Counselling Case Study Essay

Let me introduce Bandara. Bandara has been working as the number two in a medium sized organization for ten years. It has always been intimated that when Jeremy his boss retires or leaves, Bandara will slip into the number one position and lead the organization. Barry has always had some clear ideas on how he is going to take the organization forward when Jeremy is not there; ideas that have not been taken up in the past. Life being perverse, it had been decided to advertise the job externally and guess what? A better candidate came up who has now been in post for three weeks. Bandera’s new boss is a great guy, very friendly and supportive . . . but, he is not Barry. Barry has been to a counsellor for few sessions. Today is a new session. Counsellor: â€Å"Well Bandara, your new man is now firmly in position, so how does that leave you?† Bandara: â€Å"Adrift, de-energized, de-motivated, thwarted, un-trusted, rejected, passed over. Does that sum it up?† Well what an outpouring of emotion. This guy is in real trouble. Counsellor: â€Å"Can I add another one – rejected?† Bandara: â€Å"Of course that says it all. But I am clearly not as good at this job as I thought I was and that makes me feel insecure and uncomfortable. They have chosen this new guy over me – after all I have done here it does not seem fair. In fact, life does not feel fair at all.† How is this for a good counselling challenge? Which one of those key words above should our counsellor pick on first? Which of these is getting to Bandara most? What, if our counsellor mines deeply enough will help Bandara pick himself up and start regaining his customary enthusiasm? Counsellor must not be judgmental here, so he will ask Bandara. Counsellor: â€Å"Bandara, you have used a lot of what could be described as emotional words here, can you pick out one that really stands out? If you look inside yourself, what feeling are you seeing, feeling or hearing?† Bandara: â€Å"Phew that is not easy. My mind is going round and round with all these feelings. What did I do wrong, I ask myself constantly?† Counsellor: â€Å"So what did you do wrong?† Bandara: â€Å"I took it for granted that I would get the job; that I was the best man for it; that I knew so much about the organization that I was indispensable; that I had such great ideas that I was the obvious person for the job.† Counsellor: â€Å"Bandara, did anybody else in the organization know anything about these ideas of yours? Have you discussed them in the past?† Bandara: â€Å"Well, no. They were always at odds with the fundamental direction that we were going so did not raise them.† Counsellor: â€Å"Despite the fact that you had not discussed this openly, do you not think that over a period of 10 years, somebody would have got an inkling of your views?† The counsellor is digging and digging here, not letting go and is on the point of getting Barry to understand for himself some of the reasons why he may not have been picked for the job. Bandara: â€Å"Ummm, never thought like that. I a funny sort of way, thinking about it now, I have always been at odds with the culture here, despite that fact that I have been praised and rewarded for my efforts many times. Thinking about it that there has always been conflict in my sub-conscious and I had not realized it until now. The question is . . . what . . . how . . . well, oh dear I have got some very difficult resolving to do.† Counsellor – let the silence do the heavy lifting again. Bandara: â€Å"It makes sense that somebody here would have had inkling about my thoughts – ten years is long enough for people to do that. Oh dear, I may have shot myself in the foot here and been my own worst enemy. Wow, what a horrible realization.† The counsellor has done a great job here. A few questions have got Barry to look at and inside himself and he has come up with his own self diagnosis. Bandara has also moved from his â€Å"old brain† into the analytical part of his brain thus removing the emotion for him. The coach dilemma here is that having enabled Bandara to take himself apart metaphorically, it is necessary to allow him to get himself back together before the end of the session. Counsellor: â€Å"Bandara, if I were in your position, what would you advise me to do?† Well done again counsellor. Getting an objective view on this. Bandara: â€Å"Well that is simple. Think through the ideas you have always had, refine them and get them out of your head and onto paper (or a Word document). Not too long. Do not spend too much time on it and keep it very brief – an overview. Arrange to see the new number one, preferably off site at a neutral venue, and tell him that you have always had these ideas but never shared then and you would now like to share them and if anything was that good, maybe the organization can adopt them. You will either get an acceptance, in which case you will achieve what you have always wanted or you will have a debate as to what can or cannot be adopted and you will have at least cleared the air for yourself.† Counsellor: â€Å"So Bandara what are you going to do?† Bandara: â€Å"Crafty – you have got me to resolve my own dilemma. Clearly, I shall take my own advice and do just what I have recommended. Thanks sir. I have gone from tragic to magic as Walt Disney would say and it’s all down to you. Thanks.† Not crafty, just a great counselling session. The counsellor was faced with what appeared to be a somewhat intractable problem which was solved by some excellent questions and techniques. Would you have handled this in the same way, or is there a better way? Instructions to students 1 Read the case individually at least twice 2 Try to answer the following questions a) What is Counselling? b) What are the skills required for a counsellor c) What are the stages of a Counselling Session? d) What are the differences between directive counselling and non directive Counselling e) What are the lessons from this case for a new counsellor? 3 Discuss your findings with the sub group members. Be prepared to make an oral presentation on your findings 4 Write the assignment and submit same before the due date. It is advisable to attach a copy of this document to your assignment

