Outcomes and Evalustion of Community Health Project

Outcomes and Evaluation of Community Health Project It is important to evaluate any public health program to determine its contribution and health impact on the population it was designed to help, in addition to its sustainability. Processes should be established during the inception of the program to establish a baseline, and methods of gathering data, which would be used for this evaluation. The RE-AIM evaluation model was chosen to guide the process of evaluating the American Indian Diabetes Program (AIDP). This paper examines how the AIDP program’s methods and results will be measured and evaluated to ensure the best possible outcomes. Elements of the Evaluation Model The RE-AIM model is specifically well suited for evaluating the population based-impact of large public health programs. It contends that some more effective, expensive, programs that conduct trials using a highly motivated population, are usually not generalizable to the real world. It is preferable for a program to have a more realistic efficacy goal, reach more people, and achieve a larger adoption by communities and policy makers, a program that is implemented as intended, and results in behavioral change that is maintained over the long term (Glasgow, Vogt, & Boles, 1999). The name RE-AIM is an acronym that stands for reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. The five RE-AIM dimensions are each given a 0 to 1 (or 0% to 100%) score during program evaluation (Glasgow et al. , 1999). It is suggested that the program’s implementation be evaluated over a period of at least 6 months to a year, and 2 years or longer for the maintenance portion of the program (Glasgow et al, 1999). This model is appropriate to use as a framework for evaluating the AIDP because it works well with programs that seek to reach large numbers of people. In the AIDP we will be attempting to screen the entire adult Indian reservation population for diabetes or pre-diabetes. The model also works well with programs that require more than one intervention. This program offers both preventative and disease management interventions. We will be evaluating the marketing, screening, and the education process of the diabetes prevention side of the program by taking an initial census of the reservation adult population (age 18 and older), and comparing that number with those who participate in the screening and attend educational classes. This will demonstrate the programs reach. â€Å"Screening for type 2 diabetes in high risk populations is widely recommended† because epidemiological studies have shown evidence to suggest that 30% to 50% of all diabetics are undiagnosed (Goyder, Wild, Fischbacher, Carlisle, & Peters, 2008, p. 370). This could be especially true for the American Indian. We will also be doing further tests on those who have been shown to be pre-diabetics and diabetics. Both groups plus family members will go through diabetes education courses. Those with pre-diabetes would be rechecked every six months the first year and every six months in following years, with telephone follow-up on diet changes and exercise progress in between. All data would be recorded for future evaluation. The diabetics would be seen quarterly and all test results, patient compliance to diabetes management practices, along with physical improvement or complications would be utilized for evaluation via record review. It would be necessary to obtain patient consent prior to their participation in the program. Measurable Objectives There are four main objectives this program would be seeking to achieve: behavioral changes, early diabetes detection, improved communication, and better monitoring in disease management. The expected early detection of pre-diabetes and new cases of diabetes would be high, perhaps 14. 2% or higher during the initial adult population screening, since diabetes among American Indians is more than twice that of white Americans which by comparison is 7. 1% (CDC, 2011). Behavioral changes would be measured at all levels of the program. After a baseline behavior survey was taken, at six months and a year, population behavior changes would be measured by telephone surveys. Those with pre-diabetes would come in for weight checks every three months, after receiving the healthy diet and exercise education and weight loss counseling if necessary. Any weight improvements based on each individual’s ideal weight for height and gender, as well as their 6 month fasting blood glucose results, along with patient’s description of iet and exercise routine which would be scored from 1 to 5 with 5 being best, this should indicate behavioral change. These changes would be tracked and averaged to determine the overall result. Because the American Indian population is so far behind in healthy behaviors than the rest of the population, there needs to be a 20% improvement in lifestyle changes. Behavior changes are especially necessary in people who have bee n diagnosed with diabetes. After attending the diabetes disease management training, patients would be monitored for following the guidelines. They would be expected to take their medication as directed, check their blood sugar twice a day a couple hours after meals and sometimes more is uncontrolled, follow the diabetic diet and exercise plan, and keep their quarterly appointments. Many diabetic patients do not follow doctor recommendations. We would do follow-up calls, home visits, and one on one teaching for patients and family members if behavior compliance is weak. Based on showing up for follow-up appointments, fasting blood glucose levels, HgA1c level, and weight change, all of which can be tracked and averaged, behavior change can be measured. We also intend to institute better monitoring in the disease management portion of the program. Weight would be measured at every appointment. Family members would be encouraged to attend appointments with their diabetic relative to lend support. Fasting blood glucose would be drawn as well as HgA1c which more accurately depicts the level the diabetes is controlled. The HgA1c should be less than 7 and is even better if it is less than 6. An annual dilated eye exam would be done, and blood pressure along with foot examinations would be performed at every appointment. We would actually be monitoring the consistency in which these tests would be performed by staff. The information would be found by reviewing the data in patient records. We expect 90% compliance, understanding that wheelchair status might make weights unobtainable. Finally, the last objective to be monitored is communication. Communication is vital to achieving success in every other aspect of the program. Communication incorporates educating the patient, family, community, tribal leaders, and politicians in Washington. Except for the nurse/ patient relationship and new patient teaching which are ongoing, most of the community, family, and political communication should be completed during the first year. Communication with community, family and patient would be through marketing, local television, community education, school curriculum, flyers and diabetes fair, as well as one on one patient teaching. The communication could be measured by evaluating the level of understanding of the listeners, through phone surveys and an outcomes evaluation. The majority (55% or greater) of the phone surveys should demonstrate an understanding of the information communicated in the media campaign and patient teaching sessions. Communication with tribal leaders would be measured by the leader’s cooperation with the program’s objectives and methods. It is important when communicating to listen as well as speak. The best results are derived when a discussion method is used instead of using a ‘telling’ approach. A patient satisfaction survey would be used to gauge the communication techniques in the nurse/patient relationship. Reasons for Chosen Outcomes The first objective of early detection was chosen because Healthy People 2020 recommends this objective, since many people with diabetes go undiagnosed. There is very little we can do to help people until they are diagnosed. It is reasonable to expect an outcome of 14. 2% newly diagnosed diabetics during the first screening, as that is the current rate of diabetes in the American Indian population. The first year’s screening will detect many undiagnosed diabetics and will usher them into to treatment. Behavioral change was listed because for any â€Å"therapeutic or preventive regimen to be effective, the patient must implement the self-care behaviors and adhere to the treatment regimen† (Evangelista & Shinnick, 2008, p. 250). It is vital that diabetics and pre-diabetics adhere to a healthy diet and exercise regimen in order to optimize glycemic control, reduce risk of complications, and loose weight (Eilat-Adar et al. , 2008). Unfortunately, according to Eilat-Adar (2008), most American Indians show a low adherence to dietary recommendations. Much of the AIDP efforts would be put into teaching and motivating the American Indian to follow the recommended guidelines. We will be aiming for a 20% improvement in lifestyle change over the first year. The bar was set high, 90% when it came to adhering to the guidelines set out for monitoring patients in the clinic. These guidelines would be implemented at the onset of the program. Professional staff should understand the importance of performing these tests, so more is expected of them. Communication is an objective that is key to success in every other aspect of the program. In order to achieve adherence to behavior changes, the patient must understand why it is important, and how to make those changes. Because communication is initiated by the health care group and people involved with the marketing of the health care information, the expectations are high. A realistic expectation that 55% of the general population would understand and remember the information presented. The number of diagnosed diabetics who receive a formal diabetic education would be set at 62. % because that is the target for the (Healthy People 2020, 2008) diabetic education. Overcoming Negative Outcomes A possible negative outcome could result if the American Indian fails to adhere to the behavior changes necessary to gain control over their blood sugar and thus prevent the serious complications associated with the disease. Nurses can help patients and families cope with diabetes and give them hope of a high quality of life if they follow the doctor’s recommendations with th eir diet and exercise. They can talk to the patient and family about possible difficulties in changing their style of eating and increasing exercise and work with them to find solutions. They can help them discover attainable ways to live healthy. If people understand how important it is to change behaviors, they will at least try to do so. Sustainability There are three main elements necessary for this program to be able to be sustainable over time: funding, meeting the programs objectives and the ability to adapt as circumstances change. We would initially apply for grants that would fund this study for three years. During those three years, it is important that we be able to show that the four objectives (early detection of diabetes, behavior changes, better monitoring, and communication) were met and could continue to help the American Indian manage their disease thus decreasing the complications associated with diabetes, and help lower the population’s risk of acquiring this disease. Our strategy is unique in that we are harnessing the valuable effect of family and community support to help diabetics and pre-diabetics effect behavioral change in eating and exercise. No other program has attempted this method of behavior modification with the American Indian. It is believed that with success in meeting the objectives of this project continued funding would follow. It is understood that over time it may be necessary to change and adapt our methods to ensure continued effectiveness. Summary This paper describes the evaluation model that would be used and why it was chosen. The RE-AIM model addresses the reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation and maintenance of the program. The programs objectives were restated along with their measurable desired or expected outcomes. The American Indian Diabetes Program (AIDP), has four stated objectives: early diabetes detection, behavior changes, better monitoring in disease management, and improved communication. The measurable outcomes were explained and supportive evidence given. A possible negative outcome was given, listing lack of adhering to necessary behavior changes. Though this is a possibility and some patients will be noncompliant, it is believed with further education and follow-up we can help them achieve better self-management. Sustainability will be achieved by meeting the objectives previously laid out in this paper. This will show the value of the program and encourage future funding. If necessary to ensure continued effectiveness of the program, AIDP is capable of adapting its methods to new circumstances.

