For this project, I studied Shepard Fairey’s work and I drew my inspiration from the Hope poster he did in 2008. My work is similar to Fairey’s primarily because they both draw from the pre-1950’s propaganda style of design. This format was very spatial in the usage of color, and its outcome was also very artistic (Steven and Véronique, 2003). The image used in my poster has very little detailing and it’s this extended use of outlines that makes it attain that propaganda style that it had sought out to achieve at first glance.
The kinds of fonts I used are also quite basic and even with slight twists added on the shape of the letters, they still retain the straight character associated with the pre-1950’s propaganda. I believe the poster I did could have made the fit in anti-drug abuse campaigns of the 1940s with ease, primarily because the artistic style belongs to the same period. I’s message is also aimed at influencing the attitude of the viewer towards drug abuse, in such a way that he/she feels driven to view it as a negative habit. The poster can also be adapted for broadcast usage with little addition of motion graphics.
Looking at my work, in comparison with Fairey’s work, I can confidently say that with a little bit more practice, and with enough topics to work on, I can come up with posters that rival his as far as artistic and communicative strengths are concerned.
Working through the project also made me understand what can and cannot be done to achieve the propaganda style. One lesson I picked was that earthy colors are more suited to the attainment of the effect.
Reference List
Steven, H. and Véronique V. (2003) Citizen Designer: Perspectives on Design Responsibility. USA: Allworth Communications Inc.
Hope for the Nations is a Canadian charity organization which is aimed at helping children in different parts of the world. The organization’s motto is as follows, “Children at risk becoming children of change” (“Hope for the Nations”). The HFTN helps children in need to get education and such crucial things as nutritious food and drinkable water.
Ralph Bromley, the cofounder of the HFTN and its president, claims that it is really important to help children to develop as some of these youngsters can become future leaders, scientists, people of art, etc. (“Two Children of Change”). These future leaders can help the humanity to develop and achieve new goals.
People working for the organization and donators understand that children are their future and they are ready to invest their money, time and effort.
It is important to note that the organization also helps people to diminish aftermaths of natural disasters. Clearly, children in areas devastated by natural disasters need support. The HFTN helps communities as well as individuals.
For instance, the stories of individuals who got the aid from the organization are especially inspiring (“Two Children of Change”). These stories give people and children hope. These inspiring stories make children understand that they can also succeed in life.
It is important to note that the organization reveals data on the funds they allocate to different projects. This is really important as donators can make sure their funds reach people in need. The HFTN is transparent as it provides reports on the projects held and it shares news via the official website. Remarkably, the website is very efficient as it contains all the information different people may need.
Thus, it is easy to navigate the web site as there are major categories which provide information on the most important aspects. It is also necessary to mention that it is easy to find information on the history of the organization. Admittedly, it is really important that short facts are available for the web site guests.
Though, the most important is information on the projects and the ways to donate. This information can easily be accessed. It is possible to easily access information on each project and find out the sum of money raised. Moreover, it is easy to get the necessary information on particular activities and strategies the organization will implement to achieve its goals. This transparency is one of the characteristic features of the organization.
Apart from this, it is also easy to donate as lots of ways of donation are available. There is also information on other forms of cooperation. People can find out about volunteering which is also very important as lots of people are unable to donate their money whereas they are willing to donate their time and effort.
Notably, the site does not simply contain certain information on the projects. It is designed to inspire people and feel their connectedness. Thus, each page contains a picture or several pictures showing children at risk or volunteers who are providing their help.
There are also videos depicting success stories that prove that the organization’s motto is more than words (“Two Children of Change”). The videos depict people successful people who used to be children at risk. Therefore, the official website articulates the major message of the HFTN and makes people inspired and involved.
This report is aimed at discussing the marketing campaign surrounding the release of such books as Emotion, Identity, and Religion: Hope, Reciprocity, and Otherness, written by Douglas Davies. This work was published by Oxford University Press on 10 March, 2011.
It is necessary to analyze the target audience of this book or product, the elements of the marketing mix that have been included in its promotion.
Furthermore, it is important for us to discuss the competitive environment of this product and identify those factors which might pose a threat to the commercial success of this publication. Finally, it is necessary to present overall evaluation of the company’s promotion strategies, particularly regarding this book.
Target Market
The target audience of this book is very difficult to define. Judging from its content, one can argue that it is intended for well-educated people, who major in religious studies, history, or psychology. One may argue that this book will be of the greatest interest to educators or students.
Certainly, it is possible to say that increasing attention to the relationship between religion and culture can contribute to the success of this book among general audience.
But, the main readers of this book can be graduate or post-graduate students, professors of psychology and religious studies, and those scholars, who are doing research in this field.
Apart from that, we can hypothesize that the age of readers will 22 and above since at this age people are more likely to have necessary background knowledge in order to read this work. Finally, we can assume that this book is intended to both male and female readers.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
This marketing campaign has several strengths. First of all, we need to speak about brand. Oxford University Press has long been regarded as a leading scholarly publisher which always attempts to offer only the most innovative and well-researched works to the readers.
Secondly, we need to mention that the author of this book Douglas Davies is a well-known expert in religious studies; thus, his opinion will be valued by the readers. Finally, the most important strength is the product itself. The book Emotion, Identity, and Religion Hope, Reciprocity, and Otherness presents a thought-provoking discussion of how religion can shape a person’s identity.
Weaknesses
One can identify several essential weaknesses of this item. Judging from the cover of the book, one can hardly deduce its target audience. It is not clear whether it is intended for scholars, majoring in religious studies or for people, who are interested in psychology, anthropology, or sociology.
This lack of focus can undermine commercial performance of this item because prospective readers may not know whether this book will be of any benefit to them. The second weakness is poor use of the brand. The thing is that a potential buyer may not notice the name of the publishing house.
The thing is that readers may be more willing to purchase a book, if they know that it was released by Oxford University Press. Additionally, we need to mention that the publishing house does not provide detailed information about the author.
They should have mentioned that Douglas Davis has written more than 20 books about psychology and sociology of religion. By referring to these books, the publishers would have been able to attract customers, who formerly read the books of this author. These are the major limitations of this publication that we can identify. On the whole, they can significantly reduce the commercial success of this book.
Opportunities
The major opportunity is increasing interest of readers to this topic. Many people (not necessarily professionals) want to understand the similarities and differences between the world’s largest religions and their impact on the identity of people and society, in general.
Moreover, we should note that religious studies are becoming more and more connected with other disciplines, such as sociology or psychology. This trend can eventually increase the target audience of this title and this factor was definitely taken into account by Oxford University Press.
Threats
There are several external factors which downgrade the success of this marketing campaign. First, the topic has already become a subject of numerous books and articles. A great number of books have been written about the impacts of religion in identity and human emotions. Thus, it will be rather difficult for Oxford University Press to pursue product differentiation policy in this competitive environment.
