PROJECT CHARTER, SCOPE MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

PROJECT CHARTER, SCOPE MANAGEMENT - Essay Example In addition, more than 2000 employees are currently working for Alotaibi Business Group. Moreover, this company wants to train their staff, they have to send them to third party training centers. In this scenario these training centers charge a lot of money for staff skills development and training. Thus, there is a great deal of need for building a staff training center at business premises because it will help Alotaibi Business Group save a lot of money by offering proper skills management and training to their staff. In addition, the absence of training center requires from Alotaibi Business Group to send their employees to outside the organization training centers and it is very costly for the reason that Alotaibi Business Group has a staff of 2000 people. The establishment of a new training center at the Alotaibi Business Group premises will offer an excellent support for in-house staff training and handling. It will also offer an excellent support for management of staff working and operations. In fact, the development of this training center will potentially reduce the overall human resource training cost to 50%. So there are a lot of new opportunities for the business such as cost reduction, time and money saving and so many more. This project will have some exclusion. These elements will not be a part of this project or a training center. The first element is the recruitment of a staff trainer that will not be a part of this project. Here this project will not entitle any process of recruiting new staff members and their interviews. The next important factor is that this project will not involve the staff food and eating arrangement. Here we will not be responsible for arranging refreshment or lunch for the staff. The successful establishment of a new training center for Alotaibi Business Group will offer them a lot of benefits. In this scenario, one of the

Nelson Mandela Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Nelson Mandela - Essay Example These conditions kept on prevailing until in 1911 the Mines and Works Act stated that the Black workers could not be engaged as cheap semi-skilled laborers and this prohibited Black workers from seeking skilled work. In 1914 the National Party (NP) under General Hertzog made the law that the right to vote belonged to White and was not extended to Blacks. In coming years Blacks were deprived of the right to own their lands. The years went by and Blacks were subjected to discrimination by the Whites. Encyclopedia of Britannica describes apartheid as, policy that governed relations between South Africas white minority and nonwhite majority and sanctioned racial segregation and political and economic discrimination against nonwhites. It was in 1948 when the apartheid law was introduced which prohibited marriage of White and Non-White marriages and sanctioned White only jobs. The population was classified into White, Black and Colored. The Blacks had to carry pass books all the time containing their fingerprints, photos and information to access Non Black areas. There was discrimination in education, medical care and public services, and Blacks were always considered inferior to Whites. In 1951 the Bantu Authorities act established homelands for Blacks, their own lands were divided into separate homelands in which they had to live and in order to travel to another homeland they needed a passport, thus in other words they became alien to their own country. Whosoever did not abide by the law were subjected to injustices. Severe penalties were enforced on people and they were put in prison where brutal torture killed them. The statistics below show the result of apartheid law policies; It was through these hard times when a man rose up from between to combat these terrible practices of apartheid. Nelson Mandela was born on 28th July 1918, and dedicated his life to

Contrast And Comparison Of Urban And Rural Religion History Essay

Contrast And Comparison Of Urban And Rural Religion History Essay This paper explores Roman Britain Religion namely the urban and the rural religion in the Romano-British Period. The archaeological examples which are of great value in finding contrast and comparison of the rural and urban religions help us to develop the theme of the paper. The paper is organized in such a way that it touches upon the main religious trends in Roman Britain ( two main religions: Pagan and Christianity which existed in Roman Britain). Contrast and Comparison of the Urban and the Rural Religion in the Romano-British Period The religious situation in the Roman Empire was rather difficult and complicated. All the variety of cults and religions which were represented in the Roman Empire can be divided into several groups. Among them are the cults which symbolize the main idea of the Roman Empire the worship of Emperor. The other ones are the worship of traditional Olympian Gods and the religions of local people which were conquered by the Romes. (Ireland, 1986) Religion in Roman Britain is of special interest. It is known from the history of Britain that Roman Britain which occupied some part of the island of Great Britain belonged to the Roman Empire from AD 43 to AD 410. It was one of the numerous provinces of Roman Empire. (Esmonde, 1989) At that period there were such religions as pagan religion and Christianity. The goal of this paper is to find the contrast and comparison of urban and rural religions in the Romano-British period by means of different archaeological examples founded on the territory of Britain. (Hening, 1984) THE MAIN TYPES OF RELIGION IN ROMAN BRITAIN There were several types of religion in Roman Britain which are represented by the following religious trends: the Graeco-Roman and Barbaric Paganisms, Mithraism and other Eastern Cults and Christianity. (Ward, 1911) The Celtic Caste of Druids who were considered to be the first people of Britain were declared to be an outlaw by Claudius. Their defense of the sacred groves was a failure. The Romance ruined them on the island of Mona. Nevertheless, the worship of Celtic pagan Deities existed in the period of Roman rule.(Frere and Tomlin, 1991) TOWNS AND CITIES OF ROMAN BRITAIN Different towns and cities in Roman Britain appeared in different periods of Roman rule. It is very interesting to find information concerning the activities, religions and monuments by the examination of the archaeological records which were found during numerous excavations carried out on the territory of Britain. (see fig.1) Of course, these records are incomplete due to preservation and opportunity to excavate. (The Association for Roman Archeology) Fig.1 Archaeological excavations at York. York Archaeological Trust According to the research materials of the Association for Roman Archeology, the best preserved and explored Roman towns and cities are the following ones: Wroxeter, Silchester, Verulamium. (see fig.2) There are also some written sources which were found during the excavations. These sources tell about some examples of events Aurelius Victor (about death of Severus in York) and Tacitus Anales. (The Association for Roman Archeology). Fig.2 Reconstruction of the center of the town in Roman Britain Wroxeter. You can find a bath house and the basilica in this picture. Illustration by Ivan Lapper. English Heritage The Distinguishing Features of Towns in Roman Britain. In order to compare urban religion and rural religion in the Romano-British period, it is necessary to find some distinguishing features of towns in Roman Britain. They include the following elements: A great deal of houses for town dwellers A center for the government of the town Manufacture and trade buildings: shops, warehouses, workshops, markets, hospitals places for different cultural activities such as theaters, bath houses, taverns, amphitheaters a special religious places temples and statuaries.(Millet,1990) There are many streets in any town of Roman-British period. The cemeteries are situated around the town. URBAN RELIGION IN ROMAN BRITAIN AND SOME ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXAMPLES It is known that Roman rule allowed both the Romans and he local people who were conquered by them to worship numerous gods and goddesses. That is why there was a growth of temples and shrines to different deities. Before the advent of Christianity the Imperial Cult was considered to be one of the main religious aspects.(see fig.3) The Emperor was a so called mediator between the people and the gods. (Mattingly, 2000) Fig.3. Bronze Bust of Emperor Hadrian, The British Museum The town of Colchester was the most important place for the Imperial Cult. The main religious elements included temples, altars and shrines. (Collingwood, 1956) Temples were special houses for the Gods. The action of worship took place at the altars where different outdoor rites were organized. Shrines were special places of Gods presence. For example, the complex at Colchester had typically Roman style buildings. (Collingwood, 1956) It is interesting to notice that most of shrines were located in the country side and only some of them could be found in the towns. (The Romans in Britain) The experts in the sphere of archaeology confirm that there was a wide fusion and adoption of Roman Gods to the established local deities. The people venerated to several Gods with the same attributes. For example, Sulis-Minerva at Bath. (Religion in Roman Britain) A great number of temples and shrines to various deities were found in the towns and cities of Roman Britain: The Capitolium in Verulamium which represented a shrine to the Capitoline Triad of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. An inscription to a Serapis/Osiris temple in York Londons Mithraeum Different epigraphical sources which referred to Cult centers of Cybele and Isis found in London Altars are the places where people had an opportunity to worship outdoor. There were numerous inscriptions on the altars which named the God or Gods to whom they were sacred. The inscriptions consisted of short sentences and had abbreviations. For example, V.S.L.M. Votum solvit libens merito which means He fulfills his vow, willingly, dutifully. (FrereTomlin, 1991) Archaeological examples of altars in the towns of Roman Britain are the following: Altar to Mother Goddesses of the household by Gaius Julius Crescens, Nunnely Lane which is situated in York Altars to Fortuna, Aesculapius, Salus and Genius Loci which is located in Chester The altar which commemorates the rebuilding of the temple of Isis by Marcus Martianius Pulcher located in London Our knowledge of Christianity in the Romano-British Period is taken mainly from the literary sources. So, the archaeological examples are scarce. The only one is a Christian Church which is situated at Silchester. It was a very small building in the center of the town that means the Christian Community had no local influence. RURAL RELIGION IN THE ROMANO-BRITISH PERIOD It is known that most people in Roman Britain lived in the country side. They lived in small villages. Those who were rich built large houses in a Roman style which were called villas. (Persival, 1976) Fig.4 Reconstruction Illustration of Bignor Villa in Sussex. A villa is a large beautiful house in a roman style which has tall stone walls and fabulous mosaic floors, with a bath house and gardens.(see fig.4,5) Fig.5 View of Rockbourne Villa (Hampshire). Country Council Museum. Rural religion included religious festivals when the peasants prayed to the Gods and Goddesses for having good harvest and healthy domestic animals. (see fig.6) It was very important for agriculture in the country side. It is impossible to find some written sources about the rural religion in life in the works of British writers. Fig.6 Mosaic which shows Ceres, the Goddess of Harvest. From Broading Villa. All the data concerning the rural life we can get from the archaeological excavations. The archaeologists found the remains of farm and villa buildings, the bones of domestic cattle, seeds of crops. There are two well-known villas in Roman Britain: Chedworth situated in Gloucestershire and Bignur which is situated in Sussex. (Salway, 1993) Fig.7 Map of town and regions of Roman Britain The most important religious festivals took place each season of the year. The festival of Lupercalia celebrated in the middle of February was devoted to springs awakening. The God Pan at Lupercalia or Faunus defended domestic animals (caws and sheep) and the shepherds. (Salway, 1993) The first Christians in the country-sides of Roman Britain persecuted that is why they worshiped in houses they lived. According to some archaeological data, Lullingstone Villa had the walls of a private chapel with pictures of people who were praying. (Hening, 1984) Fig.8 The Wall picture from the Christian Chapel in Lullingstone Villa, which shows people at prayer. The British Museum The archaeologists found a mosaic at a villa in Dorset which showed Jesus Christ with a symbol chi-rho behind his head. The orange fruits stand for the symbol of plenty. (see fig.9) Fig.9 The head of Jesus Christ painted on a mosaic from the villa at Hintin St.Mary in Dorset. The British Museum The archaeologists found a lead tank of the 4-th century from Walesby in Lincolnshire. It proves the fact that in order to become a member of the Christian Community it is necessary to be baptised with water by a priest. (see fig.10) Fig.10 A small part of a lead tank from Walesby which was used for Christian Baptism which shows people who are preparing for a babtism. City and Country Museum in Lincoln. The other interesting archaeological finding represents Roman silver vessels and spoons used in communion service.(see fig.11) Holy Communion is a significant part of Christian worship in with the members of the community believe that the priest must change wine and bread into Jesus Christ blood. (Millet, 1990) Fig.11 Church plate and silver vessels found in Water Newton, Cambridgeshire, the 4th century. The British Museum. Christians began to built churches in the 4th century. It is known that they had an apse which represented a small semi-circular area at the east part where the altar was located. (see fig.12) Fig.12 Reconstruction illustration of a Roman Church in Colchester. The apse is at the end of the building. Illustration be Peter Foster. Colchester Archaeological Trust CONCLUSION In the Roman Britain towns played an important role. They were the centers of trade, culture and government. It is known that in Britain before the Romans rule there were no towns or cities. All the towns were built by the Romans in different parts of Britain. For example, such towns as Colchester, Gloucester and Lincoln were built instead of legionary fortresses. The retired soldiers lived there. The towns in Roman Britain were not large (about 10000 people). Religion in the towns and cities of Roman Britain was more idealized than in the country-side. The temples were built mostly in the towns. Speaking about the villages in Roman Britain, it is necessary to say that rural religion was represented by the local culture and worship saved from the Iron Age. Rural religion fell behind urban religion. Moreover, there was a great difference in language too. In some remote mountainous regions, the people spoke Celtic language while in the towns the soldiers and traders spoke Latin. Nevert heless, rural religion which was mostly Pagan religion, later could be replaced by the Christianity. The above mentioned archaeological examples prove the obvious growth of Christian elements in the life of country-side in Romano-British period.

