Absent Father

No Love Lost, No Love Found That father and daughter bond, the sweetest love I’ve never known. I’ve seen my father over a thousand times wondering if he’s ever seen me. Looking with his eyes wide shut. It seemed as if over the years he was disappearing, fading into the black. A fragment of what I thought I needed but in all reality became as pointless as the conclusion to book that I’ll never finish My father has managed for eighteen years to be a part of my life without being a part of my life. He lives right around the corner from me in a two story home that’s painted light brown.It looked like s fluffy double stacked pancakes and when the sun hit the satellite dish on the top of the roof it made the top half of the house shine like syrup running off the top. For a while all I knew my father by was this house, I got ideas of what he might be like by looking at this house. I thought of him as a full bodied man because instead of having one front do or he had two. So I thought maybe he couldn’t fit through just one. I imagined him as a strong wide bodied linebacker with a soft side due to the fact that he had a colorful; well-kept garden on the side of the house.The day I met my dad not my father who had raised me but my dad. I truly realized that I was imagining him with my heart and not my mind. He stood as tall as a palm tree sighting beach side, with arms as long as a boardwalk. He never even attempted to say a word to me or ask me how I was doing in school. Instead he pieced me with his beany brown eyes that appeared to be rising off of a yellow back drop. He looked at me as if I had stolen his joy. I reached out to hug him but he reached out his hand for me to shake instead. His fingers felt like ice cycles penetrating my skin.I thought to myself how someone with such a warm appearance could be so cold on the inside. Sad to say, I know this doesn’t sound like the best first impression but over the years as b ad as our first encounter was it was the best one yet. Because from here on out my so called daddy began to look a lot more like George Washington and Andrew Johnson. All I saw of him was the money he sent every month. Even though my dad may have stopped looking at me I kept my eye on him. Like I said earlier he lived right around the corner from me. I could lookout my bedroom window and see directly into his backyard.I would watch his every move like if he were my favorite TV show. He moved very quickly like a fire running through a dry forest. It was like he moved so quickly but looked as if he took his time because he was so smooth with it. All he did was go to work, watch late night re runs of games, and order out. At least that’s all I got from watching through his backyard, trash and sliding glass door. He was so consistent like just as sure as Monday was coming after Sunday. He was very predictable, I felt as if I’d seen enough. I know this may not sound like mu ch but this is all I knew of my father.I haven’t seen or looked for him in three years. I never even knew his name. I named him Randy due to the fact that IM his only child and my name is Brandy. I may have never got to have a full blown out conversation with†Randy† I know we are nothing alike. He is so empty. A cactus in the desert would have more life then he did. I never understood why or how my very own father could be so cold and emotionless towards me. But one thing I learned from my father was to appreciate what I do have and to stop worrying about what I don’t have. So if you were to ask me about my father today I will simply tell you â€Å"Out of sight out of mind. †

Management Accounting Report Essay

In decision making process ambiguity, variability and uncertainty are often faced. For this reason Risk Analysis is always part of any decision making process. Even if the access to information is unprecedented even then future can’t be predicted accurately. For this reason Monte Carlo simulation is used which provides all the possible outcomes of decisions, access the impacts of risks and allow better decision making under uncertain situations. Monte Carlo Simulation: It is a computerized mathematical technique based on broad class of computer algorithms which allow people and organisations to calculate risks and hence helps in better decision making. Monte Carlo Simulation can also be termed as a problem solving technique to calculate probability of outcomes by using random variables and multiple trials which are termed as simulations (Berg, 2004). Monte Carlo Simulation is used by professionals in engineering, medicine, physics, chemists, project management, manufacturing, research and development, environmental specialists, oil and gas and several business functions. This is a reflective report in which case study of Fennel Design Project of Laura Watson company is used to predict the demand of greeting cards. The aim of the report is to speculate the situation of the Fennel Design project and also to provide a base for the companies experiencing these situations. This report uses discrete data of continuous range In this report discrete data of continuous range is used. Example of discrete data is when a coin flips in air, it have two possibilities either head or tail. Whereas, a running engine might have many temperature changes at different time intervals which is an example of continuous data. Laura Watson is a new company and so can also face these uncertainties as they don’t have any idea of when to produce, when to produce, supply and demand analysis and the situation which drives these factors. For this reason Monte Carlo Simulation is used to calculate predicted demand, risk analysis in order to provide company with useful information which then can be utilized to make timely decision making. This report is divided into three main parts. In Monte Carlo Simulation we can take as many amounts of trials to get an accurate answer. But, in the given casestudy, business manager’s Alex and Laura took one thousand trials. Number of trials increases the profit probabilities and helps in getting close results and reduces the chances of risks. In this question we have to calculate the price of the cards and for this we used Descriptive Analysis Function in Microsoft Excel. This Function automatically calculates all statistical data like mean, median, mode and standard deviation. Whereas, in task two WHAT IF analysis helps us in getting the results within the given number of trials. It creates thee situations or results which are base case scenario, best case scenario and worst case scenario. When the values of these situations are changed answer automatically changes. It is very helpful for managers in decision making. In task three risk simulation function and random functions are used which makes a balance between mean and standard deviation given in the projected demand. Rand command is used to calculate the cost of parts, random discreet method is used to. Variance Reduction is used to minimize non accurate profits. These all function enables to calculate price and predict risk. In this report every function is calculated independently to make the process easy to understand and clear. By using Monte Carlo Simulation we have calculated all the possible parameters required in the case study and also predicted the risk. It helps the managers to make quick and accurate decisions. Bibliography Berg, A. B. (2004). Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulation and their Statistical Analysis. New Jersey: World Scientific.

Kite Runner Essay

â€Å"There is a way to be good again† (2). This is the line that rolls through Amir’s mind over and over throughout Khaled Hosseini’s novel, The Kite Runner. This is the story of a man’s struggle to find redemption. The author illustrates with the story of Amir that it is not possible to make wrongs completely right again because it’s too late to change past. In this novel Hosseini is telling us that redemption is obtainable, and by allowing us to see Amir’s thought process throughout the novel, Hosseini shows us that it guilt is the primary motivation for someone who seeks redemption. Hosseini also uses not only the main character, but other secondary characters to show how big of a part that guilt plays in the desire for redemption. In this novel, redemption is not when things are justified, because the wrong has been done and you can’t go back to the past and change things to make it right. Rather, as defined in a letter to Amir by an old family friend, Rahim Khan, redemption is when the guilt from something wrong leads to something good (302). Guilt is a strong incentive in a quest for redemption and it isn’t easy to shake. There is a way to be good again† Rahim Khan said to Amir in the beginning of the novel, insinuating that there was hope. That there was a way for Amir to have peace with himself and let go of his guilt. This phrase was something that echoed in Amir’s mind throughout the novel and would be a reminder that there was a way to be rid of the guilt that plagued him, a way to be good again. We can see how heavy this guilt is even at the beginning of the novel when we don’t even know the reason why he would be guilty. Amir begins his story by telling us â€Å"I became what I am today at the age of 12† 1). The first thing we notice is that he says â€Å"what I am today† rather than â€Å"who† and as we finish the first chapter it leaves us with the slightly bitter feeling that the narrator has dark past that he cannot shake, a past that has been hovering over his life. He gives us the idea that he is not happy with who he has become, and it was his wrong doing that made it that way. Hosseini shows that it is Amir’s immense guilt that drives him to want to make things right and to earn redemption. We learn about Amir’s guilt through his memorie s. It is caused by a lack of response at a time when his loyal servant and close friend Hassan is in trouble. Amir makes a conscious decision to hide in the distance and just watch, not because he was afraid. He sacrifices Hassan in order to earn his father’s attention and affection. This decision results in Hassan suffering though a traumatic experience and is the root of Amir’s lasting regret. At first, Amir does not seek to earn redemption. We know that he is ashamed at what he has done but he prefers to hide his guilt rather than confess and redeem himself right away. After the incident, Amir attempted to avoid Hassan at all costs. Even when Hassan approached him to see if he wanted to go for a walk, like they used to do frequently, Amir refused to go with him and told him to go away (88). He knew that he didn’t deserve his friends unwavering love and loyalty. This is just the beginnings of his guilt. We leave Amir’s childhood memories and return to the summer of 2001, where Amir and Baba, Amir’s father, have moved to America (191). Amir embraced this move as a chance to bury his memories and forget his past in hopes to remove his guilt. With Hassan on the other side of the world, Amir doesn’t have any problem avoiding him and yet many times his memories would still sneak up on him. Some of the littlest things would remind him of his friend, and bring back the shame of the wrong that he had done. When Amir first saw the Pacific Ocean he recalls a promise he made Hassan that one day they would walk and play along the beach (136). Even after ten years had gone by, he continued to attempt to bury his past, but we see that the guilt still doesn’t leave. When he discussed his story with Soraya, his future wife, she told him about the time she taught one of her families hired servants how to read. This conversation reminded him of how he used to take advantage of Hassan’s illiteracy (151). Also he remembered that on his wedding night he found himself wondering if Hassan had gotten married and to whom (171). Like these examples, Amir is unsuccessful in removing his guilt by trying to run from it but instead the past constantly came back to haunt him. There are many instances where we can see the guilt that still burdens Amir even later on in the story. More than twenty-five years later, after Amir learns about the death of Hassan, he can’t help but wonder if Hassan would have still been alive if he hadn’t driven Hassan’s family out of his house when they where children. Rahim Khan called Amir back to Pakistan and told him that there was indeed â€Å"a way to be good again† (192). He gives Amir the opportunity to redeem himself by asking him to save Hassan’s son, Sohrab. Amir refuses at first and attempts to come up with excuses to be able to turn Rahim down without adding to his guilt. To convince himself that he wasn’t obligated to save Sohrab. He told himself that he had to be back home with his family and his job, but again the line that Rahim said played through Amir’s head. â€Å"There’s a way to be good again. † Amir knew that this was his last chance to earn his redemption and end his guilt (226). Amir had taken his guilt out on the very people that he had betrayed and then tried to run away from it all. He realizes this and asks himself â€Å"what had I ever done to right things† (303). As Rahim says â€Å"Redemption comes when guilt leads to good. You can may never fully get rid of the guilt or make right what has been wronged, but it is this guilt that motivates you to try. We see in his thought process just how motivated he is by guilt. As much as he doesn’t want to help Sohrab, he is drawn by the need for redemption, and the need to remove his guilt. This line running through his head over and over again shows just how much that guilt has driven him to yearn for things to be right. We don’t get to see Amir reach his point of redemption and we don’t get to watch him be completely relieved of his heavy laden of guilt. However the ending does leave us hopeful. Although nothing has been made right it was the beginning and leaves us with hope and the assurance that Amir is on his way to finding his redemption. Amir describes Sohrab’s lopsided smile at him being like the first snowflake melting in the spring, the first bit of good that had come out of his quest (371). Amir is not the only one who is haunted by his past in this novel. We can also see how guilt drives some of the other characters to find their redemption. This is a huge secret and we learn from Rahim Khan that Baba, for fear of being shamed, had hid the fact that Amir’s lifelong friend was actually his half-brother (223). Rahim tells Amir in a letter that the guilt that Baba carried from, keeping this secret was why he cared so much about the poor, built an orphanage and gave to whoever needed money (302). Even after Baba had done so much good, his past still had haunted him. One example of this was at Amir’s graduation, Baba wished Hassan could have been there too since he was like one of the family (133). Unlike Amir who ran from his chances for redemption, Baba took advantage and made right what was wrong. Rahim Khan also carried this secret with Baba, and this was something that he too sought redemption from. In the same letter, he asked Amir for his forgiveness. Even when Amir was a child Rahim treated him well and was sympathetic to his needs and his lack of self respect. Another secondary character who was searching for redemption in this novel was Amir’s wife Soraya. Before they get married confesses to him about the time she ran away with someone as a teenager and clears up her past which had also haunted her (164). Even after she confessed to Amir, people still talked down about her because of her past (178). Amir, like Baba, Rahim Khan and Soraya, had sinned by what he had done, or rather what he didn’t do. This caused guilt which he attempted to hide, but the memories and the past continued to haunt him, nag at him, and remind him of the person who had loved him so much. The person he had turned around and betrayed in their time of need. This guilt of betrayal weighs on Amir’s character throughout the story, and pushes him to seek out redemption. He longs to â€Å"be good again† and get rid of the guilt that he has carried since he was just twelve years old.

