Saturday, August 31, 2019

Wireless Technology Proposal

Starting a business can be challenging as well as rewarding. Implementing the use of modern, relevant technology will help promote success within the business. Wireless devices can be used to help with achieving and maintaining that success. There is a vast array of wireless devices available to choose from. It is important to know which of these would be most useful for the party plate business. With research, it has been determined that party plates would benefit most from modern cell phones and the Apple IPAD.We recommend that each employee be provided a cellular phone and also an Apple IPAD for business purposes. Attached is a detailed proposal that addresses the pro’s and cons of incorporating these two devices. We will justify the decision of choosing the devices and our research and data will break down the economical concerns associated with implementing this plan of action. In conjunction with my team, we have deliberated and decided upon two wireless technologies tha t would be beneficial to administer in the Party Plates organization.We have decided to implement the usefulness of Apple iPads & Blackberry phones into our company to streamline business. The iPad offers apps that eliminate paper-based processes that give you realtime information, and improve efficiency of common office activities. iPad gives you immediate access to important files. Utilizing easytouse business apps on iPad, you can review and edit Microsoft Office and iWork files, fine-tune presentations, and annotate PDFs. iPads allows you to continue working on important projects even when you’re away from your desk.Using an iPad simplifies all your business-critical tasks, whether it’s managing inventory, tracking shipments, or invoicing clients. With iPad and apps from the App Store, get equipped with ready-to-go solutions to keep your operations on course. iPad is also an incredible mobile sales tool to help you manage all your customer relationships. With its w ireless connectivity, iPad gives you on-the-spot access to your CRM database for customer information, sales data, and task lists.In addition to the iPad, our team chose to incorporate the Blackberry phone as a wireless mobile device as well. The advantages of giving your employees a blackberry as a business device allows users to make phone calls, send emails, look at and send documents, text messages and pictures, and record and listen to voicemails from anywhere in the world. The business benefits of these devices have led some companies to purchase a plan for every employee. This has led some companies to see an increase in employee efficiency and happiness.With a company Blackberry, an employee can conduct business when outside of the office. Mobile access to communications and information helps you respond promptly to inquiries and address customer concerns immediately, enhancing their satisfaction. Access to up-to-date information helps you capitalize on business opportunitie s virtually whenever and wherever they arise. Technology has many benefits to a business; however there are also many potential disadvantages. One important benefit for a bus to use wireless technology is to save money.Wireless Technology regulates the need for employees to come into the office. For example, if there is a meeting that would involve several employees in different locations it would save the company money to not have to pay for travel expenses. It is an advantage for employees to use their company phones. Wireless communication increases communication by receiving information faster. Wireless communication allows employees to be easy to contact when on the move. Most of all there is no need for cords.On the negative side of wireless technology, many businesses depend on electronic systems and operation for the company can come to an immediate standstill if the software crashes or the system goes down. Second, software is constantly changing and needing upgrading and t echnical support could be time consuming. Security can be an issue; unauthorized people can attack wireless technology. The mobile speed is not as fast as a desktop computer, and sometimes servicing can be expensive. As our business Party Plates continues to emerge we will continue to require advancement in our technology.Wireless technology plays a huge role in the way we facilitate our day to day business. Some of the latest additions to our wireless devices are such as the cell phone and I-pad. These wireless devices will ensure our employees not only have a variety but flexibility alike. Our management team and sales associates are finding it not only convenient but it helps with their overall productivity of our products for several reasons. First, wireless technology allows our employees the opportunity to be productive and use their time that was formerly being wasted.A good example would be, most employees commute to work on public transportation. The commute allows them the time to research new and innovate ways and ideas to help continue the growth of our company or complete unfinished assignments. Secondly, because our employees or able to take their devices with them, their work locations are much more flexible. Another great advantage to upgrading to wireless technology is that it allows our employees the opportunity to allocate their work time around their personal obligations.The following is a spreadsheet to track hardware and software requirements. In conclusion, you can see the company will successfully meet goals, and provide a more substantial way of communication for all staff. After carefully reviewing the operation of Party Plates a modern relevant and sufficient technology to consider are cell phones and the up to date IPAD 2. Our team would gladly assist your company to moving forward with a wireless way of communication. Reference: http://us. blackberry. com/business/types/small/SolutionsBrochure_V5. pdf