Gender Identity Essay -- Sociology, Gender Scheme Theory

The development of gender awareness is fundamental for our sense of self and is also predominant in any assessment made of another person as from birth on people respond differently to males and females. Gender identity can be seen as one of the earliest social categories that children learn to apply to both themselves and other people. This is suggested in Schaffer’s (1996) definition where gender identity is the correct labelling of self and others as male or female. There are three main theories that have been explored which all suggest multiple ways in which gender awareness is developed: Bandura, Kohlburg and the Gender Scheme Theory. Firstly, Bandura (1977) notes that the idea that social influences clearly plays a very significant role in the development of gender identity. Socialization makes children aware that there are differences between male and female, and that these sex differences matter. These social pressures also suggest there are specific gender stereotypes that they are expected to conform to. Nevertheless, it can also be seen that biological and cultural changes interact with these social factors, thus defining how an individual eventually develops the gender identity of a man or a woman. An alternative theory, expressed by Kohlburg (1966), suggests that children are not the recipients of any physical information from social experiences and therefore they search for specific regulations which will explain the way in which males and females are expected to behave. In addition, gender tends to be the first thing a parent wishes to find about their child. It can be suggested that from then on the child will be treated depending on the fact that they are male or female. This is shown in research attempting to cla... ... both masculine and feminine toys. Generally, parents gave positive responses to their pre-school children when they chose same-sex toys but negatively to cross-sex toys, thereby reinforcing their children’s sex role differentiation. On the other hand, according to Fagot (1985), sex-differentiation like that viewed in the previous study was not found in the teachers in charge of a group of 2 year olds. In this study, it was the children themselves who gave their peers engaging in sex-appropriate behaviour positive feedback of one kind or another. Again, boys were more likely to be disapproved of for ‘girly’ behaviour and were thus quickly given the chance of learning what is not male and so encouraging them to drop those behaviours or activities in their repertoire. Nevertheless, there are criticisms of these ‘social influence theories’ on sex role development.

Erp as Software as a Service (Saas) for Smes

ERP as Software as a Service *(*SaaS*)* for SMEs Table of Contents Page Abstract The main barriers for implementing ERP systems in SMEs were constraints in terms of resources and information, implementation time escalations, poorly defined organisational structures, weak formalisation of procedures or processes, unclear and also confused understanding amongst the employees and management. There are various methods to overcome the barriers of implementing ERP solutions in SMEs. This include coming up with a realistic value-adding processes required to be incorporated in the proposed ERP system, providing effective education on ERP systems, making sure as a vendors, they do not just provide lip service and to involve everyone in the whole system’s lifecycle. Software-as-a-service (SaaS) is an online delivery of softwares (Dubey & Wagle 2007). The model is uncomplicated and appealing wherein companies signs up to the use the solution which is hosted by the vendors that sells and/or develops the software rather than spending large sums on an application such as ERP and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and installing this software on individual machines (Dubey & Wagle 2007; Banham 2008). All of the major software vendors are now offering its solution on SaaS model basis – SAP, Microsoft, IBM, Oracle and Salesforce. com are all staking their claims. Introduction SME Definition â€Å"companies with less than 250 employees, total assets under 27 million Euros,_ independent privately held_ and _ _owner-managers or their families manage the company personally (Loecher 2000; Sogorb 2002)†. _ Why ERP vendors are focusing on SME’s Barriers to implementation of ERP systems in SME’s It was found that the main barriers for implementing ERP systems in SMEs were: constraints in terms of resources and inf ormation, implementation time escalations, poorly defined organisational framework, informal and also non-orderly procedures or processes, unclear and also confused understanding amongst the employees and management. Each of these factors is now discussed in turn. _Figure 1: ERP implementation issues (source: Bernroider & Leseure 2005)_ How ERP vendors can overcome these barriers SaaS Technology Some other advantages of working with SaaS models include: low introduction and subscription costs and faster initiating speed (Kaplan 2005; Torbacki 2008), elimination of license and upgrade costs (Torbacki 2008), predictability of costs (Torbacki 2008), ow TCO costs (Total Cost of Ownership) due to lack of necessity of major investments in servers, databases and maintenance (Torbacki 2008), generating a greater ROI than traditional software packages (Kaplan 2005) no requirement of installing any software on a workstation (Torbacki 2008), online access from any location with an Internet connection (Torbacki 2008), continuous opportunity to the newest software versions and business technologies (Torbacki 2008), customers no longer require the large support staff for applications (Bontis & Chung 2000; Kapl an 2005) {draw:frame} Figure 2: Types of SaaS used or considering of using (source: Kaplan 2009)_ An example of one vendor’s SaaS offering Nationwide Express Farwest Steel Corporation SaaS alternatives have become more pervasive and observed fast development, and their cost-effectiveness, operational reliability become more obvious and there are a growing number of enterprises of all sizes that are generating performance improvements and measurable cost savings as a result of adopting SaaS. For SaaS vendors, they must focus on make possible easier deployments to avoid the need for pricey consultation support. Also they should truly deliver lower total cost of ownership (TCO) and offer more robust strategies for integration that acknowledges the current volatile environments and also in the near future. Finally, the SaaS solutions offered must be simpler, more agile, more robust, and more intuitive and worthy of all the investments allocated. References Banham, R 2008, ‘Up and Away – Companies are feeling a little less trapped by spreadsheets these days’, CFO Magazine, viewed 19 October 2009, Bernroider, E. W. N & Leseure, M. J 2005, ‘Enterprise resource planning (ERP) diffusion and characteristics according to the system’s lifecycle: A comparative view of small-to-medium sized and large enterprises’, Working Papers on Information Processing and Information Management, Institute of Information Processing and Information Management, Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration. http://epub. wu. ac. at/dyn/virlib/wp/eng/mediate/epub-wu-01_84b. pdf? ID=epub-wu-01_84b Bontis, N & Chung, H 2000, ‘The evolution of software pricing: from box licenses to application service provider models’, Internet Research: Electronic Networking Applications and Policy, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 246-255. Christodoulou, M 2009, ‘How big is an SME? Confusion over size could complicate international rules’, Accountancy Age, pp. 7 http://www. accountancyage. com/accountancyage/analysis/2246584/big-sme-confusion-size Deep, A, Guttridge, P, Dani, S & Burns, N 2007, ‘Investigating factors affecting ERP selection in made-to-order SME sector’, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 430-446. Dubey, A, Wagle D 2007, ‘Delivering Software as a Service’, The McKinsey Quarterly. http://www. mckinsey. de/downloads/publikation/mck_on_bt/2007/mobt_12_Delivering_Software_as_a_Service. pdf European Commission 2009, ‘SME Definition’, viewed 17 October 2009, Gartner 2009, Gartner Sur vey Shows Many Users are underwhelmed by Their Experiences of SaaS, viewed 17 October 2009, Harindranath, G, Dyerson, R & Barnes, D 2008, ‘ICT Adoption and Use in UK SMEs: a Failure of Initiatives? , _The _Electronic Journal Information Systems Evaluation, Volume 11, Issue 2, pp. 91 – 96. IBM 2009a, Software as a Service, viewed 17 October 2009, IBM 2009b, ‘Managed server services’, viewed 17 October 2009, IBM 2009c, Software as a Service from IBM and Innovative Computing Corp. delivers speedy customer service for Nationwide Express, IBM Software as a Service, viewed 18 October 2009, Jacobson, S, Shepherd, J, D’Aquila, M & Carter, K 2007, ‘The ERP Market Sizing Report, 2006–2011’, AMR