Body Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Body Art - Essay Example Skulls, bones and other body parts engraved as a tattoo on human body is the distinctive and weird trend; that depicts neither beauty nor ugliness but depicts the kind of evil which is intrinsically a part of human nature. Tattoos are also made to replace ornaments, like a delicate and beautiful flower sequence on the neckline can replace a necklace or the same between should blade off the back depict the veracity of female beauty. These tattoos depict beauty and art on an artistic human body (naturally human body is a marvel) and at the same time a hidden message for the on lookers that the female has ornamented her body with vivid colors to signify her style and also signifies her choice and liberty. However, in the professional arena, they are never appreciated nor encouraged. They are a symbol of rebellion, distinctiveness and undisciplined individuals. These individuals can be troublesome and cannot take significant responsibilities. These are all the assumed notions of professi onal recruiters, but if these tattoos are kept under clothes they aren’t much of an issue to the world. The criteria of any society are if something is made irrational, forbidden and unlikable than the norms of such society will always decline its importance and discourage those individuals who chose them. However, if they are a part of a culture than such trends become most popular and highly applicable. Like body piercing and tattoos in African tribes are highly appreciated or polygamy in some societies is also encouraged.

Microsoft Organisation - Overview, Challenges, Recommendations Research Paper

Microsoft Organisation - Overview, Challenges, Recommendations - Research Paper Example Unfortunately, an antitrust case was filed by the US Justice Department. The government argued that the customer must have a choice to choose products in a competitive market. It was not right on Microsoft's part to monopolise not only the operating systems market but also plan to do the same for the browser by porting their browser to the operating system. " Microsoft's share of the market for Intel-compatible PC operating systems has stood above ninety per cent. For the last couple of years, the figure has been at least ninety-five per cent, and analysts project that the share will climb even higher over the next few years. Even if Apple's Mac OS were included in the relevant market, Microsoft's share would still stand well above eighty per cent." Microsoft was set up as a company to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800, a microcomputer design from 1975, based on the Intel 8080 CPU and sold as a mail-order kit through advertisements in hobbyist magazines. The ris e and popularity of home computers are attributed to Altair 8800. This was a turning point for Microsoft. With the growing popularity of home computers, Microsoft had started to dominate the home computer operating system market with MS-DOS in the mid-1980s. Microsoft has been a real wealth creator for its employees and shareholders. Statistics show that subscribing to shares of Microsoft has made four billionaires and an estimated 12,000 millionaires from Microsoft employees. Microsoft has footholds in other markets besides operating systems and office suites, with assets such as the MSNBC cable television network, the MSN Internet portal, and the Microsoft Encarta multimedia encyclopedia3.  

Research Issues in Human Resource Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Research Issues in Human Resource - Essay Example "Bullying usually includes acts or verbal comments that could mentally hurt or isolate a person in the workplace and it has been described as the assertion through aggression" (CCOHS) Bullying has its adverse effects on the individual as well as the work place. Workplace bullying always poses multiple challenges to the HR professionals in dealing with their occurrences. HR Management always includes Workplace bullying prevention programs aimed to safeguard the potential victims of bullying. Such prevention programmes require the commitment from the management as an important component. In this context this paper attempts to present a detailed account of the challenges being faced by the HR professionals in dealing with bullying at work. An academic definition of Workplace Bulling as provided by Einarsen et al reads "Bullying at work means harassing, offending, socially excluding someone or negatively affecting someone's work tasks. In order for the label bullying (or mobbing) to be applied to a particular activity, interaction or process it has to occur repeatedly and regularly (e.g. weekly) and over a period of time (e.g. about six months)." Bullying is considered an ongoing process of abuse during which the person subjected to bullying becomes weak and inferior in feeling by becoming the victim of negative social act. It may be noted that an isolated event cannot be characterized as bullying. Similarly when the parties involved in the conflict are of equal strength the act can not be termed as bullying. (Einarsen et al 2003:15) The International Labour Organisation has defined the work place violence that bullying. The definition goes like "any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circ umstances relating to their work. These behaviors would originate from customers, co-workers at any level of the organization. This definition would include all forms or harassment, bullying, intimidation, physical threats/assaults, robbery and other intrusive behaviors." (Canada Safety Council)It is observed that workplace bullying is found to be more prevalent in work places than other disorderly behaviours like sexual harassment and racial discrimination which are dealt with by legislative measures. It is often observed that when bullying at the work place takes place the victims usually receive the immediate focus to provide the support and no efforts are being taken to provide advise, guidance or support to those who has indulged in such bullying activities. According to a report published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) the employers usually train their HR managers in tacking issues related to workplace bullying. But the line managers are not provided with the necessary training in this regard. The report indicates that while 75 percent of the employers take efforts to train the HR managers to tackle the harassment to workers out of bullying only 55 percent of them provide such training to the line managers also. As per the 2004 research of the CIPD the conflicts relating to workplace bullying costs nearly 450 days of managements' time each year which is equivalent to the full working time of two managers. It was also estimated that the bullying related complains constituted

PEST Analysis of Aviva PLC Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

PEST Analysis of Aviva PLC - Essay Example Aviva Plc is the sixth largest insurance group in the entire world. It has a huge customer base of 44.5 million, and provides its clients with insurance products and various savings and investment schemes. The major part of the firm’s business comes from Europe where it is one of the pioneering life and general insurance companies. Aviva has developed an elaborate distribution network in the European market to serve over 18 million customers in the continent. The European Union is the world’s largest market for life insurance and pension products and Aviva Plc has harnessed this opportunity to gain a strong foothold over there. The company also happens to be the largest insurance provider in the United Kingdom (Aviva, 2011). Aviva specializes in providing life insurance, general insurance and various pension schemes to its customers. In Europe, it is a leading provider of various life insurance, general insurance and health insurance products. In recent years, the compa ny has rationalized its product offerings in this market and is attempting to merge all its business in the continent under a single head. In 2010, Aviva has identified significant opportunities in the European pension market. The 27 European Union countries including Russian and Turkey had an annual gap between pension and savings of about â‚ ¬ 2.4 trillion. ... Customers can purchase these products either directly from Aviva, from any of its corporate partners or from any of its intermediary firms. In 2010, Aviva’s life insurance and general insurance business reported a strong performance in the UK market. The sales of its life insurance products increased by 19 per cent from the previous year to ?11,846 million. This resulted in a record level of operating profits of about ? 850 million, which was 26 per cent higher than the corresponding 2009 figures. In the general insurance business, Aviva UK witnessed an increase in its sales during each succeeding quarter of 2010. The profits in this sector reported an annual increase of 8 per cent to â‚ ¬ 579 million. Aviva UK, also merged many of its life insurance and general insurance schemes together to provide the customers with innovative products during the year 2010. (Business Summary, 2011) The main share of revenues of Aviva plc is derived from its life and general insurance busi ness and its asset management services. The European Union especially UK comprises the world’s largest markets for life insurance and pension services. Aviva has harnessed this opportunity to emerge as the largest insurance company in UK and the second largest provider in Europe. The company has devised its insurance schemes in such a way so as to simultaneously cater to the interests of the customers and the firm itself. In 2010, UK’s insurance intermediary organizations voted Aviva as the region’s leading provider of life, general and health insurance policies. The firm has also directed its efforts in expanding its main business activities in the North American countries – USA and Canada. The firm has tried to leverage the advantages of

Problems in the health care delivery system Essay

Problems in the health care delivery system - Essay Example This paper analyses the problems in healthcare delivery systems for mentally ill patients. â€Å"More than 20 million people in the United States live in areas that have a shortage of physicians to meet their basic health care needs. This lack of access to quality health care for many people, particularly those living in rural and urban underserved communities, is a serious health care problem† (AMSA Foundation) Population increase and lack of health care staff are some of the major reasons for the health care problems in America. Medical expenses are increasing everyday and the government policies in health care insurances are not adequate to meet the demands of the patients. Mental health care is one of the critical sectors in healthcare industry and it is perhaps one of the worst affected one as far as problems and exploitations are concerned. â€Å"One-quarter of all Americans met the criteria for having a mental illness within the past year, and fully a quarter of those had a "serious" disorder that significantly disrupted their ability to function day to day , according to the largest and most detailed survey of the nations mental health, published yesterday† (Weiss) Talk therapy is one of the modern and effective treatments for the mentally disordered patients. It does not require any medicine and the therapists use different techniques to know the problems of the patient and to suggest solutions for that. Cognitive therapy (which helps to remove harmful ways of thinking), behavioural therapy (which helps to change the harmful ways of acting), and interpersonal therapy (which helps to learn to relate better with others) are the major areas of talk therapy. (An Overview of Talk Therapy) The major problem in mental health sector is the cost factor. Most of the ordinary mental patients may not approach the talk therapists. The problem with talk therapy was not the effectiveness, but the cost.

