Mass Media Essay - 1714 Words

Mass Media Have you ever had an original thought? Why do we dress the way we do, watch what we watch or even live the way we do. Through our means of entertainment, it is almost a guide in how one should live their life. With the technology we have in our world we are persuaded to believe what is right and what is wrong. Although we create our own world, our thoughts were imposed upon us since the day we are born. â€Å"What if the world is some kind of show. What if we are only talents assembled by the Great Talent Scout Up Above! The Great Show of Life! Starring Everybody! Suppose entertainment is the Purpose of Life,† says Gabler. We wake up in the morning where most of us have a daily routine we go through. Why do we put on†¦show more content†¦Women in magazines are usually tall, extremely thin, and their faces are covered in makeup. Women can easily develop insecurities in the way they look and feel about themselves because of magazines. Women choose to re ad certain magazines according to their interests. However, their interests are usually congruent with those of the majority of women or they wouldn’t be reading that particular magazine and those magazines wouldn’t stay in business. On the flip side of the sex factor, influences from magazines such as â€Å"For Him† magazine and â€Å"Maxim† weigh heavily on many men’s self security. These magazines teach men not only how they should look but also how they should view things. An example of this is a macho, semi sexist, tough guy, bull headed, over confident attitude. These magazines define for men the writer’s essence of a real man. Men as a whole atone themselves to such lifestyles probably out of fear of not living by these structures. Although magazines have a strong influence on the masses they are by no means the most influential medium there is. This brings me to television programming and how it impacts out lives. Television is hands down the most influential form of media we have. Hundreds of millions of people sit down each day to plug themselves into their favorite sitcom or program. Television shows help us not only structure our appearance but also shape our morals andShow MoreRelatedMedia In Mass Media1555 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction In more recent years, the mass media has begun to play a huge part in how the general public’s view on the world and how they receive their news. When mass media was first introduced, it shared news alongside the main conveyer – print, but with the growth of social media and the web, news has taken a technological turn. When it comes to sharing any form of news, it has become more common for people to check the internet using their phones. Mass media platforms like radio, television andRead MoreMass Media2588 Words   |  11 PagesGimnazija â€Å"Filip Visnjic† Bijeljina Maturski rad iz engleskog jezika Vocabulary: Mass media Mentor: Kandidat: Prof. Ljiljana Dragic Milos Kuvelja IV1 Bijeljina, maj 2013. Content Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3 Mass media I†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦.4 Mass media II†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.9 Mass media III†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..12 Collocations and Phrases†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..17 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..18 Bibliography†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Read MoreMass Media And Social Media1795 Words   |  8 PagesEvolution of Media in Presidential Campaigns The effects of mass media and social media have changed the way people have experienced presidential campaigns in many ways. With the development of new technologies through the last hundred years many different ways of experiencing the campaigns have taken place. Newspapers, radio, television, internet and social media websites have changed the ways we all have experienced elections. Between 1960 and today, there have been many milestones in mass media and theRead MoreMass Media Communication1719 Words   |  7 PagesDefinition Mass media is a media intended for a large audience. It may take the form of broadcast media, as in the case of television and radio, or print media, like newspapers and magazines. Internet media can also attain mass media status, and many media outlets maintain a web presence to take advantage of the ready availability of Internet in many regions of the world. Some people also refer to it as the â€Å"mainstream media,† referencing the fact that it tends to stick to prominent stories whichRead MoreWhat is Mass Media?917 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is Mass Media? Mass media refers to the many ways that information reaches a large group of people. Sociologists study mass media to see its affects on socialization, social movement, and social power (Chegg, â€Å"Definition of Mass Media†). Examples of mass media: Television Radio Movies Newspaper Internet Importance of Mass Media in Society Mass media is important in society because it reflects the lives, roles, and interests of the people. The media creates the culture and these messages promoteRead MoreMass Media Concepts1359 Words   |  6 PagesMASS MEDIA AND SOCIETY (2) The concept of ‘mass’ The ideas of ‘mass society’ date from the 1940s but before that time, since the19th century, there have been different ideas of what ‘mass’ means. One use of the term ‘mass’ was negative to refer to the mass of people or the ‘common people’ – who were seen as uneducated, ignorant, unruly or violent. ‘Mass’ could also be used in a positive sense as in ‘mass movement’ – such as trade unionism, socialism, or working class solidarity againstRead MoreMass Media Milestone1700 Words   |  7 PagesMilestone in the history of mass media The first variation of a newspaper was published in Rome in 59 BC. It was a daily sheet that Julius Caesar ordered to be distributed all over the city. However, the first newspaper was printed in Beijing in 746 (Flanagin, 452). Also, a forty-two-page bible was published two years later after a German poet used a printing press to post a poem. This was a significant period that marked the beginning of mass media production. Mass media refers to a communicationRead MoreThe World of Mass Media1067 Words   |  5 PagesThe world of Mass Media is a complicated place as told by former TV and Radio reporter, Al Meyers. â€Å"You never know what you’re going to be doing, but then there’s the ability to be able to do it and to share that with the people who are listening.† Meyers, who is retired, gave me the pleasure of sitting down and talking to me about the world of Mass Media Communication, then and now. Most of what we hear about in the world today comes to us as it is broadcasted through the television news networkingRead MoreThe Media And Mass Communication Essay1713 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The term media is often represented within popular culture in varying degrees. To a great extent, there seems to be a tendency to interchange media and mass communication. In this regard, it is imperative and perhaps prudent to define media holistically before proceeding further. For purposes of coherence, the definition of media will be categorized into two spheres; traditional media and new media. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (2009), traditional media can be defined asRead MoreDisadvantages Of Mass Media1648 Words   |  7 Pagesonly in the things that he or she selects to eat and wear and live but in the things he or she chooses to listen to and look at† ( Alderson, 354). The mass media that meet the demand to human’s entertainments such as movies, TV show, advertising, and newspaper. The media help human relax and connect to other people. There are many benefits of using media. For example, little baby can learn letters of the alphabet through Yo uTube channel or some educational computer app like â€Å"teach your monster to read†

The Self Regulation Must Be Added By Laws - 1421 Words

In my estimation I think that the self-regulation need to be added by laws, because it is built on a pure-market model to preserve consumer privacy, consumer confidence, and raise business’ owner revenues. However, it is uncertain whether the competitive market model, utilized as an argument in favor of industry self-regulation, is applicable, due to the fact that, some consumers lack of basic understanding of Internet privacy. I don’t think it benefit for businesses to protect their privacy, if consumers do not understand the basics of online data collection and privacy. If they cannot make the difference, they will not definitely prefer a site with a stated privacy policy to another site. There are many problems with this system. First,†¦show more content†¦The European Union consider data privacy as a basic right that is best preserve by legislation and federal policing. The United States, in contrast, relies largely on a self-regulatory approach to effectiv e data privacy and protection. The provisions of the European Union law require businesses to accumulate individual data only for clearly stated purposes and prohibit data revelation to third parties unless consumers agree to give permission to do so. European consumers have the authority to sue companies that don t follow the practices of these regulations. What is your general assessment of cookie and spyware technologies? Should there be some legal limits on how these technologies are used? There are some tiny data files that are being put on your hard drive by Web sites when you visit them called cookies. Basically cookies are not bad. Cookies have been used to store login information about a user in order to perform authentication, to identify you as a distinctive visitor by identifying your Web browser software, to track a user’s behavior. When your go back to the Web site that has keep in reserve a cookie, it will try to find your computer for those cookies, and they will know what you were doing in the past. This way the site can customize its contents depending on previous activities. In theory, a cookie only transmits information back to the Web site that put it there and can’t be accessed by other parties. But some Internet advertising companies had

A Street Car Named Desire Free Essays

Blanche arrives in the New Jersey apartment that is owned by the Kowalskis – in particular, her sister Stella and his brother in law, Stanley. Armed with her striking features, poise and seeming forceful characters, Blanche can immediately relay what her character is all about – power, feminism, liberalism, and absurdity. In general, she serves as the epitome of a new-age woman who has led her life badly. We will write a custom essay sample on A Street Car Named Desire or any similar topic only for you Order Now Her arrival immediately relegates the persona of her pregnant career-less sister, Stella, as a submissive, dependent, and traditional woman. With regards to first impressions, while Blanche can be viewed with envy, antagonism, or admiration, one can only offer sympathy and frustration to Stella. As for Stanley, he is pretty much the male counterpart of Blanche. He is the embodiment of brutality, abuse, responsibility, sensuality, and excessive power which often exists in many patriarchal societies. Like me, any person who has respect for women would surely hate what he does to Stella. Being ignorant of the truth behind the real life of Blanche, Mitch, like Stella, is another pitiful character. b. Discuss the presence of reality illusion in the play. How is it represented? The sense of reality is presented as a matter of conflict and question not only in the story’s plot but also through its characters. To start with, Blanche lived her life masked by the illusion she creates in order to free herself from the dreadful results of her wrong doings. Stella also lived in an illusion where she regarded domestic abuse as a typical fraction of Stanley’s love for her. Mitch also fell into a whirlwind of illusions that Blanche created. Basically, Stanley is probably the only character who is in touch with reality. The play started with an illusion that Blanche created and the quest for reality is the plot. In the end however, the submission of Blanche to illusion or madness became her reality. c. Do you think Blanche is crazy? Explain. Blanche was already at the brink of insanity prior to her brutal encounter with Stanley. Throughout the story, we can observe that Blanche has carefully crafted her own fantasy world through the characters that she tried to portray – as a distressed damsel, southern belle or the good school teacher. The way in which she tries to conceal her secrets and the lack of malicious intent to actually manipulate other people just demonstrated her inability to interact with others in a sane manner. d. Blanche’s first husband was homosexual (as was Tennessee Williams). Discuss the depiction of homosexuality in the play. Although heterosexual men like Stanley were unfairly portrayed as brutal, one can say that homosexuals were not depicted reasonably in the play as well. Homosexuality was portrayed through Allen Grey, the poet late husband Blanche. His disgust to himself and his guilt which prompted him to commit suicide proved that homosexuality was demonstrated as something that is devastating, disturbing, and self-destructing. For both Blanche and Allen, the effect was extensively disastrous as one died while the other resulted to rebellious madness. e. Is there any villain in the play? If there is, who is it? Explain. To a certain extent, both Blanche and Stanley can be treated as villains. Blanche struggled to ruin the seemingly â€Å"harmonious† life of Stella and Stanley. On the other hand, Stanley abuses her wife and also succeeds in crushing Blanche’s fantasies. f. Do you think Stanley actually harmed Blanche? Do you think she deserved it? The play implies that Stanley has raped Blanche. Regardless of any circumstance, there is no righteous justification for raping a woman. No matter how hideous one’s character may be, no one deserves to be raped. How to cite A Street Car Named Desire, Papers A Street Car Named Desire Free Essays A Streetcar Named Desire – Final Assessment 1 . The title A Streetcar Named Desire holds both literal and figurative meaning. Blanche DuBois takes an actual streetcar named â€Å"Desire† to transport her to the home of her sister. We will write a custom essay sample on A Street Car Named Desire or any similar topic only for you Order Now Blanche is literally brought to the home of the Kowalski’s by â€Å"Desire,† but she is also brought there by her very own desire. Blanche’s sexual intimacies held with many men has ruined her reputation and driven her out of her home town. Blanche is longing and wishing to start her life over in the town of Elysian Fields with her sister Stella. She feels that everyone in this town will accept her because they are unaware of her secrets and terrible reputation. Blanche is confident in keeping her past a secret and portraying herself to be such a respected and lady-like woman. 2. Blanche DuBois in this novel could be best described as a tragic hero. She is very capable of great deeds but is destined to fail due to such circumstances beyond her own control and fatal flaws. Blanche throughout the play is very fragile and delicate after the tragic death of her husband leaving her with the biggest flaw of desire. Blanche after the tragic death of her husband is in great search for a man who will fulfill her desire however, she seems to never get enough. Blanche held many intimacies ruining her reputation and soon left her home town to go live with her sister Stella in Elysian Fields. Blanche trying to portray herself as a respectable lady slowly reveals her secrets without any intentions. Blanche during her stay in New Orleans is in search of respect, love, and care returning to the traditional wants and needs of a woman during her youth time period. Blanche is not used to the way of life in the world during present time. Vanity soon falls into a fantasy that settles in her mind as delusion. Her vanity gets in the way of her love life, leads her to tell lies and believe them, and ultimately leads to her rape carried out by Stanley and resulting in her biggest fall yet. How to cite A Street Car Named Desire, Papers

