Monday, September 30, 2019

Lines of Color, Sex, and Service: Sexual Coercion in the Early Republic by Sharon Block Essay

â€Å"Lines of Color, Sex, and Service: Sexual Coercion in the Early Republic† by Sharon Block is based on two women who were mistreated by their masters. Rachel Davis, a white woman, was a servant to William and Becky Cress when she was 14-years-old. Harriet Jacobs, an enslaved black woman, was a slave in James and Mary Norcom’s household. When the women reached ages 15 and 16, both their masters made sexual overtures to them, in which the women had to try and over power. Becky Cress, William’s wife and Mary Norcom, James’ wife were women who could not control their husband’s actions. Since both Becky and Mary suspected that their husbands were having a sexual relationship with their servant, they insisted that the servant left the house immediately. Even though Rachel and Harriet were removed from their master’s household, their masters continued to visit them at their new home trying to have sex with them. When Mary had Harriet sleep with her so her husband could not and so she could â€Å"protect† Harriet, Harriet said, â€Å"she whispered in my ear, as though it was her husband who was speaking to me, and listened to hear what I would answer. (140) When Mary confronted her husband about the issue, he did not stop his sexual overtures. After Becky heard William trying to kiss Rachel in the cellar, Rachel said, â€Å"she had caught him & he wd deceive her no longer, but William denied any wrongdoing and Becky left in tears. These verbal confrontations apparently did not alter William’s behavior; he continued to force himself sexually upon Rachel. † (140) These two wives show that they had no power over their husband. They confronted their husbands about the situation and all they did was deny their behaviors, which lead to Becky and Mary not undertaking any actions to put their husband’s sexual overtures to an end. If Becky and Mary really wanted their husband’s sexual relationship with their servant to end, why didn’t they remove their husband from the house? Or why didn’t they just divorce their husband? This shows how men over powered women during this time by talking their way out of dilemmas and how women did not have the courage to stand up for themselves and prove that they are right and their husband are wrong. By Rachel Davis being a white woman she had more of an opportunity to over power her master than Harriet Jacobs. â€Å"The master of the white servant was sent to prison, while the black slave imprisoned herself to escape her abuser. † (136) â€Å"In 1807, Rachel’s father found out what had occurred and initiated a rape prosecution against William, who was found guilty and sentenced to ten years in prison. † (136) Since Rachel had her father’s support and also because she was white she was very fortunate that her master ended up in jail. Even though Rachel and Harriet’s rape incidents by their masters were very similar, â€Å"enslaved women ordinarily did not have access to the protection offered by a patriarchal figure. † (143) This is unfair to Harriet because she doesn’t get the local legal system to form a criminal prosecution like they did for Rachel because she is black. Harriet also went through rougher times than Rachel. Rachel was demanded out of the household right when her mistress suspected the sexual relationship. For Harriet, Mary demanded that she left the house when she found out Harriet was pregnant. Harriet had to do this so she could get away from her master and show her mistress that what her husband was doing to her was factual. Harriet didn’t have anyone to help her end her master’s sexual overtures on her, she had to became a runaway slave, and hide in her free grandmother’s attic. Even though both the masters treated Rachel and Harriet the same way, Harriet’s grandmother could not help her lead to legal intervention like Rachel’s father did for her. During this time, women were treated with no respect just as if they were nothing, especially the black women.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Human’s Identity in a Globalized World

Salomon Djakpa Professor Ralph Satterthwaite English 14-001 17 March 2013 Human’s Identity in a Globalized World Globalization has become a highly debated concept around the world. Globalization can be simply understood as â€Å"a process of  global economical, political and cultural integration† (thefreedictionary. com). Today the world has become global and integral and all of its major parts are completely interconnected like in a tiny village. Globalization is an everyday process that brings a cultural unification and changes people’s psychology.Globalization is happening almost everywhere in the world and having various impacts on people. It is a process that is bringing the world smaller and smaller and also imposing a change on people’s cultural level. People’s identity is changing because of globalization. Globalization has made the world we are living today more complex and culturally pluralized. Many people migrate to new places and are forced to adopt a new culture. However, their traditions might not fade away because they will always be part of their identity.Certain people believe that there is a connection between globalization and Americanization. However, in his essay â€Å"Globalization vs. Americanization†, Andrew Lam argues that there is a difference between globalization and Americanization even though it is sometimes hard to make that distinction. His essay interprets the divergences among cultures in the twenty-first century and how living in this century has blurred those distinctions. In his essay, Lam uses his own life experience to tell how globalization has changed his behaviors, thoughts and feelings.He believes that â€Å"man’s identity is in conflict† as a result of globalization. Many people often migrate to a new place and their identity becomes disturbed as a result of this dislocation. I believe Lam’s assertion can be true and totally agree with it because people can tend to follow their own culture as well as their new culture. Andrew Lam argues that â€Å"man’s identity is in conflict† as a result of globalization because of how it changed and disturbed people’s identity. Although someone’s identity is very precious and memorable, it can be hreatened at any time because of globalization. Lam stated: To want to be rooted is a deep human desire, of course, but to be displaced and uprooted, alas, is a human condition — Man's fate. All over the world, people are moving from language to language, from culture to culture, sensibility to sensibility, negotiating across time zones and continents. It's a world that resists simplification. Man's identity is in conflict, has become both the cause of pain and fear for some and the source of enormous inspiration for others. I am inclined, of course, to be on the side of the latter. (par. 13)Lam is trying to show us that an individual’s traditions, background, foundation and culture define him and to want to stay attached to his roots is a profound desire. However, your condition can alter at any time and lead you to move out of your place. All over the globe, people are switching accent, adopting a new culture and having new customs. These transformations are taking place in today’s globalized world. Lam is also arguing that some people fear changing their identity while it is just a stimulus for others. The world is becoming more sophisticated and complex but less manageable.Furthermore, to support his claim, Andrew Lam demonstrates how the growing towns of ethnic enclaves are proliferating in America. They are rapidly changing the American culture. These homogenous and culturally distinct societies are challenging the old ideas of the melting pot and integration. He explains the concept of this pluralistic society that emerged because of globalization. He also maintains that globalization has created a new man with a talent and the ability to overcome contradictory identities by creating new interactions between them.A new man able to hold contradictory ideas and resist the xenophobic and fundamentalistic views. Someone able to see the world with its many ranges at the same time. Andrew Lam is a result of globalization. He grew up to be a patriotic citizen of South Vietnam. He followed his culture’s tradition and promised that he would protect his homeland, but later he had to migrate overseas to build a completely different life. As Lam noted, â€Å"Yesterday my inheritance was simple–the sacred rice fields and rivers that defined who I was† (par. 6).The country Lam was from defined him and his cultural traditions. He grew up to become a rice farmer like the past generation but after migrating to a new country his identity changed. This was his identity before the global transformation of migration. He was only connected to the people who were in Vietnam but after travelling abroad he became aware that he had so many friends and relatives who lived in different countries. His identity is today bound up with multiple communities. He learned about aspects his friends had that were different from his.My own life experiences made me agree with Lam’s position. I migrated to the United States in search of the American dream. Traveling from Africa to America, which once required months at sea, now only takes hours in the air. All of this is because of the process of globalization. Today my identity is bound with a new community. I can honestly say my identity is changing because my tongue is slowly switching to the American language; I have slowly adopted the American culture. However, I follow my own culture as well.Due to migration, I have to learn a second language as well as a new culture. However, I still manage to speak French, my first language. Today I have this deep belief in the American dream and also that miracles are real and one day there will be n o more crime or violence. Migrating to this new country has showed me different perspectives of the world and varieties of teachings and moral support. My changing identity, new beliefs and my life as an immigrant are all experiences that make me accept Lam’s assertion.Globalization is one of the most contested concepts around the world and it has such a great impact on selves. Andrew Lam interprets in his essay globalization and its major effects on people’s identity. He clarifies that â€Å"man’s identity is in conflict† because of globalization. He was himself a result of globalization after being affected by the global transformation of migration. He saw his behaviors, thoughts and feelings changing rapidly after moving. His pluralized identity is one reason that makes him feel that man’s identity is in danger.I totally agree with Lam’s opinion because of my life experiences and how globalization has had a great impact on me. I really th ink globalization has today transformed people’s identity in many ways. Many people migrate to new places and are likely to follow their culture as well as their new culture. Globalization has given people new traditions, perspectives of the world and customs. In today’s globalized world, identity has become more conflicting than ever. Work Cited Lam, Andrew. â€Å"Globalization vs. Americanization. † AlterNet. (2004): 2. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Witchcraft in the 17th Century Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Witchcraft in the 17th Century - Essay Example Many women owned property and operated farms and businesses in competition with their male neighbors. Disputes arose, especially after a husband died and left property to his widow.† (Wilson, 78) This period of history was marked by politico-religious turmoil too. The gender politics that began as a reaction to women’s economic empowerment got mixed with bigotry. Hence, women were now much more likely than men to be accused of witchcraft and tortured that way. The events like the Salem Witch Trials (1692) manifested as an orgy of violence, mainly targeted against women. The policymakers were then frightened to witness the mass hysteria associated with the power of the Puritans. Hence, banning this practice became a legislative imperative. Hence an effort to make the politico-legal system of America more even-handed towards women began which continued even during the 19th century as has been pointed out by Gretchen. As shown in the film ‘The Crucible’, in rel ation to the Salem Witch Trials, Nilan has pointed out, â€Å"Nineteen villagers were hung as witches, four died in prison and one was pressed to death.† This sort of superstitious terror inevitably led to policy reforms and prohibition. 2. Which one of the following do you think were the main two winners and which were the main two losers in England’s Glorious Revolution of 1689, and how and why did the Revolution lead to an expansion of the British Parliament’s policy of Salutary Neglect toward its American possessions? Parties involved: British Monarchy, British Parliament, Church of England, Protestant Dissenters, and Catholics. Answer: The Glorious Revolution of 1689 in England was an event of tremendous importance in the history of not only Europe but also America. The revolution although strengthened the Parliament and democracy, it also encouraged discrimination against Catholics. The main winners: 1. British Parliament: By inviting the William of Orange to invade England, the British Parliament ensured the partnership of the superior Dutch naval fleet. After deposing King James II, the Parliament now did not give much power to the new monarch William III (the William of Orange). Instead, it began to increase its power more and more as it levied maritime advantage by the merger of English and Dutch fleets. 2. Protestant Dissenters: Members from both the Tories and the Whigs united under the common umbrella of Protestant reaction against a possible Catholic Monarchy, and they ultimately established a parliamentary system that strongly favored the Protestants. In this way, Protestants prevailed. The main losers: 1. British Monarchy: Since King James II was deposed, not only the possibility of a Catholic dynasty was destroyed but also the very institution of the Monarchy itself began to decline rapidly under the pressure of the British Parliament. 2. Catholics: Protestants were the majority in the British Parliament after the events o f 1689. They eradicated the Catholics from the political system. Thousands of Catholics lost power and property in the subsequent decades.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Has the National Literacy Hour Affected Childrens Desire to Read for Essay

