HCM337-0704B-01 Current Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in H - Essay - 3

HCM337-0704B-01 Current Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in H - Phase 2 Discussion Board - Essay Example NAP’s Ethical Guidelines for Professional Care Services in a Managed Health Care Environment (1999) put patients at the top of their priorities. Their commitment for a patient-focused care means that they would rigidly observe the rights of their patients such as the right to have access to appropriate professional services, the healthcare’s obligation to meet with patient’s satisfaction, and the healthcare provider’s duty to provide delivery by uniquely trained personnel when complexity of the patient’s condition requires the knowledge and expertise beyond those of the primary care provider. Failure of compliance to these ethical guidelines can result to major penalties. A case documented by Klein and Campbell (2006) wherein members of the groups clinical and anatomic pathology laboratory, and 2 Michigan-based consulting and management services companies were sued by the government because or their alleged submission of â€Å"$1.3 million in false claims to Medicare and Medicaid†. The government also argued that the defendants â€Å"engaged in fraudulent conspiracy by offering referring physicians a discounted price for a routine, automated chemistry panel.† After the accused were proven guilty, they were, under the False Claims Act, potentially liable for 3 times $1.3 million, or $3.9 million, penalties of up to $10,000 for each of the 134,655 claims, and $116,000 for the cost of the investigation by the OIG. The physicians, who sold the laboratory to Corning in 1995 for $6.6 million, denied breaking any laws, but in 1998 settled with the government for $ 875,000. The consulting companies and their owner, whom the pathologists argued put into place the challenged billing practice, settled for $35,000. With the information supplied by other postings about my current and future health work, I can see outright the repercussions that might

Using Technology to Cheat Academically Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Using Technology to Cheat Academically - Essay Example g for the remote because changing the TV manually is unheard of, and student who want to cheat have a large number of technologically savvy devices to make their efforts successful. Teachers and principals claim that cheating isn’t more prevalent now, it’s just more sophisticated (Owen, 2008). Marty Wilkins, a 25-year veteran teacher at Milwaukie High School is quoted as saying, â€Å"Technology today does make it harder to keep on top of things† (Owen, 2008). Owen’s news article covered technology-based cheating in Oregonian classrooms. Teachers at Milwaukie and West Linn high schools have had enough, but are afraid that there isn’t much that can be done about it. They cite the reasons for cheating as trying to get higher grades, getting positive attention from parents, and trying to get into choice colleges. Still they have a message for cheaters: â€Å"Eventually, it will catch up with you,† Wilkins said (Owen, 2008). Technology-based cheating has taken on a life of its own. When teacher’s grades are done electronically, student hackers can actually access the school’s database, and change the grades unbeknownst to the teacher. Some students use the cameras built into their cell phones to take pictures of the test so that students taking the test later in the day can look up the answers. Others text messages answers to other students in the classroom with them. Even with all of this, administrators are reluctant to disallow the use of electronic devices in the classroom. â€Å"We want to give teachers tools to move to that next level and prepare students for a digital world,† Jennifer Nelson said (Relerford, 2007). Nelson is a technology coordinator at Eden Prairie High School in Minnesota. Eden Prairie has gone digital, using materials like interactive white boards and video conferencing. Nelson and other school officials are trying to figure out how they can best use popula r kids’ devices like MP3 players and iPods. Mary Slinde, associate

