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Expected Behavior of an NCO and how it differs from being lower enlisted
Expected Behavior of an NCO and how it differs from being lower enlisted
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Non-commissioned Officers (NCO) are enlisted soldiers of rank E-4 and above. A non-commissioned officer is not considered to be in command. He receives his authority from a commissioned officer (HAD, 2002). NCOs are the mid rank people in almost all military branches, for instance, the air force. They are senior enlisted who have risen through the ranks out of experience. They do not go through the officer training school. For a non-commissioned officer to reach a position of power in the military, he has to have many years of experience. One has to rise through the various enlisted ranks. On most occasions, sergeants and corporals are non-commissioned officers. This may also differ depending on how the military is organized.
Non-commissioned officers play a very crucial role in the everyday running of the military. They are considered to be the framework on which the rest of the military is built. They serve as the link between commissioned officers and the lower enlisted officers (HAD, 2002). The senior officers in the military depend on NCOs to get information concerning important issues that affect the rest of the military. This is important considering that the military setting discourages interaction between commissioned and enlisted officers. Hence the military depends on the non-commissioned officers to link the two sections. Other than linking officers with servicemen, Non-commissioned officers also carry out a number of other tasks. These include tasks like filling, coming up with a schedule for the servicemen and other administrative duties.
Other than administrative non-commissioned officers also offers also offer a lot of valuable advice to their seniors (EPC, 1984). This is because most of the non-commissioned officers have vast experience and are fairly well trained. While most commissioned officers are well educated, most of them do not have enough field experience. Non-commissioned officers on the other hand, have vast field experience as they rise through the ranks out of experience. Hence, they advise the commanding officers on several issues pertaining command. Though non-commissioned officers do not attend officer training, they are an important resource in the military.
Due to the important role non-commissioned officer’s play in the military, they are expected to display a certain type of behavior. They are expected to behave in a manner that shows professionalism and one that earns the military respect across the world. The expected behavior is laid down in the NCOs code of conduct (HDA, 2002).
Whenever duty demands the non-commissioned officers must do their job with precision. This is because NCO is considered to be the backbone of the military and are the usually the best trained among the enlisted soldiers (EPC, 1984). The non-commissioned officers just like all other military men are expected to observe military values to the best of their ability. These values are designed to develop and ensure discipline within the force. The non-commissioned officers are expected to do the right thing despite difficulties. One has to show these values in both actions and words.
One trait that all Non-commissioned officers must display in their behavior is loyalty. In all a non-commissioned officer does, he has to abide by the laws of the land and be loyal to his country (HAD, 2002). He also must be loyal to his unit and to fellow soldiers. One must stand with his soldiers at all times and understand when they make mistakes. Every NCO must understand that he and his soldiers are part of a bigger mission. For this reason he must carry himself in a manner that will help the military accomplish its goals. One should commit himself to executing decisions made by his superiors as opposed to passing them down to his soldiers or discussing them with peers. In the military loyalty is considered to be a very important asset hence one is expected to show loyalty to the force in everything they do.
A non-commissioned officer is expected to behave responsibly when carrying out his duties. One is expected to the right thing no matter how difficult it might be. One is expected to do the right thing even when no one else is watching (HAD, 2002). An NCO is expected to handle each situation as it demands and accept the responsibility for his actions no matter the outcome. One is expected to put the interests of the nation and his mission ahead of his personal safety. Even is absence of a senior officer to give orders, an NCO is expected to behave in such a way that he fulfils his professional obligations.
A non-commissioned officer must behave with respect. This involves treating other people with honor. One has to understand that others in the force are as committed to accomplishing the job at hand as the non-commissioned officer himself is (EPC, 1984). The only difference is that they may have a slightly different way of getting it done. In showing respect, one has to behave professionally and honestly. An NCO is expected to treat other soldiers like mature adults just as he is.
A non-commissioned soldier has to behave with integrity. This means that one is expected to display behavior that is right in terms of the law as well as in terms of morals. An NCO has to avail himself whenever duty calls. One is expected to live by his word without offering scapegoats as to why he cannot deliver what he promised. Behaving with integrity requires that a soldier must acknowledge his mistakes whenever he makes them, without waiting for other people to point them out. One has to live up to the military expectation of being people of integrity. This is besides their technical expertise.
