...who is at the start of Weight Watchers in 1963, when she decided to invite her friends to hers in order to give them the possibility to lose weight "together". From there, the first Weight Watchers meeting was born. Quickly, the reputation of this program was spreading across the United States. It made thousands of followers. By 1970 it spread on to Germany, the first European country to import the Weight Watchers diet. In 1973, it followed by France and Switzerland and Belgium in 1974. The company is now present in forty countries across the world and hasn’t said its last word. In 1978, the company was sold to the famous U.S. food group H. J. Heinz until 1999, best known for the manufacture of ketchup and canned food. Since 2001, it went public and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Weight Watchers program, in addition to the weekly meetings that have been develop in all countries where it operates, brand extension of products created under the logo of the brand through partnerships (105 products from 12 different categories in 2011). In 1993, Weight Watchers has developed additional services, including concept correspondence "Weight Watchers at home." But the revolution came in the 2000s with the development of the Internet, which hasn’t escaped to Weight Watchers. Weight Watchers International is the global leader in weight management services, operating in all the market through a network of owned and franchised. Weight Watchers holds about 50,000 meetings...
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...Weight Loss and Modern Technology For over forty years, the Weight Watchers organization has devoted itself to the helping people lose weight in a manner that was safe, practical, and manageable. Beginning in September of 1961 by a single woman in Queens, New York, the company has grown from a small, individual program to becoming the “global leader in weight management services, providing 50,000 Weight Watchers meetings each week in countries all over the world” (Weight Watchers International, Inc., 2013). Back in the sixties, the Weight Watchers program was provided face to face; individuals attended weekly meetings with peers. Today, the program has expanded to offer a wider variety of tools and options for members; members can attend meeting, access and use the Weight Watchers program online, and, most recently, the official Weight Watchers Smart Phone App. Accommodating Busy Lifestyles with Modern Technology For many years, those who wanted to participate in the Weight Watchers program only had the option of attending the weekly, in-person meetings. While those able to attend usually were able to find success with the program, it left a gap for those with busier lifestyles on the go. Those with full-time jobs could not stop their work day to go to physical meetings. With the development of electronic commerce, or E-commerce, companies had the option to offer their information, products and services through computer networks, including the internet (Rainer Jr. & Cegielski...
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...“Now that’s enough weight to qualify for gastric bypass surgery if you want, but I hesitate to recommend that to my patients. A lot of times – insurance won’t cover it and if you don’t change your eating habits, you’ll just end up gaining the weight right back. My recommendation is to join a local gym and find some type of weight loss support group. I’ve heard that Weight Watchers is a great inexpensive plan that works for some people and weight loss is sometimes easier if you have someone working with you. Without that, there is not going to be a whole lot I can do to make you feel better. Unfortunately, there is not a magic pill to stop the damage all of that additional weight is doing to your body. At this point, it is all up to...
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...Weight Watchers vs. Jenny Craig Tuesdays & Thursday Honors 1:00 PM Question 1: When first considering which diet plan to choose, a consumer must recognize their need; in this case our need is to lose weight. This serves as both a functional and psychological need. Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers both provide the functional need to help you satisfy your hunger while facilitating weight loss in a healthy manner. When it comes to our psychological needs, we want the personal gratification of losing weight and looking more attractive. The marketers for Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers show advertisements that portray their customers as fit, attractive and happier as a result of their weight loss program. We see this and immediately want those results that are associated with that program. Marketers will also use celebrity endorsements to sell their program and try to influence the consumer’s needs. Once we, the consumer, have recognized a need, the next step is to search for information. This search is both internal and external. For our internal search we might ask ourselves, “What do I know about weight loss programs?”. Additionally we will do an external search by researching the programs online, visits to their actual locations, or asking our friends and family for information. In this step, the consumer will weigh the perceived benefits against the perceived costs (See question two). Marketers have influence over this search for information by having websites, salespeople...
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...RUNNING HEAD: Menu of Changes at Applebee’s Menu of Changes at Applebee’s Marketing Management Situational Analysis While their menu changes from region to region to accommodate the tastes of people in different parts of the country, it is still a mostly "American" menu with large portions. Usually the menu consists of such items as spinach and artichoke dip, fried chicken, different types of steaks, salads, as well as hamburgers, French fries, ice cream and apple pie. These are different types of foods from those offered by Chili's, and they promote more of a small town family feeling as compared to Chili's party mood. Atmosphere is another characteristic that shows how Applebee's is a small town restaurant and Chili's is a party restaurant. For example, it can be seen that Applebee's strives to be a hometown restaurant bar and grill. Applebee's likes to call itself a "neighborhood" place to go. In order to enhance the small town neighborhood image, Applebee's uses light pinewoods for trim for the tables, bench seats, and chairs. The booths are roomy to accommodate lots of people. Free balloons are offered to kids in the restaurant as well, further promoting the neighborhood feel. In general it can be said that Applebee's atmosphere is that of a small town, neighborhood, and family restaurant. External Environmental Analysis (outside the organization) Economic According to restaurant.org, restaurant-industry sales are forecast to advance 3.9 percent in 2010...
