3 Non Traditional Religions Voodoo, Spiritualism, Essay Example For Students

3 Non Traditional Religions Voodoo, Spiritualism, Essay CultsReligion is essential specialist of social control in our general public. Because of its publicly held convictions and standards, we have an establishment on which we can rest the laws, values, and the fundamental convention, of practically any general public. Here in America, we have huge opportunity in both building up and in picking our preferred religion. This opportunity has brought forth numerous non-conventional religions and practices. While talking about the subject of social control and request inside a general public, these non-conventional religions can be utilized unequivocally to realize social change inside an individual then into the populace. On the ascent in our country, is the rise of voodoo rehearses, the confidence in mysticism, and numerous gatherings of religions. Every last one of these religions has the outrageous capacity to impact the person in numerous mental and physical manners, definitely changing a people standards of conduct. While actuating thes e progressions upon the individual, numerous individuals can and generally will, capitulate unequivocal abuse of themselves just as their financial assets. Voodoo, whose name got from the African word for soul (Origins of Voodoo), came to us through the European colonization of the West Indies. African clans were coercively transported abroad, basically to Haiti and other Caribbean lands, to be utilized as horticultural slaves. Upon the appearance in their new nation, the slaves were purified through water into the Roman Catholic Church. In dread of revolt, the pioneers isolated the numerous clans of slaves and had them scattered the whole way across the new land. This outcome was a blend of African slaves, compelled to live respectively, normally adjusting to every others ways of life, propensities, and convictions frameworks. The slaves had to go to a Catholic Mass all the time, be that as it may, a large number of the absorbed clans kept on rehearsing their local religion. At the point when the pilgrims discovered this out, the oppression of numerous African slaves occurred. They were viciously beaten and slaughtered for loving their own divine beings, and not the one of the Catholic religion. It was through this oppression that the clans didn't separate; rather, they met up and framed along with the basic obligation of their religion. The strict convictions and the customs from a considerable lot of the clans started it coordinate, eventually making another religion: Voodoo. Voodoo depends on the sign of the soul world through the channel of the individual. This is accomplished through the demonstrations of customs in exceptionally organized Voodoo functions, which are preformed by a Voodoo Priest. A male cleric is alluded to as a Houngan, and a female is alluded to as a Mambo. There are two sorts of Voodoo or enchantment, utilized in Voodoo, White Magic, and Black Magic. White Magic includes the utilization of candles, oils, plants, and mixtures, to acquire certain things throughout everyday life. For instance, one may join in or play out a White Magic function to get influence, love, or cash. This custom or function is utilized in a positive way just, it causes no mischief, nor does it represent any danger upon the individual or on others. Dark Magic or Red Voodoo, then again, includes shrewd and destructive acts. Dark enchantment is preformed by a Bokor, which is one who utilizes underhanded demonstrations of divination, including passing and zombie curses. A zombie revile includes a custom where the Bokor harms his human subject, bringing about death. Following three days, the dead is restored and turns into the Bokors everlasting slave (Haitian Voodoo Culture). The supporters of the Voodoo religion put stock in one Supreme Being, named Bondye. Under Bo ndye, there are many minor divine beings and Loas. A Loas alludes to the soul of somebody who has driven an outstanding life. The Loas practice authority over nature, wellbeing, riches, bliss, and all flourishing of humans. The human adherents and the Laos practice a reliance based relationship with each other. The Loas give success, and the people give food, and other material items to the Laos as a contribution. The raised areas that are each committed to one explicit Loa are incorporated with candles, photos of the Loa, and whatever else alluding to the Loa. A prime case of a Loa is one named Zaka. Zaka is the god or soul of agribusiness; he gives flourishing over the yields of some random land. One should reach this Loa to guarantee plenitude in the years crop. Through the custom and the special stepped area, one may introduce a contribution of seeds, natural product, or a scoop. Consequently, the Loa will give wellbeing, fortune, and insurance of malevolence spirits over his de votees. In the teaching of Voodoo, the human spirit is comprised of two sections: the Gros-bon-ange and the Ti-bon-age. The Ti-bon-age is the piece of the spirit that leaves the body during rest and the part that can likewise be controlled by a Loa in a function. The Gros-bon-ange is the piece of the spirit, which upon death, rejoins with the sprit world and can be reused. It a typical confidence in Voodoo, that the spirit can be taken over by underhanded