Sales Figures
At this point, Oxford University Press does not provide accurate statistical data about the sales rates of this book. However, the figures provided by such websites as Amazon (2010, unpaged) indicate that this book does not perform very well.
Currently, the sales rank of this book is 148,881 (Amazon, 2010, unpaged). This means that there are at least 148,881 books which are selling better than this title. This sales rank indicates that a copy of this book is purchased every one in a week.
Overall, one can say that this work can hardly be called a bestseller. Nonetheless, we need to emphasize the point that at the given moment these numbers are definitive. This book was released only 7 weeks ago and this period of time is not sufficient for conclusive evaluation.
Market Research Conducted by the Company
One can assume that Oxford University Press carried out in-depth research of the market prior to the publication of this item. First of all, they determine the extent to which this topic has been examined and discussed in scholarly works and identify the major books that were previously published. Secondly, they determined if this book by Douglas Davies would enjoy demand among the prospective readers.
Competitive Environment
This book has been launched into a very competitive environment. As it has been said before, there are numerous books, dedicated to this topic. For instance, we can mention the book called Religion and Identity, written by Patrick O’Sullivan (2001) or the work by Sean Oliver-Dee (2009) called Religion and Identify: Divided Loyalties?
Moreover, there are thousands of books which can be indirectly related to this question. The majority of them belong to the domain of religious studies. Nonetheless, there are several characteristics of this product which can contribute to its success.
Such brand as Oxford University Press has always been regarded as a paragon of academic excellence, and this perception can affect the purchasing decisions of the readers. Another difficulty which must not be overlooked is the dissemination of news about this book.
Douglas Davies’ book can enjoy demand among readers only if it will be of interest to scholars and teachers. If this book will be used in educational institutions, the demand for it will eventually rise. These are the main external factors that can affect the financial performance of this item.
Marketing Mix
At this point, it is necessary for us to show how different elements of the marketing mix can be applied to this particular title; in particular, we need to speak about the product, price, place and promotion. Prior to the launch of any title, the publisher must ensure that the book is affordable to the target audience (Woll & Raccah, 2010).
Secondly, they need to make the product accessible to the customers and a publishing house must have a well-developed distribution network for effective network (Cole, 2004).
Finally, the company has to increase the customers’ awareness about this product. In other words, this people need to know that this work was actually published. Most importantly, the publishers must convince the readers that this book really creates value for them.
Product
Judging from the cover of this title, one can argue that the designers wanted to emphasize the point that this book does tell what exactly the book will be about. Stonehenge servers as a background for the title and this image is familiar to every British reader and it is immediately associated with mystery and secret.
This design is supposed to encourage the potential to read the annotation for the book and look through its contents. This cover aims to show that this book is based on in-depth research undertaken by an authoritative scholar, who can bring innovative and well-grounded ideas.
Yet, the image of Stonehenge is very ambiguous: it may refer to history, cultural studies, or religious studies. The title of this item and its cover do not show to which academic discipline this book is related. The main drawback that we can detect is that the cover does not tell clearly for whom this book is intended. This is one of the major limitations of this product.
Furthermore, we should point out that this book is released in hardcover and paperback. One should bear in mind that hardcover books are more costly, and publishing houses reserve them only for those books or authors whom they expect to be successful.
In contrast, paperbacks are less expensive, and they are suitable for those books which may not be read very often since they are more likely to be damaged. Overall, this format enables the publishing house to reduce the costs of production and allows them to make the price more affordable but at the same time, it is less suitable for extensive reading.
Thus, it is possible to say that Oxford University Press is not quite sure about the commercial success of this book. Certainly, they expect that customers will read this book more than once but they are not certain about it.
One of the details, which attract attention, is poor use of branding. At first glance, one can hardly see that this book was published by Oxford University Press. The brand does not attract the reader’s attention.
Price
At the given moment, the price of this product is £65.00; at least one can purchase this book from the official cite of Oxford University Press. However, one should bear in mind that this work is also available in paperback.
If a customer chooses to buy it in this format; he/she would have to pay £20.00 (Oxford University Press, 2011, unpaged). Thus, we can say that this publishing house attempts to pursue a flexible pricing policy. Additionally, we need to point out that prices for this book have not declined since the time of its publication.
Place
The customers can purchase this product from various sales outlets. First of all, we need to speak about various bookstores in the United Kingdom. For instance, one can buy this book at Blackwell’s, Waterstones, Foyles, and so forth.
Secondly, customers can order this work from the official website of Oxford University Press. Secondly, this book can be obtained from a host of online shops such as Amazon, e-Bay, Books-A-Milan, and so forth.
Hence, it is possible for us to say that the publishers have made this book accessible to a large number of customers who may be living not only in the United Kingdom but in other English-speaking countries as well.
Promotion
Oxford University Press has taken several steps to increase the customers’ awareness about this book. First of all, its release was immediately announced at different web-based shops such as Amazon, Alibris, Barnes& Noble, Borders, IndieBound or Books-A-Milan.
People, who are searching for information on the Web, especially if they are interested in religion and identity, can run across this title. Furthermore, the new about the release of this title was released in scientific circles.
For instance, this book was presented in Wolfson Research Institute which is a part of Durham University where Douglas Davis works as a Professor of Religious Studies (Durham University, 2011, unpaged). Furthermore, we need to mention that this book was reviewed by the editors of several newspapers.
Evidence of Sales Achieved
Although Oxford University Press has yet to provide financial data about the sales rates of this book, one can say that currently, financial performance of this item leaves much to be desired. In the previous sections, we have mentioned that this book has a very low sales rank, namely 148,881 (Amazon.2011, unpaged).
This figure indicates this book does not enjoy considerable demand among the potential customers. On average, a copy of this book is bought one in a week, and this is not the best result. However, we need to consider that Emotion, Identity, and Religion: Hope, Reciprocity, and Otherness is intended for academic audiences and low sales rates are not unusual for academic books.
Conclusion
At this point, it might be too early to judge the commercial success of such books as Emotion, Identity, and Religion Hope, Reciprocity, and Otherness. As it has been said before, it was released only two months before and after a certain amount of time, the situation might change.
The outcomes of this campaign depend on how this work will be received in scholarly circles. However, at this point, the marketing strategies do not bring the expected results.
This can be explained by several factors such as highly competitive environment and increasing number of books, dedicated to this topic.
However, we need to mention that in this case, the marketing mix was not developed properly, namely inadequate promotion and lack of attention to product development. These are the key reasons why this book does not enjoy considerable demand among customers.
Non-profit organizations are among the most prominent social unit worldwide. They are the social institutions of the modern era with high moral and intellectual value, possibly the only outstanding and helpful social institute. They also carry burdens in the areas of health care, child care, protection of privacy, and education of all individual in diverse nations (Anthony & David, 1994). They carry out their financial stewardship obligation through the inclusion of all people irrespective of age, race, and disability.
