The term “servicescape” refers to the geographical setting where services are exchanged. Before the consumer sets foot inside the establishment or engages in conversation with a staff member, it affects how they think about the location (Taylor, 2020). When it comes to achieving business success, the servicescape of a company is a crucial factor to consider. Two of the most significant roles are brand image and differentiation, facilitating social interactions, and being a social hub. As a general rule, facilitation refers to the process of making the purchasing and service delivery procedures as straightforward and practical as is possible, whereas socializing refers to the process of making interactions between customers and employees, as well as interactions between customers themselves, as simple and uncomplicated as is possible (Taylor, 2020). The first impression that clients receive of the service environment, also known as the brand image, differentiates the business from the competition and positions the company in a better position.
Individuals in the environment might perform better if they used the service-scape as a facilitator. It is vital to have a properly planned facility and fully functional facility to make the experience of using the service pleasurable for customers. On the other side, a poorly designed product may aggravate customers (Roy, Singh, Hope, Nguyen & Harrigan 2019). The servicescape layout will clarify where they are permitted and prohibited to go inside the facility. In business, it is essential to give careful consideration to the servicescape design since doing so stimulates contact between customers and employees, resulting in a better experience all around for everyone involved. When retail stores are too crowded, the mood of the shopping center as a whole might be negatively affected. Customers could benefit from crowding in some circumstances, such as during live concerts or athletic events, when it improves the overall experience of those in attendance (Roy, Singh, Hope, Nguyen & Harrigan 2019). The term “environment” refers to spreading pleasure via social contagion. People tend to congregate in places like cafés, pubs, and nightclubs because they like interacting with one another in these settings. Managers of a company need to be aware of how the appropriate level of social density shifts from one service interaction to the next. This affects the degree to which customers are satisfied with the service they received and their desire to use it again. Before developing a location that fosters more significant in-person interaction, a firm must first decide whether or not a social experience is essential to its clients (Roy, Singh, Hope, Nguyen & Harrigan 2019). This is a key step in the design process. Customers of other businesses, such as banks, doctors, and lawyers, may try to steer clear of one another whenever it is practical.
Using servicescape helps define a brand’s place in the market and set it apart from other companies in the same industry. One of the industries in which servicescape plays a big part in differentiating organizations from one another is the banking industry. Trust serves as the cornerstone upon which banking brands and enterprises are built (Jeon, Kim, Han, Huang & Kim 2021). The present and future customers of a banking brand may have an easier time placing their trust in the goods and services of the brand if the servicescapes seem more professional. A prospective customer will not doubt that banking with this brand is carried out in a manner that is both trustworthy and conducted professionally.
Like any other marketing effort, a successful servicescape seeks to shape how the general public perceives the organization it represents—because of this, selling the brand in the market is made simpler, especially to those consumers who believe it to be a good one (Jeon, Kim, Han, Huang & Kim 2021). The environment in which brands are served may influence purchasers’ perceptions of those brands even before the products themselves have been shown to them. It is essential to have a well-designed physical facility to differentiate oneself from the competition and communicate to potential customers who the intended audience is for a certain service. For instance, if the physical surroundings of a business were to be altered, the company’s position in the market may shift, and the business might gain new clients (Jeon, Kim, Han, Huang & Kim 2021). Customers who fall into a certain demographic may be identified based on the store’s color scheme and the music played there. The layout of the physical environment of a service organization’s many locations may also serve to differentiate one from another. It is common to practice in the hospitality industry for hotels to provide many levels of dining choices, each of which has its distinctive layout (Jeon, Kim, Han, Huang & Kim 2021). It is vital to understand why and how the effects develop and how they may be controlled, even from a strategic point of view, to make practical judgments on the architecture of the servicescape. This is so that one may make informed decisions.
Benefits
A company’s activities to keep consumers coming back and increase its profitability are called customer retention. A business needs to implement customer retention methods to maximize the value of the current client base. Retaining customers has several advantages, both monetary and intangible (Alkitbi, Alshurideh, Al Kurdi & Salloum 2020). This strategy may enhance the long-term profitability and brand image of the organization.
