Internet Marketing and Promotion on the Cheap

Marketing and promotion are vital for online success. Whether you’ve built an online store, have an online services website or dabble in affiliate marketing you need to continually promote your site in order to steadily increase traffic and income.

This article discusses the various ways to do this without spending a fortune on pay per click campaigns and expensive advertising. Spending a bit of time and effort can go a long way in helping you improve your organic search engine results, get more traffic and make more sales. You can do it for free or for really cheap.

Search Engine Optimization

SEO is important for any business. Whether you’re a blogger or an internet marketer or running an online store you need to optimize your site so that people and search engines will find you. The good news is that many cheap and free marketing methods not only bring people to your site but bring search engines as well which bring more people. SEO gone viral is key and many of the below methods will do that for you.

Do something to promote your site every day if you can. Even a few minutes spent on social marketing and bookmarking can pay big dividends.

Free Web Traffic Analysis

Free tools like Google Analytics can help you figure out where your traffic is coming from so you can continue to drive traffic up. Using free traffic tools are definitely helpful and there are many tools available. Consider also setting up Google Alerts so you’re notified every time your website gets indexed. This can help you see how your efforts are doing.

Most web hosts offer you free analysis tools as well so check them on a regular basis for building on the success you already have.

Content

Continuously put content on your website. Every time you update your site the search engines will crawl your pages and further index you for your targeted keywords. Even once you hit your target goal of getting traffic, making money and top results in the search engines you’ll need to continue to update your site. Static sites will eventually disappear off the first page of Google and Yahoo results.

Pick a handful of key phrases (there are loads of free online tools to help you find keywords) and write an article for each keyword. Optimize your content with those keywords.

Get the keyword in the title, in the first paragraph and in the last paragraph. Go for long tail keywords and sprinkle related or synonym key phrases into your content as well. A great tip is to add a blog to your website. Every blog post can bring people and search engines to you. Visit other blogs and link back to your own blog (without spamming) as this can help you increase your own blog’s readership as well as improve search engine optimization.

Article Marketing

Take some of those articles you’re planning to put on your site or your blog and rewrite them with new titles and different wording and add them to the article directories like EzineArticles.com. This can bring you search engine and human traffic and the great thing here is that article directories allow free reprints if people keep your resource box in tact.

Your article’s resource box should contain anchored keywords that will increase your search engine optimization efforts but the real benefit of an article with a well written resource box are the reprints it will get from other webmasters, meaning your article will be read by ten times as many people while also bringing many more links to your site.

Social Bookmarking

Social bookmarking is the perfect way to get more traffic. Sites like Digg, StumbleUpon, Delicious, Yahoo Buzz and others are free channels for getting free traffic. These results bring in both search engine traffic and human traffic.

If you’re blogging, use services that update URLS every time you post a new entry. Many services are available such as like MyBlogLog, Blog Catalog, FriendFeed and others. You can also bring in traffic when you write a new blog post, Squidoo Lens or Hub Page by microblogging on sites like Twitter, Tumblr and Plurk.

Speaking of Lenses and Hubs, consider spinning your article again by putting it on one of these sites with links to your main site and affiliate links as well. These sites are free and can be monetized with Google AdSense, ClickBank, Amazon and contextual link advertising.

Community Forums

Community forums are another ideal platform for marketing on the cheap. Many offer free or low cost advertising in their market place but what’s more is you can add your URL to your forum signature line which equates to a free link pointing to your website for every forum post you make. If you’re a prolific poster this can translate to great SEO results for you.

Free Classified Sites

Lastly, don’t forget the free classified site. These can be a great place to market your product. Some of them offer not only free but low cost paid advertising as well for home page placement.

So there you have it, site promotion doesn’t have to be expensive but it does require updating your site regularly and using free strategies like those mentioned above. It’s sound advice for bringing you more visitors and better organic search engine results …and that translates to success for you.

As You View the Internet Marketing Buffet, You Must Make Some Choices

“You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you do not trust enough” ~ Frank Crane.

Entering the room there is much commotion. Looking to the left you see several individuals deliberately placing small amounts onto their plates; looking right there are many just hanging around the station talking and laughing; in the center are many others walking around, lost, not knowing what to do.

Welcome to the Internet Marketing Buffet

Internet marketing takes on many forms and knowing which works best for you will determine how effective your internet campaigns will be. Which station are you going to walk up to, fill your plate with which tools and proceed to your place of action? So many choices to make but is there time to mill around?

