Numerical Analysis Using Sofistik Software - 2346 Words

CHAPTER FIVE: Numerical analysis using SOFISTIK software 5.1. Introduction: In chapter 2, literatures of concrete modelling have been reviewed. The scope of this chapter is to describe the finite element software SOFISTIK to simulate the nonlinear behavior of the foam balls lightweight concrete. The results from this numerical technique are presented and validated with the experimental results obtained from the laboratory tests. The results obtained from these experimental and numerical investigations are taken to predict the nonlinear behavior of 150x150x150 mm FBLWC cube. The damage plasticity concrete concept is used to model the foam balls lightweight concrete cube in the SOFISTIK. Meanwhile, a spring elements are considered to reproduce the nonlinear FBLWC behavior. They are taken into account to develop the F.E.M. structural analysis to obtain stress-strain responses. 5.1.1. Finite element method: The finite element method is a numerical technique that has been successfully adopted to study special cases where, for instance, stress-strain distribution is required. In the past, due to the complexity of the problems, it was difficult to describe them in the same manner because they took much time and effort. However, the development and the use of sophisticated software have now improved this situation. (Zienhiewicz, 1977) The F.E.M. concept is then applied to simulate the performance of the experimental FBLWC tested at laboratory. The numerical evaluations areShow MoreRelatedFinite Element Results Of The Beams Model1553 Words   |  7 PagesPrincipal strain II for B4 Figure (5.148): Principal strain II for B5 Figure (5.149): Principal strain II for B6 Figures (5.150) to (5.155) show the shear stress for B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 and B6. A comparison of the concrete crack patterns from the numerical results and experimental results is shown in same figures. Diagonal cracks occurred at supports. When the applied loads increase, diagonal flexural cracks spread from the support to upper loading plate. Figure (5.150): Shear stress results for

The One Percent Research Paper Free Essays

Running Head: THE ONE PERCENTPage 1 THE ONE PERCENT Ryan M. Kerrick March 18, 2012 THE ONE PERCENTPage 2 Ryan M. Kerrick Mr. We will write a custom essay sample on The One Percent Research Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now Richard Cannella English Composition II March 18, 2012 A good friend of mine recently recommended me to watch a documentary called â€Å"The One Percent. † I do not usually watch documentaries unless I am gaining some type of knowledge out of the information presented. Unsure of what it was about and what I was going to get out of it, I turned on NetFlix and proceeded to watch the film. I soon came to realize I was enamored by this film, â€Å"The One Percent,† and it remains one of my favorite documentaries of all time. The documentary deals with the disparity between the wealthy elite and the citizenry and how they are both so far removed from one another. â€Å"As of 2010, the top 1% of households (the upper class) owned 35. 4% of all privately held wealth. † (Domhoff, 2010, The Wealth Distribution, para. 1). The producer and interviewer presents this film through many wealthy American businessmen, critics, economists and even his own family to explain this major social gap that exists on our home front. When looking at the differences side-by-side, it is hard to grasp that we all live in the same place, the United States of America. The film was created by Jamie Johnson, the heir to one of America’s most affluent families. Being born with a â€Å"silver spoon,† Jamie never really had anything to worry about in life– from private schools to private jets, equestrian clubs and charitable dinner parties. But, he always felt something was missing in his life and he couldn’t quite put a finger on it. The fortune that Jamie inherited on his 21st birthday was from one of the wealthiest family-owned companies in the United States, Johnson and Johnson. THE ONE PERCENTPage 3 Ryan M. Kerrick Mr. Richard Cannella English Composition II March 18, 2012 His great grandfather â€Å"started the company in 1886† (Johnson and Johnson, 1997) and it continued to grow well beyond imagination. Jamie would always wonder what made him deserve this prosperous lifestyle. After self-examination, Jamie was determined to investigate some of the questions haunting him in his head about the wealth disparity in America. Attempting to bring his mind to ease, he decided to create this documentary, â€Å"The One Percent. † Within the first few minutes of the film I noticed a sign labeled â€Å"Private Property Members Only. To me the sign is showing how the wealthy pride themselves in being part of such an elite club. Meanwhile, on the other side of the spectrum, the working class feel like they are not truly part of society at all. In the beginning of the documentary you see the Johnson’s having a family meeting. At first it looks normal, but they are not discussing chores around the house. It is a â€Å"family meeting† with their financial wealth and money management advisors. The meeting is centered on managing their wealth and assets and essentially turning their millions in to more millions. The consensus from the advisors is that every year the family fortune tenfold and they continue to become richer and richer. Jamie seems to be upsetting his father with the making of this documentary and the advisors seem hesitant to talk about money and wealth on camera. THE ONE PERCENTPage 4 Ryan M. Kerrick Mr. Richard Cannella English Composition II March 18, 2012 His father’s initial reaction is that his son’s documentary is nonsense, but something that might have a huge ripple effect if taken seriously. Jamie does a great job trying to get answers and asking difficult questions to the wealthy elite of America. The footage he presents is of people giving their most honest views and thoughts and it is evident there is a huge gap between the wealthy and the poor. Jamie Johnson interviewed numerous people within different social classes. They ranged from Milton Freedman and Steve Forbes, who owns his own private cruise ship, to some local residents of the south side of Chicago, who live in poverty without locks on their mailboxes. Jamie is presenting the social gap with visuals– broken down buildings compared to mansions, a homeless man asking for money compared to fancy beach resorts and post hurricane Katrina victims with private country clubs. A poignant moment that stood out to me in the documentary was when Jamie interviewed Nicole Buffet, the granddaughter of Warren Buffet through marriage (his son Peter’s ex-wife’s daughter. ) It was comforting to watch and I feel even Jamie felt a sense of self-awareness as he interviewed the young female. She seemed so confident in who she was but most of all peaceful, content and happy with the simple things in life. In this situation, you can see money seems to be the root of all evil. Even to the point of ridding someone of your family that has great memories of you. THE ONE PERCENTPage 5 Ryan M. Kerrick Mr. Richard Cannella English Composition II March 18, 2012 She talked of her â€Å"grandpa† as the loving man she knows him as (not as multimillion dollar business man. ) In response to her participation in the documentary, he wrote to her â€Å"I have not emotionally or legally adopted you as a grandchild, nor have the rest of my family adopted you as a niece of cousin. † (Schroeder, 2008, p. 976) He disclaims her as a granddaughter despite all the good she says about him just because of her role in the film. People argue that Buffet was not out of place because Nicole was adopted or a step child and was not part of his immediate family. I thought the same until I stumbled upon an article written in The Wall Street Journal. The article stated â€Å"Susan Buffett, Warren’s first wife, who died in 2004, named Nicole in her will as one of her â€Å"adored grandchildren† and left her $100,000. She added that Nicole â€Å"shall have the same status and benefits †¦ as if they were children of my son, Peter A. Buffett. † Also, â€Å"a source close to the family says Nicole spent â€Å"very little time† with Warren Buffett over the years but that he paid for Nicole’s school and living expenses until she was 28. Nicole says that Mr. Buffett’s reaction may have reflected his philosophy about wealth. â€Å"Sharing my experience as a Buffett was stepping outside the box,† she says. † (Frank, R. 2008). Another part of the film that stood out to me is when Jamie interviewed the taxi cab driver and I did like what the man had to say. He said, â€Å"My family is one of the richest families in the world, but not with money. With love, kindness, tolerance and patience. Qualities that are worth more than money and you can’t buy that. † THE ONE PERCENTPage 6 Ryan M. Kerrick Mr. Richard Cannella English Composition II March 18, 2012 This showed the much clear distinction in values between the rich and the working class. Comparing what the taxi driver had said to the values of Warren Buffet who wrote his granddaughter disclaiming because she did not support the family lifestyle, which would you prefer? Watching this documentary I came to find that with money also comes a fear of losing that money and becoming consumed by it. Along with money comes the changing of your values and whole aspect on life. It allows families in America to move up in class, often times allowing them to adopt different ideas and different family values. After viewing this documentary my analysis on the disparity of the wealth gap is that it is reality and there isn’t much we can do about it. I am able to see what people have to go through to make it to the top. Business men do not become who they are by being nice to people. They have to be aggressive in the business world, cut throat, sharp and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their dreams. That might come with risks or even mean walking all over people. But, sometimes to make a difference, you have to ride through hell to make it to heaven. This might be a hard pill for some people to swallow, but, it is reality and it is the truth. People have not become moguls overnight singing KUM-BAH-YA and dancing around a fire. Las Vegas was built on mob money before it was cleaned up and presented with a new face by entrepreneur investing. This is business. You have to be able to stomach it and it is not for the weak hearted. I would therefore have to agree with what I have seen in the documentary regarding Jamie’s father and his behavior. THE ONE PERCENTPage 7 Ryan M. Kerrick Mr. Richard Cannella English Composition II March 18, 2012 He did what he had to do to get to where he is today even though he inherited his thrown. In my personal opinion, if you look hard enough you will always find dirt and the top of the social ladder. You do not only have to be rich for that either, all of humanity is flawed in its own way. I do not believe that everyone was born to be a millionaire. However, I do believe that in our own way, if we preserve and strive to work hard, we are all able to be â€Å"millionaires† in our own eyes and live fulfilling lives and contribute to making our society a better place to live. Being unemployed, uneducated and living off welfare is not fair to the people who work hard to pay taxes to support their fellow citizens. I consider it to be a lazy and irresponsible way of life. However, it is a choice in life you have. The money is out there for the taking so it is also your prerogative whether you choose to go out and get it or not. Make your decision wisely and keep your values in mind while climbing the social ladder if that is the route you decide to take. THE ONE PERCENTPage 8 Ryan M. Kerrick Mr. Richard Cannella English Composition II March 18, 2012 REFERENCES Johnson and Johnson. (1997). History of Johnson and Johnson. Retrieved from http://www. jnj. com/connect/about-jnj/company-history/ Schroeder, A. (2008). The Snowball: Warren Buffet and the Business of Life. Domhoff, G. (2010). Wealth, Income, and Power: The Wealth Distribution. Retrieved from http://whorulesamerica. net/power/wealth. html Frank, R. (2008). The Wall Street Journal: The Rich Man’s Michael Moore. Retrieved from http://online. wsj. com/article/SB120371859381786725. html? mod=fpa_mostpop How to cite The One Percent Research Paper, Essays