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...plan affects a company’s business by giving its employees a basic guideline and creates a standard in specific areas. Contracts can also benefit businesses in assisting them with the assurance that they are following specific legal responsibilities in the case of regulatory compliance. A contract is usually very specific and prescribes individuals with a tool to conduct business to ensure a minimal amount of conflict with other partners within the business or with outside sources that are involved with the business. Contracts can also give specific guidelines when it comes to ADR. In the event of a conflict, ADR alternatives can be agreed upon by both parties and detailed in the contract. Contracts keep both parties best interests in mind when dealing with profit, conflict, and any other uncompromising situations that may arise. The contract also often spells out exactly who will be responsible for fees if litigation or an ADR are needed. A contract administration plan is a road map to ensure that all involving parties receive all that they bargained for from outside contractors. Developing a quality contract administration plan is essential for a good contract administration. Contracts may be complex or simple; in either case, a contract administration plan should focus on major contract output and best practice methodologies for analyzing contract performance. It helps to increase the quality of a contractors work and reduce the ambiguity between the contracted parties. Some...
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...rP os t 4183 APRIL 14, 2010 JOHN A. QUELCH HEATHER BECKHAM op yo Metabical: Pricing, Packaging, and Demand Forecasting for a New Weight-Loss Drug In April 2008, after 10 years of testing and $400 million in research and development costs, Cambridge Sciences Pharmaceuticals’ (CSP) newest prescription drug, Metabical (pronounced Mehtuh-bye-cal), was about to receive its coveted Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. CSP was an international healthcare company with over $25 billion in sales in 2007. The company, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing, manufacturing, and marketing products that treated metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, and immune deficiencies, as well as other chronic and acute medical conditions. Metabical was part of a strategic initiative that would allow CSP to enter the $3.74 billion market for weight-control products in the United States.1 tC CSP’s chief marketing officer, Bernard Long, said of the new product: No Metabical is revolutionary. It will be the first and only prescription drug to receive FDA approval to meet the needs of the millions of individuals struggling with moderate weight-loss goals. Previous prescription weight-loss drugs had negative side effects that, in the agency’s judgment, outweighed the benefits provided to individuals who were not considered obese. Metabical will be approved for use by those looking to shed between 10 to 30 pounds. Initial reviews...
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...people on diets in the United States with dieters making four to five attempts at weight loss per year. The video also states that there is approximately $20 billion dollars in annual revenue in the weight loss industry, including diet books, diet drugs, and weight loss surgeries. Even though bariatric surgery is dangerous, it is comparable in cost and effectiveness to commercial diets, with proven, lasting results. According to the Obesity Action Coalition, “obesity is a rising health epidemic in our country”. More than 93 million Americans are affected by obesity, with an estimated 9 million considered severely obese. Over two-thirds (68.8 percent) of adults are considered to be overweight. Overweight is defined as more than normal in body weight after adjustment for height, body build, and age, or 10% to 20% above the person’s ideal weight, or having a body mass index (BMI) between 25.0 and 29.9. More than 1 in 20 (6.3 percent) adults are considered severely or morbidly obese. The prevalence of obesity is similar for both men and women (about 36 percent). About 3 of every 4 men are considered overweight or obese. Approximately 8 percent of women are considered severely or morbidly obese. Obesity is defined as an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an individual’s ideal body weight, whereas, severe or morbid obesity is defined as a person who is 100% over their ideal weight for their height, gender, and age. Severe or morbid obesity is a chronic condition...
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...that there are numerous events when weight reduction pills are a piece of it. These pills can be instrumental in helping you lose the weight that has been inching on to you over a broadened timeframe, and you will find that it can be a piece of a weight reduction arrangement, much the same as a superior activity program. When you are hoping to utilize weight reduction pills, you'll see that they can supplement a decent practice program, yet you need to consider whether not they are sheltered. Some weight reduction pills contain just home grown or regular fixings. These work by controling the hunger and some additionally incorporate dietary supplements and multi-vitamins which can mentally help a weight watcher. Notwithstanding the weight reduction pills, the health food nut should watch what they eat, ensure their...
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...Annual survey report 2010 Resourcing and talent planning Contents Summary of key findings Resourcing strategies and objectives Recruitment difficulties Graduate recruitment Attracting and selecting candidates Resourcing in turbulent times Diversity Workforce planning Labour turnover Employee retention Recruiting employees Resourcing strategies and objectives Recruitment difficulties Graduate recruitment Attracting candidates Selecting candidates Recruitment costs Resourcing in turbulent times The impact of the economic climate on resourcing Views on the employment market Implications for talent management Diversity Workforce planning Managing labour turnover Cost of labour turnover Retaining employees Looking forward Recommendations Background to the survey Demographics Labour turnover Note on statistics and figures used Further sources of information Acknowledgements Endnotes 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 7 8 10 10 14 14 16 16 22 24 26 28 28 30 31 32 32 32 33 34 35 36 Resourcing and talent planning 2010 1 Summary of key findings The 2010 Resourcing and Talent Planning survey (formerly the Recruitment, Retention and Turnover survey) contains valuable information on current and emerging trends in people resourcing practice. This annual benchmarking survey is based on 480 respondent organisations from the UK and relates to the period 1 January to 31 December 2009. The year was a challenging one for many organisations as the UK experienced its worst recession since...