Those in the center seem to think so. They do not know which direction to go so they walk around looking, dreaming what this dish can provide or that dish could do for their website. Being undecided and inactive simply means there is nothing on your plate and you only become hungrier.

Your attention is drawn to the larger group that seems to be having so much fun, socializing, laughing, trading stories and introducing themselves to others. Those social networks appear to be a fantastic place to hang out. Just make sure you are following their rules for engagement or you could be pushed outside.

It seems that most are talking about their triumphs, accomplishments, what they are doing during each day, showing pictures of family and friends, vacations and the funny hats they purchased while drinking in Miami. Are many really making money online while here?

There is nourishment in that social station but nothing on their plates!

So you turn to the left to join those that seem to be knowledgeable online marketers. They are putting a few items on their plates, taking their time with the internet marketing tools available to them, and speaking to others politely about a few of their internet marketing strategies.

Each is cognizant of the other assuring those next to them that this tool will help them, improve one or another internet marketing strategy and even discussing, clearly, how this free internet marketing strategy or that paid strategy could boost their trust with the person behind them with their choice.

The power of effective internet marketing tools and knowledge

Your product, service or promotion is important to you and your online business. With the many choices of strategies throughout the internet marketing buffet stations, each requires you to do your best to find the tools you like to hold, use and improve your use of so that your campaigns are more effective.

The knowledge of use is necessary and so is the strategy. Finding a mentor to assist your wanderings within the internet marketing buffet can place better internet marketing tools on your plate to use, master, and make money with. It is however, your choice to make so while looking around the room, pick wisely my friend.

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Start Your Home Based Business

Recession or Depression, regardless of what you want to call it, everyone is going to be affected by the economic situation that we are in, if you have not already.Today they jobless claims dropped instead of rose and some are saying that the recession is over and we are going to be on the upswing. Regardless, it will take many years before I think the effects of what has been happening here in this country are realized. And I feel that the next few years will actually wind up being harder than this past year.There is no doubt in my mind that our taxes are going to be increased, regardless what the current administration says. The question I had was how can I limit or minimize the impact of those tax increases when they do come. And they will. It may not be how we think, but the government has to pay for the bailouts some how.I have known for years that having a business based out of my home has saved me thousands on my taxes. And this was while I was still working as an employee. When you realize that there are ways to work within the IRS guidelines to reduce your tax liability, you will wonder why you didn’t start a home based business sooner!If you are running a legitimate business out of your home, but still bringing in a regular paycheck from a job, the deductions that you are allowed to take, can be transferred immediately to your paycheck, thereby giving you an instant pay raise.So starting a home based business will allow you to take more deductions. More deductions means that there is less taken out of your paycheck each week. Having a home based business is just like having additional children. The key is keeping accurate records, understanding the basics of the tax laws in regards to being in business, and filing the proper forms when the time comes to file your taxes.Don’t assume that your current CPA will know how to treat home based business deductions. I have found that a lot of CPA’s lack the knowledge that is needed in the home based arena to be adequate in understanding what is required from someone who works from home, versus someone who works at a corporation.Do your research, become educated. You don’t have to become a CPA to know how to run a business. You just have to know what to do regarding your type of business and how the IRS relates to it. When you see the amount of money you can save by doing your due diligence, you will be glad that you got educated.

Advantages For Your Home Based Business

With the age of internet and online transactions, businesses took a new image which revolutionized the way it is being executed. Home based business has increasingly become a very popular way in generating income – whether primary or as a secondary means. Online home based business has transcended the traditional boundaries of a regular job allowing businesses and practitioners to work to their own schedules, do their transactions without leaving home.Here are the advantages of Home Based BusinessesFirst, work can be virtually anywhere – at any place and your own time thus eliminating the need of office spaces.Second, waking up early and being forced to travel will be a thing of the past. No more worrying on traffic jams and what to wear during the day.Third, you are your own boss. Nobody will be in front of you telling you what to do all the time. You can just set social media transactions in your computer at home.Fourth, income potential dramatically becomes endless. Working will be on your own pace, how persistent you are on your work, how much time you are willing to give to your home based business.Fifth and the best thing is that, it does not imply quitting your existing career. You can test run a home business as part time job before engaging to it. This requires a lot of planning, commitment and thought much the same way when you get full-time career.The home can be an outstanding avenue for your own business. In the US, home based business is accounted for annual revenue of more than hundreds of billion dollars in the middle of 21st century. This shows that there are a significant number of people who are working at the comfort of their homes.It is much important to appropriately asses the opportunities before jumping into this type of business model much like with any other businesses. Be informed of the details before starting your new business.

