Malaysia †Quarterly Balance of Payment in 2010-2012 Essay Example for Free

Malaysia – Quarterly Balance of Payment in 2010-2012 Essay This report is focused on the analysis of Malaysia’s balance of payment for last six quarters (from Q3/2011 to Q3/2012). It will show the impact of balance of payment to economy or the financial crisis. The last part of this report will involve the summary and the forecast the Malaysia’s balance of payment in the future. Third quarter of 2011 Current account: the current account balance recorded a surplus of RM26.6 billion, an increase of RM3.2 billion (13.8 percent). This higher surplus was attributed to: the lower net payments on income of RM3. 8 billion higher surplus on goods of RM38.2 billion. Goods Account: the surplus on goods increased to RM38.2 billion by Exports FOB expanded by RM5.0 billion to record RM176.7 billion. The demands for exports FOB was mainly contributed by electrical electronic products, palm oil palm oil based products and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Moreover, Imports FOB posted RM138.5 billion, an increase of RM3.1 billion (2.3 percent). This was attributed to higher value of imports Services Account: Exports of services registered RM26.6 billion. Meanwhile, imports of services posted RM29.0 billion. On net basis, the services account experienced higher deficit of RM2.4 billion from RM0.7 billion previously. This was mainly due to: 1. lower net receipts in travel account of RM5.5 billion from RM6.7 billion; and 2. higher net payments in transportation account of RM6.7 billion from RM6.3 billion. Income Account: income receipts recorded RM13.9 billion from RM11.2 billion previously, of which investment income recorded RM13.0 billion and compensation of employees RM0.9 billion. On the payments side, income account registered RM17.8 billion from RM18.0 billion, of which investment income recorded RM16.3 billion and compensation of employees RM1.4 billion. So there was more investment in Malaysia. Current Transfers: Net payments on current transfers remained unchanged. Capital account: In the current quarter of 2011, the capital account recorded a higher net outflow of RM58.0 million from that of RM26.0 million posted last quarter. Year-on-year, net outflow of capital account narrowed from RM63.0 million. Cumulatively, the capital account recorded lower net outflow of RM97.0 million from RM166.0 million in the first nine months of 2010. Financial account: The financial account reverted to net outflow of RM23.3 billion from net inflow of RM44.5 billion previously. This was mainly due to a swing in portfolio investment from net inflow of RM48.1 billion to net outflow of RM23.4 billion. Direct Investment: direct investment posted net outflow of RM7.7 billion, consisting of DIA: higher net outflow of RM12.9 billion. The major sectors attributed to DIA were financial insurance, oil gas, and construction. FDI: lower net inflow of RM5.2 billion. FDI inflows were primarily channeled into manufacturing, oil gas, and wholesale retail trade sectors. Portfolio Investment: Portfolio investment reverted to net outflow of RM23.4 billion from net inflow of RM48.1 billion previously. Year-on-year, portfolio investment also showed a turnaround from net inflow of RM18.3 billion a year ago. Reserve assets: The international reserves Bank Negara Malaysia increased by RM10.9 billion in the current quarter as compared to an increase o f RM61.7 billion in Q2 2011. Fourth quarter of 2011 Current account: the current account recorded a surplus of RM22.0 billion, a decrease of RM4.6 billion. The lower surplus was reflected in: higher net payments on income of RM5.6 billion, higher net payments on services of RM4.0 billion, and lower surplus on goods of RM36.9 billion. Goods Account: goods registered a lower surplus amounting to RM36.9 billion from RM38.2 billion a quarter ago. This was attributed to the higher imports FOB. The demand for exports FOB was mainly associated to electrical electronic products, palm oil palm oil based products and liquefied natural gas (LNG). In the meantime, there was the higher imports FOB Services Account: exports of services registered higher net receipts of RM28.1 billion, an increase of RM1.5 billion. Meanwhile, imports of services increased by RM3.0 billion (10.3 per cent) to record RM32.0 billion from RM29.0 billion in Q3 2011. In terms of net, the net payments on services account broadened to RM4.0 billion from RM2.4 