Sunday, January 26, 2020

Business Model For Ebay Marketing Essay

Business Model For Ebay Marketing Essay Innovation is not a single but a total process of interrelated sub processes. It is not just the conception of a new idea, nor the invention of a new device, nor the development of a new market but all of these things acting in an integrated fashion (Myers and Marquis, 1969). Innovation can as well be explained with the following equation: Innovation = theoretical conception + technical invention + commercial exploitation. EBay is the online trading community between person-to-person and is one of the few profitable internet companies. EBay effectively created a new business model never before possible with efficient one-to-one trading in an auction format. Individuals use 4,300 categories in eBay to buy and sell items of wide range, from collectibles and antiques to electronics and toys. Sellers pay a nominal fee for placing an item up for sale, and eBay receives a transaction fee ranging from 1.25% to 5% of the final sale price on any item sold. The buyer and the seller work out the logistics of the transport (e.g. shipping, payment) between themselves, and eBay never takes possession of the item being sold, or the payment for the item removing the need for inventory, transportation and other overhead costs. Business Model Business model defines how a firm will define and promote its brand (plans to operate), produce and distribute its product (generate revenue) and build or attract its market (compete). The success of business depends on selecting the appropriate business model. Business models convert new technologies to economic value. For some start-ups, familiar business models are not always applicable so a new model must be devised. In some cases, the importance of business model far exceeds the innovation of the product or service itself. Role of the Business Model Technical Inputs Business Model Economic Outputs A business model bases on a multitude of business subjects including economics, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, operations, and strategy. The business model itself is an important determinant of profits to be made from an innovation. A mediocre innovation with a great business model may be more profitable than a great innovation with a mediocre business model. EBays business model was based on creating and maintaining a person-to-person trading community, providing millions of auctions, and hundreds of thousands of new items every day from which bidders may choose. After implementing their model, EBay has been able to build strategic partnerships, continue making innovative changes and progressions, and supervise its internal and external environments for possible future opportunities which have made them the worlds largest online auction company. Since the site provides plenty of reasons to stay for longer period of time and revisit on a regular basis, eBay has become hugely successful. The longer they stay on eBay, there is more chance to complete a transaction and generate revenue for eBay. The other reason for eBays success is their highest bidder wins style auction mechanism as a means of earning profit from charging a premium for mediating between buyers and sellers as a third party. In using this mechanism, a history of prices exist s (price points), creating increased inter-play between competitors in the marketplace. EBays business model recognizes these specific elements as a key to its success. They are (as given in the case study): It is the largest online trading forum with a huge mass of buyers and sellers, and varied range of items listed for sale Its compelling and entertaining environment with strong values and established rules hence facilitating communication between buyers and sellers. It has programs such as Safe harbor to aid in disputes and to punish users who violate eBay Cost effective and convenient trading Strong community affinity An intuitive user interface that was easy to understand, arranged by topics, and fully automated The founder of eBays vision was to create the environment and provide users ways to interact. Rather than finding various ways of making money, eBay has focused on creating a community of users by which they ended up making lots of money. According to a survey, the average eBay user spends an average of one hour, 26 minutes and eight seconds on eBay (http://www.marketingcharts.com/direct/ebay-aol-benefit-from-increased-us-web-usage-12765/). In contrast, visitors to catalogue stores and other commercial websites might spend only ten or twenty minutes there. EBay is maintaining their position since they are continuously improving to become better. When compared to amazon.com and other sites, eBay turned out to be far better since their expenses are low and doesnt hold any stocks like the others do. Creating New Markets Through Service Innovation For decades, since the evolution of internet, the importance of services has grown steadily to the global economy whereas the importance of