spirits when it is liberated from the body. It is through the demonstration of customs in functions that a voodoo cleric can reach the otherworldly world. A Voodoo function happens in a sanctuary called a Honfor. At the focal point of Honfor is a soul shaft called a Poto-Mitan. The Poto-Mitan speaks to the focal point of the universe and it is through this shaft, people can associate with the soul world. A voodoo service has a few key components that make it conceivable to associate with the soul world. A general voodoo service would be car ried on as follows:A dining experience would be held before the principle function. This dining experience may incorporate the sharing of food, and additionally liquor. The function will them start with the presentation of the Veve standards or banners. A Hounsis (A Voodoo priestess), will bring these banners out and wave them around to aid the calling of Loa. The banners are made by the Houngan and are made out of silk or glossy silk material. They are embellished with sequins, dabs, and seed pearls. In the mean time, out of sight there is a consistent cadence of drumbeats. The music and moving assume a significant job in the service. It is through the music that one can be placed into a stupor like state and become controlled by the Loa. Inside the function, there are generally three specific drums utilized. Inside the service, their are commonly three drum utilized. The Manman, which is the biggest of the three, it is around three feet tall, and is pounding standing utilizing a l ittle wooden sledge in one hand and the other exposed hand. The Segond drum, which is around two feet tall, is played by a situated drummer holding the drum between the legs. The drum is pounded utilizing two hands. The littlest drum is named bula. It is beaten utilizing two long dainty sticks. Moving is performed by the Houngan and Hounsis. The Houngan centers the move around the soul shaft. It is through the moving of the Houngan that power develops bringing about the Hounsis getting controlled by a loa. The Houngan additionally utilizes the guide of an Asson. An Asson is sacrosanct clatter developed out of a gourd that is enhanced with coral and snake bones. The Houngan will likewise make a Veve, which is a sand painting. The Veve is built on the floor of the Hounfor and is made around the soul shaft. The Veve is made out of flour or cornmeal and is devoted to the Loa in which the service is being carried on. A Voodoo service may incorporate a creature penance. The Houngan may fo rfeit a goat, sheep, pig, or chicken to fulfill the appetite of their Loa. The throat of the creature is cut, and the blood is gathered in an extraordinary stately cup, the Hounsis, or individual have, will at that point drink the blood. This is accepted to fulfill the yearning of the Loa. (Vodun (Voodoo))Haiti still remains the predominant nation wherein Voodoo is rehearsed in. Voodoo had the option to unite numerous individuals in a period of distress and mistreatment. Consistently, numerous individuals have languished over their convictions in the Voodoo religion. Voodoo despite everything remains steadfast in numerous societies and is a prevailing power in numerous people groups lives. Voodoo envelops the entire family and grasps the impact of predecessors in ones individual life. Voodoo isn't just a religion, however a lifestyle. The utilization of unrestrained and visionary conventional functions is utilized in numerous non-customary religions to show the domain of the otherwo rldly world, directly here the characteristic. As observed, Voodoo has its own particular methods of speaking with the profound domain. Numerous different religions additionally utilize otherworldly things or objects of nature, as methods for rising above into the profound domain; which carries us to the following subject of mysticism. The Prevalent Issues of Surrogate Parenting EssayOut of the a great many individuals who succumb to the influence of the religion lifestyle, not very many departure this way of life. The individuals who do are uncovered with long tern mental impacts, making numerous issues for the person, as they attempt to straighten out to typical consistently life. As often as possible, religion survivors at first experience the ill effects of sorrow. The reality of done having a place with a tip top gathering, or not having a feeling of direction inside themselves, makes the people fall into enormous burdensome states. The individuals who have been associated with the religion for at some point will likewise experience the ill effects of depression, as they have left their previous wellspring of family and fellowship. Hesitation is additionally a significant side effect; ordinary choices become exceptionally confounded for this individual since everything had been recently chosen for them (what t o wear, what to eat, and so forth.). Furthermore, dread of their previous religion rules inside them. At the very idea of disloyalty and the constrained impacts on the off chance that it, leaves the person with a basic feeling of dread and weakness. Enduring individuals are strongly prescribed to get a type of mental advising following leaving the religion. The individuals who do get directing have a snappier and a more prominent achievement in converging back

Is Human Security Better Than State Centric Security?

