourne can minimise their waste output is by offering their unwanted furniture, linen and towels to charities or those who are less fortunate who would put the materials to better use and minimise operational costs. The final aspect of the Luxor Melbourne will be focusing on to create a sustainable hotel environment is its energy consumption. According to Gossling (2005 pp.426) â€Å"the average energy consumption per bed per night in hotels is in the order of 130 mega joules† to facilitate energy intense facilities such as restaurants and pools. Gossling’s (2005) studies have determined that major hotels can emit on average 20.6kg of carbon dioxide per night, which is a staggering number in which the Luxor Melbourne hopes to diminish. The LuxorShow MoreRelatedTechnological Aspects of Eco-Innovation746 Words   |  3 Pagesleads to green growth that includes cleaner production, sustainable management and also development of green products and technology. However, SMEs is constrained by lack of resources, knowledge and capability and by realizing the significance of fully exploring the potential for eco-innovation and green entrepreneurship among SMEs, the project strived to identify green business opportunities for the participating companies.(ASIEC Indonesia, 2011) 2.1.1 Cleaner Production Good Housekeeping CleanerRead MoreThe Hospitality Industry : A Broad Range Of Fields Within Service Industry Essay1632 Words   |  7 Pagesmonitoring assets. What is Housekeeping? House-keeping is one of the largest departments of the hotel which is responsible for creating cleanliness, maintenance and safe environment. By providing the maximum comforts to the guest, it maintains the standard of the hotel which contributes the hotel in achieving maximum profit by selling the rooms. It is also regarded as the Eye and Ear of the management from where the main revenue income is generated. . The housekeeping department, in any hotel businessRead MoreGo Green Concept in Hospitality Industry1305 Words   |  6 PagesASSIGNMENT ON â€Å"GO GREEN CONCEPT IN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY† Course: Housekeeping Management Go green concept: Few years ago when climate change really started to come into focus and people began to think how to protect our mother Earth and of   the ways to create a sustainable hospitality industry, many hotels and resorts started   their green programs   being a first choice for many guests and travelers since last decade. Governments are also encouraging their people to go green while travelingRead MoreAnalysis of Visual Text Essay912 Words   |  4 PagesCalifornia shows that kids ate 23 percent more vegetables when paired with a moderate amount of ranch dressing (â€Å"New Hidden Valley Ad†). This visual advertisement published in multiple target advertising markets such as the June 2008 volume of Good Housekeeping periodical targets parents, especially moms, who worry about their childrens diets, constantly struggling to get their kids to eat enough vegetables (Hidden Valley). Hidden Valley uses a common photography strategy in the advertisement known asRead MoreOpportunities For Sustainable Building Practices Consistent With Green Key Guidelines1340 Words   |  6 PagesOpportunities in renewable energy in tourism Our initial assessment for The Birchwood Hotel down town St. Petersburg focused on examining key areas for sustainable building practices consistent with Green Key guidelines. The areas assessed were corporate environmental management, housekeeping, conference and meeting spaces, food and beverage, engineering and maintenance. Summing up the condition of each system served as a target for the property owners to make improvements for their short and long-termRead MoreIn Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinso, Categorical Confines: Societal Boundaries in Opposition of Happiness1178 Words   |  5 PagesIn Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson, the story follows Ruth and Lucille as they pass through the care of their mother, grandmother, great-aunts, and finally their mother’s transient sister, Sylvie. While Ruth is generally passively accepting of the care or lack thereof that she receives from these women, no matter how unconventional, Lucille purposefully sets herself against Sylvi e. After existing outside of the boundaries that society imposes for the majority of her adult life, Sylvie is unableRead MoreTraining at Al Manshar Rotana Hotel1263 Words   |  5 PagesAssistant Manager (EAM) at the hotel, I fully understand the importance and experiential value of those in executive management positions becoming familiar with the operation of this hotel in every facet, from the Engineering Department to the Housekeeping Department, and all departments in between. I look forward to learning more as time goes on, and to cooperating with each of the departments in the Al Manshar Rotana Hotel. Through my promotion to EAM I will seamlessly embrace additional responsibilitiesRead MoreHouse Keeping3357 Words   |  14 PagesManagement considers the business of keeping a place clean and in good repair to be vitally necessary for a hotel to command a fair price and get repeat business. Areas of Housekeeping responsibilities: The general public tends to think of the housekeeping as the department that makes the bed, empties the ashtrays and wastebaskets, tidies up the bathroom and leaves fresh towels. The truth of the matter is that it takes more manpower to accomplish housekeeping’s almost countless functions thanRead MoreEco Friendly Housekeeping3828 Words   |  16 PagesCertification Services†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...10 8. Eco Friendly Concept†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦11 9. First World Ecotel†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.............12 10. First Ecotel In India†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..13 11. Housekeeping †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦13 12. Housekeeping and Eco-Friendly†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..............15 13. Eco Friendly Amenities Products and Processes†¦15 14. Eco Friendly Housekeeping †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.17 15. Eco Friendly Products†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...18 16. Suggestions and Recommendations†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..19 17. Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...20 18. Reference†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Read MoreEssay On Cleaner Production948 Words   |  4 Pagesassets, and human capital. Cleaner production activities include measures such as at preventing the production of waste while increasing efficiencies in the uses of energy, water, resources, and human capital. They include better administration and housekeeping, substitution of toxic and hazardous materials, process alterations, and reuse of waste items. At its heart, the idea is about the anticipation, instead of the control, of contamination. How is it used? The idea of cleaner creation addresses the

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Mid Term 220 Free Essays

Take Assessment: Midterm Exam Page 1 of 9 MGT220. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (MGT220) gt; TAKE ASSESSMENT: MIDTERM EXAM Take Assessment: Midterm Exam Name Midterm Exam Instructions Always pick the single best answer. Blank answers will be scored as incorrect. We will write a custom essay sample on Mid Term 220 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Multiple Attempts This Test allows 2 attempts. This is attempt number 1. Force Completion This Test can be saved and resumed later. Question Completion Status: Question 1 2 points Sellers generally benefit from e-auctions due to the opportunity to bargain for lower prices. Save True False Question 2 2 points Nokia has entered the mobile gaming world. It markets near-distance multiplayer gaming over __________ and wide-area gaming over __________ networks. Save A. cellular; local area B. Bluetooth; cellular C. GPS; wide area D. WiMax; analog E. Question 3 2 points Using wireless technologies, one can create applications that are not available with wireline systems. Save True False Question 4 2 points Save 2 points In general, which of the following is true about the transmission of confidential and personal information between an RFID reader and a back-end database protect? Save Blogs, mashups, instant messaging, and wikis are examples of A. avatars B. social computing C. virtual worlds D. wireless communications Question 5 http://coursesite. umtweb. edu/webapps/assessment/take/launch. jsp? course_assessment_id=†¦ 9/25/2012 Take Assessment: Midterm Exam Page 2 of 9 A. Those transmissions are sent over secure networks to keep the information secure. B. Information sent via those transmissions is protected using encryption. C. RFID tags do not yet contain confidential or personal information. D. Firewalls are used to protect information in transit. Question 6 2 points Remote administration Trojans (RATs) are a class of backdoors that are extremely dangerous because they enable remote control over the infected machine. Save True False Question 7 2 points Save 2 points A(n) __________ is an analysis of the benefits of using a specific business model. Save Productivity in an enterprise can be measured in terms of: A. the amount of input per amount of time B. the ratio of the amount of output to the amount of input C. the number of units produced D. market share Question 8 A. core competency B. exchange C. RFQ D. value proposition Question 9 2 points A valuable property of e-tailing is the ability to offer customized products and services to individual customers at a reasonable price and quickly. Save True False Question 10 2 points With two-factor authentication, two types of information are used to verify the user’s identity, such as passwords and botnets. Save True False Question 11 2 points One of the worst and most prevalent crimes is identity theft, which has been made worse by widespread electronic sharing and databases. http://coursesite. umtweb. edu/webapps/assessment/take/launch. jsp? course_assessment_id=†¦ Save 9/25/2012 Take Assessment: Midterm Exam Page 3 of 9 True False Question 12 2 points Directories and hyperlinks from other Web sites and intelligent search agents help buyers find the best stores and products to match their needs Save True False Question 13 2 points _________ percent of companies that suffer a significant data loss die within five years, according to Freeman Mendel, the chair of the FBI’s 2006 Infragard National Conference. Save A. 7 B. 23 C. 57 D. 93 Question 14 2 points A risk associated with tools that are meant to improve the productivity and quality of life in general is that they can lead to abuses such as intruding on an employee’s or manager’s personal time. Save True False Question 15 2 points Responsibility for internal control and compliance with information security olicies rests directly on end-users. Save True False Question 16 2 points Packet technologies convert voice, video, and data into packets that can be