goods has declined. Naturally, companies are constantly seeking to provide better services, regardless of whether they are in a pure service business or in a manufacturing industry that must increasingly rely on its service operations for continued profitability. However, most improvements to service activities are incremental. Stores stay open longer; producers establish websites with e-commerce functions; airlines, casinos and supermarket chains introduce loyalty card programs. These improvements are useful and indeed necessary, but their returns are somewhat limited. Only rarely does a company develop a service that creates an entirely new market reshaping the market providing company with unforeseen profits for a longer period of time. EBay is one of these rare companies. It has created new markets through its unique model of innovation. For example, in the online auction concept, eBay was not the first but it gradually became the dominant player. In the early 1980s, CompuServe (nee MicroNET) and The Source were sponsoring auctions. Specifically, Comp-U-Card Online/Comp-U-Store held weekly auctions for consumer goods like the brand-new Sony Walkman in 1983, and CompuServes first eBay-style automated online auctions were held in 1982. Due to limited use of the internet technologies and lack of awareness, these companies were not much success. Later when the trend changed, new technologies developed, and online business grew, eBay introduced its business totally focussed on service which led them to create successful new markets domestically and globally. Ansoffs growth matrix identifying opportunities for growth for eBay Current Products/ servicesNewProducts/ servicesCurrentMarketsNewMarkets 1. Market penetration strategy Attempt to get existing users to spend more 3. Product development strategy Wireless Develop sectors such as introduce car sales, boat, sales etc. Fixed-price shops Paypal: payment system Providing commission on sales 2. Market development strategy Attract new vendors such as large corporations Develop international sites in significant markets such as Germany, Japan 4. Diversification strategy Skype: VOIP Enabling communication among community EBay is one of the most successful e-commerce website in the World Wide Web. The strategic direction of the company is market penetration. The main aim of a market penetration strategy is to increase the market share by using the current products within the existing markets. This involved the actions and programs to be done in order to enhance the current core competencies or build a new one. In the case of e-Bay, the company focuses on improving the quality of their service in order to improve the reputation of the company compared to its direct and indirect competitors. EBay is focusing on the improvement of its service by using updated and high-tech Information System, which will help to improve the visitor log, improve the quality of service and the security and safety of its online users. Beside that EBay has continued to innovate and connect people. The most important points in their innovation are acquisitions of PayPal in 2002 an online financial service, and Skype in 2005 an internet communication company. With these acquisitions, EBay provides customers with the most convenient methods so that buyers can make low cost contact with sellers easily and make all transaction swiftly. Although there are several disputes that EBay is doing a real value chain, its characterization proofs that EBay performs a virtual value chain. It provides platform for trading on the internet in virtual market where it operates and the value of goods sold in this site is determined by auctioning of buyers. It performs as a self-regulating global economy. Lesson to a new internet business from eBay Figure from www.ebay.com On a normal e-commerce site, customer does some shopping, picks out one or more items, and heads to the checkout area as quickly as possible. But in eBay, members can do other thing than just buy or sell. They can Post feedback: In business, feedbacks are crucial and help the company to improve their mistakes. Here, both consumers and sellers can post their feedbacks in the forum describing their deal of the product. Communicate with others in message boards: Consumers such as Antique hunters, collectors, and bargain hunters like talking about their common interests. This leads them to meet and greet each other in the same spots on eBay, either in a weekly or prearranged chat, just to say hello and share opinions. Post secondary information: eBay sellers and buyers can create About Me pages to inform people about themselves. Sellers can open eBay Stores. This gets them personally involved with the sales they open this site not only for business but it has become part of their daily lives. In other words, loyalty, the desire of finding a bargain, and the love of making some extra money are what keep eBay users returning on a regular basis, which makes eBay a lovely and a successful venue. Its the human touch that means