Cash Flow
Angel of Hope as a non-profit organization controls vast resources across national borders, and affects every human life. However, the financial stewardship obligation of Angel of Hope’s leadership team is a primary consideration for all non-profit institutions.
Some managers have said that, after work, money is the most time consuming aspect of organizational life. The approach to money matters at Angel of Hope is straightforward and understanding. This approach is through managing the organization’s cash flow, learning how to connect the societal gaps or deal with excesses successfully, and working to make all the resources in the organization’s world flow more efficiently.
This approach is a one-line prescription for administrators, board members, donors, consultants, and others with an interest in the financial health and welfare of Angel of Hope.
The organization receives taxable gifts and grants to be used for social amenities for which the organization’s vision, mission and objectives were instituted. However, because it has no interest, it never carries out its financial obligations as investors and often pays little, or nothing, in federal taxes (either state or local) internationally. Therefore, the financial cycle of Angel of Hope is only about cash flow (financial gain and disbursements). It is these characteristics that make the institution’s perception of cash flow to an extent relevant to accepting they way it works.
The degree for strategic thinking for leaders in the organization can be set by budgeting, prediction in advance and monitoring of the Cash flow, mainly in the areas of their responsibilities both in the regulatory and the public insight point of view.
Understanding how the organization performs at the moment, and its expected operation in the subsequent years, are deeply fixed in the perceptive of the cash flow. A continuous record when grants are received and leave the organization’s treasuries is essential to guarantee health and strength of the organization.
As part of the obligation of the leadership team of Angel of Hope, it is possible to communicate unmistakably with donors and organizations that will present gifts and funds they require. Currently, the organizations methods for budgeting that will enthusiastically make its financial game plan brighter and clearer.
This cash flow thinking helps leaders of organization scrutinize their economic plan in an innovative and different method. This process is implemented by means of cash as a main financial record.
Financial Stewardship Obligations
Consequently, financial stewardship obligations of the organization’s leadership have the greatest familiarity with the complexity of the organization’s internal operations, environment, and growth opportunities (Blazek, 1996). As Herman and Heimovics put it, the leadership team has executive centrality.
The leadership team has easier access to information on how well the organization is functioning, has greater expertise related to the organization’s mission, and repeatedly represents the public view of the organization; and thus the burden of responsibility for the organization’s success and shortcomings (Herman & Heimovics, 1991).
The basic obligations of the financial stewardship leadership team of Angel of Hope can be grouped as:
Commit to the mission of the organization
Guide members of staff and control the organization
Implementation of responsible financial stewardship
Conduct and plan how to raise more money for the organization
Ensuring liability, and comply with law as they follow the highest degree of ethical standards
Establish affiliations, and advocate to the organization.
Controls the worth and success of programs
Give moral or psychological support to the board.
Communicating Obligations of Leaders to Stakeholders
To communicate these obligations to relevant stakeholders, a generic list of the leadership obligations which are applicable to Angel of Hope leadership team can be drawn from James Kouzes and Barry Posner’s framework (James & Posner, 2010). These authors argue that successful leaders need to engage in the following five key leadership activities.
Leaders should have an end picture in their mind and share it to enlist others to realize their vision.
Conclusion
Angels of Hope leadership team responsibilities include management as well as leadership tasks. It is their task to ensure that the organization carries out its obligations in an efficient and a well-organized way. It is the task of the leadership team to decide what the work should be and to motivate others to pursue the vision that drives the work.
The leadership team focuses on change by setting direction and vision. Furthermore, they plan to produce results. They organize staff, structure jobs and reporting relationships to implement plans; besides, they control, solve the problem, and correct deviations from the organization’s plan. In other words, it is a leadership task to develop a shared plan, and a management task to coordinate its implementation.
Reference List
Anthony, R. N., & David, W. Y. (1994). Management Control in Not-for-profit Organizations. Boston, MA: Irwin, Inc.
Blazek, J. (1996). Financial Planning for Not-for-profit Organizations. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Herman, R. D., & Heimovics, R. (1991). Executive leadership in nonprofit organizations: new strategies for shaping the executive-board dynamics. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
James, K., & Barry, P. (2010). The Leadership Challenge Practice Book. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons.
Healthcare organizations should use powerful marketing strategies in order to realize their goals. Marketers should also be aware of the unique needs of different individuals in every targeted location. Every population can be divided into different segments. Singh (2009) believes that “a proper marketing approach should consist of different strategies in order to attract members of the targeted segment” (p. 47). This proposal identifies a powerful approach that can be used to market a healthcare organization.
The name of the fictitious institution is Hope Network Hospital. The healthcare institution is planning to deliver quality services to the people of Minnesota, MN. A proper understanding of the targeted population will dictate specific approaches that can be used to attract members of different segments (Awa & Eze, 2013). The healthcare center will embrace the best models, strategies, plans, and activities in order to become the leading provider of evidence-based medical care.
Segmenting the Targeted Market
Recent estimates indicate that Minnesota has a population of 5.5 million citizens. Majority of the people are aged between 25 and 50 (Taylor, 2014). Minnesota’s population is also growing steadily in comparison with other regions in the country. Majority of the citizens are known to dwell in Minnesota-St. Paul (Taylor, 2014).
Statistics also indicate that “many people in Minnesota are of European descent” (Taylor, 2014, p. 37). However, the number of Latino Americans is also growing exponentially in this region. Over 70 percent of Minnesota’s adults are working in different sectors. These demographics can be used to develop a powerful segmentation strategy for the healthcare institution.
The first approach is to group the targeted customers into different segments. Such segments will include potential customers with similar health needs. The targeted individuals in that particular segment will portray similar responses to the targeted marketing strategy. The first segmentation approach should focus on Minnesota’s demographics.
For instance, the center will be established in an urban area. This approach will ensure the hospital delivers quality services to more individuals (Awa & Eze, 2013). The population is characterized by individuals between the age of 20 and 50. The marketers will therefore use different techniques in order to attract more members of this age bracket.
The marketing approach can offer personalized messages for males and females. This means that “the population will be segmented based on gender” (Martisiute, Vilutyte, & Grundey, 2010, p. 7). Women tend to have specific health needs. Every health service targeting women should be based on the above segmentation philosophy. The same strategy will be used for different medical services targeting males. It will also be appropriate to offer different messages that can attract members of various cultural groups.
This is necessary because Minnesota’s population is very diverse. This “segmentation strategy will make it easier for the organization to attract more individuals and eventually emerge successful” (Martisiute et al., 2010, p. 7). Patients from different locations and backgrounds will be able to acquire quality medical care.