Mental Health-Case Study-Free-Samples for Students-Myassignment

Question: Discuss about the Case Study of Samuel. Answer: Introduction This assignment deals with the mental health study of a person named Samuel. He is 25 years old gay and single man who lived in a shared house. He works at his locality as a barber. He used to drink frequently at nights and smokes the weed regularly for reducing stress. He also went to gym at his leisure time for doing some workout. Samuel is having some mental problems as he reports of feeling guilty of not being a typical son as everyone as he doesnt want to marry and have children. His mother had a history of anxiety and depression. At his school level he became a victim of brutal assault in which he got a scar beneath the chin and his nose was broken which took 3 days to recover from the hospital (Akiskal, 2016). During the past eight years he got some thought of self harm and anxiety and while diagnosis it was found he is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Before that he does not have any such issues. The doctor had prescribed him a low dose of antidepressant and had counselling sessions. Mental status examination Whenever a patient is admitted to a hospital the first step a nurse used to do is assessment. It is a process of collecting data, then organizing them for the evaluation and finally the documentation of the data of the patient. This assessment process is one of the important tasks for the health care experts as they must know the physical, mental and social status of a patient (Coombs, Curtis, Crookes, 2013). An assessment is necessary to do for obtaining the information for creating the detailed history of the patient and distinguishing the problems so that a suitable diagnosis plan can be made. The mental health status examination is a process that provides a structure about the condition of the mental health of an individual. The MSE deals with some key elements which are being addressed. They are: Appearance Behavior Mood Speech Cognition Pattern of thought Consciousness level Appearance behavior * Appearance Looks similar to his age, is friendly and co-operative, body is of moderate build as he goes to gym at his free time for doing work out * Motor behavior Seems to be sad and have a guilt feeling * Attitude to situation and interviewer Friendly to the interviewer Speech form * Rate Speaking very fast * volume Volume is high * Quantity While telling his problems his words are repetitive Mood and affect * Mood Sad, guilty * Affect Form of thought * Excess, absence Presence of various bad thoughts * Continuity of ideas Nil Content of thought * Delusions Nil * Suicidal thoughts Nil Perception * Hallucinations He is thinking that he was being by a gang. * Illusions Nil Sensorium and Cognition * Level of consciousness Conscious * Memory Having his past memories * Orientation Nil * Abstract thinking Thinking that he was being beaten by a gang Insight and Judgment * Extent of individual awareness of the problem Awareness of the extent of the problem is too much effective. * Can they make rational decision No Risk Assessment * Potential for harm to self No * Potential for harm to others No * Potential for absconding No Clinical Formulation Table The clinical formulation is a process in which the patients information is explained which is obtained from clinical assessment. This process offers a hypothesis about the cause of the disease, its nature and the process of diagnosis. The case formulation can be done by the 5P table: 5 Ps Patient condition Presenting factors Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Precipitating factors Caused from a brutal assault when he was in school Predisposing factors It makes him remind of his past where he had been beaten and his nose was broken. Perpetuating factors It increased when he saw a television report on a school student being beaten by some others. Protective factors Samuel strength was the community case manager who helps him in the counseling and his habit of drinking alcohol together with smoking weed, which helps him to reduce stress. Plan for nursing care The plan of nursing care for the psychology patients mainly depends on the MASLOWS HEIRACHY OF NEEDS. It is a motivational theory for the psychological patients which mainly depend on five different features generally shown by a pyramid (Tanner, 2016). By this theory Maslow explained that people are having some basic needs and these needs sometimes become very important from the others. In case of Samuel the two main prior needs are love needs and psychological needs. As Samuel is not so much attached to his parents he feels lonely and also he is having a feeling of guilty that he is unable to satisfy his parents demands. At this point if Samuels parents will give him love and support, then he can get recover himself from his guilt feelings. Also he can recover from his childhood trauma and will able to lead his normal life (Dallos, 2017). One nursing intervention PTSD is a mental disorder that leads to stress which causes life threatening nature of the patient. Cognitive behavioral therapy is being used for the management of PTSD. CBT has been proved as a safe and an effective treatment for both acute and chronic trauma. As Samuel is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, the cognitive behavioral therapy is the best intervention plan. PTSD is the most dangerous health hazard in a persons life. Therefore, its very important to provide treatment as soon as possible so that the trauma of PTSD can be reduced from both the individual and society (Adam, 2017). From the studies it can be stated that the effects of PTSD from child abuse and fight are more harmful than the others. CBT is the best and most widely used approaches for reducing stress, depression, sleeplessness, anxiety, relationship problems, and various other problems. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be done individually or in groups together with the people having similar problems (Ryu et al., 2016). It generally includes the learning process in which the mental health condition of a patient can be learned and to apply the techniques such as relaxation, stress management and assertiveness. Steps in CBT Identifying the condition of the patient - Firstly the nurse must identify the situation of problem in Samuels life. In case of Samuel the problems detected were trauma, stress, depression, anxiety, fear, tiredness and sleeplessness. His therapist Mary used to do his counselling (Johnstone, 2017). To be aware of the thoughts for these problems After the identification of the problems Mary asked Samuel to share his thoughts about the problems. During this session Samuel described that he feels like he was in the middle of the gang which was beating him and it is causing a fear inside him (McLeod, 2016). Identification of negative thinking Samuel told Mary that he is having the feeling of getting exhausted, feeling restless and speaks very quickly with tremble in his voice. He is also getting tired and becoming sleepless at nights (Adelufosi et al., 2017). Reshape negative or inaccurate thinking Mary asks Samuel to get engaged in the counselling process. In this process the person is told to view his situation of trauma, which might be difficult. But with practice and control over the behavior patterns will help Samuel to recover from his negative thinking. Therapeutic relationship The therapeutic relationship is referred as an alliance between healthcare expert and a patient. It is the way of therapy in which the professional tries to engage with the other and hopes that this engagement will bring a change which will be beneficial to the patient. This type of relationship is different from others and are valuable to the clients those who have problems in making good relationships with others. It is also beneficial to the patients, those who had experienced some traumatic events in the childhood. As Samuel is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder which has caused from his past incident of bashing, he is being treated by his case manager carefully. The therapeutic relationship between Mary and Samuel is based on trust and respect between both of them. As given in case study that when Samuel was suffering the most from the trauma he called for his case manager Mary and she as soon as possible appeared in Samuels house (Rizvi, 2016). Cultural safety While treating with CBT the nurse must look after the cultural safety of a patient. There are various ways which we will help to improve the sensitivity of culture and the usual features of CBT. There are seven steps to maintain patient safety: To build the safety culture for the treatment To support the patient and providing them the best ways of treatment To incorporate the activity of risk management. To help in promotion of CBT. Getting involved with the patients by communicating with them Learning and sharing of the safety lessons For preventing harm of the patients, implementation of some strategies. In case of a mental disorder a nurse or the care manager can think of different ways for generating a therapeutic treatment which includes the process of understanding the patients problem. In addition to this the care manager can also organize some counselling sessions and some process to reflect the problem of the patient (Cleary et al., 2017). Recovery oriented nursing care The recovery oriented nursing care is a type of care which is used to provide prevention to the disease by the help of screening, then the diagnosis is done, treatment is provided accordingly and then the patient is sent for the rehabilitation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Van der Kolk, 2017). Three dimensions of access to PTSD care in Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are consideredavailability, accessibility, and acceptability. Availability is used to measure the amount of resources a health care system has, such as manpower and technology for fulfilling the needs of patients. To make sure that an effective care is available to a PTSD patient (Coombs, Curtis, Crookes, 2013). Accessibility is referred to accumulating the needs of the patient, which will satisfy them for the treatment and their stay in hospital (Dallos, 2017). Acceptability refers to the patient-centered care and diagnosed the patient, treating the health issues and other social factors which can motivate the patients needs and priorities for care. References Adam, S. (2017). Critical care nursing: science and practice. Oxford University Press. Adelufosi, A., Edet, B., Arikpo, D., Aquaisua, E., Meremikwu, M. M. (2017). Cognitive behavioral therapy for post?traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders in women and girls living with female genital mutilation: A systematic review. International Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics, 136(S1), 56-59. Akiskal, H. S. (2016). The mental status examination. In The Medical Basis of Psychiatry (pp. 3-16). Springer New York. Cleary, M., Lees, D., Molloy, L., Escott, P., Sayers, J. (2017). Recovery-oriented Care and Leadership in Mental Health Nursing. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 38(5), 458-460. Coombs, T., Curtis, J., Crookes, P. (2013). What is the process of a comprehensive mental health nursing assessment? Results from a qualitative study. International nursing review, 60(1), 96-102.) Dallos, R. (2017). Reflections on assessment, diagnosis and formulation. Johnstone, L. (2017). Psychological Formulation as an Alternative to Psychiatric Diagnosis. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 0022167817722230. McLeod, S. (2016). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Simply Psychology Website. Rizvi, S. (2016). The essential aspects of building a therapeutic relationship. Indian Journal of Positive Psychology, 7(3), 359. Ryu, J. H., Kredentser, M. S., Bienvenu, O. J., Blouw, M., Sareen, J., Olafson, K. (2016). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Survivors of Critical Illness. Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, 263-280. Tanner, R. (2016). Motivation: Applying Maslows hierarchy of needs theory. Van der Kolk, B. A. (2017). Developmental Trauma Disorder: Toward a rational diagnosis for children with complex trauma histories. Psychiatric annals

