Smmary 5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Smmary 5 - Essay Example Researchers evaluated DNA methylation patterns of patients who were in various stages of lung adenocarcinoma. The study identified various significant DNA methylated genes of 72 in Stage I, 93 in Stage II, and 170 in Stage III. There were a set of 34 DNA methylated genes that were significant. The results showed a pattern of epigenetics throughout all stages and when analyzing the pathways, there was a correlation of the signaling and metabolic pathways of lung adenocarcinoma and epigenetics. Within this study, it was concluded that through the integration of epigenetic information of genes can be used to understand diseases and also to identify them. This could mean that the progression of cancer is also associated with genetic mutations. Epigenetic genes could play a major role in how cancer develops and the spread of it. This article discusses epigenetics and it relates closely to the article â€Å"Conserved Epigenomic Signals in Mice and Humans Reveal Immune Basis of Alzheimer’s Disease† (2015). Though the disease is different, it still shows that there is a correlation between epigenetics and possible diseases for which genes are already coded to cause these diseases. Also in this article, while research was conducted on mice, transcription and epigenetic changes were recorded while the animal was in different stages of the disease. The information that was presented fits with some of the information from prior readings because there seems to be an evident mutation that is functional within the genes which allows for researchers to predetermine whether or not a human’s DNA might be coded to have these diseases. It is fascinating to learn more about how it is possible that finding these mutated genes could possibly lead to the treatment of these various diseases in the future. It also makes one curious if all human cells are already coded through mutations and variations to see if someone is predisposed to also having certain

Black Female Executives in Corporate America Essay Example for Free

Black Female Executives in Corporate America Essay Black female executives are a symbol of what determination and hope can achieve that despite the odds and perceptions, people can achieve anything they set themselves on regardless of their cultural backgrounds. Reaching the top for these women has been a journey which dates back way before slavery when women lived and followed the African traditional settings which governed every aspect of their lives. In this setting, the women were subordinate to their men and their duty was to look after their families. Evolution has since changed these perspectives after the civil war that liberated the black people such that they were able to own property and even work in state organizations. In addition, the African people had the power to be educated. Over the years, African women have continually struggled to be the best academically as well as professionally such that they have even outshone their fellow men. â€Å"By 1994, there were more black women as compared to the black men who were employed especially in white collar jobs in corporate America (Tucker, 1994). † Thanks to institutions like Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), there has been significant growth of blacks taking up leadership roles in corporate America (Benjamin, 84). In the managerial positions, black men are slightly more than the black women but still the number of women in managerial positions between the years 1982-1992 had increased by 64% (Tucker, 1994). This positive figure has encouraged other black women to undertake leadership roles hence adding up to the increasing figure. Black women representation in the corporate organizations cannot be compared to the rise of white women in the top managerial positions whose numbers have increased over the last decade. This is illustrated by 32% of white women managers who were executive leaders as compared to 14% African American women in similar positions who earned less than them in the year 2000 (Ely, 2003). This shows that as much as the black women are making it ‘big’ there are several factors that hinder their rise to such positions. â€Å"By the year 2001, African American women remained in the shadows and remained invisible hence they were ranked in the corporate businesses either according to gender as well as race (Bell Nkomo, 2003). † Reasons for lack of black females in executive positions Though there are a few known black women executives in the corporate world it does not necessarily mean that they are not learned enough or that the positions are limited. The major issues limiting the black woman from getting to the top of the corporate ladder are gender and race. Certain stereotypes which are mostly negative are likened to the black female. â€Å"They are considered to be aggressive and very direct (Caver, 2002). † Such characteristics make them unsuitable for leadership positions in big organizations hence limiting their chances of advancing their careers. Black women are not exposed to educational opportunities like their male counterparts as well as white people. This is because most of them come from poor backgrounds and therefore their education is limited up to a certain level when the funds they have can allow. That is why they usually get casual jobs and work as subordinate staff in organizations. Another issue that has contributed to the lack of black females in executive positions is the perception that such positions are the strongholds of men hence organizations mostly employ male colleagues. These factors make it harder for the black women to be promoted to executive positions as they are not only judged by the way their race but also according to gender. Challenges the black women executives face The rise of the women in the corporate world does not really mean that it is all rosy at the top. Though the experience is rewarding some of them are frustrated. The few African American women in executive positions are faced with several challenges in the course of their work. They have to continually convince people and prove to their colleagues that they have what it takes to run organizations. To begin with their salaries are low as compared to those of their fellow black men in similar leadership positions. Most of the African American women in the top managerial positions are considered as vulnerable employees. They are given those positions that can be easily scrapped off when the company restructures itself (Tucker, 1994). They do not therefore get the chance to play major roles in organizations especially in terms of decision making as sometimes they do not have jobs to do. This makes them feel inactive and feel as if they were just put in those positions to enhance the good image of the companies they head as being good an equal employer. â€Å"Some companies just put the women up there so that they can show their corporate allies that they are not biased against any race or gender (Lamont Molnar, 2002). † †¢ Lack of strategic relationships Relationships define how people will relate with each other in the organization. When the black women are not supported by their employers, then it becomes hard for them to relate with them in proper ways and this affects their work relationship. The relationship between black and white women in the workplace is also strained. This is because white women do not interact often with black women on organizational matters hence they have little knowledge on some of the racial perspectives; the black women have to deal with. â€Å"They feel white women do not care about black women issues and concerns (Caver, 2002). † This has made the black women feel betrayed by them and no wonder they do not relate with them well (Bell Nkomo, 2003). This scenario has strained communication between the two groups and they never engage in constructive activities. They have been reduced to clicks that support their own members and rarely will they support the promotion of the opposite colleagues to such leadership positions. If the black women cannot relate well internally with their colleagues, it is therefore hard for them to form corporate relationships with people from other organizations as well as their clients as they do not have people within the organization to link them to other business relations. †¢ Lack of mentoring and support African American women are never mentored; and if, on a limited scale. â€Å"This is because they are thought to have nothing in common with their white counterparts as well as black men (Caver, 2002). † Moreover, it is difficult for the black woman to fit in the white male-oriented ‘positions’ which is limited by the negative, historical, sexual racism between black women and the white men (Benjamin, 2005). For this reason, they do not get to improve on their leadership skills hence it is hard for them to be promoted to higher positions. In addition, when other people will start performing better than them, they are said to be incompetent and therefore they risk losing their jobs. The society is also not showing support for the black women corporate leaders who have managed to beat all odds and be the best. This is more so seen in the African American community where people think that they use their high positions to intimidate them. No wonder it is hard for them to find suitable husbands as the males feel threatened. †¢ Trust issues The few black women executives who are there are not trusted to make strategic and informed decisions by other colleagues in the workplace and that is why they have to struggle so much to build this trust which takes a long time. This is why some black women who can no longer cope with the pressure resign from their jobs. This has led to an increasing number of black women quitting their jobs. This is why the CEO as well as other colleagues in the workplace are left to wonder if race determines commonality or whether gender connects across racial lines and if the black women have their own leadership style that helps them navigate in the hierarchy (Bell Nkomo, 2003). †¢ Lack of access to business development opportunities Leaders need to continually sharpen their skills so that they are able to tackle problems that arise in the business cycle. Black women are usually sidelined in major activities and this limits their chances of growth in terms of acquiring skills and building strategic alliances. For example, a project may be designed which may entail people going for training but surprisingly, countable black women; if any, will be short listed. This makes them feel like an extra burden to the organization. †¢ Balancing work and personal life Just like all women, African American women have to place their families before everything else. They therefore have to ensure that they balance their personal lives as well as their works lest they fail in all of them. Sometimes it is not easy as in every place they are faced with issues and sometimes they do not have colleagues whom they can turn to for help. Impact on the black female work population The statistics might show that black women positions in leadership positions have increased but the experiences of African American women in such positions reveal another thing. Some women have said that they have watched their subordinate colleagues some who are not qualified be promoted to higher ranks while they, who have served the companies for longer periods, are stagnant in the same positions. â€Å"In addition, when they give ideas on anything, they are not taken seriously and this is adding up to their frustrations (Hesselgrave, 2009). † Such scenarios have made them feel diminished, have low self esteem and not feel like part of the organization. This has made them emotionally as well as psychologically disturbed as they cannot come to terms as to why so much hatred and seclusion is still in the society. The lack of back women executives in corporate America is not doing much to encourage young black women professionals to take managerial careers. They see on a daily basis on how their fellow black women in the corporate world are treated and nothing much is done to solve the issues. Some black women have had to succumb to offering sexual favors and bribes if they really want the positions. Such negative factors make the young ladies not wanting to be in such vulnerable positions hence they will opt to choose careers that they find pleasure in. Another impact is that organizations have been divided along racial and gender lines when ‘their own’ are not promoted to executive positions. This has inhibited progress in the organizations as decisions can not be made effectively because employees are not communicating and they are not performing well at their work because their issues are not being addressed. â€Å"This has also brought in unhealthy competition in the workplace as the different groupings of people have to find fault in each other so that they can use the raised issues as an excuse to make them appear better so that they can be favored (Ivancevich Gilbert, 2000). † In some instances, it has led to the formulation of policies which the minority group in this case, the African American women, use to give them an edge over other colleagues. Recommendations Women of all races play a major role in corporate organizations and that is why they should be encouraged to take the top most leadership positions if they are qualified. Some of the factors that need to be considered in promoting African American women in leadership positions include: ? Encouraging more black women to pursue leadership positions Educating and sensitizing the young black girls at a young age is important so that they take up leadership courses. This will make them more open minded at an early. The Federal State therefore should ensure that there is equitable distribution of resources such that black children can access proper schools like the rest of the children in major cities. African American women also need to be trained on political skills so that they are able to lead people in the proper manner thus become competent. ? Equal treatment Affirmative actions and the formation of women movements have played a vital role in rallying for equal treatment of women. More needs to be done so that the women can feel like they are part of the organizations they serve. The managers should therefore diversify employee groups and continually monitor to see how they are progressing and help then overcome the challenges they face. â€Å"The top managers should also be able to identify black women who are skilled and help them grow within the organizations they head (Lamont Molnar, 2002). † The human resource heads should therefore ensure that they recruit they staff equitably and not based on any kind of biasness so that when it comes to making decisions or selecting the right candidate for a particular top office, all the people will be represented therefore the right candidate will be chosen regardless of their back grounds. ? Respect and trust Respect starts with an individual when they identify their needs and they treat others the way they would like to be treated in return. Respect is a very important virtue that should be in every code of conduct since it determines how people will be treated. â€Å"Sometimes when white male superiors and black female subordinates as they are trying to amend their relationships they are faced with difficulties because of the lack of basis for identification which is mainly attributed to the fact that the motives behind them are not sincere (Thomas Gabarro298). † Without respect, then there is no trust as individuals will not trust people who treat them badly. People therefore need to learn to respect black women because it is the only way that will help them salvage their relationships, ease communication and enhance understanding each other so that productivity of the company can improve. It is also advisable to find trust agents if the matters in the organizations are too complex for the members to solve. Having an independent party helping employees and management to solve their problems will be good as they will not be biased. ? Educating the other employees on the negative effects of discrimination is also a positive step towards creating room for black female executives. Conclusion Operations in organizations are changing slowly by slowly to accommodate cultural diversity and people are beginning to embrace the work done by the black women as well as other minority groups. Black women executives nowadays can be found in almost all departments in the workplace and have even gone a step further to head multinational organizations. â€Å"Even in the wake of civil rights and women movements which have helped bring about gender equality, black women executives still face many challenges. African American women need to work harder to face out racism especially in this ever changing diverse world (Burk NCWO). †These women need to be supported in the work they do rather then being put down as they are also human and they deserve respect just like other individuals in similar positions in the society. Corporations therefore need to change their cultures and philosophies so that they attract more black women and retain them. Black women also need to show that they deserve the executive positions by being passionate about the jobs and ensuring that they are qualified for the positions. References Bell, E. L. J. Nkomo S. M. (2003). Our Separate Ways: Black and White Women and the Struggle for Professional Identity. Harvard Business Press, 5, 239, 5 Benjamin L. (2005). The Black elite: still facing the color line in the twenty-first century 2nd Ed. Rowman Littlefield, p. 70 Caver K. A. (2002). Leading in black and white: working across the racial divide in corporate America. John Wiley and Sons, 78, 80, 81 Ely R. J. et al. (2003). Reader in gender, work, and organization, Wiley-Blackwell, 2003 p. 343 Hesselgrave B. (2009). Business and economics. Under the Glass Ceiling? Throw Stones! Retrieved on April 2, 2009 http://www. miller-mccune. com/business_economics/under-the-glass-ceiling-throw-stones-1023 Ivancevich, J. M. Gilbert, J. A. (2000). Diversity Management: Time for a New Approach Journal of Public Personnel Management, Vol. 29 Lamont, M. Molnar, V. (2002). The Study of Boundaries in the Social Sciences Annual Review of Sociology journal, p. 12 National Council of Womens Organizations Burk M. (2005). 50 ways to improve womens lives: the essential womens guide for achieving equality, health, and success World Library, 2005 p. 124 Thomas, D. A. Gabarro J. J. (1999). Breaking Through: The Making of Minority Executives in Corporate America, Harvard Business Press, Tucker S. H. (1994). Black women in corporate America: the inside story; executive women discuss real-life workplace issues that face black women today Retrieved on April 2, 2009 http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_n1_v25/ai_15643636/