The market can also be segmented using the behavioral patterns of different individuals in the state. For instance, many young people are currently looking for medical services and ideas online. The institution can therefore “offer online doctors to target more patients in this state” (Martisiute et al., 2010, p. 8). The aging baby-boomer population prefers to get medical services from established institutions. They also focus on the best ethical practices and approaches.
The marketing strategy should therefore embrace powerful approaches in order to support the needs of these individuals. A powerful brand image will also be used to target specific individuals. It is agreeable that many people tend to have their preferable brands. A positive brand image will target and attract more potential customers.
The other segmentation approach should focus on the geographical locations of the targeted customers. The medical facility should focus on Minnesota-St. Paul because it has more people. As well, new centers will be opened in different counties such as Ramsey, Hennepin, Dakota, Washington, and Anoka. The strategy will ensure the facility offers quality medical services to more citizens in Minnesota (Singh, 2009). The practice will eventually boost the organization’s sales and eventually make it more profitable.
Different marketing strategies should therefore be used for the above segments. To begin with, the use of online support will mainly target many young people in Minnesota. However, the approach will also be favorable for persons who use different social networks. The marketing strategy should also deliver quality information to the targeted population.
This approach will encourage more citizens to get quality medical services from the healthcare institution (Singh, 2009). The marketers should also use powerful messages to communicate with women who have different health problems. Some of these health problems include “cervical cancer, mastitis, hormonal imbalances, and fibrosis” (Awa & Eze, 2013, p. 13). A different marketing strategy should therefore be used when targeting males in the state.
As well, the facility should use a powerful mission that seeks to satisfy the needs of many individuals. This aspect of marketing will attract every potential patient. The organization should also be ready to provide quality services that will fulfill the changing needs of different communities.
This discussion shows clearly that the objectives of the market strategy will remain the same. However, customized messages and services should be used to develop powerful marketing strategies for different segments (Rose, 2011). The hospital should use appealing messages to ensure more parents are willing to get the best medical services from the institution. The practice will also support the health needs of many children in Minnesota.
The marketing strategy should also be developed in accordance with the aspects of different geographical areas. This variation will be critical because every county has its unique characteristics. Every county should therefore have a personalized marketing approach in order to get the best results. Individuals from different cultural backgrounds tend to have unique health needs (Rose, 2011).
They also expect such services to be delivered in a professional manner. That being the case, the institution will be required to employ more medical practitioners from different backgrounds. This move will ensure the facility is on the frontline towards providing culturally-sensitive and evidence-based care.
It will also be necessary to identify specific values that support the facility’s brand. Such values will fulfill the health expectations of many persons from different cultural backgrounds and segments. For instance, the marketing strategy should inform the population about the quality, openness, integrity, and passion embraced by the healthcare facility (Awa & Eze, 2013). These approaches will eventually make the hospital one of the leading providers of quality healthcare.
Developing a Slogan
The healthcare facility should be ready to offer client-focused and superior medical services to every client. Every person in the organization will be expected to embrace the best behaviors and practices. That being the case, a powerful slogan will be required in order to achieve the targeted goals and objectives much faster.
The slogan will become the best tool for every practitioner in the organization. Nurses and caregivers in the facility will be expected to embrace the best medical principles in order to support the slogan (Singh, 2009). As well, the slogan will communicate to more individuals in Minnesota. The slogan will also inform them about the quality, nature, and appropriateness of the services provided by the facility.
The flyer presented below will be used to inform more people about the identified slogan. The flyer will ensure more people understand the mission of the hospital. The flyer will be a vital marketing tool for this medical facility. The slogan indicated on the flyer will also sensitize more people about the facility’s goals. The purpose of the slogan is to remind more people about the organization’s objectives.
The main goal is to deliver competent, evidence-based, and timely health care services (Rose, 2011). The slogan will act as a promise to every person who wants to get the best services from the institution. Every caregiver will therefore be equipped with the best skills in order to promote the slogan (Singh, 2009). This practice will eventually support the marketing strategy and eventually make the institution successful.
The mission for the healthcare institution is “to continually improve the quality healthcare by setting the best standards in patient care and support” (Kotler & Keller, 2012, p. 64). The appropriate slogan for the marketing campaign is presented below.
Hope Network Hospital: Your Most Trusted Partner in Medical Care
The above slogan will ensure more workers are focusing on the best practices in order to offer client-focused medical care. The flyer presented below will inform more people about the goals of Hope Network Hospital. The targeted population will also be aware of the efforts undertaken by the hospital in order to deliver quality care (Singh, 2009). The flyer will eventually attract more patients and eventually make Hope Network Hospital one of leading providers of patient-focused care.
Singh (2009) believes that medical facilities should have powerful missions. They should also be ready to deliver their promises to the targeted population. Such “medical institutions should walk the talk” (Singh, 2009, p. 83). This fact explains why the healthcare institution should ensure every nurse is ready to fulfill the promises indicated by the targeted slogan.
The practitioners should be equipped with the relevant ideas, competencies, and skills on order to deliver positive results. The action plan presented will therefore ensure the facility’s workers deliver the slogan to life. The approach will ensure every client gets the best care.
Fig 1: Proposed Flyer
Proposed Action Plan
The first approach towards empowering every healthcare worker is to have a proper training program. The training program will mainly focus on the above slogan. The training will ensure every person is aware of the targeted institutional goals. The workers will also be equipped with appropriate skills and competencies in order to support the mission of the facility (Kotler & Keller, 2012).
As well, every member of staff will acquire new communication, problem solving, and decision-making skills. Such skills will be critical towards promoting the best practices in the healthcare facility.
The institution will also equip its workers with the necessary resources. The resources of a given health facility will significantly influence the nature of services availed to the targeted patients. The facility will ensure every practitioner has constant access to information.
Modern technological systems will also be installed in the facility in order to improve the level of communication. Every individual will “be equipped with various technological devices and equipment in order to offer timely services to the targeted patients” (Kotler & Keller, 2012, p. 102).
The concept of teamwork will also be embraced in the institution. Medical practitioners and caregivers will be grouped into different groups. Such groups will have qualified Health Leaders (HLs). Such leaders will therefore address various conflicts that might arise in their groups.
The leaders will also be equipped with new competencies and managerial ideas in order to deliver the best services (Kotler & Keller, 2012). The action plan will ensure every team works tirelessly in order to meet the health needs of many citizens. The approach will eventually increase the trust of different patients.
A powerful framework will also be established in the facility. The framework will “ensure nurses engage in various practices such as mentoring, lifelong learning, and collaboration” (Awa & Eze, 2013, p. 7). The individuals will be “encouraged to consult different publications because healthcare is an evidence-based practice” (Kotler & Keller, 2012, p. 49).
These action plans will equip more practitioners with the best concepts and competencies. Such individuals will eventually bring the above slogan to life. This strategy will “ensure the facility continues to offer evidence-based health services to more people in the targeted state” (Awa & Eze, 2013, p. 7). More patients and underserved communities will get the best health support.