transmitted together over a single, high-speed network eliminating the need for separate networks. Save True False Question 17 2 points Advances in converged networks, SIP, and tools have eliminated the barriers to full integration and interoperabilit y. Save True http://coursesite. umtweb. edu/webapps/assessment/take/launch. jsp? course_assessment_id=†¦ 9/25/2012 Take Assessment: Midterm Exam Page 4 of 9 False Question 18 2 points The software-as-a-service (SaaS) approach is based on the trend for developing applications in-house rather than buying them. Save True False Question 19 2 points A(n) __________ is a method of doing business by which a company can generate revenue to sustain itself. Save A. adaptive strategy B. business model C. electronic commerce Web site D. operations model Question 20 2 points According to the market intelligence firm IDC, organizations with a 1,000 or more knowledge workers lose over $5 million annually because of: Save A. time wasted by employees reformatting data as they move among applications. B. data that is out of context or outdated. C. the inability of knowledge workers to share data with others working on the same project. D. the inability to synchronize data. Question 21 2 points One example of an integrated messaging system is __________, which combines wireless communications, vehicle monitoring systems, and vehicle location devices. Save A. collaborative commerce B. supply chain management C. voice portal D. wireless telemetry Question 22 2 points Which of the following is not accurate regarding businesses that collect data about employees or customers? Save A. The data must be available to auditors. B. Businesses have a legal duty to protect this data. C. The data should be accessible only to authorized people. D. Securing the data from abuse by authorized parties is expensive and difficult. Question 23 2 points http://coursesite. umtweb. edu/webapps/assessment/take/launch. jsp? course_assessment_id=†¦ Save 9/25/2012 Take Assessment: Midterm Exam Page 5 of 9 An example of a mobile enterprise application is sales force automation (SFA), which enables sales force employees to type orders straight into an ERP while at a client’s site. Benefits include a reduction in clerical mistakes and improved supply chain operations. True False Question 24 2 points Save 2 points Information systems can be organized according to organizational hierarchy (e. g. , departmental, enterprisewide, and interorganizational) or by the nature of supported task (e. g. , operational, managerial, and strategic). Save Web 1. 0 was basically organized around each of the following except: A. corporations B. media C. software D. technology Question 25 True False Question 26 2 points Save 2 points Several banks in Japan issued __________ cards to customers. These cards store a template of the person’s palm vein to authenticate the customer’s identity when withdrawing money. Save The ________ suite is the standard used with almost any network service. A. Internet protocol B. Transport Control Protocol C. User Datagram Protocol D. Voice over IP Question 27 A. smart B. RFID C. ATM D. adaptive Question 28 2 points Save Which is the first step in the process of managing business performance? A. Determine how to attain the performance levels. http://coursesite. umtweb. edu/webapps/assessment/take/launch. jsp? course_assessment_id=†¦ 9/25/2012 Take Assessment: Midterm Exam Page 6 of 9 B. Assess where the organization stands with respect to its goals, objectives, and measures. C. Decide on desired performance levels. D. Set the budget for achieving performance or goals. Question 29 2 points Microsoft releases _________ to update and patch vulnerabilities in its operating systems, including Vista, and other software products, including Office 2007. Save A. firewalls B. podcasts C. service packs D. workbooks Question 30 2 points Reasons why managers may not be able to trust their data include all of the following except: Save A. Data are too synchronized. B. Data are out of context. C. Data are outdated. D. Data are so overwhelming that they require weeks to analyze. Question 31 2 points A computer system essentially organizes data into a hierarchy that begins with bits and proceeds to bytes, fields, files, databases, and records. Save True False Question 32 2 points Save Databases are the optimal way to store and access organizational data. True False Question 33 2 points Social network analysis (SNA) is the mapping and measuring of relationships and flows between people or groups. Nodes in the network are the people or groups, while the links show relationships or flows between the nodes. Save True False Question 34 2 points Save What is significant about 4G networks? http://coursesite. umtweb. edu/webapps/assessment/take/launch. jsp? course_assessment_id=†¦ 9/25/2012 Take Assessment: Midterm Exam Page 7 of 9 A. 4G has a circuit switched subsystem B. 4G is based purely on the Internet Protocol (IP) C. 4G is the convergence of the features of 2G and 3G D. All of the above Question 35 2 points Save All of the following correctly define the networking technology except: A. WAP is an Internet protocol developed for transferring information on the Internet to and from wireless clients. B. EV-DO is fast wireless broadband access that runs in a Wi-Fi hotspot. C. Instant messaging has become a mission-critical collaboration tool for over 130 million workers in businesses of all sizes. D. Bluetooth is how mobile phones, mobile and fixed computers, and PDAs can be easily interconnected using a short-range RF wireless