Non-commissioned officers are expected to be brave in the face of danger. Hence one is expected to have a very high degree of perseverance. One is expected to persevere but is not expected to tolerate improper behavior in others. An NCO must in his behavior display courage; both physical courage as well as moral courage. Overcoming physical fear is being courageous in the face bodily harm while moral courage involves doing the right thing even when it’s unpopular EPC, 1984). A non-commissioned officer is not expected to compromise his morals and should hold his position as long as he is convinced that what he stands for is right. In times of danger, one is expected to take the right action and do so immediately. The reasoning behind this is that it can save a lot of lives. Rather than talking of military values, one is expected to take them as his and actually live by them.
An NCO should not quit before he accomplishes his mission. Before commencing on a mission, one must set his mind on it so that once the mission commences, one perseveres till the mission is over (HAD, 2002). His behavior must show his refusal to accept failure. No matter how much effort a mission requires and no matter how long it takes. No matter the situation one must behave with honor and live up to the values of the military.
Lower enlisted are lower rank soldiers, from E1 to E4. They rank lower than commissioned officers and do not go through the officer training college (HDA, 2002). Whereas it is a requirement that an officer holds a bachelors’ degree, there is no such requirement for enlisted soldiers. NCOs are enlisted too only that they rank higher than the lower enlisted. NCOs are senior enlisted. They are mostly more experienced than lower enlisted. For this reason, they are expected to behave more responsibly than junior enlisted. NCO’s hold bigger responsibilities than junior enlisted.
References
Headquarters Department of the Army (2002). The Army Non-commissioned Officer Guide.
Retrieved from http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/fm7_22x7.pdfEthics and Professionalism Committee (1984). The non-commissioned officer and the
professional ethics. Retrieved from http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a100984.pdf
Expectancy Violation Theory
Expectancy Violation Theory
Expectancy Violation Theory of Judee Burgoon deals with violation valence, expectancy, and communicator reward valence. Edward Hall discussed proxemics, which consisted of four personal zones in which the Americans correspond with each other: a) intimate distance b) personal distance c) social distance d) public distance. Each of these have different distances between the sender and receiver of a message. Intimate distance is 0-18 inches, personal distance is 18 inches to 4 feet, social distance is 4 feet to 10 feet, public distance is 10 feet and more, each of these zones are norms for the American society. Burgoon did not argue that there were these “zones” but she believed that by “violating social norms and personal expectancy is a superior strategy to conform” (Griffin 1997). Burgoon believed that there is a time to break these rules. Expectancy is not used in a traditional sense, Burgoon says ” prefer to reserve the term expectancy for what is predicted to occur rather than what is desired” (Griffin 1997).
In expectancy three factors determine how we act. Context, relationship, and communicator are gauges on how we act. Context are culture norms, for each culture has its own set of proxemics. Also context has to deal with the environment that the conversation takes place in. “Relationship factors include similarity, familiarity, liking, and relative status” (Griffin 1997). Burgoon discovered that lower-status people will always tend to keep their distance. Communicator has to deal with personal qualities which include, age, sex, place of birth, appearance, personality and communication style. Violation valence is first evaluated by the receiver then judged on weather we liked it or not. The meaning is not always easy to receive or interpreted, although sometimes it can be very obvious. One ambiguous violation is when a unexpecting touch on the arm can leave one wondering for days if it was “total involvement of conversation, warmth and affection, display of dominance, or a sexual move” (Griffin 1997).
Although it may seem there must be thousands of ambiguous violations, Burgoon has proved it not to be true through the expectation theory. A touch of an arm accompanied by a gaze in ones eyes, with intimate distance, is easily interpreted to be a sign of a sexual move. Communicator reward valence is a term used to “label the results of our mental audit of likely gains and loses” (Griffin 1997). This part of the theory involves the “what can you do for me” also “what can you do to me” (Griffin 1997). The issue of reward potential is prevalent when someone violates our expectancies and there is no explanation of what they have done. Factors that affect what we would do in this situation are: status, ability, good looks, liking, appreciation, and trust.
If a person A finds person B attractive and person B violates person A personal space, person A will be less offended than normal response. There are many tests that show that this theory works in reality. These tests are just one factor that shows this theory as being scientific. Other factors that include it in being scientific are that the theory is practical and also predictable. Traditionally deception was judged by gaze inversion, speech disturbances, postural shifts. If the expectancy violation theory is correct, factors that determine deception should be able to determined in non-verbal communication. Test by Charles Bond prove that the Expectation violation theory is true. First subject where video taped aloud giving responses to questions. Then judges evaluated the tapes, saying weather the subject where telling the truth or lying. The judges came to this conclusion if the subject answered the question quickly or delayed they where perceived to be lying. “If the subject answered with intimidated delay then they where perceived to be telling the truth”(Bond 1992). Then Bond set up a test for non-verbal signs, to tell if deception could be interpreted through body movements.
