TOK Essay Writing Guide For 2017

TOK Essay Writing Guide For 2017 What is a Tok Essay TOK stands for Theory of Knowledge. The TOK essay was conceptualized by the International Baccalaureate. The essay is to be between 1200 and 1600 total words, and is written on one of the topics that the IB has established. These are also known as titles. If you are in an International Baccalaureate program at your school, achieving a good grade on the TOK essay is imperative if you wish to graduate with this endorsement on your diploma. The paragraphs that follow will help you to select the best title, master the TOK essay format, do your research, take notes and create an working outline, and even guide you to some useful writing samples. We hope these guidelines will help to answer any questions you have, and that you will be able to formulate a plan for success. You know that IB students have advantages that include being highly sought after by colleges and universities and having a greater chance at becoming successful during and after the college years. By mastering the TOK essay format, you will truly be helping yourself. TOK Essay Title Selection Unlike other essays, you cannot simply choose from an unlimited number of topics. Your essay must be selected from one of the prescribed titles created by the International Baccalaureate Organization for 2017. Then, your essay must meet additional criteria. Specifically, it must be related to one of the eight areas of knowledge that have been defined by the IB. Selecting TOK Essay Titles: Areas of Knowledge Here are the eight areas of knowledge that a student in an IB program must master: History Mathematics The Arts Ethics Religious Knowledge Systems Human Science Indigenous Knowledge Systems Natural Science Choosing TOK Essay Titles 2017: Understanding The Questions Each year, a new set of questions are created for students to cover in their essays. These can be easily found online as the IB makes these public. What’s more important is to understand exactly what you need to do when writing about these topics. These aren’t the same as your standard custom writings. Understanding The Purpose of TOK Essay Topics Let’s Take a Look at Some TOK Essay Topics From Previous Years Here are some sample essay topics that are loosely based on some of the titles established for 2017. We’ll discuss exactly what information is being sought in each of these examples. Remember that each essay should in some way establish your understanding of knowledge and the learning process itself. This gives your instructor the opportunity to conduct a thorough assessment of your critical thinking skills. 1.Explore The Human Nature of Pattern Seeking a.Suggested Areas of Knowledge: There’s a lot that could be explored here with regard to perception and expectations. Science and religious knowledge systems could be two potentially interesting areas to dig into further. b.What to Cover: The dangers of relying on perception instead of examination. The ways in which pattern seeking impacts our ability to obtain new knowledge and to vet information we receive. 2.Explore Knowledge Traditions And Various Methods of Correcting Knowledge a.Suggested Areas of Knowledge: Ethics and natural science are definitely two areas where tradition and developing means of correcting the knowledge that informs or is informed by traditions. b.What to Cover: Traditions are difficult for people to let go of, especially when they are associated with religion or culture. How do you encourage corrective action without insulting traditions. 3.Write About Facts And Theories And How They Relate a.Suggested Areas of Knowledge: Human or natural science combined with indigenous or religious knowledge systems really seem to fit here. However, History would be an excellent addition to this. b.What to Cover: Theories are ideally based in fact, however many people using correlation rather than causation to draw conclusions. The result is faulty theories. Then there is the problem with poorly vetted facts. Explain how outdated or incorrect information impacts the development of theories. 4.What Happens When Subject Matter Experts Don’t Agree With Each Other? a.Suggested Areas of Knowledge: With this topic, any of the areas of knowledge could be excellent for potential exploration. b.What to Cover: When building their own knowledge, people turn to experts. How do they discern what to believe when the experts themselves disagree on important matters? Can external influences change the way that experts view or spin the truth? Climate change would be a great topic to use as an example for this question. 5.Looking at Historic Events With The Benefit of Hindsight a.Suggested Areas of Knowledge: History, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Religious Knowledge Systems, and Ethics are all very good topics for an essay on this subject. b.What to Cover: It’s easy to judge the actions and behaviors of citizens, religious leaders, and political leaders when we have the benefit of historical perspective. However, by doing so we can prevent ourselves from gaining full insight into the way that situations impact   human behavior. Maybe explore how to write historical text in a more sympathetic way. 6.Write About The Knowledge And The Difficulty of Producing Knowledge a.Suggested Areas of Knowledge: Because this is such a broad question, once again all areas of knowledge could be subject to exploration here. b.What to Cover: The idea here is that the harder