Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Corporate Social responsibility assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Corporate Social responsibility - Assignment Example Nowadays unethical activities can no longer be hidden, as every activity against ethical CSR is investigated, communicated and broadcasted through internet by the media (Kakabadse, Rozuel, & Lee-Davies, 2005). However, if the other side of the coin is analyzed, it can be seen that that due to recent scandals, many reforms in business environment have been noticed. Firstly, the financial performance of the organization has improved (Galbreath, 2009). It has be analyzed by DePaul University that after the financial crisis and economic downturn, companies are engaging themselves into ethical business, which is revealing better financial performance as stated by S&P 500 Index (Silberhorn, & Warren, 2007). The operating cost has reduced due to CSR initiatives because companies are more concern about reducing their rate of emission, cutting down waste and by selling the recycled materials. To enforce ethical CSR activities and corporate governance in companies after the Enron scandal the A merican government also introduced Sarbanes-Oxley Legislation (Cromb, 2008). Answer 2 Stakeholders are the people or groups of people who have major interest in the growth and profitability of the organization. However, the interest of every stakeholder towards the organization is not the same. So based on the level of interest the stakeholders are segregated as primary and secondary stakeholder. The primary stakeholders are those who get the most affected by the positive or negative outcome or performance of the company. However, this differentiation is done for ethical decision-making. According to Figure 1, Freeman depicted a view of the primary and secondary stakeholders (Brockett, & Rezaee, 2012). Figure 1: Freeman's Structure for Primary and Secondary Stakeholders Source: (Colle, 2005) The segregation is done on the basis of fiduciary duties, legitimate interest towards the firm, invested capital and efforts. As can be seen in Figure 1, the primary stakeholders are shareholder s, suppliers, customers, employees and government. All these individuals and groups have financial and personal interest associated with the organization. They have direct contribution towards the positive or negative growth of the company, so they are the stakeholders who should be ethically receiving first priority in profits and decision-making. The secondary stakeholders are the competitors, society, local and global communities, etc (Colle, 2005). They are not indirectly related to the organization, but neither do they contribute towards the profitability of the organization nor they receive a share of the profit of the company (Ayuso, Rodriguez, Garcia, & Arino, 2007). Answer 3 The sets of rules, polices, principles and processes set by the company to monitor and control the company and its functions is known as corporate governance. The corporate governance also helps the company by providing guidelines for fulfilling the goals and objectives of the company. It is also respon sible for safeguarding the stakeholder's interest. Corporate governance assists the companies to lay down the foundation for planning our CSR activities for the company because unless and until the operational functions are ethically conducted, CSR will reap no result. However, stakeholders of the company have significant role to play in this case, as it has been discussed further in this section of the study. There are approaches around the world based on which the role of the shareholders in corporate

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Interactive Television Connection And Coverage In Malaysia Media Essay

Interactive Television Connection And Coverage In Malaysia Media Essay Television industry is emerging into new era in providing the better services to the customers. With the built around two-way interactive technologies, the digital television (DTV) infrastructure opens up new history in communication system. The two totally different worlds which were barely connected television and the Internet are now combining into an entirely new entity: which is interactive television. There are two specific terms which are commonly used to define the advanced television environment: interactive television and enhanced television. Throughout the whole text, we will use the term interactive television (ITV) to describe anything that allows a customer engages with the system by a remote control or keyboard usage in order to access the newest and advanced services. Also, interactive television (generally as ITV) defines as numerous number of techniques that allows the consumers to interact with the television contents. General purposes can be categorized into the following: On-line chatting and do emailing Stock market data, this includes personal investment portfolio performance in real time Ability to select the desired movies for viewing purposes at home News story selection and archive Enhanced sports scores and statistics on selective basis Purchase everything by on-line real-time, this includes groceries to software to electrical appliances without leaving house A continuum from low interactivity (TV whether on/off, volume, changing channels) to moderate scale (movies-on-demand without changing channels) till high scale interactivity, for instances program viewer affects the show that being watched are represented by interactive television. It was obviously shown in any kind of real-time voting on the screen, in which viewers vote to make decisions that will subsequently affects how the shows continues. TELEVISON PROVIDER IN MALAYSIA There are numerous number of subscription providers available, with the different numbers of channels, special communication techniques for instance, program guide (EPG), high-definition (HD), video on demand (VOD), interactive television via the red button and coverage across Malaysia. These services are basically received by set-top boxes. However, households viewing TV from internet in Malaysia are not monitored and tracked by the government. Figure 1: Service providers in Malaysia MALAYIA TELEVISION CONTECTION AND COVERAGE Driven by rapid change in delivery and content platforms, the Malaysian television market grows tremendously. Malaysians were largely depend on free to air (FTA) broadcasts without any significant cable infrastructure and relatively limited broadband access, until ASTRO TV service was introduced in 1996 back then. Satellite pay television is therefore concentrate in expanding its addition content and programming options. The pay media boasts until more than 100 channel beamed to some 2m consumers. Even through there are tremendous growth in pay-media, FTA channels (which offered via satellite too) stay as the most popular stations in Malaysia market. According to 2007 Nielsen survey, 9.3% of respondents watched one out of six FTS channels the previous day. Government-owned Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) owns TV1 and TV2 while Media Prima works on the four channels remaining. Right after MiTV made an unsuccessful attempt to emerge the market by using wireless internet protocol over ultra high frequency (UHF), it is retooling for new mobile broadband delivery system after the winning a 3G licence recently. The Government has also initiated several test programs for digital television broadcasts and by 2015, plans to phase out analogue transmissions as whole. Trial broadcasts were undergoing, and this involves a thousand households in Klang Valley from September 2006 till February 2007. Trial of digital transmissions received positive feedback from the consumers, this is according to Deputy Minister of Information, Chia Kwang Chye. More than 60 percent said that the quality of signal transmitted scaled from good to very good, more than 88 percent thought that the picture quality improved, and more than 70 percent said that sound quality was better. As part of the three years reconstructing process, RTM is assumed to be totally digitization by 2012. Every ho usehold in Malaysia, when once equipped with the necessary equipment(set top box or known as iDTV set), is expected to receive more than 19 channels, which seven of them fall under RTM and others for private broadcasters such as Media Prima which owns TV3, ntv7, 8TV and TV9. Besides simulating TV1 and TV2, RTM is also test-airing RTMi, Arena and Muzik Aktif on digital platform, by transmitting at UHF channel 44, modulated at 64QAM. Figure 2: Digital TV set-top box HISTORY OF INTERACTIVE TELEVISION IN MALAYSIA In Malaysia, development of technology received considerable attention during the Mahathir Era from the year of 1982 till 2003. In order to transform Malaysia into a fully developed country by early of the year 2020, Vision 2020 was developed. Due to this, a mega project known as the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) was launched in 1996. In conjunction with this mega project, Malaysias satellite television was first introduced in 1996, which is ASTRO. ASTRO utilized Direct to User Service (D.T.U) and is broadcast as high powered KU Band transmission using the transponder of the MEASAT. Currently, the subscription based service is currently operating from Bukit Jalil. This service can be received by utilizing a fixed 60 cm diameter dish antenna and a decoder. Signals are encoded and encrypted prior to transmission, in order to form a conditional access subscriber service, and therefore allow the access only for subscribers with decoder and authorized smartcard. Figure 3: Astro logo (1996-2003) Figure 4: Both old (bottom) and new (top) Astro satellite dish or mini-dish. INTERACTIVE SERVICES BY PROVIDERS IN MALAYSIA ASTRO has then initiated more sophisticated viewing experience for the customers. This is known as interactive and multimedia services through the convergence and divergence of the existing old and new media technologies. Recently, there are various interactive TV and multimedia services that include games, video on demand (pay preview), chatting, stock link, Short Messaging System (SMS), internet banking and icon download which were not available previously. Short Messaging System (SMS) through television programs is one of the most successful interactive services that were achieved thus far in Malaysia television industry. SMS technology was utilized by ASTRO in the year of 2003 as the introduction of Akademi Fantasia, a local musical program that copied from Mexico. Maxis was chosen as the sole service provider for the interactive activity via the program. Maxis, Malaysias leading Telecommunications Company, which also partly owned by ASTRO. Throughout Akademi Fantasia, for the first time ever television audiences were allowed to send in their votes to decide on the winner of the competition. In year of 2000, interactive SMS technology was become a joint venture project between Microsoft and ASTRO. Microsoft had made an equity investment in ASTRO in order to helping and developing interactive internet and content in ASTRO. This has proven a critical success as it attracted more audience to tune-in into their channel. This was shown as in the first season of Akademi Fantasia in 2003, it was raked in RM 2.5 million profits through the votes made by audience. Figure 5: SMS transactions of interactive service by ASTRO This trend has also influenced other television stations in Malaysia, such as RTM, TV 3, 8tv, ntv7, and tv9 to use interactive technology to attract more viewers, and therefore increasing revenue. Since then, both imported and locally produced television programs, utilized SMS interactive activities, for instances, reality TV shows, musicals, dramas, and even local television news. There is also live radio broadcast, with kind of live, in-studio programming, coupled with an on-screen chat room that the users could interact with via SMS. To top it off also, there is a large chunk of screen for mobile ringtones and wallpapers. In mobile content, with the burgeoning penetration of new generation of mobile phone, there is more demand for better entertainment content drives the growth of it. ASTRO provides customers new experience with the streaming of 2.5G video and the launch of 3G services. Besides CNBC and HITZ.TV, when 3G launches, ASTRO offers CNN, Cartoon Network, highlights of hit shows as well as exclusive English Premier League matches to mobile handsets. In addition, STK WAP technology provides a platform for SMS content and services for example cinema information and movie bookings, other info-on-demand and gaming. This service generated 36 million SMS transactions in 2004. Mobile games on TV debuted on ASTRO @PLAY in March 2004, was the first initiative in Malaysia. This therefore made great contribution to SMS activity through games while @15 and HIT. TV, which is the SMS-TV chat channels contributed strongly to the ITV business, with roughly around 8.3 million chat messages chalked for the year. TV 9 is a free-to-air private owned television station in Malaysia, which is owned fully by Media Prima Berhad. Interactive television feature is introduced by TV9, which allows audiences to interact and communicate via Short Messaging System (SMS) while music video displaying. The element is available from 11 am until noon and from midnight till 1 in the morning. This is consequently in the year of 2004, TV9 announced its strategic partnershio with WAP Portal Sdn Bhd and Mobileway-Inphomatch, the leading provider of global mobile messaging interoperability and added value for mobile information services, in subsequently to deliver interactive mobile applications for its new SMS-MMS segment, known as Mobile9. The project is launched on 15 August 2007, where audiences can involve themselves in interactive activities on Mobile9, for instances like chatting, contests, downloading via SMS, polling and sharing their MMS pictures while watching TV programs. Channel 9 is continuously explor ing the best alternative to make sure that the right customer experience for our products and services. We want to offer customers the best services which are relevant, exciting and will definitely enhance their lifestyle, said by Encik Abdul Aziz Hamdan, the Chief Executive Officer, Channel 9. Broadcasting of TV9 under (Ultra High) Frequency. The UHF channel is 42 in Klang Valley, and with weaker transmission at 33 in certain area of Klang valley. TV9 is available on Malaysia satellite provider ASTRO via Channel 119. The third subscription based TV station in Malaysia, FineTV, utilizes an a- la- carte approach, which is a total interactive approach (video-on-demand), allows viewers to design their own television program or scheduling. Recently, FineTV is offering 18 television channels from serial drama, reality tv show, education, music video, game show, sports and cartoon are available upon viewers selection or request. RED BUTTON TECHNOLOGY BY ASTRO Interactive advertising can be done available via one-way or broadcast television, in the form of either red or green button advertising. For more inner explanation, red button advertising will be relied more on content delivered via broadcast, by pressing the red button on the remote control by the customers, they are able to find out more specific advert. Satellite service Sky in United Kingdom and ASTRO in Malaysia provides the service of Red Button Advertising. Meantime, green button advertising enables viewers to book advert by using remote control, this is followed by the viewing of a clip inside the broadcast stream, in order to record them on their PVR. With that expanded advert (which could be the program length), is then able to be viewed by the consumer with full leisure. Furthermore, the interactive Red Button is another first product in Malaysia market also, was launched in June 2004 with over 10,000 hours of extended programming introduced over subsequent months. Import ant features of its activity included live vote updates for AF over Astro Ria and ASTRO @15 channels, ITV advertising for Coca Cola and DHL, distribution of mobile downloads and Summer Olympics. In May 2005 also, ASTRO launched their broadband portal, ASTRO. Tv, starting off with two channels on demand and favourite content: Akademi Fantasia 3 and English soccer, over the internet. With paying certain amount of subscription fee, a broadband users can watch live concert via webcast, enhanced video feed on AF3 daily developments, archived materials and auditions from earlier AF seasons. Besides, another separated GoalTv for sport channel, also provides streaming of trivia, commentary, analysis and matches on the top English soccer teams in order to delight the avid sports fan. The Star featured that in order to accommodate more live BPL coverage, a new sport channel, which is known that Astro SuperSport 3 (Ch 817) had been introduced. Due to this features, subscribers are able to watch al least eight live matches per week. And for a limited period also, iPhone users are able to download Astros B. player application to watch games for free. Lister. M et. al (2003:20) defined that interactive means more powerful sense of consumer engagement with media text, individualized media usage, a more independent relation for the source of knowledge and greater user choice in selection. Video on demand concept was initiated by ASTRO which allows customers to make selection from its pay per view package that consists of blockbuster and sporting events. Mitv also provides similar mode, where Mitv is the second subscription based television. The concept is known as Affordable Transaction, offers video on demand, games-on-demand, e-learning-on-demand and music-on-demand for its subscribers. CONCLUSION There does not need much explanation why ITV is gaining momentum and will continue its trend as new technologies take control. This is due to the backbone for ITV growth comes from both the market strength of the Internet. In addition to that , with the rapid growth of digital video technology that took place in the cable, satellite, and terrestrial broadcasting industries, the world is now prepare for the creation of an ITV segment which meet the requirement of tests of sound economic principles. This is therefore introduced to mass customer market to a whole new range of opportunities. Interactive television in Malaysia depends on the implementation of digital terrestrial television. Despite RTMs trial was a success, there is an uncertainty in the growth of the digital terrestrial television transition, significantly after the end of Abdullah Badawis tenure as Prime Minister.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Burden: The Name Says it All in Faulkners Light in August :: Light August Essays