Major Economics Concepts

Introduction The economy is a complex intertwined system consisting of many parts that work collectively to produce output. Principles of economics are wide and diverse. They help in explaining the complexities associated with the economic system, besides providing crucial indicators for economic direction and wellbeing. Though these principles change with economic dynamism, their basic meanings are static and understanding them is crucial to understanding economics phenomena.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Major Economics Concepts specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Taking the above into account, this discussion will briefly highlight on some of the major economic concepts, to aid in increased understanding of the discipline. These concepts include economic growth, unemployment, hyperinflation, deficit vs debt, exchange rate and great depression and great recession. Economic growth Economic growth refers to the in creasing of an economy’s capability to sufficiently meet a particular population’s needs in terms of goods and services (Wessels 98). Economists normally measure economic growth by determining the increase in productivity as reflected in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) normally, economic growth leads to a drop in costs of economic indicators such as labor, capital and materials. Additionally, increased demand for goods and services and growth in the average income of the population indicates economic growth. The graph below shows how different countries compare in GDP growth rates. Source: International Monetary Fund In the recent past, Asia and Africa have been experiencing phenomenal economic growth rates. Besides the Asian tiger economies, China has posted consistent high growth rates effectively making it the biggest economy in the world behind only the US. Though the Asian Tigers are doing well, China is doing better in terms of economic growth. For instance, th e GDP of China rose by 2.3% in the third quarter of 2011 on a seasonally adjusted quarter on quarter basis as the graph below illustrates.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More China’s GDP expansion in 2011. Source Tradingeconomics.com Due to the rapid growth, estimates put China’s economic worth at slightly over $10 trillion compared with that of Hong Kong at slightly over $2 trillion. One of the most important economic growth indicators is employment. The employment rate shows the number of eligible people in the labour force being absorbed into the job market. Unemployment Unemployment or joblessness on the other hand refers to a situation where people are without jobs after actively engaging in job search within a specified time (McConnell et al 235). Unemployment rate measures unemployment through division of the number of unemployed people by the entire labou r force. High unemployment rates have for a long time been synonymous with developing countries. However, the global financial crisis has led to loss of jobs in developed nations raising the unemployment rates to unprecedented highs. The Table below illustrates unemployment rates of selected countries. Country Unemployment Rate % (2011 estimates) US 8.6 Spain 21.5 UK 8.3 Kenya 40 China 4.1 Unemployment rates for selected countries Source: Division of International Labor Comparisons The US for instance was one of the most affected countries in the crisis with unemployment rate surpassing 9% for several months due to layoffs resulting from closed down businesses. As of November 2011, the US unemployment rate stands at 8.6%. The US however does better compared to other countries such as Spain and Greece with unemployment rates of 21.5% and 18.4% respectively.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Major Economics Concepts specifically for you f or only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The two European nations’ unemployment rates have especially risen due to near total collapse of their economic systems whose origin is the global financial crisis and economic mismanagement. Another important economic indicator besides unemployment is inflation (McConnell et al. 138). Hyperinflation Economists use inflation rates to determine the amount of money in circulation as well as the cost of living. Hyperinflation refers to inflation that is out of control (Baumol 146). Normally, the currency involved loses its real value at an accelerating rate that monetary institutions like central banks can hardly control. According to the International Accounting Standards Board, cumulative inflation that stretches over three years and approaches or reaches 100% becomes hyperinflation. In the above scenario, every cycle of inflation creates the necessity for printing of more money to an extent that money supply is not regulated a s was the case in Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe’s case, local currency, Zimbabwean Dollar devaluation triggered the hyperinflation. The devaluation resulted from falling exports hence little or no foreign currency reserves. The government then printed money with face value of up to 100 trillion-dollar notes to pay for its bills leading to hyperinflation of over 11,000%. Government spending is critical in economic growth and development. Every government has a financial year where it lays its estimates on revenues and expenditure. Receipts are the collections the government makes while outlays are the expenditure. A negative difference between the two is the deficit. A deficit represents a shortage in revenue when outlays are more than the receipts. In that case, the government borrows money through sale of T-bills and notes, effectively creating debt. Given its nature, it is safe to refer to debt as accumulated deficits. It is important that national debt does not pass a certain perc entage of the GDP. However, countries like the US have public debt amounting to almost 97% of its GDP, a precarious situation that can easily cause economic collapse. The US however is better off compared to other countries such as Japan with a national debt, 228% of GDP and Italy with a national debt, 115% of GDP (Baumol 209). Great Depression and Great Recession In the market economy, that is dominant in the world today, economic cycles have become a norm. Economic shocks such as lack of credit or rise in oil prices lead to slump or growth periods of the economies hence cycles such as the Great Depression and the Great Recession. The stock market crashes of 1929-1930 and 2008-2009 led to a slump in the economic activities in many nations. The great depression was more severe compared to the 2008 great recession.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The great depression affected trade and capital flows as well as commodity prices. The great recession on its part affected credit flow as well as collapse of the housing and financial markets. The US which is still making a painfully slow recovery was the most affected in the great recession with over 14 million Americans losing their jobs and major financial institutions collapsing. In other countries like Japan, industries such as manufacturing experienced a slump, whose effect is still felt today (Baumol 397). Exchange Rate All economic activities use medium of exchange i.e. money whose design depends on a particular territory’s currency. International transactions between nations take place through currency exchange as determined by the exchange rate. The exchange rate therefore is the rate at which one currency will exchange for another (McConnell et al. 49). In essence it’s the value of one country’s currency in terms of another. The most dominant currenc y in the world is the Dollar. Many transactions take place using the dollar and numerous central banks have the dollar as their reserve currency. Many countries as a result have little choice but to peg their national currencies to the dollar. Besides the Dollar, other major currencies include the Euro, the Pound and the Japanese Yen. Many currencies appreciation or depreciation takes place against these currencies. The Euro for instance has appreciated against the Dollar and currently (05th December 11:52 am GMT+3) trades at 1 Euro = 1.3462 U.S. dollars. The Chinese currency is weaker than the dollar and currently (05th December 11:52 am GMT+3) it trades at 1 U.S. dollar = 6.36290174 Chinese yuan, though the US believes depreciation of the Yuan is through manipulation. Conclusion Despite the above principles being important, they hardly form the bulk of economic concepts needed for full comprehension of economics. Nevertheless, the information contained on the discussion is crucial in understanding the basic economic variations that people encounter every day. Perhaps to underscore their importance, the above concepts are the most discussed currently, thanks to the Great Recession and the looming European recession. While understanding concepts such as economic growth, unemployment, hyperinflation, exchange rate and cycles such as the Great Depression and Great Recession is important, understanding how they work together to for the overall wellbeing of the economy is crucial as well. Works Cited Baumol, William. Economics: Principles and Policy. London: Sage Publications, 2011. Print. McConnell, Campbell et al. Economics. New York: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print. Wessels, Walter. Economics. New York: Routledge, 2006. Print. This essay on Major Economics Concepts was written and submitted by user Iman1 to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

A Raisin in the Sun Research Paper Example

A Raisin in the Sun Research Paper Example A Raisin in the Sun Paper A Raisin in the Sun Paper Essay Topic: A Raisin in the Sun A Raisin in the sun by Lorraine Handlebars thematically represents the life of the Younger family, the conflict of their dreams and their struggle to attain these dreams either for selfishness of the individual or because of family differences. Hughes symbolically represents the Idea of dreams deferred In her poem and such Is a direct resemblance to the different dreams of the characters, Mama, Beneath, Walter Lee and Ruth and the effect that their dreams begin to have on the family and them as individuals. For the Younger family bread is not enough and with the conflict rounding their different dreams the family begins to crumble, pushing them close to the edge. This essay therefore sets out to discuss the individual dreams that each of them aspires to and how their actions to attain their dreams or lack of impact their life as a family and as individuals. Mr. Younger (Big Walter) was the bread winner, the back bone of the family and the inspiration from which the Younger families dreams stemmed, however through his passing his dream of creating a home, to give them something more than he had becomes nothing but a lifeless dream for the Younger. HIS dream to them becomes A raisin In the sun, a dried up dream, especially since the dream was deferred for such a long time and so the Younger now feel that there Is no longer a need to carry on with this deferred dream, everyone except Mama. Their desire to aspire to their dreams further stems from their poor, necessitous background. The Younger despite being segregated from the white community as it was in the sass appear to share the same dreams as the white communities. This dream was largely centered with having lots of money and materials things, big house, money and a close knit family. The Younger however struggle to come close to this so called American Dream as it was called. Their struggles through daily hardships constantly prevent them from accomplishing their dreams, which all seem to be deferred at one point. The play begins with a hard and faded outlook on the Younger family life. Through the conversations and description of the house, the reader becomes aware that the family Is unhappy with their current living situation and their life In general however with the promise of a cheese they are meant to Inherit from the deceased Mr. Younger, one may think that things may cake a turn for them. The Younger are anticipative each in their own right of what this cheese might bring for them as individuals or as a family: each family member has their own aspiration of what they will do with the money. Mama who is the head of the house wants to buy a house, this is a dream she wants fulfill which she shared with her husband. This dream is fueled by creating a better life for her family and giving them the things she always dreamed she could. It is the dream that Big Walter was never able to fulfill. Beneath dream is more self- serving she hopes to use the none to pay for her medical school tuition. Walter Lee believes that by investing the money into a liquor store it would give him the wealth he so desires and more importantly help solve their families financial burden for good and give his son Travis the life he wishes for him. Lastly Ruth (Walters wife) tends to side with Mama and believes that by bulling a house not only will It help the family but also her son I ravels Ana Turner create a netter Tie Ana opportunity Tort Arrivals. Walters cream AT investing the money into a liquor store and owning his own business takes over. Because Walters dream has been deferred and a struggle for so long he immediately sees the inheritance as the perfect opportunity to aspire to his dreams, however his immense hunger for this takes control and not only do his aspirations run all over but it begins to dwell on and ruin the rest of the families dreams and impeded Beneath dreams as well. Walter becomes so blinded by this intense need that he is not aware of his actions and the consequences thereof, his anger and frustration is felt by the whole family. So now its life. Money is life. Once upon a time freedom seed to be life?now its money. I guess the world really do change .. ., these are the words spoken by Mama, however Walter response of saying No?it was always money, Mama. We Just didnt know about it, clearly draws attention to Walters need and desire for money and one starts to see through his actions and words that Walter is the character most concerned with making his dreams known. Mamas dream for Walter to not only becomes the man of the house but to buy a new house and lead the family is precisely that, Mamas dream! Walter defers both his fathers reams and his Mothers wishes for her family and when his selfish needs and agonizing pride take over Walters friend runs off with part of the money that Mama gave to Walter. Walters wounded pride on losing his business causes unbearable pain on his Mother especially since Walters actions are impacting on Beneath future plans and continually questions Beneath with who told you that you needed to be a doctor anyways Through all of this his frustrations blind him from seeing the consequences of actions. Walters materialistic view on the world further displays to is son Travis your daddys goanna make a Business transaction thats going to change our lives. You Just name it, son And I hand you the world! These words along with the words spoken to reiterates the selfishness of Walter and how his dream is based largely around money. Mama dreams of the day she can give her family the life they deserve and she deems the only way she can do this is by buying the dream house that her and her husband wished for. However as quick as Walter is to defer the dreams of his deceased father he is for his Mothers dreams. Walter becomes angry and annoyed when he learns that Mama put a deposit on a house, again Walters ego takes over and his words to Mama become harsh and striking, Walters feels his mom has Butchered up a dream of his. (2. 1 . 95) Mama feels that her hopes to do what she could with what she had have been dashed. But before one goes further, Mama once more regains a sense of optimism when her family showers her with gifts, the feeling of her family dreams can be achieved no matter what comes to her. She truly believes in that moment that it will happen but that is before she learns that Walter as lost all the money and there once more Mamas dreams are deferred. When Ruth learns of her pregnancy she is too scared at first to approach Walter, her first thought is abortion, not because she does not want the baby but because she wants what is best for them. Ruth desperately struggles to keep her family together; it is because of Walters extreme restlessness to attain his dreams that Ruth fears the future of her family. Walter is incredibly dissatisfied with his life, and hes taking it out on everybody around him. Poor Ruth feels the brunt of her husbands Napless. Seen seems to De tartar AT want wall napped Detente teem I T Walter doesnt get the chance to attain his dream. Ruts aspirations to give her family a better life are over shadowed and deferred because of Walters dreams for success of his business. Ruth however shows a sense of hope when Mama announces that she has put a down payment on a house. Ruth is elated to hear this news because she too dreams of more clean-living home house where Travis can grow up. However Ruth is quickly put down in her hopes when Walter who feels betrayed will not agree tit her on her dreams. Both Ruth and Walter feel trapped in their lives and although they do share a special love for one another both share a feeling of entrapment an intrepid need to escape their Jobs, their home and their life- style. However through all the trials and tribulations they are faced with their dreams become deferred at every turn. Beneath appears to take the biggest back seat when it comes to her dreams. Mama having trusted Walter to invest half the money into Beneath tuition and the other half into his business venture betrays both Mama and Beneath and uses it all for his own gain. Walter is driven by his sense of jealousy for Beneath and the idea that she seems to be making something of herself and pursuing her independence annoys him. His constant question of Why do you have to be a doctor anyway makes this very visible. Though Walter ruins the dreams of his mother, Ruth, Beneath and ultimately his own a light of hope and peace begins to show itself towards the end of the play. When Walter truly realizes what he has done, he truly feels responsible for dashing his family dreams but he redeems myself when we stands up to Mr.. Liner. Walter quickly realizes what he and his family have had all along despite their deferred dreams. Walter finally sees that it was his fathers dream that was truly the most important and they were all working towards it in their own ways. Walter intends to make this dream of his fathers come alive Thus in conclusion this essay has critically discussed the individual dreams that the characters have and how their actions to attain their dream, or lack thereof impacted their life as a family and as individuals.