Strange postures and actions (raising left shoulder to ear, raising hand above head) were videotaped while telling the truth and while lying, also the judges where showed normal behavior in communication. The hypothesis was that the judges would pick out the strange behaviors as being lies. The method included fifty-four undergraduate students, forty-eight which participated in the truth and lie procedure and six subject participated in posed behavior procedure. The lie and truth subjects identified: a) a person they liked b) person they disliked c) a person they liked as if they disliked them d) a person they disliked as if it was a person they liked.(Bond 1992). No behaviors where posed during any of these descriptions. The six other subject participated in the posed behavior procedure describing two people that they liked and disliked. While doing that the subjects were asked to do nothing for one of the two procedure, for the other one they where asked to: a) close there eyes b) raise hand above head c) touch right shoulder to right ear d) raise hand to point at the camera All of these have no reference to deception, although according to expectancy violation theory “weird behaviors are perceived to be more dishonest than normal communication” (Burgoon 1988).
Then the judges saw the videotapes with no sound, first seeing the forty-eight unopposed students followed by the six posed students. The judges had ten seconds to choose if the subjects where telling lies or the truth. Consistent with the expectancy violation theory the subjects that posed were perceived to be telling lies. The judges came to this conclusion that 1/4 of the subjects where telling the truth, 1/4 of the subjects where lying, 1/4 of the subjects where anxious, and 1/4 of the subjects where calm” (Bond 1992). “Most people can barely discriminate lie from truth, where as a few are gifted at lie detection. Perhaps individual differences in lie detection are related to the tendency to infer deceptions from weird behaviors” (Bond 1992). To assess this possibility, testing the subject ability to detect lies was the next experiment. Then the subjects saw a videotape without sound and given false information on what the subjects where saying. Then asked to discriminate truth from lie. Nineteen of the twenty-nine subjects achieved more than 60% accuracy, where as ten of the subjects achieved better than 40% accuracy. “As shown by the correlation analysis, accurate detectors and inaccurate detectors were likely to infer deception from weird behaviors” (Bond 1992).
Bond also did another experiment showing that other cultures could also be used to prove that the expectancy violation theory does work. Bond went to a remote village in India where he paid the subjects to lie in front of a camera and in front of the judges while he had them pose. “If the expectancy violation theory is valid, deception should be attributed to weird behaviors. Even if the people posing these behaviors are telling lies and are motivated the theory should still be true”(Burgoon 1988). This experiment differs from Bonds earlier one in three ways: in the sampling of the subject, in presentation format, and in control procedures. In this experiment a new set of behaviors were added while keeping the previous four things that were said about the non friend, friend in the first experiment. Not knowing it was off camera the Indians where asked to raise their right heel off the ground while lying about two acquaintances (one he like and one he disliked). Then lying about the two other acquaintances, the Indians where asked either to: touch left ear to left shoulder, lift leg and hold parallel to the floor, bend their torsos, touch both hand to bottom of jaw. These poses appeared on the camera and also on audio tape. The judges all agreed that this behavior was weird, and “according to the expectancy violation theory, weird looks should make a person look dishonest”(Bond 1992). This prediction was supported when the judges saw four subject on camera then heard four subjects on the tapes.
The judges came to the conclusion that the people that where on camera where lying more than the subject on the tape. An experiment done by Burgoon to confirm the expectancy violation theory is to prove that interacting with friends and interacting with strangers has stronger reward valence towards friends. Though this may seem to be obvious, to go along with the expectancy violation theory requires taking “evaluations into account” (Burgoon 1988). A significant increase in level of involvement should be regarded as desirable when a friend presented a positive violation, when committed by a stranger and a negative violation should occur. Thus the hypothesis is “friends are perceived as more attractive, more credible , more intimate/similar, non aroused/composed, and immediate relational communication than strangers”(Burgoon 1988). In this experiment Burgoon says “A significant increase in the level of involvement should be regarded as desirable when committed by a friend but possibly excessive and discomforting when presented by a stranger.” The results were tested on a high/ normal/ low rating system of friends. This system was the reward valence system. According to this hypothesis friends where more understanding when they violated what the friend was expecting.