Has the National Literacy Hour Affected Childrens Desire to Read for Pleasure - Essay Example This result of this paper will provide ample information to the teachers and educational policy makers regarding the effective facilitation of the national literacy hour program. This will make them reevaluate the current scenario in their respective schools and see if they are still providing efficient and effective learning undertaking to the primary school students. This paper will also prove beneficial to all other aspiring teachers. With the information presented in his study, aspiring teachers will be enlightened as to the proper ways of handling and/or managing the primary classes and in following with the national literacy hour program. They will be given enough idea on which effective ways to use on various classroom situations. They will acquire valuable techniques on how to maintain the best possible educational outcome for the students. Lastly, this research study will surely be beneficial to other interested researchers. If the topic will be on educational outcomes and/or educational system, this paper is a good starting point or basis to conducting their own research undertaking related to the national literacy hour program. More so, the said national literacy hour program would require extra time in the school curriculum. Thus there is a need for more time resources to facilitate the required learning for the pupils. Extra hand may also be required because for the proper handling and management of group discussions of the pupils.,

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Annotated Bibliography Practice Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Practice - Annotated Bibliography Example The article presents multinomial logit as the most comprehensible technique although it requires stringent assumptions that may be deemed inapt. According to this publication, discovering parameters that direct to attainment in diverse paths that scholars pursue necessitate statistical approaches deemed appropriate for variables bearing multiple categories. Selection of the right tool that would be required to model the presented data is vital to personal comprehension of the meaning of success. In accordance to the article, the parameters utilized in the model have a foundation on Tinto’s conjecture of student persistence. The data sample provided for the study is substantial to offer accurate outcomes concerning students’ success. The novel meaning of attainment serves as the dependent variable in order to prevent bias of the study. However, several independent variables are incorporated into the model. The methodology offered for the study is effective for several models, considering some of these models have offered consistent results. However, some models offer blind outcomes since they have numerous limitations that may influence the last results. According to the article, academic preparation and performance have considerable influence on various independent variables. The study has numerous limitations and determining parameters to include offers substantial bias to the offered results. The author of this article offers outcomes of seven-year case study concerning an instructor who commenced his career with no official pre-service instructor’s edification. In accordance to the article, the author utilizes biographical research technique to present data on how the educator utilized individual resources and confidence obtained through partaking in Teach for America. The article discusses inferences for current instructor training and function of

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Why was the scopes trial important and what do you believe schools Essay

Why was the scopes trial important and what do you believe schools should teach today about the subject Explain your reasoning - Essay Example In addition, the trial revealed the conflicting sides of America to unparalleled American people in the form of fascinating drama that was experienced through radio communication (Elliot 203). The trial was a huge controversy that unfortunately surrounded teaching evolution in the school setting. Apart from the importance it served in the American history, some of its ideas can still be taught in schools. The major argument put across by the ACLU stated that it is prejudice for schools to teach solely the creation theories. However, I believe creation science should be taught in schools because; by definition, a liberal education requires any issue being aired fully, meaning that truth from any source need not to be feared. Basing on another academic reason, creation science in Scopes trial should be taught because academic freedom allows a teacher to present any view he or she believes is essential to clarify a

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT TERM PAPER Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT TERM PAPER - Essay Example Although external factors have played a very crucial role in the current situation of GM Europe, still, the internal strengths of the company like recognition, state support, global operations, U.S. leadership and many others are making the company capable to avoid the threats of closure. The report also shows that the current opportunities in European market such as demands of fuel-efficient, small cars and green cars are some of the unexplored opportunities for GM Europe. The internal and external factor analysis shows that company is less responding to threats and opportunities than its average ability however, it is efficiently responding towards its strengths and weaknesses. The SPACE analysis shows that in consideration to the current position of GM Europe, company should adopt conservative strategies such as product development, market penetration. Such strategies will help the company to remain consistent in its revenues and to grow its market shares. During the last year, GM Europe has been planning different strategies however, finally in February 2010; the restructuring plan of the company has been announced. The report critically analyses all different alternatives presented by GM Europe throughout the year. Finally, selling the percentage of Opel Shares, downsizing, bottom cost cutting, development of green and fuel efficient cars have been considered as the most appropriate strategies for GM Europe. This report also shows the three years projections of GM Europe and it has been highlighted that in 2010 revenues of the company will go in negative, however, breakeven profit is expected in 2011 and positive profit is expected in 2012. The market shares of the company will also grow during this period and costs such as manufacturing costs, fuel costs will be reduced because they are the major parts of restructuring plan. Therefore, GM Europe survival is

Monday, September 23, 2019

Discussion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 57

Discussion - Assignment Example Another primary rule of delegation that was violated is with regard to the fact that the charge nurse did not choose the right person to delegate to. Instead of checking to ensure that the individual had prior training or was capable of performing such a task, the charge nurse instead merely demanded that it be done with no further instructions. This created a hostile environment in which further questions or seeking out advice was stunted (True et al., 2014). In terms of how the unlicensed staff member could have advocated for herself, it would be necessary for this individual to make a clear and demonstrable assertion that as she was unlicensed, it would be not only against the law but potentially harmful to the patient for her to perform such a task. Finally, in the event that this author were working with the charge nurse, it would be necessary to say calmly that you would be more than happy to help in another way. However, performing the duty in question would be a violation of the law and could land both of you in trouble; as the individual does not have requisite training on the matter. True, G., Stewart, G., Lampman, M., Pelak, M., & Solimeo, S. (2014). Teamwork and Delegation in Medical Homes: Primary Care Staff Perspectives in the Veterans Health Administration.  Inflammopharmacology,  29632-639.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Research Assignment Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Assignment - Research Paper Example Nevertheless sometime the terms negotiating and bargaining are employed to depict the same process. The primary purpose of collective bargaining is to reach a conclusion of an issue. Some of the major subjects on which collective bargaining takes place are higher pay packages, more leaves, increase in the number of employees for a particular job, to improve the condition of working, demand for additional facilities, rules and regulations pertaining to hiring and firing, promotion of workers, procedures of lodging complaints, safety within the workplace and about the different policies of the organization. Sometime unions also demand for shorter working hours (Beaumont 43). On the other hand collective bargaining agreement can be defined as the agreement in written form between the union and the employer. It reflects the terms and conditions, rights, responsibilities and the privileges of the employers (â€Å"The Collective Bargaining Process†). Such bargaining agreements or th e union contracts last for a period of one to five years. However the most common period is of three years. A collective bargaining mainly follows an eight step approach. The approaches are preparing, arguing, signaling, proposing, packaging, bargaining, closing and agreeing. In the context of United States whenever an agreement is reached by the process of collective bargaining, the conditions of that contract are written down into a legally enforceable bargaining agreement or a union contract. In order to provide a real life example of collective bargaining, authentic electronic sources have been used. It was about the registered nurses of Tufts Medical Center. The nurses were the members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association. They bargained with the management regarding the staffing changes for facilitating better care of the patients, appointment of extra nurses during busy hours (â€Å"Real-Life Examples of Collective Bargaining†). After the negotiations they have been able to ratify the contract in the year 2011. Hence it was a successful collective bargaining. Works Cited Beaumont, Phil B. Safety at Work and the Unions. London: Routledge, 1983. Print. â€Å"The Collective Bargaining Process.† Ilocarib. n.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sep. 2012. . â€Å"Real-Life Examples of Collective Bargaining.† collectivebargainingfacts. AFL-CIO., 2011. Web. 24 Sep. 2012. . Question 2) List and discuss three U.S. laws that support collective bargaining, and three examples of employer unfair labor practices. Also discuss the laws. Solution The three U.S. laws that support collection bargaining between the employee representatives and the employers are the Labor-Management Relations Act, 1947; National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), 1935; and Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, 1959. The three unfair labor practices include sacking a union supporter, discrimination against the employees based on various factors, threatening the employees on taking up union activities. The laws are discussed below:- Labor-Management Relations Act, 1947: - The labor management relations Act of 1947 is also known as Taft-Hartley Act. It was an amendment of NLRA act of 1932. The Princeton university website highlights that the act was passes in the year 1947. The