Contract Strategy And The Contractor Selection Process Construction Essay

Contract Strategy And The Contractor Selection Process Construction Essay Contracts are the fundament of the project management. They are used to procure people, materials and services. Main components in the contractor selection process will be outlined in this chapter. This processes are influenced by many factors such as the nature of the parties included, project type, and the risk allocation between the parties. The project is always about achieving a result. The main problem of this that client usually can not or doesnt wish to provide all necessary resources to complete the project from the internal sources. Therefore there is a need of obtaining resources from external organizations in order to achieve planned results. The method chosen by the client plays the crucial point. Proper understanding of contract conditions and the way of administering them is therefore fundamental to the project manager. Different industries use different types of contract in order to achieve desired results. Therefore, standard types of work-based contracts used in construction industry are completely different to the result-based contracts used in manufacturing, oil and software industries. In addition, the most complex projects can be divided into several different contracts. They can be carried out under one turnkey contract, as well as can be broken down into separate contracts. Design can be carried out by one contract, site preparation by the second contract, and the service/operation of the completed facility under the third contract. They can be broken down into several contracts based on the skills of the contractor, one organization being responsible for production and installation of all necessary equipment for the plant, second organization being responsible for the site preparation and all construction work, a third being responsible for quality control (external for construction organization), and a fourth being responsible for authorship (to control works going according to the approved design). They can be broken down into small numbers of large contracts or large numbers of small contracts. Each will give the contractor advantages as well as the disadvantages. Depending on the nature of the project and the skills, contractor must decide. Finally, different contracts can be operated in different ways. According to Smith N.J. (2002) there are three different ways in which contract can be operated. The first one of which is price-based contract, under which the contractor responsible to provide service, equipment or materials on the fixed price. On the other hand there is a reimbursable contract, under which contractor is reimbursed with the cost of carrying out the work plus profit. Finally, somewhere between these two is the quantity based or rate based contracts. The type of contract or set of contracts should be selected by the client only after the consideration of the managers available to manage the contract, project goals and the skills required to achieve them, appropriate allocation of responsibilities and risks and time available to carry out the project. Factors affecting the contract strategy A number of factors need to be considered before the choosing contract strategy. Responsibilities such as design, construction, quality control, procurement, safety, installation and commissioning need to be determined. The risks also need to be allocated between parties. Then the payment method to contractors, as from this decision depend which contract to use. When making a contract, contractors always wish to make it flexible, because during the life cycle of the project changes may occur. However, one more important factor is that the contracts need to be fair, equitable methods of price changes for instance. However, interests of the client and contractor usually opposed to each other. For example, client carries minimum risk under the lump-sum contract, but contractor carries maximum. And vice versa for cost reimbursable plus percentage fee contract. Almost all of these factors are important for any project. Nevertheless some of these factors may dominate depending on the nature of a project. If the work is a building a power plant in a river, where during the spring period lowest level of water, time-scale obviously dominate. If the work is building the skyscraper, then the quality will dominate. Client have only one chance to choose the correct contract strategy, after deciding this, it can not be changed. There are a plenty of options, and project manager should advice the client which strategy to accept. The selection is definitely one of the most important decisions in any project. Smith N.J. states that the project manager should always remember the three Rs of the contract. (Figure 1) Figure 1 The three Rs (Smith N.J. 2002) Relationships. Whether being highly structured or not, relationship plays important role in a contact strategy. Unstructured relationship may develop during the life cycle of a project and according to the circumstances. There is no exactly the way under which relationships are managed, they need to be managed individually. Risks. Whatever type of contract strategy choused the client, risks present everywhere. It is important for the client to choose right contract strategy which carries out risks which the client is able to manage. When choosing the contractor, client needs to pay attention on the ability of the contractor organization to manage risks appropriate. By other words, every risk in a project should be divided and managed by each party because if something goes wrong, outcomes might be serious. Rules. Rules are necessary to keep the relationship in right way. According to the rules, client and contractors make their behavior, and there will not be many conflicts between them. These Rs are closely interrelated. Relationships, risks and rules formalize one word under which the contract will be governed during the life cycle of the project. Contractor selection After the selection of a contract strategy, client needs to select the contractor. The selection of a contractor is a crucial decision made by client. The criteria for selection might be cost, time or quality. Usually the price/cost criteria is dominate as the clients seek the most economic price. However, according to Smith N.J. (2002) dominating of one of these criteria may negatively affect to others. Figure 2 Project objectives (Barnes and Wearne, 1993). This triangle illustrates the conflict between the project objectives. If the client wants to minimize the cost to minimum, it will affect time and quality. The project will be finished with no desired quality and not within the time scale. Oppositely, if the client wish to increase the level of quality, then it affects on the one hand to cost (overbudget), on the other time (not within planned time-scale). Therefore, client always need to decide, which objective is crucial for the current project. This triangle shows the basic problem of contract strategy. In the planning of the contract, client need to be sure of reason employing a contractor. Client usually selects a contractor for one or more of the following reasons: To use the particular management, technical and organizational skills, and expertise of that contractor for the duration of the contract. To use the skills of the contractor after the project has been completed. To have the benefit of the contractors special recourses, such as licensed processes, unique design of manufacturing capability, plant, materials in stock, ect. To get work started quicker than would be possible by recruiting and training direct employees. To get the contractor to take some of the cost risks of a project, usually the risks of planning the economical use of people, plant, materials and sub-contractors. To use the contractor to provide the recourses, both physical and financial, needed for the project. To be free to use his own (limited) recourses for other purposes. To encourage the development of potential contractors for the future. To deal with a contractor who is already known to the promoter. Smith N.J. (2002) Whatever the reason, client always should make a decision based on it. N. J. Smith (2002) described six principal considerations of choosing type of contract which has to be made by contractor. Those are: discipline, incentive, risk, change, time-scale and relationship. These considerations describe analytical justification of contracts, mainly compared the two price-based and cost based contracts. However, in authors opinion these considerations are actually become an advantages and disadvantages of each form. Therefore, this will be discussed in Chapter 4. According to the M. Brook (1993) the main aim of contractor selection is to find out the lowest possible price, and the following: A reputation for good quality workmanship and efficient organization; The ability to complete on time; A strong financial standing with a good business record; The expertise suited to size and type of project. Also he agrees that, not only client has to consider financial ability of contractor, but the contractor needs to make sure that the client is able to pay bills on time. In the past contractors have not been considered this issue. However this has changed with the introduction of bonds and guaranties used by both parties. Usually contractors selected by two or combination of both: competition and negotiation. When there is an open competition, local newspapers or journals invite competitors to take part on the tender. A deposit normally required, in order to distinguish serious offers. Alternatively, tender might be selective. In this type of tender contractors are selected and invited to tender. M. Brook (1993) determined three ways in which selective tendering lists drawn up: An advertisement may produce several interested contractors and suitable firms are selected to tender. The consultants may contact those they would wish to put on an ad-hoc list. Many local authorities and national bodies keep approved lists of contractors in certain categories, such as work type and cost range. Contractors which are selected to add into list normally asked to provide their financial and technical performance, particularly on the area which is under consideration. Contractors can prepare the answers according to the Standard form of tendering questionnaire private edition written by the National Joint Consultative Committee for Building (NJCC). Questions on it is basically about the projects carried out for last three years. After the completion of questionnaire, it can be used for any further projects or particular project for which contractor invited as a competitor. On the other hand Code of Procedure for Single Stage Selective Tendering written especially for building industry by NJCC. According to this code, project success depends on the completion of design phase before tenders invited and the use of standard forms of contract. M. Brook (1993) classifies Code as follows: Preliminary enquiry contractors are given the opportunity to decide whether they wish to tender by receiving a preliminary enquiry letter, four to six weeks before the dispatch of tender documents. Number of tenderers the recommended number of tenderers is a maximum of six (three of four for design and build) and further names could be held in reserve. Tender documents the aim of the documents is that all tenders will be received on the same basis so that competition is limited to price only. Time for tendering normally at least four working weeks should be allowed, and more time may be needed depending on the size and complexity of the project. Qualified tenders tenderers should not try to vary the basis of their tenders using qualifications. Queries or unacceptable contract conditions should be raised at least 10 days before tenders are due. The consultants can then tell all the tenderers of their decisions and if necessary extend the time for tendering. A contractor should be asked to withdraw significant qualifications or else face rejection. This is necessary to ensure tenders are received on a like-for-like basis. Withdrawal of tenders a tender may be accepted as long as it remains open; a definite period is usually stated in the tender documents. The tenderer may withdraw his offer before its acceptable, under English law. Assessing tenders the tenders should be opened as soon as possible after they are received. Priced bills may be submitted in a separate envelope by all the contractors, or, more likely only the bills of the lowest tenderer will be called for and submitted within four working days. Once the contract has been let, every contractor should be issued with a list of tender prices. Alternatively, tender prices should be given in ascending order and the names listed in alphabetical order. Examination and adjustment of priced bills the PQS will treat the information in the tender documents as confidential and report errors in computation to the architect and client. There are two methods for dealing with errors. Alternative one gives the tenderer the opportunity to confirm his offer or withdraw it. Alternative 2 allows the contractor to confirm his offer or amend it to correct genuine errors. If the contractor amends his offer with a revised tender which is no longer the lowest, the tender of the lowest will be considered. Negotiated reduction of tender the code of procedure recognizes the needs to look for savings in the cost of a project where the tender exceeds the employers budget. This can be achieved by negotiation with the lowest tenderer, or the next lowest if negotiations fail. Two-stage selective tendering may be approved by the client, when the contractors involvement is needed at the design phase. The first stage will provide the competitive tender based on bill of quantities according to the preliminary design. The contractor selected at the first stage helps with the design, after completion of which submits documents for the second stage without competition based on the considered price. NJCC published codes for two-stage selection tender and selection tender for design and build. Those are almost same as the Code of Procedure for Single Stage Selective Tendering, except: Client should consider contractors design and build experience. Number of tenderers reduced to four. The price is not a key issue in the selection of contractors. Significant interdependence between cost, time and quality should be included in clients requirement. During the negotiation stage, contractors selected based on their past experience, performance, recommendation or familiarity with work under consideration. And only one contractor may be selected to proceed the work. Project organisation Often client employs a design consultant in order to advice on feasibility stage of project, or a project management consultant to advice the strategy and risks. As discussed earlier in previous chapter, it might be appropriate to the client to employ a single contractor for the whole project, or a consortium of companies as well as a two or more separate contractors. Further in this chapter will be discussed different types of project organisation. Package deal (turnkey, design and supply) According to the OGC report (2007), the main contractor has to be an experienced organisation to bring together all of the parties (design, construction, installation ect.) necessary to meet the clients expectations. Also further information stated in this report There is nothing to prevent a designer, facilities manager, financier or any other organisation from acting as the Prime Contractor, providing they have suitable ability and experience. Prime Contracting must demonstrate during the initial occupation period that operating cost and performance parameters can be met. It usually includes such features as pain/gain share (where the Prime Contractor as well as the client gains financially by reducing the project costs), target cost pricing (where prices are agreed on the basis of a reasonable profit for the supply team and value for money to the client) and open book accounting (where costs are made transparent to the client). (OGC report, 2007) In this type of arrangement, only one single contractor carries all the responsibility for the project from start to completion. Although main contractor responsible for the procurement, design, construction, equipment supply, installation, commissioning, these works can be sub-contracted to the specialist organizations. The main contractor usually responsible also for financing, design approval, working and state commissions ect. Although being simple, this arrangement has its advantages and disadvantages. The main strengths are: Estimating the cost of the project at the early stage may be possible, the clients requirements are known; The total cost of the project may be reduced; Early completion may be possible as result of design/construction overlap; Easier design integration; Better project organisation; Client has to deal with only one organisation for design and construction; Few recourses from the client need to be involved in a project; Fewer disputes caused by design failure or other defects. Weaknesses: Clients ability to control the contractor will be low; Clients expectations may not be met; Highly qualified staff needed to manage the contractor; No or little contact with the sub-contractors; Client in a negative position to introduce changes; Package deal contracts are commonly used in the service and process industries. Where the contractors are much more experienced in this type of contract rather than other types. (other types will be introduced in the next chapter) However package deal contracts are also used in civil engineering field, especially in building standard houses or office blocks. Package deal contracts are very effective when the client wish to start works early, but he has no sufficient recourses and advisors. Build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) This type of contract requires that consortium of companies or single contractor take responsibility to built, own and operate a facility. This usually undertaken by the government for the fixed duration (concession period), during which the client pays contractor (normally monthly). Contractor is completely responsible for the project from start to hand over after the concession period, including gaining necessary finance for the project at the start. At the end of concession period ownership of the facility returns to the client. Separation of design and implementation This tends to be the traditional contract. In that type of contract design separated from the construction. This normally achieved by employing the architect (designer) then the contractor for its construction. Despite the fact that there are many available and useful types of contract, this type of contract is still widely used in building and civil engineering industries. In practice, architect or design company supervises the construction process from the clients side. Smith N.J. (2002) states that, Construction is usually undertaken under a quantities/rates based contract, or occasionally under a lump-sum or reimbursable contract. Management contracting Management contracting is a type of contract where the client employs external organisation to control and manage the design and construction processes. External management organisation itself normally does not take part in any of the works. These are packaged into one or several contracts. When using the management contracting, client establishes the contractual and organisational system which is completely different from the conventional approaches. Management organisation employed by the client becomes a part of its team, therefore involvement of a client in the project increases. According to Smith N.J. (2002) payment for the management organisations staff normally is reimbursable plus fee, oppositely for engineering contracts this usually be a lump-sum or quantity based. The management contractor is appointed early, and it has a considerable involvement in a design process. Other participants such as design and construction contractors are employed in normal way. Management contracts have considerable advantage in a building and civil engineering industries, where traditional contracts can not be used. These advantages are listed below (depending of the needs of a client): Time saving. An early start to the project (political, budgetary or procurement policy reasons); Therefore an early completion of a project; When high probability that changes may take place, for instance, high technology or innovative projects. Organisational complexity. When client does not have sufficient resources or does not wish to manage a number of contractors, which may include two or more designers as well as the construction contractors. Although thesis has a construction emphasis, in authors opinion it would give the additional information about contracts if offshore oil engineering will be discussed as well. Offshore oil industry uses the same contracts as a construction industry, except concession contracts. However, industry called each contract in completely different ways. For example: EPC engineer, procure, construct contract; PC procure and construct contract; EPIC engineer, procure, install, commission contract; PIC procure, install and commission contract. In construction industry EPIC would be considered as a turnkey contract. The only one significant difference of oil industry from others is that oil industry contracts, including EPIC (turnkey equivalent) contracts, always concentrate in high level of clients involvement on the project. Direct labour Usually clients does non wish to employ external contractors to install or make equipments or construction activities, instead clients may use their in-house recourses, maintenance or construction department for instance. This is known as a direct labour or direct works. Each activity, such as design, construction or equipment installation normally responsibility of different departments within the company. These initial agreements are very similar to the external contracts, but the conflicts and disputes between departments would be solved in managerial level within the organisation rather than by external legal dispute resolution procedures. Bidding strategy The tendering process begins with the invitation to tender. (from the contractors point of view). Usually in practice, building contractors does not submit truly competitive tender. After the receiving the invitation, contractor must decide whether to accept or decline tender. If contractor accept, competitive bid must be submitted, however if the contractor does not accept, the bona fide tender still should be submitted. (definition of bona fide need here). Contractors always faced with to crucial decisions which are, whether or not submit competitive tender, and if so what is the bid price should be. Ansoff (1965) suggested five possible courses of action open for the contractor: Reject the project Provisionally accept the project Add it to a reverse list Remove a project from the reverse list and replace it with the current project Unconditional acceptance However Skitmore (1989) pointed out that the limited time available for tender restricts the use of reverse list, therefore normally contractors decide simply from two accept or reject options. Althouh contractor rejected the tender, it does not usually mean that the bid will not be submitted. If the contractor not interested in particular tender, but does not wish to reject (once contractor rejected the tender, it may not be invited to tender again), as it may cause problems in the future, contractor can submit the cover price. In practice, the decision whether or not to submit a tender depends on number of factors. According to the CIOB (1983), this decision depend on the type of work under consideration, if the contractor has an appropriate experience in particular area and necessary resources to prepare documents and carry out the work. However other authors agree that the key points in the decision would be the contractors present workload and availability of key personnel. Odusote and Fellows (1992) made significant effort in identifying the most important factors influencing the contractors decision. In this research, authors identified 42 considerations which are likely to influence the decision considered by other authors. Then constructed questionnaire and sent them to various building contractors each with a turnover of approximately 8m (or higher) per year. Figure 3 below illustrates these factors based on respond of 48 UK building contractors (ranked in order of importance). Client-related factors Type of work Value of the project Contractors current workload Estimating workload Likely profitability of the contract Location of the project Form of contract Physical recourses to do the job Identity of consultants Time available to tender Odusote and Fellows (1992) On the other hand, an American survey handled by Ahmad and Minkarah (1990) identified 31 factors affecting the bidding strategy of top USA companies. Further this list of factors used by Snash (1990) in his study. Snash formulated a questionnaire according to the list of factors, and submitted them to the top UK contractors asking them to rank the most important factor. Finally he received responds from 80 contractors, and the table has been produced based on contractors respond. Figure 4 illustrates the top 20 factors affecting bid/no bid decision. Contractors need for work Number of competitors tendering Experience in similar projects Current work load Owner/client identity Contract conditions Project type Past profit in similar projects Project size Tendering method (open/selective) Risk owing to the nature of the work Project location Type of contract Availability of qualified staff Rate of return Project cash flow Tender period Availability of other projects Availability of labour Completeness of the documents (Snash 1990) There is some similarity between two studies, however that does not necessary mean every contractor has to consider each factor. Some contractor may consider some, but others may consider completely different factors. Contractor should decide rather bid or no bid in particular project regarding his own status and circumstances. By other words, regarding to evidence (Odusote and Fellows, 1992) it can be said, that for large project, it would be decision of group of people rather than one individual. However, there is an alternative factor affecting bid/no bid decision. Contractors who have a number of contracts (portfolio of projects), can balance their overall risks by deciding to tender particular project. This approach first introduced in the financial sector, which basically says that the contractors can afford the risky projects if the overall risk can be reduced by balancing with the other less risky projects in contractors portfolio. Kangari and Riggs (1988) pointed out that this approach can not be used as successful as in the financial organisations. They concluded: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Diversification of the project portfolio can generally reduce but not eliminate overall risk exposureà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Bid price After the decision to tender, contractor will be faced by the next important decision which is bid price. Normally contractor estimates the bid price according to the necessary inputs on the process. The management process estimating the level of bid price called adjudication. A significant number of researches have been carried out for last 40 years about submitting the best bid price. Different studies concentrated various model of bidding. If one researchers developed the mathematical model, method based on historical data, statistical bidding models and econometric based model, others concentrated on less mathematical models such as human decision-making process. However Moselhi et all. (1993) states: Markup estimation is a decision problem that is so highly unstructured that it is difficult to analyse and formulate an adequate solution mechanism. It is both time consuming and complicated to identify all the related factors that form a rational basis for such decisions, analyse their individual strength, and then quantify their combined impact on the decision. The usual practice is to make bid decisions on the basis of intuition, derived from mixture of gut feeling, experience and guesses. This implies some sort of pattern recognition is used rather than computation or deep reasoning about the problem elements. Alternatively, Park and Chapin summarised their research that: Many different theoretical approaches to competitive bidding have been proposed and tested with varying results. Any of these strategies should improve the contractors bidding effectiveness, and whichever one works best for a particular competitive situation is obviously the best one to use. It will be worth whatever time is required to at least become familiar with the different approaches; they all offer some good ideas, and even a bad plan is better than no plan at all. Factors considered by contractors Adjudication is the process about getting the best possible bid price, during which contractors should consider number of factors. Eastham (1987) identified 90 factors which are likely to affect the bid price. During the research questionnaire had been sent to ten contractors who identified only five most important factors. However those responds had not considered as important as in Easthams research. Subcontract requirements Type and size of job Competitors Client and professionals Labour requirements (Eastham 1987) Snash (1990) also identified factors affecting the bid price. This has been done through formulating the questionnaire. Degree of difficulty of the work Risk owing to the nature of the work Current workload Need for the work Contract conditions Anticipated cost of liquidated damages Owner/client identity Past profit in similar work (Snash 1990)

