Ethanol Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ethanol - Research Paper Example The study involved 19 American Corn producing states and the effect of corn farming for ethanol production were analyzed based on 12 environmental factors. The study also considered the factors known as ‘eutrophication’ that is simply described as "an increase in the rate of supply of organic matter in an ecosystem" (Evans). Based on their study, it is revealed that E85 (blend of 85% ethanol and 15% of gasoline) fuel causes worse environmental impact than pure unblended gasoline. To be precise, E85 shows, on average, 23% higher impact in relation to gasoline. Moreover, if greenhouse gas emissions from land use are taken into account, the impact on environment is found to be 33% higher than gasoline. The researchers in their findings used the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model developed by Argonne National Laboratory. The model determines "the amount of fuel required for the average gasoline and flex-fuel vehicle over a di stance of about 0.62 miles (1 kilometer)" (Evans). E85's benefits and drawbacks are compared with gasoline that is produced from imported crude oil and refined in the country. The authors point out that in previous studies the impact of irrigation, fertilizer uses, and pesticide application for feedstock growth has not been taken into account and without that real impact of ethanol on environment cannot be estimated accurately (Yang et al.). On land-use change, Searchinger et al. argues that when American farmers divert corn for ethanol production that means some other land within the US or outside must cultivate corn required as feed stock for human consumption assuming total consumption remains stationary. It can be construed that bio-fuel production is bound to drive agriculture in some other parts of the world. With new areas converting to agricultural use, a carbon debt is bound to occur. Searchinger et al. estimate emissions using agricultural model of land-use change and they have found that corn-based ethanol production enhances green house emission by 100% over 30 years. Authors conclude that as long as biofuel is grown on farmland, it can not imporve our carbon foot print (Searchinger, 2008). It is important to note that the Federal government in the US is providing large subsidies to farmers so that corn-based ethanol production could be enhanced. The objective is to reduce gasoline consumption by 20 percent. Does that mean that the US government is providing subsidy to worsen the environment instead of improving it? Michael Grunwald argues that bio-fuels take away the agricultural land and destroy the forests, and grasslands that are storehouse of huge amounts of carbon. In Indonesia, in a bid to grow palm oil trees for bio-diesels people have reduced wilds to such an extent that the country has been now third largest emitters of carbon. Same is the case with Malaysia where palm oil farming for bio-fuel production has taken surge reducing agricultu ral land for human consumption. In the US, 20 percent of corn is sold to ethanol production creating scarcity of corn for human and cattle feed consumption (Grundwald).

Hamburger Hill Essay Example for Free

Hamburger Hill Essay The entire mountain is a rugged, uninviting wilderness blanketed in double- and triple-canopy jungle, dense thickets of bamboo, and waist-high elephant grass. Local Montagnard tribesmen called Ap Bia â€Å"the mountain of the crouching beast. † LTC Weldon Honeycutt, commander of the 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry (the â€Å"Rakkasans†), called it â€Å"Hill 937. † The Soldiers who fought there dubbed it â€Å"Hamburger Hill. † The ? ght on Hamburger Hill occurred during Operation Apache Snow, the second part of a three-phased campaign intended to destroy North Vietnam Army (NVA) bases in the treacherous A Shau Valley. The American and South Vietnamese units participating in Apache Snow knew, based on existing intelligence and previous experiences in the A Shau, that they were in for a tough ? ght. Beyond that, however, they had little evidence as to the enemy’s actual strength and dispositions. Masters of camou? age, the NVA completely concealed their bases from aerial surveillance. When the NVA moved, they did so at night along trails covered by triple-canopy jungle, again confounding observation from above. They effected their command and control mainly by runner and wire, leaving no electronic signature for the Americans to monitor or trace. Technology, therefore, provided scant assistance to the American battalion commander trying to â€Å"see the enemy† during Apache Snow. He had to generate his own tacticalintelligence. Patrols, captured equipment, installations, documents, and occasionally prisoners provided combat commanders with the raw data from which to draw their assessment of the enemy order of battle and dispositions. Gathering this information took time, though. Moreover, intelligence about the enemy’s strength and dispositions did not necessarily illuminate his commander’s intent. It took days to ascertain this, and the learning experience proved decidedly unpleasant for the Americans. On 11 May, Honeycutt dispersed his Rakkasans and scoured the vicinity to the north and northwest of Ap Bia Mountain. When Bravo Company made heavy contact with some NVA late in the day, Honeycutt adjusted his estimate of the enemy’s strength from â€Å"a few trail watchers† to a reinforced platoon or even a company. The Rakkasans could still deal with a force that size, but they would have to concentrate to do so. For the next three days, Honeycutt fought the mountain and the NVA to bring his scattered companies together for a coordinated battalion attack. Despite the fact that, since the initial assault, no company was more than about 1,500 meters from the crest of the mountain, it took two days to consolidate the battalion for a three-company assault. Time and again, the American infantrymen found themselves hampered as much by the topography as by the enemy. The rugged terrain slowed dismounted movement to a crawl. Between 12 and 14 May, for example, Delta Company was virtually immobilized when it went down a steep ravine and was caught there by the enemy. In one grueling ? ve-hour period, the company labored to advance a total of only 500 meters. The steep, mud-covered slopes, more than the enemy, kept this company from ful? lling Honeycutt’s intent. In the end, the troops had to abandon their attack and withdraw the way they had come. These three days were a period of intensely unpleasant â€Å"discovery learning† for Honeycutt and his men. Map reconnaissance and helicopter over-? ights did not indicate that his initial scheme of maneuver was impractical. It took Delta Company’s three-day ordeal to do so. Though Honeycutt had a long and distinguished record as a combat commander in both Vietnam and Korea, he underestimated Ap Bia Mountain and the NVA facing him. Although his estimate of the enemy strength was incorrect, his miscalculation was not immediately apparent to him or to any of the American leadership. It took three days of assaults by Bravo and Charlie Companies, each bloodily repulsed, before the situation became clearer. The enemy was stronger than anticipated, much stronger than company strength, and he grew more powerful every night as he received reinforcements from Laos. The NVA commander’s demonstrated tenacity and willingness to replace heavy losses indicated he intended to put up a stiff ? ght for Hill 937 (Scalard).

Sears New Release :: essays research papers

Sears Updates Segment Reporting; Adopts New Accounting Standard Resulting In One-Time Non-Cash Charge Of $520 Million In Second Quarter HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S) announced total domestic store revenues for the five weeks ending April 7, 2001 were $2.56 billion. Comparable domestic store revenues decreased 5.3 percent. Total domestic store revenues decreased 5.1 percent compared with $2.7 billion for the five weeks ending April 8, 2000. "March retail sales fell below expectations, with the slowing economy and colder than anticipated weather having an impact on both our hardlines and softlines businesses," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alan J. Lacy. "Weather-related seasonal apparel and lawn and garden merchandise accounted for over one-third of the comparable store sales decline. Among the better performing businesses was Home Appliances, which continues to gain market share. The Great Indoors format and sporting goods businesses also performed well." Sears, Roebuck and Co. 5 Weeks 9 Weeks 2001 Domestic Store Revenues $2,563,400,000 4,530,800,000 2000 Domestic Store Revenues 2,701,000,000 4,697,600,000 Percent Change (5.1)% (3.6)% Comparable Domestic Stores Percent Change (5.3)% (3.9)% Preliminary Earnings Announcement The company anticipates that earnings per share for the first fiscal quarter of 2001, ended March 31, will be approximately $0.53, versus $0.65 in the first quarter of last year. In the first quarter, the credit business performed in line with expectations, reflecting continued strong portfolio quality. However, operating income from the credit business for the first quarter will be slightly below last year, mainly due to lower revenues. The domestic retail business did not meet the company's expectations in the first quarter due to sales and margin shortfalls resulting from the slowing economy and cooler than expected spring weather in much of the country. Sears Revises Segment Reporting FASB Statement No. 131 prescribes accounting guidance for segment reporting and requires that a company's externally reported segments be consistent with its internal management structure. Consequently, effective for the first quarter of 2001, Sears is modifying its externally reported segments to reflect the company's integrated retail and related services strategy and to align externally reported business segments with changes that have occurred in the company's internal structure over the past several months. The company's four new segments are as follows: - Retail and Related Services -- This segment consists of merchandise sales and related services, including service contracts, delivery and product installation and repair services. It covers all Sears selling channels, including specialty and full-line stores as well as direct-to- customer operations which includes online, catalogs and clubs and services. - Credit and Financial Products -- This segment includes Sears domestic credit business and the company's related financial product offerings. - Sears Canada -- Formerly named the International segment, this segment

Jon Benet Ramsey Case

Michael Pilkington 10/14/12 Ms. Chiolo Forensics JonBenet Ramsey Case Many people know about the JonBenet Ramsey case. This case had to do with when a young girl was killed and found in her own basement. In the JonBenet case there were problems with the investigation, different theories about the murder, and the media had an influence in the case. One problem with the JonBenet Ramsey case was that some evidence wasn’t collected.For example there was a flashlight found that could have been the murder weapon that wasn’t collected as evidence. Another problem was that some of the detectives ego got in the way of solving the case. For example Boulder, Colorado police denied help from the FBI, even though they have had no experience with murder cases that have national attention. One major problem was that the procedure that the police used for the case was improper. The police didn’t separate the parents even when they were both suspects. The media and the â€Å"co urt of public opinion† played a big role in the case.One way was that the media instantly blamed the parents for murdering JonBenet. The media had a couple of theories of how JonBenet was killed. One way was that JonBenet wet her bed and the mom got very mad and killed her. Another theory was that JonBenet’s brother killed her because she got a lot of attention from being in beauty pageants for girls, and he wanted more attention. The media trashed the Ramsey’s reputation by making people think that they were guilty. Since the media labeled the Ramseys guilty, people were close-minded to other ideas of what else could of actually happened.There was one theory though that was the most likely of being true. This theory was called the intruder theory. There were a couple of ways this was the most likely way JonBenet died. One piece of evidence that supports the intruder theory is that there was a unlocked basement window that had been recently opened and closed, and that an intruder could have gotten entry to the house from. Another piece of evidence was that there was DNA on JonBenet’s body that was male, and didn’t match another family member. Also there was a similar attack months later that was similar to the JonBenet Ramsey murder.There was a man who broke into a house (that is close by to the Ramsey house) and sexually assaulted a 14 year old girl. Upon reviewing how the investigation was done from the start it is apparent that the media and the Boulder Colorado police department did not help in solving the case. It is unfortunate that Mrs. Ramsey passed away and that the rest of the family has been unable to see justice done. I do believe in some of the other theories and hope that with the help of time and persistence with the Police and the FBI they will eventually solve the case.

Respond To Pupils’ Use Of Home Language

Karen is working with a small group of children who have brought a toy in from home and have been asked to talk about it to the rest of the group. Ben is from Wales and has a very broad accent which is different from other children in the group, who are from London. When Ben stands and starts to talk a girl in the group starts laughing with her friend and tries to imitate him. What should Karen do? Why is it important not to ignore the pupils who laugh? Karen should talk to the girls who were laughing and explain that every person is a unique individual and we all have differences.They may not have intended to upset Ben or realise the impact their behaviour could have on him. She should ask the girls how they would feel if somebody laughed at them because of their accent or their appearance or other factor that is beyond their control. Considering the feelings of other people should always be encouraged. It is extremely important not to ignore this behaviour as pupils may think that it is acceptable to do this. Ben could become upset and feel isolated, which could have a serious impact on his self-confidence.His work may also be affected, he may not want to attend school, become withdrawn or even start to display unacceptable behaviour himself. To help promote diversity, Ben should be encouraged to talk to his peers about where he is from. If Ben speaks Welsh, he could teach a few basic words to the class. At Meadow View, some teachers encourage children to answer the register in a different language. A situation like this would be ideal to educate students about Ben’s background and hopefully make him feel included and accepted amongst his classmates.