Introduction to Investment Appraisal Techniques

Firms throughout the world expand by starting projects and carrying out investments in different industries and sectors. An important building block in these investments is the analysis and later the evaluation of these projects on the basis of economic, cost and financial data. Investment appraisal techniques provide the financial data and also help managers determine the financial viability of each and every project under consideration. Concepts Related to Investment Appraisal MethodsAlmost all appraisal techniques are based on certain building blocks. These building blocks require estimations and forecasting of present data into the future. For instance future growth rates and interest rates need to be predicted in order to calculate the cost of capital for different projects. Similarly another important estimation is related to the cash inflows and cash outflows for a particular project. This requires the project evaluators or analysts to come up with accurate forecasts for sales , costs and other operating costs.Firms also need to look at the useful or life cycle of the project because that will determine the total net cash flows for a particular project, the time period will also tell the project evaluators about the time horizon of the project so that other economic and market factors could be considered as well while making the decision. Firms also need to plan the type of project evaluation techniques that must be used by the evaluators; for instance with projects that have a short-life span the Pay-Back method should be used to compare the speed with which each project is providing the initial investment.Many of the appraisal techniques must be used together to come to conclusions because of the way the data is presented to evaluators. For instance if a project is giving high returns in the later years but the overall average return is greater than another project that is giving high returns in the initial years than the evaluators might select the lat ter project because it is less risky. Important Investment Appraisal Techniques Pay-Back Period: This method simply calculates the time it will take a project to earn back the amount of money that was initially invested.This technique is extremely important in the comparison of those projects which have similar total life but varying cash flows throughout the life cycle. For instance in a scenario where interest rates are rising then evaluators would want to go for a project which has a lower Pay-Back period. This is because as interest rates increase the cost of capital will also increase and the real value of the returns will fall as we move into the future.Net-Present Value: This method discounts back all future cash-inflows and cash-outflows to the present values; the critical factor in this method is the determination of the discount/interest rate used to bring back the future values to the present. The important thing with this methodology is that it allows businesses to calcu late the real return that they will earn from the project i. e. businesses factor out the inflation or the nominal return that they might get from a project.Accounting Rate of Return: The ARR method provides the evaluators with a percentage that shows a return on the invested amount: say for instance if the ARR is 8% then the project is generating 8% returns annually on each dollar invested. This method does not discount the cash flows but it is helpful in the sense that it explains the potential of the project to generate enough cash flow so that a comparison can be made with other projects on an annual return basis. Internal Rate of Return: This method gives the evaluators with a percentage that shows the projects achieving net present value equal to zero.Essentially, the method calculates the rate at which the projects future calculated return (NPV) is equal to the initial invested amount. This method is extensively used by companies that plan on implementing large-scale projects . This rate gives evaluators an idea of what sorts of costs of capital is acceptable and at which levels or rates can we expect a profit. Value Addition from Appraisal Techniques The appraisal techniques discussed above are an extremely efficient way of substantiating projects and comparing the viability of different projects.The fact of the matter is that when firms want data for different projects while deciding which project to undertake they must objectively evaluate each project and the appraisal techniques provide an effective way of calculating financial data which can be used for analysis. Project Annual Net Cash flow Initial Investment Cost of Capital IRR NPV 1 ? 100,000 ? 449,400 14% A B 2 ? 70,000 C 14% 20% D 3 E ? 200,000 F 14% ? 35,624 4 G ? 300,000 12% H ? 39,000 Calculations for A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H The four projects have a useful life of 10 years. For project 1: Total Cash flow for 10 years: ?1,000,000. IRR: NPV= -? 449,400 + 100,000/ (1+R)1 + 100,000/(1+R)2 +†¦+ 100,000/(1+R)10 = 0. A = 18%; IRR = 18%. By using the trial and error technique we calculated the IRR to be 18%. NPV: -449,400/(1+0. 14)0 + 100,000/(1+0. 14)1 + 100,000/(1+0. 14)2 +†¦+100,000/(1+0. 14)10 = -449,400 + 521,611. 56 = 72,211. 56; B = 72,211. 56 For Project 2: IRR: NPV = -Initial Investment (C) + 70,000/(1+0. 2)1 + 70,000/(1+0. 2)2 +†¦+ 70,000/(1+0. 2)10 = 0; C = ? 293,474. NPV = -293,474/(1+0. 14)0 + 70,000/(1+0. 14)1 + 70,000/(1+0. 14)2 +†¦. + 70,000/(1+0. 14)10 = 71,655; D= ? 71,655For Project 3: Annual Net Cash Flow: IRR: NPV = -200,000 + E/(1+0. 14)1 + E/(1+0. 14)2 +†¦. + E/(1+0. 14)10 = 0; E = ? 38,343. Cost of Capital: 35,624 = -200,000 + 38,343/(1+F)1 + 38,343/(1+F)2 +†¦+ 38,343/(1+F)10 ; F = 11. 00% : through trial and error we calculated the value of cost of capital as 11. 00%. For Project 4: Annual Net Cash Flow: 39,000 = -300,000 + G/(1+0. 12)1 + G/(1. 12)2 +†¦. + G/(1. 12)10 ; G = ? 60,000; IRR (H): NPV= -? 300,000 + 60,000/ (1+R)1 + 60,000/(1+R)2 +†¦+ 60,000/(1+R)10 = 0. H = 15. 1%; by trial and error method we calculated the IRR of the 4th project as 15.1%. Project Selection Based on Available Data The investment techniques that have been used to evaluate the 4 projects have given us some important factors to consider before making the final decision. In light of the data available we suggest that project 3 should be chosen because firstly the initial investment is the lowest amongst all the four projects. Secondly another important factor is that the difference between the cost of capital and the IRR is less than some of the other projects more importantly the IRR is 14% which is the lowest amongst all the four projects.This means that if project 3 is pursued the company the is likely to achieve quick returns and even if the performance of the project is not outstanding due to external factors the company can make substantial returns from the project. The critical factor is that project 3 can b ring in returns far more quickly than other available projects as any returns beyond the 14% mark would be real returns on the investment. Another significant factor would be the saved money from the initial capital that can be used for other projects with similar or even better returns prospects.The cost of capital for this project is also the lowest amongst all other projects; this is also an indicator that change can be absorbed by the company. With project 3 we see that the annual cash flows are amongst the highest if we use the annual cash flow/ initial investment basis for comparison between all the four projects. This also indicates that project 3 is more viable than some of the other projects such as project 1. The only criticism of project 3 is that the gap between cost of capital and IRR is smaller than let’s say from project 1 or project 2.This creates a potential problem if and when interest rates start to increase then the project might become non-profitable in t erms of real rate of return. Conclusion The investment appraisal techniques have become an essential methodology to solve and answer critical questions when it comes to selecting major expansion projects. When companies go to venture capitalists or other financial institutions they must fulfill certain criteria before being given the amount of money they are looking for.Even in the investor industry most investors are required to provide there rate of return requirements before companies or other financial institutions could make tailored products for the investors. It must be emphasized here that companies must understand that other economic data is crucial in relation with the financial data that these appraisal techniques provide. Bibliography: The Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales, Investment Appraisal Techniques, viewed February 5, 2010 < http://financial. kaplan.co. uk/Documents/ICAEW/MI_Ch3_p. pdf> Schuster, Northcott, Gotze, 2008. Investment Appraisal: Met hods and Models, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg Martina Rohrich, 2007, Fundamentals of Investment Appraisal, Oldenbourg Coursework4you. co, Advantages and disadvantages of different appraisal techniques viewed February 5, 2010 < http://www. coursework4you. co. uk/essays-and-dissertations/finance-and-accounting/investment-appraisals/P_F_61_Advantages_and_disadvantages_of_different_investment_appraisals_techniques. php>Course Work 2 Introduction: The dynamics of any industry determine what factors will impact the demand and supply of a particular good or service being bought or sold in that particular market. Some of the major factors that affect the demand for most kinds of products or services include: consumer tastes, income