It is expensive, time-consuming, and energy-intensive to acquire new clients. It’s not uncommon for a lead that an organization has been cultivating for weeks or even months to decide to go with a competition. Having a high rate of customer churn (customers who do not return after their first purchase) forces a business to seek new clients (Alkitbi, Alshurideh, Al Kurdi & Salloum 2020). The firm may save money in the long run by focusing on customer retention instead of attracting new customers and reducing the amount of money the business spends on advertising and attracting new consumers.
A customer’s purchase doesn’t mean the transaction is done. Not following up with consumers after the sale is one of the most common blunders firms make. Not only can these follow-up activities help the business keep customers, but they may also raise the current sales value. It’s important to keep in touch with the customers after they’ve bought a service from the company, especially if they’ve already upgraded their membership (Gao, Li, Fan & Jia 2021). If a consumer buys the goods, ask if they’d want to round off their purchase with a related item.
Because they know their clients, successful firms are excellent at what they do. As a result, they have a deep understanding of their consumer demographics and the issues they encounter, the emotions they experience, the amount of change they want to accomplish, and their willingness to purchase. Businesses must have this degree of knowledge to retain customers (Gao, Li, Fan & Jia 2021). In addition, this information is useful for retaining customers. The product development and customer care departments may both benefit from this approach.
Retaining customers is one of the most important aspects of running a successful company. Loyalty is formed when a consumer comes back to the company for the same goods and services. Because of this, they begin to suggest the company to their family, friends, and acquaintances in turn. In addition, customers may post good online evaluations, which serve as word-of-mouth marketing on the internet (Gao, Li, Fan & Jia 2021). The business may further lower the client acquisition costs by focusing on customer retention. Because of the way the business handles others, it will attract new clients.
The opposite of client retention is customer churn. Poor product quality, customer service, and special offers from rivals contribute to consumer dissatisfaction. It’s bad for any company to lose a client for whatever reason. The business may limit the number of customers that discontinue doing business by focusing on client retention techniques. Due to this strategy, there will be fewer bad reviews, both in-person and online (Alkitbi, Alshurideh, Al Kurdi & Salloum 2020). No matter how successful your company is, it is imperative that the business focus on customer retention as a top priority. Many businesses use strategies to keep consumers happy, such as tailoring their interactions with them and providing them with ways to submit feedback.
Challenges
There are currently no Limited Time Discounts & Offers available. A business has to provide deals and discounts that are only available for a short period if it wants to maintain its consumers (Christodoulopoulou, 2018). They contribute to the development of a sense of urgency in the workplace. The use of limited-time deals and promotions has the added advantage of regularly reducing the amount of stock you have on hand.
Lack of segmentation. Many companies do not make an effort to divide their customer base in the most effective manner possible. If they do not correctly segment their data, they will not be able to get to know each of their customers individually. The discounts and product recommendations they provide may not be appropriate for a homemaker and mother of three in her forties, instead of someone interested in fitness and is 18 years old (Christodoulopoulou, 2018). Send an offer of buy one gets one free merchandise to your regular customers. On the other hand, this could not be the case for some more well-off customers. A business needs to divide the customers into several groups to cater to each of them with tailored goods and services.
Unhappy and dissatisfied customers. It is typical practice for a customer who joins a firm to be taken for granted once they have done so. Because they aren’t provided the attention they need, customers are left with the impression that they aren’t valued. A business needs to demonstrate more respect and thanks to its customers if the business want to maintain them as customers (Almohaimmeed, 2019). This displays both your respect for them as a one-of-a-kind individual and your profound care for the happiness and health of the other person. As a result, customers will be thinking about it for a very long time.
Increasing the level of competition. The level of competition is consistently becoming tougher. If the business do nothing to differentiate itself from its competitors, it risk losing customers. It’s unfortunate, but the business could decide to do business with one of the competitors who operate differently. If a business wants to be successful, doing research on the market and developing innovative products is necessary (Almohaimmeed, 2019). Because of this, the business will be able to maintain its already established clientele while also drawing in brand new customers.
References
Taylor Jr, S. (2020). The socially distant servicescape: An investigation of consumer preference’s during the re-opening phase. International journal of hospitality management, 91, 102692.