The Introduction of Arjun Mehta Essay Example

The Introduction of Arjun Mehta Essay Example The Introduction of Arjun Mehta Paper The Introduction of Arjun Mehta Paper Arjun Mehta is introduced in the story as a nervous man; the writer has done this to show that he is an outcast from the rest of his surroundings. The writer uses juxtaposition to portray the differences between Arjun and the people surrounding him. Arjun is described to be confused â€Å"he was visible from a distance, a skinny flagpole of a boyan expression of mild confusion.† From this we see that Arjun is new to his surroundings and we are represented with his contrast of characteristics when the writer describes his surroundings personalities. The use of the quote â€Å"elbowed past beggars† shows the contrast of personalities between Arjun and others, the use of this is to show his vulnerability which portrays his character to be new to his surroundings. The reader is also aware that Arjun’s status is seen as minor as he is described as â€Å"a skinny flagpole of a boy† this quote shows that he hasn’t much respect because of the word â€Å"a. † This quote implies that he isn’t regarded as an individual but just another person, which lowers his status. The writer uses exposition with the use of juxtaposition. We are placed in a busy street where people are rushing around, however, Arjun Mehta is portrayed to be the opposite if the atmosphere used. He is seen as worried, nervous and scared. â€Å"The face fluttering on top wore an expression† The writer uses personification, he does this to show how Arjun is trying to hide his emotions by using the word â€Å"wore† which also can represent him trying to represent fake characteristics to make himself appear less nervous. The writer makes clear hints that Arjun Mehta has a low status in the story by the use of the quote â€Å"Skinny flagpole.† This can portray Arjun to be as disregarded as an object and it shows he is easily able to be pushed around because he is described as a â€Å"flagpole.† The writer also uses the technique of hyperbole to describe the flagpole. Flagpoles ar

Why having an anti-role model is actually a good thing

Why having an anti-role model is actually a good thing We’re all aware of the value of having a role model in our lives- someone we can look up to and aspire to be like, a person who embodies the success and happiness, personal characteristics, behaviors, and mannerisms we hope to someday see within ourselves and have others notice within us. Having this sort of idealized model for us to measure ourselves up against can be beneficial in many ways. They can keep us motivated and on track as we work toward the individual goals we set out for ourselves. They can help us resist negative temptations and influences that could threaten to derail us. They can anchor our ambitions and concretely determine what we need to do in order to achieve the level of success, ambition, and happiness we envision for ourselves. The benefits of having a positive role model in our lives sounds like a no-brainer- but have you ever thought about the power of having an anti-role model and what it can do for you? It may sound strange or counterintuitive at f irst, but keep reading- there is a clear case to be made for why having an anti-role model in your life can be a good thing.What is an anti-role model?Let’s start off with a quick definition of an anti-role model. They represent the exact opposite of a positive role model- it’s someone who embodies the opposite behaviors, traits, and trajectory that you want to have in yourself and your life. An anti-role model often comprises everything that you want to work against and avoid as you plan your life and make progress toward your personal goals.Use negativity to motivate you to be your best selfDespite the negative connotations that immediately spring to mind when thinking about anti-role models, the truth is they can be powerful forces for good in our lives. Knowing what we don’t want to be can be just as powerful as watching someone who always does the right thing in any given situation. The eagerness to avoid becoming an unwanted version of ourselves can be a r eal impetus for positive change, and when forging our life paths it’s just as helpful to know what things we’d like to avoid as it is knowing where we’d like to end up.Set up your ideal career path early onFor many of us, this process of figuring out who we want to become stems from a series of trial and error events, and often-painful life lessons. However, having an anti-role model early on can go a long way to helping you avoid having to make some pretty big mistakes. An anti-role model can also equip you with a set of ethical and moral guidelines and boundaries to adhere to as you journey through life and try to be your best self.Knowing who you don’t want to be can help you figure how who you do want to be. The bottom line is this: if you imagine life as a journey along a path that you set for yourself, knowing the direction you don’t want to move in can be just as helpful as being aware of the right direction for you and can keep you from mak ing a wrong move and getting lost.So, have we convinced you of the potential benefit of having an anti-role model in your life? If so, and you know someone who may fit the bill in this capacity, then consider using your association with them as a positive force for motivation, direction, and change in your life. Good luck!

Expansionary vs. Contractionary Monetary Policy

Expansionary vs. Contractionary Monetary Policy Students first learning economics often have trouble understanding what contractionary monetary policy and expansionary monetary policy are and why they have the effects they do. Generally speaking contractionary monetary policies and expansionary monetary policies involve changing the level of the money supply in a country. Expansionary monetary policy is simply a policy which expands (increases) the supply of money, whereas contractionary monetary policy contracts (decreases) the supply of a countrys currency. Expansionary Monetary Policy In the United States, when the Federal Open Market Committee wishes to increase the money supply, it can do a combination of three things: Purchase securities on the open market, known as Open Market OperationsLower the Federal Discount RateLower Reserve Requirements These all directly impact the interest rate. When the Fed buys securities on the open market, it causes the price of those securities to rise. In my article on the Dividend Tax Cut, we saw that bond prices and interest rates are inversely related. The Federal Discount Rate is an interest rate, so lowering it is essentially lowering interest rates. If the Fed instead decides to lower reserve requirements, this will cause banks to have an increase in the amount of money they can invest. This causes the price of investments such as bonds to rise, so interest rates must fall. No matter what tool the Fed uses to expand the money supply interest rates will decline and bond prices will rise. Increases in American bond prices will have an effect on the exchange market. Rising American bond prices will cause investors to sell those bonds in exchange for other bonds, such as Canadian ones. So an investor will sell his American bond, exchange his American dollars for Canadian dollars, and buy a Canadian bond. This causes the supply of American dollars on foreign exchange markets to increase and the supply of Canadian dollars on foreign exchange markets to decrease. As shown in my Beginners Guide to Exchange Rates this causes the U.S. Dollar to become less valuable relative to the Canadian Dollar. The lower exchange rate makes American produced goods cheaper in Canada and Canadian produced goods more expensive in America, so exports will increase and imports will decrease causing the balance of trade to increase. When interest rates are lower, the cost of financing capital projects is less. So all else being equal, lower interest rates lead to higher rates of investment. What We've Learned About Expansionary Monetary Policy: Expansionary monetary policy causes an increase in bond prices and a reduction in interest rates.Lower interest rates lead to higher levels of capital investment.The lower interest rates make domestic bonds less attractive, so the demand for domestic bonds falls and the demand for foreign bonds rises.The demand for domestic currency falls and the demand for foreign currency rises, causing a decrease in the exchange rate. (The value of the domestic currency is now lower relative to foreign currencies)A lower exchange rate causes exports to increase, imports to decrease and the balance of trade to increase. Be Sure to Continue to Page 2 Contractionary Monetary Policy Federal Open Market Committee Sell securities on the open market, known as Open Market OperationsRaise the Federal Discount RateRaise Reserve Requirements    What We've Learned About Contractionary Monetary Policy: Contractionary monetary policy causes a decrease in bond prices and an increase in interest rates.Higher interest rates lead to lower levels of capital investment.The higher interest rates make domestic bonds more attractive, so the demand for domestic bonds rises and the demand for foreign bonds falls.The demand for domestic currency rises and the demand for foreign currency falls, causing an increase in the exchange rate. (The value of the domestic currency is now higher relative to foreign currencies)A higher exchange rate causes exports to decrease, imports to increase and the balance of trade to decrease. If youd like to ask a question about contractionary monetary policy, expansionary monetary policy or any other topic or comment on this story, please use the feedback form.

Avianca Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Avianca - Essay Example It now invests in latest technology to serve the customers better both in services and prices. Its Vision for 2010 is to be the Leading Airline of America. Avianca, the airline of Colombo, was the first airline to be founded in the American continent and the second one in the world, and started as Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transporte Aà ©reo, SCADTA on 5th December 1919. It performed its first flight between Barranquilla and the nearby town of Puerto Colombia, aboard a Junker F-13, which also carried 57 letters (Avianca.com). It started operating on international routes by mid 1920s and initially covered destinations in Venezuela and the United States. On 14th June 1940 it was renamed as Avianca. Since then airline has contributed to the construction and development of Columbia. Avianca was a stable and dependable airline and had a steady growth until the late 1990s. This paper will discuss the reasons that led to the decline, instability and losses, and how the airline fought itself back to the current position. Over the years, Avianca expanded its route to include South America, Central America, the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, and parts of Europe. Its fleet included Boeing 757, and Boeing 767, MD-83, Fokker 50. In 1994, a strategic alliance was established between three most important enterprises of the aeronautical sector of Colombia: Avianca, SAM (acronym of Sociedad Aeronà ¡utica de Medellà ­n), and Helicol (acronym of Helicà ³pteros Nacionales de Colombia). This merger offered specialized services in Cargo (Avianca Cargo) and mail (Postal Services), and had the most modern aircraft fleet in Latin America (Wikipedia. n.d.). In December 1998, Avianca opened its hub in Bogota to serve passengers in Columbia and the world. It allowed travelers to access near 6,000 weekly possible connections, and greater number of frequencies, schedules and destinations served. It also had code share agreements with Delta, Air Canada, Iberia,

Ethics and the college student Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ethics and the college student - Research Paper Example At this age someone develops good habits and by repeatedly doing the habits, they grow in an ethical way (Paul & Elder, 2006). Conversely, ethical habits can also be developed from the teaching someone acquires from the taught rules for example cleaning hands after visiting the washroom, not spitting around, covering the mouth while coughing. All these and many others are rules taught in the society thus when someone learns them, they tend to develop the ethical habits derived from them. When one gets to high school, there are those habits a high school student is supposed to have for example, completing assignments and attending all classes as well as following rules. Therefore, a student will develop the ethical habits dictated by the environment they are in which is the learning (Paul & Elder, 2006). There are also those ethics that can be obtained from establishing new habits. For instance someone can establish a habit of ensuring that they will never do a punishment or cross the wrong side of the law. Such a person will always do what is right so as to ensure they do not get punished. These are the ethics observed according to the area of study for instance medical ethics for health students, business ethics for business ethics and engineering ethics for engineering students (Paul & Elder, 2006). This kind of ethics help one in improving their performance in that field as well as determining what is right to do in that field. Educational ethics also help in shaping the student to perform morally in the place of work for example being responsible. This is dictated by the knowledge of what is morally good to do. It is this type of ethics that enables a person to determine their mode of dressing, the activities they do in public as well as the language they use to communicate (Paul & Elder, 2006). This ethics also dictates how one