Friday, August 30, 2019

The Host Chapter 43: Frenzied

I imagined that from the outside, I looked as still as a statue. My hands were folded in front of me, my face was without expression, my breathing was too shallow to move my chest. Inside, I was spinning apart, as if the pieces of my atoms were reversing polarity and blowing away from one another. Bringing Melanie back had not saved him. All that I could do was not enough. The hall outside our room was crowded. Jared, Kyle, and Ian were back from their desperate raid, empty-handed. A cooler of ice-that was all they had to show for three days of risking their lives. Trudy was making compresses and laying them across Jamie's forehead, the back of his neck, his chest. Even if the ice cooled the fever, raging out of control, how long until it was all melted? An hour? More? Less? How long until he was dying again? I would have been the one to put the ice on him, but I couldn't move. If I moved, I would fall into microscopic pieces. â€Å"Nothing?† Doc murmured. â€Å"Did you check -â€Å" â€Å"Every spot we could think of,† Kyle interrupted. â€Å"It's not like painkillers, drugs-lots of people had reason to keep those hidden. The antibiotics were always kept in the open. They're gone, Doc.† Jared just stared down at the red-faced child on the bed, not speaking. Ian stood beside me. â€Å"Don't look like that,† he whispered. â€Å"He'll pull through. He's tough.† I couldn't respond. Couldn't even hear the words, really. Doc knelt beside Trudy and pulled Jamie's chin down. With a bowl he scooped up some of the ice water from the cooler and let it trickle into Jamie's mouth. We all heard the thick, painful sound of Jamie's swallowing. But his eyes didn't open. I felt as though I would never be able to move again. That I would turn into part of the stone wall. I wanted to be stone. If they dug a hole for Jamie in the empty desert, they would have to put me in it, too. Not good enough, Melanie growled. I was despairing, but she was filled with fury. They tried. Trying solves nothing. Jamie will not die. They have to go back out. For what purpose? Even if they did find your old antibiotics, what are the chances they would still be any good? They only worked half the time anyway. Inferior. He doesn't need your medicine. He needs more than that. Something that really works†¦ My breathing sped up, deepened as I saw it. He needs mine, I realized. Mel and I were both awestruck by the obviousness of this idea. The simplicity of it. My stone lips cracked apart. â€Å"Jamie needs real medicines. The ones the souls have. We need to get him those.† Doc frowned at me. â€Å"We don't even know what those things do, how they work.† â€Å"Does it matter?† Some of Melanie's anger was seeping into my voice. â€Å"They do work. They can save him.† Jared stared at me. I could feel Ian's eyes on me, too, and Kyle's, and all the rest in the room. But I saw only Jared. â€Å"We can't get 'em, Wanda,† Jeb said, his tone already one of defeat. Giving up. â€Å"We can only get into deserted places. There's always a bunch of your kind in a hospital. Twenty-four hours a day. Too many eyes. We won't do Jamie any good if we get caught.† â€Å"Sure,† Kyle said in a hard voice. â€Å"The centipedes will be only too happy to heal his body when they find us here. And make him one of them. Is that what you're after?† I turned to glare at the big, sneering man. My body tensed and leaned forward. Ian put his hand on my shoulder as if he were holding me back. I didn't think I would have made any aggressive move toward Kyle, but maybe I was wrong. I was so far from my normal self. When I spoke, my voice was dead even, no inflection. â€Å"There has to be a way.† Jared was nodding. â€Å"Maybe someplace small. The gun would make too much noise, but if there were enough of us to overwhelm them, we could use knives.† â€Å"No.† My arms came unfolded, my hands falling open in shock. â€Å"No. That's not what I meant. Not killing -â€Å" No one even listened to me. Jeb was arguing with Jared. â€Å"There's no way, kid. Somebody'd get a call off to the Seekers. Even if we were in and out, something like that would bring 'em down on us in force. We'd be hard-pressed to make it out at all. And they'd follow.† â€Å"Wait. Can't you -â€Å" They still weren't listening to me. â€Å"I don't want the boy to die, either, but we can't risk everyone's lives for one person,† Kyle said. â€Å"People die here; it happens. We can't get crazy to save one boy.† I wanted to choke him, to cut off his air in order to stop his calm words. Me, not Melanie. I was the one who wanted to turn his face purple. Melanie felt the same way, but I could tell how much of the violence came directly from me. â€Å"We have to save him,† I said, louder now. Jeb looked at me. â€Å"Hon, we can't just walk in there and ask.† Right then, another very simple and obvious truth occurred to me. â€Å"You can't. But I can.† The room fell dead silent. I was caught up in the beauty of the plan forming in my head. The perfection of it. I spoke mostly to myself, and to Melanie. She was impressed. This would work. We could save Jamie. â€Å"They aren't suspicious. Not at all. Even if I'm a horrible liar, they would never suspect me of anything. They wouldn't be listening for lies. Of course not. I'm one of them. They would do anything to help me. I'd say I got hurt hiking or something†¦ and then I'd find a way to be alone and I'd take as much as I could hide. Think of it! I could get enough to heal everyone here. To last for years. And Jamie would be fine! Why didn't I think of this before? Maybe it wouldn't have been too late even for Walter.† I looked up then, with shining eyes. It was just so perfect! So perfect, so absolutely right, so obvious to me, that it took me forever to understand the expressions on their faces. If Kyle's had not been so explicit, it might have taken me longer. Hatred. Suspicion. Fear. Even Jeb's poker face was not enough. His eyes were tight with mistrust. Every face said no. Are they insane? Can't they see how this would help us all? They don't believe me. They think I'll hurt them, hurt Jamie! â€Å"Please,† I whispered. â€Å"It's the only way to save him.† â€Å"Patient, isn't it?† Kyle spit. â€Å"Bided its time well, don't you think?† I fought the desire to choke him again. â€Å"Doc?† I begged. He didn't meet my eyes. â€Å"Even if there was any way we could let you outside, Wanda†¦ I just couldn't trust drugs I don't understand. Jamie's a tough kid. His system will fight this off.† â€Å"We'll go out again, Wanda,† Ian murmured. â€Å"We'll find something. We won't come back until we do.† â€Å"That's not good enough.† The tears were pooling in my eyes. I looked to the one person who might possibly be in as much pain as I was. â€Å"Jared. You know. You know I would never let anything hurt Jamie. You know I can do this. Please.† He met my gaze for one long moment. Then he looked around the room, at every other face. Jeb, Doc, Kyle, Ian, Trudy. Out the door at the silent audience whose expressions mirrored Kyle's: Sharon, Violetta, Lucina, Reid, Geoffrey, Heath, Heidi, Andy, Aaron, Wes, Lily, Carol. My friends mixed in with my enemies, all of them wearing Kyle's face. He stared at the next row, which I couldn't see. Then he looked down at Jamie. There was no sound of breathing in the whole room. â€Å"No, Wanda,† he said quietly. â€Å"No.† A sigh of relief from the rest. My knees buckled. I fell forward and yanked free of Ian's hands when he tried to pull me back up. I crawled to Jamie and pushed Trudy aside with my elbow. The silent room watched. I took the compress from his head and refilled the melted ice. I didn't meet the stares I could feel on my skin. I couldn't see anyway. The tears swam in front of my eyes. â€Å"Jamie, Jamie, Jamie,† I crooned. â€Å"Jamie, Jamie, Jamie.† I couldn't seem to do anything but sob out his name and touch the packets of ice over and over, waiting for the moment they would need changing. I heard them leave, a few at a time. I heard their voices, mostly angry, fade away down the halls. I couldn't make sense of the words, though. Jamie, Jamie, Jamie†¦ â€Å"Jamie, Jamie, Jamie†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Ian knelt beside me when the room was almost empty. â€Å"I know you wouldn't†¦ but Wanda, they'll kill you if you try,† he whispered. â€Å"After what happened†¦ in the hospital. They're afraid you have good reason to destroy us†¦ Anyway, he'll be all right. You have to trust that.† I turned my face from him, and he went away. â€Å"Sorry, kid,† Jeb mumbled when he left. Jared left. I didn't hear him go, but I knew when he was gone. That seemed right to me. He didn't love Jamie the way we did. He had proved that. He should go. Doc stayed, watching helplessly. I didn't look at him. The daylight faded slowly, turned orange and then gray. The ice melted and was gone. Jamie started to burn alive under my hands. â€Å"Jamie, Jamie, Jamie†¦Ã¢â‚¬  My voice was cracked and hoarse now, but I couldn't stop. â€Å"Jamie, Jamie, Jamie†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The room turned black. I couldn't see Jamie's face. Would he leave in the night? Had I already seen his face, his living face, for the last time? His name was just a whisper on my lips now, low enough that I could hear Doc's quiet snoring. I wiped the tepid cloth across his body without ceasing. As the water dried, it cooled him a little. The burn lessened. I began to believe that he wouldn't die tonight. But I wouldn't be able to hold him here forever. He would slip away from me. Tomorrow. The next day. And then I would die, too. I would not live without Jamie. Jamie, Jamie, Jamie†¦ Melanie groaned. Jared didn't believe us. The lament was both of ours. We thought it at the same time. It was still silent. I didn't hear anything. Nothing alerted me. Then, suddenly, Doc cried out. The sound was oddly muffled, like he was shouting into a pillow. My eyes couldn't make sense of the shapes in the darkness at first. Doc was jerking strangely. And he seemed too big-like he had too many arms. It was terrifying. I leaned over Jamie's inert form, to protect him from whatever was happening. I could not flee while he lay helpless. My heart pounded against my ribs. Then the flailing arms were still. Doc's snore started up again, louder and thicker than before. He slumped to the ground, and the shape separated. A second figure pulled itself away from his and stood in the darkness. â€Å"Let's go,† Jared whispered. â€Å"We don't have time to waste.† My heart nearly exploded. He believes. I jumped to my feet, forcing my stiff knees to unbend. â€Å"What did you do to Doc?† â€Å"Chloroform. It won't last long.† I turned quickly and poured the warm water over Jamie, soaking his clothes and the mattress. He didn't stir. Perhaps that would keep him cool until Doc woke up. â€Å"Follow me.† I was on his heels. We moved silently, almost touching, almost running but not quite. Jared hugged the walls, and I did the same. He stopped when we reached the light of the moon-bright garden room. It was deserted and still. I could see Jared clearly for the first time. He had the gun slung behind his back and a knife sheathed at his waist. He held out his hands, and there was a length of dark fabric in them. I understood at once. The whispered words raced out of my mouth. â€Å"Yes, blindfold me.† He nodded, and I closed my eyes while he tied the cloth over them. I would keep them closed anyway. The knot was quick and tight. When he was done, I spun myself in a fast circle-once, twice†¦ His hands stopped me. â€Å"That's okay,† he said. And then he gripped me harder and lifted me off the ground. I gasped in surprise as he threw me against his shoulder. I folded there, my head and chest hanging over his back, beside the gun. His arms held my legs against his chest, and he was already moving. I bounced as he jogged, my face brushing against his shirt with each stride. I had no sense of which way we were going; I didn't try to guess or think or feel. I concentrated only on the bouncing of his gait, counting steps. Twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three†¦ I could feel him lean as the path took him down and then up. I tried not to think about it. Four hundred twelve, four hundred thirteen, four hundred fourteen†¦ I knew when we were out. I smelled the dry, clean breeze of the desert. The air was hot, though it had to be close to midnight. He pulled me down and set me on my feet. â€Å"The ground is flat. Do you think you can run blindfolded?† â€Å"Yes.† He grabbed my elbow tightly in his hand and took off, setting a rigorous pace. It wasn't easy. He caught me time and time again before I could fall. I started to get used to it after a while, and I kept my balance better over the tiny pits and rises. We ran until we were both gasping. â€Å"If†¦ we can get†¦ to the jeep†¦ we'll be in†¦ the clear.† The jeep? I felt a strange wave of nostalgia. Mel hadn't seen the jeep since the first leg of that disastrous trip to Chicago, hadn't known it had survived. â€Å"If we†¦ can't?† I asked. â€Å"They catch us†¦ they'll kill you. Ian's†¦ right about†¦ that part.† I tried to run faster. Not to save my life, but because I was the only one who could save Jamie's. I stumbled again. â€Å"Going to†¦ take off the blindfold. You'll be†¦ faster.† â€Å"You sure?† â€Å"Don't†¦ look around. ‘Kay?† â€Å"Promise.† He yanked at the knots behind my head. As the fabric fell away from my eyes, I focused them only on the ground at my feet. It made a world of difference. The moonlight was bright, and the sand was very smooth and pale. Jared dropped his arm and broke into a faster stride. I kept up easily now. Distance running was familiar to my body. I settled into my preferred stride. Just over a six-minute mile, I'd guess. I couldn't keep up that pace forever, but I'd run myself into the ground trying. â€Å"You hear†¦ anything?† he asked. I listened. Just two sets of running feet on the sand. â€Å"No.† He grunted in approval. I guessed this was the reason he'd stolen the gun. They couldn't stop us from a distance without it. It took about an hour more. I was slowing then, and so was he. My mouth burned for water. I'd never looked up from the ground, so it startled me when he put his hand over my eyes. I faltered, and he pulled us to a walk. â€Å"We're okay now. Just ahead†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He left his hand over my eyes and tugged me forward. I heard our footsteps echo off something. The desert wasn't as flat here. â€Å"Get in.† His hand disappeared. It was nearly as dark as it was with him covering my eyes. Another cave. Not a deep one. If I turned around, I would be able to see out of it. I didn't turn. The jeep faced into the darkness. It looked just the same as I remembered it, this vehicle I had never seen. I swung myself over the door into the seat. Jared was in his seat already. He leaned over and tied the blindfold over my eyes again. I held still to make it easier. The noise of the engine scared me. It seemed too dangerous. There were so many people who shouldn't find us now. We moved in reverse briefly, and then the wind was blasting my face. There was a funny sound behind the jeep, something that didn't fit Melanie's memories. â€Å"We're going to Tucson,† he told me. â€Å"We never raid there-it's too close. But we don't have time for anything else. I know where a small hospital is, not too deep into town.† â€Å"Not Saint Mary's?† He heard the alarm in my voice. â€Å"No, why?† â€Å"I know someone there.† He was quiet for a minute. â€Å"Will you be recognized?† â€Å"No. No one will know my face. We don't have†¦ wanted people. Not like you did.† â€Å"Okay.† But he had me thinking now, thinking about my appearance. Before I could voice my concerns, he took my hand and folded it around something very small. â€Å"Keep that close to you.† â€Å"What is it?† â€Å"If they guess that you're†¦ with us, if they're going to†¦ put someone else in Mel's body, you put that in your mouth and bite down on it hard.† â€Å"Poison?† â€Å"Yes.† I thought about that for a moment. And then I laughed; I couldn't help it. My nerves were frayed with worry. â€Å"It's not a joke, Wanda,† he said angrily. â€Å"If you can't do it, then I have to take you back.† â€Å"No, no, I can.† I tried to get a hold of myself. â€Å"I know I can. That's why I'm laughing.† His voice was harsh. â€Å"I don't get the joke.† â€Å"Don't you see? For millions of my own kind, I've never been able to do that. Not for my own†¦ children. I was always too afraid to die that final time. But I can do it for one alien child.† I laughed again. â€Å"It doesn't make any sense. Don't worry, though. I can die to protect Jamie.† â€Å"I'm trusting you to do just that.† It was silent for a moment, and then I remembered what I looked like. â€Å"Jared, I don't look right. For walking into a hospital.† â€Å"We've got better clothes stashed with the†¦ less-conspicuous vehicles. That's where we're headed now. About five more minutes.† That wasn't what I meant, but he was right. These clothes would never do. I waited to talk to him about the rest. I needed to look at myself first. The jeep stopped, and he pulled off the blindfold. â€Å"You don't have to keep your eyes down,† he told me when my head ducked automatically. â€Å"There's nothing here to give us away. Just in case this place was ever discovered.† It wasn't a cave. It was a rock slide. A few of the bigger boulders had been carefully excavated, leaving clever dark spaces under them that no one would suspect of housing anything but dirt and smaller rocks. The jeep was already lodged in a tight space. I was so close to the rock, I had to climb over the back of the jeep to get out. There was something odd attached to the bumper-chains and two very dirty tarps, all ragged and torn. â€Å"Here,† Jared said, and led the way to a shadowy crevice just a little shorter than he was. He brushed aside a dusty, dirt-colored tarp and rifled through a pile hiding behind it. He pulled out a T-shirt, soft and clean, with tags still attached. He ripped those off and threw the shirt to me. Then he dug until he found a pair of khaki pants. He checked the size, then flipped them to me, too. â€Å"Put them on.† I hesitated for a moment while he waited, wondering what my problem was. I flushed and then turned my back to him. I yanked my ragged shirt over my head and replaced it as quickly as my fumbling fingers could manage. I heard him clear his throat. â€Å"Oh. I'll, uh, get the car.† His footsteps moved away. I stripped off my tattered cutoff sweats and pulled the crisp new pants into place. My shoes were in bad shape, but they weren't that noticeable. Besides, comfortable shoes weren't always easy to come by. I could pretend I had an attachment to this pair. Another engine came to life, quieter than the jeep's. I turned to see a modest, unremarkable sedan pull out of a deep shadow under a boulder. Jared got out and chained the tattered tarps from the jeep to this car's rear bumper. Then he drove it to where I stood, and as I saw the heavy tarps wipe the tire tracks from the dirt, I comprehended their purpose. Jared leaned across the seat to open the passenger door. There was a backpack on the seat. It lay flat, empty. I nodded to myself. Yes, this I needed. â€Å"Let's go.† â€Å"Hold on,† I said. I crouched to look at myself in the side mirror. Not good. I flipped my chin-length hair over my cheek, but it wasn't enough. I touched my cheek and bit my lip. â€Å"Jared. I can't go in with my face like this.† I pointed to the long, jagged scar across my skin. â€Å"What?† he demanded. â€Å"No soul would have a scar like this. They would have had it treated. They'll wonder where I've been. They'll ask questions.† His eyes widened and then narrowed. â€Å"Maybe you should have thought of this before I snuck you out. If we go back now, they'll think it was a ploy for you to learn the way out.† â€Å"We're not going back without medicine for Jamie.† My voice was harder than his. His got harder to match it. â€Å"What do you propose we do, then, Wanda?† â€Å"I'll need a rock.† I sighed. â€Å"You're going to have to hit me.†