Hitting the Bull’s Eye in a Home Based Business

A home based business is a big challenge which requires your full attention and devotion. Any distraction can upset all your business plans and goals. It is important for you to learn the ways to overcome these hurdles in order to succeed with your home business. In this article I will elaborate on few techniques that will help you overcome any diversions in your business opportunity.Your home can be a threat to your opportunity:It may sound paradoxical but it is true. If you base your business office close to kitchen, children’s room or drawing room you are bound to get distracted. The clutter of crockery from kitchen, television’s noise from children’s room and loud talk of guests from drawing room are sure to distract your attention from work.So what can you do? Locate your home office away from these places within your home of course.Your home business is a ‘real’ business:You’ll need to learn and make others understand that your home business is a real business. Just because you are running your opportunity from home does not make you less serious. Let no one take advantage of either you or your home based business.You need to tell your friends and relatives not to loiter around the home office area. Do not allow your home business office to become a place for family members, relatives and friends to idle away their time.Keep home life and business separate:Do not mix your family time with your home business. You’ll need to discipline yourself on this front. Sensitize your family members also on this issue. You should not be running petty errands every now and then simply because you are available at home.Business before pleasure:The advantage of any home based business is the freedom it provides to you. You are able to schedule your working hours as per your convenience. However, don’t allow this advantage to harm your opportunity in any way. You need to chalk out a clear cut schedule for business hours and adhere to it strictly.Internet – a boon or bust:The internet is really very helpful in promoting your opportunity. It helps you to connect with the people associated with your work and run your business smoothly.There is nobody supervising you at your home office. And herein lies the big distraction – there is a possibility that you are spending more time surfing the Internet for something that is not related to your business. Unless required for your opportunity, close the Internet and pay attention to your home business.Find time for distractions too:It is not possible to do away with the distractions from your opportunity. Instead schedule your time for watching TV, playing with your kids, listening to music, surfing the Internet for recreation purpose but all this should be regulated and balanced. After all you need to hit the bull’s eye in your home based business.

Building Marketing Plans Using the Customer Buying Cycle

Are you ready to build a marketing plan?

Defining a target market and understanding the Customer Buying Cycle are keys to the development of an effective marketing plan.

Here is what you need to know to start that development.

Who is your target market?

Although you may want to sell your product or service to everyone, it may not be practical nor a good fit. You need to focus on a segment of the total population that is the best target for your offering and you need to learn as much about them as you possibly can. For example, who are they, where do they live, what is the ‘pain’ they are trying to solve, and how do they shop. A well-defined target market is the most crucial piece of an effective marketing plan and will be the backbone.

How do they purchase?

Once you have defined your target market, you need to understand how they make their purchase decisions and develop activities that will influence those decisions.

There are six distinct steps that an individual goes through when making a purchase decision. Some of these steps may be done instinctively when a simple purchase is involved (e.g. a magazine or a pair of shoes). However, deciding on a larger purchase (e.g. a car or a new home) may require more time and more thought as the buyer moves toward their purchase decision.

Regardless of the $ value of the purchase, buyers will flow through the following stages: Awareness, Knowledge, Liking, Preference, Commitment and Buy. Each of these important steps has its own unique attributes and cannot be skipped.

The ultimate goal of a good marketer is to reach the right target market and have them take an action leading to a specific result. Satisfied customers become loyal customers and will refer your product or service to others. You need to create activities in your plan that will help guide prospective purchasers through the buying cycle towards the desired outcome.

Marketing for each stage has unique definitions, goals and activities. Below we provide a definition, goals for the target market and for the marketer and typical activities for each stage.

To illustrate each stage, we will use the example of buying a car. It is important to realize that purchasing a service (instead of a product) would follow the same cycle and stages.

Stage 1 – Awareness

Definition: Realizing; being conscious of something

Goal for the Target Market

In the Awareness stage, the target market realizes they have a problem to solve. In the example of a car purchase, the customer has a transportation problem. They will start to consider different options – public transit, car pooling, or buying a car. They need to become aware of all their options including the different car companies.