Marketing through Online Social Networking Communities Essay

Marketing through Online Social Networking Communities - Essay Example It is about reaching your customers, both existing and potential, at the right time, in the place with the right tactics. This essay will essentially deal with what social networking communities are, the ramifications that they have on their customers who are also users of these social networking communities and the marketing and brand related activities they employ to target this segment. Social Networking Communities-a phenomenon Very aptly put by Jeremiah Owyang (2007), Online communities group together people who share similar interests and are involved in the exchange of information and connected over the Web. Online social network sites are a broader category of the same nature that allow individuals to connect with people known or unknown to them by creating profiles through which they manage their contacts and interact with them. The differences between the different social media networks is blurring with time with the only differentiating factor the level of restriction enab led on the community or site that determines the kind of members who join it. Facebook, Friendster, MySpace, LinkdIn, Cyworld, Ning, Spruz, among many others, are examples of such communities and sites. Social Networking sites, over the past century, have evolved from being general social sites to more specific sites, such that one can now find an online social networking community for virtually anything including friendship sites, alumni networks, career related and hobby specific. The features these sites boast are becoming more and more sophisticated. As users become more savvy their needs and means to stay connected also become sophisticated which pushes for these sites to enable features such as photo-sharing, video-sharing and private messaging. Most social networking sites become a phenomenon due to their sheer nature, however, it is very common to find people segregated on the basis of nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age interests and so on (Boyd & Ellison, 2007). A nother important differentiating factor of online social networking communities is their being anchored around people or interests. The trend in today’s social networking landscape indicates that these sites and communities are evolving to form well integrated ‘egocentric’ networks that defy the concept of small closed groups (Boyd & Ellison, 2007 cited in Wellman, 1988, p. 37). Boyd (2006) purports that these sites behave as â€Å"networked public spaces† (Boyd & Ellison, 2007) in the virtual world that allow users to interact as they wish even when it is not possible to do so in the offline or real public spaces. Online social networking communities therefore, serve to bridge the gaps between the online and offline worlds of its users, making them a central part of their lives. Marketing in the Social Media Landscape The rising trend in social networking sites has important ramifications on businesses and marketers. Each day as users grow exponentially, more time and attention is dedicated to social networking sites subsequently increasing their monetary worth. Businesses have discovered that marketing through social networking communities contains a landmine of opportunities, not to make money per say, but to engaging customers. People on social

IMC Tactics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

IMC Tactics - Essay Example One of the IMC plans that the company uses is direct marketing. In direct marketing, the media are involved which directly convey their services to their target market. It entails magazines, radio, newspapers, and sponsorships (Pickton, 2001). The company uses this medium to convey their message of low prices to its clients. The company advertises in television at peak hours of viewing in order to target the larger segment of the market. New products that the company has launched are shown in the commercial with their features. The company also sponsors charity events and sports to earn that reputation as a large retailer that people appreciate and recognizes. The magazines and newspaper are used for similar purpose. Any new product that the company introduces with their respective pricelist is offered to the media. Their objective is not targeting the niche industry since the company targets the low and middle-income earners. Direct mailing is also an important medium for the compan y where it updates its customer about their products. Another plan for the company is through sales promotion. Walmart uses various methods and techniques to create interest and awareness in clients to purchase their products competitions. This is helpful because the strategy is helpful in boosting the company’s sales, where the clients are entering for the weekly and monthly prize draw offering various prizes. Products that are highly priced, the price value is normally high like continental holiday. Another sale promotion is points of sale, the range of new products are decorated in an interesting and attractive manner to catch the attention of customers and luring them to buy. Assuming the product is single and tends to occupy a small space it is normally placed at the counter. Additionally, the free sample testing is done by the company whenever a new product range is introduced in the market. The gifts are also

The Pricing Strategies and Programs of Etisalat Essay

The Pricing Strategies and Programs of Etisalat - Essay Example In 1983, the company changed its ownership structure when the United Arab Emirates government took over a 60 percent share of the company, giving it majority ownership, with the other 40 percent of stock offered to the public. Today, this company operates under the brand Etisalat. The firm is a diverse multinational company that operates in 18 countries throughout the Middle East, Africa, The United States, and Africa (etisalat.ae, 1). Etisalat services over 100 million customers in these countries and has achieved annual net revenues of AED 30.83 billion in 2009 (etisalat.ae, 1). The company is a major telecommunications provider to the private citizen and to corporate entities, with mobile services, voice and data services over satellite and fixed-lines. The business also is involved in providing managerial and technical training support services to enterprises as well as SIM card manufacturing, voice and data transit services, and even telecommunications in submarines (etisalat.ae, 1). The business is a major broadband hub for Middle East businesses and consumers with a very broad trans-national network. It provides also roaming and data services for corporate entities. In addition, Etisalat provides iPhone services and Blackberry services exclusive to the se products. Major competitors of Etisalat include Vodafone, MobiNil, Singapore Telecommunications and China Mobile. (BBC News, 1). Current regulations reductions in the UAE and other countries have also reduced barriers of new market entry for competition, thus the business faces even more competition from global and regional telecommunications companies as they are now allowed to enter the UAE and other Middle Eastern markets with less tariffs, taxations, and less governmental involvement. Data on the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat The CEO is currently Mohammed Khalfan Al Qamzi who has held this position since 2006. Al Qamzi has an excellent track record of bringing innovative solutions to Etisalat founded on years of business management and investment experience. Mohammed Al Qamzi is a graduate of Spokane Community College, attended from 1999 to 2002. Most of Al Qamzi’s experience is in real estate, with involvement in Jumairah Golf Estate, Palm Jabel Ali, and currently works as th e director of real estate venture Palm Jumairah (linkedin.com, 1). The CEOs credentials include vast knowledge of logistics, security, environment and sustainability practices, document management and project control (linkedin.com, 2). His vast resume of business success has brought Etisalat considerable market presence and growth opportunities over the last five years. Marketing Principles for Etisalat Etisalat understands the importance of marketing for brand-building and also to secure differentiation among competitors who offer similar products at similar pricing structures. Targeting for the company involves a blend of strategies. First, Etisalat considers geographic segmentation based on volume of citizens in a region and urban population and infrastructure. Targeting considers gender (considering most Mid-Eastern countries are male-dominated), literacy levels of international and domestic consumers, specific customs and traditions, the income levels of potential consumers, an d the current level of brand recognition of potential customers (marketingmixx.com, 2). Literacy is a significant factor when considering how to target advertising since this region does not support the highest literacy levels when compared to other developed countries across the world. The company’

IMC Tactics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

IMC Tactics - Essay Example One of the IMC plans that the company uses is direct marketing. In direct marketing, the media are involved which directly convey their services to their target market. It entails magazines, radio, newspapers, and sponsorships (Pickton, 2001). The company uses this medium to convey their message of low prices to its clients. The company advertises in television at peak hours of viewing in order to target the larger segment of the market. New products that the company has launched are shown in the commercial with their features. The company also sponsors charity events and sports to earn that reputation as a large retailer that people appreciate and recognizes. The magazines and newspaper are used for similar purpose. Any new product that the company introduces with their respective pricelist is offered to the media. Their objective is not targeting the niche industry since the company targets the low and middle-income earners. Direct mailing is also an important medium for the compan y where it updates its customer about their products. Another plan for the company is through sales promotion. Walmart uses various methods and techniques to create interest and awareness in clients to purchase their products competitions. This is helpful because the strategy is helpful in boosting the company’s sales, where the clients are entering for the weekly and monthly prize draw offering various prizes. Products that are highly priced, the price value is normally high like continental holiday. Another sale promotion is points of sale, the range of new products are decorated in an interesting and attractive manner to catch the attention of customers and luring them to buy. Assuming the product is single and tends to occupy a small space it is normally placed at the counter. Additionally, the free sample testing is done by the company whenever a new product range is introduced in the market. The gifts are also

Dctionary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dctionary - Essay Example One of the more distinguishing features of the word flourish as entered in both dictionaries, Encarta Concise English Dictionary 2001 and The Chambers Dictionary 1998 is the phonetic system used as a pronunciation guide. Encarta employs its own phonetic alphabet, as the pronunciation is clearly not comparable to the International Phonetic Alphabet symbols. The same could be said about the entry of the pronunciation of the word 'flourish' in the Chambers Dictionary. Both pronunciation symbols incorporated the accent sign found above the second syllable of the word. In the vocabulary section, both dictionaries enter the word once in bold fonts except that Encarta enters short definitions of the word in bold face provided with numbering but separated according to parts of speech, and for this entry, Encarta begins with the meaning of the word flourish as a verb which is numbered one to three, followed by five noun definitions, numbered one to five. Chambers dictionary also separated the definitions according to parts of speech, which include the word as a verb and then, noun but added an adjective definition as additional grammatical information.

MySQL server Essay Example for Free

MySQL server Essay When a client connects to the MySQL server, the server uses the username provided by the client and the client host to select the appropriate account row from the mysql.user table. It then uses this row to authenticate the client. Before MySQL 5.5.7, the server authenticates the password provided by the client against the Password column of the account row. As of MySQL 5.5.7, the server authenticates clients using plugins. Selection of the proper account row from the mysql.user table is based on the user name and client host, as before, but the server authenticates the client credentials as follows: The server determines from the account row which authentication plugin applies for the client. If the account row specifies no plugin name, the server uses native authentication; that is, authentication against the password stored in the Password column of the account row. This is the same authentication method provided by MySQL servers older than 5.5.7, before pluggable authentication was implemented, but now is implemented using two plugins that are built in and cannot be disabled. If the account row specifies a plugin, the server invokes it to authenticate the user. If the server cannot find the plugin, an error occurs. The plugin returns a status to the server indicating whether the user is permitted to connect. Whereas SQL Server supports two authentication systems, Microsoft Access supports three. Unfortunately, three is not necessarily better than two, and the Access security system is not suited for large enterprise usage. The most commonly used is Database Password. A database password is simply a password that Access prompts you to type in when opening the database. A database can have only one password. You cannot assign a different password to different users.

