Being a Leader Today Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Being a Leader Today - Essay Example The leader builds an environment in which every member of the organization flourishes through idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. Idealized influence is creating positive impact of the leader on the individual in terms of confidence and trust, so that the followers seek to emulate their role model (Bono & Judge, 2004, p. 901; Simic, 1998, p. 52; Stone, Russell & Patterson, 2003, p. 3). The employee is impressed by the leadership style and follows the chosen path of the leader. Leaders are â€Å"admired, respected, and trusted† (Bass, Avolio, Jung & Berson, 2003, p. 208). The subordinated believe virtues of their leader so that any decision taken will be supported with minimal resistance even in the time of crisis. Charismatic leadership is one of the important attributes of this modern leadership style and is based on the expression of leaders as well as followers (Kelly, 2003). Lee Iacocca showed his charismatic leadership to revive Chrysler Corporation in the 1970s and 1980s (Kelly, 2003). Inspirational motivation is a broader view of idealized influence to make direct impact on whole organization. The leader inspires other team members to behave and perform in a certain way through speeches, conversations and other public displays (Simic, 1998, p. 52) and stimulating collaborative work approach. The formal and informal forms of his influence help in building flexible, yet successful organization with shared vision. The headman inculcates the required organizational culture and environment (Kelly, 2003; Stone, Russell & Patterson, 2003, p. 3) in each individual in such a manner that the employee would feel indispensable part of the business. Optimistic and enthusiastic attitude of the leader motivates the followers. US President John F. Kennedy’s dream to accomplish mission of putting a man on the moon by 1970 is a classic example of

Types Of Probation And Parole Essay Example for Free

Types Of Probation And Parole Essay Probation and parole are two different types of community amendment originally developed to tone down severe punishment for those who committed crimes or disobeyed the state’s rules and norms, though not visible in some countries or states. Probation is a procedure wherein the offender remains under the court’s supervision for certain period of time with a set of guidelines to avoid jail or prison, while parole is a time period after a person is released from jail or prison while under supervision. [1] The practice of the two community correction was the result of opposing beliefs of philosophers, classicalists, and positivists. Classicalists believe that when a person committed crime, he is responsible for his actions and therefore must be punished. On the other hand, positivists believe that the offenders have reasons that forced him to do such acts and deserve a chance to make himself better. Between 1841 and 1859, John Augustus insisted the practice of giving a temporary release for prisoners while serving the community as a lift in their sentence. The guiding philosophy of probation is rehabilitation. Augustus undoubtedly stated, It became pretty generally known that my labors were upon the ground of reform, that I confined my efforts mainly to those who were indicted for their first offence, and whose hearts were not wholly depraved, but gave promise of better things . . .[2]Augustus’ efforts were favored. A French word â€Å"parol† literally means â€Å"word of honor† as used by the prisoners of war when they take an oath of never to engage again in the warfare if released. In some states during 1938, parole, as a conditional pardon, was already practiced. The first recorded official practice of an early release of a convict was during the time of Samuel Howe. It was favored because of the problem in overcrowding in prison increased.[3] In Tennessee, a board of probation and parole, an independent State Commission composed of seven members appointed by the governor, decides whether the offender will be granted the privilege of a conditional release or if he will remain in prison[4]. The factors that parole board considers in granting parole are public safety, age, mental stability, marital status, educational background, repentance, time served, criminal records, level of severity of the offense, actions, rehabilitative efforts, and conduct while incarcerated.[5] A parole is a privilege and not a right, the possibility of denying a parole will happen when the parole board finds that: One, there is a great risk for the defendant to defy the conditions of the release program; secondly, if granting of the release will cause decrease in practicing of the crime that the offender is guilty of or it will promote disrespect for the law; next is if it will have an unpleasant effect on institutional discipline; and lastly, if the release will effective for the enhancement of the convict’s capacity to live a law-abiding life.[6] A prosecutor and a judge decide for probation requests. When under probation or parole the requirements include obey all laws of the society, report change of employment or address to probation officers, refrain from using drugs or alcohol, undergo random several drug tests, and limit traveling unless permitted by a probation officer.[7] States differ in the time span of probation and parole depending on the offense and behavior of the offender. Probation has a maximum of sixty months or five years while parole can be lifetime supervision if a person is paroled because of a murder case or given a penalty of a life sentence.