Personal Perspective on the Science Versus Religion Debate :: Theology

Personal Perspective on the Science Versus Religion Debate In Alfred North Whitehead’s â€Å"Religion and Science†, he nullifies the argument between the religious factions and scientists of the world by eliminating all grounds for the argument. Although debated to the â€Å"ends of the Earth†, Whitehead points out that these two subjects are actually based upon events that are unrelated. He states â€Å"Science is concerned with the general conditions which are observed to regulate phenomenon; whereas religion is wholly wrapped up in the contemplation of moral and aesthetic values†(Whitehead, Religion and Science). Through his definition of both viewpoints, he is able to explain one will never see the other, thus no argument exists. This topic is quite personal for me at this point in my life. I have always lived as if everything could be explained. I tortured myself with the whole idea of â€Å"heaven†. I was scared that not believing would sentence me to eternal death, but my logical side just couldn’t fathom the idea. My religious side was in a â€Å"fight to the death† war with my logical side. However, my internal war is now over. The battle is done. And, yes one side did come out waving the proverbial white flag. To make a long story short, eighteen months ago my husband suffered a broken neck due to a swimming accident. We as a family had been in debate over our family’s relationship with God. As we discovered, ones religion is often decided during the darkest times of our lives. It was at that time we discovered that there was something more to life than money, possessions, or â€Å"facts†. The specialists couldn’t explain what had saved Shane’s life. Their science failed them. Luckily, the neurologist was a Christian, and her only explanation was God wasn’t finished with him yet. We realized that for once there was no other answer. Without hesitation, my husband and I both committed our lives to serving the Lord Jesus Christ to the best of our ability. To get back to the point of this, as a new Christian I thought the Science vs. Religion debate would be completely over for me. It isn’t. I still catch myself trying to explain things that don’t need to be explained. I have spent many restless nights fighting my guilty conscience for doubting my faith.

Blake :: essays research papers

A rebel all of his life, Blake was once arrested on a trumped up charge of sedition. Of course, he was a complete sympathizer with the forces of revolution, both in America and France. He was a personal friend of Thomas Paine and made the American War of Independence and French Revolution parts of his grand mythology in his America: A Prophecy and Europe: A Prophecy. Blake is frequently referred to as a mystic, but this is not really accurate. He deliberately wrote in the style of the Hebrew prophets and apocalyptic writers. He envisioned his works as expressions of prophecy, following in the footsteps (or, more precisely strapping on the sandals) of Elijah and Milton. In fact, he clearly believed himself to be the living embodiment of the spirit of Milton. Most of Blake's paintings (such as "The Ancient of Days" above, the frontispiece to Europe: a Prophecy) are actually prints made from copper plates, which he etched in a method he claimed was revealed to him in a dream. He and his wife colored these prints with water colors. Thus each print is itself a unique work of art. As an artist Blake broke the ground that would later be cultivated by the Pre-Raphaelites. His work is for the most part done on a very small scale. His illuminated works and engravings are all only inches in size, yet they are meticulous in detail. And each of them is, in a sense, merely a part of a titanic whole. A special note for students: Since we began The William Blake Page in 1994, we have received hundreds of emails from students asking (sometimes demanding in very rude language) that we provide literary criticism on our site or else personally write back with an analysis of one or more poems or themes in Blake's work so that they can use it to fulfill one of their classroom assignments. On occassion these emails have been so insulting that we have considered closing the site. The William Blake Page is NOT intended to replace the library. The Internet is a great place to research where to buy your next car or what they are wearing this year in Paris. But it not the best place to find literary criticism. For one thing anyone can post anything here, without benefit of editors or any other kind of check or balance to maintain reasonable accuracy.

Financing of Home Care Essay

In United States of America, health is an interesting topic in the society that does not only influence the well being of millions of Americans, but also influences the strength of Americas’ economy. This nation spends more on health care per person than any other nations. America is said to be having the highest infant mortality rates and a relatively low average lifespan. (Baer, 1989) For many families, lack of Health care is the source of vulnerability for the household’s economic status, as sickness or injury without health care can be a financial burden pushing families to poverty. According to the Census Bureau, the number of Americans having Private health coverage has fallen by one percent in the recent years. Home care is a term that is used to refer to the services that are usually provided in the home. They include giving patients professional services from physiotherapist, social workers and nurses. There is also the use of supplies, inclusion of therapies and incorporation of durable medical equipment. (Baer, 1989) The government has set the rules that have to be followed by each and every home care. In the home care, a range of services are therefore provided to the patients. The services include home making services, medication administration, blood transfusions, physical and occupational therapists among other services. Medicare on the other hand covers the home care services for the patients that have the following characteristics; †¢ They receive services from a Medicare †¢ They are under the physician’s care plan †¢ Those that are homebound †¢ Those that need nursing care that is very much skilled or physical therapy There are various ways through which homecare is financed. They include the following; †¢ Government funds †¢ Volunteers †¢ Commercial insurers †¢ Donations or charities †¢ Patients These are the major ways that home care systems are financed. Research reveals that systems are not for making profits. Looking at the various sources of finance for home care, there are different percentages of income that comes from each source. The government in most cases gives the highest percentage of income to the home care. This is approximately sixty percent of the total amount sourced. Donations then follow next with twenty percent. (Ehrenreich, 1970) Commercial insurers give approximately ten percent of the total amount of money that is used in the homecare systems. Patients are normally charged a small fee when they visit the home system and this amount to approximately five percent of the total revenue. There are normally volunteers who help out in providing some of the services free of charge and this helps to ease the burden of the costs that are incurred. Research reveals that there exists a very good relationship between the financiers and the homecare system. There is no one who ever wants to give his or her money without wanting to know how it has been used. Taking an example of the government as the main source of finance for homecare systems, it is always concerned with the faring on of the home care. (Ehrenreich, 1970) The government is normally very concerned with issues that affect home care especially in relation to the finances therein. The administrators of the home cares normally have the responsibility of giving account of how the finances have been spent in the home care. Looking at it from the administrator’s point of view, they normally wish that the government would do more than just send the finances to them but actually be more concerned with the whole project or the issues taking place in the home care system. To the administrators, the finances that are given by the government are not sufficient to cater for everything in the system and therefore planning becomes very hard in such a situation. The patients on the other hand are very grateful that the government decided to cater partly for their services given in the homecare because they don’t pay a lot of money. Research carried out in the year 2006 May in the United States amongst various patients reveal that patients come from different social status. There are those from affluent families, middle and then low income families. (Schaeffer, 2002) For the low income patients, the amount of funds that are given by the government are not enough because this compels the system administrators to charge them a fee which to them is a lot comparing it to their level of income. The patients who have middle income think that the government’s support is fair and they as patients can now afford it. For the affluent, they do not even feel the pinch of giving the little cash for getting services in the homecare but nevertheless acknowledge that the government is of great help. Donations and charities in form of funds given to the home care are given by organizations and individuals. There are various non-governmental organizations that give their donations to home care systems. According to the administrators in home care systems, donations and charities help a great deal in the smooth running of the systems. They concur that without the help of these non-governmental organizations, and then they could not have managed to do so many things in the home care systems. Patients also as stakeholders are grateful to the invaluable help of non-governmental organizations and individuals for this has enabled very many of them to access services that they could have otherwise not been able to. According to the administrators, the help given by no-governmental organizations though it helps it is not sufficient and therefore much still needs to be done. Looking at the relationship of the non-governmental organizations with the home care systems, one can say that there exists good relationship as the NGOs normally try to catch up on how the home cares are faring on. Research reveals that the relationship of the financier with the homecare is very important. A part from the financial help, there needs to be a mutual relationship between these two parties so that they can understand each other well. Looking at the provider or the financiers’ point of view, there is so much expectation from the home care system. From the government’s point of view, home cares expect so much from the government and there is the tendency to think that the government has got a lot of money lying idle which can be used in the home care system. According to the officials in the government of United States, the administrators have to know that the government is doing its best to see to it that these systems are run smoothly without financial strain. This is done so that every citizen benefits from these services and especially those from low income families per say. (Warren, 2005) Conclusion In home care, mostly the medical services are given in the home. In this case the patients are given professional services by nurses, social workers and home care assistants. These services include physiotherapy. Each and every home care system has to follow the rules that are set up by the government. (Strunk and Gabel, 2002) Home care systems are financed by various stakeholders. They include the following; the government, donations from individuals and from non-governmental organizations, small fee paid by the patients and from commercial insurers. Among these sources the government gives the highest percentage of finances to the home care systems. This is sixty percent of the total finances in the home care systems. According to the administrators in home cares, this amount is not sufficient to cater for all the needs in home cares. They say that the government needs to add more funds. According to the patients, the government is really playing a big role in enabling them to access these important services. (Strunk, and Gabel, 2002) To the low income patients, the funds are not enough and they should be increased so that they (patients) pay much lesser than what they are currently paying. The relationship that exists between financers and the home care systems is good. The administrators however say that the financiers need to be more concerned with all the activities that take place in the home care. Government officials say that home care administrators expect so much from them but they are doing their best to see to it that the home care systems do not strain financially at all. Reference Baer, H. (1989): The American Dominative Medical System as Reflection of Social elations in the Larger Society. Social Science and Medicine, 28(11):1103-1112 Ehrenreich, J. (1970): The American Health Empire: Power, Profits and Politics; NY Random House, Schaeffer, S. (2002): Rising Health-Care Expenses Outpace U. S. GDP Growth, HealthCare costs rose 9. 3% in 2002 PP 207-217 Strunk, B. and Gabel, J. (2002): Tracking health care costs- Growth accelerates again In 2001; Health affairs; Pp 45-67 Warren, E. (2005): Sick and Broke; New York; Melbourne Press