Although friends received immediate relational communication strangers had midpoints. These included attraction, creditability and non-dominant. This initial rating system is not completely correct so the rest of the hypothesis is un-testable. Another test that was done by Burgoon is the “communication effects of gaze behavior.” Gaze is highly ranked among non-verbal cues that carry relationship messages. Even in 1924 Simmel states “Mutual gaze is the most direct form of interaction that exists.” Gaze is important because without looking into people face it is impossible to convey other action that such as, “facial, gastrul and postural communication becomes impossible.” There has been many test that show if looking into people in the eyes when talking, the speaker seem more creditable and on the other hand, not looking at people when talking, gives the impression that they are lying or less creditable. Burgoon also says persuasion can be affected by gaze. To test this Burgoon set up job interviews with high, normal, and low gaze, during the interview. The results came back the people with high or normal gaze got the job more often. Although tests done by Manusov could not prove this to be true and believes “gaze has no likelihood of hiring.” Burgoon and many other found that gender plays an important role in the gaze persuasion. Burgoon conducted a test at a large South-Western university, that involved 87 females and 58 males (145 total).
Three hypothesis where made to determine how gaze affects peoples opinion. Hypothesis one, “Gaze aversion carries more negative relational meaning than do normal or high amounts.” Hypothesis two, “Gaze aversion produces less communication creditability, attraction, and persuasion than normal or high amounts of gaze.” And the final hypothesis “for rewarding communicators, high amounts f gaze produces greater attraction, creditability, and persuasion than normal amounts of gaze.”(Burgoon 1986).The test was “Subjects, serving as interviewers,conducted six-minutes interviews with one of four confederate interviewees who manipulated eye contact (high, normal, and low) and who were attributed to have either strong or weak credentials (high or low reward). Following the videotape interviews, subject completed scales measuring their likelihood of hiring andperception of the interviewee/confederate on creditability, attraction, and relational communication.” (Burgoon 1986, 509). The four confederates, two male and two female, had extensive training in learning confederate script and participating in gaze manipulation, maintaining consistency through out the whole experiment.The test that took place in a one bedroom apartment, was set up with video equipment. When arriving subjects where told they had been randomly assigned the role of an interviewer and the interviewee,who already arrived was filling out an application form.
The subject were then given written “instructions concerning the interview, a one page description of the company, job description itself, and a set of questions to be asked the interviewee.”(Burgoon 1986, 510). The subject then equal amounts of time to look over their instructions. The applications were then rewarded as high or low reward conditions. “The assignment of reward level was random but completely counterbalanced across the gaze conditions and confederates, who were blind to the reward condition” (Burgoon 1986). Then the interview was conducted with the confederates ranging their gaze patterns: a) High- 90% plus, gaze b) Normal- 45-60%, gaze c) low- 10% gaze The results of the test proved hypothesis oneand two were consistent with Burgoons thoughts. Low gaze or gaze aversion yield less favorable in communication than high normal amounts of gaze.In hypothesis three, high gaze was found to have the most favorable “interpretations and consequences.”
The theory of expectancy violation is practical in the real world and applicable for many reasons. This theory helps in how to change your relationship and keep it alive. The breaking of norms, such as getting into the proxemics zones of friends is not always necessarily bad, and can stimulate a friendship. The theory also teaches you not to break the proxemics zones with certain people. The reward valence is practical although sounding shallow, it is true. You are friends with people that can do things for you, although you also do things for you friends. When some one changes their normal response or look at you in an unexpected way, it now can be proven why. Also this theory proves why or why not people do certain body gestures in certain instances.
Dissertation Proposal On Social Network Marketing
Dissertation Proposal On Social Network Marketing
Table of contents
Abstract ……………………………………………………………………..3
Introduction ………………………………………………………………….4
Statement of the problem …………………………………………………….6
Background of study ………………………………………………….….…6
Hypothesis …………………………………………………………..………..8
Methods and procedure……………………………………………….………9
Objective one………………………………………………….………9
Objective two………………………………………………….………10
Objective three……………………………….……………………….11
Objective four…………………………………..…………….………11
Findings …………………………………………….……………..…….……11
Interviews …………………………………..………………….…….12
Statistics ………………………………..……………………..……..14
Analysis …………………………………………..…………………………16
Limitations …………………………………………..………………………20
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..21
References …………………………………………..………………………22
Dissertation proposal
SOCIAL NETWORK MARKETING
Abstract
This project will look at the social network marketing and how it can be used to help businesses. Some of the social networks include: Facebook, Orkut, LinkedIn, MySpace, Friendster, Twitter, Mixx, Flikr, Stumble upon, and Reddit. Combination of both primary and secondary research will be employed to see how social networks have changed our day to day life and also the direction businessmen are taking as a result of the social network. The project will summarize by looking at the way social network is bringing change to the society, especially the way people do business, communication between buyers and sellers, and how the businessmen get to market their products as well as how the buyers are able to know of the products in the market.
