On Dumpster Diving - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 1 Words: 345 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2017/09/14 Category Advertising Essay Did you like this example? â€Å"On Dumpster Diving† 1. List modes/patterns of development Examples: Paragraph 24, 50, 26 Couse/Effect: Paragraph 25, 51, 66 Compare/Contrast: Paragraph 62, 67, 44 2. Identify audience and purpose The audience could be directed to people who are interested in dumpster diving and the purpose would be informative. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "On Dumpster Diving" essay for you Create order The writer informed his readers what he learned from dumpster diving and how to effectively acquire daily necessities from scavenging. 3. Define one word Transience: transient state or quality 4. Summarize the reading On Dumpster Diving† is an essay about a homeless man who shares his experiences on how he obtained his necessities while he was homeless and how to be most effective at dumpster diving. He goes over the different kinds of food commonly found in dumpsters and how to determine what is safe to eat, and what to stay away from. Location is also an important factor he considers. He learned that college student tend to be more wasteful than others, throwing out many good items, including food, particularly around the end of the semester when they have to move. Because of this, he describes the dumpsters in an area inhabited manly by college students and being â€Å"rich†. After explaining more dumpster diving techniques and identifying how wasteful the general population is, he ends the essay with two lessons learned. The first lesson is to only take what he needs, a found item he cannot use or make useful by trading holds no value. The second lesson learned is that material objects have a shelf life whereas mental things are longer lived. He states, â€Å"Once I was the sort of person who invests objects with sentimental value. Now I no longer have those objects, but I have the sentiments yet. † 5. Answer one question: In addition to food, what else does Eighner scavenge for? Into what general category do these items fall? In addition to food, all of Eighner’s clothes, except for jeans, came from scavenging. He also acquired boom boxes, candles, bedding, toilet paper, medicine, books, a typewriter, dishes, furnishings and change. The general category these items fall under would be Eighner’s daily necessities.

The World s Largest Catholic Fraternal Service Organization

Lorraine Adams There are many things that happened before our time that are just as important today as century ago. In order to understand what a big impact our history can have on us today we have to step back in time. It s important to know the stories of those before us. I find it fascinating because it tells me so much of what it was like during that time. We need to hear these stories, preserve them, and pass them down to those that come after us. After visiting The Knights of Columbus I learn something interesting. The world s largest Catholic fraternal service organization was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven in 1882; it was named in honor of Christopher Columbus. Little did I know my visit to the KC would bring†¦show more content†¦He failed to gain support for his project in Portugal so he decided to move to Spain. This is where circumstances were more favorable and it worked out because the Catholic monarchs Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon approved the project. However Isabella of Castile seems to be the influential power behind her husband negotiations just like Eva Peron was the influential power behind her husband making decisions. Both these Isabella and Eva political influence was credited to their husbands. Although both of these women had great knowledge and experience in broken financial systems their activities, desires and influence expanded into rapid wealth. After getting the support and financing, Christopher Columbus s expedition led to the opening of the New World. Spain was the first global power which dominated Europe and much of the world for more than a century. What stood out about his long drawn out journey was how he accomplished this by commanding three small ships, which landed on the coast of a Caribbean island and as a result this began the Spanish conquest of America. The 1492 voyage granted Christopher Columbus recognition with the European, which secured him the title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea. More importantly, it also helped him to obtain further royal patronage and as a result he lead three more expeditions to the Caribbean. The Azteca and the Inca empires in Mexico

PPQ Parts Global Expansion Essay Example For Students

PPQ Parts Global Expansion Essay The following paper will address the following scenario: PC Parts has determined that in order to successfully expand globally, it will be a great benefit if the managers are trained in multiculturalism, diversity management and are made aware of the political and economic concerns that may arise during the expansion. This will allow them to be properly equipped vivid the knowledge and required plan Of action to handle such situations as needed. Currently, there are many organizations that plan to become global companies in order to reach the international markets that have a need for the specific reduces and services provided. This form of expansion has also been identified as a necessity in order to for businesses to survive financially in the current economy. It will decrease costs for the company, open a new market for new ideas, and allow a more competitive position within the new market (Higher Render, 2012, p. 27). An international strategy will help to diversify and expand a business; therefore management should be trained and have a clear understanding on the multiple aspects, including multiculturalism and diversity management, It is important to understand the difference between altruistically and diversity. Multiculturalism refers to the acceptance or the practice of providing equal attention/representation to individual(s) from different backgrounds or minority groups (Multiculturalism,). On the other hand, diversity is defined as the differences between individuals, including but not limited to: 0 Race Gender Z] Background Socioeconomic Status J Religion Both are important to the PC Parts, especially in the growth efforts. Diversity in the workplace will allow PC Parts to remain competitive in the market. Multiculturalism and diversity training for management Will create a better a better work environment; develop better employees for future leaders (Garcia). Trained management has the ability to address diversity issues locally and globally. What are some of the issues the host foreign country could face as a result of the expansion? During an expansion, there are many issues the host foreign country could face, These factors consist of social and cultural behaviors and laws (Whither Render 2012). Other factors include both internal and external (Higher Render, 2012, p. 8). For example, internal factors can consist of the following: C] Human resources (Higher Render, 2012, p) Physical resources (Higher Render, 2012) Host countrys understructure (Higher Render, 2012) These issues can include: Employment Production J Resources Infrastructure When human resource (HER) managers begin the recruitment process for filling positions for PC Parts international office, more than likely th ey Will encounter cultural barriers including but not limited to language hurdles (Lewis). Another albatross HER may encounter is finding qualified candidates that meet the minimum education requirements, and convincing employees within the local Office to relocate outside Of their comfort zone. It is important that leadership Of PC Parts have a clear understanding of the infrastructure in the new country and take the appropriate steps to assess how its reliability will impact the companys success. For example, the communication infrastructure is extremely important and should be taken into consideration and researched to confirm whether it is modern and reliable. Does it have the capacity, efficiency, and security needed in order to conduct day to day business. PC Parts management and field workers will require reliable networks for telephone, mobile, and data delivery. The status tooth infrastructure also has the ability to affect the power (power outages) and cyber-attack vulnerability, Explain what cultural barriers and diversity issues are commonly encountered by international or multinational (NC) and global organizations. One critical factor in international business is cultural differences in a global economy; therefore, in order to successfully reach astounding profitability, PC parts will need to reconcile the differences between he cultures by utilizing cross cultural training techniques in order to acquire the needed skillet and knowledge to fulfill the role of cultural agents. Cross cultural training is an advanced process used in order to promptly develop cultural intelligence and international competence. .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25 , .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25 .postImageUrl , .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25 , .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25:hover , .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25:visited , .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25:active { border:0!important; } .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25:active , .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25 .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4cbc033db10bc263ea269bade5af5a25:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Internet: A Medium or a Message? EssayThe combination Will integrate the knowledge elements and behavioral skills required within a short length of time. Why has diversity become such an important topic in the international arena? As time continues, it is apparent that the strength of the economy rests on the ability to market and conduct business With Other countries in order to remain competitive. Therefore. This requires companies to design products that meet the needs of individuals from multiple cultures and establish marketing strategies to sell the same products abroad. The marketing strategies will require a diverse team of negotiators and planners. Businesses that expand abroad become more lucrative in the marketplace and impact the countries per capita income, In order for a business to remain marketable, the product, individuals, and marketing efforts must meet the desires of the potential consumers in a respectful manner. For example, when General Motors introduced the Chevy Nova to Spanish speaking countries, it is apparent marketing did not do the needed research. In Spanish, Nova means, it does not go; therefore, the product did not sell. It is important for a business to create a diverse team of individuals in establishing a product and marketing in order to meet the needs of the targeted market. What can occur when issues related to multiculturalism and diversity are ignored in an international company? There are multiple issues that can occur f multiculturalism and diversity are not taken into consideration. As previously stated, if the research has not been completed, the product will not sell if it does not meet the needs of the intended market. Countries abroad have different beliefs and work expectations than the United States. It a company does not meet the expectations and respect of the host country by acknowledging all religious backgrounds and cultures, they will not be successful. Describe at least two political and tuft economic issues that may arise during global expansion and proposed methods addressing them. Political In Japan and Germany, PC Parts may face legal and regulatory risks based on the primary nature Of the company. PC Parts being an American company that practices based off of the known regulations, can be a challenge when required to comply With the regulations of the current country. The legal change may cause a delay in the companys grand opening, but in the end, it will alleviate legal issues within the host country. The best way to execute the legalities, it is recommended PC Parts hire the host countrys legal team in order to assist with the regulations. Corruption is a political issue that may arise during global expansion, PC Parts should practice the current laws of the host country as well as the laws that have been put in place by the united States that address the practice of corruption in other countries. Economic Competition is an issue that may arise. Although PC parts is currently in a location where they are the only distributor of parts and they are found to be successful, it may attract competitor. In the event of competition, PC parts will have to decide whether to compete with price or make the decision to relocate to a less competitive area where they can gain regain their advantage, The best way for PC parts to address this issue is to proactively focus on the quality of the product, continue to build solid relationships with consumers, and to prepare future marketing plans in order to remain successful in the noncompetitive market as well as establishing a reputation in the future competitive market. The second economic issue that may arise is the supply and consumer demand. The company, Toyota opened an assembly plant in the United States based on demand from the consumer. This action has shown to be successful based off the sales reports for united States ales. Just as Toyota made the decision to expand abroad, PC Parts should take the time to research and visit multiple markets to establish the required rapport and once the next market is identified, make the most cost effective way of entering the new market, In order for PC Parts to successfully expand globally, it is vital this company possess cultural intelligence in order to be productive in the host country.