billion previ ously. This was mainly due to higher net payments on other services amounting to RM3.2 billion as compared to RM1.1 billion in July September 2011. Income Account: In the current quarter, income receipts recorded RM14.7 billion from RM13.9 billion in the preceding quarter. The RM0.8 billion increase was reflected in higher receipts on investment income of RM13.8 billion, while compensation of employees consistently maintained receipts of RM0.9 billion. On net basis, the outlay on income account widened to RM5.6 billion from RM3.8 billion. This was contributed by higher net outlay on both investment income of RM4.8 billion and compensation of employees of RM0.8 billion. Current Transfers: Net payments on current transfers continued to record RM5.3 billion for three consecutive quarters. Current transfers saw an increase in both receipts and payments amounting to RM1.5 billion and RM6.8 billion. Capital account: In Q4 2011, capital account posted lower net outflow of RM54.0 million from RM58.0 million in Q3 2011. This was mainly due to lower net payments on capital transfers from RM34.0 million to RM16.0 million. Financial account: In the quarter under review, financial account posted net inflow of RM0.2 billion, a reversal from net outflow of RM23.3 billion. This scenario was supported by the lower outflow in portfolio investment of RM2.7 billion, coupled with higher inflow in other investment of RM11.2 billion. Direct Investment: Direct investment posted a net outflow of RM7.9 billion from RM7.7 billion last quarter, of which: DIA: higher net investment outflow of RM14.3 billion. The major sectors attributed to DIA were oil gas, financial insurance, and utilities. FDI: higher net inflow of RM6.5 billion. FDI inflows were primarily channeled into manufacturing, oil gas, and wholesale retail trade sectors. Portfolio Investment: Portfolio investment registered lower net outflow of RM2.7 billion from RM23.4 billion attained last quarter. Year-on-year, portfolio investment reverted from net inflow of RM3.5 billion to net outflow of RM2.7 billion. Reserve Assets The international reserves of Bank Negara Malaysia increased by RM6.3 billion in Q4 2011 as compared to an increase of RM10.9 billion in Q3 2011, stood at RM423.4 billion as at end of 2011. First quarter of 2012 Current account: In the period January March 2012, current account recorded lower surplus of RM18.1 billion from RM22.4 billion in Q4 2011. This was mainly attributed to: Income account: A higher net outflow of RM8.6 billion Goods account: A lower surplus of RM35.8 billion. Goods Account: goods registered lower surplus of RM35.8 billion (-RM1.0 billion or -2.8 per cent) from RM36.8 billion last quarter. This was due to decrease in exports FOB larger than that of imports FOB Services Account: exports of services registered RM27.9 billion from RM29.0 billion during Q4 2011, consisting of the following components: transportation of RM3.3 billion, travel of RM14.7 billion, other services of RM9.9 billion, and government transactions of RM49.0 million. Meanwhile, imports of services decreased. On net basis, services account remained unchanged Income Account: On net basis, the income outlay widened by RM3.3 billion to RM8.6 billion from RM5.3 billion recorded in the preceding quarter, specifically due to higher net outlay on investment income of RM7.8 billion from RM4.5 billion. Current Transfers: current transfers continued to record net payments RM5.3 billion. Both receipts and payments saw an increase amounting to RM1.5 billion and RM6.8 billion. Capital a ccount: capital account posted higher net outflow of RM166.0 million from RM55.0 million in Q4 2011. This was mainly due to higher net payments on capital transfers to RM93.0 million from RM17.0 million. Financial account: financial account recorded a higher net outflow of RM10.3 billion from RM0.2 billion posted in previous quarter. This higher net outflow was mainly attributed to other investment: reverted to net outflow RM26.1 billion from net inflow RM11.0 billion, and direct investment: higher net outflow of RM9.4 billion from RM8.2 billion. Direct Investment: Direct investment registered a net outflow of RM9.4 billion from RM8.2 billion last quarter, of which: DIA: higher net outflow of RM16.9 billion which were wholesale retail trade, financial insurance, and health services. FDI: higher net inflow of RM7.5 billion. FDI inflows were primarily channeled into oil gas, financial