Ferm Life Cycle Essays -- essays research papers

Ferm Life Cycle Introduction:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This essay will discuss the fern life cycle as taught in biology lab. The essay will cover the basic process which we used to grow a fern. I will discuss the methods and the results of the lab exercise. Finally, I will discuss the evidence of the methods and results that were obtained . Methods and Results:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To begin our experiment we obtained a petri dish from our lab instructor which contained fern spores and the food they needed to survive. We then look at the spores through the micro scope. It was to soon to see anything but little green dots. We then put our petri dishes under a light until next week.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When we came in next week we observed our fern spores through the dissecting microscope. We looked to see if we could find anything germinating. We quickly noticed something that appeared like an air bubble squirting out something green. This was our fern spore which was germinating. Next, we removed a few of the germinating spores from the petri dish and put them under a compound microscope scope. We found the spore wall and observed how the developing gametophyte had broken through the wall, as instructed by our lab manuals. One could also identify the chloroplasts with in the cell. We then put up our dishes for another week.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The third week of our fern lab we identified the difference between male and female gametophyt...

Nike vs. Adidas

Mitchell Earley Mr. Jackson ENGL 101 November 9, 2012 Nike vs. Adidas Nike and Adidas are two of the most popular sporting attires out in the clothing and equipment market. Both Nike and Adidas offer people and athletes a broad selection of great apparel and athletic equipment. The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast Nike and Adidas companies in terms of headquarters, market focus, sponsorships, marketing, advertising, price, product, and its production.Both Nike and Adidas are sportswear companies whose products throughout many parts of the world are very popular and have been the top two leading sport companies in the sport industry. Nike is an international American sportswear manufacturer. It was founded by Bill Bowerman in the year 1972 and the slogan is â€Å"Just Do It†. On the other hand, Adidas is a worldwide sportswear manufacturer based in Germany and founded by Adolf Dassler in 1949 and their slogan is â€Å"Impossible is Nothing†. NIKE, INC. STRATEGIC CASE STUDYThese two companies sell and offer a wide range of products for the customers and their products offered is mainly on sportswear for men and women. These companies also provide the customers varieties of footwear such as sports shoes, casual shoes, boots, sandals and stockings. While they are selling similar products, Nike products are more expensive than Adidas because all Nike brand has high and advance technology. Nike is firmly focused in the American market, although it has made its way into the international market fairly recently.The company is also considered largely responsible for the frenzy of athlete sponsorship that the industry is known for today. All of this ties in with Nike's dominance of the advertising and marketing aspects of the business. On the other hand, Adidas has traditionally focused on the European market even though it is a well-known name in the rest of the world as well. This is mainly due to the company's affiliation with soccer. The company has recently taken steps to increase its marketing and advertising budget and has made moves into the ajor sports equipment and sportswear markets. Nike and Adidas have also been the top sponsors in the sport industry. Nike promotes its products by sponsorship agreements with celebrity athletes, professional teams, and college athletic teams. In contrast, Adidas sponsors professional soccer, tennis, and general athletics with mainly clothing. In terms of market focus, Retail is a key focus for Nike in connecting with consumers, both online and in store.Adidas is in the European market focus because Europe is the birthplace of Adidas with a long tradition of domination in the marketplace. Nike has a more varied line-up of basketball shoes, running shoes, and cross-training products. Among the different brands under the Nike control are Umbro, Converse, Jordan, and Cole Haan. Adidas for most part currently offers products that are geared primarily towards the socc er, tennis, and general athletics markets. Among the companies in Adidas' control are Reebok, Taylor Made and Rockport.Almost all of Nike’s products are outsourced to various countries in Asia, particularly Taiwan and Korea, which in turn outsource production to still other Asian countries, among them China, Indonesia and Vietnam. The company does have a home office in Beaverton Oregon and that is where Nike products are designed, developed, and marketed. Adidas recently adopted a similar approach with virtually all the design and development work being handled in Germany and production being outsourced to Asian countries as well.This move has helped Adidas remain competitive in the industry and compete with Nike for the most part. In conclusion, Nike and Adidas are famous sport brands and which people usually tend to compare them to each other. Price is a vital factor that influences consumers to make the final decision. Nike and Adidas both show that they provide the same t ype of work, but a little different schemes and offers different products. The two are both very popular and they will both always be connected to one another due to product value, sales, and products produced.