Mid-Term Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Mid-Term - Essay Example Despite all the pain, the issues of alcoholism, poverty and self-destruction came to an end. A drug called tradition depicts the picture of using hallucinogens, but the visions that these hallucinogens cause on the users in this story shows the culture of the Native American societies, showing how much people in the contemporary society has deviated from the natural ways, taking on to new ways. In this story, Alexie shows that despite the money the Indians were taking from the white man, the ancestors would still laugh at them because they were making a mistake and forsaking their traditions and assimilating the white man’s culture (12). A drug called tradition depicts how sweet life was back when Indians had traditions, comparing it to the feeling of being of high, a sweet and calm feeling, while the normal stressful life is a metaphor symbolizing, The use of Native Americans in advertisements is not justified in any given way since as much as people view it as a way to show zero-racism tolerance, it has its negative implications. For instance, showing that Native Americans have left their traditions and advocating for them to join westernization in the way the best find fit. As such, it is not justified to place the Native Americans on westernized advertisements, since it is an aspect of imperialism, which shows that the Native American way and tradition are inferior to more westernized

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show - Essay Example The paper "The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show" explores the Fashion Show of Victoria Secret. People who are always attracted to Victoria's Secret Fashion Show are the middle class. One of the reasons as to why it is believed that Victoria's Secret Fashion Show can target both is that they are always entertaining. Victoria’s Secret knows exactly how they can be able to attract both men and women to their fashion shows. Aspects such as sparkling runway, unique fashion creations, and performances by artists are ways through which these fashion shows have been able to become irresistible to men. While men go to the show to watch the gorgeous models, women would go with the aim of catching up with some of the trends in fashion. The main objective of Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is to market products that are produced by Victoria’s Secrets. The company is well aware of the fact that the targeted market is always keen on fashion, fashion show is a way through which they can be able to showcase women of their new products so that they can enhance awareness or individual products and the brand at large. Through the use of some of the popular fashion models, the company is able to enhance the demand or their products. This is a more interactive way of advertising products as it has been observed to enhance brand loyalty. Even the men who are not always keen on fashion, especially women fashion can be introduced to the world of lingerie and nightwear because they will definitely be exposed some products.

Operations and Project Management Essay Example for Free

Operations and Project Management Essay If we consider the operational process of any organization for example a manufacturing industry, we find that most of such organizations use a bureaucracy structure. Tasks are divided in accordance to various departments. To complement these various departments and make work flexible, most organizations adapt a teamwork system which makes workers more effective in their duties as Styhre,2000, states. This chain of duties determines what will work best within the department area of control. Such an organization therefore must be spearheaded by an established board of directors. This team must have a vision for growth and direction of the entire organization. They are liable to the final decision making with regard to any proposals made by various departmental heads. Next the operations management team must be quick to gather or set goals and implement ideas working efficiently and making the most of available resources and opportunities. According to Hill,2000, they must be able to consistently evaluate the growth and diversity of resources and also any other managerial concerns of the organization. They must manage and ensure that the process of production runs efficiently and also determine whether the product is able to satisfy the current market. Hill further adds that, they must ensure also that the company is running profitably. The administration department is to administer and ensure that all the departments are running smoothly. The human resources department oversees the plight of the employees and their relationship with the employer. They visualize and implement any proposals, ideas, concerns, criticisms from the employees and adapt ways to keep the employees focused on the company’s objectives and plan on employees’ yearly evaluation scheme and remuneration. They are supposed to consistently look for ways to complement and motivate them in order to retain employees. The financial department works supportively with the accounts to present data including Local Purchase Orders. The logistics team must be able to properly evaluate minimal operating costs e. g. arket supply, raw materials and availability of cheap labor etc. They are to ensure the operational data and costs are rationalized including manufacturing and environmental costs. Procurement of materials, supplies and equipment, is also a duty vested on the logistics team. There is also the marketing department whose main function is to create or re-establish business opportunities and explore new markets for the finished goods in the case of manufacturing organizations or marketing of services for the service oriented firms. Another important component is the project management team which is supposed to propose new projects as well as plan for new ones and also implement the existing ones(Dilworth 2000). They must understand the demand of the market and how well they serve the corporate objective. In a manufacturing firm the chain of supply to the customer is the most crucial process. The production department ensures that the manufactured goods are of quality and are up to standard. Thorough attention is required especially to the products’ quality, cost and delivery because end product is of value than the raw material. Of equal importance is the customer services department whose role is to make sure that customers are satisfied with the services being rendered and how the same can be improved. Its significance derives from the fact that the customer is the pillar of any organization because they provide the market for the goods and services being traded and without whom there wouldn’t be continuity of any organization. Communication amongst all departmental heads is a crucial necessity for the successful operation of any organization and can only be accomplished by an information/IT analysis team. It ensures fast execution of duties. Throughout the organization, coordination and effective cooperation will make this process effective. The maintenance department maintains the company’s assets and also ensures that all repair work is done on time. These are some of the various departments and how they function to ensure effectiveness of the organization.

Evaluating the Research Process Essay Example for Free

Evaluating the Research Process Essay * The most important steps in a research project or study is accomplishing a literature review. A literature review is the process of gathering information from other sources and documenting it. This is not a report or a statement verbatim according to Creative Research Systems (2010). A literature review is a significant and a detailed evaluation of earlier research. It is a summation and abstract of a particular aspect of research, allowing the individuals evaluating the paper to understand why one is tracking a particular research study. It is not an assortment of quotes and rephrase from additional sources. A good literature review should have selected evaluations of the quality of the study, and conclusions of the research study. While reviewing Commendador, 2010, Parental influences on adolescent decision- making and contraceptive use. Published in the Pediatric Nursing May-June 2010, The study hypothesis stated in the article according to Commendador, 2010 â€Å"the United States and the health care industry are researching various ways to lower the adolescent pregnancy rate, thus identifying paternal communication, specifically maternal communication with their adolescent is showing to be a major factor of adolescent delay in sexual intercourse, and a major factor of contraceptive decision making. However, the study also revealed the effects of paternal communication was not readily available, therefore the research statistics are not equalized, and supporting the determination of furthering the research of this subject. * Ethical considerations for data collection * Ethical issues are present in any kind of research. Research procedures may produce some * apprehension between the purpose of research to make generalized statements for the benefit * of others, and the rights of the research subjects in preserving privacy. Ethics, in research * relates to doing what is morally correct and evading any harm. The damage or harm can be * alleviated or decreased through the use of appropriate ethical principles. Thus, the * security of human subject matter or contributors in any research study is essential. Qualitative * research studies center the research on investigating, probing, and describing individuals and * their ordinary surroundings. Fixed in the qualitative research studies are the perception of * associations between researchers and the research participants. The study subject’s * anticipation to partake in a research study solely rests upon a research subjects compliance to * share his or her encounters. Nurse researchers are obligated to sustain equilibrium research * ethics in addition to the security of the research subjects. Qualitative research is * attentive of the events of individuals in relation to the subject which is studied. Still nurse * researchers may discover that their position as researchers may perhaps be in conflict. * Qualitative studies are normally performed in surroundings relating to the involvement of * ndividuals in their daily setting. As a result, any research that consist of individuals commands * an understanding of the ethical concerns that may be resulting from the exchange of * communications. Ethics in research includes the relevance of the research purpose, and the * procedural strategy, in addition to the manner in which information is reported. * The nurse researcher conducting the study relies mainly on previous research studies conducted by several other research entities, which demonstrates ethical collection and reporting. The research study’s primary focus is on adolescent sexual behavior. This subject dealing with under-age children has to be handled with the utmost of confidentiality. The researcher as well as the data reported does not identify the individual minor participant, nor are family member participants indentified in any way. The integrity of the participants and the research study, in the observers opinion was without biasness and completely anonymous. * * What data tells us in terms of statistical analysis Largely, the definitive objective of every research study is to find the relationship between the unpredictable, according to Statsoft Electronic Statistics Textbook (2012). The viewpoint of research states† that there is no other way of representing meaning except in terms of relations between some quantities or qualities† both ways involve a relationship between changeable matter. The statistics gathered and reported in this study in the reviewers opinion, is statistically significant. Statistic significance is defined in research as probable, probably true not due to chance according to Creative Research Systems (2010). However, the statistics reported are focused on the maternal communication with adolescents and does not represent the paternal communication with the adolescent due to the lack of research subject interviews with the fathers. In addition, the interviews conducted did not include those adolescents that had sexual contact and were actively pregnant. The researcher, to better understand the decisions regarding sexual contact and the lack of using birth control methods, should have interviewed this group of adolescents as this group could have communicated more information based on the decisions that were made which resulted in a pregnancy. Also interviewing the parents of this group of adolescents could have also given more insight on the maternal communication. Conclusion Although the statistics possibly could have been more precise and reported in more detail had the research subject sample size been larger, if the fathers had been surveyed, and if the group of adolescents that were presently pregnant had been surveyed. Even though the statistics were not balanced, the conclusion matched the results of the research study. The research question asked in this study, does the parental communication with the adolescent influence the contraceptive decisions that are made by the adolescent? The research study states that the maternal communication with the adolescent daughter increases positive decision making on behalf of the adolescent regarding contraceptive decisions. The positive effects that maternal interaction is influencing is associated with lowering the teenage pregnancy rate and has increased the use of contraceptives. The conclusion drawn answers the research question posed in this study. The conclusion states the results of this text review indicate an connection between parent communication and parenting style, and adolescent sexual interest and making birth control decision. The parental exchange of ideas with the adolescent is as significant now as it was 25 years ago. Maternal communication and contact has an abundance of potential as an intercession to enhance optimistic adolescent decision making and regarding contraception and premature sexual contact. Maternal interaction is possibly influential in lowering adolescent pregnancy and is successful in promoting sexually active teenage girls to make use of birth control methods. The conclusions are appropriate according to the information collected. Again, one must consider the differences in the outcome of this study had the omitted groups been surveyed . According to the conclusion of this study â€Å"More research is needed in the area of parenting style, maternal influence, and adolescent contraceptive behavior. The potential relevance for practice is that mother-daughter dyads should be included in any health promotion around female adolescent sexuality, (Commendador, 2010), the author of this paper decided the study is somewhat effective. The statistics supported the objectives that were measured, however there were other aspects that the researcher should have surveyed which would have made this study much more relevant. The purpose of research is to either generate or test a hypothesis. Research is the device used to investigate to discover if a hypothesis is acceptable or not. It is the process by that data is collected to create an assumption or to test an assumption. Therefore, based on what research is defined as, the researcher attained and supported the purpose of the research study. While the researcher’s theory was supported with the information compiled from the study, the data also supported the necessity and importance of continuing further research regarding adolescent sexual behavior and contraceptive decision making. The nurse researcher also recommends various options to address this very serious issue that plagues the United States. Suggested discussions of sexuality and the process of making choices regarding contraceptive methods would be beneficial if included in the educational curriculum of the school system, as well as be an aspect of the pediatric providers educational routine in pediatric health centers providing care to older children. Discussions among nurse practitioners, mothers, and daughters might promote conversation about sexuality, such as teen maturity, the changing body, the processes of decision making regarding sexual activity, and contraception. The researcher thoroughly covered the research topic in an effective manner, and through the analysis of the data collected made relevant recommendations, showing research evoking action plans.