levels, availability of substitute goods and their prices, availability and prices of complementary goods, future price expectations and the general level of literacy of the population and population growth.The other aspect of any market would be the supply side; how do the supply side factors impact the market for goods or services. For instance some major factors include technological advancements, cost of production, the number of suppliers and regulatory framework. A combination of these demand side and supply side factors determines the prices that markets ultimately charge from consumers given that the markets are allowed to function in a free market setting. Technology Market: In particular the Computer MarketWhen we discuss the computer market in isolation we must understand that it is affected greatly by the overall technology market which plays a critical role in determining which new products and services will be offered by these computers and how will these computers be manufactured in the future. Technology has revolutionized the way we do business and other activities around the world. A significant contribution of technological revolution is the machine we call: a computer. From the time of the first computers and up til l today we have witnessed remarkable change.For starters let’s just talk about the change in size of the computers. The point here is that ever since the advent of the computing machine and later the full fledged computer we have since tremendous amount of changes that have occurred along the revolution. These changes have had an impact on both the price of the computer and also on the cost of production of a modern day computer. Demand Side Factors The growth in different technology products such as hand held devices, laptops, desk top computers, I-pods, I-pads, E-books, and PDAs are some examples of what the consumer of today’s world has been buying and accepting for some time.The important factor here is that most technological products are not market oriented rather they are product-led or developed with a perspective of generating enough interest and demand from the market as opposed to the idea of providing products which are required by the market. The demand fo r computers in specific can be divided into two broad categories firstly the demand from the corporate world or offices and secondly from home users who demand desktops. When companies around the globe started to employ and use desktop computers in the 1980s and 1990s; one could see a revolution taking place that would forever change the workplace.These companies converted there existing manual operations on to computers and resultantly we saw dramatic changes in efficiency levels and the ability of companies to become more productive increased many folds. (Samuelson, 2005) This change in the way companies work led to computers becoming a need for majority of the companies in different sectors such as manufacturing, services and primary related industries. The computers, especially desktop computers had become a necessity for companies by mid-90s and onwards. This factor had made computers an important part of any firms capital requirements.(Samuelson, 2005) As far as the households were concerned computers soon after they were being mass-produced in the 80s become a necessity because of the change in the societal factors and requirements at workplace and schools demanded households to have computers at home. During these similar times (80s and 90s) income levels of the middle class households also increased on yearly basis. This was especially the case in the developing countries such as India, China and Brazil. The income levels were also rising in the developed countries which also warranted the increase in demand for computers.We saw that through the 1990s and 2000s the demand for complementary goods and services to the computers also increased. For instance the internet warranted the need for routers, wireless networks and other devices that were mandatory for office work and households. Similarly camera equipment that could connect them to PCs, mobile cables and other many products and services that were used in conjunction with the PCs were being increa singly demanded. We also saw the strength in the demand for substitutes and a consistent fall in their prices.For example a direct substitute of a computer is a handheld device which could be used for most of the purposes that a computer might offer. Even though these substitutes were available yet people ensured that they have at least one personal computer. This strength in demand is a result of the many features that a computer provides over some of its substitutes such as printing options, scanning, and video conference and so on. These added advantages and features have made computers an absolute necessity for the modern home.Another important factor that has played a critical role in increasing the demand for computers is the future expectations of technology and uncertainty. Because people feel that in the near future more emphasis will be given on efficiency and productivity it is imperative to keep up to date with the present technology. The combination of all these factors have created a scenario where by computers have become a part of the daily life of all individuals of the modern age. The internet has only helped the cause of the computers and we see that computers are an essential part of the workplace as well as the home of a particular individual.Supply-Side Factors The technological leap in the latter half of the last century has changed the way work takes place in a typical office of a manufacturing plant today. The reason is simple: the computer and technologies related to the computer. Not only have computers made it easier for companies to make products faster but they have also made companies more flexible and technology hungry. The supply of computers has been increasing at a great pace not only because of high demand but also due to technological changes that are taking place at all times.Between 1990 and 2002 there was a large decline in the prices of computer chips; this in part explains why computers prices were still falling even t hough demand continued to rise during that period. An important factor to understand here is that after the initial increases in the demand in the early 90s soon there was a surplus scenario in the chip market secondly, the rapid change in technology meant that older machines were quickly becoming obsolete hence pushing the prices even further down. (Lipsey and Chyrstal, 2007) Source: http://www.oup. com/uk/orc/bin/9780199286416/01student/interactive/lipsey_extra_ch03/page_01. htm In the diagram above we see that the prices of chips continued to fall between 1990 and 2002 except for the 92-95 period when the prices actually went up slightly the reason for the rise could be explained as the shift in the demand curve to the right as a result of the increase in the demand for complementary software that required high speed computer usage during this time; such as multimedia programs or other gaming and educational programs.The decline in the chip prices also explains the fact that cost of production was also declining rapidly during this time and that more and more suppliers of computers were entering the market. This increased competition for customers meant that prices had an even bigger drop. The increased competition also meant that firms that produce computers try to compete on cost as well as brand image. In an overall analysis of the supply-side of the computer and technology market we would say that prices have had a consistent downward pressure because of declining cost of production and a constant and rapid change in technology.There are a number of other important factors such as the availability of other important devices that have caused the prices of computers to fall down such as cheaper motherboards and RAMs. (Lipsey & Chrystal, 2007) Competition is also an important factor in determining the quality and prices of products such as computers. We see that competition has impacted cost of production by a large amount; many firms that manufacture comp uter and related devices have introduced more and better technologies that are cheaper and faster in processing data.In a lot of ways the market expects and demands computers which are cheaper and faster as we move into the future. This is because businesses and individuals know that computers are meant to reduce the time taken to complete work and achieve this objective in a cost effective way therefore more and more people and businesses demand cheaper computers. Market Scenario: Demand and Supply The market situation is such that the production of computers and the pace of technology have outpaced the overall growth in demand for computers.More importantly the increase in the demand for computers has been in phases when a shift in demand has caused a slight increase in computer prices. The decline in prices is also evident because of transfer of technology amongst different regions of the globe. Many of the developing countries have received technology and cheaper computers from the developed world which has further increased the process of better technological innovation and ever declining prices of computers.There is also a case of understanding that computers are a type of machine that must be renovated or renewed periodically therefore many companies are willing to sell them at lower prices knowing that costumers will buy new machines in the future and they will invest in newer technology. Therefore computer manufacturers have been pursuing brand holding strategies which includes selling computers to buyers at competitive rates.