Evolutionary Psychology free essay sample

Alyssa Schreffler The principles of evolution support the theory that certain behaviours seen today must have helped humans in the past. With that in mind, it can be true that evolutionary psychology is solely based on comparisons of behaviours on only what history allows us to look back on. Homosexuality and homicide are two adaptive behaviours which both might represent genetic adaption of behaviour to increase survival and reproduction. in terms of homosexuality, Zietsch et al (2008) explains his theories providing an explanation to this form of evolutionary psychology on page 62.Perhaps homosexuals do not prevent reproduction, but they might actually increase the reproductive fitness for the family by contributiing to the care and resources of others. Also, Zietsch investigates the idea that genetics carry sharacteristics of the opposite sex, therefore increasing their attractivness to the opposite se. In other words, we inherit some genetic prediposition for homosexuality, but do not think of ourselves as homosexual. We will write a custom essay sample on Evolutionary Psychology or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Instead, these genetics somehow make us more attractive to the opposite sex. For example, on page 63, researchers mailed questionnairs to 4904 identical twins asking them personal question relating to sexual orientation, number of sex partners, and gender identity. They found that hetersexual twin brothers of homosexuals had a large number of sex partners, therefore supporting the conclusion that homosexuals might offer some sort of advanatage for hetersexual persons.When looking at homicide, the theory that being able to kill carries psychological advantages in an environment where it is required supports the idea that humans have evolved with some psychological adaption for killing. This is more likely to increase ones chance of reproductive success by defending and protecting resources which creates less competition for resources and/or partners. Page 63 explains how this killing behaviour is considered to be an adaption based on increasing ones chances of survival. In summary, evolutionary psychology uses the key principles of evolution to demonstrate how homosexuality and homicide represent a genetic adaption that increases survival and reproduction through different behaviours. It is now evident that although homosexuality and homicide are two concepts that are no0t commonly thought to increase survival and reproduction, actually do because of behavioural adaption.

Golf Rules and Etiquette Essay Example

Golf Rules and Etiquette Paper Golf is a game of history, tradition and respect. Anyone who plays the game of golf will need to follow the rules and etiquette on the golf course. The popularity of golf has increased dramatically over the last several years. Golf was once known as a game for the wealthy, it is now readily available for everyone to enjoy. The new found availability has led to a decrease in the historical aspect of the game, primarily knowing the rules of the game, including golf etiquette. Statistics from the American Junior Golf Association show that 13.2 million people play golf each year in the United States alone. Participants play at more than 20,000 golf courses on land valued at more than 4.5 billion dollars (Dell, 2004). The boom of new golfers has led to a decline in the rules and etiquette of golf. Palmer (2002) states. Golf always has been, and hopefully will remain a gentlemans game (p. 4). Understanding the rules should be easy, there are only thirty-four rules in the game. This is less than almost every other sport, including baseball, basketball, football, soccer, rugby and cricket (Palmer, 2002). There are no restrictions to view or access the rulebook. Thousand of rounds are played everyday at both public and private courses, without the benefit of judges, officials, referees or umpires. Golfers are their own umpires, self-policing and regularly calling rule infractions on themselves. In one public incident on television, Ian Woosnam called a penalty on himself because he had 15 clubs in his bag (Palmer, 2002). Rule 4-4 allows a maximum of 14 clubs. Why did Ian Woosnams caddie tell his boss about the 15th club in the bag? Because it would never occur to him to do anything else. The integrity of the game is more important than any single tournament or any one player, and everyone that plays the game should do so under that same code of honor (Palmer, 2002). We will write a custom essay sample on Golf Rules and Etiquette specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Golf Rules and Etiquette specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Golf Rules and Etiquette specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer I have over seven years experience working on golf courses. I have taken on many responsibilities from working inside the pro-shop, to the maintenance of the course itself. In my experience form working on golf courses, and playing golf, the average golfer does not believe they should be held to the same standards as professional golfers. The average golfer believes they are paying for a service, not competing to win a tournament. The price of a round of golf directly affects the adherence to the rules and etiquette of golf. The more expensive the round of golf is the greater the chance of stretching or breaking the rules and etiquette of golf. The popularity, appearance and difficulty of the course determine the cost. The more popular courses are typically more expensive because of the costs it takes to maintain. For example the cost of a lower end, used fairway mower can cost $7,500 (Used Turf Equipment, n.d.). The better the appearance of the course, the higher the cost is to maintain, this directly relates to the cost for the golfer. The daily rate at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California is $395.00 per person for resort guests; add another $25.00 per person for non resort guests (Room and Golf Rates, n.d.). The average golfer, golfing at a high end golf course or local course, does not believe that breaking the rules and etiquette of golf affects the experience of golfing. The game of golf itself has a long standing tradition. The exact origin of golf is not known. According to Chapman (1997). We do know that by the middle of the 15th century the Scots were playing some sort of the game in Scotland. We also know that King James II of Scotland issued a decree in 1457 that Ye fut bawe and ye golf be utterly cryt done and not usyt, which Olive Geddens has translated as Football and golf be utterly condemned and stopped (p. 9). While this history dates back several centuries, golfers do not typically play the game in the interest of history, golfers play to have fun. It would be fair to state that every sport is played to have fun, not because of the history of the game. The rules and etiquette of golf is not an easy concept to understand. There are thirty-four rules with hundreds of variations for each rule, not all of which are written in black and white. The rules are even confusing to the professionals. Arnold Palmer (2002) wrote Ive played competitive golf for over half a century now..But even after all these years playing thousands of competitive rounds, I still run across new and fascinating nuances.every so often a situation comes along that leaves me thinking, Hmm, I wonder how that is handled under the rules. (p. 2). The participation of other recreational sports does not require an understanding of the rules. The average golfer does not believe they need to have a complete understanding of the rules and etiquette of golf. As stated earlier, the cost of a round of golf has increased. According to the National Golf Association, the price of a round of golf has increased by 5.3% nationwide from 2003. (Core Golfers, n.d.). With the increased price of golf everyone should have a basic understanding of the rules and etiquette, regardless of the price of the round. Several courses have created new local rules that do not allow beginning golfers. As a result several other courses have changed their marketing to welcome beginners, offering lower prices, and often clinics on how to play and understanding the rules and etiquette. Make no mistake; golf courses like any other business, are open to make money and profits. With 13.2 million people playing golf in the United States, it is each persons responsibility to understand the rules and etiquette of golf. All golfers pay the same price to play the game. No one individual has the right to affect other golfers, regardless of the price of the round. The tradition of golf does not mean that golfers should conduct in depth research and be able to pass a test or certification before playing a round. The tradition of golf means that all golfers should have at least a basic understanding of the rules and etiquette out of respect. Respecting the course and the other players is not an option, it is a necessity. Owen (1997) states Good golf entails some housekeeping, Try to leave the course better than you found it. (p. 172). Everyone can think of a time when someone elses disrespect infringed on his or her situation. For example, someone in a restaurant sitting at a table talking loudly on a cellular telephone, the person seems oblivious that their own actions are disruptive other people in the area. Now take that concept to the golf course. Realize that your actions can affect people in your group, as well as golfers nearby. Understanding the intricacies of the game can be confusing. One way to adapt to the understanding of the rules is to purchase a copy of the rule book. Read through the main rules and have at least a high level understanding of the thirty four rules. Its amazing how many arm chair athletes can make rulings when watching a sport on television. Anyone that is going to take the time to play a sport should at least have a basic understanding of the rules. If the purchase of a rule book is out of the question, log onto the USGA or PGA websites. The USGA site dedicates a portion to the rules and to simple etiquette. The amount of time it would take to review the information is minimal compared to the amount of time it takes to play a round of golf. Everyone that plays the game of golf needs to have at least a basic understanding of the rules and etiquette of golf. Golf is a game of history, tradition and respect. The rise and popularity of current PGA professionals does not mean the basic understanding of the rules and etiquette should go unpracticed. The amount of money that is spent to play at high end resorts or local courses does not give a golfer the right to infringe on the rights of others. A basic understanding of the rules and etiquette is not a difficult concept. The information is available on-line, at a local library and even at local golf courses. By taking the time to understand the rules and etiquette and it will make for a more enjoyable round for all golfers.