so much on the auction site. By implementing their business model, eBay employed three main tactics. First, they looked to build strategic partnerships. Second, they looked for customer feedback to constantly make changes and improvements. Finally, they monitored its internal and external environments for possible opportunities. By doing all of these sorts of things, eBay is being able to adapt to the changing ways and keeping their customers satisfied. To be successful eBay continue to mould and change their business model to satisfy its customers and keep the level of quality they employ to the highest degree as possible. eBay has created a one-stop-shopping experience that is appealing to large corporations, independent entrepreneurs, and individual buyers and sellers. They have created value through many facets of their business that appeal to their customers and differentiate them from the competition. The main ways that eBay differentiates themselves is through: Variety of products offered When customers visit eBay they can search for virtually any product. EBay boasts a category variety not matched by any competitor with over 27,000. The eBay Community EBay wants their customers to feel like they are a part of a community. This community feel gives customers the sense that they are branch of something and cared about. By showing the customers that their feedback, opinions, and feelings are important eBay has gained tremendous ground with their customers. The eBay Website EBay has created an auction and retail website that is unique and interesting. This creative site sets them apart from their competitors. The site is set up with many facets that reach a broad span of visiting buyers and sellers. The site is also entertaining and easy to use making it very appealing for online shopping and trading. The eBay Brand Name EBay was the creator of the online auction industry. When customers think of online buying the immediately think of eBay. This has given them a competitive advantage that sets them apart from other online auctions. eBays Global Reach The global reach of eBay is not achieved by any other online auction site. For large corporations international selling and buying is done everyday. Even for an individual buyer or seller, having the option of searching throughout 150 countries with a span of 94.9 million users is very appealing. Conclusion eBays compelling value proposition, their ability to create a new market using Internet technology, and their first-mover advantage, have been key factors that have contributed to the success of the brand, however, their ability to cultivate a distinct sense of community has been the defining characteristic which differentiates them from other online auctions. As a result, eBay attracts a broader selection of buyers, which in turn attracts more sellers the ultimate network effect contributing to its strong lead and competitive advantage. Their focus on heavy users and targeted promotions, have been instrumental in building a quality customer base, which has established eBay above other online auction communities. eBay has also faced difficult challenges in scaling the organisation fast enough, as they could not opt for a go slow strategy.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Personal Leadership

There are as many leadership philosophies as people and rightly so. Each person is unique in their own ways with specific personality traits and aptitudes which make them who they are. While some people are more naturally inclined towards leadership than others, the majority of leaders are developed through the continued honing of their leadership skills. Along their leadership Journeys people acquire various skills and paradigms allowing them to extend and apply themselves beyond their own natural abilities.While people cannot change their genetic makeup, they an take specific action and make certain decisions to help them be an effective leader. In this paper I will discuss three leadership concepts (personal integrity, transforming leadership, and encouraging and enabling others) which convey my leadership philosophy. Finally, I will illustrate how the adaptation of these three concepts would help a person lead their organization more effectively. PERSONAL INTEGRITY There are many leaders and managers in our world who are given titles, yet fail to lead, guide, or unite their constituents because they fail to model their expectations.In The Leadership Challenge, Kouzes and Posner (2002) begin a discussion of modeling by saying â€Å"Titles are granted, but it's your behavior that wins you respect† (p. 14). While salaries and titles may have some personal value toa leader, they mean little to their subordinates and may even be a target for criticism for some if a leader lacks integrity. As a leader, it is critical to model the way and move forth with servant leadership. Servant leadership is different from the traditional power- based leadership in many ways.Robert Greenleaf (2005) defines and identifies the oals of servant leadership by saying this: â€Å"The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people's highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do tho se served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society?Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived? † (p. 25) The focus of servant leaders is on the raising up and growth of constituents through modeling. Rather than assigning a task and expected a result, servant leaders will come alongside constituents teaching them the way to accomplish the task and at the same time instilling the values of servanthood and modeling in them. effective leadership and greater rapport amongst constituents. Yukl (2006, p. 210) writes that â€Å"Integrity is a primary determinant of interpersonal trust.Unless one is perceived to be trustworthy, it is difficult to retain the loyalty of the followers or to obtain cooperation and support from peers and superiors. † Without the support and eamwork of constituents, a leader will fail t o meet the set goals. The Center for Creative Leadership found that the absence of integrity directly correlated with the failure of leaders and vice versa (p. 211). For a leader to develop integrity amongst their constituents, they must be deemed honest, trustworthy, loyal, and uphold confidentiality.The development of a leader's integrity requires time, energy, and patience invested in their workers through modeling and servant leadership. John J. Gardiner summarizes this competently in saying â€Å"integrity comes from sublimating our egos nd giving ourselves entirely to life† (Spears, 1998, p. 1 19). TRANSFORMING LEADERSHIP Many different paradigms of leadership exist and are useful tools for leading groups of people to success, but transforming leadership offers an excellent overarching view and structure for leaders to use when working with people of different values and persuasions.James MacGregor Burns says the transforming leader â€Å"looks for potential motives in the followers, seeks to satisfy higher needs, and engages the full person of the follower,' which results in ‘a relationship of mutual stimulation and levation' for both leader and follower† (Carey, 2008, p. 7). By having insights into the constituents' attitude towards the organization, the transforming leader can develop personalized strategies to help workers move closer accomplishing both the goals of the organizations and their personal aspirations.In the second module, the five frames of reference were described illustrating the disruption causes by self-embeddedeness. Being stuck in a single frame of reference can become a problem for a worker when required to work with those stuck in other frames of reference. When the partial truths contained in one of the individual the frames are confused with the whole Truth, then whatever value there is in the frame's outlook becomes distorted† Carey, 2008, p. 2). When a leader operates solely within a single frame of reference, their distortions impact the goals and workers of the organization.Transforming leaders move from their original frame of reference towards a â€Å"fundamental option for self-transcendence† which â€Å"pulls the individual toward the logos and, therefore, in the direction of either transactional or transforming leadership† (Carey, 2008, p. ). While transactional leadership is sometimes necessary to accomplish intermediate goals and simple tasks, the conversion of workers to leaders through transforming leadership will be more likely to accomplish long-term success for both the organization and its constituents.I have never encountered a person who has claimed they have received too much encouragement. I have also never met anyone that has single-handedly made their organization successful. In other words, leaders need to be surrounded with people united in purpose for their organization to be successful. One of the best ways to align constituents with your vision and goals is through forming relationships through encouragement. â€Å"Giving encouragement requires us to get close to people and show that we care†¦ t's more likely to accomplish something other forms (of feedback) cannot: strengthening trust between leaders and constituents† (Kouzes and Posner, 2002, p. 321). Futhermore, Freire (2000) describes the benefits of an encouraged and enabled group of workers when he writes: â€Å"This adherence coincides with the trust the people begin to place in themselves nd in the revolutionary leaders, as the former perceive the dedication and authenticity of the later.The trust of the people in the leaders reflects the confidence of the leaders in the people. † ( p. 150) Encouraging and enabling constituents is ongoing task that requires a continual commitment of transforming leaders. However, the satisfaction and success that comes with leading an encouraged team of workers enabled to do their Job well is unparallel a nd critical to the overall success of organizations.†Leadership is not an affair of the head. Leadership is an affair of the heart† (Kouzes and Posner, 2002, p. 99) It is with those words that The Leadership Challenge concludes and we are reminded that transforming leadership all begins with the heart and integrity of the leader. However, character and integrity are not enough as transforming leaders are required to not only understand various frames of reference, but also pull constituents towards the logos enabling them to operate outside their natural frame of references and in the process become transforming leaders themselves.When leading with integrity, a transforming leader who encourages and enables positions themselves, their constituents, and their organization for success.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Life as a Master Cosmetologist Essay