Is Human Security Better Than State Centric Security? Alongside the finish of the Cold War, the spread of globalization, and the quick turn of events, the world is confronting new difficulties and dangers jeopardizing states just as individuals everywhere throughout the world. Those new issues require compelling balances. Two methodologies can be recognized, which are especially important in a setting of worldwide security, Human Security, and state-driven methodologies, for example, authenticity, neo-authenticity, or Strategic Studies. They vary not just in view of the subject of their center, and subsequently the way of assurance, yet in addition since meaning of security they draw and strategies for accomplishment of that security. New dangers imperil individuals all around, in this way Human Security, which is centered around the giving the security of individuals, not states in the main line, appears to offer better method of managing these non-conventional issues. Be that as it may, is the Human Security adequate? The two methodol ogies, similar to some other speculations, contain positive and negative viewpoints. So as to appraise which of these two methodologies offer a superior method of managing non-conventional new worldwide security issues, first the meaning of security will be clarified, in setting of the two speculations, to survey an effect of assorted originations of security on the determining dangers and techniques for managing them. Next, and there will be surveyed a significance of non-conventional new worldwide security issues, in the extent of states and human security, and dangers and troubles related with them will be explained too. Moreover, the two originations will be described, including assessment of way they offer to challenge the new dangers, and to give security, furthermore adequacy of their models will be evaluated. At long last, two recognitions will be looked at, accentuating the most impacting issues among them, and all contentions will be assembled and summed up in completion p roclamation. Differing measurement of security Essential issue, while talking about the diverse impression of the worldwide security issues, has all the earmarks of being comprehension of the security idea. Acknowledgment of dangers and strategies we use to challenge them rely upon the manner in which we characterize security. We can recognize two potential objects of security, states and individuals. The previous origination is carefully connected with authenticity, which favor insurance of state as the most elevated power, as indicated by King and The customary perspective on security has concentrated on utilizing the military to guarantee the regional trustworthiness of sovereign states. [1] Realists contend that the fundamental objective of states is confirmation of their endurance, paying little mind to residents prosperity. Military potential is as indicated by authenticity an underwriter of states presence, and thus, in this manner pragmatists guarantee that the best strategy to get the most elevated level of security is amplification of states one-sided military capabilities. [2] However, there is likewise opposite side of this thought, in light of the fact that such states battle to the augmentation of military influence and worldwide authoritative situation, as Richard Ullman contends over the long haul can just expand a worldwide insecurity,â [3]â therefore pr agmatist meaning of security appears to have positive just as negative viewpoints. Such model from one viewpoint offers an approach to secure states, however then again put it at serious risk. The last idea, Human Security hypothesis, draws a view that the people are of essential significance. Therefore they turn their consideration towards the universal as opposed to national security. In this manner, on account of its more extensive and progressively worldwide character, it builds up various dangers, military, yet in addition ecological, social, and monetary, proposing various techniques for security. In any case, there is likewise another intriguing viewpoint, despite the fact that individuals know about the various types of dangers and their significant effect on their lives they esteem protection from viciousness more than from some other dangers. The result of the enquiry directed in 2005 in Afghanistan legitimizes that reality. In like manner, 37% of addressed said that viciousness is the greatest risk confronting their nation, while 29% continued that they are monetary issues, for example, destitution or unemployment. [4] Subsequently, individuals value their p hysical wellbeing in excess of a decent state of a nation, and accept that infringement of human rights is the significant danger bringing about numerous others challenges. To summarize, the basic viewpoint in counter estimating of a specific danger is first its acknowledgment, on the grounds that so as to manage something we should know that it is a danger to our security. The viability is dictated by the degree that specific danger imperils our security. Here emerges the inquiry, how those unmistakable view of danger and security