Transition essays

Transition essays The pace of college is very different to get use to coming out of high school. College teachers like to get to the point and move along with the lesson. Ive learned if you dont understand something in class then you should try to study it outside of class. Many times I will be in class and the teacher will say something that I dont understand. Many of my classes do not have weekly assignments either. Im use to having weekly homework from high school. Although not having assignments due regularly is better for me because I tend to forget things very easily. Ive given a lot of thought in to how I spend my time here in college. A year ago my time management was a complete mess. Ive learned to get better by writing stuff down to remind me of what I need to do for the day. It was very difficult for me to juggle school, pledge ship and my social life at first coming here. It was a repeat of being late, unorganized and lost. I believe that I have improved a lot though with time management and staying more organized, because I essentially have to. I have to utilize the time that is given to me everyday because of my tight schedule of school and then pledge ship. Equilibrium of happiness and academics is important. My new fraternity is a lot of fun so I enjoy doing that. Some of my happiness is still in San Diego with the beach but I am learning to deal with it. A few things that have been difficult are not being in San Diego, and dealing with a change in every way. I had to get use to all the streets, get use to the new college grounds, get use to the diverse people , get use to all my classes and get use to my new fraternity. I dont think anything was particularly easy here. I enjoy having new freedom that I had never had before. Although my parents were pretty easy going it is just not the same. Independence is a positive and negative thing in my eyes. My independence is fun and also a lit...

Differentiated Instruction Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Differentiated Instruction - Research Paper Example Key words: Differentiated instruction, professional development. Differentiated Instruction According to Carol Ann Tomlinson (as cited by Ellis, Gable, Greg, & Rock, 2008, p.  32), Differentiated Instruction is the process of â€Å"ensuring that what a student learns, how he or she learns it, and how the student demonstrates what he or she has learned is a match for that student’s readiness level, interests, and preferred mode of learning.† In a classroom scenario, there are all sorts of differences among the students. These may be in the form of social economic status, culture, race, religion, gender, ability/ disability, motivation, personal interests and many more. Differentiation arises from the assumption that different students have a difference in how they learn, their preferences and learning capabilities and interests.(Anderson, 2007) Teachers have a variety of ways to differentiate; this can be through process, content, learning environment and product based on the individual learner. Due to the difference in learning needs, teachers develop differentiated learning instructions so that all students are able to learn effectively. Differentiation can therefore be defined as, an organized and flexible manner of varying and adjusting teaching methods so that the needs of every child as a learner are catered for to maximize their potential growth as learners. In the past, the teaching practice has been that of â€Å"One size fits all† but in order for maximum learning potential to be reached, a â€Å"One size does not fit all† needs to be used. Gregory, G. and Chapman, C, (2007) Living Our Beliefs The challenge in differentiating instruction lies in translating the Teacher’s beliefs that, differentiating instruction provides for a better learning process, into action. Teachers can be able to differentiate a number of aspects on the curriculum (Tomlinson, C.A, 2005). These aspects are: Content- This refers to the princip les, concepts and skills that students are required to learn. Every student should be able to access the same learning materials. Tomlinson believes that struggling students should be accorded with the same big ideas as their classmates and should not be given watered-down content. Tomlinson emphasizes by saying, "Teachers should address the same concepts with all students but adjust the degree of Complexity, in that the same concept can be explained in a way that is comprehensible to a very young child or in a way that challenges a Ph.D candidate." Content can also mean the means in which a teacher gives students access to information. A teacher can make give the advanced learners complex text from which they should derive information and on the other hand direct reading buddies, demonstrations and videos to the those students who are of modest capacities. Process- This refers to the activities that help students understand and fathom what they have learnt during the teaching proce ss. Teachers can modify this activities by providing the complex methods for sharp students and scaffolding methods for the modest learner depending on their readiness levels, student interest, and learning preferences. Scaffolding methods include, additional teaching models, step-by-step instructions, re-teaching etc. Products- This refers to t

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

Parenting Tips Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Parenting Tips - Essay Example Most parents are still using traditional and outdated parenting skills to raise their children. These skills have proved to be ineffective. For a parent to be good, there are a number of tips that he or she needs know. This paper, therefore, looks at good parenting tips and what makes a good parent. Good parenting tips An effective and very essential tip for good parenting is showing love, not only for the children, but also among the parents. Children do always feel better when they are brought up with parents who love each other. Parents should, therefore, work hard on their love first so as to build a loving family. They should avoid engaging in activities such as dishonesty, alcoholism and domestic violence that might make them unhappy, stressed up and frazzled. It is important for parents to know the fact that children do always copy several stuffs from their elders. Therefore, they need to be the best role model for happiness and healthy adulthood (Swindol 94). Parents need to ensure that their marriage is strong enough to bring the family together. Children need both parents for better development. Therefore, marriage that experiences divorce and separation cases will negatively affect the development of children. In order to practice good parenting, it is essential for parents to put their marriage first before anything else. Parents can strengthen their marriage by developing trust between themselves, being honest to one another, loving each other and being able to sacrifice for better development of family relationship (Swindol 150). Therefore, good parenting is about having happy marriage that children will be pleased with and use the observed partnership as a model for their relationships in future. Another tip for good parenting is ensuring that quality time is given to children. Many parents do always believe that spending a lot of time with their children will interfere with their development and even make them docile (Sukh 17). Creating time for children is very essential for their development. Many parents who are working do always find it hard to create time for their children. Majority of these parents do believe that good parenting is about giving children a lot of cash, which is not true. Good parenting is about creating enough time for the children. No matter how hard the condition might be, parents should ensure that they create time for their children so as to give them their tender care and love. Sukh argues that the stronger the relationship among parents and their children, the better opportunities for effective parenting (18). Sukh highlights that children like being close to their parents and no excuses or any kind of explanation will convince them about the absence of their parents (19). Availability of parents makes children develop powerful sense of worth. It also makes children to understand that they are loved. Parents’ availability makes children know how they are loved. The sense of being loved o r wanted is very essential for children’s psychological development (Sukh 19). Therefore, as a good parenting tip, parents should try their best to always have quality time with their children. How to be a good Being a good parent can be attained in a number of ways. As a parent, it is essential to avoid criticizing children and instead, praise them always. Praising children normally makes them strong and confident in everything they involve in. Confidence can be developed among children by avoiding