Understanding Teen Depression

Introduction A considerable number of teenagers around the globe extensively suffer from depression. Depression can lead to several unpleasant behaviors, especially when left unattended. However, in as much as the teen are extremely vulnerable to depressions, most of them adopt several mechanisms that significantly assist them in containing their situation. Although, the methods employed vary from one individual to another; some may employ constructive measures, while others use unhelpful approaches.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Understanding Teen Depression specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Teen depression Understanding teen depression It is noted that teen depression is primarily caused by two common factors i.e. unanswered sorrow and emotional disconnection. Unanswered sorrows are caused by certain life experiences such as the loss of loved ones, desertion, and disturbing events. On the other hand, emotional disconnection is caused by the fear of being unable to correlate with other. Many people misunderstand teen depression, which is due to their several interesting behaviors at this stage. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to understand teenagers, incase one intends to detect and assist the teenagers fight against depressions. Depression is an awful illness to the teens, since it causes extraordinary grief, fury or despair among these youngsters. Furthermore, it is also a lethal disease; many people have perished after suffering severe depression i.e. either by committing suicide or by natural death. Sources indicate that, approximately 20% of the depressed teens never seek help, despite the knowledge that it’s curable (Smith, Barston, 2010). However, it is noted that the majority who seek for treatment, approach persons such as teachers or parents who often assist them get the best treatment. Symptoms of depression on teenagers It is extremely difficult to detect a depres sed teenager. This is because; most depression symptoms are similar to certain normal behaviors of teens. Some of depression symptoms can be summarized as rejection of parents and friends; restlessness; fatigue; lack of concentration and enthusiasms; significant change in sleeping and eating pattern (Smith, Barston, 2010). However, the most regular symptoms considered as follows: extraordinary sensitivity to criticism, rejection of friends and families, fuming moods and unexplained pains. Impacts of depression on teenagers Depression is characterized by several effects; however, most of them impact negatively to the teens. Untreated teens end up: using illegal drugs; having class work problems, eating disorders; portraying immature behaviors and having low self-worth (Gelman, 2000). Furthermore, some of them become violent, practice lots of reckless activities and, in some instances, they even threaten to commit suicide.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More How to help depressed teenagers Teenager seek help to persons they trust; therefore, for one to assist them he or she must display certain tolerable and friendly qualities. One needs to be understanding and offer extensive support to the depressed teens. Furthermore, one must listen with kindness, and later emphasize to them, on the importance of seeking treatment. It is also helpful, to notify the teenagers, how they can seek for treatment i.e. by advising them to consult doctors or any other specialist, and maybe explore other treatment options. How teens cope up with depression Teenagers employ different approaches in their attempt to cope up with depression. Some teens employ positive approaches, whereas others use unconstructive measures, which end up messing their promising lives. Constructive approaches significantly assist the teens in learning to manage their depressions; whereas, most unconstructive me asures destroy a teenagers’ lives. Constructive ways used by teens Teens employ several constructive ways of handling depression during their adolescent stage. For instance, a considerable percentage of teens use extra-curriculum activities such as sports and games, to cope with depression. They spend many of their free hours in playing different sports, games and other co-curriculum activities. This extensively assist them cope with depression since most of their free time is spent on sports, instead of idling with a depressed mind. Unconstructive ways used by teens A number of teens employ several unconstructive approaches of coping with depressions during their adolescent stage. For instance, a significant number of teenagers use drugs as a way of escaping their mental problems. They smoke, sniff and drink unhealthy drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and alcohol respectively (Gelman, 2000). Interestingly, most of these teens are often convinced that drug abuse do solve their problems. This is extremely unfortunate to them, since abuse of drugs does not, in any way, solve their problems; instead, it further complicates it, to the extent of being uncontrollable. A considerable number of teenagers engage in reckless behaviors, as a way of expressing their humiliation and depression. They often feel relived after doing or participating in certain irresponsible behaviors such as shop lifting. However, the relief is momentarily thus they keep on repeating the immature behaviors. Some teenagers also keep off their friends and families, when they are depressed (Ayer, 2001). Their primary intension is always not to abandon their friends, but to avoid discussions and conversations that might complicate their situation. However, this is not necessarily a dire approach, since it may work well to some teens.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Understanding Teen Depression specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Conclusion Depression is a common illness among teens, and it is associated with several complications including disagreeable behaviors. It is, therefore, imperative to, unmistakably, understand teenagers, incase one intends to assist them. This is because of the misconceptions surrounding their teenage lives thus one may misinterpret some of them as unusual behaviors. Teens employ several approaches in coping up with depression; some of them being beneficial, while others unconstructive. References Ayer, E. (2001). Everything you need to know about depression. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. Gelman, A. (2000). Coping with depression with other mood disorders. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. Smith, M. Barston, S. (2010). Teen depression. Helpguide. Retrieved from:Â  https://www.helpguide.org/ This essay on Understanding Teen Depression was written and submitted by user TheProfessor 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.

Two Pieces of Freedom essays

Two Pieces of Freedom essays Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King Jr. are remembered among Americans today as innovators for freedom. Jefferson, aside from being the 3rd president of the United States, is most famous for delivering Americas birth by writing and revising the Declaration of Independence, a document that declares independence for America. King is famous for his role as a leader in civil rights and speech titled I Have a Dream, the purpose of which is to eradicate prejudice. These two powerful documents have many similarities as well as differences. For example, the similarities are that they both are important, use similar ideas for support, and inspire unintended audiences; and some of the differences are their intended audience, strategies, and necessity. These pieces primary resemblance would have to be their importance. Jeffersons document is an official national document with international recognition. Not only do its contents declare freedom for America from England, it provides foundations and principles which future generations of Americans follow. While Kings piece screams for the equality of African-Americans that have been unfairly discriminated against, it also gives hope which at times is very much needed. A common ground that they share is that both these works are responsible for the changes of many lives. In addition, these two pieces make use of similar ideas for support. Both apply earlier ideas from a respected person for credibility. For example, Jefferson uses a politically philosophical belief from a famous philosopher named John Locke. Locke says that all men are born with certain rights, and it is from the security of these rights that a government is established. Jefferson applies Lockes idea when he writes in the Declaration of Independence, All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable R...

Shouldice Hospital Case Essays

Shouldice Hospital Case Essays Shouldice Hospital Case Paper Shouldice Hospital Case Paper 1. ) How well is the hospital currently utilizing its bed? 90 beds x 7 days/ week = 630 beds available in a week 30 patients x 3 days x 5 days per week = 450 beds utilized 450 beds utilized / 630 availble beds = 71. 43% The hospital is currently utilizing 71. 43% of their beds, this is actually an ideal operating point. To increase its rate of utilization might decrease the service quality. 2. ) Develop a similar table to show the effects of adding operations on Saturday. (Assume that 30 operations would still be performed each day. ) Check-in DayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday Monday303030. Tuesday303030 Wednesday303030 Thursday303030 Friday303030 Saturday Sunday303030 Total60909090906060 How would this affect the utilization of the bed capacity? Is this capacity sufficient for the additonal patients? 90 beds x 7 days/ week = 630 beds available in a week 30 patients x 3 days x 6 days per week = 540 beds utilized 540 beds utilized / 630 beds available = 85. 71% Adding operations on Saturday will improved the utilization rate of beds from 71. 43% to 85. 71%. It is still sufficient; however, we might risk the service quality. 3. ) Now look at the effect of increasing the number of beds by 50%. How many operations could the hospital perform per day before running out of bed capacity? (Assume operations are performed five days per week, with the same number performed on each day). 90 beds x 1. 50 = 135 beds 135 beds x 7 days = 945 beds available in a week 945 beds / 3 days x 5 days in a week = 63 operations per day The hospital could perform a maximum of 63 operations per day if the beds are increase by 50%. How well would the new resources be utilized relative to the current operation? 30 patients x 3 days x 5 days per week = 450 beds utilized 135 beds x 7 days = 945 beds available in a week 450 beds utilized / 945 beds available = 47. 62% With the current operation, the utilization rate would only be 47. 62% if the beds would be increased by 50%. If we would add additional beds, we also need to accept more patients to fully utilize the investment. Could the hospital really perform this many operations? Why? (Hint: Look at the capacity of the 12 surgeons and the five operating rooms. ) Operating room maximum capacity: 8 operations (7:30- 4:00) (one operation per hour) x 5 operating rooms = 40 operations 12 surgeons x 4 operations per surgeon = 48 operations 7 assitant surgeons x 4 operations per surgeon = 28 operations. The case states that surgeons operate on 4 patients per. If surgeons means all the full time surgeons only, we have a maximum of 40 possible operations; thus the 30 operations per day is feasible. However, if we would include the part-time surgeons as surgeons that operates 4 patients per day, only 28 operations is feasible. 4. ) Although financial data are sketchy, an estimate from a construction company indicates that adding bed capacity would cost about $100,000 per bed. In addition, the rate charged for the hernia surgery varies between about $900 and $2,000, with an average rate of $1,300 per operation. Due to all uncertainties in government health care legislation, Shouldice would like to justify an expansion within a five-year time period. Option 1 Add 50% more beds Investment cost in adding 50% more beds : 45 beds x $100,000 = $4,500,000 Revenue: Maximum of 40 operations per days (maximum capacity for 5 operating rooms) x 5 days per week x 52 weeks per year = maximum 10,400 operations per year 10,400 operations x $1,300 = $13,520,000 Surgeon cost: (Assuming $600 for the full-time surgeon, payment for assistant surgeon is not given /included. ) 10,400 operations x $600 = $ 6,240,000 Maximum Annual Profit = $7,280,000 For five years = $36,400,000 Five years profit less the 45 beds investment = $31,900,000 Option 2 Add 1 more operating day (Saturday) Revenue: Maximum of 40 operations per days (maximum capacity for 5 operating rooms) x 6 days per week x 52 weeks per year = maximum 12,480 operations per year 12,480 operations x $1,300 = $16,224,000. Surgeon cost: (Assuming $600 for the full-time surgeon, payment for assistant surgeon is not given /included. ) 12,480 operations x $600 = $ 7,488,000 Annual Profit = $8,736,000 Five years profit = $43,680,000 Recommendation: With 90 beds and the current operation, the hospital is doing well. Their existing system and reputation have already set them apart as a market leader and has proven to be a profitable setup. However, there is still an unmet demand. Option 1 to add 50% more beds may not be beneficial if we dont also increase operation. Increasing the number of bed by 50% would not be advisable unless they would add more surgeons and operating rooms because the existing operating rooms capacity and number of surgeons could not fill an addition of 45 beds. They would be operating the surgery rooms at over capacity. Option 2 that involves adding one more day of operation is also valid as it would utilize resource capacity. However, adding a Saturday can also have a negative impact on the work force that drive down the service quality that gives the hospital a competitive advantage. This could be offset by hiring addition staff and consequently adding operating rooms. Adding more surgeons only and thinking they could extend operating hours beyond 4:00pm to fully utilized operating rooms is not a good option as this may disturb the scheduled dinner at 6:00pm. This get-together by patients is a major factor that contributes to the hospitals success. Between the two options given, option 2 to add one more operating day is more profitable. I would recommend combining the two options plus hiring more staffs and adding more operating rooms. However, due to limited information given by the case. We cant compute if this option is indeed more profitable than the rest.

