Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is a Fortune 500 retail corporation with annual revenues well over $4 billion. Its department stores focus mainly on selling closeout and overstock merchandise. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio, USA and currently operates over 1,400 stores in 47 states. A typical store sells a wide variety of merchandise, including toys, furniture, clothing, housewares, and small electronics. Most of the items sold in these stores are purchased as they become available. What is in the store one day may not be there the next, and the store may not get further shipments of those particular items. Most of the merchandise in the stores are closeouts and overstocks. However there are some items in the stores, such as foodstuffs, that are replenished on a continual basis.
In many cases, Big Lots uses an existing building, such as a grocery or department store that had either moved or ceased operations.

RKETING RESEARCH

Following are the characteristics of good marketing research

Scientific method. Effective marketing research uses the principles of the scientific method: careful observation, formulation of hypotheses, prediction, and testing.
Research creativity. At its best, marketing research develops innovative ways to solve a problem.
Multiple methods. Competent marketing researchers shy away from over-reliance on any one method, preferring to adapt the method to the problem rather than the other way around. They also recognize the desirability of gathering information from multiple sources to give greater confidence.
Interdependence of models and data. Competent marketing researchers recognize that the facts derive their meaning from models of the problem. These models guide the type of information sought and therefore should be made as explicit as possible.
Value and cost of information. Competent marketing researchers show concern for estimating the value of information against its cost. Value/cost evaluation helps the marketing research department determine which research projects to conduct, which research designs to use, and whether to gather more information after the initial results are in. Research costs are typically easy to quantify, while the value is harder to anticipate. The value depends on the reliability and validity of the research findings and management's willingness to accept and act on its findings. In general, the most valuable information tends to cost the most because it requires more intensive methods, but of course it is easy to spend a great deal of money on poorly conceived research.
Healthy skepticism. Competent marketing researchers will show a healthy skepticism toward assumptions made by managers about how the market works.
Ethical marketing. Most marketing research benefits both the sponsoring company and its consumers. Through marketing research, companies learn more about consumers' needs, and are able to supply more satisfying products and services. However, the misuse of marketing research can also harm or annoy consumers. There are professional ethical standards guiding the proper conduct of research.
PRESENTING THE RESEARCH PLAN

The last step in market research is the presentation of a formal plan. At this stage, the marketing researcher should summarize the plan in a written proposal to management. A written proposal is especially important when the research project will be large and complex or when an outside firm carries it out. The proposal should cover the management problems addressed and the research objectives, the information to be obtained, the sources of secondary information or methods for collecting primary data, and the way the results will help management decision making. A written research plan or proposal makes sure that the marketing manager and researchers have considered all the important aspect of the research and that they agree on why and how the research will be done.

MANAGEMENT'S USE
OF MARKETING RESEARCH

In spite of the rapid growth of marketing research, many companies still fail to use it sufficiently or correctly. Several factors can stand in the way of its greater utilization.

A narrow conception of marketing research. Many managers see marketing research as only a fact-finding operation. The marketing researcher is supposed to design a questionnaire, choose a sample conduct interviews, and report results, often without being given a careful definition of the problem or of the decision alternatives facing management. As a result, some fact finding fails to be useful. This reinforces management's idea of the limited usefulness of some marketing research.
Uneven caliber of marketing researchers. Some managers view marketing research as little better than a clerical activity and reward it as such. Poorly qualified marketing researchers are hired, and their weak training and deficient creativity lead to unimpressive results. The disappointing results reinforce management's prejudice against expecting too much from marketing research. Management continues to pay low salaries, perpetuating the basic difficulty.
Late and occasional erroneous findings by marketing research. Managers want quick results that are accurate and conclusive. But good marketing research takes time and money. If they can't perceive the difference between quality and shoddy research, managers become disappointed, and they lower their opinion of the value of marketing research. This is especially a problem in conducting marketing research in foreign countries.

In its simplest definition, health is referred to as the absence of disease. According to the Wolrd Health Organization, health is an individual state of being complete in terms of physical, emotional, as well as social well-being, not simply the absence of disease or infirmity. Such definition by the WHO was expanded as other components were included such as environmental, intellectual, and spiritual health. The balance of all these aspects was based on the principle of self-responsibility.