Black Hawk Down Essay

The name Black Hawk Down used as the title of this book in our context originated from the helicopter (UH-60 Black Hawk) used during the raid in Mogadishu. This raid is said to be one of the most combative war Americans have ever engaged in from that of Vietnam. The mission took place in October 1993 when helicopters dropped American solders in the heart of Mogadishu with aim of abducting top lieutenants of Somalia Warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. This was under leadership of Thomas Matthews who was deployed in Mogadishu, he lead Task force Ranger. This war was referred to as Operative Gothic serpent although it was later referred to as Battle of Mogadishu by international opposed media to this battle. â€Å"The most significant combat action took place on October 3, when Task Force Ranger captured six of Aideed’s [sic] lieutenants and several militiamen in a daylight raid. During withdrawal operations, the Somalis shot down two UH-60 helicopters and U. S. forces remaining on the ground came under heavy fire as they attempted to carry out rescue operations and consolidate their positions† (Spiller, para 4). This episode translated to intense fire fight which saw about 300 Somali nationals killed and others seriously injured. On the side of Ranger several were killed and others wounded before intervention of Pakistan and Malaysia intervened hence withdrawal of the forces. The story on modern war by Mark Bowden, a report with the Philadelphia inquire tries to analyze battle of Mogadishu which started with attempts of the American solder to capture aides to Aidid. The operation strayed with Delta force personnel through help of US army Rangers entered Mogadishu through helicopters to start the operation. This entry surprised Somali who were not were not aware of this mission. This called for rehearsal for using grenade and was successfully able to bring chopper down hence there capability in fighting new enemies invading their soil. The shooting of Back hawk helicopters through use of grenade formed a battle field where the American fought frantically to ensure they salvage there comrades. In his book Bowden tries to give a narrative of this war through reconstruction of the materials he was able to get through intensive interviews to the participants of this war. In his story he divert from the notion military history which always portrays glory of war without disclosing episode of horror which always engulf these kind of wars. Black hawk down story is literally distinctive in its style and this can be attributed to the fact that Bowden is a journalist but not a historian and writes his description of the combat as a tale, relatively like a fiction story. This book is set to represent the actual event and happening of the battle of Mogadishu. Bowden accomplished this through widespread research, consultations with accomplices from the two sides of the conflicts; this is also done through help of footage recorded by aerial observation aircraft at the fight as well as from recordings of the radio traffic from the clash. This book represent a parable of leadership which was unable to control the discipline of military personnel giving a picture of failure of the so perceived as strongest army in world. This is because military was unable to contain undisciplined militia putting the most powerful military in a precarious circumstances. The author demonstrates a situation of overconfidence since American military from the word go never expected the situation can in any way go against them. On the side of Rangers and delta forces soldiers in Mogadishu battle has elaborated as failure. The leadership controlling the war to command daylight raid has been describe as failure in military point of view. This raid on the side of America army cannot boost of victory since the only achievement attained was only seizing and imprisoning Somali clan officials who part of the mission of the war. In return to this achievement, a body of dead American member of Ranger squad being drugged in the street watering small achievement realized before the massacre. Mogadishu Massacre was motivated by the silencing of Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid who was wrongly perceived to have Hitler like trait, and was said to be responsible for thousands of brutal killings. There was information that this warlord ruled Mogadishu and hijacked UN food shipment acting in aid of war causalities. Aidid was also accuse of waiting the US Marine withdrawal and declaring war on U. N. forces ensnaring and killing of Pakistan peacekeepers. This is the incident which translated to sending of Ranger on mission to dismantle advancement of Aidid and ensure restoration of order within Mogadishu and its environs. This was meant to stop Aidid force from disruption of Red Cross distribution centre and killing of innocent civilians. Aidid was a powerful leader of Habr Gidr a large clan with political control within Mogadishu which controlled past as well as present political activities in this region. â€Å"The Habr Gidr were the militarily more powerful of two main groups contending for control of Mogadishu. If the U. S. had killed Aidid, citizens of the Habr Gidr areas wouldn’t generally have felt liberated, like Afghans freed from the Taliban† (Kaus, 2002 para 6). This book highlights phases of US and UN activities in Somalia. Firstly there was humanitarian phase where unite nations use military for to ease deliveries of food with aim of controlling deaths which could have emanated from starvation. This initiative was carried beyond from provision of food to the nation building mission in Somalia by UN. National building can be termed as the second phase with ambitions of restoration of entire country. From the ambitious mission of rebuilding entire Somali country Aidid claimed of UN official being against his and his clan of the said links with the former Somali dictator Siad Barre who was Aidid rival. From these suspicions intimidation of nation building started from the Aidid and his clan making effort to be at risk. National building needed very conducive peaceful environment from all clans and when Aidid intimidation started meant sinking of the national building efforts. Conference to forge for peace were staged but what followed after that was lack of peace deal and Aidid stepped up mission of detaining there rival something viewed by UN as intention to intimidate the peace talk. Attempt to marginalize Aidid politically by UN followed something viewed as a wrong approach to someone who had a backing of entire clan behind him. This is because to realize peace in this situation a better approach could have been employed to ensure existing military structure and power are dismantled or contained. This was followed by attempt of UN tying to shut down Aidid radio which was popular in propagating anti-UN propaganda a fact which made Aidid to see UN being against him. This is the issue which translated to the Mogadishu war from the attempt of UN tying to kill Habr Gidr clan member. After this was the incident of Black hawk down and translated to killings of innocent civilian an army leadership which has been greatly blamed for failed victory. â€Å"Crisis leadership came the hard way for U. S. Army Colonel Thomas Matthews, who led the Task Force Ranger mission in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993† (Lagace, para 1). The situation in Mogadishu Massacre called for life or death decisions which were to be guided by Thomas leadership. This is the leadership which has been condemned for failed success in the ranger mission. The decision made by Thomas on this day resulted to crisis witnessed in this episode making a good lesson for our leadership decision especially in the army forces where decision with dire consequence are made. Work Cited: Kaus, Mickey: What Black Hawk Down Leaves Out, 2002. Retrieved on 20th September 2008 from; http://www. slate. com/? id=2060941 Lagace, Martha: â€Å"Black Hawk Down†: Leading in Crisis, (2003). Retrieved on 20th September 2008 from: http://hbswk. hbs. edu/archive/3430. html Spiller, Ronald L. : Film Review: Black Hawk Down, (nd). Retrieved on 20th September 2008 from; http://www. smh-hq. org/gazette/features/blackhawkdown. html.

Book ReviewGentlehands essays

Book ReviewGentlehands essays The story Gentlehands takes place in the late 1970s. This story mostly revolves around one of the main characters named Buddy, who is a middle classed teenager that has is having a relationship with and upper class, older girl, named Skye. Buddys chances of impressing Skye on his own are very slim to none so he decides to introduce her to his grandfather, Mr. Trenker. Buddy has not seen his grandfather since he was just a little child because of disputes between Buddys parents and Mr.Trenker, so he was not quite sure what to expect from him. Buddy and Skye both come to realize the Mr. Trenker is very educated in many topics and also extremely well mannered. During this same time Mr. De Lucca, a reporter for many newspapers, is living with Skye at the time for unknown reasons. The only reason he is staying in that area is because he is trying to write a story about somebody who used to be a SS officer in WWII with the nickname Gentlehands. At the end of the story grandpa Trenker is th e one that is believed to be Gentlehands. When Grandpa Trenker heard of these accusations he ran away to live with a friend of his. In the story Gentlehands there were a few major characters, including Skye, Buddy, and Grandpa Trenker. Buddy is presented ass a teenager who had few experiences in life and he showed it many times throughout the book. An example of Buddy having only few experiences in life is on page 80, paragraph 7 when buddy was pouring a glass of wine. It said I put my hand around the bottle and began pouring, and he said, Wait a minute, Buddy. What? Always grab the bottle of wine by the neck, he said, and never fill the glass to the top. I think that this is a good example because it shows how buddy had very few experiences in life by not knowing how to pour wine. I also thought that he was extremely kind hearted and he also sticks to what he believes in, even th...

Explore the Evaluating internationalization theory of Johanson and Vahlne The WritePass Journal