Roy, S. K., Singh, G., Hope, M., Nguyen, B., & Harrigan, P. (2019). The rise of smart consumers: role of smart servicescape and smart consumer experience co-creation. Journal of Marketing Management, 35(15-16), 1480-1513.
Jeon, Y., Kim, D., Han, S., Huang, Y., & Kim, J. (2021). How Does Service Environment Enhance Consumer Loyalty in the Sport Fitness Industry? The Role of Servicescape, Cosumption Motivation, Emotional and Flow Experiences. Sustainability, 13(11), 6414.
Alkitbi, S. S., Alshurideh, M., Al Kurdi, B., & Salloum, S. A. (2020, October). Factors affect customer retention: A systematic review. In International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Systems and Informatics (pp. 656-667). Springer, Cham.
Gao, W., Li, W., Fan, H., & Jia, X. (2021). How customer experience incongruence affects omnichannel customer retention: The moderating role of channel characteristics. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 60, 102487.
Christodoulopoulou, A. (2018). An Empirical Investigation of Customer Retention: Addressing Unique Challenges in Customer-Firm Relationships.
Almohaimmeed, B. (2019). Pillars of customer retention: An empirical study on the influence of customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, customer profitability on customer retention. Serbian Journal of Management, 14(2), 421-435.
Cyber Security Threats Writing Sample
Introduction
Cyber-crimes evolve every day and thus there is need to develop a mechanism to protect the users of cyberspace. As Hsu & Marinucci (2013) points out, globalization and the increased reliance on cyberspace have contributed to the complexity of cyber-crimes. In fact, cyber threats continue rising both in variation and frequency. Installation of better and tougher security measures to prevent further escalation of cyber threats is inevitable. Dunn (2008) notes that cyber threats fall under three broader categories including network attack, network abuse, and spread of malicious viruses. This paper analyzes cyber security and the ways to counter the threats to ensure the security of the users of cyberspace.
Hacking
Hackers are the biggest threat to the internet users and not even the strictest security measures have been able to deal with them. According to Awan & Blakemore (2016), social media platforms are the easiest targets for this category of people although they keep on changing tactics. The attack on Google Company made security experts believe that hacking goes beyond the defense of complex organizations’ systems. Hacking is a big threat not only to the users of cyberspace but also to the general public. The hacking of Estonia’s entire country’s government systems and computer networks in 2007 is a perfect example of what harm the hackers can do. The emergence of new technologies without sufficient security applications increases the chances of hackers accomplishing their goals.
Cyber-Terrorism
Cyber-terrorism is one of the most hazardous and a recent security threat. The increasing number of terrorist attacks has surprised security experts and made them concerned about how governments are with their information. Awan & Blakemore (2016) reveals that cyber-terrorism attacks are often politically influenced and lead to violence in most cases. Unlike other types of cyber-attacks, cyber-terrorist cause hefty financial damage to the country under attack. Potential targets of cyber-terrorism include financial systems, military installations, power generation plants, and much more. Notably, cyber-terrorists take a short period of time to access crucial information such as security in order to execute their goal. They leverage on a limited opportunity to gain access to a networked infrastructure. The development of new technologies which lack adequate security measures extending throughout the technology’s lifecycle gives the cyber-terrorist a chance to take advantage.
Criminal Gangs
It should be understood that criminal gangs also form part of cyber security threats. In most cases, they extort money from the users of the internet and the general public. They trick internet users and make them believe that they have won money online. They then trick them into providing their private information such as bank account details, email passwords, and other crucial information. According to Willson & Dalziel (2016), once the criminal gangs get information that could help them access credit card Pin or bank account, they drain all the money. Moreover, the moment the criminal gangs access email address, they use it to ask for money from friends and relatives of the user.