When Is the PreACT 2018 PreACT Test Dates

When Is the PreACT 2018 PreACT Test Dates SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you’re planning to take the ACT, it’s a good idea to take the PreACT, too. This test is essentially a practice ACT for high school sophomores. But exactly when is the PreACT? Are there multiple PreACT test dates you can choose from?We answer these questions and more in this guide. In addition, we give you a few key tips on how to prep for the PreACT. The Short Answer: When Is the PreACT? The exact date on which you can take the PreACT varies depending on the school. Basically, it’s up to each school to decide when (and if) it wants to administer the test. This means that you have no choice when to take the PreACT (it's not like the SAT or ACT for which you can choose a specific test date). If your school or district decides not to offer the PreACT, you won't be able to take it. Schools that do intend to offer it, however, may administer it "any time between September 1 and June 1," according toACT, Inc.In other words, you'll take the testsometime during the school year- never during the summer. Furthermore, you’ll take it at school, most likely on a school day during regular school hours. So no having to wake up early on a Saturday as you need to do for the ACT! The Long Answer: How PreACT Test Dates Work Now for the long answer. There are a few key steps schools must take when deciding whether (and when) to administer the PreACT. Below is the basic timeline: Step 1: Schools Decide Whether to Administer the PreACT First, a school must decide whether it wants to administer the PreACT to students.If it's decided to administer the test, the school then orders the tests directly from ACT, Inc. (Note that students do not order their PreACT tests individually!) If your school hasn’t said anything about holding the PreACT, talk to your guidance counselor to see whether your school will consider offering the test to 10th graders who want to take it. Step 2: Schools Decide When to Hold the PreACT Once a school has chosen to hold the PreACT, it decides when to administer it. Unlike the ACT, which is only offered on certain Saturdays every year, the PreACT is typically held at school on a weekday.The bonus? You’ll be taking the test with students you know at your own school, which can make the testing environment more comfortable for you. As mentioned above, schools may pickany test date between September 1 and June 1.So you could end up taking the PreACT at the start of the school year (similar to the PSAT, which is always offered in October), or you could end up taking it near the end of the school year in May. All of this simply depends on what date your school feels best fits with its schedule. In short, the exact PreACT test date will ultimately be up to your school.Unfortunately, you can’t take the PreACT on a different test date. So if for some reason you’re going to be absent the day of the PreACT, you won’t be able to make it up on a later date. Ifyou’re not sure when your school plans to hold the PreACT,check with your guidance counselor. Step 3: Schools Send Out PreACT Information to 10th Graders In this last step, the school sends out information about the PreACT to its 10th graders. Generally, students will be toldwhen and where the PreACT will be held, how to sign up for it, and how much it’ll cost to take it. The PreACT typically costs $12 per student, but your school might cover all or part of this cost. If you have any questions about how much the test costs or how to register for it, ask your guidance counselor. How to Prep for the PreACT: 3 Essential Tips Now that you understand how PreACT test dates work, you might be wondering whether you should study for the test or just wing it. While the PreACT is certainly not as important as the ACT (or SAT) is, it can be helpful to do some light prep before taking it. This way, you’ll have a clear idea of what ACT score you’re likely to get later on and will be better able to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses in the major skill areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Here are our top three tips for prepping for the PreACT: #1: Learn the Test Format First off, it’s a good idea to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the overall structure of the PreACT. As you might know, the PreACT format is extremely similar to the ACT format: both tests have four main sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science), have similar question types, and use a similar (though not identical) scoring scale (1-35 for the PreACT and 1-36 for the ACT). The only major differences between the PreACT and ACT are as follows: The PreACT is shorter than the ACT: In total, the PreACT is two hours and 10 minutes long (excluding breaks), whereas the ACT is two hours and 55 minutes long (without Writing) and three hours and 35 minutes long (with Writing). The PreACT is slightly easier than the ACT: Since the test is designed as a practice ACT and geared toward 10th graders (instead of 11th and 12th graders, which the ACT targets), its content and overall difficulty is somewhat easier than that on the ACT. The PreACT does not have an essay section: While the ACT includes an optional Writing section at the end of the test, the PreACT has no such writing component. Now, let's take a closer look at the PreACT format: English Math Reading Science Order 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Time 30 minutes 40 minutes 30 minutes 30 minutes # of Questions 45 36 25 (with 3 passages) 30 Time per Question 40 seconds 67 seconds 72 seconds 60 seconds Topics Tested Grammar, punctuation, organization, vocabulary, sentence style Integers, algebra, functions, geometry, statistics and probability Reading comprehension, vocabulary, text-based evidence Scientific reasoning skills, data/charts Sources: 2017-18 PreACT Administration Manual and PreACT Interpretive Guide Note that you’ll also get a 10- to 15-minute break between the Math and Reading sections. For more information about the PreACT, check out the resources ACT, Inc. has on its website. In addition, since the PreACT is so similar to the ACT, I suggest looking at our in-depth guide to the ACT format to further acquaint yourself with the PreACT and ACT structures. #2: Set a PreACT Goal Score A goal score is simply the score you're aiming to get on test day. Setting a goal score for the PreACT can help you figure out not just what type of score you want to get on it but also what score you’d like to eventually get on the ACT.Remember that the two tests share many similarities, including a nearly identical score range, so whatever goal score you have for the PreACT can also be used for the ACT. But how do you set a goal score? For the ACT and SAT, the easiest way to set a goal score is to first figure out what colleges you want to apply to. You can then look up each school’s average score range for admitted applicants (for either the ACT or SAT). We talk more about how to do this in our guides to setting a goal score for the ACT and SAT. As a 10th grader taking the PreACT, though, you likely haven’t finalized your list of colleges just yet. In this case, the best thing to do is to think about what schools you’re considering applying to, even if you’re not 100% sure you’ll actually apply to them. Once you’ve made a list of schools and put them in a chart, start looking up each school’s average ACT score range for admitted applicants. The reason you’ll use ACT scores instead of PreACT scores here is twofold: Colleges don’t look at PreACT scores at all (only ACT/SAT scores), so there is no PreACT score info you can use for your research The PreACT is extremely similar to the ACT- so much so that one score on one test roughly translates to the same score on the other test To look up a school’s average ACT scores, search for â€Å"[School Name] ACT PrepScholar† on Google. Look for the link to your school in our college database and click it to see the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile ACT scores for that school. Once you’ve filled out your entire chart, look for the highest 75th percentile score in it- this will be your PreACT goal score (as well as your ACT goal score, though this might change as you update and tweak your list of schools). This particular score is your goal score because it's the score most likely to get you accepted to all the schools you're thinking of applying to. #3: Take an Official ACT Practice Test My last piece of advice for your (very light!) PreACT prep plan is to take an official ACT practice test.Unfortunately, there are no official PreACT practice tests currently available.However, since the ACT is so similar to the PreACT, taking a practice ACT should be just as helpful. Just make sure you're aware of the major differences between the two tests. The ACT practice test will be longer and a little more difficultthan the PreACT will be.While this might seem annoying, it's actually a good thing, as it lets you get a better sense of what kinds of questions will be on the ACT. What's more, as a result of challenging yourself, you might score even higher than you thought you would on the PreACT! Another thing to note is how you take the ACT practice test. It's important tomimic actual testing conditions as closely as possible. In other words,take the test in a quiet room, on paper (not on a computer!), and within official ACT time limits. Once finished, score your results. The score you get on the test will be yourbaseline PreACT/ACT score- that is, the score you start with in your ACT prep. You'll use this score, along with your PreACT/ACT goal score, to figure out the number of points you’ll eventually need to improve by in order to hit your ACT target score. Review: When Is the PreACT? Unlike the ACT, there are no PreACT test dates you can choose from. Each school that plans to hold the PreACT chooses when it wants to administer it. Schools may administer the test any time between September 1 and June 1,and most high schoolsadminister it on a school day. Once a school decides when it will administer the PreACT, it will notify students of the opportunity to take it and provide instructions on how to register and pay for the exam. Some schools cover all or part of the PreACT cost, while others don't. The typical cost is $12 per student. Because the PreACT is basically a practice ACT and isn’t used for college admissions, you don’t need to prep too hard for it. (In fact, many students don’t prep at all- this is totally fine!)That said, it doesn’t hurt to do some light prep before you take the PreACT, especially if you’re hoping to eventually get a high score on the ACT as well. For prep, the best steps to take are to learn the format of the PreACT (and ACT), set a combination PreACT/ACT goal score, and take an official ACT practice test to find your baseline score and get a better feel for the test. What’s Next? Got more questions about the PreACT? Our guide covers everything you need to know about the test, including what it is and why it's offered. As you prep for the PreACT, make sure you understand the format of the ACT, too. Knowing this will give you a head start on ACT prep- and possibly a higher PreACT score! Planning to take the SAT instead of the ACT? Then the PSAT will be a better practice test for you. Learn what the PSAT is and get tips on how to prep for it so you can potentially qualify for National Merit! Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points? Download our free guide to the top 5 strategies you need in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically.

