Entrepreneurship Assignment Question 1 (2000 words) Breaking up the Essay

Entrepreneurship Assignment Question 1 (2000 words) Breaking up the market into segments by the Entrepreneur can be the - Essay Example Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Introduction 4 Literature Review 5 Critical Analysis 7 Conclusion 10 Reference List 11 Introduction The early definitions of entrepreneurship given by economist are seen to emphasize on risk, ownership, supply of financial capital and co-ordination of various factors. However, entrepreneurship is seen as the efforts made by an individual that goes against every odds towards converting a vision into successful business enterprise. Entrepreneurship is the search for some discontinuous opportunities that are involved towards creation of an organization or sub organization in the expectation of creating value for the participants. Entrepreneur is a person or a group of individuals who identifies opportunities, collects necessary resources and makes effort towards the performance of the organization (Gungaphul and Boolaky, 2009). In order to make a business venture successful the entrepreneurs need to choose a proper target market (Crane, 2007). Targe t market is defined as the specific group of customers towards whom the marketing effort created by the firm is directed. It is selected as a part from the whole market. Defining the target market correctly is a critical element in creating a successful marketing strategy. It may be a disaster if marketing plans are made to cater to wrong target customers. Employees and manager are seen to focus on providing value to the well-defined segment of target customers (Gitman and McDaniel, 2008). Entrepreneurs with exciting ideas and innovative product and services often forget about focusing towards right customers. This study focuses on critical analysis of the importance of choosing right target market for success of entrepreneurs. Literature Review Defining target market Business firms and entrepreneurs tempted to describe the target in the broadest and best possible way in which they look for including a large set of customers who can be huge potentials in using the services and produ cts. By doing this they get a huge comfort by the sense that they have a huge market to exploit. But in reality this is seen to provide very little genuine information based on which business decisions will be made. This insists the need for identifying a particular market segment that would provide a more exact description of distinct and meaningful components of the overall market which in turn helps in identification of target market of the business based on certain specific characteristics (Abrams, 2003). However, while defining the target market certain criteria needs to be met, like it needs to be definable which signifies that specific characteristics should be identified based on the requirement and needs of the customers that are in common. It has to be meaningful, which signifies that the characteristic should be as such that it is related to the decision of purchase made by the clients. The target market needs to be sizable which signifies that the target market needs to be large enough so that it can help the profitably sustain in the market (Barringer and Ireland, 2008). The target market should be reachable which signifies that the size and definition should be as such

Operations Management At BMW Mini Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Operations Management At BMW Mini - Essay Example Multistage and single-stage production systems that have a supply chain flexibility are based on multiple production sites with dependency on how the firm’s allocation of products and resources to various sites. Formalization of BMW’s strategic planning process, as well as interfaces across strategic load planning, defines the firm’s partial strategies. BMW has rigid location strategies, allocation strategies, flexibility and capacity strategies, and make-or-buy strategies. The characteristics of such strategies are critical to impacting premium car manufacturing, unlike mass product manufacturers (Riesenbeck & Perrey, 2009, p 156). For example, the determination of location strategy means that BMW should consider the availability of qualified personnel in foreign countries and positive impact on the production image of Germany. Determination of the allocation strategy is based on BMW’s goal to make highly customized cars based on orders and requires more flexible assembly lines to be used for any product within the plant. The direction of BMW’s sustainability strategy is based in the global focus on international markets. Involvement of all management board members schedules planning processes for sustainability and convenes diverse interest and assessments of the company’s progress. Responsibility for the operative implementation includes evaluation of measures among individual company divisions and the focus of the sustainability circle. The implication is that there are representations on sustainable business operations and environment responsiveness. The responsibilities of the institution include evaluation and identification of opportunities and risks relating to sustainability. The concept also oversees continued product enhancement in terms of sustainability strategies (Lussier, 2011, p 78). The firm’s performance refers to sustainability

Information Technology Management Essay Example for Free