Quality & Culture Essay

How have the changing definitions of diversity affected healthcare management and the delivery of healthcare services in this organization? What does this situation say about Heritage Valley Medical Center’s organizational culture and organizational competency, if anything? If you were Ms. Harper, how would you handle this and what information would you present to the executive team, including measures and steps to change the attitudes and opinions presented? Utilize at least one scholarly source, cited in correct APA format that supports factual statements and conclusions about the topic. Review several of your classmates’ posts. Provide a substantive response to at least two of your peers by Day 7. Discussion 2 A woman arrives at a suburban emergency room in active labor. Both she and her husband speak very little English. The staff determines that the mother (and baby) is uninsured and unable to pay for healthcare services out-of-pocket. The baby is showing signs of distress and needs to be delivered. The on-call OB-GYN physician refuses to come to the hospital. He recommends that the patient be transferred to another facility. Provide a substantive 150 to 250 word initial post that fully answers the following questions: What ethical principles relate to this case scenario? What legal principles relate to this scenario? What might the legal consequences be to the health care organization if there is a delay in treatment? Utilize at least one scholarly source, cited in correct APA format that supports factual statements and conclusions about the topic. Review several of your classmates’ posts. Provide a substantive response to at least two of your peers by Day 7.

Ford Develops a Strategy for Competitive Advantage Case Study

Ford Develops a Strategy for Competitive Advantage - Case Study Example The plan created a series of moves and tactics that reduce the costs of the company, while at the same time preparing a path that would ensure medium and long term growth by emphasizing in emerging economies. Key Marketing Issues Lower sales – Since the company lost nearly a quarter of its sales in 2008 the firm has to achieve continuous growth for several years just to recover the ground it lost in 2008. Global products – the organization wants to shift its company to emphasize in economical compact cars that will be accepted by customers worldwide Marketing campaign standardization – The firm seeks to make universal commercials, but factors such as culture can affect the buying decisions in customers from different parts of the world. Customer retention rate: The organization seeks to expand into other international markets and obtain similar customer loyalty as in its domestic market. Personal Case Analysis It is my opinion that The Way Forward strategy was a success because the company eliminated waste that was draining the resources of the company. By shutting down its least profitable plants the cost structure of the organization was reduced. Ford is the most powerful automaker in America. The reputation of the company improved when Ford did not take money from the governmental bailout package. The Ford Figa was an incredible product that increased the sales volume of Ford in India by more than three times. Other cheap model like the Figa must be designed to further exploit many emerging economies. Case Questions (1-3) Introduction questions Ford Corporation is one of the Big Three automakers in the United States of America. The company has historically achieved tremendous sales growth and profit for decades. The firm in the late 1990’s was considered the most profitable companies in America. This all changed in 2008 when Ford as well as thousands of companies in the United States and abroad faced the global recession. The car industry was devastated during this recession. General Motors and Chrysler nearly went bankrupt prior to the governmental auto bailout. In January 2009 the Obama administration injected $24.9 billion of the $700 billion bailout money in the dying U.S automobile industry (Amadeo). Ford Motors was the lone company that did not take the government handouts, but the firm suffered dearly losing over 23% of its sales between 2008 and 2009. 1. During the 2008 global recession Ford Motors decided to implement a new strategy called â€Å"The Way Forward† in order to boost the firm’s sales and restructure the company. The organization knew that the only way to stay profitable during recessionary times is to decrease costs in order to offset the effect of lower sales numbers. The organization realized that this could only be achieved by decreasing both fixed and variable costs. Fixed costs refers to costs that recurring each month whose amount are fixed such as building rents, ma nagerial salaries, and business loans. Variable costs are periodic costs that vary in step with the output or the sales revenues of the company (Businessdictionary). An example of variable costs is direct labor. The Way Forward strategy included cost cutting initiatives such as closing down 16 factories and downsizing Ford’s workforce by 30,000 employees. The plan included a philosophical change in the managerial approach in order to focus more on the customer by designing cars that served their needs. The company realized that in a bad economy people are looking for gas savings. Despite the fact the company lost nearly 23% of its revenues, certain brands that were targeted as part of The Way Forward initiative had higher sales figure. The Ford Focus is

To what extent is it accurate to describe the Soviet Union as a Essay

To what extent is it accurate to describe the Soviet Union as a totalitarian empire - Essay Example its political ideology and practices were in large part a result of the Cold War which froze Soviet society in a manner that was both â€Å"defensive† and â€Å"repressive†. For the most part revisionists argue that the characterization of the Soviet Union as a totalitarian empire was a mere matter of the West and particularly the US labeling its post-war enemy. It is submitted that there are certainly periods in Soviet history in which intermittent and often protracted reigns of terror accurately present the Soviet Union as a totalitarian empire. The Bolshevik reign of terror from 1918 -1922 under Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin’s authoritarian rule from 1922-1953 were inescapably totalitarian in nature. However, to carry over Bolshevism and Stalinism over to Communism is unfair and does not accurately depict the true nature of the Soviet Union as an empire as a whole. In other words, under Bolshevism and Stalinism, it is accurate to describe the Soviet Union as a totalitarian empire. However, in the post-Stalin era and up to the Cold War, it is largely incorrect to characterize the Soviet Union as a totalitarian empire and any such label may be largely self-serving. This paper demonstrates this conclusion by analyzing the totalitarian and revisionist debates on the issues. The theory of totalitarianism first emerged during the 1930s and the 1940s and encapsulated a Western ideology of â€Å"the total state† and was largely used to characterize the dictatorships of Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin. From the Western perspective, Hitler’s Nazi Germany and Stalin’s Communist Soviet Union epitomized the totalitarian state.

Annal report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Annal report - Assignment Example Most stock exchanges prefer continuous illustration of the accounting performance of the listed companies (Stanley, 2009). Examples of basic annual accounting records include; Trading profit and loss account, balance sheet, general corporate information, cash flow statement, accounting policies, director report, auditor report, and financial review. Other relevant financial information required by stakeholders include; corporate social responsibility information, that illustrates social and environmental sensitive activities. The details shown in the annual accounting reports are utilized by investors in determining the present financial position of the company, in relation to the future financial and operation direction. In the United States of America, a relatively complex financial report referred to as the Form 10-K is legally filed at the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (William, 2011). The authority and responsibilities associated with preparation of the annual accounting reports and associated financial statements=, lies with the company directors. The directors choose the most appropriate accounting approaches, and then use them consistently. The applicable accounting procedures must adhere to the professionally accepted accounting principles (Richard,

To analyze Michael Sandel's argument in The Case against Perfection Essay

To analyze Michael Sandel's argument in The Case against Perfection and make and argue a claim about it - Essay Example Enhancements are furthermore self-defeating to the human appreciation of natural abilities and the cultivation of talents in his view. Sandel argues that human appreciation of life comes from the fact that there is an unequal, apparently random gift of talents, advantages, and disadvantages in the social context that makes life meaningful through patterns of difference. He holds that inequalities in natural ability and skill that make some unfortunate and others lucky allow people to be compassionate, as there is an equally likely chance that they would have had the same fate. When genetic enhancements diminish the differences in talent, Sandel states that the individual’s success depends solely on whether or not the person has made the right decision ethically, and through this personal â€Å"responsibility expands to daunting proportions.† (Sandel, 87) In criticism, it is difficult to reconcile the arguments of Sandel against genetic engineering when deconstructing th e logic he uses with regard to pharmaceutical medications such as the use of Ritalin to improve academic performance. Since Ritalin does not affect the apparent telos of academic performance and focuses all of one’s learning ability, reducing contingencies unrelated to education or healing the mind of ADD, it is not clear why does Sandel not regard it in the same manner as he does running shoes. Furthermore, in his â€Å"Chariots of Fire† example, even Sandel concedes that finding the exact telos for personal interpretation within a complex system of competing philosophies is sometimes difficult for the individual and subjective. Thus, the telos of an action may be very different in the views of different people. In this example, Sandel is rejecting Ritalin not on the logic of telos as related to healing but on the preservation of inequality as he defines the morality. Because, in his view, only the differences among people allow them to appreciate life, and due to the ambiguity of telos as he defines it with subjective bias and interpretation at its root, Sandel’s argument against genetic engineering is less about telos and perfection and more a case against equality in society when assisted by technology. The logic of this argument is not consistent with the evolutionary changes of human consciousness, nor does it represent the new paradigm of human civilization represented by the Information Age. Sandel titles his book â€Å"The Case Against Perfection† in order to show his stance against the â€Å"Promethean aspiration to remake† human nature. (Sandel, 26) He argues for a concept of the giftedness of life opposed to genetic enhancements by stating that as people begin to enhance themselves to the limits of engineering, the variability in human talents decrease collectively and the playing field is leveled. Though it is important to note that differences between the choices that people make still exist, â€Å"we [would] a ttribute less to chance and more to choice,† and personal responsibility would increase to daunting proportions as people become ethically and morally responsible for every aspect of their lives. (Sandel, 87) Yet even though he fears that genetic enhancements would position too much pressure on the individual’s decisions, Sandel is fully in support of healing the unfortunate. The problem lies in that allowing the healing of the unfortunate implies that same normalization of abilities that enhancement does. Once Tiger Woods has the same perfect eyesight as other golfers