Eve: Heroine of Paradise Lost Essay

Milton’s Eve in Paradise Lost is apparently the weakness of Adam and the tragedy of Eden; she was a mere reflection of him â€Å"whose image thou art (Milton, Book 4, Line 472)†; she is subject to Adam to whom she says â€Å"God is thy law, thou mine (Milton, Book 4, Line 637). † Lastly, Adam himself calls her â€Å"the inferior, in the mind and inward faculties(Milton, Book 8, Line 542). † This weakness becomes the strength to contradict the established order. Being a tenuous reflection allows for the willingness to change that evolutionary progress depends on. Her subjection to Adam, a creature with limitations, bestows on that servility the possibility of autonomy. Inferiority in mind, because it denotes a lack of a closed framework of thought, permits an openness that is characteristic of true wisdom. Adam’s Soul and the Catalyst of the Myth Eve was Adam’s soul by which he breathed his life to other humans, that part of him which made choices, the part of him which was not totally subject to God. She needed to face the serpent alone and choose between free will and absolute mandate. In this sense, she embodied the active content of the story. Eve brings about change, and the episode of the meal is a central example in the series of incidents where she is the principal actor (Gulden). † Without her, Adam would had been idling about Eden, lonely and without purpose forever. Eve’s Choice Was God’s Choice We know the consequences of her choice. But what would have happened if she had chosen blind obedience instead. Paradise would have never been lost, but everything else which followed the fall, all the great saints and heroes of mankind, the shining examples of virtue would never have lived. This, in itself, justifies Eve’s option for free will with all its consequences; it was in accordance with the divine plan that man should himself realize his own Divinity. The thinking human race as we know it today, struggling for and intensely aware of its dignity, would never have been. Price says that â€Å"we gradually learn that the hero of the poem is Eve†¦Milton sees that the human race could literally not have continued (or developed) without her(Price). Man would have been eternally happy and eternally without free will, divine and irresponsible and senseless. The Wisdom of Eve Eve’s acknowledged role in Paradise was to people it with beings on a higher level than the beast’s and the fowl. In an environment graced by the blissful predictability of mental subjugation to a benign dictator, the forbidden fruit represented the chance to gain the sense of responsibility and autonomy that man as a spiritual being craves. It is the lack of the divine order providing an adequate sense of identity and autonomy to Eve that precipitates both her and Adam to the fall (Mason). † Feeling this need inside her, knowing that she was Adam’s image and he was the image of God, she intuited that the fruit was not evil and was not meant so much as test of obedience but a challenge to make an individual’s choice and take responsibility for that choice. What we lost in Paradise was only given to us; what we hope to have after that we ourselves will have merited by our endurance and courage.

Communication outcome Essays

Communication outcome Essays Communication outcome Essay Communication outcome Essay Our community or group have a lot of people who have an influence of how we interpret things. Our family has the biggest influence on how we communicate and interpret things. Our family have a shared experience Of the world and how we interpret things, what makes us laugh and cry, what might be the right display of communication and emotion to us, to others it could be seen as bizarre, not right and they have no understanding of what we are trying to communicate. To look within a family, non-verbal communication can be very subtle, things can be so layered deep that there is a familiarization, a subtle look when within the family setting to an outsider that say something to the individuals within the family, they may roll their yes when the outsider uses certain words to describe something, such as the use of swearing, to the family they are all thinking they are about to go on one again. When in fact the outsider is just in fact describing something and are not about to go into a highly emotional state. Younger generations of families can find being at school very confusing, my daughter has just started reception and she often comes home and questions why other children are louder, rude and call each other poop, she often says mummy why do they call there children poop, you poop in the toilet so children cant be poop but if they are poop they are not being nice and should tell the teacher? My response which has been influenced by the way I was brought up was to tell her to not get involved if it does not concern her but if the child was to call her poop, was to tell that child to grow up. Other children influenced by their families could react by shouting, fighting or telling a teacher. People can shy away from different ways of communication, I when younger which lasted until my early weenies would shy away from any telephone communication, I remember hiding upstairs when the telephone rang hoping that whoever was calling that didnt like couldnt see me doing it. It wasnt until was in my job and have to communicate to the various of professionals and services, that I have some confidence on the telephone but I do still have the inner conversation with myself running through what I have to say whilst the phone is ringing. Because Of this find myself encouraging my daughter to pick up the phone at home, when its ringing and getting her to ask whos calling and who do hey want but I realism to others this may be frowned upon due to the climate we are living in today and who may call, but to me I just want my daughter to have confidence. A child whom comes from a large background, that is used to communicating with a lot of people, may very well go to school with confidence and been seen as boisterous where a child may be the only child in a family and can seem very shy and withdrawn because they are reluctant or not have the confidence to jump in. How old we are can have a big preference in how we communicate, my grandparents would have either wrote a letter or in the last instance may have used the landlines telephones, my parents have mobile phones but they don t text, my dad uses email occasionally but my mum communicates via social invoking. My younger sister and brother both have phones and pads, where I have just upgraded to a simple smart phone. Younger generations now seem to have all the latest technology, younger children with pads and access to everything via the internet. Whether its a reluctance that many older people will not use the attest technology or a lack of confidence, I feel again It is influenced by their culture. My children do not and will not have the latest technology with access to everything because feel that when you see your friends you communicate and organism your time, you can ring your friends from the landlines, but to my childrens friends whom all have the lasted technology feel that they do not understand why my children do not, but quite simply Im trying to keep my children as children for as long as I can in this vast deepening world of freedom of communication.

Book Report #2 Essays

Book Report #2 Essays Book Report #2 Essay Book Report #2 Essay Name: Course: Instructor: Course: Book Report #2 Bill Crow is a renowned American jazz bassist and author. He wrote the book Jazz anecdotes: a second time around which is a compilation of the stories that jazz musicians have been sharing over the years. The stories have been passed on from jazz player to jazz player as a form of tradition. They are normally about the experiences that the players have got from years of playing jazz. It is an insight into what the jazz world entails. From page to page, there are memorable stories about different jazz artists that act as a learning forum for other artists to sharpen their skills. Crow was able to get the stories from a wide variety of sources. He interviewed people, read biographies and mostly depended on oral stories that he had been told during career. The book has touched on a number of topics that are pertinent to any musician. It has talked about the importance of a good nickname, teaching and learning, prejudice and discrimination and life on the road. These topics are all very significant as they act as a learning point for any musician. A good nickname is crucial as it helps a musician curve a niche for him or her in the industry. A catchy nickname will always be remembered by the fans. The teaching and learning aspect teach musicians things that they would never have known. They can be viewed as trade secrets as they help musicians identify with one another. For instance, it teaches musicians to be careful when signing contracts so that they do not find themselves trapped in unfair contracts. Pride and prejudice covers issues that help musicians know what to expect from the audience. It prepares them for different scenarios in the industry. It shows them that you can never please everyone, so they should not expect that ever yone would love their music. He talks about how there is racial prejudice in America especially in the South (Crow, 148). The book is good as through it, different angles of the music world are explored, particularly jazz music. One is taught in a unique way about music. The author has employed a contemporary way of imparting knowledge to fellow musicians. The book is funny and at the same time inspiring. It has given a voice to many musicians. It has provided an avenue for the musicians to impart knowledge to young and upcoming artists. It helps one to understand the different jazz artists and their unique styles. It can help a musician discover new things about themselves through what they read about other musicians that have gone through similar challenges. Jazz anecdotes: a second time around, is a great book that every musician should read regardless of the genre they are pursuing. I learned a lot that has helped me improve myself. I liked that the author was versatile and used a unique way of writing. I loved the stories as they were humorous and I felt like they identified with me as a young person trying to find myself. It showed me that for an artist to achieve success, they need patience. One does not wake up and be successful. They usually have to struggle, but once they make it on top they feel that it is worth every challenge. Bill Crow is an extremely talented person and not only as a musician, but also an author. Since artists are different, the book will have different impacts on them. This book helped me discover a lot about myself and showed me that everyone goes through similar challenges. Work Cited: Crow, Bill. Jazz Anecdotes: Second Time Around. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.