Goal for the Marketer

As a marketer, you need to make your presence known and attract the attention of potential customers so that you are included in their list of solutions to their problem. You want your target market to receive a glimpse of who you are and what you are offering. In our car purchase example, you need to make the buyer aware that you make and sell good cars. The goal is to get the buyer a bit excited and looking for more information about your product or service.

Typical Activities

Typical activities or tactics for creating awareness might be an advertisement in the local newspaper or on the radio, or business cards or the creation of a new website.

Stage 2 – Knowledge

Definition: a body of facts accumulated over time; the fact of knowing

Goal for the Target Market

Here, the target market is looking for more information about any of the options that have piqued their interest. They will gather information to help them narrow down the list. In our car example, they will try to find out more about different car manufacturers through brochures, websites, magazines or car shows.

Goal for the Marketer

The marketer must ensure that there is enough information available to their potential customers in places where they can find it. In our car example, you want to provide them with information about your different car models and to provide that information where they will go – i.e. car dealerships, websites, car shows, detailed ads in car magazines, or reviews.

Typical Activities

You want activities that will allow you to provide additional detail on your product or service. Advertising with product information or user examples, a direct mail package or brochures will help provide knowledge.

Stage 3 – Liking

Definition: having the same characteristics; similar; equal; to be pleased with

Goal for the Target Market

The target market has now gathered information on several of their options and they need to determine which ones they like and which ones they can eliminate. In our car example, they are ready for a test drive, to read an existing customer testimonial or to review a detailed product comparison in a car magazine.

Goal for the Marketer

The goal for the marketer is simple – create liking for your product or service. You need to create activities that strengthen your position with the potential customer. In our car example, you need to provide a positive experience when they visit the showroom or read an article in a magazine.

Typical Activities

Customer references, telemarketing, a demo or test-drive are activities that would help guide a potential customer towards liking your solution.

Stage 4 – Preference

Definition: the act of choosing or favouring one above another

Goal for the Target Market

Now, the target market needs to decide which option they prefer on their short list. They continue to gather more information and may seek out recommendations from friends and family. In our car example, they may take another test drive with a family member or start to focus on more specific areas for comparison like warranty or awards.

Goal for the Marketer

The marketer needs to ensure the target market chooses his offering above the competitors. You need to be aware of what is most important for customers and highlight how you provide those particular benefits. In our car example, you may be aware that safety and financing are important to your target market. You will need to highlight those areas and provide proof of how you outperform your competitors.

Typical Activities

Marketing activities in this stage could include customer testimonials, pricing comparisons, usability comparisons or special offers to help the market solidify their choice. In our car example, pricing and special deals could be used to help create preference.

Stage 5 – Commitment

Definition: To entrust; to consign; to involve; to pledge

Goal for the Target Market

In this stage, the target market has to make a commitment to their preferred choice. They may review all the information received earlier and will seek out positive reinforcement for their decision. The target customer is ready to take another action – asking about a contract, purchase options or incentives, walking with the product to the cash or placing an online order.

Goal for the Marketer

Having a channel ready at this stage to help facilitate the commitment will ensure the deal is closed promptly and smoothly for your customer. Setting up and having the appropriate channels stocked with product and ready to fulfill orders smoothly is very critical to successful purchases. A good marketer will have activities in their plan to educate the sales teams and the channels (e.g. dealers). In our car example, providing financing and pricing offers as well as offering a great warranty will help the customer commit.

Typical Activities

Marketing activities might include sales training, customer service and purchase incentives.

Stage 6 – Buy/Sell/Loyalty

Definition: Buy – to purchase; to acquire in exchange; to believe.

Goal for the Target Market

Their goal is to purchase their desired option. They want to make a final decision and exchange money for your product or service. They want to sign the contract or purchase order, provide payment and walk out the door with their purchase. In our car example, they are handing over the check and taking delivery of their new car.

Goal for the Marketer

The marketer needs to achieve two goals – the acquisition of a customer and the retention of that customer. You need to ensure your customers have a positive purchase experience, leave with a smile and a desire to return to you or to recommend you to others. In our car example, that might include reducing the paperwork to get the deal done, a deal on services, a thank-you letter or gift.

Typical Activities

A smooth purchase process will help the target market make their purchase. It is also important to have activities following the purchase such as a repeat or referral incentive, easy access to service, an online support group, or a newsletter. This will help keep your customer group engaged and content.

Summarizing the Buying Cycle

Focusing on a specific target market and how they move through the Awareness to Buy Cycle will help you create a successful marketing plan with appropriate activities. The steps and the process are not myths; they are real and are integral components in a customer’s purchasing decision.