Art & Eight Different Kinds of Art Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Art & Eight Different Kinds of Art - Assignment Example Examples of such art have also been stated for better understanding. Introduction Art has been in existence since time memorial and has played second nature to man since it’s expressed in various forms. From stone carvings and cave drawings in the Neanderthal days, to modern day art such like graffiti, art has truly evolved. We shall therefore be discussing the different meanings and eight different kinds of art to be precise. A conclusion on what art is based on the eight discussed areas and the future of art will then be drawn. Definition of Art According to George Dickie (1956), art in the classificatory sense is an abstract or a collection of pieces of which are meant for appreciation by a person or individuals acting on their own behalf or that of an institution. Monroe Beardsley's (1982) on the other hand defines artwork as either an arrangement of conditions anticipated to have the ability of affording an experience with marked aesthetic disposition or an arrangement be longing to a class or type of arrangements that is typically intended to have this capacity. But according to the definition by Levinson (1990), an artwork is an object that has been purposely projected for consideration in any way prior works were appropriately regarded. Painting As a form of art, painting refers to the artistic impression of images using colors that represent different abstract meanings. An example of a painting is The Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. The painting has been conferred upon it a status because of its sentimental value and it’s deep hidden meaning that its artist intended to portray Sculpture This form of art is used to describe an artwork which has three dimensions, height, width and depth. Most sculptures are free standing but can be in relief where the form stands out from a flat background. Relief sculpture decorates the walls of many buildings.   Sculptures are conventionally made by  carving wood or stone, or by modeling clay and then casting into bronze. Modern sculptors however, have made use of the new technology and materials to construct artworks in many different media using techniques of gluing and welding, nailing or wiring. A good example of a sculpture is the statue of Liberty, in the United States of America. As a form of art, the statue of liberty has been conferred upon it a status as being the identifiable landmark that represents the freedom and democracy of the American people. Architectural Art This is a realistic, prosaic and philosophical art by which we organize and give form to space; it is a means through which sense is made of the world both in terms of space and physically. Different architects have diverse concepts of building designs. This form of art is visually stunning and also has an artistic feel that gives individuals pleasure in making use of them. For instance, great architectural buildings, other than being visually stunning, also offer comfort and ease of movement to u sers. An example of a stunning architectural building is the Burj Al Arab, in Dubai, such an architectural piece was designed not only to be the identifiable landmark of the region, but also make use of the open seas since it has been constructed within the seas of Dubai. Photography Photography is the process of capturing taking pictures and transforming them into visual images. Such images are often used to

Journal learning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Journal learning - Essay Example When the human resource manager reorganized the work teams, he realized that the workers now formed more harmonious teams and only one conflict was experienced within that month. Conflict resolution has become an important topic in a wide range of literature. Lipsky, Seeber and Fincher (2003) point out that work place conflict is inevitable due to the unique nature of human beings. Jordan and Troth (2004) states that effective team formation is one of the strategies that is important in solving problems arising within the work. Emotional intelligence is essential in constructing teams that pursue the same goals within an organization. Friedman et al. (2000) supports this idea and suggest that conflict results from work stress in malfunctioning groups within an organization. In this organization, conflicts resulted to work stress, which led to more conflict among the employees. Maravelas (2005) agrees that resolving work conflicts will result to increased productivity within the work place. Organizations that successfully resolve conflicts as soon as they arise are more likely to perform optimally. From a critical perspective, conflict resolution is an engaging task that demands a lot of attention from the managers. Since harmony is fundamental in increasing productivity, the organization must prioritize it to prevent losses within their organization. Besides the efforts of the managers, the workers must be willing to co-work with the same objective as the management. Harmony between the management and the workers is crucial for resolving stress within the work place. Evidently, the following skills are crucial in resolving conflicts within the organization. Mastering conflict resolution skills is an important perspective for me an intern who intends to become an effective manager during my career. While I have developed my creativity, communication and team work skills during my academic life, there is evidence that I still have to

Persuasive Oral Presentation about paparazzimedia ethics in Hong Kong Essay

Persuasive Oral Presentation about paparazzimedia ethics in Hong Kong - Essay Example Sometime this year, there were a group of activists that were fighting for the right to preserve a certain historical site in Hong Kong. The group went to the site and stayed there for some days with very little attention from the local media. However, a certain politician realized that there was an opportunity to garner public attention through the activists. Consequently, he called some members of the press informing them that there would be a fight between some activists and the police at a specified time. (Mei Ning & Cottrell, 2008) Ten minutes before the set time, local pressmen were presented with their cameras; the police had already arrived. At the set time, the politicians arrived with the small group of activists. The police confronted them immediately and the demonstrators also put up some resistance. All this time, the ensuing activities were being recorded. After ten minutes of this, the policemen, politician, members of the press packed up their belongings and left; a classic case of doctored stories. The activists were at least content that their case would be aired on the nine o'clock news. Ladies and gentlemen, this extreme case demonstrates just how absurd our media has become. Isn't it time that we began discussing such lack of professionalism More importantly, isn't it time for us to think of ways in which we can change such depictions What really is freedom of speech In my view, Hong Kong Media have overstepped their boundary. In case you are not convinced about this issue yet, here are some incidences that reinforce my earlier sentiments. In the year 2002 during the month of October, well known gossip magazine East Week splashed naked pictures of actress Carina Lau in the edition. They claimed that these were photos of the actress at that time when she had been arrested some twelve years go. Actress Lau was clearly in anguish and distress but this did not stop East week from publishing this shocking images. In response this sheer lack of humanity, angry protesters marched to the streets of Hong Kong claiming that local tabloids lacked moral substance. Most of them wondered 'what had happened to media ethics' while it may be true that you as the media authority did something in response to these acts your actions were not solid enough. Through your actions, this magazine company was closed for one year. But shortly after, the company was reopened and is still back in business. I ask you, 'How many more Car ina Lau's do we have to witness before we can instate radical changes in our local media In close relation to this incident was a publication made by Next Magazine. The group had displayed pictures of the dead corpse of a woman at the bottom of Sheun Chi building. (Mei Ning & Cottrell, 2008)Not only were these pictures quite disturbing but they were worsened by the alleged causes of the death. The magazine claimed that it was the husband of the deceased who had been engaging in acts of promiscuity that had propelled his wife to suicide; they claimed that he had been engaging in extra marital affairs with prostitutes. Instead of sympathizing with these distraught family members, the media was fuelling their anger and remorse. What was more devastating about the media handling of this case was that some media companies paid the deceased wife's husband to take meals and

Console games vs Pc games Essay Example for Free

Console games vs Pc games Essay Let’s start with the console’s themselves. Maybe you’ve heard it before, but some people say PC-gaming is dying. Can PC games still compete with Console games? Gamers have never been so spoiled for choice. While the console vs. PC war has been around for ages, consoles today have bridged the gap by finally providing decent multiplayer capabilities. Is this the end of the PC as the dominant gaming machine? Gaming has been around for a long time. It is serious business nowadays. With a host of companies creating everything from award-winning games to those collaborating with businesses on workforce training and development, the area is poised for continued success. And we are creating this success by buying all kinds of games. So what is the difference between the total price of playing games on a console or on a PC? While it is possible to get a PC at about the same cost of a console, it would be such a stripped down version that it wouldnt be able to play the latest games. Consoles such as the Nintendo Wii, PS3 and Xbox360 still offer the best price in terms of gaming power. Even if you buy a 800 pounds PC, it would only be able to play the latest games for about three years. If you look only at the three biggest consoles, the Nintendo Wii is the cheapest console, starting at about 180 pounds. The Xbox 360 will cost you about 200 pounds and a Playstation 3 about 250 pounds. Certainly the Xbox 360 and the PS3 would be able to play the latest games for many more years. Well, there actually is a way to expand the time you can play games on your PC, but it will only cost you more money. A PC has the availability to upgrade. For example, you can change the graphics card for a newer one. This is the most important part of a PC for playing games. This will not cost you as much as buying a total new PC, but in total it will still be way more expansive than a console. But one thing is cheaper for the PC-gamers in comparison to for example Xbox 360-gamers and that is that you have to pay to play online multiplayer games on a Xbox. In most situations this will be free for a PC game. So maybe you are asking now if there are any more advances of playing games on a PC instead of a console. Of course there are. There are still way more games available for the PC than for consoles. On a PC with windows as operating system, you can play like almost every game that exist for windows, even older versions of windows. But on a console you probably can’t play previous generation games. When for example the first PS3 was announced it actually could play PS2 games, but Sony removed this option quite quick. Another reason to play games on a PC is that if you have a very expansive PC it can probably play games with better graphics, but at that point you are limited to the games that are already playable. Future games will probably need a better pc to play it on full resolution. A PC is also the only option for playing big online games where thousands of people can meet each other online, like World of Warcraft. This just isn’t possible (yet) on consoles. You’re choice for playing games on a console or a PC can also depent on the controller. Whereas you play with the traditional keyboard and mouse on a PC, you can play with other kinds of controllers on consoles. The Wii is the best example of that with the motion sensitive Wii remote. There is also a different kind of consoles for playing ‘on the road’. These are called handhelds and aren’t very powerfull, but their advantage is their portability.