Explore the Evaluating internationalization theory of Johanson and Vahlne Introduction Explore the Evaluating internationalization theory of Johanson and Vahlne IntroductionReferences:Related Introduction The term Internationalization is significant for the firms, but the knowledge of the companies which are new in this global market is quite limited. Now days we all listen and read a lot of things about Internationalization and globalization, but what these terms exactly mean? ‘‘Internationalization is basically planning and implementing the products or services in other countries according to local habits and choice, and it is quickly changing economic landscape, with growing supply of science and technology. (Kim, Daekwan, journal of international marketing, 2010)This essay is to determine acceleration of internationalization and how it affects organization, Economy, and customers, also identify and analyse factors that attracts company towards internationalization, based on incremental and knowledge based internationalization process (by Johanson and vahlne 1977) In economical terms expansion of business in international market is called as Internationalization, but there is no particular definition for it, it is very important for a company to understand the pattern of Internationalization, where the Internationalization comes after ‘‘stage approach in which company starts selling their products in home countries’’ and once settled in the market expands in different countries. (Elgar, Edward (2003). Learning in the Internationalisation Process of Firm) According to Uppsala Internationalization Model, by Johanson and vahlne,â€Å"Enterprise gradually increases its international involvement†, which means the company that plans to expand internationally first enters in neighboring countries, where the political systems, culture and language is not very different, known as ‘‘psychic distance’’.   Once company gains knowledge and experience to work in different country then it can gradually approach new market, according to this view, we get two different types knowledge one objective and other experience based, company initially starts with occasional export and then once settled in the market gradually enters in regular exports, Johanson and vahlne, consider the experience based knowledge to be more relevant, they says that ‘‘to built and understand commitments it is important to discover and make opportunities by involving other companies in their business’’. A firm process like ‘‘rings in the water’’ it is not only that firm settles business in home country but it expands in other countries steps by step. This stage model it identify four stages which are taken by a company for internationalization, 1. A company do not prefer regular export; 2.this export is done through an agent, 3.believes in offshore productions, 4. The offshore sales are not very important. Since many years companies are committing themselves to internationalization, even though it give easy availability of labour and growth in market and other opportunities, it is not a very easy process. When any country expands in other than their home country they need to understand the national as well as commercial culture, company must understand the reason of the cultural barriers (if any).this stage model theory can help company to gain vital information and resources. Joint venture also comes under Internationalization in some cases, as many big companies when enters new country it is been observed that they prefers to start in joint venture, for example. Walmart being world’s largest retail industry opened their first international store in Mexico in joint venture with Cifra, and they implemented this strategy in UK starting in joint venture with ASDA both these companies were the best retailers in their respective countries, and for almost every new country they started, this was the main strategy. Another example is, Finnish SME’S (small and medium enterprises). Study shows that some companies in Finland apply Uppsala internationalization model by first starting business in Sweden and then expanding in other countries, which helped them to expand smooth and steadily . So before internationalization a company needs to understand company’s world wide which can help them for further expansion. Keeping all these factors in mind I feel that the stage model theory by Johanson and Vahlne, can help a company to understand every aspect of internationalization, and before taking any step further, company will get time to think over their decisions which will prevent firm from facing any huge loss. Even though Uppsala internationalization theory by Johanson and Vahlne (stage model) do not cause any loss for any firm, it is being applied in some companies and also been avoided by some. It is said that this stage approach seems to be very parsimonious, and it has also been challenged and criticized about the data being limited to Scandinavian market. It was also questioned about theoretical validity about stage model and it claims that the theory has unnecessary repetition of the same statement and focus only on market knowledge, (Andersen 1993). There are also some studies which contradicts stage model, as many companies which do not follow stage model for internationalization, and their profit is much quicker than explained and expected by stage model. According to study of ‘‘OECD 1997 (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)’’ the stage model was unable to explain different pattern use for internationalization or the early international expansion of the companies which is also known as ‘‘born global’’ (That is when company expands internationally from the beginning and do not follow any steps), ( FRONTIERS OF E-BUSINESS RESEARCH 2004). These particularly argue and appose incremental internationalization. The study of 87 US states shows that a company prefer to take risk than applying stage model, these ‘born global’ firms are most of the time technology based, and rises questions on stage model. It has not been proved that a company must have market knowledge to be successful internationally; concept of psychic distance was also accused as it is observer that many companies go for the risk where they can increase number of foreign market and gain profit. As we know, With time views and demands changes, and same applies with stage model theory, even though it is not harmful for any organization to expand or to take any decisions in steps, but now a days this theory is not considered to be a best way of expansion, though internationalization is considered to be complex and involves may dimensions it is accepted by many companies these days. There are many reasons for company to go international, the basic reason is growth or expansion, but companies also expand internationally for alternative source of employees, resources, ideas etc. Born global companies are â€Å"a business organization that, from inception, seeks to derive signiï ¬ cant competitive advantage from the use of resources and the sale of outputs in multiple countries† (Oviatt McDou- gall, 1994, p. 49). This born global concept was carried out in 1997, data was collected for some medium size Danish firms and the study proved that these born global firms had maximum foreign sale which was around 70%. Today Company seeks internationalization or rather to be born global more than before, ‘‘it is due to the fast growing economic integration and independency of countries worldwide’’. There are many companies that began their business with the traditional approach but now they follow born global strategies in business. For example Nokia which is a communication corporation (mobile manufacturer) is Finland based company but serves worldwide, with annual revenue more than $42 billion from their international market, and $2 billion, do not apply stage model theory and is one of the loved brand in India. Emirates airlines which is one of the latest airlines in middle east, this airline operates one of the worlds non-stop commercial flights, a very good example of a company which totally implements born global strategy. Emirate airline has a very attractive business model, which is a key factor for company’s international growth. with great emphasis on quality company has also moved into resorts and tourism space, as 2004 it was one of the highest profits earning company. (Gang, yu. 1997 operation research in the airline industry) Australian export manufacturer small and medium size firms are on the top list of the born global companies, they have proved that it is not impossible to succeed internationally without an established domestic base. These companies didn’t achieve their success in steps but they are born global. Their growth rate is growing 25percent throughout five years. There are many examples in favour of born global concept, but some companies still believe in stage model due to some financial losses faced by them in internationalization, for example Starbucks as they closed 200 shops in US due to loss. Even though we have entered a stage where there is very less cross border trade barriers and due to transportation and telecommunication it is not very convenient to go global. With all of this information discussed above, we understand that internationalization is a long and demanding process, which needs management and resources to be successful in market. A company needs to be totally committed   towards their resources as the degree of commitment is higher the more resources are expected and if not then there will be a risk of shut down, there has to be a different business model to understand international market. In born global concept there may occur some cross culture issues, language barriers especially for small firms. Being born global a firm needs to consider, huge financial back up, which is not practically possible for a small firm, and franchising may result in less control and there is always risk about maintaining quality. (Branding capability of technology born gl obal, 27th June 2010) There are advantages and some disadvantages in the theories, Johanson and Vahlne (stage model) and born global concept.   according to stage model theory a company should expand step by step, which will help company to understand the market conditions, cultural differences, and then expand in countries which are physically not very far,(geographically near). Which sounds fare enough, because any company whether it is small, medium or huge in size do not want to face any loss. On other hand with rapid growth in internationalization every company is trying to be global. Some of them are born global firms, where firm starts business internationally from beginning or within two years, without any practical knowledge about the market. This may or may not lead to success. Conclusion: From the above discussion about internationalization which is been discussed in two parts, Johanson and Vahlne (stage model) and born global concept   with reference to many journals ,I understand that   accelerating   economy, technology, information, manufacturing process ,and global competition are forcing companies for internationalization and is considered to be one of the most important factor to grow in industry. Considering both stage model and born global model can built a good foundation for a company. Application of stage model will give knowledge about the market, time to understand the culture, company can learn from their competitor’s mistakes, foreign business drawbacks and opportunities can be gained by other firms experience, it is very important especially for a small firm because it is been observer that when a small firm enters global market it faces more loss than any profit. As being a global company it involves huge amount of investment. Since it takes time to gain knowledge about international business environment it will be a slow n steady process but on other hand where new market conditions demands fast growth and quick internationalization, if a company want to star as born global, it needs to study all these points which affects growth of business. If a company starts analysing market conditions before entering global market it can prevent them from facing cultural, technological and overall issues which can affect sale. So combining both the theories together in a convenient way for every individual company, keeping market knowledge, history, demands, environment, culture, language in mind a company can built a strong foundation even in international market. I strongly believe that if conditions of knowledge and experience specified in Uppsala model is considered before being born global company can be at the top in international market. References: Ruey,J. And Kim,b. (2010), Drivers and Performance Outcomes of Relationship Learning for Suppliers in Cross-Border Customer–Supplier Relationships, journal of international marketing, Vol. 18 Issue 1, (pg.63-85) Kalev, K. (2010). Understanding accelerated internationalization, integrating theories for analysis for internationalization path. Economics Management,(pg 556-561) Caniana,D. Internationalization of the firm: stage approach vs. global approach Gianpaolo Baronchelli, PH.d. in Marketing for Business Strategy,University of Bergamo, Faculty of Economics, Department of Business Administration.Bergamo,ITALY Internationalization Strategies of Emerging Markets Firms, California Management Reviewz2010, Vol. 53 Issue 1, p114-135, 22p, Johanson Wiedersheim-Paul (1975), Johanson Vahlne (1977). Learning in the internationalization process of firms (2009) (pg.  261). Luostarinen (1979) Learning in the internationalization process of firms (p.  261) http://books.google.com/books?id=e_gkLdF1ocwCprintsec=frontcover#PPA260,M1 Retrieved 2009-03-21. Bhowmick, S. (2004) Towards Understanding Small Firm Internationalisation –Technology Based SME Focus, frontiers of e-business research. Westhead, P. Wright, M. Ucbasaran.D. And Martin, F.   International Market Selection Strategies of Manufacturing and Services Firms, institute for Enterprise and Innovation, Nottingham University Business School, Rasmussen,E.S.(2001) Asia pacific journal of marketing and logistics The founding of the Born Global company in Denmark and Australia: sense making and networking Vol. 13 Issue: 3, (pg.75 107) Gang, yu. 1997 operation research in the airline industry. Rennie,M.W. (nov. 1993) born global,   mckinseyquarterly.com Dr.Thomas,J. (JULY 24,2010)   how Starbucks Downsizing in the USA Impacts Global Growth Strategy.BUSINESS 401-INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS Laine, A. A Process model of internationalization –new times demands new pattern   Department of Management and Organization, Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration Altshuler.L, (27th June 2010). Branding capability of technology, born global journal of Brand Management (2010) volume 18, (pg212–227). Baronchelli,G. (2004) Toward a Typology of Commitment   States Among Managers of Born-Global Firms,   Strategic Approach to Internationalization, Journal of International Marketing Vol. 12, (pg. 57–81) Holtbrà ¼gge, D. and Enßlinger, B. Evolution of global management knowledge, Initiating Forces and Success Factors of Born Global Firms volume 5. Jan,J. And vahlne, J, E. The internationalization process of the firm.   International Executive, Winter78, Vol. 20 Issue 1,(pg 19-21) McNaughton, R.B. (2003) Business relationship learning and commitments in the internationalization process, Journal of international entrepreneurship 1. (Pg 83-101) Zook, M. and Graham,m. (2006). Wal-Mart Nation: Mapping the Reach of a Retail Colossus In Brunn, Stanley D. Wal-Mart World: The Worlds Biggest Corporation in the Global Economy Routledge. (pp.  15–25) Bilkey, W. J. and Nes, E. (1982), â€Å"Country-Of-Origin Effects On Product Evaluations†, Journal of International Business Studies, Spring/Summer, Vol. 13, No. 1, (pp. 89-99.)