Battle of Eutaw Springs in the American Revolution

Battle of Eutaw Springs in the American Revolution The Battle of Eutaw Springs was fought September 8, 1781, during the American Revolution (1775-1783). Armies Commanders Americans Major General Nathanael Greene2,200 men British Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Stewart2,000 men Background Having won a bloody victory over American forces at the Battle of Guilford Court House on March 1781, Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis elected to turn east for Wilmington, NC as his army was short on supplies. Assessing the strategic situation, Cornwallis later decided to march north into Virginia as he believed the Carolinas could only be pacified after subjugating the more northern colony. Pursuing Cornwallis part of the way to Wilmington, Major General Nathanael Greene turned south on April 8 and moved back into South Carolina. Cornwallis was willing to let the American army go as he believed that Lord Francis Rawdons forces in South Carolina and Georgia were sufficient to contain Greene. Though Rawdon possessed around 8,000 men, they were scattered in small garrisons throughout the two colonies. Advancing into South Carolina, Greene sought to eliminate these posts and reassert American control over the backcountry. Working in conjunction with independent commanders such as Brigadier Generals Francis Marion and Thomas Sumter, American troops began capturing several minor garrisons. Though beaten by Rawdon at Hobkirks Hill on April 25, Green continued his operations. Moving to attack the British base at Ninety-Six, he laid siege on May 22. In early June, Greene learned that Rawdon was approaching from Charleston with reinforcements. After an assault on Ninety-Six failed, he was compelled to abandon the siege. The Armies Meet Though Greene had been forced to retreat, Rawdon elected to abandon Ninety-Six as part of a general withdrawal from the backcountry. As the summer progressed, both sides wilted in the regions hot weather. Suffering from ill-health, Rawdon departed in July and turned command over to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Stewart. Captured at sea, Rawdon was an unwilling witness during the Battle of the Chesapeake in September. In the wake of the failure at Ninety-Six, Greene moved his men to the cooler High Hills of Santee where he remained for six weeks. Advancing from Charleston with around 2,000 men, Stewart established a camp at Eutaw Springs approximately fifty miles northwest of the city. Resuming operations on August 22, Greene moved to Camden before turning south and advancing on Eutaw Springs. Short on food, Stewart had begun sending out foraging parties from his camp. Around 8:00 AM on September 8, one of these parties, led by Captain John Coffin, encountered an American scouting force overseen by Major John Armstrong. Retreating, Armstrong led Coffins men into an ambush where Lieutenant Colonel Light-Horse Harry Lees men captured around forty of the British troops. Advancing, the Americans also captured a large number of Stewarts foragers. As Greenes army approached Stewarts position, the British commander, now alerted to the threat, began forming his men to the west of the camp. A Back and Forth Fight Deploying his forces, Greene used a formation similar to his earlier battles. Placing his North and South Carolina militia in the front line, he supported them with Brigadier General Jethro Sumners North Carolina Continentals. Sumners command was further reinforced by Continental units from Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. The infantry was supplemented by units of cavalry and dragoons led by Lee and Lieutenant Colonels William Washington and Wade Hampton. As Greenes 2,200 men approached, Stewart directed his men to advance and attack. Standing their ground, the militia fought well and exchanged several volleys with the British regulars before yielding under a bayonet charge. As the militia began to retreat, Greene ordered Sumners men forward. Halting the British advance, they too began to waver as Stewarts men charged forward. Committing his veteran Maryland and Virginia Continentals, Greene stopped the British and soon began counterattacking. Driving the British back, the Americans were on the verge of victory when they reached the British camp. Entering the area, they elected to stop and pillage the British tents rather than continue the pursuit. As the fighting was raging, Major John Marjoribanks succeeded in turning back an American cavalry attack on the British right and captured Washington. With Greenes men preoccupied with looting, Marjoribanks shifted his men to a brick mansion just beyond the British camp. From the protection of this structure, they opened fire on the distracted Americans. Though Greenes men organized an assault on the house, they failed to carry it. Rallying his troops around the structure, Stewart counterattacked. With his forces disorganized, Greene was compelled to organize a rearguard and fall back. Retreating in good order, the Americans withdrew a short distance to the west. Remaining in the area, Greene intended to renew the fighting the next day, but wet weather prevented this. As a result, he elected to depart the vicinity. Though he held the field, Stewart believed his position was too exposed and began withdrawing to Charleston with American forces harassing his rear. Aftermath In the fighting at Eutaw Springs, Greene suffered 138 killed, 375 wounded, and 41 missing. British losses numbered 85 killed, 351 wounded, and 257 captured/missing. When members of the captured foraging party are added, the number of British captured totals around 500. Though he had won a tactical victory, Stewarts decision to withdraw to the safety of Charleston proved a strategic victory for Greene. The last major battle in the South, the aftermath of Eutaw Springs saw the British focus on maintaining enclaves on the coast while effectively surrendering the interior to American forces. While skirmishing continued, the focus of major operations shifted to Virginia where Franco-American forces won the key Battle of Yorktown the following month.