Integrated Marketing Communication Concepts Analysis

Integrated Marketing Communication Concepts Analysis The purpose of any given organizations in the globalised market place today is to create a connecting link with customer, and communicate their brands in the most feasible ways. Creating customer or to be precise building relationship with customers though is not an easy task. It calls for advancement in marketing medium and communication tactics. Organizational operation and their purpose are to create the value chain and build a relationship with consumer through communications and its forms. In such situation the importance of integrated marketing communication can be traced. The primary aim of this report limits its research on the concepts of Integrated marketing communication. The concepts meaning of integrated marketing communication or that which we can understands by any other word such as corporate communication tool or advertisement is aimed primarily at the public via a variety of interactive tools, such as corporate advertisings, its publicity, public affairs, governance besides the compounding management issues and public relations as well as corporate sponsorship. (Luiz Moutinho, 2004, p. 179) These process combined together play an instrumental in todays organization. In that essence, the structure of this report is limited to identify the issues encompassing IMC, as well as to define the idea as to where the object of IMC takes roots from. In doing so, understanding the meaning of marketing communication is important and relevant from a theoretical point of view, which this essay attempt to trace the implication if any through its discussion encompassing IMC concepts that are very much in practice today. Marketing processes is corporation one focal point. Marketing helps corporations to sells their products and services or experts. We have come across the adage all that glitters, isnt gold as well as the saying there is more to things than just meet the eyes. These phrases have more philosophical meaning behind their originations. And when linked with marketing communication for examples there is an interrelated meaning as well, given that consumers today are more aware than ever before. Before deciding on any particular purchase they undertake a thorough outlook as to where the idea of corporation communication links with them. Add to it, we see reason enough that corporation are tying every possible measures to connect with consumers. The adage consumer is king hold true in a sense that consumer does much of the talking; deciding, etc that goes into the making of their purchasing capacity. The better the communication marketing appeal, the greater is the scope for corporation to bu ilt relationship with consumers in the market. The medium used in marketing is meant to reach consumer and communicate to them in the most feasible way. In every sphere of our life somewhat we have come across advertisements, e-mailer in our inbox that brief about a particular product, and all components of brandishing through billboards, etc. besides, we have also come across the point as corporate sponsorship. Corporate sponsorship to be precise is the frequent case that we see corporate logo in football grounds and amongst players. Somewhat we wonder also as to what is all about CSR concepts adopted by many corporations today? Question and counter question that we often presume also is that why does communication undertake all these at one go? We can understand that there is a marketing concept behind it all, but the question is why? In that assumption we can speculate that all factor encompassing the one as detailed above have a lot to do with the concepts of integrated marketing communication. But how, and what detrimental v alue does it communicate with consumers in the market? Why does it arise so? Does IMC in any instance provide a sense of belonging with consumers? Yes it does. Generally from our understanding it is considered that marketing itself is a fundamental organizational function. The best way that corporation in the current scenario are marketing their product is through the integration of effective marketing channels or tool to connect and build relationship with consumer in the market. Such mechanism and its concepts that have undergone a change of guards and making inroads in corporation marketing are the integrated marketing communication concepts. It is that branch of the overall marketing process that encompasses process such as planning product promotions, its advertising, corporate sponsorships and the likes. Most importantly the question that arises again is that does an IMC concept impact upon the purchasing power of consumers and their mindset? The answer is yes. There is a grea t many values attached to IMC concepts in the marketing realms, especially in today competitive environment, where only the fittest survives and where technology and different forms of media play a significant role. When we emphasize on these points the importance of IMC can be traced. And it should be clarified herein that the primary focus of this work is to address these three main assumptions:- What is Integrated Marketing Communication? What is the reason behind Corporations favoring IMC Concepts at its Best for Promotional Purposes? What Defines IMC and its Appeals as far as Advertisement and Promotional Objectives goes? Does Embracing the Concepts of IMC is difficult for Corporation To come to this conclusion is rather hard. Thus, it could be prudent that each assumption is discussed separately, as detailed below. 1. WHAT IS INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS? We can define integrated marketing communication in the word of Terence A. Shimp, as a communication process that entails the planning, integration, creation, and implementation of diverse forms of mass communication such as, advertising, sales promotions, publicity releases or press releases and events that are delivered overtime to a brands targeted customer and prospects. (Shimp, 2008) The goals thus are to influence the behavioral conditioning of consumer and their perceptions of things. To sum it up, integrated marketing communication takes an extensive formulation of covering every minute detail that bridges the gaps between consumer and producers in the market, where the media comes in handy to make the connecting links and channelize the same in the most feasible ways. (Shimp, 2008, p. 10) It also should be understood that marketing communications concepts arise from communication and its meaning. Communication as we can understand in simple language is that condition that accumulates together the aspects wherein sharing or exchanging of informations between two parties is made possible. Furthermore, it also links together the components of reaching to the means of communication for an end results, let say the mechanism or tools that are used for the same. Above all, communications in any given standards is not one way; assert learned men and scholars such as Paul Russell Smith and Jonathan Taylor. (Paul Russell Smith, 2004, p. 72) Besides, understanding the concepts of communication also directly register with us and a layman understanding of the same. The overall aspect of marketing communication also is one subset of the subject matter that concerns itself with the concepts of marketing. Marketing communication is a set of purposive activities, linked and coordinated to some degree. (Jain, 2008, p. 1) From this notion and when we come to the conceptualization of the idea behind marketing communication we can readily identify also the substance or the significance attached to it, which we assume organizations are banking heavily as a factor for sustenance and growth, given that marketing processes and its activities in many forms and parts asserts scholars relies heavily on communication formats; wherein such marketing process and procedures is to directly informs potential customer of a product offering or factor such as in creating a brand image in the marketplace and any other process such as customer feed backs in improving processes or products that marketers initiates. In that components accumulated and buildup together thus, marketing research also comes in handy and is effective, (Guy Masterman, 2006, p. 4) and is often looked also as a typical tools for promotional and advertising activities and to connect with consumers. Moreover, what has been the very discussed and augmented point on the subject matter and the very essence of marketing communication also often raises the question as to how marketers communicate with their target markets? Simply put in what marketers actually do in essence is the fact that everything they do is communicates, (Ludi Koekemoer, 2004, p. 1) through proper channels, and by using relevant marketing tools to their advantages for communications. Such a communication process take stage or come to fore because it helps corporation in many ways to bridge the gap of communication with the market or consumers as the case is, and thus good communication is based on an orientation around a dominant, rational big brand idea as corporations calls it, which acts as a tool or platform for creating, involving and sustaining customer engagement. (Micael Dahlà ©n, 2009, p. 2) Comprehending together these notion overall as can be laid emphasis upon we feel that every dynamic organization s today and in the current schemes of things takes an interested approach towards reaching the means to an end for their offering, be it products or services, and marketing communication is thus the most visible of marketing functions (Copley, 2004, p. 1) for reaching such an ends to the result oriented targeted activities, which is also the very salient object of marketing concepts itself and that which we will further evaluate and comprehend the very idea that erupts and that which we can lay out hands on the arguments that arises with integrated marketing communications and its meaning overall as discussed below. 2. WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND CORPORATIONS FAVORING IMC CONCEPTS AT ITS BEST FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES? There can be many reasons for this. As we can understand, the conceptual evaluation of the meaning integrated marketing communication has a lot to do with marketing concepts as one bigger picture of it all. Often we begin to argue in that direction considering a typical organization where advertising is controlled by the marketing department, where as selling is the responsibility of the sales department and the websites is controlled and maintained by IT services. (Graeme Drummond, 2005, p. 149) This is really what composed the conditionality of todays modern organizations. Often we wonder wont such a process interfere with the overall concepts of marketing? And how does things can be assured that consumer get or receives the right and correct message from the company concerned when marketing are integrated in departmental wise? To put emphasis on this notion and this views that arises in that regard, the answer we feel lays in the objective of integrated marketing communication. Integrated marketing communications in all aspects attempts to use together the various communication message or tool used by the organization into one meaningful coherent message. (Graeme Drummond, 2005, p. 149) Add to it, Marketing in the current scheme of things also is in a state of transformation. (Copley, 2004, p. 4) As we are aware, a new era is unfolding in the fields of advertising, promotions, and marketing communications. (Clow, 2007, p. 43) This is true, considering that the presence of media and its advancement have given abundant option available for marketers to bank and capitalize from. In that context, this is also where the very essence and substance of marketing communication comes into play in the overall picture that composed marketing and its principles. 3. WHAT DEFINES IMC AND ITS APPEALS AS FAR AS ADVERTISEMENT AND PROMOTIONAL OBJECTIVES GOES? When we come to this part of the discussion, often the very first question that we encounter with is the importance attached to integrated marketing communication. Does the substantial element attached to integrated marketing communication assist managers and marketers in the promotional processes and its integration? The answer to this point as we can comprehend and build up our arguments and reasoning logically is, yes. As we have already defined the basis of integrated marketing management, we see reason enough that it components is linked to many befitting ends results as a means to an end that marketers emphasize upon. To justify this view firstly, we should try and attempt to understand the role that integrated marketing communications plays in todays organizations and their marketing prospects. The very essence and meaningful conceptualization of the word advertising and its role in integrated marketing communication is looked upon from the broader element attached to it. Take for examples factor attached to advertising within the integrated marketing communication campaigns and its activities must have a consistent look and feel, even though brand advertising to consumers will generally be different from retails advertising from consumers. Yet all such campaigns have their own objectives and purpose. (Percy, 2008, p. 83) This is all about what we can sum up as the very basis and objectives of strategic integrated marketing communications. Scholars such as Peter Drucker said that any business has two basic requirements, one is marketing, and the other is innovations. (Varey, 2002, p. 1) This is true and applicable in today organizations environment as well. But what is innovation in that sense of the term? We feel that IMC concepts have much to be viewed in that point as well. Add to it, consumer in today environment also are more interactive and swift, given that they accepts a wide variety of information from media in many forms and formats. Marketers in that situation have a fair control over what customer and prospects hear or learn about their products. (Don E. Schultz, 1993, p. 43) Thus, on the basis of these points we can emphasize also as to where to trace the significance of integrated marketing communication. The greater instance of the subject matter argument is that even in the current scheme of things advertising agencies are still searching for the best way to incorporate the concepts and practice of integrated marketing communication. (Tom Duncan, 1996, p. 13) To top it all, the nature and scope of advertising in context of integrated marketing communication is simply a means or a marketing tools that helps sells brands of products and help top build confidence in companies and institutions by conveying accurate and compelling informations to customers about the brand, or anything in that regard. (Ludi Koekemoer, 2004, p. 65) 4. DOES EMBRACING THE CONCEPTS OF IMC IS DIFFICULT FOR CORPORATION When debating to this point, the answer is yes and no, given that it depends greatly how the concepts is emulated for practical purpose. On the other hand, corporations with a scope to make a switch towards integrated marketing communication are posed with many barriers. It can be in the form of technological barriers, or cost factor and the likes. This point notwithstanding, it would prudent also that a scholastic point be observed as well to the difficulty as such if any. What scholars have withhold in favor of integrated marketing communication can again be emphasized to the notion wherein it is held that integrated marketing communication plays a vital role in every aspects of marketing process. However, developing and implementing an integrated marketing communication programs is usually a detailed and complex process, which involves many persons as well as extensive efforts. (George E Belch, 2003, p. 69) Thus, such factor when encounter often comes and acts as a barrier when corporations for example are trying to embrace the features of integrated marketing communication. Fair enough, not only the cost factor also comes into play in such a strategic integration, but also the complexities of the process itself, which very often when not strategized systematically can be a dampener of sorts. This is what we can augment are some of the difficulty in embracing the overall features of integrated marketing communication in a standardized and symmetrical manner. METHODOLOGY The methodology adopted in this report is primarily secondary in nature. There have been no specific methods or process evaluation undergone. As a discourse in theoretical terms, the best available secondary resources were dependent upon to emphasize the views and counter view of this paper assumptions and its argument. On a greater note, view in favor of IMC concepts and is adoption is the concentrated focus to align into the assumption and its discourse overall. Thus, most of the resource used use for this research is secondary in nature, where IMC concepts and its literature have been the main source in feeding this project and regimenting the assumptions. DISCUSSIONS From our study and its analysis on the concepts of integrated marketing communication we can understand that the significance of the concepts cannot be brushed aside. It would be wrong to do away with IMC and its practical practices. The fact is that IMC assist corporations survival in many ways, and Helps Corporation building a good rapport with consumers in the market, through advertisements, billboards, corporate sponsorships, public relations and the likes of e-mailer. Effective communications are the building block between a manufacturer and consumers. Often the term consumer is king also very much also come into play in such a scenario. Corporations understand such scenarios, and are doing their best to format their communication and advertising process by initiating the practicality of IMC concepts. Thus, the principle of marketing though make its claims, however, without any pictorial and effective communication marketing often lose its sheen and sheer factor to appeal the general consumer in the market. The presence of many competitors and identical product also greatly impact consumer perception and their purchasing power, we can speculate. Lapses in communication even hurt the relationship and its bounding. The concepts behind IMC and its integration is to bring into force the factor of communication in marketing mediums, so that firms communicates in its variety of forms with consumers, thus bridging the gap in communication as is the case with traditional marketings. Moreover, it also to bring into force the streamlined process, where marketing communication is fostered and facilitated in the most feasible ways and reaches its targeted destinations, and impact upon consumer perception and their connection with any given message that appeals their psychological nature of co nsumers. The better the marketing procedures and its communication, the better is the prospects of the organizational outcome. Besides, sustenance and growth of a corporation also is hugely influenced through the marketing processes that organizations undertake and it can be in many other forms or processes, although central to marketing objectives. CONCLUSION There is great much scope for research in this topic. Given the absence of primary methodology being employed, future research through the use of primary research tools, such as questionnaire, interview and the likes, as it can provide a great significant to the assumptions from an objectively view point. Lack of relevant material though have been the factor of this research and its weakness, yet the fragmented segmentation of the concepts meaning and its discourse have been arranged to get a glimpse of the theoretical point of the subject matter and its assimilation. Taking the overall discussion and when we reflect back to the subject matter we can conclude that IMC concepts are significant to corporation in great many ways. Adopting the IMC concepts and emphasizing on its practicality can be the best ever things that corporation can initiates as a tool for mass appeal, and to get their brandishing and all factors of advertisements in their favor as well as providing consumers in the market a sense of relief to make difficult choices from available products. Thus, building on these points and our understanding of the argument in details abovementioned, we can finally conclude that marketing have many dimensional foregrounds, yet without effective communication much of it is lost in translation. Hence, integration of marketing process with streamlined communication process can be the best ever thing that can mark the transformational change in the favor of marketers. Marketing strategy very often exploit the use of marketing tools, given that there are reasonable point to such integration. Yet, it should not be forgotten that the philosophical and strategic overtones for corporations growth and its sustenance also all depends and ride in direct links with marketing, wherein integrated marketing communication processes is one vital part of marketing principle that bridge the gap to connect with the general consumers in the market.

