In this paper I will explore the virtual world as a way of reducing Essay

In this paper I will explore the virtual world as a way of reducing communication barriers due to appearance, norms and that - Essay Example Although the virtual world has been in existence for quite some time, its significance had not been clear until I read the book by Boellstroff. I realized that the virtual world means more than just communication to its residents. Freedom of communication and expression is the primary force behind the existence of the virtual world. Communication in the real world is usually subject to communication barriers due to differences in cultural, ethnic, social, and personal communication skills. However, this is not the case in virtual worlds such as second life. In the virtual world, a person or resident has the ability to choose an identity unlike in the real world. This makes it possible for people to communicate freely in the virtual world irrespective of their social norms in the real world. By being able to choose race, color, gender, profession, social class, and other factors, many barriers are eliminated, at least to some extent. Absolute freedom in virtual world is limited due to factors such as language barrier, internet connectivity, among others. The capability to choose one’s identity in the virtual world is also significance in the enhancement of anonymity in the virtual world. ... Most importantly, it is possible to interact freely with your enemies and other people who are out of reach in the real world. The author of the book emphasizes on this point by stating that people can hide their identity to the extent of their genders (Boelstroff, 2008: 61). I also realized that the virtual world has the ability to overcome geographical barriers of communication since people are able to communicate regardless of their geographical location. Although geographical barriers to communication have been eased by web conferencing and cellphone communication, it is not as free and available as it is in virtual world. Virtual worlds also make it possible interact with diverse communities that conflict with personal identities in the real world. For instance, it is possible for a Christian to attend a mosque in virtual world and share their sermons. This is not possible in the real world. The real world has norms that act as a measure of wrong and right. According to the auth or, the virtual world has developed a code of behavior for most of its users. Initially, I had thought of second life as a form of recreation. I considered our acceptable codes of behavior in different societies to hold in the virtual world as well. For instance, a person intruding into other people’s conversation will be flagged off since this is an unacceptable norm in virtual world. However, after reading the book I realized that norms in the virtual world are slightly different. According to Boelstroff (2008) â€Å" virtual worlds are not just recreation or simulations of the actual-world selfhoods and communities, selfhood, communities, even notions of human nature are being remade in them† (pg. 63). This implies that although the norms are different in the two worlds,

Strategic Marketing of Harley Davidson Case Study

Strategic Marketing of Harley Davidson - Case Study Example Here it looks at hoe the company was started back in the year 1903. Then it looks at the development of the company throughout the entire twentieth Century. It then looks at all the strategies that have been applied by the company following a fall that the company was on the verge of facing. (Smith, 2003) This was started by the kind of products offered by the Company. This was through the introduction of a number of products that were designed to appeal to the new market. Some of these include; multi coloured motor vehicles, improvement of accessories in heavy weight motorbikes, sale of accessories individually, biker clothes like jeans and t-shirts with the company logo. Most recently, the Company has introduced a bike that has a better engine than all the other models. The Company also focused on improvement of its distribution mechanism through the employment of different dealers. It held up talks that could help dealers to improve their service provisions. It also sold some of its accessories using Alternate retail outlets. Pricing was a big part of their strategy too. The Company did not focus on price reductions but instead advocated for the purchase of motorcycles whose prices matched their quality. This was also backed up by discount offers for customers who bought small motorcycles and then traded them in for new ones. (Smith, 2003) Lastly, the company did a lot of promotions ranging from advertisements in newspapers where their catch phrase was related to the American free spirit. They also used their website to advertise and sell their items and placed inserts in magazines that depicted female bikers. All the above changes were crucial in making the Company a success in the US motor vehicle industry. This was seen when the Company was called the most Nostalgic Company in biking in 2007. Strength of Harley Davidson current position Introduction Stands for -Harley Davidson represents the Sir name of the two founders of the Company back in 1903. These were Arthur Davidson and William Harvey. They started work on motorvehicles at a tender age in the privacy of their own homes. They continue with this work until a small factory was formed. This factory grew and by the time it was 1907, they had already acquired become incorporated. (Smith, 2003) Market-The Harley Davidson Company has its market in the US. This can be deduced form demographics studies and the fact that their brand focuses on the 'American spirit'. However, most of the clients are male. In the year 2006 statistics showed that 88% of H-D buyers were male while the remaining percentage was female. It also showed that in the year 2006, most of the buyers were between the ages of forty three and forty seven. The average income earned by these customers was 82,000 dollars as of last year. Their market consists of buyers who use motorcycles for their pastime activities. This was the reason why it was necessary to use advertisements that were mainly recreational. Positioning map and perception- the Company has earned its place in the US motorvehicle industry due to the fact that it creates a feeling of nostalgia in its buyers. This is mostly due to the fact that the image of its models resembles some classy motorvehicles used back in the 1960s. It has also gained a reputation for having top of the range engines in its bikes. The Company has also established itself in the American