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Masks of Eternity Essay Example for Free

Masks of Eternity Essay In the episode Masks of Eternity, Joseph Campbell explains the godliness of self. He explains ideas about the past versus the present and the common ways of thinking that have changed the way messages are viewed and interpreted. He goes over the ideas of the inner Christ, the significance of the circle, and peak experiences. Campbell speaks of an inner Christ in all people. It is not a connection to God, but a oneness with him; meaning that you become a part of God. He explains it as the difference of an individual life, meaning the life of the person, and the all encompassing life, meaning the life that turns the world and all other things. He tells of finding it through meditation, finding that center of yourself that can feel a connection to the life around you and the realization that all things are connected and caused by one another. Campbell interprets the things he was taught as a child, about the angel and the demon on either side of him, as the urges that push our decisions in one direction or the other. These energies, he says, come from the different organs of the body. Each needs something different, and the urges that arise are about what is needed most. Campbell also speaks of the significance of the circle. Each culture has some form of importance in the shape of the circle. He talks about the way Native Americans built their villages in the shape of a circle, the way Aztecs made a circular calendar, and the way that each culture put itself in the center of that circle. He talks about ancient cultures believing that everything generates around a specific point, orbiting around it. Campbell also speaks of time going in a circle. In ancient times, it was seen as a reoccurring aspect of life, summer, fall, winter, spring. All things ended and began anew in a pattern. Now, though, time is seen as a straight line. Clocks make us realize that time is flowing past and will never come again. Before, death was looked at as a rebirth; now it is simply looked at as the end. Peak experiences, as Campbell explains, are moments where you can feel the harmony of being alive. For him, it was a race in Colombia. He said he could feel that he was going to win the race, not even because he was winning, but because he could feel it within himself. He explains peak experiences as being in a state of mind that allows you to see your outer most limits and obtain your maximum potential. He goes on to say that not all peak experiences are physical. Some can simply be a thought or realization that changes your outlook on life or solving a problem. Some peak experiences are not the highest points of your life. A life can have many peak experiences as long as you feel that you are at one with yourself and what you are accomplishing. Personally, I understand the inner Christ, not as a connection to the life around us, but a working understanding of the path God has set out for us. I can understand the ideas behind this belief in the inner Christ and the idea that Jesus may have found his inner connection with life, but I do not agree with it. I believe that The feeling they are referring to is the feeling that comes with following Gods path, whether you know him as your savior or not. The idea of the circle on the other hand, I can understand completely. Time feels like it is flowing by without slowing, but there is always the chance of next time. Next time Ill get that raise; next time Ill win; next time I will do better. Time isnt a perfect circle to me, but neither is it a straight line. It is a looping flow, cork screwing back onto itself. My peak realization in life so far was the creation of an art piece in high school. I was working on a drawing of a tree, creating every painstaking detail, and all the tim e, I knew that I was going to be proud of it; that I was going to get it right. I felt accomplished without having yet accomplishing anything. To this day, I can look at no other piece I have finished and count it as my best.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Product Life Cycle Theory By Vernon Economics Essay

Product Life Cycle Theory By Vernon Economics Essay Vernons international product life cycle theory (1996) is based on the experience of the U.S. market. At that time, Vernon observed and found that a large proportion of the worlds new products came from the U.S. for most of the 20th century. It was concluded that U.S. was the first to introduce technological driver products. Vernon theory was used to explain certain types of foreign direct investment made by the U.S. companies after the Second World War in the manufacturing industry. The U.S. has become a major importer of many of the goods that had once developed, produced and exported. Vernons international product life cycle is used to attempt to explain why this happened. According to Vernon, in the first stage the U.S. transnational companies create new innovative products for local consumption and export the surplus in order to serve also the foreign markets. According to the theory of production cycle, after the Second World War in Europe has increased demand for manufactured products like those proposed in USA. Thus, America firms began to export, having the advantage of technology on international competitors. In the first stage of production cycle, manufacturers have an advantage by possessing new technologies. However at these early stages of production, the products were not standardized as the nature of the goods has implications such as price elasticity, the communication throughout the industry and also the location of the product itself. As the product starts to mature, the conditions also start to change. A certain degree of standardization takes place and the demand of the products appeared elsewhere. As demand has increased, overseas markets were imitating those products at a cheaper labour and overall cost. The U.S. firms were forced to perform production facilities on the local markets to maintain their market shares in those areas. Consequently the U.S. exports were limited. As the markets in the U.S. and these other developed countries mature, the product became standardized. The developments of the life cycle were once again changed. There were more demand and cheaper labour costs from overseas countries, the pricing became the main competitive tool and cost became more of an issue than previously. The producers internationally based in advanced countries then had the opportunity to export back to U.S. This has led to the undeveloped countries offering competitive advantage for the location of production and finally they became exporters. This evidence suggests that the more a product is standardized; the location of production is more likely to change. At the same time there is also evidence that unstandardized products will maintain their location in more phosphorus location. This also explains; between 1950 to 1970 there were certain types of investments in Europe Western made by U.S. companies. There were areas where Americans have not possessed the technological advantage and foreign direct investments were made during that period. To resume, Raymond Vernon believes that there are four stages of production cycle: Introduction Growth Maturity Decline And the location of production depends on the stage of the cycle. Stage 1: Introduction New products are introduced to meet local needs, and new products are first exported to similar countries i.e. countries with similar needs, preferences and incomes. Stage 2: Growth A copy product is produced elsewhere and introduced in the home country to capture growth in the home market. This moves production to other countries, usually on the basis of cost of production. Stage 3: Maturity The industry contracts and concentrates and the lowest cost producer will win. Stage4: Decline Poor countries constitute the only markets for the product. Therefore almost all declining products are produced in LDCs. Vernons product life cycle model can explain both trade and FDI. By adding a time dimension to the theory of monopolistic advantage, the product life cycle model can explain a firms shift from exporting to FDI. Initially a firm when innovate a product, it produces at home enjoying its monopolistic advantage in the export market, thus specializes and exports. Once the product becomes standardized in its growth product phase, the firm may tend to invest abroad and export from there to retain its monopoly power. The rivals from the home country may also follow to invest in the same foreign countrys oligopolistic market. Vernons theory implies that overtime the main exporter may change from exporter to importer. This leads to the low cost producers becoming exporters. One weakness of this theory can be that Vernons view is ethnocentric. It can also be said that many new products are now produced in advanced economies such as Japan. Globalization means that there is more dispersed and simultaneous production of comparative advantage. The final weakness of this theory is that this study was carried out in the 60s. The worlds trading importing and exporting has changed immensely over the years.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