Sometimes, we are in a hurry to get the end result and we want to skip steps and make assumptions about our target market. In most instances, this results in work having to be re-done, timelines extended and an increase of expenses. Taking the time to do the thinking and the planning will pay off in the long run with a successful marketing plan, satisfied customers and a good ROI.

Outdoor Education Camps With Programs

Summer camps are special camps arranged for people to enjoy their vacation or tour in any adventures. Summer camps comes up with special offers outdoor education camp, leadership camp, science camp, awareness camp and many other social welfare schemes are offered to the public for reasonable prices. Outdoor education forms major part of the education and it is more required for people. Outdoor education is considered has important and essential requirement for most of the people and they fetches more demand among the people. Outdoor education is created and offered specially for kids, children and adults.

The main purpose of estimating and offering outdoor education is to develop self confidence and self esteem among the people. The outdoor education activities, outdoor education courses, outdoor education programs are offered to kids, children, adults by outdoor education schools or outdoor education centers. Outdoor education camps are conducted either inside or outside classrooms. Outdoor education forms major part of the education system and it is more important to be known by the people to come up with every possibility in life. Most of the parents feels better that their children should be aware of outdoor education programs offered and they should compete with outside world.

Outdoor education activities or outdoor education courses are provided by more number of outdoor institutes or adventure outdoor schools. An outdoor education course, outdoor education programs initiates cooperation, coordination, team building, goal settings and spirituality among the students and others. Outdoor education camps are provided by more number of outdoor education institutes or outdoor education schools for reasonable and affordable prices. The outdoor education camp provided will be more worth and valuable for the students who obtains and they are provided under complete knowledge and experience.

Generally, adventure outdoor school or outdoor education schools provides outdoor education activities, outdoor education courses, outdoor education programs to kids, children and adults under prescheduled, guidance and procedures. With regards to qualified, professional and expert outdoor education instructor, outdoor education programs will be offered. Under proper guidance and precautions, outdoor educations will be offered to the people to enable them to know the required outdoor education provided. More number of kids, children and adults are obtaining the outdoor education programs offered.

The outdoor education professionals, experts or instructors guide the kids, children and adults in efficient manner. Generally, outdoor education programs and outdoor education courses are offered to students based on age group, duration of course offered and kind of outdoor education program selected. The outdoor education camp offered will be creative, enthusiastic, innovative and technical appraisement for the students hindering. Outdoor camps will be offered to the students for reasonable price consideration and they are offered by more number of adventure outdoor schools.

Ethics in Business

Sustainable advantage of an organization can be determined by its ethical capability. Ethical capability of an organization is its duty to do what is right. Some organizations such as Enron, Sathyam, and Tyco etc have made false statements in their accounts and cheated both the stakeholders and government. These kind of issues gave rise to the importance of business ethics in business schools all around the world.

Sustainable advantage can be defined as the beneficiary element that determine the long term objectives of an organization, where objectives would be the economic development that generates wealth and meets the needs of the current generation while saving the environment, so future generation can meet their needs as well. There are number of factors that determine the sustainability of an organization, which are its ethics, strategy, employees, financial capital etc. in present scenario, human resource of an organization considered to be its competitive advantage, but it will not provide sustainability. Sustainability of an organization will depend on the impact it has on the people, in the form of trust, honesty, integrity, respect, quality and responsibility. Organizations with poor sustainability will fall back as happened in case of Enron and Sathyam.

Enron was an American energy company founded in 1985 by Kenneth Lay after merging Houston natural gas and internorth( citetation). In early 1990′s Enron sold electricity at market price. At around the same time US congress passed a bill regarding the deregulation sale of natural gas which favored Enron to sell energy at higher prices. In 1992 Enron was the largest merchant of natural gas in North America. Online trading model developed in November 1999 known as Enron online has developed and extended the abilities to negotiate and manage its trading business. By 2001 Enron had both owned and operated gas pipe line, pulp and paper plants, broad band assets, electricity plants and water plants internationally. Enron stock was priced at US $ 83.13 and market capitalization exceeded US$60 billion, and Enron was rated the most innovative large company in America in fortunes most admired companies survey. By the end of 2001 the Enron scandal was revealed. The CEO Jeffrey Skilling with some of the executives have hidden billions in debt from failed deals and projects. Chief financial officer Andrew Fastow and the other executives were able to mislead the board of directors and audit committee by presenting them psydo account statements. Once the scam was published the Enron stock priced at $90 per share in 2000 plummeted to less than $1 by the end of November 2001. This fall in stock value has caused at $11 billion loss for its share holder. The employees of the organization received a limited amount of their salary and pension when it was bankrupted. Several law suits were filed against the company CEO and other executives.