Task Environment Essay Example

Task Environment Essay Example Task Environment Paper Task Environment Paper There is an opportunity for a separate menu that should be developed; the plates should be identified on the main menu. It is very difficult for those with celiac disease to eat out when there are not many options for gluten free restaurants; this gives an opportunity to The Cheesecake Factory to increase their consumer market. 2. Shift away from fine dining (T) The shift in the market away from fine dining experienced in 2012 will continue in the upcoming years as consumers remain cost conscious. There is still no clear indication as to where the economy in general is heading. Until a change comes consumers will be focused on Perceived Value. This shift has eloped the Quick Serve Market which has led to an opportunity for them to introduce a higher end product to their menus. Taco Bell and McDonalds, for instance, have reaped the benefit of this market shift; consumers see a greater value for their money. The Cheesecake Factory can continue with a more creative, reasonable priced or multiple portion sizes menu and more attention to the hospitality of their aspects. The company is shifting away from fine dining by placing the restaurants near malls making it more casual to eat there; this can be seen as a threat, as The Cheesecake Factory has been en as a place to dine on special events, this is slowly deteriorating. 3. The economy will be in focus (T) The last three quarters of 2012 have been rough for a number of restaurants. The only bright spot has been Quick Serves. 2013 will provide much of the same, especially during the first six months of the year. We still see the industry segment growing, but only 1. 3% over inflation. Energy prices and food inflation will be the wild card on how the industry performs. If we see a spike in energy costs due to continued turmoil in the Middle East, fewer accretions spending dollars will be available for eating out. The effects of the 201 2 drought will continue to be seen during the first half of 2013. This will drive the cost of protein and other staples to new heights. This is a threat to The Cheesecake Factory since their biggest problem is comparable store sales- the company reported a come increase of 2. 7% and although this figure is above many of its competitors, the 2. 7% is composed of a 1. % increase in traffic and 1% in checks; but the company had increased menu prices b 1. 9% during the final quarter of 2012 which indicates that the average check declined . 9%. This is due to the inflation; management stated a continued increase in prices to keep up with inflation. 4. Effort in taking care of the kids (O) For the last six years, we have stressed the impor tance of taking care of the kids and improving the menu options for this important age group. The Gene Y group is starting to mature and have children. They will not stop eating out because of this. It will be even more important to cater to this group. American Demographics Magazine states that married couples with children Penn an average of 44% more at restaurants than those without children. Happy kids mean happy parents. This is an opportunity for The Cheesecake Factory to provide a fun and unique selection of foods for the kids. The company is targeting a female audience that shops at the mall, these consumers will bring along their kids who will want something healthy yet fun for the children. 5. Commodity Prices will result in food inflation (T) The severe drought of 2012 will continue to affect almost all food costs, especially beef, well into 2013. Customers will want to see lower to flat prices u to the stagnant economy. Vendors will pass higher costs along. Restaurants will be stuck in middle. True food inflation will be over higher in January 2013 than it was at the beginning of 2012. Price increases are inevitable. Communication with The Cheesecake Factors guests will be key. This will require a hard look at their menu and design it to draw the customers to higher gross profit items. Menus will need to be updated and revised more frequently than in years past to take advantage of guest expectations. 6. The See of Social Marketing will continue to grow beyond Backbone and Twitter (O) Social media is quickly becoming the communication of choice for many of the guests. In 2012, forty-nine percent (49%) of guests under the age of 44 have used Twitter or something similar. The number of unique visitors to Twitter has increased 1,382% year after year. During the same period, Backbone usage increased 228%. These will only continue to grow and expand to alternative social sites. There is an opportunity to reduce the amount of resources the company is spending on conventional print and TV advertising, and get closer to guests by using these giggly effective social marketing tools. Although The Cheesecake Factory has a Backbone and Twitter, they are yet to create an app- this app can be used for consumers to check in while they are shopping at the mall (where the company is placing its restaurants); not only will this capture all types of demographic and marketing information but will improve customer satisfaction. The consumer will be able to check in prior to going into a Cheesecake Factory location and reserve a seat and even order their food so there is no waiting in long lines; becoming more effective. An Evolving Palate (O) According to the research firm Dichotomies, consumers are increasingly driven to try new flavors. This will expand into the fast casual segment with an emphasis on Asian flavors. The Cheesecake Factory needs to take advantage of this trend- keeping items on the menu that are specialties while enhancing the brand. There is an opportunity to offer unique tastes through seasonal menus or daily/weekly specials. A great place to start will be desserts which The Cheesecake Factory is very well known for. Marketing for these items would be often through social media sites. Encouraging The Cheesecake Factorys guest to not only try the item, but follow the company and look for the new adventurous flavors. 8. Bargaining Power of Suppliers low High levels of competition among suppliers acts to reduce prices to producers, similar critical production, large number of substitute inputs, low cost inputs and switching suppliers. (O) 9. Bargaining Power of Consumers Iow- Large number of consumers, diverse buyer choice, and product is important for consumer they end up paying more for the product. O) 10. Intensity of Existing Rivalry high- Large industry size (T) 11. Threat of Substitutes high- High level of substitutes, low level of food innovation, substitute is inferior in quality. (T) 12. Threat of New Competitors low- Economies of scale is low, new entrants have higher cost of production. (O) V. Analysis of Strategic Factors 1 . Strengths a. Strong name and popularity b. Extensive menu and bakery product offering Its menu offers around 200 items, including appetizer, pizza, pasta, seafood, steaks, salads, sandwiches, and more. The chain is best known for its 40 rarities of cheesecake and other desserts, which account for an impressive 15% of sales. Management has proved quite adept at anticipating consumers dining and taste preferences. The company updates its menu every six months, replacing 5-15 items. C. Strong Management 2. Weaknesses a. Increasing prices b. Unhealthy choices in their menu 3. Opportunities a. Ability to expand internationally b. Trend to social media marketing c. Location near or in malls Management reckons that it has not fully penetrated its existing markets.

Hill create a powerfully dramatic sense Essays

Hill create a powerfully dramatic sense Essays Hill create a powerfully dramatic sense Essay Hill create a powerfully dramatic sense Essay How does Hill create a powerfully dramatic sense of fear and tension in the crow extract? Susan Hill uses the crow extract from Im the king of the castle to create a powerful and dramatic sense of fear and tension to portray a number of points. Using examples from the text this essay will explore the relation between Edmund Hooper and the crow, how hill makes Kingship seem vulnerable, the ways Hill uses sentence structure, and the hostility of the world. Susan Hill has chosen very powerful diction to emphasize the crows violent movement and its symbolic nature ND through this she creates a strong sense of anxiousness and fear and draws parallels between Hooper and the crow. The phrase it rose up suddenly, circled overhead, and then dived is used to describe the crows violent movements. The use of the phrase circled overhead hints at the predatory nature of the crow, and suggests that Kingship is the disoriented prey and victim at this instance. It reminds us of Hopers Instinctive knowledge of Shanghais whereabouts at all times, and the crows overhead position Is reminiscent of Hopers desire to be high up, at a vantage mint at all times, ever-watchful. This Is evident In Hopers decision to choose the narrow room with a tall window. Above him, there were only the attics. Furthermore, the crows vantage position may indicate that, to Kingship, it is blocking out the light similar to Hopers malicious character overshadowing all the other problems in his life. The specific use of the diction dive connotes a very violent, vicious action and implies that the crow is a threatening creature attempting to wound Kingship, symbolizing Hopers hurtful and spiteful bullying. The crow possesses all of Hopers heartsickness: hatred, mercilessness, cruelty, persistence, deviousness, territorial obsession, and is an annalistic representation of Hooper. It is especially significant that the chosen bird Is a crow, an animal closely linked with sorcery and evil, and often depicted In myths as capable of conscious thoughts and emotion. This produces an Incredible sense of fear and tension as Hill tells the reader that Hooper will always be there, no matter where Killings goes, It dramatically highlights the Intense fear and frustration of Kingship and creates a sense of despair. It also reshows Hooper following Kingship and how Hooper might strike at Kingship again. Hills use of words and sentence structure intensifies the fear and tension the crow extract. Hill also uses a range of techniques to intensify Shanghais insecurity. This can be shown through the text, The crow dived again, and, as it rose, Kingship felt the tip of its black wing, beating against his face. He gave a sudden, dry sob. Then, his foot caught in one of the ruts and he keeled over, going down straight forwards. This passage is very effective in traumatizing Kingships anxieties because t is very visual, and the reader can see everything that happens in their minds eye. It uses lots of verbs and adverbs rather than adjectives, such as rose, and caught, which help the passage to move swiftly as It Is read. Hills sentence structure further Increases the tension and fear through the use of short sentences with a lot of commas to make teen extract very Taste Ana Intense. I Nils also noels to AAA a to teen Dull- up of the climax, which Susan Hill creates to emphasize the intense fear and frustration Kingship feels. The use of the tractor ruts in this case, is very effective, cause it results in Kingship falling flat on his face. This acts as symbolism, showing how the tractor ruts are like Kingships anxieties and phobias, because they cause his character to break down, and his self confidence to fall, like they cause him to do physically. This also creates a sense of fear and tension as Kingship is completely vulnerable and insecure and he is running away, this foreshadows that something terrible might happen as the world around him is very tough and kingship is extremely delicate. The world that Hill creates produces a massive sense f fear and tension through its hostility. Hill portrays this through the words, rough field, coarse grass and dropped sharply. These word work together to create a sense of fear as everything around Kingship seems to hurt him, and Kingship is completely vulnerable against the harsh hostility of the world. Rough and coarse indicate that the very ground that Kingship steps on hurts him, it emphasizes the fact that Kingship is completely vulnerable and powerless. At the beginning of his walk, great black shadows laid across the entrance of the copse; this foretells the tart of Shanghais hardship at Warning. This hardship is further showcased through the fields that sloped upwards, representi ng an uphill battle, a losing battle. Along his walk he kept stumbling in the ruts that had dried hard . A sense of desolation and negligence is shown through the words dried and hard, denoting Shanghais future distant relationship with his mother. Additionally, the diction struggling connotes the hardships that he will face during his time at Warning. The hostility of the world that Hill creates, produces an enormous sense of fear and tension as it ally emphasizes that Kingship is completely vulnerable and powerless, it creates tension and fear as it foreshadows that Shanghais hardships will never end and that he will forever be powerless and insecure. A multitude of reasons demonstrate crow extract in Im the king of the castle Is striking. The hostility of the world is made apparent through hills use of language and descriptions, like when Hill describes the grass as coarse, it suggests that everywhere Kingship goes, his hardships will never end. The insecure and vulnerable nature of Kingship is exemplified when Kingship alls into the rut face first and make his self confidence fall Just like his fears in his mind. The similarities between Hooper and the crow are illustrated through the thought process of Edmund Hooper and the symbolism of the crow, the infatuation with power, territorial domination and masculinity is highlighted. The overall imagery and techniques used by Hill, which range from a varying sentence structure, to the description of the hostile surrounding world and the foreshadowing of a climactic scene later on in the book, creates a powerfully dramatic sense of tension and fear.

The Digital Age Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 56

The Digital Age - Essay Example The development of email has profoundly changed modern cultures. As recently as twenty years ago the only means of communicating with other people over great distances was through time-consuming letter writing, or expensive long distance phone calls. The advent of email has greatly shortened means of communication, allowing people to remain in contact with each other for virtually no cost overextended differences. Another major contribution to modern culture is text messaging. While text messaging does not have perhaps the large-scale implications as email, it has contributed to modern culture through allowing a less formal means of communicating. Furthermore, in developing regions where the full-scale Internet is unavailable, it has allowed farmers or laborers to receive much needed daily information and entertainment. A final significant change to modern culture has emerged through social networking. Social networking has affected modern culture by allowing individuals to remain in contact with people they otherwise would never hear from. Similarly, it has allowed people to seek out diverse groups of people with similar interests. In conclusion, this essay has examined the effects of email, texting, and social networking on modern cultures. It’s demonstrated these elements have had a significant impact on modern culture through allowing individuals new forms of communication, and breaking previous barriers to establishing relationships. While many of these technologies are viewed as a sort of past-time.

Nestle Safety Training Program Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nestle Safety Training Program - Assignment Example and upgrade their safety measures in such a way that employees along with contractors and others are protected, as they add value to the company (Nestle safety and health). They are further striving to accomplish one of their main goals and that is having zero injuries and accident in regard to their workers. Currently, there are two departments working in collaboration to adhere to the company’s law regarding safety and health of their employees. The two departments are The Safety and Health Functional Leadership Team and The Safety and Health Council. The former is a group of senior safety and health professionals from across the world who meets on daily basis to pinpoint priorities and convey challenges, learning, and good practices. Similarly, the latter council consists of senior fellows from various areas of the business who adjudicate the evolution and execution of programs and provide support and resources. Moreover, the organization believes that human behavior is also one of the factors which may lead towards the occurrence of accidents and injuries; therefore, Nestle implements programs that motivate employees to converse with the peers and management about safe and at-risk behavior. To emphasize on the seriousness of health and safety measure, all executive board meeting starts with an overview of the health and safety that is why the aforementioned council is held four times in a month, which is a quarterly meeting. In addition to this, these departments have installed Nestlà © Occupational Safety & Health Management (NSMS) which strive towards improving and upgrading health and safety procedures, policies, standards, and process. Now moving towards the safety training programs, Nestle has established a roadmap for this very own purpose. Following are some of these programs which include Personal Ownership and Engagement.