[8] In California, there are two types of probation, the formal probation and the informal probation. In formal probation, the defendant is scheduled, usually once a month, to meet with the assigned probation officer for a regular report. In informal probation, scheduled meetings are not necessary but the defendant must complete the terms of sentence and should not be engaged in trouble. The defendant’s sentence may take account of different sanctions such as community service like cleaning public places, medical and educational mission programs of the government; counseling or rehabilitation, several unannounced drug testing, paying of required fines and penalties based on financial status of the offender and the intensity of the crime committed, reimbursement to the victim, and even house confinement under monitor or imprisonment. [9] Intensive supervised probation is a form of release wherein the offender undergoes a close monitoring and strict conditions. Individuals on ISP are those who have committed serious crimes like for an example murder. They are given excessive restrictions including regular meeting with the officers for reports because of the belief that these will discourage, or at least meddle, any possible criminal acts that is ongoing. Shock probation is another form in which the offender is initially sentenced with imprisonment.   After being brought before a judge after thirty, sixty or ninety days, his sentence is lifted into probation. In split sentence, the sentence of the offender includes imprisonment and probation. Appearing before a judge is also not required. The person will be jailed first, and then will undergo probation. Split sentence and shock probation are often used interchangeably.[10] If the convicted person violated his probation or parole, the possible sanctions are: increase in the level of supervision or imposing more strict regulations, house arrest with close monitoring, revocation of probation or parole, or jail confinement.[11] How can probation be violated? The most common violation includes the following situations: a person under probation or parole is required to pay fines and restitution as reimbursement to the victim, if he failed to do so a violation is committed; failure to complete required programs such as rehabilitation and community service; he is required to attend required court appearance for a progress report and not appearing is also a form of violation; defying of rules like when he is limited to visit some persons or travel into places but then he still insists; failure to attend on scheduled reports to a probation officer; changing his identity, employment, or other status conditions without reporting it to the officers; possession of illegal substances for instance drugs, alcohols or weapons; and lastly engaging in new crimes for he is required to stay out of trouble to avoid new offenses that may lead to revocation of the privilege. The judge and the prosecutor reflect on many factors in considering a probation violation. These includes: the nature and seriousness of the probation violation; the records of the offender in committing violations; the unlawful activity close to the probation violation; justifying conditions of violating the probation; the officer’s view of the violation whether he sees the violation as a big deal or something that can be dealt with; and the time when the violation is committed whether it happened in the beginning, middle or the end of the probation term or period.[12] In case of a serious violation, a parole violation hearing is required. It will be composed of the parolee, the probation officer and a board of selected individuals. Lawyers are excluded in the hearing. In a probation violation hearing, the defendant is allowed to seek help from his lawyer to represent him in the court. In case of a minor violation, sometimes, it can be dealt with the probation officer and no need to take the case in the court, which will just include some verbal warnings.[13] Probation and parole are just temporary release and if technical violations, like failure to follow the parole or probation conditions, or new offense, like performing another criminal act, are committed during the period of supervision, then the privilege can be revoked. Probation revocation is initiated by the probation officer. The defendant will be sent with a notification letter of the alleged violation, and then will undergo a preliminary hearing at which a legal authority will decide whether the evidence and claims are acceptable to pursue the hearing, if warranted; the revocation process will take place. During revocation trials, probationers are permitted to state under oath in their own behalf and have witnesses and lawyers at hand. The proofs that are presented in the revocation hearing are not as standard as of the usual criminal hearings, usually, simple evidence are enough. The possible decisions of the hearing, if found guilty, may include return to supervision, notice with re-establishment to supervision, or jail time. The revocation of parole is almost similar to probation; the difference is that probation is administrated by judicial decisions while the other is through administrative measures.   When arrest warrants are issued, the officers are empowered to take custody of the parolee with the maximum time of forty-eight hours. This happens when the offender is found to be a great threat to the community like when he is committing more severe crimes such as murder, rape, burglary and many others. However, when alleged of violation, a parolee has the right to receive a written notice before the revocation proceeding. He is also allowed to verify accusations of violating parole as well as the right to explain himself whether the evidences presented are correct and reliable that will prove that the violation actually happened. He may confront and interrogate petitioners. He should also receive a written explanation for the decisions concerning the revocation of the parole and what evidence was presented and considered in the outcome of the case. [14] Here are some statistical reports in probation and parole cases according to United States of America’s Department of Justice: At the end of the year 2005, over 4.9 million adults were under Federal, State, or local probation or parole authority; more or less 4.2 million on probation and eight hundred thousand on parole. There was a 0.06% increase in the population of probationers and parolees –an