you have to work to obtain knowledge the more you will value it. Do you agree or disagree? You might address the topic of privilege here. How to Know Which TOK Essay Topics Are Best For You So, how do you pick the right topic? Look at each extended example above. As an IB student, you are familiar with all of the areas of knowledge. You might also consider looking at an exemplar online for each question that you are considering. Just google tipstok essay example, and you will likely find something. Mostly, you should pick a question that speaks to you, and apply the areas of knowledge that you can best show your academic and personal development. Planning Your Essay First and foremost, study the rubric that your teacher provides for you. This will be an amazing guide. Unfortunately, it is not complete. You may have to follow up and get more information on the standards for marking your essay. Here are the criteria by which your essay will be assessed. You must show that you have developed the ability to think critically. Focus on demonstrating self-awareness, and consider multiple perspectives on the issues you are addressing. Use concrete examples. The structure that you use is very important. It must have a logical flow. References must be cited. Factual accuracy is of utmost importance. Don’t make a declaration on any page without backing it up. Show the mastery that you have developed with regard to the knowledge issues. Your format is important. However, it is even more important that you demonstrate an adequate depth of knowledge and insight. Starting Your Essay As you begin writing your introduction, keep in mind that you have a limit of 1200 to 1600 words. Your thesis and introductory paragraph will really drive the length of your essay. If your focus is too narrow, you will struggle to meet the word count that you need. If your focus is too broad, you will go over the limit. You should probably spend at least 50 percent of your essay writing on creating your thesis statement. It is truly the foundation of what you are going to present to your instructor. Be sure that it is very well thought out, and that you can back up your thesis with plenty of evidence as well. Tips For Success Here are some tips that can help you to succeed: While you need to backup your statements of fact with sources, remember that this is a reflective essay. Here, you can share your thoughts and opinions. Don’t be afraid to use examples that are meaningful to you. Remember that MLA is the preferred citation format. Remember that The Phrase ‘How do You Know’ Should be Your Guide Run your essay through a text to speech translator. That will show you how it reads. Essay and punctuation are still important. Self Care During The Essay Writing Process You have worked very hard, and accomplished a lot to get to this point. The theory of knowledge essay is very important. You will need to put in many   hours of hard work. This will be intense, so remember to take good care of yourself. Don’t make the essay the center of your life. Enjoy your friends and keep other academic priorities in mind. Find a physical activity. Walking is amazing. Eat healthy foods and get enough rest. Ask for TOK Essay help when you need it. Connect with students who have already written their TOK essay. Conclusion You can do this! All you have to do is consider which question is best for you, follow the instructions, and know the standards that will be used to evaluate your writing. Take good care of yourself, and you are certain to do well.    Author: Amanda Sparks   huffingtonpost.ca/amanda-sparks/

Nike Fuel Band Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Nike Fuel Band - Essay Example That is why some people call it activity tracker and wear them on their wrist. This will help the wearers monitor their physical activity, their daily activities in line with physical fitness like for example tracking the amount of calories they are burning. With a sheer understanding of the product’s features, advantages and benefits, one can say that it is especially formulated for athletic and health-conscious people who are looking forward to keep their body in shape and boost their athletic performance. Now generally one can say that there is a potential market for this product offering, but performing market segment analysis and identifying the segment’s market characteristics, and target marketing analysis is necessary to be employed in order to possibly define a new market segment that will help increase the demand for a certain product. Definition of the market segment In this section, the work at hand presents the actual market segments that the Nike fuel band exists in. A pie chart is shown to present with ease the relevant market share and potential market relationship. According to the case that Digital Ad Blog (2013) presented concerning the Nike fuel band and its target market, athletic individuals from 24 to 35 years old with medium-high disposable income are the potential targets of the product. The blog mentioned that these are individuals with high social usage, as 18% of them appreciate the idea of social media websites as their ultimate way out to compete with friends and family concerning their exercise goals and achievements while they want to combine altogether the quality and image, and efficiency and fashion to work out. This is supported by an article that tries to establish the fact that Nike fuel band would make sense among people who are sports minded and