influence disposition of the two ways to deal with non-conventional dangers? Non-customary new worldwide security issues We can't choose of the prevalence of one hypothesis over another without clarifying kinds and importance of non-conventional security issues. New dangers are of differing nature, for instance ecological dangers, spreading of illnesses, cutting populace, destitution, intercontinental wrongdoing, dangers related with new innovation, or demonstrations of fear mongering, and thus there are so difficult to be tested. What makes them considerably increasingly hazardous is their interconnectedness, typically one issue is associated with another or even causes another issues. They, hence, need aggregate reaction, which clearly in rebel model of self-intrigued states made by pragmatists is hard to acquire. Non-customary dangers frequently cause the same number of damages as generally characterized threats, for example, war. This supposition that is outlined by the accompanying model: AIDS is an immediate danger to human security since it executes an expected 3,000,000 individuals each year. [5] Health issues concern not just creating nations, as it is for the most part accepted. Stefan Elbe asserts that due to the quantity of military activities everywhere throughout the world, and profoundly created visitor industry, the ailments spread extremely quick everywhere throughout the world. Besides, there are likewise monetary results, need of substitution of contaminated positioned officers approaches extra expenses, and in like manner those warriors make a hazard for the number of inhabitants in their national states. Such circumstance occurred in Sierra Leone, during peacekeeping activity number of individuals contaminated by HIV/AIDS expanded in that region.â [6]â Another important issue is ecological danger. Thomas Homer-Dixon contends that natural shortcomings are as of now adding to savage clashes in numerous pieces of the world. [7] There is severe connection among's water and land abuse and ethnic and national clashes. Shortage of assets coming about because of crushing ecological events, for example, an Earth-wide temperature boost, corrosive downpours, or deforestation, in result obliges individuals to relocation, battling for different wellsprings of assets, or exacerbates states financial and social circumstance. Some of non-conventional dangers are of more noteworthy military setting, for example, psychological oppression, arm exchange, or militarization of youngsters, other are less, for example, neediness, wellbeing frailty, or infringement of human rights. What is sure, be that as it may, these dangers are of the huge significance regarding worldwide security, both of individuals and states. In any case, troubles in going up against those non-customary dangers get from interrelation and worldwide element of those issues. Non-conventional dangers can quick, whenever disregarded, changed into customary ones. Which of the given methodologies at that point offer a superior method of managing new dangers to worldwide security? State-driven security approaches in a period of new dangers In the first place, there will be examined the instance of state-driven methodologies, which at the principal sight penance next to no regard for non-conventional dangers. As per fundamental hypothesis in that scope, authenticity, significant on-screen character on the political field is a state, and it is an express that ought to be ensured and made sure about. Thusly, the essential, if not just, risk for state is military attack of other state; in this manner the main region of state-driven contemplations is war and harmony. Correspondingly to that origination, the main supplier of security is state, and as long as the outside security of state is accomplished, the state is in steady and safe position. As needs be, shielding the state from military dangers has the impact of ensuring its people,â [8]â what shows that state-driven methodologies don't totally disregard the security of individuals, in spite of the fact that they accept that wellbeing must be accomplished through mili tary activities. Authenticity and other state-driven methodologies offer some valuable ways however with managing non-conventional dangers, despite the fact that some contend that they don't perceive local frailty as a threat. [9] Realism centers around the national security. War, as Amitav Acharya contends, much of the time jeopardizes individuals by causing physical viciousness, yet in addition sabotages inside circumstance of the state, triggers lack of healthy sustenance, movement of exiles, boosts the likelihood of pandemic, and contrarily influences monetary and modern advancement of a certain state,â [10]â to name just hardly any dangerous highlights of military clashes. Therefore, forestalling wars subsequently gives, somewhat, protection from non-conventional dangers which would result from a military clash. In addition, considering national security as an essential worth influences the earnestness in consideration any dangers that some way or another put that national security in dang er. By the by, few out of every odd emerging issue may be settled militarily. Besides, state-driven methodologies clearly overlook a great deal of genuine parts of worldwide security, we may even say that they are very monothematic in a setting of security. One of t