Information Technology Management Essay Information and communication technologies play critical roles in sustaining an organizations growth and profitability (Galliers Leidner, 2003). If managed properly, investments in information and communication technologies can improve efficiency and effectiveness of business processes and an organization’s competitive posture in the market. Proper management of information and communication technologies investments can also enrich people’s lives in the organization improving job satisfaction and productivity. Galliers Leidner, 2003). Success in managing information and communication investments depend largely on exercising good management practices like human capital management, staff training management, information technology architecture management and software management (Galliers Leidner, 2003). However, with all the potential benefits of investments in information and communication projects, they can be risky, costly and unproductive if not managed properly (Galliers Leidner, 2003). Organizations should therefore strive to attract and retain information technology personnel that are qualified and talented to ensure the success of information and technology investments. This is further complicated by a tight information and technology labor market where qualified information and technology personnel enjoy high mobility. Discussion The position I am required to design is a leadership position intended to provide technical direction and guide an organization in implementing strategic information and communication projects (Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations, 2010). The occupant of this position is expected to be able to handle a wide range of duties and responsibilities. He or she should be able to use his/ her exposure, technical experience and business knowledge in developing an organization’s technical plans and to advise senior management on information technology strategies, standards and governance (Galliers Leidner, 2003). In addition he or she will be expected to monitor the industry’s trends in information technology and respond appropriately by formulating long term information technology strategies capable of improving an organization’s competitiveness. The senior information technology manager will work under the general supervision of the chief executive officer. In line with work plans and resource allocation coordination provided by the chief executive officer, he or she will be responsible for effective planning, supervision and delivery of assigned functions that fall within an information and communication department (Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations, 2010) so as to ensure that an organization’s requirements for information systems and information technology are effectively and efficiently met. He will also be responsibility for ensuring that an organization’s computer systems have the capacity to meet the business needs of an organization by either upgrading existing systems or developing new systems (Info Tech Employment, 2008). Additional functions will include participation in planning, coordinating and setting policies for the development and implementation of an organization’s information technology strategies, supporting standards, procedures and practices, supervising and coordinating works of external firms in special projects or functions to ensure quality and timely delivery, providing consultant services in regards to procurement of new information technology equipments and computer systems, supervising members of staff assigned to special projects or functions and coordinating their training and development to ensure that they are up to the tasks and finally, developing and monitoring key performance indicators of assigned functions within an information technology department (Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations, 2010). The senior information technology manager is expected to have an excellent working knowledge in information technology and a commitment to keep up to dat e with the latest development (Galliers Leidner, 2003). He should demonstrate people’s management skills with an ability to motivate staff members, provide a cooperative and productive work environment, manage resources effectively to achieve objectives, organize and coordinate work in the department and explain technical issues clearly (Info Tech Employment, 2008). He or she will be tasked with leading changes that fall within the information technology department, hence must be able to integrate organizational and departmental goals, priorities and values. In addition, he or she should have experience in managing large scale projects in information systems and technology (Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations, 2010). To fulfill these expectations, a university degree in computer science or related fields and appropriate professional certifications are mandatory. Moreover, the candidate of choice should have at least five years management experience in information technology. He should demonstrate experience with standard software applications and data manipulation, analysis and interpretation tools (Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations, 2010). Conclusion Information technology investments can be very beneficial to an organization as a whole if they are managed properly. Organizations should therefore strive to hire and retain qualified, experienced and talented information technology managers. This is not easy given the current information technology labor market. The labor market is characterized by high mobility of qualified labor and organizations must put in place effective measures to ensure they hire the right people. One of the measures an organization should take is defining clear structures and responsibilities of all employees in the information technology department. The senior information technology manager will provide technical direction and guidance to the organization in implementing strategic information technology projects. He will be responsible for ensuring effective and efficient management of resources within the information technology department.