SWOT Analysis
Hope Network Hospital is expected to become a leading provider of evidence-based care to every targeted segment. Powerful aspects and practices will be essential towards delivering the above slogan to every patient. A SWOT Analysis will identify the major strengths that can support the organization’s future goals (Kotler & Keller, 2012). The tool will also equip the leaders with appropriate incentives in order to achieve the best results.
The SWOT presented below identifies the major strengths and opportunities that will make it easier for the long-term care facility to promote the best practices. It will also be necessary to address some of the weaknesses and gaps that can affect the quality of various medical services availed to the targeted clients. The threats and weaknesses presented below should be used to formulate new strategies that can deliver the best goals.
Internal Environment
Strengths
The hospital employs competent nurses, doctors, practitioners, and caregivers. These individuals form a competent staff that addresses a wide range of health problems. Such professionals present their ideas in order to achieve the best health outcomes.
The hospital embraces different practices such as teamwork. The practices will ensure more people are focusing on the needs of their teammates and patients.
The institution has the best technological devices and equipment. These devices will be essential towards delivering quality care to more patients.
Low staff turnover will be expected in this organization. Proper leadership models will be put in place. The institution will “empower its workers using different incentives such as work-life balance, motivation, and rewards” (Kotler & Keller, 2012, p. 48).
The institution plans to support various outreach programs. The programs will focus on various problems that affect many people in Minnesota. Some of these issues include malaria, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and drug abuse.
The facility will be a leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR). The practice will improve the level of confidence in the state.
Lifelong learning will be “embraced in the organization in order to continually improve the quality of care” (Kotler & Keller, 2012, p. 48).
A proper organizational structure will be useful in this organization.
Weaknesses
The current number of nurses cannot address the health needs of the American population. This situation explains why the organization might be unable to employ the right number of caregivers.
It is becoming impossible to employ competent specialists. This is the case because “many specialists are currently in private practice” (Martisiute et al., 2010, p. 9). Such professionals will offer private services to different medical institutions. This practice explains why such specialists are expensive to hire.
The issue of taxation will also affect the current and future performance of this medical facility.
Internal group conflicts can have huge impacts on the healthcare organization.
External Environment
Opportunities
Modern advancements in technology will ensure the hospital delivers quality support to more patients.
The current economic performance is encouraging more people to get quality screenings and medical information. This facility will benefit a lot from such changes.
New polices and laws have been passed in an attempt to support the health needs of many Americans. Such laws will favor many hospitals and medical facilities including Hope Network Hospital.
Many scholars and practitioners are embracing the power of research. Such researches are expected to present evidence-based models and theories that can support the future of care.
Many people are volunteering to provide medical services. Such volunteers have the potential to support the facility’s mission (Singh, 2009).
The institution can also collaborate with like-minded organizations. This practice will make it possible for many individuals to get quality care.
Modern innovations and theories continue to support the nature of nursing. This opportunity will make it easier for the institution to achieve its goals.
New health complications are forcing medical practitioners to engage in numerous studies. Such studies will present new ideas towards better medical practices.
Social media and other online platforms will support the facility’s future goals.
Threats
The industry has become extremely competitive. New facilities have emerged in order to offer quality care to more patients. Government sponsored medical institutions are also attracting more patients than ever before.
The facility will be required to fulfill certain requirements. This threat will affect the organization’s performance within the past few years (Singh, 2009).
Many patients obtain their health services from medical facilities that have been in operation for the last few decades. This situation can affect the number of clients and eventually make the facility less successful.
People have “access to free information on the internet” (Singh, 2009, p. 106). Patients can get the relevant health information from different websites. This situation can have disastrous impacts on the hospital’s performance.
New hospitals are expected to emerge in different parts of the country. This development will increase the level of competition and make it impossible for this facility to achieve its goals.
Strategic Plan Proposal
Strategic Plan and Implementation
A powerful plan will be needed in order to support this health organization. Various initiatives should be put in place in order to promote organizational development and sustainability. The hospital will use different initiatives in order to foster organizational growth and sustainability. The first initiative is putting in place a proper growth and development plan. This plan will be characterized by specific strategies and practices that can deliver the best goals.
The plan will include specific goals, objectives, and roles that should be completed within a specified period of time. The second initiative is having a proper organizational culture. A proper strategy will be characterized by powerful practices within the organization (Singh, 2009). The culture will promote teamwork, foster decision-making, and ensure every person focuses on the institution’s future growth.
The third initiative is having a powerful leadership that focuses on attainable goals. The leaders will empower and mentor their followers to focus on such goals. The approach will ensure the institution is ready to achieve new goals and open more facilities. The fourth initiative is having a framework for implementing evidence-based practices. Such practices will ensure more employees are ready to acquire new practices in healthcare (Rose, 2011). Such evidence-based approaches will ensure the organization stays on the right path.
The fifth approach should include constant reviews and changes. Organizational changes are relevant because they present new ideas and processes that can result in growth. The proposed review will focus on better practices and strategies that will improve the health outcomes of many patients.
The last initiative is embracing the power of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Responsible institutions attract more stakeholders and clients. Many patients will also be ready to support the goals of the hospital (Rose, 2011). The approach will promote organizational growth and eventually result in sustainability.
Proposed Strategic Plan
Many people are in need of quality and timely health services. The organization’s core principles include providing efficient care, promoting equity for all, and embracing continuous technological improvements. Hope Network Hospital is committed to become a leader in health support.
The institution is committed towards offering personalized services to every targeted client. Continuous learning is a powerful approach aimed at improving the nature of health support (Awa & Eze, 2013). This strategic plan details how the organization will commit itself towards promoting growth and ensuring timely services.
Organizational Background
Hope Network is a faith-founded institution. The health institution seeks to offer personalized services to more individuals in Minnesota. The organization’s core values include selflessness, personalized service, quality care, equity, evidence-based practice, and inclusiveness.
The institution focuses on the best principles of medical practice in order to support the changing health needs of different populations (Singh, 2009). Patient-centered practices and approaches are the drivers of the organization’s activities. The facility is ready to embrace new practices and ideas in an attempt to improve the health outcomes of many people.
Vision and Mission
The organization has identified powerful goals and objectives that should be achieved within the next five years. The mission of the organization is to “to continually improve the quality healthcare by setting the best standards in patient care and support” (Rose, 2011, p. 48).
This mission will ensure the facility focuses on the best competencies in an attempt to deliver the best services. The organization will always embrace the best principles in healthcare. This strategy will make it possible for the institution to achieve its vision.
The hospital’s vision is “to become the leading and trusted partner in providing personalized care to every client” (Singh, 2009, p. 59). Every nurse practitioner (NP) will be equipped with the required resources and skills. The approach will be critical towards promoting the best practices and eventually make the institution successful.