Drugs and drug traffiking Annotated Bibliography

Drugs and drug traffiking - Annotated Bibliography Example According to Bean (2014), free trade is noted to continuously be getting recognition as a result of the increasing globalization, of note also is that drug trafficking is also gaining this recognition. The book by Collison has been penned to tackle a large number of issues surrounding the political, strategic and cultural effects that contemporary drug policing has managed to have. Collison presents a strong argument that the current approach to the enforcement of drug laws has for the most part failed to be effective. The role of cartels in drug trafficking cannot be overlooked. Collison (1995) will be used to provide an analysis of the Guadalajara cartel. Collison (1995) highlights the fact that although the Guadalajara cartel was disbanded in 1989 as a result of the arrest of Felix Guallardo who was its main leader, this cartel nevertheless remains as one of the most notable drug catels. In their book, Dorn & South (1990), present a number of different perspectives pertaining to the issue of trafficking and law enforcement. In writing the book, the authors were able to interview and obtain valuable first-hand information from traffickers, police informers, ex-traffickers and others. The work by Dorn & South (1990) will be used to demonstrate that the penalties that are normally attached to drug trafficking are often varied based on a number of wide ranging factors. Some of these factors include the nature of the drug, the amount and the circumstance in which one is found with the drug. In his article, Duke conducts a critical analysis of the failings and gains of the drug policy that is being enforced in the United Kingdom. He notes that although different countries tend to have different penalties for drug use and drug trafficking, most countries tend to have what is essentially a blanket on both the use and possession of narcotic drugs. This book will be used to demonstrate

Fictional children's story about homelessness + critical component Assignment

Fictional children's story about homelessness + critical component - Assignment Example Therefore, he could not ask her to get him a new pair. One day he decided, it was time to get new shoes at his own. He’d been saving money for a month now. And today he could finally paint the fence outside Robinson’s house and get the remaining money that he needed for buying the shoes. While passing a shop on his way, Sam noticed his reflection in the glass window. Except for the fresh wound from last evening, he thought he looked presentable. A day earlier, Sam was on his way to the basketball court when a random car stopped near him for merely a second. The window rolled down and a stone came out and landed on his forehead. So, seeing his reflection, Sam adjusted his hair to hide the wound and continued heading towards Mr. Robinson’s house. The Robinson’s place was a huge white house with a beautiful front garden. The fence Sam was to paint surrounded the lush green garden, and added to the homely feeling of the house. Ringing the bell, he was invited in by Mrs. Robinson. The house felt warm, cozy and welcoming from inside as well. She led Sam to Mr. Robinson’s study where she offered him some homemade cake as well. Sam instantly developed a liking for the Robinsons family. Sam was 14 years old. So he got the work on basis of a class assignment in which he had to share a thrilling experience. He told Mr. Robinson that he had decided to paint for the assignment but his house neither had a fence nor anything else that could be painted. Mr. Robinson agreed to help and provided him with the paint brush, a bucket of paint and a pair of his son’s old clothes which seemed newer to Sam than the ones he was wearing. So, Sam kept them and decided to work in his own. Sam found the painting job easy. Being near the Robinsons family was a pleasant experience for him. From time to time, Mrs. Robinson would come out to check how he was doing, and gave him something homemade to eat on every visit. Robinson’s family comprised of the parents, a 4 year old daughter and a son of Sam’s age. After a while the family came out in the lawn to enjoy the sun. The boy started playing with Jack, his dog. The little girl sat near her mother scribbling on a drawing pad. Mr. Robinson sat on the lawn chair and got busy reading the newspaper. Sam smiled watching them. In nearly two hours, Sam’s work was complete. Stepping back and looking at his work, Sam felt thrilled, noticing that he had done a decent job. The Robinsons liked it too. So he took the money and headed towards the shoes’ shop. On his way, he kept nibbling on the brownie Mrs. Robinson had given him for the way. He did not remember the last time he had something so tasty to eat. Sam crossed a pet shop on the way. His glance rested on a kitten sleeping in a white cage. With a creased forehead, he watched the kitten for a minute. He went inside and bought it with the money he had saved for the shoes. He kissed the cat and whispered in it s ear, ‘I will give you something that I don’t have’. A few minutes later, he knocked at the door of the town’s shelter that he lived in. References Capdevila, G. (2005). More Than 100 Million Homeless Worldwide. Retrieved from http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=28086 This article highlights how homelessness has become a worldwide problem in the developed as well as developing countries. The government policies and inadequate housing plans suppress the poor and force them to live without proper housing altogether. The story is themed on this

My Suggested Economic Policy For Mr. President Essay Example for Free

My Suggested Economic Policy For Mr. President Essay First of all Mr. President , I will like to congratulate you on your victory as the new president of the United states of America and I wish you a successful and prosperous administration as the president. The success of any administration depends massively on the policies that the commander-in-chief and other government stakeholders put out and how effective the policies are enforced. The past administration had much of their efforts on war, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction while economic concerns were often relegated to the back burner. I am not saying that security measures are not important to the policies of nation but we cannot ignore the market forces and turn them to our utmost advantages. Policies on international economy are very essential to the prosperity of any nation and that is why I would like you to look into some areas, which I would suggest for your final decision. A New Global Order There are new emerging market economies and china and India are the main point of view. These two countries are becoming world-class competitors in diverse range of sectors and this development will require even more rapid improvement in the skills of U. S. workers and the flexibility of U. S. -based companies. It will be important if your administration continue and develop new reforms that will increase the countrys competitiveness and diligent negotiations on trade and other international issues. However, new competitors also offer attractive markets for U. S. exports and investment. They are valuable suppliers of high-quality, low-cost goods. And if properly incorporated into the global economy—and paired with effective domestic policies in the United States—they will lead to new gains in global growth, as well as improvements in U. S. productivity that will further magnify the benefits of globalization for the United States. Credit Check Going by standards and recent analysis, the United States is the world’s largest deficit and debtor nation. This poses a threat and risk to both the U. S. economy and foreign policy. ). The continued buildup of debt owed to foreigners, moreover, will steadily erode national income over time. This status, I will like your government to look into; and advising your administration to work towards restoring a sustainable current account and international financial position. Energy Drain Energy is another area in the Unites States that is very vulnerable when looking at it from both economic and foreign policy points of view. This is due to the ineffective policy from the past administration. Over the recent years, the leaders of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are allowed to manipulate world energy prices, holding them 50 to 75 percent above market levels in recent years. This has resulted to the rise of the cost of energy as a share of U. S. GDP by triple fold since 1997. The inflation of energy costs has caused a depression to the U. S. GDP and I believe that an effective policy in this area is very important. This area need lots of attention because if this administration do not look into it, the United states government will probably be forced to continue launching periodic military interventions to satisfy its tremendous appetite for energy. Therefore, Mr. President, as your adviser, I believe that effective policies in these areas will bring about economic boos in your administration. REFERENCE Dolan, Edwin G. , and Lindsey, David E. (1991). Economics. Chicago: Dryden Press.

How Effective is Online Education? :: Effectiveness of Online Classes

Abstract: Recently, there has been a rush to create web-based instructional courses. The approach that is being taken to create web-based courses is to create websites that will function as the central distributors of information and materials. Based on the format and content of the course, the student is to go through lesson by lesson to complete courses. In this paper, I address some of the problems inherent in this approach, especially with respect to 18-22 year-old undergraduate education. Introduction Technology has had a large impact on the field of education. The proliferation of multimedia resources and limitless amounts of information available through the Internet has fundamentally affected the learning process. Students no longer search through cards and stacks for magazine articles; almost everything is at the click of a finger. Multimedia resources are increasingly utilized in the classroom to help instruct students. Some professors are making conscious efforts to use new technology, so as to introduce and familiarize their students with it. The significance of technology in education is now being elevated to a new plateau. Education through the Internet, the great equalizer, may make it more widely distributed through the phenomenon of online courses. It is the thesis of this paper that online courses are not an effective means to educate traditional undergraduate college aged students (people from 18-22 years old). In the undergraduate educational setting, student proficiency and comfort with technology are stressed, but the essential mission of most undergraduate institutions (especially, liberal arts institutions such as Dartmouth) is on the development of the individual. The nurturing and supportive environment of most undergraduate institutions helps students mature and develop. The rave and fad of online undergraduate learning causes students to miss out on too many intangibles of an on-campus education. Our current theory on education hasn’t adequately dealt with the intricacies of a web-based education, and therefore the effectiveness of such is highly questionable. Initiative One of the most essential ingredients to an effective instructional environment is the initiative of the student. For the traditional undergraduate college student, this is one of the areas in which most problems exist [2]. The ‘traditional’ undergraduate college student should be construed as an average male and female between the ages of 18 and 22 who is at a transitional phase in life and learning to deal with independence.

Introduction for a Chemistry Essay

The average University student has many tasks to accomplish and much studying to do while combating the onslaught of sleep. Students at the University of the West Indies Mona are no different and recommended amongst themselves a highly rated and popular health supplement â€Å"Yeast-Vite† [8]. Yeast-Vite is a health supplement pill which helps people fight fatigue and improve alertness. The active ingredients in Yeast-Vite are caffeine, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3. The other ingredients are: dried yeast, lactose, powdered cloves, colouring E124, E104, E132, colloidal anhydrous silica, maize starch, and microcrystalline cellulose. [1] Yeast-Vite is a good energy supplier when taken according to the directions. The Manufacturer recommends taking 12 pills in a day [1] to eliminate fatigue and improve concentration. The â€Å"alert† effect can be attributed to Caffeine, a major compound that has been proven to stimulate the central nervous system, heart, muscles, and blood pressure control centres [2]. Each pill contains 50mg of Caffeine according to the label created by the manufacturer. The following structure represents that of caffeine. Though effective, research has shown that the intake of more than 300mg of Caffeine on a daily basis is harmful to the body. Symptoms such as caffeinism, insomnia, irritability, palpitations, Nervous symptoms, upset stomach etc. are experienced and consuming more than 500mg may cause death.[3] Theoretically, the recommended dosage of Yeast-Vite tablets daily can create such harm, since the suggested daily dosage of up to 12 tablets[1] adds up to 600mg –if caffeine content of 50mg per tablet holds true. A problem exists. The recommended daily dosage of Yeast-Vite contained too much caffeine for the human body. It was hypothesized that the caffeine concentration in Yeast-Vite pills could cause negative health effects and that the manufacturer’s idea of the caffeine content may be inaccurate. Three analytical chemistry students decided to test the hypothesis, and over a four week period, conducted the determination of the caffeine content of Yeast-Vite pills using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The researchers expected the actual caffeine content of pills to be 10mg more/less than 50mg of caffeine and also that Vitamins B1, B2 and B3 could cause significant interference. The analysis was conducted entirely as a group by dissolving pills in water, preparing calibration standards, and determining the concentration of caffeine in the pills via external calibration and standard addition (single spike). High performance liquid chromatography was chosen as the analytical method because caffeine did not fit the criteria for analysis by Gas Chromatography and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy i.e. caffeine’s volatility was negligible and it had no metal ions.