Burden: The Name Says it All in Light in August  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      Expecting parents put so much thought, time, and energy into the choosing of a name for their baby. They turn to family trees and dictionaries of names to help in their important decision. In many ways, a child's name can determine who they will become and what kind of person they will be. Then there is the last name. It's automatic; no one has a choice in it. The last name perhaps has more of an impact on determining who a person will become, because the last name carries generations of ideals, memories, and pride. William Faulkner chose very significant last names for the characters in the novel Light in August (1932). Light in August is a story about Joe Christmas, a man shunned from society because of his possible black heritage. The novel describes parts of his youth with a very strict and religious adopted family, his struggle with himself, and his life in Jefferson, Mississippi. There he becomes involved with and eventually murders Joanna Burden, a so-called "nigger lover." Jo anna is a very odd woman with a rather unusual past. Her last name represents generations of self-imposed struggle and despair. Faulkner gave her and her family the last name of Burden to further illustrate, explain, and characterize Joanna and her nature. Joanna is first mentioned in Chapter Two by a townsman-type narrator as, "a woman of middleage. She has lived in the house since she was born, yet she is still a stranger, a foreigner whose people moved in from the North during Reconstruction. A Yankee, a lover of negroes, about whom in the town there is still talk of queer relations with negroes in the town" (33). It is clearly evident that Joanna Burden has no sense of community with the townsmen, nor they with her. In fact, in regards to the fire at her home, one man says, "My pappy says he can remember how fifty years ago folks said it ought to be burned, and with a little human fat meat to start it good" (35). Furthermore, another character elaborates by saying, "They say she is still mixed up with niggers. Visits them when they are sick, like they was white. . . . Folks say she claims that niggers are the same as white folks. That's why folks dont never go out there" (38).

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Genicon: a Surgical Strike Into Emerging Markets. Essay

Genicon is a company with 10 years of experience domestic and some real international success , Genicon was successful in USA, but it quickly realized that it would be difficult for them to have sustainable growth, because the health care purchases medical equipment through GPOs. And as a small company it was so hard to obtain a contract from GPOs because their financial structure encourages them to purchase equipment from giants companies.So Genicon decided to go international and capture increasing demand there. It became smallest company to sell product to European markets with the assistance of BSI.Genicon was already in over 30 international markets and was looking in particular at the rapidly emerging markets – Brazil, Russia, India and China – as potential new opportunities for growth.So the question facing Genicon where it should go next? I. Case key players/Contributors: a.Gary Haberland,president and founder of GENICON. b.small development team of Genicon. c.MEDICA in Germany large tradeshows for medical devices. d.employee of British Standards Institution(BSI) e.Genicon shareholder. II. Problem Identification a.Domestic business i.Lack of a favorable channel in the US. ii.High bargaining power of buyers through group purchases (GPO) . iii. High regulatory costs. b.International business. i.Sales of medical devices associated with the number of tenders which have different regulatory than US and its just for short term. ii.Due to GENCION’s limited resources it was hard to decide which country to invest in, depend on: 1-Regulation/ Compliance. 2-Bargaining power of buyers. III. Suggestions a.Uncertainty Avoidance i. Haberland and his company appear to be strong Uncertainty Avoidance very structure and having conservative investments.Hesitance toward new products in medical devices. ii.Should go with weak UAI and make some risky investments.and to be more flexible and adaptable to any chaos. b.Short and Long term orientation i.Almost all the contract that Haberland had with the international country are being traditional and current short term . ii.Try to find international country Long term orientation and sacrifice present for futere. IV. Recommendation a.Should go with Brazil due to international accepted! Fast process, zero tariff. Easy Regulation/ Compliance.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Report to Shareholders Essay

Business Model When Magee Company began in 2011, the company had the goal of producing top of the line sensors to customers who demand the newest technologies. The firm would do this by manufacturing its product lines at or above the expectations of customers, while still trying to maintain a competitive price within in the market. To gain market share, the company planned to heavily promote its products, while increasing the number of distributors and sales personnel to make products more available. Current State Despite its plan’s, Magee Inc. was unstable from the beginning. With the exception of year one, Magee Comapny was never able to generate net profits from operations. This stemmed from several issues in poor management decisions. First, Magee management incorrectly believed that profits from its traditional segment could provide sufficient cash to invest in plant and product improvements for the other lines. It is now clear that Magee should have financed the operations through long-term debt. Magee believes that investments in automation could have increased productivity and therefore increase margins on products, as they were low relative to Magee competitors (see Appendix). Magee Inc. was also unable to gain a significant amount of market share due to poor marketing activities. Initially, the firm priced some products too high, which caused an initial decrease in market share. The lack of marketing management was also a factor in the reduced demand, which left the plant running below capacity. To counter act this, management decided to boost production above normal capacity. Prices were then dropped in an attempt to push product out onto the market, but this action proved futile as only two of its four products had positive margins. Because of these decisions, the firm now sits with nearly $100 million in inventories. To accommodate the inventory production and lack of sales, the firm was forced to take an emergency loan totaling nearly $82 million. Bankruptcy Alternatives Andrews plans to shut down production this current year, and will begin liquidating assets as soon as possible. In its current state, Magee has nearly $100 million in inventories, which will be sold at or slightly above cost, dependant on the length of time it takes to sell the product. The company will then be sold, either in pieces of as a whole to the Ferris company. For most of Ferris’ products, the firm’s capacity is at or near the maximum, and could be willing to purchase the entire Magee facility (See Appendix). The expected value of Magee capacity is approximately $56 million while the firm still maintains $43 million in other fixed assets. Total asking price for the entire firm would be about $105, the premium due to all equipment would be in place, fully operational, with trained staff. Magee also has the option to sell capacity in pieces, which could be sold for $50 – $60 million. The remainder of the plant would also be sold for approximately $40 million, or best offered price. In total, Magee would expect to earn between $190 and $205 after liquidation of all assets, both current and long-term. As Magee total liabilities total $150 million, the sale of all property would relieve the debt owed to creditors. Starting Over Given the opportunity to reenter the industry, there are numerous changes in strategy and operation that Magee management would do. First, the firm would enter the industry as a broad differentiator, maintaining products in all segments. In order to finance all of the operations, Magee would take on a substantial amount of long-term debt and issue stock. With available cash, the firm would invest in automation to reduce variable costs, expand the capabilities of Magee products, and market their capability widely in an effort to gain the greatest market share. Once the firm had established cash flow, Magee would make an attempt to produce new products in segments that it is competitive, but differentiated to acquire the market share of customers that find their needs in between currently available products. Another change necessary to survive in the industry would be to carefully monitor and cap inventory. Considering high end products have high materials and labor expenses, holding inventory not only has a carrying cost, but the opportunity cost of not having that cash available was a major player in Magee failing. Despite the management plans, Magee is currently owes $43 million to its creditors, and maintains about $34 million dollars in inventory in excess inventories.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Free Essays on Family Tree