Current Environmental Conditions
The American health environment is changing very fast. New health problems “are being reported every single day” (Singh, 2009, p. 87). People have also become aware of the available options and resources. New policies and regulations have been implemented in order to support the changing needs of many communities.
Some communities have been underserved thus making it impossible for their members to access quality medical support. Despite such changes, the healthcare organization will commit its efforts in order to offer adequate health services. Technologies and innovations are also changing the country’s health landscape.
The organization is ready to use modern innovations in an attempt to provide quality medical services to more patients. New researches in healthcare are supporting the needs of many populations. The institution will use such findings to improve the quality of its healthcare services.
Targeted Organizational Change
The institution does not have any specific organizational change. However, the organization will be embracing every modern technology within the next five years. This move will be necessary because new technologies are emerging every day. Such innovations will make it easier for the organization to achieve its goals. New communication processes will be implemented through the use of modern devices.
Every worker will have constant access to the internet. It will also allow its workers to consult different materials and researches. These changes will encourage the practitioners to offer evidence-based care. They will also acquire new skills that will eventually make them competent providers of quality medical care (Singh, 2009). The healthcare institution will also hire more practitioners within the next five years. Such workers will play a significant role towards supporting the health expectations of many patients.
Strategic Plan Initiatives and Components
Several initiatives will be put in place in order to achieve the above strategic goals. The first initiative is to promote the best leadership practices. The leadership style embraced in a given organization will determine its performance (Awa & Eze, 2013). A powerful leadership approach will be used to mentor different workers and promote the best practices. The second initiative revolves around the provision of adequate resources.
Such resources will empower more practitioners and encourage them to address the needs of their respective patients (Awa & Eze, 2013). New organizational practices will also be supported by a strong culture. The culture will promote powerful practices such as decision-making, collaboration, and teamwork.
Training sessions and programs will be embraced throughout the targeted period. Such sessions will equip nurses and practitioners with emerging ideas in medical practice. New teams will be established depending on the targeted goals. Teams have “the potential to produce goals much faster” (Awa & Eze, 2013, p. 11).
Members of the same time can share their skills and resources in order to achieve every targeted outcome. Appraisals and surveys will also be conducted frequently in the organization.
Such appraisals will identify new gaps and propose appropriate action plans that can improve the level of performance. Such initiatives and components will eventually make the hospital successful. Marketing will also be taken seriously in the organization. A proper marketing strategy is needed in order to inform more people about the services provided by the organization.
Timelines and Action Plans
Legal Responsibilities and Regulatory Compliance Issues
An Operations Manager (OP) will be employed to ensure every activity in the organization is executed in a professional manner. The candidate will also be required to monitor the organization’s practices. The person will also focus on legal responsibilities and goals of different practitioners (Awa & Eze, 2013). The OP will be expected to follow and address various regulatory compliance issues. This office will ensure the organization is operating within the provided guidelines and legal expectations.
Key Stakeholders
The number of stakeholders is expected to increase significantly. Every employee, member of staff, leader, patient, and citizen will always be treated as a stakeholder. However, key stakeholders in the organization include the managers, caregivers, practitioners, and patients. A powerful model will therefore be required in order to address the issues that might affect the expectations of different stakeholders (Martisiute et al., 2010). Such stakeholders will be considered in every decision-making process.
Potential Turn of Events
Kotler and Keller (2012) argue that “changes are happening very fast today” (p. 78). Healthcare organizations should therefore be prepared in order to deal with unforeseeable events. This fact explains why every strategic plan should focus on different unexpected events.
A good example is a potential economic crisis. Such a crisis will definitely affect the current strategic plan. This is the case because some stakeholders might leave the organization. As well, the institution might be unable to purchase the required resources and equipment. The situation can also worsen when the targeted population is affected by the economic crisis.
The best thing is to embrace the power of proactive planning. This approach will ensure the institution anticipates every unpredictable future event. The use of the above appraisals and surveys will provide powerful insights whenever there is a crisis. The leaders in the organization will continuously examine various environmental forces and changes.
They will also adjust their decisions depending on the changes that might face the industry. These practices can be critical towards dealing with unpredictable future events. Resource-allocation will also be made in a timely manner. The institution will “know when to take precautions or make necessary budget cuts” (Martisiute et al., 2010, p. 12). Members of staff will also be equipped with appropriate skills and competencies in order to deal with the targeted situation.
The above event can have numerous implications on the institution’s performance. It will therefore be appropriate to modify the action plans in a professional manner. For instance, the organization can hire fewer practitioners and improve healthcare delivery processes (Rose, 2011). The hospital can also reduce its prices in order to attract more clients. The use of proactive planning will ensure the organization is on the frontline towards realizing its goals.
Reference List
Awa, H., & Eze, S. (2013). The marketing challenges of healthcare entrepreneurship: An Empirical investigation in Nigeria. British Journal of Marketing Studies, 1(2), 1-16.
Kotler, P., & Keller, K. (2012). Marketing Management. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Martisiute, S., Vilutyte, G., & Grundey, D. (2010).“Product or Brand? How Interrelationship Between Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty Work. European Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2(1), 5-15.
Rose, P. (2011). Cultural Competency for Health Administration and Public Health. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Singh, D. (2009). Effective Management of Long-Term Care Facilities. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Taylor, P. (2014). The Next America: Boomers, Millennials, and the Looming Generational Showdown. New York, NY: Public Affairs.
Project Hope international seeks a grant of $25,000 to fund an information technology project for young people in East Palo Alto. The project is aimed at serving 250 young people within the community every year. This will enable them to take advantage of the opportunities brought by information technology and to learn about their rights and roles in fighting human trafficking and gender violence.
Introduction
Project Hope International is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that runs its operations in South Asia, United States (US) and Africa.
The organization’s current mandate is to bridge the technological gap that exists between East Palo Alto and the neighboring Silicon Valley (communities which have been isolated from the rapid economic and technological revolution that has been going in the neighboring communities). East Palo Alto is a dynamic community with inhabitants hailing from various communities (Plugged In, 2000, p. 1).
The mandate of Project Hope international is to provide the technological know-how to empower people to rise against social ills such as human trafficking and gender violence. The technological aid is aimed at complementing educational strategies to create more awareness about human trafficking and gender violence.
The organization’s mandate in East Palo Alto is to improve computer access and to ensure the community takes advantage of the opportunities posed by information technology in enriching their lives. The organization’s function revolves around three main concepts of education, enterprising, and accessibility (Plugged In, 2000, p. 1).
The organization currently runs an after-school program for people from all backgrounds and ages called community Kids. The main participants of the after school program are students below the age of 12. Several concepts in information technology are taught in this program and they include basic introduction to information technology, graphic design and other concepts.