Treatment of the Kurds by Saddam Hussein: History

Treatment of the Kurds by Saddam Hussein: History 1. Background Saddam Hussein was the President of Iraq for nearly a quarter of a century, from 1979 to 2003. The United States invaded Iraq in 2003 and deposed Saddam Hussein after defeating his military forces in a bloody and expensive war. The former dictator is currently in captivity and facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The country is still under the occupation of the USA and its allies and is going through very difficult times, a period of violence, political turmoil and economic deprivation. Iraq has undergone intense political turmoil, debilitating and prolonged wars, economic deprivation and internecine strife for nearly three decades. The country has an overwhelmingly Arabic Muslim population, who belong to two religious sects, the Shias and the Sunnis. In addition to these two groups, the Kurdish people, who are Shias by faith, but not Arabs, inhabit the north of the country. The Kurds have been in constant conflict with Saddam’s Ba’athist government for many years over religious and political issues. There have been numerous allegations of violent and extensive persecution of the Kurds, including the use of chemical weapons and nerve gas, by government forces. Thousands of Kurds have supposedly been killed and buried in mass graves by the army during Saddam Hussein’s regime; the atrocities against Kurds is one of the main crimes against humanity for which he is facing trial. The focus of the dissertation specified to the researcher, as part of academic course requirement, is to investigate and analyse the factors responsible for the treatment of the Kurdish population by the Iraqi regime under Saddam Hussein. It is a topic of immense social and political significance and a properly thought out and well conducted research assignment might well provide a fresh perspective on the issue and be of help to social scientists and academia. 2. Definition of Research Issues The successful conduct of this research assignment and the preparation of the dissertation will be influenced by a proper appreciation and handling of the different issues needed for carrying out relevant and ethical social research. The topic under investigation is evocative and contemporaneous. It is difficult for involved people and external observers to be impartial and objective about the issue, considering the enormous amount of material generated by media and other observers. Saddam Hussein, after years of dictatorial rule, appears to be a man condemned by popular perception, his statements in court considered to be no more than the ranting of a cornered and beaten megalomaniac. A perusal of recent media reports in the western press show him in the worst possible light and very little appears on the positive sides of his character or his regime. The website â€Å"Saddam Hussein’s Philanthropy of Terror† (2004) and many similar ones refer to him as â€Å"The Butcher of Baghdad†, (Murdock, 2004) among other pejoratives. Saddam Hussein has had an extraordinarily long term as President of Iraq. The western media and the US government, especially during the term of Ronald Reagan, have supported him in his war against Iran after the deposition of the Shah. His conflict with the west commenced with his attack on Kuwait 1990 and ended with his defeat and deposition in 2003. It is of immense importance to thus define the various issues of the research assignment. These will need to deal with the political and religious affiliation of Saddam Hussein and the Ba’athist regime, the religious, political and social differences between the Iraqi regime and the Kurds, the nature of the atrocities carried out on the Kurds and the reasons for these atrocities. The research issues, framed as questions can thus be as detailed below: What were the political and religious affiliations of Saddam Hussein and the Ba’athist Party? What were the religious, social and political differences between the Iraqi regime and the Kurds of Iraq? What was the nature of atrocities carried out by the Iraqi regime on the Kurds? What were the reasons for the carrying out of these atrocities? A specific articulation of the issues will thus enable the researcher to focus on the core issues involved in the dissertation, conduct the investigation and gather evidence accordingly. Social research involved the interaction between ideas and evidence. Ideas help social researchers make sense of evidence, and researchers use evidence to extend, revise and test ideas.(Ragin, 1994) 3. Research Methodology The research methodology to be used for particular assignments depends, to a great deal on the inclination and affinity of the researche for particular techniques available within the broad framework of rules followed for social research assignments. The importance of secondary research is essential for an assignment with such a broad canvas, encompassing, inter alia, social mores, religion and politics, dominant and inferior groups, repression and atrocities. A number of books, texts, journals and magazines on Saddam Hussein, Iraq and the Kurdish issue are available in hard and electronic format, many of which are listed in the bibliography. It will be essential to peruse these texts, in reference with the research issues to arrive at findings generated from information available in secondary sources. The appropriate research methodology for the purpose of this assignment needs to take care of the discussed facts and be tailored accordingly. An article on â€Å"Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Social Research† by Nedra Kline Weinrich, first published in 1996 details a methodology, wherein a balanced and well thought out mix of quantitative and qualitative research techniques could well be the most appropriate methodology for conducting this assignment An examination of the quantitative and qualitative paradigms will help to identify their strengths and weaknesses and how their divergent approaches can complement each other. In most cases, researchers fall into one of the two camps, either relying exclusively upon objective survey questionnaires and statistical analyses and eschewing warm and fuzzy qualitative methods, or using only qualitative methodologies, rejecting the quantitative approach as decontextualizing human behaviour. However, it is widely accepted that each approach has positive attributes and that combining different methods, if handled properly, can result in the best of both techniques. (Weinrich, 1996) Research techniques used for quantitative analysis aim to achieve objective results and eschew subjective interpretation. The respondents are generally selected through random sampling in a statistical manner aimed at achieving a response from the selected sample, which will be representative of the total population. Qualitative research methods are vastly different and concentrate on working with smaller groups known as focus groups. These focus groups are selected with great care but later subjected to intensive questioning and interviewing by trained researchers who are very well versed in qualitative techniques. It is the job of these researchers to ensure that their respondents are able to provide them with subjective and interpretative data, which would have never come out with quantitative techniques. There are however some techniques wherein it is possible to integrate qualitative and quantitative methods in research. In the first approach, qualitative methods contribute to the development of quantitative instruments, such as the use of focus groups in questionnaire construction. The second model consists of a primarily quantitative study that uses qualitative results to help interpret or explain the quantitative findings. In the third approach, quantitative results help interpret predominantly qualitative findings, as when focus group participants are asked to fill out survey questionnaires at the session. In the fourth model, the two methodologies are used equally, in parallel to cross-validate, and build upon each others results. †¦ may operate under one or more of these models; the approaches are not mutually exclusive. (Weinreich, 1996) It is felt that integrating quantitative and qualitative research methods will lend depth and clarity to this research assignment. Using multiple approaches can be time-consuming, labour-intensive and expensive, but also possibly the most productive. In addition to obtaining information from primary sources like official websites and journals, the researcher also proposes to carry out a detailed questionnaire based survey of 20 Iraqis for obtaining primary information on the key issues. The respondents can be sourced with the help of the Iraqi embassy. It is anticipated that there will not be much difficulty in obtaining agreeable respondents once the purpose of the study and the research credentials are clarified. As the sample population is not very large the questionnaires will have to focus on the research issues and on obtaining a qualitative response. This could be done either by framing 20 open ended questions focusing on research issues or by using 20 questions with multiple choice answers. Multiple choice questions will allow respondents to chose their response from a set of answers and be useful in preparing a tabulated response. The researcher is in favour of using a range of leading open ended questions but will have to use excellent interviewing skills, either personal or outsourced to get authentic responses. The code of ethics will be followed strictly both during the framing of the questionnaire and the conduct of the interviews. The right of the respondents to privacy and confidentiality will be strictly observed as well as their wish to answer questions. The findings of the primary research and the findings obtained from a study of the secondary literature will need to be matched and cross tallied for support or contradiction to arrive at logical supported findings and thence to conclusions. 4. Limitations of Study A number of constraints could arise during the course of the dissertation that could in some ways affect its final quality. The researcher has already started reading the data available from secondary sources and does not anticipate any problems to arise from unavailability of secondary data. However the possibility of missing out on some important information due to lack of time or knowledge does exist. The researcher proposes to interview 20 people to obtain responses on issues relevant to the matter under investigation. This is still a grey area as no respondents have been finalised yet but the researcher does not anticipate much difficulty in obtaining these responses. The subject proposed for investigation has multiple has multiple perspectives, evidenced by the large number of theories. The study will require time and perspicacity for a proper and acceptable result. The researcher proposes to make sincere efforts to examine the issue from different perspectives. The availability of more time would have possibly thrown up more data and a larger primary information sample leading to more accurate data for analysis and solutions. Bibliography Crano, W. D., Brewer, M. B. 2002. Principles and Methods of Social Research. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Kazemzadeh, M. 1998. Thinking the Unthinkable: Solving the Problem of Saddam Hussein for Good. Middle East Policy, 1(1), 73-86. Kelsay, J. 1993. Islam and War: A Study in Comparative Ethics (1st ed.). Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press. Retrieved October 25, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=od=26085894 Murdock, D, 2004, â€Å"Saddam Hussein’s Philanthropy of Terror† Retrieved October 23, 2006 from www.husseinandterror.com Palys, T., Lowman, J. 2001. Social Research with Eyes Wide Shut: The Limited Confidentiality Dilemma. Canadian Journal of Criminology, 43(2), 255. Retrieved October 25, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=od=5001041487 Ragin, C, 1994, Constructing Social Research, Pine Forge Pr, ISBN: 0803990219 Rezun, M. 1992. Saddam Husseins Gulf Wars: Ambivalent Stakes in the Middle East. Westport, CT: Praeger. Retrieved October 25, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=od=107022508 Simons, G. 1996. Iraq From Sumer to Saddam (Second ed.). Basingstoke: Macmillan. Retrieved October 25, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=od=97576434 Zinger, I., Wichmann, C., Gendreau, P. 2001. Legal and Ethical Obligations in Social Research: The Limited Confidentiality Requirement. Canadian Journal of Criminology, 43(2), 269. Weinrich, N.K., 1996 Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Social Marketing Research, Social-Marketing.com, Retrieved October 21, 2006 from www.social-marketing.com/research.html

Victor Frankenstein is the Monster in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay

Victor Frankenstein is the Monster in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Through out the novel we are under the assumption that the demon in the novel is the man who is disfigured and hideous on the outside. While we view Victor Frankenstein as the handsome and caring victim, even though sometimes a monster cannot be seen but heard. Looks can be deceiving but actions are always true.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We first view Frankenstein’s ignorance while he is busy in his work. He had not visited his family for two straight years. These are the people that love and care about him, yet he does not go home. Not even to visit his own father, the man who pays for his schooling and necessities.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We again view his ignorance and irresponsibility when after spending two years of work on his creature he disowns and abandons the creature. He runs out of the room after seeing the creature come to life. He fled the room because he thought the creature was so hideous, even though he had chosen all the best body parts for its creation. When Frankenstein returns to the house when he â€Å"became assured that my enemy had indeed fled, I clapped my hands for joy†(55). Even after all his work he is ecstatic that this horrible beast has left him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Victors’ ignorance is viewed again when he does not tell anyone that he has created this monster, and that he is the murderer of William. He does not tell of this creature until his own welfare is on the line. He could have stopped these evil deeds the mons...