Social Health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Social Health - Essay Example There is substantial evidence that shows that Americans do not attain the care they deserve despite the fact that USA spends more money per individual that any other country in the globe. The preventive care in the America’s health system is underutilized which results to a higher spending when the diseases advance to complex stages. The aspect hence questions effectiveness in the America’s health system in terms of service delivery. Similarly, the financial effectiveness of the America’s health system has been in question. The research that was carried out in the year 2009 indicates that approximately 62 percent of the entire personal bankruptcies in USA are linked with medical bills. This shows that the system is not financial effective at all (Sultz & Young, 2011). The America’s medical system has an estimate Medicare fraud of 60 billion USD annually. The fact shows how ineffective the America’s health system is. Lack of enough transformation incentives in terms of service delivery as well as strengthening infrastructure has greatly affected the America’s health system sustainability. In conclusion, the America’s health system’s effectiveness is yet to be realized (Sultz & Young, 2011). Various reasons prompted the need for health reforms especially in USA. One of the reasons is the need to address the adverse practices in the health industry such as fraud, waste and abuse. The need for provision of better health insurance coverage for all the Americans is another main reason that triggered the need for reforms. Lowering the health care costs and improving service delivery is the third reason while improving nation’s economic outlook through reducing budget deficit by improving Medicare’s sustainability is the fourth reason (Sultz & Young, 2011). The affordable care act that was enacted under the president Obama’s reign has addressed several key features. One of the key features addressed in this act is

The Nature of War and US Security Policy in the Aftermath of the Cold Essay

The Nature of War and US Security Policy in the Aftermath of the Cold War - Essay Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that as one of the most significant conflicts in modern human history, the Cold War was marked by high expectations of conflict and violence, as well as continuous detailed planning and mobilization for war by the USSR, the US, and their respective allies. Over the course of the Cold War, hegemonic relations and alliances around the US and the USSR incorporated most of the free world with both countries occupying opposite and confrontational positions on most international issues. As a result, countries in the sphere of each hegemon were always in a state of military readiness and the risk of war was ever-present. Indeed, the most bloody post-WWII wars were fought by proxies of the USSR and the US, including the Korean War and the Vietnam War. With the end of the Cold War in 1991, however, global conflicts did not decline and, in fact, there were over 115 violent conflicts reported in the first ten years of the post-Cold War period. Gray states that while some aspects of war have changed since the end of the Cold War, the objective nature of war has remained unchanged even as the subjective nature of war has changed. Deutsch also notes that war has not dissipated with the fall of the Soviet Union, but has only changed in terms of strategy and symmetry. This paper aims to show that the end of the Cold War altered the security policy of the US by replacing a conventional military adversary with a more mobile and asymmetrical adversary. Newman broadly defines the Cold War as the relationship that developed between the USSR and the US following their joint triumph against Nazi Germany in WWII. The unique nature of this relationship came to dominate international affairs for almost five decades and led to several major crises like the Hungarian revolution, the Vietnam War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Korean War, and the Soviet-Afghan War. Possibly the tensest issue was the proliferation of nuclear weap ons and other weapons of mass destruction in preparation for eventual war.

Parental Support and Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Parental Support and Education - Essay Example To excel in studies, it is not only the talent that is required. It takes a lot more things that include but are not limited to psychological health, physical health, emotional support of the parents, trust and confidence of the parents, financial support by the parents and encouragement by the parents upon achievement of goals. Children take parent’s appreciation as a reward for their hard work and feel more motivated to excel in studies and make their parents’ proud. On the other hand, when children know that their parents are indifferent to their success or failure, they are hardly left with any interest in studies. It is common for children to choose the profession of their parents. There is an intrinsic urge to follow the parents in their footsteps. This is the fundamental reason why the children of most doctors end up becoming doctors and the children of military officers also join military. Most of the children adopt their parents’ profession because they are used to the kind of life their parents have spent being associated with a certain profession. Just like a parent’s profession has a huge influence upon the selection of profession by the child, a parent’s level of education is also one of the key drivers of a child’s education. ... If the child does, he/she would not be appreciated. There are many external factors that also play an important role in the development of such a culture. People expect PhDs to educate their children to the same level. If they do not, they are not quite successful in the eyes of the society. Thus, many external and internal factors mutually work to make the children adjust their academic career in accordance with the career of the parents. Parental education is extremely important for the education of children. Educated parents are better able to understand the physical and psychological needs of their children because of the fact that they have themselves experienced the same obstacles in their time as their children do. In many conservative societies, parents still discourage their children from the use of computer because to them, computer is nothing more than a source of evil spread in the society. A vast majority of people who think in the same way are illiterate and are not at all aware of the wonders of the cyber world. These parents can not think beyond this that their child would watch porn if allowed to sit on the computer, while this is not true. A lot of children in these conservative societies take much longer to learn computer and develop sufficient competence in its operation and use as compared to the children in advanced societies with encouraging and supportive parents. In fact, the repulsive attitude towards technology cultivated in the minds of these children by their parents does not allow the children to interact with the technology the way they should for a long period of time even when they are away from their parents. In light of the points discussed in this paper, it can be concluded that parental

The Nature of War and US Security Policy in the Aftermath of the Cold Essay

The Nature of War and US Security Policy in the Aftermath of the Cold War - Essay Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that as one of the most significant conflicts in modern human history, the Cold War was marked by high expectations of conflict and violence, as well as continuous detailed planning and mobilization for war by the USSR, the US, and their respective allies. Over the course of the Cold War, hegemonic relations and alliances around the US and the USSR incorporated most of the free world with both countries occupying opposite and confrontational positions on most international issues. As a result, countries in the sphere of each hegemon were always in a state of military readiness and the risk of war was ever-present. Indeed, the most bloody post-WWII wars were fought by proxies of the USSR and the US, including the Korean War and the Vietnam War. With the end of the Cold War in 1991, however, global conflicts did not decline and, in fact, there were over 115 violent conflicts reported in the first ten years of the post-Cold War period. Gray states that while some aspects of war have changed since the end of the Cold War, the objective nature of war has remained unchanged even as the subjective nature of war has changed. Deutsch also notes that war has not dissipated with the fall of the Soviet Union, but has only changed in terms of strategy and symmetry. This paper aims to show that the end of the Cold War altered the security policy of the US by replacing a conventional military adversary with a more mobile and asymmetrical adversary. Newman broadly defines the Cold War as the relationship that developed between the USSR and the US following their joint triumph against Nazi Germany in WWII. The unique nature of this relationship came to dominate international affairs for almost five decades and led to several major crises like the Hungarian revolution, the Vietnam War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Korean War, and the Soviet-Afghan War. Possibly the tensest issue was the proliferation of nuclear weap ons and other weapons of mass destruction in preparation for eventual war.

Marketing Research Tools Paper wk 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marketing Research Tools Paper wk 3 - Essay Example On the other hand, research areas having ample and reliable data available require use of information extracted from secondary sources. According to nature of sources and research methodology, different tools are selected and used by researchers. All these tools have their own use, advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is important for researchers to ensure that research tools are selected that are suitable for the nature of research approach i.e. primary and secondary and research methodologies i.e. quantitative and qualitative. Primary research itself consists of data collection from original resources. Primary research can employ qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and there are various tools that can be used for this research approach. Usual tools used for this research includes surveys, interviews, direct observations, experimentations, and focus groups. These tools help in collecting data that is specific to the needs of researcher. Furthermore, researcher s can levy necessary controls on the research process to maintain the integrity of data collected and using it appropriately for the purpose of research (Baker, 2012). Hence, it is possible for researchers to ensure that data collected is valid and trustworthy along with being authentic and reliable. These research tools are usually time and cost consuming however due to direct relevance to the research purpose, it is preferred for areas of research that have not been explored earlier or to corroborate with existing studies (Onkvisit & Shaw, 2008). As far as secondary research is concerned, it is use of data that is already available from existing sources. The tools available for secondary research include information available on the internet, market research conducted by government and individual market research firms, data available on firms’ websites and stock exchange, information from public and private agencies, personal records and published print sources (peer-review ed papers, books and journals) (Baker, 2012). While using secondary data, it is important to ensure that the data is appropriate for the purpose of research. Relevance of data in terms of time period is another major issue that researchers need to take care of. However, sometimes use of secondary data is beneficial as it is readily available and relatively cheap (as the original research expenses have been already incurred). While performing primary and secondary research, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies can be used depending on the nature of research. While selecting a research methodology, the purpose of research and type of information required for the research is determined which further shapes the nature of research. In quantitative research, the usual tools used for primary research are surveys, financial figures produced by the entities themselves, experiments and numerical readings produced by them, statistical modeling and examination through stratificat ion and segmentation (Onkvisit & Shaw, 2008). These tools help in acquiring first hand information which is reliable, valid and objective yet expensive to acquire. For quantitative research to be performed through secondary sources, the tools used can be numeric modeling and statistical analysis. These tools are used to perform correlational analysis of data already available through print and electronic sources. Example of it can be examination of industry performance by performing statistical examination of market