The signifigance of Fishing in The Sun Also Rises :: essays research papers fc

Escaping the Wasteland   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The fishing trip within Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises provides a pilgrimage of rejuvenation to the novel’s participating characters, Jake Barnes and Bill Gorton. Escaping the wasteland that is Paris, the two men â€Å"shove off,† (Hemingway, VIII), to Burguete, Spain, where they fish for trout on the Irati River.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The protagonist and narrator of the novel, Jake was left impotent from an injury incurred while serving with the Italian Front in World War 1. His inability to consummate his love for the insatiable Brett Ashley, and the sterile social backdrop of Paris provide a striking similarity to the Arthurian Fisher King motif of a man generatively impaired, and his kingdom thusly sterile. Bill Gorton, an amicable ally of Jake, and one of the few morally sound characters in the novel, serves as Galahad, gently kidding Jake about his injury, promoting self-acceptance and healing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hemingway often depicts nature as a pastoral paradise within the novel, and the fishing trip serves as his epitome of such, entirely free from the corruptions of city life and women. Doing away with modern modes of transportation, they walk many miles gladly to reach the Irati River. While fishing, Jake and Bill are able to communicate freely with each other, unbound by the social confines of American and European society. The men also enjoy the camaraderie of English Veteran, Harris. This is quite different from the competitive relationships that can develop between men in the presence of women. Bill is able to express his fondness for Jake openly without it â€Å"mean[ing] [he] was a faggot,† (VIII), and Jake has no qualms over his fish being smaller than Bill’s, in what could be interpreted as an admission of lesser sexual virility.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The fresh air of Burguete provides clarity of mind beyond the scope of the Parisian lifestyle and it is evident within Hemingway’s prose and style. Jake’s diligence and dedication to each of the steps involved in fishing are indicative of his separation from his life and the woes that constitute it. Throughout the novel, Jake has a shrewd, practical outlook on life that is omitted here. His focus and attentiveness reveal the sensitive, reflective man that Jake is, free of inhibition. His thoughts undulating like gentle waves, Jake uses worms for bait as opposed to a fly, so he can peacefully drop his line and contemplate life instead of concentrating on the constant casting and jerking inherent to fly fishing.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight :: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Lines 1372-1453 from The Norton Anthology of English Literature Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written in the fourteenth century by an anonymous poet who was a contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer. The story was originally written in a Northern dialect. It tells the story of Sir Gawain's first adventure as a knight. This section of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight pertains to the agreement between Bercilak de Hautdesert, the host, and Gawain. Bercilak is to go hunting in the morning, while Gawain sleeps. Upon the return of Bercilak from his hunting trip, he is to give to Gawain all that he has caught. In return, Gawain is to return all that he has won in his "hunt." They make this bargain three times, at the end of each day. The segment begins with Bercilak showing Gawain the fruits of his hunting trip. Gawain returns the fruits of his "hunt" by bestowing on Bercilak a kiss. The source of the kiss given to Gawain remains anonymous. However, Gawain is not aware that Bercilak knows exactly where and from whom Gawain has received his gift. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight consists of three hunts, three temptations, and three different animals. It is not by accident that the first day's hunt is for deer. The deer represents the innocence and purity of Gawain as a knight. The lengthy and detailed description of the hunt and the capture of the deer serve to emphasize the symbolism of the deer. The even more detailed description of the slaughter and butchering of the meat further emphasizes the symbolism. It can be inferred that the butchering of the deer is similar to the fate that awaits Gawain when he meets with the Green Knight. The next day's hunt is for a wild boar. The fierce animal is symbolic of Gawain's reactions to the increasing advances from Bercilak's wife. The boar is fierce and much more difficult to catch and kill, just as Gawain is steady in his resistance to temptation. Bercilak is aware that Gawain is resistant to all temptation at this point. Gawain is true to his reputation of a chivalrous, worthy knight. The third day's hunt is for the wily and cunning fox. This is symbolic of the clever way that Gawain resists temptation. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight :: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Lines 1372-1453 from The Norton Anthology of English Literature Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written in the fourteenth century by an anonymous poet who was a contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer. The story was originally written in a Northern dialect. It tells the story of Sir Gawain's first adventure as a knight. This section of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight pertains to the agreement between Bercilak de Hautdesert, the host, and Gawain. Bercilak is to go hunting in the morning, while Gawain sleeps. Upon the return of Bercilak from his hunting trip, he is to give to Gawain all that he has caught. In return, Gawain is to return all that he has won in his "hunt." They make this bargain three times, at the end of each day. The segment begins with Bercilak showing Gawain the fruits of his hunting trip. Gawain returns the fruits of his "hunt" by bestowing on Bercilak a kiss. The source of the kiss given to Gawain remains anonymous. However, Gawain is not aware that Bercilak knows exactly where and from whom Gawain has received his gift. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight consists of three hunts, three temptations, and three different animals. It is not by accident that the first day's hunt is for deer. The deer represents the innocence and purity of Gawain as a knight. The lengthy and detailed description of the hunt and the capture of the deer serve to emphasize the symbolism of the deer. The even more detailed description of the slaughter and butchering of the meat further emphasizes the symbolism. It can be inferred that the butchering of the deer is similar to the fate that awaits Gawain when he meets with the Green Knight. The next day's hunt is for a wild boar. The fierce animal is symbolic of Gawain's reactions to the increasing advances from Bercilak's wife. The boar is fierce and much more difficult to catch and kill, just as Gawain is steady in his resistance to temptation. Bercilak is aware that Gawain is resistant to all temptation at this point. Gawain is true to his reputation of a chivalrous, worthy knight. The third day's hunt is for the wily and cunning fox. This is symbolic of the clever way that Gawain resists temptation.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Food Fight Essay -- Health Culture Nutrition Essays

Food Fight In America, one would be hard pressed to find a town which did not support at least one McDonald’s, Burger King or Wendy’s. Pizza parlors are a necessity in college towns. Ice cream shops are abuzz with customers of all ages after dark. And hey, who ever heard of a movie without popcorn? The increasing visibility and importance of food in our culture has been a phenomenon. Food began as a necessity of life. It was the source of energy, which allowed the body to grow and prosper, and for hunters and gatheerrs to survive. In modern times, the role of food in everyday life has taken on a life of its own, from the blue-ribbon palate pleasers tickling taste buds to political statements drawn in chocolate to social drinking. The resulting uses of food are as diverse as the different foods it encompasses and as inseparable from a person’s daily life as breathing. How can something so simple as energy-intake convey have become such a large and varied part of everyday life? Food as a family affair is largely determined by the family’s lifestyle; conversely, knowing a family’s eating patterns says a lot about their lifestyle. Sitcoms portray meals as a leisurely occasion for the family to sit down together to enjoy savory foods fresh from the oven, which the loving wife has been tending for the past two hours. Then reality sinks in. The increasing popularity of TV dinners, microwave gourmet, and prepackaged snacks caters to a family without the time for such luxury. Why cook when you can heat up a frozen entrà ©e of teriyaki beef or homestyle apple pie in just four minutes? As the tendency for both spouses to be employed full-time has increased from 33% of families in 1972 to 67% in 1998, according to the National Data... ...heir lives before they can begin to conquer the problems which have arisen from it. As food has become increasingly available, society has found new ways of playing with it, spinning out brand loyalty, hobbies, programming and cults dedicated to food. Before people embrace these new food novelties, however, they must first as a culture establish the terms of their new relationships with food. Only then can we both enjoy the delights of the kitchens without destroying our health and self-image in the process. Sources Cited foodies.com forfoodies.com Eric Schossler's Fast Food Nation (2001) â€Å"Body Image Statistics† womensissues.about.com/cs/bodyimage/a/bodyimagestats.htm â€Å"Overweight and Obesity Fact Sheet† www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_adolescents.htm â€Å"The Emerging 21st entury† cloud9.norc.uchicago.edu/dlib/sc-42.htm.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Retirement plans