insurance, and manufacturing sectors. Portfolio Investment: The portfolio investment switched to net inflow of RM25.3 billion from net outflow of RM2.7 billion previously. Meanwhile year-on-year, portfolio investment registered higher net inflow by RM16.9 billion to RM25.3 billion. Other Investment: In the current quarter, other investment reverted to a net outflow of RM26.1 billion from a net inflow of RM11.0 billion. This was attributable to a turnaround in the private sector to -RM25.6 billion from a net inflow of RM11.1 billion. Reserve Assets: The international reserves of Bank Negara Malaysia decreased by RM7.2 billion in Q1 2012 as compared to an increase of RM6.2 billion in Q4 2011, stood at RM416.1 billion as at end of March 2012. Second quarter of 2012 Current account: In April June 2012, current account balance showed a lower surplus of RM9.6 billion, a decrease of RM8.5 billion from RM18.1 billion attained a quarter ago. The lower surplus was reflected in: Goods account: recorded lower surplus by RM6.4 billion to RM29.4 billion from RM35.8 billion; and Income account: the net outlay widened by RM3.1 billion to RM11.7 billion from RM8.6 billion. Goods Account: the current quarter, the goods account registered a lower surplus of RM29.4 billion as compared to RM35.8 billion in the previous quarter. This was due to imports FOB which expanded at a faster pace (7.3 per cent) relative to that of exports FOB (2.1 per cent). Exports FOB increased to RM177.7 billion compared to RM174.0 billion in Q1 2012. This was mainly contributed by higher exports for electrical electronic products and palm oil palm oil based products. Imports FOB rose to RM148.2 billion. This was due to higher domestic demands for imports by end-use for three major categories namely intermediate goods, capital goods, and consumption goods. Services Account: In the quarter under review, exports of services registered RM28.9 billion from RM27.9 billion last quarter. Meanwhile, imports of services increased by RM0.7 billion from RM31.7 billion a quarter ago, of which: transportation of RM10.4 billion, travel of RM9.0 billion, other services of RM12.8 billion; and, government transactions of RM194.0 million. On net basis, services account posted lower net payments of RM3.6 billion from RM3.8 billion last quarter. This was led by a lower deficit on other services from RM2.5 billion to RM1.8 billion. On the contrary, transportation posted higher net payments of RM7.1 billion while travel recorded lower net receipts of RM5.4 billion. Income Account: In the current quarter, income receipts registered RM9.0 billion from RM9.6 billion in Q1 2012. On net basis, the income outlay broadened to RM11.7 billion from RM8.6 billion posted in the previous quarter. This was solely due to higher net outlay in investment income amounting to RM11.1 billion. Meanwhile, compensation of employees recorded a lower net outflows of RM0.6 billion. For the first half of 2012, the deficit on income account broadened to RM20.3 billion, affected by higher net payments on investment income Current Transfers: In the quarter under review, the net payments on current transfers narrowed to RM4.6 billion. Both receipts and payments increased to record RM2.3 billion and RM6.9 billion. Capital account: In Q2 2012, the capital account registered lower net outflow of RM67.0 million from RM166.0 million last quarter. This was due to lower net outflow on both capital transfers and non-produced, nonfinancial assets by RM60.0 million and RM40.0 million, respectively. Financial account: In the quarter ended June 2012, the financial account turned around to a net inflow of RM5.4 billion from net outflow of RM10.3 billion previously. This movement was driven by a switch in both other investment and direct investment. On the contrary, portfolio investment saw a reversal to net outflow of RM5.0 billion, from net inflow of RM25.3 billion. Direct Investment: The direct investment switched to a net inflow of RM3.5 billion from a net outflow of RM9.4 billion last quarter, of which: DIA: recorded lower net outflow of RM2.5 billion. These investments were largely directed into oil gas, real estate, and financial insurance sectors. FDI: lower net inflow of RM6.1 billion, decreased by RM1.4 billion from RM7.5 billion previously. FDI inflows were primarily channeled into oil gas, manufacturing, and financial insurance sectors. Portfolio Investment: Portfolio investment reverted to net outflow of