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24 Feb 2020, 08:45
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To succeed financially, Zapped needs greater name recognition. It should therefore diversify its commercial enterprises. The rock group Zonked plays the same type of music that Zapped plays, but it is much better known than Zapped because, in addition to its concert tours and four albums, Zonked has a series of posters, a line of clothing and accessories, and a contract with a major advertising agency to endorse a number of different products.”
Discuss how well reasoned . . . etc.
In the above-mentioned argument, the writer claims that in order to gain better name recognition, the music group Zapped should diversify its commercial enterprises. In fact, the writer draws a parallel comparison between Zapped and Zonked, both rock groups that operate within the same niche market. However, since Zonked also offers a diverse commercial enterprise including band merchandise such as posters, clothing and accessories, and brand advertisements, it has claimed better name recognition in the marketplace in comparison to Zapped. This is an interesting observation however, the writer has failed to acknowledge other factors that may be prohibiting name recognition for Zapped. First, Zapped’s music may not be as popular amongst the general public as Zonked’s music such that even with diversifying its commercial enterprises, Zapped cannot gain name recognition. Second, another possible reason or hindrance may consist of a lack of financial capital that Zapped may have access to in order to expand its commercial operations. Third, the writer may have failed to acknowledge that there may be a reverse relationship between a band’s popularity or name recognition and its ability to secure deals for merchandising and advertisements. Hence, the strategies that may have worked for another music group may not work for Zapped in order to effectively increase its name recognition in the marketplace.
First, it is highly crucial to evaluate the popularity of one music group with another before comparing the strategies that led to successful name recognition and brand awareness for one group relative to another. As mentioned above, it is possible that the diverse portfolio of the group Zonked which also includes merchandise and brand advertisement deals may have contributed to the music group’s name recognition, it is also possible that it was first and foremost the popularity of the group’s music that lead to its name recognition as well as success in other domains. In a highly competitive marketplace, especially in the field of music and entertainment, it is highly unlikely that a diverse commercial enterprise would be able to succeed in the absence of an existing brand recognition. For example, consumers are highly unlikely to purchase merchandise from a band or music group that they don’t recognize or feel a sense of connection with. As such, there may be other factors such as the level of popularity of the group’s music that may have an impact on the overall success of the other operations.
Second, the writer has also failed to acknowledge that there may be other financial limitations that Zapped has in terms of launching a successful diversified portfolio. In order to launch and effectively market a set of band merchandise, the group would need access to a large sum of capital. Oftentimes, the sale of merchandise does not generate sufficient profits, instead it is a marketing tactic used by media and entertainment groups to increase name recognition. As such, if Zapped is not already well known in the minds of the consuming public and is not already making large sums of profit from its sale of music in its various forms, it would be highly difficult for Zapped to gain access to a large sum of financial capital to successfully launch merchandise and thereby attract other brands to partner with it for advertisement deals.
Third, the writer may have failed to acknowledge that there may be a reverse relationship between a band’s popularity or name recognition and its ability to secure deals for merchandising and advertisements. For instance, it is more likely that the music groups that are already successful and popular in the minds of the consuming public would be able to enjoy high sales of their merchandise. It is also highly likely that the more popular a group is, the more likely they are to receive endorsement and advertisement deals from other major corporate brands. Hence, it may be the existing popularity of the group that is driving success in the other diverse realms of the business rather than the other way around.
In conclusion, the writer has presented an interesting observation about a similar music group that has gained success and is operating in the same music niche with a diversified strategy that not only includes the sale and promotion of music but also the sale and promotion of brand merchandise and advertisement deals from other brands. However, one must be careful in drawing a parallel comparison between the success of one music group with another as there may be other underlying factors that may be at play when it comes to success of a group in a highly competitive music industry. Finally, it is not necessarily true that the strategies that worked to gain name recognition for one group would also work for another.
Timed: 10:12am – 10:42am (30 minutes)
Word Count: 787
Discuss how well reasoned . . . etc.