Characterization of Macoute in The Dew Breaker

Characterization of Macoute in The Dew Breaker The Dew Breaker, a novel by Edwidge Danticat that tells of Jean-Claude Duvalier’s inherited dictatorship in Haiti, appears to be a novel about two things. On the one hand, it documents the life and trials of a Tonton Macoute, a government sanctioned torturer; on the other hand, it also tells of the cowardice of weak men with great power. The ‘dew breaker’ that is the eponym for the book is constantly characterized by his cowardice, his desire for forgiveness but his inability to ask for it. This conflict that the ‘dew breaker’ has within himself also tends to inspire conflict within the reader. Should one hate him or pity him? Is he unforgivable because of what he has done or is his own fear, coupled with circumstance, truly to blame? After examining the characterization of the ‘dew breaker’ and the situations in which he was placed, it can be inferred that while he may not deserve forgiveness, this man’s obvious pusillanimity make s him pitiable. The novel begins with the story of Ka, an aspiring young artist and the daughter of the ‘dew breaker’. The ‘dew breaker’ is presented as a simple Haitian barber, an escaped military prisoner with a devotedly Catholic wife and loving daughter. The reader easily falls into step with Ka and her father as they travel to Florida to sell one of Ka’s sculptures. This sculpture is inspired by the bent and broken prisoner Ka believed her father to be. Besides relating parts of her father’s â€Å"past† in Haiti, Ka also tells of a jagged, horrifying scar that has nearly ruined her father’s face. She easily recounts the story he told her as a child: that a guard working for the regime of Jean-Claude Duvalier sliced open her father’s face in a random act of cruelty. It later becomes apparent that this tale is indeed a lie told to Ka for over thirty years. Towards the middle of the chapter, Ka’s father finally opens up with the t ruth after destroying his daughter’s sculpture, saying, â€Å"†¦ Ka, your father was the hunter, he was not the prey†¦ I was never in prison† (21). In one instant, everything that Danticat has told the reader about Ka’s father seems to be untrue. This man, who was known in Haiti as a Tonton Macoute, an infamous ‘dew breaker’, finally speaks the truth to his daughter and in the process destroys the innate trust Ka has in him. The idea that he kept such a secret from her for so long is surely an example of his infinite cowardice. However, it also proves he wants nothing more than love for the man he is, not hate for the man he had been. Another point of interest in The Dew Breaker is the main character’s demand that he be allowed to wear civilian clothes. In the last chapter, â€Å"The Dew Breaker†, the protagonist simply states that â€Å"he didn’t like the uniform† (196). The idea that he feels he is above other Macoutes and has the right to make demands is perfectly absurd and also cowardly. A Macoute walking home alone in standard denim runs the risk of being attacked and possibly killed; the ‘dew breaker’s’ refusal to wear the uniform proves he is a coward, a man who cannot stand the idea of imminent physical harm. This basic denial of Macoute custom sets the main character apart from all others: he is not in imminent danger because he is allowed to dress normally, he can avoid unwanted attention, and his lack of uniform saves him later when he runs into Anne outside Casernes. Had he been wearing the denim of his station, I doubt Anne would have reacted so charita bly. Incidentally, â€Å"The Dew Breaker† also presents the same conflict as seen in the beginning of the book. It offers no real resolution as the last chapter but it does leave the reader with a feeling of modern day catharsis. This chapter flashes back to the ‘dew breaker’, an active and senior member of Duvalier’s Macoutes while in Haiti. Danticat opens by describing the main character in a soft but insistent way. He is an important and self-indulgent man in the Tonton Macoutes who has been sent to kill an outspoken preacher. The ‘dew breaker’ voices a disdain of this job in the beginning of the chapter, saying that, â€Å"He wanted a perfect view of the church entrance in case the opportunity came to do the job from inside his car†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (183). This obvious lack of courage produces a key moment in the novel: the Macoute is afraid to take a chance with the preacher’s unrestrained congregation. It is doubtless that, if the ‘d ew breaker’ was alone during the public assassination of the preacher, the entire situation would have resulted in his own death. To protect himself, the ‘dew breaker’ chooses to bring along a group of other Macoutes. The preacher is roughly but quietly taken away, giving the illusion that he has â€Å"disappeared† like all the rest. The quiet, subtle way in which the preacher was taken to Casernes helps to exemplify the main character’s inflated concern for himself. He is not willing risk his life in any way, even to execute a duty given to him by the faction he so loves. The concern mentioned above is also present pages later, after the preacher has been taken to Casernes for questioning. Though it is surprising that the preacher was not restrained during interrogation, this small oversight by both the main character and Danticat serves a great purpose. In a marvelous last act of heroism, the preacher reaches for a splintered piece of wood from his broken chair and stabs ‘dew breaker’ â€Å"in [his] right cheek and [sinks] it in an inch or so† (226). Danticat goes on to further wound the ‘dew breaker’, saying that, â€Å"The fat man’s shock worked in [the preacher’s] favor, for it allowed him a few seconds to slide the piece of wood down the fat man’s face, tearing the skin down his jawline† (226). The action itself earns the preacher the quick death he so desires: he is immediately shot in the chest by the ‘dew breaker’, a man who cannot stand the idea of bruised pride. This m agnificent show of valor on the preacher’s part forever damages the ‘dew breaker’; it also contributes greatly to a weakness in character that will be present for the rest of his life. With the blood of the preacher on his hands, the ‘dew breaker’ becomes completely terrified. A huge gash in his face and dripping with blood, he stumbles out of Casernes, pushing aside his superior’s assurance of asylum. The fact that he did not stay to face the consequences of his actions shows his cowardice yet again. He cannot bear the thought of punishment or reprimand even from an institution he has devoted his life to. Whenever there is a chance he might endure harm, the ‘dew breaker’ is quick to withdraw from the situation, either by blaming it on others or by running away. The constant theme of cowardice and fear in The Dew Breaker is important to the story’s plot and also to the characterizations within. The ‘dew breaker’ as presented by Danticat is a man who evoked terror in the people; there mere mention of his name could send a Haitian into a fit of shivers or a bout of unwanted memories. It is ironic, then, that he should ultimately be the one who is most afraid and the one who would have to flee for his life. The ‘dew breaker’ was such a contradictory mess of both fear and courage, weakness and power, that one could not help but feel sorry for him. It is heart wrenching to think that a human being could do such terrible things and then struggle so completely with those facts afterwards. It’s the story every person wants to hear: the story of a man battling his inner demons and his past to become more than he ever was before. While the ‘dew breaker’ does fall short of forgiveness and absolution, he also doe manage to achieve a kind of pitiable half-life, his attempt to be a good man despite his history of bad deeds. Ultimately, it is the ‘dew breaker’s’ cowardice and lack of strength that makes him so close to the reader’s own heart. After all, we are all vulnerable in our own way.

Ethical Energy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Ethical Energy - Essay Example In that, non-renewable resources are against the rights approach, the justice theory and the obligations to future generations approach used in environmental ethics. Renewable resources, on the other hand, present a clean alternative for energy production. Though the land required may be large, such land is available to the state of Belina. The high costs per unit are justified by the low social cost per unit. Therefore, it is recommended that Belina take up a combination of the wind power and biomass energy bids to supply the needs of its population. Renewable resources are energy sources that come from the natural environment (Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development, 1997). The other options to energy sources include use of fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Fossil fuels are finite, expensive to extract, and cause air, water and soil pollution, and produce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Renewable resources are cleaner alternatives to the problems of pollution and the social inequality that the pollution creates. These resources are also renewable – therefore, they will never run out (West, 2008). Some people are of the view that the connection between economic growth and environmental deterioration is inevitable. Hesburgh (1992) recognizes that the connection between human energy needs and environmental deterioration is as old as human civilization. As man used wood for shelter and warmth, it caused harm to the environment. However, Hesburgh (1992) also explains that the ‘primitive societies were so small and fragile in comparison with the forces of nature with which they contended that their impacts were minimal’. Ausubel (2007) argues that renewable resources for the production of energy may be renewable but they are not green and they are almost as destructive or more destructive for the environment than the non-renewable sources of energy.

Individual Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Individual - Essay Example This paper will discuss how entrepreneurs use creativity to develop business ideas and innovations. Entrepreneurs are able to use creativity through managing risks and uncertainties. This is through analyzing ideas and determining whether they are worth investing in. They then determine the best strategies to use and how to maximize returns through the use of scarce resources. This plays a significant role in enabling them to capture value from innovation (Van and Becker, 2004). Entrepreneurs are able to use creativity through identifying the opportunities for change. Currently, the market has become dynamic. Different aspects keep on arising thereby, creating gaps that can be used to develop ideas (Hoang and Antoncic, 2003). Entrepreneurs are able to manipulate these opportunities to come up with creative ideas. For instance, they are able to observe the tastes and preferences of the customers and note when the customers are changing their consumption behavior. Entrepreneurs pinpoint such opportunities and taps them, thereby coming up with a business idea. Through brainstorming and enquiring from relevant sources, they are able to come up with innovative ideas which attract the interests of the target market (Knutsen, 2002). According to Van and Becker (2004), entrepreneurs calculate the costs of taking up a bright idea forward against the potential gains if that idea succeeds. They know clearly that failure is an intrinsic part of the process. However, they always calculate the risks in order to minimize it completely. In addition, they ensure that they have all materials required to exploit the opportunities in order to gain the necessary benefits (Van and Becker, 2004). Entrepreneurs are able to come up with creative ideas through being alert to changes in the external environment (Voudouris et al., 2007). Whether entering a new market, introducing new products or services, or initiating innovative technologies, they always think of novel ways