â€Å"What about my family?† that is what I'm going to tell you in this passage. I will politic about my family’s traditions, its uniqueness, my immediate family, and some not so routine situations my family has encountered. All of those questions and maybe more will be answered †¦ What is one of my family’s traditions? My family has many traditions that are very unnoticeable and that is why this question is hard for me to answer. But if I had to say a family tradition for my family is to dislike your biological for some reason or another. My mother doesn’t like her father to much at all, her mother isn’t in a much different situation, and I am a soldier of the same battle. But this occurs in my biological father’s path as well his father wasn’t there for him and he wasn’t there for me but he does however take care of his other children which is his only good quality. I believe that I can break this chain if I work hard and be a good father I can start a tradition of my own with my children. What makes my family unique? This question will be easily answered by me. I believe that my family’s uniqueness lies in our independence because this is a trait that everyone in my family has one way or another. I, my sister, and my mother are not dependant upon each other. We go our separate ways and work on our on while always knowing we are there for each other if needed, but will probably never call upon each other before it is to serious. We will fight it till we are losing then call for help this is in all of my family and I doubt it will change. I believe our actions and our personas are unique in my family. Describe the members of my immediate family. I only have three members in my immediate family including me, my sister, and my mother. If I had to start anywhere I would start at my mother, Leondras, she is a strong woman that takes great pride in her children and feels that she can and will reach any goals... Free Essays on Family Tree Free Essays on Family Tree â€Å"What about my family?† that is what I'm going to tell you in this passage. I will politic about my family’s traditions, its uniqueness, my immediate family, and some not so routine situations my family has encountered. All of those questions and maybe more will be answered †¦ What is one of my family’s traditions? My family has many traditions that are very unnoticeable and that is why this question is hard for me to answer. But if I had to say a family tradition for my family is to dislike your biological for some reason or another. My mother doesn’t like her father to much at all, her mother isn’t in a much different situation, and I am a soldier of the same battle. But this occurs in my biological father’s path as well his father wasn’t there for him and he wasn’t there for me but he does however take care of his other children which is his only good quality. I believe that I can break this chain if I work hard and be a good father I can start a tradition of my own with my children. What makes my family unique? This question will be easily answered by me. I believe that my family’s uniqueness lies in our independence because this is a trait that everyone in my family has one way or another. I, my sister, and my mother are not dependant upon each other. We go our separate ways and work on our on while always knowing we are there for each other if needed, but will probably never call upon each other before it is to serious. We will fight it till we are losing then call for help this is in all of my family and I doubt it will change. I believe our actions and our personas are unique in my family. Describe the members of my immediate family. I only have three members in my immediate family including me, my sister, and my mother. If I had to start anywhere I would start at my mother, Leondras, she is a strong woman that takes great pride in her children and feels that she can and will reach any goals...

Monday, October 21, 2019

The Ethics of Euthanasia Essays

The Ethics of Euthanasia Essays The Ethics of Euthanasia Essay The Ethics of Euthanasia Essay In the text, Death and Dignity: A Case of Individualized Decision Making, Diane had undergone Euthanasia (known also as mercy-killing). She gave her informed consent and she willingly submits herself to the process. In short, she had agreed to undertake â€Å"voluntary euthanasia.† Voluntary Euthanasia is defined as the type of Euthanasia that is undertaken with the informed consent of the patient herself. Informed consent means that the patient understands the process in which she has to go through, accepts it, and submits herself completely.In the case, Diane had given up the idea that she could still be cured. She had acute leukemia. Knowing that such disease had no cure at all, she refused to be treated and even demanded to be allowed to just die. The physician, who was the very person who was narrating the case of Diane, revealed that she herself assisted Diane in undertaking euthanasia. She said that she even told Diane the right dosage of barbiturates which could bring her death. Having such scenario, it could also be said that there was an â€Å"active euthanasia† that was happened. This entails that the physician has indeed assisted the death of the patient.The Ethics of EuthanasiaEuthanasia has long been disputed for its moral position. Does it morally permissible or not? The problem in the arguments of those who advocate the moral permissibility of euthanasia is that they tend to categorize it into different types and classes. The notions of voluntary and involuntary euthanasia, and active and passive euthanasia, have really masked the true essence of the practice of euthanasia. Some say that active and involuntary euthanasia are not morally permissible while inactive and voluntary euthanasia are morally permissible. The latter is argued because of the ideas of â€Å"non-commission† and â€Å"informed consent.†On the other hand, there is no real difference between those types and classes. According to James Rachels, no mat ter what type of euthanasia is performed still the end result is death. And that is morally unjustifiable in the sense that there is no such thing as right to die but only right to life. Likewise, in an ordinary course of life, no one would really claim for his or her right to die. Thus, whether the patient has given his or her informed consent, there is no justifying basis for the commission of euthanasia.Also, as mentioned in the text, the physician had even assisted the death of the patient Diane. That was very unethical. In the first place, physicians have no right to take away one’s life (as for the active euthanasia). And speaking of duty, physicians’ duty is to promote life and never the reverse of it which is death. By appealing to the Kantian Ethics (ethics of duty), that physician has committed a wrong act and has acted unethically and immorally. Thus, the physician in the given case must not have assisted Diane’s death whatever her reasons are.Moreove r, the process of euthanasia is directly going against what the natural process says. Suffering is part of human’s life. Thus, if one would use it to support and justify the act of euthanasia he is like saying that the natural process – wherein life is the basis of all rights – should not promote life but death. Yet, this is not the case. Survival is the key concept in the natural process. This entails that at any course, man naturally and rationally invokes his right to life and not right to die.Should Euthanasia be legalized?The answer is no. Euthanasia is no easy issue with regards to its legalization. In the first place, there is no law and even constitution that would provide a human rights standard which includes the human being’s right to life. As mentioned earlier, there is no such thing as right to life. And speaking of law, it has been institutionalized to safeguard mankind’s survival. So it is illogical and unintelligible to advocate for the legalization of euthanasia having the fact that such process opposes the most fundamental right – the right to life.Furthermore, if euthanasia would be legalized, it seems that the law itself creates chaos in the society’s order. As we all know, physicians are tasked to cure and treat diseases. Their duty is to preserve life (as declared in the Hippocratic Oath). If euthanasia would be made legal, then it is as if the law is allowing the physicians to violate their sworn duties and responsibility to mankind.Informed consent cannot really be used to justify the commission of euthanasia since the patient may have given his or her consent only because he or she is desperately hopeless and only wants to avoid suffering. But in a normal situation, a person would not really give his consent to someone to murder him or her.Another point is that, when someone speaks of morality, he or she is not speaking of practicality but of necessity. Rights such as right to life are n ecessary so as to uphold humanity. Imagine, if practicality would be the standard for taking away one’s life then it is more likely that every person would have reason to kill other person because it is practical for them to annihilate others for their own advantage. As for the case of the physician in the story of Diane, she assisted the death of Diane because she believed that it is more practical having the latter dead than for her to severely suffer from the disease.As for the conclusion of this paper, euthanasia is never necessary and not beneficial primarily because of the fact that there is no such thing as right to life, and the fact that physicians’ duty is to uphold life and never of death. Plus the law itself is established on the premise that its implementation is for the protection of human rights – and that includes a person’s right to life.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