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...Natural Weight Loss Made Attainable Losing weight can be a hard goal to keep for a lot of people. Most begin with a burning fervor only to end up with double their weight. The direction by which the efforts are placed with regard to weight loss should be properly established. Intoxicating your body or gobbling up diet pills could lead to harmful consequences, therefore, one should find healthier, more natural weight loss methods to solve their weight dilemma. ‘Wanna Lose Weight? Hydrate. Drinking ample water is probably the simplest way that you can suppress your appetite and eventually lose weight. Water does not just hydrate your body, it also aids in facilitating digestion. A recent study also discovered that drinking water 30 minutes...
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...international health care company. Their focus is on developing, manufacturing and marketing products that treat various diseases. They want to enter the market for weight-control products in the US. Metabical was part of a strategic initiative that allows CSP to enter $3.74 billion market for weight control products in the United States. Metabical’s competitors are Alli and Xenical and are FDA approved. In utilizing the SWOT analysis, it was determined Metabical had positive results in the clinical trials and is decent in comparison to other competitors in the market place. It also has dual layer controlled release formulation. Opportunities for this product would be a potential large market, constant rise of obese adults and a substitute for other weight loss methods. “In principle, Metabical would be attractive to all overweight individuals” however, Barbara Printup established a more focused plan of approach: First, the approach completed by Printup is the forecasted demand by considering the number of overweight individuals in the United States and focusing down that population to those who were actively trying to lose weight. She felt those potential users should be narrowed to the 15% of those who were comfortable with weight-loss drugs. Second, she specified consumer interest in a prescription weight-loss drug for the overweight and saw that 12% were ready to go to their health care provider to request a prescription. Third, she surveyed the target market....
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...Functions of Management United Health group is a major insurance company that provides medical and mental health coverage to its consumers. The organization manages Medicaid and Medicare accounts as well as commercial accounts from employers. Providing healthcare insurance is a competitive job, therefore, the management of the organization has to use the four functions of management to remain in the competition. The four function of management are planning, organizing, leading and controlling. In this paper, we will discuss the four functions of management and how it relates to the organization. The four functions of management is planning, organizing, leading and, controlling. Planning is for the goals of the organization, planning sets the stage for action and major achievements. Organizing is assembling and coordinating human, financial resources needed to achieve the goals. This could be organizing activities such as grouping jobs into work units, marshaling and allocating resources and creating conditions so that people and things work together to achieve maximum success. Leading is stimulating people to be high performers. Leading can take place in departments, teams as well as divisions. By encouraging high performers, you are increasing their inner moral, making them feel and believe they can complete their goals rather it is individual goals that coincide with the organization’s goals. Another management function is controlling, managers make sure the...
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...Youth, Identity and consumption The body is a topic of much discussion within society at the moment with focus on media and consumer consumption. This has brought to light a range of issues surrounding the body, and literature from decades ago have been looked at and performed in a modern light to produce up to date research on the body. This body project gives me an opportunity to not only understand myself about body sculpting, but allow a better understanding on the literature and provide additional evidence that will either support or reject themes and theories in this chosen topic. My choice to choose the topic of dieting for this body project was an easy one to make. From the age of about fifteen I have been conscious of my weight despite being told ‘you aren’t fat,’ and ‘you don’t need to diet.’ These comments were not enough to deter me not to take up different dieting techniques and phases of exercising however more times than not I would fail at reaching my targets. I therefore saw this opportunity as a way to try again as the pressure of keeping a diary and writing up on it may encourage me to maintain it for longer than my previous attempts. I find the topic of dieting very interesting not just in terms of myself but also in terms of society as a whole. After researching this topic of interest and not realising it myself but dieting has a significant association with the increased risk of not only binge eating but also purging behaviours (Jones, Bennett, Olmsted...
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...advertising has on a woman’s self-esteem as well as her self-image. It has become a cultural idea for women to have thin, curve-free bodies, which cause women who do not fit the image to feel body dissatisfaction along with an importance of the woman’s weight leading her toward depression. Though men can be effected by the stereotypes of body images, it is higher amongst women (Rizon and Fallon, 1988). How Media Portrays the Thin-Ideal The media portrays the thin-ideal through many different aspects. It almost always uses a communicator (the person who is used to relay the message of how thin is the best body image), a message (this is different depending on the type of media used), the channel (which is also different depending on what message the communicator is trying to portray), and finally the audience (who the communicator desires to reach through his or her message using a specific channel). An example of this type of media would be a Weight Watchers commercial. Recently, they have begun to use Jennifer Hudson as a spokesperson, or in social psychology terms, the communicator. She uses Weight Watchers as her channel to reach her audience of young females struggling to lose weight. Her message is clear, using the Weight Watchers program will help women to go from looking the way she once looked, overweight, and become thin and beautiful as...
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