increase of thirty thousand during the year which is greater than a fifth of the average annual increase of 2.8% since 1995. There are twenty-three percent and twelve percent women in the nation’s population of probationers and parolees, respectively. Adults on probation are composed of fifty-five percent white, thirty percent black and thirteen percent Hispanic while those on parole have forty-one percent white, forty percent black, and eighteen percent Hispanic. Convicts released from prison because of parole board decision dropped to thirty-one percent from fifty percent in 2005, while compulsory discharge based on a constitutional prerequisite turn into fifty-one from a previous record of forty-five percent. Since 1995 to 2005, forty-five percent of the parolees completed their terms and conditions while thirty-eight percent were returned to jail, and eleven percent of them escaped. As of 2001, fifteen US states and the federal government had abolished parole programs[15]. Even with probation and parole programs, the number of offenders is still increasing. Law-breakers are everywhere and the governments of different states and countries never stop in seeking for the resolution for this problem. Aside from probation and parole, petitions for pardons and a death penalty charge has been passed to the government and is being implemented to some states and countries. But then, overcrowding in jail or prison is still the greatest challenge to the correctional institution.[16] Probation and parole are both implemented so that an offender may still have the chance to live in the community, though under supervision but at least free from the cold bars of jail, while still paying for the crime that he committed proving he is capable of obeying the law and abiding the society’s norms. As Augustus said, every person has the right for second chances. Not because an individual made a mistake once, he should be punished for the rest of his life. The driving force that pushed him to do such criminal acts should be changed and rehabilitated to prevent more serious crimes in the future.   But before a privilege is granted, everything must first undergo the legal process. References: Law Library-American Law and Legal information::Crime and Justice Vol.3 retrieved July 2, 2007 from http://law.jrank.org/pages/1817/Probation-Parole-History-Goals-Decision-Making-Origins-probation-parole.html Encyclopedia of Everyday Law retrieved July 3, 2007 from http://law.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/probation-and-parole http://www2.state.tn.us/bopp/bopp_faq.htm http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/parole-and-probation.html http://www.hmichaelsteinberg.com/probationparole.htm http://www.michigan.gov/corrections/0,1607,7-119-1435,00.html Stephen Rodriguez and Associates. http://www.probationviolationattorney.com/ U.S. Department of Justice  Ã‚ ·Ã‚  Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pandp.htm [1] http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/parole-and-probation.html [2] http://law.jrank.org/pages/1817/Probation-Parole-History-Goals-Decision-Making-Origins-probation-parole.html [3] http://law.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/probation-and-parole [4] http://www2.state.tn.us/bopp/bopp_faq.htm [5] http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/parole-and-probation.html [6] http://www.hmichaelsteinberg.com/probationparole.htm [7] http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/parole-and-probation.html [8] http://www.hmichaelsteinberg.com/probationparole.htm [9] Law Library-American Law and Legal information::Crime and Justice Vol.3 retrieved July 2, 2007 from http://law.jrank.org/pages/1817/Probation-Parole-History-Goals-Decision-Making-Origins-probation-parole.html [10] http://law.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/probation-and-parole [11] Encyclopedia of Everyday Law retrieved July 3, 2007 from http://law.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/probation-and-parole [12] http://www.probationviolationattorney.com [13] http://www.probationviolationattorney.com [14] http://law.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/probation-and-parole [15] http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pandp.htm [16] Encyclopedia of Everyday Law retrieved July 3, 2007 from http://law.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/probation-and-parole

Neal Stephensons Snow Crash Essay -- Neal Stephenson Snow Crash Essay

Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash In Snow Crash, a novel by Neal Stephenson, Stephenson examines how expanding technology affects a society. He introduces us to a world where a computer virus is altering people's minds, and where they have no control over themselves. He vividly describes how Hiro, the protagonist, must fight the virus to save the future of the world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Technology is expanding everyday. Our society has grown and expanded and has become extremely powerful because of new technologies. People are learning how to use computers in place of their tasks. The Internet is a prime example is of expanding technology. One can obtain yesterday's and today's news, listen to music, talk to a friend over seas, view pornography, and countless other things in the privacy of one's home via the Internet. There is no way to really regulate what is on the Internet. Essentially, the government has no place on the Internet. This world is free of from laws. As society moves closer to advanced technology, the government becomes removed. There is no way for them to regulate society's actions once everything is computer based. In Snow Crash, Stephenson creates the Metaverse. In this society no laws exist.