11 Crucial Skills To Learn Before You Turn 25

11 Crucial Skills To Learn Before You Turn 25 You’re 24 and freaking out. On the one hand, you’re still so young and most of your adult life is before you, pristine and for the taking. On the other, you’re nearly 25. Avoid the impending quarter life crisis by helping yourself prepare. It is possible to feel like an adult at 24, and set yourself up for great success in your life and career. Lay down this good foundation now- while you still have a chance. Here are 11 skills every 24-year-old should master on the start of a long career path.1. Sell YourselfEven if you aren’t working in sales and never want to! So much of business success boils down to sales of one kind or another. Remember that you will have to present yourself as an asset and hot commodity many times in your career; what is anything but another sales pitch? Once you realize where (and how often) sales come into play, you can work that to your advantage and start to really pull ahead of the pack.2. Expand Your HorizonsYour comfort zone is only going to hold you back- in life and work. Spread your wings a little into your personal danger zone. Eat something you would never think to try. Travel to a place you wouldn’t ordinarily choose for vacation. Get experience in a job or neighborhood that doesn’t match your upbringing. Broaden your horizons. Try new things. Start risky ventures. Take on a challenging project. This is the time for all this learning. You’ll get a better perspective on the world, the people in it, and yourself.3. Get a Party TrickFigure out one thing that you are good at- or would like to be. And don’t just get good at it. Get really good at it. If it’s your job, so much the better. But if it’s a hobby, you never know; that could turn into a back-up plan someday.4. Make Networking MatterIt’s not just a matter of how many contacts you have, but how many of those contacts would be willing to go to bat for you. Don’t just meet people, prove your value to them. That way you’ll have a network of advocates, not just a network of profile links on social media.5. Learn CodingEven if you don’t see yourself as a computer person. Coding has become as common as reading and writing as far as skills go in the new economy. Learn it while you’re young and thank yourself later.6. Fall in LoveThere’s no right time in life for love. In fact, it’s better to experience true love and real relationships early. It will save you lots of heartache and loneliness in the future. Even if you don’t want to settle down young†¦ a bit of real love is worth a go.7. MeditateThere’s a reason for the recent spike in meditation and wellness and mindfulness apps. In our mad age of constantly being wired in to each other and the market, etc., it’s important to learn how to soothe and center yourself. Building a meditation practice young can really make a substantial difference in the rest of your li fe. Plus, some experts suggest that 20 minutes of meditation is almost as good as a full 2 hours of sleep.8. TravelSee the world. Create a passion for getting to know new and foreign places. Experience the world with compassion and excitement. Think how lucky you are, how you can help. What you can see and do.9. Invest your Leisure TimeInstead of that one extra episode of Scandal, try spending the time you have on your own development. Take a seminar, volunteer, learn a dance, read a book, exercise. Spend a good portion of your free time on personal improvement and development. You’ll thank you later.10. Quit WorryingWorrying changes nothing. Concentrate on finding solutions to problems when solutions are possible. And try to let go of the rest. Do your part, and do it well, then try to be Zen about outcomes you cannot control. Take care of yourself. Feed your body and your brain. This is much more productive than clamming up and freaking out.11. Save Your CashSeriously. Star t saving money. That one extra trendy outfit or night out at the club will not be worth it in the long run, when that money could be put to better use. Remember that compound interest can make you a millionaire in twenty years. Put away a small, but consistent amount of money every month. And never touch it. You’re welcome.

Change Management - one best way Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Change Management - one best way - Assignment Example This acknowledgment was established to have basis prevalent ambiguity all through the segment activating an idea that change was required. (Seger, 2005) The centre of such change on directorial background materialises to have been influenced by facts of the noticeable achievement of other society organisation labours in the UK and US. An administrator asserts: The spotlight on society organisation shows to have been emphasises by the determined service of young UK skilled executives who are observed as both well-informed of recent UK leisure practice and thus important causes of contemporary information. These new work force appear to have established new thoughts into the business and have dynamically inscribed the merits of society administration-something the senior directors carefully planned a narrative cause of prospective gung ho benefit. (Olson, 2001) The NewTech change scheme involved a continuing twelve-month programme planned to change not only the procedures of the corporation but also the fundamental thinking of directorial affiliates. In this regard, it shows that the top administration of Isis Hotel Luxor maintained the progress of change centred on imposing purchaser dominion and escalating stages of purchaser direction. In spite of concerning considerable assets and time outlay, the pr... At the end of 1997 the proprietors of the corporation determined what they experienced required to be completed and applied the change over the subsequent year, as promptly as probable. The change programme did not have any stages as such, even though six months into the scheme an augmented stress was situated on altering lower-level employee viewpoint and behaviours. Early systems and structural changes were hurried through as easily as was probable. (Collins, 2005) The original changes leaned to centre on artefact changes whilst the same time as afterward changes were cantered on leisure hotel measures and humanising purchase-orientation. Dazzling a strong interior artistic centre, the four proprietors of the corporation powerfully supposed that the society change was required but that Isis Hotel Luxor should rely on internal work force and proficiency rather than exterior managers. Although some changes were derivative from other associations, top directors have always had the con viction that no outer help was essential for their execution. Instead, top administration disagreed that the comprehensive corporeal changes could be handled by top employees at the same time as leisure hotel directors would be capable to manipulate the behaviours and viewpoints of lower employees. Impacts of Change Research of interrogate facts divulge that the NewTech changed was apparent to have impacted on recital results, behavioural stakeholder interface as well as spiralling some usual accessible views. However, some inadvertent penalties of these changes also emerge to have distorted the views of Top executives. In conditions of recital results, Top personnel thought that the NewTech scheme had an

Fuzzy Logic system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Fuzzy Logic system - Essay Example The results of the analysis for different input and output conditions are compared and finally the best conditions are derived for the best performance of the machine. The given control system is a manufacturing machinery whose reliability can be analysed through the performance of three parts namely part A, part B and part C present in that machine. In order to diagnose faults in the components there are three sensors associated with them namely sensor 1, sensor 2 and sensor 3. A fault in any one of the three components may require either a cheap or expensive repair. The recovery time, the time that it takes the machine to return to full working order after repair, is either quick or slow or takes an intermediate amount of time. The output values of the sensors are to be controlled in a specific manner to evaluate the condition on the three parts on a scale 0 ( representing good condition – okay ) to 1( representing faulty condition). The given machinery can be represented and analysed using the Fuzzy Logic Tool Box available in MATLAB. Fuzzy logic starts with the concept of a fuzzy set. A fuzzy set is a set without a crisp, clearly defined boundary. It can contain elements with only a partial degree of membership. For the given system fuzzy variables are defined for each sensor and each part. The fuzzy variables for each sensor contain three equally sized, linear shaped, overlapping fuzzy sets comprising high, medium and low. The fuzzy variable for each machine part also contains three equally sized, linear shaped, overlapping fuzzy sets comprising of faulty, unreliable and okay. To construct the default system, the Mamdani Fuzzy Inference System in MATLAB GUI has been used. Mamdanis method was among the first control systems built using fuzzy set theory. It was proposed in 1975 by Ebrahim Mamdani (Sabeghi and Naghibzadeh , 2006,). In the FIS editor the default methods for AND , OR, implication, aggregation and defuzzification have been used. Three

Samedaymay30 Part 2, DQ1AB and DQ2 KD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Samedaymay30 Part 2, DQ1AB and DQ2 KD - Essay Example In 2008 the U.S derivative market was estimated to be worth over $600 trillion (Sheridan, 2008). Information asymmetry is imperative for the derivative market to function properly. I have a friend that invested $5000 in the derivative market last year. He lost the majority of his money because he did not perform good research and because he took big chances that did not pay off. An option is a privilege sold by one party to another which offers the buyer the right to buy (call) or sell (put) a security at an agreed-upon price during the specified period or on a specified date (Teweles & Bradley & Teweles, 1992). I did not realize prior to doing research on this subject that the U.S derivative market is worth over $600 trillion. To become an investor in the derivative market with instruments such as options one must be an advance or institutionalized investor. I would not recommend a novice investor to invest money in options. People entering the stock market are better suited to invest in financial instruments such as mutual funds. I agree with you that volatile markets lead to volatile pricing. A real life example of that effect is what occurs with food prices when scarcity influences the market. â€Å"Volatility in and of itself is a measure of price movement over a given period of time† (Learn-stock-options-trading, 2009). Risk must be considered when investing in options. â€Å"The vast majority of works on option pricing operate on the assumption of risk neutral valuation† (Ben-Meir, Schiff,

Article's Critique 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Article's Critique 2 - Essay Example However, Anna M. Miller maintains a different perspective of the sustainability of the various alternatives base on the potential benefits and costs they would impose on the people. Nonetheless, the validity of the authors view on the much-required reforms in the health care sector at the time is debatable. The main purpose of Millers article ‘Health Care Reform: Clarifying the Concepts is to address the financial issues that relate to the health care reform. In the article, the author primarily describes the various options conceptualized by special interest groups and policymakers (Miller, 1993). Effecting a meaningful reform in the health care sector require a prudent consideration of the different financial strategies to implementing various reform options as discussed at length in the article. Most often, in the application of individual insights and the maintenance of mutual interest, we are prompted to perceive things differently. In connection with the reforms, it is the viewpoint of the author that the available financial reform strategies are oversimplified with an intention of exploring their basics. Maybe or maybe not. The issue of the options being oversimplified in the article is the authors belief that may not be the case for the neutral reader. The intricacy of th e strategies is maintained when the little distinction between the options is made, and we only find that it is difficult to tell the likely better direction one should take. Millers intention in writing the article was to reveal how challenging it was to implement the inevitable reforms in health care. The authors intention to contrast the push for basic reforms and incremental changes, as advocated for by different forces, can be established with ease. It is the authors belief that implementing any changes in the health sector required the political goodwill of the policymakers (Miller, 1993).

Lone Wolf Terrorism and National Security Research Paper

Lone Wolf Terrorism and National Security - Research Paper Example A security officer died in that incidence. In early 2010, a protestor flew a plane into an office of IRS in Austin, Texas, injuring 13 bystanders and killing himself. 2009’S Christmas Day attempt to fell a jetliner using a bomb and a 2000 failed car bombing in Times Square were allegedly done by one person. In addition, the following incidents were connected to a single person, a 2010 effort to bomb New York subway lines, a plot in 2010 to blow up the residence of former president George W. Bush in Dallas, the shooting of Congresswoman for Arizona, and some of her followers in Tucson, and an attempt by a bomber to blow himself up in 2012 inside the building. The episodes have created serious concern at the top of the political order, and the apparent threat of unrelated terrorism has prompted crucial changes in requirements for hindering its occurrence, which include the beginning of a â€Å"lone wolf provision†. The provision was introduced into the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of America. The phrase ‘lone wolf’ was made popular in the 1990s by white supremacists Alex Curtis and Tom Metzger in order to encourage other racists to take action alone for security  reasons when performing violent crimes. Other phrases used to depict similar types of political violence are ‘leaderless resistance’, ‘freelance terrorism’ and ‘individual terrorism’. In modern days, the media and US law enforcement agencies use the term "lone wolf" to refer to people undertaking brutal terrorist acts outside an authority structure. The lone wolf operates to advance the philosophical or ideological faiths of an extremist group (Michael, 2012). The lone wolf methods and tactics are directed on their own. In many cases, a lone wolf never has contact with any group they have links with.     