Nordstrom Financial Statement Analysis

NORDSTROM (JWN) I. Nordstrom’s overview Nordstrom is classified as an Upscale Independent Department Store Chain and is noted as one of the largest department stores of its type. Nordstrom is founded in 1901 by two partners, John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. It’s headquarter is in Seattle, Washington area. Nordstrom carries a wide variety of merchandise and specialty goods, which includes apparel, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, handbags, accessories, and in some locations, home furnishings. Nordstrom is dealing with competition on many different levels.It is competing with higher end stores such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. In addition, it is also competing with second tier stores such as Macy’s, Dillard’s, and Bloomingdale’s. Dealing with diverse competition, upscale retailer Nordstrom has been famous for superior customer service for over 100 years and has been recognized on every 100 Best Companies To Work For list publishe d in Fortune magazine since 1998. Nordstrom operates over 200 retail locations across the country with worldwide revenue $10. 9 billion in 2011.It has two reportable segments: Retail and Credit. The Retail segment includes 115 ‘Nordstrom’ full-line stores, 89 off-price ‘Nordstrom Rack’ stores, two ‘Jeffrey’ boutiques, and one clearance store that operate under the name ‘Last Chance. ’ Nordstrom full-line stores and online store are substantially integrated to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience across channels. The Nordstrom Rack stores purchase high-quality name brand merchandise directly from vendors and also serve as outlets for clearance merchandise from Nordstrom stores.The Credit segment includes wholly owned federal savings bank, Nordstrom FSB, through which Nordstrom provides a private label credit card, two Nordstrom VISA credit cards and a debit card for Nordstrom purchases. The credit and debit cards fe ature a shopping-based loyalty program designed to increase customer visits and spending. Although the primary purpose of our Credit business is to foster greater customer loyalty and drive more sales, Nordstrom also generate revenues through finance charges and other fees on these cards.In retail department stores, consumer’s purchases are made within each department because each department is treated separately to achieve economies in promotion, buying, service, and control. Instead of categorizing departments by merchandise, Nordstrom created fashion departments that fit individual lifestyles. The retailer's best customers benefit from Nordstrom's â€Å"Perpetual Inventory† initiative, which provides the â€Å"right product, at the right place, at the right time. Nordstrom’s customer service is superior in that they put maintaining a customer relationship their top priority. It‘s main goal is to provide outstanding service every day, one customer at a time, and support the employees who deliver service to those customers. Each Nordstrom employee has a business card, which he or she gives to customers, to encourage them to reach back directly if they need anything. In addition, Nordstrom spends much less on traditional advertising than its competitors do, and to Nordstrom, â€Å"satisfied customers are much more persuasive than an ad†.Its legendary customer service is a competitive advantage that can't be easily duplicated, and the company spends a lot of time, money, and effort training employees to maintain that distinction. Even in times of economic distress, Nordstrom still maintains an unwavering commitment to making choices that are in the best interest of the customer. Therefore, Nordstrom keeps growing and maintains a great financial result in comparison with other department stores. Nordstrom business strategies are: 1. Maintaining good relationship with vendors and consumers 2.Maintaining good relationship with em ployees and providing effective training to them to develop future leaders 3. Expanding into new markets, technological investments, acquisitions and the timely completion of construction associated with newly planned stores, relocations and remodels. 4. Having effective inventory management; efficient and proper allocation of capital resources; successful execution of information technology strategy; and effective cost control in advertising, marketing, and promotion campaigns. 5.Managing debt levels to maintain an investment grade credit rating as well as operate with an efficient capital structure for its growth plans and industry II. Company financial ratio analysis: 1. Liquidity: Liquidity:| 2011| 2010| 2009| 2008| 2007| Current Ratio| 2. 16| 2. 57| 2. 01| 2. 01| 2. 06| Cash Ratio | 0. 73| 0. 80| 0. 39| 0. 04| 0. 22| Cash Flow from Operations Ratio| 0. 46| 0. 63| 0. 62| 0. 53| 0. 19| Overall regards to liquidity ratios, the higher the number the better; however, a too high also indicates that the firms were not using their resources to their full potential. Current ratio of 1. or greater shows that a company can pay its current liabilities with its current assets. JWN’s ratio increased from 2. 06 in 2007 to 2. 57 in 2010, and slightly decreased to 2. 16 in 2011. JWN’s cash ratio increased significantly from 22% in 2007 to 80% in 2010. JWN has a cash ratio of 73% in 2011, which is useful to creditors when deciding how much debt they would be willing to extend to JWN. In addition, JWN also has moderate CFO ratio of 46%, indicating the companies’ ability to pay off their short term liabilities with their operating cash flow. There was a great improvement in JWN’s liquidity ratios over the past 5 years.In general, JWN has efficient liquidity ratios which allow the company to cover its seasonal cash needs and to maintain appropriate levels of short term borrowings. 2. Activity: Activity| 2011| 2010| 2009| 2008| 2007| Inventory Turno ver| 6. 20| 6. 29| 5. 93| 5. 84| 5. 66| Avg. # of Days Inventory| 58. 83| 58. 03| 61. 59| 62. 53| 64. 50| Receivables Turnover| 5. 06| 4. 51| 4. 16| 4. 60| 7. 35| Working Capital Turnover| 3. 67| 3. 89| 4. 52| 5. 13| 5. 98| Fixed Assets Turnover| 4. 54| 4. 25| 3. 70| 4. 08| 4. 86| Total Assets Turnover | 1. 36| 1. 38| 1. 35| 1. 52| 1. 74| Length of Operating Cycle| 130. 9| 138. 87| 149. 38| 141. 93| 114. 18| I Inventory turnover shows how efficient a firm can keep its inventory turning at a steady flow from the manufacturer to the store and out to the consumer. Therefore, the higher the better because this means the firm is getting its inventory out to consumers at a more efficient pace. JWN’s inventory turnover is approximately the same in 2011 than in 2010, 6. 20 and 6. 29 respectively, which has slightly higher the number of days inventory from 58 days to 59 days. Same as inventory turnover ratio, AR turnover show how efficient a firm is at collecting its receivable.The fa ster a firm can collect its receivables, the better. JWN’s AR turnover has increased from 4. 78 in 2010 to 5. 36 in 2011. An increase in both inventory and AR turnover reduces the Length of Operating Cycle from 139 days to 131 days. In addition, there is also a good sign when JWN’s fixed asset turnover and total asset turnover increase. In general, JWN has ability to predict or respond to changes in fashion trends, consumer preferences and spending patterns, and to match its merchandise levels, mix and shopping experience to sales trends and consumer tastes, significantly impacts its sales and operating results. . Profitability: Profit| 2011| 2010| 2009| 2008| 2007| Gross Margin | 0. 39| 0. 39| 0. 36| 0. 37| 0. 39| Return on Sales| 0. 06| 0. 06| 0. 05| 0. 05| 0. 08| ROA | 0. 09| 0. 09| 0. 07| 0. 07| 0. 14| ROE | 0. 34| 0. 34| 0. 32| 0. 34| 0. 44| Upon evaluation of the operating efficiency, Gross profit margin, Return on sale, ROA, and ROE, JWN did a pretty good job du ring the fiscal year ended Jan 28th 2012. Gross profit margin, the net profit margin, ROA, and ROE have the same rate for 2011 and 2010, which are 39%, 6%, 9%, and 34% respectively. By evaluating JWN’s profitability ratio, JWN once again is upward looking.ROA is a comprehensive measure of profitability, taking into account how a firm’s assets and profits are used to create future profit. ROE is a profitability measure and is influenced by the affiliation between a firm’s debt and its owner’s equity. JWN has done an extraordinary job at maintaining moderate ROA and ROE ratio over 5 years period. Analyzing JWN’s profitability ratio shows that JWN should continue being profitably in the future. 4. Leverage: Leverage| 2011| 2010| 2009| 2008| 2007| Total Liabilities / Total Equity| 3. 34| 2. 69| 3. 19| 3. 68| 4. 02| Total Liabilities (BV) / Equity at Market| 0. 7| 0. 48| 0. 44| 0. 39| 0. 39| Times Interest Earned| 9. 61| 8. 80| 6. 04| 5. 95| 16. 85| As firm’s debt grows larger, debt to equity ratio in turn increases. Debt to equity ratio is an important factor in considering a firm’s credit risk. JWN’s debt to equity ratio increases 25% from 2. 69 in 2010 to 3. 34 in 2011. If this ratio decreases, there is less leverage within the firm. The increase in debt to equity ratio is due to the increase in long term debts and the decrease in total stockholder equity. Times interest earned ratio is a coverage measure; an increase has a positive impact on the firm.There was a significant decrease in Time interest earned ratio from 16. 85 in 2007 to 5. 95 in 2008. However, this ratio increased slightly over years. JWN’s Times interest earned has increased from 8. 80 in 2010 to 9. 61 in 2011. Ultimately, JWN generate more than enough income before interest and tax to cover for its interest expense. 5. Market related statistics: Like many luxury stores, Nordstrom has seen its sales rebound since late 2009 as well-he eled shoppers have become more comfortable with spending, despite volatility in the stock market.Nordstrom also has worked hard to make it easier to shop by adding Wi-Fi access for shoppers at all of its full-line department stores, offering free shipping on most items without any minimum purchase in September 2010, and fusing its online and in-store inventory systems so shoppers can find out online what's in stock at any given store in the chain. Nordstrom said it expects revenue at its stores open at least a year to rise 4 percent to 6 percent in the current full fiscal year, and it expects to earn $3. 30 to $3. 45 per share.JWN analyzes its dividend payout ratio and dividend yield, while taking into consideration its operating performance and capital resources, and plans to target a 25% to 30% dividend payout ratio in 2011. JWN has increased its dividend payout ratio and its dividend yield in 2011, 29% and 1. 9 % respectively. JWN paid dividends of $0. 92 per share in 2011, $0. 7 6 per share in 2010, and $. 64 per share in each of 2009 and 2008. 6. Quality of financial information Nordstrom uses a more moderate strategy when it comes to its accounting policies.It basically uses similar basic standards as other firms in the industry. Management and select employees of Nordstrom receive stock options and bonuses based on how profitable and how much growth the company is, which may lead to intentional accounting distortion to increase these benefits. Although distortion would be beneficial to management, the standards used by Nordstrom to account for stock issued to employees seem well disclosed and straight forward. Compared to the accounting policies and estimates used in the past five years, Nordstrom has not significantly changed any of its accounting standards.Estimates such as returns are based on past returns and performance and have not altered much in recent years. Nordstrom’s uses its historical data to estimate future performance for the use o f the inventory account. Nordstrom’s accounting policies and estimates seem to have no significant distortions. The changes in policies are well recorded and explained in the footnotes, leaving no concern about their accounting policies. The changes in policies accounting standards and estimates all seem to be legitimate. The manner in which Nordstrom discloses their financial information to the public is of extremely high quality.Nordstrom exceeds their expectation of providing customers and shareholders with an adequate explanation for nearly every element of their finances. After the presentation of each financial statement, Nordstrom provides a detailed clarification concerning each component listed in a manner that could be easily interpreted by the common inquirer. In general, Nordstrom effectively communicates their activities with their investors and are relatively free of unpredictable or unexplainable transactions. III. Comparison to the industry average and another store (Dillards)Liquidity:| JWN| DDS| Industry| Rating-JWN| Current Ratio | 2. 16| 1. 83| 1. 15| 8| Cash Ratio | 0. 73| 0. 26| 0. 12| 8| Cash Flow from Operations Ratio | 0. 46| 0. 58| -| -| Leverage|   | Total Liabilities / Total Equity| 3. 34| 1. 10| 1. 33| 4| Total Liabilities (BV) / Equity at Market| 0. 57| 0. 72| 0. 17| 4| Times Interest Earned| 9. 61| 5. 83| 7. 41| 7| Activity|   | Inventory Turnover | 6. 20| 3. 12| 6. 14| 6| Avg. # of Days Inventory | 58. 83| 117. 12| 59. 45| 6| Receivables Turnover | 5. 06| 232. 73| 22. 91| 3| Working Capital Turnover| 3. 67| 8. 88| 40. 9| 3| Fixed Assets Turnover| 4. 54| 2. 54| 6. 06| 4| Total Assets Turnover | 1. 36| 1. 47| 1. 91| 4| Length of Operating Cycle | 130. 98| 118. 69| 75. 38| 3| Profit|   | Gross Margin| 0. 39| 0. 37| 0. 29| 6| Return on Sales| 0. 06| 0. 07| 0. 06| 5| ROA| 0. 09| 0. 11| 0. 11| 5| ROE | 0. 34| 0. 22| 0. 25| 6| Both JWN and DDS maintained an efficient liquidity ratio which allowed them to cover their season al cash needs and to maintain appropriate levels of short term borrowings. DDS do not generate as much profit as JWN but it also has much lower leverage ratio than JWN.JWN has much higher debt to equity ratio than the industry average. However, its Time Interest Earned ratio is better than the industry. JWN’s activity ratio seems to be better than DDS, but below the industry average. JWN’s Beta is 1. 57 which theoretically indicates 57% more volatile than the market. DDS’s Beta is 2. 53 which is . 96 higher than JWN’s Beta and also means more volatile than the market. A beta of greater than  1 offers the possibility of a higher rate of return, but  also poses  more risk. In addition, JWN also has much higher dividend payout ratio and dividend yield than DDS.In general, JWN has higher rate of return and less volatile than DDS. JWN has higher dividend yield and lower dividend payout ratio than industry average. The growth and income pick pays an indus try-leading dividend yield of 1. 90%. Its ROE and Net profit margin are also higher than the industry average. Nordstrom clearly has a higher return than its competitor and is likely to be more profitable than its competitor and industry. In comparison with DDS and the industry average, it is apparent that there are no concerns with the accounting for the components of JWN ratios.JWN was consistently somewhat outperformed its competitor and the industry average. In its industry, JWN is apparently a leader in utilizing its capital to create value for the firm, creating profits, and increasing shareholder value IV. Growth in revenue and income Year| Revenue| Net income| 2011| $10,877| $683| 2010| $9,700| $613| 2009| $8,267| $441| 2008| $8,573| $401| 2007| $9,080| $715| 2006| $8,666| $678| Statistics|   | JWN| YoY growth in revenues | 2011| 12. 13%| YoY growth in net income| 2011| 11. 42%| YoY growth in revenues| 2010| 17. 33%| YoY growth in net income| 2010| 39. 00%|YoY growth in re venues| 2009| -3. 57%| YoY growth in net income| 2009| 9. 98%| YoY growth in revenues| 2008| -5. 58%| YoY growth in net income| 2008| -43. 92%| YoY growth in revenues| 2007| 4. 78%| YoY growth in net income| 2007| 5. 46%| YoY growth in revenues| (Average)| 12. 13%| YoY growth in net income| (Average)| 11. 42%| Nordstrom generates revenues from its credit segment, which consists of a wholly-owned federal savings bank that offers Nordstrom VISA credit and debit cards, and a private label card. Nordstrom also profits from its Faconnable boutiques located in France, Portugal, Belgium and the U.S. The remaining revenues are brought in by the retail store segment; the stores specialize in high quality apparel, shoes, cosmetics, and accessories. Nordstrom also sells direct via the internet at www. nordstrom. com. JWN’s revenue for 2011 increased 12. 7% compared with 2010 driven by the strength of Nordstrom full-line stores, rapid growth in its online business and improving results a t Nordstrom Rack. JWN opened three Nordstrom full-line stores, eighteen Nordstrom Rack stores and one Treasure & bond store, relocated two Nordstrom Rack stores, and acquired HauteLook during the year 2011.These additions represented 4. 0% of its total revenue for 2011. Same-store sales increased 7. 2%, with increases of 8. 2% at Nordstrom and 3. 7% at Nordstrom Rack. Nordstrom’s revenue was in a range of $8 billion to 11 billion from 2007 to 2011. There was a slightly decrease or increase in revenue over 5 years period. Nordstrom’s net income was in a range of $401 mil to $715 mil. There is a significant decrease in 2007 net income. It went from $715 mil to $401 mil, which is approximately 44% decrease in net income.However, its net income increased dramatically in 2010, from $441 mil in 2009 to $613 mil in 2010, which is nearly 40% increase in net income. In order to predict an accurate forecast for Nordstrom’s Income Statement, Statement of Cash Flows, and Ba lance sheet, a sustainable growth rate is needed. After examining Nordstrom’s past performance and computing past growth rates on Nordstrom’s financial, Nordstrom has an average growth in revenue and net income 12. 13% and 11. 42% respectively. V. â€Å"G† Growth rate Risk free rate |   | 3. 10%| Market rate|   | 10. 00%| Beta|   | 1. 58|Rate of return| Rf + B(Rm-Rf)| 14. 00%| # of share outstanding|   | 208| EPS|   | 3. 15| P/E ratio|   | 17. 48| Book value per share|   | 9. 42| Equity| Book value/share x # of share| 1959| Forecasted Net Income| EPS x # of share | 655. 2| Required Income| Equity x rate of return| 274| Residual Income| Forecasted NI – Required income| 381| Market price per share| P/E ratio x EPS| 55| Market capital| market price x # of share| 11453| Unrecognized intangible value (UIV)| market capital – equity| 9494| Growth rate| [(UIV *rate of return)-residual income]/UIV| 10%| With a risk free rate of 3. 0%, market r ate of 10%, and JWN’s Beta 1. 58, Nordstrom has a rate of return of 14% and growth rate of 10%. The growth rate 10% is slightly lower than the forecasted growth rate 11. 42% in net income and 12. 13% in revenue, based on the its past 5 years financial information. With the growth rate of 10%, the discount rate 14% from CAPM model is high enough for Nordstrom. Without the growth rate, discount rate 14% is too low because the capital market and market price per share will be $4679 million and $22. JWN’s market capital and market price per share are actually $11,453 million and $55/ respectively.With growth rate of 10%, JWN will have 14% in rate of return. VI. Recommendation about stock After evaluating Nordstrom’s past performance and forecasted its future growth, there should be a â€Å"BUY† in Nordstrom stock. Nordstrom has established itself as a high-end apparel retailing company. Nordstrom has founded itself upon excellent customer service and an unmat ched reputation. Its main competitors are Saks, Dillard’s, and Neiman Marcus. Nordstrom’s accounting policies are moderate and very well disclosed; they leave no room for any potential red flags to be raised. Nordstrom’s transparent accounting olicies show that the managers have confidence in the firm and its ability to perform. No distortion is used in their statements proving the firms high integrity standards. Upon completion of Nordstrom’s ratio analysis it is apparent that there should be no concerns as to how Nordstrom compares to its competition. In most cases Nordstrom was either average or stood above the competition. There were very few cases where Nordstrom fell behind in its market. Nordstrom would grow at an average 10% percent per year. This is shown through increasing sales and expansion of new stores.Nordstrom has $10,877 million net revenue, $683 million net income, EPS $3. 15, and dividend $. 90/share in fiscal 2012. Nordstrom is expecte d to have $11,705 Million net revenue, $735 million net income, EPS $3. 48 and dividend $. 90 per share during fiscal year 2013. JWN recently acquired online private sale leader HauteLook Inc, which will help the company in building its multi-channel retail format. The acquisition will facilitate Nordstrom to increase its direct business capabilities, implement an enterprise-wide inventory management system, direct sales to online customers and enhance customer service.JWN’s operations are based on a variable cost business model and about 40% to 45% of selling, general and administrative expenses are variable in nature. This flexible cost structure not only helps the company to mitigate the impact of sluggish sales trends on margins, but also enables it to quickly capitalize on the emerging opportunities when market conditions recover. Consequently, Nordstrom can expect a steady improvement in profitability moving forward. Nordstrom has 8. 6% increase in same-store sales for the five week period ended March 31st 2012 compared with the five week period ended April 2nd 2012.Total retail sales of $1. 03 billion for March 2012 increased 14. 7% compared with total retail sales of $897 million for the same period in fiscal year 2011. In addition, Nordstrom has a 7. 1% increase in same-store sales for the four-week period ended April 28th, 2012 compared with the four-week period ended April 30th, 2011. Preliminary total retail sales of $802 million for April 2012 increased 10. 5% compared with total retail sales of $726 million for the same period in fiscal 2011. First quarter same-store sales increased 8. 5% compared with the same period in fiscal 2011.First quarter total retail sales of $2. 53 billion increased 13. 7% compared with total retail sales of $2. 23 billion for the same period in fiscal 2011. In addition, JWN also invests 16. 4 million USD in Bonobos, an exclusive brand of men? s clothes that sells pants and other clothes online. Nordstrom will al so sell Bonobos products through its online store and through more than 100 brick and mortar stores. This move is one of Nordstrom? s efforts to capitalize on the growth opportunities and innovation potential that the web provides, which reflects a smart decision from a dynamic management team.