The Life and Achievements of Albert Einstein

The Life and Achievements of Albert Einstein Legendary scientist Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955) first gained worldwide prominence in 1919 after British astronomers verified predictions of Einsteins general theory of relativity through measurements taken during a total eclipse. Einsteins theories expanded upon  universal laws formulated by physicist Isaac Newton in the late seventeenth century. Before EMC2 Einstein was born in Germany in 1879. Growing up, he enjoyed classical music and played the violin. One story Einstein liked to tell about his childhood was when he came across a magnetic compass. The needles invariable northward swing, guided by an invisible force, profoundly impressed him as a child. The compass convinced him that there had to be something behind things, something deeply hidden. Even as a small boy Einstein was self-sufficient and thoughtful. According to one account, he was a slow talker, often pausing to consider what he would say next. His sister would recount the concentration and perseverance with which he would build houses of cards. Einsteins first job was that of patent clerk. In 1933, he joined the staff of the newly created Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. He accepted this position for life, and lived there until his death. Einstein is probably familiar to most people for his mathematical equation about the nature of energy,  E MC2. E MC2, Light and Heat The formula  EMC2 is probably the most famous calculation from Einsteins special theory of relativity. The formula basically states that energy (E) equals mass (m) times the speed of light (c) squared (2). In essence, it means mass is just one form of energy. Since the speed of light squared is an enormous number, a small amount of mass can be converted to a phenomenal amount of energy. Or if theres a lot of energy available, some energy can be converted to mass and a new particle can be created. Nuclear reactors, for instance, work because nuclear reactions convert small amounts of mass into large amounts of energy. Einstein wrote a paper based on the  new understanding of the structure of light. He argued that light can act as though it consists of discrete, independent particles of energy similar to particles of a gas. A few years before, Max Plancks work had contained the first suggestion of discrete particles in energy. Einstein went far beyond this though and his revolutionary proposal seemed to contradict the universally accepted theory that light consists of smoothly oscillating electromagnetic waves. Einstein showed that light quanta, as he called the particles of energy, could help to explain phenomena being studied by experimental physicists. For example, he explained how light ejects electrons from metals. While there was a well-known kinetic energy theory that explained heat as an effect of the ceaseless motion of atoms, it was Einstein who proposed a way to put the theory to a new and crucial experimental test. If tiny but visible particles were suspended in a liquid, he argued, the irregular bombardment by the liquids invisible atoms should cause the suspended particles to move in a random jittering pattern. This should be observable through a microscope. If the predicted motion is not seen, the whole kinetic theory would be in grave danger. But such a random dance of microscopic particles had long since been observed. With the motion demonstrated in detail, Einstein had reinforced the kinetic theory and created a powerful new tool for studying the movement of atoms.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Nurse patient ratio act Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nurse patient ratio act - Essay Example There will also be a good number of nurses who are available to cater to unexpected tasks. Where the nurse-to-patient ratio is concerned, the National Nursing Shortage and Reform Act stipulates that each unit should have its own requirements on the number of nurses that will be allowed to work for each shift (Conway, Konetzka, Zhu, Volpp and Sochalski, 2008). The bill also allows for the annual evaluation of the staffing plans of public hospitals where the nurse-to-patient staffing ratio is concerned. Making the workload more manageable for nurses will make the hospital environment safer as nurses will have more time to accord personalized care. The nurses will also be able to recognize any shifts in the physical conditions of their patients, thus allowing them to make timely corrections that will prevent the deterioration of patients. The bill will also allow more time for different operations; meaning that nurses will make less mistakes as a result of hurrying from one ward to anot her. This bill can also improve on medical costs for patients as the nurses will have more time in which to perform different complicated functions- meaning that they are less likely to make mistakes that cost additional funds to correct. Supportive Organizations The National Nurses United (NNU) is one of the most powerful establishments that are in support of the National Nursing Shortage and Reform Act. The NNU has even stated that a study quoted in the Health Services Research made the discovery that in California, fixed staffing levels have contributed towards reducing the state’s mortality rates in the cases of general surgery patients. Fixed staffing levels also resulted in higher levels of reported job satisfaction in the nursing workforce. The study also found that if hospitals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania were to set up the staffing levels in the same way as were set in California, there would be fewer numbers of deaths suffered by surgery patients. This means that the more nurses a hospital has, the better off the patients will be. There are also other federal organizations that have actually supplied funds to ensure that there are adequate numbers of nurses in various hospitals. The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) Division of Nursing in 2004 was the beneficiary of appropriations in support of student scholarships, nursing education, nurse retention, faculty development, and workforce diversity. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2004 also granted more than $6 million for Patient Care Work Force Stabilization programs to sixteen hospitals. This money was meant to assist in address retention of experienced nurses, adequate hospital staffing, and secure competitive compensation for staff working in medical facilities (Allen, 2008). Rationale for the Bill: Why is it an Appropriate Bill to Support Nursing? If the current nursing shortage persists, the nurses that are left in the hospital s will be forced to take on more patients per shift. This will increase their exhaustion and create a situation where the patients are exposed to insufficient care on a daily basis. In addition, there are demographic changes that are taking place in the working population where Baby-Boomers who work as nurses are set to retire in the near future Lacey and Wright (2009). This will further exacerbate the current

Friday, October 18, 2019

The UK economic crisis on businesses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

The UK economic crisis on businesses - Essay Example The situation in the capital market was bad. The situation was further worsened by the fact that the housing loans were packaged as financial debt instruments and were sold in the capital markets. Companies around the world purchased the instruments and with the default of the loans, the instruments also became bad. Therefore, the economy overall was affected badly. (Walayat, 22nd August, 2007). The economy of the UK officially entered the recession with the decreased level of growth in two successive quarters. The Government and the banks helped the economy to face the tough situation with pumping in money and effecting rate cuts. This resulted in the Government borrowing money and thus was in a bad situation in the repayment of the loans. The companies were in a bad situation and they were looking to cut costs. There was huge job cutting among the companies and the unemployment reached massive levels. (Oxlade, 12th March, 2010; Bank warns of recession into 2009, 12th November, 2009 ). The recession was hard on the employees and the workers in different industries. The organizations restricted most of the benefits to the workers for cutting costs. A survey found that in the UK among a sample size of 704 organizations, 55% of the sample was planning to decrease the bonus and the pay or to freeze the process altogether. Among the sample size, 61% had no plans for recruiting new workers and 34% were contemplating on not recruiting the graduates. The labor market was in total disarray and the companies increased the off shoring process. The companies in order to cut costs were operating in flexible hours to allow the workers to work more. Bonus and incentives were not paid by most of the respondents. (Broughton, 10th August, 2009) . The situation was the same all over the world. Almost all the countries were more or less perturbed by the recession. Some of the major economies of the world were the most affected. In this paper, the countries of Japan and

Four Videos Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Four Videos - Essay Example As the essay discusses the outline demonstrated by the professor included US and UK parallels, British Academy initiatives, relation of language and national security, business, trade, big cities, media and culture. The first point of the outline was based on the issues of linguistic complacency, decreasing of language status in the sphere of education, high language skills of the population, especially in the spheres of business and policy. The role of tongue in the security and diplomacy was also denoted and analyzed by the professor. It is necessary to notice that ideas of Nigel Vincent related to different aspect of language in modern society were take from analyzing the reports that include national and international language data. One of the projects chosen by him was devoted to understanding the needs of language in the industry. From the report it is clear that next aspect of language that was analyzed by the professor was its power, contrasted to the military one and demonstrated on the examples of spreading of the British power by means of English language. It as characterized as 'soft power' in the lecture. Next, language from the cultural position was also analyzed in the lecture, particularly on the example of possibility of understanding the cultural phenomena and issues that becomes possible only in case of understanding the native language of the culture. There was a connection between social aspect of language and its cultural performance.

How do you define success Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

How do you define success - Essay Example The most successful people were clearly those who had all the parties, had attractive boyfriends and girlfriends, and sat at the right lunch tables. Today I look back at this adolescent phase and consider that while my understanding of success was widely shared, I can’t help but feel it was rooted in an illusionary understanding of reality and what is important in life. Today I define success much differently. Rather than viewing success in terms of other people, I understand success as a matter of personal meaning and social contribution. I think that it’s important that human beings live their lives with purpose. Too often people are caught seeking acceptance from others and personal wealth as they believe these things constitute success and personal happiness, when in actuality they are a mirage. True success is living life to one’s full potential in ways that contribute to the world in positive ways. For me, this means seeking out and sharing new and interesting ideas, living with a social conscience, and a sense of morality. I’m not a stoic, and I believe life is full of enjoyment, but if we are to achieve a lasting sense of accomplishment it must come from a personally defined sense of meaning and purpose. This is the true definition of

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Business decision making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Business decision making - Essay Example taff training on principles and techniques of table service, table setting, buffet services, styles of services and other arrangements that even includes enabling their staff to classify characteristics of spirits, wines and beer on their beverages, they have discovered that though customers are satisfied with the service, they do not have loyal clients or clients that go back primarily because they are satisfied with the correct care that they get. Customer service (also know as client service) is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). In the case of Rostos Tavern, customer service meant letting the clients recognize the superiority and the high value that they maintain on space and quality including the meticulous details to all their services. In a nutshell what management is doing is proving to the customer that they are indeed first class. However, the likelihood that customer go there out of curiosity only, or merely to find out if this is so, should not be discounted. Or the chance that a repeat customer bringing along some friends is an attestation that these are indeed loyal customers, might be an obscure interpretation because they might just want to substantiate what they tell their friends about the place. Our study is to find out how to make clients come back not primarily because of the ambiance and the meticulous attendance to details (for that is what is expected from any so called first class restaurants), but because they are so attached to it from the satisfaction they get every time they visit the place. This has indeed a very strong influence to customer service supporters, using them to train especially their frontline representative. But, however useful it may serve, service in not just about how an individual representative reacts to an individual customer; it’s about how the company as a whole reacts to its customers (Traci Entel, Sarah Grayson, Nathan Huttner;

ARNP Project Last Wk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

ARNP Project Last Wk - Essay Example From the diagram, it would be noted that for ARNP to effectively market its services to Gen Y, it first has to review its goals and plans for the organization at large and the Gen Y to be specific. After this, the need to undertake external analysis on the Gen Y segment to come to terms with major demographic variables that pertains to the people. After this, an internal analysis will be needed to be sure if the organization has adequately put its house in ready to accommodate new customers that will be coming in. the internal analysis is often translated by a SWOT assessment, based on which strategies and objectives for the Gen Y group will be developed. The final stage will require the development and implementation of an action plan. Because ARNP is in the health sector, its action plan must focus on how the organization can present differentiated services to the Gen Y so that members within the Gen Y population would choose ARNP over other competitors for the mere fact that ARNP has different services that the others cannot

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Business decision making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Business decision making - Essay Example taff training on principles and techniques of table service, table setting, buffet services, styles of services and other arrangements that even includes enabling their staff to classify characteristics of spirits, wines and beer on their beverages, they have discovered that though customers are satisfied with the service, they do not have loyal clients or clients that go back primarily because they are satisfied with the correct care that they get. Customer service (also know as client service) is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). In the case of Rostos Tavern, customer service meant letting the clients recognize the superiority and the high value that they maintain on space and quality including the meticulous details to all their services. In a nutshell what management is doing is proving to the customer that they are indeed first class. However, the likelihood that customer go there out of curiosity only, or merely to find out if this is so, should not be discounted. Or the chance that a repeat customer bringing along some friends is an attestation that these are indeed loyal customers, might be an obscure interpretation because they might just want to substantiate what they tell their friends about the place. Our study is to find out how to make clients come back not primarily because of the ambiance and the meticulous attendance to details (for that is what is expected from any so called first class restaurants), but because they are so attached to it from the satisfaction they get every time they visit the place. This has indeed a very strong influence to customer service supporters, using them to train especially their frontline representative. But, however useful it may serve, service in not just about how an individual representative reacts to an individual customer; it’s about how the company as a whole reacts to its customers (Traci Entel, Sarah Grayson, Nathan Huttner;