Impact of Evo Morales and the Cocaleros in Bolivia

Impact of Evo Morales and the Cocaleros in Bolivia Elected President on December 18th 2005, Evo Morales’ victory into power was a significant and meaningful event for Bolivia. Not only was he the first President of indigenous Aymara Indian descent, of which a majority (62% according to a 2001 consensus) of the country is populated, but also a leader of the coca-growers union and the Movimento al Socialismo (Movement for Socialism, MAS). After a long and bleak history of colonialism, natural resource exploitation, incomplete revolutions and neoliberal oppression in Bolivia, with a democratic government long occupied by elites who did not represent the interests of a vast majority of the Bolivian population, the victory of Morales heralded the potential for a new era for the poorest country in South America and a radical shift in the country’s history (Webber, 2011; gthomas2219, 2013). Following two landslide electoral victories in 2005 (53% majority vote) and 2009 (64% majority vote) SAM gained a two-thirds majority in Bolivia’s two parliamentary bodies, and with that, arguably the stage was set for a revolutionary change â€Å"ending both the persistent exclusion of the (often poor) indigenous majority of the country, and undoing the neoliberal legacy of the three preceding decades, installing a local brand of socialism† (Salman, 2013: p625). However, soon thereafter critics from the left have begun to argue that the revolutionary promises made by Morales on the campaign trail and his strong socialist rhetoric that fostered the support of left indigenous movements (such as militant coca farmers) that largely contributed to his election victory have been foregone, broken, and replaced by relatively minor reforms (Webber, 2011). In this essay I will explore and assess the main interpretations of the Morales government’s performance since being elected, highlighting the debate around the issue, among scholars and social commentators alike, of the on-going struggle for national and social liberation and analyses of the steps Morales has taken in achieving this. Firstly, it is necessary to briefly examine how Morales came to power and the context within which his eventual presidential campaign was won. In the 1980’s Bolivia underwent radical neoliberal restructuring, â€Å"undertaking market liberalisation at the same time as political democratisation† (Kohl, 2006: p305). The hegemonic neoliberalisation processes in Bolivia at this time resulted in the poor becoming poorer as they were continuously excluded from economic practices, with multinational corporations and elites emerging as the dominant force. The scholarly consensus acknowledges this tendency as a fundamental characteristic of neoliberal restructuring that can be seen empirically across countries that have experienced this also (Kohl, 2006). Coupled with this, when the price of tin (one of the country’s most lucrative export industries) dropped, many Bolivian mines were closed making over 25,000 miners redundant (Howard and Dangl, 2006). Thousands of miners then proceeded to relocate to the coca growing region of Chapare as their only hope of making a living. From there, the miners used their militancy and organisational skills that had been honed by the revolution in 1952 (wherein the mining industry was heavily nationalised and unionised) to influence and help the coca growers who were facing crop eradication as a result of the boom in demand for cocaine and the subsequent war on drugs (Howard and Dangl, 2006; gthomas2219, 2013). The miners began unionising the coca growers, helping them to organise and coordinate in their resistance against the eradication of coca crops and leaves which have long been a fundamental symbol of indigenous Andean culture, and against the US imperialism in the form of neoliberalism they were facing at the time (gthomas2219, 2013). It was this organisation and unionisation that led to Morales becoming a distinguished figure, coupled with his charisma and apparent leadership skills he eventually became the leader of the largest coca growers union. Eventually the coca growers and other social movements developed and organised into a political party (MAS) with Morales at the helm, so they could have their socialist views represented in government. On top of his indigenous Aymara lineage, it has been argued that Morales’ best attribute was his ability to â€Å"galvanise and shape a vast array of indigenous and social protest movements into a unified political project† (gthomas2219, 2013) that has secured the MAS’ success. As a charismatic, likeable and relatable leader, Morales fostered support for his presidency by appealing to the air of discontent among the indigenous majority of the population. He pledged on the campaign trail to enshrine the rights of the indigenous people of Bolivia in a new constitution (ibid), and as the title of the party suggests, make cogent moves towards Socialism. Nevertheless, throughout the now-nine years of his tenure, critics from the harder left current have emerged claiming that Morales and the MAS have not kept the promises that were made on the campaign trail, and have forgone the opportunities for substantial change, settling for moderate reformism over revolution (Web ber, 2011). Of the esteemed critics such as Sven Harten and Luis Tapia, Jeffery Webber takes the most condemning standpoint in his interpretation of the MAS and Morales, insisting that since elected they have deserted their revolutionary gusto and have resolved to implement moderate reforms and preserve the capitalist foundations in Bolivia. He contends that many supporters of the Morales government are disillusioned as to what the MAS actually represent and the apparent contradictions that have emerged. For Webber, who claims to hold a â€Å"responsible perspective, authentically in solidarity with the popular struggles for socialism and indigenous liberation† (Webber, 2011: p2), the period between 2000 and 2005 is described as a â€Å"revolutionary epoch in which mass mobilisation from below and state crisis from above opened up the opportunity for fundamental, transformative structural change to the state and society† (ibid). However, his extensive analysis suggests that the MAS proceeded to discard the potential for revolutionary structural change and instead settle for a modest push beyond neoliberal orthodoxies as ‘moderate reformism’. He bases these assertions on such things as the supposed failures of economic transformations, nationalisations, redistribution policies and attempts at sustainable development and industrialisation (Salman, 2012), citing examples to emphasize that the MAS did not represent the more radical popular rebellion such as the Huanuni mine affair wherein the MAS administration opted to oppose the miners who demanded nationalisation so not to warn off foreign investment, as well as many others (ibid). Ultimately, these things, among many others, could be a result of the inherent contradiction that has led to the meagre attempts at reform, stemming from the institutional context and the shift towards electoral politics (Hines, 2011) which inevitably presents a clash of interests when an administration, supposedly bent on pushing towards socialism, operates within a neoliberal, democratised framework. It is this that Webber claims has played a substantial role in the MAS retaining â€Å"its core faith in the capitalist market as the principle engine of growth and industrialisation† (Webber, 2012: p232) and implementing ‘reconstituted neoliberalism’ having made no real attempt to remove or disassemble the capitalist economic and political basis, and limiting the potential for popular movements and significant social change. Naturally, many other commentators hold opinions along similar lines. As a Bolivian who had once had intimate involvement with key ideological aspects of many currently implemented policies, Luis Tapia offers a political-philosophical reflection of how he believes the Morales administration have again, not delivered what was implied and promised (Salman, 2012). What appears to be a common thread and prevailing sentiment among Morales’ critics is that Bolivia’s prior revolutionary potential was wasted and has now subsided. Esteemed and respectable analyses such as Webber’s warrant appreciative consideration, as most would certainly agree that Bolivia undoubtedly remains a capitalist nation which is exhibiting no considerable maturation into socialism. However, not all share such a pessimistic outlook. Some would argue that Webber and others along similar lines are â€Å"measuring the Bolivian government against an impossible standard, against the ideal program of a hypothetical mass socialist movement† (Riddell, 2011). For some, emphasis and support should instead be placed on the accumulative, tangible achievements of the MAS with moves that have been made towards â€Å"national sovereignty, social progress, and effective action on global warming† (ibid), as opposed to adamant criticism over the lack of implementation of an absolute socialist regime outright. The ‘refounding’ of Bolivia as a plurinational state and rewriting the constitution to enshrine the rights of the indigenous majority who have historically been marginalised against formidable odds are regarded by many as a significant accomplishment in and of itself. Despite the lack of a socialist revolution, some would argue that a â€Å"political revolution† has taken place, in that the MAS coming into power simply represents a sufficiently profound change in the form of substituting political elites and â€Å"shifting the hegemonic balance of forces in Bolivia more to the side of the subaltern classes† (Fidler, 2013). This perspective embodies a much more positive, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ outlook than the harder leftist critics. Many who fall into this category tend to examine Morales’ active policies and actions to reveal the more positive aspects of his regime. For example, cited by Riddell (2011) in response to Webber, Bolivia led the meeting of 50 governments in Cochabamba in 2010, a gathering that was distinctly anti-capitalist, in that it rejected the imperialist-imposed Copenhagen accord that produced no positive results. It promoted the ‘rights of mother earth’ against the effects of climate change, and encouraged action to be taken by ordinary people as opposed to the governments and corporations that have contributed the most to potentially cataclysmic climate change, creatively applying an indigenous perspective to this crisis. Even Webber acknowledges that this was â€Å"a genuine step forward for the construction of international, eco-socialist networks† (Riddell citing Webber, 2011). This (the Cochabamba meeting) in itself is perceived as symbolic of Bolivia and the MAS’ goal for sovereignty (Riddell, 2011), and is but one example of steps taken by Morales and the MAS cited to warn off U.S. imperial intrusion, others include the refusal to accept any more loans from the IMF or World Bank, ending dependency on such institutions; rejecting U.S. drug policy to reinforce the indigenous importance of cultivating coca leaves; and the decision to leave the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA); as Riddell asserts, â€Å"Bolivia’s campaign to free itself from U.S. tutelage and assert national sovereignty is an outstanding achievement, which was spearheaded by the Morales government† (2011). Critics such as Webber would certainly claim that this perspective is naà ¯ve, and that the underlying capitalist roots remain strong which is indicated by the MAS’ policies, yet for others it is the small, tangible wins that have impacted the country in a positive way that really matter, and present hope for the possibility of more substantial change in the future. After all, since his initial election in 2005 Morales and the MAS have won 6 consecutive elections, two of which were presidential, seeing a 10% increase in poll majority; upon doing so Morales became the first leader in the history of Bolivia to secure two consecutive electoral victories and rule democratically and stably for an unrivalled period of 8 years (Petras, 2013). Based on the accounts from the harder left current that criticise Morales for abandoning the pursuit of socialism and settling for moderate reformism in spite of the views of those that encouraged his victory, questions arise as to why Morales is still so popular in Bolivia and how his presidency has been sustained. One author for the Centre for Research on Globalisation, based on his interpretation the MAS’ policies, contends that â€Å"a brief survey of his ideological pronouncements, foreign policy declarations and economic policies highlights a very astute political regime which successfully manipulates radical rhetoric and applies orthodox economic policies with a populist style of politics which insures repeated electoral victories and an unprecedented degree of political stability and continuity† (Petras, 2013). According to him the key to Morales’ success has been his ability to implement orthodox economic policies while building a political and social coalition (ibid). What this implies is that Morales has made just enough of the right political and economic moves to ensure support from both the left and right, yet ultimately uphold the status quo of neoliberal capitalism in Bolivia, utilising his unique position as an indigenous Indian to essentially manipulate his huge base of support with near impeccable execution, making use of the remarkable leaderships skills that allowed him to come to prominence through the coca-growers union. Based on Petras’ analysis, that can be the only explanation as to why the MAS remain in power in what this author ironically calls ‘the most radical conservative regime’. Unfortunately, the more positive outlook in this debate is seemingly scarce, with the negative interpretations coming from far and wide. As for some of the cocaleros themselves, in particular the Federation of Organic Coca Producers of Yundas Vandiola , the impact of the Morales administration has in fact been disproportionate generosity. Despite being promised by the former coca-growing President, support to the coca growing regions has proved to be discordant, with some areas and groups (Chapare in particular) being favoured and experiencing substantial development with others going unnoticed, often the ones who operate outside of the designated traditional regions yet have no other opportunities to make a living. With that, there is surprisingly little being done to help the poorest of the country, most of which continue to live below the poverty line (Oikonomakis, 2014), and as Morales continues to face vehement pressure from the international community to reduce coca cultivation , this issue is likely to worsen. The poor coca growers who have spoken out about this issue serve to substantiate the claims of the critics and cynics who claim that despite the radical rhetoric and illusory agenda, Bolivia remains a neoliberal government like any other, favouring neoliberal economic and political strategies that often don’t consider a large percentage of the poorest people who represent the basis upon which Morales came to power. Unquestionably, changes are happening in Bolivia under the Morales administration, perhaps not on the scale that might have been anticipated by some, but arguably positive changes nonetheless. But is this just part of a strategy to defend the status quo of neoliberalism in Bolivia? Many would contend that it is, as the critical and condemning outcries overshadow the more modest and seemingly naà ¯ve, positive voices. Many of the careful analyses and apparently authentic perspectives claim to see the MAS with Morales at the helm for what it is, a noticeably astute regime that has managed to justify and maintain orthodox neoliberal economic and political practices with radical socialist rhetoric. Or, in fact, the apparent majority of social commentators and scholars could be wrong and Morales could be biding his time, securing substantial economic development until the country is ripe for a socialist revolution, at which point he will initiate it. Theories like this certainly do exist , but only time will tell whether they are accurate or an idealistic miscalculation. Bibliography Fidler, R. (2013). Bolivia: Why is Evo Morales still so popular?. [online] Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal. Available at: http://links.org.au/node/3437 [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Fuentes, F. (2012). BOLIVIA: The Morales government: neoliberalism in disguise?. [online] Global Research. Available at: http://www.globalresearch.ca/bolivia-the-morales-government-neoliberalism-in-disguise/30148 [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Gelder, S. (2010). Climate Game Changer. [online] Yes Megazine. Available at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/sarah-van-gelder/climate-game-changer [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. gthomas2219, (2013). The Cocaleros and the rise of Evo Morales. [online] Aletho News. Available at: http://alethonews.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/the-cocaleros-and-the-rise-of-evo-morales/ [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Hines, S. (2011). Bolivia Under Evo Morales. [online] Newsocialist.org. Available at: http://www.newsocialist.org/545-bolivia-under-evo-morales [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Howard, A. and Dangl, B. (2006). Tin War in Bolivia: Conflict Between Miners Leaves 17 Dead. [online] Upsidedownworld.org. Available at: http://upsidedownworld.org/main/bolivia-archives-31/455-tin-war-in-bolivia-conflict-between-miners-leaves-17-dead [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Kohl, B. (2006). Challenges to neoliberal hegemony in Bolivia. Antipode, 38(2), pp.304326. Oikonomakis, L. (2014). Bolivian cocaleros on Morales: â€Å"what a monster we created!†. [online] Roarmag.org. Available at: http://roarmag.org/2014/03/bolivia-morales-cocaleros-repression/ [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Petras, J. (2013). The Most Radical Conservative Regime: Bolivia under Evo Morales. [online] Global Research. Available at: http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-most-radical-conservative-regime-bolivia-under-evo-morales/5363248 [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Riddell, J. (2011). Progress in Bolivia: A reply to Jeff Webber. [online] John Riddell. Available at: http://johnriddell.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/progress-in-bolivia-a-reply-to-jeff-webber/ [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Salman, T. (2013). Book Review: From Rebellion to Reform in Bolivia. Class Struggle, Indigenous Liberation and the Politics of Evo Morales – By Jeffery R. Webber. Journal of Agrarian Change, 12(4), pp.625-627. Salman, T. (2013). The MAS Six Years in Power in Bolivia. European Review of Latin American and Caribbean Studies Revista Europea de Estudios Latinoamericanos y del Caribe, (92), pp.8998. Webber, J. (2010). From rebellion to reform: Image and reality in the Bolivia of Evo Morales. [online] Isreview.org. Available at: http://isreview.org/issue/73/rebellion-reform [Accessed 20 May. 2014]. Webber, J. (2011). From rebellion to reform in Bolivia. 1st ed. Chicago, Ill.: Haymarket Books.