The Apple Way of Doing Business

The Apple Way of Doing Business If we are to list the most successful businesses in the world, it will come as no surprise when Apple Inc. makes its way towards the top of the list. It is easily one of the biggest and most recognizable names in the world when it comes to consumer electronics and technology products. A trailblazer and pioneer in the field of technology, Apple sure knows how to do business, and that is what we will try to look into in the succeeding discussion. © Shutterstock.com | pio3In this article, youll learn about 1) Apples product development process, 2) Apples marketing practices, and 3) Apples customer experience philosophy.APPLE’S PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESSWe cannot talk about Apple’s business practice without getting into its product development process. After all, Apple is in the business of developing consumer electronics products, most of which have become icons and largely responsible for the succeeding trends in the field. To this day, more and more companies are cropping up, trying to come up with products that are loosely based on, or inspired by, Apple products, with the intention of competing with Apple.Over the years, since Steve Jobs founded Apple and started churning out those Apple products, the company’s product development process has been under much speculation. It’s not that the people inside Apple were being tight-lipped or keeping everything under wraps. They just weren’t the type to discuss the pro cess at great length when they could just spend the time in the product development room, if there is even such a thing. © Flickr | Brian SolisFortunately, several publications centered on Apple and its business philosophy have been released, one of which is Adam Lashinsky’s “Inside Apple: How America’s Most Admired â€" and Secretive Company Really Works”. Through these pieces, we are able to get more than a fleeting glimpse of what it is like inside Apple.In the book, Apple’s product development process was talked about, and it can be summed up in eight stages.1. DesignIt all starts with design. Apple products have already established a reputation for having impeccable design hinged on simplicity, functionality, and a distinct look. This is mostly attributable to the inventive and innovative minds of the members of the design team.The Industrial Design machine of Apple is where the brilliant ideas come from, and a great factor of its success is how it is kept cohesive and disciplined by a department head. This is exactly how Steve Jobs started it. He had the vision, and he steered the desig n team towards achieving that vision, keeping them focused and on a straight trajectory towards their design goal.Being kept separate from other divisions or departments of the business also greatly helped. This way, the design team was pretty much left to let their creative juices flow, without having to mind other issues such as finance, costs, and the technicals. They would not even have to worry about whether the design can actually be made when placed into production; that is going to be the problem of the engineers and the folks over at manufacturing. Costs? They don’t have to worry about that, either, because there are other people who will.Keeping the design team to a small number of people is also part of the strategy. One would think that they would have more people involved in the design process; but one downside of that is having too many ideas that could derail the direction that the design team planned to take from the start.Having a small number of people involved i n the design process also aids in keeping details about a new product shrouded in secrecy, something that Apple is known for.2. Start-up creationThe secrecy continues. Once a new product has been designed, a team that is solely devoted on the development of that product will be formed. It is essentially building a start-up within the company. They will devote all their time and resources on the project or product, and they will be directly reporting to the big bosses. This cuts through the usual communication or bureaucracy involved, and they will be answerable to no one else but the executive management team.What Apple does is to assign specific rooms or even entire sections within the Apple compound where the start-up will be doing their work, safe and free from outside intrusions and other disturbances. In other circumstances, the members of the team may even be explicitly prohibited from communicating with others â€" even within the company â€" with regards to the product they a re currently working on.3. ANPP ImplementationThis is where the ANPP â€" the Apple New Product Process â€" comes in.Since Apple started making the Macintosh, the company has always made it a point to have a well-documented roadmap or guide for the members of the team to