Case Study of McDonald’s Essay

In the early 1940’s, two brothers opened a burger restaurant that was based on standardized preparation called the Speedee Service System. This â€Å"burger restaurant† is now globally known as McDonald’s. In 1976, McDonald’s introduced the breakfast menu as a way to diversify sales and product selection. Today this multinational corporation serves nearly 54 million customers every day in 120 countries around the world. McDonald’s first international venture was in Richmond, British Columbia, during 1967. Two of McDonald’s main products were introduced in 1968, the Big Mac and the Egg McMuffin Sandwich. When the first McDonald’s opened in Hong Kong in 1975, they were the first restaurants to consistently offer clean bathrooms, which drove customers to demand the same standards of other restaurants and institutions. McDonald’s continually builds its brand by receiving customer input. This is why McDonald’s is known as one of the most recognizable brands in the world. This case study illustrates how McDonald’s marketing process works and how they overcome problems in the process. This case analysis will include a SWOT analysis of McDonald’s, which looks at the internal environment of strengths and weaknesses and the external environment of opportunities and threats. It then examines alternative solutions to correct weaknesses, threats, and opportunities and concludes with recommendations with exact steps and a brief conclusion. S.W.O.T. AnalysisThis analysis was developed from the McDonald’s website and various other online sources. Other information was provided by the textbook, Organization Behavior by Robert Kreitner and Angelo Kinicki. SWOT stands for internal Strengths and Weaknesses and external Opportunities and Threats. It will illustrate the opportunities and threats in McDonald’s current environment, and compare it to their internal strengths and weaknesses. We will then discuss creative strategies to align their internal environment with their external environment and provide multiple alternatives and a recommendation. Internal AnalysisMcDonald’s Corporation is a multimillion dollar global business because of the fact their strengths greatly outweigh their weaknesses. McDonalds is known globally because it is dedicated to the unparallel levels of quality service, cleanliness and values. McDonalds is also globally known because it is financially sound and recognized by the Fortune 500 and the Hoovers 500. We will provide the strengths and weakness of the McDonalds Corporation. We will also show the effect they have on their expansion throughout the globe and the direct impact it has on their financial records. This will be presented in descending order of importance throughout the strengths and weaknesses. McDonald’s SWOT AnalysisStrengths1.The Company’s developed global strategya.60% of McDonald’s sales and all of its top 10 restaurants, (in terms of sales & profits) are now overseas. b.McDonald’s adapts to each country’s specific needs & cultural differencesi. For example: In Japan, McDonald’s had to substantially adapt it’s original U.S. style menu to include a McChao(a Chinese fried rice dish). When McDonald’s introduced rice meals in Japan, sales jumped 30% in one year, and it continues to innovate in Japan with Teriyaki McBurger and Chicken Tatsuta. ii.The menu price has been adapted for each country. iii.The average Big Mac price for the U.S. is $3.00; China $1.26; Switzerland $5.64c.In 2005 McDonald’s was ranked 8th out of the top 30 global brands. 2.Adaptation to cultural preferences and trendsa.Within the past 3 years, McDonald’s has made several adaptations to their strategy by adding a more appealing breakfast menu, specialty coffees, and healthier menu options. b. McDonald’s has also managed to adapt their individual franchises to the current trends and concerns in their individual geographical locations, simultaneously cutting costs. i.For example: In Europe, McDonald’s discovered that children were content  with a simple word puzzle on a menu tray or a small stuffed animal and did not require more expensive Happy meal promotions that they used in the U.S. c.This year the world’s largest restaurant chain, with 31,000 locations, will spend $1.9 billion to open 800 restaurants and reinvest in existing locations. 3.The company’s attention to global health concernsa.McDonald’s menus offer a variety of food products that can fit into balanced, active lifestyles. Restaurants typically serve several types of hamburgers, grilled and fried chicken products, and fish and, in many cases, salads, fruits, and additional sandwich options. i.Many European countries have launched Salads Plus menus, including meal-size salad choices, a side salad, fresh fruit bag, and other options. ii.McDonald’s Canada offers Toasted Deli Sandwiches. iii.McDonald’s Hong Kong has a Fresh Choices Menu, with two salads and fruit yogurt. iv.McDonald’s Australia offers a QuickStart breakfast menu, including a choice of cereals, juices, reduced fat or nonfat milk, and yogurt. v.McDonald’s Taiwan serves a Toasted Rice Burger. vi.Apples are served whole or with other foods in more than 20 countries around the world. b.Many local business units are adding new salad, fruit, and vegetable offerings. c.Local business units are also expanding Happy Meal choices to include new sandwich, side, and beverage alternatives. These reflect a System-wide goal of ensuring that Happy Meals remain a choice moms feel good about and  children enjoy. 4.The Company has high environmental standards:a.Delivery Vehicles which can carry fresh, frozen and chilled food have resulted in fewer deliveries, enabling them to reduce diesel costs and fuel emissions. Also, fixed delivery schedules reduced the distance traveled in 1993 by 310,000 miles. b.Each McDonald’s restaurant is carefully designed individually to fit into its local environment. This means listening to local concerns, fitting in with local scenery and landscaping drive-thru restaurants. Over 120 McDonald’s restaurants are in conservation areas and over 30 are in Grade II listed buildings. c. McDonald’s uses a minimum of 50% recycled content in corrugated cardboard boxes and ask that their suppliers do the same. All McDonald’s food boxes and cartons are made from 72% recycled material, carry out bags are unbleached and made from 60-80% recycled material, while napkins and tray liners are 100% recycled paper. Additionally, all their picnic benches, drive=thru lane traffic bollards and most of the fencing panels are new restaurants are made from recycled polystyrene. d. McDonald’s have made a commitment that, by 1995, they had reduced the volume of solid waste by 50%. They achieved this by using the three R’s: Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. 5.High percentage of minority employmenta.McDonald’s has the largest number of minority and female franchisees in the quick service industry. b.More than 40.7% of all McDonald’s US Owner/Operators are women and minorities. Weaknesses1.Worker shortagea.In all employment areas, there is a high demand for qualified workers. b.A new development that is creating even more employee demand is the new  immigration laws for the country and state. 2.Employee turn-overa.It is difficult to keep the employees already employed with McDonald’s. i. McDonald’s has a turnover rate of about 35 to 40 percent. b.People consider working at McDonald’s embarrassing and look for employment elsewhere. c.Minimum wage doesn’t keep good workers around. i. $5.85 per hour beginning July 24, 2007ii.$6.55 per hour beginning July 24, 2008iii.$7.25 per hour beginning July 24, 20093.Customer trends change and so do their choicesa.Quality and taste of products is declining. b.People are generally tired of the same brands that they had been using over the years, so when they do not see the expected innovation they migrate to new brands. c.People see McDonald’s every where and this over exposure might also be a reason for abstinence. Moreover maintaining the standards of such a huge chain becomes feasible and when there is lack of quality service in one store it effects the whole brand. External Analysis The constant improvements in technology and the competitive marketplace challenge McDonald’s with many opportunities and threats. McDonald’s has a great management team that constantly looks for new opportunities because McDonald’s is the industry standard on technology. Other opportunities for McDonald’s would be to expand to all developing and developed countries around the world. Among the current and future threats, there are thousands of fast-food chains in the world, most of the new fast-food franchises are concentrating on having a healthy image, so therefore McDonald’s needs to continue to improve  their healthy choice menu. This will be presented in descending order of importance throughout the opportunities and threats. Opportunities1.New Technologiesa.Computers that are also tablesi.These computers that are also tables will be very handy because people do not like standing in lines and having to wait to order. Now all customers have to do is find a table and sit down and start ordering. This will pay off even more because customers will be able to special order their food easier which will in-turn reduce the mess up orders because customers will do it themselves. ii.These computer tables will also make it very easy for customers to pay for their food or even split the bill if they want to. All customers will have to do is lay their credit card or debit card down on the table and then pick what food you want to pay for and drag it over to where your card is laying and then click ok that is correct then use your finger to sign for the bill. 2.International Expansion and Franchisinga.There are only 17,000 McDonald’s around the world and only located in 119 different countries. i.There are 194 countries in the world and McDonald’s has lost of room to expand there restaurants to new countries. ii.McDonald’s main concentration of expanding is in the ever growing in population of China. McDonald’s wants to build as many drive thru’s there as possible for the fast passed living. They have done research that there are 30,000 filling stations to put them in. b.Selling corporate owned McDonald’s and turning them into franchises at home and abroad. i.Sold 18 businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean’s. As a result these two countries will in turn franchise 1,600 restaurants. 3.New Food Items and New Programsa.Here in America we are accustomed to one of the programs that they are trying to add all over the world. This would  be known as the dollar menu. In Europe they are calling it the â€Å"Eurosaver†, China has the RMB 5, and Latin America features the McMenu. b.In Latin America they are experimenting with something called McAhorro. This is a program of special pricing of certain products during certain times of the day or on carious days of the week. c.In Egypt their McDonald’s are trying something completely new to McDonald’s and this is having a carryout. Other countries also doing this now are Turkey, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. d.New food items that became popular in Latin America are the McCafe coffee and dessert concepts. Which are Expanding to other McDonald’s in other countries to see how they fair. e.New Healthy Foodsi.Toasted deli sandwiches have now been put on a couple of McDonald’s menus in Canadaii.McDonald’s are starting to cook their French Fries in healthier oils and finding ways to cook their hamburgers to have less grease in them. iii.Mediterranean – inspired Pitamac, a square pita bread sandwich that is open at the top and filled with spiced beef, grilled vegetables or chicken. iv.Introducing veggie burgers to more of their restaurants. v.Introducing water-based instead of oil-based salad dressings for their new premium salads. vi.Introducing healthier option with their meal instead of fries such as: salads, baked potatoes, yogurt, fruit, ect. Threats1.The biggest threat for McDonald’s domestically is the lack of growth opportunitiesa.The market in the United States is well saturated and there is not a whole lot of room for growth. 2.Healthier eating habits. a.People are more worried about their health in today’s society than they have ever been. McDonald’s has introduced salads and other low fat items but it is hard for people to make the switch because the other food that McDonald’s offers tastes great. 3.Fast food restaurant franchises as upcoming competition. a.The biggest competition would be taco and burrito franchises. This would be a threat because individuals get tired of eating hamburgers and fries and they want something different. b.McDonald’s has the upper hand on most fast food restaurants because they serve breakfast. Recently Taco Bueno has added a breakfast menu and that could also be a threat for McDonald’s. 4.Terrorisma.With McDonald’s being a big retail food store with a lot of customers in the store daily. b.This could be a major threat not only to the store itself but to its customers also. 5.Global Competitiona.Through out the globe McDonald’s is facing more and more competition because of other fast food chains entering the global markets. i.Burger King is the number two burger chain. It is located in over 65 countries now. In the US alone it has more then 11,200 locations. ii.Subway is the second largest quick serving restaurant. It has an astonishing 27,700 location abroad spanning over 85 countries. Another huge threat that this makes is that it now has more locations in the US than McDonald’s. b.With global expansion McDonald’s not only has to deal with other abroad competitors but the own countries fast food chains. McDonald’s also has to get accustomed to the local eating habbits and taste so they will be able to satisfy their wants and needs. This means McDonald’s will have to come up with new menu items for each country to fit their customs. i.Items that they have came up with to fit the taste and customs of consumers in Japan was to introduce the Mega Teriyaki Burger and the Triangle-shaped Mango Custard Pie. AlternativesAlternative 1- Technology UpdateImproving and Buying New Technology – McDonald’s has been improving many things at their restaurants in the past couple of years such as: remodeling, new menu items, and a drive-thru order speaker that shows you what you have ordered. McDonald’s needs to make sure that they deep up with today’s society and the new technology. One of the newest technology that McDonald’s needs to consider purchasing is called Microsoft surface. This new technology well not only cut down on employee cost but it will help them keep up with the new way of life that time is money. ProsA. With Microsoft Surface computer tables in place it will make business quicker. i. People can sit down and order their food at the tablesii. There will be no waiting in lines which in turns saves people time. iii. Customers can pay at the end of their meals incase they want more food after their first order instead of going and standing in line again. B. Offer more things to do while waiting on your food and after you are done eating. i. Microsoft Surface also offers things to entertain your kids such as playing music to painting with their fingers. ii. Business people will find it handy because they can get on the internet and find thing they need or to get directions to their next destination and then can transfer it to their phones of PDA’s. iii. Will older people like the new technology because it will be something new to them and will have to learn how to use it properly. ConsA. Microsoft Surface will be brand new technologyi. The cost of Microsoft Surface will have a very expensive price tag along with it. ii. Since it is a new product this means it will still have a few bugs in it that have not been found or worked out. B. How reliable with this new technology bei. Seeing how this is going to be used not only to order off of it will as be used as a table to eat and drink off of. Will the Surface be durable enough to handle messy food and drinks that will be spilled on it?Alternative 2- Improve Healthy menu OptionsMore Attention for America’s Healthy Menu Options- McDonald’s has been successful in adding healthy menu options around the globe. However, throughout our study we have found that the healthy menu options for Americans are quite limited, and even more limited for the children in the United States. The PlanA.We feel that adding some healthy menu combination meals would really improve McDonald’s sales. Americans don’t want just a salad or chicken wrap as a meal, so why not add a combination meal that includes a salad, wrap, grilled chicken breast, or toasted deli sandwich with their choice of a healthy side, such as a fruit salad, yogurt, vegetables, or baked potato. B.Don’t forget about our children. Mom’s aren’t just concerned about what they are putting in their mouths, their children’s health is just as important. If a mom can go to McDonald’s and get a healthy meal, but there isn’t anything healthy to feed her children, most likely she’s going to choose a competing fast food franchise. Happy meals need to have options such as, a beef pot pie, turkey sandwich, or grilled chicken fingers.  Choices of sides could include a healthy macaroni and cheese, vegetables, fruit & marshmallows, or even cottage cheese and strawberries. McDonald’s could also really score some big points with parents if they added healthy lifestyle tips for kids on the happy meal sacks, or provided toys that promote exercise. Pro’sA.American’s love variety and choices. That’s exactly what this plan is giving McDonald’s customers. Variety and healthy choices will not only satisfy current customers, but it will attract more business. B.One of McDonald’s biggest customer bases is America. Providing these options for this customer base will also increase their profit intake. C.This plan also shows the people in the U.S. that McDonald’s cares about their customers concerns. This is just one more way to attract business. D.Since the release of the movie â€Å"Super Size Me† McDonald’s has been known as the fast food restaurant that makes Americans fat. The best way to improve this bad image is to implement the healthy menu options in America. Con’sA.Adding more options to a menu also means adding costs for the business. It is more expensive to keep vegetables and fruits fresh than it is to keep the food they currently serve fresh. B.Even though American’s are very concerned about their health, there is a large number of people who don’t want to do anything about it. People aren’t looking to be healthy when they go out to eat at McDonald’s, and because of that, the new healthy food options may not sell as well as other well established items on the McDonald’s menu. Alternative 3 – Increasing WagesIncrease starting wages and implement frequent raises – McDonald’s has always been considered one of the worst paying jobs with the lowest skill level. Even though the working conditions are favorable, qualified workers do not want to work at McDonald’s because it is embarrassing, but mainly because McDonald’s does not pay their  employees enough. We think starting salaries should be increased as an incentive to want to work for McDonald’s and turn the job into a career. ProsA. More dependable employees as applicants. i. The country is experiencing a huge worker shortage, but not only a worker shortage, but qualified, dependable workers. This alternative should help remedy that situation. ii. With higher starting wages and frequent raises for the employees, there should be a less percentage turn-over rate. If the employees are happy, they won’t be looking for other positions elsewhere. ConsA. This increase will cost the corporation more financially. ii. This could limit the amount available in dividends to stockholders hurting future investments. RecommendationsTechnology updateIn order to remain in competition with not only fast food restaurants, but other restaurants as well, McDonald’s will have to keep up with the growing technological society. This means taking advantage of any fast food advances that pertain to their area of service. The new technology will have to keep the pace of today’s fast moving society, in which time is money. A specific technology that we recommend McDonald’s take advantage of is the Microsoft Surface computer tables. This technology will be costly, if implemented in metropolitan area’s it will be beneficial to not only the corporation, but also to McDonald’s customers. Microsoft Surface computer tables will increase the contribution margin of the corporation by saving time, money, and order errors. McDonald’s should gradually begin the implementation of the Microsoft Office table in major cities throughout the globe. As McDonald’s begins to reap the benefits, and work out the kinks of the tables, the corporation should  gradually apply this product throughout smaller restaurants. This process will be very slow moving and costly, but it is key in ensuring McDonald’s continued domination in global fast food service. ConclusionsIn today’s fast paces, highly technological society McDonald’s has been able to stay on top of the fast food service industry, while providing quality service, and timely deliverance of food. It is not an easy task to stay on top of technologies and changing tastes of customers. McDonald’s will need to continue to research the changing eating habits and styles to attract new customers and keep the business of current customers. McDonald’s has proven it’s concerns for customers and employee’s by experimenting with new facilities and foods they are proving to society that they are concerned with not only their health but their prosperity. McDonald’s has a very promising future ahead of them and if they continue to adapt to society and new technologies. Refrences www.mcDonalds.com