How to Avoid Cyber Attacks
To reduce the impacts of cyber security threats, countries must put in place tons of measures. To begin with, it is inevitable to spend billions of dollars in improving private and public defenses against cyber-attacks. With the increased reliance on computer networks worldwide, countries must collaborate in the fight against cyber-attacks. In particular, the United States should lead the fight against cyber-attacks and forge a global partnership. Willson & Dalziel (2016) reveals that by organizing a cyber-attack summit, the United States can lead in formulating an international cyber security policy that prevents cyber-attacks. Lack of awareness about cyber security threats among cyberspace users is what makes them vulnerable. To prevent this, countries need to come up with programs that educate users how to deal with cyber threats. Dunn (2008) recommends that for this to be effective, there must be the collaboration between the private and public sectors. Moreover, frequent cyber security conferences should be organized to create awareness among the corporate users and how to handle cyber security threats.
Conclusion
The above discussion demonstrates that cyber threats are not only dangerous to a country but also to the individual users. The fact that technology improves every day paves the way for cyber criminals. It has become very difficult to distinguish between the genuine users of cyberspace and those with bad motives. It is due to such issues that the government needs to do everything within its scope to ensure the security of cyberspace users. Given the fact that economies across the world are interdependent, it is important to have a global common purpose. Both the private and the public sectors must be committed to building powerful defensive measures to prevent further exploitation by cyber criminals.
References
Awan, I., & Blakemore, B. (2016). Policing cyber hate, cyber threats and cyber terrorism. London: Routledge.
Dunn, C. M. (2008). Cyber-security and threat politics: US efforts to secure the information age. London: Routledge.
Hsu, D. F., & Marinucci, D. (2013). Advances in cyber security: Technology, operations, and experiences. New York: Fordham University Press.
Willson, D., & Dalziel, H. (2016). Cyber security awareness for CEOs and management. Waltham, MA: Syngress.
Death & Dying Philosophy Essay Example
Death & Rebirth
According to Buddhist teachings, a person’s actions lead to a new life after death in an unending cycle known as sasra. Only if moksha is attained via insight and the elimination of craving does the cycle end. Rebirth is one of the core Buddhist teachings, alongside karma, Nirvana, and moksha. According to Buddhism, the concept of “individual self” is an illusion. It is impossible to isolate oneself from one’s environment (Dorjee). Zen Buddhism demonstrates that there is no opposition between ego and “no-self.” Only by questioning, doubting, and rejecting oneself is the true character of the self-revealed. According to Suzuki, “to practice Zen properly, you must cultivate a spirit of inquiry; for the depth of your enlightenment will be proportional to the power of your questioning spirit.”
To reach the paradoxical truth of neither self-existence nor non-existence, Zen practitioners use this “spirit of inquiry” to question and dismantle the assurance of all that exists. The ego “evaporates into simple abstraction when pursued analytically, leaving nothing behind,” argues Suzuki. Buddhism adherents constantly question and doubt the existence of the individual self, but they do not deny the existence of “I,” who questions and doubts self-certainty (Dorjee). In order to address this issue, Buddha presents the middle path, which is neither a self nor a no-self doctrine. In Buddhist scripture, Garfield explains that the Buddhas “allude to a self, they teach no-self, and they also teach neither self nor no-self”. The middle way, which focuses on neither the self nor the non-self but rather the “inquiring spirit” of the meta-self, is one of the most profound insights taught by Buddhism.
Tibetan Book of the Dead
At the conclusion of the dying process, during the bardo, and throughout the process of rebirth are stages of consciousness. During these phases, the mind is in a state of extreme subtlety, and an expert practitioner may harness these natural conditions to make substantial progress on the spiritual path. According to Tibetan tradition, after death and before to rebirth, when a person’s mind is not tied to a physical body, a number of occurrences occur (Evans-Wentz). A progression from the clearest views of reality one is spiritually capable of shortly after death to horrible hallucinations coming from the impulses of an individual’s past unskillful actions is common in these experiences. Transcendental insight may come via a direct experience of reality in the bardo for the spiritually accomplished, but the bardo may also be a dangerous place where karmically generated hallucinations may lead to an unhappy rebirth for others.