More and more studies have shown how children become more vulnerable from diseases. In this regard, nations all over the world are trying to provide quality healthcare service for children. It can be said that nations and other health organizations can facilitate through an integration of efforts to improve awareness of the people about this. In addition, a healthcare programme for children can consist of development of lifestyle habits which healthy people as well as communities can adopt to ascertain and improve the state of well being (Karch, 2000).

Researchers have also been indicated health care programs can help to enhance health, reduce disease risks, improve the well-being, and manage chronic illnesses and others. Because of the growing numbers of children who are unhealthy, specifically in Hong Kong, more and more people are being more concern on promoting the essentialities of being healthy. One of the issues faced by various countries nowadays is the increasing number of children who are having cancers. Hence the objective of this report is to discuss a marketing plan for Children Specialist Hospital for their new services which is a health promotion program for children with cancer.



Overview of Children Specialist Hospital

As mentioned above, Hong Kong like any other country is in need of Hospital that would facilitate the needs of children who have chronic diseases like cancer. Hence, there is a need for a new Children Specialist Hospital that would provide quality healthcare service among children in the country. The main goal of the CHILDREN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL is to finance, design, build, equip, operate, and constantly enhance a world-class public and private CHILDREN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL as well as to serve as a research institution to provide the future needs of the children with chronic diseases in the country. CHILDREN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL also aims of providing high-quality specialised services to public patients who are qualified with the set criteria of the hospital. In addition, also aims on becoming a leader as a paediatric Centre of Excellence at the height of an integrated service delivery model for children healthcare. Aside from the increasing number of children with chronic diseases, it can be said that Hong Kong is in need of this kind of Hospital to provide specialised services for minorities who have insufficient budget to avail of the services of private and costly hospitals. The CHS assures these patients robust clinical governance that would consider all the needs of minorities, safe and effective clinical skills, an effective audit of outcome, economic viability, 24/7 cover for all inpatient services and others.
 
Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is a Fortune 500 retail corporation with annual revenues well over $4 billion. Its department stores focus mainly on selling closeout and overstock merchandise. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio, USA and currently operates over 1,400 stores in 47 states. A typical store sells a wide variety of merchandise, including toys, furniture, clothing, housewares, and small electronics. Most of the items sold in these stores are purchased as they become available. What is in the store one day may not be there the next, and the store may not get further shipments of those particular items. Most of the merchandise in the stores are closeouts and overstocks. However there are some items in the stores, such as foodstuffs, that are replenished on a continual basis.
In many cases, Big Lots uses an existing building, such as a grocery or department store that had either moved or ceased operations.

RKETING RESEARCH

Following are the characteristics of good marketing research

Scientific method. Effective marketing research uses the principles of the scientific method: careful observation, formulation of hypotheses, prediction, and testing.
Research creativity. At its best, marketing research develops innovative ways to solve a problem.
Multiple methods. Competent marketing researchers shy away from over-reliance on any one method, preferring to adapt the method to the problem rather than the other way around. They also recognize the desirability of gathering information from multiple sources to give greater confidence.
Interdependence of models and data. Competent marketing researchers recognize that the facts derive their meaning from models of the problem. These models guide the type of information sought and therefore should be made as explicit as possible.
Value and cost of information. Competent marketing researchers show concern for estimating the value of information against its cost. Value/cost evaluation helps the marketing research department determine which research projects to conduct, which research designs to use, and whether to gather more information after the initial results are in. Research costs are typically easy to quantify, while the value is harder to anticipate. The value depends on the reliability and validity of the research findings and management's willingness to accept and act on its findings. In general, the most valuable information tends to cost the most because it requires more intensive methods, but of course it is easy to spend a great deal of money on poorly conceived research.
Healthy skepticism. Competent marketing researchers will show a healthy skepticism toward assumptions made by managers about how the market works.
Ethical marketing. Most marketing research benefits both the sponsoring company and its consumers. Through marketing research, companies learn more about consumers' needs, and are able to supply more satisfying products and services. However, the misuse of marketing research can also harm or annoy consumers. There are professional ethical standards guiding the proper conduct of research.
PRESENTING THE RESEARCH PLAN

The last step in market research is the presentation of a formal plan. At this stage, the marketing researcher should summarize the plan in a written proposal to management. A written proposal is especially important when the research project will be large and complex or when an outside firm carries it out. The proposal should cover the management problems addressed and the research objectives, the information to be obtained, the sources of secondary information or methods for collecting primary data, and the way the results will help management decision making. A written research plan or proposal makes sure that the marketing manager and researchers have considered all the important aspect of the research and that they agree on why and how the research will be done.