Diffusion Lab Essays

Diffusion Lab Essays Diffusion Lab Essay Diffusion Lab Essay The food dye added to the ice water did not diffuse. This data agrees with my hypothesis that warm water diffuses fastest. It was also proven that the concentration of solute affects diffusion. The group of potatoes placed in distilled water was closer to equilibrium than the groups placed in 10% and 40% NCAA elution because the water had no solute. The potatoes in 10% and 40% NCAA were placed in a hypersonic solution, which is why the potatoes in 10% decreased . 4 grams and the potatoes in 40% decreased . 8 grams, according to class data. Although the data for 10% NCAA followed the class data pattern decrease in mass, 40% NCAA did not, which is an error. The more water left from the potato, the softer it became which is proven when the potatoes in distilled water got increasingly hard, in 10% NCAA got soft, and in 40% NCAA got very soft. It was also proven that the size of the solute affects diffusion. Starch did not move out of the dialysis tube because it was too large of a solute. If starch had moved out of the bag, the water in the beaker would have turned black, which it did not. Instead, the water on the inside of the dialysis tube turned black because SKI is a small enough solute to diffuse across the dialysis tubing. The glucose moved out of the tubing because the water in the beaker Witt Benedicts turned turquoise Delude when put In Dolling water, a positive test result for glucose. The amount of glucose that went out was more than the amount of SKI that went in, which is why the mass decreased. Proven last was that type of membrane affects diffusion. The shell of egg that was left in vinegar was completely gone in 24 hours. The outermost layer was the amniotic sack. The membrane of the egg in the oil was its shell. The shell serves as a skull to the egg, so it is very selectively permeable. This is proven because its change in mass was very little, only -1. 53, compared to the amniotic sack on the cell submerged in vinegar, which was -13. 97. Because the amniotic sack is less selectively permeable than the shell, there was a greater change in mass than the egg in the oil.

Southern Stingray Facts and Information

Southern Stingray Facts and Information Southern stingrays, also called Atlantic southern stingrays, are a normally docile animal that frequents warm, shallow coastal waters. Description Southern stingrays have a diamond-shaped disc that is dark brown, gray or black on its upper side and white on the lower side. This helps southern stingrays camouflage themselves in the sand, where they spend most of their time. Southern stingrays have a long, whip-like tail with a barb at the end that they use for defense, but they rarely use it against humans unless they are provoked. Female southern stingrays grow much larger than males. Females grow to about a 6-foot span, while males about 2.5 feet. Its maximum weight is about 214 pounds. The southern stingrays eyes are on top of its head, and behind them are two spiracles, which allow the stingray to take in oxygenated water. This water is expelled from the stingrays gills on its underside. Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ElasmobranchiiOrder: MyliobatiformesFamily: DasyatidaeGenus: DasyatisSpecies: Americana Habitat and Distribution The southern stingray is a warm water species and inhabits primarily shallow tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean (as far north as New Jersey), the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Feeding Southern stingrays eat bivalves, worms, small fish, and crustaceans. Since their prey is often buried in the sand, they un-bury it by forcing streams of water out their mouth or flapping their fins over the sand. They find their prey using electro-reception and their excellent senses of smell and touch. Reproduction Little is known about the mating behavior of southern stingrays, as it has not been observed often in the wild. A paper in the Environmental Biology of Fishes reported that a male followed a female, engaged in pre-copulatory biting, and then the two mated. Females may mate with multiple males during the same breeding season. Females are ovoviviparous. After a gestation of 3-8 months, 2-10 pups are born, with an average of 4 pups born per litter. Status and Conservation The IUCN Red List states that the southern stingray is of least concern in the U.S. because its population appears to be healthy. But overall, it is listed as data deficient, because there is little information available on population trends, bycatch, and fishing in the rest of its range. A large ecotourism industry has arisen around southern stingrays. Stingray City in the Cayman Islands is a popular destination for tourists, who come to observe and feed the swarms of stingrays that gather there. While the stingrays animals are usually nocturnal, research conducted in 2009 showed that the organized feeding is affecting the stingrays, so that instead of eating during the night, they eat all day and sleep all night. Southern stingrays are preyed upon by sharks and other fishes. Their primary predator is the hammerhead shark. Sources Arkive. 2009. Southern Stingray (Dasyatis Americana). (Online) Arkive. Accessed April 12, 2009.MarineBio.org. 2009. Dasyatis Americana, Southern Stingray (Online). MarineBio.org. Accessed April 12, 2009.Monterey Bay Aquarium. 2009. Southern Stingray (Online) Monterey Bay Aquarium. Accessed April 12, 2009.Passarelli, Nancy and Andrew Piercy. 2009. Southern Stingray. (Online) Florida Museum of Natural History, Department of Ichthyology. Accessed April 12, 2009.