want to compete with other friends alike (Amsden, 2012). While athletic individuals may be the ultimate targets of the Nike fuel band, the other potential market bel ongs to the individuals who may not necessarily sports minded, but are just after of achieving a significant health gain linked to their healthy decisions in life (Reid, 2013). In knowing the above information, below is an approximate division of the market segments linked to the Nike fuel band, which are also the potential source of market share for the said product offering. Illustration 1. The potential market segments for Nike fuel brand with their approximate market percentage. It is in the above market segments where Nike fuel brand generate its market share. In particular and as already stated, the primary market of the product is the athletic industry. Considering this point, the target segment, which includes the athletic individuals, should make sense. However, there is also another market segment that tries to interact with the prevailing market of the athletic individuals, and generally would include people who are becoming conscious in their health. By critically assess ing these segments, one can therefore formulate the idea that the market for athletic individuals and people who are conscious of their health cannot be too far, but complementary. In other words, a significant market share for Nike fuel band generally comes from the health industry, but in a little portion of it because it particularly focuses on the gadget. As to what percentage it takes generally from the health i

Comparison and constrast of the crime control model and the due Research Paper

Comparison and constrast of the crime control model and the due process model - Research Paper Example in their beliefs about criminal justice, the proponents of both sides must work together within the established criminal justice system, following laws and the legal process and procedures of the United States. The two models of criminal justice serve no legal purpose other than to give names and definitions to the most common perspectives towards criminal justice. The models serve as a way to talk about criminal justice and can serve as an aid to determine how a person might approach a criminal justice issue based on which theory they subscribe to. The two models can also compare to political viewpoints in terms of being considered either conservative or liberal. The crime control model is considered conservative in nature while the due process model is more liberal (Perron). Those believing that criminals should be treated as such and that there should be aggressive measure taken towards crime, are most often proponents of the crime control model, while those who feel people should not be beleaguered, that there are processes in place that should be followed and that law enforcement agencies are not the be all and end all of the criminal justice system are typically followers of the due process model. According to U.S. Legal Definitions, the crime control model, â€Å"refers to a theory of criminal justice which places emphasis on reducing the crime in society through increased police and prosecutorial powers†. This model is based on the notion that police, detectives and forensic workers are at the forefront of the criminal justice system and that their findings are almost always valid and reliable. Alleged offenders are considered to be guilty because those working in the criminal justice system have already conducted the research necessary to arrest the correct person (http://www.sociologyindex.com/crime_control_model.htm). The crime control theory focuses on keeping the public safe. Protecting the rights of individuals is less important than keeping

Literature review of supplements and erogoeinc aids used by cycling

Of supplements and erogoeinc aids used by cycling athletes - Literature review Example It was estimated that the cyclists spend approximately 82 680 KJ of energy during this event. From this total energy spend in the race 54 percents were obtained during the race with intermittent ingestion of liquids, energy and sports drinks and other sources. Based on this approximately 46 percents of the total energy was provided by the intrinsic stored energy (in a form of glycogen, fats, proteins etc.) form the cyclist. As a result of this at the end of the race cyclist loosed 1.19 kilograms of body weight. This example shows that energy demands during long lasting cycling events are extreme. It is estimated that they are 3 times greater than the highest recorded energy demand in a heavy industry worker. There are many parameters that are used in order to measure the level of physical demands in one exercise and in the same time to evaluate the physical condition of the athlete. One of them is VO2 max. It is defined as maximum oxygen consumption in one athlete or peak oxygen inta ke in a period of time during intensive exercise. It is the maximal measured capacity of the organism of the athlete to use oxygen during one physical exercise and is measured in liters of oxygen in minute or milliliters per kilogram body weight in minute. It is a measurement of the ability of the organism to use aerobic system to produce energy. In order to better understand the implication of this measurement we must note that the organism has several systems of energy production that in essence is one complex system, composited of the ATP system, anaerobic system of glycolisys and aerobic system or