Binding of QNB and Atropine to Muscarinic Acetylcholine

Binding of QNB and Atropine to Muscarinic Acetylcholine Cholinergic relates to the responses in various systems to the neuro-transmitter molecule Acetycholine (ACh). They are the protein that are permanently attached to the biological membrane or the integral membrane protein (IMP). If the set of response is seen where Ach is a normal transmitter it is seen that they are grouped based on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) that respond to nicotine, and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) that bind muscarine. These Nicotine and muscarine are extrinsic molecules that get the same response but with different sensitivity. Drugs that bind to muscarinic receptors are classified based on Agonists (which activate the neuronal receptor and produce a response) Antagonists (which do not activate the receptor and block the agonist binding site) Antagonists are now used to study the drug-receptor binding as they bind with a higher affinity (i.e lower dissociation constant kd) when compared with agonists Pharmacology studies have shown that antagonists have higher affinity but no efficacy to their cognate receptors. They intervene their effect by going and binding to the active site or to allosteric sites on the receptor. They can also go and bind to unique binding sites that do not participate in biological regulation of any receptor activity. The activity that antagonist causes may be reversible or irreversible, depending on the long life of the antagonist-receptor complex. Studies have shown that 3-Quinuclinidyl benzilate (QNB) is a potent muscarinic antagonist in CNS (central nervous system) and peripheral tissues. QNB shows specific binding to the receptor of interest it binds. It can also bind to other sites of the membrane and these can cause changes. We can measure specific binding by filtering radioactive 3H-QNB and then measuring the amount of QNB. To measure non-specific binding, Atropine is used to displace QNB from the specific sites, while the non-specifically bound QNB remains and can be quantified by measuring radioactivity. (Source: Yamamura et al. May 1974) Overview of the experiment QNB is carried out in a radioactive binding assay where the concentration of QNB that is specific bound without atropine and QNB that is non-specifically bound with atropine is measured over successive interval of time. It is allowed to incubate so as for binding site to reach saturation is allowed where the equilibrium is reached. After this any further increase incubation time does not cause the amount of QNB bound to change. This QNB bound to the membrane is measured. By calculating the incubation time, IC50 of atropine is measured by measuring the atropine at which 50% of bound QNB is displaced. Amount of free QNB when 50% of bound QNB is displaced is used to measure the dissociation constant (Kd). Materials and Methods Determination of QNB specific and non-specific binding Two bulk assays was carried out To measure QNB binding (in the presence of water) To measure non specific binding (with the presence of atropine) There were two conical flask taken A and B. Tube A was added with 30 ml of 1.3 nM 3H-QNB and 6ml water. And to the flask B flask B, 30 ml 3H-QNB and 6ml atropine was added. S filter tower is then set with 6 GF/C filters and 4.0 ml of rat membrane was added to each flask and the flask were swirled to mix well. 2ml aliquots from A flask (A1, A2, A3) and (B1, B2, B3) from the B flask were produced and were run through fresh GF/C filters. Each of the filters was then washed to remove mini-vials, and then 5 ml scintillant was added and was left for at least an hour. After a hour the radioactivity was counted in the scintilliant counter. This protocol was repeated for a couple of more time to produce triplicates at the time interval of 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 min. Determination of IC50 for atropine Five glass test tubes having 1200 ÃŽÂ ¼l of distilled water in each was taken. To the test tube 1, 300 ÃŽÂ ¼l of 10 10 ÃŽÂ ¼M atropine was added and was mixed well. 300 ÃŽÂ ¼l of the solution was added to tube 2 and mixed well. The same method is carried out for a series of dilutions to be done in tube 3 to 5. Atropine concentration in each tube is calculated. Seven triplicate tubes (A1, A2, A3à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦G1, G2, G3) are made each containing 1500 ÃŽÂ ¼l of 1.3nM QNB assay and the tubes are mixed well. 300 ÃŽÂ ¼l of 10 ÃŽÂ ¼M atropine was added to the three tubes of A and three B tubes were added with 300 ÃŽÂ ¼l of solution from tube 1. The dilution process was carried out for tubes C, D, E, F from tube 2, tube 3, tube 4 and tube 5 respectively. To tubes G, 300 ÃŽÂ ¼l of distilled water was added instead. 200 ÃŽÂ ¼l membrane was then added quickly to all the tubes. The 21 tubes were then left for incubation for 45 min and the radioactivity was then measured. Determination of concentration of protein using Lowry Assay Test tubes were prepared that contained 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 ÃŽÂ ¼g BSA (Bovine serum albumin) made up to 1 ml with water. A 6th tube was taken that had 50 ÃŽÂ ¼l of membrane that was made up to 1ml with water. 1.5ml of reagent 1 that contains 0.5 ml copper tartrate + 50ml alkaline carbonate was added and mixed well and let to stand for 10 min at room temperature. Then 0.3 ml of reagent 2 that contains Commercial Folin-Ciocalteau reagent was added to the tubes and mixed well. The tubes were then left for incubation for 30 min. Absorbance or optical density was read at 660nm. Determination of kd for QNB Eight test tube was taken, four containing low QNB concentration (1.3nM QNB mix) and four tubes containing high QNB concentration (6.5nM QNB mix). Tubes 1 to 4 were added with 7.50 ml, 2.50 ml, 5 ml and 3.2 ml of 6.5 nM QNB mix respectively. Lower concentration of QNB is made by diluting the standard QNB assay mix with NaKP solution. These tubes are labelled 1-8. The solution of tube 1-8, of about 1500 ÃŽÂ ¼l each was added to the triplicate tubes (A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, H3) respectively. Solution of tube 1 is added to tubes A, Tube 2 to B tubes till tube 8 to tubes H. 300 ÃŽÂ ¼l water + 200 ÃŽÂ ¼l membrane was then added to all tubes. For tubes A4-H4, 300 ÃŽÂ ¼l Atropine plus (Tube 1-8) respectively plus 200 ÃŽÂ ¼l membranes was added. Radioactivity was measured in all tube. A lowry assay was also carried out. RESULT AND DISCUSSION Here in the graph the values are plotted for QNB bound with atropine (with as show in the graph), QNB bound without atropine (Without as shown in the graph) and Corrected vales are obtained by subtracting QNB bound with atropine from the QNB bound without atropine (corrected as shown in the graph ) against time. Here QNB bound without atropine is total amount of QNB bound to the receptor; QNB bound with atropine is the Non-specific binding of QNB to the receptor and corrected is the specific binding of QNB to the receptor. After a particular time of incubation receptors reach equilibrium, where no more binding of QNB takes place to the binding sites. At this point when no more binding of QNB takes place the plateau is formed in the graph showing saturation. This incubation time is approximately 45 min as shown by the graph reaching the plateau. The graph shows us that with and corrected points of the graph forms a plateau after reaching incubation time of approximately 45 min. If an addition incubation time was taken after 60 min we would have got a plateau for without graph also showing us a plateau. The graph shows that the cmp value increase over time after which when reaching a particular time no more binding occurs thus forming a plateau showing the saturation or equilibrium has reached. Small decline in the graph can be seen at time 30 to 45 min, this could have been due to experimental errors. The errors could have been caused during pipetting, in proper vacuum, formation of bubbles, adding samples properly between time intervals etc. This can be avoided by more careful handling of the instrument and doing a initial check up for errors so as to not cause changes in the experiments result. Taking the above data into consideration we have chosen 45 min as incubation time for determining IC50 of atropine. This is because, saturation of binding sites is achieved and no further unbinding of QNB also occurs, as the off-rate or reaction constant of QNB unbinding is very low. So there is no further change in the amount of bound QNB and hence this incubation time is considered appropriate. By serial dilution different concentration of atropine was prepared. The graph shows us that the amount to QNB bound to the receptor of the membrane reduces with increase in concentration. This happens because atropine is a competitive binder and binds competitively with specific sites to the receptor. The amount of QNB specifically bound will be inversely proportional with atropine concentration. Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50)  is a measure of how effective a compound is in inhibiting biological or biochemical function. This is a quantitative measure that let us know how much concentration of the drug or biological substance (inhibitor) is required to inhibit a given biological process by half. So we are calculating the IC50 of atropine to determine its potency. It is calculated by taking atropine concentration at which 50% QNB is displaced. The IC 50 value was found to be 0.0008912 ÃŽÂ ¼M. This shows that atropine is a drug with good potency. Ic 50 does not directly discuss the binding constant so we cannot compare the binding affinity of QNB and receptor. Lowarys assay Lowrys assay was carried out for determining the concentration of membrane protein. First different concentration of BSA was used and we generated a graph for it, taking concentration and OD. The membrane protein was then checked for absorbance and was found to be 0.322. Using the linear regression equation and the absorbance, concentration of the membrane protein was found to be 0.803 mg/ml. This test was done for another membrane protein sample. The absorbance of the membrane was 0.27. Again using the regression equation and the absorbance, concentration of the membrane protein was found to be 0.293529412 mg/ml. Determination of Kd: Kd is -1/m and was the equation was used is y = -8499.6x 1.3669. the kd is used to define the affinity between the drug and the protein . the value of Bmax was 0.001161 nm.

Lady Macbeth Seduces Macbeth In Many Ways Essay -- essays research pap

Lady Macbeth does everything in her power to seduce Macbeth. She comforts him and gives him strength after Duncans murder. She emasculates and belittles him to convince him to commit the murder. She covertly seduces Macbeth by her suicide. When Macbeth finds out about her death he loses all hope and gives up on life. After Macbeth's deed was done, he would of succumb to his guilt if it weren't for lady Macbeth. His paranoia started to get the best of him. Macbeth thinks that someone has heard him commit the crime, " I have done the deed, didst thou not hear a noise? " (Macbeth, II, II, 15) The good Lady tells Macbeth she heard nothing, she is comforting him by reassuring him that no one heard a thing, " I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did not you speak? " (Macbeth, II, II, 16 - 17) Macbeth feels guilt and pity for what he has done to Duncan, he looks down on himself. [looking at his hands] " This is a sorry sight. " (Macbeth, II, II, 22). Lady Macbeth comes through and shows Macbeth comfort and strength before he loses it and does something irrational. When Macbeth returns to his chamber after killing Duncan and Lady Macbeth learns that he didn't carry out the end of the plan, the reader sees a moment of panic in Lady Macbeth. She quickly regains he r composure, though, and decides that she must complete the plan herself. She says to Macbeth, "Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead are but ...