Cement and Concrete - An Overview

Cement and Concrete - An Overview If you think of bricks as artificial rocks, cement might be considered artificial lava- a liquid stone that is poured into place where it hardens into solidity. Cement and Concrete Many people talk about cement when they mean concrete. Cement is a fine-grained compound that turns into a solid when mixed with water. Cement is used to bind mixtures of materials into a composite solid.Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, and gravel. That is, cement is the glue of concrete. Now that thats clear, lets talk about cement. Cement begins with lime. Lime, the First Cement Lime is a substance used since ancient times to make useful things like plaster and mortar. Lime is made by burning, or calcining, limestone- and thats how limestone gets its name. Chemically, lime is calcium oxide (CaO) and is made by roasting calcite (CaCO3) to drive off carbon dioxide (CO2). That CO2, a greenhouse gas, is produced in great quantities by the cement industry. Lime is also called quicklime or calx (from Latin, where we also get the word calcium). In old murder mysteries, quicklime is sprinkled on victims to dissolve their bodies because it is very caustic. Mixed with water, lime slowly turns into the mineral portlandite in the reaction CaO H2O Ca(OH)2. Lime is generally slaked, that is, mixed with an excess of water so it stays fluid. Slaked lime continues to harden over a period of weeks. Mixed with sand and other ingredients, slaked lime cement can be packed between stones or bricks in a wall (as mortar) or spread over the surface of a wall (as render or plaster). There, over the next several weeks or longer, it reacts with CO2 in the air to form calcite again- artificial limestone! Concrete made with lime cement is known from archaeological sites in both the New and Old World, some more than 5000 years old. It works extremely well in dry conditions. It has two drawbacks: Lime cement takes a long time to cure, and while the ancient world had lots of time, today time is money.Lime cement does not harden in water but stays soft, that is, it is not a hydraulic cement. So there are situations where it cannot be used. Ancient Hydraulic Cement The Pyramids of Egypt are said to contain a hydraulic cement based on dissolved silica. If that 4500-year-old formula can be confirmed and revived, it would be a great thing. But todays cement has a different pedigree that is still quite ancient. Around 1000 BCE, the ancient Greeks were the first to have a lucky accident, mixing lime with fine volcanic ash. Ash can be thought of as naturally calcined rock, leaving silicon in a chemically active state like the calcium in calcined limestone. When this lime-ash mixture is slaked, a whole new substance is formed: calcium silicate hydrate or what cement chemists call C-S-H (approximately SiCa2O4Â · xH2O). In 2009, researchers using numerical modeling came up with the exact formula: (CaO)1.65(SiO2)(H2O)1.75. C-S-H is still a mysterious substance today, but we know it is an amorphous gel without any set crystalline structure. It hardens fast, even in water. And it is more durable than lime cement. The ancient Greeks put this new cement to use in new and valuable ways, building concrete cisterns that survive to this day. But Roman engineers mastered the technology and constructed seaports, aqueducts and temples of concrete as well. Some of these structures are as good as ever today, two thousand years later. But the formula for Roman cement was lost with the fall of the Roman empire. Modern research continues to uncover useful secrets from the ancients, such as the unusual composition of Roman concrete in a breakwater built in 37 BCE, which promises to help us save energy, use less lime and produce less CO2. Modern Hydraulic Cement While lime cement continued in use throughout the Dark and Middle Ages, true hydraulic cement was not rediscovered until the late 1700s. English and French experimenters learned that a calcined mixture of limestone and claystone could be made into hydraulic cement. One English version was dubbed Portland cement for its resemblance to the white limestone of the Isle of Portland, and the name soon extended to all cement made by this process. Shortly thereafter, American makers found clay-bearing limestones that yielded excellent hydraulic cement with little or no processing. This cheap natural cement made up the bulk of American concrete for most of the 1800s, and most of it came from the town of Rosendale in southern New York. Rosendale was practically a generic name for natural cement, although other manufacturers were in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Kentucky. Rosendale cement is in the Brooklyn Bridge, the U.S. Capitol building, most 19th-century military buildings, the base of the Statue of Liberty and many other places. With the rising need to maintain historic structures using historically appropriate materials, Rosendale natural cement is being revived. True portland cement slowly gained popularity in America as standards advanced and the pace of building quickened. Portland cement is more expensive, but it can be made anywhere the ingredients can be assembled instead of relying on a lucky rock formation. It also cures faster, an advantage when building skyscrapers a floor at a time. Todays default cement is some version of portland cement. Modern Portland Cement Today limestone and clay-containing rocks are sintered- roasted together at nearly melting temperature- at 1400Â ° to 1500Â °C. The product is a lumpy mixture of stable compounds called clinker. Clinker contains iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) as well as silicon and calcium, in four main compounds: Alite (Ca3SiO5)Belite (Ca2SiO4), known to geologists as larniteAluminate (Ca3Al2O6)Ferrite (Ca2AlFeO5) Clinker is ground to powder and mixed with a small amount of gypsum, which slows down the hardening process. That is Portland cement. Making Concrete Cement is mixed with water, sand, and gravel to make concrete. Pure cement is useless because it shrinks and cracks; its also much more expensive than sand and gravel. As the mixture cures, four main substances are produced: C-S-HPortlanditeEttringite (Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12Â · 26H2O; includes some Fe)Monosulfate ([Ca2(Al,Fe)(OH)6] Â · (SO4,OH,etc) Â · xH2O) The details of all this are an intricate specialty, making concrete as sophisticated a technology as anything in your computer. Yet basic concrete mix is practically stupid-proof, simple enough for you and me to use.

Godfrey of Bouillon, First Crusader

Godfrey of Bouillon, First Crusader Godfrey of Bouillon was also known as Godefroi de Bouillon, and he was best known for leading an army in the First Crusade, and becoming the first European ruler in the Holy Land. Godfrey of Bouillon was born in about 1060 C.E. to Count Eustace II of Boulogne and his wife Ida, who was the daughter of Duke Godfrey II of Lower Lorraine. His elder brother, Eustace III, inherited Boulogne and the familys estate in England. In 1076 his maternal uncle named Godfrey heir to the duchy of Lower Lorraine, the county of Verdun, the Marquisate of Antwerp and the territories of Stenay and Bouillon. But Emperor Henry IV delayed confirming the grant of Lower Lorraine, and Godfrey only won the duchy back in 1089, as a reward for fighting for Henry. Godfrey the Crusader In 1096, Godfrey joined the First Crusade with Eustace and his younger brother, Baldwin. His motivations are unclear; he had never shown any notable devotion to the Church, and in the investiture controversy he had supported the German ruler against the pope. The terms of the mortgage agreements he drew up in preparation for going to the Holy Land suggest that Godfrey had no intention of staying there. But he raised considerable funds and a formidable army, and he would become one of the most important leaders of the First Crusade. Upon his arrival at Constantinople, Godfrey immediately clashed with Alexius Comnenus over the oath the emperor wanted the crusaders to take, which included the provision that any recovered lands that had once been part of the empire be restored to the emperor. Though Godfrey clearly had not planned to settle in the Holy Land, he balked at this. Tensions grew so strained that they came to violence; but ultimately Godfrey took the oath, though he harbored serious reservations and not a little resentment. That resentment probably grew stronger when Alexius surprised the Crusaders by taking possession of Nicea after they had besieged it, robbing them of the opportunity to plunder the city for spoil. In their progress through the Holy Land, some of the Crusaders took a detour to find allies and supplies, and they ended up establishing a settlement in Edessa. Godfrey acquired Tilbesar, a prosperous region that would make it possible for him to supply his troops more readily and help him increase his number of followers. Tilbesar, like the other areas acquired by the Crusaders at this time, had once been Byzantine; but neither Godfrey nor any of his associates offered to turn any of these lands over to the emperor. Ruler of Jerusalem After the Crusaders captured Jerusalem when fellow crusade leader Raymond of Toulouse refused to become king of the city, Godfrey agreed to rule; but he wouldnt take the title of king. He was instead called Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri (Protector of the Holy Sepulchre). Shortly thereafter, Godfrey and his fellow crusaders beat back a force of encroaching Egyptians. With Jerusalem thus secured - at least for the time being - most of the crusaders decided to return home. Godfrey now lacked support and guidance in governing the city, and the arrival of papal legate Daimbert, archbishop of Pisa, complicated matters. Daimbert, who shortly became the patriarch of Jerusalem, believed the city and, indeed, the entire Holy Land should be governed by the church. Against his better judgment, but without any alternative, Godfrey became Daimberts vassal. This would make Jerusalem the subject of an ongoing power struggle for years to come. However, Godfrey would play no further part in this matter; he died unexpectedly on July 18, 1100. After his death, Godfrey became the subject of legends and songs, thanks in large part to his height, his fair hair and his good looks. Sources: Brà ©hier at the Cathoic Encycopedia. Godfrey of BouillonBrundage, James at Paul Halsalls Medieval Sourcebook. William of Tyre: Godfrey Of Bouillon Becomes Defender Of The Holy Sepulcher.

Career and Employibility Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Career and Employibility - Essay Example This degree will also furnish me with the skills that will enable me to function efficiently and optimally in the organizations I work in the future. The third year will be completed in June 2013 To solicit a job in some reputed and big firm like Microsoft, Apple, HSBC, Google, Toyota, etc. To be willing to be mobile while hunting for jobs and to be willing to work at places which do full justice to my aspirations and skills, either in the UK or in some other country. To draft a perfect and practical CV and covering letter by procuring the services of some good professional organization. To proactively look for job opportunities in prestigious companies located across the world. To prepare for the interviews by seeking help of my teachers and colleagues. To actively engage in online tests designed by the professionals affiliated to placement firms. I am quite confident that once I manage to come out with an engaging CV and covering letter and submit it to the selected companies, I wi ll definitely get calls for interviews and assessments. Besides, the pains I will take in drafting my CV and covering letters and the hard work I put in the preparation for my interviews and assessments, this will bolster my chances of ending up with a desirable job in a good concern. Also, the hard work I have already put in grasping the conceptual aspects of my course and in understanding their practical ramifications, I am sure I will be able to meet any professional responsibility that will be assigned to me. November 2012 till January 2014 To make out time for participating in the real time businesses being carried on by my family members in the UK, to try to acquire the organizational skills, which will strengthen my theoretical knowledge and to seek a firsthand experience as to how businesses operate To dedicate a minimal of 12-15 hours helping some family member engaged in a business in the UK. To so organize my schedule that it may not hamper my studies. To work hard for th e acquisition of organizational skills, to actively engage with the customers at least on weekends and also to study the strategies being pursued by the competitors so as to be able to understand how consumer choices and expectations have a direct influence on the way businesses operate. Once I acquire multiple skills through my degree and by practically engaging in family businesses, I am confident that this will not only hone my career possibilities, but will also enable me to graduate to running my own business in the near future. These efforts will hone the entrepreneurial skills lying dormant within me. This practical engagement in a family business will facilitate me with skills and abilities in varied aspects of the business world and will also help me thoroughly understand as to how capitalist economies and markets work. June 2013 Engaging experiences; The very process of seeking employment in a big company like Microsoft or Google will not only directly help my career prosp ects, but will also allow me to seek higher positions in comparatively upstart companies expected to do well in the times to come. First and foremost to seek a placement in a big and reputed firm to bolster my brand appeal

Marketing and New Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Marketing and New Technology - Essay Example Social media allows people to connect with each other and at the same time share information. The relationship between marketer and consumer is a lot more interactive. Consumers are free to express their views and opinions about products and services, and hence marketers get customer feedback which would not have been possible in traditional media. There are various advantages or benefits that social media technologies offer that make it more attractive to marketers. Marketers are able to track and trace consumer behaviours, track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, target specific consumers, create communication channels for consumers to interact with each other, and many more. There are numerous forms of social media forms or technologies that companies can use to market their products and services. Most popular ones are social networks, blogs, microblogs, social bookmarking and voting, media-sharing sites, review sites, forums and viral marketing. Qualitative research has be en employed and secondary data has been used in constructing this paper. There are some issues that need to be considered such as unethical practices and misuse social media technologies safeguard of customer information, etc. ... Marketing communication is not anymore targeted to individual customers but communities and groups of individuals who share a common interest or ideology. Communication channels are such that conversation can now be out in front of millions of people with a lot less time and money. Many believed or saw the above mentioned development as death of advertising but it is far from the truth. All the changes mentioned above are a result of advent of internet and World Wide Web, and in turn the emergence of social media as a platform for marketing. Social media revolution is a result of new technologies and innovations that have been developed in the last decade or so, that has completely redefined marketing and has resulted in the rebirth of advertising. Social media revolution has brought a whole new dimension to marketing. There is no need to outspend your competitors if you can outsmart them. Technologies like twitter has made it possible to get the market pulse at your finger tips inst ead of having to spend thousands on focus groups. Technologies and services like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc are at the forefront of social revolution. Facebook has around 250 million users while Twitter has 14 million users. YouTube attracts 100 million viewers per month while blogs have 346 million people (Zarrella, 2009). There is no bigger platform than social media platform for companies to market their products and services. This paper is a literature review and critical discussion on how new technologies of social media has revolutionised marketing. Going forward social media will account for majority of marketing of business worldwide. Consumers are starting to play an increased role in influencing each