mitochondrial respiration. End product of all systems is ATP (adenosine three phosphate) which is the main energy source for the cell metabolism. During low level exercises human muscles almost exclusively use aerobic mitochondrial metabolism as for energy production. It is much more effective process of energy production because from one molecule of glucose it produces 30 molecules of ATP. Because of this during low levels of exercise muscles use mitochondrial respiration. But we must understand that the metabolism of glucose is conducted both by aerobic and anaerobic metabolism. In the anaerobic metabolism glucose is converted to pyruvate which is than metabolized oxalate and oxalate it then finally metabolized in the mitochondria to CO2 and water producing 30 molecules of ATP. Now in low level exercises almost all glucose is converted to pyruvate and all pyruvate is metabolized to CO2 and water using this aerobic metabolism in the mitochondria. VO2max is actually measurement of this ability of the human organism to use aerobic processes to produce energy. In order to measure VO2max the intensity of the exercise is gradually increasing until the oxygen consumption reaches maximal values (Niels et al. 2004). It is important measurement because by aerobic metabolism energy is used much more effectively and therefore athletes can produce better results in a long l asting low level exercises. However in the case of extensive exercise (for example during a sprint before finish or very steep slope on the mountain) there is a demand for more energy and more glucose is metabolized to

The Hawthrone Studies And Their Implications

The Hawthrone Studies And Their Implications According to Hucyznski and Buchanan, In the United States, during the 1920s and 1930s, the Hawthorne studies were to lead to the creation of the human relations movement and a highly influential school of academic and practical management thinking. The Hawthorne studies revolutionised the way in which the management of an organization deals with its human resources and the relationship between the different levels of the human resource chain. The Human Relations Movement originated in the United States of America and was the outcome of the Hawthrone Studies. The Movement and its basic theories were developed primarily by Elton Mayo. These experiments were conducted in the Western Electric Hawthrone Works in Chicago from the early 1920s to the 1930s. The Hawthorne Studies involved the examination and measurement of the affect of physical working conditions such as lighting, humidity, cleanliness, etc. and psychological factors such as managerial leadership, payment systems, working hours and respites between work on the output and productivity of the workers and on employee motivation. The most significant discovery from the Hawthorne experiments was that workers were not so much impacted by physical working conditions and remunerations, or by changes thereof, than they were by the very fact that they were being observed. When workers became aware that they were being supervised, they felt that they were an imperative part of the organization. They felt the need to perform better. This raised employee morale and motivation and in turn increased employee productivity. Thus, the term Hawthorne Effect was coined and used widely to denote the improvement or modification of the behaviour of a subject under study due to the fact that it was being studied. Subsequent studies that were conducted revealed that informal groups and informal social conventions within the organisation played an important role in determining the work habits and opinions of the workers along with the organisation and conduct of work. Course of the Experiments Changes in Lighting: The initial step in the experiments was the gauging of worker productivity against changes in the intensity of lighting conditions. Two groups were selected, lighting being changed for one, but kept constant for the other. However both groups were under the impression that lighting was changed. Mayo observed that output rose in both cases. Relay Assembly: This was the most crucial aspect of the experiments. These were conducted mainly on a small group of six women to test their responses to certain changes, over a period of five years. First, Mayo attempted to find a correlation between fatigue and monotony and productivity. Changes were made in the work hours, break timings, lunch timings, piece works and physical conditions to assess the workers responses to each. Next, a group was employed in assembling relays. The effect of changes was evaluated to see how these changes influenced the production and rate of relay assembly. Throughout the experiments an observer or supervisor was made to record the events and incidents, to direct the women and provide help and information where needed and to listen to their feedbacks and complaints. The most startling observation that was made during these experiments was that the output reached the maximum point when all the incentives, breaks and piece works were taken away from the workers and they were returned to working 48 hour six day weeks. This defied the notion that physical, economic and material benefits affect productivity to the highest degree. Here social factors were at play. The women worked sincerely and to the best of their abilities as a result of being free from any type of coercion. The sense of importance they were endowed with urged them to improve performance. The