MANAGEMENT'S USE
OF MARKETING RESEARCH

In spite of the rapid growth of marketing research, many companies still fail to use it sufficiently or correctly. Several factors can stand in the way of its greater utilization.

A narrow conception of marketing research. Many managers see marketing research as only a fact-finding operation. The marketing researcher is supposed to design a questionnaire, choose a sample conduct interviews, and report results, often without being given a careful definition of the problem or of the decision alternatives facing management. As a result, some fact finding fails to be useful. This reinforces management's idea of the limited usefulness of some marketing research.
Uneven caliber of marketing researchers. Some managers view marketing research as little better than a clerical activity and reward it as such. Poorly qualified marketing researchers are hired, and their weak training and deficient creativity lead to unimpressive results. The disappointing results reinforce management's prejudice against expecting too much from marketing research. Management continues to pay low salaries, perpetuating the basic difficulty.
Late and occasional erroneous findings by marketing research. Managers want quick results that are accurate and conclusive. But good marketing research takes time and money. If they can't perceive the difference between quality and shoddy research, managers become disappointed, and they lower their opinion of the value of marketing research. This is especially a problem in conducting marketing research in foreign countries.

In its simplest definition, health is referred to as the absence of disease. According to the Wolrd Health Organization, health is an individual state of being complete in terms of physical, emotional, as well as social well-being, not simply the absence of disease or infirmity. Such definition by the WHO was expanded as other components were included such as environmental, intellectual, and spiritual health. The balance of all these aspects was based on the principle of self-responsibility.

More and more studies have shown how children become more vulnerable from diseases. In this regard, nations all over the world are trying to provide quality healthcare service for children. It can be said that nations and other health organizations can facilitate through an integration of efforts to improve awareness of the people about this. In addition, a healthcare programme for children can consist of development of lifestyle habits which healthy people as well as communities can adopt to ascertain and improve the state of well being (Karch, 2000).

Researchers have also been indicated health care programs can help to enhance health, reduce disease risks, improve the well-being, and manage chronic illnesses and others. Because of the growing numbers of children who are unhealthy, specifically in Hong Kong, more and more people are being more concern on promoting the essentialities of being healthy. One of the issues faced by various countries nowadays is the increasing number of children who are having cancers. Hence the objective of this report is to discuss a marketing plan for Children Specialist Hospital for their new services which is a health promotion program for children with cancer.



Overview of Children Specialist Hospital

As mentioned above, Hong Kong like any other country is in need of Hospital that would facilitate the needs of children who have chronic diseases like cancer. Hence, there is a need for a new Children Specialist Hospital that would provide quality healthcare service among children in the country. The main goal of the CHILDREN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL is to finance, design, build, equip, operate, and constantly enhance a world-class public and private CHILDREN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL as well as to serve as a research institution to provide the future needs of the children with chronic diseases in the country. CHILDREN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL also aims of providing high-quality specialised services to public patients who are qualified with the set criteria of the hospital. In addition, also aims on becoming a leader as a paediatric Centre of Excellence at the height of an integrated service delivery model for children healthcare. Aside from the increasing number of children with chronic diseases, it can be said that Hong Kong is in need of this kind of Hospital to provide specialised services for minorities who have insufficient budget to avail of the services of private and costly hospitals. The CHS assures these patients robust clinical governance that would consider all the needs of minorities, safe and effective clinical skills, an effective audit of outcome, economic viability, 24/7 cover for all inpatient services and others.

Hey netra, thanks for the information on Big Lots and i read all your report. After reading your report, i thought i should also contribute something useful so that going to upload a document which would give related information on Big Lots.
 

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