Case Pneumonia Essay Example for Free

Case Pneumonia Essay Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection. It is also called Pneumonitis or Bronchopneumonia. Pneumonia can be a serious threat to our health. Although pneumonia is a special concern for older adults and those with chronic illnesses, it can also strike young, healthy people as well. It is a common illness that affects thousands of people each year in the Philippines, thus, it remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the country. There are many kinds of pneumonia that range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. In infectious pneumonia, bacteria, viruses, fungi or other organisms attack your lungs, leading to inflammation that makes it hard to breathe. Pneumonia can affect one or both lungs. In the young and healthy, early treatment with antibiotics can cure bacterial pneumonia. The drugs used to fight pneumonia are determined by the germ causing the pneumonia and the judgment of the doctor. It’s best to do everything we can to prevent pneumonia, but if one do get sick, recognizing and treating the disease early offers the best chance for a full recovery. A case with a diagnosis of Pneumonia may catch one’s attention, though the disease is just like an ordinary cough and fever, it can lead to death especially when no intervention or care is done. Since the case is a toddler, an appropriate care has to be done to make the patient’s recovery faster. Treating patients with pneumonia is necessary to prevent its spread to others and make them as another victim of this illness. The lungs constitute the largest organ in the respiratory system. They play an important role in respiration, or the process of providing the body with oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. The lungs expand and contract up to 20 times per minute taking in and disposing of those gases. Air that is breathed in is filled with oxygen and goes to the trachea, which branches off into one of two bronchi. Each bronchus enters a lung. There are two lungs, one on each side of the breastbone and protected by the ribs. Each lung is made up of lobes, or sections. There are three lobes in the right lung and two lobes in the left one. The lungs are cone shaped and made of elastic, spongy tissue. Within the lungs, the bronchi branch out into minute pathways that go through the lung tissue. The pathways are called bronchioles, and they end at microscopic air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli are surrounded by capillaries and provide oxygen for the blood in these vessels. The oxygenated blood is then pumped by the heart throughout the body. The alveoli also take in carbon dioxide, which is then exhaled from the body. Inhaling is due to contractions of the diaphragm and of muscles between the ribs. Exhaling results from relaxation of those muscles. Each lung is surrounded by a two-layered membrane, or the pleura, that under normal circumstances has a very, very small amount of fluid between the layers. The fluid allows the membranes to easily slide over each other during breathing. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Pneumonia is a serious infection or inflammation of your lungs. The air sacs in the lungs fill with pus and other liquid. Oxygen has trouble reaching your blood. If there is too little oxygen in your blood, your body cells can’t work properly. Because of this and spreading infection through the body pneumonia can cause death. Pneumonia affects your lungs in two ways. Lobar pneumonia affects a section (lobe) of a lung. Bronchial pneumonia (or bronchopneumonia) affects patches throughout both lungs. Bacteria are the most common cause of pneumonia. Of these, Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common. Other pathogens include anaerobic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, C. psittaci, C. trachomatis, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, Legionella pneumophila, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and other gram-negative bacilli. Major pulmonary pathogens in infants and children are viruses: respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and influenza A and B viruses. Among other agents are higher bacteria including Nocardia and Actinomyces sp; mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and atypical strains; fungi, including Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Pneumocystis carinii; and rickettsiae, primarily Coxiella burnetii (Q fever). The usual mechanisms of spread are inhaling droplets small enough to reach the alveoli and aspirating secretions from the upper airways. Other means include hematogenous or lymphatic dissemination and direct spread from contiguous infections. Predisposing factors include upper respiratory viral infections, alcoholism, institutionalization, cigarette smoking, heart failure, chronic obstructive airway disease, age extremes, debility, immunocompromise (as in diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure), compromised consciousness, dysphagia, and exposure to transmissible agents. Typical symptoms include cough, fever, and sputum production, usually developing over days and sometimes accompanied by pleurisy. Physical examination may detect tachypnea and signs of consolidation, such as crackles with bronchial breath sounds. This syndrome is commonly caused by bacteria, such as S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. NURSING PROFILE a. Patient’s Profile Name: R. C. S. B. Age: 1 yr,1 mo. Weight:10 kgs Religion: Roman Catholic Mother: C. B. Address: Valenzuela City b. Chief Complaint: Fever Date of Admission: 1st admission Case Pneumonia. (2018, Oct 16).

Bioethics across Cultures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Bioethics across Cultures - Essay Example From this paper it is clear that there are moral concerns over the involvement of the surrogate mother with the born baby after the pregnancy term elapses. Since it’s evident that the surrogate mother will not be the ultimate primary caretaker of the baby, several legal concerns arise in terms of the implications which may accrue as a result of actions underpinned by the surrogate mother to the born baby prior to the submission of the baby to the secondary mother.As the study highlights moral concerns arise with regard to the identity of the born baby. In this context, an ethical dilemma arises as to whether the secondary mother should inform the born baby of the â€Å"actual† surrogate mother who indeed carried the entire pregnancy or not since unravelling this secret could spell a dismantled self-identity to the child. There is an ethical question of how far we should stretch our humane autonomy and what implications may be imposed on our overall self-respect as a res ult of embracing and promoting surrogacy. Surrogacy seems to devalue and or degrade the humane self-respect bestowed by the creator. In the near future, surrogacy may paint the idea that human embryo or fetus can be interchanged. It may also portray that wombs are simply organs for hire and so forth. According to the divine command theory, our actions as humans should reflect God’s immutable nature.  

State Research Elements that Influence State Government Essay

State Research Elements that Influence State Government - Essay Example Members are encouraged to vote for these state and local leaders presented by the union. Another way they seek to influence state government is through their Political Action Committee called Political Action Committee for Education (PACE). Pace contributions are given separately from union dues. This money is used for lobbying and election contributions. PSEA spent nearly $1,000,000 on lobbying salaries and efforts for FY 2006-2007. Democratic candidates are the main recipients of PSEA member and PACE contributions. Many of these candidates favor increased funding for public schools, blocking voucher programs that would send public money to private schools and merit pay for teachers. These initiatives have been identified as some of the most troubling issues for teachers and PSEA members in Pennsylvania. Traditionally, Democratic candidates have been able to count on PSEA as an ally in most elections in districts where education is an issue. Republicans in Pennsylvania have usually been in opposition to PSEA in every way. The whole concept of unionized public sector employees upsets many Republicans. They often point out the fact that some school districts require all members to pay a portion of dues even if they do not join the PSEA. These sorts of ideological and structural differences between the PSEA and Republican Party have traditionally kept them on opposite sides of legislation that seeks to weaken unions or change rules. The effects of the PSEA on state elections is debatable, especially in a weak economy. Pennsylvania has experienced a record number of teacher furloughs since the economic downturn began in 2008. The localized structure of public education in Pennsylvania weakens the effectiveness of PSEA at the state level as well. Pennsylvania is divided into 501 independent local school districts. Each one of these districts has a school board that oversees local expenses and

Battle of the 73 Easting Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Battle of the 73 Easting - Thesis Example The 2ACD and 1ID of the US Army utilized advanced technology and superior military strategy to launch an intensive sustained surprise attack which destroyed the Tawakalna forces. This paper examines the main battles fought by the two US divisions that broke through the central lines of the Tawakalna force and the events that occurred in the two-day duration of the battle. The US-led Coalition Force victory over the elite Iraqi Republican Guard unit, Tawkalna division at 73 Easting is the most decisive ground combat that weakened the Iraqi military and gave way for the destruction of the other Iraqi Republican Guard units which ended the Gulf War (Borque 2). The Coalition victory in the 73 Easting battle is attributed to the superiority of the Coalition military forces, strong and decisive leadership and the utilization of a good battle plan. The victory of the Battle of 73 Easting is the result of the optimum combination of several Army Doctrines (Atkinson 9). First of all, the posse ssion of modern equipment and technology is important in battles. Secondly, a superior military strategy, audacity, effective communication and co-ordination can help defeat the most resolute and bravest army. Surprise, followed by intensive assault is an important tool to destabilize the enemy and prevent them from gaining their tempo and ensure their defeat. Finally, there is the need to use specialized units to execute specific tasks in order to gain military success. The Battle of 73 Easting culminated from the need to destroy and weaken the Iraqi Republican Guard (IRP), which had been a tool used by Saddam Hussein to destabilize international peace by invading Kuwait (Atkinson 2). The battle started on the 26th through to the 27th of February, 1991 at a barren desert just 25 kilometers off the Kuwaiti-Iraqi border. The 7th Corps of the US Army played major role in the Battle of 73 Easting under the command of Lieutenant General Fredrick Franks Jr (McGregor 2). General H. Norman Schwarzkopf held the Central Command of the operation (McGregor 2) . Jointly, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Division of the 7th Corps was the main unit of ground troops that was tasked with facing the Tawakalna central position in the 73 Easting Battle. They were ably supported by the 1st Infantry Division. A total of 4,500 troops made up the core of the 2ACD. However, for the purpose of the battle, 5,500 more troops joined the 2ACD in its three squadrons (Daily 52). Each squadron was equipped with a tank company, howitzer batteries, headquarters troops and three cavalry troops (MacMaster 1). Each troop cavalry had 120 soldiers, nine armored battle tanks and 12 bradley fighting vehicles (Daily 52). The British 1st Armoured Division in the south and the 3rd American Armored Division in the north supported the 2AD in the operation (Donaldson 182). The plan was to encircle the Tawakalna stronghold and meet the 2ACD and 1ID to cut off the Tawakalna stronghold. There is no report of the comma nder of the Tawakalna forces in the war (Adrian 362). It is logically inferred that it reported directly to and took orders from Saddam Hussein. In events leading to the battle, the Iraqi government, in defiance of international law had invaded Kuwait claiming it as an Iraqi territory (Musallam 1). The Tawakalna Division of the IRP was a significant elite unit that played a central role in the invasion and maintenance of Iraqi military presence in Kuwait (Adrian 362). The