Similar is in case of Sathyam computers, which is termed as the Indian Enron scandal. Sathyam computers were an information technology company which produces software’s headquarters at hyderbad, India. Its chairman Ramalinga Raju produced an account sheet which has a 7000 crore fraud. The chief auditors were also not able to identify this adjustment. As a result of this scam the employees lost their job and chairman was jailed for fraud.

These two cases throw a light on how an organizations as well as economy of the country or in large the world can be impacted with their unethical practices. That, if the organization does not practice ethics will not have sustainability.

Need for the business ethics: for the following

1. Business operates with in the society

2. Every business irrespective of size exists more on ethical mean or in total regard to its social concern to survive long.

3. Business needs to function as responsible corporate citizens in the country.

Business is a part of subsystem of a society, therefore its functioning should contribute to the welfare of the society. If the business earns social sanction of the society, where it exists then it would be able to survive, develop and excel in activities, because only through earning social sanction the business can get loyal customers. Loyal customers are sustainable advantage and therefore can survive in market without which it will collapse and die away. Large organizations put more interest on public, the managers are eager to have public opinion and always seek to maintain a proper image of company in their minds.

Now a day’s minimizing profit is not the only priority of business, it should have sustainability, which can only be achieved through ethical practices. Any organization big or small should follow ethical practices as it brings in a sense of social responsibility which eventually provides sustainability to the organization. Business should also be a responsible corporate citizen which does not allow narrow mentality goals and motives.

Cross culture variability

Ethical practices in a country or society will depend on various factors such as religious, beliefs, historic, traditions, social customs, and existing political and economic rules or policies. For example in Asian countries such as Japan, China etc loyalty to work groups and corporations has strong ethical values. This kind of ethics has been brought down through centuries long traditions, therefore one does not think of oneself but rather think of family, government and others involved with him, thus providing social responsiveness.

Nature of ethics

The concept of ethics deals only with human beings, as they only have the freedom and means to choose free will. Human being can distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, and just and proper. For example a Japanese employee believes that it Is unethical on his part to attend an interview with other company when he is still with the current company. So human can fix a goal and the means to achieve it. Ethics is also science that nowadays has become a set of systematic knowledge about moral behaviour and conduct. Ethics deals with human conduct which is voluntary and not forced by any person at any circumstances.

Business ethics and profits

The cases of Enron and Sathyam makes a point that ethics and profits are opposed to each other, as when an organisation is ethical it makes short term profit and if the organisation is unethical it makes huge profit. The same cases prove us one more thing that is it makes huge profit unethically but will not sustain in the market. Ethical companies not only make profit but also overcome their competitors and other turbulent changes happening through out the years and have contributed to social welfare. Ethical companies have social responsibilities which allow them to flourish undiminished and make profit. Tata group of companies is one company which follows ethical practises. It is said that the chief executive officer of Tata is also its chief ethics officer. Some of the ethical policies followed by the company include national interest, support from open market economy, gift and donation for social cause, political non alignment, health safety and environment care, quality product and service and regulatory compliance etc. Ratan Tata the present chairman of Tata group has declined from airline industry because he was told to bribe then minister to enter the business, which he claimed to be unethical and against the policies the group follows. His predecessor JRD Tata had set up the first commercial airlines ‘Tata Airlines’ in India which was later overtaken by the government of India and named it as Indian airlines. So besides being a pioneer in airline industry they were not able to procure it because they felt it would not sustain them and it would bring a bad image for the company. This is the reason why people have great respect for Tata group and their ethical practices and policies have created brand loyalty which has helped them to survive in market even though many competitors came.