The Roles Of Alfieri Essay Example for Free

The Roles Of Alfieri Essay In the play A View From The Bridge by Arthur Miller, Alfieri is a lawyer in his fifties living in Red Hook, New York. Although originating in Italy, he is now an American citizen running a small law practice in his neighbourhood. He first migrated to America at the age of twenty-five and has since been married to his wife who he now lives with. After many years of experience in living within an Americanised community, he has become accustomed to life there: now we are quite civilized, quite American, and is familiar with the ways of law and justice. Personality-wise he is good humoured, thoughtful, wise, rational and sensible, not to mention a good judge of character. In his neighbourhood he is well respected and looked up to, if not even slightly feared, however through his law practice he has already dealt with the Carbone family when he represented Eddie Carbones father in a case several years back and so was already somewhat acquainted to Eddie, recognizing him when he first came to seek his advice. Alfieri plays several roles in the play, the distinct two being as a narrator and also as an actual character interacting with the other characters. Arthur Miller intended the play to be a modern version of the Greek tragedies of yesteryear, in which there was always a chorus interacting directly with the audience by commenting on events, expressing opinions and giving relevant details. In the case of A View From The Bridge, Alfieri is the equivalent of the chorus and is the first role, which we, the audience meet at the very beginning of the play. This is when Alfieri makes a speech, introducing us to the storyline and giving us some history and background information about himself and his neighbourhood, when he says: I am a lawyer. In this neighbourhood to meet a lawyer or a priest on the street is unlucky. Were only thought of in connection with disasters. This statement explains why the people he is surrounded by are suspicious of him, seeing as many of them are immigrants, both legal and illegal, giving them reason to be afraid of and paranoid about the law. Near the end of his speech he also states: This ones name was Eddie Carbone, a longshoreman working the docks from Brooklyn bridge to the breakwater where the open sea begins. Here Alfieri introduces us to the plays main character, Eddie Carbone and again gives us background information about him. In giving this information, it saves the actual character from having to give it himself and so allows the events of the play to move promptly and without delay. Another example of when he does this is when he says: He worked on the piers when there was work, he brought home his pay, and he lived. And towards ten oclock of that night, after they had eaten, the cousins came. By saying this Alfieri once again gives details of things such as place and time and sets the scene so that the action can continue. As the narrator, another purpose for Alfieri is to prepare the audience for the unexpected by hinting about upcoming events and informing us of the inevitable. It is he who gives the audience the first sense of danger when he says: and yet every few years there is still a case and when he continues with: and watched it run its bloody course, it instantly introduces a sense of foreboding and danger and we are instantly given the impression that the unfolding events of the play will end fatally and disastrously. In fact throughout the entire play Alfieri is constantly informing us about impending occurrences: I could see every step coming, step after step, like a dark figure walking down a hall towards a certain door, and at times even hints about how the play will end: Put it out of your mind! Eddie! . In that statement, although he doesnt directly say what it is he wants Eddie to put out of his mind, it is enough information for the audience to make an informed guess that he is about to report Marco and Rodolpho to the Immigration Bureau.

Critically review recent public health policy developments

Critically review recent public health policy developments This assignment will critically review recent public health policy developments in the field of Cancer in England also it will evaluate its effectiveness and implications for public health and health promotion practice. This assignment will first briefly review the recent public health policies of England starting from Health of the Nation white paper (1992), Saving lives white paper (1999), Cancer Plan (2000) Choosing health white paper (2004) and the most recent public health policy for Cancer Cancer Reform Strategy (2007). After reviewing the recent public health policy developments for cancer in England, evaluation and implications of these policies will be discussed. From 1992 to 1997, the Health of the Nation (HOTN) strategy was the central plank of health policy in England and formed the context for the planning of services provided by the National Health Services (NHS). The HOTN policy focused on five key areas: coronary heart disease and stroke; cancer; mental illness; HIV/AIDS and sexual health; and accidents. Each area had a statement of main objectives attached to it, together with twenty seven targets across the areas. Cancer targets of the HOTN policy were to, reduce death rate for breast cancer in women invited for screening by more than 25% by 2000, reduce incidence of invasive cervical cancer by 20% by 2000, reduce death rate for lung cancer in those aged less than 75 by 30% (men) and 15% (women) by 2010, halt year on year increase in incidence of skin cancer by 2005 (Department of Health 1992). Health of the Nation white papers importance lay in the fact that it represented the first explicit attempt by government to provide a strategic approach to improve the overall health of the population. But according to the review of the HOTNs policy commissioned by Department of Health 2000, HOTNs policy failed over its five year lifespan to recognize its full potential and was handicapped from the outset by numerous flaws of both a conceptual and process type nature. Its impact on policy documents peaked as early as 1993; and, by 1997, its impact on local health policy making was negligible. The HOTNs policy was regarded as a Department of Health initiative which lacked cross-departmental commitment and ownership. At local level, it was seen as principally a health service document and lacked local government ownership. (The Health of the Nation a policy assessed 2000). The White Paper Saving Lives Our Healthier Nation was published on 6 July 1999 together with Reducing Health Inequalities: an Action Report. These two documents set out the Governments strategy for health for the next 10 years. They brought a new and important focus to the promotion of health and the prevention of ill-health. The health strategy set out in the White Paper was centred on four priority areas (cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke, accidents and mental health). Action to tackle these important areas of ill-health was set in the context of both a Government-wide agenda to address the underlying causes (through, for example, measures to combat poverty, to improve education and work opportunities, and to improve the environment including the quality of the housing stock); also through the wider public health agenda, specifically action to tackle smoking (DH 2000) The NHS Cancer Plan (2000) was the first comprehensive National cancer programme for England. It had four aims: to save more lives, to ensure people with cancer get the right professional support and care as well as the best treatments, to tackle the inequalities in health that mean unskilled workers are, twice as likely to die from cancer as professionals, to build for the future through investment in the cancer workforce, through strong research and through preparation for the genetics, revolution, so that the NHS never falls behind in cancer care again (NHS Cancer Plan 2000) . According to Department of Health (2000), for the first time this plan provided a comprehensive strategy for bringing together prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and care for cancer and the investment needed to deliver these services in terms of improved staffing, equipment, drugs, treatments and information systems. At the heart of the Plan there were three new commitments. 1) In addition to the ex isting (Smoking Kills white paper 1998) target of reducing smoking in adults from 28% to 24% by 2010, new national and local targets to address the gap between socio-economic groups in smoking rates and the resulting risks of cancer and heart disease. 2) New goals and targets was set to reduce waiting times for diagnosis and treatment of cancer so that no one should wait longer than one month from an urgent referral for suspected cancer to the beginning of treatment except for a good clinical reason or through patient choice. 3) An extra  £50 million NHS investment a year by 2004 in hospices and specialist palliative care, to improve access to these services across the country. For the first time ever, NHS investment in specialist palliative care services will match that of the voluntary sector (Cancer Plan DH 2000). There were enormous achievements since the NHS Cancer Plan 2000, like action on tobacco and the smoking ban had led to a fall in smoking rates (from 28% of the population in 1998 to 24% in 2005), amounting to 1.6 million fewer smokers. More cancers were detected through screening by National Cancer Screening Programmes for breast, bowel and cervical cancers. New screening programmes were introduced as and when they were proven to be both clinically and cost effective. Waiting times for cancer care have reduced dramatically. There had been a major increase in the use of drugs approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), to treat cancer with less variation between cancer networks. Since April 1 2009, patients undergoing treatment for cancer, including the effects of past cancer treatment, have been able to apply for a medical exemption certificate. It is expected that the new scheme will benefit up to 150,000 people already diagnosed with cancer, who might pay  £100 or more each year in prescription charges (NHS Cancer Plan DH, 2010) Although there are tremendous improvements of NHS Cancer Plan according to Department of health but according to the The Lancet Oncology editorial 2009 the NHS cancer plan for England was set up, at least in part, in reaction to data from the EUROCARE project, which showed that England cancer survival rates was lagging behind the rest of the Europe. The stated aim of the plan was: By 2010, Englands five year survival rates for cancer will compare with the best in Europe. Despite all the caveats that must be borne in mind when extrapolating from available data, and when comparing across European countries, the evidence available suggests that England is at best keeping track with improvements elsewhere, rather than closing the gap, and that the 2010 cancer target looks optimistic. Solutions to the problems of cancer are not easy, but perhaps the time has come to consider rather more fundamental changes to the NHS than are offered in the cancer plan if England is to truly offer world c lass healthcare (The Lancet Oncology 2009). According to Bosanquet et al (2008) huge amounts of money have been thrown at cancer in NHS cancer plan. The exact sum is opaque but the investment in cancer care has more than tripled over the past decade and now have approached European levels but improvements in cancer survival rates is not comparable with other European countries (Bosanquet et al, 2008). The Choosing Health White Paper was published in November 2004.   Choosing Health identified six key priority areas: tackling health inequalities, reducing the numbers of people who smoke, tackling obesity, improving sexual health, improving mental health and well-being, reducing harm and encouraging sensible drinking (Choosing Health, Department of Health 2004). Choosing health policy was particularly successful in banning the smoking in public places (Department of Health 2010). Before reviewing the most recent public health policy development for Cancer in England it is important to look at the current and past statistics of Cancer in the England. Also according to the Parkin (2006) accurate statistics on cancer occurrence and outcome are essential both for the purposes of research (into causes, prevention and treatment of cancer) and for the planning and evaluation of programmes for cancer control. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2010 UK the four most common cancers, breast, lung, colorectal and prostate accounted for more than half of the 245,300 new cases of malignant cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) registered in England in 2007. Of the total number of new cases in 2007 in England, 123,100 were in males and 122,200 in females, breast cancer accounted for 31 per cent of all cases of cancers in England among women and prostate cancer accounted for 25 per cent of all cases of cancers in England among men. Cancer is predomin antly a disease of older people as only 0.5 per cent of cases registered in 2007 in England were in children (age under 15) and 25 per cent were in people aged under 60. Between 1971 and 2007, the age-standardised incidence of cancer increased by around 21 per cent in males and 45 per cent in females in England. In each year in England over one in four people die from cancer. In England cancer accounts for 30 per cent of all deaths in males and 25 per cent of all deaths in females (ONS UK, 2010). Survival rates of cancer patients in England varies by type of cancer and, for each cancer, by a number of factors including sex, age and socio-economic status. Five-year relative survival is very low (in the range 3-16 per cent) for cancers of the pancreas, lung, oesophagus, stomach and brain for patients diagnosed in England in 2001-06, compared with ovarian cancer (39 per cent), cancers of the bladder, colon and cervix (47-64 per cent), and cancers of the prostate and breast (77-82 per c ent). In England for the majority of cancers, a higher proportion of women than men usually survives for at least five years after diagnosis. Among adults, the younger the age at diagnosis, the higher the survival for almost every cancer. In England five year survival rates for patients diagnosed between 2001-06 have improved slightly or stayed stable for 16 of the 21 most common cancers compared to the period 2000-04 (Cancer Research UK, ONS UK 2010). The most recent public health policy for cancer in England is the Cancer Reform Strategy (DH 2010). The Cancer Reform Strategy published in December 2007, builds on progress made since publication of the NHS Cancer Plan in 2000 and sets out a clear direction for cancer services. According to the document of Cancer Reform Strategy published by Department of Health (2007), it shows how by 2012 cancer services in England can be among the best in the world. It also launched three new initiatives: 1) The National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative, aimed to raise awareness of cancer symptoms among the public and health professionals and encourage those who may have symptoms to seek early attention. Almost  £5 million was allocated to the NHS to support cancer networks and primary care trusts in improving awareness of cancers and promoting early diagnosis. 2) The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative is working to improve support for the 1.63 million people currently living with and beyond cancer in England. 3) The National Equality Initiative is working to reduce inequalities in cancer care. According to the Department of health (2010) the aims of the Cancer Reform Strategy is to build on progress already made and meet remaining challenges, the government has developed this strategy to set out the next steps for delivering cancer services in England, by saving more lives through prevention of cancer whenever possible and through earlier detection and better treatment, by improving patients quality of life by ensuring services patient centred and well-coordinated and by offering choice where appropriate, increase public awareness of cancer, reduce inequalities in access to services and in service quality thereby reducing inequalities in cancer outcomes, build for the future, through education, research and workforce development, and enable cancer care to be delivered in the best place, at the right time. Prevention of cancer by screening is a most important aspect to tackle cancer. NHS Screening programmes are part of the Cancer reform strategy 2007. According to NHS Screening Programme (2010), over half of all cancers in the past could be prevented if people adopted healthy lifestyles such as: by stopping smoking, avoiding obesity, eating a healthy diet, undertaking a moderate level of physical activity, avoiding too much alcohol, and excessive exposure to sunlight. According to the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (2010), it saves up to 4,500 lives in England every year. Within the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England, women aged 25 to 49 are invited for free cervical screening every three years, and women aged 50 to 64 are invited every five years. Women over the age of 65 are invited if their previous three tests were not clear or if they have never been screened. According to the NHS Breast Screening Programme (2010), its breast screening awareness programme regarded as one of the best screening programmes in the world, saving an estimated 1,400 lives each year. 96.4 per cent of women who have had invasive breast cancer detected by screening are alive five years later. Under the NHS Breast Screening Programme, breast screening is provided every three years for all women in England aged 50 and over. Currently, women aged between 50 to 69 years are invited routinely and women over the age of 70 can request free three-yearly screening.  The eligible age range for routine breast screening will be extended further to provide nine screening rounds between 47 and 73 years. According to the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (2010), it is one of the first National bowel screening programmes in the world and the first cancer screening programme in England to include men as well as women. All men and women aged 60 to 69 are expected to be included by December 2010, meaning around 2 million men and women will be screened and an estimated 3,000 cancers detected every year. The programme will be extended from 2010 to include men and women aged 70-75 years. According to the Lancet Oncology editorial (2009), although the Governments Cancer Plan and Cancer Reform Strategy has had some impact on how long sufferers survive after diagnosis, it is still struggling to close the gap between England and other European countries. A study by Bernard Rachet et al, (2007) published in the Lancet Oncology journal also suggested that some of the improvements in cancer in England merely reflect ongoing trends in cancer cure rather than real change. There are also large variations in cancer cure and survival rates across the country, with patients in the North West of England still more likely to die earlier from the same cancer as those in the South of England. An editorial in the journal also warns that the time has come to consider more fundamental change in the NHS than the Cancer Plan and Cancer Reform Strategy offers. The study by Bernard Rachet et al, (2007) in The Lancet Oncology journal looked at survival rates for 21 common cancers, comparing the rates in England and Wales, ( in Wales a similar scheme like Cancer Plan was introduced only in 2006) most cancers showed a rise in survival rates in England compared to Wales after 2001, but there was a fall in the survival rates in England compared to Wales for bladder cancer, Hodgkins lymphoma and leukaemia (blood cancer). According to the Professor Karol Sikora, medical director of Cancer Partners UK, (Lancet Oncology 2009) that there is no striking improvement in the cancer cure rates and survival rates in England, despite the huge resources involved in the NHS cancer Plan and Cancer reform strategy, also there is still wide regional variation in survival, with deprivation still being linked to poor outcome, a factor which the plan was meant to address. Also according to Karol Sikora, access to new cancer drugs in England is also poor, the latest EU comparator (2008) shows that the use of six cancer drugs approved in the past three years is fivefold less in the UK than the EU average. According to Ciaran Devane Macmillan Cancer Support (Telegraph UK April 2010), although there are more cancer survivors in England because of both the improvements in treatment and an ageing population, but this does not show the whole picture of cancer policy of England. After once the treatment of cancer ends, many patients feel abandoned by the NHS and struggle to cope with the long-term effects of cancer, and cancer treatment. The NHS cancer policy needs to ensure all cancer patients have the support they need to manage the long term effects of cancer treatment. A recent report by National Radiotherapy Advisory Group (2007) suggests that England need a massive 90% expansion in radiotherapy provision for cancer patients. According to Crump (2009) that in England radiotherapy for cancer patients is at the same level as it was in the 1980s, with only 7% of eligible patients getting precisely targeted intensity-modulated radiotherapy. In conclusion of this assignment, although the recent public health policy developments in field of cancer have shown some success in England but there are certain areas where significant improvement is require like early detection of cancers to reduce higher incidence rates of cancer by decreasing the waiting times for patients and cancer survival rates especially when comparing to other top European countries. There is a need to change cancer policy of England to meet the real requirements of current and future cancer patients.