Advertising Through Social Networking Websites Marketing Essay

Advertising Through Social Networking Websites Marketing Essay The purpose of this paper to study the effectiveness of advertisements through SNS amongst Post Graduate Students in Indore City. This paper studies factors which make advertisements attractive also identifies whether the advertisements are only till viewing or does it leads to purchase also. Design/methodology/approach- The survey was conducted in Post Graduate College of Indore City, MP. This research can be considered as the basis for a more extensive research, covering other geographical areas, which will produce results allowing more specific and accurate predictions regarding the effectiveness of advertising through Social Networking Websites. Implications- The findings reveal a number of issues that are important for companies eager to explore the potential of promotions through Social Networking Websites. Also the study will help the organizations understand the consumer behavior of evolving commercial cities like Indore. Humans in all cultures at all times form complex social networks; the term social network here means ongoing relations among people that matter to those engaged in the group, either for specific reasons (like blood donation camps, fashion communities) or for more general expressions of mutual solidarity (like families, friends etc). Social networks among individuals who may not be related can be validated maintained by agreement on objectives, social values, or even by choice of entertainment. Social Media presents potentially seductive opportunities for new forms of communication commerce between marketers consumers. As advertisers typically want to find some way to follow their target audiences, many new media opportunities are presented to advertisers. (Miller, Lammas). Advertisers are always in search of new ideas technologies that often promise great potential. In this century, when the media is fragmenting advertisers are skeptical about the cost effectiveness of ubiquitous media, particularly among young demographics, the facts present a strong platform as to why Social Media can become a life saver. Social Networking a place where people can use networks of online friends group memberships to keep in touch with current friends, reconnect with old friends or create real-life friendships through similar interests or groups share their social experiences. Social network advertising is a term that is used to describe a form of Online Advertising that focuses on social networking sites. Some responses showed light to this direction with a different perspective. Indeed social medias influence promises some sort of marketing communications revolution: for instance, global brand Pepsi will not be advertising during the Super Bowl, instead opting for a digital social media campaign they say will help their customers better understand what pepsi stands for(WARC, 2010b). Consumers searching online for information about a product, or brands, not only gain access to corporate marketing materials, they now also have access to product reviews, opinions commentary from other consumers (Smith, 2010). It was observed that a majority of consumers surveyed relied on various types of social media websites as much as company websites for product brand information that nearly half of those made a purchase decision based on what they gathered. However, although social media applications are controlled by users, trend data is not yet conclusive with respect to who is generating, and accessing information (Thackerey et. al. 2008, p. 341). The interaction of the consumers with SNS has also become a very crucial aspect. One stream of research suggests the existence of a loyalty ladder in social networking communities that splits users into categories such as: lurkers (those who are reticent to contribute to sites); tourists (those post comments but demonstrate no commitment to a network); minglers (those who post with no regularity of frequency); evangilists/insiders (those who are enthusiastic, expert regular their contributions)(Harridge-March Quinton 2009, p. 176). Other researchers split users into slightly different categories, for example: social clickers (users who communicate with friends create content on message boards review sites); online insiders (avid online shoppers who vocalize product preferences); and content kings (young men addicted to online entertainment) (Riegner 2007, pp.439-440). These bifurcations show the complexity lack of uniform measurements for marketers targeting social media users . 1.1 Social Networking Sites (SNSs) Social Networking Sites can be defined as web based services that allow individuals to construct a public profile within a bounded system, articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, view traverse their list of connections those made by others within the systems. Some networking can also help members find a job or establish business contacts. SNS include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Orkut so on. Most SNS also offer additional features. In addition to blogs forums, members can express themselves by designing their profile page to reflect their personality. The most poplar extra features include music video sections. While SNSs are often designed to be widely accessible, many attract homogeneous populations initially, so it is very common to find groups using sites to segregate themselves by nationality, age, education or other factors that typically segment society. 