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Discuss what you believe to be the purpose(s) of education today Essay - 1

Discuss what you believe to be the purpose(s) of education today - Essay Example â€Å"From various parts† is depicted by the fact that there are students and professors for each and every department of knowledge. In its rudimental and simple form, it’s a school of knowledge of each kind, consisting of learners and teachers from every quarter. A university in its sense seems to be a place for the circulation and communication of thoughts, through means of personal intercourse, over a wide range of country. A university contemplates our nature’s necessity and is one specimen within a particular medium, from many which could have been adduced in others, with a provision for that necessity. In a broad sense of word, mutual education, is among the incessant and great occupations of human society, that is carried on partially with set purpose and partially not. One generation forms the other; the existing generation is acts and reacts upon itself within the people of the individual members. Books, in this process, are one special instrument. It’s emphatically so and true in this age. Putting into consideration the prodigious press powers, and the way they are developed during this time in the never intermitting issue of tracts, tracts, periodicals, works in series, light literature and pamphlets; we have to allow that there was never a time that fairer dispensing every means of instruction and information. Spayde Jon (2000), views street education and college education as the different aspects of education. The question however is that among the two educational aspects, which one is more necessary and relevant for survival in the world today. Maybe education cannot provide the necessary tools for survival in the real world. As much as we aren’t wasting time in institutions; the real world usually is a bigger school as compared to the other schools that we attend. The definition of school in the 21st century, unfortunately, is technology for instance. Spayde Jon (2000) argues that for our

Monday, October 14, 2019

Feeding tube case study

Feeding tube case study I. Feeding Tube Case Study The two cases in question here have several similarities and differences. The two cases are similar because they are dealing with two elderly patients who are not in a position to take care of themselves. In the first case of Eleanor Dawson who is 92 years old, apart from having a urinary tract infection and developing a large pressure on her coccyx, she is also suffering from senile dementia which is further worsening the case at hand. Senile dementia which is a disease characteristic of old age, affect brain cells and thus resulting to progressive memory loss and mental abilities. There is no known cure for this disease.   As a result, the patient is difficulties in reasoning and accepting new things making her completely incapable of self care including bathing and eating. This is the reason why the doctor the order has ordered that a feeding tube to be used on Eleanor who has ultimately refused. The second case involves Helen Jefferson who is 88 years old and suffering from a t erminal illness (untreatable breast cancer). Her cancer has spread to several parts of her body including bones and lungs. As a result she has given up hope on her life and she is ready to die. Consequently, she refuses to eat and that is the reason why the doctor has ordered a nasogastric feeding tube for her. This makes the two cases similar in that, it involves two elderly women suffering from untreatable diseases. Both of them also have refused to eat and both refuse feeding tubes to be used on them (Newson Aldous, 2005). These two cases are however different in the sense that Eleanor is suffering from senile dementia which means that she cannot reason normally. As a result her rejection of the feeding tube is absolutely normal because patients with that type of disease refuse to accept new things. Helen on the other hand understands clearly the consequences of her actions and she is refusing to eat intentionally which makes her case different from that of Eleanor. These two cases are however very complex due to their legal implications. First, it is a crime to allow someone to die from dehydration or starvation in our state and hence it is a must to report such incidents. Secondly, there is a living will statute in our state which mandates all the nurses and doctors to respect incompetent patients wishes. The last complication in these cases is the fact that both of the patients have living wills stating that they do not wish to be maintained on life support devices such as a ventilator. The appropriate action to take in such a scenario is to report these two incidents to the relevant authorities, explaining the legal complications surrounding these two cases, conclude by asking for permission to be allowed to use feeding tubes on these two patients since they will both die of starvation if not fed through the tubes because they are not in a position to feed themselves (Newson Aldous, 2005) II. Malpractice Case Study In this case, I think the nurse is liable for the patient injury because they would not have occurred if   she had ensured that her assistant had clearly understood what she meant by placing a hot water bottle on the patients left lower leg. Assumption/omission is one of the mistakes nurses should never make in their profession. She would have clearly explained the procedure to the assistant and make a follow up after a while to ensure that the instructions were followed to the letter. Since she omitted giving her assistant the right instructions, the patient was injured hence making her liable for the injury (Dimond, 2005). All elements of malpractice were present in this case because: the care provided by the nurse to the patient did not meet the standard of care required of her (breach of duty of care) secondly the nurse had accepted to care of the patient (Abele, 2004) and hence she was supposed to treat him with care and diligence which she did not do (duty of care), thirdly if standard care would have been followed to take care of the patient injury would not have occurred (proximate cause), and finally whatever happened was careless and inappropriate behavior on the part of the nurse which resulted to injury (injury was proved) (Morissette, 2008). References Abele, J. R. (2004). Medical errors and litigation: investigation and case preparation.   UK: Lawyers Judges Publishing Company Dimond, B. (2005). Legal aspects of nursing. New York: Pearson Longman Morissette, E. L. (2008). Personal Injury and the Law of Torts for Paralegals. New York: Aspen Publishers Online Newson, L., Aldous, J. (2005). The Legal Maze: VCE Units 1 and 2. South Melbourne: Macmillan Education Aus.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

the tucker automobile :: essays research papers

The 1948 Tucker was dreamt up by Preston Thomas Tucker and designed by Alex Tremulis. This was one of the last attempts made by a small enterprise to break into large volume car production. This car was said to be â€Å"The first new car in 50 years†. Many people felt that a car this great wasn’t possible. The many new innovations in the car were always surrounded by controversy. The car seemed to be doomed, and it was. Much of the appeal of the Tucker was the man behind it. Preston Thomas Tucker was always obsessed with cars, as long as anyone could remember. Tucker was born on September 21, 1903 in Capac, Michigan. He spent his childhood in car repair garages and used car lots. He worked as an office boy at Cadillac, a policeman in Lincoln, Illinois; he even worked at Ford motor company for a while. After he attended Cass Technical School in Detroit, Tucker became a salesman and went to work for Studebaker, then Stutz, Chrysler, and later became regional manager for Pierce-Arrow. During WWII the automotive industry was focused on the war effort. There were no new models of cars produced for over four years, and people needed a new car. Any new car. Tucker thought that the time was right to make his move. He formed the Tucker Corporation for the Production of Automobiles in 1946. Tucker wanted the old Dodge plant in Chicago. Its main building was the largest under one roof. During WWII B29 engines were built in the plant. The War Assets Administration leased him the plant under the understanding that he could have $15 million capital by March of the following year. Tucker moved into the plant in July and started work on his prototype immediately. The corporation needed money desperately and Tucker realized backing from businessmen would cause him to lose almost all control over his company. This was not an option for him so he started brainstorming for ideas, and got one. Franchising. He began selling dealership franchises, and quickly raised $6 million to be held in escrow until the car was delivered. The dealerships seemed suspicious to the SEC. This caused them to put Tucker under investigation. This was the first of many to span the next three years. The franchise agreements were rewritten to satisfy the SEC. Soon after that Tucker experienced his first serious obstacle, Wilson Wyatt. The head of the national housing agency who ordered the WAA to cancel Tucker’s lease and to turn the plant over to the Lustron corporation to build pre-fabricated houses.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Special Education and Inclusion Essay -- essays papers

Special Education and Inclusion Many people seem to look past how learning-disabled students would feel to be placed in a mainstream classroom which includes students without disabilities rather than go to class in a segregated/special education classroom with only other students who also have learning disabilities. There are many researches constantly going on studying the effects of inclusion in classrooms to see if learning-disabled students achieve better in mainstream classes. Students with learning disabilities feel better about themselves when they are included in classes with their peers who don’t have learning disabilities. Some terms regarding inclusion education should be clarified so that a person who is not knowledgeable about special education will have a better understanding. Inclusion and mainstreaming in class rooms can be switched around to mean the same thing. Essentially, these terms mean the process of putting students with special learning needs into â€Å"regular† classes with non-disabled peers. Resource classes, which used in a typical educational setting for learning disabled students, are classes that are for special needs students only. Just like inclusion and mainstreaming, learning disabled and special needs can be used interchangeably. Students with disabilities have educational rights under a special law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which mandates that students with disabilities have a free and appropriate education (Curry School of Education, n/d). The law requires that special needs students should also be placed in the least restrictive environment (LRE) suitable for their needs(Curry School of Education, n/d). The LRE for some students is often the g... ...ed/resource classrooms and express their opinions on this matter. L., Peter and John (1994). Learning Disabilities. Retrieved April 24, 2003, from http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu States different legal requirements such as the IDEA and LRE laws, and percentages of learning-disabled students in mainstream classrooms. Meyer, Luanna (2001, March). International Journal of Disability, Development and Education. Vol.48, Issue 1. Studied different disabilities and inclusion classes. Wolfe, P., & Hall, T. (2003, March) Teaching Exceptional Children Vol. 35, Issue 4. Suggestions to teachers/parents that provides appropriate education for all children. (2001, November 5). Educational Issues Series. Retrieved April 25, 2003, from http://www.weac.org Definitions and laws for inclusion in education are mentioned here along with different court cases.