Arguing that owen shows the horrific and piterous nature of war Essay

Arguing that owen shows the horrific and piterous nature of war - Essay Example In this poem he portrays the futility of soldiers deaths and sufferings of men who are still alive, but know that death is â€Å"around the corner†. The message of this poem is that war is senseless, war brings only grief and constant tension to be killed. In contrast to this horrible picture of war reality, the other poem â€Å"The Send Off† depicts the departure of soldiers who have not been faced with reality of war. It is possible to predict that these young boys have heard a lot of battles and operations, but none of them can imagine the casualties of war-time. In both poems, Owen uses similar techniques to impress the reader and convey the message of the poems. His structural and stylistic devices reveal a variety of interpretations as to the meaning in the poems. The title â€Å"Futility† comments on the main idea of the poem, which means death of innocent people (soldiers) who can do nothing to protect themselves. The use of past tense underlines the fact that a soldier on the battlefield is dead and nothing can bring him back. The title â€Å"The Send Off† is an example of sarcasm which questioned the necessity of new deaths. Rural landscapes in â€Å"Futility† underlines that the common sense of a battle field cannot be explained through a personal interest of people taking part in a battle because a soldier means nothing as a subject but more as a tool of a battle field. In â€Å"The Send Off†, Owen uses the phrase â€Å"down the close darkening lanes† to depicts that even nature is against futile sacrifices. The use of â€Å"once† means that a person has only one life, which cannot be â€Å"restored†; it means that soldiers can never rise from the dead. The contrast between picturesque landscapes and deaths helps Owen to emphasize the futility of war-time. The pessimism of â€Å"The Send Off† unveils the outcome of soldiers’ departure when Owen questions the necessity of civic duty or â€Å"The Send Off† which is usually accepted and accomplished

Lone Wolf Terrorism and National Security Research Paper

Lone Wolf Terrorism and National Security - Research Paper Example A security officer died in that incidence. In early 2010, a protestor flew a plane into an office of IRS in Austin, Texas, injuring 13 bystanders and killing himself. 2009’S Christmas Day attempt to fell a jetliner using a bomb and a 2000 failed car bombing in Times Square were allegedly done by one person. In addition, the following incidents were connected to a single person, a 2010 effort to bomb New York subway lines, a plot in 2010 to blow up the residence of former president George W. Bush in Dallas, the shooting of Congresswoman for Arizona, and some of her followers in Tucson, and an attempt by a bomber to blow himself up in 2012 inside the building. The episodes have created serious concern at the top of the political order, and the apparent threat of unrelated terrorism has prompted crucial changes in requirements for hindering its occurrence, which include the beginning of a â€Å"lone wolf provision†. The provision was introduced into the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of America. The phrase ‘lone wolf’ was made popular in the 1990s by white supremacists Alex Curtis and Tom Metzger in order to encourage other racists to take action alone for security  reasons when performing violent crimes. Other phrases used to depict similar types of political violence are ‘leaderless resistance’, ‘freelance terrorism’ and ‘individual terrorism’. In modern days, the media and US law enforcement agencies use the term "lone wolf" to refer to people undertaking brutal terrorist acts outside an authority structure. The lone wolf operates to advance the philosophical or ideological faiths of an extremist group (Michael, 2012). The lone wolf methods and tactics are directed on their own. In many cases, a lone wolf never has contact with any group they have links with.     

Reading the Constitution Essay Example for Free

Reading the Constitution Essay In their essay, How Not to Read the Constitution, Lawrence Tribe and Michael Dorf describe the ways the Constitution has been interpreted by different people. Tribe and Dorf make it clear that the idea that the Constitution should be interpreted based on what the framers original intent was is not the way to read the Constitution, it takes much more than that. Tribe and Dorf also explain that justices do not interpret the Constitution in a way that would please the readers (the people) on purpose, because if that were so then the authority of the Constitution would lose all legitimacy if it really were only a mirror for the readers ideals and ideas (p. 49). This means that people have the tendency to interpret the Constitution based on their own beliefs. Also, the justices themselves have their own beliefs and their own interpretations of the Constitution, but they should not come up with a decision based solely on their own opinions. The exact way to read the Constitution is indefinable, therefore in their essay, Tribe and Dorf instead described how not to interpret it and implied that justices should make wise decisions that are not entirely based on their own beliefs, the original intents of the framers made generations ago, or the expectations of the public now. In the case Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, Planned Parenthood was challenging a Pennsylvania law that placed some restrictions on abortion. Many opponents of abortion hoped that the Supreme Court would use the case to strike down the decision made in Roe v. Wade, which states that a state ban on all abortions is unconstitutional. The majority of the court voted not to do so. This is a good case for providing insight into the way justices interpret the constitution and make their decisions. Justice of the Supreme Court Sandra Day OConnor wrote the majority opinion for the case. The majority voted not to overrule the decision made in Roe v. Wade. OConnor wrote on behalf of the majority and wrote in the opinion that the main reasons for this decision were based on the principle of stare decisis and the fact that the cases central ruling is workable for the states and does not come at odds with other precedents. Also, OConnor wrote that the word liberty from the statement no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, (the Due  Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment) includes a womans right to an abortion. Thus, the precedent decision made in the case Roe v. Wade that deals with the rights to and restrictions on abortion still stands. Justices William Rehnquist and Atonin Scalia each wrote dissenting opinions about this case. In Rehnquists dissenting opinion, his main point upon which he disagrees with OConnor is that the right to an abortion is not fundamental. By this statement Rehnquist means that the word liberty in the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment does not encompass the right to an abortion because the right to an abortion is not implicit in the concept of ordered liberty. Thus, he does not agree with the majority opinion. Scalia disagreed with OConnor and the majority about roughly the same point Rehnquist described in his dissenting opinion. The difference in Scalias opinion is that he believes there is no question that the right to an abortion is a liberty, but he states that it is not a liberty that is protected by the Constitution. Out of these three justices, Sandra Day OConnor would most agree with Tribe and Dorfs essay about how to read and interpret the Constitution. I believe she would be in agreement with them because unlike Rehnquist and Scalia, it seems that she interpreted the Constitution not by what she thought the framers originally meant, but by what she thought would do some good in the future. She also made it clear in her writing that the decision by the majority was not made based on the justices personal beliefs. She shows this in the majority opinion she wrote, the stronger argument is for affirming Roes central holding, with whatever degree of personal reluctance any of us may have, not for overruling it.