Whose Church Is the True Church Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Whose Church Is the True Church - Essay Example The process involves getting to know the area in which the church is to be situated. Understanding of how the gospel is understood is also very important in the establishment of the church. To start a church, understanding from both the beginners of the church, and the people it is meant for is very important (Elaine 30). Getting people to understand what the mission is the next step that would help the group in the formation of the church. In getting to know the certain aspects that come with the starting of a new church, the mission is to know who the church is being started for. It should also identify its main goals and objectives if it wants to excel in the quest to spread the word. The church could be for either two groups of people. These are the de-churched or the non-churched. The de-churched were once church goers but do not attend church anymore. However, the non-churched simply refer to those that do not want to attend for one reason or the other (Elaine 34). The beginners of these churches have to know the cultural diversity of the people they intend to spread the gospel to. They could be ethnic, class driven, the lifestyle they led, and the deaf or even non-ethnic diversification. Getting to know this is very essential in the beginning of the church (Elaine 36). The author goes on to claim that building the church for only one group of people is not right. The author states the argument the God, the Supreme Being, is the creator of all beings and; therefore, nobody has the right to take that away. Building churches while under the understanding that the word travels faster if the group of people from the same common ground is wrong. The main aim the author is trying to put across is the diverse choices that should be available. Beginners of churches should consider the creation of a diverse church society. This is going to increase the options for everyone rather than just one group of people. In addition, they should consider the

Grammar Lesson Plan - Future Progressive Tense Assignment

Grammar Lesson Plan - Future Progressive Tense - Assignment Example New Material Pointer: First orally then written Singular Plural He/she/it will be sleeping. He/she/it will be eating. Xavier will go to the beach next month. They will be sleeping. They will be eating. They will go to the beach next month. IV. New Material Transportation: Change sentences from future tense to future progressive aspect, first as a group and then individually. Illustration; -Xavier will go to the beach next month (future tense) -Xavier will be going to the beach next month. (future progressive aspect) -Janet will go to the prom next month. (future tense) -Janet will be going to the prom next month. (future progressive aspect) V. Rule Formation: Elicit from students What kind of tense is in these sentences? - He slept. - He will be sleeping? What does the future progressive aspect indicate about the verb? How is the future progressive tense formed? VI. Authentic material containing samples of new rule. Teacher made dialogue Narrative by some of the students on what acti ons they intend to complete in the future. The rule should be noted as; modal verb will + present participle of the verb (with an -ing ending).

Moral Dilemma Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Moral Dilemma - Essay Example (Moral Dilemmas: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Therefore, it makes good sense to state that for a given agent, under a set of given circumstances, there are reasons to do either A or B, and this even when it is a fact that one set of reasons may be stronger than the other. (Foot, 2003) Does this mean, for a fact, that all moral dilemmas end up with a residue of guilt (Moral Dilemmas and Moral Ambiguity) This is a situation which in essence constitutes a real life moral dilemma: a woman, who is six months pregnant, discovers that she has bowel cancer. She must undergo treatment for the same, which is chemotherapy, but at the same time, she has been informed that the treatment would most probably end up deforming her unborn baby. Should the woman decide to go ahead with the chemotherapy, thus taking a chance with her unborn baby, or must she opt to wait for the baby to be born in order to start treatment, which may in fact endanger her own life What are the ethical issues involved in such a case, and what is the moral dilemma that the woman is facing at the present time The main issue or moral dilemma would be whether the woman must opt to have the chemotherapy or not. What then would be the alternatives for the unfortunate woman What are the different ethical issues that would be involved in the alternative courses of action for the woman Is it possible for the woman to be able to reason out, eventually, which horn of the moral dilemma would in fact be the best choice possible (Moral Dilemmas and Moral Ambiguity) What are the ethical issues involved in this case What, as a matter of fact, is referred to as 'ethics', and what is 'morality' How can an individual behave in a moral and in an ethical manner Today, especially, these issues and other similar ones seem to be overtaking the people, and most especially, younger people, who are faced with rapid changes and developments in all aspects of life. For example, one issue that has been in the forefront for some time is that of 'bioethics'. This is an extremely difficult field, because it is almost all the time concerned with some of the subjects that trouble man the most, life, death, the nature of both, what sort of life is actually worth living, what exactly constitutes murder, how exactly one must treat individuals who are in constant and relentless pain, what sort of responsibilities does one human being have towards another, and so on and so forth. (Issues in Bioethics, ethical dilemmas in biology and medicine) The other topic that seems to be the cause of several rancorous debates between groups of people is that of abortion of the fetus, pregnancy choices of a woman and other related issues. Medical treatments is also one issue that troubles many people, and the related topics here would be what is death, and what exactly constitutes the state of death Is there a bright line of sorts that would identify and state that this is what death is (Issues in Bioethics, ethical dilemmas in biology and medicine) As a matter of fact, doctors are faced all the time with moral dilemmas, and as far as Western medicine is concerned, the doctor-patient relationship gives rise to the 'principle of not doing any harm' or what is known as 'non-malfeasance'.

The Responsible Leader and Manager Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Responsible Leader and Manager - Essay Example As a team, the managers coordinate the company’s operations with a focus on satisfying customers and the community and maximising profits. This paper will explain how they use their personal, interpersonal and societal values to manage the stakeholders, including how they demonstrate their awareness of social issues and corporate citizenship responsibilities. Stakeholders The manner in which stakeholders are treated and managed is a crucial component in the revenue generation and success of a corporate outfit. It is the managers’ duty to ensure that stakeholders’ interests are met for the sake of creating beneficial relationships for business continuity. Some of the stakeholders of Debenhams are the customers, employees and corporate shareholders. Customers form the core purpose of any business’ existence. Employees bridge the gap between the company’s operations, products and services, and the customers. Schroder PLC, in its corporate shareholding capacity, has 202.9 million shares, representing a 16 percent shareholding (Baker 2010). The managers integrate their personal values with corporate values to lay strategies to manage the unique needs and interests of each group of stakeholder. Customers The managers at Debenhams understand that their customer base, running into millions, works hard to earn and afford their purchases. They know that quality products alone, without personal attention and appreciation, do not represent full value for customers’ money. They are motivated by the virtue of customer satisfaction to improve their services. They aim to be responsible and active participants in their communities of operation, which are basically made up of their customers. As a corporate entity, the company supports both national and local charities towards the well being of their customers. In a bid to acknowledge their customers’ choice to do business with them, the managers put them at the heart of their dec ision making. In an appreciative gesture that works both for the customers and the company, the customers’ shopping experience is made more exciting by modernising stores, introduction of new brands and products and a proactive customer service department. Products are manufactured to meet customers’ expectations in socially ethical environments and an assurance of quality compliance. The managers display their charitable cause by volunteering and fundraising. Reading this gesture as leadership by example, more volunteers and donors are attracted towards the events. In response to the ever increasing customers’ expectations of a fully fledged multi channel offer, the managers proposed an outsourced customer service department to a professional service provider (Irvine 2008). The outsourced service is committed to allow the customers several shopping options, and the company recorded an increase in sales within four months. This shows the managers’ awarene ss of the requirement to respond to customers’ queries promptly, professionally and effectively. In another show of valuing customers, the company apologised publicly to a customer who was given wrong prices for dresses at the Newcastle branch. After paying for the dresses following an

Moral Dilemma Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Moral Dilemma - Essay Example (Moral Dilemmas: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Therefore, it makes good sense to state that for a given agent, under a set of given circumstances, there are reasons to do either A or B, and this even when it is a fact that one set of reasons may be stronger than the other. (Foot, 2003) Does this mean, for a fact, that all moral dilemmas end up with a residue of guilt (Moral Dilemmas and Moral Ambiguity) This is a situation which in essence constitutes a real life moral dilemma: a woman, who is six months pregnant, discovers that she has bowel cancer. She must undergo treatment for the same, which is chemotherapy, but at the same time, she has been informed that the treatment would most probably end up deforming her unborn baby. Should the woman decide to go ahead with the chemotherapy, thus taking a chance with her unborn baby, or must she opt to wait for the baby to be born in order to start treatment, which may in fact endanger her own life What are the ethical issues involved in such a case, and what is the moral dilemma that the woman is facing at the present time The main issue or moral dilemma would be whether the woman must opt to have the chemotherapy or not. What then would be the alternatives for the unfortunate woman What are the different ethical issues that would be involved in the alternative courses of action for the woman Is it possible for the woman to be able to reason out, eventually, which horn of the moral dilemma would in fact be the best choice possible (Moral Dilemmas and Moral Ambiguity) What are the ethical issues involved in this case What, as a matter of fact, is referred to as 'ethics', and what is 'morality' How can an individual behave in a moral and in an ethical manner Today, especially, these issues and other similar ones seem to be overtaking the people, and most especially, younger people, who are faced with rapid changes and developments in all aspects of life. For example, one issue that has been in the forefront for some time is that of 'bioethics'. This is an extremely difficult field, because it is almost all the time concerned with some of the subjects that trouble man the most, life, death, the nature of both, what sort of life is actually worth living, what exactly constitutes murder, how exactly one must treat individuals who are in constant and relentless pain, what sort of responsibilities does one human being have towards another, and so on and so forth. (Issues in Bioethics, ethical dilemmas in biology and medicine) The other topic that seems to be the cause of several rancorous debates between groups of people is that of abortion of the fetus, pregnancy choices of a woman and other related issues. Medical treatments is also one issue that troubles many people, and the related topics here would be what is death, and what exactly constitutes the state of death Is there a bright line of sorts that would identify and state that this is what death is (Issues in Bioethics, ethical dilemmas in biology and medicine) As a matter of fact, doctors are faced all the time with moral dilemmas, and as far as Western medicine is concerned, the doctor-patient relationship gives rise to the 'principle of not doing any harm' or what is known as 'non-malfeasance'.