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hiro, the Protagonist, is the narrator of the novel. As Hiro tells the story, there is no form of government anymore. The government has long been over, and has been replaced by individual corporations with their own sets of rules. There were many corporations, Mr. Lee's Greater Hong Kong being one of them, where one could be a citizen and apply for a passport. Mr. Lee owned franchises in Hong Kong and people needed a passport in order to get into Greater Hong Kong (p.99). Information was vital to these corporations. Mr. Lee's Greater Hong Kong asked people to share information with them if the person decided to join the corporation and become partners (p.99). Hiro worked for the CIC (Central Intelligence Agency), where he got interesting information-gossip, videotape, audiotape, or a computer disc concerning different corporations. Large corporations, or any person interested in something he found, paid him for use of the information and used it to their advantag e (p.22).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As well as working for he CIC, Hiro is a freelance hacker. He is one of the creators of the Metaverse. The Metaverse is "virtual reality." People here are represented by a pie... ... the Internet, you can have an e-mail address which can essentially take the place of regular mail as well as the telephone. With all the technology today, the Internet is still off-limits to certain people. Everyone does not own a computer and because of this, everyone is not computer literate. Mostly middle and upper class people have their own laptops, or computers, and are able to pay for Internet service. Other people, like student's who use their schools computers or people who go to libraries, are forced to use whatever equipment is available, which is, in most cases, not top of the line and sometimes may or may not have the Internet. Soon this world will be computer-based and if you do not have your own computer or at least access to one, you will be behind. The Internet is an important part of computers considering the many uses it offers. Stephenson foretells how the future for today could be if we allow all these new technologies to take over our lives. Everyone must learn how to incorporate new technology into their lives without letting it consume them, even though it will still consume many. Once it consumes you , you are pretty much a victim of Snow Crash.

Company Fairwood

The introduction, Section 1 , is followed by the Method section which describes how the research was conducted. The results of the research are presented in sections, Results and Discussion. The Conclusion is a summary of the results which were found. 1. 2. -aground about Fair-wood- Firewood pursuing a â€Å"customer first, people-oriented† concept, listen carefully to the needs of customers, close to the diet trend in product innovation and continuous improvement, committed to providing quality and price of popular foods. With the intention of service and convenience stores, o provide customers happy dining experience.To enhance the brand image and competitiveness, Firewood in November 2003 costing HOOK $ 15 million were 360 0 reforms big action, creating a new brand image, including the replacement of the trademark, as well as innovative operations, restructuring and upgrading in-store men us environment. Famous designer Mr.. Chin Yoking more Firewood design a â€Å"leap in to the sky humanoid doll† as the new brand logo, feeling energetic, highly motivated, so that customers feel young Firewood vitality, innovation and fun image. In addition, Firewood invited two internationally renowned interior designer Mr..Liana Chitin and Mr.. Moratoria Christine pass hand in hand surgeon for Fair-wood's branch redesign, renovation and every three years thereafter to inject new elements. Firewood is Hong Gong's first fast food chain stores invite professional composers creative background music, but the first implementation of a â€Å"comprehensive smoking† policy, entered into a new standard for the fast food industry in the branch. Firewood has always been â€Å"customer first†, has introduced innovative products, quality ingredients carefully selected to enhance food quality.Ace mix more than 30 kinds of products, including spices, â€Å"A living curry†, a record level Of rich and unique taste; taste tomato sauce and use provoke high gluten pasta boiled â€Å"Extra Virgin Olive Oil Pasta Series,† and â€Å"baked pig Grilled rice â€Å"and† corn Roil meal. † Other innovations include â€Å"point not even drop MS† series, â€Å"grilled thick-cut black dolphin†, Japanese Ramee, etc. , to creativity is committed to meet the needs of customers. Services, Firewood pioneered the â€Å"personal service† so there is a need of the customer to enjoy room service.In addition, also implemented in all outlets â€Å"Accessibility Services†, adding removable seats and ramps, provided on behalf of other intimate meal and room service. For the practice of â€Å"people-oriented† concept, the Group in addition to continue to recruit outstanding talents, nurture a caring culture, offers a number of benefits for existing employees, such as children's education fund, the purpose is to build a happy team, and create a fun dining experience, the â€Å"eat too Happy â€Å"mission to bring customers. Contribute to the community has always been one big happy corporate focus.Therefore, launched the â€Å"S 4 happy meal† campaign to benefit the needy, also held â€Å"Merry Fun Day† and â€Å"Charity Christmas party† to increase communication with community residents, promote social harmony and the spirit of helping each other, practice â€Å"Fresh happy, wonderful in† corporate mission. With â€Å"people† oriented We attach importance to communication between employees, care for each and every employee the ability to obtain satisfaction on the job, Establish continuous learning and improvement culture, providing a growing and learning space for every employee.Food was happy to be wonderful. † We are committed to creating fun dynamic work environment, with the establishment of â€Å"happy team†, the introduction of flexible working hours, to encourage employees to strike a balance in work and life, Our caring staff, payment of a special holiday gift, but also actively organize various recreational activities, such as: Merry giant sound, autumn barbecue, quarterly dinners, birthday parties, etc. From the establishment of happy team spirit and strengthen the sense of belonging to employees of the company. The opportunity to focus on individual play We passed a fair assessment, encourage employees to continue to learn and develop their potential and self-enhancement and, For outstanding employee reward and promotion opportunities, the fastest available 1. 