This program is run in collaboration with community-based groups and other relevant stakeholders in the education sector. This is the main factor that acts as the basis for this proposal because it seeks funding for the main class that targets children and teenagers.
To be able to finance effectively this project, project Hope International seeks a grant of $25,000. This financing will be used to cater for 250 children (annually) and provide enough educational opportunities for the improvement of the quality of education in the community.
Project Need
There is a direct link between gender violence and illiteracy (or a lack of education) (Mathur, 2004, p. 12). The same link exists between human trafficking and illiteracy. It is as a result of this revelation that, Project Hope international seeks to educate the local community about the importance of understanding their rights and knowing where to report various social ills that affect them.
There is no better way to achieve this objective than through education (Fernando, 2007). However, there are several challenges experienced before education is fully imparted into the local community. The main challenge of imparting this knowledge among community members is the difficulty experienced in realizing a significant educational outreach.
Since Project Hope International does not enjoy a vibrant infrastructure of imparting knowledge to community members, such as that evident in the country’s education system, there is a lot to be offered by information technology because it provides the appropriate infrastructure for learning.
It is from this understanding that Project Hope International seeks a $25,000 funding for computer education classes aimed at educating young girls, women and children in the community.
The organization’s strategy in imparting knowledge among the young people of the community is mainly based on the principle that, the younger a person is introduced to information technology, the higher the chances of using information technology for economic growth and personal empowerment.
Project Objectives
There are several objectives which the project intends to achieve. First, the project intends to have a low teacher-student ratio where teaching will be individualized and more effective. The ideal ratio would be one teacher for every six students (Scott, 2000, p. 143). Currently, this ratio is not achieved because of a lack of enough facilities and resources to run the program.
This project also aims to achieve a project-based approach where most learning activities will be undertaken in the context of a project. This teaching strategy is projected to provide more meaning to the learning process because it is assumed that, projects empower children with more skills than most learning methods (Mathur, 2004, p. 12).
Ideally, the project aims to encourage students to come up with publications such as magazines, presentations and such like works which highlight various dynamics of gender violence and human trafficking.
This project is also designed to take advantage of the flexibility that conventional school curriculums do not provide when teaching various issues of the society (Nicoll, 2006). Since Project Hope international is a non-governmental organization, it aims to exercise this flexibility. It is from this flexibility that the organization seeks to shed light on various social issues affecting the community.
Finally, this project aims to highlight the fact that, technology can be used for various purposes in the community. Most importantly, the project aims to expose young people to the endless strategies they can adopt to use information technology for the advancement of their community and personal lives.
Project Impact
This project aims to achieve several objectives. The main objective is to improve the community’s level of education regarding gender violence and human trafficking. It is believed that, if the populace is educated about their rights, they can be able to stand up against the above vices, thereby contributing to fight gender violence and human trafficking (Bancroft, 2010, p. 2).
It is also believed that, educating the community, and more especially the young people about gender violence and human trafficking, there will be a surge in the demand for accountability and responsibility from the relevant authorities (regarding human trafficking and gender violence) (Kakkar, 2004).
Moreover, there is bound to be an increase in the number of ambassadors against gender violence and human trafficking if the community is educated about the consequences and spread of these vices.
Apart from educating the community about their rights and the consequences of gender violence and human trafficking, this project also aims to improve computer access in the community. There is a strong commitment within the organization to ensure that there is adequate internet penetration in the community and that most community members have computers.
Currently, Project Hope International operates a computer drop-in-center and a computer networking program which is known as epa.net which acts as a resource for community members to undertake research about various issues in the society (Plugged In, 2000, p. 1).
For close to two decades, epa.net has been able to connect 18 community organizations into a common network which has assisted them to develop WebPages and websites which have significantly improved the efficiency of their operations.
Project Steps
This project is designed to work on two fronts. The first front is centered on forging community partnerships with local organizations. The second front is centered on availing enterprise high-end computer training (Plugged In, 2000, p. 1). Most of the information technology classes are designed to include the input of community-based organizations and schools.
Their contribution is aimed at utilizing the already existing infrastructure for teaching. The entire project aims to integrate the contribution of six community partners, Shule Mandela elementary school, East side preparatory Academy, Children’s preservation network (an after school program), Next Generation day care, Green oaks elementary school and MOMZ (Plugged In, 2000, p. 1).
The project will work with third to eight grade students from Shule Mandela elementary school and ninth graders from East side preparatory school, East side preparatory school is a private school in the community. The project will also work with five to nine year olds from Next Generation Daycare.
Comprehensively, the program will offer four types of classes in the following sequence: Shule Mandela, MOMZ, Project Hope international Enterprises and Multimedia productions. The first class will be aimed at teaching students how to use computers for creative projects.
The first year will focus on introducing computers to students and the second year will be dedicated to introducing students to various types of computer applications such as Microsoft word and the likes. The second phase of the project ensures that, students are versed with the Macintosh operating system.
A new class will be started annually. At the third stage of project implementation, students will be required to undertake a project, based on a specific topic area (either human trafficking or gender violence) using desktop publishing or multimedia production. The main aim of this project phase is to introduce students to various information technology projects students can undertake to make an impact in the community.
Project Evaluation
Since the entire program is divided into respective stages, several evaluation criteria will be used. The first evaluation criterion will be the development of attendance sheets for all classes which will be compiled into weekly reports. Secondly, class journals will be kept by the respective instructors and sent to all relevant staff.
These documents will also be made available online, for review by other stakeholders. Thirdly, a portfolio for each class will also be maintained to include the project outcome for every stage. Lastly, quizzes will also be conducted to test basic class competencies.
Organizational Capacity
Project Hope International has traditionally been known to be a melting point for most NGOs, donors, policy makers, professionals and other stakeholders in alleviating the social suffering brought about by human trafficking and gender-related violence (Academy for Educational Development, 2006, p. 1).
The organization mainly aims to achieve this objective through education, advocacy, and coordination, among some of the stakeholders identified above. There are other NGOs which work with Project Hope International to achieve the same objectives and they include Polaris Project, Free the slaves, Fair fund, The Protection Project and the likes.
Though there are many entrants fighting for fair gender treatment and against human trafficking in the society, Project Hope international is unique in its mandate because it has a wider outreach in the most significant areas where human trafficking and gender violence are most prevalent (Academy for Educational Development, 2006, p. 1).
These places are Asia and Africa. Other organizations do not have such kind of presence in the continent.
Financial Implications
Project Hope International seeks $25,000 to finance part of the information technology literacy project. The cumulative total expense for the entire project is estimated at $83,000 for teenagers and children (more than 70% of this population group is targeted by the project) (Plugged In, 2000, p. 1).
If the project costs surpass the planned budget estimates, funds are going to be sourced from the organization’s contingency fund, but the same funds will be replenished within the shortest time possible. So far, there has been significant support from some professionals in the Information technology field who intend to undertake voluntary work within the project’s schedule.