What Caused Secession Essay Example for Free

What Caused Secession Essay With no doubt was the secession of the eleven southern states a very important event in our country’s history. Resulting in Civil War, which lasted four years, leaving over one-half million deaths, destruction, and great sectional hatred, has affected our country till today. The great question is what caused the southern states to secede? If slavery truly was the culprit behind this, if it was to what extent was it? Was the person leading our country at the time in fault for southern secession? If any what were other factors? All of these questions are still debated today. Southern believed that slaves were their property, and that they had the right to take them with them. So when they noticed that Lincoln was going to abolish slavery they decided it would be best to secede than not have anything to make money from. After the compromise of 1820 they limited slavery to the south, which would split the country into two for the next forty years. The South would feel that slavery was the best thing for the slave for it gave them something productive to do. The North however as a majority felt slavery as a horrible thing by the cruel ways the slave owners would treat and beat their slaves. There were also those who went and helped free and bring slaves up to the North and also into Canada. (Document 1). Lincoln promising to abolish slavery played a big role on secession. Southerners economy depended on agriculture, and cotton was one of their major crops. So they needed slaves to work in their fields. When they heard that Lincoln would abolish slavery they thought â€Å"If Lincoln were president†¦the Union would be endangered from that hour.† (Document 3). The South started to think that it is â€Å"Better leave the Union in the open face of day, than be lighted from it at midnight by the [arsonist’s] torch.† (Document 2) They also said that â€Å"All citizens of the United States have an equal right to settle with their property in the Territory, without their rights, either of person or property, being†¦impaired†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It opened our eyes to the fact that there were two hostile elements in the country, and that if we allowed slaves to enter any territorial acquisition, our free labor must be excluded from it.† (Document 5) They argued about this for a reasonable time until the south eventually seceded from the south. We really don’t know what really caused secession. Even researchers can’t solidly say what the cause of secession was. But people can infer, and with clues, can have an idea of what caused secession.

Reflective Account Of A Student Placement Within The Community Setting Nursing Essay

Reflective Account Of A Student Placement Within The Community Setting Nursing Essay This assignment will provide a reflective account of a student placement within the community setting. The   reflective   model   Kolbs learning   cycle   (1984) is   often   referred   to   in   describing   experimental   learning   and   can   be   used   in   any   learning   situation.   Reflective practice is important to the development of Mentors as   professionals as   it   enables   us   to   learn   from   our   experiences   of  teaching   and   facilitating   student   learning. Dix and Hughes (2004) recognise that students and learners can benefit from reflective practise. Jasper (2003) also identifies that reflective practise is an essential tool for student nurses to make that very important link between theory and practise. It will also highlight the role of the mentor and look at how the learning outcomes of both the mentor and the student were achieved. According   to   the   Nursing   and   Midwifery   Council   (NMC   2008) the   term  Ã‚   mentor   is   used   to   highlight   the   role   of   a   registered  nurse   who   facilitates learning   and   supervises and   assesses   students   in   the   practice   place.  Ã‚   They   also   identify   the   eight   mandatory   standards   that   must   be  Ã‚   achieved   to   become   a   mentor,   and   within   the   assignment   I   shall   be  Ã‚   referring   to   the Standards   to   Support   Learning   and   Assessment   in  Ã‚   Practice; NMC   standards   for   mentors,   practice   teachers and   teachers,   and  Ã‚   identifying   the   standards   that   mentors require. I   am   a   staff   nurse   working as part of a busy district nursing team   within   the   community setting. I have 5   years   experience as a nurse,   as   I   me ntee   I   will   be   under   the   supervision   of   my   mentor   who   is also   a   staff   nurse   with   over 20 years experience. Who has over   7   years   experience   as a   mentor.    The   student   that   has   been   allocated   to   my   area   of   work   is a   26   year   old   women   who   is at   the   beginning   of   her   2nd   year,   she   has   previously   worked   with   the health   visitor   and   In   a   nursing   home   setting.   Before   starting   her   training   she   worked   as a   carer   in   a   nursing   home   setting   which   has   given   her   confidence   and   personal   experience   outside   her   nurse   training. I   will   be outlining   the   students   journey   whilst   on   their   placement   and   How   I,   with   the   suppo rt   of   my   mentor   provided a   constructive   and   nurturing   learning   environment   for   the   student   to   develop   and   meet   her   learning   outcomes.   To ensure the student has a positive learning experience it is important that the learning environment is supportive for the student and those who work in it . Clarke et al. (2003) makes reference that learning in the clinical environment is very highly valued and this places several demands on clinical areas and staff. The clinic in which I am based has a wealth of mentors and nurses with vast experience. It provides a positive and supportive learning experience to students who are placed with the district nurses. Although the clinic can be unpredictable clinically and tend to have heavy workloads. We have a resource room for students and the staff are always interested in and aware of the students experience whilst on placement.    Our   initial meeting   took   place   on   the   students   first   day   of   the   placement   I   issued her   the   clinics   student   nurse  Ã‚  orientation / resource   pack.   This   provided   her   with   all   the   basic   information  Ã‚   about   the   clinic   and   the   different   members   staff   within   the   team. Also   within   the   pack   was a   copy   of   the   NMC   guide   for   students   of   nursing   (2005) for   her   to   keep   referring   back   to, this   was   to  Ã‚   provide   a   good    introduction   into   the   learning   environment   that   she would   be   in   during   her   placement.   Cahill   (1996)   acknowledges   that   the   single   most   crucial   factor   in   creating   a   positive   learning   environment   is   the   relationship   between  Ã‚   staff   and   the   student   nurses.  Ã‚   She   also   discusses a   common   problem   which   arises   for   students   is   that   they   are   regularly   unable   to   work   with   their   mentor,   so   during   our   initial   meeting   we   discussed   and   planned   her   time table taking   into   account   any   study days she may have.  Ã‚   Kenworthy   and   Nicklin   (2000) comment   that   the   more   comfortable   and  Ã‚   welcome   a   student   feels   within   the   working   environment, the   more    likely   it   is   that  Ã‚   effective   learning   will   take   place   and   the   student   will   become  Ã‚   motivated   to   learn   which   is a   key   factor   in   successful   learning.   During   this   meeting   we   also   outlined   her   learning   needs and   establish   a   learning contract . A   learning   contract   is a   short   agreement   in   writing   between   the   mentor   and   their   student   used   to   ensure   learning   objectives and   module   outcomes are   identified   and   met   throughout   the   placement   (Lowry 1997). Downie and Basford (2003) believe that to identify the learning outcomes at the beginning for the placement is of great benefit to the students. In the learning contract the student outlined she would like to develop skills in the technique of administrating injections. She also expressed an interest in learning the role of a district nurse. It   was   important   for   me   to   know  Ã‚   where   in   her   training   the  Ã‚   student   nurse   was   so   I   could   plan   with   her   effectively   when   supporting   her   in   the   clinical   setting. A   frequently   used   taxonomy  Ã‚   in   nursing   is   the   framework   by   Benner   (2001)   in   which   are  Ã‚   five   levels;   novice, beginner,   competent,   proficient,   and   expert. According   to   Benners   stages   of   clinical   competence   which   shows   the   journey   of   a   novice   to   an   expert   my   student   appeared   to   be   an   advance   beginner   as she shows   understanding   of   the   NMC   code   of   professional   conduct   and has   some previous   work   experience   which   some   st udents   in   the   same   year   on   the   course   may   not   have. Honey and Mumford (1992) explore four different styles of learning which is a variation on kolbs model. It is thought whenever possible, it is essential to allow the students individual style of learning determine your choice of teaching. In seeking to explain kolbs model there are four different styles of learning they describe activists, pragmatists, theorists and reflectors. They also mention that although many people can be a mixture of the 4 styles they primarily had a preference for only one. When establishing the learning style of my student I became aware that she was an activist and also reflector. Preferring to observe and gain understanding of the theory and evidence based practise. Then showing a very hands on and experienced approach it became very apparent she preferred to be practical and experimental once she became comfortable with her surroundings. As outlined in her learnin g contract she was keen to meet her clinical outcome for administrating injections. The NMC standards for mentors (2008) states that students must spend forty percent of their placement with their mentor. This presented a problem as I had a numbers of annual study days which were mandatory and I had to attend. I discussed this with the student and explained other members of staff would oversee her learning outcomes whilst I was attending courses. This would be arranged well in advance so she knew who she would be placed with. She felt this arrangement was suitable as she would be given a chance to work with members of staff with differing experience and skill mix. This would also highlight the diversity in district nursing. I also felt this would enhance her experience within the team making her feel more comfortable with all the members of the team. Beskine (2009) suggests that starting off with a positive approach promotes the students experience as well as the quality of the plac ement. It was found by Pearcey and Elliot (2004) that students who have had negative experiences with their mentor and placements tend to leave the course before qualifying. Spoke placements with members of the multidisciplinary team were also discuss at this point and I gave her a list of recommend contact numbers and details.