Cross cultural contradictions

Ethical policies become a problem when the companies are not able to do business at home, therefore the other societies where the ethical policies are liberal or works in their favour. At home they are not allowed to sell products because it is unethical to use unsafe products but they may sell it in other countries where the ethical standards allow them to sell these products. It happens especially with pharma products. Some factories which emit pollutant gases are set up in neighbouring countries because ethical standards at home do not allow the factory to run business. These pollutant gases emitted are dangerous for people and the environment. Still it is ethical in certain countries. These kinds of issues give rise to cross cultural contradiction and exploitation. These issues which arise become difficult for the managers and firms to solve. Therefore the business has responsibility for their country but to four major groups they are society, employees, customers or consumers and investors.(example drugs)

Factors influencing business ethics:

Leadership, strategy and performance, individual characteristics, corporate culture and environment

Leader is a person who leads the people towards achieving a common goal. Leader can be good or bad, great or small they arise out of the needs and opportunities of a particular time and place. Not all leaders are considered to be perfect in their decision making because each and every decision they make will depend upon the character of person which differ from person to person. Character of a person includes their inborn talents, learned and acquired traits which were imposed upon them by life and experience. Leaders are models and mentors to their followers therefore they follow the path way set by their leaders. In a large organisation the top level managers or CEO are considered to be the executive and supervisory leader. The CEO should have strong commitment towards ethics and ethical conduct and should give a constant leadership in renewing the values of an organisation. They play a key role in creating, maintaining and changing the ethical culture. It is necessary for the leader to set good examples, and follows ethics. One such good leader is JRD Tata who set a good example for his successor and they still follow it. Where there are good leaders there will be good ethical practices in business.

Corporate governance: is the set of systems and processes that a company follows to ensure that it is in the best interest of the stake holders. Stakeholders are the shareholders, employees, customers, creditors and the community.

Sustainability has three components according to john elkington’s triple bottom line concept they are economic, social and environmental. According to elkington the business does not have one single goal of attaining profit but to extend the goal set by adding environmental and social values. Thus sustainability has become the new goal set by the organisation.

Environmental perspective: natural resources.

Economic perspective: about the future generation.

Social perspective: over exploiting of employees and not providing equality in gender employment, caste creed and religion based employment employing child labour.

Organisational culture: is the set of shared values, beliefs, goals, norms etc that prevails within an organisation. The organisational culture emphasis on ethics but as it grows it may change, as in the case of tyco where its organisational culture supports unethical practices. If the company makes huge profits in unethical way then individual who joins the organisation would also have to practice unethical things to survive in the company. As in the case of enron where many executives and managers knew that the company was following some illegal and unethical practices, but the executives and the board of directors did not know how to make the ethical decisions and corporate ethical culture. Thus they fall back and managers have to pay in the form of fines and imprisonment.

Business ethics is the application of ethical principle in the organization or business. An organization should produce or make its own ethical cultures, but this ethical culture formulated should be drawn from the concept of what is ethical to all and not what is right for the organization itself. The employees of the organization, also has to follow the same ethical principles. The organisation being ethical will provide certain social responsibilities such as they do not harm the stake holders, the general public and the society as well. “business that treat their employees with dignity and integrity reap rewards in the form of high moral and productivity” (Frederic, Post and Davis).

There are three major types of ethical issues that arise in a business they are, face to face ethics, corporate policy ethics and functional area ethics. Face to face ethical issues happen between the employees of an organization in their day to day organizational life. the employee face these ethical conflicts when their personal standards differs from what their job demands. Corporate policy ethical issues happen in the basic operations of a company. The top level management including the board of directors and CEO’s are responsible for ethical practices of the organization. Functional area ethics issues arise at all functional levels of the organization. For example in the accounting department, if unfair pressure is put on employees to deliver an audit report which has been altered or not showing current accounts of the organization would be un ethical, as it does not follow the standards and policies set by the organization.

Causes for unethical issues:

There are many reasons for an organization to follow unethical practices they are personal gain and selfish interest, competitive pressures on profits, business goals and personal goals, cross cultural contradictions. When an employee gives more importance to his greed or concern for his personal gain rather than any other concerns, irrespective of the harm it can bring to the organization is termed as unethical practices that arise due to personal gain and selfish interest. When a company has tough competitors in a limited or static market; it may engage some unethical practices just to be in business or to protect their profits. If the organization uses some unethical means to achieve its goal that is unaccepted by its stakeholders will give rise to ethical issues under business goal and personal goal. Here the organisaiton has set a goal that would conflict with the personal goal of its stake holders. Under such conditions the individuals involved have two choices either to follow the ethical ways of the organization or “blowing the whistle” on organization.

Environmental perspective relates to the exploitation of natural resources in business. The company should make sure that the natural resources are not exploited; it should sustain the resources so that the future generation can also enjoy them as we did. One such example is the restriction of fishing in the North Sea, to sustain the availability of diminishing cod fish to the consumers.