1.2 Advertising on Social Networking Sites Social Networking advertising can be used to describe a form of online advertising that focuses on social networking sites. The advantage this advertising has is the benefit of the users demographic information target their advertisements appropriately. It continues to add variety on a continuous basis. Organizations can also utilize this feature to make it up to the target audience in diverse ways. SNS are changing the way advertisers reach consumers, that these changes are transforming online advertising all together (Gangadharbatla). Few instances can be taken into consideration like in Facebook, when users log on, they get News feed, where they can easily access all the ads videos they like. The study has taken into account the fact that knowledge of the network is limited. The success of social networks marks a dynamic shift in how are using net. 1.3 Things to be kept in mind From various researches it has been experienced that marketers have now become risk adverse is reluctant towards consumer- generated media due to their inability to control message. In one instance, pharmaceutical manufacturer Johnson Johnson released an online marketing campaign via an online video about pain relief for women who carry their babies in a sling. Within hours, Twitter exploded with negative commentary about the videos perceived deprecation of motherhood. To air it further, the online discussions would also be communicated off-line sometimes reach tradition media. Thus, over a single weekend, the volume sentiment of the consumer-generated media brought down a well planned advertising campaign (Baker 2009, p.2). Another obstacle for marketers is that viewers will consider information if it is both useful believable, but will react badly to sales-push messages that are violating social networkings intrinsic qualities of socialization trust (Angel Sexsmith 2009, p.4). Making social networking sites entirely commercial is risky, as users might turn away from the site if they feel their interests are being subjugated to those of advertisers; a warning issued by analysts to News Corp when it acquired MySpace, shifting it to a mass market advertising platform giving brands the opportunities to both advertise interact with the web users (Carter 2008, p.16). Creating fake blog entries is another example of how the misuse of social media can irritate consumers harm brands. The now infamous Walmarting across America fake blog (or flog as it became known), came under severe criticism online after the ethical breach was exposed (Burns 2008, p.16). Also poor execution of the ads or poor display sometimes irritates the users which lead to poor results and negative remarks. One of the major criteria can be the size of online communities as well. It becomes a major factor which limits in generating a massive Word of Mouth. For online groups to be effective, there needs to be a finite size to each community (Phillips 2008, p.82). For social media campaigns to be effective, the new commercial imperative dictates marketers needs to belong to a large number of groups or communities, rather than merely rely on broadcasts to an online group with a large number of members.This becomes the evidence for the fat that both the cultural emotional relationships are paramount (Phillips 2008, p.84), reflecting the surge to simultaneously monitor than to only be the users. 1.4 Need for using Social Media To generate a sense of group mind-set shared interests, online brand communities should include a wide range of interests that have a direct, but nonintrusive, connection with the brand (Brown, Broderick Lee 2007, p.15). Conceptual models have been developed to guide the process of cocreation with online consumers. One example is the DART model which comprises: dialogue (fostering something tangible to the online consumer), Access (providing a companys customers access to each other), risk return relationship (offering something tangible to the online consumer) transparency (creating an environment to share valuable information) (Ramaswamy, 2008, p.3). Real dialogue with consumers led to Unilevers ground breaking online viral campaign Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. Unilever was able to send the most relevant messages to consumers based on precisely what they were seeking /or conversing about. Another area of opportunity for social marketing is brand building connecting enthusiastic online brand advocates with the companys product development cycle (Ferguson 2008, p.181). 