An analysis of the theoretical ideals of Thtre des Champs-lyses Essay

An analysis of the theoretical ideals of Thtre des Champs-lyses - Essay Example That said, the Theatre des Champs-Elysees itself also showed other elements, including avant-garde and art deco. This was because it was built in 1913 in Paris, and, during this time, art was experiencing a kind of cultural renaissance. The artists during this time were blending African influences with the newest movements, which include futurism, a movement which disdained the past in full. Therefore, the building was in keeping of the spirit of the times, while blending the classicism and lines of the past. This report will detail Perret and his influences, along with a brief discussion of the artistic environment surrounding the building of the Theatre des Champs-Elysees, with a description of the key architectural elements of this structure. Influence and Theory of Perret Auguste Perret (1874-1954), was a French architect whose architecture was founded upon using reinforced concrete frame construction. As Frampton (1995) notes, Perret was influenced by the Romans, who used reinfo rced concrete in their construction of their vaults, including the Roman Pantheon. These structures gained their strength through their monolithic shells, as opposed to the â€Å"thrust and counterthrust of arch and buttress† (p. 121). ... 123). His frames were based upon classicized rationalism, which combined the classical with the rational. Perret had another influence around the time that he created the Theatre des Champs Elysees, and that was Paul Valery. Valery, according to Frampton (1995), stated that the importance of architecture is the durability of the framework, which means that the building will stand up through time. It is through the passage of time that the building will attain its character, which was the thinking of Valery, who noted that the buildings are currently furnished with elements and forms, but its harmonious style and character would come with time. This is what makes a building beautiful, according to Valery, as time gives it character, style and harmony. Moreover, buildings which have stood through time would give the culture memory of form, which complements the structure of the building of steeples and towers (Frampton, 1995). Frampton (1995) explains that Perret met Valery around 1909 , which was just three years before Perret realized the Theatre des Champs-Elysees. Valery was fond of the theatre, and he was on personal terms with luminaries such as Maurice Denis and Antoine Bourdelle, who are the artists who supplied the decor and sculptural relief for the theatre. Valery’s theory was that bearing constructions must be separated from reticulated construction, which also must be separated from consolidated construction cast in reinforced concrete. However, Perret’s theory for the Theatre des Champs-Elysees was that the tectonic potential of the concrete frame must be realized, which means that it was removed from Valery’s ideas of the tectonic which was based upon Greek culture. Other influences for Perret, according to

The Influence of Internet Marketing on the Effectiveness Dissertation

The Influence of Internet Marketing on the Effectiveness - Dissertation Example Review of Related Literature Introduction One of the most relevant developments over the past years has been the progress exemplified by the Internet with which Internet adoption has significantly increased for marketing activities and opportunities. The Internet allows individuals to exchange ideas, send e-mails, shop for products, have access to news, and obtain business information (Armstrong and Kotler 2000). Internet usage for marketing increases the availability of information compared to conventional forms of media (e.g. TV, radio, print) with a moderately low cost for entry. Consumers are able to access the Internet and search for products, and purchase these at any given time, thus increased convenience. When companies are capable of offering convenience to its customers, such as through certain individualized customer services, they will eventually result to the increase of value offered by businesses and enable customers to experienced increased levels of satisfaction (Tsiotsou and Vlachopoulou 2010). Internet usa ge is also a cost-effective means of carrying out marketing operations as it can result to a reduced requirement for sales force members. On the whole, using the Internet to support marketing activities can lead to the expansion of businesses, from local to national/international markets, thus increased opportunities for growth. The following sections will then look into SMEs and their experience with the integration of Internet in their marketing operations. Internet and Marketing Activities in SMEs ... To determine the impact of Internet usage on marketing activities of SMEs. Review of Related Literature Introduction One of the most relevant developments over the past years has been the progress exemplified by the Internet with which Internet adoption has significantly increased for marketing activities and opportunities. The Internet allows individuals to exchange ideas, send e-mails, shop for products, have access to news, and obtain business information (Armstrong and Kotler 2000). Internet usage for marketing increases the availability of information compared to conventional forms of media (e.g. TV, radio, print) with a moderately low cost for entry. Consumers are able to access the Internet and search for products, and purchase these at any given time, thus increased convenience. When companies are capable of offering convenience to its customers, such as through certain individualized customer services, they will eventually result to the increase of value offered by businesse s and enable customers to experienced increased levels of satisfaction (Tsiotsou and Vlachopoulou 2010). Internet usage is also a cost-effective means of carrying out marketing operations as it can result to a reduced requirement for sales force members. On the whole, using the Internet to support marketing activities can lead to the expansion of businesses, from local to national/international markets, thus increased opportunities for growth. The following sections will then look into SMEs and their experience with the integration of Internet in their marketing operations. Internet and Marketing Activities in SMEs The technologies that the Internet has integrated into businesses have enhanced the