RM5.0 billion from net inflow of RM25.3 billion previously. Meanwhile year-on-year, portfolio investment turned around to net outflow of RM5.0 billion from net inflow of RM48.0 billion in Q2 2011. On the contrary, for the period January June 2012, portfolio investment registered lower net inflow of RM20.3 billion from RM56.5 billion, a decrease of RM36.1 billion. Reserve Assets The international reserves of Bank Negara Malaysia increased by RM12.7 billion in Q2 2012 as compared to a decrease of RM7.2 billion in Q1 2012, stood at RM428.8 billion as at end of June 2012. Third quarter of 2012 Current account: The current account balance recorded a lower surplus of RM9.5 billion for the period of July September 2012, as compared to RM9.6 billion in the preceding quarter. This lower surplus was reflected in: Goods account: lower surplus RM25.5 billion Current transfers: the net payments widened to RM4.7 billion Meanwhile, income and services account recorded lower net payments of RM7.9 billion and RM3.4 billion Goods Account: In the quarter under review, the goods account registered a lower surplus of RM25.5 billion as compared to RM29.4 billion in the previous quarter. This was due to decrease in exports FOB by 1.8 per cent relative to increase in imports FOB by 0.5 per cent. Services Account: exports of services remained the same as previous quarter Income Account: the income receipts recorded RM11.4 billion increased by RM2.5 billion from RM9.0 billion in Q2 2012. Compensation of employees remained RM1.0 billion and investment income attained RM10.4 billion. The investment income comprises of: direct investment abroad (DIA): higher receipts of RM3.8 billion, mainly generated from financial insurance, oil gas, and information communication sectors portfolio investment: higher receipts of RM1.3 billion other investment: higher receipts of RM5.4 billion However, income payments (debit) recorded RM19.4 billion decreased by RM1.3 billion from RM20.7 billion in Q2 2012. On net basis, the income account deficit reduced to RM7.9 billion from RM11.7 billion previously. This was primarily due to a lower net payments in investment income amounting to RM7.2 billion, while compensation of employees recorded higher net payments of RM0.7 billion. Current Transfers: In the third quarter 2012, both receipts and payments decreased to record RM1.4 billion and RM6.1 billion. On net basis, this account recorded higher net payments RM4.7 billion. Capital account: In Q3 2012, the net outflow decreased to RM42.0 million from RM67.0 million last quarter. This was due to lower outflow on both capital transfers and nonproduced nonfinancial assets which recorded RM24.0 million and RM18.0 million Financial account: In the current quarter, the financial account reverted to a net outflow of RM8.7 billion from net inflow of RM5.4 billion reported previously. This was due to a swing in both portfolio investment from net outflow of RM5.0 billion to net inflow of RM27.6 billion and other investment to net outflow of RM38.1 billion from net inflow of RM5.9 billion. On the contrary, direct investment recorded lower inflow RM1.9 billion from RM3.5 billion. Direct Investment: Direct investment posted a lower net inflow of RM1.9 billion from RM3.5 billion during previous quarter. Portfolio Investment: Portfolio investment recorded a net inflow of RM27.6 billion, turned around from net outflow of RM5.0 billion previously. Similarly, year-on-year, portfolio investment switched to net inflow from net outflow of RM28.0 billion in Q3 2011. Reserve Assets: The international reserves of Bank Negara Malaysia decreased RM7.5 billion in Q3 2012 as compared to an increase of RM12.7 billion in Q2 2012, stood at RM421.3 billion as at end of September 2012. Summary and Forecasting of Balance of Payment As you seen that, the balance of trade (export-import) both of goods and services continually decrease between third quarter of 2011 to third quarter of 2011. Especially, the last two quarter (Q2/2012 and Q3/2012). The major reasons are the Eurozone Crisis and Hamburger crisis in United State of America that provide a large impact to Malaysia in term of export of goods and services. In second quarter of 2012 it decrease 19.78 percent from the first quarter of 2012 and it also decrease 14.54 in the third quarter. For these reasons makes Malaysia’s export decline because the European countries and USA are the large market for Malaysian exporter. The financial account