Celta Assignment 1

Cambridge CELTA Written Assignment: Language Related Task (LRT Part 2) Read all instructions carefully before you start this assignment. Checking Understanding Write concept questions for the underlined language items below (together with their expected answers), which could be used in order to check students’ understanding. Draw pictures, diagrams or time-lines where appropriate and remember the basic principles outlined in the concept checking input session. All visuals should include a ‘task’ to involve the students. See the examples overleaf. Complete this assignment on the back of this sheet. Note: You should assume that the teacher has already attempted to illustrate meaning of each language item through visual or verbal technique (definition, picture, situation, mime, etc. ) You are not trying to teach or elicit the target language item, just check understanding. 1. He’s been a policeman for ten years. 2. He was wearing a helmet. 3. I had my photo taken. (the tense is NOT relevant here) 4. Your clothes are filthy! 5. If he’d worked harder, he’d have passed his exams. 6. He travelled around the world on his own. 7. She used to drink coffee. 8. He made up with his girlfriend. Concept Questions + Expected Answers |Time-Line, Picture or Diagram | |e. g. She called as soon as she arrived home. | 1 2 | |Did she arrive home? (Yes) |Past X X Now | |Did she call before or after she arrived home? (After) | | |When exactly did she call? (Immediately after) |Is ‘arrived’ action 1 or 2? 1) | | |What is action 2 (She called) | | |How long was there b etween 1 and 2? (A short time / a moment / | | |seconds) | |e. g. The platform was crowded. |Which ones use a ‘platform’? (train and tube) | |Where can you find a ’platform’? Station) |( ( ( ( ( ( | |What do you do on a platform? (Take / Wait for the train) | | Name: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. TP Group: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. I confirm that this is completely my own work. Signed †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. | |Concept Questions + Expected Answers |Time-Line, Picture or Diagram | | |How long has he been a policeman? | | |Expect answer 10 years |Present Perfect Continuous | |1 |Is he still a policeman? |Past X_______________ Now | | |Yes | | | |For how many years has he been a policeman? Question: | | |Expect answer 10 years |How many years has he been a policeman | | | | | | | | | | |What is a helmet? | | |Expect answer | | |2 |Something you wear on your head to protect it |[pic] | | |If you were riding a motorbike what would you wear on your |[pic] | | |head? [pic] | | |Expect answer a helmet | | | | |[pic] | | | | | | | |[pic] | | | | | | | | | | | |Question: Which one of these is wearing a helmet? | |Does she still drink coffee | | | |Expect answer | | |7 |No she used to. | | | |When did she stop drinking coffee | | | |Some time in the past | | | | | | | |Question: | | |Is she still his girlfriend | | | |Expect answer yes | | |8 |Has she always been his girlfriend | | | |Expect answer No, they spilt up |NO VISUAL NEEDED | | |Why did they get back together because he said sorry | | | | | | | |When did you have your photo taken | | | |Expect answer |Past _______X___________I__ Now | |3 |Some time ago in the past? | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Question: When was your photo taken | | |What would you do if your clothes were filthy | | | |Expect an swer |Clean shirt | |4 |Washed/Laundered/Cleaned |Dirty shirt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Question: | | |Why didn’t he pass his exams? | | | |Expect answer | | |5 |He did not work hard enough? | | | |NO VISUAL NEEDED | | | | | | | | | | |Who did he travel around the world with | | | |Expect answer | | |6 |He travelled on his own | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Question: | ———————– and Training Centre International Teaching Celta Assignment 1 1. †¦. everything that has happened to us during the day †¦.. MEANING 1. â€Å"has happened† is a grammar structure used for actions which started in the past but continue up to now or to talk about actions that have a result now. Timeline: x (x)(x) has happenedpastpresentfuture CQs : Did it happen in the past? Yes. Is the day going on? Yes. Is it likely to happen some more events? Yes. Are we affected by the things that happened to us during the day? Yes. What events? We didn’t sleep well. What affects do we have now? We may be sleepy and tired now.FORM Subject| +| auxiliary verb| +| main verb|   |   | Have/has|   | past participle| everything + has + happened +–? IhaveYou ‘veWeThey| V3| I have notYou haven’tWethey| V3| lHave you we they | V3| He hasShe ‘s? t| | He has notShe hasn’tit| | heHas she it| | â€Å"has happenedâ€Å" is the form of Present Perfect Tense. PRONUNCIATION -Everything that has happened to us /h? / h? p? nd/ or /? z/ I’ve just watched†¦. He’s just watched †¦. They’ve watched†¦. /? v/ / hiz/ /? e? v/The auxiliary verb is not stressed in short forms but the main verb is stressed. ANTICIPATED PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 1. Problem: Students may forget to use the auxiliary verb â€Å"has†Solution: Elicit some forms and write on the board. Cross out the one which doesn’t have the auxiliary verb and write the auxiliary form above it. . Problem :Students may confuse the meaning and form with simple past tenseSolution: Write two sentences and ask some CQs. e. g:â€Å"She went to cinema yesterday† â€Å"She’s just gone to cinema? † 1. Which one has an exact time? â€Å"Sentence 1†2. Which sentence has an affect now? â€Å"Sentence 2. She isn’t here now. † etc. 3. Problem: Students may use the base form of the verb instead of the third form. Solution: Cross out the wrong one and write the correct f orm above with a red board marker happened â€Å"†¦everything has happen †¦.. †4. Problem: Students may stress the auxiliary verbs â€Å" have† /h? /or â€Å"has† /h? z/ in short forms. Solution: Do some drilling exercise after modelling â€Å" ’ve† and† ’s† APPROPRIACY Neutral. Appropriate. References 1. http://www. thefreedictionary. com/ 2. http://www. google. com. tr/imgres? q=present+perfect+tense+timeline 3. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 4. http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=g2bHdXcszJ4| 2†¦. if scientists invented a pill†¦. , would you take it? MEANINGâ€Å"If conditionals† is the grammar structure used to talk about things possible but very unlikely to be fulfilled. CQs:Is it possible that the scientists invent a pill? Yes†Is it a strong possibility? â€Å"No, weak. †Is the meaning past or present? â€Å"Present†Do we imagine here? † Yes† FORM if + pas t simple would + subj+ bare infinitive CONDITIONAL CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSEIf scientists invented a pill,†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. would you take it? â€Å"Invented† is the past form of the verb† invent†. â€Å"Would† is a modal auxiliary verb here. PRONUNCIATION —-If scientists invented a pill†¦. , would you take it? – /? nvent? d/ /w ju ta? k ? t? / We pronounce â€Å"would† as / w? / instead of / w? ld/ANTICIPATED PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 1. Problem: Students may think that we are talking about past. Solution: To avoid misunderstanding, students are given an easy task of brainstorming and also a kind of extension such as â€Å" If I were rich, I would †¦. etc. Later concept questions are asked â€Å"Do I imagine about something about past? † 2. Problem: Students may not pronounce the word â€Å"would†/w? ld/ naturally instead of /w? d/ Solution: Emphasize the /w? d/ sound and use backchaining,e. g start by modell ing and drilling the sound /d/ followed by /w? / and then the whole words /w ju ta? k ? t/ 3. Problem : Students may use present form of the verb in the â€Å"conditional clause† instead of the past form when we talk about imaginary situations. Solution : Elicit the correct form of the clause. Cross out the one wrong on the board and write the â€Å"simple past† form above. If I was/were richIf I am rich,†¦References: Harmer,J. (2005),How to Teach English,Longman Gower,R;Phillips Diane;Walters,S(2005) Teaching Practice http://www. ingilizce-ders. com/hata-yanlis/01-telaffuz-hata. htm | 3. Dr.Meddis believes that the unpleasant symptoms we suffer when we don’t sleep†¦. MEANING symptom (n,[ C ]: A sign or an indication of disorder or disease unpleasant (adj): not enjoyableCQs: Does a problem exist on our body? YesShould we see a doctor? YesAre we happy about the problem? NoAre we feeling good? NoFORM It is an adjective complement = adj+nounâ€Å"Unpleas ant† is an adjective here and it is the negative form of † pleasant†. It describes a noun here the â€Å"symptoms†. PRONUNCIATION – – – – †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ believes that the unpleasant symptoms we suffer†¦. -unpleasant /? npleznt/ symptom /s? mpt? ms/â€Å"Unpleasant â€Å"the stress is on the second syllable. â€Å"Symptoms† the stress is on the first vowel sound. ANTICIPATED PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS1. problem: Students may not understand the meaning of the word â€Å"symptoms† Solution: Use the CQs above to Show what â€Å"symptom† means. Ask the students how they feel when they are ill and make them act it out. 2. problem :Students may pronounce unpleasant /? npliznt / by saying /i/ instead of /e/ Solutions: Emphasise the /e/ sound in â€Å"unpleasant† References:http://oald8. xfordlearnersdictionaries. com/dictionary/unpleasantHarmer,J. (2005),How to Teach English,LongmanGower,R;Phillips Diane;Wal ters,S(2005) Teaching Practice| 1. We can put off sleeping for a limited time†¦MEANING to delayCQsIs it something positive or negative? NegativeCan we do it later? YesDo we sleep on time? No FORMIt is separable. It can be followed by a â€Å"noun† or â€Å"verb+ing. When it is used with a pronoun, the pronoun must be placed between the verb and the particlePut off sleeping= verb + particle+ VingPRONUNCIATION We an put off sleeping for a limited time -/ P? t? f /The stress is on â€Å"off†. The pronunciation pattern of phrasal verbs is easy to know as the stress is on the 2nd word. ANTICIPATED PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS:1. problem: Students may think that the antonym of â€Å"put off† is â€Å"put on† and possible that they confuse it with â€Å"take off† Solution: Emphasise that it isn’t the opposite form of the â€Å"put on† Write the opposite form of â€Å"put on† as â€Å"take off† not â€Å"put off† exyensio n: put off a flight/meeting etc 2. roblem: Students may use the pronoun after the phrasal verb. Solution: Write on the board the correct form and highlight the pronoun â€Å"it† â€Å"Put it off† 3. problem :Students may use base verb after the word â€Å"put off†Solution: Highlight the –ing form. Put off sleep +ing References: Longman Dictionary Of Contemporary English(2002) http://www. thefreedictionary. com/ www. fronter. com/cambridge/http://pronunciationcoach. wordpress. com/2012/02/23/phrasal-verbs-the-good-news-the-pronunciation/|

Marketing plan for mercedes benz Essay

Dear Parents You must be informed about the laws that Current Legislation in UK produced in order to protect the children and young people. Current Legislation 1. Children Act (2004) identify five outcomes for children 1. Education Act (1993) Parents of children under 2 years have the right to ask for the child to be formally assessed 2. Sex Discrimination Act (1975) Ensure that individuals are not discriminated against on the grounds of their sex 3. Race Relation Act (1976) Equality of opportunity must be promoted 4. Public Health Act (1984) Covers the notification and exclusion periods for certain infectious diseases 5. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulation (RIDDOR) (1995) Specify certain accidents and incidents that must be by law, reported 6. Equality Act 2010 Aims to ensure that rights of disabled individuals are met 7. Special Educational Need and Disability Act (2004) Protects children from discrimination on the basis of disability , and settings must make reasonable adjustments to their provision to meet the need and right of the child 8. Code of Practice for First Aid (1997) Gives guidance on the provision of trained first aiders and first aid provision 9. Protection of the Children Act (1998) Requires a list to be kept of people considered to be unsuitable to work with children 10. Care of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations (2002) Deal with the identification, storage and use of potentially harmful substances, such as cleaning fluids 11. Childcare Act (2006) the law that sets out: Duties on local authorities to improve outcomes for children and to ensure access to information about provision in their area Legal frameworks for regulation and inspection of provision for children from birth to age 17 The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): this is the framework for the delivery of quality integrated care and education for children from birth to the 31 August following their fifth birthday. The EYFS includes requirements for the provision of young children’s welfare, learning and development that all providers must meet, as well as good practice guidance. Dear Parents You must be informed about the role of Regulatory Bodies that made all the inspection, investigation and enforcements to my premises in order to improve the overall well-being of the children. OFSTED Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. They report directly to Parliament and they are independent and impartial. Ofsted is responsible for the inspection of a range of educations and children’s services, and for the inspection and regulation of registered Early Years and Childcare provision.  The aim of all this work is to promote improvement and value for money in the services they inspect and regulate, so that children and young people, parents and carriers benefits.  The registration process with Ofsted looks at my ability and suitability if I deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is the framework for the delivery of quality integrated care and education for children from birth to the 31 August following their fifth birthday. The EYFS includes requirements for the provision of young children’s welfare, learning and development that all providers must meet, as well as good practice guidance. An Ofsted inspector will make regular visits to my premises and discuss about how I will meet the welfare requirements: The Inspection report produced by Ofsted will covers the followings: If, I and every other person looking after children on my premises, are suitable to care for children Every person living or working on my premises is suitable to be in regular contact with children My premises is suitable for looking after children If, I meet or will meet all the welfare, learning and development requirements of Early Years Foundation Stage and all the regulations and any conditions of registration imposed by. After an inspection, Ofsted publishes a report on Childminder home based environment website. In addition to written comments on a number of areas, schools and childminder premises are assessed on each area and overall on a 4-point scale: 1 (Outstanding), 2 (Good), 3 (Satisfactory) 4 (Inadequate). Ofsted Register Early Years Childminders to: Protect the children Ensure that they meet the requirements of Early Years Register Ensure that they provide good outcomes for children that keep children healthy, safe, ensure that they enjoy what they do and achieve well, make a positive contribution and develop skills for the future Promote high quality in the provision of care and learning and development Provide reassurance to parents Failure to complying with this welfare requirements would attract complains or concerns from parents or other people side. The law gives to Ofsted as regulatory body a range of powers to regulate children’s social care services, which set out the action that can take in order to enforce compliance with the law. They consider the particular circumstances of each case before deciding what action they need to take. However, it is very important for me not to lose sight of the overriding principle of ensuring the welfare of children and young people.