Dermatoglyphic Patterns with Rampant Caries

Dermatoglyphic Patterns with Rampant Caries A Twin City Study Correlating the Dermatoglyphic patterns with Rampant Caries and Early Childhood Caries Abstract : Background and Aim : This study was undertaken to investigate and analyze the correlation between dermatoglyphic pattern and caries prevalence in young children in twin cities of Pune and Mumbai. Materials and methods : Two centers were selected in Pune and Mumbai . A total of 300 patients (150 patients in each center) were included in this study. The mean age ranged from 3-5 years. The samples were divided into two groups; Group I: Caries and Group II: caries-free groups.Group I was further divided into children with early childhood caries and children with rampant caries Dental caries were detected clinically using mouth mirror and probe(only to remove debris not probed into the fissures) in daylight or suitable light source. Fingerprints were obtained by the conventional ink method .Statistical analysis using the students t-test was used to determine mean values and gender differences in the findings using SPSS version 11.0 Results : The evaluation and comparison of patterns in children with caries and caries-free children in both right and left hands showed increase in the number of whorls in children with rampant caries as compared to children with early childhood caries. However , this was not statistically significant. Conclusion : The present study showed a definite variation in dermatoglyphics between the ECC ; rampant caries and caries-free group .However the rampant caries group showed more number of whorls as compared to the earl childhood caries group but they were statistically insignificant .Dermatoglyphics has proven to be an extremely useful, non-invasive and cost-effective tool for preliminary investigations into conditions with a suspected genetic base like dental caries. Keywords : Dermatoglyphics , rampant caries , early childhood caries. INTRODUCTION : The word dermatoglyphics comes from two Greek words (derma, skin and glyphe, carve) and refers to the friction ridge formations which appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet .(1) Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of fingerprints. Since each person’s fingerprints are unique, we can understand one’s innate potential, personality, and preferences by analyzing dermatoglyphics. Dermatoglyphic patterns are highly variable from person to person, while genetic aberrations generally produce consistent phenotypes. A twin-city survey was conducted in Mumbai and Pune reviewing a total of 300 children. Twin citiesare a special case of twocitiesor urban centres that are founded in close geographic proximity and then grow into each other over time, losing most of their mutual buffer zone.Cities twinned by proximity do not necessarily match demographically, economically, or politically . The main focus of dermatoglyphic study is in the papillary ridges, the small markings that make up your fingerprints and exist on all primates skin. The formation of these papillary ridges occurs during a short window of development (2), and is influenced by a combination of genetics and the environment in utero. Being affected by the environment at such a time means thatmonozygotic twinswould have different dermatoglyphic markings .(3,4,5) The ridges do not change over post-natal life, which lends itself into forensic uses. The twin city survey was undertaken to evaluate the fingerprint patterns of children with dental caries ( Study groups-rampant caries versus early childhood caries ) and caries free individual (control group). Materials and Methods : Two centers were selected in Pune and Mumbai . A total of 300 patients (150 patients in each center) were included in this study. The mean age ranged from 3-5 years The samples were divided into two groups; Group I: Caries and Group II: caries-free groups.Group I was further divided into children with early childhood caries and children with rampant caries. Dental caries were detected clinically using mouth mirror and probe(only to remove debris not probed into the fissures)6 in daylight or suitable light source. Finger and palm prints were recorded using the ink method described by Cummins and Midlo.1The hands of the children included in this study were washed with soap and water to remove dirt and oil from the ridged skin and blot dried to improve the quality of the prints . Statistical analysis using the students t-test was used to determine mean values in the findings using SPSS version 11.0 Recording Interpretation of Dermatoglyphic patterns : Fingerprints : The fingerprints of all subjects were recorded using black duplicating ink ,the fingers were uniformly pressed on the ink pad after which the digits were pressed firmly against the white paper by the operator to avoid bias . The fingerprints obtained were checked for their clarity with a magnifying glass (Ãâ€"2) . INTERPRETATION OF HANDPRINTS The handprints were observed in a sequential manner under a magnifying glass with Ãâ€"2 power, from the left hand 4 th digit until the thumb followed by the thumb of right hand until the 4 th digit. This study included qualitative analysis that is the fingertip patterns (Loops, whorls,arches) The frequency of true patterns of loops, whorls, and arches was counted on the fingertips of all the 10 digits of children in all the groups. They were assessed for increase or decrease in mean frequencies. QUALITATIVE DERMATOGLYPHIC ANALYSIS Type of dermatoglyphic pattern Different types of dermal patterns were identified .(7) A loop is recognized as a series of ridges that enter the pattern area on one side of digit, recurves abruptly and leaves the pattern area on the same side. A single triradius is present, which is located laterally on the fingertip, where the loop is closed. If the ridge opens on ulnar side it is called as ulnar loop and if it opens toward the radial side it is called as radial loop. A whorl differs from the loop in the aspect of concentric arrangement of ridges, with two or more triradii in the latter. A whorl may be spiral, symmetrical, double looped, central-pocketed or accidental, depending upon the internal structure of the whorl pattern. In all the dermatoglyphic patterns seen, arches show the simplest ridge pattern, which is formed by the succession of one or more parallel ridges, which cross the finger from one side to the other without recurving. These patterns usually do not show the presence of triradii, except when the tented arch is present that will have a triradii point near its midline. RESULTS : Statistical results were obtained by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Post-Hoc Tukey’s correction for multiple group comparisons . The average no. of loops did not differ significantly between ECC and Rampant caries group (P-value>0.05). The average no. of loops is significantly higher in control group compared to ECC and Rampant caries group (P-value0.05). The average no. of whorls is significantly higher in ECC and Rampant caries group compared to Control group (P-value0.05 for all). Table 1) The intergroup comparison of finger print pattern. Values are Mean  ± Standard Deviation. P-values by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Post-Hoc Tukey’s correction for multiple group comparisons. P-value Figure 1 The intergroup distribution of finger print pattern (Right+Left). DISCUSSION : Widespread interest in epidermal ridges developed only in the last several decades when it became apparent that many patients with chromosomal aberrations had unusual ridge formations 10. Dermatoglyphic patterns make good material for genetic studies, because unlike stature, intelligence, and body weight, they are not significantly influenced by age or by postnatal environmental factors. 8,9,10 Dermatoglyphics have the advantage of remaining stable throughout life and therefore can be compared among individuals of different ages. The basis of considering dermatoglyphic pattern as genetic marker for dental caries is that the epithelium of finger buds as well as enamel which is the most susceptible dental tissue to dental caries have ectodermal origin and both develop at the same time of IU life.12 In this study , the evaluation and comparison of patterns in children with caries and caries-free children in both right and left hands showed increase in the number of whorls in children with rampant caries as compared to children with early childhood caries. However , this was not statistically significant. These results were substantiated by Atasu et al. who found an increased frequency of ulnar loops in caries-free children and an increased frequency of whorls in children with dental caries. The majority of whorl patterns in the control group were spiral while the caries group showed spiral, central pocket and double loop . Arches were least common patterns in both the groups.13,14 A definite correlation in the dermatoglyphic patterns between children with caries and caries-free children can be seen in this study. Thus, recording the dermatoglyphic patterns of children at an early age, during their first dental visit will be handy in predicting whether the child belongs to the high risk group or the low risk group and thereby can aid in planning a definitive preventive and treatment strategies. CONCLUSION : The dermatoglyphic patterns may be utilized effectively to study the genetic basis of dental caries. In a developing country like India , it might prove to be a non invasive , inexpensive and effective tool for screening . These patterns may represent the genetic make up of an individual and therefore it suggests an individual s predisposition to certain diseases . Since dermatoglyphics is still an counterfactual and imprecise science at the present time, it requires further extensive research to ascertain the significance of these variations in the dermatoglyphic features of children with dental caries . REFERENCES : Schaumann B, Alter M. Dermatolglyphics in Medical Disorders. New York, Heidel Berg, Berlin: Springer-Verlage; 1976. p. 14-75 Uchida JA, Solton HC. Evaluation of dermatoglyphics in medical genetics. Pediatr Clin North Am 1963;10:409-22. Pons J. Genetics of the A-B ridge count on the human palm. Ann Hum Genet 1964;27:273-7. 8. Venkatesh E, Bagewadi A, Keluskar V,Shetti A. Palmar dermatoglyphics in oralleukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Journal of IndianAcademy of Oral Medicine and Radiology 2008;20:94-9. Hirsch W, Schweichel JU. Morphological evidence concerning the problem of skin ridge formation. J Ment defic research 1973;17:58-72. Penrose LS. Fingerprints, palms and chromosomes. 1963;197:933-8. Cummins. Revised methods of interpretation and formulation of palmar dermatoglyphics. Am J Phy Anthr 1929;12:415-502 Cummins. Study of error in interpretation and formulation of palmar dermatoglyphics. Am J Phy Anthr 1928;11:501-21 Okajima M. Development of dermal ridges in the fetus. J Med Genet 1975;12:243-50. Carter CO. Genetics of common disorders. Brit Med Bull 1969;25:2-57 Matsunaga E. Hereditary factors in congenital malformations. Igakunoayumi 1977;103:910-5 11. Verbov J. Clinical signifi cance and genetics of epidermal ridges-A review of dermatoglyphics. J Invest Dermatol 1970;54:261-71. 12. Madan N, Rathnam A, Bajaj N. Palmistry: A tool for dental caries prediction Indian J Dent Res 2011;22:213-8. 13. Atasu M. Dermatoglyphic fi ndings in dental caries: A preliminary report. J Clin Pediatr Dent 1998;22:147-9. 14. Ahmed RH, Mohammed I. Aref, Rania M Hassan and Noura R Mohammed. Dermatoglyphic study on patients with dental caries restored with dental fi llings and its correlation to apoptosis induced by dental fi llings. Nat Sci 2010;8:54-7.

M & Ms - Miners and Mercury :: essays research papers

Most miners of the Amazon lead a very polluted way of life. They pollute the environment they live in and they pollute themselves. The, "garimpeiros" as the miners are called in Brazil are independent farmers of the gold that flows beneath the rivers of the Amazon rain-forest. Their daily routine of early mornings, long hard days, and late nights drinking and taking cocaine contribute to their way of life. Their only goal in life is to drill for the gold dust which seems to collect at the bottoms of waterfalls then use the profits for illegal self indulgences like cocaine. To extract this gold dust they must combine mercury with the dust, and because of the mercury’s chemical make-up it is able to extract the gold from the useless rock and debris. The mercury, however, isn’t the cleanest element for the environment. Many garimpeiros carelessly use the mercury then dump it into the rivers polluting the water and the food. Also, the dust from the mercury gets inhaled and eating by the miners, contributing to their polluted way of life. All day dragas, which are boats used for mining the bottom of rivers, are pulled to locations where gold is thought to be found, moving and polluting. Then there is the common drug use among these farmers. The author even quotes a man named Lincoln, an owner of a draga, saying, "[n]ot that I object to cocaine. It’s no worse than anything else, as far as I know, and addicts make good workers." To sum the garimpeiros’ way of life, they live a life of drinking and drugs, women and murder. So the polluted way of life is obvious, men poison the waters and the food and then ultimately themselves, with the illegal activities of the mining trade in Brazil. Although most do not realize their way of life and its defects, the struggling people of the Brazillian mining trade have special situations and great aspirations. Most men are poor and the temptation to work as a garimpeiros is great. Their isn’t much work other then that of an independent miner. Their line of work has what the author describes as a, "free-spirited, picaresque hero." Most men aspire to inevitably find that big strike that’s just around the corner, then get out and raise a decent life, however, this isn’t the typical case, most do not,

Satire and Fantasy in Kurt Vonneguts Cats Cradle Essay -- Kurt Vonne

Satire and Fantasy in Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle For this essay, I decided to pick two terms that describe Cat's Cradle. I felt that satire and fantasy were two terms that suited the novel quite well. The book qualifies as a satire because it makes a mockery of things that were of concern in the sixties. For example, the Cuban missile crisis was a big issue in the early sixties. Religion was taken much more seriously, and the family unit was more tightly wound. In the novel, the threat comes not from a large warhead, but from a small crystal of Ice-nine. Religion is satired in Bokononism, which is a religion that is based on lies. The family unit is satired by the Hoenikkers. The father is detached from reality, the sister is a giant, and the brother is a midget. The Cuban threat is also satirized by San Lorenzo and it's dictator Papa Monzano. Cat's Cradle also has many elements of fantasy woven throughout. A small crystal that can freeze water and can destroy the world and can only be stopped by a temperature of 114 degrees is a good example of the fantasy element in the novel. It gives the story an almost futuristic feel, even though by modern standards the book is dated. Jonah's whole adventure is reminiscent of mythological tales. He journeys to a far away land, San Lorenzo. He is called to adventure by Newt's letter. He finds a mystical talisman, Ice-nine. He falls in love with the beautiful maiden, Mona. The religion of Bokononism has a fantasy element to it. Johnson changes his name to Bokonon much like in Buddhism. There are all the writings in the Books of Bokonon, and the Boko-maru which are both fantastic ideas in themselves. Cat's Cradle contains many elements of many types of genres. It could be consider... ...t has no real motivation, and why should he when he is going to be taken care of by Angela for the rest of his life. I like Newt because he does not feel sorry for himself, and treats everything matter-of-factly and as if it is obvious, "Isn't everybody [self-taught]?" Newt appears to be a person who does not care what everyone else thinks and always strives to be an individual. I think that the satire alone in Cat's Cradle is enough to encourage humanity to make a better world. Vonnegut makes things seem funny in the book that really are not funny in real life, such as an atom bomb, a father who ignores his child and everyone else, and an island where people are hung for practicing a certain religion. The book is amusing, but it made me think about what the world would be like if it really was that way. It would be horrible, and definitely nothing to laugh at.