is very fluctuating between these five quarters. The causes are Eurozone crisis and Hamburger crisis same as above problems. The investors’ confident are decline. It make the direct investment decrease in the third quarter of 2012 and other investment was negative RM 38,083 million. On the other hand, a lot of investors move their portfolio to Malaysia for avoid the risk and uncertainty in Europe and USA. That makes the portfolio investment surplus RM 27,588 million. In the near future, the balance of payment of Malaysia will be continually decrease in term of balance of trade, current account and the financial account will be increasing. The central bank of Malaysia will cut the interest rate and use the fiscal deficit policy. This cause will make the Malaysia’s citizen has more income and more consumption. Next, Malaysia will import more goods and services to server their people due to the higher purchasing power. In term of financial account will be change in positive way. When the Malaysian government cut the interest rate, it will attract the foreign investors to invest and boost the economy. The portfolio investment will be also surplus because the problems in Europe and USA. So, the investors will avoid their risk by investing in Malaysia’s financial market. References : http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1324%3Aquarterly-balance-of-payments-performance-julyl-september-2011-updated-18112011catid=103%3Amalaysia-balance-of-paymentsItemid=153lang=en http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1413%3Abopcatid=103%3Amalaysia-balance-of-paymentsItemid=153lang=en http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1586%3Abalance-of-payments-first-quarter-2012updated-23052012-catid=103%3Amalaysia-balance-of-paymentsItemid=153lang=en http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1700%3Aquarterly-balance-of-payments-performance-april-june-2012-updated-15082012catid=103%3Amalaysia-balance-of-paymentsItemid=153lang=en http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1797%3Aquarterly-balance-of-payments-third-quarter-2012-updated-16112012catid=103%3Amalaysia-balance-of-paymentsItemid=153lang=en ht tp://www.tradingeconomics.com/malaysia/net-trade-in-goods-and-services-bop-us-dollar-wb-data.html

Wondrous Strange :: Character Analysis, Kelly Winslow

Life is the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death. â€Å"It is believed that in life no one can change your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change† (Barbra de Angelis). The Internal struggles that the main character, Kelley Winslow, faces in this novel is man vs. herself. This strongly affects the character as well as drives the plot because the character struggles with her decisions, physical/mental battles as well as trying to find her identity. Throughout this novel, Kelley has been trying to find her identity and who she really is. Some people may say that a person has not found themselves; however, you do not find yourself. You create yourself. During the process of creating yourself, you have to know what you fear, and what you cannot live without. Kelley learns what she is afraid of, and who she does not want to lose. â€Å"†¦fear of losing him, sorrow of what he has already risked for her† (Livingston 274). In the novel Kelley finds out that she is adopted. â€Å"Emma†¦ Was I†¦ adopted (Livingston 222). In continuation to this, Kelley learns from her aunt, Emma, that she is adopted. She also leans more about where she came from, who her birth parents are, and about faerie history. This proves that Kelley wants to know more about her heritage, which leads to herself creating her identity. In order to create herself, Kelley needs to know more about her heritage. She also learns what she likes, and does not like and what she wants to do with her life. â€Å"Kelley was speechless. She dreamed of this†¦ This is it. This is my big break! (Livingston 5), â€Å"Kelley was a Faerie princess. In defiance of the Faerie king, she had taken up her destiny on her terms" (Livingston 316-317). This shows that she accepts herself, in addition to gaining her goals. Kelley Winslow goes went through a huge development, and journey in finding herself, even through the many obstacles she faces. Decision is a mental process you conduct to result in a making of a selection of a choice. Kelley Winslow had made various decisions throughout her life, which had made an impact on her characteristics.