The Character of the Green Knight in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Es

The Character of the Green Knight in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight In the most general sense, the Green Knight is an anomaly to the story of " Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," the only supernatural element in what is otherwise a very believable and wholly real rendering of a specific length of time. Gawain is momentarily tricked into believing†¹or, rather, hoping†¹that the garter is magical in nature, but both his fear and the Green Knight dispel him of that heathen notion. Thus on the one hand the poet warns us of the danger of accepting the supernatural qua supernatural, while on the other he demands that we understand the Green Knight to be an expression of the "power of Morgan le Fay," who is "well taught in magic arts." The effect of this then is to thrust the Green Knight into an even greater shroud of mystery than normal for Arthurian tales, which usually feature a whole cast of impossible characters. From this isolated line of thought, it would seem as if the Green Knight ought to be held only to his own, strange, separate rules. Since he is the sole f...

Essay example --

Costa Rica is a small, democratic country, located in Central America. Nicaragua is to the north of Costa Rica and Panama to the south and it is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The country is very small, only about 32,000 square miles and is slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia (CIA, para. 2 2013). This beautiful country only covers about 0.03% of the earth’s surface, yet contains about 5% of the biodiversity in the world (Visit Costa Rica, para. 2). The climate is tropical and subtropical and has four volcanoes, two of which are still active (CIA, 2013, para. 2). The population of Costa Rica is 4,805,000 (WHO, 2009). The population growth is roughly 1.27% annually (CIA, 2013, para 3). About 64% of the country’s population lives in urban areas (CIA, 2013, para. 3). Although Central America is considered poor by many, Costa Rica’s poverty rate is lower than its neighboring countries – it is about 20% percent (CIA, 2013, para. 3). In 2012, the gross domestic profit (GDP) was $59.79 billion, or $12,800 per capita (CIA, 2013, para 3). A considerable amount of the country’s income comes from agricultural exports and tourism (CIA, 2013, para. 5). Agriculture makes up about 6.2% of the GPD and industry makes up about 2.5% of the (CIA, 2013, para. 5). Costa Rica was first settled in 1522 (Michigan State University (MSU), n.d., para. 1). It was settled as a colony by the Spanish in 1563 (CIA, 2013, para. 1). In 1821 along with the other provinces in Central America, it proclaimed its independence from Spain (MSU, n.d., para. 3). Then in 1838 Costa Rica proclaimed itself sovereign (CIA, 2013, para. 1). In 1899 Costa Rica began its democracy by having the first true e... ...Many poor countries suffer much worse public health problems and disasters than the people of Costa Rica, but they are very fortunate to have the health system that they have in place. In 2011, Costa Rica’s health expenditure on health care was 10.9% of the GDP (CIA, 2013, para. 3). This is one of the highest in the world. The Ministry of Health is able to focus on influencing public policies, create policies to protect the health of the people and provide guidance. They are always investigating new trends in medicine and finding the best way to help the Costa Rican public. It seems that the focus of the Ministry of Health and the CCSS is more about the care and the health of the people, even though the health expenditure is so high compared to most other countries. They do have this money to spend partly because of the lack of any military forces to finance.

Essays --

The People of the State of Michigan v. Ricky F. Smith is a court case where Mr. Smith’s juvenile record came into consideration during sentencing as an adult. Ricky F. Smith had an extensive criminal background as a minor. According to 437 Mich. 293, 470 N.W. 2d 70, defendant Ricky Smith had twelve criminal entries on his juvenile record. The twelve entries included seven prior felonies, three misdemeanors and two memorandums of charges. As an adult, Ricky Smith was arrested for breaking and entering with the intent to commit larceny as an adult. During the sentencing of the breaking and entering, as an adult, the judge took into account the alleged expunged juvenile record of the defendant. The Judge said that the sentence was imposed because Smith's record included seven prior felonies and three misdemeanors, and he viewed the sentence as appropriate to punish Smith, to protect society, and to deter others from committing like offenses. As a result Smith was sentenced un der a habitual offender statute that required a mandatory six to thirty years in prison (leagle.com, n.d.). Ricky Smith immediately appealed his sentence claiming that he would have only served a sentence of three and a half to ten years on the breaking and entering charge; however the presiding judge vacated that sentence and moved further with the habitual offender charge which carried a heavier sentence. Mr. Smith’s counsel appealed the lower court’s decision to the Michigan Court of Appeals on grounds that he was entitled to be resentenced because his earlier sentence was based on a â€Å"presentence investigation report† that contained a reference to his juvenile criminal record. According to Smith, this juvenile record should have been automatically ex... ...by counsel or waived representation. This construction would permit the probate court to maintain its own housekeeping system without imposing a "secondary source" rule on probation officers and trial Judges (leagle.com, n.d.). The court also recognized a modern view of sentencing and showed that a particular sentence is to balance of society’s need for protection and maximizing the rehabilitation of the offender. In order to do this, a judge must view the juvenile court history to reveal patterns of law breaking in an effort to reach an informed sentencing decision. The Court of Appeals, led by Justices Cavanaugh, C.J. and Binkly concurred with a decision to reverse and remand the case. Resource: leagle.com. (n.d.). People v. smith. Retrieved from http://www.leagle.com/xmlResult.aspx?page=1&xmldoc=1991730437Mich293_1713.xml&docbase=CSLWAR2-1986-2006&SizeDisp=7