Buss1 Key Terms

BUSS 2 Key Term Definitions  ©T Ockenden Finance: Budget – A budget is regarded as a goal or a â€Å"yardstick†; it’s something a business uses in order to work to, for example: a firm may have budgeted fixed costs of ? 5000, they aim to either meet this budget or fall below it to operate to the desired level. Variance – Variance applies to budgets, and it is the difference between the forecasted or budgeted figure, and the actual figure that comes out at the end of a certain review period.Cash flow forecast – A cash flow forecast is a document that records the expected inflows and outflows of a business. Overdraft – Short term borrowing from a bank, a business will only take out as much money as it needs in order to cover its daily cash shortfall, because overdrafts are high interest short term finance options and can be required to pay back within 24 hours. Factoring – Fully named debt factoring, is the process by which the debt fa ctor company buys a percentage of the debt owed to one company by another company or customer (often around 80%).This means although the company owed to will lose 20% of the money, it means that 80% can be with them immediately rather than having to chase for it. Sale and leaseback – This is where a company will sell an asset off in order to generate short term finance, but they will buy back the asset on a lease basis as in the will pay for it as and when they need it. Net profit margin – Simply a profit margin is the gap between the prices the unit is sold for and how much it costs to produce it. Net profit margin is worked out by doing net profit over sales turnover x100.Return on capital – Profit as a percentage of the capital invested in a project. Profitability – Profitability measures profit against another variable in the business, for example you’ve got net profit margin which is profit in relation to costs, or ROC, which is profit in rela tion to the capital invested. Marketing: Niche marketing – Niche marketing is where a business is tailoring a product or service to a very specific customer or market (think cooking dinner for the queen), requires much research in to their needs and wants and other factors in order to get it right.Mass marketing – Mass marketing is almost completely the opposite, it involves creating a product or service with mass appeal and promoting it to all types of consumers (bread and other commodities). Business to business marketing – This is a term to describe the transactions that take place between one company and another, in this sense the customer is seen as another business. Consumer marketing – When a company sells its products and services to the individual consumer, it is referred to in marketing-speak as B2C, or business-to-consumer.Marketing mix – This refers to the 4 main ingredients in the marketing cake, product, price, place and promotion. Al though is BUSS 2 they ask you specific stuff on each section. USP – One feature that makes a product or service different from all its rivals, for example the apple operating system on iphone. Product differentiation – The extent to which your product or brand is differentiated is the amount to which customers feel your product or brand is different from others in the same market.Product life cycle – This is sort of like the â€Å"this is your life† book for a product, it comprises of stages; Introduction, growth, maturity, saturation and decline. Represented as a graph in most cases. Product portfolio – Product portfolio analysis looks at the existing position of a company’s products. The best way is Boston matrix here; a firm can place their product in any of the four boxes and from there, decide if a new product needs to be launched or increased promotion is needed or even an introduction to a new market.Boston matrix – The Boston matrix shows the market share of each of the firm’s products and the rate of growth of the markets each product is in; helps in the decision making process of new products or more promotion/new market e. t. c. Promotional mix – The combination of promotional methods used by a business when marketing its products. PR – This is an attempt to affect a consumer’s opinion of a product without actually spending on media advertising, it can involve getting journalists to mention the product in regular publications such as newspapers and T. V magazines.Branding – Branding is the overall image that is tagged to everything a company does, it’s the thought consumers have when they see the company logo, for example, when people see the M&S sign, they automatically think high quality. Merchandising – This requires employees to visit shops where the company’s product is sold to ensure that the brand’s display looks eye-catching and ti dy. An example is the dump bin displays you sometimes see at the end of shopping aisles when a new product is launched. Sales promotions – These range from little competitions you see on the actual product packaging to offers run by the shop itself such as BOGOF’s.Direct selling – This is where potential customers are approached directly. This used to be door to door sales type people, but increasingly more know it involves the use of tele sales. Advertising – Advertising is a form of promotion; there are various methods firms use, such as: T. V adverts, radio ads, billboards around town, leaflets given out in the street e. t. c. It’s the way firms get the knowledge that their product is around out there. Pricing strategies – A pricing strategy is a company’s plan for setting its prices for products over the medium to long term. Short term offers are known as tactics.Tactics can however make strategies or help them. Price skimming â⠂¬â€œ Skimming involves pricing a new product quite highly, it is used when the product is innovative (Apple), as the product is new there is no competition. Price penetration – This involves pricing a new product at a fairly low price in order to achieve high sales volume. It’s used when launching a product into a market where there are similar products; the price is set lower to gain market share. Price leader – This is where the price is set above the market level. This is possible when the company has strong branding or there is little threat from competitors.Price taker – This is when the price is set at the market level or at a discount to the market. This usually happens in highly saturated and competitive markets or in a market where one company dominates. Pricing tactics – Whichever strategy has been chosen, there are tactics that also need to be considered. They can be part of normal pricing or used as an element in the firm’s prom otional tactics. Loss leaders – Prices are set purposefully low – so low that the firm may make a loss on the product; the idea is that purchasing these products will encourage the customer to buy complimentary products to generate profit.Usually common in supermarket environments. Psychological pricing – Prices are set at a level that seems as if it I lower to the customer i. e. 9. 99 as opposed to 10. 50. Price elasticity – A measurement of the extent to which a product’s demand changes when its price is changed. Distribution channel – Distribution channels are the ways in which products get to consumers in the right place for them to purchase them. Oligopoly – A market in which a few large companies have dominant share, for example: the UK chocolate market a 70% share split between Cadbury, Nestle and Mars.Competitive markets – Could be described as a market where there is intense rivalry between producers of a similar good or service. Competitiveness – Measures a firm’s ability to compete (compares its consumer offer to the offers made by rivals). People: Organisational structure – Organisational structure is the formal and ordered way the management of a business is organised. When displayed in the familiar diagram format, it shows the departments or functions within the business and who is answerable to whom.Levels of hierarchy – These show the number of different supervisory and management levels between the bottom of the diagram and the top of the hierarchy. Span of control – This term describes the number of people directly under the supervision of a manager. Chain of command – This is to do with communication, and shows the reporting system from the top of the hierarchy to the bottom (the route info takes through the business). Delegation – Handing power down the hierarchy to junior managers or workers. Labour productivity – Purely and simp ly, the output per person (Output over no. Of staff).One of the ways to measure workforce effectiveness. Labour turnover – The rate at which people leave their jobs and need to be replaced. The other way to measure workforce effectiveness. Recruitment – Recruitment is the process of filling job vacancies when they arise within a firm. Selection – the process of choosing from a field of applicants from a job Selection techniques – The processes used by a company to choose the most appropriate person for a job, examples are interviews and trial runs. Internal recruitment – Where a job vacancy is filled by using someone who already works within the company.Sometimes seen as promotion. External recruitment – Where a job vacancy is filled by using someone who comes from outside the company. Assessment centre – These allow for more detailed analysis of person’s suitability for a role by subjecting them to realistic simulations, often over a number of days. Types of selection test – A number of selection techniques exist, including: Interviews, testing and profiling (aptitude tests) and assessment centres. Person specification – A document that details the qualifications, skills and other personal qualities required in order to carry out the advertised job.It describes the ideal person Job description – Not the same as a person spec, a document that outlines the duties and responsibilities associated with an advertised vacancy. It describes the job On the job training – Where employees acquire or develop the skills they need without leaving their usual work place (shadowing of higher level employees). Off the job training – Where employees leave their usual workplace in order to receive instruction on how to perform their job role well (College or university) Job enrichment – Herzberg: â€Å"giving people the opportunity to use their ability†.Job enlargement †“ General term for anything that increases the scope of a job. (Job rotation, job loading and job enrichment). Empowerment – A management practice of sharing information, rewards, and power with employees so that they can take initiative and make decisions to solve problems and improve service and performance. Team-working – Individuals work in groups rather than being given highly specialised, individual jobs. Operations Management: Operational targets – Operational targets or objectives are the specific, detailed production targets set by a company to ensure that its overall company goals are achieved.Unit costs – The cost of one unit of output is a raw measure of the efficiency of a firm’s operations (total cost over total output = unit cost). Quality – Quality or specifically quality management, means providing what the customer wants at the right time, with the right level of quality and consistency and therefore yielding high custome r satisfaction. Capacity utilisation – Actual output as a proportion of maximum capacity (out of 100%). Non-standard orders – Sometimes a company will be approached by customers with special orders at a different price to their regular selling price.A customer with special requirements may require changes to the product or a modified design, but they may be willing to pay a much higher price. Overtime – Paying staff extra to work longer hours than their contracts state. Temporary staff – Employees on fixed-term contacts of employment, either for a determined amount of time or until a specific task has been completed. Part-time staff – Staff who are contacted to work for anything less than what is considered the basic full-time hours of the business.Rationalisation – Reorganising in order to increase efficiency. This often implies cutting capacity to increase the percentage utilisation. Sub-contracting – Where another business is used to perform or supply certain aspects of a firm’s operations (outsourcing). Quality control – Quality control is the traditional way to manage quality, and is based on inspection after a certain batch number of units. Quality assurance – Quality is a system that assures customers that detailed systems are in place to govern quality at every stage of production.TQM (total quality management) – This was introduced by an American business man W. Edwards Deming in early 1980s. TQM is not a management tool, it is a philosophy. It is a way of looking at quality issues at every aspect of the business (think kaizen stuff). Quality standards – Companies can apply for quality standards certification to show the rest of their market and others that they are serious about the quality of what they do. ISO 9000 certification covers customer service in firms where the skill is relevant.Customer service – Describes the range of actions taken by a business wh en interacting with customers. Effective CS will meet or exceed the expectation that customers have of the business. Suppliers – A person or business that serves as a source for goods and services. For example, Sysco Corporation is a major supplier to the food service industry. Robotics – Robotics are the automated systems used on many of today’s modern mass production lines (car manufacturers). They are programmed to do the same thing over and over, so repetitive tasks can be completed with 100% efficiency.Automation – Typically refers to automated stock control systems, they are based on laser scanning or bar-coded info. This ensures the computer knows the exact quantity of each product that has come into the stockroom. Equally when something is sold the number is subtracted from the original stock room total. Communication technology – This covers aspects all over the business, we’ve got communication with customers; two main ways compani es can electronically communicate with customers: 1 is a website and 2 is a database management system that holds information on all of a firm’s customers.Also you’ve got communication with suppliers, with things such as electronic data interchange, this links up data sources between branches of a business this can be useful to find out instantly how much stock is in a store on the other side of the country. Design technology – Computer Aided Design (CAD) has been around for over 20 years but is now much more affordable and very useful. CAD can show 3D versions of a drawing to see what it would look like if it was a 3D model. Productivity – Output per person (a measure of efficiency).