Description: I will try to investigate how the society has been transformed by these new technologies especially the social networks. I will look at how people have moved from just looking for information to an extent of participating in the social spaces together with other people through internet. I will also look at effects brought about by social media in business especially in public relations, marketing and advertisements. I will also try to look at how the social network marketing functions and why should use the social networks to market their products.
This will assist in making the conclusion that will summarize the effects of social networks to the society and especially to the business people. I will predict what these changes mean to our culture and the future the business people have if the social network accelerates with the current pace. It will answer the question how the social network marketing is changing the modern society especially the way business is done, and how communication is done between the buyers and sellers.
Introduction
Social marketing has very much integrated itself in day to day activities and especially it has a great impact to the world of marketing, with entrepreneurs and consumers enjoying a lot of benefits as well as changes. It is among the latest tools which are available to the marketing managers today. Some of the most popular and used social networks include: Facebook, Linkedln, Twitter, MySpace among others such as blogs, video promotion found on You tube, email marketing etc. The truth of the matter is that the migration from the traditional marketing to the current internet marketing is a process which has happened over the last decade. However, I intend to look into the difference between the ordinary marketing and the social network marketing, advantages and disadvantages of social network marketing, transformation of the society by social networks as well as its impact on other businesses.
A study has shown that in the United States, for six hundred small business people, about 90% of them are in the social networks.They argue that the method is cheap and very easy to use. It is a method that many have embraced because one can be able to update the business profile in the account regularly. For example, in a restaurant business, one would take photographs of well prepared nice looking food and post them in the account like in Facebook. This will attract many of the people who will see the photos. Also one could take photos of customers being served and many more. For one to use social media to promote his or her business, the following steps are important.
One, look at the business assets and the customers you are targeting. This is important because one might think the people to see the adverts are all interested and potential customers only to be shocked. After this, one can sign up on social media. Like in Facebook, it allows one to make a business page. Read the rules carefully and understand then create the account if the assets of the business can allow doing it. LinkedIn for example allows for every person employed in the business to be an advocate. It is difficult and stressing to manage many social networks and therefore its important to find a manager for your social media such as HootSuite or Ping.fm. . This can be done even before postings and friend requests are done. This gives you a chance to be able to manage all the business accounts in one site and format the messages to send to all without using a lot of time. After one is involved more in the social media, SproutSocial.com is the best manager though at a fee of about nine to forty nine dollars. One is given a grace period of about thirty days to ensure it works well. This one allows one to create the accounts of the business followers where you can manage them in track engagement. The inbox is one for the messages from many networks.
Have information on the social media pages before adding followers and friends. This will make the people you request to view the page and decide whether they would want to follow you. Ensure to entice as many followers by the information. One can post photographs and videos of the business on the page for people to admire them. Start searching for the followers by looking for keywords. Add few people at a time and comment on their posts. One can also start with family members and friends. These are people who cannot let you down. Start to engage the followers and friends for example in conversations and debates. This makes them feel like they already knew you and also it builds trust. The followers get impressed and feel that they would want to work with you.
Statement of the problem
The aim of this project is to look at a new technology that has succeeded its way in the every day lives of human beings especially in work and in business. The presence of social network cannot be denied and its transition has come very drastically. As a result, the fact that it is a very new concept, little research has been done on the concept. This leads to my conclusion that social networks in business are changing.
Historically, social network refers to a social structure made of a group of individuals or organizations and the dyadic ties between them. Today, a new form of social network has been created and has been greatly received. It has become broader to an extent that it has become a necessity in business world. The relevance, quick dissemination and the instantaneous way of taking off of the social network marketing in the business world make it important to investigate it and its effects in the entrepreneurs.
As a business person and a student pursuing business related courses, I have always been encountering the concept of social network marketing and have been trying to do research on how effective it is, as well as the effects it has to the business world. My researches though, have not been very fruitful and therefore want to use this opportunity to explore this concept to the best of my ability. I plan to look into the topics mentioned and the future it holds to the society.
Background of study
Marketers should always be where the potential buyers are and especially on the social network sites. Many marketers have started using the social networks to sell their business products and to have financial freedom. Other than marketing, it also offers services and products to the required audience and gives more benefits when using dialogues as well as personal connections and gain broader audience for the product. Marketing in these sites is quite tricky as online community on social network sites does not like open commercial messages.