connection. Question 36 2 points A supply chain is the flow of materials, information, money, and services from raw material suppliers through factories and warehouses to the end customers. Save True False Question 37 2 points A(n) antivirus software is a technology that checks Internet packets sent to nd from a network and enforces access-control policies between networks. Save True False Question 38 2 points The virtual elimination of software-upgrade cycles makes applications perpetual worksin-progress and allows rapid prototyping using the Web as a platform. Save True False Question 39 2 points When dealing with consumer-facing applications, such as online banking and ecommerce, strong authentication must be balanced with ________. Save A. costs B. convenience C. privacy risks D. war driving risks Question 40 2 points Save A wiki is all of the following except: http://coursesite. mtweb. edu/webapps/assessment/take/launch. jsp? course_assessment_id=†¦ 9/25/2012 Take Assessment: Midterm Exam Page 8 of 9 A. a software program B. a discovery tool C. a collaboration site D. a search engine Question 41 2 points Data warehouses are designed as online analytical processing (OLAP) systems, meaning that the data can be queried and analyzed much more efficiently than application databases. Save True False Question 42 2 points Save 2 points Fraud detection is too complex to be handled effectively by intelligent analysis engines using advanced data warehousing. Save What is the technology that enables Internet browsing from wireless devices? A. WAP B. EMS C. WiMax D. WLAN Question 43 True False Question 44 2 points Which of the following factors is not a major type of business pressure on enterprises? Save A. Homogenous workforce B. Powerful customers C. Regulatory compliance D. Terrorist attacks and homeland security Question 45 2 points ___________ support functional managers by providing them with periodic reports, such as weekly sales volume and comparisons of actual expenses to budgeted expenses. Save A. Personal information managements B. Transaction processing systems C. Management information systems D. Enterprise systems http://coursesite. umtweb. edu/webapps/assessment/take/launch. jsp? course_assessment_id=†¦ 9/25/2012 Take Assessment: Midterm Exam Question 46 Page 9 of 9 2 points Mary Kay transformed itself from traditional modes of operation to a business model that enabled rapid growth into new markets by doing all of the following except: Save A. networking various applications so they communicate with each other B. using business service management to connect to consultants. C. sing social computing for marketing D. outsourcing its IT infrastructure Question 47 2 points M-commerce B2C applications are concentrated in three major areas, which include each of the following except: Save A. retail shopping for products and services B. advertising C. mobile portals D. selling digitized content such as music, movies, or games Question 48 2 points Save Data redundancy wastes physical storage media, makes it difficult to obtain a comprehensive view of customers, and increases the costs of entering and maintaining the data. True False Question 49 2 points At a strategic level, the totality of a company’s data resources is nearly irreplaceable. Yet data at this macro-level remains largely overlooked by corporate leadership. Save True False Question 50 2 points Save Why is auditing a Web site important from the perspective of risk? A. It is a good preventive measure to manage legal risk. B. It is a key part of disaster recovery. C. To insure that biometrics were implemented properly. D. It is a necessary corrective action. http://coursesite. umtweb. edu/webapps/assessment/take/launch. jsp? course_assessment_id=†¦ 9/25/2012 How to cite Mid Term 220, Papers

Friday, December 6, 2019

The Science of Shopping free essay sample

9/26/2011 The Science of Shopping Everyday thousands of retail stores throughout the United States open up their stores in the morning for the sole purpose of attracting customers and selling them merchandise. For this assignment I decided to do a store analysis of the retail giant Wal-Mart. To begin with I will evaluate the store layout and design. Next I will explain the visual merchandising techniques used that Wal-Mart uses. Finally I will discuss the problems and recommendations that I have for Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has continually been a leader in the retail industry, and it all starts with the layout of the store. From the second that you pull into the Wal-Mart parking lot you are already faced with an important decision, which part of the store you want to enter. The entrance on the left positions you by the groceries, while the right entrance places you by the home goods and school supplies. We will write a custom essay sample on The Science of Shopping or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Wal-Mart utilizes a few different types of layouts, the main layout is a racetrack layout, which provides major aisles that loop around the store and guides customer traffic around different departments within the store. The grocery section of the Wal-Mart, which is on the left and takes up about a third of the store, has a grid layout. The Middle of the store is where Wal-Mart positioned its fashion and jewelry section. While this section fits within the overall race track layout of the store, the fashion/jewelry section has its own free form store layout. The electronics section is strategically located in the back middle of the store, since it is Wal-Marts