5 years promoted from junior positions to store management.Improve job training We offer a complete range of diverse classroom and professional skills training, Encourage employees to lifelong learning, constantly absorbing new knowledge and enhance their professional skills, their talents, through continuous improvement and learning, get more rapid growth and rumination, For employees to make clear promotion ladder, clear and viable career deve lopment prospects.The award-winning Firewood received the following recognition and certainly in talent development and staff training: ERP â€Å"Manpower Development Scheme† Excellent Employer Award Distinguished Family-Friendly Employers â€Å"Caring† International Day of the 18 districts caring employer Training spirit – â€Å"Fresh happy, live a wonderful, Firewood† Training of personnel is the most important one Firewood ring, â€Å"continuous learning, development and self-enhancement potential and† is the goal of our velveteen team.To this end, the Group is committed to organizing in service training program for potential employees to provide diversified learning opportunities to equip individuals can play an unlimited potential. To help employees meet the challenges ahead, we have designed different job training, aspiring to broaden their horizons and enhance the confidence of employees to participate in order to absorb the required knowled ge, Prepare for future promotion.Promotion ladder We through various training courses to provide advancement opportunities or staff to learn more about food production, customer service, expertise in- store health management, improve management capabilities. Promotion ladder courses ; 360 c comprehensive management course ; youth Management Course ; shop management training Skills upgrading training ; sales skills ; meal catering English response to training SF posts ; job skills certification To explore the potential of staff and the development of personal self- director.Every year we held: ; internal competition: [trials] most tip of the ring, some fighting Chefs ; provide scholarships to potential employees omelet management capabilities outside the course of professional organizations Value-added training To have caused to enhance the professional skills of the staff arrangements involved in cognitive Professional Certificate courses, including: ; catering computer unit certifi cate courses ; minority employees Cantonese training courses ; Health Manager ; Diploma in Business Management 2.Why we choose this company? We chose this business because it's a well-known catering enterprises, of which a fast food store location is adjacent to our school sites, when we were n the field to collect data, can more convenient, and easy to collect detailed and the accuracy Of the data, so finally be able to successfully complete the report. 2. 1. Aim Firewood aims to establish a â€Å"happy team† so happy, happy employees will bring customers and dedication to bring customers a pleasant dining experience.Group and staff work closely together, with the practice of â€Å"eating too happy ; be wonderful† corporate mission. 2. 2. Operating guideline The management advocates balance between work and life, the introduction f flexible working hours, while employees hold different types of activities to strengthen employees' sense of belonging to the Group. Group offers comprehensive in-service training programs for staff to enhance their professional skills and further develop their talents.The Group also provides a lot of opportunities for promotion and attractive incentives to reward performance excellence. 2. 3. Pros & Cons Firewood is a large chain of fast food restaurants. Pros are with â€Å"people† oriented, â€Å"eating too happy to be wonderful,† focuses on individual play opportunity and improve job training. T need to improve the way people with disabilities to buy fast food, they can not require the help of other people can buy the fast food. The Fast Food Shop of the environment and facilities, can to facilitate disabled access.The Fast food shop of the equipment, so that they can easily enjoy better food in the shop. They really provide to a fast food shop accessible services. 3. Suggestion Human resources are one of the Group's core assets. Labor shortage is one of the main challenges that the industry is curre ntly facing and it is increasingly difficult to recruit experienced staff. To tackle this issue, Firewood has to step up efforts to attract talented workers by offering comprehensive staff development programs. 4. Method 4. Secondary source Some internet resources from Google together with data from recent reports from Government of Hong Kong were used as references. Online information was found with the most common Google tools. Their opinions and support provided valuable data for this report. There are 4 articles cited in the report. The 4 articles were useful to make the report easy to understand. It contains the questionnaire. Elect the internet search to finish my questionnaire. 4. 2 Primary sources 5. 2. 1 Subjects 20 local Hong Kong people were selected to answer the questionnaires.The respondents were aged from 20-50. No young children were interviewed, because most of them depend on their parents. Most are student in ours class Holmes Institute University. 4. 2. 2 Question naire The development of the questionnaire was multistage process in which a general theme was first given to each group. Each group brainstormed the theme to find a suitable subtitle for each member. Then, a first draft of the questionnaire was developed with some basic information. The basic information was found the internet.