Abstract A good retirement plan should be one that would provide retirees with the most benefits. These benefits should ideally provide tax advantages. Tax savings can be realized in the short run or in the long run depending on the type of scheme selected. It should also provide a secure investment that offers attractive returns. This paper looks into the retirement programs highlighting the advantages of these schemes to different players. This paper opines that despite the few disadvantages of these schemes, They provide an great avenue through which employees can plan their futur. Definition These are a programs established by employer or employee or both aimed at providing the retirees with a source of income when they are no longer in employment. Retirement plans basically are set up as a form of savings plan to cater for the future i.e. by providing some form of income when a person has retired. Types of retirement plans There are several retirement plans available in the market today. The employees should therefore select a plan that meets their expectation and suits their needs. Below is a list and explanation of some of the available retirement plans. i) Individual Retirement Accounts plans It is one of the simplest retirement programs that can be set by an individual. It is also worthwhile to note that IRAs be established by employers. Therefore IRAs can be established with little employers’ involvement to those that they establish and contribute to the scheme. The retirement benefits depend on the contributions and subsequently the income earned by these funds. There are four IRA plans Payroll Deduction IRA- formed by the employee either under traditional or Roth IRA in conjunction with a financial institution. The financial institution (banks, insurance companies) then deducts the contributions towards the plan under the authority of the employee. Traditional IRA contributions are partly or wholly tax deductible and therefore present tax savings to the employee. The other advantage is that the earnings on the plan are not taxed unless distributed. The same applies to the contributions to the plan. Roth IRA deductions are not tax deductible and also distributions are not part of the income (Internal Revenue Service 2008) Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SARSEP) – It is a simple plan that involves salary reduction agreement which enables the employers to contribute to the IRAs set by them and also to the employees IRAs. There contributions are subject to a limit. Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP)-Employers contribute towards the plan Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE IRA) – employers make contributions towards their own retirement plan and also that of the employees. The employees reduce their salaries with the employers making similar contributions. ii) IRC 401 (K) Plans. Can involve employees delaying their salaries and these money is taken to 401(k) plan supported by their employers. The deferred salary is not taxed unless distributed. The benefit of having a 401(k) plan is that one can have other plans as well The employee/employer contribution is subject to a limit with withdrawals being permitted but subject to taxes. iii) TRC 403(b)-Tax sheltered Annuity Plans This plan are operated by public schools and certain tax exempt organizations. This plan is same as 401(k) in the sense that contributions are in form of salary delays with the employers sponsoring the plan. The potential benefits of this plan are that the contributions and earnings on retirement are tax deferred with annuities being carried by the employee on retirement or change of employers (IRS: 2008) iv) IRC 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans Established by state or local government or tax exempt organization under IRA (501(c). Employees or employers contribute to the plan through salary reductions up to a certain set limit under IRC 402(g) These plans can be eligible under IRC 457 (b) or illegible under IRC 457(f). Eligible plan allows tax deferral on contributions and earnings on the retirement funds (Ryterband &Alpem: 2005) v) Designated Roth Accounts in 401(k) or 403(b) plans 401(k) and 403(b) can be designated as Roth plans since 2006. These plans are allowed under Code section 402 A added by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act 2001. Designated Roth contributions are included in the gross income and are also elective. A designated Roth account is where with contributions is made with separate accounting of contributions, gains and losses being maintained (IRS 2008) Designated Roth contributions are subject to limit with employee and employers contributing up to certain determinable limit. Advantages and Disadvantages of good retirement plan As discussed above, there are different types of retirement plans that employees and employers can chose from. The plan to be selected should provide the most benefits to both the employer and employee and most importantly suit the needs of both the employee and employers (Scotto, D., J et al: 2008) Therefore, in discussing the advantages and disadvantages of retirement plans, it important to approach it from the employees and employers point view. Advantages-Employees Tax saving-A good retirement plan should be able to provide the most tax savings and advantages. Tax advantages can be in the form of tax-exempt and tax deferrals. A good number of retirement plans offer these tax advantages and therefore employees and employers can select a plan that meets their needs (Maddock J, 2007) The tax savings can be realized in the short run or in the long run depending on the type of scheme selected. Many investment options and opportunities-The contributions (funding) to the retirement plan are invested in various investment options. A good retirement plan should therefore put the money in investments that offer attractive returns while at the same time safeguarding the investor’s money. Retirement plans are long term in nature and therefore the contributions should be invested in the long term also (Perlinger Financial Services: 2008) Provides a ‘nest egg’-Retirement plans provide employees with an opportunity to slowly but constantly contribute towards their retirement. The benefit of this arrangement is that it does not strain the employees financially and thus they are able to make contribution which they are comfortable with. All these contributions are invested in stocks, bonds and other investment opportunities which earn interest and appreciate in value and therefore the retirement benefits will accumulate and become substantial upon retirement. Employer contributions-Contribution to the retirement benefits plan can be by an individual or by the company or both depending on the type of plan. A good retirement benefit plan should allow both contribution of employee and employer. The employer contributions are usually elective in nature. Contributions by both employer and employee ensure that the fund accumulates faster and thus on retirement the fund will be huge. Performance of the fund-The contributors to the retirement scheme should be able to monitor the performance of the fund. A good retirement benefits plan should provide regular updates on the performance of the fund so that any surplus or deficit can be appropriately dealt with. Advantages- Employer Employee retention-A good retirement plan can act as an incentive to the employees and also attract better employees. The company can retain its top employees by offering them a good retirement scheme and since it is for the long term, the company is able to retain them. The company is also able to attract employees who are better qualified in terms of experience and skills and thus the company will benefit (Business Owners Toolkit: 2008) Financial security of employees-Employees is able to perform optimally if they know that their financial future is guaranteed.   A retirement benefit plan that provides this perceived financial security is good Employee morale-Since most pension schemes are based on the salary earned by the employee, a good retirement plan therefore, serves to motivate and encourage all employees to work hard and hence earn more wages. Higher salaries subsequently means ‘handsome’ retirement package and this enhances staff morale. Tax savings-The contributions to the retirement scheme in most plans is tax allowable and this provides the company with the most tax efficient way of rewarding its employees. The contributions are deducted when calculating the taxable income. Reduced recruitment costs-As seen above, a good retirement plan helps the company retain most of its employees and therefore the costs associated with recruitment and replacing the employees who left the company is minimized (Perlinger Financial Services:2008) Disadvantages of retirement plans Despite all the numerous advantages of setting up a retirement plan, there are several disadvantages associated with it. Some of these are discussed below. Some of the retirement plans are time consuming, expensive and complex to set up. The result of this is that the company incurs extra expenses and thereby squeezing the profit margins. The complexities in establishing the plan will also present more costs apart from being time consuming (Business Owners Toolkit: 2008) The operations of the retirement plan needs professional expertise e.g. that of actuaries and accountant. These professionals offer their services at a fee which is usually expensive. The administrative costs of running a retirement plan may pose a challenge to the company in terms of extra costs. Early retirement by the employee could reduce the amount received. This in essence means that the employee has to work his full employment term in order to receive all his retirement benefits. This could mean being trapped in employment even if one is not comfortable. Joining a retirement plan late on in one’s employment i.e. when there are a few years till retirement may not accumulate a large amount enough to sustain the retiree. Therefore the retirement plan will not improve the financial security of the employee (Scotto, D., J et al: 2008) In some of the retirement plans, the contributor has no role in deciding where to invest the fund’s money. This means that the money could be invested in assets that are not in line with one’s investment strategies. This essentially means that the contributor has no control of his money. Employees are responsible for ensuring that they have enough savings for their retirement in some of the plans. This means that the employee is the one in charge of all the investment assets and therefore bears the responsibility of any losses incurred by these investments. Reference: Maddock, J (2007) Advantages of Offering a Pension Plan to Your Employees: Retrieved On 29/1/2009 Perlinger Financial Services Ltd (2008) Pension Plans: Retrieved on 29/1/2008 Internal Revenue Service (2008) Types of Retirement Plans: Retrieved On 29/1/2008 Business Owners Toolkit (2008) Pros and Cons of Retirement Plans: Retrieved On 29/1/2008 From http://www.toolkit.com/small_business_guide/sbg.aspx?nid=P05_4640 Scotto, D., J.   Maglio, V., T. & Maglio, M. (2008) Choosing a retirement plan that meets the needs of employees and employer: Retrieved on 29/1/2008 from Retrieved On From http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=2333 Chang RuthenBerg and Long Pc (2003) Types of Retirement Plans retrieved on 29/1/2008 from  Ã‚   http://www.seethebenefits.com/CRLframeset800x600.asp?targetPage=http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:AO6rPS-WpS4J:www.seethebenefits.com/content/CWHY/typesretireplans.htm%20types%20of%20retirement%20plans Ryterand, D., J. & L. Alpem, R., L. (2005). The Hand Book of Employee Benefits: Design Funding and Administration, section 457, Deferred compensation plans 6th Edition (NY) Mc Graw-Hill Professional.         