Midterm Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 3

Midterm - Essay Example o the fateful time of the renown Trojan War happened which left the Greeks and natives alike bereaved and mourning for their beloved and brave men who perished as heroes in their fight in the incardinate battle fields. The Dorian invasion which happened around 1100 BC is reliable for the fall of the Homeric Age; it was the irrefutable demise of the Minoan civilization. The economic and political structures of the Homeric Greeks were less advanced than in the former recognized Classical era of ancient Greece. The Homeric Greeks did not refer themselves as Greeks. This group distinctly denominates the Argives, the Achaeans and the Danaans people. These people were solely connected to each other by the city states relationships which shared the same language with the varying dialects. The Homeric Greeks were a tribal society governed by a presiding class known as basileis whose duties contained those of a king, general and a judge coupled with other religious responsibilities. The noblemen or rather the Aristoi assisted the king in his calculations and planning and comprised an advisory council / boule. There was an assembly which comprised the agora and a speaking forum comprising the Laos. This society entailed women participating actively in sports such as athletics. They had a level of freedom and enjoyed prestige. The society was however dominantly patriarchal in which a common ancestry and a common king was acknowledged. Slavery existed but in any case the slaves were in small numbers with the majority of the slaves being women held captive. Hard work was performed by the nobles themselves and the men they hired and a portion was left to the slaves. Women were also trained at their homes in gymnastics on how to bear healthy children. Women at home learned important household skills like spinning, sewing, weaving and cooking among other jobs. They were taught basic facts on mythology and religion and infrequently they were taught to handle music instruments.

Health Sciences and Medicine Chapter Questions (Planning Your Needs Essay

Health Sciences and Medicine Chapter Questions (Planning Your Needs Assessment; Logic models; SMART objectives) - Essay Example The personal and social backgrounds of the mentally ill patients are a lack of belonging that is characterized on both a physical and psychological aspect. The homeless people are mostly poor people who may not afford the cost of housing. They end up obtaining mental illnesses that are associated with a high level of substance abuse and poor health. Substance abuse has been a major cause of mental illness in the homeless people because they consume it without control and to cope with their situation. Some of the homeless people have families but they are unable to live with them because of social neglecting. They end up in the streets in order to survive the harsh family neglecting. Their psychological service needs include social acceptance and psychiatric support. Most of these mentally ill homeless people do not access sufficient support in managing their problem. This arises from the lack of money and adherence to the schedules. They also suffer neglect due to the frequent stigma tization and improper judgment of other people.

Alcohol Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 17

Alcohol - Essay Example It is critical that in such instances, alcohol increases its effects on the consumer with the possibility of death resulting from such incidences being a common occurrence. Evidently, alcohol has become a global problem because of steady increment of consumers annually, with the most affected individuals being the youth. Alcohol has severe effects and the usage increase among the youth possess a great challenge to tomorrow’s generation. The practice of alcohol abuse is currently widespread with the total number of individuals engaging in the practice reaching a billion marks (Myers and Isralowitz 48). Whereas some people argue that better an individual abuse alcohol than other substances, the effects associated with alcohol are more severe, and evidence proves that the effect on humans is very severe when consumed in excess. Many alcohol users perceive the drinking as a means of relieving pains and certain stressful conditions, without any knowledge of the hallucinating effect s of alcohol. Increase in such misconceptions regarding alcohol has indeed been the greatest contributing factor towards the increased abuse of alcohol in the deceit of its relieving aspects. Alcohol currently stands as one of the greatest causes of preventable deaths globally through liver cirrhosis, the commonest resultant effect associated with alcohol abuse. Despite the variance of alcohol usage based on age and gender, the practice seems to have an earlier onset of its abuse, which extends to both genders.

JUDICIARY Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

JUDICIARY - Research Paper Example This has happened according to various incidents, where the professionals either compromise their integrity against the justice system as a result of security threats to their lives or deliberate compromise because corrupt deals. PART I Professionals working in the judiciary such as judges, court prosecutors, attorneys and friends of the courts are under obligations to ensure that they execute justice in every case through implementation, defense and upholding of the law in full view of ethical standards. This implies that they should be the ambassadors of transparency rather than being the perpetrators or the promoters of injustices in the society. The court and the entire community expect them to apply the constitution impartially and without favoring any side of the case. Social justice as covered in the Constitution of the United States discusses the application of the required ethical standards in the respect the constitution accords to human rights to life. In this, the constit ution shows equal protection to every member of the society including the recognition of the children’s rights. ... In the two scenarios and in similar incidents, there is a critical test on the ethical standards among the legal professionals working in the judiciary. The only way to uphold the constitution is by reading the relevant parts as are applicable to every case and avoiding misinterpretation. Secondly, they can consult with the attorneys of the judicial system before deciding on controversial or weighty issues. The professional working in the judiciary can make use of the principles of social justices of equality to give both the prosecution and the defense sufficient hearing and at the same time, equal chances to present evidences. The defense must also have the right to appeal in case the decision does not favor him or her. Elkana, Szigete and Lissauer (2011) argues that it is the mandate of the court system and the justice system to promote and to protect solidarity among the professionals in the judicial services as well as the civil society members (the Civil Right Revolutionists), as a way to uphold human rights within the cover of the constitution. A just society will only be just if it articulates and upholds the rights of the citizens of the country. Part II: Several theories exist to explain the reasons why people decide to commit crime. One of the theories referred to as the Strain theory holds that there is a structural constrain that arises among members of the society undergoing development and tends to hinder individual members from achieving their dreams and ambitions in life. These are the strains that push the person into unrealistic means of achieving the same goals leading to criminal acts (Gerber & Jensen, 2007). The second

Analysis of two commercial brands of bleaching solution Essay Example for Free

Analysis of two commercial brands of bleaching solution Essay Objective To determine the concentrations of the active ingredients in 2 commercial bleaches. Introduction Sodium hypochlorite is usually found in bleaching solutions. It is the active ingredient of bleaching solutions. It bleaches by oxidation. When it is added to dye, the following reaction occurs: ClO- + dye - Cl- + (dye + O) If the oxidized form of the dye is colorless, then the color of the dye would fade away. In the presence of acid, the hypochlorite ions from the bleaching solution reacts with the iodine ions from potassium iodide in the following way: ClO- + 2I- + 2H+ I2 + H2O + Cl-. When sodium thiosulphate solution is added into this reacted solution, a further reaction occurs: I2 + 2S2O32- 2I- + S4O62- This reaction could be used in titration to find out the number of moles of thiosulphate ions, thus the concentration of hypochlorite ions in the bleaching solution. Procedure 1. 10 cm3 of Kao Bleach was pipette into a volumetric flask. Distilled water was added until the meniscus reaches the graduation point. 2. 25 cm3 of the titrated bleach was pipette into a conical flask. About 10 cm3 of potassium iodide and dilute sulphuric acid was added into the conical flask. 3. The solution was titrated with sodium thiosulphate solution until the brown colour of the iodine fades. 4. Starch solution was added into the conical flask, and the solution was further titrated until the dark-brown colour of the starch-iodine complex turns to colourless. The volume of sodium thiosulphate solution required to reach the end point was recorded. 5. Steps 1 to 4 were repeated 3 more times. 6. Steps 1 to 5 were repeated using Clorox Bleach. Data and Calculation Molarity of standard Na2S2O3 solution = 0. 05182M Brand A: Kao Price: $11. 9/ 1500ml Trial 1 2 3 Final reading/cm3 26. 8 23. 1 25. 7 26. 0 Initial reading/ cm3. 4. 1 0. 4 2. 9 3. 2 Volume of Na2S2O3 22. 7 22. 7 22. 8 22. 8 Average no. of moles of Na2S2O3 used in the titration: 0. 05182 X (22. 7 + 22. 8 X 2)/3 X 0. 001 = 1. 180 X 10-3 moles So, there are (1. 180 X 10-3 /2) =5. 90 X 10-4 moles of I2 in the reaction So, there are 5. 90 X 10-4 moles of ClO- ions in the diluted solution. Concentration of ClO- in Kao bleach = 5. 90 X 10-4 X 10 /10 X 1000 =0. 5899M Brand B: Clorox Price: $21. 9/ 2840ml Trial 1 2 3 Final reading/cm3 33. 5 32. 4 32. 0 33. 2 Initial reading/ cm3 2. 7 1. 3 0. 9 2. 3 Volume of Na2S2O3 30. 8 31. 1 31. 1 30. 9 Average no. of moles of Na2S2O3 used in the titration: 0. 05182 X (30. 9+ 31. 1 X 2)/3 X 0. 001 = 1. 608 X 10-3 mole So, there are (1. 608 X 10-3 /2) =8. 041 X 10-4 moles of I2 in the reaction So, there are 8. 041 X 10-4 moles of ClO- ions in the diluted solution. Concentration of ClO- in Kao bleach = 8. 041 X 10-4 X 10 /10 X 1000 =0. 8041M Conclusion The concentration of ClO- in Kao is 0. 5899M while that of Clorox is 0. 8041M. Discussion 1. When we add starch solution into the conical flask, the solution turns dark blue. After that, when we add a few drops of sodium thiosulphate, the colour of the solution would turn colourless. We must be careful when we are doing this step. This is because the starch-iodine complex does not show graduation of color change. We may get pass the end point easily. The readings would be inaccurate. 2. Dilute sulphuric acid is irritating. So we must be extra careful in using it. How did I use sulphuric acid more safely? I used a larger measuring cylinder to measure out the amount of sulphuric acid. The likeliness of spilling the acid would be lower. 3. After I had done all the experiments, I found out that the tip of the pipette was broken. When I asked Mr. Leung, he said that the pipette could not be used anymore. Why? I could think of 2 reasons. First, the broken tip of the pipette could cause danger when we are using the pipette. We would have a higher chance of getting our finger cut. Second, the broken tip of the pipette may cause the solution to be carried to leak. So, it is unreliable. Answers to Study Question 1. (a) Amount of active ingredient in Kao: 0. 5899 X (35. 5 + 16) = 30. 38 g /dm3 Amount of active ingredient in Clorox: 0. 8041 X (51. 5) = 41. 41 g/dm3 (b)Cost per gram of Kao: (11. 9 X 1000/1500) /30. 38 = $0. 2611 per gram Cost per gram of Clorox: (21. 9 X 1000/2840) / 41. 41 = $ 0. 186 per gram 2. As Clorox is of a lower price, it is the better buy. 3. Adding potassium iodide in excess ensures that all chlorate ions have reacted. Only when all the chlorate ions have been reacted that the amount of iodine formed can fully reflect the amount of chlorate ions in the solution. This ensures that the volume of sodium thiosulphate used in the titration can be used to determine the number of moles of chlorate ions in the solution. 4. When an acid is added into a solution of chlorate and iodine ions, iodine would be liberated. The iodine can then be used in titration to determine the amount of the chlorate ions. 5. The second way it may deteriorate is by decomposition by sunlight: 2H+ + 2ClO- - 2HCl + O2 The chlorate ions, under sunlight, decompose back to chlorine ions and the bleaching ability of the bleaching solution is reduced. 6. This is because before reaching the end point, starch solution will not show any signs of being close to the end point. Other indicators will. For example, if methyl orange is close to its end point, it will first change the color of the solution to orange. Then, the solution would turn back to its original colour. In this way, we will know that we are close to the end point and we would add the solution more slowly. However, similar characteristics could not be found when we use starch as an indicator. So, we may get pass the end point easily. This problem is solved by titrating the iodine solution without any indicator first. After the brown color of iodine vanishes, we know that we are very close to the end point. At this stage, adding starch solution can tell us whether there is still iodine in the solution. As we know that we are already very close to the end point, we would add the solution more slowly. It would be lees likely to shoot pass the end point.