Nespresso - Strategy and Competition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Nespresso - Strategy and Competition - Essay Example presso specific equipment to the customers and the process of making high quality espresso coffee is also shown to the customers as part of the operations of the boutique. The boutiques also provide a presentation area where the different Nespresso coffee making equipment and the Nespresso blend capsules are set up. The Nespresso boutique interacts with the customers by hosting a coffee bar at the boutique with entertainment and sitting area for the customers. The customers can interact with the staff by ordering their coffees, making their own coffees at the bar through the single serving percolators as well as by providing the management of the boutique with feedback on the quality and service. The company also operates through its websites whereby the customers can order the coffee and the equipment online. This is delivered the customers residence or mentioned address by the company. The critical issues that have been faced by the brand and its serving boutiques is to combat the tea drinking culture in the Asian countries as well as bring the concept of single serving espressos made through coffee capsules containing exclusive special blends to the customers. The challenges that the company has faced pertain to building relationships with customers and fording them into long lasting loyalties. The concept of brand loyalty is very strong with Nespresso, however it has been challenging for the company to make loyal customers as well. The motivation of the company is being providing an exclusive and portioned form of coffee and equipment to customers has been to revolutionize the way the coffee is perceived and consumed. The company saw the trend towards smaller family sizes and single person households in the 1970’s and has built on it to produce the single serving coffee capsules as well as the single serving coffee making machines. The customer satisfaction for the products manufactured and provided by the Nespresso Company has been bountiful. The high

Ivan Ilyich Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ivan Ilyich Paper - Assignment Example Once, an accident changed his life by learning the true meaning of life. After a physical injury, Ivan found the realities of life by analyzing his family members and the services of his servant Gerasim. Before the accident, Ivan did not care for his children and his wife and ever criticized them, but after the accident he felt love and sympathy for his family. Changing in the behavior of Ivan is because of caring and loving attitude of his servant, who take cares him without any reward. Caring behavior of Gerasim describes the lesson of love and kind of humanity that goes to the love of death rather than fear of death. There is a lesson for readers that artificial life never comforts the human to live a stress free life. Genuine and simple lifestyle helps the people to care each other in difficult times and love for the family members. Spiritual satisfaction is better rather than materialistic life. The story is about the process of Ivan’s death by facing different phases in the society. The lesson of the story is great about death that love of humanity decreases the pain of death for the deceased persons and his concerned persons too. Ivan was a great gentleman before death, but an accident changed his social status. Everyone ignored him and did care him, but only a servant took care for himself. When Ivan was living a luxurious life, he was afraid of death as he never faced any pain because of materialist life. Pain made easy the sense of deceased feelings. The death of Ivan also made easy the lives of his juniors to promote at his left seat and also a relaxed life for his remaining relatives (Maude, 1886). In the story, there are two sides of life, which were faced by the main character Ivan Ilych. In the first phase of his life, he was a successful person by not having any problem. He spent a great life with his friends and his professional life and he also did not care for domestic life anytime. But, an accident

Contemporary Issues in business and management Essay

Contemporary Issues in business and management - Essay Example Sustainability refers to the voluntary activities of the company, which show that it is committed to environmental and social concerns, according to the ways it administers its operations and in its dealings with its stakeholders (Van Marrewjk & Verre, 2003). This paper will discuss the challenges encountered by the leaders of the organization, in their attempts to incorporate CSR, and particularly that related to the impacts of their business activities, in the light of the models, theory and the analytical tools related to CSR, change and innovation management and leadership. Further, the paper will evaluate the ways in which companies are going green, giving some examples. The era for applauding the economic prosperity of corporations as a stand-alone area has ended, as corporations, societies, governments and agencies are questioning the impacts of corporate activities and actions (Orlitzky, Schmidt and Rynes, 2003). This change of outlook requires firms to redirect and split their attention towards increasing its economic performance, while at the same time filling the position of good corporate citizen. Filling these positions requires companies to keep in touch with global trends on maintaining commitment to the two major goal areas; meeting private and public needs (Henderson, 2007). These new demands have forced corporations to review their rules, frameworks, and business models. Among the most responsible companies, it is a daily practice to review short and long-term plans, so as to stay safe and at the front line in the rapidly changing world. There has been a change in the way that companies consider their place, paying reference to local an d global stakeholders (Holcomb, Upchurch and Okumus, 2007). There has also been a change in the management of the relationships maintained between companies and its stakeholders, particularly with customers, suppliers, investors,

Comparing Roman Empire and Han Dynasty Essay Example for Free

Comparing Roman Empire and Han Dynasty Essay Roman Empire and Han Dynasty had many things in common and uncommon.During their falling era they were experiencing facts which were really similar to each other therefore emphasizing on them will make the topic.And also their characterstics were similar in their way of ruling and living so also they will be included. Firstly,to talk about their characteristics we can see that they both had well organized bureaucracy the only difference was , Han’s bureaucracy was based on Confucian ideas whereas Romans’ bureaucracy was based on their own law and classic learning. Another common characteristic about them was their emphasis on family.Han Dynasty’s were patriarchial and Romans’ were pater families.They both attached importance on engineering and made great accomplishments such as, roads,cannals,the great wall by Han Dynasty and aqueducts,domes,sewage systems,central heating by the Romans. To talk about their similarities during their fall we can say that they were affected deeply by the Germanic Invasions factor which caused both of them to loose power.They were both abrogated by the same conflicts since Germans had a great military power to constantly oppose to them.They had the same problem that caused them not to be able to protect themselves.It was their monetary problem that made them defenseless to Germans. Another problem they were both facing was they problem of not electing a new ruler that will reconstruct them and unify them. They were in total decline in morals and values.Their public health was jeopardized so they needed to find a way out to the political corruption however seeing that these empires fell it means that these needs were not provided and they could not be unified which was their common problem. To conclude , we discussed their common qualities and problems from their characteristics to their fall.It was obvious that they had many things common so this was the reason why they both fell.If they had been able to find a way out to their common problem they would have remained.