Management and Illustrations Pearson Education Essay

This workbook will support you in achieving all aspects of your Apprenticeship framework. This section will help you prepare for the ? rst visit by your assessor, and forms part of the induction to your Apprenticeship. In this section you will ? nd an activity to help you prepare and gather evidence for your assessment related to this topic: 1. Preparing for a Level 3 Apprenticeship Some of the evidence you will be asked to provide will be assessed both through documents and tasks that you have completed in your work and by direct observation. You might be observed by your assessor when you are working. Your supervisor or other colleagues can also observe you at work and complete a witness statement to give to your assessor. These observations should be of real work activities and not simulated tasks. If you are recorded while you are working, you may have to get permission from any colleagues present during the recording. The tasks in this Workbook will provide further evidence for all aspects of your framework. You will also take part in professional discussions with your assessor during the visit. Your assessor may want to discuss your progress with your workplace supervisor, so your supervisor will need to know the planned date of the visit. Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 1 1 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 3 Business & Administration 1 1. PREPARING FOR A LEVEL 3 APPRENTICESHIP As a Business & Administration Level 3 apprentice, you will play an important support role at work. You will be handling day-to-day activities in an of? ce setting within a business organisation. You could, for example, be working in a public sector organisation, a charity, a newspaper or in an of?ce in a retail setting. The exact nature of your job will depend upon your employer. However, it is likely that you will be helping the business run smoothly by doing tasks such as typing up meeting documents, handling spreadsheets, and dealing with incoming and outgoing post for the organisation. Ef? cient admininstration helps a business run smoothly. The tasks in this section of the Workbook will help you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of your Apprenticeship. You will explore the components of the Apprenticeship, the strategies for assessment and the importance of the Apprenticeship agreement. This will help you to develop an individual learning plan (ILP), which will be reviewed on each assessor visit in a meeting you have with your tutor and your supervisor. 2 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 3 Business & Administration KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The tasks that follow will require you to study the Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship framework. You will look at the components of the framework and explain why they are important and how they will be assessed. You will also explore the purpose and usefulness of the Apprenticeship agreement. WorkSkills Unit 1: 1. 1, 1. 2 1 Task 1a Each Apprenticeship has its own framework. The Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship is made up of four elements. These are: †¢ employment rights and responsibilities †¢ competence-based element †¢ knowledge-based element †¢ Key or Functional Skills. Complete the table on page 4 to show the quali? cations that make up each element of your Apprenticeship. State the types of evidence you will need to gather. Entries for the ? rst element of the framework have been provided as an example. Once you have done this, develop strategies you could use to gather evidence for each element and suggest ways you could prepare for any tests in Functional Skills or Key Skills, and in the BTEC certi? cate. Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 3 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 3 Business & Administration 1 Element Employment rights and responsibilities Quali? cation Why it is important WorkSkills for It helps me to settle into my job Apprenticeships and the Apprenticeship and to understand important aspects of being employed. It helps me to assess my time management, learning and personal skills to ensure that I successfully complete my framework. It will help me to think creatively, enquire independently and solve problems. I will look at employment rights and responsibilities, current employment legislation and conditions of service. I’ll examine the role of the trades unions. I will also study con? ict situations and learn the steps to take where there is evidence of bullying or discrimination, and ? nd out about sources of support and advice both in and outside work. I will learn the skills needed to lead a team and the roles and responsibilities of a team leader. Types of evidence Completion of tasks and exercises in my Workbook. Performance evidence, such as observation record and witness testimonies from my supervisor and other colleagues. Work documents, such as contract, job description, payslip, and information about projects that I have worked on. Professional discussions with my assessor. Competencebased element NVQ It will enable me to provide a service level to internal and external customers whilst taking into consideration company expectations/standards and the company code of conduct. Witness statements from my line manager an other colleagues, Planning tools such as flow charts and work plans, Diary pages, Action plans and checklists, e-mails memos and letters. Knowledgebased element BTEC It will help me to understand how Completion of tasks in my to prioritize tasks and produce a workbook and Professional sufficient standard of work. Enable discussions with my assessor. me to understand the requirements of internal and external customers whilst maintaining budgetary requirements. Key or Functional Skills. Functional Skills are to ensure that you have a good level of job supporting skills in English maths and ICT. Assessment through examination. 4 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 3 Business & Administration WorkSkills Unit 1: 1. 3 Task 1b The Apprenticeship agreement is a contract entered into between an employer and an apprentice and the Apprenticeship training provider. When you started your Apprenticeship you would have signed an Apprenticeship agreement. The main points that must be covered in this agreement have been set out in legislation. Describe the purpose of the Apprenticeship agreement. Ensure that you cover all the main aspects of the agreement. 1 Agreeing the programme – Business Administration Level 3. Setting out the aims of the programme – to acquire a nationally recognized qualification in a structured programme of work based training. Defining the Training Process – Initial assessment, Individual learning log, Assessment carried out by qualified training and assessment co-ordinators and standards verified by internal and external verifiers/moderators. Monitoring progress, At any time requested plus a formal review, Progress file continually kept up to date. Terms and conditions. Types of training including mentors. Agreed workplace training course. Employment contract and terms and conditions in like with the company policies and employment legislation. Health & Safety – Company or college? Disciplinary principles and procedures – Company or college? Assessment appeals procedure. Preston College will provide me with a competent trainer who is able to offer me the learning, teaching support the relevant work based training, assessment, monitoring and reviews required to enable me to gain the level 3 qualification also offer me an individual work plan and programme which will be validated by the awarding body. I will comply with the terms and conditions set by both my employer and Preston College including attending work and set training sessions with my teacher, whilst working through all the units set in my own time, I will present my portfolio and work assignments for verification as requested. This agreement is to protect all parties involved, the signing of the learning agreement is to show that all parties understand what is required of them throughout the duration of the NVQ training process. WorkSkills Unit 1: 2. 1, 2. 2, 2. 3; Unit 7: 1. 1, 1. 2, 1. 4, 1. 6 PLTS SM: 1, 2, 3 Task 1c You will be required to develop an individual learning plan (ILP) as part of the induction visit. To be prepared for this, you will need to understand progression routes that are available to you and be able to set goals for completion of your framework. It is important to negotiate realistic targets to be included in your ILP. Good targets are ones that meet the SMART test. SMART targets are: †¢ Speci? c – they say exactly what you intend to do †¢ Measurable – you can prove you have reached them †¢ Achievable – they are not beyond your reach †¢ Realistic – you will have access to all the resources you will need to achieve them †¢ Time-related – you have set a deadline for completion. Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 5. BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 3 Business & Administration 1 Prepare notes on: †¢ the importance of meeting deadlines at work and in learning †¢ the importance of being organised. Being organised is key to meeting targets and deadlines, if you are not organised things can easily be missed resulting in deadlines being missed, when carrying out duties that have a deadline if a person is prepared and well organised the actual task will run a lot smoother resulting in the deadline being more likely to be made if not achieved before the deadline arrives. Organisation within the workplace is key for a healthy running business if a workload is organised it is a lot clearer what the objectives of the task are and how far they have been completed. It is important to have deadlines for tasks to keep business’s running, if no one had a deadline people are more likely to have a more relaxed attitude to completing tasks and workloads thus slowing down the productivity of the business. Then review your development needs and prepare some notes setting out: †¢ your skills and learning requirements †¢ your learning goals. I have been employed by various companies over a 12 year period mainly in administrative rolls but each business has had a variety of different administration needs, there have been customer based, reception based, retail based, admin for a single department and admin for several departments within the business, whilst I do find it beneficial to have a broad knowledge of administration skills most of my abilities are either a basic knowledge or abilities I have developed myself, I would like this course to improve the skills I have already acquired and improve my ability and standard of what I am currently capable of as well as learning new skills to develop my current profession to a very high standard. My goals are to complete the level 3 to a high standard, gain further knowledge of administration & business skills to broaden my capabilities and to be able to give a better work based performance on a day to day basis. 6 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 3 Business & Administration Finally, produce targets that you can discuss with your assessor when you meet to ? nalise your individual learning plan. These should be SMART targets, with each having clear deadlines for when they should be achieved. They should relate to: †¢ learning to be undertaken for the completion of the Apprenticeship framework †¢ managing commitments at work and in personal life while on the Apprenticeship †¢ contingency planning for learning not being completed on time. 1 I plan to complete the NVQ with a 17 month period giving myself a month per section, so I can take my time to fully absorb all information required to complete my NVQ to a high standard, to achieve this I plan to spend four hours a week of my personal time, 2 hours on research and planning and 2 hours on practical, written and presentation work, I plan to use any other free time I have in my own time to make sure I am progressing forward at a timely manor which fits in with my out of work commitments, I also plan to use any spare time I may have during working hours to achieve this. As the course must be completed in 24 months I feel that my plan for completion within 17 months gives enough time for any difficulties or unforeseen circumstances I may come across. When you have agreed your plan with your assessor, you should use your targets to check your progress. Remember to ask your assessor on each visit to sign off any targets that you have achieved and completed on time in your individual learning plan (ILP). Do this on every visit. WorkSkills Unit 1: 3. 1, 3. 2 Unit 2: 3. 1, 3. 2, 3. 3 Task 1d When deciding on progression routes, you can look at moving vertically – by going up your career path step by step – or you can move laterally – by looking to see what other careers are open to you at the same level. Administrators develop transferable skills and can ? nd jobs in many different organisations and sectors. You could also go on to further learning in full-time education. Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 7 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 3 Business & Administration 1 To complete the ? nal section of your individual learning plan, you will need to look at possible progression routes following successful completion of your Apprenticeship. In advance of your assessor’s visit, ? rst research useful sources of information on progression routes. These should cover information on further training and education as well as jobs and careers. List the most useful sources of information here. EducationCollege, adult learning – Various college websites Open University – www. open. ac.uk Full time Education through college or university – Various college and university websites TrainingIn house company training – Line Manager /HR Department Outsourced training such as day / week courses with companies such as Hemsley Fraser or GBS Corporate Training – www. hemsleyfraser. co. uk/ & www. gbscorporate. com/. CareerIn house job shadowing – Line Manager /HR Department Applying for in house promotion Applying for a similar role with better progression opportunities – www. gov. uk/jobsearch Use these sources to identify the occupational opportunities in administration and related sectors that particularly appeal to you. Compare the progression routes that you could take to access these opportunities. Administration can relate to many sectors of a business, personally I like that my current role involves admin for most of our departments as it offers a day to day variation, it also gives a broad knowledge of skills required for each department as the duties are not all the same, the variation offers the opportunity to undergo many different day / week courses to gain more knowledge of a particular department which could lead to a preferred area of the business, you could therefore concentrate on gaining knowledge for that department by job shadowing and taking more intense courses such as adult learning and further education to develop the skills to progress to a higher level in your chosen area of business. 8 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 3 Business & Administration Finally, make a note of your preferred career pathway. You should be prepared to discuss your choice when you meet with your assessor. To help you prepare for this meeting, use the space below to set out the steps required to achieve your career ambitions. 1. I personally would like to continue with my career as I feel full time education is not right for me, I would like to continue in my current role for the next approximately 2 years to acquire all the skills I feel I would need to progress, I would then like to look at team leader / junior management positions within the office / administration environment looking after a small team as I feel this would be a natural progression route, once secure in a junior management role I would like to take a further education course such as NVQ level 4 and also job shadowing to gain the skill required for a higher management position. BTEC Unit 9: 1. 1, 1. 2, 1. 3, 1. 4, 1. 5, 1. 6, 2. 1, 2. 2 WorkSkills Unit 4: 1. 1, 1. 2, 1. 3, 1. 4, 2. 1, 2. 2, 2. 3, 2. 4, 3. 1, 3. 2, 3. 3, 3. 4. PROFESSIONAL DISCUSSION Your assessor will conduct a professional discussion with you that will capture evidence necessary to prove your level of knowledge and understanding of relevant topics. Some topic areas you will need to consider when preparing for the professional discussion include: †¢ employment rights †¢ the responsibilities of the employer and the employees †¢ agreed ways of working in your organisation †¢ health, safety and security in the business environment. Your assessor will plan the content of your professional discussion and will offer advice to help you to prepare beforehand. The professional discussion may cover more than the topics considered in this section of your Workbook. Original text and illustrations  ©. Pearson Education Limited, 2011 9 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 3 Business & Administration 1 Discussion process The questioning process will offer you the opportunity to show your knowledge and understanding of employment rights and responsibilities and to assess your own performance at work. To prepare for this discussion, you should think about how you could answer the type of questions that might be asked. †¢ What is the purpose of a contract of employment? †¢ What terms and conditions are included on your own contract? †¢ What are the main areas of legislation that affect employees and employers? †¢ What are the main employer and employee responsibilities in relation to equality, diversity and discrimination? †¢ Why is it important to ensure that equality and diversity procedures are followed? †¢ What are your employer’s responsibilities for ensuring health, safety and security where you work? †¢ What are your health and safety responsibilities? Why must you comply with health, safety and security procedures? †¢ Where would you ? nd out about employment rights and responsibilities? What are the main sources of information at work, and what are the useful sources of information outside your organisation? †¢ What are the purpose, function and responsibilities of representative bodies that support employees? †¢ What procedures would you follow in the event of a grievance? †¢ What personal information must you keep up to date with your employer? †¢ What are your agreed ways of working? †¢ What information is contained in your pay statement? †¢ What are the main areas of public concern relevant to the sector in which your organisation operates? †¢ How have these concerns altered public views about the sector? 10 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Beauty is not caused. It is. (Emily Dickinson)

