Thursday, January 23, 2020

Death Of A Salesman: The American Dream :: Death Of A Salesman

For Willy and Linda, life's accomplishments and sources of pleasure are simple. This statement gives an excellent judgment of their lives because they lead very average lives for the time, and any depth is ignored on their part. This little scene exemplifies this point by showing a focus in their lives, being the mortgage on the house. For twenty-five years Willy and Linda have been working to pay off their mortgage, and once they do that, they will attain a sense of freedom, or the "American Dream". That dream, especially pertinent at that time of growth in the United States, presents a perfect representation of their goal. This goal is clearly outlined by dollar signs and a sense of ownership, two key points to personal success. The key thing which leads to Willy and Linda's depressions, is their inability to face reality in the present. Their lives are lived in the future, and even in this scene as Willy states; "You wait, kid, before it's all over we're gonna get a little place out in the country."(p.72), we see his ability to constantly speak of unpractical dreams. Their last payment on the mortgage gives closure to this life filled only with dreams, and will allow them to realize some of their idealistic thoughts. Their entire lives have been concentrated on this house, their one meaningful possession, therefore this last payment is an accomplishment beyond any other. Willy is a salesman, always traveling from state to state staying in motels away from home. This increases the importance of a house to him because it is not only a place of habitation but a representation of stability in his life. It is a concrete item which cannot be taken away from Willy once he has made the last payment. While discussing his sons with Linda, he states; " And they'll get married, and come for a weekend†¦". He shows the same pride for his ownership of the house as he did for Biff during his football years. The house is the center of Willy's being, and now that he almost has it, he can see that it has been his life's work. He is a character who remains content only by trying to believe that he is living the "American Dream", and pride of his most valued possession is all he has to hold onto. Although, at this point in his life, Willy Loman is beginning to notice where all of this dreaming has led him.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Marketing and Gillette

1. How is the Gillette Series being positioned with respect to (a) competitors, (b) the target market, (c) the product class, (d) price and quality? What other positioning possibilities are there? a. The Gillette Series is positioned as premium to the competition. b. Using the slogan, â€Å"The Best a Man can Get† appeals to the target market not because it is the most convenient or the most price effective, but because of the value that is added to products by building on the popularity of sensor. c. The Gillette Series is positioned as differentiated due to functional attributes through innovation to the product class. . These products are priced at a premium at an index of 10 to 20 percent higher than competition. Many other positioning possibilities are available for Gillette. This brand can position the myriad of products it has separately, or treat itself as a master Brand. The positioning should be the same as the other series of men’s grooming products if Gillet te positions itself as one Brand. However, if it breaks the brand into classes, then there will be a shaving line, a deodorant line, an aftershave line. 2. Is Gillette making the best use of the brand equity that has been created with Sensor?Sensor has been a huge success for Gillette. It makes sense to use the energy of that to tie into the other products offered. The tagline of â€Å"The best a man can get,† is a solid platform for this brand. Since the equity was established for the slogan used and not just Sensor, Gillette is making good use of the equity, since the Sensor is viewed as a product from Gillette, and one that works very well according to consumer response. 3 What strategies do you propose to Gillette? Address the entire marketing mix.Conceivably, a staggered approach may work better for Gillette. Releasing the products at different times as opposed to all at one time would give consumers time to build a prevailing purpose to have faith in a product. The equi ty of sensor may be diluted with too many different products. I would suggest to first scale not only consumer reaction to product quality, but to gauge consumer understanding of the brand. If the Brand is best known for a smooth comfortable shaving razor, then it would be wise to stagger other products based on customer review. Related post: Advantages and Disadvantages of Administrative Management