There are a lot of active users in sites like Facebook and Twitter. 2.6 billion minutes are used on Facebook on daily bases. Social networking is a rapidly growing phenomenon worldwide. This strengthens trust, relationships, loyalty and also maintains awareness in minds of members of a community. It also provides a unique opportunity for business people to stay close to customers, their worries, desires and also their concerns. Despite the fact that it has all these benefits, building active community would take a lot of time and is difficult even though it is cheap. The alternative method is to connect up in an established community which has great independence. However, social networks are part of the most dynamic dialogue and opportunities that marketers of today enjoy most.
Social networking has several advantages that make it interesting and important marketing tool to be used in any business. It is cheap as compared to other advertising methods. It is also easy to review and record any marketing campaign that makes it easy to critically look at the changes that need changes in the products and services.
On the negative side, social networking has disadvantages. One, the business may be one of the major target for detractors and criticism that would make investors who may be interested in the business venture move back after viewing the criticism. Other disadvantages may include, safety and security of a business, business could be vulnerable to scams and theft as well as the violation of the copyrights. Social networks in general require updating severally and it consumes a lot of time.
Research questions/ Hypothesis
The aim of this dissertation proposal is to look at how the social network marketing helps in effective marketing of a business. Some of the objectives include;
Look at the impact of social network marketing in other businesses.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of social network in business.
Look at how the social network marketing is effective.
Transformation of society by the social networks
Methods and Procedures.
The research methodology explains the activity of the research, proceedings, the ways of measuring progress and the success of the project. It provides the richness of the human knowledge, the tools used to do research and the skills in doing the research. It is a study of a full academic field .It can also be said to be defined as the science which studies how research is done. It is also the way data is collected in projects of research. Many methods are used in the research projects. These vary according to nature, aim and objectives, scope, thesis and sources of data that are used. Some of the methods used in this research are discussed below.
Triangulation
This is the use of several methods both qualitative and quantitative research in studying the same research. It’s a methodology that requires quantitative and qualitative research team to maintain integrity of the methodologies.
Objective one: Look at the impact of social network marketing in other businesses.
Interview will be done to two marketing managers to explain they gained the knowledge of the impact of social network marketing in the businesses. The interviews will be short and personal offering realistic data that will give us detailed information about the first objective, with the hope to obtain first hand knowledge. The questions will be the same to both marketing managers. This is because the reason for an interview is actually straightforward, where the interviewer and the respondent get into an informal conversation about a certain agenda of interest. The interviewer may continue the conversation by picking on the themes and cues coming from the respondent. This means, the respondent gives the direction into which the interview proceeds. Comprehensive information can be got from an interview though the strength of the interview may not be always accurate as interviewees would tend to feel that they are being forced to give better responses. Articles and case studies obtained online will be referred to give an elaborate view on the impact of social network marketing in businesses.
Objective two: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of social network in business.
The best method to use in this objective would be mixing email and personal interviews. The format of questions will be simple, precise and concise, easy to understand so that the respondents do not have problem in giving their answers. About seven questionnaires will be given. Some will be closed while others will be open questionnaires. Closed questionnaires will have a lot of boxes to tick in while the open questionnaires will allow free responses for the respondents use their own words in answering the questions. Other resources like internet, books, case studies and journals will also be used to give more information on the advantages and disadvantages of social network marketing. This is because some people may not give accurate responses especially during the face to face interview.
Objective three: Look at how the social network marketing is effective.
Third objective looks at the effectiveness of the social network marketing. To be able to obtain better outcomes, we use interviews, journals, statistics and books to have a better understanding of the concept. Observation method could be also used could also be used as it provides better information as well as examples illustrating the effectiveness of the social network marketing. It therefore can be used to obtain quantitative data which will be combined to a study of participant observation.
The report has looked at the insights of theoretical outline which makes the essentials of methods used. It explains why the researcher has chosen these research methods and also the use of these methods is appropriate to objectives of the chosen research project. It also shows the evidence of using the secondary data that supports the choice of these methods.
Objective four. Transformation of society by the social networks
The fourth objective looks at how the society has been changed by the social network. We will use interviews, information from journals and books to be able to obtain better results. The interview will be done to two individuals who will explain what they feel the social networks have done to the society.
The Findings.