Numerous documents and articles criticize and downplay physical beauty. Credible, educated sources encouraging physical beauty are few and far between. Society fetishly discredits standards and beliefs Marilyn Monroe established. Media reporters emphasize Marilyn wore a size 16. By today’s standards, a size 16 is obese. These reports fail to inform audiences a size 16 at that time is comparable to a size 3 today. Health warnings accompany hair bleaching, tanning, and weight control. Political influences attempt to change opinions regarding physical beauty.Political correctness regarding physical beauty standards controls words used by the media. Words used by the media have no impact on reality. Looks do matter. Physical attractiveness and weight management opens realities regarding career, relationships, luck, court decisions, and better health care. Physical appearances determine first impressions. Vision senses override audible senses. Political influences imply obesity is socially acceptable. An overweight person gives the impression of increased risk for injuries and insurance claims in the workplace.Before job applicants say the first words, an unchangeable opinion formed in the interviewers mind. Political correctness portrayed by media reporters or women’s groups does not change perceptions of an obese person. Blonds attract more attention, therefore more customers. People seeking potential dates or marriage partners gives priority to their identity, not research. Individuals are perceived by the appearance of his or her mate. Personal priorities determine individual opinions of physical beauty. Contradiction describing physical beauty is everywhere.Career objectives, goals of attracting certain marriage partners, and other life decisions determine which research and statistics regarding physical attractiveness accepted. External physical appearances visually display personal lifestyle choices. People who prioritize excellent or improved h ealth disregard research stating extra body weight is healthier than being thin. Proportionate weight results from selecting healthy food choices and participation in effective cardio exercise. People walking around with 12% body fat and visible muscles live a significantly different lifestyle than someone weighing 115 pounds.Athletic people avoid restaurants, eat clean foods, and organize his or her life around exercise and proper nutrition. Someone concerned with weight management and general health keeps his or her calories low and exercise moderately. Athletic lifestyles are too intense for ordinary individuals with average goals. Friends are selected or rejected based on their visible lifestyles. A person’s weight is an advertisement of daily living habits. Society views weight as a measure of physical appearance. Body image acceptance is often translated as a measure of self esteem, happiness and self-worth.People wishing to change his or her weight desire to change the ir priorities. Anorexia nervosa inevitably shows up every time physical appearance is mentioned. Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness. Physical appearance plays very little part in anorexia. People obsessively refusing to eat are acting out a fear relevant to obesity from his or her past. Perhaps someone remembered from childhood developed a drug problem. Weight gain triggered the drug problem. Depriving the physical body of food has nothing in common with dieting down to 95 or 100 pounds.The media and psychologists attempt to associate the two behaviors. They have nothing in common. Media, psychologists, and investigative reporters imply eating disorders is a desire to become thin. Society pushes theories implying thinness is unattractive. Physicians and dieticians emphasize weight is determined by genes and hereditary. These findings are to discourage eating disorders. Verbally, this logic may be accepted. In actual behavior, the idea is rejected. A self confident person remains u nchanged by outside influences.Self confidence encourages behavior resulting in pleasant physical appearance. No one obtains above average looks by accident. Extremely attractive people stir up negative emotions from others. â€Å"Beauty draws as much hostility as it does desire. Other women hate you. If you are not available or interested, men hate you too. Beauty makes other people who are insecure about their own looks resentful, which erects a barrier that can be difficult to bridge† (Shriver, 2006). Beautiful women constantly receive make-up tips, suggestions to change their hair or fashion advice.Secure people ignore such suggestions. Self esteem is hardly affected by advice, insults and any media program. Fitness industries would close. Society’s opinions are ever changing regarding perception of physical beauty. Changeable opinions are verbal. Reactions physically attractive people receive remain focused. Reactions to physical attractiveness are never planned. Gentlemen offering their seat to an attractive lady, smiles, heads turning, stares, insults, envy, and unplanned facial expressions are true constant perceptions of physical beauty.Marilyn Monroe symbolizes beauty. Extremist groups continuously seek ways to alter the perception of Marilyn Monroe’s physical characteristics. Research attempts to alter behavior emphasizing health risks. Health scares do not change actual behavior. The reality to change what is accepted as physical beauty never changes. Notes; Lionel, Shriver, (8/16/2006) The Curse of Beauty, Daily Manuel. http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=nfh&AN=21963650&site=ehost-live

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Illegal music downloading at the University of Maryland Essay

To the University of Maryland, the reported contained herein should serve as an effective investigation into the patterns of illegal downloading of music on the campus. As this is a serious legal issue for which the recorded music industry has levied considerable pressure over universities, it is clear that there is a necessity to adopt a strategy which promotes legal downloading. Currently, the University’s strategy problematically mirrors that of much of the music industry itself. Such is to say that it remains convolutedly uncertain as to how best to diminish the appeal of free or illegal downloading which has been so dominant in the campus culture of the last decade. Contained herein is a strategy which is ironically novel in its approach, insofar as it projects its interest in the student which is at the core of this issue. Such is to say that for far too long, industry and universities have consulted one another and legal scholars in order to determine what actions might be taken against said student. Indeed, a perusal of the University of Maryland’s Play Fair website, which is intended to serve as an educational forum on the subject of illegal downloading and which is subject to greater consideration further along in this study, is demonstrative of the combative stance that has been so counter-constructive. Therefore, the research examination here is centered on the survey-collected input of university students, whom are at direct issue and who are most directly impacted by the issue at hand. By considering the insights of University of Maryland students on the issues of illegal downloading, pay-service downloading and the declining conditions in the music industry at large, the research will be intended to propose some direct and actionable recommendations which should lend to a long-term resolution of this situation for the University. Inherently, this discussion and the research yielded will demonstrate a core set of philosophical and economic issues requisite and illuminating to the discussion that are nonetheless fairly complex and, therefore, not easily addressed in a broader social, political and educational scheme, regardless of the recommendations approached here..

Friday, September 13, 2019

Ecosystems and How They Work Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ecosystems and How They Work - Assignment Example Disturbances in forest influence the rate of recovery. Several studies show that the characteristics of this ecosystem influence the rate of recovery. Even though no one theory can explain all factors able to control succession, some variables appear to be more important compared to others (Wright, 2009). Introduction An ecosystem is a group of organisms living together, interacting with each other and with their surrounding (eoearth.org). It consists of two basic components namely, abiotic and biotic components. The relationship between biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem is known as holocoenosis (Fisher al et, 2009.They are different types of ecosystem; tropical rainforest, grassland, coral reef, estuary, desert among others. Here, the forces will is on tropical rainforest. Ecosystem has four basic functions; regulatory functions, habitat functions, production functions and information functions. Tropical rainforest A tropical rainforest is an ecosystem type that occurs a pproximately within the latitudes 28 degrees north/south of the equator. Tropical rainforests ecosystem experiences a significant amount of rainfall and high average temperatures. These rainforests can be found in Australia, Asia Africa, Central America, South America, Mexico and on many of the Caribbean, Pacific, and Indian Ocean islands. The classification within the World Wildlife Fund’s biome describes tropical rainforests as a type of tropical wet forest or tropical moist broadleaf forest. They also referred to it as lowland equatorial evergreen rainforest. Generally, tropical rainforest biome consists; lowland equatorial evergreen rain forest, montane rain forest, flooded forest and moist deciduous and semi evergreen seasonal forest. An example of montane rainforest is the Sierra Nevada of California (WWF). Every ecosystem consists of biotic and abiotic factors; therefore, montane rainforest has both biotic and abiotic ecosystem. Generally, abiotic components include th e non-living, physical-chemical factors such as water, air, and soil among other basic elements and compounds of the environment. These abiotic factors are broadly classified  into three categories climatic factors, edaphic factors and inorganic substances. Climatic factors in Sierra Nevada are influenced by the Mediterranean climate of California. During the fall, spring and winter, haste in the area averages from 510 to 2,000 mm where it takes place mostly as snow over 1,800  m. Furthermore, summers are dry with low humidity; however, afternoon thunderstorms are usual, specifically during the North American Monsoon. Also, summer high temperatures average 6–32  Ã‚ °C. Moreover, the growing season takes 20 to 230 days, depending strongly on elevation (WWF). An alpine climate experienced in the highest elevations of the Sierra. Consequently, the steepness of the Sierra Escarpment and the height of the range, specifically at the southern end of the range bring forth a win d development referred as the "Sierra Rotor". In addition, this is a horizontal rotation of the atmosphere ,precisely east of the crest of the Sierras, set in movement as a result of strong westerly winds (Fisher et al, 2009). Edaphic factors in Sierra Nevada include; granite which is mostly found east of the crest and north of 37.2 °N. Apparently, most soils in the tropical rain forests are characterized by significant poor nutrients and leaching and; however there are fertile soils contained

Thursday, September 12, 2019

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

LEGAL FORMALITIES - Research Paper Example ent rules and policies, laws, licensing process, business structure, required documents, taxation, accounting system, intellectual property rights and labor laws. Given below is the brief account of all legal formalities which will be fulfilled by HealthPoint in UAE. Although most of the sections of Company law are similar for all companies operating in UAE however, Government of Abu Dhabi and other regions of UAE has established their own support forums to guide new investors. As we are planning to launch our company in Abu Dhabi therefore, information on all legal activities has been collected for Abu Dhabi. The companies which are involved in viable business activities in Abu Dhabi are required to follow trade licenses Law No. (5) Of 1998. This law deals with the issuance of licenses for the business planning to operate in Abu Dhabi. In addition, as the partners of HealthPoint will be foreign therefore, they also have to consider Law No. (7) Of 1998 (Abu Dhabi Government, 2010). According to this law, HealthPoint will have to get registered with Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and after obtaining the membership the perquisite to obtain the license will be fulfilled. The Government of Abu Dhabi has defined the competent authorities which are involved in issuing licenses to various kinds of businesses in Abu Dhabi. For HealthPoint the license will be issued by Commercial Licenses Authority. HealthPoint will also follow all the rules and regulations defined for the companies operating in Food Industry such as Food safety laws etc. In addition, the other legal requirements for o pening a business have been discussed in the coming sections. HealthPoint will be a General Partnership Contract between the three partners. According to Federal Law No (8) and Article (23), a general partnership can be established by two or more partners and the partners are liable to all debts of the company (Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 2010). The complete