Also, as evidenced in earlier sections of this paper, there has been significant support from existing educational institutions in the local community. This project is expected to stretch beyond the period stipulated in the project timetable. This advancement is necessitated by the importance of expanding the educational outreach into other groups of people who would contribute towards the realization of the organization’s objectives.
Funding for this expansion will be sourced from well wishers, donors and the organization’s contingency fund. Project Hope intends to acknowledge the input of its sponsors by publishing their logos in local campaigns and brochures.
Conclusion
Project Hope International aims to improve the social wellbeing of several communities across the globe. However, it is a strong belief within the organization that, true social liberation, mainly in the areas of human trafficking and gender violence, can be achieved by educating the general populace about the issue and its dynamics.
It is from this understanding that this paper seeks to source funding for the improvement of education through information technology. This project goes a long way to ensure the local community contributes to the fight against human trafficking and gender violence.
References
Academy for Educational Development. (2006). Project Hope International. Web.
Bancroft, A. (2010). Importance Of Education: Illustrated In An Oration, Delivered Before The Trustees, Preceptors & Students Of Leicester Academy, On The Fourth Of July, 1806; At Opening Of A New Building For The Use Of That Seminary. New York: Thomas & Sturtevant.
Fernando, A. (2007). Causes And Aftermaths Of The Economic, Political And Cultural Migration In The Area Of The Caribbean And Central America During The Xxth Century. New York: Editions Publibook.
Kakkar, S. (2004). Educational Psychology. New York: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
Mathur, K. (2004). Countering Gender Violence: Initiatives Towards Collective Action In Rajasthan. New York: SAGE.
Nicoll, K. (2006). Flexibility And Lifelong Learning: Policy, Discourse And Politics. London: Taylor & Francis.
Plugged In. (2000). Sample Grant proposal. Web.
Scott, P. (2000). Higher Education Reformed. London: Routledge.
“Children of Men” is a 2006 film directed and written by Alfonso Cuarón, based on a book of the same name by P.D. James. The story is set in 2027, in a dystopian England in which humans have become completely infertile. England is one of the last remaining civilizations that attracts immigrants mistreated by a police state that holds them in refugee camps. The story follows Theo Faron, who becomes caught in a mission to take a woman named Kee to the coast, as she is secretly the only pregnant woman known to exist. The world presented by Cuarón is incredibly grim and desolate, and he convinces the viewer of total hopelessness through cinematic effects and the narrative of the film itself. Despite this, Children of Men is a distinct portrayal of hope, in spite of the ruthless and brutal world that suppresses it.
The film does not present hope in a religious sense, but by making repeated references to religious iconography and sentiments, it is able to portray fragments of hope in a visual sense. Initially, Cuarón depicts a hopeless world through contemporary and even familiar references (Jacobson, 2020). These include the visual depiction of the refugee camps, which are similar in design to real places such as Guantanamo Bay and the Abu Ghraib prison. Much of the camerawork is reflective of cinema verite stylization, dizzying documentary-like cinematography that was not dissimilar to footage of the Iraq War at the time of the film’s release. A religious reference is made in a scene where a mother holds her dead son, which is reminiscent of a photograph from the Balkans, which itself is an allusion to a Michaelangelo sculpture of Mary holding Jesus.
The film is evocative of current-day symbolism through these creative choices by Cuarón, and although they are initial tools that depict a world without hope, they are later used to find it in the same world. The film ends with Sanskrit words being shown on screen; they read “Shantih Shantih Shantih.” The phrase means peace and is commonly found at the start and end of Hindu prayer. Though the film does not uphold religion as the superior surface of hope, it alludes to religion as a narrative device that represents hope. This is seen in many references, such as groups that oppose the government and support the immigrants being called Fishes and the revelation of Kee’s pregnancy occurs in a barn. More important than recognizing the references is observing their progression of representing the lack of hope to renewed hope, the same way that rebirth occurs after violence in religious motifs.
Children of Men is a work that can be revisited often due to its merge of the political climate and human condition of hope. The state of political unrest and even violence is relatable in any decade, which is a common discussion point from political critics of the film. They argue that the film does not create a world like many dystopian films do but simply reference the one we live in with obvious exaggeration. The xenophobic nature of many characters persists in the current political climate, from civilians and politicians alike. As such, many viewers may continue to wonder whether Children of Men is simply an expanded fiction based on the darkest aspects of our reality or a glimpse into the true human and moral degradation that is possible. Both options sound likely and unacceptable, and while the viewer does not find a solution or answer in work, the chance for a second hope has been there from the start.
Gustav Klimt’s piece titled Hope II represents a pregnant woman who bows her head and closes her eyes. Gustav Klimt’s piece titled Hope II represents the pregnant woman bowing her head. The painting was painted between 1907 and 1908 years. The piece’s present location is the MoMA, the Museum of modern art, New York, USA. A painting is in the medium of oil, gold, and platinum on canvas. The work is a colorful representation of a pregnant woman who bows her head and closes her eyes. A death’s head is peeping out from behind her stomach, and at her feet, three women with lowered heads raise their hands.
After one sees the object, one can understand how it is made and its form. In the picture, the young woman bows her head as if in prayer. Her face looks exhausted, tired, and emaciated. Behind her back is a bright spot that resembles wings. Klimt uses implied lines to guide the viewer’s eye through the piece. Due to the bright, colorful elements of the clothes, the observer does not immediately notice the three women at the feet of the pregnant woman. They bow their heads in the same way as the picture’s main character, and the position of their hands suggests that they are most likely praying. A skull is visible from a pregnant woman’s belly, which differs from the whole picture, and stands out for its dullness and lifelessness. Against the background of bright clothes, the lifeless head stands out and attracts the observer’s attention with its cold gray color scheme.
The painting is called Hope II, which indicates that the artist wanted to emphasize not the doom and sadness of the death of a child but the hope of the women depicted in the painting. Despite the bright colors of the picture, it feels great sadness and pain mixed with doom and hope. The exhausted face of a pregnant woman suggests that she has been through a lot and is not ready to give up yet. In Hope II, birth, death, and the sensuality of the living exist side by side, suspended in equilibrium. Birth, death, and the sensuality of the living coexist in this work of art in harmony.
The picture conveys the heavy feelings of a parent who has lost a child. Gustav Klimt could convey these emotions masterfully because he had felt them personally since he lost his baby son (Dailey, 2019). In those years, deaths at birth and early infancy were widespread and occurred frequently. The picture makes it clear to those who live such a loss that they are not alone and that this happens to many. This picture conveys the sorrow and hopes experienced by the parent to the observer, filling him with these feelings.
Reference
Dailey, J. F. (2019). Reclaiming gustav klimt’s artwork hope ii as Vision: representations of Grief, maternity and Spirituality. Art and Art History Theses. Web.