This is the most important part of the research as it gives chance to discuss the findings that are based on the methods which were used. The findings are obtained from analyzing the statistical data as well as the interviews that were used for research. Some of the important points are connected to the ideas that were in the literature review and the evidence that is got from the research.
Finding obtained from interviews.
Manager, Cumin Restaurant in Nottingham.
Does your business have any profile in any of the social networks?
Manager: Yes I have a personal profile.
Which one?
Manager: I have one on Facebook, and I also realized that a business can have a community page and I made one.
Do you often update the profile?
Manager: I have a web designer who updates the business page once per week.
Does it make any difference in your business?
Manager: Well, it is very new but several customers have given reference from the Facebook. I still believe as time goes, we will get more.
What encouraged you to join Facebook?
Manager: My web designer told me about it and I thought of giving it a trial.
Is there any advantage on the business for using Facebook as compared to other traditional methods?
Manager: The main advantage is that you can make any choice among the ones they have depending with your budget, then make it more effective.
What are the disadvantages of using social networks to a business?
Manager: When negative comments are posted, they are viewed by many people who may tarnish the name of a business. It does not have privacy.
Can you recommend other businessmen to have a profile on the social networks?
Manager: Yes, it is effective as compared to other forms of advertisement.
What effect has the social networks have had to the society?
Manager: It has made the world to be a small village, one is able to chat with people living all over the world, it is also quick method of delivering information.
The Findings from the Email Interview.
Supervisor, Park Plaza Restaurant, Nottingham.
Does your business have any profile in any of the social networks?
Supervisor: Yes, I was given the liberty for making a profile page because it is good for the restaurant.
Which one?
Supervisor: We settled on Facebook.
Do you often update the profile?
Supervisor: I ensure that I ho to the profile on daily bases so that if there are any necessary updates I make them.
Does it make any difference in your business?
Supervisor: It is fun to follow links and this has gained us good publicity. We have not measured the difference but we believe it is doing well.
What encouraged you to join Facebook?
Supervisor: No one encouraged me. I thought about it myself as it is an upcoming trend to have a profile on Facebook and many businesses have done so.
Is there any advantage on the business for using Facebook as compared to other traditional methods?
Supervisor: Yes. It is very cheap, easy to operate and manage, cost effective. They are also very contemporary.
What are the disadvantages of using social networks to a business?
Supervisor: The disadvantages are that it may take time for results to be seen, has no privacy and also people can have fake profiles.
Can you recommend other businessmen to have a profile on the social networks?
Supervisor: Of course yes. They are there to be made use of and be used efficiently as they are cheap and affordable but must be managed well and updated regularly.
What effect has the social networks have had to the society? It is a true revolution. One just needs to be connected and will send information to millions of people from wherever you are.
Data from Global social Media Statistics
The data shows compiled information on online market research and internet statistics. Some of the information obtained is provided below.
Facebook has over three hundred and fifty million users who are active. This has been a big increase from the previous two hundred and fifty million six months ago. Of these, 50% log into Facebook every day. An increase from the previous one hundred and twenty million. About thirty five million of the users usually update their personal profiles every day. Photo uploads have also increased by 100% and above. There are about two billion uploads in the site every month. There are also seventy plus translations found in the Facebook. Each user in Facebook has over one hundred and thirty friends as compared to the year 2009 when they had about one hundred and twenty friends. The number of those people who use mobile phones to access facebook has increased by more than 100%. This is because they have increased from thirty million in the year 2010 to the current over sixty five million users. There are also about four billion pieces with contents such as stories and blog posts which are being shared every week on Facebook. When it comes to business people, more than seven hundred have Facebook accounts. Facebook purpose built pages have created about five billion fans.
Twitter on the other hand has seventy five million accounts. Linkedln has more than fifty million users as well. In Europe alone, there are over eleven million users. India also has over three million users. This has been seen as an increase of about one million members in each month.
Wikipedia has over fourteen million articles. This means that the eighty five thousand contributors have posted more than one million posts in six months time.
About fifteen percent of bloggers use more than ten hours in every week to blog. About seventy percent are always talking about the brands they have on their blog, and thirty eight percent of the bloggers will post new products or brands.
Mobile advertising is also increasing at a very high rate. This is seen especially in countries like Asia and also North America who are leading in mobile advertising. Many people have mobile phones and therefore it is easy to reach them through this method either by sending them short messages or using the social networks like the Facebook, e-mails and Tweeter. The Graph below shows the rate of growth in mobile advertising in various countries, a study carried out from October to December 2009.
Source: Experian Hitwise,2010.