Strategic Management and Leadership Report on Apple Inc Essay

Strategic Management and Leadership Report on Apple Inc - Essay Example The researcher of this paper tells that the initial years of the company exhibited great prospects for Apple Computer, Inc., but soon the company had massive declining sales. This was primarily because of the technological failures more than any other reason. During this period Apple Computer produced microcomputers as a way forward from the computers that were produced by the IBM’s mainframe computers. Though the Apple I started off well, in the early years of 1980s, the sales for Apple Computers drastically reduced, as the platform (Macintosh) of the Apple was not compatible with the prevalent computers of the time. In the mid-1980s after continuing to experience declining, the sales company founder Steve Jobs was fired from his own organization. During Job’s absence the company was negatively affected by the introduction of competitor Microsoft’s DOS operating system. Soon, the market leadership of Apple was a thing of past, as Microsoft was more user friendly . Steve Jobs would eventually rejoin the company and call for a series of new ideas. The company placed new emphasis on innovation and produce items like the iPhone, iTunes, iPod and iPad, all of which became immensely popular across the globe. From Apple Computers, the company shifted to the name Apple, Inc. as it enabled buyers to understand that the company also produced other items apart from computers. ("Apple computer, inc.," 2011). Today Apple, Inc. is recognized as the world’s leading technology company and has a ubiquitous international presence. When one examines the financial figures from the time Jobs returned, the results are truly staggering. Essentially, he brought an organization from the brink of bankruptcy to one annually generating $25 billion dollars in net income and a stock valuation exceeding $400 ("Apple," 2011). Currently Apple competes in a variety of market sectors: mp3 players, smart phones, personal computers, tablets, and they are rumored to be e ntering into the television market (Elmer, 2011). It follows that the organization has a variety of competitors, including Microsoft operating systems, a glut of mp3 and