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Construction and Deconstruction - Function Research Paper

Construction and Deconstruction - Function - Research Paper Example In doing so, the artist seeks to produce with the onlooker a dialogue one that fills us with appreciation or apprehension about the world, others and ourselves. The Uses of Deconstruction Deconstruction has often been used or shock or stun the onlooker in the tradition of surrealism. Deconstructive art believes that we should not rely on any previous assumptions (Mundy, 2001). In general parlance, we can equate this to describing the meaning of a word by using another group of words. So we will find that there is a hierarchical or strong-weak or teacher-student relationship between the words generally used in a language. This is frowned upon by the followers of deconstructive art. Such artists believe as much in the importance of leaving things out as in conveying no specific meaning. Though deconstruction has been criticised as a nihilistic and frivolously sceptical pursuit, yet some scholars have welcomed it as a useful reminder in, perhaps, politics where what is said is sometimes less important than what is purposefully left out. Deconstructive art can inversely remind us of the importance of structuralism in our lives and how it aids us in constructing logic and giving meaning to language, thought etc. Alternatively, it can also form a basis for equating things that we normally never do, being of interest to inventors etc. I will now proceed to comment on the works of a number of different practitioners of deconstructive art, trying to fathom what message they are trying to convey through their works. The Works of Mona Hatoum Mona Hatoum (born 1952) is a Lebanese artist but has resided in the UK ever since the days of the war in 1975. She has never regarded herself as a Lebanese and her love of art was never encouraged by her family especially her father, since he wanted her to do something more practical in life. While in exile in London, she had a chance to study at the Slade School of Art and the Shaw School of Art. Mona was especially interested in Min imalism and the psychological manifestation of art. In her own words: â€Å"I don’t think art is the best place to be didactic- I don’t think the language of visual art is the most suitable for presenting clear arguments, let alone for trying to convince, convert or teach† (Archer et al, 1997). Mona surprises by using seemingly innocuous materials to convey messages of fear, danger and isolation. One of her first works, ‘Measures of Distance’ (1988) is a video tape she recorded that shows the distances between Arab and Western society, between male and female gender, between war and peace, freedom and exile. It is a monologue by her mother and a reply to all her questions. It speaks of fragmentation, of not knowing one’s place in society, of the dangers in living in Lebanon during the war. It appeals to the senses and the heart in a particularly personal way if you hear the work using headphones (as I did). In ‘Silence’ (1994) Mo na uses glass tubing to construct a child’s bed, reflecting the vulnerability of the child being hurt by glass in a place it equates with comfort, thus, there is a paradox here as well. In ‘Mexican Cage’ (2002) Mona again depicts the plight of Mexican workers. They are enslaved by low wages and even bonded labour. The red, blue, orange and white colours of the cage look so inviting but we must remember that it is a

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

International business .....what relationship, if any exists between Essay

International business .....what relationship, if any exists between business processes and culture - Essay Example Business processes are therefore dependent on the culture within which the business operates which gives the business environmental acceptance and adaptability and therefore giving the business a performance measurement tool. Culture has in any case direct effect on implementation of projects hence their success or failure. Since process business projects require activities that are complex and cross-functional it follows that the success or failure of such projects lies in how the company and its stakeholders respect the shared values and beliefs. Culture tends to link the producer and the consumer at the market level through a mutual interaction and recognition of the values and beliefs shared between the producer and consumer of the product or service. It should be notable however that since consumer values and beliefs is exponentially elastic and depends on their perceived value of the product or service placed in the market it is for the companies to adjust the business process alongside the consumer national or global culture. It is therefore true to say that there is a strong relationship between culture and business process which is manifested at the meeting point in the market.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Aristotle Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Aristotle - Assignment Example Nicomachean ethics derives its name from Aristotle’s son, Nicomachus, for whom the books were dedicated. The central point in Nicomachean ethics is the question of the nature of a good life and how best man ought to live a good life on earth (Kraut, 2006). Aristotle’s answer to this was very fundamental in the development of virtue ethics in modern day philosophy. Nicomachean ethics begins by reflecting on whether there is an ultimate goal that all human life aims at. This goal is the ultimate good that all men hope to enjoy in their lifetime. According to Aristotle, such a goal must be complete, self sufficient, final and continuous. Aristotle concluded that the ultimate good upon which all human life should be based in happiness. The main objective of Aristotelian ethics is to find out how best one can achieve happiness. Human beings can achieve happiness when they live a virtuous lifestyle. Aristotle defines virtue as a disposition for one to act in the right way for the right reasons and derive happiness from acting rightly. Virtue is a mean between deficiency and excesses in ones actions. Actions must also be done voluntarily in order for them to be judged to be either good or bad actions. Virtue must emanate from an individual’s conscious choice and must have a purpose. In Nicomachean ethics, Aristotle discusses various virtues including courage, justice, temperance, patience and moderation (Kraut, 2006). Nicomachean ethics discusses various themes such as virtue and happiness, moral education, friendship, and the doctrine of the mean (May, 2010). These themes are spread across all the ten books that make up Nicomachean ethics. Virtue and happiness form the largest part of the discussion on ethics. Virtue leads to attainment of the ultimate goodness of human life, happiness (May, 2010). Another important part of Aristotle’s ethics is moral

Monday, August 26, 2019

Development Topic Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Development Topic Analysis - Essay Example In addition, Iraq is on record as the first oil producing country to nationalize part of its oil reserves in 1961. The Iraq National Oil Company has made significant contributions in the formulation of international oil policies and it is expected to contribute more if there will be political stability in Iraq (Alnasrawi 7). Iraq’s oil production is estimated to be over 2.1 million barrels per day (bpd). This production is roughly 2.5% of the total oil supplied around the world. Going back to the trend of Iraq’s oil production, statistics indicate that Iraq produced an estimate of 4 million bpd in 1979, which placed it third after Iran and Saudi Arabia. Before the Iraqis invasion of Kuwait, Iraq’s oil production averaged 3.5 million bpd. This production began to reduce in the 1990s after the Gulf war and after the introduction of international sanctions against Baghdad. By the time the US was invading Iraq in March of 2003, Iraq’s oil production averaged 2.6 million bpd (Alnasrawi 13). After the US invasion, production of oil in Iraq has declined remarkably to estimates of 1.5 million bpd in 2003, 2.00 million bpd in 2004, and in 2005, oil production was 1.8 million bpd. In 2006, oil production averaged 2.06 million bpd; this was below the government’s target of 2.5 million bpd. Despite the increased global oil prices, Iraq has managed to meet its budget estimates (Gordon 1-70). It is evident that Iraq’s oil market has suffered a lot in the last three decades. Experts point out that declines in Iraq’s oil production in the last five years is due to poor management on oil reservoirs. In addition, these declines are as a result of poor maintenance of pipelines, pumping stations, and other infrastructure. A situation of political instability in Iraq may be associated to problems facing Iraq’s oil market. Since 2003, there has been remarkably less development on potential oil reserves, which implies that there is the lack of new oil

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Muscle Strength Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Muscle Strength Assessment - Essay Example Consider that the minute diameter afferent impacts efferents, hence, sensitivity of the muscle spindle and likely resulting to proprioceptive acuity that may not be attributed to the exhausted muscle. This could take place in different areas in the exercise region and likewise, contra laterally (Pedersen, 1999). Though, it is claimant that the clinicians must delay the process of the joint position sense evaluation because of the fatigue state, unless the assessment of the proprioceptive effects of fatigue is deliberate, it shows that there were no report about the presumptive effects of exercise that are non-exhausting. Even so, extreme non-exhausting exercises, like the strengthening and muscle evaluation, are likely to produce the said metabolic results that keeps the possibility of acute effects on the micro trauma in the spindle muscles, spindles of the muscle and changed in the neurone excitability of the spinal neurone. The chance to evaluate the effe... sults that keeps the possibility of acute effects on the micro trauma in the spindle muscles, spindles of the muscle and changed in the neurone excitability of the spinal neurone. The chance to evaluate the effects of the strength of the thigh muscle on the joint sense, most especially during sports activities, directs to the collaboration of research study with other groups who also wants to study the same subject. The joint position sense evaluation result on both knees was already published in by Stillman in 1998. Justification for Proprioceptive Treatments In 1996 Sports Medicine and Musculoskeletal Surgery, Joerosch & Prymka specified that: "In conservative therapy more focus should be put on exercising the proprioceptive capability. In surgical therapy we should identify procedures which not only restore the anatomy but also reconstruct the neurophysiological feedback mechanism. In preventive programmes, proprioceptive training should be included as well"(177). The similar observations were brought about by Safran and others, in 1994. In aid for the proceeding discussion, proprioceptive treatment pertain to any therapeutic operations that is assumed to rejuvenate, enhance or maintain proprioception. At present, however, it is still unknown if it yields. Moreover, surgeons have some grounds in the attempt of retaining much of the proprioceptively stimulated structures likely in the anterior cruciate ligament restoration and in the surgical replacement of the osteoarthritic joints ( Safran et al 1994, Insall et al 1981). Histological experimental studies in animals resulted in reconstituted mechanoreceptor in the reconstructed cruciate ligaments in the 6 to 12 months post operative ( Barrack et al 1997, Denti et al 1994, Tsujimoto et al 1993, Goertzen