Shakespeares Macbeth and Hamlet as Tragic Heroes Essay -- Macbeth ess

Macbeth and Hamlet as Tragic Heroes      Ã‚   William Shakespeare has written many literary works - from his sonnets to his plays, each has it's own individual characteristics.   One popular characteristic that comes from his plays is the tragic hero.   The audience can always relate to the tragic hero and the many trials he faces.   Macbeth and Hamlet are just two of Shakespeare's plays that involve the tragic hero.   Through their nobility, tragic flaws, and dignity Macbeth and Hamlet prove to be tragic heroes.    Macbeth's nobility begins with the title, "thane of Glamis" (1.3.74).   After the original "thane of Cawdor" (1.3.110) dies, Macbeth gains this title as well.   Once the witches reveal the prophecy that Macbeth would be king, Macbeth murders the king and takes the throne for himself.   This reaches the height of Macbeth's nobility.   In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is thought of as a "worthy thane"(2.3.43.), however, this shifts to nothing more than a "hell hound"(5.8.4.) in the end.   Much like Macbeth, Hamlet is very powerful and has a high status in the country.   Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark and was named "most immediate to [the] throne" (1.2.109) by Claudius.   "Lord Hamlet"(1.5.112.) is well respected by the people of Denmark.   Claudius takes this into account and does not immediately kill Hamlet when he finds out he knows the truth about his father's death.   Similar to Macbeth, Hamlet starts out in a more noble position than he ends up.   Once Ha mlet begins to act crazy, others start to believe his "noble mind is here o'erthrown!" (3.1.153.).   The idea that both Hamlet and Macbeth begin with a high position and fall to their defeat leads to the development of the theme power corrupts, an important theme in... ...s honor by exchanging forgiveness with him.   In turn, the dignity of Shakespeare's tragic heroes is reestablished in the end, however, this does not change their fate.    The characteristics of Macbeth and Hamlet lead them to become tragic heroes.   The specific detail of these characteristics make Shakespeare's tragic heroes well defined in each of his plays.   By the time of their deaths, both Macbeth and Hamlet have realized their fate and accepted the consequences like a true tragic hero.    Works Cited and Consulted: Elliot, G.R. "Introduction: On `Macbeth' as Apex of Shakspearean Tragedy" in Shakespearean Criticism, Volume 3. Edited by Laurie Harris Gale: 1984 Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Edited by Norman Sanders. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994 Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. New York: Signet Classic, 1998.