Direct Marketing Essay Example for Free

Direct Marketing Essay Direct marketing is a channel-agnostic form of advertising that allows businesses and nonprofits organizations to communicate straight to the customer, with advertising techniques that can include Cell Phone Text messaging, email, interactive consumer websites, online display ads, fliers, catalog distribution, promotional letters, and outdoor advertising. Direct marketing messages emphasize a focus on the customer, data, and accountability. Characteristics that distinguish direct marketing are: 1. Marketing messages are addressed directly to the customer and/or customers. Direct marketing relies on being able to address the members of a target market. Addressability comes in a variety of forms including email addresses, mobile phone numbers, Web browser cookies, fax numbers and postal addresses. 2. Direct marketing seeks to drive a specific call to action. For example, an advertisement may ask the prospect to call a freephone number or click on a link to a website. 3. Direct marketing emphasizes trackable, measurable responses from customers — regardless of medium. Direct marketing is practiced by businesses of all sizes — from the smallest start-up to the leaders on the Fortune 500. A well-executed direct advertising campaign can prove a positive return on investment by showing how many potential customers responded to a clear call-to-action. General advertising eschews calls-for-action in favor of messages that try to build prospects’ emotional awareness or engagement with a brand. Even well-designed general advertisements rarely can prove their impact on the organization’s bottom line. A recent study by the Direct Marketing Association reports that in 2010, marketers – commercial and nonprofit – spent $153.3 billion on direct marketing, which accounted for 54.2% of all ad expenditures in the United States. Measured against total US sales, these advertising expenditures generated approximately $1.798 trillion in incremental sales. In 2010, direct marketing accounted for 8.3% of total US gross domestic product. Also in 2010, there were 1.4 million direct marketing employees in the US. Their collective sales efforts directly supported 8.4 million other jobs, accounting for a total of 9.8 million US jobs. Direct marketing is attractive to many marketers because its positive results can be measured directly. For example, if a marketer sends out 1,000 solicitations by mail and 100 respond to the promotion, the marketer can say with confidence that campaign led directly to 10% direct responses. This metric is known as the response rate, and it is one of many clearly quantifiable success metrics employed by direct marketers. In contrast, general advertising uses indirect measurements, such as awareness or engagement, since there is no direct response from a consumer. Measurement of results is a fundamental element in successful direct marketing. The Internet has made it easier for marketing managers to measure the results of a campaign. This is often achieved by using a specific website landing page directly relating to the promotional material. A call to action will ask the customer to visit the landing page, and the effectiveness of the campaign can be measured by taking the number of promotional messages distributed (e.g., 1,000) and dividing it by the number of responses (people visiting the unique website page). Another way to measure the results is to compare the projected sales or generated leads for a given term with the actual sales or leads after a direct advertising campaign. While many marketers recognize the financial benefits of increasing targeted awareness, some direct marketing efforts using particular media have been criticized for generating poor quality leads, either due to poor message strategy or because of poorly compiled demographic databases. This poses a problem for marketers and consumers alike, as advertisers do not wish to waste money on communicating with consumers not interested in their products. Some of these concerns have been addressed by direct marketers by the use of individual opt-out lists, variable printing, and better-targeted list practices. Additionally, in order to avoid unwanted mailings, members of the marketing industry have established preference services that give customers more control over the marketing communications they receive in the mail. The term junk mail, referring to unsolicited commercial ads delivered via post office or directly deposited in consumers mail boxes, can be traced back to 1954. The term spam, meaning unsolicited commercial e-mail, can be traced back to March 31, 1993, although in its first few months it merely referred to inadvertently posting a message so many times on UseNet that the repetitions effectively drowned out the normal flow of conversation. To address the concerns of unwanted emails or spam, in 2003, The US Congress enacted the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM) Act to curb unwanted email messages. Can-Spam gives recipients the ability to stop unwanted emails, and set out tough penalties for violations. Additionally, ISPs and email service providers have developed increasingly effective Email Filtering programs. These filters can interfere with the delivery of email marketing campaigns, even if the person has subscribed to receive them, as legitimate email marketing can possess the same hallmarks as spam. There are a range of email service providers that provide services for legitimate opt-in emailers to avoid being classified as spam. Consumers have expressed concerns about the privacy and environmental implications of direct marketing. In response to consumer demand and increasing business pressure to increase the effectiveness of reaching the right customer with direct marketing, companies specialize in targeted direct advertising to great effect, reducing advertising budget waste and increasing the effectiveness of delivering a marketing message with better geo-demography information, delivering the advertising message to only the customers interested in the product, service, or event on offer. Additionally, members of the advertising industry have been working to adopt stricter codes regarding online targeted advertising. Any medium that can be used to deliver a communication to a customer can be employed in direct marketing, including: Email Marketing Sending marketing messages through email or Emailmarketing is one of the most widely used direct-marketing methods. One reason for email marketings popularity is that it is relatively inexpensive to design, test, and send an email message. It also allows marketers to deliver messages around the clock, and to accurately measure responses. Online Tools With the expansion of digital technology and tools, direct marketing is increasingly taking place through online channels. Most online advertising is delivered to a focused group of customers and has a trackable response. * Display Ads are interactive ads that appear on the Web next to content on Web pages or Web services. Formats include static banners, pop ups, videos, and floating units. Customers can click on the ad to respond directly to the message or to find more detailed information. According to research by eMarketer, expenditures on online display ads rose 24.5% between 2010 and 2011. * Search: 49% of US spending on Internet ads goes to search, in which advertisers pay for prominent placement among listings in search engines whenever a potential customer enters a relevant search term, allowing ads to be delivered to customers based upon their already-indicated search criteria.This paid placement industry generates more than $10 billion dollars for search companies. Marketers also use search engine optimization to drive traffic to their sites. * Social Media Sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, also provide opportunities for direct marketers to communicate directly with customers by creating content to which customers can respond. Mobile Through mobile marketing, marketers engage with prospective customers and donors in an interactive manner through a mobile device or network, such as a cellphone, smartphone, or tablet. Types of mobile marketing messages include: SMS: (short message service) — marketing communications are sent in the form of text messages, also known as texting. MMS: (multi-media message service) — These messages use elements such as images, video, and audio; Mobile Applications: Smartphone-based mobile apps contain several types of messages. Push Notifications are direct messages sent to a user either automatically or as part of a campaign. They include transactional, marketing, geo-based, and more. Rich Push Notifications are full HTML Push Notifications. Mobile apps also contain Interactive ads that appear inside the mobile application or app; Location-Based Marketing: marketing messages delivered directly to a mobile device based on the users location; QR Codes (quick-response barcodes): This is a type of 2D barcode with an encoded link that can be accessed from a smartphone. This technology is increasingly being used for everything from special offers to product information. Mobile Banner Ads: Like standard banner ads for desktop Web pages but smaller to fit on mobile screens and run on the mobile content network Direct Mail The term direct mail is used to refer to communications sent to potential customers or donors via the postal service and other delivery services. Direct mail is sent to customers based on criteria such as age, income, location, profession, buying pattern, etc. Direct mail includes advertising circulars, catalogs, free-trial CDs, pre-approved credit card applications, and other unsolicited merchandising invitations delivered by mail to homes and businesses. Bulk mailings are a particularly popular method of promotion for businesses operating in the financial services, home computer, and travel and tourism industries. In many developed countries, direct mail represents such a significant amount of the total volume of mail that special rate classes have been established. In the United States and United Kingdom, for example, there are bulk mail rates that enable marketers to send mail at rates that are substantially lower than regular first-class rates. In order to qualify for these rates, marketers must format and sort the mail in particular ways – which reduces the handling (and therefore costs) required by the postal service. In the US, marketers send over 90 billion pieces of direct mail per year. Advertisers often refine direct mail practices into targeted mailing, in which mail is sent out following database analysis to select recipients considered most likely to respond positively. For example, a person who has demonstrated an interest in golf may receive direct mail for golf-related products or perhaps for goods and services that are appropriate for golfers. This use of database analysis is a type of database marketing. The United States Postal Service calls this form of mail advertising mail (admail for short). Telemarketing Another common form of direct marketing is telemarketing, in which marketers contact customers by phone. The primary benefit to businesses is increased lead generation, which helps businesses increase sales volume and customer base. The most successful telemarketing service providers focus on generating more qualified leads that have a higher probability of getting converted into actual sales. The National Do Not Call Registry was created in 2003 to offer consumers a choice whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. The FTC created the National Do Not Call Registry after a comprehensive review of the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). The do-not-call provisions of the TSR cover any plan, program, or campaign to sell goods or services through interstate phone calls. The provisions do not cover calls from political organizations, charities, telephone surveyors, or companies with which a customer has an existing business relationship. Canada has its own National Do Not Call List (DNCL). In other countries it is voluntary, such as the New Zealand Name Removal Service. Voicemail Marketing Voicemail marketing emerged out of the market prevalence of personal voice mailboxes, and business voicemail systems. Voicemail marketing presented a cost effective means by which to reach people directly, by voice. Abuse of consumer marketing applications of voicemail marketing resulted in an abundance of voice-spam, and prompted many jurisdictions to pass laws regulating consumer voicemail marketing. More recently, businesses have utilized guided voicemail (an application where pre-recorded voicemails are guided by live callers) to accomplish personalized business-to-business marketing formerly reserved for telemarketing. Because guided voicemail is used to contact only businesses, it is exempt from Do Not Call regulations in place for other forms of voicemail marketing. Voicemail courier is a similar form of voicemail marketing with both business-to-business and business-to-consumer applications. Broadcast Faxing Broadcast faxing, in which faxes are sent to multiple recipients, is now less common than in the past. This is partly due to laws in the United States and elsewhere which regulate its use for consumer marketing. In 2005, President Bush signed into law S. 714, the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005 (JFPA), which allows marketers to send commercial faxes to those with whom they have an established business relationship (EBR), but imposes some new requirements. These requirements include providing an opt-out notice on the first page of faxes and establishing a system to accept opt-outs at any time of the day. Fax senders must begin complying with these new requirements, which are described in this fact sheet. Roughly 2% of direct marketers use fax, mostly for business-to-business marketing campaigns.[16] Also, due to the popularity of a variety of digital communication methods, the overall use of faxes is less than in the past. Couponing Couponing is used in print and digital media to elicit a response from the reader. An example is a coupon which the reader receives through the mail and takes to a stores check-out counter to receive a discount. Digital Coupons: Manufacturers and retailers make coupons available online for electronic orders that can be downloaded and printed. Digital coupons are available on company websites, social media outlets, texts, and email alerts. There are an increasing number of mobile phone applications offering digital coupons for direct use. Daily Deal Sites offer local and online deals each day, and are becoming increasingly popular. Customers sign up to receive notice of discounts and offers, which are sent daily by email. Purchases are often made using a special coupon code or promotional code. The largest of these sites, Groupon, has over 83 million subscribers. Direct Response TV Direct marketing via television (commonly referred to as DRTV) has two basic forms: long form (usually half-hour or hour-long segments that explain a product in detail and are commonly referred to as infomercials) and short form, which refers to typical 30-second or 60-second commercials that ask viewers for an immediate response (typically to call a phone number on screen or go to a website). TV-response marketing — i.e. infomercials — can be considered a form of direct marketing, since responses are in the form of calls to telephone numbers given on-air. This allows marketers to reasonably conclude that the calls are due to a particular campaign, and enables them to obtain customers phone numbers as targets for telemarketing. One of the most famous DRTV commercials was for Ginsu Knives by Ginsu Products, Inc. of RI. Several aspects of ad, such as its use of adding items to the offer and the guarantee of satisfaction were much copied, and came to be considered part of the formula for success with short-form direct-response TV ads (DRTV) Direct Response Radio In direct response radio, ads contain a call to action with a specific tracking mechanism. Often, this tracking mechanism is a call now prompt with a toll-free phone number or a unique Web URL. Results of the ad can be tracked in terms of calls, orders, customers, leads, sales, revenue, and profits that result from the airing of those ads. Insert Media Another form of direct marketing, insert media are marketing materials that are inserted into other communications, such as a catalog, newspaper, magazine, package, or bill. Coop or shared mail, where marketing offers from several companies are delivered via a single envelope, is also considered insert media. Out-of-Home Out of home direct marketing refers to a wide array of media designed to reach the consumer outside the home, including transit, bus shelters, bus benches, aerials, airports, in-flight, in-store, movies, college campus/high schools, hotels, shopping malls, sport facilities, stadiums, taxis — that contain a call-to-action for the customer to respond. Direct Response Magazines and Newspapers Magazine and newspaper ads often include a direct response call-to-action, such as a toll-free number, a coupon redeemable at a brick-and-mortar store, or a QR code that can be scanned by a mobile device — these methods are all forms of direct marketing, because they elicit a direct and measurable action from the customer. Direct Selling Direct selling is the sale of products by face-to-face contact with the customer, either by having salespeople approach potential customers in person, or through indirect means such as Tupperware parties. Grassroots/Community Marketing The door-to-door distribution of flyers and leaflets within a local community is a business-to-consumer form of direct marketing used extensively by restaurants, fast food companies, and many other business focusing on a local catchment. Similar to direct mail marketing, this method is targeted purely by area and community, and costs a fraction of the amount of a mailshot, since it is not necessary to purchase stamps, envelopes, or address lists with the names of home occupants.