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Googling Out of Control Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Googling Out of Control - Essay Example In other types of industries, the Googley way of working could potentially spell disaster for sales and overall business success. This paper will show whether the Googley way of working is actually sustainable long-term for the company and will discuss whether or not this way of working could provide higher benefits for different companies in need of change to their organisational structures or systems and processes. Historical theorists such as Frederick Taylor believed in a scientific method for business in which people should be observed over a period of time and then determining, through these observational findings, which method of training is best for performing specialised jobs in the organisation (Bloisi, Cook and Hunsaker, 2006). Combined with the scientific approach, Taylor also viewed workers through a mechanistic standpoint, believing that workers were often inherently difficult and uncooperative and often lacked the ability to absorb knowledge and information successfully. This classical view of management is still at work in many different industries today which have strong leadership hierarchies where virtually all decision-making starts at the top and trickles down the organisation. Google has managed to break away from this classical type of management model where workers are heavily controlled and observed and has given their workers considerable autonomy in most of their own d ecision-making concepts and job roles. It may only be in an environment where change is constant and there is a need for flexible and rapid decision-making where this chaotic type of leadership concept is going to be successful. For example, many of the main global automakers are experiencing sales declines in their auto sales, especially noticeable in the United States. Automakers in this category such as Ford and General

Friday, August 23, 2019

You choose it Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

You choose it - Essay Example is, however, unfortunate that in spite of the great strides, many obstacles still obstruct the realization of the employment rights of people living with disabilities. Only a few people living with disabilities access meaningful employment. There are several misconceptions and negative attitudes about disability that reduce the employers’, whether corporate, government or non-government, willingness from hiring anyone affected by a disability (UNICEF 2011). In some instances, some qualified job seekers are clearly discriminated and sidelined because of disabilities. People with intellectual disability are, for example, stigmatized for their perceived inability to comprehend most of the things that surround them. In addition, some employers are unwilling to recruit them because of the costs of adaptive technology and modifications needed at the workplace for them to work efficiently (UNICEF 2011). It is, therefore, apparent that these misconceptions continue to deprive people with disabilities the opportunity for employment. Lack of access to education, training, and funding are central to securing employment. Young people living with disabilities do not have access to opportunities and formal education to enhance their skills. The gap in education levels between those with disabilities and those without is a primary factor that determines who secures employment (DRNPA 2009). For people with disabilities and lack formal education, training or skills, they can still indulge in self-employment. Their lack of funding, however, presents an obstacle that prevents them from setting up businesses. Securing loans from lenders is a challenge because there are few people in the society who are willing to be collaterals to them. The lack of funds for investment, therefore, continues to deprive them the opportunity for employment (â€Å"Arc, 2014†). It is inevitable that people with disabilities are overprotected by the labor laws. Many countries and, in particular, those

Abelard and Finding the True Career Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Abelard and Finding the True Career - Essay Example His father, Berengar, was lord of the village, his mother's name was Lucia; both afterwards entered the monastic state. Peter, the oldest of their children, was intended for a military career, but, as he himself tells us, he abandoned Mars for Minerva, the profession of arms for that of learning. Accordingly, at an early age, he left his father's castle and sought instruction as a wandering scholar at the schools of the most renowned teachers of those days. Among these teachers was Roscelin the Nominalist, at whose school at Locmenach, near Vannes, Abelard certainly spent some time before he proceeded to Paris. Although the University of Paris did not exist as a corporate institution until more than half a century after Abelard's death, there flourished at Paris in his time the Cathedral School, the School of Ste. Genevive, and that of St. Germain des Pr, the forerunners of the university schools of the following century. The Cathedral School was undoubtedly the most important of the se, and thither the young Abelard directed his steps in order to study dialectic under the renowned master (scholasticus) William of Champeaux. Soon, (New Advent) however, the youth from the province, for whom the prestige of a great name was far from awe-inspiring, not only ventured to object to the teaching of the Parisian master, but also attempted to set up as a rival teacher. Finding that this was not an easy matter in Paris, he established his school first at Melun and later at Corbeil. This was, probably, in the year 1101. The next couple of years Abelard spent in his native place "almost cut off from France", as he says. The reason of this enforced retreat from the dialectical fray was failing health. On returning to Paris, he became once more a pupil of William of Champeaux for the purpose of studying rhetoric. When William retired to the monastery of St. Victor, Abelard, who meantime had resumed his teaching at Melun, hastened to Paris to secure the chair of the Cathedral School. Having failed in this, he set up his school in Mt. Ste. Genevieve (1108). There and at the Cathedral School, in which in 1113 he finally succeeded in obtaining a chair, he enjoyed the greatest renown as a teacher of rhetoric and dialectic. Before taking up the duty of teaching theology at the Cathedral School, he went to Laon where he presented himself to the venerable Anselm of Laon as a student of theology. Soon, however, his petulant restiveness under restraint once more asserted itself, and he was not content until he had as completely discomfited the teacher of theology at Laon as he had successfully harassed the teacher of rhetoric and dialectic at Paris. Taking Abelard's own account of the incident, it is impossible not to blame him for the temerity which made him such enemies as Alberic and Lotulph, pupils of Anselm, who, later on, appeared against Abelard. The "theological studies" pursued by Abelard at Laon were what we would nowadays call the study of exegesis. (N ew Advent) After examination of the information regarding Aberland's life it is clear that his intended role in life was one of the son of a wealthy man yet he chose teaching The question that needs to examined next is, as his true destiny to be a wealthy son and in charge of the military and arms or was his true calling to be a teacher In his letters, it is easier to gain a better understanding of what his true career was. The letters from the two lovers to each other reveal some significance in the truth

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Management Control System Essay Example for Free

Management Control System Essay Detector - measure what actually happening in the process being control. 2. Assessor - what is actually happening by comparing with some standard/expectation. 3. Affector - feedback. 4. Communication Network - transmit information between the three above. Management Control process is the process by which managers at all levels ensure that the people they supervise implement their intended strategies. Management Control process characteristics: 1. The standar is not preset - management decide what organization should do. 2. Management control is not automatic. 3. Management Control requires coordination among individuals 4. The connection from perceiving the need for action to determining the action required to obtain the desired result may not be clear. 5. Much Management Control is self control. System is a prescribed and usually repetitious way of carrying out an activity or a set of activities. Boundaries of Management Control: 1. Budget - conforming to budget is not necessarily good and departure from budget is not necessarily bad. 2. Goal congruence - it means that, insofar as is feasible, the goals of organization’s individual members should be consistent with the goals of the organization itself. 3. Tool for implementing strategy - organizational structure specifies the roles, reporting relationship and division of responsibilities that shape decision making within an organization. Human resource management is the selection, training, evaluation, promotion and termination of employees so as to develop the knowledge and skills required to execute organizational strategy. Culture refers to the set of common beliefs, attitudes, and norms that explicitly or implicitly guide managerial action. 4. MCS encompass both financial and nonfinancial performance measures. 5. Aid in developing new strategies. Strategy formulation is the process of deciding on the goals of the organization an d the strategies for attaining these goals. Management control is the process of implementing those strategies. Task control is the process of ensuring that specified tasks are carried out effectively and efficiently. Task control system is scientific, whereas management control can never be reduced to a science. By definition, management control involves the behavior of managers, and this cannot be expressed by equations. Impact of the internet on management control - difference between internet and phone: 1. Instant access. 2. Multi-targeted communication. 3. Costless communication. 4. Ability to display images. 5. Shifting power and control to individual.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Impacts Of Mass Tourism On Ecotourism Sites Tourism Essay