women under investigation were given the liberty to choose their own techniques of putting the relay parts together. It was noticed that each of them followed different patterns and introduced innovative techniques to avoid monotony. The freedom of movement accorded to the women encouraged them to work responsibly, without inhibitions and incited them to execute tasks in an enhanced manner. Interviews: Interviews were conducted with the workers to establish their attitude towards their work. It was uncovered that the relationships that existed between the workers and their supervisors and management were highly significant. Bank Wiring Observation Room: A sample of 14 workers were taken from the production line and observed for six months. No changes in working conditions were implemented. It was noticed that workers developed their own procedures and methods to protect their interests. Production was constant, even after changes in compensation. Counselling: Counselling sessions were held to discern the problems and complaints of workers towards their jobs. Inferences The results of the experiments led Mayo to draw the following conclusions: Work is a group activity. Workers should be considered a part of the group, but also as individuals. The status of the worker within the group, the recognition of his work and a sense of belonging impacts his productivity more than working conditions or pay scales. Workers are motivated by the attention and importance given to them by their supervisors. The relationship of the worker with his superiors and with the management was imperative to his performance and efficiency. Social and emotional factors play a vital part in determining productivity of workers. The workplace is a social system and the workers are influenced by internal and external social demands. Informal groups within an organisation have a strong bearing on the attitudes and behaviour of the workers. Group cooperation needs to be planned and cultivated. According to Wilson and Rosenfeld, George Elton Mayo stressed the following: Natural groups, in which social aspects take precedence over functional organizational structures. Upwards communication, by which communication is two way, from worker to chief executive, as well as vice versa. Cohesive and good leadership is needed to communicate goals and to ensure effective and coherent decision making. Thus, Elton Mayo looked at the organisation of work from a totally new perspective. He stressed on the social, rather than technical organisation of work. The inferences made by Elton Mayo led to the development of the Human Relations Movement. The implications of Mayos perspectives on modern day organisations are immense. The propositions laid down by Mayo were radical and changed the way in which organisations view their workers and their productive capacities. Mayos suggestions are the premise of human relations and their management in various organisations, even today. Importance of Human Relations Movement for Todays Organisations Mayo and his ideas have made organisations recognise the fact that apart from monetary and material rewards, social satisfaction and a sense of belonging is also important for the workers of the company. In order to guarantee that a worker will perform to the best of his ability, not only his economic but also emotional and social needs must be taken into account. Companies integrate the propositions of Elton Mayo and the Human Relations Movement perspective into their human resource management techniques by recognising the workers need for acknowledgement. As observed, workers tend to be more productive when they feel that they are an integral part of a group or the organisation and when their work is appreciated. The management of modern day organisations involves these perspectives to motivate employees and boost their morale. When an employee senses that the organisation is taking an interest in him, he will be motivated to enhance the execution of his tasks. Workers also perform better when there is internal stimulus, from within the working group rather than when there is pressure from management. Thus, the management must ensure that too much pressure or control is not placed on the worker. Instead group dynamics should be studied and control should be accorded to each group correspondingly. The propositions, laid down by Mayo have also taught organisations the importance of relationships. By maintaining healthy and positive relations with the workers and strengthening the relations at each level of the organisation, the management can further augment employee motivation, satisfaction and productivity. Mistrust or animosity should not be allowed to develop between the workers and their superiors. Communication is also an essential aspect of keeping a worker motivated. There ought to be adequate two-way communication between supervisors and workers. Instructions should be properly and unambiguously given to the employees. Further, employees feedback should be given due recognition. Their problems, complaints and suggestions should be heard and taken into consideration. Mayos suggestions also help organisations comprehend the importance of teams in the workplace. Groups and their functioning play a crucial role in the operation of the organisations. The integration of group or team goals with the goals of the company can aid the latter in ensuring greater efficiency. Freedom of movement should be conferred on the workers as it has been perceived that workers tend to do better when they have the independence to function according to their own methods and techniques. Thus, the Hawthrone Studies and the Human Relations Movement, spearheaded by Elton Mayo have made remarkable contributions to the administration and management of the human resources of an organisation. Since then, there have many developments in this field. Nonetheless, even modern day organisations choose to consider and implement Mayos notions and perspectives when dealing with the organisation of work and management of workers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Relations_Movement