Brand Management Across Geographic Boundaries and Market Segments Essay

Apple’s encouragement of differentiation between product designs and its promotion of secrecy around new product launches heightens the Apple mystique. These create the Apple â€Å"halo effect,† where a buyer of one Apple product has a high probability of returning to Apple for other products as well. Apple’s has emphasized its unique retail stores through design for several of its flagship locations as well as tailoring the retail experience to include product â€Å"test drives†, classes and workshops geared teaching users about its products. With relatively light presence in lower-margin, higher-growth geographic areas, Apple will experience less of its halo effect and reduced product/brand recognition, lowering sales potential. With China and India estimated to make up about 66% of PC market growth through 2010, this could be a significant challenge for Apple. Competition Against the Mac: Apple’s position is improving in the worldwide PC market; the Mac still represents a small fraction of the overall PC market. Apple enjoys a unique advantage of having something of a niche market without needing to compete directly with Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ) and Dell (DELL) and Microsoft (MSFT) operating systems for enterprise endorsement. Against the iPod: Although Apple remains the industry leader in PMPs, the competition is making significant gains. The popularity of flash-based PMPs is problematic for Apple, which has much stronger market presence in hard-drive based (HDD) players. To combat this, Apple may release a new flash-based line of players. Apple in the Living Room Apple’s iPod and iTunes are a powerful combination that fosters a network style of increasing returns. By selling iPods, Apple increases the consumer demand for music from iTunes. By placing more musical choices on iTunes there is more demand for iPods. Apple is shooting for the digital living room of the future. For example, Apple just released a â€Å"boom box† portable version of the iPod. This comes with a remote control. Apple is clearly trying to develop a stronger core competency in the entertainment area. Style at a Premium Apple’s products are trendy and stylish. After Jobs returned in 1997, Apple retained a special designer called Jonathan Ive to differentiate their computers. Ive’s design of the iMac included clear colorful cases that distinguished Apple computers. Apple positions its Macintosh computers as higher quality and higher price. HP, Dell, and other PC manufacturers are pricing many systems. Although the Mac Mini is a base model with few features, it comes in a very small and distinctive package. Apple portrays this computer as â€Å"Small is Beautiful†. (Apple) Likewise, the iPod Shuffle was Apple’s first entry of flash-memory-based portable music players. Apple and the Digital Lifestyle Apple not only dominates the music player market, its iLife suite provides consumers with easy-to-use software for music and video composition. With â€Å"podcast† a household word, Apple’s Garage Band application makes the recording of podcasts and music very easy. Operating Segments Apple breaks its sales into five â€Å"operating segments†. The chart below shows the sales by segment for each year 2002-2005. On a percentage basis, only the retail segment appears to be outperforming the others. Differentiation Apple pioneered the PDA market by introducing the Newton in 1993. Later, Apple introduced the easy-to-use iMac in 1998, and updates following 1998. In 2001, Apple hit another important historical point by launching iTunes. This marked the beginning of Apple’s new strategy of making the Mac the hub for the â€Å"digital lifestyle†. Apple then opened its own stores, in spite of protests by independent. Then Apple introduced the iPod, central to the â€Å"digital lifestyle† strategy. Philip W. Schiller, VP of Worldwide Product Marketing for Apple, stated, â€Å"iPod is going to change the way people listen to music.† He was right. Apple continued their innovative streak with advancements in flat-panel LCDs for desktops in 2002 and improved notebooks in 2003. In 2003, Apple released the iLife package, containing improved versions of iDVD, iMovie, iPhoto, and iTunes. Apple continued its digital lifestyle strategy by launching iTunes Music Store online in 2003, In 2003, Apple released the world’s fastest PC (Mac G5).