Impacts Of Mass Tourism On Ecotourism Sites Tourism Essay This essay will mainly deal with the social, economic and environmental impacts of mass tourism on ecotourism taking into consideration that ecotourism can be seen as a form of mass tourism (As Weaver (2001: 112) says, ecotourism can be and usually is a variant of mass tourism.). It will begin by examining ecotourism looking at what ecotourism is and some examples of ecotourism sites such as Couran Cove Island Resort and Boondall Wetlands Reserve in Queensland, Australia. It will then move onto mass tourism again looking at what defines mass tourism and looking into areas that are considered to be mass tourism sites such as Benidorm and Mallorca in Spain. This will then move onto the impacts of mass tourism on ecotourism taking into account the social, economic and environmental impacts, drawing examples from the case studies above in Spain and Australia. Then it will briefly examine ecotourism as a form of mass tourism as stated by Weaver (2001). The most common definition of ecotourism is that it is a nature-based tourism and a form of sustainable tourism ecologically, socio-culturally and economically (Font Buckley, 2001: 32; Weaver, 2001: 105; Lim McAleer, 2005: 1431) and also as Ceballos-Lascurà ¡in 1996 (cited in Scheyvens 2002: 71) says Ecotourism is environmentally responsible, enlightening travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations. The International Ecotourism Society has six main principles for ecotourists (this is the term this essay will use for tourists visiting ecotourism sites throughout the essay). These include: Minimizing impact on the environment Gain environmental and cultural awareness of the site to help respect and conserve the site. Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts. Provide direct financial benefits for conservation. Provide economic benefits to the host locals. Raise sensitivity to host countries political, environmental and social climate. (The International Ecotourism Society, 2010) Ecotourism can be divided into hard and soft-ecotourism. Hard ecotourism generally does not impact as much negatively on the environment as it tends to deal with tourists who are aware of the importance of sustainability, visits tend to be prolonged visits so the tourists actively engage in conserving the environment and respect the environment in which they are visiting (Weaver Lawton, 2002: 362). According to the International Ecotourism Society (2006: 4), In Europe: 20%-30% of travelers are aware of needs values of sustainable tourism. 10%-20% of travelers look for green options. 5%-10% of travelers demand green holidays. Soft ecotourism, which is the type of ecotourism that is most associated with mass tourism, is when tourists have a level of understanding of sustainability but are not as committed to actively participating in being sustainable and so do not respect the area they are visiting as much (Weaver Lawton, 2002: 363). Visits tend to be once-off day trips resulting in groups of people arriving by bus, which could happen a few times a day. These short term visits could potentially be more harmful, as the tourists may not have as much of an awareness or interest in protecting the environment they are visiting and may not be as careful as they should be they could cause physical damage, by stepping on plant species, which could in turn reduce biodiversity, which is harmful to an ecosystem. In the case of Queensland, Australia, it could be argued that it is a soft-ecotourism site, taking a figure from Lim and McAleer (2005: 1433) seen below, overnight visitors have fluctuated between 1995 an d 2000 however, in the case of intra and interstate visitors they have increased since 1995. The fact that the figure deals with overnight visitors, could be seen as a short-term stay, which coincides with soft ecotourism activity. Figure 1: Visitor arrivals in Queensland. (Source: Ibid: 1433) Examples of ecotourism sites include Couran Cove Island Resort, Boondall Wetlands Reserve Australia and the Great Barrier Reef, in Australia. Mass tourism can be defined as a quantitative notion, based on the proportion of the volume of the population participating in tourism or on the volume of tourist activity Burkart Medlik 1974 (cited in Bramwell, 2004: 7). Coming into the notion of mass tourism is the concept of the 3Ss Sun, Sea and Sand holidays. Spain became the most popular area for tourism by the 1990s there was a need to develop new products and promote new destinations (DeCleir, 2010). Mass tourism can also be associated with winter sports taking the Alps for example, which will be discussed later on in the essay. Mass tourism can tend to increase the pressure on the environment due to the large tourist volumes, which is not unlike soft ecotourism. Examples of areas that experience mass tourism are Benidorm and Mallorca in Spain and the winter sports in the Alps. Benidorm, a fishing village in Spain, so it could be deemed an ecotourism site, has seen considerable mass tourism effects The demands of mass tou rism have turned this place into a monster of an urban resort with high rise hotels, a shopping mall, bars (Schindler and Mindjov, p.1). Mass tourism can be seen to have an impact on ecotourism sites also. The three main areas where mass tourism has an effect on ecotourism are socially, economically and environmentally. Firstly, this essay will examine the economic impacts of mass tourism on ecotourism sites drawing examples from Spain. As can be seen from Table 1, tourism contributions to Spains Gross Domestic Product has increased significantly from 2000 to 2007, increasing by à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬38,995 in seven years. Table 1: Tourism Contribution to Spanish GDP. (Source: Spanish Statistics Institute, Tourism Satellite Account of Spain (cited in Spanish Tourism in Figures 2009: 8). Tourism is an economic generator, not only do the host destination benefit from the amount of money coming in from the tourists but also, the fact that the site is a tourist site, creates employment in the area. As Lim and McAleer (2005: 1432) says, For many countries and regions, tourism represents one of the few opportunities for local development, employment and revenue generation. However, regions can develop an over-dependency on tourism in relation to GDP. Taking the Maldives for example, 80% of their GDP comes from tourism (DeClair, 2010). This over-dependence on tourism can result in the tourism industry in the region declining. Another impact of mass tourism is environmental. Environmental impacts include: sustainability preservation and conservation, physical damage which can result in a reduction of biodiversity and visual impact, and pollution. Taking the effect winter sports in the Alps as mentioned earlier, as an example The Alps could be considered to be an ecotourism site as it is a natural area, however it could be argued that it has not really been very beneficial at having a low impact on its environment through extensive tourism mass tourism. The winter sports that take place on the Alps have done a lot of damage to the mountains in terms of loss of biodiversity. For example, there have been reports that the black grouse population has declined and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has suggested that this decline is linked to the spread of winter sports (Patthey et al., 2008: 2). In the Couran Cove Island Resort, they have measures in place to protect their environ ment from tourists, for example, they have put into place a re-vegetation and rehabilitation program which they hope will help conserve existing vegetation and integrated within this program they hope to provide education to the local community about the fragile ecosystem (Lim and McAleer, 2005: 1433). They have also built eco-cabins that are built on stumps, the idea being that the surrounding environment can be left undisturbed and yet the tourists can still see the habitats in their natural environment (ibid: 1434). Mass tourism can cause congestion in an ecotourism site during peak seasons this could result in pollution of an area and visual degradation. In the case of the economic and environmental, these two impacts can be linked together. If a ecotourism site is getting a lot of tourists, then they are taking in revenue. The more money generated from tourism, the more the money that can go back into the conservation and preservation the sustainability of the area. In the case of social impacts on a site, as Hall and Lew (2009: 180) say, the development of the tourism industry can contribute broadly to changes in the quality of life, social structure and social organization of destination communities. These social impacts can be both positive and negative. Generally, however, the host residents are prepared to put up with the negative impacts as the positive ones are so desirable (DeCleir, 2010). Employment, although mainly an economic impact, can also be a social impact. With employment, comes the need for education and upskilling, which can be seen as a personal social benefit. When a person has a job, they are getting a regular income and so will feel safer in knowing that they can meet their basic needs (Hall and Lew, 2009: 180). In addition to this, when people have more money, they can go out and socialise with their friends or meet new people. Acculturation (when two cultures are in contact over a long period of time, there is a danger o f them becoming similar (DeCleir, 2010)), can become a problem in a tourist area, which could eventually lead to the loss of an original culture of the area. This can lead to a reduction in diversity the loss of cultural identity can affect host destinations local people, especially the elderly, as they may lose the traditional ways of life that they grew up with, which could affect their sense of security in where they live. According to Weaver (2001:104) ecotourism as both a reality and an ideal can logically be conceived as a form of mass tourism Although mass tourism can have an effect on ecotourism, ecotourism can be seen as a form of mass tourism. Soft ecotourism in particular is more often associated with mass tourism as shorter, more intensive trips are considered more damaging than longer trips as, as said at the beginning of this essay, visits tend to be once off day-trips, with loaded tour buses arriving with groups of people to visit a site all in one day; whereas with longer trips, the tourists are less likely to stay or impact upon a site all day continuously. Mass tourism can have both positive and negative effects on ecotourism sites. Positive impacts include, an increase in popularity of a site which will lead to more revenue being created which can in turn be reinvested back into the conservation of the site. Negative impacts of mass tourism tend to outweigh the positive impacts; some negative impacts include, physical impact the damage that can be done to the site, its attractiveness and reduction of biodiversity, for example, the winter sports in the Alps increased congestion during peak seasons and seasonality for example, in Greece, most hotels are closed for six months of the year (DeCleir, 2010). All of the above effects can be separated into three categories of impacts social, economic and environmental, which have all been dealt with in this essay.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Project Management and Hemas Holdings