Supply and Demand- a Case Study Milk Price

The market supply and demand curve above shows the milk price support problem. In order to solve the milk surpluses in the market, the government should take the steps to increase the market demand to the milk products by exploring overseas markets. For instance, the government should export the milk surpluses abroad. This would cut the cost of storage for milk products and encourages the local dairy farmers continue in dairy business. b. The small dairy farmers would prefer the proposal 4 because it benefits them the most through the buyout program.This program encourages small dairy farmers to switch from dairy business to another business. The rewards from government can be used as capital to start a new business. c. For consumers, they would prefer the proposal 2. Since the consumers are also the taxpayers, the dairy price support program is very costing to taxpayers. By eliminating the price support program, the consumers can enjoy the lower price of milk and the taxes to purcha se unsold milk products can used to support other domestics goods that would be more benefits the consumers. d.The member of Congress who is concern about the welfare of community will look with favor on the proposal 2. Since they investigated that the market for milk is a competitive market. Without the government intervention, the market equilibrium price for milk is set by the market demand and supply. For the benefits of consumers and taxpayers, they would enjoy a lower milk price than price floor. The problem of the farmers can be solved by increase the demand for dairy products, such as exports the milk surpluses abroad and promote the local brand of milk products to consumers. Question 2 a. When YED = 2,Income Elasticity of Demand, YED= Percentae change in quantity demandedPercentage change in income 2= ? Qd %12% ? Qd %=24 % The quantity demanded for personal computer increases 24% as the customer’s income have risen by 12%. So, in order to meet my current inventory to the increase of quantity demanded by 24%, the price of personal computer should be increased. When PED = 0. 5, Price Elasticity of Demand, PED= Percentage change in quantity demandedPercentage change in Price 0. 5= 24 %? Price % ? Price %=48 % ? The price of personal computer should be increase by 48% so that the quantity demanded will approximately equal my current inventory. . i. To determine the price elasticity of demand, PED= ? Qd %? Price % PED=4. 3 %0. 25/1. 25? 100 PED=4. 3 %20% PED=0. 125 ? When the price increased $0. 25 to $1. 50, an increase of 20%, the quantity demanded declined 4. 3%, the price elasticity of demand for subway rides is 0. 125. The elasticity is less than 1, so that the quantity demanded moves proportionately less than the price, demand is said to be inelastic. ii. Since the demand can be considered as the inelastic, the riders are less sensitive to the fare rises and there would probably because of no substitute way for riders in short period.Hence, th e Transit Authority’s revenue increases as the fare rises. iii. From the estimation, the demand for subway rides is inelastic in short run. The estimation might be unreliable because of the data gathered is only first month after the fare rises. After a longer period, the riders may choose not to use subway and find another way of transportation which is more economical to them. The switch of riders to substitute way of transportation means the quantity demanded for subway decreases. So, when the fare rises, the quantity demanded declines gradually, the price elasticity of demand would be higher and more elastic. . As a clever entrepreneur, it is important to measure how much the quantity demanded of a good responds to changes in consumer’s income. During the prosperity periods, the consumer’s income is higher, they would demand for normal goods and less demand for inferior goods. In periods of depression, the consumer’s income decreases leads to an incre ase of quantity demanded for inferior goods because their purchasing power is low. If the entrepreneur understands that inferior goods have negative income elasticity (Mankiw, 2007), he would probably switch his business to sell inferior goods.For example, a used-car seller who might sell branded luxury cars during prosperity periods. However, during depression periods, he might switch to sell low-cost cars in order to sustain his business. In conclusion, the statement is valid. Question 3 a. Diminishing returns to a single factor are observable in all production processes at some level of inputs. The ‘law of diminishing marginal productivity’ is defined as the marginal product of an input is the additional output generated by employing one more unit of the input, all other inputs held fixed.The extra output, or returns, to the single input diminish because all other inputs are held fixed. One of the factors is capital. For example, as the stock of capital rises, the ex tra output produced from an additional of capital falls (Mankiw, 2007). Returns to scale are different from the returns to a single factor. Returns to scale are proportional increases in all inputs. While each factor in production process generates diminishing returns, the output may more than double, less than double, or exactly double when all the inputs are doubled.The distinction again is that with returns to scale, all inputs are increased in the same proportion and no input is held fixed. b. In filling a vacant position, we should be concerned with the marginal product of the last worker hired because the marginal product measures the effect on output, or total product, of hiring another worker. It helps us to determine the revenue generated by hiring another worker and compared it to the cost of hiring another worker. This comparison shows that whether the hiring would help to increase the production.The point at which the average product begins to decline is the point where average product is equal to marginal product. Although adding more workers results in a further decline in average product, total product continues to increase, so it may still be advantageous to hire another worker. When average product declines, the marginal product of the last worker hired is lower than the average product of previously hired workers. c. The isoquant identifies all the combinations of the two inputs which can produce the same level of output. The curvature of the isoquant is measured by the slope of the isoquant at any given point.The slope of the isoquant measures the rate at which the two inputs can be exchanged and still keep output constant, and this rate is called the marginal rate of technical substitution. Along the typical â€Å"bowed-in† or convex isoquant, the marginal rate of technical substitution diminishes as you move down along the isoquant. SECTION B Question 4 a. To find the equilibrium price and quantity, Qd=Qs 100-5P=5P 10P=100 P=10 When P = 10, Q=5P Q=510 Q=5 ? Equilibrium price is $10, equilibrium quantity is 50 units Price of Negext, $ Market Equilibrium Quantity of Negext, Units 50 0 10 Supply Demand 20Consumer Surplus Producer Surplus Graph 2 The Negext Market Supply and Demand Consumer Surplus=12 ? $10 ? 50 =$ 250 Producer Surplus=12? $10 ? 50 =$ 250 Total Surplus=Consumer Surplus+Producer Surplus Total Surplus=$250+$250 =$ 500 ? The consumer surplus is $250, the producer surplus is $250 and total surplus is $500. b. When 50 units of Negext are produced, Total Cost of Pollution=50 ? 4 ? $1 =$ 200 The sellers would impose $4 for each units of Negext, so the price for Negext is $14. Total Surplus=$ 500-$200 =$ 300 ? The total surplus after taking into account the cost of pollution, it reduces to $ 300. . We can use total surplus to measure the welfare of buyers and sellers in Negext market. If the society banning Negext, no demand from buyers, Negext will run out of business, the society is not in economic well - being. Both buyers and sellers do not enjoy any welfare from banning. When the total surplus is zero, the total market welfare is zero as well. d. Under the government restriction, the market only can produce 25 units of Negext. (100 units of pollution ? 4 units of pollution are emitted each Negext is produced= 25 units of Negext can be produced) Qs=25 units 00-5 P=25 P=$ 15 ? The new market equilibrium when the quantity 25 units and price is $ 15. Since the minimum cost to produce one unit of Negext is $5 (assuming the cost of production per Negext is $1 and cost of pollution is $4), so the supply of Negext decreases to zero when the price falls below $5. Graph 3 shows the Negext market after the restriction. This restriction limits the production to 25units and the price rises to $15. The consumer surplus decreases to $62. 50, producer surplus is $312. 50, and pollution cost is $100. The total surplus falls $275.In short, this policy is not recommended because it reduces the tot al market welfare. Graph 3 The Negext Market Supply and Demand after the government restriction. Price of Negext, $ New Market Equilibrium Quantity of Negext, Units 0 Supply Demand 20 Producer Surplus 15 Consumer Surplus 25 5 Consumer Surplus=12? $5? 25 =$ 62. 50 Producer Surplus=12? ($10+$15)? 25 =$312. 50 Total Cost of Pollution=25 units Negext? 4 units pollution ? $1 =$ 100 Total Surplus=$ 62. 50+$312. 50-$100 =$275 e. The consumers and producers should bear the $2 tax respectively. Inverse Demand : P=18-15QInverse Supply :P=-2+15Q NEW Qd=90-5P NEW Qs=-10+5P Qd=Qs 90-5P=-10+5P P=10 Q=90-5(10) Q=40 units Refer to Graph 4, the market is in equilibrium when price is $10 and quantity, 40 units. However, the actual price paid by the consumers is $12 and the producers receiving price of $8. The tax revenue is $160. The consumer surplus is $160, producer surplus is $160, and total pollution cost is $160. The total surplus increases to $320. So, this policy is highly recommended because the increases of total market welfare that benefits all the society members.Graph 4 The Neget Market after government imposes tax. Price of Negext, $ Quantity of Negext, Units 40 0 10 Supply Demand 20 12 8 Tax Revenue=$4? 40 =$160 Consumer Surplus=12? $8? 40 =$160 Producer Surplus=12? $8? 40 =$160 Total Cost of Pollution=40? 4? $1 =$100 Total Surplus=$160+$160+$160-$160 =$320 f. When the cost of pollution is higher than $1, the total surplus decreases. The price paid by the consumer increases, the consumer surplus decreases. Then, it would affect the society well-being, especially the welfare of consumer is violated. This leads the consumers banning Negext.Moreover, if the production of Negext emit such high pollution to environment, the society should ban Negext for the safety and health of society. REFERENCES Smith, 2007. Chapter 6 answers (Online) Available From : http://www. coloradocollege. edu/Dept/EC/Faculty/Smith/EC2070102/chap_06answers. htm (Accessed : 16 July 2011) Wmich. Edu. 2010. Assignments In Class (Online) Available From : http://homepages. wmich. edu/~u5nwaogu/In%20Class%20Assignments/Inclass_3. pdf (Accessed : 16 July 2011) Mankiw, N. Gregory. (2007). Principles of Economics, 4th Edition. USA: Thomson South – Western. pp97-99, 559-562

A Study Of Teachers Perceptions Of Online Teaching And Satisfaction Dissertation

A Study Of Teachers Perceptions Of Online Teaching And Satisfaction Within A Private Organizational Setting - A Mixed Methods Study - Dissertation Example It stands to reason then that, according to statistics maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), nearly 4,200 U.S. institutions or approximately 66% of ‘degree-granting postsecondary institutions, offered distance education courses to over 12 million students during the academic year 2006-07. Of these, 77% were enrolled in online courses, 12% in hybrid courses, and 10% in other types of courses (Institute of Education Sciences, 2007). Online education and teaching is also growing in K-12 schools. This trend was shown by a national survey comparing online and blended learning conducted in the 2005-06 academic year (Picciano & Seaman, 2007). Another follow- up survey during 2007-08 showed a 47% rise from the previous survey, with over 1 million students enrolled in online learning nationwide (Ibid.). Drawing on national data compiled over a span of six years, it has been predicted that no less than half of all high school courses will be online by 2019; b efore then, it is expected that about five to six million K-12 students (10% of the national total) will be taking classes online (Picciano, Seaman, & Allen, 2010). Industry organizations such as the â€Å"International Association for K- 12 Online Learning† (iNACOL) believe online learning is more than a trend. It is revolutionizing global education, and those academic institutions with strong e-learning strategies will advance to help prepare students to reach their full potential in a digital age (Arora, 2009, p. 17). Education through online learning is presenting fresh opportunities for all students, despite learning abilities, background, income level or location (Curran & Allen, 2006). Statement of the Problem The dynamic state of online... Online education and teaching is also growing in K-12 schools. This trend was shown by a national survey comparing online and blended learning conducted in the 2005-06 academic year (Picciano & Seaman, 2007). Another follow- up survey during 2007-08 showed a 47% rise from the previous survey, with over 1 million students enrolled in online learning nationwide (Ibid.). Drawing on national data compiled over a span of six years, it has been predicted that no less than half of all high school courses will be online by 2019; before then, it is expected that about five to six million K-12 students (10% of the national total) will be taking classes online. Industry organizations such as the â€Å"International Association for K- 12 Online Learning† (iNACOL) believe online learning is more than a trend. It is revolutionizing global education, and those academic institutions with strong e-learning strategies will advance to help prepare students to reach their full potential in a digital age (Arora, 2009, p. 17). Education through online learning is presenting fresh opportunities for all students, despite learning abilities, background, income level or location (Curran & Allen, 2006). The dynamic state of online education has outpaced empirical research into the theory that applies to the area of teacher satisfaction. Even a moderately intensive search of the literature shows that more than half are devoted to student satisfaction, suggesting an overwhelming concern with market forces and revenue streams.