1.5 Effectiveness of Social Marketing Many marketers feel the need to tick the social media box demonstrate how cutting edge they are, while the primary drivers of their campaign remain embedded in traditional media. There is a need to effect a paradigm shift from a traditional more is better approach. While many social marketers fixate on volume metrics (website traffic, hit rates, click-through, time spent on-line, postings etc), successful social marketing often depends more on qualitative metrics for desirable signs of tone, quality customer benefit of the interaction (Angel, Sexsmith Sexsmith 2009, p.6). These may include: unique visitors, interaction rates, relevant actions taken, conversation size, conversation density, author credibility, content freshness relevance, audience profiles, unique user reach so on (Fisher 2009, p.191). Such metrics not only measure whether people are engaged, but how they are engaging. However, such metrics often need to be customized for individual campaigns need to be considered in the pre launch phase, ideally incorporated in message testing. OBJECTIVE The study aims to fulfill the following objectives: To know whether social network advertising is effective in sales or not To know the most preferred Social Network advertising approach To know the level of exposure a customer gets when he is being approaches on SNS To study the effectiveness of advertising through Social Networking Websites in Post Graduate Students with special reference to Indore City DATA ANALYSIS: Following factors were considered for preparing questionnaire: Contact {Number of times, durations} Intention Customizability Experience FINDINGS 40 percent of the social networking comes from high school secondary school students 40 percent tarrif generators are the graduate post graduate students. The highest number of active users is from 19-25 age groups but LinkedIn Twitter has a different age group of active users i.e. 25-40 age groups. Facebook delivery service is to about 75 percent of the users. 60 percent of the post graduate students who are looking for jobs have their profiles in LinkedIn. Only 30 percent of the population said that they purchase any product after searching or viewing it on website. 15 percent of the population accepted that they look the pop ups or click on the ads whereas 75 percent said they ignore the ads. Out of five SNS given in choice viz Facebook, Orkut, LinkedIn, G- plus Twitter; 60 percent said Facebook is the most used site by them. 20 percent said they used LinkedIn the most. 30 percent of the population said that they dont have any qualms regarding the quality of the product they see online. 46 percent confirmed that they would like to filter the ads from their profile page whereas 38 percent said they dont have any troubles by the placement of ads on their profile page. 78 percent confirmed that they are attached to Twitter because of the glamour quotient; 14 percent said they like twitter as a networking site; rest logged on for otherwise reasons. 82 percent of the respondents agreed that advertising through websites is a better medium whereas 18 percent said it has no effect on target audience. CONCLUSION SUGGESTIONS Any organization will not be able to make profits if its product introduction doesnt attracts the audience or if it does not reach to them. As the time has increased its momentum the consumers now-a-days do not consider anything worth watching if it is not of value tom them as far as traditional ads are considered. So to reach these kinds of targets Websites can become a very effective tool. If following points kept in mind, the advertisers can succeed in gaining interest of the audiences: Trust must be established subsequently reinforced in order to overcome any reluctance on the part of the would-be consumer. This means moving beyond old school approaches to website advertising to embrace the principles of relationship marketing- building virtual environments in which customers can connect with each other to share insights relevant information. Social media marketers can influence a brand community potentially influence consumer behavior.

Ernest Hemingway :: essays research papers

Ernest (Miller) Hemingway 1899-1961 Entry Updated : 08/01/2001 Birth Place: Oak Park, Illinois, United States Death Place: Ketchum, Idaho, United States Personal Information Career Writings Media Adaptations Sidelights Further Readings About the Author Personal Information: Family: Born July 21, 1899, in Oak Park Illinois, United States; committed suicide, July 2, 1961, in Ketchum, Idaho, United States son of Clarence Edmunds (a physician) and Grace (a music teacher; maiden name, Hall) Hemingway: married Hadley Richardson, September 3, 1921 (divorced March 10, 1927); married Pauline Pfeiffer (a writer), May 10, 1927 (divorced November 4, 1940); married Martha Gellhorn (a writer), November 21, 1940 (divorced December 21, 1945); married Mary Welsh (a writer), March 14, 1946; children: (first marriage) John Hadley Nicanor; (second marriage) Patrick, Gregory. Education: Educated in Oak Park, IL. Career: Writer, 1917-61. Kansas City Star, Kansas City, MO, cub reporter, 1917-18; ambulance driver for Red Cross Ambulance Corps in Italy, 1918-19; Co-operative Commonwealth, Chicago, writer, 1920-21; Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario, covered Greco-Turkish War, 1920, European correspondent, 1921-24; covered Spanish Civil War for North American Newspaper