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

The Creation of the Bill of Rights and U.S. Constitution Research Paper

The Creation of the Bill of Rights and U.S. Constitution - Research Paper Example This current status comes from the original decision of the founders of the USA to formulate and adopt a Constitution and a Bill of Rights for what was then the Union, in order to begin the country that is today the United States of America. The Constitution was adopted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by the Constitutional Convention, on September 17, 1787 (Spaeth & Smith, 1991, p.1). Today the Constitution acts as the most powerful law in the USA, controlling the Federal Government, its relationship with State Governments, the Courts and the citizens of the USA, as well as non-citizens living within the US (For Know-It-Alls, 2008, p.2). It established the three branches of government – in the first three Articles of the Constitution – and also the federal system by which the USA is governed. In addition to the total Constitution, the first ten Amendments to the Constitution form the Bill of Rights, which limit the power of the Federal Government, and give basic human ri ghts, such as of property ownership and freedom of speech, association and other liberties, to the citizens of the USA (AmericansGoverning.org, website). These Amendments were proposed to the First United Stated Congress by James Madison and adopted by the House of Representatives on August 21, 1789 (Spaeth & Smith, 1991, p.22). ... ution the loose union of States tied together by the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union (For Know-It-Alls, 2008, p.3), but the individual States were not adhering to the rules of the Confederation, particularly in terms of money: they were not contributing to the national budget – and by 1786, the budget really just consisted of foreign debt which could not be paid by the Union (AmericansGoverning.org, website). In addition to this, the threats from international powers and from pirates, even, were making it clear that the Union was not functioning as an effective nation. Often, individual States were not attending Confederation meetings and not acting together in any meaningful way. Individual States were violating the peace treaty between Great Britain and the United States (The Treaty of Paris, 1783). States could not pay for defense and no real defense force could be raised on a federal level. All of these circumstances meant that Congress had become extremely i neffectual and legislation and all decision-making were being hampered severely. State representatives were not arriving at Congress – for five months up to April 1786, for example, there had been only three days when nine States – the number required to pass any proposal – were present in Congress. At the same time, as mentioned, States were acting unilaterally in international relations, and within their own legislatures, completely independently of Congress. In short, the Congress was no longer the government (Spaeth & Smith, 1991, p.15-18). Thus in September 1786, the plans were made to meet in Philadelphia in order to amend the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union in the hope that the Union could be more effectively structured, and begin to function as a nation. By June 16,

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Animal rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Animal rights - Essay Example In that regard therefore, awareness on the rights of both human beings and animals need to be brought to the attention of the world. After shedding light as to what right entails, the general public then automatically holds the responsibility of asking why. Here, it is realized that the rights of humans are well found on the basis of the animals rights. It is clear that animal rights establish what is termed as a philosophical stand for the human rights, just as is put clear in Reagan’s theory where he considers life as the body of integrity and argues that it is to be protected. The theory further argues on the study by Tuskegee that the liberty of individual beings has to be protected. The moral theory extends this same protection to all sorts of life forms out in there globe. It beats one’s sense of reason when one tries to consider animals in the category of subject of life. Animals are subject-of-life. In reality, common sense should apply in such instances. Firstly, the behavior of both human beings and animals are the same; human beings and animals have a psychological supportive linkage that explains the similarity between the two. Firstly, the behavior of both humans and animals are the same; human beings and animals have a psychological supportive linkage that explains their similarity. It should be noted that if the rights of human beings are founded in the rights of who they are, then the rights of animals are also rooted in the sense of belonging that the human beings share. It is realized that individuals with experimental mind sets have their warfare aspects directly affects matters of their personal character. This sort of interest tends to override the common sense that supports the real aspect of rights. The science of judgment and ethical evaluations are blinded by the struggle to make an outcome from their internal element of success. In the experiment, world’s scientists have a role to

Monday, September 9, 2019

The development of an export market Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

The development of an export market - Assignment Example The emphasis on the sports benefits of the drinks, as an improvement to water and as an aid to intense sports activities that is able to provide adequate hydration and nutrition even to the most demanding and most gifted athletes. It is worth noting that as a product range, the Lucozade brand benefits from insights and inputs from hard core research undertaken on behalf of the brand by universities, sports coaches, practitioners, and nutritionists, under the so-called Lucozade Sports Science Academy. Moreover, the brand is well-known for its marketing tag line, which is about replacing the lost energy from intense physical activities making use of Lucozade. That said, officially the classification is that of Lucozade being a soft drink brand (Answers Corporation 2013; GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies 2013). In the United States, which is the chosen export market, key competitors in the segment of sports hydration drinks where Lucozade is bound to compete includes Gatorade and Power ade, with the former being the heavyweight brand with the greatest mind share and market share not only in the United States but in many parts of the world, and with the latter being the key competitor brand offered by Coca Cola (Carpenter 2000; Howard 2008; Competitor Group 2013). It is worth noting that those three brands mentioned above remain dominant in the world when it comes to sports drinks, with Lucozade in particular being the most dominant brand in the United Kingdom in terms of both value sales and sales by volume. Annual sales for Lucozade is estimated at 260 million British pounds. Its presence in other markets, on the other hand, is hampered by strong competition from Gatorade and Powerade, even as the overall market for sports drinks is forecasted to reach US 55 billion dollars by 2018, indicating a large opportunity for Lucozade to get a substantial piece of that pie from exporting activities. The US being a large and lucrative market for sports drinks, this export development plant for that export market has potentially great value for the brand and for GlaxoSmithKline. Other statistics meanwhile bolster the case for exports as a lucrative activity given that there is a relatively low penetration level for sports drinks in general, at just 50 percent, even as the segment grew by 64 percent for the five-year period from 2007 all the way to 2012. By product category, all three categories, hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic drinks experienced sustained growth in volumes and dollar value over that given period, with prospects for growth also promising moving forward to 2018 and beyond (Companies and Markets 2013). In the US, moreover, Gatorade and Powerade together account for virtually the entire market for sports drinks with Gatorade owning 69 percent of the market, and Powerade owning 30 percent of the market. Both companies spend heavily on advertising and marketing activities centered on getting star athletes to endorse the brands and produc ts. The trend towards a sustained growth in the sports drink sector is confirmed in the long term, in contrast to the general decline in soda consumption in the United States over the past several decades (Daily Mail Reporter 2013). Other estimates put the market share of Gatorade at an even larger percentage, 75 percent, with Powerade taking 20 percent and the rest of the players in the sports drink market taking up the remaining 5 percent, reflecting the overall dominance of

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Chief Information Security Officer Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Chief Information Security Officer - Term Paper Example The repercussions of these breaches are felt by multiple parties including the administrative staff, the university itself, the IT department and the student body. It is therefore, imperative for higher education institutions to familiarize themselves with the constantly changing threats besides the high cost associated with leaving data and systems unprotected. Introduction Computer system hacks and data breaches with higher education institutions as the main target are constantly dominating the headlines. The higher education institutions are increasingly at high risk having their information and data compromised by malicious activities and hackers beside insider mistakes. The considerable number of system hacks and data breaches experienced by higher educational institutions can be attributed to such factors as resource plague issues experienced by IT department within the institutions, budgetary constraints and desperate database systems among other factors (Gahm, 2010). Higher e ducational institutions posses a considerable amount of data and distinct data type which make them a potential target by malicious attackers and hackers. A wealth of personally identifiable information is mostly stored by these institutions thus the high risk of data breaches and system hacks. A health record of students, employees and parents together with their names, social security numbers and credit card numbers are among the sensitive information that subject these institutions to potential threats and makes them a valuable target to the hackers. (Gahm, 2010) According to Gahm, Higher educational institutions should learn to take actions besides implementing proactive security to their database infrastructure in order to protect the critical information contained in their database systems. These database systems house a variety of information that can be exploited for financial gain. Given that the institution’s databases are the most critical repository of confidentia l and sensitive information at these institutions, safeguarding the database is of the essence (2010). Recent hack attacks against higher educational institutions Some of the top and best universities around the world had recently been reported to have fallen victim of computer system hack and data breaches. Team GhostShell, a hacking group claimed to have hacked into the servers of close to a hundred universities across the globe including Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford and University of Michigan. Close to 120,000 records were accessed from the breached universities’ servers and publicly posted. Critical and confidential information such as the names, phone numbers, log in details and email addresses were among the records exposed in the event of the breaches. The reports further showed that the hackers used malware injection into the servers in order to compromise their security and gain access to the records. The log-in credentials exposed were further used to improperly access some of the universities’ websites including Stanford University. Another data breach incident involving Western Connecticut State University was reported and blamed on the vulnerabilities existing on their computer systems. The breach utilized the existing vulnerabilities in the system and inappropriately accessed and exposed confidential inf