E-commerce Issues for Small Business Dissertation

E-commerce Issues for Small Business - Dissertation Example As the paper declares Business to Business, Electronic Commerce has brought about a sea change in the way transactions are carried out between different entities in business. B2B provides a way for manufacturers to develop products for clients, circumventing the traditional channels involved in doing business. The manufacturer, vendors and customers can directly communicate with each other rather than letting intermediaries mediate. In facilitating easy access, E Commerce provides a cost saving method for different parties to a business to develop maximum productivity. The geographical barriers to conducting trade or manufacturing no longer exist. A manufacturer can sell or market through the Internet on a ‘virtual’ platform but will make huge profits in the real world as he can now get through to a buyer or supplier any where in the world. According to the research findings specifically E Commerce integrates telecommunications, computers and stream lined work processes. Business to Customer e commerce enables customers to directly get in touch with manufacturers. B2B helps organizations communicate. In both forms of this system, parties to a transaction avoid the unnecessary overhead costs and the impact of the technology does more to expand the business than before. The digitized transaction will require taxation and customs regulations to be reviewed to adapt to this change. In many parts of the world, resources are inadequate or stretched to produce mediocre good, which do not find worldwide markets. Even those firms, which aspire to international reach for their products, are hampered by poor infrastructure and unnecessary problems on the way. Additionally there are government regulations, which have not reacted to changing technological environments as rapidly as they should. Partly this may be due to political co mpulsions especially in developing countries, which impede quick decisions and action. There are developing countries, which could be serious players in the B2B scenario but are not cost competitive enough. Supply Chain Management (SCM) has been an issue in developing countries where it is a relatively new tool for production enhancement. The SCM model is delivered through channels using information technology and information exchange. For example, instead of having to actually send along inventory, a manufacturer can rely on the vendor managed inventory software for B2B, which relies on a certain level of information substituting actual inventory. Manufacturers principally use B2B processes, to pass down to suppliers their requirements of their manufacturing program. A traditional supply management program would have involved intricate formalities to be fulfilled. Electronic trading improves productivity, greatly

History of Art and Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

History of Art and Technology - Essay Example This can be seen in how human beings absorb information from the systems of education that have ever existed and from the mass media from past to present. The ideas they learn may have come from the concrete practice of man’s ordinary or extraordinary pursuits, thus coming from life itself. However, there is art in the manner that the lessons are imparted to the audience or to the learner. The artists behind this are the writers, the songwriters, the film makers, the educators, and everyone else who work as mediums of every idea or mere observation. Therefore, while life imitates art, art can never be absolutely detached from life. This is because its inspiration is material. Even the strangest art works are based in the material. What makes these odd though in the senses of some is the fact that the artist has the freedom to express his interpretation of the material. Many of Vincent Van Gogh’s works of art, for example, were considered by his fellow artists and art critics of his time as eccentric and out of touch with reality. However, it was only much later that his works were appreciated. Francis Bacon, a renowned Irish artist, articulated on Van Gogh’s case â€Å"real painters do not paint things as they are...They paint them as they themselves feel them to be.† (Farr 112) The message holds true not just for painters and paintings but for all artists and works of art. Nevertheless, an artist can only create out of his subjective interpretation of what he hears, sees, touch, or even taste. His imaginations can still be bound by the realities of even the most ordinary things and situations in life. Considering the premises mentioned above, everyone sees art and is an artist at the same time even while observing the most normal day-to-day activities. There is art in people in motion, in the way they walk to work and interact when strangers and acquaintances. There is art in the way that motorists deal with

Social Enterprise And Increasing The Overall Well-being Research Paper

Social Enterprise And Increasing The Overall Well-being - Research Paper Example From the point of view of asset management, a social enterprise can increase the overall diversification of the portfolio while at the same time add more ethical trading and investing philosophy into the overall portfolio management also. It is generally believed that portfolio managers may have to only invest in the commercial entities to generate more value for their clients. Overall risk diversification and return strategies are therefore often tailored according to the dynamics of how a for-profit business actually operates and generate more value for the portfolio managers. Non-Profit wealth creation through social enterprise is viable and sustainable activity and can increase the overall well-being of the society while at the same time allowing asset managers to actually diversify their risks and also add more ethical investing and portfolio management orientation to the whole process of asset management. (Field, 2014) This paper will be focusing on understanding the impact of non-profit wealth creation on the overall portfolio risk and return. This paper will further add on to whether the non-profit wealth creation will actually add more ethical orientation to the portfolio management or not. The overall concept and idea of a social enterprise existed for long, however, it has recently gained more momentum with large organizations such as Dannon entering into joint ventures to form social enterprises. A social enterprise’s focus is on the use of commercial strategies and tactics to achieve more value and improvement in the human and environmental well-being. A social enterprise’s main objective, therefore, is not the maximization of the shareholders’ value or wealth but to help improve the environment and the human life.

MGT_3900 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

MGT_3900 - Essay Example The business planning process requires a thorough analysis of the following areas. This is the introductory stage of the business plan. The section involves creating an outline of the business and its intentions. The interested parties in a business plan will require knowing why the business exists. In order to make them aware of the business plan, the planner needs to include the following vital parts. This step involves clarifying what is more important to a business. Mission statement involves providing a clear purpose for the readers with the context for the venture and will giving the business its new meaning. In order to do this, the business comes up with a comprehensive mission statement. Business overview is the summary of the present state of the business venture. Business overview describes the principal owners of the business venture and its classification. For instance, sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation lists the business owners. In addition, this stage describes the kind of business, which the venture operates such as manufacturing, retailing, wholesale, service providing, or some combination. This is the second stage of making a business plan. This section discusses the market and the approach in which the business is going to take. Moreover, this section discusses market characteristics, target customer profile, level of competition, and how the business is going to make maximum use of them to make a successful venture. This stage discusses various market forces such as supplier power, new competitors, substitute products, buyer power, industry rivalry, and government regulations. The third important stage of making a business plan is competitor assessment. The section involves a thorough analysis of the business competitors. This section involves defining the competitors and their profile by deeply looking into their strengths and weaknesses. In this section, the business plan discusses customer profile and their