How the Atkins Diet Works :: Health Nutrition Diet Exercise Essays

How the Atkins Diet Works   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Dr. Atkins has been at the center of the recent controversy over how to cure America’s obesity problem. America’s desire for a quick fix has caused the introduction of fad diets that claim to work quickly. The Atkins Diet has been deemed one of these fads because of its radical ideas and its straying from the norm of low fat diets. Dr Atkins encourages consumption of foods high in protein and fat while minimizing intake of foods that are high in simple carbohydrates including sugars and breads. But how can this diet be effective at losing body fat if the subject consumes foods that are high in fat? The Atkins diet reduces body fat quicker than normal low fat diets by reducing the amount of food that is consumed and by causing the body’s natural biological functions to burn the body fat that has already accumulated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One reason that the Atkins diet reduces body fat is due to the decreased intake of calories. This reduction in caloric intake is not due to calorie counting but to a reduction in food consumption. The first explanation for this decrease in consumption is that the strictness of the diet severely reduces, if not halts, the occurrence of â€Å"snacking†. These in between meal snacks often consist of simple carbohydrates that are prepared for your easy consumption. Since Dr. Atkins forbids the consumption of simple carbohydrates, he prevents snacking and therefore reduces the amount of calories that enter your mouth. Furthermore, the monotony in the method of the Atkins diet could be a cause of the loss of appetite that is experienced by dieters. Again the strictness of the diet only allows the dieters to eat a small category of foods. This causes the subjects to eat the same meals consistently and understandably become bored with the acceptable foods. Soon this will cause the dieter to opt not to eat rather than eat the same meal again. In addition, the foods that are acceptable according to

Scholarships for Artistic Students :: Argumentative Persuasive papers

Scholarships for Artistic Students 1. Purpose College is an important part in continuing education and is also the best time for students to hone their skills and become the best in their field as possible. Inclusion of support, both financial and mental, is instrumental in achieving a college education, and should be given in equal amounts to both athletic and artistic students. But each year, numerous athletes around the United States are offered college scholarships to recognize them for their talent and to encourage them to play at the university awarding the scholarship. At the same time, the same amount of equally artistically talented students are left to pay for college themselves because they are not offered as many scholarships as athletes are. This unfair and unequal distribution of scholarships is a threat to college education of artistic students everywhere. It is a problem that occurs at every university in the United States, including Iowa State University, and it is a policy that needs to be changed so that colle ge is an equally beneficial period for athlete and artist alike. 2. Scope In this paper, I will be comparing information about the athletic and artistic scholarships offered at Iowa State University. As I do so, I will focus on the difference in number, criteria, and cash awarded by these scholarships. I will discuss the needs for the change of this policy, the ideas I have of how to change it, the benefits that will result from changing this policy, and how to implement these changes. 3. History and Needs According to a list of scholarships distributed by Iowa State itself, a greater number of athletic scholarships are offered by the college than there are artistic scholarships. With scholarships available in every sport played at Iowa State, the chances that an athlete will receive a scholarship are much higher than that of an artistic student. In fact, according to the information given by Iowa State, it is five times more likely that an incoming athletic student will receive more scholarships than an equally qualified art student will. The reason for such a difference is that mostly general scholarships are offered to artistic students, and these scholarships are offered to all students, including athletes, thus making the competition and chances of receiving such scholarships much harder. The scholarships offered by Iowa State should be in equal amounts, especially those that are focused on specifically art and athletics.

Youth Gangs: Problem and Response

Irving Spergel begins his research by noting that the phenomenon of youth gangs is not exclusively a product of American civilization or the modern urban condition, pointing out that gangs date as far back to the 17th century England and span as far as Asia and South America, have evolved from places as diverse as the secret societies from Hong Kong and the prison conditions of New Zealand. Spergel also observes that attempts to research youth gangs have yielded varying results and drawn wildly differing conclusions as to their criminal severity, the circumstances which spawn them, and the correlation they have with youth delinquency. Researchers also choose to define gangs and/or categorize them in relation to non-gang-related youth delinquency in rather varied ways, which only complicates this. I find this kind of social and historical context very fascinating. It certainly lends the concept of youth gang a certain legitimacy that is not afforded in mainstream representations of them. Too often, gangs are simply viewed as products of depressed areas of urban America. They are considered a symptom of social failure rather than as a natural product of civilization, simply because it makes for more sensational content on television. But as Spergel's research summary shows, youth gangs are a means for the youth to address their own community's shortcomings, most notably a lack of confidence in one's family or an inability to completely connect with peers at a school or work environment. In addition, Spergel suggests that law enforcement, social welfare agencies and other ways a community addresses youth gangs are problematized by how the demographic complexities of gang formation are distorted and/or exaggerated by how mainstream news media and governmental organizations choose to profile them. One telling example is how such distortions lead even the Department of Justice to fund research that relies on flawed methodology or rely on grossly inflated figures for the purposes of rhetoric. Despite these acts, studies have indicated that the ‘gang problem' cannot be singularly reduced to one demographic and that the various activities they engage in are not necessarily limited to criminal behavior. Spergel does attempt to address this by reviewing such literature, and through this has suggested that gang behavior differs from other forms of youth delinquency in that the former must lie completely within the domain of group oriented conduct — protecting the ‘turf', maintaining an ideological code, etc. He also decidedly defines delinquent youth groups against gangs by noting that the latter must have a relatively stable social order/grouping whereas the former tends to be more fluid in structure, and leadership is not a fixed constant. Furthermore, gang violence or criminally-oriented gang behavior is not as dramatically problematic as popular accounts tend to suggest. While some cities are certainly known for their alarming figures, the general average of criminially-oriented gang behavior is actually quite low. Spergel takes research data to task by suggesting that the veracity of any such statistics is immediately made suspect by problematic ‘measurements' used to derive such data. They can be distorted depending on how one ‘counts' gang population and criminally-oriented gang behavior. Spergel's research is quite too long to really address all his points in a brief manner, but let it suffice to say that he presents a rather thought provoking look at research and its perceptions of gangs and gang behavior, most notably because it suggests the heterogeneity of the phenomenon and the ease at which it can be distorted.

Yeast Fermentation Lab

The aim of this work was to identify how sugar concentration does affect yeast fermentation. An increase in sugar concentration must increase the release of CA as a result of yeast fermentation. The following analysis considers the average CA concentrations measured as a result of three independent experiments. In absence of sugar no CA was released. A 5% increase in sugar concentration showed a lowCA presence, 0. 33 CM. Then as a result of another 5% increase in sugar concentration it is observed a higher concentration of CA, 1. 1 CM measured. Till then the increase of CA concentration was expected. When sugar solution reached 15% surprisingly the CA concentration decreased to 0. 57. Actually it was expected a relative increase in CA concentration. Later when sucrose concentration increased to we identified an important increase in CA concentration.The whole hypothesis could not be supported as a result of the decrease in concentration when sugar concentration reached 15%. Evaluatio n: In order to improve this work we could consider the following elements: use more different samples of yeast, in this work we only had one yeast source. It could have sugar concentration was added was not accurate and changes in the temperature could have affected the results. Furthermore the use of pipettes could have been improved during the process of the procedures.