What is a master cosmetologist? A master cosmetologist is an individual that has knowledge and skills in the field of cosmetology through advanced education. Cosmetology is defined as the art and science of beautifying and improving skin, hair, and nails. (Houghton Mifflin, 2009) In order to obtain the title master cosmetologist certain requirements must be met. A master cosmetologist may provide beauty services, massages and scalp treatments, apply make- up, style wigs, perform some hair removal and provide nail and skin care services. Life as a Master Cosmetologist A master cosmetologist has several advantages. One advantage from working as a master cosmetologist is the option to work on skin, hair, or nails. Many choose to work in a specific field after they are licensed. Job titles reported for a master cosmetologist are; hair stylist, hairstylist, hair dresser, hairdresser, barber stylist, manager stylist, platform artist, celebrity stylist, make-up artist and nail technician. A state issued license is required to practice cosmetology, although educational requirements to receive such license vary depending on state. Georgia State Board of Cosmetology first requires an individual to receive 1500 credit hours from an accredited cosmetology school. Coursework is taught by licensed professional instructors and consist of lectures and labs covering bacteriology, sterilization, customer service and business. † (Master cosmetologist, 2011) Additional coursework includes anatomy, physiology and chemistry. Secondly, the individual must submit an application to state board for an examination date. You must past a written and practical exam with a score of 70 or above. Following, an application for initial licensure along with a money order must be submitted. The fees vary by state between $30 and $50. A Master Cosmetologist License should be renewed every two years before March 31. Some states may allow a license holder to apply for reciprocity in another state. Reciprocity may be extended to licensees from other states or countries that have similar training and licensing requirements. The state of Georgia does not reciprocate with Florida, Hawaii, New York or California. There is an endless list of job descriptions associated with a master cosmetologist. A job description is defined as a document that outlines all duties and responsibilities of a particular position in a salon. The following entries are examples of such job descriptions. *Develop new styles and techniques. *Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics. *Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons. *Shampoo, rinse, and condition scalp, hair or hairpieces. *Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided. *Bleach, color or tint hair using temporary, demi-permanent, semi-permanent, or permanent hair color. * Schedule client appointments. *Analyze patrons’ hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatments or suggest hairstyles. Cut, trim, and shape hair or hairpieces based on customers’ instructions, hair type and facial features. *Keep work stations clean and sanitize all tools, implements, and equipment. The skills of a master cosmetologist are limitless. Providing personal assistance, emotional support, and other personal care has proven to be the most valuable. Others include but are not limite d to; performing for or working directly with the public, thinking creatively, updating and using relevant knowledge, active listening, time management, judgment and decision making, critical thinking and management of financial resources. Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react the way they do is an important skill known as social perceptiveness. (E-Best resumes, 2011) Employment Most employers require a person to have a high school diploma or GED and cosmetology license. â€Å"Candidates must have a professional presentation and strong customer service skills. † (Cosmetologist career profile, 2011) Employers may ask that a salon stylist also provide an employment portfolio and resume. A portfolio is a collection of photos and documents that reflect your skills, accomplishments, and abilities in your field. A resume can be described as a written summary of a person’s education and work experience. By law, a master cosmetologist must display his or her credentials at his or her station, and clients may ask to see a license in areas where the license need not be displayed by law. A lengthy career in cosmetology may cause physical damages to the body. These damages would be considered disadvantages of working as a master cosmetologist. One disadvantage would be carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve- the nerve in the wrist that supplies feeling and movement to parts of the hand. It can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness or muscle damage in the hands or fingers. Varicose veins are swollen twisted and sometimes painful veins that have filled with an abnormal collection of blood and would be considered another disadvantage of this profession. Moreover, lower back pain is triggered by a combination of overuse, muscle strain, and injury to the muscles, ligaments, bones and discs, making the back more prone to injury and re-injury. Low back pain can lead to overall imbalance in the spinal structure. Occupational Outlook The market seems favorable in years to come for cosmetologists. Cosmetology could be one of the few recession proof careers; things would have to get pretty bad for most people to prompt taking haircuts and hairstyling out of their budgets. â€Å"In fact, as stress and anxiety about the economy rise, so does business at salons, where clients can find relaxation and relief in the midst of the turmoil. †(Cosmetology career trends, 2011) According to SimplyHired. com, as of 2010, the average salary for a master cosmetologist is $31,000 per year. Income may vary due to customers’ tipping habits, services provided, experience of the cosmetologist, and whether he or she works on commission. The demand for cosmetologist is expected to grow by 20% between 2008 and 2018. Opportunities should remain plentiful, especially for new graduates seeking entry-level positions. Finally, to be successful you must take ownership of your education. Not surprisingly, employment will be greater for those with professional experience and those licensed to provide a broad range of services. A demand for specialized hair services has increased in recent years. This trend will continue, leading to a favorable occupational outlook for cosmetologists.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Biography of El Cid, Medieval Spanish Hero

El Cid (1045–July 10, 1099), whose birth name was Rodrigo Dà ­az de Vivar (or Bibar), is a Spanish national hero, a mercenary soldier who fought for the Spanish king Alfonso VII to liberate parts of Spain from the Almoravid dynasty and eventually captured the Muslim caliphate of Valencia and ruled his own kingdom. Fast Facts: El Cid Known For: National hero of Spain, mercenary soldier against Christian and Muslims, ruler of ValenciaBirth Name: Rodrigo Dà ­az de Vivar (or Bibar)Born: c. 1045 near Burgos, SpainParents: Diego Lainez and a daughter of Rodrigo AlvarezDied: July 10, 1099 in Valencia, SpainEducation: Trained in the Castilian court of Sancho IISpouse: Jimena (m. July 1074)Children: Cristina, Maria, and Diego Rodriguez Rodrigo Dà ­az de Vivar was born into a chaotic period in Spanish history when much of the southern two-thirds of the Iberian peninsula had been conquered by Islamic forces during the Arab conquest beginning in the 8th century CE. In 1009, the Islamic Umayyad Caliphate collapsed and disintegrated into competing city-states, called taifa. The northern third of the peninsula was broken into principalities—Leà ³n, Castile, Navarre, Barcelona, Asturia, Galacia, and others—who fought each other and their Arab conquistadors.  Islamic rule in Iberia varied from place to place, as did the borders of the principalities, but the last city to be liberated by the Christian Reconquista was the Emirate of Granada in 1492.   Early Life El Cid was born Rodrigo Dà ­az de Vivar or Ruy Dà ­az de Vivar in the town of Vivar in the Castilian principality near Burgos, Spain in about 1045. His father was Diego Lainez, a soldier in the battle at Atapuerco in 1054, which was fought between the brothers King Ferdinand I of Leà ³n (Ferdinand the Great, ruled 1038–1065) and King Garcà ­a Sà ¡nchez III of Navarre (r. 1012–1054). Some sources report that Diego was a descendant of Lain Calvo, a legendary duumvir (magistrate) in the Court of Ordoà ±o II (King of Galacia, ruled 914–924). Although her name is not known, Diegos mother was a niece of the Castilian diplomat Nuà ±o Alvarez de Carazo (1028–1054) and his wife Doà ±a Godo; she named her son after her father, Rodrigo Alvarez. Diego Laniez died in 1058, and Rodrigo was sent to be the ward of Ferdinands son Sancho who resided at his fathers court in Castile, then part of Leà ³n. There Rodrigo likely received formal schooling in the schools which had been built by Ferdinand, learning how to read and write, as well as training in the use of arms, horsemanship, and the art of the chase. He may have been trained to arms by Pedro Ansurez, a Castilian count (1037–1119), known to have been in residence at