Financial Performance of Sainburys and Marks and Spencer

Financial Performance of Sainburys and Marks and Spencer One of the best idea to account for analysis is to ask the question should we invest our money in the company either to buy a small business Or share of existing company before we take such decision there are question we tend to ask ourselves. If the business could be profitable, has there been any growth over some period of time. The best way to answer this question is to do some analysis over the financial income statement and balance sheet for performance evaluation. A technique ratio called financial ratio can get this done. This is a technique used to describe and interpret the relationship of certain financial data in the financial statements that would otherwise be devoid of meaning. Bendrey et al (2004). Users of financial Statement Users of financial statement can be found with and outside the organisation sector of an economy. Most user intend to have full information of the organisation before doing any transaction with them for instance a potential customers may request for special information like annual financial report . Therefore, the use of financial statement is categories under the respective people. Users information Need Investors: This help to decide whether there is need to increase and decrease interest of ownership. For making investment risk and return. Managers: it helps the management to set up managerial goal. The goal like be set in term of increase in profitability. Customers: this is to know the firms stability and capability to delivered goods and service to be purchased. Other users they include government in area like Tax, security trading. Potential suppliers and creditors: They are in rest to know if a company can pay their bills. In order for financial information to be useful it has to be interpreted. Not only should financial statement be interpreted but to also compare it with another financial statement of an organisation in context. Reason for ratio comparison Skousen et al(1999) states that . The standard of comparison used for benchmarking can be used on the performance of the company withinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. To determine the performance of a company there will be need for comparison of financial statement of that company either by using the past and the present or with another company financial statement. It is not good enough to compare the financial statement of a company but to also recognise comprising by benchmarking this is because there is need to deal with the inability of recognising any shortcomings and faults. Economic performance measurement Most big organisation are separated into divisions where there managers have aggregate responsibility for investment and profit. There is a structure comprising many sections, the relationship that division has should be run so that no division by seeking to increase its own profit can reduce the organisation profit as a whole. We shall be concerned with the ratios that measure the economic performance, which concentrate not only on profitability, but on range other performances. RELEVANT RATIOS IN MEASURING THE PERFORMANCE OF AN ORGANISATION In Davies and Buckskin(2005) outlines various ratios of which the following shall be used to analyse the performance of Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury Profitability ratio: The general primary object is for the organisation to maximise the wealth of the owners of the business. To this two ratios will be discuss under this Profit Margin: This is a ratio that helps to gain the relationship between purchasing costs and sales revenue of an organisation Gross margin%= gross margin = Sales-Cost of sales(COS) Sales Sales ROCE: This measures the return to the owners on the book value of their investment in a company. Efficiency Ratios: The monitory of efficiency ratios by companies is important because this relate direct to the effectiveness of a business changed into cash for instant if company are not paid in accordance to trading there profit margin may be eroded by financing costs. Therefore resources that have been used will be measure with the following ratios Stock days (turnover): The number of days thats stock could last. This applied to either total stock or work in progress. Total stock value Cost of sales Debtors Days or trade receivable: This indicates the average time taken in calendar days to receive payment from credit customers. = Trade debtors x 365 Sales LIQUIDITY RATIOS: This reflects the health position of the business and its liability to meet its short-term obligation. This could be compared by using the following ratios. Current Ratio: This is an overall measure of the liquidity of the business. = Current assets Current Liabilities Acid test(times): This indicate the ability of the company to pay its creditors in short-term =Current Stock Current liability (D) Gearing Ratio: They are generally concerned with the relationship between debt and equity capital, the financial structure of an organisation. These ratios are both used in describing the relative proportions of debts and equity used to finance a business. Long term debts Equity + long term debt Interest covered: This ratio calculates the number of times the interest payable is covered by profits available for such payments. = Profit before interest and tax Interest payable (E) Investment ratio: This indicates the extent to which the business is undertaking capital expenditure to ensure survival. Bockzko Davies(2005). Dividend cover: The number of times profit is attributed to equity shareholders covers the dividends payable for the period. = earnings per share Dividend per share Earnings per share: This measures the return per share of earnings available to share holders. Bockzko Davies (2005). = profit after tax- preference share dividends Number of ordinary shares in issue INTERPRETATION OF THE CALCULATED FINANCIAL RATIO OF SIANSBURY MARKS AND SPENCER 20099/2008. This report will be represented according to the standard set by A CIMA (1990) financial report can be presented as follows: To: GRIGORIOUS THEODOSPOUIOS FROM: DATE; 13/11/2010 SUBJECT: THE TWO COMPANYS PERFORMANCE A mere examination of accounting figures is normally insufficvient to allow for any meaningful conclusion to be reached, and ratio analysis enables enable the data available to be used on more comfortable basis. The information used toproduce this report is the extract from the |historical cost account for the year ended> of two companies. The calculated ratios are found in the appendix to the report LIQUIDITY RATIO Their is very much higher liquidity figure of creditors of Marks and Spencer in 2009 compare to Sainsbury in 2009. Also applicable in 2008. It appears that Marks Spencer is more Liquidity compare to Sainsbury in respective years. This may be that both companies are not running on same assets and liability. EFFICIENCY RATIO Sainsbury is having a stock turnover of 14days compare to the previous year as 15 days. This may indicate that stock is being managed efficiently, it is taking the business longer to collect debtors, although even at 11.5days compare to previous year which was 2008. Sainsbury debtors are not finding it difficult to pay their debts .They have been able to do this within 3.8days in 2009 compared to debtors owned in 2008. This within 3.8days in 2009 compared to debtors owned in 2008. This might lead to Sainsbury discounting amount own for quick payment. PROFITABILITY Sainsbury is having 13.1% of return on capital employed in 2009 which is higher to that of Marks and Spencer as 6.24%. This simply indicate that Sainsbury have been able to properly make use of their resources within their reach. A company should be profitable and efficient at the same time. Marks Spencer is having a high profit Margin of 7.8% in 2009. This might be that the company is operating at low price. Sainsbury profit Margin is very low at 2.5% in same year. This may be as a result of the company running its product at high price to bring about sales. GEARING RATIO Sainsbury and Marks Spencer would not be having problem in paying interest charged simply because they have a high profit to pay their lender in year 2009. Considering their gearing ratio, Sainsbury is having a very high gearing ratio to Marks Spencer INVESTORS RATIO In 2009 Marks and Spencer earning per share made available to its shareholder is 0.6 p compare to Sainsbury as 0.3p. It simply means that marks and Spencer is having a high return for it investors. In this case it will interest Marks and Spencer shareholder to invest more money into the business. In 2009 Marks and shows 1.4 times its profit attributes to equity shareholders covering dividends payable for the period compared to Sainsbury in 2009 for 1.3times. Limitation of financial ratio Gillespie et al(1997) States that, financial statement do not give sufficient information to draw firm conclusions. Therefore, in interpreting the financial statements of the two companies there is need to bear in mind that the analysis are based on profit and loss accounts and balance sheets which are subject to all the limitations of historical cost accounting. Inflation, specific price changes and differing bases of valuation are likely to distort comparisons References Bendrey,M., Hussey, R., West, C. (2004) Essential of financial acconnting in business. 1st edition Uk: TJ international.p.341. CIMA (1990) Stage 3 advanced financial Accounting. 3rd edition. England: BPP Publishing Limited.p.520. Davies, T. Boczko, T. (2005) Business Accounting and finance. 2nd edition.uk: McGraw-Hill education. Pp.154-176. Gillespie. I, Lewis, R., Hamilton, K.(1997)Principles of Financial Accounting.1st edition. Great Bretain: T. J international ltd. Neuman, B.R. Conner, E.C.(2007) Financial accounting: practical tools for analysing financial statements. 4th editions: Kendall Hot publishing company Skousen,K., Albrecht,W.S.,Stice,J.D.,Stice,E.K. Swain,.M.R(1999) Accounting concept and applications.7th edition.USA:International Thomson Publishing.p308-309. Bibliography References Gowthorpe, C. (2003) Business Accounting and finance: For non-specialist. 1st edition. Uk: Thomson Learning.pp373-392 Balance sheet Retrieved 20th Nov, 2010 available at:  http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/ar09/financialstatements/groupincome.shtml Financial statements Retrieved 20th Nov, 2010 available at:  http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/ar09/financialstatements/ Edwards, J.R., Mellett, H.J. (1989) Introduction to Accounting. 1st edition.: St Edmunds bury press.pp.283-310. Income statement Retrieved 20th Nov, 2010 Available at:  http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/ar09/financialstatements/groupincome.shtml Meigs, R.F., Williams, J.R., Haka, S.R., Bettner, M.S. (199) Accounting: The basis for business Decision.11th edition.USA:Von Hoffmann Press.pp613-630. Davies, T. Boczko, T(2005) Business Accounting and finance. 2nd edition.uk: McGraw-Hill education. Pp.154-177.

Celebrity Puppets Essay -- Personal Narrative

Celebrity Puppets The concept of using sports stars to market non-sport items has soared to new heights. Every corporation in the world is trying to get the edge over their competitors. The classic example is that of the â€Å"Cola Wars.† During the 1980s, Pepsi and Coca Cola began an advertising slugfest, in which Pepsi emerged victorious by using Madonna and Michael Jackson as puppets in their commercials. These two companies, as well as thousands of others, have taken advantage of exposing celebrities in their commercials and advertisements. This is done as a means to persuade the public that these products are worth buying. As the years went by, marketers began to realize that in America, sports imagery constituted the most popular way of communicating to the public. The major sports organizations that corporations use to market their products consist of the National Football League, Major League Baseball, and the National Hockey League, but more groups are beginning to get in on the act. These groups include the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), as well as many others as a result of their increasing popularity and a younger group of stars. A little over a year ago, San Francisco Forty-Niner star wide receiver Terrell Owens caught a touchdown pass and began a unique celebration. When he reached into his sock and pulled out a Sharpieâ„ ¢ marker and signed the football, giving it to a friend in the stands. His touchdown celebration was covered by many major media sources. As a result Owens was offered a partnership with the marker manufacturer. Sharpieâ„ ¢ agreed to donate five hundred dollars to the Alzheimer’s Association in Northern California/Northern Nevada for every touchdown Owens scor... ...ich the rock band Metallica wrote, entitled â€Å"Master of Puppets.† The lyrics go: Master of Puppets I'm pulling your strings Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams Blinded by me, you can't see a thing Just call my name, `cause I'll hear you scream This reminds me of today’s marketing world because these corporations all over the world are trying to twist our minds and make us believe that their products are superior to those of their competitors. In today’s world it is no longer who makes the better product, but who can present the product in a better fashion. There is no major difference in the quality of sneakers throughout the world. But unless the Nike, Adidas, or Rebok logo is not there, the sneaker is viewed as poor. It just goes to show how a song written in the 1980s can reflect the marketing era of the year 2003.

Women in Music Entertainment Essay -- Alicia Keys Gwen Stefani Essays

Women in Music Entertainment There are so many talented female artists in music today that it's hard not to think of some right off the top of my head. Not only do they have great voices, but they're successful and confident, not to mention pretty darn rich! Some of these artists knew that they were going to become a star while they were still in diapers. The two females that I will be highlighting are two of the younger musical talents that are out in the industry at this time. They both worked hard to get to where they are today by starting off with many of the same dreams and aspirations many of us women share. These women have contributed so much at such a young age that it's almost hard to believe. Music is such a strong influence to many people today. It's especially nice when you can relate to the message that the singer is trying to provide. Sometimes it's almost as if the person is singing about your life or a situation that you are also going through. Music can heal, it can bring joy, pain, forgiveness, and realization to many of the problems we face today as women, or just as people. The first talented musician that I would like to talk about is a beautiful young woman who is pretty new on the scene, Miss Alicia Keys. Alicia Keys, who is biracial, grew up in Manhattan, New York, with her ultra-supportive mother, who put Alicia through piano lessons at the age of five. She studied classical music, and grew up to collaborate it with a jazz/hip-hop/R&B soul kind of sound. Not only can this girl sing and play the piano, she also writes her own music. Highly sought after by different record labels, Alicia Keys was signed to Arista Records in 1998. There, she continued the proc... ...o a whole new level. Gwen is always ever changing and an inspiration to many people. Her look is so different from others with her unique fashion and personality. She has even collaborated with other types of artists such as "Moby," and rapper "Eve." Gwen has graced the covers of numerous magazines, and her videos can be seen about everyday on MTV. "I'm going to be myself. I can't pretend I don't like to wear lipstick. I can't pretend that I didn't grow up playing Barbie," she said. "I guess a lot of girls feel the same way. I feel really kind of proud for that fact. I never thought I'd influence anyone," said Gwen in her interview. Well Gwen, you don't have to pretend. You're at the top, and making great music. I like you just the way you are. I'm sure many would agree! Oh, and keep on the lookout for No Doubts new CD â€Å"Rock Steady† set to come out on December 11th.