Health Essays Caffeine Health Effects

Health Essays Caffeine Health Effects Caffeine Health Effects Abstract Caffeine is the most commonly consumed ‘drug’ in the world that is said to have been discovered in the Paleolithic Period. It is found in basically everything that people consume including all types of food, soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee, tea, and chocolate. The purpose of caffeine is to help strengthen attentiveness and diminish exhaustion. Taking too much or abusing the use of caffeine, can cause side effects, but can all be avoided if taken in reasonable amounts. So many beneficial effects come with consuming this drug from helping people in sports, to losing weight, to increasing alertness, and repelling things such as snails and slugs. Testing is done often to find more ways that caffeine is useful in individual’s lives. In the author’s opinion it is believed that caffeine has many more positive effects that overcome the negative effects. Introduction and History Caffeine has been around for many years and is having an impact on more and more people everyday. A great deal of evidence denotes that the consumption of caffeine goes all the way back to the Paleolithic Period (Magkos Kavouras, 2005). Some may think that caffeine is bad for the body and does no good, however many Americans consume caffeine everyday in their diet. Although caffeine has both positive and negative effects, there are much more positive effects if taken responsibly. Caffeine is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system, which causes high alertness. Taking too much of any drug is going to lead to the chances of having side effects. The side effects can be prevented by decreasing the amount of caffeine that is taken into the body. Thus, from increasing alertness, mood, psychomotor performance, to helping as a dietary aid and extending exercise in people suffering from heart failure, to being used as a repellent for mollusks, caffeine is used in many ways and has many positive effects that go along with it. People need to have a better understanding of caffeine before making judgments. Consumption The main source of caffeine consumption comes from soft drinks. Caffeine is an additive used in such drinks to sweeten the taste. It can show no flavor depending on the amount taken, but the positive effects that come with it are an increased attention rate and better mood. Because of these effects, more people thrive off caffeinated drinks. Looking around, there are soft drink machines everywhere giving more people access to this stimulant. Yet, many people believe that they should not be in schools or places where it is efficient for kids because they say it is so unhealthy for them (Keast Riddell, 2006). Others will argue this in saying that caffeine is good for the body as long as it’s not abused. This is a true statement, and as a result educating more people on the effects of caffeine would be very helpful to everyone. Besides soda and other soft drinks, caffeine is also found in coffee. Coffee has many positive effects to it, such that coffee stimulates the brain and increases energy and mood, and can help in preventing diseases such as skin, liver, and colon cancer, and some others. Both the combination of daily exercise and a cup of coffee are said by scientists to help in the prevention of skin cancer. This has been tested and proven on hairless mice, which have extremely sensitive skin to the sun. Stated from The Times of India, one group was given caffeinated water to drink, another group exercised on a running wheel at its own convenience, while the third group both drank caffeine and exercised on the wheel, and the control group neither drank nor exercised. All of the mice were exposed to ultraviolet radiation, which the results in comparing all the groups to the control group showed that the caffeine drinkers showed an increase of 95% in ultraviolet radiation stimulating apoptosis. Apoptosis is the process where cells with damaged DNA are destroyed against illness. The second group showed a 120% increase, while the mice that both consumed caffeine and exercised showed close to a 400% increase (â€Å"Coffee May Prevent,† 2007). A study was also developed to research the effects of caffeine on liver cancer. More than 90,000 Japanese were used in a study and it was found that people that drank coffee daily or close to every day had reduced the risk of liver cancer by nearly half compared to those who never drank coffee. â€Å"The American Cancer Society estimates that 18,920 cases of liver cancer were diagnosed in the United States last year and some 14,270 people died of the illness† (â€Å"Coffee May Help,† 2008). As a result, it is well stated that caffeine can reduce the chances of liver cancer. According to many scientists, there is a highly antioxidant compound that is found in coffee that reduces the chances of colon cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. This compound found in coffee is called methylpyridinium, however is not found in raw coffee beans but is created during the roasting process. Tests were brought out to scrutinize this compound even more, so specially equipped extracts of the coffee were exposed to certain lab situations of human intestinal cells for three days and were compared to cells that were not exposed to coffee. In the experiment, coffee extracts were found to have increased the activity levels of phase II enzymes. Then, to determine whether it had the same effect in living systems, a group of twenty-four rats was evenly divided into three groups. Each group was fed different diets, either a normal diet, a diet mixed with coffee extract, or a normal diet containing pure methylpyridinium. The tests showed that rats that were fed the coffee extract had a 24-40% increase in phase II enzymes and the group with the pure methylpyridinium showed an increase in the enzyme activity levels (â€Å"Highly Active,† 2003). Results show that coffee is proven to fight cancer in living systems. Caffeine can help in such diseases as cancer in which caffeine and another substance called theophylline are found in many products like coffee, chocolate, and many soft drinks. It is said that they can block enzymes that are crucial for cell growth, which means that one day it could be used to stop cell growth all together and avoid blood clots that can cause heart attacks and strokes (â€Å"Caffeine Boost,† 2002). It is not just coffee that prevents cancer, it is the caffeine in coffee that is preventing this disease. As most know, there is no cure for cancer, although the tests above show the many ways in which caffeine can help prevent one of the leading causes of deaths. Despite the positive effects of consuming coffee, here in the United States, drinking coffee is consumed most by adults. However, in Guatemala, it is very common among children. It is one of the first liquids given to babies after milk in Guatemala, even though it may affect the cognitive function by damaging iron levels. It is also known to hinder with the iron absorption and iron status of pregnant women and their babies, which is why it is said that pregnant woman should give up coffee during the term of pregnancy because it could cause miscarriages (Engle Vasdias et al, 1999). Nonetheless, not consuming coffee while pregnant and not giving coffee to such young children can avoid these negative effects. Sports and Diet Caffeine is known as one of the most widely used pick-me-ups in sports because of it’s ability to increase alertness and mood. Many athletes depend on this stimulant to help them carry on with their game if they are feeling a little drowsy or incapable to perform in an expected manner. Using caffeine is often used to improve physical and mental performance. It improves physical performance by causing alertness and giving the athlete energy to perform and improves mental performance by stimulating the central nervous system. This helps the athletes have higher levels of concentration (Magkos Kavouras, 2005). Using caffeine instead of other types of steroids and drugs is much cheaper and has less health effects. It also has less ineligibility cases compared to many other drugs. Being cut from a team is not the only consequence if caught using steroids or drugs, but it is also considered a felony. Therefore, many athletes should take caffeine over steroids to increase energy (Magkos Kavouras, 2005). Unless caffeine is taken in substantial amounts, some side effects may occur. Taking in massive quantities of caffeine may trigger dehydration that could affect functioning. It may also cause gastrointestinal pain and other side effects, such that caffeine is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and spread throughout the tissues of the body. Athletes that are abusing the use of caffeine may notice an occurrence in nervousness or an increase in heart rate and may even lead up to seizures or a coma. Caffeine has to be taken with some caution, because of the possible negative side effects that could take place, but remembering to take in only what is needed will help bring out only the positive effects (Magkos Kavouras, 2005). Since caffeine is found in so many foods and over the counter medications, it is becoming to show an increase in all diets around the world. Many people that are trying to lose weight take caffeine pills or eat a diet that is high in caffeine for the energy, similar to those as athletes that use it to enhance performance. Though caffeine pills should not be taken everyday and should be taken early in the day to reduce the chances of losing sleep at night. They help in increasing energy levels and suppressing hunger. This is very helpful for people who do not have the energy to get up and exercise. Some people may need that extra boost to get them started (Striegel-Moore Franko et al, 2006). On the other hand, it is not a fundamental nutrient, nor good for the health if taken too often. Too much can become addictive and cause problems like eating disorders, which is very common among young adults. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia are found more common among girls than in boys. Many girls in their teens have more pressure on themselves and feel the need to lose extra weight. Consuming large amounts of caffeine will enhance their energy and suppress the need for food, or hunger. Even though they may already be thin, they will continue starving themselves because they believe they are fat. It’s a constant battle that never ends and it is a very difficult disease to fight. Effects on Sleep When caffeine is consumed in reasonable amounts, everyday consumption of it can be helpful and have many beneficial effects on human behavior and sleep showing more people with enhanced mental functioning. Imagine truck drivers who drive such long distances day and night, consuming caffeine can help stay alert and focused on the road. Many accidents occur in a year because of people falling asleep at the wheel. Taking caffeine for better functioning reasons while driving or other reasons can be very beneficial. Regardless of the positive effects of reducing fatigue and better functioning, there are the downfalls of consuming too much caffeine. Too much caffeine has a big effect on your sleeping ability. Sleep disorders are becoming more and more known to many children and adults because of the amount of caffeine they are taking in. Large amounts of caffeine taken at night will make it much harder to fall asleep. People face more problems like feeling tired when they wake up or waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to fall back asleep. Although, the majority of people are very good at the amount of caffeine they take in to get the most out of the positive effects (Orbeta Overpeck et al, 2005). Effects on Human Behavior Rather than better mental functioning purposes and an increase in alertness, caffeine is also shown to improve many effects on human behavior. For instance, psychomotor performance is enhanced with caffeine intake. A psychomotor skill deals with being able to make movements that are essential to complete a task, however they are skills that are performed often without even thinking how they are done. Handwriting is an example of a very difficult psychomotor skill where as people have their own unique way of writing, some using the wrist more, or maybe the elbow, or moving the whole arm as they write. Caffeine consumption can improve handwriting and reveal a much larger improvement in handwriting skills if taken in moderate quantities (Tucha Walitza et al, 2006). When caffeine is consumed in so many different amounts in many types of foods, it will improve people’s talent to perform certain responsibilities requiring a lot of attention. Also, when dispensed in the same amount, caffeine increases alertness and reduces fatigue. The opposing effects take place when caffeine is consumed in unbearable amounts or by people who are overly sensitive to the drug (Smith, 2002). As a result, caffeine is very helpful in which it can improve vigilance tasks and help people become more focused, so multitasking can be done. Use as a Repellent Caffeine is also used a repellent in which many people probably didn’t know. Many products for the use of mollusk control include metaldehyde or methiocarb for the main ingredients. However, both of these ingredients are highly poisonous by inhalation and to all animals. Caffeine is an all-natural product that is categorized as a generally recognized as safe (GRAF) product by the United States FDA. There have been many tests to support that caffeine is a well-proven repellent as well (Hollingsworth, Armstrong, Campbell, 2002). According to Hollingsworth, Armstrong, and Campbell (2002) spray applications containing one to two percent of caffeine have been reported to kill slugs during a test that experienced caffeine as a toxicant against frog pests. Another test (Figure 1) took action upon orchid snails where as they were put into Petri dishes with caffeine while the heart rates were taken under a microscope. Snails with caffeine concentrations of .1% or more had vulnerable and uneven heartbeats after a 24-hour period. The snails with higher caffeine concentrations were dead after 96 hours, or four days. As a result, caffeine has been proven to kill off mollusks and would be a much safer alternative for food crops. Taking caffeine on an everyday basis will cause the body to become addicted to the substance and cause withdrawals if missing a day. Withdrawals may include headaches or may cause a change in mood. When the amount of caffeine that is taken in is reduced, the body will become very responsive to adenosine. The responsiveness will cause blood pressure to drop, causing an overload of blood to rush to the head, which leads to a headache. Headaches can last between one to five days and aside from such painful headaches, restlessness, irritability, and constant fatigue may occur (Smith, 2002). All of the negative effects come from consuming too much caffeine. For that reason, if caffeine were used correctly and more sensibly, the negative effects would not take place. Negative effects on any drug can be avoided by following simple directions of not overdosing and if sensitive to the drug, don’t take at all. There are so many people that abuse it and take it for all of the wrong reasons. If they took caffeine for the right reasons, they would begin to see positive effects. Conclusion In conclusion, researchers are constantly exploring the many ways that caffeine is beneficial and has proven these effects in many cases. The main source of caffeine comes from soft drinks, in which it is an additive used to sweeten the taste. It is also very popular in coffee where it helps prevent against some diseases and has the effect of an increased attention rate and better mood. In sports, athletes thrive off caffeine to enhance performance because it is much cheaper and has less health effects than any other drug or steroid. Becoming an increase in all foods, caffeine is also used in many diets to help increase energy. The biggest factor in using caffeine is sleep. Sleep is unwanted in many situations such as driving and other vigilance tasks. Taking caffeine helps sleep by increasing alertness and mental functioning, while reducing fatigue. Other than increasing alertness and mental functioning, so many other effects take place in the behavior of individuals. Effects on human behavior include improving multitasking and developing psychomotor performance, such as improving handwriting skills. Another assured effect that caffeine takes part in is repelling things such as snails and slugs. It is proven much safer than other products and has been tested in many different experiments. Caffeine has much more positive effects that overcome the negative effects. The negative effects of caffeine all come from being abused or taken in too large of quantities, meaning that more people need to understand all of the effects. From athletes trying to enhance performance, people dieting, better functioning, an increase in alertness, to repelling things such as snails and slugs. Caffeine has many effects on the body to help improve behavior. Looking back at all of the beneficial ways in which caffeine helps, provides all the more reasons why it is used so often. References American Chemical Society (2003, October 15). Highly Active Compound Found in Coffee May Prevent Colon Cancer. Science Daily. Retrieved April 20, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/10/031015031251.htm Caffeine boost in cancer battle. (2002, August 22). 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