Demographic of Essex County Essay Example for Free

Demographic of Essex County Essay Essex County is located in the North eastern part of new jersey. The history of Essex county dates back to 1666 when 30 families from Connecticut established settlement along the banks of Passaic river. Essex County was officially established in 1682 by east jersey legislature. Essex County is 129.631 square miles. The Geopolitical communities are designed by natural or human made boundaries (Maurer and Smith, 2009). It holds community safer for the residents and the governing body. Essex County is bordered by human made boundaries. The weather of the community fluctuates according to the seasons. The usual temperature throughout winter stays within 24 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, it hikes up, and ranges between at 68 to 85 Fahrenheit. Natural disasters like flood, blizzards, snowstorms, heavy rains hurricanes, power outrage, water shortage common here. Essex county is the second most densely populated county in new jersey As of 2010 census population was 783969. The county is made up of 22 municipalities which are widely diverse encompassing large inner-city communities. Essex’s county’s economic wealth is not distributed uniformly across all residents, with large urban areas that include a large number of poor and minority populations with 11.7% county families had income below the poverty level. As of 2011, 10.8% residents were unemployed. Essex County is the first county in United States to create county wide park system. As of now 5,745 acres of green space which includes vast reservations developed parks 21 one of them. The community has big golf courses and tennis courts In addition to this, there are seasonal community fairs and other community events that provide an occasion for community interaction. And there is provision for bike lanes. Fire department and police  department renders excellent service. The waste disposal and pest control department maintains healthy and hygienic environment. There are community parks, swimming pools, sports clubs, and many other establishments providing amenities to support the physical and leisure activities of the residents. The community has a big golf clubs. In addition to this, there are seasonal community fairs and other community events that provide an occasion for community interaction. Interview with the Community health Nurse Melissa Garfield RN, BSN (telephone Interview) Conducted on 10/23/2014. Melissa works for Barnabas Health System at present she is a clinical supervisor who in charge of approximately 100 employees which includes registered nurses, respiratory therapist, occupational and physical therapist. They work very closely with the state and they are Medicare certified. What is your role in disease prevention, surveillance and health Promotion? What steps are you taking to alert the community to educate them? The role of community health has changed greatly over the years. We play a very important role in the community for prevention of disease and promotion of health. They help in preventing disease by community teaching and help early detection of a problem. The greatest challenges we face has nothing to do with the season of the year, it is with hospitals discharging patients more quickly to shorten the length of stay and the acuity of the patients in the community are much higher which necessitates the clinicians that are more skilled than ever. As of now they have to take care of patients with tracheostomy, peg tube feeding, long term chest tubes, nephrostomy tubes and ventilators and administer antibiotics. The job of the community health nurse is educate the family members how to take care of their loved one at home, and what to do when there is emergency there is always redundancy what to do when there is emergency. She gave the example of Hurricane sandy when they had to go visiting homes of patients who were oxygen dependent, ventilator patients and patients with special electronic beds and make sure they had electricity and if not they had to be moved to acute care center. For me that was the most  challenging thing I faced in the community. This transcends any season. At the moment it is season change and we have to make sure our homebound citizens and senior citizens for getting flu vaccines and get them ready for winter making sure they have access to heat and hot water. Now we are also educating the community about Ebola. What ethnic groups do you deal with? Essex County is made up of very diverse race and culture. There is no single dominant culture or race. We have African- American, White-Americans, Hispanic, and Asians. They visit all communities in the county; they have escorts who are from the community who helps her when she goes home visiting. The only home they are not allowed to go is if they see anyone actively doing drugs, or drinking for safety reasons. What spiritual resources are available? The community health nurse has to respect every religion, culture and their way of life and traditions as long it doesn’t cause any harm to the individual. Essex County has churches of every denomination, temples, synagogues and mosques which are easily accessible. What are the five biggest health issues pertaining to Essex County? What is being done to educate the community for its prevention? Heart Disease including congestive heart disease. Cancer Stroke Septicemia Diabetes There are non-health related issues like homicide, violent crimes deaths injuries and mortality rates related to this are high in the community. The community health nurses organize community teaching in churches, senior citizen homes and in adult day care center and churches where they teach about diet, exercise, compliance with medication and follow up with the physicians. They also check blood pressure and sugars during this  time. Making sure people in the community follow healthy diet is challenge as this county has very high rate of fast food joints. Are you adequately funded? What would you like to see more funding for? We are insurance and Medicare dependent and if the patient doesn’t have insurance then it is charity care. They organize fund raisers for cancer prevention. Every program is important to the community but more funding is needed for preventive care which in turn will promote health. What are some of the preventive programs organized Barnabas health comm unity services? The role of community health nurse involves educating the community in prevention of disease which in turn promotes health. Tobacco free living Preventing drug abuse and excessive alcohol use Healthy eating Injury and violence free living Reproductive and sexual health Mental and emotional well-being. They also have program called† what’s in your bag† where they collaborate with the pharmacist in the community check the prescription medications the patients are taking and make sure there is no duplications for example Norvasc and Amlodipine. They update the list of the medication they are taking which helps when they go to the doctors or hospital. They also assist in the community in proper disposable of unused and expired medicine. The nurse also teaches how to store medications especially narcotics. They also help in the immunizations of seniors especially flu and pneumonia and preschool children. The school nurse is in charge of making sure the school age kids are up-to-date with immunization. Are the health resources adequate in Essex County? She believes there are enough health providers; there are many hospitals, emergent day care centers and nurse practitioners all are very easily accessible. The problem is not enough resources  she believes people not making use of these resources. There are many individuals with no insurance but they are never denied care. Essex County also has discount prescription card which gives 20% on prescription medication. What is the role of a community health in regarding to mental health? She is not specialized in this field but they do have separate division who takes care of these individual this team consists of behavioral health nurses and therapist. They do assess the patients if they need these services and refer them accordingly. Essex County has a big psychiatry hospital whose mission is to provide evidence-based care to promote patient recovery and return to community. Diet and Exercise Obesity rates have doubled among children and tripled in adolescents and adults. Also our community has very high rate of fast food restaurant. The main of community health nurse is educating the community on healthy diet and the importance of exercise. Our community has lots of parks and open spaces, sports center which are well equipped but under used. There also community swimming pools. The community health nurses do not organize any activities in regarding to exercise, but the county has many such program which begin in spring with cherry blossom festival, they conduct marathons, bike riding competitions’ and hikes and camp outs during summer of which Barnabas health is a big sponsor. Are they any nutrition deficiency in the community? Does the community provide safe drinking water? Most common problem are Vitamin D deficiency. There are many communities which live below poverty and many are homeless. But there are many organizations which help them like soup kitchens, food stamps, meals on wheels for home bound citizens, churches and many communities. Schools provide subsidized rate or free in some cases breakfast and lunches to the children. Farmers markets and community garden where one can grow fresh vegetables and fruits in summer. Tap water is safe for  drinking which checked periodically and report of which is sent to all residents. 11. What is the role of a Community health nurse in relation to environmental issues such as heat assistance, cooling stations, pest control, waste disposal, and common air contaminants? Essex County has an environmental nurse that follows the Human Health Hazard Ordinance. This ordinance is for dealing with health hazards that are occurring on the outside of the home and could potentially affect other members of the community. They work closely with town and municipality workers. They inspect the homes for rats or any insect’s bed bugs. They also observe how the garbage is being disposed. Overall the nurse’s job is to see if the resident is safe in their home. She also checks if the patient is oxygen dependent there is nobody in the house smoking, from individual perspective she also checks if they have working fire alarms. They check to see if they have provision for heat in winter. There is very good waste management system in the county. They have garbage and recycle bins in all public spaces. The environments hazardous waste and electronic waste is being collected by the county once in three months from the community or it can be taken to the disposable center by the resident. The community nurse plays no role in this. 12. What kind of sexuality programs are available e.g. growth and development, STD and AIDS education, contraception options. Is there sufficient access to birth control, support groups for pregnant women and new parents? What are the statistics for birth rates, abortion and miscarriage? Essex County works with Planned Parenthood, the pregnancy crisis hot-line, the Family Resource Center and Early Head Start programs. There is disparity among child birth and teen pregnancy. Low and low birth weight among African-American babies born is higher than other racial/ ethnic group. Teen pregnancy is more in lower socio-economic groups. The school nurses provide sex education to the kids from  elementary. There are many programs for maternal and child health. They support them and get necessary help needed in caring the baby and themselves. 13. How do you assist in disaster management planning? Are there other agencies you work with? Essex County nurses work with police, fire and EMS from all the cities and towns in the county. The nurses participate in disaster management drill a few times a year. Our other role in disaster management is to keep a list of personnel that may be needed to help when a disaster occurs. The list is reviewed and updated yearly. This list includes: Long-term care facilities Veterinarian Clinics and hospital Schools Churches Summer camps Parish nurses Home care agencies Water and energy facilities such a Alliant Energy Power Station† 14. What are the Cognitive/ perceptual level of the community? The Essex County is home to large ethnic/ racial group. The main language is English but there is large number of residents about 20% of who don’t speak English. The community nurses use language line to communicate with the patient or somebody from the family who knows the language acts as the translator. Essex County is home to five public and five private colleges. There is a great push to change the education system and get the children back to school. The graduate rate is 64% for the county which is low comparing to other counties in the state. 15. What is the self-perception / self- concept in the community? Are the residents happy? I don’t know how to answer that. You know we both live in the same county there is big disparities how the economic wealth is distributed. There are large urban areas with poor and minority population, a nd some below poverty level. The county is doing a lot to make sure all  residents have equal opportunities. Like in the library they have activities for senior citizens; they also have activities for school age and preschoolers. They play a big role ]in summer reading program. The county also has free coaching in summer for sports activities like tennis and football. Each community in summer organizes movie night. There are equal opportunities for all. In certain communities in the county the violent crime rate and homicide rate is high compared to other counties in the state. There is also big problem with substance abuse. Due to which emergency room visits for substance abuse are high in the county. The families living in these areas face dangers which causes stress. Role and relationship The people of the community continue to maintain respectful and healthy relationships with neighbors. The children are cooperative with one another and maintain respect towards elders and higher authorities, such as teachers. Local residents aid the older residents, especially during snow storm. The local police and firefighters offer innumerable services for the community. We ended our interview by her saying there are many services available in the community which the residents are not aware of. They also need more skilled nursing staff as the acuity of patients in the community is high. References: The county of Essex New jersey. www. Essex-county nj.org Essex county quick facts from U S census bureau. Retrieved from quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/†¦/34013.

Mountains of the Moon: A Re-inscription of the Colonial Master Narrative :: Movie Film Essays

Mountains of the Moon: A Re-inscription of the Colonial Master Narrative      If Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke were alive in 1989 to see the release of Bob Rafelson’s Mountains of the Moon, what would their response to the film be?   Would they agree with the way Rafelson’s film depicts their remarkable journey into Africa to find the source of the Nile River?   Would they agree with the way the film dramatizes their relationship with each other?   The answers to these questions would help a great deal in determining whether Rafelson’s film about Burton and Speke’s expedition was accurate, or whether his film was an attempt to sensationalize their story to increase its reception.   Unfortunately, Burton and Speke are not around to answer these questions, which makes an analysis of these issues difficult.   Therefore, rather than analyzing this film from a historical perspective, this critique is concerned with what story Rafelson’s film tells.   How does Rafelson’s movie shape audience’s opinions about Burton and Speke as characters?   Does his story, through visual rhetoric, retell or reinterpret Burton and Speke’s story?   What role does Africa play in Rafelson’s film?   The answers to these questions should help determine whether Rafelson’s film is a re-inscription of the colonial master narrative, or whether it is a post-colonial critique of European colonization.    Mountains of the Moon sets out to recreate the adventures of Richard Burton (Patrick Bergin) and John Hanning Speke (Iain Glen).   The plot of the film focuses on Burton and Speke’s relationship, and their journey to discover the source of the Nile River.   One interesting characteristic that separates Rafelson’s Mountains of the Moon from previous attempts to describe Burton and Speke’s expedition is that Rafelson’s film introduces a human element into Burton and Speke’s relationship; an element that remains the focal point throughout the entire movie (Campbell, www.theparamount.org). As a result, Rafelson shifts the focus of the movie away from the business aspect of the story, and compels audiences to focus more on the friendship that develops between Burton and Speke.   Sidney Pollack’s Out of Africa shifts in the same way.   In Pollack’s 1985 film, audiences find themselves more concerned with the film’s love s tory, than with the Baroness’s coffee plantation in Africa.   This shift occurs not by accident, but rather as a deliberate attempt by Pollack to tell a particular story.   Therefore, Rafelson’s film deliberately shifts to allow him to tell his story: a story about â€Å"Two strangers made friends by a savage land.