Love and Marriage an Affliction or an Alliance: Deceit and Betrayal in

During the Middle Ages and Renaissance period marriage and love were idealized, divine and celebrated. Weddings were large events that included the entire families of both the groom and the bride. Reality was different; women were viewed as being fickle, inferior to men and a possession of men. Women had very little, if any, choice in who they would marry. Marriages were arranged so that both families would benefit in gaining wealth or power. Even though the ruler of England for over 4 decades was female, women were still not respected. Women were kept at home and not allowed to take place in public events. In Shakespeare’s Richard III, male and female relationships are displayed as deeply cynical and are based on lies, lust and political gain. First, the relationship between Lady Anne and Richard is not the only, but one example, of a relationship that is based on lies. As Lady Anne mourns over the murder of her father-in-law Henry VI, Richard comes and greets her with â€Å"sweet saint† (1.2.49) and â€Å"bolsters this greeting with a string of compliments, to which she responds with curses† (Miner, 47). Richard says that the reason he murdered Henry VI and Edward is because of her beauty. â€Å"Your beauty was the cause of that effect/ Your beauty, that did haunt me in my sleep/ To undertake the death of all the world (1.2.126-128)†. In saying this, Richard â€Å"directs culpability from himself and onto the female figure† (Miner, 47). Richard thought that â€Å"her beauty served as incentive for murder† (Miner, 48). But he lied; he killed both to get closer to the throne, and wooed Anne for the same reason. Second, the relationship between Princess Elizabeth and Richard serves as an example of one that is based on lust. Since Elizabeth â€Å"remains t... ...chard are used as political gain and the new King Richmond is crowned. The basis’s of these relationships are weak and did not, or in some cases, will not last. Richard realizes that Anne is no longer any use to him, and makes a plan to kill her. â€Å"Rumour it abroad / The Anne my wife is very grievous sick / I will take order for her keeping close (4.2.51-53)†. Queen Elizabeth saves her daughter from Richard and sends a proposal to Richmond. Richmond may try to form a closer bond with Elizabeth, or abuse his new power as king. Therefore, the examples in the play give us the message that, relationships that are not based on love, personality and happiness will end unsuccessfully. â€Å"Ay me, for aught that I could ever read / Could ever hear by tale or history / The course of true love never did run smooth (Shakespeare, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" 1.1.132-134)†.

Has the improvement in high street retail logistics made us all more loyal customers??

Introduction To most businesses, the main objective is to make profit for the shareholders and satisfy the needs and interests of all the other stakeholders in the business. However, profit making is gradually getting more difficult as the liberalisation of markets has led to massive competition in most industries (Kumar et al., 2013). Consequently, companies have had to evolve in order to remain competitive and achieve their goals and objectives both in the short-term and in the long-term. One of the means commonly used by companies to ensure sustainable profitability is through capturing the loyalty of customers. The more loyal the customers are, the more businesses get recurring income and reduce the costs of doing business (Pepe et al., 2011). The retail stores in High St have been in the process of improving its services to their clients and the general public. This is with the aim of improving the levels of customer loyalty and thus increasing sales (Alessandra, 2007). This paper explores t he logistical improvements that have been made by high street retail companies to make their service to customers more effective. It seeks to establish if those improvements have related to customer loyalty to the company and to the brand. This will be achieved through the critical analysis of the supply chain and the detailed evaluation of the systems employed in relation to the benefits gained by High Street Logistics in its business. Findings and Analysis on High Street Retail Logistics Agrawal and Smith (2009) define retail logistics as the flow of goods from the suppliers to the stores and then to consumers. There is a specific logistical model through which this flow is managed to ensure efficiency and cost effectiveness in the process of doing business. The level of competition in high street retail is very high and all companies need to have a competitive advantage in order to be able to survive and thrive in the industry (Bruce & Daly, 2011). As such, there is need for companies to evolve and adapt to the latest trends