Project Management and Hemas Holdings 1.1 Introduction on the Project Management and Hemas Holdings FMCG.   Ã‚   Project Management can be expressed as the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements. Project Management has its long history which was practiced informally and has been officially recognised and emerged in mid of the 20th century in distinctly.   The global body for project management which is Project Management Institute USA facilitate the concept and it is comprehensively explained in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK ® Guide) further (PIM, 2017). In meeting successfulness of the project, it is vital to understand and plan the project cycle. Project cycle is the key concept which is discussed massively in the subject of Project Management and it has been acknowledged as the methodical sequence of cohesive set of tasks which are quantified, accomplished in stages, in ensuring the success of the project (Forsberg, 2005). Hemas Holding PLC, with a renowned history of 65 years, has become a key blue chip company diversified in to five main sectors. The sectors are namely FMCG, Health care, Leisure, Transport (logistic) and other. Hemas FMCG serving the Sri Lankan customer base via its wide range of products and services. The group seized a strategic moving to the next level through the acquisition J.L. Morison Son Jones (Ceylon) PLC. Also as a move in managed succession plan, Hemas invited Mr Steven Enderby to the Board offering the position of Chief Executive Officer. The flag ship products such as Baby Cheramy the Hemas brand has won the Sri Lankan mothers loyalty for nearly 60 years (Hemas Annual Report, 2016). 1.2 Project requirements. The purpose of upgrading SAP 6.0 HANA to SAP S4 HANA at HEMAS FMCG sector was to enhance the Enterprise Resource Planning (referred to as ERP going forward) culture within the organisation. The rapidly growing business which pumps the highest revenues portion which is 38% needs to be fully monitored (Hemas Annual Report, 2016). The controls needs to be well set and deviations need to be reported in a timely manner.  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Figure 1 FMCG Sector Vs. Group performance 1.3 Hemas FMCG strategy and feasibility of the ERP project. Hemas founded under the vision of Enriching Lives and they do focus on it heavily. Hemas history has shaped the ways and means that is se the potential. The consistent effort in generating organic as well as inorganic growth had positively impacted on enriching the value of the Hemas stakeholders today. The ERP project implementation will help the organisation to be well aligned to its Vision 2020, concept and there five-year strategic plan (Hemas Annual Report, 2016). The advancement in terms of the SAP 6.0 will allow the HEMAS FMCG sector to cater to the customer requirements and to meet demand. This would decommission most of supporting systems bring all them under one system in an advance tech platform. 1.4 SAP 6.0 to SAP S4 Feasibility study. The project on HEMAS FMCG, SAP 6.0 HANA upgrade intends further improvements in to the EPR that they operate at the moment and this system upgrade will managed by the global SAP Functional team and the handing over will happen to the   Hemas Corporate IT. The creation of blue print copy will be done by this team and also hey will do the pilot run planning and monitoring at FMCG sector offices located in Colombo (Head Office), Dankotuwa (Factory and Walisara (Finish good warehouse).   Hence upgrading ERP in Hemas FMCG will be driven by the experienced global SAP team which will be and also will be facilitated by Attune Lanka. Attune is the local consultant for SAP implementation and upgrades. Attune has shown is positive track records in SAP related projects. The company is very experienced in SAP implementation which is attached to MAS group. Attune with its localized experience they support the implementation and upgrade tasks locally while connecting the procedures with the global consultants and the locally based end users. The SAP S4 Project needs be sponsored with US $1.5 Mn and this is forecast base on number of operators involved in the Sri Lankan operations. The approximate costing was carried out based on similar projects which were carried out for different agency offices. The Hemas group will be funded the full project which will be repaid to the group by the FMCG sector in 5 years time. This is possible as the Revenue growth % is at 20.2% for 2016 (Hemas Annual Report, 2016). 2.1 Statement of work (SOW) Hemas FMCG sector SAP 6.0 HANA Upgrade to SAP S4 will have the following critical areas as per the Statement of work. Scope of work Upgrade of SAP ERP will bring in all the functions such as Demand Planning team, Material Requisition team, Procurement, Stores, Quality Assurance, Finance, Marketing and HR. Currently HR is not integrated within the ERP but with SAP S4 HANA the Hemas FMCG will be fully integrated. Since the data is currently is the same platform the integration will not be complex and time consuming. Following will be the main functions which will enjoy the facilities of the system upgrade. Demand Planning Material planning Procurement OP (Purchase Ordering) process Production Production planning Stores/ Warehouse GRN (Goods Receive) and stock control Quality Assurance Quality check and release Raw material Finance General Ledger and Financial reporting Marketing and distribution- Releasing the Finish goods to the market Project duration/ Budget The expected time for the upgrade is 6 months starting form upgrade, pilot run and handing over. This will include the initial test run as well as most critical go live phase. The total SAP S4 upgrade is spitted in to phases for the monitoring and control purpose. The funds need to be allocated to manage the cost and expenses. Hence a budget is allocated separately which is USD 1.5 Mn. SAP S4 Project time lines SAP S4 HANA Gantt chart on Deliverables Key deliverables of the project The key goal is to successfully upgrade the SAP 6.0 HANA in to the SAP S4 HANA. Hemas FMCG Sector intends to integrate the Human Resource (HR) function also to the ERP which in not at present. The SAP S4 platform will enhance the integrity and will improve the communication which will be faster and safer in an email based operation. Efficiency improvements will occur in the eventuality. Responsibility and authority The SAP Upgrade Project team headed by the Hemas FMCG sector Project Manager will be the ultimate responsible party where as all team member of the project team will have an equal portion of the responsibility to deliver the a successful SAP upgrade. Mainly the time lines and the level of success will be monitored and the budget needs to be managed. The SAP Upgrade Project manager will be appointed by the Hemas FMCG Sector management were the member form each functional are will be added to make the presence and brining in ideas to meet the specific expectations of the project. The project manager focus is to monitor the project with the assistance of the functional consultants. Attune Lanka will be responsible for the realizing the project in meeting expected results. In order to make the project a success the Project manager needs to be provided with Resource in terms of Human Capital as well as knowledge, equipment and funds. Scope will provide necessary guide line which the project team will follow where the excellent level of leadership will drive the team live for its results. According to Laufer, it is clear that comprehensive understanding of the project via clear scope will facilitate the Project Manger to monitor the deadlines and cost factors ensuring no overrun in the two elements (Laufer, 2012). Project planning, phase monitoring, releasing the resource on time actions on deviation and contingency palling are critical elements. Communication gaps needs to be narrowed down where keeping the entire set of stake holder on the same page with updated information. 2.2 Work Breakdown Structure of the SAP S4 HANA upgrade project. The project at Hemas FMCG sector on SAP ERP 6.0 HANA upgrade to S4 HANA will flow through 6 months which is starting form the Project Kick off team formation to Go-live signoff. The total project can be broadly split in to key 5 areas which are clearly shown within in Project Life Cycle (PLC) as below. Scope definition Understanding the goal of the project is vital which happens in this stage. The GAP analysis will facilitate the stakeholders to understand Where are we and Where we need to go. The basic planning comes in handy whereas project time lines and resource identification and finalisation occur. Project SAP S4 planning After the resource are finalised the deliverables will be clearly defined and responsibilities of each and every member of the team will be explained recorded and with authority levels to act upon. Planning and Segregation duties will be performed by the Project manager which needs to be rolled out with proper decision making and leadership. Execution control Monitoring and control of the SAP project is while the project is on the go is a staple action needs to be taken during this stage. Basically implementation, review and control occur ensuring schedules are on track. Deviations needs to be monitored and problem solving and decision making plays a major roll during the session. Also the updated information needs to be reported to key stakeholders at the Hemas FMCG Sector. Project evaluation In terms of evaluation the testing is carried out as in the execution stage the project is on-going and controlled to meet the desired outcomes. The testing is carried out by deriving reports where the Test Data in faded to the system and checked against the previous report whether the output is correct and process is smooth. All testing results and outcomes needs to be kept in documented form and the progress will be reported Completion Focusing on the Project Life Cycle this is the last stage of the project, where an assessment is done against actual and expected outcomes. The delivery of the project results and handing over the project is occurred. The experience and the leanings of the overall project are identified via a post completion audit and the points are recorded to be used in future projects. The explanations for any deviations of the SAP S4 HANA upgrade will be reported with actions taken. As per Allen, the final user acceptance testing needs to be carried out and performed during completion stage and results needs to be checked and verified against project plan (Allen, 2004). Work Break down structure for the SAP S4 HANA upgrade project can be developed as provided below. The work is divided in to main five phases considering the project life cycle. The sub tasks are the reflector of the main ones. 3.1 Network Diagram The success of the project is what everyone intends. The priorities of each project are different to each other. The Network diagram represents the priorities that need to be in the SAP upgrade project demonstration the sequence of the activities allowing the Project management team to focus on the critical path which project should flow. Having the network diagram and understanding the critical path of activities create more visibility about the tasks processed and in the same time tasks can be managed in order to assist utmost vital tasks of the entire project which cannot be compromised at any cost (Young, 2000). In order to identify the dependencies between the activities the below predecessor table needs to be prepared. Then the Network Diagram will be drawn based on the predecessor table where the Project team will engage in following tasks. Gathering necessary resources the right team Identifying each sub tasks which supports the key task Putting the tasks in the sequence (along with dependencies) Allocating sufficient time for each of the tasks Calculating the least possible time for the most time consuming will identified as critical path finally. Calculate the earliest completion and latest completion times Finalise and review the diagram via a brainstorming session 3.2 Network diagram Critical Path These two are popular terms discussed in Project management which facilitate the project deadlines demonstrating the time frames in graphical for. 4.1 Proposed budget for the project. The cost factor is critical for any project as SAP upgrade. The budget needs to be managed by the project management team. When there are low budgets and restriction it will hinder the progress and the success of the SAP project. A well-managed budget helps to manage the funds and to optimal utilisation of resources. Also even the ultimate responsibility is to manage the budget is with the Project manager, the each and every team member needs to make sure that the tasks they are working on are operating and activated on time were the time factor can make a huge effect on the Budget if it gets dragged. Experienced gained form prior project related to implementation or upgrade will help the project manager and his team in ascertaining the spending patterns. . This specific project on SAP system upgrade will not be that tough as the SAP ERP 6.0 is already running live at the Hemas FMCG sector from 2005. During the progression of the project if the team decides that resource needs to be enhanced additional resources needs to be allocated which will result in Budget expansions. 4.2 Cost distribution plan SAP upgrade. The cost distribution plan demonstrates that the cost or rather the expense level at each stage of the project. This can be broken into weeks. Total spending against the each phase spending can be recognised via the cost distribution plan. Any deviation in the project which occurs subsequently will require additional funds to be spent. The cost distribution plan ensures that the organization is exactly planning the expenditure and the timing of the cost in the most appropriate manner. Hemas FMCG sector SAP S4 upgrade can be shown via the Cost distribution plan as below. (Values in USD 000s). There can be any type of the Project but Project quality management engages with all the controls and monitoring with regard to the quality of the project, as that aspect it expected by all the stakeholder as a key result of the project. The aspect of Quality Management can be discussed as follows. Level of Customer Satisfaction The project goal in to get derive the project goals and to witness the advantages of the project. Mostly a project is carried out to fulfil the customer requirements. When considering the SAP S4 HANA system the upgrade form SAP 6.0 HANA, the end users expect to enjoy the latest facilities in deriving report with more information, processing activities faster, more integration, user friendliness etc. Also since the HR will also get integrated to the Hemas FMCG sector operation via the system upgrade will result in a fully-fledged SAP experience in the eventuality. Continuous Enhancement The competition is at another level as is immense in the modern era. There is no time to relax. An ERP system facilitates the entire operation of the organisation to   it will help the continuous improvement in terms of Total Quality Management (TQM) and concepts such as Zero Defects, Six sigma. The Hemas FMCG sector had a growth of 23% against 2015 financial year, and will be growing at a rate. Hence the sector needs more focus in the improving continuously (Hemas Annual Report, 2016). Prevention over examination The cost of quality measurements are considered under this whether it is discussed that precautionary actions will help the organisation to succeed. This can be further discussed as cost of conformance and non-conformance. Basically the system upgrade in to SAP S4 will help Hemas FMCG to further look in to prevention and examinations while to operations grow at a rate. 5.1 Quality Assurance The topic of Quality Plan describes the identification of quality requirements of the projects and ensures the project is carried out within the quality boundaries. The output of a proper quality plan will be quality management plan, quality metrics and the fact of quality enhancements which is also known as process improvements plan. Quality Assurance can be broadly defined as the plan and systematic actions executed in a quality system in order to ensure the quality requirements for a specific product or service will be fulfilled. When considering the quality assurance techniques cost benefit analysis, cost of quality, benchmarking, control check lists and Fish borne diagrams are discussed. Cost of Quality The expenses that occur in Quality Management process is discussed in detail where and more focus will be to Prevention cost as that can be managed internally via improvements whereas Appraisal cost in external which the customers of Hemas FMCG get to know. Benchmarking Comparing the SAP 4S at Hemas with another organisation which is already will allows the project team and the stakeholder to identify how the system upgrade is and the success rate. What is to be learnt and how Hemas FMCG could improve the performance of the overall organisation. Flow charts The flow chart represents the sequence of the project progress in a graphic manner. Also this enables the SAP S4 project team to visualize the associated points and processes of the upgrade. Key decision points are identified via the chart and close monitoring can be done based on the identified facts. 5.2 Quality Control After the completion of the Project the Quality control mechanism takes place focusing on principles of the quality assurance. Quality control check is vital action that needs to be taken to verify whether the output of the project of SAP S4 system upgrade has been executed without any deviations from the original plan. The completed project will not have any advantage of this as this is an audit done upon post completion however the learning point of the upgrade project can be carry forward to make sure the future projects are performed with more care and control (Project Management Institute, 2017). The Risk Management plan is another crucial factor of a project as this facilitates in identification of risk of the specific project, assessing the risk and mitigating the risk. The risk exposure of the Hemas FMCG sector can be identified as follows. Risk identification Lack of high level of integrations HR functions separately Low level of requirement gathering and understanding No having sufficient knowledge by the end user on tacking the SAP S4 HANA Incomplete user acceptance procedure Lack of proper testing by the end user Risk of not completing in 2017 Q4 as planned Risk of budget over run in terms of cost and time 6.2 Risk assessment The risk exposures will help the risk assessment. This needs to be done with the comprehensive understanding of rick level and probability of occurrence. The practicality will also need to be counted in assessing the risk. Prior knowledge in SAP 6.0 HANA implementation occurred in 2005 will be useful in upgrading the existing ERP system at Hemas FMCG sector to the next level which is SAP S4 HANA. Maintenance of a risk register along with the risk assessment is the responsibility of the project team where the information needs to be shared in a frequent manner with the relevant parties in order to eliminate risks as much as possible to ensure the success of the SAP S4 upgrade project. Proper documentation and monitoring is important. SAP S4 HANA upgrade at Hemas FMCG identified risks in the risks identification phase will be utilised in processing the risk assessment as below. 6.3 Risk mitigation plan Risk mitigation is all about taking action for the per-identified risks and taking prompt action to diminish the negative impact which arises from them based on the priorities identified via the risk assessment. The Risk identified needs to address as below. Lack of high level of integrations HR functions separately The HR function not being integrated to the system leads to communication gaps. Hence the risk of brining in HR function Low level of   requirement gathering and understanding The risk of not gathering important information on the requirements will change the scope and having a reasonable level of braining storming with members form all the function will mitigate the risk. No having sufficient knowledge by the end user on tacking the SAP S4 HANA It is pointless having sophisticated systems if the end users do not know how to use them. Ultimately the investment will be just another useless project. The end users need to be given proper training which motivates them to use the system frequently without any fear. Incomplete user acceptance procedure All the users are required to accept the system via proper documentation. This is important is change management as smooth the users needed to get shifted to the new system in an appropriate way. Lack of proper testing by the end user This needs to be mitigated by running several test runs and 100% accuracy test which is the only method to do so. Risk of not completing in 2017 Q4 as planned Project plan execution at its best will remove any risk in delaying the project. The project team needs to coordinate well and execute the actions on time as agreed. Any deviations need to be communicated clearly with prior hand allowing the Project manager to take precautionary actions. Hemas financial year ends by 31st March 2018 and the on time completion will allows the Hemas FMCG to do a parallel run in the SAP S4 HANA. Risk of budget over run in terms of cost and time Budget needs to be managed as that has being agreed after a proper analysis which is USD 1.5 Mn. The perfect execution of project plan will mitigate this risk. Also having a supplementary budget for contingency will always help. Communication which leads to lot of issues due the gaps is the procedures. There is a paramount importance of proper communication for the success of the project. As per the SAP upgrade in Hemas FMCG sector there are key stake holders including Project team, management of FMCG sector, group IT, group Internal Audit team, shareholders etc. who needs to be managed with proper information. Hence communication plan will help to execute that smoothly. Sound level of communication needs to be handled by the project manager by himself and which will be replicated the project team member in the eventuality (Kliem, 2007). Communication plan needs to be equipped with, Standard format and levels of communication The modes which are intended to use Calls, Meetings, Memos, and Conference Calls etc. Responsibility of communication flow Frequency   of the and the activities which is communicated formally and informally How to fulfil the requirements of stakeholders in terms of communication. Timing and controls. In managing the communication requirements of the SAP S4 upgrade the below communication plan can be utilised. Hemas FMCG Sector SAP ERP system upgrade will be a challenge as the success of the project has a major impact to the Group as FMCG sector is the key revenue generator with 38% contribution. The challenges and the complexities can be managed via comprehensive understanding and smooth function of the project management methodology. The said project team need to be armed and equipped with necessary resources and skills to ensure a success of the upgrade project. It is a very critical move that the management decided by cultivating the idea of the SAP system upgrade. The intended results can be achieved as the report emphasise the face of on time quality deliverable in all the tasks of the full project. As mentioned above the leadership of the Project manager and the active participation of the team members are also critical as they are the driving force of the SAP upgrade process in to SAP S4 HANA in Hemas FMCG Sector. Also following proper quality plan, risk management plan and communication plan project team will be more prepared to possible issues that may arise in the project.