Gen Y and Marketing

Along with other influences such as environment and social events, technology plays a large part in influencing their characteristics even more than it did with previous generation, in which technology has influenced all aspects the generation's lifestyle including behavior, learning, colonization, culture, values, and work (Taproots, 1998). Huntley (2006) points that the mobile phone is perceived as a personal communication device and fashion accessory for this generation, which became an extension of their own body.Topcoat's (1998) survey found, â€Å"two-thirds of the children were more refection on the computer then their parent's†. In addition, technology has influenced Gene-Y perception of time, space, and speed through immediate access to vast amounts of information and to a manifold of people within the reach of their fingers or the keyboard (Huntley, 2006). What is Marketing? Kettle (2001) states that people generally perceived marketing as an activity that involves w ith selling and advertising because they normally see marketing activities in term of advertisements and selling of products on TV, newspapers, internet, etc..However, Kettle (2001) explains that selling and advertising are only a part of arresting tools helping to increase awareness or stimulate consumer demand for a firm's product or service. Although these two activities (selling and advertising) are important, it may not always be true that they are more important than other marketing activities. In today business, Kettle (2001) suggests that the old marketing concept that perceived marketing as selling tool employed after a firm made product or service is not applicable.Successful businesses now focus on creating customer satisfaction, in which the marketing concept has been changed from creating trade to alluding a customer satisfaction. Therefore, Kettle (2001) points that marketing started before the production, in which a firm needs to understand customer's want and need, t o study market opportunity and a firm's competitiveness, and should be able to develop suitable strategies for its products and services at any stage in This process may involve product development, product pricing, choosing distribution channel and effective promotional tools.All of these activities aim to ensure that the product will not be difficult to sell and can be successful in the marketplace. In this sense, marketing is a tool that the firm used to motivate consumer to achieve its goal (Kettle, 2001). Gene Y and Online Marketing While technology has influenced all aspects Gene Yes lifestyle (behavior, learning, colonization, culture, values, and work), businesses are also noticing the technology demands of Gene-Y and use it to create customer satisfaction (Bernard, 2003).Focusing on the consumer behavior of Gene Y, Heaver (2008) states that â€Å"Today's younger, more ‘green' shoppers aren't going to waste precious money and gas going from store to store looking for Just the right item. They shop online whenever they can, narrowing their choices to one or two items-then go to the store to touch, feel, bounce and check out the actual product to see if it looks the way it was represented online†.In management point of view, Chaff eye (2005) defines online-marketing as the technological application using internet to facilitate marketing efforts for achieving organizational goals by increasing user knowledge. Raff et al. (2002) stated that â€Å"The aim of internet marketing is to build and maintain the relationship between customers through online exchange of information about the goods and services room buyer and seller†.Barrett (2008) describes online marketing as an marketing effort that involve with â€Å"carefully targeting users and getting them to interact with you while they're engaged with the most personal, intimate medium ever invented†. Found (2008) observes that there is various online marketing instruments includi ng banners, sponsorship, pop- ups, push technologies, links, paid searches, interactive media, e-commerce, online magazines and newspapers, social networks, as well as user generated videos such as Youth, and blobs. With the internet age, customers eave more choices than ever, in which offering good products is not enough.Found (2008) points that many companies are opting to build interactive communities on their websites for customers so that some of these communities or social networks allow marketers to learn how consumers feel about a brand, and what they would change about a product. In a social network, Found (2008) states that â€Å"there are some people who Join to grab information, others like to distribute material to others, some just want to simply look around and others want to shape the activity of the group†. According to Fight (2007) this type of interaction â€Å"can lead to new products and inspire new positioning and inform marketing programs†.Many s ocial websites have been introduced including Twitter, Backbone, My Space, and etc. That consumers can learn of new products, share experiences, get excited about new products or vent about negative experiences (Found, 2008). As a result, this could be an advantage or disadvantaged to any company. Mains (2007) mentioned that the absence of meaningful metrics in online marketing is a key issue that trouble many marketers, in which other obstacles that prevent companies from spending more money on online tools, and insufficient capabilities.According to Mains (2007), some sites are also bombarded with advertisements making some information get unnoticed. Research Objective Given the fact that technology plays an important part in the daily lives of Gene Y, and the growth on online technologies, social networking and mobile technologies is changing the consumer behavior, a local shopping mall where most of its customers are Gene Y is interested in finding out how it can best employ onl ine and mobile cosmologies to enhance their online marketing efforts to attract Gene Y shoppers and increase their spending in its stores.Research Questions 1) How the technology affects buying behavior of Gene Y? 2) What are advantages and disadvantages of buying products at stores? 