Group Concepts Essay Example for Free

Group Concepts Essay Elements of an effective group. An effective group has several essential elements: positive interdependence (group members are linked with each other and are aware of this connectedness, they feel that their personal success depends on group success and group success depends on their personal success); two-way communication (exists when communication channels work in both directions and feedback is appreciated); distributed leadership (having more than one source of leadership, seeing every member of a group as an expert who is capable of making a difference); power based on expertise (those in power are those who hold the expertise; expertise becomes a source of power and an expert can influence others). Comprising all these elements, a group is â€Å"more than the sum of its parts† (Johnson Johnson, 2009, p. 20). These characteristics foster creativity and open-mindedness, for everyone can freely express his or her thoughts feeling that the feedback is appreciated. Such an environment allows challenging one another’s views, which helps seeing problems from different points of view and finding the optimal decision. 2) Team versus Group. Positive synergy is what distinguishes teams from groups. A group is a collective of individuals who share information and make decisions but who do not have a need for joint work. A group’s performance is the sum of its members’ performance. At the same time, a team is a collective of individuals united by a common goal and the need for joint efforts. A team’s performance is more than the sum of its members’ performance. Team members depend on each other and are interconnected, whereas each of group members primarily works on their own. Different tasks require different types of groups – for some, joint effort is not necessarily needed and the summation of individual performances of experts will bring the desired results; in other cases, working together is absolutely necessary for achieving the goal. It primarily concerns creative tasks that require innovation and more than one perspective. In such cases, teams can produce a better result than groups. To work in teams, not merely expertise is needed but also the desire and the ability to collaborate (Lecture 1. 1). 3) Team Effectiveness. Effective teams have the following characteristics: the goals are clear and coordinated with the individuals’ goals so that each team member is committed to achieving the team goals; conflicts are not suppressed but managed as the sources of creativity and innovation; there is two-way communication instead of one-way communication, open relationships rather than closed relationships, and feedback is asked and provided openly; all team members participate in group work, nobody is left behind; leadership is shared among team members; decision-making and problem solving involves all team members and participation is encouraged at all levels; risk taking is encouraged and mistakes are treated as the sources of learning rather than failures that deserve punishment (Lecture 1. 3). This is a rather long list but meeting all these criteria is not that complex as it seems to be, for most of these characteristics are interconnected and acquiring one entails another. For me, open relationships and two-way communication are the crucial skills; they involve opportunities for providing feedback, open discussion of goals, of conflict situations, participation in decision-making, etc. These require open mindedness and results in group’s being â€Å"more than the sum of its parts†, which is an essential characteristic of a work team that distinguishes it from a work group (Johnson Johnson, 2009, p. 20). 4) Sources and Value of Diversity. There are three major sources of diversity: demographic characteristics (ethnicity, race, religion, sex, language, age, social class, regional differences); personality characteristics (educational level, different attitudes, lifestyles, etc. ); abilities and skills (expertise in different areas, different technical or social skills, etc. ). Diversity can be a source of conflicts, misunderstandings, and hostility. However, if there is tolerance and respect to others, diversity is a powerful source of learning and creativity. If the mind is open, diversity brings in many new ideas and perspectives. People of different cultures and/or backgrounds often see the same things very differently, and acknowledging their different perspectives allows adopting a new creative and innovative approach. 5) Avoidance of Controversy. Controversy is often avoided in groups and perceived as a negative and stressful phenomenon. Thus, fear and ignorance stops group members from engaging in controversy. Yet, it should be valued and even stimulated. Controversy is an important part of any decision-making process. It means that more than one view on the problem is presented. Controversy helps weigh all possible views and find the optimal decision. In most situations, there is more than one view on the problem, and controversy helps find out the advantages and disadvantages of each view. Without an opportunity for controversy, the drawbacks of the chosen position may remain unnoticed and lead to tragic consequences. 6) Groupthink (how does leadership identify and prevent? ). Groupthink is one of the factors hindering group decision-making. It takes place when a group adopts an uncritical view of its own judgments. Usually it comes out when the group is homogeneous, values consensus, and has little time for producing a decision. It can be identified by its symptoms which include: belief that their judgments are right; illusion of invulnerability; collective rationalizing of poor decisions; sharing stereotypes concerning out-groups; self-censorship; maintaining illusion of unanimity; exercising pressure on those who disagree; protecting authority (PowerPoint Lecture 2. 2). Some of the strategies to prevent negative effects of groupthink include: resort to the help of outside experts; one of group members should be assigned a role of a critical evaluator who will question all decisions; the leaders should avoid making their own preferences explicit; allow time for discussion and elaborating alternative decisions. 7) Group Norms and how they are created. Group norms are implicit or explicit modes of conduct within the group that guide group members’ behavior without the direct application of power. Norms establish the rules and define what can be regarded as acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Group members should conform to group norms if they want to be a part of the group. Those who disobey usually experience pressure from the other group members up to the exclusion from the group. Group norms are created as a result of interaction between individuals and agreement on what can be considered right. They experience influence from the dominant culture in which the group operates. It is a kind of synergy of cultural norms, adopted organizational practices, and individual norms of every group member. Group norms regulate things from how much one can talk at a group meeting to how many times a day one can drink tea without being suspected to be lazy. 8) Experiential Learning (Lewin’s 12 principles). Experiential learning is, in short, learning through experience. It helps change learner’s attitudes, behavioral patterns, and action theories. Lewin defined 12 principles of experiential learning which describe the process of experiential learning and its effects. This kind of learning is more effective than simply acquiring new information. One of Lewin’s principles states that people tend to believe more in knowledge they discovered themselves than in knowledge taught by others. Experience is a form of active learning that is more effective than a passive process and that is able to change one’s attitudes and action theories. If action theories and attitudes do not change, the effect of learning will be only temporary. For changes in attitudes to occur, perception of oneself and one’s social environment must change. This kind of change can be easier achieved in a group context than in an individual context, and this context has to be a friendly and supportive one in order to facilitate the person’s ability to experiment with new attitudes. In fact, these 12 principles are the elaboration of the simple truth that we all learn from mistakes and experience. Like a child gets to know that fire hurts from firsthand experience rather than from the precautions of adults, we all tend to acquire new knowledge and change our behavioral patterns according to our own experience rather than taking somebody’s theories on trust. 9) Epistemic Curiosity. Epistemic curiosity is a state of mind that forces the person to search actively for more information in an attempt to relieve tension from conceptual conflict. Conceptual conflict or discrepancies in the existent practices and conditions point out that there is an information gap, which results in uncertainty and dissatisfaction. To eliminate dissatisfaction, the person strives to get more information and fill the information gap thus explaining to himself the discrepancies and acquiring certainty. Thus, epistemic curiosity is a powerful drive for knowledge. It is one of the ways by which controversies can be resolved. Stimulating data gathering and learning, it helps find optimal ways and grounds for adopted decisions. 10) Group Dynamics (what does this mean? ). The term group dynamics refers to the study of group development and of interactions within the group. Understanding group dynamics, one can diagnose how well the group is functioning, what can be done to improve performance, and intervene to make the required changes. It requires understanding of group processes and stages of group development. The essential point here is that the group is viewed not as a collection of individuals but as a real unit bound by positive interdependence. Simply put, group dynamics means the development of group over time, the processes that take place within the group, the relationships and interactions, changing attitudes, etc. B. A. R. T. analysis is a useful tool for studying group dynamics as it reveals major dimensions: boundaries (in terms of time, territory, tasks), authority (both formal and informal), roles (multiple formal and informal roles), and tasks (visions, missions, different understandings of the task, practical challenges, etc. ). 11) Stages of Group Development. Different authors describe different stages of group development. Tuckman elaborated a 5-stage model that comprises forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Johnson and Johnson (2009) list 7 stages of group development: (1) defining and structuring procedures, (2) conforming to procedures, (3) recognizing mutuality and building trust, (4) rebelling and differentiating, (5) committing to and taking ownership for the goals, procedures, and other members, (6) functioning maturely and productively, and (7) terminating (p. 28). Both models describe group development from its formation to its dismissal, but Johnson and Johnson’s model is a more elaborated and detailed one. In fact, it breaks the initial stage of forming to three stages that include defining procedures, conforming to procedures, and building trust. Thus, it underlines the normative element at the initial stages of group development. It is interesting also that according to both models rebelling, or storming, should take place before the group begins to function maturely. It once again proves the value of conflict. 12) Leadership Styles. There are three major leadership styles: autocratic, when the leader dictates his will and makes decision by himself without consulting group members; these decisions are enforced then; democratic, when the leader encourages involvement of group members into decision-making process, values opinions of others, and takes into account different views; laissez-faire, when the leader’s participation in decision making is minimal and group members are allowed maximum freedom. It cannot be concluded that one of these styles is better than the other, for the choice of style usually depends on the situation, on the leader’s personal abilities, and on company values. Some situations require autocratic leadership (for example, when there is no time for discussion and the decision, either good or bad, has to be made and implemented quickly), whereas in other cases democratic or laissez-faire leadership will work better. Giving freedom to employees make them feel valued and trusted which stimulates them. 13) Sources of Power. There are five major sources of power: legitimate power, having its source in the person’s position (group members believe that the person has a right to influence others in virtue of his or her position in the organization); reward power, having its source in the person’s ability to reward certain types of behavior; coercive power, having its source in the threat of punishment; expert power, having its source in the skills and knowledge of a person (group members believe that the person has a right to influence others in virtue of his or her expertise); referent power, having its source in person’s being liked and respected by others (group members comply out of respect). Legitimate, reward, and coercive power are usually associated with a formal position of the person, whereas expert power and referent power have its sources in the person’s abilities. Coercive power is very likely to produce resistance, and referent power results in commitment to the person. For leaders and managers, it is better to combine more than one source of power and have expert and/or referent power in addition to power based on formal position. In this case the followers will comply more willingly. 14) Organizational Culture. Organizational culture is a set of basic assumptions, norms, values, and behavioral patterns that regulate how people interact within an organization and with outsiders. It comprises rules, customs, symbols, visions, organizational environment and structures, etc. It is formed under the influence of the national culture, the management beliefs and values, and the sum of individual beliefs. None of these factors can form organizational culture on itself, but each of them can influence the formation and development of organizational culture. In fact, organizational culture is what distinguishes one organization from another. It is strong when it can stimulate a sense of belonging in the employees. Changing organizational culture is a very complex task that requires much time and care. The attempts to impose new values at once are likely to rouse a good deal of resistance. 15) Social Interdependence. Social interdependence among group members is the essence of a group. It means that one’s outcomes depend on the others, and vice versa. Social interdependence theory states that the type of interdependence existing in a group defines the type of interaction among members and, therefore, the results. Positive interdependence facilitates promotive interaction, when group members promote each other’s efforts to achieve the goal. Negative interdependence facilitates oppositional interaction when group members oppose and obstruct each other’s efforts to achieve the goal. When there is no interdependence, no interaction occurs, and group members focus on their individualistic efforts. Social interdependence makes a group a whole, because when a group member cannot achieve a goal on his own he has no choice but to interact with others. Positive interaction results in higher level of performance, because it creates supportive and collaborative working environment that stimulates each member’s efforts. 16) Gaining and loosing trust. Trust is a complex notion that is difficult to define, but without trust normal functioning of a group is impossible. Distrust increases competition and often results in conflict leading to destructive consequences. To gain trust, risk and confirmation are necessary. Risk and disconfirmation lead to losing trust. Thus, in both cases risk is an essential factor. A person should risk by disclosing his personal thoughts and feelings to another person, and in case his openness is accepted trust is built, whereas when the person’s openness is betrayed trust is destroyed. Trust is easier destroyed than built. It is enough to betray one’s feelings only once to lose trust, but it takes much time and efforts to restore it. Therefore, one needs to behave very carefully in order not to destroy trust and not abuse the other’s vulnerability. 17) Superordinate Identity (4-steps). Developing a superordinate identity is one of the four steps of the process of recognizing and valuing diversity in groups. This process includes: (1) appreciating one’s own identity (culture, religion, gender, etc. ), (2) appreciating the others’ identities; (3) developing a superordinate identity, and (4) learning a pluralistic set of values. The superordinate identity is the summation of all personal identities existent in the group; it unites and comprises diverse values in a single group identity. It is based on a pluralistic set of values and does not exclude any of the personal identities of group members. It helps overcome otherness and value differences. 18) Language Sensitivity. Being language sensitive means understanding which words and expressions are appropriate and which are inappropriate for communication with diverse groups and people of different backgrounds. It is clear that we communicate differently with our friends than with our boss. Similarly, what is good for people of one background may be inappropriate in communication with people of a different background? To avoid misunderstandings and miscommunication, individuals should heighten their language sensitivity and avoid using language that can be abusing for others. In some cases, the difference between communication patterns is obvious (like in the example with friends and boss); in other situations, we may not even be aware of differences (for example, when communicating with people from different cultures who can be used to absolutely different communication patterns). Therefore, language sensitivity often requires not merely â€Å"sensitivity† as it is but sensitivity supported by knowledge about different cultures. 19) Egocentrism. Egocentrism is the opposite of perspective-taking, or adhering to one’s own point of view so that other viewpoints are ignored. Egocentric person may even not be aware of the other points of view and of possible limitations of his or her own perspective. One’s own views are accepted uncritically whereas others’ views are criticized, and valued only if they agree with one’s own (Johnson Johnson, 2009, p. 297). Egocentrism limits the ability to see things objectively and therefore hinders decision-making process. When each member is uncritical about his personal views, a competition develops that aims not at producing the optimal decision but at proving that â€Å"my† view is the best one and making others comply. It often results in low-quality decisions. 20) Team Ethics. Team ethics is a set of moral principles adopted in a team that govern members’ behavior and define what is right. In this respect, it is related to organizational culture and group norms, for it also relies on common values. Team members are expected to comply with these moral principles, for unethical behavior is never praised. Team ethics develops alongside with team culture and experiences the influence of ethical systems adopted in the national culture and of the ethical beliefs of management and team members. However, it is usually more than a sum or a compromise of many ethical considerations. Team ethics should not level off individual ethical systems; it should rather provide a more elevated and demanding understanding of what is right. For team ethics to create a collaborative and supportive environment, it has to comprise such values as respect for others, acknowledging each member’s rights and needs, valuing liberty and diversity, respect for human rights, etc. 21) 5 steps to effective problem solving. Five steps to effective problem solving include: 1) identify the problem (formulating a single question the answer to which is likely to resolve the problem; that is why this tactics is also called Single Question Format); 2) create a collaborative setting (an agreement on principle for discussion should be reached and any assumptions and biases brought to surface); 3) identify and analyze the issues (to fully understand the nature of the problem, some minor issues, or sub-questions, should be identified and discussed); 4) identify possible solutions (several possible courses of action as well as their respective advantages and disadvantages should be defined); 5) resolve the single question (choose the optimal solution among those proposed that answers the single question). (Lecture 2. 4. ) This approach has a benefit of focusing attention on the most important issue without dispersing it to minor issues. Defining a problem correctly is a half of success in problem-solving. When the single question is defined correctly, it gets to the root of the problem, and answering it is likely to resolve all minor problems associated with the greater one. 22) Reflections on Virtual Groups and Teams. During this course, we participated in virtual groups. This experience is very different from participating in face-to-face communication. Many limitations impede group development. First of all, virtual team members communicate directly with each other only rarely, which gives only few opportunities for knowing each other better and developing trust and confidence. Then, technical issues (like the problems some of us had with microphones) may interrupt communication from time to time. Finally, I think that the lack of nonverbal communication is also an obstacle, for we often perceive the other’s feelings and intentions from facial expressions, eye gaze, etc. In this case, we only had to rely on words. I believe that all these obstacles result in the need for more time for a group to become a team and for trust and confidence to develop compared to face-to-face communication. However, the need for joint work and effort united us, and by the end of the course we were feeling quite confident. Therefore, to unite virtual groups, there is a need for regular and frequent communication and tasks that require joint efforts. References Johnson, D. W. , Johnson, F. P. (2009). Joining together: Group theory and group skills. 10th ed. Boston, MA: Allyn Bacon.