In the above-mentioned argument, the writer claims that in order to gain better name recognition, the music group Zapped should diversify its commercial enterprises. In fact, the writer draws a parallel comparison between Zapped and Zonked, both rock groups that operate within the same niche market. However, since Zonked also offers a diverse commercial enterprise including band merchandise such as posters, clothing and accessories, and brand advertisements, it has claimed better name recognition in the marketplace in comparison to Zapped. This is an interesting observation however, the writer has failed to acknowledge other factors that may be prohibiting name recognition for Zapped. First, Zapped’s music may not be as popular amongst the general public as Zonked’s music such that even with diversifying its commercial enterprises, Zapped cannot gain name recognition. Second, another possible reason or hindrance may consist of a lack of financial capital that Zapped may have access to in order to expand its commercial operations. Third, the writer may have failed to acknowledge that there may be a reverse relationship between a band’s popularity or name recognition and its ability to secure deals for merchandising and advertisements. Hence, the strategies that may have worked for another music group may not work for Zapped in order to effectively increase its name recognition in the marketplace.
First, it is highly crucial to evaluate the popularity of one music group with another before comparing the strategies that led to successful name recognition and brand awareness for one group relative to another. As mentioned above, it is possible that the diverse portfolio of the group Zonked which also includes merchandise and brand advertisement deals may have contributed to the music group’s name recognition, it is also possible that it was first and foremost the popularity of the group’s music that lead to its name recognition as well as success in other domains. In a highly competitive marketplace, especially in the field of music and entertainment, it is highly unlikely that a diverse commercial enterprise would be able to succeed in the absence of an existing brand recognition. For example, consumers are highly unlikely to purchase merchandise from a band or music group that they don’t recognize or feel a sense of connection with. As such, there may be other factors such as the level of popularity of the group’s music that may have an impact on the overall success of the other operations.
Second, the writer has also failed to acknowledge that there may be other financial limitations that Zapped has in terms of launching a successful diversified portfolio. In order to launch and effectively market a set of band merchandise, the group would need access to a large sum of capital. Oftentimes, the sale of merchandise does not generate sufficient profits, instead it is a marketing tactic used by media and entertainment groups to increase name recognition. As such, if Zapped is not already well known in the minds of the consuming public and is not already making large sums of profit from its sale of music in its various forms, it would be highly difficult for Zapped to gain access to a large sum of financial capital to successfully launch merchandise and thereby attract other brands to partner with it for advertisement deals.
Third, the writer may have failed to acknowledge that there may be a reverse relationship between a band’s popularity or name recognition and its ability to secure deals for merchandising and advertisements. For instance, it is more likely that the music groups that are already successful and popular in the minds of the consuming public would be able to enjoy high sales of their merchandise. It is also highly likely that the more popular a group is, the more likely they are to receive endorsement and advertisement deals from other major corporate brands. Hence, it may be the existing popularity of the group that is driving success in the other diverse realms of the business rather than the other way around.
In conclusion, the writer has presented an interesting observation about a similar music group that has gained success and is operating in the same music niche with a diversified strategy that not only includes the sale and promotion of music but also the sale and promotion of brand merchandise and advertisement deals from other brands. However, one must be careful in drawing a parallel comparison between the success of one music group with another as there may be other underlying factors that may be at play when it comes to success of a group in a highly competitive music industry. Finally, it is not necessarily true that the strategies that worked to gain name recognition for one group would also work for another.
Timed: 10:12am – 10:42am (30 minutes)
Word Count: 787
27 Feb 2020, 09:12
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“Research indicates that those who exercise regularly are hospitalized less than half as often as those who don’t exercise. By providing a well-equipped gym for Saluda’s municipal employees, we should be able to reduce the cost of our group health insurance coverage by approximately 50 percent and thereby achieve a balanced town budget.”
Discuss how well reasoned . . . etc.
In the above-mentioned excerpt, the writer has made a claim that by providing a gym facility for municipal employees in Saluda, there will be a drop in the group health insurance coverage which will help with achieving a balanced town budget. This argument is based on the mere observation that individuals who exercise regularly tend to be hospitalized less often. Even though this is a key observation, the writer has failed to acknowledge other underlying factors that may be related to one’s levels of exercise habits and health care needs. First, it is not necessarily true that by providing equipment and space for exercise, individuals will make use of those facilities, especially in a workplace setting. Second, need for hospitalization and health care also varies significantly from one person to another based on a variety of demographic factors and is not necessarily tied to the level of exercise. Third, the writer has also failed to acknowledge how the model of insurance works and has not provided any direct data on whether or not the insurance company would be willing to reduce the health insurance costs for their municipal employees if they implement the new gym facilities.
First, it is a great idea for employers to provide facilities that their employees can use for the purpose of exercising during their breaks. However, it is not the only determining factor that will lead people to exercise. For instance, some employees may not feel comfortable to exercise in the workplace or in such a public setting. Other employees may prefer other types of exercise such as guided fitness classes or to workout in the outdoors. Hence, each employee has their own preferences and levels of motivation to engage in exercise. It is not necessarily true that by providing a gym facility, individuals would immediately begin to exercise which would then directly result in a lower need for hospital visits.