Merger, Acquisition, and International Strategies Essay

* For the corporation that has acquired another company, merged with another company, or been acquired by another company, evaluate the strategy that led to the merger or acquisition to determine whether or not this merger or acquisition was a wise choice. Justify your opinion. Coca-Cola Company history originated in 1886 when the â€Å"curiosity of an Atlanta pharmacist, Dr. John S. Pemberton, led him to create a distinctive tasting soft drink that could be sold at soda fountains† (Coca Cola History, 2013, para. 1). He generated flavored syrup, took it to his neighborhood pharmacy, â€Å"where it was mixed with carbonated water and deemed â€Å"excellent† by those who sampled it† (Coca Cola History, 2013, para. 1). Dr. Pemberton’s partner and bookkeeper, Frank M. Robinson, is credited with â€Å"naming the beverage â€Å"CocaCola† as well as designing the trademarked, distinct script, still used today† (Coca Cola History, 2013, para. 1). The Coca-Cola Company is not just an average beverage company. The Company owns/licenses and markets in excess of 500 nonalcoholic beverage products, mostly sparkling beverages but also a assortment of still beverages, for instance; â€Å"waters, boosted waters (for example, Oasis, Powerade and Vitamin Water), juices and juice drinks (for example, Minute Maid and Five Alive), ready-to-drink teas and coffees, and energy and sports drinks† (Coca Cola History, 2013, para. 5). Coca Cola most popular nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brands are Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Dr. Pepper and Schweppes which they market worldwide. Coca Cola Company has a market capitalization of â€Å"$177.48 billion and is the largest company in the Food and Beverage sector† (Coca Cola Company, 2013, para.1). Whether you’re out shopping, working in the office or the gym, ZICO Pure Premium Coconut Water delivers the natural replenishment you require to renew. As of November, 2013 â⠂¬Å"Coca-Cola Company and ZICO Beverages LLC announced that Coca Cola has acquired the outstanding ownership stake in ZICO† (Coca Cola Acquires, 2013, para. 1). The merger will unlock more â€Å"capability for ZICO including marketing, selling,  manufacturing, innovation and distribution opportunities† (Coca Cola Acquires, 2013, para. 1). Not only will this merger benefit ZICO, but the Coca Cola Company will gain a top position in one of the fastest rising beverage categories in the world. This final move concludes the relationship that began in 2009 when Coca-Cola’s Venturing and Emerging Brands (VEB) business unit first invested in ZICO. In 2012, the Coca Cola Company acquired a bulk stake in the brand. And earlier this year, ZICO took its home on the unique red Coca-Cola trucks to be circulated throughout the U.S. and Canada. When Coca Cola initially invested in ZICO, they did so because they saw it as a â€Å"burgeoning premium brand with the potential to be significant leader in a high growth category† (Coca Cola Acquires, 2013, para. 4). Over the past 4 year, Coca Cola has observed the coconut water industry spea r revenue impressively and gain household penetration. ZICO itself solidified its place as one of the primary brands in the coconut water industry. With this acquisition, Coca Cola plans to modernize all characteristics of the consumer experience and intensify both rate and delivery to place ZICO at the top and continue even more growth within the company. * For the corporation that has not been involved in any mergers or acquisitions, identify one (1) company that would be a profitable candidate for the corporation to acquire or merger with and explain why this company would be a profitable target. Grocery shopping is more difficult and complex than ever before. Today’s customers are more health mindful than customers of the past. Customers are more prone to buy specialty foods over the old-style foods their parents bought. Customers across the country have access to everything from bizarre products to exclusive delivery services. Specialty grocery stores have grown in attractiveness to customers, but the main issue is that often specialty stores have restricted locations which in turn limits their reach to customers. Whole Food’s Market and Trader Joe’s are two specialty grocery stores who have increased locations to the hundreds while adhering to an unforeseen market standing for formerly untargeted market segment. Trader Joe’s operates over 340 stores in 9 states were they â€Å"buy direct from suppliers whenever possible, bargain hard to get the best prices and then pass the savings on to the customer† (Trader Joe’s, 2013, para. 4). Whole Food’s Market is the â€Å"world’s leader in natural and organic foods, with more than 360 stores in North America and the United  Kingdom† (Whole Food, 2013, para 2). Trader Joe’s and Whole Food’s Market have managed to take original ideas and spread them throughout the nation to many different customers. Although they differ not only in the technique in which they decide to bring products to their customers but also in term of inventory management and supply chain organization. These tw o companies have become so successful in my opinion, not by what they differ in but what they have most in common, which is their commitment to their loyal customers, employees and undeniable quality in their products they sell. Through their loyalty to their customers and employees in addition to their irreplaceable value proportion, both companies have effectively succeeded to upturn the grocery industry and have forced outdated grocery stores and its customers to reexamine their descriptions of what institutes a positive customer experience. The merger of Trader Joe’s and Whole Food’s Market would be lucrative to both companies since Whole Food’s Market is now international, they can allow Trader Joe’s access to an international market. Whereas Trader Joe’s offers unbelievable quality, but has a poor assortment of products, Whole Food’s Market will help offer both a great assortment as well as excellence of products. * For the corporation that operates internationally, briefly evaluate its international business-level strategy and international corporate-level strategy and make recommendations for improvement. Most customers have high hopes when buying a good or a service. As a general rule, it seems that most customers want to pay a low price for products with rather highly distinguished features. Because of these customers’ expectations, a number of firms, like Coca Cola, â€Å"actively engage in primary value chain activities and support functions that allow a firm to simultaneously purse low cost and differentiation† (Hitt, 2013, pg. 120), which is also called integrated cost leadership/differentiation strategy. The reason Coca Cola uses this strategy is to efficiently create their products with some differentiated features. Efficient production is the â€Å"source of maintain low costs whole differentiation is the source of creating unique value† (Hitt, 2013, pg. 120). Coca Cola has successfully integrated cost leadership/differentiation strategy which has allowed them to adapt quickly to today’s new technologies and to the rapid changes in today’s society/cultures around the globe. The ultimate goals of Coca-Cola’s business strategy is to â€Å"rise volume, develop their share of world-wide  non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverag e sales, maximize the long-term cash flows and create economic-value-added by improving economic profit† (Coca Cola Acquires, 2013, para 8). Corporate-level strategy â€Å"specifies actions a firm takes to gain a competitive advantage by selecting and managing a group of different businesses competing in different product markets† (Hitt, 2013, pg. 164). Coca Cola Company has long been committed to the product development strategy in which case they do everything they can to become the best in their industry. They have moved into different geographic market such a Japan, United Kingdom, ect., Coca Cola have acquired competitors such as ZICO as discussed above, and also they have bought bottle suppliers to help grow the company even more. With all of these moves that Coca Cola have made over the years, this has allowed them to penetrate existing markets with new products due to their high brand awareness. You can’t go hardly anywhere these days without seeing a Coca Cola product of some sort being advertised or sold. This strategy capitalizes Coca Cola’s favorable trademark reputation, â€Å"Open Happiness.† Coca Cola has developed great business and corporate level strategies but there is always room for improvement. We are living in a social media world and I would suggest that Coca Cola take full advantage of this new world of communicating with their customers. So many people communicate through social media and find new products through social media that developed a marketing strategy evolving social media will ultimately be a win-win strategy for any company. * For the corporation that does not operate internationally, propose one business-level strategy and one corporate-level strategy and make recommendations for improvement. A differential strategy is an â€Å"integrated set of actions taken to produce goods or services (at a acceptable cost) that customers perceive as being different in a way that is important to them† (Hitt, 2013, pg. 115). I would suggest this differential strategy to Trader Joe’s because they currently are offering unique quality, private labels and outstanding pricing that other traditional grocery stores are not offer. To have success with the differentiation strategy, Trade Joe’s must consistently upgrade differentiated features that their customers value and/or create new valuable features with any significant cost increases to the customers. To  do so, Trade Joe’s needs to constantly update and change their product lines. This means that the products that are not saleing get rid of them quickly. Look into the new developed and increasing fades that customers are looking into. And because differentiated products satisfies customers’ unique needs, Trader Joe’s will be able to charge premium prices which allows them to out price their competitors and earn above average returns. A multidomestic strategy is an â€Å"international strategy in which the strategic and operating decisions are decentralized to the strategic business unit in individual countries and regions for the purpose of allowing each unit the opportunity to tailor products to the local market† (Hitt, 2013, pg. 235). I recommend a multidomestic international corporate level strategy for Trader Joes because this strategy is used with companies that have high local responsiveness but have low global integration. This strategy should maximize Trader Joe’s competitive response to the idiosyncratic requirements of each market it is in. The multidomestic strategy is most appropriate for use â€Å"when the differences between the markets a company serves and the customers in them are significant† (Hitt, 2013, pg. 235). Reference Coca Cola History. Retrieved November 29, 2013, from http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/coca-cola-facts/coca-cola-history/ Coca-Cola acquires ZICO, Retrieved November 29, 2013, from http://m.newhope360.com/mergers-amp-acquisitions/coca-cola-acquires-zico Hitt, M.A., Ireland R., D., & Hoskisson, R.E. (2013). Strategic Management: Concepts and cases: Competiveness and globalization (10th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Trader Joe’s Our Story, Retrieved November 29, 2013, from http://www.traderjoes.com/about/our-story.asp Whole Food’s Market, Company Info, Retrieved November 29, 2013, from http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company-info