Monday, August 19, 2019

The Disney World Adventure Essay -- essays research papers

Throughout my childhood I can recall many memories that caused emotional delight as well as emotional devastation. My memories go back as early as conquering my fears of sleeping in the dark to acknowledging I was never going to learn how to skate. Those few examples don't compare to the one childhood experience that still haunts me today. I couldn't wait for my family and I to take our annual vacation. It was during those times that I enjoyed myself most. I had anticipated this vacation to be the best. After all, I was going to the greatest place in the world. Little did I know I was about to embark on a journey that would leave a scare in my memory, permanently. The incident took place more than twelve years ago, yet I can recall the date and time as if it were yesterday. The date, Saturday, June 13, 1987; the time, 2:00 in the afternoon. The sun was at its peak and it felt as if it was hot enough to fry an egg in the middle of the street. As the large doughy hand reached down to grab mine, I began to panic. My palms began to sweat and I could feel my heart pumping wildly. This giant monstrosity before me was huge. I'd never been so frightened. The closer the hand got to mine the more intense my heart beat. The faster my heart beat the more frightened I became. I could hear my mother's sweet, faint voice from beside me saying, "Go ahead, honey, shake his hand." I remember looking at her and looking at the hand getting closer to me and immediately taking off...

Sunday, August 18, 2019

As I Grow Older I Pay Less Attention to What Men Say :: Teaching Education School Essays

As I Grow Older I Pay Less Attention to What Men Say During our careers as students, many professors, many peers, and many mentors will try to tell us the many different ways that we â€Å"should† teach. One person is going to tell us how some thing should be done, while someone else is going to insist that it be done differently. However, if you just sit back and actually watch these professors and these mentors, you are going to find that they sometimes forget to head the words of Jesus and practice what they preach. Through out my career as a student I have came across teachers who make learning fun and have a genuine love for teaching. However, I have also encountered those teachers who make you want to pull the fire alarm, just so you can avoid their endless ramblings. It is a teacher’s responsibility to keep students interested and eager to learn. If a subject intrigues a child they will want to learn more about it, and what they learn will stay with them for a life time. Sadker and Sadker (2003) identify Idealists as teachers who: know the content very well, view teachers as role models, values each student as an individual, and who have very few discipline problems that result in trips to the principals office. The above are reasons that I would like to take and Idealist approach to teaching. I want to become a teacher because I want to be able to turn on CNN one day and say, â€Å"you see that young man boarding Apollo 45, I showed him that science could be fun.† Being a teacher is comprised of many duties and responsibilities. From day one we must take into account all of the things necessary for becoming a good teacher. The various components of an organized classroom, the different ways of motivating our students, the appropriate ways of disciplining our students, the different styles we will incorporate into the way we teach and the leadership styles necessary for being an effective mentor. First of all the organization of ones classroom is one of the most important factors that we must take into account. We must plan exactly how we want the room to look, and more importantly how we want it ran. A classroom for an elementary teacher needs to be bright and cheerful.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Nietzsche Contra Schopenhauer: The Construel of Eternal Recurrence :: Philosophy

Nietzsche Contra Schopenhauer: The Construel of Eternal Recurrence Several years after the completion of his chief work, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and shortly before his final mental collapse, Nietzsche pinpointed in retrospect its central concern: "the fundamental conception of the work, the idea of eternal recurrence, the highest form of affirmation which can possibly be attained" (6: 335). To have admitted that the most important philosophical project of his life was the construction of a formula which could overcome nihilism and affirm life, betrayed not only what he believed to have been his greatest achievement. It also shows to what extent he was influenced by one of his idols and at the same time one of his greatest philosophical enemies: that philosopher of the "denial of life," Schopenhauer. It is clear that Schopenhauer remained for Nietzsche a lasting object of admiration and profound ambivalence. The theory of art propounded in The Birth of Tragedy was obviously, as Nietzsche himself conceded, built on Schopenhauer's aesthetics, although it parted company with the latter on its idea of the ultimate function of art. He dedicated one of his Untimely Meditations to Schopenhauer, his "philosophical educator," though he was later to reject Schopenhauer's epistemological and aesthetic doctrines. He came in the end to criticize Schopenhauer, along with Christianity, calling them "enemies of life" in their fundamental pessimism. Although in his late writings Nietzsche called Schopenhauer "nihilistic and decadent," he simultaneously praised him with the words: "he is the last German to be taken seriously...a European event, equal to Goethe, equal to Hegel, equal to Heinrich Heine" (6: 125). From all this we should be able to see that Nietzsche’s attempt to construct a p hilosophy of affirmation through his idea of eternal recurrence was aimed in Schopenhauer’s general direction. I wish in this short paper to carry this claim further and show that it has more than merely general validity. The way in which Nietzsche construes his idea of recurrence in The Joyful Wisdom and Thus Spoke Zarathustra bears out well that the idea was, in all its details, directly influenced by and specifically marshalled against some of the main arguments of Schopenhauer. Nietzsche was thoroughly familiar with Schopenhauer's writings and a comparison of some of Nietzsche's major published passages on eternal recurrence and some of Schopenhauer's central claims will make clear both Nietzsche's indebtedness to Schopenhauer, and the way in which Nietzsche believed his refutation succeeded in creating what he held to be the "most noble formula of the great affirmation.