Analysis of Current Event at Telstra Essay

Management issue is a common phenomenon that an organization attempting to maximize profits must grapple with. Telecommunication as it is the case with Telstra Corporation Limited has been distinguished by highly competitive market. On the same breath, actors and competitors on the market have been seen struggling with the increasing cost of operation, production, development and mature market. In light of this, the Company faces management issue when it comes to decision making, integrating new models and working within the realm of theoretical frameworks. ResearchMoz (2013) notes that in an industry where competition is rife, analysis of a company’s management issues and current events encompass the recognition of different strategies that enable it maintain competitive position. Despite these positions, it has to be recognized that analysis of management issues of Telstra Corporation Limited must first recognize the position of the Company with regard to managing risks as p ostulated by the Company’s Chief Risk Office (Schermerhorn et al., 2014). Ideally, Telstra Corporation Limited has Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to undertake and as one of its management issue or strategy. Consequently, such must be conceptualised through its laid platform, structure, financial reports and annual reports. Similarly, evidence based researches have shown that the first step in understanding management of a company is to integrate its undertaking when it comes to CSR and how sustainable the Company intends to operate with regard to the environment, competitors and specific objectives (Millmore, 2007; Hubbard, 2008; Bardoel, 2012). Based on the Company’s Corporate Social Report 2014, its CSR is embedded on four critical issues; internal environment, external environment, customers and sustainability (Corporate Social Responsibility Report, 2014). That is, the commitment of the Company towards corporate responsibility starts with simple but straight forward commitments that cover its areas of operations and targeted objectives. F rom its principled perspective, the primary corporate responsibility can be summarised as follows: Provision of the country a foundation that ensures economic growth, sustainability prosperity, productivity improvement and global competitive Contributing towards resources; increasing technology, product services and people in employment to support the communities in which the Company operates and the specific needs of community at large Give a leading stewardship of environment by first and importantly, conservation, efficiency in the usage of resources, reducing and maintaining environmental footprint and reduction of operation costs (e.g. it took part in the Mobile Phone Recycling Program that was co-ordinated by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Associations (AMTA) (Daley et al. 2014) Based on the Company’s corporate social responsibility as one of the management issues and as reported in the article, there is an integration of new management approach and that is the fact that risk management approach has been tailored to facilitate maximization of profits. Conversely, it can be established, based on its business principles and risk management approaches that the CSR has succeeded in the reduction of any adverse effects on and injury to the environment. Such is also embedded on the desire to preserve the beneficial qualities of the environment, while ensuring quality products and services in Australia (Baigh, 2014). In addition, to the above principles, analysis of the company’s management of this particular issue has also considered profits to the Company thus concluding that Telstra is revamping on this particular management strategy which is succeeding in line with its short and long term goals. To conceptualise this argument, scholars such as Hooper and Potter (2006) have drawn a thin line between CSR as a management issue and as a marketing issue. To ascertain that the CSR approach as contextualized is a management issue but financial or marketing issue, in most cases, companies always engage in pricing strategies which also depend on value pricing coupled with strategic markdowns. In such cases, this makes sales of their products to go down since it cannot compete effectively with other products. Additionally, products face what Hamlin (2012) terms as ‘a society of shifting priorities’ (p.281). Therefore there is pressure to keep up with the emerging social needs by style modification. It is for this reason that any decision to modify must be embedded on the premise to meet the needs of the targeted consumers. While the explanation above provides for what would constitute a marketing issue, what Telstra engages in is management issue. According to Johnson et al. (2011), CSR is not only management issue but a current one the sense that it deals with financial performance, top management, chief executive and shareholders. Herewith, the management issue within the context of Telstra is the responsiveness that should be taken because in a competitive environment where there are other operator s such as Huawei and Vodacom, managers are supposed to intervene in accordance with their position and power, especially where management can fail to respond to economic challenges and changes. Also related to CSR as a marketing issue is ethical decision making approaches. According to the article, the process of identification of managing risks through ethical decision making is an integral part of the Company’s governance framework and management issue which help in the realization of the success of the strategy as well as financial prospects for future operations. Telstra business ethics entails standards and principles that guide managers, individuals and work group behaviour in line with telecommunication and terms of service in Australia. Additionally, it is important to note that stakeholders of the Company make these conventions (principles) and such have been codified as regulations and laws. Contextualising this definition within the frameworks business management issue; ethical decision making help Telstra family design strategies that eliminate misconduct. According to Peng (2014) there are three significant components that sum up its ethical decision making as critical management issue; ethical decision making being individual factors, ethical decision making being Company’s relationship with others and ethical decision making being opportunities available for the Company. Basically, while this issue might to be seen as revamp on a current management strategy, it has been applied successfully since the Company bases the three components on behaviourist theory where what matters is what individuals in the Company can do rather than specific quality or attribute. That is, different patterns of individual b ehaviours are linked to ethical decisions that are made by the Company and such are geared towards the realisation of the goals and objectives that have been set by the Company. To contextualise the success of the Company with its approach of ethical decision making as one the management issue, Perren and Burgoyne (2010) report that Telstra has been engaging with Communication Workers Union with a view to offering better terms of service and transparency in supply management. For instance, in 2013, the Company engaged Low-Income Measures Assessment Committee (LIMAC) (this is an example of Communication Workers Union which is viewed as independent and transparent) which made changes to the package the Company was initially giving to its workers and suppliers. In connection to this, the Company, this particular issue has successful been engaged in what Katzenbach and Smith (2005) term as ‘vertical management’ (p. 37). Vertical management within the context of ethical decision making is a case where a Company liaises with regulatory organization so as to have a common agenda and conform to the requirements of the industry. Conceptualist theorists a nd ethical formalism argue that ethical decision making process in management encompass evaluations of fairness product stewardships but with respect to firm’s overall culture. In summary, with ethical decision making process as one of the management issue, Telstra has a well-defined management and leadership structure which is focused on the achievement of defined objectives including ‘green’ managements. Lastly, this issue departs from being finance or marketing issue on the ground that the approach lacks market orientation is a model that concretizes the strategy of finance and marketing. Senge et al. (2007) define this theory (market orientation) as a strategy that ensures all products and services as undertaken by Companies are oriented towards specific demands of clients and customers. Still on ethical decision making as one of the Company’s management issue or approach, Telstra’s planning, leading, organising, controlling and functioning is based on choices made on guidelines laid. According to article, one of the important issues to not is that the Company’s risk management frameworks are aligned with ISO 31000 Risk Management (Baigh, 2014). While this is an indicator of a management strategy or practice that has succeeded, underpinnings of theories of issue management are significant to the Company additionally; technical and commercial objectives remain axis for the Company. The success in management of this issue is conceptualised with regard to audience or customer satisfaction. This is to mean that in as much as its ethical decision making remains a priority as a management issue, targeted markets shapes such priorities—an aspect Aras and Crowther (2009) terms as ‘ascertaining the success of management strategies and policie s in downstream and upstream relationships’ (p. 213). From Michael Patterson (Telstra’s General Manager for Tasmania) statement on the legal battle the Company had with Optus, it can be realized that the Company’s planning, leading, organising, controlling and functioning are in line with the tenet of management of telephony inputs and components that are required in the market. This is an indication that there is long term transparency and conformity to good practices. Assessing Corporate Social Report 2013 vis-Ã  -vis opening of the China’s SouFun Sensis, there is evidence that efforts are diverted to supply chain relationships with third party suppliers as well as other competitors. It is important to note that Telstra is overemphasizing on CSR strategies; an aspect that may affects its ethical decision making. If this stretches beyond what the Company can handle, strategic alignment with other sectors may be affected. Basically, this is where this strategy differs from the aspect of marketing in the sense that according to the theory of signaling, the best way to market a product is to engage a brand or product in competitive signal that are intended to pass information to potential consumers with an aim of making such consumers believe that competing products are substandard (Cole, 2012). This is exactly how Cadbury for instance has succeeded in capturing the attention of their targeted market every time they engage in marketing. Telstra, through this does management and not marketing as they do not engage in competitive signaling. As a management approach, Telstra looks at ethical decision making differently. That is as a management issue, ethical decision making is seen in terms of transparency when it comes to critical corporate accounting and statements. One of the critical goals of the Company is to attain what it terms as ‘front-line management’ (Baigh, 2014 p.26). The benefits of the people within and around have been necessitated through avoidance of misleading information. The continuum of growth in economy resonates around a transparent business operation—which is also a recipe of what this assessment considers to be a successful management approach. Synopsis on the Management Issue From the perspective of undertakings in the Company, the aspect is a management issue in the sense that it analyses the environment issues in lieu of external factors that impact business activities. On the other hand, the purpose of the management issues as analysed is to evaluate and determinate competitive advantages as well as threats a Company has with regard to its operations. These analyses recognise stiff competitions, threats and opportunities faced by companies such as Optus, Vodafone and 3 Mobile. In as much, this analysis considers Telstra due to its cutting edge when it comes to services such as broadband, hosting, directory and pay TV which are not as extensive in other companies. Since the management issue has been a success, revamping of a current policy is twofold; first, there is need to strategize the management issue identified to an extent that the company benefits from the economies of scales and the strong relationships with suppliers, which will place it in a strong bargaining position with its upstream partners and allows leveraging the costs. Strategizing the management issue to attain this goal means that a focus on customer-relationship and loyalty creation, as well as investment in research and technical development (R&D) to reduce the costs of services so as to compete with niche operators. Secondly, revamping on the current management issue must assess the possibility of working alongside its downstream partners to deliver triple-play solutions in voice, data and video services, expansion of data download quotas and continuous innovation in fixed line services, as opposed to mobile services, to offer incentives to its clients. Similarly on the question of whether Telstra is handling the identified management issue appropriately is manifold but the assessment will review two issues that offer succinct answers to the question. First, proper management of a company circles around how best a company maximizes a profit and expands networks (ResearchMoz, 2013). Through the management issue, Telstra has leveraged the risks of economic downturns by diversifying its income channels. The growing domestic market and the boost in 4G technologies enable further market penetration and help to reduce the pressure of external factors. Secondly, the Company through the management issue has pursued an investment heavy strategy to grow its existing network. However, financial indicators, outline a challenging internal environment in terms of liquidity and internal funding options. References Aras, G. & Crowther, D (2009). Global Perspective on Corporate Governance and CSR. Farnham: Gower Pub. Baigh, H. (2014). Seven Strategies for Simplifying Your Organization. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/05/seven-strategies-for-simplifyi/ Bardoel, A. (2012).Tool or Time Thief? Technology and the Work-Life Balance. Retrieved Cole, K. (2012). Management: Theory and practice. Australia: Pearson. Corporate Social Responsibility Report (2014): Understanding the Definition of Corporate SocialResponsibility: http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/download/document/csr.pdf Daley, J., McGannon, C., & Ginnivan, L. (2012). Game-changers: Economic reform priorities for Australia. Melbourne: Grattan Institute from The Conversation, Future of Work: https://theconversation.edu.au/tool-or-time-thief-technology-and-the-work-life-balance-8165 Hamlin. R. (2012) Towards a Universalistic Model of Leadership: a comparative study of Britishand American empirically derived criteria of managerial and leadership effectiveness. Working paper WP005/02, University of Wolverhampton. Hooper, A. and Potter, J. (2006) The Business of Leadership. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing Company. Hubbard, G. (2008). Strategic management: Thinking, analysis, action. Australia: Pearson. James, K. and Burgoyne, J. (2001) Leadership Development: Best practice guide for organisations. London: Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership. Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Wittington, R. (2011). Exploring Strategy: Text & Cases. (9th ed). London: Prentice Hall. Katzenbach, J. and Smith, D. (2005) The Wisdom of Teams. New York: Harperbusiness. Millmore, M. (2007). Strategic Human Resource Management: Contemporary Issues. Harlow: Financial Times, Prentice Hall. Peng, M. (2014). Global Strategy (3rd ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Publishing. Perren, L. and Burgoyne, J. (2010) Management and Leadership Abilities: An analysis of texts, testimony and practice. London: Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership. ResearchMoz. (2013). Australia – Telco company profiles – Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Retrieved from http://www.researchmoz.us/australia-telco-company-profiles-telstra-optus-and-vodafone-report.html Schermerhorn, J.R., Davidson, P., Poole, D., Woods, P., Simon, A., & McBarron, E., (2014). Management (5th ed.). Australia: Pearson Senge, P., et al. (2007). The dance of change: The challenges of sustaining momentum in learning organizations. London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing. Source document