Metaphorically Speaking †Sonnet 73 Essay example -- Sonnet essays

Metaphorically Speaking – Sonnet 73  Ã‚      Love is a blanket of bright and colorful flowers that covers a beautifully rolling meadow on a breezy summer day. Similar metaphorical images appear in many famous poems including Shakespeare's "Sonnet 73." The metaphor is the most basic device poets use to convey meanings beyond literal speech (Guth 473). Shakespeare's use of metaphors in this sonnet conveys his theme of the inescapable aging process. Shakespeare "establishes and extends a metaphor that illuminates the poem's central meaning" and compares the inevitability of old age to three different aspects of nature (Prather). Similarly all the metaphorical quatrains begin with either the phrase "thou mayest in me behold" or "In me thou seest" (Shakespeare 1-5). These phrases reveal the author's awareness of the natural process occurring within his body and he compares this aging process to the three natural occurrences of nature including the seasonal change to autumn, a sunset, and a slowly perishing fire.    Shakespeare metaphorically relates his timely aging to the seasonal change into autumn. The first four lines of his poem read "That time of year thou mayst in me behold / When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang / Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, / Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang" (Shakespeare 1-4). Shakespeare compares aging and the approach of death to the coming and setting in of autumn. Guth and Rico explain that Shakespeare uses the metaphor of autumn to describe the "approaching of old age as the late autumn of the speaker's life" (568). He gives his readers the image of the last of the yellow leaves clinging to the bare branches much like humans who cling to their ... ...s thou perceivest, which makes thy love more strong, / To love that well which thou must leave ere long [before long] (Shakespeare 13-14). Through these last two lines, Shakespeare conveys to his readers the importance of holding on to life and love while it exists for one day it will cease to be.       Works Cited Guth, Hans P. and Gabriele L. Rico, eds. Discovering Literature: Stories, Poems, Plays. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1997, 473. Prather, William. "Essay Topics." 1 April 1999. Online Posting. English 1102: Discovering Literature On-Line Spring 1999 Syllabus. 6 April 1999. http://parallel.park.uga.edu/~wprather/teaching/1102OL/essfour02.html. Shakespeare, William. "Sonnet 73." Discovering Literature: Stories, Poems, Plays. Ed. Hans P. Guth and Gabriele L. Rico. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 568-569.      

Native Americans in the United States Essay

Based on the ethnic groups (Table 1: Appendix), several beneficial values that helped to shape the United States lifestyle can be described (Holland, 2006). In particular, the brief summaries have given the clear picture of Multiculturalism in the United States in relation to the origin. The United States, for that matter, is captured as a multicultural society that is open to all people with different backgrounds. From an early time, several groups started moving into the region due to various reasons, which allowed for the development of a culturally diverse society. Hence, the United States substantially benefited from the cultural diversity as improved workforce was available for the various work scenarios. Despite the obvious benefits of multiculturalism in the society, some negative forms such as racism, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination flourished over several years (Holland, 2006). In the recent past, for example, several ethnic groups such as the African American, Hispanic, and Indian Americans have continually suffered racism, discrimination, and being depicted in certain stereotypes. Firstly, segregation between the Whites and Blacks was a key characteristic of the population before the rise of the civil rights during the 1950s and over (Holland, 2006). Workplaces, schools, commuter busses, and residential areas were segregated between the two groups until in 1954 when segregation in schools was banned. As a result, people started integrating on a multicultural perspective, which led to the realization of better performances and solutions for the workplaces. Besides the significant leap ahead, other factors such as prejudice and stereotyping still exist at the current date. For instance, the African American and Hispanic groups have been stereotyped in the villainous characters such as gangsters, robbers and the like for several decades (Holland, 2006). Such beliefs have existed for several years and are even a common occurrence in media the same way. Hand in hand, prejudice has also resulted from the occurrences. Therefore, prejudice and stereotypes are a normal situation in the culturally diverse environment of the United States. However, the multicultural nature of the country’s population resulted in some positive factors such as creation of a multicultural workforce that can meet the requirements of the target population in an effective manner (Kenyon, 2005). In connection to that, all the ethnic groups in the American landscape are subject to some positive, as well as, negative aspects of the cultural diversity. As a result, prejudice, stereotypes, racism, and discrimination that were once extremely high have considerably low effects on the modern and socially active populations. In conclusion, the United States still leads with regards to the benefits of cultural diversity among its people. Table 1: Multicultural Matrix and Analysis Worksheet. Part I: Matrix What is the group’s history in the United States? What is the group’s population in the United States? What are some attitudes and customs people of this group may practice? What is something you admire about this group’s people, lifestyle, or society? 1. The African American Several African American people are linked to a history of slavery since their ancestors were brought in the United States as slaves. This happened first during the 1600s-1700s, and where they assisted English colonialists to get American independence. Later, prominent leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. helped to change discrimination against Blacks. As a result, a breakthrough into the rampant segregation between the whites and blacks reduced. The African American has an approximate population of about 37 million forming about 13 percent of the total population of the United States. The African Americans are characterized by the practice of several cultural activities depicted in their music, art, and lifestyle. As such, they form a significant part of the USA as their culture substantially influenced the American culture. I appreciate the African American lifestyle and their music such as Hip-hop and reggae music. Additionally, I love their celebrations such as the Black history celebrations in which they remember their historic past. 2. The Hispanic and Latino American The Spanish became among the first settlers, before Europeans, to settle in some areas of America such as Florida and California. Several people of this group speak the English language only and have adopted the European-American Culture. On average, the Latino and Hispanic population in the United States is approximately 16 percent of the whole population. This accounts to almost 50 million people. The Hispanics are depicted as religious people who believe in helping one another. Families may be nuclear or extended, and the father is the final decision maker in the family setting, while the mother is the home care taker. However, all family members are expected to assist in the effective functioning of the setting. I love Hispanic music and their musicians such as Ricky Martin and Jenifer Lopez. Additionally, their Mexican foods are an excellent appetizer that I always cannot ignore. 3. The Indian American The Indian American officially became legal citizen in the United States in 1946. The Indians immigrated into the United States via other countries such as Jamaica, South Africa, and United Kingdom among other countries. The Indian population in America is reasonably low at approximately 0. 89 percent of the whole population. As such, this reflects to about 2. 5 million people. The Indian Americans have a strict cultural background and adhere to strict rule on religion, culture, and food among several other practices. Their religions are diverse and may include Hinduism, Islamism, Christianity, and Buddhism. I value the cultural practices of Indians especially those practicing Hinduism as they have fascinating ideas. One example is the caste system, where once in a low or high case system; one is destined to remain right there. 4. The American Asian Asians of the Chinese background came into the United States due to mainly conflicts from their countries. One situation was the Vietnam War, which led to massive migration of the affected into the USA. In the 1970s and 1980s, therefore, was time for the largest Asian migration into the United States. The Americans Asian account for about 5 percent of the United States’ population. As a result of cultural diversity, the American Asians are exposed to several challenges. I admire the Chinese way of life that comprises of fun in the form of art and craft. Additionally, I find pleasure watching some of their movies and appreciate the Yoga. 5. The Native Americans The Native Americans were the original settlers of the United States of America. Relevant sources indicate that they enabled undetectable communication during the World War II using their native language. As pertains to name, the Native Americans are recognized as the first settlers of the United States. However, they account for a small population percentage of about 1 percent. The Native Americans culture show dissimilar practices in all other nations. In particular, those living on reservations show dissimilar cultures from the ones not living on reservations; however, some similarities may exist in their heritage and traditions. The Native Americans fascinate me with their incredible lifestyle such as them living in tepees and their spiritualism. 6. The Bahamian American The Bahamian American migrated into the United States from the Caribbean during the late 19th century in search for job offers in the agricultural sector. The Bahamian American has an extremely low population of about 40,000 people. Hence, it accounts for approximately 0.01 percent of the whole population. Bahamian Americans preserved their cultural heritage; hence, have a distinguished way of living and culture. The Bahamian way of living and cultural heritage provides an excellent measure of modern living from historical setting. Their cultural practices are engaging. Part II: Analysis Basing on the above listed ethnic groups, several beneficial values that helped to shape the United States lifestyle can be described. In particular, the brief summaries have given the clear picture of Multiculturalism in the United States in relation to the origin. The United States, for that matter, is captured as a multicultural society that is open to all people with different backgrounds. From an early time, several groups started moving into the region due to various reasons, which allowed for the development of a culturally diverse society. Hence, the United States substantially benefited from the cultural diversity as improved workforce was available for the various work scenarios. Despite the obvious benefits of multiculturalism in the society, some negative forms such as racism, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination flourished over several years. In the recent past, for example, several ethnic groups such as the African American, Hispanic, and Indian Americans have continually suffered racism, discrimination, and being depicted in certain stereotypes. Firstly, segregation between the Whites and Blacks was a key characteristic of the population before the rise of the civil rights during the 1950s and over. Workplaces, schools, commuter busses, and residential areas were segregated between the two groups until in 1954 when segregation in schools was banned. As a result, people started integrating on a multicultural perspective, which led to the realization of better performances and solutions for the workplaces. Besides the significant leap ahead, other factors such as prejudice and stereotyping still exist at the current date. For instance, the African American and Hispanic groups have been stereotyped in the villainous characters such as gangsters, robbers and the like for several decades. Such beliefs have existed for several years and are even a common occurrence in media the same way. Hand in hand, prejudice has also resulted from the occurrences. Therefore, prejudice and stereotypes are a normal situation in the culturally diverse environment of the United States. However, the multicultural nature of the country’s population resulted in some positive factors such as creation of a multicultural workforce that can meet the requirements of the target population in an effective manner. In connection to that, all the ethnic groups in the American landscape are subject to some positive, as well as, negative aspects of the cultural diversity. As a result, prejudice, stereotypes, racism, and discrimination that were once extremely high have considerably low effects on the modern and socially active populations. In conclusion, the United States still leads with regards to the benefits of cultural diversity among its people. Part III: Sources Holland, C. (2006). Ethnic and Religious Diversity in Central America: An Historical Perspective. Retrieved November 12, 2011 from the Prolades Website: http://www. prolades. com/Ethnic_Religious_Diversity_CAM-Holland. pdf Kenyon, A. (2005). The Importance of Diversity in the Workplace. Retrieved November 11, 2011 from the Leading Today Website: http://www. leading today. org/Onmag/2005%20Archives/may05/ak-may05. html Reference List Holland, C. (2006). Ethnic and Religious Diversity in Central America: An Historical Perspective Retrieved November 12, 2011 from the Prolades Website: http://www. prolades. com/Ethnic_Religious_Diversity_CAM-Holland. pdf Kenyon, A. (2005). The Importance of Diversity in the Workplace Retrieved November 11, 2011 from the Leading Today Website: http://www. leading today. org/Onmag/2005%20Archives/may05/ak-may05. html.