American Airlines Strategy Paper Essay

Currently the airline industry as a whole seems to be on the road of recovery. We, American Airlines, the fourth largest carrier recently avoided bankruptcy, but had a summer full of pressure due to ongoing union struggles and questionable executive compensation packages. After having incurred such big losses, this recovery has come about because of the government bailout and many of our large competitors’ abilities to survive the turbulence in the industry. So far, the prospects look promising. Revenue has improved across all regions of the business. Domestic unit revenue was up almost 10 percent and Latin American revenue has increased by close to 11 percent in the last quarter of 2012 compared to the same period the prior year. We are performing better than other airlines that have filed for protection and have done so without slashing capacity. In short, American is doing the right things to return to business efficiency and customer effectiveness. In order to establish a sustainable position for the future, American Airlines must adopt a three-pronged strategy moving forward. First, we should focus on low priced operations and increased marketing strategies to improve customer demand. We have to enhance customer experience and our volume of loyal customers to build a stronger presence in Airline Industry. Second, we must focus on increasing and improving the routes to cater to large customer base. Lastly, we must address the difficulties our company might face in integrating with the culture of US Airlines. Our future success is highly dependent on these two entities efficiently operating as a single organization. Industry Analysis Current Position US Airline industry today is dominated by five major domestic carriers. United, Delta and Southwest each has more than 15 percent market share. American is fourth, with around 12 percent and US Airways is fifth with around 10 percent. Four of these five are profitable — all but American. We lost $2 billion in 2011 and $1.7 billion in the first quarter of 2012. Future Strategy Our emphasis in 2013 is on operational flexibility, international growth through alliance and selective network expansion, and domestic partnerships to reduce operational and balance sheet risks. American’s market differentiation is based on emphasizing and meeting the needs and expectations of high value customers (particularly large global corporates) and better alignment with the one world airline network and value proposition. Also, being the lead carrier between not only the United States and Latin America but, increasingly, the world and Latin America—connecting through Dallas, Los Angeles, or Miami. This strategy makes sense; if they can get all labor work groups on board, they should be able to make it happen. That is still the main challenge, as is competitor contestation, particularly from larger traditional rivals like Delta and United. Improve Customer Demand Lower Operational Costs American passenger division which already has 57 fewer planes in service than an year ago, should further shrink by another 57 planes this summer. This would improve operational efficiency. Current service levels include 275 cities with a fleet of over 1000 aircraft. American carries about 80 million passengers daily and receives more than 329,000 reservation calls, handles more than 293,000 pieces of luggage and flies more than 4300 flights in one typical day. In order to reduce costs further over 27000 jobs will have to be eliminated. Because of high competition in the industry, substantial price fluctuations occur related to fares. Enhance Customer Base Increase value added services offered through our interactive website, AA.com. Any differentiation that convenience added capabilities offer is the center of focus. Busy hiub systems and schedule patterns need to be looked at to improve efficiency and routing effectiveness, thereby enhancing customer experience. We need to do rigorous marketing to attract more customers. Our marketing is currently focused on seasonal and business travelers and much analysis is taken in order to optimize peak travel seasons as well as frequent flier miles programs and pints systems. The Making More Room in coach program is the original marketing ploy of American to project a perception of higher passenger comfort levels. As increased advertising and intense market share is gained, we will continue to remain a key player assuming passenger demand goes up as projected. We will focus on upgraded in-flight entertainment systems, football game special fares, and buy-on board meal options to further enhance customer experience. Improve Network American Airlines’ new network strategy is designed to improve profitability by offering the routes and schedules that attract and retain not only their own high value customers but also those of alliance partners, an important source of revenue through codeshare agreements and closely aligned loyalty programs. The network is the core product that works in concert with lie-flat seats, onboard amenities, and customer service. Latin America is a prominent focus, due in part to our strong presence in key hubs to Latin America such as Dallas and Miami. This is where the profits are. Passenger growth forecasts for Latin America for 2013-17 are 6 percent for Latin America North (Central America and the northern rim of South America) and 8 percent for Latin America South (southern cone countries such as Brazil and Argentina). This compares with 3.6 percent for Europe and 4.4 percent for Asia. Increase International Routes To follow the growth markets, we must change our portfolio mix to focus more on international rather than domestic routes. This is a gradual process, moving from 38 percent international and 62 percent domestic capacity in 2013 towards a 44/56 percent balance by 2017. As we refocus more of our flying towards international opportunities, it is likely to look towards increased code-sharing with domestic carriers like Alaska Airlines, jetBlue, and others to further enhance our network in places like Los Angeles and New York City. This is likely to have initial teething problems, due to terminal colocation and product disparity issues. For instance, the business passengers that we are pursuing may be disgruntled by jetBlue’s more restrictive carry-on baggage policies or by extra time and added security checks if they are required to change terminals. Refurbish domestic feed Our plan is also to diversify our domestic feed by increasing the number of regional carriers with which we do business to reduce operational and balance sheet risk. Today, we primarily get a feed from our wholly-owned subsidiary, American Eagle, which has higher costs than some other regional carriers. American Eagle is going through its own restructuring to lower its costs, and it may ultimately be spun off. Synergies with US Airlines Merger with US Airways will result in the largest carrier in US. It would create roughly $1.2 billion in financial benefits.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Importance of Sales Promotion Essay

Sales promotion is one of the seven aspects of the promotional mix, which are advertising personal selling, direct marketing publicity/ public relations, corporate image and exhibitions. Sales promotions are short-term incentives that are done to encourage the purchase or sale of a product or service [P.DALOK 200]. Sales promotion can be used to inform, persuade, and remind target customers about the business and its market mix. Some common types of sale promotion include: Samples, Coupons, Sweepstakes, Contest, In-store display, Tradeshows, Price off deals, Premium and rebates. There are many reasons why companies opt for sales promotions other than advertising. Some of the reasons include increasing competition and products becoming more standardized, build brand awareness, create interest, provide information, stimulate demand and also reinforce the brand. In this essay I have briefly described sales promotion, and comprehensively discussed the reasons for sales promotion. Definit ion of sales promotion Sales promotions are short-term incentives to encourage the purchase or sale of a product or service. C. Mitchell 1999 defines sales promotion as a process of persuading a potential customer to buy the product And it includes several communications activities that attempt to provide added value or incentives to consumers, wholesalers, retailers, or other organizational customers to stimulate immediate sales. These efforts can attempt to stimulate product interest, trial, or purchase. Below are reasons for sales promotion. Reasons for sales promotion 1. Increasing Competition The air of change is gaining momentum after the introduction of economic liberalization. Due to increase in competition, companies are finding it increasingly difficult to compete on quality. They are therefore resorting to more innovative methods of sales promotion (Du Toit and Erasmes 2008:347). 2. Customers Have Become More Price Sensitive This increased price sensitivity is a direct result of existing inflation. Economic recession is likely to fuel this trend further, as consumers and dealers become more sensitive towards prices. If the customers get branded jeans at half the actual price, then they are definitely going to make huge purchases of Spykar Jeans because they want value for their money, as they are price sensitive. 3. Sales Promotions Generally Create an Immediate Positive Impact on Sales Advertising, personal selling and other methods of promotion produce slower sales response compared to sales promotion. Sales promotions are mostly for short duration, for a specified period, leading to a sense of urgency in consumers to buy now. This creates an immediate positive impact on sales. 4. Products have become more standardized In many product categories, there is a proliferation of brands; many of them are line extensions and me-too brands. Most brands are being perceived by consumers to be more or less similar within a given price range because of the inability of manufacturers to develop truly differentiated products. Under these circumstances, advertising messages are unable to strongly influence the consumers’ perceptions and create brand franchise. As a result of these perceptions of similarity among brands, marketers have no way but to compete on the basis of extra benefit offered through sales promotion. Competing companies struggle to capture market share by using every tool likely to bring sales success. There are many unbranded jeans sold at shopping malls and places like Mr Price, bandra which are bought at half the price of actual branded jeans. People who are money conscious buy such jeans. Therefore, Spykar Jeans comes up with such discounts, which helps them in increasing their sales and also in stock clearance. 5. Consumer Acceptance As competition intensifies and promotions proliferate, consumers have learnt to earn the rewards of being smart shoppers. Over a period of time, they have also learnt that brands on promotion are not necessarily of lower quality. 6. Advertising Has Become More Expensive And Less Effective All the advertising media have become quite expensive. Audio-visual medium, which is considered as the most effective for short-duration ads, may cost in excess of K5000 for a 10 second exposure during prime time (Kambwir 2013). In many cases, consumers have reached a point of boredom due to excessive advertising on TV. Some consumers even consider advertising as an intrusion into their privacy, leading to zapping (surfing channels). Firms with small budgets cannot compete with big companies, which spend huge sums of money on advertising. For these small budget firms, sales promotion is a more cost-effective promotion method to produce sales results. 7.Trade Has Become More Powerful Retailers and wholesalers have become powerful and find themselves in a position to demand extra facilities from the companies. They Channel members demand more incentives to get the desired results. Manufacturers do not seem to have any alternatives but to concede to their demands, keeping in view the competitive market conditions. In shopping malls like Globus and Lifestyle, decent margins have to be paid to them in order to have shelf visibility for your brand. 8. Emphasis On Sales Volumes Towards achieving the long-term profit goals, manufacturers try to attain high sales volume. Brand managers and product managers find themselves under pressure to achieve short-term sales results for the sake of their careers. Compared to any other promotional method, sales promotion is a more effective method to generate short-term sales volume. 9. Sales Promotions Maximise Profits A number of economic theories conclude that a company can maximise profits by using sales promotion. Such promotions can permit price discrimination by allowing the brand to compete in 2 or more different market segments. Sales promotion may allow a premium brand to compete with a lower tier brand among price sensitive consumers. For example, a premium brand of toilet soap may be on promotion in some price sensitive markets, while in the remaining markets it is sold at its normal price. 10. Introducing An Element Of Interest: There are a number of promotions, which are often called interest promotions. Some of the more popular interest promotion techniques are samples, contests, and sweepstakes, free premiums and mail-in premiums. These promotions create an element of interest and excitement, and consumers enjoy these and response enthusiastically to such contests and sweepstakes, etc. 11. Build Brand awareness No company can survey without building awareness for itself and its brands. Companies may use all forms of advertising be it on Television, radio, direct marketing and on line to build awareness. The specific promotional objective may be to gain additional market share or to make a roads into a specific market segment. Another objective may be to replace the market leader in top-of-mind. 12. Sales Promotion Specialists Are Available As a result of economic liberalization, the number of management institutions has increased. This has lead to the availability of specialists, who are not only well paid but can handle this specialized work more efficiently in the current market conditions, where sales promotion has become more important. 13. Excess Stocks Because of increasing number of brands, it is difficult for manufacturers and dealers to anticipate future sales. This, at times, leads to excessive inventories, and the quickest way to clear that is to go for sales promotion.