How does Robert Louis Stevenson Create a sense of Mystery, Horror and Suspense Essay

In the novella â€Å"The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde† Robert Louise Stevenson uses many techniques to create a sense of mystery, horror and suspense. In this essay I will be analyzing some of these techniques in further depth. I will be explaining what effect these techniques will have on the reader. â€Å"The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde† was published in 1886 and is probably the best known of Stevenson’s novels. It concerns the fine divide between good and evil. In the book the reader finds out more about how and why Dr Jekyll created a potion that separates the good side from the evil side, of the person. Unfortunately he lost control of the situation, resulting in a number of unfortunate events. Mr. Utterson is widely regarded as a good man, there is much evidence in â€Å"The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde† to back this statement up. One piece of evidence to show this is when the reader is told â€Å"something eminently human beaconed from his eyes†. This is a short and meaningful insight into the persona of Mr. Utterson. . We are also told that he had a â€Å"approved tolerance for others†. This is more evidence to show that he could empathise and care about people. This also makes the audience think that he will be tested. He is also said to be â€Å"the last good influence in the lives of down going men†, he is known to be a compassionate man, he looks to help people rather than judge them. This also makes the reader think that being a client of Mr Utterson, Dr Jekyll may be possible in store to be coming into some trouble. We are told much about Dr Jekyll’s House in the novel. â€Å"Showed no windows†, what does it mean to the reader, why would this mysterious character have no windows, what is he hiding, or what is hiding in there. This raises questions to the audience about the man, why would a man in a respected profession such as a doctor want to be living a life like this in a house with no windows. It says that â€Å"the wall was discoloured† and the it â€Å"bore marks of prolonged and sordid negligence†. This leads the audience to wonder, what would cause the walls to be discoloured and why does man take so little pride in his abode. The writer Robert Louse Stevenson uses words like the word sordid to create an image of evil and wickedness. IT is said to be â€Å"blistered and disdained† and have â€Å"neither bell or knocker†. The later of the two statements bears more negative connotations than the former. The fact that the house has no bell or knocker signifies to the reader that Dr Jekyll does not wish to be disturbed thus adding to the atmosphere of secrecy. Why would a man such like Dr Jekyll wish not to bothered what is he hiding in this house. The Final Statement regarding the dwelling of Dr Jekyll is typical of gothic writings of that era, it has mysterious connotations that intrigue the reader in saying â€Å"some place at the end of the world†. It also conjures up images of evil when Enfield says â€Å"Black winter morning†. On page 11 the reader is recounted the story of how Mr. Hyde trampled over the child. This is most probably the best example of the Robert Lewis Stevenson using specific techniques to create an innate sense of horror. He uses a common technique of the era, using descriptive, detailed language to intensify the sense of horror. For instance he says â€Å"some place at the end of the world about three o’clock of a black winter morning†, he also goes on to say about how empty and lifeless the streets were. The reader is also made to feel fearful, wary and loathsome towards this beast whom is said to have felt no remorse for the heinous act he had just committed. The writer instills these feelings within us by saying thing like â€Å"the man trampled calmly over the child’s body† this not only makes the reader horrified that someone could do such a thing, is also exceedingly curious as to who this man could be and why is he so remorseless for what he has done. Mr. Enfield makes several accounts of Mr. Hyde’s persona. The way in which Mr. Enfield reacts to the sight of Mr. Hyde makes the reader believe he must be a truly terrible man to provoke such a reaction from a well respected man such as Mr. Enfield. Mr. Enfield Says that Hyde â€Å"gave me one look, so ugly that it brought the sweat on me like running†, The reader will immediately relate someone being hideously ugly to them being morally objectionable. He also says â€Å"I had taken a loathing to the man at first sight† the reader questions what could it be that causes him to beacon this loathsome aura. It is said by Enfield that it was not only him to feel this way towards Hyde â€Å"I saw that sawbones turn sick and white with the desire to kill him† the reader wonders what could possible cause a man you whom had previously been described as emotionless to feel this way to a man he does not even know. The final account of Hyde is short but is nonetheless important it is when Hyde is described as being â€Å"really like Satan†. This is a grave accusation to make, saying that a man is like Satan the epitome of all that is evil. It is not false though Hyde is all that is evil within Dr. Jekyll. Mr. Enfield says that the man he saw was â€Å"of the name Hyde†. This name has a eerie ring to it, it carries a certain mystique. When people hear the name Hyde they immediately think of secrecy and what is the secrecy for. Later in the novel Utterson makes reference to Hyde’s name saying â€Å"If he is Mr. Hyde then I shall be Mr. Seek†. This immediately makes the reader think of the childhood game hide and seek. If this mans name is Hyde then why must he be found, what will he do? One technique that Stevenson uses to great effect is withholding information about the character Mr. Hyde. Mr. Enfield says â€Å"no sir I had a delicacy, I feel very strongly about putting questions†. This is Enfield saying that he did not inquire too deeply about Hyde. This creates mystery and suspense. Hyde is a mysterious character who the reader knows very little about but is intrigued by. Suspense is created by the fear of what this man is going to do. Enfield and Utterson also agree not to talk about this man again. This makes the reader incredibly suspicious of why it is that these two men do not wish to speak about this incident. Mr. Utterson states on page fifteen that already knows of Mr. Hyde saying â€Å"The fact is, if I do not ask you the name of the other party, it is because I know it already†. This shows to the reader that Mr. Utterson knows more than he is letting on. This makes the audience suspicious as to why a good man like Utterson would feel the need to keep this information to himself. Chapter two Dr. Jekyll’s will is very bizarre it says that â€Å"in the case of Dr. Jekyll’s disappearance or unexplained absence for any period exceeding three calendar months, the said Edward Hyde should step into the said Henry Jekyll’s shoes without further delay†. This engages the readers interest as to what the connection is between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It’s irrationality is said to have â€Å"offended Mr. Utterson both as a lawyer and a lover of the sane†. It is strange because it does not say that he should be dead before he steps in. Mr. Utterson is left baffled by what has been written in Jekyll’s will and decides to go visit Dr. Lanyon. Lanyon tells Utterson that ten years ago â€Å"he began to go wrong in the mind†. This raises suspicions in the readers mind about Dr. Jekyll now that they see that one of his dearest friends now speaks of him in such a way. He sys that his â€Å"unscientific balderdash† was so delirious and immoral that is could have â€Å"estranged Damon and Pythias† who in Greek mythology are known for being inseparable friends. The reader must wonder what it is that Dr. Jekyll did to provoke such a claim from a close friend. Lanyon says to Utterson that he knows not of Hyde. This makes the audience suspicious of how it is possible for a man who claims to have been so close to Dr. Jekyll, but does not even know the man who he wishes to leave his entire estate to. We are told that Mr. Enfield’s â€Å"imagination also was engaged, or rather enslaved; as he lay and tossed in the gross darkness of the night†. Stevenson tells the reader that Utterson is imagining all of the terrible things that this Hyde character could have done. This automatically makes the reader imagine which builds up a sense of horror in the readers mind. We are told that Utterson did not know what Hyde looked like. Like Mr. Utterson the reader will imagine the worst of what Mr. Hyde looks like. He is described as a â€Å"human Juggernaut† the word Juggernaut instills images of an untamed beast that you must be cautious around. â€Å"It was the face of a man who was without bowels of mercy† This makes the reader tense about how terrible this man could be. â€Å"Spirit of enduring hatred† it could be because of the way Enfield reacted to this man that has caused Utterson to feel this way. When Utterson finally meets Hyde it is a very Dramatic tense scene full of typical language from gothic writings of that era e.g. â€Å"it was a fine dry night, frost in the air, the streets as clean as a ball room† this is typical extremely descriptive scene setting. From previous descriptions of Mr. Hyde the reader can only expect the worse for Mr. Utterson.

Nursing Study Guide Essay

Health Resource Commission  provides grant funding to health departments and safety net providers who seek to provide improved access to primary care services 1. Accomplishments of some historical PHNs and Public Health leaders, See list in module one. ? Lillian Wald- founder of public health nursing , founded the Henry Street Settlement with her classmate and business partner Mary Brewster in 1893. The service began as a health promotion effort, teaching methods to prevent infectious disease, sanitation and nutrition to a group of poor immigrants ? Florence Nightingale- changed the image of nursing after the Crimean War when she reduced mortality from 77% to 2%. Nightingale also played a significant role in establishing district nursing ? Mary Brewster- acute and long term care for the sick and health promotion and disease prevention ? Lina Rogers Clara Barton- Founded red cross Ada Mayo Stewart- Occupational Health Leader Pearl Mciver- 1st nurse employed by USPHS Loretta Ford Rear Admiral Carol Romano Ruth Freeman- PH nurse, educator, and leader 2. What are the Core Functions of Public Health? * Assessment:  systematic data collection on the population, monitoring he population’s health status, and making information available about the health of the community. * Policy Development:  efforts to develop policies that support the health of the population, including a scientific knowledge base to make policy decisions. * Assurance:  making sure essential community- oriented health services are available. These services might include providing essential personal health services for those who would otherwise not receive them. Also includes making sure that a competent public health and personal care workforce is available.

Communication of Respect

| Business CommunicationTrimester 2 AssignmentSubmitted By:Aksha AnandPGDM-A(2011-2013)Roll No: 06| | | | | | | | The communication of respect has been established as a significant dimension of cross-cultural communication to define and fully understand respect in cross-cultural interactions. The communication of respect can be examined and seen as a field of study. This framework is devoted to the communication of respect from both respect and communication competence. Study describes that good communication is a serious and specific study of the communication of respect. Evaluation of cross-cultural communication competence of respect across cultures in an environment where such pan-cultural communication is growing is extremely important. EXPLAINING RESPECT There are different disciplines dependent upon communication. Respect according to many researchers is both group and individually defined and oriented. It is inseparable from communication as there is no way to show respect in the absence of verbal or non-verbal communication. Also, many researchers allow respect to go undefined relying entirely on participant perception of the term. However, unlike previous views, communication of respect is a complex concept and more than merely simple politeness and courtesies. COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE- THE DIFFERENCES Cross cultural communicative competence framework developed by Ruben, has identified seven behavioural dimensions of cross cultural competence. They are * Display of respect * Interaction posture * Orientation to knowledge, Empathy * Self-oriented behaviour * Interaction management * Tolerance for ambiguity. Several years later on, it has been increased to nine dimensions by sub-dividing self-oriented behaviour into three distinct dimensions – * Task oriented roles * Relational roles * Individualistic roles. Communication of respect is heavily impacted by cultural norms. For many Koreans, respect is communicated via formality whereas for many Americans, respect is communicated in initial interacti ons by treating others equally. Sometimes due to lack of cross culture language, respect may not be effectively communicated. CONSEQUENCES OF RESPECT AND DISRESPECT Respect is very important silent feature in our communication and there are serious effects related to respect or the lack of the same. Therefore the phenomenon merits scholarly attention. Success is often dependant on being able to communicate respect and avoiding communication of disrespect. Communicating respect leads to a â€Å"social healing effect† on psychological perceptions of previously strained relationships. This article seeks not only to recognize the important work devoted to the communication of respect that has already been written, but also calls for more work to be done. THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNICATION OF RESPECT One of the key conceptual frameworks devoted to communication of respect is presented by Van Quaquebeke (2009) which distinguishes respect from tolerance and elaborates on two distinct types f respect. Tolerance is aligned with appraisal, whereas respect is closely aligned with recognition. Appraisal respect is evaluative and focuses on a result, while recognition respect is more process focused and occurs in interaction. The author of this article emphasizes on interactional respect. From a culture general communication perspective, there are four domains of communication competence that determine how respect is communicated interpersonally.