Friday, October 11, 2019

Analysis on Business Marketing

â€Å"Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it. † This phrase was said many centuries ago and is still worth today. Any time customer, in fact these customers whose costs are driven by what they purchase, increasingly look to purchasing as a way to increase profits and thus pressure suppliers to reduce prices. A good example beside the one in the article is when you are going to buy a car and you start searching about what car dealer is the best for you to buy yours. How can you decide which of the dealers it's the best for you, it is a good question. A growing number of suppliers have created a customer value models, that is no more than data-driven representations, of the worth in monetary terms, of what the suppliers are going to could do for its customers. I have been talking about values, but what they are and what values are in business is what I'm going to explain right now. In business market values are the worth in monetary form of the technical, economic, service and social benefits any customer receives in exchange for the price it pays for a market offering. An example of value in monetary term is dollars per unit, guilders per liter, or kroner per hour. On the other hand, benefits are no more than in which any costs a customer incurs in obtaining the desire benefits, except for purchase price, are included. And finally value is what a customer gets in exchange for the price it pays. In fact, value is one of the two elemental characteristics of marketing offer; the other one is price. Field value assessments that is the most commonly and accurate method used to build customer value models. This value is used to collect data about customer value models. However, if the field value does not work suppliers use direct and indirect survey question and focus groups. As everything in our life, the first time you do something is the most difficult. To get started with the customer value model the first thing a supplier need to do is to put together the right kind of value research team. In this team should be included the people with the product, engineers in the specified field, and people with marketing experience. This last option is very important because it is really important to have people who know the customer way of thinking. The next step is to know the right market segment. Knowing this, the suppliers create a base with at least twelve customers to build an initial value model. Then it is a good time to generate a comprehensive list of value elements. These elements will be the one that affects the costs and benefits of the offering in the customer's business. The elements could be technical, economic, service or social in nature and will vary in their tangibility. But suppliers have to be very carefully on checking which elements left out, especially those that might make the suppliers' market offering look unfavorable next to the next-best-alternative offering will undermine the projects credibility. By knowing as many elements as possible the team will be able to determine more accurately the difference in functionality and performance its offers provides relative to the next-best-alternative. Most of the time the customers do not know that they have the data information that the suppliers are looking for. Some time the only way to find this data is for the team members to ask around until they come across the person who knows where to find the information. These teams also need to be creative in finding other sources of information. Independent industry consultants or knowledgeable personnel in the supplier company can be good sources of initial estimates. The comfort with which team can establish monetary estimates for its value elements will vary. Actually, most suppliers do not even attempts to assign monetary amounts to social elements. Instead, they put those elements and discuss them with the customer in a qualitative way after presenting quantitative results. An example of this is the Qualcomm Company, that not assign monetary amounts to many less-tangible elements but still includes them in its analysis as â€Å"value placeholders. † In any field value assessments, the suppliers will find that some assumptions must be made in order to complete an analysis. It is critical to suppliers to be explicit about any assumptions it makes. If a customer does not know how or why the team assigned a certain value to an element, the supplier's credibility will be compromised. After building the initial value model the suppliers should validate it, by conducting additional assessments with other customers in the market segment. Doing this the supplier will also learn how the value its offering provide varies across kinds of customers. The supplier will also need to create value-based sale tools. One common sale tool is a value case history, which is no more than written accounts that document the costs savings or added value that a customer receive from its uses of a supplier market offering. Now it is a good time to put an understanding of value to use. A good way to do this is using the supplier knowledge to tailor supplementary service, programs and systems in its current market offering and to guide the development of new offerings. A company's ability to manage flexible markets offerings successfully rest on its understanding of the value each component of an offering creates as well as its associates cost. Identifying and eliminating value drains result in better allocation of resources and improved profitability. Gaining customer is another of the steps of this project. Knowing of how the market offers specifically deliver value to customer enables suppliers to craft persuasive propositions. By providing evidence to customers of the company's accomplishments, suppliers demonstrate their trustworthiness and commitment to customers. In this way customers feel more self-confident with the company they are doing business with. Understanding value in business is the essence of customer value management. It is also good for delivering superior values and obtain an equitable return for it. Now are you ready to choose your car's vendor.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Ethics in Action: Suspected Impairment Essay

Ethics is defined as the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation. For the physical therapy assistant, it means a standardized conduct geared towards proper and successful patient care. The physical therapist assistant follows a certain standard for ethical conduct to effectively aid physical therapists and to be sensitive and efficient health workers. In this situation, we are dealing with the case of a 35 year old stressed-out woman with an odd behavior, who later on presented with slurring of speech. Slurring of speech can be due to many factors but majority of which are associated with cerebrovascular disease or stroke. In this situation, we are going to apply the American Physical Therapy Association Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant. The seven standards of ethical conduct seem to show us the values of an ideal physical therapy assistant: respect, trustworthiness, competence, compliance to legislations and responsibility. In analyzing this case, we realize various problems. At the start of the session, the patient was behaving oddly. Although she claims to be euphoric, signs of lethargy still seemed apparent. Later on, she succumbs to this lethargy or generalized body malaise by falling asleep on the mat. Later on, she manifests slurring of speech, which may be due to some problems. The most common cause of slurring of speech is stroke. Other factors that may cause this manifestation are electrolyte imbalance caused by strenuous physical activity, side effects of medications or it is simply due to drowsiness. However we see an imminent danger; she lives far from the clinic where you live and wants to drive all by herself—in her condition. We quickly realize a possible outcome—the danger of meeting accidents on the road in her condition. Recognizing our problem, some of our values as physical therapist assistants are challenged. The situation challenges our respect towards our client. Respect is defined as consideration and the avoidance of interfering with or intruding upon. In this case, we are breaching against the right of the patient to make her own decisions. We seem to not respect this right because we want to have things done our own way and not hers. Thus, this situation does not only concern our patient; it also concerns the physical therapy assistant. In this situation, we are having a patient-health care professional relationship. In turn, this situation challenges us to practice the rest of the 7 standards of ethical conduct. This situation motivates us to practice trustworthiness towards our patient. In this sense, we should show our patient how worthy we are of their trust towards us. We should show them that we are concerned about their health and well-being. We should explain to our patient that we think driving in our condition poses a hazard to her and makes her prone to road accidents. By doing this, we should tell her our real intention—that we are just after her health and safety. Standard 6 of American Physical Therapy Association Standards of Ethical Conduct states that a physical therapy assistant shall make judgments that are commensurate with their educational and legal qualifications as a physical therapist assistant. Judgment per se means â€Å"good sense†, discernment, understanding, the act or mental faculty by which man compares ideas and ascertains the relations of terms and propositions. In this situation, we discern that our patient should not continue driving her own car alone. In our understanding, she is not fit to do it and we are subjecting the patient to harm and injury, as she is prone to accidents in her present condition. Also, it is in our discernment that she should go to the nearest hospital to have her neurological status assessed and her health problems addressed properly. By doing these things, we are fulfilling Standard 7, which states that a physical therapist assistant should protect the public and the profession from unethical, incompetent and illegal acts. In addition to the above values, this situation requires moral sensitivity, moral judgment, moral motivation and moral courage. All these individual processes are needed in our situation. Morality means conformation to the principles of good conduct and virtue. By being morally sensitive, we mean that we are easily affected and moved towards betterment and towards good conduct. In our case, we are moved towards helping our patient and towards helping her attain good health and well being. We are moved towards preventing her from being alone, and we are moved towards accompanying her to the nearest medical hospital so that proper medical attention shall be given. Moral judgment means discernment towards the good of the patient. We discern what is best of her. We anticipate the accidents she will be at risk of and the many problems that may be etiologies of her neurological deficit. Motivation is defined as a process which incites to action and the determination of the choice or movement of will. In that case, moral motivation is also applicable in this situation. We are moved towards helping our patient; our action is for her good health and safety. Moral change is also needed in our situation. It is the process of encountering danger and difficulties with firmness and with intrepidity, for a good and noble cause. We have the courage to act for the well-being of our patient and we go beyond our duties to ensure her safety. This situation does not only involve the physical therapy assistant and the patient, it also involves the family members. In this case, it is proper that we talk to the other family members about the patient’s condition. It is essential to differentiate four terms in this context: the terms problem, dilemma, distress and temptation. A problem is defined as a question proposed for solution, decision or determination; a knotty point requiring clarification. A dilemma means a situation requiring a choice between equally objectionable alternatives; a problem that seems incapable of being resolved satisfactorily. Distress means extreme pain, anguish of the body or mind; that which causes suffering, affliction, calamity, adversity, misery and calamity. The term temptation means an enticement to an act which is evil, immoral or unwise. Yes, our situation is a problem by itself; it needed immediate solution and decision. It is also a dilemma because it poses a choice—whether to let the patient do what she wants or to accompany her to the nearest hospital beyond our duty hours. Our situation is not necessarily a distress but is a prelude to suffering, injury and misery. Certainly, this is not a temptation per se but temptation lurks for every health care professional who counts his or her duty days and does not extend his or her duty in terms of danger or calamity. The dictum for every health care professional is: Love your work. Temptation to do things our way and to be selfish and insensitive to the needs of our patients is a barrier to every health care professional. There are some health care professionals who punch in at 8 AM and go home at 5PM, regardless of what happens to their patients. These are the type of health care professionals who think of their jobs as routine and who takes these jobs as just a job for financial security, but is not their career. A career is something a person puts his or her heart into. As health care professionals, we must think of caring for patients as a career, not as a routine job. This problem, obviously, is not treated with silence. It entices action of the health care professional who cares deeply for his or her patients. In this sense, the situation requires a moral action, brought about by moral sensitivity, judgment, motivation and courage.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Strategic Planning

