Social Welfare in America Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social Welfare in America - Research Paper Example The great depression of 1930s had devastating effects to the citizens of United States. Legislatures of that time took an initiative to create Social Security act in 1935, which influenced programs such as pension schemes, address issues touching on the unemployed, and children welfare (Alexander 5). Cushion families from financial difficulties was the intention of the social security act. The government stability depends on its ability to address factors influencing the wellbeing of its people. President Roosevelt’s regime lingers in the minds of the Americans whenever they discus social security programs. US legislatures amended the social security act in 1939 to cater for unemployment compensation (Tushnet 125). Unemployed are susceptible to hard life conditions, which can drive them into committing social crimes as a means to cater for their needs. The program intended to provide stipends, which would cater for their basic needs. Federal government created agencies, which could oversee welfare programs in United States. The agencies created through 1939 social security act include Department of Health and Human Service (HHS), Labor Department, Education, Agriculture, and Urban Development and Housing (Caputo 231). Each department addresses issues affecting US citizens. For instance, the department of agriculture addressed influences that originate from agricultural production in the nation. Education department ironed issues, which influenced acquisition of education in the United States. Historians believe that US welfare has been able to address critical issues, which influence human development (Handel 143). In 1965, US passed a social welfare act, which influenced the lives of elderly persons in the nation. The intention of the act was to compensate old persons by creating a kitty, which would cater for their wellbeing. The elderly have the challenge when it comes to finances, which would settle their bil ls in the society. The elderly compensation program has enabled many elderly persons to lead a positive life after retirement. In 1996, US government passed Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (Epstein 46). The intention of the act was to address poverty effects in the society. The growing number of the poor in US was worrying and the government had to develop strategy, which could influence their lives. The act gives the federal government the power to direct funds to various states to cater for the poor. Assisting the poor accords human rights because the government has the mandate to protect the poor (Reintsma 212). Largely, the protection of the poor as stipulated in the in the constitution is a reality through this act. Medicare provision to US citizens has elicited debates on how the poor could benefit from the welfare program. The provision in the Medicare program is to ensure the US citizens can access quality healthcare. The program is in line wi th United Nations requirement, which intends to improve human health care as a basic requirement (Zastrow 136). Medicare social welfare program dates back to the time of President Johnson when United States had to compensate war veterans and their families for their contribution to

Provide an analysis of the segmentation, targeting and positioning Essay

Provide an analysis of the segmentation, targeting and positioning strategy of a brand of your choice. Within your analysis you - Essay Example The STP strategy of Coca-Cola BlaK Segmentation strategy Coca Cola BlaK has been one of the major designs that Coca Cola developed to recover its declining sales during 2005. The BlaK drink was not only a flavour extension, but rather a stimulating blend of variety of coke refreshment, with quality coffee essence and lightly carbonated with an aim to appeal to adult consumers (singleservecoffee.com, 2006). The company targeted a specific segment for marketing BlaK, comprising of adult, 30-over savvy sophisticated achievers. Segmentation is a company’s key marketing dimensions to set strategic framework and are marketing processes used to identify the right customers of a company (Bygrave and Zacharakis, 2010, p. 170). Almost all companies segment its markets, breaking down the total market of a product or service in to distinct sub-groups (Lancaster and Reynolds, 2001, p. 68) such as Geographical (region/population density), demographic (age, sex, marital status, socio-economi c status, social class, religion etc), psychographic (life-style, personality, self-image etc) and behavioural (rate, volume, occasion, brand loyalty) (Stone and Desmond, 2007, p. 175). When it comes to the case of BlaK, the company identified an opportunity for BlaK from various regions including US, France, Spain, Czech Republic and later in Canada and UK. Demographically, its market was high-class, sophisticated achievers (Farr, 2007). The example of BlaK cola shows that extensive research often requires for an effective segmentation and targeting. As Loudon, Stevens and Wrenn (2004) pointed, a highly customized method of segmentation based upon extensive research and up to date data requires a high degree of expertise in research (p. 33). Coca-cola company has invested heavily in researches during 2002 about users and their perceptions of coke products. This research brought the significance of coke for adults who are between 30 and 50 age savvy people who are less likely to use Coca Cola’s other brands. The company executives thus thought to develop a unique drink merging ordinary coke with an energy drink or coffee essence aimed at adults over 30 savvy people (Wilbert, 2006). This research helped the company identify a hidden market opportunity and find a market segment which was until then left-untouched. Targeting Strategy Coca-Cola company targeted mainly the male demographics with ingredient of coffee essence. The Coca Cola BlaK was appealed mainly to older, more sophisticated and over-30 customers who are likely to spend more (Lamb, Hair and McDaniel, 2008, p. 258). A marketer may target a group of people or organizations by designing, implementing and maintaining a market mix in order to meet the needs of that specific group (Lamb, Hair and McDaniel, 2008, p. 220). When it comes to BlaK, the research conducted by Coca Cola found that there is an opportunity for a drink, being made quite unique with additional coffee essence, targeted for mal e-adults who are over-30 savvy and sophisticated achievers. the target was thus very specific. When a specific group is targeted, various marketing mixes like price, product, place and promotion can be developed according to the needs, behaviour and specific requirement of the targeted group. Ferrell and Hartline (2008) emphasized that a firm can adopt any or more