Proposed Market Entry Strategy Essay

1. Executive Summary The use of air conditioning is widespread since it does not only provide appropriate room temperature for electrical equipments that make internet and telecommunication works but also provide comfortable atmosphere for cooling rooms in a houses, trade centers, office buildings and many others. The situation reveals that air conditioning equipments have vital roles in society. However, the use of air conditioning devices is associated with high costs since they consume large power of electrical current. Under such circumstances, the development of efficient cooling and purifying devices become the next stage in the air cooling and purifying development. One of air purifying and cooling products available in the market is EnerVent ®, which developed by Northridge Enterprise. The company understands that to win customers’ hearts, there are four key features that EnerVent ® should possess; they are true Fresh air delivery, low costs and low heating air conditioning in compact design, high quality of air purifiers that are not merely circulating the same air in a room, and capability to eliminate harmful gases, mold, and germs. Concerning the issue, this paper has elaborated several issues concerning the market entry strategy for EnerVent ® including target markets, market potential, competitive market analysis, marketing objectives, marketing mix strategy (product, place, promotion, and place) 2. Introduction 2.1. Development of Air Conditioning and Purifying Products Nowadays, the discussion over the benefits of the sophisticated information technology including computers and telecommunications on business and communication is an endless topic in seminars or exhibitions. However, in order to work properly, such equipments need low-temperature in order to prevent overheating so that the use of high-power air conditioning is vast in the equipment rooms. In addition to the use of air conditioning devices for cooling rooms, they also provide comfortable atmosphere for cooling rooms in a houses, trade centers, office buildings and many others. The situation reveals that air conditioning equipments have vital roles in society. This makes sense since the use of air conditioning is widespread and easily found in almost every place that provide comfortable atmosphere. According to ARI CoolNet, air conditioning has several functional benefits as following: ï‚ § Providing personal comfort ï‚ § Improving productivity in the workplace where it relates to the comfortable place the air conditioning provides ï‚ § Increasing good medical and health services ï‚ § Helping vendors to preserve fresh and frozen foods like seafood, frozen potatoes, sausage an many others ï‚ § Protecting electrical equipment from excessive heating Since the use of air conditioning, previously called as manufactured air, is vital in day-to-day activities, it becomes a significant invention in human history. However, recent air conditioning or ventilation products do not end in the development of fancy casing or cooler temperature but also in several values added features. For example, the invention of Plasma cluster technology, which is capable of killing 99-percent bacterium and viruses including Aviation flue viruses, becomes the Sharps’ competitive advantage that generate revenue for the Japanese company’s air conditioning and cooling products including refrigerators, chillers, air conditioner, air purifiers, to name a few. However, the use of air conditioning products is associated with high costs since they consume large power of electrical current. Under such circumstances, the development of efficient cooling and purifying devices become the next stage in the air cooling and purifying development. 2.2. EnerVent ® Products EnerVent ® is manufactured to fulfill the need for efficient ventilation system that has several features including compact design (small) and lightweight compared to existing whole house and individual room air conditioning system. The EnerVent ® has favorable tagline that clearly target particular customers as following: There is nothing like fresh air from open windows on a Spring day. Yet high heating and air conditioning costs keep homes sealed tight to save money. Harmful odors, gases, mold, and germs stay in. Even quality air purifiers can only clean and circulate the same air. The EnerVent ® system offers the best of both worlds, bringing in and circulating out up to 12 true air exchanges daily without a significant energy penalty† The EnerVent ® jargon suggests that there are four features that the company concerns when developing EnerVent ®; they are Fresh air delivery, low costs and low heating air conditioning in compact design, high quality of air purifiers that are not merely circulating the same air in a room, and capability to eliminate harmful gases, mold, and germs. Concerning the size, Figure 1 shows example of several air conditioning designs that appear to be ‘usual’, large, and ‘compact’ design. (a) GMG (b) Delonghi Figure 1 Several Design of Existing Air Conditioning System Source: OK CHINA INDUSTRIAL LTD, 2007 In addition to size, competition in air conditioning system evolves into the provision of fresh air that circulate the true fresh air from the outside instead circulating the same air. This feature is significantly important since people have great concerns over the raising pollution because of industrial plants discard smoke, the forest fire, bad air-refreshing systems in a house, etc. Generally, air pollution in the U.S., to be precise, and other industrial countries is because acid rain in both the U.S. and Canada in which the US becomes a country that emits a large amount of carbon dioxide as the result of fossil fuels burning; limited resources of natural fresh water, water pollution due to pesticides and fertilizers (â€Å"Air pollution from other countries drifts into USA†, 2005). Concerning the capability of eliminating odor, EnerVent ® also present attractive features since the product is capable of eliminating harmful odors, gases, mold, and germs. In the market, this feature is best represented by Sharp’s Plasma cluster product as shown in the Figure 2. (a) Sharp FU40SEK (b) Sharp FU-S40TA Figure 2 Sharp Air Purifier with Plasma cluster technology Source: Callde, 2007; Pantipmarket, 2007 3. Target Markets Since EnerVent ® has particular characteristics that present the â€Å"true† fresh air to either â€Å"whole houses† and â€Å"individual room†, therefore, the target market for EnerVent ® is as following: ï‚ § Brand of Products : – True fresh air like one from open windows on a Spring day – Eliminate harmful odors, gases, mold, and germs stay in – Low energy consumption ï‚ § Customers’ Preferences : People who concern about the need for fresh air in a room that has capability to eliminate harmful materials at low operation costs ï‚ § Ages : above 25 (this is the age where people use their rational reasons when buying a product). This is important since home electronic industry are fulfilled with advertising that trick customers ï‚ § Income Levels : above $2,500 per month (considering that the price of air Purifying is above $100, see Figure 3) Figure 3 Air Purifier Source: Bizrate, 2007 4. Market Potential and Sales Forecast The market potential for air purifiers from EnerVent ® is people who concerns about the People who concern about the need for fresh air in a room that has capability to eliminate harmful materials at low operation costs. The description suggests that EnerVent ® target both high-end customers since they are more concern about complete features regardless the price and low-end customers since they concern about low-operational costs despite high ownership costs. For high end customers, they realize that air pollution is more influencing the children than adult. All of U.S. researchers open their study about finding the polluted air impact at the children. It is believed that air pollution make the children lung become smaller. This evidence assures that air pollution own the chronic impact. In addition, this impact will be permanent at all of the children until they become adult (â€Å"Air Pollution Might Affect Lung Development in Children, Study Finds†, 2004). Bad air quality give the negative impact to the environmental quality and the financial loss because of the air pollution is not small. Because financially, air pollution will improve the cost, which must be become the responsibility of society. It can be in the form of medical expense for pain suffered, decreasing of the work productivity as an effect of air pollution, and decreasing of the prosperity life. Due to the fact that air pollution may provide unfavorable condition for an entire family; therefore, Northridge Enterprise has wide market potential to sell EnerVent ®, the true air purifier. To be specific the market potential for EnerVent ® is as following: 4.1. Middle and High Class market, Offices and Buildings There are many considerations in the minds of consumers when they are buying air conditioning product. In most parts of the world, air conditioning is the consumption of middle and high-class families, buildings and offices. For these people, cost is not the prime factor of consideration. It is quality that concerns them the most. In the light of this consideration, the Enervent will only gain small portion of the market in this segment because there are many air conditioning products which have better features and higher capacity to regulate air in larger offices. The Enervent on the other hand, can only regulate air in a limited space because it does not have the capability of producing cool air as a regular air conditioning machine. There are however, mid and high class households and small offices that prefer to use air purifier because they like the natural atmosphere of their houses and offices. These are generally smaller establishments or places which have plenty, but small to medium-sized rooms. This represents an opportunity for Enervent to enter the medium and high class households, buildings and offices. The opportunity however, is very small compare to the entire market of air conditioning equipment in the medium and high class market. 4.2. Medium and Lower Income Families Air conditioning needs are not the sole demands of medium and high-class establishments. In the modern realm where people’s desire for quality has been considerably enhanced, the need for air conditioning spreads to the low income families and offices. This represents a better opportunity for Enervent to gain larger portion of the market. This is true because for low income families and low-budget offices, the cost of having a full fledged air conditioning system can be quite overwhelming. In previous times, they generally switch to air purifier products because they are cheaper and do not consume too much electricity. However, the presence of the Enervent creates new and better alternative. These people could gain better quality than average air purifiers and pay cheaper costs than the average air conditioner products (Ward, 2007). 4.3. The market for Air Regulator Machines The rapid development of economy in various regions of the world generated massive demands for air conditioning products. In some markets, the air conditioning products are displaying a rapid increase, like the Indian market and Saudi Arabian. They are potential markets because of their geographic conditions and their economic development. On the other hand, there are also markets that displayed declining tendencies in the air conditioning market development because of the over-crowded markets, like China. In Europe, United States and most of the Asian countries displayed stable or otherwise mild development in the air conditioning market (Wind of Change, 2006). The product is, on the other hand, a revolutionary product filling a niche between the high cost air conditioning equipment and the simple air purifier machine. In a sense it has similar but different markets than those of the air conditioner products. Because of the revolutionary nature of the industry, and the contributions from low income, middle and high class markets elaborated above, I believe that the product will take over approximately 5-10% of the air conditioning market in the end of the first year. Furthermore, being the sole producer of Enervent, then the sales number of the company will be similar to that percentage. For instance, if the US air conditioning market is worth US$ 1 billion annually, then Enervent will generate a sales number of US$ 50-100 million. 