Market: Strategic Management and Adidas Essay

Adidas – a name that stands for competence in all sectors of sport around the globe. The vision of company founder Adolf (â€Å"Adi†) Dassler has long become reality and his corporate philosophy the guiding principle for successor generations. The idea was as simple as it was brilliant. Adi Dassler’s aim was to provide every athlete with the best possible equipment. It all began in 1920, when Adi Dassler made his first shoes using the few materials available after the First World War. Adidas Group (adidas) is one of the leading companies in global sporting goods industry with brands built on a passion for sports and a sporting lifestyle now. The company along with its subsidiaries involves in designing, developing, marketing and retailing of sports footwear, apparel and accessories. It also involves in manufacturing and retailing of various sporting gears, accessories, golf balls, and iron rods. The company offers products through adidas, Reebok, and About TaylorMade-adidas Golf brands. Adidas brand through adidas Sport Performance offers products in five categories namely, football, basketball, running, training and outdoor. adidas continuously improved the quality, look, feel and image of our products and our organisational structures to match and exceed consumer expectations. adidas brand through adidas Sport Style offers authentic sportswear to the full spectrum of lifestyle consumers. Activities of the company and its around 170 subsidiaries are directed from the Group’s headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany. It is also home to the adidas brand. Reebok Headquarters are located in Canton, Massachusetts. TaylorMade-adidas Golf is based in California. The company also operates creation centres and development departments at other locations around the world, corresponding to the related business activity. Effective December 31, 2011, the adidas Group employed 46,824 people. SWOT Analysis SWOT is a tool that identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an organization. Specifically, SWOT is a basic, straightforward model that assesses what an organization can and cannot do as well as its potential opportunities and threats. The method of SWOT analysis is to take the information from an environmental analysis and separate it into internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external issues (opportunities and threats). Once this is completed, SWOT analysis determines what may assist the firm in accomplishing its objectives, and what obstacles must be overcome or minimized to achieve desired results. Strengths Top of brand recognition. Brand recognition of the Adidas especially its traditional three strips style is well reputed. The biggest sponsor of the sport events. Adidas is the biggest sponsor of the sport events specially football, such as 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africaâ„ ¢. adidas is the Official Sponsor, Supplier and Licensee of the FIFA World Cupâ„ ¢ and provides the Official Match Ball JABULANI as well as the equipment for all officials, referees, volunteers and ball kids. In the 2010 FIFA World Cupâ„ ¢, adidas equips more than 200 players as well as 12 teams: host nation South Africa, the tobecome world champion Spain, Germany, Argentina, Mexico, Paraguay, France, Japan, Nigeria, Slovakia, Denmark and Greece. Acquired major competitor. Adidas acquisition includes Salomon group in 1997 and Reebok in 2006 which they are the competitor previously. That increases the market share in the global sporting goods industry. Good partnership with National Basketball Association (NBA). adidas and NBA announced an 11-year strategic global merchandising partnership in 2006 that will make the adidas brand the official uniform and apparel provider for the NBA, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the NBA Development League (D-League) beginning with the 2006-07 NBA season. The Reebok brand will continue to be a global marketing partner of the NBA and will maintain the ability to create NBA branded footwear. Good reputation. The company has been obeying environmental laws and has never been accused for pollution. Such as no child labour accusations. Geographically-diversified operations. More than 170 subsidiaries guarantee marketplace presence for products of the adidas Group around the world. Sales and distribution of adidas products is grouped in four regions worldwide: Europe/Emerging Markets, North America, Asia/Pacific and Latin America. Today, the adidas Group is Europe’s biggest supplier of athletic footwear and sports apparel. Its mean adidas demographically wide spread every county have adidas outlets in every city or the branded products are scattered in different branded super marts. Product diversification. adidas Sport Style division presents new highlights of the Y-3 collection at the New York Fashion Week. Separately, adidas also have collaboration with Diesel – adidas Originals Denim by Diesel becomes available in stores in February 2008. Weaknesses The poor e-marketing. adidas e-shopping is offered only to the USA locations, some locations of Europe and Asia. Imperfect customer service. Customer service centers are not totally functional, and problems are faced specially in the case of e-marketing. Too expensive. The price is quite higher. The old version or over-quarter product still in higher price. Opportunities Improve the e-marketing. Adidas is planning to outscore its web development and ecommerce to the third party, which would then pay the company through ease at customer edge. Also can merge with them for expansion of online retail. Apps for smartphone. The smartphone very popular in the world now. The smartphone can allow users to browse the web, watch movie clips and sporting events, download music and play games; this opens new doors for Adidas Developing Technology. Although the company’s innovative technology can be regarded as its strengths yet a great deal needs to be done in this field. Business grows the importance of keeping up with changes in business computing and technology can be more important over time. Growing global footwear market. According to Prweb, Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (GIA) announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Footwear markets. Global market for Footwear is projected to reach 15.7 billion pairs by the year 2017. Growth will be primarily driven by growing world population, expanding base of middle class consumers, rising standards of living, increasing household income and per capita spends. Threats Nike has large loyal customer base. Nike that is its strongest partner is paying much attention to the diversity of models in one item that is foot wear, this leads to enhanced marketing. So if failure to expand in North America could hamper Adidas’s prospects in Asia and threaten its leadership in Europe, where Nike is growing Legal Risks. The sponsored Kobe Bryant are reflecting negative image of the brand through their illegal activities like sexual abuse. Rising costs of raw materials. The company is facing higher raw material and wage cost. This is one of the key threats to Adidas. Counterfeits. Industry world-wide loses large amounts to counterfeiters. These losses not only affect the producers of genuine items, but they also involve social costs. According to estimates by the Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau (CIB) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), counterfeit goods make up 5 to 7% of world trade. This has become a key threat. Conclusion of SWOT Analysis According to the SWOT Analysis, adidas is strong in the market. They can gain more market share in the future. But they must improve the e-marketing and control the costs. They should be select the sponsor carefully, that is affect the company image. Porter five forces model Michael Porter (1980) examines the structure of industries by determining the forces that shape them. It is important to emphasise that the extent to which each force determines the structure of the industries differs. The model can also be used to illustrate which forces the firm can influence, in order to best position itself within its chosen industry. The new competitors are high barriers of entry to global sporting goods industry. Such as, high set up costs, economies of scale, marketing barrier. The five forces that examine are 1) the threat of new entrants, 2) the power of buyers, 3) the power of suppliers, 4) the threat of substitute products & 5) the competitive rivalry between existing firms. There are several reasons for this using the five forces analysis can clearly demonstrate how each force contributes the profitability of the industry. The threat of new entrants New entrants to an industry bring new capacity, the desire to gain market share, and often substantial resources. There are major sources of barriers to entry: By the economies of scale, the barrier is determined by size of operation required to operate efficiently with in the market. This is important when existing firms within the market can achieve cost advantages from their scale of operation. In industries that have minimum efficient scales of operation (MES), firms wanting to enter the market must compete at the level or incur a disadvantage. The global sporting goods industry where to be competitive there is a need to operate on a substantial scales. Just is Footwear market is projected to reach 15.7 billion pairs by the year 2017. By capital requirements to entry, the new competitors need the very expensive to start up and run a company. This relates to the pure finance required to enter an industry, but is often liked to the other barriers to entry. The need to invest large financial resources in order to compete can deter new entrants. Capital may be necessary not only for fixed facilities but also to extend customer credit, building inventories, and fund starting up losses. By Cost disadvantages independent of size, entrenched companies may have cost advantages not available to potential rivals, no matter what their size and attainable economies of scale. For example good relationships and knowledge of customers and suppliers can be utilized to defend a firm’s position. The new competitors may not produce easily. So the new competitors should be deriving some other competitive advantage, but that is hard. By access to distribution channels, the newcomer must secure distribution of its product or service. The new competitive is hard to obtain exclusive deals with retailers so that they sell only their products. They should give higher slotting fees to the retailers if want a good place in the shop. By Product differentiation, brand identification creates a barrier by forcing entrants to spend heavily on marketing. adidas have a good brand loyalty. The new competitor is very hard to build up their brand name in shortly. By expected retaliation, responses by existing competitors may depend on a firm’s present situation in the industry. Such as Price retaliation, increase the advertising cost to the potential entrant and creditable threat such as predatory pricing. The top lending such as adidas and nike should not be easy give the new competitor entry to the market. The power of buyers All firms at some time buy resource and are therefore faced with the power of buyers. It will effects on restricting the freedom of the organization to determine its price and strategic position. The products are mainly sold in bulk to major sports outlets and online stores, since they offer premium shelf space they command lower price. However, adidas have their own shop. So there are a small amount of customers who buy products directly in these shops. When Adidas sell their products to one off customers they can dictate the price as Adidas don’t rely on making these sales. The power of suppliers Same as the power of buyers, the power of suppliers also effects on restricting the freedom of the organization to determine its price and strategic position. Supplier provides a differentiated input that enhances the quality of performance of sellers’ products or is a valuable part of sellers’ production process. adidas raw materials to make football boots are not supplied by a monopoly. This gives adidas more power to dictate the price at which they buy their raw materials, as there are a large number of competitive suppliers. The threat of substitute products Substitutes often come rapidly into play if some development increases competition in their industries and causes price reduction or performance improvement. Many companies produce football boots are available to the consumers. However, adidas produce football boots that have unique features, such as nylon sole, rubber pads and Traxion. So adidas’s have an edge over their competitors. Also, the substitutes for football boots also include footwear and sports clothes for other sports. That can help develop other business such as Y-3. The competitive rivalry between existing firms The final force to consider is the rivalry that exists between firms already in the market. In this industry where growth is slow, competitors wish to expand at a faster rate need to obtain additional market share. There are some companies competing adidas for more market share, including Nike, Puma and Umbro. Adidas should keep their market share in the industry. They must control the price, improve product introduction and innovations, increase the cost of advertising and improved customer service. Conclusion of Porter five forces model According to the Porter five forces model, it is hard to entering global sporting goods industry. Most of the forces are strong. There have higher barriers for new entrants. adidas have good power of buyer and suppliers. The new competitor can find the substitute products of adidas may not easily. Final, the industry growth is too slow, so new competitors are hard to competing the market share from adidas.