Ferdinands court at the time. Military Career In 1065, Ferdinand died and his kingdom was divided up between his sons. The eldest, Sancho received Castile; the second, Alfonso, Leà ³n; and the region of Galicia was carved out of the northwest corner to create a separate state for Garcà ­a. The three brothers proceeded to fight one another for the entire kingdom of Ferdinand: Sancho and Alfonso together fended off Garcia and then fought each other. El Cids first military appointment was as standard-bearer and commander of troops for Sancho. Sancho emerged victoriously and reunited their fathers possessions under his control in 1072. Sancho died childless in 1072, and his brother Alfonso VI (ruled 1072–1109) inherited the kingdom. Having fought for Sancho, Rodrigo now found himself in an awkward situation with the Alfonso administration. According to some records, the breach between Rodrigo and Alfonso was healed when Rodrigo married a woman named Jimena (or Ximena), a member of a high-ranking Asturian family in the mid-1070s; some reports say she was Alfonsos niece. A 14th-century romance written about El Cid said he killed Jimenas father the Count of Gomez de Gormaz in battle, after which she went to Ferdinand to beg for redress. When Ferdinand refused to pay, she demanded Rodrigos hand in marriage which he willingly gave. El Cids main biographer, Ramà ³n Menà ©ndez Pidal, thinks that is unlikely since Ferdinand died in 1065. Whoever she was and however their marriage came about, Ximena and Rodrigo had three children: Cristina, Maria, and Diego Rodriguez, all of whom married into royalty. Diego was killed at the battle of Consuega in 1097. Despite his presence serving as a magnet for Alfonsos opponents, Dà ­az served Ferdinand loyally for several years, while Ferdinand waged war against Almoravid invaders. Then, after leading an unauthorized military raid campaign into the Muslim-controlled taifa Toledo, which was a tributary kingdom of Leon-Castile, Dà ­az was exiled. Fighting for Saragossa Upon exile, Diaz went to the Muslim taifa Saragossa (also spelled Zaragoza) in the valley of the Ebro, where he served as a mercenary captain with considerable distinction. Saragossa was an independent Arab Muslim state in Al-Andalus, which at the time (1038–1110) was ruled by the Banu Hud.  He fought for the Huddid dynasty for almost ten years, scoring significant victories against both Muslim and Christian foes. Famous battles which El Cid is known for were the defeat of Count Berenguer Ramon II of Barcelona in 1082, and of King Sancho Ramirez of Aragon in 1084. When the Berber Almoravids invaded the peninsula in 1086, Alfonso recalled Diaz from exile. El Cid willingly returned and was instrumental in the defeat at Sagrajas in 1086. He stayed in favor with Alfonso for only a brief time: in 1089 he was exiled again. Rodrigo gained his nickname El Cid at some point during his military career, perhaps after his battles at Saragossa. The name El Cid is a Spanish dialect version of the Arabic word sidi, meaning lord or sir. He was also known as Rodrigo el  Campeador, the Battler. Valencia and Death After being exiled from Alfonsos court for the second time, El Cid left the capital to became an independent commander in the eastern part of the Iberian peninsula. He fought and extracted enormous amounts of tribute from the Muslim taifas, and, on June 15, 1094, he captured the city of Valencia. He successfully fought off two Almoravid armies who attempted to dislodge him in 1094 and 1097. He established himself as an independent prince in the region based at Valencia. Rodrigo Dà ­az de Vivar ruled Valencia until his death on July 10, 1099. The Almoravids recaptured Valencia three years later. El Cids Legends There are four documents which were written about El Cid during his lifetime or shortly thereafter. Two are Islamic, and three are Christian; none are likely to be unprejudiced. Ibn Alcama was a Moor from Valencia, who witnessed and wrote a detailed account of the loss of that province to El Cid called Eloquent Evidence of the Great Calamity. Ibn Bassam wrote a Treasury of the Excellences of the Spaniards, written in Seville in 1109. The Historia Roderici was written in Latin by a Catholic cleric sometime before 1110. The poem Carmen, written in Latin about 1090, extols the battle between Rodrigo and the Count of Barcelona; and the Poema del Cid, was written in Spanish about 1150. Later documents written long after El Cids life are even more likely to be fabulous legends rather than biographical sketches. Sources Barton, Simon. El Cid, Cluny and the Medieval Spanish Reconquista. The English Historical Review 126.520 (2011): 517–43.Barton, Simon and Richard Fletcher. The World of El Cid: Chronicles of the Spanish Reconquest. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2000.Fletcher, Richard A. The Quest for El Cid. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989.Pidal, Ramà ³n Menà ©ndez. La Espaà ±a Del Cid. Trans. Murray, John and Frank Cass. Abington, England: Routledge, 2016.