Company G 3 Year Marketing Plan Essay Example for Free

Company G 3 Year Marketing Plan Essay XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices. Introduction With two decades of innovative and award winning design, Company G has grown to be a market leader in consumer electronics. The Company enjoys unparalleled brand recognition and is highly rated and trusted by consumers worldwide. Company G’s products are known for their original design, durability and use of innovative technology. Company G’s brands enjoy both high consumer desirability and high consumer loyalty. With a reputation as a trend setter, many of Company G’s mobile electronic products are sought-after as â€Å"Status Symbols† purchases. Some of the Company’s products benefit from a cult like following among early adopters and some serve as industry bench-marks against similar products. With the introduction of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway, the Company plans to continue to strive to be the first to market in the consumer electronic market segments that it enjoys competing in. The Company will also maintain the practice of extending products life cycles and promoting their market positions by offering novel peripheral products such as the XG Wi-Fi Gateway timed to support and broaden the market interest and appeal associated with other existing XG products. Mission Statement â€Å"We combine beautiful design and intuitive functionally to provide consumers with desirable products that enhance the quality and convenience of their lives.† The Product The new XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices allows consumers to easily manage which Wi-Fi enabled mobile device can assess their secured home Wi-Fi network. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is a peripheral product of the Company’s popular XG Wireless Router series. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is industry compliant with North America and Euro Zone wireless communication standards and is compatible with other manufacturer’s routers. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices allows a consumer to manage their secure home Wi-Fi network through any other device designated as the â€Å"Administrator†. When a new Wi-Fi enabled device attempts to access the home Wi-Fi network through the XG Wi-Fi Gateway, an alert message is sent to the administrator. The administrator can choose several pre-set network access options as well as select from their own custom rules allowing or limiting network access to specific devices. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices is a 3 inch by 3 inch by 1/3 inch pad that links to the home router via a 2.0 USB plug. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices can also connect directly to any router with the additional purchase of a USB to Ethernet converter cable. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices has a minimal footprint. Once connected, the consumer does not have to interact with or manipulate the devices and it can be hidden or placed out of the way behind a computer or router. The administrator interacts with the XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices through the Wi-Fi Gateway application. The software is provided and compatible with desktop and laptop computers running Windows, OS X and Chrome operating systems. A free Wi-Fi Gateway application can also be downloaded, installed and run on smart phones and tablets using iOS, Android and Windows Mobile. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices is also compatible with the Xbox360 and PS3 gaming consoles. Consumer Product Classification The consumer product classification for the XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices falls under a shopping product. Additionally it should be considered with a sub-classification of unsought products. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway extends the functionality and security of modern router, thus the separate, pre-purchase of a router is required. Consumers have ample information available to make decisions regarding purchase decisions for routers; however, they have limited knowledge of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway peripheral or add-on. Consumers will require education and persuasion during the buying process. This is seen as a unique product, currently, there are no other devices or substitutes that offer the functionality of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway. Target Market Majority of our consumers will be males, head of household age 25-54, in a home with a wireless router. The household has multiple computers, smart phones or tablets. Our consumer expresses interest in electronic gadgets and considers themselves to be a â€Å"tech savvy† buyer. The target consumer is conscious about online security threats and has purchased or upgraded anti-virus software in the last 24 months. Our shopper is engaged with online social networks and media with most news delivered to the household digitally. Purchases of electronic products are heavily influenced by the favorable opinions and reviews from friends and colleagues. They are also strongly influenced by negative reviews of products by tech blogs and consumer comments in social media. Household income of our target consumer is $32,000- $70,000 annually with at least one child living in the home. Analysis of Competitive Environment Threat of new competition The threat of new competition is high. Our belief is the technologies associated with the XG Wi-Fi Gateway could be replicated by any of the other leading manufacturers of wireless routers. Company G hold proprietary technology in the design of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway and will fight to protect its interests and rights, however other manufactures could adopt their own existing patents and processes to compete. We feel these other established brands with distribution channels could generate a competitive rivalry if they choose to enter this market. Threat of substitute products or services The threat of a substitute product is low. Consumers determine if they have a need for the features offered by the XG Wi-Fi Gateway or they choose to forgo those features and service. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway has a high level of product differentiation. Consumers attempting to replicate the services of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway will find it technologically challenging and cost prohibitive to duplicate. Bargaining power of consumers Consumers have moderate bargaining power. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is a discretionary purchase. The consumer has to desire the enhanced control of their home Wi-Fi network and or the additional security offered by the product. Buyers who have suffered a loss from a network breach will be less price sensitive than those only looking to enhance their level of control. We expect downward price pressure due to demand to bundle and discount the XG Wi-Fi Gateway with other XG routers. Bargaining power of suppliers Threats from suppliers are low. While our product is new, most of the individual components are already mass produced or can easily be produced on existing manufacturing lines requiring only minimal retooling. Key proprietary components can be produced by several of Company G’s subsidiaries. Suppliers and materials are plentiful and available globally. Intensity of competitive rivalry Rivalry is low. Currently there are no competing products for the XG Wi-Fi Gateway market. Company G enjoys significant brand recognition and brand loyalty. The XG lines also profits from a history of positive consumer reviews and ratings and benefits from higher perceived value when compared to similar products in the market. Outlays are kept low by utilizing existing manufacturing facilities and distribution channels. Costs, such as RD, marketing, engineering and packaging design are allocated and shared across the whole XG catalog of products. SWOT Analysis Strengths 1.Company G and the XG Brand have high consumer loyalty and are recognized for innovative product design and functionality. 2.The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is the first of a kind to market. 3.The XG Wi-Fi Gateway received positive reviews from influential tech blogs and media. Support 1.Company G has carefully nurtured and reinforced its company brands. Company G has invested a considerable amount of resources promoting and showcasing the various products in the XG line. XG branded products benefit for the loyalty and familiarity consumers have with the existing line thus helping to lower overall new consumer acquisitions costs. We consider this strength to be a core competency. 2.As a first of a kind to market, Company G can maintain a higher price point by controlling the amount of products available without fear of lost of market share to competition. Company G can operate as a monopoly until others enter the market. First to the market also helps reinforce the XG brand’s reputation as a leader in providing cutting edge technology to consumers. We consider this strength to be a core competency. 3.Our target market reads and is influenced by tech blog reviews. Tech blog reviews are a valuable cost neutral resource for increasing product awareness and help raise consumer sentiment and increase product differentiation. Weaknesses 1.The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is a secondary purchase or upgrade after the initial purchase of a router. 2.Low target consumer awareness of product. 3.Target consumer requires educated before purchase. Support 1.Consumers are resistant to making an additional secondary purchase after deciding to buy a router. Consumers realize the enhanced services the XG Wi-Fi Gateway offers are not essential to a secure home network and may postpone a purchase until a demonstrated need is established. 2.As a first of a kind to market, consumers are not aware of the product. The target market is highly sought after and regularly bombarded with sophisticated marketing campaigns. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is a peripheral product and does not command the spotlight associated with a flagship product launch. 3.Our target consumer will do research prior to making a purchase. Company G will have to put forth assessable information through multiple media outlets for the consumer to find and review. Additionally, sales persons and other trusted sources will need to be introduced to specifications and features of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway to be credible and persuasive. Opportunities 1.The XG Wi-Fi Gateway can be developed for commercial and retail use. 2.Integration into other manufactures’ routers through licensing agreements. 3.Add versatility with the incorporation with NFC (near field communication) chips. Support 1.The technology in the XG Wi-Fi Gateway could be upgraded to provide a solution in commercial spaces (coffee shops, restaurants stores) that want to control, monitor or monetize their Wi-Fi bandwidth service. This would expand the XG line into a new market. 2.Company G could increase revenues by licensing the XG Wi-Fi Gateway technology to other router manufactures. By providing completive licensing agreements, it reduces the incentive of the competition from developing rival technology. 3.Near field communication (NFC) chips are an emerging technology with potential to disrupt retail checkout/payment process. The inclusion of NFC could help broaden the market for the XG Wi-Fi Gateway as the technology becomes more widely available in the retail industry. Threats 1.Shifts in technology away from Wi-Fi protocols and services. 2.A low cost competitor enters and disrupts the market. 3.A widespread security breach or software flaw could be catastrophic for the product. Support 1.The pace of change and innovations in technology is ever quickening. Consumer sentiment tends to move towards the newest standard. Wi-Fi technology is well established, reliable and widely taken for granted, it is the old guard. Some modern countries have already shifted away from Wi-Fi services in favor of cellular protocols or Super Wi-Fi, which functions in the TVWS bandwidth. Any shift away from the Wi-Fi protocol would require retooling of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway with new technology which may be prohibitive due to IP rights or development costs. 