so as to continue being profitable. Customer loyalty is critical in the performance of retail stores globally. The cost of retaining customers is far much cheaper than that of acquiring new customers thus reducing the cost of doing business for an organisation (Chan & Ip, 2011). The other advantage that is derived from customer loyalty is that the loyal customers will help in the marketing process of the brand name (Alessandra, 2007). Statistics from McKinsey.com (2013) indicate that more people tend to use brands, products or services that have been recommended by people that they know. Thus, such references can only be made by customers who are loyal to the company or brand. To make the customers loyal, retail stores have come up with incentives to entice their clients to continue shopping with them (Lawfer, 2004). Such incentives have involved logistical changes which have improved over the years and part of such an improvement is multichannel retailing. This section intends to address some of these logistical improvements that have been made by high street retail stores. Multichannel Retailing Within the last decade, there has been a shift of retail logistics principles from the traditional modules to the multichannel retailing (Waters, 2010). This evolution has been facilitated and necessitated by technological advancement, the rise and expansion of the internet, and change in purchasing habits. Convenience for the customers has been the primary focus in the evolution of the logistical processes where the needs and wants of the clients are met through all means possible (El-Manstrly et al., 2011). The level of logistical improvements by companies is dependent on how forward thinking the companies are. The future oriented companies have put in place measures in its logistical process to ensure that needs of their techno savvy clients are met in the best way possible (Agrawal & Smith, 2009). As a major improvement in the retail logistics in high street retailing, multichannel retailing is termed to be customer centric and transformative to the manner in which the both custo mers and the retailers relate (Miller, 2012). The process starts with research of the tastes and preferences of the consumers even before the products are stoked. The emerging trends of the market are also monitored and scientific analysis conducted to ensure that the company is able to predict the needs of the customer (Poloian, 2009). The anticipation of what the customers need has been able to help in satisfying the needs of the customers better and more effectively thus creating a perfect relationship between the company and the customers. This in turn fosters customer loyalty to the highest levels (El-Manstrly et al., 2011). Multichannel retailing involves the use of multiple channels to facilitate trade and other transactions, which include after sale service to existing and potential clients, browsing for the desired goods and services, purchase of the goods and services, returning of faulty goods and post sale services to the clients (Poloian, 2009). Based on the channels that a company uses to make sales, the logistics of the retail company are customised to suit the clientele and the goals/objectives of the company. For instance, Argos only used to sell to their clients through their retail stores. However, there was need to develop an online presence in order to be as competitive as companies such as Wal-Mart (Miller, 2012). As a result, the company started an online store which has turned out to be very effective and profitable. Customers prefer the online store as they can window shop without much hustle and get better prices for the goods and services that they need (Pearson, 2012; Grewal et al. , 2011). The online stores also created a need for delivery systems to be part of the logistics package. The goods that have been purchased by the clients are delivered to their door steps for their convenience. Multichannel retailing has contributed towards increasing customer loyalty because regardless of what could be termed as an inconvenience to make a purchase via one channel, there is always an alternative. As such, customer needs are catered for in a better manner, which also increases loyalty (Bruce & Daly, 2011). Even though researchers have established that multichannel retailing is highly beneficial for customers, the fact that customers are always looking for better deals – especially when shopping online – makes it challenging for a single business or brand to maintain certain loyal customers. This is especially when other brands are also trying to attract the same customers (Pearson, 2012). Data Mining Data mining has been one of the most conspicuous forms of improvement in the retail logistics that has been experienced in high street retailing. It is conducted by companies by reviewing the shopping trends of their clients and enables them to make predictions on the types of products or service that will be needed by their clients (Kantardzic, 2011). For instance, a company can check on its online stores which goods have been purchased most and by what category of their customers for instance, the products could have been purchased by female customers with young children and from a specific region of the country or part of the city (Linoff & Berry, 2011). By possessing this data, the store can be able to stock the product for an anticipated need or to maximize on the profitability of the product. The same case applies to seasonal