follow. This was the ANPP. It is essentially a document that contains, in great detail, all the steps and phases of the development of the product. It covers everything about the development process, from the specific tasks that must be performed, the specific persons who will work on them, how long each task is expected to be completed, and the chronology or order of accomplishment of said tasks to facilitate the completion of the product.4. Product ReviewWhile it is true that the team works towards achieving a vision or a goal for a product, this does not mean that the process is fixed and has no room for changes or flexibility. Just like in other businesses, Apple also conducts periodic reviews for the products th at are in process. In the case of Apple, these product reviews are conducted every Monday. It is a good way to track the progress of the product development team and also take note of issues or serious problems that have been encountered by the team in the process.This is probably going to take a toll on a company that has a lot of products in the pipeline at any given time. Fortunately, Apple does not have too much of a problem with that, since it makes sure to have only a few products-in-progress, so things are kept on a more manageable level.5. Production properFinally, the design will be made more concrete as the production process begins. There are two key personnel involved in this stage: the engineers and the supply personnel. You have someone in charge of the product process, who will manage the engineering aspect. He will be working with the supply manager, who is responsible for sourcing the raw materials needed in the production process.6. Testing, tweaking, rebuildingJus t because a product has undergone the production process does not mean that it is outright completed. There is still a need to test it, so adjustments can be made and, if needed, the product will be rebuilt. Steve Jobs perfectionist attitude was apparent in how Apple tirelessly builds, tests and rebuilds its products, until such time that it is 100% confident in its quality and performance, and gives it the green-light to be introduced to the market.In the past, we have seen many designs of the iPhone being leaked prior to their release, only for the final product to be markedly different from the leaked versions. This is because the leaks were often the initial versions, and the final version â€" the one finally released into the market â€" has undergone various redesigns and rebuilding, after a series of testing has been performed.Many business are satisfied with testing only once or twice, then releasing it to the market, even if they still have issues about some aspects of the p roduct. This is because testing and rebuilding takes a lot of time, not to mention money. Apple does not let the cost affect its decision, however, preferring to test and rebuild as many times as possible until they get it right, and they come up with a product that they are fully satisfied with.7. PackagingFirst impressions last, and customers are initially attracted by the packaging. This is why Apple devotes a lot of attention and resources to the packaging aspect. It’s not just about having a box with the name and company logo printed on it. The packaging also takes into account the experience of the customers when unboxing the device packaging.8. Finally, the LaunchApple has the Rules of the Road, which is basically a product launch action plan. It details all the key points of the product development process, breaking them down into the nitty-gritty. This document is so top-secret and highly-valued, and Apple takes it seriously when working towards the launch of the new prod uct.APPLE’S MARKETING PRACTICESElaborate ad campaigns. Complex websites and sales copies. Engagement of print, broadcast and online media. Press releases. Name it, Apple’s done it. These are the usual marketing tactics and strategies often employed by businesses, and Apple also uses them.But Apple does it slightly differently. One of Apple’s identifying marks when it comes to design is simplicity, and it also carried that principle in its marketing.Simplicity in MarketingTo be more specific, Apple applies “decision-making simplicity” in its marketing strategy. This actually makes sense, considering how the consumer market is flooded by tons of ads and marketing messages. If they stick to the usual routes, there is a possibility of their marketing to be ignored or gone unnoticed.Apple has veered away from complex marketing messages. In fact, if you notice how it crafts its ads, they are considerably cleaner and more straightforward. Billboard ads are just as simple, often o nly with an image of the product and its name, as if saying that the appearance and the name explains it all.They even rarely use actors, voice-overs or endorsers to present the product. In one ad, they even used only a white backdrop to drive home the one point about the Apple product being better than the competition. It’s clean, it’s simple, it’s straight to the point, and it gets the message across. Any other questions can be answered by reaching out to Apple’s