2.If a low cost competitor enters the market, Company G would have to spend additional marketing resources defending its market share. Company G would also have to engage in completive pricing to maintain its market position. Lower pricing and increased marketing efforts will have a negative impact on the XG Wi-Fi Gateway’s profits. 3.A security breach could permanently tarnish the XG Wi-Fi Gateway’s reputation. A major flaw or breach could kill the product’s viability in just a few days. Any breach would be an embarrassment to Company G, could result in lower share prices and expose the company to additional liabilities and lawsuits. Marketing Objectives Product Objective Provide our target consumer with an innovated and desirable product that is friendly and enhances their online activities with ease of use, technological compatibility and upgradeability resulting in annual sales of 1.5 million units in the first year, 3 million by the second year and 5 million by the third. Price Objective Pricing for a stand along XG Wi-Fi Gateway will start at $34.99. Company G will also offer up to a 20% savings premium when retailers order, bundle and promote the XG Wi-Fi Gateway with other XG products. Place Objective The XG Wi-Fi Gateway will utilize existing Company G online and retail distribution channels throughout North America and Europe. Additionally, the XG Wi-Fi Gateway will be carried and offered by the 3 leading cable companies in North America when selling optional residential broadband internet services. 100 days post launch, Company G will also introduce the XG Wi-Fi Gateway into ATT and T-Mobile retail stores and kiosks in North America along with Vodafone retail outlets in the UK and Movistar retail outlets in Spain. Company G will continue to utilize its proprietary predictive algorithms to ensure global product availability. Promotion Objective We expect to increase our target consumer awareness of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway by 25% in the first six months and by 33% by each year post launch. Catching the attentions of our target consume and demonstrating the XG Wi-Fi Gateway’s unique features will be critical to the product’s success. Company G will leverage its name recognition, reputation and media relationships along with its vast distribution channels to ensure the target consumer has ample opportunities to learn about and interact with the XG Wi-Fi Gateway prior to purchase. These Marketing Objectives are crafted to provide the optimal return for all of Company G’s stakeholders. Marketing Strategies Product Strategies †¢Compatibility The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is compatible with all major router equipment sold in North America and Europe. Our target consumer will be assured that The XG Wi-Fi Gateway will work will even previously purchased equipment regardless of the manufacture. †¢Friendly, Ease of Use The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is a plug and forget it device. The software is multi-operating system compatible. The user interface has been extensively reviewed and focuses group tested to ensure an appropriate and intuitive workflow. †¢Longevity, Durability The XG Wi-Fi Gateway hardware has no moving parts and is incased in a durable vinyl covering. The hardware has a life expectancy, with normal use, of 5 to 8 years. Software upgrades are pushed to the device as needed, no interaction is required from the consumer. Given current trends in Wi-Fi technology, Company G expects the software to be compliant with FCC and EU regulators for 10 or more years. Price Strategies †¢Skimming Model Company G will use Skimming Model for the first 100 days. Leading up to The XG Wi-Fi Gateway’s launch, marketing efforts will target the less price sensitive â€Å"early adopters† portion of our consumer group. †¢High-low Pricing High-low pricing will be utilized for the XG Wi-Fi Gateway after 100 days post launch. Special offers will be presented through online and traditional retailers when they bundle other Company G products with the purchase of a The XG Wi-Fi Gateway. Company G will also offer a rebate program in secondary markets coinciding with â€Å"back to school† activities. †¢Psychological Pricing Psychological pricing will be used to have an encouraging psychological influence on our target consumer. The consumer is well educated and well connected and knows what his peers have paid for other similar products. This pricing model will ensure he feels satisfied with the decision leading up to his purchase and comfortable sharing that information with his peer group. Place Strategy †¢Strategic Channel Alliances Company G will utilize strategic channel alliances to get the XG Wi-Fi Gateway in to areas where our target consumers live, work and play. We are partnering with recognized industry leaders to cross promote their compatible products with the XG Wi-Fi Gateway. This strategy allows consumers to see how the product works with other devices and gives them the opportunity to realize an immediate benefit of ownership. †¢Intensive Distribution Model Company G will also unitize an intensive distribution model. We will maximize our current distribution network to deliver the XG Wi-Fi Gateway to all available channels our target consumer may wish to utilize to make a purchase. †¢Pull Strategy Since our consumer desires product specifications in order to make a purchasing decision, Company G will take that â€Å"teaching† opportunity and convert it in to a desire to, at a minimum, interact with the physical product. We will run a campaign to persuade consumers to â€Å"give it a try yourself at your local electronics retailer†. This pull strategy should help Company G entice retailers to provide the XG Wi-Fi Gateway a more prominent position in their outlets as consumers ask to interact with the device. Promotion Strategies †¢Trade Shows Trade Shows are an important and ideal location to introduce the XG Wi-Fi Gateway to our target consumer. He regularly attends trade shows and often shares part of his experience on social media. If our consumer does not attend a show, he often seeks out opinions or stories from friends that have attended. The trade show environment allows us to craft the best possible informational and presentation opportunity outside of the consumer’s own home. This strategy is important because our consumer tends to make multiple electronics purchase within three months after attending a Consumer Electronics Show. †¢Product Placements Seeing the XG Wi-Fi Gateway in use is important to our target consumer. We are identifying their popular movies, television and web series and negotiating subtle placement of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway in to the main story’s setting. Company G used this strategy successfully for several of its mobile products. The overall return for this strategy was better than that of a 30 second commercial buy on a similar type show. Our consumer pays attention to their favorite show and interprets the commercials as interruptions. †¢Trade Allowances Company G will provide advertising and promotion allowances in targeted markets. Trade allowances will be based on a matrix consisting of ratings for the importance of market, the retailer’s foot traffic, sales volume and ad placement and media buy. Retailers can determine how to use the allowance within the terms and conditions of the trade allowance agreement. This strategy demonstrates that Company G values the retailer’s understanding of how to capitalize on the unique marketing challenges in their local market. Tactics and Action Plan Product Action Plan †¢Compatibility oTactic: Test and adjust all XG Wi-Fi Gateway components to ensure the final unit meets all FCC and EU regulations. Test and rate for compatibility against all targeted compatible products. Make adjustments and updates when identified. oDue Date: 6 months before launch then ongoing every 6 months throughout the products life cycle. oResponsible Party: A team made-up of members for the software development group, components and hardware group, competitor intelligence group and the product management team. †¢Friendly, Ease of Use oTactic: Ensure the XG Wi-Fi Gateway is user friendly and offers an intuitive user interface. oDue Date: 9 month ahead of launch. Review will also be conducted before the release of any update that may impact the user interface. oResponsible Party: A team made up of members from market research, software development, public relations and the product management team. †¢Longevity, Durability oTactic: Only high quality components from Company G selected suppliers will be utilized in the manufacturing of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway. All parts are randomly selected for quality assurance and destructive testing throughout the assembly cycle. oDue Date: Continuous once components arrive for assembly. oResponsible Party: Quality control team as well as independent 3rd party auditors. Price Action Plan †¢Skimming Model oTactic: Capitalize and maximize revenue on consumer interest and desire to own a cutting edge product. oDue Date: Initial pricing to be finalized 90 days prior to launch and monitored for the first 100 days post launch oResponsible Party: Financial analysts, accounting, channel marking managers and product management. †¢High-low Pricing oTactic: To maximize the revenue opportunities by providing incentives for retailers and consumers by making special offers by bundling Company G products or offering appropriate rebates. oDue Date: Special pricing, bundling offers and rebate programs will be finalized at launch then reviewed every 3 months. oResponsible Party: Marketing managers, financial analysts, channel marking managers and product managers. †¢Psychological Pricing oTactic: Ensure our target consumer is persuaded that the perceived value is greater than actual retail price. oDue Date: 90 days prior to launch then every 3 months. oResponsible Party: Marketing managers, public relations team, consumer research team, independent 3rd party consumer survey team Place Action Plan †¢Strategic Channel Alliances oTactic: Partner with non-retail partners to introduce the XG Wi-Fi Gateway in unique and impactful locations and situations to our target consumer. oDue Date: 1 year prior to launch then every 3 months. oResponsible Party: Marketing team, channel marking managers and product managers. †¢Intensive Distribution Model oTactic: We will engage all of our distribution and retail partners throughout the entire product cycle. oDue Date: 1 year prior to launch then continuous. oResponsible Party: channel marking managers and distribution management team †¢Pull Strategy oTactic: Entice consumers to ask their local retailers about the XG Wi-Fi Gateway oDue Date:90 days prior to launch then continuously for the first 100 days oResponsible Party: Marketing team and public relations team Promotion Action Plan †¢Trade Shows oTactic: Secure prominent floor space at CESs and Home Shows in major and secondary markets oDue Date:1 Year prior to product launch oResponsible Party: Marketing team, product management team †¢Product Placements oTactic: Identify and secure placement opportunities on targeted media outlets/shows oDue Date: 9 months before launch and through the first year oResponsible Party: Marketing team and media relations team †¢Trade Allowances oTactic: Provide strategic retailers marketing and promotional resources to increase awareness of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway in the local markets they serve. oDue Date: 3 months prior to launch then ongoing. oResponsible Party: Marketing team and channel marking managers Monitoring Procedures To ensure the Product and Marketing Teams meet the XG Wi-Fi Gateway meets Company G’s financial performance goals: Monitoring Activity: Regular review of ongoing product performance and benchmarking. Due Date/Frequency: Weekly meetings.