3) What are the main motivators of Gene Y to go out for shopping? 4) What are the satisfaction levels of customers on the store's products and services? 5) What are the loyalty levels of the firm? 6) What does Gene Y likes, dislikes, and suggests about the firm's online communication tools? 7) What are the firm's marketing strategies that needs to be improve in order to increase sales?Research Methodology Qualitative Approach Michael (2010) suggest that the qualitative research is normally used when â€Å"we don't know what to expect, to define the problem, to develop an approach to the problem, as well as to go deeper into issues of interest and explore nuances related to the research problem†. Meanwhile, the quantitative research is used to quantify data and generalize results from the population of interest through sampling, in which sometimes followed the qualitative research that is previously used to explore some findings further (from Snappers. M). In the research, the researcher wants to explore and develop an initial understanding of Gene Y and online marketing for further decision making. Therefore, the qualitative research approach is used to answer the research questions. Michael (2010) also states that there are many data collection methods used in qualitative research, including focus groups, in-depth interviews, observation, and etc.Research Technique – Focus Group Enemies and Richard (2001) suggests that focus groups are one of the most frequently used research techniques for making consumer research to learn about consumer evolve a marketing strategies in efficient and effective manner. Enemies and Richard (2001) explains that focus group normally co nsists of 8-12 people from the sample population bringing into a group to express their idea, felling, attitude, and beliefs according to a question and other member's comments.Thus, the major advantage of focus group is that the researcher can acquire numerous and diverse views from the respondent (Enemies and Richard, 2001). Sample Population The characteristics of sample population should be male or female aged around 9-33 years old at present, in which they used technology at higher rates than people from other generations. Sample Size The researcher chose to conduct 3 focus groups with 10 participants each as higher â€Å"N† is to reduce the sampling error (Peter, 2000).Therefore, the sample size used in this research is 30. Sample Selection Bonito (2008) suggests three main considerations selecting participants in focus groups, including their personal characteristics, location, and issue knowledge. Personal characteristics, as defined by the sample population, are male or female geed around 19-33 years old at present. Participant's location should be not far from the place where the researcher conducts the focus groups. Finally, participant should be familiar with internet and social networking.Data Collection Process The focus groups will be conducted during February 1-15, 2013, with the first focus group on February 1, the second on February 8, and the third one on February 15. The focus group processes will take an approximately 90-120 minutes, as suggested by Enemies and Richard, (2001). During the focus group, the researcher will record all investigations through digital audio recorder, as suggested by Crewel (1998). All focus group will be taken at the meeting room of the shop, in which appointment with all participants will be made and confirmed 3-7 days in advance.

16 Classic Russian Jokes

Russian humor can be difficult to understand even if you speak fluent Russian. This is often because many Russian jokes play on cultural stereotypes, political events, popular culture, and Soviet-time movies. Russian jokes are called Ð °Ã ½Ã µÃ ºÃ ´Ã ¾Ã'‚ and have a unique history. The first Ð °Ã ½Ã µÃ ºÃ ´Ã ¾Ã'‚Ã'‹ came to Russia through the European tradition of telling interesting, often funny stories. They were popular in the aristocratic circles and eventually developed into the classic joke similar to those in the West. However, these jokes took on a very political slant during the 70 years of the Soviet era. This unique perspective allowed for the development of an unusual, specific Russian humor characterized by its themes of political or cultural relevance. Soviet Jokes About Political Leaders Imgorthand / Getty Images Soviet political leaders provided a lot of material for new jokes, especially Stalin, Brezhnev, and Khrushchev, due to their odd or funny behavior as well as the paradoxical and claustrophobic nature of the Soviet life. 1.Thats enough of messing around, said Brezhnev, gluing his eyebrows under his nose. 2. Brezhnev is speaking at a party meeting. Who said that I can only speak when I have the speech in front of me? Ha, dash, ha, dash, ha, dash. 3. - Do you have a hobby, Leonid Ilyich?