separate information dissemination campaigns. Or, better yet, head to the nearest Apple store and experience for yourself how the new product works.Confidence in MarketingApple’s brand of marketing also shows its confidence in its products. They do not need to list down all the features of the product on the billboards, or enumerate them in their ads. They do not even have to crow about the fact that they â€" Apple, the giant company that starts with the letter “A” â€" is the one introducing a new product. T hey have already made themselves known before, and they are confident that just the logo, or even the appearance of the new product, will immediately gain their company instant recognition.Again, as mentioned earlier, popular names and celebrities are not engaged to officially endorse the Apple product. Sure, influencers are tapped to aid in the marketing, but the ads themselves do not use celebrity leverage.APPLE’S “CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE PHILOSOPHY”There is one keyword that will encapsulate the company’s ideals about customer experience: APPLE. This basically encompasses the five steps of service that is taken and implemented by every staff member of an Apple retail store.A â€" Approach customers politely and give them a warm and personalized welcomeThis is one of the fundamentals of retail and customer service. Welcome your customers the moment they enter your store and they will feel more inclined to browse over your products and actually spend money before leaving your sto re.Apple stressed on the welcome being “warm” and “personalized”. There is a difference between a store salesperson simply mouthing off “Welcome” from behind a desk and an Apple store clerk walking up to you the moment you walk through the door, with a ready smile and an eager expression on his or her face. It’s a small thing, but it makes a whole lot of difference to any customer looking for something worth buying.P â€" Probe politely in order to understand what the customer needsLetting the customer wander around the store is one thing; actually stepping up and asking them what they need or are looking for is another. There is a fine line between being nosy and probing politely, and the latter is what Apple tries its best to practice.P â€" Present a solution that the customer can take home todayCustomers are looking for immediate solutions, not something that they should come back to get on another day. They can easily tell when a store clerk knows what he or she is talking about, and whether they can get the solution they are looking for right now, or they should simply take their concerns â€" and money â€" elsewhere.L â€" Listen to the customer and resolve any concerns or issues he or she may haveOne of the things that customers like about going to any Apple store is because they can get a hands-on interaction with the product, playing with the latest iPhone, or going through the features of the latest version of the iPad, with a store clerk within an arm’s reach to answer any questions. This practice by Apple certainly makes it easier for its staff members to present their products better and to show or demonstrate solutions that are being sought by customers.E â€" End it with an equally warm and personalized farewell, and invite the customer to come backOne mistake often committed by salespersons is not seeing their customers off properly after they have made a sale. After all, they already closed a deal and made money, so what else is le ft?Just as warmly as you welcomed the customers, it is also important to say goodbye to them properly, along with an invitation that they should return to the store for more transactions in the future. Not only will you have satisfied customers, but also potential returning customers.You will notice that all 5 steps are already nothing new when it comes to providing customer service. However, many retail stores fail to perform them. Apple retail stores go to great lengths and make extra efforts to perform all 5 steps, and that is a large part of the reason why it has the loyal customer base that it has today.We can note two underlying principles in Apple’s Product Development Process â€" and its way of doing business as a whole. One is Quality above all else, and the other is Accountability.Apple refuses to cut corners just to keep costs down. So what if it will take time, or that it will require more financial outlay? It does not even matter that they have to get in more people t o work on a project or a product, as long as they get the results that they want. They also do not mind training their people â€" from the design team to the retail persons in the Apple stores all over the world â€" as long as they provide service that will contribute to the overall customer experience with Apple. In the same vein, emphasis is placed on responsibility and accountability, where all tasks are identified and clearly traceable to specific persons within the teams. This way, Apple employees will take their job more seriously, and make sure the company remains on track. Image credit: Flickr | Brian Solis under Attribution 2.0 Generic.