Truffaut’s Jules et Jim †An Expressionistic Analysis :: Movie Film Essays

Truffaut’s Jules et Jim — An Expressionistic Analysis As far as Bazin’s essay â€Å"The Evolution of the Language of Cinema† might be used as a formal test of categorisation—notwithstanding the problematics inherent in his oversimplification of the realist and expressionist methodology—initial viewing of Jules et Jim seems to present a dichotomous structure. Certainly, a number of Bazin’s criteria for realism are met: camera movement; long-takes; composition-in-depth. and deep focus; a certain ambiguity of meaning. Similarly, several of Bazin’s criteria for expressionism also can be found: there is spatial and temporal discontinuity; editing is used for artistic effect; reality is augmented to create a world only vaguely like our own, and so on. The dichotomy though is only apparent. The over-all effect created by Truffaut shows Jules et Jim belonging more comfortably in the expressionistic domain; and, as we shall discover, devices which would normally—at least according to Bazin— deliver the effect of realism are utilised by Truffaut as tools of expressionism. In our analysis of Jules et Jim, rather than examine fleetingly the whole gamut of expressionistic techniques, we shall instead explore in some detail the more important methods, paying particular attention to temporal and spatial distortions, editing and montage, special visual effects, and finally discover the manner in which Bazin’s archetypal techniques of realism—long-takes and composition-in-depth.—are recast. Certainly one of the most striking features of Jules et Jim is temporal distortion. Truffaut utilises this effect by various means and for various purposes. In the first two minutes of the film, time is condensed in two ways: by the third person narrative, which encapsulates the film’s exposition in the most laconic of terms, describing the meeting and developing friendship of Jules and Jim, and also by the selective images which largely avoid redunant description of the aural narrative, but instead seek to interpret and compliment. Accordingly, when the narrator tells us that Jules is a foreigner in Paris; that he wants to go to an art student’s ball; and that Jim gets him a ticket and costume, the image we are offered is a simple one of the two playing dominoes. This image, incidentally, becomes a leitmotif in the film, supporting the theme of friendship and is touchingly varied much later when Jules plays instead with his daughter. Next, the narrator tells us that their friendship grows; the ball takes place; that Jules has tender eyes.

Mad Cow Disease Journal Entry :: Pesonal Narrative Diary disease Essays

Mad Cow Disease Journal Entry January 6th, 2004 Garden Grove, California Dear Journal, Mother has just gotten back from the grocery store. She's loading up the refrigerator with chicken, fish, and eggs--no red meat once again. Oblivious to the complaints about father saying the risk to human health from Mad Cow Disease is low and that he has got to have his meat. What can I say? A man has got to have his red, red meat. It has only been less than a year since the World Reference Laboratory has confirmed that a cow killed in Alberta, Canada was tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) also known as Mad Cow Disease among the public. But that was not the news that got mother going through red-meat paranoia. This past Christmas, it was found that a cow in Washington of the US of A, was positive for mad cow. If my word dissection is correct, the disease can be broken down to enceph meaning the brain and pathy meaning disease.* Overall, it is a disease that turns the brain into a sponge-like chunk of meat. At first, the only time I have heard of the Mad Cow Disease was in my European History class and it was only a brief sentence that was spoken about it, but boy, what a sentence it was. It seems as though during the 1980s, to save money, Great Britain's ranchers began to feed grounded up dead animals (who have died from disease) to their cattle. Now isn't that disgusting? Not only was it disgusting, but cows are herbivores and basically altering their diet like that caused the Mad Cow Disease to develop. When symptoms of the disease started to show, well, the government banned the use of dead animals as fodder and killed off the cows that were predicted to have Mad Cow. Now, I was thinking to myself, that's not so bad, right? What harm can this disease do? But being one of my bad characteristics, I spoke too soon. This disease has a human form called Cruetzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). One of the main forms of getting it is by eating BSE-infected meat from cattle. Are you ready for some bad news? Well, symptoms of the disease include muscle spasms, distorted walking ability, memory problems, having a hard time controlling muscles, etc.

My Hometown Poem

My hometown was a wonderful place to live But there were many times it didn’t forgive Some memories I hold so fond, Others I wish were gone. My hometown’s history made my heart bleed The town no longer has what I need When the war came and took the peace as prisoners we wished to be freed That's when you know it's time to leave Because in my hometown I can no longer believe One day my father told me we must leave town With dismayed eyes as his tears were drawn He said we are fish following the ocean,We have to go north to a freer nation Where beaver live, mountains, it's a better option In my hometown I loved how you can walk wherever you want, No one casts a disapproving scowl or taunt This place has snowy hills, green valleys running up and down Still, my hometown deserves a crown My hometown was a wonderful place to live; But there were many times it didn’t forgive; (Some memories I hold so fond) ; Others I wish were gone; My hometown’s history made my heart bleed; The town no longer has what I need ;When the war came and took the peace as prisoners we wished toobeefreed; That's when you know it's time to leave; Because in my hometown I can no longer believe; One day my father told me we must leave town; With dismayed eyes as his tears were drawn ? He said we are fish following the ocean? We have to go north to a freer nation? it's a better option? In my hometown I loved how you can walk wherever you want, No one casts a disapproving scowl or taunt This place has snowy hills, green valleys running up and down Still, my hometown deserves a crown. .

Master of Business Administration Essay

Have you ever deployed your best team to resolve a problem and have the team execute flawlessly, only to find that the problem that was solved did not address the customer’s real need? This common scenario is often the source of widespread customer dissatisfaction and is all too prevalent in today’s nonprofit business environment where valuable resources are needlessly and inadvertently wasted because problems are not accurately identified. Given the fast pace of change in today’s market and the high volume of information that inundate leaders on a daily basis, it is essential to have an approach for identifying key organizational issues. Problems often arise at the senior leadership level and those leaders need to suppress their natural inclination to immediately solve the problem. The tendency to react (Ready, fire, aim) often leads to less creative solutions that may not meet the real need. It is critical that a structured, deliberate approach be taken to solve complex problems in order to arrive at a solution that will allow effective collaboration among all the key knowledge experts, so that they can generate useful ideas and achieve the desired result. A Structured Approach to Problem Solving: Creative Problem Solving Buffaloâ„ ¢ Accurately framing the problem is the most important step of the Creative Problem Solving –Buffalo (â€Å"CPSB†) process. It is imperative to understand the problem and what makes the CPSB process effective is that it provides a structure, language, and tools for targeting opportunities. The problem identification framework under the CPSB model begins with the ‘Task Appraisal Process. The Task Appraisal Process has four elements: * People – Are the right people working on the tasks; do they have the authority and responsibility to take action; what level of sponsorship is being provided; do the people have the necessary knowledge and skill to address the problem? * Outcomes – Is there a clear understanding of the desired outcome; is a current process being improved or are a new process being created; what are the most and least important aspects of the problem; how is the outcome that is desired different from what exits currently? Context – What has been tried before to address this issue; does it link to the strategic priorities; are there the necessary resources (time, money, people, etc)? * Method – How familiar are the people with the problem solving tools/methods that will be used? The Task Appraisal Process can be applied in a wide range of scenarios. Here are a few examples: * Interviewing clients to evaluate and determine which problems to address and more effectively position services. Leading a group of cross functional leaders to develop a consensus on the important issue to solve and streamline the engagement. * Improving or repairing relationships with a previous client or organization. Identifying the Problem and example To lead customers in the problem solving process, it is important to determine the customer’s level of understanding of their problem. The selection of appropriate tools and techniques to facilitate the process will depend on the specificity of the issue. Are they broad challenges or opportunities? (e. g. â€Å"My grant process takes too long. †) * Do they need to close the gap between current and future state? (e. g. â€Å"How can we better understand the grant approval process? †) * Do they understand their current state? (e. g. â€Å"Can we articulate the current cycle time, how much does it cost today? Do we have the data to support our current assumptions? â€Å") Tools and Techniques Structuring and framing the issues at the front end of the process is critical to successfully implementing the process. This approach provides users with a variety of tools ranging from idea generation to action planning and these tools used in conjunction with the process guidelines allow the user to achieve the desired result. The power is in the execution and the tools for executing the process are categorized into three areas: * Generating ideas – Incremental change or step change will determine the appropriate and most productive use of the nine available tools. * Focusing – There are eight tools that can compress a large quantity of options or others that are suited for in-depth analysis and development. Facilitation – It is a leadership role. They need to know how to use a range of creativity methods, tools, and techniques as well as manage group dynamics and move the group toward the desired outcome. The highly skilled facilitator will understand, plan, and manage the process to reach the desired outcome. A structured approach along with the proper tools and techniques can result in solving numerous issues that organizations face on a daily basis. It may take a little more time on the front end to identify the correct problem, but the ideas and solutions generated by the team will meet the needs and desires of your customers.