Economic perspective of sustainability relates to the economic growth and fall in the society. The short term adjustments made by the companies such as bribes and cartels will only be for a short period of time, it will never achieve a long time sustainability the organizations attitude towards the environment in which it is embedded. If the organization does not pay taxes are said to behave unethically similar in the case of organization that does not give donations to public institutions such as schools, hospitals, police and other justice systems.

What Can You Do With A Degree In Nutrition?

Earning a degree focused in nutrition can have many potential career paths other than becoming a nutritionist. There are six main types of nutrition paths to choose from, including teaching nutrition, public health nutrition, nutrition consulting, clinical nutrition, food science, and food service management. Most nutrition jobs should fall within one of these categories.

A degree in nutrition could help individuals land employment as a public health official, dietetic consultant, school food service director, quality control manager, food distributor, or wellness coordinator. Individuals may be employed through health maintenance organizations, school systems, food manufactures, wellness centers, and exercise and fitness centers. Government agencies also have the potential to employ those with degrees in nutrition. Some of the government agencies could include Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, SNAP- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Department of Health, and U.S. Public Health Services.

While earning a college degree, individuals will most likely be required to study a wide range of courses to gain a well-rounded education. Students could be expected to take courses related to nutrition, consisting of anatomy and physiology, introduction to food science, sociology, bacteriology, chemistry, and biochemistry. By completing an internship, individuals are able to gain hands on experience in the nutrition field before committing to a job or while still in school. Internships can serve as a great way to determine where your interests are, and if obtaining a career in this field is a good fit.

It is important for individuals wanting to succeed in a career in nutrition to possess skills such as organization and planning, strong verbal and written communication, proficient math skills for weights and measures, and interest in the well-being and health of others. To be successful working in nutrition, individuals may be required to advise patients in practicing good nutrition, monitoring diet modifications, and assessing health plans. Those with a degree in nutrition should also be able to monitor food safety conditions and create menus for specific dietary needs.

Depending on your place of employment and job description, individuals with a nutrition degree may be asked to create visuals aids and nutrition manuals that could be useful in teaching. Companies dealing with food service may hire nutrition graduates to create meal plans, ensure food safety, or develop new food products. Salary potential can depend on more than the actual job, but also education level, years of experience, and location of employment.

How to Pursue Online Nutrition Programs

Nutrition science a popular topic

One of the popular subjects in the curriculum of various educational institutions is nutrition science. With increased awareness of nutrition for the upkeep of the health of the individual, now more and more people pay regular visit to the nutrition experts to seek their valuable advice on various issues like nutritious diet, calorie oriented food and on such other related topics. As a result, nutrition technology has become one of the preferred subjects for study.

Nutrition program as a profession

Of course, there are several colleges and other organizations which teach nutrition technology as a part of the curriculum. At the same time, many institutions have started online nutrition programs for the benefit of those who are unable to attend the in house training programs. These online programs are conducted under the supervision and guidance of experts in the field. Many of these institutions teaching online nutrition programs have been accredited to appropriate government bodies. These online institutions teach as per the syllabus prescribed by the concerned authorities.

Course content

The curriculum normally is based on the credit hours. The credit hours depend on the course the student has chosen. For example, a diploma in nutrition science has 30 credit hours. On the other hand a bachelor course has 45 credit hours. These online programs also allow for specialization in nutrition science. Some of the popular fields of specialization include nutrition for sportsmen, nutrition for children, and nutrition for elderly people and so on. There are also several therapeutic nutrition programs like for those suffering from high blood pressure or for those who are obese or diabetic. Normally, students taking up online nutrition programs are taught by using the digital canvas. This helps to create a virtual classroom atmosphere for the student. The student is taught on various issues like human anatomy and physiology, application of nutrition principle for treating various ailments, nutritional therapy and also on counseling patients.

Offers better prospects

The duration of the course is normally nine months to one year. This of course, depends on the course the student has opted. At the end of the course, the students will have to undergo comprehensive examination. Normally, the student is required to undertake the examination in person at the designated place, date and time. Eligible students can opt for higher studies in nutrition technology like masters degree. The course fee varies from institution to institution. Some of the institutions also help the student in finding a suitable placement. Many of the students who have completed the online program on nutrition are of the opinion those who have taken up course at an accredited institution will have brighter chances of securing a suitable placement.