5. Competitive Market Analysis The air conditioning industry is a global industry. Most of the modern countries plus several of the developing countries witnessed rapid growth of their air national air conditioning industry. In Saudi Arabia for example, demands for air conditioners is the highest in the world. Analysts have stated that the Saudi Arabian market has become a unique investment opportunities for foreign investors. Although not exactly alike, similar rate of growth can be witnessed in India and other developing countries (Saudi Aircon, 2007). Despite the rapid growth of the industry, Enervent cannot expect to gain the full benefit of the market development. The direct competitor of Enervent is air conditioning itself. Despite their significantly higher prices, they have larger capacity of regulating temperature and the condition of large rooms. Modern air conditioning is also equipped with various features that do not exist in Enervent, like self cleaning device, etc. Furthermore, air conditioning has a better and more widespread reputation that Enervent, which is a new and unpopular product. The competitive advantages of Enervent against the direct competitor are price and efficiency. The product is considerably cheaper, lighter and more far more electricity efficient than the average air conditioning machine. Indirect competitor of Enervent is the cheaper and simpler air purifier. The low cost and electricity efficient device is also quite popular as alternative of air conditioners. They generate significantly less cost than the average air conditioner, but cannot act as a temperature regulator. Many considered that the air purifier and the air conditioner market is not the same. Nevertheless, they are the same. Air purifier is an indirect competitor of both the air conditioner market and Enervent. Enervent has the advantage of temperature control with similarly low cost and efficient electricity compare to the air purifier. In addition to the analysis above, there are also other factors in the air conditioner industry that generates opportunities for Enervent to grow, they are: †¢ The emerging new styles of offices In the modern world, people are not satisfied having the same offices as other companies. In order to facilitate such a need for creative office design. The trend toward more stylish offices generates more complicated buildings with less ventilation. Pursuing efficiency, more employees are stationed in smaller rooms. These conditions generated the need for larger capacities of air conditioning. This is logical because managers have realized that poor air quality in the workplace could result in lack of productivity and worse, sickness (Cunningham, 1986). The necessity for more air conditioning system generates more demands of air conditioning machines. However, because companies are constantly searching for ways to enhance efficiency, their attention turn toward products which can deliver similar performance in air conditioning with less prices and more electricity efficient performance. This leads to opportunities for the newly designed Enervent, an air conditioning machine which are significantly cheaper and much more electricity efficient (Piercy, 1982). †¢ New Competitors The highly competitive environment is created by various factors. For one, the amount of players within the industry also plays a great role in shaping the competitive atmosphere. In the air conditioning market, Far Eastern manufacturers have improved their manufacturing capabilities by cooperating with Japanese producers. The new entrants are expected to influence the European market aggressively by means of targeting an established distributor. These new entrants have significantly lower price structures, thus allowing them to deliver cheaper prices to consumers. This leads to harder and more competitive atmosphere in the industry of both air conditioning machines and air purifier machines. In a sense, this also influences Enerven as an alternative between the two products. 6. Marketing Objectives The hardest mission of a marketer in getting the product accepted and recognized within the local environment. The Enervent is a new product with revolutionary technology. Its first year in the market should be the year of promotion and market penetration. Therefore the marketing objectives should be: †¢ Establish presence in local environment There are various factors that could influence how a product will result revenues and profits within its market. Each local environment has different preferences of how products should be. It is important for Enervent to win the hearts of local society by collaborating with local culture and traditions. The failure to achieve that will create poor and undeveloped sales performance. Thus, one of the most important and early marketing objective should be how to generate connection with local markets (Korey, 1986). †¢ Discover new channel of distributions and marketing In the first year of marketing, new products should be brought throughout the markets using various channels and means of transportations. Getting to know the local infrastructure and how will it affect the business is very much important. Thus, discovering new channel of promotion and distribution is also an important objective (Koney, 1986) †¢ Create a distinction Establishing presence and discovering new channels are usually not enough to get the product running and generate revenues and profits. The product needs features or appearance that will differentiate it from other products. This activity is called brand designing (Keegan, 1989). 7. Marketing Mix In the following chapter I will use existing information to make an assessment of how Enervent should be sold. This assessment is important because it determines the shape of the business offering toward consumers. Re-designing the business offerings has been the core purpose of performing a marketing mix analysis. In terms of Enervent, the following is suggested: 7.1. Product Positioning Strategy Enervent should be well promoted to reflect capabilities of the new and revolutionary product. As implied in previous chapters, the product should be advertised as a brilliant alternative to air conditioning and air purifier. It is the combination of both worlds which brings the best of them. The product can also be advertised as the new revolution in air conditioning. The advertising campaign would have to generate the image that Enervent is the next generation of low cost, low energy air conditioning (Keegan, 1989). As mentioned in previous chapter, the product has different opportunities in different segments of the market. Therefore, there is a need to perform different emphasize on different segments of the market. In the medium to high-class households, buildings and offices, the company should focus on promoting the product as a smart replacement of the average air conditioning system because of its air temperature management capabilities and its low cost and energy efficient nature. This would attract those customers which prefer to maintain the naturality of their environments as mentioned before. On the other hand, in the low-income households and offices, the product should be promoted as the new generation of air conditioning. The product should be promoted as the new and brilliant evolution toward environmental friendliness and quality preservation. Because the company is forecasted to generate more sales in this segment, this characteristic of product positioning (as a revolutionary new generation of air conditioning) should be the main scenario of marketing. Other processes within the product positioning activities which require attention includes: paying attention to manufacturing specifications, labeling and packaging to represent the target market we are aiming and the position of our product. The product must also be tested first before it enters the market. Analysts also suggested that the product should be matched with its surrounding environment, whether in times of sale or distribution. For instance, products that travel through the road should contain different specifications and equipments to products that travel through air (Keegan, 1989). 7.2. Pricing Strategy In marketing mix, price is considered as one of the factor that contributes to the total value of product offering. Despite the high quality of the product, if the pricing strategy does no reflect value (which means the value gained from the purchase is greater than the value of money sacrificed for the purchase), then customers would not be appealed to the product. Price has been the most important consideration in buying air conditioner machines for years. Because of the highly advanced technology and the power needed to perform the task of regulating air throughout the surrounding environment, the average air conditioners cost quite a fortune. In terms of Enervent, I propose a new set of pricing considerations which emphasis on acknowledgement of the segments in which the product will be marketed. In other words, the pricing strategy should reflect discounts, bonuses, price competitiveness, etc. Nevertheless, managers cannot ignore the importance of having a valuable product. The psycography of customers sometimes generates new understanding over the behavior of consumers. For one, consumer often mistaken quality with price. Often we find that if we charge higher, people would buy the product more. Managers in charge of the pricing strategy must have considerable sensitiveness toward the behavior of his/her customers. 7.3. Distribution strategy Distribution is also a factor in marketing and selling products. Companies must have provided their officers with sufficient funding in order to prevent lack of funding in the delivery process. Often, the assignment on distribution is in line with order processing stages. In a sense, distribution is an inseparable part of order processing and the process is not over until the products are delivered successfully to customers. In terms of exporting the Enervent, managers of the distribution process should prepare all the necessary export preparation and documentation. Often shipments failed because of the lack of diligence in preparing the required documentation (Basche, 1971). Distribution management includes managing the cost of distribution. In we are to export Enervent as a part of our central operations, than it is important for us to assign the distribution cost to the recipient instead of to our own cost structure. Forwarding freight is crucial in distribution management. Managers of distribution process must also pay attention to other supporting issues like insurance and arbitration. The lack consideration of these small factors could generate problems in later days. In distributing the Enervent, we must also consider the fact that inventory support is crucial for distribution process. Inventory management and warehousing strategies must be accounted to the nature of the product to prevent losses or diminished product quality. 7.4. Promotional activities In terms of advertising and promotion, we have discussed the need to represent Enervent in different ways for different market segments. On the other hand, if reality forces us to choose, we must choose to represent the largest demands on the market. In the Enevernet case, this means promoting the product as the new generation of air conditioning. Promotions can be performed through ‘indirect forms’, like literature, direct mail, etc. There are also a more direct form of promotion which includes exhibitions and trade shows. Often, the presence of a good sales force is also influential to promotional activities. In marketing Enervent, managerial abilities to motivate sales forces are important to promotional activities. This is important considering the product is new in the market. Another way of motivating the promotional activities is by using agents. External agents who receive commissions are generally more motivated to do their job because of the compensation strategy. Reference †Air Pollution Might Affect Lung Development in Children, Study Finds.† 2004. Retrieved May 9, 2007 from http://www.californiahealthline.org/index.cfm?Action=dspItem&itemID=105505 ARI CoolNet. â€Å"Air Conditioning: Improving the Way We Live.† Retrieved May 9, 2007 from http://www.ari.org/consumer/history/history-ac.html Basche, J.R. Jr. â€Å"Export Marketing Services and Costs†. 1971. New York: The Conference Board, p4. Cunningham, M.T. â€Å"Strategies for International Industrial Marketing†. 1986. In D.W. Turnbull and J.P. Valla (eds.) Croom Helm p 9. Delonghi.  « Delonghi Portable Air Conditioners – Delonghi Portable Air Conditioning.  » 2007. Retrieved May 7, from http://www.delonghi-portable-air-conditioners.co.uk/images/3176.jpg Korey, G. â€Å"Multilateral Perspectives in International Marketing Dynamics†. 1986. European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 20, No. 7, pp 34-42 Keegan, W.J. â€Å"Global Marketing Management.† 1989. Prentice Hall International Editions. OK CHINA INDUSTRIAL LTD. â€Å"Wholesale Air conditioner.† 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from http://www.sz-wholesale.com/shenzhen_China_products/Air-conditioner_1.htm Piercy, N. â€Å"Company Internationalisation: Active and Reactive Exporting†. 1982. European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 15, No. 3, pp 26-40. Saudi Aircon 2007. 2007. Riyadh Exhibitions. Retrieved May 9, 2007 from http://www.recexpo.com/recweb/show_overview.asp?id=79 â€Å"US Market for Air Conditioning.† Worldwide Market Intelligence. Retrieved May 9, 2007 from www.bsria.co.uk/documents/pdf/misc/17200 leaflet.pdf Ward, Susan. â€Å"How to Find and Master a Niche Market.† 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007 from http://marketing.about.com/od/careersinmarketing/l/aa060303a.htm â€Å"Wind of change in air-conditioning market.† 2006. China Economic Net. Retrieved May 9, 2007 from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/27/content_437865.htm