products which need strategic stocking for limited resources not to be wasted (Phan & Vogel, 2010). Clipper, the leading retail and high value logistics company in the United Kingdom investigated the changes taking place in the retail logistic that are taking place in high street retailers presently and that are anticipated in the near future (Clipper Logistics, 2013). The company notes that in today’s ever changing world, high street retailers cannot afford to lack creativity and innovativeness the way that they do business (Clipper Logistics, 2013). Thus, it is necessary for companies to formulate strategies that will give them a competitive edge over their competitors. In some cases, however, companies have been sued for mining client data through unauthorised means (Kantardzic, 2011). Whereas data mining is intended to provide more customized customer services that will increase customer loyalty, such incidents are detrimental to the achievement of this objective. For companies that use the appropriate means to mine data and provide services tailored to meet the needs of clients, there is a definite potential of increased customer loyalty (Linoff & Berry, 2011). Other Logistical Improvements Many retail logistics companies offer a full redesign of a company’s logistics system, which includes fully automated or semi-automated warehousing systems which run most the retail channels for their clients (Agrawal & Smith, 2009). The other service that is offered is inventory management for the purposes of improving the shelf availability of the products and services. Distribution to clients and dealing with suppliers is another role that has been taken over by retail logistics companies as service providers (Poloian, 2009). Most of the high street retailers have outsourced these services while others have decided to have an in-built system but seek the consultancy services of retail logistics companies. No matter the approach taken, the main aim is to improve on service delivery, reducing the costs of doing business and ensuring that the customers’ needs are met (Bruce & Daly, 2011). Many high street retailers also have follow-up surveys to ensure that the quality of customer service is up to the required standards. With the current level of internet accessibility among consumers, if feedback is not collected from the clients directly, it is received on social media platforms where most clients air there grievance (McKinsey.com, 2013). To avoid such situations, logistics of retail high street retailers have undergone several improvements to ensure prompt and adequate communication with customers (Phan & Vogel, 2010;Grewal et al., 2011). All these improvements that have been made by companies have been done with the aim of increasing customer satisfaction as well as improving their competitive edges (McKinsey.com, 2013). This has also led to an increase in customer loyalty for high-street retailers. Conclusion All businesses have to evolve at one point or another in order to remain relevant in the business world. High street is no different from other competitive markets for retail business and most companies have come up with ways and means to ensure that their retail logistics are up to the latest standards and that all the customers are satisfied. Improvements in the logistical processes, such as the delivery of goods, e-commerce through mobile applications and online store and the innovation in new channels for retail, have played a great role in customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction in turn translates into more sales for the company and most importantly it translates to customer loyalty. The level of customer loyalty has been enhanced through the new services that have been brought about by the improvement in the logistics of these companies. However, the fact that some logistical developments require a lot of customer information has raised some scepticism among several custom ers. Based on technological advancement, the level of competition in the market and the changing consumer needs, more changes and improvements are still expected. Recommendations Although much has been done in the retail logistics sectors, there is still more to be done through technological advancement. Application of artificial intelligence to the logistical process is recommended for the retail stores to serve the purposes of automating processes and making predictions of future consumer trends with higher accuracy (Bodhani, 2012). The use of artificial intelligence will not only raise the integrity of the companies and the transactions in which they are involved, but will also aid in fully satisfying the needs of the customers even without the mentioning of the needs by the clients (Phan & Vogel, 2010). Such high quality services will lead to customer loyalty and thus profitability of the high street retail stores. One of the limitations of this recommendation, however, is the fact that it needs a lot of financial capital to implement. References Agrawal, N. M., & Smith, S. A. (2009). Retail supply chain management quantitative models and empirical studies. New York: Springer. Alessandra, A. J. (2007). Stairs of customer loyalty. New Jersey: Electronic & Database Publishers. Bodhani, A. (2012). Shops offer the e-tail experience. Engineering & Technology, 7 (5), 46-49. Bruce, M., & Daly, L. (2011). Adding value: challenges for UK apparel supply chain management–a review. 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