Analysis
We have now been able to collect the primary and the secondary data for this research. The remaining part is now to analyze the data which will be done by looking at each of our objectives and see whether they are in line with our literature review.
Objective one: Look at the impact of social network marketing in other businesses.
It has been proved from the interview and statistics that the social marketing is the best marketing tool for businesses. The traditional methods have been challenged in the past years as many business people opt to advertise their products online. These social networks such as the Facebook, Tweeter and LinkedIn have been said to be the best for marketing. The respondents commented that it would take time for the customers to know that a business is being advertised in Facebook for example, but the moment they know, results will be seen and they are good results. This is because many people are in these sites and it is easy for them to identify what is being advertised once they are in the sites.
Objective two: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of social network in business.
The advantages that have come up very well from the two managers is that there are great choices that one can make depending with the money one has and if one is not interested, he or she could just have a profile page that is not published, then put more effort on ensuring that it is effective. Other advantages are that it is cheap as compared to the traditional methods like the television and newspapers, therefore the best alternative especially to the small businesses as well as the upcoming businesses. It is also easy to manage as one can easily make changes like photographs of new products and others.
On the other hand it has disadvantages like, a business could be a target for criticism that could be a serious problem to the business as people would turn off when they read the negative comments. It is also prone to piracy and fraud, violation of the copyrights and others.
Objective three: Look at how the social network marketing is effective.
As it has been commented by the two respondents, it would take time for a person to identify how effective the social networking is effective in advertisement. However, when the business profiles are made, they do exist in the sites as ‘people’ and friends could interact with their brands share information and other things. This actually enhances a brand to make use what is known as conversation marketing. This improves the brand personality and if the person in the brand is likeable it facilitates internalization of a message whereby the customer adopts the belief of a brand like it is his or her own. It therefore offers an opportunity for the business to have engagement with the potential customers. According to the statistics obtained from the global social media, it is evident that the method is effective as millions of people have accounts on the social networks. This shows clearly that the potential customers can be reached very effectively.
Objective four: Transformation of society by the social networks.
According to the two respondents, it is evident that the social networks have greatly changed the lives of people. This is because unlike the traditional methods of advertisement, where one had to travel to the media houses to advertise a product, nowadays one can do the same while seated with just a mobile phone. This also can be viewed by many people in the world as it is said that the world has been made to be like a village.
Advertising and marketing have been greatly transformed. Businessmen who embrace change have the power to reach the customers. This is because one can be able to have a direct conversation with his or her customers and share about the available products and the tastes and preferences.
Many people spend their time in Facebook, e-mail, Skype and also Tweeter. A click of button makes a person be able to send comments or reply to many people. A lot of time is spent on the social networks by people browsing, chatting or even advertising their businesses and others (customers) looking for the commodities and services they want. This therefore becomes an avenue for business. The graph below illustrates the time (hours in billions per month) that is spent on certain internet categories
Source: com Score Media Matrix, Worldwide. March 2007 to October 2011.
Limitations
The objectives of the dissertation have been met and I have found out that social network marketing is a very efficient way of advertising businesses especially small businesses and the upcoming ones. The research used various methods such as interview, questioners and also statistical data to be able to come up with these findings. Better results can be obtained if there is more time as well as using more methods to obtain the information.
There were few problems encountered when the author was gathering the information. One, the aim of doing five interviews was not achieved because of lack of time. There was also a lot of pressure because I still had other assignments which required to be submitted the same time as this. This was the first research and it made the researcher to learn a lot of things such as taking an interview and time management which needs to be taken care of. It has also made me use a referencing style which I am not very good at, the Oxford referencing style. However, if I was given more time, I would take great care on time management, be keen on grammar and punctuations as well as improve on the skills of referencing.
Conclusion
Advertising and marketing have been greatly transformed by using the social media. Businessmen who embrace change have the power to reach the customers. This is because one can be able to have a direct conversation with his or her customers and share about the available products and the tastes and preferences.
The main aim of the dissertation proposal has actually been met by the researcher by looking into details on the effectiveness of the social network in businesses. The research employed various methods so as to obtain the results. These methods include interviews, and questionnaires through the e-mail. The research could have yielded better results if it could have been improved and use other methods such as having more interviews with the businessmen and include contingency plan for businesses if the time is inconvenient.
Even if there were problems encountered like not meeting the targeted people due to inadequate time, the overall comment is that the outcome of the research is relevant to the main aim of the dissertation proposal. The interviews and questionnaires are very much relevant to the project.
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