- Of course! I collect jokes about myself.- Have you got many?- Two and a half labor camps already! Jokes About Everyday Soviet Life Life was difficult in the Soviet Union, with stores often displaying empty shelves and politics generating a high level of stress and suspicion. People were painfully aware of the lack of things that were considered completely ordinary abroad. All production was done within the country and everything was grey and clunky compared to what was being produced in the West. People responded by coming up with jokes that played on the contrast between life in the Soviet Union and life elsewhere. 4. Two cassette players meet up. One is Japanese, the other is Soviet-made. The Soviet one says:- Is it true that your owner has bought you a new cassette?- Yeah.- Can I have a chew? 5. - What would you do if they opened the borders?- I would climb a tree.- Why?- So I dont get killed in the stampede. Jokes About Contemporary Life in Russia 6. They caught Bin Laden. Washed him, gave him a haircut, turned out it was Berezovsky. 7. A factory worker in a Western country shows his house to his Russian colleague.- Heres my room, this one is my wifes, this is my eldest daughters, thats our dining room, then the guest bedroom... etc.The Russian guest nods and says, after a pause:- Well, its basically similar to mine. Only we dont have the internal walls. New Russians Jokes Arndt_Vladimir / Getty Images New Russians appeared in the 1990s, after the fall of the Soviet Union, as the Russian nouveaux riches. They quickly became the subject of many jokes due to their lack of culture, education, and manners, as well as their garish tastes. New Russians were usually depicted as low in intelligence and reliant on money to solve everything. 8. Two New Russians are driving in a Jeep and see a sign Traffic police - 100m. One of them takes out his wallet and begins to count the money. Then he sighs and says You know what, Vovan, I dont think we have enough for a hundred cops. 9. A New Russian says to an architect:- I want you to build three swimming pools: one with cold water, one with warm water, and one without any water.- Why would the third one not have any water?- Cuz some of my friends cant swim. Jokes About Lenin Andrei Vasilev / Getty Images Just like other political leaders, Lenin has been the butt of many Russian jokes. His character traits, his manner of speech, and his post-death stay at the Moscow mausoleum are all popular topics. 10. A tired father of six comes home after a night shift. The kids surround him and demand to play. He says:- Okay, lets play a game called Mausoleum where Ill be Lenin and youll be the guards. 11. A journalist interviews Lenin.- Vladimir Ilyich, how did you come up with the slogan Study, study, and study?- I didnt come up with anything, I was just trying out a new pen! Jokes About Lieutenant Rzhevsky Lieutenant Rzhevsky is a fictional character in a play by Aleksandr Gladkov and the movie based on the play, The Hussar Ballad. Possessing both negative and positive character traits, Rzhevsky became a popular subject of Soviet jokes after the release of the movie. Although the original character is not that much of a womanizer, it is this trait in particular that dominates the jokes about him. Interestingly, the jokes usually also feature Natasha Rostova, one of the main characters of Tolstoys War and Peace. The reason for this is that while Rzhevsky represents a vulgar, highly sexualized military man, Natasha Rostova depicts the more traditional ideals of a woman as seen in Russian culture as a demure and charming character. The contrast between them creates plenty of opportunities for jokes. 12. Natasha Rostova is at a ball.- It is terribly hot in here. Lieutenant Rzhevsky, perhaps we could open something?- With my greatest pleasure! Would you prefer champagne or cognac? 13. - Chaps, Im so tired of the same old card games! Why dont we go to the theatre instead? They are putting on Three Sisters.Lieutenant Rzhevsky:- This is going to work out brilliantly! There are three of us, too! Jokes About Little Vovochka STUDIOGRANDOUEST / Getty Images Equivalent to Little Johny, Little Vovochka originated in the early 20th century as a nameless little boy who would shock others with his vulgar behavior. Eventually, the little boy became Little Vovochka as an ironic homage to such leaders of Russia as Vladimir the Great and Vladimir Lenin. More recently, Vladimir Putin also joined the ranks of the Vovochkas. 14. A teacher asks:- Children, who has a pet at home?Everyone raises their hands and shouts out Cat! Dog! Hedgehog!Little Vovochka raises his hand and says Lice, ticks, cockroaches! 15. Little Vovochka decided to become president when he grows up. And he did. Jokes About Chapaev Chapaev was a celebrated Russian army commander during the Russian Civil War. After a Soviet movie was made about him in 1934, Chapaev became a popular subject of Russian jokes. His sidekick, Petka, is usually present in the jokes, too. 16. Petka asks Chapayev:- Vassily Ivanovich, can you drink half a liter of vodka?- Of course!- What about a full liter?- Sure!- How about a whole barrel?- No problem, I can drink that easily.- Can you drink a river of vodka?- Nah, I cant do that. Where would I get such a giant gherkin?