â€Å"Tomorrow is built today† – Each of us knows very well that our decisions and actions or non-actions of today will shape our future tomorrow. The collective consciousness of this fact and our efforts in the direction of a better future can definitively work in order to make the future what we like to see – the future can be provoked! Mind rules not only heart and body but all the respective issues in this world. The strategies of life are created by man with his ideas and approaches. â€Å"Think twice before you speak† is a familiar term in day to day life, this statement has got a deep meaning within itself, i.e., before you are about to say something think bout what you are going to speak and what would be it's outcomes later on. It is well said that if you want to achieve something in life, dream for it and plan how to achieve that goal or objective once getting started. Things always gets complicated for a person if the tasks involved in it are not familiar to that very person who was suppose to finish it off. It's always said that, two are better always rather then working single because two people working together makes things possible easily n quickly, thinking bout it's outcomes in advance and the result that comes out is always systematic and best possible. Some human beings follow others footsteps and some create their own ideas and work hard effectively and efficiently for attainment of their goals and objectives. Achievements never knocks at the door after dreaming bout them. One has to work out in real to achieve such tasks. As our day routine gets started we do look for a change so that the coming day should be better in comparison to the previous one. The major aim of most of the people in today's world is profit(monetary) and goodwill and yes definitely a long term well know never ending name in the market place just not in their country but most of the parts of the world. Future remains in hand if a task or work is performed efficiently and effectively keeping in mind all the basic operations which are supposed to be included in that known task. Life has changed a lot with real life competitions and challenges coming up day by day. Whatever step one moves should be effective and well balanced as the other could be smarter and experienced then what he/she is. Challenges not only arise within individuals but also within group of people and competitors. Each and every movement should be well planned and then only should be undertaken for its progress. For the highest level of stability one has to adopt advance skills and objectives as these only help in attainment of goals and objectives. STRATEGIC PLANNING Strategic planning is a management tool, period. As with any management tool, it is used for one purpose only: to help an organization do a better job – to focus its energy, to ensure that members of the organization are working toward the same goals, to assess and adjust the organization's direction in response to a changing environment. In short, strategic planning is a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, what it does, and why it does it, with a focus on the future. A word by word dissection of this definition provides the key elements that underlie the meaning and success of a strategic planning process: The process is strategic because it involves preparing the best way to respond to the circumstances of the organization's environment, whether or not its circumstances are known in advance; nonprofits often must respond to dynamic and even hostile environments. Being strategic, then, means being clear about the organization's objectives, being aware of the organization's resources, and incorporating both into being consciously responsive to a dynamic environment. The process is about planning because it involves intentionally setting goals (i.e., choosing a desired future) and developing an approach to achieving those goals. The process is disciplined in that it calls for a certain order and pattern to keep it focused and productive. The process raises a sequence of questions that helps planners examine experience, test assumptions, gather and incorporate information about the present, and anticipate the environment in which the organization will be working in the future. Finally, the process is about fundamental decisions and actions because choices must be made in order to answer the sequence of questions mentioned above. The plan is ultimately no more, and no less, than a set of decisions about what to do, why to do it, and how to do it. Because it is impossible to do everything that needs to be done in this world, strategic planning implies that some organizational decisions and actions are more important than others – and that much of the strategy lies in making the tough decisions about what is most important to achieving organizational success. The strategic planning can be complex, challenging, and even messy, but it is always defined by the basic ideas outlined above – and you can always return to these basics for insight into your own strategic planning process. Strategic planning is only useful if it supports strategic thinking and leads to strategic management – the basis for an effective organization. Strategic thinking means asking, â€Å"Are we doing the right thing?† Perhaps, more precisely, it means making that assessment using three key requirements about strategic thinking: a definite purpose be in mind; an understanding of the environment, particularly of the forces that affect or impede the fulfilment of that purpose; and creativity in developing effective responses to those forces. Strategic planning has also been described as a tool – but it is not a substitute for the exercise of judgment by leadership. Ultimately, the leaders of any enterprise need to sit back and ask, and answer, â€Å"What are the most important issues to respond to?† and â€Å"How shall we respond?† Just as the hammer does not create the bookshelf, so the data analysis and decision-making tools of strategic planning do not make the organization work – they can only support the intuition, reasoning skills, and judgment that people bring to their organization. Finally, strategic planning, though described as disciplined, does not typically flow smoothly from one step to the next. It is a creative process, and the fresh insight arrived at today might very well alter the decision made yesterday. Inevitably the process moves forward and back several times before arriving at the final set of decisions. WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FUTURE MIGHT BE? WHAT KIND OF FUTURE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE? Competitions and challenges in the market or in a working concern is the primary aspect .it bothers all the managers of a growing concern in way or the other. Whether, it is the product (which they deal in or going to launch in the market), price (what should be the price related with other substitutes available in the market), longevity (what would be its demands in future), uniqueness (how it would be different from the other products) and rather endless number of features. Production is concerned with costumers, their tastes, choices. Mood differs from one body to the other. Nobody have the same kind of needs or wants. Thereby products also vary in prices, weight and size. Production is always carried out keeping in mind the perfect market situation. The basic aim of every individual is to earn profit and goodwill in the market. The stability and up-to-date growth is a must concern. To achieve all the goals and objectives all the plans are well made and accordingly strategies are designed. A strategy not only helps in a unique start of work but also gives the best outcomes of the efforts made for future. It takes years to earn goodwill in the market; therefore it is a must to make plans whatever is effective for the start-up of the work. End numbers of features are taken in consideration by any of the famous well-known company or industry whoever are the known leaders in the market. Sum of the known features are: * Members: the number of people who are going to lead the environment and the owners of the business concern. Most of the business concerns have partners. They have to aim at the goals and objectives, moreover, decide what their future would be. They are the only leaders to decide the nature of their business and what would be the size and how globally it should be recognised. They look out for not just competitors but also have to follow some law and orders of the government. These owners employ experienced staff as managers to work under them and employees to work under managers known as subordinates. Owners are the decision makers. * Capital: investments or the amount to be engaged into the business is one of the important feature without which nothing could be worked out. * Product: plans are made regarding the product that has to be brought up in the market. number of issues are considered like, costumers and their choices, other resembling or same usage products that would come up or already exists in the market,. The managers have to decide, how their products would be unique and how it would be better then the rest of the companies' products available in the market. How it would be cheaper and what goodwill would it bring to the company. Whether it has the future or not in the major aspect considered. * Market: strategies relates to market size and its globalization as well. One has to think bout customers and tends and fashions in the market. Managers have to plan out for the best market for their companies' products and its variations. * Machinery and equipments: new methods of production are used with new techniques available so that product could be easily made with less time consumption. Therefore, experienced and well defined staff is appointed and supervisors always motivates the employees and brings in new innovative ideas regarding production. * Available resources: A strategy not only helps in effective production but also helps in usage of resources available. Less wastage results in more profit and best outcome. * Employ welfare: Board of directors gives utmost respect to their employees and take care of their employees whether they are managers or subordinates by providing them with comforts and teaching them the new innovative ideas. They also give them bonus for their effective and efficient hard work they put on for production. * Exports-Imports: strategies are designed on the matter for exports of products and markets for trade are searched in a way or the other to earn profit and goodwill. They also take care of the importers from whom they have to but the raw material and stuff for production. A strong relation could only be maintained if the company have well detailed strategies regarding their work performance. * Strengths and Weaknesses: managers or the board of directors make plans to overcome the weaknesses whatever they could be. The strategies are designed in such a way that it lasts long and have enough strength to overcome every declining effect. A long lasting performance can only be obtained if the growing concern gets hold of their weaknesses. * Web page: as internet has proved to be one of the best sources in business relationships of most business companies. Owners make it a point to design their company's web page in such a manner that each and every product and its features along with price details are easily understandable. Strategies are made to achieve goals and targets not only through internet but also globally. Concluding with an Example: Longview Solutions and Marks & Spencer Take Planning to New Heights THIS IS MARKS & SPENCER Marks & Spencer is one of the UK's leading retailers of clothing, foods, homeware and financial services. Operating within approximately 12.5 million square feet of selling space, serving ten million customers a week in over 340 UK stores, Marks & Spencer employs more than 67,000 people. The company also trades in wholly owned stores in the Republic of Ireland and Hong Kong, and has over 150 franchise stores in 28 countries operating through a network of partnerships. In 2002/2003, Group turnover was in excess of à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½8 billion. SITUATION With extensive operations in the United Kingdom, Marks & Spencer required a financial planning, actual reporting, and reforecasting solution to be used by all stakeholders in the planning process across all business units, service areas, and stores. There was a requirement for consistent, cohesive data that could be viewed and reported upon at various levels of summarisation from individual budget holders to a consolidated Group position. BUSINESS CHALLENGE The Marks & Spencer objective was to approach the planning process in a professional manner, passing accountability to individual commercial budget holders. The existing process was spreadsheet-driven and time-consuming with a heavy reliance upon the Finance Group to manipulate and consolidate the data, leaving less time for challenging and detailed analysis. SOLUTION Marks & Spencer considered five critical factors in its decision process – Product, People, Policy, Principles, and Price. Marks & Spencer selected Corporate Performance Management (CPM) application Khalix(r) by Longview Solutions because it best met their needs on all five key performance criteria. Khalix was able to: * Provide Marks & Spencer with a single, accurate version of the financial truth through one central repository of data * Delegate ownership and accountability for budgets and plans back to the commercial budget holders * Reduce the overall time required to achieve an approved, realistic budget * Meet Marks & Spencer's need for a flexible solution that could adapt and grow with the company * Perform â€Å"what-if† analysis during budget creation, to facilitate better decision-making and minimise risk * Provide Marks & Spencer with a solution that would fit with their corporate technology standards and future requirements * Achieve consistency of reporting across similar business units RESULTS With Longview Solutions' Corporate Performance Management application, Marks & Spencer is able to provide excellent service to internal customers and has achieved the following results: * Speedier and more accurate budgeting and planning process, with an overall reduction in process time. * High visibility of consistent, accurate data which is accessible to all – â€Å"One