Alliance, 1937-38; war correspondent in China, 1941; war correspondent in Europe, 1944-45. Awards: Pulitzer Prize, 1953, for The Old Man and the Sea; Nobel Prize for Literature, 1954; Award of Merit from American Academy of Arts & Letters, 1954. WRITINGS BY THE AUTHOR:NOVELS * The Torrents of Spring: A Romantic Novel in Honor of the Passing of a Great Race (parody), Scribner, 1926, published with a new introduction by David Garnett, J. Cape, 1964, reprinted, Scribner, 1972. * The Sun Also Rises, Scribner, 1926, published with a new introduction by Henry Seidel Canby, Modern Library, 1930, reprinted, Scribner, 1969 (published in England as Fiesta, J. Cape, 1959). * A Farewell to Arms, Scribner, 1929, published with new introductions by Ford Madox Ford, Modern Library, 1932, Robert Penn Warren, Scribner, 1949, John C. Schweitzer, Scribner, 1967. * To Have and Have Not, Scribner, 1937, J. Cape, 1970. * For Whom the Bell Tolls, Scribner, 1940, published with a new introduction by Sinclair Lewis, Princeton University Press, 1942, reprinted, Scribner, 1960. * Across the River and Into the Trees, Scribner, 1950, reprinted, Penguin with J. Cape, 1966. * The Old Man and the Sea, Scribner 1952. * Islands in the Stream, Scribner, 1970. * The Garden of Eden, Scribner, 1986. * Patrick Hemingway, editor, True at First Light: A Fictional Memoir, Simon & Schuster, 1999. SHORT STORIES, EXCEPT AS INDICATED * Three Stories & Ten Poems, Contact (Paris), 1923. * In Our Time, Boni & Liveright, 1925, published with additional material and new introduction by Edmund Wilson, Scribner, 1930, reprinted, Bruccoli,

Phencyclidine: The Dawn Of A New Age Essays -- essays research papers

Phencyclidine: The Dawn of a New Age April, 1956 : The pharmaceutical company Parke & Davis first synthesize what they believe to be the perfect anesthetic (Souza, 1995). When administered to patients, it causes a completely dissociative state, with no significant respiratory or cardiovascular depression. Patients appear to be awake, eyes open, breathing normally.but are unaware of their surroundings or the procedures being performed upon them (Souza, 1995). Indeed, this is the perfect drug. Unfortunately, like all good things, this one has a darker side. 15% of patients awake from their slumber with what appeared to be an acute case of paranoid schizophrenia (Peterson; Stillman, 1978). The drug is PCP, and to this day it is the scourge of the underground drug community, and the focal point of intense scientific research. Parke Davis and Company did not know how terrible, and wonderful, a discovery they made that day; but our world has been changed forever because of it.quite possibly for the better. The Dust of Angels Phencyclidine, more commonly known as PCP, is a polycyclic compound belonging to the arylcyclohexylamine class of chemicals [figure 1.0] (Souza 1993). In pure form, it is a white powder which readily dissolves in water. The cyclohexamines are known for their the potent neurological effects, with PCP being the most potent. Almost every variation has been administered to, or abused by, humans at some time (Nintey Fifth Congress, 1978). All these compounds have similar pharmacological effects, which vary considerably according to the amount administered. Small doses produce a `drunken' state, in which subjects report a numbness in the extremities, while some species (like dogs and cats) become quite excited (Halberstadt, 1995). Intermediate doses have anesthetic and analgesic effects , with the psychic state resembling sensory isolation with one important exception: the sensory impulses (when tested electrophysiologically) reach the neocortex but "the neuronal signals are grossly distorted" (Halberstadt, 1995). Large doses, especially of PCP, may produce convulsions. Any dose produces cataleptoid muscle effects (Halberstadt, 1995). All the chemicals in this class produce a range a physiological effects, including tachydardia and hypertension (Halberstadt, 1995). Unlike the other cyclohexamines, however, PCP causes severe "e... ...phy - dont forget this! Carroll, Marilyn. (1992). Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs. New York, N.Y: Chelsea House Publishers. Halberstadt, A.L. (1995). The phencyclidine-glutamate model of schizophrenia. Clinical Neuropharmacology. (Vol. 18) 237-249. Nintey Fifth Congress. (1978). Abuse of dangerous and illicit drugs - psychotropics, phencyclidine (PCP), and talwin; Hearings before the select committee on narcotics abuse and control house of representatives. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. Okuyama, Shigeru. (1994). NE-100, a novel sigma receptor ligand: Effect on phencyclidine-induced behaviors in rats, dogs, and monkeys. Life Sciences. (Vol. 55) PL133-138 Peterson, R.C, & Stillman, R.C. (1978). PCP-Phencylidine Abuse: An appraisal. New York, NY: National Institute on Drug Abuse. Restak, R.M. (1994). Receptors. New York, N.Y: Bantam Books. Souza, Errol B., & Clouet, D., & London, E.D. (1993). Sigma, PCP, and NMDA Receptors. New York, NY: National Institute on Drug Abuse. Svensson, T.H. (1995). Mode of action of atypical neuroleptics in relation to the phencyclidine model of schizophrenia. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. (Vol. 15) 11S-18S