Second, need for hospitalization and health care also varies significantly from one person to another based on a variety of demographic factors and is not necessarily tied to the level of exercise. For instance, if the municipal employees are from an older age group or have other underlying health conditions, they may still continue to have a need for hospitalizations regardless of their accessibility to a gym facility at their workplace. If this is the case, it is highly unlikely for the municipality to negotiate a lower group health insurance rate from their insurance provider.
Third, the writer has also failed to acknowledge how the model of insurance works and has not provided any direct data on whether or not the insurance company would be willing to reduce the health insurance costs for their municipal employees if they implement the new gym facilities. In general, the insurance market is highly competitive and insurance providers tend to weigh their risks and income such that they may not be willing to lower their insurance coverage costs by half as a result of a new gym facility in the workplace.
In sum, even though the writer has made an interesting observation on the importance of regular exercise in order to promote good health for the municipal employees, it is not necessarily true that by providing a gym facility at the workplace, the employer can solve the issue of an unbalance town budget. Implementing this facility may a good initiate to promote the culture of fitness within the workplace but there are several other underlying factors that are at play here. These factors include one’s motivation to exercise, one’s preferences to engage in traditional gym workouts, underlying health factors that may prevent one from making the most use of a gym facility, demographic factors and pre-existing health conditions that may continue to present a need for hospitalizations and the competitive insurance company policies that make it difficult to obtain lower insurance rates by taking such initiatives.
Discuss how well reasoned . . . etc.
In the above-mentioned excerpt, the writer has made a claim that by providing a gym facility for municipal employees in Saluda, there will be a drop in the group health insurance coverage which will help with achieving a balanced town budget. This argument is based on the mere observation that individuals who exercise regularly tend to be hospitalized less often. Even though this is a key observation, the writer has failed to acknowledge other underlying factors that may be related to one’s levels of exercise habits and health care needs. First, it is not necessarily true that by providing equipment and space for exercise, individuals will make use of those facilities, especially in a workplace setting. Second, need for hospitalization and health care also varies significantly from one person to another based on a variety of demographic factors and is not necessarily tied to the level of exercise. Third, the writer has also failed to acknowledge how the model of insurance works and has not provided any direct data on whether or not the insurance company would be willing to reduce the health insurance costs for their municipal employees if they implement the new gym facilities.
First, it is a great idea for employers to provide facilities that their employees can use for the purpose of exercising during their breaks. However, it is not the only determining factor that will lead people to exercise. For instance, some employees may not feel comfortable to exercise in the workplace or in such a public setting. Other employees may prefer other types of exercise such as guided fitness classes or to workout in the outdoors. Hence, each employee has their own preferences and levels of motivation to engage in exercise. It is not necessarily true that by providing a gym facility, individuals would immediately begin to exercise which would then directly result in a lower need for hospital visits.
Second, need for hospitalization and health care also varies significantly from one person to another based on a variety of demographic factors and is not necessarily tied to the level of exercise. For instance, if the municipal employees are from an older age group or have other underlying health conditions, they may still continue to have a need for hospitalizations regardless of their accessibility to a gym facility at their workplace. If this is the case, it is highly unlikely for the municipality to negotiate a lower group health insurance rate from their insurance provider.
Third, the writer has also failed to acknowledge how the model of insurance works and has not provided any direct data on whether or not the insurance company would be willing to reduce the health insurance costs for their municipal employees if they implement the new gym facilities. In general, the insurance market is highly competitive and insurance providers tend to weigh their risks and income such that they may not be willing to lower their insurance coverage costs by half as a result of a new gym facility in the workplace.
In sum, even though the writer has made an interesting observation on the importance of regular exercise in order to promote good health for the municipal employees, it is not necessarily true that by providing a gym facility at the workplace, the employer can solve the issue of an unbalance town budget. Implementing this facility may a good initiate to promote the culture of fitness within the workplace but there are several other underlying factors that are at play here. These factors include one’s motivation to exercise, one’s preferences to engage in traditional gym workouts, underlying health factors that may prevent one from making the most use of a gym facility, demographic factors and pre-existing health conditions that may continue to present a need for hospitalizations and the competitive insurance company policies that make it difficult to obtain lower insurance rates by taking such initiatives.
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