Literature questions

1. What is the nature of Feudal society in the Middle Ages? How might Aquinas’ concept of Natural Law reflect the more general medieval belief in hierarchy and a hierarchical universe? How does Dante’s Inferno also reflect the medieval belief in hierarchy? In other words, how does the poem structure the punishment of sin in relationship to God’s love (or its absence)? Provide two examples to illustrate this relationship, one early, one late, to show the change as we descend. The nature of Feudal society in the Middle Ages was very much that the roles of people of various classes were very much defined. The feudal lords would rule over the peasants and each person’s role in society was defined by his rank and his birth. The concept of Aquinas’ Natural Law philosophy reflects the more general medieval belief in hierarchy and hierarchical universe because this philosophy implies that there is a natural state of things; for example, the poor should be beneath the rich. Also, the concept of what is right versus what is wrong is part of this Natural Law. This idea is evident in the beliefs of the medieval period and within that particular society. In literature this belief is also reflected, such as in Dante’s Inferno, a poem that deals with hell and damnation. In this literature the medieval belief in hierarchy is connected to the idea of man’s sin. The idea of purgatory is important to the medieval belief in hierarchy because it leads one to believe that there is a natural order in the universe as well as on earth. Just as the main character in Dante’s Inferno must go through various stages of hell and purgatory before he can be reconnected with God’s love, so is this seen on earth in earthly institutions and society. 2. What are the key features of Renaissance Humanism? How does it view the capacities of humanity in distinction to the views of the Middle Ages? How might Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing reflect the new Renaissance view of humanity? Renaissance humanism is a philosophical movement that put a great deal of emphasis on what mankind can accomplish. In direct contradiction to the traditional Christian beliefs in Europe at the time, which focused on the sinfulness of mankind and that he was nothing without God, the humanist movement steered people towards the liberal arts and the humanities in hopes that the potential of mankind could be appreciated. This philosophy was almost heretical because it places such an emphasis on beauty, art, and humankind and not completely on God. While the Middle Ages saw all things that mankind accomplished as being, by nature, sinful because of the sinful nature, humanism was all about appreciating what mankind can accomplish. In â€Å"Much Ado About Nothing† by William Shakespeare the ideals of humanism are definitely reflected because of the strong emphasis on the arts and the importance of the individual as opposed to the group. In this play we see a lot of elements that are a precursor to the Romantic era, with the relationships between the lovers and the way that each of the characters interacts with each other. 3. How does the Enlightenment tend to view mankind and society? What do these thinkers believe will promote progress, happiness, and justice? How does Voltaire’s Candide both express and critique these Enlightenment assumptions? The Age of Enlightenment was a time when people were beginning to reexamine the accepted ideals and beliefs of times past. It was a time of reason, when they began to really look for their own answers and not relying solely on the Church to tell them what to believe, or the monarchs. The Enlightenment viewed mankind and society as having free will, not having innate virtues given to them automatically by God. Society was supposed to help create equality, liberty, and fraternity, and even accepted forms of government were reexamined. The thinkers of the Enlightenment believed that true progress, happiness, and justice could only be achieved by creating societies that nurtured mankind’s search for reason and establishing equality among people. In Voltaire’s Candide the writer shows the audience the transition from the beliefs of the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment in the difference between the attitudes of two of the characters. In this story Pangloss sees the world as being naturally right, while Candide feels that it is not fate that makes a persons life, but their own actions. This idea is seen throughout the story of these two characters as they progress through El Dorado, where gold is not worth anything because there is so much of it. This idea is also very rational in nature and reflects the Enlightenment view. 4. How does the Romantic movement represent a revolt against key Enlightenment values? How might Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights express some reservations about some extreme Romantic assertions, particularly about the passions of the â€Å"natural† self as opposed to the artificial constraints of civilization? The Romantic movement represents a revolt against key Enlightenment values because it was during this period that there was a shift in values and core beliefs from the logical and rational emphasis of the Enlightenment to a period that focused more on the natural passions of each individual person. While the Enlightenment focuses more on the head, the Romantic period definitely was all about the heart, and people projected that shift in values through their art and writing. Everything about the Romantic period challenged the view that science, reasoning, and society were what needed to dictate one’s actions. Instead, the focus should be on one’s own wants and needs. In a novel like Wuthering Heights, written during the Romantic period, these extreme Romantic assertions were even challenged. In this novel the characters are fighting with their inner passions and their natural selves. The love story between Heathcliff and Catherine is a perfect example of a Romantic relationship: she’s rich, he’s poor, and he is very much the antagonistic type of character and yet she loves him because of what is in her heart. While the Romantic period was all about opposing the artificial constraints of civilization and not worrying about what society dictates but instead depending on their own feelings to dictate them, this novel challenges this by posing questions about whether or not the relationship between these two main characters is really a good one. 5. Andre Gide’s Straight is the Gate, published in 1909, is set in the period just before World War One: in other words, at a time when it was still possible to hold nineteenth-century ideals. Even though Gide was unaware of the catastrophe about to fall on Europe, he still seems to sense that there is something wrong with the bourgeois world of the age. What does the story suggest is wrong with this pre-war world? How might Gide be classified as a modernist? In Andre Gide’s Strait is the Gate seems to suggest that there are problems existent in the pre-war world of Europe, mostly having to do with the bourgeois world of the age and the way that people viewed each other. This story at first glance is a love story that deals with the way that dedication to God can change the way people relate to each other, particuarly in the relationship between Alissa and Jerome, but it shows that the Romantic ideals of the 19th century were still being held onto by many people in Europe. Gide can be classified as a modernist because his style was very modern but, more importantly, his themes were modern in that he was a humanist that was moving away from the 19th century beliefs that were prevalent at the time and dealing with issues in society, especially issues dealing with homosexuality and challenging religious beliefs.

You are what you eat Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

You are what you eat - Research Paper Example Ecological footprint calculators ask things such as how much of each kind of meat you might eat in a given week and where do you purchase your food, whether it's at a natural foods store, a local farmer's market or a chain grocery store. Two types of food that can increase your ecological footprint are beef and prepackaged frozen meals. Beef comes from cows and cows hurt the earth in many ways including producing high amounts of methane, polluting freshwater with their excrement, ruining topsoil with their grazing, and requiring a lot of grain to produce the meat we eat. Prepackaged frozen food uses the original resources necessary to create that food to begin with - whether its fish or chicken or vegetables - and then compounds the problem by processing that food for transportation to a manufacturing plant where it is all put together in packages that use more resources and then frozen using more resources. Once everything is ready to be stored, more resources need to be used to kee p the frozen packages frozen as they are shipped to wherever they will be sold, to keep them frozen in the store, and then to keep them frozen in our homes until we're ready to eat them. Then we have to use electricity to heat them and usually end up throwing the packaging away instead of recycling it. To understand this concept better, I chose to analyze the ecological footprint of eating Fritos Bean Dip.

Quantitative report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Quantitative report - Essay Example The research will also try to concentrate on where the motives of the tourists and non tourists are different. Also, the focus will be mapping the correlation that has been developed in connection to the satisfaction and the intentions of the attendees. Literature review While discussing the literature review, it needs to be highlighted that the factors of motivation as well as the central focus of the music festivals needs to be taken into consideration. While trying to identify the motivation factors, it is important to focus on the underlying reason for conducting a music festival. Generally, the main reason for conducting a music festival is to promote the entire tourism package for a region. The festivals that are conducted on the lines of music performances are highly unique since they have the ability to attract visitors from a highly diverse span of geographies (Mosley and et.al, 2011). While discussing the motivation factor for the tourists, it needs to be highlighted that t he extrinsic factors of motivation play a very important role. In elaborating about the most important extrinsic factor, the focus needs to be given on the conflict of the masses happening in the work and leisure life of the masses (Robinson and et.al, 2010, p. 138). Basically the long hours of work time is having a conflicting effect on the leisure life of the masses. ... that there are a group of workers who are stuck in a very routine and monotonous kind of a job and are trying to attach to the music events for having a high levels of excitement, thrill and challenge in their leisure times as well as in their life. Another extrinsic kind of a factor that needs to be associated with the issue of motivation is that some attendees attach leisure as an extension to work. A certain group of people who are attached to a highly demanding and exciting kind of a job looks forward to seeking the same levels of excitement and thrill during the leisure time. As a result, the musical concerts hold a high level of value and a source of excitement and thrill to them as well (Robinson and et.al, 2010, p. 138). In discussing about event motivation and tourists, it can be stated that the concept has a high linkage with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The event motivation and participation of tourists in various events are related to the social and psychological n eeds (Heinsohn, n.d.) It also has to be stated that the event motivation at times are largely dependent on the factors like fund raising, generating mass awareness. Also, in some cases, the main motivation of the event is largely associated with the factor of promoting a brand or a performer. Talking in regards to the non-tourists, it can be said that for them, the focus of attending a music event is mainly on relaxing as well as socializing. Research Questions In this case, it can be stated that there can be three research questions. The first research question is to find out what is the demographic profile of the attendees? The second research question is to find whether the motive of the tourists and non-tourist are same or different? The third research question is to concentrate on whether

Hospital Financial Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Hospital Financial Management - Essay Example By developing fixed and variable expenses PPD strategies they find it efficient in paying long-term expenses without running out of all the operational cash. During their 1st Qrt, they expected a fixed cost structure of 20% which in actual budget shifted to 19% making a point value of 1. The same way by budgeting for variable cost structure of 80% and gaining an actual of 81% giving them a point value of 1, it means that the operation of the hospital is very strategically planned. The other reason for the better financial performance of the hospital is because of the better turn out of patients both in and outpatient, the benefits are given to them and the services performed. Despite good profit generation from the hospital, it is still advisable that they develop the good strategy based on the indicators shown by the office of the statewide health planning development (OSHPD). The indicators require the hospital financial management to develop corrective measures such as volunteer t ime so that the salaries benefit can be reduced by at least 10%, the need also to give professional training to lower the professional fee they provide for. The hospital management should be determined in developing ways of reducing their supplies from 15% to some reasonable percentage. The main issue the hospital management should focus on to help their performance is the salaries, variable patients benefit, and the supplies they receive. They should develop strategies that enable them to reduce the cost of professionals pays.

LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR (520) Case Study

LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR (520) - Case Study Example 171). In order to foster good relationship with the customers, it is imperative that the employees know how the customers form perceptions, what factors play a role in affecting their perceptions about the salespersons or the company’s products for the better and worse, and what behaviors in the salespersons are appreciated by the customers. Since statistics are available that reflect that the employees who have had good terms with the customers have outperformed their coworkers in terms of sales, understanding the process of formation of perceptions and development of attributed by the customers becomes very important for Joe’s employees. Suitability of Leaning Theories Several learning theories are suitable for Joe to apply in this situation that include but are not limited to operant conditioning learning theory and social learning theory. While there are certain theories that apply more in the case under consideration as compared to others, none can be completely re futed as most learning theories apply at least to some extent. ... Employees come in the company and try their fortune by executing their individualistic behaviors; for some, it works whereas for others, it does not. Employees are only able to find out the impact of their behaviors on their ability to make sales after they have executed their behaviors as part of the company’s workforce. Likewise, since the employees are provided with the opportunity to earn certain commission on the list price, they are motivated to make more sales to make more commission which makes it obvious that the reward is tied to the performance, thus justifying the suitability of the operant conditioning theory for Joe in this case. On the other hand, the social learning theory is also suitable for application in this case because many behaviors are learnt by the employees in the workplace. For example, employees can witness that their coworkers who have fostered good relations with the customers are able to make more sales as compared to other employees who do not manage to develop as good relations with the customers. Having observed this, employees feel intrinsically motivated to take steps to develop good relations and association with the customers. However, certain end up achieving this successfully whereas others fail to develop good relations with the customers, and the social learning theory provides rationale for this difference. According to social learning theory, while people may observe what behaviors lead to success in a particular setting, it is not imperative that this learning brings a change in their behavior. Although the employees know the importance of fostering good relationships with the employees, yet they fail to enhance their sales because this learning did not cause them to