The Cornerstone of Christian Faith: the Resurrection of Jesus

The resurrection of Jesus Christ separates Christianity from all other religions. Christianity without the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is merely one religion among many. â€Å"And if Christ is not risen,† said the Apostle Paul, â€Å"then our preaching is empty and your faith is in vain†. (1 Corinthians 15:14) Furthermore, â€Å"You are still in your sins! † Paul could not have chosen stronger language. (Mohler) Still, the resurrection of Jesus Christ has been under persistent attacks since the Apostolic age. Why? Because it is the central confirmation of Jesus' identity as the incarnate Son of God, and the ultimate sign of Christ's completed work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation. Those who oppose Christ recognize the Resurrection as the vindication of Christ against His enemies. Christ’s resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith. Without it, Christianity crumbles. It is precisely because the physical resurrection of Christ is at the very heart of Christianity that it is constantly under attack. Our culture frequently denies the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ due to a bias against miracles. It is common for aberrant Christianity and cultism to deny the physical resurrection of Christ as well. For these reasons, we must be equipped to defend this essential of essentials. To do so, let's look back at the biblical and historical records of Christ's resurrection. (Hanegraaff) First, the physical resurrection of Christ is affirmed in the Scripture. When the Jewish leaders asked for a miraculous sign, Jesus answered, â€Å"Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days† (John 2:19). Scripture confirms that the temple he was speaking of was the temple of his own body. John states: â€Å"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life† (1 John 1:1). Furthermore, the confessions of Christianity are replete with references to the physical resurrection of the Redeemer. Cyril of Jerusalem proclaimed, â€Å"Let no heretic ever persuade thee to speak evil of the Resurrection. For to this day the Manichees say that the resurrection of the Savior was phantom-wise, and not real. (Hanegraaff) Like the church fathers, the medieval church and the Reformation produced compelling confessions concerning the bodily resurrection. Thomas Aquinas condemns those who â€Å"have not believed in the resurrection of the body, and have strained to twist the words of holy Scripture to mean a spiritual resurrection. † the Westminster Confession assert: â€Å"On the third day he rose from the dead, with the same bod y in which he suffered; with which also he ascended into heaven, and there sittith at the right hand of the Father. (Hanegraaff) Finally, the characteristics of Christ's body bear eloquent truth to his physical resurrection. Jesus invited the disciples to examine His resurrected His resurrected body so that they would know beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was the exact same one that had been fatally tormented. He also ate food as proof of the nature of His resurrected body. Jesus provided the final exclamation mark for His physical resurrection by telling the disciples that His resurrected body was comprised of â€Å"flesh and bones. † â€Å"Touch me and see;† He says, â€Å"a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have† (Luke 24:39). Those who would attack the Church and reject its gospel must direct their arrows at the most crucial truth claim of the New Testament and the disciples: That Jesus Christ, having suffered death on a cross, though sinless, having borne the sins of those He came to save, having been buried in a sealed and guarded grave, was raised by the power of God on the third day. The two factors about the resurrection which are very significant for the Christian faith are as follows; †¢It became the fruits for the believer’s own experience. As Christ rose from the grave so shall the believer be. This shows the triumph of faith over the grave. †¢It is by the resurrection that the divine approval is shown for the work of Christ on the cross. The resurrection is the coping stone of the whole ministry of Jesus. In conclusion and simply stated, Christianity stands or falls with the empty grave. If Christ is not raised, our faith is in vain. Paul asserted that Christ rose from the dead and our faith is not in vain, but is in the risen Lord. Jesus willingly faced death on a cross and defeated death from the grave. The Resurrection is the ultimate sign of God's vindication of His Son. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the promise of our resurrection from the dead, and of Christ's total victory over sin and death. Therefore, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is at the very center of the Christian gospel. Bibliography Hanegraaff, Hank. â€Å"Jesus Christ's Resurrection: The Exclamation Point. † 03 March 2008. Crosswalk. com. 08 October 2011 . Mohler, Albert. Christianity. com. Unknown. 07 October 2011 . The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.