Sports :: essays research papers

25 million American children can not be wrong. Even though at least 20 million of these kids will suffer injury by the age of 15, only 10% of the injuries are serious enough to require more than one visit to the doctor. I have been playing baseball as well as other organized sports for almost 15 years; and in my opinion, sports develop friendship and self-esteem. I believe that coaches should take a "how-to" class on what a coach should and should not do. Injuries occur for three main reasons. First, because parents push their children past their natural ability level, thus it causes injury to the over worked body parts. Second, an accident occurs such as a turned ankle or a ball taking a bad bounce and hitting a player. The third, and most common reason, a coach teaches a player the wrong way to perform specific task. For example, when I was 12 years old, my baseball coach taught me the wrong way to throw a curve ball. After repeatedly throwing the wrong way, I tore a ligament in my right elbow. If my coach at that time, would have taken some kind of class, he would have known the proper way to teach the technique. Nevertheless, I feel that sports should greatly benefit a child's self-esteem. Competition also builds self-esteem because children grow both emotionally and physically and sports help to develop a positive view of both themselves and their athletic skills. As long as children feel that they are beneficial to the team, they are developing self-esteem because they see their personal role in the team as important to the whole cause. If a child is not athletically gifted, he can always take up a more non-competitive sport such as jogging or weight-training. This will also build self-esteem because the child can see his improvement and relate to others at the same time (Michelli and Jenkins). As well as building self-esteem, sports can help develop life-long friendships. Children form all different ethnic and religious backgrounds come together to play a game. This makes a good place for children to mingle with others of the same age. This can in turn give each child a sense of belonging and camaraderie between different races. Athletics also allow children to learn about their abilities as compared to other children of the same age. Children learn about talent that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. If I had not been involved in sports from an early age, I may have never discovered the talent that I have in baseball.

The Problems with Human Population Essay -- Carrying Capacity Humans G

The Problems with Human Population In Chapter III of The Origin of Species, Darwin writes: "Even slow-breeding man has doubled in twenty-five years, and at this rate, in a few thousand years, there would literally not be standing room for his progeny.† (Darwin 29) Three hundred years ago, the population was only at about 500 million, and during this time the population was at a slow increase. Another factor during this period of time was the birth and death rates were at much higher levels. Many babies were born, but many also died. â€Å"Living conditions were such that many of the remaining children failed to survive beyond the age of thirty.† (Black 84) The crisis of Over Population should not be a surprise to anyone, currently if you were to look at the world Pop clock, which is a counter supported by the U.S. Bureau of the Census you would find a number that has risen from 6,367,148,920. This is the amount of people on earth May 8, 2004 at 8:39:47 PM; this number is constantly rising at about 8 milli on people per month. At the present rate, the population will rise to a point that it will max out the earth’s carrying capacity leaving humans with a lack of resources and space. Soon people will have to learn to survive off artificial resources to substitute for the inability for agriculture to keep up. â€Å"In 1950 the population of the world was placed at roughly 2,400 million, the rate of growth of the world's population is greater than ever before in history, and the successive net additions, period by period, are breath-taking.† (Hertzler 9) In 1974 the United Nations held the World Population Conference at which it was determined that a solution for the crisis was needed, it was also decided that all countries would create a population policy that would attempt to help the countries deal with social, economic and cultural development. Although the United States has a large population problem to deal with of its own, underdeveloped countries hold 80 percent of the worlds population and are unable to provide methods of birth control, leaving people no choice other than abstinence. A question we are forced to ask ourselves is: Should we help fund family planning in third world countries, or should we leave them to fend for themselves when it comes to the issue of population control. Aside from third world and underdeveloped countries, modernized nations inc... ...ion Explosion and the Natural Environment." Our Crowded Planet, Essays on the Pressures of Population. Ed. Osborn, Fairfield. 1st ed. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1962. 71-79. Darwin, Charles G. "The Law of Population Increase." Our Crowded Planet, Essays on the Pressures of Population. Ed. Osborn, Fairfield. 1st ed. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1962. 29-35. Ehrlich, Paul R., and Anne H. Ehrlich. Ecoscience: Population, Resources, Environment. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman, 1977. Hardaway, Robert M. Population, Law, and the Environment. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 1994. Hertzler, J. O. The Crisis in World Population: A Sociological Examination, with Special Reference to the Underdeveloped Areas. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1956. Lee, Philip R. "The Development of Federal Policies Related to Population Problems." The 99th Hour: The Population Crisis in the United States. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1967. 84-94. Managing Planet Earth: Perspectives on Population, Ecology, and the Law. Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey, 1990. Sadik, Nafis. "World Population Continues to Rise." The Futurist Mar.-Apr. 1991: 9+. Questia. 11 May 2004.