most profitable section and it makes sure that their consumers have to navigate through the whole store and potentially browse other departments on their way to the electronics. The toy section of the store is sandwiched between the kitchen and home goods and the lawn garden, in hopes that children shopping with their parents will be able to wonder off to the toy section while they shop for home goods. At the front of the store is where they locate their checkout counters and other types of impulse buy items, such as â€Å"As seen on TV† items. While going to Wal-Mart might sometimes seem overwhelming, Wal-Mart does a good job of using visualizing techniques to attract customers to certain areas. Wal-Mart does a particularly good job of highlighting their merchandise. Wal-Mart uses big florescent lights to eliminate the store, as well as using skylights in its stores to make shiny objects even shinier. Along with using the lighting to set the mood, Wal-Mart also uses warm and cool colors to promote a very positive and peaceful mood. Another thing I noticed while I was observing Wal-Mart was that they do not play any music throughout the store. To promote their environment and help keep customer attention, Wal-Mart employees carry walkie-talkies to communicate with each other, because they found out that customers thought the use of intercoms was a distraction. Another thing I noticed about Wal-Mart was that there is no distinct scent in their stores. The sole purpose of a retail store is to try to get the customer to spend as much money as possible, and Wal-Mart is no different. Wal-Mart does an excellent job of using different types of merchandising presentation techniques in their store. At Wal-Mart they use many different types of fixtures to display their merchandise. In Wal-Marts grocery department, they primarily use gondolas to sell their merchandise, where as in the fashion and apparel section they used rounders, four-way racks, and strait racks. Another technique Wal-Mart utilizes is their wall space through the use of vertical merchandising. Since Wal-Mart’s slogan is â€Å"Save Money. Live Better,† they also use tonnage merchandising to enhance and reinforce their pricing image. Wal-Mart not only takes advantage of their merchandising techniques, but they also utilize their feature areas. The feature areas at Wal-Mart are the grocery section, home goods, electronics, fashion/jewelry, lawn garden, auto, and toys. In all of these feature areas, Wal-Mart uses freestanding displays to attract their customers and draw them into that section. Another thing Wal-Mart uses is many of their departments are cash wraps. Most of these cash wraps tended to be things like batteries, gum, candy, and soda. With Wal-Mart being such a large store, many departments also have their own checkout counters that allow customers who are only looking for certain items to be able to get in and out. Wal-Mart also uses end caps on almost every aisle in the store. These end caps are usually impulse buy items that are offering special promotional prices. Another thing that Wal-Mart does is that it shelves their items based on frequency. The most popular items or the items that most consumers buy will be located in the beginning of the aisle and at eye level, while other infrequent items are placed lower on the shelves and more towards the end of the aisle. To accurately keep track of what items need to be restocked or what items are selling the best, Wal-Mart uses a planogram. The planogram they use utilizes SKU’s and will allow for employees to figure out exactly where everything goes and when it needs to be restocked. With Wal-Mart being the leader in retail stores, it is obvious that they must be doing something right. While I was unable to figure out the profitability of space, I was able to find out that their grocery section is the least profitable and that their electronics section is the most profitable. While Wal-Mart is very successful in almost everything they do, there are some areas where they could improve. One area they could improve on is their checkout counters. Even though Wal-Mart has what seems like an endless row of checkout lines, not all of them are in service at once. I noticed that almost every checkout aisle had at least three people waiting in line. With the more people waiting in line, the longer it takes to check out. I noticed that the average checkout time at Wal-Mart was about five minutes per person. Another drawback of the checkout counters is the location of the twenty items or less speedy check out. These were located by only one of the exit doors, and if you parked by the other exit you would either have to wait in one of the other lines or walk all the way across the store to get to your exit after you checked out. Overall, I feel that Wal-Mart does an excellent job of creating an atmosphere that would want to keep their customers coming back. Everyday thousands of customers walk through Wal-Mart’s doors for the sole purpose of buying merchandise, but how do they keep them coming back? For this assignment I decided to do a store analysis of the retail giant Wal-Mart to get a better understand of what they do best. To begin with I evaluated the store layout and design. Then I explained the visual merchandising techniques used that Wal-Mart uses. Finally I discussed the problems and recommendations that I have for Wal-Mart. After performing the store analysis, it became apparent that Wal-Mart has spent a lot of time and effort on keeping customers satisfied and providing an excellent shopping atmosphere.