version of the financial truth† * Successful ownership for budget-setting to the appropriate level and clear visibility of ownership and accountability of planned performance at all levels of business * Ability to spend time analysing and challenging the plan, removing risk, and exploiting opportunities to achieve a realistic plan * Strong relationship between the Longview Solutions and Marks & Spencer teams, which has resulted in a high level strategic partnership that is helping shape future product direction * Ease of maintenance for database changes and reporting Thus Strategic planning brings in longevity and prosperity for modern corporations. Bibliography: TEXT BOOKS: -Strategic Management Business Policy by Thomas L. Wheelen and J. David Hunger. (Ninth edition). -Strategic Management by John L Thompson. -Strategic Management-An Introduction by Ronald Rosen. -The Strategy Process-Concepts, Contexts, Cases by Henry Mintzberg and James Brian Quinn. -Strategic Management by Cardiff Business School Cardiff University. -Sir John Harvey- Jones, Past chairman ICI, 1987 WEB: -http://www.longview.com/customersuccess/M&S.asp -http://www.lordofthewebs.com/portfolio/StrategicPlanning.asp Strategic Planning Strategic Planning MGT3880: Leadership for Organizations George Henson Strategic planning is a process of optimism by an organization. It anticipates the future of the organizational goals and strategically plans how the organization will achieve those goals. Strategic planning involves several steps in its process those steps are; (1) strategic thinking including external analysis, (2) internal analysis, (3) identifying key strategic issues, (4) developing viable strategic alternatives, and (5) choosing the best strategy using as criteria whatever the company defines as â€Å"success† (Abraham, 2012).The â€Å"Opening Bell Cafe† requires a strategic plan to ensure effectiveness so that new clientele, products and profits are within reach in the near future. The â€Å"Opening Bell Cafe† is a new organization and a revised strategic plan can assist with tackling new goals and growth for the organization over the next three years. This organization is very distinct because it offers services and products that exclude them from other leading competitors. In particular, the organization is responsible for employing individuals with great customer service and providing the client with quality individuals and extraordinary services.Also, the organization capitalizes on its stellar training of culinary and customer service skills which separates it from other competitors. The organization members are required to understand the organizational policies and are the first to ensure that the employee’s and client’s needs are addressed. The managers of the organization are responsible for deciding the direction in which the department should go, what the company should produce, and hence in what industry it competes (Abraham, 2012).Understanding the organization’s competitors, identifying the customers, rather they can provide and how the company will continue to remain profitable is the management’s responsibility. In order for the strategic plan to be effective the direction of the company must be understood. The student believes that the current direction is understood but is not being implemented correctly. The company knows what they want to offer; good products and great services this will allow the organization to compete with leading competitors.The menu of this organization differs from the cafe products to catering services and menu. The organization is aware of who the customer is but is unaware of how to meet them which is a weakness of the organization. During this strategic planning process a SWOT analysis must be completed to understand the organizations strengths, weaknesses opportunities and threats of the organization. The SWOT analysis is a straightforward model that provides direction and serves as a basis for the development of marketing plans (Danca, 2012).The SWOT analysis is being conducted for the benefit of meeting certain goals, the organization has to address the strengths an d weaknesses internally and the opportunities and threats externally. The â€Å"Opening Bell† has several strengths but the employee relations and effective differentiation are two of the organizations strengths. Opening Bell Cafe is a respectable employer and values its employees. They ensure that the employees feel a part of the team which increases employee relations so that everyone has a pleasant experience with Opening Bell Cafe.Effective differentiation is the second strength of the organization. Effective differentiation permits the organization to study the competition and questions if they offer the same as competitors. While studying the group has to be realistic about behaviors that will allow the organization to compete with leading brands while identifying ways to improve. These strengths allow the organization to offer well trained employees and recognize products the competitors do not offer. Exploiting the strengths give the Opening Bell the ability to market and promote ahead of the competition.Weaknesses of the organization need to be understood in order for the organization to have growth and tackle goals. One weakness of the organization is the narrow product line and poor marketing skills. Having a narrow product line limits this company from competing with other cafes’ that offer a selection of breakfast, and lunch. Poor marketing skills limited the organization from reaching millions of potential customers. Just recently the organization established a website which means the people who do not go utilize their stores or catering was unaware that the organization exists.Strategically the company can avoid these issues by planning for new menu items and developing a marketing strategy. If the company can begin to offer more products and reach potential clients the organization can increase growth, revenue and earnings. Capitalizing on opportunities can be beneficial to the organization as well. The opportunity has a specific technical definition; it is a product-market issue (Abraham, 2012). The company can address this situation by creating a new product for an existing market. Opening Bell can also, expand the market for an existing product.Creating new products and expanding on existing products can bring about new clients which can offer the organization appeal from their competitors. Such small changes can be huge when competing with leading brands such as Starbucks or Dunkin Doughnuts. Threats can be unfavorable to any company however identifying threats can help the company when strategizing. The threats for the Opening Bell consist of competitors having stronger brand names and the downturn in the economy. All consumers are currently aware of the leading brand names of Starbucks and Dunkin Doughnuts.Since Opening Bell is aware of these leading brand names they have to offer variations of products and experience. The leading brands do not offer delivery which means that local companies can phone in orders or even order online. Experts say that, â€Å"a downturn in the economy can mean that customers are spending less† (Anonymous,1990). After the threats are identified the organization can work towards increasing customer relations. After conducting the SWOT analysis the student has identified areas that are crucial toward the strategic planning process.The crucial areas are employee relations, poor marketing skills, expand the market for an existing product, and expanding on new products. If these areas are continuous strengths of the organization the organization can focus on other areas that may need restructuring. Employee relations are a part of the operational aspect of the business. Managers are required to guarantee that the organization employees know what to do and how to do it. For this aspect to remain an organizational strength it is essential that all employees know how to communicate effectively.One expert states, â€Å"In order to cope with competitio n, technological developments and customer demands, managers seek different solutions and tools to manage the unstable, rapidly changing, and never predictable situation which involves communicating effectively† (Johansson, 2008). This statement shows the organization that in order to continue growth in the industry the organization should continue focusing on employee relations. The organizations poor marketing skills have to be addressed in order for the strategic plan to be effective.It seems that at the present time the organization does not possess a marketing team or manager. The Opening Bell cannot dismiss what marketing the organization can do for the growth of the company. Having a marketing team who can promote the organization and improve customer relations will be valuable for the organization. The organization should put a budget together that permits marketing opportunities. This issue cannot be overlooked any longer the â€Å"Word of Mouth† marketing stra tegy has gotten the organization so far and now the growth is at a cessation.The organization has to utilize the tools of the internet and television to compete with the leading brands. Having a marketing team who can create promotional opportunities for customers can increase customer acquisition. The strategic plan has to improve the marketing skills of the organization. Expanding the market for an existing product can be challenging but the organization can grow from improving something that is already prevalent for other brands. Since, the organization utilizing fresh ingredients there is nothing like freshly baked cookies and homemade hot chocolate.There is already a market for these items and making them fresh to order with like a fifteen minute wait time would be fulfilling for the consumer. The hot chocolate would be a great in markets where the winters are cold and something warm is always desired One expert states that, â€Å"In fact, line extensions may be the answer to building sales and moving your company in a whole new direction† (Mischina, 2004). Being able to expand can open a whole new avenue for the organization that has not been offered by the leading competitors.Expanding on a new product for an existing market can create long-term growth for the organization. In today’s world of healthy eating offering gluten free product or even allergen free products on the daily menu can set the organization apart from leading competitors. These new products can provide a much needed solution to a giant problem that others have not offered yet. The previously mentioned areas are essential to the strategic plan of the Opening Bell because they provide an avenue on what is being done and what can be done to further advance the organization.The external analysis which entails observing, analyzing, and understanding what is changing in a company's external environment to anticipate what the future might hold has been completed (Abraham, 2012) . Secondly, the internal analysis involves knowing analyzing, and understanding everything about the company itself, especially what makes it a strong competitor or why it isn't as strong as it could be (Abraham, 2012). Both of these steps in the strategic planning process have been completed. The key strategic issues have been identified and managers are working on resolving the issue.Annual objectives will be set also, to measure these critical challenges. To measure the success of the strategic plan the Opening Bell will utilize the metrics of revenue growth and the return of investments. These two measuring tools can allow the organization to measure the success or failures of the organization. Revenue growth is used more often when a firm's revenue growth has been inadequate or flat, or when issues of market share and market positioning are strategically significant (Abraham, 2012,).The organization must measure the growth of revenue to warrant an effective strategic plan. Meas uring revenue growth allows the leader to be aware of rather the organization is prepared monetarily for the strategic plan that has been set forward. Also, the strategic plan sets forward what the allotted monies will be used for and how. Secondly, the return of investments can measure the success of the strategic plan. A ROI is a profitability measure. When utilizing the ROI managers should be aware that ROI can measure the performance of the organization, managers and its business units.Lastly, the strategic plan should include strategic implementation because it’s the only way to boost ROI and increase your chances of success (Evans, 2012). Both of these metrics are capable of measuring the success of the strategic plan which can help any adjustments that need take place to guarantee the company is headed toward success. For an organization such as the Opening Bell Cafe a strategic plan will help to provide sustain the ups and downs of this uncertain economy.Planning stra tegically can ensure that the organization meets goals that they have established. All of the strategic planning process steps have been addressed and will be implemented in the near future. Effectiveness is only possible when all employees are on the same page with one another and when a directive is put into place for all to follow. Indeed, the organization is new to the industry but they have found that revising the strategic plan can lead to growth for the organization. Reference Abraham, S. 2012) Strategic Management for Organizations. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Retrieved from: https://content. ashford. edu/books Anonymous. (1990). 1990 SWOT Analysis. Retrieved from: http://som. csudh. edu/depts/cis/meyadat/ClassesPage/CIS502/casestudies/SWOT Danca , A. (2012). SWOT Analysis. Retrieved from; http://www. stfrancis. edu/content/ba/ghkickul/stuwebs/btopics/works/swot. htm Evans J, (2012). 8 Steps to Boost the ROI of Your Strategic Planning Efforts. Retrieved from: http://www. vancarmichael. com/Management/5844/8-Steps-to-Boost-the-ROI-of-Your-Strategic-Planning-Efforts. html Johansson, Catrin (2008). Speaking of change: three communication approaches in studies of organizational change. Corporate Communications 13. 3 Retrieved from: http://search. proquest. com/docview/214190184/ Mishina,Y. (2004), Are more resources always better for growth? Resource stickiness in market and product expansion. Strat. Mgmt. Retrieved from: http://onlinelibrary. wiley. com/doi/10. 1002/smj. 424/abstract