Existing Good or Service Business Proposal Essay

The Thomas Money Service, Inc. is a consumer finance company that has been granting loans and financing since 1940. Within the first five years the company expanded its business when it began â€Å"issuing business loans, business acquisition financing, and commercial real estate loans† (University of Phoenix, 2011, p. 1). By 1946 the company expanded to include equipment financing by creating a subsidiary named Future Growth Inc. (FGI). Due to increased demand in forestry and construction equipment in 1951 FGI purchased a manufacturing company so that the company was able to offer financing as well as their own brand of construction equipment. Over the past 67 years, FGI has held a monopoly on financing and manufacturing construction equipment and has seen only increased profits year after year. FGI has also never had to lay off any of its employees. â€Å"This track record has allowed their stock to grow from $5.00 to $85.60 with stock splits from 1975 to 1998. FGI has never issued bonds, and the present stock value is $35† (University of Phoenix, 2011, p. 1). Unfortunately, with the current economic downturns, natural disasters, and a decline in new-home sales, profits for FGI began to decline by 30% from the previous year. Due to the decline in production, the company was forced to layoff a third of their employees. Even with the current drop in new-home sales, there is still the opportunity for demand to increase as the economy becomes healthy again. Below the author will discuss how to increase revenue. Increase revenue FGI has many opportunities to increase revenue. Increasing revenue is not only dependent on the sales price of the product but also on what the companies expenses include. The company will need to re-evaluate the way it spends money and determine how to reduce outgoing costs. The first step FGI should take is to review its vendor list and communicate with the vendor to  determine the best way to reduce costs while saving the vendor money as well. FGI could request that all parts and supplies be purchased in bulk to cut down on freight charges as well as reach out to other businesses in the area to purchase supplies from the same vendor together. They would share the cost of freight, which would reduce the expense for both companies. Advertising is another expense that FGI needs to focus on. Currently FGI has cut back on its advertising efforts and has decided to only advertise during sporting events. This might not be a productive advertising strategy. It would be more lucrative to advertise in several venues such as direct mail, newspapers, and telephone books. This strategy will get the company name and services to a broader area of customers. Another expense is employee hours, schedules, and benefits that could use an overhaul. Currently FGI was forced to layoff a third of its workforce. The company needs to determine the best way to keep its employees while still saving money for the company. Department heads will need to review and re-evaluate employee schedules and hours to ensure that they are using the employee hours effectively. By re-scheduling and reducing employee hours, FGI will be able to save even more revenue. Benefits are also an expense that is offered by the company, but the company is not required to offer them to its employees. FGI should review and determine if it can continue to offer all of the benefits it currently does. If necessary, FGI could reduce 401k matching, reduce or stop employee bonuses and parties, and finally re-negotiate with insurance companies to find a more cost effective insurance package for the employees. Finally, the most effective way to ensure an increase in revenue is to cut t he sales price of the equipment. The chart below shows that the lower the price, the higher the demand. If FGI were to decrease its prices they would increase sales. Communicating with vendors, upping advertising, re-structuring employee hours and benefits, and cutting prices are all successful ways to increase revenue. Another aspect of increasing revenue that FGI needs to  consider is the spending power of its customers. The economy of the United States is currently on the down turn again, heading back into a recession. The credit market conditions are not very strong; the current unemployment rate is unchanged at 9.1% according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The fact that the unemployment rate has had no change means that the economy has not changed. There are no new jobs, which affect the construction industry. People cannot afford to build homes and they cannot apply for loans because their credit history is not strong enough. There is a silver lining for construction companies and equipment companies such as FGI. In 2009, the government created the 2009 Stimulus Package, which included â€Å"$131 billion allocated for construction-related spending† (The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2011, para 1). This stimulus allows for construction companies to bid for upcoming transportation construction jobs. Construction companies will need to upgrade their equipment to newer more efficient equipment that can handle the new workload and conditions. FGI will need to take advantage of the influx in construction equipment purchases by advertising and offering discounts and rebates to all new and current customers. Maximize Profit The concept of marginal cost and marginal revenue is used to determine how much it will cost to produce one more piece of equipment. â€Å"Companies typically look to reach a production equilibrium where marginal cost and marginal revenue are equal. At this point, the company will maximize its profit† (Vitez, 2003-2011). If an imbalance were to occur on either marginal costs or marginal revenue there will be inefficiencies with production. There is a possibility that it could cost the company more to produce the extra piece of equipment than it would profit from. According to Huter â€Å"The quantity that maximizes profit is where marginal profit shifts from positive to negative† (1999-2011). To determine the profit-maximizing quantity it is necessary to know the price, variable costs, marginal revenue, and quantity ordered. Looking at the chart above it is clear that the company is making money off of the maximum of 12 orders. If the order demand were to go from 12 to 13, there is the possibility that it would cost the company more to produce that many than they are able to charge for all 13. With that in mind, the  profit-maximizing quantity would be 13. Suggested Mix of Pricing and Non-Pricing Strategies FGI is no longer the only equipment manufacturing company for customers to choose from. In order for FGI to stay competitive, the company must include a mix of pricing and non-pricing strategies. Non-pricing strategies would include advertising the company as well as any discounts, financing, and warranties the company has to offer. Pricing strategies could include low-interest financing, longer payment terms, warranties, and product bundling. Product bundling could simply state that if a customer not only orders the equipment through FGI but also finances the purchase than they will receive a discount on the total price. According to the Wall Street Journal, â€Å"the Labor Department’s snapshot of the August jobs landscape, cuts in the public sector entirely offset the private sector’s gain of 17,000 positions. Figures from earlier months were lowered, due largely to deeper cuts by government. The unemployment rate remained at 9.1% but is likely to move higher in coming months amid the lackluster pace of job creation†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Reddy, 2011, para 4). Due to the possible economic downturn, FGI must consider a radical change in policy to stay competitive and on top of the market for construction manufacturing equipment. This radical change would be to offer customers the opportunity to rent or lease the construction equipment instead of purchasing it out right. Leasing construction equipment will allow construction companies to save money and will allow FGI to earn income and stand out among its competition. Create or Increase Barriers to Entry It can be difficult to create or increase barriers to entry when there is already competition in place. A few things that FGI could do to increase barriers to entry is to offer customers something that is totally different from the competition. Making the customers want to only purchase from FGI. Those differences would include the ability of the customer to rent the construction equipment for the duration of their contract and increase customer service. Increasing customer service would include offering the customers more options to contact FGI. FGI will need to utilize technology  such as the Internet, Websites, email communication, and QR codes, which allows customers to access company information and discounts. Increase Product Differentiation Product differentiation includes pricing and non-pricing strategies as well as increasing barriers to entry. FGI will need to make their construction equipment stand out from its competitors. In order to stand out, FGI will need to make changes to how it advertises its product, increase offers customers who purchase the equipment, and make the customers experience with FGI unique. Customers want to be excited about spending money, FGI should make their shopping experience exciting and rewarding. Customers who are happy about their purchases will spread the word to other potential customers who will then decide to purchase from FGI over other construction equipment companies. Other Ways to Minimize Costs A few ways to minimize costs for the product includes reducing the amount of employees, which FGI recently did. One way to minimize costs is for FGI to lease their manufacturing centers and financial offices instead of purchasing the buildings. Leasing will reduce costs to FGI because the owner of the buildings will need to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the building and grounds. Reducing spending on supplies and manufacturing equipment is another way to minimize costs. The issue with reducing spending on supplies and is that the supplies could potentially be inferior products which would then make the products that FGI sells inferior. FGI will need to determine if the quality of their product is worth risking so that the company can reduce the cost of producing the equipment. International Trade International trade is beneficial to both the United States and foreign countries because it is the exchange of goods between both countries. â€Å"Trading globally gives consumers and countries the opportunity to be exposed to goods and services not available in their own countries† (Heakal, 2003, para 4). International trade can affect and is affected by each nations political issues. A current example is the Greek economic bail out. The Greek economy is currently in need of another debt bailout to hopefully  turn its economy around. The affect that the European bailout of Greece could have on the United States is that Europe will have less money to spend on American goods, which will then cause trade to decrease. â€Å"If a full default occurred, other troubled countries, notably Spain and Portugal, could also follow suit, leading to a wave of defaults that would severely affect the European zone and could send shockwaves all the way to Wall Street† (Katrandjian, 2011, para 13). As the Global Economy stands now, international trade has not been affected significantly. There is the possibility of international trade being affected if the European economy doesn’t stabilize. With that in mind FGI must consider how the international economy will affect the overhaul of FGI’s current marketing structure. FGI will need to make its products more lucrative for foreign companies to purchase. FGI would need to create a special package offer to foreign companies that includes special incentives such as discounts, extended warranties, and shorter lead times. Conclusion FGI has been a successful company since 1940. With the recent economic hardships and additional competition, FGI has determined that they need to re-evaluate their current marketing and product strategies. To increase profit and market value, FGI will need to revamp their spending, marketing, employee hours and benefits, and reduce the cost of their product. Another aspect of business that FGI needs to focus on is the marginal costs and marginal revenue to maximize profits so that they are not producing too much product that will end up costing them more than it is sold for. FGI has the opportunity to re-strategies their pricing and incentives to draw in more customers as well as increase blocking more companies from entering the construction equipment manufacturing industry. With the current credit markets being at an all time low, FGI will need to adjust their production and extended forecast to meet the potential decrease in sales. The 2009 Stimulus Package offers hope to FGI that sales will increase due to the government projected construction improvements on all Freeways and Highways throughout the country. Reference: Katrandjian, O., (2011) Greek Debt Bailout Could Affect the U.S. Economy. Retrieved September 5, 2011 from http://abcnews.go.com/Business/greek-debt-bailout-affect-us-economy/story?id=13879426 Heakal, R., (2003) What is International Trade? Retrieved September 5, 2011 from http://www.investopedia.com/articles/03/112503.asp#ixzz1X6dCaTuv Huter, S., (1999-2011) How to Calculate the Profit Maximizing Quantity. Retrieved August 20, 2011 from http://www.ehow.com/how_6713701_calculate-profit_maximizing-quantity.html Reddy, S., (2011) Job Growth Grinds to a Halt. Retrieved September 4, 2011 from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904583204576546220157206548.html The McGraw-Hill Companies (2011) Construction Stimulus Special Section. Retrieved September 4, 2011 from http://construction.com/stimulus/market_sectors/ University of Phoenix, (2011). Thomas Money Service Inc. Scenario [Computer Software]. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, Simulation, ECO561 website. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2011) Employment Situation Summary. Retrieved September 4 , 2011 from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm Vitez, O., (2003-2011) What Is the Relationship Between Marginal Cost and Marginal Revenue? Retrieved August 21, 2011 from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-relationship-between-marginal-cost-and-marginal-revenue.htm