In the early centuries of Buddhism, Buddhists were divided about whether rebirth happened immediately after death or whether there was a hiatus. With the birth of mahayana, the concept became prevalent in a period of change. Eventually, the concept was expanded to include six or more states that encompassed the whole rebirth cycle. The phrase “transitional experience” may apply to anything that happens as a consequence of a change in circumstance (Evans-Wentz). The bardo’s basic meaning, the experience of being between death and rebirth, is its archetype. The six classic bardos highlight how the bardo’s core features are present in various transitional periods. When bardo’s essence is honed further, it may be applied to every moment of life. It is difficult to avoid the continual bardo that exists between the past and the future in the present.
Tibetan Science of Dying
In Buddhist theology, mind and body are not regarded to be distinct since it is not believed that independently existent things exist. Everything is interconnected and causally related, and everything is continually changing and reorganizing. This implies that impermanence and change are fundamental Buddhist concepts. The historical Buddha himself wanted a state that death could not destroy occur (Evans-Wentz). According to Buddhist teachings, thinking of oneself as distinct from others is a basic mistake. As the physical form is the foundation of the road to enlightenment, possessing a human body is a rare privilege in Buddhism. A person is not considered to have or own a body, but rather occupy it.
The dynamic interdependence of the mind and body in Tibetan medicine makes it a suitable contrast to current biomedicine. Tibetan medicine accepts the “inseparability” of mind and body on more delicate levels, as well as the dualism of mind and body on coarser ones occur (Evans-Wentz). On one side, it rejects the so-called “Cartesian dualism” of the mind and body, on the other hand, in favor of a view that equates a person’s mind with his or her brain, and therefore it is neither monolithic nor dualistic. In both the philosophy and practice of Tibetan medicine, this Buddhist-derived paradigm of body and mind may be found, although it may be difficult to discern.
Tibetan Art of Dying
Research-derived information is used with various types of “evidence,” such as client views and practitioner experience to arrive at optimal solutions for customers and provide the most significant outcomes in a framework used to deliver and build services. The first encounter between a mentee and mentor is critical to the development of the relationship. People may exhibit their best self while beginning a relationship with another person, but this may not be who they really are. However, as the relationship grows, individuals reveal more of their genuine selves. The first encounter and the months that follow are referred to as the “initiation” stage of the mentoring relationship (Evans-Wentz). This is the time when mentors and mentees get to know one another and start to develop a sense of ownership over the mentoring relationship. However, both the mentor and the mentee must apply to a mentoring program before the first meeting may take place. Mentors must apply and demonstrate that they are qualified to serve as a mentor and that they possess the necessary knowledge and skills. In order to find a mentor, applicants describe their personalities and the aid they require. The key to a successful mentor-mentee relationship is finding the correct mentor for the mentee and pairing him or her with a mentor who has those qualities.
Transforming Fear into Freedom
Denial is a frequent defensive technique used to shield oneself from the anguish of confronting a distressing truth. After the initial shock of getting a terminal diagnosis, according to Halifax, people often deny the truth of the new information. Patients may refute the diagnosis explicitly, ascribe it to an incompetent clinician or incorrect testing, or just avoid the subject of discussion (Knauft). Patients often feel and show anger as they accept the truth of a terminal illness. It may be aimed at medical professionals for insufficiently preventing the disease, family members for contributing to risks or failing to give necessary assistance, or spiritual providers or higher powers for the unfairness of the diagnosis.
In addition, the anger may be diffuse and unfocused, manifesting itself as an easily angered temper or a lack of patience. Psychologists are able to provide a helping hand to caregivers and members of the family by facilitating the expression of feelings and teaching them how to be attentive listeners to terminally ill patients (Knauft). In addition, psychologists who have received enough training are adept at addressing issues pertaining to bereavement and loss, traumatic stress, and acting as advocates for high-quality medical care.
References
Dorjee, Dusana. Mind, Brain and the Path to Happiness: A Guide to Buddhist Mind Training and the Neuroscience of Meditation. Routledge, 2013.
Evans-Wentz, Walter Yeeling. Tibetan Book of the Dead. Courier Dover Publications, 2020.
Knauft, Bruce M. “Life Is but a Dream: Culture and Science in the Study of Tibetan Dream Yoga and Lucid Dreaming.” New Directions in the Anthropology of Dreaming, Routledge, 2020, pp. 204–25.